Mysteries Solved

Punk Rock Colleague & Historian and Professional Consultant

Hudley Flipside

Deaths occur that take on broad eerie symbolism in the collective pages of social history – think about the passing of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison in 1970 and 1971, or of Kurt Cobain in 1994. Or remember the Kent State massacre? Or the beginning of the murder spree of that iconic dark-Scorpio figure, Jack the Ripper.
All those deaths occurred with Jupiter in the sign of the Scorpio.
– Steven Forrest, Jupiter Enters Scorpio October 10, 2017

https://www.forrestastrology.com/

How many of us have been directly inspired by these musical geniuses: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain?

I know I have as well as saddened by their deaths. The mystery of losing them at the peak of their youthful talent. Their music plays on.

I know why I am pulled in their direction because I have Jupiter in the 12th house in the sign of Libra.

My birth chart is playing with me now. Telling me why I like mysteries, rebels, and depth psychology. I have viewed my own Doppelganger and such music as theirs, made me more aware of the collective Doppelganger!

Jung teaches us that one can go to the underworld of shadows and join in the collective unconscious but to stay there as an artist is the ultimate big mistake.

If not for Carl Jung, William Blake and James Hillman I may not have made it into the 1990s. So, I am very grateful for their help and wisdom. Also, their knowledge of myths that they share is fun and life changing. Grand teachers.

I think the above quote and the article Jupiter Enters Scorpio October 10, 2017, by Steven Forest is just what I needed and so I am writing about it and sharing it here for others. Also, I am sharing my renderings of ancient images of the moon and sun.

In times of chaos, we only need to go within to seek the light! It is ironic but that is where we can find the sun and the moon. The light that crescendos and ascending takes us out of the too much darkness that we sometimes face.

Happy first day of October…

Publications for reading pleasure…

Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 Celebration

I hope you enjoy the coming eclipse. If you are already there or travel the journey to get there…If you need some reading material while waiting or after it is over and back to normal life… here is my stuff for your reading pleasure….

here is some eclipse music….

My Stuff….

http://www.eclipse2017.org/

Leaves In The Wind

I pause outside as bee and lady bug fly around.

Sweet is the nectar from

lemon tree and lavender.

Letting go of worries and

desires that do not serve me now.

An old friend, a song, comes to mind

as my “leaves in the wind.”

Perfect are old recorded songs

and the insect, flower and tree!

Somehow as I pause in breathing,

I am lost in this perfection.

The recurring of pause of being,

the repetition of listening to old songs

the heartfelt listening and watching nature,

Is my catalyst for artistic expression.

Never to let us down.

Venus

Venus on seashell, from the Casa di Venus, Pompeii. Before AD 79.

350px-aphrodite_anadyomene_from_pompeii_cropped

It seems contrary that Venus goes retrograde
As Spring vividly approaches!
The underworld is spilling upwards
I’ve noticed shadows and illness
Addiction, handicaps, and depression.
My heart is hurt and overwhelmed. Man at the parking lot asking for money
Young man in a wheelchair
As parents push him through the supermarket
his eyes deep in a world of despair. I hold on to the pain as it washes over me with tears
Helpless tears of acknowledgment and power
As we walk through these dark times
To acknowledge it all with observing hearts
That hear and feel! We help by our vibrations of
compassion, empathy and caring.
A silent prayer of hope,
So, the wounded can find a gentle joy
That pleasure brings
upon their vivid blood-red hearts. She knows and she descends to us
the gift of her sweetness
for all times. Walking with those that hold the lanterns
In the dark descending spiral into the underworld.
Light that eliminates the darkness
By acknowledgment, letting go. As hearts grow in applied ways
This is our wisdom.
A balm for our world…
Breast bending up
Chest falling down
And love will be found there too.

Seldom Forgotten

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“1940 is the year when we approach the meridian of the first star in Aquarius. It is the premonitory earthquake of the New Age.” We see how Jung considered earthly occurrences in a cosmic context, with an eye toward the approach of the Age of Aquarius, which was supposed to come after the Age of Pisces in the global calendar.

This fact, differently interpreted by the various esoteric groups, was frequently connected with an “age of enlightenment” and great steps forward in spiritual progress.

But it is not seldom forgotten that spiritual maturity carries the price of great suffering and severe trials. As Jung was certainly clearly aware of this aspect…” Pg. 333-334, The Second World War,

– Jung: A biography.

New Age, Age of Aquarius and “age of enlightenment” always put a little fear in me. At this time of the year the dead whisper their stories through dreams, books and biographies.

