Wandering the Night
An artistic and cultural travel adventure
This week was so busy that… I have yet to complete the newsletter and it became way too long as well! So…. instead I’m publishing this little adventure I had and will try to get the newsletter out by tomorrow! I won’t spam your email though, so if you feel inclined to read, please check out my Substack page in 24/48 hours.
Thursday evening and night I found myself strolling through the nearby village. My electricity is slowly decreasing, as the oncoming winter is reducing the sunlight that brings you these words. And also, I just had a few rainy days which left the batteries depleted. In other words: it was a nice opportunity for me to leave my cave, without getting blinded by the sun.
In general, I just love the night. When everyone calms down in their activity, I feel like I can finally hear my heart. It probably has something to do with my clairsentience. A lot of thoughts went through my head as I was exploring this village; seemingly for the first time. Even though I lived here for several years, I never ‘wasted time’ by just walking around until now. As I did, I in particular thought that it really sucks that women don’t feel comfortable with walking around at night. So I figured I might make some photos of what drew my attention to at least share the experience. Also, we can get to know each other a bit better as we walk and talk :)
The First Leg of the Journey
The Path of Legacy
As I started on my journey, the first scene that really captures my eye most of the time is the material I walk on. Which in this case was a beautiful cobblestone sidewalk. I used to work in construction as well for a stint, so I’m always humbled by the amount of work that I’m taking for granted each day. All those small stones were once carefully placed by a set of hands. As a result, the shine of the light (also installed and maintained by someone) is captured beautifully and makes the scene almost cozy. The endless feeling of a path can also feel intimidating though, so the experience is always a bit bittersweet.
The Shadow Web
I came across this window and was just reminded of the beauty that people adorn their houses with. I truly appreciate the little details like this iron framework. But what I found even more intriguing was the shadow it cast, giving it another dimension altogether. I doubt the owners ever look at it that way, but I was grateful for the experience. It just shows you how your acts can reach people that you would never think of. It inspired me to remember to make the outside of my house beautiful for onlookers. Who knows… someone might make a random photo of it one day :)
The Sinister Abyss
As I walked down a hill, I arrived at a church that was being renovated and the abyss in this window drew my eye. Glass and curtains tend to veil the depth of darkness. On top of that I found it ironic to find a place of spiritual congregation which preaches about the light, to contain this abyss. The double layer of security, one of which is held in granite, seems to indicate that whatever lies beyond is of a deep evil…
A Haunting House
The sad thing about Portugal is that it was hit a while back by a massive wave of poverty due to politics. It has senselessly left entire buildings derelict, which were once built and cared for by people that spent their valuable energy on this project. Now it stands abandoned, telling a story of fear to the next generation. But I honor its creators, their intent, and the beauty of nature slowly and gently erasing the pain that came with its neglect. Time heals all wounds and if I had the money, I would fix this place up and give it to the homeless. Scenes like these remind me why it matters that we bring heart back into our society. There’s simply too much ruin and inefficiency in how we’re living right now.
A Fairy Cafe
This is one of those rare moments where a normally busy cafe is highlighting the absence of people, while still looking inviting. It shows that being empty can still be beautiful, as long as you take care of how you wish to be seen: you will attract new experiences again.
My First Time on Stage
I know… the crowd wasn’t very excited, but I was still appreciative of the opportunity to perform… silence. Just being present was enough. Meanwhile the toy truck in the back there is actually live sized. It was a funny moment for me, because in the past decade I wouldn’t have even considered standing on there. Social anxiety was too deeply rooted within me to even consider walking around a village at night, let alone standing on an empty stage. What wOUld PEoplE ThiNk after all…
Bumper Cars for Dwarfs
I never knew that these contraptions could lower their roof. So obviously, curious as I am, I went to check out the mechanism. When I approached, a voice spoke out of the dark. Which was a bit of a shock, but nothing scary. Just a security guard of the carnival making sure that I wouldn’t vandalize the place. So I walked on. I still wonder why they lower the roof, what’s the purpose? Ah well…. some things can just remain mysteries. I could look it up, but I’d rather use my mental energy for things that benefit me in the moment.
The Bakers House
A quaint reminder that there were times when people would be doing business from their home… It’s almost like working from home isn’t that strange of a concept… And you might even make a pretty sign to show to people what you do. Truly, business used to be a fun exchange between people. Now, it’s all just shouting… Personally I want more local businesses with online presences, easily findable through a centralized platform that is owned by the local community. The power and responsibilities that a national government holds is ridiculous.
The Graveyard of Depravity
Have you ever thought of ‘slaughter’ as a good thing? Death makes sense, it’s the balance to life: it makes it valuable. But… the method in which we approach life matters. I’m convinced that our ancestors only decided to hunt out of desperation. And I appreciate them for that, otherwise I wouldn’t be alive now. But in modern times we can produce food without creating this level of harm. So why do we choose to continue this addiction to meat?
And no, I’m not a hardcore vegan/vegetarian. I’m just saying that if you’re willing to look an animal in the eye and kill it: eat meat. But if you love animals, how do you live with that paradox? It’s not in me, but I’m not everyone. Predators aren’t evil, neither are people that eat meat. I just wish we would honor the sacrifice of these animals, instead of displaying them in a way to be lusted over. But well… maybe this could be considered a display of affection.
