tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81402283977922385172024-03-14T01:59:51.159-04:00The 14th Degree & Beyond WisdomThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-47570822583210517692010-09-15T13:56:00.001-04:002010-09-15T13:57:46.038-04:00We Are Family...?Peace Everyone. Recently I had a conversation with my favorite Aunt - the Ambassador of our family so to speak. I only really got to know her about 10 years ago but since then… we have been close as ever. She taught me who and what family was. She taught me what it was to be loved by family and to embrace everything that makes us – us, from our imperfections to our greatest strengths. And for all she has done for me... to help me grow and understand love and family – I am eternally grateful. The conversation - or jewel I should say – she just blessed me with was; to appreciating everything you have today because it may not be there tomorrow… so not to worry so much about the little things; something I have always taken heed to. But in the conversations with her and some of my other relatives I realized that it is a big step to call someone family.<br /><br />In our culture we see today’s mathematics as knowledgepower/refinement all being born to equality. To know the truth, and continue to try and perfect the way you share what you know so that everyone/thing understands - to me requires a patience and love that can’t be learned. Because it’s not just about telling everyone the same thing… it’s about giving everyone the attention and explanation they need in order to truly understand what you are trying to tell them – and use it in the way they choose. (Hopefully for the betterment of themselves and others)<br /><br />I say all this because of a discussion I had regarding Family vs. Friends within our culture. People are so quick to say “my sister” or “my brother”… not me. NO. There is a certain level of trust when you call someone your family that is not to be given to someone just because they may live the same way of life as you or go to the same church as you or whatever. In my opinion – if I wouldn’t trust you with my children – even when you’re standing right next to me - you aren’t family. We all have blood relatives we may not like, but we know they wouldn’t do harm to our children. Because there is a trust and knowledge of who they are (regardless to differences) to help you understand that they would look out for your seeds.<br /><br />There is a saying “Every Man ain’t your Brother and every Brother ain’t a Man”. How do you see it?<br /><br />What qualifies/disqualifies someone as Family? Or IS there any such qualification required.<br /><br />Peace<br /><br />Queen Civilized ZagThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-17623116172168686632010-09-07T08:56:00.002-04:002010-09-07T09:21:19.832-04:00Feed the People - Atlanta<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/MfjLjexK3FbjSuLftldQi0RxyJ8XLu2ncJEo-xVUCluIzoRguwvr308P8CF*WJ*hGYEOtYcV4iD2M3VOVZLIiheA3zdIcoYI/feedthepeoplefront.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/MfjLjexK3FYY1K30-9gyQIJvOuecAENDf6vf7SOI9rgVroY3B1-ce9tFZ7IZiAx0dvwPKZf36z*xtRp6ISDi943SotD0eQFP/feedthepeoplpnewback.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Meet up with us at 10AM at <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1283864874_1">Othello</span>'s 1170 Sylvan Road ATL 30310 and help us make sandwiches and fill the brown bags with lunch items, and/or donate any<br />of the following to be distributed: </span><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="text_exposed_show">sandwich fixings (bread, condiments, peanut butter, jelly, cheese slices, lunch meat - no pork or beef), bottled water, fruit (grapes, bananas, apples, oranges), clothes, blankets, diapers, sanitary napkins, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, new socks and underwear, wash cloths and towels.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FYI - This outing is the Nation of Gods and Earths of Allah's Garden (Atlanta) Seeds Cipher for the month of September so bring the babies y'all so they learn first hand about homelessness, depravity, inequality, humanitarianism and selflessness!</span><br /><br />Peace!<br /></span></span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=C97J9SSJ4PRAL"></a>The 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-74876535016402369962010-09-07T08:34:00.003-04:002010-09-07T08:43:18.744-04:00Sometimes silence is the wisest action...<h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}">Peace Asiatics,</h3>Since it's been fairly difficult to manifest words to write for this blog specifically, I've been taking posts from my fb page and posting them here. This one got quite a few "likes" and comments yesterday, inspired by people (myself falling victim at times too) who just don't know when to shut up, when a battle isn't worth fighting (let alone being able to acknowledge when they've lost the fight), people who think they're so smart that they're totally clueless as to when they're surrounded by better knowers, people who don't abide by their own teachings, and people who want to teach but too stubborn to learn!<br /><br /><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="UIStory_Message">ignorante inteligente = smart dummies (1) folks with text book knowledge they love to share but have yet to put to practice (2) smart people who don't realize knowledge is infinite so in the grand scheme of things, regardless to how much they know, they still don't know sh!t (3) one who epitomizes "you talkin' loud but yo<span class="text_exposed_show">u ain't sayin' nothin'" (4) folks too smart to know that sometimes silence is the wisest action... And "ACTION is supreme!"</span></span></h3>Peace,<br />Eboni Joy AsiaticThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-71939634510464394282010-08-10T21:56:00.003-04:002010-08-10T22:02:08.310-04:00What is a "yellow seed"?Peace Asiatics,<br /><br />I posted this build/inquiry as a note on my facebook page and the comments I received brought me some clarity as to why people use the term "yellow seed". Still, I thought I'd post it here because (1) it's been far too long since any of us have posted on this forum and (2) I welcome your (our audience's) knowledge, wisdom and understanding on the subject because knowledge IS infinite and I could always learn more!<br /><br />Peace to the Gods and Earths,<br /><br />A discussion yesterday [August 6, 2010] on a Queen's fb page caused the question to linger in my head... What is a "yellow seed" and how is a "yellow seed" an original Black man or woman?<br /><br />I ask those who knowledge 120 Lessons, having memorized and studied the 1-40, especially the wisdom cipher and understanding cipher degrees to build with me on this (anyone else is more than welcome to ask questions only)...<br /><br />My understanding is that in the Black man/woman's body there exists a black germ and a brown germ. Through Yacub's grafting process (figuratively - my 3) - or genetic selection and/or mutation (literally - also my 3) - the black germ was destroyed leaving only a brown germ (which is original). The 30:40 sates that Yacub with his law on birth control separated the black germ from the brown germ and grafted that brown germ into white after following this process for 600 years. The Revelation of Allah builds more detailed on the process stating that it took 200 years to destroy the black germ, leaving only the original brown germ, another 200 years to graft the brown into yellow, and another 200 years to graft the yellow into white. Am I stating this correctly?<br /><br />If so, there would be no more black and brown germ left by time we get to the yellow and white germs, and therefore yellow and white germs would be grafted, not original. IF this is correct, and PLEASE correct me if I'm not (that is why I'm posting this and tagging most of you, for clarity) then so-called Latinos should not be referred to, nor referring to themselves, as "yellow seeds" because that would imply that they have been grafted from original because the black and brown germ no longer exists once "yacub" made yellow.<br /><br />The Student Enrollment says "Indians" are "original people too". But who are the Indians that T.H.E.M. was referring to? We know that Columbus THOUGHT he sailed to India and so the Indigenous people who cultivated North and South America were not truly Indian. Are they the descendants of those exiled from India or exiled from "Africa"?<br /><br />We know that Asiatics (Afrikans) vary in complexion, hair texture and body type - Black borns all, so Asiatics (Afrikans) with light complexions and straight or wavy hair have always existed. Being light skinned, and having straight hair does NOT mean that one has been grafted from original. Genealogy determines this.<br /><br />The original people of the Americas (from the Olmecs, to the Mayans, to the Incans and even Taino etc) are Original Black people with black and brown germs originating from the home continent. And of course, we know that "Africans" were brought to the so-called Americas and Caribbean after 1555 as slaves to European colonizers from Portugal, Britain, France, Denmark and Spain (am I leaving anyone out? smile).<br /><br />And so, when we look at our brothers and sisters with nationality from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Peru, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, etc etc (without even hinting on groups like the Indigenous of Hawaii, Samoans, Maori, so-called Aborigine, East Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Philipino, etc etc) we are seeing only two groups of people: (1) those who are original Black men and women whose ethnicity spawns from the Asiatics' pre-colonial period in America (aka Indigenous aka American Indian), whose ethnicity spawns from the "African" slaves, or whose ethnicity is a mix of "Indigenous" and/or "African" and/or European. Regardless of the purity of ethnicity, or the mix in ethnicity, as long as they have "Indigenous" and/or "African" ethnicity their DNA holds a black and/or brown germ and THAT makes them original. (2) The other group of people residing in these countries today are the descendants of the white European colonizer - they do not have a Black nor brown germ because those genes have been grafted from original, therefore THEY are not original.<br /><br />We cannot forget that Europeans colonized these lands and because 85% of our people (WORLDWIDE) do not have knowledge of self, they may not understand their ethnic heritage; what makes them an original black man or woman, and what makes others - from these very same places - merely a white man or woman. We do NOT want to deny our truly original brothers and sisters their knowledge as God and Earth - so in knowledging ourselves as Asiatic we understand how we are connected to ALL original people worldwide regardless of their hair texture, complexion or the folds of their eyelids.