Above all else, I want to see things differently. When you see one thing differently, you see all things differently. When you ask the purpose of one thing, you are asking the purpose of the Universe.

–paraphrasing of Marianne Williamson

Utopia or Oblivion: The Prospects for Humanity

by R. Buckminster Fuller 

Utopia or Oblivion is a provocative blueprint for the future. This comprehensive volume is composed of essays derived from the lectures he gave all over the world during the 1960’s. Fuller’s thesis is that humanity – for the first time in its history – has the opportunity to create a world where the needs of 100% of humanity are met. This is Fuller in his prime, relaying his urgent message for earthians critical moment and presenting pioneering solutions which reflect his commitment to the potential of innovative design to create technology that does “more with less” and thereby improves human lives . . . “This is what man tends to call utopia. It’s a fairly small word, but inadequate to describe the extraordinary new freedom of man in a new relationship to universe – the alternative.

(Goodreads.com)

VIA BIG TABLE

This Week from the Big Table Podcast with JC Gabel

By Big Table

August 17, 2021 (lithub.com)

Big Table is a half-hour arts program/podcast, an exploration of art and culture as told through interviews with authors and artists, conducted and curated by writer, editor, and publisher JC Gabel and a small cast of contributors.

In this episode, Italian curator Mariella Guzzoni discusses Vincent’s Books: Van Gogh and the Writers Who Inspired Him (University of Chicago Press), and unpacks her year’s long research into the books that Vincent Van Gogh read throughout his life and how they influenced and inspired his painting and drawing, letters, and purpose in life.

From the episode:

JC: What I found very fascinating about Van Gogh’s reading habits, as you alluded to, was that he was reading a lot of these books in different languages. Did he teach himself to read in French and other languages? Like for instance, was he reading Dickens in English and Maupassant in French?

MG: Yes, he read all the authors in their original language. Of course, he was taught some French at school and at home, and when he was 16 he worked at the Goupil art gallery and had the opportunity to see many books. And when he went to work in London, he was nearly 20. He of course had studied a bit of English; that was a full immersion. He was very, very good at languages.

But what is striking is that Vincent was radical as a reader. He took things to extremes. When an author got under his skin, he read everything of theirs that he could find. We have a nice letter to his painter friend van Rappard, and he says: Don’t you agree one doesn’t know writers like Dickens, Balzac, Hugo, and Zola until one has more or less full knowledge of their work?

These four authors were without doubt among his favorite ones. He wrote this letter in 1883 and had already read all Dickens, all Balzac, Hugo, and everything by Émile Zola. So hundreds of novels and books. And in these four authors what is interesting is to think about are the common themes, which he mentions in this letter. For instance, there’s sympathy for the poor, the deprived, the moral importance of literature, the value of humanity and much more. When he painted “The Poor and Money,” which is a beautiful watercolor, large watercolor, of a mass of people trying their luck at the Dutch state lottery, or when he draws the soup distribution in a public soup kitchen, but also “The Potato Eaters,” what does he have in mind?

Well he has in mind these authors. More than an influence, these authors were, I would say, a conversation for Vincent. It’s an ongoing dialogue. What we must bear in mind is that he always remained an artist reader who dialogued with the artist writer. And in a way, he was inspired, but he was also very much encouraged by this internal dialogue.

There is something very nice that he says continually. He says that painting and writing are close cousins because Zola and Balzac are painters of society, or Zola painted beautiful townscapes, things like that. I mean really, there is no difference, only the tool in hand changes. So what is really fascinating in him is that there are no real influences but there is this internal dialogue that goes on always as a painter especially.

________________________________

A co-production between Hat & Beard, Dublab, and Gold-Diggers in Los Angeles, Big Table is dedicated to the interviewing style and enduring memory of Studs Terkel, the Chicago oral historian, actor, activist, TV pioneer, and long-time radio host and author. You can learn more about Studs’ work here. Big Table is the first digital initiative of Invisible Republic, a nonprofit arts organization working in coordination with Future Roots, Inc.

Mariella Guzzoni is an independent scholar and art curator living in Bergamo, Italy. Over many years, she has collected editions of the books that Vincent van Gogh read and loved.

The Princess of Disks

A young woman indicated by the Princess of Disks would be a quiet, reserved person – sometimes shy. She will be practical and capable, though rarely seeking the limelight. I used to know a stage manager who always came up as a Princess of Disks – she loved the glitz of the theatre as long as she could stay behind the scenes – having, of course, created them first!

She’s a gentle person who, like the Queen of Disks, is much concerned with domestic matters, and with Nature and growth. As a result, sometimes when this card comes up we may be looking at somebody who is expecting a child. The Princess of Cups often represents conception, the Princess of Disks shows the pregnancy and the Ace of Wands will then indicate the birth.

The Princess of Disks woman is a reliable and diligent person, trustworthy and hard-working. She is faithful by nature, and deals badly with conflict. She likes life to unfolds in an ordered fashion. In fact, she contemplates life very thoroughly, being sensitive to the needs of others, and sympathetic to their feelings.

Despite her quiet exterior, she has a huge resource of strength and support to offer to those who need it. She is also an excellent practical manager with marked proficiency in dealing with money and accounting. This will, however, generally be expressed in the home environment where she is at her most content.

When the card comes up to indicate a period in somebody’s life, rather than the person herself, we will be looking at a young woman on the threshold – of life, marriage, motherhood, though rarely on the threshold of some major career ambition. That step would be more readily indicated by the Princess of Wands.

