WELCOME TO VENUS
Venus Unfolds the Rose is a story of divine transformation.
“Being human means throwing your whole life on the scales of destiny when need be, all the while rejoicing in every sunny day and every beautiful cloud.”
Rosa Luxemburg
Venus Unfolds the Rose is a story of divine transformation. One of healing, of justice, & radical, magickal collective action. Learn More.
Upon first glance, this merry little tale of a coven of anarchist Wxtches, devoted to the Holy Whore of Love and War, may appear to be a work of fiction. But it is, in fact, an intricate weaving of magick, witchcraft, and the Spirits of History. The events here as they unfolded all took place in this fine city, at some point in time: the lives of the characters are inherently entwined with yours and mine.
Of course often fantastical in nature, and magickal in tone, these pages contain whispers from the Wxtches of this city, both present and deceased. Wxtches?! Wxtches?! What do you mean Wxtches??? Yes Wxtches. You know them well. She who has wandered the streets of Berlin, enacting change in every step. A radical, revolutionary, fiery force, she is the embodiment of transformation. She is Black, She is White, She is Queer, She is Femme, She is Trans, Non Binary, and everything in between. And she wants you to hear her story.
So what I’m saying is that this story is a blending of true events with magickal imaginings of possibility. It reflects my own wxtchcraft practice, personal healing journey, scrying sessions with the Goddess, as well as my research into Radical Femmes, the history of anti-capitalist social movements, heretics, Babalon, Feminism, Anarchism, Anti-Racism, Police Violence, Gentrification, occultism & the Haitian Revolution. An experimental practice in devising imaginative ways to manifest radical, societal change, combined with observations of what’s going on in the city.
Another world is possible, we gotta start imagining and dreaming it into action.
So there is plenty to learn within these pages, and I hope you find something of interest. I thought my fellow Wxtchy nerds out there may appreciate some further reading and references which can be found in the Story Notes booklet. (Which I am sharing with you now on Substack)
Most of the images in the Zine are my own collaged creations, or from my collection of treasures I have found around Berlin. I’ve tried my best to identify every artist - but sometimes loose leaves get lost along the way. Please let me know if you discover an uncredited image and know the source - or if you see your own images & would like them to be removed. Credit & big thanks given when possible!
In humble gratitude to all the great thinkers, healers, artists, magickans & wxtches whose ideas & visions have nourished my body & shaped my mind.
Best wxtches,
Rosa Ray
🌹 Venus Unfolds the Rose is a Story of Divine Transformation
✨Read Venus Unfolds the Rose Part I Online
✨Get your Wxtchy Fingers on a Print Copy
Cover Image: The Clouds of Venus
Featuring: Babalon Icon (Unknown); Song of Sophia: Shiloh McCloud, from We Moon Diary; Heddy Lamar as Diana; Anita Berber; Our bare breasted beauty is Perfect Match by Allan Jones; All Goddesses gathered around the Orion Nebula.
from Venus Unfolds the Rose Part II - created by Rosa Ray