we need to have a conversation about how the "everyone is 12" theory of politics now doesn't only apply to conservative men who want to kick the bad guys' asses and then go home and eat a steak their bangmommy made just for them (NO VEGGIES!!!) but also to adult women who are literally afraid of other people having sex and being sexy. it's like there's been this massive regression among women in their 20s where we've gotten rid of feminism and replaced it with a new form of purity politics that requires never saying anything bad about another women unless you find a new and creative way to call her a whore. the misuse of "she caters to the male gaze" as a new form of enlightened slut shaming, labeling any woman who wears a short skirt or has sex with a man as "not a girls' girl" and "a pick me," the intense overreaction to celebrity affairs or even just shit like the summer house mess where a woman is now dating another woman's ex even though there was no overlap and the "relationship" was just kind of a situationship that fizzled but now these little girls are online demanding both people involved in the new relationship lose their jobs and not get any brand deals, the panic over mildly sexual content in literally any capacity like ads or an instagram post in a crop top, the compulsion to link everything back to the epstein files, the monthly meltdown over sex scenes on tv and in movies. everyone is 12 and AFRAID of sabrina carpenter.
here’s some of my random spotify playlists check them out if you want they make no sense
songs that sounds like they’re from the 80s but aren’t
you make a cute new friend but you’re not sure if she’s gay and you don’t want to ruin this new friendship so you’re going to try to have fun hanging out with her while not developing any feelings
waiting rooms are liminal spaces
chill vampire tunes for ppl who just got bitten recently
soundtrack for a horror movie where the lesbian couple survive and kill the axe murderer/exorcise the demons/bust some ghosts,etc.
those kids riding on their bikes in indie movies
this one literally makes no sense if you haven’t read the basic eight i guess but i’ll put it here anyway because imo it’s good if you haven’t read it just picture a teenage girl at a party that goes very very wrong
modern songs i would put on the soundtrack of a western movie (ignore the title,,)
Anecdotes on How to Incorporate Art and Magic Without Failing
I love creating things, and I equally love being in tune with my spiritual side. I find that when I try to mesh the two I quickly feel burnt out both from the mental planning it takes for projects, and partly from having to pour in so much energy into every ounce of what I create. I dabble in traditional drawn art, crochet, knitting, and embroidery. As a result, my tips will be more focused on those areas, but I hope to provide some help to those interested in art magic regardless of their chosen art format.
Without further ado- here are some tips on how to increase your success in art magic based on my personal experience.
1. Do not get caught up in weaving in every little feeling and detail.
When I first started my art magic journey, I would get caught up in making sure I completely focused on my intent while I was creating my works. Since most spells emphasize how important it is to maintain focus on intent, I was under the impression that my journey into art magic would apply the same principle. However, I found that this was hard to maintain and would lead to me getting frustrated with my wandering mind.
Instead, I would advise as approaching it as being in a meditative state. You let your mind ebb and flow-- you acknowledge the thoughts and you let them go, occasionally thinking of the intent of course.
2. Utilize symbolism (numbers and colors aplenty)
This is my solution to my issue with focused intent. Whenever I include colors, animals, or numbering I use it as a tool to focus my intent. For me, it enables my mind to wander freely, while still having piece of mind towards the intent. I mainly use animal and plant symbolism along with color symbolism, but there are plenty of other things you can incorporate.
3. Working in Spell Elements Beforehand and Afterhand
Sometimes I like to start a project by reciting a chant before I begin a project. Typically it'll be a sort of enchantment I'll plance on the tool used to create the project, and following up with a sort of spell to incorporate that enchantment to the art I made. You can also ground yourself before you make art, or you can craft a spell to seal the intent into the artwork.
4. Listening to Music that Matches your Intent.
If you're like me, you probably enjoy having something else to focus on while you work. Putting together a playlist with songs that capture the emotions you want to pour into your spell can be perfect for that reason.
5. Take Breaks from Art Magic to do Things Just for the Sake of Doing It
It's easy to stress over making everything perfect and doing everything in some contrived "proper" way, but I find that when I worry too much that's when I lose sight on what makes my art feel magical. Sometimes that means setting down a piece to do something else, sometimes that means making silly fanart, and sometimes that means I don't touch anything art related for a week so I can find purpose again.
Your art is a reflection of your soul, or it can be a reflection of the world and people around you. It's messy, it's ugly, it's beautiful, it's perfect. All at the same time. Give yourself room to just enjoy yourself every once in a while.
6. Let Yourself be Spontaneous
I'm the type of person where I always have an idea of how things should be in my head-- which also means I can't stand it when things don't quite work out in my favor. In cases of doing art magic, I've found that the best thing I can do is listen to my gut instinct even if it means doing something way different than I would normally want to create. Try out abstract art, incorproate junk into your paintings, try a new medium!
