Journeys in the Imaginal Realm: How Writing and Sharing Fairy Tales With Groups Can Generate ‘Moments of Magic’

In this article we present an approach to inviting change through Moments of Magic. Moments of Magic is our name for the practice of writing and sharing fairy tales in a participatory action research group or business workshop. The name arises from the notion that fairy tales incorporate elements of change, which are often described as ‘magic.’ By engaging our participants’ imaginations through fairy tale writing, we invite them to access a well of subconscious resources that enables them to author their own tales, discuss the undiscussable, and initiate personal and organizational change. We have noticed that through this process participants often register an inner change, which may arrive instantaneously as a ‘jolt’, or manifest slowly over time.