True Magic is an indefinable reality, yet when you are in the midst of conjuring, its presence is physically tangible and unmistakably sublime.
So it was as I travelled the road from Kernavé to Kaunas in Lithuania, in the thick of a wailing storm on my way to the Devils’ Museum with Steve Mitchell, my best friend and compadre in enchantment.
We were on our way to Steve’s permanent exhibit at the museum where he was going to do a painting in front of a live audience. I was there in my usual role to support him, and work shamanically - setting the space, calling on the quarters and summoning the spirits that Steve would inevitably channel into his art work.
Steve Mitchell is a Master. Yes, that’s right, I said it, ‘a Master’ at his art and his work. He is in my opinion a true Magician. Not in a Golden Dawn or Ceremonial Magic sense of the word but in the context of someone that conjures and works with Divine Force.
Leonard Cohen, the famous songwriter, said of Steve’s first ever exhibit ‘Pandemonium in the Rose Garden’ in Bath, Somerset: ‘ This is the best art exhibit I have been to.’
Steve very rarely cites this or uses this statement in his promos etc. He lets his work speak for itself and allows every individual to formulate his or her own opinion about it.
He is without a doubt in league with ‘The Devil’, hence the permanent exhibit of his artwork in the only museum in the world dedicated to Old Nick himself.
He, like me, has a very different take on who the Devil really is. Instead of the traditional viewpoint of him being God’s adversary, we consider him to be simply the Lord of the Underworld’ and the Keeper at the Gates. A deity not to be worshipped but instead to be faced and honoured, embraced, and moved beyond.
Much of Steve’s artwork has images of various aspects of the Horned God, in fact he has a cast silver statue of his piece Homage on permanent display in the museum.
The museum is a very interesting place...
So it was as I travelled the road from Kernavé to Kaunas in Lithuania, in the thick of a wailing storm on my way to the Devils’ Museum with Steve Mitchell, my best friend and compadre in enchantment.
We were on our way to Steve’s permanent exhibit at the museum where he was going to do a painting in front of a live audience. I was there in my usual role to support him, and work shamanically - setting the space, calling on the quarters and summoning the spirits that Steve would inevitably channel into his art work.
Steve Mitchell is a Master. Yes, that’s right, I said it, ‘a Master’ at his art and his work. He is in my opinion a true Magician. Not in a Golden Dawn or Ceremonial Magic sense of the word but in the context of someone that conjures and works with Divine Force.
Leonard Cohen, the famous songwriter, said of Steve’s first ever exhibit ‘Pandemonium in the Rose Garden’ in Bath, Somerset: ‘ This is the best art exhibit I have been to.’
Steve very rarely cites this or uses this statement in his promos etc. He lets his work speak for itself and allows every individual to formulate his or her own opinion about it.
He is without a doubt in league with ‘The Devil’, hence the permanent exhibit of his artwork in the only museum in the world dedicated to Old Nick himself.
He, like me, has a very different take on who the Devil really is. Instead of the traditional viewpoint of him being God’s adversary, we consider him to be simply the Lord of the Underworld’ and the Keeper at the Gates. A deity not to be worshipped but instead to be faced and honoured, embraced, and moved beyond.
Much of Steve’s artwork has images of various aspects of the Horned God, in fact he has a cast silver statue of his piece Homage on permanent display in the museum.
The museum is a very interesting place...
Called the Žmuidzinavicius Museum, commonly known as the Devils' Museum it is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting sculptures and carvings of devils from all over the world. From 2009, its holdings encompass about 3,000 exhibits. The collection was initiated by painter Antanus Zmuidzinavicius (1876–1966). A memorial museum was established in his house after his death. The devils,collected from different cultures, are diverse and many, it contains three floors, and a stunning array of devils in all shapes, sizes, colours and materials. Contributions from countries as diverse as Mexico, Japan and Cuba are all on display alongside the Slavic artefacts, as is folk art from the indigenous peoples of Siberia. The stairways between each floor are now lined with Steve’s original artwork. What started as a six month exhibit was so successful it is now permanent.
‘The museum opened in 1966, it originally housed 260 statues. Their previous owner, the aforementioned artist Antanas Zmuidzinavicius (1876-1966), was obsessed by the number 13, also known as the devil's dozen. He had obsessively collected them in contravention of Soviet law, which prohibited any religious artefacts. A collection of so much Lithuanian folk art also carried a covert nationalist,and hence anticommunist, message.
Zmuidzinavicius faced exile to Siberia should his devils be discovered. Following Khrushchev's thaw (after the death of Stalin in 1953), Zmuidzinavicius donated the entire collection to the state in 1966, and died later the same year. The original museum was then located in the painter's house. Thanks to generous international donations, the diabolical throng has now swollen to over 2,000,and a special new building has been built to house the numerous fiends.
Given that the Soviet Union forcibly discouraged religious activity, It is surprising to learn that the museum had been State-owned even in the period of more liberal communism.Yet it appears that the Lithuanians have always clung proudly to their Pagan heritage. Lithuania was the last Pagan state in Europe, with an unbroken tradition of Pagan practice in rural areas lasting until the early 19th century.
Eastern Europeans have a different view of the devil from that commonly held in the West."The devil is very close to man, he represents a part of ourselves,".
In such a view, the devil is part of the natural world, and in some ways a personification of the forces of nature. The devil is also a joker, though one with a sick sense of humour, and is motivated by mischief rather than outright evil. In many ways he is similar to the Norse god Loki, another earthy figure deeply involved in the affairs of men, and a thorn in the side of the organised and predictable. He is associated with chaos, always on hand to stir up trouble if things look to be going too smoothly. In Pagan times the devil had equal status with the gods,accepted by the people as a normal part of life; it was only after the advent of Christianity that he was reviled and demonised. {Fortean Times; Rachel Bignell; Sept 2007}.
‘The museum opened in 1966, it originally housed 260 statues. Their previous owner, the aforementioned artist Antanas Zmuidzinavicius (1876-1966), was obsessed by the number 13, also known as the devil's dozen. He had obsessively collected them in contravention of Soviet law, which prohibited any religious artefacts. A collection of so much Lithuanian folk art also carried a covert nationalist,and hence anticommunist, message.
Zmuidzinavicius faced exile to Siberia should his devils be discovered. Following Khrushchev's thaw (after the death of Stalin in 1953), Zmuidzinavicius donated the entire collection to the state in 1966, and died later the same year. The original museum was then located in the painter's house. Thanks to generous international donations, the diabolical throng has now swollen to over 2,000,and a special new building has been built to house the numerous fiends.
Given that the Soviet Union forcibly discouraged religious activity, It is surprising to learn that the museum had been State-owned even in the period of more liberal communism.Yet it appears that the Lithuanians have always clung proudly to their Pagan heritage. Lithuania was the last Pagan state in Europe, with an unbroken tradition of Pagan practice in rural areas lasting until the early 19th century.
Eastern Europeans have a different view of the devil from that commonly held in the West."The devil is very close to man, he represents a part of ourselves,".
In such a view, the devil is part of the natural world, and in some ways a personification of the forces of nature. The devil is also a joker, though one with a sick sense of humour, and is motivated by mischief rather than outright evil. In many ways he is similar to the Norse god Loki, another earthy figure deeply involved in the affairs of men, and a thorn in the side of the organised and predictable. He is associated with chaos, always on hand to stir up trouble if things look to be going too smoothly. In Pagan times the devil had equal status with the gods,accepted by the people as a normal part of life; it was only after the advent of Christianity that he was reviled and demonised. {Fortean Times; Rachel Bignell; Sept 2007}.
Maybe it was Zmuidzinavicius’s obsession with the number thirteen, but in the last few weeks building up to this event the number occurred continuously in my life. It appeared that wherever I looked the number would materialise, from roads signs to graffiti on sidewalk walls etc.
As we drove through the howling storm Steve began to laugh,‘Whenever I go to Kaunas to exhibit there’s always a storm,’ he said.
‘Hail Perkunas’ we cried, laughing.
Perkunus is the Baltic god of thunderstorms and rain. As one of the most important deities in the Lithuanian pantheon, he was literally raining down his blessing upon us.
Finally we arrived at the venue and sure enough the firstthing out of the curator’s mouth to Steve was,
‘ You always bring the storm with you.’
As we drove through the howling storm Steve began to laugh,‘Whenever I go to Kaunas to exhibit there’s always a storm,’ he said.
‘Hail Perkunas’ we cried, laughing.
Perkunus is the Baltic god of thunderstorms and rain. As one of the most important deities in the Lithuanian pantheon, he was literally raining down his blessing upon us.
Finally we arrived at the venue and sure enough the firstthing out of the curator’s mouth to Steve was,
‘ You always bring the storm with you.’
We unpacked all the props and equipment and began to set upon the second floor between the stairwells where Steve would work his magic.
Up to this point we had both been very relaxed, in fact I was amazed how calm Steve was with the prospect of painting in front of a live audience, something he had never done before. But as we began to set up the environment for him to work there was a tangible change in atmosphere. Everyone else not involved in the set up seemed to feel it too, and let Steve and I go about our business, creating a sacred space for him to work in.