<br /><br />I wanted to build on this for clarity on the term "yellow seed", but also because I was told that specifically Earths who are "African American" (that is the term the Queen used) are not accepting of so-called "yellow seeds"/Latinos coming amongst the cipher; she said that Earths in her local area are "not welcoming" and give off "negative energy". So, as a retort to my having asked her in April 2009 to write a build for the 14th Degree about how so-called Latinos are indeed original people too (a build I never received), the Queen stated that we all lack an understanding of this history (which is very true) and expressed her desire for an "African American God or Earth" to write about how so-called Latino Gods and Earths are original people too. So, here is that build! ;) Please add on if qualified, and I add "if qualified" because...<br /><br />... the Queen (whose fb page sparked my thought on what is a "yellow seed") revealed to me by phone that she did not knowledge 120 Lessons - said she was in the 1-36 - but still thought she was qualified to build on Yacub's grafting process because she read, and I quote, "chapter 5 of Message to the Black man in America...".<br /><br />So now I want to ask, what are our Nation - how to put it - traditions, rules/regulations, laws etc in regards to building on degrees that we have not yet knowledged? I knowledged 120 Lessons in Nov/Dec 1999 and thru my studies was taught not to speak on that which I don't know, which meant to speak only on degrees that I had knowledged and at least a basic understanding of. Some people apparently believe they "understand" because they've read a little on a subject (or perhaps that being articulate and having a degree from a leading University qualifies them to build on ANY subject) - but doing the knowledge first, then practically applying it is the only true way to understanding.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Eboni Joy AsiaticThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-23952433730933458562010-06-24T20:35:00.003-04:002010-06-24T20:50:36.844-04:00Peace...Peace All -<br /><br />I know it's been a while and I hope you have all been doing well in the interim. Over the past eight months I have learned a lot. Being on the staff of the 14th Degree, starting two business, raising seeds, dealing with illnesses, moving from one place to the next among other things... has given me a great appreciation for my loved ones. I have learned a lot about what I can handle and being able to admit when I can't do something... though it's not easy (for those of us who hate to either fail or just not be able to come through in general). This will be my last post as a member of the 14th Degree Staff as I am taking a hiatus to deal with not only things I have been putting off but, things that have and will effect my abilities to really contribute the way that I want and should. I have learned a lot from all the women of the staff as well as the readers and have truly taken the best part with me.<br /><br />That being said - on to my blog post :).<br /><br />Even though reports say it's decreasing, why do you think there are so many interacial relationships? I think that it's been talked about over and over regarding Black men and white women but, what about Vice Versa? Does it even matter as long as you are happy and loved? I was taught you should be with a strong black man and build a strong black family in order to carry on our legacy to teach what we went through, who we really are and excel at all costs. Now this wasn't specifically SAID to me... it was just understood. Do Black women give up too easily nowaday or are black men playing too many games because of the huge woman to man ratio so they think they're a commodity? Or is it something else?<br /><br />Your thoughts?<br /><br />Peace<br /><br />Queen Civilized Zag EarthThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-73236607575422606502010-05-31T17:44:00.001-04:002010-05-31T17:44:58.060-04:00We need you to TELL US HOW YOU SEE IT!Peace!<br /><br />In every issue of our magazine we pose a series of "Tell Us How You See It" questions to our readers. In our Spring 2010 issue we asked our readers to answer the questions below. Unfortunately we didn't get many replies, which means we won't have any answers to publish in our Summer 2010 Show& Prove issue of the magazine. So if you're up to it, and would like to share your valuable insight with our readers and the thousands of people who attend Show & Prove in Harlem, NY every year (he 2nd Sunday of June at Harriet Tubman School), then please answer the following:<br /><br />1. How has having knowledge of self most benefited you?<br /><br />2. What responsibilities do you think the Earths in the Nation should have to the Nation and the community as a whole?<br /><br />3. Let’s help our daughters become great women! What strong characteristic of yours do you want<br />your daughter(s) to acquire? What characteristics of yours could be detrimental to her? How can you be<br />sure that she gets the best of you?<br /><br />4. Do you utilize the Nation of Gods and Earths yearly Health Calendar? Why or why not? If so, how do you incorporate this into your personal ciphers?