ONALISTUS REVELER SEARCHES FOR KALI MA IN BROOKLYN

Finding places where people gather to worship Kali–the aspect of God that, among other things, severs your head–is not necessarily an easy task. While there’s nothing particularly secretive about Kali worship, diaspora communities who take Kali as their primary deity–the people you want to meet–aren’t necessarily interested in proselytizing to people outside the diaspora, and thus do not send up smoke signals calling spiritual exiles to the faith. Rather, for Americans wishing to find people venerating Muktakeshi [She with Disheveled Hair] they must often be in the presence of either Ammachi the “hugging guru,” or California sadhu and kirtan wala, Bhagavan Das, both of whom give much respect to the great Mother of the World, Jagadamba. Yet, while both are inspiring enough people, neither represent what I am looking for.

Read the rest over at Not New York

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ONALISTUS REVELER IGNITES THE ALTAR OF HONOR’D DEATHS

You can start your search finding more of pics like this here.

And then “friend” us on facebook here.

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FIZZLING DREAMS OF “BACK-TO-THE-LAND”

An earthship near the Earthship Biotecture World Headquarters (1 Earthship Way, Taos, NM 87571)

I have this dream, where I wake up in the morning to no other sound than leaves rustling in the breeze. I step onto the recycled barn wood floorboards that I laid down with my own two hands (with the help of friends), put on a robe and walk to the kitchen. On my way, I pass by the window that overlooks the garden and I think I’ll go out in an hour to see if any beans are ready. I don’t turn on the lights because I’m conserving the solar energy I’ve stored up over the past few days and besides, sunlight is already streaming in through the skylight. I cut myself a slice of homemade bread and spread it with blueberry preserves (made by my neighbor who swapped it for two bottles of milk from my goat) and think about what I’ll do today. There’s a lot: I’ve got gardening and laundry, and I have to pickle some of those veggies before they go bad. But I’m also going down to the county hospital to see some clients this afternoon (because in this fantasy I’ve already graduated from school and am a practicing occupational therapist). And I have to check the mail because I forgot to do that yesterday.

I don’t get that much junk mail any more because I don’t buy that much. My name and address has slipped off catalog companies’ lists. I don’t get utility bills any more because I harvest my energy. But there is one letter that arrives every month, without fail– it’s the bill from my educational loan company and it’s $1,200 a month.

And then *POP* just like that, my back-the-land bubble bursts. I rub the sleep from my eyes and blink: Ah yes, here I am. Back in Brooklyn, in school full time, pursuing a masters degree, racking up the loans.

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‘ZINE MAKING CLASS BEGINS THIS SATURDAY! (Brooklyn)

NEW OLD TRADITIONS IN THE CLASSROOM
3rd Ward, Brooklyn, NY

DIY Publishing: ‘Zine Making, Saturdays July 17, 24, 31, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
By the end of the course students will have collected material for, laid out, printed, bound, and photocopied a completed ‘zine to either keep for themselves, or distribute guerilla style to the masses. To that end we will learn about the history of ‘zine publishing, the varying ideological currents that use them, and why a person might choose to make a ‘zine over a high-gloss journal or online blog. We will look at a wide variety of examples of DIY printing including poetry chapbooks, political tracts, punk fanzines, and religious propaganda. Students will learn the art of cut-and-paste, as well as ways to generate text and imagery. We will also look at different folding and binding techniques, including a simple Japanese stitch, as well as how to make a press for drilling holes into chapbooks for sewn bindings.

More info here

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START YOUR OWN RELIGION & GUERILLA PUBLISHING CLASSES: Two New Old workshops in Brooklyn

NEW OLD TRADITIONS IN THE CLASSROOM:3rd Ward, Brooklyn, NY

Start a New Religion, Mondays June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 7:00pm – 10:00pm
In this class students will each write, design, and craft a new spiritual path (as far out or traditional as desired), to be summed up and presented at the end of the course through presentations, handouts, and booklets. Over the four weeks students will create hymns that can be used to exalt their beatitudes, define the tenets of their path so others will know what it’s all about, produce propaganda in order to call the willing to the Light, as well as explore the role of (read: draw/mold/create) deities in their new spiritual path. Using published examples from occult, as well as mainstream traditions we will look for inspiration from a variety of unusual sources. Students will be expected to play with what it means to even “be religious,” and should be prepared and willing to engage in a variety of mediums, including text, song, and iconography. Some experience with making ‘zines or other DIY publications a plus, but not required.

More info here

DIY Publishing: ‘Zine Making, Saturdays July 17, 24, 31, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
By the end of the course students will have collected material for, laid out, printed, bound, and photocopied a completed ‘zine to either keep for themselves, or distribute guerilla style to the masses. To that end we will learn about the history of ‘zine publishing, the varying ideological currents that use them, and why a person might choose to make a ‘zine over a high-gloss journal or online blog. We will look at a wide variety of examples of DIY printing including poetry chapbooks, political tracts, punk fanzines, and religious propaganda. Students will learn the art of cut-and-paste, as well as ways to generate text and imagery. We will also look at different folding and binding techniques, including a simple Japanese stitch, as well as how to make a press for drilling holes into chapbooks for sewn bindings.

More info here

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EVENT REMINDER FOR THIS SATURDAY: “Kombucha and Kimchi Talk and Giveaway” in Brooklyn, NY

Join Onalistus Reveler, Daisy Jane Danger, Ernistine Cabins, and Briar Reveler for this New Old Event where we will learn how to make kombucha and kimchi, discuss the history of these two mysterious edibles, and learn about some of the benefits of putting them in your belly. Below are the details:

“Kombucha and Kimchi Talk and Giveaway”

Saturday May 29, Brooklyn, NY
Sponsored by These New Old Traditions.
$5 suggested donation.
First ten people through the door get free kombucha mother.
Bring proper containers (jars) for kombucha mothers &/or some kimchi.
Please RSVP if you’d like to attend.

WHERE: The Good House Brooklyn, 599 E. 7th St., Apt. 6F, Brooklyn, NY, 11218

WHEN: Saturday, May 29, 2010

WHAT TIME: 1:00pm — 3:00pm

HOW MUCH: Suggested $5.00 donation

If you’re on The Facebook please check out the event there and RSVP. If you’ve taken a stand against such mind-numbing social networking mediums, then A.) well done, and B.) email us to RSVP.

newoldtraditions [at] gmail [dot] com

Note: You must RSVP in order to come.

So please do, ’cause we’d love to have you!

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MAKING THE OLD NEW: The Fixers’ Collective

"Team Cobblers" at the Fixers' Collective

Stuff, stuff, stuff. At least once a month I pick an area of my little apartment and start trying to pick out stuff to pitch. Inevitably, the project ends quickly. Though it’s true that there’s always a bit more stuff around than we need, it’s also true that I’m relatively pared down to “things that have use.”

The funny is, there’s this whole contingent of stuff that can be described as, “things that should have use if they worked.” A great example of this is my immersion blender. When it was working, I used it almost daily for all sorts of kitchen tasks. Unfortunately, these tasks included things that the blender wasn’t actually meant for and so, of course, it broke. Now, it lives in my kitchen drawer. I want to buy a new one, but the truth is… this blender is my second one this year, and I spent some money on this one hoping that “higher quality” would mean that I could abuse it longer. My sense of ethics says no, I do not deserve another one. Buying another blender just makes me part of the system. Buy, break, repeat.

LO! Another option lies ahead! FIX IT. What an idea. If something is broken… fix it. So, thank god for the Fixers Collective in Brooklyn. I haven’t yet been there, but from what I can tell, all I have to do it fill out a form about the thing I need fixed and head on over. AhhhhhMAZING. And, from looking at their web site, if they can’t fix it, they’ll re-purpose it. What’s even cooler is it looks like you get to hang out and help while they tinker with your stuff. How fun is that? I’m going to check it out, and if you’re in Brooklyn, so should you.

Oh, and thanks to our friend and fellow reveler, Kelly Smith, for posting the Fixers’ Collective link on Ye Olde Facebook. You’re our link to awesome, Kelly.

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