Hastings, witches and a rainy day
The first magazine I am buying after the “bug”
Hi, I’m Karina!
I write about what I know! I write about what I went through, going through. I write about what helped me carry on, what helps me carry on.
I write about historical events, the ones I ve been a witness off, participant and observer, I write about countries I lived in, about people, about books, about failed projects, about human psychology, about survival, about reclaiming my life in micro steps.
A RAINY DAY IN HASTINGS
Another rainy day in my part of the world and summer is a word without much meaning or substance. July is very similar to April with the exception of flowers and greener fields. It’s cold, it’s damp … how the hell I ended up in this country I don’t know! I will save the topic for future ruminations!
The positive is that I was able to find parking space in Hastings and well this is definitely thanks to the rain!
Being a coastal town Hastings attracts families desperate for the sun, for the traditional fish and chips - good luck to them in finding some without a rancid taste - for a space on the pebble beach and a few moments in the ice cold sea. But hey this is good compared to the option of spending a few holiday days in the oh so many soulless towns peppered all over England!
Well as you can guess it is still a gamble - you can end up on the beach but with a full rain gear walking up and down, taking in the cold salty air, popping another vitamin D pill down your throat and praying for the sun!
But I digress! Today I am writing about magazines and the joy of holding in my hands something truly special.
ADDICTED TO MAGAZINES
I have to confess I am an addict! I am addicted to the smell of the paper, the sound of the paper, the weight of a magazine I love in my bag! My relationship with magazines started when I was very young, started with some Russian magazines I was able to subscribe to while living in Romania during the communist year. Come 1989 and the brave new political system stopped this as, well, we were now capitalists and allowing Russian magazines in, a danger to the “liberated minds”. I am sarcastic! I know!
I went from «вокруг света» (around the world) to “oгонек» , moved to many women’s magazines and a few years before the “bug and the big lie” I settled for two magazines: Happinez and Womankind. Both brought me immense joy, in different ways … one through photography and spiritual topics, another one through the quality of writing and edgy topics.
It s been years since I held any of them in my hands and it looks like only the online versions survived one of the biggest lies in the human history and one of the most damaging actions against humanity.
In the past, a trip to the shops had to include a bit of browsing in front of the magazine racks. Now there is hardly any point really!
Back to Hastings! While meandering around though the narrow streets in the old town/Hastings, enjoying the rain drops on my face while munching on a bit of salty chocolate I felt the urge to step inside a shop! A new one! Well it was new for me as I haven’t been in Hastings for 4 months.
TADHG MAE GALLERY IN HASTINGS
The shop, Tadhg Mae is a gallery “devoted to celebrating and exploring mystical and otherworldly” with a few extra bits added to the mix including talks and events. The art displayed has a delightful spiritual storytelling feel to it and goes hand in hand with the wide range of oracle cards and a myriad of items inviting you to take them home including books, interesting pendants and … a magazine … THE MAGAZINE! …WITCHES.
Witches is the magazine I am talking about! I was immediately attracted by it because of .. the smell … the way it felt in my hands, gentle and quirky photography, topics I am interested in - crystals, Greek mythology, soul stories, beautiful art and drawings, inspirational lives, healing stories, a bit of tarot explained, astrology, healthy recipes and more.
Ready for my cup of tea and a bit of reading!
If in Hastings, do visit the Tadhg Mae gallery!