This quote, from Thomm Quackenbush's collection "Pagan Standard Times: Essays on the Craft," evokes a powerful metaphor about the constraint that unacted dreams impose on us. It tells us that by clinging too tightly to our fantasies — those vivid, often idealized visions of what could be — we inadvertently limit our ability to act, create, and realize tangible goals. The act of holding something close to the chest implies protection, perhaps even reverence, yet this quote points out the paradox: safeguarding fantasies so dearly leads to physical and metaphorical immobility. Our "hands," the tools through which we build and shape reality, remain occupied and unable to engage effectively with the world.

This concept urges reflection on the balance between dreaming and doing. Fantasies provide inspiration and motivation, but they can become traps when held onto passively or possessively. By not releasing or translating these dreams into productive action, we confine ourselves to the realm of possibility without crossing into actualization. The imagery also suggests a need for pragmatic courage: it is not enough to cherish our aspirations; we must be willing to extend our hands in effort, labor, and practical steps to transform fantasies into realities.

In a broader spiritual or craft-centric context, where intention and manifestation are often deeply aligned, the quote acts as a reminder that dreaming alone is insufficient. The magic lies in the doing — the craft, the work, the engagement with the process. Thus, holding on tightly may provide temporary security, but in the long run, it disables progress and growth. By freeing our hands, we create room for action, change, and ultimately, for those fantasies to be realized in meaningful ways.