Female Character Deaths In Shakespeare

Giovanni da Udine (1487-1561) - Dettaglio del finto pergolato con festoni di frutta e fiori che incornicia le Storie di Amore e Psiche, ciclo realizzato da Raffaello e aiuti nella Loggia di Psiche, Villa Farnesina, Roma.

Tra i tanti capricci realizzati da Giovanni si notano una serie di composizioni basate su zucchine, cetrioli ed altre verdure lungiformi, che prendono la forma di falli e che si pongono quali elementi apotropaici di fertilità e di buon augurio. Il più notevole, ricordato anche dal Vasari, è il capriccio posto sopra Mercurio ed indicato dalla stessa divinità.

“…sopra la figura di un Mercurio che vola ha finto per Priapo una zucca attraversata da villucchi, che ha per testicoli due petroncioni, e vicino al fiore di quella ha finto una ciocca di fichi brugiotti grossi, dentro a uno dei quali, aperto e troppo fatto, entra la punta della zucca col fiore, il quale capriccio è espresso con tanta grazia, che più non si piò alcuno immaginare”

Giorgio Vasari, vita di Giovanni da Udine.

THE WICCAN REDE

The Wiccan Rede is a statement that provides the key moral system in your Path. It’s important to acknowledge, in any discussion about the Rede that this is simply a guideline. There is a significant amount of variance from one path to the next and even from one individual to another. There is a good deal of room for interpretation and personal alteration. Many Wiccans even choose to claim the shorter rendition which reads simply as such: 

SHORT VERSION

“Eight words the Rede fulfill, ‘And it harm none, do what ye will.”

“An” is an unnecessarily archaic way of saying “as long as” or “if.”  It’s intended to be conditional. If this happens, that happens. It’s a “cause-and-effect” statement.  It implies that “doing no harm” is transitory, because it is a condition that might, or might not, be present.  If you are doing no harm, then you can do what you will.

I would argue that “doing no harm, ever” is simply not possible. Have you ever eaten a steak?  The cow was butchered and you consumed it.  How about a celery stick? That plant was destroyed for your sustenance. It’s not realistic to believe that one can live life and do no harm; just that one should go out of one’s way to minimize harm!  

A Wiccan should do their best not to cause harm; and that means that we should do our best to consider the effects of everything we do; magickally or otherwise. Moral decisions should then be made according to what is going to cause the least harm, including to ourselves.

FULL VERSION (Angelfire Rendition)

“Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones: Bide the Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust. Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.

To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme. Light of eye and soft of touch, speak ye little, listen much. Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, Let love and light be our guides again. Deosil go by the waxing Moon, sing and dance the Wiccan rune. Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.

When the Lady’s Moon is new, kiss thy hand to Her times two. When the Moon rides at Her peak then your heart’s desire seek. Heed the Northwind’s mighty gale; lock the door and trim the sail.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast. When the West wind blows o'er thee, departed spirits restless be.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them quick a’ burn them slow. Birch in the fire goes, To represent what the Lady knows. Oak in the forest towers with might, In the fire it brings the God’s insight. Rowan is a tree of power, Causing life and magick to flower. Willows at the waterside stand, Ready to help us to the Summerland.

Hawthorn is burned to purify, And to draw faerie to your eye. Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning, Adds its strength to the bright fire burning. White are the flowers of Apple tree, That brings us fruits of fertility. Grapes grow upon the vine, Giving us both joy and wine. Fir does mark the evergreen, To represent immortality seen. Elder is the Lady’s tree, Burn it not or cursed you’ll be.

Four times the Major Sabbats mark, In the light and in the dark. As the old year starts to wane, The new begins, it’s now Samhain. When the time for Imbolg shows, Watch for flowers through the snows. When the wheel begins to turn, Soon the Beltaine fires will burn. As the wheel turns to Lammas night, Power is brought to magick rite. Four times the Minor Sabbats fall, Use the Sun to mark them all.

When the wheel has turned to Yule, Light the log the Horned One rules. In the spring, when night equals day, Time for Ostara to come our way. When the Sun has reached it’s height, Time for Oak and Holly to fight. Harvesting comes to one and all, When the Autumn Equinox does fall. Heed the flower, bush, and tree , By the Lady blessed you’ll be. Where the rippling waters go, Cast a stone, the truth you’ll know. When you have and hold a need, Harken not to others greed. With a fool no season spend, Nor be counted as his friend. Merry Meet and Merry Part, Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Law you should, Three times bad and three times good. When misfortune is enow, Wear the star upon your brow. In love you must be ever true, Unless your love is false to you.

Eight words the Rede fulfill, ‘And it harm none, do what ye will.’“

BREAKING IT DOWN

Now isn’t that a mouthful! Believe it or not, each line has its own special meaning, which of course is up for personal interpretation from the individual. Here are some examples from Angelfire to get you started in your studies.  

“Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must, In perfect Love and perfect Trust.” Basically, this refers to Perfect Love and Trust in the Divine, not necessarily in a human person. Remember, all Wiccans are human first, and they will have the same faults and shortcomings as everyone else. Honor them for their knowledge and experience, but don’t expect them to be saints! “Live and let all else live, Fairly take and fairly give.” Pretty self-explanatory… “Cast the Circle thrice about, To keep unwelcome spirits out.” This refers to casting the circle first with your athame, sword, staff, or whatever tool you use, then casting again around fully with salt & water, then a third casting is done with the Incense. (Not necessarily in that order - it goes by tradition) “To bind the spell every time, Let the spell be spake in rhyme.” This refers to your "younger self” or subconscious mind, which hears and reacts more quickly and more fully to rhymes and chants. It also makes it fun for your inner child, and this will enhance your magickal workings.

“Light of eye and soft of touch, Speak ye little, listen much.” “Light of eye” is an injunction against staring forcefully at another, and comes from the “evil eye”. Be gentle in both your gaze and touch. Avoid violence! The second line has always been sage advice. “Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, Let love and light be our guides again.” Similar to "Honor thy father and mother” but this means anyone elder, not just family. Somehow politeness is being lost in today’s society.  “Deosil go by the waxing moon, Sing and dance the Wiccan rune.”

"Deosil” means clock-wise, or sun-wise, and the waxing moon is from New Moon to just before the Full Moon, while the moon is “filling out. This is the time to ask for what you want to have joyful in your life. "Rune” is another name for spell, but specifically a rhymed, chanted, spell working. This is evolved from the use of a single rune (such as today are used for divination) to represent the person’s desire.

“Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.” Now “widdershins” is counter clockwise, and the waning moon is after the full moon, when it is “dwindling.” This is the time to get rid of unwanted habits, weight, bad feelings, or anything you wish to be rid of. “Baneful” comes from “banish” and that’s what it means. “When the Lady’s moon is new, Kiss the hand to Her times two.” It was the custom in days gone before to send kisses to the New Moon. It must have been a very wide spread custom as I have seen references to the Inquisition warning people that those who did it would be closely watched for signs of heresy and witchcraft! “When the moon rides at Her peak, Then your heart’s desire seek.” This of course is the Full Moon, and the time when the magick of the Moon is at full power. “Heed the North winds’ mighty gale, Lock the door and trim the sail.” These next four verses are “wind wisdom” and refer to the times when the wind comes from the four directions, and also refers to the four seasons. The North wind is well known for the winter storms it brings. Lock everything up tight!

“When the wind comes from the South, Love will kiss thee on the mouth.” The warm southern wind brings Springtime, when young fancies turn to romance. “When the Wind blows from the East, Expect the new and set the feast.” The second line refers to the tendency the East wind has to bring changes, and unexpected visitors. “When the West wind blows o'er thee, Departed spirits restless be.” The West is the direction that the souls of those passing on to the Summerland will take. (I suppose they have to work harder when the wind is against them!) “Nine woods in the Cauldron go, Burn them quick a’ burn them slow.”

Nine woods are placed in the Beltain fires and each one is significant. “Birch in the fire goes, To represent what the Lady knows. Oak in the forest towers with might, In the fire it brings the God’s insight. Rowan is a tree of power, Causing life and magick to flower. Willows at the waterside stand, Ready to help us to the Summerland. Hawthorn is burned to purify, And to draw faerie to your eye. Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning, Adds its strength to the bright fire burning. White are the flowers of Apple tree, That brings us fruits of fertility. Grapes grow upon the vine, Giving us both joy and wine. Fir does mark the evergreen, To represent immortality seen. Elder is the Lady’s tree, Burn it not or cursed you’ll be.” Count them, Elder is the 10th tree, and the Balefire only gets Nine. This is a warning to those who would burn the elder, and refers to the English elder, but I don’t burn the American one either. “Four times the Major Sabbats mark, In the light and in the dark.” The eight Sabbats are divided in two: the Major and Minor Sabbats. The Major Sabbats are: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas. “As the old year starts to wane, The new begins, it’s now Samhain.” For many Wiccans, Samhain marks the New Year and is the most important Sabbat. It’s the time to remember the ancestors, and the time to celebrate the harvest and all that has been accomplished over the year.   “When the time for Imbolg shows, Watch for flowers through the snows.” Imbolg, is a preparation for spring. At Imbolg, Wiccans clean and organize their living environments, as well as their minds and hearts, in preparation for the upcoming season of growth. It’s a time to shake off the doldrums of late winter and light the fires of creativity and inspiration. “When the wheel begins to turn, Soon the Beltaine fires will burn.” Beltane is the time of the marriage and union of the Goddess as Mother Earth and the God of the Greenwood. It is an ancient fertility festival marking the beginning of the planting cycle. The festival was to ensure a good growing season and a bountiful harvest. Beltane is light-hearted and joyful. “As the wheel turns to Lammas night, Power is brought to magick rite.” For the ancient Pagans, Lammas was a time of both hope and fear. They held hope for a bountiful harvest and abundant food, but they feared that the harvest wouldn’t be large enough and that the cold months would be filled with struggle and deprivation. At Lammas, modern Wiccans also face their fears, concentrate on developing their own abilities, and take steps to protect themselves and their homes.   

