Mirage Issue 08: Retrograde by MIRAGE Magazine

Issue 8 | Fall 2021

the

retrograde issue

Editor-in-Chief Olivia Gianettino

President & Co-Editor Kasey Lettrich

Assistant Designer Hunter Neel

Creative Director Adam Payne

Special thanks to

Creators

Emily Kennel Emily Calandrelli David Malecki Maxwell Shavers Brogan Dozier, cover girl Gallery 304 Vintage Groovy Underground Morgan Widmer

Hunter Bennett Alex Holsclaw Kaeli Riccotili Maggie Stewart Lauren Farnsworth Kaitlyn McClung Tory Webb-Johnson Elisa Contreras Emily Kennel David Malecki Sierra Worden Brogan Dozier Jessica Riley Georgia Hensley

Models

Trace Swisher Caroline Frum Savanna Shriver Maggie Stewart Jessica Riley Amelia Blevins Josie Lo Symone Lane Victoria Starsinic Nicole Andino Kevin Tang Agustin Urioste Nataya Bartlett Ashley Neff Brogan Dozier

Managing Editor & Designer Annika Godwin Head of Photography Emily Kennel

Head of Photography David Malecki

MIRAGE 3

What even is Mercury in retrograde?

20 32

25 48

Rich people in space: Kaeli Ricottilli sits down with Emily Calandrelli about the ethics of space travel

Star signs and sorting hats: Why are people obsessed with putting themselves in a box?

playlist Achilles Come Down - Gang of Youths Aphrodite - Honey Gentry i saw you in a dream - The Japanese House the lakes - original version - Taylor Swift

Last Words of a Shooting Star - Mitski Mrs Magic - Strawberry Guy Weight of the Planets - Aldous Harding Galley Oh Hoop Hoop - Kooze She Dances - Billie Marten Song From A Secret Garden - Secret Garden

Click here to listen.

Coming up with imagery for this issue with my team came naturally: space, poetry, vintage fashion, healing crystals, the essence of witchcraft and renaissance and ways of old brought into modern times. Our goal was to highlight innovation along with history and literature, things we have all had to cling to in these trying times. The definition of retrograde, a word commonly used in astrology, is “directed or moving backward.” To clarify, this issue is not about staying in the past or going back to dwell. It is about taking pieces from the past and shaping them into something new, unique and beautiful. It is about learning from history. This semester, a first-year Mirage member and talented tarot-reader Georgia Hensley performed a one-card-pull to determine the theme of our cover shoot. The card pulled was The Lovers, a card representing union, harmony and choices. To me, it is an example of the ways in which we have to deal with our own decisions and consequences. The content of this issue exhibits appreciation and critiques of some of the best and worst consequences of our ancestors. I am blessed to be bound to this union with the rest of my colleagues, creating and sharing art and words of wisdom. I thank them for their hard work and you for taking the time to read it.

xoxo, Olivia Gianettino 7

Mirage Art Contest Fall 2021 Payton Brown @paytonbrown.art Payton Brown is a 22-year-old artist from Berkeley Sprngs, W.Va. Brown is currently in her first semester of graduate school at WVU, and is an MFA Candidate in Painting.

Flamingo Motel, oil on canvas, 36” x 48”

Letting Go, map with oil on glass, 19” x 25”

Everybody Talks, acrylic and collage on canvas, (2) 24” x 30”

written by Hunter Neel

tuck in crazy traffic, late for a date or just an overall bad day – astrologists around the globe will tell you all this chaos can be linked to Mercury retrograding. In 2022 alone, there are four retrograding periods: Jan. 14 – Feb. 3; May 10 – June 2; Sep. 9 – Oct. 2; Dec. 29 – Jan. 18, 2023. This celestial phenomenon is relatively common in Mercury and all other celestial bodies. But what do people even mean when they say Mercury is in retrograde? Let us start with some history: the mentioning of planetary retrograding can be traced back to the mid-18th century; specifically, Mercury retrograde appeared in British almanacs where they would correlate their planting practices to patterns in the stars. As the Victorian era came to fruition, spiritualism and the stars were all the hot buzz — the heightened interest in astrology eventually led to the link of Mercury retrograding and heavy rainfall. And as time progressed, this link snowballed into Mercury retrograde, receiving credit for the mishaps during that specific astrological event. The whole concept has roots dating back even further than the mid-18th century. Looking back into the world of myth, you can find the Roman God Mercury, one of the major gods within the Roman traditions. Mercury is credited as the god of messages, communication, trickery, luck and financial gain. It is also not fully decided if Mercury was male or female, and is often depicted as an androgynous God being both male and female, while also neither. Since the God Mercury is the liaison of communication, luck and trickery, it makes sense that the celestial body in its state of retrograde would also share these traits. The power given to this celestial body slowly increased as time went on. By the 1970s, astrology entered the mainstream, and horoscopes and Mercury retrograde were hitting all the newspapers. People were crediting Mercury in retrograde for a whole lot of problems, from losing their keys to getting a flat tire. Although it is nice to blame something out of our hands for occasional chaos, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that Mercury retrograde influences Earthly happenings. On the contrary, there is surprisingly a lot of evidence to back why Mercury retrograde has the frailest impact on Earth.

So what exactly is Mercury retrograde? When Mercury is in retrograde, it appears to be moving “backwards” across the night sky on Earth. It is important to note that Mercury is definitely not moving backward but is simply an illusion due to the sheer distance and human perception. Imagine that the planets are two people running on a track, where Earth needs to run a distance of 365 (the number of days in our yearly orbit) and Mercury has to run a distance of 88 (the number of days for its yearly orbit). Mercury is going to lap the Earth four times before it even completes one lap. When they are side by side, it appears as if they are both “running” in the same direction, but its course seems to change once Mercury takes over. This applies to literally every planet in our solar system. Since the Earth’s orbit is not identical to any other celestial body’s orbit, the other planets can appear to be moving backward at varying points in the Earth’s orbit. The retrograde pattern of other more distant planets is even more noticeable because of their visibility to the naked eye, planets like Mars and Jupiter. However, many people still heavily believe in the effects of various planetary retrogrades, and rightfully so, the planets do, in fact, seem as if they are moving backward. This visual phenomenon is why retrograde is akin to bad luck and overall unfortunate happenings. If the regular planetary rotation is what keeps the happenings of Earth in check, then it makes sense that if the planets seem to rotate backward, then the reverse of the typical effects would, too, be reversed. It also makes sense that retrogrades have some influence when it seems that all the unlucky events happen during this time. The superstitions attached to Mercury are simply just that: superstitions. While many superstitions often have some basis in factuality, Mercury’s retrograde seems to stem from technical misunderstandings and misinformation. Of course, believers will say that all the chaos in these periods is because of Mercury’s retrograde, but these problems most definitely occur outside of Mercury’s retrograding period. But, if you’re having a bad day and need something to blame, go ahead and blame it on the stars. What’s the worst that could happen?

fairy circles photographed by Emily Kennel

In today’s world you are

Star signs and sorting hats written by Brogan Dozier

considered to be the odd one out if you do not know your astrological sign. If you meet someone at a bar, chances are one of the first questions they will ask you is “What’s your sign?” Millennials obsessed over their Hogwarts houses and time can only tell how future generations will group themselves. Why are we so focused on separating ourselves? Lately, its seemed as though everyone in the news preaches about unity and one love, so why must we separate ourselves? What causes the popularity in these groups? Some people claim that the rise in popularity of Buzzfeed quizzes has something to do with it. Since 2016 the internet has been flooded with quizzes like “Answer these questions and we’ll tell you what kind of bread you are” or “Plan your dream wedding and we’ll tell you your perfect Disney prince.”These quizzes are a fun lighthearted way to feel as though someone sees you. They are fun, quirky and imaginative activities to do instead of listening to the never-ending news cycle. Character charts have also risen in popularity Which may sort you or your favorite TV characters into their standing on the moral axis. When using these charts, you can visualize how you may relate to your favorite characters. These grids normally have nine choices from “lawfully good” to “chaotic evil,” and stem from the well-liked board game “Dungeons and Dragons” Some people claim that the rise in fascination with astrology is due to people justifying their own crappy behavior. Phrases like “Sorry I’m a Scorpio” or “Ugh I’m such a Leo” are often used to justify self-centered or overconfident behavior. However, some people may account their odd or quirky character traits to

their horoscope and find comfort in people relating to them. Living in this age, there is so much uncertainty, so it’s nice to think that the stars have the answers that you can’t seem to find. Horoscopes give a glimmer of hope. If you’re feeling down, they may tell you not to worry, as soon as mercury is out of retrograde a new love is going to enter your life. Horoscopes allow you to believe there is a path for you. They help the ups and downs of life go a little smoother. One other credible argument for the rise in popularity of zodiac signs, astrology and Harry Potter is the current hostile political climate. The pandemic changed the world and we don’t know if we will ever go back to our old “normal.” Everyone has been separated and these groups allow for people to have a common interest; in a time of total uncertainty these institutions give us some answers. They are also a new hobby to obsess over while we are all locked away in quarantine and separated from the rest of the world. Dr. Jennifer Freed said, “Astrology has really risen in popularity because people want a symbol system that’s not sexist, racist, homophobic, that helps them connect to each other across all demographics.” I personally think these trends are a way for people to understand themselves and feel connected to something bigger. People want to be secure and feel attached to something; it makes them feel more seen and possibly understood. As a society, we want to relate to each other, whether it be through Harry Potter, Astrology or being “Chaotic Good”. I think these groupings are a breath of fresh air in the exhausting never ending news cycle. I personally hope they are here to stay, but only the stars can tell.

eorgia itten by G

We are in the midst of a resurgence.

