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Elemental beings

Tupan, 22 h.
In the ancient tradition of elemental manipulation, the relationship between humans and elemental beings is both mystical and deeply connected with the natural and metaphysical realms. These elementals, embodying the pure essence of fire, water, earth, and air, are more than just energy constructs—they are sentient beings with their own temperaments and personalities that reflect the elements they govern. Fire Elementals (Salamanders) are beings of passion, transformation, and destruction. They embody the unpredictable and volatile nature of fire, capable of both creating and consuming. Though feared for their destructive potential, they are also symbols of renewal, burning away the old to pave the way for the new. A skilled manipulator who bonds with a fire elemental can harness its power for creativity and inspiration. Water Elementals (Undines) mirror the fluid and ever-changing nature of water. They are empathetic beings, attuned to the emotional currents of those around them. Their dual nature reflects water’s capacity to be calm and healing, or forceful and destructive. Water elementals resonate with emotions such as sadness or tranquility and can be a source of peace or chaos depending on the manipulator's state of mind. Earth Elementals (Gnomes) are the embodiment of stability and endurance. Rooted in the foundation of the world, they represent the slow but unyielding forces of nature. These beings are protectors of the natural world, guarding forests, mountains, and caves, and are connected to the cycles of growth and decay. Their bond with a manipulator requires patience, as earth elementals do not easily bend to haste or change. Air Elementals (Sylphs) are ethereal beings of wind and storm, representing freedom, change, and the unseen currents of thought and inspiration. Elusive and playful, they are also capricious and unpredictable. Manipulators who form bonds with air elementals must embrace flexibility and creativity, as these beings resonate with those who are open-minded and innovative, but can be testing and fickle. The relationship between these elemental beings and aetherists is one of balance and respect. A true manipulator does not command elementals but forms a partnership with them. This bond is formed through attunement in the psychosphere, where the manipulator’s mind aligns with the elemental's essence. Emotional and mental harmony are key; any imbalance can disrupt the connection, leading to dire consequences. Elemental beings are far more likely to aid those who approach them with humility and respect for the natural forces they represent. This partnership reveals the broader truth that nature and mind are interconnected through the psychosphere, and through elemental manipulation, aetherists can harmonize with the primal forces that shape the world.

A richer world athletics, but not for all...

