Attention all Designers
I like the design of this gown, but I thought the shoulders were a little too extreme. You could harpoon something with them. So I changed the curve from a right angle slightly (pictured below). Do you think it's an improvement? The points have pizazz..... but. It does change the look, such a small variation. The hat would probably get in the sauce if she dined in this.
I like the bustline much better than today's styles which push those odd balloons upward and together in a most unappealing way to my eye. Cleavage has sure changed over the years. Used to be you couldn't get a credit card in the middle, but now there is a chasm. Very odd.
posted by jm at 12:10 AM
45 Comments:
A: Vampirish
B: Vampish
vamp - piece (something old) with a new part
patch, piece - to join or unite the pieces of;
Also seductive.
An improvement.
Funny you should mention about cleavage...i ran across a magazine vintage 1987 the women in the ads were authentically endowed. They looked so naturally beautiful to me. I have almost forgotten what we look like, that is stunning isn't it?
There you are!!!
My heart just leapt and a small moan came out of my body.
The vampire/vamp breakdown is great.
Yes. Stunning and tragic. The sad part is the bones that have to stick out in anorexic fashion with the fake fleshy protuberances. And all the surgery. it's beyond vampires. Bionic women, but they got it all wrong.
So good to see your voice.
Tseka, you're just the one to tell this to. I had an interesting experience last night.
I went to an art opening at a civic center, a cross between a museum and gallery. When I walked in there was a line of formally dressed people in the front of the room ringing bells to the tune of a classical piece. It was enchanting. This is my first encounter with these ringers, as they call themselves. They are an international small group of mostly churchgoing people. Very interesting.
It started years ago when the bells were used to practice with when learning how to ring the big church bells. But soon the sound was so loved, that they became a branch of music on their own.
What is also interesting is how they are becoming more popular and secular. They get paid well for this. Very subtle, very beautiful. Very encouraging.
I talked to them and held their bells, all made of bronze. Precisely mechanized and cared for religiously. I wasn't allowed to touch the bronze, only the leather strap.
The bass bells are so heavy, one guy said he works out with weights in order to play them properly. The sound on the bass goes forever. The slow penetrating wave.
We'll see. There is an audience for grace, this I know.
ja a friend of mine has been ringing bells for over 25 years. She and her group give periodic performances at Mentalphysics a Frank Lloyd Wright designed spiritual retreat here.
Chanting, singing, the choirs in some churches are amazing. The good stuff that came out of religion-the music. One day walking down the street in a city i passed a AME church the sounds rolling out the the building caught me i had to sit on the sidewalk listen. I couldn't understand a syllable but the power was absolutely clear.
I am learning time management - rather remembering how i used to do / live the lives of three people on a daily basis. Coming to grips with a future that took a big swerve off the road to my perceived destiny. It isn't a cliffhanger but it is not mapped territory either.
Looks like gradual progress gets to stay at the top of the mantra list.
We'll see
that is just after gradual progress
Gradual progress will remain on the top of mine forever.
Coming to grips with a future that took a big swerve off the road to my perceived destiny
I can't imagine any other thing really. When did you it hit you?
It's almost like I'm not sure if I have a future to perceive anymore. It doesn't seem to matter as much as it once did. I'm getting to see so many choices as being equal, and feeling like letting things plot their own course. I've changed radically from my early years when I was so sure I knew what I wanted.
it is not mapped territory either.
This seems like the nodal return in the 1st house to me. Mars there now too. Pisces is so impossible to map. The path takes too many twists and turns into the unknown. Like my Mars-Neptune. These outer planetary forces are not for the mere mortal to direct. I think when we get them aspected to the ASC we have a larger than life life, so to speak. but we're designed to use them, maybe later in our lives.
I've come to a standstill I never expected. I've had them briefly but not like this where all is a mystery and the more I traverse it, the less it matters what I do specifically.
I'm learning in a big way now that singing is not something I do in the way I thought, but something than emerges from me spontaneously. It's changing entirely and still in the process.
