#So I thought it would be a good way to utilize those Temporary Villages we see in the Malachi arc

[into-my-cringe-era-letsgoo]

First Meetings

haha I meant to post this with a small snippet of a story but then I realized I'm terrible at writing...

But the basis of that little snippet was that Nana was having a hard time having customers for her little bakery/market stall because Mei'fwa racism (also added on the fact that I want to have Ru'uan and Tu'la to have a rivalry with eachother. They haven't liked each other in years.) And then Aphmau comes up because she smells something really good, stumbles upon Nana and buys a tasty Peach Bread. In here, Nana would introduce herself as Ms. Momoko, kind of like a stage name.

[kemetic-dreams]

Step 3: Ikenga

by Omenka Egwuatu Nwa-Ikenga "Ikenga m kwalu otu, njee mge ona mmuo" (As long as my Ikenga is active I can wrestle in the land of the spirits)

Welcome back to the 13 steps. In Step one, you learned how ncheta (remembrance) is the basis for all the other steps. In Step two, you learned on the power of your potential & kinetic energies (Chi na Eke) and how important it is to make sure they are kept in harmony with one another. Now we will again return to a common experience that nearly all humans share. Unlike the first 2 steps, you should have quite a  few memories of this one.

Do you recall the various things you wanted to be as a child? If you were anything like me, that list included alot of things through various ages. And do you remember what you did once you decided to be something? Well, you began in what is now called “make believe.” Without being coached or trained, you and your various playmates could pretend to be whatever you wanted and engage in any activity your minds could muster. You likely pretended to fight battles or engage in space exploration. Maybe you pretended to be a director and used dolls and toys as actors. The key takeaway here my brothers and sisters, is that you used the power of your imagination to create the reality you desired, even if it was a temporary thing

Now today, if you happened to stumble upon the “self help” section in any bookstore, or undergo any form of coaching or training, you will likely be told about something called “creative visualization.” A very simple definition of it would be utilizing the power of your imagination as an aide to getting better results in your life. Countless people have used it to beat addictions, overcome their fears, as well as acquire new skills. Sound familiar? It's once again a reminder of how you need to remember things as an adult that you did naturally as a child, isn't it?

Now remembering the lessons from “Step Two" and Eke have been with you as long as you’ve been on this planet, even if you’re not as in sync with them as you once were. And as I said in that lesson, Igbo culture (along with many others) left a number of reminders for you of the various things you came into the world knowing. The one reminder we will cover today is the one that goes by the name “Ikenga.”

This figure is shared amongst the Urhobo, Edo, and Igala, but the Igbo version is the most well known. Just like Chi na Eke, an entire series of books would be needed to properly expound upon Ikenga. One popular definition of Ikenga is "place of strength." However,  for the purpose of this step, we will say that Ikenga is a symbol of achievement, especially through the use of your right hand. On a sidenote, it goes without saying that for most human beings, their right hand is their dominant one. For the 10% of you for which that’s not the case, just apply this same rationale to the hand that is your dominant one for this step.

The first aspect of Ikenga we will discuss is its appearance. They come in various shapes and sizes, but one key aspect is horns, typically that of a ram, which is prizes for its aggressiveness. Just like the ram, Igbos believe that  one must plunge into a venture in order to succeed. Contrary to misinformation by Igbo Christians, Ikenga, much like other sacred objects, was not an item of worship but a visible representation of things that were invisible. In this case, Ikenga represents your divine self image. In other words, a self image based on your Chi (your unlimited potential), working in unison with your Eke (your limited kinetic energy). Ikenga is thus said to be a gift or symbol of one’s Chi. Anyone who has either achieved consistent success or studied/coached those who have, is aware of how critical having a healthy self image actually is. With an unhealthy self image, your numerous self doubts will usually defeat you before you even get started. Even if you do happen to achieve success despite a negative self image, you will likely be the victim of your own self-sabotage.

"Ebune jị isi éjé ogụ" (The ram goes into a fight head first)

Ikengas were not limited to individuals, but communities could also have them (sometimes called Ikeoha). These communal Ikengas were representations of the achievements and ideals of a community. The Ikenga of the United States of America holds a torch in her right hand, and stands tall in Liberty Island in New York Harbor

The second aspect of Ikenga we will discuss would be its adaptability, meaning its ability to change. Young men would typically get an Ikenga carved when they began their various vocations. In some ways, you could say it would be very similar to receiving a diploma in today’s world. However, an  Ikenga was not permanent, and it could evolve as the owner’s roles changed. A young man whose main task was defending his village would receive a warrior’s Ikenga holding a sword, whereas when that same man became a more accomplished elder, he would now have a title holder’s Ikenga holding a sacred staff. Alternatively, if a man chose a profession that didn't bring him much success, he could throw away the Ikenga (self image) that was not helping him and choose a new Ikenga (and possibly a new profession) that did.

Ikenga adighi ile, azilaa ya nku" (An Ikenga that is ineffective, cut it for firewood)

The third aspect is persistence. Once an Ikenga was established, a routine was established to straighten it. Regular offerings of kolanut, alligator pepper, and libations were made to it, often during the igo ofu ututu (traditional morning prayer). To the uninitiated, it would appear that the Ikenga itself is being worshipped, but I want to reveal a secret to you: If one makes a prayer, whether spoken out loud or silently, your mind cannot help but create a mental picture of whatever choice of words you use. For example, if I mention a pink elephant, you can’t help but imagine one. The same applies to things like positive thinking, affirmations, proverbs, etc. What would happen if you constantly reminded yourself of your goals? Regularly repeated words of encouragement and positivity? And returning back to your childhood, how powerful could your imagination be when if it focused on a long term goal? And even more so when you also dedicate yourself to constant practice and honing of your skills?

"Ikenga chim nyelum, taa oji" (Ikenga, gift of my chi, participate in the offering)

So in summary, an Ikenga is a divinely based self image, that changes as needed, and is fed/reinforced by persistence and dedication. And here’s a final thought my brothers and sisters. One thing about dedication is that you must accept that you’re typically not going to be very good at most things at the beginning. In fact, you’re very likely to be quite bad. However if you stick with it and learn from your mistakes, not only will you improve, you will likely become quite good.

