“A chance to sit quietly and find out who you are; where you’ve been and where you’re going.”
-Ira Levin, Rosemary’s Baby
{published in 1967}
I called this an interlude because of its sauntering sweet nature between the high stakes and drama that is”Rosemary’s Baby”.
Polanski’s iconic film had many claiming he had beckoned the murder of his glamorous superstar wife, Sharon Tate just months following the film’s release, with this chilling tale of a wife sold to a coven of witches to give birth to the child of Satan!
The myth of the curse on the film was further perpetuated when John Lennon was murdered just outside the historic and now notorious Dakota building (below) just across the street from Central Park in New York City.
in·ter·lude
noun \ˈin-tər-ˌlüd\
3. a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service
So enjoy this brief interlude, and sail away with this new vintage classic. . .
We have quite the tale in store for you today at The Eye of Faith. . .
This one is taken from the darkest depths of our imagination and tells the hidden tales of a quaint small town, not too far from where you sit. It could be any small town, but this one is brimming with mystery, and dare I say, perhaps even evil!
Things started out innocent enough, but there are certain places on this Earth where malevolent energies cluster and stay for many thousands of years. It is in the quiet of the country, far from the claws and chains of the city, that have provided families and individuals with the peace, calm, and safety they desire.
But often times, it is the unsettling chill of calm that can provide the most fright….
Even in a town where everyone knows your name, you never know the myths and legends being made behind closed doors or the grim memories lost deep beyond the trees at night. This one is all about wayward youth, rebellion, seduction, secrets, mysteries, beauty, and strength.
Please enjoy our Small Town Dreams & Nightmares . . .
With shows like CW’s “RIVERDALE” capturing our imagination, and a new season of “TWIN PEAKS” in our midst- it goes to show that while the big city is full of brights lights and noise, sometimes its our thirst for nostalgia, the whispers in the trees, and our love of mystery that truly excites our bones!
To our vintage dreams, and to our vintage nightmares – this one is to a town not yet forgotten. Keep the mystery close, for you never know what clues you may stumble upon. For all you know, they might still need your help.
EXCITING THINGS ABOUND FOR THE E.O.F. {SO STAY TUNED}
Poor little hysterical witch! In the middle ages you were in conflict with the church. Now it is with the law.
Title Card: “Häxan (1922)”
We really ought to be saving this one for our own private inspiration board, but a higher wisdom has urged us to share. We swear!
This sinisterly beautiful Style {WISE} is from the archives of cinema history. Back to the days of the silent film, where the power of imagery ruled supreme.
The film is the 1922 Pseudo Documentary Art-House Horror Silent Classic, Häxan (pronounced “hek-sen”). Imaginations soared through creative interpretations of alleged real-life events right up through to the early twentieth century. The Swedish Film was directed, written, and starring Benjamin Christensen as the Devil himself.
Ultimately comparing the hysteria of contemporary (1921) women with the behaviour of the witches in the Middle Ages; the film concludes that they are very similar. Hey, we never said a peep! {click here for more}
Title Card: Centuries have passed and the Almighty of medieval times no longer sits in his tenth sphere.
Title Card: We no longer sit in church staring terrified at the frescoes of the devils.
Title Card: The witch no longer flies away on her broom over the rooftops.
Title Card: But isn’t superstition still rampant among us?
Title Card: Is there an obvious difference between the sorceress and her customer then and now?
Title Card: We no longer burn our old and poor. But do they not often suffer bitterly?
Title Card: And the little woman, whom we call hysterical, alone and unhappy, isn’t she still a riddle for us?
Title Card: Nowadays we detain the unhappy in a mental institution or – if she is wealthy – in a modern clinic.
Title Card: And then we will console ourselves with the notion that the mildly temperate shower of the clinic has replaced the barbaric methods of medieval times.
What’s most fascinating is the way they amp up the already iconic images we have in our mind when we turn our thoughts to the idea of witchcraft, the frenzy of the medieval times, and the rugged decay of the Medieval Times. All these elements are intensified and, almost glamourized, for the silver screen in a way only the 1920s could make happen.
Wouldn’t it be great to see more powerful imagery like this come to the forefront today, while still staying beautiful ? Perhaps some of you beauties will find some inspiration to take with you after your visit here with The Eye of Faith.
Häxan: Witchcraft through the ages, is a true experience for the eyes and ears, with music beautifully composed by Emil Reesen.
Seemingly a silent horror sensation, but truly a documentation of modern man.
So much faith is thrown into the blind eyes of God, as fellow man takes judgement and punishment upon himself.
Just a little something-something to get those juices flowing!
You can see sometimes in the eyes of this strange boy; a burning fire that piercing your soul. Even past the screen, beneath the surface of every photograph of him, there is a brilliant mystery still waiting to be discovered and the very depth of the man named River Phoenix.
He was the most beautiful child you’ve ever seen, like a little Elvis.
-Iris Burton, River’s manager
It’s more the history of these awards that is so special to me . . .
His acting was top notch, and before the age of …. he found himself nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor with dozens of offers at his feet thereafter.
Fame was of little consequence to him, though, and instead he sought a life of refuge from the hustle and bustle of the business. The industry was not the priority, and from his very core, River was an undeniable artist who not only excelled in the art of acting, but was also an accomplished musician, humanitarian, environmentalist and animal rights activist.
You’ll never find him fur or leather as he was the original vegan style star- before it was in vogue or a trend. He had a soft and sensitive heart for world issues, the future of our planet, and most especially the well-being of animals.
While we think of the 80s for all its excesses, River appears the total antithesis to this vision of America. Even with his popularity and success, River defied typical Hollywood standards through what he wore; appearing at major red carpet events sometimes in only a graphic T-shirt, or a cool graphic sweater.
Plaid shirts, graphic sweaters, denim jackets, patterned shirts, and over-sized blazers were a staple for the young star, whose quirky style seems right in tuned with the vibe of the street today. And yet we probably never even realized that River Phoenix made his mark over twenty years ago in the same garbs we rock today.
Perhaps this was indicative of his adventurous heart, the way he dressed. A co-star in probably his most accomplished and enigmatic acting effort, My Own Private Idaho, Jimmy Reardon described a moment the two shared together shortly after filming the 90s art-house flick about a narcoleptic male hustler decked out in pure grunge glory:
One time we were up in the mountains, and the clouds came right up to the top of the mountain. River grabbed (my) arm and said, “We’re going to run and jump into these clouds and our whole past lives will dissolve, and everything will be new from then on. Hold on.” And we did that…it was incredible, and we landed on this soft iceberg kind of ground covering. But we jumped through clouds, literally.
It’s hard to imagine a star today who could even imagine being as fearless, but that’s just how River really was. Fearless.
Born River Jude Bottom, River grew up in a religious cult in South America known as the Children of God. He was named River after the river of life in Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha, and Jude from the Beatle’s song. When their parents found that they were being embezzled by the cult and its leaders, they uprooted their children and moved to California where River was soon getting noticed for his movie star good looks, even as a boy.
He quickly began to take interest in acting and modelling, and it wasn’t long before his career took off. No one could deny the boy. He had a special edge that he never let go of until the very end.
Edward Lachman, superior director of photography for ‘Dogfight’ said:
When I first met River, he had very long hair and he struck me- as he came out of an elevator-as an angel, some kind of supernatural being. An angel could be Gabriel, but an angel could be Lucifer too. He could as readily delve in to the deep dark recesses as he would fly up to the lofty, illuminated (places).
There is no doubting his talents, but there’s also no doubting the foolishness of getting involved with people who do not have your best intentions in mind. River was the unfortunate victim to a brainless party mentality that is ever prevalent in our society. Was it really worth it in the end?
I don’t want to die in a car accident. When I die it’ll be a glorious day. It’ll probably be a waterfall.
