TOTEM 179

Some Thoughts on Magic - Its Use magic by American and Irish college and Effect in Undergraduate students and their beliefs about the ability of Student Life magic to alleviate anxiety and produce favourable outcomes (1979:587). They asked a selected group of sociology students Linda Howie, Mike Sattin, Simon Coutu, to complete a questionnaire which ranked a Mike Furlong, Madison Wood, and Erik series of activities according to the degree of Petersson anxiety the students felt in undertaking them and the students’ use of magic in con- Introduction junction with the activities. Included in the Exploring Bronislaw Malinowski’s list were sports, illness, gambling, dangerous (1954) claim that people will resort to activities, and face-to-face interactions such performing magical practices as a means of as dating and interviews (Gmelch and gaining a degree of control over uncertain Felson 1979:587-588). Absent from the list and unpredictable situations, George were activities associated with the per- Gmelch (2009, 1978) looked at the use of forming arts, such as music and theatre. magic in American baseball – its nature, Based on the quantitative analysis of the prevalence, function, and effect. He found students’ responses, Gmelch and Felson that modern-day baseball players were not (1979: 588-589) concluded the following: so unlike Trobriand fishermen of the 1920’s- 1. American students used magic more 30’s, employing magic as an attempt to frequently in activities such as sports sway chance outcomes in their favour. The and gambling, where the outcomes are lasting contribution of Gmelch’s baseball relatively uncertain. study lies not only in the recognition that the 2. Both groups of students used magic taboos, fetishes (e.g. good luck charms) and less frequently in situations (such as rituals followed by American athletes are in illness) where the outcome was more fact forms of magic, but that they constitute certain. habitual and repeated practices performed 3. Students who used magic made them with the same intent and ultimate effect as in feel better as it relieved anxiety. Trobriand fishing and myriad other 4. The students’ use of magic derived culturally specific situations worldwide: to from a belief in its potential ability to reduce anxiety. alter the forces of luck rather than its Gmelch (Gmelch and Felson 1979) ability to reduce anxiety. subsequently expanded his investigation of 5. Although students who used magic did the use of magic in industrialized societies not believe strongly in its efficacy in by conducting a quantified study of the terms of its ability to produce relationship between uncertainty and magic. favourable or desired results, they used In this study, undertaken with Richard it in uncertain situations anyway, as a Felson, a central objective was to determine ‘just in case’ measure. whether the use of magic in uncertain situations was motivated by experiential The following collection of short knowledge of its ability to reduce anxiety essays presents the thoughts and reflections through its performance or, alternately, of some first year cultural anthropology whether its use was rooted in cognitive students at The University of Western processes relating to belief in its ability to Ontario about their use of magic in sports, alter the forces of luck. As a case study, performance arts, and other situational Gmelch and Felson examined the use of

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 180

contexts. In these insightful and inspiring like to sit calmly in a certain area of the ice, pieces, the students explore the nature and stretching, relaxing and attempting to function of magic in contemporary student visualize the upcoming game, whereas life, drawing on their own personal others like to hit the cross-bar during the experiences. Their perspectives offer an warm-up to prove to themselves that they opportunity to reflect on the commonalities are feeling confident with their skills. There and differences in these Canadian students’ are also those who prefer to have a bad experiences with magic and those of the warm-up so that they do not ‘waste’ good American and Irish students evaluated by shots. Players may develop certain rituals Gmelch and Felson in the 1970’s. because they worked once and thus are repeated to increase the chances of similar Wizards on ice: the magic of hockey successes. For instance, I found that if I was Mike Sattin silent and contemplative before a game, I George Gmelch’s (2009) article, would play better and, therefore, I began to Baseball Magic, presents a detailed do this on a regular basis. One of my friends portrayal of the use of rituals, taboos, and used to put his skates on before he put his fetishes (like good luck charms) in the sport pants on for the same reason. Although this of baseball. As a sports fan and player, I was very impractical, he said that he have witnessed (and even practiced) many continued to do this because he scored a of Gmelch’s examples of magic, as well as goal every time. Another important ritual their equivalents in other sports. Hockey is performed by many teams is listening to a one such sport where magic and certain song before going out onto the ice. superstitions figure prominently. Although This ‘pump-up’ song seems to motivate magic may not physically affect the way a players to play harder and it is often chosen game is played, it does give players because it was played continually during a confidence in their abilities, which seems to winning streak. manifest itself in a psychological advantage Taboos are also prevalent in hockey that leads to increased performance. and most players adhere to them at all cost. The most common way to bring The most well-known hockey taboo is that magic into a sport is through rituals and teams and players must avoid holding the routines repeated on a regular basis. These until they actually win it rituals usually have no logical advantage and themselves. An example of how seriously are usually established and repeated due to players take this taboo is when Rob some sort of previous success, as Gmelch Niedermayer refused to touch the Stanley (2009) describes in his article. One of the Cup for the entire summer he was at home most vivid examples of this in hockey is the with his brother, Scott Niedermayer, after way goalies will often prepare themselves in Scott won it in 2003 playing for the New their crease before every game. Some Jersey Devils. It was not until four years goalies take this ritual to great extremes and later (in 2007), when the two brothers were talk to their goal posts throughout the game, playing for the same team (the Anaheim like Patrick Roy used to do when playing for Ducks), that both were able to hoist the Cup both the Montreal Canadiens and the over their heads. There is a similar taboo Colorado Avalanche. associated with the Prince of Wales Trophy Another important ritual that most and Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, which are players develop over time is the specific awarded to the champions of the Eastern and way they warm-up for a game. Some players Western conferences, respectively, during