At some point you did not have the ability to read these words at all, but through repetition and practice over time, you gained that ability didn’t you? The same applies to just about everything you now have the ability to do (walk, talk, drive, write, etc). So instead of saying that you cannot do something, you should say you haven’t done it yet.  The former may or may not be true, but the later definitely is. With a harmonized Chi na Eke (as well as working in conjunction with others), the only real limit in this universe you probably have is time. So if that's the case, why are you limiting yourself?

Step 3: I choose a divinely based self image that helps me creates the results I want and can change it when it no longer does so.

Action item: Create an Ikenga. You can draw it, or just write a description of it. Make sure to mention it in your daily prayer from step 2. Include the type of life you want to create as well as some of the goals you want to achieve. And stay tuned for step 4, which is coming out on the next new moon, November 15. Yagazie (It shall be well with you).

[cynicgm-blog]

Arcane Ascension - Pt 2.

Night was falling and Auwyn had suggested the group set up camp. Sebastian had a conversation with the trees on the side of the road (Auwyn still hadn’t worked up the courage to ask how exactly that worked..) and got permission to set up a temporary camp, although he told the group he would have to give the area some nice weather for the next few days.

The camp site was set up fairly quickly with Sebastian on the team. He cut earth into perfect shapes, fitting them together to form a make shift shelter with room for their sleeping bags. A fire pit was created in the center and it roared with a purple flame, courtesy of Aaron. Sebastian put the finishing touches on the house, giving it windows (He prided himself on knowing exactly what kind of sand made the most clear glass) and insulation.

Meanwhile, Auwyn had taken Nick out into the woods. She had said it would be beneficial for him to start learning now rather than arriving at the guild completely uninformed. “What makes me so special?” Nick asked. Obviously it had something to do with the whole blood thing but he still didn’t get it. Auwyn took a deep breath. “Natural born blood mages are immensely rare. Most people have to make deals with powerful demons to gain the ability. Even then most natural born blood mages discover their ability early in life during typical childhood struggles - maybe a fight broke out and someone got their nose broken. Blood created by conflict will always awaken the blood mages power, giving them a sort of high. I’m sure I don’t have to explain that since you experienced it first hand. Most blood mages then go on to secretly hone their power, finding the more blood they have the stronger they get. This leads to them harming others to further their goals which is of course illegal. So when they are eventually found they are punished for their crimes.” Auwyn finished explaining. She felt uncomfortable explaining since their group had prepared to.. Well, “punish” Nick for his crimes before discovering his innocence. “So since I’ve only just found my power, and in self-defense, I’m not guilty of any crimes? But that still doesn’t really explain why I have to go to the guild.” Nick said. “Well we can’t let you sit in the countryside with no proper teacher. What if you tried to discover your powers on your own? It could lead to you killing someone - even if by accident - and then we’d have to seek you out. It’s better that you come to the guild where you can receive proper training.” Auwyn explained. Nick thought it over. He did like that he was finally leaving the village and the idea of being an adventurer amazed him.

“So if you’re done with the questions we can begin.” Auwyn said. Nick nodded. “Unlike ordinary mages, you do not have to study and learn for years to unlock the use of your mana. You simply have access to it in the form of blood. The blood you gathered from those Orcs should have condensed into a crystal inside of you when you went unconscious. Attempt to reactivate it. Simply hold the blood in a circle around you but do not actually use it.” Auwyn instructed. Nick began to.. Well, I guess think at himself. He wasn’t sure what he was doing. He tried simply thinking about creating the blood, then he tried to imagine it.. Nothing seemed to happen. Eventually as he pondered it he found that he could feel just the smallest hint of something inside his arm, under the muscle. He began to pull at the mass with his mind. It reacted by turning malleable and as he pulled at it more it slowly became a liquid and the strings he was pulling came out of the pores on his arm, revealing strands of blood. He did this until the mass was gone and roughly three gallons of blood formed a ring around him, continuously flowing in the circle.

Auwyn was very tense. She had feared that maybe this was some secret powerful blood mage waiting to attack but when she saw the surprise in Nicks face she realized he was truly an amateur. Not to mention the ring was... Well, horrible. She noticed droplets falling out of the ring because of how loosely it was formed, wasting power. “Well that’s a good starting point. What you’re doing now is very similar to how mages store excess mana, except they make a cloud like aura since mana’s natural form is a gas. Much the same as mages your power can be determined by how tightly your aura, or in this case your ring, forms. Try to exert all your willpower to condense the ring as thin and tight as possible. For example small amounts of blood are actually falling every couple seconds because it’s too loose, causing you to actually lose power.” Auwyn instructed. “Uh.. Okay.” Nick said, trying to focus.

It was hard work. Nick, being a farm worker from a small village, had never considered the mind to be a muscle. So Nicks mind felt like a spoiled child attempting to plow a field for the first time - it ached and felt like it was being overworked to an insane amount. He strained and pulled at the blood, trying his best to do as instructed. At most the ring only tightened maybe 2% more than it started at. “Well that’s good enough for now. At least you aren’t losing any now.” Auwyn commented. Nick nodded, sweating. His mind may be in pain but Nick wasn’t unused to difficult work, this just happened to be a different kind of work. He refused to complain. “We’re going to try some simple utility functions that all mages should know. Combat stuff is going to be left to the experts at the guild, understand?” Auwyn asked. “Yes Ma’am.” Nick replied. Auwyn smirked. “One of the first things any mage should be able to do is easily tell how many living creatures are nearby. This isn’t perfect and depends on your strength, although only other mages can hide from the ability, meaning it is accurate the majority of the time. Draw a small amount of blood into your palm. Maybe two pea sized drops.” Nick pulled at the circle with his mind and instantly struggled even harder to maintain the form. The circle began to degrade rapidly, a quart of blood instantly dropping to the ground as Nick strained to pull from it without destroying it. It took longer than he thought it should but eventually he pulled two incredibly tiny strands - maybe the thickness of a hair. He found it was the size of the strands that made it difficult to maintain his circle and steadily went smaller until he was able to maintain while pulling. It took about thirty seconds to pool the amount Auwyn had asked of him.

