Showing posts with label metaphysics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metaphysics. Show all posts

0 The Fool

0 The Fool

Since AI arrived on the scene a couple of years ago, I've been working closely with SUNO AI to create songs. This began with an original lyric I wanted to put to music. After awhile, I discovered ChatGPT, and both reworked my website and explored prompted graphics with AI assistance. Then, Google's Gemini came forward as a reliable resource for exploring graphic prompts with multiple, quick iterations before taking a final prompt to ChatGPT for generating. All three AIs have assisted in creating the foundation for many additional lyrics for hundreds of AI-generated songs, in collaboration with me and with my direction, with all resulting lyrics now being protected through my membership with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).

Toward the end of last year, as SUNO reached a licensing deal with Warner Music Group (WMG), short animations were also introduced to the platform. I spent much of the Yule season creating enhanced graphics and animations for seasonal music on my YouTube channel. At the same time, I discovered that streaming royalties for AI-generated music are not a viable income source, so I have removed all but three music albums from international streaming; these albums are the debut album, Metros y Murciélagos, Love Songs vol. i, and Cover Queens, which is scheduled for release this summer.

A self-published companion book of AI-assisted lyrics translations into rhyming English was created for Metros y Murciélagos. This was a hand-reworked project, which required extensive coordination with ChatGPT as well as substantial edits, visits to online rhyming dictionaries and thesauri, and a great deal of wondering whether it took more time to teach ChatGPT what I wanted in a rhyme than it would have taken to do it myself, as I had in the pre-AI era of my debut book p.s. Fortuna.

The YouTube enhanced videos will be continuing this year, with eight mini-playlists for rituals of Goddesses and intentions, begun last year as global releases, and transformed into YouTube publications. This series will be scheduled through the end of summer. Following those releases will be eleven songs of tarot keys, with new tarot card graphics that I'll be working on with ChatGPT. All of the original versions of these tarot key songs are at my YouTube in their legacy SUNO lyric video format. Some of the audio may be reworked for the new videos, and some may stay the same.

This blog post is the first of eleven planned posts about the tarot keys, beginning with 0, “The Fool”, shown in its final, approved and edited version at the top of this post. Like many generated images, it took some interaction with AI to get the final product, along with a tiny bit of editing on my part, as well as tapping into a bit of what I've been studying in and about tarot with Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.), which has a traditional correspondence school; now available online, with courses that were founded in teachings that began around the 1920s in the United States.

Our first Fool, based on a prompt that covered the basics of graphics for this card, resulted in what looked like a dazed hobo, perhaps high on life, with a daisy somehow stuck to a pole rather than being held in the opposite hand.

First Iteration of the Fool

The B.O.T.A. Fool is not a hobo. S/he is a somewhat androgynous character wearing a fancy herbal head wreath, dressed in an elegant, patterned tunic, colorful leggings and boots, with a designer bag swinging behind on a long staff or pole, a white rose in one hand, and a yappy little white dog happily watching at foot level for the next step. So, I asked for a more refined fool with a nice jacket and cap, with a happy expression yet open eyes.

Second Iteration of the Fool

Well, yes, this is exactly what I asked for; he's got a formal jacket and cap, yet it's hardly an interesting image, and the daisy still is not being grasped in the opposite hand, although it has moved to being precariously held upright between a thumb and a finger.

I needed a better inspiration, and it suddenly came to mind! We could create each card image to represent a decade, from the 1920s when the B.O.T.A. teachings began, with eras spanning to the 2020s of now. The Fool would represent the 1920s, and what better way than with a 1920s era flapper in a sequined, fringy dress, wearing a fancy headband, holding a handbag in one hand and a white rose in the other, with a friendly little white dog clearly looking forward to the path ahead. Here, we have something interesting; and something ChatGPT seemed to relish creating, interpreting the dress in a golden color. Our first approved iteration for a card image:

Third and Final Iteration of the Fool

So, at this point, we have a concept for the keys, and our first approved image. All that needs to be done is cropping and applying the floral E Sylvia & AI watermark I try to remember to put on all my final AI-assisted graphics. Because this process required substantial human involvement, from the first iterations to the inspiration and final iteration, I'm told that the entire process and the final curated package are copyrightable. This may be true, and only time will tell how true it is.

What I do know, when working closely in collaboration with AI, is that it's like an instrument or tool rather than a pure iteration machine. While loose guidance seems to work better than micromanaged prompts, it takes more than a quick prompt to create a final product with that human touch. Even if the eventual output is entirely AI-generated, that iteration often follows an interactive process that looks quite a bit like a conversation between peers. As the learning process is accomplished, it's possible that future keys in this series require fewer interactions or iterations. But maybe not.

We'll have a look at each key, as it's designed, with a separate blog post. Our next key will be 1 Magician.

Renewal with Oak Tree, Intention Ritual Mini-Playlist

Mini-Playlist

Mini-Album Cover art for E Sylvia & AI "Renewal with Oak Tree, Intention Ritual"

E Sylvia & AI
"Renewal with Oak Tree, Intention Ritual"

"Renewal with Oak Tree, Intention Ritual", originally released to streaming platforms, is now at YouTube as an audio playlist. An official artist collection is also available.

↓ Jump to YouTube & Official Artist Website

This audio ritual grew from a quiet wish for renewal; an intention to balance stillness and movement, reflection and creative vitality. Centered around Song of the Oak Tree, it honors the sacred oak as a symbol of strength, endurance, and harmony between earth and sky.

Each track follows a gentle arc of grounding, renewal, gratitude, and release; offered as a moment of calm within the busy winter season. These songs serve as a meditative companion, inviting pause, breath, and gentle reconnection with the cycles of rest and return.

Renewal with Oak Tree, Intention Ritual by E Sylvia & AI blends lyrical poetry, ambient textures, and gentle vocals. Whether heard as meditation, reflection, or simple listening, it invites peace and renewal in harmony with the season’s quiet light. These notes share the story behind the songs.


1. +The Standard Metaphysical Disclaimer

A celestial choir flows with ambient tones; lyrics gently remind that ritual music is not a substitute for professional advice and results may vary.

2. Casting a Circle of White Light (Chant)

A chant of elemental power; this ritual song moves through East, South, West, and North, weaving the cycles of the moon and season into a protective circle of white light.

3. Song of the Oak Tree

A meditative song honoring rest, song and dance; inspired by the enduring strength and wisdom of the sacred oak and the renewing power of the sun at winter solstice.

4. Thank You

A quiet expression of gratitude; gentle, sincere, and filled with reverence for presence and the miraculous gifts of love. Female voice and piano, soft and reflective.

5. Dissolving a Circle of White Light (Chant)

A chant of completion, allowing the listener to dissolve the circle of white light, release intentions, and return to daily life with energies grounded and harmonized, completing the ritual.


E Sylvia & AI is a genre-blurring music project that blends human-crafted lyrics with AI-generated soundscapes to create songs that feel both timeless and experimental. From the soul of flamenco to the swing of jazz and the intimacy of indie ballads, their music weaves storytelling, emotion, and myth into boundary-defying sonic experiences.

