09/09/09

I talked about magic, with a new co-worker, all today, and she didn't close off, glaze over, or run screaming. This happened because I thought it only appropriate that I cast some runes, today. Three groups of nine. Results:

Group One:
Line One:
Kano: Creative Fire. Opening. Power to create your reality; vital fire; transformation

Hagalaz: Chaotic, Untamed Natural Power; strength.

Perth: Knowledge of future patterns; evolution; initiation

Line 2:
Inguz: Fertility; internal growth; sacred female sexuality.

Laguz: Water; The Collective Unconscious; renewal.

Wunjo: Secret Knowledge; Joy; Fellowship; harmony.

Line Three:
Ansuz: Synthesis; inspiration; speech; true vision.

Algiz: Continuity; higher life; connection with gods/

Nauthiz: Constraint; need; resistance; self-initiation.

Group Two
Line One:

Inguz

Dagaz: Breakthrough; prosperity & fullness; awakening; self change

Laguz

Line Two:
Teiwaz: Strength; Warrior; Justice; Self-Sacrifice; Rationality

Kano

Fehu: Wealth; Nourishment; Divination; Prophecy

Line Three:
Ansuz

Othila: Aid in spiritual and Physical Journeys; increase and abundance

Jera: Good Harvest; Time of Peace

Group Three:
Line One:
Ansuz

Uruz: Changing Form; Adaptability; Tenacity; health.

Kano

Line Two:
Inguz

Hagalaz

Perth

Line Three:
Algiz

Laguz

Thurisaz

Anyone more practiced than me want to give this a go? From here, it's a kind of kick in the brain while screaming "THE FUTURE IS NOW, MOTHERFUCKER!" But I'd love to have some external input.

Depravity, Determination, Desire, Etc.

The Little Willies - [It's Not You It's Me]--- If, tomorrow, Hassan ibn Sabbah were proved right and nothing was true, and everything was permitted (and everyone you knew believed this), what would be the first thing you'd do?

Tom Waits - [Oily Night]--- And the converse? If everything were true, and nothing were permitted, what would be the first thing you'd believe?

Are action and knowledge really at odds?

Does the fullness of perspective really make action impossible, or is that simply a line used by people who can't handle complexity?

IS it right to hide pieces of yourself, from those who would be closest to you? To only show sections and segments that you think they can "Handle" or that they've "earned?" (Sxip - [Train Heard From Porch]). Is that really your decision to make, unilaterally, and, if so, under what justification? If people are as open as they say to the things they claim, then why do we filter, why do we break down ourselves into these tiny bite-sizes?

On the one hand, it could be argued that, due to the complex nature of teh individual, certain friends are only going to be fully understanding of certain parts of each other, and we need different groups for different layers of ourselves. And that's cool, I guess. But, that's not the same thing as saying "I don't think this person can handle this information," or "they would freak out, and I'd get fired, so I'll hide it."

The Legendary Pink Dots - [Feathers at Dawn]--- Do you see my distinction, there? There are certain things you don't say in public, because you don't know people, that well. There are things you don't say to your boss, because it will reflect poorly on your "professionalism." To your parents, associates, etc, because it's "Rude" to do so. But what is it about certain behvaiours, in those other, admittedly separate contexts, that should in anyway affect Your interaction, Unless they are overlaps of personal ethical boundaries (torture, rape, murder, etc)? And where do you draw the line?

Comments screened. Reply or question as honestly as you will.

My answers, later today, after this breaking of my nightly fast.

Answers:

Ego Likeness - [Wolves]--- I would tell everyone, unbidden, everything I thought, whenever I felt like telling it.

I would believe that people were willing to and capable of wanting and working toward being better, howsoever they defined "better."

Helmet - [In the Meantime]--- If we are to believe that increased numbers of perspectives will cause so much information as to make choice of path an impossibility, then we must also believe that any new information we gain, in any situation, necessarily makes choice harder. (Dethklok - [Bloodtrocuted]). While that may actually be the case, increased amount of difficulty does not imply a decreased amount of worth. (Mindless Self Indulgence - [Holy Shit]). Hard doesn't mean worthless. The idea that just because we have more information and an understanding of the consequences and ramifications of our actions, and how they impinge on others, we shouldn't do anything because it might hurt others isn't a terrible one, but we have to remember that without choice, nothing gets done. (The Bastard Fairies - [Apple Pie]). I believe that the universe is an evolving organism, in which our choices and actions have deep, meaningful consequences. But this doesn't mean that one set is necessarily best. It means that we all have our choices to make.

Hassan ibn Sabbah's exhortation was meant to absolve you and make you relinquish the feelings of guilt and remorse that keep you from doing the things you really want to do, in this life. (Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - [In a Sentimental Mood]). But the negative antecedent goes too far, acting as a nihilistic balm on all choice. It forgets that Responsibility is not the same as Fault, and that we must be aware of the consequences of our actions, even as we must make our choices, in life.

If Everything is True, then Everything is Permitted.

Someone, in the replies to the earlier post, noted that sometimes open secrets-- the things we tacitly agree not to discuss with those we love, because we know them well enough to know that the truth will hurt them far more than the lack of information-- are often generated out of things we know they don't want to know. (Dark Day - [Nudes in the Forest]). A certain way of saying "I'm okay with it," or "Nothing's Wrong," when presented with a certain kind of information, tells a deep story, and we learn the necessary lessons from it. (Slipknot - [Wait and Bleed]). These secrets are not comfortable, but they are often healthier than the alternative. I don't always agree, but I can certainly respect the decisions made from that place mutual, implicit and/or explicit understanding.

KMFDM - [Godlike]--- I do think that the ways I want to share with people make people uncomfortable, and the ways I want them to share with me. And my response to that, my compromise with the desires and reactions of others, is that I make a choice to not filter myself, but to not be overly specific, either. It's a hard line to ride, without being needlessly cryptic. It's hard to say things regarding my wants for the direction of interpersonal interactions or my mystification at non-communication or my need to teach everyone-- but you, in particular-- that they can be better and do more, without saying your name. Without embarassing you, in front of people. Without making people feel like they know too much, too fast. But I think that people need to know a lot of things, and that they need to know it, very quickly. Just maybe not that.

Ego Likeness - [Axis]--- And so, yes, I desire to adverse. To push you, because you told me something, once, that you don't remember telling me, but I remember. Something you wanted, something you needed, but you were drunk or high or depressed when you said it. But I will keep pushing you there. Making you look at what you don't have, yet, and the bullshit you have to deal with, until you see what's there for you to make and take.

And maybe that isn't my place, to tell you what you can have, and what you can do, and how fucking amazing your life could be. But do you really want to get pissed at me for saying it? For highlighting the worst, so the best shows in stark, cooling relief? Because, sometimes, we don't listen when people simply say things to us. We have to see it, know it, hold it.

Ruby - [Hoops (Eli Janney Mix)]--- It is our choice, and our perrogative to hide whatsoever we will from whomsoever we wish, but it is also our perrogative as friends, family, lovers, people who trust each other to push for more, to ask and demand that we all be better, together. And that's what I would do. That's what I will do, whenever I can.

Red Sparowes - [The Soundless Dawn Came Alive as Cities Began to Mark the Horizon]--- Comments are not screened. Have a good day.