My Art - Amethyst

This is the image I was attempting to create when The Bride of Frankenstein insisted on being created. I did go back and finish her though. I think it was the streak in her hair that shifted my mind to the Bride. But I liked it so much, that I kept it on this gal too. At first I was thinking of naming this girl along the lines of a Vampira, or an Avian Witch because of the ravens. Then I imagined her embodying the magickal properties of Amethyst, so I was leaning towards that as a name. But her hair is what I loved the most, so I settled on a title that touched on all of her magical properties....Amethyst Ravenhair, the Avian Witch! Ha! That way, I didn't have to choose. But I call her Amethyst for short. (You can click on the image to enlarge.)

My setting for this image evolved from my love of the High Gate Cemetery in London that I dedicated 2 posts to this summer. (see June posts) I wanted a place that was beautiful because of it's decay. A place that was overgrown and being reclaimed by the earth. If you missed those posts, be sure to check out the photos...they are incredible.

And lastly, since purple is my favorite color, Amethyst is a stone that naturally attracts me. So I thought I'd also share some of it's mystical properties. "Because the stone has transmutational energies, it helps to open gateways into intense and transforming spiritual experiences, and can protect the wearer from black magic. Known as a change stone, amethyst can bring about any type of change in your life and consciousness. It also breaks up old emotional thought processes and assists psychic opening in a grounding manner."

Witch Balls

While in Salem, one can find a wide variety of beautiful hand blown glass orbs in the many 'Witch Shoppes' around town. If you've seen those big 'Gazing Balls' that are in many a garden, then you are already vaguely familiar with their ancestor...the Witch Ball. Witch's Balls were very popular in 18th century England, but their actual origin is thought to be much older. For well over 300 years, hollow glass spheres have been hung in windows to ward off witch's spells, evil spirits and ill fortune. However, the Witch's Ball actually originated among cultures where witches were considered a blessing and these witches would usually "enchant" the balls to enhance their potency against evils. Hanging these decorative balls in the window is thought to tantalize evil spirits which may be threatening a home's tranquility. The evil spirit is mesmerized by the ball's reflective beauty. When the spirit touches the DreamCatcher type threads inside the sphere, it is absorbed and trapped in the web-like strands of the glass inside. The Witch Balls trap the negative energy and prevent it from affecting the work or home environment. Because they're similar to the glass balls used by fishermen on nets, witch's balls are also associated with many sea superstitions and legends. I can't help but wonder what happens to all those negative spirits if you accidentally break the ball though. Especially if it happens after you've had it for 20 years. That's a LOT of pent up bad energy...ha!

Another artistic take on the Witch Ball is the beautiful 'Tree of Life' Inspiration Ball. I love this one because it looks like a changing tree in Autumn. It says, "Like each leaf of a tree, our life is full of colorful and unique moments that define us as individuals. Similarly, the changes a tree endures throughout the seasons illustrate to us the circle of life. The Tree of Life reminds us to live every day of our lives with compassion, integrity and gratitude." A profoundly true statement indeed. You can find a large selection of stunning Witch Balls to choose from on-line at Quantum Alchemy.

Carnaval Diabolique

I just adore dark, exotic and witchy scents. And I am forever on the lookout for new ones that can transport you to another place and time. Scents that evoke memories of loves long forgotten or that remind you of the smell of your childhood home. Scents that smell strongly of the seasons or faraway exotic lands and hedonistic rituals. How about a scent that evokes the smell of a graveyard, or the full moon or a sinister carnival?

Well the folks at Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs have elevated the art and science of scent making to a whole new level. And their scent descriptions are deliciously decadent to read. It makes me want to lay back, close my eyes, inhale deeply and astral travel to the very scenario they describe. Have a look at their "Cavnaval Diabolique" series, then get lost in the wide array of "Bewitching Brews" as well. I mean how can you help but to be utterly intrigued and smitten with a perfumery/alchemy shoppe that only opens its doors to the public on the eves of the full moon? How mysterious and magickal is that!!! Visit their laboratory at: http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.html

"Every full moon, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab and Black Phoenix Trading Post introduce, for the span of a few days, a scent that commemorates that month’s full moon. Hours are announced within a fortnight of the full moon."

The full moon schedule for 2008 is as follows:

January 22

February 20

March 21

April 20

May 19

June 18

July 18

August 16

September 15

October 14

November 13

December 12

"Carnaval Diabolique - It is midnight on the midway, and in the air, the scent of nighttime rain, ozone, and heavy summer blooms mingles with thick incense, and a disconcerting blend of sugar and brimstone. Black and orange banners flutter in sinister gaiety, snapping weirdly in the chill breeze as lightning slashes through the sky. In the gloom, the Carnaval thrums with life and unlife; the murmuration is low-pitched, punctuated by gasps, soft cries, and moans, and the smooth, resonant voices of the carnaval talkers, grinders, candy butchers, and pitchmen carry over it all."