I just heard someone make an interesting connection. Consider the meanings of these words with their possible origins and why they were actually possibly chosen, along the lines of etymology, and esoteric wordplay.
-Spelling: a method used to cast spells upon others. Result: When we spell, we invoke meaning and shape worldviews.
-Broadcasting: the broad casting of those spells. A modern form of mass enchantment—disseminating ideas, values, norms (spells) across large populations.
-Television: Tell-a-vision. A medium that "tells a vision", or projects a vision or reality.
-Media: From the historical Media, an empire in Iraq that studied how to control large numbers of people.
-Entertainment: enter + tain + ment. Tain from Latin tenere, meaning to hold. So, “enter-tain” = to hold within, or to capture + ment: the mind. To capture and hold the mind.
-Channel: You're choosing which spell stream to tune into.
-TV Programming: self-explanatory.
-Influence: originally meaning an ethereal fluid that flowed from the stars and affected human behavior (medieval astrology). Influencer: modern enchanter through subtle persuasion.
-Grammar: once referred to Latin texts or occult knowledge. A grimoire is a book of spells.
-Casting: in magic you cast a spell. In media you cast a role. Ritual assigning of roles and identities.
-Government: gubernare = to steer or govern and mens/mentis = mind. I.e., "control of the mind". Mind control.
So, back to the original subject of this post: Is the following another to add to the list?
Holly was considered a barrier against curses, as it was believed that malicious spells could be deflected by the plant’s power, as well as to deflect rebounding curses.
In traditional European witchcraft, holly wood was sometimes used in the making of magical tools. These tools were believed to have power to channel energy, cast spells.
In some traditions, it was thought that a hollied wand or other object could be used to curse an enemy or to ensure that negative forces would be drawn toward a particular person.
There are also practices in which holly branches were used in binding spells—rituals where a person’s power, will, or energy could be “bound” by using holly’s natural resistance.
So do we add this new word to the list?
-Hollywood: reflects its role as the center of global illusion—a place where spells are cast across the world via screens.
