Scrying

Scrying ritual art

'Scrying' is a term that applies to the art of divination, e.g foretelling the future by using a reflective surface, often a mirror, crystal ball or body of water. This art form, has been channelled into the creation of these beautiful wax sculptural pieces, all completely unique and one of a kind, although beautiful, there inherent value lies only in there communication between the divine and man. Attempting to unravel the secrets of scrying may seem to many purely the work of a chance process, However it is only the caster that will find a personal truth within the swirls of wax, as there thoughts, questions and preys is as unique as results cast there from.

  

Before creating these works I took some time to meditate and collect my thoughts, As I poured the wax into a bowl of water, focused my energy on showing me the truth to what I seek. I  initially tried to pour the wax fast, however I used my intuition to tell me the process was complete. 

There is something surreal about these images, within their mystical  forms lies a element of defamilliastion that are provocative of both chance and certainty, knowing and unknowing. The fluidity of the objects, travels parallel with notions of life being mere strings of a giant tapestry, that we are unable to see in it's entirety, yet can take comfort in the knowing is all part of a master plan. 


A couple of these images bear remarkable likeness to animals. Images 4, 6 and 7, pay resemblance to a seahorse, a bird ( perhaps a turkey) and a walrus.  


A possible reading for the Seahorse centres around Power

"Many ancient cultures connected the Seahorse with various Divine beings. In Rome and Greece, for example, the Seahorse was sacred to Poseidon and Neptune, potent sea gods. As a result, one of the keynote meanings for Seahorse is one of power and authority, particularly in matters of emotion and intuition because of the Water Element involved.

A rather lovely story from Greco-Roman times indicates that the Seahorse is a guide to drown sailors." - https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/fish/seahorse-symbolism-meaning/

A possible reading for the Turkey is based around abundance.

"The symbolism of the Turkey focuses on the connection with the Earth and the abundance it provides, Generosity,sharing " - http://www.spiritanimal.info/turkey-spirit-animal/ 

"The Creek tribes still practice the turkey dance during its annual fire festivals. The feathers of turkeys are also used in Native American ritual."

"The turkey was thought to be sacred to ancient Mexican cultures. The Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs viewed the turkey as a "jewelled bird" and also referred to it as the "Great Xolotl." Male turkeys were honoured for their beauty and essence of cocky pride." - http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-symbolism-turkey.html



A possible reading for the Walrus is based around, psychic closeness 

"Moving effortlessly in the water, Walrus can teach us to ‘ride the emotional’ waves inevitable in our lives, to pick our battles wisely when in defensive mode, and that as long as we are close to the people we love, we will be protected from a cold and lonely heart." - http://spiritcaat.com/spiritcaatblog/animal-spirit-guide-walrus/

" A symbol of individuality and solitude. When a walrus appears in a dream or meditation , it warns of becoming too isolated. As a totem or power animal, the walrus teaches how to uncover the hidden treasures around  you " .-http://paganinfo.wikifoundry.com/page/Animal+Totems+V+-+Z

The Hidden truth in nursery rhymes.

The hidden truth in Nursery Rhymes

As many of us know, Nursery Rhymes have been around for century's, what you might not know, however is there purpose. Many of our beloved tunes house within their verses, key information, bearing historical significance, and moral storys about life. As I researched into this in more detail, I discovered a rich abundance of  Nursery rhythms that fall into this trend, below is a list of songs I remember from my childhood, with there true origins unveiled.

Ring-a-ring o' roses

"Ring-a-ring o' roses,

A pocket full of posies,

A-tishoo! A-tishoo!

We all fall down"

" The words to the Ring around the rosy children's ring game have their origin in English history. The historical period dates back to the Great Plague of London in 1665 (bubonic plague) or even before when the first outbreak of the Plague hit England in the 1300's. The symptoms of the plague included a rosy red rash in the shape of a ring on the skin (Ring around the rosy). Pockets and pouches were filled with sweet smelling herbs ( or posies) which were carried due to the belief that the disease was transmitted by bad smells. The term "Ashes Ashes" refers to the cremation of the dead bodies! The death rate was over 60% and the plague was only halted by the Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats which carried the disease which was transmitting via water sources. The English version of "Ring around the rosy" replaces Ashes with (A-tishoo, A-tishoo) as violent sneezing was another symptom of the disease. We recommend the following site for comprehensive information regarding the Bubonic Plague. - http://www.rhymes.org.uk/ring_around_the_rosy.htm

Seesaw Margery Daw

"Seesaw Margery Daw,

Johnny shall have a new master,

He shall earn but a penny a day,

Because he can't work any faster."

