Of Vampires, Saints and Mezcal

Sagittarius Horoscopes
(Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Next Week
For the Week of Nov 17th, 2008 -- You could feel like a bull in a china shop this weekend, as if every word you say or move you make comes across awkwardly. Well, Saggie, this is when keeping your sense of humor is vital. Just don't take yourself or any one's criticism too seriously if you want to have a good time.

Heh! Been there, done that. Oh, for a more tactful nature, but I yam what I yam. I'll remember to take things with a grain of salt. I found mezcal from Monte Alban, but it has a gusano in the bottle, too. A little agave worm, just hanging out, gives new meaning to 'good 'til the last drop'.

Of course, I could not stay out of Barnes & Noble. Found a great book 'This Saint's for You', which defines a patron saint for each and every one of us. For example, St. Amand (c. 584-676), Feast Day February 6, is the patron saint of bartenders, St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231), Feast Day November 17, is the patron saint of in-law problems and St. Quentin (d. 287), Feast Day October 31, is the patron saint of coughs.

Then I found a website dedicated to ancient Oaxacan churches and their santos. I actually have been to several churches and have seen some of these santos firsthand, so cool. As you may surmise, I am becoming a tiny bit obsessed with santos. It's not a bad thing.

I'm not spending as much time with my vampires as I intended. That could be a bad thing, a pissy vampire is no fun at all.

Ouch! Oh, just kidding. My vampires are quite busy with their own problems. I guess that's true for most of us, living or undead. It's always something.

Well, I'm going to have a word with St. Quentin (I can't help thinking Dark Shadows, but that's just how my mind wanders). This stinking head cold is annoying, and my coughing is annoying every one else. I'm sure the old boy will put a good word in for me.

Back to the vampires. My poor Ed thinks he is Edgar Allan Poe. Hmm, maybe, maybe not. To be continued...

Yes, it's a real book!

He Made Me Do It

Vickie's Personal Card:
The Devil
This Deck: Folklore

General Meaning: What has traditionally been known as the Devil card expresses the realm of the Taboo, the culturally rejected wildness and undigested shadow side that each of us carries in our subconscious. This shadow is actually at the core of our being, which we cannot get rid of and will never succeed in taming. From its earliest versions, which portrayed a vampire-demon, this card evoked the Church-fueled fear that a person could "lose their soul" to wild and passionate forces.

The image which emerged in the mid-1700's gives us a more sophisticated rendition -- that of the "scapegoated Goddess," whose esoteric name is Baphomet. Volcanic reserves of passion and primal desire empower her efforts to overcome the pressure of stereotyped roles and experience true freedom of soul. Tavaglione's highly evolved image (Stella deck) portrays the magical formula for harnessing and transmuting primal and obsessive emotions into transformative energies. As a part of the Gnostic message of Tarot, this fearsome passion and power must be reintegrated into the personality, to fuel the soul's passage from mortal to immortal.

Now I know why I'm so attracted to Tarot. It must be the devil in me. Believe me when I tell you I am no fan of true evil. Yes, I write about vampires. I have been fascinated by them since I was a child. Creepy scary stories make me tingle. I remember watching old horror movies with Zacherly on Saturday afternoons. Some of my friends would hide their face or cower behind an overstuffed chair, but I thought this was a great way to spend a few hours. I've learned about voudoun, hoo doo, Macumba and a host of practices that transcend into the spiritual realm. My religion of birth fosters the belief in angels and saints interacting with us on a daily basis and that miracles are real. Then there is possession, exorcism, demons and purgatory. The power of prayer is a cornerstone of that great cathedral of mysticism.

There is true evil in the universe. Genocide, terrorism and greed are in the news daily. When I was a child I once asked my mother if the devil was real or just a scary story.

"Oh, the devil is real and he walks with us every day. He might not have horns and a tail. He might not even be a he. His only desire is to take your soul from you. He may seem very normal, even pleasant. Your little voice will warn you. Listen to it. The devil may offer you the things you think you need or want, but there will be a price to pay. If you have to betray your values or your beliefs, beware, for you are betraying your soul. The devil is persuasive, but you have the strength to be yourself. That way, you'll hang on to your soul and kick that mean old cuss out the door."

