mandrake project – Teufelskunst

Mandrake Phytographs

Mandrake Phytographs from 2023

Living and dead mandrake roots are drawn with India ink on absorbent paper, which has been infused prior with coffee, soil and the body of the portrayed mandrake root. It is meant as a collector’s item in a series of “Root” drawings, which I have been creating over a number of years.

Drawings from this series have been exhibited for the first time in 2017 in Berlin as part of the “Bad Intentions” group exhibition, alongside internationally renowned artists from Isreal and Palestine. They were also featured in an online exhibition titled “ROOT”, held in 2021 by The Organic Centre Ireland during the Corona pandemic.

The artistic process that I refer to as “phytography” has been introduced to a larger audience in 2022 during the virtual “Viridis Genii Symposium VII” and has been published as part of the accompanying book series.

Choosing mandrake as an artistic theme is tapping into and continuing an anthropomorphic mandrake root cult, which can be found throughout millenia of human civilization. My research on the religious symbolism and folkloristic mandrake traditions was published in the article “Regina Amandrakina” featured in “Pillars” journal released by Anathema Publishing in 2014. A summary of mandrake’s purported magical properties is attached via the info sheet accompanying your drawing.

The roots are portrayed in and beyond their physical form, employing different layers composed of physical matter from the root and the detailed ink drawing created during many hours, in which I establish a deeper connection to the plant soul. During this process I gain ‘magical’ experiences, such as roots that seemed dead suddenly starting to thrive again, which is in line with mandrake’s alleged necromantic and resurrecting powers.

Even more satisfying is to see the roots finding new life in new homes and transforming and functioning as divinatory tools and serving as magical famuli in the hands of other mandrake enthusiasts.

January 5, 2024

Posted In: Mandrake Project, Art, Pflanzenkunst

Tags: mandrake project, original art, ink drawings, phytography, phytomancy

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Dried Mandrake Roots

Upon request, I am offering here some dried mandrake roots, which I have grown and harvested over the past years. For reference, the leave is ca 12 cm long. These roots are talismans. They are not meant to be made into incense. They can be oiled and/or fed with traditional offerings, such as red wine, milk and honey, herbal essences, bread, incense or tobacco smoke, coins, stones etc. If you purchase one, you agree to stay in touch about your work with the root. I am happy to give you guidance and set up a ritual practice with you based on your personal magical background.

Pricing from top left to bottom right:

~~93 €~~ top left – sold
~~prices~~ for the 2 small roots are negotiable (they are suitable to wear in a glass amulet with other herbs – a custom amulet can be made for you) – sold
~~83 €~~ top second from right
~~111 €~~ top right – sold
~~88 €~~ bottom left – sold
center – sold
~~108 €~~ bottom second from right – sold
~~131 €~~ bottom right – reserved

Handdrawn mandrake root phytographs can be purchased along with the roots and start at 100 € per phytograph. If you commission a phytograph together with the root I will give 10% discount.

August 23, 2023

Posted In: Mandrake Project, Herbs & Seeds, Ritual

Tags: alraune, mandragora officinarum, mandrake project, mandragora, mandrakins, talismans, Mandrake, roots

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“Dead Astronaut” is aLive

It’s wonderful to be receiving such feedback! Remember last year`s mandrake post about “Alien Monstress” and “Crippled Astronaut”? Well, who would have guessed that! First photo shows a recent post by obviously blessed and knowledgable David ‘Mr. Mandrake’ Simmons. Second photo is of the same root about a year ago and third is of my ink portrait, now framed and adorning D. Simmon’s wall. Thanks David!

In memoriam H.H. Ewers

July 17, 2023

Posted In: Art, Ritual, Garden, Pflanzenkunst, Mandrake Project, Herbs & Seeds

Tags: ink, mandragora officinarum, mandrake project, Mandrake, ink drawings, roots, root, phytography, alraune, dead astronaut, phytomancy, plant magic, necromancy, art

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Crippled Astronaut and Alien Monstress Mandrake Roots

Here come “Alien Monstress” and “Crippled Astronaut” mandrake root.

