Viewing the Solstice in a city

If you are stuck in a city, and want to watch either the sunrise or sunset related to The Solstice, this website may help - by finding you streets in your city in alignment..

On Solstices and City Planning

When does the Solstice occur this year?

The December solstice (at Stonehenge in Wiltshire) occurs on Tuesday December 22nd at 08:04 GMT.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Image for Winter Solstice from Astronomy Picture of the Day

December solstice 2014 is today, Sunday, December 21 at 23:03 UTC. 

More facts about Solstices, etc. (and thanks to this site for the above two images)

And yes, in the Southern Hemisphere it may drift into Monday 22nd.

A Nativity to celebrate

This version of the 'Pataphysical Calendar (of course, other calendars exist) describes today as The Feast of the Nativity of the Archaeopteryx.

25 Sable 141 de l'Ère Pataphysique jour de la Nativité d'Archæoptéryx (25 décembre 2013 de l'ère vulgaire)

150 million years old today - reason to celebrate, maybe?

‘pataphysics’ useless guffaw
By Richard Marshall.
In 3:AM magazine

Study claims oldest bird, Archaeopteryx, is not a bird-like dinosaur

OM wishes you a Happy Solstice, and if you're in the Southern Hemisphere...

 

...get to the beach!

a life well lived

Albert Hofmann would have reached his 106th birthday today.

Astonishingly, he actually did celebrate his 102nd birthday, fit and healthy (as you can see here).

Because of his 'problem child' dominating his reputation, we may forget that he had a long career as a research scientist, and, according to this site, 

"His interest in synthesizing LSD involved a search for a stimulant that would help as a medicine for circulatory and respiratory illnesses."

"His work there led to numerous other discoveries including Hydergine, a medicine for improving circulation and cerebral function, and Dihydergot, a circulation and blood pressure stabilizing medicine."

So you could attribute his longevity to the spiritual peace and cheerfulness that he acquired from experimenting on himself - with the Hydergine and Dihydergot.  ;-)

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If you want to do something to mark the day, you might consider writing to Casey 'Freeblood' Hardison, sending him some stamps, or money.   

Free Casey - help end the global "War on some people who use some Drugs"

 Drug Discrimination

Drug Equality Alliance


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Today also marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Robert Anton Wilson (aged 74), and D.E. Harding (aged 97 - the "On Having No Head" author) - who contrived to die within hours of each other, on Albert's birthday.

Robert Anton Wilson week starts, over at Boing-Boing

Another Equinox!

Happy Autumn Equinox to all in the Northern Hemisphere!

And for those in the Southern Hemisphere - enjoy the first day of Spring!

Enjoy the Solstice!

Happy Bloomsday!

"...good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub".

Apparently (I haven't gone to test the theory out) a solution to Bloom's musings appeared after using a computer programme.

Some dispute still exists, in terms of ignoring restaurants and hotels where passers-by can get a drink, but still a very worthy effort, I reckon.

Check out the programmer's blog here, for details.

Ulysses (page 53 in some editions)

Leopold musing...

Where do they get the money? Coming up redheaded curates from the

county Leitrim, rinsing empties and old man in the cellar. Then, lo and

behold, they blossom out as Adam Findlaters or Dan Tallons. Then thin

of the competition. General thirst. Good puzzle would be cross Dublin

without passing a pub. Save it they can't. Off the drunks perhaps. Put

down three and carry five. What is that, a bob here and there, dribs and

drabs. On the wholesale orders perhaps. Doing a double shuffle with the

town travellers. Square it you with the boss and we'll split the job, see?

How much would that tot to off the porter in the month? Say ten barrels

of stuff. Say he got ten per cent off. O more. Fifteen. He passed Saint

Joseph's National school. Brats' clamour. Windows open. Fresh air helps

memory. Or a lilt. Ahbeesee defeegee kelomen opeecue rustyouvee

doubleyou. Boys are they? Yes. Inishturk. Inishark. Inishboffin. At their

joggerfry. Mine. Slieve Bloom.

James Joyce Centre - Dublin

Happy Bloomsday, folks!

However you choose to spend it.

I hope the Equinox finds you well

In the UK - after the worst ever summer (except for Chris M, and others who don't like heat) we have had a burst of warmth and sunlight (even if the sun goes down early).

Locals call it an 'Indian Summer' - a phrase that probably dates back to the British Empire (Raj) - but we might have to accept that you don't need to live so close to the equator any more...

Anyway - the Equinox arrived again, and again we don't have an online magazine to show you.


We missed it in the summer, but had found ourselves working on producing a hard copy version of the magazine...now we missed the Fall Equinox...and we don't have Kent with us any more to remind us of the importance of ritual. Fair forward traveller! (Kent edited the first few editions, but gave up his battle with his bodymind recently).

I keep getting encouragement to move myself and migrate to using the Only Maybe integrated into the Maybe Logic Academy. I like the idea, but feel too busy to learn to use Mojoblog, something devised by one person - when Blogger has served so well as a provider.

I have too many new things to learn right now. One day, maybe.

Anyway, here's the Autumn Equinox in the UK (Silbury Hill) as imagined by Ric Kemp over at Knowth.com (used without permission - so go visit and see the other seven paintings, why not?)

The solstice arrived

We have no intention of breaking the ritual - but the online magazine always had the name

Maybe Quarterly -

and for those first 14 editions we kept our quarterly ritual word (Equinoxes and Solstices, without fail).

maybe, maybe not.

The next edition will now probably appear as hard copy.

After that, we may resume producing an online version, but integrated into the Academy campus. I can't really say much more about this grand experiment, as we all have to learn new languages, new software, new ways to communicate, and so on.

As our attention has focused on the tricky project of picking highlights of the work so far (with the contributors on several different continents, islands and peninsulars) I know very little (no surprise there) about how these limited edition print treasures may get distributed just yet (if and when they manifest) but watch this space.

Bike Day

Actually, some people consider the 19th as Bike Day, but what the hey...

AH: “Last Friday, April 16, 1943, I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring); I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away.”

From Bruce Eisner's Vision Thing: Three days later, on April 19, 1943 at 4:20 PM, Hofmann took the first planned trip. He took what he thought would be the smallest amount that would be noticeable - which was 250 micrograms or about one four thousandth of a gram.

AH: "By now it was already clear to me that LSD had been the cause of the remarkable experience of the previous Friday,for the altered perceptions were of the same type as before, only much more intense. I had to struggle to speak intelligibly. I asked my laboratory assistant, who was informed of the self-experiment, to escort me home. We went by bicycle, no automobile being available because of wartime restrictions on their use. On the way home, my condition began to assume threatening forms. Everything in my field of vision wavered and was distorted as if seen in a curved mirror. I also had the sensation of being unable to move from the spot. Nevertheless, my assistant later told me that we had traveled very rapidly. Finally, we arrived at home safe and sound."









Albert in German



1 of 6




Bonzi on a bike

Alfred Jarry: a Cyclist on the Wild Side

One Thing After Another

9 Haha 135 de l'Ere Pataphysique
Boomtime, 68th of Bureaucracy, YOLD 3173
I realised the other day (when a new MLA student asked who or what did RAW refer to) that we have a new world ahead of us. Our founder, teacher, friend and collaborator moved on, and left us the Academy as one of his legacies (along with some 35 books). It now has a life of its own.

This blog started as a student ezine, and has slowly ended up more-or-less written by me (for the time being). As I have my own particular quirks, it no longer represents a real cross-section of the student body's interests, merely my take on everything. I try to remain focused on MLA stuff (I have other blogs for other interests) but for a better sample you might want to visit the open part of the campus(in spite of a recent invasion of pseudo-visitors - a horrible viral marketing ploy by Ask.com. Oh, don't ask! No really. Don't, it only encourages them.)

Still, you could always search the archives through the link on the right, or the Index, if so inclined.

Time On Your Hands

I don't know how the future of Blogger works out, but I guess this will remain as some sort of record of the times. I continue to add links (that may well reflect my own obsessions) because I find it useful (and I hope you may, too) to have one reference point to keep some favourite places to wander and wonder, when you have some time on your hands.

The weird calendars (by the way) come from Bob's interest in such human constructs and grids. And when I say 'Bob' (around here) I refer to Robert Anton Wilson (RAW) of course. Elsewhere, I might mean Dylan, or Bob Dobbs...

"God spelled backwards is Dog, but Bob spelled backwards is still Bob".

I wish I had a palindromic name!

A "spectacularly unspectacular" Solstice

At Stonehenge the crowds were a little reduced because of heavy rain the night before, but still thousands greeted the sunrise (bbc report)...

so a Happy Solstice to you all!

moon phases module

I have added a nifty piece of software into the regular links down the side, to go with the 'Pataphysical Calendar, showing the phases of the moon - one of the few astronomical events most people can recognise, observe and share (apart from sunrise and sunset).

Astrology has begun to emerge as 'interesting' around the MLA - with a recommended course coming up later in the year, for people who think of it as merely newspaper trivia (Sun Signs).

NB: this blog does not have links to the Admin side of MLA, so has no pretensions to objectivity. If you would like to check out ALL the MLA courses, past present and future, go here.

I referred to this course by Antero Alli

Astrologik: Astrology Without Tears 8 week course: October 29 - December 22

Part of Antero's Intro:

We are made from the stuff of stars. When Aleister Crowley suggested that "every man and woman is a star" he could have been talking about our astrological Sun signs. Though the out-there Sun is a star, it also symbolizes a dynamic process of molting Self-realization within us. Though everybody has a Sun sign, not everybody lives as Self-realizing stars. This crash course in horoscope interpretation introduces the rudimentary building blocks of astrology -- planets, houses, aspects and signs -- towards an accurate, down-to-earth yet imaginative translation of your own map (horoscope) towards access the territory of realizing your fullest potential. Your Sun sign amounts to about 15% of your horoscope; the rest of the astrological symbols represent a multidimensional network of influences that constantly challenge and/or support this process of Self-realization, of becoming "as a Star."

I have known the study and practice of astrology as an adventure. After almost thirty years as a professional astrologer, I have also discovered that astrology doesn't require my belief to work. In fact, I don't believe in astrology; I use it because it works. You do not need to believe in astrology to do this course. You just have to be willing to learn a new language and find out for yourself whatever degree it works for you. When approached as a language -- and not a science or philosophy or belief system -- astrology can help us articulate the characteristics and tendencies of living forces in our daily lives.

"...Antero Alli is the architect of a rowdy and iridescent system of astrology that liberates and never ensnares. He can shock you in the friendliest ways and teach you how to teach yourself..." -- Rob Brezsny, columnist/author

As added interest - what originally got published as The Complete Astrological Writings of Aleister Crowley did not contain everything he wrote on the subject. A new compilation has revealed that he ghost wrote a couple of major texts on behalf of Evangeline Adams. This new version, now an official OTO study text, contains much to enjoy. As usual, he cuts away waffle, and makes the process clear. The book also contains examples of his savage wit (probably a disguised attack on Adams when she failed to acknowledge him, or pay him a share, when she turned the project into a real money-spinner). I still recommend Antero Alli's course, for its modern approach, but if one can get over the idea that Crowley somehow represents 'evil, etc' [demonized by some of the press, he chose to work up that image rather than deny it!] then you might recognise that he studied Classics, English Literature and Science at Cambridge University - had deep knowledge, a sharp mind, and a great deal of wit.

Enjoy the Solstice everyone!

The new edition of Maybe Quarterly came out on time, you can find it online here.



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Equinocturnal Greetings

The Equinox has arrived again (however you define the exact day).







The students of MLA have produced yet another edition of the quarterly magazine.

Congratulations and thanks to all concerned.



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Solstice - don't think of it as death, only a change of tense...

Yet again this bunch of anarchists have managed to produce an edition of Maybe Quarterly, Number 7, published on The Solstice.

I left it a little late to wish you a happy solstice, but I do anyway (who knows with so many time zones?) Happy Solstice!

I didn't get to read all the MQ yet, but you will find interviews with Daniel Pinchbeck (author of Breaking Open The Head and 2012); extended pieces based on some of the courses we have participated in; an interview with Peter Carroll - who ran a course recently; some of Bobby's wonderful graphic stuff; sounds on the pages from DJ Fly, etc.; a transcript of a radio (?) interview with our founding editor, Kentroversy, and creative writing from several of the 'student body' - although I don't know if 'student' really captures the level of talent and interesting minds you can find in the Forum and on the Courses (no offence to 'students').


STOP PRESS! a SPECIAL eBay auction of Bob paraphernalia (signed) to help with medical bills. On the site (when you scroll down) you will also find a really excellent list of RAW links - worth a visit even if you don't have 'serious money'.
Bob seems to have felt very ill recently, as you can tell from Paul Krassner's blog entry, which did at least contain Bob's rueful haiku:

Well what do you know?
Another day had passed
and I'm still not not.

Only Maybe and the Solar Return

Well, Only Maybe has just completed one circuit of the sun.

We tip-toed onto the Web on 18th June 2005, as you can see in The Archives.

You can pick a month from the Archives in the sidebar, and scroll down a series of posts, rather than the unique pages (with their comments visible). Here you'll find the first 12 days...

Happy Bloomsday!

Bob has managed to get quite a few of us to dig back into James Joyce, and tackle some of his more daunting works, and many of us have reaped rich rewards. Bobby did some illustrations, and other Joyce stuff you can find using the Imperfect Index.

Of course, as a scurrilous old man, RAW has pointed out that Bloomsday (in which all the action of the vast novel Ulysses happens) actually commemorates Nora Barnacle giving Joyce a hand job in an alley (pretty forward for a
young Catholic woman of the time) which imprinted him on her for life, but also left him anxious (she seemed awfully good, you might say 'practiced' at it!) and often jealous. So rather than trudge around the route of the characters in Dublin, you could just as easily celebrate by giving or receiving a handjob. Why not?

What a great timebomb joke from Joyce, as the true significance of the day did not emerge until people got access to his journals - long after 'the literary experts' had knocked themselves out to analyse every detail, and guess at meanings!


..............Scene...........Time...Colour...Organ............Art...Technic.....Symbol

01 TELEMACHUS Tower 08 GDWH --- theology narrative-young heir
02 NESTOR School 09 BNCH --- history catechism-personal horse
03 PROTEUS Strand 10 BLGN --- philology monolog-male tide

04 CALYPSO House 08 OR kidney mythol/econ narrative-mature nymph
05 LOTUS-EATR Bath 09 BN skin chem/botany narcissism eucharist
06 HADES Graveyard 11 BKWH heart religion incubism caretaker
07 EOLUS Newspaper 12 RD lungs rhetoric enthymemic editor
08 LESTRYGONI Lunch 13 BD esoph architect peristalsis constables
09 SCYLLA&CHR Library 14 -- brain literature dialectic Stratford/London
10 WANDERINGR Streets 15 RB blood mechanics labyrinth citizens
11 SIRENS Concertrm.16 CL ear music fuga per canonem barmaids
12 CYCLOPS Tavern 17 GN muscle surgery/pol gigantism fenian
13 NAUSIKAA Rocks 20 GYBL eye/ns painting de/tumescence virgin
14 OXENofSUN Hospital 22 WH womb medicine embryonic develpm. mothers
15 CIRCE Brothel 23 VI leg/skl dance hallucination whore


16 EUMEUS Shelter 00 nerves navigation narrative-old sailors
17 ITHACA House 01 STMK skeltn science catechism-impers. comets
18 PENELOPE Bed zz STMK fat ---- monolog-female earth

*Colours: GolD WHite BrowN CHestnut BLue GreeN ORange BlacK ReD
BlooD RainBow CoraL GreY VIolet STarry MilKy (no yellow!?)