William Blake s Wife Tells All: the Musical

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1 NEWS, VIEWS AND VISIONS FROM T.P.A. SYRACUSE TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATION...SYRACUSE, NEW YORK TPA / P.O. BOX 122-TP / LIVERPOOL, NY FOUNDED IN THE SPIRIT VOLUME 30 NUMBER 9 NOVEMBER, 2015 Join TPA s Facebook Page for last minute updates and much more! Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015 Potluck Prep/Dinner: 6:00-7:00 Bring: Food & Drink to share. We also need paper plates and tablecloths. (Personally, I m bringing my own washable plates.) Meditation/Community Meeting 7:00-7:30 Presentation: 7:30 Place: Emmanuel Episcopal 400 West Yates St. East Syracuse, NY Directions: From 690 take exit 16 N (Thompson Road). Turn Right onto Burnet Ave. At the first light after the railroad overpass, turn Right onto W. Manlius St. Go one block and then turn LEFT onto East Ave (at the Post Office). We're at the corner of West Yates Street and East Avenue, one block north of the East Syracuse post office. The parking lot is just past the Church on East Avenue, with handicapped access through the door closest to the parking lot. Donation: Sliding scale $5.00-$8.00 (First time attendees: Fee is optional.) William Blake s Wife Tells All: the Musical Beth Miller and The Flock of Free Range Chicken William Blake - artist, poet, engraver, illustrator - and most importantly - man of of visions, will be the topic of our November gathering. Blake lived in London between 1757 and 1827 and witnessed events that shifted power from monarchy and clergy to The People! We will hear about the London of his day, Blake's creative process, (which involved imaginative dialogues with members of the spirit world), and his struggles with the contraries of Innocence and Experience. In a readers theater format featuring the fabulous sounds of the band, Flock of Free Range Children Blake s story will be told mainly through the eyes of Mrs. Blake, who is largely unrecognized for the role she played in the poet/artist's enduring accomplishments. As an added treat, there will be an art exhibit of selected examples of Blake - and Mrs. Blake s - art work. [continued on next page.] Next Meeting: December 5 Holiday Party At Sue Savions

2 [continued from previous page] Beth Miller loves listening to stories, hearing poems read out loud, spending time in the woods and in dreams. She sees the world through Jung-colored glasses. Sometimes she writes poems and prose of her own. Her favorite styles of writing are haiku and meditative journaling. Occasionally she leads seminars on creative journaling. Beth (aka Catherine Blake) "The Flock of Free Range Children is an eclectic folk orchestra comprised of performers from all walks of life. Using a variety of acoustical and electrical instruments, percussion from different cultures and even child toys, they tell the story of our relationship as people with our planet and with each other. Songwriter and singer Ron van Nostrand leads the band. Along with Ron, flock members include Dan Cleveland, Dee Dusharm, John Davis, Don Watkins, Linda Webster and Marjorie Witty. For our TPA presentation The Flock will be setting Blake s poetry to music, and all are invited to sing along Quotes from William Blake The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. In seed time learn; in harvest time teach, in winter enjoy. If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is infinite. Blake illustration I must create a system or be enslaved by another man s; I will not reason and compare: my business is to create. William Blake Bio William Blake was born in London on November 28, 1757, to James, a hosier, and Catherine Blake. Two of his six siblings died in infancy. From early childhood, Blake spoke of having visions at four he saw God put his head to the window ; around age nine, while walking through the countryside, he saw a tree filled with angels. Although his parents tried to discourage him from lying," they did observe that he was different from his peers and did not force him to attend conventional school. He learned to read and write at home. At age ten, Blake expressed a wish to become a painter, so his parents sent him to drawing school. Two years later, Blake began writing poetry. When he turned fourteen, he apprenticed with an engraver because art school proved too costly. One of Blake s assignments as apprentice was to sketch the tombs at Westminster Abbey, exposing him to a variety of Gothic styles from which he would draw inspiration throughout his career. After his seven-year term ended, he studied briefly at the Royal Academy. Page 2 [ continued on next page]

