Mummification Meditation

The other night a friend and I did a "mummification meditation".  It was totally awesome, and I want to share the experience with you.

First of all, we've been reading a book called "Walking the Twilight Path: A Gothic Book of the Dead" by Michelle Belanger.  (Please note, this is NOT a "Twilight" series book, this is a serious book.)  It's about getting accustomed to the idea of death and dying, which used to be a part of all cultures and really should be again.  One chapter is devoted to a discussion on the pomp and circumstance of burial in ancient Egypt, and this meditation is included to give the reader an idea of what it might have been like.  We made a few changes to it, namely that my friend did the meditation as the deceased, while I took on the role of the ka-priest in charge of the preparations and burial, which was not in the original meditation. 

The room we used is my private 'sitting room', which has all my altars and gothy stuff in it.  With the Egyptian wall hanging, the black curtains, candles, incense holders, statues, etc., the place looks like it could actually BE a room in some Egyptian tomb.  I had her sit in the rocker, as there was no room for her to lay full length on the floor.  She put on an eye mask, so she saw nothing; it was all about sound, touch and scent.  Then I lit the candles and incense, turned off the lights, and played the background soundtrack of the 1979 Tutankhamun exhibition. 

As the music played, I read passages of a modernized version of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, called Awakening Osiris, by Normandi Ellis.  While reading portions of the text, I touched her head, hands and feet with my large ceremonial ankh and rattled my replica sistrum.  Next I annointed her in a few places with special scented oils.  To give her a sense of being wrapped in bandages, I lightly wrapped a piece of linen around each hand and foot, then removed it and placed it over her head like a veil.  During all of these, I continued to recite various passages of the book.  Finally, I did a very short version of the 'Opening of the Mouth' ceremony, which ritually allowed the soul to speak through the body, and was done as the last ritual after the mummy had been brought into the tomb.  Then I faded the music, as though the priests and attendants were leaving and sealing the tomb.  A profound silence fell as the mummy was left alone to begin its eternal existence.  I let the silence last for several minutes before ending the meditation.

What an incredible experience for both of us!  I was worried that she might not have gotten much out of it, but she was thrilled and came out from under the linen veil and eye mask with a huge smile on her face.  She said she really felt that she had experienced something special.  And I was totally psyched after doing such a beautiful and elaborate ritual.  I'd love to figure out how to do this on a more regular basis!  But mummification isn't exactly popular in the U.S. at the moment, so it's not too likely.

If you'd like to hear the music I used, here is the YouTube link for the entire album by Ali Jihad Racy:  Ancient Egypt

"That which is named can be written.

That which is written shall be remembered.  

That which is remembered lives."

Third Liebster Nomination!!!

Thank you, Winter, for my third Liebster nomination!!  Keep it up, and I'll start thinking people like this blog and get a totally swelled head!  ;-)

I'm not going to do all the other stuff again, but I WILL answer Winter's questions because they are new (to me) and I like them. 

1. Who are some of your favorite goths that influence you? 

One that comes to mind is the musician, Voltaire, because he keeps the fun in funerals!  Seriously, he reminds me that I don't have to be serious all the time, and I love his style of humor, even when it's more than a bit grisly. 

2. How would you describe your style? 

Definitely eclectic, as it changes daily.  Right now, I'm favoring sheer net/lace skirts and my long velvet coat, definitely a Stevie Nicks style.  But next week I might be into spikes and leather pants.  I love being different and unexpected!!

3. What is your favorite horror or thriller film if you like those genres? 

Absolutely "The Crow" (original version with Brandon Lee).  And although it's technically considered an action/fantasy movie, I'd have to say the "The 13th Warrior" also fits this bill.  I'd say these two are tied for first place in my list of favorites.

4. What is your favorite food?  Chocolate!!! 

5. Where would you like to travel to that you haven't been yet?

Egypt, Crete, Malta and Scotland, in that order. 

6. What do you like to do for fun?

Gardening, dancing, reading, needlework, clothes shopping, cemetery walks and picnics (either by myself or with friends), traveling to neat places, fantasy and Renaissance faires, goth band concerts, writing poetry and short stories, hanging out with my friends.

7. Coffee or Tea?  Definitely TEA.  The only coffee I've ever tasted was in candy and ice cream.

8. Lace or Velvet?  Yes!  Wait, you can wear one without the other????  How mundane...  ;-)

9. For you what defines goth?

For me, goth is first and foremost a state of mind.  Clothing styles and music are important, but there are many different kinds of both that I consider to be within the realm of goth.  The most important things to me are these: Being able to accept my own and others' darkness, and being comfortable with death as both inevitable and a part of life to be acknowledged and even celebrated.  Being willing to accept myself and others for who we are AS we are, not as people who need to be changed in some way because we do not confirm to the status quo as defined by some anonymous "they" (excluding dangerous or illegal activities, of course). Then there are the other things, like music, clothes and accessories, decorations, etc.  But they're just the red icing on the black-and-white skeleton cake, so to speak. 

