Leaderboard

Is magick the same as mysticism? Some of those who've studied Christianity have concluded that the miracles attributed to Jesus were the work of a Mystic and that's what he was, rather than what the bible declared him to be. The mind-over-matter meta-physical concept is something I consider a form of magick and if you can just get in synch with certain forces, this dynamic can work. I have been fascinated by this subject for years. And at one time experimented with "pyramid power", meditating inside of a collapsible one which could be purchased during the new age craze back in the 1960s. This was a relaxing, mind-expanding experience which could've been brought on by the magnetic rearrangement of molecules, the pyramid shape was supposed to bring about. With the exception of one blood pressure pill, I have currently discontinued all of the medications routinely prescribed to me because the annoying side effects and questionable benefits were "cures" worse than the ailment. I have, instead, replaced these pills with natural holistic remedies which I feel have worked for me as well as pharmaceuticals. I also practice auto-suggestion, planting in my subconscious mind before I go to sleep at night, instructions for my body to cure any existing diseases on its own. I have had some encouraging success with all of these alternatives. However, I probably would be more diligent and conventional where my health is concerned if I was younger. But now, I just call my own shots and go with the flow. I also have a theory that prayer is a form of magick. It's energizing a wish, and when it works, this has nothing to do with religion, but more to do with exercising the inner power that has been shared with us by the greatest magician of all: our Creator and the Master of the Universe...

Even before I was conscious of magick I was a believer. I also think that the space or distance between this world nad the magickal ealm is getting thinner. And you will see more birth pains protest and humanitarian action. Culminating on November 20, 2024. Which I feel is the dawning of the age of Aquarius. That year will be the first time that all of the planets have entered Aquarius. Thanks for retelling your story. Magick is everywhere you just have to open your eyes.

@Delano, sure given that definition of magic--absolutely! I can give you many examples. But closer to home, meeting you is an example. Some might call it serendipity others might say coincidence, still other may say it is if no consequence. But I think it is more than that... My connection with @Mel Hopkins and @Cynique is more of the same. I agree with Cynique in that prayer, meditation and other similar practices are our attempts to realize what you call magic. Unfortunately the dogma of religion and people who exploit spirituality for profit pervert our attempt to connect with the universe. I'm reading a book on native Americans and their closeness with nature... they seem be wiser that those with advanced degrees Sadly corporations have exploited technology that could help bring people closer and turned it into our obsession for their profit.

A Terrific Bookstore in Tampa's Ybor City, Best Books Rich Treasures they feature New, Used, and Rare Books. I've become friendly with these booksellers over the last couple of years. I found them to be cool people as they always expressed their gratitude in my efforts to help them. On my most recent visit. Gigi, one of the co-owners who is also a genealogist was telling me about her book, Thomas the Melungeon: His Locust Family of Free Persons of Color Civil and Revolutionary War Patriots. As we were discussing the book, it became clear we had relatives in the same region of North Carolina. As budding genealogist myself I happened to have my DNA available and we compared our DNA and found the genetic link--we are kin! Our ability to find the shared ancestry is possible because my maternal grandmother's people were never enslaved. Wilder still, I'm also related to her husband, thought the family ties are less clear because the likely connection is through my paternal ancestor the "Johnson" line was lost due to slavery in the deep south... @Delano, I think this qualifies as magic Family or not, I still would have created this video highlighting the store. If you are in the area, check them out and tell 'em, "Cousin Troy" sent you!

Well, social media is all a-twitter over the trending topic fueled by actress Meryl Streep's politicizing her acceptance speech at Sunday's televised Golden Globe's ceremony where she was being honored with a Life-time Achievement Award. Without mentioning his name, she called out Donald Trump for the incident where he made fun of a disabled NY Times reporter during his campaign, saying she was appalled that such a man was about to take office as president. Naturally the room, which was filled with Hollywood's liberal community, was in accord except for a few notable outsiders like Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn whose stricken faces were panned in on by the TV cameras. Of course the on-line debate about this is divided along party lines, and Trump supporters are saying Streep was out of line, as they become increasing frustrated because Dems won't concede Trump's victory and give him the respect they think he deserves. Meanwhile, Liberals are full of praise for what they considered a courageous gesture on Streep's part and are lambasting and lampooning Trump. Predictably, he took to Twitter to whine about Streep being an overrated actress and branded her as a Hillary groupie before denying her accusation about what had actually been captured on tape. All of which exposes him as the lying scoundrel that he is, and adds to his lack of credibility. I'm glad Meryl defied protocol and took advantage of her platform to take a dig at Trump who is the one that has set the tone with his disregard for tradition, and his ego has proved to be an Achilles heel that provides a target for arrows to wound. In these crazy times anything goes and thanks to the Internet, people have at their finger tips the power to use mockery as a weapon. Just like terrorists, tweeters can do great damage by plowing into the Trump Tower of pride, making him the object of the ridicule that hurts his feelings. Maybe Progressives won't make much of a dent in the Republican fortress, but they do stand a chance of getting the last laugh.