-River Phoenix
This year the world was shocked by the death of another young star who kicked the bucket at the expense of his family, friends, fame, and fortune – Cory Monteith, who died of an overdose much the same way River did. Heroine and alcohol. The same toxic cocktail that took the life of many more before them including Amy Winehouse, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin.
It’s sad, so very sad, because these stars possessed such a zest for life and original spirit that didn’t need to compensate with heavy drugs and alcohol to make life interesting. They could have been resigned to just be themselves, and love every second of that.
This is why our advice at The Eye of Faith has always and will forever be to be yourself. Your truest self, beyond the effects of drugs and alcohol, you can have the most exciting and amazing life. You try to tread the line between reality and dream, and you can do this easily with the power of style and conjuring your idols to give you an extra boost away from the common day to day.
“You would have thought we was ninety and had died in his sleep. The people who were saying this felt tremendous guilt that they had contributed to his death.
He’s already being made into a martyr. He’s become a metaphor for a fallen angel, a Messiah. But he wasn’t. He was just a boy, a very good hearted boy who was very $%##$% up and had no idea how to implement his good intentions. I don’t want to be comforted by his death. I think it’s right that I’m angry about it, angry at the people who helped him stay sick, and angry at River.”
-Martha Plimpton on River’s death.
We recommend this state of mind for all days and occasions, to keep you safe and elevated beyond the strife of the street.
Most people don’t know, but River was also a talented musician in a band called “Aleka’s Attic”. Here’s one of his songs to send you off with. Hope I gave us all something to think about, and some wicked new vintage inspiration for the road!
Getting ready for school or work, you might have noticed that day by day you are submitting to any number of rituals. Whether it’s washing your face or prepping for your day at the mirror, all these little things add up to make the recipe for the spell that will hopefully get you through the day. . .
This is a tradition as old as time itself. It seems so simple at first, almost unnoticeable if you haven’t thought about it, but our daily routines and the simple act of getting ready for the day is as powerful as any incantation.
Focus is key, as you don’t want to invoke the wrong spirit for the day. But if you are able to summon from deep within that one spirit that can transform you, and in turn, how you are perceived by the world, then you have a real chance of winning. But, making that metamorphosis is something only a genuine and true individual can truly take on.
For centuries, hundreds, maybe thousands, of secret societies have existed looking to possess the power of these sacred secret spirits. From the mysteries of Egypt and Ancient Greece, to Yeats’ and Crowley’s “Golden Dawn”, to the secret dormitories of the Ivy League, members of certain sacred orders have endured through the ages and kept alive this powerful knowledge.
The most powerful spirit they hope to set free is that of the ‘Rebel‘. The most courageous and strong of any being. The ‘Rebel’ is fearless and has been able to survive with its’ strong will, determination, and unwillingness to submit to anyone, or anything.
“The mystery religions were instituted in order to protect the marvels of the commonplace from those who would devalue them.”
{Peter Redgrove, “The Black Goddess and the Unseen Real”.}
Long ago, high up in the sky a rebel band of Angels existed, unhappy with their destiny. Instead of sitting pretty playing harps and twirling their fingers through their hair, they followed their leader, the bold Lucifer, and leaped down from the sky and into the river Styx where they still reside to this day, invulnerable to the world, and ready to play as they please . . .
Invoking the rebel spirit is one of the things we do best here at The Eye, and possessing oneself with the invulnerability of the River Styx will without a doubt work in your favor, no matter the circumstance. Who wants to be vulnerable anyway? Instead, own your destiny, and write a place in history for yourself.
We have explored the history of these sacred orders and secret societies and have been entranced by this tradition of rebellion. The deeper you begin to look, the deeper you can understand that we are in fact living in a {Rebel Society}.
+THE SACRED ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DAWN+ is about the invocation of this ‘Rebel’ Spirit, and the traditions of spreading this magical word, and the power imparted onto the individual, once freed from a life of waiting. The answers are all around us, and only the chosen shall see them.
