Well recently I saw on TV the movie ''The Da Vinci Code'' an adaptation of Dan's Brown book. I know that it has passed a lot of time since it was written but that's not the point! Somewhere in the movie the ''Malleus Maleficarum'' came up! I was thrilled and really keen on it! So I decided to search a little bit more about it and I discovered that it was nothing more than ''The Witches Hammer''! I love everything about Middle Age and every medieval clothes, fashion or books. The whole witch thing, in my opinion, is really interesting and fascinating if you look through it. In order to let you know more I suggest reading the following:

• The Malleus Maleficarum (Latin for "The Hammer of Witches", or "Der Hexenhammer" in German) is a famous treatise on witches, written in 1486 by Heinrich Kramer, an Inquisitor of the Catholic Church, and was first published in Germany in 1487.
• The Malleus Maleficarum asserts that three elements are necessary for witchcraft: the evil-intentioned witch, the help of the Devil, and the Permission of God. The treatise is divided up into three sections. The first section tries to refute critics who deny the reality of witchcraft, thereby hindering its prosecution. The second section describes the actual forms of witchcraft and its remedies. The third section is to assist judges confronting and combating witchcraft. However, each of these three sections has the prevailing themes of what is witchcraft and who is a witch. The Malleus Maleficarum can hardly be called an original text, for it heavily relies upon earlier works such as Visconti and, most famously, Johannes Nider's Formicarius (1435).
• Because the work deals with women as witches, some believe and claim that the Malleus Maleficarum is a work of misogyny. The treatise describes how women become inclined for witchcraft, claiming they were susceptible to demonic temptations through their manifold weaknesses. It was believed that they were weaker in faith and were more carnal than men. Michael Bailey claims that most of the women accused as witches had strong personalities and were known to defy convention by overstepping the lines of proper female decorum.

I don't want you to get bored so I'll just stop! If you want to know more take a look at the labels. I have put also a list of the executed people for witchcraft! Take a look I was thrilled O.O

No SS? No problem.

Now many newbies (not noobs) that I met have said that they can't afford the Superstar subscription and they complain that they can't get the "good" kinds of clothes without being one. Since I was a member of Stardoll for nearly 4 years, I've learned that you have to be EXTRA crafty to be a dark fashionista without being SS.

Don't forget that ALL of the items seen in the picture is Non-SS.

Be unique.

*~Mystic~*

Christmas

Shops are decorated with trees full of gold and red balls, people are searching for presents and a fat man dressed in red, ringing a bell, says ''Ho-Ho-Ho''. I don't know about you but for me Christmas is an important celebration. Not only because I'm an orthodox Christian but also because it has something magical in the air. However let's talk a little bit about Stardoll that released the same old stuff as last year with only exception the golden tree, which last year was for FREE, now it's for sale for 60$! Insane!

Check them out:

Are you ready for Christmas in real life? In Stardoll? Do you celebrate Christmas? Too much questions? :P

Whitby!!

The last post reminded me of something, I have to tell you guys about Whitby!

Well, over Halloween, I was having the time of my life at Whitby Gothic Weekend. It really is one of those 'you have to see it to believe it' kind of things. It really was surreal to see so many goths in one place. Whitby is one of those old Victorian towns with narrow cobbled streets, and there was one high street where you couldn't move for petticoats and wigs; it was so crowded it took us about ten minutes to make what should have been a two minute journey.

And now for some picture spam ;D

They did a Victorian funeral procession in the abbey, with horses, and an old-fashioned hearse and everything.

And I just wanted to add this one, because it's epically creepy. We had to look at these babies for ages before we realized they weren't real. I really hope they weren't real.

And finally, this is me with my friend Katie, who I love so much for coming with me. (I'm on the left)

Whitby is such an amazing experience for anyone, goth or not. And if you are goth, even better, you'll love it! If you can make it, I really recommend that you go. There's loads of markets, different events, and you WILL be asked to have your photo taken!

~Mess

Goth Stereotypes Part 2

As you have probably guessed this is the second part of the stereotypes I wrote a few days ago.Were you looking forward to it? Hope some of you have read them! Here we go then:

12) It all began when the Goths started growing up and having to find jobs. They wanted to work in an office (you need a good income to afford all those clothes and CDs after all), but they still wanted to retain their “gothyness.” The result? The creation of “Corporate” or “Corp” Goth. These Goths attempt to find a balance between clothes that are “Goth,” and clothes that conform to the dress code at work.

13) One of the biggest influences on Gothic fashion has been the imagery in Gothic literature and their movie counterparts, particular that of Victorian writers such as Edgar Allen Poe and Bram Stoker. Victorian fashions like corsets, lace, frock coats and pale skin are popular throughout the scene, but maybe none wear them with as much style as the Victorian Goth. This category is my my favorite but I don't want to have an influence on your judge!

14) “Gothic” is normally used to refer to castles, cathedrals and other such ancient masonry, hence the prominence of Goths who have a particular interest in all things medieval. Dressing in garb (loosely) based on that of the medieval period, you may find these Goths at Renaissance Fairs or re-enactment society events. Of course, their dress and activities do not have to necessarily be strictly “Medieval:” blending with Tudor or Celtic elements seems perfectly fine too.

15) Where Metalheads fit in the Gothic spectrum is an incredibly complicated issue, and a controversial one. On the one hand, many Goths (and Metalheads) point out that the two subcultures are separate entities, having different origins and music tastes, and other disparities in clothing and habits, and that the common confusion between the two is merely the fault of an uninformed public.

16) Although the term “Emo” has been around for over a decade or so to describe a particular genre of Punk, it has recently become a buzzword of the 21st century to describe the features of the contemporary youth fashion movement. Visually a hodgepodge of many different styles including Punk, Retro, a touch of urban Japanese and Goth, it was inevitable that Emo would start demonstrating crossovers with Goth at some point. In my opinion this category is useless! Goths are not emos! I find it insulting in some way!

17) Pale, brooding, adverse to sunlight and attracted to strange period clothing. It’s no wonder that Goths became so strongly associated with vampires as early on as Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” Naturally, there are Goths out there who take their love of vampires one step further. They’re the ones who might don black capes and sunglasses when they go out during the day, join “vampire societies,” and whose bookshelves are filled with Anne Rice and White Wolf rule books. They’ve watched all the Dracula movies out there and are planning on visiting Romania next summer (failing that, Whitby). And they’re very partial to red wine, but not so keen on garlic.

18) Essentially, all Goths are Geeks. After all, how can one devote so much time into dressing up, reading old literature and collecting obscure music without being somewhat Geeky? You will hence find typical Geek traits in all Goths, but some will be more Geeky than others.

19) What do you get if you mix Elvis Presley, The Cramps, a bunch of old horror movies and a splash of lounge?  Bizarrely, you get Gothabilly - a rare and exotic breed of Goth with rather eclectic tastes in both music and wardrobe.

20)

The sexy, extravagant world of cabaret and burlesque is a natural partner for Goth; indeed, corsets, garters and black suits have been a Goth staple for many years. Hence, the birth of “Dark Cabaret” was perhaps a natural inevitability.

The look, feel and sound of Cabaret Goth is typified by the Dresden Dolls, although there are many other bands and artists who have toyed with burlesque imagery and music: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Voltaire, Sex Gang Children and the infamous Tiger Lillies, to name but a few. Even “goth” metal artist Marylin Manson has flirted with burlesque (quite literally, if we count Dita Von Teese).

21) The antiquated, refined elegance of Victorian Goth and the rough, edgy futurism of Rivetheads may seem a completely incompatible combination. But, thanks to a particular genre of fantasy, the two have been successfully wedded to create the Steampunk Goth.

Steampunk is, in essence, science fiction that takes place the low-tech setting of the past (very often the Victorian era). In Steampunk, you may find steam-powered robots, clockwork computers and complex contraptions made from wood, brass and wheels.

22) There are Goths who like vampires, Goths who like zombies, and then there are Goths who are drawn to the mysterious world of the faerie. Blending elements of Romantic and Hippy goth together with a dusting of New Romantic, the Faerie Goth style conjures images of fantasy and folktale. Just add wings and glitter for a final touch.

23) In the past, “Tribal” Goth was a vague, rarely used label for Goths who flirted with primitivism - bone jewellery, dreadlocks, beads, braids, heavy body modification and anything else “ethnic.” In a way, this Goth is perhaps closest to the original Goths - the Visigoth tribe - from which we get the scene name. However, in recent years, “Tribal” Goth more often refers to a highly specialised and distinctive Goth type - the Gothic Bellydancer.

Well, these were the categories. Some of them are amazing and some of them are just irritating and boring! Hope you can find yourself somewhere!

                                            ~The End~

Sunny Bunny

I must admit, I'm quite impressed with Sunny Bunny.

First off, a good proportion of it isn't superstar. Which is always a good thing. I'm not one of the people that don't think anything should be superstar, because then obviously no one would pay for it, and Stardoll would die a horrible death. But I think Sunny Bunny has a happy medium. For example, you don't have to be superstar to get any of this... (except make up, of course)

There's a good array of hair accessories and nice-looking piercings, plus the occasional bit of quirky jewellery and a profusion of bows. Deep down, everyone who's dark and heavy loves bows.

Of course, there's all the brightly-coloured hair clips and mad-looking bunny hats, which is a pretty good look too.

All in all, Sunny Bunny = Not too bad, decent stuff, and not totally money grabbing ^__^

~Mess

Goth Stereotypes Part 1

Since this blog is all about Goth and ''dark'' people I thought it would be great to let you know some kinds of Goth that exists and decide on which side you are! Here we go:

1) The Original Goth. Whether they were actually around in the 80s or not, the Trad Goth most values the traditional scene from its earliest days, when it began to evolve from Punk. Trad Goths venerate those original Goth bands - Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Birthday Party, The Sisters of Mercy and anything played in the infamous Batcave club. Other influential bands (e.g. The Velvet Underground) may also be revered as minor deities.

2) While TradGoths tend to be all about the 80s music scene, Romantic Goths (or "RomantiGoths") focus on the dark, sensual and mysterious world of Gothic created by Victorian literature and subsequent movies. In other words they’re probably more “Gothic” than “Goth,” if that makes sense. Identifying features are velvet and lace, flowy clothes (often Victorian or Medieval inspired), and a love of poetry and literature.

3) Cyber Goths are truly the antithesis of all that is Goth. They like bright neon colours, worship futurism and technology, and listen to dance music that is as different from Gothic Rock as possible.

So why are they called Goths at all? It could be because the music scene gradually evolved from Industrial, Goth’s experimental electronic cousin. It could be that the lyrics of their preferred music genre (Electronic Body Music, or EBM, eg. VNV Nation) are generally too deep and too depressing for other dance fans. It could be because they have weird hair.

4)Kinkyness has been a part of the Goth movement from the beginning since the first Goth musicians like Bauhaus started wearing chains, leather, fishnet and strappy bondage gear on stage.  Today the image (and lifestyle) remains popular, with modern Fetish Goths having an even wider range of sexy bondage-related clothes available to choose from.  Tattoos, piercings and other forms of body modification are also popular among this type.  And they quite possibly all have a set of handcuffs, mask/gag and some sort of spanking implement in their bedside table.

5) In the world of Goth stereotypes, you get two sorts: those who think hippies are too optimistic for their own good, and those who are hippies. A relatively abundant species, stereotypical Hippie Goths are nature-loving, follow Paganism and/or Wicca and/or misc. New Age religions, and are into candles, crystals, incense, Tarot, and anything else that can be found at the local New Age shop. The only major difference between hippies and Hippie Goths is the prevalence of black and occult symbols.

6) Japanese “Goth” should probably not be called “Goth” at all. Although the fashions sported by the alternative crowd in Harajuku (Tokyo’s equivalent of Camden) were largely inspired by the Western Goth movement, J-Goths tend to enter this subculture via different roots: either anime “cosplay” (dressing up as your favourite anime character) or through Japan’s own alternative music scene: Visual Kei, often thought to be started by the Japanese rock band X-Japan.

7) Rivet Heads, or Industrial Goths, often do not consider themselves “Goths,” although their preferred music and fashion can be found in the same shops and they’ll happily go to Goth clubs. The scene all started with the band Throbbing Gristle forming their own label, Industrial Records, for a new genre of extremely weird experimental electronic music. For some Rivet Heads, this is the only “real” Industrial music - bands like SPK and The Leather Nun which spawned from this scene of the early 80s.

8) More of a general attitude than a true type, Perky Goths know how to have a good time. Abandoning the dark and gloomy Gothic stereotype, these Goths are cheerful, friendly and often bouncy to the point of hyperactive. They see the gothic lifestyle primarily as a way to have fun.

9) The most common Goth stereotype held by non-Goths, the Mopey Goths are the ones who take the whole “dark and gloomy” aspect of Goth far too seriously. They feel that to be Goth, one must never appear to be remotely happy. They will most often be found at home in their rooms, writing angsty poetry or diaries of their doom and gloom, or else lurking in shadowy corners of clubs, waiting for someone to come and try to talk to them (so they can tell them that they’d rather be alone).As for music, anything goes provided that it is as dark and as torture-ridden as their souls. They’re also the type who will most likely wear the most black, and will most likely paint their room black (and possibly the lightbulbs, too).

10) These creatures are regarded by some as the “missing link” between Punk and Goth, hence their extremely similar appearance and musical tastes to the Trad Goths. However, while the Trad Goths tend to believe that Goth is dead, the Deathrockers see that Goth is still alive and twitching, in a suitably zombified form.

11)  Spooky kids, Kindergoths, Mansonites, Mallgoths...these pre-teen or early-teen types are known by many names, most of which are derogatory. They are often regarded with scorn and contempt by older members of the Goth community. Their crimes? Generally, not being old enough to remember the 80s, not being rich enough to afford a “proper Goth” wardrobe, and not being wise enough to know the “right” music to listen to or the “right” amount of make-up to wear.

This people was the first part! If you're noone of these then you should wait until the part 2 to find out more...