I’m guest blogging today on my latest short story “White Moon” at Tyche Books Ltd.
April’s Fool
April Fool’s Day reminds me of switching the sugar and salt in their two bowls and giggling while my mother put salt in her coffee. It also makes me think of the Fool in Tarot.
The Fool is the first card in the Major Arcana with the number 0. But he’s also the last card, number 22. The Fool walks blightly out from the Absolute, the unified consciousness, as the first manifestation on the Tree of Life. He carries with him in his wallet all the knowledge he might need on his journey of creation, but that knowledge is in his wallet, not outside. This suggests that by stepping away from that all-knowing source, he’s already “forgotten” that he knows everything.
The Fool walks off a cliff, which to me shows the audacity of making that separation. He does this with a smile on his face. He’s accompanied by a little white dog. He carries a white rose.
The Fool always tells me to lighten up. Creation, life, the journey of manifestation, is not to be taken so seriously. After all, this separation is an illusion. It’s an experiment. We have all that we need to know in that wallet we carry. In the symbol of the White Rose. And we have the company of the always faithful White Dog.
Have a great April Fool’s Day.
The Great Travelling Guest Blog Fantasy Round Table
I’ve just joined a new group of authors who are doing a travelling blog on fantasy. The participants are Sylvia Kelso (this month’s host), Andrea Host, Carol McDonnell, Warren Rochelle, Deborah J. Ross and me. The topic this month is “One Step Sideways: What’s Fantasy FOR?” Click here to read the posts.
Star Family is Cooking!
I just wrote the last scene of my latest novel, The Star Family. There are still some scenes to fill in. Then comes revising. But it felt good, nonetheless.
Beyond Worlds Featuring My Writing Today
Anastasia V. Pergakis has featured Under the Stone Paw, the first novel in the Power Places series today at Beyond Worlds. She does a great Highlighted Author series. Check it out.
Short Story Just Released
I have a short story in a fun anthology from Tyche Books called Ride the Moon. This collection takes the moon back from the usual suspects, werewolves and vampires, and explores the lunar legends of different creatures and cultures. It’s up on Amazon now and you can buy it by clicking this link. For other eBook formats or print copies, check Tyche’s website.
My story “White Moon” is based on the legend of the Mayan goddess Ixchel. She is the mother of the four jaguar gods of Mayan legend, the elder goddess of midwifery and healing, of fertility and procreation. Her consort is the Sun God, Itzamna, the father of her children. Being a ball of fire, Itzamna has a fierce temper, and when Izchel tires of this, she goes to Cozumel to spend time with women.
I took this theme of the tides of relationships and showed it in three couples. This story was inspired by meeting the crystal skull named Ixchel at the 11.11.11 conference in L.A. Several real people inspired the characters, but the situations are purely fiction–meant to play with the theme of Ixchel’s myth. Below is a picture of Ixchel.
Article on Publishing in Student Newspaper
My student Steve Musal has a helpful article on publishing in our student newspaper, The Metropolitan. He interviewed me and used some of the information I gave him. Here it is.
Sale on God in a Box
God in a Box is now $2.99 on Amazon.
It’s the early 1970s. The time of feminism, psychotherapy and eastern philosophy. On a lark, Stacey Carmichael attends a lecture about meditation from one of those new Indian gurus who have suddenly appeared everywhere. Intrigued in spite of her skepticism, she learns to meditate— and has the experience of a lifetime. Stacey decides to become a teacher of meditation herself—and then the human side of this organization rears its ugly head. Lesbians need not apply. Leave your partner, become a celibate, and then we’ll see. How can she give up this meditation that has given her so much? But how can she give up who she really is?