The EVERY
WOMAN Issue Oct. 2017
Recipe:
Raspberry and White Chocolate Mud Cake
Zen: An
Insight into Yoga
Sex Toy Review: Crave Vesper
Spirituality:
The Queens of The Tarot Deck
This Month in Spirituality:
SPIRITUALITY. LIFESTYLE. SEXUALITY.
Colour, Deity, Symbol, Stone, Plant
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contents. nectar & stone raspberry & white chocolate mudcake recipe finding your balance zen vesper by crave -the review the queens of the tarot deck this month in spirituality horoscopes ‘le type de loup, le plus dangeroux’ letter to the editor
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nectar & stone. FOOD DESIGN AT ITS FINEST
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In 2013, Creative Director and Author Caroline Khoo established ‘nectar & stone’ with a simple vision: to design, create and tell a story of eating with style while pushing creative boundaries. Based in Melbourne, the business has quickly grown specialising in some of the most delicate desserts and lucious looking cakes in history. The thing that sets ‘nectar & stone’ apart from many other patisseries is the way in which Khoo curates her photographs, capturing the soft and feminine aesthetic of the brand. The clean, crisp and styled images praise the desserts and reflect the time and effort invested through the high quality of both product and photograph. “I am very disciplined in just a few things but one of them is honouring the dessert with a good photo,’’ she says. “I take the time to do it every day. A lot of my clients or followers tell me it gives them ideas and makes them inspired. I take that as something special and rewarding as well.’’
“Being creative happens when you let go of all your inhibitions” - CAROLINE KHOO
Head of Nectar & Stone
The best thing about Caroline Khoo’s social feeds are the perfect amounts of pastel blush tones, particularly the pinks. As you scroll through you are greeted by numerous images of not only her delishish delights but also photogenic places, flowers and anything pink! “Colour has always been such a big thing in my life. For me, when it comes to food, I think you eat with your eyes first. It’s a very visual experience and has to look appealing and of course be backed by flavor as well.” Khoo has nailed the balance within her social media feeds and understands the importance of colour to draw in the audience while capturing the soft and feminine aesthetic of her brand. ‘Nectar & stone’ host occasional pop ups that allow communities and clients to be involved in both the inspiring process and the extremely delicious results. The business has granted Khoo opportunities to be featured on the Martha Stewart and Apartment Therapy websites. Collaborations include the likes of Tiffany and Co, Dior, Christian Louboutin, Mimco, Samantha Wills, Sony and West Elm. ‘Nectar & stone’ work with a collection of clients that trust and allow for their creative direction, from top end Australian and International Brands to the private and intimate occasions celebrated for marriages and birthdays. This year, Caroline released her first book ‘I’m Just Here For Dessert’, which has been a huge success, currently being sold in over 30 countries. It was created, styled and photogrphesd entirely by Caroline Khoo and includes not only numerous recipes but incredible photography and the true ‘nectar & stone’ creative spirit. There is no doubt that Carolie Khoo has created something special, a showcase of her dainty skills and immpeccable understanding of colour and design, and a business that embodies sohpistication and femininity.
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nectar&stone |
nectar & stone |
http://nectarandstone.com
Photos courtesy of: http://nectarandstone.com 5
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raspberry & white chocolate mud cake INGREDIENTS:
500g butter, chopped 2 x 180g blocks white chocolate, chopped 2 cups milk 3 cups caster sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract 3 cups plain flour 1 1/4 cups self-raising flour 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup frozen raspberries, partially thawed
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METHOD:
ICING:
Preheat oven to 150C/130C fan-forced. Grease 2 x round cake pans. Line bases and sides with baking paper.
Trim top of cakes to level. Cut each cake in half horizontally.
Place butter, chocolate, milk, sugar and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until melted and mixture is combined. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
Place 1 mud cake onto a serving plate. Spread with your choice of either vanilla or raspberry flavoured buttercream. Top with 2nd cake. Spread remaining buttercream on and around to cover assembled cakes.
