winter solstice
At Jesse’s dad’s 50th birthday, I got to talking to a lady who teaches postgraduate research students how not to collapse into a ball of misery when having to write up their thesis. She recommended that I spend ten to fifteen minutes a day free-writing. That is, just typing in a continuous flow without pausing to think about what I am writing or how I am writing it. She said that it was an excellent way to tap into your subconscious, and after several weeks of doing this, I would have pages upon pages of resources to draw upon for my thesis. I wouldn’t be staring at a blank page when the time came to write everything up.
I tried this the other day. I don’t think that my subconscious is very heavily preoccupied with my research. Unless I want my thesis to be interspersed with pseudo spiritual mumbo jumbo, I may have to temper my free-writing so that only stuff to do with my research gets hauled up from the depths of my mind. Failing that, I could approach things with an open mind and actually make an attempt to draw upon these many pages of “resources”. I could give my project the title: Unconditioned Gag Responses to Korean Pavlova Dogs, and fill my thesis with sentences such as: “Nothing lasts, that’s what makes it so special, because we will be gone and it will all be lost and it is all some big cosmic joke that screws us around and makes us unhappy and freaked out.”
It was the shortest, darkest day of the year on Wednesday. It was also my birthday. According to a “personology” book that a fellow student has, I can be assigned with certain general personality traits based on the day of my birth. Apparently, I am an overtly sensual workaholic who is difficult to relate to, superficial and impractical. I am also prone to displaying metrosexual tendencies, and my personality lends itself to sociopathic behavior. This fellow student of mine is interested in testing out the accuracy of this book, and would like to know what my friends think about this analysis of my personality. If you would like to contribute to this cutting edge research, click on the “Read entire post” link below to access the full article.
The day of Worldly Rapture
Those born on June 21 are obsessed with life, with every aspect of existence. Whether intellectuals or sensualist, aristocratic or plebian, they thirst after the experiences of the world, and those who live in developed countries often come to symbolize all that is best and worst about modern capitalist society. Not infrequently they are money-wise, even brilliant with family or company finances. Extremely success-oriented, they have a tendency to become autocratic and tolerate little departure from their own ethical codes. The fact that June 21 marks the summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year, symbolizes the rich worldly nature of this day.
Even June 21 intellectuals tend to be very sensual, sexually-oriented beings. No matter how cynical, ironic, or logical June 21 people may be, they can still be slaves to a private life of passionate love. Thus, many highly evolved June 21 people live in rapturous state where thy revel in the pleasures of the mind and the flesh. Indeed, their thoughts are passionate and their lovemaking artful, even thoughtful. Theses are some of the few people in the year for whom physical and mental matters are truly integrated and pursued avidly and uncompromisingly.
Needless to say, June 21 people are very intense. Either they themselves are thought beautiful and attractive to others or they are extremely attracted to physical beauty. In either case, a kind of Beauty and the Beast dynamic is frequently at work.
In their enthusiasm and drive to succeed, June 21 people surmount whatever obstacles stand in their way. Their personality seems to work a kind of magic on others, and they often occupy a key position in their family, social circle or professional life. Those born on this day would make excellent politicians, were it not that they so often find themselves at odds with the prevailing social system.
June 21 people must, of course, beware of going beyond the pale in regard to their passions – be they for criticism, ideas, sex or social involvement. They may find themselves involved in a world where anything is allowed – eaten up by their egos, destroyed by the sensuality, obsessed by their interests.
Addictive types, those born on this day are frequently workaholics and therefore carrying on normal personal relationships can be difficult, if not impossible. They can be highly demanding, making it hard for their mates, friends and children to relate to them. A quest for spirituality may be the only path that frees them from worldly concerns.
Numbers and Planets
Those born on the 21st of the month are ruled by the number 3 (2+1=3), and by the expansive planet Jupiter. Those ruled by the number 3 are often ambitious, even dictatorial. The optimistic influence of Jupiter and combined influence of Mercury (Gemini’s ruler) and the Moon (Cancer’s ruler) may make those born on June 21 impractical, superficial and overly expansive. Particularly men born on this day love style and will not hesitate to spend good money to present a dazzling appearance. In keeping with this fact, the number 21 has marked associations with physical beauty.
Tarot
The 21st card of the Major Arcana is The World, which depicts a goddess running while holding energy-giving rods. She surmounts the world and displays the truth; she has unlimited power. This card symbolizes all that is attainable on the earthly plane. Although reward and integrity are assured, traditionally the card can also indicate monumental obstacles and setbacks of fortune, as well as negative traits of distraction and self-pity.
Health
June 21 people can be consumed by their desired and passions, and therefore must guard against burnout. Pacing themselves is the key. In addition, if any of one of their activities assumes an addictive cast it can crowd out everything else in their life, and require higher and higher “does” to satisfy them. This kind of activity can lead to sociopathic behaviour, or at least to alienation from family and friends. A vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet, on the mild side rather than spicy, with an emphasis on grains and root vegetables, will help keep June 21 people grounded. Only very moderate physical exercise is recommended. Workaholics must beware of stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as other secondary stress-related ailments such as lung disease resulting from smoking, or cirrhosis of the liver from alcohol.
Strengths
- Enraptured
- Critical
- Sensual
Weaknesses
- Uncontrolled
- Addictive
- Dictatorial
Advice
Don’t let your ego run away with you. If you allow yourself freedom, what about everyone else? Let each person have their due; don’t be so overwhelming and controlling. Keep your appetite for pleasures and enjoyments appropriate to the occasion. Maintain your poise. Allow yourself to vegetate occasionally.
Meditation
William Blake said, “The road of excess leads to the Palace of Wisdom.” This may be true – but will the traveler arrive?
I tried this the other day. I don’t think that my subconscious is very heavily preoccupied with my research. Unless I want my thesis to be interspersed with pseudo spiritual mumbo jumbo, I may have to temper my free-writing so that only stuff to do with my research gets hauled up from the depths of my mind. Failing that, I could approach things with an open mind and actually make an attempt to draw upon these many pages of “resources”. I could give my project the title: Unconditioned Gag Responses to Korean Pavlova Dogs, and fill my thesis with sentences such as: “Nothing lasts, that’s what makes it so special, because we will be gone and it will all be lost and it is all some big cosmic joke that screws us around and makes us unhappy and freaked out.”
It was the shortest, darkest day of the year on Wednesday. It was also my birthday. According to a “personology” book that a fellow student has, I can be assigned with certain general personality traits based on the day of my birth. Apparently, I am an overtly sensual workaholic who is difficult to relate to, superficial and impractical. I am also prone to displaying metrosexual tendencies, and my personality lends itself to sociopathic behavior. This fellow student of mine is interested in testing out the accuracy of this book, and would like to know what my friends think about this analysis of my personality. If you would like to contribute to this cutting edge research, click on the “Read entire post” link below to access the full article.
The day of Worldly Rapture
Those born on June 21 are obsessed with life, with every aspect of existence. Whether intellectuals or sensualist, aristocratic or plebian, they thirst after the experiences of the world, and those who live in developed countries often come to symbolize all that is best and worst about modern capitalist society. Not infrequently they are money-wise, even brilliant with family or company finances. Extremely success-oriented, they have a tendency to become autocratic and tolerate little departure from their own ethical codes. The fact that June 21 marks the summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year, symbolizes the rich worldly nature of this day.
Even June 21 intellectuals tend to be very sensual, sexually-oriented beings. No matter how cynical, ironic, or logical June 21 people may be, they can still be slaves to a private life of passionate love. Thus, many highly evolved June 21 people live in rapturous state where thy revel in the pleasures of the mind and the flesh. Indeed, their thoughts are passionate and their lovemaking artful, even thoughtful. Theses are some of the few people in the year for whom physical and mental matters are truly integrated and pursued avidly and uncompromisingly.
Needless to say, June 21 people are very intense. Either they themselves are thought beautiful and attractive to others or they are extremely attracted to physical beauty. In either case, a kind of Beauty and the Beast dynamic is frequently at work.
In their enthusiasm and drive to succeed, June 21 people surmount whatever obstacles stand in their way. Their personality seems to work a kind of magic on others, and they often occupy a key position in their family, social circle or professional life. Those born on this day would make excellent politicians, were it not that they so often find themselves at odds with the prevailing social system.
June 21 people must, of course, beware of going beyond the pale in regard to their passions – be they for criticism, ideas, sex or social involvement. They may find themselves involved in a world where anything is allowed – eaten up by their egos, destroyed by the sensuality, obsessed by their interests.
Addictive types, those born on this day are frequently workaholics and therefore carrying on normal personal relationships can be difficult, if not impossible. They can be highly demanding, making it hard for their mates, friends and children to relate to them. A quest for spirituality may be the only path that frees them from worldly concerns.
Numbers and Planets
Those born on the 21st of the month are ruled by the number 3 (2+1=3), and by the expansive planet Jupiter. Those ruled by the number 3 are often ambitious, even dictatorial. The optimistic influence of Jupiter and combined influence of Mercury (Gemini’s ruler) and the Moon (Cancer’s ruler) may make those born on June 21 impractical, superficial and overly expansive. Particularly men born on this day love style and will not hesitate to spend good money to present a dazzling appearance. In keeping with this fact, the number 21 has marked associations with physical beauty.
Tarot
The 21st card of the Major Arcana is The World, which depicts a goddess running while holding energy-giving rods. She surmounts the world and displays the truth; she has unlimited power. This card symbolizes all that is attainable on the earthly plane. Although reward and integrity are assured, traditionally the card can also indicate monumental obstacles and setbacks of fortune, as well as negative traits of distraction and self-pity.
Health
June 21 people can be consumed by their desired and passions, and therefore must guard against burnout. Pacing themselves is the key. In addition, if any of one of their activities assumes an addictive cast it can crowd out everything else in their life, and require higher and higher “does” to satisfy them. This kind of activity can lead to sociopathic behaviour, or at least to alienation from family and friends. A vegetarian or semi-vegetarian diet, on the mild side rather than spicy, with an emphasis on grains and root vegetables, will help keep June 21 people grounded. Only very moderate physical exercise is recommended. Workaholics must beware of stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as other secondary stress-related ailments such as lung disease resulting from smoking, or cirrhosis of the liver from alcohol.
Strengths
- Enraptured
- Critical
- Sensual
Weaknesses
- Uncontrolled
- Addictive
- Dictatorial
Advice
Don’t let your ego run away with you. If you allow yourself freedom, what about everyone else? Let each person have their due; don’t be so overwhelming and controlling. Keep your appetite for pleasures and enjoyments appropriate to the occasion. Maintain your poise. Allow yourself to vegetate occasionally.
Meditation
William Blake said, “The road of excess leads to the Palace of Wisdom.” This may be true – but will the traveler arrive?
posted by Gene at 3:24 pm
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