Sharing this here as well…
The game is as usual: guess the plant depicted and leave a comment with your suggestion! If you have been following my recent postings on my new herbalism blog you will easily find the plant in question. A hint: it has to do with autumn. 😉
“Regina Bombina”, ink, 2017
My contribution to the mystery and folklore surrounding the bumblebee. This sigil is inspired by my garden work and continues my line of magical images dedicated to the otherworldly emanations that cross between plant, animal and human realm.
Watch this awesome documentary about bumblebees: www.3sat.de/mediathek/?mode=pl…
Did you know? Bumblebees collect up to 5 times as much pollen and nectar daily as honey bees. In the animal realm they are the fastest at recognizing colors. No other insect cares as devotedly for their offspring as bumblebees.
If you are wondering about the grave-cross photo I posted last night, here is the background story: the “grave” is part of a nation-wide campaign against European refugee policy. Berlin art group, “Zentrum für Politische Schönheit”, calls out to create awareness and establish artificial graves all across Germany and Europe in memory of the unknown refugees that died when trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Part of the campaign is also the transferring of bodies of dead refugees to Germany for giving them a proper burial and giving relatives the possibility to say goodbye in a respectful manner. Their activism is of course not welcomed by the German government. However people all across the country and the EU can take part in the activities that aim to create awareness, as opposed to ignorance and looking away from what is happening at the Southern European border.
It was a surprise to find this “grave” last night. I’m occasionally lighting grave-candles here in necromantic cross-road workings. I’m usually honoring Hecate and other, known and also unknown dead, e.g. I also give offerings to anonymous dead. Now I come here and find a grave with offerings, looking so familiar. I really do support the cause behind it.
“Die Toten kommen ” (The dead are coming) – the motto is to be taken literal. If you want to support the efforts made to give the dead a proper burial right there, where it hurts politicians the most, please consider donating: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/die-toten-kommen#/story
In turn for donations you can chose to receive art items, postcards, posters, shirts etc.
18 February 2015
In the mail today: Andrew D. Chumbley’s “The Leaper Between”. The book was released in 2012 by Three Hands Press. The text was written by Chumbley in 2000, an abridged version was first published in The Cauldron magazine in 2001. I yet have to understand in how far the essay is related to ONE: the Grimoire of the Golden Toad (or isn’t). Apparently the Golden Toad is more of a personal account whereas the Leaper is a historical research. I’ve been recommended to read both, but unfortunately the Golden Toad is now very hard (and costly) to obtain. The hardcover editions of the Leaper had sold out rather quickly as well and it was only thanks to a customer that it came into my hands.
This is number 219 of 231 “deluxe hand-numbered casebound copies in iridescent brick cloth”. It has a gilt toad device on the cover, designed by James Dunk. The same illustration is used on the title page, which is wrongly referred to as showing the toad at the roots of the alchemical tree from Samuel Norton’s Mercurius Redivivus. A correction for this is given with a bookmark, along with the title for the illustration being “Waters of the Moon”, a reference to the ritual account of the Norfolk horseman Albert Love (b. 1886) as well as the initiation rite given in Chumbley’s Golden Toad. The title illustration is a beautiful work of illustrative calligraphy, reminiscent of Arabic calligraphy and said to contain hidden links to Chumbley’s own alphabet.
Besides, paperback copies of the Leaper are available and unlimited in number.
On the above photo I added my own toad talismans. One is a mummified pet toad, which I’ve worked with in various ways. It’s not really connected to the ritual described in the book, apart from that it does serve as a talisman. Perhaps one day I’ll share my own working in this regards.
Some toad related artwork of mine:
PS: Tonight it’s having a “black supermoon“. This means the moon is in close proximity to the earth (occuring larger than usual) just that we cannot see it at this time, because it’s positioned right between the sun and the earth. So watch out, perhaps you can see even more darkness than usual on this night.
Edit: I’ve just been told one could read the Golden Toad grimoire at the Museum of Witchcraft. It’s certainly on my list of places to visit…
11 February 2015
In the mail today, this raven painting by Samuel Araya. If you have been following me, you will remember the interview I did with the man for Teufelskunst. Fate has it, this was my first interview with a visual artist. And in retrospective this interview was more than just that, it helped us both evolve. Fate also had it, the painting arrived on this auspicious date and in an even more auspicious moment. (It’s been a rather sombre day…)I’ve placed it now in my ‘cabinet of obscurities’, where I’m keeping my small yet growing collection of occult books and religious/ritual paraphernalia. Now is just missing my stuffed crow to top it all…
Most fittingly, there was also a postcard included, which reads:
May the wings of the raven carry you
from nigredo to the stone of Gold
– SA. 30.1-15
Keeping it sombre (in a positive sense), here is how my workplace looked until a week ago. You see the crow and raven are ever-present:
I’m changing stuff in my room and workplace since. After this long sick period, which I used however for updating and adding important content to this website (see the additions to the menue), I just want to get started. But not without some actual changes.
PS: Sam now also has a website. To view his work go to http://www.samarayaart.com/
Today arrived my contributor copy of Pillars Journal 1.III, The Ebon Kteis, which contains my very first published essay and where I delve into the concepts and personal motivations behind one of my artworks. The topic is inspired by the many question I keep receiving about the Mandrake and is titled Regina Amandrakina – Exploration of the Image and Strange Idol. So now all those, who asked me questions, receive here 11 pages food for thought (and of course everybody else is welcome to read this as well, because it’s a heart piece and will help you understand how and why I do what I do!) (;
I immediately started reading and, as with the previous Pillars issues, this one has become again a masterpiece of editing and type setting! It’s obvious there was put again a lot of thought into the editing and arrangement of the different contributions. Photos, art and texts by different authors come together and compliment each other seamlessly. Also the line breaks and paragraphs of written contributions are arranged thoughtfully. Besides this the bronze print on the cover compliments the vibe and aura of this tome just perfectly.
