Bone Singer Studio Blog

Boos and Ghouls

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:13:00 +0000

Pardon the bad pun ...we're just getting into the spirit of Hallowe'en over on this side of the Big Pond. (spirit...get it...heh, I kill myself) I just wanted to hop online and wish everyone a safe and happy Hallowe'en weekend!

The following pictures were drawn by me for Justin Shady's blog,The Blarg,and his latest Sketchbook series.("Devil's Night") Enjoy!

BOO!

St.Columbanus, Painting by Susanne Iles

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:51:00 +0000

The other day I talked about my most recent work in progress , a painting of St.Columbanus. I am donating it to the the Bru Columbanus for their November Gala fundraiser and auction. (I will provide exact details of the event as they become available to me) I was able to finish the painting yesterday and would love to share it with you here before it gets whisked to Cork city tomorrow morning.

I have to admit, I did try a beard and moustache on him, but it made him look stern so I removed them. I prefer his gentle, clean shaven face. He looks like someone who would listen to you if you had a problem to share.

It was my hope that the painting would turn out to have an iconic, folk art feel as opposed to a very strict religious tone. Although the Bru Columbanus is a Catholic affiliated centre, it is open to anyone who needs it during their trying time. I added some blessings of my own to the painting before signing it as I am most grateful to have had a happy reason to paint it.

St.Columbanus Painting: A Work In Progress

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:55:00 +0000

In the next couple of days I will be putting the finishing touches on a painting I've done of St.Columbanus. I will be donating it for the Bru Columbanus Gala fundraiser (Cork city, Ireland) as a thank you to them for providing a home away from home for me while going through my family's medical crisis. Thankfully, all is well...we are truly blessed. When the painting is finished I will blog about it and provide more information about the fundraiser for those of you who might be interested in attending or bidding from afar.

The following pictures are the roughs and the progression of the painting. As soon as the paint is dry I will post the finished piece for you.

I love swirls and spirals and the resonance of cobalt blue. The border is splashed out in violet and tangerine orange which will be toned down at the end of the painting. I love to put frilly underthings on the paintings before getting down to business.

I decided in advance that I wanted the face of St.Columbanus to be a sensitive one, as opposed to the stern face he is often shown with. Prior to his birth his mother dreamed of a beautiful sun born from her heart that would illuminate the world. Columbanus is sometimes shown with sun's rays emanating from his head.

The bear played a part in the miracles attributed to this saint.One time St.Columbanus needed to take refuge in a cave and asked the bear who dwelled there to let him stay. Another time he was able to yoke a bear to help a starving community reap their harvest of grain.

Red gets splashed over everything at this stage. I paint in layers and layers of colour before applying the final coat. This allows the light to play over the surface of the finished painting and create a dynamic interaction with the viewer.

Yellow is next. This close up lets you see why it takes me hours and hours (and hours) to finish a painting. Every layer is painted with a very tiny paintbrush to let the light dance.With each layer I switch to a smaller and smaller brush.

Finally...he has arms! More white, more red, more yellow! Eventually the saint will be holding a crozier, and a dove will hover over his left shoulder. Columbanus, in Latin, means "dove". The bear will standing on a sheaf of grain to denote the blessings of Nature and her bounty.

Yellows and blues are next. This is the stage where I spend a great deal of time refining the piece and balancing the rhythm of the curves. I will carefully start painting the final coat, adding details and deepening shadows.

Facial hair or not? Traditionally St.Columbanus has a beard, but there is a gentleness to his face I'm beginning to like and don't want to cover it up with a moustache and beard. I need to think about it but I'm leaning toward youthful and clean shaven. In this picture I'm just beginning to scrub in the whites of his monastic cowl.

I will be putting the finishing touches on the painting tonight and will photograph it tomorrow. (fingers crossed for good light!) Thank you for staying tuned!

Astrology Template and October's Wheel (2009)

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Just a quick post...I know I am late as it is already October Third, but thought I'd post this for anyone who would like October's Astrology Wheel. I've included a blank template as well if you'd like to make your own. Best to all! (Now off to paint!)

Alchemy Series...New Works In Progress!

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:16:00 +0000

As you know, things have been quite busy here, but I thought I'd take a moment to give you a sneak peek at some of the works I have in progress. The following three paintings will be part of my on-going alchemy series. The first painting in the series Calcinatio Angelus, (Calcination), can be found on my blog here, and on my website here. (higher quality images available on request)

The second painting in the series is Dissolution and is close to completion. The canvas is awash in coloured inks and acrylic paint. These photos show the painting at fifty percent completion. I will be taking more photos soon as what is not shown here today are the angel's wings which are being painted in a rusting, steampunk style. If I can get my hands on some lovely brass clock pieces, I think I might actually sew some on the canvas, what do you think?

Separation is next in the series and is drying at the moment so I couldn't take any pictures of it today. (coming soon!)

The following photographs are of Conjuction, which should be finished this week if all goes well. The photos below show the painting at about 75 percent completion. I'm working with tiny paintbrushes on this piece to really allow meditative focus on the task at hand.

Fermentation is next in the series. This one has been a heart tugging piece of work for me given its theme of death and resurrection. There is something about her bound limbs which frightens me, even though I know she will be able to free herself from her bonds in time. Perhaps it is because she is sleeping peacefully in her earthen tomb and does not yet realize that she is captive. Her life will change when she can open her eyes and cut the ropes.

