Panthers in the Temple

 

Guardians of the Sacred, Symbols of Transformation

Panthers crouch in the shadowed recesses of the Temple of Artemis in Corfu, their stone forms etched into the pediment, poised as if ready to spring. Flanking the central figure of Medusa, they exude a quiet ferocity, a power that is neither ornamental nor passive. Their presence, often overlooked, is anything but decorative. These panthers are guardians of the threshold, stationed at the edge of the sacred and the unknown, standing between the mundane world and the mysteries within.

Far from Greece, similar figures emerge in the Shaunglin Temple of China, their feline grace and vigilance imbued with spiritual significance. Here, too, the panther appears not as a symbol of mere beauty but as a protector of the sacred—a creature that holds the line between the profane and the transcendent.

These panthers are more than sentinels of temples built by human hands. They are archetypes, embodiments of forces we must reckon with in our own lives. To become a panther of one’s own temple is to assume the role of guardian for the most sacred spaces within oneself—the chambers of our deepest truths, desires, and aspirations. The work of the panther is not simple, nor is it soft. It demands vigilance, courage, and a willingness to engage with the untamed edges of existence.

The panther teaches us, first, to dwell in the shadows without fear. These creatures are beings of the night, moving with an assured grace through spaces where most hesitate to tread. This means confronting the darkness within us—not to be consumed by it, but to understand it. The doubts, the fears, the hidden longings we often push away are not enemies. They are unexamined aspects of our being. To guard our inner sanctum, we must first know its shape and its shadows.

In standing watch over the threshold, the panther reminds us of the importance of discernment. The sacred can only thrive if it is supported. Like the temples adorned with these vigilant creatures, our own inner sanctuaries require protection—not through rigid walls but through careful attention to what we allow inside. Not everything deserves entry. Not every thought, influence, or connection aligns with the essence of who we are or who we wish to become.

Yet the panther’s work is not about defense alone. It is about the power of transformation. At the heart of every sacred space, whether physical or spiritual, lies a dynamic force—a vitality that seeks growth and evolution. The panther does not guard the temple to keep it unchanged but to ensure that its purpose remains true, even as it shifts and adapts to the rhythms of time. In our own lives, this means embracing change not as a disruption but as a necessary force, allowing old patterns to dissolve and new forms to emerge.

The panther, poised at the edge of the temple, reminds us that the sacred is not fragile. It is resilient, but it is also alive, requiring our attention and care. To become the panther of our own temple is to embody this understanding. It is to stand with strength and grace at the threshold of our inner lives, aware of the vastness within and the delicate balance that sustains it.

The panthers of Artemis’ temple and the Shaunglin guardians whisper to us across time and space. They challenge us to remain vigilant, to see the sacred as something that requires both strength and surrender, both boundary and openness. In stepping into their role, we discover the power to protect the sacred and the wisdom to transform with it. The temple we guard is our own, and its sanctity is worth every moment of watchfulness, every act of courage, every choice to evolve.

 

 

The Quiet Power of Resistance

Living Authentically in a Turbulent World

Resistance doesn’t always come with banners and loud declarations. Sometimes, it exists in the small, deliberate acts of choosing health, authenticity, mindfulness, and creativity. Quiet resistance can look like living with intention, refusing to engage in negativity, and embracing joy as a form of defiance against a culture of burnout and disconnection.

In a world that often glorifies spectacle, quiet resistance is an act of radical self-possession. Here’s how four inspiring individuals, two women and two men, exemplify the power of living authentically, supporting one another, and appreciating life’s simple joys.

1. Zora Neale Hurston

Author, anthropologist, and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston resisted the societal expectations of her era by living unapologetically as herself. While the Harlem Renaissance celebrated the brilliance of Black artistry, Hurston often stood apart from her peers by writing stories that centered rural Southern Black life with joy and complexity, rather than despair. Her masterpiece, Their Eyes Were Watching God, celebrates individuality and self-discovery. Hurston's quiet resistance lay in her refusal to conform to literary or societal norms, trusting her inner knowing to create work that would later be heralded as revolutionary.

2. Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg exemplified quiet resistance throughout her legal career. Ginsburg’s strength lay in her meticulous, calculated approach to dismantling gender discrimination. She chose her cases carefully, crafting arguments that built a solid foundation for change over time. Outside the courtroom, Ginsburg embraced joy, from her love of opera to her steadfast friendships, including one with fellow Justice Antonin Scalia, despite their ideological differences. Her life reminds us that persistence, thoughtfulness, and finding joy in unexpected places are forms of resistance that change the world.

3. Fred Rogers

Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, showed the strength of quiet resistance through his unwavering commitment to kindness and emotional intelligence. In an era of increasingly fast-paced, sensationalist children’s programming, Rogers trusted his instincts, slowing things down to talk about feelings, challenges, and self-worth. His simple, thoughtful messages helped generations of children feel valued and safe. Rogers’ quiet resistance lay in his belief that nurturing connection and understanding could transform lives—an idea that remains powerful today.

4. Viktor Frankl

Psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor, and author of Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl demonstrated quiet resistance by embracing the power of inner strength and perspective. In the most harrowing conditions of a concentration camp, Frankl discovered that his ability to choose his response to suffering was a form of freedom that no one could take from him. His emphasis on finding meaning in life’s smallest moments—whether through a memory, a kind gesture, or a glimpse of beauty—offers a profound lesson in the enduring strength of the human spirit.

What Quiet Resistance Can Look Like for You

In a world that often encourages overextension and conformity, quiet resistance invites us to embrace an authentic, mindful way of living:

• Cultivate health: Choose habits that nourish your body and mind.
• Create and play: Whether you paint, write, bake, or garden, creative expression is an act of resistance.
• Support and connect: Build community and lift one another.
• Trust your intuition: Believe in your inner knowing.
• Refuse to engage with negativity: Let provocations fall away, untouched.
• Celebrate joy: Appreciate small wonders—sunlight on water, laughter with friends, the feeling of a favorite pen on paper.

Like Zora Neale Hurston, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Fred Rogers, and Viktor Frankl, we have the power to resist through intentional living, making our everyday actions a quiet revolution. These choices may seem small, but they ripple outward, creating a world that values authenticity, compassion, and meaning.

How will you embrace the power of quiet resistance today?

Dancing With The Storm

Harnessing the PNW Bomb Cyclone for Creativity and Ritual

There’s nothing quite like the wild, untamed power of a Pacific Northwest bomb cyclone. The tempestuous winds howl their song, trees sway like dancers in ecstatic trance, and the very air seems to pulse with an energy that’s both chaotic and exhilarating. For me, this storm has been more than a weather phenomenon—it’s been a creative and spiritual catalyst, unlocking fresh inspiration and transforming my ritual practices into a thunderous symphony of divine connection.

Calling the Storm into Ritual

As the storm rolled in, I felt an undeniable call to weave its energy into my work. With the wind tearing through the trees outside my window and my blue-eyed cat, Lulu, curled up on my lap for comfort (or perhaps moral support), I began my ritual preparations. My deities—Isis, Oya, and Artemis—each embodying fierce power, wisdom, and transformative energy, seemed to whisper their presence in the tempest.

• Isis, Mistress of Magic: Her connection to the winds and the power of voice felt palpable in the swirling gusts. I invoked her with a chant, offering words carried by the storm to reach her ears.

• Oya, Goddess of Winds and Change: The cyclone seemed to embody Oya herself, bringing transformation and clearing away stagnancy. I stood by my altar, arms raised, inviting her winds to sweep through my life, leaving only fertile ground for growth.

• Artemis, Huntress of the Wild: As the storm danced through the forested hills around my home, I called to Artemis. The cyclone felt like her hunt, fierce and purposeful, and I asked her to lend her precision and focus to my creative pursuits.

Creating with Cyclonic Energy

After the ritual, I turned to my creative work, pen in hand and journal open on my writing desk. The cyclone's energy coursed through me, and words spilled onto the page with a force I hadn’t felt in months. The wind outside felt like a co-conspirator, urging me to go deeper, to write boldly and unapologetically.

The characters in my current project sprang to life with renewed vigor, their voices sharp and their actions driven. Even my research for a legacy project seemed to take on new dimensions as if the storm had cleared a path for insights and connections I hadn’t noticed before.

