Autumn vs. SUMMERHOME

Is SummerHome by Thomas R Clark a Work of Pagan Themed Splatterfolk? New intern Autumn Leaves says yes, and she’s here for it!

There are three topics I would like to discuss from SummerHome that I believe make my case for me. They are the Irish witch trial and spell by Mary Brigit Dunbar, the relationship between sex and magic, and the ghostly cat serving as a psychopomp.

On Isle Magee in Ireland, 1711, there was a witch trial in a local court. Mary Brigit Dunbar stands out for her rebellious nature and unapologetic attitude toward Witchcraft. The other accused women may have been innocent by the day’s standards, but Mary was not. Her use of magic meant that she was in league with the Devil back then and would have to be dealt with accordingly: a death by hanging. Mary, of course, escapes, and marries a man named John Magee. John is to be her 13th sacrifice to bring her spell to completion. “The Blood is reaped. And the blood is…sewn.” The spirit of Mary Dunbar lives on through her female offspring, doomed to murder the fathers of their first born as well to keep Mary’s curse alive. The new wave of sacrifices in modern day SummerHome prove that Mary is indeed spiritually active and determined to recreate her spell.

The relationship between sex and magic is also worth delving into. As someone who has practised and researched Paganism periodically throughout my life, I know that there is a deep connection between sexual energy and spellwork. Sex magic is widely believed to increase the potency of spells. There is a lot of sex happening in SummerHome and it isn’t just because of the horny senior couple who like to dress up as Elvis, his lady, and others. Although, endlessly entertaining, they are. The sex in SummerHome has a deeper meaning than merely pleasure or even love, it is an agent of power and a way for Mary Dunbar’s spirit to further infiltrate the manor.

The mysterious ghostly cat has taken up residency in my brain. It is a fascinating character, always present when anything supernatural or other-wordly takes place. I believe that the cat is also connected to Mary Dunbar’s spirit and serves as a psychopomp, her connection between our world and the world of the dead.

I think Splatterfolk may be my new favorite genre!

Autumn Leaves is a Canadian author and poet. Her poem “Siren’s Song” was published when she was 15. Autumn is in love with the dark and has an affinity for all things horrific and disturbing. Autumn is also an avid horror reader and book reviewer. Her favorite author is Jack Ketchum. She lives with her children and army of fur babies on a small island off the coast of Maine.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.