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 181 the . In this case, however, players the tape on the stick contributed in some avoid holding these lower-level trophies way to the goals and, therefore, should not because they do not want to ‘jinx’ be discarded. themselves, the Stanley Cup being the It would seem that magic is just as ultimate trophy and the only one worthy of important in hockey as Gmelch proposes it real celebration. Probably the most visible is in baseball, since players in both sports taboo in the NHL involves the ‘playoff use magic for the same reason: they believe ’. For at least two months and then it will enhance their abilities even though continuing as long as their team is in the there is no scientific evidence that it actually playoffs, most NHL players refrain from does. What is interesting is that regardless of shaving their facial hair and thus grow a the lack of proof of its effectiveness, magic ‘playoff beard’. Although there is no real is still omnipresent and widespread in evidence that adherence to this taboo brings sports. As in baseball, the different forms of about greater playoff success, the perceived magic used by hockey players seem to efficacy of the playoff beard is linked to the function in the same way: they increase fact that the managed to players’ confidence and thus reduce their win four Stanley Cups during the 1980’s and anxiety. In addition, players continue to use did not shave during any of their playoff magic even though it has no ‘logical’ runs. The belief is that this impressive bearing on the outcome of a game. Perhaps record of wins, being quite rare, must have most important, therefore, is the contribution been somehow linked to their ! magic makes to psychological aspects of the In my experience, fetishes – the term game, by enabling players to feel that they Gmelch (2009) uses to refer to ‘good luck have done all that they can to bring about a charms’ – are not as prevalent in hockey as favourable or desired outcome. they might be in other sports such as baseball. Nonetheless, they still play an Routines and rituals at the rink important role in bringing about a positive Simon Coutu mindset for some hockey players. The most Rituals and other forms of magic common type of good luck charm used by such as good luck charms are used almost hockey players is a specific piece of every day of an athlete’s life. I have played clothing, undergarment, or jock-strap. An sports for most of my life, starting at the example of this is the lucky jump-suit that young age of five years old. Admittedly, I my friend wore underneath his hockey too am a creature of habit, since as far back I equipment for over ten years and refused to can remember I have always had rituals that throw out, even though it barely fit him I follow when playing sports. I have played anymore. He truly believed that it brought so many different sports that I could him good luck and, therefore, continued to probably write a book about the rituals I wear it. Another very common good luck have performed in different contexts. In this charm in hockey is the ‘lucky tape-job’, paper, however, I will focus on just one which is when you tape your stick a certain sport – hockey – and examine specific forms way before every game because you believe of magic I have used personally and how that a certain pattern will enhance your magic contributed to my performance. My ability to score. It is perhaps more often the taken-for-granted habits and experiences case, however, that players will avoid re- came to mind when I read George Gmelch’s taping their sticks after they have scored (2009) essay, Baseball Magic; they multiple goals in a game. The belief is that characterize both my hockey and refereeing

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 182

careers, both of which progressed to semi- end of the game. On the bench, after each professional levels. For me, hockey and shift, I would squirt ice-cold water down my rituals have always gone hand-in-hand, and back, bang my head on my stick three times even after understanding magic in an and bang each skate twice on the ground. academic framework, I doubt that this will When I hopped the boards, I would only hop ever change. to the right. I would always tap the ice with It was over the course of my hockey the toe of my stick before every draw at career, which is now over, that I performed center, and I always celebrated my goals in rituals most often. Before every game, I exactly the same way, with a point to the would always put on a pair of socks I guy who had passed me the puck. received for my tenth birthday. Even though Interestingly, these rituals did not the socks had many holes and were as thin end when I stopped playing hockey and as nylons by the time I retired from hockey instead have persisted throughout my at the age of seventeen, I always wore them refereeing career. I have refereed hockey for and considered them my ‘lucky socks’ since five years now and I still follow the same they won me scoring titles and skill routine that I always have when for getting competitions. ready for a game. Over time, however, my I also developed a specific routine pre-game routine for refereeing has devel- that I undertook before every game I played oped its own quirks: now I only stretch for from the age of ten onward. I would arrive at five minutes and I do so on a carpet, and I the rink an hour and a half before the game always listen to the same three songs (unless to sit in the stands and watch whatever was I fall during that game and then I change taking place on the ice before my game. these songs to the next top three on the Rather than actually watching what was ‘most played list’ on my iPod). I always happening, I would envision myself out on have three bottles of G2 Gatorade with me the rink making good plays and big hits. The and two of them must be the same flavour positions I played for my team were power (purple). The third bottle must be a different forward and first line center. An hour before flavour and I change the specific flavour for the game, I would stretch with my line and every game. I must admit that I still chew then go for a run around the rink, always spearmint gum every time I take the ice. chewing spearmint gum and bearing the Before every game, I also tape my index and freezing temperatures. As I got ready in the middle finger on my left hand where I hold dressing room, I would then put everything my whistle; every time, twice around, with on ‘right to left’ and then reverse the order white stick tape. I change the laces on my after the game by getting undressed from skates before each game so that they are ‘left to right’. Furthermore, I would make new, fresh and white, with no marks. When sure that I was the last one out of the I go out onto the ice I still run out like I am dressing room and the last one on the ice. in a race, but I now do two laps of the ice Before stepping out onto the ice, I surface and then stretch at center ice. There would jump four times and I would always are more intricate parts of some rituals run out onto it, as if I was in a track race. In which I cannot share as I consider them to addition, if I was not in starting position and be a secret, but each is done every time I thus already on the ice, I always made sure referee a hockey game. that I was the last one on the bench. I also Rituals like my pre-game routine made sure that I was the last player to leave provide a comfort factor and relax players so the ice in between periods, as well as at the they do not think too much and stress

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 183

themselves out. I can honestly say that my fixing their baseball caps in a particular way. rituals have always helped me and perhaps Similar routines and rituals can also be have contributed to my ability to reach a observed in other sports. In hockey, for professional level of participation in hockey. instance, it is commonplace to throw hats on I know I only do these things because I am the ice after a player has scored three goals nervous, but that is probably the case with (a ‘hat trick’). These forms of magic are also every other professional. Other referees have not exclusive to sports alone, being their own rituals, such as heating up their prevalent in the performing arts and other skates before every game or taking their contexts where preparing for your best skates off in between periods, to name just a performance contributes directly to a few. It is a matter of personal preference: successful or positive outcome. what makes you comfortable out there? A topic that I believe has not been Wayne Gretzky ate two hot dogs and fries explored very thoroughly is the rituals, before every game he played when he was a fetishes, and taboos of rock musicians, kid. Similarly, Sidney Crosby still re-tapes specifically before a show or ‘gig’. My his stick in-between each and every period interest in this topic stems from my of hockey he plays. These rituals have experience playing the guitar and drums and different meanings to each of us, but the fact the development of my own rather odd remains that we do them to stay calm and idiosyncrasies that might be considered centred. forms of magic. For example, when I write In my opinion, rituals like the ones I music, I only use one specific guitar. My perform are a fundamental part of playing other guitars are used solely to play songs I any sport. They enable you to keep your have already written or ones I have learned. mind on having fun and playing the game After playing my guitars, I always clean the you love. It is not as if I am going to lose a strings in the same way, and I always use the game as a referee, yet I still perform my same kind of plectrum (or ‘pick’) when I routines and rituals before every game. I do play. One of the more strange habits I have this because it makes me feel more developed is always carrying a guitar pick in comfortable. It enables me to know that the my pocket wherever I go. In fact, if I happen game will go well since I have prepared to leave the house without a pick in my myself for it in the right way. pocket, it will bother me all day. I am not exactly sure what motivates Magic rocks! my routines and rituals, especially since Mike Furlong some seem to make more sense than others. In Baseball Magic, George Gmelch Music has always been a large part of my (2009) discusses baseball players and their life, and I tend to listen to the same songs rituals, good luck charms (fetishes), and and bands when I am doing specific things taboos. From an anthropological standpoint, or on specific occasions but for no particular it is important to recognize that these reason that I can think of. I do not consider practices are not only found throughout myself a superstitious or religious person on baseball in the USA, but are practically any level, however, I continue to do these universal. For example, while watching a things, perhaps just out of habit. In contrast, game of baseball in Cuba, I noticed that the my reason for cleaning the strings is clear players did some of the same routines that because I simply like the feeling of new Gmelch describes, such as tapping the strings. Similarly, carrying a pick around ground with the bat before swinging and with me could be considered to relate to

