https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20180918/psychedlic-drugs-to-treat-depression-ptsd
There are many studies being done that show that psychedelic drugs can have very positive effects on stubborn forms of depression and PTSD that more conventional medications can't fix. They're effective for our veterans, and I believe they could help more broadly in our culture, where despair has taken root so deeply that violence has become commonplace.
As always, my belief is that we need to stop waging war against substances, that the government needs to regulate the market and treat addiction as a health problem. Note also that psychedelic mushrooms are being tested in treatment for addiction to other substances.
Psychedelic culture we recognize from the '60's on is all about love. I see it as a potential cure for the hate we see so prominently in America and around the world in recent years. When nothing else is working- mass violence is more and more commonplace- we need to try unconventional therapy.
I recommend more funding to these clinics that are experimenting with psychedelics, I recommend studying the culture (make love, not war), and I recommend exploring the benefits of legalizing a regulated market (safer drugs and dosing, selling to adults only, smaller prison populations, tax revenue, etc.)
Monday, April 29, 2019
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The Ritual of the Witching Hour
The space was defined
Cleansed and prepared
When the stars aligned
The Gods brought there
A Priestess of Light
And a Priest of the Night
Great power of Earth
And all Heaven's might
Words of Power
Witches' Brew
Imbibed by the Priestess
To channel Truth
Removed from space
Outside of time
Their two wills merged
Boundaries redefined
God's invoked:
Anubis and Inanna
The Descent was lead by
The Psychopomp
Unlocked the gates
Removed the veils
By the River Styx
On which he sailed
He knelt at her altar
Worshipped her form
Holiest communion
Blood bond is born
For the Priestess of Light
And the Priest of the Night
Becoming as One
Through the Great Rite
In Perfect Love
And Perfect Trust
He held her until
They had enough
Ambrosia to satisfy
Olympian gods
She rose from the dead
And they set off
Back to the world
Of mortals, above
Each taking with them
Sacrement of Love
Priestess of Light
Priest of the Night
Twin flames forever
Soul mates for life
Cleansed and prepared
When the stars aligned
The Gods brought there
A Priestess of Light
And a Priest of the Night
Great power of Earth
And all Heaven's might
Words of Power
Witches' Brew
Imbibed by the Priestess
To channel Truth
Removed from space
Outside of time
Their two wills merged
Boundaries redefined
God's invoked:
Anubis and Inanna
The Descent was lead by
The Psychopomp
Unlocked the gates
Removed the veils
By the River Styx
On which he sailed
He knelt at her altar
Worshipped her form
Holiest communion
Blood bond is born
For the Priestess of Light
And the Priest of the Night
Becoming as One
Through the Great Rite
In Perfect Love
And Perfect Trust
He held her until
They had enough
Ambrosia to satisfy
Olympian gods
She rose from the dead
And they set off
Back to the world
Of mortals, above
Each taking with them
Sacrement of Love
Priestess of Light
Priest of the Night
Twin flames forever
Soul mates for life
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Use of "I" statements vs. Narcissism
All my life, people have accused me of being a narcissist. I'm not going to deny that I use a lot of "I" statements and tend to talk about my favorite subjects. In fact, those are both symptoms of my Asperger Syndrome. Honestly, I don't know any other way to communicate, partly because I don't have very good social skills, and my brain is wired very differently from most people's. My perspective is the only one from which I know how to approach the world, and my experiences are the only vehicle with which I can explore it. I am sorry this offends people.
It does not mean I don't care about other people's experiences or feelings. I love to learn new things. It does mean that as a person on the autism spectrum, the reality inside my head is the only one available to me, and the only one I am able to communicate.
It took a lot of conscious effort on my part to learn how to have a 2-way conversation, and I am still trying to figure out this whole business of social interaction. I'm doing the best I can.
