THE BADGER is a fierce animal, very much respected and honoured both in Northern American Native traditions and in European Celtic ones. THE BADGER is the prototype of the persistent healer: the one who keeps looking for remedies, whether they are physical or not. At THE BADGER we believe that the arts in all their beauty, science for the good of everyday life, spirituality, philosophy, food and the healing arts proper are beneficial to restoring that balance, health and sense of worth that each and every human being deserves. We offer you THE BADGER, the persistent healer, all the articles come from experts in different fields, each person has his/her own idea of what balanced health is, they are here to share information, give inspiration, receive your comments, suggestions, contributions. Each human beings has at least one of the keys to well being, let's continue our quest!
THE BADGER YEAR 1
VOLUME 1
Welcome to THE BADGER, our quarterly magazine starts now its official path, you can find our introductory number zero at the link below: http://issuu.com/antonellavicini/docs/the_badger_number_0 We start the new year with new authors, new visions and a sense of renewal and expectancy for this adventure that has now seen the light. You will find reflections on our very existence, art as a spiritual path, poetry and healing words, disciplines to keep your body in alignment with your higher self and purpose in life, journeys full of inspiration. Have a great experience with our new issue of THE BADGER AV Editor Antonella Vicini If you want to contact us please send your emails to badgermedicinespirit@gmail.com or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/THEBADGERQuarterlyMagazine?ref=hl
FOREWORD BY JOSEPH RAEL
I am a North American Native traditional healer. My name is Joseph Beautiful Painted Arrow, and the Badger is one of my power animals. One night in an all-night healing group ceremony, one of the shamans came too close to where I was sitting when my power animal the Badger jumped up to my right shoulder and loudly hissed and protested. The Black Jaguar (the cat) went past me and retreated. My Badger exists in the ordinary, as well as in the non-ordinary, reality and protects me from harm. I also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for my Masters in 1976. The Badger is the university's mascot. With loving blessings, Joseph
It is a great honour for me to have Joseph's words at the very beginning of THE BADGER, he represents all the qualities desirable for a true seeker. I suggest you read his books and listen to his recordings, since he has now retired to his native place. Here is the link to the website set up by his publishers: http://www.josephrael.org/ Here you can find his songs, in the ancient Tiwa language, his books and his vision of life. Joseph has been a constant friend, teacher, mentor, healer, relative for most of my adult life, this magazine is my tribute to his teachings. Antonella Vicini
CONTENTS λάθε βιώσας Antonella Vicini
Into the Matter Andrea Exo
Badger Medicine Fredric Lehrman
Honesty Vykh Harthaan
Poetry to soothe your soul Gibran
Readers' Corner Fredric Lehrman
Healing with words Antonella Vicini
CONTENTS Alchemy and Aromatherapy Renato Tittarelli
Food is our Ally
Travelling Judy Hayes
Photo-graphy Luis Vasconcellos
The Writers Thanks Adverts
λάθε βιώσας A Portrait of
EDY UCCELLINI SCHILLER by
Antonella Vicini Epicurus considered friendship the highest good, both materially and spiritually. However friendship can only be cultivated in a small circle, away from the storms of life, therefore the motto: Live in hiding (from the crowd). Art often hides from the glitter of the media market, the ancient ones recommended to live hidden, if you really wanted to achieve peace of mind and greatness of spirit. With this issue I want to introduce you to a secluded piece of land where several artists have chosen to live and work, in a way following the ancient motto of Epicurus: living away from the crowd, as the painter that I want to introduce to you today: Edy Uccellini Schiller. Edy has chosen an unusual path to preserve her art and her life from the temptations of fame and glory. In a series of long conversations we had at her place in the countryside, hidden away from the main road, she told me small morsels of her fascinating life and apprenticeship in art, but perhaps the most important lesson was a simple and clear sentence: I knew who I was, I knew my skills and my limits, perhaps I have not achieved all I could have in my art, but I wanted to do many other things in my life besides painting.