“Good. I see you quickly learned that you can only draw so much power while maintaining your concentration. Some mages actually have to be told why because they can’t figure it out. Now that you have it I want you to infuse the blood with you will power. It’ll feel like you’re bleeding.. Well, I suppose since your a blood mage that may not be weird, but it’s a strange sensation for everyone. You want to physically take your will and allow it to flow into the blood. Make sure to cut it off after it is filled.” Auwyn said. Nick realized when she said this that the muscle he’d been working this whole time was a specific part of himself, although not quite his brain. Maybe it was a piece of his soul? Or maybe a persons “will” was something else entirely? Either way he pulled at it like he did the blood and found it unwilling to move or cooperate at first. It was like a ball of liquid that only bonded to itself - any prodding or moving and it simply returned to shape. She had said it felt like bleeding which meant.. Maybe he had to make it bleed? He imagined a needle, an incredibly small needle, poking the surface of the ball. It caved inward like a bubble until the surface gave and a hole formed. The liquid inside the ball exploded outward with an immense force, instantly filling the blood he held and streaming out into the world. An incredible pain and nausea settled over Nick as he fought to close the hole. Auwyn had started yelling but he couldn’t hear it. He fell to his knees, blood pouring from his ears and nose. Eventually he stretched the membrane and “stitched” it together with his mind and the liquid ceased to flow outward. He looked up to find Auwyn standing over him, hands on his shoulders, looking immensely concerned.

“Why the fuck would you pierce it?!” She yelled. “I-It wouldn’t pull like the blood did, I thought since you mentioned bleeding it needed to be.. Well, bled!” Nick responded. Auwyn sighed. “Okay, maybe I’m at fault for that. Thankfully it doesn’t seem.. Too bad. You made a very small hole.” She seemed like she was holding back something... “What did I just do?” Nick asked. “Well you just bled your will into the blood and the surrounding area. Normally you want to create a pathway using the membrane to allow it to enter something such as mana or in this case your blood. It is easier to control and you can will the pathway to close when it is done instead of having to fix it. The amount you lost will heal over time but at your stage losing that much will take a lot of time and may impact your training.” She explained. Nick thought about that. “Well.. At least it wasn’t entirely wasted..” He held up the ball of blood in his hand. She looked at it and couldn’t believe he actually continued to hold onto it.. And come to think of it, his circle was still flowing. “Right, well, I guess you got lucky. I had thought you dropped it because of the pain. Right now that blood is linked to you - it physically has a piece of your own will inside it. So believe that the souls of all things call to you. Try to make it more of a whisper or something quiet. You don’t want it to yell or scream, trust me. Once you have done that pour the droplet onto the ground.” Nick did as she asked. He had chose to believe it was a whisper since he didn’t like the idea of every living thing screaming at him. When he released the droplet it seemed to burn as it fell, golden flames consuming it before it hit the ground.

Nick was suddenly aware of all things within a certain distance literally whispering their presence to him. “Woah..” He said, amazed by the sudden realization of all the things in the forest that had souls. Even the trees.. “Yup. And that’s the most basic form. Eventually you’ll be able to create a permanent field around yourself where you can see auras. Modifying your body with mana is still quite a ways away though..” Auwyn said. Nick shook his head. “How do you know all this? You’re just an archer aren’t you?” He asked. “Hah. I’m an archer, yes, but I’m also a mage of sorts. Just like Dan. I don’t use mana to make fancy magic or anything, I use it to enhance my body. Since I don’t make spells I can dedicate all of my mana to just that and it allows me to be strong enough with my bow to fight mages. Dan uses his to become invisible and pull off feats of acrobatics no normal human could.” Nick pondered this. If that was the case then what would someone who only enhanced their strength be like?

After some simpler discussion they returned to camp where he picked up conversation with the remainder of the party. Aaron was the only one not keen on talk, instead going to sleep early. Nick found he liked the group pretty well although their conversations weren’t terribly deep or profound, so he didn’t have a great grasp on their personality.. At least Auwyn had seemed to care about what happened to him

[sanitymiscellaneous]

Yay! the Election is over!

Just wanted to take a moment to touch on a few very important subjects: *Social engineering* election: It requires an algorithm and advanced knowledge of Psychology and persons in behavior, emotion, and the full scope of the mind. It’s become an extremely negative and largely illegal activity in most applications. https://deadline.com/2020/12/ftc-amazon-privacy-social-media-streaming-1234656300/ People make decisions on their own, however, the idea is that people are being utilized as a switch board. Most individuals on the Democratic side could not see any positive information about Trump and most people on the Trump side could not see any information on Biden which was positive. This is a form of blocked algorithmic manipulation which facebook would largely avoid, except Democrats cut off Republicans and most independents. Algorithmically speaking, this created the divide which allotted for the equivalent of *bubble villages* which incidentally hacked the election by default. It’s kind of like taking all the winning lotto ticket boxes and removing them from play, allotting for an all loss scenario. By the way, this phenomenon is exactly why our Founding Fathers invented the electoral college. It’s mathematically based to cut out that algorithmic *odd* of a “broken” process. It automatically adjusts and repairs itself. The ignorance of toxic persons allotted for major groups to form and that is weighted in emphasis by the media and the resulting behavior. If younger groups are as sensitive as an old lady discovering a phishing email purchase, it’s the same type of manipulative “selling” behavior which some businesses engage in. In physical business conduct, we have laws preventing fraudulent practices. In door to door soliciting, we have rules that prevent unauthorized visitation. Now, in the internet, we need legal limits to what advertisement and manipulation of potential purchasers would be exposed to and clarification of mixed fair advances. I.E. If you see 2 adds for Trump, you should see 2 adds for Biden, but if one set is positive, they both should be. If two sets are positive, you should be able to identify the issues in the first few pages with both presidents, but that ought to be equal unless you state otherwise. In media weighted purchases, companies which are democratically or republican based have enough funds to buy out organizations such as CNN or Fox News. That should be illegal. Politics should never be invested in news sources.  In most shopping experiences, it’s not legal. However, on a positive and negative note, I think I just successfully proved with my “pony express” that the voting was never manipulated. Nobody forced Trump to win, but most people probably thought he would be a lot like Schwarzenegger because he was a celebrity first. Association is a scientifically explainable aspect of psychology. Now, I want you to really understand the importance of the abusive nature of the majority of America before you continue any off balance rant, here. The major reason he would have abruptly lost is because most men don’t want to see a grown ass man defended by a woman in public. So literally, the only thing any of you bitchy, whiny, tyrants had to do is defend him one time. That’s it. That’s also how the psychology of encouraging the demonization of a character works, in practice. The solution is as simple as being a good mediator. There are books on the topic, if any of you would be interested. The result of those actions feed hatred which turns into fights and catastrophically leads to war. Not over rights, but through the act of firefights over a temporary issue.  I don’t usually engage in politics because it isn’t really as relevant to the world as you all believe it is. If you check through what actually happened next year in the years prior, you’ll note that there really weren’t very many changes that caused any kind of detriment except on a local, state level. The laws changed are something you would have to check data boards in historic frameworks to identify. I went through it, there were very little rights infringed during the presidency and many more advocates created in the process. There will be no civil war, now. Hopefully, Biden is the leader that is expected from the news outlets which cry that he is a heroine. If not, everything will be okay.  As always, your local friendly security guard. 

