When one is inflated by gratuitous water and air, AKA family money, opportunities, and connections, which s/he took for granted but did not share, but then life might impel him/her to shed unearned abundance; and s/he will deflate.
Or when we use our Zayin to maintain status quo at another’s expense, we’re left sagging and spent – stoop-ed, lined, and grey with tight thin lips.
Harshness ages us. Then we become old, wrinkled and drawn.
Our mesodermal body, subject to time and percussion, eventually compacts, dehydrates and wears down when immersed in a world of harsh painful vibration- be they sounds or the intentions behind them. Micro-insults add up directed to you or at someone else.
With that, we get further out of balance – Koyaanisqatsi, say the Hopis. Perhaps we fall forward – rushing to catch up. Or perhaps fall backwards – forced into surrendering.
With that, the rest of our world follows; we’re in a constant state of overreaction. Everything feels late- already, and we start using too much catch-up (ketchup) and stolen energy.
(While some argue ketchup is a vegetable, mostly its salt and sugar- artificially grounding and sweetening us when we can’t find it within).
While we can argue chicken or egg as to who created more unbalanced and f’earful behavior, it is more ouroboros- snake recreating itself by eating its tail.
As soon as we stop eating it – the lies and worries about not being enough or being too much, we’ll start to lighten up. (And you’ll shed those sycophant friends who drain you when they can. Really they are more like fiends- caring only for themselves and not giving in return.)
*
Mothers hone dualism by their actions and words, according to their mothers, aunts, and sisters. So perhaps we could assign them responsible for many Zayins created; dad and grandad for sure back them up-often by not always implied threats. The patriarchy’s influence is a constant thread present in the warp of our life’s tapestry. I’m not sure a council of elders, be the men or women is necessarily the answer we need for a vibrant future.
*
For instance, while one can learn quite a lot from other’s mistakes, when observed directly like in a public classroom. Every opportunity is a ‘teacher’.
However, talking about the “black sheep” uncle or aunt- who didn’t hone closely to the traditions of lineage- followed by the ‘now look where they are…’, cautionary stories- while you might think are helpful, they actually keep us small.
I used to hear them all the time in my family – talking about one or both of my parents from my blood relatives. As I was their offspring and in my relative’s eyes, a product of my parents, I’d go home wrestling with “what if.. I become them for real”? Maybe I’d become another black sheep fodder story (though no doubt I have- maybe the universe was giving me a heads up after all).
As the stories are not directly about you or the one speaking them, these are gossip- and a version of “Telephone”- so become distorted by their telling. Furthermore, they reflect a form of coveting, ‘I wish they’d be..according to my or someone else’s judgment.’ These wound our inner sense of sovereignty
We can not know another’s world or why they made said choices – unless they tell us of course- and we listen. Everything’s a symptom; not really a sign (even if it caused a tangible and measurable result).
Hu(e)-mans choose actions at the spur of a moment from a repertoire of ‘tools’ they’ve heard of, read about, or seen- as well as the responses elicited by and from others in their collective. The latter of which might be the underlying motivation all along.
When those tools shift – so will behaviors. But the desire to change is lead from within -so one’s soma self feels “even better” and “happier”- not from another’s shaming or blaming.
**
Like it or not, the bully ‘king’ gets to make up everything – all the rules. And he does, just to see how many hoops you, Mr. or Ms. Vav/Vau ו will jump through. Meanwhile he’s laughing all the way to the bank.
When I think of present day bully kings, I’m thinking of public (or father) figures who model insensitive and arrogant behavior. When given opportunity, they impose their world view- and then hold the rest hostage. We’ve got quite a number of them in the “news” these days.
Often lineages that gave rise to such creatures find the U.S.A., with its explicit freedoms, access to resources, and business protections, quite attractive. Welcomed through Ellis Isle, they’ve come from all over the globe.
Here and now, the bullies are getting together- more like clashing. They’re seeing themselves in others’ projection and they sometimes don’t like what they see. As their voices gain traction, these rich (and they are -as they came for the capitalism and busted their butts) turn to media to foment even louder; they answer to no one (at least until now).
****
Please know, as far as Vav/Vau goes, the bully will let you go when you’re no longer useful. He knows he has wide sources from which to choose supporters. He has done his homework.
And there will be others to do his bidding for him. He has no loyalty other than to himself – or to his projected G-d (or g-ds of money and power). He doesn’t personally care if you starve- especially if you’re not in his collective- which most of us aren’t.
(Pray for him or her, it’s how they were treated as chattel growing up too- this is at heart of my “narcissi (st) essay.)
So, if you’re involved with him, please support your back ups- work on your self-esteem!
***
In such hu(e)-manity immersed in duality, his or hers, us vs. them, rich vs poor, we use our bee-leafs as shields from others, instead of to share with.
Other than talking about our babies (which are great, don’t get me wrong), we rarely discuss our tangible creations- those we’ve created with our hands. For instance, I know of no venue where I can share mine – stone necklace and bead creations, in any low stakes way.
I could rent a table at a trade show, but then I’m (stuck) “manning” my booth -so can’t visit others. And there the goal is not to schmooze or learn from others, but to sell. It’s not a place to work ~quietly.
With more collectives of adults working with their hands on their projects, modeled on programs such as the U.S.Army MWR, our communities would strengthen.
Form sewing and textile collectives, woodworking collectives, metal-working collectives, cooking collectives (and all their specialty branches)- ideally house together in a single building. Lol, they will be workhouses, but places of delight not misery. Put them in~every city; we’d fuel countless (essential) niche markets – as many demographics have their ‘quirks’.
There is no perfect one-size-fits-all anything!