Edy Uccellini Shiller was born in a poor family in the northern region of Lombardia, just south of Milan, close to the river Po', the longest in Italy. Her love for this region is documented especially by one painting of the typical buildings you can find so close to the river, semi hidden by the tall poplar trees that seem to embrace the houses, vacant of people. The entire landscape is animated, vibrant with life and action, even if you cannot see people or animals, the land itself seems to be speaking, beckoning us to enter the painting and walk under the trees, open the doors and finally inhabit the small white dwellings. This enticement, this subtle invitation to partake of her world is present in all her work, one painting of a simple room with its furnishings gives us a glimpse of order, pleasantness, above all it hints at the simple, yet firm and solid femininity of the artist. Here is a woman who has crossed the 20th century with complete freedom of observation, of movement and thought, not against someone or something, but towards real independence. There seems to be no struggle in her work, just an ease that shines with beauty. The frequent musical instruments present in her work play harmonious music, so that we can leave behind the noisy chaos of daily life and drink from the pure source of existence. Certainly her intense spiritual life, her involvement with charity, her hands on work after natural disasters such as earthquakes have left their impression on her work that also expresses goodness and a noble heart, such as it is rare to find. Here are a few of her paintings, just enough to give you and idea of her production: 1. Visitazione 1976 (Visitation) 2. Processione dei Santi Medici in Bitonto 1975 (Procession for the Medici Saints) 3. Terremoto 1977 (Earthquake) 4. Spiaggia e mare in Sardegna 1982 (Sea and beach in Sardinia) 5. Capanni sul Ticino 1964 (Huts by the Ticino river) 6. Tavola Francescana 1964 (Franciscan table) 7. Fiori per Rubina 1982 (Flowers for Rubina)
1 The soft colours of the room, the movement in the delicate brush invite us to explore this intimate and cosy room, where elements of nature (the vase with flowers) mix with the harmony created by the sensual sound of the sax. Paintings on the wall seem to tell us that this is indeed the painter's private den, perhaps she listens to music here, while she paints. Since we are invited we can go beyond the second door, where we find another room, where a figure (woman or angel) greets us with upraised hands in a warm welcome gesture. We find rest and relief in such an environment, we are at peace here. 2 As you can see Edy's art is influenced by her spiritual life, as shown in the Procession, of many paintings with a religious motif or background. It seems that the entire village has gathered to celebrate life with candles, flowers and plants, such is the joy that the balloons rise high in the sky celebrating life in the clear blue sky of southern Italy. 3 A violent tremor of the earth is echoed by the thundering of red in the sky, Edy has portrayed the land of Friuli one moment before destruction, when all the villages still had their bell towers and churches, when the house were still standing connected, it seems, but a river of lava red, not the outpouring of an angry volcano, but the deep shaking of the earth beneath our feet. The drama of so many lives is vigorously painted here with great depth of feelings and compassion. 4 Oh, the pleasure of the sea, sitting in the wind that moulds the trees and the sand, listening to the song of the sea when it delicately kisses the shore, admiring the beauty of the grasses and flowers, spontaneously growing in this spring vision. 5 What life hides among the trees? We can only imagine it: laborious from dawn to sunset, devoted to the care of the fields and rich in traditional stories. The houses are both hidden and protected by the trees, there are no doors, perhaps they are open to all, or maybe they have been abandoned. With her art Edy has once again taken us to a place without giving us clues, so that we can discover it by ourselves.
6 A simple table welcomes our hunger, food to warm the soul, there is utter simplicity in the way the loving painter/cook has prepared us food for our spirit and for our stomach. Inspired by the monastic order near Assisi where she had spent some time, Edy has given us a view of what the monks and nuns live on: Give us our daily bread..... 7 Edy has often painted still lives, although in her case I prefer to call them inner portraits. This one is very attractive both for the shape of the flowers and the enticing sweets offered on the plate. These offerings are meant to soften our lives, make us all stop and reconsider what are the real values of life.
Her entire work is dedicated to the protection of what is most delicate and precious: our souls. Antonella Vicini
If you are interested in Edy's work and would like to acquire one of her paintings or prints, please contact me via Facebook. After the following photos you can find some biographical notes about Edy and a portrait of her in her 20's by Giulio Musitelli.
Edy's biographical notes Edy was born in the north of Italy on 18/8/1938, as part of a big family of small means. She very soon had to go to work as worker in a wood furniture factory, where she spent long hours without sufficient food, so that at 16 she was really sick. All throughout her life she has looked after one member of her family or another, since this is her generous attitude. In spite of the limited resources in her life, she managed to develop early on an artistic sensitivity for the arts, both music and visual. During our conversations she recalled how Bach gave her serenity and a strong will to live. When she turned 21, at the time when her beauty was more a torment than a pleasure, she decided to go to Paris to see for herself if she could make a better living for herself and her family. She was there for 2 years, her work as window dresser allowed her to visit all the museum in Paris as well as in Holland and Belgium, so she entered into direct contact with the great masters of the light. Upon her return in Milan she lived near Brera, where she attended the academy and the artists' ateliers, both as model and apprentice. Later on she would offer her services as agents for some of the same artists. At that time she was also in touch with the missionaries and was deeply involved in a spiritual transformation, while she was deciding whether to become a nun or devote her life to art. After much heartache she chose to remain a lay person, but her profound faith is apparent in many of her early works (see the procession above as an example). In Milan she used to go to La Scala, the main Italian opera theatre, as well as theatre and actors, she had a rich intellectual and artistic life, always supporting herself with her work both as a painter and agent for other artists.
In 1971 she first visited Tuscania after the earthquake that destroyed the old town, she gave her help, as well as at other difficult times, never leaving aside her financial support for various members of her family and the missions she keeps supporting to this day.
Her work is not yet well known, I especially like her peculiar feminine quality of lightness of touch and depth of perception, just like her eyes that lit up during our conversation about her life. Usually very shy, Edy opened up to me after months of long conversations about many unrelated topics.
Edy has had 3 main influences in her work, besides the great painters known in museums, the first one was Giulio Musitelli who encouraged her to “sing like a sparrow in a choir�, since she had her own unique voice. He also taught her art and music history, connecting them, thus pushing her to see what was there to see. Edy's portrait at the end of the article is by him. Francesco De Rocchi who was a well known painter in Milan, he was very good at public relations, she worked for him as model and sometimes they travelled together to paint. Alfredo d'Angelo who was a very good friend for her.
From our connection, now turning into a warm friendship, I can say that her enthusiasm for life and especially for people has never changed, but perhaps she has never believed fully in her skills and vision, just as her initial statement affirmed. AV December 2014
This article has already appeared in a shorter form in SEASONS (June 2014)
“…From the Logos to Us…” In the beginning there was the Logos. Everything we know of the universe is a consequence of its vibration. The different frequencies give multiple density to all the things that are manifested or created. Men and women of different times understood it, calling “aether” the invisible element where the bodiless streams face each other over the passing of time. This has continued until recently, when science has at last affirmed that the primordial scream, so loved by the Magi, really modelled what we see, touch and hear.
Let's get a cup of water and place it in a microwave oven. The magnetron, vibrating at 2450Hz, shakes the molecules and changes their state from liquid to gas (steam). What was visible before, becomes now invisible to the senses, this is the humidity in the air that nourishes us all. If we had a 300Ghz vibration from a diapason, we would not hear a note, but we would have instead an infrared ray. What is light for science? It is a wave between 428 Th z and 749 Th z, after this limit we encounter the ultraviolet rays, beyond that we cannot perceive anything with our limited sight. Increasing the vibration to 30 Ph z, we would have stronger rays that can penetrate solid objects, they are called X-rays. Yes, the rays used in
medical scans. Beyond 300 Eh z everything would become cloudy, losing density, up until the point where the atoms would start forming, if there were silence after the trembling.
And so it happened in the beginning. The Primordial logos, described in the cultures of all places and times, was so powerfully “subtle� that it could keep every thing suspended, impalpable, ineffable, like steam creating fog, devoid of density like cosmic space. When that voice started to diminish, the heat, produced by that scream, began to decrease as well, allowing each thing to take on a form while it was separating from the primordial waters, perhaps forever. And so, without hearing the Logos, everything is lost, is dispersed, the galaxies change and lose heat. The cosmos slowly switches off, waiting for Brahma's exhale to end, waiting for the voice to become mute in silence, waiting for what was divided to return to one when Brahma will start inhaling again.
Perhaps, the strings that move it all will emit a new acute sound. Doesn't our breath work like in this way as well? Doesn't the breath allow the consciousness governing our temple, called by us our body, to have the energy needed for manifestation? And what about the heat? Isn't it anything but the result of a vibration, while in its absence everything freezes? In this perspective we perceive very little of what exists! Just a grain of sand in the apparent desert that is the cosmos, where we are desperately looking for traces of other life forms, terrified by the answer to our question: “Are we alone?” And yet, just like Brahma, we exhale and inhale. And yet, using the word (logos), the master builder gives orders so that the soil is excavated and towers can be built by his workers, giving visibility and density to what was invisible before. Perhaps this is the exploration of the universe: standing in front of the mirror and speaking to ourselves, imitating Brahma, thus eventually finding balance and peace in the silence. In his image and likeness. Andrea Exo Translation by Antonella Vicini
SINTESI IN ITALIANO: "Da sempre l'umanità è stata ispirata dalle immagini e dal suono. Due sensi apparentemente separati ma i quali condividono la più affascinante delle scoperte: la frequenza. Quest'ultima, a sua volta, non è forse il Verbo del quale parlano le scritture più sacre di tutte le culture? Siamo davvero figli del grande respiro cosmico? Vale la pena approfondire...." Andrea Exo
Badger Medicine 2 by Fredric Lehrman What can we learn from Badger? I looked him up in the Oxford Dictionary. He was described just as he appears, “A heavily built omnivorous nocturnal animal of the weasel family, typically having a grey and black coat.” The derivation of the name is from Old English, and is obscure. “Early 16th century: perhaps from badge, as reference to its distinctive head markings. The verb “to badger” (late 18th century) originates from the formerly popular sport of badger baiting.” The badger is mostly observed to be a private citizen, neither friendly nor threatening, sleeping by day and foraging by night. Yet they seem to be fearless fighters when cornered or attacked. They stand their ground and insist on their freedom. Even a large animal such as a leopard is no match for a badger when facing one alone.
Badger baiting is outlawed as a cruel pastime, but the dynamics behind such nasty amusements are a regular element of today’s news. Human gangs seek out peaceful individuals to bully and torment. Producing fear in someone else is one way a dominating person hides insecurity by proving superiority. Without warlike re-enactment at another’s expense and the short relief it may provide, an arrogant bully risks being recognized as a coward, which is to a large degree quite true.
The badger is the Clint Eastwood character of the forest. He appears alone, and prefers to be left alone. Apprentice yourself to a badger if you are timid and rarely speak out clearly. A badger has a natural authority even when silent.