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 184

‘luck’ or ‘good karma’. The day of my first night before. Matt Pike does not refrain from date with my current girlfriend, now of ten drinking whiskey before a show because he months, I came home and found a pick in thinks this will happen again. Rather, he my pocket. Since then, whenever I am does it because having the runs threw off leaving the house, especially if I am with “his energy” during the show – her, I always make sure to carry a pick. understandably! Many professional rock musicians For rock musicians, much like also have strange rituals, taboos, and fetishes baseball players, some routines and taboos that they follow, particularly before a are believed to specifically enhance concert or show. For example, Chris Martin performance. For example, Robert Plant of of Coldplay claims that he has approx- Led Zeppelin drinks tea and irons his clothes imately 18 consistent pre-gig activities and before every show, to both relax and ensure practices. One of these is brushing his teeth, that the show goes well. For similar reasons, which apparently makes him feel “smarter”. Chris Adler, the drummer of the pioneering Similarly, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys grove metal band, Lamb of God, plays will always go into the audience before a drums (using a small practice kit, not actual show in order to “soak in” its energy. I am drums) for two hours before every show. On unsure if performing these types of rituals the other hand, Matthew McDonough of actually affects the quality of their singing Mudvayne, who is also a drummer, refuses or playing, but then again, who can say for to play his own drum kit unless he is in the sure. studio or performing on stage, as he thinks In some cases there appears to be that playing his own drums to warm up will logic or a practical consideration that lies throw off “his energy” for the show and thus behind some of the routines and rituals that lead to a bad performance rock musicians perform before a gig. For Rock also has rituals that are instance, Corey Taylor, of the metal band performed by both the band and audience. Slipknot, (perhaps surprisingly) always The iconic ‘devil horns’ symbol, made by listens to Billy Joel, drinks three pots of making a fist and raising the index and coffee, and smokes an entire pack of pinky finger, has become synonymous with cigarettes before going on stage. The hard rock and metal but actually dates back practice of drinking coffee and smoking hundreds of years. In the music scene, this excessively may make his vocals rougher gesture was arguably made popular by Dio sounding, as is typical in this genre. This of Black Sabbath. He made this gesture band also has a ‘huddle’ before each show, during shows not only because it resembled similar to a huddle in football, and they say devil horns and meant ‘rock on’, but also a kind of non-religious prayer to “psych because his grandmother often invoked it to themselves up”. Similarly, Matt Pike of “ward off evil”. Since then, countless High on Fire, also a metal band, will lift musicians and fans have emulated this weights, smoke cigarettes, and drink alcohol gesture, perhaps purely out of habit, but it before a show to “psych himself up” for the might also be viewed as a kind of group performance ahead and to prepare his voice. ritual. It is also interesting that this kind of A taboo he has, however, is that he will not imagery has a very different meaning in drink whiskey, as he once had an metal music than it does in any other music embarrassing incident which he refers to as genre. Symbolic and explicit references to “the whiskey runs”, when he soiled his pants Satan, atheism, the devil, and other ‘dark’ due to excessive drinking of whiskey the forces are highly visible and widespread,