There is a warning, however, in summoning the ‘Rebel’ to pervade the soul: always remember that the ‘Rebel’ spirit doesn’t work for anyone, and once summoned, there is no guarantees how long they might want to stay, or the darkness they might uncover once you are shown the light.
Do you think you have what it takes to invoke the ‘Rebel’ spirit? If so, take a ride with The Eye of Faith and lets aim for Styx!
Maleficent has always been a character that has captured our imagination. Since childhood, the prima donna of Disney villains seemed to strike a creepy chord in a way that no other cartoon evil could.
It could have been her sultry voice provided by the insatiably listenable Eleanor Audley (check her out in all her non-animated glory below), or perhaps it’s the sheer imagery of that everlastingly long black cloak with those crazy twisted ram horns that make her the epitome of devilish delight to our child-like eyes.
Whatever it may be, there’s no denying the staying power of she. It’s been 55 years since Disney first released its vivid version of Sleeping Beauty based off of Charles Perrault’s La Belle Au Bois Dormant, and the Grimms Brothers’ Little Briar Rose, and in the spirit of regeneration the {past} has made its way to the {present} yet again in a epic retelling of the story as seen through the eyes of the maniacal maven herself. . .
It’s a name that will be on everybody’s lips in a few short months with an early release in France & Italy on the 28th of May, and the rest of the world, including the US on the 30th. It’s months away, but we can’t stop drooling over the new trailers which are feast for the senses in themselves, showcasing Elle Fanning’s angelic beauty as the Princess Aurora, and the Queen herself, Angelina Jolie taking the screen as the iconic villainess.
It’s bound to be a huge hit, and much praise shall be given to the cast and crew for creating this movie magic marvel. . . there’s no doubting it. Plus, how can you go wrong with Angelina Jolie leading the whole thing?
What strikes me most is that the film being told through the point of view of Maleficent will no doubt shed some light on why she decided to become so damn mean. I think I kind of get it – I mean, she was totally shafted from attending Aurora’s birthday party. That IS pretty rude, don’t you think? I guess we will just have to wait for all the insight . . .
In the meantime, you will find us getting drunk on another amalgamation of the {past}, {present}, and {future} with Lana Del Rey’s sweeping take on 1959’s Sleeping Beauty’s original love theme “Once Upon a Dream” based off a theme from Tchaikovsky’s 1890 ballet. With the cooing of her Monroe-esque voice, there was no one more perfect to elevate this classic to a place that resonates today, and beyond . . .
Listen to it below!
Don’t you love that feeling? Of having dreamt the moment before it happens . . .
I get that feeling a lot these days.
I guess that’s what you get for having that Eye of Faith.
Love predicting the {future}. Love keeping you posted.
We have quite the tale in store for you today at The Eye of Faith. This one is taken from the darkest depths of our imagination and tells the hidden tales of a quaint small town, not too far from where you sit. It could be any small town, but this one is brimming with mystery, and dare I say, perhaps even evil!
Things started out innocent enough, but there are certain places on this Earth where malevolent energies cluster and stay for many thousands of years. It is in the quiet of the country, far from the claws and chains of the city, that have provided families and individuals with the peace and calm they desire. But often times, it is the unsettling chill of calm that can provide the most fright.
Even in a town where everyone knows your name, you never know the myths and legends being made behind closed doors or the grim memories lost deep beyond the trees at night. This one is all about wayward youth, rebellion, seduction, secrets, mysteries, beauty, and strength.
To our vintage dreams, and to our vintage nightmares – this one is to a town not yet forgotten. Keep the mystery close, for you never know what clues you may stumble upon. For all you know, they might still need your help.
+
Check out our {SHOP} for goodies to bring home and own forever! Also, many great gifts abound . . .
So, as you know, we are obsessed with vintage, but we all have our wishes, and if we weren’t without a budget we’d splurge on any number of these amazing treasures! Some are vintage, some are new, some are totally unattainable, but one can still wish. . .
I think it reveals a bit of my style mood, as of late.
