As the Fool steps off the cliff, he faces many emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual challenges but he will also experience many joyous moments along the way.
The first person the fool encounters on his journey is a man dressed in red who exudes mystery, masculinity and power. I should emphasize here that if a card depicts a male figure it doesn't necessarily mean the card is masculine. The same is true for cards with a female figure-it can mean many things and represent many people. Each card is filled with symbols, male energies, female strengths...I Always find something new in a card that I've looked at 100 times.
For the purposes of this post, I'll refer to the Fool as he and the Magician as she. The Magician is the first card of the Major Arcana hence the first road taken by the Fool. Whereas the Fool represents the possibilities in life, the Magician takes those possibilities and makes them real. There have been times in my life where I have imagined the possibilities but let them pass me by. Don't let that happen to you!
The Magician points to the the Fool and asks for his backpack and as she raises her right hand to the sky (or heavens depending on your beliefs) with wand in hand and directs her left hand to earth, the pack unfolds and reveals four tools that will be essential to the Fool throughout his journey.
These tools are a Sword which represents the element air, communication and mental thoughts; a pentacle which is earth and stands for money, work and skill; a Wand which is fire and represents growth, passion, creativity and action; and a Cup representing water, emotions, relationships, dreams and intuition.
The Magician is all powerful, all creative and all energy. We want more power in our lives-we want to feel like we have control over ourselves, our futures. Yet we don't realize that creativity is power and it can have a daily presence in our lives. And being creative doesn't mean you have to draw a painting or design a dress or mold clay into something amazing-creating is anything done outside of yourself that has value and meaning to you. Blogging gives me a powerful feeling-every time I hit the publish button, I know I'm sharing a part of myself to the internet virtual world.
When the Magician appears in your life it means that power is accessible to you. The power lies in the motivation and excitement of a new beginning or a new project-the first steps of the Fool if you will. Also, you have tremendous will to see this project through-your energy is focused on that goal just as the Magician takes the energy from the sky and directs (focuses) it to the ground or reality. For the tools, take what you need from each one and learn from them. And learn from your mistakes-we all make them. For instance, I will communicate (swords) my needs more efficiently to certain people in my life. Also, I will let my creativity (wands) flow and not force it because that only disrupts the energy. I will organize my workload (pentacles) to something I can successfully and realistically accomplish each day. And, I will trust my intuition (cups) because when something doesn't seem right or seems off, chances are they are off for a reason.
Another way to look at the tools is to see physical objects that you use daily to help you on your journey. For instance, yoga and running are essential to my physical and emotional wellness (shown here by a yoga mat and Reek Raid Light Ups for girls).
Other tools I use daily are my sewing machine, a journal, books, a bike, tarot cards (of course!), fabric, a laptop, and pastels (art supplies in general).
Questions to ask: What does magic mean to you? What skills or tools do you need to take with you on this journey? Where are you focusing your energies? How can you utilize all four tools? How can you integrate creative power into your life?
Have you ever wanted to do something crazy, or out of your realm but didn't because you were afraid of what the outcome would be? Or maybe you were concerned with what others would think or *gasp*, "what if I embarrassed myself?"
What if you could do the above without consequences? Or to put it more simply, what if you could do the one thing you always wanted to do without over planning, over thinking or overanalyzing? Just go with the flow, step off the cliff and accept whatever comes your way.
I became interested in the tarot many years ago. I can still remember getting my first deck, the Rider Waite, and being amazed at how all the colors and symbols seemed to come alive and pop off the cards. I don't use the Tarot for fortune telling rather more as a way to see a situation more clearly much like someone might use praying or meditating to sort through things. And yes, I do read for other people.
The Fool from Rider-Waite by Waite and Smith, 1909
The Fool has always been one of my favorites (although I tend to say that about all 78 cards). The Fool is 0 but you can also think of it as unnumbered. I have always interpreted the number 0 as a clean slate, a new beginning, void of baggage (woohoo!). In the Rider-Waite image (see above), you see a man about to step off a cliff. He holds a white flower and a hobo pack sits on his shoulder. Does the pack hold your past? A white dog is at his feet perhaps warning him that he is about to take a big step which will result in falling or perfect spontaneity. The Fool is a wanderer, a traveler, an explorer.