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 185

also occurring in lyrics. This ‘dark’ imagery knew exactly what to do. Just as George would probably be considered ‘bad luck’ Gmelch (2009) describes in his article, and thus ‘taboo’ in the context of any other Baseball Magic, concerning the use of genre of music besides rock and metal. fetishes (good luck charms) by baseball Although these examples offer only players to gain some control over unpre- a brief glimpse into the rituals, taboos, and dictable situations, in my family’s time of fetishes of rock musicians, it seems clear uncertainty, my Papa reminded us all of our that this ‘magic’ is similar to that used by lucky stones and gave us all strength and baseball players in terms of its intent and comfort by bringing out his. function. More often than not, these Ever since I was little, I would go up practices are undertaken to increase the to my cottage and go looking for lucky chances that the musicians will have a good stones on the beach with my Papa – a lucky show and the fans will enjoy it. However, stone being one with a hole directly through one difference between rock magic and it. My Papa had a whole vase full of them, baseball magic is that many bands have and during long summer days he would sit rituals they perform together as a group to me down and show them all to me, ensure a good performance and not just explaining how much each one meant to rituals/actions performed as individuals. him. He told me that a lucky stone is not a Nonetheless, the underlying beliefs are still lucky stone unless you find it yourself, so I there, and magic is even practiced by went looking for a long, long time until I musicians who see themselves as neither finally found one. When I did, I brought it religious nor superstitious. They continue to home and put it in my drawer, never to be do these seemingly odd things because the looked at again, until this year. last time they did, something good When we found out my Papa had happened. As with my own rather odd cancer, one thing became very apparent: routines, rituals, and practices that I continue how much my Papa’s lucky stone meant to to do so that I do not throw off a ‘lucky him and thus to all of us. His lucky stone has streak’, I still do not believe that luck really two holes in it, so it is an especially rare exists; these things are just habit for me. find, and he made sure that the whole family would have their lucky stones with them My lucky stone whenever we took him to a medical appoint- Madison Wood ment or went to his house. He carried his Many people have various super- lucky stone with him in his pocket through stitions they believe in and live by; anything every doctor’s appointment and chemo- from ‘real’ magic to a lucky stone can mean therapy session. He just had surgery two the world to a person when faced with Tuesdays ago, and sure enough, right there particular life circumstances. In this paper I on the bedside table close to his hospital bed talk about my family and our lucky stones sat his lucky stone – there every day during and the effect they have had on our lives, and since his operation. especially recently. I have always been a This simple ‘fetish’ or good luck strong believer in luck, fate, and karma. In charm has come to mean a lot to my family November of this year, these three things over the past year. My Papa made it through came into my life with a strong force when his surgery and first round of chemotherapy my family found out that my Papa had with his lucky stone to bring him the luck, cancer. My family had never had to endure belief, and hope that he needed during a anything like this before, and none of us very challenging and uncertain time. This

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 186

shows how much simple things like this can rituals are ubiquitous means through which mean to a person. As crazy as it sounds, I people derive comfort and hope during times believe that our family’s stones – his and of despair and ambiguity. For example, ours – have kept my Papa going over the practicing Catholics have a large variety of past year, and have kept him wanting to rituals that they perform in order to ensure keep trying. They have also given my family the benevolence of God and to help them hope. Who is to say whether or not such feel better about themselves or their current things actually keep people alive? I say all life circumstances. These rituals assure the the power to the people who use them, person that things are going to be fine and especially if doing so helps you to make it that the future and resulting outcomes of through those tough times. their actions will unfold smoothly and, hopefully, in their favour. This belief is In world of uncertainty, magic makes sense demonstrated clearly in George Gmelch’s Erik Pettersson (2009) article, Baseball Magic, in which he In a world of uncertain outcomes, describes the ritualistic practices of his past people often rely on rituals and other forms teammates – Roman Catholic Latino players of magic to provide them with feelings of – who would kiss their crucifix necklaces or control and consistency. Rituals, good luck saint pendants prior to going up to bat for charms, and taboos help us to rationalize the good luck. consequences of our actions by interpreting As with religion, sports of all kinds a certain event as the product of performing are abundant with rituals, taboos, and a certain action. These assumptions are fetishes, which can be thought of as active almost always unreasonable when looked at attempts on the part of the athletes to from a scientific point of view, and yet consolidate and steer outcomes through many people still believe that these charms what seems like illegitimate means. When I and invisible forces have supposedly created played basketball as a kid, it seemed as the circumstances around them. though we were always one of the final four Everyone has some knowledge of teams in the tournaments we played in. I and experience with taboos, fetishes (like cannot say that this success was linked to a good luck charms) and rituals. We start particular ritual regularly performed by learning about them and incorporating them myself and my teammates, but I do recall into our lives from a very young age, maybe that our coach would always wear the same even from the point when we first possess black outfit every time we were in a the capacity to learn. Some of the common championship game. I noticed this because taboos to which I was first exposed as a we would often play up to four games in a child include: not speaking of an event if it day, and each time, before the final game, he is going well, making sure you do not think would always change into the black outfit. I that you are sick for fear of actually bringing overheard him once telling one of my on an illness, and avoiding stepping on teammates that he wore the black outfit cracks so that my Mother’s back would not because it was something he started doing it break. These very minor taboos had little in University ten years previously when he actual affect on my life as a child. When I played basketball. He said that there was one thought about what rituals I had possibly season that he was injured for the final taken part in growing up and their possible game, requiring him to sit on the bench, and impact on my life, I immediately thought of his coach had told him to dress nicely. They going to church. Religion and religious won that game and, outside of the fact that

