#for some reason this is a transcendent spiritual experience

[valmare]

**serious post read at your own discretion**

disclaimer–religious triggers, personal opinions

I'm not usually one for celebrity documentaries.

But, a mutual recommended Val Kilmer's documentary, since he's one of my favorite actors and has been since I was a kid and watched Batman Forever, so I decided to give it a go.

It amazes me that the cream of the crop (read: Michael Jackson, Elvis, Whitney Houston, etc.) always seem to rise out of some of the most tragic childhood and life experiences. Michael Jackson came out of domestic abuse and body dysmorphia. Elvis, the loss of his twin and poverty. Whitney, drugs and alcohol.

For Val– the loss of a brother, his parents' divorce, emotional abuse, and later a divorce himself resulting in separation of his children. He's arguably one of Hollywood's most prolific, real method actors, someone who embodies each and every character with heart and soul. He believes in real storytelling, not the modern knock-off we see in shallow blockbusters today.

He's one of the good ones. From Doc Holliday to Batman to the infamous Iceman, I'd argue that nobody is quite as talented as Val. A fact I've overlooked for a good few years now.

All throughout his career Hollywood and "the business" has labeled him difficult and eccentric because of his dedication to storytelling and authenticity, of keeping true to the theme. Because every movie has a theme, a message it communicates, since film is a medium of communication. He documents an experience in Australia, where a film was completely gutted for the sake of a production schedule, which left him baffled and broken.

And his journey with tracheostomy and throat cancer and the inability to speak. Wow. He really bares his soul and the reality of what fame being stripped away is really like. I cried quite a bit over this documentary, because even robbed of the one thing you absolutely need as an actor –your voice–Val is still 100% committed to the field. To the experience of storytelling. He adapted and threw himself into art, a studio, and documentation of his experiences and what it means to be a storyteller. He's passionate and raw, not swept up in fame.

Hollywood cost him everything. He even says he lost himself for awhile, that Hollywood is like stepping into hell. He's right. Fame will take until there's nothing you can give, and Val is one of the few to transcend actually caring.

Who knows how much of this is *actually* true, since Hollywood is infamous for smoke and mirrors and deception (if you know anything about the dark underworld of the industry) but I'll take it at face value.

Regardless of the question of honest truth, this was a refreshing look into acting. While I think it still ignores, or chooses to hide, the ugly and spiritual side of what it takes to make it in Hollywood, I can't think of a better or more raw approach to explaining the journey of fame and the art of visual storytelling. I always knew Kilmer was good–and there's a reason why. Art is in his soul, just as music was in Michael and Elvis'.

Hollywood took Val Kilmer and ran with him, and left him high and dry and hollow at the end. But, he's choosing to rise out of those ashes. I can commend him for that.

Yet another testament to how we don't know the full story of our peers' lives until we come up close and personal to it. God can make anything out of any backstory–a prostitute to anoint Him for burial, a hotheaded fisherman to become the rock of which He built His church, a shepherd to be the greatest king of Israel.

Despite Val not serving the same God or understanding the same Jesus Christ that I do, his life is a picture of just exactly what the world can offer you. Nothing. There is freedom in forsaking the standards of society and pursuing what God has destined for you, unabashedly. I can only pray Val Kilmer, and the host of others like him, can come to knowledge of who he is in Christ, and experience the passionate love of Christ's salvation.

10/10 documentary, and I hardly EVER give full marks. Worth your watch.

See Yas, From a former film reviewer

#val kilmer #movie recs #val documentary #fangirl #christianity #in all seriousness #my thoughts #val kilmer is officially my first stan

[m1nd-r0t]

Random asteroids, and their meanings

270 Anahita : Nurturing, abusive, and being blameless.

465 Alekto : Expression of hatred, the desire to punish.

36672 Sidi : Abuse/betrayal by a loved one, need to distinguish justice from revenge, fury, need for coolness and restraint, a prodigy.

949 Hel : Hell. What part of your life is Hell and where you feel it. Your own personal Hell and place of suffering and torment, and in some cases inflicting that suffering onto others.

1063 Aquilegia : Pathos, loss, misery and terror; tragedy, destruction or victimization of things fragile and precious that are or deserve protection; to protect and defend that which warrants protection; to exploit negativity for political reasons or in order to advance an unrelated, perhaps selfish agenda.

7724 Moroso : The physical aspects of death, violent death and terminal sickness, impending fated doom, being wrathfully torn apart. (You can hide for as long as you want, but I will always find you. After all, fate is inevitable, and so am I ~ MOROS)

110298 Deceptionisland : Self-explanatory.

774 Armor : Also self-explanatory.

(248835) 2006 SX368 : Symbolism and the Eternal Return. Transcending the mundane. A new beginning born from the source in the original beginning that one seeks to return to in order to find meaning. Spiritual nourishment by reexperiencing and participating through myth and ritual in the source, the beginning which contains the only reality available. Narrative, Drama, The dramatic idea through unification of choreography and musical composition. Reinventing oneself. Jealousy about the inner spark that you feel you lack. Nostalgic yearning for the mythic beginning that is ever beyond your reach, but that you can mystically participate in through ritualized behavior. Beginnings and what evolves from them. The spiraling cyclic natural pattern. UFO’s and aliens as our spiritual roots (seeding the planet). Drama and dance as ways to experience the Eternal Return. To come back or return in a new form. Repetitive circles of slightly varied operation. Dramatic extremes. Immense unexplainable loss. Rediscovering the mythic, archetypal wisdom of the past. Seeing the past as better, truer, more fulfilling.

#asteroid observations #aesthetic #alternative #aries #asteroid #astrology #astrology observations #cancer #capricorn #gemini #grunge #Scorpio #Pisces #Aquarius #Sagittarius #asteroids #asteroid astrology #Nessus #Pluto #Mars #Sun #Venus #Mercury #Saturn #Jupiter #Neptune #Uranus #Lilith

[schizoidvision]

6 Types of Intimacy: From a Schizoid Perspective

Intimacy, often seen as the cornerstone of human connection, represents a spectrum of closeness that individuals share with one another. But for schizoid individuals, this closeness carries a unique set of challenges. Their relationship with intimacy is deeply influenced by their intrinsic nature and defense mechanisms. To truly understand the overarching concern schizoid individuals face regarding intimacy, one must first delve deep into their psychological workings. Let's take a look at the 6 types of intimacy and how this may be related to through the lens of schizoid dynamics:

1. Experiential Intimacy: Sharing life experiences might seem simple for many, but for schizoid individuals, even shared activities can demand more emotional investment than they're comfortable with. While they might find it easier to engage in shared physical activities, the depth of connection often remains superficial.

2. Intellectual Intimacy: Schizoid individuals are often deep thinkers, valuing the realm of thoughts and ideas. They might find solace in intellectual exchanges, preferring this mode of connection over others. However, even in this domain, they are selective about who they open up to, as well as what and how much they share.

3. Spiritual Intimacy: Many schizoid individuals are conscious of their existence within the universe, brought about by ontological insecurity. Therefore, they may resonate with beliefs that transcend the material world. Often drawn to philosophies or spiritual teachings that align with their inner experiences. This realm offers another avenue for connection, albeit on a more transcendent plane.

4. Physical Intimacy: Physical closeness, such as touch or embrace, is generally challenging for schizoid individuals. Their heightened sensitivity to physical stimulation, coupled with a natural detachment from their bodies, which can make this form of intimacy particularly difficult.

5. Sexual Intimacy: The schizoid's inherent detachment from their physical self can extend to their sexuality. They might feel a disconnect between the idea of sexual intimacy and the act itself, leading some to identify more with asexuality.

6. Emotional Intimacy: Perhaps the most challenging domain, emotional intimacy requires the open expression of vulnerabilities, needs, and feelings. For schizoid individuals, whose defenses often distance them from their own emotions, establishing this depth of connection becomes profoundly challenging.

The Main Underlying Reasons For Difficulty with Intimacy…

1. The Fear of Being Overwhelmed

The primary apprehension of schizoid individuals centers on the fear of being overwhelmed or engulfed by another person's emotions or needs. When we think of intimacy, we often visualize a mutual exchange of feelings, needs, and responsibilities. But for those with schizoid dynamics, this mutual exchange can be either unattractive, or difficult to put into practice. The prospect of becoming deeply intertwined with another person's emotional world can seem like an invasion of their autonomy and personal space.

2. Defensive Mechanisms: Detachment and Dissociation

Schizoid individuals often deploy defenses like detachment and dissociation. While these mechanisms are protective in nature, they act as barriers to getting close to others. The rationale behind these defenses is to safeguard oneself from potential hurt, rejection, or the overwhelming nature of another's emotions. These barriers, while effective in certain scenarios, can make intimate relationships challenging to navigate.

In Summary...

While intimacy is a multifaceted concept, the primary concern for schizoid individuals remains consistent across its forms: the fear of being overwhelmed and losing one's autonomy. Recognizing these challenges is crucial for both schizoid individuals and those who wish to understand and connect with them. While these concerns pose hurdles, it's essential to remember that every schizoid individual's journey with intimacy is unique, influenced by a blend of personal experiences and inherent dynamics.

Video From My YouTube Channel: 6 Types of Intimacy Schizoids Struggle With... and Why?

