Granny Wolf

somethingbeasty @ 12:17 am:

ensurientchaos_ @ 10:48 am: Thought of the month


Tags: thought of the month

panshiva @ 03:23 pm: Remembering Richard Again
Richard P. Chaney

January 17, 1940 -- July 20, 1998



Richard Chaney, AB and PhD from Indiana University (1963, 1971), was a highly regarded member of the anthropology faculty since 1968 until his sudden death from heart failure in July 1998. He held the position of Associate Professor.

Richard Chaney was in many ways the quintessential professor: an avid reader and theoretician in cultural anthropology and comparative methods, an interpreter of exotic cultures and practices, and a successful teacher and an exceptional mentor. Richard was also active in service to the university and the larger community as well as a father greatly committed to his children and family.

Richard was a deep thinker and read widely not just in anthropology but also in psychology and philosophy of science, one of his prime areas of interest. He was developing several major writing projects that continued to expand along with his own intellectual growth: he had been working for some time on a book on a history of anthropology and had completed a major segment of a manuscript on the contexts of creativity. Chaney's writing showed evidence of interdisciplinary thinking, creativity, and fresh viewpoints. His interests in comparative hermeneutics formed the central theme of much of his writing and teaching; but as well he believed strongly in the fundamental importance of the comparative method and was especially well founded in the ethnology of Native North America.

Chaney was an expositor in his approach to teaching; his style was his own and one that inspired many students, these often followed him class after class. He attempted to lead students to make connections among the different disciplines and he was effective in both small seminars and large lecture classes; in either setting, he caused students to think, opened their minds, and helped them deal with abstract issues such as human intentionality, consciousness, and creativity. Chaney had served on more than 80 doctoral dissertation committees and was particularly involved in anthropology and education. He worked with many international students, especially in recent years with ones from Taiwan, where he was held in high regard by his co-researchers at the Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica, and National Taiwan University in the area of traditional medicine, folk healing and religion.

In these brief notes we cannot hope to sum up or do justice to what Richard brought to the university; however, he was one of our most student-centered professors with strong connections to many diverse sections of the campus from philosophy to education to physics and one who enjoyed working with students as well as debating the role of hermeneutics in science. He will be missed.



William S. Ayres

Professor and Head, Anthropology

ensurientchaos_ @ 04:29 pm: Thought of................the month.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

A lot of people are fond of creating quotes for the day. But in our fast paced world, people are thinking deeply on less and less. What use is a philosophical thought that you forget within a few hours? In order for it to really make you wiser, you have to hold on to it. You have to concentrate on it, reflect on it, until it changes you in your very physical, your bones, your sense of self, your thought.
Enlightening myself and others is something I aspire to and while things on my side of the fence are keeping me occupied these days, so I cannot devote the time to writing what I would desire to, I can still put a thought out there and invite you to think about it. I am going to be posting it everyday for a month, and I may write a little bit on it. The idea is to think about it, to reflect on it, to apply it, to improve one's life with it. Since many of us know each other and so many of us are fond of sharing with those we adore and appreciate, I think we will all benefit.

So, our thought for the coming month, and by month I mean lunar cycle, is:

"The absolutely practical is absolutely spiritual."

If you are wondering where it is from, I don't know. Me maybe, I was thinking it today while working in the garage.

Love is the law, love under Will.

Think on.

Tags: thought of the month

spiggycat @ 04:49 am: we all know him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjCVfcCIkqc

Tags: work

panshiva @ 07:23 pm: Why Religion is Mostly Dumb and Gnosis is Fundamentally Necessary
Since my mystical experience following my taking the "Red Pill" in 1989 I've found most "Religion" to be problematic. Because of this, one of my focuses in Anthropology was the Anthropology of Religion. I wanted to understand what this massive viral infection called "Religion" is that plagues the minds of humanity on so many, many fronts.

But ye doth protest too much...think of the great art and great cathedrals inspired by ennobled minds....think of the lofty values and ideals, hopes dreams and aspirations....

I didn't say everything is dumb, just that it's mostly dumb.

