Exuberance

“Exuberance” –|– Anthony Satori

“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”

— Leon Bloy

Revelations

“Revelations” –|– Anthony Satori

“I want to work in revelations. I want to fish as deep down as possible into my own subconscious in the belief that once that far down, everyone will understand, because that far down everyone is the same.”

— Jack Kerouac

We, as human beings, have far more in common with each other than we have differences between us. And when an artist works in “revelations,” their creative expressions can become beautiful and powerful conduits for the universal elements of human existence. Experiencing art of this nature becomes no longer about “thinking.” In contrast, such revelatory art is meant to circumnavigate the rational, linear brain altogether, giving rise instead to vibrations — much like mysticism, meditation, or prayer — which resonate directly with one’s mind, spirit, and soul, and which bring with them the promise of an unparalleled purity of experience and comprehension. If the human race is to seek any best hope for the future, it will come from us finding and exploring these universal truths and values, and from cultivating the connections and bonds that arise from them.

On Boughs Too Slight

“On Boughs Too Slight” –|– Anthony Satori

“Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings.”

— Victor Hugo

Jupiter and Saturn in Conjunction

“Jupiter and Saturn in Conjunction” –|– Anthony Satori

“The ninety and nine are with dreams content.
But the hope of the world made new
Is the hundredth person who is grimly bent
On making dreams come true.”

— Ted Olson

I took this photograph just a few weeks ago, on December 21, 2020. At first blush, it may not be evident why this image might be of particular note. The two lights in the sky, however, are the planets Jupiter and Saturn, and they are in “conjunction” — which means that on this particular night these two celestial bodies were visibly closer together in our sky than they have been in nearly 800 years. The last time they appeared this close (0.1 degree apart) was 1226 AD. Merely to be alive to witness the recurrence of such a phenomenon is quite amazing. To top it off, however, this incredibly rare event occurred on Winter Solstice (for the Northern Hemisphere), which feels doubly auspicious.

Winter Solstice is the longest, darkest, and often coldest night of the year. In this moment, we are the farthest from the Sun than at any other time. It also means, however, that a shift is occurring. Things are now beginning to turn around, and to move back toward the renewal of life, toward the expansion of light and warmth, and toward the rejuvenation that comes with springtime.

Keep faith, everyone. The planets have aligned.

(See below for a more close-up photograph of the conjunction!)

“Jupiter and Saturn in Conjunction (with moons visible)” | 2020-12-21 18:40 (PST) | Anthony Satori

The Sublimity of Nature

“The Sublimity of Nature” –|– Anthony Satori

“She spoke her feelings. ‘Here’s harmony!’ said she; ‘Here’s repose! Here’s what may lift the heart to rapture! When I look out on such a night as this, I feel as if there could be neither wickedness nor sorrow in the world; and there certainly would be less of both if the sublimity of Nature were more attended to, and people were carried more out of themselves by contemplating such a scene.’”

― Jane Austen

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! May 2021 bring health, peace, joy and fulfillment into every corner of your life.