How to Befriend the Moon (a step-by-step tutorial)
1. Revere women as the moon reveres women. They are her most beloved children.
2. Take off your bra or any clothing that might constrict you. Spin around as fast as you can until you’re dizzy and laughing.
3. Be kind to raccoons.
4. At dusk, open your window and sing her a song. She does not care if it is out of tune. She smiles down no matter what.
5. Wander by night. The moon will keep you safe. You must prove you trust her. (but do not go too far into the forest, where she cannot see you)
6. Wear a silver necklace. This will remind the moon that you are Hers.
7. Go outside in the middle of the night. Bring friends to greet the moon. Dance, unafraid, in her benevolent light. She will dance with you, whether you see her or not.
8. When you are walking home alone at night, remember you are not alone. She is with you. You may speak to her, or just enjoy each other’s silent company. She is here for you if you ask for her.
9. Congratulations! The moon is your friend! You may call on her when you need her, but never forget her or leave her.
Do not sleep in the woods. Not yet. For now, just walk, smile, breathe in the air. You may play music if it makes you feel safer.
Bring food. If you find a very smooth stone, a large old stump, or the mossy ruins of what used to be manmade, those are all good places to leave a taste, a drink. Do not leave anything that will not decompose. If you do, come back to pick it back up, or don’t come back at all.
Pay no attention to her hair. She has been here longer than you, and she prefers you keep your hands to yourself. You may play music if it makes you feel safer, she doesn’t mind the noise. You are safe. You may continue or leave. There is patience here.
Come alone, or as alone as you can manage. Friends are welcome, but big groups simply pass through. Too many boots.
Drink plenty of water, and always bring a first-aid kit. A portable charger never hurts. Stay on the paths, they are there for a reason. You won’t see her unless you stray.
Come in the spring and the fall. These are the seasons of change, growth. It will work fastest that way.
Flowing water will be healing. Sit down for a while, let it flow over you. You don’t have to be off your phone, but at some point, you will be. This is okay and at some point you will be on it again. This is okay. Listen to the wind and the trees.
Letting down roots will not come easily, but if you let yourself, you won’t regret it. Feel the earth. Let it become a home.
Green may or not be your favorite color. It does not matter if it is not, but tell the trees so anyways. Tell the birds they are beautiful and tell the rabbits and squirrels they have nothing to fear from you. They will not change, but they hear you. It matters.
Do not be afraid to smile. There is so much joy here, always, ready to be felt, to be shared. Never ignore fear, but let it pass through you. Don’t let it bind you, not forever. You may now sleep here, if you wish. You are now a friend of the woods. This will stand for as long as you do not break it with purpose. Congratulations.
The single greatest and most fascinating “futurist” architecture movement in the world right now is happening in Bolivia, where national prosperity and a dedication to works for the poor and public housing led to an explosion of colorful styles inspired by Aymara Indian art. There should be more articles about this, the interiors are just as amazing. Incidentally, most of these buildings are not for the rich or in trendy neighborhoods, but are public housing. I’ve heard this style referred to as “Neo-Andean” but like most currently thriving styles it doesn’t have a universally agreed on name yet.
Me, eating Apple slices with my rats in the dark: were a lot alike you and i. We eat we sleep we live trapped in our comfort zones never doing anything more than the usual. Your cage is physical you have an excuse but me? What stops me from getting up and leaving all that I know? Nothing but social obligation. But you seem satisfied in your space, to climb your walls and rest and shit and eat. Perhaps there is wisdom in that.
My rats, eating apples with me in the dark : crunchcrunchcrunch crunchcrumch crunchcrunchcrunch
my favorite haunted house experience was when a werewolf, after growling in our faces and effectively freaking out my siblings, stepped on my shoe and he said, in the softest voice imaginable, “oh sorry”
in close second is the time there were strings hanging from the ceiling and my glasses got caught and this guy who was dressed up as a creepy victorian zombie or whatever stood there as i tried to untangle them while they were still on my face but it kept getting worse until he walked up to me, very carefully removed my glasses, untangled them, and handed them back to me, and then grunted like a zombie as i thanked him and moved on
