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Sagittarius Moon boosts the fiery tone to the day 12-26-2016 — Libra Seeking Balance
December 26, 2016
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With the Sagittarius Moon squaring Mars in Pisces first thing in the morning and Neptune in Pisces during the afternoon, we could find ourselves going in circles today. Be patient and do allow extra time even when doing basic, routines tasks today. If you are traveling home from spending Christmas with family or friends, you […]
via Sagittarius Moon boosts the fiery tone to the day 12-26-2016 — Libra Seeking Balance
Listen To Mikhail Baryshnikov
December 26, 2016
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Bryshnikov speaks
I was at the Metropolitan Opera on the 4th of July, 1986, the day after Misha became an American citizen. He danced in the ballet Giselle, and leapt into the air with what appeared to be the greatest of ease, but was the result of a lifetime of training. He was young and stunningly talented. American Ballet Theater gave the people an outstanding show, starring the rock star, movie star, ballet star who came to us as a gift from Russia “with love”. The crowd went wild and threw hundreds of roses while giving a standing ovation after the performance. The audience showed how deeply his presence, and now his citizenship, was appreciated in New York. It was an exquisite moment in history to witness. He made his stage debut at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1967, featuring in a production of Giselle. He was born in Riga, present day Latvia. He was trained in ballet in Riga and St. Petersburg in his youth. He defected from the Soviet Union in 1974 after a performance of the Kirov Ballet in Toronto. He moved to New York and became the director of American Ballet Theater.
I was also lucky enough to see him on stage in Paris in the 1990’s when he was dancing to his own choreography in the White Oak Project. His leaping had been somewhat subdued, but he chose younger dancers for his company who could still hit the very high leaps. His own style had only mellowed and perfected itself then dancing his own creations. He has performed around the world with many different troupes. His talents and achievements are legendary. His training by and defection from the former Soviet Union made his gift even sweeter. Now his birth land of Latvia is voting to confer Latvian citizenship on their famous son. He has applied for it and the parliament is scheduled to take it under consideration. It would be ironic and odd if he were to need to defect to Latvia once his dual citizenship has been conferred.
Last week it was Prince Charles of the British monarchy warning us that he feels a 1930’s vibe. Now Misha tells us he is feeling a cold war. We should take heed, gentle readers. Experience and history are talking to us.
Beggars Can’t Be Choosers. Be A Chooser
December 19, 2016
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choose cash
Many have commented on the year 2016 with great remorse and sorrow. We lost many great lives and some people also lost elections. The situation on the ground is restless and tense. Many are organizing protests and boycotts to show their disdain. Somewhere in excess of 41% of American registered voters did not vote in the presidential election. It is equally tragic to not have the right to vote as it is to not bother to use the right to vote. Our issues are bigger than the trivial excuses given for the status quo. We are on the verge of some political and economic changes of great proportion, in my opinion.
The phrase beggars can’t be choosers works for me in our political atmosphere because so many refused to make any choice. I hear a lot of loose talk about civil rights, freedom, and the run of the mill American token slogans about what we the people deserve or need to demand. If we could demand that our fellow citizens participate in our democracy we would be wise. Without participation, without any involvement with the political process the citizenry forfeits any right to equal treatment under the law. Protesting makes some kind of statement, but will not address the ignorance and lack of trust running rampant.
I believe that to improve the lives of Americans across the country we need to involve everyone. Choosers are not beggars, but since we passed up that option we will go around with begging bowls for years. We beg to fill the political party coffers once more to begin this process of electing our leaders. I don’t think this is a positive way to remedy our problems. If we involve and engage with our community right where we live and act with discernment and ethical will we can make positive change. End this begging, whining, complaining, and ragging on “the other side”. Go to work learning what you can to be able to make a real choice. Make choosing a priority to replace judging. Make smart decisions about the food you eat, the entertainment you consume, the content you read, and the contacts with whom you associate. Decide to pay with cash rather than build up interest debt. Free yourself from that burden so many carry. Choose wisely, choose constantly, and choose with care. Exercise your right to choose with discernment, and refine that ability.
choose wisely
Stephen Colbert And Norah Jones Have Written The Worst Christmas Song Ever — Real Stories – UPROXX
December 13, 2016
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There are many “worst” Christmas songs. Esquire says it’s “Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney and Wings, a “song whose awesome black hole of musicality is almost powerful enough to suck the life out of everything McCartney did before,” while Paste and the Daily Dot counter with “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” which,…
via Stephen Colbert And Norah Jones Have Written The Worst Christmas Song Ever — Real Stories – UPROXX
Veridis Visconti, 17th Great-Grandmother, Duchess Austria
December 13, 2016
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Veridis Duchess Austria Visconti
My 17th great-grandmother was born into a noble family in trouble with the papacy. Veridis ( sometimes spelled Viridis) was born in Milan in 1352. Her father was excommunicated 1363 for opposing the Pope in Rome. She is buried at the Cistercian monastery in Sittich ,Obcina, Ljubljana, in modern and Slovenia. Her husband, the duke, died in Lucerne Switzerland, leaving her a widow at the age of 34.