and how about 13% of black men voting for Trump? Really? Unsurprisingly, turnout for Clinton was higher among black women than black men, with Hillary earning 94% of the female black vote (4% for Trump) and just 80% of men (13% for Trump).

To what all of you have written... YES!!! My journey into the occult began with the scriptures .... Those scriptures not recognized and canonized reveal so much - After a deliberate search, the words had me wondering if it were a handbook for angels. If a magician has a specialty, mine would be oneiromancy (dream interpretation); psychography (automatic writing) and I can, as it seems to be the case with @Cynique and @Troy , read energy. It extends beyond presence to include when someone thinks of me. I can pick up the vibration accurately. It wasn't until I was watching a movie that I realized that each of us has a distinctive rhythm to our heartbeat... So that may be what I'm sensing. EXCEPT... that heartbeat rhythm stays with us when pass on. I can tell when I'm in the presence of a loved one that has passed on - or even an energy of a stranger. I believe we all have these abilities but I think many have allowed them to become latent. @Delano Interesting that you mentioned we haven't transited into the age of Aquarius yet. So these labor pains continue - oh my! What's your take on Ophiuchus, the 13th sign - is its appearance responsible for the delay? Or no?

@Delano I like that idea and yes I will share my experiences. I've only shared my knowledge of magick in my debut novel. I've always been too embarrassed to share the practice publicly, the fact that I used to practice magick and how today, I'm still energized by the subject means I shouldn't ignore it. As you mentioned there are many levels of magick and they can overlap. When working within nature there's a real possibility to invite those in from other dimensions that may revel in destruction. This is what I found when I was completely immersed in the practice. As an alchemist, you have to be mindful of your vibrations (energy levels) at all times. Sadness low energy/ low chi brings about forces who are "hellbent" and destruction and those forces will use your low vibrations to complete any task. I was once so sad that I was laid off from my job that I made myself sick with fever. I drifted off to sleep and felt as if I was on fire. I began to toss and turn from what I thought were the effects a high fever. As I rolled over in my bed - my former co-worker text me to tell me my immediate supervisor and my departmental co-worker were trapped in the office and the section of the office building was on fire. They got out unharmed but very much shaken The fire investigation revealed ongoing construction in that section of the building as the cause.

Donald Trump will be the most unifying divisive President.

I enjoyed reading your comments on Hillary, whlte women and their vote, and many of your comments on various subjects you briefly touched. I teach African American Literature at Des Moines Area Community College. I am an anglo-saxon person who tries to help your African American men and women realize the richness of their heritage and be proud of their accomplishments and continue the heritage. There so much to learn in the African American experience that every person should be aware about and the tremendous contribution many of these artist have contributed to American culture and society. Keep up your great work and comments.

I pulled the stat from a NY Times article from a few weeks back. I did not see anything that really explained this, just a recognition that a LOT more work needs to be done if women are ever going to achieve full parity wth men, and how the work of Susan B. Anthony is being undone. Barack is arguably the smartest man to have served as president. His personal life is essentially flawless and scandal free. His education and academic record are impeccable. He is a relatively handsome, physically fit, family man. His wife is brilliant in her own right. We can debate whether Obama's political experience was adequate, but he was a state senator. This stands in STARK contrast to Donald Trump. Black folks aways knew we have to be twice as good to get half as much in America. It is interesting double standard play out for white women. In fact, one could argue Hillary was a superior candidate in 2016 than Obama was in 2008. Sure Hillary had a lot of baggage that Obama never had time to accumulate, but Trump has loads of baggage, much more than Hillary, but the media made it seem as if it Trump's baggage was equivalent to Hillary's while completely ignoring the vastly superior level of experience Hillary holds over Trump. We often talk about Black folks being like crabs in a barrel, but white women are even worse. Many Black people came out to vote for Obama simply because he was Black--I was one of those voters. White women simply would not, come out in mass, and support a woman simply because she was a woman. I mean it is not like we are talking about a Sarah Palin... One could argue that white women were operating on a higher principle--ignoring gender and simply voting for the best candidate. But that defies logic given the fact Trump was the opposing candidate they selected over Hillary. The really crazy thing is that all the Black women voted for Hillary (well 94% of them did). I think the reason has more to do with the democratic party's lock on the Black voter than Black women allegiance to other women. The republicans could have put Angela Davis on the ticket and Black women would have still voted democratic.

Yes, you could be right! Race can never be eliminated as a factor. But you might also consider expanding what you can "imagine". Female Bernie supporters looking for change can't be counted out when it comes to those who voted for Trump. And perhaps the remark reportedly made by Michelle Obama during Barack's race against Hillary, that "if Hillary can't manage her own husband, how's she going to manage the country" was a sentiment many white women also espoused. Submissive women, undoubtedly chosen by their sexist mates for being gullible, probably did vote the way their husbands did. And all women are catty, but sistas might be a little more inclined to be on the side of another female who is running against a male. I wonder to what do white female pundits attribute Hillary's unpopularity with women of her own race?

The "cattiness" is something I always heard applied to Black women. It is interesting to consider it in this context. Given the number of unfaithful men, I can't image women, collectively, holding this against Hillary. True, Hillary squashed Bernie, but I can't image anyone who supported Bernie actually casting a vote for Trump. Are there still women left who follow their husbands to the extent that they would vote for Trump because their husbands told them to? Obviously, these men would be Trumper supporters and obviously, they are evangelicals and wife abusers Maybe what we are witnessing is a backlash. Women who want things the way they used to be, before they had to go out and work a crappy job to support an existence marginally above subsistence. 53% percent of white women voted for the Donald. While I previously played down the role of racism in this election I can't help but see as a major factor driving the white female vote. White women were probably attracted to Trump because he "said" he was going to; get rid of the Mexicans and build a wall to keep any more from coming in; and be tough on the Mooslims. We already know how he feels about the Blacks. Protection from these people is more important than seeing another woman in the Whitehouse, besides they did their part tolerating 8 years of Obama right? Make America Great Again!

I'd say one reason would be that a lot of married white women were luke warm about the way she handled her husband's infidelity. Also, women in general are not particularly supportive of each other because of their inbred cattiness, and some white female supporters of Bernie were unforgiving over how she usurped him. Then there were the obedient wives of all the chauvinistic males who supported Trump, - women who voted the way their husbands did. But, who knows? Black women didn't have a lot of issues when voting for Hillary and had no problem thinking a woman would be good at heading up things because this is a role they have been thrust into all of their lives.

Yes, black people won performance awards and the black movie "Moonlight" won for best picture of the year and, yes, you are guilty of dismissing and ignoring the pop culture that wields a lot of influence on current events as opposed to the YouTube videos from years back that you prefer, not to mention that even PBS would acknowledge the significant role that pop culture plays in society where celebs often have as much of substance to say as wind bag politicians. But continue to wear the blinders that hinder a broad scope of awareness. The whole point of my post was to say that little things can count when you don't have big guns. Tweeter-addict Trump is such a petty, thin-skinned creep that no matter how much power he commands, ridiculing him still gets under his skin, still drives him to respond with the stupid answers that expose to the world what a pouting liar he is. He is affected more by the criticism of his enemies than the approval of his fan base and that is not to be taken lightly. .

Progressives have twitter and Trump has the White House. I think Trump has the last laugh and he will be laughing all the way to the bank. We dominate making jokes on Twitter and they have the presidency, the Senate , and the House of Representatives. Sure we can dog the president at these inconsequential award shows or ridicule him on Twitter but these actions are of no consequence. If we've learned anything from the last presidential campaign this type of thing just makes Trump stronger with his base, and fuels his popularity. In my world the Golden Globes mean less than nothing. Did any black people win? Since I am online I did catch wind of Meryl Streep's speech berating trump. But honestly I have zero interest in anything Meryl Streep has to say. That is not to say that she does not have something of interest to say I just spend my time listening to others. I fully appreciate this makes me an outlier in terms of interest in celebrity and pop culture but as I've gotten older, this stuff interests me increasingly less.