Narcissism doesn't necessarily require "I" statements or overt social missteps, such as interruptions. Rather, the hallmark of narcissism is how one judges those around them, and can be done in perfect silence. The thought, "at least I don't act like that," is all ego, and when people are irritated by certain qualities in others, those are the qualities they are most guilty of themselves. Assigning motives to another is a sure sign of something you should work on yourself.
I'm not saying I'm perfect, by any means, and know I have a long way to go in terms of personal growth. It would be nice to see other people take that same responsibility, rather than point out how it's all about me, but I respect the proscess of self-actualization, and will try to refrain from judgement. "Do unto others" is the key, and I know how painful it is to be judged. This is an analysis, not intended to make anyone change or feel bad. Self-improvement is the hardest thing in the world.
It does not mean I don't care about other people's experiences or feelings. I love to learn new things. It does mean that as a person on the autism spectrum, the reality inside my head is the only one available to me, and the only one I am able to communicate.
It took a lot of conscious effort on my part to learn how to have a 2-way conversation, and I am still trying to figure out this whole business of social interaction. I'm doing the best I can.
Narcissism doesn't necessarily require "I" statements or overt social missteps, such as interruptions. Rather, the hallmark of narcissism is how one judges those around them, and can be done in perfect silence. The thought, "at least I don't act like that," is all ego, and when people are irritated by certain qualities in others, those are the qualities they are most guilty of themselves. Assigning motives to another is a sure sign of something you should work on yourself.
I'm not saying I'm perfect, by any means, and know I have a long way to go in terms of personal growth. It would be nice to see other people take that same responsibility, rather than point out how it's all about me, but I respect the proscess of self-actualization, and will try to refrain from judgement. "Do unto others" is the key, and I know how painful it is to be judged. This is an analysis, not intended to make anyone change or feel bad. Self-improvement is the hardest thing in the world.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Open letter to Trump on 1st Amendment
Dear President-Elect Donald Trump,
Stop attacking our First Amendment.
In the past year, you have Tweeted about limiting Press rights, opening libel laws, discriminating based on religion, criticized those who have exercised their freedom of speech such as protesters (also protected by peaceful assembly laws) and the cast of Hamilton, and even threatened people's citizenship over the court-protected act of flag burning.
This is not acceptable from someone who would be our President, because this is our first and most sacred Right and Freedom. It is what separates us from dictatorships. Threatening to diminish our First Amendment in any way should be seen as nothing less than a personal threat to every citizen of the United States of America.
Get over your ego, and get used to criticism- it comes with the job. Pay attention to how often you exercise your First Amendment, and imagine if your speech and religion were threatened. Do unto others.
Presidency is not a license to make us love you. If someone criticizes you, they probably have a point. You have the choice to be a big crybaby on Twitter like you usually do, or you can look at it as the point where your job as President begins, as chief negotiator, to make our lives better. This is the Land of the Free- if you can't take it, you don't deserve to be our President.
Please prove me wrong- that you can be the best President ever by making us the most free and happy people ever. Help us trust you by being transparent. Otherwise you've set up an Orwellian nightmare. This terrifies me.
Thank you for listening.
Raven Wildchild
Stop attacking our First Amendment.
In the past year, you have Tweeted about limiting Press rights, opening libel laws, discriminating based on religion, criticized those who have exercised their freedom of speech such as protesters (also protected by peaceful assembly laws) and the cast of Hamilton, and even threatened people's citizenship over the court-protected act of flag burning.
This is not acceptable from someone who would be our President, because this is our first and most sacred Right and Freedom. It is what separates us from dictatorships. Threatening to diminish our First Amendment in any way should be seen as nothing less than a personal threat to every citizen of the United States of America.
Get over your ego, and get used to criticism- it comes with the job. Pay attention to how often you exercise your First Amendment, and imagine if your speech and religion were threatened. Do unto others.
Presidency is not a license to make us love you. If someone criticizes you, they probably have a point. You have the choice to be a big crybaby on Twitter like you usually do, or you can look at it as the point where your job as President begins, as chief negotiator, to make our lives better. This is the Land of the Free- if you can't take it, you don't deserve to be our President.
