Tag Archives: Science

The Socialist Roots and Utopian Dreams of Eliphas Lévi – The Thinker’s Garden

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The legendary Eliphas Lévi was originally a socialist radical. We spoke to Dr Julian Strube to learn more about the political origins of the man Helena Blavatsky once described as ‘the most learned Kabbalist and Occultist of our Age’.

Source: The Socialist Roots and Utopian Dreams of Eliphas Lévi – The Thinker’s Garden

Loneliness during the Holidays

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Gertrude Abercrombie’s “The Stroll” (1943). Credit Credit Oil on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Gertrude Abercrombie Trust

Loneliness is a worthy foe, and with the rise of social media, most of us are suffering from it in some form – especially this time of year. It’s easy to feel isolated in tense family situations or even parties.

Striving for connection along with a healthy dose of self-care will get you through the season.”

So how do we cope? I’m glad I ran across this article today. It has some fantastic actions we can take to combat loneliness, especially this time of year. Along with the list from the article, I would add these things:

Encourage Friendships

Having a social life and human connection is important for us to thrive in our lives. A lot of people are shy about reaching out, or inviting people to do things. Do It!! Same sex friendships are particularly important in my opinion. If you have trouble meeting people then volunteer for something you care about…. and/or get a pet.

Having Pets

Animals are awesome. If you don’t, or can’t,  have one, volunteering at the local shelter is a great way to interact cats and dogs, and to be of service at the same time!

Go to a Gym

It took me awhile to build up to it, but now I go three times a week. Working out keeps my blood moving and my endorphins running. I think more clearly, and I’m able to make better decisions. And I have more energy. Exercise is the best thing for everyone.

Limit Alcohol

I’m personally sober since 2005, but if I wasn’t I would severely limit alcohol and stay away from drugs. In my experience these things end up making loneliness much worse.

Limit Sugar

This time of year is next-to-impossible to eat right, but I SO stay away from eating sugar. It keeps my blood sugar steady throughout that day so there’s less moodiness.

Good Night’s Sleep

I strive to get a good night’s sleep every night – which means eight solid hours in a dark, cool room.

Practice Gratitude

List ten things you’re grateful for when you feel low and it will completely change your thinking and mood.

Walk in Nature

I take a walk in nature everyday with my dog. Looking at trees, grass, and feeling the warmth of the sun brings me lots of joy.

Be Creative

It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it. You’ll probably improve as you go along anyway. I’ve taken multiple creative paths and it feels so good to create something. Write something or pick up and instrument… or a pen!

Be of Service

Get out and be of service to people. Being of service in some way is crucial.

Get a New Job

I know from experience, if you’re unhappy with your job, you HAVE to make a change. Life is too short and we spend too much time there. Anyone can do it. Make a plan, get some training or education, and DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

Lodge 49’s Vision of the Magical Life

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A section from the English illustration known as the Ripley Scroll, based on a15th century original.

I just finished watching Season 2 of “Lodge 49” on AMC, and I highly recommend it if you’re interested in bettering yourself or walking a spiritual path. It’s a great reflection on what a spiritual community or occult lodge can do for people. I am currently involved with two lodges, and I found this show to be a great representation of my experiences there!

Check out his article by Amy Hale and watch the series! It’s really great.

“Lodge 49 wins acclaim for its dreamily languid and unfolding plot and compelling characters, yet we never hear of it described as an occult themed show, which it most definitely is. This is most likely because of the emphasis of the weird over that of the showy and supernatural, but make no mistake, Lodge 49 captures the magical life beautifully. This is not the occult as wished for, this is the occult as it really is. In fact, I believe it is the most accurate occult show on television. This show is about people and relationships and finding the wonder that lies just beyond.

For several years now, we have been hearing about the meteoric rise of interest in the occult and witchcraft as people grasp to re-enchant a dark world. The rise in supernaturally themed media such as Strange Angel, Good Omens, Sabrina the Teenage Witch or American Gods both mirrors and supports this trend. In those shows, however, we see cosmic battles of good and evil being fought through fiery and dramatic magic.

Big personalities like Aleister Crowley or compelling underdogs like Sabrina manipulate their trials through spells, sorcery and sometimes inherited power, suggesting that magicians are, in fact, a breed apart. But anyone who has ever spent any time around committed occultists and witches knows that everyday magic looks nothing like that. Lodge 49 is quiet, eccentric, and deeply authentic. I know more than my fair share of people who belong to occult orders, and they all feel as though this show was written just for them. Obviously, that is a rather selective demographic, so the show’s success should tell us something about both the exquisite storytelling of the creators and cast of Lodge 49 and the eternal pull of the magical quest. When it comes to portraying the genuine occult experience and the cultivation of an enchanted life, Lodge 49 is the real deal.”

 

Fall Equinox Horoscopes

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Sun at 0 Libra
Mercury at 14 Libra
Mars at 22 Virgo and Venus at 10 Libra
Jupiter at 17 Sagittarius
Saturn at 13 Capricorn
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto retrograding.

Hail unto the Mighty Autumn! It is time for the seasons to change. I love how the planet shifts itself so easily and naturally. We are taking stock of our lives and our year of 2019, and deciding what we want to bring with us through the coming Winter. This is an ancient passage, as old as the Earth itself.

If you’re feeling tired, run down and “heavy”, there’s probably lots of reasons lol… BUT I’m an astrologer and I say it’s the planet SATURN. This planet has been going retrograde for five months, and just turned Direct last Wednesday 9/18. When a planet changes direction, it sits still in the sky for a week or so, which is called “stationing”. Saturn is sitting on top of all of us right now… and it’s heavy. Things will start moving forward shortly.

Saturn, the reaper, is one of my favorite planets. It rules time, structure, fear, discipline, ambition, commitment and maturity. Saturn changes signs every two years and takes 28 years to make a complete cycle around the Sun – hence the “Saturn Return” or coming of age when we turn 28 years old. With Saturn, we reap what we sow.

This January, Authority (Saturn) meets Revolution (Pluto) in a conjunction in Capricorn. Both of these planets and signs are extreme so there could be brilliant discoveries and brutal revolutions playing out on the world stage. This is a rare event that will effect us on a personal level too. Who has authority over us and is it time for radical change? In another couple of years, we will have the same planetary configuration that occurred in 1776 – which brought the birth of our nation. Right now, the U.S. is facing it’s shadow and preparing for evolution. I hope it will be a positive one.

Onto the horoscopes! I will look at the influence of Saturn on your sign, as well as the position of your ruler. Reading your sun sign is important, but it’s also good to read the sign that relates to your Rising sign. If you don’t know your rising sign (also called the ascendant), you can figure it out here.

Aries: The Ram
Mars, your ruler, enters Libra on October 4th, which is it’s detriment (not happy). This gives you a week to make important changes, and to take action on anything urgent, because after October 4th you’ll be in a “resting” phase for a month or so. The good news is Venus (love) is in your House of Partnership! It’s a great time to date, or form equal and balanced partnerships.
Saturn in Capricorn falls in your 10th House of Career and Public Image. With Saturn, you reap what you’ve sown. If there’s any unfinished issues or fears regarding career, you can face them now and purge them from your life. This gives you the opportunity to build a new, solid foundation.

Taurus: The Bull
The astrological action this Fall will be Venus transiting your House of Partnerships. Scorpio season is around the corner, bringing up issues, good and bad, in your relationship(s). It will be important for you to be brave and speak your truth with important people around you. The good news is your ruler, Venus, is currently moving through Libra, which is very harmonious and brings good luck with work.
With Saturn Direct in your House of Life Perspective, you are asked to reexamine your belief systems and upgrade them. Saturn brings up issues around security and structure, so changing your personal truth has huge repurcussions on the foundation of your life.

Gemini: The Twins
Your ruler, Mercury, is currently moving through your House of Romance and Creativity, which is very fortunate! Your usual mental clarity has been taken up a notch, and your social life is flourishing. If you have any writing to do, now is the time.

Saturn in Capricorn falls in your 8th House of sex, death and taxes. It’s a good time to pursue serious study of an occult nature, but a bad time to ask for credit. You have to earn your money right now.

Cancer: The Crab
With Venus (planet of Love) transiting Libra, you are on easy street for the next month or so. Venus brings friends, warmth, romance and money! Meanwhile, on the other side of your chart, Pluto in Capricorn brings some powerful personalities into your life. Don’t be put off by the dark, brooding types, for those relationships hold the seeds of personal transformation.
Saturn in Capricorn will bring tremendous growth in commitments and partnerships. Your main relationship is either being deepened and renewed, or it’s crumbling under the tremendous weight of Saturn and Pluto. Go with the flow, and let go of the past. It’s time to move on and create a more stable and nurturing life for yourself.

Leo: The Lion
Your ruler the Sun has entered Libra (your Communication House) bringing good communication and focus on family and community. The Fall season will be great for your love life.
Saturn in Capricorn will falls in your House of Work and Health. If you feel it’s time for a new job, don’t hesitate to update your resume and start looking. Saturn sets people free from stagnant situations. If you want to renew your commitment to your job, Saturn supports that as well.

Virgo: The Virgin
Your ruler, Mercury, is Direct for the next few months, so it’s a time of forward motion. Mercury is moving fast through Libra and Scorpio this Fall. You will be putting a lot of energy into getting organized and negotiating relationships.
Saturn in Capricorn will bring tremendous focus to your romantic life, children and creativity. Now is the time to tackle anything creative that takes persistence to accomplish. Saturn will make you dead serious about dating too. No frilly affairs, laziness or procrastination… you mean business.

Libra: The Scales
Your ruler, Venus, is leading the Sun and Mercury through your sign. This brings wonderful opportunities for Libras (Happy Birthday!). Hopefully you’ve ironed out any lingering identity issues and are ready to take a more decisive approach to life’s challenges.
Saturn in Capricorn heralds a focus on your foundations – namely Home and Security. You might resolve some unfinished business with roommates or strike out on your own. Saturn can bring new maturity to your character, and your approach to life.

Scorpio: The Scorpion
Your ruling planet, Mars, will be entering your sign this Fall heralding your birthday season. It means you can put ambition together with your vision. As for love, you will have a tremendous amount of sex appeal.
Saturn direct in Capricorn (House of Communications) will bring a new seriousness and depth to how you express yourself over the next two years. Honesty, truth and trust will become the key factor in your relationships. If you can’t be authentic with people they will get the boot.

Sagittarius: The Archer
Your ruler, Jupiter (Good Fortune and Luck), is transiting Sagittarius! This is a fantastic time to bring prosperity into your life. Now is the time to negotiate for what you want! Clarify your ambitions and set some clear goals, because you can make real progress over the next several months.
With Saturn newly Direct in Capricorn, the realistic eye of Saturn turns to your financial life. It’s time to get organized and create a solid budget. If there’s some area of your career that requires persistence and commitment, you will be over supplied with those qualities between now and the spring.

Capricorn: The Sea Goat
Your ruler, Saturn, is at home in Capricorn for the next several months! Saturn will wrap you in a leaden blanket of support, giving you greater protection. The tricky part is that Pluto (Revolution) is there too, commanding you to evolve and shed anything that doesn’t connect with your soul’s purpose. These two powerful planets will meet in a conjunction in Capricorn in January, so things in your life will become more and more unbearable until you make real changes.

The main thing for you though, is the new growth around how you see yourself and the world. Saturn in your sign is a time of self reflection, leading to clarification of your identity and your path on this planet. Who do you want to be?

Aquarius: The Water Bearer
Your ruler, Uranus, is in Taurus for the next decade giving you a new stability, and a path to manifest your dreams. Also, Jupiter (Good Fortune) is transiting your House of Career, giving you special luck concerning your work! You can expand and make some incredible progress right now.
Saturn in Capricorn ushers in a time to purge the situations, behaviors and negative thoughts that hold you back. Resolve the parts of your life that feel vague or undefined; this will usher in a new phase of your life.

Pisces: The Fish
You have a deep connection to your creativity and imagination right now, since your ruler, Neptune, is currently swimming through Pisces. It’s an incredibly fortuitous moment, but beware of issues around addiction surfacing too. Be vigilant about your tendencies toward escapism and keep the focus on accomplishing goals.
Saturn is now Direct in your House of Gains. There might be some friendships that need a realistic assessment. You might receive a new leadership role at work, or there might be extra responsibilities involving groups of people. This is a time of great personal revolution that will lead to a more meaningful and stable future.
You are willing to put in the time, persistence and hard work to make your dreams a reality. What you do now will set the direction of your life for the next five years.

mary

 

Interesting article! I hadn’t thought about these issues in exactly this way. We each have a responsibility to heal ourselves and release our baggage. This is one of the ways of turning things around.

“I know that people are exhausted of the state of the world, especially those who have been fighting the longest and hardest, but I’m talking about the very heart of the issues that allowed America’s current government administration to do all that they are doing, and with the issues that affect us globally it won’t just be Americans who are in trouble, but the rest of the entire planet. Climate change alone has become a huge part of this, and it will literally kill us all if we don’t do something. We have 10-15 years left to be able to do anything about it. Toxic Christianity won’t care because toxic Christianity wants to usher in the end times and bring back Jesus. Toxic Christianity doesn’t think women should have rights let alone vote. Toxic Christianity only likes white people, heterosexuals, and cis men. The rest of us are deemed unworthy, unacceptable, and less than human.”

via Toxic Christianity, Patriarchy, White Supremacy, Toxic Masculinity And Its Impact On Pagans And Occultists | Scarlet Magdalene

 

 

 

Proof of Psychic ability

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Here is a true story proving psychic ability exists and is a real quality that humans possess. Not all psychics are authentic or honorable, but the ABILITY is real 🙂 This has been proven to me over and over again in my practice. I’ve seen and heard things that have no other explanation.

“Psychologist Imants Barušs once tested a medium by asking her to contact the spirit of physicist Richard Feynman and provide answers to specialist questions beyond the medium’s knowledge. Once contact was established, Barušs asked the spirit for the “fine-structure constant,” which is approximately 1/137. The medium answered, “Zero. Eight.” Barušs cut her off, saying that was incorrect. The spirit protested and mentioned something about a capital M. Barušs responded, “There is no capital M.”

A week later, Barušs’ colleague, Julia Mossbridge (capital M), heard of the encounter and shared this quote from Feynman:

“There is a most profound and beautiful question associated with the observed coupling constant, e–the amplitude for a real electron to emit or absorb a real photon. It is a simple number that has been experimentally determined to be close to 0.08542455. (My physicist friends won’t recognize this number, because they like to remember it as the inverse of its square: about 137.03597..)”
Any other physicist might have said 1/137, or 0.00729; but Feynman would have given √0.00729 or .08542455. BOOM.

[Paraphrased from I. Barušs and J. Mossbridge (2017), “Transcendent Mind: Rethinking the Science of Consciousness” (Washington, DC: APA), 193-4.]

interesting view of earthquake

Here’s an amazing overview of the Western hemisphere being impacted by last week’s massive earthquake. The seismic activity ripples out from the epicenter like the ripples of a pond.

6.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Southern California

Ridgecrest, California – A man inspects a crack in the Earth after a magnitude-6.4 quake rocked the area of Ridgecrest in the Mojave Desert.

Women of Age and Wisdom

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“Women get more beautiful as they grow older. Not less.
Female youth is only prized in modern culture because it doesn’t represent as much of a threat spiritually to anyone who is frightened of divine feminine power.
As women grow and mature, they call in stronger forces of sacred feminine wisdom. They vibrate with the creative power of their stories.
They are more of a force to be reckoned with.
They see more, know more, feel more. They put up with a lot less bullshit.
When women are trained into thinking there is something fundamentally wrong with getting older, and are coerced into spending money, energy and power investing in ‘slowing the signs of ageing’, an enormous vault of divine love is lost.
Just think what would happen if all the women in the world started loving themselves even more with every year that passed.
Perhaps a total revolution would occur.~”
~Yogesh Kumar

Week of February 4th

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Monday, Feb. 4th: New Moon in Aquarius at 1:04pm Pacific.

Currently:
Mercury and Lilith in Aquarius (strong)
Venus in Capricorn (diminished)
Mars in Aries, close to Uranus (strong)
Jupiter in Sagittarius (strong)
Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn (strong)
North Node in Cancer

Monday, Feb. 4: New Moon in Aquarius – new beginnings for the next month. We are refreshed! The goals you set today will come to fruition this August. Think about networking, the groups you are involved with, and the gains you’d like to make. Set goals around activating and expressing your personal form of genius. Everyone has something they can do REALLY well. Let your originality and unique nature shine.

Aquarius means: freedom, vision, independence, the FUTURE, eccentricity, social circle, original ideas, technology, the intellectual, the humanitarian, the big picture and the community. It is the sharpened mind in touch with higher frequencies.

Tuesday, Feb. 5: Lots of good, fresh energy can be accessed early on, but prepare for daydreams, intuitiveness and creativity as the Moon enters the watery dreaminess of Pisces at sunset. Good evening for spiritual or occult activities.

Wed. Feb 6: Float through dreams and visions today and let go of being overly productive. Stay cozy and spiritually connected. Try not to overindulge, or do it without the guilt 🙂 Negotiations could be hard to define, so do that tomorrow or Friday.

Thurs. Feb. 7: Moon square Jupiter today. Our minds are finding relief from the Pisces fog, as the Moon moves towards Aries. Jupiter helps you expand your habits towards reaching your goals. Focus today on where you’re headed, and put some energy towards it.

Friday, Feb. 8: Moon into Aries gives us some vitality! It’s on a direct intercept with Mars and Uranus though, which could lead to a combustible weekend. The Moon will be squaring Venus and Saturn in Capricorn today, giving everything the weight of REALITY. Not the best date night.

Saturday, Feb. 9: Moon trines Jupiter in Sagittarius today! We have a day of expansive moods and celebration. Might not get a lot done. This is a day for FUN.

Mercury entering Pisces until April 16th. This puts Mercury into its Fall – i.e. the sharpness of our minds is diminished, and we turn towards our imaginations. The next month is a time for visioning, self expression and creative writing. Careful not to go too far out into fantasy and delusion! Keep the ground under your feet.

Alchemy

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A red-faced sun rises above a city; stunted trees stand in the foreground; representing either the culmination of the alchemical Great Work or the star of hope that inspires the alchemist through his tribulation.

 

Release any thought, behavior or idea that you’ve picked up on your journey, so you can uncover the pure gold of the spirit within you.

“THE FOUR ALCHEMICAL RULES.
1. Follow (your) Nature.
It is useless to seek for the sun by the light of a candle.
2. First know; then act.
Real knowledge exists in the triangle composed of seeing, feeling, and understanding.
3. Use no vulgar processes.
Use only one vessel, one fire, one instrument.
The door to success lies in the unity of will and purpose and the proper adaptation of the means to the end. There are many roads leading to the celestial center. He who follows the chosen path may succeed, while he who attempts to walk on many paths will be delayed.
4. Keep the fire constantly burning.
If the molten metals are allowed to cool off before they are transformed into higher ones, they will become hard again, and the whole process will have to be recommenced from the beginning. Use the inextinguishable lamp. Its light will not go out unless it is driven away by force.

THE FIVE THINGS NECESSARY TO OBSERVE IN THE PRACTICE OF ALCHEMY.
1. To recognize the true PRIMA MATERIA.
It is to be found everywhere; but if you do not find it in your own house, you will find it nowhere. It is a living substance that can be discovered only in places inhabited by man. It is the only substance from which the Philosopher’s Stone can be prepared, and without that substance no genuine silver or gold can be made. In thirty pounds of ordinary mercury, there is usually not more than one pound of the true substance; and a hundred pounds of ordinary sulphur usually contain not more than one pound of that which is useful. It can only be found above the earth, but not below it. It is before everybody’s eyes; no one can live without it; everybody uses it; the poor usually possess more of it than the rich; the ignorant esteem it highly, but the learned ones often throw it away. The children play with it in the street, and yet it is invisible. It can be perceived by the sense of feeling, but it cannot be seen with the material eye.
2. Use for the preparation of the PRIMA MATERIA only the rose-colored blood of the Red Lion and the pure white gluten of the Eagle.
Let your Will be strong, but without anger, and your Thoughts be pure from that which infects the lower strata of the earth’s atmosphere. Let the fire of the divine Will penetrate deeply within your soul, and elevate your mind to the highest regions of thought.
3. Obtain the sacred Fire.
It is not of man’s making; it cannot be bought, but it is given for nothing to those who deserve it.
4. Then follow Multiplication and Increase, for which purpose weight and measure are necessary. Weigh all things with the scales of justice, and measure them by the rule of reason.
5. The fifth is the Application, that is to say the Projection upon the metals.
This will be accomplished by nature without artificial aid.”

In the “Pronaos of the Temple of Wisdom” by Franz Hartmann