Yeesh, I had been hoping it was one of those myths I loved. Well, mom didn't steer me wrong.

I treasure the dark side of my soul. Like all of you, I've encountered the devil, or someone doing his evil-doing, in several guises. I treasure my little voice, too.

Being wild and passionate is wonderful. Welcoming your shadow side is good for the soul. I'll be writing about vampires today and working on a 'Colors of the Forest' quiltie project. How's that for balance? If you listen to your heart, which is where I think the little voice hangs out, everything will be cool.

Image and reading from www.tarot.com

Avon Calling 007

Upon arriving back to work after magical Oaxaca, I was feeling a bit let-down. The mundane would require some readjusting of my psyche. I walked to my desk and, lo and behold, this is what greeted me ~ Avon presents The Bond Girl! Hello serendipity. Just the additional spark for my retablo in progress, which has been waiting patiently while I cultivate my vampires for Nanowrimo. I found a great box, which originally was designed for holding insect specimens, at AlphaStamps. Sketches of my santos are all over the place. There is a great picture of a santo in an old book of mine which shows souls in purgatory petitioning a female saint. Pieces are falling into place. Avon and the Bond Girls just made my day. Thanks Kathy, my favorite Avon person in the whole world :) I'll be using my free sample of Bond Girl 007 as inspiration.

Avon and 007, who knew?

Back to the Grindstone

Sagittarius Horoscopes
(Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Today
Monday, Nov 10th, 2008 -- Even if today means that you must go back to work, your inner world needn't shut down. In fact, you can embark on a spiritual journey now while taking care of your daily chores or engaging in your professional activities without anyone else even realizing it. Be practical and keep up outward appearances, even while traveling to distant galaxies in your mind.

Well, that's good news :) My spiritual journey is already in progress. Love those distant galaxies!

Sunrise in Oaxaca

Many Layers

Sagittarius Horoscopes
(Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Next Week
For the Week of Nov 10th, 2008 -- Expect a socially active but complicated weekend. The Moon in your 7th House of Partnership suggests that you won't be alone, but that the shifting moods of another person or unexpected interruptions will make it hard to chill with your sweetie. You may want to run for the hills, but it's better to express your true feelings.

I'm not running anywhere--I usually do express my true feelings. It's all good. Complicated is not bad all the time. By the time the weekend rolls around again, we'll be over the full Moon of the 13th, so things shouldn't be too wild. For now, it's back to the routine and creating some new art. I'm still surrounded by pregnant women--hello hormones. That should be my biggest problem. Gotta love 'em.

Still have Oaxaca on my mind. I was even checking the real estate listings there :) I was trying to convince a good friend over dinner that it would be ideal for an outdoor studio. A girl can dream. That is a good thing.

Back to the vampires for now. My word count is just over 2000 and I am having a grand time!

Oaxaca posters, still on the wall as far as I know

Under the Influence of Oaxaca

Enjoying my last few days before returning to the realities of the workplace, I was thinking about creating a retablo to remind me of Oaxaca. The title is Sts. Miguel, Colleen y Juan y Las Mujeres de Bond, Diego Bond. I am truly inspired.

So many people here are excited about President-elect Obama. The mood is hopeful. That feeling just filters down to all phases of life, including art. Wooooo! I feel gooood! I have a few things to take care of before my retablo comes to life, but I have my Apoxie Clay and my tin and I am ready!

Here are a few more Oaxaca pics.

Still doing that Nanowrimo thing. I love my vampires, they're so naughty.

Oaxaca Magic

Here are a few pics from beautiful Oaxaca. What a sublime experience. Gracious Colleen and Michael made us feel like family. I couldn't have asked for a better crew. Thanks to one and all for a wonderful time. Will post a bit more soon.

Don't you just love Sofia's hands?