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venerdì 6 maggio 2022

Magic in Movies: Hagazussa

**Clicca qui per leggere questo post in Italiano

A story of loneliness, darkness and suffering with psychedelic overtones; perhaps the result of ancient spirits or maybe a slow descent into delirium, enveloped in a whirlwind of sensations, anguish and paranoia - leaving the viewer to interpret the facts narrated.

Released in 2017, recently featured on Prime, I rushed immediately into viewing this masterpiece - after years and suggestions from fans of the genre.


THE PLOT:

The story takes place in the heart of the Austrian Alps of the fifteenth century, in a village so secluded that it could be placed in any historical context - so is the closed, hostile and immobile nature of some places. Snow-covered peaks and dark valleys frame the story told, the story of Albrun - a peasant girl who lives on the slopes of the mountain.

The film begins by showing us Albrun in her childhood, living with her mother in an isolated cabin in the woods: a simple life of herding and foraging. As often happened in these cases, they are targeted by the local population and are continually subjected to abuse as marginalised women by a strongly patriarchal and Catholic community. The voice that whirls like a whisper, a gust of wind through the trees is always the same: witches.

“Hagazussa”, in fact, means "witch" in High Old German.

More precisely, a nocturnal feminine spirit, liminal between the world of Gods and Men - which came back into fashion as a synonym for "witch" during the Swiss Inquisition, in the fourteenth century.

Are they really witches? Or is it perhaps a sick gossip, the result of an ignorant collective mentality? This is precisely the leitmotif of Hagazussa, leaving us perennially suspended between imagination and reality.


*** ATTENTION - SPOILERS FURTHER DOWN IN THE READING ***


We have the first, significant plot twist when the mother, Martha, unfortunately falls ill with an incurable disease (perhaps plague, seeing the historical period) that slowly devours her - consuming her body but also her psyche, verging on insanity until the last, great act that sees her running in a dressing gown in the middle of the night into the forest; where Albrun will find her deceased the next day. 

Thus leaving her young daughter to fend for herself, in a hostile environment.

We then witness an adult Albrun, in the same cabin, while she tends to her goats - the young woman's only source of income - and to her daughter, whose father is not known. As we can imagine, she is still abused for being "the witch's daughter, the madwoman, the single mother who lives in the woods" - until she meets Swinda, a young woman who one day defends her from attacks by village kids.

Albrun, accustomed only to the wickedness and brutality of other human beings, is struck by her kindness and offer of friendship; but unfortunately it is a vain hope: Swinda, like all others, despises Albrun considering her a witch and a pagan - taking advantage of her docility and naivety, to offer her to a man who rapes her with the her aid.

Here something definitively breaks in the protagonist: after years of abuse, she decides to embrace her legacy as a Witch, beginning the descent into her personal darkness among spirits who invoke her name in the dark meanders of the forest, long nights talking with the skull of her mother, placed on a small altar in the house, until we reach the climax with an exasperating psychedelic trip, after having ingested some mushrooms found in the woods.

I will not tell you the most gory, disturbing details, otherwise I would take away the pleasure of viewing this masterpiece, slow and inexorable - like the incessant advance of time.

The almost total lack of dialogue plunges us further into Albrun's life passed in a nearly suffocating solitude, accompanied only by the florid and hostile alpine nature. It gives us the opportunity to passively witness her personal misfortunes, as if we too were part of the village that obsess over her in a morbid way, but without interacting with her disgrace. 

The overwhelming silence, interspersed with the gloomy soundtrack, also leaves an open interpretation, possibly giving us two different readings of the whole story.

The first leads us to believe that Albrun is truly a witch, and that she finally decides to embrace her nature by taking revenge for all the violence she suffered. Like almost all European traditional witchcraft stories, it is a story of pain and atonement.

A story that often concerns people who live on the margins of society, who use witchcraft powers to break their chains.