Whisk flours into chocolate mixture until combined. Whisk in egg.
Garnish with white chocolate and raspberries
Stir raspberries into remaining batter. Using food colouring, tint batter pink. Pour evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 1 hour 50 minutes. Cool cakes in pans completely.
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finding your balance. OVERCOMING FEAR AND FINDING CONFIDENCE.
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EVERYWOMAN
Eleven year-old Torah Bright steps onto the snow for the first time in the winter of 1997. She tags along behind her brother in a snowboarding lesson. Twenty years later and she has represented Australia in three Olympic games and is the holder of a gold medal! It seems all well and bright forever however, what we don’t see under the snow gear is this athlete going through her darkest hour. In 2012, Torah’s marriage was disintegrating, one of her closest friends died in a skiing and her composure in the Vancouver Winter Olympics was far from her best. Torah’s brother Ben, after watching her train explained that
he was unsure of who was riding her board, that it wasn’t Torah This is how she felt. “Snowboarding for me isn’t about getting down the mountain first. It is all about me and my board and what I can push myself to do. It’s about riding to the beat of my heart” – explains Torah. In the following year, Torah had filed for divorce and was receiving therapy.
“Letting go was painful and difficult” says Torah. However, the instant that her board touched the snow that year everything became clear. Bright felt balance, she felt joy. Torah is now the author of a very inspiring story of strength and determination. Her book, “It Takes Courage” tells her story of overcoming fear, finding confidence and discovering courage. It is an honest account of her lowest point and finding her highs again. It talks about her marriage to American snowboarder Jake Welch breaking down, her personal project to desperately try and repair the marriage and her hardship of letting go and cutting all ties. It also talks about contemplating this decision and the intense relief felt alongside the grief. Most importantly, the book touches base on the strength and comfort that friends and family can bring in these hard times. It is well worth a read!
“Confidence comes from within” explains Torah, “it takes courage to be fully human”. When confronted with a fearful thought on the slopes and life in general, Bright asks herself, “What is stopping me?!” In this past year you can find Torah gallivanting between countries chasing the snow. However, she plans to be competing professionally for at least a few more years before hopefully settling down and having a family of her own. “Confidence comes from within” explains Torah, “it takes courage to be fully human”. When confronted with a fearful thought on the slopes and life in general, Bright asks herself, “What is stopping me?!”
In this past year you can find Torah gallivanting between countries chasing the snow. However, she plans to be competing professionally for at least a few more years before hopefully settling down and having a family of her own.
“It’s about riding to the beat of my heart.” 9
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zen.
YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK.
Yoga is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing. It offers many emotional and spiritual benefits. It gives individuals the opportunity to learn and explore concepts in life such as change. Yoga participants don’t tend to realise however, each yoga class they are growing and changing. You are stronger than you think. However, you won’t realise this until you make a connection between your body and your mind. Balancing poses or “asana” can be difficult although, they are very beneficial to establishing this connection. They are also beneficial to relieving stress and reducing fatigue. Asana can also assist in improving focus, concentration and memory. By regularly practicing asana, focus and balance can be brought to your life outside of the yoga exercise. Balancing poses represent life. And just like in life, you will fall. Stay determined.
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EVERYWOMAN
Lord of the Dance Pose (NATARAJASANA)
1.
Stand with your big toes touching and heels slightly parted. Inhale.
2.
Keep your torso upright and reah your left hand back to grab the outside of your left foot.
3.
Lift your foot slowly up and away from your torso. Extend your left leg behind you and stay parallel to the floor.
4.
Hold this pose for 30 seconds. Then release slowly till standing. Repeat with other leg.
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vesper by crave
a siren vandoll review
Initial Impressions
Self Directed Play
Playing Well With Others
The Crave Vesper’s packaging is gorgeous. It feels luxurious and captures the blend of jewelry/sex toy nicely - it’s not pretending it’s not going to get you off but doesn’t invoke the cringe of the Bachelorette section of your local skeevy sex store. I wouldn’t hesitate to tastefully gift wrap it as is and give it to a friend or lover (and if anyone wants to send me a gold one then please hit up my wishlist).
