Pray to end abortion, pray to change the heart of our president, pray to bring the believer back to the Altar.

Thanksgiving – Psalms 95:2

Simplicity – 2 Corinthians 1:12

Reverence – Psalms 89:7, Hebrews 12:28

Truth – John 17:17

Significance – 1 Corinthians 14:10

Love – Proverbs 10:12

Forgiveness – Matthew 6:14

Power – Acts 2:1-2, 4:31

Faith – James 5:15

Jesus prayed. Matthew 26:39

Here are Ways #s 4 and 5 from the last post which promised you 5 Ways to Be More Great-full (Boost Your Gratitude Attitude)…

#4: FAMILY (or couple’s) GRATITUDE BOOK
We just spent a very pleasant hour doing this great art & writing interactive project. So simple and yet so meaningful and fun! Quality family time!

We do not watch television, nor do our children. We are dedicated to parenting consciously and strive to support a vibration of love in our household. Yet, given that my husband and I are both entrepreneurs, with seven businesses between the two of us, and given that our children are still quite young, we know how important and sometimes challenging it can be to come up ideas (not to mention time, energy and materials) for positive family experiences.

I myself am about the least craftsy person you will ever meet and can draw a stick figure on a good day! So believe me when I tell you: Yes, you CAN do this project, and probably with what’s already available in your home. It really ranks high on simple, high on fun, high on memorable, and low on expense. (I can NEVER do those Origami things, puuleeeeeazzze, can we talk?)

Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to do this Family Gratitude Book…but of course so is any day that ends in “y.” Monday, Tuesday…. Enjoy!

Materials:

All you need is:

Some blank paper (we used printer or copy paper, white)

Construction paper

Ribbon or brass brads to secure the book

Markers, pencils, hole punch and/or scissors

Optional: Stickers, stamps, other art supplies, scrapbook, photos

Definitely: A little bit of time and lots of love!

We started by making a brainstormed list of everything we are grateful for. You can do this any way you like; follow your own creative impulses & inspiration. We have four family members, so I decided to color code what we wrote on this collective page or you could just all write and draw without attributing who said/drew what, or make a chart, have sections of the page, etc. The things my 6-year-old called out first were written in yellow, my 10-year-old chose blue, I picked purple and my husband green. We made a color key on the page and wrote and drew various things we are thankful for: Our dog came first, followed by a lovely torrent such as family and friends, food, a good home, music, the Earth, music, health, God, life and so on.

Then I gave each family member a separate page on which to do whatever they like, the only requirement being that whatever is on the page relates to or represents what they are thankful for. We stuck in some more blank pages, so we can add more later as we are inspired.

The kids each got to pick a color for the front and back covers. The older did the words, the younger did the drawings. We punched holes, added brads, all signed the masterpiece and voila! A Family Gratitude Book.

Not only a wonderful way to spend part of our Thanksgiving Day, but a precious keepsake, and, I trust, a new family tradition as well. We will be sharing this book with family all weekend long and inviting them to add to it as well. And of course, it can be done any day! Every day bears its own gifts if we just open the package.

Today we focused mainly on what we are thankful for in our current lives (now), but we could also include wonderful memories (past) and gratitude for all the blessings on the way! (future)

Alternative for Couples: You can also do this as a Couple’s Gratitude Book or Journal, a beautiful way to show appreciation and deepen connection. So few marriages last or are happy, as we all know, and I am blessed to have a deliriously, deLIGHTfully ecstatic marriage, 12 years strong and better every day. One of the reasons is of course, the selection of the right mate; but in order to do so, we had to do the necessary self-healing and inner preparation to bring whole, healthy individuals to the relationship. Much of this work is presented in my book: The Radical Self-Love Workbook. But it is also essential to nurture even the best of relationships, and my husband and I do so daily in many creative ways such as this.

More tips on love and relationships are at

www.LoveandSpirit.org

and at my love blog: loveandspiritblog.wordpress.com.

Whether you do the Gratitude Book as a homemade book like we did today, like a scrapbook or journal, and whether you do it as a family activity or a couple’s relationship-enhancer, it will help you see your life through the eyes of love and gratitude, and bring you even closer with those you love. Enjoy! And I welcome you to send me a comment or email to share your experience.

#5: Honor the 4 Directions and 4 Sacred Elements:

Earth, Air, Fire, Water

You do not have to be Native American to appreciate one of their traditions, which is to honor the Medicine Wheel, facing each of the four directions, thanking each one for their gifts. This is also a tradition in all indigenous cultures including pre-Christian Europe (a.k.a. Wicca, Druidry, paganism, et al.), Africa, Australia, Hawaii and South America.

In fact, if you scratch the surface beneath contemporary religions on any part of the Earth, you will find an ancient shamanic tradition that honors all the directions and all of nature as sacred.

All things follow this cycle of birth, growth, fruition and quietude, whether we are looking at seasons, a lifespan, a day, or a garden. The beauty of Medicine Wheel ceremony and the paradigm itself is that it can be applied to our lives in so many ways.

So how do you honor the directions and elements, to give thanks for what they give to us so generously? Here are a few ideas:

* Altar: Create an altar to each direction or a Medicine Wheel altar encompassing all the directions/elements. This can be in your home or outside. My husband specializes in creating Medicine Wheels as a sacred practice on the land, and has helped others to do this as well.

* Cherokee Dance of Life – You would need to learn this in person from someone who has learned it, oral tradition. This is an incredible moving meditation to all 4 directions, peoples, and elements which also honors Mother Earth and Father Sky, balances their energies as sacred partners in our hearts, and helps us give away the gifts of Spirit that are our special medicine to share with the world through our right work and service. Occasionally my husband and I share this Dance with our community. If you live near Sacramento, and would like to experience this dance, let us know so we can invite you. Or perhaps Spirit will guide you to another teacher of this beautiful tradition.

* Drum, chant, play flute to each direction

* Give offerings such as cornmeal, tobacco or sage smoke to each direction

* Speak aloud from your heart to each direction and give thanks

* Sweat lodge

* Vision quest

If you do either sweat lodge or vision quest, please do so with the guidance of a Native elder to be sure you do it properly and safely.

* Journal or journey (shamanic meditation) to discover what power animals comprise your personal Medicine Wheel of your own energy field. I love to lead these meditations when I am called to do so. Honoring your own inner Medicine Wheel supports a strong aura and keeps you connected to your spirit guides, if this resonates for you.

Associations with Each Direction

Depending on which culture or even which tribe you consult, there are somewhat different associations with the directions, colors, elements and meanings, the medicine or power that direction helps us receive and embody. The one I am most familiar with follows but this is not dogma, merely a summary of what I have found to be the more universal associations. Follow your own heart and work with any spiritual practice in the way that resonates for your own heart and inner truth.

While I have a small amount of native blood, I was adopted and was not raised in that tradition. I discovered shamanism after my initiation and spiritual awakening 15 years ago. I do not claim to be a tribal elder or teacher of any one tradition. I am an interfaith minister, meditation teacher, hypnotherapist, energy healer and intuitive life coach. I have been on the path of Spirit, studying, practicing and sharing healing and wisdom teachings from many cultures for several decades, so I offer here a simplified summary as a starting point for your discovery journey. You would do well to study more in depth with a local teacher steeped in the particular tradition that calls to your spirit, and of course feel free to research further on the Web, in books, classes, and listen to your own inner guidance. I always say the best way to pray, do ceremony or ritual is the way that feels best to you, with harm to none, of course. But we do need to honor the specific traditions so they are not all diluted through multiculturalism.

From the East we have the yellow people (Asia) and the gift of Air, Brother Wind, clarity of vision, inspiration, the new day, new beginnings, establishment of purpose and intention, and springtime.

From South, we receive the wisdom of the black people (Africa), Fire. The tools, strength, perseverance and energy to follow through and manifest, midday/ noon, summer, also humor and passion, innocence and trust.

The West gives us the culture of the Red people (such as Native Americans), the setting sun, Water, emotions, the fall season, self-evaluation toward completion, looks-within time, peace, rest and healing.

And the North represents the White (European) people and all their cultural gift. The sacred mountain, winter, midnight, time to slow down, go within and be still to receive guidance for what comes next. Completion, what you keep from the past cycle and all that you have accomplished and learned. It is also associated with the Spirit and wisdom.

Note: You can also honor the other 3 directions: Earth (below), Sky (above) and Center (within).

I hope you enjoyed these five creative ways to give thanks and I wish you abundant blessings on your journey!

Finally, in the spirit of Sufi mystic poet Rumi, I invite you to kiss the ground. Blow kisses to the sky. Bow to everything. Everything is sacred.

With Love,

Sage

More resources for your path, including free special reports on abundance, love, transformational classes, soul and energy healing sessions, intuitive readings, matchmaking and more are at:

www.LoveandSpirit.org

Taylor@LoveandSpirit.org

“Let the beauty we love be what we do.

There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”

- Rumi

Como dijo César: Venimus, Vidimus, Vicimus!  Algo por el estilo.

Supimos cumplir.

El fin de semana del 21 y 22 de noviembre los practicantes de Kuoshu de Colonia, sede uruguaya de la escuela Sang Wu Kwan, asistimos al Torneo de los Cinco Elementos que se llevó a cabo en el marco del 1er Encuentro Nacional de Kuoshu, organizado por AMAMARCH y que tuvo lugar en el Polideportivo Parque Avellaneda en Buenos Aires.

Además de las competencias de combate y formas tanto de Tai Chi como de Kung Fu, fuimos testigos de espectaculares exhibiciones en los distintos estilos en puño y armas que forman parte del rico acervo cultural chino.

Para varios de nosotros fue la primera toma de contacto, tanto para los que compitieron (en combate y en formas), como para los que estuvimos allí alentando y apoyándolos en lo que necesitaran.  Una evento muy rico, por cierto, no sólo por los logros obtenidos (medalla de oro, plata y bronce en formas en dos categorías, más dos medallas de oro y dos de plata en combate —para alquilar balcones!— en tres categorías), sino por la experiencia adquirida y sobre todo los contactos realizados y la gente que conocimos, que nos enriqueció estimulándonos a superarnos, tanto por sus conocimientos y habilidades, como por su don de gente y su espíritu.

Juan, José, Mario, Guillermo, Lucas, María y quien pueda quedarme en el tintero: fue un placer y un honor conocerlos… y compartir esos mates.

Desde este humilde lugar, quiero agradecer a nuestro instructor Roberto Baruzzi y muy especialmente a nuestro Maestro, Gustavo Pereira, por su generosidad y su hospitalidad.

Es para mí un privilegio.

P.D.: Los que tuvieron la inmensa amabilidad de colaborar con el grupo, sepan que no fue en vano.  Hicimos rendir todos y cada uno de los kilos de asado que vendimos!

You will need:

• Green paper/card
• Googlie eyes
• White and Pink paper/card
• Pipe Cleaners
• Stickers, glitter
• PVA glue and sticky tape

You can either scale down the template from the following link   http://www.hostessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/uploaded_images/paper_cone_template.pdf  or you can use a compass to draw a circle 8cm in diameter and then a protractor to mark off 210 degrees on your circle. Either way you want to do this on green card.

Cut out the circle, then the two portions and retain your waste. This forms the body and you can decorate it in any way you like.

Put to one side and take the waste and cut out two boot shapes. Bend the pipe cleaner in half and stick the two boots on the ends. Take the body and roll into a cone with the pipe cleaner sticking no more than 1cm above the edge (you want to be able to see the boots below the cone)

Now take the green, pink and white paper/card and cut an oval of pink, a beard shape of white and a hat of green. Stick together to make Father Christmas’ face and add the googly eyes in place.

Tie a peice of sting to the pipe cleaner to create a hanging loop and then secure Father Cristmas’ face to the pipe cleaner.

Now he’s ready to hang on you tree or about your house.

A nice variation of this would be a green man and earth/moon goddess as altar decorations. The Greenman would need to be all in green whilst the Earth goddess could also be in greens and browns, just use wool for hair. The moon goddess would look lovely in black/deep blue and white.

Last night I dreamt that the British actress Lesley-Anne Down had just arrived in the U.S. as a penniless immigrant. (In the dream, she was not a famous actress.) I was in the lobby of a homeless shelter for men, located in the Georgetown area of Seattle. I was trying to get the employees there to help me locate a women’s shelter. They handed me a phone book, but the listings were in some sort of crazy semi-alphabetical order that I could not make any sense of. Finally, one of the employees told me there was a women’s shelter in Greenwood. In the dream, I thought I knew where it was, even though I know of no such shelter in real life.

I left the men’s shelter and went out to the white car, where my friend Steve and Lesley-Anne were waiting. Steve is single, so I was hoping that he and Lesley would hit it off. However, when I got into the car, Steve was visibly upset and I found out that Lesley talked him into turning himself into the police for some minor offense. (I can’t remember what it was, but possibly a hit-and-run with minor injuries. Note that this type of irresponsible behavior is extremely uncharacteristic of the real-life Steve.) In the dream, the offense happened some time ago and was over and done with, and I told him that I thought it extremely foolish to turn himself in. But he seemed to feel that he needed to do it for his conscience.

When trying to make sense of this dream, I thought back to Mambo C’s tarot reading, and the conflicting male/female energies in my life. The dream may be expressing my own conflicts between objective efficiency (potentially ruthless) and subjective morality (which has the potential to make me indecisive, vulnerable and obsessive over the past). It’s tricky sometimes to find the middle road.

I’m still making adjustments to my shelf that holds the shrines for La Sirene, Agwe, Erzulie and Ogoun. At the back of Agwe’s shrine, I placed an image of a whaling boat (although I do not think of it as such) with a crew full of either dogs or wolves that was part of an Inuit art calendar.  The artist is Pudlo Pudlat [Canadian Inuit, 1916-1992]; the title of the piece is “Animal Whalers II.” I like this image a lot, and once I added the word “IMMAMOU” in white paint, it fit in perfectly. I am not really satisfied with the sea turtle as a representation of Agwe, although I do like the turtle and it will remain in the shrine. I spent the week searching online for an affordable Neptune or Poseidon statue that would fit on my shelf, all to no avail. There was one interesting ceramic statue of “Prince Neptune” on Etsy that I liked a lot. It was affordable, but turned out to be a bit too large for the available space. In the end, I found a nice Neptune bust on eBay that is meant to be placed in an aquarium. It even has a gold crown and some blue/green jewels on it. I don’t know why I didn’t think of aquarium figures before. They are both the right size and affordable.

I want to get something larger for Erzulie, but I am not sure what yet, either a figure or a larger image. I saw a couple of things online that I liked, but have not yet made a decision.

I came home from work one day last week to find La Sirene’s expensive mermaid mirror had tumbled off the shelf onto the cats’ ceramic water dish below, breaking the dish in two. I am a bit puzzled as to how the mirror fell down. I had it balanced upright (handle down) so that La Sirene could see her own reflection, but it had been leaning towards the back of the shelf and should not have fallen forward.

My first thought was that Luna, my younger cat who likes to mess with everything, had gotten up on the shelf and knocked the mirror down. However, on close examination, I could not find anything else that appeared to be disturbed. What’s also interesting is that the mirror itself did not sustain any damage whatsoever: no chips or scratches, much to my relief.

I am not sure what this means, if anything. I do not want to be one of those people who reads metaphysical meaning into every single event. So my list of possible theories are:

• The mirror managed to fall somehow in a way that I did not anticipate. Mundane and entirely possible.
• La Sirene is irritated at me about something, perhaps because she is sharing her shelf with 3 other lwa. One of them is her husband, but perhaps she isn’t pleased about sharing with Erzulie or Ogoun. I hope this isn’t the case, as I really have limited space, although it might explain why the mirror didn’t sustain any damage.
• La Sirene is irritated at Luna for attempting to disturb the shelf and the mirror fell to scare the cat away.
• Erzulie is unhappy that La Sirene’s shrine has nicer things in it (including offerings and a better avatar) and threw the mirror.  I am working on improving Erzulie’s area, but it’s not going to be immediate.

I am not sure which of these is true, so have resigned myself to once again wait and see what happens next.  In the meantime, my studies continue. I also want to set up a shrine area for the Ghede. I’m waiting for a skeletal bride/groom figure to arrive that I ordered from Gargoyles. I also put a partial payment on an original painting that I fell in love with at  Gargoyles last week. The painting is a portrait of a skeleton guy wearing a suit and tie. A crown floats above his head and between his grinning teeth he holds a lit cigarette. I laughed and thought of the Baron when I saw it. It should make a nice counterpiece to the steampunk Brigitte print I recently ordered from Etsy. I can’t wait for it to arrive.

Un altar maias care dateaza din secolele 2-3 i.Hr. a fost descoperit de catre arheologi in parcul national Tak””alik Ab””aj, situat pe coasta de est a Guatemalei, fapt ce constituie o premiera, spun specialistii, potrivit Mediafax.

Daca acest altar ar fi fost descoperit in nordul tarii, in zona maiasa Peten, “acest lucru nu ar fi reprezentat o noutate, dar pentru ca a fost descoperit pe coasta este un eveniment pentru lumea arheologiei, intrucat se demonstreaza ca acesta ar putea fi locul de nastere al culturii maiase”, a declarat Miguel Orrego Corzo, directorul parcului arheologic.

Atarul masoara 1,20 metri latime, 1,50 metri inaltime si 40 de centimetri grosime.

Acest altar “are pe suprafata sa sculptura unei broaste testoase, stilul fiind olmec, o alta civilizatie precolumbiana, si contine in mijloc un personaj cu o coafura maiasa si o haina specifica si care sta pe un tron, cu picioarele incrucisate”, a precizat Christa Schieber, directorul santierului de excavatii.

De asemenea, aceasta a mai spus ca descoperirea altarului, care dateaza din 10 martie, dar care a fost facuta publica abia saptamana aceasta, ar putea aduce indicii cu privire la fondatorul unei dinastii si la numele de origine al orasului.

…  it was time for the consecration of the Chalice. Again, bowing low and pronouncing clearly and distinctly but in a low voice:  Hic est enim calix sanguinis mei, novi et æterni testamenti; mysterium fidei; qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem pecatorum. Haec quotiescumque feceritis in mei memoriam facietis (for this is the cup of my Blood, of the new and eternal covenant; the mystery of faith; which will for the many be shed unto the remission of sins. When so ever you do this, you do it in my memory). But then, I heard another sound this time an undeniable moan and then a shriek as some one cried out: “Leave me alone Jesus! Why do you torture me!” Suddenly a scuffling as some one ran out with the groaning sound of having been injured. The back doors swung open, then closed. Then silence.

I could not turn to look for I was raising the Chalice high over my head. But I knew in an instance that some poor demon-tormented soul had encountered Christ in the Eucharistic and could not endure his real presence displayed for all to see. And the words of Scripture occurred to me: Even Demons believe and tremble (James 2:19).

Read the whole story

Kleines Weiheritual für magische Gegenstände wie z.B. Zauberstäbe, Athame, Amulette, etc.

Magischer Arbeitsplatz

Magische Gegenstände sollten vor ihrer Benutzung gereinigt und auf ihren Besitzer “gemünzt” werden. Fremdenergien könnten sonst die magische Arbeit negativ beeinflussen bzw. der Zauber gar nicht erst funktionieren. Es gibt sicherliche viele Varianten und Möglichkeiten dieses Ritual durchzuführen. Da ich gerne auch bei der Magie mit den Engeln arbeite hier nun ein Vorschlag für ein Weiheritual von mir! Natürlich könnt ihr den Text entsprechend abändern, es soll immer für den einzelnen absolut stimmig sein und man soll sich dabei wohl fühlen.

Ich benötige für dieses Ritual folgende Dinge:
- den zu weihenden Gegenstand (Athame, Kelch, Amulette, etc.)
- reinigendes Räucherwerk
- eine schwarze oder weiße Kerze
- Quellwasser (ich hole es bei uns in den Bergen bei einer kleinen Quelle – solltest Du diese Mögichkeit nicht haben solltest Du das Leitungswasser in einem Ritual segnen lassen)
- Salz

Ich führe Rituale dieser Art immer gern in Anwesenheit der Mondgötting (also an Vollmond) und im Lichte des Vollmondes (also draussen) durch.

****

Zum Ablauf des kleinen Rituals:
Ich rufe die Engel des Lichtes um mir in diesem Ritual beizuwohnen. Ich bitte die Engel des Lichtes [Name des Gegenstandes] zu segnen. Ich bitte Die Engel des Lichtes um Schutz für dieses heilige Ritual.

Um diesen Raum/Platz/Ritual zu schützen rufe ich Erzengel Michael, ich rufe das Licht der göttlichen Ordnung. Blaues Licht umgibt mich und schenkt mir Schutz und Stärke.

Vor die Legionen des Lichtes bringe ich nun [Name des Gegenstandes], um es für meine magische Arbeit zu aktivieren, damit es mir in jeder Situation Segen bringt. Ich widme [Name des Gegenstandes] der göttlichen Quelle, dem göttlichen Licht, damit es sich durch mich entfalten kann.

Führe nun den Gegenstand dreimal durch den Rauch der reinigenden Räucherung.

Durch die Kraft der Elemente, durch die Kraft der Luft, durch den Willen der heiligen Engel seist du jetzt gereinigt. Alles wofür du verwendet wirst, wird nur zum Wohle aller dienen.

Jetzt führst Du das Werkzeug dreimal durch die Flamme der weißen oder schwarzen Kerze.

Durch die Kraft der Elemente, durch die Stärke des Feuers, durch den Willen der heiligen Engel seist du jetzt gereinigt. Alles wofür du verwendet wirst, wird nur zum Wohle aller dienen.

Jetzt nehme das Quellwasser und besprenkle mit ein paar Tropfen den Gegenstand.

Durch die Kraft der Elemente, durch die Kraft des Wassers, durch den Willen der heiligen Engel seist du jetzt gereinigt. Alles wofür du verwendet wirst, wird nur zum Wohle aller dienen.

Berühre nun den Gegenstand mit dem Salz oder wenn du draußen bist mit der Erde.

Durch die Kraft der Elemente, durch die Stärke der Erde, durch den Willen der heiligen Engel seist du jetzt gereinigt. Alles wofür du verwendet wirst, wird nur zum Wohle aller dienen.

Halte den Gegenstand vor Dir in die Luft (wenn Du draußen bist bei Vollmond gegen den Mond).

[Name des Gegenstandes] sei nun gesegnet, jetzt und für alle Zeit!

Ich danke den heiligen Legionen des Lichtes für Ihre Hilfe und Beistand und schließe nun dieses heilige Ritual.

****

Ich wünsche Euch ein erfolgreiches Ritual!

I am taking a break from my studying and putting some thoughts down on what happened before church on Sunday.  It was really a great experience I just wish I had gotten a picture.  On Sunday I brought my son with me to church in the morning and he was being his very cute 18-month old self, wandering around and exploring while I was setting up.

During that time of setting up, my son crawled on the Altar rail and was playing with the fringe of the Altar colors.  He was fascinated with the gold-colored tassels.  He stood there and just played with them for like five minutes standing on the altar rail in awe of what these gold-colored things were and what they could mean and what they were for.

watching him move his hands across the fringe with a contemplative look on his face was precious and it got me thinking, maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said “come to me like a child?”

But then I was thinking that maybe this is what Paul meant when he said we can now come boldly before the throne of God?

Maybe it isn’t about arrogance but about childlike innocence and awe and wonder about God? That maybe approaching God with boldness is about awe and wonder about what God has done and what God continues to do in our life.

What if this is also the idea of what it means to live as a Christian? What if we lived in simple awe and wonder of God’s creation around us? Would that mean less pollution? Less greed? Less violence? Less divorce? Less hurting those we love?

Would all of that happen because we are constantly in awe and wonder of the things around us that God created? I think so, maybe it sounds simple, but if we spend more time in the awe and wonder of God and his creation maybe we would be better off?

So then, what if both of these ideas are connected? Being in awe of God’s creation is coming before God’s throne? The Psalms talk about the earth as the footstool of God, does that mean we are in awe of God’s footstool?

This could have some interesting outcomes because it could mean that when we actually take care of Earth because we are in awe of God’s creation we are connecting to the God who created it? Not that we worship earth but that it points us to God, like the Altar colors and the Altar rail?

This seems like a stretch but it also seems like it might change our very way of thinking and acting in relation to all that God has created.

Does it matter which way a church faces? The scripture readings this weekend were about the end of the world, and the second coming of the Son of Man. I chose to speak about the physical orientation of Christian churches: how it is an ancient tradition to build them on an east-west axis, so that you enter through the west door and face the sanctuary/altar at the east end. In this way you have a double symbolism: of Christ coming to meet you, like the rising sun, in the liturgy that you are celebrating; and Christ coming to meet you (soon, but not quite yet), at the end of time. So the sanctuary is a threshold that allows us to meet the divine now and to await the divine in the future.

This is all well-known, and doesn’t need blogging about. (See, for example, Part II, Chapter 3, of Joseph Ratzinger’s The Spirit of the Liturgy.) What was interesting though was preaching about this in a church in Clerkenwell in the centre of London, with two medieval examples just a stone’s throw away. Today’s St Paul’s Cathedral is of course not medieval, but I assume (please correct me) that it roughly follows the floor plan of the previous cathedral. It’s like an arrow on a huge compass at the centre of London, running perfectly east-west. Yes, it happens to sit tidily on the line of the river Thames at that point too; but it illustrates the way the geography of a Christian city can reflect the spiritual longings of the human soul – for a saviour, for God’s final Word to greet us at the end of our lives, and at the end of time.

The second example, just down the road from Clerkenwell, is St Etheldreda’s, Ely Place, in Holburn. This church does not sit at all tidily into its present environment. The east end faces the street, so there is no easy access, and you have to enter the church through a warren of corridors and steps. But once you are there, the same spiritual/geographical truth is apparent, that you enter from the west, from the darkness, and look towards the east, towards the hope of Christ’s coming - in this case represented by a glorious wall of stained-glass above the altar.

There will be hundreds of other examples. It was good to have these at hand on Sunday.

Landscape Design

Good luck,


Mark Goddard

Last Sunday I went to Mambo C’s house for a met tet reading. For those of you new to Vodou, a person’s met tet is the “master of their head,” a sort of Vodou guardian spirit. At any given time, a number of lwas may be with a person, but the met tet is the one you are born with.

Prior to my reading, the mambo had to finish up an interview with a student from out of town. The student had arrived 90 minutes late, so the interview ran late as well. As it turned out, we had only a very brief time to do my reading. The tarot cards had been laid out and Mambo C had barely begun reading them when Houngan D arrived. She had not gotten a clear impression of who my met tet was, although she had identified three lwa who were around me.

We discussed the reading a little with Houngan D, and he suggested I try working with Azaka, the lwa of agriculture. Houngan D asked me if my family had been farmers. I had to reply that they were not, as far as I knew. However, I never knew my father’s family (the Chinese side), so it’s possible some of them might have been farmers. I thought about Azaka, and did not have strong feelings one way or the other. Mambo C and I  never did get back to the cards that day, but she left them laid out on her dining room table and told me to give her a call later.

By the time we resumed the reading on Monday via telephone, Mambo C had carefully gone over the cards. While she was still not sure about my met tet, she did provide me with some interesting information.

La Sirene was very prominent in the reading, although the mambo did not think she was my met tet. However, this made me very happy, as it meant that La Sirene acknowledged my service to her. Erzulie was also present, although a little less prominently.  Also very prominent in the reading was Ogoun, the warrior lwa. The reading indicated some conflict between masculine and feminine energies, possibly related to the relationship with and between my parents. I found it interesting that the mambo saw this in the cards, as I grew up raised by a strong single mother with few positive male role models around, and certainly none who were around for any significant amount of time. She thought that the Ogoun energy manifested in the skill involved in sculpting, and the Erzulie/La Sirene energies manifested in my artistic abilities. She also thought that Agwe might be indicated, as he is married to both Erzulie and La Sirene. Both Ogoun and Agwe are associated with thunder and lightning, which reminded me of my close encounter with lightning back in December. On one website, Ogoun was associated with solitary predators, including panthers. Erzulie in her darker aspect (Erzulie Red Eyes) was also associated with big cats, which appeals to the therian in me.

She advised me to set up additional shrines for Erzulie, Ogoun and Agwe, so during the week I bought more candles and tried to find items to represent the new lwa in their shrines.

Mambo C mentioned that the Queen of Cups in the Rider Waite tarot deck represents Erzulie well. She is also commonly associated with Mater Dolorosa, a lovely white Mary wearing pearls and gold with a sword thrust into her heart. While killing time before meeting a friend on Wednesday, I stopped by Edge of the Circle Books and found a prayer card of Santa Barbara that I thought would work quite well. Saint Barbara is holding a cup and has a sword, although it isn’t piercing her heart. Her gown is white and her cloak is pinkish red (Erzulie’s color are white and pink).

While the guy was ringing up my card and candles, I looked down through the glass of the counter and my eyes fell on a cool metal pendant of Ogoun. The pendant was made of pewter and is basically a full body relief depicting the lwa as a modern soldier. It appealed to me both for its interpretation of Ogoun and for the artistic quality of the piece. Also, it seemed appropriate that his avatar be made of metal, as he is the lwa of iron. Of course I had to buy it.

That left me with the task of finding a representation for Agwe. Usually he is depicted by images of boats, but sea creatures can be used, as well as Saint Ulrich. I was having trouble finding an image or item that resonated for me. One sculpture that I saw in Pike Place Market of an Inuit man with a walrus face would have worked very well, but at $245 was out of the question. Finally, on Thursday, my girlfriend and I were at a gift shop in Belltown that sold a variety of well-sculpted plastic sea creatures. After pondering various dolphins, sharks, whales and a walrus, I settled on a small but highly detailed sea turtle with an appropriately intense expression and eyes that were nearly solid white, which gave him a mysterious otherworldly appeal. I will place some boat images behind him in his shrine.

So my plan is to set up these additional shrines today, serve these lwa, and hopefully at some point my met tet will identify itself.

Mambo C’s reading also indicated that my path into Vodou would not be a simple one, but instead full of twists and turns. And my thoughts to that were, “Ah. Just like the rest of my life.” Oh well. Sometimes when things come too easily, we appreciate them less.

Lastly, I’ve recently had some insights and ideas about the visitor in the blue dress that appeared to me twice, once on a bus ride and another time during meditation. On the bus ride, my impression of her was of an adult Native American, Latina or mulatto woman with long dark hair. In the meditation vision she appeared as a very dark skinned young African girl. I suspect this was La Sirene because of the similarity of the dress (both times it was blue with a repeated white pattern–blue and white, La Sirene’s colors). On one website I saw artwork of her with dual aspects, represented as two mermaids, one light skinned, one dark. This contrasts her benevolent and more dangerous aspects. The adult woman I saw had some maternal airs about her and may have been La Sirene’s protective, gentler aspect. I think the child represents La Sirene in her darker aspect, but “darker” in this sense would refer to the subconscious desires and instincts of the soul, or the part of the soul that is more spontaneous, unrestrained and childlike.

So with that, I take my leave to continue down my twisty turny path.

The “two witnesses” are somewhat of a mystery. There are many theories, but the point that is often missed by the speculators is the call and example to be faithful in dire times. Some commentators say that a literal, new Moses and Elijah will come, but the word meanings and context clearly point to the Church. Again, this misses the greater point of faithfulness (Rev. 1:6; 5:10). 

The controversies that arise in Revelation are exemplified in this text. As many commentators and speculators focus on who these two witnesses can be, the conjectures abound. The good, prevailing theories are that these are two humans who are faithful and God empowers them as courageous examples to the Church. They can be ordinary Christians, perhaps prophets in the Old Testament sense. The next controversy is about when they do appear; will it have been had been at the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. or will it be just before Jesus comes back. It is more probable, because of the Lamp stands, that they  are symbolic representatives of the two good, faithful churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia seen or given as a model for us to follow and not necessarily literal. But the defining is not as important as the actuality of their mission, which is faithfulness, and which means more and applies further and deeper than any theories that could all possibly be wrong (Deut. 17:6; 19:15).  

Questions to Ponder: 

1. What does it mean to you to be a witness? What needs to happen for you and people in your church to be better witnesses?

1. God is omniscient, which means He is all knowing; this also refers to His power and ability, in which all things are under His control and plan. In addition, He cares for and is active and involved in our lives personally and collectively as a Church. So, how does this fact affect your faith and plans in your life and church? (Because God is omniscient, I will….)

1. The goal of pagans and people who hate God is to get rid of anything that convicts them and points to truth. How do you feel about this? How does knowing this give you confidence in faith?

1. Have you ever considered your actions as ripples in a pond caused by throwing in a small stone? How so?

1. What can you do to be sure you have no reason or need to fear our Lord for the future? How can this help your reverence and trust in His protection and provision?

1. What does greatness in faith mean to you and your church? What would happen if your church took more seriously its call to model “greatness” or become people who exemplify true stature and character? In so doing, what would your church look like? How would it be impacting to its members and neighborhood?

1. If God showed you two great witnesses of faith, perseverance, and courage, what would they look like? What could you do to be like them?

© 2006 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.org

The Preterist view: They see this passage as a reference to Ezekiel. To measure is seen from Ezekiel, chaps 40-47, to divide from what is holy from what is profane and corrupt as what defines a true Temple of God; the results from the examination mean judgment and destruction. The call to remain pure and reform was rejected by the Jews and thus the Temple was destroyed (Is. 1:12; Jer. 10:16; 51:19; Ezek. 22:26; 40-43; Zech. 2:1-5; Dan. 7:25; Luke 21:24; Rev. 21:15-16). (Forty-two) 42 months is seen as the length of Nero’s war with the Christians and/or the siege of Jerusalem. The two witnesses seem to have baffled many in this camp, as it seems to point to a hole in their theory. (All these views have holes because our reasoning is limited and we tend to look to our own education and agendas, not at the big picture, and do not do all of the inductive research to see what the text is really saying.) Many see them as symbolic of a testimony to corrupt Judaism, as two literal people or prophets who are lost to history, as the “lamp stands” and “olive trees” from Zechariah 4:11-14, or as representative of the witnesses of Christ. Some have said they were Peter and James. 

The Futurist view: They see to “measure” as representing God’s ownership of his faithful during the tribulation and/or His preservation and protection of them. The “Temple of God” is seen as a new one, yet to be rebuilt, which, citing examples from Ezekiel, people in this camp see as an even essential prior to Christ’s return. However, a major exegetical, textual problem occurs with this view as the Temple had already been destroyed, then rebut twice, once right after Ezekiel’s prophecy and again under Herod. It was destroyed in 70 AD. The Temple represents faithfulness and/or the Church: the people of God and the “outer court” are seen as representing apostasy and/or the distinction of people remaining faithful or not during the tribulation. The “two witnesses” are viewed as literal forerunners to Christ’s return, those faithful ones who preach and prophecy during the tribulation, or that Moses or Enoch and Elijah actually come back to do that. The “42 months” and “1260” days are seen as the first half of the great Tribulation, the last half, or a time after the tribulation. 

The Idealist view: They see to “measure” as God’s awareness of His worshipers—those who are true and those who are not as referenced by the “outer court.” Also, this refers to apostasy invading the Church such as liberality and worldliness. (It is ironic that most who hold this view are mainline liberals.) The “Temple of God” is seen as the inner sanctum, the Holy of Holies where the high priest entered once a year to dust, which to this view refers to those who are true worshipers of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:6; 1 Pet. 2:5). (Forty-two) “42 months” is seen as grace, limiting the time of persecution (Dan. 7:25). The “two witnesses” refer to the church as a witness to the world from mission movements. “Sackcloth” refers to bringing the message of repentance. The “olive trees” refer to Zerubbabel and Joshua who were agents of restoration. “Fire from mouths” means those who bring harm to the Church will be judged. 

The Historicist view: They see to “measure” as to look over and examine the church and see what is real, true, and devout, and what is distorted from God’s call and God’s authority given to those who are to reform the Church. The “Temple of God” is seen as the church of true, devout believers drawing from other N.T. passages (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Thess. 2:4). The “outer court” or Court of the Gentiles is seen as the visible Church that becomes a corrupt institution, devoid of real, heartfelt worshipers, such as the Roman Catholic Church or liberalism. These were the indicators that gave the Reformers the vision and reassessment to reform the Church back to God and away from corruption which led to the Reformation. (Forty-two) “42 months” is seen as 1260 years, the duration of the Catholic Church and its persecution of true believers up to the Reformation. The “two witnesses” are representative of the faithful Christians who tried to reform and stand against the Catholic Church such as Huss and Wycliffe. The miraculous power given is seen as an instrument and reason for God’s judgments and/or clothed in God’s power (Deut. 32:2; Is. 55:10). “Fire from mouths” means the power of preaching and the power of the Spirit and/or from Jeremiah 5:14. The plagues are seen as the evils resulting from the corruption of the Church, such as wars and the inquisitions. 

• Measuring rod/Reed was a surveyors tool, made from cane plant, a type of bamboo that grew beside the Jordan river, and grew to a consistent 20 feet (Ezek. 40:3; Zech. 2:1-2).

• Measure. The Jewish mindset then believed that saying how vast and magnificent was the Temple was a way of praising God (Psalm 48:12-13; Ezek. 40:3-42:20; Zech 2:1-5). This term also refers to God’s omniscience, (that He is all knowing) that He cares and is active and involved in our lives personally and collectively as a Church. This also refers to God’s power and ability, and that all things are under His control and plan (Ezek. 40:1-43:17; Rev. 21:15).

• Go and measure. In ancient times to measure something meant you owned it or were claiming ownership of the item being measured, usually property. This meant that what was measured was claimed; it is mine and I have responsibility and direction over it. Here, it appears that John is claiming the Temple in the Lord’s Name, measuring and pointing to the rights to it for the Lord. 

• Temple of God. This represents God’s presence on Earth. This is not where He lives, as He is omnipresent and thus cannot be confined; rather, it is His representative and a place where people can worship Him. For those who feel Revelation was written after the Temple’s destruction around 90 A.D., this may refer to those who are left, His “remnant,” God’s chosen people. (Rev. 4:1-5:14). 

• Altar. The context is worship; this may imply that this is the “great altar.”

• Count the worshipers indicates those who are faithful and who have not bowed to idolatry, committed adultery with God, or given up their faith in tough times, but who have persevered. These are the people He seals and protects (Rev. 7:1-17). 

• Exclude. God is not the One who excludes; it is we who reject and fight against Him (Is. 56:3-7; 66:5).

• Outer court refers to The Court of the Gentiles which is the large outer section of the Temple (26 acres in Jesus’ Time) where the Gentiles were allowed to gather, this also denotes a form of evangelism (Gen. 12).

• Given to the Gentiles refers to the attacks on God’s people by those who hate God, who are “outsiders” who refuse His grace and call. God freely gives to the Temple’s oppressors what is theirs—the courtyard, the gathering point for those who are not His Chosen People. But they, the Romans, take it all and destroy it in 70 A.D.

• Trample. The goal of pagans was to get rid of anything that convicted them or pointed to truth; the Temple represented both. Thus, it was an object of wrath and a prime objective of destruction to many. The Temple has been vandalized, broken down many times, and destroyed completely at least three times by its enemies (Psalm 79:1; Is. 63:1-18; 1 Macc. 3:45; 6:40; Luke 21:24).

• Holy city. Most likely it is Jerusalem that is in view. Some say it is Rome, but that would be like telling people who live in New York, NY that Los Angeles or Paris was the great holy city, and that would be absurd. Nothing of Rome was considered great or holy to a first century Jew.

• (Forty-two) 42 months was a metaphor for a limited time of unrestrained impiety, evil, and/or oppressions, possibly meaning the symbolic timeframe of the Temples destruction or the Syrian dictator, Antiochus Epiphanes (168-165 B.C.) who instigated great suffering to the Jews and defiled the Temple and shut it down for over three years. Not necessarily a literal number, “42 months” is symbolic, referring to grace, “a time, times and a half time” or 3 ½ years, which means half of seven years. This is pointing to grace as God cuts the suffering in half. The context denotes an intense time of conflict and stress as evil people fight against God’s people; yet, He is still there and sets His limits of what persecution will take place by His grace (Dan. 7:25; 9:27; 12:7-12; Rev. 11-13).

• Give power refers to God’s control as He uses His servants as His instruments; their impact is like a ripple in a pond caused by throwing in a small stone. In addition, we have no reason or need to fear our Lord for the future; rather, we can reverence and trust in His protection and provision.

• Two witnesses are two people (either angelic or human) who are God’s representatives. They possibly represent some sort of Moses and Elijah. Their call is to stand against the beast and testify to the believers to stand for the faith, possibly in the final days before Christ returns. 

• Prophesy for 1,260 days. Not necessary literal, some view this as denoting the Great Tribulation (from Daniel,) which really means enduring great troubles. Three and a half years is the same meaning as 42 months—42 months of 30 days each x 30 days = 1,260 days. (Dan. 9:2-24; Rev. 12:6). 

• Clothed in sackcloth meant being remorseful and repentant. It referred to a coarse burlap type of material woven from goat hair to signify one’s mourning or repentance. This also denotes, as Zechariah states, a promise for a full restoration and blessing for God’s people (Joel 1:13; Jonah 3:5-6; Matt. 11:21).

• Two olive trees. Olive Trees in combination with Lamp stands usually refers to the two anointed ones, such as Moses and Elijah, or the ruling class of priests and kings. In Zechariah, this meant presenting two ruling houses—“the king” and “the priest,” possibly referring to Zerubbabel and Joshua (Zech. 4:2-14). Many Jewish thinkers see this as futuristic, pointing to a messianic figure, either a priest or a king. Both were fulfilled in Christ.

• Two lampstands refers to reverence to God. Also, in Revelation, it refers to the Church as the body of believers whose duty it was to be a light as a witness for Christ. The objects possibly point to the two good of the seven churches. The description in this passage calls attention to the scope and power that God gives for us to remain faithful and give an effectual testimony (Rev. 1:12-20).

• Stand before the Lord refers to those who are His representatives and/or His Church (Matt. 18:10; Rev. 4:4). It could also have referred to O.T figures that did not die, such as Enoch and Elijah, the power and impact of Moses, or to the Zechariah passage. Most probably, it was all of the above.

• Fire comes from their mouths possibly refers to some supernatural spiritual gifting that God gives these beings (Lev. 9:24-10:02; 1 Kings 17:1; 18:41). In the Jewish culture then, it meant to stare back at someone spitefully who was being disrespectful. But, because of the mouth usage, this is also a metaphor for prophesying Judgments; these events could happen literally, be metaphorical, or both (1 Kings 1:10-12; Jer. 5:10-14).

• Power to shut up the sky refers to drought that was used as punishment for disobedience (1 Kings 17:1; 18; Luke 4:25; James 5:17). Elijah was a miracle worker. He is not an esoteric figure but an inspiration and incentive for the power and prominence we have available to us. Elijah also represents the “everyman,” who, by his prayer life, was powerfully used by God (1 Kings 17:1; 18: 1, 41-46; 1 Sam. 12:17-18)! 

• Turn the waters into blood. This is reminiscent of Moses and the miracles God used through him to convince Pharaoh and the Israelites of God’s purpose and power (Ex. 7:14-25). John may be using this part of the passage also as a slap in the face to the arrogant Jew who refused to see Christ—who still wanted for a messiah when one had already come (Deut. 18:15-18; Mal 4:5).

Introduction 

The Two Witnesses 

This passage is our introduction of the two witnesses and another interlude to show us in greater detail what God is doing and how it applies to us. John is given the task of measuring the Temple to see its dimensions as well as to see who is really worshiping God and who is not—those who are His in word and deed versus those who are the pretenders and manipulators. He is given parameters of what to measure and what not to count. And then, John is given the reason; this great Temple would be trampled upon, defiled, and destroyed. God’s great Temple, His witness to the earth, a place of worship, and the cultural identity to His people will be gone, wiped away, leaving the Jews without their sacred rituals or their cultural identity, except the most important identity—the one that is in Him, the one we typically ignore. John is even given some specifics on time and place; this will be no surprise; the warning is given and the judgment looms. 

This passage is also a description of faithfulness shown by the two great witnesses of faith, of great perseverance and courage, who have amazing powers, and who walk like Moses and Elijah. We are not told specifics of who they are, but they are models of greatness who exemplify, in stature and character, whom we should seek to be like. That ought is faithfulness of faith and character so we can stand in Christ with an authentic consistent testimony from our relationship with Him that is reflected in our behaviors and words (2 Kings 2:1-12; Ezek. 37; Zachariah 4:1-14; Daniel 8; Matt. 17:3-4; Luke 10:1). 

When something is measured, it is usually by the owner, meaning there is an aspect of responsibility and direction over it. So, what is your responsibility and direction over your spiritual growth or your church? 

What can you and your church do to be great? What is the plan? When will you do it?

Jesus é a videira, nós somos os ramos:

Eu sou a videira, vós as ramos; quem está em mim, e eu nele, esse dá muito fruto; porque sem mim nada podeis fazer. (Jo.15.5)

Senão produzirmos frutos seremos cortados fora:

Todo ramo em mim, que não dá fruto, a tira; e limpa toda aquela que dá fruto, para que dê mais fruto.(Jo.15.2).

José é um ramo frutífero:

José é um ramo frutífero, ramo frutífero junto à fonte; seus ramos correm sobre o muro.(Gn.49.22)

Para produzirmos frutos precisamos morrer:

Na verdade, na verdade vos digo que, se o grão de trigo, caindo na terra, não morrer, fica ele só; mas se morrer, dá muito fruto. (Jo 12.24).

Os frutos da videira é a uva, que produz o vinho que representa o sangue:

Semelhantemente, tomou o cálice, depois da ceia, dizendo: Este cálice é o novo testamento no meu sangue, que é derramado por vós. (Lc.22.20).

O sangue é derramado nos altares, quanto mais frutos mais altares:

Israel é uma vide estéril que dá fruto para si mesmo; conforme a abundância do seu fruto, multiplicou também os altares; conforme a bondade da sua terra, assim, fizeram boas as estátuas.(Os.10.1).

Quanto mais altares mais…

+SACRIFÍCIOS
+LÁGRIMAS (Ml.2.13)
+SANGUE
+PLENA ALEGRIA (Sl.43.4)
+OFERTAS (Mt.5.23 e 24)
+ARREPENDIMENTO

+JESUS !!!

Deus te abençoe

LOCRIAN are a drone / noise duo who feature black metal guitar, heavy synthesizer and tape work, and other elements to provide a decay and waste-obsessed atmosphere, often clouding their live performances in smoke and surrounding themselves with skulls and candles to the point the stage resembles an altar or ritual space. They have been releasing a steady stream of medium-specific pieces for the past several years, including loop tapes, CDs, vinyl, and VHS videos.

CLOAK OF DIN: What are the issues, themes, images, or topics with which you are most consistently obsessed or possessed?

TERENCE: I would say a major issue we use in our imagery, lyrics and overall tone is one of obsolescence and decay.  The failure of modern living, how we plan and write failure into all we make.  Our lives are full of detritus and waste.  So I guess that leads us to our obsessions with dead malls, environmental disaster, mass extinction, etc.  Personally I am obsessed with vintage amplifiers, analog synthesizers, krautrock on vinyl, Factory Records and Medieval altar constructions.

ANDRE: I’m more obsessed by the obsessive behavior of other people rather than myself.  Our music and themes deal with the linear scope of the world present in the culture that we’re part of. We tend to make choices in our lives maybe for our next generation or later in our generation rather than for the benefit of people generations from us.  There’s this idea that our society is out-of-sync, or perhaps even worse, in our themes and music. Each one of our releases deals with these ideas from a slightly different perspective, but there’s also this idea that we’re trying to find beauty in decay, failure, and waste.

CLOAK OF DIN: Your work often focuses on the themes of urban decay and suburban sprawl, especially as seen in the video work “Land of Decay,” which features long held shots of abandoned malls. Could you elaborate on what the audience should take from these images when combined with your music?

TERENCE: I shot those scenes in “Land of Decay” and what I was going for is to extend a period of time out and make you focus on this location of failure.  I think a lot of films could use the long shot more.  Throughout the world there are these spots left to rot by municipal shortcomings and real estate greed gone awry.

ANDRE: I think that the benefit of these long shots that Terence used in the “Land of Decay” video are that they force the viewer to deal with the imagery on the screen. Someone might watch that film hoping to see a Locrian live performance. That video does have live performances, but the viewer is going to have to sit through the abandoned mall scenes in order to get to them and there isn’t much, if any, music in these long scenes. It’s just the field recording of the dead mall, the Dixie Square Mall.

The benefit of having the film on VHS is that it gives us the element of control over the material in a way that DVDs are less effective. Even though the viewer can fast forward through the long scenes, it’s going to be more difficult so there’s no way that a viewer can easily just fast forward through these scenes in order to watch a Locrian performance.

CLOAK OF DIN: What do you see as the cause or causes of this decay?

ANDRE: The causes of the decay that we deal with in our work are multiple and we’d me oversimplifying if we were to give you a short answer to this question. I guess if we were to oversimplify, you could say that short-sightedness, or the failure of progress.

TERENCE: I am personally not very interested in the avoidance of these kinds of spaces and find myself continually drawn toward them.  I have no plan, no manifesto, to me it is just the real environment beneath the surface or on the periphery of success.

CLOAK OF DIN: How do you think these types of situations could be avoided, if possible?

ANDRE: A lot of our imagery might deal with decay, pollution, detritus, but we aren’t trying to provide a solution through our work. That’s how our work is different from a lot of the hardcore music that we grew up on that would promise the listener some kind of utopia if you did things like stop eating meat or cheese or whatever. There’s really no simple solution to the problems our music deals with. Hopefully it makes the listener think about these problems though.

CLOAK OF DIN: How long have you been doing your current project, and how did it start?

TERENCE: André and I started the project as a project from our band, Unlucky Atlas, that we are in with our wives which was more of a dark kind of droney pseudo-folk kind of thing.  There was a moment, a bar, two dudes on the floor prostrating before our amps. We made a CDR and a tape.  There were a constellation of other like minded people in various scenes who helped us out.

ANDRE: Locrian have been together since late 2005. We started because we wanted to create and we really didn’t think about it much past that. Really we didn’t make many recordings until relatively recently. Our older recordings were mostly just live recordings and we only made a few copies. It’s only recently that we decided to start getting some decent recordings.

CLOAK OF DIN: What was your first live performance like?

TERENCE: Our first live performance was us just figuring out a duo and it took a long time to get kind of what we wanted.

ANDRE: Our first live performance was documented on our CDR “Setting Your Jetta on Fire.” It was a crummy bar in Chicago and we played with some bands that were totally non sequitur with what we are and were doing. I think we pissed a lot of people off at that show, but it was pretty fun.

CLOAK OF DIN: How has your live performance evolved?

TERENCE: Maybe a year or two of playing anywhere with anyone just cranking the volume and trying different instruments.  We always kept it as two of us.  And really started to center around the guitar being played by André and my duties centering on keyboards, tapes and vocals. Now, live we still improvise a lot, but we’ve been playing much longer together in a variety of circumstances and it gives us much better maps to where a part is going or when it shifts or a piece of gear breaks.

ANDRE: Our approach is always different really. When we play live we improvise, sometimes entirely, sometimes on a shared theme(s). These improvisations always work best in a trance-like state. So when we play live, we prefer to play until we don’t feel like we need to anymore.

CLOAK OF DIN: How is your approach to recording different from your approach to performing live?

ANDRE: When we’re in the studio, we might just want to make a statement that only requires us to make noise for a few minutes rather than thirty.

CLOAK OF DIN: How do you think your current project reflects your implicit ideology, belief structure, or lack thereof? Does it reflect your own values or a reaction against the values of the dominant culture?

TERENCE: I think our project is a reflection of the world around us, and we actually intentionally try and avoid a lot of the explicit social or political polemicizing.  I think it comes a lot from our upbringing when we were younger in both scenes of metal and hardcore that had such extremes of political or even religious connotations that it got in the way of the what it was all for, the music as a form of art.  So few bands that aligned themselves with a politic could maintain the art at the same level.  So many bands trap themselves in this cage of ideology, for whatever side and at some point it is just about maintaining this structure rather then what we’re supposed to be listening to.  It all becomes stagnant.  I think every genre has those people that stay stationary and I am completely not interested in revisiting things.  I actually have a lot of disdain for nostalgia.  I mean, concerning us, certainly in the music, we hope the disappointment in what our society is, full of vacant consumption and building to what end, comes through.  Like there is this magnet of history just sucking in everything and leveling it, making this mass indistinguishable.  It is terror and dread, horror and completely monolithic.  Whether it is a vacant mall decaying in a once prosperous area or a natural disaster.  But, we’re not U2 or Crass.  Music can’t save the world.  I don’t know how we escape.

ANDRE: There’s a lot going on in our material. In a way it’s critical of our culture, but on another level, it’s finding beauty in decay and doom. Perhaps it’s dealing with a powerlessness to change the parts of the world that haunt us and finding peace in that. I’m not sure if we could say we’re a reaction against the dominant culture because I’m not sure what or who that is. Is the dominant culture like a few really rich people? I guess that’s why we have the doom element to our music, because there isn’t an easy way out of the problem that humanity has created. The solution isn’t buying a hybrid car, or using biodegradable disposable cups, it’s really much more complicated.  We offer no solution to any of these problems our music deals with.

CLOAK OF DIN: Are there any upcoming events or releases about which you’d like readers to know? Any closing words?

TERENCE: Thank you.

ANDRE: Shir, we have a bunch of new releases coming out. We just released our “Rain of Ashes” cd on Basses Frequences.  This is essentially a version our live set from our summer east coast U.S. tour.  We’re really happy with how the artwork and the music came out on this release.

We just finished mastering a big collaborative album which will be out next spring. It’s called “Territories” and we got help from a bunch of our friends on this one since 2009 has been a year of exploration for us. It’s more power-electronics, black metal, and direct than anything we’ve done yet, but I’m actually really happy with it.

This week, we’re releasing a split 7” with Harpoon on HeWhoCorrupts Inc. Our track on this release is really a hint of what “Territories” will sound like. The track features Andrew (drums) from Velnias who is one of the constant collaborators on “Territories.”

Thanks for talking with us!

To Kuan Yin’s new orange colored throne, my son adds his movable Spiderman, cross-legged, with hands in prayer pose.

Kelly Salasin

Hay una felicidad posible en la imaginación que no prevé ningún contraste: que no imagina confrontaciones con la realidad. Hay un placer extremo en la imaginación que se basta a sí misma.

Valfierno [en PDF], Martín Caparrós
Visto en Seas of Time

Architect Adam Hermanson shares these design images of the sacramental furnishings.

Main Altar:

Altar of Repose:

Ambo:

Baptismal Font:

See also:

• GIRM: The Altar and Its Appointments

Frank Zappa es uno de los pocos músicos que me ponen, salvo grave tragedia, automática y sumismamente de buen humor.

El chabón era tremendo.  Músico, compositor, productor y hasta director de cine, Zappa es uno de los dementes delirantes preferidos de 42.  Tenía (ya que palmó en el 93) una habilidad pasmosa para fusionar estilos, haciéndolos cambiar y evolucionar a su antojo.

También tenía una habilidad genial para meter el humor entre sus letras.  Un humor que a veces era más guarro y otras igual de guarro pero metiendo el dedo en la llaga, con dobles sentidos evidentes y escandalosos.

Te dejo Fine Girl, para descargar. Y a continuación la letra (la traducción es mía, así que ya sabés a quién putear si está mal) .

mediafire.com/file/nz5q0zzyzqm/FZ - FG.mp3

Bonus: Debajo de todo, un video encontrado en YouTube de Cosmic Debris, con la letra subtitulada que es fantástico.  Cosmic Debris es la narración de un transa que le quiere enchufar caballo y merca a Zappa prometiéndole el Nirvana y de cómo resulta la historia cuando Zappa le dice que no joda con tanta Basura Cósmica.  Durante años fue una especie de caballito de batalla, infaltable en los conciertos.

There are many forms that the celebration takes but I use a simple version involving punging the athame into the chalice to bless the liquid, representing the male and the female, whilst saying;

“As the athame is to the male; so the chalice is to the female

And conjoined, they become one in truth.

Let the fruits of union promote life

Let all be fruitful and let wealth be speard through the lands

After taking a sip of liquid the cakes are blessed by drawing a pentagram over them and saying the following;

“Oh Gracious Lady and Lord of Abundance

Bless these cakes and infuse them with your love;

Bestowing health, strength, joy and peace.”

Usually when I mark an Esbat or Sabbat I buy in a nice organic cake for my offering because I’m usually either totally disorganised or I don’t have the time to bake my own.

But I’m aware that as Freya is getting older she beginning to enjoy mixing things up (we made pizza the other day and enjoyed helping me pulp the chopped tomatoes) and I’m sure that she would love to make a simple cake with me. It would be nicer for her to be able to help me and then take part but she is far too young, but that doesn’t mean that other parents could involve their children in the making and eating of their offerings.

I found this lovely, simple recipe which could be used to involve your budding little Jamie Oliver’s in preparation for your Sabbat or Esbat. This is very simple, versatile and will make a lovely inclusion to your cake and ale (fruit juice ) celebration.

It is American in origin, so it uses ‘cups’ rather than weights to measure out ingredients. I’ve included what I believe is the grams equivalent based on internet converters but you can buy sets of cup measures in major supermarkets if you want to make it easier.

Simple Celebration Cakes:

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/glossary/g/Cakes_and_Ale.htm

•  3/4 Cup soft butter (170grams)
•  2 Cups brown sugar  (440grams)
•  2 eggs
•  1 Tbsp. lemon juice
•  2 tsp. grated lemon rind
• 2 Cups flour (256grams)
• 1 Cup finely chopped walnuts (optional) (125grams)

Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add the brown sugar and mix well. Add eggs, lemon juice and rind. Mix until well-blended.

Stir in flour and walnuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When chilled, shape dough into one-inch balls and place 3″ apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 (I’m guessing that’s about 190 oC) for 8 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

“The sight of a woman being tattooed live on the altar accompanied by the sound of a buzzing ink gun provided a startling backdrop to Sunday’s evangelical sermon,” begins the article. Read it and believe it. LINK: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010334052_churchtattoo23m.html