Gradual progress indeed.
This is really coming in now. I think the singing was previously a way to prove something and maybe that's why it was never completely comfortable and right. I knew there was a reason for stopping for awhile. Now I've been singing when I least expect it. I do doubletakes and say to myself, "so this is what it really is? This eruption beyond my doing."
Maybe I can blend the real impulse with performance later, but this is taking an interesting turn.
I know it doesn't matter if anyone is impressed with my work as an artist, including me, just as long as I feel it and do it. If it gets praise, that's just an extra. If it gets money, well, that would certainly be nice. I could buy artichokes.
We shall see. I'm not forcing anything.
The show last night has reverberated and the impressions are coming in.
The bells were a fine start and the people were attentive and reverent. Inside the gallery they were serving real spirits with the wine like art openings used to do.
The lighting was gorgeous as always in galleries and their faces looked healthy and animated. They were nicely dressed in casual western style. Lots of gray-white haired good-looking people. Faces looked relaxed. The feeling was gentle. Maybe the bells helped. the coming spring.
At the end of an art filled hallway was a buffet of catered hors d'hoerves ...pita bread, different dips, fried wontons, little kiches, asparagus and other raw veggies. And oddly, one whole table covered with edible flowers. They were eaten. I ate some purple ones.
The civic center is fairly new and proud. These are the things that spark my enthusiasm.
I saw one piece of work that included a poem on some parchment type paper in script to the artist's mother who recently died. Alluring. Captivating. I lingered.
I think there's hope.
These are such good words to hear jm. The Event sounds wonderful and encouraging. I have great confidence in progress in the creative realm. It is the only way. We stumble, fall, get up. Consumerism has had it's day. The expression of the "next" always finds it way in through art.
Recently i have had a lot of interest in my work from people in Colorado, it was on my list to visit there soon. That has slid down to later.
We'll see.
My struggles, at the moment, are with re-awakening memories from childhood. Mine was unique, beloved, in a special place, but also filled with very hard work. I took care of my brother 3 years older than myself. By the time i was 3 I helped him with his daily needs, dressing, etc. He was incontinent til around nine - my job too...leg braces were hard for a 3year old.
The family made many, many choices which felt like sacrifices, left the home on the beach/ reservation we all loved, so my brother could attend a deaf school.
The wheel turns and i find myself back at the start. The same issues before me. I now have a say, and am looking at how we can make choices that support all of us. My healing skills have been stretched to the max. I've learned a ton. This is where i am every evening now, researching in this magnificent library of the WWW.
I am tired but we children of Ullr have lots of stamina.
Gradual progress.
And here's a big kiss for the report from the gallery/ museum, some of the best news i've heard, i'll tell photoman (aka catman, my zamma thinks he is to die for sheesh)
Speaking of Zamma her pict got loaded onto my gallery of friends and teachers by mistake. I'll get back to tseka in a day or two to take care of that but you can take a peek at the "almost eternal" desert queen if you have an interest. My two tooth 21 yr old is pretty spunky, good role model, conservation of energy is the current lesson.
i'm off into the day.
OMG, tseka. Colorado. I'm here and I'll greet you anytime with wide open arms. I let no one into my sanctuary, but you are welcome. This house has taught me well.
Coloradoans are unpretentious. Open minded. Generous and good hearted. One of the most charitable states in the country.
I'm so glad you came by. There is much on my mind and Mars thru my 12th always brings in some honesty. I continually feel sorry for us humans but especially at this time. The neverending struggles. Almost everyone is lost and afraid, groping for connection that works temporarily at best, and I try not to sink in the sorrow of witnessing it, being unable to do much of anything to provide solace. Even when one thing is solved, another unravels. And there is so little for them to look up to. So little inspiration. It all comes back to nature, probably.
So I try not to drown in my Pisces 12th for these weeks.
Your relationship karma is so hard, and I'm not at all surprised that you are revisiting the depth of it now with Pluto on your 7th house ruler. It's everything. Connected to your 10th and your achievements. How much sacrifice is optimum?