My first real experience with my Vesper was spontaneous; when one unassuming Tuesday night I was rudely punished for my toy-charging complacency. My faithful Satisfyer Pro 2 died on me before I was done. This shouldn’t have been more than an minor inconvenience - I own a small army of vibrators - but in some cruel travesty, not one had enough charge to step up. Not quite desperate enough to pull out Princess Doxy (wands are overkill for my usual ‘get to sleep’ jerk off), I suddenly looked to my bedside table and saw the Vesper.
I’ve used the Vesper with a variety of vulvadriving partners during our time together (almost always spontaneously) and it has been wonderful, proving particularly useful during threesomes and invariably popular at sex parties*. It has also been fun for naughty semi-public humiliation scenes with my distance D/s play partner.
I will admit my expectations weren’t high due to it’s size and my brief initial impression of the four modes (3 speeds and a pulse) made me assume it was quite buzzy.
There is something I really appreciate about this toy that I have only really realised while reflecting for this review. Normalisation.
I purchased my Vesper in the rose gold colourway and it’s beautiful; it honestly looks like a sleek modern accessory and I love the (comfortable) weight of it around my neck. After wearing it for several months, I’ve found only people familiar with the product clock it for what it is (which is usually a great conversation/flirtation initiator) and I get compliments about it all the time. I often wear it on first dates as a way to bring a feeling of sexy playfulness. This toy uses a USB charger that screws into the top on the pendant (after unscrewing the ‘necklace’ tip) and I found it charges quickly and is very travel friendly. So I love the Vesper as an accessory but what about as a vibrator?
But it was late and I wasn’t going to sleep without an orgasm. I honestly found myself pleasantly surprised. While it’s never going to be the strongest or most rumbly vibe, the Vesper is not to be underestimated. The single button control do the job unobtrusively and the medium setting easily got me off a few times and I found using it to apply pressure above my clit (off to the left personally) dispersed the vibrations quite effectively and countered any off-putting ‘buzz’. The stainless steel is non-porous, so after I finished I simply wiped it down with an antibacterial cleaning wipe and drifted off to sleep. Considering I had primarily purchased the Vesper for novelty and aesthetic, the Vesper really earned it’s pride of place near my bosom that night. While it’s not a daily staple in my masturbation routine, it still gets a solid amount of use, especially when I travel.
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*I highly recommend being the single lady who shows up to the party with sex toy jewelry and orgasmic nipples whenever possible ;P
What it does is allow me to do is to bring a vibrator with me through a variety of nonsexual situations, which means that
any situation where it does become a sexual object is a conscious choice which I find symbolically empowering. More importantly though, I feel like already having a vibrator with me when I go into a sexual encounter with a vulva owner to be a very validating act; acknowledging the realities of both anatomy and sexual response and deconstructing the patriarchal notion that we shouldn’t “need” sex toys. I don’t go into these interactions assuming what kind of stimulation my partner needs and the Vesper means I feel more prepared to make them feel good.
EVERYWOMAN
Vitals
Pendant Necklace Vibrator Made by Crave 4 Settings: Low, Medium, High and Pulse One Button (located near the necklace end) Body, tip and chain are made from body-safe stainless steel Available in silver, silver + rose gold and 24 kt gold plating Not waterproof but water-resistant splash proof USB Charging Designed for External Use Chain is 26” long Pendant is 3.8” L x 0.5” W x 0.5” H
Final Thoughts I love my Vesper. I wear it almost every day and have recommend it to plenty of friends.As a sex toy it is simple, versatile and effective. As an accessory it’s sexy and sophisticated. But for me, it’s true power is in its symbolism.
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“
The Queen of Pentacles is the original Earth Mother.
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Upright Tarot Card:
Reversed Tarot Card:
The Queen of Pentacles is a very ‘motherly’ card, expressing practical energy. She is the original Earth Mother. She shows her love for others by cooking, cleaning, keeping a warm and inviting home and bringing in a decent income to support the family financially.
The Queen of Pentacles reversed sees you becoming very consumed in your work. You may be placing your career before your family or your relationships, and this is having a detrimental impact. Of course, this may be ok on a temporary basis but you need to assess its long-term impact. To rebalance your life, you may find a release by returning to a favourite nature spot (a forest, beach or mountain) and allowing yourself to take in this fresh, natural energy.
The Queen of Pentacles may represent a mother figure in your life who can provide you with loving support and nurturing to help you get through the influences of your past. She may be a teacher, a counsellor, a mentor, or someone who you are very close to. Alternatively, she may represent a part of yourself, particularly if you are investing a lot of yourself into nurturing and caring for others and creating an established and comfortable lifestyle. The Queen of Pentacles represents prosperity and security. She suggests that you have worked hard to generate a level of financial or physical security which, in turn, gives you the ability to be generous with others and to share your wealth and prosperity with those you love. 16
Similarly, the Queen of Pentacles reversed can suggest that you are feeling worried about whether you can be financially independent, while also still maintaining your family connections. Sometimes, you just cannot do everything and you will need to make some choices. You may also find that you become a bit of a homebody and somewhat isolated from others. If so, you need to fight this urge and keep in touch with your friends and family as they will be a great help and support to you. She suggest that your tendency to ‘mother’ those you care about is becoming smothering. Source: www.biddytarot.com (Brigit)
EVERYWOMAN
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A stern look on her face indicates that no-one can fool her.
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Upright Tarot Card:
Reversed Tarot Card:
The Queen of Swords represents the sternness of a mature intellect which is devoid of emotion. In mythology, the feminine is associated with emotion, yet in this card the woman is stern and composed, and without much feeling. This card therefore represents the intellect’s ability to judge and discern impartially, without the influence of emotion or sentimentality. She likes to know the how, what, why, where, when and who of everything to help her make sense of her environment and to better understand others. It is not that she does not care about others but she connects to other people through an intellectual understanding rather than an emotional understanding.
The Queen of Swords reversed indicates that currently you may be thinking more with your heart than your head. You may be very emotionally involved in a particular situation or issue but this may be distorting your perception of the situation at hand. You need to use your head a little bit more to understand what is happening and read the signals more accurately. Look at your situation objectively and think with your head and not your heart as this may give you a better picture of the situation and help you evaluate what you need to do next.
The Queen of Swords is a sign that you need to be independent in thought and in judgement. You must use your unbiased intelligence in order to make a judgement of a particular situation, drawing upon every piece of information and fact that you have gathered along the way.
Similarly, the reversed Queen of Swords suggests that relationships are clouding your usually clear vision. You need to refocus your goals or direction, yet you are hesitating due to a desire not to disturb the positive balance and harmony of your relationships with others. At the end of the day, you need to be more hard-edged, confident and assertive in order to be successful. The reversed Queen of Swords can come across as cold-hearted. Source: www.biddytarot.com (Brigit)
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“
She is a beautiful, introspective woman who sits on a throne at the edge of the sea.
�
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Upright Tarot Card:
Reversed Tarot Card:
No intuition is more powerful than that of the Queen of Cups. She is the pure force of Water, and her connection with the subconscious is rivalled only by the High Priestess. She is often like a mirror, reflecting the hidden depths of others back to them, so they can see their own mysteries for themselves. Thus, the Queen of Cups indicates that you need to trust your intuition and listen to your inner voice. Trust the sensations and the feelings you are getting from your outside environment.
The Queen of Cups reversed suggests that you may be feeling out of touch with your emotions or that you are forced to restrict how you are really feeling deep inside. You may be struggling to express yourself effectively, instead bottling up your feelings internally.
When the Queen of Cups appears in a reading, it suggests that you need to empathise with others and to show true compassion. You are here to support and to teach others, by drawing upon your own intuition and sense of calm and emotional connectedness.
The Queen of Cups reversed suggests some dissatisfaction or feeling of disconnection from your spirituality that has arisen in your life. This may be as simple as a growing realisation that you need to find your path and get more involved on a meaningful level with others in your faith. The Queen of Cups reversed represents an overemotional wreck who can be driven to manipulative and vindictive behaviour. Your mood swings are making life difficult for others and you are emotionally draining.
One of the greatest assets of the Queen of Cups is her ability to sense the needs of those around her. Due to her associations with the element of water, the Queen of Cups can be passive and receptive. Her sensitivity draws those who struggle towards her.
In relationships, this card heralds a time when separating the emotions from any sense of sensibility may be difficult. Strong emotions may seem to take all parties on a roller coaster ride. All members may feel their emotions are a little frayed from stress. Source: www.biddytarot.com (Brigit)
EVERYWOMAN
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The Queen of Wands represents fidelity, warmth, and sustenance.
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Upright Tarot Card:
Reversed Tarot Card:
The Queen of Wands is the dominant feminine energy of the element of Fire. She is not afraid to demonstrate her power to others nor does she shy away from a challenge.
The Queen of Wands reversed card describes a situation in which someone is behaving in a manipulative, pushy or selfish way. One of you seems to be in a chronically bad mood, and is angry, resentful and jealous. You may find yourself being attacked or bullied, or behaving this way yourself. Perceptions are skewed and information is being twisted into lies. Someone is demanding, controlling, petty and narrow-minded.
She is therefore a strong leader who is focused on her desires, intending to get what she wants. Thus, the Queen of Wands indicates that you are strong, independent and able to take care of yourself and sustain your own creative vision. You know what you want and how to get it, and you are masterful at engaging with others to achieve your goals. You are talented at staying fiercely determined and focused on your own goals whilst being friendly and optimistic with those around you. She instils confidence within you and gives you the power and selfassurance that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. The Queen of Wands asks you to be bold and courageous in your undertakings and actions. Your creative energies are high and you have a good sense of your life direction.
The reversed Queen of Wands can also indicate that you have recently lost your confidence in yourself and have become a shrinking violet. You shy away from being in the limelight as you worry that others may think you are not the real deal anymore. You may have even had a recent fall from grace and are now slightly embarrassed about your reputation. What you need to do is restore faith and belief in yourself. Draw from that positive energy that usually lies within and know that you can combat anything once you set your mind to it. Source: www.biddytarot.com (Brigit)
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this month in spirituality
Colour – Silver
Symbol – Spiral
Not to be confused with grey, silver is the metalic colour often associated with the precious metal from which is gets its name. In the design world, silver is linked with the ideas of industrial, sleek, high-tech and modern as well as glamourous and graceful. However, in terms of spirituality, silver is believed to be a “mirror to the soul.” It also represents stability, intuition, dreams, victory, meditation, communication, moon magic
All spirals in spirituality display a form or balance, as they represent both solar and lunar, masculine and feminine energies. Single spiral The single spiral represents creation and selfrealisation as well as expansion of knowledge. Triple spiral The triple spiral, or triskele, is a Celtic symbol which represents the three realms -land, sea and sky- and later represented the Triple Goddess – mother, maiden and crone.
and feminine divinity.
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Diety – Lakshmi
Lakshmi, also known as Sri, is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, fortune and both physical and spiritual prosperity. She is the active energy source and consort of Vishnu, and she is one of the Goddesses worshipped in the Shaktism subset of Hinduism, which the nomadic Romani people (gypsies) are known to follow. Her four hands represent the four goals of human life considered important to the Hindi way of life – Dharma, Kāma, Artha and Moksha
EVERYWOMAN
Stone – Ruby Ruby provides us with the energy for motivation and action, while balancing by reminding us of the vast reservoirs of energy within us. It also helps improve the quality of thought and feeling associated with the heart such as confidence, security, self-esteem and relationships with others. Ruby layout Releasing the hearts potential Laying down place one small ruby over the heart chakra and twelve crystals pointing outward, evenly spaced around you.