Being open and staffed from 9-5, would create opportunity for admixing of demographics – opportunity to meet others different than you in terms of (uncontrollable) factors like age, sex, race, etc.
By seeing others engaging in what they l’ove, people can relax. Barriers between them will soften (at last), as people become (locally) individuals to each other despite their diversity.
With our projects sitting in front of us – like an idealized Santa’s workshop, we might work on our own finishing touches while engaging in low stakes conversations- like which is a prettier blue or a better sandpaper to use. We might OOOh! and AAAH! someone’s creation we had no idea was even possible – let alone by him or her!
Talk about a way to build self-esteem! And did you know that when you feel good about someone else’s work, you receive the benefit of that gratitude.
There’d be ongoing camaraderie-especially when (free) hot chocolate’s involved. Thus, such a place one can visit and be useful at the same time.
*
Furthermore each ‘specialty’ will have their own national (and international) conventions. There would be reunions, parties, and celebrations – opportunities for people to feel good about themselves. The entertainment industry won’t have to rely on it’s 3% extremes anymore- especially alcohol establishments.
*
As we acknowledge and engage with others who may or may not look like us, we grow emotionally -and become less reactive. THis shifts our tone in life and lightens our collectives mutually.
Preferences are heart-lead – they should be honored as such. Once you’ve got some exposure to the world of tools and crafting – you’ll l’ove to talk of what you l’ove doing- and another will want to listen (sometimes)! So perhaps stick to discussing about tangible stuff- like what is in front of you.
Eschew discussions such as the immeasurable depths of your intimate relationships- which are no one’s business except yours and your beloveds. Keep those to your journal or relationship specialist.
* ***
Of course no one is all Vav/Vau or all Zayin/Zain – even though those 2-3% of us on the extremes of the spectrum might be forgiven for believing (bee-leafing) so[1].
Luckily for hu(e)-mans, we can do any one of them, once we are trained. During the pandemic, retirees who had skill-based hobbies did better financially than those who didn’t; they had more gigs and pocket money.
May it be so our teachers are patient with us while we l’earn – learn a (new) world’s labyrinth, and become efficient in it. We were all very beginner once.
That said, the nectar will be sweetest, when there’s a nice garden nearby- for that you need to hone from your creator G-d self.
Don’t be busy for busy-ness sake but for something creative, fun, lasting, and worthwhile.
*****
Zayin’s hilt can become worn and slippery; his/her blade dull and rusted. Then s/he’ll be overtaken by a younger version of him/herself and will learn to sit down. Then, may it be so, s/he’ll learn to access new ways of thinking and doing- heeling to serve his/her higher self’s ideal for congruence.
(I talk about how Vav/Vau breaks down in part 3).
As well we can do with less energy of constant searching, roaming, and avoiding -so EAT LESS MEAT-as you are (every molecule of) what you eat -as well as the lineage of its energy.
Sorry, but to vegetarians (and other energy sensitive individuals), cow, chicken, and pork-eating folk are obvious – especially when there are preferences.
**
The converse is possible! When we build more ease, dance, rest, singing, and creation into our schedule- we’ll be more grounded and sweeter ourselves[2].
Soma self knows exactly what the G-dhead did to get to a state, every step of it (and why), even if Zayin’s eyes are blinded.
***
Vav/Vau is not Cheth. Goals, boundaries, and forms aren’t for him/her inherent- which Cheth represents (and are underwritten by our inner sense of Saturn). These might need reminding especially when not the norm. A person must choose for him or herself.
When I’m in typical western (agnostic/atheist) community, I wear talismans I’ve made to remind myself of my commitments to my higher self’s aims. Even though this suggests I doubt, I’m hu(e)-man too. For me this is often a simple wire bracelet – gold-filled wire binding and bound with silver (gold might be considered solar/ silver lunar- together are a coherent being); to either side ones of stone and crystal; and/or a filigree Flower of life pendant necklace. Yup, to some I look like I’m wearing “hippie” jewelry.
These remind to keep focus on what I want, rather than responding to other’s drama (dr. Ama with Her melodrama.)
You can do what you want; they all work. But smile and keep your lips soft; you’ll need less Botox later.
But “reminding” about goals and boundaries, isn’t by stuffing them down anyone’s throat or otherwise force feeding the way some “churches” today are advocating- especially when they’re themselves hotbeds of projection and hypocrisy.
Then you’ll get push back and rejection- such as by putting up “The Ten Commandments” in public places- where privilege (private law) is rampant, along with hypocrisy.
Don’t post those ideas – model them.
Sure if you’re a pastor or priest, put them up in your office by all means – especially if you are LITERAL in your interpretation (so you don’t support wars or abortion). Don’t impose your views on others- but it’s OK to ask questions about their bases.
Trust all is for their highest good – they too already stand with G-d, whether they know it or not.
But then that’s Koyaanisqatsi all over again – we need the old and new together.
Blessings (and this is the end of Vav/Vau series!)
[1] Bee-leafing – we all serve our queen of self. In order to get honey, we stay busy. Depending on our beliefs about what we are good at- we choose jobs- often working for someone else. None are incorrect- we need all of them. Some jobs create pollen, some propolis, a few nectar; others stay home to mind and patch up the hive – others take care of babies in their bee hive’s nursery.. While each can feel fun – as workers or drones or nurses – they don’t know about the other ones. Bees don’t cross-train, whereas hu(e)-mans can.
[2] What I’ve described are qualities of Venus and Neptune which now are f’eared and scorned (especially the latter), other than interpretations limited to money or fantasy. Venus is our beauty; Neptune is our rough unfaceted fractal of self- both are essential.
