Flying without a Net

otherwise known as..I have no net access at home, until January 1st, so have been missing being more present here!

I am making loads of stuff, taking loads of piccies, and generally gettin on with the Joie de Vivre of Life...

Here's hoping you're all more than well, and in case i don't reach a 'puter by then-

HAPPY SOLSTICE!!!! (Can't actually believe the Winter Solstice is here already!!)

xx
Love,
Ayanna*

New Vials

So, I finally sat my butt down all day, and did some long over due photo uploading and editing. :-)

Here are the 4 newest Wee Lands vials. They all measure 2 1/2 inches *with* cork and all the ingredients have been lovingly(ofcourse..)handcrafted by yours truly. Enjoy! :-)

The Venusian Love Vial:
She contains organic roses, a sprinkling of my 'Invoke Beauty' magic incense/powder, 5 rose quartz beads, and a glittered up image of a Vintage-y looking rose. The cork has been 'Glitterfied' as well. And a lovely bit of old timey cream lace wraps about the neck. :-)


The Faery Vial:
Contains a very wee hand rolled beeswax candle, an organic pink rosebud, some faery moss, sparkly glitter(is there any other kind??) and a wee oak leaf made out of Japanese washi paper. Also Glitterfied(ofcourse) :-)



The Druid's Door Vial:
From my personal collection, I have created a mini world's view of the Druid's Door. The Knower of the Oak. The image within is of an Oak door, flanked with 'large' green oak leaves, which rests on a piece of vintage sheet music. It is said that all the plants and flowers of this world, were created from the music of the Dagda's Harp, in the Otherworld. At the base of the Druid's Door, is Faery Moss, along with a very deep purple Amethyst bead. Amethyst also being a Gatekeeper. The cork has been transformed into a Golden Key to Faery. Topped, ofcourse, with the cap of the Acorn.




The Magician/Witch's Vial:
Again, from my personal collection. Nestled in a top Faery Moss, are a labradorite bead, a very wee hand rolled beeswax candle, and a teeny Book of Shadows and Light that I made. The Book pages are parchment, the covering vintage lace, and the spine is made of antique victorian lace. On the front of the Book is a Crowned Heart. :-)




I do hope you Enjoyed parousing my new little vittles!

xx
~Ayanna*

My Fave

Misty eyed Jon and Stephen... So Good!!!!!!

Be the Change you wish to see in the World :-)

Come On Up For The Rising....

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S COMMENTS FROM THE STAGE AT CLEVELAND'S VOTE FOR CHANGE RALLY
November 2, 2008

Hello Cleveland

It's great to be here today among friends. I'd like to thank Senator Obama and his folks for inviting me. I've been here many times since 1973, but never on a day as glorious as this one. We are at the crossroads.

I've spent 35 years writing about America and its people. What does it mean to be an American? What are our duties, our responsibilities, our reasonable expectations when we live in a free society? I saw myself less as a partisan for any particular political party, than as an advocate for a set of ideas. Economic and social justice, America as a positive influence around the world. Truth, transparency and integrity in government. The right of every American to a job, a living wage, to be educated in a decent school, to a life filled with the dignity of work, promise, and the sanctity of home. These are the things that make a life, that build and define a society. These are the things we think of on the deepest level, when we refer to our freedoms. Today those freedoms have been damaged, and curtailed by eight years of a thoughtless, reckless, and morally adrift administration.

I spent most of my life as a musician measuring the distance between the American dream and American reality. For many Americans who are today losing their jobs, their homes, seeing their retirement funds disappear, who have no health care, or who have been abandoned in our inner cities, the distance between that dream and their reality has never been greater or more painful. I believe Senator Obama has taken the measure of that distance in his own life and work. I believe he understands in his heart the cost of that distance in blood and suffering in the lives of everyday Americans. I believe as president he would work to bring that dream back to life, and into the lives of many of our fellow Americans, who have justifiably lost faith in its meaning.

In my job, I travel around the world, and occasionally play in big stadiums, just like Senator Obama. I continue to find everywhere I go that America remains a repository for people's hopes and desires. That despite the terrible erosion of our standing around the world, for many we remain a house of dreams. One thousand George Bushes and one thousand Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down. That is something only we can do, and we're not going to let that happen.

This administration will be leaving office, dumping in our laps the national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq, and our financial crisis. Our house of dreams has been abused, looted, and left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power, influence or a quick buck. It needs strong arms, hearts and minds. It needs someone with Senator Obama's understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, pragmatism, toughness and faith. But most of all it needs us. You and me. All a nation has that keeps it from coming apart is the social contract between its' citizens. Whatever grace God has deemed to impart to us resides in our connections with one another, in honoring the life, the hopes, the dreams, of the man or woman up the street, or across town. That's where we make our small claim upon heaven. In recent years that contract has been shredded and as we look around today, it is shredding before our eyes. But today we are at the crossroads.

