Two of my classes have taken an unexpected turn into subconscious realms, and I love it.
In one, surrealism, magical realism, and fairy tales are glowing with dignity under a happy spotlight.
And in a writing workshop, the practice is turned toward techniques that create space for audiences to project themselves into the work and to make intuitive leaps.
It feels like a conspiracy of spirits intent on reminding me of why I was first compelled to write.
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a shift in focus onto the hyper-local, and a deep turning toward interiority.
For example, my mother taped up the exterior doors to prevent all draft. The loss of access to the outdoors was worth it to her. I personally wanted to go for a walk, but her comfort and peace of mind were worth the temporary loss of outdoors and fresh air to me.
But I’m definitely looking forward to pulling down the tape this afternoon and going outside. 2/
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Uncommon Tapestries was postponed due to the weather.
Our winter storm is over, snow and ice are melting, and we’re thawing out.
One thing about the cold and not knowing when or for how long the electricity might be off or how long roads will be closed— it causes a stillness, a conservation of energy (one’s own physical energy; battery use; the energy needed to run a house, to run computers, etc.), a different kind of confrontation with what’s important and why, 1/
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The chill is seriously beginning to settle in here, but we’ve weather-proofed and stocked up on food supplies. And we still have electricity, so I’m going to go shelter in my office with a space heater and a blanket and write.
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The technological challenges that I needed to work through just to get started were a thing to behold. And then—this class has a large asynchronous video conferencing element to ensure we are all getting ample opportunity to compose and practice our academic speaking, as well as writing. I think it’s a good element for an online course, but it was a surprise and there were setup logistics to work through. 2/
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All week, when I’ve gone to settle in for my writing pedagogies class, I’ve closed it right back up because a small inner voice has repeatedly said, “Nah, not this one. You really want to save this one until all other coursework is done for the week.” Today, all other coursework done, I opened writing pedagogies and shortly disintegrated into knots of frustration and a puddle of tears. (No actual tears were shed—but all the same, I was definitely a puddle of them.) 1/
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I was sitting outside in the sun with a glass of water today, possibly more than a dozen ladybugs (ladybirds, in the UK) landing on me from all directions in less than 10 minutes, something that has never happened before, wondering what was up, while also telling myself not everything needs to be a sign or a message, and also, “this is strange” when I opened my phone and caught the breaking news on the passing of David Lynch.
As impressions go, this one was bittersweet and no doubt longlasting.
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I read the article about Gaiman tonight. I had braced myself before starting knowing it was likely to be disturbing, but it was so much worse, more detailed, more real, more relentless, and longer, than I had anticipated, eliciting a jumble of disappointment, sadness, and rage. Mostly processed now, but it took a minute.
I know I would have ignored this advice if someone had given it to me, but I still want to tell people, maybe don’t read it. Maybe, if you must know, find a summary somewhere.
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It’s been a weekend of class preparation here. We start on Monday, and I‘ve had a few projects to wrap up before then. As of yesterday, the courses were made accessible for the week ahead. I like what I see, and I’m integrating the workload.
Uncommon Tapestries resumes next weekend.
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This week, by chance, I’ve been reading the Evelyn-White (1914) translation of Theogony of Hesiod (c. 730-700 BCE) and listening to a 3-hour related podcast on it, alongside reading Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari (2017) while slowly watching the Foundation (2021) television drama loosely based on the novels by Isaac Asimov (1951-53) and set roughly 50,000 years in the future.
Each good in their own right, they become evocative and go incredibly well together.
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About a year ago, I was dreaming in Tara mantra and I picked up a phrase or two not seen or heard elsewhere that I incorporated into my practice with positive personal results.
I’ve been working that mantric phrase for the last week or so, and contemplating the healing and meaningfulness in the sound it generates and how this corresponds to healing and meaningfulness in my body and in my life. I’ve also been reflecting on the mood of silence that descends following practice. 5/
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I wondered at the time whether she was pointing me in the direction of Western cultural traditions and away from Eastern ones. Maybe there was some boundary there that I could not cross because of my birth origins. It didn’t trouble me, but the thought lingered in my mind.
Turned out, that wasn’t it at all. There were practices that I could learn through Western traditions, which I have much more ease of access to here, that made things she wanted to teach me easier to impart. 3/
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The benefits in switching off external stimuli—sound, light, movement—and sitting in quiet stillness are innumerable.
As are the benefits in speaking words of power and words of healing.
We need more of this, and more teaching about this and the many different forms it can take, in our modern world. /6
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There was also some cultural healing around the harms of centuries of mainstream Christianity to do. And Tara is a healer.
Tara mantra practice is one of the simplest and most effective practices that I integrate into my days. (I just finished reading and recommend “Tara” by Rachel Wooten if anyone reading this is looking for a good overview of the 21 Taras and corresponding mantras for each aspect.) 4/
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I give homage to Tara, a wisdom goddess of compassion and mother of all Buddhas, for pointing me in the direction of occult workings with angels and with prompting me to learn the magic and mysticism of the Christian rosary. Tara was incredibly welcoming, empowering, and healing, but after we reached a certain point together, she did basically say, “Now go meet Mary and get to know some angels.” 2/
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One of the things I love about Penczak’s writing is that it’s always worth my time and it transmits the qualities of deep thought and contemplation. “The Culture of Comments” https://templeofwitchcraft.org/the-culture-of-comments/
He discusses the powers of silence and thoughtful words versus mindless wordiness in this piece, and it engages tangentially with some work I’ve been doing with Tara, or she’s been doing with me, over the last few years or so. 1/
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Going over a few pointers on tarot with my niece today was an astonishingly rewarding experience.
I am amazed at the depth, openness, and sincerity that she brought to it as well as the sharpness of her mind rapidly absorbing all that I shared and forming brilliant connections.
I gave her another deck, so now she has the start of a collection, and invited her back at any time in future should she find she wants someone with whom to bounce around her theories and insights as she explores.
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Tonight’s music brought to you as a selection from the algorithm following a day of listening to Eva Cassidy and the like.
Lauren Daigle - Rescue
https://youtu.be/gYR0xP1j4PY I like the graininess of her voice, her costumes, and these panoramic views.
And Pentatonix singing Mary Did You Know https://youtu.be/ifCWN5pJGIE I love Christmas carols, and this one is performed with just enough odd plus cave acoustics and candles to make it wonderful.
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This is a short Christmas special—
Uncommon Tapestries: Scene 3
The Elder Mother and The Christmas Rose
https://open.substack.com/pub/hughesgracegreggory/p/uncommon-tapestries-scene-3 #ChristmasEve
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The City in Glass is stunningly beautiful. The ending was not what I anticipated, but neither did it disappoint. It was perfect for the work.
I had intended to have a week off from substack this week, but I’ll probably take a minute to write up and post a book review tomorrow.
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