I have been acting the fool of late in my RL. Nothing completely insane or worthy of a best seller but I am definitely stepping out my realm and the results are quite sweet. One mild example is I started running (again) and am thinking of doing several 10ks over the summer but I immediately have thoughts such as "What if I'm the last to finish?" or "What if I have to walk?" Over thinking can often prevent you from doing things you really want to do. So what if I don't finish? I'm not doing it to be the first through the finish line. I'm running because I love it and it's pure awesomeness!
Could you be more foolish in your life? Can you do things on a whim or go on instinct alone? In your relationships? In your career? Of course, you can be the Fool to an extreme and all those wonderful traits will backfire on you. I have several people in my life who are complete flakes. They drive me crazy! They are literally being a fool and not caring about the consequences or the effect it has on others. So go with your heart. You don't always have to be foolish but we all need to take a risk once in awhile and be free and be nothing (remember that the number "0" is blank, empty, nothing). The hard part is deciding if the time is right for taking that risk.
Questions to ask: Could you be more foolish about life (second life, first life or whatever life)? Could you benefit from more spontaneity? Should you take that step off the cliff without thinking what lies below or ahead?
I first heard of Swan Ling and Argyle Anonymous when her RL sister, Elle Kirshner of Second Spaces, plurked about Swan's Spring fashions. They are simply adorable. I went back to her shop and basically bought almost everything. My favorites are her tops and button up shirts because they fit me perfectly! I usually have to fiddle with many items in my closet (inventory) to get them to fit right (not that there's anything wrong with that). Swan's prices are very affordable-you will be pleasantly surprised and I'm sure you will be tempted, as I was, to buy Everything! I was even inspired to make a pattern (real/first life) that looks very similar to the denim skirt (see top pic).
"I send a light to shine on you I send a light to shine around you" -Belly (I couldn't think of a title so I used a song lyric from one of my favorite bands)
How many woodsy cabins can one pixelated girl own? Never Never Enough! When I got a notecard last week that Zacca had a new release, well, I could hardly contain my excitement (don't worry, I contained it). For those of you who don't know me or this blog (most of you probably!), I'm a prefab whore. I buy many houses. I own many houses. Sometimes I forget what I have and end up with two of the same prefab. You get the picture.
Check out my welcome mat. How cute is that? and it's a freebie!
I'm not a builder so my descriptions might seem a little elementary. The new Zacca Lodge (see here) comes in a small and large version and also a courtyard version which is what I am showing you today. Plain and simple-it's just lovely. The textures are gorgeous and this girl is all about textures. The courtyard is 122 prims which gives you enough space (if you have a plot of land with at least 400 prims or so) to have fun with decoring (is decoring a word?) and landscaping. When you walk through the door, you are greeted with an awesome window seat. I love the windows too btw.
The front room (see above) is large enough to separate into a kitchen and living area. Oops, I need a refrigerator. And more plants and chotskies! I love the ceiling and the the detailing of the beams (see below). If you like a rustic feel to your home than I'm sure you will be very happy with the Lodge.
There are two side rooms. I made one into a bedroom and yes, that is a bedroom set from UrbanizeD (And please take your shoes off in RL before you lie on a beautiful new bedroom set!). Enjoy this moment coz, well, it just might be your last. Live for today!!
The other room is kind of a kick back, relaxed, let's listen to some tunes, type of room. I'm hanging with Emerald on the MudHoney Rustic Spring set that she gifted me. Thanks Em! And yeah, that is a a fortune teller table in the corner. Stay away from Ouija Boards folks, stay very far away.
I love going outside and looking at all my lovely landscape loveliness from the Sea Hole.
On the other side of the courtyard is a nice area to put more decor or have an easel and canvas ready.
Thank you for letting me show you around this great lodge. CROSS Jupiter, the creator and owner of Zacca, is so nice and is great with customer service. Kudos to him for such a lovely build!