Please stay tuned for more information on the final pieces in the series, Distillation and Coagulation.

I will post all the finished pieces for you when they are complete. Thank you for sharing in my journey.

I'm a Pack Rat

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:09:00 +0000

I'm a Pack Rat, I have to admit it. For those of you who have visited me in my studio, you would have seen my drafting table, which usually looks like this.

Nice and tidy, right? On top of the table sits jars of pencils and pencil crayons (sharpened of course), along with my palette,sketchbook(s), work in progress, radio, etc. The bare wall to my front left is where I stand a painting to dry or to observe it from a distance to make sure the unfolding visual story is being told properly.

Below the table is another story. Below the table is where I keep my treasure horde, a large bin with a locking lid full of things that capture my fancy. ("You never know when you might need something...") A search for a stainless steel pencil sharpener was the reason I needed to dig into the horde today. It's been a while since I lifted the lid of the bin and was in for a rather nasty shock.What the...??? HOW did it get so messy? (and is that a daikon radish in there????)

Digging through and organizing the debris wasn't exactly what I had planned to do today, but I couldn't stand the sight of it once the lid was opened.(Besides, my curiosity got the better of me...what exactly WAS in the bin? ) Rather like Pandora's box, wouldn't you say?

Here's just a tiny example of what I found in the first layer of treasure in the horde. An Altoid's tin with a collection of ivory lace making tools, a hand turned wooden cylinder with lid, two silver dollars, a bird caller, brass keys, pewter sealing wax seal, blue and white pottery with a tree painted on it found on the beach, an intricately carved container (centre) that can be unscrewed to reveal an ivory thimble and sewing needles, ivory crochet hooks, a roundish stone with a hole in it that is satisfyingly smooth and thumb-sized, a piece of flint with a face in it, a hooked carving tool, and yes, a dried piece of daikon radish I am going to carve into a poppet's head.

Whew! Finally Organized!

Here are just SOME of the other items discovered in the bin...I mean, treasure horde:

Terracotta vial with cork stopper filled with red earth, cedar and sage smudge sticks, lemon grass incense, a dismembered doll and limbs, blue glass doll's eyes, a King George stamp, beach glass (several pieces), a jar of india ink, pennies, a small bag of crop circle wheat seeds (no kidding), hand made iron nails, a rose quartz heart, litmus paper, rainbow coloured thumbtacks, a hummingbird feather (for good luck), paper clips, a copper mezuzah container with prayer, soapstone, miniature carving tool set, rasps, a tiny portion of clay (a gift,carefully wrapped) from Uluru, marbles, a mouse skull, a polished sheep's horn, a dried piece of yellow birch fungus (a gift from a shaman, great for use in ritual), roller skate key, glitter glue,cork from a pop gun, a minature crown royal bag with milagros wrapped in velvet, a barbie with no legs, pocket knives, watch parts, a shark's tooth, an earring in the shape of a bird, a tiny silver lizard, a glue stick, wooden dowels, gold sealing wax..and, and...more. (yes, more...can you believe it?)

But at least it is now respectfully organized and awaiting new treasures.......

bang bang

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:32:00 +0000

Here's the finished pen and ink of my sketch bangbang which will be part of the Warm Gun Sketchbook over at Justin Shady's blog, The Blarg.

Random Creativity can be so fun sometimes! (hmmm...looking at the finished inking I want to do a messy one in colour now.... :) )

A Warm Gun: Preliminary Sketch

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:18:00 +0000

I've really been enjoying reading The Blarg, a blog by Justin Shady, so I was delighted to have been invited to submit a little something for his Sketchbook. The theme this time 'round is "A Warm Gun". I've just finished the preliminary sketch (above) and will be inking and painting it in the next day or two. It's a little different than my usual work, isn't it? I hope you like it. :)

Other works in progress:
From the Alchemy Series: the painting Dissolution is almost complete, I am putting the finishing touches on the angel's wings later this week. Separation, Fermentation and The Wedding are also close to completion.
Fundraiser: A painting of Saint Columbanus is in the works and will be donated to the Bru Columbanus in Cork City, Ireland. As their literature states: "Brú Columbanus is an independent charity that provides "home from home" accommodation for relatives of seriously ill patients in any of the Cork Hospitals and the Hospice." I stayed there once while my son was in the hospital, and then again free of charge, for eight weeks while waiting for my new daughter Eadaoin to grow strong enough to come home.I don't know how I would have coped if I didn't have a place to stay during that trying time. (our home is rural and a few hours away from the city) I'll keep you posted about the auction when I learn more.

Ch-Ch-Changes

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:56:00 +0000

A sudden burst of energy has captured me and I thought I'd make the most of it. Perhaps it is due to the New Moon coming up, or it may be that I've been swept away in the alchemical process of Dissolution as I put the finishing touches on my latest painting. Whatever the reason I've started cleaning house...organizing my life here and there, tying up loose ends, discarding the unnecessary clutter that clings to my physical and spiritual life.

My housecleaning even extends into my digital life, here on the web. I spent the day finally cleaning the cobwebs out of the corners my sites:

1) The Bone Singer Studio~Gallery: This is my website. The menu is now easier to read and the galleries have been divided into sections that are easier to explore. If there is anything you would like to see, or if there are any other changes you can recommend, please feel free to let me know.

