Gladstone's Land with Gledstone’s Hawk and Mouse on the Royal Mile Edinburgh

In 1934 this building was condemned and scheduled for demolition.  Now thanks to the National Trust for Scotland it is rare jewel that receives the appreciation it deserves.  Both inside and outside this building shows superb 17^th Century features.  The name Gladstone's Land comes from Thomas Gledstanes who once owned the building.  Thomas Gledstanes is recorded as a merchant and he is known to have lived in this 6 storey building whilst also renting sections out to another merchant, a minister, a knight, and a guild officer.  The arcade frontage still protects shoppers from inclement conditions.

The hawk catching a mouse is a relatively new addition.  It holds a symbolic link to Thomas Gledstanes as, "Gled," is the Scots word for a hawk.  The sculpture is fashioned from gilt-copper.  The building was once designed to capture attention and to hold on to customers.  The beauty of the restored features and the bright gold of the hawk and mouse are still catching eyes and stopping feet as tourist pause to enjoy this beautiful building that was so nearly demolished in 1934 and is now so greatly appreciated.

These pictures were taken on Thursday 11 October 2012 in Edinburgh on an excursion with The Edinburgh Digital Photography Meetup Group for further details of the group please see the links below.

The Edinburgh Digital Photography Meetup Group

www.meetup.com/The-Edinburgh-Digital-Photography-Meetup-Group

Facebook - The Edinburgh Digital Photography Meetup Group

www.facebook.com/groups/EDPMG

Twitter

https://twitter.com/EDPMG

A Pentagram Rite at Temple of the Occult York 21 Oct 2012

The film presentation A Pentagram Rite at Temple of the Occult York is not a standard Pentagram Rite don’t watch the alternative actions, or follow the unusual phraseology and all will be fine.  Setting up an open gallery space as a temple of the occult is very rare.  The emphasis was on exhibiting art but the effect was to create an active sacred space.  The Temple of the Occult art exhibition at Norman Rea Gallery at York University is open 15 - 27 October 2012.

YouTube film presentation

A Pentagram Rite at Temple of the Occult York 21 Oct 2012

http://youtu.be/w_U9IM0yOVg

Temple of the Occult York - a photographic record

There are 77 pictures loaded here

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/sets/72157631843230470

7 is regarded by many as a lucky number.  Reflections of 7 are considered by some to signify fortuitous possibilities.  Certain systems of magic identify the number 11 as holding the greatest magical potential.  When you add the lucky number 7 to itself 11 times you have 77.  77 can be seen to hold both luck and magic.  There are 77 pictures here echo to the many thoughts that have been uttered within the mind of man in order to better understand the worlds and all that lies within them.

These pictures were taken at Temple of the Occult in the Norman Rea Gallery at York University. The exhibits are well worth a viewing. The gallery space provides a great showcase for these hard to find item so rarely collected together as an art show.  Robin Spalding has brought an eclectic mix of artworks and magical traditions in this exhibition which has formed a vibrant temple art.  This show opens your mind above your eyes and gives you access to a window on the elements of eternity that have inspired magicians and artists to create beauty in our world.

My photographs on Flickr

www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/sets/72157631843230470

Temple of the Occult 15 - 27 October
www.thenormanreagallery.co.uk

www.facebook.com/events/150344655112090

Robin Spalding

www.robinspalding.co.uk

Mabon Circle Cast Under the Stars

Sometimes the seasons pass and moments go uncelebrated, but that only helps to increase the intensity at those times when we gather to mark the wonders that we enjoy.  Something in everyone reaches out to see a bigger picture and to gain a greater understanding.  If we choose to form our quest into dramatic rites we can as a group explore the beauty of nature and the power of the elements. 

By the light of the Sun and the Moon

We all gathered to enchant our rune

In the shifting dunes on the sea shore

Our path twixt the dark and the light

The balance we sought to explore

The harmony of equal day and night

The ever changing seasons to adore

Under the stars in our Mabon circle rite

Together we all opened an astral door

For our spirits as one to enjoy the flight

These pictures record a gathering at Ainsdale-on-Sea near Liverpool.  The originals are RAW files which have been warmed up slightly to create some of the productions here whilst others have been greatly transformed.  The aim of this set of pictures is to record the evening and the purpose of the gathering with accurate renditions of the events and with artistic interpretations of the atmosphere generated.

Words and pictures PHH Sykes©2012

Mabon Rites on Ainsdale Beach

This whole beach event was brought into being when our venue booking was usurped.  With limited options we spread our horizons and went in search of the greatest canopy under which we could erect our temple.  Below are the texts of two internet posts that I made to those who had joined us on the beach.

What a great idea to get sand in our toes and starlight on our heads as the sun went down and the moon rose high in to the western aspect of our sky.  Out to sea and far away our ancients be waiting in a world beyond duality.

Last night from the ending of the land formed and featured by the overlapping surging seas we stood on shifting sands under an equally bright dark moon that seemed so well set for Mabon in that evening's darkening sky, it appeared as a seed of light holding promise of brighter days to come and warmth to return once winter has been and gone. The half bright moon was showing us a sign that we are not left behind when the summer passes away and night takes over day.

Words and pictures PHH Sykes©2012