Signs of Saturn

I have recently discovered the Georgia-filmed gem Walking Dead. Like many other people, my favorite character is Daryl Dixon, portrayed by Norman Reedus. Unlike most of the other characters, Daryl did not come from the comics which inspired the series. Rather, Norman auditioned for a different part and made such an impression that Daryl was created just for him. I love that, in addition to his work acting and modeling, Norman has founded Big Bald Head . According to the website, the "recurring theme in his images is making the disturbing beautiful."

"Directed by Raz Degan, The Last Shaman is the story of James Freeman, a young man who decides to take matters in his own hands when faced with incurable depression. He undergoes a life-changing journey in the Amazon jungle that brings him a deeper understanding and acceptance of self. Along the way, he experiences the healing properties of the tribal plant medicine Ayahuasca and the world around it." The Last Shaman, Official Site

I saw the book the day before the hurricane winds swept upward into northwest Georgia. I read it by candlelight. The trigger warnings at the beginning read like an invocation. I am grateful for the boundaries explored and obstacles overcome. Death, loss, depression and transformation all are here.

Original sketch by Aliya Smith "Now, I’m not saying that kids should be exposed to the realities of death, not fully. There is always a need for age-appropriate discernment. But to hide the truth, hoping that it makes them gentle – man, that is a huge dis-service. And demanding that others lie about their own reality in order to keep your own fantasy-land intact? Wow. And of course, those of us here know that refusing to acknowledge that death exists does not in any way protect you from it. Refusing to allow discussions about illness and death just means that when it does happen, the child will have absolutely no skills to deal with their grief. He’ll just know that it’s not okay to talk about. This whole avoidance of death thing creates generations of people ill-equipped to respect the reality of grief. It creates legions of people feeling grief, without any capacity to speak to it, or handle it, or treat it with respect and understanding." - Megan, Refuge in G...

Yolandi Visser came to me via the movie Chappie, an inspired take on robots, consciousness and humanity. It moved me in unexpected ways. So does Yolandi.

Selfie with Susan by Kelli Lynn After my cemetery walk, I locked onto a recent copy of Good Housekeeping at the local Dollar General. Susan Sarandon's cover shot grabbed me.  At 71, she looked so young--grounded within herself yet open. I instantly associated her with Saturn. Red-headed and radiant, she seemed to have little in common with the decidedly more time-worn images of the crone which usually call to me. I felt confused until I opened up the magazine and saw her words. On the worst parenting advice she received, Susan said this: I think it was 'Don't have the baby.' . . as though it would ruin my career, and I was so old anyway. I had my first baby at 39 and my third at 45, and with each child, [people were like] 'Are you crazy? Don't!'   And on happiness : Just surrender the idea that you're going to do everything right because the odds are not in your favor.   There is a side of Saturn which draws new boundaries and create...

Dark Tower: Charyou Tree by Deviata Saturnalia existed before Christmas and was essentially transformed into the Christian holiday for political purposes. Pre-Constantine, ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia as a time of general year-end merriment during which social norms were turned on their heads and slaves were allowed temporary freedom. Saturnalia strikes me as though the word is aflame. Tonight, it makes me think of Charyou Tree from the Dark Tower. The protagonist Roland's one true love Susan Delgado was burned on a Charyou Tree harvest bonfire for being perceived as a threat to the establishment of her time.

photo by Manuel Librodo I went online to search for a face of Saturn. I discovered Rosalinda, a cigarette vendor who launched the career of photographer Manuel Librodo. Manuel shoots from his heart to share portraits of humanity. Through the photo, Manuel and Rosalinda channel the energy of the Crone, an aspect of Saturn. I wish to see myself through her sight, to draw back my cloak and unveil infinity galaxies.