2) The Bone Singer Studio Blog: This is the blog you are visiting now. Here we talk about what's new in the studio and other miscellaneous goodies. I cleaned up the side bar and the musty ads that were hiding under the bed. I hope the new look is easier on the eyes.

3) Poppets and Poppets: Poppets not only got a new face lift, but a new home. When I am not painting or working on my writing I craft things. (This is what happens, boys and girls, when you give up television... :) ) This blog is full of cute things like crocheted pets and poppets, amigurumi, felt dolls and puppets and "How-to's" for the crafter. I will be putting up free patterns now and then and will have occasional give-aways. The items available on these pages are gentle and are geared towards children.

4) Alchemy Doll: (NEW!) I realized the need for a different venue for some of the other dolls and creatures that are being created in my spare time. These handcrafts are geared more towards adults and are more eclectic by nature. The handcrafts soon to be available on Alchemy Doll will be things like Spirit Houses, Irish Faeries, ghosts and goblins, mythological creatures, gods and goddesses, talismans,amulets,and unusual bits and bobs from the gaming universe. (yes, there will be give aways here too... :) )

5) The Ring of Beara Blog: This blog received a cleaned up face and new photographs. Please join me as I travel around the area near my home, the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland.

Wishing you all the best! I thank you for subscribing and I look forward to sharing more with you!

Pocket Charm Against Lightning and the Devil

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:44:00 +0000

It's amazing what you can find if you keep your eyes open when going for a walk. My six year old daughter found what looked like a petal or a leaf, or just an ordinary scrap of paper. Upon closer inspection we noticed that the paper was carefully stitched with blue thread.
The paper felt like calf skin and was folded over like a little pocket. We could see that there was something tucked inside. We debated whether or not we should open it as we thought it might be some kind of charm or talisman and were afraid of disrupting it. Curiosity (of course!) got the better of us and we broke open one of the stitches to see what was inside.
Such a tiny piece of paper, so carefully folded...what could it be? Look how small it is sitting there on a five cent piece. We were going to need a magnifying glass to read it!
It turned out to be prayers and a charm against lightning and the snares of the devil....
Some of the writing is as follows: (some of it I couldn't make out...such tiny, tiny writing!)

In illo tempore: Postquam consummati sunt dies octo, ut circumcideretur Puer; vocatum est nomen ejus Jesus, quod vocatum est ab Angelo priusquam in utero conciperetur.

Followed by a small prayer and then the reparatory prayer known as "The Golden Arrow or Act of Praise."
"Be forever praised, blessed, loved, adored, glorified the most holy,most sacred, most adored, most unknown,most inexpressible Name of God in Heaven, on earth and in hell..."

My favourite bit however was the following charm:

In honor of the five letters which form His Name and by the Virtue of His Five Wounds,Jesus promises to grant to persons who will wear this little Gospel five special favors.
1st To be preserved from lightning.
2nd To be saved from the snares of the devil.
3rd Not to die a sudden or unforeseen death.
4th He will facilitate their walk in the path of virtue.
5th He will give final perseverance.

For now we are keeping it on our household altar hoping some of the luck will rub off on the whole family.

Book Review- Hidden Passages: Tales to Honor the Crones

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Book Review-Hidden Passages: Tales to Honor the Crones by Vila SpiderHawk

The book, “Hidden Passages: Tales to Honor the Crones” by Vila Spider Hawk, offers a journey rich in symbolic language. The stories are written with the rhythm of ancient folktales, yet any modern woman will be able to recognize the fierce and tender narrative as part of her own cycling heartbeat.

In the chapter, “Mima Po”, a young girl learns to recognize love and friendship as acts of magic through the patient guidance of a wise elder. Later in the book the finger of the Goddess beckons a maiden, mother, and a crone through the labyrinth of life and death. They discover both powerful inner strength and the importance of the fine threads that bind them together as a family. “Gita’s Journey” brims with grief so real and sharp it tumbles and spills in the reader’s mind until the edges are worn smooth. Echoes of the Goddess, in all her aspects, whisper through every page.

Eight women; eight stories. In many cultures the number eight is sacred, denoting transformation, immortality, and the ever evolving cycles of life and death. The anthology embraces these themes with passion.

The author honors women of all ages, including the crones that mentor them. Reverence and remembrance of the three faces of the Goddess, are the keys she gives the reader to unlock the hidden passages in one’s own life and discover the wisdom that dwells within.

Eight Bit Give Away Winner Announced!

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:10:00 +0000

The draw was made, the results are in. Sorry it took me so long to post this but it has been a busy week. The Odd Squad above made sure the draw was fair. Thank you to all who commented on the blog and those who emailed me privately. Special thanks to Colette over at Tomopop for including Eight Bit in one of her posts. And now to announce the winner!
Congratulations to Joshua from Winnipeg! Eight-Bit's Space Invaders Onesie will be sure to keep him warm on those chilly Principal Meridian nights. (or is that the 100th Meridian?)
Thanks again to all those who participated. There will be plenty more give-aways in the future, so stay tuned!

Mythology, Magic and Muggles

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:14:00 +0000

Scott Michael Stenwick was discussing the Vatican's reversal on its stand against the Harry Potter books on his blog Augoeides: Spiritual Technology for a New Aeon. ("So Now the Vatican Likes Harry Potter?") I remember the terrible hue and cry about the books when they first came out and wrote an article refuting the idea that the stories perpetuated evil. I was aghast at the book burnings across North America and was appalled at the inherent ignorance of the people involved.