Aziz Daouda, 1 d.
Has world athletics suddenly become richer, or is it just trying to be fairer in the distribution of financial income, particularly in the share it gives to athletes? In any case, the news for the next few years seems to confirm a major flow of money into athletics, with the athletes as the primary beneficiaries. It also seems that the recently launched projects and new competition formulas are very attractive and of great interest to promoters and advertisers. Historically, this has been the case since the 80s, when under the control of the revered President Primo Nebiolo, the man who revolutionized athletics, the IAAF was a pioneer in deciding to grant bonuses to athletes at world championships. It also began to pay grants to national federations for the preparation of their athletes. In fact, it distributed the income generated by world competitions as fairly as possible. Forty years later, World Athletics (the new name for the IAAF) announced athlete bonuses at the last Olympic Games in Paris. One day, the IOC will have to review its financial policy and come to the realization that, at the heart of the money it collects, there is a show whose actors are the athletes, and that any service that generates profits must benefit its actors first. I'm one of those who believe that the IOC should start paying bonuses to winners as soon as possible. Today, it seems that the most important annual competition in athletics, the “Wanda Diamond League”, will be increasing its athlete bonuses in 2025, thanks to a significant increase in resources. The amounts involved will be higher than in previous seasons. The promised increase will apply to both individual competitions and the overall prize money paid out at the annual finals. For its part, World Athletics, which had already increased the prize money reserved for athletes at world championships in 2022, is now proposing a new formula for annual competition, which it now calls the “Ultimate Championships”. The competition would begin in 2026 with a prize fund of 10 million USD. The winners of each event would receive USD 150,000. Also arriving is the new world league, Grand Slam Track (GST), founded by legendary American sprinter and former 400m world record holder Michael Johnson. This competition will make its debut in April 2025. The GST, which will see the world's best male and female runners compete, offers 262,500 USD in prize money at each of its four meetings, each winner receiving 100,000 USD. The Athlos, an event organized in New York by Alexis Ohanian (husband of Serena Williams), has also recently been launched. This women-only competition carries a prize of 110,500 USD per race, with 60,000 USD going to each of the winners. European athletics has also seen a real shake-up, with the launch at this year's European Championships in Rome of gold crowns worth 50,000 EUR, awarded to the best result per event group. These awards were won by 10 renowned athletes: Warholm, Ingebrigtsen, Duplantis, Fabbri, Erm - Bol, Battocletti, Elkasevic, Mihambo and Thiam. In addition, for 2025, outdoor competitions organized under the aegis of European Athletics will be endowed with even higher prizes: EUR 75,000 for silver, EUR 30,000 for bronze and EUR 12,000 for the challenge. Athletics thus seems to be back on its feet financially, no doubt as a result of the healthy performances of its ever-improving athletes and increasingly spectacular competitions. At the same time, these new formulas risk widening the gap between the different regions of the world, particularly when it comes to continental competitions. While Asia and North America have the capacity to keep pace, Oceania and South America a little less so, Africa seems far from being able to generate the financial flows needed to organize major championships and pay athletes bonuses. It's not a question of will, or even less of competence. Rather, it is the economic context that is decisive. At the 2018 continental championships in Assaba, Nigeria, Africa beat Europe to the punch by attempting to pay bonuses of 3,000 USD to the winners of the various events. Unfortunately, the project came to nothing. The Confederation of African Athletics is likely to find it difficult to attract the best African athletes to these competitions if it does not align itself with what is happening elsewhere. As far as athletics one day meetings are concerned here too, the gap is likely to widen even further. Formulas in Europe and North America will severely handicap the attractiveness of competitions elsewhere, particularly in Africa. Only time will tell what will really happen...very soon indeed. In the end, it's the athletes who will be more fairly rewarded for their efforts and sacrifices. And that's undoubtedly a great step forward for the world...

