Is it Good? Is it
Bad? I’m so scared …
EIDOLON (ī doʹlɘn) n. – 1) an image without real
existence, phantom, apparition; *2) an ideal person or thing (adj.
– eidolic). [WW #240;*Americanism]
Phantom of the Opera … Patrick Swayze in Ghost … the Bell Witch … all
could arguably be seen (or not) as an eidolon, in its original
definition. I’m not quite sure how to take the second description, however. The
two aren’t just unrelated, they’re polar opposites!
Of course, Webster might argue there
is no such thing as an “ideal person”—à la apparition—in which case, I would
have to agree. Although, “idol” once tentatively served in the eidolon
capacity; the dictionary now relegates that definition to obsolete/archaic,
keeping idol as an image of a god or other worshipped object of reverence.
For our purpose and weekly fun—after all, it’s Halloween!—we’ll focus on (or try to) that which is not there. The problem comes in when our eyes perceive an eidolon, but our minds are confused by its ethereal existence. Is it or isn’t it real?
From seances to exorcisms, haunted houses to a watery
oasis in the desert … how can we trust what we hear
or see? It could be a broad daylight welcome vision, or a famously inky night, wispy clouds floating across a blood-red full moon. Turning to surreptitiously peek over your shoulder, the hackles rise on the back of your neck. You shiver uncontrollably, feeling an ice-cold chill blow across your cheek. What—who—is that shadowy figure gliding behind? You try to run, but your feet don’t get the message. Spinning around again to confront your fear, the eidolon faded into the night.
or see? It could be a broad daylight welcome vision, or a famously inky night, wispy clouds floating across a blood-red full moon. Turning to surreptitiously peek over your shoulder, the hackles rise on the back of your neck. You shiver uncontrollably, feeling an ice-cold chill blow across your cheek. What—who—is that shadowy figure gliding behind? You try to run, but your feet don’t get the message. Spinning around again to confront your fear, the eidolon faded into the night.
On Halloween eidolons are
often unfriendly, but they can be sociable,
insistent and irritating … and some even have a sense of humor. Think Sam Wheat
(Patrick Swayze) in Ghost
… Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) to Molly (Demi
Moore) about Sam, “I
don't know you. I don't know Sam but let me tell you what he did to me. He kept
me up all night singing ‘I'm
Henry the Eighth I Am.’”
Word Challenge: EIDOLON. Will you
face your fears this Halloween and slip eidolon into your week of spooky, unearthly writings, with trepidation or a humorous
twist?
Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening!
Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s
your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.
Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)
[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by
trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of
three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales
make GREAT Holiday Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years
1954-1959; and Book
2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic
Seventies!]
Note: Dictionary
definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary.
Endnote: FYI – All links in the PFP site are personally
visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of
reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own
discretion.
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
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