Since Harry Potter is back in the news, and in theatres, I thought I would dust off my original article and share it with you here. I hope you enjoy it:
Mythology, Magic and Muggles by Susanne Iles

History reminds us we do not exist in a vacuum but are beings part of a larger whole dependent on shared wisdom and beliefs. Countless aeons of story telling traditions and evolving mythologies speak to the very heart of our humanity. These shared stories, rituals and wisdoms have fallen by the wayside leaving our children with a sense of profound isolation and detachment. By ignoring the richness of symbolic language and lore, we offer our children a barren wasteland of artifice and transparent tales, spoon-fed ideas and empty thoughts. Gone is the world of exploration, replaced instead by the quick fixes of sit coms, movies, video games and on-line chat rooms. Poetic language and the art of communication is lost to vulgarity and coarseness. Heroic stories of wonder and enchantment gather dust while spandex clad wrestlers in the ring of artifice and glitz become the Titans of our children’s fantasy lives. Although we can make room for the pleasures of simple entertainment, we cannot use it as the sustenance for our children’s imaginations. Why do some of us expect so little of our children and offer them so little in return? Why have we forgotten to give them credit for being complex and capable human beings?

The Harry Potter stories, for example, have been able to reclaim some of the missing magic necessary for a child’s development. A storyteller along the lines of C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and Roald Dahl, J.K. Rowling speaks to a child’s secret wishes, hopes and fears. Each child cherishes a desire to become something more, a unique person seeking to express him or herself in this world. By mirroring a character like Harry, or Ron or Hermione for that matter, a child can use the imaginative story as a vehicle for transformation. Light and dark intertwine as children weave their way through the tales; good can overcome evil through right choice and right action. Although faced with many obstacles, the character Harry, a vulnerable and very human boy, is triumphant time and again. When a child relates to a character who struggles and perseveres, it leaves room in his or her world for hope. Hope, for any child, is a wonderful gift.

Through the Potter books, new life is breathed into the archetypes and mythologies of long ago. The images can evolve into their contemporary counterparts to speak to the generation at hand. Harry as a young Hercules, Beowulf or King Arthur? Ron the loyal friend, perhaps Iaolus as a red-head? Hermione a lass of cunning intelligence and wisdom, a little Athena thrown in for good measure? Dumbledore carries whispers of Merlin the Magician; Lord Voldemort, shades of Satan. When a child experiences the old archetypes - the heroes, the fools, honourable men and women, the villains, the loyal friends - through the print of a good book, he or she will be more equipped to recognize them in the real world.

Why is it, for some of us, we are blind to Harry’s world of dragons, magical folk and interesting creatures symbolizing some of life’s mysteries? It is because our Muggle society has created so many walls separating people, places, cultures, religions etc., that we cannot see the mysteries for what they truly are. Love, respect, wisdom, truth, courage and hope are some of the magical elements needed to form the foundation of a more healthy society. These mysteries can be revealed to our children through the symbolic language of poetry, mythology and the well-turned tale.

Like the Muggles in the realm of Harry Potter who hate and fear magic or fail to recognize it, some of us do not necessarily see the enchantment around us and are prevented from moving out of the mundane into joy. Without imaginative and rich stories we would be left in a two-dimensional limbo lamenting the loss of the thrill of discovery and recognition. Somewhere along the line we relinquished our children’s right to wonder. By opening the door to mythology and stories rich in symbolism, we introduce a fundamental world view where individuals can be wonderfully unique in their identities but still part of the larger tapestry of an ethical community. It’s time to overcome the Muggle mindset and reclaim the magic in our lives.

Ring of Beara Blog

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:52:00 +0000

I will be doing the draw for Eight Bit later tonight, so stay tuned! Until then I thought I'd mention my Ring of Beara blog for those of you who are interested in the area in which I live. It's a ruggedly beautiful place rich in myth and stories and is known as the Beara Peninsula.

I've updated the blog today with some information about a Mass Rock close to my home. Later this summer I will be traveling over to Bere Island to explore some faery groves and a (historical) druidic enclave which includes both a grove and an altar. (I love how many of the standing stones and circles have been left untouched for the aeons.)

Have a great weekend everyone! 'Til soon, Susanne

Eight-Bit Cute Spaceguy Give Away

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:48:00 +0000

Good morning everyone! I went for a walk with the morning sunrise hoping for a blue-sky-out-in-the-garden day today. However as you can see, storm clouds are looming, heading this way from Eyeries ,so it looks like it is going to be an indoor/creative/painting day today. (That's my house over there with the old, limed, white walls...soon to be painted Sapphire Blue by my landlord. :) )
As I was clearing my desk to make room for the "Dissolution" painting, I noticed Eight-bit just hanging about, looking rather lonely. "Eight-bit" is my nickname for a little fellow I made last year. Remember him from my "Releasing My Inner Nerd" post? I'm rather attached to him because he floats around all over my desk exploring the space between books, notebooks, research papers, paintings and paint. However, it is time for him to explore a new home so I will be giving him away to someone who might enjoy his odd little hand-sewn chibi proportions and hand-painted visage.