I'm honored to be here on the same stage as Senator Obama. From the beginning, there has been something in Senator Obama that has called upon our better angels, I suspect, because he has had a life where he has so often had to call upon his. We're going to need all the angels we can get on the hard road ahead. Senator Obama helped us rebuild our house big enough for the dreams of all our citizens. For how well we accomplish this task will tell us what it means to be an American in the new century, what's at stake, and what it means to live in a free society. So I don't know about you, but I want my country back, I want my dream back, I want my America back. Now is the time to stand together with Barack Obama and Joe Biden and the millions of Americans that are hungry for a new day, roll up our sleeves and come on up for the rising.

Something's Up With Jack o_O

Domesticity

So I am as much a Hearth and Home Goddess, as I am a Warrior, Art and Love one. :-)

Sorry I have been scarce around these parts. The last 2 months have been very busy in sifting through and reinventing large aspects of my Journey. :-)

I moved into an apartment share back in mid September, and pretty immediately knew that it twas not for me.

I have since procured an absolutely beautifull apartment of my own- just 1 1/2 blocks away-, that I am moving into on Solar Samhain. Happy New Year indeed. :-)

I am hand sewing and embroidering napkins, dish towels and such for the new place. As well as decorating from a far. The apartment is in a Victorian limestone brownstone. Complete with 2 original fire places(they don't work-but the mantel pieces are Stunning). One in the Bedroom, the other in the living room(hearth magic! Woo hoo!!). The original claw foot tub is still there. As is the original stained glass in the living room windows, over looking a very large Sycamore tree. :-)

I have been making a fair amount of new things. Mostly fly agaric related via sewing. I will post piccies soon. ish. ;-)

My current apartment is filled with delicious fall baking smells. As I've just pulled my first home made batch of granola out of the oven. And I decided to go with an Indian kheer overtone, adding in freshly ground cardamon and organic rose hydrosol to the mix(I'm writing a some what Decadent cookbook on cooking with edible organic flowers). I'll let you all know how it turns out, and if it's book worthy!

Happy Fall Everyone!

Brightest Blessings,
xx
Ayanna*♥

Courage, My Loves.....

"Hands" - by Jewel

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be, we're all okay
And not to worry
'Cause worry is wasteful and useless
In times like these

I won't be made useless
Won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear


My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken
We are never broken

We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes

Gothish Mornings :-)

Ok. I realise I'm posting at night, about my morning..well la de dee! Who cares! ;-P

One of my favorite 'get my mornings going' activities ('specially if I'm out of any kinda sorts..) is to pop in the 'Nightmare before Xmas' soundtrack first thing in the morning, post meditation.

In that vain, here's some silly Goodness from Yours Truly. Some to be found in my shop :

Here's Brown Jack The Pumpkin King, which you can purchase here :

Next up is Ghastly Ghoul Silly Friend, which you can purchase here :


And last, but certainly not least, Smiling Friend, who's already found a home as part of a trade with the Lovely Mrs. B. for some Organic Blueberry Mead! Yum yum!

Some Thoughts on 'Wholistic' Compassion

by Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche,

a senior meditation master and scholar in the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

"The importance of love and compassion is not an idea that is particular to Buddhism. Everyone throughout the world talks about the importance of love and compassion. There's no one who says love and compassion are bad and we should try and get rid of them. However, there is an uncommon element in the method or approach which is taken to these by Buddhism. In general, when we think of compassion, we think of a natural or spontaneous sympathy or empathy which we experience when we perceive the suffering of someone else. And we generally think of compassion as being a state of pain, of sadness, because you see the suffering of someone else and you see what's causing that suffering and you know you can't do anything to remove the cause of that suffering and therefore the suffering itself. So, whereas before you generated compassion, one person was miserable, and after you generate compassion, two people are miserable. And this actually happens.

"However, the approach to compassion is a little bit different, because it's founded on the recognition that, whether or not you can benefit that being or that person in their immediate situation and circumstances, you can generate the basis for their ultimate benefit. And the confidence in that removes the frustration or the misery which otherwise somehow afflicts ordinary compassion. So, when compassion is cultivated in that way, it is experienced as delightful rather than miserable.

"The way that we cultivate compassion is called immeasurable compassion. And, in fact, to be precise, there are four aspects of what we would, in general, call compassion, that are called, therefore, the four immeasurables. Now, normally, when we think of something that's called immeasurable, we mean immeasurably vast. Here, the primary connotation of the term is not vastness but impartiality. And the point of saying immeasurable compassion is compassion that is not going to help one person at the expense of hurting another. It is a compassion that is felt equally for all beings.

