Date: Fri, 1 May 92
From: image!larne@uu.psi.com (Larne Pekowsky)
This comes from a discussion about symbolism, and finding significance where there was none intended, that I was having with Tim Hunter.
Anyway, the back cover, for those of you who haven't memorized it, shows a branch or staff on the left, and a large vase or urn on the right. Traditionally staves are taken to be masculine symbols, and vases feminine, for pretty much the obvious freudian reasons. The cover could, therefore, be taken as representing male and female aspects in balance.
Likewise, shepherd moons are objects that keep planetary ring systems in balance. It might be interesting to look at the album and individual songs and seeing if there is a common theme of balance running through them. I haven't done this yet, but I wonder if anyone else has picked up on it.
Some other patterns that may be fun to play with: traditionally, the precise, mathematic nature of music is considered masculine, and the ability to stir the emotions is feminine. Enya, more so than most other musicians I listen to, is very strong in both aspects. Maybe she sees herself, or this album, as a union of dualities? Maybe, of course, not. Also, some religious traditions associate staves with wind, the east and the intellect, and vases with water, the west, and emotions. At least one person has called Watermark a water album, and Shepherd Moons an air album (and wondered if her next two might not be firey and earthy).
Before anyone accuses me of being totally wacky, let me say I don't necessarily think any of this symbolism was used intentionally, or even that it is necessarily there at all beyond a certain amount of finding what one looks for. However, it's sometimes interesting and insightful to pick a symbolic system and examine art through it. Sometimes not, of course. In any case, I thought I'd throw it out and see what you all think.
Date: Fri, 1 May 92
From: troyl@dadd.ti.com (Troy Loveday)
While I don't doubt that much of this symbolism exists and may even have been intentional, I have often felt that meticulous (over-)analysis can detract from the beauty and aesthetics of an art form (album cover, music, painting, novel, or whatever). While the analysis can sometimes be interesting, sometimes you just have to kick back, take it all in, and enjoy and appreciate it at face value.
This is my $.02 worth only.
(It all started when I was a child. Too many of my English teachers ruined reading assignments by insisting that I "see" symbolism that I frankly believe was too vague, just plain did not exist, or if it did, was probably not intended by the author in the first place...)
Date: Fri, 1 May 92
From: image!larne@uu.psi.com (Larne Pekowsky)
Believe it or not, I actually agree with you, although it would be possible to argue that the reason any art can be appreciated at face value is because the symbolism is at work subconsciously.
The question really is at what point does this sort of analysis stop leading to new insights, and start becoming rote dissection. I think with Enya there may be room to play these sorts of intellectual games and not lose any of the beauty.
To give a parallel example: once I had read the story behind Kate Bush's 'The Ninth Wave', it became like a whole new album. I found the emotional experience increased dramatically because of little analysis. Of course, this sort of thing is highly personal, and sometimes the best way to listen to something is to let it speak directly to the subconscious, and not let it get detoured by the rational mind.
Date: Mon, 4 May 92
From: u8937737@arch.unsw.oz.au (Adrian Esdaile)
I agree about the water/air/fire.. sequence in Enya`s albums- Shepherd Moons is very much an `air` album, just as Watermark was `water`.
The question is, will the next album be `fire`? And does anyone think the The Celts is the `earth` album? I always get images of stone circles and foggy moors when listening to that album...
Date: Mon, 4 May 92
From: crow@mundil.cs.mu.OZ.AU (Jagg Yoeyg Groeg)
There is an (officially) unreleased video called "The Memory of Earth" which contains music from The Celts set to natural Irish scenes, many of which are exactly as you've described above.
I believe the video couldn't be released as the producers were unable to gain the rights to Enya's music.
But anyway, I guess if there IS an elemental theme to Enya's albums, then The Celts is Earth.