On the other hand and perhaps the most probable interpretation, we have the psychological key: those were other times, being a single and vulnerable woman in medieval Europe meant living a life of violence and risking being accused of witchcraft. Unfortunately, the story of Albrun can be the story of many other women of that era. According to this version, the film drags us into the already fragile mind of a lonely young woman, illiterate and accused of being a heathen for her entire life. With atrocious consequences on her psyche, from the rape (maybe not even the first of her life, as we do not know who the father of her daughter is) to the use of psychotropic substances on an already compromised mind.

Whatever the truth is, in addition to offering us 102 minutes of pure paranoia, this film should make us reflect on this last point: the psychological, as well as physical, repercussions that the witch hunt has caused - and is still causing. If you think witch hunts are a thing of the past, you are wrong.

According to the United Nations, thousands of people are accused of witchcraft, marginalised, killed and tortured every year in more than 50 countries. It occurs mainly in Africa, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Latin America and India.

In Saudi Arabia, witchcraft is punished with the death penalty; in Ghana there are the so-called "Witch Camps", where hundreds of women live in relegation after being banished from their communities because they are considered witches; in India, between 1999 and 2013, 2300 murders linked to accusations of witchcraft were recorded. All this led, in July 2021, to the approval by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights of a resolution calling for an end to violence based on accusations of sorcery.

Furthermore, it is not enough to be officially accused of witchcraft to fall into the cruellest misogyny: just look at the recent events in the United States concerning abortion laws. Let us remember that the "witches" were healers, midwives, priestesses; when we talk about witchcraft, we also talk about this: of its intrinsic nature with the sacred feminine, the witch hunt is never over as long as the patriarchy dictates what a person can do or not do with their body and make it illegal, accusing us of sorcery - in some countries, as we have seen, punishable by death.

Every time a woman is silenced, accusing her of being crazy, "hysterical", aggressive, promiscuous, it is a renewed inquisition.

Every story of violence, abuse, gaslighting is the story of each of us, of our inner Albrun.


♃Ludna

sabato 11 aprile 2020

Pagan Shopping: The Fountain of Youth from BeWater

crystal healing
It's always nice when friends read your mind: I've been meditating for some time to get one of the fantastic bottles of BeWater, when I'm given one for my birthday. I was absolutely looking forward to trying it, so here I am sharing my experience with this product with you.

Probably some of you already know the shop, given their success: BeWater is located in the United Kingdom and specializes in the production and trade of holistic bottles, enriched with precious crystals.

How does it work?

The mechanism mixes holistic science and disciplines: the molecules of the crystals charge the water, which we then drink. It would exploit the principle of water memory, according to which water would have the ability to memorise the substances with which it came into contact and would alter its properties.
As we well know, everything in the cosmos has a frequency: animals, plants, gems included: minerals have the peculiar characteristic of radiating energy, thanks to their magnetic fields. We can therefore energise the water contained in the bottle, so that we can also benefit from it.

On the website you can find a wide range of products to choose from: according to your needs or the properties of the crystals - all of them coming from ethically sustainable sources and with the highest quality standards, you can also purchase handy travel sizes to carry with you and spare parts for your precious bottles.
The most accustomed to crystal therapy will already know how to orient themselves, otherwise you can still find very useful information on the product description of each item.

Some stones are toxic if placed in contact with water, but don't worry: they reside in a specially created silicone chamber, so that you can take advantage of the beneficial vibrations but without being in direct contact with the water.
(we take this opportunity to highly discourage you from preparing any homemade product without first ascertaining its safety - this applies not only to crystals but also to herbs)

Although the effectiveness of crystal therapy is not officially recognised by science, the tradition of using the properties of minerals is as old as humanity itself: for example, the ancient Greeks used to decorate glasses with amethyst with the belief that this stone would have prevented alcohol intoxication and would have helped them to maintain sobriety. In fact, the word itself means “not drunk", from the Greek améthystos.

I honestly doubt you can find effective remedies for a colossal hangover, but the amethyst is famous for its calming and relaxing properties - often used to relieve migraines and help sleep. And it is precisely the amethyst that I am using to charge my water, along with rock quartz as a catalyst for the latter.

