Goldenrod - Medicine Plant

Goldenrod - this particular plant was shining just like gold, when l took a stroll on the outskirts of the Bayou Resort camping. Name of the camping sounds a bit fancy but it is a very regular RV camping spot approximately one and a half hour south of New Orleans. We placed our van at the far end, as close to trees and marsh land as we could.

Goldenrod

We took a walk in the evening, before the sun went down and the bugs go wild. I photographed and collected herbs to bring home to do some research on what medicines can be found in the area. And then - there it was: golden and majestic it shone out, "Take me home."

I picked a bunch. When we got home a looked up the medicinal benefits. Turned out there were several things that were perfect for me. As a all-in-one gift of medicine.

If you are interested in goldenrod the most quoted health benefits are listed as: reduces inflammation, fights infections, and lowers blood pressure. It is good for upper respirstory problems and has been used to treat kidney stones. 

While l'm fortunate not to have all these conditions it is a good medicine for me now. So l say thanks to the bayou goldenrod when l boil a couple of spoonfulls in my daily tea.

The Norns - Past, Present, and Future - The Worlds

 Dear Norns. 

Thank you for listening to me. I am an artist and over the last years I have deepened my creativity and my courage in expressing myself. I am very grateful for this process and also a little proud of what I have left and where I am right now. But I wouldn’t bother you if there wasn’t a problem, would I?

As I keep walking my own way more and more, I have a feeling that I lose faith in the world around me. In some people, in everyday life and society in general. 

Maybe this is a normal function of finding faith in my path. Or, maybe it is pure stupidness. Am I simply closing my eyes to the wisdom of others?

I am very grateful for input on this. The balance act in my mind is consuming a lot of energy. 

Love 

Kim Kardashian, New Orleans, Louisiana

Dear Ms. Kardashian

This is Urd speaking. I chose to answer myself, as your question brought on quite a debate among the sisters. Verdande almost forgot it was her turn to pour water over the roots - does she not know the how important this is?! But we must forgive her. She lives so much in the present, poor thing, that she sometimes forget the fundamental structure of things. Our debate regards the nature of your question. Skuld claims that you mean: closing your eyes to the wisdom of others in the worlds. But, what does she know? She's already in the future, and know little of the true nature of the human condition. I believe that you mean: closing your eyes to the wisdom of others in the world. Thus, the answer lies in the question. 

There are many worlds, my dear. You refer to the human world. It is a grand invention. Full of sweetness and play. It is also a world defined by barbed wire and steel fences. Therefor, any truly creative being, - artist, inventor, re-distributer of wealth - will find a time when the barbed wire scrape their skin, bringing out tiny drops of precious blood, and steel fences halt their walks in light and dark. Then, to move further, they must find their wisdom in other worlds. Worlds not yet created, worlds found only in the imagination of your heart. This is progress. This is a step on your path. Do not fear to miss the wisdom of others, if others live in a steel fenced world. But, do not only see the fences. See the sweetness too. See it and seek wisdom elsewhere. 

This is my understanding. This is Urd-standing (Yes, I do play with words. I have a sense of humor, you know, regardless of what my sisters might say.)

Blessed be Your Journey

Don't let the barbs prick you

Urd - oldest sister of the Norns

Photograph by Michael Peter Langevin, model Sofia Karin Axelsson, 2016, Magic Land, Virginia.

Kintsugi Spell - Building a New Self

Kintsugi Spell. Kintsugi is the Japanese artform of  mending broken pottery with golden glue. Thus, making a broken piece more beautiful by using the mending to create an art piece in itself. Inspired by this the below collection of photos and illustration is a play on this concept. I'm using old pictures for a personal symbolic Kintsugi spell of building a New Self. 

Like a Crystal in a Gold Bowl

Getting Back on the Horse Again

Being a Witch and a Storyteller

Dress for Success

Flanked by Power(ful) Animals

Inspired by Idun - Growing Younger Once Again

Time for Thoughtfulness

Happy in Love

Photographs and illustration by Sofia Karin Axelsson and Michael Peter Langevin, Sweden to Virginia 2014 to 2021

2022 Is Flying and Flowing In

2022 is here. Flying in with shiny colors and much to offer. I'm asking for high spirits. I'm asking for flow. I'm asking for a pure white aura. I'm asking to be ready for it all.

Blue Altar

Rune of the Asir - Spirit Taking Flight

Birch Bark - New Life and Healing

Flow

Photographs and doodles by Sofia Karin Axelsson, from Virginia and Sweden, 2017 to 2021

Call in the Guardians

Call in the guardians.  They can take many forms, but surely they are in the wings waiting for you. The often do carry wings. Some of them can fly. And if need be carry you through. Some of them have wings to symbolise that they are connected to trance, to transparence, to transcendence. With them you can take flight.

Lilith

Guardian Angel

Doodle and photograph by Sofia Karin Axelsson, from Magic Land, Virginia, 2016 and  2020

The Healing Face of 2022

May 2022 be healing and kind to you. Hold onto the energies of  all you want to achieve - for yourself and others. Never mind there have been delays. The world is still young. And so are you. And so is this precious, precious year, when we will do kintsugi with all we've been through. Put together those pieces with golden glue, and watch the beauty of the cracks. All will be well.

Healing Face

Illustration and photograph by Sofia Karin Axelsson

Just for the beauty. Just for the love. Just for sweetness all around. No matter if you are with many, or if you are alone. Music is always there for you, the beauty in one single note hovering in the air ... 

In The Mood For Love - Song Yumeji's theme Shigeru Umebayashi