If you think you would like Eight-bit to come live with you, please leave a comment below.If you'd rather not post a comment, or don't have a blogger account please feel free to email me and I will add you to the list. I will draw a name next week and contact the winner privately for his or her mailing address.
Now I'm off to paint...
(Update: The draw is now over and the results are in . Thank you to all who participated!)

Sheep!

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Sheep! Love them or not, they are definitely a living part of the Beara landscape. Luckily I love them...except when they are eating my garden of course.The following are a some pictures of the some of the woolly beings that live near my home, and some who have ventured into my garden for a few furtive treats.

King of the Hill

In the Pink
An Irish Traffic Jam

Who left the garden gate open?!

One of the things I love about where I live is the fact that many of the farmers still use sheep dogs to round up their flocks. There is something exhilarating about listening to the calls and whistles of the farmers as the collies streak through the hills like mercury, the sheep flowing and wheeling down the hillsides. So many times I watch in awe and forget to lift my camera. Next time I will try to remember to capture it on video for you. It is indeed a stunning sight.

In the meantime, I found some shepherding footage from Wales I hope you will enjoy!

Sacred Hart

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:23:00 +0000

I dreamed I was moving quickly through a forest, racing through branches and briars. I sensed a cougar slipping through the shadows around me, behind me; I sniffed the air but felt no danger, only a heightened sense of anticipation. My body shifted into the shape of a deer or an elk, pushing and pulling into a strong form with long legs, the thrust of antlers sprouting from my skull.

I pawed at the ground and lifted my head high. A challenge to the hidden ones! The race was on as the forest exploded into action. The cougar burst from the undergrowth and tore into my shoulder, leaving my breathless. My heart raced as my human senses melted into the environment. Finely tuned hearing, seeing and smelling were my guides. I was strong and swift and eager to run, to fight, to die. The cougar blurred and tore into me again. I fought and ran, turning and twisting as the shadows became wolves.

I fought joyfully and was torn to pieces. As my elk/deer body drifted into death, I regained my human form. I thanked the cougar and the wolves and all the deer spirits. I was sitting cross legged in the forest clearing, arms up, palms out, chest heaving as I tried to regain my breath. My skin was pale and translucent; my bones were visible underneath my skin. Although human I retained the antlers that were growing from my head; I felt the touch of a hand on my chest and I glowed like stardust. My ribs were still splayed open, displaying my beating heart.

indigo dreams of sea

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:20:00 +0000

sometimes i sit and
dream the dreams
of a selkie
indigo dreams of sea
quench my spirit and
renew my soul and
i am again
content in my humanity

Painting and poem by Susanne Iles, acrylic on carved wood, framed

Mindfulness of the Senses: A Walk Around My Home

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:18:00 +0000

I decided to take a little walk around with a focus on mindfulness of the senses. Instead of trying to reach out and create a mental conversation with the world around me, I withdrew slightly and moved into the role of observer.

After a few false starts I was finally able to quiet my brain and noticed that the landscape came into sharp focus. A burgeoning abundance of blossom and birds was one of the first things I noticed. Dark, prickly gorse in bloom with yellow buds folding into themselves, reminded me of childhood snapdragons and their open and closing mouths. I noticed foxgloves floating in a waving sea of grass, buttercups seeking the sun, flowing strands of wool snagged and waving like a flag on a blackberry mast, fuchsia ringing pink and purple bells in the warm wind, ferns and moss gathered in the recesses of the old stone walls and a bright moon in a blue summer sky.

Some hooded crows were arguing with the magpies, bickering and complaining and occasionally calling each other names. As I passed by, the rivals became allies and they began to taunt me, telling me to leave, talking to each other wondering how long it would take before I pass by. I stood and listened and realized there was something they were waiting for and were quite angry that I had interrupted their discussion. Sure enough, a few feet down the road I noticed someone had spilled a basket of fruit and it was apparent that both sides were trying to work out their fair share.

A small bird sang a self absorbed song, sometimes calling, sometimes entertaining himself. He would occasionally change his melody mid-tune, just for a moment, as if experimenting, composing something just a little bit fancier each time. He sat in the hawthorn amongst the blossoms. I wondered why the locals call the hawthorn "bread and butter" and vowed to taste it next time I passed by.

Nearing the cliffs I remembered there was supposed to be a faery rath nearby and wondered where it could be. Two ravens appeared over the ridge and swooped down, barrel rolling, and chasing each other. They disappeared for just a moment, their black bodies obscured by the mouth of a darkened cave, until they curved again skyward into the sunshine. Do I dare enter the cave on my next journey? (Perhaps...)

I spotted mushrooms growing on a shady side of a wall and considered them. Were they benign? Could they be poisonous? A closer inspection almost found me stepping into a patch of nettles; I pulled back suddenly and caught my wrist on a tiny branch of blackthorn, giving myself a scratch. I was surprised that my observance didn't turn into judgment of good versus bad, pretty versus ugly, or, "This plant is nice, that plant is not".

Normally I think it is human nature to compartmentalize things according to our likes and dislikes, or what we consider good for us and bad for us. Because I set out on this meditative journey asking for mindfulness I didn't feel the need to judge what I was observing, but understood that it was no longer fair to pigeon hole anybody or anything according to my preferences. I realized today that nature just "is", neither good nor bad, just a "be-ing" that lives in the moment.

