44 MAGIC WORDS Pararin Ririkaru Parapora Magikaru Facts: This is the magic phrase for transformations in the animated televi sion series "Magical Emi" ("Mahou no Star Magical Emi") (1985). The series is about a little girl who comes from a long line of stage magicians. Pathfinder In Literature: • "There are magical words, magical apart from their meanings, physically magical, with a magic inherent in the sound itself, words that before they deliver a message already have a meaning, words that are signs and meanings unto themselves, that do not require comprehension, but only hearing, words of the animals, the child's dream language. It is possible that each person has in his own life his own magic words. In my life, the magic word was and remains -- the Pathfinder." -- Marina Tsvetaeva, "Pushkin and Pugachev," Marina Tsvetaeva -- A Captive Spirit: Selected Prose (1980) Pax, Sax, Sarax Origins: Pax Sax Sarax was found written in "an Elizabethan manuscript in the British Museum." Facts: This phrase is purportedly part of a chant to prolong orgasm. "The chanted words have no meaning. Their virtue lies in the fact that they sound impressive." In Literature: • Peggy Christian, The Bookstore Mouse (2002) • "He sneaks up behind her and places his hands over her eyes. Guess who. I can't. I'm your hypnotist, he says. He releases her eyes. Look into my eyes. She turns and looks into his eyes. Repeat after me. I will always hold a raw potato in my mouth while peeling onions. Julie repeats the words though they mean nothing to her. Barry continues: I am a rabbit who will eventually lay an egg. He listens carefully as she repeats it. I will fall in love with a handsome young Jewish man and live happily ever after. Rather than repeating Barry's word Julie -- as though another's voice is speaking through her -- says: Pax sax sarax afra afca nostra." -- Clarence Major, Emergency Exit (1979) 2 Migene Gonzalez-Wippler, The Complete Book of Spells, Ceremonies and Magic (1988) Richard Cavendish, The Black Arts (1967)