The seesaw is the oldest 'ride' for children, easily constructed from logs of different sizes. The words of "Seesaw Marjorie Daw" reflect children playing on a see-saw and singing this rhyme to accompany their game. There was no such person that we can identify who had the name Marjorie Daw and we therefore make the assumption that this was purely used to rhyme with the words 'seesaw' i.e "Seesaw Marjory Daw". The last three lines of "Seesaw Margery Daw" appear to reflect the use of child labour in work houses where those with nowhere else to live would be forced to work for a pittance (a penny a day) on piece work (because he can't work any faster). The words of "Seesaw Margery Daw" might be used by a spiteful child to taunt another implying his family were destined for the workhouse.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row"

"The Mary alluded to in this traditional English nursery rhyme is reputed to be Mary Tudor, or Bloody Mary, who was the daughter of King Henry VIII. Queen Mary was a staunch Catholic and the garden referred to is an allusion to graveyards which were increasing in size with those who dared to continue to adhere to the Protestant faith - Protestant martyrs. The silver bells and cockle shells referred to in the Nursery Rhyme were colloquialisms for instruments of torture. The 'silver bells' were thumbscrews which crushed the thumb between two hard surfaces by the tightening of a screw. The 'cockleshells' were believed to be instruments of torture which were attached to the genitals. The 'maids' were a device to behead people called the Maiden. Beheading a victim was fraught with problems. It could take up to 11 blows to actually sever the head, the victim often resisted and had to be chased around the scaffold.

Pussycat pussycat

"Pussycat pussycat, where have you been?

I've been up to London to visit the Queen.

Pussycat pussycat, what did you there?

I frightened a little mouse under her chair

MEOWW!"

The origins of the "Pussycat pussycat" rhyme dates back to the history of 16th century Tudor England. One of the waiting ladies of Queen Elizabeth 1st had an old cat which roamed throughout Windsor castle. On one particular occasion the cat ran beneath the throne where its tail brushed against the Queen's foot, startling her. Luckily 'Good Queen Bess' had a sense of humour and decreed that the cat could wander about the throne room, on condition it kept it free of mice! - http://www.rhymes.org.uk/pussycat_pussycat.htm

Pat a cake, Pat a cake

"Pat a cake, Pat a cake, baker's man,

Bake me a cake as fast as you can;

Pat it and prick it and mark it with a 'B',

And put it in the oven for Baby and me,

For baby and me,

For baby and me,

Put it in the oven for Baby and me."

It is highly likely that this rhyme refers to the baking of bread in a communal oven, a practice common in England in the middle ages and early modern era. 

Rock a bye baby

"Rock a bye baby on the tree top,

When the wind blows the cradle will rock,

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,

And down will come baby, cradle and all."

The words and lyrics to the "Rock a bye baby" rhyme are reputed to reflect the observations of a young pilgrim boy in America who had seen Native Indian mothers suspend a birch bark cradle from the branches of a tree. Thus enabling the wind to rock the cradle and the child to sleep! This rhyme is also known as "Hush a bye baby" which is the correct title. The confusion regarding these lyrics occurred due to the popularity of the old Al Jolson classic song "Rock a bye my baby with a Dixie melody!"

The story of the Nursery Rhyme relates to a family who lived in a tree house which was formed within a massive Yew tree. The Yew Tree concerned was believed to be nearly 2000 years old. The family were charcoal burners who lived in Shining Cliff Woods, Ambergate, Derbyshire in the 1700's. The ancient occupation of Charcoal Burning would be conducted by people who actually lived in the woods. Just like like this family. Their names were Kate and Luke Kennyon and they lived in what was locally called the 'Betty Kenny Tree' - a colloquialism for Kate Kenyon. The Kenyons had 8 children and a tree bough was hollowed out to act as a cradle for their children! Shining Cliff Woods was owned at the time by the Hurt family. The Kenyons were favoured by the Hurts who commissioned the artist James Ward of the Royal Academy to paint their portraits. The Yew tree still exists but was severely fire damaged by vandals in the 1930s. - http://www.rhymes.org.uk/rock_a_bye_baby.htm

Lavender's Blue

"Lavender's blue,

Dilly diilly*,

Lavender's green,

When I am king,

Dilly dilly,

You shall be queen.

Call up your men,

Dilly dilly,

Set them to work,

Some to the plow,

Dilly dilly,

Some to the cart.