Veridis Duchess Austria Visconti
Veridis Duchess Austria Visconti (1352 – 1414)
17th great-grandmother
Ernst I “Ironside” Archduke of Austria Habsburg (1377 – 1424)
son of Veridis Duchess Austria Visconti
Katharina Archduchess Austria Von Habsburg (1420 – 1493)
daughter of Ernst I “Ironside” Archduke of Austria Habsburg
Christof I VanBaden (1453 – 1527)
son of Katharina Archduchess Austria Von Habsburg
Beatrix Zahringen (1492 – 1535)
daughter of Christof I VanBaden
Sabine Grafin VonSimmern (1528 – 1578)
daughter of Beatrix Zahringen
Marie L Egmond (1564 – 1678)
daughter of Sabine Grafin VonSimmern
Richard Sears (1590 – 1676)
son of Marie L Egmond
Silas Sears (1638 – 1697)
son of Richard Sears
Silas Sears (1661 – 1732)
son of Silas Sears
Sarah Sears (1697 – 1785)
daughter of Silas Sears
Sarah Hamblin (1721 – 1814)
daughter of Sarah Sears
Mercy Hazen (1747 – 1819)
daughter of Sarah Hamblin
Martha Mead (1784 – 1860)
daughter of Mercy Hazen
Abner Morse (1808 – 1838)
son of Martha Mead
Daniel Rowland Morse (1838 – 1910)
son of Abner Morse
Jason A Morse (1862 – 1932)
son of Daniel Rowland Morse
Ernest Abner Morse (1890 – 1965)
son of Jason A Morse
Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)
son of Ernest Abner Morse
Pamela Morse
You are the daughter of Richard Arden Morse
Viridis Visconti (1352–1414) was an Italian noblewoman, a daughter of Bernabò Visconti and his wife Beatrice Regina della Scala. By her marriage to Leopold III, Duke of Austria, Viridis was Duchess consort of Austria, Styria and Carinthia, she was also Countess consort of Tyrol.
Viridis was born in Milan, Italy and was the second of seventeen children.
Her sister, Taddea Visconti married Stephen III, Duke of Bavaria and was mother of Isabeau of Bavaria, wife of Charles VI of France. Viridis and the rest of her sisters secured politically-advantageous marriages.
Her maternal grandparents were Mastino II della Scala and his wife Taddea da Carrara. Her paternal grandparents were Stefano Visconti and his wife Valentina Doria.
Viridis’ father, Bernabò was described as a cruel and ruthless despot. He was also an implacable enemy of the Church. He seized the papal city of Bologna, rejected the Pope and his authority, confiscated ecclesiastical property, and forbade any of his subjects to have any dealings with the Curia. He was excommunicated as a heretic in 1363 by Pope Urban V, who preached crusade against him. When Bernabò was in one of his frequent rages, only the children’s mother, Beatrice Regina was able to approach him.
Viridis married Leopold III, Duke of Austria, son of Albert II, Duke of Austria and his wife Johanna of Pfirt. The couple had six children:
William
Leopold
Ernest the Iron
Frederick
Elisabeth (1378–1392)
Katharina (1385–?) Abbess of St. Klara in Vienna
Viridis was widowed in 1386 and so their eldest son, William became Duke of Austria.
William was engaged to Jadwiga of Hungary, youngest daughter of the neighboring king, was one of the first attempts of the House of Habsburg to extend their sphere of influence in Eastern Central Europe by marrying heiresses, a practice that gave rise to the phrase Bella gerant alii: tu felix Austria nube (Let others make war: thou happy Austria, marry). The wedding was broken off.
Viridis died in 1 March 1414 and out-lived at least three of six children, since her younger daughter, Katherine’s date of death is unknown. Viridis is buried in Sittich in Lower Carniola.
Source, Wikipedia
It’s a distracted Taurus Moon today 12-11-2016 — Libra Seeking Balance
December 11, 2016
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The day starts off on a productive note for the Taurus Moon as she enjoys a trine to Pluto in Capricorn. However by midday she has to put up with distractions from Jupiter in Libra and then the Sun-Saturn conjunction in Sagittarius. What sounds like fun to those boisterous planets may cause the home loving […]
via It’s a distracted Taurus Moon today 12-11-2016 — Libra Seeking Balance
Do You Hear What I Hear?
December 5, 2016
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Do you hear what I hear?
Listening with full attention is an art and a skill. I believe one can listen to several layers of reality. I listen to music all day which I pipe into my environment on purpose. At the same time I read posts from all over the world making an effort to truly lend an ear to each point of view. I am sure I edit in favor of my own proclivities all the time. I hear what I want to hear, like all my fellow humans. The written word has less power over the brain to create action than the sound of the spoken voice. We can skim over either written or spoken words by drifting off with our attention. The question is, what do we hear when we distract ourselves from our own reality? Whose voice is creating our desires? Do we hear the voice of the universe, the voice of God?
Prayer and contemplation are designed to create an atmosphere in which we hear or know our purpose. Silent meditation is purposeful to teach the mind to shut up sometimes. Mystics and prophets have made contact with the Beloved by various means for all of history. Silence, and often seclusion, has been the path for many to attain mastery. Those who have not tried to be still and know might be very surprised how many internal voices have so much to say when one simply wants to quiet the mind to focus on the divine. These little chatterboxes are constantly yacking it up in our consciousness, a combo of memory, prejudice, and persona. They are the voices that make excuses for the ego. They are the smarty pants know-it-alls in our personas that are busy composing a response rather than paying full attention to a speaker. They think they are all that, but they are often confused. This does not indicate that we have split personalities, or are unusually fragmented. Everyone has to practice to be able to quiet the mind and keep it quiet. The phrase “a mind of its’ own” applies to your attention. Harnessing the full power of your own mind will be the greatest feat of patience you will ever achieve.
- Listen to what nature tells you in your body and in the environment
- Hear the sounds of the Beloved in music and chanting
- Sharpen discernment by listening deeply to other people
- Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
The Greed Grinch Meets Sustainable Chic
December 2, 2016
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Frida gets dressed
The advertising industry fills the consumer’s mind with dreams of more consumption. That is the job of propaganda, to convince the public to buy more of everything. We now discard our clothing and buy more than ever at a faster rate. Disposable fashion is a good example of how we rape the earth’s resources without subtracting the loss from our ever expanding GDP. We buy the cheapest clothing with the plan of wearing it only a few times before moving on to more new outfits available at very low prices.
There are some of us who object to the whole trend because it results in poorly made garments. Locavores like me are bringing up the concept of sustainable chic as a fashion standard. The Primark Effect refers the growing danger of discarded fiber in the landfills around the world. We have begun to throw out clothes at a dangerous rate of speed. The handcrafted garments of the past are giving way to cheap, poorly made and designed goods produced with slave labor in the third world. Disposable fashion is a real and growing thing. The only real winners are the companies producing these cheap products and their retail outlets.
My first choice for wardrobe shopping is thrift shopping. It is a sport for me to find classic, well made garments for good prices. The older clothing can be exquisitely well made with fine tailoring that is not common these days. I like all kinds of finds, but the older the better if it is still in good shape to use. I still enjoy sewing from time to time because it is a pleasure to bring a garment to life from scratch. My fashion philosophy is to acquire and take care of unique, well-made goods that will last for a long time. I prefer that they be previously owned or come to me in the form of a piece of lovely fabric and some buttons. I like to feel that nobody else can ever show up dressed like I am. How do you shop for your clothing, gentle reader? Have you given any thought to the effects our cheap clothing has on the economy and the environment?
Clulusion-The Sinister Fusion of Cluelessness and Collusion
November 21, 2016
Judgement
If we make it through this Thanksgiving week without a flood of car traffic invited to park outside our front door to donate to a charity scam it will be the first time since I have been in my home. Our HOA has forced the homeowners here to host a donation drop off in the fire lane of our private property for the entire time I have lived here, almost 15 years. Literally thousands of cars have passed by my front door to leave junk, or food, or volunteer hours preparing food for the public for a fake charity. The HOA board has a fiduciary (legal) responsibility to protect the property value of the corporation, but they see fit to use our property to show off their own fake philanthropy to the neighborhood. They operated these scams all year, and solicited donations in various ways. They used the US Postal service to solicit funds from the neighbors, which was incredible. Holidays were special times when we had non-stop cars drive through and park for hours to donate to the charity scams.
The most amazing feat they accomplished was to go to court and get a restraining order from a city court judge. They told him they were “giving back” and need to restrain the people who live here and own the driveway with the fire lane they occupy from stopping the charity scam donations or food prep. We tried for years to stop it through our official Tucson Police Department neighborhood watch, but the cop was in favor of both filling the fire lane with cars, and inviting the public to drive through this driveway we have to pay to pave in order to keep the white collar criminals happy. She did not even know them, but wanted, in general, to make this a shittier place to live. She encouraged the HOA board to trash the environment and break federal revenue law. It seems she was just untrained or not paying any attention. There was no way to know what she was thinking because she simply refused to respond when we reported the crime. She was able to influence the whole city government to refuse to enforce the fire lane law here for reasons known only to herself…or more likely to nobody, since it was a mindless clueless action. Cluelessness is contagious and soon the whole city government was too clueless to even collude with each other. They had manifested the ultimate willfully blind untrust. They unknowingly were the biggest promoters of obvious crime in front of all of us in the area. They stuck to their guns for more than a decade, and last night there were 4 cars in the fire lane and 1 in a neighbor’s driveway without permission. If a fire had broken out they had blocked people into their garages who would be trapped while the fire truck would be blocked. They don’t see any reason not to expose us to that kind of risk.
After being forced to live with this full time donation drop off site in my front yard for years, the neighbors and I petitioned the newly elected mayor, who is a lawyer. He refused to respond, and in fact since the first petition in 2013 he has not been willing to respond to the citizens here who petitioned his office to halt the charity scam activity that freaked the whole neighborhood out. His office thinks it has a right to remain silent while refusing to give us any law enforcement services for more than a decade. They are not trying to refuse to perform. This is the extent of the ability they have. They send out a cop to promote charity scamming and filling the fire lane of the property with as many cars as possible, and then refuse to respond when we ask for at least a clear fire lane. No can do. I have pointed out the total number of nights our fire lanes have been clear in the last 15 years. The number is stuck at 6 nights total. They passively aggressively pretend that this law enforcement task is impossible for them, so they can’t do anything to improve this situation. They manage to keep the fire lanes clear downtown. They do know how to write these expensive tickets. They prefer to ignore the issue. They have fully trashed our hood as well as trust in the police with their actions. I still can’t get them to repair the damage because it would include admission of an error. They are sticking with deeper clulusion. This is why we can’t have nice things.
Spikenard For Transformation
November 17, 2016
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Nardostachys jatamansi
spikenard
Spikenard has been used for centuries as both a healing and a ceremonial plant. It is mentioned many times in the bible. In the Song of Songs 4:13-14, the bridegroom sings of spikenard:
Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates
With pleasant fruits,
Fragrant henna with spikenard,
spikenard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with every kind of incense tree,
with myrrh and aloes,
and all the finest spices.
The most well known biblical reference to spikenard is found in Mark 14:3-9, New King James Version
The Anointing at Bethany
3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.
6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Many people know the phrase the poor will be with you always, but few know the context or the meaning. Mary Magdelene was preparing for Passover with Jesus, attending a seder at Simon the Leper’s house in Jerusalem. She anointed Jesus’ feet with spikenard then dried the excess oil with her hair. This is symbolic at many levels. She was devout sitting at his feet, but she uncovered her hair, which a Jewish woman would not have normally done. This business annoyed Judas, a guy known for stealing from the poor box. Judas wants to know why she did not sell the spikenard and put the proceeds in the poor box so he can steal it. Jesus explains that she is anointing him for burial. There is some discussion about whether it was his feet or his head or both that she anointed. This was not the main issue. She used a great deal of fragrant oil and then went around with it all in her hair as a human incense. This act was extremely unusual and divinely inspired. You notice Mary did not make it into the last supper paintings, but she has been depicted anointing.
Mary Magdalene at Bethany
Pope Francis has used the spikenard in his coat of arms because in the Catholic church it represents Saint Joseph.
Pope Francis coat of arms
I like to wear some around my neck and shoulders when I feel I need to transform anything. I also love to fragrance my home with it, especially during winter. Although I guess it is an Easter symbol, I find the deep notes that linger in the air uplift my spirit in the darkest days. I buy a high quality essential oil, run a diffuser in my home, and also take it with me to the steam room for another way to feature it. I learned about spikenard kind of late in life, but am happily impressed with the results when I use it. It is a deep root note in perfume that holds the bass note long after the high notes have evaporated. Not everyone will love the smell as a single note, but with some mixing it works for most tastes. I am fond of mixing frankincense, myrrh and spikenard together, which are all very deep notes. I feel it lingering in the air. I like to saturate my home for full effects. Do you use essential oils, gentle reader? Aromatherapy is powerful medicine, often with deep historical meaning. The physical potential is excellent, but the symbolic and magical significance of spikenard can take you to a new place.
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