Outside
Landscape (trees, bushes, grass): Sea Hole Garden
easel and canvas: Marketplace
chairs: LISP, Autumn Shades in Olive and Rust
welcome mat: Pestique, FREEBIE!!!
Kitchen
table and chairs: *Tatty Soup*
paisley decal: [croire]
stove: ![CoCo], CozyStove, red
side table and cake: LISP, Traditional Hearth Console and Fancy Cake
Bedroom
bedroom set (bed, bedside tables and lamps): UrbanizeD, "Heavenly" Bed Set
enjoy this moment decal: :CP:
curtains, tv and stand, bookcase and couch: *Tatty Soup*
tv and stand: *Tatty Soup*
Mary was exhausted. She couldn't remember a time that she had been this tired. She felt like she had been running forever without any time to think or breathe. But she still needed to work. It was 11pm and she had a good two hours still to get several more customers before she dropped from exhaustion.
It's been hard for Mary to get tricks the past couple of days. Four of her friends have been murdered by some lunatic that has been roaming the streets since August. Men have been keeping their distance from her. It's as if she has developed some disease or is viewed upon as a bad omen. She is sick of it all. If she could just sit and rest. If only for a few minutes. All she does is walk these streets day after day after day.
She wouldn't end up like her other friends, Annie, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Mary who didn't have the luxury of being alive. She was going to be somebody. Someday. She would get out of this hellish life-get out of Whitechapel forever. The Ripper wasn't going to get her. She was somebody. She wanted to live.
Mary decided she would go to Ten Bells to have a pint and something to eat. She couldn't face any customers just yet. And she was feeling lightheaded probably because she hadn't had enough money to buy food for two days.
After she leaves Ten Bells, she meets with several customers then drags herself home to her 12'x10' room at Miller's Court off of Dorset Street. Mary is scared. She doesn't want to go to her room tonight. She doesn't want to be alone. And she has felt for awhile now that someone has been following her. She walks through her door and collapses on the bed. Sleep at last.
One day men will look back and say I gave birth to the Twentieth Century
-Jack the Ripper, 1888
Note: I was inspired to write this post after the first stop of the Serial Killer hunt. I've only made it to the first stop because, to be honest, it kind of grossed me out. So you have been warned-this hunt is not for the faint of heart! Most of the above I made-up with a couple of true facts thrown in.
What fascinates me about the Jack the Ripper case is not the murders nor the fact that they never found the killer, but the Whitechapel district. There were approximately 80,000 people living in Whitechapel in 1888 which is shocking because the area is quite small. You can almost imagine the horrific conditions as you're walking through the Soul Productions sim (so much so that I just wanted to take my pics and get the hell out of there!). If you would like more info you can see the movie From Hell or read the graphic novel of the same name.
And now, I will close the book on Jack the Ripper and hopefully never think about it again!
Don't know just where I'm going
And tomorrow, it's a little overwhelming
And the air is cold
And I'm not the same anymore
Happy 2011! I started this post back in August (2010) and I'm just now completing it. I thought it would be a good way to begin 2011 for Translucent Journey. And just so you know, this post is going to run a little long.
Some cool things are happening in my life but it's hard to enjoy them because I'm plagued with self-doubt and fear. Much of how I feel is my own doing but it's hard sometimes, to fight that inner voice which can be so negative. I'm in the process of doing something I've always wanted to do, ever since I was a teenager but sometimes I think I defeat myself purposely because I'm afraid. If I don't try then I won't make mistakes, and then, of course, I won't fail. I never thought of myself as a perfectionist but I definitely have those tendencies. When I make a mistake, no matter how small, I beat myself up over it.
I also tend to screw up potential relationships of late for all the reasons above.
I've been running in your direction
For too long now, I've lost my own reflection
And I can't look down
And you're not there to catch me when I fall
A couple years ago Idina Menzel, who was the original Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, came out with her first CD, I Stand (I think she's been on Glee but I don't know since I don't watch that show. Ducks). One of the best $100 I spent was in 2003, on a ticket to see Wicked in NYC the night after opening night with Idina and Kristin Chenowith. It was amazing. I also met Idina once in NYC. She's gorgeous, talented, has an amazing voice and her CD is fantastic. If ever there was a song that summed up how I feel going into a new year, Brave is that song. Every line speaks to me.
If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my right of passage
That somehow leads me home
I might be afraid but it's my turn to be brave
(and yeah, I know how annoying it is to read lyrics to a song you might not know)
Some friends recently told me that I'm one of the most interesting and talented people they've met and if anyone can make a go of this entrepreneur adventure, I can. My point in sharing this is not to brag (I'm not a bragger-believe me) but to tell you what my immediate reaction to my friends' comments were "what? who? me?" That's my typical reaction to a compliment. Why does everyone believe in me except for me? It's funny how your mind works. I know so many talented people who seem to defeat themselves, and I always try to boost them up and make them see the wonderful person that is within each of them. It's way easier to see this in another than in yourself.
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye At least it's the first day of the rest of my life I can't be afraid Cause it's my turn to be brave
When a new year starts we all have grandiose plans for ourselves. We want to change, become a better version of ourselves but then we kind of lose the momentum mid-February (or sooner). For very personal reasons (which I won't get into), I really need to get my shit together in 2011. There is no other option. And in order to do that, I'm stepping way out of my comfort zone in all areas of my life and yeah, I'm scared :(
And I might still cry
And I might still bleed
These thorns in my side
This heart on my sleeve
And lightening may strike
This ground on my feet
And I might still crash
But I still believe
So today I stand. I own myself. I own my feelings. It's my turn to be Brave.
The skin I'm wearing is from ND/MD (coz I have to bring this self-absorbed post back around to SL). I discovered them at last year's Fantasy Faire and just had to have their Cyborg Skin (I actually have three of them!). I'm attempting to create a superhero through pen and ink and colored pencil to represent 2011 (I know I sound like a nerd/geek but nerds/geeks are cool!) and yes, I might post it at some point. I think the Cyborg Skin kind of gives my AV a badass superhero look with an artsy feel. If you're interested in unique, different and wild hair then I recommend Vanity Hair. I'm wearing the !Viola!
Also, the locations I choose to take my images usually represent...something. The sims are usually amazing to look at and deserve a tp from you! From top to bottom image, the taxi will take you to these areas:
Finally, I included Idina Menzel singing Brave. I wanted to embed the original video but damn youTube wouldn't let me. It's a great song. I hope you give it a listen! Again, I wish you a wonderful and prosperous 2011 and I appreciate all of you who take a peek at this silly blog!
I woke up Friday morning with a migraine. Unfortunately, I had to work all weekend (three projects that need to be finished by Monday) so staying in bed was not an option. Btw, if you struggle with migraines and have any unique solutions to stop them or decrease the pain (besides the obvious ones like doing yoga, getting more sleep and going gluten-free), please IM me inworld.
It's almost 48 hours later and I still have a slight migraine but my head is clear enough to realize that it's December 19! I have way too many Christmas items and not enough days left to blog about them. Yeah, I could always save them for next year but who knows where I'll be in December 2011. And come to think of it, what will Second Life be like a year from now? LL has gotten rid of last names so who knows what the future holds for this crazy place. Anyways, I don't want all my lindens to go to waste so I'll just put a bunch of stuff into one blog post and hopefully by December 25, I will have used all my holiday goodies in some way or another.
I found these adorable doll type figures from an awesome store, Never You Mind, and I was excited to blog about something I haven't seen on all the feeds. However, after I bought almost every damn doll in the store, I started seeing them everywhere inworld. Oh well. There are snowboys, snowmen, reindeer and other assorted cuties most of which animate in some way.
Speaking of awesome stores, the bench is from Awesome Blossom and comes with texture changes and 6 sit animations.
