Simply Bewitching
The Natural
Model: Eniko Mihalik
Photographer: Emma Summerton
Stylist: Charlotte Stockdale
Vogue Nippon (June 2009)
Model: Eniko Mihalik
Photographer: Emma Summerton
Stylist: Charlotte Stockdale
Vogue Nippon (June 2009)
Last night I watched the excellent film adaptation of The Crucible written by Miller himself. It was one which I had not seen in quite a while, and was thankfully better than I had remembered. As the narration unfolded my thoughts strayed into the realm of the historical basis of witchcraft and the fear of feminine sexuality.
There was in fact a time in Europe where many Germanic villages had but only a handful of women between them. Accusations of witchcraft were rife, and they were to be found wherever one could possibly even think to look. The Bible stated "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (ª), and the people were all too keen to abide.
It was believed that women had sold their souls to the Devil, and that their hyper-sexuality aimed to ensnare and ruin men. Of course femininity and sexuality have always seemed to go hand-in-hand, although only really in the minds of men. Yet the most interesting distinction for me, is that between sexuality and sensuality.
Sexuality tends to be blunt and direct in its approach. It tends to be of seeking to fulfil that preconceived social ideal that is most often uncomfortable and, if I may use the expression, tacky. However sensuality is by far the more elegant option. It is of understated sexuality, and the beautiful expression thereof. Sensuality will always be more appealing to me, simply because it feels so much more natural and instinctive. Indeed sensuality is what I find so fascinating about the editorial above, and I doubt that sexuality could have produced the same captivating charm.
(ª) Exodus 22:18 as written in the King James version. Although variations to the verse exist, the differences lie in the word witch being replaced by sorceress.
Currently playing: 23 - Jimmy Eat World
xxxx
There was in fact a time in Europe where many Germanic villages had but only a handful of women between them. Accusations of witchcraft were rife, and they were to be found wherever one could possibly even think to look. The Bible stated "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (ª), and the people were all too keen to abide.
It was believed that women had sold their souls to the Devil, and that their hyper-sexuality aimed to ensnare and ruin men. Of course femininity and sexuality have always seemed to go hand-in-hand, although only really in the minds of men. Yet the most interesting distinction for me, is that between sexuality and sensuality.
Sexuality tends to be blunt and direct in its approach. It tends to be of seeking to fulfil that preconceived social ideal that is most often uncomfortable and, if I may use the expression, tacky. However sensuality is by far the more elegant option. It is of understated sexuality, and the beautiful expression thereof. Sensuality will always be more appealing to me, simply because it feels so much more natural and instinctive. Indeed sensuality is what I find so fascinating about the editorial above, and I doubt that sexuality could have produced the same captivating charm.
(ª) Exodus 22:18 as written in the King James version. Although variations to the verse exist, the differences lie in the word witch being replaced by sorceress.
Currently playing: 23 - Jimmy Eat World
xxxx