Presented at the 2017 National Conference in Austin, TX.

It is often the most common, mundane, and everyday things that go unnoticed. Because metaphors and imagination come as naturally as breathing to us we overlook their vital significance, especially in the area of memory. Having clearer pictures in our heads about the necessity of metaphor, the power of imagination, and how these ideas relate to memory can help those of us who have always wished that we were more skilled in the ancient art of memory.