A Forest Incantatation: You are Home

You are Home ( A Forest Incantation)

Finally back in the woods… after almost 3 months we have moved on to phase 2 and finally I’m able to hike again… I’m elated and this is the result of my first visit to the forest. Being indoors has been hard to me but I understand the reason, still now we are finally allowed to hike and visit the orchard and it’s been like the world opening to me. Still keeping social distance and maybe I’ve not been the most active person on internet but been working on many new things that I will be dropping as soon as I finish. I am aware many things may have happened that I’m not even aware of but I hope some of you have missed me posting things 🙂 And to newcomers… well this is Pris! sharing a bit of green magic to you!

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A Return to the Big blue: Visiting the Flysch and Cliffs of Guipuzcoa

Some impressions of my recent trip to the sea and a moody poem inspired by the Ocean.

Return to the sea

I was born in an oceanic island, La Palma (Canary Islands) but I live now inland… Still I miss the ocean so much… It has taken me one year though to return to salty waters… The foam and spray helped me so much. This beach is Zumaia one of famous “Game of Thrones” locations. Sea water is warmer than the usual river ponds were I bathe now. As I explained some posts before this Summer has been a “challenge” for me and it’s been kind of a healing journey.

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Amphitrite was the wife of Poseidon, Greek God of the seas… one of the many Nereids (Ocean Nymphs). Are there legends of water spirits in your area?

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Venus, representation of “Womanhood” was also born from Sea foam

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The first book I ever read was a compilation of Hans Christian Andersen tales including The Little Mermaid I always found tragic how she ended up becoming sea foam, but it was also a tale of transformation

I spent hours and hours last Tuesday… absolutely mesmerized as the low tide grew back in and covered all the exposed Flysch (a special geological formation). We stayed until sunset, when the seagulls joined the moody skies to greet us.

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The Sentinel (Poem)

So here I little poem I wrote

When the winding path leads my weary feet back to the shore
and the tidal waves are lifting as they make the oceans roar
as they lash against the rocks
and the seagulls are squalling over my head
against clouds moving swiftly
Then If you ask me to ride on the foamy edge
and get caught in the undertow
I will carry with me your unspoken vows
and dive to hide them deep
fathoms below

So that was all for today…

Blessings

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Pris

All pictures of me by my partner HĂ©ctor CorcĂ­n

Additional pictures of this set exclusively on PATREON.COM/YIDNETH

And now ready to face what’s coming…

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Location: Zumaia Flysch

Finally here a mosaic of impressions of that day where you can appreciate the amazing geological formations in the Guipuzcoan Coast that lead down into the sea, formed through the erosive action of water and movements of land over the course of 50 million years, in fact they include fossil evidence of the massive extinction of the dinosaurs due to a meteorite. These whimsical have always been of interest to geologists on account of their fossil remains. The cliffs are impressive and the Flysch is only exposed at low tide so you must plan your visit accordingly not to be trapped by the tides. Overall an amazing day.

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World Oceans Day: A siren’s laments for the Big Blue

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Me at Hendaye (France)

Earth is a “blue” planet because most of its surface (70%) is covered by Ocean. 97% of the water in our planet is stored in them. Water is life, or so they say. And it’s true Life was born here and is possible due to their existence. Topographically, we know more about the moon than we do about Earth, who knows what great wonders can the oceans still hold?

8th June is Wold Oceans Day

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BELTANE

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1st of May: May Day

So Walpurgis Night is over and we have woken into Beltane, halfway between Spring and Summer.

When Spring and Summer collides
A promise of life as birds and butterflies unfold their wings.
Longer, warmer days to grow and rise
Splatters of vivid colours over the Spring green canvas.

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Above: Me exactly one year ago. My wings are based on the moth species Graellsia isabellae one of my favourite moths, the Spanish Luna a rare moth that can be found precisely in the area I live, in the North of Spain. There is even the only sanctuary of this species in the world that I hope to visit soon as it’s almost the time to hatch out of their chrysalis. I am so longing for the butterflies… in a few weeks from now they are going to be everywhere.

This date is linked to the pagan celebration of Beltane in the Northern Hemisphere. Women usually dress in white or light colours that symbolize purity and wear floral garlands. It is thought the May Queen an ancient tree worship. We do not have these traditions in my country, but I still love to celebrate it my own way.
This time of the year calls to be joyful and active reverencing the abundance of life.

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Why hugging trees can heal you?

Have you ever hugged a tree? Does it sounds too hippy let me tell you what you’re missing 😉 and how it works.

One week ago me HĂ©ctor and I went out like we do almost every single weekend. A lovely early Spring day, a field full of blooms and there a glorious Evergreen tree all lush green already. It stood out as “King of the Hill” and so I hugged it…

A manificent Evergreen Oak

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The Holm Oak (Evergreen or Holly Oak)

Quercus ilex is also known as “Evergreen Oak” Holly oak or Holm (ancient for “Holy”) Oak. They grow typically in the Mediterranean and are quite large in size. This particular one stood in the middle of a field, all crowned in green while the oak trees around it were barely budding their new leaves. That green has endured Winter and it almost felt like a “flash forward” into Summer.

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Above me by the Holm tree so you can see its size for comparison
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Spring Returns/New Beginnings: Daffodils (Narcissus) early blooms

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Me last year among Daffodils

Daffodils (Narcissus) are the among the earliest flowers to bloom, an herald of Spring, symbols of “rebirth” and renewal and thus perfect to celebrate new cycles and beginnings. This is a picture taken yesterday when I was hiking. Though the forest is wintry and bare, clusters of yellow daffodils brought colour to it. The bulbs have endured the slumber of Winter… they are a sign of the “resilience” of Nature, coming in longer and more vivid clusters every Spring.

Above: Daffodils growing on a moody wintry day… advent of Spring

Such frail beauty inspires so much strength. New life growing from the barren land… It tells you life was not gone but dormant.

Daffodils (Narcissus)

In Wales there is a legend that says that if you see the first Daffodil blooming you will be blessed with wealth for the rest of the year… These may not be the first and wealth has many shapes and faces that are not related with money… I have found it in their golden petals and the lesson they convey, also in the love of people who care about me.

Daffodils are also a symbol of friendship

In Victorian times they were also used as a symbol of friendship so this daffodil I’m holding is for you my “friends”, the ones that have supported me and make me find my place here.

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All pictures are taken by me and my partner HĂ©ctor CorcĂ­n
Has Spring started already where you live? Or maybe Autumn?

Daffodils growing in the forest floor


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On your Wings (The Ravens Incantation) Video and Recording

A little magical Incantation along with the Ravens… Filmed 9/2/2019 in Zuriza (Spain)

Trying my Christmas present: My A key tin whistle

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The flute I’m playing was my self Christmas present, an alto Irish tin Whistle in A key with an extra G hole. The maker is Shearwater Whistles and though an affordable brand I was quite pleased with the result. I bought if for myself on Christmas though I had to wait for it to be done. I finally could film this video a couple of weeks ago.

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Location and Recording

Location is Zuriza (Spain, close to France border) barely a few weeks ago… It’s incredible how weather can change so drastically, it was all wintry white and now leaves and blooms are unfurling. The footage was filmed using a brand new toy, a handheld stabilized camera (Osmo Pocket) who was gifted to me by @hedac to do more vlogs (yes, yes I know, I must do more!!)

I’m wearing my hat from my friends El Costurero Real, self knitted mittens and a coat gifted by my friend Wui. It’s not leather but fabric and faux fur.

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The crows and raven sounds were really recorded in place too, they are not an fx added. We used a portable Zoom recorder. The audio is not from the Osmo Pocket camera itself. A second round of flute was recorded to make a duet. Other than that there is only a supporter drone which is a mix of sounds in the studio, including one pad made out of the recorded voice of one of my fufunchis (Ritva, my rat) which sounds New-Age but comes from the sampled squeaks of my rat (now gone) I have the instrument of their voices so they can be part of my music.