Whoever knows me, knows also that I suffer from anxiety and insomnia, how do I feel after having tried the benefits of this BeWater bottle? Energised, more focused and calmer.

Clearly, this is not a substitute for any medical treatment but can be a precious ally for our well-being; especially in these difficult moments of uncertainty.
Furthermore it is an incentive not to use disposable plastic bottles, guilty of poisoning our waters.

Do yourself and Mother Earth a favour: love yourself.

Website: LINK
Facebook: LINK
Instagram: LINK

Price range: ££
Work on commission: N/A
Shipping: Royal Mail 
International Shipping: Available (check on the website for further info).


♃Ludna
Clicca qui per leggere questo post in Italiano

lunedì 26 agosto 2019

Magic in Movies: Midsommar.

Psychedelic, hallucinogenic, anxious, ancestral, dramatic, dazzling ... these are just some of the adjectives that come to mind when it comes to Midsommar. But not only: it is a manifesto against toxic masculinity, a journey of expiation.

THE PLOT

The story begins showing us the grim situation of Dani, the protagonist of the film, suffering from chronic anxiety after having faced a devastating family loss. At her side we find Christian, an anthropology student and apathetic boyfriend.

In the extreme attempt to save a really tired story, Dani follows her partner on a trip to rural Sweden. Thus unleashing the discontent of Christian's classmates, who hoped to turn a study trip into a goliardic vacation.
The destination is a village called Hårga, on the occasion of a pagan festival held every 90 years during the summer solstice. Despite the golden light of the midnight sun and the fairytale atmosphere, soon we realize that not everything is as it seems ...


*** ATTENTION - SPOILERS FURTHER DOWN IN THE READING ***


In the film, we have two main themes that run parallel: the nature of the relationship between the two protagonists and the pagan community of Hårga.

The story between Dani and Christian could be, alas, the stereotype of many common relationships: a story governed mainly by feelings of guilt and habit.
Dani is a complex character, with a tragic family history behind (her bipolar sister committed a homicide/suicide at home, killing both the parents) - probably not the idea of a light relationship that Christian had in his mind, who constantly ponders to break up with her . An important role is played also by his classmates, who are constantly trying to convince their friend to finish the relationship.
And yet, despite the absence of genuine feelings from him and the pressure of his friends, he cannot leave Dani - dictated more than anything else by pity rather than love. A choice that, as we can easily imagine, does not benefit the couple.

On the other side we have a charming town, with immaculate clothes and garlands of flowers. A united community, respectful of nature and in perfect harmony with its cycles. After the idyllic first impression, we are immediately pushed out of the comfort zone: we witness a ritual geronticide (Ättestupa). The village elders voluntarily jump off a cliff, offering themselves to the divine and not to weigh on their family nucleus - combining the esoteric with their civic sense. After this first, traumatic encounter with the philosophy of Hårga, we realise that we are in a corner of time and space away from our worldly life: we return to the use of witchcraft, rituality and sacrifice, to runes, to astrology, to psychotropic substances for sabbatical use.

These two realities, apparently so distant from each other, collide in an anxiogenic spiral of hallucinations, spells, light, betrayal, blood and martyrdom which will lead to the ultimate break up between the two protagonists. We discover that the real reason for the invitation to attend this ritual is not the university thesis of anthropology, but rather to lure young students as human sacrifices - up to the last, distressing final act: the killing of Christian.

Midsommar is not simply a pretext to make you shiver in the light of the sun, it is the journey of liberation of the protagonist: the film begins with shots characterized by dark colours, like her psychological situation. Mourning, pain, anxiety, loneliness and abandonment ... until the final orgiastic explosion of colours, where we see a free woman. Finally Dani sees herself recognised, understood and finally visible.

Christian is not really an antagonist: he cannot be considered neither bad nor vile; he certainly has flaws that lead us to not see him favorably. He is unfaithful towards his girlfriend and friends, a liar, he carries on a relationship that is now at the expense of his partner, a victim of mob mentality; yet we rejoice at his killing. Which makes us think: what is the real horror element in this film? Is the community of Hårga, with its brutal laws in tune with the duality of nature itself, or the toxicity to which we are subjected every day but we accept as normality?



In conclusion, Midsommar is not a mere folk horror, but puts us in front of questions whose answers are within our subconscious. From the point of view of pure cinematography, it is a delight for the eyes: bright, symmetrical, flamboyant and - for Norse culture enthusiasts - full of Nordic symbolism, nothing is left to chance. So, if you want to shudder without waiting for the gloomy autumn evenings, we strongly recommend this sabbatical trip to the Swedish countryside.



♃Ludna
Clicca qui per leggere questo post in Italiano

venerdì 2 agosto 2019

Pagan Shopping: The Naked Heart Tarot

Finally, the wisest of the Keepers stepped forward and said:
“Hide the secret in the heart of humans, only the courageous and the brave will dare to look there”
(© Copyright by Jillian C Wilde)

A few weeks ago, something exciting interrupted my monotonous island life: an exotic package from the United States, sent to me by the talented Jillian C Wilde.

And here it is: the Naked Heart Tarot in my hands.

I have to say it excited me enough, as I am a greedy tarot consultant and the its design is quite unique.

As an artist of the soul and connoisseur of the occult, Jillian masterfully created an alchemical work combining several esoteric elements: each card of the deck, apart from showing the symbolism of the classic tarot, is enriched by astrological references, animals of power and the Elements. 


The perfect philosopher's stone, able to open the doors of the unconscious and communicate with our soul on a dreamlike level.
As the Hermit teaches, the key to knowledge is within ourselves.
And it is precisely the mission of this deck: to give us the key, so that we can access the innermost recesses of our psyche, increasing its power through the evocative symbolism created by Jillian's vision.

But fear not, you do not have to be an experienced oneironaut to interpret the message arrived to you by this magical instrument! In the box, in addition to the deck, there is a very useful guide book that can help you shed light on the drawing up of the cards.

Furthermore, a very nice touch, the box set includes a very useful crystal grid, in case you want to enrich your reading or meditate on a particular card - amplified by the power of the crystals.

In the shop, you can find different types of box set: from the basic one, still including the crystal grid and booklet, up to the divination set including deck, crystals and divination table. In this way, you can choose which option best suits your needs, be they economic or academic.

On the official website, you can also find additional material such as various spreads (downloadable for free), product reviews and various links to the associated media.

I leave the contacts below, in case you want to explore this magical world.

Website: LINK
Youtube: LINK
Instagram: LINK

Price range: $$
Work on commission: N/A
Shipping: Courier (FedEx in the US - delivery 2 - 5 days)
International Shipping: Available (4 - 12+ working days via courier).


♃Ludna
Clicca qui per leggere questo post in Italiano.

sabato 26 gennaio 2019

Get lost in Nature, Find yourself

These days we often talk about the influence that has the frenzy of this modern world on our life.
We have become accustomed to rapid and technological rhythms, rhythms that often prevent us from dedicating ourselves to what is good for our body and soul, in order to give space to activities that have reached a higher level of priority.
We are always in a hurry, we always seem to have no time to waste and consequently we do not stop a moment, we spend most of our time indoors, in rooms lit by fluorescent lights, we eat badly and quickly, without paying attention to what we introduce in our body, considering whether it can be good or bad for us, the idea of ​​stopping and meditating or simply relaxing for a few minutes seems a waste of time, time that we could use to work, make money and engage in routine activities.

natura sincronizzazione ritmo

Now even the traditional holidays, which should represent a moment of pause and relaxation, have become almost a nuisance, I noticed this particularly in recent years during the Christmas period: a lot of people who, instead of taking advantage of the days of vacation, pour themselves in shopping centers, stressing in search of gifts for their loved ones; just because making a gift has nowadays passed from being a pleasure to being a duty, something you are forced to do reluctantly, which is then reduced to strenuous research of the less expensive and less personal object, so as not to make mistakes.