This Sunday I pulled my random book. I started reading randomly. The above quote from Carl Jung’s biography pulled at me. Directly pulling at reflections and meditations of the day.

After an early meditation outside near the bomb shelter; small rough golden and dark green leaves falling from the Cyprus tree onto my head, then down to my lap.

Looking up I saw a small song bird right above me on a branch chirping and giving itself a cleaning. I was focused on it. The coolness in the air calmed me as I looked up away further to see another bird flying. A white bird; a seagull or maybe an owl. It was flying South West.

A large bright bird highlighted by the rising sun. In my wonder I then looked down to see that the little song bird had left a white bird poop on my lap.

“Nasty little bird…I think I get the hint!!”

I got up and walked towards the house. Both female cats disturbed by my movement, as they had found a temporary warm home near my legs and feet.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/1984/

Arthurian Knight

The word wonder as a verb or noun has a good feeling associated to it.

The adventure while taking walks in the fog brings to my mind smells of the earth. A wonder of this is one wonder I crave.

Walks down wild hills and up hills as a youth, pepper trees and mighty eucalypts trees embraced me as a wonder-joy of being alive.

A winter day with a cold face as a door opens to the heat of a fireplace. The smell of cooking and the wonder of a satisfying meal waiting for me.

I wonder upon the faces of my parents as they took care of me; a childlike wonder of trust and love given.

Holding baby kittens a few days old. The warmth, cuteness, and perfection of “Cat.” Countless days did I wonder and see a kitten, cat or tom give a perfect yoga bath to their body. A joy that fills many years of happy meditative wonder.

The wonder, the greatest, is the wonder of a stream or waterfall. This magic fills me with desires beyond the word… wonder.

In conclusion I hear the wonder of an Arthurian Knight (at least in my mind), Neil Diamond, singing a Beatles song!!

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/seven-wonders/

A Day of Courage

Feeling as powerful as an active volcano of accomplishment.

Women gathered on the hill. Standing on the grass and dirt. They were silent in the breeze. Waiting. Dressing in gold, red and brown flowing dresses. A cotton scarf placed around her head. Thin material with sequins and graceful threads wrapped around a mummy enfolded.

“Into the tomb I must now go?

The fear of such a place she thought,

“Will they put me there. Alone there I will be. What, will they forget me too?”

A whisper in her ear spoke,

“No you will not go there. You have suffered enough.”

She was free .

Buddha in our front yard

Courage

silent courage

following through

alone

what is greater than this ?

courage is an effort

friend

notice the silent courage of others

it is beyond words

egos

I read in one of my books that shy and introverted people tend to blossom on the internet. Also that it is women over 40 that made the Kindle come alive and become so successful.

I am part of those statistics and I don’t mind. It is a vortex vertex… in and out. Taking it in like breathing while learning and pushing it out like creating.

It is in this process that I find myself smiling and I like that feeling. Mirror, mirror on the wall is not just something that holds our reflection looking back at us.

It is a dimension into another realm. It asks questions and demands answers.

A test. Sometimes I find that when an individual tries to override their ego… the collective ego of humans somehow comes beseeching them… the poor soul.

This is a strange thing. I wish we could all just be happy for blossoming people who out feel their controlling egos.

“Life is too short…” I’ll find myself some wings!”

“However the psychology of the individual corresponded to the psychology of the nation, and only the transformation of the attitude of the individual could bring about cultural renewal” ~ Jung

Getting older makes time faster. Cars seem to race around the neighborhood faster. Red fire trucks, and alarms ringing, race faster. Around and around as I look at my youth trying to look outwards away, instead! To new things as centripetal force pulls me into the middle. Reflect, reflect and reflect painfully. Sucked into the layers of faces, words and feelings.

Wings extend out in moments of inspiration. Doing art is sharing; is support. I fly. I read that it is not until you show your art that it is complete. A finished piece of art has to be viewed.

No time for the past and youthful dreams. Now the future moves faster and inspiration to share parallels this reality. In my world, in my neighborhood, in my city, state, nation, and earth… the cosmos even!!

I fly with inspiration.

Yet contrary to this is the middle….Slow down perching as wings begin to fold inward. Time to view feelings and think quality of time with each heartbeat.

http://bluescribblings.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/daily-post-no-time-to-waste/

Coyote Green Stone Story

This story needs to be told about what my friend Coyote is doing this year. His story is hounding me to be told and so Coyote blows his ideas in the mist falling as humid drops on my eyelids.

“Coyote how are you and your children handling this hot weather? Are you going to come down and eat our cats and drink water from our drained sprinkler juice?”

“No, we have it good this year!”

“OH?”

“In the Santa Monica Mountains we have found a cave that goes down into the underground earth. We have a fresh running spring there. Sheltered and running clear, but darkly moving among green moss, black rocks and falling into indigo pools for drinking.”

“Sounds beautiful!”

“We stay down here during the day. It is cool. We have amethyst crystals, rubies and green stones growing in some of the caves down in the earth.”

“Rubies that seems a little credulous to take in Coyote? I know you are a trickster!!”

“Just tell my story and let others judge for themselves!”

“Did I hear a bit of a growl in your statement Coyote?”

“There are wild places still, is what I am yawning to you. We go out at night to play under the moon and scratch our backs on tree trunks!”

Hopefully Coyote is happy now!!

Cosmos and Psyche by Richard Tarnas

Cosmos and Psyche by Richard Tarnas is an amazing book about human consciousness. He takes us on a journey of the humanities and the mind, and patterns of being. Richard Tarnas is a cultural historian and professor of philosophy and depth psychology.

The title of his book defines the contents of the chapters. Our relationship with the cosmos is a fascinating subject to me.

As a Romantic, I recommend this as a must-read book, and a book to have available on your favorite bookshelf. It is a delightfully wordy, intense, and insightful book that incorporates history, culture, and spirituality. I have, so far, grasped the thesis of Richards’s book as:

We must awaken to and overcome the great hidden anthropocentric projection that has virtually defined the modern mind: the pervasive projection of soullessness onto the cosmos by the modern self’s own will to power.

(page 41 paragraph two)

Understanding Richard’s message is important. In today’s world of discord and moments of hopelessness, we can connect with our inner world, outer world, and the cosmos in a new and creative manner.

In his book we find some old friends, the foresight of Blake, Jung and Goethe resonate in his book as affirmations of a new and hopeful world.

Synchronicity is like breathing…as above so below. The current way I learn.

Pluto and Moon

The Coming of Wisdom with Time:

Though leaves are many, the root is one;

Through all the lying days of my youth

I swayed my leaves and flowers in the sun;

Now I may wither into the truth.

~ William Butler Yeasts

The last times of Elton John in my life..1970s and the best of him Bernie Taupin XX

Mr. Leprechaun’s Ode to the Dandelion

I am sure there are multi-billion dollar businesses to kill the dandelion. ~ Mr. Leprechaun.

“I noticed that there are dandelions growing in everyone’s garden after the rain.

I am sure there are multi-billion-dollar businesses to kill the dandelion.”

~ Mr. Leprechaun

I have wild places in my garden where I let the dandelions grow freely. The birds like them, and the bees and hummingbirds love them. Yellow green sturdy little wild things they are. I love them too. This is an ode to them.

While almost asleep and with the window open to feel the breeze during my nap time, I heard a little story in the wind …

“Did you know that if you let the dandelion grow in your garden and on your lawn, it is the perfect place for a little leprechaun to rest; in case they cannot find a mushroom that is?”

“Oh,” I said.

“If you walk by and see one drinking, it may very well be dandelion beer. They will ask to share some with you. Their pints are about as big as they are. It would be about a cup full for a human being.”

“I see.” I yawned.

So, the story I heard is this and it became strangely intimate.

“If you are kind enough to take a sip of me earthy brew, a couple of valuable gold coins will show up on your front door dear.”

“Really I whispered?”

“Yes, and as you pick up the gold, whisper to the wind how the beer tasted to you!”

“I see.”

Mr. Leprechaun continued on,

“I want the truth lassie. No lies. Then I will give you two more gold coins.”

I spoke,

“I hear you.”

“Share this story… if you will, Because I need them dandelions to make me brews!!”

I nodded and said,

“Most assured, yes.”

Then the Leprechaun sang and danced…

“Drink me brew, drink me brew!

“Three pints for me and one for you

Dandelions make a great big stew.

Green, yellow and nectar too.

Birds are singing and flowers are wooing.

Feet are dancing and twilight is coming.

We are here to dance and laugh.

Rich with gold, gems, and beer!!

Dandelions here, Dandelions there

Let them grow, let them grow!

Me dear, me dear

Let them grow me dear!!”

Coyote Hill

The Verdugo Mountains, image taken from my family home where I grew up.

“The Verdugo Mountains are a small, rugged mountain range of the Transverse Ranges system in Los Angeles County. Sometimes called “the Front Range,” the Verdugos are entirely surrounded by urban development. The Verdugo Mountains represent an isolated wildlife island.”