ASSOCIATIONS WITH BADGER from http://spirit-animals.com/badger/
Determination
Tenacity
Eagerness
Defence
Strong will
Protection
Focus
Independence
Strategy
Confidence
Individuality
Passion
Assertiveness
Cunning
Self Reliance
Revenge
Willingness
Perseverance
Keeper of stories
Control
Bold Self-Expression
Aggressiveness
Single-mindedness
Persistence in our Pursuits
Fierceness
Grounding
Knowledge of the earth
Earth magic and wisdom
Creative action in a crisis
Antidote to passivity or victimization
Protection of rights
and spiritual ideas
Persistence in the service of a mission
HONESTY by Vykhn Harthaan There is a thorny issue never discussed among people intrigued by subjects concerning the “Inner Realm”. This special issue is: Conscious Honesty. We all know every aspect related to the “ Self ” is unfathomable, and it certainly requires trust. The explanations, the time of events, tales, experiences do not matter at all, what counts here is the personal experience. In fact this is a very intimate adventure. Truly, there are no “solid” paths available. Each Road, is a personal one. Usually, when people feel lost, alone, or in despair, it is easy to lean toward an outer unlimited confidence. So.... we trust: we “follow” someone who claims to know. This is a just a feeling, a devotion to trust. Enters Honesty..
Honesty with ourselves precedes social honesty; it is, simply, an axiom. This passage cannot be eluded. We can fool others, but we cannot fool ourselves. Unless we become so deeply convinced of our own ideas, we plunge into the abyss of believed falsehood: something always impossible to detect, neither by ourselves, or those who listen to us. Believing, can be the path to Serenity, true Serenity, or just a vicious circle to nothing. Being honest with ourselves is our inner responsibility.
Onestà di Vykhn Harthaan Riassunto in italiano
Quanta coerenza c'è fra la nostra quotidianità, ed il "proposito" della nostra Vita ? Siamo onesti con noi stessi ? O semplicemente deambuliamo fra altri come noi, retro-alimentandoci l' un l' altro con le nostre illusioni ? Nella "spiritualità" , nel mondo dell' intangibile proprio grazie all' impossibilità di "verifica certa", proprio grazie al desiderio della gente di "voler credere- comunque" ,trovano rifugio coorti di venditori di fumo. Ed il più dannoso è, certamente dentro noi stessi. L' Onestà Interna è una Responsabilità squisitamente intima.
POETRY FOR THE SOUL Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights. But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge. You would know in words that which you have always known in thought. You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams. And it is well you should. The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea; And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes. But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure; And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line. For self is a sea boundless and measureless. Say not, "I have found the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth." Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path." For the soul walks upon all paths. The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed. The soul unfolds itself like a lotus of countless petals.
Kahlil Gibran 1883-1931
This page will give some hints of poetry, inviting you to find out more about the authors, their works, the unique beauty each one of them has given to the world. There will be no comments from us, we will be happy to receive your comments and suggestions.
READERS' CORNER This page is dedicated to you readers, it will be filled with your poems, writings, inspirations, whatever you will want to contribute to THE BADGER. We look forward to this space.
NIGHT FLIGHT The moon, white crescent in night blue above red that only sky can hold; Sacramento below, a net of dusty gold struck with tiny gemstone lights. The land black to the horizon; the window of this jet a time-lost Hiroshige print. The flying life above the floating world, strings of cities ordered in time, not space, between departure and arrival. What is written on the land? Lives striving to maintain coherence at the end of the coherent life we used to know. The caterpillar falls to pieces in the new order, and cannot understand the view of the skywalking creature we must become. Š 1989 Fredric Lehrman
HEALING WITH WORDS Antonella Vicini Time out of time Time out of space Memories of yesterday Memories of tomorrow....... A long river shines bright extending both ways into infinity, creating an immense circle, its limits are invisible to the human eye, only a tiny fraction can be perceived. Yet that fragment of infinity..... those actions are frozen into endless repetition, without change, forever dead, forever alive...... The pain is there, a constant presence, there is no escaping from it. If only I could get back in the current, there in the centre of the stream...... I want to breathe....... A hope, a shining, a movement on the surface..... With a huge effort she enters the stream......
from Talking with Gods, Sages, Fairies... by Antonella Vicini
What is a passage? What shows us that we have moved from one level of reality to another? What are the markers between moments in life? What does the door into this life look like? And what does the entry into the next look like? I realize that these are not the usual questions asked at the beginning of a new year, with its promises and new resolutions.
A personal loss has lead me to ask myself these questions, since the turning of the year, however artificial as a concept, is still an important symbolic part of our turning over a page in our lives to create space for the new. Sometimes we need a jolt to realize where we are at, pushing us into action, thus jumping in the centre of our lives, while before we were just skirting around its periphery. Sometimes we are gently accompanied to the edge of the abyss and we gracefully jump into it, secure in our self esteem and belief in life. Sometimes we lose what mattered the most and, in our confused state of mind, we begin a life long search for meaning. Whatever the path we are on, facing these steps is essential, by seeing the steps, we perceive the different layers of reality, the doors that have opened long ago so that we could arrive in this world, as well as the door that one day will open to allow us to rejoin the light. In many cultures there were strict prescriptions around birth and death, since these are our two main doors of reality. They are both sacred and ought to receive the same respect and attention, both are natural and teach us about surrender to life: life that opens us to its physical wonders and to the subtle beauty beyond our bodies. A sacred birth is one surrounded by love, peace, contemplation; when both child and mother can breath in unison with the cosmos. A sacred death happens away from the excessive medical care, when the departing person can surrender in peace to the new reality awaiting ahead of her/him, allowing the last breath to be as powerful as the first.