With social media exposure at an all-time high, the introduction, popularization and obsolescence of trends are cycling faster than ever. This is not only true for fashion but spiritual practices as well. The popular app TikTok is hugely responsible for the reintroduction of the esoteric applications of physical objects such as crystals, herbs and even playing cards. Esotericism describes the practice of pursuing obscure and special knowledge. It has acted as the foundation for many religions: the Buddha’s enlightenment or Christ’s connection with the divine. More recently, this pursuance has become more common amongst individuals seeking their own forms of spirituality. Tarot cards were first popularized in America in the early 20th century but peaked in the 1970s during the experimental ‘hippie’ era. People educated themselves on the secret meanings behind each of the cards, and some even began to capitalize on it. Labeling themselves as psychics or professional readers, these people are accredited with the expansion of tarot into everyday life. So what is tarot? Cartomancy is a form of divination, or the seeking of divine knowledge, through the use of a deck of cards. While there are many different forms of cartomancy, tarot is perhaps the most well-known. A tarot deck consists of 56 minor arcana cards which are comparable to a standard deck of playing cards. Divided into four suits— cups, swords, wands and pentacles— each card in the minor arcana holds a specific meaning that helps to reveal things

Hensley

about the reader’s situation. On top of this, there are an extra 22 major arcana cards whose messages are believed to be more emphatic and urgent. A few well-known cards within the major arcana are The Lovers, The Fool and The Wheel of Fortune. Tarot reading can be highly personalized, allowing people to apply their own beliefs to the practice. Some readers may consider tarot a magical practice— a manipulation of energy to reveal highly specific truths or fortunes. For others, it is simply a way of discovery. Oftentimes, we are able to relate the meanings of the cards we pull to our innermost thoughts and feelings making tarot a more interpretative practice rather than a magical one. For all, the cards act as a tool for bringing feelings and ideas that may have previously been suppressed to the surface. Though many cards in a tarot deck hold optimistic messages, there are also some that offer important lessons. “I have several favorite cards. Some for the sheer joy of when they show up, such as The Sun, The Lovers and The High Priestess,” said Mellita Mallohan, a spiritual instructor at Zen From Within in Morgantown, W.Va. “And my other favorites are the ones that may seem scary when you first see them in a reading, such as Death, Judgement or The Devil. Yes, there are lessons, but when we can see what’s coming then we know how to prepare and navigate forward.” The latter cards are responsible for many of the occult connotations that tarot has adapted. Many devout followers of established religions like Christianity consider the use of tarot cards to be sacrilegious. They hold the belief that neutral divination, the

pursuance of divine knowledge without any religious ties, to be spiritually dangerous. Let’s be honest, the cards can be intimidating. However, drawing the death card does not mean you are going to die. It instead signifies a need for closure and informs the reader that to find peace they may need to address their situation head-on rather than continue to avoid it. Though many may think these cards have direct ties to satanic practices, they are truly just a physical, neutral deck of cards. They originated in 15th-century Europe as playing cards and only began being used as an esoteric tool around the 18th century. They are less related to the occult than they are to self-discovery.

“People are realizing that these are also tools in helping to answer their questions and helping them move forward along their healing journey. An open mind is a beautiful thing,” explained Mallohan. Just as people ask for acceptance of their race, sexuality and religion, it is important to be open and accepting of introspective practices such as tarot. By eliminating the stigma surrounding it, more people can be introduced to this incredibly grounding tool. For those looking to get started on their own tarot journey, Mallohan has a few words of advice: “Have fun, explore and don’t take it too seriously. Buy a deck and get familiar with it before buying more & more decks. Treat this new deck as a new friend. Get to know them. Get to understand them. And then once you have a great relationship, add another new friend to your circle in the form of another deck.”

eltic

odiac

jan. 21

birch

The Achiever: tolerant, tough, resistant, highly driven motivators

feb. 8

ash

The Enchanter: free thinker, imaginative, artistic, sometimes moody

marc h1

april 14

The Thinker: keen minded with high ideals, creative, often misunderstood

.7 feb

rowan

dec. 2 4

written by: Annika Godwin

h 17 arc m

Keep reading to find where you fall in the Celtic Zodiac, and determine which tree, color and animal that is associated with your birth date.

20 an. -j

Celtic Astrology is the astrological system that was practiced by those in ancient Ireland. Celtic Astrology is based on the 13 lunar cycles, each categorized by a tree with magical qualities. The Celts believed that some of these qualities were then passed down to those born during specific moon cycles.

alder

The Trailblazer: natural born leader, charming, sociable, confident

april 15

may 13

july 8

hawthorn The Illusionist: adaptable, curious, great listener, humurous

aug. 5

The Ruler: noble, highminded, vigilant, leader

The Survivor: intellectual, compassionate, loyal, charismatic

sept. 2

The Knower: highly intelligent, organized, efficient, controlling

oct. 28

reed

The Inquisitor: secret keepers, honorable, curious, involved

vine

The Equalizer: often indecisive, indulgent, charming, poised

nov. 25 ec. 23 -d

ct. 27 -o

ivy

haZel

4 ov. 2 -n

sept. 30

The Stabilizer: protective, nurturing, generous, positive

29 ept. -s

holly

oak

pt. 1 se

g. 4 au

ly 7 - ju

The Observer: creative, intuitive (sometimes even psychic), realistic

ne 9 - ju

ay 12 -m

willow

june 10

elder

The Seeker: thrill seeker, extroverted, thoughtful, honest

In The Spotlight: Vintage Trailblazers written by Olivia Gianettino

photos of Gallery 304 Vintage, courtesy of Alexandra Holsclaw

Nathaniel Hart Gallery 304 Vintage photographed by Alexandra Holsclaw

Nathaniel Hart is the 24-year-old owner of Gallery 304 Vintage. The High street storefront, which opened in October of 2021, is known for its range of university gear and other unique streetwear-style pieces.