On the other hand, think of the waste of lives, talent, energy, intelligence, and creativity, siphoned off by the vampiric Language Virus that is mainstream religiosity as embodied by the parasites called religious institutions and religious functionaries that feed on mankind in a never ending cycle of need, greed, and bleed.

The basis of my critique is Gnostic. And yes, we already know the interface between "Esoteric and Exoteric" within a given long gradient of religious tradition...That they interface and inform one another, blah blah...

That said, most religion is based on a superficial relationship between the mind/ego/persona/ and various emotionally charged and communally anchored symbol sets and ritualistic practices. Humans are infected by these symbol sets from birth and it takes a great degree of deconstruction in the form of massive ordeals to ever go underneath the floorboards. Yes, and this is intimately bound up with culture...

Most religions and religious commitments are some how tied to ego driven identity politics wherein the mind/ego aggregate is habitually anchored relative to a referent (I'm a Pagan, I'm a Buddhist, I'm a Christian, I'm a Muslim), blah, blah...

At a deeper level of Gnostic realization, all of this is so much more ephemeral memetic slight of hand.

In stead of wasting our breath on this kind of stuff, we should be pushing for Revelatory Technologies (Yoga, Psychedelics, Meditation) that pierce the veil of the ego/symbol/identity construct and open the door to revelatory Gnosis based on individual understanding shorn of the need for religious officials, institutions, and paradigms. It' time we all woke up, and shucked the training wheels of the soul that is religiousity.

But people need ritual, they need religious community...Do they? I buy the community part, but need it be "religious community." The Ksatriya warrior caste critiqued the Brahmanical Castes over 2000 years ago when they went into the forest (as a community) to practice yoga. They wrote the Upanishads, which to this day trumps most writings on spirituality. Their point was that religion and religious functionaries were basically parasites that made their living defining themselves by symbolic capital and feeding off of their communities to assert their own positions vis a social hierarchy. If you had inner awakening as a yogi or taker of Soma (Red Pill) you saw the smoke and mirrors of this entire side show and the fact that you don't need people like this to guide and direct your life anymore.

Like the Ksatriyas and Forest Yogis who wrote the Upanishads, The sooner we shuck the idea that other people, institutions or paradigms have a better take on God and the Truth then the process of own inner awakening, the sooner we will come to casting off this giant parasite on the evolution of human consciousness called religion.


Of course, this perspective is highly threatening to religions, religiosity, religious functionaries, Brahmans, Priests, Pundits, Pagan Wannabe Cult Leaders, Witch Queens, Buddhist Lama Masters"... Particularly those who make their way in society via the profession of religion. One of the great ideas we get from Shamanism is that their were no full time shamans. Every Shaman subsequently had to hunt, fish, or garden. That is, they had a "Day Job" that made them self reliant and self sufficient, and all of their Shamanic Techniques were and adjunct to that. I think this is a great model and would wipe out a big part of the problem I'm talking about above.


So what kind of a world would it be like without Religion (Not spirituality or Gnosis Mind you)...Imagine.

tausirhasirim @ 09:07 pm: NEW FROM BRAD ON THE BOOK
( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Tags: brad steiger, high weirdness, strange stuff, vampires

sml_oto @ 11:31 pm: Vulgar New Year’s Eve Party

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Frater Ίακχος ט

shoeless_wade @ 12:13 am: Mostly for archival purposes, my life right now:

Kaitlin and I are driving across the country as a twosome because the Stage Manager of our traveling puppet show caught swine flu/pneumonia.

It's definitely one of those... "hmm.. didn't see that coming" moments.

Oh, also on that list- I saw So You Think You Can Dance live. That was really weird. Humans are pretty wild. I mean, animals have their tricks, and we look at them and go "Wow, animals are wild!", but humans have so many different tricks! And we do them on purpose!

And that does a pretty good job of summing that up, I think.

richard_kaczyn @ 01:13 pm: Tonight!
Tonight at 10:00 pm ET (7:00 PT), HDnet will premiere, as part of its "InFocus" series, the Enigma documentary Aleister Crowley: The Beast 666.

Villanized during his lifetime as the 'World's Most Evil Man," Aleister Crowley is the most well known and influential occult magician of modern times. Was he a fraud, a madman, a monster or a perhaps a real magus?

It's a great overview of Crowley's life and beliefs, and how these inform the spiritual practices of a modern magician. The show will also be re-run throughout the month; for a list of showtimes, look here.

spiggycat @ 10:34 am: tarot etc

The Nine of Swords card suggests that my power today lies in realization. I am not my mistakes. I can't do this alone or pretend any more. The illusion of comfort in denial or sacrifice is no longer mine. There is no shame in my suffering -- no healing in silent self-torment. It is here at the surreal crossroads of the "soul search" where dawning truth meets the anguish of overwhelming resistance in mind over matter that I can finally wake up, change my mind, let go of what no longer works or own my losses or choices. I am empowered by intense acknowledgment or epiphany and my virtue is gratitude or relief in recognition.

++ ++ ++

so my solsice book need list (ex got them... i want to re-read)
Venus in Furs
Think 9 1/2 weeks only written during the victorian period. This isn't any grand literature... just fun reading. not a childrens book.

Satanic Witch by LaVey...
This book should really be on Oprah's book of the month club. Probably a lot better than most of the "self help for women" books out there... it really is neither about satanism or being a witch... more of an owner's manual for guys (see dave barry's book)...

Doc and Fluff by Patrick Califia
great book...a bit pretentious... think mad max merged with We merged w/ Trouma films... she has a lot of good points about alternative culture and how even outsiders are not necessarily accepting of other outsiders who aren't like them. again, not a childrens book.

Purchased the spiritual lives of children last week.. am really interested in reading it. The lauren goes to a parochial school of a different religion that we practice... Spoke to Rev Harmony about how to talk to her about the differences in belief structure... Hope the book will help too...

++ ++ ++

news of work.... so we are supposed to go bowling after Toastmasters... I am the timer today... Woot!!! I can play Vanna White with the cards... so awesome!

Waiting for Seattle ppl to log in... I want to finish the DNS server setup today... I have been obsessing on getting it done by Solstice to the point of annoying everyone...

I have 2 MOPs before Solstice and a class... Need to reschedule 4 PTO days... need to figure that out... i am not good at PTO... but need to learn how not to work.

We are supposed to have a Taco Mac happy hour either this week or next week... My app teams and the SAs are invited too... I really wish it was an all Atlanta people meeting... There are some people I think would be fun to see drunk... Especially the PMs...

Tags: books, ediets

somethingbeasty @ 05:50 pm:

kakurowski, posting in oto_community @ 04:20 pm: Merkavah Magic Series at WBL Jan. 7 - 28, 2010
Merkavah, The Original Magic and Mysticism of Judaism
(4 Class Series)
Thursdays, January 7 - 28, 2010
8 pm - 9:30 pm , doors open at 7:30 pm
$20 per class for non WBL members

After the destruction of the Temple at the hands of the Romans, a radical change occurred in Jewish spirituality. During the period of the writing of the Talmud we see the creation of the literature of Enoch, and the Sefer Yetsirah, and evidence of mystical and magical practices focused on obtaining direct knowledge of the science of the Creation and ascent to the Heavenly Palaces to stand face to face with the Throne of God. This system stands as a direct precursor to much of Solomonic Magic, and appears an almost mystical prototype for the Enochian system. Over these four classes we will explore some of the basic concepts and texts of the Merkavah mystical and magical system, and look at how it fits into magic (k) today.

Class 1: The Merkavah: In this class we will explore the basic history and concepts of the Merkavah system, which has been referred to as Jewish Gnosticism by some. We will look at the idea of the image of God, the concept of the seven heavens, and the purpose and idea behind this ancient system of spirituality.

Class 2: The Greatest of Men and the Seven Heavens: In this class we will explore the story of Enoch, the man so great that God elevated him beyond all the angels. We will look at his role in the Merkavah system and in later magical systems. We will also begin looking at the nature of the Seven Heavens of the Merkavah.