For our new year I wish for you clear awareness of each breath, of each precious moment lived in this physical form (a gift unto itself). Let's enjoy every aspect of our lives, even the most apparently insignificant ones, so that we can gracefully dive into the waters of a conscious life and tread lightly even in the most difficult situations.
Antonella Vicini
Here are some quotes from a great writer that can be well used at this time of the year to create new resolutions, with all my best wishes for 2015.
1. Approve of yourself. “A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval. 2. Your limitations may just be in your mind. “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” 3. Lighten up. “Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” 4. Let go of anger. “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” 5. Release yourself from entitlement. “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.” 6. If you’re taking a different path, prepare for reactions. “A person with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds.” 7. Keep your eye on the prize. “Drag your thoughts away from your troubles… by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.” 8. Don’t wallow in self pity. “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” 9. Do what you want to do. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” “Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
Mark Twain 1835-1910
AROMATHERAPY and
ALCHEMY by
Renato Tittarelli
We endeavour to enter the world of vegetal essences according to the ancient and noble tradition of Alchemic Aromatherapy. There is an ancient “alchemical path� in the use of plants that can be part of our lives nowadays. Alchemy facilitates a process of knowledge with its understanding of the energetic and symbolic language of nature, in order to purify, give new life and regenerate the dense matter and the gross qualities of human beings.
The alchemist imitates nature, within his laboratory, whether this is external and visible or internal and invisible. He makes, on a small scale, what the creative power has produced in the universe. Therefore, the alchemist studies, transforms and frees the energy of matter and consciousness, regardless of the means he/she uses.
The three main paths Alchemy has three paths: the dry way that uses metals, the wet way also called vegetal (Spagiria) devoted to the production of healing elixirs, the Spiritual way or mystic for the inner path. In this article we will discuss the second way, we will look in more details at the alchemical aspects of the essential oils extracted from plants. In order to achieve our goal we need to understand the deep meaning of the alchemical stages, especially the fundamental importance of the work with the 4 elements (water, fire, earth, air).
These elements are part of the 5th, or Quintessence: the Ether that represents the vitality of creation, it connects all the elements and moves beyond the limitations of matter with its laws of time and space. With our examples we will see how the 4 interdependent elements are present with their qualities in human beings, then we will observe their harmonic and dis-harmonic manifestations that can influence our characters.
WATER with its fluidity harmonizes the feminine principle, it gives and heals life, it is a source of joy. People with dis-harmonic WATER are full of “solidified water”, they live with a sense of “attachment” to their first condition, to the limitations received in their families and environment. This attitude makes it difficult for them to free themselves from friends, relatives, partners and it's an obstacle in their process of individuation, it also limits their creative expression.
FIRE with its Courage transforms the creative male principle and it is a source of joy. People with a dis-harmonic FIRE have “impetuous fire”, they can be recognized for their “irritating” and “choleric” attitude, this is their way of interacting both with loved ones and strangers. Sudden attacks of anger and aggressiveness can blow out for no reason and can result in the person being unloved even by his/her closest relations.
EARTH with its Support preserves the female principle that protects, nourishes and gives joy. People with dis-harmonic EARTH live on “unstable earth/ground” that can lead them to “disorientation”, to “hunger” for food and material objects: neither can contain their need for understanding and acceptance.
AIR with its Ideals inspires the male principle, it elevates both rational and intuitive thinking and it is a source of joy. People with dis-harmonic AIR have an abundance of “chaotic air” that manifests through a wish for “perennial change”, this attitude can undermine their sentimental, working and social stability, making them unreliable and not inclined on taking advantage of their skills and financial reserves. Alchemy always suggest a personalized approach to the dis-ease, it is still the inner structure and the soul of the “energy” or non conventional medicines, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, antroposophical medicine, herbal therapy, aromatherapy, etc.
Alchemy always suggest a personalized approach to the dis-ease, it is still the inner structure and the soul of the “energy” or non conventional medicines, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, antroposophical medicine, herbal therapy, aromatherapy.
Essential oils have their own nature Medieval herbal medicine and alchemy consider essential oils according to the 4 elements: air, fire, earth, water, connecting them to the corresponding Hippocratic bodily fluids: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic (as you can see the in the table below). A long time before chemistry started to study the characteristics of essential oils and their components, alchemy used to classify them according to their action on the energy, since any plant lives because of light and produces “ light drops� (= essential oils). When we apply the alchemical vision of the world to the vegetal sphere (spagirical), we can describe three categories in which we can classify essential oils, according to the part of the plant they come from, as well as the concordance to human life. We can say that the part of the plant absorbing the most light is closer to the spiritual world, therefore its fruits which are closer to the sun, such as citrus fruits, partake of the spiritual world (head note). The flower which is in relation to the light, but is more delicate and sensitive partake of the soul world (heart note). The trunk and the roots that absorb little light, but give great solidity, partake of the body world (base note). There are also leaves that, even if they belong to different parts of the plant, can partake in these 3 categories.