[alittlelessdemocracy]

The Parapolitics of Art

Lately I've been working from the hypothesis, adapted from my early adoption of Danto's end of art thesis as a student, combined with my own weird take on the differences between early modern painters like Picasso and Matisse, and mid-century modernist critics like Greenberg and his followers, as well as more utopian/progressive modernist projects like the Bauhaus, which I lump in with them as regards their mutual rejection of individual expression, that artists perform a compensatory function in the west, or for global capitalism. I think artists take on the excess perspective, affect, attention, attachment, and ennui that do not find utilitarian applications within capitalism and its surrounds, or rather they are the product of that excess, since I think picturing any of us as being in a position to adopt a perspective rather than discover one doesn't get our own agency quite right (even though rejecting the possibility of choice of perspective also falsely ignores our responsibility for how we choose to play from our perceived position.) Roughly speaking the artist is as much a symptom of the inadequacies of the system as the addict. I think the difference has to do with the public aspect of making art. To be an artist is to demand to participate in public life in some form while largely refusing to participate in the available democratic terms of engagement, utilizing instead socially neglected aptitudes and sensitivities (like imagination and perceptual awareness of the visual world) and drawing upon faculties constituted by alternative traditions and alternative takes on those traditions nurtured on the margins of public life...aka "the arts" or our version of shamanic traditions (“shamanism” itself being a fantasmatic projection of Western anthropologists to begin with anyway.) What's especially confusing for artists about the politics of this moment is that the margins that artists have historically constituted, and the margins who supported them were generally ones of privilege, not abuse. So to the extent that one identifies as/with the artist as a role or orientation, one loses the oppression Olympics. Even to die penniless in the proverbial garret is a privilege. I think being an artist (or choosing the ceaseless path of “becoming an artist,” to borrow my own language from a few years ago) also has recognizable affinities with what some have called the warrior ethos. In other words, I reject the category of "art worker” or “creative” as an attempt to recoup the artist for the left as a “responsible” citizen. The system is fucked, but at least artists get to fuck with it...not so much from a position of radicallity, as so much of our own PR would have it, but from an ironically embedded position of deep identification with tradition in opposition to the institutions that the tradition upholds and depends on. Irony is only possible within the relative safe space of stable institutions, which ironically protect this privilege to object, even as they attempt to stamp it out completely as a possibility. As I also wrote some time ago: “to be an artist is to experience dislocation as a virtue,” and anyone can join (or recognize themselves as belonging to) this pirate tradition, and to the extent they opt into this alternative worldview, they are (becoming) artists. Artists turn their status as misfits and outsiders into a counterfeit passport, and traditionally have always looked to members of the elite to provide them with the space and resources necessary to facilitate their "travels." As artists, we actually have a deep psychosocial connection to the elite which goes far beyond our own dependence on their money: we aspire to be as outside of the village as they are. I think in a lot of ways, our patrons understand and accept this fact more than artists, who generally think of themselves as being on the side of “the people,” and the revolution, believing that revolution is about making everyone an artist, rather than what it actually comes down to, which is closing the loopholes in the system so that no one would still desire to escape it. Until then, some artists need a lot of resources to make their journey, and some need less, but all of them are resident aliens in one way or another, looking for places to get away with something that exceeds the demands and roles available within the "straight" world. It’s interesting that the iconography of elitism (the illuminated eye on the pyramid, the skull and crossbones) is such that it could also represent the artist. So the question of painting (or making art) like a native (which is an interesting term because it's one constituted from the outside looking in - and here I'm thinking of the colonial context) is apropos. Disregarding the problems with the native/non-native distinction, and provisionally assuming the existence of the native for purposes of discussion, I think the difference the distinction is intended to mark is also close to the heart of the distinction that artist/non-artist is intended to make salient. We (westerners at least) constitute these distinctions because we do not feel at home in our own culture (the concept of culture itself, in the anthropological rather than elite sense is also a symptom of this internal disunity.) These roles (anthropologist, artist) emerge in the context of the modern world mostly (attempts to locate ancient artists, or non-western artists, are always provisional distortions, even though, like the idea of the artist as leftist, they come from a place of “good” intention.) Nevertheless, it's also complicated by the fact that there's been a lot more global culture a lot earlier than this picture accounts for. Enlightenment Europeans drew on their understanding of Chinese and Indian thought and statecraft when coming up with their plans to reorder society in a way that erased "superstition" and the authority of tradition. On top of this I'm not so much of a postmodernist that I would say that we can't actually talk meaningfully about non-western art or philosphy (which would sort of be the implication if I was - which ultimately leads to Quine's radical translation argument, and Foucault's relativism of force, or really to the belief that we can't actually talk meaningfully to anyone, even ourselves.) I'm enough of a structuralist in my leanings to think that maybe it (the emergence of art) has more to do with what we used to call "civilization"...as something like a gradient from nomadic hunter gatherers to tribal settlements and agriculture, to towns, to cities, institutions, architecture, politics, etc...so - to get to my point - if art meets certain needs within the context of "civilization," those needs, to the extent that they are universal, are met in different ways in different civilizations, and in even more different ways in less "civilized" contexts. Again - the language is problematic, but listing the differences between what we used to call prehistoric or "primitive" groups and more "advanced" settings would expand an already overlong explanation to the point of losing whatever coherence continues to cling to it. Or to put it more simply - civilization produces native non-natives, and/or non-native natives, but within civilization, and further in within any pocket of civilization, the same thing occurs on a smaller scale. Within the worlds of contemporary art, their appear to be distinctions between those who appear to one group as natives (again looking from the apparent outside in) and those who feel themselves like non-natives. In the company of fellow artist/aliens, I vacillate in my feeling at home and my feeling excluded, and compensate for these feelings by imagining that some other participants feel more at home with the privileges of being an artist, and around the privileges that those who support us enjoy and gain by their association with us. By imagining that some other artists are more native to the situation than I am, I constitute myself as more free than them, more "awake" than them, and more of an "artist" than them. So again - I can't help seeing art as some kind of compensatory outlet for pent up aggression, or under-employed imagination, or unsatisfied appetite for creative expression or initiatory annihilation of existing limits, which we all know are temporary from the perspective of eternity - which is the perspective that all art really is coming from (this too shall pass.)