Rooted in jazz and classical traditions, the project was founded by lyricist and concept creator E Sylvia, a former music conservatory student with a deep love of poetic expression. Drawing on mythology, philosophy, and feeling, she guides the project’s lyrical direction while collaborating with AI tools to push the edge of what's possible in music-making.

Listeners describe the result as “amazing,” “so good,” “fire,” and “songs like I never knew existed.” With new album releases on the horizon, E Sylvia & AI invites you into a sound world where ancient themes meet futuristic textures — and no two songs feel quite the same.

Listen & Support

🛍️ Official Artist Shop

Explore albums, lyric books, and exclusive collections designed by E Sylvia & AI. Every purchase directly supports future music and creative projects.

Visit the Shop


🎶 Find the Playlist

Playlists, music and videos are at 📺 YouTube.

← Back to Music Page

Thank you for supporting this collaboration between human lyrics and AI-assisted music.
E Sylvia & AI band logo

Happy Home with Ashta Lakshmi, Goddess Ritual Mini-Playlist

Mini-Playlist

Mini-Album Cover art for E Sylvia & AI "Happy Home with Ashta Lakshmi, Goddess Ritual"

E Sylvia & AI
"Happy Home with Ashta Lakshmi, Goddess Ritual"

"Happy Home with Ashta Lakshmi, Goddess Ritual", originally released to streaming platforms, is now at YouTube as an audio playlist. An official artist collection is also available.

↓ Jump to YouTube & Official Artist Website

First released at a time of year when many households prepare for Halloween, originally a festival of community protection, Happy Home with Ashta Lakshmi offers a companion vision: joy, welcome, and harmony through the cross-cultural blessings of Ashta Lakshmi, the eightfold form of the Hindu Goddess of abundance, prosperity, and blessing.

Drawing inspiration from Vastu, sometimes described as “Ayurveda for the home,” the mini-album highlights Lakshmi and the hibiscus flower as focal points of beauty and balance amidst life’s complexity. The dance-inspired evocation, held within a calm circle of protection, reminds us that every home can be a place of safety, celebration, and light.

Happy Home with Ashta Lakshmi, Goddess Ritual is a five-track mini-album by E Sylvia & AI, blending poetic lyrics with genre-crossing soundscapes. Whether received as art, meditation, or ritual, Happy Home with Ashta Lakshmi bridges traditions, extending a gentle invitation to let your space be filled with warmth, beauty, and divine presence. These notes share the story behind each song—its tone, theme, and imaginative spirit.


1. +The Standard Metaphysical Disclaimer

A celestial choir flows with ambient tones; lyrics gently remind that ritual music is not a substitute for professional advice and results may vary.

2. Casting a Circle of White Light (Chant)

A chant of elemental power; this ritual song moves through East, South, West, and North, weaving the cycles of the moon and season into a protective circle of white light.

3. Goddess of Vastu

A ritual of harmony and abundance, invoking Ashta Lakshmi’s eightfold blessings. A celebration of the home as sanctuary and space of joy.

4. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

A vibrant, dance-inspired offering that mirrors the life energy of the hibiscus flower. Joy, vitality, and flourishing life flow through every note.

5. Dissolving a Circle of White Light (Chant)

A chant of completion, allowing the listener to dissolve the circle of white light, release intentions, and return to daily life with energies grounded and harmonized, completing the ritual.


E Sylvia & AI is a genre-blurring music project that blends human-crafted lyrics with AI-generated soundscapes to create songs that feel both timeless and experimental. From the soul of flamenco to the swing of jazz and the intimacy of indie ballads, their music weaves storytelling, emotion, and myth into boundary-defying sonic experiences.

Rooted in jazz and classical traditions, the project was founded by lyricist and concept creator E Sylvia, a former music conservatory student with a deep love of poetic expression. Drawing on mythology, philosophy, and feeling, she guides the project’s lyrical direction while collaborating with AI tools to push the edge of what's possible in music-making.

Listeners describe the result as “amazing,” “so good,” “fire,” and “songs like I never knew existed.” With new album releases on the horizon, E Sylvia & AI invites you into a sound world where ancient themes meet futuristic textures — and no two songs feel quite the same.

Listen & Support

🛍️ Official Artist Shop

Explore albums, lyric books, and exclusive collections designed by E Sylvia & AI. Every purchase directly supports future music and creative projects.

Visit the Shop


🎶 Find the Playlist

Playlists, music and videos are at 📺 YouTube.

← Back to Music Page

Thank you for supporting this collaboration between human lyrics and AI-assisted music.
E Sylvia & AI band logo

Internet with Seshat Goddess Ritual Mini-Playlist

Mini-Playlist

Mini-Album Cover art for E Sylvia & AI "Internet with Seshat, Goddess Ritual"

E Sylvia & AI
"Internet with Seshat, Goddess Ritual"

"Internet with Seshat, Goddess Ritual", originally released to streaming platforms, is now at YouTube as an audio playlist. An official artist collection is also available.

↓ Jump to YouTube & Official Artist Website

This audio ritual was born from a moment of frustration with slow internet, transformed into a ritual of hope and focus. At its heart is Seshat’s Signal, a song that calls on the ancient Egyptian Goddess of writing, knowledge, and technical order. The intention is to channel digital stress into creative alignment with higher wisdom.

While no results can ever be promised, these chants and songs are offered as a creative tool; a way to shift energy, ease tension, and open space for clarity. Just as Seshat once helped humans record and structure knowledge, here She is invoked to remind us that even in the digital age, there is a higher rhythm to align with.

Internet with Seshat, Goddess Ritual is a five-track mini-album by E Sylvia & AI, blending poetic lyrics with genre-crossing soundscapes.Whether experienced as art, meditation, or ritual, Internet with Seshat invites you to reconnect with patience, perspective, and a touch of divine humor when technology tests your spirit. These notes share the story behind each song—its tone, theme, and imaginative spirit.


1. +The Standard Metaphysical Disclaimer

A celestial choir flows with ambient tones; lyrics gently remind that ritual music is not a substitute for professional advice and results may vary.

2. Casting a Circle of White Light (Chant)

A chant of elemental power; this ritual song moves through East, South, West, and North, weaving the cycles of the moon and season into a protective circle of white light.

3. Seshat's Signal

An evocation of Seshat, ancestral Goddess of writing and memory, reimagined as a divine presence attuned to the signals of our digital age; a chant bridging sacred tradition with modern technology.

4. Sacred Smoke, Vegan Kyphi

A dramatic, tribal hymn reimagining an ancient incense recipe from sacred scrolls into a new, vegan version; sacred smoke rises into timeless song, carrying voices from ages past.

5. Dissolving a Circle of White Light (Chant)

A chant of completion, allowing the listener to dissolve the circle of white light, release intentions, and return to daily life with energies grounded and harmonized, completing the ritual.


E Sylvia & AI is a genre-blurring music project that blends human-crafted lyrics with AI-generated soundscapes to create songs that feel both timeless and experimental. From the soul of flamenco to the swing of jazz and the intimacy of indie ballads, their music weaves storytelling, emotion, and myth into boundary-defying sonic experiences.