Class 3: The Four Who Traveled in Paradise and the Dangers of Mysticism: In this class we will look at the story of Rabbi Akiva and those who went with him to Paradise in an attempt to attain the vision of the throne of God. We will also look at the concept of danger in mysticism, as this concept is prevalent within the Merkavah system.

Class 4: The Descent to the Chariot and the Merkavah Today: In this class we will look at the actual means by which the Rabbi Akiva and the others of the Merkavah stories traveled through the heavens, as well as exploring the powers and knowledged gained by them and how this is reflected in later Jewish and Christian Magical systems. We will touch on the similarities between Merkavah and the Enochian system and look at how Merkavah can relate to contemporary mystical practice.

Email: master@williamblakeoto.org
Phone: 248.885.9397

Directions to the William Blake Lodge Temple:
95N to Washington Blvd. exit
Turn left onto Washington Blvd.
Turn left onto Monroe
Turn left onto Eagle
Turn right onto Pulaski
Red Brick Building on left side (Cambridge Building)
William Blake Lodge on 5th floor, suite B
Park on street.

panshiva @ 09:42 am: Smart Connected Cities
This group is doing amazing work.

http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2009/prod_070109b.html

I want to get a job using Design Thinking and Green Leadership inside this group!!!

panshiva @ 03:40 pm: Samekh Month 4
Yesterday I started the third phase of Samekh which involves working the ritual three times a day for three months. My whole days is pinioned to this work, and it's the most important thing I do. Work, yoga, Krav Maga, dancing, socializing, school, all are framed and defined by this ritual, It's as if I'm drawing a "Golden Thread" throughout my day which unites everything into a coherent stream. At times I feel this sense of a "Golden Thread" extends back and forward through time. I have a greater sense of the unified theme of the "Work" I've been working on for lifetimes. At each of the time periods, I have this incredible yearning for the invocation, and the exaltation that comes at the summit. I've rekindled a zealousness in my practice through this ritual, which I have to say is by far the most beautiful thing Crowley every wrote in my opinion. It trumps the Mass, It trumps the other star class rituals, it trumps everything...it is everything...it's the whole point of the system. I wonder how I'm going to feel in three months before phase IV begins!!??

panshiva @ 01:39 pm: The Road to Zion
"She guardeth the Abyss. And in her is a perfect purity of that which is above, yet she is sent as the Redeemer to them that are below. For there is no other way into the Supernal Mystery but through her and the Beast on which she rideth.”
(Aleister Crowley)


"The Woman-Soul leadeth us Upward and on!"
(From Goethe's Faust)

Babalon's number is 156, as is Zion, the heavenly city. She is both the gateway and the goal, as Zion stands beckoning. The City of God, the heavenly kingdom made manifest upon the world. To know her and love her is to serve her and seek to build ZION once again in the midst of the fermanent. Drawing down the lighting and fires from heaven, mixing the star seeds with the elements, laying the cornerstone of the New Jerusalem, the tenacious work of Builder/Templar/Masons dedicated to their love of the Holy Whore continues unabated, one breath, one thought, one word, one deed, one stone at a time...


ZION TRAIN By Bob Marley

Zion train is coming our way;
The Zion train is coming our way;
Oh, people, get on board! (you better get on board!)
Thank the Lord (praise Fari) -
I gotta catch a train, 'cause there is no other station;
Then you going in the same direction (ooh-ooh).

Zion's train is coming our way;
The Zion's train is coming our way.

Which man can save his brother's soul? (save your brother's soul)
Oh man, it's just self control. (oo-hoo-oo!)
Don't gain the gold and lose your soul (just don't lose your soul)
you see Wise man is better than silver and gold -
To the bridge (ooh-ooh!)

Oh, where there's a will,
There's always a way.
Where there's a will,
There's always a way (way, way, way, way),

Soul train is coming our way; er!
Soul train is coming our way.

Two thousand years of history (history)
Could not be wiped away so easily.
Two thousand years of history (Black history)
Could not be wiped so easily (could not be wiped so easily).

Oh, children, Zion train is comin' our way; get on board now!
They said the Zion train is comin' our way;
you got a ticket, so thank the Lord!
Zion's train is - Zion's train is - Zion's train is - Zion's train -
They said the soul train is coming our way;
They said the soul train is coming our way.

foxsong @ 12:37 am: I still want a hula hoop!
As threatened promised... it's video of Gathering Time covering the Chipmunks' Christmas song!

somethingbeasty @ 10:55 pm:

spiggycat @ 11:02 am: December reading
( Thoth Reading )

in news of cyne that is not work/ bitching about work... house is getting new siding... it will be this really neat brown colour w/ beige trim... Also getting a new front porch, stained glass front doors and windows and french doors w/ internal blinds for the patio. "Unkle Cott" got us a new dishwasher for Yule and gift for the lauren. TV was recalled by Sony (for the big green blob) and new one ships today... 52" flatscreen gaming one that will play lots of "Super Y and the adventures of the Super-readers"... (at least she doesnt like barney.) new fence and covered patio soon IMO... sooner if i win the lotto.

new YJ came in the mail, and there is a vegan chocolate cake recepie in it... plan on baking this weekend i guess... and then i got emailed about
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/9980?printer=yes

my Yule presents from VS came in earlier than expected... love the new PJ's but if you buy them, the slippers run a bit small... i may take mine back for the next size up... the big red free bag is wonderful... trying to find excuses to use it now... the VS fashion show this year was pretty boring... liked the clothes in the catalog better than on the set... esp the green peacock bra... i am gonna get it when there is a 30% off sale, b/c i am against spending $100 on a bra in principle... and Fergie was the cutest of the ppl on the show.

So i have been having good luck thriftstoring... got a brand new VS bra (the biofit one) w/ tags for $1.10 and another pink betsy johnson slip for $2.23... a lego... the merrell trail runners i have been drooling over at REI for $14... and vegan NANA silver knee-high boots for $10... and a free people sweater... hoping someone decides to donate some Eileen Fisher coats but beggars cant be choosers :P it is odd... the local thriftstores dont have a lot of vintage clothes or shoes... but they do have some vintage jewerly and pottery...

exchange of the week:
Woman: my kid is already 10 pounds and is only 6 weeks old
Man: what are you feeding it? .. oh wait... i don't want to know... ewweee.

Tags: house, shoping, tarot

panshiva @ 09:13 pm: Winning, Competitiveness and ARETE
When I first moved to the Bay Area I remember hearing from different friends that kids in the SF school district were discouraged of thinking in terms of "winners and loosers" in competitions because they didn't want anyone to feel bad, or "marginalized."

That's weak and lame. I grew up playing competitive team sports, and played water polo and ran track in high school. I later competed in the martial arts.

In my time I WON and I LOST. Winning rewards you for hard training and effort, LOOSING teaches you humility and the ability to acknowledge your limitations.

People who never experience this, who eschew competitive dynamics are missing big lessons. These contests teach skill, and refinement, and force you to look at yourself and realize your own weaknesses while working to further your strengths. Loss, if looked at with courage and will, is a stepping stone to betterment. Winning, if looked at with honor, is a foundation for nobility.

Many Pagans I know were nerds and outcasts in school who retreated into the world of books at the expense of their bodies, but the Pagans of antiquity were definitely physically competitive. The Olympics, the Greek Pankreton, all derived from a fiercely competitive culture that valued the body, virility, strength, and self overcoming. This self overcoming was also the foundation of their idea of ARETE, or excellence associated with the effort of realizing one's destiny. Though they may have been an "Agonal" Culture, the Greeks produced works of beauty and art that make our superficial pop culture seem like one giant cartoon in comparison.

No one gets to a place of greatness without alot of loss, without feelings of limitation, and without the chance to wrestle with their shortcomings.

Stop the Therapy and get on the Matt, the Track, or some place where you will be less concerned about your EMO problems, and more focused on the task at hand...WINNING, or GIVING IT YOUR ALL TO WIN!!!