Taking a break to practice some magic
Foxes and spells. Easter is coming, what are its origins? And why are we dancing?
Hello 👋 I’m Candela Niesl and this is #7 of “100 Words Voyage”; a newsletter about writing, prompts, life, challenges and how to plan your next piece of art.
Every weekend, I aim to share with you a piece of myself and invite you to write your 100 words. Are you ready to go on this journey? Let’s do it!
My top 3 (not so) unexpected events of the week:
📚 My experience with my host organisation, a publisher from Miami, came to its end. Though, I'm thankful for this literary adventure in which I learned a lot! Ready to share everything with my team, @inguzeditorial.
🔍 I've come across (and finished in one day) "The Irregulars", the new TV show host by Netflix. It was better than I expected to be, and it even motivated me to re-read Sherlock's adventures. So, if you are into darkness, magic, industrial revolution context, and a sense of Watson and Sherlock Holmes, then... what are you waiting for? (Please let me know if you've enjoyed it).
🌱 There's not a 3rd thing to add. But that's alright! Sometimes we need to take a break from the notsounexpected events in life and deal with our body, mind, and soul by doing things that re-connect us with our deepest selves.
So, that's what I've been up to. What about you? Have you already identified your events of the week?
📖 Currently reading:
I keep on reading the same books I’ve mentioned last Sunday, but I have two new additions to the “to be read” list:
“The Lamplighters” by Emma Stonex. (By the way, Golden Hare Books will be hosting an event with the author soon!).
“The castle of crossed destinies” by Italo Calvino.
I've loved foxes since I can remember. Even when that Disney movie, "The Fox and the Hound", came out, I cried and wanted to hug the fox. He didn't know where he belonged and his best friend was designed to hunt him down. I mean...
I can even count the times I've seen foxes (2... or 3).
So, can we now call it my spirit animal? (Of course, there's more to the story, but we are not that intimate, yet).
That being the case, (or not), the idea of getting a tattoo of this smart animal has been around my mind for a while now.
I got my first hand-poked tattoo with @rupeando last year. Yes, it's Inguz's rune, meaning: "where there's a will, there's a way"; and it was such an experience! I enjoyed all the process and, of course, I'm more than in love with the results. (Thanks Odin!).
So, as I said, the fox tattoo is coming soon and here's my inspiration board, just in case you'd like to take a look and even share your thoughts with me.
Do you have a board of tattoos you want to ink to your skin? If so, I'll be waiting for your link.
🧜🏼♀️ Hello from Mar del Plata!
Let’s break it.
Easter is a pagan festival. Yes, we know Easter thanks to Jesus' resurrection, and its festivities, and chocolate rabbits and eggs. But did you ever wonder about the true background of this festivity?
*Clarification: when Christianity was conquering lands, cultures, and countries, many pagan festivities were taken and modified to keep the celebrations going but under the name of God. A good or bad thing to do? It's a free world, but it's always important to know where we come from, and the origins of our rituals and celebrations.
"All the fun things about Easter are pagan", claims an article written by Heather McDougall. And well... she's right! The rabbits, the exchange of eggs, the plants, the colours, even the name of the holiday come from a pagan background.
This festivity is meant to celebrate Spring and its goddess Eostre; whose symbol is the rabbit or the hare.
Easter originally celebrated and welcomed rebirth, (does it ring a bell?), given that the northern hemisphere is the time in which plants, animals, flowers and crops, even humans, have a new chance. Nature reborns.
Crazy isn't it?
Though, it doesn't matter which religion or custom resonates with you the most. What really matters is what brings us together to celebrate, and eat chocolate, and share good times with our loved ones.
We've been through a crazy and violent year. Uncertainty keeps hunting our dreams and projects down. And now more than ever we do not know what's coming next. So... why don't you grab a piece of your favourite chocolate, make some tea or coffee, and permit yourself to celebrate your rebirth?
At least, spoiler alert, that's what my week is going to be about. Many rituals over here? You bet!
Here’s why you should write 100 words tonight:
👁🗨 "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working", Pablo Picasso.
🎨 Put your productivity and creative skills into action. Writing helps to clear our mind and goals, it also connects us to our creative side (awaking the right side of the brain). You don't know what crazy ideas, original stories, outstanding projects can result from your writing.
✏️ We all have stories to tell, so if yours hasn't been told yet, what are you waiting for? 100 words sound a good number to begin your writing voyage, don't they?
You don’t know where to begin? Well, after writing and sharing one ritual, what about yours? I invite you to write your ritual. It could be based on seasons, gods, food, plants, animals, whatever comes your way as soon as you read the word “ritual”. Ready to share some magic?
Before this voyage comes to its end:
If you liked this #7 “100 Words Voyage” but also enjoy the Spanish language, you can follow me on Instagram and also listen to my podcast, “The Unexpected”.
If you like what I do and would like to support my work, here you can invite me a drink in Argentina 🇦🇷 or buy me a beer if you are in any other part of the 🌎.
You can also share this newsletter if you think it would be of interest to any of your friends, family, partners or just casual people you meet out there.
Thanks for sharing this journey with me! I hope it inspires you to write your own stories and share them with the world. After all, is not that what are we made off?
See you next weekend 👋
Bon voyage!