Wind as Ally

In magical practice, the wind is often a messenger, a carrier of intentions, and a herald of transformation. This bomb cyclone was no different—it felt like a powerful ally, its energy amplifying every prayer, every word, every thought. As I moved through the day, I made small offerings to honor this ally: a handful of herbs scattered into the gale, a whispered thank-you carried on the breeze, and a moment of stillness to simply listen to the storm’s song.

Lessons from the Cyclone

The bomb cyclone reminded me of a simple but profound truth: sometimes, we need chaos to create clarity. It’s easy to resist the winds of change, to seek shelter and wait for the storm to pass. But when we open ourselves to the storm’s power, we find not destruction but renewal, not chaos but possibility.

As the storm winds begin to calm, I feel a deep gratitude—for the energy it brought, for the inspiration it unlocked, and for the reminder that creativity, like ritual, thrives when we embrace the wild forces surrounding us.

So, next time the winds howl and the trees sway, don’t just hunker down—step into the storm and see where its energy can take you. You might just find yourself swept into something magical. 

Tarot On The Wind

Shuffling whispers, a breath of air,

Cards aloft, with secrets to share.

The wind it stirs, the veil it thins,

A reading carried on restless winds.

Swords slice sharp through skies untamed,

Wands ignite where storms are framed.

Cups spill dreams in rain’s embrace,

Pentacles root in earth’s sweet grace.

The breeze, a guide, both fierce and kind,

Clears the stagnant, frees the mind.

Tarot on the wind takes flight,

A dance of symbols, pure and bright.

Awakening in the Catskills

The Power of Place

There are moments in life when we stumble upon threads of our history so powerful they seem to reach across time, knitting us into the fabric of those who came before us. My recent journey through the Catskills was just such a moment—a DNA awakening in the truest sense.

The call of these mountains has always been close to my heart, but this time, as I walked the woods near old family farms, it was as if I were moving through layers of memory. With each step, I felt my feet touching the soil and the echo of my ancestors' steps, overlapping with my own. The air, crisp and quiet, whispered stories long-forgotten but still alive in the veins of those who listen closely enough. These were my family’s woods—the places they once labored, laughed, and lived—and I was here, decades and generations later, breathing in the same air.

One of the most powerful stops was at an ancient wooden church, weathered but dignified, standing tall as it must have for centuries. It was easy to imagine distant relatives gathering here, offering prayers, seeking strength and community, possibly even holding their children up for blessings as I felt their essence brushing by me. In that quiet sanctuary, I sensed their spirits, a soft murmur in the walls and a resonance that held me in profound stillness. This was sacred ground—not only for the faithful but for me, as it awakened some deep-rooted understanding that defies words.

As I stood by the Hudson River, my hand dipping into its cold, steady waters, the experience felt almost mythic. The sight of its sweeping flow shook something inside me; it was a homecoming. The water, rushing around my fingers, was both familiar and astonishing, as if it had been waiting for me all along. In that moment, there was a recognition—a knowing so deep it brought tears to my eyes. This river, this powerful force carving its way through New York's landscape, had also shaped my family’s story. They too must have felt its power, let it anchor them, and maybe even trusted it to carry their dreams along its current.

The Catskills are no longer just a beloved place of beauty for me; they are something richer, deeper, alive with the rhythms of my past. I returned feeling altered, with a sense of grounding that has rewired my very DNA. There is a quiet, yet indelible, knowing now—a connection that I will carry forward with reverence, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of the land, family, and stories that live within me.

Little Joys

 This morning, as I sat in my home office, deep in thought, Lulu made her entrance with the quiet majesty only she could muster. Her bright blue eyes gleamed with purpose, and in her mouth was a delicate red dragonfly, its wings still fluttering. She chirped proudly, her soft purr rising in the still air as she presented her living gift. I paused, admiring her offering, knowing she awaited my full appreciation.

Kneeling beside her, I murmured my thanks. Lulu's purring grew even louder, a soft hum of satisfaction. Her eyes flicked between me and the dragonfly as if to say, “See what I’ve brought you? Aren't I clever?” After a few moments of shared admiration, she gave a tiny nod and a slow blink, clearly pleased with my gratitude. With that, she padded over to a sunbeam streaming through the window, curling up into a contented ball, her task complete.