Uranus on your Moon now is the urgency. I'll tell you later about my Uranus-Moon transit. It was a watershed.
With your 7th house and the NN it seems like you have to go through the whole shmear in relationships even knowing deep down they aren't meant to really last. At least not on that self scarificial level. It might seem futile, all the effort, but it isn't.
Jupiter is on your Mercury so the study makes perfect sense. Sometimes I think that healing skills are on subtle levels we can never actually grasp. Maybe it's just undoing the layers that protect them until they're needed. They are very protected. I'm fairly sure of this.
I just found a real healer for myself, and I am completely astonished. I didn't expect it and it's very very unusual. I will tell you more as it progresses. The most genuine one I've found yet. He doesn't even know it himself.
I now have a say, and am looking at how we can make choices that support all of us.
This is wonderful. Things will be different. The NN is a big part of the decisions now, so you are as important as them.
conservation of energy is the current lesson
This one's big. Part of Mars-Neptune, where energy is often illusive, and wants to be used for higher purposes.
I saw your updated site and it's beautiful. I will have to go and see this female wonder. Anyone who can live comfortably with 2 teeth is a heroine in my book.
See you in a while, Good One.
Here's some astro input on the situation.
The 12th house is our karmic story and explains the reason for the Ascendant. What we're coming from and meant to leave eventually. So Aquarius rising has the Cap 12th; guilt and responsibility. Thus the service to humanity of Aquarius as a payback.
The Saturn ruler is in the 7th in your chart, so this is where the karma plays out. Thus the reason for the brothers, so you can pay your debt. The Mars-Saturn in the 7th knows it's best not to hurt anyone and add to the karmic bank, and healing diminishes it. The question is, "when is the debt payed?". I think this is what's happening now and the reason for the return so profoundly to the origins.
The debt is supposed to be recognized as paid at some point to free you, the end result of the Aquarius rising.
My best friend I've talked about has Sun/Mars/Saturn in Aquarius, Aquarius rising. SN in Capricorn in the 12th. Moon/Pluto in Virgo in the 8th.
When he was an adolescent, his father and younger brother were riding in the car one day, father behind the wheel. An accident occurred. His brother's brain was damaged and he spent three years in the hospital in a vegetative state. B watched him and talked to him the whole time. When he died, I think B felt guilty and responsible even though he had nothing to do with it. It's been a hard path for my friend as he continues to sort it out and help people in ways he isn't even aware of. An understanding of collective suffering, and the urge to heal with all the Virgo. And he does. But with all the 1st house energy, he eventually will come home to heal himself, recognizing the time to let go of the guilt. he went off by himself to Northern California to do this.
So with NN return now, the Pluto on the Sun, and Uranus (ASC ruler) opposite the Moon, ruling the Cancer where the Uranus is positioned, you have the perfect opportunity to revisit and release, knowing how much you've paid back.
What about hiring someone to help?
You also mentioned the Capricorn nodes which tie in to the brothers and your 12th.
Thinking about this just illuminated something about my 12th and 6th and my path ahead. Revelations. The good part of Mars in Pisces.
Thanks for this JM, i will need to read it some. Tomorrow i will print it and look at it over time.
Much resonates.
Much of the day to day is just practical. Time management. Shifting the hows and whens.
If i make it, strike that, when i make it to Colorado we shall have a great time.
Zamma is simply beautiful. I don't know whose gaze is more haunting: hers or the Your Eyes bobcat.
She's shaped well. Good constitution. It's almost impossible to believe her age.
Hej my friends i only get a few seconds on-line these days we are having phone line problems locally and my normal line for my internet is no longer capable of carrying electronic signal so i'm stealing my phoneline from the house, it drops signal too. Type faster....
Anyway thank you all from Zamma, she is pretty spunky for her age, tho if you were to look close there is a dark spot in her left eye that is from a stroke she had a couple of years ago. Pets and homeopathy are one heck of a duo.
