Bonds of spirit, bonds of sisterhood. That is the glue that binds us together. In our blood and bones the cosmic web of life thrives.
Cocooned in the wintering womb of Gaia, earth goddess, mother nature - our inner self and all or creation hibernates within - infinite and insulated.
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| elemental sisters - water, earth, air, fire |
"The psyches and souls of women
also have their own cycles and seasons
of doing and solitude,
running and staying,
being involved and being removed,
questing and resting,
creating and incubating,
being of the world and
returning to the soul-place."
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The Three Fates by Alexander Rothaug (ca. 1910). Jack Kilgore Gallery |
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| Mohammed Aziz, a bookseller in the Medina in Rabat - photo by Bjørn Ihler |
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| 75 years ago the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law. |
This Halloween season it is a real treat to read the novel, Circe by American writer Madeline Miller. This adaptation is derived from various Greek myths set during the Greek Heroic Age. Told from the perspective of Circe - the first witch in western literature.
The novel explores Circe's origin story and narrates this contentious sorceress' encounters with humans, gods, monsters and all sorts of mythical creatures - on her own road to revelation.
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| book cover art |
Welcome to eclipse season, the biannual period where back-to-back eclipses sow their usual chaos.
As if the summer's dual retrogrades of Mercury and Venus were not enough these October eclipses are the pivotal grand finale of our 2023 astrological year.
eclipse viewers image by Dave Davidson
The October 2023 eclipse season features an annular solar eclipse on October 14 visible in the Americas. A shallow partial lunar eclipse also happens on October 28 visible from the eastern Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Autumn Equinox or Mabon is a psychological reset - a time to balance the energies of summer against the energies of winter - life cycling to death. It’s a time to center and ground ourselves as we move into the dark time of the year - a time to go within and nurture our inner lives.
Opposite to the Spring Equinox, autumn equinox like full moon energy brings the outcome of intentions we set in spring.
What have we learned to harvest since the Spring Equinox - the astrological new year? How will that harvest nurture us over the winter? What can we use and plant into our soul’s soil for next year?
For those of you who follow us, Sandra Ingerman is a beloved teacher and healer we post about regularly.
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| image credit, Eky Rima Nurya Ganda |
With the publication and launch of my coloring book, Mandala Cycles, I circle back to the cause and inspiration that led to its creation initially.
Within its intricate circular patterns, there are common symbols throughout mandalas. Traditionally, they depict an abstract form of Buddha Mind.
Most common sacred symbols are the wheel, tree, flower, or jewel. At its center the dot - representing being free of dimensions. The starting point, the beginning of contemplation, and devotion to the divine.
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| coloring book art by Issa Urra - image by MayeeFab |
From there, the center expands outward - lines and geometrical patterns symbolize the universe. All these encompassed by the outer circle - representing the cyclical nature of life.
We sure are being tested this August - best to harness all the spiritual power and heart centered support we can muster. Can we keep our fiery, knee-jerk reactions in check - especially when triggered? Staying cool in this August heat wave takes willpower and discipline plus lots of emotional support.
Between two super full moons bookending the month as well as both Mercury and Venus going into retrograde - it may be a good time to retreat and lie low for now. Maybe even go off the grid and be out into nature.
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| twin full moons & dual retrogrades magnify fiery energies |
Definitely take a break from being online for a digital detox. Head into your personal laboratory to experiment and explore. Away from the prying eyes and nosy phonies. Relieve any pressure - physical or virtual. Create a pocket sanctuary to restore clarity and balance.
Leo is the sun’s home sign - motivating all zodiac signs to bravely open up their hearts and shine! Shine! SHINE! The Venus Star Point of August 13 may present some breakthroughs around values, relationships, and more.
where do I call home?
it isn't there
it isn't here
it's wherever we come together
under the same roof
Mahala and I
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| mantra prayer & graphics by bhaktiCD.org |
together - as we have
so rarely been
all our lives
living our lives
in separate places
making our space work
however it is
wherever we are
whatever we do
you and me
here we are
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| mantra & prayer |
In our mind's eye it is easy to imagine Benjamin Franklin - a founding father of the United States of America - as old, fat, balding or how he is often depicted in his official and public portraits.
Among Americas best and brightest - Benjamin Franklin only had two years of formal education. Despite being almost entirely self taught he was a hit writer by his teen years and remained a successful author - much sought after for his original ideas and insights.
He was one of the first volunteer firefighting companies in America. He printed a new currency for New Jersey based on innovative anti-counterfeiting techniques he had devised.
Benjamin Franklin was many things in his lifetime - a printer, a postmaster, an ambassador, an author, a scientist, a Founding Father. Above all, he was an inventor - creating solutions to common problems, innovating new technology, and even making life a little more musical.
Benjamin Franklin’s legacy of lifelong learning lives on at The Franklin Institute with its mission to help people understand science and technology to empower through critical thinking and decision making.
The institute also participates in and advocates for the free exchange of evidence-based, peer-reviewed scientific research and ideas - just as its founding father dedicated his life to.
May we continue to build on this foundation and be active and generous contributors as well.
Bali beckons East West Women for a week of transformational exploration. The enchanting journey of voice and the powerful medicine of healing instruments opens us up to reconnect, discover, and develop our creative essence.
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| Ganesha at the entrance of Askara |
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| UN Headquarters posted image |
Since that time, more than two million peacekeepers from 125 countries have since served in 71 operations around the world. Today, 87,000 women and men are serving in 12 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
The 2023 theme is, “Peace Begins with Me” - recognizing the contribution and efforts of UN peacekeepers alongside many partners including the communities they serve to secure peace and progress.
To celebrate we are posting this sweet collection of WWII naked soldiers - capturing their joy and innocence as well as the beauty and strength of their bodies and spirit.
Rare photographs of naked soldiers and marines from the Second World War show another side of warfare. Moments of relief, where men who were barely out of their teenage years got through daily life with the support of friendships made both on the front line and in moments of down time.
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| featured article on Vogue France |
Click through some of these beautiful photographs from the collection, My Buddy. World War II Laid Bare published by Taschen, second edition.
May we care better for all our brave troops all over the world who have dedicated themselves to support and keep us safe - and pay the deadly cost many of us are unable or unwilling to.
Together, may we all care better for ourselves and our world.
Sharing this calendar from Reiki Rays - Planting Seeds of Hope Reiki Calendar May 2023
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| Portrait of an Ojibway Girl, Minnesota, Roland Reed |
A passage from Art Solomon’s book, Songs for the People: Teachings on the Natural Way (NC Press) describes Aboriginal society prior to the arrival of Europeans.
“We were not perfect, but we had no jails, we had no taxes…no wine and no beer, no old peoples’ homes, no children’s aid society, we had no crisis centres. We had a philosophy of life based on the Creator. We had our humanity.”
Grandfather, Great Spirit
I give you thanks
That we can sit here
In this circle of Life,
We send Prayers
And the very best thoughts
Grandmother Great Spirit
As we raise this sacred pipe
To give thanks to you
y And to all of your Creation,
We give thanks
To the spirit helpers
Who came and sat among us.
Grandfather, Most sacred one,
These are your prayers
That we send to you
As we sit here together and pray
Beltane arrives officially on May 1 but astrologically when the Sun hits 15* Taurus on May 5, 2023. May 5 is also a Scorpio full moon and lunar eclipse.
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| @EcoDeoNY on Instagram |
May is a month charged with electric energy and intensified by the influence of Mercury and Pluto in retrograde. We have the opportunity to embark on a powerful journey of self-discovery and transformation.
This period encourages us to examine our hidden strengths and weaknesses and confront our deepest fears. May is the perfect time to unleash our inner adventurer, boldly explore new opportunities, and deepen our understanding of ourselves and our place in the Universe.
May’s electric energy sparks a desire within us to break free from the familiar and take daring leaps. Fueled by the excitement of adventure, we can harness this energy to broaden our horizons, explore new territories, and welcome transformative changes.
Have our gadgets and devices developed bad social posture among us? Isolating in this pandemic has made things even worse.
Many may want to get back in social shape though the struggle is apparent. Have we forgotten how to hang out?
Can we just drop by a friend's house. Call someone without scheduling first? Or do we just assume that everyone is super busy or super planned out?
Do we think any second we are not being productive is a waste? Hanging Out by Sheila Liming is a call to fight against that drumbeat.
Virginia Woolf quote @eastwestwomen
"I think of this as kind of like seizing time and taking it back from where it's been stolen from us — and that includes the work day that has just extended beyond all means of rationality. . . . Hanging out is productive, and the thing that it produces is our relationships with each other. . . . Take off your coats. Pull up a chair. Grab yourself a beverage. Hang out for a bit.”
Are we challenged to unplug? Do we need help finding our inner slacker? Maybe we have lost the art of hanging out - that's no reason to not try though.
Who knows what can happen? We could surprise ourselves.
As humanity evolves so too should behavior and action adjust to the delicate balance of what was then and what is now. There are bound to be missed steps or missteps along the way. It is all part of the learning process.
As in the case of the recent bruhaha over the released video of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama having a young boy suck his tongue. Shock waves were sent out all over the world over this.
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| affection or abuse? |
As such adjustment is needed to consider all others as part of this leadership. With the release of an apology from his camp we can admit this was a miscalculated misunderstanding.
In further context here is an explanation of the Tibetan tradition, Eat My Tongue or “Che La Sa.”
@TibetCollective
The Dalai Lama retired as the political head of his exiled government in 2011 but remains the spiritual leader for 6.7 million Tibetans worldwide and a symbol of their struggle.
His work spanning several decades involves drawing global support for the linguistic and cultural autonomy of his remote, mountainous homeland - which was annexed by China in 1951.
In 1989, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Let us hope he will be remembered well for his good works and contribution to our world.
Stress and poor mental health are one of the biggest public health challenges that we face. Sadly we are do not take its impact seriously enough. We continue to separate mental health from physical health and vice versa.
The reality is they are inseparable - two sides of the same proverbial coin. There is no health without mental. Stress is a major deterrent to mental health that can lead to numerous health problems.
From physical problems - like heart disease, insomnia, digestive issues, immune system challenges, etc. To more deep rooted mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
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| from distress to de-stress |
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 - to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic. It is time and opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress.
Time devoted to removing the guilt, shame, and stigma around mental health. To discuss stress and its effects. Open up about our mental and emotional state among friends, families, colleagues, and professionals. Take action.
Here is a Lenten season commission article I wrote for Negros Season of Culture. Featuring the procession of family heirloom saints and their floats from our hometown of Talisay on Negros Island.
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| “Prusisyon # 10” by Aeson Baldevia |
The Holy Week procession is a re-enactment of the passion of Jesus Christ. The last four days of Lent are the highlight of the season. These saints and the floats they are carried on are polished and bedecked in all their glory.
The prominent families who own them and have poured their time and resources into their care and maintenance take pride in sharing this commitment and dedication with all participating residents and visitors.
The streets are filled with many devoted procession followers and curious onlookers packed along the route – eager to witness the blessed statues of saints [santos] in their opulent and ornate floats [carrozas].
These holy heirloom figures are venerated objects treated as sacred relics - having been with their families for generations. Some were brought here from Spain over a century ago.
Our holy week reflection and contemplation coincides with the Libra full moon this April 2023.
What fuels the passion to uphold these century-old traditions? Is it the hope and fervor passed on to succeeding descendants? Or the significance of our culture and identity as an essential Lenten celebration?
The Lenten season may only be an extended weekend break for some. Yet for devoted followers who continue this tradition it is a reminder of family, fealty, and a renewal of faith.