Plant – Lady’s Mantle Scientific name Alchemilla vulgaris R. Family Rose (Rosaceae) Name Origin The name Lady’s Mantle refers to the plants shapely, pleated leaves, which resemble a medieval ladies cloak. Habit and range Cold, wet slopes and rocky areas, such as banks of creeks.
Identification Low-growing perennial herb with slender, branched stems reaching up to 30cm in height. The leaves are fan-shaped, having seven to eleven (usually nine) pleated lives with toothed margins. Tiny yellowgreen petalless flowers bloom in loose, divided clusters in summer. Use and properties In folk medicine today, the dried herb is prescribed for diarrhoea, dysentery and for excessive menstruation as well as general bleeding. Taken from Magic and Medicine of Plants by The Readers Digest.
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horoscopes
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Scorpio October 23rd – November 21st
Libra
September 23rd – October 22nd October will be a month of questions and answers for Libra, just ensure that this quest for insight doesn’t lead you to make impulsive decisions. Libra may also encounter love and money this month, but be sure not to hold onto any unneeded relationships or projects as the warning crescents presence in your sector gives you an excellent time to rest and renew.
Scorpio may become more social, so break out those dancing shoes and actually attend the events you’re invited too (no one says that you actually have to dance). Take time to enjoy life and the little things, but make sure you don’t become too self indulgent.
Sagittarius November 22nd – December 21st This month you may find yourself surrounded by limitations, but remember, it’s though these limitations that strong foundations are created. These foundations should help any projects or relationships move forward with strength and energy.
Capricorn December 22nd – January 19th
Aquarius January 20th – February 18th
Pisces February 19th – March 20th
October will be a good time for change for Capricorn’s. Seek change and do something practical, especially about any wishes you have. However, watch out for you “dark” side, as in your quest for change you may become obsessive, power-hungry or destructive.
With two phases of the moon in Aquarius’ sector this month, October is an excellent time for development, refinement and being practical, especially about any wishes you may hold. Use this time wisely to refine and perfect any goals or projects you may have.
With Chiron and Neptune in Retrograde, October may lack reason at times, but it is an excellent time to recognise any emotional and/or mental wounds and beginning to healing them. October will be an excellent time for gentle healing such as yoga and meditation.
Aries March 21st – April 19th
Taurus April 20th – May 20th
Gemini May 21st – June 20th
This month you will be able to look at situations with fresh eyes as your mind, heart and/or life may find a new purpose or path, October is a time for results. This month you will also feel a strong need to be autonomous as loose ends may arise, and your emotions may peak.
For Taurus, October is a great time for communication and removing bad habits, stress or negativity. Consider using a new affinity for communication to seek help in doing this, but make sure you don’t become too complacent with revealing any secrets.
October brings a month of opportunity for Gemini, to release bad habits, negativity or any stresses you may be holding on too. If you achieve this, consider using communication to help others do the same, perhaps find a Taurus as they are on a similar quest to you.
Cancer June 21st – July 23rd
Leo July 24th – August 22nd
Virgo August 23rd – September 22nd
Take a deep breath in… and release. For Cancer, October is a calm time for retrospect, reflection and release, a time for positivity. When things get tough, try to focus on the positive, and remember to breath.
With no planet, moon, sun or comet forces in your sector this month, Leo may feel a bit lost, or unemotional. In this time you must remember that this won’t last forever, and in the vastness of space, you are never alone.
With Venus’ life and Mars’ sex forces in Virgo’s sector this month, you may find yourself willing to start new relationships. This is also a good time to rest and renew, so remember to have a good ol’ bit of “me” time.
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le type de loup
le plus dangeroux
Upon the eve of her arrival in his cold stone castle, a Lord gives his growing, grieving daughter a fox fur coat. ‘It will keep you warm, while you learn to like it here,’ he explains as she paws at the soft red hood chosen, she later learns, for her namesake. Scarlett keeps it close, as she learns her place as heir to a Father she loves dear, but never does learn to love the cold. So with his passing she keeps it, and his name, and shrugs off the mist and fog of her home and travels to the sunlit court where her Mother died, and takes her rightful, prideful place among their number. They call her a beauty, with her fair skin and dark eyes and cinched waist. The women think her a handful, with her sharp wit and sharper tongue and the sharpest mind. The men regard her a prize to be won, her fortune theirs for the taking, if they can take her too. And here, she learns, as they tell stories of gentlemen who are all man and not at all gentle; rakes intent on ploughing to sow their seed; rouges with silver tongues that lap at the hem of a skirt only to slip away wordless into the night. She is wary of these men, but unafraid. For she sees through them, and their flirting and charm to, what they really are—wolves who would be men with clothes to match—and she wears their pelts for warmth. She never did learn to love the cold. So she rugs up warm with sunshine on her face and does what she likes with her life, and she is not afraid. Until she realises the possibility of wolves who would be women. She does not recognise her at first, as she sweeps into court to stand tall and statuesque in their company, skin still warm with the sand and sun of her distant land. Does not recognise the charm of her pretty words as she enchants the court, too distracted is she by the prettier mouth on a face carved of marble. Does not recognise the symptoms within herself, as she dreams of hair spun of gold and eyes that sparkle brighter than the midnight sky.
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She does not see things for what they truly are, too delighted is she to have an equal—wit just as sharp and a mind to match—with whom to share the season as it draws to a close. A ball marks its passing. Scarlett, as always, in name-matched robes, and she, she, sweeping through the room in silver and blue as the court begs for stories and smiles. She complies, flitting around the room a gracious guest, till she comes to stand toe to toe in front of dear, darling Scarlett. Her eyes glitter mischief as she extends out a hand. ‘Would the lady care for a dance?’ The world blurs as they spin and twirl, hand in hand and their bodies pressed tight, as a crescendo fills the room around them. Scarlett feels her eyes fall to her friend’s smiling lips and wonders what they would feel like against hers. She shivers at the thought and it terrifies her. she runs, from the clamour of the ballroom to the safety of her bedchamber, hoping to be left alone. Praying to be followed. The candlelight flickers and Scarlett thinks, for the first time in her life, of wolves with rouge red cheeks and peach sweet lips and sparkling kohl lined eyes, who would charm women to do the beast with two backs and both draped in silk and lined in lace. A soft voice calls her name through the bedroom door and she whimpers; wohhhnders how long ago she was caught and cannot find it within herself to care. ‘Why did you leave?’ Her wolf grins feral as Scarlett opens the door wide to let her inside. ‘It was only a dance?’ ‘No,’ she counters, the itch beneath her skin searing red-hot and delicious. ‘I do not think it was.’ And as she pulls them to the floor, a heap of red silk and dark fur, and begs to be eaten alive, Scarlett knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that wolves who would be women are the most dangerous kind of all. And she is not afraid.
EVERYWOMAN
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flavours. N X R P Q N B L A C K C H E R R Y L S
I M O C H A A L M O N D F U D G E F K
D P U C R E T T U B T U N A E P Y R C
N O M N A R A W C C T O E X U P D Z E N O N P P I Y G L L Z A WO R M Z P D I W Z S V N Q V X M N Q N E N C A R T
BLACK CHERRY BUBBLE GUM BUTTER PECAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH COOKIES AND CREAM
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L A S E M N T I C D M P Q N Z C L H E
A I T N P P O H A O R D A K T E H V S
O N R A H R G C S Z T N I E A C T A O
I H B O A W E B R M B U E W E T O K W C A Y T O E O T G N Q S V H R N I O M
C A T W S H B E R A L L F MM B B L Z V T A L O T C L B U P Y X B E T B N C T N K K Z C D O N A U V C L L A P O T
COTTON CANDY FRENCH VANILLA MINT CHIP MOCHA ALMOND FUDGE NEAPOLITAN NUTTY COCONUT
S E R I P E G C K D X D Y U P B N C S
I P R B Y J N A V N G U A A O H T G P U Y O R D T E B I N K WO D O D C X Y
S D E T T X V M V A ME E R C C Z D A N Y A B S S E G I D K U O I O U C Y S
