Slow dancing with Jareth

I can't help myself, these images remind me of films and songs and poems. This one reminds me of David Bowie's character, Jareth, the Goblin King in the film 'Labryinth'. It makes sense, though, as Brian Froud created the conceptual designs for the film.

This Magician reminds me very much of tarot Magicians, because he has tools of the trade all around him - a wand, a crystal ball, a candle, tarot cards flying all about, and goblins, faeries, unicorns and all manner of mischief and magic represented. He looks kind of dangerous, though. He's definitely a trickster and tempter, you can see that plainly.

In the film 'Labyrinth', the Goblin King Jareth falls in love with the young girl Sarah, because she has become obsessed with him in her fantasies. She has practically created him. I see an interesting message in this card about the will, about 'magic'. You create magic, and it creates you. You have to make sure the boundaries don't get blurred.

'Everything that you wanted, I have done,' Jareth says to Sarah. 'You asked me to take the child and I took it. You cowered before me and I was frightening. I have reordered time, I have turned the world upside down, I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous? I ask for so little, just let me rule you and you can have everything you want. Just fear me - love me - do as I say, and I will be your slave.'

Now I can see how someone in trousers like Bowie's with shoulders that wide could be a bit mesmerizing. You might be inclined to give in! But instead, Sarah says, 'My will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great. You have no power over me,' and escapes.

What has she escaped from? I think we have to be careful that our goals or aspirations, our dreams and our daydreams, don't grow into monsters that rule over us. Our desires can cast a glamour over us and make us slaves to them. We have to remember that we created them, we control them. We drive them, they don't drive us. And we can change our minds at any time. 'You've come this far you can't turn back' is not a true statement. You can turn any time you like. You can do anything you want. You are the pilot of this ship!

There's another aspect - if your dreams and goals become nothing but daydreams, they threaten to trap you in a bubble of inaction. That's no good, and reminds me of Rachel Pollack's tremendously wise comment on the Magician card - 'Unless we make something of our potentials, they do not really exist.'

Does that make sense? I think it does. But Jareth sure looks hot in those kinky little boots. I have to admit in 1986, I was so into Jareth. I haven't thought about this film in years...I'm still into Jareth. Let's slow dance with him...

But remember, if all you ever do is slow dance with your dreams inside your own head -- where will that ever lead you? Not very far.