Travel Diary #2: Self drive road trip Namibie-Botswana

Antoine, 3 d.
4 min read.
The second leg of our journey is a self-drive road trip starting from Windhoek in Namibia and ending in Maun, Botswana. For budget reasons, it was impossible to hire the services of a driver-guide for a month. Moreover, we love the adventure and freedom that this type of travel brings. We rented a 4x4 with a rooftop tent and a trunk filled with all the camping essentials: sleeping bags, dishes, propane, and even a small fridge. Upon our arrival in Windhoek, where we would only spend one night, it's striking how well-constructed and clean the city is. Paved sidewalks and no litter along the roads, unlike in Tanzania. However, there is much more begging. Here, it’s not about someone wanting to provide a service in exchange for some change, but rather an extremely insistent form of begging. The same was true in Swakopmund, on the western coast by the sea. In several towns with frequent tourist traffic, we encountered this dichotomy between cleanliness and begging. We then left civilization, heading north along the coast. We crossed the Skeleton National Park. I didn’t think a desert landscape could be so varied. Sand dunes, arid areas with some bushes, red earth sometimes tinged with purple, and occasionally the bed of a dried river with a bit of greenery and some antelopes surviving while waiting the next rainy season. Another striking aspect of this desert is the transition to the Atlantic Ocean. The shift from desert to ocean happens very abruptly, with waves crashing directly in the desert or, further north, on the few pebbles that serve as a boundary between water and land. The northern tip of the park is called Terrace Bay. The campsite where we stop is actually a very popular spot for fishermen from neighboring countries. We chatted with one of them who had come all the way from Cape Town (South Africa), having traveled 2000 km to get here with his 4x4. The next stop on our road trip is the famous Etosha National Park. It is very different from the parks we visited in Tanzania. The dirt roads are in better condition, and the park is more suited for a self-drive visit. The small waterholes (natural or artificial) attract many animals during the dry season and are well marked on the map. However, to see certain animals like cheetahs and lions resting in the shade of trees, it's best to signal other visitors to stop and exchange information. Even the guides, identifiable by their vehicles with pop-up roofs or completely open cars, are generous with advice. A simple wave will have them stop alongside you for a chat. The park is less varied in terms of landscapes compared to the Serengeti, for example, but the sight of the many species sharing the waterholes is magnificent. Once we crossed Etosha from west to east, we arrived in Rundu in northern Namibia, the second largest city after Windhoek. The owner of the campsite where we stopped told us that there is very little work, and thus most people living on the outskirts survive on what they find and trade. We went with him to see some houses in the village. They are simply areas of land marked out with wooden sticks and a few shelters, either made of metal or a wood/clay mix. For the end of the Namibian part of the road trip, we headed northeast along the Okavango River. We stopped at a fishing campsite. A little sunrise tour on the river allowed us to chat with the owner, who was very pleasant. He taught us a lot about poaching management and the damage it causes to the river's wildlife. There are almost no fish left. According to him, less than 10% of the aquatic wildlife in this river remains. After a little rest in a room at Popa Falls, we headed to Botswana and the Okavango Delta for the last two weeks of this part of our journey. Notably, the Namibia/Botswana border at this point is at the end of a long dirt road that crosses Bwabwata National Park. Before entering the Moremi Game Reserve on the east side of the delta, we spent a night at a campsite near Maun. This town is the equivalent of Arusha in Tanzania (see dedicated article). It’s the starting point for safaris. We stocked up on supplies: fuel, water, and food for the next five days. On the way to the southern entrance of the reserve, a few kilometers after leaving Maun, we realized that driving conditions would be a bit more challenging. The paved road ended, giving way to dirt and sand. We activated the 4x4 mode after just a few meters. Once in the park, conditions changed again. Unlike Etosha, there are no large, flat gravel roads. Thanks to the paper map and the maps.me app, we managed to explore the meanders at an average speed of 20 km/h for about five hours that day. This was followed by several similar days of intense driving that required sharp concentration and a keen sense of direction. The park is very wild, and the campsites are basic. We camped by the Khwai River in the north of the park. Arriving in the early afternoon for a slightly less intense driving day, we saw about twenty elephants drinking and crossing the river. We quickly lit a fire to signal our presence. What an experience! This road trip has been a crescendo of adventure. Our tourist experience in Botswana is relatively good, but not on par with the previous two countries. The cleanliness and quality of services (campsites and guesthouses) are much lower than in Namibia and Tanzania, with significantly higher prices. I don't want to minimize the beauty of the Okavango Delta; we saw stunning landscapes and all kinds of animals: kudu, zebras, elephants, giraffes, baboons, etc. Moreover, far from complaining, I feel privileged to be able to experience this adventure with my family. However, the prices are far too high. If I could do it again, I would spend a bit more time in Namibia and Tanzania for the same budget. A very beautiful leg of the journey comes to an end, but stay tuned for more adventures in a few weeks!

Servitors and golems

Tupan, 4 d.
Throughout history, humans have imagined and created artificial beings for a determined purpose and animated by will. Two classical examples of these constructs, from different cultural traditions, are servitors and golems. Both represent the human desire to give form to one's intentions, still they represent distinct philosophical and mystical ideas. Servitors are constructs created through mental or magical discipline, mainly within modern occult traditions. They are essentially thoughtforms, shaped from the mind’s energy and given a task or purpose by their creator. A servitor is bound by the will of its creator and exists to fulfill specific functions, such as protection, assistance, or manipulation of circumstances. The process of creating a servitor is a kind of psychic programming—the practitioner defines the servitor’s purpose, often assigning it a symbolic form or sigil to help channel its energy. Unlike physical constructs, servitors exist in the ethereal realm and are maintained by the energy and focus of their creator. Some belief systems deem that servitors can be “released” or “destroyed” once their purpose is fulfilled, ensuring they do not linger or develop independence. Servitors highlight the power of the mind to create and manifest reality through focus, belief, and willpower. On the other hand, golems come from Jewish mystical traditions, particularly Kabbalistic teachings. Unlike servitors, golems are physical constructs, typically made from inanimate materials like clay or stone. The most famous golem is the Golem of Prague, a figure created by Rabbi Judah Loew in the 16th century to protect the Jewish community from persecution. The golem is brought to life through ritualistic methods, often involving the inscription of sacred words or symbols, such as the Hebrew word “emet” (“truth”) on its forehead. These letters imbue the golem with life, while erasing the first letter (leaving “met,” or “death”) deactivates the golem. Golems are typically portrayed as powerful but mindless creatures, existing to carry out their creator’s commands without question. Unlike servitors, who may represent aspects of the creator’s mind, golems are more like automatons, lacking independent thought or will. Their power is derived from the ancient association between earth and life and once created, can become uncontrollable. While servitors are products of mental and magical discipline, golems represent the manipulation of physical matter through divine or mystical intervention. Servitors serve as an extension of the creator’s mental faculties, flexible and dynamic in their purpose. Golems, on the other hand, are a manifestation of physical creation, rigid and often prone to unintended consequences if not properly controlled. There are other forms of artificial beings which could be created. Franz Bardon, for example, gave us a few methods on how to create beings that could be qualified as in between the ones discussed in this text. Both servitors and golems reflect humanity’s ongoing fascination with the power of creation and the ways in which we might give life to our intentions. Whether through thought or clay, the desire to animate constructs reflects both a deep imagination and a cautionary tale about the limits of control over what we create.

Stories

Tima EL, 5 d.
1 min read.
The beginning is always hard; patience is key, and with time, things tend to improve—just as wise people often remind us when we're starting a story. At first, you may not know where to begin or what your starting point is, so you search for it. Once you find it, you can begin writing your story—whether it's your first, second, third, or even your millionth. You might know where your story begins, but the number of stories we live through is unknown. The person who enters a story is not the same person who exits to begin the next. Living a long story behind may be difficult, but you remain part of many stories. You might notice some stories repeating, others mirroring the experiences of people around you, and at times, you may even smile because you can guess how they’ll end, having seen them unfold before. There are moments when you feel like the conductor of all these stories, but at other times, it seems like you're simply living within them, forgetting your own. Living short stories is like reliving life over and over again. Each time, you’re eager to finish one and begin another, feeling the thrill of starting something new. But along the way, you may either lose yourself or grow, depending on how each story ends. We are all the heroes of our own stories—some converge, while others diverge. People become part of your story, just as you are part of theirs. Choose peace, love yourself, and keep smiling. The most beautiful story of all is having life and meeting others to write stories together.

Memoirs of Atlantis

Tupan, 5 d.
2 min read.
Atlantis—the mythical and mystical land—has captivated the imagination and dreams of countless generations. For many, it is simply a fictional place, but for others—myself included—it truly existed. Atlantis was first introduced by Plato in Timaeus and Critias, where he described it as a highly advanced civilization located "beyond the Pillars of Hercules." Over the years, numerous authors have written about Atlantis, while others have tried to locate its remains. So far, it has been considered mere speculation by modern science, as no definitive evidence has been found that can be directly linked to it. Yet, despite this, Atlantis remains a topic of heated debates and discussions, leading to an intriguing question: if Atlantis is not real, why do we continue to talk about it? Figures like Edgar Cayce and Helena Blavatsky, among others, have offered fascinating insights into the story of Atlantis, though there is even more information from extradimensional sources that I would like to explore. Atlantis is said to have existed in the Atlantic Ocean, covering vast territories that spanned both hemispheres. Some sources claim that it experienced three major cataclysmic events, losing landmass with each one, the third of which ultimately led to its final destruction. The Atlanteans are considered to be what we now call the fourth human race, not very different from our current fifth race. However, they were believed to possess more activated genes, with some sources even suggesting the presence of extra DNA strands. They originally descended from the third human race, which hailed from Lemuria, and in their early years, the Atlanteans maintained close interactions with the Lemurians. In the beginning, the spiritual makeup of the Atlanteans consisted of beings who were already living on Earth. However, over time, they began receiving beings who had been exiled after the Orion wars, as well as others from planets in the constellation of Auriga, specifically from the brightest star in the northern part, Capella. These later arrivals were more bellicose in nature, and their presence is believed to have contributed to the eventual downfall of Atlantis. Atlantean society was divided into two main groups: one focused on science and engineering, while the other was more inclined towards metaphysics and what we might now call "shamanism." Despite all being human, these groups displayed remarkable phenotypical differences. The technologically inclined Atlanteans created marvels we can scarcely imagine today. They harnessed Earth's telluric forces, generating energy without the need for carbon fuels, and utilized antigravitational forces and magnetism in their daily lives. Meanwhile, the more nature-oriented Atlanteans mastered the elemental forces and could shape the psychosphere—which was far less chaotic than it is today—according to their will. What we now consider magic was widely accepted and practiced by them as a form of advanced science. At first, these two groups coexisted peacefully, but as time passed, their differences began to create tensions. Ideological differences grew, eventually leading to both philosophical and physical divisions over time. Atlanteans were heavily involved in trade with numerous nations and beings, both earthly and extraterrestrial, across the globe. They also established bases that supported their trade and exploration efforts. One of their most significant achievements was learning to harness the vril energy, a powerful force. Unfortunately, they eventually used this energy to wage wars and establish dominance, and in the end, it was this same energy that led to their downfall and destruction.

Two Nobel Prizes: AI is Still resting on Giant Shoulders

Tariq Daouda, 5 d.
John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton got the Nobel Prize of Physics, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper the nobel Prize of Chemistry. It is obvious that the first Nobel Prize was not given merely for their contributions to physics, but mostly for their profound and foundational contributions to what is today modern AI. Let's talk about the second Nobel prize. AlphaFold was put on map by beating other methods on a competition (CASP14/CASP15) that has been running for year on a well established dataset. As such, AlphaFold winning is more like an ImageNet moment (when the team of Geof Hinton demonstrated the superiority of Convolutional Networks on Image Classification), than a triumph of multi-disciplinary AI research. The dataset of Alphafold rests on many years of slow and arduous research to compile a dataset in a format that could be understood not by machines, but by computer scientists. This massive problem of finding the protein structure was, through that humongous work, reduced to a simple question of minimizing distances. A problem that could now be tackled with little to no knowledge of chemistry, biology or proteomics. This in no way reduces the profond impact of AlphaFold. However it does highlight a major issue in applied AI: computer scientists, not AI, are still reliant on other disciplines to drastically simplify complex problems for them. The contributions and hard work required to do so gets unfortunately forgotten everything has been reduced to a dataset and a competition. What to do when we do not have problems that computer scientists can easily understand? This is true for all fields that require a very high level of domain knowledge. Through experience, I came to consider the pairing of AI specialists with specialists of other disciplines, a sub-optimal strategy at best. The Billions of dollars invested in such enterprises have failed to produce any significant return on investment. The number one blind spot of these endeavours is the supply chain, it usually takes years and looks like this: 1- Domain specialists identify a question 2- Years are spent to develop methods to measure and tackle it 3- The methods are made cheaper 4- The missing links: Computational chemists, Bioinformaticians, ... start the work on what will become the dataset 5- AI can finally enter the scene Point number (1) is the foundation. You can measure and ask an infinite number of questions about anything. Finding the most important one is not as obvious as it seems. For example, it is not at all obvious that a protein structure is an important feature a priory. Another example, is debugging code. A successful debugging session involves asking and answering a succession of relevant questions. Imagine giving a code to someone with no programming experience and asking them to debug it. The probabilities of them asking the right questions is very close to 0. Identifying what is important is called inserting inductive Biases. In theory LLMs could integrate the inductive biases of a field and generate interesting questions, even format datasets from open-source data. However until this ability has been fully demonstrated, the only cost efficient way to accelerate AI driven scientific discoveries is to build the disciplinarily into the people: AI Researchers that know enough about the field to be able to identify the relevant questions of the future.
nobelprize.org/all-nobel-prizes-...

