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January 03, 2009

When you give up on hope

A WONDERFUL THING happens when you give up on hope, which is that you realize you never needed it in the first place. You realize that giving up on hope didn’t kill you. It didn’t even make you less effective. In fact it made you more effective, because you ceased relying on someone or something [...]


December 30, 2008

Let’s Eat Stars

via http://www.allenginsberg.org/index.php?page=nanao-sakaki-passes-on Nanao Sakaki passed away into the stars on, December 21, in Nagano prefecture, Japan, nearly two weeks shy of his 86th Birthday. His best known collections were Let’s Eat Stars and Break the Mirror.  One of Allen’s most cherished friends, he was also very dear to Gary Snyder. Gary wrote on Tuesday: “Last night I [...]


December 29, 2008

Political correctness

is a lie for those whom are
nae strong enow in them selves to stand hearing an other's real opinion.


Political correctness

is a lie for those whom are
nae strong enow in them selves to stand hearing an other's real opinion.


December 27, 2008

Thank You For Throwing Your Shoe

Muntadar al-Zaidi is the Iraqi journalist who was arrested for throwing his shoes at President Bush. This is a photo project devoted to letting al-Zaidi know that people from all over the world share in his outrage over the war in Iraq. We do not condone shoe-throwing, but we prefer it to war. http://www.thankyouforthrowingyourshoe.com/index.php http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1868099,00.html Posted in Cultural [...]


Some Films and a Book

I kept watching movies recently and would like to mention some of them.
A while ago I saw "Stranger Than Fiction" and find that one absolutely brilliant. It's something for people who liked "Being John Malkovitch" or "The Big Lebowski" for excample. I liked that the topic of "hearing voices" was dealt with so light-heartedly and funny in "Stranger Than Fiction". I don't think the film-makers lost respect for psychotics either. The problem of this kind that the main character has leads into what's more of a fantasy-comedy plot. Great actors, too!
The humour in this film reminded me of the novels of a writer I like very much - Matt Ruff. Ruff has some similarity with comedy-fantasy writers like Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams or Robert Rankin - but: he also weaves plots around serious human situations, puts more reality into it. I urgently recommend reading his novel "Fool On The Hill". Probably you'll never forget or regret reading that book. There are several plots in it, one about fairies, a love story about a writer, one plot about speaking cats and dogs and a lot of humourous stuff about subcultures and university life. All in one brilliant novel that even has some action passages. Let me add: with his later novel "Set this House in Order" Ruff has changed his style into a more serious direction.
So what else did I watch? If you have an interest for the topics trauma and revenge, you should watch "The Brave One" with Jodie Foster, an intense thriller-drama by Neil Jordan who has made many good movies before ("The Crying Game", "Interview with the Vampire" etc.). This one is kind of like a mixture of "Talk Radio" and "Taxi Driver" in some way, but that's OK. It's still a valuable statement about a certain topic. I feel Jordan makes the viewer keep a cold eye on the topic for very long up to the resolution of it all. He kind of leaves it open to judge for yourself with some distance most of the time. At least the film had that effect on me.
And I watched "Departed". Now, a few days after I saw it I think it's brilliant. I was not quite as impressed instantly, though, but liked it. Well, Scorsese is just one great old beatnik in film who just fucking knows what he does and is capable of having an immense power over the viewer. One could think: please not the same gangster clichés over and over! But it just damn works again in "Departed". Scorsese still knows the importance of "catharsis" in any drama. Does that mean he's a moralist? Maybe!
And then I watched Luc Besson's "Leon" again. And like it always was, it's still a masterpiece! I had the most wonderful dreams the night after I watched it. "Leon" can touch you deeply. Luc Besson is amazing. I would like to thank him for all of his films.
And last night I watched a film that I hate! There was such a hype about it in Germany. I am talking of the German romantic comedy "Keinohrhasen" (somwhat like: "No-Ear-Bunnies"). If there was an international hype about it, too, I don't know. I just wanna publically say NO to this movie! Don't watch it! The funny children in the film and the actor Jürgen Vogel were aspects I liked, but it doesn't excuse the bullshit of the main plot. The film is such a celebration of assholeness and superficiality it's almost fascist.


