Diablerie ~ WordWayzzz™ 10/05/2022

White Magic Makeover

Well ya-all, I finally got this article posted but sometimes life is not simple or easy ... okay, most of the time it isn’t. But here we are! This month of course, we have a spooky Halloween-appropriate word.

I dare say, in view of the recent pandemic, and apparent Pandora’s box of ailments released from an invisible source, it would seem we are reckoning with powerful, dark forces.

The question is, do we accept that power over us, or do we thrust the cloak aside and walk tall through the invisible veil of Halloween month? Our devils may be different, but our fear of losing control is universal. So chomp down on a chocolate pumpkin while we summon the power within to vanquish ...   

DIABLERIE (dē-'ä-blɘ-(,)rē,-'a-blē-; 1751) n. – 1) : black magic : sorcery; 2) -a : a representation in words or pictures of black magic or dealings with the devil; -b : demon lore; 3) mischievous conduct or manner. [WW #322] 

Like all facets of life, there is a fine line between diablerie and wizardry—generally accepted as a definition of “white magic”—it’s a perfectly good word, but it too, can be misconstrued for dark magic, as in the tales of Harry Potter (not him, of course, but some of his classmates were downright diabolically diablerie!). Wizardry just doesn’t quite have the meaningful flair for its definition that
diablerie has for black magic.

Witchcraft doesn’t work, either, as so many witches can conjure up a cauldron full of mischief, and sorcery can be dastardly without even trying. Thesaurus sites suggest theurgy and other off-base definitions that are abjectly boring.

And, although Webster’s dictionary uses “black magic” in its definition of diablerie, none of those words above mention any connection to “white magic.” So ...

Since this is a website about words, let’s have some wordy fun! Put your thinking caps on and send me your best one-word vocabulary concoction that you can brew up for an all-encompassing meaning of “white magic.” (Will also post the contest on Twitter @PenchantForPen in the next couple of days.)

Rules for White Magic Makeover:

-       Make sure it isn’t already a word

-       Nothing vulgar or otherwise offensive to the general public

-       Provide a brief definition that describes its relation to “white magic”

-       One word per person / email address / Twitter account (your information will NOT be used [or sold/shared] for any purpose other than for me to contact you)

-       Deadline: October 31, 2022, at midnight (of course!)

-       Winner will be announced by November 20, 2022

For all those who submit a word by the witching hour on Halloween, you’ll receive a mention in next month’s “Thanksgiving” issue of Penchant for Penning’s WordWayzzz™ blog, and let all our Twitter friends know how creative you are! A list of entrants’ words will be posted on PFP. What will the winner receive?

Welllllll, I have already decided to submit it to Webster’s folks for consideration. Beyond that, I’ll have to let ya know ... I just came up with the idea while researching for this article, so need to give it some proper thought. But I promise it will be fun-on-a-budget. I don’t have much to work with, so simply enjoy the creativity, accomplishment, and “fame.”

We’ve all had our dealing with the devil in one form or other, in ourselves, or in another, but ... remember, for all the diablerie in the world, there is also the angel-light of white magic ...

OCTOBER’s Monthly Song of Note ♪

Of course, “Witchy Woman” by the Eagles, was my #1 choice from Rocktober 1972, but that tune is beguiling the viewers over at the Blast from Your Past site. So, we’re going with “Thunder and Lightning” by Chi (pronounced “Shy”) Coltrane!
      When we think of dark magic, it’s often with the image of lightning sparks flying and ominous thunder rolling ... so click the song link, close your eyes and hear the rumble ... ♪ I tell you it’s frightening | and you’re in control ♪  ... 50 Years Ago this Month   

Word Challenge: DIABLERIE. Think of all the scenarios in your fiction and non-fiction writings where diablerie is the archetypal definition, as you fit it into a spooky month of all shapes and forms of magic writings and casual conversations.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to learning a new word today! 
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

WordWayz™ is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wayzzz comments.

[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.
               And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzz  

 

 

Thaumaturgist – Wordplay Wednesday™ 10/06/2021

 Ready for a Wild Night Month?  