Please prove me wrong- that you can be the best President ever by making us the most free and happy people ever. Help us trust you by being transparent. Otherwise you've set up an Orwellian nightmare. This terrifies me.
Thank you for listening.
Raven Wildchild
Monday, November 21, 2016
Why We Should Care About Trump's Tweets.
Kellyanne Conway asked reporters, "Why do you care?" when asked about President-elect Trump's tweets scolding the cast of Hamilton. “In other words, who is to say that he can't do that, make a comment, spend five minutes on a tweet and making a comment and still be the president-elect?” she continued.
Trump posted several tweets on the subject.
Donald J. Trump
So here's my explanation as to why we SHOULD care.
1. Trump thought it was important enough to post on a public forum, and Twitter is currently the only news we are receiving directly from Mr. Trump. Asking about his opinions is not only valid, but essential to our understanding of the man who holds power over our future.
2. Trump didn't tweet about his first 100 days, leading us to wonder why he's more concerned about lashing out at people with a different opinion than laying out his agenda.
3. He demanded an apology for rudeness, which is one of the most hypocritical things he could do.
4. Trump exaggerated the offense that wasn't even offensive, and there's a name for this: gaslighting. His behaviors frequently fit the patterns of emotional abuse, and this should not be ignored. This is how domestic abusers talk about the women they batter.
5. It makes us wonder if Trump will complain EVERY time someone uses free speech to an end with which Trump disagrees, or if he may take a harsher tactic once he is in power. This is truly terrifying.
6. He's twisting the truth again. Hamilton's cast tried to be polite, even calling Pence "sir," but it doesn't fit Trump's petulant narrative of how "very rude" the whole world is to him, so he "rebranded" it as "harassment." His spreading of misinformation and closing out the press mirror famous grabs for power, and now nothing the state-owned media of Russia says can be trusted. Freedom of the Press and Speech are essential to an informed democracy.
7. We have been warned about Trump's love for revenge, and though he may candy-coat it with victim-blaming, unleashing his Twitter followers is a classic Trump move to make sure the people he disagrees with truly are harassed. He destroys people financially and socially all the time, and it often starts with a tweet. Will he up the ante as President? Who is next?
8. Has Conway seriously never heard of Orwell's 1984?
Trump posted several tweets on the subject.
Donald J. Trump
The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
He also claimed the cast had "harassed" Pence, though the Veep- elect said he wasn't offended. The cast spoke from the stage, saying “we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir.”
Conway's defensiveness on the issue is notable. She accused the reporter of "assigning malice and wrongdoing to him where it doesn't exist," and attempted to deflect the question by saying that Trump's 100-day agenda was more important. More on that exchange can be found here.
So here's my explanation as to why we SHOULD care.
1. Trump thought it was important enough to post on a public forum, and Twitter is currently the only news we are receiving directly from Mr. Trump. Asking about his opinions is not only valid, but essential to our understanding of the man who holds power over our future.
2. Trump didn't tweet about his first 100 days, leading us to wonder why he's more concerned about lashing out at people with a different opinion than laying out his agenda.
3. He demanded an apology for rudeness, which is one of the most hypocritical things he could do.
4. Trump exaggerated the offense that wasn't even offensive, and there's a name for this: gaslighting. His behaviors frequently fit the patterns of emotional abuse, and this should not be ignored. This is how domestic abusers talk about the women they batter.
5. It makes us wonder if Trump will complain EVERY time someone uses free speech to an end with which Trump disagrees, or if he may take a harsher tactic once he is in power. This is truly terrifying.
6. He's twisting the truth again. Hamilton's cast tried to be polite, even calling Pence "sir," but it doesn't fit Trump's petulant narrative of how "very rude" the whole world is to him, so he "rebranded" it as "harassment." His spreading of misinformation and closing out the press mirror famous grabs for power, and now nothing the state-owned media of Russia says can be trusted. Freedom of the Press and Speech are essential to an informed democracy.
