Der von Osten
meinem Garten anvertraut,
Gibt geheimen Sinn zu kosten,
Wie’s den Wissenden erbaut.
Ist es ein lebendig Wesen,
Das sich in sich selbst getrennt?
Sind es zwei die sich erlesen,
Daß man sie als eines kennt?
Solche Frage zu erwidern,
Fand ich wohl den rechten Sinn;
Fühlst du nicht an meinen Liedern,
Daß ich eins und doppelt bin?
J. W. Goethe
“Der Heilige Geist und die Natur sind eins: Täglich ist die Natur ein Licht aus dem Heiligen Geist und lernt von ihm, also kommt es im Menschen während der Tiefe der Nacht. Das Wissen der kalten Vernunft hat verblendet das Licht der Weisheit und das Licht der Natur; so herrscht eine fremde Doktrin und hat beider Erkenntnis zwischen Stühle und Bänke gesetzt. Die dieser fremden Doktrin anhängen, versuchen die Wahrheit beider Lichter zu verdunkeln und wollen sogar das Licht des Ewigen und der Natur auslöschen.
Nun merkt, dass Christus und die Seinen dem Licht der Natur nichts genommen haben, aber die Scholare mit ihrem pharisäischen Sauerteig wollen der Natur ihre Macht brechen und nehmen, und zwar weil sie selbst weder Christus nachfolgen noch dem natürlichen Licht. Sie sind die Toten, die die Toten begraben. Kein Leben ist in ihrem Tun, denn sie lernen weder etwas vom Licht der Ewigkeit noch vom Licht der Natur und wollen’s doch beide sein.
In der Natur ist ein Licht, das heller scheint als das Licht der Sonne; in diesem Licht werden die unsichtbaren Dinge sichtbar”
PARACELSUS “Vom Licht der Natur und des Geistes”
Panorama composed of three images, Aletsch glacier, view from below Märjelensee, July 2024
In July we took the path from Bettmerhorn along the Aletsch glacier towards Eggishorn and the glacier’s gate, which is located a few hundred meteres below Märjelensee. As we headed back, I was able to take some photos of the arena sans people, except for two persons in the distance, which give a reference of the glacier’s actual size.
The Aletsch is the largest glacier in the Swiss Alps and for a long time has withstood weather or climate changes. However, lately it is decreasing every year. The former entrance gate, where people could stand upright infront of the clear blue ice mass, has nearly vanished. Currently you have to kneel in order to still catch a glimpse of the stunning ice blue colors underneath.
Our hike back turned out longer than planned but granted us stunning views of the evening sun casting its rays through isolated clouds and dipping the blooming highland meadows into a warm golden light.
With a walking distance of 20 km this has been my longest hike so far. Our four year old walked at least of half of it on his own and mastered the climb to and from the glacier ice all by himself.
First, fluctuating impressions for 2020… later we went to see “Motherless Brooklyn” at one of the Filmkunstkinos here in Düsseldorf. I like films, where one can actually focus on the characters and remember the story afterwards. This was such a film. Edward Norton is a little genius.
Years ago I began creating abstract line drawings, or ‘sigils’, inspired by nature. In these works I summarize nature science, folklore and personal experiences connected to the plants and animals that surround me. Some of these works are already 10 years old. The best known is perhaps the official Teufelskunst logo, which is inspired by the wormwood herb. Another is my sigil for the ‘black mandrake’ and the metamorphous art titled “Regina Amandrakina”, which were both published in “Pillars Periodical, The Ebon Kteis” (Anathema Publishing, Canada, 2014).
A first print edition of these works was introduced at the London “magical Art/E” event, which took place in 2014 at the old Hackney tower. Later (still self-produced) print editions sold out quickly. In follow, I created smaller ink drawings and miniature editions with these sigils. An important aspect of these drawings is the treatment of the paper, which is infused with tinctures and corresponding extracts of natural materials. In November 2017, these ink drawings premiered as part of the “Bad Intentions” group exhibition at Gallery CIRCLE1, Berlin.
This is my second work in this line representing an ‘animal’ spirit. It combines mythology and spiritual lore connected to the Corvidae family.
Ravens and crows both feature extensively in the mythology and folklore of basically all continents and nations. I cannot remember when exactly my own journey with these animals started. But they continue to present me with the most auspicious magic and moments, whenever I open up and notice their ever-presence. Hence, when a friend inquired for a crow skull tattoo, I already felt a deep connection to the animal’s collective spirit. But then began a reading and study journey, for which I received some wonderful recommendations. The sigil art presented here is the quintessence of my autumnal journey with the crows, ravens, magpies, jackdaws and grosbeaks around me and their universal lore.
In November 2019 I created the first ink drawings on infused paper. The sigils are signed and numbered on the back. They come in a black cardboard box, which is also signed and numbered. Along with the artwork you also receive a 30 ml bag of evocation incense, created specifically for the King of all Corvid Folk, as well as one piece of cherry resin and one auspiciously branched “Pin of Slumber” from the blackthorn.
Artwork size: ca. 12,5 x 12,5 cm
Edition specifics: limited to 2 x 7
Fall is here, death is here, but the flowers keep on flowering
“Flower Devils”
In German folklore, witches and even the devil himself were believed to take on the shape of bumblebees. A bumblebee-wax candle was lit in church, if a witch was burnt at the stake. Evil people were cursed with having to return as a bumblebee after death. The sub-earthen drone sound of a bumblebee signaled the presence of the dead. Instead of consecrated wavers, bumblebees were allegedly served at black masses. Bumblebees were also superstitiously feared as carriers of sickness and ritually buried to drive out plague. On the other hand, a dead bumblebee worn in the pocket, was believed to ensure the purse would always be filled with money. And he, who managed to secretly steal the bumblebee’s honey, was destined to find a huge treasure. Hence bumblebees were both viewed as good and bad omens.
Special to me is the photo of a bee among the ruins of an old Minoan Palace in the city of Malia (Crete). In the location was found a massive golden bee amulet, depicting two crowned bees holding a honey drop. Bees and other pollinators played important rolls both in the religion of ancient civilizations as well as folklore.
“Plants and Planets”
Also new: postcards with my occult/nature inspired “Plants and Planets“ series from 2018! Available in two formats.
In the past botanists such as Nicholas Culpeper associated plants with the planets, fixed stars and zodiac signs. The attributions were based on an intense study of a plant’s features, which included treats such as a thorny or prickly appearance, the scent emitted by the flowers or the entire plant, the plant’s life cycle, colors, metals contained in a plant, medicinal and other uses and of course plenty of folklore. The planetary lore of plants is preserved and continues to evolve in the books of authors such as Stephen Skinner, Paul Huson, Scott Cunningham, Harold Roth and so on.
I find it inspiring to continue this tradition and to explore its own inner logic. Hence I created these planet themed still life photographs of herbs, that I gathered from our garden and surroundings, many of which are also part of my seed boxes. With this series I yet delve deeper into the language of plants and the symbolism and magical properties attributed to them.
The postcards have round edges and the sizes comply with common post standards. The motifs are printed on “silk” photo paper and laminated on durable white cardboard, which is pre-printed on the back. For ordering please head over to the Teufelskunst webshop.
Wiebke Rost 