Music Review – Trismegistia
Trismegistia: From Healing to Hounds
On Spotify, the tag ‘Come and feel the power!’ pops up as soon as you click on the name Trismegistia. Well OK then, let’s feel it! New music has a power all of its own; a new experience is always something to take time over, so I take my time listening to the two tracks currently available from this Pagan group.
The first track I listen to is Hounds of Hekate. I watch the video on YouTube, and am impressed by the imagery; three ladies dance wildly, representing the three faces of Hekate, and the triple crossroads. There is a sense of frenzy in the video, echoed by the gasping breaths that emphasize the percussion.
Musically, this track has a sense of mystery, of wandering lost, yet with purpose. Perhaps we are running from something, or towards something. The sudden surge of strings plucked wildly gives ways to the heartbeat-breaths of the percussion over and over, not making for easy listening, but lending an air of wonder, and curiosity, even a slight darkness emphasised by the voice of the woman, and the barking of her dogs.
In contrast, the other track, Nunnos’ Healing Song, is about as light and airy as you can get. Cello (synthesised) and something akin to a djembe set a gentle mood. Pan pipes announce the arrival of a familiar figure, who tells us, in the short film Nunnos which accompanies the song, that he has many names. Nunnos though is short for ‘Cernunnos’, Celtic lord of the forest, who appears in this guise as a hairy man wearing only ivy, the symbol of the everlasting woods.
This ‘song’ is more like a musically accompanied guided meditation, or waking up from a dream. ‘Can you hear me? Can you see me?’ The fog of memory loss is soothed by the voice of the God. Nunnos helps and heals the protagonist, which may be a third person in the song, or maybe it’s us, the listener, being healed every time we listen to Nunnos’ soothing voice. The track ends with Nunnos assuring us we can call him, any moment.
The contrast between these two tracks is remarkable, yet both are introspective, calling for inner reflection and a peaceful moment in your day. I would say this is not music to listen to on the go, or while cleaning the house, but whilst taking time for yourself, or to aid in meditation or visualization. I’m certainly intrigued to hear more of this unique musical project.
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About the Author:
Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist.
She is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors and Pagan Portals: Celtic Witchcraft.
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