All this frenzy has made us completely lose the contact between ourselves and the environment that surrounds us, and drastically reducing, if not canceling out, our relationship with nature and its cyclicity.
It is clear that living in this era, fascinating and terrible at the same time, it is practically impossible not to be subjected to its rhythms and therefore we too, like everyone, must adapt.

natura sincronizzazione ritmo
In ancient times things were very different: every moment of the human life was marked by a natural cycle, the human being was forced to synchronize with the events of the environment in which he lived.

We used to wake up at dawn with the sunrise, we worked in the hottest hours and, when darkness fell, we gathered around the fire to get ready to face the night.

The alternation of the seasons marked the different activities agriculture related: it was sown in the spring, the abundant summer harvest was celebrated, which needed to be preserved in autumn, preparing for the harsh winter season.
From the most ancient times, in all traditions and in all parts of the world, man used the moon's revolution motion and the position of the stars as a tool to measure the passage of time, thus determining equinoxes and solstices and making that these astronomical events became the cardinal points of the year, establishing real holidays to be honored.

With the passing of the centuries, however, the new monotheistic religions expanded and prevailed on paganism; one of the most effective tools for converting pagans to the new religion was, in fact,  a new calendar. Finding themselves honoring holidays that had nothing to do with the natural cycles, people began to lose that deep connection with Mother Earth, moving away from what was their true nature.

With the advent of modernity, the invention of electric light and the consequent light pollution also radically changed our schedules, our daily habits and our circadian rhythm, we are no longer linked to the night / day cycle and to seasons to regulate our activities, which is certainly positive in some ways, but our body and our spirituality often suffer.

EFFECTS OF DESINCHRONIZATION

I think I do not stray far from reality if I describe the daily routine of most of us with:

- Sleep little and poorly,
- Get up abruptly with and alarm clock,
- Take caffeine and sugars to help our body awaken.
- Work / Study in an indoor area, illuminated by artificial lights.

All these habits, which nowadays are considered normal, are actually quite harmful for our health.
Our body reacts to the natural light of the sun by activating a whole series of endocrine mechanisms: for example the cycle of the secretion of melatonin, one of the hormones that determines our sleep / wake rhythm, or the serotonin one, a very important hormone that determines the proper functioning of intestines, bones, prevents migraines, but above all affects mood, sleep and our libido.

As a result, the lack of stimulation on our brain by sunlight, causes in humans serious disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, stress, depression and metabolic disorders. According to some studies, in fact, those who work at night are more prone to diseases of the nervous system or the cardio-circulatory system.

One of the problems that I often hear complaining about in the pagan / spiritual environment is mental fatigue or lack of connection that prevents us from practicing constantly and maintaining the right concentration during rituals. It is a very widespread problem and I believe that it is largely due to the quality of our daily life.

GET BACK IN TUNE WITH THE UNIVERSE:

natura meditazione yogaIt is obvious that giving up everything and starting a new life in the middle of nature is not a viable option for the most of us, but we can take measures to ensure that our body and our spirituality feel the least possible of the great changes in the modern era:

Find your time. We are often convinced that we do not have a second available for ourselves, but the truth is that we are lazy; start to spend 10 minutes a day in which you will only think about relaxing. You do not need big things, just close your eyes, listen to nice music and focus on your breathing.




Spend more time outdoors. When you have the opportunity to take a break, go out for a few minutes and let the sun's beams light up and recharge you with positive energy.

Eat proper food. Increase the amount of fruit and vegetables in your diet and decrease or cut the intake of refined sugars and all those foods that have low vibrations, such as meat and processed foods. Spend a few minutes more on your food, cook your meals as much as possible. What we ingest can nourish us or poison us, the choice depends on us only.

Wake up early. Probably many of us is already doing this during the week, but waking up early, even on your day off, helps us not to lose synchronization and leaves us more time available to devote to ourselves.

Stay as much as possible in the green. Gardens, woods, mountains, lakes; going to these places every time we have the opportunity allows us to reunite with the earth element, unload the stress and to get in tune with the vibrations of nature.

