"It doesn't take radical gestures of activism or charity to make a significant impact. Treating others with kindness, preserving their dignity, and reaching out with sincerity to people in need of compassion; these can be radical. What we do for others every day is what counts."

"The creation of art can be used as a tool for developing concentration and strengthening the mind against depression. The process of creation can bring clarity that helps one find solutions to obstacles and healing trauma. For me art has always been the best form of therapy."

Today's affirmations are from Sacred Verses 9: Restoration of the Sacred

"We need no mantle to clothe our eyes, walking with date palms through the desert crossroads. We need only open our palms of water to the thirsty sky, and through our miracle we will feed the world." - Sacred Verses 22: Walking With Date Palms

"Take a moment to be kind to someone who needs it today. Bite your tongue when sharp words come; sometimes silence is the best answer. Instead, offer words that can lift someone out of their bad place. Keep in mind how you've been in that place before. Choose the kinder route."

"Being an artist isn't about technical perfection or training, it's about the message you convey with your voice and how that message connects with the viewer. Don't stop yourself because you think you lack skill. Create from your honest voice and you will succeed every time."

"Whatever I offer to the Gods must come from a place of gratitude and humility, joy and love. Offerings are sometimes quite humble, sometimes extravagant, but always manifestations of love. I remind myself that love is the key to unlocking boons. Love is the ultimate boon."

"Hope is a gift we can keep deep down where no brute force can reach. Whatever forces batter us on the outside, we can tend the light of hope and keep it strong enough to see us through. We can use our hope to strengthen others. No one can take that away. We can pass hope along."

Today's progress on the Akem-Shield of Sekhmet the Eye of Ra saw the continued coloration of Sekhmet's hair with precious lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, looking rather dark in these pics but is actually a vivid blue. Getting closer to completion.

Work continues on the Akem-Shield of Sekhmet Who Incinerates the Rebels as the scorpion of magic is built up and detailed closer to completion. I still have sanding and details to add to this miniature work of art, just one of many glyphs.

NOTE: This feature was originally posted to Lo's rotwork blog on March 12, 2022. Lo is the deeply gifted author of Art & Numen and founder of Numen Arts. It took me a while to get through this compendium of poetry by renowned iconographer and priest Ptahmassu Nofra-Uaa, and it’s taken me a while to digest it enough to have something to say. I’ll start with the basic: Sacred Verses is 200 pages of divinely-inspired poetry. It takes, as I see it, a loosely narrative form, with

NOTE: This feature was originally published in The Wild Hunt on March 19, 2022 and is reprinted here with the written permission of the author. Storm Faerywolf is a professional author, experienced teacher, visionary poet, and practicing warlock. He was trained in various streams of initiatic witchcraft, most notably the Faery tradition, where he holds the Black Wand of a Master. He is the founder of the BlueRose lineage, with students and initiates across the globe. Author o

A turtle braved these raging tides to carry the world upon his back. The Gods made a foothold within the impossible, to carry forth their impossible dream. Love is impossible, and yet it happens in the farthest reaches of that cold and salty sea, it finds a fjord where ragged cliffs cannot contain it. From this impossible beginning the Gods take the warp and the weft, from which all is secreted together in the bosom of the holy sea. - Sacred Verses 42: Sacred Marriage/ I Will

I've been watching the news carefully over the past month as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has quickly escalated into a devastating humanitarian crisis. That Putin's violent ambition has irrevocably transformed the people of Ukraine overnight is undeniable, but the equally undeniable possibility exists that Ukraine could be just the first target of Putin's hunger for absolute power in Europe; he might very well set his sights on nations under the protection of NATO, which w

Great Sekhmet we appeal to You on behalf of the people of Ukraine that Your mercy will be visited upon those in peril, and Your swift justice upon those who do wrong. Take to Yourself all innocent lives and preserve them. Turn your anger where it is deserving, O Goddess!