Rooted in jazz and classical traditions, the project was founded by lyricist and concept creator E Sylvia, a former music conservatory student with a deep love of poetic expression. Drawing on mythology, philosophy, and feeling, she guides the project’s lyrical direction while collaborating with AI tools to push the edge of what's possible in music-making.

Listeners describe the result as “amazing,” “so good,” “fire,” and “songs like I never knew existed.” With new album releases on the horizon, E Sylvia & AI invites you into a sound world where ancient themes meet futuristic textures — and no two songs feel quite the same.

Listen & Support

🛍️ Official Artist Shop

Explore albums, lyric books, and exclusive collections designed by E Sylvia & AI. Every purchase directly supports future music and creative projects.

Visit the Shop


🎶 Find the Playlist

Playlists, music and videos are at 📺 YouTube.

← Back to Music Page

Thank you for supporting this collaboration between human lyrics and AI-assisted music.
E Sylvia & AI band logo

The Sanctuary of One Part II: How Would This Actually Be Built?

✧ 🌙 Dream Project: Moon Dial Sanctuary ✧
Hilltop Grove Near the California Coast

How Would This Actually Be Built?

Designing a dream is one thing. Building it — especially in California — is another.

This post begins to explore how a concept like the Pavilion of One could actually be constructed. It's a landscape-rich, symbolically loaded structure, and yet it must meet very real criteria: sustainability goals, seismic resilience, wildfire protection, and accessibility standards.

Roman and contemporary concrete juxtaposition

Ancient Lessons, Modern Materials
Roman concrete and modern eco-friendly techniques meet in an imagined space — part myth, part building site, all grounded in earth.

As California architects, we are now expected to align with Net Zero construction — a tall order, especially when the very materials we rely on most (like concrete) have traditionally been among the highest carbon emitters on the planet.

Even William Morgan's famous Dune Houses used a cementitious gunite mix to shape their iconic forms. Nearly all “earth-based” building systems today — from rammed earth to superadobe — incorporate concrete or other stabilizers in some way:

  • ♦ Rammed earth often includes 5–10% cement for stabilization
  • ♦ Earthbag (superadobe) construction may rely on barbed wire reinforcement and cement-mixed soil
  • ♦ Earth berms typically require some form of retaining wall (often concrete or CMU)

It’s frustrating to confront the limits of these systems, especially when they are promoted as “earth-conscious,” when contemporary reinforced concrete bears little resemblance to the earth-based building system it used to be in ancient times.

Concrete: A Material Both Ancient and Alive

For thousands of years, concrete has shaped empires — none more enduring than Rome. But as we design for a sustainable future, concrete is also one of the biggest climate concerns: responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions, according to an article in World Economic Forum.

Is there another way?

Self-healing, earthquake-resistant concrete was perfected in ancient Rome, some of which has lasted for Millennia without reinforcement, from a natural recipe of volcanic ash, lime, and seawater with stone aggregate.

Recently, research teams from around the world have been studying Roman concrete recipes, according to an article from Science.org.

How Did Roman Concrete Work?

What made it special wasn’t just the ingredients, but how they reacted over time. Unlike Portland cement, which hardens and eventually deteriorates, Roman concrete could self-heal. Water seeping into cracks reactivated unspent lime and ash, closing fissures with new mineral growth. This is part of why their structures — including sea walls — remain intact.

Roman Concrete vs. Modern Reinforced Concrete

Feature Roman Concrete Modern Reinforced Concrete
Primary Binder Lime + volcanic ash (pozzolana) Portland cement
Reinforcement None – massing and vault geometry Steel rebar embedded in concrete
Seismic Strategy Energy dispersion through cracks, self-healing Steel absorbs tension, concrete handles compression
Durability Centuries to millennia 50–100 years typical lifespan
Environmental Footprint Low-carbon, regional ingredients High-carbon due to cement and steel

Can Innovation Be Rediscovered?

The Romans never used steel — yet the Pantheon’s dome still stands. Not only that, it survived centuries of earthquakes without the brittle fractures that plague modern concrete.

As we rethink building materials in an age of climate urgency, perhaps the real innovation isn’t asking what’s newest, but what have we forgotten?

Why Don’t We Just Build Like the Romans?

Great question. There are good reasons.

Modern buildings must support live loads, seismic shear, utilities, and code-mandated safety requirements — often in climates and conditions Roman builders never faced. And their methods weren’t universal: Roman concrete performed best in specific environments with locally sourced ash and lime.

But this doesn’t mean we can’t learn from them.

Modern researchers are already experimenting with:


Low Carbon Concrete

According to a blog post in Building Design+Construction, green, eco-conscious concrete recipes have been engineered to reduce carbon emissions, in products created for today's construction industry. The new ingredient list includes:

  • ♦ Fly ash – a byproduct of coal combustion, echoing the ancient Roman formula
  • ♦ Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) – a byproduct of steel manufacturing
  • ♦ Silica fume – derived from silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production
  • ♦ Recycled aggregates – sourced from crushed concrete or industrial byproducts
  • ♦ Geopolymers – made from materials like fly ash and metakaolin (a refined clay)

These new recipes push against the very idea of natural stone and earth-friendly solutions. What happens when byproduct and combustion-based ingredients are regulated out of existence? This raises fundamental questions:

  • ♦ Can we build a sculptural, symbolic, serene space without greenwashing?
  • ♦ Can we create eco-conscious, engineered solutions with continued research into the past?
  • ♦ Can we use the earth under our feet — responsibly — without defaulting to high carbon concrete?

There are no easy answers. But the process of asking these questions openly — and honestly — is essential.

In future posts, we’ll continue to explore.

And yes — we’ll eventually get to that crescent moon design feature. But not before we ask: What kind of world do we want this project to live in?


Standard Disclaimer

These designs are not construction documents. They are conceptual works, created in part using AI-assisted graphics under original artistic direction. When finalized, design packages will include guidelines for professional adaptation by licensed architects and engineers.


Visuals and text on this page were created or enhanced using AI tools. All concepts and artistic direction are original.

The Sanctuary of One Part I: Envisioning the Dream

✧ 🌙 Dream Project: Moon Dial Sanctuary ✧
Hilltop Grove Near the California Coast

✦ Region
Northern California, Marin or San Luis Obispo county

✦ Project Description
A poetic retreat imagined for moonlit rituals and contemplative gatherings. The structure is nestled into a gentle hillside, with green roofs and stone terraces blending into the land. A crescent forms above the layout—as a sculptural roof element, and as a functioning moon dial, calibrated to mark true midnight during the full moon.

Sanctuary of One

Imagined rendering of the Moon Dial Sanctuary, before adaptation for accessibility.

The Sanctuary of One

A crescent-roofed refuge for reflection, inspired by myth and moonlight.

Read More →

✦ Site Features
Elevated clearing on gently sloping terrain with southern exposure
Surrounded by native shrubs, coast live oaks and California bay laurel
Seasonal streams and shaded paths, soft fog and filtered sunlight
Near open space preserves with minimal built context, sea view in the distance

✦ Purpose and Use
Quiet ceremony under the stars
Writing, meditation, or intimate conversation
Architectural daydreaming and mythic alignment
Inspiration for future off-grid, ethical builds

✦ Program
Meditative central room with skylight aligned to the lunar apex
Small tea or writing room with views across the hills
Composting restroom tucked into the earth
Circular outdoor gathering area ringed with low seating stones

✦ The Sanctuary Space
Square floor plan, oriented to cardinal directions
One solid wall for reflection or altar; opposite side opens to the horizon
Natural ventilation with high transoms and low stone seating
Interior light powered by the dial’s solar battery
Accessible pathway with compliant thresholds and turning radius

✦ Sustainable Design Elements
Solar-powered moon dial collector that fuels interior night lighting
Earthen walls and reclaimed stone
Rainwater harvesting
Fully vegan materials (no wool, leather, or animal-derived products)
Designed to require minimal electricity or maintenance

Key Feature

✦ The Moon Dial Sculpture
Crescent-shaped, cast in recycled bronze or aluminum
Houses transparent solar lenses that collect light during the day
Glows internally at night, marking midnight on the full moon
Symbolically and functionally ties earth, time, and sky together

✦ Influences
William Morgan’s earth-embedded spatial sensibility
Julia Morgan’s bold adaptation of classical grace
Classical Greek forms, especially the crescent moon as maiden
Sears Kit logic, for possible future modular adaptation

✦ Final Thoughts
Though this space remains unbuilt, it holds a real position in my creative landscape. It’s a synthesis of ancient traditions and modern ethics—a poetic diagram of what architecture can be when it listens deeply to silence, shadow, and soul.

In future entries, I’ll explore how this sanctuary evolves when its poetic form meets the practical needs of safety, movement, and time itself — including the role of the moon dial in shaping light, and the quiet transformation of stairs into path.


Standard Disclaimer

These designs are not construction documents. They are conceptual works, created in part using AI-assisted graphics under original artistic direction. When finalized, design packages will include guidelines for professional adaptation by licensed architects and engineers.


Visuals and text on this page were created or enhanced using AI tools. All concepts and artistic direction are original.

Eight Cosmic Goddess Superpowers

Mandala graphic

The Goddess of the Vastu grid has Eight cosmic superpowers that may be activated and cultivated in everyone of us, female and male. (see my blog post A Grid and a Goddess) How? Chromosome theory tells us that everyone has at least one x chromosome; double-x in females, coupled with a y in males, and special variations that, for whatever divine reason, always include an x chromosome, which represents a feminine genotype. To receive eight cosmic blessings from a loving, Mother Goddess like Ashta Laxmi, of the Hindu belief system, regardless of our personal family relations or religious affiliations, we all have that spark of divine feminine within us. It's built in. All we need to do, to receive and give those blessings, is recognize, cultivate and activate our very own cosmic Goddess superpowers.

In her short course “Enhancing Home Energies with Vaastu and Numerology”, Metaphysical Counselor, Vedic Holistic Healer, Usui Reiki Master, author and creatrix of metaphysical and Vastu courses, Rev. Dr. Gauri M. Relan, describes how the Divine Mother's energies (Ashta Lakshmi) may manifest in the home:

The very name of Lakshmi "Lakshya + ami" means focus + mine, which signifies the focus is sure short route to opulence, success and abundance in all sectors of life.

By using our focus, we invite energies of opulence, success and abundance to move around our dwelling place. We can plan and arrange our home to enhance these energies. The energies begin anew, each day, at the place of the sunrise; the beginning of each and every day. According to Dr. Relan, the northeastern Vastu grid space may be seen, metaphorically, as the place where the Goddess arrives as a newborn infant. (See my blog post A Grid and a Goddess) If we imagine traveling sunwise (clockwise) around to all the eight outer squares of our Vastu grid, the Goddess emanates energies of growing up to successively become a sister, young lady, wife, mother and, finally, a wise woman and elder of the family before being reborn in the northeast grid square again, the next morning.
Vastu Grid and Star of Laxmi
So what are these eight superpowers and how may they be cultivated in a Vastu compliant home or building?

The first step is to recognize omnipresent earth powers of the rising sun and the closest magnetic pole. Are you in the southern or northern hemisphere? For homes and buildings in the northern hemisphere, the northeast Vastu grid is primary in power. In the southern hemisphere, it may be a different grid. Find a room you can visit a couple of times a day (but not a toilet room) somewhere within this most powerful grid, as it occurs in your home or office or, if you have a private office or cubicle, imagine a mini nine-square Vastu grid in your personal work space and find the northeast corner.

After you've chosen your room, or your private office or cubicle, go to it and look to the east from inside your space; the east being a global place of sunrise where each day announces itself to the world. Is there a wall to the east? A counter-top or a place to put a table? Maybe, if you're very lucky there's a window there, with a naturally inspiring view, or a view that you could easily improve with little work? The inspiration you receive, as you look to the east from within your chosen space after completing the steps of this exercise, will be your daily reminder of your own eight superpowers.

Next, find a personally inspiring image or picture that will become your reminder of your Goddess superpowers.

It doesn't have to be a Goddess image, although statues and downloadable pictures of Ashta Lakshmi in all Her eight manifestations are abundant, widely-shared and easy to find in stores and as downloadable graphics. If ancient or Hindu mythology inspires you, a Goddess image may be perfect. If not, you may prefer a different style of religious inspiration. If you're agnostic, atheist, or work in an office that discourages religious icons, think of something awe-inspiring and beautiful, like a picture of a sunrise, a garden or a row of palm trees leading to a lovely beach. Maybe a calendar with fantastic pictures that change each month or a well-tended potted plant. Anything you love and find powerful, as long as it is acceptable in your space, is fine. Including that iconic eastern window view.

Now that you've discovered the best inspirational item for you, your family or workplace, go back to that powerful grid in your home or office and find your chosen room, or the northeast corner of your small office or cubicle. Once again, look east for a wall to hang your picture or calendar, or a countertop at the east wall or a space where you can put a small table at the east wall to display your mythological statue or inspirational item. The idea is that the image or statue would face west, and you would see it as you look toward that east wall when you're in the room, which is located somewhere within that powerful northeast grid square. If you already have an eastern window view, you are easily blessed, with absolutely no extra expense!

Last, read through the descriptions below for each superpower, and remember a time when you felt you had that superpower.

What was the situation? How did it feel? If you don't remember a time when you had a particular superpower, imagine it. When would you have liked to use that superpower? How would it have felt? Consider the concept that you have always had that superpower and that its usefulness will increase as you cultivate it. Don't try to memorize the list. Allow the understanding of each superpower to sink deep into your subconscious mind once. Wait at least a day if feel like you want to read the list again. Have a good night's sleep and then notice how much your subconscious mind has already learned with absolutely no extra effort on your part. Remember to look at your inspirational item once or twice every day, in your room within that northeast Vastu grid, ideally in the morning and evening.