“Four times the Minor Sabbats fall, Use the Sun to mark them all.” Now these Sabbats are called “Minor” simply because they happen at the start of the season, when the sun is just entering the Fixed Astrological signs of the four seasons. All of the Sabbats are considered “solar, meaning that they are calculated by the sun. These Minor Sabbats include Yule, Ostara, Litha, and Mabon.  “When the wheel has turned to Yule, Light the log the Horned One rules.” Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year’s beginning or the end. This is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It’s a time of renewal and hope. “In the spring, when night equals day, Time for Ostara to come our way.” Winter is now over. Light is increasing. The day and night are equal in length at the equinox. Spring has arrived or is coming soon. Ostara is the time of fertility, birth, and renewal. The ice is thawing, and the growing season for plants and animals begins. Growth is the theme of the day.   

“When the Sun has reached it’s height, Time for Oak and Holly to fight.” Litha is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Light triumphs, but will now begin to fade into darkness as autumn approaches. The crops are planted and growing. The woods and forests have reached their peak fullness. This is the time of abundance for wildlife, including people! The holiday is joyous. “Harvesting comes to one and all, When the Autumn Equinox does fall.” At Mabon, the day and the night are equal in length, in sublime balance. For many locations, Mabon coincides with the final harvest of grain, fruits, and vegetables. Mabon, also called Harvest Home, is the time of thanksgiving. The beauty and bounty of summer gives way to the desolation of winter, and the darkness overtakes the light.   

“Heed the flower, bush, and tree, By the Lady blessed you’ll be.” All life is Sacred to the Goddess, and proper respect should be shown for the sacrifice of Her Creatures and Plants so that we may eat and survive. “Where the rippling waters go Cast a stone, the truth you’ll know.” This is referring to a water divination, where one tosses a pebble into the surface of still water to watch the ripples and divine the future. “When you have and hold a need, Harken not to others greed.” One should not do magick out of greed, but out of need. So if someone offers you money to do a spell for them, what is your motivation? And what is theirs? Do you want to attract dependent people to you who could possibly put so many demands on your energy that you have no time for yourself? This one is thought provoking, isn’t it? “With a fool no season spend, Nor be counted as his friend.” Or in other words, people know you by the company you keep…. “Merry Meet and Merry Part, Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.” Also self explanatory… we’re all pretty happy to see one another, and open expressions of affection are encouraged. “Mind The Threefold Law you should, Three times bad and three times good.” The Threefold Law is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans that states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times. “When misfortune is enow, Wear the star upon your brow.” In this form, it means to open your third eye and listen to your higher self/Spirit Guide/Guardian Angel whenever you find yourself in difficulties.  “In love you must be ever true, Unless your love is false to you.” A witch does not give her or his word lightly… and a vow of true love is also not spoken lightly. However, if your lover is untrue to you they have already broken vows with you. “Eight words the Rede fulfill, ‘And it harm none, do what ye will.’” This is the law by which most Wiccans live, with harm to none. 

WHAT’S YOUR RENDITION?

As mentioned before, in any discussion about the Rede, this is simply a starter’s guideline. There is a significant amount of variance from one Path to the next and even from one individual to another. It’s all about your personal beliefs, your key moral system in your Path. There is a good deal of room for interpretation and personal alteration. With that being said, I want to know your personal Rede! Do you use a pre-written traditional Rede or your own Rede? Leave a comment or reblog with your own version (if you’d like to share) and (if you have the time) what it means to you! 

The Native Cinema Renaissance: Films

Composers on Halloween!

IMAGE: Khayal Gatha, The Saga of Khayal (Kumar Shahani | 1989)

TEXT: Ruth Vanita – “MARRIED AMONG THEIR COMPANIONS: Female Homoerotic Relations in Nineteenth-Century Urdu Rekhti Poetry in India” in Journal of Women’s History, Vol 16, no. 1 (2004): 

—

The new move that Rekhti makes in Indian poetry is to sexualize explicitly the Sakhi (woman’s intimate woman friend). Rekhti inherits this important poetic figure not from the Perso-Urdu ghazal but from Sanskrit and Sanskritic literatures. 