I bought the cookie table back in November, before Thanksgiving. [Tuft]
was having a great sale on their Christmas animations and I bought them all (can you see a pattern here?). I've been sucked into making cookies again this year which will ruin my continued effort to go gluten and sugar free. It's hard to do this during the holidays since everywhere you turn, someone is handing you something made with wheat. Even my dentist gave me a loaf of pumpkin bread! Hey, I thought dentists were supposed to deter you from sugary treats?
Anyways, I do love making cookies because people always love them when they recieve them. Let's face it, there is no good deed that isn't selfish. Can you think of one? I make my cookies ghetto style (a term I learned in fashion school). I don't have a mixer. I grow my own wheat, churn my own butter and raise chickens for the eggs. *Just kidding, just kidding**. But I honestly don't have a mixer, so I have to stir the dough myself which is great for upper arm strength.
The teal coat I'm wearing is from MNK*Shop and comes in three styles. Isn't it fabulous? Magika has some great hairstyles out right now and actually, when I first came on SL, Magika was one of the first hair shops I went to. Each of their new styles comes with a mirrored image which is very cool and the optional "hair in mouth" look. I'm not a big hair chewer. No, I have other annoying habits.
I hope everyone has a great Sunday! And for those of you who are a day ahead of us, have a great Monday (and Bob's your uncle)!
Let's get right to it. I've had a crappy week. No, I'm not a starving child in Africa. I don't have a fatal disease but can I have a bad day or week or year and feel...just sad? And just so you know, I do think about the starving children in Africa. I volunteer year-round not just during the holidays (I needed you to know this for some reason).
So what's the basis for all this angst? People, relationships...does it ever get any easier? When I solve one problem with someone it seems that another situation always pops up. And I can't just ignore it and run away from these obstacles. I used to do that but not now. No more. No way. The latest thang is a power play I'm having with a woman that for some reason has a deep dislike of me. She's almost a bully in her actions and words towards me. I'm not a child anymore. And she's definintely too old to be bullying (is 50 too old to be a bully? maybe not). She has MS and is in pain most of the time which is no excuse to be an angry mean bitch. And in my defense, if she didn't have MS, I think she would still be angry, still be mean and definitely still be a bitch! I almost confronted her months ago but she was going through this cancer scare and me being me, which is someone who genuinely cares about other people, I put it off.
But I'm ready to go off on her this week if necessary and I might just video it and put on youtube! When I blow up, people in my rl tell me it's a blast to watch (some have even called it sexy). I don't go off on people often but when I do, it's like Mount St Helens eruptus. My problem is that I wait to long to deal with these situations and my anger builds and builds and builds which isn't good either. But hey, I'm working through it.
The other angst is...men....*sigh*. Enough said. So painful. Like someone has ripped every ounce of your heart and soul and put them both down a deep dark hole, never to be found again. Sometimes hugging a teddybear really helps.
Enough angst. On to happier stuff. I logged on tonight and started sorting through all my holiday/Christmas stuff. I have lots but unlike Halloween where I managed to build a small inventory of about 200 items but never did a final decoration, I am determined to have a holiday theme on my land! As you can see, I have started quite a decent collection but it's already December 12 and my land basically looks like a junk yard not a lovely Christmas scene.
Hey, do you see the purple tree in the background? Purple fake trees are out-of-stock at both the Walmart and BigLots near me. There goes my plans for a whimsical Christmas.
When I finished sorting through my closet (inventory), I got out of my footsie pjs (footsie pjs are amazing in both lives!) and went shopping for all things fabulous! I started at Has Been which is having an awesome red sale (50-75% off) on selected items through Friday, December 17. I love Terrie Dreadlow's style-a mixture of vintage, funk, goth, punk with some elegance and beauty thrown in. I bought some items that had a holiday type feel to them.
I've been looking for a winter/holiday type of cabin or cottage but haven't found one yet so I decided to get the next best thing. Something that always puts a smile on my face (and boy do I need one)- Gingerbread Houses! I bought four of them which I'll be sharing throughout December. This one is called the Gingerbread House by *LS* and can be found at the marketplace.
We will get through the holidays unscathed. And the New Year always brings new beginnings, new ideas and new goals. Here's to unlimited potential in 2011!
