Jump Jive & Swing
With his red suit on
Dig that walk that crazy talk
Man oh man it's really gone!
Dig that crazy Santa claus
With his bag of toys
Open his sack with a jam in a stack
And all the little hep-cats jump for joy!!
Cool little Rudolph, cool it
With your nose aglow
Cool little yule with Rudolph
All the little hep-cats know!
From Dig That Crazy Santa Claus by Brian Setzer.
posted by jm at 1:37 AM
48 Comments:
Guess what?
It's snowing in Denver!
Nothing left to do but sing and dance.
Too warm for snow here, but the bells are caroling Christmas melodies at the church a few doors away (next to the shop that sells naughty, holiday greeting cards). Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend. :-)
but the bells are caroling Christmas melodies at the church a few doors away (next to the shop that sells naughty, holiday greeting cards).
So tolerance and diversity are alive and well after all..:-)
Thanks for the holiday cheer. So far so good.
Belly up to the Christmas tree. We're all in a flurry here being as the traffic has been snarled for days. Just drifting along, I am.
I was born with comparative religion in my cells. So I celebrate them all mostly in the ethers on my strict lifelong artist's budget. Diwali, India's festival of lights, is a particular winner. Little oil lamps on houses covering the whole village.
Another great one was in New Mexico. The farolitos were real...paper bags of sand with fire in them all over the houses and yards. Absolutely gorgeous.
It's wonderful that through all these recent "terrifying" years people have lived just like they always do. The basic matrix remains the same.
The church is here on sufferance, LOL! I think it's learned to fit in, because nothing bad happened when I went in to browse the charity sale. But really, most are happy with the mix of local color.
In the back of my mind, I remember a fairy tale I read about a little faun and a woodcutter's daughter. They would accidentally meet in the woods, and play together as children. But her memory of him would vanish like that of dreams, though he gave her an acorn pendant to remember him by. One day, as she was about to be married off, the faun came for her. He dared not enter the church...so she fought her way past the grasping hands of the horrified wedding guests, and ran out to meet him. An old woodsman saw them running joyfully hand in hand, and smiled to think he had seen nature spirits passing by, blessing the land with their laughter.
Fire is so absorbing of attention. I have copper butter lamps, alluring and comforting lights. One year, I went to Rhode Island and saw the annual WaterFire celebrations, particularly evocative at night.
People strolled slowly to admire the fires all along the winding river. By the bridge, beautiful eldritch music played from hidden speakers. There were performances and museum open houses. A magnificient communal art experience.
There's something about fire rising up from, or floating over, water like the sun over sea. I have had the thought that when the requirements of elemental Earth and then Water in the psyche are met, then the level of consciousness relating to Fire emerges, followed by the concerns of Air. Every level has its own needs, motivations, perceptions and lessons. It's analogous to the natural landscape, finer substances collecting over denser ones.
Fire is so absorbing of attention
Same page kad. While you were here I was above posting about light festivals. We long to merge with fire and kow we can't, at least physically. Attraction and repulsion for safety are combined. An interesting mix. I can stare into a fire for hours and hours on end. I did that immediately upon leaving my father for the last time.
The fairy tale is beautifully told. The idea of the church fitting in is worth some more discussion. Lots of tales to tell. In fact I was going to post on this, but decided to wait a second.
There's something about fire rising up from, or floating over, water like the sun over sea.
A lot has to do with the shimmer and reflection I think. It triggers reactions in the brain. But I also think there is something to your idea about water and earth first. I think a grounding must be required to fully grasp the volatile fleeting upward motion of fire. The spirit must have ballast. But maybe air commes beween the earth and fire.
It's hard to say since the center of the earth is fiery solid.
Kadimiros, your last two posts nearly bring me to tears from the joy of reading them.
Every level has its own needs, motivations, perceptions and lessons. It's analogous to the natural landscape, finer substances collecting over denser ones.
A healing truth so beautifully said.
I agree tseka.
Gorgeous gorgeous photos kad. So timely, speaking of fine over dense.
This lunation Sagittarius/Cancer is all about this. The emotion that fire and water create. All next year the fire of spirit of Sagittarius will shine over the waters of Pisces. We'll see the levels clearly and the rising and falling as elements find their natural order.
Every level has its own needs, motivations, perceptions and lessons.
Worth repeating.
"It's hard to say since the center of the earth is fiery solid."
Or maybe it's liquid fire. Deeper in, there could be a crystalline core of iron. And who knows what lies within that?
The heat is because pressure from gravity comes into play, not just the sorting effect of gravity that we see at less confined levels. Maybe the hidden fire at the core can be a symbol for the spirit hidden in matter.
Maybe the hidden fire at the core can be a symbol for the spirit hidden in matter.
Oh my god.
Pluto rules the underworld. Could it be that this hidden spirit has been brought to the surface and now we are at the conclusion of this moment? What we do with it is the next page.
Hi, tseka, happy yule! :-)
"A healing truth so beautifully said."
Thanks! I have heard that sitting by a wood fire has healing properties on the body. I don't understand the mechanism, but it is certainly can be a powerful experience to sit and gaze. Maybe it somehow reminds the mind and the body on many levels of its own energy and life force.
Deep inside the Earth, spinning in a watery pool of iron, the Earth's core is a giant iron crystal slightly smaller but more dense than the moon. Beyond that, the substance at the heart of our planet always has been a mystery.
Oh my god.
The Moon at the core. Heated by the Sun. What on earth IS beyond this?
"All next year the fire of spirit of Sagittarius will shine over the waters of Pisces. We'll see the levels clearly and the rising and falling as elements find their natural order."
Wow, that's an excellent image to help us feel the meaning of the symbols. Mutable fire and mutable water. Something very alchemical, maybe.
The scientists have learned that the Earth's core is turning in an eastward direction and spinning faster than the Earth itself. Every 400 years, the core is a full turn ahead of the Earth.
This finding, confirmed only within the past two years, quickly led to the conclusion that Earth's solid-iron inner core is "anisotropic" -- it has a directional quality, a texture similar to the grain in wood, that allows sound waves to go faster when they travel in a certain direction
Oh my god. This article is great.
that iron solidifies, even though the temperature is believed to exceed 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than the surface of the sun.
Did you ever? Something that heat hotter than the sun can't melt? Whatever is going on here?
God Jule to you as well Kad.
What an article indeed.
Loki leashed to the center of the earth. Lokibrenna, the brand or embers of Sirius.
OMG
Mutable fire and mutable water. Something very alchemical, maybe.
Very good thought. Mutability is change, thus the alchemistry. The last of this energy before the initiations of the coming Cardinal.
Funny. After juju's input, I found a book on my shelf on alchemists and looked through it last night. It's interesting that the secret lies in stone.
I think this applies perfectly to the extreme flux of events right now. Nothing can be grasped. Nothing seems real or permanent. Very mutable and very conducive to magic.
They say a crystal at the center? And Lokibrenna?
Could it be that mystery is designed as the element to develop our imaginations? We can't even tell what's deep within, let alone out there in infinity. Lots of work for the human mind.
"Whatever is going on here?"
Who knows! :-) The interior of the Sun will be hotter than the surface, though, so it would surely break down further in.
At the earth's core is magnetic iron. Kinda like a smith and his forge!
In the East, the root chakra, associated with elemental Earth, is the energy center containing the fiery serpent energy, the life force which ascends the spine. When fully released, rising up through all the elemental realms of consciousness to emerge shining from the crown.
An odd parallel in that iron and the root chakra are both connected with earthiness and Mars.
Not so odd. You know how I sing the truth about the force of Mars.
Mars is the beginning of the wheel of life. The potential. I would think it would be at the root of all motion.
It is telling. The hot iron at the center.
Earth, is the energy center containing the fiery serpent energy, the life force which ascends the spine.
Couldn't do that without Mars.
War must be partly a manifestation of this force. The unleashing of energy. Maybe when it gets frustrated by he blocking of other outlets. We really don't understand it at all. I think the world is dumbstruck now as Mars is rising from the rivers of our birthplace. Won't stop. People think people can halt this. I don't think so. Not yet.
Mars is potential energy. So every time an action is completed the potential returns. Mars is busy.