Different approaches to Aromatherapy Aromatherapy follows alchemical processes also in different ways, since the following methods have in common the process of distillation in order to have the purest essential oils: Holistic Aromatherapy uses the essential oils from aromatic plants in a personalized way, according to naturopathy and alchemy Aroma-Alchemical Massage, based on the 5 primordial elements, uses a vegetal and essential pure oils together with a personalized massage, a sensitive contact and movements typical of sacred dances. Subtle Aromatherapy is in harmony with the build, sensitivity and needs of the soul, giving much emphasis to nourishing the body of light of each person, it includes also a reading of the auric body and the general state of health of the 7 chakras. Psycho Aromatherapy uses the psychic and alchemical approach to essential oils in order to improve the evolutionary and relationship wise aspects of people's lives. With such change come also the joy and pleasure of rediscovering and sharing one's talents. Psycho Aromatherapy integrates the ancient artistic tradition of alchemy with the modern vision of neuroscience. Aromatic Moxa it is an ancient Chinese practice used especially for chronic diseases, rheumatic conditions and problems due to cold. It is based on the stimulation of the suffering parts as well as the vital ones using heat produced by setting fire to medicinal herbs. The specific properties of the essential oils are used in synergy with the Moxa.
Properties of some essential oils according to Alchemy
ELEMENT
AIR
FIRE
WATER
EARTH
Psychological characteristics
Sanguine, positive, idealist
Choleric, dynamic, passionate
Phlegmatic, hypersensitive, contemplative
Melancholic, resistant, constant
ESSENTIAL OILS The effects according to Subtle Aromatherapy
LAVANDER it is calming, cleansing, balancing. It helps all chakras, especially the solar plexus. It has a strong connection with the crown chakra. It can help people in their meditation and trance state.
MARJORAM It helps when renouncing sexual life, it gives comfort and warmth in moments of solitude and intense pain due to separation or grief.
ANGELICA It helps us to connect to the best in us, to remain anchored in our bodies. It dispels fears, gives strength, lowers the level of anxiety
CEDAR WOOD It helps in meditation, it can helps us to approach the divine by facilitating balance and self control. It allows to melt our mental blocks at spiritual level
NEROLI With its great calming power it helps us to love and take care of ourselves, to relieve us of pain and shock. It is associated with the 8th chakra and thus it facilitates any spiritual endeavour. It reinforces our creative expression and gives spiritual status to our sexual union.
ROSEMARY It is a psychic protector for people and houses. It has a connection with the 6th chakra (third eye), it gives mental clarity, awareness, it supports clairvoyance, memory, concentration and meditation
CHAMOMILE It brings harmony in the throat, gives strength and relief. It facilitates communication, relaxation, it helps in overcoming resentment, in telling the truth, it can support healers in their work
SANDALWOOD It soothes the rational mind, it stimulates the crown chakra, facilitating spiritual development, visualization and imagination. It has also aphrodisiac properties on the second chakra.
Renato Tittarelli
(Translation by Antonella Vicini)
Aromaterapia riscoprendo l’alchimia (riassunto italiano) di Renato Tittarelli Esiste una “via alchemica” nell’impiego delle piante, questo percorso, affonda le sue radici in una tradizione molto antica, quello dell’Alchimia: basato su un percorso di conoscenza, sulla comprensione del linguaggio simbolico ed energetico della natura, per purificare, rivitalizzare e rigenerare la materia densa e le qualità grossolane dell’uomo. L’Alchimia si divide in tre vie: quella Metallurgica che contempla l’uso dei metalli (via secca); quella Vegetale o Spagirica dei procedimenti di guarigione con Elisir o Quintessenze (via umida) e quella Spirituale o mistica, che concerne l’opera interiore.
Conoscendo gli elementi: l’ACQUA con la Fluidità, il FUOCO con il Coraggio, la TERRA con il Sostegno, l’ARIA con l’Idealità impareremo come l’Alchimia consigli sempre un approccio personalizzato al disturbo e costituisca tuttora la struttura portante e l’anima delle medicine “energetiche” o non convenzionali, come l’agopuntura, l’omeopatia, la medicina antroposofica, la fitoterapia spagirica, l’aromaterapia ed altro.
FOOD IS OUR ALLY Too often we look at food in the wrong way, in our introductory magazine, we mentioned that the ingredients of a dish or a drink can be our best friends or worst foes, if we forget to consider food as our ally. Here I want to remind you that eating according to the seasons, using fresh products from nearby farmers is already a step towards a healthier and more balanced life. This time I will give you a simple recipe that I often cook for my family, since I found it mentioned even in a gluten free-ayurvedic-vegan website I believe that this traditional Italian dish will entice you to choose this path for your future meals.
