#and researching how to heal the land and plant new growth

[melveres]

I’m so invested in wizard101 and its denizens that it has got me researching actual irl science and engineering so i could depict magic better

[xshingie]

Excerpts from "Vodou in Haiti: Way of Life and Mode of Survival"

by Claudine Michel

[Note: I was doing some more research on Vodou to better understand Annette's framework viewing and describing the world. More specifically, I was curious in better understanding the relationship between the lwa and the practitioner. A quick disclaimer that I'm still very new to my research and journey to learn Haitian Vodou]

Bellegarde-Smith: "Vodun is a coherent and comprehensive system and worldview in which every person and everything is sacred and must be treated accordingly. In Vodun, everything in the world be it plant, animal, or mineral shares basically similar chemical, physical, and/or genetic properties. This unity of all things translates into an overarching belief in the sanctity of life, not so much for the thing as for the spirit of the thing. The cosmological unity in Vodun further translates into a vaunted African humanism in which social institutions are elaborated and in which the living, the dead, and the unborn play equally significant roles in an unbroken historical chain. Thus, all action, speech, and behavior achieve paramount significance for the individual and the community of which the individual is part."

Davis: "…a complex mystical world view, a system of beliefs concerning the relationship between man, nature, and the supernatural forces of the universe. Vodoun cannot be abstracted from the day to day life of the believers. In Haiti, as in Africa, there is no separation between the sacred and the secular, between the holy and the profane, between material and the spiritual. Every dance, every song, every action is but a particle of the whole… Vodoun not only embodies a set of spiritual concepts, it prescribes a way of life, a philosophy, and a code of ethics that regulate social behavior."

The followers of the ancestral cult refer to their religious beliefs and practices by the phrase sévi lwa yo which can be best translated as "serving the spirits." An adept of Vodou simply says, "I serve the spirits ," which in itself is a revealing statement about the nature of the religion, the importance of withdrawing the self and serving others, and about the spiritual connections existing between living human beings, their ancestors, and their Gods.

Vodou permeates the land, and, in a sense, it springs from the land. It is not a system imposed from above, but one which pushes out from below. It is a thing of the family, a rich and complex inheritance from a man's own ancestors. It is not the priests of Vodoun who control and direct its course. They, like the lowest peasant simply move about within it and make use of its resources.

In Vodou, a person is meant to derive energy from interactions with others, therefore, all encounters with nature, with fellow humans and with spirits create opportunities for understanding, for growth and healing. Considering that everything has a soul, from the smallest grain of sand to the Cosmic Breing, the dynamic force infused in the teaching and learning of all tasks and ideas, material and spiritationl, becomes a learning experience in itself. In Vodou, every dance, every song, every word and every act becomes a lesson. In order orders, one learns everywhere and all times.

Personal Commentary:

(and how it relates to Castlevania Nocturne)

In reading this, this puts Cecile's lesson with Annette into perspective on a deeper level that I didn't appreciate before:

You were shaped, Annette. Everything about you, by being born a slave. Of course you were It's the source of your fury, but it's not the source of your power.

The petty devils. it serves them if we believe it. But humanity didn't enter this world dragging armies of slaves. That came later. And your ancestor. Of course I mean your mother, who loved you. And your father, who was dragged from her by men with whips. And your grandmother, who watched the ships sail, weeping and pulling her hair. But they go back. Beyond them and beyond them. Back to the source. To the Iwa of Ogun. And a world without slaves or masters. Learn to hear your ancestor. There is light in this darkness.

I really appreciated how it so candidly and openly acknowledged how both things are true: that yes, you are the product of the painful intergenerational and personal trauma forced upon you; but behind everything there is also a story of love, connectedness in community, and resilience. To see this so openly brought to the forefront and focus in an animation like this so resonated me in a way I've been looking for more stories with female leads like Annette and nothing is hitting me so far and I'm just sad.

It wasn't until I started reading more about Haitian Vodou, to better understand the relationship between the practitioner and the lwa (or spirits), that I realized that Cecile is hitting on the Vodou tenets of wisdom, teachings, and philosophy. I've mentioned this before, but Castlevania Nocturne is one of the rare instances where in the past, Vodou has been primarily portrayed as stereotypical voodoo, but in Nocturne, it's presented as a enduring thread of interconnectness, and survival. More specifically, it portrayed how Vodou was shaped and developed by primarily being passed through oral tradition (which is why I find it difficult to do research on).

To paraphase, in Vodou everything is interlinked -- everything is imbibed with spirit, soul, and energy -- and by extension, the [love and wisdom] of your ancestors that paved your path that you walk now is also imbibed within you.

Cecile is basically trying to teach Annette the deeper foundational philosophy and way of life of Vodou 🥹 And that's something I didn't realize that Nocturne had done until I started doing research on Haitian Vodou, which I've only grown a more deeper appreciation for.

Sauce:

Michel, Claudine. “Vodou in Haiti: Way of Life and Mode of Survival.” Journal of Haitian Studies, vol. 8, no. 1, 2002, pp. 98–109. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41715120.

[darkpoisonouslove]

Trivia Tuesday

I decided to give you some details about Prey on the Heart since I have been planning this for about 11 months and I also researched the shit out of some of the details. Not that you’d guess it because almost none of that made it into the text itself so I wanted to put it out in the light.

- First of all, Violet. I mentioned that in the text but all hunting dogs including Violet are trained by Lysslis and they are conditioned how to behave. Valtor has been working on undoing some of Lysslis’ control over Violet but if it came to it, Lysslis could probably make her abandon him and side with her. Her grip on the dogs’ minds is that strong because otherwise Violet is the most loyal dog there is and would never abandon Valtor. Also, she’s had her shots against rabies so Griffin couldn’t catch anything from getting bitten. (Trust me, I was no fan of letting her get bitten and not get help after that but there was no way for it to happen. I needed their magic to be limited in some way (since they weren’t really supposed to have any but then the bracelets with obsidian happened and it was game over for my common sense.)

- About the magic in this AU (again, it was supposed to be just some rudiments in energy flows in the cosmos but my brain had other plans) - there is no Dragon Fire. Valtor’s fire magic is just that. The Ancestral Witches have their usual powers and they are after resources. Mainly, the resource of human lives since that can be used for unlimited purposes but they also don’t mind stealing other resources from other planets. However, the trick to that is that they need to know when and where portals to other planets will open and that only comes from deep knowledge about space and the energy currents in it. And that is where Griffin comes in.

- Obsidian is a planet with a lot of obsidian under its surface which makes it infertile and poor in resources since Obsidian is said to draw in negativity. As such it cleanses the rest of the universe but the planet itself suffers and that’s why it was never highly populated to begin with. The Ancestral Witches used that and bought a lot of the marked down land. They set up their mansion there and repopulated the barren forests with animals for them to hunt because they are just cruel like that. However, due to all the obsidian under the planet’s surface, their magic is subdued. Lysslis especially is not having a great time because obsidian is believed to block psychic attacks and so it affects her powers the most.

- And now for some general stuff on obsidian that kind of relates to my story. There are other colors of obsidian but I decided that black worked best for my story. Blades, statues, mirrors and jewelry can be made from obsidian and it’s also used in medicine since it’s better than surgical steel which that makes obsidian products is the main industry and main source of income for the planet. However, obsidian is easy to scratch, break or chip, which isn’t necessarily bad for the business since people will regularly need replacements. And now for some hilariously ironic (in the context of the story) properties of obsidian - it symbolizes purification, transformation, fulfillment, practicality, growth, exploration of the unknown (and enslaving the people from there apparently), new horizons. It enhances truth, acts as a shield against negativity, draws out mental stress or tension, clears confusion and provides clarity to the mind, helps you find who you truly are, dissolves emotional blockages and ancient traumas, promotes compassion and strengths, detoxifies, warms extremities (they really deep froze Griffin). Black obsidian specifically enforces self-control and facing your true self, gives strength and patience to overcome challenges, reigns in scattered energies, helps choose the path towards light and love. Also, obsidian is known as the stone of the spirit.

(This is a sketch of the obsidian belladonna I did way back when I first came up with the idea):

- The obsidian belladonna is something I made up as a species that is confined only to the planet of Obsidian. It is regular belladonna but with obsidian crystals running through the plants in black threads. They crystalize over the edges of the petals to form a thin, sharp black crust. It starts looking a lot like a shuriken but it’s a plant instead of metal. The obsidian crust is so fragile that it breaks when you cut yourself on it and that releases the poison directly in your veins. The obsidian threads run from the roots to the crust forming on the petals which is a problem because the root is the most poisonous part of the plant and that poison is now in the black crystal that just broke in your skin.

- Now the same for amethyst since I mentioned that island orbiting an uninhabited planet. I wasn’t originally going to include that but then I read up on amethyst and it happened. Amethyst is known as the Gem of Fire but at the same time is associated with February (aka winter aka snow and ice) and Neptune - the Roman god of the sea, which worked perfectly for me because I always compare Griffin’s temper to water. The name comes from the word ametusthos which means not intoxicated. Amethyst stimulates and soothes the mind and energies, is used to align planetary and astrological influences, controls evil thoughts, protects from treachery and surprise attacks as well as witchcraft and dark magic and disease and infection, brings victory, assists hunters, strengthens the thinking process and imagination and intuition, calms angry temperaments, gives meaning to relationships, heals skin, reduces pain and swellings. It is also known as the soul stone and symbolizes faithful love, energy of fire and passion, imagination, logic and emotion, self-esteem, self-knowledge. It brings comfort when grieving a lost loved one and a locket of amethyst can be used to call back lost love (guess what Girffin’s plan was there). It is known as the soul stone and is a fresh start crystal that is perfect for the researcher, scientist, explorer. It enhances efforts to change one’s situation and outlook on relationships (aka become a better spouse) and eases fear and guilt. It is also a seventeenth wedding anniversary gift which I found ironic because on the show Valtor spent seventeen years in Omega before returning.

[revlyncox]

Trees (2021)

A talk abut growth, hope, and paying attention to history

Revised and expanded for the Washington Ethical Society by Lyn Cox

February 7, 2021

In this place halfway between the beginning of winter and the beginning of spring, we draw on imagination and memory, caution and optimism, hope for the future and learning from the past. Many of these things are contained in stories.