People spend a lot of time fearing Pluto, but he actually takes his time and minds his own business a lot. Comes when called in for demolition or some other special act. But Mars never lets up. He was not a favorite in the pantheon.
The Earth having an iron core surrounded by liquid and an outer crust with tectonic plates...It's kind of like living on an egg, haha.
I don't know that it will literally happen, or what it might mean, but many years ago, well before the World Wide Web was invented and the Internet became a household word, while I was talking to someone about crystals, she suddenly saw a vision that someday it will be possible using computers to "activate" all the crystals around the planet, all at once.
Living on an egg and I bet w're living IN one too.
I just came across an article in my paper about a new use for computers that is fascinating. I'll post it soon. I think inventions come to us from the universal brain when the time is right. This one is new and impossible to predict, although the visions and glimpses into alternate realities will probably be commonplace as a result.
This could be the learning manual and after a while, we will REALLY go ino these dimensions.
I'm not sure about anything all at once. There seems to be a built in protecion against this omnipotence.
Oh, I'm sure it won't happen if we're not ready for it. And I'm not sure it would come anything close to omnipotence. We're already doing amazing things with technology that our ancestors would think of as magic.
And maybe it doesn't matter, but it's just interesting that someone would think its one potential, out of many.
Some philosophical theologians argue that omnipotence is a theological mistake. They think there's no such thing, not even for a god. :-) Me, I don't worry.
Me, I don't worry.
You mean you're not a god?
Well, I was once called a poster child for Old Nick, and not the saintly one!
Speaking of Mars and St. Nick, the Christmas story of how Norad became responsible for tracking Santa Claus is charming:
According to Canadian Forces Maj. Jamie Robertson, Norad's deputy director of public affairs, the tradition of tracking Santa began by accident in 1955. That Christmas, a newspaper ran an ad for Sears Roebuck giving out a "Santa Hotline" phone number for children to call with their wish lists. But the number was misprinted, and kids found themselves on the secret operations hotline for Continental Air Defense Command, Norad's predecessor.
I think that qualifies as a deity. Not all are saintly.
In India I was named Mirabai...the musican who sang her loyalty to Krishna. I do actually like the guy.
HA HA HA!!! That's hilarious. Kids are connected really!
Maybe they really ARE connected. We don't know what these big shots are REALLY doing on our taxpaying dollars.
Ha ha!!! Yes, really. To think that Norad takes thousands of calls, and some of the smarter kids call in twice to check on the consistency of the sightings. Gotta do it for the kids.
The kids are so smart. I love them. Especially from ten and onward. They are underestimated.
"In India I was named Mirabai...the musican who sang her loyalty to Krishna. I do actually like the guy."
It's a lovely name. Moreover, it appears her life story conveyed a message of deep import for her people.
"Her love of Krishna was so absorbing she neglected her social and regal responsibilities. She refused to offer worship to the family deity, Durga. She sang and danced in public temples and mingled with members of all castes.
...Mirabai did not recognize social and caste barriers and adopted the cobbler/untouchable Sri Guru Ravidas as her Guru. She broke many social norms."
Oh my god in heaven, kadimiros.
Thank you so much. I didn't know this. I knew her devotion was extreme, but about the barrier breaking I didn't. I am completely this way and I never could figure it out.
Mirabai did not recognize social and caste barriers and adopted the cobbler/untouchable Sri Guru Ravidas as her Guru. She broke many social norms."
And this breaks my heart.
Ah, the hidden associations that connect everything, and sometimes bring tears to us.
I looked up Mirabai in the Wikipedia. She was a prolific poet and singer, hundreds of years ago.
She knew tragic circumstances, as many people did. From some of her poems, we know that her family tried to kill her twice, but she miraculously survived. The popular legend says that she was last seen entering the temple singing in a state of ecstasy. Only her sari was found.
"Her longing for union with Krishna is predominant in Mira's poetry who says she wants to be coloured with the colour of dusk (dusk being the symbolic colour of Krishna).
"...Her writings were at the same time, spiritual and sensual."
And this, too, we can know, she seems to be saying to all whom something of her spirit touches across the ages.
This is amazing.