7. We have been warned about Trump's love for revenge, and though he may candy-coat it with victim-blaming, unleashing his Twitter followers is a classic Trump move to make sure the people he disagrees with truly are harassed. He destroys people financially and socially all the time, and it often starts with a tweet. Will he up the ante as President? Who is next?
8. Has Conway seriously never heard of Orwell's 1984?
Saturday, September 3, 2016
On Creating a Sexually Healthy Society
I am very vocal about my support for the legalization of cannabis, which is the topic of several of my blog posts, but today I'm coming out in support of an even more controversial subject: the legalization of prostitution. Despite my history in the adult industry, this is not something I have ever engaged in, drawing a hard line between my work and sex. I was propositioned many times during my early 20's, and it made me angry. But after the last, particularly infuriating proposition, I had a conversation with a friend that opened my mind to thinking about prositution completely differently.
Today, I see the issues of cannabis prohibition and illegal prostitution as having very similar socio-economic implications. Consumer demand for these products/services has not disappeared despite their legal status, and it is foolish to expect it to do so after millennia of human nature. Thus, the black market abounds.
But it is the impact on culture that most concerns me in regard to prohibition of prostitution. Lest we forget, prositutes were the world's first professionals, and women were powerful where it flourished. It is the morality of patriarchy that condemns the practice, and puts control over sex firmly in the hands of males.
Sexuality is intrinsically bound to our humanity; there is no escape from this truth. Indeed, the need for sexual fulfillment often trumps reasoned thought, and society puts massive amounts of subliminal pressure on the female population to keep the males satisfied. The world is full of Brock Turners and Roger Ailes-types, and we women know that men who aren't satisfied can be dangerous.
It is a great paradox that our culture values females primarily as sexual objects, yet putting a price tag on that value is forbidden. It's no wonder girls develop self-esteem issues, when it's so common for girls to be lured into sexual relationships by males who see them only as a pretty face and a chance to get off.
What if there were an acceptable way to satisfy the physical needs without emotionally abusing another human being? What would it be like if women knew what men were willing to pay for a quick thrill? If a night with a person one didn't intend to love had a standardized value, I bet a lot fewer women would feel pressured to give in to sex when they're not interested. Most women want to consider themselves to be more valuable than a whore, and suddenly dinner and a movie would seem really cheap. If virginity were a commodity, I bet girls would have more incentive to keep it longer, even if they never intended to do sex work.
Much of my Adult industry work revolved around the kink/fetish/BDSM scene. If sex is frequently a taboo topic in our culture, "strange" sex is even more so. In my experience, most people have fantasies beyond the vanilla, but are very afraid of exploring them. Sooner or later they tend to bubble to the surface, and our society gives us no guidance on how to address them in a healthy manner.
The popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey demonstrates how widespread the BDSM fantasy is- it certainly wasn't the quality of writing that made it a bestseller. And then you wonder how many rapes and kidnappings and other horrible things could be prevented if only the perp had a consenting partner to play out their fantasy safely. Given the option of following an S&M club's rules or go to prison over a similar experience, I know which I'd choose.
People who frequent such establishments tend to take physical, mental, emotional, and sexual safety very seriously, as opposed to people who experiment at home. Unfortunately, dungeons are common targets of conservative vitriol, preventing them from offering the community services they truly provide.
It is well established that more sexually oppressed cultures have more problems with sexual violence, disease, and unwanted pregnancy, and that women are more subjugated. We see this clearly in the Middle East, with the daesh openly engaging in human trafficking, rape, predation of children, etc. Contrary to what the GOP likes to believe, these men are not using pornography or strip clubs to fuel their desires; rather, the lack of available outlets encourages them to victimize others.