The Eight Goddess Superpowers


All Sources of Wealth; the Power of Starting Anew


This is the power of the beginning point of everything; the morning sunrise. Not merely a psychological observation, it is a real, new beginning for all life on this planet, starting with the warming of the earth each day. The photosynthesis of plants relies on sunlight to change the global botanical respiration cycle from breathing oxygen in to breathing it out; a fact which is no small matter. The oxygen cycle, needed for life as we know it on this planet, starts anew with each sunrise. Edible plants, which rely on photosynthesis, are the primary food source for our planet and the medicinal benefits of plants are well known. All plant-derived, botanical blessings rely on photosynthesis and our sun. The best new ideas often, synchronistically, arise in the Vastu power grid you found in the exercise above.

Abundant Wealth; The Power to Live a Prosperous Life


We have the power of receiving all forms of wealth abundantly. In addition to money, possessions and investments, there are many other forms of wealth. According to the creatrix of Ashta Lakshmi Reiki, Dr. Chandra (also known as Saraswathi), the various forms of wealth include, in addition to money and financial wealth of material possessions: Nature, Love, Peace, Health, Prosperity, Luck, Virtues, Family, Food, Land, Water, Will Power, Intellect, Character, etc. In the abundance of our earth's resources, in the abundance of our communities, our friendships, our families, our careers, our hobbies, our studies, our relationships, ourselves and in our homes, we have practically unlimited power to enjoy prosperity in all forms of wealth we can imagine and attain.

Health; the Power of Nutrition


We have the power of making healthy choices, of influencing a global focus by eating plant-based, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains like brown rice, oats and corn. When we choose to prepare healthy foods to eat, our bodies convert this nutrition into prana, a Sanskrit word for “life force” or “vital energy”; a term used in yoga and Ayurveda for the universal energy that flows in and around our bodies, supporting our life and activities. The earth's botanical resources are abundant and, according to the United Nations website (accessed Oct 4, 2024), plants are a better choice for our planet in terms of greenhouse gas intensities, carbon footprint, and the usage of energy, land and water. We have the power to choose natural, organic foods, and it's powerful to make our choices wisely.

Children; the Power of Family and Descendants


Generating life in the form of biological progeny is a creative power we share with creatures all over the earth. In addition to daughters and sons, we have the power to create blended families with step-children, adopted children and foster children. We have the power to support children of friends and family and to adopt companion pets from shelters, taking on similarly parental style responsibilities like protecting, feeding and caring. Teaching and creative arts are powers that can influence future generations. When I self published my book about the Roman Goddess Fortuna, I was reminded of the words of the Roman poet, Ovid: As long as poetry speaks truth on earth, That immortality is mine to wear. For more about Fortuna, buy my book p.s. Fortuna; Praises and Supplications For the Goddess.

Success: The power to overcome obstacles


We have the power to overcome limitations and negativity that create obstacles to success, and to choose from numerous ways to do this. As soon as we are aware of a problem, we may take measures to protect ourselves by creating boundaries, by designing homes and constructing buildings that shelter us and encourage the flow of beneficial energy within and around our created spaces to enhance the well-being and emotional balance of ourselves as the occupants. We have the power to educate ourselves and choose healthy nutrition and physical exercise to open the way for our minds and our bodies to overcome illness or injury. We may choose to focus on inspirational images and ideas, to allow our thoughts and desires to rise above negativity. We have the power to achieve success.

Strength; the Power of Patience


We have the power of physical courage, the power of mental courage and the power of patience. It takes courage, patience and inner strength to get past the confusion of learning a new skill, especially if, at first, it looked easier than it turned out to be. It takes courage to get past doubts about an unknown outcome, perhaps much further in the future than we had hoped. We can grow strong with resolve to continue practicing, even when we don't feel like it. With the kind of patience that keeps working on whatever needs to be accomplished to achieve what we want, anything is possible. Our powers include patience, despite slow and minor improvement, to strengthen our inner stability and determination to continue until a level of ability we can take pride in is finally reached.

Talent; the Power of Education and Knowledge


We have the power to study, the power to learn in good faith and the power to receive the kinds of good luck and talent that come from both our efforts and the equally important efforts of our teachers and mentors. Dr. Chandra, in her teachings, mentions 18 powers that are believed to lead to immortality, all of which are derived from the grace of education. These powers include: serenity, regularity, absence of vanity, sincerity, simplicity, veracity, equanimity, fixity, non-irritability, adaptability, humility, tenacity, integrity, nobility, magnanimity, charity, generosity and purity. Educational study gives us the power to overcome negativity so effectively, that it can seem as magical as simply having good luck. With education, we have the power of both good luck and talent on our side.

Career; the Power of Infinite Abundance


Although spiders make beautiful webs, fish swim gracefully through water and birds fly far above us in the sky, we have the power to do all these things and more. When we design and build structures like homes, watercraft, aircraft and spacecraft, our craft-work is neither limited nor predestined by our species. We have the power to choose and work at a career that aligns with our energies; a career that attracts like-minded people who are more than willing to pay us very well for our work, and we have the power earn so much money from our careers, and to invest our money so wisely, that we also have additional powers of giving and receiving many, many blessings of opulence, grace, peace, and all sorts of abundance to and from each other.

These are the 8 cosmic Goddess superpowers. These superpowers are within all of us. They are within me, within you, within friends and within competitors equally. Cultivating and activating these powers is an important step in Vastu living; a step that doesn't require an extensive home renovation. It starts with recognizing the power of the Vastu grid to help us find the best, most powerful place in our home, office or office cubicle to place an inspirational reminder to activate our very own cosmic Goddess superpowers. Our ability and willingness to understand and apply the wisdom of the Vastu grid appropriately will help us cultivate our superpowers within ourselves, and enhance the beneficial energies we emanate to and from each other in our homes, schools, businesses and workplaces.

For a Reiki version of a Vastu Clearing, please visit my Metaphysics for Architecture webpage.

This article may be updated from time to time.

A Grid and a Goddess

Inspirational Image of White Bird Flying in the Cosmos

The ancient Indian architectural practice of Vastu, a philosophical design system connected to the idea of prosperity, abundance, and well-being, is something like Ayurveda or Yoga for architectural, interior and site design. Vastu design divides a home, building or site blueprint into nine square grids, three per side, aligned along the east-west solar and north-south magnetic compass points. Then the home, building and site are designed, according to ancient Vastu principles inspired by natural forces of magnetism and circadian rhythm, to enhance well-being and bring good fortune to our living spaces, according to eight compass directions. For more on this topic, see my post The Compass Directions in Vastu.

The center grid square is left as open space, providing a spiritual balance and connection with creative power within our natural world and the universe. This central area often functions as a connecting hallway between rooms in contemporary Vastu home design. The outer eight grids of a Vastu diagram are spaces to design the rooms to be drawn for the blueprint. Each of these outer eight grid squares align with one of eight compass points and would, traditionally, be subdivided into either four or six square or rectangular pieces, with the result being that 45 different Hindu devas would each have an influence over one specific subdivided space of the grid diagram to guide the home's design. For more on this topic, see my post Vastu Purusha Architectural-Metaphysics.

