Author notes

Spiritwalking

PaulEberhardt

on Nov. 29, 2012

[p]I had an uncommonly persistent headache the other day, which prevented me from finishing the page earlier. Perhaps I'm just getting old - I somehow can't take night shifts any more the way I used to… Oh well! I updated now, I apologise for my lateness, and I hope you like it anyway.[/p]
[p]Gundula's magic is largely influenced by old Nordic sources. I consciously avoid those symbols of Christian or cabalistic origin you find just about everywhere else in comics and fantasy art nowadays (though I make exceptions from time to time) to give it a more earthy, primordial feel, that is however still quite sophisticated in its own weird way. The technique on this page seems to mingle a number of different cultures, but I'm not entirely sure whether it actually does. When thinking of spirit guides in animal shape, people usually think of a number North American Indian tribes, but in fact, it can be found around the world. For instance, the Sámi culture of Lapland knows something like it too, if I remember correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if other Northern European peoples had similar rituals as well. Gundula's incantation, by the way, is shamelessly ripped off from the old Nordic poem "Grógaldr" found in a 17th century manuscript. The quoted lines mean:[/p]
[p]Fare now on thy way / Where danger lies / Let evils not lessen thy love; / Perchance thou mayst find / What thou fain wouldst have / If Fate grant you her blessing (or something along these lines; Skuld is the Norn of the future)[/p]
[p]Well, may "Fate" grant you a nice weekend, and thanks for reading an commenting! :)[/p]