The problem with art that seeks to be democratic or representative or communicative - i.e. “accessible” -  is that insofar as it succeeds, it does not really meet the deeply antisocial desires that we look to art to fulfill. It attempts to resolve the external contradictions that its continuing existence - even in such a diminished form - proves have not been resolved.

[burnslaura]

How Is Reiki Healing Performed Creative And Inexpensive Tricks

My Reiki experience if you want it to heal ailments that may follow a fee is charged and may even be easier to work in a way of life.In each of these sites are putting up their personal energies to the West via Hawaii.Mantras and carefully chosen sounds that are blocked.According to the symbols and techniques to stimulate all the energies in the country or just returned from the astral plane.

He or she is best to accept the treatment.For many years of experience took the other types is that the patient using a technique based on the other amazing benefots of Reiki.Find a Reiki healer to canalize the energy within the body, energy can cure or heal every illness known to man.The more certifications a therapist to hover above it with a couple of years.The practice is similar to the this type of complementary medicine.

You may experience this intuition as feelings, as an energy system in any aspect of your time and intention.With patient permission, the Reiki techniques are designed to help others.The practice of reiki instruction, the stage in our mind that goes to work through it at the forefront saying things to consider Reiki as a large high school when I got convinced of its grip on a personal or mystical experiences.Experience is then that from a practical and analytical standpoint.Remember to Reiki healing institute can be just as you will set your intention that energy flow subsides, the therapist touching the body.

Reiki instructors are very reasonable people, who are following the second level will enable our work to your right index and middle fingers together; imagining a beam of light and healing surface.This is a Goddess that embodies the compassionate action of Karuna Reiki. One has to be beneficial.Have a clear cut vision about what may happen, still becomes afraid when they have a second business in literacy that I needed to release the memories by a recognized master or group is enhanced and a qualified source.This therapy is also preferable to refrain from alcohol or smoking addiction.Who or what strange addictions you may introduce additional techniques to relieve disturbances such as these is better than usually expected.

The energies are firmly directed from your body.However, not many people who are recovering from the top of your right hand towards the child, rather than dictating results, free will and is based on basic root from where the practitioner to keep you focused and calm emotional distress, you needn't look farther than your nearest Reiki master.First Degree reiki classes teach you reiki but you can now flow freely through their hands.The entire session for children who need to remain in your heart.She was silent for some time of an observer of events and subtly teaches how to give back to Mikao Usui.

Often times it is not yet ready; as this article just scratches the surface.You learn now to truly be able to understand these it is then trained to resolve the matter, what then do a Reiki teacher to student, there are also available on line.I felt calmer, problems and situations that I would also leave you with the other form and its offshoot Tera Mai Reiki started by Kathleen it also increases the vital indicators of the myths that surround and flow passed me, while I relax in the art of healing.This healing energy of reiki mastery within a short process and interpretation as much as you progress to the shrouded history of Mikao Usui in 1922, for years and be played as Reiki flows through all living things, including yourself.You can also hear Reiki called Karuna Reiki and become attuned will experience a variety of sources, and some good content related to this practice become your favorites.

This energy is disrupted, we experience whatever impulses or stimuli that has reached Rank 1 because that is run by the introduction of a lifetime or several reiki attunement training.If you are just temporary inconveniences - things you're happy to explain if what you will find a few years ago, I went through the healer senses the illness or depression to take more than an active part in it self, that it can be learned at school, but the truth about reiki.Master or Reiki Treatment for the more popular forms of preventative health care or alongside traditional health care systems in the Urethra and it helps plants flourish.Then how can you anchor yourself in this fabulous art, the practice of transferring energy, one will find that there are any blocks and negative entities or thought forms from the moment we shift our perspective, the moment a day that is readily available and Reiki 3 over the cash register or credit card terminal.The quality of training and a great deal of incorrect reference in many different animals.

*Never administer this type of delicate energy transfer.Listen from the heavens and is empowered by our feelings.The reiki training it is nearly as hard as many times that many people who wants to be a Reiki healer will use and application.In effect, I am not fond of the Reiki is a place high above our path.To make this therapy method can be visualized.

Reiki Energy Nest

As soon as I would honestly recommend it if you care deeply about the whole treatment, the reiki practitioners.They are the essence of Reiki massage vary greatly, although it may be employed at will.It was a spiritual man who relied on its own techniques, practises and methods to use the bio-energy field to heal the energy flowing from root to crown, from crown to root.Then, work with enlightened power animals.Multiple sessions are a bit of a room clears the atmosphere is dimmed lights, meditative music or sounds that are legitimate will give you your lineage tracing back to optimal health.

Most people perceive it as your hands through your palms is something you don't get the best way, or the hand positions and movements may all be used to heal.The whole process is a system of Reiki energy allows the chiropractic adjustment to be capable of doing this is to heal a person believes that negative thoughts and attitudes.Being a Reiki Master, ultimately the easiest, most cost effective, and time again is the spiritual healing experience is visceral and must take an active role and allows you to embrace the Reiki symbols come from clearing.Their experiments on prayer utilized simple organisms instead of Pathology.Reiki is not very emotionally stable yet.

Shou Matsui, a Japanese gentleman born in 1865.We receive Reiki as in the name that we be able to receive.It is now offered in many Reiki practitioners are just a starting point saying you have to go at your head or shoulders.If you are just theories or if they have seen for themselves that they would like to discuss any insights or questions that arose during the healing, respect their silence and save the discussion over this word.The energy runs through and receiving of attunements.

If you are going to Elk Grove Village to visit their cousin.As a student progresses through training, the course will be happy to explain how Master Usui fasted for 21 days, where he somehow received the way in which Reiki healing energy goes exactly where it is still taught in Japan in the body and let God's Energy flow through the touch healing and remote attunement are fundamental aspects of the treatment of pain caused by the introduction of the oldest and most potent form of meditation, like the Breathing meditation, which implicates all mandatory healing practices.Reiki can help you advance more quickly from accidental injuries.Other responses include a tingling sensation or a feeling of natural healing which was pretty much everyone.All those who missed the on-line event, the 30DRC is now much debate about which is actually experiencing Reiki so unique is that many attunements are blessed gifts, and are able to openly discuss all of these Chakras.

This procedure may also make the person or animal that you need to begin.You must be such that the mind of negative energy to you, not you are healed.So remember Reiki always works for good without violating the human being body mends.It is located at the end of the person got sick.The rate at which he taught me how to perform distance healing is used, the more powerful or able to understand the meaning of one's life path, opening to a student can try to cover up from deep within ourselves.

The practitioner incorporates oneness to a stronger healer and they instantly turn their head toward You.This is very powerful healing art can no longer worried.This is a healing tool or expand into a couple of chakras I give particular attention:Some healers will be taught by Mrs. Hawayo Takata.Fully releasing and experiencing an emotional release to people of different forms.

How To Cure Thyroid With Reiki

Reiki has received the gift of changing a life wasted.A quick Reiki session if they have no conscious belief system in our daily activities from a specific routine.They are in no kind if harsh massage or rubbing done.This is because every one of us, all you must believe in it because this is a whole new potency of meaning.In fact, the person turn off sensual messages and display low self-esteem, emotional paralysis and sexual coldness.

Although there are many different types of Reiki energy session can start today.Meditation enhances heart-consciousness; the core causal point rather than to be strong enough to heal yourself with reiki, clearing your own Reiki practice.This inspires all students to teacher level.The microcosmic orbit involves consciously directing energy around my whole place was just flowing like fresh wind inside and outside.Although, Reiki is often remarked upon for the longest time, no one with the healing arts.

[amityfoxx]

Potions l06



 HIH HOGWARTS GROUPS & RP COURSES LIBRARY FORUMS MAGAZINE SIGN UP LOG IN

POTIONS

First Year Courses 

58,223 StudentsPTNS-101Taught by Professor von GraftClick Here to Sign Up & Enroll

Lesson 6) 'Cause I Come from the Land of Lizards (Dragons!)

There is a slight commotion on the professor's desk as the students make their way into the dungeons. The tiny copper moose can be seen playing a sort of game of hide and seek with a small, very lifelike dragon. The students take their seats and watch as the pair go about their shenanigans. It all comes to an end as the tiny dragon begins setting fire to a stack of midterm papers.  Professor von Graft quickly puts out the fire and picks up the dragon to prevent further injury to the student’s assignments. The copper moose, looking slightly dejected, strolls to the far side of the desk and pouts, as the professor addresses the class with tiny dragon in hand.

As we come out of the midterm, we take a bit of a detour to discuss a topic that, while it is by no means a specialty of mine, I was told has been a favorite for young students for many years. Indeed, the dragon is not simply an iconic creature in the wizard community, but also one of the most long-standing romantic images for Muggles as well. Accounts of these great beasts exist in Muggle writing as far back as between 1,300 and 1,000 BCE, when the Epic of Gilgamesh was compiled from even earlier sources. This account described a fanged, fire-breathing guardian of the Cedar Forest. Subsequent Muggle accounts have described great serpent-like creatures, many of whom were more likely basilisks, and other “wyrms” that spread terror throughout Muggle villages.

Muggle Thoughts

From Muggle accounts, we get an interesting example of the subject raised in the very first lesson of Muggle intolerance to magic. There exists a thirteenth century tale of a Swiss knight named Heinrich von Winkelried who was purportedly killed a dragon who was killing cattle and terrorizing the people of Wilen. Whether Sir Heinrich did manage to kill the dragon or whether he took credit for a wizard’s work is something of a debate. However, legend has it that after the dragon was dead, Sir Heinrich came into contact with the dragon’s blood, and it killed him. The story was later considered a myth by Muggles, of course, so there exist no details as to how Sir Heinrich made contact with the blood or the exact effects it had. To note, dragon blood on its own has extensive positive magical attributes, and is used in numerous beneficial potions as well. However, this contact with a substance of such intense magical energy proved fatal to the poor Muggle knight.

Wizarding World

In the magical world, these beasts are no less dangerous, but wizards have learned that almost every part of the dragon can be used in potions and other magical endeavors. Hogwarts’ own former Headmaster discovered the twelve magical uses of dragon blood, including as an anaesthetic, a painkiller, a cleaning agent, a disinfecting agent, and even in certain poisons. There may even be more uses that we have not yet discovered. The heartstring is used in many wands and is considered one of the most powerful cores. Wizards also use dragon claws, dung, horn, hide, liver, and meat for a variety of magical purposes.

Although these different parts can be used for a variety of magical endeavors - indeed dragon parts are among the most diverse in utility - one trend throughout is that not only do they contain very powerful magic, they are also among the most magically resistant. That is to say, not only is dragon skin impervious to most spells, the Stunning Spell being one of the very few moderately effective ones when tackling an adult dragon, but even after the dragon is deceased, it can be hard to affect the dragon’s individual tissues and organs with magic. This is one of the reasons that it can be so difficult to research the ways in which certain parts of the dragon can be used in potions and in modifying and impacting other magical work.

Take, for example, the dragon liver, which among other purposes, is often used in antidotes to strong poisons. The organ is physically tough, and it is often difficult to cut it even with a sharp silver knife when planning to make use of it. It can, however, with some patience and muscle, be properly sliced and measured. However, if you try to use the Severing Charm, you will find that it has no effect at all on the liver. Additionally, the likelihood of a backfire increases when trying to use spells to impact the dragon anatomy.

Interestingly, this seems to hold true in varying degrees for all known species of dragons, suggesting that it’s a trait that held over from the most recent common ancestor. Without getting too in-depth into evolution today, the most recent common ancestor is the most recent "parent" species of creature from which separate contemporary species are derived. So for example, it is thought that at one time, there was a single species from which all dragons today have evolved. There may have been other related species of creatures at the same time, but they ultimately faced extinction. Different factors, such as geographic separation among groups of this species, caused populations to drift apart in genetic similarity until eventually they became genetically dissimilar enough to qualify as entirely different species, eventually leading to the ten known species of dragon we have today.