Psychosphere and elemental manipulation

Tupan, 9 d.
For those attuned to the metaphysical plane called psychosphere, elemental manipulation becomes possible—a manifestation of willpower translated directly into physical reality. Fire, water, earth, and air are no longer inert forces of nature, but extensions of one's mental faculties. These elements, governed by their own natural laws, bend and respond to the psychic commands projected through the psychosphere. The flame dances with a mere thought, water ripples in time with a fleeting emotion, the earth trembles under the weight of a focused mind, and air bends and flows with each shift in consciousness. In ancient times, those who mastered this connection were known as aetherists, individuals who could sense the undercurrents of the psychosphere and use it as tool to commune with the elements. Aetherists were not simply powerful due to their abilities, but because of their profound understanding of how thoughts and emotions could influence their environment. The key to this manipulation is not found in brute strength, but in resonance. The psychosphere, like an ocean of thought and emotion, is sensitive to the subtlest shifts in energy. Those who can align their inner state—mind, heart, and spirit—with the it's flow, find themselves in harmony with the elemental forces. To manipulate fire, one must embody its intensity; to command water, one must flow with its rhythm; to bend air, a mind must be as light and agile as the breeze itself; to move the earth, one's will must be grounded, unshakable. As we can see, elemental manipulation is an intricate dance between mind and nature, mediated by the psychosphere. Each element responds to a specific emotional frequency: fire to passion, water to tranquility, air to freedom, and earth to stability. The most skilled practitioners are not merely wielders of power, but "symbiotic" partners with the elements, understanding that the psychosphere is both a reflection of their inner world and a gateway to controlling the outer one. Yet, the psychosphere is not a neutral space. As we discussed before, it is affected by the collective thoughts and emotions of all beings. Those who seek to manipulate elements must do so with caution, for the psychosphere is sensitive to the imbalances of mind and heart. A thought too aggressive might cause fire to rage uncontrollably; an unstable emotion might unleash a flood of water or shift tectonic plates with unintended force. Balance is key, and the psychosphere rewards those who seek harmony, not dominance, over the elements. Despite the potential for great power, the psychosphere is an inherently neutral force-it amplifies the intentions of the individual but does not judge them. this opens a moral dimension to elemental manipulation, as individuals can use their connection to the psychosphere for creation or destruction. In this world, where mind and matter intertwine, the psychosphere is the ultimate bridge between consciousness and the primal forces of nature. It is the invisible field where thoughts become actions, and the mastery of elemental manipulation is not merely a feat of mental prowess, but a journey toward inner equilibrium, a balance between the self and the world around it.

