vintage
Midsummer
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 | life, mythical, vintage | 99 Comments
On the 24th of June, there is the so-called Midsummer, known in the Cristian calendar as the day of birth of Saint John the Baptist. This holiday always revives our innermost rhythms and our connection with nature, as it ritually marks the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, all around Europe people have different rituals of celebrating Midsummer, which, in the old pagan world had an importance equal to nowadays Christmas (well, let’s not think of the whole commercial fuss about Xmas right now), which coincides with the winter solstice. Also, Midsummer ritual are reported as well in US or Canada, but lets not take now the shallow neopaganism into consideration and let us focus on genuine tradition.
The evening of 23rd of June is Midsummer’s Eve, and it is an evening for magic and bliss. Most medicinal and magical plants are picked up today, since their healing powers are assumed to reach their peak around midnight or before dawn. Waters are said to be healing also. Bonfires are lit to protect from evil spirits, and spells for growth and fertility are made, some involving beautiful wreaths of flowers and fresh leaves. Love rituals, especially, are everywhere: mock marriages are arranged both between adults as between children, and if a girl puts a bunch of flowers under her pillow she is said to dream of her future spouse that night.
It is a time of magic, but this magic has a sense of humour also – not to forget Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, with the whole bunch of tricks the forest fairies play on one another and on people.
At sunrise, the sun winks, plays and smiles, or so the legend says – however, if you get to see the sunrise, you’ll be blessed and lucky through the year. It is a feast of life, of life at its very best.
Egon Schiele
Friday, September 12th, 2008 | arts, vintage | 1 Comment
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When it comes to depicting sexuality and torment, Egon Schiele remains one of my favourite artists ever. His strong, expressive brushstrokes, the power of his drawing and the intensity of his bold, amazing colours produced quite an impression on me when, at some early stage in my life I had made the thrilling discovery of him. All those striking images, considered by many grotesque, even pornographic, constituted themselves, for the teenager I was back then, into a beautiful, tremendous revelation. This was the storm true passions and their clash was supposed to provoke, the fire haunted, restless, thirsty spirits I imagined would ignite all around them, this was the burning road to one’s self – somehow related, at a rather subliminal level, to the tantric yoga’s “Left-Hand Path”: getting to know the ultimate truth trough decadent, extreme practices supposed to integrate spirituality and sex in their reach for pure consciousness. A first impression which has never left me. And who proved itself persistent and influential to my imaginarium, all the way ’till now, I confess.
For more info on the Austrian expressionist artist you can read one of his biographies here and there are also a large number of online galleries hosting his works, such as this quite complete one or this. I wish you a pleasant and enriching experience in this so very controverted – at its time – world.
A Few of My Favourite Things
Saturday, September 6th, 2008 | arts, sex-appeal, vintage | No Comments
A funny and full of sex-appeal performance adding lots of spice to the classic My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music.
Well, ok, I guess I can also share something here. The more, the merrier. So, my favourite things: white silk, black velvet, high heels, sandalwood, long kisses in dark corners, heavy winters and heavy snow, cream, hot tea, bold men, strong wills, wine, indigo paper, perfume bottles, good manners, grace, drama, trains, courtship, countrysides, fireplaces. Intuition. And smarts.
Time for evaluating them all, now: what are your favourite things?
Hot. Old School Hot
Friday, August 1st, 2008 | arts, sex-appeal, vintage | No Comments
I was surfing the Internet when I ran into this beautiful pic at alexandrahager.com. Vintage-like, cozy and so full of some one-of-a-kind, incendiary sexuality that almost made me wish for purple tights and winter. Especially winter. Please notice the sensual leisure posture of the character in the left, the “male” pole of the photo, in contrast with the fire-setting girl in tights, whose concentration further arouses image’s inner tension. You can tell there’s a whole story going on and you can feel the intensity of it. Charming picture. And so it seems I just can’t stop my poor head from filling itself with late December fantasies. Smell that cold, fresh air? Too bad it’s only August.
Courtship
Thursday, July 31st, 2008 | arts, vintage | No Comments
Old-fashioned erotic ritual. And snow.