Children of the Moon - Ian Fontova

This is Children of the Moon! My new Epic Celtic Folk single, accompanied by a 2D illustrated animation video. It's set in a fantasy world, but the story has similarities with things that happen in our reality.

Societal norms that take away children’s autonomy and grant full authority to parents are really strong and extended, they're the norm. What happens inside the household is a "private matter" and goes unchallenged. And if you give full authority to someone over another human being, and never hold them accountable, abuse is going to happen at some point in many cases. From smaller but harmful microaggressions, to more explicit verbal or physical violence. The result from all this is that many kids are trapped in a terrible situation from which they can't escape, because the surrounding community will either not believe them, or even think that the parents' behaviour is justified. And all this is especially bad for LGBTQIA+ kids, who have a lot more chances to face rejection and mistreatment from their parents 😔

Many people argue that abuse is not just about some "bad apples", but about a system of social values that enables it and makes it very likely for it to appear. The abuser knows who they are allowed to abuse, and how much they're allowed to do it, because society taught them and gave them that power. That's why it's so important to challenge the authoritarian functioning of the traditional family, and to find community outside of it when it's not a safe place. Big hugs to all abuse survivors ❤🩹

Reading Lee Cicuta has helped me a lot to understand how abuse works, as well as other important subjects. You can follow her or read her essays if you’re interested:

Big thanks to my friend Nil Castelltort for their huge help on the lyrics. They have great ideas and way better English than me 🤣 Also they’re an awesome illustrator, check it out:

I also want to give a thumbs up for Krita, the illustration software I used to make this. It’s an open-source software with a lovely community, you should definitely check it out if you do digital art:

Children of the Moon is part of the album Tales of Olden, Vol. 2:

Find me online:

#CelticFolk #CelticMusic #2DAnimation

[Sleepycat]

I find the forest spirit to be quite a fascinating character. His righteous fury, his gentle kindness, his slight naivete in assuming that the city knights must be good and heroic figures. He's separated from humanity, both biologically and socially, and yet still fundamentally holding those qualities we most ascribe to the quality of 'humanity.' A powerful outsider able to act where others cannot or will not, the sort of person everyone dreams of being rescued by at least once in their life no matter how charmed ones life is. A distinctly archetypal hero in an unusual form.

[lilhedgehog]

The lyrics “Darkness looks like haven when fiends hide in plain sight.” hit hard every time.

[Azrila_The_Reaper]

I love the forest spirit's anger at the end but how it also helped the child. He seems more like not just a protector of the forest but also of children or those that seek help. He felt sorry for the child but also took charge to help the child unlike some that might not have helped the child at all.

[aa-oyil]

When I was a little girl, my 'home' wasn't safe. So I used to run away into the forest and search for fairies amongst the streambeds and ferns. This song struck a chord with me... my 9 month old daughter will always have a home and hearth and my protection.

Beautiful song, lyrics and video.

[buecherwurmin]

the moment when the child ask hopeful yet fearful for help - and gets way more than he expected -can't say how much that touched me knowing someone who was abused the worst way possible from her father and had noone to turn to that time - may everyone in need get an angel in whatever shape

[NoctusFury]

"But having nowhere you could go, that I don't forgive!" is an interesting line. As a forest spirit, he symbolises the concept of having the freedom to roam or spread to wherever they wish, but also that forests have distinct boundaries which they don't cross. If trees don't spread to a certain distance, they form a boundary and stay there, or until the requirements to continue expanding have been met. Basically, the fact that this child wasn't protected nor looked after, but forced to flee and wasn't even allowed to grant him any place to settle would go against every rule of the forest. Which explains his righteous anger. At least from my point of view.

*Sequel:* Forest spirit collects children and adopted them, protecting them in his realm, and they grow up to become druid rangers which protect the forest from monsters and humans, and the forest quickly develops the reputation of being the "Dark Forest".

Crap, this makes me wanna write a *fanfic* about this. 😗

This was very good, Ian! Well done! ❤💯👍

[elisseamstutz]

I wasn't abused by my parents as a kid, but I've had so many people I trusted hurt me. This song drove me to tears

[Artemismoondancer]

As someone who grew up in a bad house (my mom was the good parent) I feel this greatly. No one wanted to help me as my step dad had a charming public face. They didn't believe me.

[HaysMcGee]

Wow, this hit me deeply. I am a disabled and autistic 42 year old man. I was severely bullied all through out school and I had an abusive father who didn’t know how to handle me as a person or my disabilities growing up and after my parents divorced he let his frustration and temper rule over my childhood home. Being a well liked member of our community he issued a similar warning to me about speaking out. Because I was so regularly physically attacked and bullied at school the nature of my disability it was easy to lie about and/or hide the physical signs of the abuse. I was and still am also an insomniac, when it got too bad I also would escape into the moonlit forest around my home; living in my own fantasy world. I would pretend I was on all manner of late night adventures. As I got older I would spend hours conversing with the moon, or telling stories to the trees about heroes and villains.
When I finally came of age, and with my disability check in hand and some help from a friend, I left and never looked back.
I am okay now but man, this got me sobbing like a baby. I was not expecting it.
Thank you so much for making this.

[Hirumaenjiru]

My dad was abusive, not very physically, but he constantly made me feel worthless. I'd stay up all night just as to not aggravate him... I love the forest spirit in this, helping the child, like I had wished so many times for someone to help me

[firenzarfrenzy]

How naively I clicked on this expecting a fantasy folk song. Only to weep upon realising the reality woven into the fantasy. You evoke such beautiful cruel emotion in this. I am fortunate enough to live in a safe home thanks to my mother. She shields me from the evils of life because she wasn't afforded the same.
Domestic abuse is no joke and I am grateful you are covering this issue so eloquently in song.
The forest is a wonderful thematic device for a safe haven. Something that provides safe harbour and takes serious of the injustice of being refused refuge. I love reading the comments here. Everyone has such wonderful interpretations. Reminds me of English class, but this feels infinitely more meaningful and relevant.
I will always remember "Darkness looks like haven when fiends hide in plain sight" a reminder that the greatest evils are the realest ones.
Thank you Mr Fontova, for something rich and worthwhile in an era where thing seem exceedingly shallow and insensitive.

[netwitchtatjana]

Heartbreaking story. An enchanted wood. And a horned owl I've never known of before. This is precious.
Tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. You made my day Ian. Thank you from the bottom of my witchy soul.

[fearreavers]

I was bullied a lot as a kid and my home life was not great. As a result I ended up loving the night. I feel safer walking alone at night then any where else. Love this song.

[PeterCrowleysFantasyDream]

My friend, I have no words to express how good that was. The music is so gorgeous, and so are the animations. I cannot wait for the Volume 2 !

[blakethefairy]

This song gave me chills. Such a powerful ballad, and one of my new favorites.

I was never abused, but I do have demons that I run from, and I have always considered the wilderness my safe haven, and my friend who have been abused feel the same.

[griseldis]

This brings back memories...
My safe place was on a thick branch in a tree next to a pond. Since then, I have loved the golden sunlight shining through the leaves.
So, yes, trees offer protection and safety. At least for a while.

[papucsorranpamutbolyt]

The forest spirits anger and disbelife... I love his character so muuch. Sadly bringing up a lot of negative flashback from my childhood. I found that song maybe 5 days before, it's on loop, all day, so far.

[SeliahK]

This hit home hard. Survivor of an abusive sperm donor and trafficking here. I've always been drawn into forests and mountains and away from humans whenever I needed space or time to myself.

You hit every button in exactly the right way with this. Thank you. Beautifully done, excellent storytelling as well as a wonderful singer (and the artwork is just gorgeous, too!).

I've never heard you before, so please pardon me while I go trudging around your channel now. :)

[yalhmorossignol]

I have been mentally/psychologically abused my entire teenage years, so I must admit that this song hits hard. I wish I had an Eerie Bright Eyed friend to protect me, but no one ever came

[fruitymcfruitcake]

My name is Rhiannon and I've reflected this very same opinion - that children should not be so deprived of rights and autonomy - for almost my entire life just to go unheard. This is beautiful. Thank you.