Here in the U.S., I've been infuriated to hear people say that a girl "asked for it" by wearing something provocative, but the major flaw in this argument is that the man who victimized her is the one who decides whether the outfit is provocative or not. For the Islamic State, going without a veil qualifies. Imagine someone saying, "Look at that slut, you can see her nose." All too real.
Oy, the phrase "plain as the nose on her face" suddenly becomes lewd...
At the other end of the spectrum, my religion Wicca celebrates sexuality, and I enjoy myself greatly at clothing-optional events. Never once have I been mistreated because of my nudity, and on the rare occasion I have experienced leering, other participants step in to make sure I am safe. The culture is built on feminism, and it is the polar opposite of "prude."
I hear a lot of Christians describe sex as "sacred," but I have never seen that in practice. (Sadly, I have heard a lot about Catholic sex abuse scandals; I would hope that's not what they mean.) Wiccans include sexual symbolism in their rituals ("As the athame enters the chalice, so the Lord enters the Lady.") and have rituals designed for the bedroom. Covens often hold workshops on healthy sexuality because it's important and relevant, and it brings the community closer. There's a lot of openness and trust in our culture as a result.
To conclude, I think we could improve gender inequality, rates of violent crime, spread of disease, and unwanted pregnancies by legalizing/regulating prostitution and by providing more sexual education to the public. I've got great ideas for the latter, if someone wants to fund it.
Additional reading: The Ethical Slut
Today, I see the issues of cannabis prohibition and illegal prostitution as having very similar socio-economic implications. Consumer demand for these products/services has not disappeared despite their legal status, and it is foolish to expect it to do so after millennia of human nature. Thus, the black market abounds.
But it is the impact on culture that most concerns me in regard to prohibition of prostitution. Lest we forget, prositutes were the world's first professionals, and women were powerful where it flourished. It is the morality of patriarchy that condemns the practice, and puts control over sex firmly in the hands of males.
Sexuality is intrinsically bound to our humanity; there is no escape from this truth. Indeed, the need for sexual fulfillment often trumps reasoned thought, and society puts massive amounts of subliminal pressure on the female population to keep the males satisfied. The world is full of Brock Turners and Roger Ailes-types, and we women know that men who aren't satisfied can be dangerous.
It is a great paradox that our culture values females primarily as sexual objects, yet putting a price tag on that value is forbidden. It's no wonder girls develop self-esteem issues, when it's so common for girls to be lured into sexual relationships by males who see them only as a pretty face and a chance to get off.
What if there were an acceptable way to satisfy the physical needs without emotionally abusing another human being? What would it be like if women knew what men were willing to pay for a quick thrill? If a night with a person one didn't intend to love had a standardized value, I bet a lot fewer women would feel pressured to give in to sex when they're not interested. Most women want to consider themselves to be more valuable than a whore, and suddenly dinner and a movie would seem really cheap. If virginity were a commodity, I bet girls would have more incentive to keep it longer, even if they never intended to do sex work.
Much of my Adult industry work revolved around the kink/fetish/BDSM scene. If sex is frequently a taboo topic in our culture, "strange" sex is even more so. In my experience, most people have fantasies beyond the vanilla, but are very afraid of exploring them. Sooner or later they tend to bubble to the surface, and our society gives us no guidance on how to address them in a healthy manner.
The popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey demonstrates how widespread the BDSM fantasy is- it certainly wasn't the quality of writing that made it a bestseller. And then you wonder how many rapes and kidnappings and other horrible things could be prevented if only the perp had a consenting partner to play out their fantasy safely. Given the option of following an S&M club's rules or go to prison over a similar experience, I know which I'd choose.
People who frequent such establishments tend to take physical, mental, emotional, and sexual safety very seriously, as opposed to people who experiment at home. Unfortunately, dungeons are common targets of conservative vitriol, preventing them from offering the community services they truly provide.