There is something very special about knowing you are a conduit for enormous power, and a very real sense of responsibility - one wrong move with the energies we were working with that night and all Hell literally could break loose.
The DJ turned up, as had been arranged, to play background music as Steve painted. I tried to talk to them to tell them what we wanted atmospherically but the guys pretty much ignored me and simply replied, ‘We know.’
The original guy who was supposed to play had pulled out and instead had sent this new crew to play for us. I said a quick prayer, hoping they did in fact ‘ know ’ what they were doing.
Steve’s artwork is very individualistic, it lends to a certain tone of energy, and again if the music wasn’t right it could ruin the whole event. I turned my attention to setting up and spiritually cleansing the space.
Everything fell into place very smoothly. Steve positioned his easel where it was framed on either side by two black pillars with his infamous carved skulls atop of them. His table, airbrush and paints situated close by his side so he could work easily.
Not much was said between us - we have a very symbiotic understanding of each other and what is needed. We both trust each other’s judgement implicitly and could feel the energy building as everything was set in order. Real magic and its conjuring, I believe, is a natural process whereby those blessed by the spirits channel these powerful forces through them and into the world. These forces are requesting this from their priests, not only to materialise in the third dimensional realm, but also to catalyse and generate change in those that come into contact with them, thereby creating the act and art of magic. When you have worked this way for many years and passed through the natural initiations that incur, it becomes a natural way of being; in a strange way a very normal state of affairs. This is how it is with Steve and I whenever we are called to work together. Very little is said, we intuitively know what needs to be done and how to go about it.
At 18:50 Steve went down stairs for a cigarette, the eventwas due to start at 19:00 and already the crowd was starting to gather.
He simply said on his way out for a smoke, ‘Smudge me when Icome up bro,’ then disappeared down the stairs…
Up to this point we had both been very relaxed, in fact I was amazed how calm Steve was with the prospect of painting in front of a live audience, something he had never done before. But as we began to set up the environment for him to work there was a tangible change in atmosphere. Everyone else not involved in the set up seemed to feel it too, and let Steve and I go about our business, creating a sacred space for him to work in.
There is something very special about knowing you are a conduit for enormous power, and a very real sense of responsibility - one wrong move with the energies we were working with that night and all Hell literally could break loose.
The DJ turned up, as had been arranged, to play background music as Steve painted. I tried to talk to them to tell them what we wanted atmospherically but the guys pretty much ignored me and simply replied, ‘We know.’
The original guy who was supposed to play had pulled out and instead had sent this new crew to play for us. I said a quick prayer, hoping they did in fact ‘ know ’ what they were doing.
Steve’s artwork is very individualistic, it lends to a certain tone of energy, and again if the music wasn’t right it could ruin the whole event. I turned my attention to setting up and spiritually cleansing the space.
Everything fell into place very smoothly. Steve positioned his easel where it was framed on either side by two black pillars with his infamous carved skulls atop of them. His table, airbrush and paints situated close by his side so he could work easily.
Not much was said between us - we have a very symbiotic understanding of each other and what is needed. We both trust each other’s judgement implicitly and could feel the energy building as everything was set in order. Real magic and its conjuring, I believe, is a natural process whereby those blessed by the spirits channel these powerful forces through them and into the world. These forces are requesting this from their priests, not only to materialise in the third dimensional realm, but also to catalyse and generate change in those that come into contact with them, thereby creating the act and art of magic. When you have worked this way for many years and passed through the natural initiations that incur, it becomes a natural way of being; in a strange way a very normal state of affairs. This is how it is with Steve and I whenever we are called to work together. Very little is said, we intuitively know what needs to be done and how to go about it.
At 18:50 Steve went down stairs for a cigarette, the eventwas due to start at 19:00 and already the crowd was starting to gather.
He simply said on his way out for a smoke, ‘Smudge me when Icome up bro,’ then disappeared down the stairs…
I had placed my magical tools on top of a large black piano just behind Steve’s easel. I placed my totemic necklaces around my neck, began to chant the appropriate incantations and lit the herbal mixture I had previously mixed specially for the event.
Immediately I felt them come and again the atmosphere began to change in the room. Without me saying anything, the now large crowd went silent as they felt the cosmic force build. I cleansed and blessed the quarters, spraying the crowd playfully with Florida water {humour is essential when dealing with such primal forces} and began to open the gates to the underworld and summon Him up. At that point, just like clockwork, Steve walked up the stairs and took his place in front of me as I began to smudge him. I felt the primal force rise up through my spine as I placed my Eagle feather on his third eye and with a quick sharp breath passed the energy through me. With an in-breath his body shuddered as the force from our workings entered into him. He simply said, ‘Yep, that’s it,’ and went to his easel as if in a deep state of trance.
Immediately I felt them come and again the atmosphere began to change in the room. Without me saying anything, the now large crowd went silent as they felt the cosmic force build. I cleansed and blessed the quarters, spraying the crowd playfully with Florida water {humour is essential when dealing with such primal forces} and began to open the gates to the underworld and summon Him up. At that point, just like clockwork, Steve walked up the stairs and took his place in front of me as I began to smudge him. I felt the primal force rise up through my spine as I placed my Eagle feather on his third eye and with a quick sharp breath passed the energy through me. With an in-breath his body shuddered as the force from our workings entered into him. He simply said, ‘Yep, that’s it,’ and went to his easel as if in a deep state of trance.
Over the next four hours he drew from the canvas the face of a demon. To watch him work was astounding. He uses airbrushes, no stencils, his hand never actually touches the paper, and from his complete free form style he gradually weaved an unbelievable image from the ethers.
The music that the DJ played was perfect - simple dark ambient waves of sound reaching subtle peaks and crescendos, completely supportingSteve’s process and never crowding it.
The wonderful synchronicity of this did not pass me by - if the original guy who was supposed to play had been able to make it I doubt that he would have done such an excellent job. The powers that be obviously knew exactly what they were doing.
There was a gentle ebb and flow of people through the stairwell as Steve painted, the whole experience was like an underworld ambient meditation, I was amazed at how many people were willing to sit and watch for such a long period of time.
It could so easily have been a very mundane and boring experience, one guy sat slowly painting, but instead it was a truly magical act. Whenever I felt the energy begin to slightly disperse I would unobtrusively enter the scene and again, with rattle in hand, begin to invoke the availing energies.
Throughout this whole process Steve only took one quick cigarette break and even then the crowd was held captivated.
The music that the DJ played was perfect - simple dark ambient waves of sound reaching subtle peaks and crescendos, completely supportingSteve’s process and never crowding it.
The wonderful synchronicity of this did not pass me by - if the original guy who was supposed to play had been able to make it I doubt that he would have done such an excellent job. The powers that be obviously knew exactly what they were doing.
There was a gentle ebb and flow of people through the stairwell as Steve painted, the whole experience was like an underworld ambient meditation, I was amazed at how many people were willing to sit and watch for such a long period of time.
It could so easily have been a very mundane and boring experience, one guy sat slowly painting, but instead it was a truly magical act. Whenever I felt the energy begin to slightly disperse I would unobtrusively enter the scene and again, with rattle in hand, begin to invoke the availing energies.
Throughout this whole process Steve only took one quick cigarette break and even then the crowd was held captivated.
After another two or so hours of painting, the image nearing its completion, everyone in the room began to feel the tension rising. In a strange way it was like being at a rock concert when both band and audience are totally mesmerised by the music and everyone dissolves into the peak experience. This began to happen as the energy seized everyone, again nothing was said but the DJ sensed this as he gently increased the volume of the music.The crowd began gathering around closer to the canvas, the energy rising and rising. Steve seemed to feel this as his hand moved faster, laying the final touches to his work.
And in a moment……………… it was done.
Steve stood and faced the crowd as everyone began a heartfelt round of applause and cheers.
And in a moment……………… it was done.
Steve stood and faced the crowd as everyone began a heartfelt round of applause and cheers.
Afterwards, as we chatted on the ride home, Steve said ‘ You realize who the demon that I painted is don’t you ? It’s Zmuidzinavicius. Before I sat down to paint I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do but when you blew the energy into my third eye I felt his spirit enter me, so that’s what had to come through on the canvas ’. Again, we laughed.
Antanus Zmuidzinavicius (1876–1966)
The road and skies on the way back to Kernavé were now clear as a blood red moon hung dripping from the Lithuanian night skies.
I’m sure Zmuidzinavicius would approve of Steve’s painting which is now on permanent display at the museum.
As we turned the road on the final leg of our journey home, a road sign came into view, it flashed its message to us as we sped passed. On it was the number thirteen.
The road and skies on the way back to Kernavé were now clear as a blood red moon hung dripping from the Lithuanian night skies.
I’m sure Zmuidzinavicius would approve of Steve’s painting which is now on permanent display at the museum.
As we turned the road on the final leg of our journey home, a road sign came into view, it flashed its message to us as we sped passed. On it was the number thirteen.
Written by Y.Zsigo
SV Mitchells Official Website http://www.svmitchell.com/
http://svmitchell.tumblr.com/
All photo's copyright to Jolanta Mitchell
Devils Museum http://www.ciurlionis.lt/velniu