JM i hope we can carry our conversation into the future. I want to hear all about your Uranus opp moon. I remember so well the uranus conj moon that was actually uranus/pluto over my moon when my friend Sheri died and i was a mere kid. You all have convinced me of the power of astrology to describe patterns.
I'll check in when i can.
And as Juno says smoochies.
later
I'll leave this post up for awhile and we can continue. Slowly. With gradual progress being instituted around these parts.
The opposition to your Moon is extremely important since Uranus, ruling your ASC, is the ruler of your chart. And being in Cancer, the Moon figures in even more. The 1st house passage and the recent NN conjunction as well. You have come home. It's liberation time and a look at your whole life's direction, and I'm interested as always in what that means to you. Coupled with the Pluto-Sun, this could be one of the biggest transformations of your life. The 1st house is always about direction. With the whole sign of Pisces there with the NN, your options are completely unlimited. Your choice entirely.
I'll tell you about my transit tonight. A lot of things get revisited with these transits and the chance for resolving the underlying pattern problems comes with them. Very very few do anything conscious with them and I think it makes a big difference. The doors of perception open, and probably close again after they're over and we go on to other things.
As I talk about our experiences together I'm getting more insight than I would have thought.
When the transits are exact, I find this to be an especially good time to focus in the self.
An astrologer called Ingrid Naiman, a herbalist and healer, teaches that the Ascendant is the soul's home in this incarnation. Exactly where we want to be. So with Uranus now, it's a perfect time to learn everything about Aquarius and how it translates to you in your life. To get it experientially.
For starters. People always feel secure when you are around. They call for you continually, and feel relieved when you appear. This is the protection and nurturing of Cancer in the collective way of Aquarius. The mother they are missing. You do this more than you realize. The brood we were talking about once before.
It's a big feeling and responsibility, and there could be a calling for you now to expand a little beyond your birth family in providing this nourishment. In increments. Gradual progress. You are highly skilled and it's natural. No effort required.
Here's another part of the dilemma.
I see as you go around to your beloved sites, you want so much to respond to all the aches of everyone. Sometimes this is impossible. There are so so many. Probably part of it is forgiving yourself for letting some of them slide, while also remembering to nurture yourself. There are so many crying for your attention wherever you are. As a Cancer, I feel the wounds without stop, and the hard part is knowing they don't end. The music is a big help when working right, but all attempts are somewhat limited. I'm working with this understanding in hopes of freeing up the successes.
Here's a simplification before I step out briefly.
Uranus-Moon transits bring liberation from the mother in the psyche, Uranus-Sun, the father.
Pluto-Moon brings death of the mother, Pluto-Sun, the father.
All so we can go on to self actualization.
Pluto transits specifically release us from infantile behavioral patterns around these towering figures. Uranus brings insight and adult detachment, autonomy.
You're getting both now.
jm i came back for a mo. Your words caused a huge reaction in me. Like the floor dropping away. >The group nourishment.< My son wrote a long message for me to consider. Images of past lessons, birds on my porch at solstice, i could not discern death upon the one who was to die. Death has been a big teacher this year. Recognizing it's approach. And uncertainty. Pouring myself into saving what is meant to pass away. (Pluto i suspect) A part of me has become very detached but still i wrestle with the demands.
My son reminds that dead rescuers rescue no one. I am aware that others have of some sense of healing energy that works though me. Complete strangers have turned up on my doorstep. I know there is responsibility to this gift but i did nearly lose my life. What seemed safest to my physical self was to let this work through the visual medium. You and my son are beyond precious in reminding me of what i need to remember. I am giving myself over to this contemplation. It is still some confused, you add clarity. gradual progress indeed.
Others also have come with wisdom, this is new too, helpers. People who can speak in ways i can hear.
Later dearone.
Really?
As i post this i find more wise words to consider, i certainly do see the uranus / moon mother connection. Sun father.
BBL
My son reminds that dead rescuers rescue no one.
My god. What a way with words he has.