It is well established that more sexually oppressed cultures have more problems with sexual violence, disease, and unwanted pregnancy, and that women are more subjugated. We see this clearly in the Middle East, with the daesh openly engaging in human trafficking, rape, predation of children, etc. Contrary to what the GOP likes to believe, these men are not using pornography or strip clubs to fuel their desires; rather, the lack of available outlets encourages them to victimize others.
Here in the U.S., I've been infuriated to hear people say that a girl "asked for it" by wearing something provocative, but the major flaw in this argument is that the man who victimized her is the one who decides whether the outfit is provocative or not. For the Islamic State, going without a veil qualifies. Imagine someone saying, "Look at that slut, you can see her nose." All too real.
Oy, the phrase "plain as the nose on her face" suddenly becomes lewd...
At the other end of the spectrum, my religion Wicca celebrates sexuality, and I enjoy myself greatly at clothing-optional events. Never once have I been mistreated because of my nudity, and on the rare occasion I have experienced leering, other participants step in to make sure I am safe. The culture is built on feminism, and it is the polar opposite of "prude."
I hear a lot of Christians describe sex as "sacred," but I have never seen that in practice. (Sadly, I have heard a lot about Catholic sex abuse scandals; I would hope that's not what they mean.) Wiccans include sexual symbolism in their rituals ("As the athame enters the chalice, so the Lord enters the Lady.") and have rituals designed for the bedroom. Covens often hold workshops on healthy sexuality because it's important and relevant, and it brings the community closer. There's a lot of openness and trust in our culture as a result.
To conclude, I think we could improve gender inequality, rates of violent crime, spread of disease, and unwanted pregnancies by legalizing/regulating prostitution and by providing more sexual education to the public. I've got great ideas for the latter, if someone wants to fund it.
Additional reading: The Ethical Slut
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Book Review: The Charisma Code by Robin Sol Lieberman
I met Robin Sol Lieberman ten years ago when I discovered the Family of Fire, but her reputation had preceded her. I was not disappointed: even here in this magickal world in the desert with drums and dancing and joyous song created by this tribe of amazing people, Robin is a standout figure, passionate and liberated yet present and caring. Her smile is bright and infectious. Indeed, no word describes Robin better than Charismatic.
As impressed as I am by her ability to distill the essence of that elusive charisma and present it in a clear and engaging manner, I had no idea The Charisma Code was the secret puzzle piece I was seeking. Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth left me inspired to be more mindful, and Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People helped me communicate better, but Robin demonstrates a powerfully synergistic approach to interacting with the world on all levels, finding the path of least resistance to effect the greatest change. Robin is friendly and playful as she coaxes the reader to trust in their inherent uniqueness as their Purpose, to give freely of themselves, and forge deeper connections. It left me feeling confident, inspired, and aware.
The Carisma Code is a book I would highly recommend and even give as a gift to many people. It's packed with life-improving advice with the appeal of Oprah Winfrey, and is not intimidating to the light reader. It sparks discussion and connection, making it perfect for book clubs, and the instant practicality of the wisdom is immediately fulfilling. I don't know anyone who wouldn't benefit from some aspect of this multifaceted gem.
As impressed as I am by her ability to distill the essence of that elusive charisma and present it in a clear and engaging manner, I had no idea The Charisma Code was the secret puzzle piece I was seeking. Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth left me inspired to be more mindful, and Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People helped me communicate better, but Robin demonstrates a powerfully synergistic approach to interacting with the world on all levels, finding the path of least resistance to effect the greatest change. Robin is friendly and playful as she coaxes the reader to trust in their inherent uniqueness as their Purpose, to give freely of themselves, and forge deeper connections. It left me feeling confident, inspired, and aware.
The Carisma Code is a book I would highly recommend and even give as a gift to many people. It's packed with life-improving advice with the appeal of Oprah Winfrey, and is not intimidating to the light reader. It sparks discussion and connection, making it perfect for book clubs, and the instant practicality of the wisdom is immediately fulfilling. I don't know anyone who wouldn't benefit from some aspect of this multifaceted gem.
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