After irreconcilable differences with his previous musical project, Saturnus, Larsen began writing music of a different vein, similar in style to his neofolk influences but very different than the doom metal he had previously created.
In 1999, the debut :Of the Wand & the Moon: album was released, entitled Nighttime Nightrhymes. Characterized by folk songs with themes ranging from expressions of love, loss, joy and ancestral Germanic paganism, the album was interspersed with experimental dark ambient pieces and tribal drumming. The album marked a new entry for Denmark in a new wave of Germanic post-industrial folk projects alongside contemporaries such as Forseti and Sonne Hagal.
2001 saw the release of a second :Of the Wand & the Moon: release entitled :Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness:, with refined production and a continued but expanded sound from previous work, the album further cemented the reputation of the project. A live version of :Of the Wand & the Moon: also debuted in 2001, beginning a long series of shows over the next few years.
After the release of a split album with Sol Invictus and a few vinyl singles, a collection of b-sides was released entitled Lucifer in 2003. Themed after its namesake yet featuring a photograph of a surprised cat on its cover, the record included various outtakes and unreleased tracks from the :Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness: period. A box set was also released featuring vinyl versions of previous recordings, as well as exclusive material.
A single entitled "Hail Hail Hail" was released in 2005 as a preview of upcoming material, showcasing a more experimental side of the project and making use of Arabic instrumentation for the title track. This was followed by a full length album entitled Sonnenheim which met to positive critical and fan reviews alike, marking the project as one of the major groups within its genre. The album further showcased themes of Germanic paganism, as exemplified by the title track "Nighttime in Sonnenheim" and introduced a more extroverted and thematically martial side of the project, with considerably less focus on the romantic love songs that had previously been hallmarks of the band's material.
Wonderful Wonderful Sun
:Of the Wand & the Moon: Lyrics
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Turn doubt into dust
Wonderful wonderful sun
Your colours so like blood
And from the essence
Into the heart
And the question of will
A corona a halo of fire
Of blood of desire
This season we initiate
Purify! Retaliate!
And from the essence
From the solitude
And a question of faith
Wonderful wonderful sun
Turn doubt into dust
Wonderful wonderful sun
Your colours so like blood
And from the essence
From the solitude
It's a question of heart
The lyrics of "Wonderful Wonderful Sun" by Of the Wand & the Moon convey a message of empowerment and transformation. The sun is depicted as a powerful force that can turn doubt into dust, purify and initiate oneself, and bring about a question of will, faith, and heart. The colors of the sun are compared to blood, possibly signifying the strength and intensity of its influence.
The repetition of the line "And from the essence" highlights the importance of connecting with one's true self, while "From the solitude" implies the need to look inward and reflect in solitude to find answers. The mention of a corona and halo of fire suggests a notion of divinity or spirituality. The call to purify and retaliate is a reminder that growth and progress often require courage and effort.
Overall, the song's lyrics encourage the listener to embrace the power of the sun and use it as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Wonderful wonderful sun
The sun is beautiful and mesmerizing.
Turn doubt into dust
The sun has the power to eradicate any uncertainties.
Your colors so like blood
The sun's red hues resemble the color of blood.
And from the essence
The sun's energy and spirit.
Into the heart
Deep within us.
And the question of will
The challenge of determination and perseverance.
A corona a halo of fire
The sun's bright fiery glow that forms a halo around it.
Of blood of desire
The intense passion and desire that comes with the sun's energy and warmth.
This season we initiate
The start of a new phase, possibly referring to the changing of seasons.
Purify! Retaliate!
Cleanse oneself and seek justice for any wrongdoings.
From the solitude
The peace and quiet of being alone.
And a question of faith
The challenge of trusting in something intangible and beyond our control.
It's a question of heart
A matter of the soul and emotions.
Contributed by Asher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.