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BY Mary Michele

Musings and Meanderings: May 2023

5/15/2023

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Poster from the film On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
​“May the force be with you” could also be “May the focus be with you”. Concentration is the ideal and hope. Maeg is the old German origin; meaning, have power, might and relates to goddess Maia. She is goddess of mountains, Great Mother of Hermes. The bellies of Mothers could seem like a mountain and the strength of carrying and giving birth is tremendous.

This Celtic holiday is in between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. We feel the energy of birth around us with flowers and nourishment. The celebration of new beginnings is often overshadowing endings. Depending on your belief system death is a celebration too. The idea of rebirth is a comforting one. “On a Clear Day” with Barbra Streisand and Yves Montand is a beautiful and fun film dealing with past lives. Letting our imagination and clairvoyance be in our thinking May just lessen the darkness we carry about our mortality.

The maypole and the bonfires are always uplifting ceremonies. Fire is energy and the pole is procreation.

Collectively we are waking up from a long haul of confinement. Many are already on the road of journeying. Movement is our greatest strength. Meditation is often about circling the monuments. Any activity that gives you calmness is a meditation. For some it is boxing, others may trim the roses. Stick to that which is your greatest place of peace. Be aware of the seductive powers of others, and enjoy the moment of feeling apart of a group. Polarity is always with us, but there are brief moments of a fabulous focus and force.

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Musings and Meanderings: April 2023

4/15/2023

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Frans Snyders, Concert of Birds (1630)
Frans Snyders, Concert of Birds (1630)
​It is a fact we seemingly want to make heroes, leaders, and love impermeable. It is also true we often want to relieve them of their pedestal.

The polarity is believing our power is ephemeral. Know Thyself refers to the advantage of being able to react to the premise. The collective love we can all share is hounded by the doubt of how the individual is effected.

The hero always needs a villain. Classic case: Shakespeare wrote Richard III for Queen Elizabeth I.

Richard may not have killed his nephews in the Tower. It could have been Henry VII. But Elizabeth, being Henry’s granddaughter needed that particular propaganda. History shows us how it is mostly interpreted by the hero in power. And then the hero loses his head.

With the collective emphasis on victimhood, who will relinquish the role first? The basic philosophy of most of us is to save those who need it. Although many don’t want the help offered.

There is much to be said on age related wisdom. As we experience the repetitive dramas in reality, the news, or in fiction the silver screen, we form an overview that cannot be appreciated when young. Of course, the problems wherever you are on the spectrum seem forthright. A baby wants to be fed and an elder wants his time to have security.

We all want to be seen and heard. Our styles may be different but the belief in the afterlife includes what made us unique. Not sure what testing our DNA will prove, but any journey of self-discovery is a promising possibility.

What is propaganda? Manipulation and influencing public opinion. Is it good to question authority? Is it better to let the heroes decide? The devil is in the details. Also the interpretation. As the population grows and the governments also, the nugget of necessity becomes blurry. The repetition of the word “safety” is redundant, as what do we want to be safe from? Mortality and pain are inevitable and presumably only when we can meander and mutate, can we blend into the flight of birds.

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Musings and Meanderings: March 2023

3/15/2023

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Two fantasy paintings by American Illustrator James C. Christensen (1942-2017)
​Van Gogh painted his most inspired works in a mental hospital, it was also a church. Perhaps it was a place of comfort to see others in their non conforming behavior. Confinement and solitude can be the roots of consciousness. Focus on the ordinary to create the extraordinary. As a fire sign, born with Sun in Aries, his use of strong colors, particularly yellow, are only tempered by the planets in Pisces. The visceral brush strokes display a strong Taurean stellium of love of the sensuous. 

He was born during a similar sky as we are experiencing today. Our recent, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto aspects and Neptune in Pisces, were dominant. Neptune, in its own sign, close to when it was observed, for the first time.

We need to throw out what is no longer needed but reconfigure with thoughtfulness. Boundaries are a Neptunian concept. Liquids can only be contained until the boundary is breached.

Element of air, is also difficult to contain. It needs rhythms and constancy. The speed of our brains is accelerating with the massive amounts of information. Pluto, God of death and rebirth, is here to constrain the intellectual conundrums of intellectual overload.

One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Rebel without a Clue”. This sums up Aquarius, needing a cause, try and choose one that appeals to you. Groups are made up of individuals that bring different energies to the forefront.

Madness visits us all. We can be confused and then clarity strikes. The ping pong of this, is the beauty and silliness that inspires. 

Our perception of Uranus from its discovery is of an air nature. In 1781 it was in the sign of Gemini. It rules Aquarius. But the day of its birth, the Sun was in Pisces, so it has a murkiness in its purpose that we can only hope we will merge into our psyches with pathos.

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Musings and Meanderings: February 2023

2/13/2023

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Left: The Little Book of Love, or Petit Livre d’Amour, is an absolutely fascinating, and terribly romantic, illuminated manuscript. Also known as Enigmas of Love, it was a Valentine’s Day gift from Pierre Sala (1457-1529) to his sweetheart. 
Right: Engraving of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, according a vision of Marguerite-Marie Alacoque.

​The heart is a shape that has many meanings. Inverted it could be a pear or the anatomy of the female derrière. Life and morality are some of the earliest interpretations. It could also represent emotions, thought, and reason. Many of these ideas are mutations and without boundaries. A silphium seedpod may have been an early depiction. This plant, no longer in existence, was thought to prevent pregnancy but also was an aphrodisiac. Maat, the Goddess of justice weighed the heart against the feather to decide if the soul was worth saving.

Prehistoric cave paintings had images of the heart in the animals they depicted. In the tarot hearts/cups represent the element of water and emotions. But, conversely the spade/sword which represents air and the mind, also is an upside down heart. Of course the connection between lung and heart are supremely intertwined. 

As our emotions are not physically evident unless we react or get sick, it is the chemistry we receive from another that embraces our awareness of them and ourselves. Why are we attracted to certain folks? Many systems, like astrology try to analyze this. Initially it is through the eyes, but rapidly encompasses the other senses like, smell and hearing. Then love becomes a conglomeration of coincidences, history, shared habits, and compassion.

13th century poem “Roman de la Rose”, Depicts joy and despair. The beauty and smell of the rose is balanced by the thorns.

Uranus or Ouranos is the God of the Heavens and the Rain, he is the father of Venus, whose mother was the sea. Venus’ sire were the testicles of Uranus. Her earlier incarnation, Ishtar was above all, passionate. Be it sex, or war. This is in keeping with the universal myth, the King is dead, long live the King. Venus was often attracted to various suitors. Uranus now is in Taurus, which is one of Venus’ rulerships. The sensuousness of Taurus is comforting, but Uranus likes freedom. Venus also rules money and self-worth. As we are in the season of Aquarius it is the opposite of Leo the lion. And we celebrate the poignancy of Valentine’s Day, the expression of the intimacy of love.

Our intellect often wants one supreme leader. The ability to carry numerous persons of authority as guardians is a democratic concept. In Greece, a republican one. Perhaps we need to truly apply the God/Guardian in our hearts as the ultimate decider.

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Musings and Meanderings: January 2023

1/15/2023

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​You know romance is on the run. Screwball comedies, with magnificent sets and costumes from the 1930s and 40s are in short supply. Dialogue is limited. Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, Vivienne Leigh and Lawrence Olivier, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, were heroes of the magical, hopeful and silly. 

What keeps us going down the rabbit hole hoping to find solace? The Sleeping Beauty fell asleep because her father did not want the darkness of the 13th fairy to envelope her. As we know the unconsciousness came anyway. She did struggle to find her way back. Although the Prince’s warrior spirit and insistent focus helped, and he gave the gift of breath, through his kiss. 

Cinderella took her ashes and constructed a perfect slipper to fit her soul. The inner fairy godmother she believed in, dressed her in magnificence.

Dorothy also found that Ruby magic in the Emerald city. In astrology the ruby is assigned to Capricorn. The slippers provided structure, discipline and the desire to achieve. The emerald is assigned to Cancer. The home, the mother and the emotions that are elusive. The unconscious is Mum’s domaine, she provides the rhythm of breath. Do you think Frank Baum with his theosophist leanings, knew this?

Being hit over the head with the reality of inequality, ugliness and violence is only one way to inspire the goodness in humans.

At the beginning of WWII in 1939, two of the greatest movie magic movies were made. Gone with the Wind and the Wizard of Oz. They each told of the need to change a way of thinking but in a way of colorful and soulful illusion.

Keeping up with the interpretation of it all in the super speedy way of the airways today is highlighting anxiety. But most of us are not strong enough to reject the addiction. Have recently discovered the book, “The Art of Fear” by Kristen Ulmer. It describes the difficulty of accepting and acknowledging the primal emotion which gives birth to anger, grief and sadness. The mind seems to get in the way and cannot truly explain emotion. Particularly as we all want to stay in motion. Funny, the similarity of the two words, emotion and motion.

The layers of understanding do provide insight with the repetition of time and experience. The situations and descriptions remain the same but the depth of the rabbit hole provides greater clarity to The Who, what and where.

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Musings and Meanderings: December 2022

12/15/2022

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​Gen is a word root for birth and kin. Beget, procreate, generate, cause. These are all words that produce and contemplate genius. A genii gives you your heart’s desire, if you can figure out what it is. There is genius in all of us.

So, is there similarity between guru and genius? To engage and learn so you can remember requires an enticing entity that inspires. Desperation and need bring a dictatorial influencer.

Genuine, genes, Progeny, gender. In the beginning, we create and are reborn. Death is a part of the regular theory of life, we experience it through the continuous cycle of new ideas.

Each generation has its own language and brings ingenuity to the age in which it resides. There is generational information. The gist is often about specifics. We are a certain race, creed, sex. We all seem to need to explore.

Have you noticed the differences between age identifying information and how propaganda influences without the general (gen) population realizing the complete purpose?

To feel secure we want ownership and control. But, to have control, we must relinquish it, the organizations, that influence, usually provide a panacea of perception to pacify. 

The refrain in the brain, can alter moods. Chemistry is producing a rebirth with rapidity. Chaos and change are longed for and often not what was imagined. Feeling calm and accepting are glorious but usually fleeting. Only place a few memories in the mix. Regenerate!

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Musings and Meanderings: November 2022

11/15/2022

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The word impress is connected to depress. Although the flavor of impress has denigrated as providing too much attention and been replaced, as an overbearing ego. Raise, hearten, delight are more popular words, as antithesis to the darkness. Our brains seem to want to polarize. Wouldn’t it be loverly to be able to synthesize instead? To make a coherent whole.

Charm and magic enhance our purpose. These words are too delicate to define. The minute you dissect them, they disappear. Creating an imaginary cloak of glamour does indeed elevate the courage we need.

It is not easy to eliminate the dark. Meditation, yoga, travel, and chocolate covered strawberries encourage the transmutation of heavy-handed moods. At the end of the day, does it come down to chemistry and patience?

Teleportation, how close are we? Can the imagination take you to places and make it seem real? This is how we daydream. Sometimes I want to have Scottie, beam me up.

When the words are written to a melody, such as “Don’t worry, be happy”, does it help to stand up and dance and sing it out? We can’t force it anymore. Having others tell us to snap out of it, more often, surges our anger. It would seem going for the exercise of the musical notes are a big help.

And where is the overlap between anxiety and anger? Does anxiety disappear with rage? When we push too far is the energy of anger the cause?

Stretching in airports, or while waiting online, may seem eccentric but does it have to be confined to an ashram? For many, moving is more useful than sitting still.

Blaming anything or anyone may give us time to calm down but as it reverberates into a cycle of guilt, can we watch it and accept it? Being aware, conscious and understanding is the go to place to moderate the seesaw….

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Musings and Meanderings: October 2022

10/15/2022

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Gérard de Lairesse: Allegory of the Five Senses (1668)
Memories, are they sentimental nonsense or the review of our personal history for insight to our lives well lived?

The contradiction between things and ideas. Images in art and colors in the home creates how we see ourselves and the impression we give to others. We collect objects from a feeling that is primordial. 

How are memories stimulated? I’m guessing, mainly thru the senses. Sight is prominent. We use photos today for the practical, the leak in the basement for the plumber to come, to being able to remember a sweet moment, like a walk in the park.

It has been known how smell instigates hunger or nausea. The remembrance of that special person, we worshipped. A mothers breath is a beginning of feeling secure as is the breast with the nourishment of comfort.

To hear the tone of a fathers voice is an indication of protection, at times, a warning. Aging brings the cacophony of decimals to an awareness of agitation but also reminds us of the glory of the music we shared with the fun times of youth, when the golden oldies are played.

To taste a magnificent dollop of chocolate or the blend of garlic and onions is a way to enhance the delights of dining and a memory of a special experience.

When we touch a person or animal that is coming into our space, is to connect to the subtle electricity of feelings. Velvet and feathers remind us of pleasant sensations. Too close to the fire brings a respect for the hearth.

There is a new service the internet provides, a robot that will repeat alternative ways of ruminating on thoughts that are out of whack. Kind of like “is the glass half empty or half full?”

Have a look at the article here.

The ancient ideas of creating stories about the stars and the repetition of mantras, or prayers are meant for slowing the mischievous brain. To remind us of gentleness and the morality of our lives. Watching the horrors of the news provide an energy to fight the perceived wrongs. Or fury of a forced escalation of drama. Nursery rhymes have a chemistry that is a reminder of how we can believe in the brightness of the spirit.

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Musings and Meanderings: September 2022

9/15/2022

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Crisp mornings and slow moving planets. It may seem like the reins of our current moods are spinning and standing still. Having to examine all the issues of these past few months with clarity is very murky. Understanding is not always the purpose. Dreams, music, fluid movement, are the best solution. What can lead to panic can be trying to make sense of something.

What are your favorite stories? TV provides many mythological archetypes. Action fantasy heroes, murder mysteries, out of bounds tales of silly ghosts and ghoulish villains. Even the news can seem like make believe if the personal information is too overwhelming. Repetition is the pervading theme. Is it hypnotic to watch the same rhetoric? We gravitate to the themes we perpetuate in our heads. For the mathematically inclined the mindset is perhaps more tempered. Numbers have depth of interpretation although if you stick to the geometrical concept, it is fluid like music. Algebra, a Moorish discovery, helps distract the inner monologue, as the complications of its maneuvers are intricate.

The bottom line to not think, is to breath. Chemistry and rhythm do not always allow us the luxury. Do not for a moment feel guilty!

Venus and Mars are a bit out of sort. Our desires and ability to act are distracted. Using a tape measure and a drill do seem to be hugely helpful. The boundaries are contained. Water is in scarce supply in many areas and torrential rain in others. Tears are being withheld and fury is not.

Keep in mind the cycles are always mutating, we will see each other again with tangible progress. Encouragement is the way we can continuously circle the wagons. Remember Queen Elizabeth’s fortitude and impartial support.

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Musings and Meanderings: August 2022

8/15/2022

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· Bijan and his Circle Museum in Austerlitz, Massachusetts
· A citation by Rumi
​Why are there so many four letter words? Love, life, long, or hate, dark, rape. 4 marks the compass and the seasons and the cross of matter. The fourth house in astrology is ruled by Cancer, the sign of the Mother.

Being in the time of Leo, we create the energy of fire, (4 letters). Fire inspires, it challenges us to have greater clarity. We need to be seen. Whatever is your special talent, be prepared to examine and explain.

Verily we wrestle with majorities and minorities. Today is the day Mountbatten declared India independent. In 1947 it was decided to separate religions. The Hindus had the most amount of territory and the Muslims took Pakistan. The complications arriving from integration were thought insoluble.

The struggle today to include every style and fashion of the information we get from the internet makes us feel like a tea kettle boiling.

According to Shirley MacLaine, tigers, turtles and whales are making a comeback. The animal kingdom reminds us to play fair with a healthy dose of gaiety. 

The choice is always with us, but the soul, 4 letters, will attract those we need to blossom. When they move on, know they are still energy that can soothe and heal.

Free association is the psyche’s way of enhancing our perspective.

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