Practical Magic - Book Crossing and more
by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC
I believe in magic. Well, if not magic, then the power and possibility of manifesting what we want and believe. And I have personal experiences to back me up. There’s the one where my dog’s badly torn knee ligament, which had not responded to any other treatment, was healed overnight by an Intuitive (2,000 miles away). And the time the ongoing invasion of ants left my house when asked politely.
Well, here’s something for the pragmatists out there. I joined Book Crossing recently - an online group that encourages the exchange of books through random and anonymous giving. I normally, and yes, pragmatically, enjoy the exchange of used books. But adding a bit of mystery to it felt more fun - where would your book end up and with who?
So, I joined the group, wrote my name and email address in a book cover, along with instructions to “please take me” and left it on a table in a coffee shop. What book did I choose to hand out? As you can guess, I’ve collected many dog self-help books over the years, so I grabbed one off my shelf that I had purchased used and found a little too scientific for my purposes - it was called “The Dog’s Mind”.
A week or so later, I received an email from the person who picked it up. He saw my note, but was confirming that I had really meant for someone to take this book home to keep. Once he was convinced, I learned that this person had acquired 3 dogs and this obscure book was on his reading list. He was grateful, but I was overjoyed!
Maybe it’s not the power of magic that will change the world, maybe it’s the power of giving - or both.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
i loved the idea of leaving used books. i am going to try it this weekend. what a great thing to do, now my problem is “which one?” i love my books, and don’t like to part with any, but, reading your blog, i think i am to the “separation”
September 13th, 2007 at 10:59 am
We used to do something like this when I lived in Hull in the UK - we started what we called The Floating Library. Essentially just left books in randomn places with a note to pass it on. I wander where they are now…
September 13th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
I have been an avid user of Bookcrossing for years! I love what the site stands for and the great “book karma” that can be shared through it! Thanks for helping spread the word!
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:53 am
What a great site to have ’stumbled’ on! I was actually looking for a site to find out what a particular tattoo on my back stands for and had typed in Tao Magic Book! I too practice the art of bookcrossing but like the idea of leaving a contact email or so. It opens up that extra dimension of connection and gives the original intention of passing a book on an extra depth. Good way to network energy! Talking about networking…perhaps one of you out there knows more about Tao Magic symbols so I can identify this tattoo?! It has the (shamen’s?) feet dancing, with two spirals (yin and yang?) reaching upwards with written symbols inbetween the spirals (possibly the incantation or magic?). If anyone has seen something like this or can recommend a book I’d be most intrigued and gratefull!
I can be contacted on aylaminx@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you,
Astrid
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:42 am
Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm and for stumbling upon us at Tao of Change, Astrid.
I like the idea of signing the book, too - it does seem to enhance the interaction. I’ll try that next time.
I’m not sure about your tattoo idea, but the dancing feet make me think of Kopelli from Native American mythology and of course, spirals are sacred in many traditions. Try looking up Grouse in Animal Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson.