The Mystical Emporium
Home to all thing magical in the life of Marie-Claude Bourque, author of mystical romance and fantasy
ANCIENT WHISPERS
AMERICAN TITLE V WINNER
"Infinitally romantic and creative"
RT BOOKreviews
Dorchester ~ Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52833-9
Available Now
- Bushwhacking, Booze, and Nothing to Lose September 2, 2010Song of the day: Nothing to Lose by Operator Okay, tell me the truth. Do you ever have a moment where you just stop and wonder why it is that you write? Why do you subject yourself to torturous, lonely hours of work, real work, on a book where often there seems so little reward? [...] […]jbrayweber
- A Behind the Scenes Look at the Bustle September 2, 2010Okay, so it’s a horrible pun. But really, if you’re looking at the historical development over time of the bustle, could you resist? The fact remains that one of the classic elements of refined lady steampunk wear is the bustle. But what people seem to forget is that the bustle wasn’t always part of Victorian [...] […]bluemooncomm
Archive for the ‘Music I like’ Category
Tarot Inspiration: The Lovers
I though I’d share with you the one Tarot deck I own and love. I am new to Tarot reading and picked this one “The Mystic Dreamer Tarot” just because I love the artwork. As I became more and more into reading (A simple one card draw and following meditation), I realized that this deck made a strong connection with me. I was glad when I read that my Tarot expert friend Arwen gave this deck a high review.
I chose here to show the interpretation of the artist as opposed to the explanation on the actual Lewellyn deck which I like a lot as well.
The Lovers
symbolisme : men and women, 2 trees one with 12 flames representing the 12 signs of the zodiac and the other the tree of knowledge, guardian angel ( changed it into a face in the moon)
the men represents the consious mind, and the women the subconscious mind. guardian angel represents the higher self in ourselves
the lovers means a choise we will have to make, a choise between “following your heart” and “and what make sense” The Lovers remind us that we cannot attain our full potential with our conscious, rational mind alone. We must marry it to our subconscious, representing our emotions and intuition.
SONG OF THE DAY: Die Another Day by Madonna
STATUS: wrote 27 pages on Steam Witch last week! Quite a productive week! Off to my summer holiday this afternoon!
Witches: The Nature of Our Ways
Here is a nice little text from the late Scott Cunningham from his Standing Stones Book of Shadows. I really like to read and reread this.
THE NATURE OF OUR WAY
* As often as possible, hold the rites in forests, by the
seashore, on deserted mountaintops or near tranquil lakes. If this is
impossible, a garden or some chamber shall suffice, if it is readied
with fumes of flowers.
*Seek outwisdom inbooks, rare manuscriptsand crypticpoems if
you will, but seek it out also in simple stones and fragile herbs and
in the cries of wild birds. Listen to the whisperings of the wind and
the roar of water if you would discover magick, for it is here that
the old secrets are preserved.
* Books contain words;trees contain energies andwisdom books
ne’er dreamt of.
* Ever remember that the Old Ways are constantly revealing
themselves. Therefore be as the river willow that bends and sways
with the wind. That which remains changeless shall outlive its
spirit, but that which evolves and grows will shine for centuries.
* Therecan be no monopolyon wisdom. Thereforeshare what you
will of our ways with others who seek them, but hide mystic lore from
the eyes of those who would destroy, for to do otherwise increases
their destruction.
* Mock not the rituals or spells of another, for who can say
yours are greater in power or wisdom?
*Ensure that your actions are honorable, for all that you do
shall return to you three-fold, good or bane.
* Be waryof one who would dominate you,who would control and
manipulate your workings and reverences. True reverence for the
Goddess and God occurs within. Look with suspicion on any who would
twist worship from you for their own gain and glory, but welcome those
priestesses and priests who are suffused with love.
* Honorall living things,for we are ofthe bird, thefish, the
bee. Destroy not life save it be to preserve your own.
* And this is the nature of our way.
excerpted from:
WICCA A Guide For The Solitary Practioner
PP. 111 – 187
1989, Llewellyn Publications
ISBN 0-87542-118-0
SONG OF THE DAY: All The Right Moves by OneRepublic
STATUS: Lots done today including 1200 words added to Steam Witches and the backstory of another character: fallen Victorian lady Lady Clara Lowell
Romancing the Sorcerer
(Note: I wrote most of this post for the romcom blog)
I am quite sad I have missed The Sorcerer’s Apprentice on the big screen. I know that Nicolas Cage’s track record varies a lot, but ever since Wild at Heart, for me he can do no wrong.
I love everything magic: wizards, sorcery, witches, you name it. I love Merlin, Gandalf , Morgan, Samantha of Bewitched and every character who can cast a spell. These days I’m even addicted to watching the Wizards of Waverly Place with my kids.
I think my love affair with sorcerers started when I was a kid and read (and reread) a French historical series called Angélique by Anne and Serge Golon. Set in the 17th century, the series featured a heroine whose one true love was her first husband, a count and alchemist who was left limping after a brush with the inquisition and that she believes dead for a big part of the series until she is reunited with him after many adventures. He was older and wise and yes, very sexy.
Later in my teen, I fell for a powerful wizard from the first Dragonlance series written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. This wizard, called Raistlin Majere, is physically weak but extremely powerful. And maybe that is why I love wizards and sorcerers so much, it’s their powers that make them so alluring.