OG: For some people, they get into old music or old films. Sometimes it’s just a person who gets them into something. How did you get into vintage? NH: It was definitely because when I was around 12 or 13, I was always into fashion, expressing myself through it, stuff like that. I was into sneakers and a lot of streetwear and some designer stuff since I was super young. I feel like since then, and I feel like this is the case with a lot of people, I kind of gravitated towards vintage because it’s a super good outlet with that-- you can mix and match and it goes really well with everything. Also, the whole sustainability aspect is really cool because you can at least feel like you’re doing something good, like making a little bit of a difference, even if it’s a tiny one. I think it’s cool that each piece has a life and story of its own, so there are shirts in here that I’ve bought off people-- that Nine Inch Nails “Downward Spiral” shirt-- the person I got that from got it at the show in Columbus. I meet people and get the shirt and hear all these stories. OG: Do you buy stuff from other people? Is that how you source stuff? NH: Yeah, I honestly haven’t had time to go thrifting and do stuff in a long time, and I enjoy doing it, like going to vintage markets and flea markets and antique places and seeing what cool stuff I can find-- like 99 times out of 100 there’s nothing and the one time you find something-- but nowadays people will just bring me stuff, and I will buy it. OG: That’s cool. So you’re just like, “Hey, bring me s***, and I’ll buy it,” and people do it? NH: Yeah, plus I have a lot of friends who have stores in different cities and everything, so anytime they get West Virginia stuff they immediately bring it to me. If there’s something that’s local to them and I have it, we’ll trade for West Virginia stuff or if there’s anything else I’m looking for, I’ll try to find someone who has it. OG: I bet the WVU stuff-- people love that. NH: Yeah. That’s like my bread and butter. Ever since I’ve had much of a presence on Instagram, it’s kind of been my thing. I got all the WVU stuff, and I think that’s how I got my following a lot locally because people like the West Virginia stuff. But I was still so nervous when I opened the store because I had thousands of West Virginia pieces, and I was still nervous I didn’t have enough. I was afraid I would sell out and not have much. Luckily, I have a ton of back stock. I haven’t even really needed to restock that much because I had the racks pretty stuffed. OG: So what is the origin story of Gallery 304? How did you come about being a business owner? NH: I kind of had the name Gallery 304 for like a long time but was never really on Instagram as that or anything until the last few years. I had to come up with a name I really liked, and I didn’t want it to be anything… basic. I think I made it Gallery 304 because obviously, 304 is the area code, and then, I wanted it to be almost like a gallery space where it was a more upscale, luxurious feel with the cool vintage stuff and blend it together. I kind of grew up shopping at both places. I would go to vintage stores, but also more boutique-type places. I wanted to make one that was both, kind of, and I thought you could really make them look good together in its own way. I wanted it to be sort of like an art exhibition type thing where you can walk through the gallery and see all the pieces and knick-knacks and everything.

OG: How long has this storefront been here now? NH: Four or Five days. OG: How long have you been a business before you were brick and mortar? NH: Well, I’ve sold sneakers and clothes and stuff on eBay since I was-- I’m 24 now-- so probably since I was 12 or 13. Pretty much half my life, which is so weird to say now. At the time I didn’t think it was that weird, but looking back on it, I’m like, “That’s crazy to think I’ve done this all of my life.” I guess that’s what happens when you don’t have a backup plan. OG: You market your brand as a “luxury vintage experience.” Do you just mean that about the way your place is set up? What exactly do you mean by that? NH: I think a lot of it has to do with that I just wanted to create that experience. I’m a big believer in that it’s not always what you’re doing that’s important, but it’s also how you’re doing it, so I wanted to create not just a store with cool stuff, but an experience and environment. That’s why I said “luxury retail experience,” because I don’t want to be just like a store. I want people to have a cool experience and come in here and be overtaken by all the cool stuff. I kind of took a little inspiration from stores I would shop at personally and took stuff from each of those. I took things I liked from different ones and said, “I want to do something close to that with my store,” and combined a lot of that. I think it’s really important to curate and present the stuff in a way that gets people excited to come in here, and I think that’s why a lot of retail stores are struggling. There’s so many similar stores, and they’re so cutthroat selling the same stuff. Why should someone want to go to this store, or buy it online? You have to give people a reason to be excited to come into the store and want to shop there. Also, I wanted to put that in it too because I have some higher-end stuff, and I know people will pair that with designer stuff and more expensive stuff, so I think I didn’t want it to be just like a thrift store. OG: So you’ve been doing this for a long time. How often do you find something that is harder for you to let go of? Is that something that’s gotten easier over time? Has that never been a problem? NH: It’s gotten easier for me over time, definitely. It definitely does happen. I have a friend who has a store in Pittsburgh that I was talking to not that long ago. It’s like, when you have some crazy, super expensive shirt that everyone wants, you’ll sell it and people will be like, “How could you ever sell that shirt? I would never sell that shirt if I had it!” We were both like, with certain shirts, how could you not sell them? Personally, if people want to pay a certain price for a shirt, I almost feel bad having that in my closet. So much stuff goes through my hands to where I know if I sell something really cool, I may not find it for a long time again, or ever, but I at least I know I’m going to get other cool stuff in, so it’ll balance out.

Emily Dodson Groovy Underground photos courtesy of Emily Dodson

Emily Dodson is the 23-year-old owner of Groovy Underground, an online hub for vintage accessories, clothing and aesthetics. Dodson graduated from WVU in 2020 with degrees in fashion merchandising and intermediate photography, and now resides in Charleston, W. Va. as a stylist and business owner. OG: For some people, it’s music. For other people, it’s movies. Sometimes they are influenced by a person in their family. How did you get into vintage? ED: It was actually someone in my family-- my dad. I actually grew up with older parents. My dad is actually 66, so he was a true hippie during that time. He’s not now, unfortunately, but he actually introduced me to vinyl when I was probably 13. After that, he gave me his old record player from the 70s-- all of his vinyl collection-- and that’s just kind of what sparked my interest. Then, when I got to WVU, I was always kind of interested in vintage style, but was never really sure how to curate it or go about it. My really good friend Danielle, who owns Golden Trash-- I was actually her intern for a while throughout school, and she was a huge inspiration for me and showed me how it worked. That’s when I really got into it, I would say. OG: So, do you collect? ED: Yes. OG: Ok, cool. How does that work? Do you just go out and look for things? What do you do with pieces that you find? ED: I really started off with clothing specifically. I live outside of Charleston, so there is actually a Goodwill in my area that’s-- it’s in a rural area, so a lot of things get sent there that nobody wants, and a lot of gems get put there that nobody wants because they just don’t know what it is. I would say I take pretty much weekly trips to more rural Goodwills or even vintage shops that I’m interested in like I shop a lot at Three Rivers Vintage in Pittsburgh, and I’ve started kind of a collection. A lot of it has to do with how interested I am in sustainability and just everything that goes along with that. I know it’s really hard accessibility-wise for everyone to be sustainable just because of the society we live in, so of course, I don’t look down on anybody for fast fashion or anything like that, but I try to collect pieces that I am going to keep for a very long period of time. I have also gotten really interested in furniture and things like that, and I have a Barbie obsession, so I have collected vintage Barbie stuff, too, and mainly that, I get from estate sales. OG: Tell me a little bit about Groovy Underground. ED: So, Groovy Underground was my baby-- is still my baby-- that I started whenever I was in college. I started Groovy UnEderground when I think I was a junior in college. How it came about is I was like, “You know, I love looking on Pinterest and at all these old magazines,” because I also collect old magazines, and all of these accessories that are gaudy and mod and just kind of interesting, and there were so many places that weren’t making stuff like that. I would say it’s definitely more popularized now than it was then. Then I decided, “Well, I’m just going to make it myself.” I actually started laser-printing my earrings. I also did clay, and the start of the Groovy Underground was actually during a very weird time in my life because I was diagnosed with three chronic illnesses at the beginning of my college career. I needed something to kind of distract me from that. I created the Groovy Underground because I needed a nice creative outlet. OG: Are you still actively doing Groovy Underground? ED: Yeah, so, I’m actually working on a rebrand right now. I have been for a few months. I still want to be very much accessory-focused, but I am hoping to move more towards styling, actually, because that is my job that I do in my day-to-day life. I’m a stylist, so I was kind of like “I want to take this opportunity to integrate that within the Groovy Underground,” so I have a few things coming soon, and I’m really excited about it. It’s just-- I’m a one-woman show. It’s literally just me. My dad helps me sometimes drill. I’ll go over to his house and he’ll help me drill holes in pieces if I have trouble. It’s kind of funny; we have like a bit of an inside joke. I made him a shirt last Christmas, and it says “The Groovy Underground and Dad” on it because he’s really helped me. Both of my parents are really supportive, but overall, it’s just me, so it takes a while to get things rolling.

OG: That’s so awesome. What kind of imagery do you take inspiration from when you’re creating your accessories? You mentioned really loving gaudy jewelry and stuff, but what else, if we can get to specifics? ED: A lot of my stuff comes from music, as well. A few months ago, before I went on break to really focus on all this stuff with my styling packages I’m planning on doing, I really dove deep into Dolly Parton, and I took a lot of inspiration from her. Of course, I take a lot of inspiration from David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, a lot of the really psychedelic, really colorful icons of the 60s and 70s.

