Dark Nebula Iras 5437

Sword, Southern Germany, 1st half of the 16th century

from The Museum of Art and History Geneva

Silver mirror, Roman, 4th century AD

from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

J. van de Velde II, A witch at her cauldron surrounded by beasts, Wellcome Collection, 1626

The Cloisters Museum, NYC

As you well know, you are something of an enchantress. And I am still under your spell. In earlier times you would probably have been either worshipped or hanged — or perhaps both, in that order.

Paul Brooks, quoted in ‘Anne Sexton: A Biography’ by Diane Wood Middlebrook

Axel Torvenius

Adolf Hiremy-Hirschl - Death and the Maiden, 19th century.

Magic is an expression of power and an expression of how that power relates to you, your environment, and your ancestors. Magic is the interface of the land and Divinity; it is the power of the elements around you, the power of the sun and moon, the air that you breathe, and the language of the unseen beings, both benign and malicious, that are living alongside you.

Josephine McCarthy, The Magical Knowledge Trilogy

Venezia, october 2013

photo: Max Kuiper