Dem Bones

The fence that surrounds Baba Yaga's home is made from human bones, topped with human skulls. So it is natural that we associate bones with Her and that they are requested as offerings from time to time.

When I was visiting Iceland, I came upon this letter opener carved from reindeer bone. I was drawn to it immediately and found it nearly impossible to put down. I had not as of yet incorporated bone into my personal practice, however I had been pondering it for a while. After far too much overthinking on my part, I decided to buy it. After getting home, I realized it was for Baba Yaga. It was only after contemplating the topic of bones as offerings that I realized shells are bone and I have been using them in my practice for some time. I have a strong connection to water, so it goes without saying that shells would be a focal point for me from both a spiritual and aesthetic perspective.

The human ego is deadly

Iceland is a feral and unforgiving place. People see the warning signs everywhere, but rarely do they heed them.

"Never turn your back on the sea" sounds like the sort of thing one would find printed on mugs and t-shirts in the gift shops scattered across the island. Much as the tourists seems to think otherwise, this is something to be taken very seriously.

There are a million different ways to die in Iceland. The human ego is by far the most dangerous. When did we as a species decide that rules didn't apply to us?

You have to keep your wits about you.

Iceland is a liminal place. People who normally never get lost find their internal compass suddenly on the fritz. They find themselves lost in thought and wander off, inexplicably drawn into caves and toward water.

While visiting Dimmuborgir, a few of us decided to visit this cave. As I climbed the steps, I found myself drifting further and further away. Upon arriving at the mouth of the cave, I found myself drawn toward the back and began to walk forward. My companions had to coax me back. Dazed, I arrived at the top of the steps and realized I was not myself. Thankfully, by the time I reached the bottom, I was once again grounded in the present and able to orient myself.

These sort of experiences are not at all uncommon in Iceland, which is why you need to keep your wits about you and not wander off alone.

Godafoss, Iceland 2018

Faces everywhere you look
Making their home in the rock
Invisible to many
who choose to remain oblivious
Ignore the warning signs
and wander where none should tread
Fearless where fear would serve them well

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland 2018

Standing in front of a wall of rock
A thousand faces staring back at you
Their expectation
My intention
Not exactly an exchange
A misstep could lead
to an untimely end