In recent times a spell has been cast over the West. A spell of demoralisation and apathy.
A spell, contrary to popular belief, is not a supernatural curse or blessing through which an individual might influence the world about them. The term might be used to describe such a thing today, but historically it referred to a story, a fable, a tale.
>etymonline.com
Old English spell "story, saying, tale, history, narrative, fable; discourse, command," from Proto-Germanic *spellam (see spell (v.1)). Compare Old Saxon spel, Old Norse spjall, Old High German spel, Gothic spill "report, discourse, tale, fable, myth;" German Beispiel "example." From c. 1200 as "an utterance, something said, a statement, remark;" meaning "set of words with supposed magical or occult powers, incantation, charm" first recorded 1570s; hence any means or cause of enchantment.
How then did it become associated with such magical things? It is because stories do have an 'occult' power, that is a 'hidden' power. There is nothing supernatural about it however. A story, just like a spell, can be used by an individual to influence the world about them. That is why it has taken on such a meaning.
Stories shape individuals. They shape the way they perceive the world about them. They imbue them with morals, often showing the consequences of the wrong actions, and ending with the right actions making the situation better. The man who tells the story determines what is right and what is wrong, and considering the power that his words might have, especially over children; we must all be cautious of whose stories we listen to.