Abstract:
Based on a psychobiographical approach, this study addresses magical thinking across the life span of
Paulo Coelho. Paulo Coelho, who was born in Brazil in the 1940s, has become one of the most sold
and famous contemporary authors in the world. In his life, as well as in his books, which are mainly
autobiographical accounts, magic and magical thinking, spirituality, meaningfulness, and the living of
one’s dream, are key themes. The aim of this study was to explore magic and magical thinking in Paulo
Coelho’s life and creative works. The study uses a psychobiographical single case study approach
within the methodological frame of Husserl’s phenomenology. The author, Paulo Coelho, was chosen
as the subject of research. Documents providing both first person and third person perspectives were
subjected to content analysis. The findings show that magical thinking played an important role in
Coelho’s creative works and in his life, in the form, for example, of ascriptions of magic to key
situations in his life, the performance of daily rituals, mystic interpretations of life events, and his deep
religious faith. Magical thinking is usually regarded as indicative of pathological and inappropriate
cognitive and psychological behaviour, especially when found in adults in a westernised culture.
However, the analysis of Coelho’s life and works shows that magical thinking can be utilised creatively
and be integrated into one’s life to enable personal development and growth while simultaneously
providing fertile ground for creative production. In Paulo Coelho’s case, the intertwining of religion
and magical thinking provided deep meaning that guided his personal development.