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 187

he did not play, the only thing that he could to belief in the efficacy of rituals, fetishes, think of that was different about that game and taboos. However, when considered from was that he had been wearing black. He said a Freudian point view, which emphasizes that from that moment on, every time he is the major role played by unconscious on the sidelines during a championship motivations and drives, this really does not game, he always wears black for his team seem that far-fetched. The concept of wish for good luck. I always found him to be a bit fulfillment, while not a demonstrated reality, of an odd character so I had never thought challenges us with the thought that maybe if previously about the possibility that his we think a certain object or routine makes us practice of wearing black for championship more focused then it actually will. After all, games was in fact a form of ritual or magic it only makes sense to act in ways that you that is practiced widely by athletes on all know will put your mind at ease, especially levels. When I started thinking about the during times of doubt and uncertainty. significance of my coach’s black outfit and some of the other odd practices I have Summative comments observed (and taken for granted) in a range The student perspectives expressed , including basketball, it in these short essays offer interesting and immediately became apparent that most even thought-provoking insight into some of athletes have rituals, charms, and taboos, the ways these Canadian students experience just like the baseball players described in and perceive magic; the various uses of Gmelch’s (2009) article. For example, it is magic in 2010 are not only comparable to well-known that Michael Jordan always those of the Irish and American students wore his North Carolina basketball shorts presented in Gmelch and Felson’s (1979) under his Chicago Bulls shorts, and that study but also how they have changed in Lebron James of the significant ways. For example, as the essays always throws a hand full of chalk up into by Coutu, Sattin, and Pettersson demon- the air before every game. These are just a strate, the use of magic continues to be couple of examples of the many of kinds of prevalent in North American sports across strange things that professional athletes all levels of participation. It is also apparent repeat from game to game to prepare that athletes begin to learn about and themselves for the tasks that lie ahead. As incorporate various forms of magic into the spectators and fans, we do not deem these regular performance of sports activities from practices as ‘odd’ per se when performed by a very early age. The fact that these students these sports legends, and perhaps we accept had not really thought of these habitual them as part in parcel of their exceptional practices as being forms of magic until performance. asked to consider their own experiences with In a world full of uncertainties, the kinds of rituals, taboos, and fetishes rituals and beliefs help people to focus on described by Gmelch for baseball is perhaps their current situation and give them a strong indicator of how natural these assurance that there is no need for worry as learned behaviours and attendant beliefs they have taken some necessary precautions seem to the participant within this specific to help prevent unfavourable repercussions cultural context. The use of magic in or outcomes from occurring. When hockey, in particular, appears to be strongly evaluating the significance of these practices associated with relieving anxiety, often from a scientific standpoint, it seems taking the form of routines and rituals that ridiculous to think that there is any validity function as a means to sharpen mental focus