PEANUT BUTTERCUP PISTACHIO ALMOND PRALINE PECAN RAINBOW SHERBERT ROCKY ROAD STRAWBERRY
EVERYWOMAN
When I wore pink, You called me girly, And said I was trying to be "the stereotype of femininity". I just wanted to wear pink. –Beckawecka 2015
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Eliza Munro
Samantha Sullivan
meet the editors
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Yasmin Ruddy
Sophie Nilssen
Lily Hamann
EVERYWOMAN
letter from the editors A DESIGN STATEMENT FROM ELIZA, LILY, SAMANTHA AND YASMIN The Every Woman issue of Sense aims to create a platform where every woman can feel an inclusive connection, regardless of age, size, shape, sexual orientation, colour, beliefs, likes or dislikes. Whether it's sexuality, spirituality or lifestyle, we're sure that we have something for every woman, and perhaps even something for every man as well... The pastel colour scheme not only allows us to use a range of colours (hopefully including your favourite) but also gives the magazine a feminine vibe - reminiscent of the patriarchally determined styles of our foresisters. However colour wasn’t the only thing we collaborated on; Everything you see in these pages has been the result of numerous decisions about things such as borders, fonts and text size, made to achieve an outcome that not only represents our understanding of what it is to be women, but to bring you the best viewing experience possible. With five separate womanly minds bringing you 30 jam-packed pages, we’re sure you, your mother, your sister, and your best friend will find something that you love, and perhaps even something that you didn’t know before... We hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed making it. Love, the Sense Every Woman team.
We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. That’s okay. –Laverne Cox
Q & A with the team. Q: Why did you choose to study design? Sophie: I chose design because I wanted to do something with my hands. I’ve always been a physical learner, I need to pick something up and feel it out to see how to works, I’ve always been fascinated with new technologies, how they can be used to create whole new experiences that old technologies might not be able to. Also, I just really like drawing. So, with design I get to combine those interests! Q: If you could give one piece of advice to all the young girls in the world, what would it be? Samantha: Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough or pretty enough, that your weird or useless...at the end of the day you’ve only got yourself and no one else matters! Do you, be you and don’t let anyone else tell you different because you can do anything you want as long as you put in the time and work. No one can stop you! Q: What would you like to see in the future for women? Lily: Obviously equality, however, I would also like to see the self confidence levels of girls raise so high that makeup companies have to start advertising towards artists rather than everyone, and to see the trend of women adopting dogs rather than having babies continue, because we shouldn’t have to have babies to be considered women.
Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. –(Unknown)
Q: Who do you think is a good female icon/ role model and why? Eliza: As a child one of my biggest female role models was Hermoine Granger from the Harry Potter series (like most other girls my age). Hermoine was strong-willed, hardworking and most of all she was an absolute bad ass. As I have grown my female role model is no longer the character of Hermoine but the actor who plays her, Emma Watson. Emma is much like Hermoine- dedicated to fighting for gender equality. She is a devoted feminist preaching the importance of equality to the likes of the United Nations! A fantastic role model for everyone no matter their gender, race, identity or age. Q: What is your favourite quote about women and why? Yasmin: I love this quote by Miranda Kerr (see back cover) because straight up I love flowers, who doesn’t! There’s something about their delicate petals, beautiful colours and amazing aromas. Take your time really to pick out the details of a flower and you notice the little unique aspects that make it special and beautiful in the same way. Now look at yourself and don’t compare to others, look at your own details and know that these aspects are what make you the individual being you are today. Appreciate them and flaunt them because who wouldn’t want to live in a world with the greatest range of unique and colourful flowers? Own it.
Well-behaved women seldom make history. –Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
What do you fear, Lady? A cage –J.R.R Tolkien
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I want to encourage women to embrace their own uniqueness. Because just like a rose is beautiful, so is a sunflower, so is a peony. I mean, all flowers are beautiful in their own way, and that’s like women too. - Miranda Kerr