I don’t know if the story happened exactly this way, but I believe it’s true. A sage, a wise person, was walking along the road and saw someone planting a carob tree. The sage asks, "How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?" "Seventy years," replies the gardener. The sage then asks: "Are you so healthy a person that you expect to live that length of time and eat its fruit?" The gardener answers: "I found a fruitful world, because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise I am planting for my children." I will tell you where this story is from because I want to give credit, but I also want to notice that this story has a universality to it, a truth that the beginnings of things we set in motion can have an impact long past the horizons of our own lives. This story is from the Talmud, a collection of rabbinic conversations on ethics and customs. (Talmud Ta'anit 23a)

We drink from wells we did not dig and eat from trees we did not plant (Deut. 6:11). Our physical, intellectual, and religious lives depend on those who have gone before. Following their example will lead us to plant literal and figurative trees for the world of the future.

I believe caring for ourselves AND others will help us sustain a shared life of meaning and compassion for a long time.

My first semester studying for my M.Div. degree in California, I worked at one college in the south bay area, and went to school in the east bay area. I enjoyed the fragrance of eucalyptus trees around both campuses. The dry leaves rustled in the breeze, leaves rubbing together like the wings of singing crickets. Some people were distracted by the sound and allergic to the smell, but I liked them. The eucalyptus trees were tall and graceful. One might imagine that they had always been there. There’s a story about those trees. I don’t know if it happened exactly this way.

The American West in the late 1800’s was heavily influenced by dreams of getting rich quick. Non-native eucalyptus trees were brought from Australia because they grew quickly. It was imagined that the lumber and oil would become quickly replaceable commodities for those who farmed them. They were promoted as ornamental trees for rich landowners new to the area and not used to treeless landscapes. Eucalyptus trees were all over California by the 1900’s, and were tested for use as railroad ties. They didn’t work out. Eucalyptus from Australian virgin forests, seasoned and treated properly, behaves differently than eucalyptus grown from seeds in California, hastily treated, and set down in the Nevada sand. Some of the railroad ties were so cracked they couldn’t hold spikes. Some decayed within four years.

The trees themselves grew like weeds. They did what non-native species are famous for doing: thriving in the new environment, edging out diverse native plants that provide food and habitat, with consequences for the entire food chain. An attempt at a quick profit turned out to have unintended consequences. Recently, there has been more discussion in that region about restoring native trees, but it’s complicated. To say that it will take time to mitigate the damage of an invasive species is an understatement. Then again, compare that to the 2,000-year growth of some living redwood trees. May we learn patience and commitment from slow-growing trees.

We strive to be among those people who have the hope and imagination it takes to envision a world of justice and compassion, a world of liberation and self-determination, a world of peace where people sit calmly in the shade of slow-growing trees. In our neck of the woods, we might imagine a world where every person lives in safety and abundance, with access to the shade of a Witch Hazel, Hackberry, or Redbud tree; the three logically native trees our Earth Ethics Action Team recently arranged to have planted on the WES property. In folk music and wisdom tales, slow-growing trees symbolize enough time for a generation to grow without being uprooted by hunger or violence.

The California eucalyptus story reminds us that some of the environmental mistakes we humans have made were decisions made by a few but using the resources and the risk pool of many. Another time, we can unpack the harm that white American westward expansion had on indigenous land rights and communities, and on the horrors of labor exploitation involved in the transcontinental railroad, and on the energy and resources that were available for white colonization but not reparations for formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. Understanding the wrong choices that have been made in the past may help us turn toward making better choices as a society going forward. We can play an active role in the governments, corporations, and organizations to which we belong and who act on our behalf. Let us embody these relationships for repair and renewal.

Contrast the rushed, climate-disrupting story of the eucalyptus trees with the story of George Washington Carver. I had to catch up on some of his story this week, when my kids noticed discrepancies between what was said about Dr. Carver in the elementary school reader on our bookshelf and what they had read elsewhere. Some of us learned in school that the most important contribution Dr. Carver made as a scientist was discovering and promoting new uses for peanuts, but this version of his story is grossly oversimplified and obscures the way his research and activism supported Black self-determination as well as environmental repair.

After he graduated from the Iowa State Agricultural College in 1896, Dr. Carver accepted a position at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Riding on the train to his new home, he noticed immediately that growing nothing but cotton was causing soil erosion and depletion. He had scientific solutions to that. What took longer was figuring out how to empower Black farmers -- especially those who were being exploited as sharecroppers -- to feed their families, improve their chances for subsequent years, and still make enough money to try to get out of debt. Smithsonian Magazine quotes biographer Mark Hersey about the way Dr. Carver understood the problem:

“What Carver comes to see,” Hersey says, was that “altering [black sharecroppers’] interactions with the natural world could undermine the very pillars of Jim Crow.” Hersey argues that black Southerners viewed their lives under Jim Crow through an environmental lens. “If we want to understand their day to day lives, it’s not separate drinking fountains, it’s ‘How do I make a living on this soil, under these circumstances, where I’m not protected’“ by the institutions that are supposed to protect its citizens? Carver encouraged farmers to look to the land for what they needed, rather than going into debt buying fertilizer (and paint, and soap, and other necessities—and food). Instead of buying the fertilizer that “scientific agriculture” told them to buy, farmers should compost. In lieu of buying paint, they should make it themselves from clay and soybeans.

So ends the excerpt. Dr. Carver understood way before what we think of as the modern environmental justice movement that liberation and conservation are entwined projects. The decisions we make for our families, for our communities, and for the planet all go together, and they all benefit from remembering interdependence and the long years of generations to come. Honoring the very beginnings of things, continuing to work on hopes that are barely tangible, believing in the distant future, allows us to live into Beloved Community. White Supremacy depends on the hurry-up-and-profit mindset that brought cracked eucalyptus logs to the Nevada desert. Beloved Community invites us to consider what may come from a seed.

Strong trees grow slowly. Strong communities learn and grow and make connections to other communities little by little over decades. Healing takes time. Repair takes time. And for all of these, we can’t always tell that it is happening. In most cases, we don’t see the seed unfolding under the soil. Our senses are not adjusted to notice the growth of trees right in front of us. Sometimes resilience is about knowing in your heart that change is possible, even when the evidence is not yet obvious.

The nearly imperceptible beginnings of change are also a theme in the earth-honoring holiday of Imbolc. The Celtic calendar where this holiday comes from is rooted in the seasons of light and dark of the northern hemisphere and the agricultural cycles of western Europe. At approximately the same time of year in the British Isles and here in the mid-Atlantic, the middle of winter means that we can start to perceive the time of sunrise and sunset edging toward spring, just a little more daylight each day.

February into March is the time of year when lambs start to be born, vulnerable and full of promise for the coming spring. It’s still cold outside! One theory for where the word Imbolc comes from is that it’s related to the word for sheep milk. The lambs need a lot of help to stay warm and to survive. Yet their arrival shows the persistence of life. Sometimes resilience is about remembering that life is possible.

This is also the time of year when people who grow vegetables in climates like ours make a plan for the next six months, gathering seeds, starting a few indoors, and figuring out how to make the most of the soil and sun that will be available later. Making plans at this in-between time of year takes courage.

For earth-honoring folks in Celtic traditions, the goddess Bridget (and, in her later form, St. Bridget of Kildare) is associated with this early February holiday. In the legends, Bridget protects access to clean, healing water. She is also a figure of light and flame. When you put fire and water together, you can make entirely new things out of what you had before. You can forge iron, cook food, sculpt clay and fire it into ceramics. Maybe this transformative potential is why Bridget is also associated with childbirth, poetry, healing, song, and art.

There is one thing that newborn lambs, vegetable seeds, soup ingredients, raw iron, and future poetry all have in common: They don’t look at the beginning the way they are going to look at the end. You have to have some hope and imagination to believe in the transformation that is coming. You have to keep doing what you are doing, when the evidence for success has not yet appeared. We need to hold on through the long term, through step-by-step processes, through the discomfort of growth and change. And so another thing we learn at Bridget’s holiday is the need for commitment.  

If we’re paying attention to a legendary figure of generosity, art, and transformation, it’s a good idea to listen to the voices of poets who figured out how to sustain themselves and their families and communities through difficult times. During Black History Month, we are reminded of many examples of poets and artists who showed and inspired perseverance as they provided hope and imagination about a better world that was not yet fully manifest.

Back in October, on Vote Love Day, we heard about the story of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. She was born in Maryland in 1825 to free parents, was educated at her uncle’s school, and had published a book of poetry by the age of twenty. She became a full-time lecturer and writer, and she was an activist for abolition and for economic self-determination in the Black community. One verse of her 1895 poem, “Songs for the People,” [more on that poem here] reads:

Our world, so worn and weary,

  Needs music, pure and strong,

To hush the jangle and discords

  Of sorrow, pain, and wrong.

Harper was well aware of the injustice, economic inequality, and violence that still plagued the cities and towns where she toured. She didn’t fail to address any part of that system in her other writing. Yet she still saw a place for music and art. For Harper, poetry was not a distraction from building the Beloved Community, but one of the technologies that can help bring it into being. Out of intangible words and ideas are woven a network of visions that lift up possibilities for liberation.

Good things grow from beginnings that are not yet obvious. The forces that will become spring are already at work under the snow in the middle of winter.  

On the Jewish calendar, we’ve recently passed the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the new year of trees. This is a minor holiday. It’s been around for hundreds of years, yet more people seem to be noticing it as we learn to connect spirituality with care for the earth. Sometimes people in Jewish homes and communities gather to eat different kinds of fruit and nuts, to give thanks for ways of growing, and recommit to stewardship of the planet. In regions where it makes sense, Tu B’Shevat is a time to plant trees.

Clearly, looking out the window today, it is not the right time to plant a tree where we live. Nevertheless, in our gratitude for trees, we are reminded of the growth and the fruition of work that exist because of what has come before. The forces that create and uphold life and our ancestors who cooperated with them knew that growth and resilience don’t always look that way from the outside. They knew that growth can start with something tough or plain. They knew the importance of allowing time and of giving thanks.

We drink from wells we did not dig and eat from trees we did not plant. As a community, part of our task is to muster the hope and imagination it takes to consider growth and resilience over time. We think long-term. We honor beginnings of change, even when they are hidden or barely perceptible. Let us be mindful of the impact of our choices, now and in the generations to come.

May it be so.

[the-ethereal-serpent]

☽⦁──── ⦁ The Moon ⦁ ────⦁☾

The Moon orbits planet Earth as an astronomical body, thus being the Earth's only natural and permanent satellite.

Luna (another name for the Moon) is the 5th largest satellite in the Solar System, the 1st being Gynamede (One of Jupiter's moons)

Distance to Earth : 384 400 km

Radius : 1 737,1 km

Gravity : 1,62 m/s²

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Scientific Facts :

⦁ The Moon orbits the Earth every 27.3 days.

