Many readers remember the love song of the 60s. But, do they - and you - believe in magic beyond the romantic kind?

The song about love and romance can be carried back through literary Romanticism to uncover deeper meaning. Scholars, poets and philosophers over the centuries have focused on nature and wonder, imagination and emotion, and the power of the spirit to bring Magic to light. Let us begin with an Irishman whose words cover vast territory.


William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) is considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th century – winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. Although he lived in London for many years, Yeats staunchly affirmed his Irish nationality, and honored his roots while featuring Irish legends and heroes in many of his poems and plays. Yeats also served two terms as a Senator of the Irish Free State.

W.B. Yeats conceived that there existed a magical, mystical, spiritual force or magnetic attraction that permeates the world and influences human lives. He explored this concept in his writings, particularly in his work on the occult, Celtic mythology, and his personal experiences with spiritualism.

Yeats believed that magnetism was a fundamental force in the universe, similar to gravity or electromagnetism, but operating on a spiritual level. He saw magnetism as a force of attraction, drawing individuals and things together, and also as a force of interconnection, suggesting that all things are linked in a mystical way. Yeats's book A Vision details his system of thought, which includes the concept of magnetism and its role in shaping human experience.

Yeats admitted to having an almost lifelong interest in mysticism, spiritualism, occultism and astrology. He told in 1892 that, “I made magic my constant study … The mystical life is the centre of all that I do and all that I think and all that I write.”

W.B. Yeats was himself a magic sort of being. But then, we all are. Few of us are as studious as Yeats to developed sharper senses like he did. In this technological age, we are more and more distracted with man-made matters rather than natural wonders. In recent generations, we have learned to bend matter to our needs all the while losing true understanding of Nature itself.

Dr. Lewis Thomas, biologist, researcher, administrator and wise physician, hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “The only solid piece of scientific truth about which I feel totally confident is that we are profoundly ignorant about nature. Indeed, I regard this as the major discovery of the past hundred years of biology.” (The Medusa and the Snail)

For centuries, great thinkers have worried and warned their fellows about the increasingly divorced state between humans and Nature. Nature can live without us, but we cannot live without Nature.

Today, we continue even more so to forget or ignore Nature to our detriment. This is not only as we pollute our environs and then ourselves. But also, we lose opportunities to undersand our place in the world and cosmos. We forfeit simple awareness and means to work and flow with Nature.


Magic is not playing tricks and producing illusions as many of us have come to think especially since the dawn of the stage and cinema, television and the internet, digital wizardry and artificial intelligence. True Magic existed from the Beginning and brought all things that we see and experience into manifestation. It continues to do so moment by moment.  

The poets and the troubadours of centuries past knew of which they spoke and sang. They rubbed elbows with real magicians who learned to work subtly and powerfully with Natural Forces to produce visible, tangible effects. We can do the same.

Yeats had numerous literary ancestors who studied and wrote similarly about Magic in wonderful enlightening terms. We may be pleasantly stimulated and even surprised at what they had to say generations ago. We begin with American authors who wrote close to Yeats’s day and tread back in time.



Whitman saw a spiritual force, a “world soul,” permeating all things, and he referred to this force as “invisible magnetism” or “the joyous, electric all.” He also used this figurative magnetism to describe the attraction between individuals, particularly in celebration of comradeship and the "manly love of comrades.” He believed that this magnetic attraction could create a national sense of unity and belonging.
 

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), who authored The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables, frequently explored the concept of magnetism aka sympathy between individuals in his novels. He often used the force to describe the bonds and connections that exist within human relationships and communities. Hawthorne went on to employ the term to describe a more profound connection, almost spiritual, between souls. Furthermore, he used the metaphor of a “magnetic chain” to represent the interconnectedness of humanity.  

Hawthorne's works have been said to suggest that the “quietude of conscience” found in some individuals is also a form of magnetism, attracting or repelling others based on their moral standing. Hawthorne's writings go on to demonstrate a deeper, spiritual magnetism that exists between souls, influencing their interactions and destinies. Herman Melville's letters to Hawthorne, collected in The Divine Magnet, reveal the intensity of their emotional and intellectual connection, which Melville describes as a “divine magnet.”


Herman Melville (1819-1891), Hawthorne’s confidant, was a poet and author most notably of seafaring chronicles like Moby Dick and Billy Budd. The letters between the two first explored love, spirituality, and the human condition as Melville was magnetically and irresistibly attracted toward Hawthorne.
 
Melville admired Hawthorne's literary genius and philosophical insights, and their friendship was marked by a strong intellectual and emotional bond. Their letters have been published in various collections and editions, offering a glimpse into the personal lives and intellectual exchanges of two literary giants.

Herman Melville frequently used magnetism as a metaphor in his writings, particularly in Moby Dick, to explore themes of obsession, fate, and the mysterious forces that drive human actions. He also referenced the scientific understanding of magnetism, including its effects on compasses and the potential for reversal during storms or lightning strikes.


Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was an American philosopher, poet, essayist, and environmental scientist. A leader of the Transcendentalist movement, he is best known for Walden which reflects on simple living in nature, and his essay “Civil Disobedience”, which advocated for citizen disobedience against unjust governments. Thoreau was a vocal abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves reach safety.

His many years in the midst of Nature at Walden Pond are suggested in the quote above. When we follow his idea, we allow ourselves to be attuned to the subtle energies of Nature. When we act magnetically, we can be guided towards a more fulfilling or purposeful life, almost as if by magic. Then guided by higher, unseen forces, beneficial outcomes are assured.


Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), authour and critic, is best known for writing tales of mystery and the macabre in the likes of The Tell Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum. Poe showed a strong interest in magnetism in his writing. He explored this concept in several of his works, including his stories and his book reviews, often incorporating it into his narratives and discussions. Magnetism was widely discussed early in the 19th century, with the public intrigued by its potential to heal and cure ailments.

Poe began incorporating references to mesmerism in his book reviews and stories. Poe delved into the theory and its implications in his book titled The Philosophy of Animal Magnetism and stories such as “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar,” “A Tale of the Ragged Mountains,” and “Mesmeric Revelation.”


Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was another leading figure in Transcendentalism. He frequently used the concept of magnetism in his writings to describe the power of character, intellect, and personal influence. He believed that individuals possess a kind of magnetic force that draws others to them based on their character and intellect. This magnetism was not just about charm or social appeal, but rather a deeper, more fundamental force that emanated from one's inner being.

Emerson believed that character and wit possessed their own magnetic pull, attracting like-minded individuals. He saw magnetic people as those who naturally influence and inspire others, not through force or coercion, but through their inherent character and intellect. Emerson emphasized the importance of individual magnetism, suggesting that people should rely on their own unique qualities and not try to conform to external expectations. His philosophy often connected human beings to nature, and he saw the magnetic force as a reflection of the universe's inherent power and interconnectedness.


Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the renowned English writer and social critic, engaged in magic – aka magnetism – in daily life as well as in his novels. Dickens viewed magnetism with humor against a deep belief in its potential. He perceived its ability to influence human behavior via the invisible magnetic force which all living things possess.
 
Dickens also used the idea of invisible forces and influences to explore the dynamics of human relationships and social structures in his novels. In his writings – most notably Great Expectations, Mr. Dickens speculated on how individuals can use magical-magnetic influence through verbal, vital, and emotional manipulation to control others.

Dickens believed in an even more profound force, one that he attributed to human willpower and influence. He even recounted some of his own extraordinary experiences with magnetism– as noted in the book Dickens and Mesmer by Fred Kaplan.


William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) was often associated with the sense of magnetism in his writings and personal life, particularly in the context of friendship and social interactions. He used the term magnetism to describe the subtle, sometimes irresistible force that draws people together and influences their behavior. This influence can be positive, as in the case of friendship, or negative, as in the case of social ambitions or manipulative behavior.

Thackeray believed that the magnetism of friendship could transform individuals. He wrote of social magnetism, particularly in Vanity Fair, exploring the ways in which social ambition and competition can create a form of magnetism that draws people into a cycle of striving and often leaves them disillusioned. Thackeray demonstrated his own personal magnetism through his charm and wit, which led to his popularity in social circles. He was a member of the Reform Club and known for his engaging conversations. This suggests that he had a personal magnetism that drew people to him. In sum, Thackeray's use of magnetism in his writings highlighted the human tendency to be drawn to certain ideas, individuals or groups. It can be interpreted as a form of charisma, influence, or simply the power of attraction.

Thackeray's novel Pendennis was dedicated to John Elliotson, a physician and proponent of mesmerism – medical magnetism, known to be a friend of Thackeray. Thackeray depicted Elliotson in his novel, fictionalizing him as Doctor Goodenough.  


Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) was a writer and politician. His novel Vril: The Power of the Coming Race explored the concept of a mysterious energy called “Vril” that was central to the advanced subterranean civilization he described. This energy was presented as a form of animal magnetism.

The Vril-ya, the subterranean race, were depicted as having mastered the use of “Vril,” a mysterious force that was both a source of power and a form of communication. The concept of Vril drew upon the contemporary understanding of animal magnetism or mesmerism. The novel used Vril to explain the advanced technology and social organization of the subterranean society, suggesting a connection between this energy and their mastery of the natural world. Vril represented the idea of a powerful, unifying force capable of being harnessed for good or ill.


Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) made a niche for herself as a woman in a man’s age writing on social life and issues in 19th century Britain. When she experienced her own significant illness – a uterine tumor, Martineau wrote the influential book called Life in the Sickroom seeking to empower patients and invalids to make their own decisions and pursue meaningful lives  in spite of their circumstances. Along the way, she encountered magnetism and eventually submitted to treatment by a number of practitioners of mesmerism.

From 1839 to 1844, Martineau’s physical sufferings were severe, and almost unceasing. She could not go out of the house, and alternated only between her bed in one room and her couch in another. At the same time her pain was so great that she was compelled to take opiates daily. “The pain itself becomes more odious, more oppressive, more feared in proportion to the accumulation of experience of weary hours, in proportion to the aggregate of painful associations which every visitation revives.”

Still, Miss Martineau produced many articles, children’s stories, and novels for the public. Her major novels were highly regarded by the likes of Thomas Carlyle. Amazingly, in 1844 the long illness came to an end as Martineau was restored to perfect health by means of magnetism. Such a “magical” cure of a noteworthy writer could not fail to make a great sensation.


Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), the Scottish writer and historian, viewed magnetism in relation to human interaction, influence, and the power of ideas. Carlyle sensed a “magnetic spell” cast over him by the German writer Goethe. He found “congenial repose” in Goethe's calming presence, implying an unseen force drawing him in. This suggested a personal and intellectual magnetism.

Carlyle saw the wider world as a source of wonder and mystery, even after the rise of science. He believed that the universe, with its intricate laws and phenomena, was ultimately a miracle – magic. Carlyle’s novel Supernatural Naturalism describes his belief in a latent supernatural force within nature, which he saw as the foundation of all physical matter and the source of human inspiration and the ability to recognize the miraculous in the ordinary.

Carlyle wrote extensively about the 19th century's increasing focus on “Mechanism” and lamented the neglect of the “Dynamical” or inner, vital, spiritual forces in life. As suggested in our introduction, Carlyle viewed society becoming overly fixated on external things, quantifiable aspects, and physical power, while neglecting the moral and magical nature of life. People even 200 years ago were becoming complacent or intellectually inert because of excessive reliance on mechanisms and superficial solutions.


Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was a poet and a political philosopher who penned “The Magnetic Lady to Her Patient.” The poem makes a connection between magnetism and a woman's influence or power over a patient, suggesting a kind of magnetic attraction or sway. Shelley's poetry often explored themes of attraction, fascination, and power dynamics, which could be interpreted as a form of magnetic or magical influence.

Shelley often used the concept of attraction and influence in his poetry, particularly in his portrayals of female characters. His poetry frequently explored the themes of power, influence, and the potential for both good and bad outcomes that can arise from these magnetic forces.


Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was a poet, philosopher and theologian most noted for his Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Coleridge aimed to understand life beyond mystical or materialistic explanations, using analogies like magnetism as a way to describe its dynamic nature. He viewed magnetism, along with electricity and gravity, as sources of power, energy, and forces that underlie life processes.

Coleridge emphasized that life is not a linear process but a self-regulating and evolving system, leading to increasing complexity and individuality. Coleridge's concept of imagination played a crucial role in his understanding of life, as it allowed for the exploration of the deeper, more abstract aspects of existence. He also touched upon the idea that life's evolution involves a higher level of consciousness and thought, suggesting a connection between the individual mind and the broader process of life.


Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), the Scottish novelist, playwright, and poet, continues to be well known and highly regarded centuries after he wrote books in the likes of Ivanhoe and Rob Roy. Scott engaged with the concept of magnetism in the supernatural, historical practices, and the intersection of science and magic calling on correspondence with his friend David Brewster.

In Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft he shared his extensive knowledge of paranormal events and history. Beyond the title subjects, Scott described the oral and written traditions of faeries and ghosts, with notes about lycanthropy, astrology, charms, and more. This collection of letters, first published in 1830, was notable for both its scope (examining social, cultural, medical and psychological factors in peoples' paranormal experiences) and its clear, rational standpoint.

Scott’s book drew forth Letters on Natural Magic Addressed to Sir Walter Scott by Sir David Brewster, a Scottish physicist and inventor. Brewster offered scientific explanations behind magic and supernatural phenomena, aiming to counter superstition with logical reasoning. Brewster endeavored to explain magic through optical illusions, chemical tricks, and other scientific principles.


William Blake (1757-1827), the Romantic poet, painter, and visionary, was deeply involved in magnetism. He explored the concept in his works, drawing on its potential for spiritual healing and visionary experiences. His understanding of magnetism was intertwined with his broader philosophical and religious views, particularly his emphasis on imagination and the restoration of spiritual health. Blake often used metaphors and symbols related to magnetism and electricity in his poetry and artwork. For example, he referred to the “electric flame” and the “magnetic fluid” to evoke ideas of spiritual energy and healing.

Blake was fascinated by animal magnetism, which involved the manipulation of a universal fluid believed to influence the body and mind. For him, this was a means to reconnect the divine and the human, the visible and the invisible. Blake's interest in magnetism also intersected with Emanuel Swedenborg’s belief in healing through communication with spirits and visionary experiences, Blake saw magnetism as a tool for achieving spiritual and mental transformation. In his work, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Blake sought to share his own “salutary and medicinal” message that could open readers to a deeper understanding of the spiritual world.


Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish polymath: scientist, engineer, astronomer, inventor, anatomist, theologian, philosopher, and mystic. He is best known for his book on the afterlife, Heaven and Hell. Swedenborg explored magnetism extensively in his philosophical and scientific works, viewing it as a fundamental force in both the natural and spiritual realms.

Swedenborg saw the magnetic sphere as analogous to the heavens, with spiral gyrations and vortices mirroring celestial phenomena. Swedenborg believed magnetism was not miraculous but rather an effect of human intelligence and a key to understanding the universe's structure and workings. He considered magnetism a fundamental force that permeates all of creation, influencing both the physical and spiritual dimensions. Swedenborg believed that the magnetic sphere demonstrated the interconnectedness of the natural and spiritual worlds, suggesting that spiritual forces influence physical phenomena.


We could continue on indefinitely reviewing the magic and magnetism described by numerous other writers in generations past. But the reader should have by now gathered some sense of the power and presence of the wonderful, subtle forces in our midst. We thank the literary giants of old for our first view of magic and magnetism. Next time, we will explore these ideas more closely from a medical-healing angle. Finally, we intend to bring magic-magnetism home to our very own doorsteps –  so to speak.