Essence of Magic

photo: Carla Dorsey

BEAUTY

“Sometimes beauty settles into surprising places. Understanding its textures is the puzzle the beholder unveils in his mind as beauty studies his thoughts, weighing the worthiness of his intent. These are my words.” - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories

P O W E R

MADONNA

patriotism

Odalys Garcia

 

It is a clear mathematical equation to people who think deeply about the structures of things, events, and paradigms. Terror attacks will increase if Bush is re-elected. To not understand that agitation for war and calls for peace, or creating fires and calling for help is very American. It is a baffling phenomenon to people who have suffered under such energy and ravings. It must be overwhelming to be underneath American foreign policy that is driven by conquest and the acquisition of things and land and governments.

I know that the threat of attacks will increase if Bush is re-elected. He gives voice to the sensibilities of white supremacy. The world holds its breath against hope that the majority of Americans don’t mirror the President and his stance and worldview. The rage, the sense of injustice, the pent up fear and the threat of possibly dying by our hands unleashes something very human in the hearts and minds of millions. And then? Action follows intent.

If people act toward any problem without historical awareness, for all problems are located in history, then in all probability they act wrongly or, as many prefer to say, they do no more than react. Gregory E. Woods, October 08, 2004

WAR ON TERROR & THE WIZARD OF OZ

“There is another way of looking at the spiritual history of whites. The vision of this view comes not from them but from our ability to alter our perception. The war within the soul of our white relatives cannot heal without our healing becoming a healing balm, a medicine for their healing process. Every soul, and every group has a path before them. Our anger over the way whites have exercised their powers, and gifts can only serve one purpose. It won't and hasn't changed their course very much. We can analyze history and relationship for years, but it will forever be outside of our circle of influence.

The most, I have learned, we can do is to unlearn everything we know. This act of power, in time, leads to a cool head, so important to Yoruba spirituality, and a heart capable of melting the ice in the heart of man; any man. It is simply said but the spiritual work to become the healing balm for those who hate and despise is the core of the Apostle Paul’s words:

“Love is long suffering. Love is kind. It is not jealous, Love does not boast. It is not inflated. It is not discourteous. It is not selfish, It is not irritable. It does not enumerate the evil. It does not rejoice over the wrong, but rejoices in the truth. It covers all things, it has faith for all things, it hopes in all things, it endures in all things.”

Laws against their behavior were made not from the heart. For the most part, logic was the path taken to get them to ease off of hateful practices. The heart path is not the typical path our white relatives take, but that is changing everyday. Historically, our relatives take the path of head. To determine, or predict the intention of white people (the collective consciousness) every hunter must study the prey. Studying neck movements is a simple trick. The neck movements cannot help but reveal the heart’s intent, and direction. It is the magician’s trick, and the hunter’s skill to reach the heart of the consciousness of whites with a style of loving that began when the hunter learned to unlearn everything he knew at the beginning of the stalk for power.

These words come from my heart. These are my words spoken after a long hard track through wild places.”

– Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of the Sacred Medicine Wheels

House of Deréon

http://www.houseofdereon.com/

The hip-haute fashion legacy that is known as the House of Deréon was inspired by Tina Knowles' mother, the late Agnéz Deréon, and began in Louisiana over 80 years ago. Agnéz (Soul) was a skilled seamstress and dressmaker who made beautiful custom clothing for private clients throughout the south. A true renaissance woman, Agnéz used her creativity, determination and "can do" spirit to accomplish just about anything she set her mind to.

Agnéz's artistic spirit influenced three generations of stylish women and continues to inspire countless others today. Tina Knowles (Couture) is the visionary creative direction, infusing trend-breaking style mixed with pure attitude. Based on her experience as a designer and stylist to the stars, Tina brings excitement, creativity and in-depth knowledge in regard to cut and fit to the line. Beyoncé Knowles (Kick) serves as the muse of the line. Her sense of style is unmatched and her chameleon-like take on fashion is ever changing and flawless. Beyoncé is the new generation of self-expression and confidence an icon in the making. The contemporary women's line features ready-to-wear, sportswear and denim offerings, as well as furs, outerwear, handbags and footwear.

The mission of the company is simple: to fuse celebrity power and design artistry into a brand of global importance, a house of aspiration and inspiration, where entertainment and fashion merge seamlessly. The House of Deréon: Couture. Kick. Soul. http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/fashion

President Obama & wife celebrating Hispanic heritage October 13 2009

WIZARD OF OZ

http://keeperofstories.blogspot.com/2010/01/terror.html

War on Terror and the Wizard of Oz

"We are trying to design a strategy for a war on terror on the blind side of logic at the expense of our future as a nation. The story of our disconnection from the blood on our hands, our words, our national belief-systems and the sense of God blessing our deeds has held us in terror like a deer caught in headlights. No one can a fight a war tactic. You fight wars with tactics. Terror is a war tactic, a state of being, and the element fear becomes in the long run. So what are we fighting? What are we fighting for, and who are we really fighting?

We have come to the end of the terror white people have felt for centuries, and named their inner battle of the soul ‘a war on terror’ spending billions of dollars to fight the terror living in their souls. How long can a nation wage war on the substance of guilt and fears? All of our ancestors watch us justify the idiotic that has become Homeland Security, and the children, yet unborn, cringe from the perspective of their future as our children, the heirs of our paradigms, debt, and war culture. When is enough enough? When will the right questions be asked and answered? When will the Lion find his courage, the Tin Man his heart, and Straw Man what did he lose that we have not found?

This is my concern. This is our story, and these are my words"

-Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories