“You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.”
― Alan Wilson Watts
The stage is set. The universe manifests itself as settings and props. Then it imagines characters that will interact with the props and each other. Each of these people is a unique aspect of the universe as it seldom sees much point in duplicating itself. After all there is an infinite palette to chose from and both all time and no-time in which to play it all out. The characters take on a life of their own as well-created characters are wont to do. Who knows, perhaps some of them may even break out of their pre-designed scripts going places well beyond its spec. This has happened before and the universe delights in it feeling the recursive thrill of co-creation. Others will not, at least not at this point in the universal show yet given infinite no-time there is always the hope that they too may do something unexpected. The play is always in progress…. and roll tape…
Blessings G
“I guess all that’s left is to love the fire.”
― Norman Mailer
To love the fire
the spark that ignites and consumes
that feeds and inspires
and burns and illuminates.
To love the water
the elixir that fills and encompasses
that soothes and relates
and drowns and nourishes
To love the air
the wind that divides and discerns
that connects and describes
and spreads and communicates
To love the earth
the mother that loves and contains
that holds and feeds
and sustains and cherishes .
The spark of Fire
The wave of water
the breeze of air
the touch of earth
may our spirits unite with them all
“This I learned in the Mysterium: to take seriously every unknown wanderer who personally inhabits the inner world, since they are real because they are effectual.”
— C. G. Jung, The Red Book
In my mind live many beings. They populate my dreams and my imagination. Many have found their way into my art. When I am alone, I speak with them. Coyote tricks me into realizing how often I fight my own reflection. The Hanged Man tells me of reflection also and insight. The Creature in my Closet turns to mist to show me how insubstantial my fear is. Mother Cloud holds me to her breasts and calms my anxiety. Even the fox has his say for no one knows better than he how to escape tight spots.
The skeletal hand beckons and the Angel sings and then there is those tempting spirits. So many other make their appearance. Each one imparts their lessons, each one made necessary by the fact that they appear. The wisdom, comfort and occasional torment they offer all help me to become. While it appears to be a playful disassociation in reality it is anything but that. I realize that they are parts of me and that I contain them.
Blessings, G
“Treat a work of art like a prince: let it speak to you first.”
― Arthur Schopenhauer
Two of my favourite activities are walking through libraries and walking through art galleries. I listen carefully with my eyes and with my being and I hear stories… Pictures where every emotion is on display captured in the moment that tells you what came before and what comes next. The eyes on some of the paintings can tell you volumes and will if you are open to it. They may be royalty yet if so they are equitable, not caring so much about whether you match up but whether you see. Abstracts in their dance of colour and design are raw form and emotion and can help us connect to our own internal rawness if we but let them.
A library is much the same but somehow more solemn. Oh most art galleries dress it up better but books go the extra mile. Art asks us to look and understand. Books need that extra effort, they need us to open them and turn pages. They sell themselves to us first with cover and title and then each page has to reach out and connect with us enough that we turn page after page, squeezing the juice out of the writing. I walk through libraries and hear the voices of old friends and strangers wanting to make my acquaintanceship. They wish me to take them home so they can show me a good time.
Perhaps in retrospect the difference between the two experiences is the difference between a romance and a hook up tho of course one can always lead easily to the other.
Blessings, G
“What we call chaos is just patterns we haven’t recognized. What we call random is just patterns we can’t decipher.”
― Chuck Palahniuk
The other day a friend of mine was talking about divination and how he was responsible for his future. I surprised him by agreeing. I do believe that the most that any form of divination be it tarot, astrology, i ching or oxen entrails can and will show us is the most likely thing to happen. We all tend to follow patterns that play out in all aspects of our lives. If you know someone’s patterns and at what point they are in them, it is very easy to see both what will probably happen next and what it would take to break the pattern. I have found that the tarot cards help me to intuit a person’s pattern and how it is playing out for them fairly easily. Depending on the spread and how well I am tuned into the reading, I can also see what is needed to break the pattern. This normally takes a strong effort of will and a lot of work as most of us develop our patterns at a very early age. I have worked hard at discovering and understanding my own patterns. While I have come a long way, I still have far to go at breaking some of the more destructive ones.
Blessings, G
“Did you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you’re just a reflection of him?”
— Bill Watterson
Beneath the surface
our shadows speak
we give them voice
through our silence
and reality
through our denial that they exist.
We avoid our dark reflections
tho if we listened
what could we learn
of what we keep hidden away?
Today I didn’t speak
swallowing the pain
yet looking
and silently crying
I hear the words that I deny
I will face my shadow
and give it words
and meet myself halfway
— G A Rosenberg
“No, life has not disappointed me. On the contrary, I find it truer, more desirable, and mysterious every year.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
As I get older I find that life does gain a texture that I didn’t perceive when I was younger. Its not that it wasn’t there, I got too caught up in the moment to moment drama to appreciate it. Now I find that even the hard moments have a beauty to them. This is especially true when I can step out of the moment and perceive it. Conflicts with loved ones when you’re caught up in them are painful and yet taking the witness perspective, I can see it as each of us being who we are and it being an interplay of personalities. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel the pain just that I can see it in context as part of a pattern. This also becomes true of the day to day annoyances. I consider it a victory if when I am caught in a traffic jam or a construction zone or in transit delays if I can use the time to meditate or contemplate something fun. Perhaps just constructing a play on words or a dirty joke. It helps.
Blessings, G
“Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing.”
— Oscar Wilde
Be afraid of nothing? Here I thought nothingness, the zero point was something to be courted. After all isn’t that point of equilibrium something that is good to court? Tho in courting it as a home point a steady point from which we can swing in all directions experiencing everything that we can. I spent far too many years running from things and fell into many adventures doing so. What a change it has been to know that I can go anywhere, do anything and still return to my centre. Overcoming fear especially that of death and that of nothingness believing one to be a myth and the other to be home, I can let myself experience all.
Blessings, G
“Most people…are like a falling leaf that drifts and turns in the air, flutters, and falls to the ground. But a few others are like stars which travel one defined path: no wind reaches them, they have within themselves their guide and path.”
― Hermann Hesse
May I be both star and leaf? Leaf floats on the wind and follows gravely down. Yet for a moment it is borne away from any life it could have imagined for itself as if in defiance of the universe itself on a flight to who knows where. It does not fall as much as is carried in joy.
May I also be a star following a course and shining so bright. I have purpose direction and a conscious awareness that dwarves all. Both star and leaf, ephemeral and constant. Yet is there something of which the star itself is but a leaf in comparison? What connection to wisdom that would be.
Blessings, G
Click on images to see full-sized:
Image of Crowley Over K2 Mountain by G A Rosenberg
Inner World Exploration by G A Rosenberg 