As an extension of nature and the world around us, I decided I would start trying to appreciate things more on a moment to moment basis. I am notorious for making lists, planning projects and penciling items into my calendar. Today's walking meditation close to home taught me the lessons of observance, living in the moment, being non-judgmental and honouring the simple moments and heartbeats that make up our days.

(I need to make a note of this and carve it in the palm of my hand)

I feel the power that,invisible catches me...

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:31:00 +0000

I pray and incur

silence. Some take that silence

for refusal.

I feel the power

that, invisible, catches me

by the sleeve, nudging….

I know its ways with me;

how it enters my life,

is present rather

before I perceive it, sunlight quivering

on a bare wall.

Is it consciousness trying

to get through?

Am I under

regard?

It takes me seconds

to focus, by which time

it has shifted its gaze….

It has the universe

to be abroad in.

There is nothing I can do

but fill myself with my own

silence, hoping it will approach

like a wild creature to drink….
(R.S.Thomas)

(for my moly_x_45 group)

Angelic Grimoire (Portable) and baby Picture

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:47:00 +0000

After a long few weeks we are finally home! Hurray! As one person so succinctly put it, "You've been to hell and brought back a piece of heaven." Little Éadaoin is now a little over eight weeks old and a "whopping" 2kg. (almost 4 and a half pounds) She is healthy and happy, a real little angel!
Speaking of angels...A while back I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of "A Modern Angelic Grimoire" by Fr.Rufus Opus. Using this body of work I created a portable grimoire suitable for use when traveling. Although a little rough looking it is highly effective.

The blank pages inside the hardbound book are used for record keeping and illustrations detailing the rituals and outcomes. In time I will share some of these drawings with you.

In the meantime, thank you for your continued support and well wishes...it is so good to be back!

Éadaoin Inari Byrne

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:41:00 +0000

Dearest Friends,

I have many posts and photographs lined up for you, but they will have to wait until the magical month of May. In the meantime I have some happy news I am delighted to share with you.

March 11th saw the early arrival of my beautiful little daughter Éadaoin. She was due May 27th but decided that spring suited her birthday better than summer. She was born prematurely at 29 weeks (11 weeks early) but I am thrilled to say she is perfect in every way and is doing very well. Your prayers and wonderful wishes have made this journey so much brighter.

I only have access once a week to a public computer as I am here in Cork City, so again my posts will be meagre until May. I am looking forward to heading back home to the beautiful Beara Peninsula in the next few weeks and re-connecting to all the wonderful people who have been following my blog.

Much love to all,
'til soon,
Susanne

Dobrynja and Gorynytch, A Dragon Tale from Russia as retold by Susanne Iles

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:42:00 +0000

Dobrynja and Gorynytch, A Dragon Tale from Russia as retold by Susanne Iles

Long ago in a beautiful land, there lived a handsome hero named Dobrynja and his widowed mother. Dobrynja’s mother was a very wise woman given to visions and known for her sage counsel.

One day she had a premonition of disaster and anxiously warned her son to stay away from the River Puchai. "The river is a terrible place my son and people disappear from its shores, never to be seen again. The waves themselves are dangerous and can consume you. The first wave licks with tongues of fire. The second wave sends showers of sparks. The third wave roils and boils and sends up clouds of scalding steam." Dobrynja listened to his mother but curiosity overcame him. He soon found himself on the edge of the River Puchai which, to Dobrynja, looked calm, peaceful and inviting.

Since it was a very hot day Dobrynja decided to bathe in the river. He stripped himself of all his clothing, weapons and armour. He left his belongings with his horse then slipped into the still waters. Within moments the water began to surge and bubble. Tongues of fire tasted the shoreline and flaming cinders sparkled in the air. Suddenly, from the rolling clouds of steam, a marvelous dragon appeared!

"My, my, my," chortled the dragon with glee. "I thought Dobrynja the hero was here to kill me as was prophesied long ago. Luckily, I see nothing in this river but a naked and tasty fish for my dinner."

The dragon’s name was Gorynytch and she was frightening to behold. Three-headed, seven-tailed, she moved like lightning and was rushing toward Dobrynja with fierce jaws agape.

Dobrynja, seeking to escape, dove deeply into the river and swam underwater to the far shore where his steed and his weapons were waiting. Much to his dismay Dobrynja surfaced to find his horse had disappeared with all his possessions. He was completely vulnerable to the dragon’s onslaught and knelt down to contemplate his impending fate.

Suddenly, something shiny hiding in the long grass caught Dobrynja’s eye. It was a helmet! Dobrynja leaned forward to pull the heavy helmet toward himself. When the dragon saw the handsome hero kneeling in the grass she began to gloat as she thought him to be begging for his life. On his knees! What a treat!

Dobrynja waited until the dragon was almost upon him. He could feel her hot breath on his shoulders. Quickly he turned and swung the heavy helmet with all his might striking off one of the dragon’s heads. Dobrynja then leaped on top of the dragon prepared to deliver another blow when Gorynytch began to plead for her life. "Dear, dear Dobrynja, oh brave and noble knight. I beg of you to spare me for the sake of my many children who would starve to death if I were to perish. Let us make a pact of heartfelt friendship. I promise I shall never carry off another person from this river or anywhere else. I promise I’ll be good but you must agree not to harm any of my hatchlings." Because Dobrynja was not only a brave man but a kind-hearted one, he released Gorynytch reminding her of the promise.

