When we are children we are told by our parents how much power words have. Chosen poorly they can ruin someone’s day or even life. Chosen properly they can win a discussion, debate, war… or even… election.
In 2008 Obama won the war of words. That is how he got elected. He chose a target (Bush) and battled a war of words against him. Obama spoke well, I can’t say I agreed with what he said, but he said it in a way that was mass marketable. Also it was a good time for him to come along after a president that by all accounts didn’t always choose the English language as well has he could have. Now that I’ve gotten this politically charged let me take a giant step back.
Words hold a power that no other object in the course of human history has had. Words also work in very mysterious ways. If I were to say the world “Liberalism” it would stir up emotions immediately. That word just by it self has the power to bring forth pure anger, or pure happiness. From the far-right of US politics this word brings forth anger with the response ”It will ruin the economy of the United States and the world as a whole”. From the far-left of US politics it will bring for happiness with a response of “It will bring fairness and the equality of each and every person.”
I would argue that both of these responses are wrong. However, that one word “Liberalism” can create those reactions. That is, to me, out of phase with reality. Liberalism does not have that power, because everyone in the world I believe is part Liberal, part Conservative… It’s just a matter of how much of each. I would argue that if you added a word to support Liberalism, you could make those thoughts realistically true. That support word would be “Unrestrained”. Unrestrained Liberalism has the power to reach both of the emotional feelings that appear when using the one world. Yet, now a lot of the emotional power has been removed from the word Liberalism. This is a result of the magic power of words.
My goal of this post is not to convince you of any political argument or position. My intent is to show just how much power words have. The best way I know how to do that is through politics and emotion. Words can destroy relationships, but by the same token they can also save a relationship that’s on the rocks (at least for a little while). They have been shown to both start and end wars.
In terms of magic, the pagan belief that we can all effect the world around us, the most simple of spells are just charms… Nothing but words repeated over and over again to yourself, to create a result. “Calm down”, “Get excited”, “Do better”, “Don’t forget the ear plugs”
Words have hidden meanings as well, more so then any other way to communicate. This is where part of the fun is… Miscommunication. If you glare at someone with an angry face it is usually very clear your intent. However if you say something like “No, I’m not angry,” Some people actually are. Sometimes that’s quite a bit harder to tell. Sarcasm isn’t always clear… And my personal favorite set of double/triple meanings: Fag (faggot), a derogatory term for a gay man. A Fag also a British slang term for cigarette. My personal favorite however a fag (fagot) is a bundle of sticks, twigs, or branches bound together and used as fuel, a fascine, a torch, etc.
So please, choose your words carefully… Also, start looking at people’s word choice and why they choose the words they do. They may be telling you more then you realize. You can have more effects then you realize. You may even completely change the universe around you.