I cradled the dragonfly gently in my hands, feeling the delicate hum of its wings. Standing by the open window, I watched it catch the breeze as I released it, its crimson form darting into the world beyond. 

Lulu, now basking in the sunlight, was already dreaming while the dragonfly danced away into the day. Our quiet exchange was complete in the soft rhythm of home and nature—a perfect example of the beauty in simple moments. 

A Bat A Day Brings Fortune Your Way

 

I'd been housesitting for dear friends who were away on vacation. Their home was nestled amidst the lush woods and shoreline of an Olympia, Washington exurb. I was enjoying the peaceful solitude, the company of her four golden retrievers and one Siberian cat, and the serene sounds of nature. 

It was a warm summer evening, and as I was preparing to watch a movie, I heard a strange, low moan from the living room. At first, I thought it was a stray cat from the nearby woods. But when I heard it again a little later, I decided to investigate. As I approached the living room, I was greeted by a sight I'll never forget: a confused and frightened bat flying down the hallway. The dogs watched with curiosity, unsure what to make of this unexpected visitor.

I knew I had to remain calm and encourage the bat to leave peacefully. I closed off any rooms it could fly into, turned off the house lights except for the back and front porch lights, and opened the back and front doors. Then, I sat across the doorway and waited.

After what felt like an eternity, I no longer saw the bat flying or its shadow. I closed the doors and cautiously explored the house. It was gone. Ten minutes later, while walking the dogs, the bat made a surprise appearance. It swooped low towards us and then soared up over the house. It was as if it were giving a silent thank you.

Have you ever had a bat flutter into your home? While most people might react with a shriek or a slam of the door, there are actually some intriguing folklore beliefs that paint bats in a more positive light. Let's explore some of these myths and superstitions.

Good Luck and Protection

• Guardian Spirits: In many cultures, bats are considered guardians or protectors. They are often associated with the night and the unseen world, and their presence is seen as a sign of spiritual guidance.
• Dream Catchers: Bats are sometimes thought to be natural dream catchers, filtering out negative energy and nightmares. Their ability to fly freely through the night is seen as a symbol of spiritual freedom.

Wealth and Prosperity

• Money Magnets: In some traditions, bats are considered to be symbols of wealth and prosperity. The bat's ability to hang upside down represents the accumulation of riches.
• Financial Fortune: If a bat enters your home, it may be a sign of good fortune and financial gain. Some people even believe that the direction the bat flies into the house can indicate the source of the wealth.

Longevity and Wisdom

• Eternal Life: In certain cultures, bats are associated with longevity and eternal life. Their ability to live for many years is seen as a sign of wisdom and resilience.
• Spiritual Growth: The bat's nocturnal lifestyle is often connected to the subconscious mind and spiritual growth. Its presence can be interpreted as a reminder to delve deeper into your inner self.

While it's important to note that these are just folklore beliefs and superstitions, there's no denying the fascination that bats have held for people throughout history. Should a bat make an unexpected visit to your home, consider it a potential sign of good luck, protection, or spiritual growth.

A Day of Divine Inspiration

Today, I am a vessel filled to overflowing. Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, has claimed me as her own. Words cascade from my fingertips like a waterfall, carving out a path through the uncharted territories of my mind. It is a heady, exhilarating experience, this state of heightened creativity. Ideas coalesce with astonishing rapidity, each thought sparking a new constellation of possibilities.

I am deeply grateful for the quiet support of my partner, Callie, whose name is a gentle echo of my muse. With uncanny intuition, she anticipates my needs, providing sustenance and solace with nary a spoken word. Tea appears as if by magic, a warm embrace for my soul, and a small plate of protein grounds me amidst the ethereal heights of inspiration. This balance between creative fervor and the demands of daily life is a delicate dance. It is in these instances that Callie's grace shines brightest. She understands the ebb and flow of my creative process, offering patience and encouragement when I emerge, blinking, into the light. 

In these shared moments of creation and companionship, I find a profound sense of gratitude. Understanding, acceptance, and compassion are the bedrock of our relationship, allowing us to flourish individually and together. Today, as I bask in the afterglow of a day spent in the company of the muses, I am reminded of the importance of these qualities in fostering a life rich in creativity and love.