Spinning Straw Into Gold

Spinning Straw Into Gold or The Trouble With Magic

I have often thought back to the Grimm Brothers story of Rumpelstiltskin.  It contained a few characters I didn’t especially want to know, like the miller who bragged to the king that his daughter could spin straw into gold.  Thanks Dad!

The miller's daughter, faced with this daunting task was desperate enough to contract with a gnome who had the needed magic to do the job for her.  After several engagements, she eventually promised her first born in payment.  Like so many of us, she thought she could worry about the balloon payment when the mortgage came due.

I have always felt a bit sorry for Rumpelstiltskin, though he did try to take advantage of the miller's daughter.  Like so many magic beings, his abilities were in high demand and he could command high payment for doing something no one else could do at the moment.  He was the deciding factor in the miller’s daughter marrying the king.  This is a big deal.

When it came time to collect his payment, however, the story says the queen “had forgotten” her promise to Rumpelstiltskin.  It is notable that she didn't back out of the deal.  She had blocked out her memory of the agreement.

Forgotten Magic;  Oh, was that you who turned the straw into gold?  

How often does this happen to Magic People?  

“Remember, I told you you would get an amazing job in November,” says the psychic.  

"I don't remember that" says the client.

The client, coming out of trance says, “I’m not afraid of making cold calls any more, and here’s how I’m going to do it…”  Then later says “Nothing happened during that session”

The sports injured, whose knee is no longer painful and now normal size, says, “What injury?” when asked about her knee.

This is the trouble with spinning straw into gold!  It’s a big enough change and a glitzy enough miracle that we maybe get our heads around it for a bit but they don’t stay around it.

Also, there is an organic quality to use of energy that makes the improved state feel ordinary; like nothing happened.  Oh yeah, you did treat my cough and the next thing I knew I woke up in the morning after sleeping all night.  What a coincidence!

Giving the Miller's Daughter some Spinning Lessons

I don’t expect my clients to meet me at the train station with a brass band, but goodness!  Don’t forget me entirely!  I can see why Rumpelstilskin thought a high fee schedule would make the magic more valuable.  

Seems like Rumpelstiltskin was the only skin in the game.  The Miller's daughter, knowing she was in dire straits was in a perfect situation to take some lessons in achemical spinning.

This is also why I am happier empowering my client than enabling my client!  It’s gratifying to coach people in their inner magic.  It has a number of benefits.

1. You develop the skills to do it yourself.  You are gifted in magic, too.
2. You tend not to dismiss your own miracles.  It happens, but the shock and awe are more memorable.
3. You are likely to get results which are beautifully tailored to you, because it's your energy.
4. I am not likely to want to take the magic back because it wasn’t appreciated.  Anyway, I  really don’t want your firstborn and you really do.