Saying goodbye to my family home that I was born to and grew up in is difficult. Seeing Coyote Hill as one of the last hills not to be claimed by a house is rewarding and comforting to me.

On top of Coyote Hill one can almost see the whole San Fernando Valley. It is close to a 360-degree view.

The Verdugo Mountains, Warner Center, turning {when it was farmland with horses and cattle}, Canoga Park, turning, Topanga Canyon, turning, the Santa Monica Mountains, turning and then back to Woodland Hills; then to the house where I grew up.

Climbing to the top of Coyote Hill was a natural workout depending on the time of year. In summer and autumn, it is mostly dry dirt. During winter towards spring the hill had all sorts of wild weeds, flowers, and herbs. My favorite time is when the tall green grass and the purple lupine grew. The worst time is the beautiful but dangerous wild purple thistle that tore up your legs or the fox tails that got caught in my socks.

How many times did I climb Coyote Hill to get away to the place where silence was reachable? I followed the peaceful breeze and experienced the free and wonderful cool blowing sounds of life.

Silence is a more peaceful feeling inside than the absence of sound. Coyote Hill supplied all the silence a growing child needed!

While walking or driving by in-car or on my bike, I have watched a few wild coyotes take the path up this hill. Once on the very tip-top one turned to look at me.

My mom’s dreams come true.

She told us about the dreams she had where houses would be built up all around our home. Houses cover the hills now, but not Coyote Hill. As kids, my friends and I would tear down the realtor for sale signs to stop the builders. We could not stop them.

In my dreams I see a big gazebo on Coyote Hill. A path climbs up to it and a path down the other side. It is a free place for anyone to experience wild silence. In my dream I interfere with the natural cycle and plant some native California plants mixed with lots of lavender, rosemary, and sage. I would also supply some sort of water source for the dry months of summer and autumn.

Wild thistle.

Mantis

My totem, medicine and shield

nature politics

the mantis knows how I feel…

Mantis’s August rendezvous

Big Ma Ma golden Mantis is my love of nature and she knows me!!

Big Ma Ma golden Mantis is my love for nature and she knows me!!

August is slow and not one praying mantis has come to visit me; every August I wait for Big Ma Ma golden Mantis to come visit me after laying her egg sack. (This is in case you don’t already know this… dear reader).

“Goodbye until we meet again in Spring…sweet autumn is near.”

Is what she always seems to tell me.

Today the outside sewer drainage pipe ran over, and the bowels of hell came forth. I rolled up my pants and got to work cleaning. The rubber pipe outside is under the Praying Mantis tree with purple flowers. I called Mr. Faucetman to drill the sewer line. I don’t think Lance is going to fit under this tree. So, after shoveling, digging, and cleaning, I trimmed the tree back. I was very careful to look for any praying mantis.

I also went to Home Depot to get some tree mulch to put around the pipe and two trees close by; covering anything left and to also cover some tree roots. I like how it gives my front yard a manicured, earthy, and fresh look.

I then looked down and my heart skipped a beat because I saw her on a small ash tree weed. I showed her my hand and she slowly approached and walked up to it. Then I put her up on a solid branch from her tree…. She was so close to her tree where I had recently disturbed her.

obscurity-absurdity

How can we tell the world who we really are if we mask our wisdom, our soul, and ourselves behind plastic faces of obscurity-absurdity?

The limousine drove up and parked near the vegetable produce store. It was a cold morning and the mist from storm drains, coffees shops and exhausts merged and played in the air. A round woman was bending over some tomatoes and grabbed one to put in her cart. At that time, her headdress fell exposing her face and grey hair. She must have been about seventy years old.

A man in the limousine saw her before. It was part of his routine to park and look at her in the morning. He followed her routine too, yet she looked different to him of course. He sensed it and today he saw it as he thought to himself,

“Women today never age past thirty. Plastic surgery is as common as buying toilet paper. Why is she not young-looking as well?”

He was intrigued with this woman who held herself with such natural grace and wisdom. Her deep purple headdress highlighted the grey in her hair. Today he got out of his dark car and walked over near to her.

“Yes, the tomatoes look fresh today!”

“Yes,” she said with a firm look in her eyes.

He then noticed the wrinkles forming around her eyes and mouth, and as they continued to talk her words and facial expressions showed so much wisdom. He thought to himself,

“I can see that every wrinkly has an echo of many laughs and tears. Her experience from living life shows on her face. This is refreshing and honest. I think I will ask her for a ride in my car.”

