Dr. Kimberly Campanello is poet and writer, lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Leeds

Do you recognise that? The Walrus and the Carpenter from Alice In Wonderland? It’s a poem that is in fact, sealed onto my consciousness. I know the words better than any other poem. I mean, I have spent more than two decades on this earth now, in this Sascha-named body. That poem has stayed with me. I couldn’t tell you why exactly, but I can tell you why magically.

Or esoterically as opposed to the exoteric. It is quite simple: It has meaning to me that transcends all ‘rational,’ explanation. The manner in which is it crafted with the images, the cadence, the struggle of the prey vs. the predator, gives it power.

And why the sea is boiling hot & whether pigs have wings

It is also full of odd occurrences—whimsy.

You see the very origins of ‘poetry,’ are in magic. If we look outside the constraints of say academia, the Western conventions, the Eastern conventions—all conventions and look at the pure heart of poetry from the most ancient origins of us as humans—we find poetry is the language under will, of shamans, seers, priestesses, magicians, witches, all manner of beings who believe in the Unseen.

If you were to ask me for one definition of magic it would be this: Magic is the conscious wielding of power through Intent and Will in order to affect change or transformation. All magic is about transformation. Poetries usually channelled in the moment by shamans were meant to anoint, celebrate—heal. 

Sascha Akhtar The Natural Performer

Words are power. Each one contains a multitude of ideas, meaning, frequency and vibration. Wielding this power is the art of the magician. What is the change you want to affect?

I have found above all that the change I have always wanted to affect, even when I was not conscious of it was healing. The healing has been both mine and of others. It has also been a desire to create a space of transcendence—a magical space.

Meaning is where many struggle. This is because we are trained by society to work more left-brained. Magical thinking has not been supported. And it is the Mind’s natural inclination to find meaning, but that is the crux of it. Your magical act must have meaning to you. If it has no meaning to you, then it will have no meaning to anyone—not on any deep level, where change really happens.

I ponder the actions of the Walrus and the Carpenter. I ponder the innocence of the Oysters. So many years after reading it for the first time, and each time it reveals something more to me.

That is what I consider poetry. It can live with you, through the ages. It is a balm. It is a space in-between. It is where units of meaning, thrumming with vibration and frequency thrive. It is secrets that we cannot explain in our daily language. It is born of the Mysteries. Like Magic. It is magic. Poetry is magic. 

Some Books By Sascha Akhtar

















































































































 

Sascha Akhtar is the author of six books of poetry, including a deck of poems Only Dying Sparkles in tarot-form with transcendental art by Portland artist, John Alexander Arnold. Her latest book Astra Inclinant is an amalgamation of magical works containing full colour astrological charts created for specific dates when certain poems were written. It is a journal of change and claircognizance with an introduction by astrologer, healer and poet Francesca Lisette also know as the Glitter Oracle. The book has been published by Contraband Books, UK.

Sascha tutors and mentors internationally utilising the glory of the internet. In Summer 2020, she will be teaching a two-day workshop at the Poetry School London on Poetry and Magic. She is always available to seekers and has mentees all over the world that benefit from her teachings via video chat and telephone (and psychic messaging).