So, Why Do It Then? Why Choose To Be Good, Every Day, If There Is No Guaranteed Reward We Can Count On,

It will always be more than just a show…

"Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly."

— Franz Kafka

katya goncharova // shiv roy parallels

by choosing to stay in the cycle they broke the cycle btw. because the cycle relies on the unwillingness of its participants. “every time you find yourself here it’s because [your outie] chose to come back.” almost every time their outies brought them there it was against their will. but the outies weren’t going to bring them back this time. so they simply didn’t leave.

okay but you guys realise our shared obsession with hit mafia drama Goncharov (1973) by Martin Scorsese is just all of us taking a film studies course after we finished our literature seminar on Bram Stoker's Dracula, here at Tumblr University

not to Goncharov Post but I did go poking around about the real original movie and honestly it's p cool!

it's originally made in a mix of both Italian and Neapolitan, which is a separate language from Italian with a variety of dialects spread across Italy (though yes, centrally in Naples)

the movie came out in 2008 (not at ALL 1973) & did decently at film festivals! there's also a (apparently just as good, 58 episode) tv show also based on the same book

quite a few actual "Mafia" (Camorra) members acted in the movie (and TV show) and were later convicted of Hella Crimes. (Wikipedia has a section titled "Cast members arrested".) It's also alleged that the director (Matteo Garrone, not Scorcese, though their films have other similarities) had to pay 20,000 euros basically as "please don't burn us down" protection money

the movie & tv show are based on a nonfiction book published in 2006 (that you can read! for free! here!) about the actual organized crime in Naples, primarily the Casalesi clan of the Camorra, by a guy who went undercover to infiltrate them (in his late 20s!!)

Unlike the Japanese Yakuza (who reviewed Yakuza 3) with the similar book Tokyo Vice (by Jake Adelstein, who's 10 years older, published in 2009), the book author Roberto Saviano very much got death threats from the Casalesi and had to be under police protection with ten bodyguards at least from 2006-2014 (& possibly still is? I don't want to read Italian to find out)

the Italian govt gave the author police protection after not just the death threats but also an appeal started by six Nobel Peace Prize winners, including (again, all of this is true) Mikhail Gorbachev.

anyways here are your Peer-Reviewed Actually True Facts about Goncharov (1973, dir. Martin Scorcese) Gomorrah (2008, prod. Domenico Procacci).

Witchcraft Types: Cosmic Witch

Literally once a week for the past few weeks I've thought to myself "hm. maybe I'm a lesbian?" but then some other stuff happens and I forget about it. I mean, it would explain some things (bone-deep joy at seeing lesbian couples getting married or dancing together, indescribable). It would explain some other things (a rush of attraction and desire for women). It would make sense, even, if we consider things. It would feel right in a strange and slightly scary way. It would also require me to re-evaluate my relationship with men. Do I just like attention? Do I crave connection? Or am I attracted to them? I never have to ask myself these things with women. And I think I'm just plain old bi, but it's so shocking how easy it is for me to be attracted to women, in comparison. I don't crave attention in the same way from men, but most of all, it's so much easier to be attracted to women. The desire to touch, the stomach-clenching, hot-skulled, shallow-breathing rush. But anyhow. Thought for another time (next week).

cosmic witchcraft 101: energy points and electromagnetic waves ✨

Cosmic witches who incorporate energy points in their practice may want to consider corresponding each point with a specific type of wave from the electromagnetic spectrum. Energy points, sometimes called chakras, are believed to be the centers of spiritual power located in the human body. There are seven energy points located from the root of the spine to the top of the head, and each energy point corresponds with a particular aspect of our mental, spiritual, and emotional being.

Each energy point is unique and often represented by a particular color. Colors all have their own specific wavelengths and frequencies within the visible-light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Cosmic witches may wish to utilize the full range of waves within the electromagnetic spectrum, each with their own frequency and wavelength. All of these waves are used by astronomers to observe celestial objects and the structure of the universe.

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is a term used by scientists to describe the full range of electromagnetic radiation, or light. We only see a very small portion of the light that exists in the universe! Waves of electromagnetic radiation are arranged along the electromagnetic spectrum based on their wavelength and frequency.

Wavelength is the distance from one wave’s peak/trough to the next one’s peak/trough. Frequency is the number of waves that pass a certain point during a specific amount of time, most often one second. Frequency and wavelength are inversely related, meaning, the lower the frequency the longer the wavelength, and the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. This relationship is demonstrated below:

There are seven main categories of electromagnetic radiation. They are:

Radio waves (Longest wavelength/Lowest frequency)

Microwaves (Overlaps with the highest frequency portion of the radio spectrum)

Infrared waves

Visible light waves

Ultraviolet waves

X-rays

Gamma rays (Shortest wavelength/Highest frequency)

Since all electromagnetic waves are different kinds of light, all of them travel at the speed of light. Multiply a wave’s frequency times its wavelength, and you’ll get the speed of light! If you want to learn more about the electromagnetic spectrum or the different kinds of electromagnetic waves, these are some great resources to help you learn the basics!

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/toolbox/emspectrum1.html

http://earthsky.org/space/what-is-the-electromagnetic-spectrum

http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/waves3.html

http://hubblesite.org/reference_desk/faq/answer.php.id=70&cat=light

How do I relate the electromagnetic spectrum to energy points?

Conveniently, there are seven primary energy points and seven primary categories of electromagnetic waves. There are plenty of different connections you can make between the energy points and waves; the following are my personal associations. These are by no means universal, just based on the connections I drew between these types of energy, and you may connect with them in a totally different way. Like all other facets of witchcraft, I suggest you read on these energies yourself and figure out what system works best for you.

Since the root energy point is associated with red, which has the longest wavelength/lowest frequency in the visible light portion of the spectrum, I found it most connected with radio waves, which have the longest wavelength/lowest frequency in the entire electromagnetic spectrum; next was the sacral energy point’s orange color associated with microwaves, and so on.

Root Energy Point 🌟 Radio Waves: Radio waves have the longest wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum. Some radio wave sources include our galactic center, star forming regions, supernova remnants, and our own Sun. These places all serve as foundation points for new life in the universe, as our root energy point governs our personal foundation. Radio waves represent our origin point, our basic needs, our place of existence. An unsteady source of radio waves in your life can lead to unsteadiness and a lack of grounding. Strong, balanced radio waves will give you security, strength, and a strong sense of self. Sacral Energy Point 🌟 Microwaves: Microwaves are used in a wide variety of ways, doing everything from warming food in your home to helping astronomers observe the structures of distant galaxies. One of the most interesting sources of microwaves is cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB). CMB is the residual heat from the Big Bang. The heat from our universe’s explosive origin spread throughout the entire universe and slowly decreased in temperature as the universe expanded. Creation of all kinds produces heat and energy, and microwaves represent the heat that comes from our personal creations: artistic endeavors, sexuality, new friendships. As emotion and creativity are directly connected, blocked or unbalanced microwaves will limit your emotional flexibility and your ability to create on all levels, but strong balanced microwaves will create a passionate, creative person totally connected to their feelings. Solar Plexus Energy Point 🌟 Infrared Waves: Infrared waves are invisible to human eyes, but some animals such as snakes can actually see in the infrared portion of the spectrum. Even though we can’t see it, we encounter infrared light every day; it manifests itself as heat. All humans, animals, and objects emit infrared light, which represents our individual power and confidence. Parts of the galaxy are obscured by clouds of gas and dust, but infrared telescopes let astronomers observe these regions unobstructed. We all have a strength, heat, or life force that moves us through our everyday lives. Weak, unbalanced infrared waves correspond with self-judgment and a lack of confidence/willpower. Strong infrared waves will produce an assertive, powerful individual who moves through life with strength. Heart Energy Point 🌟 Visible Light Waves: Everything that we can see emits visible light. It’s in the center of the spectrum and includes a variety of colors that represent different wavelengths. It unites the upper portion of the spectrum with the lower portion of the spectrum, as does the heart energy point. Distant stars emit visible light, allowing us to recognize that we are a part of something much larger than our planet or even our solar system. Unblocked visible light directs us to our heart’s center, letting us face the world with kindness, compassion, and respect; unbalanced or weak visible light waves will produce a lonely, critical individual with a tendency to hold grudges. Throat Energy Point 🌟 Ultraviolet Waves: The Earth’s atmosphere protects us from most of the ultraviolet light emitted by our Sun, which can make observing celestial sources of ultraviolet light a bit tricky. Ultraviolet waves are collected by satellites above the Earth’s atmosphere; these waves show us some of the hottest, most active regions of our universe, including young stars, stellar nurseries, and more. Ultraviolet waves also help us observe properties of the interstellar medium, the matter existing between solar systems and groups of stars in our galaxy. Ultraviolet waves help us understand different parts of the universe’s structure and identify areas of rapid creation from which we could possibly learn about our own solar system’s birth. Ultraviolet waves represent our ability to look beyond our local, personal atmosphere and seek and share truth and knowledge without being obstructed by our cultural conditioning. Blocked ultraviolet waves can cause doubt and negative thinking, but unbalanced, overly powerful ultraviolet waves can cause us to speak without listening to others. Balanced ultraviolet waves will produce an individual who not only expresses themselves well in their quest for knowledge, but someone who will listen deeply to what others have to say. Third Eye Energy Point 🌟 X-Rays: Astronomical sources of x-rays include some of the brightest, most massive objects in our universe: galaxy clusters, quasars, and black holes, to name a few. X-rays help us see the big picture pieces of our universe, and represent our ability to see the big picture in our lives. Strong, balanced x-rays help us see the deeper meaning of our own existence and will produce an individual with balanced intellectual and intuitive facilities. Unbalanced or blocked x-rays can produce narcissism, overthinking, a lack of intellectual flexibility, and religious narrow-mindedness (believing in one “correct” spiritual path that everybody has to follow). Crown Energy Point 🌟 Gamma Rays: Gamma ray wavelengths are so short that they cannot be captured by mirrors like visible light and x-rays; instead, scientists construct special gamma ray detectors, often made of tightly packed crystals. The crystals emit light as the gamma rays interact with their atoms, and the intensity of the light is directly related to the ray’s energy. Gamma rays are used to observe massive objects like stars, pulsars, black holes, and supernova events, but they also help us figure out which elements can be found on planets in our own solar system. The most energetic waves of light in the electromagnetic spectrum come from sources as massive as black holes to sources as small as Mercury. Strong gamma waves show you that everything is connected, helping you maintain your emotions, feel grounded, and stay connected with the world around you. Unbalanced or blocked gamma waves can make you feel isolated, disconnected spiritually, and a give you a lack of direction.

Do you all have any specific associations with the electromagnetic spectrum? I’d love to hear how others incorporate these waves into their craft, especially if you have a different perspective! I hope some of you find this helpful 🌠