They are two of the first mandrake roots I had purchased back when starting out with Teufelkunst as a “sorcery supply”.
A lot has happened since then (such as moving across the country, motherhood and other things). Originally there were a few more of those old mandrake roots, but only these two survived the winters, drought and pests that came and went with the years. I took them out of their earthen homestead now, as I felt it was time. They are still sturdy and astronaut looks like she’s about to produce a new shoot. But as I am now busy preparing for presenting at this year’s VGS (see next post for more about my lecture and the workshop I am giving), and since I need to raise funds for new investments (ie a new laptop), I have decided to offer them for sale now. It is up to the new owner to decide whether he/she wants to dry them and care for their spirits in the form of a magical famulus or try a new round of growing and further fostering their green shape.

Along with the purchase you receive a portrait of the root drawn with India ink on ensouled paper. The drawing(s) will be shipped separately and a few months later after you have received the root(s), as I am yet to produce them.

Size, Weight and Pricing:
93 Euro for the “Astronaut” (~ 14 cm, 65 g) and 188 Euro for the “Alien Monstress” (ca 17 cm, 125 g)
Prices are without shipping costs. Please inquire for an individual offer ensuring safe and fast shipping to your country.

NOTE: I have more dried and live roots available (see pictures below). Please contact me for individual offers including shipping.

e-mail: info [a] teufelskunst.com

August 18, 2022

Posted In: Herbs & Seeds, Mandrake Project

Tags: Mandrake, roots, mandragora officinarum, mandrake project, astronaut, xenomorph, monstress

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Mandrake Roots 2018

Returning from 3 weeks of garden work, Teufelskunst is back with a new offer of five Mandragora officinarum roots. The roots you see above will be available for purchase this week. They have shed their leaves and are currently withdrawn to the ground, which gave me the opportunity to study and replant them. Now is also a good time to sell and ship them safely.

The roots are between 12-10 cm in length and weigh between 31-37 gram. Their shapes inspire me to name and make art for them. The offer presented here is again for the live root and a detailed ink study of the same. Note: root and art are shipped separately this time.

For further details please view the individual listings (going up Wednesday, July 18 2018, 6 pm Central European Summer Time)

July 17, 2018

Posted In: Art, Pflanzenkunst

Tags: mandrake project, Mandrake, live plants, mandragora officinarum

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Fall Greetings 2017

As I am typing this, the candle has already extinguished and there are nearly as many tiny air bubbles in the glass of water as dots on the ink drawing in the background.

My little fall equinox altar is made of tokens gathered during the past days. It also features a small glass of self-made hawthorn liqueur. The hawthorn goddess was addressed for empowerment at a time when I am down with flu and need to recharge both physically as well as spiritually.

The drawing is one of three drawings I did last week. It is the second in the small series and titled “Pathfinder”, since the shape reminded me of a creature equipped with plenty of sensors, which seems to be pushing forward against an icy storm. The third drawing is now in the possession of The Witching Veil, together with the autumn mandrake root depicted on it.

The incense burnt was the Black sacra from Luban Frankincense Supplier. It has a deeper, somewhat richer aroma than the green and white frankincense from Oman, and fits just perfectly for the season.

With the passing of the Fall Equinox, Samhain is just around the corner. I will hence begin preparing my presentation for this year’s Samhain Celebration in Gotha, which I am attending for the second time in a row.

The latest addition to the shop will be new autumn mandrake roots, which will go up for sale in the evening. Please also take a look at the new listings in the Sigilla Magica category.

Last but not least I thank all of you, who ordered my Dog Days incense. I have but one jar each left. The coming days I will work on new batches of Samhain incense, as well as restocking incense for Qayin and Lilith.

September 23, 2017

Posted In: News & Site Updates, Feast Days, Ritual

Tags: autumn mandrake, autumn equinox, mandragora autumnalis, alraune, ink drawing, botanical studies, plant art, frankincense oman, art, the witching veil, ink, mandrake project, ritual, fall equinox, incense, shop news, Mandrake, black mandrake, altar

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Mandrake Roots and Art

This project began earlier in 2016, when parting with a few homegrown live mandrake roots and sending them to new homes. Part of the deal for the new owner was to commission a portrait of the very root they were to receive.

Each root is drawn with ink and quill on stained paper. Attention is paid to the peculiar shape and features of each root. The result are detailed portraits, which are not only unique pieces of fine art but which also give the owner a reference, when the roots are planted back into soil.

Examples of roots that have left my own mandrake family and joined new homes: