#St. Theresa of Avila

[marian-artwork]

cannot stop thinking about her

[brittanytaylorbarber]

The Art of "The Passion of St. George"

Classical art is a huge part of the narrative in my story, “The Passion of St. George.” Not only is it an art piece with a mythological subject that instigates the horror and starts the plot, but Sally, the main character, is an art history major and very passionate about art. Because of this, Sally references a lot of real art pieces in her narration. I thought would be a good idea to put…

[mrigasiras]

Uttara Bhadrapada is the sign of the renunciant. Its sister, Purva Bhadrapada, is fiery, loud, and extravagant. However Uttara Bhadrapada is Purva Bhadrapada's cooled down counterpart. Its natives are mystical and mysterious, often times hard for most to pin down.

Taking place in mid sidereal Pisces, it is the point where one must be spiritually surrendered to the mysterious tides of the 12th house. I have noticed many notable mystics and nuns have it prominently, as well as higher ups in society. Uttara Bhadrapada is stripped down, and because of this, ascends the ranks, spiritually and materially.

When you meet with God, you cannot take your possessions and your loved ones with you. To accumulate wealth, one must be able to hold themselves steadily, not acting upon impulse or emotion. One must surrender their ego completely, taking "I" out of the picture, not doing things for their immediate rewards, but for the liberation of their soul, letting the tides of divinity instead lead them.

The great Christian mystic St. Theresa of Avila had Uttara Bhadrapada ascendant. She coined the term "Dark Night of the Soul". The period when God seemingly abandons the spiritual aspirant, and allows for the heart chakra to be churned and opened, removed from sense pleasure. When one starts to act with their spirit fully taking the reigns.

I think that is also why their actions can be incomprehensible and strange to many. They have fully detached themselves and are now acting from divine channeling. I have noticed Uttara Bhadrapada art can be quite abstract and strange.

There's an inner strength and "toughness" that I sense with them. They seem to be quite sure of themselves, but not in a gaudy way, like Purva Bhadrapada might tend to be at times. They have been through the purging flames and now are acting from their own cultivated inner wisdom.

They are often times skeptical and rooted, knowing where they pull truth from. I've noticed that in films, Uttara Bhadrapada natives tend to play the characters who sense when things don't add up, and want to actually get to the bottom of the truth.

Salvador Dali, Uttara Bhadrapada moon

St. Theresa of Avila, Uttara Bhadrapada ascendant

Hildegard of Bingen, UB moon

Sufjan Stevens, UB moon

Bill Gates, UB moon

Leonard Nimoy, UB moon

Harry Houdini, UB sun

Debbie Harry, UB moon

[namedvesta]

“I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron's point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart, and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God. The pain was so sharp that it made me utter several moans; and yet the sweetness of this intense pain was so excessive, that I could never wish to be rid of it.”

— Teresa of Avila, The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus (XXIX.17).

— Giuseppe Bazzani, The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa (𝟣𝟩𝟦𝟪).

[emiliosandozsequence]

Traditional Catholic holy card of St. Theresa of Avila

[aziraphales-library]

First of all, you're doing the Lord's (or at least some celestial being's) work with this blog. Thank you!

I'm looking for a fic where Crowley "worships" Aziraphale. Specifically, he recites Angele Dei to him. I'm pretty sure I read it on AO3 but it might have been on Tumblr. It was probably rated E or M. Unfortunately, I don't remember much else. It was beautifully written and I'd love to find it again. This time, I'll be sure to save it!

You're much appreciated! xoxoxo

I believe you're looking for...

you're not a religious person (but) by isozyme (M)

"I'm in a bit of a pickle, my dear," Aziraphale said over the telephone. Crowley was seized by immediate fury. Not even a decade, and they're at it again, he thought viciously. You'd think they'd be embarrassed enough to stay out of things for a few centuries at least, after botching the apocalypse like that. "Who's done something to you?" hissed Crowley. "Ah," said Aziraphale, in the quiet tone of someone who didn't mean to learn someone else's secrets and was mildly sheepish about it. "This crossword clue -- I'm stuck -- 1980s French fencer, thought you might know. It's eight letters and has a Q in it." "Trinquet," Crowley snapped, in the tone of someone who had revealed one of his secrets and was annoyed about it. An account pertaining to the cultivation of figs, the ecstasy of St. Theresa of Avila, the ontological uncertainty of mammoths, the nature of temptation, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the ten years following the end of the world.

Which I remembered because I have it tagged in my bookmarks with "crowley feeds aziraphale figs (sexually)" so do enjoy!

- Mod D

[ineffableclassics]

"I'm in a bit of a pickle, my dear," Aziraphale said over the telephone.

Crowley was seized by immediate fury. Not even a decade, and they're at it again, he thought viciously. You'd think they'd be embarrassed enough to stay out of things for a few centuries at least, after botching the apocalypse like that.

"Who's done something to you?" hissed Crowley.

"Ah," said Aziraphale, in the quiet tone of someone who didn't mean to learn someone else's secrets and was mildly sheepish about it. "This crossword clue -- I'm stuck -- 1980s French fencer, thought you might know. It's eight letters and has a Q in it."

"Trinquet," Crowley snapped, in the tone of someone who had revealed one of his secrets and was annoyed about it.

An account pertaining to the cultivation of figs, the ecstasy of St. Theresa of Avila, the ontological uncertainty of mammoths, the nature of temptation, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the ten years following the end of the world.

Words: 19,728

Status: Complete

Rating: Mature

By @isozyme

Art Credit: Figs by Alyona Masterkova,2022

[sex-death-rebirth]

Portrait of Sarah Bernhardt as St. Theresa of Avila by Georges Clairin, 1906

[themuseumwithoutwalls]

MWW Artwork of the Day (10/9/24) Gianlorenzo Bernini (Italian, 1598-1680) The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa (c. 1647-52) Marble statue, 350 cm. high Cappella Cornaro, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome

Bernini tackles a theme, as old as the tradition of images: the female principal transmuted by the action of the male principal. The two figures are situated in space with a subtle displacement of their bodies. Almost indescribable is the gesture of the angel-satyr, shown as he draws the dart from the female body, caught in momentary abeyance before it falls back. The figures are brought to life before our eyes. The centre of gravity of the complex mass of marble is shifting: the saint is sinking down (her symbolic foot emerging), and the young satyr moves into the forefront. The focal point of the whole is in that flame-tipped arrow so vividly described by St Teresa of Avila in her spiritual autobiography.

[whaledocboi]

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Shan.”

“She sat next to her in chapel today.”

“Who sat next to who?”

“Whom,” Beatrice can’t stop herself from correcting.

“Oh, now you’re both giving me shit?”

“Language.”

Mary rolls her eyes.

“Camila sat next to Lilith in chapel. Left with her, too,” Shannon elaborates.

“Well, now, that is something,” Mary smirks.

“Do you gossip about all of us like this?” Beatrice asks.

“Absolutely, baby girl.”

“Mary,” Shannon sighs. Mary ignores her.

“Hopefully they find a quiet spot to have normal-ish conversation.”

“They were in the courtyard, discussing St. Theresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle,” Beatrice supplies. Mary groans.

ah yes, the emotionally charged mutual infodumping about random subjects because neither of them wants to just say "hey, how are you?" god forbid they have a regular conversation for no reason like normal people. others might get the impression that they're friends. what a horrible misconception would that be.

offtopic, but mary and bea would definitely have the back and forth of "who the fuck-" "language!" "WHOM the fuck-" "no!" (remind me to draw it later)

[catholic-saint-tournament]

Hello! Can i suggest St Theresa of Avila? Shes the first female doctor of the church and generally very cool

uhhhh duhhhhh yes St Teresa of Avila is coming along for the ride! Spanish Carmelite mystic. Female doctor of the church. General badass. YES.

[scobbe]

I had an amazingly enlightening conversation yesterday with one of the Sisters who run our University and it made me realize I’d been spending so much time looking outward that I had almost forgotten that my own self is sacred, too. This came after a discussion about “boundaries” with someone else but suddenly I began thinking of my own person as a holy city sanctified by God and containing all the gifts that give me joy (one thing the Sister asked me was, observing my “heaviness”, what I do for fun) and how little attention I’ve really paid that city. But if God is within us (and God is, let St. Theresa of Avila tell you about the Interior Castle) then the care of that city is of the greatest importance. I’d just read that St. Augustine ordered priorities as God first, then your own soul, then your neighbor, and then your physical needs. But after God you have to attend to your own person or it actually goes against your nature as a human being. 

I don’t know if I have ever taken inventory of what I actually am as something definite and circumscribed as all human beings are; I think women especially (and if you were deemed “gifted” it’s worse) are expected to be all things to all people, or at very least compromise as much as possible. But in reality we are each extremely unique creations, like individual blades of grass. In our contemporary culture of homogenization and like-seeking through mass appeal, how much more are we subverting our most personal selves? 

If each thing that brings you joy is a building in a city, what is that city like? Is there a garden? A library? I’m going to map this all out. I’m going to draw it if I have to, before I meet with the Sister again in a month.

[dwarveslikeshinythings]

13 and 23, ❤️

13. First thing you're doing in the purge?

Oh gosh this is literally like the one I have NEVER thought about. 🤔🤔 After this week probably burn Wall Street to the ground and dance in the ashes 💰🔥😈🕺

23. Do you wear jewelry?

I do! I have three silver rings that I always wear: one's a claddagh, one's a class ring and one is literally a piece of costume jewelry that i found in my great grandmother's things after she died but it looks legit and I like it.

I usually always have a necklace on, too-- lately either a Sicilian trinacria or a St. Theresa of Avila medal in memory of my ma.

I have pierced ears but most days am too damn lazy to coordinate an earring choice. And I hate wearing studs, so it's usually nada.

[longpahern]

Is Christian Meditation a technique to talk to God?

Christian meditation is a technique of connecting with God. Christians can use this meditation to clear their minds of the tough concepts of the day and concentrate especially on worshipping God and finding the facts of the Bible. In this strategy, the monks found to speak with God in prayer, and learnt how to inform God their own concepts and problems. By practicing meditation on Bible verses and implying to God, the monks trained their minds to continuously think about God. By following this approach of communicating with God, the monks established what is called the "ladder of prayer". The rungs of the ladder included taking a look at Bible verses, thinking about the realities in the verses, suggesting to God, and discovering to think about God continuously. Using a mantra, or word that is duplicated to help the Christian concentrate on God, was one sort of meditation. Christians would also use what is called a Centering Prayer, that makes use of a spiritual word or words to bring the Christian into God's presence. When hoping, a lady called St. Theresa of Avila established 5 actions to help Christians concentrate on God. These 5 actions are called the 5 R's. -The exceptionally really first R is Ready: this is the action in which the Christian comprehends that he/she stay in the presence of God. To be prepared to continue in prayer, the Christian thanks God for the great deals of authentic real blessings He provides, and confesses any sins. -The 2nd R checks out, and includes having a look at prayers, spiritual books, and the Bible. -The 3rd R is Reflect. In this action, the Christian focuses on what he/she has really just had a look at in order to come closer to God. -The 4th R is Respond. It is at this action that the Christian talks with God in an open and genuine technique about what he/she has in fact genuinely had a look at and thinking about. It is the most essential action, as this is when God can share His understanding and concepts with the Christian. -The 5th and last R is Resolve. This is when the Christian thanks God for what he/she has really in reality found, and closes the time of prayer. These numerous sort of Christian meditation can all run in helping Christians to speak with from God, come close to Him, and find His truths. Christian meditation does not save an individual from their sins; it is a tool that can be made use of by people who are presently saved to build a more trustworthy relationship with God. In this technique, the monks learnt to talk with God in prayer, and found how to notify God their own concepts and concerns. By practicing meditation on Bible verses and wishing to God, the monks trained their minds to continuously think about God. In this approach, the monks learnt to speak with God in prayer, and found how to notify God their own concepts and problems. By practicing meditation on Bible verses and wanting to God, the monks trained their minds to continuously think about God. In this technique, the monks discovered out to speak to God in prayer, and found how to notify God their own concepts and problems. By practicing meditation on Bible verses and hoping to God, the monks trained their minds to continuously think about God. In this method, the monks discovered out to speak to God in prayer, and found how to notify God their own concepts and concerns. By practicing meditation on Bible verses and hoping to God, the monks trained their minds to continuously think about God. Making use of a mantra, or word that is duplicated to help the Christian focus on God, was one type of meditation. Christians would also use what is called a Centering Prayer, which makes use of a spiritual word or words to bring the Christian into God's presence. These 2 types of Christian meditation helped the people using them to take their focus off their own concerns and to turn to God to hear what He had to state to them.

https://click4information.com/lifestyle/is-christian-meditation-a-technique-to-talk-to-god/

[joancoyespain]

Day 5: Àvila & Segovia

Ávila, "land of Saints & Stones", and UNESCO World Heritage City boasts a complete medieval city wall started in the 11th century, and it is the birthplace of one of the most revered and influential Catholic saints: St Theresa of Avila. A great mystic, revered woman of the Roman Catholic Church, author of spiritual classics, she is most noted for originating the Carmelite reform which restored a contemplative and austere life to the order.

Our tour of the basilica and birthplace of St. Theresa included a viewing of her relics: the shroud she was buried in, the souls of her sandals and most "interestingly" her preserved finger, complete with a ring attached?!

Following a scenic 45 min bus ride we exited the bus to the Aqueduct of Segovia juxtaposed against the medieval city. The monumental and well preserved structure is an engineering feat constructed with 25.000 granite blocks and no mortar.

Segovia is also noted for its gastronomy, in particular roast suckling pig (20 days old or less) and Judión Granja bean soup. We passed on the pig, but thoroughly enjoyed the bean soup!

In existence since at least the 12th century, one of the most renowned medieval castles globally and one of the most visited landmarks in Spain, the Alcázar of Segovia towers majestically over the city. Home to twenty-two Kings, including Prince Philip II and Queen Isabella (parents of Catherine of Aragon - King Henry VIII's first wife) it is both military fortress and sumptuous castle...very impressive indeed!

One curious fact about Segovia and the surrounding area: it is home to a large population of white storks. Enormous nests atop tall pines were prevalent and we viewed parents and young storks from our ground view.

The many stairs and steps were forgotten as we relaxed for a night in of Spanish white, Manchego cheese and a few chocolate treats, followed by packing.

Madrid has been truly magical!

[birdpoet2]

I have spent many hours of my life solitary, and in silence. I was the youngest of two children raised during the time when children were seen not heard. I didn’t go to friend’s houses and they didn’t come to mine. I wasn’t allowed to participate in any afterschool or extra curricular activities while still living at home. My sister for years claimed I was contaminated after the age of innocence, and didn’t want to have much to do with me in the teen years before I left. Once when we young - while waiting in the car for our mother to come out of whatever store she was in, my sister turned to me and said “things were fine until you were born.” Those words from a temporarily only child stung.

Consequently I played in isolation as a child loving my little Kiddles dolls, Barbie’s, and Styrofoam building blocks. I envied my sister’s erector set which had a little motor that enabled her to build little complex machines with the help of our father.

In later life I chose to live alone - following a spiritual path in a way. As a young adult I read a body of work by authors and spiritual teachers that aligned with my blossoming consciousness. There was the poetry/memoir of May Sarton, the Tao Te Ching, writings by Jung, many writings on Zen Bhuddism starting with Zen Flesh Zen Bones, and later Shambhala International founder Chogyam Trungpa’s writings. This list is only of small amount of the materials I ingested.

Having been baptized, received communion and confirmation with St Theresa of Avila as my patron Saint in the Catholic Church, I was left loving the rituals, and at best ambivalent - at worse appalled by the tenants of that version of religion/spirituality. Knowing Joan d’Arc’s story and learning more about the Crusades, and the fact that the nuns declared that Catholics were the only ones who would be able to go to heaven if they were absolved of all their sins, was problematic for my young mind to hold. More problematic - was the knowledge of the forced conversions of indigenous peoples here and around the world - which involved abuse, and severing of all cultural ties (language-rituals and customs).

What I learned was that I did have a belief system that acknowledged the holiness of all existence. I learned that imagination came from silence. I wasn’t into sitting meditation - but loved tai chi, and had my own brand of moving meditation - walking mostly alone on the paths in my home town or gardening.

I heard a radio show about twenty years ago that spoke to how afraid people were to sit in silence. As an artist I found that to be sad- without silence these words would not come to the page - without silence I wouldn’t know my own mind as well as I do. Without silence - intentional quiet - I wouldn’t be able to distinguish the tones of nature, or listen as deeply to those around me as I do now.

These days the world is full of noise and excess. Embodying silence and peaceful has been woven into my being by years of non flag-waving practice. So here on this last Sunday in April 2024 I leave this tiny bit of peaceful - healing energy a beautiful koi swimming in a pond. Sending out love and light. In gratitude for what has been returned to me over the decades.

Linda Joy Burke

All rights reserved.

From my forthcoming collection

67 Things - A life of Practice