[…] Female-female sexual relations are mentioned in the Kamasutra as well as in Arabic erotic texts such as the Thousand and One Nights, but they do not seem to be explicitly represented in Riti poetry. However, a suggestive female homoeroticism does appear in Riti poetry. In part, it arises from the ambiguity of the speaker’s gender. Commentators and translators ascribe gender to the speakers, and often do so on the heterosexist presumption that a speaker who praises the heroine’s beauty may be male or female, but when the praise is more eroticized, the speaker must be male. Thus, Krishna P. Bahadur, the modern English translator of Bihari, invents titles for every verse, which gender the speaker: “What he said to her companion,” or “What her companion told him.” 

The verses in the manuscripts have no titles—while the speaker is sometimes gendered, in many others she or he is not, and this allows for a playful ambivalence. Even the verses that commentators do attribute to female speakers often express an ardent admiration that has an erotic tinge. In one example, the narrator comments: “Heavens! / How much beauty has god given her! / Even I am bewitched by it, dear lad, / how much more / you!” The translator here has inserted the words “how much more, you.” The original says simply: “Looking at that unique girl, I am entranced. How much sweetness god has given to her beautiful form.”

Matilda —¿Siempre es así de dura la vida o nada más cuando se es chico?

León— Siempre es así.

📽 : The Professional (1994)

Ekaterina Maximova as Spring Fairy in the 1960 ballet film “Cinderella and the Glass Slipper”.

Stuff iv’e read in 2018 (comics)

Totsukuni no shoujo by Nagabe

To you the immortal by  Yoshitoki Ōima

Ao no flag by KAITO

My lesbian experience with loneliness by Nagata kabi

Tongari no boushi atelier/witch hat atelier by  Shirahama Kamome

Jujustu kaisen by Akutami Gege

Innocent rouge by Sakamoto Shinichi

Suikki by Urushibara Yuki

Happiness by Oshimi Shuzo

Birdmen by Tanabe Yellow

im late but honorable mentions because tumblr formats arent letting me upload them to shimanami tasogare by kamatani yuhki (i think i probs read it at the end of 2017 but i cant remember) and Mob psycho 100 by ONE 

– list of historical films –

– 1500s–1600s –

1. the other boleyn girl (2008)

2. elizabeth (1998)

3. elizabeth: the golden age (2007)

4. anonymous (2011)

5. shakespeare in love (1998)

6. the libertine (2004)

7. the three musketeers (1948)

8. lady jane (1985)

9. stage beauty (2004)

– 1700s –

1. the duchess (2008)

2. marie antoinette (2005)

3. pride and prejudice (tv, 1995)

4. sense and sensibility (1995)

5. becoming jane (2006)

6. the madness of king george (1994)

7. perfume: story of a murderer (2006)

8. a little chaos (2014)

9. girl with a pearl earring (2003)

10. belle (2013)

– 1800s –

1. young victoria (2009)

2. mrs brown (1997)

3. victoria and abdul (2017)

4. jane eyre (2011)

5. mr. turner (2014)

6. wilde (1997)

7. dorian gray (2009)

8. the woman in black (2012)

9. anna karenina (1948)

10. the importance of being earnest (2002)

11. bright star (2009)

12. viceroys house (2017)

13. miss potter (2006)

14. creation (2009)

15. the invisible woman (2012)

16. from hell (2011)

17. the limehouse golem (2016)

18. hysteria (2010)

19. effie gray (2014)

20. great expectations (2012)

21. far from the madding crowd (2015)

– 1900s –

1. maurice (1987)

2. brideshead revisited (tv, 1981)

4. suffragette (2015)

5. the englishman who went up a hill but came down a mountain (1995)

6. enid (tv, 2009)

7. sunset song (2015)

8. finding neverland (2004)

9. war horse (2011)

10. a dangerous method (2011)

11. another country (1984)

12. jimmy’s hall (2014)

13. the edge of love (2008)

14. their finest (2017)

15. gosford park (2001)

16. glorious 39 (2009)

17. easy virtue (2008)

18. dunkirk (2017)

19. the danish girl (2015)

20. atonement (2007)

21. queen & country (2014)

22. private peaceful (2012)

23. the book thief (2013)

24. testament of youth (2014)

25. boy in striped pyjamas (2008)

26. the others (2001)

27. anthropoid (2016)

28. zoo keepers wife (2017)

29. the royal night out (2015)

30. a united kingdom (2016)

31. another mother’s son (2017)

32. the woman in gold (2015)

33. the king’s speech (2010)

34. the monuments men (2014)

35. the wind that shakes the barley (2006)

36. the man who knew infinity (2015)

37. suite française (2014)

38. the theory of everything (2014)

39. the imitation game (2014)

40. the railway man (2013)

41. the magdalene sisters (2002)