OG: We kind of touched on this, but I want to ask you again. Obviously, you are most inspired by the 60s and 70s, so what else about that era in particular are you drawn to (besides the music)? ED: A lot of this comes back to my parents and how they’ve raised me. My mom is actually a graphic designer so I grew up-- as a baby, she has pictures of me looking at 60s and 70s ad imagery and everything because she has a ton of books in her office that I would look at. We both bonded over that. There was a really interesting advertising era that came about in the 60s and 70s, I would say. Also, it was a really big turning point for the whole world, especially with all the movements that were going on, and I would say while there are a lot of things that I would not condone that went on in the 60s and 70s, I think that the fashion and the self expression of that time were really interesting and unlike any other. I think that taking that inspiration and bringing it and making it part of our culture today-- that’s just kind of evolving. OG: So you are a stylist. What is a normal day for you? Is that why you are traveling a lot? Who are you styling? ED: I have a set job with a bridal shop, and I’ve actually been doing bridal styling which I really, really enjoy. I didn’t think I would. I was a little nervous about it because I’m definitely more into the colorful kind of rockstar style. You know, most brides are very elegant, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I wasn’t sure if I would be really excited to be a part of it. But I do that half the time, and I absolutely love it and would probably stick within bridal, but would love to have my own spin on it. I would really like to be a part of or open some type of shop-extension of the Groovy Underground that is vintage bridal. I think also...size inclusivity is really important, and there are a lot of bridal shops that are not perpetuating that. I would really like to be a part of that. The brides I work with are from all different walks of life, and I think that is what I like because it’s part of the challenge. Then, the other half of the time, I’m mainly doing independent work. I help friends. I help anybody. My Instagram is a really big part of that. I’ve had people reach out to me, and that’s why I really wanted to extend into the Groovy Underground having styling. I think that would be an easier way for people to reach out to me. And I also-- while I’m really obsessed with the groovy style, I wanna help people come into their own style no matter what it is. I’ve had friends that are really into 90s and Y2K fashion, and I absolutely love that as well. I like helping them curate pieces and find things, and I think that’s just the fun of it. I don’t think there is one specific, set style that is right. I think everybody has their own, and I love seeing people express themselves. That’s what makes me happy.

Dessert Before Dinner

Morgania brings fantasy to life

photographed by Maxwell Shavers written by Kasey Lettrich

essert before dinner; what a lovely thought. Morgan Widmer made that dream a reality with the first collection of her brand Morgania, a vibrant and imaginative sustainable fashion business. Since her graduation from West Virginia University in 2021, Widmer has created a one-of-a-kind brand that makes clothing and accessories out of scraps and things that would otherwise be put in landfills. Widmer said, “Morgania essentially started because of my distaste for the way that the fashion industry works.” By creating garments from scrap that help the consumer to escape into fantasy, Widmer is constructing something out of the box and innovative. Through imagination, innovation and fantastical garments, Dessert Before Dinner is a dreamy collection that you can feel good about wearing knowing that it would’ve gone to waste had it not become something so beautiful at the hands of Widmer. FabScrap, a reuse service in New York City that sources deadstock from designers in the textile industry, is where Widmer sourced the majority of her materials. Widmer saved the scraps of her scraps and “put that stuff in a bag and used it to make accessories.” She continued to rework the materials using natural dyes from things like avocados. Art to Ware, a Manhattan-based sustainable pop-up shop, is the first place to carry Morgania items. Widmer said, “It was really exciting that the first place that was featuring my stuff was a place that did all of the things that are important to me; it was ethical and sustainable.” Though

Morgania is run solely by Widmer, she had a little help from the West Virginia Innovation and Business Model Competition presented by Marshall University which she won in 2021. Winning this competition meant that she was presented with $3,000 to use on three industrial machines to help her produce garments in a more efficient way. The LaunchLab at West Virginia University assisted Widmer in the process of this business model competition. With the popularity of Morgania growing and a greater demand for her products, Widmer is dreaming up some new collections for the future. She said, “I have some things brewing in my brain!” You can find Widmer’s designs on morganiaofficial. com or on the Morgania Instagram, @morganiaofficial. If you happen to be in the New York City area, pop into the Art to Ware shops (@arttoware on Instagram) to shop Morgania in person.

photo courtesy of Nathan Lawer-Yolar, @esthersyute

That 70’s

clothes written by Elisa Contreras

In my opinion, nothing beats how colorful

the styles were and how expressive the outfits were in the 60s and 70s. The styles were never dull, and I believe, this was the time period when self-expression in fashion became the thing to do. The 60s and 70s were full of flared jeans, mini skirts and the infamous go-go boots were introduced. These three iconic fashion pieces are still worn today. A lot of the it-girl styles from the 60s and 70s are coming back and you can see it a lot in Ariana Grande, especially in the styles she wears in her music videos. In her music videos for “34+35” and “positions,” she has infamous 70s inspired curtain bangs which are popular today. Of course, I had to try it out on myself, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out on me like it does Ari. Let’s get into some of the hot trends that have been making a comeback. A lot of the trends that were popular in this time period were mini skirts, big hair, boho style, bold prints and bright colors. Do any of these sound familiar to today’s fashion trends? The bright colors, mini skirts, and boho style are still present today. Music festivals were up-and-coming in the late 60s so a lot of hot fashion trends were inspired by this. This is present in the inspiration behind the psychedelic prints that were used in the boho-chic and the hippie styles. This was a big thing in the 60s leading into the 70s. For these styles, you would see a lot of flare jeans, maxi dresses and exaggerated statement jewelry. Many styles that celebrities wear to modern music festivals like Coachella are widely inspired by the bohemian style of the 60s and 70s. We see this a lot in the iconic styles from Vanessa Hudgens over the years.

photographed by David Malecki The 70s go-go style was also a big trend at this time. This style usually included bold prints and colors, big hair, possibly a hair accessory, and the dazzling go-go boots. Go-go boots are my favorite trendy piece from this time. I wouldn’t say the go-go style has made a huge comeback, but you can certainly see some inspiration taken from this style today. For example, the bold colored mini dresses and sundresses have made a resurgence. There is a difference between mainstream 70s style and alternative 70s style. When the 70s first started making a comeback, I think we saw more of the alternative style. This eventually led to a comeback with the mainstream 70s style, for example, the miniskirts, curtain bangs and the colorful patterns and clothing we see today.

16th Going On 21st Century: A Revival in Witchcraft written by Maggie Stewart

Witchcraft, or the practice of

photographed by David Malecki

magic and spells, has been around for thousands of years in many different forms in a variety of cultures. Its latest branch in its popularization is on the social media app TikTok, under the name and hashtag “WitchTok.” People, often women, upload videos putting curses and hexes on their significant others, friends that did them wrong and even popular members of the Republican party. They often do tarot card readings as well, witch (pun intended) has become a sensation among young people recently and can now be found in most popular stores and online. During the Black Lives Matter phenomenon, there was a hashtag, “#WitchesForBLM,” which just so happened to gain popularity during a four-day full moon that is believed to give witches more power. Many videos were made casting protection spells for protesters. Some witches have placed hexes and curses on dictators, terror groups, known perpetrators from the #MeToo movement and so on. Several videos were taken down for depicting spells that intended harm for police officers and the then President Donald Trump. Modern witchcraft is often very politically motivated, but that’s not new.

Back in the 16th century, and especially during the Salem Witch Trials, witches were seen as a threat to the Christian way of life and were, in turn, persecuted. During a span of one year, more than 200 women were accused of witchcraft, 30 of whom were found guilty and 19 executed for the crime by hanging. A special court was put in place to question each person accused; it was called the “Court of Oyer and Terminer.” Witchcraft laid mostly dormant after the events in Salem until the 19th century and the new wave of feminism took hold. The women in Salem were not actually witches, but just misunderstood women who had no place in the society they belonged to. This is a theme throughout witchcraft over the years. Some involved in the Suffrage movement, or the right for women to vote, aligned themselves with witchcraft and its teachings. From there came Woodstock, a place where the “outcasts’’ could go that was all about peace and love. Then came the radical feminist movement of the 1970s and Gloria Steinem. During this era, there was also the popular musical artist from the band Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, who came out with a song about practicing witchcraft called “Rhiannon” and also appeared as a witch on the television series “American Horror Story” many years later. All these events and movements were refuge for witches to find solace in. Witchcraft started being depicted in movies during this time, but witches often criticize the image that movies and TV portray them as and resent the stereotypes. After that came the digital age, where they could use online forums and chat sites to find each other and connect. Tumblr was a place where many who practice found each other and shared their craft in the early 2000s. These are just examples of witchcraft used in America; it has also popped up in

almost every culture and civilization all over the world, including South Africa, Chile and the Philippines. But it wasn’t until TikTok came along, that witchcraft really revolutionized itself for the new generation and got the young people involved. Young people all over the world have joined in on this movement, and videos can be found on every platform in every language. It has become a home for many people just looking for friendship and community; it’s a way to make friends and find like-minded individuals while learning a new practice. People often work 9-5 jobs, then come home and read tarot or cast spells in their free time. Thousands post videos about what they do, or just watch others on TikTok. And for many, they have been doing this all along, and can just now come out of the shadows and share about what they have been doing all this time. If any generation were to bring back witchcraft like it’s never been seen before, it makes sense that it would be Gen Z. The internet has become a powerful tool for Gen Z to build a powerful community within the practice. Witchcraft has provided a home for the underprivileged, an expression that holds cultural significance and a creative community in the digital age.

Throwing shade on history: A look into the importance of modern casting written by Sierra Worden

The blank white canvas is not cutting it anymore when

casting actors for a role. The 21st-century take on casting is all about inclusion. “Our goal was: This is a story about America then, told by America now, and we want to eliminate any distance — our story should look the way our country looks,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda to the New York Times. He is one of many directors that would begin to retell stories in color. Many directors and executive producers like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Julie Anne Robinson and Shonda Rhimes have opened so many doors for actors of color. Incorporating people of color into historical dramas is a crucial step to show diversity in all different forms of media; it shows that everyone has a place in this world. It creates equal job opportunities for people of color, and it can inspire so many younger generations. Being inclusive when casting for a role allows people to realize that they belong and have a place in this world. Seeing actors of color, whether it be on a TV show or movie, can have a major impact on minority groups. The premise of “Bridgerton” was to retell history as if people of color were equal to their counterparts. The hairstyles of the actors of color in “Bridgerton” embrace their natural hair. They did not have to change it for the role, and that is honestly a major reason why America fell in love with the show. I imagine the Duke was also a part of that, but I digress. The regency hairstyles were modified to fit the actors natural hair. Some of the hairstyles incorporated were natural curls, braids, and they even went as far as having some African American men wearing dreadlocks. This is so revolutionary; most of the time directors force Black actors, in particular, to straighten their hair or get weave unless they are playing the classic “mixed” kid role. Being inclusive in the film world has turned into creatives being able to rewrite the past. This is not to say that they are trying to erase what has previously occurred, because this is not the case at all. It is all about looking at what happened and portraying it as how it could and should have been in the first place. This brings a voice to Black and brown creators to tell their own stories, or even how they think history really should have occurred. Though they are important, tired and overdone movies and shows that portray historical trauma have been written. We do not want the only thing connected to POC voices to be trauma-related. We want to retell our dramatic lineage and have it be something of which everyone wishes to see themselves represented authentically. No one wants or should forget the past, because it is very important for progress in the future, but if all that is shown on movie screens are painstaking stories of the slave trade or segregation, we will always have a negative connotation with people of colors’ past. Amplifying POC voices in historical drama will allow them to discover a new world with all different ranges of emotion, and not just historical trauma. They want to rewrite their stories with no regrets.

This can create a whole new playing field by opening doors for equal job opportunities. The new phenomenon of “colorblind casting” will have such a positive impact on the film industry, and Hollywood in general, however, it can still be tricky due to peoples’ implicit bias, and how they believe the role should be portrayed. Colorblind casting is essential when someone casts a role without the thought of the actor’s race. For instance, this was done in Hamilton which took place in the late 1700s to early 1800s. Most of the characters were cast using the colorblind technique, but in particular, Christopher Jackson, an African American male, played George Washington. The act of colorblind casting was revolutionized by a man named Joseph Papp. Papp cast James Earl Jones, an African American male, as the lead in King Lear. There is also another form of casting called “color-conscious” which is when race is acknowledged when casting, and it allows the creators to deepen the meaning of their work and essentially create a conversation. This style of casting is depicted in “Bridgerton,” where their world held people of color and white people at the same level. The king was married to a person of color and this changed the whole historical narrative; it really brought this topic to the table, hence why it is still being talked about now.

“We do not want the only thing connected to POC voices to be trauma-related.” Seeing actors of color in mainstream movies, plays and TV shows can inspire so many future generations. People of colors’ lineage ranges from segregation all the way to slavery. Imagine seeing actors whose ancestors were enslaved on TV playing roles as the very people to whom they were enslaved. This is exactly what occurred in Hamilton. Not only is this putting power back into the hands of people of color, but it is also inspiring so many young boys and girls. Before, you would not see people of color playing these traditionally white roles, but now the game is changing. They are taking back the narrative. Younger generations of color have a vast world of industry to pick from when they are trying to figure out who they want to be. Add this type of casting to having the first African American, South Asian female, Vice President, Kamala Harris, and now the sky’s the limit.

Not only will people of color be affected by this change, but so will white people. Imagine that you are a young white child watching TV, and your favorite TV show only depicts the Black characters as servants or bad people. This can lead to you having a general consensus that this is all they can or ever will be. Even though we know that this is simply not the case, if this is all you have ever seen and known, then you aren’t going to know any better. While some people say that it is the parents’ job to expose their children to other cultures and races, allowing more actors of color to play a role in which they are equal to their white counterparts will make that a lot easier for the parents. Exposing yourself and your children to different races and cultures is crucial to seeing some of the biases that you may even have. This can lead to you changing some of your behaviors and becoming a more inclusive individual. It should be embraced that our society is able to work and live with people who may not look, think, sound or act like you. When you incorporate people of color into historical dramas it shows diversity, and it becomes a crucial step in showing diversity in all different forms of media. It shows that everyone, no matter what they look like, has a place in this world. This can be a hard idea to grasp when you are a child of color growing up in a predominately white country and community. This is why this type of casting has to happen; it will give people of color so much hope. It can also create equal job opportunities in the film industry for men and women of color. The playing field has never been equal between white Americans and Americans of color. Opening up this field for a broader range of actors will not only help people of color, but also the wage gap in America. It will inspire so many younger generations to come and be a part of a much more inclusive country and world. Diversity and inclusion needs to be brought into every aspect of life, and colorblind casting is going to be a great start for that. The doors that this type of casting will open is not only incredible, but historic.

“When you incorporate people of color into historical dramas it shows diversity, and it becomes a crucial step in showing diversity in all different forms of media.” 42

The clothing from the years between 1820 and 1914, also

known as the Victorian era has arguably the most iconic style of clothing compared to other centuries. From corsets to ballgowns to Victorian style boots, this century had it all. Although it has been over 100 years since the Victorian era, many styles and types of clothing have slowly evolved into a more modern taste, without many people even trying. These articles of clothing have been featured in movies, magazines, fashion shows and more. But how did these styles come back into play in today’s era? In theory, this style never fully went away but only changed to fit in with the demand of certain styles. Capes became extremely popular in fall of 2019 and were in many runway shows. Chanel and Valentino were some of the more popular brands to embrace this Victorian style cape. More well known styles, like ball gowns, never fully went away either. Mentioned in popular Disney movies like “Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast” have kept these dresses alive. In more realistic fashion, ball gowns are used for more special occasions in today’s world rather than an everyday occurrence. Events like prom and weddings are most common for this style. “Ball Gowns are a top choice for most, as they flatter a variety of body types,” EssenceDesigns, an Australian wedding dress company, wrote. More lesser known styles include tiered sleeves, bell sleeves and high necklines, all of which have become more popular in the past few years. Big name fashion brands and models have helped influence the popularity of this style, including Versace, with tiered sleeves and capes, and Vogue, with ballgowns and bell sleeves. Historic models, such as Isadora Duncan and Lotta Crabtree, who were popular in the 20s. More recently, Gwyneth Paltrow and Zendaya, have helped to develop the popularity of these styles. Although many aspects of the iconic Victorian era have been brought back with the help of modernization, there are subgenres that have been created through the intricate styles and clothing types of Victorian style. Two of the most popular of these subgenres are cottagecore and goth.