Some Films and a Book

I kept watching movies recently and would like to mention some of them.
A while ago I saw "Stranger Than Fiction" and find that one absolutely brilliant. It's something for people who liked "Being John Malkovitch" or "The Big Lebowski" for excample. I liked that the topic of "hearing voices" was dealt with so light-heartedly and funny in "Stranger Than Fiction". I don't think the film-makers lost respect for psychotics either. The problem of this kind that the main character has leads into what's more of a fantasy-comedy plot. Great actors, too!
The humour in this film reminded me of the novels of a writer I like very much - Matt Ruff. Ruff has some similarity with comedy-fantasy writers like Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams or Robert Rankin - but: he also weaves plots around serious human situations, puts more reality into it. I urgently recommend reading his novel "Fool On The Hill". Probably you'll never forget or regret reading that book. There are several plots in it, one about fairies, a love story about a writer, one plot about speaking cats and dogs and a lot of humourous stuff about subcultures and university life. All in one brilliant novel that even has some action passages. Let me add: with his later novel "Set this House in Order" Ruff has changed his style into a more serious direction.
So what else did I watch? If you have an interest for the topics trauma and revenge, you should watch "The Brave One" with Jodie Foster, an intense thriller-drama by Neil Jordan who has made many good movies before ("The Crying Game", "Interview with the Vampire" etc.). This one is kind of like a mixture of "Talk Radio" and "Taxi Driver" in some way, but that's OK. It's still a valuable statement about a certain topic. I feel Jordan makes the viewer keep a cold eye on the topic for very long up to the resolution of it all. He kind of leaves it open to judge for yourself with some distance most of the time. At least the film had that effect on me.
And I watched "Departed". Now, a few days after I saw it I think it's brilliant. I was not quite as impressed instantly, though, but liked it. Well, Scorsese is just one great old beatnik in film who just fucking knows what he does and is capable of having an immense power over the viewer. One could think: please not the same gangster clichés over and over! But it just damn works again in "Departed". Scorsese still knows the importance of "catharsis" in any drama. Does that mean he's a moralist? Maybe!
And then I watched Luc Besson's "Leon" again. And like it always was, it's still a masterpiece! I had the most wonderful dreams the night after I watched it. "Leon" can touch you deeply. Luc Besson is amazing. I would like to thank him for all of his films.
And last night I watched a film that I hate! There was such a hype about it in Germany. I am talking of the German romantic comedy "Keinohrhasen" (somwhat like: "No-Ear-Bunnies"). If there was an international hype about it, too, I don't know. I just wanna publically say NO to this movie! Don't watch it! The funny children in the film and the actor Jürgen Vogel were aspects I liked, but it doesn't excuse the bullshit of the main plot. The film is such a celebration of assholeness and superficiality it's almost fascist.


Harmonious discord; dissonance & dissention.

Going AWOL, Trees of Life, Life, & AWOL life in trees. by Lucas As a kid I used to go hiking in the mountains and cliff jumping and fishing at the lake I used to live near. I remember people would share food from their gardens, and they would play bluegrass in the middle of town three [...]


December 26, 2008

Apologize

Posted in Archetype, Big Brother, community, Cultural Antropology, Culture Jamming, Health and Wellnes, Integrity, Politics, psychology, resistance, sociology, U.S. Constitution      


December 24, 2008

New General Occult Discussion Forum

Following my forced departure from the bourgeois liberal occult forum Liminal Nation, I've set up a new general forum
Subliminal Republic http://subliminalrepublic.forumhog.com

This is just a further facet of the occultural spectrum and has links to all other allied site on it (including this one) so will serve as my hub site if nothing else.

Kao


New General Occult Discussion Forum

Following my forced departure from the bourgeois liberal occult forum Liminal Nation, I've set up a new general forum
Subliminal Republic http://subliminalrepublic.forumhog.com

This is just a further facet of the occultural spectrum and has links to all other allied site on it (including this one) so will serve as my hub site if nothing else.

