WYRD #5

TITLE - WYRD #5 

EDITED BY - WILL WRIGHT & CLAIRE WYLDHEART, VISIONARY ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR 

GENRE - MAGICK / SHAMANISM / MEDITATION / MAGICK / RUNES / OCCULT

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - UNITED KINGDOM 

A5/68 PAGES/FULL-COLOUR/PERFECT-BOUND

PRICE - £8.00 + SHIPPING FROM THE WYRD WEBSITE

Every new issue of "Wyrd" is always a welcome respite from mundane and often moribund life (and in this instance, a heatwave), and issue five is no exception. With an overarching theme of serpents and snakes, "Wyrd" #5 is the usual intense yet accessible mix of intelligent esoterica, deep spirituality and goodhearted fun. [Read my reviews of previous issues here.)

This issue's main articles include "Serpents & Dragons" by editor Will Wright, which expands on this essay in "Wyrd" #1 exploring the concept of the "World Tree" as cosmological map and metaphor for the human nervous system. The piece explores overcoming death anxiety and living in the moment, and is deeply profound, touching on Norse mythology and altered states of consciousness. The striking "dark creations" of folk-horror illustrator Elleanor "Inkapp" Steadman is showcased in her article "Embracing Esotericism", with beautifully reproduced examples of her vivid and nightmarish work. 

Paul Badger's earthy and evocative "Drumming" (Part 1) explores his use of ritualistic drumming, using both synthetic and leather (deer hide) drums. Ending on a tantalising cliff-hanger I'm really looking forward to the next part. In a more contemporary article, "I Am Piffy", the provocative and challenging art of Kim Piffy is showcased in eight of her paintings, mainly collages made from bits of fabric, doodles and writing. The work explores diverse themes such as the pandemic, our inner being and the fleeting hedonism of youth. This is very modern art but it has its roots in the spiritual.

As ever, there's another adventure for Mr. Punch & Friends, the group's number now swelled by new acquaintance Ernie, an ancient shaman archetype who embodies the spirit of the forests. (Named after Herne the Hunter, perhaps? He's got the horns for it.) This time, they enjoy the bluebells blooming in the spring forest and the renewal of nature. In the other regular feature, Wyrd Basics discusses mental health and the benefits of meditation in balance with conventional medical practices, and Claire Wyldheart's "Trance Visions" is another powerfully vivid journey into the secrets of the universe concerning the cosmic serpent, our own DNA and of the difference between the "snakes that crawl on their bellies" and those with wings...

"Wyrd" #5 continues the zine's trademark high production values with beautiful art and photographs throughout, especially in the Mr Punch section. The zine started strong and has maintained a high level of quality ever since, and needs to be high on your zine shopping list.