Our favorite spooky night is looming on the dark horizon! Wordplay Wednesday’s Halloween words traditionally applied to the mysteries of October each week. Now that it’s a monthly blog, rather than just one word, let’s conjure up a 2-fer for the price of one!

Abracadabra!

THAUMATURGIST (ʹthȯʹmɘ-,tɘr-jist; 1829) n. – a performer of miracles; esp. magician. [WW #310/1-M ~ Monthly Edition]

THAUMATURGY (ʹthȯʹmɘ-,tɘr-jē; ca. 1727) n. – the performance of miracles; spec. magic. [WW #310/2-M ~ Monthly Edition]

Magic performances have fascinated humankind for eons. Although the secrets to many tricks of thaumaturgy have been revealed over time, there are still thaumaturgists who manage to keep their magic mystical.

As Halloween month unfolds, more magicians will emerge from the shadows (of Covid!) to amaze and bemuse. Or maybe they’ll just wear the costume. Either way, thaumaturgists’ tricks seem even more profound and bizarre around Halloween—even those exposed as less than mystical, when performed with flare, can trick the unsuspecting mind.

Did you hear that? ♪ The wild night is callin’ …♪  around Halloween fifty years ago, Van Morrison sang of wild nights and crazy times. Get wild with our Monthly Song of Note* and create your own thaumaturgy spectacle in your writing, or your living room!

Word Challenge: THAUMATURGIST. Give this word and its bag of tricks, thaumaturgy, some comprehensive thought—its definition could apply to a saint or a sinner—as you fit them into your week of spellbinding writings and casual conversations.

* PFP’s Monthly Song of Note: “Wild Night,” by Van Morrison, quickly climbed to #14 on the KFRC/San Francisco music survey, October 4, 1971 50 Years Ago this Month.

Wordplay Wednesday is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to learning a new word today!

@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.
                And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

 

DEVILRY – Wordplay Wednesday™ 10/28/2020

The Devil You Say!  

Over the centuries, Halloween trick-or-treating has had more than its fair share of devils roaming the streets—both harmless and harmful. Not to ignore its obvious connotation of evil, let’s add a little levity to life and explore the devil’s role with playful tongue in cheek …

DEVILRY (‘de-v^ɘl-rē; 14c.) [or deviltry] n. – 1a) action performed with the help of the devil: witchcraft; b) wickedness; c) mischief; 2) an act of devilry. [WW #292]

Throw in a little devilment, a devil-may-care attitude, and a devilish rogue, for a hyper-mischievous Halloween! Don’t forget, you’ll have the devil to pay if you go too far, but a fun night of devilry in the lightest sense of the word can add an impish charm to your All Hallows Eve.

This Halloween falls on a Blue Moon and a Saturday so devilry is apt to describe the prevailing mystic atmosphere. The day is host to several lottery draws, will  you become a lucky devil? Or if you’re stuck at home, you might practice a new recipe of deviled eggs, and chase the dust devils around, to prep for Thanksgiving!

From ancient centuries, Halloween has meant a Celtic celebration of summer’s end, the harvest, and a lifting of the veil between the living and dead, in a festival to honor saints and martyrs. As History.com tells its modern day evolution, “All Souls’ Day was celebrated similarly to Samhain [Celtic festival], with big bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels and devils. The All Saints’ Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day) and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain [SOW-in] in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.”

Is there a correlation to November 3^rd’s Election Day? You be the judge … to take you into November and the next week of final elections, try not to stress as you struggle to cast your ballot between the devil and the deep blue sea (faced with two equally objectionable devilry alternatives).

Whatever your relationship with the devil and his devilry (if any or none) there is a cute little devil with a trick-or-treat bag full of references for your writings and chats. To some, he is more heinous than hilarious; so keep that in mind, or you may indeed, have the devil to pay.

Word Challenge: DEVILRY. For the Irish or Irish at heart, enjoy a little “Cleas nó cóir”! (class noh koh-ir)! (“Trick or Treat” in Gaelic), as you fit devilry into your week of delightfully wicked writings and creepy conversations.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to learning a new word today!

Happy Halloween!

Wicked Witch of the West
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

*LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz