Those Pretty Sunset Lamps Are Calling Me By My Full Government Name And Ssc

If then you do not make yourself equal to God, you cannot apprehend God; for like is known by like.

Leap clear of all that is corporeal, and make yourself grown to a like expanse with that greatness which is beyond all measure; rise above all time and become eternal; then you will apprehend God. Think that for you too nothing is impossible; deem that you too are immortal, and that you are able to grasp all things in your thought, to know every craft and science; find your home in the haunts of every living creature; make yourself higher than all heights and lower than all depths; bring together in yourself all opposites of quality, heat and cold, dryness and fluidity; think that you are everywhere at once, on land, at sea, in heaven; think that you are not yet begotten, that you are in the womb, that you are young, that you are old, that you have died, that you are in the world beyond the grave; grasp in your thought all of this at once, all times and places, all substances and qualities and magnitudes together; then you can apprehend God.

But if you shut up your soul in your body, and abase yourself, and say “I know nothing, I can do nothing; I am afraid of earth and sea, I cannot mount to heaven; I know not what I was, nor what I shall be,” then what have you to do with God?

Hermes Trismegistus;- „Hermetica :The greek corpus Hermeticum and the latin Asclepius“

Costume. Chitons.

Arab Futurism, Faith & Inclusivity Across the Stars | Chapter Proposal

Abstract

         Dune is one of the few examples of modern literature to include extensive Arabic and Islamic themes. This chapter will look at the significance of the work, comparing the culture and faith of the Fremen and the Arabs. We will look at our attitudes towards Islam, ethnic minorities, ‘the other’ but more importantly, Frank Herbert’s view overall.

Background:

         The aim of this chapter is to explore the Arabic/Islamic themes in Dune, comparing the perceptions of the average audience with the Arab/Muslim demographic. Based on his own words, we will explore Frank Herbert’s opinions and usage of themes to portray the Fremen, including the reality of suffering and historical persecution. We will look at the film projects that were made and those that were not made, including both SyFy miniseries while exploring Arab futurism in the source material.

A Readers Approach to Desert People

         As with all work, we approach everything with our opinions, certain levels of conditioning and perhaps even prejudice. We will deconstruct what those prejudices could be and compare them to how readers who identify with the natives of Arrakis would react to the text.

Frank Herbert’s Attitude Towards Faith & Islam

         Frank Herbert did not just casually insert Arabic terms into the fray of his work without taking a considerable amount of care as to their proper meanings and etymological roots. It is very easy for one to read Dune and come to the conclusion that the work itself is against the idea of religion or more specifically, that Frank Herbert looks down on Islam. The astute however, will note that he was wary of blind following and fanaticism, not religion itself. Islam was chosen for the Fremen as a focal belief system for a number of reasons and here we will explore themes of faith in Dune.

Understanding Fremen Suffering

         Dune gives us the opportunity to reflect on the life of nomadic people, ethnic minorities and the psyche behind the oppressed. It makes us question what we would do in the scenario of the Fremen and perhaps sympathize with their situation. We will look at the reality of the Fremen and compare it to existing ethnic minorities in the Middle East in particular.

The Arab Futurism of Dune & Conclusion

         Hollywood has had a long standing problem of portraying the ‘other’ which has improved over time as attitudes change with increased public awareness. The Afrofuturism of Black Panther and the celebration of African culture was a step in the right direction for all ethnic minorities. We will look at the futuristic mega city ‘Neom’ developed in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and explore a new idea, Islamofuturism; the idea that a faith can advance humanity just as they once did during ‘The Golden Age.’ And explore the theory that perhaps this was ‘The Golden Path’ of the Arabs in comparison to the Fremen contribution to mankind in Dune.

Art by artxman

If you are interested in this chapter proposal for a book, article or otherwise, feel free to get in touch.

Domestic Witch Tip

Write sigils on the bottom of your doormat so that whenever guests wipe their feet or step over the threshold the magic takes effect. A protection sigil or even one for a clean and happy home would be great here. 

When to use what in witchcraft -

Ok so I am gonna say this is my personal reference, its mainly through associations. You might TOTALLY disagree and thats chill! 

Its more something to think about and a guideline of what I use myself…

Candle Magic:

Carve a candle when…. the candle represents the target, in sympathetic magic. When, essentially, the candle is a poppet and lighting it is a symbol of destruction or empowerment to the target.

Place something under the candle or before it when… you are doing general candle magic, when the candle represents empowering a wish, idea or concept.

Anoint the candle when… doing work with spirits and gods, when you mark the candle for a special purpose, when doing high magic.

Herbs and plant work:

Use dry herbs when… it is convienent to do so, when the herbs are out of season or when you need to store them in a jar or bottle for a long time.

Use fresh herbs when… the spell is very earth orientated, when doing magic on behalf of another or when the magic is sympathetic so that the herbs represent the target, within kitchen witchery.

Use flowers when… when the spell concerns love and sex, or perhaps fertility and attraction, due to flowers being the reproductive parts of the plant. 

Use fruit when when… working with children as a target, or with children practising. When you work with fertility and abundance spells.

Use wood and twigs when… when the spell is for protection or binding, for hardiness. 

Burn herbs (recaning/incense) when… you wish to cleanse or banish, or invoke an atmosphere - that being, for divination using herbs that are said to open up your perceptions, when banishing, burning acrid or pungent herbs.

Use oil infusions when… you wish to anoint something, when you wish to mark something permanently.

Use floral waters (rose water etc) when… dealing with spirits and gods, for glamour as it has a long history of being used to beautify.

Crystals:

Use metals (haematite, copper, ores etc..) when… you work in protection, when you do energy work due to the conductive properties of metal.

Use shell, pearl, coral and such when… you work in sea magic, when you work within emotional magic due to the element of water.

Use points when… you wish to direct magic to a target.

Use tumble stones when… you wish the magic to be gentle or manifest at a certain place on the body on a target.

Use geodes when… you work in protection, when you work with glamour aimed to obscure and hide.

Knot magic:

Use cotton when… it is convenient.

Use silk when… doing spells that benefit the target.

Use ribbons when… love spells and wealth spells, as well as confidence and beauty spells. Spells to ensure victory.

Use rope when… doing spells that aim to hurt or weaken the target, binding especially.

Poppets:

Use cloth when… the spell aims to benefit who the poppet represents, use particular care when sewing or cutting, choose colours that are appropriate to them.

Use wax when… you wish to manipulate the target.

Use clay when… wish to create fetches or servitors, when you wish to create permanency.

Use twigs when… you wish to bury or throw the poppet out, when you want the poppet to be easily destroyed by breaking or setting on fire.

Sigils:

Use an alphabet grid or circle when… you wish the sigil to be more random and less attached to you.

Combine the shapes of letters from a sentence… when your sigil is very specific and a short term goal.

Use your own personal symbols when… you want the magic to be connected to you, when it is personal.

absolutely obsessed with these three georgian girls called trio mandilli (source)

there are gods you’ll see on a warm summer day, when the sun is close and ripe, and the air smells like flowers in full bloom, and like young wine goes to your head

there are gods you’ll see when the snowy night has covered the world in a deep dark shroud and your soul is bare against the judgement of the stars

there are gods you’ll see when you look into the eyes of a stranger and catch a glimpse of a long forgotten lover, overflowing with promises of many sleepless nights

there are gods you’ll see when your heart boils with anger and your spirit fills with wicked desires, as red as blood and as blood sweet

there are gods you’ll see when the pain tears you like thorns and nettles, and there are gods you’ll see when loneliness burdens you like a heavy unwanted crown

there are gods you’ll see in songs, in the beating of the drums and of the hearts, in the shimmer of a mountain stream and the depth of the sea, gods of wolf’s howl and of the forest

there are gods you’ll see many times on your path, and there are gods you’ll see only once in your lifetime, gods you’ll be happy to see and those you’d rather forget

there are gods you’ll see in the dreams

gods you’ll see in the smoke

gods you’ll see in the mirror

whatever you do, don’t look at them too long.