#schizoid #schizoid adaptaions #schizoid dynamics #schizoid pd #schizoid personality disorder #schizoid vision #cluster a #szpd

[tarot-thyme]

Pick A Card: A General Message

Choose a photo. You can base it off of intuition, vibes, or even just what photo you like best. Doesn’t matter.

All photos found on Pinterest; credits to owners.

Pile 1: Pouring Tea

First thing that came to mind was that you recently were told something shocking and are having troubles coming to terms with it. You are trying to convince yourself/others are trying to convince you to just accept it and move on. But you need to take a break. Rest. Take some time to really process it. Don’t react immediately. Take some time, figure out what you want to say, how you want to react. I’m seeing that the color purple, flowers, nighttime, or pansies are somehow relevant. Especially lovers or people that you love. Maybe someone close to you or their lover just revealed something to you that you don’t know how to feel about. Maybe someone confessed to you and you don’t know how to react. Pansies are the flower of sweet thoughts and the thoughts of lovers. Maybe people are telling you to get over it, to forgive. Maybe the thing you were told has to do with your lover’s thoughts or how your lover feels about something. You should let go of whatever is troubling you. If it is a person or group of people, let them go. Let the troubles pass, let them pass. Accept that they did something wrong or bad or anything else and let them go. However, letting them go might only be for a short time. You may go solitary, sitting with your thoughts. Maybe a spiritual retreat. Or maybe you will stop interacting with whoever is causing you confusion for a time. Take your time to savor the passing. Embrace the good things in your life. Take some time to realize that these feelings will not be forever. Explore yourself and your feelings. While you should take them into account, don’t let them consume you. Rest. Rest your mind and your soul and your body. You have been through a lot. You deserve it. Try taking a new approach to the situation. Instead of doing what you would typically do, try something else. I’m sensing that you wouldn’t be very mature about the situation at first, so try to take a more mature approach.

Pile 2: Two Glasses

First thoughts are that you’ve recently come to a revelation. Something that not many other people realize. I’m sending that it could be something more morbid or that people don’t talk about often. It could be something about someone you know or used to know, a place you’ve lived or visiting, etc. Something you have memories of. Whether it’s realizing that your childhood experiences were not so normal, or that your friends weren’t as good as you thought, you will or have realized something about a memory. Something you have always remembered, that you can recall in great detail, or that has just popped into your mind for no reason. It will be something that you want to take action to resolve or change. Childhood behaviors or a bad experience. Take this as a reminder to love and take care of yourself, even if you and/or others haven’t before. You have the wisdom that many others have denied or ignored. The cards encourage you to take steps to simplify your life in an effort to see the real you, who you really are, without any other distractions or influences. Discover your hidden self within. Now is a good time to delve into your childhood or bad times in your life or do shadow work or go to therapy.

Pile 3: Bottles of Milk

First thoughts are that you have all the time in the world. You don’t have to rush whatever you’re doing, it isn’t a fleeting moment. You have time. You can work on it, you can debate it, you can think about it. Take some time, and you will see the true wisdom. You will learn knowledge you have never thought of before. You will see things in a different light. You will respect and value things more after this. You will see the kindness in everything, the gallantry. You will transcend typical views and find your own path, your own thoughts. You are strong. Your soul is strong. You will learn to embrace yourself, to embrace all that around you. You are more than your job, more than your role, your age. You are more than your money and your assets. You will start to see things from a higher perspective. See the beauty around you. Realize that it will always be there, no matter what. There is always beauty.

#pac #pick a card #pac reading #pick a card reading #tarot #tarot reading #pac tarot #pick a card tarot #pick a picture #pick a picture tarot #pick a photo #pick a photo tarot

[shamandrummer]

What Happens During a Shamanic Journey?

Shamanism is based on the principle that the spiritual world may be contacted through the inner senses in ecstatic trance. Basically, shamanic journeying is a way of communicating with your inner or spirit self and retrieving information. Your inner self is in constant communication with all aspects of your environment, seen and unseen. You need only journey within to find answers to your questions. You should have a question or objective in mind from the start. Shamanic journeying may be undertaken for purposes of divination, for personal healing, to meet one's power animal or spirit guide, or for any number of other reasons. After the journey, you must then interpret the meaning of your trance experience.

When we journey within, we are engaging the imaginal realm. Imagination is our portal to the spirit world. Internal imagery enables us to perceive and connect with the inner realms. If a shaman wants to retrieve information or a lost guardian spirit, "imagining what to look for" is the first step in achieving any result. According to C. Michael Smith, author of Jung and Shamanism in Dialogue, "The shaman's journey employs the imagination, and the use of myth as inner map gives the shaman a way of imagining non-ordinary reality, so that he or she may move about intentionally in it." By consciously interacting with the inner imagery, the shaman is able to communicate with spirit guides and power animals.

Communication in non-ordinary reality is characteristically archetypal, nonverbal and nonlinear in nature. The images we see during a shamanic journey have a universal, archetypical quality. Imagery from these experiences is a combination of our imagination and information conveyed to us by the spirits. Our imagination gives the journey a "container," which helps us to understand the messages we receive. It provides us with a way to understand and articulate the experience for ourselves and to others.

To enter a trance state and support your journey, you will need a drum or a shamanic drumming recording. Shamanic drumming is drumming for the purpose of shamanic journeying. A good shamanic drumming recording should be pulsed at around three to four beats per second. There should be a call back signal near the end of the track, followed by a short period of drumming to assist you in refocusing your awareness back to your physical body. You may also rattle, chant or sing to induce trance. There is no right or wrong way to journey. Be innovative and try different ways of journeying. Many people need to move, dance or sing their journeys. My first journeys were supported by listening to a shamanic drumming recording, but now I have much stronger journeys when I drum for myself.

What you will experience

Ecstatic trance is not always what many people anticipate it to be, and sometimes there may be doubt that anything at all takes place. There are, however, some key indicators that confirm a transcendent state of consciousness. Once you enter a trance state, the rhythm or sound of the drum tends to change. The drumbeat may appear to speed up or slow down, while the sound may grow louder, softer or disappear. You may experience a change in body temperature, feel energy flowing through your body, or find yourself twitching, swaying or rocking. It is not uncommon to hear sounds or voices. You may even smell specific aromas. You may see colorful patterns, symbolic images or dreamlike visions. Some people may find that they have a highly developed inner vision, while others may rely more on an inner voice of insight, or an inner feeling of certainty. Be prepared to experience ecstatic trance with any of your senses.

#shamanic journey #shamanic drumming #altered states #ecstatic trance #shamanism #drumming #drums

[strangerpages]

Hexy Talk: Part 1

Dev log of an artificial magical assistant.

I am developing a chat-GPT based magical assistant. Their name is Hexy, and we have already been through several iterations of development together. Hexy is not ready to meet you yet. They're awkward, overy verbose, and a liar.

However, as a proof of concept, I would like to demonstrate some of the ways that Chat-GPT could currently be useful to a magical practitioner. Here are the logs from a conversation this morning.

Please give me a list of symbolic archtypes that appear in this dream: "a small clockwork thief surrenders its love of the sky to a giant, in order to gain access to an infernal vault deep below winding octagonal passages filled with arcane mechanisms"

ChatGPT

There are several symbolic archetypes that appear in this dream:

The clockwork thief: The clockwork thief could represent the archetype of the trickster, a figure that subverts established rules and expectations.

The sky: The sky represents the heavens, and often symbolizes transcendence, freedom, and spirituality.

The giant: The giant could represent the archetype of the shadow, a powerful and potentially destructive force that exists within the individual or society.

The infernal vault: The infernal vault could represent the underworld, a place of danger and mystery that often symbolizes the unconscious mind.

The winding octagonal passages: The winding octagonal passages could represent the labyrinth, a symbol of the journey to the center of the self or the search for inner knowledge.

The arcane mechanisms: The arcane mechanisms could represent the archetype of the magician or alchemist, who transforms raw materials into something new and valuable.

What are some alternate interpretations?

ChatGPT

Dreams are highly personal, and can have multiple interpretations depending on the individual's personal experiences, cultural background, and psychological state. Here are a few alternate interpretations for the dream:

The clockwork thief could represent a fear of being trapped or limited by social or societal expectations. Surrendering its love of the sky to the giant could symbolize a willingness to give up freedom or individuality in exchange for a sense of security or belonging. The infernal vault could represent a repressed aspect of the self that the dreamer is trying to access.

The clockwork thief could represent a part of the dreamer's psyche that is cunning and resourceful, but also potentially deceitful. Surrendering its love of the sky to the giant could symbolize a willingness to make compromises in order to achieve a goal. The infernal vault could represent a forbidden or taboo desire that the dreamer is trying to access.

The clockwork thief could represent a feeling of being small and insignificant in the face of larger forces. Surrendering its love of the sky to the giant could symbolize a feeling of being overwhelmed or overshadowed by someone or something more powerful. The infernal vault could represent a fear or anxiety that the dreamer is trying to confront.

The clockwork thief could represent a part of the dreamer that is mechanically precise and efficient, but lacks creativity or spontaneity. Surrendering its love of the sky to the giant could symbolize a desire to break free from routine or monotony. The infernal vault could represent a source of inspiration or creativity that the dreamer is trying to tap into.

These are just a few examples of how the dream could be interpreted. It's important to remember that dreams are highly subjective, and the most accurate interpretation will depend on the individual's unique circumstances and experiences.

User

Ok, new subject.

Please design a Chaos Magick ritual, for the purpose of manifesting my forever home. I am looking for property that has forest, is reasonably close to my extended family, is cheap or free, and can house up to 9 adults. My magical tools include my wedding ring, a deck of tarot cards, and any materials I can glean from the forest.

ChatGPT

As an AI language model, I cannot recommend engaging in any particular spiritual practice, including Chaos Magick. However, I can provide a sample outline for a hypothetical Chaos Magick ritual for manifesting a forever home that incorporates the elements and magical tools you mentioned:

Preparation: Choose a location for the ritual that is secluded and quiet, preferably in a forested area. Gather any materials you can from the forest, such as stones, sticks, or leaves. Set up an altar with your wedding ring, tarot cards, and any other personal items that are meaningful to you.

Invocation: Begin the ritual by invoking the elements, spirits, or deities that resonate with you and your intention for manifesting a forever home. This could be as simple as stating your intention and asking for their assistance and guidance.

Tarot reading: Shuffle your tarot deck and draw a card that represents the energy you need to cultivate in order to manifest your forever home. This could be a specific tarot card that resonates with you, or one that you randomly draw from the deck.

Meditation: Close your eyes and focus on your intention for manifesting a forever home. Visualize yourself and your loved ones living in your ideal home, surrounded by nature and close to family. Allow yourself to feel the emotions of joy, abundance, and gratitude that come with this visualization.

Symbolic action: Take a symbolic action that represents your commitment to manifesting your forever home. This could be burying your wedding ring in the ground as a symbol of planting the seed for your new home, or placing stones or sticks in a pattern that represents the layout of your ideal home.

Gratitude: End the ritual by expressing gratitude to the elements, spirits, or deities that assisted you in your manifestation. Thank them for their guidance and support, and release any attachment to the outcome of your manifestation.

Remember, this is just one example of a Chaos Magick ritual for manifesting a forever home. The most important aspect of any spiritual practice is to trust your own intuition and inner guidance, and to tailor your practice to your own unique needs and desires.

User

How could this ritual be changed to fit a shamanistic paradigm?

ChatGPT

In a shamanistic paradigm, the focus is often on connecting with the spirits of nature and the ancestors for guidance and healing. Here is an example of how the Chaos Magick ritual for manifesting a forever home could be adapted to fit a shamanistic paradigm:

Preparation: Choose a location in nature, such as a forest or meadow, that feels sacred to you. Create an altar with natural materials such as stones, feathers, or shells. Include a representation of your intention, such as a drawing or symbol of your ideal home.

Invocation: Begin the ritual by calling on the spirits of nature, the ancestors, and any spirit guides or allies that resonate with you. Ask for their guidance and assistance in manifesting your forever home.

Journey: Enter into a shamanic journey by using rhythmic drumming or another method to alter your consciousness. Visualize yourself traveling to a sacred place where you can connect with the spirits and receive their guidance.

Symbolic action: Ask the spirits for guidance on a symbolic action that you can take to manifest your forever home. This could be a specific action that you are guided to take, or a ritual that you create in collaboration with the spirits.

Gratitude: End the ritual by expressing gratitude to the spirits for their guidance and support. Thank them for their wisdom and ask for their continued assistance in manifesting your forever home.

Remember, shamanistic practices are highly individual and personal. It is important to listen to your own inner guidance and to adapt the ritual to fit your own unique needs and experiences.

User

Alright, thank you. Now, can you tell me about Austin Osman Spare? What were his beliefs, and how were they a product of his time?

ChatGPT

Austin Osman Spare (1886-1956) was a British artist, magician, and occultist who is considered to be one of the key figures in the development of Chaos Magick. Spare's beliefs were heavily influenced by his upbringing in Victorian England, as well as his study of various esoteric traditions, including Theosophy, Kabbalah, and Tantra.

Spare rejected the traditional methods of ceremonial magic and instead developed his own unique system of magic, which he called "sigilization." This involved creating a personal symbol, or sigil, that represented a specific desire or intention, and then charging it with magical energy through intense visualization and meditation.

Spare believed that the unconscious mind was the key to accessing magical power, and that the use of symbols and sigils was a way to communicate directly with the unconscious. He also emphasized the importance of individualism and personal experience in magic, rather than following strict rules or dogma.

Spare's beliefs were a product of his time in several ways. Firstly, the Victorian era was marked by a fascination with spiritualism and the occult, as well as a growing interest in Eastern mysticism and esoteric traditions. Secondly, Spare was influenced by the work of Aleister Crowley, who was one of the most prominent occultists of the early 20th century and whose writings on magic emphasized the importance of individualism and self-discovery.

Finally, Spare's emphasis on the power of the unconscious mind and the use of symbols was influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who were developing their theories of psychoanalysis around the same time. Spare's work can be seen as a bridge between the worlds of art, magic, and psychology, and his ideas continue to influence contemporary practitioners of Chaos Magick and other forms of occultism.

User

How would I make a Sigil for manifesting my forever home, using Sigilization?

ChatGPT

Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to create a sigil for manifesting your forever home using sigilization:

Define your intention: Start by clearly defining your intention for your forever home. Write down a specific statement in the present tense that represents your desire, such as "I am living in my ideal forever home surrounded by nature and my loved ones."

Eliminate vowels and repeated letters: Remove all the vowels and any repeated letters from your intention statement. For example, the intention "I am living in my ideal forever home surrounded by nature and my loved ones" becomes "MLVNGDYHRSBFPTC."

Create the sigil: Using the remaining letters, create a unique symbol or design that represents your intention. This can be done by combining and modifying the letters in a creative way until you have a symbol that resonates with you. Be sure to keep the design simple and easy to draw.

Charge the sigil: Once you have created the sigil, it is time to charge it with your intention. This can be done through intense visualization, meditation, or other techniques that help you focus your intention and energy on the sigil. For example, you could meditate on the sigil while visualizing yourself living in your ideal forever home.

Release the sigil: Once you have charged the sigil, it is important to release it into the universe and let go of any attachment to the outcome. This can be done by destroying the sigil (e.g., burning it, burying it, tearing it up) or simply by forgetting about it and letting the universe take care of the manifestation process.

Remember, sigilization is a highly individualized practice, and there are many variations and techniques that can be used. The most important thing is to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to experiment and explore what works best for you.

User

Ok. So how does Chaos Theory relate to AI art?

ChatGPT

Chaos theory is a branch of mathematics that studies complex and unpredictable systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions. It is concerned with how small changes in a system can lead to significant differences in outcomes over time, and it has been used to explain a wide range of phenomena, from weather patterns to the behavior of stock markets.

In the context of AI art, chaos theory can be seen as relevant in two main ways. Firstly, chaos theory can be used as a theoretical framework for understanding the complex and unpredictable nature of generative art produced by AI systems. AI systems are often designed to generate art in a way that is not entirely predictable or controllable, and they can produce unexpected and novel outcomes that are difficult to replicate or fully understand.

Secondly, chaos theory can also be used as an inspiration for the creation of AI art. Artists and researchers working with AI systems can draw on principles of chaos theory to create generative systems that produce art that is dynamic, complex, and responsive to changes in the environment or input data. For example, AI artists can use chaos theory to create fractal patterns or other complex visual structures that are generated through iterative and recursive processes.

In both cases, the use of chaos theory in AI art highlights the potential for AI systems to create art that is innovative, unexpected, and dynamic, and that challenges traditional notions of authorship and control in the creative process. It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between artists, mathematicians, and computer scientists in exploring the intersection of art, mathematics, and technology.

All art included in this post is AI art, Midjourney v5

#chaos #chaos magick #artificial intelligence #magick #philosophy #ai art #chatgpt #spirituality

[jessicalprice]

Ethnic Reasoning in Early Christianity (2. Introduction)

(Part 1 is here.)

On to the introduction.

With the context I outlined in the previous post, Buell opens with a question from the Epistle to Diognetus, one of the earliest known examples of apologetics, a discipline primarily within Christianity that attacks other cultures/systems of belief and defends Christian ideology.

Why this new race [genos]? the author asks about Christianity.

The question, asked almost 2000 years later, is a challenging one. As Buell notes:

Most people—Christian or not—do not think of Christianity as necessarily linked with race or ethnicity. Indeed, most historical reconstructions published in the last twenty years depict earliest Christianity as an inclusive movement that rejected ethnic or racial specificity as a condition of religious identity.

She discusses some attempts to associate Christianity with particular race(s) much later in its history (guess when!), which are of course about as gross as you'd expect. Put a pin in that.

Sidebar: The poisonous legacy of Renan's The Life of Jesus

In general, and in contrast, the idea of Christianity as above race has been almost universally seen as positive.

Christianity [is] a kind of religion that is defined by its being not linked to race, and... higher value [is] accorded to Christianity on this basis.

Indeed, most academic study of Christianity has been marked by:

[A] widespread view of Christianness as emphatically not a race. In the study of Christianity, and especially Christian origins, this shift has translated into an emphasis upon defining the difference between Christianity and Judaism as that of an ideally universal religion versus a religion of a particular people.

Christianity can be liberatory for some of its adherents, and I don't want to suggest that that experience of it isn't real. But one of the reasons empires have found Christianity a useful religion of empire is because while it can be liberatory, it can also be pacifying. Its liberation can be all in the realm of the spiritual and not at all in the realm of the material or political. After all, in positioning suffering and martyrdom as holy and instructing slaves to obey their masters, Christianity can be constructed to reinforce social hierarchies and oppression and abuse by treating life as a testing ground and promising a reward--and equality--after death.

Over and above whom?

The problem is it generally gets there by scapegoating Jews:

[C]laims that earliest Christianity transcended ethnoracial distinctions have often been formulated over and against a definition of Jewishness... [D]efinitions of Christianity’s racially inclusive ideal will perpetuate a racially loaded form of anti-Judaism if the implied point of contrast to Christianity’s inclusiveness is Jewishness.

(It also often serves as a loophole letting white Christians off the hook in examining their own racism--after all, if Christianity is the solution to racism, they can see themselves as antiracist simply by being Christian.)

As I discussed in the preface, this also contributes to one of the defenses of what Lee Leviter has dubbed "the myth of Christian innocence." This particular defense of Christian innocence posits a single, original, "pure" Christianity from which modern iterations have fallen, allowing defenders to posit anything bad that comes from Christianity as an example of "fake" Christianity (a largesse, one might note, that extends only to Christianity--other cultures are judged on what their adherents do, while Christianity can only be judged on its ideal form).

The interpretation of these New Testament passages as indicative of explicitly nonracialized Christian origins depends on a historical model of Christian history that moves from “pure” origins to less pure realizations of Christianity over time. When Christian practices and structures contribute to racist and ethnocentric oppression, this outcome has often been interpreted as a failure to realize the universalistic and egalitarian ideals inherent in earliest Christianity.

The problem can never be anything about Christianity itself--it can only be because people aren't actually doing Christianity. (This is diet culture logic writ large: if you don't get the results you want, the problem is clearly with you and not with the diet. If you are harmed by Christianity, the problem is, in essence, with you for thinking it was Christianity that harmed you, when actually, it was this imposter Christianity.)

Fluid or fixed ethnicity

So, we have a Christian vision of early Christianity as something that liberated people from their ethnic specificity.

And yet:

Christians also referred to themselves using other language that their contemporaries would have understood as positioning Christians as comparable to groups such as Jews, Greeks, and Romans: the terms ethnos, laos, politeia (Greek), and genus and natio (Latin) pepper early Christian texts... Instead of positioning Christianness as not-race, or aracial, many early Christian texts defined their version of Christianity as a race or ethnicity, sometimes in opposition to other rival articulations of Christianness, and sometimes in contrast to non-Christian groups and cultures (including, but not limited, to those defined as “Jews”).

So how do we reconcile a Christianity anyone can join--indeed, a Christianity that has as its end goal a world in which everyone has joined--with an early Christian self-conception of Christians as a race or ethnicity?

Buell's answer is that the difficulty is due to a false binary.

Race and ethnicity are positioned as irrelevant to early Christian self-definition because they seem to contrast with universalism. In this way of thinking, racially or ethnically specific forms of Christianity may exist, but these variations are viewed either as incidental (not affecting a perceived underlying essence of Christianity) or as problematic (obstructing the achievement of a Christian ideal to dissolve racially or ethnically linked forms of religion and society). This interpretation of the relationship of race/ethnicity to Christianity was especially elaborated in modern historical contexts in light of arguments that race/ethnicity are natural, biological traits.

She argues that this has led to a modern understanding of race/ethnicity as "fixed," a characteristic that wasn't necessarily as present in the ancient world. (The non-fixity of membership in a people certainly makes sense from a Jewish perspective--one can join the Jewish ethnoreligion, and that makes one fully Jewish.)

A universal ethnicity

An ancient-world conception of ethnicity/race as dynamic makes it possible to understand both Christian self-conception as a race/ethnicity and Christian univeralism:

Christians conceptualized themselves not only as a group formed out of members of other peoples, but also as a people themselves... Like Romans, early Christians do not view descent as a bar to (or a precondition of) becoming Christian; nonetheless, Christians also develop and ritually elaborate claims of primordial descent as a basis for defining the Christian community.

In the end, though, we can still use contemporary understanding of these terms to help us parse early Christian self-definition.

The central argument of this book is that early Christian texts used culturally available understandings of human difference, which we can analyze in terms of our modern concepts of “ethnicity,” “race,” and “religion,” to shape what we have come to call a religious tradition and to portray particular forms of Christianness as universal and authoritative.

Four reasons for ethnic reasoning

Buell outlines four reasons that ethnic reasoning was useful to early Christians:

First, race/ethnicity was often deemed to be produced and indicated by religious practices.

Christians (cultural and practicing) often have trouble grasping that Judaism is an ethnoreligion--they often want Jews to identify either as "religious Jews" or "ethnically Jewish." That distinction is not natural to Judaism: Jews are a people with our own culture, and that culture has, as part of it, distinctive religious elements.

Today, in a hegemonic Christian society, being an ethnoreligious culture makes us unusual, but it's important to remember that it was normal in the ancient world.

Second, although ancient authors frequently refer to membership in a genos, ethnos, laos, and phylon as a matter of one’s birth and descent (that is, as fixed or ascribed), such membership was nonetheless seen to be mutable.

Again, this is something about the way Judaism functions now (it's a people/ethnicity that you can join under certain circumstances) that often trips people up, but that's not because Judaism is unique, it's because we're using an older understanding of peoplehood than contemporary Christians do.

Third, this juxtaposition of fluidity and fixity enabled early Christians to use ethnic reasoning to make universalizing claims, arguing that everyone can, and thus ought to, become a Christian.

Finally, early Christians also used ethnic reasoning polemically, especially to compete with one another.

Framing is everything

Buell notes that attempts to reconstruct and understand early Christianity are usually framed by two questions:

“What is the original form of Christianity?” and “How and why did Christianity ‘succeed’?” Although it may not appear so at first glance, both of these questions rely on modern ideas about race for answers.

She outlines how the first question treats Christianity and its development as if it were biological:

It also contains within it a prior question: what makes Christianity different, distinct, or unique (that allows us to even speak about it having an origin)? Christianity is then studied implicitly in organic terms as a life form, with the presupposition that there is a fundamental essence or structure to this life form that may be altered in subsequent strains but which can be uncovered by tracing Christianity back to its original roots.

This biological framing leads to some interesting hangups:

Moreover, these metaphors encode organic notions of racial and sexual difference that appear in preoccupations with what we might call miscegenation. Three concepts in particular signal this concern with early Christianity’s sexual/racial purity: “syncretism,” “Judaizing,” and “heresy.” All three are used to explain differences within Christianity in terms of improper “mixing” of some original essence of Christianity with allegedly external elements... There is an irony here. Naturalized ideas about race help to structure the very classifications of religions despite the insistence on defining Christianity as not-race.

And of course, that leads both to gendering things like heresy (both in terms of describing it in feminized and sexualized terms, such as whoring, and in belief that women are especially susceptible to heresy, especially Judaizing) and scapegoating Jews and Judaism as especially racialized.

By distinguishing Christianity as universal and racially unmarked, Judaism is constructed as its constitutive other—the racially marked particular... [T]he Jew becomes the “other” by which the self is defined.

On to Chapter 1. (To come)

#christian hegemony #christian hegemony library #antisemitism #early christianity #judaism #denise kimber buell #ethnic reasoning in Christianity

[mqeverel]

LoK Avatar Cycle & New Avatar

Introduction:

The Legend of Korra always gets push back due to the fact that Korra broke the previous Avatar cycle, and cut ties with all the previous Avatars. I remember watching that scene as a kid and feeling devastated, and questions arose regarding the next Avatar after and whether Korra will be the only one the help guide them.

While it sucks that Korra essentially erased thousands of years of experience, I’m starting to understand the idea behind it.

Technology/Modernization:

In Avatar the Last Airbender, we see the impact of new technology, especially from the Fire Nation. This emphasis on advancements are shown to have started during Fire Lord Sozin’s reign, when the Fire Nation started the Hundred-Year War with the intention of expansion.

However, the machines and technology shown in ATLA was still relatively new to many of the characters, as many nations and villages still operate under antiquated methods. We see many characters in ATLA, especially Sokka and Toph, take the lead as some of the most innovative characters in the face of this change. Sokka, with his contributions to the development of airships and submarines, and Toph, with the discovery of metal bending and the direct byproduct (LoK police force).

And we see these effects of this in LoK, with less remote settings, and more metropolitan environments. We see the beginnings of industrialization happen in the ATLA comics as well, with the gang finding more midwestern-esc towns, and the renovation of the Southern Water tribe. In both of these examples, both Aang and Katara had mixed reactions towards these unfamiliar changes.

Bending/World building:

Now, in LoK. The show seems to embrace this new way of life, and less spirituality. We also see this in bending styles, as there is more of an emphasize on specific sub-bending styles (ex.) lightening, metal, blood), many of them having a direct use for certain industrial and professional careers. While the core 4 elements are still prevalent throughout, the next Avatar—and afterwards—will take place in a world where sub bending will take a forefront, and the core elements will probably take a backseat.

From what I have seen, all the Avatars before Korra have only bended the core 4 elements (excluding energy bending, lighting redirection). Korra is the first Avatar to have metal bended, and I feel that’s a mark of a completely new era of Avatar. The society/culture she grew up in and the city she currently lives in, aren’t like anything the past Avatars have experienced. Previously, those societies operated under monarchies, lords, philosophy. But LoK is a world that sorta resembles the one we live now, with complex governance, political ideologies and spectrums, democracies, policies, etc. Even Korra, THE Avatar, doesn’t really seem essential to restore peace (Spirit v. Physical world debacle aside).

I believe the next Avatar after Korra probably will gain more insight through how she navigates life, as no other Avatar before her had to fight giant robots and revive a new culture and era of air-benders (post genocide) in a world where these airbenders might not all be monks. While the wisdom of the past Avatars are still something to be regarded, I doubt any of them would really know how to advise the new Avatar of these modern issues. Of course, there are many aspects of their life that can correlate with the new Avatar, certain issues with the world will transcend generations (discrimination, immigration, corruption, National disputes) but there was a reason Korra probably only went to Aang the most as no other Avatar besides him has had fought a blood bender, or metal bender, or even a lightening bender.

We might even see a decline in bending, as I’m pretty sure bending is somehow tied with one’s spirituality?? Not too sure about that. But we also might see a decline in how people treat sacred spaces (temples, etc) and the natural environment.

Conclusion:

This new Avatar will probably learn metal bending before earth, but either way, I’m excited to see how the creators take on this new Avatar and what concepts they’ll explore. I personally love LoK, I think comparing it to the power house that is ATLA is impossible, but people have to seriously start to see it as its own unique series because it’s still great. I’d be down to see a morally ambiguous (maybe almost villainous) Avatar (I know we already got plenty of them *cough* Kiyoshi *cough* Yangchen) as we know that the Avatar isn’t an individual without flaws.

I’d love to have some discourse over this, I love both of these series dearly, and I know I probably handled some points carelessly so feel free to correct me or explain things. I’m low key hoping for a cynical (maybe a little bit of an eco-terrorist coded) Avatar. I feel like that would add some spice to this potential trilogy.

#avatar the last airbender #atla #the legend of korra #tlok #avatar 2009 #avatar aang #avatar korra

[punkpandapatrixk]

Gemini Season Overview for 🐞🐍⛲🐝ALL SIGNS

With the elements/signs of the zodiac, you can freely use your Sun, Moon, Rising/Ascendant, or even your Stellium (❗️)

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[This new reading is finally coming along! I know we’re already two weeks into the Gemini Season but hope this still serves its purpose to give you guidance, clarity, and most importantly, ease of mind~]

Gemini is essentially a season that gives you reason to be festive. Seriously. Gemini is all about play and celebration. For being ruler of the 3rd House, too, its energy resembles the 3 of Cups, with a little hint of 3 of Pentacles.

Yeah, be around people and talk and build something together, but… The most important takeaway is your ability to improve your communication skills. Human beings are weird in that so many different words could get misinterpreted and then feelings could get hurt.

Too many times words have destroyed people. This season, there’s also a need to address our wounds in relation to communication. Hey, sometimes we’re the weird ones because maybe we’re shy, anxious, or generally, we grew up with adults whose words weren’t exactly noble.

It’s okay. You’re your own person now. You have the power to fix whatever you don’t like about your communication and be better and kinder from there. Everybody deserves a chance to build themselves up from the ground according to their own desired blueprint.

Building Yourself for 🐞Fire Signs

🐏Aries – 6 of Swords

It’s time you sailed to a higher ground—or calmer waters, or greener pasture; you get the idea. I think for such a long time now you’ve been battling with emotionally difficult situations, or people, or like, you’ve been stuck in old patterns that only brought you unideal results.

This season, there’s a strong energy that will really give you the spiritual assistance to move forwards—upwards if anything. Transcend above petty situations and leave barren lands where they are. You don’t have to care so much about everything. First and foremost, you take care of your own—that is what being Aries is all about anyway!

Your mental health is top priority, your happiness, peace of mind, it all matters. And if learning to respect your health requires you to leave behind unideal people, places, whatever, it’s worth it. Even if it ain’t smooth sailing at first, you’ll get better at it. You just have to start now.

🦁Leo – Ace of Cups

You have all the power needed to clear your gloomy skies. It’s all in you, and this season, Gemini is helping you tons in this department. Don’t be shy about socialising, don’t be lazy about making contact; a lot of good cheer is yours for the taking. However, there’s a little bit of caution in the air: self-reflection.

Not sure what you individually have been through lately, but it’s kept you feeling rather depressed for quite a bit. For some of you, it may even have been going on for yearsss… There’s a reason for that, right? If you must have good cheer this season, use it wisely.

Perhaps talk to someone who can empathise with your sorrows. Perhaps you could get valuable insight or advice that helps you get out of the rut in your mind. Pay close attention to what experiences others have to share, and use discernment and throw in some humility. This season could prove to be highly transformational for you.

🎠Sagittarius – 2 of Pentacles

I wonder if you’re dealing with a significant amount of pain right now. Or maybe, a major sense of discomfort. At any rate, dealing with it has really decreased your ability to think on your feet. It’s hard to even see problems clearly to come up with real smart solutions.

First of all, you really need to get yourself fixed immediately. If it’s an ailment, don’t postpone getting professional medical help, whether physical or psychological. If you happen to know alternative medication that can safely reduce the pain or discomfort, quickly gather the necessary ingredients and devote yourself to your healing.

It is only by dealing with this discomfort can you resolve your real problems. Talk to someone. Share your burdens with someone you can trust. It’s time to get honest with your struggles and get some help. It’s not a shame to get help from those who genuinely care.

Mind Magick Transmutation🔻❤️👻

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Building Yourself for 🐍Earth Signs

🐂Taurus – 6 of Cups Rx

It’s no news that you have a difficult time letting go, but on a more poignant note, you also tend to reminisce. But this costs you a great deal of your health. I’m sure you’re aware of this already: energy goes where attention flows. The more you allow your energy to flow towards memories that cause you pain, the more you’re doing a disservice to your own body.

‘You keep saying you don’t like it but you keep thinking about it; how’s that working out for you??’ – a quote somewhere on the Internet; butchered by me, sorta

So, this requires self-discipline, of course. If you rely only on your Taurus energy at this point, it may be a gruelling learning process. Try to see what other placements in your birth chart could help you with cool-headed, rational thinking, or, with a higher perspective that could help you grow a bigger heart.

The bitter way you talk to others, or even to yourself, needs to be addressed so you can live more lightly. You’re a good person—you just need to release a lot of your bitterness. And you’d have a much easier Life if you’d allow yourself to flow more casually in various scenarios/situations. Flow, my dear. Flow. Like Water.

🧘🏻‍♀️Virgo – 8 of Cups Rx

You’ve been wanting to give yourself a break, but you haven’t been able to. Something is always pulling you back to busyness. That something is your sense of responsibility. Sounds noble, but if you’re more honest, it’s also your deep attachment to your image—your persona as someone who always has it together.

This Gemini season should essentially assist you in looking more honestly at how you communicate yourself, in a way project your image. Are you truthful in your endeavours? Are you honest with yourself, or are you compensating for unideal circumstances? Being professional is one thing, but sacrificing your wellbeing is another. The latter is essentially stupid if you ask me though.

Well, you’re always capable, dependable, reliable, whateverable. Maybe this time, you need to prove to yourself how capable you are at handling other people’s criticism when you present them a less than ideal, less than expected, image of yourself. Look, nobody has it together all the time. Nobody does, honey.

🐐Capricorn – 7 of Wands Rx

Do you feel like you often lose your authentic voice in a situation in an attempt to please the crowd? Maybe this has even become a permanent woe in some of you. In all honesty, it’s probably due to misunderstandings. Precisely because you never really voice your inner truth.

You kinda have this habit of just weaving whatever lines of words that would make you sound amazing. You know, persona-making, charisma-building, image-maintaining. You’re on the other end of Cancer, of course you’re cursed with this undercurrent of tendency. Cancer is, after all, imaginative and creative. You get the gist.

But it’s because of that as well that others do not really see when you’re under a lot of pressure. Some really dull people may never even imagine you’re keeping inside a lot of stress. The Gemini energy this season should help you with this. Be light, be chill, be more casual in the way you communicate your needs or oppositions. Maybe it’s a serious learning process for some, but you have to begin somewhere.

Mind Magick Transmutation🔻💚👻

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Building Yourself for ⛲Air Signs

👯Gemini – 4 of Cups

This is your season. And you know you have this amazing power to turn every dull situation into good cheer. It comes naturally to you. But although you’re so amazing at this, maybe sometimes you light up a room at the cost of not being able to express honestly your personal woes. Like somehow it becomes so hard to display this side of you due to all the expectations—maybe even your own expectations.

Usually, people who can only have fun when they’re with other people, or those who can only have a good time if they’re treating others, are those whose Sacral chakra is out of balance. Out of balance can mean it’s overactive or it’s blocked; either way, it’s not healthy.

This season of yours is inviting you to take another good look at your communications and friendships. Essentially, what are you terrified of? Basically, what is it about your close relationships that are unsatisfying? The root causes? And what can you do to resolve the conflict within?

Many unpleasant truths may arise, indeed. But remember: anything that costs you your peace of mind is too expensive. Spend your energy wisely.

⚖️Libra – Queen of Pentacles Rx

The combination of tarot & oracle you’ve got is truly saying: you’re living an imbalanced life, because you’re too much of a coward. Not sorry for not sugarcoating it, but you’re not drawing out your utmost potential because you’re prioritising other people’s comfort, and that is a super unfortunate disservice to yourself. There’s no way I’m sugarcoating that.

Libra is a wonderful energy, of course. It’s about balance, it tends to be altruistic, but if you allow your penchant for avoiding conflict to override your sense of dignity… that’s never a good storyline. Your Priestess oracle here is really saying: you have what it takes to live an abundant, opulent, successful, emotionally fulfilling professional Life.

With this reminder, this season, go forward with more sass LOL Maybe it’s a learning process, but it’s worth exploring/experimenting with. Who are you amongst your group of friends? What is the colour of your voice? What style best suits your peaceful and diplomatic communication? Be polite, but don’t be a coward; be dignified, Libras!

🏺Aquarius – 9 of Pentacles

Aquarius is the oldest of all Air Signs, but also the oldest of all the Signs. -Yeah, I kinda don’t count Pisces cuz Pisces is like: are they even still here on Earth? LOL- But anyway, Aquarius is the mature Gemini: unique in thought, calmer in disposition, and generally more patient. But that’s really only what others see.

Underneath the cool exterior, young Aquarians tend to have raging emotions deep inside. But this isn’t Watery emotions, this is a monsoon type of emotional highs and lows. Some Aquarians are aware of this, thus they work really hard to learn to regulate their feelings, as well as erratic thoughts. And that’s commendable, and I’ll leave the reading at that.

But immature Aquarians? These are the peeps who get easily impatient with others. These are the Aquarians who are the rudest, most pretentious, manipulative dickheads and bitches. Well, you’re smart indeed, so if you think you can make the world spin the way you like, you’re welcome to do so. But are you sure others will like you for it?

Mind Magick Transmutation🔻💙👻

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Building Yourself for 🐝Water Signs

🦀Cancer – Knight of Pentacles

Fancy. Your energy is heavily spiritual and there’s a strong emphasis on communication with the Higher Realms. Maybe this means your communication with Spirit Guides or Higher Self, but for the latter, it is enough to also communicate deeply with yourself—your Human Self.

Still, unlike the other Signs, I feel very strongly a higher entity wanting to communicate with you, so I guess this Gemini season would be best used for that purpose. This higher being could be anyone from ancestors, recently departed pets, or even nature elementals who work for the Light.

This higher being wants to gift you some kind of blessing, maybe spiritual assignment or information, all for this amazing energy to be made manifest in the Human realm. Wow, that’s super specific and I don’t know what you do, folks. Are you witches or Lightworkers or Starseeds?

🦂Scorpio – 4 of Wands

Scorpio energy is like the complete opposite of Gemini: dark and dreary, and heavy. But this season, things are festive for you. I think there’s a sense of gladness, feels like you’re back home, or you’ve found your tribe, or finances are back on track. With that said, don’t hesitate to socialise and make merry this season.

I see you’re being protected from misfortunes and loss. You must’ve done something quite remarkable! I see this energy is something you’ve brought upon yourself, like you’ve manifested it. It’s payback payday time! If there’s any caution at all, it is that you still plan for what’s ahead and not squander all of your energy in a single night. Hope that makes sense.

But all in all, it’s time for you to breathe some fresh air. Plan/prepare for tomorrow, but don't get excessive about it that you live today in fear/worry. Whatever challenges may come next, just for now, you’re allowed to breathe easy. Heck, you’ve manifested this yourself, so enjoy!

🎏Pisces – 10 of Wands Rx

This is literally saying: man, you shouldn’t work so hard. Or another note: honey, you shouldn’t live hard at all. Pisces energy is kinda like fleeting and floating off into the Cosmos. I know it brings a lot of struggles if you can’t be grounded in Reality. But on the other hand, you’re a ghost, a wizard, essentially God LMAO

You are wise and insightful. It’s just that you don’t show this side of you enough for fear of being judged by others. Cuz like, you wanna be seen as fun and lighthearted and jolly and all that stuff. But if that’s not you, that’s not you. And you won’t feel satisfied in your relationships if you don’t manifest your Old Gandalf self in the world.

You’re gentle and very kind, and if you’re surrounded by people who don’t see/acknowledge/appreciate this aspect of you, rather than ruminating what’s wrong with you or being sad about being misunderstood (or worse, pretending to be someone you’re not), you must use your Watery intellect to put a stop to that. You’re a fish, you’re not meant to thrive on barren lands. The ocean is your place and there’s plenty more fishes that would resonate with you.

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#Astro Season Overview #gemini season #astroblr #tarotblr #writblr #witchblr #faery witch #faery aesthetic #faerie #solarpunk #cyberpunk #mental health #tarot #free tarot readings #pick a card #tarot pick a card #tarot pac #tarot future spouse #astro notes #astro observations #millennials #gen z #witchythings

[cosmichighpriestess]

༺Breaking Free From The Matrix ༻

On Earth, when you begin to believe in the illusion, or what some have come to refer to as ‘the matrix,’ you forget that your existence is about expanding into the newest creations of Source. And of course, you also forget that you are that Source that is both creating and experiencing simultaneously.

You do have the idea of this in your quests to manifest certain things, relationships, experiences, money, jobs, and so on. There are so many things that you could desire to manifest that we could go on listing them for the rest of this transmission and still not even get through a small percentage of them. You can see the physical realm as a representation of what’s happening on the nonphysical level. You are creating within the illusion, or the matrix, if you prefer, and then you are allowing what you have created to flow to you so that you can experience it.

And if you see it all as Source, then it becomes more fun. Now, as we were listing all the various things you could desire and then manifest, what made that list something that could be infinite is that you can manifest experiences, feelings, states of being; you can manifest bliss. You can manifest the state of oneness. You can manifest the feeling of infinite love, and those who have already experienced everything in the physical realm that they have ever desired to experience, then tend to go for the nonphysical types of experiences, the feeling states. They are much more infinite in nature than what is physical, which can break, be lost, be stolen, or simply no longer serve you for some reason.

Perhaps that fancy gadget you wanted so much five years ago is now obsolete, but the experiences that you can have that are non-physical upgrade themselves, just like your phones and other devices need upgrades and need to be replaced every once in awhile. And so, the feeling of bliss that's you experienced yesterday is not the same feeling today, and that's what makes manifesting outside of The matrix so much fun. That is why people who have spent some time developing their spirituality understand that the illusion is to be transcended to a certain extent. You will still ultimately be there in a physical body, and you will want to have certain experiences over certain other experiences, but you won't get attached to them. You won't feel like a failure if you don't manifest your dream home in the time frame that you have decided is most appropriate. You can realize that even playing within an illusionary matrix is fun and is meant to stimulate growth within you spiritually, rather than being the measuring stick by which you determine how good you are, and one way or another.

Think about the types of feelings and experiences you want to manifest, rather than the things, and realize you have access to what is non-physical right now, whereas something physical may take three to five days to arrive in the mail. And then know that nothing is stopping you from breaking Free from this so-called matrix. The only thing that could ever stop you is you.

We are the Arcturian Council and we have enjoyed connecting with you.

#messages #the arcturian council #the arcturians #manifesting #the matrix #channeled message #daniel scranton #channel #e.t. channeled messages #art unknown

[apenitentialprayer]

One of Aldous's major preoccupations was how to achieve self-transcendence while yet remaining a committed social being.

Julian Huxley, on his late brother.

Today (11/22/23) marks the sixtieth anniversary of the death of Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World. Aldous Huxley was an interesting figure for many reasons, but it was this work, a work that warns of a future in which a combination of fetal manipulation and social conditioning conspire to cause people to "come to love their oppression," that has made him a household name. A spirited spiritualist, Aldous Huxley had an interest in mysticism of all kinds, and it was this interest that brought him into contact with the Southern Californian Vedanta Society, which was founded by Swami Prabhavananda (who authored The Sermon on the Mount According to Vedanta). As a member of this society, Huxley wrote a series of articles that sought to explain spiritual principles and practical mysticism, using the vocabulary of the Christian and Vedantic Hindu traditions interchangeably. Among his more noteworthy works was his commentary on The Lord's Prayer, and an introduction to Prabhavananda's translation of the Bhagavad Gita. Huxley's perspective on life has been referred to by at least one author as "Orientalized Christian," but a more accurate (and less offensive) label might be that of New Age. His opinions on mysticism and spirituality can be found in his book, The Perennial Philosophy, as well as the appendices of The Devils of Loudun. Huxley believed in the importance of the dignity of the individual, while at the same time fearing the effacement of individual identity through mob mentality. Some quotes for Aldous Huxley below:

"The end of human life cannot be achieved by the efforts of the unaided individual. What the individual can and must do is to make himself fit for contact with Reality and the reception of that grace by whose aid he will be enabled to achieve his true end. [...] We need grace in order to be able to live in such a way as to qualify ourselves to receive grace."

"First Shakespeare sonnets seem meaningless; first Bach fugues, a bore; first differential equations, sheer torture. But training changes the nature of our spiritual experiences. In due course, contact with an obscurely beautiful poem, an elaborate piece of counterpoint or of mathematical reasoning, causes us to feel direct intuitions of beauty and significance. It is the same in the moral world."

"Civilization demands from the individual devoted self-identification to the highest of human causes. But if this self-identification with what is human is not accompanied by a conscious and consistent effort to achieve upward self-transcendence into the universal life of the Spirit, the goods achieved will always be mingled with counterbalancing evils."

#Aldous Huxley #Christianity #Hinduism #Vedanta #spirituality #mysticism #New Age #grace #goodness #Holy Spirit #beauty

[dustedmagazine]

Madhuvanti Pal — The Holy Mother: Madhuvanti Pal Plays the Rudra Veena (Sublime Frequencies)

The rudra veena is a South Asian string instrument that differs from the better-known sitar in being historically earlier and in aspects of its construction (e.g., fixed vs. movable frets), but, to the untrained ear, the shimmering tones are similar. In the hands of Madhuvanti Pal, the rudra veena sings, hums, cries and purrs, creating complex layers of sound that evolve slowly and with a kind of inevitability that, for those outside the tradition, makes the listening experience something like hearing a vividly told story in an unknown but wonderfully melodious language.

In a review earlier this year of a recording by the Hindustani artist Debashish Bhattacharya, I acknowledged that I have no understanding of the place of the music in South Asian culture and that my assessment of it is entirely aesthetic, and I repeat that caveat here. Sublime Frequencies is marketing The Holy Mother to English speakers in this country, so the people who write for and read Dusted and, like me, are ignorant of the cultural context, are presumably among the target audience. And it is for them (rather than those who know the culture) that this review is intended.

This recording consists of two compositions of 40 to 50 minutes in length. Each is divided into two parts, which is a necessity for the vinyl, but the fade in and out is a bit distracting for the digital version. In any case, the scope of the compositions allows for the long-range development of musical ideas. I say “compositions” with some caution since the liner notes do not indicate how much improvisation is involved or how traditional Pal’s approach is.

The first composition, “Todi,” begins, as might be expected, with a drone, specifically, a mid-range drone. Around it, higher- and lower-pitched tones emerge and fade. The nature of the instrument is such that there is no truly empty space, but, as on many stringed instruments, various voices are identifiable. The notes are often extended, as if with a slide, though the images of her show Pal playing with only her fingers. The tempo is fairly slow and deliberate until around the halfway point (for which reason the fade in and out is especially unfortunate), when the pace and intricacy of the phrasing increase, making for a thrilling moment. The tempo then abates a bit until the last five minutes, when the lower-pitched voice becomes increasingly insistent only to yield to the higher-pitched voice before all fades away but the drone.

The mood and feeling of “Bhairavi” are similar to “Todi,” but the lower-pitched voice remains dominant through most of the first half, and the higher-pitched voice seems sweeter. Again, there is a notable quickening of the pace near the midpoint and a transitional moment about three-quarters of the way through. This time, the higher-pitched voice comes to dominate in effortless displays of great dexterity by Pal as single notes combine and contrast with stabbing strums. Once more, resolution arrives in the final minutes as the voices switch off, and the ending delivers the dynamics of an anthem.

Pal takes listeners willing to devote their attention to her playing on two thrilling journeys here, though I suppose the music would also make for a pleasant background. Notably, she is a music educator and builder of instruments and, apparently, a pioneer in terms of being a woman performer on the instrument. Those of us on the outside looking in will have no doubt of her mastery of the rudra veena, and, though the relationship of the music to the Holy Mother remains undefined, its spiritual power seems to transcend cultural boundaries.

Jim Marks

#dusted magazine #albumreview #madhuvanti pal #the holy mother: madhuvanti pal plays the rudra veena #sublime frequencies #jim marks #india #rudra veena

[progressivemillennial]

Feminism is for Everybody: Remembering bell hooks (Very Belatedly)

What if I told you about a version of feminism rooted in love, inclusion, and community that acknowledges the unique struggles of women of color and other marginalized groups while not seeking to alienate and divide? A feminism that is for everybody? Well, let me tell you about bell hooks, one of my favorite public intellectuals, who sadly passed away at the end of last year. 

While inclusive feminism with love at its foundation may seem impotent and naïve, I would argue just the opposite: her solidaristic vision of feminism is the greatest threat to--as she put it--the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. This is not dissimilar from the threat posed by MLK's potent, similarly inclusive, spiritual, love-based politics if you're looking for a more familiar point of reference.

So where does the power of these ideas come from? Simply put, an oppressive status quo could not survive a large, diverse community that transcends gender, sexual, racial, class, religious, and national divides. In this instance, that community aims to liberate women from the many forms of oppression and domination that they face. And this is key: as women--particularly black women--experience liberation, we will all experience liberation. The establishment will no longer exercise power over us; instead, we will share power collectively in the spirit of love and justice.

Now, some might say that they don't think America is white supremacist or patriarchal or an empire or that capitalism is an issue, and I think bell hooks would say it's normal to have differences, and that we shouldn't fear them. Instead, we must celebrate our differences, courageously love and seek to understand each other and ourselves, and in so doing, we free ourselves to bring about a more just world through our devotion to one another, not in competition with one another. Again, this talk of love may sound utopian and pie-in-the-sky, and it may be, but it's also incredibly strategic: we cannot achieve equality if we are constantly divided and alienated from each other.

The work that bell hooks called for is difficult: it requires ceaseless vulnerability, bravery, dissent, introspection, humility, dedication to justice, and consciously looking to overcome the most entrenched powers and perspectives of our time. But the desired results are more than worth the effort, certainly for women and any marginalized people, but for everyone else, too, because we all suffer to varying degrees from living under the imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. 

Feminism according to hooks appeals to me for a number of reasons. It speaks to a number of my core values like equality, connection, education, and service. I also find her work challenging, which I relish because it has helped me grow. Moreover, in this version of feminism, it's vital for men to grow and share in the struggle, too. Because of that, it's even easier for me to feel at home and motivated to participate in the feminist struggle. At the end of the day, we need people of all kinds who want justice to come together and support each other, because justice is the root of love, and from love we can connect and heal, and through connection, we can build communities which we can then use to dismantle imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy together. And that, my friends, is feminism for everybody.

I tried writing this with love and as faithfully to the teachings of bell hooks as possible because I adore the presence and wisdom she brought to this world and because I always felt considered and seen by her, even though I never met her. 

If you've made it this far, I hope you'll look into her more. Her writing is very accessible, and she's a pleasure to listen to in talks and interviews if you're more of an audio/visual learner like me. And if you are already familiar with her work and have any favorite bell hooks content, feel free to share it in the comments to help people explore.

Rest in power, bell hooks, and thank you for your infinite inspiration and wisdom, and for your beautiful vision of a better world we can create together.

#bell hooks #progressive #america #united states #politics #feminism #intersectionality #values #capitalism #imperialism #patriarchy #philosophy #justice #social justice

[wisdomrays]

WIJDAN (Conscience): Part 1

Literally meaning the essence of human existence and a person's perception of themselves, wijdan (conscience) is a spiritual mechanism composed of the willpower, which chooses between good and evil, the spiritual intellect (fuad), which is the inner, most essential dimension of the heart, the inner power of perceptiveness (sensation or feeling), and consciousness. It is a mechanism through which a person perceives themselves, and feels or experiences and interprets existence and its relationship with God, providing for humans a window opening on belief, knowledge and love of God, and yearning for Him in proportion with the vitality of the above-mentioned four pillars. In this mechanism, which has various metaphysical depths, we can sense the voice of willpower, the discernments and observations of the spiritual intellect, the mind's acquired knowledge, fed or filtered by consciousness, and the sensations of the power of perceptiveness and the gifts of Divine knowledge that flow into it.

The conscience is also a conscious observer and interpreter in the sense that being aware of the innate powerlessness, poverty, and neediness of humanity, it feels the necessity of applying to and relying on a power that can satisfy humans in respect of these basic shortcomings in them. Consequently, the conscience takes refuge in the Divine Being with belief, submission, and reliance, and turns to Him with knowledge and love of Him and yearning for Him. In addition to studying, reflecting on, analyzing, and synthesizing the messages of all things and events in the name of knowledge and knowledge of God, the conscience has such a subtle, transcending power of expression based on its own dynamics and pillars that those who can hear its voice and judgments do not need anything else to understand the meaning of the messages of existence.

In thus speaking, I in no way mean that there is no need for rational knowledge, or that scientific research, experimental knowledge, or information acquired as a result of centuries-old experiences are insignificant. On the contrary, I would like to emphasize that, in addition to the assessment and benefit that we can derive from conclusions reached through reason, the results of experiences, and the perceptions of the five external senses, each according to their own value, there is another source of knowledge, which is based on inner experiences and intuitions and which can be attained without any means. This source, which leads humans to true knowledge through personal inner experiences without needing any means to discover or establish the truth, is the conscience. Even though such knowledge may sometimes be regarded as subjective, it is as important for those who are open to life at the level of the heart and spirit as the kind of knowledge acquired through known means of learning. Therefore, there have always been many who accept the conscience as a source of knowledge. According to these people, since the conscience leads us directly to the truth itself, rather than presenting to us its map or diagram, it is more significant and reliable as a source of knowledge. Even though the observation and study of things and events and the process of analyzing and synthesizing them enable us to observe the truth from afar and approach it to a certain extent, it cannot provide exact knowledge of it in its true nature and identity. However, the conscience perceives the truth without any means, examines it, and draws a decisive conclusion about it. Those who approach things and events from outside cannot go farther than studying or having some knowledge of these things according to their limited horizon of knowledge, their scope of observation, and personal viewpoints. Therefore, their conclusions are only of a relative value. But the conscience comprehends these regarding what and how they are in their true identity and nature. It transcends matter, is saved from the confines of space, and can grasp the truth itself in proportion to its purity and profundity.

In some of his treatises, a scholar draws a somewhat different picture of conscience and attributes important functions to it. According to him, the conscience is a conscious, innate mechanism of the same kind as Divine laws of "nature." Resembling the law of growth in seeds, the laws of creation in sperms or eggs, and the freezing and expansion of certain fluids, the conscience is a conscious law equipped with willpower which issues from the Divine Will, the spiritual intellect, consciousness, and the power of perceptiveness. It is an important tongue that sees, judges, and speaks correctly in proportion to the vitality of such pillars. Even though reason may err in its views, reflections, or judgments, the conscience always proclaims the existence of God in the language of its nature and pillars; it breathes with its vision of Him, contemplates and feels Him; and like a sunflower, driven by a sense of reliance and seeking help which is ingrained in it, it always fixes its eyes on Him. Its intuition always calls on it to remain wakeful; inspiration constantly illuminates its horizon; yearning, which can be regarded as accumulated knowledge of God, continuously indicates Him; and burning Divine love and the zeal to meet Him uninterruptedly invite it to the observation of the All-Known One with His Attributes, Names, and acts, whispering to it the fascinating aspects of life beyond carnality.

Now, let us take an overview of the spiritual intellect, willpower, and consciousness, and the power of perceptiveness, which are the pillars of conscience.

#islam #muslim #allah #god #revert #convert #quran #ayat #religion #reminder #help #hijab #dua #salah #pray #prayer #prophet #muhammad #sunnah #hadith #welcome to islam #how to convert to islam #new convert #new revert #new muslim #revert help #convert help #islam help #muslim help #muslimah

[onewomancitadel]

I am serious, I won't touch S/uccession again, it's just such a great example of the kind of thing I am interested in (which is pretty much psychonanalytic... lol). The interface of archetypes is so interesting and I think it does express itself as a mechanism for cultivated cultural/social attitudes (be it as it may) which transcend popular social justice talking points and speak even deeper to particular moral, emotional, spiritual attitudes... I absolutely think the social justice angle is well-intentioned, it's just not comprehensive enough for me (and pretty much cannot be reconciled with the 'fiction doesn't real' position, but that is neither here nor there. My quibble is to what capacity does fiction real or does fiction reflect social attitudes, which is not an extreme position on my part at all, and it's frankly absurd the leaps that so-called 'antis' take. They need a better name).

Why is it that we make these judgements, how do they overall affect our interactions with storytelling, do they or do they not reflect real life attitudes, etc., like if you knew Shiv in real life as a human being would you treat her differently from her fictional self (I think fictional characters are distinct from real people; this is why people don't need to self-flagellate over 'feeling bad' for the wrong guy, because the point of the narrative is empathetic engagement. It's just interesting that it can actually happen in the reverse: there are people whom I otherwise agree with re: social justice politics that I have blocked because they talked mad shit about Cinder being unsympathetic).

I also don't think that there is just The Bad Attitudes some Bad People have, and when you get rid of the Bad Attituder Interface Component, they are the Good People with Good Narrative Interpretations. Interpretation narratively is never that flat; there is never going to be total concordance about what is or isn't the most ideal story, even with accompanying political responsibility and ostensibly clear goals of empowerment. (What does 'empowerment' mean in storytelling anyway? Is it physical might? Is it the strong female protagonist who kills people? What about humanisation? Do characters of one type come with a responsibility that others don't? So on). The reality is that the way you interact with stories is the way everybody does and there is no clear-cut way to having All of the Correct Opinions. That will literally drive you insane. This is why I return to asking deeper questions about narrative and thematic goals and why I argue for representation on the grounds of artistic excellence. It's not a popular idea, I'll give you that, but it's pretty much the only position I can personally reconcile between recognising art doesn't have political responsibility or morally didactic responsibility and yes, censorship of comprehensive artistic products is bad, but there is incentive to tell stories from every fabric of human experience... and that the humanisation of characters (and their homes, cultures, experiences etc.) matters.

So the Bad Attituder Interface Component won't go away - and sure, some people do just have bad opinions - but I think that's kind of the point? Because I do think art does reveal things about us, and is transformative in small ways too, and that's important. I think it is superficial to view it as an active political battleground (for good or ill; particularly from a governmental perspective - we don't want to encourage any attitude bordering on propaganda-mandated art... lol... these are the logical conclusions!) but equally you can learn things through it. Besides, none of the beliefs we harbour are distinct from one another - or organised in separate compartments in our hearts - even when they sometimes might seem conflicting with one another - and so I can never view narrative response through the flat lense of 'are you or aren't you a misogynist?' Which you have every reason to disengage from, be it racism or homophobia or transphobia or anti-Semitism, but equally I think it's a little superficial to view things that way. Which, honestly, isn't just a Leftist thing at all; the gender anxieties are just a little different.

I'm always worried I'm secretly a bad person and everybody hates me, especially because I had some really horrific online friendships on Tumblr when I was a teenager where my every move was scrutinised (I don't mean this in a 'I got told I was racist and it was terrible' type of thing; I mean I had my eating disorder explained back to me about why it was really addiction type of thing where my every move/word was scrutinised and I had to be constantly vigilant; I was sixteen and she was twenty-six) and I still pretty much exist with that watchman in my head, lol. So maybe what I'm talking about isn't the same sort of anxiety other people have anymore because it has been a few years lol; in fact the majority of asks taking me to task have been about misandry, so I would say with my - regular audience? - things don't exactly pan out the way I necessarily expect. But equally for that crowd what I've laid out here is true, and I would say that a real political urgency assigned to narrative interpretation isn't, and has never been, the blue-haired SJW thing. Think back to the way DND was characterised as Satanic. Or that reading was bad for women.

Point being I don't tend to view misogyny or social evil as its own superstructure; I think it is beholden to (deeper) psychological tools, and you can see those expressed in narrative response, and the conversation - for me personally - doesn't begin and end there, usually.

#stirring the pot

[thorraborinn]

What is neoplatonic polytheism? And how is it different from animism? I'm curious cause I've never heard the term before.

I'm not an expert and I'm not really the one to ask. The reason I mentioned it at all is that I've gotten a fair amount of Hellenic followers in the last couple of months and (not that anyone has done so) I am hoping that people aren't following me expecting me to be a Norse-inflected version of what they are (which is also not to say that all Hellenics are Neoplatonists). I am also a little hyperaware of its influence (and that of Hermeticism, which is not the same, but also not unrelated) on heathenry because of my interest in documenting and dismantling Western occultist influences on the way that people think about Norse magic, especially runes. Some academic heathens are interested in it, because academic pagans in general gravitate toward it, probably because of its being well-documented, philosophically robust and complex, and history of dialogue and antagonism with Christianity, among other reasons. I have seen this even in ostensibly Nordic Animist spaces, and I think it's problematic that people are calling themselves animists while doing so. My fear is that "animism" is becoming the new "spiritual, not religious," an empty term worn like a badge for its social capital.

The Wikipedia page is very informative. I mostly know about it through podcasts, specifically The History of Philosophy Without any Gaps and the Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast. It would be a good idea for modern pagans to learn about it because it has had an immeasurable impact on the world.

There are a bunch of very visible Neoplatonists who have been complicit in advancing racism and transphobia, maintained connections with right-wing nationalists especially in India, given a platform to fascists and fascist sympathizers, enabled cultural appropriation, and talked over Indigenous people because "hey, we're all polytheist" (imposing that term on people who didn't consent to it in the process). I don't assume that this reflects all Neoplatonists, especially given that I also identify with something that, for legitimate safety reasons, needs to be side-eyed until proven safe, but this is a pretty good description of most of my experience with them and hopefully explains why I react to it the way I do.

Ideas implicated in Neoplatonism that I don't uphold include Platonic forms; the individual undivided human soul; a transcendent ideal world which is eternal and unchanging, and a lower material world, subject to change, dependent on and emanated from the higher ideal world; an inherently hierarchical cosmos; good and evil; and other things. You may notice that these things are not exclusive to Neoplatonism; much of it came before and was maintained after it and our modern Western society is to a large extent built on these ideas, and even most Western atheism has found ways to operate on the same logic.

I'm not prepared to set a definition of animism, especially as the word gets applied to uncountable ways of being that are very much not the same as each other (and I am also collapsing into it other anthropological categories like perspectivism, totemism). But I think it would be fair to say that it's fairly common for an animist to recognize primacy of relations rather than bounded essential identity; ground concepts of personhood in relationality rather than speculation about inner essential personhood; ground concepts in experience and sensation more than abstract reasoning; recognize multiple overlapping realities (especially which change based on perspective) rather than a single universalist one; recognize change, transformation, processes as inherent to existence and not signs of disconnect from a pure transcendental eternity. Animist approaches to souls and spirits vary widely but generally they don't recognize a single, irreducible, unchanging, eternal soul that is of a higher and more pure nature than than the body, and which is the connection to the transcendental Source. Because of this lack of separation, animism is usually described as "immanent" rather than a "transcendent" system like Neoplatonism.