Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon, my Darlings. Today’s post is another list of film recommendations to evoke a certain feeling, this time I am focusing on films that make you feel like a Swan Maiden! I have broken this list of seven films into two sections, those inspired by Swan Lake and those that give off Modern Swan Maiden Energy in some way. The innocence and purity of intent of the Swan Maiden includes both the literal tales of this type of Faery Woman and also any film that tackles the fragile beauty of Feminine Innocence. That fragility of innocence is why some of these films lean on what happens when those with innocent hearts are taken for granted or innocence is abused, which are included in the Modern Swan Maiden Energy section. Without further ado, let’s look at some films that I think will make you feel like a Swan Maiden!
🦢 SWAN LAKE-BASED FILMS 🦢
The Swan Princess (1994)
~Of course, I could not have this list without including this iconic fairytale animated film that has been a favorite of mine since childhood! The story of Odette and Prince Derek is told in this beautifully animated film, trading in the typical tragic end of the ballet for a much more happy ending in this tale. I love the colors chosen, the songs, and the imagery of this film so much, and it is one of the films that inspired me to do this list.
Swan Lake (Any Version of the Ballet)
~Now, I did not choose a specific version, as there are so many gorgeous ones. However, this list of films would not be complete without including a recording of the Swan Lake ballet. I suggest choosing your favorite dancers when deciding on which version to watch!
Black Swan (2010)
~This probably seems equal parts obvious and slightly strange to include on a list of films to make you feel like a Swan Maiden. The film is based on Swan Lake in many ways, as well as depicts a ballerina preparing to dance the lead role in the ballet. This film includes both traditional Swan Maiden energy and the modern energy of innocence being abused! It is also a totally gorgeous film that really has something to say about not only how we often abuse those with innocent hearts, but also how deeply our own ambitions can harm us when perfectionism is taken to the extreme.
🦢 MODERN SWAN MAIDEN ENERGY 🦢
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
~Anyone who knows me knows that I love Sofia Coppola films! Her debut film focuses on a group of men remembering the girls they were infatuated with during their teen years, a group of sisters, who all tragically took their own lives. The film tackles many of the trials and tribulations of growing up as a young girl at the precipice of womanhood and all of the fear and anxiety it entails. Each of the girls holds innocence in her purity of desire and intent, whether it is a love for nature, a nurturing energy, or a desire to live a life worth living. Each also has her innocent heart broken and her pure desires abused, ultimately leading to tragic ends! This is both a tragic cautionary tale and a reminder that we can hold onto our pure heart-centered soul intentions as we grow up because it is not immature to have hope. We can do better than previous generations if we keep hope alive!
Elvis & Anabelle (2007)
~This is a relatively little-known film starring Blake Lively as a Beauty Queen, who seems to have tragically died, but all is not as it seems. Once again we have an examination of how a young woman with a kind heart is taken advantage of, and how she hopes to break free. This time the narrative is focused on the world of pageants.
Tess (1979)
~This Roman Polanski film is based on the classic novel Tess of the D’Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy. Part of my love for this film, despite needing to separate the art from the artist, is that it was Sharon Tate who gave Polanski the idea to adapt this film before her death, due to her love for the novel! It tells the tale of a young woman from a less affluent background who finds that she may be related to a very affluent family. Her story is tragic and full of misunderstandings and unfair judgement, very much in line with the energy of those people with pure hearts not being treated with love and respect. The film, and its source novel, serve as reminders of just how important respect and understanding are, and how quickly a person filled with a kind heart can be hurt if they are not careful!
Vivre sa Vie (1962)
~Finally, I have the French film by Godard and starring his most beloved Muse Anna Karina, Vivre sa Vie. This is another film about what can happen when someone with a kind heart and ambition to pursue a career in the arts is not protected or given proper respect!
~I hope you have enjoyed this list of films to feel like a Swan Maiden. I know that it may seem like a downer to have several tragic or cautionary films here. However, I think it is important we remember just how easily we can have our pure intentions taken advantage of. It is also a reminder that just because we may be taken advantage of for acting kindly, does not mean we should not still approach life with kindness for others, but rather to do so while remembering to protect ourselves at the same time! What other films give you Swan Maiden vibes? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is the painting The Swan Princess byMikhail Vrubel. I found the artwork on http://talesoffaerie.blogspot.com/2016/06/fairy-tale-fashion-swan-maidens.html.
Tarot Announcement: I want to announce that I am going to have my first-ever Tarot Reading Special here on the White Rose of Avalon Online Shop! Beginning on February 1st, I will be running a Valentine’s Day Tarot Reading Special, available only in the month of February. I will be doing a whole post about this on February 1st, explaining exactly what the special is when it goes live, so please stay tuned, my Darlings!
LINK TO AVALONIAN ROSE FAERY MYSTERIES PATREON: patreon.com/AvalonianRoseFaeryMysteries