Kao


December 23, 2008

Solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Haiti

It is rare that I put a call out to raise money for an
important cause, and whilst I am aware that not
everyone on this group has excess cash to donate,
I am equally sure that everyone here can do one
or both of the following to help this vitally important
cause to help end the suffering of our brothers and
sisters in Haiti:

a) Donate some money to vodouaid.org
b) Spread the word to other internet groups in
order to encourage others to do so...

see http://www.vodouaid.org/

Thanks,

A good Saturnalia to all...

Anton


Solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Haiti

It is rare that I put a call out to raise money for an
important cause, and whilst I am aware that not
everyone on this group has excess cash to donate,
I am equally sure that everyone here can do one
or both of the following to help this vitally important
cause to help end the suffering of our brothers and
sisters in Haiti:

a) Donate some money to vodouaid.org
b) Spread the word to other internet groups in
order to encourage others to do so...

see http://www.vodouaid.org/

Thanks,

A good Saturnalia to all...

Anton


PagAnarchy Press - News for December 2008

Hello Dear Children Of The Apple,

It has been a very exciting first year for us here at PagAnarchy Press. Not only has our first book release been a pleasantly surprising success on the occult scene, but we now have a few more items lining up ready to be released in the new year. I'll post more about that when the details are confirmed but let's just say it is going to be bloody and awesome.

What I really wanted to tell you is that we now have a big stash of Liber Malorums sitting in our warehouse(1) and we are able to shift them at discounted prices. Whilst you can still get Liber Malorum over at Amazon.co.uk, we are able to get it to you cheaper than they are. Check out our new Ordering Page for details.

So a big nyah nyah nyah to them, and a big happy Solstice, Chrimbo and Hannuka to you.

Best wishes to all from us all here at PagAnarchy Press.

Seani Fool

(1) - my spare room!


SuicideGirls

Brad Warner on Suicide Girls Posted in anatomy, Anthropology, Archetype, Buddhism, Cultural Antropology, Culture Jamming, Martial Strategy, Mindfulness, Occult/Magick, resistance, Social Psychology, sociology, Stress Management      


December 21, 2008

Babylonian Protection Rites (or keep reading the tablets)

The other week saw a fascinating talk at Treadwell's bookshop on Mesopotamian Anti-Witchcraft Rites, by Dr Daniel Schwemer a German academic at SOAS (http://www.soas.ac.uk/staff/staff31776.php).

This was a fascinating talk and although the Prof was naturally sceptical on magic he was kind to his audience ('it is interesting that the counter intuitive can seem plausible under certain conditions').

The talk outlined the studies of Mesopotamian Cuniform tablets which described the rituals carried out by the healers and exorcists of Babylonia and beyond. These were the doctors of their time but to us would seem closer to cunning folk.
All unusual afflictions (and probably many usual ones) were accounted for by hostile 'magical influence' and diagnostic and counter measures were explained on the tablets. Despite admitted translation difficulties a good sense of what they contained was now possible. Though written records only preserve high class, advanced practices not grassroots witchcraft about which little is known apart from references to witches and snake charmers (the Prof surmised the techniques would be similar but more basic however.

A simplified chart gave the sources of such magical influence: malign witchcraft, angry ancestors, angry gods, demonic activity, taboo breaking etc, though it was explained that there were obvious overlaps and combinations too.

In practise the doctor would visit the assumed victim, diagnose the problem through an assessment of their symptoms and divination and then prescribe the right ritual. If that failed another ritual was tried, much like modern medicine.

Various rites were briefly outlined in the talk, mostly focusing on anti-witchcraft techniques, the modus of which was a building of defences for both habitat and person (sometimes including casting protective circles with flour); the cleansing of environment and person (the influence was regarded as 'bad stuff' that adhered to things); an appeal to the gods about one's own virtue and the injustice of the situation and charges against witches (as if to a law court); a sending back of the influence to its source (the magical influence itself acted as a 'psychic witness', i.e. hair or nail clippings were not needed, the witch's disadvantage); several images being made of the the potential hexer from different materials (clay, wood, straw, cloth etc) and stabbed with thorns, burned, or buried in the wilderness, wasteland or abandoned cities (according to material and need); and finally strengthening rites were performed.

