Phantom Canyon

"This is truly an extraordinary collage animation in which phantasmagoric Victorian era cutouts of cherubs, gargoyles and women in petticoats, trip across the screen in a symphony of mythological images. This is a masterful, symbolic depiction of the travails and triumphs in the life of a woman, who is freed by the spirit of a star child."

I happened upon this film one night and I have been attempting to obtain a copy...so far no luck, but I'll keep looking.

Going Out In Style

Monsters All Around Us

I have been living and working in the midst of "gargoyles" and
"grotesques" for my entire life. From upper Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights, NYC has it's share of gargoyles and grotesques.

Born to ancient greece, these creatures became popular in Paris in the 1200's. Gargoyles were originally a way to funnel rain off of rooftops. They graduallybecame more ornamental in function. Superstition lent them the responsibility of being mythic protectors which came alive at night to fight evil spirits.

The Gargoyles of New York

Morbidly Charming

What a strange and lovely pendant! Beautifully detailed too. This piece was created by "Alchemy Gothic." They make lots of funky jewelry and you can see the rest of their treasures on various Goth sites. I came across this pendant at Gorey Details.

Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize!

Slipshod Sally creates the most beautiful items. I cannot choose which handbag to purchase. The one pictured here is the "Spiderweb" design. These are almost too pretty to use. I wonder if you can custom order these designs as throw pillows. I suppose that it wouldn't be too much trouble to inquire. I'll get back to you on that. In the meantime, check out the site, you will be mesmerized.

They Conjure

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the caldron boil and bake; Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog..."







Here is the full text to the witch's brew scene in "Macbeth."

Lucid

Last night I was formally introduced to the "Green Fairy" and I must tell you, she can be quite elusive.

We were not certain that we were performing "La Louche" ritual correctly, but after three or four attempts, I think we picked up on the subtleties of this important and customary part of the consumption of absinthe. It does take awhile to get accustomed to the taste, which is deemed to be an acquired one. I found that the after taste is very pleasant and I did not taste the alcohol at all. This is particularly interesting, as "Lucid Absinthe" is 124% proof. The main herbs in absinthe are wormwood, star anise and fennel which accounts for its licorice taste. The louche effect is produced by the precipitation of the herbal essential oils.

As for the effects of absinthe, they are subjective. Many describe a sense of clarity or lucidity and I would agree. You will need only one or two doses to feel its effects. After almost a century long ban, absinthe is now legal and available in the United States, so indulge in a dose of absinthe and enjoy.

You can read about absinthe in more depth in some of my previous posts.