‎'I believe a strong woman may be stronger than a man, particuarly if she happens to have love in her heart. I guess a loving woman is almost indestructible.' John Steinbeck, East of Eden

‎"People get used to anything. The less you think about your oppression, the more your tolerance for it grows. After a while, people just think oppression is the normal state of things. But to become free, you have to be acutely aware of being a slave."

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows.  Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul  If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.  Authenticity is invaluable - Originality is non existent.”     - Jim Jarmusch

AFRICAN ASTROLOGY
June 5 to July 4

"The Ancestor"

This rich African symbol consists of a solid base upon which two forces lie supporting a figure striving to raise itself. Originally "The Ancestor" was a sign of power. Yet, as the symbol indicates, individual will has no more energy than it can derive from a strong support and the more noble a force is, the greater will be its compelling foundation.

Those of you born under the sign of "The Ancestor" invariably sense the joy or sadness in the lives of those around you, though you may have a tendency to become immersed in their more melancholic attitudes.

The favorite maxim of this sign would be "One must be fair." From this derives a propensity to use will power magnanimously which demonstrates your capacity as leaders of initiatives and champions of and projects.

It is the domain of "The Ancestor" to govern to govern and to guide. Difficulties and opposing forces can at first cause some discouragement, but due to strong self-knowledge, natives of this sign are informed by the wisdom of ancestral Africa and you recognize that you are often the cause of your own disappointments which you are quick to remedy.

As "The Ancestor", you must learn to detach yourself from natural egoism and reach toward a disinterested attitude. Take care not to lose yourself in utopian schemes, but stay true to your ideals.

By ridding yourself of all will to influence and impress those around you, you will be able to realize the sweetest of your dreams.

"Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars,
you have a right to be here
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should

"Plato believed in the pre-existence of the soul, which tied in with his innatism. He thought that we are born with knowledge from a previous life that is subdued at birth and must be relearned. He saw all attainment of knowledge not as acquiring new information, but as remembering previously known information. Before we were born, we existed in a perfect world where we knew everything. "

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "