Hunting magic eels is a fascinating and mysterious practice that has been carried out by certain indigenous communities for centuries. These eels, known for their supernatural properties and supposed ability to grant wishes, are hunted using traditional methods and rituals. The process of hunting magic eels begins with the gathering of a group of skilled hunters, who are chosen based on their knowledge and experience in eel hunting. These hunters possess a deep understanding of the eels' behavior and habitats, allowing them to locate these elusive creatures. Once the hunting party reaches the eel habitat, they perform various rituals to appease the spirits that are believed to reside in the area. These rituals involve offerings and prayers, seeking the blessings of the spirits for a successful hunt.
As Dostoevsky once said, “Beauty will save the world.” Music, art, poetry, and architecture, along with the wonders of the natural world, are much better equipped to capture and communicate the ineffable nature of spiritual insights and truths.
This fierce and honest moral examination can only be conducted by an enchantment that is over and above us, an enchantment that can judge us and hold our feet to the fire, an enchantment that cannot be avoided or blown off like the latest fad. It s a daunting quest, but he is well-equipped to speak about the breadth and depth of Western Christianity in a way that is accessible if not too easy.
These rituals involve offerings and prayers, seeking the blessings of the spirits for a successful hunt. The hunters then use their expert knowledge to set up traps or fishing nets in strategic locations, baited with items that are believed to attract the magic eels. This can include special herbs, fruits, or even other creatures that are known to be favored by the eels.
Hunting magic eels
I recently finished reading Richard Beck’s latest book, Hunting Magic Eels. It was a fantastic read and a book I’d recommend to anyone. The subtitle explains his premise well: “Recovering an Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age.”
I was initially drawn to this book as this topic seems to be an underlying premise of so many of our conversations on the Forest and Trees podcast (see: podcast page). In addition, I still think about things Beck wrote in his book Unclean many years after I read that one. Beck writes deeply about the Christian experience from the perspective of psychology (he’s a professor).
One of the themes throughout the book is that we need to be mindful of what gets our attention. And if we want to experience more of God, we need to find ways to aim our attention in that direction.
Faith is a matter of perception. Faith isn’t forcing yourself to believe in unbelievable things; faith is overcoming attentional blindness. Phrased differently, faith is about enchantment or, rather, a re-enchantment: the intentional recovery of a holy capacity to see and experience God in the world.
After his flight from Egypt, Moses is tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the middle of the desert near Mount Horeb. There, in the middle of nowhere, he catches sight of a bush that’s caught fire. Strangely, the bush isn’t being burnt up. Intrigued and fascinated, Moses says, “I must turn aside and see this strange sight.” I must turn aside. This is the key point. Encountering God’s presence requires a shift of attention. Moses must intentionally direct his attention to behold the strange sight.
When faith is a matter of attention, we need visual cues to capture and captivate our hearts and minds.
One of the most profound ideas in the book is how we’ve reduced Christianity to something that has inherently moved us away from experiencing God. Beck says it this way:
When the Christian experience shifts away from the mystical toward “being a good person,” the foundation of faith is relocated and placed in a very vulnerable location, like a cup set dangerously close to the edge of the table or a rock pushed to the edge of a cliff. Why? Because you don’t have to believe in God to be a good person. There are many people who don’t believe in God who are amazing, generous, and loving people. And once you make that observation, that you don’t need God to be good, the whole reason many of us have for believing in God simply evaporates. The glass falls off the table and shatters, and the rock tips over into the abyss.
He also does a great job—as a skeptic himself—showing how we need to challenge our own skepticism.
We still believe in the soul, even in this skeptical age. And we’d be horrified if anyone claimed otherwise. More and more people might doubt the existence of God, but God still haunts us. We crave the magic. We resist reducing our lives to biology. We are convinced that we are “more” than the sum total of our organs, bones, and tissues.
As Dostoevsky once said, “Beauty will save the world.” Music, art, poetry, and architecture, along with the wonders of the natural world, are much better equipped to capture and communicate the ineffable nature of spiritual insights and truths.
If you’re struggling with disenchantment, odds are you’re thinking rather than paying attention.
And in case you fear this is some progressive mumbo-jumbo, the book also explores how to seek out an enchantment that is able to challenge you to grow and get better rather than just reassure you that all your opinions and actions are perfect.
The critical issue, then, for both the religious and the spiritual alike, is this: Can your enchantment judge, criticize, and unsettle you? Can your enchantment point out your selfishness and self-indulgence? Can your enchantment, be it burning sage for your spell or singing “God Bless America” in your pew, hold a mirror up to your hypocrisy? Can your enchantment weigh your nation or political party on the scales and find it wanting? Does your enchantment create sacrificial obligations and duties in your life that you cannot avoid or ignore? Does your enchantment call you to extend grace to people you’d prefer to hate? Does your enchantment bust up your cozy self-satisfaction and dogmatic self-righteousness? These are questions that won’t be asked by an enchantment bought on Amazon. This fierce and honest moral examination can only be conducted by an enchantment that is “over and above” us, an enchantment that can judge us and hold our feet to the fire, an enchantment that cannot be avoided or blown off like the latest fad. These are the questions we have to ask when we seek to “discern the spirits,” when we want to determine if the voice we are hearing is from God or from our own egos.
This is a book that gave me lots to chew on while also nudging me closer to experiencing Jesus in new ways. What a gift to find both in one book.
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After the traps are set, the hunters wait patiently for the eels to be lured in by the offerings. This can sometimes take days or even weeks, as the eels are incredibly cautious and elusive creatures. The hunters must remain vigilant and attentive, ready to spring into action as soon as an eel is caught. When an eel is finally captured, it is treated with great respect and reverence by the hunters. This is because it is believed that the eel possesses extraordinary powers and must be handled with caution. The hunters carefully extract the magical properties from the eel, using ancient techniques and rituals passed down through generations. The extracted magic is then used in various ways, depending on the specific traditions and customs of the community. It is believed that the magic eel's powers can be used for healing, granting wishes, and bringing luck and prosperity to those who possess it. Hunting magic eels is not just a physical endeavor but also a deeply spiritual and cultural practice. It is a way for these indigenous communities to connect with their ancestral beliefs and traditions, while also harnessing the power of nature for their own benefit..
Reviews for "Unseen Realms: Discovering the Magic Eel Kingdom"
1. Jason - 2 stars
I couldn't connect with "Hunting Magic Eels" at all. The plot felt disjointed and hard to follow, and the characters were never fully developed. It seemed like the author was trying to be too abstract and ended up losing me along the way. The writing style was also a bit pretentious, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"Hunting Magic Eels" was a complete letdown for me. The story lacked any coherent structure, and I struggled to find any meaning or purpose behind it. The metaphors and symbolism felt forced, and the constant shifts in perspective and timeline only added to my confusion. The prose was convoluted and self-indulgent, making it an arduous read. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I have to admit, "Hunting Magic Eels" was not my cup of tea. The writing style was overly descriptive, to the point where it became tedious and cumbersome to read. The narrative meandered without any clear direction or purpose, leaving me feeling frustrated and disconnected from the story. Additionally, the characters lacked depth, making it difficult for me to invest in their journeys. I appreciate experimentation in literature, but this one just missed the mark for me.
4. Jennifer - 3 stars
While "Hunting Magic Eels" had some intriguing moments, overall, I found it to be a challenging read. The storyline was fragmented and hard to piece together, making it difficult to fully engage with the plot. Although the author's use of vivid imagery was impressive, it often overshadowed the character development and left me wanting more substance. However, I do appreciate the unique approach and creativity behind the book, even if it didn't resonate with me personally.