Shannon Benine

Reclaiming, 2016–ongoing

"Reclaiming" is an ongoing series of handmade artist books that delve into the heart of California's vibrant Reclaiming movement. This feminist and regenerative witchcraft tradition emphasizes social justice, earth-based spirituality, and wielding magic for positive change. It offers a unique path towards personal empowerment, fostering a deep respect for the natural world.

"Reclaiming" unfolds in two captivating volumes, each woven with words and images. The first volume, titled "We Are the Weavers," presents intimate portraits of coven members' hands after rituals. These hands, illuminated by the setting sun, hold the secrets of the sacred practices they participated in. The close-up view invites contemplation, searching for visual clues that might hint at the unseen magic woven during the rituals.

The companion volume, "We Are the Web," offers a contrasting perspective. Here, long-exposure photographs capture the transformative energy radiating from coven rituals around a blazing bonfire. Bathed in the ethereal light of the flames, silhouetted figures dance and chant, their movements echoing the natural world's rhythms. This technique creates a sense of collective energy, blurring the lines between individual participants and inviting viewers to contemplate the unseen forces at play – the intentions woven into the rituals, the connections between coven members, and their deep reverence for the natural world.

By showcasing both the intimate and the collective, "Reclaiming" dismantles stereotypical portrayals of witchcraft. The titles themselves, echoing a folk melody "We are the flow, We are the ebb, We are the weavers, We are the web," emphasize the interconnectedness of the coven and the cyclical nature of their magic. This connection extends to the final line, "We are the witches, Back from the dead," which speaks to the movement's reclamation of the historical power and wisdom associated with witchcraft. Ultimately, "Reclaiming" is a journey of discovery, inviting viewers to witness the transformative power held within the practices of the Reclaiming movement.