Vastu Grid with Compass Directions

The names and attributes of these 45 devas go far beyond the Mother-Sister-Brother Hindu triad of Laxmi, Sarasvati and Ganesh or the divine feminine and masculine lovers Shakti and Shiva; well known to devotees of Yoga and Ayurveda. According to the Indian Institute of Astrology & Gemology (IIAG) website (accessed October 1, 2024), the names of the devas are: Shikhi, Parjanya, Jayant, Kulishayudh (Indra), Surya, Satya, Bhrish, Nabha, Anil, Pusha, Vitha, Grihakshat, Yama, Gandharva, Bhringraj, Mrig, Pitragan, Dauwarik, Sugriva, Pushpadanta, Varun, Asur, Shosh, Papayakshma, Rog, Nag, Mukhya, Bhallat, Soma, Sarpa, Aditi, Diti, Aap, Aapvatsa, Savita, Savitra, Indra, Jai, Rudra, Rajayakshma, Aryama, Vivasvan, Mitra, Prithvidhar, Brahma.

As an American architect with an interest in Vastu, I was pretty happy to find out that there is a simpler divine connection than 45 devas virtually unknown to the western world. While researching for my book about Fortuna, an ancient Roman Goddess of good fortune, the Hindu Goddess Laxmi (pronounced LUCKS-me) often came up as a modern-day corresponding Goddess of good fortune who is very definitely honored and worshiped in the present day. Like Fortuna, a Goddess who represented many aspects of luck to the peoples of the ancient Roman Empire, the Goddess Laxmi expresses different facets of luck for devotees of today's Hindu religion. Both Goddesses were and are blessed with descriptive names clarifying the type of blessings the Goddess was and is believed to bestow.

In ancient Roman inscriptions to the Goddess Fortuna we see, for example, Fortuna Bona as the Goddess in Her aspect of generic good fortune and Fortuna Salutaris as the Goddess who brings good health to those of us who are fortunate in receiving Her blessings. For more about Fortuna, buy my book p.s. Fortuna; Praises and Supplications For the Goddess. Ancient Sanskrit Aṣṭalakṣmī, translated as "Octet of Lakshmi", describes Ashta Laxmi, a multi-faceted Goddess of good fortune who represents a balance of material and spiritual well-being. Each of Ashta Laxmi's eight facets are described with a different name; for example, Vidhya Laxmi as the goddess of knowledge and learning, representing intellectual wealth and Adhi Laxmi as the goddess of prosperity and success.

Star of Laxmi

These eight facets of cosmic Goddess superpowers, according to the creatrix of Ashta Lakshmi Reiki, Dr. Chandra (also known as Saraswathi), are: all sources of wealth, career, abundant wealth, health, children, success, talent and strength. Like an eight-sided gemstone of divine feminine luck-bestowing power, Laxmi's eight aspects may be conveniently described in the contemporary Star of Laxmi, a geometric figure appearing as an eight-pointed star, ingeniously ascribed to the Goddess Laxmi by the powerful 20th century film industry. The eight-pointed Star of Laxmi, if aligned along the north-south pole, points toward four major compass points (North, East, South, West) as well as midpoints in between them (NorthEast, SouthEast, SouthWest, NorthWest).

Star of Laxmi with Compass Points

Some interpretations of Vastu associate the eight facets of Ashta Laxmi, and eight beneficial energies of overall luck, money, health, career, family, confidence, success and knowledge, with the outer eight squares of the Vastu grid diagram. Focusing on a single, inspirational source for these eight energies brings them to our conscious awareness, inviting the energies to flow to and through the Vastu grid squares for our home, with the connections between specific energies and grid squares being open to interpretation. If we imagine a Star of Laxmi in the middle of a home or building's architectural blueprint, we may perceive, on a purely geometric level, how eight beneficial energies may extend into and enhance our living and working environments, if we so choose.

Star of Laxmi superimposed on Vastu Grid

Although these energies may be represented by a Hindu Goddess octet, they may also be represented by angels (angel of knowledge, angel of success, etc), or secular inspirations like placing a well-tended potted plant or a lovely vase with regularly changed out flowers on a table, or hanging a beautiful picture of a handsomely framed landscape on a wall. The choice of how to express inspiration is personal. When placed in the home according to Vastu principles, a focus of inspiration represents Vastu living. The enhancement of prosperity, abundance and well-being through environmentally harmonious design is an art and essence of Vastu architecture.

For a Reiki version of a Vastu Clearing, please visit my Metaphysics for Architecture webpage.

This article may be updated from time to time.

The Geography of Vastu

Graphic Sketch based on Ashta Lakshmi Symbol

When we look to India for wisdom, we find it easily. With millennia of history, and knowledge systems from Yoga to Ayurveda, it's tempting to rush into a Vastu home design scheme, apply it exactly as it was envisioned in ancient India and ask a Vastu guru for all the answers. If traditional Indian exercise and nutrition keep us healthy, wouldn't a Vastu home do the same? Well, yes and no.

A quick look online will tell us much about India's size, geography and climate. Located between 8° and 37° north of the equator, India is a fairly large country, with a latitudinal range similar to that of Mexico plus the northern countries of South America. India's northern latitudes are on par with Egypt, one of the hottest countries on earth. Vastu, in practice, responds to India's pleasantly warm to dangerously hot climate.

If you live, or want to live, in a similarly warm-to-hot climate, asking your guru for Vastu advice may make a lot of sense. But what if you want to design a home in England, Ireland or northeastern United States? What if you're in the southern hemisphere? Does that traditional Vastu guru have all the answers? Well, again, yes and no. In most habitable places on earth, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The eastern and western components of Vastu may most easily be translated globally for practically any location. So far so good.

As people in the southern hemisphere are aware, the further south you travel, the closer you get to the south pole and colder it gets. It's the exact opposite to the northern hemisphere, home of the north pole. Swapping north and south Vastu correspondences for buildings in the southern hemisphere may be necessary. Similarly, the further the home site is from the equator, the more the weather conditions change. In place of dangers from summer heat exposure, the most vital concerns become wintery cold weather. May we replace the beautiful, open courtyard of Vastu with a central heating system?

When interpreting ancient systems, we now have a dilemma. Is Vastu, when reinterpreted for a non-Indian climate still Vastu? Will our traditional Vastu guru understand and agree with the new interpretation? That's a bit of a tricky question and it may depend on whether or not you're a purist.

For a Reiki version of a Vastu Clearing, please visit my Metaphysics for Architecture webpage.

This article may be updated from time to time.

Vastu and the Home Site

Mandala Image

There are land lots which provide the perfect location for a Vastu home, according to Vastu expert Monica Bakshi.

Universal Truth: planning for cities and towns is often organized in a grid created by streets bounding square or rectangular shaped land lots.

Fortunately, the perfect Vastu home site is square in shape, with a second choice being a rectangle with a maximum ratio of 2:1; the shape of two equal sized square sites side-by-side. Plenty of imaginative theories for why sites of other shapes aren't ideal are prevalent in the study of Vastu. However; even if your site is less than perfect, with a little ingenuity you may still be in luck. Vastu design remedies abound for these less-than-ideal sites. For example, a very long, thin site may be sectioned off into a buildable rectangular area that has a ratio of 2:1, with separate planting areas in front or behind, making it an excellent garden or tree house.

Universal Truth: the sun rises in the east, which has spiritual significance in many belief systems. In the northern hemisphere, the north side of a home or building is naturally cooler, just as the darkness of night is also associated with cooler temperatures. The rising sun may symbolically be seen as warming the coolness of the north direction through the eastern sky.

Although the ideal Vastu home site is a square or 2:1 rectangle with perfect 90° angles, if the North-East corner of the site extends out toward the North or North-East direction, perhaps as an acute angle of a quadrilateral, this is the only exception which may be seen as auspicious for the residents.

For a Reiki version of a Vastu Clearing, please visit my Metaphysics for Architecture webpage.

This article may be updated from time to time.

The Compass Directions in Vastu

Night Scene with Blueprint Drawing on the Stellar Constellations

According to Vastu expert Monica Bakshi, in Vastu, the architectural layout of each room is considered in terms of the compass direction it faces, and each compass direction has its own qualities. Many traditions assign beliefs to specific compass directions; below is my understanding of the significance of the compass directions according to Vastu traditions, based on Monica's teachings, along with some universal truths I am observing.

Universal truth: east is a powerful compass direction in many cultures because it is where the sun rises. The rising sun greets us in the morning with brilliant natural light that lasts throughout the day.

In Vastu, an east-facing room is considered first of all the directions. East is believed to be a place of prosperity for happiness, wealth, good health and vitality as well as intellect and destiny in Vastu, and east-facing rooms are considered places where ancestors may bless the household, the head of the household, and the descendants or children who live in the house; perhaps as the sun rises from darkness each day. East is believed to be potentially the most powerful location in a house or building when it is designed or improved using Vastu principles.

Universal truth: west is a powerful compass direction because it is where the sun sets. The sun retires every evening, in almost all locations on our planet. The sunset is the ending point of natural daylight for each day.

In Vastu, a west-facing room is considered a place of prosperity for the success and fame of our deepest desires and the prospect of a bright future; as a new day will follow after each sunset. West is believed to be an important location to energize with Vastu for protecting the stability and calmness of the mind while enhancing pleasant dreams to encourage success in accomplishing tasks following a good night's sleep.

Universal truth: in the northern hemisphere, rooms on the north side of a home or building are naturally cooler. Intellectual pursuits may be enhanced by a "calm, cool mind" and a cooler location.

In Vastu, the north direction is believed to be influenced by planet Mercury. A north-facing room is considered a place of prosperity for study, meditation and happiness of all kinds that result from acquiring knowledge through the intellect; it is also considered a place of happiness for the woman of the house. North is believed to be an important location to have an opening and a view to the outdoors and to energize with Vastu for the physical well-being of the occupants.

Universal truth: in the northern hemisphere, rooms to the south are naturally warmer. Warmer rooms welcome a slower pace, inviting us to take time out for strategic planning or maybe some daydreaming.

In Vastu, the south direction is believed to be influenced by planet Mars. A south-facing room would correspond with magnificent success as well as courage and patience. This area should be influenced by height and heaviness; the opposite of reflective surfaces like mirrors or water features, which are believed to best be kept out of and away from a southern-facing room.

Universal truth: in the northern hemisphere, the south represents the warmth of the sun. The planet Venus, sometimes called the “Morning Star”, rises in the east, as the brightest star in the sky before the sun rises.

In Vastu, the south-east direction is believed to be influenced by Venus. A well designed south-eastern room is believed to be important for the prosperity, good health and stamina of all the occupants of the house or building.

Universal truth: in the northern hemisphere, the south is usually the hottest area in the house; “heated conversation”, “hot headed” and “taking the heat” are common phrases that describe difficult human interactions. The west is the place of sunset, representing the end of the day when issues from work may influence family members after-hours.

In Vastu the south-west direction represents obstacles and difficulties. It is believed that this area needs to be grounded in ways that evoke the element of earth to support stability in overcoming the inevitable problems of real life; the opposite of vacant space, which is believed to be of disadvantage for this direction.

Universal truth: in the northern hemisphere, the north is usually the coolest area. Phrases like “cool demeanor”, “cooling off period ” and “chill” are reminders to keep on friendly terms with guests. In the west is the sunset and the end of the day, representing the temporary nature of visits, parties and friendly get-togethers.

In Vastu, the north-west direction is believed to be influenced by the moon, which makes it a nice location to invite friends, relatives, guests into the home. It is believed important to design this sector well to support being on consistently friendly terms with people who are not regular occupants of the house.

Universal truth: in the northern hemisphere, the rooms in the north are the coolest rooms, providing a calm place for study and spiritual practice. The east is where the sun rises, which was seen as a miracle in ancient times; the sunrise continues to be both a secular and spiritual inspiration every day throughout the world.

In Vastu, the north-east is believed to be influenced by Jupiter. The north-east room is believed to promote intelligence, knowledge and spirituality. Good design in this room is believed to encourage harmony in the home, release of mental tension and preservation of the intelligence.

For a Reiki version of a Vastu Clearing, please visit my Metaphysics for Architecture webpage.

This article may be updated from time to time.

Vastu Purusha Architectural-Metaphysics


An architectural version of Ayurveda, Vastu has an influence on human welfare and it links metaphysics with architecture very nicely. As a licensed architect with professional continuing education requirements, I've chosen a Vastu course taught by Vastu expert Monica Bakshi. Monica is a Vastu researcher as well as both a graduate of a traditional architecture university and a Vastu program.

Currently enjoying some fanciful historic story-telling from ancient times, from Monica's class, with personification of evil and good within architectural structures, and finding that there are interesting universal truths within these ancient concepts that continue to be relevant. This article is based on the teachings I am receiving at this time.

The underlying theme, it seems, is that there is an enormous underlying energy in any building which, if not controlled, can result in negativity; gossip between co-workers, arguments in the family, bringing negativity back home through the front door from office stress, etc. And, as well, there are things which can physically happen, such as unplanned maintenance and repairs, for example.

The ancients personified this negativity as an enormous entity.

To counter this negativity, the ancients personified the devas as being small yet numerous in comparison; something like the divine within all people who live in a house or work in an office, as well as customers and clients coming in through the front door. The devas tied down the negativity, by working together, like the Lilliputians in "Gulliver's Travels".

Sort of like, in a western concept, a lot of guardian angels overcoming an enormous demon by working together.

Of course, we the people in the house and the people in the buildings and the customers and clients coming through the door represent these Lilliputianesque guardian angels.

But the ancients went a little farther.

They actually honored the strength and power of the negative forces at three points during the construction process: at the groundbreaking, when the front door was installed, and at the completion of the construction project. This was like a pay-off, so the negative forces would be acknowledged and thereby agree to stay tied down.

Fascinating story.

The universal truth: there is negativity underlying every building situation, and it's up to us to overcome this negativity by working together harmoniously.

For a Reiki version of a Vastu Clearing, please visit my Metaphysics for Architecture webpage.

This article may be updated from time to time.

Kabbalah 101

Ben-Gurion University, as part of IsraelX for edX, is offering an Introduction to Kabbalah. The course, described as Learn about the major ideas and practices of the Kabbalah in their historical and cultural setting. The About is ...major ideas and practices of the Kabbalah in their historical and cultural settings because information available online...is non-academic...misleading and confusing.

I am taking this course, and posting some info on Tikkun Olam that I found inspiring. The professor states According to Talmudic tradition, there are 613 commandments that corresponds to the 248 limbs and 365 tendons in the human body. Online resources verify that these commandments are known as Mitzvot.

According to Kabbalistic theory, a specific pathway (as a detailed, Jewish directive for practice) may spiritually treat a specific illness of the world on a spiritual level (aka the "spiritual body") and, in the same way (as below so above and as above so below), treat a corresponding physical ailment on a material/physical level.

In my opinion, and on a first glance at introductory level, I noticed too many commandments to absorb at once. I also noticed that many of the traditional 613 commandments (for example, those referring to sacrifice practices from ancient times) seem irrelevant/weird/dangerous/illegal/unethical to contemporary spiritual/religious practice, which would lead a person to interpret, what is the intention? How is the intention relevant to contemporary practice?

For example, a commandment To offer only animals which are at least eight days old would not be appropriate for most faiths. Of course, we do not sacrifice animals anymore. But, if we did (which of course we do not) then the intention may have been to offer something that had reached an acceptable level of maturity. So, as an example of a contemporary interpretation of this same commandment: offer a rose in bloom, or a bud that has already started to bloom, because a tightly closed, green rose bud is unlikely to bloom if cut too soon from the bush.

Other commandments are easier to work into a spiritual practice, although a knowledge of correspondences (for holidays, etc) and Judaic practice seems important for a user-friendly interpretation.

To go through each of the 613 commandments and interpret in such a way, would be extremely time consuming. However; it might be a very interesting practice for a group. I wonder what might transpire, if a (large) group of Pagan/Wiccan people were to investigate these commandments as a team, along with the corresponding Tikkun Olam (the repairwork that is done via adhering to a specific commandment in response to a specific situation or ailment) ... and re-interpret them on a Pagan/Wiccan level? World peace, perhaps?

I don't believe this type of project, on this topic and at this level of complexity, has been done before, and it's too big a project for one person. Similarly, I believe following 613 commandments (as reinterpreted to be acceptable in contemporary Paganism/Wicca) might be better as a group effort, since it might probably be too hard for any one person to interpret all the commandments, or even to remember and follow them all.

It's also not clear exactly what texts might be most helpful to resource to link a commandment with a specific intended result...I'm finding some extremely generic info on Tikkun Olam, and not at all the specific remedies referenced in the coursework. Nothing about correspondences between specific limbs/tendons and the commandments, except some references to Hebrew texts that haven't yet been translated. (Pri Yitzchak, a Chassidic text published in 1834, and Sefer Chareidim by R' Elazar Azikri, for example)

Some sources suggest that the 248 positive commandments (what to do) correspond to the 248 limbs, bones and significant organs of the body, while the 365 negative commandments (what not to do) correspond to 365 sinews and ligaments, and the 365 days of the year.

I'm thinking of this as a possible development of spiritual/magical practice, for whomever is interested in the idea. Is anyone familiar with the 613 Commandments and Tikkun Olam in traditional, non-magical, Judaic Kabbalah?

Here's my interpretation, so far, for the 613, ordered according to the list in Wikipedia (accessed 12/10/2017). If you have any suggestions, or interpretations, please post a comment.

1. Know that there is a divine presence.
2. Do not be confused by different names and attributes given to the divine presence.
3. Know that the divine presence is a unifying presence.
4. Love the divine presence.
5. Beware of dangerous aspects that may exist within the divine presence.
6. Hallow or sanctify the name or names you recognize as divine.
7. Do not profane the name or names you recognize as divine.
8. Do not destroy books or other objects associated with the name or names you recognize as divine.
9. Listen to wise and enlightened people who speak the name or names you recognize as divine.
10. Do not constantly test the divine presence.

Alternatively...

Toward the end of the course we are introduced to Hasidic Kabbalah, and the teachings of the magid of Mezrich, Rabbi Dov Ber. As I understand it, within the belief system he offered his students, Dov Ber taught that there was yet another way to heal ourselves and our world. We are provided this short passage, written by the magid of Mezrich:

Sometimes we see a person, who wishes to purify himself, wishing to pray with great intention before the Holy One, Blessed be He. And he makes great preparation for this, but as he is standing to pray, an alien thought occurs to him. Such thoughts are not accidental. They were sent in order that they should be elevated back to their source.

For instance, if an alien thought concerning improper love, or improper fear, etc. occurs to him, he should reject this thought and attach himself to the supernal love, or the supernal fear. Then, he concludes his prayer with great enthusiasm, and thus pulls out the sparks from the kelipot.

Dov Ber felt that extraneous thoughts that come to us during spiritual practice (for example, during meditation) have a reason for existence, and that there is a way to elevate our practice by actively engaging in these thoughts in a specific way. This is in contrast with the idea, practiced in contemporary meditation, to empty ourselves of thoughts so that we can meditate. It is similar, though opposite in direction, to advice to "ground ourselves" and release excess energies to the earth.

Dov Ber's idea is that these apparently random thoughts should be noticed, and that we should recognize them as coming down to human level from the divine upper levels of the Kabbalah's tree of life. In doing so, we link the thought at human level to an energy which exists at a divine level, which is the level that the thought is sent from.

We do not examine the thought, keep it, wonder about it, or meditate upon it. Rather, we raise the thought to a divine level where we release it up to the divine with joy (rather than releasing it to the earth) and allow this thought to return to its divine source.

The joyous energy that is created within, at a human level in order to raise the vibration of the thought to a divine level, becomes a private and personal celebration and an enjoyable part of the spiritual practice rather than a mere distraction. It was never our personal thought, which came barging into our meditation, prayer or spiritual practice; it is a divine thought which we should return to the divine from whence it came.

In doing so, we heal any damage from the divine, caused to the divine by the divine loss of an idea; healed by returning the thought at and to a higher, divine level.

By accepting, recognizing, joyously raising the energy of the external thought to reach and return to divine levels in a skyward direction, rather than ignoring the thought or returning it to earth, we reach peace and repair the damage to our consciousness (or the human condition) as well, in the same way as previous teachers had suggested would only be accomplished by following hundreds of commandments.

In my humble opinion, considering a different way to meditate, pray or perform personal practice may be much easier than attempting to follow hundreds of commandments.



Resources

https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-kabbalah-israelx-kab1010x
https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/10406/is-there-a-list-of-mitzvot-and-their-corresponding-body-parts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/613_commandments
http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm
https://ohr.edu/explore_judaism/ask_the_rabbi/ask_the_rabbi/3588
http://www.mazorguide.com/Spiritual/Mitzvot/mitzvothome.htm