Moving on!
The Second Leg of the Journey
The Forbidden Jungle
Walking more through the center of the village now, things start making less sense. I guess this place was once a quaint garden in the middle of the village. Now it’s unkept and… you’re still not allowed to enter. It’s not just gated. It’s locked! Perhaps the plants are more nefarious than I know, but… they seemed pretty chill to be honest. No clue what made them deserve to be imprisoned.
The Hidden Realm
You know how in Harry Potter they went to Platform 9 3/4? I’m pretty sure that this is a poorly hidden portal to another realm. I peeked through the holes and saw that there used to be a building, but it was demolished. The space now kept sacred to remain in ruin. Due to my gamer background I tried to see if I could break the wall by grunting and slapping it with my hand (actually, I just gave it a silent tap, because it’s night and… I don’t want to be the asshole who wakes everyone up by demolishing a wall). No luck unfortunately, I guess I need to be a higher level for this quest.
A Prosti…Cute?
A random display of a live cat on the corner of a building with no signs as to its occupation. At the top of the display case a webcam records the actions of this cat for lustful eyes. All that was missing was the red light. Meanwhile, the way this cat looked out of its eyes was just a little too demonic. If not prostitute, then what? What’s the point of this display? Is it art? Is it bird? Is it airplane? No! It’s the Power Puff Girls!
Thankfully, there was a door going into the mystery building that probably did result in keeping this cat fed, somewhere deep in its bowels. Because… this was not a skinny cat at all. Part of me felt it was hatching something under there. But I dared not linger, more to explore!
The Gate to Triviality
This gate made so little sense… I figured I should make a photo of it, just to give it a purpose. I mean… the wall it’s connected to didn’t even reach the height of my knee. And then… on top of that…. IT’S OPEN! It’s not just a gate, it’s a sturdy gate!! Ugh, this frustrates me. As someone who has tried building up his own place, I would have loved to have given that gate an actual job. But instead, government money is wasted again. Money that represents the material that was excavated from the bowels of the Earth and then molded into this object, through a series of human interactions.
Meanwhile…. we claim we know what we’re doing? I mean… really? Do we?
The Forges of Mount Doom
I may or may not have stepped into the car by that time and drove around a bit. Or perhaps I closed the gate and found myself transported to Middle Earth, through the workings of the Fae. Tricky Fae… Either way, I happened upon a scene where either the orcs were forging new weaponry. Or perhaps a dragon was dealing with heavy indigestion, I wouldn’t know.
Of course, it could also just be a particular type of lamp that was shining in the mist. But that would be delusional thinking and also just plain boring…
The Mountain Church
After I fled the horrific bowel movements of the dragon, I found myself on top of a mountain. The wind blew past me as I gazed over my new dominion, until I looked behind me and found the house of ‘the Lord’. Here I was, just trying to enjoy the spiritual moment of being on a mountain, and someone had chosen to dominate it with their faith. Rascals…
I did what I had to as a shamanic spirit which remembered the plight of the pagan. I did what I had to as a sourceror… I danced! And maybe… just maybe moved around some energies as well, to cleanse the field.
No Christians were harmed in the process and the wrath of ‘the Lord’, must have been delayed. Perhaps there was traffic, because I was able to leave unharmed after checking out the site a bit further.
A Mystery
Or did I? Once again, I found myself drawn into another reality where the roots of the cosmos sprawled out. I managed to take a photo before I was spit out behind the church and looked up at an amazing tree. Perhaps the photo is of its branches, but truly: what makes more sense here?
Either way, I had a nice hug with that old tree as it gave off an amazing energy. It really drew me to it. I could feel its wisdom and how it has been loved and cared for. Regardless of the branch of spirituality you follow, you tend to see nature as sacred. The roots of this tree felt to me like they burrowed deep into the mountain and held a knowledge far beyond what I could understand.
Symbolism
Empire and Spirit, represented through crown and star, are grounded in the pavement around the church. These spells are surrounding the temple that is built on the highest natural point in the area. Ensuring that the energy of those who enter the temple is channeled and amplified for the purposes of who leads the congregation of spirits.
Since I don’t need someone to rule me and lead my own empire. I simply thanked the artists for giving my eyes some pleasurable sights and carried on.
The Vampire Ward
Sometimes Church art just looks like it came straight from the medieval era. It never seemed to have developed since that time. But in this case, I actually like how it looks. It also looks like it’s either supposed to be on top of a ship mast or is intended to have an impaled body hanging from it.
I wonder what kind of magick functions it performs, but for now… I’ll see it as a vampire ward. I might need a version of this at my future home. With some minor alterations of course…
The end?
Oh no! It found me. My blasphemy against the Christian god was noticed after all… Or.. It’s just a nice scene for a thriller. I mean, if you just take away the whole spiritual charge. Doesn’t this place just look foreboding? I’ll need to see if I visit it again and get some new photos in the day light. Especially of that tree, it was a beauty.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the little bit of travel and adventure. You’ll see me pop up next week again in your inbox. And feel free to check out my page tomorrow(ish) for the deeper story of last week.
Also if you did read all the way, I’d love to hear from you what the highlight of this journey was for you!