' As Society Unravels, the Future Is Up for Grabs

As civilization faces an existential crisis, our leaders demonstrate their inability to respond. Theory of change shows that now is the time for radically new ideas to transform society before it’s too late. '

https://patternsofmeaning.com/2019/09/12/as-society-unravels-the-future-is-up-for-grabs/

' A steadily increasing body of research has demonstrated that peer victimization — the clinical term for bullying — impacts hundreds of millions of children and teens, with the effects sometimes lasting years and, possibly, decades.

Experiencing chronic peer victimization is associated with lower academic achievement, higher unemployment rates, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Most of the research into the neurobiological processes that might contribute to these negative health outcomes has occurred in the past decade, and much of it focused on bullying’s impact on the body’s stress response system.

But a new study shows that bullying can cause changes to the very structure of the adolescent brain — a finding indicative of  "how sinister bullying is,” Rod McCullom reports for Undark. '

https://mailchi.mp/undark/feb-15-1258397?e=4fb25275ab

Re: being susceptible (or not) to the possibility of others thinking you are crazy.

Our Principles and Values

Anyone who follows these core principles and values can take action in the name of Extinction Rebellion.

VISION
A world where we build thriving connections within our society and environment, bringing hope and enabling us to decide the direction of our lives and futures. An inclusive world, where we work consciously to ensure fair processes of collective decision-making, where creativity is prioritised, and where our diversity of gifts are recognised, celebrated and flourish.

MISSION
To spark and sustain a spirit of creative rebellion, which will enable much needed changes in our political, economic and social landscape. We endeavour to mobilise and train organisers to skillfully open up space, so that communities can develop the tools they need to address the deeply rooted problems of the United States. We work to transform our society into one that is compassionate, inclusive, sustainable, equitable and connected.

https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/about-us/

Deck: The Druid Oracles
Spread: Card of the Day
Date: Mon Sep 16 07:30:52 EDT 2019


Today's Card
The Guardians (Reversed)

Elder Ruis Sambucus nigra
Hawthorn Huath Crataegus oxyacantha
Birch Beith Betula pendula

upright
Immunity • Strength • Longevity

reversed
Slowness • Combination • Synergy

leaf

The Guardians are three trees which together act as preservers of our health, possibly even prolonging our lives, by strengthening the immune system and the key organs of the heart and circulatory system, the liver and kidneys. Each of them is a member of the Ogham family of eighteen trees and seven plants that make up this mysterious woodland alphabet that has come to be known as the ‘Druids’ tree language’.

The card shows a Birch tree growing between an Elder and a Hawthorn. The three trees act like guardians of the sacred pool, in which we can see Brooklime, also known as Water Pimpernel. This may be the mysterious Samolus revered by the Druids, according to Pliny.

Upright Meaning   If you have chosen this card, it may indicate that a situation or relationship which seems to be in difficulty can be preserved and strengthened if action is taken. Sometimes, if there is no expectation of a ‘quick fix’, a problem can slowly be turned around over a period of time by a number of – possibly quite small – adjustments. The three Guardians act by gradually strengthening the key organs of the body. Similarly, if you take actions to strengthen specific aspects of a relationship, this will, in time, affect every part of it. Rather than focusing on areas of weakness between you, identify where you do connect well, and try to build on these. Long-term relationships need healthy ‘immune systems’ that can cope with the inevitable stresses that arise between two individuals.

Reversed Meaning   Plants sometimes work best when they are given as a remedy on their own, and sometimes in combination with other plants. If you have chosen this card reversed, it may indicate that you are being called upon to work in a group. Your independence might feel threatened, but it is likely that the synergy generated as a team will be far more effective than if you were to continue to work alone.

Alternatively, the card may suggest that you need to have the confidence in your abilities and the trust in life to slow down and not take on every offer that is made to you. We often find ourselves rushing through life, anxious that if we stop nobody will want us. Generally this is not true, and by slowing down or pausing we give life a chance to show us new directions.

leaf

Tonics and Fortifiers

The three Guardians act in some ways like the archetypal family, with the Elder as mother, the Hawthorn as father, and Birch as the young child bringing freshness and renewal. Each tree offers extraordinary gifts.

Elder has grown in Britain for millions of years and, as early as 400 BCE, Hippocrates described it as his ‘medicine chest’. It is associated with the Crone, and in ancient times was both feared and revered. It was linked with death and malicious witchcraft, but also with protection from lightning and witches. These contradictory associations echo the chemical nature of the tree, whose bark and leaves are poisonous, but whose flowers and berries are powerfully healing and fortifying. The berries and blossoms of the Elder make excellent cordial and wine, and its flowerheads can be used in incense. Drinking Elderberry juice regularly stimulates the immune system, relieves stress, helps maintain a healthy circulation and heart and helps prevent hardening of the arteries.

Hawthorn is also known as May, as it flowers at Beltane, filling the hedgerows with blossom. The blood-red haws, or berries, that follow are so good for the heart and circulatory system that the tree has sometimes been called ‘The father of the heart’. In Druidry and folk tradition, the Hawthorn is associated with the world of faery and of sexuality, and it has become one of the most important trees in herbal medicine. The leaves, flowers and berries contain antioxidants that protect the

heart’s tissues. Preparations made from the plant also strengthen the beating of the heart and lower the blood pressure, and taken daily as a tea will protect the heart and circulation.

Birch was one of the first trees to colonize Britain as the ice sheets melted. It is associated in Druidry with cleansing, birth, and new beginnings. Birch switches were used on miscreants – and in Scandinavia on willing sauna participants – to drive out impurities. Cradles were also traditionally made of Birch. The cleansing effect of this eye-catching tree is now known to occur physiologically, too, and the leaves, sap and oil extracted from the bark are all used medicinally. The sap, as well as making a good wine, can be used as a tonic in the Spring and Autumn – particularly to improve protein metabolism and the excretion of waste products from the liver and kidneys. For this reason, the old herbalists prescribed Birch for rheumatism and kidney stones, and it now seems that Birch compounds may be effective in treating cancers and HIV. The leaves and bark may also exert a life-prolonging effect if taken regularly as a tea.



Presented by The Druid Oracles app from The Fool's Dog.