Synopsis:
The notion of paganism as a wild and primitive force has exerted a huge influence on folk horror. In fiction, pagan rituals are often seen as primitive and barbarous, but also as an antidote to repression and conventionalism. What have these Wild Gods represented, and what do they represent now? How did these ideas find their way into modern Britain? From the cult of Pan in Edwardian England to 1970s Satanists, from Bacchanals in Buckinghamshire to the echo of voodoo drums in Cornwall, from ritual madness to sex magick. Amidst the idyllic English countryside, the Wild Gods awaken to threaten everything that is respectable.
Featuring words by Alan Moore, Katy Soar, Melissa Edmundson, Ruth Heholt, John Reppion, Anna Milon, and K. A. Laity. Artwork by Occult Party, Joe Gough, and Richard Wells.
My Thoughts:
This is my second review of a Hellebore zine, but don’t worry – I still have issues 3 & 4 in the wings, and you can check out my review of #1, The Sacrifice Issue here.
So, in keeping with the format of that original review, I’m going to discuss each separate article in the zine.
Wild Gods Awaken – Editorial
The zine opens with this editorial. It discusses how originally issue 2 was going to cover another topic entireley – it was going to be about fertility, divine ecstasy, and ritual madness (which also would have been cool). However, the topic of Wild Gods was made pertinent by current events. See, we are at a turning point as a world society right now – with the pandemic, and the mass unrest due to police and governmental violence and corruption. The Wild Gods embody rebellion, change, and progress at the cost of convention. They don’t brook this status quo bullshit. Basically, right now we need these Wild Gods – perhaps more than we ever have before.
The Great Pan in Albion – Katy Soar
This article gives a brief history of Pan’s worship from ancient Greece to modern times. There is discussion of the life, “death,” and resurrection of the god. It’s really fascinating stuff, the resurgence of Pan worship!
Gallery: Pagan Follies
Decorative buildings, or follies were popular in the 18th century. This gallery collects some of the more interesting and subversive of them. With pictures and brief descriptions, be prepared to learn about some follies dedicated to gods and worship not discussed in polite society.
The Pagan in my Blood – Melissa Edmundson
Women writers using Pan as a way to reclaim agency/sexual liberation. I can’t imagine any universe in which this wasn’t one of the best things I’d read in any given day. This is 100% my kind of subject.
Alan Moore’s Wild Gods – John Reppion
This is a discussion with the Alan Moore. The legend discusses folk horror, Wild Gods, and the shit he’s learned as a writer, artist, and occultist.
“To be forgotten, even for millennia, isn’t really an issue in the context of eternity.” Alan Moore
The Wild Hunt – John Reppion
Much like you might imagine, this piece is on the Wild Hunt. It contains details of depictions of The Hunt throughout history.
The Sorcerer in the Cave – Anna Milon
This article discusses the cave painting of an antlered figure found by the 3 sons of noted archaeologist Henri Bégouën on his property in the French Pyrenees. I had somehow never heard of this before reading the article, so learning about the many (and evolving) interpretations of it over time was thoroughly fascinating.
Voodoo Drums in Cornwall – Ruth Heholt
A dive into Cornwall’s representation of the “non-English” in England, due to its long-standing reputation as a wild and “un-English” place. This intriguing concept is explored via Hammer’s “Cornish Duo” The Plague of the Zombies and The Reptile both of which feature Englishmen who meddle in indigenous knowledge with disastrous results.
The Gods of the Land – Kate Laity
An exploration of fairy superstition.
And yet again, this issue is FULL of amazing art. This time our artists are Joe Gough, Occult Party, and Richard Wells.
Rating:
Another slam dunk.
Hellebore #2: The Wild Gods Issue Edited by: Maria J. Pérez Cuervo Hellebore Zine Published: May 1, 2020 Zine 86 Pages Website
