I read this when it hit my in-box and I immediately thought of the characters in the Penumbra Papers. The magicks in Sade’s world refers to humans as mundanes. Humans are used for food, for sport, for amusement–depending on the flavor of magick involved. Yet, it is the humans who created medicines that wiped out polio, that gave the world vaccinations against terrible diseases. Humans put themselves on the moon, sent exploratory machines out into the Universe.

The magicks might have magic–might be able to perform amazing feats but plain ol’ humans create miracles all on their own–with their blood, sweat, and tears. The Universe says:

Possessing the audacity to do the mundane, Silver, while expecting miracles to come from it, explains every heroic and supernatural feat known to humankind.

Audaciously,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

You just take care of “A,” Silver, expecting everything else to fall into place, and I’ll take care of the rest of the alphabet.

This reminded me of a conversation Sinjen and Mathias had, sitting in Mathias’ study on a cold night.

“They are tools. Implements to be used for as long as they are convenient.” Mathias stretched his booted feet toward the fire, though he hadn’t needed the warmth of such for a millennium.

Sinjen pondered his sire’s words for long moments, the crackling flames the only sound in the comfortable room. “They are people. Individuals. They have hopes, dreams. Heartache. The rich tapestry of living.”

“Fah. They are nothing.” Mathias snapped his fingers, the sound as loud as a gunshot. “Their lives are short, insignificant. They are here to do our bidding, to feed us. Nothing more.”

“You are wrong, Mathias. They are everything. We rise, knowing the existence of eternity. They awaken, knowing they are one day closer to their deaths, yet look at them. They create the great art of the world. The music. The words. They love and hate with a passion those of our ilk have long forgotten.”

“And Sade?”

“She is the most passionate of them all. And that is her magic.”

So a short, unused snippet from Penumbra and some profound thoughts from the Universe. Tell me, my friends, what small miracle do you hope to create from the mundane today?