“‘The Ebon Kteis’ is a journey back into Darkness; somber in tone than its older siblings and aiming to be more of a visual feast to inspire Minds & spark the Sacred Flame Within.”
But it is not only the visual side that is utterly appealing about this publication. Anathema has specialised in bringing together artists, occultists and lonesome wolves, which, as different and individual each of them may be, share a mutual vision and idea of truth and searching. And there is another interesting aspect that emerges once you skim through the pages. The topic was given, but each contributor works independently and usually there would not be much interaction, yet each piece of art and writing seems to harmonize with the other, as if led and guided by the same spirits. This is the subtle magic of Pillars, which strikes me with each new release.
This issue is the last in the series (though a new volume, with different outfit is planned). There are once again 230 copies available, half of which have already been sold. So better hurry, least you’ll have to spend ten times as much, once the sold out publication ends up on eBay!
Pillars 1.III – The Ebon Kteis | out January 2015 | www.anathemapublishing.com/
Fungi collection, 2013
Find updated the site’s Art section, to which has been added amongst others a new page for “assemblage” works, which includes old and new pieces.
Assemblage is an artistic process. In the visual arts, it consists of making three-dimensional or two-dimensional artistic compositions by putting together found objects.
Usually this refers to fixed creations constructed from various elements, which may or may not be movable. I am expanding the term as I also group temporarily assembled objects into that category. You find there for example my “Harvest Circle” series and various other loose compositions, which are put together only for the moment of the photo and later re-used for other purposes. E.g. the dried herbs, fungi and flowers may be utilized by Occvlta jewellery in the creation of unique pendants and artefacts. Yet these temporary works have a point and meaning of their own and may talk to the viewer in different ways. Technically these could be considered still lifes, however I feel the elements are literally assembled, and the process and style of the compositions are closer to assemblage than classical still life.
Central to the work are the dried (and dead) parts of plants, from seed to root, from flower to fruit and everything in between. Usually the material is derived from plants I have grown and harvested by myself. Hence another working title for these compositions is “Dead & Arranged”. Below are some more examples.
In the future I consider doing fixed assemblages in the manner pictured, however I am still researching techniques and materials.
Finally done! Here are the latest sets of cards with my plant-inspired sigils. Wrapped in autumn-colored peacock marble paper, fitting for the autumnal equinox.
As you know I am dedicating sigils to each herb I work with and keep posting these sigils here and elsewhere. In March this year I made a first print set of these abstract sigilic emanations, which I brought with me for the London Magical Arte event. The cards were passed around, single motifs were discussed and became the basis for inspired conversation. At the time I had only printed the cards but not yet made a nice packaging for them. Later I made a slipcase with paper bought from my local bookbinder. Thus far two smaller editions have been done for the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, now followed by a 3rd for the Autumn Equinox, the content being:
All cards are hand-numbered on the back. With the help of a list you find the name of the corresponding herb for each card. There is no prescribed method of laying the cards. Possible ways of interpreting and laying them are outlined in the introduction that comes with each set.
Price: 31 Euro for one set + shipping
Offcial sale date was September 22 and thus far 9 boxes have already been paid and 3 more are reserved. I hope to be doing larger editions in the future with the help of the funds gathered through the sale of these first editions. If you wish to have one please message me at info@teufelskunst.com
First off thanks once more for all the lovely birthday wishes! It’s been some days ago, but so what… This year I celebrated with my childhood friend, watching “Zeit der Kannibalen” at the movies and at midnight having a glass of champagne – thanks to the waitor, who spontaneously donated it! The day was spent with my mum and dad and I actually used it for crafting the slip-cases you see here.
Now I’ve been fairly busy, creative but not very crafty during the first part of this year apart from some commission work. However this ought to change during the coming months. And to celebrate the summer’s solstice I am starting with the first card set of my plant sigils. 🙂 I actually brought these with me for the London Magical Arte event earlier this year. Back then I had printed the cards but not yet made a nice packaging for them. So… I made slipcases with paper bought from my local bookbinder. These look nicer than the previous boxes and are easier to store on one’s bookshelf. The first two card sets have been sent out beginning of this month, one went to Italy and the other to Australia. Now I am doing a small summer solstice edition, which can be ordered next month. If you wish to have one please message me at info@teufelskunst.com. The price is 31 Euro for one set consisting of 40 cards + 4 colored postcards. For more info see the website teufelskunst.com/art/card-sets….
What else is on? Beginning of July I might be involved in a photo-documention for an environmental assessment. This is something I am greatly looking forward to.
Until the end of this month I am also finishing my article and artistic contribution for Pillars 1.III – I can hardly await how the journal will turn out this year! So once it’s out I will also have new stuff to share here.
PS: Forgot to mention we spent a few days in Freiburg, checking out the historic parts of the town, the botanical garden and a handful of museums… (pics to follow). Meanwhile here’s me in the new dress that my mum tailored for me:
My boyfriend took the photo during our stay at the beautiful gardens of Kloster St. Lioba.
So long, thanks again for all your support! Have a nice summer and take care!
Wiebke Rost 