The Scroll

Fire, the inner fire, is the most potent of all force,  for it overcometh all things and  penetrates to all things of the Earth. Man supports himself only on that which resists. So Earth must resist man else he existeth not.

All eyes do not see with the same vision,  for to one an object appears of one form and color  and to a different eye of another.  So also the infinite fire,  changing from color to color,  is never the same from day to day.

The great humanistic philosopher and psychologist Erich Fromm on humanistic radicalism, the common laziness optimism and pessimism, and why we need rational faith in the human spirit. (via explore-blog)

Some color plates by Augustus Knapp from “The Secret Teachings of All Ages" by Manly P. Hall (1928). Images in order are:

Mithra in the form of the Leontocephalic Kronos (eternal time). See also: Aion (Uranus), Phanes and the Orphic Egg.

Abraxas (“The embodied form of God”).

Cherubium of Ezekiel (c.f. “Living Creatures" and Tetramorph).

Celestial Virgin with Sun God in her arms. See also: Isis & Horus, Mary & Jesus. Note Orphic Egg c.f. Kundalini wrapped around a Lingam in Muladhara chakra.

The Jewel of the Rose Croix (where “Rose” is an anagram for “Eros" or Love).

Magician invoking Elementals (Gnomes, Undines, Salamanders, Slyphs) from within a Magic Circle.

Paracelsus performing the experiment of palingenesis (creation of a new universe). See also: “The Rose of Paracelsus" by Jorge Luis Borges (1983).

The Consummation of the Magnum Opus (“Great Work”). See also: creation of Homunculi, Golems, Tulpas, Egregores and “Assumption of God Forms" (a form of Theurgy).

The Philosopher’s Stone (note double-headed eagle in centre of diamond). See also Vajra (diamond, thunderbolt). 

Kelly Sue DeConnick (via comicquotations)

I didn’t know Kel had talked about this.

I am an awful, awful human being.

(The artist took it very well, considering.)

(And it totally got fixed.)

The 5 traits of successful innovators, according to research from the Harvard Business School.

For the second point, learn how to master the art of observation.

For the last, don’t forget the hallmark of creativity:

It is the ability to spot the potential in the product of connecting things that don’t ordinarily go together that marks out the person who is truly creative.

(via explore-blog)

How to choose wine, in an infographic. Pair with the indispensable illustrated scratch-and-sniff guide to becoming a wine expert. 

In English on a man. In Russian on a woman.