Larimar

Ian Sanders :: Image: Odysseus and Polyphemus by Arnold Böcklin, 1896

* * * *

A message to Christopher Nolan about his film treatment of The Odyssey: "Dear Christopher Nolan, My name is Herod Priovolos and I want to tell you what "The Odyssey" truly means to me and to generations of Greeks who grew up with Homer’s story. Homer did not sing of Odysseus simply to entertain us with ships, storms, gods and monsters. He told the story because he understood what war, time, distance and loss can do to the human soul. Odysseus leaves Ithaca as a king, a husband and a father. He returns twenty years later alone, exhausted and disguised as a beggar, carrying the memory of every companion who never made it home. The monsters are not merely creatures created for spectacle. The Cyclops is power without justice. The Sirens are the beautiful voices that tempt a person to abandon their purpose. Circe represents the danger of losing our humanity. Calypso offers Odysseus immortality, but even eternal life becomes a prison when the price is forgetting his wife, his son, his homeland and his own identity. And Ithaca is not merely an island. Ithaca is the place that remembers you when the world no longer recognizes your face. It is the home that remains alive inside you after everything else has been taken away. It is Penelope growing older while she waits. It is Telemachus becoming a man without his father. It is Argos surviving long enough to recognize his master one final time. Odysseus is not great simply because he defeats monsters. He is great because he is proud, frightened, wounded, clever, imperfect and deeply human. He loses his companions, his youth, his name and twenty years of his life, yet he refuses to forget who he is. When he finally returns, Penelope does not recognize him through strength, glory or appearance. She tests him. Odysseus proves his identity by remembering the bed they built together around the roots of a living olive tree. That is the heart of The Odyssey. Not the battles. Not the ships. Not the monsters. Two people standing before each other after twenty years, asking whether love, memory and identity can survive everything time has done to them. That is why this poem has survived for almost 3,000 years. Every human being is trying to return to something: a home, a person, a lost part of themselves, or the life they had before the world changed them. So use Homer’s seas, gods, heroes and monsters. But please understand what you are touching. The Odyssey was never truly about how far a man could travel. It was about how much the world could take from him before he stopped being himself, and whether, after losing almost everything, he could still find his way home.”

Robin Williams, July 21, 1951 - August 11, 2014.

Young woman among the flowers, 1879, Edouard Manet

Greetings folx! Your Tarot reading for the week of Jul 20 This week has ups and downs as we navigate some planetary shifts and alignments. This week’s reading, tells you what to focus on for the greatest benefits See the breakdown, below. The week BEGINS with Focus, Manifested Success, Equitable Partnerships Three of Wands indicates success after a time of struggle or difficulty; the light at the end of the tunnel. Whether you desire a better career, a “new” you, or some other change, manifest what you desire. New associations, new information, & a new perspective may contribute to your success. Looking to the past can help you appreciate how far you’ve come; just don’t let nostalgia or hold you there. Be patient & trust in your vision & effort. 💚 Whether you are a stay at home parent, or work in a company of hundreds, your efforts have been noticed. Others, & the Universe wish to reward them. 💙 In love, keep or invest in, only a partnership that is equitable & respectful. If the relationship is not all it needs to be for you then let it go. Ensure you are ready to prioritize a relationship. 🧡 Invest time in the things that matter & then release control. Trust the process, let go, & choose to be surprised by joy.

MIDWEEK offers Fulfillment, Abundance, Sensuality Ruled by Venus, the Empress is intuitive, sensual, & sexual. She is a creator of opportunity, art, life, & abundance. She is a gifted & creative problem solver. She indicates similar energy in you so, don't be surprised if people are more attracted by your creativity, your wisdom, your humour, or your sex appeal, today. She speaks to a need to listen to your intuition, & give priority to your emotions & passions. 💚 People will be more likely to be inspired by your ideas & passions so let your inner voice guide you on how to proceed. Be open. Generously share your ideas & let the chips fall where they may. 💙 Many will be very attracted to you, your ideas, or philosophies; your vibe. Be honest & responsible as you share the powerful force you wield today. 🧡 The Empress is all about rejoicing in the senses, & embracing the primal & natural. Accept & share the energy she brings, & simply enjoy being you. END of the WEEK holds energies of Fairness, Diplomacy, Problem-Solving This King embodies the intellect, philosophy, & creativity of the suit. It’s linear, big picture, problem solving, energy. He’s mature, confident in his opinions, & a skilled debater. He isn’t as distant or unattached as he seems, he’s just hard-wired to put logic & ethics before people. Rest assured that his devotion, emotional intellect, wisdom, & capacity to love are as hard-wired as his ideals. 💚 If there is someone at work, whose interactions leave you feeling irritated or otherwise diminished, try not to take it personally. Consider this person's personality in its entirety &/or the requirements of their position, before you take offence 💙 You may need to deal with logical, forceful, opinions, either in yourself, or another. If it’s someone else, secure your boundaries & focus on the intellectual, not emotional, aspects of their topic. If it's you, ensure you are respectful & staying assertive, not aggressive 🧡 Wherever this energy appears, employ creative solutions, stay logical, & be aware of the circumstances & opinions of others involved

The WEEKEND brings Passion, Celebration, Momentum The Four of Wands is a 'feel good' card. No matter where it turns up in a reading, this card means good things. It's a card of good endings & fresh starts; of celebration, transformation, & achievement.

You may have been struggling with the growing energy in a situation & feeling stressed, anxious, or even trapped. The Four indicates the cycle will soon come to end in your favour & for your highest good. Until then, redirect any excess passion & energy to create, build, or transform you &/or your life.