“Another constituent of the witch’s ointment was rumoured to be soot, which may also be a metaphor for menstrual blood (as the traditional joke has it: “I know a whore who smokes so much she has a fall of soot each month instead of a period”). However, changing the colour of one’s skin, becoming covered with clay or mud, which is then washed off in a pageant of renewal, is said to be not only a feature of witches’ rites, but of women’s menstrual initiations also. In such rites a celebrant may be seized by an ecstatic trance-experience of possession, the actions and speech of which are taken seriously by the congregation and priest, as instruction.”
Penelope Shuttle and Peter Redgrove, The Wise Wound: Menstruation & Everywoman. 1978
Linder - costume: Richard Nicoll / stylist: Anthony Campbell / hair and makeup designer: Debbie Dannell. Linder's brank made by Catriona Gourlay. The Darktown Cakewalk: Celebrated from the House of FAME. 10. vii. 2010 Chisenhale Gallery, London.