Egregores and the psychosphere

Tupan, 11 d.
The psychosphere can be understood as an energetic field that envelops the planet, serving as a living repository for the mental and emotional energies generated by all sentient beings. Some interpretations, such as those in the Gaia theory, even suggest that all emotional beings, including animals contribute to this field. For the sake of clarity in this discussion, I will focus solely on humans. The psychosphere exists as a subtle layer between the material world we inhabit and the higher, more ethereal planes, often referred to as the spiritual realm. Rich with thoughtforms—mental constructs born from individual or collective consciousness—it plays a determinant role in the astral plane. Though intangible to the physical senses, the psychosphere profoundly influences both individual experiences and the collective emotional state of humanity. At the core of the psychosphere are thoughtforms and egregores, which I discussed in my previous writing. These are the primary forces that shape this astral layer. Both thoughtforms and egregores contribute to the psychosphere, which grows denser with the energy they generate. While thoughtforms are personal and typically temporary, egregores have the potential to become enduring entities, sustained by the continual focus and intention of a group. These entities accumulate in the psychosphere, influencing the mental and emotional states of those who dwell within its planetary field. The psychosphere functions as a middle ground between the dense physical realm and the more subtle ethereal or spiritual planes. As a layer of the astral plane, its "matter" is finer than the physical world but denser than the purely spiritual realms. This gives it a unique role in the cosmological framework, acting as a bridge where mental energy and spiritual forces intersect, creating a dynamic interplay between human thought and extradimensional or spiritual influence. To provide a helpful metaphor, we can look to the superstring theory with its concept of multiple dimensions. Imagine the psychosphere as the "fine point" where different dimensions converge and interact, much like vibrating strings generate different forms of matter. The vibrations of thought and emotion within the psychosphere create and sustain various thoughtforms and egregores. These vibrations, in turn, shift and shape the energies of the astral plane, producing a vast and complex network of mental and spiritual activity. The astral plane, and by extension the psychosphere, influences human experience in subtle but powerful ways. On one hand, individuals and groups can shape the psychosphere through their focused intentions, emotions, and beliefs. On the other hand, the psychosphere exerts its influence on them, subtly affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For example, when an egregore grows strong, it can exert pressure on the individuals who feed it. This can manifest as powerful collective emotions—such as national pride, religious fervor, or even mass hysteria. The egregore becomes a force that shapes the thoughts and behaviors of its creators, locking them into patterns of belief or action. This reciprocal relationship creates a feedback loop in which individuals both influence and are influenced by the larger thoughtform structures of the psychosphere. On a more personal level, the thoughtforms individuals generate can resonate within the psychosphere, attracting similar energies or influences from the astral plane. In some cases, these thoughtforms can be empowering, manifesting goals or desires in the physical world. In other instances, they may create unwanted energetic attachments or lingering emotional residues. Thoughtforms and egregores, like all things in the universe, have a lifespan. When the energy sustaining them wanes—due to a lack of focus, intention, or belief—they begin to dissolve. This dissolution is not always clean, however. Much like physical organisms, these entities can leave behind husks or residual energy patterns that linger in the psychosphere. These empty husks are a form of astral debris. Although they no longer possess the vibrancy or purpose they once had, they still exist as empty shells of what they once were. These remnants can be manipulated by beings on either side of the astral plane—whether from higher spiritual realms or lower astral dimensions. In the hands of malevolent or parasitic entities, these empty husks can be repurposed, filled with new energy, and used to influence or manipulate the emotions and thoughts of individuals. This can manifest as irrational fears, lingering emotional disturbances, or sudden shifts in consciousness. Conversely, benevolent entities may seek to dissipate or transform these husks into higher forms of energy, restoring balance within the psychosphere. The psychosphere is a dynamic, living field that reflects the collective mental and emotional states of the beings within it. It is influenced by human consciousness and, in turn, exerts its influence on the thoughts and emotions of those who interact with it. Through the creation of thoughtforms and egregores, individuals and groups shape the psychosphere, contributing to the intricate network of energetic patterns that govern the mental and spiritual landscape of the planet. The ongoing cycle of creation, sustenance, and dissolution of thoughtforms and egregores, shapes not only the psychosphere itself but also the experiences of those who live within its reach. Understanding this complex relationship allows us to better grasp how unseen forces may be influencing our inner and outer worlds, offering insights into the interconnectedness of mind, spirit, and the greater energetic realities that surround us.

Collective thoughtforms and their influence - egregores

Tupan, 14 d.
At the intersection of metaphysics, psychology, and collective experience lies the concept of egregores. These entities are, in essence, collective thoughtforms—mental and emotional constructs brought into existence and sustained by the shared focus, energy, and intent of a group of individuals. While a thoughtform arises from an individual’s sustained focus and emotional charge, taking on a life of its own in either the mental, astral, or sometimes even physical realms, an egregore is the result of a collective’s continuous input, becoming something far more potent and autonomous. Egregores start with shared ideas or emotions within a group. When people consistently focus on a common goal, these thoughts and emotions merge, forming an energetic presence that goes beyond the individual. The group may not be aware of this process, but over time, their collective energy manifests into a metaphysical structure, strengthened by rituals, symbols, and emotions. Symbols play a crucial role, serving as focal points for the group’s beliefs. Whether it’s a flag, logo, or chant, these symbols represent the group’s values, reinforcing the egregore’s existence. Every time individuals gather around these symbols, they contribute energy to the egregore. Once created, egregores can become autonomous, exerting influence on group members. Although born from the collective, they begin to act as independent entities, shaping thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. For instance, a religious community that collectively worships a deity may give rise to an egregore representing that deity. This egregore can influence how the group experiences their faith, guiding their actions and beliefs. In group dynamics, egregores enhance unity. Members may begin to share similar thoughts and actions, feeling connected to one another and their shared purpose. In emotionally charged situations, such as sports events, the collective energy can synchronize emotions across individuals, creating dramatic shifts and surges in group intensity. This collective energy often reaches peaks, amplifying shared experiences and reinforcing the bond within the group. The longer individuals are part of a group, the more their thoughts align with the egregore, amplifying its influence. Positively, this can lead to collective achievements, such as social movements or community growth. However, if the group’s energy centers on negative emotions like fear or hatred, the egregore can become destructive, influencing harmful actions. In modern contexts, egregores are reflected in brands, political ideologies, and social movements. For example, a brand like Apple may function as an egregore, where collective admiration and emotional investment shape customer behavior and company culture. Social media, too, serves as a powerful platform for the creation of egregores, amplifying collective thoughts and emotions. Online communities and viral trends generate intense focus, allowing egregores to influence large numbers of people quickly. Understanding egregores can empower individuals to consciously direct collective energy toward positive outcomes. By being mindful of shared thoughts and emotions, we can create egregores that foster unity, community, and collective success. Egregores ultimately remind us of the power of collective consciousness, which can shape both the inner and outer worlds of those who create them.