"The basis of the generation of such an impartial compassion is the recognition of the fact that all beings without exception really want and don't want the same things. All beings, without exception, want to be happy and want to avoid suffering. There is no being anywhere who really wants to suffer. And if you understand that, and to the extent that you understand that, you will have the intense wish that all beings be free from suffering. And there is no being anywhere who does not want to be happy; and if you understand that, and to the extent that you understand that, you will have the intense wish that all beings actually achieve the happiness that they wish to achieve. Now, because the experience of happiness and freedom from suffering depend upon the generation of the causes of these, then the actual form your aspiration takes is that all beings possess not only happiness but the causes of happiness, that they not only be free of suffering but of the causes of suffering."

Dear Fellow Citizens of the U.S.A.- *PLEASE* Stand Up and Speak Out!

Monday, September 29th, 2008
The Rich Are Staging a Coup This Morning ...a message from Michael Moore

Friends,

Let me cut to the chase. The biggest robbery in the history of this country is taking place as you read this. Though no guns are being used, 300 million hostages are being taken. Make no mistake about it: After stealing a half trillion dollars to line the pockets of their war-profiteering backers for the past five years, after lining the pockets of their fellow oilmen to the tune of over a hundred billion dollars in just the last two years, Bush and his cronies -- who must soon vacate the White House -- are looting the U.S. Treasury of every dollar they can grab. They are swiping as much of the silverware as they can on their way out the door.

No matter what they say, no matter how many scare words they use, they are up to their old tricks of creating fear and confusion in order to make and keep themselves and the upper one percent filthy rich. Just read the first four paragraphs of the lead story in last Monday's New York Times and you can see what the real deal is:

"Even as policy makers worked on details of a $700 billion bailout of the financial industry, Wall Street began looking for ways to profit from it.

"Financial firms were lobbying to have all manner of troubled investments covered, not just those related to mortgages.

"At the same time, investment firms were jockeying to oversee all the assets that Treasury plans to take off the books of financial institutions, a role that could earn them hundreds of millions of dollars a year in fees.

"Nobody wants to be left out of Treasury's proposal to buy up bad assets of financial institutions."

Unbelievable. Wall Street and its backers created this mess and now they are going to clean up like bandits. Even Rudy Giuliani is lobbying for his firm to be hired (and paid) to "consult" in the bailout.

The problem is, nobody truly knows what this "collapse" is all about. Even Treasury Secretary Paulson admitted he doesn't know the exact amount that is needed (he just picked the $700 billion number out of his head!). The head of the congressional budget office said he can't figure it out nor can he explain it to anyone.

And yet, they are screeching about how the end is near! Panic! Recession! The Great Depression! Y2K! Bird flu! Killer bees! We must pass the bailout bill today!! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Falling for whom? NOTHING in this "bailout" package will lower the price of the gas you have to put in your car to get to work. NOTHING in this bill will protect you from losing your home. NOTHING in this bill will give you health insurance.

Health insurance? Mike, why are you bringing this up? What's this got to do with the Wall Street collapse?

It has everything to do with it. This so-called "collapse" was triggered by the massive defaulting and foreclosures going on with people's home mortgages. Do you know why so many Americans are losing their homes? To hear the Republicans describe it, it's because too many working class idiots were given mortgages that they really couldn't afford. Here's the truth: The number one cause of people declaring bankruptcy is because of medical bills. Let me state this simply: If we had had universal health coverage, this mortgage "crisis" may never have happened.

This bailout's mission is to protect the obscene amount of wealth that has been accumulated in the last eight years. It's to protect the top shareholders who own and control corporate America. It's to make sure their yachts and mansions and "way of life" go uninterrupted while the rest of America suffers and struggles to pay the bills. Let the rich suffer for once. Let them pay for the bailout. We are spending 400 million dollars a day on the war in Iraq. Let them end the war immediately and save us all another half-trillion dollars!

I have to stop writing this and you have to stop reading it. They are staging a financial coup this morning in our country. They are hoping Congress will act fast before they stop to think, before we have a chance to stop them ourselves. So stop reading this and do something -- NOW! Here's what you can do immediately:

1. Call or e-mail Senator Obama. Tell him he does not need to be sitting there trying to help prop up Bush and Cheney and the mess they've made. Tell him we know he has the smarts to slow this thing down and figure out what's the best route to take. Tell him the rich have to pay for whatever help is offered. Use the leverage we have now to insist on a moratorium on home foreclosures, to insist on a move to universal health coverage, and tell him that we the people need to be in charge of the economic decisions that affect our lives, not the barons of Wall Street.

2. Take to the streets. Participate in one of the hundreds of quickly-called demonstrations that are taking place all over the country (especially those near Wall Street and DC).

3. Call your Representative in Congress and your Senators. (click thehere to findir phone numbers). Tell them what you told Senator Obama.

When you screw up in life, there is hell to pay. Each and every one of you reading this knows that basic lesson and has paid the consequences of your actions at some point. In this great democracy, we cannot let there be one set of rules for the vast majority of hard-working citizens, and another set of rules for the elite, who, when they screw up, are handed one more gift on a silver platter. No more! Not again!

Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

P.S. Having read further the details of this bailout bill, you need to know you are being lied to. They talk about how they will prevent golden parachutes. It says NOTHING about what these executives and fat cats will make in SALARY. According to Rep. Brad Sherman of California, these top managers will continue to receive million-dollar-a-month paychecks under this new bill. There is no direct ownership given to the American people for the money being handed over. Foreign banks and investors will be allowed to receive billion-dollar handouts. A large chunk of this $700 billion is going to be given directly to Chinese and Middle Eastern banks. There is NO guarantee of ever seeing that money again.

P.P.S. From talking to people I know in DC, they say the reason so many Dems are behind this is because Wall Street this weekend put a gun to their heads and said either turn over the $700 billion or the first thing we'll start blowing up are the pension funds and 401(k)s of your middle class constituents. The Dems are scared they may make good on their threat. But this is not the time to back down or act like the typical Democrat we have witnessed for the last eight years. The Dems handed a stolen election over to Bush. The Dems gave Bush the votes he needed to invade a sovereign country. Once they took over Congress in 2007, they refused to pull the plug on the war. And now they have been cowered into being accomplices in the crime of the century. You have to call them now and say "NO!" If we let them do this, just imagine how hard it will be to get anything good done when President Obama is in the White House. THESE DEMOCRATS ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS THE BACKBONE WE GIVE THEM. CALL CONGRESS NOW.

Thank You Paul Newman! Enjoy your journey...xx

Paul Newman, 1925-2008

Thank you darling Mr. Newman for your Awesome Presence and Example.

All the Very Best on your next Journey....

Love,
Ayanna*xx

"I do not want to talk about what you understand about this world. I want to know what you will do about it. I do not want to know what you hope. I want to know what you will work for. I do not want your sympathy for the needs of humanity. I want your muscle."

- Robert Fulgrum

In transition...

Oh! And I was doing So Well with the more frequent blogging! :-P

Alas, I am in a Transitioning phase personally(all good...). But do not want to abandon my Blogging Progress, so a Brilliant quote for ye' then:


"..When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for."

-Clarissa Pinkola Estes

all the Best,
love,
Ayanna*

On Beauty....

So I've made these Delicious Little Vials of Magical Powder/Incense, called Invoke Beauty(which you may acquire Here).

A Blend of freshly ground dried Organic pink Rose petals, Sandalwood powder and Orris root- amongst other things. It has been charged and is ready for your Use.*

A note on Beauty then. And 'Invoking' it...

Here's the Thing- Beauty, along with Love, is ever present and the natural state of the Universe. And therefor of Us. :-)

So the Invocation to and of Beauty is more of a removing of any blocks and a Re- Alignment with all of our Natural states :-)

Need more Beauty in your life? Need more Love in it as well? ...Remember that both of these are who we all Inherently Are. So Breathe Deeply and Open all of your Self, in stillness, in quiet contemplation, to the true Beauty and Love that always has been, always is, and shall always be. Regardless.

Wishing you All sweet vials of Beauty, and Ships full of Love♥

xx
Ayanna*

Fay for Gabe

I had the Good sense to look up an old friend last summer upon returning to NY, and the Good Fortune to finally catch up with him in person a few weeks ago. Above is the west coast faery for Gabe, of the twin coast fay that I made.

Below are shots of the little vial of Love for him as well.. The vial has a glittered pic of a vintage style rose in it, along with organic pink rose petals, and a Sweet organic pink rosebud. Nestled amongst the Roses, are a faceted sunstone for Sunshine, a moonstone for Moonlight, and a lovely pearl for Wisdom.. The top of the cork is embedded with a faceted Rainbow moonstone briolette..

I'm also currently in love with my ship stamp, so every thing I make has been getting one. :-)

Happy Sailing everyone...
Wishing you All Loves that are ripe with Sunshine, Moonlight and Wisdom....

Peace,
-Ayanna*
xx

Happy Full Moon/Lunar Lughnasadh!!!

"hoof and horn
hoof and horn

all that dies
shall be reborn

corn and grain
corn and grain

all that Falls
Shall Rise Again"

"August brings the sheaves of corn,
Then the harvest home is borne"

...And so the Wheel continues to Turn..

Thank Goodness!!!

May all of You who are of this inclination, have a Blessed Full Moon and Lunar Lughnasadh. And in Honor of the Beginning Harvest Tides, here is a delightfull pic of a very Faerytale mushroom- which includes in the background of the pic, wee plushie versions of Arwen and Aragorn that I got from a lovely Etsyer:



And here is a Lunar Lughnasadh Blessing as well. From Me to You. :-)

And So It Is, We Come to Harvest Tide Again:

May the Grace of The Alfar Protect You

May You Know Peace and Beauty Upon Your Journey

May You Be Blessed With An Abundant Harvest

May You Reap Honesty and Truth, as True Wealth

May You Be A Hundred Times Blessed With Friendships That Are Fellowships

May You Reap The Bounty Of Identifying And Then Living Out, The True Joy That Is In Your Deepest Heart

May You Dream The Brightest Dream For Your Life,

And By The Same, May You Be Blessed With The Courage To Go Out And Live It

Walk In Beauty

Talk In Beauty

Be Beauty

And By Whichmever Road You Take,

Be It A Soft Country,

Or Thicket Lined Wood Of Faery,

Know That The Grace Of The Alfar Is Beside You,

If You So Seek It, And Give Them Koad

May The Grace Of The Vanir Protect You

And May You Seek Strength Over Complacency

And Be Duly Blessed This Harvest Tide


Brightest Blessings,
copyright 2007, 2008 -Ayanna H., aka A Luminous Spark*

New Things....! :-)

Ok. So I am a Crappy blogger.. :-P As in weeks fly by between my posts, and I'm barely even aware of it. In my defense this time around, I've had non stop daily issues with my net connection as of late. But more importantly(and Excitedly!!!...) I've been making and designing Lah-OADS of new preciouses :-)

I'm designing lingerie, cuffs/gauntlets, and corset type wears- all out of vintage lace. Some lace from the 70's, but most of the accents are from *Gorgeous* Victorian and Edwardian lace I've acquired. :-) I Love Lace!!!

I'm also making paper doll 'puppets'. As in paper dolls with movable parts. All Fay thus far. :-) Not shocking! Also wee little 'altars'/stories within wee corked glass vials, collage arts, and all kinds of Yummy Goodness. I present for your perusement a brief sampling of Almost Done creations from my workshop :-) :

Cause Brown faerys with Green Afros are all the rage :-) (She's getting her red brads replaced with antique copper ones, as well as getting Glitter-fied) :




A Lovely Wee Land within a Vial, depicting the Glories of Faery:



And one of my Fave new pieces, it's a collage about my relationship with the Scandinavian Sea God Njord, His son Freyr, and an ex! It's almost done... I'm still waiting on the Muse to decide if it's going in a shadow box theater, or a backed hanging with vintage fabrics and lace... It too(like most things...)is getting a wee bit of glitter. At least on the lower left hand corner altar to Njord :-)

Summer Time

...and the living is Easy.

At least I hope it is for all of You!

I've been buzzing about taking pictures of my new projects(lace, lace, and oh yeah- did I forgot to mention Lace?? ;-p), market finds, yummy dishes prepared, etc.. I simply haven't gotten around to posting any of them, along with descriptions!

Along with everything else, I also work as a Creative Arts and Herbs teacher in Brooklyn 3 days a week, and I am preparing right this second to go in for my adult class.

Today I'm doing a workshop on Organic, healthy drinks for the summer time!
So I'm leaving earlier than usual, so I can pop down to the Union Square GreenMarket(it's on 4 days a week...I can be found there at least 2 of those days per week ;-} )and get some fresh materials.

So in the class I'll go over the benefits of all the different ingredients I'll be using. Such as- organic lemon juice, agave nectar instead of sugar or honey, bundles of fresh, local and organic herbs, etc..

Drinks on tap to teach today:

-'plain' Organic Lemonade
-Strawberry Mint Lemonade
-Elderflower Cordial
-Lemon Verbena Sun Tea
-Hibiscus, Orange Peel & Ginger Iced Tea
-Herbal Ice Water
-Edible Flower Floral Ice Cubes
-Vanilla Lemonade

I'm sure that will soak up more than the full 2 hours! Yum Yum!

Are Ya thirsty yet??? ;-)

Oh! ...and A Blessed Full Moon, and Happy Freya/Freyr/Frigga's Day to Everybody :-)

-Ayanna* xx

In search of Duende

"In New York freedom looks like to many choices..." -U2

Well, I'd always rather too many choices, than none at all.



Duende is a term in Spanish that means a slightly elusive thing. It suggests, rather than defines. Duende is the possession of a kind of Magical Passion...and the ability to transmit that quality to others. It is a term often used en el mundo de Flamenco. But is easily applied(and used) in other contexts.

For many years, Flamenco has been at the kind or outskirts of My Life. Present and calling. But never pushy. Never demanded.

Several years ago, while living abroad, I finally decided to study La Danza (I have studied many dance forms since I was a child), and took classes with a woman from Spain. Who, though in the possession of a great many technical skill,was a pretty crappy teacher of Flamenco-no history, no rhythm, no vocabulary- and absolutely(in my humble opinion) sin Duende. Still. I showed up for class. Jumped from beginner to intermediate in the course of a day or so, and performed in the student presentation at the end of the semester. Always though, aware, that I was not being taught properly. That I needed to learn la lengua de la Danza Flamenco in general. And certainly from someone who knew that that was important, taught it, and themselves possessed un Duende Grande.

So here I am now, in the present time. And for the past few weeks(really, couple of months) I have been actively searching for some kind of exercise to participate in outside of my long park walks. Of course, I have wanted to study more dance. But what form?? Nothing was calling to me. I had decided early on, that though I now had access to many masters(I have always been of the opinion that if you are going to bother at all to learn from someone- you should always learn from The Best), Flamenco was out. Taconeo(the footwork) being much too much for my knees. And besides, I wanted flamenco upper body movements, but something more languid, fluid from the waist down. My sister suggested a new fusion on the scene that combines flamenco with 'bellydance'. So I scoured youtube(how great is the internet!!), watching clips of local teachers, and in every one that I saw, the Power and Structure of the Flamenco upper body was gone. No transmission.

So the more and more I watched, the more and more I thought 'knees be damned!'(not really..I will drink turmeric 3x a day, need be). And the more and more Flamenco seems to be calling me back. 'Middle eastern' dance as well(have you ever noticed how eurocentric geography is?? Surely the middle east is only middle east if you are what eurocentric cultures define as 'west').

So, for the past day, when at home, I have been looking up both styles of teachers in NYC(there are loads). Then finding videos of them to watch and look for Duende(again- how great is the internet?!). The search continues. But I have found a couple that I am going to at least go check out.

In the meantime, if your not at all familiar, and wondering what the heck I'm talking about with all this 'duende' stuff. I leave you with 2 videos, that I dare you to not be moved by. ;-)

Alegrias- make sure to watch the whole video. As beautifull as las senorinas are, it's la Vieja starting at about 2:32 that works the mojo, and has Duende literally-to me- dripping from her dancing soul:




And then, the incomparable Eva Yerbabuena, in my personal favorite(thus far)of her's. Que Bellisima! Ole!:

Don't Cling. Let Go.. Float...

("..anybody knows you can conjure anything by the dark of the moon" -Tori Amos, 'Suede')


Mourn.

When one chapter of your life ends- ...Mourn.

When someone you trust Disappoints you- ...Mourn.

When the person you love misinterprets everything you've said- ...Mourn.

When loneliness creeps up on your skin- ...Mourn.

When you can't let out, when you won't let in- ...Mourn.


Mourn every little death that comes thru you and your door

Surrender to It, so it won't Haunt you Anymore. ...Mourn.

Don't fight sorrow. That sadness and or tears
-that 'blues'-
is washing you away
to another Shore.

Grieve. Let yourself indulge in the bliss of everything you think you'll/you've miss/missed.

Endings are important. Every Death carries a Gift.

If you don't mourn these little dyings, what will fertilize your new growth???

So Mourn....

Because Grief can linger, and wedge itself
into the corners of your life.
The lines and curves and fringes of your body.

Can cover you like an invisible cloak,
made of Thistle and Thorn

..that'll never keep you warm.
So Mourn...

But don't linger...

Die for dying's sake
But also Die for Birth...

Don't Cling.

Let Go..

Float...

(in the Floating, release yourself into the Bliss of All. Allow and Receive All's Nurturing and Love. Then Surround Your Self in a shimmering light blue/white blue light. Then fill your self up with Rose Gold light. Be still. Let the Bridge appear of it's own accord. Step on to it. Cross it. Born.)

Don't Cling.

Let Go..

Float...

-(c) Ayanna H., 2008

I Sing the Body Electric

Magic is Real. As real as you are. And me. And no, I'm not talking about that magic(which, too, is also very real).

The Magic of the Everyday. Of Breath, and Wind, and Fire.

The Magic that is the Body as well.

For me, personally, the body is the Key that unlocks the Door.
I'm not looking to transcend my body. I'm looking to move further and further into it. To meld with it. For me, this is Magic.

That Blood Courses through my veins, with no conscious thought of it. That as I sleep, I continue to Breathe. That I wake up, each morning, still here. Breathing. Alive. And that these acts aren't things that I even have a general thought about having to do. This, to me, is deep, deep Magic.

My body has it's own wisdom that seems entirely separate from my conscious brain. My conscious mind.

I've learned over the years, as I've become wholer and wholer, that my body-and listening to it- is the Key. My Unihipili. The One Who Holds Memories and Instincts.

I'm not talking about the part of the body that holds traumatic memories. Fears. Angst.

But that Deeper part that takes the step, walks forward. Turns the right corners. Reaches out to the right people. Bumps in to the appropriate 'strangers'. Gets on that airplane, despite my anxious aversions to flight.

Conversely, it's also the same Deeper knowing body that recoils from dangerous people. That tries to save you from some of your stupider mistakes. That delays you from getting on the wrong train, the wrong bus. That keeps you from Harms Way.

Magic.

And what of the seeds and the stars? That I plant this tiny, tiny hard thing into soil. Add water, place it in sunshine, and some inner force, some inner fire (all five elements, if you look, are present here) compels it to grow. To 'germinate'. Crack it's shell. Push up. Up. Through the soil, towards the light.
And me being a Gardener, understanding the Science of it, doesn't take away even one iota that this is a Miracle. That Magic has occurred(and is occurring), every time something grows. ...or 'dies' (transforms).

For me, true Science, and true Magic are One. They enhance one another, not negate each other. They are In Love. Two sides to the same language, that creates the Third, and makes up the Alchemical Dance.

Knowing how and why air pumps through our lungs, blood flows through our veins, makes it more magical to me that it happens at all. Not less.

* * *
I was very lucky as a child in many ways. Where I went to school -elementary through high- I had some amazing teachers, that cultivated the arts in me(both big and little 'A'). I fell in love with Shakespeare and drama, via my junior high school English teacher, Mr. Keningston. Who also taught us poetry via Phil Ochs lyrics(!). I was introduced to Kate Bush via our substitute band teacher-also in junior high- who simply went by the name of 'Les'. Boy, was Les Cool.

And the songs we sang in elementary school and junior high were radical! Radical in their romance. Their Optimism. Their Hope. A lot of which, apparently, I would never have learned, had it not been for the great Pete Seeger.

I leave you now, with a song that popped into my head as I was watching my favorite movie late Saturday afternoon(the movie which inspired this post). 'I Sing the Body Electric', from the movie(and television show) Fame. Which incidentally is also the title to a rather famous poem by Uncle Walt(Whitman, that is). Who, I am only now in the past few months really exploring the amazing Poetry of. And I wonder if the person who wrote the song, named it after Uncle Walt's poem, as he too was an extreme and supreme Exalter and Lover of the Body(and all her/his Wisdom) as Magic.

Remember to Keep your Awe. Keep your Wonder. Keep Your Magic.

- (c) Ayanna H.


I sing the body electric
I celebrate the me yet to come
I toast to my own reunion
When I become one with the sun

And I'll look back on Venus
I'll look back on Mars
And I'll burn with the fire
of ten million stars
And in time
And in time
We will all be stars

I sing the body electric
I glory in the glow of rebirth
Creating my own tomorrow
When I shall embody the earth

And I'll serenade Venus
I'll serenade Mars
And I'll burn with the fire
of ten million stars
And in time
And in time
We will all be stars

We are the emperors now
And we are the czars
And in time
And in time
We will all be stars

And I'll serenade Venus
I'll serenade Mars
And I'll burn with the fire
of ten million stars
And in time
And in time
We will all be stars

(anyone know for sure who penned these lovely lyrics? Saw 3 different possibilities when I googled it. Thanks :-)

Chin Up!

We are currently experiencing one of the most trying Mercury in retrograde to come down the road in quite a long time.

This merc in retrograde is taking place in Gemini. It's ruling sign. Hence the even worse then usual communication crapola. Super effecting all air signs as well as analytical types of people(Scorpios, Virgos, etc.).

All this while Neptune has also gone retro. Neptune in general having to do with deep, *deep* foundational emotions. As well as illusions on an emotional level.

So combine that emotional confusion of what's real and what's not in terms of feelings and behavior- with communication breakdowns and massive wire crossings...It's been a bit of a mess really. Lots and *lots* of 'in' fighting amongst close friends and connections.

We can use it, be aware of it, avoid it, and when possible turn it into something else all together useful.

But it still sucks ass when your in the midst of it...