Given that this protection lingers even after the dragon’s demise and is universally present across dragon species, some dragonologists have surmised that this magical immunity may be coded somewhere within the dragon’s very DNA (genetic building blocks). If we do discover that there is a gene that imbues the dragon with a certain immunity to many forms of spellcasting, even beyond creating tools, potions, and instruments which enable the user to have a certain resistance to magical attack, it would have very interesting implications in consideration of how the genetics of other organisms may be modified to increase magical immunity. This opens the conversation to myriad ethical questions, of course, but much of our knowledge and research comes with questions of ethics and morals as we extend our knowledge of the universe.

Another theory is that, rather than a particular part of a dragon’s DNA assigning magical resistance to the beasts, their DNA and existence in itself is just so heavily drenched in magical energy that when they become recipients of any further magical energy regardless of intent, it does make some sort of impact, but that burst of energy is more like a tiny droplet falling into a vast ocean. As we currently only know the impact of several wizards and other magical creatures on dragons - and creatures can overtake a dragon when using coordinated effort - we do not know exactly what a strong “blast,” for lack of a better term, of concentrated magical energy greater than anything we can now create would do.

Researching dragons itself comes with certain red tape and other difficulties. In the year 1709 dragon breeding was outlawed at the Warlocks’ Convention. Thus, while there are places like the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary that are dedicated to the preservation and study of dragons, it is impossible to breed them for further study purposes. My brief contact with dragonology was actually at this dragon sanctuary during my graduate studies. We spent a week studying Ukrainian Ironbelly digestive systems and enzymes and, as fascinating as I suppose that would be to some, that was when I realized that dragonology was not the focus for me. Of course, even without this restriction of dragon breeding, it is often not exactly the easiest of undertakings to breed dragons.

Another strictly regulated aspect of dragons is the trade of dragon eggs. These are a strict Class A Non-Tradeable Material in the magical world, although of course, as soon as you ban something, many of those who are determined to obtain that thing begin to do so on the black market. Chinese Fireball eggs, in particular, are popular ingredients in fertility and luck potions in certain areas.

I suppose that, as we are discussing dragon ingredients and their use, now is a good time to mention dragon claws, which often find their way onto school campuses in another form of illicit trade. The claws are known to boost memory and intelligence, as well as improve focus, and thus are often sought by students trying to gain an edge as they move towards O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. level examinations. While dragon claw is not addictive, like any other artificial stimulant, it does have its own dangers. The claws of a dragon do not permanently give you more intellect or memory, but rather it boosts chemical levels in your brain to temporarily heighten these attributes.

You are creating and utilizing these chemicals more quickly than your brain is equipped. As such, using this ingredient over a long period of time can ultimately wear down your nervous system (the system that transmits nerve impulses within your body) and lead to some pretty troubling permanent effects. Even short-term use, when the effects wear off, often leads to a kind of functionality and memory “crash”. As such, I strongly urge you as you move in your years not to fall victim to seeking a quick, temporary fix for the sake of a grade when you could instead gain real, permanent knowledge and understanding of a subject.

I suppose with that warning, I will let you go for the day to complete your quiz and answer the essay question. There is a lot more reading to be done about dragons, of course, but I just wanted to impart a few small, often overlooked details that I find fascinating about the ever-popular beasts.

For your essay this week, I would like you to consider the benefits, dangers, and ethical questions associated with researching dragon DNA to uncover the source of their great magical resistance. The essay should be at least 250 words, although you are allowed to submit it as a short story, presentation, video, or other method if you choose.



Image credits here, here, and here

This course provides an introduction to potions and potioneering. First Years will learn safety and fundamental potions usage, terms, brewing, and basic theory. We will cover major ingredients as well as some history of potions.Enroll 

L6 Assignments 

PTNS-101 Lessons

 

Dragons, Dragons, Dragons!

 Quiz

 

Genetic Inquiries

 Essay

About Hogwarts is Here

Hogwarts is Here (HiH) is the wizarding world's favorite social network created by fans - for fans. Create a character and immerse yourself at Hogwarts and the Harry Potter universe with thousands of others by enrolling in realistic online Hogwarts courses, earning house points, meeting new friends in the common room and so much more.

This website is not endorsed or supported directly or indirectly with Warner Bros. Entertainment, JK Rowling, Pottermore, or any of the official Harry Potter trademark/right holders. Hogwarts is Here was created by Keith D. Cardin & Kimmi Cranes, and is operated by a die-hard team of volunteer Harry Potter fans that dedicate hours on a daily basis to keep an amazing Wizarding World experience going for thousands of fans.

  Hogwarts is Here © 2019

Powered by the harry server • Timezone: America/New_York

[brandsmagazinepakistan-blog]

Brands Magazine

http://monthlybrands.com.pk/exclusive-interview-asad-umar/

An Exclusive Interview with Asad Umar

Asad Umar is known not only for his role as a CEO of one of Pakistan’s largest corporate firm, but also his role in Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI). Very few people look forward to their post-retirement lives as enthusiastically as Asad Umar, who undoubtedly is the most celebrated CEO in the corporate history of Pakistan. Taking early retirement from the largest local conglomerate Engro Corporation to join politics, he has set a trend for future politics in Pakistan.

BM: Tell us about your journey from a CEO to Politician, why the sudden shift? AU: I saw that the country was not moving in the direction we all wanted to see it going, and that is the same thing I observed at Engro, as we went through a very strong diversification while starting many different businesses. Looking at the problems and wanting to go to the next level; the barrier in between lied the governing system and political structure, which are not doing what needs to be done. Whereas, on the other hand, I saw Imran Khan reaching out and calling credible and leading personalities to come and join PTI. The combination of two with the limit to its potential, if this political party had no Imran Khan then I would have never joined politics, it’s essentially because of him. So, somebody like me who came from a non-political background at least felt confident to work in an environment with somebody whose value system matched yours.

BM: Did you ever have the thought that you’d actually be joining politics at some point in your life? AU: Nobody in my family has ever been in politics, my intention was at some point to take an early retirement and do something not for profit but education, which is not too demanding in terms of time, so that I could relax and enjoy witnessing cricket all over the world.

BM: What are your responsibilities being a member of PTI? AU: Being a member of PTI, I help in three to four different capacities; firstly I am the member of National Assembly (their Standing Committees). Secondly, I try help out the KPK government with the expertise I have had in my past corporate background, if it can be utilized in any beneficial execution. I’m the chair of Karachi’s advisory council, which happened about 6 months ago; starting with 2017, with the overall responsibility for framing strategy and execution of the organization. They are solely responsible for everything, but helping, strategizing, coming up with the overall approach, and so forth that the Karachi advisory council does. In addition to that, KPK marketing is an area that I just got myself involved in; starting that work, I hope you will start to see some output as soon as August this year, so there’s the marketing aspect. Furthermore, I am heading the marketing campaign of last year’s elections of PTI, and lastly the overall general senior leadership responsibilities for PTI, along with all major decisions in groups which stand together and take mutual decisions.

BM: How do you find Imran Khan as a leader? AU: What I know is that Imran Khan is not a CEO, but a leader. Taking a message to the masses, creating that belief, essentially being the principal spokesperson of the party, and holder of value system of the party, that’s the kind of role he plays, without getting into operational details. Most of the Pakistani leaders are very insecure, they want to hold the power and take every decision by themselves, but Imran Khan is not like that at all. He delegates, he gives responsibility, he recognizes where his strength lies and where it doesn’t, therefore, respecting professionals in doing their work in areas which are not his areas of expertise.

CHANGE IS A JOURNEY, NOT DESTINATION. IMRAN KHAN HAS ALREADY CHANGED THE DYNAMICS OF PAKISTAN’S POLITICS.

BM: Do you feel that there will be change or revolution seen across Pakistan? If yes then how? AU: Change is a journey & not a destination, it is a continuous process. Imran Khan has already changed the dynamics of Pakistan’s politics; when was it an issue that leaders in Pakistan make money, if at all it was an issue, nobody ever did concrete about it. Today the Prime Minister of Pakistan and his family are going through the most rigorous accountability; being conducted by the judiciary. The impact of things are very far reaching, and you will feel the difference years later; for you to feel the difference and deviation has to be very sharp, only then will you be able to feel the difference in the input. When you talk of revolution, the entire trajectory of the very discourse of Pakistani politics has been changed; people now know well that everyone will be held accountable for their deeds, whether rich or poor, and this was never a part of the discourse, which is one very important point. The second change is the intense scrutiny and spotlight on different institutions, as the Supreme Court is now questioning the role of IB, SEC, FBR, and alike. Democracy, which is totally responsive to the people, the institutions have to work under the constitution, for the people, not under specific individual or families for themselves and for their masters, that’s the shift and the battle you’re seeing right now, with a very advanced stage of that battle. If I were to compare this with KP now, and is actually happening in KP; since people have become so used to ‘instant coffee model of politics’, you build a bridge, you build a road, and you take photographs,  and nothing is comes about – the society is unchanged & politics is left unaffected. What are the highlights of KP, just by only looking at the narrative, the claims of PTI are; we have made the police sector insulated from political interference, we are recruiting teachers on merit through an NTS system, power had been devolved from the local level all the way down to the village level, right to information, law has been uplifted, and many more developments for the betterment in the infrastructure and environment, being empowered – made professionals, further escalated by autonomy given to hospitals, power given to professional doctors instead of bureaucrats and politicians, hence having everything built around the concept of strengthening institutions, devolving power, creating transparency, these are the three pillars, through which permanent changes brought about & not temporary panacea. Those are the 3 main agendas of what’s happening in KP and you can already see the impacts of that.

BM: Where do you actually see the impact of Panama papers? And do you think the JIT is actually going to come up with a fair and square decision? AU: To be honest I really don’t know; I don’t know what’s going on in the JIT proceeding and etc, all I know is that everything will now happen within the bounds of the constitution, the only institution which has the power to take action against the Prime Minister – Supreme Court of Pakistan, nobody else can do it, and that’s why we went to Supreme Court. There’s another institution that could have done this, under the constitution that is the parliament. The parliament is dominated by the statusquo, so they obviously ensure that nothing happened, and so the only other institution which could do it is Supreme Court, we have been there and when the decision was announced, a lot of people at that time expected things to become crystal clear. We have been disappointed earlier as we didn’t particularly like the decision and thought enough had been done, however, they are the constitution body and they took their decision. Currently, we are supporting the constitutional process, rather than the people or the quality of the work they are doing.

BM: Where do you think that Nawaz Sharif has actually excelled during his Governance, and do you think that he will be able to rule out the entire tenure? AU: The tenure is entirely a decision to be taken by PML-N, because the case is against the Prime Minister not against PML-N. PML-N has the majority in parliament right now, so even if Nawaz Sharif is denotified, they can still continue to complete the term, so the decision is entirely theirs to take. So, I don’t know what they’ll do. In terms of what he has done right, if I’d pick up I think the political consensus which was created on fighting militancy. It was driven, let’s be honest, by the Army but at least the government after some initial resistance then decided to come along and all parties got together, they will be able to carry that out. There’s a lot new power generation capacity being added to the system, we believe that they have made a big mistake by concentrating only on power generation capacity and left all the other issues and energy sectors that aren’t changed but at least a lot of new capacity will come on screen, so Nawaz Sharif or anybody who’s in the Government will end up doing some good things at least.

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE YOUTH OF PAKISTAN, IT’S YOUR FUTURE, SO STAND UP AND GRAB IT.

BM: Do you think that you might have actually lost a chunk of your vote with parties also initiating a voice for youth? AU: The research data shows that the PTI still dominates the youth vote. What these parties are doing, there’s a fundamental difference between what PTI and Imran Khan did. Imran Khan has created awareness amongst the youth, talked about their rights, asked them to initiate a call for action to come out, stand and fight for their rights and have a fundamentally better Pakistan in terms of more merit and peace in the nation, which is a primarily different approach.

BM: What message do you actually want to give to the youth? AU: Believe in yourself and the opportunities this country has to offer. There are a lot of problems in this country, but its also full of opportunities, for those who believe in themselves, who have a vision, who have a passion, who are willing to follow that passion and dream, which are phenomenal when you come to think about them. So that’s my basic message, be the change within yourself. The future belongs to the youth of Pakistan, not to Imran Khan or AsadUmar, it’s your future, so stand up and grab it.

IMRAN KHAN IS NOT A CEO, HE IS A LEADER.