Cottagecore, by definition, is a romanticized and idealized version of rural or countryside life. This subgenre is made up of things like rural clothing, interior design, pottery and overall simple living. Cottagecore, or cottage core aesthetic, became popular in the early 2010s and slowly grew over time. It was dubbed ‘cottagecore’ on Tumblr in 2018 and the popularity of this subgenre skyrocketed on TikTok in 2019 and 2020. Some of the main concepts of cottagecore are the flowing dresses and bell sleeves, both of which originated from the Victorian era. Although the shape and colors may be different, the origin story is all the same. Goth style has been around for a long time, but started to gain traction in Japan in the early 2000s There has been evidence that this style could have come from the 16th century as well. As with cottagecore, this style has also become increasingly popular over the past few years, especially with the development of social media and, more specifically, TikTok. The items of clothing that are, not only the most common and popular, but what also connects this subgenre to the Victorian era, are the Victorian-style boots and high necklines. Goth style keeps the aspect of the darker clothing used in the 19th century which allows for these two to be related more easily. More aspects of the Victorian era come about every few years, but most recently, people have shed more light onto this genre of fashion during quarantine. It became a time to express oneself using old clothing that people took and made their own, hence, the subgenres being created and popularized more recently. This transition has also affected retail stores. Almost any clothing store will now sell styles of clothing that are related to the Victorian era, for example, Rue 21 and JCPenny. Online stores, such as Etsy or Amazon, have clothes that come directly from this era, such as puffed-sleeve tops, making access to this style easier than ever. As fashion develops, the Victorian era will continue to find its way into clothing without many noticing how similar we still are to the daily style of centuries ago.

photographed by David Malecki written by Jessica Riley

f ictorian ashion V A resurgence

o r sConforming the body

or society’s beauty standards? photographed by David Malecki written by Alexandra Holsclaw

History of Corsets Corsets have been a key part

of fashion for centuries, making their first appearance in the 16th century. A corset, also known as a ‘stay,’ can be defined as a “woman’s tightly fitting undergarment extending below the chest to the hips, worn to shape the figure.” (Oxford University Press, n.d.). They are used to help the body achieve an hourglass figure, where it appears the body has a thin waist and curvy hips. To help keep its stiff shape, corsets were made with whalebone, reeds, wood or metal. The metal hooks for lacing in the back allowed for an even tighter fit. There were multiple purposes for wearing a corset whether it be for morphing the body, fashion or health. For the 18th century, the primary purpose was to lift and shape the breasts up, create the illusion of a narrower waist and wider hips, support the back and improve posture (Steele, 2001).

Conforming to Society’s Beauty Standards Corsets reached a peak in popularity during the Victorian era in the mid-1800s, where middle and upper-class women squeezed themselves into corsets and wore up to eight petticoats to help give a fuller look to their skirts. The corsets would restrict their movement and the petticoats felt heavy on their hips. Historian Annemarie Strassel says, “Women complained of overheating and impaired breathing, sweeping along filthy streets and tripping over stairs, crushed organs from whalebone stays and laced corsets, and getting caught in factory machinery.” (Boussoneault, 2018). Some women would even faint as a result of lacing corsets too tightly. Tight-lacing is when one would tightly lace their corset. Women who would tight-lace their corsets in the long term risked the chance of rib cage deformation due to the compressing of the ribs and other internal organs (Isaac, 2017), essentially putting their health at risk to achieve the desired look. Corsets were used as a way to reinforce women’s gender roles by literally and figuratively ‘restricting them.’ “There is no natural body, but only a cultural body,” says Denia Bruna, the creator of the Bard Graduate Center’s exhibition, “Fashioning the Body.”

Instead of changing the body to fit a piece of clothing, have a piece of clothing that best fits the body. 46

(Honig, 2017). This means that undergarments, such as the corset, were used to mold the body into a ‘cultural body,’ fitting into society’s expectations rather than appreciating the natural body. It’s a symbol of conforming to society’s beauty standards, where women were expected to wear tight clothing that made them appear thin. It should be mentioned that this wasn’t all one universal experience among women. If worn appropriately and not too tight, women didn’t have major health issues with corsets. On the other hand, some historians don’t see corsets in terms of oppression versus liberation and fashion versus health and comfort, but rather that women’s experiences varied. Valerie Steele, an American fashion historian, wrote a book about the history of corsets, “The Corset: A Cultural History.” In her book, she disproves the beliefs that corsets were dangerously unhealthy and were designed primarily for the oppression of women. Instead, she finds that women insisted on wearing corsets because of the positive connotations associated with them, such as social status, self-discipline, youth and beauty, even though powerful male authorities discouraged them because of the possible health issues associated with them (Steele, 2001).

Although women were the majority who wore them, corsets didn’t limit themselves to just women. Some men also wore corsets as an undergarment to attain a thin, cinched waist for a short period of history. Steele discusses how in the 1830s, even though men’s fashion stressed a thin waist, men wearing a corset were looked down upon as being too feminine. Some men who wore corsets typically claimed to use them for back support. In the 1850s, men’s fashion became looser and the upper-class perspective increasingly held the notion that men shouldn’t think about trivialities such as fashion (Steele, 2001).

Resurgence

“While the corset has historically signified both beauty and oppression, corsetry, as we know it today, has been reclaimed by women who feel empowered and proud of their sexuality,”

Steele points out that in the 20th century, corsets fell out of fashion, but had become internalized as women replaced it with diet, exercise and plastic surgery. In the 21st century, corsets have recently made a resurgence in contemporary American fashion. One contributor to this trend is the Netflix Original, “Bridgerton”, which takes place in London in the early-1800 Regency period. Throughout the centuries, corsets have altered their purpose, but the look of them has remained consistent with some slight changes. Today, more people are wearing corsets as an outer garment rather than an undergarment. The difference between then and now is the meaning behind them. Steele says the reconception of the corset is a symbol of rebellion and female sexual empowerment. Women now have the freedom to wear whatever they want and for whomever they want, even if it’s for their own damn selves. “While the corset has historically signified both beauty and oppression, corsetry, as we know it today, has been reclaimed by women who feel empowered and proud of their sexuality,” says Patricia Maeda, an editor at Fashion Snoops (Radin, 2019). Corsets can be seen worn by celebrities, such as Lizzo and Bella Hadid. Shapewear has certainly not vanished, and it has made quite the comeback, and not just in the form of corsets either. There are waist trainers, girdles and Spanx, specifically designed to achieve a slim silhouette. No matter the reason, if you wear any form of shapewear, just ensure that you’re wearing them safely. If you do decide to wear a corset, make sure to wear it in a way that’s not too tight, but rather best fits you and your beautiful shape. Instead of changing the body to fit a piece of clothing, have a piece of clothing that best fits the body.

Rich people in space Innovative or insenstive? written by Kaeli Ricottilli

From rapidly developing an important vaccine to figuring

out efficient ways to save the planet, scientists everywhere have been busy the last couple of years. Perhaps the biggest scientific talking point recently has been the growing industry of commercial space travel. Blue Origin, created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and SpaceX, founded by Tesla owner Elon Musk, have made history for commercial space flights in recent years. Blue Origin’s first big milestone came in 2015 when they successfully launched and landed the first reusable rocket. On July 20, 2021, Blue Origin conducted its first crewed launch and landing. Along with Bezos and his brother, Mark, the flight included Wally Funk, who became the oldest person to go to space, and Oliver Daemen, who became both the youngest person to go to space and the first person to pay for a suborbital space flight. Musk’s SpaceX company also made space travel history on Sept. 15, 2021, with the first all-civilian crew to go to space. There were four people aboard the Inspiration4 rocket, and the cost of all four tickets was covered by passenger Jared Isaacman. The exact price of the trip was not made public, but those familiar with the field have estimated the total cost to be somewhere around $200 million.

Despite the incredible scientific advancements brought about by these trips, they have their fair share of controversy. Many Americans believe that it is wasteful to spend large sums of money on flights to space when there are serious problems down here on Earth that should get money and attention first. Emmy-nominated science television host and WVU alumna Emily Calandrelli explains how the rich paying vast amounts of money for trips to space can also benefit citizens and other scientists: “What I see this as is the starting point of making space a bit more accessible for more people. Not just for tourists or for people who want to go to space, but for scientists, because to get your science experiment to space, it costs a lot of money. Only certain groups of people can afford to be able to send their research into space, so when you get that price down, all of a sudden more science can happen in space, which is really exciting. To do that, to get that price down, we need these millionaires and billionaires to buy the first tickets so these companies can keep innovating and keep doing their research and development to bring the cost down for the rest of us.” Calandrelli compared this to the price of the first computers or first commercial airline flights, saying that only the rich could afford such services until the companies had enough money and reputation to be able to lower their prices. For example, the first commercial airline flight in 1914 cost $400, which is equivalent to $5,000 today. Another issue that has been mentioned is the environmental impact of commercial space flight. Each 90-minute flight releases the same amount of pollution as a 10-hour airplane flight. “I think that one interesting idea that I’ve seen come about is that for flights that are purely joy rides, that don’t have any science on board, that we would implement a carbon tax on those flights so that we don’t just have rich people going to space every week and not having any type of cost to those environmental consequences,” says Calandrelli. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX show no signs of slowing down, with both companies planning multiple flights for 2022.

Checking Her Baggage

Evaluating the retraumatization of traumatized female villains Trigger Warning: This article contains stories of rape, sexual assault and religious abuse written by Kaitlyn McClung

The idea of the villain has played a prominent role in our

society. However, the idea of the female villain brings on an entirely different meaning to the word ‘villain.’ Female villains are often portrayed as wanting more than just the evil purpose, but at what expense? They have a significant connotation behind their actions, but how did they get there? Every villain has an origin story, one with heart-tugging, trauma-filled events that molded them into who they are in that moment. However, when it comes to a female villain, why does it almost always revolve around the limits of their femininity such as becoming a femme fatale, weaponizing their sexuality or enacting revenge on a scorned lover or for the sake of their children. Female villains have shaped the media and become iconic pillars in our minds today, and below are some of the most iconic and influential female villains and their stories.

Medusa Medusa is one of the most notable figures in Greek mythology. Her complex characterization and story have carried her throughout the centuries into today. For those who don’t know, Medusa is a woman with a head of snakes. She can petrify anyone to stone with a look in her eyes. Her image varies in different historical interpretations; she has been depicted as grotesque and fearful or fierce and composed. Regardless of her depiction, she has been a stronghold for women everywhere. Medusa did not become an iconic figure until the first century B.C. The Roman author Ovid described Medusa as a beautiful, mortal priestess to Athena. Her story goes on to say that she was seduced by the infamous God Poseidon. This sacrilege brought upon the wrath of Athena on the mortal priestess who punished her by turning her hair into snakes. This story has become the most famous retelling of Medusa’s origin. Sadly, the reason behind this retelling becoming so popular is because of many sexual assault and rape victims coming forward. Medusa is an apotropaic character meaning she symbolizes warding off evil and negative energy. Many women have decided to get her tattooed on them. This is meant to help them take back their power. Many tattoo artists depict her in different ways, but the symbolism never changes. Regardless of the myths and retellings, Medusa is meant to depict protection.

Carrie Stephen King has created many notable characters and stories, however, none more revenge-filled than Carrie. King created the story and character Carrie with a young girl he went to school with in mind. According to King, the young girl sat in the back, quiet and relentlessly bullied. She was bullied due to her lack of clothing and seizures. He notes when he saw the family moving in, a large cross adorned the wall above the couch. The young girl lived with her single mother, neither of whom made it to 30-years-old. The girl’s mother took her own life and her daughter died of a seizure, alone in their home. King wrote this with their ghosts watching over him. However, he obviously enhanced the story to give the young girl psychokinetic powers. Carrie is a young girl relentlessly abused and bullied. She has no escape. She faced intense ridicule from her peers at school. In her home life, the house is ruled by religion and her mother is extremely strict. The mother symbolizes the “evil” of feminism; she continuously ridicules Carrie for trying to show her femininity. In the iconic prom scene, Carrie has a bucket of pig’s blood dumped on her. With her new-found powers, she locks her peers in the gymnasium and burns it to the ground. When she returns home, her mother is waiting to stab her in the back, literally. She believes Carrie is consumed by the devil. They both end up dying with Carrie being stabbed while her mother died at the hands of her daughter.

The woman from “Ready or Not” wasn’t unhinged she was defending her life...

Tbh this whole post feels more like a list of women who suffered abuse and/or trauma and couldn’t recover from that (or in this case had literally no other choice) Like that... doesnt seem particularly funny to me

Wanda Maximoff Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlet Witch, first appeared in the American comic books, “The X-Men #4” published by Marvel in March of 1964. (In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they do not refer to Maximoff as Scarlet Witch due to the battle of rights between Fox and Disney.) Her powers were born from the Mind Stone found in Loki’s scepter. Maximoff’s abilities include telekinesis, energy manipulation and some form of neuroelectric interfacing that allows her to both read thoughts and also give her targets waking nightmares. Maximoff is first depicted as a reluctant villain with her twin brother Pietro Maximoff, aka Quicksilver. They are both members of the Brotherhood of Mutants and, after a year, the Maximoffs are shown as members of the Avengers. In a comic released in 1975, she married her android teammate, Vision. This also carries into the MCU with her forming a relationship with Vision, however, Vision does not make it long enough to marry her. In “Avengers: Infinity War,” the antagonist, Thanos, is in pursuit of the Infinity Stones. One of the last stones he needs is embedded into Vision. Wanda is put in a compromising position by having to destroy the love of her life. She succeeds, but Thanos reverses time and violently kills Vision in front of Maximoff. With all the stones, Thanos snaps his finger and eliminates half of the Earth’s population, Maximoff included. When she comes back, she sees that everyone she loves is gone. Her story continues in the show “WandaVision.” With how much pain she has experienced, she involuntarily creates her own idealized reality. This reality goes through different time periods. She is a typical housewife to Vision and becomes pregnant with twin boys. By the end of the show, Wanda comes into her true form, but at the same time she loses her reality she created. She has to watch everything she loves disappear for a second time. The villain world needs more women not bound by their femininity. Male villains often have acutely developed back stories with an overwhelming amount of “representation” for their gender. It is rare to find a female villain that is just a villain, not one scorned. One prominent example of this is Bellatrix Lestrange. She is just an amazing villain unbound by her gender. She is feared as much as her male counterparts. On the other hand, you have villains like Medusa, Carrie and Wanda Maximoff who are completely bound to their limits as women. Medusa was cursed for committing a “crime” as a priestess. Carrie’s entire life is bound to her religious mother and her hatred of Carrie’s femininity and doesn’t want her to grow to commit sinful acts. Wanda is on a revenge path to get her children and husband back, even though they were completely in her head. Her entire plot point was only furthered by this need to be a mother, not because of her amazing powers and characterization. These women are just a few of the most influential female villains in our culture, but are they really villains? Or are they just a woman being villainized by society?

MIRAGE

cooks

selected and written by Olivia Gianettino

Cold Tortellini Salad Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Ingredients: 12 oz cheese tortellini, cooked 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup pitted olives (of your choice!) 8 oz fresh mozzarella, chopped into 1/4 inch cubes For dressing: Grated parmesan cheese 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1/3 olive oil 3 large cloves of garlic, minced .Bunch of fresh basil, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions: Prepare tortellini according to package instructions and set aside to cool. While tortellini is cooking, combine dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together vigorously. Set aside. In a large bowl, add the halved cherry tomatoes, olives, fresh mozzarella cubes and cooked tortellini. Whisk the dressing again before adding to the salad mix. Add parmesan cheese and mix again. Pop the salad back in the fridge to chill before serving-- the longer it sits, the tastier!

Make this bold antipasto dish for a meeting of the minds, spellcasting with your witch coven or before frollicking in a field with your best friends at a tea party. Serve with a citrusy red wine spritzer at a picnic and charm your hot date.

Red Wine Spritzer Total time: 1 minute Ingredients: Dry red wine Sparkling seltzer (sometimes, I used flavored!) Citrus wedges

Directions: Fill glass 3/4 of the way with wine. Fill glass the rest of the way with the sparkling seltzer of your choice. Garnish with a citrus wedge. Pro-tip: Serve immediately so it doesn’t go flat!

Mirage Reads

Review: written by Kasey Lettrich

Blanketed in a plethora of awards including

Stonewall Book Award, 2013 Honor Book, the Michael L. Printz Award and the Pura Belpré Author Award, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz will go down in history as one-of-a-kind. Sáenz uses simple and straight-forward language and, if you’re listening at surface level, this is the story of two boys who develop a deep bond and understanding of each other as they grow into adulthood and become best friends. Underneath the simple language, this coming of age story is profound, raw and honest. “He looked tired but at that moment, as we sat at the kitchen table, there was something young about him. And I thought that maybe he was changing into someone else. Everyone was always becoming someone else.” - Benjamin Alire Sáenz, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” With such a bold title, you’d expect a bold story. However, the author truly breaks it down so that it can be understood by everyone and analyzed by those who look deeper. The story is told from Ari’s (Aristotle) point of view and begins when he meets Dante at a local pool one summer in El Paso, Texas in the 1980s. As these two awkward 15-year-olds meet, interact and become the closest of friends, you begin to understand why the language is so straightforward. Why would a 15-year-old write as an adult would? Sáenz makes this story believable and raw; it’s as if the author, himself, is enduring the acts of a 15-year-old and writing them down as he feels them, turning them into a story of two young boys figuring themselves out. The book begins in such a mundane way and the vibe of the book is excessively grey until it isn’t. As you begin to understand these characters, your perspective on the story itself evolves. When you look deeper into the thoughts and feelings of these characters and the words that they speak, you are bound to learn things about yourself. “Scars. A sign that you had been hurt. A sign that you had healed. Had I been hurt? Had I healed? Maybe we just lived between hurting and healing.” - Benjamin Alire Sáenz, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”

