The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily 1373: Protection Spell Jar by Cynthia Marie Hoffman
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Oct 14, 2025 Explore the intricate intertwining of poetry and mental health as a woman's journey through obsessive-compulsive disorder unfolds. Delve into the concept of magical thinking and how it serves as a means of finding control. Discover the enchanting prose poem 'Protection Spell Jar,' which invites listeners deep into the speaker's consciousness. Engage with the emotional power of ritual and reflection, capturing the essence of human experience through the lens of poetry.
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Comfort Objects During Travel
- Maggie Smith describes carrying talismans and her daughter's note on flights to feel safer.
- She says loving objects felt like a protection spell during takeoff and turbulence.
Magical Thinking As Control
- Maggie Smith explains magical thinking as a way to create control in an unsafe world.
- She frames rituals as attempts to reduce uncertainty, even when they aren't logically protective.
OCD As A Vicious Cycle
- Maggie Smith describes OCD as a vicious cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
- She notes the rituals aim to prevent feared outcomes but can trap people in repetitive behavior.