Briana Henderson Saussy - Making magic: weaving together the everyday and the extraordinary

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In my own life, it would be difficult to say who did the seeking. Did I seek out the wild animal that is magic, or did it seek me out, claiming me as its own and rubbing its scent all over me from a very early age? Many of us feel this way, and it is what makes soulful seeking the never-ending dance that it is. What I do know is that I am privileged to be born into a family of fantastic people who tell wonderful stories and live colorful lives. It is from them that I have learned in a thousand small and significant ways how to spy the golden threads of the extraordinary right in the middle of all that is everyday.

Making magic is always a community effort, and the same is true about writing a book. Though my name is on the cover, the truth is that the book you hold in your hands has an entire flock of holy helpers who taught me, challenged me, supported me, and fed me in body, soul, and spirit. In writing their names down here, I honor, bless, and thank each and every one of them.

The deepest and brightest thank you goes to my beloved husband, David first editor, sounding board, and man who brings coffee, beauty, and loving touches, as well as a sharp mind and deep heart. This work is as much yours as mine. You are my beloved, and I am blessed beyond measure by your presence in my life.

Greatest thanks to my earliest teachers, my parents, Bill and Brenda, each of whom taught me their own unique mix of alchemy, magic, and wonder. My Nana, who teaches me daily about the power of prayer, among so many other things, and my Papa, for being the first bringer of magic in my life and teaching me a valuable lesson early on that people really can change. My sister, Brittany, for agreeing all those years ago to be a little witch right alongside me. My Uncle Bubba taught me early on what it meant to go your own way and what hunting for food is really all about. My extended family, all of whom circle around the bonfire at the beach you are home base and tribe, and I feel each of you with me on this journey.

Ideas have their own lineages that are passed down hand to hand and voice to voice by excellent teachers. Some of mine have been Chris Parma, Matthew Davis, Chester Burke, Deborah Schwartz, Patricia Greer, Flora Elmore, Myra Krien, catherine yronwode, Natalie Goldberg, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Ests, R. J. Stewart, and Anastacia Nutt, among so many others. Terri Windling deserves deep thanks for sharing my writing with her audience and encouraging my voice at a critical time, as well as for her own fantastic literary work, which continues to be a source of inspiration and wonder. Midori Snyder deserves thanks for consistently crafting beautiful words and being an exemplar of the art.

Friendship has also been an essential magical ingredient along this journey, so I must thank my best friend Roxana Zirakzadeh for being the best friend anyone could ask for, a sister, cheerleader, and fellow philosopher and lover of beauty all rolled into one perfect package. I would also like to thank the following companions who have walked many miles with me: Colleen Buckley, Jon De Los Santos, Marion Cook, Dr. Felicia Stonedale (a real-life fairy godmother), Heather Hunter (ta extraordinaire), Leslie Wolfe, Paul and James Chapman, Wendy and Randall Cherry, my parent crew at San Antonio Academy, and the countless friends I have made online who are far too numerous to name. I have been blessed with not only dear friends but also dear colleagues. Special thanks to Theresa Reed for opening the door, the road, and the way and for being the best. Danielle Cohen is my photographer and witness in so many ways. Thanks also to Fabeku Fatunmise, Jason Miller, Aidan Wachter, Elizabeth Barrial, Esm Wang, Alexis Morgan, Jen Holmes, Sara Magnuson, Jacquelyn Tierney, Anais, Shannon, and Abby.

A deep bow goes out to my students, clients, and community of soulful seekers, many of whom have been with me year in and year out. I love you all and am honored to serve you. And another deep bow to my team: Monica Mitchell, who keeps the tech aspects of my site up and running, and Cassandra Oswald, who has become a collaborative partner and provides all of the original art on the site, as well as for the cover of this book. Thanks to Sounds True. Jennifer Brown is not just an acquisitions editor; she is a true friend and advocate. To my editor, Amy Rost, who understood me and my vision from day one. And to Tami Simon, who kept looking at my work and giving it a chance.

Thanks and best of blessings to my sons. To Jasper, my first business partner, discerning client, and one of the goads to begin teaching. And thanks of another kind to Heath, with whom I was pregnant throughout the entire crafting of this book and who in a very real way wrote this book with me. You are both my joys and miracles.

I thank the crossroads and all they have taught me, and the daily reminder to call out the magic.

Final thanks are given to my ancestors, those who came before me and whose voices were often muted, muzzled, and for far too long went unheard, and to my descendants, those who will come after I am gone. My prayer for you is that you inherit a world more mended and magical.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Briana Saussy is a writer, teacher, spiritual counselor, and ritualist dedicated to the restoration and remembering of the sacred arts. She combines a practical and creative approach to spirituality that includes the riches of the perennial world religions, the contributions of modern psychology to the search for meaning, and the often overlooked and forgotten bodies of wisdom contained in folk magic, divination, and storytelling practices. Briana studied Eastern and Western classics, philosophy, mathematics, and science at St. Johns College (Annapolis and Santa Fe) and is a student of Ancient Greek and Sanskrit.

Briana comes from a diverse lineage of South Texans whose ethnic heritage includes Scotch-Irish, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Mexican, and Jewish roots, and who have informed her own direct experience with survivals of fragmented folk magic and storytelling traditions. She lives in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas, with her husband and two sons, as well as various furred, finned, and feathered friends. Beyond conversations that make her think, sweet kisses from her beloved, and good times with her family, she finds that strong coffee, good dirt, and true words are some of the best things in life. You may learn more about her work at brianasaussy.com.

POSTLUDE

Somewhere in the world right now you are remembering your very own wild magic. Striding alongside it, you will find that you have discovered a set of instructions after all. They will guide you in creating rituals, fostering transformation, coming into right relationship with your uncharted soul soil, seeing what has up until this point remained unseen, hearing what has up until this point remained unheard, and giving voice to that which has been voiceless. They are the signposts for making magic.

Dream true.

Listen to your dreams.

Ask a question.

Seek an answer.

Be purposeful.

Bring an offering.

Discern with care who is worth listening to.

Go into the wild.

Show kindness to strangers.

Accept that the journey will take as much time as it takes.

Do not rush.

Do not dawdle.

Pay attention.

Find the cave.

Ford the river.

Be willing to wait for what is worthwhile.

Sit by the fire.

Make it your own.

Stay as long as it takes.

Laugh.

Love.

Tell stories.

Say thank you.

Know your true name.

Remember what matters.

Live life so that others can remember too.

Dare to speak to bears.

REMEMBER YOUR MAGIC

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

EDEN PHILLPOTTS,