#saltworks

[postcard-from-the-past]

Saltworks of Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

German vintage postcard, mailed in 1939

[dxinecoza]

Walvis Bay Salt Pans

The Salt Works at Walvis Bay is reminiscent of the alien landscapes of a 1980s sci-fi movie. Driving towards Sandwich Bay on the narrow road surrounded by salt pans on either side on the other side of Walvis Bay, nothing movie, except for the occasional birds flying around, and the odd car returning pr heading to the coastal areas, reflecting crystal clear on the salt pan surfaces. The smell of…

[artbookdap]

Spreads from 'Tom Hegen: Salt Works' — new explorations in bird’s eye photography from the author of 'Aerial Observations on Airports' — published by @hatjecantzverlag⁠ ⁠ The extraction of sea salt is one of the oldest forms of human landscaping. Sea-salt production sites can be found all over the world, usually around shallow shorelines. But we rarely ask where salt comes from and how it is produced. German photographer Tom Hegen (born 1991) has explored these magical landscapes from an aerial perspective, creating spectacular images in the process. This gorgeously illustrated book reveals how the landscape has been shaped by salt mining and how the mining process has created structures that take on an almost painterly, abstract quality.⁠ ⁠ Edited by Nadine Barth. Text by Annalena Erhardt, Mark Kurlansky, Sabine Schwarzfischer.⁠ ⁠ Read more via linkinbio.⁠ ⁠ @tomhegen.de #tomhegen #saltworks #saltmines #tomhegensaltworks @barthouseprojects https://www.instagram.com/p/CpGI4xkpTWb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[windvexer]

Hey chicken,

You previously said that you believe even doing simple things in spellwork, like leaving something in a dish of salt, need to be worked over. How would you work over simple things like that? Burning a candle? Just infusing it with some energy?

Even more simple than infusing it with energy, maybe.

This isn't like, set in stone. But I generally believe that the first step of all Witchcraft is permission.

As in, you speak from a place of authority as a Witch, and give permission that reality may become abnormal.

Witchcraft is abnormal, in my opinion. I think it's perfectly nice that people build paradigms based on the idea that magic is altogether completely natural and there is no difference between the magic and normal, but I like the sinister stuff.

So IMO the first, most basic, essential "working over" is to take something (the dish of salt) and, give it permission to become abnormal and begin to effect reality abnormally.

This is the hinge upon which Witchcraft pivots: the Witch going in and taking normal things, and realigning the tracks of fate beneath them, compelling things to start happening which never would have happened if not for that specific intervention.

A dish of salt does not normally just make a space clear of emotions. If it did so, that would not be normal. It would be abnormal. Paranormal, even.

So how do you get salt to stop being normal, and start being a paranormal substance that does abnormal things?

Charging with energy is a later step. You charge with energy to fulfill an intent already set.

The first step is to give reality - the reality of the salt, of the emotions in the room - permission to be a fucked up little guy. It's easy as pie. And it mostly comes down to magical headspace: you seeing reality as something quite permeable, and easy to change, and almost illusory, springing from the web of fate that underpins it; but you can change that fate. Reality likes us. It mimics us to show that it wants to be friends. Put yourself in a state where the world is mutable, and around you the world complies.

So step one is magical headspace.

Step two is telling the salt what to do. "Listen here, you fucked up glorious little guy. Before you were dead, only crystals harvested and mined, sold on a grocery shelf where you've been reduced to nothing but flavor. They chew on your bones and forget to worship your soul. But here, in my house, you are a god. Rise from your grave in this new form, to this new purpose: purify from this room the unwanted, the harmful, and the malignant. By my word and my will, this new fate has been granted to you."

No energy work. No visualization. Just tell it like it is.

Or you could be more corporate about it. "This salt purifies negative energy from the room." It's just setting intent, if you want to be crude.

It's hard for me to do corporate magic. With all apologies to the people who do prefer the very simplified present-tense intentions.