Needless to say, Merc in retro is usually very Lucky for me. And when it's difficult I look at it like this-
-through the annoying complete breakdown of communication in all it's forms, and regression to things here-to-forth thought resolved, that
'Ole Winged Foot Messenger gives you a three week crash course in
'Deep Issue Resolvement'

The problem is, this accelerated 'learning'/'growth' period feels exactly akin to 'Holy Shit, Everything Deemed Important Is Hitting The Fan'

Try to stay positive by reminding your self that mercury *is* in retrograde. ..As opposed to everyone and everything just being sucky and nuts. Keep perspective on all that

Though a vacation in a Cave til June 19th does sound Right... :-)

"Maybe MIR is a good thing for me. Still can't wait till it is over though."

Yeah. That's the general sentiment. ;-)

It'll all make Healthy and Harmonious sense in the long run, but right now all this dust kicked up is just getting in your eyes...

Coping tips for this Mercury/Neptune in Retrograde:

Vis a vis Merc in retrograde. Yes. It is absolutely possible to re channel the energy. And to focus and Expand on positivity. The hardest part this time around is more the where it's retro and the messyness of Neptune retro being combined.

Just requires a little more focus. :-)


In a nutshell:

-Focus on what you DO want. No matter how disparaging things seem right now, know that EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON, and that all this shite going down, is the Universe CLEARING THE WAY FOR SOMETHING FANTASTIC TO COME INTO OUR LIVES

-GET **EXCITED** ABOUT THE NEW FANTASTIC THING, REGARDLESS OF NOT HAVING A CLUE WHAT IT IS!!

-Have Utter KNOWING in your heart of heart that EVERYBODY Loves You :-)

-Spend more time with people that are committed to the above. There is energetic Power in numbers in general, and especially at this time

-Outside of a bi-daily(morning and night)Gratitude list, ALSO take the time to write down ways in which YOU ROCK. Celebrate how much YOU ROCK. And all around CONTINUE TO ROCK :-D WooHoo!!!

-And ABOVE ALL ELSE *REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE A CHOICE*. Maybe not in what happened. But in how it will continue to un fold.

I Choose Happiness :-)

-(c) Ayanna H.
aka
aLuminousSpark*

Engage

I choose to live and be a conscious Engaged Artist.

If my Art does not in some way,on some level mirror some basic Truth in terms of what it is to be an Engaged sentient being who holds the concern of all beings as part of my own concern- then what use is my Art?? I choose to constantly endeavor, to serve some greater good beyond solely my own. In fact, I would argue that if something that is good 'for me', is not also good beyond that sole conceit, then maybe I need to reconsider it's value all together.

2 nights ago, ABC/Disney made the decision of who you and I, as the public should hear or not hear,when they decided to exclude candidates from the New Hampshire debates. Regardless of who you support in this election, the idea that All Voices should not be given equal due, is insulting to all of our intelligence.

This is not a competition for who will be the next 'celebrity' to be voted off of whatever. These are the Campaign Debates for who will be the next President of our Country. So when the contestants on any given 'reality' show, have more rights to being heard then the official candidates running for the highest public office- Something is deeply, deeply and fundamentally wrong.

We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the Change that has to occur. It's not some external force that we have no control over. It's deciding within ourselves to actually back up not just in speech, but in action that which we claim to uphold as citizens of a Democratic Nation.

Between illegal wire tapping, illegal torture, illegal detainment, illegal invasions, media censorship and unfortunately a whole slew of other offenses against the Constitution of the United States of America- It is very much legitimate to pose the question, whether or not we can still use that title 'democratic' to aptly define us, the U.S. of A., in it's totality.

If you have a problem with the fact that media such as ABC television and Fox, have excluded candidates from both of their New Hampshire Debates. And thereby, attempted to decide for us what they think is best for us. Say something. Write a letter to ABC, Fox, Disney, the FCC. Talk about it with people who you may or may not agree with. Engage.

If you don't have a problem with the fact that the media is deciding who we are or are not allowed to hear during the Presidential Debates, now is a good time to ask yourself why not?


Peace in Action,
Ayanna
Artist, Citizen, Human Being.

a New Road...

Hello, and Welcome* :-)

This is my first entry in/on my new Blog for my Etsy shop: http://aluminousspark.etsy.com/
I'm a multi-disciplinary Artist/Artisan that likes to make Beautifull things. In which ever medium pulls my attention in that particular moment.

I will share what I can, when I can, and thank you Sincerely for your interest in my work. :-)

The above photo is one I took this summer. An Opening coming back out of the Woods and into the sun lit grass. It seemed a good first photo to share here. As trying out 'the blog thing' is a new road for me and my store.

Thanks for stopping by. Do so often. I will share inspiration and insights as I am moved to do so.

Feel free to leave kind comments.

All the Best*
Seeing you Soon-

Peace in Action
a Luminous Spark*