Morningstone's First Enchantment

      If you think that a subject will never do anything under hypnosis that he or she wouldn't do in a normal, alert state, think again. Having a rough idea of the behavior of which I suspect I am capable, I could take no comfort from such assurances, even if they were true. Under the influence of stage hypnotists, innocent subjects are routinely made to believe things are other than they are, and led into all sorts of folly. It follows that if you told a clever and unscrupulous hypnotist what your "dreams" were, such a person could, undeniably, make your "dreams" come true, whatever your reality might be.

      "The Stranger" may be disturbing to adults, but teens find it liberating and empowering. On the masculine side, it deals with the illusion of "power" that "The Stranger" seems to wield over his female subjects. But the song also grants the subject license to explore her fantasies without condemnation. As long as she is under "The Stranger's" spell, surely she cannot be held responsible for her behavior.

      This rule of misrule applied at the May Eve celebrations of the not-so-distant past, and the concept of being "taken out of one's self," liberated from the strict rules of society by some "other," whether that "other" be music, magic or spirits (alcoholic or ancient), prevails to this day. The licentious behavior of college students during Spring Break has much in common with the ancient rites of spring. Unfortunately, society has lost its understanding and with it, its tolerance for such "misbehavior." It no longer winks. It brings charges. More unfortunate still, today's celebrants have little or no understanding of the underlying sympathetic magic in their rituals, and that has led to misdirected and demeaning excess and violence.

      By Fiona's definition, "The Stranger" is an enchanter's song, a song suggestive of occult power or the desire for it. That Morgen is chosen for the otherworldly adventure may be as much a result of his song, as his May Eve presentation. The really spooky part is that, as far as Morgen is concerned, "The Stranger" is merely another of his many pop tunes, and only pretends to cast a spell . . .