10. What is your favorite season and why? 

 Autumn, because it's just beautiful, although the colors are even better in the eastern U.S. than here in California.  I actually enjoy all the seasons except summer, and I might enjoy that if it wasn't for the Evil Yellow Hurty Thing in the Sky.

11. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself working in a museum with ancient artifacts, having a ball AND making more money than I do now.  I see myself debt free (except for student loans, they never go away!), and able to indulge my love of travel.  I see myself publishing short stories, and who knows, maybe even a book of them.  I see myself either renting or buying a house instead of an apartment, with a large garden to play in.  I see myself able to contribute more to causes that are important to me.  And I see myself surrounded by friends and family, enjoying myself thoroughly! 

 

June: "I'm SO Goth..."

Oh, I LOVE this!  Not that I'd actually want to DO it, you understand.




And kids, don't try this at home!  I know, most of you are too intelligent, but there's always one...

The Death Clock: How Long Will YOU Live?

While doing an online class on the biology of ageing, I came across a comment someone made about using the "Death Clock" to see how long they had to live.  Well, how intriguing!!  So I Googled it, and of course, I found it.



According to its calculations, I will die on December 18, 2053 at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 3 days.  Interestingly enough, it also mentioned that the average life expectancy of other females living in the U.S. with the same BMI who took the test is only 68.3 years.  HAH!!  And my maternal grandmother passed away in March last year at the ripe age of 97; she would have been 98 in October.  My great-aunt, her older sister, lived to be 99.  So I'll be in good company.  However, I'm not exactly thrilled at the thought of expiring on my ex-mother-in-law's birthday...  And it's right in the middle of the holidays, which will put a good many people out.  The good news is, at least it should be dreary, cold and rainy during my funeral!  :-)

To give yourself a date to look forward to, go here:  Death Clock

When are We "Too Old" to be Goth?

NEVER.  That's when.

Oh, please...  Did you REALLY think I'd agree with this?  I certainly hope not!  But WHY is it that so many people think that goth is just a "phase" some of us go through, like teen angst, menopause, or a midlife crisis, instead of seeing it as a lifestyle choice?  Maybe it's because so many of us seem to disappear as we get older, as we 'assimilate' into the boring mundane world because we feel that we have to choose between being ourselves and paying the rent.  It's an understandable reason, maybe, but it just should not have to be a choice between a rock and a hard place.

 In spite of that silly photo I posted in my March "I'm SO Goth...", I really do believe that one can be goth at any age.  But while most ElderGoths are only just starting the approach to that age at which we can no longer stave off the word "old", many of us are already nervous about it.  How should we dress? What style of makeup is best and won't make us look even older than we are?  And what about shoes?  Would somebody think of the shoes!!!

I've said before that once I reach 60, I plan to be dressing like a combination of Stevie Nicks and Morticia Addams.  Here are some pictures that I find extremely inspirational:

 I'd ditch the big bag she's holding (unless, of course, it's actually a suitcase!), and substitute a coffin bag instead.  (I wonder if those boots have orthopedic inserts???)



A bit too much jewelry for me, but I wouldn't wear that much NOW, either.  It's a great look, though!



50 shades of AWESOME!!!


  

50 shades of ELEGANT!!  (These ladies make Cruella DeVille's outfit look like a Goodwill castoff.)




Two goths contemplating the site of their eventual eternal rest...

The Tale of Custard the Dragon

This is one of those random types of posts one puts out every so often...

When I was very young, we had this really awesome book full of poems and stores for children that my mom used to read from, and this was one of my absolute favorites.  It's been almost 30 years since I read it last, but I still remember about half of it by heart.  I hope you enjoy it.

THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

By Ogden Nash, 1936

(Copyright Linnell Nash Smith and Isabel Nash Eberstadt)

Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.

Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little gray mouse, she called her Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.

Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.

Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Week!, which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around.
Meowch! cried Ink, and Ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.

Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.

Belinda paled, and she cried, Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.

But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.

The pirate gaped at Belinda's dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets but they didn't hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.

Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,
No one mourned for his pirate victim
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pyrate.

Belinda still lives in her little white house,
With her little black kitten and her little gray mouse,
And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon,
And her realio, trulio, little pet dragon.

Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs,
Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage.

May: "I'm SO Goth..."

I WANT this...  Seriously.  If anyone would care to volunteer, I will leave you my real scythe in my will so you don't have to buy your own.