Psyche Delectus: The Ace of Cups

desert to oasis

the revelation transforms

Recommended Listening:

Her Name is Calla

Thief

from The Quiet Lamb

{8x5.33, Digital Images manipulated in Adobe Photoshop}

9 Years

Happy Birthday to Zombie Bites!

It has only been nine years since I began posting, but it seems like a lifetime ago.  To commemorate the occasion, I've created this image including a combination of elements from The Moon and The Hermit cards of the major arcana of the Tarot.  I included the Hermit as card nine of the major arcana and the Moon due to its correspondences with the ninth sephirah of the Kabbalah, Yesod.

New Abstract: Abrasax at the Door to the Realm of Mirrors

He breathed a whisper upon the apparatus.
It shimmered and rippled,
its oscillations murmuring with a quiet ecstatic sigh.
Enfolding into his reflection,
the uncreated Father kissed himself into the world.

Zombie Bites New Abstract: Adjustment

Even in a dysphoric landscape, the delicate process of balance must be maintained.

Zombie Bites New Abstract: History Set II, A Bright and Distant Plain

"In the dream, I emerged from a deep pool.

The liquid was hot and black and nearly reflectionless.  There was an olive coloured steam coming off of it in areas.  The vapor danced across the surface like flame and dissipated quickly as it rose.  The liquid flowed with a rhythm not unlike breath.  At the edges of the pool it expanded and retreated in miniature tides.  Unsettled by its motion, I moved to the edge and climbed out.  The pool was surrounded by a ring of rough white rock and as I climbed I saw the bright desert plains that extended on all sides beyond it.  

Zombie Bites New Abstract: Throne of the Moon

"The throne shimmered with an eerie glow as the aperture in the ceiling opened.  The full light of the moon fell in a fan across the chamber.  In that delicate pallor a figure was revealed.  It was nearly invisible in its transparency.  In the radiance of the throne I could see inside it as though I were viewing a living xray. 

Self Portrait: This Has Always Been Within Me

Due to the recent ingress of Pluto into Capricorn, it would seem the Universe wants my molten core raw and exposed.  Despite my reservations, despite any resistance on my part, my illusions continue to drip away like overheated wax.  I'm forced to allow it, because... well, it's the Universe.  You can say no, but it's wasted breath.  All you can do is manage the pain and shake your fist at the uncaring sky screaming every expletive and curse you know.  Many have questioned this action on my part, but I think that it is important to lodge a complaint even if the boss is the system / Universe your immersed in.  At least if anything else, they will know that you did not bow willingly.

Boat of the Prince of Cups

He hangs midair like a ghost,
hovering amongst labyrinthine structures.
His secret, the unseen movement of a great wind.
He disturbs not the waters.
His deep understanding of that element allows it.

The Strange Case of the Hanged Man

Desire manifests in the strange ways.

Sometimes our approach
is in direct opposition
to very thing we desire,

thus nullifying
all our vaunted efforts.

Grey Days III: The Tower Grows Again

It seeks only its own expansion.

The tower of ego knows no limit, no retraction, no restraint.

Yet in the end, it will always fall.

Krampus is on his way!

I'm not sure why I feel the need to jump on the Krampus bandwagon this year.  I found out about him two years ago and haven't really had the opportunity to work on any pieces involving him until now.  This year has been such a roller coaster through crap I figure it might be nice to believe a little in some cosmic force of justice.

Of course the assumption there is that Krampus won't be coming for me.  If he were coming for me, that might not be all bad though.  Cover your ears kids!  A hairy horny devil with a ridiculously long tongue kidnaps me and drags me away to do with me as he pleases.  All because I've been bad.  Hmmm...I say let the punishment fit the crime, eh!

I guess in the end, I just like the idea of Krampus.  He's a little taste of punishment to help us appreciate the good in life.  I wonder perhaps if he is some seed idea left over from Saturnalia?  Perhaps he is the last Lord of Misrule from the lost tradition of the Feast of Fools.  Perhaps not completely lost, Halloween / Samhain has taken on many of the qualities of Saturnalia and the Feast of Fools. Considering how much our calendars have changed since those times, Halloween may be closer to the correct timeframe.

I am intrigued that these kinds of festivals seems to emerge from the human psyche regardless of repression or taboo or dogma or fiat.  Close one door and the urge will find its way out through a window.  This is the cord that Krampus strikes with me. Aha! there's the reason: The repressed urge given its day in the sun.

I think we need more of that...at least here in the United States we certainly do.  Too many natural urges are repressed and criminalized.  We need to find healthy outlets instead of shoving it all in a box...or a prison.  I feel Krampus is part of that.  A little comedic S & M for the whole family!  Be good kids for goodness sake!  Only one more day until Krampusnacht!

{Image created in Adobe Illustrator}