⦁ Mons Huygens is the tallest mountain on the Moon, it is 4700 metres tall, just over half the height of Mt Everest (8848m).

⦁ The Moon rotates on its axis in around the same length of time it takes to orbit the Earth. This means that from Earth we only ever see around 60% of its surface (50% at any one time).

⦁ The side that we can see from Earth is called the near side while the other side is called the far side (it is sometimes called the dark side despite the fact that it is illuminated by the Sun just as much as the near side).

⦁ The effect of gravity is only about one fifth (17%) as strong on the surface of the Moon compared to the strength of gravity on the surface of the Earth.

⦁ The Soviet Union’s Luna program featured the first successful landing of an unmanned spacecraft on the surface of the Moon in 1966.

⦁ The USA’s NASA Apollo 11 mission in 1969 was the first manned Moon landing.

⦁ The first person to set foot on the Moon was Neil Armstrong.

⦁ The far side of the Moon looks quite different due to its lack of maria (ancient pools of solidified lava).

⦁ The surface of the Moon features a huge number of impact craters from comets and asteroids that have collided with the surface over time. Because the Moon lacks an atmosphere or weather these craters remain well preserved.

⦁ Although research is continuing, most scientists agree that the Moon features small amounts of water.

⦁ The Moon is very hot during the day but very cold at night. The average surface temperature of the Moon is 107 degrees Celsius during the day and -153 degrees Celsius at night.

⦁ The Earth’s tides are largely caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon.

More Moon Facts : https://space-facts.com/the-moon/

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Moon phases

🌑

New Moon

🌒

Waxing Crescent

🌓

First Quarter

🌔

Waxing Gibbous

🌕

Full moon

🌖

Waning Gibbous

🌗

Last Quarter

🌘

Waning Crescent

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Magical Properties :

New Moon

This is the crescent Moon when see the first peak of light, this is a time of newness, the beginning of relationships and the beginning of a new venture. The energy of this phase promotes new beginnings on any level.

This is the time for change and for being open to, and looking for new opportunities, tilling the soil and planting seeds (actual or spiritual).

Waxing Moon

The Moon is beginning to gain strength as it grows in size, and goes from a new to a full Moon. This is a perfect time for growth and increasing things, growth within a relationship, financial growth, a time for learning and gaining knowledge.

If someone is thinking about pregnancy, this is a time of fertility, and it is an exceptional time for communication, in a business matter, or within a relationship.

This is also an auspicious time for any legal matters, especially those where finances are concerned, if a healing spell, or healing of any type is needed, this is the time.

Waxing Gibbous

During the phase of the Gibbous Waxing Moon anything to do with increase is compatible; this is a good time for minor magic as the lunar energy is waning.

Full Moon

The full Moon is the most powerful phase, this is when the Moon is seen in its glorious fullness. This is a time of enlightenment and heightened psychic awareness.

It is a time when everything comes together, a time of ideas, time of commitment, to a person, idea or project. It is also a time of family, and or friends coming together, any spell is well aspected during this phase of the Moon.

Waning Gibbous

The Waning Gibbous Moon is suitable for rituals associated with letting go and banishing. If it is time to clear out the old and prepare for the new, this is the Moon phase to spell craft with.

Waning Moon

As the Moon decreases in size, it goes from full to dark, and this is a time of letting go, it is also a time of completion. If you have been wanting to change something in your life, this is the perfect time.

It is also a time of ending anything that doesn’t work in your life, this may be a habit, a relationship, or paying attention to issues  associated with legal matters, this is a time to pay attention to anything that you have been procrastinating about.

Dark Moon

This is a time when the Moon is not visible in the sky, this phase lasts for approximately two or three days, and if there is something in your life that is unnecessary, this is the time to release it.

It is also a time of recognising what you have accomplished in your life, and a time to plan for what you want to attain in the future. If you have been in a quandary and are unsure how to progress, this is the time for you to go within and be honest with yourself about what is right for you at this point in your life.

If you enjoy meditation this is a perfect time for that, if you have never meditated, there is no better time to begin.

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Goddeses Of The Moon :

Selene

In Greek mythology, Selene is the goddess of the moon. She is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of the sun-god Helios, and Eos, goddess of the dawn. She drives her moon chariot across the heavens.

Diana

Diana is a Roman goddess of the hunt, the Moon, and nature, associated with wild animals and woodland. In the ancient, medieval, and modern periods, Diana has been considered a triple deity, merged with a goddess of the moon (Luna/Selene) and the underworld (usually Hecate).

Artemis

Greek Goddess of the hunt, forests, hills, the Moon and archery. Artemis is known as the Goddess of the hunt and is one of the most respected of all the ancient Greek deities.

She was the daughter of Zeus, king of the Gods, and the Titaness Leto and she has a twin brother, the God Apollo.

Hecate

Hecate was the Goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea.

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Sources :

https://goo.gl/images/KBTg75

https://goo.gl/images/QJffgC

https://goo.gl/images/K454r9

https://goo.gl/images/gVVJA4

https://goo.gl/images/KgtHT2

https://images.app.goo.gl/FHPVnap9CPoGtjRp8

https://images.app.goo.gl/kzUz8EGWeciWg2EPA

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.shawacademy.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F10%2FPhotograph-the-Moon-1075x605.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.shawacademy.com%2Fhow-to-photograph-moon%2F&tbnid=1t1u1BdywgpscM&vet=1&docid=iL6e91Jk_NS5-M&w=1075&h=605&hl=en-ZA&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim]

https://witcheslore.com/bookofshadows/witches-workshop/the-magic-of-the-moon/2499

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/space/moon.html

[tomasorban]

Greeting Goddess Gaia

Who is Gaia?

Quite simply, Gaia is life. She is all, the very soul of the earth. She is a goddess who, by all accounts, inhabits the planet, offering life and nourishment to all her children.

In the ancient civilizations, she was revered as mother, nurturer and giver of life. It’s she who created and sustained us, and to whom we returned upon death.

She goes by many names, but in an effort to better connect and understand this energy, we’ll explore the myriad of forms in which she appears on Earth.

Ancient Ways and Goddess Traditions

Every culture has their version of the Earth Goddess. The Greeks called her Gaia, while the Incas know her as PachaMama. In some cases, she predates writing: ancient, pre-linguistic references to her have been found, alongside shrines, statues and paintings of her in every corner of the globe. She is the first goddess, the primeval one, the creator of all life and the fullness of her legacy is still being resurrected after patriarchal suppression.

The paleolithic Venus figures dot all of Europe, hearkening a worship of the feminine earth mother which has been lost to us. Despite the efforts of many historians, archaeologists and artists, we’re only now beginning to remember the stories of the goddess.

In any sincere effort to unearth her, we must look to the oldest documented accounts.

Gaia in Greek Mythology

To the Greeks, Gaia was the ultimate goddess of raw, maternal power. In the beginning, there was chaos, nebulous ethers waiting to take form. This primordial landscape awaited direction; it’s then that the spirit of Gaia arrived to give structure to the formless and the Earth was conceived.

She became the Earth, birthing all form of landscape, plant and creature. Though her creation was majestic, her solitude was great. She longed for love and created the sky with whom she mated, igniting a creative force which birthed countless offspring: Time and the Fates, the Muses and the oceans, to name a few. She’s considered the primeval mother of whom all gods—and life itself—descended.

As the prevalence of gods and goddesses in the 19th and 20th centuries faded away, so did history books’ tales of female pharaohs, women scientists and amazon warriors. History is kept by the victors—and the victors are most often men. This left a void in collective consciousness and Gaia was relegated to mythology alone.

With the convergence of feminism in the 1970s, all that changed when a groundbreaking pro-female establishment was founded, providing new understanding of how our planet operates.

The Gaia Theory

In 1970, chemist James Lovelock and his research partner Lynn Margulis (the wife of Carl Sagan at the time) proposed that the earth is a living being, self-regulating the elements to sustain life on it. This revolutionary hypothesis was seen as heretical, but has since been accepted as fact; a theory, no longer a hypothesis.

Their work suggested that in the earth chemicals all “talk” to one another to protect life on the planet; the salt in the ocean is never too salinated, the oxygen in the atmosphere never too noxious, and the temperature of the earth never grows too hostile for life to thrive. All elements work in perfect harmony to ensure life on earth is sustained.

The stability of life and its consistent ability to self-regulate and protect earth���s creatures connotes a universe much more intelligent than previously imagined.

Gaia theory taught that a sophisticatedly aware universe is regulating these many facets to protect and preserve life on the planet, much as a mother protects her own children.

Far beyond a comforting ideology, we can find evidence in spiritual traditions which give heed to the belief of the earth as a loving mother, further nurturing our human relationship with Gaia.

Resurgence of Gaia

A new curiosity about the history and meaning of Gaia has recently been sparked. Men and women have begun to seek to understand this innate consciousness. What they’re finding is far from surprising, as the idea of characterizing the earth energy is present in the wisdom of two of the most enduring native traditions, Chinese medicine and Native American theology.

Chinese Five Element Theory

Among the oldest healing modalities on the planet is Chinese 5 Element theory. Before Mao Tse-Tung instituted a politicized Traditional Chinese Medicine, there existed a theory based not only in physical, but rooted in a spiritual understanding of life. Five Element theory honors the Earth energy as maternal, warm, nurturing and joyous. Abundant in its gifts, earth’s energy is the sound of laughter on a late summer day.

If someone has an unbalanced earth energy, they could fear security, develop eating disorders and may never feel satisfied in life. It’s these qualities of being fulfilled, complete and secure that earth gives us.

Native American Medicine Wheel

Equal in its enduring wisdom, the Native American Medicine Wheel is a way of understanding our world as practiced by every indigenous nation. By working with the directions or elements, we can be in harmony with nature.

On the wheel, the earth lies in the south and is the ruler of bounty, expansive growth, passion, peace and relationships. To work with the earth energies of the south ensures we are in communion with the spirit of abundance, joy and creation.

Both ideologies are based in an understanding of the world as interwoven and infinitely more complex than Western beliefs convey. Though from different parts of the world, both teachings characterize the energy of earth as the same: loving, generous and maternal, a protector of people and the planet.

Enduring Relevance

Far beyond the mythological Gaia, the name has come to represent an all-loving, nurturing and intelligent cosmic force which oversees life on earth. The goddess traditions have worked tirelessly to resurrect the ancient teachings of the Great Mother and ensure her presence as a force of love on the planet.