3 In 1782, he married an illiterate woman named Catherine Boucher. Blake taught her to read and to write, and also instructed her in draftsmanship. Later, she helped him print the illuminated poetry for which he is remembered today; the couple had no children. Blake made a meager living as an engraver and illustrator for books and magazines. In addition to his wife, Blake also began training his younger brother Robert in drawing, painting, and engraving. Robert fell ill during the winter of 1787 and succumbed, probably to consumption. As Robert died, Blake saw his brother s spirit rise up through the ceiling, clapping its hands for joy. He believed that Robert s spirit continued to visit him and later claimed that in a dream Robert taught him the printing method that he used in Songs of Innocence and other illuminated works. His early poems protest against war, tyranny, and King George III s treatment of the American colonies. He published his most popular collection, Songs of Innocence, in 1789 and followed it, in 1794, with Songs of Experience. Some readers interpret Songs of Innocence in a straightforward fashion, considering it primarily a children s book, but others have found hints at parody or critique in its seemingly naive and simple lyrics. Both books of Songs were printed in an illustrated format reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts. The text and illustrations were printed from copper plates, and each picture was finished by hand in watercolors. Blake was a nonconformist who associated with some of the leading radical thinkers of his day, such as Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft. In defiance of 18th-century neoclassical conventions, he privileged imagination over reason in the creation of both his poetry and images, asserting that ideal forms should be constructed not from observations of nature but from inner visions. He declared in one poem, I must create a system or be enslaved by another man s. His works express his opposition to the English monarchy, and to 18th-century political and social tyranny in general. Theological tyranny is the subject of The Book of Urizen (1794). In the prose work The Marriage of Heaven and Hell( ), he satirized oppressive authority in church and state, as well as the works of Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish philosopher whose ideas once attracted his interest. He taught himself Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Italian, so that he could read classical works in their original language. In Felpham he experienced profound spiritual insights that prepared him for his mature work, the great visionary epics which have neither traditional plot, characters, rhyme, nor meter. They envision a new and higher kind of innocence, the human spirit triumphant over reason. Blake believed that his poetry could be read and understood by common people, but he was determined not to sacrifice his vision in order to become popular. Blake s final years, spent in great poverty, were cheered by the admiring friendship of a group of younger artists who called themselves the Ancients. In 1818 he met John Linnell, a young artist who helped him financially and also helped to create new interest in his work. It was Linnell who, in 1825, commissioned him to design illustrations for Dante s Divine Comedy, the cycle of drawings that Blake worked on until his death in Page 3

4 HERE S TO A LOVING MEMORY OF A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCING by Nancy Nunziata Archimede Gallagher Moving forward in space and time, we visited Scoglitti, Sicily, the place of my birth. There I connected with family I had not yet met and reconnected with family and friends I left behind some 60 years ago. I was moved by folks who remembered and loved my parents. I got together with my classmates and the classmates of my brothers. I saw the statue of Blessed Virgin Mary, La Dolorata, which my parents had made and then donated to our local church in Scoglitti. I traveled to other cities in Sicily to find family members I had heard about but had never met. I was warmly received and welcomed by everyone everywhere I went. I found a small apartment for my husband and myself on the street where I was born which was also the same street where both my grandmothers lived. I was allowed to enter the home where I was born and see it from inside just before it was about to be torn down and reconverted into the local pharmacy. A worker named Antonio gave me a piece of the wall which I now have next to the computer where I am writing this. I spent twenty magical days in Scoglitti and traveled with a guide named Valerio to some amazingly beautiful ancient and modern sites. One of the best things for me is knowing that I have a large and loving family in Sicily. I was also able to share throughout my visit pictures of my father Emanuele Archimede s hand-carved ships, which folks there were familiar with. They remembered having seen my father s beautiful work and some had ships in their homes which he had given to them before he migrated to the United States. Ships made by my father in the United States are currently on exhibit at the Museum of Science and Technology, The MOST, in Syracuse, NY. In France, we walked in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette while visiting Lourdes, the place where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette eighteen times. We also hiked through the deep forest near St. Maxim Provence and we climbed dozens of steep steps making our way to the entrance of the grotto where Marie Madeleine lived for 30 years. Our Visit to the Temples of Humankind in Damanhur, the City of Lights, fascinated us. It captured our imagination and inspired us with its beauty and its service to humankind. A new breath of air filled our lungs as we walked the many beautiful labyrinths and participated in the community rituals and the community way of living that broadened and enriched our minds, our hearts and our spirits. The beauty of this artistic co-creative environment and the reverence for all aspects of nature healed and inspired us. Together, as individuals and as community, we recognized and celebrated the discovery of what it means to be human beings on a planet connected to life itself, to one another and to all other living beings. A deepening acknowledgment of the available spiritual energies allowed us the opportunity to expand and enrich our the possibilities, the discoveries and practices about who and what we may be as ONE and as ALL of life on this ever emerging, evolv- Page 4