Some to make hay,

Dilly dilly,

Some to cut corn,

While you and I,

Dilly dilly,

Keep ourselves warm.

Lavender's green,

Dilly dilly,

Lavender's blue,

If you love me,

Dilly dilly,

I will love you."

"The earliest surviving version of the song is in a broadside printed in England between 1672 and 1685, under the name Diddle Diddle, Or The Kind Country Lovers. The broadside indicates it is to be sung to the tune "Lavenders Green", implying that a tune by that name was already in existence. The lyrics printed in the broadside are fairly bawdy, celebrating sex and drinking."

Little Bo Peep

"Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep,

And can't tell where to find them;

Leave them alone, And they'll come home,

Wagging their tails behind them.

Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep,

And dreamt she heard them bleating;

But when she awoke, she found it a joke,

For they were still a-fleeting.

Then up she took her little crook,

Determined for to find them;

She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,

For they'd left their tails behind them.

It happened one day, as Bo-peep did stray

Into a meadow hard by,

There she espied their tails side by side,

All hung on a tree to dry.

She heaved a sigh and wiped her eye,

And over the hillocks went rambling,

And tried what she could, as a shepherdess should,

To tack each again to its lambkin."

The Little Bo Peep rhyme builds the picture of a young shepherdess and the advice given to her by someone more experienced! It is interesting that the name of Little Bo Peep was derived from the derivative of the words bleat and sheep! There is no specific relevance to events in history for the origins of the Little Bo Peep rhyme. The morale of the words in the song are that one must take responsibility of falling asleep or face the consequences. -http://whosyoureditor.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/day-three-of-truth-behind-nursery.html

Jack and Jill went up the hill

!Jack and Jill went up the hill

To fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

And Jill came tumbling after.

Up Jack got, and home did trot,

As fast as he could caper,

He went to bed to mend his head,

With vinegar and brown paper."

The roots of the story, or poem, of Jack and Jill are in France. Jack and Jill referred to are said to be King Louis XVI - Jack -who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette - Jill - (who came tumbling after). The words and lyrics to the Jack and Jill poem were made more acceptable as a story for children by providing a happy ending! The actual beheadings occurred in during the Reign of Terror in 1793. The first publication date for the lyrics of Jack and Jill rhyme is 1795 - which ties-in with the history and origins. The Jack and Jill poem is also known as Jack and Gill - the mis-spelling of Gill is not uncommon in nursery rhymes as they are usually passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. - http://www.rhymes.org.uk/jack_and_jill.htm

The Crooked Sixpence

"There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile,

He found a crooked sixpence beside a crooked stile;

He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,

And they all lived together in a little crooked house."

The origin of the Nursery Rhymes "There was a crooked man" is in British historyThe content of "There was a crooked man" poem have a basis in history. The origin of this poem originates from the English Stuart history of King Charles 1. The crooked man is reputed to be the Scottish General Sir Alexander Leslie. The General signed a Covenant securing religious and political freedom for Scotland. The 'crooked stile' referred to in "There was a crooked man" being the border between England and Scotland. 'They all lived together in a little crooked house' refers to the fact that the English and Scots had at last come to an agreement. The words reflect the times when there was great animosity between the English and the Scots. The word crooked is pronounced as 'crookED' the emphasis being placed upon the 'ED' in the word. This was common in olde England and many references can be found in this type of pronunciation in the works of William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Nursery rhyme lyrics from: http://wordsforlife.literacytrust.org.uk/songs?gclid=CjwKEAiAqozEBRDJrPem0fPKtX0SJAD5sAyHimpTmggjFKOFYJKc3t7Esv5TOMkuMlIjAkYd6qsI3xoCDbHw_wcB

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/more-nursery-rhymes/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/story/20150610-the-dark-side-of-nursery-rhymes

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-myths-legends/english-nursery-rhymes-unexpected-and-sometimes-disturbing-historical-origins

Fuzzy light

I am particularly interested in this photograph  I  had taken at speed, as it just bears an impression to what was actually there, and yet I find there to be so much feeling within it. The fuzzy lighting provides a dream like haze, to which I believe can be better then reality, as it speaks to the viewer in a way that allows you to decide how much you want to believe in its authenticity, It demands nothing of you, instead it waits in silence for your verdict. 

Mind Map

Mind Map of  Ideas 

Thinking about the value words have within language, and how much like a stream, they trickle down to the next, forming sentences as they travel. Once I wrote this list I discovered I suddenly felt a lot more connected to the things all around me, and in turn opened my eyes up to use materials in my geographical location to make art that would be true and authentic to the landscape. 

Witch Trial in Europe

Witch Trails in Europe 

The first witch trails took place in the 15th century, within France and Germany. England and Scotland quickly followed in the late 16th and early 17th Century, with the focus then shifted to Scandinavia, resulting in many more executions for the Sin and Crime of witchcraft. Within the late 17th Century Poland began prosecuting people more frequently, Just after Hungry began executing those found to be witches by the 18th Century, due to the imposed laws of  Austria, whilst it was declining in western Europe from the 17th century.

Many accused witches were physically tortured in a variety of dreadful ways,,,, iron maiden, the rack ect


The common belief was that there were many ways to identify a witch:

• The devils mark -  the mark is supposedly given to them by the devil and is in intaluable to pain
• Pricking test - to prick there body with a blade, if the accused did not flinch or scream it was sure sign that they were indeed a witch.
• Swimming test - the accused would be thrown into a body of water if they floated to the surface it was a sure sign that the water was rejecting them and they were guilty. if they were to sink to the bottom a drown they would be perceived as pure and all charges would be dropped.
• Praying test - it was said that a witch was unable to read holy text without making mistakes, the lords pray would often be used to test an accused witch.
• Touch test - based on the notion that practisers of sorcery would have a special touch and would therefore place a hand on another afflicted person and if they became still, and calm. it would be claimed as a sign of witchcraft 
• Incantation - also known as charging, made the accused order the devil to come out of there trance, 

sources: http://listverse.com/2012/07/27/10-tests-for-guilt-used-at-the-salem-witch-trials/

http://thetudorenthusiast.weebly.com/my-tudor-blog/witchcraft-in-16th-17th-century-england

http://www.witchcraftandwitches.com/trials.html

Petrol Tree

Petrol Tree

Often  I am more captivated by the accidental nature of chance images, then of images I have put a lot of time and effort into, what I love about this edited image of a oil leak on pavement, is that it just existed there for anyone to find wonder in, and that accessibility to the creative is all around us in both the natural and the man-made, it just takes a interest person to see its potential.

As I played around with the contrast settings, I discovered this galaxy like world that made me feel like I was being alerted to the beauty in everything. The flecks on the pavement suddenly looked like stars, the oil, a star condition of a tree, shining brightly like a symbol of life. I produced a series of images in order to highlight the magic of  the image, and illustrate the stages of photo editing, can bring a mostly grey image to life.

Forest Photographs

Poetical Photographs

Whilst thinking about  the many forms poetry can take, I took this series of images, then edited them to achieve a painterly effect. What first attracted me to this seen was the way the street lamps glowed amongst the branches, illuminating the foliage. The composition produces an air of mystery,  that guides your eye down the path and into the wooded darkness.

  

In my head, I started to recall the wood to the nursery rhythm, 'If you go down to the woods today'. However as I looked into trees, my mind conjured up a more sinister version...

" If you go down to the woods today, be sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the wood today, you'd better believe you eyes,

For every psycho murdering thugs' not gathering round to give you a hug,

Today's the day the cannibals eat your entrails. "

This rendition started me thinking about the importance of song to relay important messages, For hundreds of years people have been using catchy tunes to house warnings of other important messages, in order to make them easier to remember ( particular for children. ) 

The misty shadows of the images, facilitates a dialogue between the layers of light and the playful gestural nature of the branches as the perform a ballet-like dance. A sense of movement is somewhat captured here,  through contrast and context, bringing a theatrical note that is essential to the undercurrent of  the image.

This last image is particularly charged with metaphorical significance, and conjures up images of jack and the bean stalk as we see this gigantic tree disappearing unto the heavens, the quality of the light adds a dream like state to the image, the branches appear like the steps of Jacobs ladder ( A Biblical story) Or the tower of babel - stating that the people of the earth decided that they would build a ladder up to the heavens, in order to be at one with god, several groups of people started building, and they were communicating so well that the ladders grow higher and higher, when they reached an inordinate height God looked down from the heavens and saw the people climbing  up the ladders, This angered God, and he tore the ladders down. As a punishment for not knowing there place, and challenging the authority of the Lord, He changed the languages of the people from one tongue to many, knowing that this would set there communication skills back for thousands of years to come, thus stopping them from being able to communicate effectively enough to build another gigantic ladder.