A Mastermind Alchemist
Collage: Justine Anweiler, Taylor Snake, 2024.
If you're not curious about the critical mass following Taylor Swift, you're missing out.
Whether you like Taylor or not, the world can agree something is happening. Swifties may know what and why, but I think it is much more than music.
In October 2022 Swift was on Jimmy Fallon talking about her new album Midnights when she said:
"Writing things feels like a way to suck the poison out of a snake bite."
She has to do it to survive 🐍
Of all the poignant things she has said in her career (there are many) this created a venomous effect in my being. Because . . .
She is a mastermind alchemist 🔥
She takes heartache, shame, resentment, sadness, regret, remorse, rage – and transmutes it. She lets it flow through her body, in ways not even she can make sense of.
From an energetics perspective she is integrating her shadow and what makes her so tractional right now, is our individual and collective need to do so. To look at the “worst” parts of ourselves and say:
“I see you. I embrace you. I’m not sure I like that you’re there, but I’m glad you are here. We have work to do.”
By bringing our deepest feelings (usually those most unpopular and unwanted) and welcoming others to witness our intimate grappling with them – we create alchemy.
New pathways forward. And new ways of being.
Maybe I’ve gone too conceptual or meta with this, but . . . when I’m asked why I find Taylor Swift so fascinating, I know the answer lies in her radical embrace of self, secrets, and separation – ultimately creating the conditions for community, transparency, and connection.
She may (or may not) be a brilliant poet, writer, billionaire, philanthropist, friend, and/or role model (pick your poison) but above all else, she is the greatest alchemist we’ve publicly witnessed.
I attribute two major things to her success:
👺 Shadow integration and
👯♀️ Community cultivation (through experience design)
The other half of what she is doing is actively inviting listeners into the inner workings of her being – and she is doing this with a highly evolved sense of relationship.
I will leave you to deep dive Taylor Swift's easter eggs because although she may be laying it all bare in her lyrics, she draws you in with breadcrumbs, games, and riddles 🪺
Making her the mastermind of community, engagement, and relationship.
The experience she ongoingly creates with her fans is ever-stimulating, always evolving, and requires collective intelligence to crack her newest code 🧩
So the next time you find yourself questioning this cultural zeitgeist, ask yourself: who else is doing what she’s doing?! With such a precise two-pronged approach.
Maybe we can all learn something from her:
1. Make friends with our unlovable(s)
2. Invite friends to witness this unfolding
Article FAQs generated by AI:
1. Which Taylor Swift songs seem the most shadowy?
Taylor Swift has several songs that delve into darker, more introspective themes, often touching on personal struggles, vulnerabilities, and emotional pain. Some of the most "shadowy" songs in her discography include:
"All Too Well" - This song from the album "Red" is widely regarded as one of Taylor's most emotionally raw tracks. It deals with heartbreak, nostalgia, and the lingering pain of a past relationship.
"My Tears Ricochet" - From the album "Folklore," this song explores themes of betrayal, grief, and the haunting presence of a broken relationship.
"Mad Woman" - Also from "Folklore," this track delves into anger, frustration, and the experience of being misunderstood and vilified.
"The Archer" - On the album "Lover," this song reflects on insecurities, self-doubt, and the fear of vulnerability in relationships.
"Delicate" - From "Reputation," it explores the fragility of new love and the fear of judgment and rejection.
"Clean" - On "1989," this song deals with the process of healing and moving on from a toxic relationship, reflecting on the emotional aftermath and the journey to recovery.
"Exile" (featuring Bon Iver) - Another track from "Folklore," it explores the feelings of separation and the end of a relationship from dual perspectives, adding a sense of melancholy and finality.
"The Last Time" (featuring Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol) - From "Red," this song captures the tension and emotional exhaustion of a repeatedly failing relationship.
"This Is Me Trying" - From "Folklore," it speaks to feelings of regret, remorse, and the struggle to make amends and be better.
These songs showcase Taylor Swift's ability to channel her darker emotions into powerful storytelling, creating a deep connection with listeners who may relate to these universal human experiences.