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 188

and dissipate nervous energy, thereby great variety of forms of magic that are used contributing to perceived control over by musicians to increase their chances of uncertain outcomes and individual perform- delivering a good performance. ance level. The essays by Sattin and Coutu A particularly interesting example of not only vividly describe the feelings of the use of magic is found within the context comfort that derive from the regular of rock and metal, as described by Furlong, enactment of consistent and specific patterns especially the emphasis on bringing about an of behaviour (whether this is a routine or atmosphere and general ‘state of mind’ that ritual) but also demonstrate a full recog- is conducive not only to a good performance nition of the ‘mental edge’ that such but for a positive and meaningful shared practices foster, as well as the importance of experience involving both the performers this mental edge in achieving a good or and an audience. Furlong’s reflections on favourable athletic performance. The fact the various habits he himself has developed, that students in 2010, whether currently stemming directly from the centrality of participating in sports or not, are fully music in his day-to-day life (both as a cognisant of this connection is undoubtedly musician and rock and metal enthusiast) and a direct reflection of the expansion of the yet not associated specifically with per- field of sports psychology since the 1970’s. formance, underline the significance of the The omission of activities relating to experiential quality of musical performance the performing arts as a category of and demonstrate how material and experience selected for evaluation by behavioural referents (objects and practices) Gmelch and Felson (1979) seems somewhat to music are incorporated into forms of surprising, especially if one considers the magic that are then used in daily routine to various first experiences each of us has had, bring about the positive energy and mind set particularly in elementary school, with with which music is associated. public speaking, school plays, music class, The important role of shared choir, and music and dance lessons, experience and knowledge as a fundamental including the obligatory recitals. For many, aspect of beliefs surrounding the potential the level of anxiety felt when participating ability of magic to produce a favourable or in sports and other social interactions pales desired outcome, leading to its widespread in comparison to the bone-chilling fear use as a ‘just in case’ measure, is illustrated experienced when first confronted with the perhaps most vividly in the essays by task of getting up in front of a class to give a Pettersson and Wood. Using Catholic reli- speech or going on stage in front of the gious practices as an example, Pettersson school, either alone or as part of a group, to illustrates how shared belief systems are sing, play an instrument, say a line, dance, invoked and manipulated by practitioners to or otherwise perform. Given the undeniably alleviate anxiety, comfort themselves, and high level of perceived uncertainty that often bring about feelings of hope and possibility, accompanies these situational contexts, it particularly during times of despair and seems reasonable to surmise that magic ambiguity. Similarly, Wood’s essay demon- would figure prominently in such activities, strates through a powerful narrative how a especially as a means of gaining a sense of shared belief in the ability of a simple control over a highly unpredictable un- object, such as a stone with a hole in it, can folding of events. The essay by Mike steer the forces of luck in a positive Furlong demonstrates that this is in fact the direction to serve as an incredible source of case, describing though vivid examples the strength and emotional support when a

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011 TOTEM 189 group of people are confronted with viction and their willingness to go outside of particularly trying or traumatic life the box to make this happen. circumstances. For those who have either witnessed or experienced first-hand the toll that cancer takes not only on the person who Works Cited has it but also their family, Wood’s strong belief in the efficacy of her family’s lucky Gmelch, George. 1978. Baseball magic. stones in producing a favourable outcome in Human Nature. 1(8):32-39. the case of her grandfather is entirely understandable and, to most, might not seem –––––. 2009. Baseball Magic. In Conformity at all irrational. and conflict: readings in cultural When considering that the results of anthropology. James Spradley and Gmelch and Felson’s (1979) study that David Mc Curdy, eds. Pp. 310-319. indicated students in the 1970’s felt that New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.. illness did not constitute a particularly uncertain situation and, consequently, they Gmelch, George and Richard B. Felson. did not associate it with the use of magic 1979. Uncertainty and the use of either conceptually or based on personal magic. Current Anthropology, 20(3): experience, it would appear that 40 years 587-589. later, students’ experiences with these particular life circumstances may have Malinowski, Bronislaw. 1954. Magic, changed significantly. science, religion and other essays. Despite this and other aspects of the New York: Doubleday Anchor Books. ‘student experience’ that might have changed since the 1970’s, it is also clear that the use of magic is still as prevalent now as it was then. As Gmelch and Felson (1979: 589) observe: “the cost of performing magic is small, and there is always the possibility that it may help”, and so students and the rest of us continue to hedge our bets and incorporate magic into our day-to-day lives as required.

Acknowledgments

The idea to publish this collection of undergraduate papers was inspired by the thought-provoking reflections and exper- iences shared so openly and willingly by the students in ANT 1025. Their unique voices and valuable insights need to be heard more often! I am most grateful to the co-editors of this volume of Totem, Flannery Surette and Julianna Beaudoin, for supporting this con-

TOTEM vol 19 2010-2011