It will come clearer as these transits finish. That's why I mentioned the Saturn in the 7th, the guilt payback, and the time for doing the collective job. The more you do that, probably the more the personal will fall into place. I'll be back in a second to tell you my story. Things are also coming into focus for me. This is good. I long for depth and honesty in communication, and find it illusive so often.
The thoughts on this thread have opened up a lot for me. Pieces are fitting together.
Be right back.
Beyond all the myths, variable interpretations, desire for power with fortune-telling, the nonsense, and all the assorted astro accouterments, there is the pure psychological science of astrology and the immense benefit in helping to work out our painful problems. I know of nothing better. Therapists are in the dark, but astrologers have the blueprint.
So I like to go beyond the games and work together with my companions toward self mastery. Now I have enough experience to know how well it works. But it needs to be stripped of the pretense and respected as the tool it is. Reverence and humility are the adjuncts.
This has always been part of my aim. This little archer.
In terms of dilemmas and solutions, I wrote my rather dull repetetive story about the Uranus transit to my moon and then on to the Pluto, posted last night. You might have seen it. The usual complaints about possessive Scorpio stuff and my age old SN trap. Liberation and release.
But then I looked at it and said, "enough". Let it go. So under the Scorpio Full Moon, I deleted it in hopes of moving beyond.
So that's why there's no Uranus Moon story!
I've done that periodically here and have been thinking that this exercise of writing it out on the blog with this option of erasing could be a healing act in itself. Almost any action can be therapeutic, probably, if the intention is there.
Interesting. Control of life at our fingertips!
{{{{jm}}}} {{{{tseka}}}}
{{{{Zamma}}}} {{{{Grandfather}}}}
Thank you dear sige
JM i missed your story, my time is so so curtailed now on the internet.
I am giving great consideration to all your thoughts, the path at the moment or at least the last two years with Pluto so active has become one of pay attention, do what is practical and wait until it is clear what needs to occur. Far from my usual Charge! Battle cry mode.
Some recent problems with a gallery simply resolved by my remaining quiet. I let others make changes just keeping clear about my own integrity and somehow we eventually meet. No directing, not being rolled by others. I no longer need to push my strength out front to make it seen. It's interesting. The lessons of the 10th are showing me the path to follow in the 4th and it is has a ton to do with the moon in the 7th.
I can load pages to read when i lose my connection. Commenting is restricted. So i am still enjoying Raging Uni.
Warm thoughts flowing outward.
Hello again sige!
Tseka, your words resonate completely with me. A lot of it is the NN and the Jupiter in Aries, which hears the battle cry and responds. The battle cry says it perfectly and I've worked lifelong with this. The adrenalin, and in my case, the outrage. The immediate call to arms. Jupiter in Aries is a mighty one.
Because Pluto is about to square my Mars, this is top and foremost. Pluto is also coming to your Jupiter. It will bring a new use of strength.
I no longer need to push my strength out front to make it seen.
Perfectly stated. Circulate it. Know it.
I think knowledge is the key. Not just understanding. When I know it, I don't have to try and prove it. There is no wrong in the attempt, but eventually it should be achieved and one can move on.
Interestingly, understanding is associated with Sagittarius, and the more advanced knowing is associated with Aquarius.
Traditional keywords:
Sagittarius -- I understand
Aquarius -- I know.
Oh, and Pisces -- I believe.
Oh, and tseka. Feel free to not-comment as much as you desire. No explanation. Over these years I've seen you disappear for long periods of time. So far, you always keep materializing..:-)
Bells. :-) A favorite subject. We have bells everywhere inside and outside this old house. They are constant. On tables and cabinet doors. Small ones hung on rockers, activated by movement, and of course, outside by the wind. Everywhere, constant (and usually gentle) undercurrent. Sound as incense. It's what this house required and apparently, that's why I'd been collecting them all these years.
One day, sitting on the kitchen porch, a story came to me (one that actually found its way into print). Its title: "Bell Ghost." :-)
I am so happy to be back in this house again, In spring.