Reality mimics us. If something is stirring inside of you, then something is stirring inside of the salt. No visualizing energy roots required.

A simple sentence may not be enough, or a paragraph. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right words. Maybe the salt isn't really a god. Maybe it's a gnome, a saltwork machine, the dead crest of a long-forgotten ocean wave that preserved a billion amoeba in crystalline purity, ready now to purify your room.

Over time, intuition and experience will both grow and combine to advise exactly what to say.

After all, you're telling it like it is - not making it up.

Go to the place where magic is real and you're doing it.

Assign new fates through words.

These are the simplest steps to working over something.

[vonclosen]

Been meaning to post refs of my other Courier, Golgotha. She's a very troubled and traumatized young woman who's initially Legion aligned and a certified NCR hater (for good reason). Boone gets to know her and is like "I could fix her" and somehow manages to pull it off (they heal together, a little bit. yaay!)

Ultimately goes for an independent New Vegas and pushes both the Legion and NCR out of the Mojave.

Some misc. Golgotha facts under the cut:

Her backstory is genuinely really disturbing so I probably won't get into it much, but in summation we'll just say that NCR soldiers killed her entire family and burned down their ranch. She's been an orphan since age 6.

From Northern Mexico. She's Latina.

Very pale as an adult, rarely goes out during the daytime.

Nightstalker symbolism. She likes them a lot, too.

Will-they-won't-they relationship with Vulpes and Boone.

Love-hate complicated mentor/father relationship with Joshua Graham (ideologically disagrees with New Canaanites, but he's also really one of the only people who truly understands her)

Suffers from PTSD, night terrors, OCD, and a myriad of other mental health problems. Prone to sleep-deprivation induced psychosis. Sometimes regresses when under extreme stress.

Feels haunted by her "past self", has separated the person she was as a child (Maria) and the person she is as an adult (Golgotha)

Sometimes sees a representation of herself as a child in waking nightmares, much like Max Rockatansky's flashbacks

Very very very Catholic. Often has religious delusions, and sees just about everything as a Sign. Speaks to angels.

Shaves her head because she doesn't like the thought of being grabbed. Really bad at doing it herself, doesn't often use a mirror.

Both of her names are intended to have religious significance-- Golgotha being the place where Christ died, and Maria (Mother Mary) Salinas (saltworks, reference to Lot's wife being turned into a pillar of salt upon looking back at the burning Gomorrah)

[terramythos]

Eorzean Bunnyboy SHOCKS Ornery Saltworker By Speaking Perfect Ancient Yok Huyan

[manoelt-finisterrae]

saltworks

© Manoel T, 2023

[postcard-from-the-past]

Saltworks of Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

German vintage postcard

[ikuspace]

Salt flakes from Drohobych Saltworks, the oldest functioning enterprise in Ukraine.

Dozens of millions years ago this was an ancient sea.

Then mountains rose. The water lost its connection to the sea, forming salt lakes. Over hundreds of thousands of years, the water evaporated, leaving salt deposits that later moved underground through tectonic movements.

Several hours before the photo was taken, the heavily salted water was pomped from underground, boiled in the big bowls... and this is how freshly crystalized salt flakes look.

I tried a pinch of it and it was so delicious!

The salt was a major export product from the area. The business flourished untill late 16 century when cheaper salt was discovered in Wieliczka and a few other places.

In recent years, Drohobych salt production has been more about local heritage and tradition than business, so it's been subsidized by the Ukrainian government. I led several tours for my American guests there when I took this photo and tasted the local legendary product.

Just a couple hundred meters from the Saltworks there is a unique wooden Church inscribed on Unesco World Heritage list, which is another story...