There is a great scene in one of the Harry Potter movie where Snape dramatically enters the classroom, his robes billowing behind him as he closes the window shutters with one flick of his wand. I love that scene. So much power! How can I not fall for Snape there! I know, he’s a little creepy, but I always liked the underdog. When Harry Potter screams his Patronus charm –yells Expecto Patronum in the dark forest — in yet another very intense scene of a Harry Potter movie, I can see how enticing he will become as a grown wizard.
It’s no wonder I chose to make ANCIENT WHISPERS heroes sorcerers. Not only they possess this incredible magical power, but these modern wizards are also tall, strong and extremely handsome. Most were warriors in their time and learned magic as they became immortal in order to find their lost soulmates who are now reborn in modern time.
Replacing wizard’s robes with long coats that hide the magical components needed for their spells and the enchanted dagger that cuts through various dimensions, these sorcerers are everything I always dreamed of: strong, sexy, and powerful, very powerful. They make a woman want to hide in their arms, absolutely protected from anything within the safety of their coats, their masculine scent enveloping them like an overwhelming yet enticing shadow.
And since I like sexy, I had to think of how magic could be used for seduction. And I’m not talking love spells of attraction here. I’m talking full use of magic “within the moment”.
When I started to write about my sorcerers, each deadly, haunted by a tortured past, I hadn’t read any modern romance with wizard, sorcerer or alchemist hero. I am sure they exit and I’d love to find more. Just last month I discovered Jim Butcher’s series the Dresden files. When I read on the book cover that it was like a wizard Robert B Parker book, I knew I had to read the series (I’m a Robert B. Parker addict). I bought the first one and wasn’t disappointed. I’m waiting impatiently for the next ones in the series which I just ordered. And now it looks like I have to wait for the DVD to be able to lust over Baltazar Blake. I know some critiques haven’t been kind but for me, Nicolas Cage… in a big long coat, casting spells! What’s not to love!
SONG OF THE DAY: Just Dance by Lady Gaga
STATUS: Doing a whole lot of writerly things today including over 2000 words on Steam Witch and writing the backstory of my hero Captain Asher Blackmore.
Doubts, doubts, doubts…
1) It amazes me how much better I feel after I wrote my scene of the day. I try to do it early. If I don’t, I try to squeeze it in when my boys are busy as I did today.
If I don’t make it I feel awful for the day.
When I don’t, truly, it’s usually because I question the usefulness of this. Here’s a secret, having published one novel doesn’t make you more confident.
You still question if this is the best use of your time, still wonder if you have the right to do this, take that time just for you. It’s particularly difficult when you also face the disbelief of those nearest you.
But the truth is, once you get pass this notion that your writing should be a money making affair, the doubts evaporates. Why not write? Just because it makes you happy? Great if it sells! If not, it’s still a great time and it does keep you sane!
2) Currently listening to Drive by Incubus
3) Just finished Much Ado about You by Eloisa James. I think her Essex sister series is my favorite so far.
More seduction, more hero/heroine scenes… I’m learning.
4) I’m preparing a small workshop at Romance Diva with the Lolitas of Steamed! for next week.We’re just taking about Steampunk. What it is to each of us, then giving our favorite reading list. Should be fun!
And she tries and tries…
I don’t know when I stopped to be able to relax. Perhaps it happened once my world got smaller and smaller until the only time I can call my own is when I sleep and I don’t get that much of that either.
I used to be good at taking care of myself. Meditation first thing in the morning, then work, adding to that the kids when they were born. A workout at the end of the day, a good book to fall asleep. Movies and long walks in the week-end. There was always something that could help me unwind.
Now it seems, whenever I have a few minutes to myself, I just can’t let go. Who knows why, but there isn’t even a book that will soothe me.
There seems to be a time for everything and perhaps this is a phase in my life to be on edge and a little angsty, perhaps I need a long stretch of down time to finally feel stress free. Who knows?
It’s not bad, I do get a lot done but I do feel a little disconnected from myself. This too shall pass…
The proposal for Ancient Secrets is almost done. I’m really liking it. And today I decided that “The Gravity of Love” by Enigma makes a good playlist song for the steampunk.
Inspiration: Nine Inch Nails – The Great Destroyer [Remix]
My current inspiration for Ancient Secrets
Abney Park- Airship Pirate Video
I’ve been listening to a lot of Abney Park since I saw them last week-end at Steamcon. Music is always my primary way of getting inspired for a new story and I am getting tons of awesome ideas these days!
Here is the video of their song Airship Pirates.
M-C at Steamcon: Saturday and Sunday
with writers and GSRWA members Deborah Schneider and Elizabeth Darvill (coursety of ChadWick Ayers).
So here I am, barely awake after a great week-end at Steamcon. I have lots to share (journal). Bought a few neat things, saw some great art and craft work.
My imagination was fueled by many the many costumes I saw and was also challenged by two panel I attended which included authors Tim Powers and Cherie Priest. I’ll write more about that on a day that I am a little less tired!
Abney Park
Abney Park in concert was awesome and Iwould love to see them again. Love all the different influences they add to their music such as oriental flavors and even sea shanties type lyrics and voice. They remind me a little of my favorite and now defunct Canadian band Uisce Beatha.
So off to bed now my mind swirling with images of brass goggles, corsets and bustles, top hats and tiny small glasses, clockworks and small engines!
Will talk Steampunk fiction and research tomorrow at Musetracks!