To keep this house, I've had to go back into the world. Not much time for ritual or primary sight. Writing buried under the layers, for now, as JM said, protected.
The astonishment has been feeling joy bubbling up, day-in-day-out, while engaged with the matrix, in all its corseness.
At first, I was very sick. Respiratory, lungs, completely clogged, for three months. Slept 14 hours a day. Missed only one day of work, when my doctor (from India) finally demanded I come in to see him. I only cried one night, when I was too tired and my lungs were too sore and wheezing, to breathe.
But I knew the healing (painting) (music) or for me, writing, is protected. That was all I need to know to keep going.
Corse work now. Much repetition. Chopping wood, carrying water.
The bells help. So did the pictures of Zamma and Grandfather.
JM,
I don't know that I will ever be able to follow the planets paths with any understanding. I've come to the conclusion that this is an area I need to reply, completely, on others to interpret. :-)
I value the mystery, and the sound and feel of the words (conjuncts, transits), and hope that the planets sigh and shake their heads and let this Aries CancerCap wander and trip along their nodes, without bonking me on the head too many times. :-)
JBK is in Chicago. We've had days and weeks of rain. I haven't read an ounce of poetry in a month. To know that Jazzrap exists does more good, to those protected layers, than I can possibly express. I wait and tell myself, "Next Friday and Saturday morning, Kali (the Cat) and I will visit Jazzrap, then on Saturday, we'll indulge and read my beloved poets, and maybe, maybe, a line or two will come, and I'll write it down, and it will be enough.
:-)
Thanks. @;-)
Ah, but what am I saying?!!
Engaging with the corseness of the matrix IS ritual, one that requires (for me anyway), use of primary sight, day-in, day-out.
Sheesh. *slaps head* I am so dense.
Sige, one thing about Aries is the rushed forward motion. She wants to cover a lot of territory in her life. So the astro information takes a minute to absorb, but it can be done. It's worth it. If you have any specific questions, just ask.
Your Cancer planets love Jazzrap because of the dark, quiet, sanctuary it provides. I have Cancer planets too. However, you have the SN there and have to brave the brutal world, as I do too now. So I think I'll continue with this quiet corner as a place to retreat when we need it. Maybe slow down the pace for a moment. You bring up important issues. I had thought of abandoning Jazzrap, but I won't.
One condition, though. Promise me you won't go through and delete ALL your comments? It throws off the continuity completely. Some of them can go, but just leave enough in case someone wants to follow these fascinating conversations..:-)
Welcome back. I could learn the art of relaxation, and believe it or not, you have the key. Taurus rising. Can you get me an accurate birth time?
Here are your nodes in case you want to brush up.
SN in Cancer
NN in Capricorn
JM,
Okay, no more deletions. (I hope!)
Someone who knew me (or thought they knew me), from the political blogs tracked me to another site and in anger "outted" me by posting my real name. It was several hours before the blog owner could delete the identifying information. This person also knew I posted at Ragin' Uni, so, for protection, over a period of days I deleted all my old posts.
The experience was unnevering. I miss using my old moniker here, but "Sige" is about silence, so it's okay. And Tseka caught the connection.
Rising ended up Gemini. ?!
Cancer is out right now. And, after a phone conversation with a sibling that I didn't see coming, is raw. That wasn't where I wanted to go today. I still can't quite believe we had the conversation we had. I don't know if it was worth it. That isn't why I took the protection off Cancer. Sigh. No writing today. Time for the porch swing. Maybe draw. Listen to some blues, or jazz.
Blues and jazz sound good.
I forgot there was another here with the same SN and NN as I have. :o) And Gem rising, to boot!
Hey Joe! *waves*
Wonder of wonders, my sister and I talked things through. I have a feeling of trust that we accomplished something and moved forward.
...and, in case I didn't make it clear above, I'm fine with the outing. My name was deleted, no harm was done, and the event pushed me even further away from the field I'd plowing (for far too long) and back to the field that is truly mine to work, and for that, I am grateful.
"In all things give thanks." :-)
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