Hi Sauce,

>S> it's fascinating to see your interpretation and also the original photo. for me the title has to reference king Arthur, king of the Brits, mythical (?) hero of many legends, Avalon, merlin, round table, holy grail, lady of the lake etc. TH White's wonderful "the once and future king" was one of my fav stories as a child.

Thanks Sauce, yes that is what I was basing this upon.

>S> the ancient cloister makes an appropriate path into the mists of history, submerged in time, his effects still rippling now.

I like the idea of ripples in time.

>S> I'd not noted the sexual refs in the portal shape - seems more shield-like - heraldic - to me.

Good - and appropriate - interpretation. Thanks.

>S> however, the green hue is very elementally natural, hinting at Arthur's forest realm.

Ta.

>S> ps almost forgot to say - really like it!

Fab, thanks muchly Sauce. Appreciated.

p.

it's fascinating to see your interpretation and also the original photo. for me the title has to reference king arthur, king of the brits, mythical (?) hero of many legends, avalon, merlin, round table, holy grail, lady of the lake etc. th white's wonderful "the once and future king" was one of my fav stories as a child. the ancient cloister makes an appropriate path into the mists of history, submerged in time, his effects still rippling now. i'd not noted the sexual refs in the portal shape - seems more shield-like - heraldic - to me. however, the green hue is very elementally natural, hinting at Arthur's forest realm.

ps almost forgot to say - really like it!

Hi Ren, thanks for he interesting debate - though, as we seem to be agreeing to a very large extent, it may b short-lived!

>p> Why "Prejudice against." Sexuality is at the heart of a living being. No the only thing but it is essential. Only those whose minds have been prejudiced have such prejudice. 
>R> You're certainly singing to the choir for the most part.  *smile*  With perhaps a difference in semantics. . .and in today's world. . .prejudice for [many things or peoples] (perhaps that says it better) exists in great amount

Yes, we all form interest-groups then want to foist our views over others, alas. Critting is actually a good example of (usually) avoiding that. We offer crits from our POV but it is entirely up to the recipient to decide to take it, to reject it or to take some. Personally, I do want to make the points to the artist which I think, from my POV, would improve their work. But once they have read my comments I really do not care what they do. If they disagree with everything I have said and suggested, such is just as good for me as if they accepted many. (I hate people accepting all my comments - happened once - very bizarre). But various religions, for example, insist on saving me from their own demons. I like some demons - they mash a great cuppa.

>R> It's tragic really that society has seen fit to impose such a negative connotation on sexuality/procreation. . .which is the core of all creation. . .
>p> Society has not; some religions have. One reason I oppose organized religions' influence on society. Ever since the Christians invaded we have had the problem of guilt / original sin. But they are not the only group - all mono-theist religions are similar. And various forms of paganism are not without other taints. People worshipping on their own are fine but when religion becomes political power, we have problems.
>R> Interestingly, perhaps semantics once again. . .absolutely my problem with organized religions as well. . .and guilt/original sin is one of the most detrimental things organized religion has given us, I stand on that soapbox quite often. . .however. . .it certainly has infiltrated society and truly become the "norm" of thinking. . .thus I find society (and American society is more so than European society) extremely sexually repressed.

Yes, from all I see it seems so and I think Brits - even now - are more sexually repressed than Europeans. I guess that is the Anglo-Saxon Christian cultural heritage. I think America is a bit like Victorian Britain in this respect - sweeping things under the proverbial carpet. The USA has the World's largest porn industry but there is also (especially away from the east and west coasts) a veneer of denying the existence of genitalia, let alone its functions. Is that fair or am I generalizing too much?

>R> Centuries ago. . .there was so much less negativity attached to the word and/or the connections. . .people understood
>p> We continue to remove ourself from nature. We no longer swim nude; we no longer kill animals to eat (they emerge from supermarket plastic); we no longer have space to breathe. Of course, past-grass is not all green: there were wars; there were sacrifices; there were diseases; there was political power vested in he few. But modern society and religions are today's problems - pointless fighting those of the past.
>R>Bingo. . .we continue to remove ourself from nature.



>R> until the moment of beginning to see it as a way to manipulate the manifest world. . .
>p> I blame people to be honest - we're a nasty lot.
>R> We certainly have our horrid moments.  lolol  But seriously, yes I quite agree. . .

 

Thanks for this interesting chat. Delighted the pic started it.

p.

[/quote]

Hi ren,

Thanks for popping-in.

>R>Ah-ha. . .just my cup of tea.  *smile*  The photo with its underlying symbolism. . .though I must agree most would not connect the watery image in the way you've indicated here. . .though, I may stand alone, I like it.

Thanks - glad you like it.

I always think titles are vital to art. The title of this: "Arthur's Castle" should enable people, familiar with Arthurian legend, to make some watery connections. But if they do not, that is ok.

>R> And as Patrice knows. . .sexuality/sensuality is the very essence of how I view the universe. . .therefore, I would concur that magick and sexuality (perhaps procreative is a better word choice) are inter-related. . .and I agree that sexuality/sensuality/procreation is inter-related with All. Without procreation -- we have naught.

Nope, no dogs would be born.

>R> However I also agree that to speak of such without clarification does lead those without knowledge of Pagan practices, rituals, etc. . .to believe that sex acts are linked to magick. . .which continues the prejudice against those who wish to practice an earth-based spirituality which, as you said, includes fertility. . .i.e. the moon, the harvest cycles, etc.

Why "Prejudice against." Sexuality is at the heart of a living being. No the only thing but it is essential. Only those whose minds have been prejudiced have such prejudice. 

>R> It's tragic really that society has seen fit to impose such a negative connotation on sexuality/procreation. . .which is the core of all creation. . .

Society has not; some religions have. One reason I oppose organized religions' influence on society. Ever since the Christians invaded we have had the problem of guilt / original sin. But they are not the only group - all mono-theist religions are similar. And various forms of paganism are not without other taints. People worshipping on their own are fine but when religion becomes political power, we have problems.

>R> Centuries ago. . .there was so much less negativity attached to the word and/or the connections. . .people understood

We continue to remove ourself from nature. We no longer swim nude; we no longer kill animals to eat (they emerge from supermarket plastic); we no longer have space to breathe. Of course, past-grass is not all green: there were wars; there were sacrifices; there were diseases; there was political power vested in he few. But modern society and religions are today's problems - pointless fighting those of the past.

>R> until the moment of beginning to see it as a way to manipulate the manifest world. . .

I blame people to be honest - we're a nasty lot.

Thanks Ren.

p.

Thanks HW.

p.

Hi Hw,

>H> I get a little edgy when references are made to magic and sex together ...  but then I deal with the misconceptions of society on a daily basis so I'm am somewhat sensitive to the topic *smile*

That's fine - and I love debate - thanks for it.

But sex underlines or pervades most human activity, it seems to me, whether we are conscious of it or not. So I would not be worried about any links. Virtually none of us would be here if it were not for sex.

p.

Hi Nas,

>N> But those who practice magik are still sexual creatures.  It is an integral part of nature and an important aspect of an individual just as magik is.

Well I know much more about Christianity than I do about magik and, certainly, Christian churches are obsessed with sexual issues.

I even read that some church has protested against Starbucks's change of logo.

p.

But those who practice magik are still sexual creatures.  It is an integral part of nature and an important aspect of an individual just as magik is.