[quotesfrommyreading]

It is often said that Venice grew rich on the “spice trade.” This is true – yet that spice was not exotic cloves or cardamom, but simple salt. Aside from fish, the lagoon does not offer much in the way of foodstuffs. Throughout its long history, Venice has always had to import its food, which requires money. The earliest Venetians built saltworks that allowed lagoon water to flow during high tide into wide basins, where it was trapped and left to evaporate in the sun. They then used heavy cylinders to roll over the salt, breaking it up into pieces that could be loaded aboard boats for export. It fetched a tidy sum – crucial for the tiny, but growing, economy of early Venice, and indeed for many centuries to come. It is often said that Venetians left salt production behind when international trade and commerce became their path to riches. That is simply untrue. Medieval and Renaissance commercial documents bear strong witness to the combined importance of the salt trade. Indeed, the Venetian government established its own Salt Office, which would grow to become one of the most powerful organs of the state.

  —  Venice: A New History (Thomas F. Madden)

[artbookdap]

"Both strikingly beautiful and alarming." Read Megan Jones on Augsburg-based Tom Hegen's aerial photographs of mineral extraction in a new review in @aestheticamag ⁠ ⁠ "By 2019, according to figures from the Natural History Museum, over 70% of the Earth had been directly altered. From Hegen’s aerial vantage point, viewers are invited to consider a sense of global responsibility. Figures are reduced to insignificant flecks, vehicles blotted against the road. These photographs reveal collisions between natural and man-made, where vast geographies have been redefined by networks of artificially constructed shallow ponds."⁠ ⁠ 'Tom Hegen: Salt Works' is published by @hatjecantz ⁠ Edited by Nadine Barth. Text by Annalena Erhardt, Mark Kurlansky, Sabine Schwarzfischer.⁠ ⁠ Read the full review via linkinbio.⁠ ⁠ @barthouseprojects @tomhegen.de #tomhegen #saltworks #saltmines #tomhegensaltworks⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CovCy_cp6fC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[roomchailimited]

Dubrovnik’s Dramatic Views: Exploring Croatia’s Adriatic Coast

Nestled along the shimmering waters of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is often referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," and for good reason. This historic city boasts stunning coastal views, centuries-old architecture, and a unique charm that has captivated travelers for generations. Whether you’re a fan of history, culture, or simply breathtaking landscapes, Dubrovnik offers a perfect mix of everything, making it a must-visit destination on Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

The Old Town: A Medieval Marvel

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is the heart and soul of the city. Enclosed by mighty stone walls that date back to the 16th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, and open squares. Start your journey by walking along the City Walls. Stretching nearly two kilometers around the Old Town, these fortifications offer some of the most dramatic views of Dubrovnik. From atop the walls, you can gaze out over the terracotta rooftops, the glistening Adriatic Sea, and the islands that dot the coastline.

As you wander through the Old Town, be sure to visit Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main street. Lined with shops, cafés, and historic landmarks, Stradun is the perfect place to soak in the city’s lively atmosphere. Landmarks like the Sponza Palace and Rector’s Palace stand as reminders of Dubrovnik’s long and fascinating history as a maritime republic.

A short walk from Stradun leads to the Dubrovnik Cathedral, a Baroque masterpiece that houses treasures like a reliquary of Saint Blaise, the city’s patron saint. Nearby, the Franciscan Monastery is home to one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, which has been in operation since the 1300s.

A Cable Car Ride to Mount Srđ

For truly panoramic views of Dubrovnik and its surroundings, take a cable car up to Mount Srđ, which rises 412 meters above the city. The view from the summit is simply spectacular, offering a bird’s-eye perspective of the Old Town, the sparkling Adriatic Sea, and the nearby islands. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Montenegro. For those who prefer hiking, there’s a trail leading up the mountain that rewards you with equally stunning vistas.

At the top, you’ll find Fort Imperial, a fortress built during Napoleon’s reign that now houses a museum detailing the Croatian War of Independence. After exploring the fort, take a moment to relax at the panoramic restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal or drink while soaking in the view.

Island-Hopping Along the Adriatic Coast

Dubrovnik’s location on the Adriatic makes it the perfect starting point for exploring the nearby islands. One of the most popular day trips is to Lokrum Island, just a 10-minute boat ride from the Old Town harbor. This lush, green island is a nature reserve and a perfect escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. You can explore the ruins of a Benedictine monastery, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the island’s rocky beaches, or simply relax in the shade of the island’s many olive and pine trees.

Further afield, the Elaphiti Islands offer a more secluded island-hopping experience. The archipelago consists of 13 islands, with Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan being the most accessible. Each island has its own unique charm, from sandy beaches and olive groves to charming fishing villages. A day spent island-hopping along the Elaphiti Islands is the perfect way to experience the Adriatic’s natural beauty.

Exploring Beyond Dubrovnik: The Pelješac Peninsula

If you have extra time, consider a day trip to the Pelješac Peninsula, located just north of Dubrovnik. Known for its scenic landscapes, vineyards, and quiet beaches, Pelješac is a great escape for those looking to explore Croatia’s rural side. Visit the town of Ston, famous for its medieval walls and saltworks, and take a stroll along its impressive fortifications, which are often compared to the Great Wall of China. If you’re a wine enthusiast, Pelješac is home to some of Croatia’s best wineries, where you can sample local wines like Plavac Mali.

Savoring Croatian Cuisine

No trip to Dubrovnik is complete without indulging in Croatia’s rich culinary heritage. The Adriatic coast is known for its fresh seafood, and there’s no shortage of restaurants serving up delicious dishes. Try black risotto, a local specialty made with cuttlefish ink, or savor a plate of grilled octopus served with a side of fresh vegetables. For dessert, treat yourself to rožata, a traditional Croatian custard pudding flavored with caramel.

Dining in Dubrovnik is not just about the food, though. Many restaurants offer al fresco dining with views of the sea or the city’s ancient streets, making every meal a memorable experience.

Conclusion: A City of Timeless Beauty

Whether you’re marveling at Dubrovnik’s dramatic views from atop its city walls, exploring the serene beauty of the nearby islands, or savoring the local cuisine, there’s no denying that Dubrovnik is a city of timeless beauty. Its unique blend of history, culture, and natural splendor makes it one of the most enchanting destinations on the Adriatic coast.

For those planning a trip, travel agencies like Roomchai Limited and local tour operators such as Dubrovnik Walks and Adriatic Explorer can help you create a seamless journey, ensuring you experience the best that Dubrovnik and the surrounding region have to offer.

[jamieroxxartist]

Today, Sept 24, our #Catholic Friends are celebrating the Feast of Saint #Rupert (Patron of #saltworkers)

(https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Rupert_of_Salzburg)

Painting: ‘Baptism of Duke Theodo by Bishop Rupert’ by Franciscus de Neve (II) (c. 1670)

[puddlebrigade]

Oh dude, you need to update your map. That scrip from the city is decades out of date. You’ve been intentionally misled in an effort to hide the resources that exist outside of Omelas. Yeah, yeah, propaganda can do that.

The wonderful thing about swamps is that they are an essential part of the watershed, with inlets and outlets. My family are from the swamplands, sure, but we took up barge travel as a trade. There’s a whole river network up and down the country, did you know? We go everywhere, up and down it to trade with cities all over. There’s a town on the coast where I first learned to read, they have a saltworks and a dune system with birds like you’ve never seen.

We’re not shivering by the way? Sure the first people to leave barely had farming knowledge but it’s not like Omelas runs without farms. Eventually enough people left with the right skills. Weavers, farmers, shepherds, biologists, craftsmen — the whole lot. The whole swamp is an eden of biodiversity and we use plants we find there for medicine a lot. The land has a high nitrogen content after being a bog for so long but with some fermented compost it yields some really beautiful crops. We’ve got this whole dam system for controlling the waterways, and the swamplands past a certain region are a protected and managed biosphere.

Turns out that the cave you spoke of holds a spring with the clearest water you’ve ever seen. The waterfalls and eddies practically sing. The house on the top caved in a few years ago, and a few folks got caught in the rubble, but what can you do about un-reinforced loads, you know? Our village took in some refugees and I think the remaining folks discovered a vein of ore that they’re working on using for trade. They travel on our barges sometimes to trade downriver and I grew up hearing about glittering caves filled with crystals and the kinds of extremophile animals that live in that complete darkness. We sent one of our engineers over to stabilize their tunnels and last I heard they were doing okay.

A couple years ago the town sent a troupe on the road back to bury as many bones as we could find. It took two months to both track down the bones and to lay them to rest. We took careful notes on what was with them and inventory so that anyone who comes looking can know by their gravestone what their loved ones were found with. My cousin put up a huge stele at the fork with information about the nearby routes. We even found a publishing house in another town willing to put out some guidebooks for those looking to leave Omelas, like, what to do and where to go and stuff, all stationed at the stele with some water. No food though, in case of bears.

And you’re wondering why I would tell a stranger all this. Wouldn’t Omelas like to do a bit of colonialism and make use of all those resources we worked so hard to secure, you know? Two important factors: Omelas doesn’t keep a standing militia. We do. Turns out struggling for your livelihood in a “fetid place” hones your archery skills dead quick and those skills got passed down. In Omelas, they’re all so happy and off their tits on kid torture that pillaging a town doing better than theirs would hurt their image. The second is that if Omelas let their populace know that joy and abundance like theirs can be found without child sacrifice, their whole political system could collapse. What is power worth to a morally outraged population? And no, a foreign power isn’t going to storm their walls because of a single kid a year being murdered without further reasons to lay siege. So Omelas gets to stand as a shining city on the hill for a while longer. God knows how the city council will do anything to retain the workforce, like imprison those who try to leave without a hallpass or make up some deeply demented mythology about the suffering of a child being a scapegoat for a whole city.

We have festivals too! Each walker celebrates their own Leaving Day, kinda like a birthday, and some families pass the celebrations down into the second and third generations, and so on . But we do all the normal holidays too. May day, summer fairs, harvest, winter solstice. We have a theater and school, and a band that comes round on holidays to play for whoever will listen.

Oh, you meant to ask what’s it called? Salemo. So, when are you walking away?

There are two things you need to know about the road that leads away from Omelas. The first is that it's lined with human bones, because good ethics are no substitute for knowing how to survive in the wilderness. The second is that it's forked. One fork - the one not often taken - leads to a swamp, a nasty fetid place, where a small community of people try to scratch out an existence. It's a miserable life, and the people have fond memories of the comforts they enjoyed every day back in Omelas. But they don't regret leaving it behind, for here in the swamp the misery is equally distributed to everyone. No one suffers for someone else's luxury. In the cold damp night, they tell their few shivering children why this matters. Perhaps this knowledge consoles them as they die from disease or malnutrition or childbirth. Perhaps they sincerely believe it's worth it. I'll never know for certain. The second fork leads to a cave of unimaginably hostile darkness. Those who stumble into the cave can barely find each other, let alone food or water. A bowl of corn mush would be a delicacy beyond measure in this cave. Whatever meager necessities of survival there are, they are constantly fought over in the dark. Some win. Others die or suffer grievous injury. Every so often, you can hear sobs echoing through the darkness. All this misery goes to one purpose: To sustain the house above the cave. It's a huge house, with a beautiful view out of every window. And in the house lives a man, whose every slightest whim is instantly indulged, whose every luxury is available to him instantly. Every morning and every evening, he calls down into the cave's mouth, telling the people there how lucky and blessed they are, for here they don't have to exploit that poor tortured child any more. Here, they have been freed from the sin of Omelas. His voice is warm and kind and pleasant as he speaks. And the people in the cave nod to themselves in agreement, in the dark. They pray, not for their own deliverance, but for God to smite the wicked city. For how could a just God allow one child's torture for the comfort of so many? Perhaps those prayers keep them warm in the darkness. Perhaps they provide consolation for their empty bellies or broken limbs. I'll never know for certain. That's where the road away from Omelas leads. Where did you say you lived, again?