The Appeal of Fear in Media

Exodia04, 17 d.
1 min read.
The growing sales of horror games such as the Resident Evil franchise, and the success of horror shows and movies indicate the appeal of the genre. The reasons behind this appeal have been investigated through many studies. First, we must distinguish between the terms “horror” and “terror”, which tend to be erroneously used interchangeably. According to Dani Cavallaro, horror is the fear linked to visible disruptions of the natural order, sudden appearances, and identifiable objects. Horror causes intense physical reactions and provides us with surprise and shock. On the other hand, terror is the fear of the unknown. It is the feelings of tension and unease proceeding a revelation [1]. “The difference between Terror and Horror is the difference between awful apprehension and sickening realization: between the smell of death and stumbling against a corpse… Terror thus creates an intangible atmosphere of spiritual psychic dread… Horror resorts to a cruder presentation of the macabre” [2]. While playing horror games or watching horror movies, we constantly oscillate between terror and horror. One is willing to endure the intense fear (horror) because of its less subtle modulations (terror). In fact, a study done by the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research at Osaka University reveals that players were more likely to experience intense fear when they were in a suspense state and then faced a surprising appearance [3]. From a biological perspective, once the human brain detects a potential threat, dopamine is released into the body, and once that threat is identified as false, the body feels pleasure and the person wants to repeat this cycle by seeking scary content [4]. Although one can aim for a long psychological experience by having a good combination of terror and horror, what causes terror and unease is individual and varies from one person to another. Individual characteristics, traumas, and phobias must be taken into consideration to assess the level of fear and manipulate future gameplay accordingly. [1] D. Cavallaro, The Gothic Vision: Three Centuries of Horror, Terror and Fear. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2002. [2] Varma, D. P. (1988) The Gothic Flame, Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Vico, G. [1725] (1968) The New Science, trans. T. Goddard and M. H. Fisch, Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. [3] V. Vachiratamporn, R. Legaspi, K. Moriyama and M. Numao, "Towards the Design of Affective Survival Horror Games: An Investigation on Player Affect," 2013 Humaine Association Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, 2013, pp. 576-581, doi: 10.1007/s12193-014-0153-4 [4] A. Damasio, Descartes error: emotion, reason and the human brain. New York: Avon Books, 1994.

Free people in a tapestry of rules

THEJEDI, 17 d.
I quote Ralph Waldo Emerson's saying that "do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail". In doing so, I am telling you that there are men no smatter and no dumber than us who have been here before and by the things they have said, they knew - in that time - that whatever rulebook and pattern that was written for life - go to school, learn our ways, speak our tongue, do this work, find a companion, have some fun, leave some kids behind, grow old, die - these rules were conjured by some persons before them. Steve Jobs in an interview (find link attached to this story), said that once you discover one simple fact that everything around you that you call life was made up by people that are no smarter than you, and you can change it, influence it, poke at it and something would actually pop out at the other side, then you would have discovered the most important thing in life. I have known the very lowest points of life. I have doubted about tomorrow. And I am not clear of life's tribulations. But it took these things for me "to shake off this erroneous notion that life is just there, and I am just going to live in it". Shun evil, be kind, be obedient, listen to reason and be humble. But never for once think that you are not free to carve a good path and lead others on it.
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