5 ing and expanding universe. All events throughout Europe during our recent 33 day experiencing, today, make up parts of a power filled memory bank that enriches our everyday daily life. These are all the manifested realizations of a co-creative dream called forth into being for many years. They are a source of energy and belief of a fulfilled dream that longed to be born. Today s pictures of people we met and places we visited along with small items given to us or gathered by us on this extraordinarily beautiful experiencing continue to remind us that all is possible and attainable. They remind us of the courage, the strength and the patience in us that made this dream possible and they invite us to dream forward. We can now, from the comfort of our home, relive this dream again and again on our own or with family and friends. We can go back and forth in time effortlessly and thanks to technology, we are able to communicate with people we met in other parts of the world. We can share and offer golden nuggets of our experiencing to family and friends both at home and abroad. We can certainly remind ourselves and others to remember, that indeed, what we imagine can and will happen as soon as we begin to cocreate a vision for that dream. We are grateful to each person who helped us along the way as we gratefully smile and hold dear each and every memory which we will recall and share with you should you visit us, come see our pictures, hear our stories and be moved by new music and our new ways of dancing with us and all of life! Damanhur Damanhur received recognition from the United Nation's Global Forum on Human Settlements as a model for a sustainable society. The award was no accident. It was the result of Damanhur's deep respect for the environment as a conscious, sensitive entity and our citizens' commitment to coexisting with the plant and animal worlds (as well as intelligences that inhabit this universe) in a reverent and nurturing way. One expression of this philosophy is Music of the Plants, in which communication with the plant world inspires concerts where the musicians are trees, and plants play music alongside human musicians. Damanhur citizens cultivate organic food and livestock, and restructure and build according to green building principles. Some citizens have created companies in the fields of renewable energy, eco-clothing, food production, and much more. Damanhurians prefer natural healing methods and a holistic view of wellness, but not to the exclusion of science and medicine. The goal is to appreciate life in all its forms, while leaving the lowest possible impact on the environment. Where appropriate, leading-edge technologies are employed as a valuable ally in the defense of health and nature. Page 5

6 Greetings from Kate Farrar: I am back from France! I stayed in central France near Aubusson, famous for tapestries and carpets. My daughter's house is near the village of Ars, known also for Le Cure de Ars. This area also known (I'm told) as the forgotten France. Mostly farming country life. Little or no industry. Life is like it was 50 or so years ago. Many British people are buying property, reconstructing and modernizing, and moving over there. It is becoming a little enclave of British residents, who all seem to know one another. Felt quite at home with all these British accents. They are moving because they can't stand what's happening with the way of life in England and want more of a quality and simple life structure. The area is sooo rural and sooo relaxing, and completely untouched. My daughter and her husband have several 'holiday lets' so if anyone is thinking of a unique experience for a vacation, this is the place to go. Parisians use it as a getaway from the hustle and bustle of Paris and the big cities. The French certainly have their own way of thinking and going about things. Do not expect it to happen today when we can put it off until tomorrow. Very much com ci, com ca! Sorry. No cedillas on my keyboard. Many stories on that one. The actual experience of being reunited with my daughter after 47 years was one of complete and happy closure to a long separation. Meeting my 21-year-old grand daughter, Lisa, who now calls me "Biker Granny" because I got to ride on her 650cc motorbike, all suited up, of course. Thomas, my grandson who accompanied me, learned much about farm life, had horseback riding lessons, rode around on a quad, cut and stacked wood, and was quite at home. The last day we went to Paris, took a bus tour and spent time at the Eiffel Tower just as it was lighting up. A 'must see' experience. Unfortunately, we didn't get to visit museums, etc, but made the most of the time we had there. In all, it was a unique and fulfilling experience. Terry McMaster will present a program of stories and songs called Celtic Connections: Erie Canal" in the Snippets and Tales Series, Camillus Town Hall, 4600 W. Genesee Street, Nov. 15th from 2 to 4pm. Free admission. Art show: "Soul as Image Maker" Photographs and paintings, many from the "Speaking in Light: Reflections on the Erie Canal" photographic series now through Nov. 13--during library hours. Petit Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. terrymcmaster511@gmail.com Page 6

7 .Jo Anne Bakeman introduced us to an interesting author (Richard Smoley), guided a discussion about Forgiveness and led us in a meditation at October s meeting, which was hosted at Michelle Frankel s home...gabriele Antoni will be traveling to Germany on November 21st. She will fly out to visit her mother and not be back until December 2nd. Just in time for the Holiday Party at Sue s! She will visit a local Christmas Market And will also see her brother and sisterin-law and some of her friends. She hopes to spend a day with her mother in the spa of the famous Dr. Kneipp...Jo Anne Verone: For all those interested in the history of the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, I have a few signed copies of the book, The Art of Life by Dorothy Reister. She was the founder, director and President of the Art Park from She was also an Art professor at Syracuse University and Cazenovia college. She is 98 years young and she lives at the Nottingham. The cost of the book is $25.00 and all proceeds go to the Art Park. You can call me if you would like to purchase the book. She also encouraged our community to hire I. M. Pei to design and build the Everson Museum. She has given so much to our community. Let's help keep the Art Park open for many years to come. The book has many lovely pictures. A great holiday gift idea for your loved ones.. John Verone just turned 75 on November 4th! Joanne Verone will turn 70 on November 13th! They are both grateful for good health and well being. They look forward to seeing everyone at the November meeting. Dale Gallagher had a birthday on November 4th as well. Happy, happy, happy birthday to you all!..nancy and Dale Gallagher have recently returned from a wonderful trip to Nancy s home town in Sicily, magical Damahur and other parts of Italy as well as a bit of France. They have much to share. Please see Nancy s highlights of the trip on pages 4-5. Sue Savion has been reading Howard Waldorf s The 4 Element Lifestyle and finds it very illuminating especially foods to eat to optimize health naturally...aziz Goksel was on hand to celebrate his niece Leyla s wedding on Long Island in the Hampton s recently and now is back in Radisson...Hello and Love and Light from Elizabeth Williams. Here is her message: We at The Center of Truth and Light would like to announce an opportunity to all coming soon! Saturday, November 14th and Sunday, November 15th from 9am- 5pm, Sheila Tillich will be teaching a basic and intermediate class on Integrated Energy Therapy (IET). The classes are being held at The Center of Truth and Light, 886 E. Brighton Ave., Syracuse. You are asked to bring a bagged lunch on the day of class. You may contact Sheila for more information on classes and about the wonderful benefits of IET. Her website is or on facebook at WhiteDoveHealing. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from Sheila, a Master Instructor of IET. Also, checkout the article in the most recent, free publication of Natural Awakenings magazine! Page 7

8 Joe and Sue attended a Halloween night performance by the Binghamton Philharmonic... in costume. Sue was a witch, Joe was The Cat in the Hat, complete with a two-foot tall striped hat. Their seats were excellent, but the lady behind Joe said: I will not sit behind a cat who wears a two-foot striped hat. This cannot be I cannot see Take off your hat, cat: That will be that Joe took off his hat, and harmony reigned, witch was the way it was supposed to be.