Dusk is my magic moment. It's the portal to the night where I come to life. Even the elephants in the jungle stop and watch the sunset. But the moment of deep indigo when the dusk is at it's last is something that nourishes me more than food. I completely love Krishna's skin.
I've often felt that I was murdered in a past life for expressing myself. Metaphorically in this one.
I so identify with this. And the Indians loved my music. Felt I was singing to god and they would always gather around and listen to me, smiling and verifying with one another. Singing American songs, but they understood completely.
When I returned to Western society I was at a loss with my music and haven't really recovered this magic since. Soon I will have it back. My experience in india was the turning point of my life.
I used to sing just with a tabla. Indians love rhythm.
Her writings were at the same time, spiritual and sensual."
OMG. This is so beautiful kad. And so unexpected.
So all these years, having a devotional approach to my art, I've been daunted by the American marketplace. It seems so garish, So odd, so unfamiliar, so impossible. I thought of singing in churches but that isn't the answer. I often feel like Carry Nation going into the bars with the Good News! But she was tough. Busted them all up.
I gradually retreated and now a sort of bit has been put into my mouth as I get led out into society. I'll have to count on natural protection which does seem to be forthcoming.
Yes. The image of the Untouchable, the lowest, being elevated to the highest, does bring tears.
Ah Kadimiros, jm, i am touched beyond words, the gift that Kad found so describes you JM. They knew, these wise Indians. You are ready.
"...the lowest, being elevated to the highest..."
And even a highborn daughter may learn seated at the humble foot of her teacher. :-)
poetseers.org says, "She composed hundreds of poems in a simple, unpretentious style. They are full of vivacity and feelings. No poetess in the history of India enjoys a greater respect than Meera. Her poems have gained a unique popularity and are sung by the rich and the poor alike, even to this day."
Even in translation, her words are strong with knowing life.
* * *
...I do not care about social norms
Nor do I keep my family's honour.
I cannot forget, even for a moment,
The beauty of my lover.
I am dyed in Hari's colour.
* * *
Strange are the decrees of fate.
Behold the large eyes of the deer!
Yet he is forced to roam the forests.
The harsh crane has brilliant plumage,
While the sweet-voiced cuckoo is black.
The rivers flow in pure streams,
But the sea makes them salt.
Fools sit on thrones as kings,
While the wise beg their bread....
* * *
This infamy, O my Prince,
is delicious!
Some revile me,
others applaud,
I simply follow my incomprehensible road.
A razor-thin path
but you meet some good people,
a terrible path but you hear a true word.
Turn back?
Because the wretched stare and see nothing?
O Mira's lord is noble and dark,
and slanderers
rake only themselves
over the coals.
Oh tseka.
Once again, OMG, kad.
I think something extremely important just happened on this thread, but has been building up for awhile. These words have gone directly into me for a purpose I sense without any doubt at all, and is maybe the turning point revisited.
tseka, your recognition and encouragement are so genuine I am beside my usual self, doing the usual doubletake. These moments are so rare, and this one I am going to hold and treasure forever.
I believe we have found one another for our growth as artists and humans. This is the kind of inspiration I search for.
She composed hundreds of poems in a simple, unpretentious style.
So important. I have felt unsure of the simplicity of my songs. That they wouldn't be taken seriously as art, in these complicated, tormented, confesssional singer songwriters days.
The rivers flow in pure streams,
But the sea makes them salt.
Fools sit on thrones as kings,
While the wise beg their bread....
slanderers
rake only themselves
over the coals.
It's all coming clear.
This is incredible. After all these years, Mira has come back to me to be recognized in a way I couldn't when I was so young. I believe I truly am ready.
Her mother died when she was ten. And luck didn't favor Princess Meera. By 1527 A.D. she had lost her father, her husband and her father-in-law as well. Meera, who dedicated her life to Lord Krishna, accepted these bereavements as a matter of course.
Exactly.
Thank you, you wizard. I'm going to journey through the links to meet with my sister, mentor, and guide.
You're very welcome. :-) Her name bears gifts for you. You must have been just about ready for her name to come back to you, and the potential was just waiting for an opportunity to manifest in your own way. I know that there are levels of communication flowing and interweaving, beyond surface appearances.
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