No sooner was Gorynytch out of sight when she changed her mind and flew north to Kiev in search of her next victim. Espying Prince Vladimir’s lovely niece in a garden she dove down, snatched the terrified girl off her feet and carried her to her lair.

As it happened Dobrynja was trying to make his way to Kiev. The journey was long and arduous for his horse was nowhere to be found. Upon arrival to Kiev, he was greeted with the sight of great public mourning and fear over the abduction of the Prince’s niece. The court was in an uproar and the Prince was having great difficulty finding a man brave enough to confront the dragon, Gorynytch.

Dobrynja was going to ask how he could help when he overheard Alesha the Priest’s son comment on having seen the dragon and Dobrynja in conversation at the river. "Perhaps Dobrynja should be the one to rescue your niece," slyly suggested Alesha. "Since Dobrynja and the dragon are obviously such close and dear friends it should be an easy feat for him." The Prince was outraged and wholeheartedly agreed Dobrynja should be the one to retrieve her. If the young hero failed to return the girl, Dobrynja would be put to death.

Dobrynja, cheeks burning with shame and fury, headed home to seek the counsel of his wise mother. Seeing her son’s weary and sad face, she spoke to him about his troubles and promptly sent him to bed for a good night’s rest. While her son slept she set to work. The night was spent weaving a magical whip from seven silken strands to aid Dobrynja in his battle with the dragon.

At dawn Dobrynja awakened refreshed but worried. "Mother," he said. "I don’t know what to do. I will try to rescue the girl and confront the dragon but I have no horse and no weapons to help me against the dragon and her terrible brood." Mother replied, "I have made a gift for you to help you on your journey. But first, there is a beautiful chestnut horse in the old stable. It belonged to your father and your father’s father but has unfortunately been neglected for years. Quickly get the horse, it will serve you well."

Dobrynja hurried to the old stable and unlocked the door. Peering into the darkness he could see the horse was mired in filth and looked hungry. The young hero gently washed the animal and fed it sweet corn and honeyed water. He then prepared for his journey and said goodbye to his mother. The wise woman handed Dobrynja her gift of the silken whip. She explained it would be the only weapon he needed and gave him her blessings. Dobrynja raced off in search of the treacherous dragon.

The ground near the cave of Gorynytch writhed with the young of the she-dragon. The horse reared up and trampled the hatchlings underfoot, all the while being bitten and scratched about the legs. The chestnut horse began to weaken from its injuries. Dobrynja feared for his and his steed’s life but remembered the magical whip his mother had given him. He whisked the horse between the ears and legs and felt renewed life surge into the horse. The healed beast lashed out with its mighty hooves and finished off the remaining young dragons.

Hearing the commotion outside her cave, Gorynytch rushed to the scene. When she saw Dobrynja and the devastation around him she shrieked with horror and fury. "You lied to me!" she screamed. "You broke your promise!" Dobrynja raged, "It was you who was the oath-breaker! You broke our pact by flying to Kiev and stealing the Prince’s niece. Hand her over to me immediately and there will be no further bloodshed."

Never!" cried the dragon. "She is my treasure and I shall never release her to you!" She attacked Dobrynja and they began to fight. Three days and three nights they battled. The handsome hero was weakening and was about to give up when he heard a voice whisper, "Just three more hours young Dobrynja. Three more hours and you will succeed." For three more hours the battle raged and the dragon finally met her death.

Although Dobrynja had succeeded in killing the dragon he had bathed in dragon’s blood for three days and was poisoned. Badly injured and weak he lay dying on the battlefield, all his strength leaving his body. The land was flooded with blood. It had become a lake. Using the last of his breath Dobrynja called out, "Moist Mother Earth, please open and swallow up the blood of the dragon." He thrust a stick into the ground and a huge fissure opened up draining away the blood.

Suddenly he remembered his mother’s gift of the seven-fold silken whip and used it on his own body. Whisking away the remaining dragon’s blood, the poison left him and his wounds healed.

Dobrynja travelled through the dragon’s labyrinth of caves finding hundreds of captives and rescued them. Prince Vladimir’s niece was discovered, unharmed, in the final cave. Dobrynja the hero led the people back to their joyful families and returned the beautiful girl to her uncle in Kiev.

Cthulhu, Yog Sothoth, Azazoth and Other Cute Things

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:56:00 +0000

(Pen and ink drawing of Cthulhu by Susanne Iles)

Back in the day I would earn my slices of bread and butter writing and illustrating for various fan zines. It was great fun but very difficult work because most of the zines paid little more than magazine copies and pennies. The other day I was organizing my old files when I came across some pen and ink magazine work I'd completely forgotten about. The pictures were part of a series I did regarding the mythos of Cthulhu and the author H.P.Lovecraft's references to the mysterious grimoire, The Necronomicon.
(Azazoth, pen and ink drawing by Susanne Iles)

The Old Ones featured here were creatures of horror and nightmare.They were inhabitants of long forgotten times and places where gods, both good and evil, roamed the earth. They moved through our world through our deepest fears and night terrors.

(Pen and ink drawing of Yog Sothoth by Susanne Iles)

I mulled over these drawings with a great deal of thought and wondered exactly how one could possibly soothe such horrifying gods of old. What could one do to appease the tormented horror that is a Denizen of the Deep, like Cthulhu for instance?

