Omphaloskepsis

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Art for Housewives

Orangels have bellybuttons. That’s why they’re called “navel”.

For the Greeks, Delphi was the center of the universe. To make it easily identifiable, Zeus place a geodetic mark there– a stone known as an omphalos. “Omphalos” in Greek means “navel”.

The Greeks believed that omphalos stones facilitated communication with the gods. But if you don’t have such a stone lying around, try using your belly button. It’s called omphaloskepsis or navel gazing. Staring at your belly button was once considered a form of meditation.

“Satyres in Atlante” is a group of statues located at the Louvre representing four satyres with their heads bent in order to contemplate their navels. But times have changed and contemplation of one’s belly button is no long considered a mystical experience. Today the term “navel gazer” is intended for someone so fixated with himself that he has difficulties contemplating the world around him.

So maybe I can just stare at some oranges for the same effect?

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Squoze

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Art for Housewives

Stress has been provoking my blood pressure. I’ve read that hand gripping exercises can lower it although it’s not clear why. Maybe it’s because the repetitive motion of squeezing and unsqueezing improves blood vessel elasticity.

At the market I saw some nice juicy oranges just waiting to be squeezed.

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Versailles

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Art for Housewives

Versailles’ Bassin d’Apollon was designed by Charles Le Brun, originator of the Louis XIV style.

Louis XIV was known as the Sun King thus linking him to the sun god, Apollo. In the fountain, Apollo is seen coming out of the water with his four horse chariot. Unfortunately, the pompous Le Brun made the mistake of depicting Apollo rising in the west rather than in the east making it difficult for the sun to know should it stay or should it go.

And while the sun god was trying to decide which direction to go in, Triton rose from the waters and splashed him away.

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Play

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Art for Housewives

When I was a small girl, it wasn’t a fashionable place to go. Maybe that’s why we went. One muggy summer morning, my mom packed up the car and drove us to Rockport with its beige colored sand, wobbly fishing piers, and numerous seafood diners. 

On the beach I collected buckets of sand to build a castle. Once it was finished, I watched in awe as the waves came in and swept it away. But I didn’t care—it wasn’t the castle that had made me happy. It was making it that had given me a thrill.

Today I feel like making castles.

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(from My Imaginary Diary)

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Hug & Hold

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Art for Housewives

The pandemic has criminalized hugs but not our need for them. When we hug, we release oxytocin, a hormone that helps us bond with others. Bonding is important—it’s like a glue that can keep you intact when you’re about to crumble. But if you’re alone, best grab for a pillow.

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 “Hugs strengthen the immune system [Oxytocin helps reduce blood pressure and stress hormones].The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.”

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