By Marlin Spiker, 4th of September, 2024
During the winter months of 2019 and into the darkeness of 2020, we lit a flame. We had no idea whether the flame would spread. But we struck the match and left it to the universe to decide whether the flame should endure.
Today, there are many Gatherings of the Gothic Alliance, some in far corners of globe from where I write these words now. Many correspond with Dark Angel and, at our last meeting, she suggested that there are in excess of 30 Gatherings.
Recurring questions sent to her, however, concern The XIII Principles and what they have to say about the Internet and the scope for online meetings. Some groups complain that holding real Gatherings is too hard, and they want to know if it’s OK to hold them on Zoom. In some cases, they may present seemingly worthy excuses, such a person can’t make it, so we just made it a Zoom “gathering” (*). Others ask how The XIII Principles are going to be enforced, and who is going to do it?
Well, here’s the answer:
No one is going to enforce anything. The Gothic Alliance has no ruler. Certainly, neither Dark Angel nor I have any inclination of telling people what they can or cannot do.
We don’t have to!
Firstly, online “gatherings” are fake and everyone will know it over time. Many Gatherings now print out The XIII Principles for everyone to read and we would encourage others to do so.
Secondly, online “gatherings” will not endure. Why? Because they will prove no different to everything else online. Over time, online “gatherings” will seem pointless because they are, and will die out.
Have you every wondered why gold is valuable?
Gold itself has few practical uses and you can’t eat it. So where’s its intrinsic value?
The answer lies in the very fact that gold is impossible to fake. For thousands of years, dreams of avarice have led many to attempt to turn worthless materials into gold, but always the result of their alchemy has been nought. While it is possible to dig more gold out of the ground, that takes effort and value of gold reflects that.
In short, those things which are ‘easy’ are worthless, or quickly become so. Those things which are treasured are ‘hard’ precisely because of that reason.
The Gothic Alliance, however, is not some anti-Internet movement. Electronic communication itself is certainly not going away anytime soon. On the use of the Internet, The Principles are very clear and state the following:
3. The primary purpose of a Gathering is to provide a social fabric for its members and a way for kindred souls to find each other. Although the Internet (or the technological media of the day) may be used as a way of organising Gatherings, synthetic social media is to be no substitute for real life. The purpose of a Gathering must always be to gather in the flesh rather than to be remote on social media. Within The Gothic Alliance, actual reality is to be preferred over virtual reality.
So it is fine to announce a Gathering online, provided the online platform is never used to host the “gathering” itself. Since online things are “easy”, such announcements may be lost in the ocean of digital detritus. Therefore, the Caller of a Gathering may also experiment with other ways to announce a Gathering in the real world, such as word of mouth, physical print and business cards left in suitable locations.
Finally, many of the concepts expressed in The XIII Principles have historical precedent which have endured. Let it be clear that what Dark Angel and I did was to take something that already worked and adapt the idea for The Gothic Alliance. While I’m not going to explain here where they originate, it is not intended to be some secret and, indeed, elements of The Principles may seem familiar to a few readers.
The point is, however, you can be certain that The XIII Principles work!
Things of value, which cannot be faked, endure.
(*) If it is impossible for an individual to attend a Gathering, the answer is either: 1. For them to Call their own Gathering if the problem is one of distance or, 2. To locate a Gathering at their home if it is one of mobility. It only takes two people to form a Gathering.
By Dark Angel, 15th of September, 2023
I can't remember when I first knew that these stones had come from the Preseli Hills in South Wales, not far from where my father was born. It may have been from some writings, a documentary, a talk or, perhaps, a conversation, but the knowledge intrigued me... where and what was the source of this wondrous stone?
It prompted a quest... my husband planned the trip to finally stand before the cliff from where the stones were quarried. Through market towns and along open roads... we travelled through remote countryside, leaving small villages and hamlets behind. After many a winding road, we finally forged a shallow river to the site!
The cliff rose above the landscape, then disappeared into a steep hill cloaked in vegetation. It was beautiful, silent and solemn — a truly magical sight. For on the ground before the outcrop lay a huge stone, quarried but never moved. I could only wonder at the task of working these monuments, and the reason why this one had never reached it's destination.
Touching the blue stone and trying to imagine those who worked at this cliff... the questions... who first saw this stone? What minds decided to quarry the rock and take it to Stonehenge? Who organised the necessary workforce?
And, of course, how were the great stones moved?
Embracing the outcrop, I tried to connect with the age whose beliefs and resolve initiated the huge task of cutting, moving and erecting the stones so far from where they were cut, and the labour and sacrifice necessary to achieve such a goal.
The stone was warm in the early afternoon sun, and the scent of the domain of the Green Man on the rock face.
I felt humbled by their beauty, majesty and their place in history.
They elevated me above the petty irritations of everyday life, and made me realise what a great honour it was for me to stand before them in my lifetime.
Truly magical.
Thank you to my husband for making it possible.
By Dark Angel, 2nd of July, 2023
I have a huge female poplar outside my gate, on private land behind some shops. It has been there for certainly over 60 years. Originally there were two, but one fell down in the 1980s.
They were originally in the garden which marked a gateway of some large houses which were demolished in 1960s to build shops and flats. The tree has been neglected over the years and I think it may need some attention.
Sadly, this beautiful under threat, and not popular with the shopkeepers and some residents... but I love it!
It has just started to shed the white fluffy seed, which is one of the reasons it's unpopular. The other reasons are perceived dangers of falling branches, leaves in autumn and sap on cars parked beneath.
I personally have cleared leaves etc. in the hope residents and businesses become more tolerant because this tree may be rare and precious.
By Dark Angel, 21st of June, 2023
How it crept upon us! After months of feeling cold, fires burning, blankets and dark mornings, and suddenly... it was upon us!
Slowly the days had lengthened, fewer nights lighting fires and shivering evenings... then suddenly nature burst through and like our ancestors experienced, life became easier.
I spent the day into the late evening with nature, appreciating the fact that I was here to celebrate another summer, and thankful to be amongst the blossoming beauty and to feel the hope and miracle that was unfolding.
I have no idea where the majestic foxgloves came from... a gift from nature perhaps after our catastrophic losses of the winter?
The little frog statue, placed where we buried our little inhabitants, festooned with beautiful foliage.
The grape vine heavy with grapes, the pumpkins begin their life's journey. Apples adorn the tree, and the little cherry tree, bought as just a stick, produces its first fruit.
Strawberries, peppers, beans, gherkins, beetroot, and parsnips... our new wildlife pond brimming with water cress, and "kats" potatoes awaiting harvest.
Even in the most miserable unlikely backwaters of our habitats, nature shows us its presence.
My garden a woodland, the magestic tree, its trunk maybe a hundred years old, sees another solstice.
The green man smiles, and all is well.
Written in stone and carried by fire