I thought some fresh air and a holiday in the countryside might be enough to turn a bad mood into a good one, so I invited the high priest of the Great Old Ones for a little visit and things turned out just fine.
Doesn't he look happy? (and cute? just look at those little wings!) Nothing like a cuddle and some sunshine to dispel the shadows.
Cthulu is now a happy go lucky little fellow who will be catching the next flight out of Ireland to the United States where he can spread his wings and delight in being care free for once in his darkly fantastical life.
(Cthulu doll, hand sewn felt designed and created by Susanne Iles)

Mercury Retrograde and the Divine Trickster

susanne.iles@gmail.com (Susanne Iles) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Have you been feeling a little mixed up lately? Have your communications fallen flat despite your best intentions? Are emotions running high? If you are into astrology you might just want to blame your recent confusions on Mercury Retrograde. The cosmic trickster is at it again, starting his shenanigans on January 11, 2009 with no reprieve to be seen until February 1st, 2009. By Valentine's Day there should be some smooth sailing once again. (Thank goodness! Especially for those who are hoping to express their love to someone special on that day...if Mercury was still in retrograde who knows what could happen?)

The trials of moving through Mercury in retrograde reminded me of an essay I had written about a Divine Trickster from the Yoruba tribe who is not only a gatekeeper but a rather mischievous teacher as well. The story of Eshu may be found below. (For those of you interested in the bibliographical references used, please feel free to visit the original essay at my BoneSinger website.)

Eshu, An Afro-Caribbean Divine Trickster by Susanne Iles

The Divine Trickster

The Divine Trickster born of ancient myth and found in many cultures across the face of the world, is sometimes known as the Coyote, Raven, Rabbit or Fox. His form changes depending on language and culture. The Yoruba peoples of West Africa, however, know him as Eshu, the divine messenger, who is both loved and feared for his mischief, generosity and hard lessons.

Eshu is considered the most important of the four warrior gods called the Orisa. Travelling through time in the hearts of the slaves taken to the Americas, the Orisa became known to the Portuguese as the Orixa and to the Spanish as the Orisha. The ancient religion which devotes prayerful worship to the Orisa is properly known as Regla de Ocha, meaning "The Rule of the Orisha".

Duality

The name Santeria or "The Way of the Saints", was a colonial term introduced by the Spanish yet is a description commonly used today. Eshu himself went through a variety of changes as he travelled from culture to culture, being called Eleggua in Cuba and Exu in Brazil. No matter what his name, he is a powerful deity whose dual nature flickers with the nuances of day and night, light and dark, cruelty and kindness, creation and destruction - the Divine Trickster.

The Trickster Eshu can be a teacher most kind and cruel. One old story tells of him undertaking a mischievous journey wearing a tall hat, red on one side, white on the other. Making not a sound he walked between two friends, one seeing the white side of his hat, the other seeing the red. Later in the day the two friends spoke to one another about the mysterious man in the hat. Surprisingly, they began to bicker about the colour of the hat. White! Red! The bickering turned to blows, as each man professed to know the right answer and demanded to be acknowledged as the victor in the violent discussion. The Trickster Eshu chuckled at the sight and walked over to the men, now bloodied and angry, and showed them his hat - red on one side and white on the other. He was delighted by the fact they would fight about something as ridiculous as the colour of another man's hat, ruining their long-standing friendship in the process.

A Powerful Teacher

Taking pleasure in testing the strengths and weaknesses of mankind, he provides the lesson of making the right choices in life. He can be found at the crossroads and can see in all directions, watching carefully those who do wrong. His punishment is swift but he can be kind as well, sitting judgment and viewing all sides of a situation.

Eshu is seen as sitting at the threshold, guarding the many doors and roads which make up the human journey through life. We move through the doors of childhood to adulthood, single life to partnerships, mundane to magic, despair to happiness, birth to death, all the while hoping we are taking the right door or right path which greets us along the way. In Yoruba spirituality, Eshu owns the roads and can provide opportunities and direction. When asked kindly Eshu can point the way but people must still decide for themselves which way to travel. Although Eshu can direct someone along a path, it may be a sunlit journey of opportunity or a dark, thorny trail if it is decided a lesson is to be learned.

Care and Respect

As the messenger between Heaven and Earth Eshu communicates the prayers of mankind, not only to the ears of the other Orisa but to the Creator god. Spiritual tradition requires Eshu to be honoured first in any ceremony if messages are to be heard and blessings received. Gifts of toys, candies, rum and gin are much appreciated by Eshu. In many homes, a figure representing the god is created and placed behind the front door. A child's toy representing youth and a walking stick symbolising old age are normally placed with him. The walking stick is painted in the two colours of the Trickster, either red and black or black and white, accented with eyes to remind people of his all-seeing nature. His presence as the gatekeeper ensures a balanced and safe home.

The Trickster archetype found in the deity Eshu reminds us of the care and respect we must have for all life. Life isn't just black and white, but contains shades of gray and all the colours of the rainbow. Though careful consideration and respect must be maintained, we cannot forget to make room for a small amount of chaos, the creative wellspring from which beauty and delight flow, where passions arise and the spices of life are experienced. The magic of Eshu wakes us up and teaches us to live life to its fullest potential. Although we must remember to be wary of the Trickster with his many names and guises, it suits us well to welcome him as a most powerful ally.