The rituals were all read as the first person, but it was uncertain if the doctor or patient read them, it was assumed some combined recitation was in used, as in prayer or vow.

An extensive example was given of a major 8 hour ritual called 'The Burning'. This took place from dusk till dawn, with the defensive rites before midnight, the counter attack midnight and the strengthening rites before dawn. Interesting features in this included fortification - the defensive techniques being worded on a city or fortress defending itself under siege, including gates being sealed and wells capped (as if from a military manual); an appeal to the underworld deities to contain the influence and its source (possibly killing the witch); the 'stopping of the wind', an appeal to the lord of the winds to stand still (magic being 'spread on the winds'); an appeal to the gods of heaven to ordain these effects to occur and/or give the authority to command them; the destruction of the burnable images in a metal bowl protected by its own circle (other images being buried); and the strengthening of the victims 'shadow' or 'reflection' (with the rising sun linked to its image, reflected in water?) and its being 'put out of reach'. Other interesting features included a rehearsal (or 'overture') before the ritual - a simple mini version of it in first hour, setting out intentions and structure (possibly detachable as a 'lite' version of the ritual). Another element I found original was that it seemed to be targeted towards all possibilities - the attack was treated as if it were coming from all directions, from a male and female witch and a variety of different images were made. The ritual was so long partly as covered every angle and possibility (presumably most of these were nullified and only the real targets connected). I'd wondered if the male-female countering assumed some tantric witchcraft, but it appears this was part of a covering of all angles (though tantric witchcraft may have been one of the angles).

I was pretty impressed with this ritual and will be developing my own modern version for at least annual use (given that nulls are possible and preventative medicine apparently also used in Mesopotamia).


Babylonian Protection Rites (or keep reading the tablets)

The other week saw a fascinating talk at Treadwell's bookshop on Mesopotamian Anti-Witchcraft Rites, by Dr Daniel Schwemer a German academic at SOAS (http://www.soas.ac.uk/staff/staff31776.php).

This was a fascinating talk and although the Prof was naturally sceptical on magic he was kind to his audience ('it is interesting that the counter intuitive can seem plausible under certain conditions').

The talk outlined the studies of Mesopotamian Cuniform tablets which described the rituals carried out by the healers and exorcists of Babylonia and beyond. These were the doctors of their time but to us would seem closer to cunning folk.
All unusual afflictions (and probably many usual ones) were accounted for by hostile 'magical influence' and diagnostic and counter measures were explained on the tablets. Despite admitted translation difficulties a good sense of what they contained was now possible. Though written records only preserve high class, advanced practices not grassroots witchcraft about which little is known apart from references to witches and snake charmers (the Prof surmised the techniques would be similar but more basic however.

A simplified chart gave the sources of such magical influence: malign witchcraft, angry ancestors, angry gods, demonic activity, taboo breaking etc, though it was explained that there were obvious overlaps and combinations too.

In practise the doctor would visit the assumed victim, diagnose the problem through an assessment of their symptoms and divination and then prescribe the right ritual. If that failed another ritual was tried, much like modern medicine.

Various rites were briefly outlined in the talk, mostly focusing on anti-witchcraft techniques, the modus of which was a building of defences for both habitat and person (sometimes including casting protective circles with flour); the cleansing of environment and person (the influence was regarded as 'bad stuff' that adhered to things); an appeal to the gods about one's own virtue and the injustice of the situation and charges against witches (as if to a law court); a sending back of the influence to its source (the magical influence itself acted as a 'psychic witness', i.e. hair or nail clippings were not needed, the witch's disadvantage); several images being made of the the potential hexer from different materials (clay, wood, straw, cloth etc) and stabbed with thorns, burned, or buried in the wilderness, wasteland or abandoned cities (according to material and need); and finally strengthening rites were performed.