(via angelpaths.com and Alan Blackman)

by Astro Butterfly (astrobutterfly.com)

On Sunday, August 22nd we have a beautiful Full Moon in Aquarius.

This is a special Full Moon because it is the 2nd consecutive Full Moon in Aquarius. Last month we also had a Full Moon in Aquarius, at 1° – while this one is at 29° Aquarius.

It’s rather uncommon to have two Full Moons in the same sign. The last time we had two Full Moons in Aquarius was in 2002!

Do you remember what happened back in July-August 2002? You can expect similar themes, patterns and events to emerge now.

What makes this Full Moon in Aquarius truly special, is that it is conjunct the most beneficial planet in our solar system, Jupiter!

Having a Full Moon conjunct Jupiter is an astrologer’s dream come true. This Full Moon literally makes ZERO negative aspects. The Sun, at 29° Leo, is conjunct the majestic star Regulus, the star of success, brilliance and honor.

The cherry on top? Both rulers of the Full Moon (Saturn and Uranus) make harmonious aspects with other planets. Saturn in Aquarius is trine Venus in Libra, and Uranus in Taurus is trine Mercury and Mars in Virgo.

Pretty amazing really!! The Full Moon in Aquarius will bring us hope, clarity and balance – things we hadn’t had in a long while.

29° Aquarius (and the 29° degree of any sign) is a closing degree.

If last month’s Full Moon at 1° Aquarius showed us where we stand, and what kind of problems we need to tackle if we want things to change, this Full Moon at 29° Aquarius will show us what is possible once we’ve done the Saturn in Aquarius work.

Saturn will be in Aquarius for a while (until 2023) and so far we’ve seen the more restrictive side of Saturn in Aquarius. Themes like the lockdown and social distancing are very much Saturn in Aquarius.

This doesn’t mean the whole Saturn in Aquarius transit is about restrictions. When a planet enters a new sign, it usually exposes the problems of that sign, what needs fixing. This is what Saturn did pretty much from the time it ingressed into Aquarius for the first time (March 2020).

In 2021, Saturn is squaring Uranus in a very close orb, bringing lots of friction. Who said change was easy?

Full Moon In Aquarius – Your Big WHY

But as the Saturn-Uranus square wanes (from 2022 onwards) we will slowly slowly witness the positive expression of Saturn in Aquarius.

Saturn is the Great Teacher, a teacher that not only limits and restricts, but also REWARDS hard work and dedication. You WILL eventually reap the fruits of your hard work, because there’s nothing you do that goes unnoticed by the Great Master.

The Full Moon in Aquarius on August 22nd will give you a glimpse into this beautiful Aquarius big picture, into what’s possible if you hang in there and don’t give up.

The Full Moon conjunct Jupiter will remind us of our hopes, vision, goals and purpose. It will remind us of our big WHY – of what really drives us, the reason for all of it. You can turn that vision into a reality – it’s just a matter of time, dedication and persistence.

Pay attention to any events, insights or downloads you have at the Full Moon, because they will give you glimpses into this bright future that awaits you.

“Everything you want is waiting for you on the other side of consistency.” – Full Moon in Aquarius

ANNOUNCEMENT – “Astro Butterfly Wings” Certification Program

In September, Astro Butterfly will launch a 3-month astrology certification program.

The Program is called “Astro Butterfly Wings” and is based on Astro Butterfly’s “Astrology For Transformation” chart reading framework.

The certification program comes in two tracks.

1) The generic certification program “Astro Butterfly Wings” is open to everyone who has a basic understanding of astrology.

2) For advanced students and astrologers, we have a professional track called “Astro Butterfly Wings PRO”. In addition to the chart interpretation framework, you will learn how to become a professional astrologer, and how to start (or grow) your astrology business. Astro Butterfly Wings PRO requires advanced knowledge of astrology so it is application-based.

If you have advanced knowledge of astrology, and are interested in either becoming a professional astrologer, OR growing your existing astrology business, please express your interest in the program by clicking on this link. On Monday, August 23rd we will send you more information about Astro Butterfly Wings PRO, as well as the application form.

If you’re not an advanced student, or you’re an advanced student but are not interested in the professional/business side of astrology, you can enroll directly in the Astro Butterfly Wings program, which will open for enrollment mid-September – stay tuned!

“Power always thinks it has a great soul … and that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all His laws.”

― John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, and diarist who served as the sixth president of the United States, from 1825 to 1829. He previously served as the eighth United States Secretary of State from 1817 to 1825. Wikipedia

ACIM Lesson 27:

Above all else I want to see.

–Marianne Williamson

NFB This short documentary by Alanis Obomsawin takes us to Poundmaker’s Lodge, a treatment centre in St. Albert, Alberta, that welcomes Native people troubled by addiction to drugs and alcohol. Directed by Alanis Obomsawin – 1987 | 29 min Watch more free films on NFB.ca → http://bit.ly/YThpNFB Subscribe to our newsletter → http://bit.ly/NFBnewsletter Follow us on Facebook → http://bit.ly/ytfbNFB Follow us on Instagram → http://bit.ly/2FdmRol Follow us on Twitter → http://bit.ly/yttwNFB Download our free iOS Apps → http://apple.co/2dbva4h Download our free Android Apps → http://bit.ly/2dbvHmO