Do you know the myths surrounding the Lady of the Lake? Every culture has them, but she’s especially featured in the King Arthur/Merlin legends. She appears as a fairy-like enchantress in various myths,she is said to have various powers, and rule over a magical diminision that can only be accessed through a lake. Some say that she was named Vivian, and endowed the sword of the stone with its power. Some say that she killed Merlin, others that she was his one true love. Some say that she raised Lancelot from the dead, some say that she transported the dying King Arthur to Avalon. In all of these myths, the Lady of the Lake deals with magic, beauty, power, love, and longing.
You can read a brief overview here and of course there are tons and tons of books out there about the Lady of the Lake.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the themes in the Lady of the Lake recently. About beauty and power, my own and others; how to use it and what it means. Magic, if it exists (I think so and I think a lot of magic is tied to kindness), and how and when it shows up for us. Love and longing and other worlds. And even though it’s late summer and we’re headed into the fall, I’ve been thinking about renewal. After the year that was 2020 (and to be fair 2021), it’s not that I’m looking to turn everything upside down, but I am looking to be more intentional, more sure in my actions, more secure in my own beauty and power. Maybe that’s why I’ve been thinking about the Lady of the Lake recently. You could argue her story is not so much a “how to” (there’s a lot and a lot of layers to her story). BUT
What would it look like to use our beauty and power and magic and love and kindness to make a different world? I know it’s the stuff of myths and Lady of the Lake, but do you think we could?
This photo shoot happened almost on a lark. I’ve had this set- it’s a 1930s nightgown set but why would you hide it?- for a while, but knew that it needed a special setting. The lake is by a family member’s house and when I saw it, I knew I had to shoot here. By chance I had the set, and the rest is history. It was a humid morning, almost misty and it felt very Lady of the Lake to me.
Another advantageous happenstance? This Art Deco necklace that matched perfect was available to be loaned to me. This turban is from Masha Osoianu Design. You’ll be hearing about Masaha a lot here- I just love her creations and I can’t wait to share all about her and them with you!
In the meantime, I’ve linked some similar vintage sets for you below. Where would you wear them? And what are you using your magic for?
XO RA
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