From mundane occurrences to tragic accidents to horrible losses, this book will take you on a journey in which you fall in love with the characters, dream for their success and plead for them to untangle their thoughts and figure themselves out. The end of this book was unexpected yet exactly what needed to happen. It was as if you were entirely lost as the story progressed and then everything just fell into place in the most simple and lovely way. As I think back on this book, I realize now that that was intentional. When you are developing from a 15-year-old to a 17-year-old you are lost and entirely unsure of everything. But, when you grow up and things begin to fall into place, it feels as if the answers were in front of you all along. In this way, this novel is genius. “This was what was wrong with me. All this time I had been trying to find the secrets of the universe, the secrets of my own body, of my own heart. All of the answers had always been so close and yet I had always forgotten them without even knowing it.”- Benjamin Alire Sáenz, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” Sometimes, life isn’t as hard as we imagine it to be. Sometimes, the secrets of the universe are right in front of us. Sometimes, we have to grow up a little to recognize the path that we are on and the life we want to live.

More Retrograde reads It’s that time of year when the snow starts to fall and I want nothing more than to curl up under a blanket with a warm drink and a good book. Mirage has decided to add a new little section to our magazine where we offer you our favorite on-theme reads, so that you can read what we’re reading as the weather gets colder. With that being said, get comfy and check out our Retrograde-themed book recommendations!

We All Looked Up

A philosophical young adult contemporary novel, “We All Looked Up” by Tommy Wallach is a one-of-a-kind crash course on existentialism from the perspective of a handful of high school students waiting for the world to end. There’s only two months left until the asteroid eradicates Earth and a group of teenagers, each suffering from the labels placed on them, will fight to experience the best of the next two months and drop the labels that have burdened them for so long. This novel is the story of a group of kids each searching for the meaning of life and the preparation for it to end.

The Secret History

*Trigger Warning* “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt, set in an elite New England college, is the dark academia modern-day Greek tragedy that you’ve been searching for. As a young man looks back on his time in college drenched in murder and mystery and secrecy, the beauty of Tartt’s language will draw you in and hold you there as you untangle the story of five students bound by the human desire for friendship.

We Were Liars

“We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart is unconventional beauty, a rich family on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts and deep, deep secrecy wrapped in cryptic language and fragmented sentences. You should go into this book knowing NOTHING. All that I will say is expect a mysterious girl and her rich family and then turn your expectations upside down as the secrets of the book and the characters involved are revealed.

All the Bright Places

*Trigger Warning* “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven follows Finch and Violet, two high school kids who are groveling through their individual traumas. From the perspective of two mentally ill teenagers trying to find their way, you gain a new perspective on life and what it means to truly endure. This beautiful book is heart-wrenching and metaphorical and gripping until the very end.

I’ll Give You the Sun

A radiant story of twin siblings, “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson is a book about longing, loss and new love, answering the questions of your past and learning to understand yourself in the wake of mourning. When the pair diverge to live separate lives, they must tell their own stories to the best of their ability but, without the other, they are living in a world of unanswered questions.

MIRAGE’s Picks

Annika’s Pick Vampire Diaries If there is one thing to know about me, it’s that I am a sucker for a cheesy teen drama TV show. I’ve been through “Pretty Little Liars,” “Gossip Girl” and of course, the infamous “Secret Life of the American Teenager,” but until recently I had never seen “The Vampire Diaries.” Needless to say, I’m obsessed — teen vampires, witches and werewolves coupled with love triangles and the unnecessary drama of high school, I mean what more could I want? Something about the absolutely nonsensical storylines with the gaping plot holes really cracks me up. So far I’ve only gotten to season five, so I’m sure it continues to go downhill from here but you can bet I’ll watch and love every second of it. (100% Team Damon, btw).

David’s Pick Beard Brush/Beard Oil/ Beard&Scruff Cream To me, there’s nothing that makes me feel more confident than a burly, thick ensemble of hairs all over my face. That is, as long as a beard is well maintained. I feel one of the reasons people are discouraged from growing beards (other than the inability to grow, to which I say, own it) is that they can become extremely itchy and feel dry, or even stink! All of these problems can be solved with the application of beard oil or cream. It will make your hairy companions uniform, soft and smell like a forest after a tranquil rainfall in the summer. Also, in the era of facemarks, it takes your mask experience to the next level by filling it with the previously stated aroma. Once it’s all rubbed into those now soft hairs, a follow-through with a brush straightens and strengthens the hair on your face for a more refined look. These three items are essential for anyone sporting designer stubble or a glorious beard.

Elisa’s Pick YSL Libre perfume My pick has to be the Yves Saint Laurent Libre perfume. For a long time, I have been trying to find a high quality perfume that I adored and didn’t have too strong of a smell to the point of scrunching your nose when you walked into a room. The fragrance of this perfume is a warm floral with lavender, orange blossom and a little hint of musk. I am in love with this scent and I wear it every time I walk out the door.

Emily’s Pick Sally Squishmallow When I saw squishmallows for the first time, I honestly thought that they were a waste of money and kind of stupid. They were very popular among college students for some reason, and I always told myself that I would never give in. That is until I saw the Nightmare Before Christmas squishmallow collection right before halloween. My squish-addicted roommate found the Jack squishmallow and I instantly knew I needed Sally. She’s the perfect size for both decoration and comfort, while also being ~limited edition~. Finding her was like reigniting the flame blown out from when I was addicted to Webkinz as a child, and although I’m not sure if that’s healthy or not I don’t really care at the moment because she’s so darn cute.

Hunter’s Pick The Insence Match If there is anything that I love more than romanticizing my own life, it is these incense matches. I love the idea of using matches as opposed to a lighter to light candles because it makes me feel like I am living in the 17th century. The coolest part of these matches is that they double as incense! After lighting whatever you need to light, you can let the matches burn down a little more, and then boom, you have a small incense. Also, they come in so many different scents! My personal favorites are the patchouli and sandalwood scents. I buy mine from a local metaphysical shop because it supports small businesses, but you can get them online too. I’ve bought so many packs at once and I use them shamelessly to quickly cleanse a space on the go because I cannot keep living with these bad vibes. Anway, 10/10 would recommend The Incense Match™.

Kasey’s Pick “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins I read “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid this past summer and it has been taking up space in my mind ever since. This book leads you through Evelyn’s life, her seven husbands along the way, the complexities of a forbidden love and the dreamy life of being a movie star in old Hollywood. The plot twists and storyline are unlike any other as you start to put the pieces of Evelyn’s life together and how it connects to Monique’s, the journalist who is interviewing Evelyn on her life. Evelyn has a horribly complex personality that made this book so fascinating! The author does such a wonderful job of making you fall in love with characters that you should hate because the depth of each character is so intense that you can’t help but understand them on another level. I have never read a book where so much character development was packed into 400 pages. At surface level, this book is excessively entertaining but it has the potential to teach you so much on a deeper level. I discovered a lot about myself from the women who lead this book and I would recommend it to anybody in their 20s!

Olivia’s Pick E-Circuit wide angle camera lense This year, I added an essential to my purse: the E-Circuit wide angle smartphone lense. No matter where I am going, I am sure to have this little device on me. I throw it on my iPhone camera and can instantly take fun fisheye-effect pictures. It is a perfect tool for managing social media accounts or simply adding a warped, wacky view on pictures that you’ll likely cherish forever. I especially love throwing it on my camera and snapping pictures of my pals at the bar. The best part: you can find it at the Dollar Tree for $1.

Adam’s Pick “Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller I think this book may have changed my life. Dramatic, yes, but I found Miller’s modern adaptation of Homer to be nothing short of beautiful. Almost poetically, the book follows Patroclus as he ages from loyal confidant to passionate lover with “best of all the Greeks” Achilles. The powerful, almost cosmic bond the two share is unlike any other LGBTQ+ love story I have encountered. And as the reader is granted the opportunity to slowly grow alongside the characters, you will fall in love with the duo as much as they do with one another. Heck, I was so moved I came up with an entire homoerotic photoshoot for this issue! Read it for yourself as soon as possible!

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