The rituals were all read as the first person, but it was uncertain if the doctor or patient read them, it was assumed some combined recitation was in used, as in prayer or vow.

An extensive example was given of a major 8 hour ritual called 'The Burning'. This took place from dusk till dawn, with the defensive rites before midnight, the counter attack midnight and the strengthening rites before dawn. Interesting features in this included fortification - the defensive techniques being worded on a city or fortress defending itself under siege, including gates being sealed and wells capped (as if from a military manual); an appeal to the underworld deities to contain the influence and its source (possibly killing the witch); the 'stopping of the wind', an appeal to the lord of the winds to stand still (magic being 'spread on the winds'); an appeal to the gods of heaven to ordain these effects to occur and/or give the authority to command them; the destruction of the burnable images in a metal bowl protected by its own circle (other images being buried); and the strengthening of the victims 'shadow' or 'reflection' (with the rising sun linked to its image, reflected in water?) and its being 'put out of reach'. Other interesting features included a rehearsal (or 'overture') before the ritual - a simple mini version of it in first hour, setting out intentions and structure (possibly detachable as a 'lite' version of the ritual). Another element I found original was that it seemed to be targeted towards all possibilities - the attack was treated as if it were coming from all directions, from a male and female witch and a variety of different images were made. The ritual was so long partly as covered every angle and possibility (presumably most of these were nullified and only the real targets connected). I'd wondered if the male-female countering assumed some tantric witchcraft, but it appears this was part of a covering of all angles (though tantric witchcraft may have been one of the angles).

I was pretty impressed with this ritual and will be developing my own modern version for at least annual use (given that nulls are possible and preventative medicine apparently also used in Mesopotamia).


December 16, 2008

turn off all the noises you can

For more information about Fred Rogers and Family Communications, the company he founded, please visit our website at www.fci.org “Here’s a gift you may not have expected. It’s a gift for you to give yourself. Sometime in your day today, try to turn off all the noises you can around you, and give yourself some ‘quiet [...]


Greek rioters use lasers

from http://current.com/items/89625848/greek_rioters_use_lasers.htm http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/… Athens Dec 15 2008 Protesters used lasers, huh, against greek law enforcement in an attempt to show force for the death of a teenage boy killed by police two and a half weeks ago. Posted in Alternative Strength Training, Anthropology, Big Brother, community, Cultural Antropology, Direct Action, Martial Strategy, resistance, simplicity       [...]


Greece in Revolution

Since no-one on KIA has mentioned it so far, I thought I would just post in solidarity with our Greek anti-authoritarian comrades, currently in their second week of protests against the shooting of a teenager by a police officer.

http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=2008greece-update

This has also included the liberation of Athenian radio stations, and the temporary capture of TV broadcast:
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20081213194329442

On the sacred island of Crete, the Muse of Rebelion sings to the people:
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20081213213931450

Other solidarity protests are also happening worldwide. Some of these are mentioned on infoshop:
http://news.infoshop.org


Greece in Revolution

Since no-one on KIA has mentioned it so far, I thought I would just post in solidarity with our Greek anti-authoritarian comrades, currently in their second week of protests against the shooting of a teenager by a police officer.

http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=2008greece-update

This has also included the liberation of Athenian radio stations, and the temporary capture of TV broadcast:
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20081213194329442

On the sacred island of Crete, the Muse of Rebelion sings to the people:
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20081213213931450

Other solidarity protests are also happening worldwide. Some of these are mentioned on infoshop:
http://news.infoshop.org


December 13, 2008

Happy Xmas

War Is Over If You Want It Posted in Anthropology, Cultural Antropology, Health and Wellnes, music, Politics, psychology, Social Psychology, sociology      


December 09, 2008



December 01, 2008

Vote for our video!

 Check out this video that I and several other students worked on. It came out pretty good, I am happy with it, especially considering that it was very last minute and none of us really knew how to edit or shoot video. We did have help of course, with out which this wouldn’t have been [...]


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