I have always felt different from the crowd. I thought much more about life than others my age did. I had deep emotions, intense dreams, visions and magical experiences, I felt very connected to animals, had a great interest in ancient cultures, and I loved gloomy and gothic images. I was intensely drawn to 'creatures of the night' like vampires and werewolves (who really are merely symbols of our natural instincts), supernatural tales etc.

I connected with different witch- and magical organisations (and the early Neo-Folk music movement, whose occult outlook inspired me a great deal...) and truly started to work with my inner self. With it I got really interested in the myths and mysteries of my ancestors. I think it is really important to know and understand our own culture and why we practise our local customs. I wanted people to understand why we celebrate Christmas and Easter, what our traditions originally were about. This is why I wrote this book. I try to interpretate the spirituality of northern Europe - the myths, folklore, superstitions, natural wisdom and magical traditions. In my very own way.

But even though this book focuses on the myths and traditions of northern Europe, many chapters discuss life's mysteries, magical practise, goddess worship and my thoughts on human nature in general. After all I am inspired by the mysteries of life... and particularly the lunar side of life in general... Please keep this in mind. Even though I know a lot about the old Germanic traditions I am not a representative for the Germanic religion. I consider myself to be more of an 'universal' pagan or witch. I am a seeker, an artist who has experienced many strange things in her life. And what I want most of all with my music, art and writings is that people free their minds and think for themselves. More and more people become free thinking individuals and show respect for the earth, for animals and search for life's mysteries. And I really hope this is a true step in the right direction and not just a fashion. Life as a journey, with new possibilities and also many obstacles... there are always new beginnings in life...

I hope this book will inspire you. To really understand the Pagan way of thinking you have to look inside yourself. Let your inner voice be your guide. (Andrea Haugen)

About Author:

Andrea Nebel (born Andrea Meyer), known under her artist name of Nebelhexe, is a German recording artist, writer, actress and model. Her artistic expressions are of a dark and psychological nature.

Andrea Haugen has always had a fascination for the dark, hidden and misunderstood. She has been referred to by the alternative music press as being one of the most intriguing personalities of the extreme music subculture. A review of her Laguz Within The Lake album describes Nebelhexe as "the soundtrack to a Lord Of The Rings movie prequel" and "Enya gone Goth to the beat of a tribal drummer". Another review says "Awkwardness is the exception and lies in juxtaposition to near-brilliance: (the song) "Reverse" being the case in point, atmosphere is key here and it's dark -- tribal and modern, earthen and mechanical, all at once".

The artist describes her songs as meditative and haunting with style influences ranging from Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush to The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos. The album could be described as New Age with definite crossover appeal to a non-incense burning crowd.

In 1995 she made an impact with her first music project, the obscure, ghostly dark ambient Aghast, a collaboration with Tania Stene. She was also the woman behind the melodies of Hagalaz' Runedance, a project she dedicated to the pagan spirituality of Northern Europe. Hagalaz' Runedance became very popular and hit the album charts. Andrea announced that she got "extremely fed up and bored" with the music and image of Hagalaz' Runedance and that it really did not represent her personal ideas at all, since the real her is much darker and interesting.

Since 2003 she releases all her music under her artist name of Nebelhexe. She also writes filmscripts since then, both horror and satire. She plans to make a movie called "The Neighbour". She has asked actor Cam Gigandet to co-star in the film. She met him through actor Jackson Rathbone.

Her song "Skindeep", from the album Dead Waters, was first chosen for the Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack, but was then denied due to the explicit dark lyrics. The song is about sex and vampirism

Writings and music videos
A writer since 1995, her controversial writings, statements and comments have become quite acknowledged. She has spoken out against what she saw as the inhibiting patriarchal religions that restrict people's inner nature. Many of her social-critical comments have been printed in alternative magazines and also in the biggest Norwegian tabloid papers and magazines. She also writes Gothic and surreal poetry.

Andrea Haugen wrote the book The Ancient Fires of Midgard, about her discovery of the Germanic myths and traditions. Yet Andrea has made it quite clear that the focus on the northern myths was but a brief phase in her life. She considers herself to be generally very spiritual (although, not religious.) She states,"Life is for living! Life is an amazing journey without limits and I am fascinated by all of life's mysteries and explore spiritual philosophies from around the world. I like real spirituality, real people and real achievements."

She is releasing a spoken word CD to her new poem book "The Dark Side of Dreaming". She also works on her biography "Walking With The Night".

Her gloomy videos bear a strong message, but are often misunderstood and the cause of great discussions.

Her private life is very secluded. She has a daughter, Alva, with ex-husband Tomas Haugen with whom she maintains a close friendship. Andrea Haugen says on her Trivia page that she loves Sighthounds, Arabian horses and Oriental cats.

She has domains both in Norway and the UK, where she resides and associates with several known actors. Haugen sees her future in film, acting and film music, both horror and comedy.

Andrea Haugen trains kickboxing and 'freestyle'.

Future releases will be under the name of Andrea Nebel, no longer under the name of Nebelhexe. She also has revived her old Aghast project, yet in modernized form, now called "Aghast Manor". The music is designed to be used as film soundtracks.

Andrea Haugen practises Nichiren Buddhism.

"I'm a person who explores life and who has done pretty many wild things in her life... To me, art and magic/spirituality are connected. I try to awake deep emotions and visions that I hope will move something in the individual. What I hope to inspire people mostly with, is that they think for themselves and value their individual freedom. My art is usually quite inspired by dark images and surreal decadence, but it doesn't mean I am morose as a person... quite the opposite. In fact I am known to be real charming and funny (laughs)... to me 'dark' means a deeper intensity of emotions and a deeper understanding for the night-side of life..."

Discography

- Aghast
- Hexerei im Zwielicht der Finsternis, CD/PD 1995
- Hagalaz' Runedance
- When the Trees Were Silenced, 7" 1996
- The Winds That Sang of Midgard's Fate, CD 1998
- Urd - That Which Was, MCD/Picture disc 1999
- On Wings of Rapture, CD single 2000
- Volven, CD/LP/Picture disc 2000
- Frigga's Web, CD/LP 2002
- Nebelhexe
- Laguz - Within the Lake, CD 2004
- Essensual, CD 2006
- Dead Waters, CD 2009
- Don't Kill The Animals, EP, 2009, with US artist Jarboe
- Aghast Manor
- Gaslights, CD 2012
- Penetrate, CD 2013
- Guest appearances
- Cradle of Filth - The Principle of Evil Made Flesh 1994 (credited as 'Andrea Meyer').
- Satyricon - Nemesis Divina 1996

Bibliography

- Understanding the Northern Myths and Traditions (2000)
- Dark Side of Dreaming - poems and short stories
- Walking With The Night - a book of shadows
- Feed My Shadow Nature
- Simply Exceptional
- The Shadow Of Eloise
- The Neighbour
- The Body In The Skeleton House
- Behind Church Walls
Das Erbe der Familie Rimbaud