“Not today but maybe tomorrow.”

This went on for a few weeks until the day when she said yes. They spent the day driving around the city in his cool limousine. He offered her pink champagne and in return she told him why.

“I am not like other women, I know. I will tell you why. As our culture became more and more obsessed with beauty, I became more and more withdrawn. I had a wild tomato plant growing near a drainage ditch near the end of my small backyard in the city.

Throughout the year I watched it grow, from blossoms, fruit and then towards slow decay. I’ve learned to appreciate the life cycles of the tomatoes plant and of nature in general. This is the tomato wisdom shared with me!

He held her softy and listened.

“How can we tell the world who we really are if we mask our wisdom, our soul, and ourselves behind plastic faces of obscurity-absurdity?”

And so, the two of them found a small room in the city and grew older together. Keeping to themselves and growing a small little garden with herbs, flowers and of course tomatoes.

The weight of the world for Praying Mantis.

Praying Mantis Kachina

Praying Mantis Kachina T-Shirt

Designed and sold by Hudley Flipside

Order Print on Demand.

https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/80206956-praying-mantis-kachina?store_id=1424027

Who needs to use chemicals,

poisons or pesticides when

you have us in the garden.

There is absolutely no reason

To go after, too many, crickets,

aphids, black widows, and termites.

I keep things in balance.

Yes, sometimes

I get a little greedy

Eating a butterfly…

but I am your comrade

Your friend

of the garden…

sometimes hanging

on tall buildings in the city

Then I am one

With Superpower!

Environmental Etiquette

There is magic in all gardens….Weekly Photo Challenge: In the Background

One with a shadow of a tree in my garden.

Our little Sony Cyber-Shot camera takes amazing pictures. This camera was a christmas present to my son from his grandmother. My son and I both use it. It is our creative friend.

The image is of a human shadow that is “one” with a tree nymph of a cypress tree in a garden. Two shadows merge together as one. It you study the image you will notice aspects of the tree shadow blending with the human shadow. A hand and thumb extend out from the cypress. The human is slightly bent to right with a hidden shadowy tree nymph. There is magic in this garden.

Look to the background: look towards the shadowy places in your garden.. and you will find the nature spirits there.

Morning-Glory Flowers and Vine

“Didn’t you hear the morning-glory flower is very independent!!?”

“Oh really?”

“Yes, kind of wild too I hear…and not dependable in the garden.”

“I see them, often, climbing fences and in alleyways, the flower is very beautiful and bright too.”

“Maybe so,” said the old black bird as he flew away.

Overhearing this conversation between two blackbirds I imagined that they were both correct in their observations of the morning-glory flower, which is a wild vine-with flowers that grow around residential homes and alleyways, very beautiful to look at and always a pleasure to find. I have had a packet of morning-glory seeds for a few years and when I clean-up around the house I always seem to find the packet. I put it in one place or another until I find it again.

This year I decided to take a chance and plant the morning-glory seeds in a long wood flower box that my parents gave us years ago. Originally, the flower box was put in on the walkway of our apartment for seven years. Now it has been with us thirteen years here at our home. One side of the box now has a menthol succulent growing in it. I have had that plant for many generations: about twenty-five. I originally was given the plant from my first mother-in-law Mary Kowalewski. My mother and I took many trimmings from the original plant from Mary. It is the kind of plant that will grow with or without water. It took well to the box, so it lives there happily alone now. Next to it there has been a dry spot where nothing seems to grow beside a few weeds that dry off quickly. It was about three months ago I planted the dark little triangle seeds there; the morning-glory seeds from the packet.

Hudley flowers and her little Sony camera

Something started to grow. At first, I was not sure what was growing. Then my heart jumped because it was vining outwards. I knew at that time it was the independent morning-glory. How strange, the place that no other plant wanted …it wanted! I think this shows the unique nature of this vine flower. I put a long stick from a nearby branch in the earth of the box to help the plant vine up it. The one vine leg of this plant did not show any interest. So, I stopped trying. A few days later the other leg of the vine was nicely wound around it. I laughed out loud. I fell deeply in love with this morning-glory vine.

Today I awoke early and went outside to give the vine some water. The days are hot now. I noticed yesterday that the leaves have started to wilt. To my surprise I found two wonderful flowers. Again, my heart about jumped from my chest from joy. So, it goes.

I am not going to bet on it, but I am sneaky and hopeful, that these two legs vining outwards will eventually take over our garden net fence,

“But don’t tell anybody…I don’t want my independent morning-glory and vine to find out!”