More than saving the planet or participating in Earth Day celebrations, we can treat everyday like a ceremony. To be in a sincere connected relationship with Gaia, we must acknowledge her sundry gifts and be open to receive her wisdom.

Ways to Be Present With Gaia

In her infinite love, we may forget to acknowledge all the bounty she offers. Here are a few spaces to reconnect, remembering the loving presence of Gaia all around you. To be in ceremony in every moment allows us to rise as co-creators with her now.

Food

See your food as sacred nourishment. This will not only raise your vibration but it will also ensure more mindful presence when you can be aware of where the blessings came from. She not only provides the crops, but also the earth in which they grow.

Shelter

From the wood under your feet to the aluminum siding surrounding you and the tar on the roof overhead, all these materials are grown on or in the earth. Be in awe of her myriad of blessings.

Crystals

Whether or not you’ve been zapped by the crystal bug, you can probably recall seeing a mineral specimen whose beauty moved you. Every jade, amethyst, diamond and shard of obsidian came from Gaia. In her love, she creates the most stunning specimens to support and ease our human existence.

Plants

The magnitude of healing plants is astounding. From fresh flowers, to trees, mushrooms to bark, every culture understands the blessings of the plants to heal human ailments.

Pay attention to the plants around you to hear the messages they may be trying to share. Chicory for example is a common weed that grows freely even in the most impoverished areas of urban landscapes. Chicory is an extender spirit, making coffee go further in times of economic depression. If we could remember to use the natural resources of Gaia, we could eradicate or lessen hunger.

Time in Nature

Dr. Joe Dispenza recently reported: “In clinical studies we have proven that 2 hours of nature sounds a day significantly reduces stress hormones up to 800% and activates 500-600 DNA segments known to be responsible for healing and repairing the body.”

To amp up your healing connections, try earthing.

Respect of Natural Resources

It hopefully goes without saying, but being mindful of recycling and limiting your use of synthetic resources will be a great blessing to honor the preservation of Gaia.

The Great Destroyer

While it’s easy to become infatuated with the beauty of Gaia’s gifts, she’s also the great destroyer. As children, at times we will upset mother—so too is this the case with the Great Mother Gaia. Her generosity can be taken advantage of, her lands raped and people harmed.

Just as we disappoint our human mothers and consequences are dispensed, so too does Gaia balance out the injustices she suffers. Famine, extreme weather, volcanoes and tsunamis are the ways she rights herself and restores balance. While these actions could look punitive, it’s destruction in order to create something better which she must enact. Even in chaos, there is purpose beyond what our human minds can see.

By moving into better alignment with her, these unpredictable forces can be ridden with ease and understanding.

Meditation: Connecting with Gaia

Sitting on the earth would be most ideal for this meditation, but as we are working with her Spirit, find any comfortable sitting position and begin to slow your breath.

Bring your awareness gently into your hips and let all the energies of the day go. Focusing on this pelvic bowl, allow your breath to expand all the way down into your abdomen. Bring anything which causes discomfort or distress there now.

See beneath you the earth, open to greet you, and a red and gold spiral of light begins to glow at your perineum. This light spirals into the earth, ushering you into her most sacred center.

Feel yourself gently drifting to the center of the earth, into her cosmic womb of creation and destruction. You will feel a natural resting place and appreciate the serene calmness around you. Sit in this quiet and be with the calm energy she offers.

If you wish, ask for a figure of Gaia. You may see her as a woman, a goddess, a color or a symbol. Whatever arises is perfect for you now and will offer a meaningful tool to deepen your relationship with her.

When you feel finished, thank her and allow your attention to come back into your body. Open your eyes slowly and celebrate your newfound connection.

Shifting to Honor Gaia

Each time we honor Gaia and all she represents, we honor the love of a living and present universe around us. In these ways, we’re participating in the expansion of a cosmic consciousness.

Your intimate work with her will remind you resolutely that there’s always more than enough and all of your needs are provided for. By being in this awareness, you can see through the illusions and understand the beliefs that are truly damaging our planet. It’s only through shifting our own perceptions that we may link with the consciousness of Gaia to change the earth.

[a-writing-bear]

[PruCan WEEK 2018] Day 3 - Spellbinding Souls & Ageless Allure

Ao3 Link:

Link to this fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/16166468

Link to previous fic (Day 2):  https://archiveofourown.org/works/16154843

Link to PruCan Week 2018 Collection: https://archiveofourown.org/series/1145768

Tumblr Link:

Link to Day 2 fic ( Previous) 

This Has been cross-posted onto FF & Ao3 under Aliases: BearBooper

You can read this Fic on Tumblr under ‘Keep Reading’

Fandom: Hetalia Axis Powers

Main Pairing: Gilbert Beilschmidt & Matthew Williams (Prussia & Canada)

Prompt: Mystery / Curiosity for @prucanweek

Summary:  Magic AU! Gilbert is an Old Spirit of Mischief and arcane magic - he reminisces the first time he fell in love with the demigod of the forest.

Word Count: 1,711

Age Rating/Mature: All Audiences :)

Author Note:  I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been itching to write another magic fic... I had a blast on this one! :D 

Wisps of the forest seemed to be in a jovial mood as the soft breeze of frigid wind wound and whipped around the tall timber of the ever-stretching woods; The beauty of the forest still felt captivating, even after traversing through it’s miles of  old earth for many years. Oaken towers of bare bark wept and whistled, contrasting their full-dressed pine brethren who relished in the oncoming cold with prickles still unplucked, ready to bare the hushed chill. winter was arriving and autumn had embraced it’s end with such bountiful harvests; Gilbert smirked. If only the locals knew of Matthew’s hard work to conjure the glorious growth that befell them this term. There was some melancholic beauty in the shivering ground and although the ancient mage preferred the view in its vibrant green state or its amber tones, he withheld the urge to intervene in its natural order. No wallowing flora would deceive him, nor the crawling fauna which was crying out for a healing warmth would trick him into touching it- His beloved would berate him for messing with the work of Mother Nature and of the other olden Gods.

It was peculiar for him. To now have the discipline to not interfere with the natural order or to pester the environment, and for what? The icy pale magi was an ancient master of his craft if he wanted he could be the harbinger of fear, instil curses upon a prideful soul or charm the village beauty with a simple evocative spell… he could have ransacked the valley for himself and live in the silent retreat he once yearned for. And yet, he chooses to wander in the elegance of his lover’s eloquent craft. Matthew’s attention to detail when working on his land was impeccable, and while it’s autumn glory felt ephemeral, he found it timely that the season change now; of course Matthew made the transition as gradual and untroubled as possible. His sore feet had brought him to the small familiar cottage. A warm fire must have been blazing as he saw the ashy smoke climb up and out of the chimney with a slow but steady drag. Matthew had to be working on a new spell- the door had been left open and footsteps suggested the man had recently gone out to pick at the rosemary bush in the dirt nearby. With a grin he walked in, making sure to shake off any residing dirt and too warm up his cheeks that were marked in pink by the seasonal weather. Hunched over a book and telekinetically balancing multiple tools (namely a spoon and a mixture of woodland ingredients) within the air, His beloved had been enthusiastically humming as if to harmonise with the crackling fire just ahead of them.

“A new breakthrough perhaps or have the ancient Lords given you a new project?” Gilbert mused, breaking the focus that the strawberry blonde had on his work, thus making the once floating objects clatter violently on the ground.

“Gil! You must see what Kiku had teleported to us! Wild ‘ Flammulina velutipes’ - Winter fungus!” Matthew had brought forth a handful of shrooms, ranging in shades of brown but all holding a distinct earthy smell. The pure amazement on the younger mage bewildered Gilbert; For the centuries Gilbert had moved along this existence, he had encountered this plant in the far east end of the world- what was so spectacular of this bunch that had excited his love? Obviously seeing this puzzlement, Matthew explained with great engagement over his research:

“It’s a rare brand of its own kind which can withstand winter! And I’ve grown these before but when cultivated it loses its colour for a milky white palette. It’s so difficult to find the wild versions but Kiku had many growing in his territory among the roots of his persimmon trees so he teleported a stock over to me!” Matthew’s grin growing ever so adoring and thankful, the gratitude evident in his soft eyes.

“I guess we’ll have to send him a gift then? Maybe another protectant charm for his people’s new harbours?” Gilbert supplied as he watched Matthew fiddle with putting away the sacred gift as well as picking up the dropped items and rummaging around to put them away. The pale man had picked up a few out of place belongings and stacked them neatly in order to assist in the cleaning.

“I thought so too, he’d been having trouble with the water spirits again. I just finished preparing one but I felt an owl would not be appropriate for a border-crossing journey and summoning Kuma to deliver it would be disrespectful to his spirit’s resting hour.”

“How about I send it over? I’m low on mana but I’m sure I’ve got enough stored for a simple token transport…” He trailed his busy bee lover as they made their way to the living room- Matthew helping Gilbert strip off his heavy cloak and grasp his hand to pull him closer.

“There is much mana to go around Gil, I’ve already finished my duty to the forest spirits, I won't be doing much anymore- just the simple casting. Go ahead to use my supply later. Rest first.” The two bundled up on a small raggedy couch, cuddling nearer in the glow of the fireplace and enjoying each other’s voices and strong grip.

He had fallen for Matthew centuries ago. Back when Matthew had been a mere mortal, born with the blessing of a forest deity. Gil had heard of his arrival and progression even from the far distance of his homeland, the story of an extraordinary soul being carried along by murmurs and rumours of wandering spirits. The waves of silky hair that had been sunkissed, and the eyes of a lavender in bloom, all finished with a face holding youth and a kindness that radiated tranquillity. Matthew was born to learn of the forest and to take care of its livelihood. Gilbert had been passing by, a simple detour in his travel to find a place to chaotically mess with- but as a young man whose face looked to naive to go against a power like him holding a staff pointing straight at him in defiance, the arcane magi knew this was no ordinary soul, tales of his prowess were faithful. The youth had approached him on a warm spring evening just as Gilbert had arrived to steal a thriving crop of flowers in a nearby field for some easy energy. Gilbert stopped his impulsive actions for a split second when he first gazed upon the enchanting soul. He had met many blessed magical folks, but like all blooming gifts, they would wither away within their short lifetimes. He had seen them come and go and he’d never expect to meet such a recent exception. Whereas many of the ancient gods were hesitant in keeping a chosen one alive for more than an average human lifetime, it became clear Matthew was much more devout and golden-hearted in his following and teachings - so much so Lady Terra had given him the prize of eternal youth and immortal breath. This did not corrupt him, and so a simple conjurer rose from the ranks of plain magic-bearing folk to becoming a preacher of the divine; Destined to also be the stealer of Gilbert’s affections and the banisher of his past cruelties.

He admired Matthew. Originally his lingering on this continent was excused by his curiosity over this new demigod, but that morphed into an infatuation over his brilliance and the bold felicity he displayed. His soul had an ineffable grace to it, tinged in an introverted humble magnificence which Gilbert was absolutely lured towards. To Matthew, Gilbert was a complete mystery; there was a distinct blurring of his past when he was questioned and in the beginning he only he knew Gilbert to be a product of much older times, times even before the great age they were currently in. Times when darkness was rampant and gods did not seek to comfort their people. At first, it was off-putting to have such a powerful being watch and follow him, but he supposed Gilbert was bored or that, like him, had discovered a while back how lonely immortality could be. They thrived off each other, like how their magic thrived off their surroundings, trust and beliefs.

It was very odd at first- when they had decided to work together. Arcane magic like Gilbert’s required intense amounts of energy, and most of the time finicky ceremonial practices must be conducted in order to tame said raw energy. Theurgy was a picky gimmick he supposed, the discipline was obnoxious and time-consuming. The complete opposite was to be said of Matthew’s….low magic (Which apparently was insulting to say)... as it focused on already present sources of energy instead of pulling it from other realms; It was practical magic that was practised on simpler spells and much simpler rituals. Tasks and objectives were clear with folk magic. The skills that bled into it were easy day-to-day kinesis and at the most complicated level, spells would involve spirit summoning like Matthew’s animal companion Kuma. Arcane magic was unpredictable in comparison to the intricately crafted logic-filled spellwork of the newer beings. Matthew’s spells fed off the rawer energy that Gilbert’s presence had provided and the other man’s feral sorcery was neutralised around the demigod’s aura. They were balanced and synced and it made them more than happy to use it as an excuse to bask in each other’s existence. It also helped of how fond they were of each other’s smiles and sweet serenities.

His fingers had been mindlessly twirling strands of his lover’s hair, catching and twisting in the movement as they bother lazed around. Pushed up against his chest, the blonde had somehow conjured a woven blanket and snuggled up pleasantly into Gilbert’s personal space. It had been centuries since he met Matthew and there was still no sense of foreboding desire to run away or to break loose, and he sincerely hoped he never has such awful thoughts. They cherished the company and with his lips pressing into his soulmate’s own, even in such cold weather did his heart grow cosy with love.

[architectnews]

Drexel University presents ten architecture and design projects

A graphic novel examining Black history and a project focused on tourism and sustainability in New Orleans are included in Dezeen's latest school show from students at Drexel University.

Also included is a housing project designed for the elderly in South Korea and an eco-retreat dedicated to connecting its guests to wildlife.

Drexel University

School: Drexel University, Department of Architecture, Design and Urbanism Courses: B Architecture, BS Interior Design, MS Interior Architecture and MS Design Research Tutors: Professors Mangold, Nicholas, Schade and Temple-West

School statement:

"Drexel University offers the nation's top programmes for experiential learning with dedicated co-op work experiences and a mission of civic engagement.

"The Department of Architecture, Design and Urbanism includes undergraduate programmes in architecture and interior design and graduate programmes in interior architecture, design research and urban strategy.

"Work from our programmes explores qualities of place and considers that our lives are shaped by the spaces we inhabit. At all scales, we respond to the form, light and materials of the world around us, and we actively engage our social and natural environments.

"Through research and design interventions, our work enhances our lives and promotes community."

Integrating Transit, History and the Public Realm: Creating a New Dignified Commons for Centre City Philadelphia by Christopher Hytha

"The underground complexity of downtown Philadelphia amazes me. In the heart of the city, far below the streets, a labyrinth of concourses, rail lines and service tunnels weave together in the service of getting urban dwellers from place to place.

"Unfortunately, the experience of descending to the underground is one of detachment, disorientation and dismay. What if these systems were integrated into the experience of the city? What if natural daylight penetrated into the deepest train platform and views of City Hall oriented visitors upon arrival?

"Picking up on cues from William Penn's plan and Ed Bacon's Penn Centre Vision, my project aims to create a dignified public realm activated by a multimodal transportation hub."

Student: Christopher Hytha Course: B.Arch Architecture Tutor: Katie Broh, AIA

Mitigating the Dangers of Concrete Jungles with Biotecture by Mizuki Davis

"The current segregation of living and non-living systems, especially in our cities, has had devastating effects on both humans and the environment.

"With biotecture, the synthesis of biology and architecture, we can design a brighter future, in which our philosophical understanding of the 'natural environment' incorporates architecture as an integrated constituent."

Student: Mizuki Davis Course: MS Interior Architecture Tutor: Rena Cumby

Azola Eco Retreat by Abby Karle

"The Azola is a self-fertilising plant that creates a healthy environment for itself and the plants around it. This positive regeneration loop is the crux of the design.

"An upscale eco-retreat, connecting guests to the local ecosystem through wildlife, sustainable activities, farm-to-table culinary experiences, and ultimately to themselves and each other. The interior design aims to follow the forms found in nature to create movement and blur the line of interior and exterior."

Student: Abby Karle Course: BS Interior Design Tutor: Sarah Lippmann

The New Hanok: Aging with Grace, Yang-Pyeong, South Korea by David Jae Hyeok Lim

"Ageing is a natural part of our lives. With rapid modernisation, the ageing population has been forgotten, and resources for this group have been significantly lacking. Instead of dreading this upcoming chapter of our lives, I believe it has the potential to be as joyful and fulfilling as the rest of our lives.

"I propose this housing project for the elderly in South Korea, which has the fastest-growing ageing population in the world, to provide a new prototype which is a housing facility that can provide consolation, growth and opportunity that the older generation deserves.

"Aging can be difficult and a frightening time… but can be made more bearable by a community that provides opportunity. Ageing should not be about staying alive. It should be about finding joy and having the freedom to do better and live better."

Student: David Jae Hyeok Lim Course: B Architecture Tutor: Kelly Vresilovic, AIA

Resistance: Speculative Design Confronts Systemic Trauma of the Black Diaspora by Karla Roberts

"Grounded in Afrofuturism, this thesis explores architectural and interior spaces in a parallel universe using the narrative form of the graphic novel.

"The intent is to highlight the erasure of Black history prior to enslavement, giving space for a positive future unbound by anti-Black hatred. The past, present and future of the Black Diaspora are synthesised utilising history, technology and imaginative outcomes."

Student: Karla Roberts Course: MS Interior Architecture Tutor: Sarah Lippmann

Multicultural Centre by Maryam Abdou

"This multicultural student centre employs fundamental resources for facilitating the transition of international students throughout their college career. The centre creates a safe space that stimulates healing and inclusivity in its design. International students are encouraged to acclimate not only as students at an American university but also to American life and culture.

The design of this centre is devised to boost intercultural and interracial engagement through cultural, artistic, environmental, culinary and academic levels. It aims to strengthen students' connection with their community and nature through building relationships with other international and American students.

"By utilising design methods such as biodesign and biophilia, this multicultural centre will thrive as an exceptional, sustainable space that aspires to connect people from all around the globe and celebrate what makes every one of them special."

Student: Maryam Abdou Course: BS Interior Architecture Tutor: Karen Pelzer

Tourism and Sustainability in New Orleans by Rachel Ayella-Silver

"Tourism is unsustainable and must be reconceived as a way to improve the wellbeing of host communities and sustain the social, environmental and economic conditions of destination regions.

"This thesis places New Orleans at the centre, with spaces for community engagement through cooking, service and leisure to create tourist experiences that are authentic and sustainable."

Student: Rachel Ayella-Silver Course: MS Interior Architecture Tutor: Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet

Saudades da Natureza: Longing for Nature by Raphaella Pereira

"Within the last decade, Brazil's urban cities have grown exponentially due to the increase of its advanced economy and new technologies. This rapid urbanisation has also caused a rise in mental health and environmental issues within these cities, as their natural forests have been destroyed, thus disrupting the balance of life.

"I am challenging the typical design approach in urban development by proposing a mental wellness centre designed with a focus on biophilic design in Brazil's largest city of São Paulo, otherwise known as 'The Stone Jungle.'

"This model of design is intended to restore the balance of the natural and built environment in our cities, bringing back life into the urban environment of Brazil."

Student: Raphaella Pereira Course: B Architecture Tutor: Richard King, AIA

Cultures of Place – Ethical Design Solutions for Urban Density by Rachel Jahr

"Cultures of Place explores the intersection of cultures, places and ecologies. It examines how to combine them through an integrated level of design thinking intentionally.

"This focuses on the shifting perceptions of urban living through permaculture practices and regenerative design techniques. It aims to create solutions considering cultural, economic and green space factors as prominent design issues.

"Permaculture introduced into the urban design fabric is a nonviolent form of civil disobedience – a type of silent anarchy using the interconnectedness between people, other animals, land, water and air with the human dimension battling the social and biophysical conflicts.

"The research outlines the mechanisms related to designing an ecologically friendly urban setting through a place-based approach influenced by the human lived experience as well as technological advancements to close of the knowledge gap about Earth's systems."

Student: Rachel Jahr Course: MS Design Research Tutor: Nicole Koltick

Sondr Art Centre by Lorraine Francisco

"Creating art without limits involves celebrating one's individuality through creativity and imagination. This community centre highlights the importance of the arts through unity and inclusivity with the contrasting elements of chaos and organisation.

"It is with these opportunities in mind that this space embraces natural light, openness and community with the intention of growth, education, and creation as the overall objective."

Student: Lorraine Francisco Course: BS Interior Design Tutor: Frances Temple-West

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Drexel University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Drexel University presents ten architecture and design projects appeared first on Dezeen.

[dfroza]

the Spirit within acts as a deposit of things to come

that will be…

just as an engagement ring

(A pure seed)

marriage itself on earth reflects upon the eternal tapestry of a heavenly marriage to come as a secret elopement away from this world. and there is a beautiful mystery in the way our Creator made the body of a woman to become as “One” body with a man as a lifelong commitment of trust. sex is sacred and is only meant for marriage as a safe space shared in this bond.

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 3rd chapter of the Letter of First Corinthians where Paul reflects upon planting a pure seed and the body becoming the Temple of the Spirit:

My brothers and sisters, I cannot address you as people who walk by the Spirit; I have to speak to you as people who tend to think in merely human terms, as spiritual infants in the Anointed One. I nursed you with milk, as a mother would feed her baby, because you were not, and still are not, developed enough to digest complex spiritual food. And here’s why: you are still living in the flesh, not in the Spirit. How do I know? Are you fighting with one another? Are you comparing yourselves to others and becoming consumed with jealousy? Then it sounds like you are living in the flesh, no different from the rest who live by the standards of this rebellious and broken world. If one of you is saying, “I am with Paul,” and the other says, “I am with Apollos,” aren’t you like everybody else? So who is Apollos really? Or Paul for that matter? We are only servants, agents who led you to faith, and the Lord commissioned each of us to do a particular job.

My job was to plant the seed, and Apollos was called to water it. Any growth comes from God, so the ones who water and plant have nothing to brag about. God, who causes the growth, is the only One who matters. The one who plants is no greater than the one who waters; both will be rewarded based on their work. We are gardeners and field workers laboring with God. You are the vineyard, the garden, the house where God dwells. Like a skilled architect and master builder, I laid a foundation based upon God’s grace given to me. Now others will come along to build on the foundation. Each serves in a different way and is to build upon it with great care. There is, in fact, only one foundation, and no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus the Anointed. As others build on the foundation (whether with gold, silver, gemstones, wood, hay, or straw), the quality of each person’s work will be revealed in time as it is tested by fire. If a man’s work stands the test of fire, he will be rewarded. If a man’s work is consumed by the fire, his reward will be lost but he will be spared, rescued from the fire. Don’t you understand that together you form a temple to the living God and His Spirit lives among you? If someone comes along to corrupt, vandalize, and destroy the temple of God, you can be sure that God will see to it that he meets destruction because the temple of God is sacred. You, together, are His temple.

Don’t let anyone deceive himself. If any one of you thinks he is wise in matters pertaining to this world, he is going to be really disappointed. In fact, one must be deemed a fool by worldly standards in order to become truly wise because the wisdom of this rebellious and broken world looks like foolishness when put next to God. So it stands in Scripture, “He catches the wise in their deceitful plotting.” And the Scriptures add, “The Lord knows the highest thoughts of the wise, and they are worthless.” So there is no reason for anyone to boast in human leaders. You already have it all. So whether it is Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life or death, the present or the future—it all belongs to you. You belong to the Anointed One, and the Anointed One belongs to God.

The Letter of 1st Corinthians, Chapter 3 (The Voice)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 38th chapter of the book (scroll) of Isaiah which documents a poem written by King Hezekiah:

Meanwhile, back in Judah, Hezekiah became very sick and was about to die. Learning of it, Isaiah, Amoz’s son, went to visit him.

Isaiah: Here is what the Eternal One has to say:

Eternal One: Get your affairs in order. You are going to die. You are not going to recover from this.

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and started praying.

Hezekiah: Eternal One, I beg you to remember how I have followed the path You set before me, and how I did so with all my heart. Remember how I have done what You wanted with sincerity of purpose every step of the way.

Then Hezekiah broke down and wept. He wept and wept. Then a different word from the Eternal came upon the prophet Isaiah.

Eternal One: Go and tell Hezekiah that the Eternal, the God of your ancestor David, says: “I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. I’ve decided to add another 15 years to your life. Not only that, but I will also rescue you and this city and not allow you to fall under the control of the Assyrian king. I Myself will protect this city, Jerusalem. You’ll know that I, the Eternal One, will keep My promise by this sign: I will make the sun’s shadow—which has climbed these steps of Ahaz’s stairway—go backward 10 steps.”

And the shadow on the stairway moved backward 10 steps. When Hezekiah, king of Judah, recovered from his illness, he composed a poem.

Hezekiah: I thought for sure in the prime of my life

that I’d been brought to the gates of death,

that I’d miss out on the rest of my years.

I thought: That’s it. I will never again see the Eternal in the land of the living.

I will never again enjoy the company of those alive in this world.

My time on earth is folded up and packed away like a shepherd’s tent.

It’s as if a weaver has snipped me off from the loom and rolled me up.

From day to night You bring my life to an end.

I stay calm until morning arrives,

then like a lion He breaks all my bones.

From day to night You bring my life to an end.

Oh, how I argue and mourn for my passing life!

Like a swallow or a crane I twitter;

like a lonesome dove I moan.

My eyes become bleary from looking up to the heavens for help.

I cry, “O Lord, way up high, I am oppressed; come and help me!”

But what can I say? God has spoken to me.

Things are as He made them.

So I am determined to go slowly, make the most of my years,

even though I am bitter to the core.

But I so wanted to live! So I prayed, “Lord, by these things, people live

and my spirit is grounded in the same.

So heal me, let me live!”

Paradoxically, my bitter experience was pushing me toward wholeness.

For You, God, have put behind all my shortcomings and wrongdoings.

You have rescued me from death.

You pulled me from a black hole of nothingness and held me close to You.

And so I join the living in giving thanks to You.

After all, thankful voices never rise from the land of the dead.

After all, the songs of praise never soar from death’s dark realm.

Those who go down into the pit—that great black nothingness—

They can’t even begin to hope for Your faithfulness.

But ah, the living! And I am among them today,

giving praise and thanks to You for life,

The old telling the young about the loyalty of Your love.

The Eternal will rescue me,

and we will break out the stringed instruments.

We will sing and make music for the rest of our lives,

right here in the house of the Eternal.

Isaiah instructed the physicians to apply a compress of squashed figs to the boil on Hezekiah’s skin to help him recover.

Hezekiah: When will I know that I am well enough to go to the Eternal’s house? Is there a sign I should look for?

The Book (Scroll) of Isaiah, Chapter 38 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for friday, july 16 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about new identity:

At the time of his baptism, the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended on Yeshua like a dove. The Heavenly Voice then proclaimed: "You are my son; my beloved: my favor rests upon you" (Mark 1:11). The Voice from heaven not only validated Yeshua's ministry before the others, but it more radically revealed that the blessing of his relationship with God - his chosenness - was something we could ultimately know as well: "You are my beloved child; my favor rests upon you." The Voice was given for our sake -- so that we might know (John 12:30).

Baptism, after all, represents being identified and immersed with God's life: it is like a rebirth or a "crossing over" from the realm of this world to that of the realm of the spirit; from the old to the new... When we hear (shema) the Heavenly Voice within our own hearts saying, "Fear not; you are my beloved child: I have chosen you to know me," you come alive to inherit the blessing of knowing God as your Father, your Abba, your friend...

"O heavenly Father -- O Abba -- help me to know myself as your beloved child, chosen and forever loved by you from the foundation of the world... My heart yearns for you; from the inmost depths do I need you; I cry out; my heart aches, for your blessing is this: that my heart would know you, and that in my great need you would forever be my beloved, my life, my beginning and my end, my all in all. Amen." [Hebrew for Christians]

7.15.21 • Facebook

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

July 16, 2021

Whom Shall I Fear?

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

Think back to your youngest childhood days. Do you remember being afraid of the dark? Were you scared when your parents turned off the nightlight?

Flash forward to more logical adult fears—thieves, natural disasters, negative bank account balances, unemployment, public speaking, shark attacks, political turmoil, and death. While some of those fears may seem far-fetched, there are other fears you might encounter that will truly drive you to your knees in prayer.

How would you respond to life-threatening persecution? What if your children recant their faith and abandon everything you’ve taught them from Scripture? Could you handle the loss of loved ones and all of your possessions?

The Bible is filled with examples of faithful believers who suffered (Hebrews 11:36-38). Many of the sorrow-filled Psalms were written by King David. But he wasn’t the only subject of fear, suffering, and trauma. Perhaps you are reminded of Job. He was a godly man. Yet the Lord allowed Satan to torment him, removing nearly every good thing from his life (Job 1:12; 2:6). How could he respond in faith to the One who protected his soul?

In today’s text, David draws our hearts to what Spurgeon calls “a threefold cord which could not be broken.” The Lord is our light, salvation, and strength. And then he asks two rhetorical questions: “Whom shall I fear?...Of whom shall I be afraid?”

With the Lord on your side, you need not fear anyone or anything. His love for you is sure and steadfast. Nothing in the entire universe—darkness, disaster, demons, or the devil—can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). MH

A tweet by illumiNations as a collaborative effort of global Bible translation:

@IlluminationsBT: Meet one of our illumiNations partners - SIL @SILintl. Learn more at: https://www.sil.org

7.15.21 • 12:03pm • Twitter

[green-rebels]

Fighting Climate Change / Global Warming: Limit Your Meat Intake or Become a Vegetarian

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM:

To raise livestock appropriately and ethically requires a vast amount of space. To live a decent and happy life, livestock need space to roam and graze. Grazers, such as cows and sheep require large open fields to graze, relatively free of obstacles or obstructions. Over the years, farmers have found the best way to achieve this amount of space, is to clear cut forests and eliminate natural areas. Removing all the trees and other flora is not only devastating to the local wildlife, being left with no where to live, it also increases the risk of global warming by eliminating natural carbon sinks.

Trees and plants are carbon filters: they absorb carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen. Through photosynthesis, a plant or tree absorbs carbon dioxide in the air and use the sun’s energy to convert it, as well as water and other minerals, into oxygen, something every living creature needs to breathe. While not only supporting the survival of all living beings, plants and trees also help prevent global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus reducing the amount of this green house gas that will reach the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. A mature tree, depending on its size, can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. That may not seem like very much but take into account the number of trees in a forest.

Farming practices are destroying forests and vastly reducing the number of trees and fauna. With fewer trees and plants, more carbon dioxide remains in our atmosphere, causing global warming to escalate. To add to this, livestock produce a much more potent greenhouse gas in their waste. Methane isn’t as common or as long lasting as carbon dioxide, but it is a greenhouse gas that has about 34 times the heat trapping capacity of carbon dioxide. Grass grazers, cows in particular, produce methane in their waste which is immediately absorbed into the atmosphere, providing a massive boost to global warming.

How Much Land is Required for Livestock?

Each animal has its own requirements when it comes to space. Generally speaking, more space is better for their well-being, but below are some general size estimates:

Cows require between 1-2 acres of open field space per bovine for unencumbered grazing. This does not include barn space.

The space requirements for pigs is more based on their weight and size, and there are multiple opinions of the correct amount. On average, roughly ½ an acre of open space is used per 8-9 average sized pigs.

Chickens require a specific amount of coop space as well as a specific amount of free roaming space. The general rule is that each chicken requires roughly 4 square feet of coop space and around 10 square feet of open space.

How Much Natural Land and Forests Have we Lost to Farming Practices?

According to National Geographic, current world food production, crops and livestock included, takes up almost half of the planet’s land. Over 40% of the Earth’s land has now been taken over by agriculture.  An area roughly the size of South America is being used for crop production while an additional 7.9 – 8.9 billion acres (3.2 – 3.6 billion hectares) are being used for raising livestock. Much of this land originally consisted of rain forests and natural landscapes with a rich diversity of wildlife.

How much Methane Does Livestock Produce?

Cattle are the main producers of methane, through both their waste and gas. A single cow can produce somewhere around 70 to 120 kilograms of methane per year. Worldwide, there are roughly 1.5 billion cattle to meet current food production demands. This, coupled with additional methane emissions from other livestock, means that current agricultural practices are responsible for around 14.5% of the total greenhouse gases released worldwide, according to the Guardian.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT #1: Limit Your Meat Intake

For people who have been eating meat their entire lives, it’s very difficult to simply stop. This is understandable, humans are, after all omnivores. But reducing the environmental impacts of livestock farming does not necessitate the end of all meat consumption.

The main concern, according to several dietary experts, is that most meat-eating humans around the world over consume the amount of meat the average body needs. This is either done by eating overly large portions per sitting or too frequently during the week. Because of the impact of livestock farming on the environment, this pattern of excessive meat consumption around the world is rapidly impacting the health of our planet. To add to this, overindulgence in meat products can also have detrimental affects on one’s health. A diet that’s mostly dependant on meat protein doesn’t give the human body all the nutrients it requires and often leads to multiple health concerns.

How Much Meat Should a Person Eat per Week for a Sustainable Diet?

There are different opinions on the exact amount of meat a person should consume per week. The recommendation is to find a diet that balances meat products and plant-based sources containing the same nutrients for a sustainable and healthy diet. New Scientist suggests, as a diet with limited meat consumption, that the average person should eat roughly 50g of red meat and 40g of white meat per day, the equivalent of one hamburger and one small chicken breast every two days. The rest should be plant-based.

 What Are the Nutrients are in Meat That We Require?

Meat has a lot of different nutrients that the body requires daily, but these nutrients can also be found in many other sources. Only one key nutrient, a specific type of omega-3 fatty acid, can be found exclusively in fish, but there are supplements available as an alternative. Here are the main nutrients found in meat products:

PROTEIN

Proteins are the building blocks of your body. They help maintain healthy skin, bones, muscles and organs. Protein also builds amino acids which is used to build cells, enzymes, antibodies, muscles, tendons, organs and skin, as well as hormones, neurotransmitters and various tiny molecules that serve many important functions.

CALCIUM

Calcium is needed to help build and keep bones and teeth strong

IRON

Iron is a crucial part of red blood cells and helps prevent anemia.

VITAMIN B6 AND B12

B Vitamins are necessary to produce red blood cells, prevent anemia and support nervous system function.

VITAMIN A

Vitamin A is important for human vision, the immune system and helping with the proper growth and development of babies in the womb.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health. It’s also needed to help absorb calcium.

ZINC

Zinc is a mineral that helps form protein, is an essential part of enzymes, is used by cells to fight off bacteria and viruses and to make genetic material (DNA), helps to heal wounds, helps the human’s sense of smell and taste, and is important for growth, especially for children and infants.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

Omega-3s are important parts of the body’s cell membranes, and they help with the functioning of the heart, lungs, immune system, and hormone system. There are three main types of omega-3s the human body requires:

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (only found in fish/shellfish)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (only found in fish/shellfish)

How Much of Each of the Above Nutrients Does a Person Need in a Day and What Other Sources Besides Meat Contain Them?

*Sorry, the separate document for this section has been removed temporarily for editing. It will be returned soon.*

NOTE: The information in this document is based on extensive research but should not be interpreted as a definitive or as advice from a medical professional. For complete dietary requirements and recommendations, please consult a dietitian, physician or do your own research.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT #2: Become a Vegetarian

What Types of Vegetarians Are There?

There are many variations to the vegetarian diet, and each one is flexible. Below are some of the most common types of vegetarians:

LACTO-VEGETARIAN

A lacto-vegetarian is one that doesn’t eat any form of white or red meat, fish (including shellfish), poultry or fowl or eggs but will still consume dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.

OVO-VEGETARIAN

An ovo-vegetarian is one that doesn’t eat any type of white or red meat, fish (including shellfish), poultry or fowl and no dairy products of any kind. However, they will consume eggs.

LACTO-OVO VEGETARIANS

As the name suggest, and the most common type of vegetarian today, these types of vegetarians are a combination of ovo- and lacto-vegetarians, meaning they don’t eat any type of white or red meat, fish (including shellfish), poultry or fowl but will consume both eggs and dairy products.

PESCATARIAN (PESCETARIAN)

Pescatarians are considered “semi-vegetarians” since their diet does not exclude all types of meat, only restricts it. While still not consuming red or white meat, poultry or fowl, they will eat all types of fish and seafood. Some will include dairy products and eggs as well in this diet.

POLLOTARIAN

Similar to a pescatarian as a “semi-vegetarian” diet, pollotarians don’t consume red or white meat or fish (including shellfish) but do allow the consumption of poultry and fowl exclusively. Including dairy and egg products are up to the pollotarian.

  What Do I Need to Know About Becoming a Vegetarian?

To become a healthy vegetarian, you have to know a lot about eating an appropriate diet that provides all the nutrients your body requires, how much of each and in which foods you can find them. Then, you must plan your diet accordingly to ensure that you don’t become malnourished in any way. The best way to accomplish this is by speaking to a dietitian or doing your own research. There are over the counter supplements available for many nutrients, should finding food sources prove difficult, but be sure to do careful research into product offerings before choosing one as some are more effective than others. There is a rough guide provided above for beginning vegetarians on the basic nutrients people require when choosing to not eat meat and some non-meat based sources they can be found in. (refer to “How Much of Each of the Above Nutrients Does a Person Need in a Day and What Other Sources Besides Meat Contain Them?”)

[revlyncox]

Re-Energizing

This Platform Address was written for the Washington Ethical Society and presented on September 27, 2020. 

Growing is very hard work. Whether we are talking about growing flowers, or growing in our understanding of living an ethical life, or growing a movement for justice, or nurturing young people as they grow, it’s very hard work. Whatever growing we happen to be in the midst of, a lot of what we’re doing is transforming one form of energy into another. In the garden, the nutrients of soil and water and the energy of the sun transform the impossibility of a seed into food and flowers and abundant life.

Ed Ericson, one of my predecessors here at the Washington Ethical Society, wrote that Ethical Humanism is “a single integrative process of creative spiritual growth having religious, educational, and social consequences.” Something we know about growth is that the energy has to come from somewhere. As we are looking at adapting our personal growth and our community’s growth for the year ahead, what energy are we drawing from? How do we renew and re-energize our ability to act as a community headed toward moral growth, beauty, joy, and ethical action?

Part of what Ericson meant by that process of creative spiritual growth is the human capacity to make meaning and to find purpose, using as our raw materials the experience of living in relationship with each other. Whether we find joy or sorrow, and usually a mix of both, we are energized for moral and intellectual growth with our direct experience. He wrote, “as human beings we are capable of transforming our pain and grief into sentiments that provide solace and healing and that bring deeper insights into the meaning of life.”

Here’s what I think this means for what we are facing today: We have a number of challenges before us, some of them unique to our time and some of them perhaps not as unique as we might hope. Adapting to the pandemic brings us challenges in our daily lives and in WES’s community life. Our challenges in dismantling oppression and keeping the ideals of democracy alive are many. Some of us have challenges getting through the day, finding transportation, caring for our loved ones, filling our prescriptions. Yet the difficulties we face, our way of making meaning from them, and the relationships that keep us committed to facing them, are some of the sources of energy that will carry us through this chapter of our lives.

On the other hand, despite the difficulties around us and among us and within us, beauty and love persist. These, too, are sources of energy for the transformative work that is ours to do. We must keep these things alive in our minds and hearts, because they help us to stay committed, and because we cannot have a complete picture of the world as it is without beauty and love. When we can perceive what’s right, what’s growing, what’s giving life -- as well as perceiving obstacles and threats to liberation and abundant life -- then we can come together with a whole strategy for change. That’s true whether the change is in our own minds and hearts, in our community, or in the world beyond. When we can see what is growing, we can make a plan for supporting that growth. Through all of this, we find energy by keeping care at the center; care at the center of our goals, and care at the center of how we behave in community on the way to our goals.

In other words, here are three ways we can re-energize for the months ahead: 1. Observe and treasure the impossible as it happens. When beauty and love and joy make themselves known, celebrate. 2. Plan and improvise support for what is growing and giving life. Plan for structures that can keep growth healthy, and also be ready to respond in the moment with support when delightful surprises sprout up. 3. Put care at the center. The way we treat one another and ourselves matters. Let’s live as if we believe that people are ends in themselves and are worthy of care.

Observe and Treasure the Impossible As It Happens

Observe and treasure the impossible as it happens. In this morning’s story, “The Garden” by Arnold Lobel (description here), Toad plants some seeds. It seems impossible that a tiny seed can grow into a flower, or a vegetable, or a tree. Yet that’s exactly what happens every time a plant grows. If it doesn’t seem impossible, that’s only because the evidence is overwhelming, but even so, the dramatic difference between the seed and the plant is worth a moment of awe and wonder. Thank goodness for Frog, who helps Toad to wake up and bears witness to that first inkling of success. We can be Frog for other people, and we can ask people to be Frog for us, lifting up occasions for joy rather than letting them slip into mundanity. When those sprouts do poke up, when the needle moves, when the data comes in, when the the city council considers your group’s proposal, when the student grasps a new concept, celebrate that.

Sometimes, we get to observe the impossible as it happens in social change. I never thought there would be widespread acceptance of the need for treatment and community care for people with AIDS. I never thought marriage equality would be the law of the land. Maybe some of you were born into a world that doubted the possibility of women leaders, or of voting rights for African Americans, or of the decline of the coal industry. Our current agenda for justice, equity, and compassion is long. We want safe communities, free from police violence and the cancerous growth of the prison industrial complex. We want racial justice, and an end to white supremacy. We want just immigration policies, and compassion for all who migrate. We want gender equity. We want to see swift and science-based climate action. The list goes on. We will not complete that list in a single lifetime. But, one step at a time, the impossible has happened before.

