When I first discovered Sabat – which began life as a zine while editor Elizabeth Krohn was at London College of Fashion – I started hyperventilating. As a print fanatic, pagan witch and enthusiast of the macabre a magazine about modern day occultism seemed almost too good to be true.
I lapped up web page after web page of previews. It became almost an obsession – to find whatever I could to do with this scripture for the modern witch. I started visualizing what it would be like to hold its heavy weight in my hands, to flip the pages and take in that heady scent of paper and ink, to fall into its layers of type and imagery.
But when the time arrived for the launch of The Maiden Issue, the money to buy wasn’t there, and then, when it was there, it had sold out. I can still remember my heart dropping into my stomach. I frantically scoured the web hoping to find a copy second hand, but nothing came up. Not surprising really. This isn’t something you buy to sell on.
I didn’t make the same mistake with The Mother Issue. I set money aside and when it was launched, I practically threw an issue into my online basket. It turned out to be the best £21 (that was with P&P) I’ve ever spent on anything printed.
The bang the magazine made when it dropped through the letter box was reassuringly loud, and, despite making a speedy journey across Europe, it arrived in immaculate condition. (I’ve actually kept the cardboard envelope it came it. It’s proved ever so useful.)
No wanting to spoil my new arrival, I washed my hands before taking it out of it’s packaging and the first time I held it, I made sure not to bend the spine or crease the pages. Yes, I’m one of those types.
Despite everything I’d read about The Mother Issue – the first issue was dedicated to teen witches of every age – through my initial flick through I could see so much that the internet hadn’t revealed.
I wanted to sit and read it all in one go, you know what it’s like when you’re so fucking excited about a new printed thing, especially when it’s shown so much promise. But I knew I’d regret it if I rushed. I knew that if I wanted to experience all it’s splendour, I’d have to take it slowly. And take it slowly I did. Over about a week actually.
I don’t want to reveal everything (I do want to reveal everything, every minute detail of this impeccable publication) because that wouldn’t be fair. Surprises make life worth while, so I’ll make sure there are some left, should you decide to make the excellent decision to bring a copy into your life.
The cover – which is astoundingly, gorgeously, reassuringly thick and will probably outlive mankind – features gorgeous model Cassey Chanel photographed by the extraordinarily talented Lolo Bates. I’m besotted with the chunky typeface used for the title, and the ‘simplicity’ of the design overall, a welcome visual relief from all the crowdedness I’m used to seeing slapped on the front of magazines.
The back cover, though minimal, is just as impressive. But I’ll leave you to discover that on your own. The edge printing is something I can’t keep quiet though. This is probably one of the most unique aspects of Sabat’s design. Turn the pages one way, and you can the cycles of the moon. Turn the pages the other way, and fetal development becomes visible. I’m not going to tell you how long I marveled at this for.
Normally I get frustrated when publishers decide to put a few blank pages in before getting to the contents – says the woman who hates crowded covers – but on this occasion, the sparseness works only to enhance the enjoyment.
I’m a sucker for ‘more information’ so turning to find a full page letting me in on who was involved in the magazine’s creation, right down to which papers were used, I knew Sabat was the magazine I’d been waiting for my whole life. I scribbled down names I knew I’d want to Google later on.
The Editor’s Letter – which I often skip in most magazines – was enthralling and thought-provoking, opening the gate to what I knew would be an invaluable experience creatively, spiritually and emotionally.
‘What is mother? This second issue of Sabat tries to cast light on what is, to me, one of the most mysterious of female archetypes. Persistent in her duality, mother is vastness, Nature, a love unyielding and beyond, sacrifice and almighty power, creation and destruction embodied. She performs the ultimate act of human magic, creating new life. Yet in this she reminds us of the cycle of life. Ripe with vitality, she is also the one who whispers of death. A memento mori at the peak of the harvest, calling us to take our place in the circle, or to come home, well knowing what that entails.’
The first feature in the magazine is probably one of my favourites. What Is On Your Alter? examines the roles alters have, and asks the #witchesofinstagram to show theirs. (This is also the first time that the special transparent paper inserts are introduced, creating effects unlike any I’ve seen in any other magazine). One of the alters featured in this brilliant, insightful investigation is that of Katie Karpetz @witcheryway
‘My ancestral alter changes with the seasons. On this alter I just have holly which allegedly invites friendly spirits into the home, a string of rowan berries that I made and dried to bring healing, success and protection in the coming new year. Each side also has a cup of vodka as an offering to my Slavic ancestors and pieces of quartz to amplify.’
I felt a lump start to take form in my throat when I read Other Mother, a feature written by Pam Grossman who ‘conjures the many form of Mother.’
‘She creates, sustains. The mother gives everything, and then gives even more. She loves us, and for this we love her in return.’
Pam’s deeply insightful, deeply touching writing – accompanied by exquisitely raw photography by Helena Darling had me trembling to my core, the respect for my own mother growing with every line I read. I just wanted to swim across the North Sea, reach out for the woman who birthed me and hold her like she held me for thirty years.
‘They treat those in their care with immense tenderness, but any threats to their family unit and they are utterly obliterated.’
The Full Moon by Dana Fox @sirfoxglove is a short yet compelling feature which illuminated me with new knowledge about the full moon, which has, interestingly and weirdly enough, been blamed for nosebleeds and voting strategy. One thing Dana writes which has stuck with me is that ‘there is room for everything at night, especially when the moon is full.’
Crystal Visions is made up of an excellent interview with the inspirational Bri Luna. The visionary behind The Hoodwitch, which provides ‘everyday magic for the modern mystic,’ invites us to climb under her skin and learn about what Mother means for her. And the photography for this piece by Allyce Andrew and Micheal Pierce is just everything.
‘Being a Witch to me is being free. Being able to be your authentic self, knowing that there is more in this world than our eyes can see.’
There are frequent breaks in text for moments of art and photography, including various photoshoots, my favourite being Luna, featuring the ethereal visage of cover model Cassey Chanel and more photography by Lolo Bates.
Hidden Mother is another favourite entry. Linda Fregni Nagler is Swedish-Italian artist who, entirely by chance by browsing on Ebay, encountered a photograph captioned ‘funny baby with hidden mother.’ This find led to her creating and curating an impressive archive of over 1000 photos of this bizarre but bewitching practice.
‘I realised that the guy who was selling it knew a lot about what is interesting in an image – underlining what was absent, not what was present.’
When I closed Sabat, I held it to my heart – as sickeningly cliche as that sounds, it’s true – and I silently thanked Elizabeth for having the vision and devotion to bring this publication into existence. I thanked her and everyone else involved for manifesting a magazine that satisfied me, inspired me and made me ever more inquisitive. There is so much more that (I’ve wanted to but) haven’t mentioned because you deserve some wonders of your own discovery.
If you’re a practicing witch, or if modern day occultism is, in any way a part of your life, and you have a weakness for sublime print, densely rich writing and unparalleled art and design, Sabat Magazine is for you.
Thankfully, the first issue of Sabat is being re-printed, and the third issue The Crone Issue, (check out the promo video below) is available to pre-order. If you need me, I’ll be waiting by the letterbox writing my next post about a recent thrift haul.
More Sabat
*Review originally posted on A Living Witch.
Celebrating the strange and the shadowy, the damned and unseen 