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The Craft of Everyday Magic An interview with author Dorothy Morrison. by Tara Miller (Masery, Myrddin of the Elodrym)
This article was first published in the Earth Spirit Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 2 June 1998
Dorothy Morrison is a very strong willed, free spirit. At first glance she seems out of place. Her cowboy boots and fringed, black leather jacket make it seem odd that she is standing indoors and not on a motorcycle with the wind whipping through her wild salt and pepper mane. She may be untamed, but her eyes reveal there is spiritual wisdom at her command. Dorothy’s distinct Southern accent gives her an air of refinement and brings up vivid images of white columned mansions and mint juleps. Dorothy is very active in the Pagan community. She founded the Coven of the Crystal Garden in 1986 and she is a charter member of M.A.G.I.C. [an organization of writers and artists who encourage a vision of a whole-united Earth] and the Pagan Poet’s Society. Her writings have appeared in various journals and newsletters over the past few years. Now her creativity and knowledge have been unleashed in her first two books: Magical Needlework and Everyday Magic (Llewellyn). How long have you been involved with magick? Magick’s had a hold on me ever since I can remember; in fact, I’m not so sure that magick wasn’t interested in me - instead of the other way around! As a child, I saw auras. I never thought to discuss it with anyone, because I thought it was a normal thing. I just thought that everybody was colored on the outside. I found out differently in first grade when my teachers insisted that I not color outside the lines. There was such a ruckus that my parents took me to the doctor to have my vision and motor skills checked. Years later, I discovered Paganism, Wicca, and the Craft. I suddenly felt a sense of belonging, and the days of feeling abnormal were gone. It was like magick had been calling my name since the day I was born, and I’d finally found the source. Why did you begin the Coven of the Crystal Garden? I founded the Coven of the Crystal Garden - a working/teaching group - for several reasons. For one thing, many of the groups I’d visited or been involved with seemed very restrictive; students were expected to forget everything they’d learned and do exactly as the High Priest/ess-Teacher saw fit. There wasn’t much room for the creative process. No one was ever encouraged to think, much less write their own spells or rituals. I thought this was awful, since the personal creativity process *is* magic. I also founded the group in an effort to make the Craft a little less mysterious. At that time, most groups delighted in enveloping the Craft in a shroud of fear and mystery; everything was a secret that only an elite few were allowed to share. I didn’t agree with that. Truth is, there’s nothing mysterious about the way magic works. Though props and focal points may differ, magic and all it entails is synonymous with prayer. The Coven of the Crystal Garden and its members reflect this way of thinking. What are your interests? Stonework, tarotwork, herbwork and gardening, bowhunting, animal welfare, computer networking, and of course, writing! Why did you become a writer? I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write. (Even though it’s grammatically incorrect, it’s often said that “writers write because they *can’t* not write!”) I started writing Craft-related material for many of the same reasons I founded the Coven of the Crystal Garden. For the most part, I felt that many of the written materials on the market were not “user-friendly,” did not allow for personal creativity, and did not explain the basics thoroughly. I also felt that I had a duty to humankind to share the knowledge I’d gathered. After all, knowledge shared is *not* knowledge lost. Knowledge shared is power gained! When did you become interested in sewing? I grew up in a family that held dear the genteel customs of the old South, and one of those customs involved needlework. Here’s how it went. For a one hour period after lunch each day, all the ladies in the household would retire to the parlor to embroider, tat, crochet, or whatever. This wasn’t considered a time to handle mending or other daily duties - it was a time to relax, regenerate, and recoup from the morning’s rigorous schedule. It was a time to laugh, share secrets, and reclaim all that was feminine. My mother grew up with this custom, as did her mother and grandmother. She insisted that we continue the tradition, so she schooled us in needle arts just as soon as we were able to handle the appropriate tools. What is magick? How can this relate to needlework? It’s really a cause and effect sort of thing. Magic is defined as “change of condition by ritual means.” With any sort of needlecraft, a form - fabric, yarn, floss, etc. - is changed by repetitive/ritual acts: cutting, sewing, embroidering, and so on - until it changes irrevocably into a different shape, form, or texture. Even though the techniques of magic and needlework differ, the principles of the two are the same; therefore, all needlework is magical. What are some of the magical things you have crafted? I’ve worked every pattern in Magical Needlework. In addition, I’ve made ritual robes, travel charms, protective samplers, magical placemats - almost anything you can imagine. What inspired you to write Magical Needlework and Everyday Magic? I wrote Magical Needlework because I felt that the magical value of needlecraft mediums had somehow been forgotten over the years. It was time to re-introduce them, revitalize them, and give them their place once more as viable magical tools. Everyday Magic was another story. I thought it was important for folks to understand that they didn’t have to have mysterious powers, locate obscure ingredients, or be geniuses to perform successful magic. I also wrote it to bring today’s world into sync with the Ancient Arts. As a result, the spells and rituals in Everyday Magic reflect not only solutions to age-old problems like love and prosperity - they also provide solutions for modern day worries like addiction, depression, traffic, and computer crashes. What is Everyday Magic about? Though magical principles are emphasized somewhat, Everyday Magic focuses more on the practitioner and what s/he can do to obtain optimum results. Along with over 300 spells and rituals, there’s a great deal of information about simple spell boosters - rhyme, color, symbols, herbs, stones, sun and moon phases, the winds, etc. - and their power. Who would benefit from these books? These books are written for absolutely everybody - regardless of gender, age, religion, or creed. I think almost anyone could benefit from them. What do you hope people will learn from your books? That they are the thread of the Universe, the Life Force, the Creative Effort. That they alone have the ability to change their lives and recreate themselves. Does someone need practical sewing experience or basic mystical knowledge before reading these books? No experience necessary for reaping the ultimate benefit from either book.
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