Practicing Yoga. Yoga is not just gymnastics or stretching, it is not about positioning the body in a certain way, but about perceiving the sensations that the body receives in that position, without being distracted and focusing on the "here and now". It takes only half an hour a day to see excellent results in a short time.


Detox from technology. Now telephones and television have become an main part of our lives, but trying to use them less or just for the essential will make us find time to devote to the other activities mentioned above. In addition, the light of the blue screens disturbs our endocrine system, detach from the smartphone at least half an hour before sleep, it will allow your body to rest better.

Practice during the Sabbaths. Even if you can not practice exactly on the right day, even the days before or after will be fine. There is no need of great rituals, a brief meditation is sufficient, reflecting on the meaning of the Sabbath. A constant practice allows us to perceive the variation of subtle energies in the alternation of months and seasons. Synchronizing with the vibrations of the universe will make us more and more sensitive and will allow us to increase our power.

Observe the Moon. Whenever you can observe the moon in the sky, feel its energy and try to be always aware of the phase in which it is located. An excellent idea is to take note of the effects it has on us, our emotions and our mood based on the time of the month. Practice small rituals with the full moon and the new moon.

Purify. Cleaning up the house from "dirty" energies that come from the outside world is always a good norm, in this way our senses will not be distracted and our home will be more comfortable. Light incense whenever you feel the need, listen to mantras, change the air by opening the windows every time you feel the atmosphere getting “heavy”.

Unornya
Per leggere questo articolo in Italiano clicca qui.

mercoledì 17 ottobre 2018

Magic in Movies: Apostle.

During a solitary Saturday night, in the company of my trusted familiar, I open Netflix looking for something to watch: the preview of Apostle appears in full screen, a film by Gareth Evans released on the platform on October 12th.

The 20th century - Sorcery - Horror - Thriller - British Films

The perfect recipe to convince me to press play.

THE PLOT:

London, early 20th century. The wealthy and aristocratic Thomas Richardson returns to the manor house, after leaving his path as a missionary, to discover that his sister was taken hostage by a religious cult in search of a ransom. Upon hearing the news, Thomas travels to a remote island off Wales, where a pagan sect thrives under the guidance of Prophet Malcolm - rejecting the corruption of society and its christian god, trying to create one of their own under the guidance of a benevolent local pagan goddess. But under the idyll of this community, a creepy secret hides ...

As can be seen from above, there are all the elements for a respectable thriller; where the gloomy Victorian atmospheres are holding us in suspense in an aura of mystery throughout the film. A rare gem in today's cinematic landscape, where the binomial horror=splatter dominates. Of course, the blood is not lacking but it is not only seen in the mere optics of the classic horror film.

And it is blood that is the key to reading the whole story.

Blood seen as a gore element, blood seen as a sacrificial offering, life and even poison. But let's proceed with order ...


*** ATTENTION - SPOILERS FURTHER DOWN IN THE READING ***



On one hand we have Thomas Richardson, the main character: a former missionary who became a disbeliever after suffering the horrors of the religious war in China - during the Boxer Uprising. Thomas is a disillusioned man, lost in the delirium of opiates - his only comfort to forget the death and destruction he witnessed, no longer having a faith to turn to.

On the other hand we have the prophet Malcolm, a Victorian version of the Reverend Jim Jones: fanatical-eyed, who keeps the entire island community in check, posing as spokesperson for the Goddess of Erisden while rattling off almost socialist speeches about equality and depravity of the Kingdom from where he has escaped. A farce behind which there are games of power, corruption and slavery.

Not only slavery of the population of Erisden, but also of the divine itself. In fact, behind the miracle of the sudden fertility of a historically uninhabited island, lies a chilling story.

Malcolm, shipwrecked on the island with his companions Quinn and Frank following a prison evasion, meets a mysterious Chrone Goddess (probably inspired by Cailleach), who saves them from certain death. As we all know, natural and magical laws always provide for an exchange: in this case, a blood sacrifice. Blood is one of the greatest offers that can be found in nature, the very source of life. A powerful and arcane symbolism.

The three soon find a way to speed up this process, imprisoning the goddess and forcing her to drink blood to make the earth fertile, almost in an industrial way. When slaughtered animals are no longer enough, the devotion of the inhabitants of the island comes to the scene, who came to witness the prodigy of this inexplicable fertility but unaware of the macabre background: a vial of blood, to be delivered every night after the curfew. 
And here's the miracle, a miracle obtained at the expense of the nature itself that resides in a hut - hidden under the carpet as dirt. Until, exhausted and squeezed to the end, prosperity turns into poison, famine and pestilence... to the point to seek a monetary ransom, at the expense of the Richardson family.

The heir, after having immersed himself in a vortex of terror, delirium and fanaticism, comes into contact with a renewed faith, freeing the goddess from the mechanical grip of the human being.

I do not know if the director had planned this ecologic message or if it was an expedient to make the atmosphere more "folk", but parallelism immediately jumps to the eye: we ourselves, nowadays, we are reserving the same treatment to the our goddess, Gaia. We, too, enslave her,  gorging her with fertilisers, pesticides and waste; all in the name of an economic profit.

Think of the horrors of industrial farms, socially accepted: real lagers, in which living beings are stuffed with hormones and suffering in dark cells. But do not fall into the trap of thinking that eating only quinoa and tofu is more sustainable, in extensive cultivations that destroy hectares of forests. It is impossible not to have an imprint on this planet, for every cause there is a consequence. But we try to be aware, in our small way, by reducing the environmental impact as much as we can during our passage on this planet. When we do it, we think of a chained and dying Mother Earth.

In conclusion, I found it a great film - suitable for the dark atmosphere of October, around the night of Samhain. Definitely recommended if you want to enjoy a thrilling evening that also wants to give us a food for thought.



♃Ludna
Clicca qui per leggere questo post in Italiano


lunedì 20 agosto 2018

Pagan Shopping: The Magic World of Luna Art


Today I want to introduce you to the magical world of Luna Art, a wonderful artist who I'm lucky to know personally.

Luna walked her path for a long time, a path that we can also see in her works - magical creations, shaped by her knowledge of esotericism and her creativity.

Fairies, elves, animals and creatures of the Anglo-Saxon tradition: richly embellished with natural elements, characteristic of the green British Isles, and by crystals.


Luna has worked for many years with the properties of minerals and stones, chosen wisely based on the piece she is working on. A precious knowledge that has been applied to her art, combining the oneiric to the holistic. This allows her to channel a certain type of energy to every single creation, making it unique in its kind.


In fact, each commission is focussed on a particular theme: the energy of a deity, a specific sabbat or to infuse healing energies on the wearer of the pendant. Every piece has a particular, non-repeatable story. Infact nothing is accidental in the crafting, making each article a real miniature masterpiece.

When her creations are not made on demand, they are born from the inspiration of the moment: a shade of a crystal, a particular form in the driftwood found ashore, the sabbatical energy of a lunation ... Details that we can miss with our common eyes, but they can trigger a vision in Luna, turned into a work of art.

Born as a painter and an active presence in the pagan scene in Southern England (she  organised several courses on the Isle of Wight on Wicca, crystal healing and witchcraft in general), she started crafting jewelry in polymer clay few years ago. A technique she masterfully uses to transform wood, shells and crystals - merging them in a combination of colours, richly inlaid details and shapes. Be these a pendant, a magic wand or a sculpture.

I purchased several items from her, both on commission and at various pagan themed events where she regularly attends; items that reflect the artist's serene and crystalline energy, making them essential companions in my practice: decorations for my altar room, magical tools, used during my spellwork, and ritual necklaces to raise power - sometimes even realized with bones, a material usually not used by Luna. This shows her eclecticism, allowing her to get out of the schemes and comfort zones, making her truly a serious and helpful artist to work with.



See below links on where to admire/purchase her amazing art!

Facebook: LINK
Instagram: LINK
Blog: LINK

Price range: £/£££
Commissioned work: Available.
Shipping: Courier.
International Shipping: Available.


Ludna
Clicca qui per leggere questo post in Italiano