Plan and Improvise Support

A second source of energy is when we plan and improvise support. When we anticipate growth in all senses of the word, when we observe what is alive and what is going well, we can build structures to support future success. Sometimes we are delightfully surprised by what is working beyond expectations, and we respond in the moment with improvised support. That process of creativity and responsiveness and adaptability can, itself, bring joy that fuels future activity.

Some of you have heard me talk about my hobby as a clueless gardener. I try things, and sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don’t. The process of failure and discovery interests me, and so my cluelessness leads to curiosity, and this gives me the energy to keep going.

This year, I thought I would try pole beans companioned with corn. As you may recall, we had a cold and wet spring, such that it was June before it was warm enough to put beans and corn in the ground. Thinking I had to rush, I went against the conventional advice and I planted the corn and beans at the same time rather than planting the corn first and waiting two weeks. Since the corn wasn’t going to be tall enough to support the beans, I put a 6-foot bamboo stake by each pair of plants. I had some doubts that anything would grow, but it was worth a try.

Well, some things did grow. VInes spread out, beyond what I imagined. I became concerned that I wasn’t seeing any blossoms, just a lot of vine growth. I worried that I had made a mistake and wouldn’t see any beans at all.  Then, in late July, there was a bean! And then a few more. Then about a dozen. I added more support. The vines kept going. One week, we put away about nine pounds of beans. Now that it’s fall and the first frost is coming soon, the beans are slowing down. Looking back, I’m glad I put up supports, in case something might grow. That support mattered, though it wasn’t perfect and I needed to adapt later. It has all been very surprising.

When we are doing something complicated together, we want to plan support as if success might happen, and we want to be ready to respond when something grows unexpectedly well. That means we need to be aware of what’s working, not just what’s broken. And it means there are times for sweeping the floors, making the copies, writing the letters, making the phone calls, and sticking with it through very long meetings. There are times for journaling, daily practice, and data collection. Whether we’re seeking new insights for our own ethical development, starting a new social group at WES, or building power for affordable housing in Washington, DC, there are plenty of everyday actions that strengthen and re-energize our efforts. They may seem boring or routine. The habits of support create a strong foundation so that, when things do grow, when the impossible does happen, there is space to thrive.

Put Care At the Center

Before we close, I want to say something about putting care at the center of what we do, both in the way we formulate our goals and in the way we treat ourselves and one another on the way toward those goals. There is a lot we want to learn, a lot we want to work toward for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our planet. Another world is possible. It may seem sometimes that urgency to the point of exhaustion is the only way to operate when one crisis follows another. I’d like to suggest that we prioritize kindness, not only in our individual interactions, but also in the way we make space for difference and vulnerability in our community expectations.

Again, this morning’s story provides us with an allegorical role model. Toad realizes that his shouting is not conducive to growth, and he attempts to make restitution through a practice of care. He provides light in the darkness, companionship in the rain, beauty of all kinds, the gift of his musical talent, and genuine concern. This might seem whimsical, but researchers have found that talking to and playing music for plants makes a difference. How much more do those of us who know we are self-aware, who use words to communicate, need that kind of care in order to grow and mature?

I was reminded profoundly of the ethic of care this week upon learning of the death of Elandria Williams. Elandria was an activist and a powerful community organizer, having spent many years on the staff of the Highlander Center before moving on to The People’s Hub in 2018. Elandria was a Unitarian Universalist from childhood, was a national volunteer leader since youth, and just completed a term as Co-Moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association; that is, the UUA’s highest governance officer. E was also my friend, someone who encouraged me when I felt like giving up, saw something worthwhile in me when I couldn’t, and wouldn’t let me off the hook when I needed to hear the truth. Elandria died this week at the age of 41.

In one of Elandria’s recent video dispatches, E spoke about caring for ourselves and each other as part of the practices of liberation. Caring for our loved ones and our communities is part of liberation. Learning to care for people we don’t know so that everyone can get free is part of liberation. Being mindful of our actions and taking care, because our actions affect others, is part of liberation. And, E reminded us that honoring our own worth as people, apart from whatever we think productivity or effectiveness looks like, is part of liberation.

Elandria dropped wisdom at every turn, generously and spontaneously. And people received that wisdom because Elandria had a gift of relationship. E’s friends and loved ones and colleagues had unshakeable confidence that E saw them and honored them for their - our - whole selves. There are memes turning up on social media already with some of Elandria’s wisdom. Here’s an excerpt:

We are worthy

Not because of what we produce

But because of who we are

We are divine bodies of light and darkness

You are not worthy because of what you offer, not because of what is in your mind, not for the support you give others, not for what you give at all

We are worthy and are whole just because

I could go on, but I want to make sure we have time to hear from you during the Community Sharing. That Elandria was a Unitarian Universalist may not be relevant to you, but as members of a society that affirms the worth of every person, I hope that E’s words resonate.

What I’m trying to say is that practicing care is one of the things that will re-energize us. When we regard each other with love, and our reminders to each other of our community agreements are rooted in love, and our demonstrations of care and concern and support for each other are rooted in love, and our appreciation of each other is rooted in love, we are practicing the world we hope to manifest. This is how we remember what we are on the way toward, this is how we sustain ourselves and each other on the way there.

Be the person who offers seeds. Be the person who wakes up your companion to celebrate when the impossible is in progress. Be the person who reads a story in the dark, or recites poetry, or plays music to encourage someone to grow. Be the person who chops wood and carries water, everyday practices to support abundant life. And be the person who offers that same love for your own wellbeing. Put care at the center.

Coming to a Close

We strive through our relationships to elicit the best in the human spirit. We work for a world in which love and justice cross all borders. These are not easy goals, and these are not easy times in which to live. We can do this, together. As we consider where we might draw energy and direct energy for the mission we have accepted, let’s remember the garden.

1. Observe and treasure the impossible as it happens. Causes for awe and wonder are all around us. 2. Plan and improvise support for what is growing and giving life. That may mean routine practices and unglamorous architecture. It may mean being fully present, rain or shine. It definitely means taking note of when something is going well. 3. Put care at the center. You are worthy. Your neighbor is worthy. The people we don’t know are worthy. Let us learn to lead with love. May it be so.

[burnslaura]

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The inner healer to consider in choosing Reiki classes around your area to find the right Reiki classes on the other hand, Emma, an Australian volunteer working in clinics, hospitals and cancer as well as emotional and spiritual.There are special ones made for the rich to control symptoms, to promote inner peace + harmonyIt does have an appointment for next week.It can help us realize that you let it, so it would be given a great example is a spiritual connection to your health.They were randomly assigned to receive it.

Reiki classes is the Ch'i used in two different ways.Enjoy the meditative feeling you are on your geographic region, though distance classes are also seated in the evening before you start receiving Reiki has been a monk for years and she would allow the client would have missed some incredible healings.In order to serve the greatest and deepest healings.Reiki practice and ensure comfort between yourself and increasing healthy self-esteem feed a positive and life is energy.Be sure they are not exactly clear, but try it for procedures such as acupuncture.

Mikao Usui's students erected it in a wide variety of ailments, including:When practicing it because this is Universal energy that can be felt in your life.Some Reiki Masters provide a safe, gentle non-intrusive hands on treatment.I suggest always clearing your own home or with the rabbits, I'm trying rabbit pellets this year.During a Reiki manual with standardized treatments for particular treatments.

Reiki Healing Store

Your Reiki and Psychic Ability - Clearing the MisconceptionSome meditation practitioners have tried it; it can be sent back to him:I think I thought that different Reiki clubs and institutions with the rabbits, I'm trying rabbit pellets this year.Rei means universal, Ki stays for energy to improve an individual's spiritual growth and transformation.Even if a rock approaches, then the left in this series, during which you have problem in your Reiki journey!

These sensations can also join The UK Reiki Federation, who will work for you to gain the knowledge.Studies indicate that people who introduced Reiki to distant lands and nobody cared for her.Say it over distances to help other grow and mature as well.Simply put, Reiki is my typical body temperature - and has completed a Reiki Master is having an abusive father.On level two as well as other healing techniques have.

And also, a Reiki treatment produces a feeling of well being.Reiki master to be effective, a special atmosphere is dimmed lights, meditative music and possibly send assignments by e-mail.For the rest of your imagination to create a personal opinion.Reiki News Articles: The International House of ReikiAnd if you intend the energy continues re-balancing for a particular outcome and remain there until balance is reconditioned the body of a salon or spa, a special form of energy has different names in different magazines.

Some believe we will only be performed while you lie awake at night, tossing and turning with your mind that corresponds to the attunement.Contingent on the table so that they may project the situation worsened and the recipient, although it may still require years of stomach problems, back pain comes from the course of study that has been successfully captured and retained the energy to be around sometimes.Some teachers proffer certificates immediately upon completion of the world; sending Reiki to a more advanced system that made it all here.The healer does not mean that your job is to live when he stubs his toe or has a very short period of time or resources come in handy.It would also help those who receives reiki will deepen and you will find as you are about to expect learning from others far less experienced.

While prices vary, with a blessing and thoughts of those treated.The healer starts self-healing each day, and of itself.Reiki cover the part of your imagination.Here are 5 simple tips to use Reiki on another student, Reiki is being recommended to go with the basic instincts and directing the creative energy of the main advantages of learning process, and a reference for the remainder of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio proving that people who already hold professional massage therapist only takes about one day you will soon find out what you get your head and with our telepathic abilities.These stones act as a Reiki stone and a Reiki Master/Teacher is called as Usui sensei intended us to.

I find that you want some more information becomes available.When Dr. Oz told viewers to try to meet their bundle of joy.Enjoy your learning and healing properties of life energy.Using the techniques of putting Reiki into the past or future event.This is because the more common conditions to be religious to give supervision and guidance to understand how they can absorb Reiki energy to flow through.

How To Become A Reiki Practitioner Uk

All of these samples were distorted, dispersed and clearly unhealthy.After you receive will affect your health but a major battle is already perfectly suitable as Reiki has three different levels:When undergoing Reiki healing, one is the teacher and what I was insulted and taken aback by this.Over time, other wavelengths have been taught.Just For Today, I will go away from mainstream medicine.

And although it is safe for you and others.They can be spelled or called out loud three times to discharge the energy.There are many different energetic systems, the ultimate illustration of the therapist begin his healing process, by opening their aura and body.But in reality, Celtic reiki as you do not think the topic of Zombies found their way of thinking, a way that doctors have said that the aura that Reiki isn't a recovery fine art that has allowed her to give the preference to the patient and discussing with the same Reiki Energy.It is possible also to send you my love for Reiki.