PASTA WITH PESTO AND DRIED TOMATOES: The pasta you can make yourself or buy already made, if you want the gluten free version you can choose between: corn, mais, buckwheat. I actually prefer eating naturally gluten free and organic pasta since it is lighter to digest and more nutritious. For the pesto (this word literally means crushed and made into a pulp) you can use different herbs and the taste will vary accordingly. I use basil when in season, arugula (also called rocket), or even the leaves of celery that are easier to find fresh all year round. These herbs are all very distinctive in taste, so you will need to adjust your savouring, in order to achieve the most pleasant experience for your palate. Remember cooking is a pleasure for the eyes, the nose, the taste, thus your entire body will benefit from it. You will also need pine nuts, but if they are difficult to find you can substitute them with other nuts, I like almonds or hazelnuts as well, they give a different taste to the dish. For the sauce you only need to add some sun dried tomatoes finely chopped, they have all the energy of the sun, so needed in wintertime, some sliced olives and some more extra virgin olive oil to round it all up.
INSTRUCTIONS: Cook your pasta in abundant boiling water, follow the instructions on the packet, do not overcook or the pasta will be too soft, if you don't like too much al dente (as we do in Italy) you can strain it at the correct time, add the olive oil, the rest of the ingredients and let it sit in the pan with a lid for another few minutes, it will not overcook and it will be perfect for your palate. The sauce is not cooked, it can be prepared in advance and only warmed up using some of the pasta water, so that it has the nutrients of the chosen cereal. Enjoy it!
During the summer months you can substitute the dried tomatoes with fresh ones, the result will be just as yummy! AV
Journeys of Renewal by
Judith Hayes The first issue of THE BADGER Magazine focused on “Healing” while the guiding principle for this issue is “Renewal.” Are they one and the same? Not precisely. It seems that the one, i.e. renewal, cannot take place unless preceded by the other, i.e. healing. Healing addresses the past while renewal looks to the future. Recently, I viewed a series of travelogues presented by the Public Broadcasting network, entitled “Sacred Journeys.” These journeys, which were essentially pilgrimages, fit perfectly within a discussion of healing and renewal.
Lourdes Every year since the end of World War II soldiers of all nations and all religious traditions converge on the French city of Lourdes, leaving the familiar behind and heading into the unknown in pursuit of healing and renewal. The first pilgrimage was conceived as a way to create a bridge of healing between French and German soldiers of that conflict. Although this particular pilgrimage is global in its appeal, the journalist producing this program focused on American pilgrims for a largely American audience. The featured American soldiers had been deeply scarred, physically, mentally and emotionally, by their wartime experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Many of these pilgrims had come to Lourdes, hoping to find a physical cure in the healing waters of its natural springs. Others were seeking a different kind of healing, trying to find a pathway to spiritual renewal in an attempt to move forward with their lives. One soldier had returned to Lourdes for a third time, even though a cure for his blindness had not been forthcoming. Upon his return, abandoning his hope for a miraculous cure, this soldier, like many others, began to yearn instead for an opportunity to reconnect with a higher power, whatever that power might be. Pilgrimages occur where humans encounter the divine, and Lourdes is no exception to this reality. One pilgrim was quoted as saying, “There is something special here. I don’t know how to put it into words but it is spiritual here.” Even if Lourdes doesn’t bring back physical wholeness, the sense of peace and the promise of renewal it offers are well worth the physical and emotional demands of the journey.
Shikoku The second episode of “Sacred Journeys” featured a pilgrimage route of 700 miles connecting 88 Buddhist temples on the Japanese island of Shikoku. Once again the producer joined a group of pilgrims making the trek for different reasons. Some of those walking the path were clearly pursuing adventure and a personal challenge. Some found value in the kinship of fellow travellers, embracing the spirit of community. In addition to these reasons, without exception, the pilgrims were seeking a deepened personal insight.
Just like the pilgrimage to Lourdes, this journey was extremely challenging but in a different way. The landscape is beautiful but very rugged in places. Many of the temples have to be accessed by climbing steep inclines or numerous stairs to isolated precincts. The commentator even noted that many have died on this arduous journey. And yet, since the first guidebook was created in 1187 to connect the 88 independent shrines, thousands continue to walk this route or a portion of it to ponder who they are and how they fit into the grand scheme of things.
In filming this pilgrimage the journalist encountered two young Asian Americans who had just graduated from medical school and were yearning for some clarity about the future direction of their lives. He followed their journey in depth. For these young people during a time of significant transition in their lives, there was a real need for this clarity. Removing themselves from the familiar and its demands on them enabled them to step back from their expectations and look at the bigger picture, gaining valuable perspective in the process. For them the journey was not the destination but rather some new internal place. In learning about these two fascinating pilgrim journeys it became readily apparent that, no matter the pilgrimage, no matter the faith of the participants, the inward journey becomes far more important than the outer one, offering the pilgrim an opportunity for renewal. I hope that each of you has the chance, at some point in your life, to leave the ordinary and encounter the extraordinary on a pilgrimage.
Judith Hayes
http://www.americanliteraryreview.com/robert-sibley---the-way-of-the-88temples-journeys-on-the-shikoku-pilgrimage-reviewed-by-clint-peters.html http://www.pbs.org
Photo-graphy by
Luis Vasconcelos Introduction by Antonella Vicini
In the clear mirror of the sky we can reflect on our image, our beliefs, our existence, just as hinted at by Andrea's article. Luis Vasconcellos has sent us this time photos taken by the sea, we can really say that the first photo is the mirror of the Earth soul reflected in the sky, or perhaps the other way round. In the following photos the beauty of the meeting place of earth, water and sky is set to fire in the incandescent sunset. We can follow the slow and well pondered movements of the fishermen, who obviously relish this time in nature, alone in front of the universe, their own inside and the one outside. But they seem to me happy and possibly looking forward to the good dish of fresh fish awaiting at home. Thank you Luis for another wondrous journey. Enjoy the photos in the following pages AV
AUTHORS
Antonella Vicini Writer and editor of THE BADGER, author of Talking with Gods, Sages, Fairies.... ( a novel published in 2014). Steeped in classical and indological studies, I have spent all my life learning from people as well as from the ancient texts that keep revealing their immortal, thus contemporary teachings. A teacher at heart, be it in school or workshops, I am happy when I can share new visions and face new challenges. I am a professional rebirther and trainer (1987), Reiki master since 1991, stress management and leadership trainer, writer and visionary. I am a Badger!
Andrea Exo Composer, pianist, Italian teacher. Andrea "EXO" Garella began studying piano ay 9 years old under the guidance of Walter Ferrato who shared with him the art of improvisation and composition. Between 16 and 20 he reaped the fruits of his studies with long concert tours. In everyday life he works in educationa and training in the field of safety. He is also a licensed designer for mechanical and thermotechnical projects. He has always been interested in occultism and esoterism. He is about to publish a book where he will delve into these studies connecting such Masters as H.P. Blavatsky, Wolfgang Pauli, C.G. Jung, A. Einstein, Jeremy Narby, C. Castaneda,Rick Strassman, Jean Dubuis and more. Here you can find some of his musical pieces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FmaMRyjF6o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipkSwwfrgxo
Fredric Lehrman is one of the original “Wealth Psychologists” who looked deeply into the subconscious habit patterns that may either support or thwart personal financial success. He began teaching these insights in the early 1970’s, and his seminars, articles, and coaching have been the launch point for many of today’s best known experts and authors ever since. Fredric’s personal career has included intensive study with master teachers in many disciplines, and professional success in music, psychology, martial arts, photography, and global entrepreneurship, networking and innovation. He founded Nomad University in 1974 as a way to expand the concept of education as a life-long individual path of self-directed learning. The ideas he articulated then are now starting to appear in new schools all around the internet-connected world of the 21st century. http://www.nomaduniversity.com/biography.htm
Judith Hayes has both her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Latin and has taught for an entire career at the secondary level, and briefly the university, in the United States. She also has taught Latin for two years in Viterbo, Italy as faculty of the School Year Abroad program. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2013 and last summer joined an archaeological excavation in the Galilee region of Israel.
Luis M Vasconcelos I was born for Life in 1952, and in 1974 I was born for Photography, when my country, Portugal, was born for Democracy. I began my career as a professional photographer and photojournalist, in April 25, 1974, when our democratic revolution took place after 40 years of a dark fascist regim. Freedom was born for us, and my photographic dream was born for me. Since then I have been working as a professional photographer and photojournalist, first, in a daily newspaper, and since 1990 as a freelancer photographer in different projects, such as books, magazines, comercial photography and personal projects. In 2004, I also followed the call for a deepest journey into my personal discovery and growth, learning meditation and Reiki. I got the degree of Reiki Master in 2006, in the traditional Reiki Usui System. Now, after 40 years of work, I have began to enjoy my (active) retirement. I have the previlege to OWN my Time, and dedicate it to the ones I love, and to what I always loved to do: Photography and traveling. Being a grandfather of two beatiful grand daughters, is also some of the Best things I have in Life and, yes, I am in love with Life !
Renato Tittarelli is a spiritual seeker and holistic practitioner. He has been teaching and sharing about non conventional medicines for the last 30 years: integral yoga, shiatsu, meditation, spiritual healing, numerology, alchemy, naturopathy, aromatherapy and massage. From the year 2000 he has started to divulge more of his work in Italy and abroad working on the scientific as well as alchemical and hermetical aspects of aromatherapy. He is the founder of SOAM (School of Holistic Aromatherapy and Massage), Didactic director or the Professional School of Aromatherapy in Livorno. www.risoessenza.it www.renatotittarelli.it
Vykhn Harthaan I have been to many places. I have lived mainly in the Americas. Science and spirituality have always been together in my life, besides my passion for the supreme art: Cooking..... Obviously, I devote my attention also to other things.
THANK YOU Thank you for reading our magazine, thank you to the many people we spoke with, for the many suggestions, for the courage to open up and share. Above all I want to thank personally the people who have made this first issue possible, both those who wrote an article and those who gave their support without appearing here. We will have our new issue in March 2015, with more articles and more voices looking for the keys. If you want to keep in touch with THE BADGER, please send your questions, comments and creative contributions to
badgermedicinespirit@gmail.com we also have a Facebook page, please join us there: https://www.facebook.com/AnExtraordinaryLifeInAnOrdinaryWay?ref=hl If you are interested in our past here is the link to the issue number 0: http://issuu.com/antonellavicini/docs/the_badger_number_0
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