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Above, Ritva, an angel now, but her voice is featured as part of the humming drone all through the tune

About the “Incantations” project

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Incantations is a little project I have recording outdoors. They are usually short and improvised, most of the melodies are done in the spot inspired by the place. Thus this one was called “On your Wings, the Ravens Incantation” because the crows and ravens were hovering above me while chanting. The Incantations are made as a way to channel Nature, they are usually very short improvisations… I hope some of them will become songs in their own right one day. In a way it is like the birth of a possible song in the simplest way, just letting myself flow and be inspired by my surroundings while I ground in Nature.

Above an image of the previous Incantation (Over the Clouds) which went viral uncredited 🙁

I am wearing again my hat from El Costurero Real and the reason why is because one of the previous Incantations went viral several times but stolen, cutting my credit and watermark out of the video and without even mentioning me. With over 4 million plays scattered among a few groups and countless of shares on facebook, I stumbled upon my own video without my name on it. I will make maybe a post about it. Some of those groups even asked for money to restore my name to my “stolen” video. But I could prove it was mine and some were finally blocked. Still as in the previous one I was in in silhouette, I decided to do a similar one wearing the witch hat but this time showing my face. Let’s see what happens this time, but I am encouraged to continue these series of short and sweet compositions outdoors.

I have created a playlist on my youtube channel with the Incantations and recordings in Nature

And this was the video that circulated out without control (if you ever stumble upon it)

Filming a new one as soon as the leaves unfold… but shifting my colours into green… what do you think? Spring is drawing near and a new Incantation along with it

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Networks

Priscilla Hernandez
singer-songwriter & illustrator
http://yidneth.com

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Windswept but still standing

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Winter this year was very mild where I live, it has barely snowed a couple of times, so of course I had to go out to do the Wintry photoshoots I had planned when I had the chance. I got an unexpected surprise from my friends, Spanish Fantasy Clothing brand El Costurero Real, this pair of chiffon Cicada Wings. I love them because they remind me to my favourite movie, The Dark Crystal and I intend to do something very geeky with them. But meanwhile and to celebrate the few “late” snowfalls of the season (just when it feels that Spring is on the way) I have had several hikes that I’ll be sharing. I also had the chance to finish filming a videoclip that I had started the year prior and finally I was able to film the final sequences (but that for another post or the videoclip premiere)

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In the Bleak Midwinter: Our Yule / Christmas Special from YIDNETH STUDIO


Every year I do a Christmas / Yule / Winter Special, this is the fourth year in a row and here is my version and video of the traditional Christmas/Yuletide Carol “In the Bleak Midwinter” (Public Domain) performed by myself and featuring my “deer” friend Hirvi and filmed mostly in Navarre, Spain where I’m fortunate to live. With this I want to wish all my friends, followers and supporters our best wishes from Yidneth Studio (me and @hedac).
It was released last Friday Night (the longest night of the year) though I’m sharing it now as yesterday I made a special performance/concert to celebrate the solstice.

My new music video greeting card for 2018 Holidays

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Impressions of Autumn :)

Above: me as “Autumn” dress and crown made by myself 🙂

Autumn is my favourite of all seasons :). I honestly love them all but I grew in a tropical island where “The Fall” would never take place. Even then I had already written “I steal the leaves” one of the first songs I ever shared online (I steal the leaves but IÂŽll bring them back in Spring…) and first time I saw the leaves changing colours I was amazed. So that bright, colourful period where all colours shift infuse my spirit with magic… 🙂 I always have loved Nature 🙂 but for a while I lived in a big city and some years ago I returned to a quieter life closer to the healing Mother. I hike a lot, and as you all know I love fantasy (music, literature, costumes) and I love to dress up a lot :)… I upload fantasy pictures regularly to my instagram account 

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