<br /><br /><span> We go to print Saturday June 6 so asap we need you to TELL US HOW YOU SEE IT! by posting your answers as a comment or emailing them to the14thdegreeandbeyond@com</span><div><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>cast.net</div>The 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-70381298198270301052010-05-28T14:41:00.001-04:002010-05-28T14:41:38.694-04:0014th Degree Subscriptions, Submissions & Ads for Show & Prove 2010 IssuePeace Gods & Earths,<br /><br />The 14th Degree and Beyond is accepting submissions and ads for our supersized Show & Prove issue.<br /><br />Deadline for submissions is June 1st.<br /><br />We accept recipes, poetry, children activity sheets, and articles.<br /><br />Ad space is half price for this issue, and will reach a wider market with thousands traveling into Mecca to attend:<br />$10 business card size ad<br />$20 quarter page size ad<br />$40 half page size ad<br /><br />Please send edited submissions and ad graphics to the14thdegreeandbeyond@comcast.net - any payments can be made to this email address via www.paypal.com.<br /><br />Those whose full article is published receive a complimentary electronic issue.<br /><br />PeaceThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-71832865993787879132010-05-06T11:04:00.002-04:002010-05-06T13:22:23.179-04:00Let your Food be your Medicine...Peace. Hippocrates once said "Let your Food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food." Lately, I have become extremely conscious of the foods and drinks I have been eating. I have about 40lbs that I am still striving to lose and find that they are being really stubborn. So, I started to really do the knowledge to my food intake. Yes, I probably need to go to the gym more than once a month, and maybe take the stairs to the 2nd floor, rather than the elevator. However, I think a refined diet and exercise go hand-in-hand when it comes to weight loss and until I Master what I need to do with my intake, I can then incorporate mastering a physical fitness plan. For the most part, I have drastically changed the way I eat, what I eat, and the amount I consume over the last 9 years... thanks to that change, I have lost a lot of weight. But I find that I've been backsliding a bit into my old habits. <br /><br />So, lately, I've been reading up and speaking with my sistahs on raw foods, the vegan lifestyle, and just in general, seeking opportunities to better my health, digestion, while decreasing the intake of those foods that are probably causing me the most harm - meat, dairy, startches and carbs (my 4 devil heads). And, as a result, have decided to start a 3-day raw food detox today.<br /><br />I am a far cry from being an expert or professional on this subject matter, however I chose this to be the topic of my blog this month because sometimes its important to hear from those of us in the baby stages, in transition, who struggle everyday with overall eating issues, as well as finding the right balance of diet for our own body. For instance, I know that for self, I could never go totally raw. I have severe iron-deficiency anemia and would not be able to supplement enough with just various beans, greens, and iron vitamins. However, I may be able to find a balance of raw, vegetarian, and a sporadic, healthy, meat-eating diet (broiled fish, chicken breast, etc.) that could work for my body type, blood type, and health lifestyle.<br /><br />So, here I am on day one of my detox, striving to get through at least this day. I am learning alot about my body and also about what I can do when I put my mind to it. <br /><br />PEACEThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-20457046597086092902010-05-02T09:00:00.001-04:002010-05-02T09:07:56.512-04:0014th Degree Subscriptions, Submissions and Ads for Show and Prove 2010 IssueThe Diameter of The 14th Degree and Beyond Magazine<br /><br />Peace!<br /><br />The Show and Prove Summer issue of "The 14th Degree and Beyond Magazine for the Original Woman" will be a super-sized full color issue! And we want to make sure that we continue to have our fingers on the pulse of what YOU want to see us write about. We are produced 4 times a year at the start of each season, and our letters, energy, feedback, and contributions from our readers is what has kept us going.<br /><br />Featured sections within each issue include:<br /><br />Earth Science (History of, interviews with, and articles about Original Women)<br />Politics<br />Builders Build (Build on Supreme Mathematics, Supreme Alphabet and 120 Lessons)<br />Science of Everything in Life (the geosciences, biology, chemistry, genealogy, etc)<br />Healthy, Strong, and Good... (Health and Nutrition)<br />Each One, Teach Many (Brief info about a little known fact)<br />Get Quizzed<br />Poetry Corner<br />From Home to Abroad (World Cultures and Issues)<br />Green Earth (Environmental Awareness)<br />More Gold for Your Labor (Economics)<br />From the Fathers of Civilization (Wise words from the Gods)<br />"How to Cook" (Any topics related to food - recipes, healthy eating tips, harmful habits)<br />Training Units and Teen Corner (Activities and articles for the youth)<br />Cipher N.E.W.S. (What's going in our readers' respective areas)<br />Tell Us How You See It (A series of questions requiring our readers' response)<br /><br />These features were carefully determined so that the information provided within each section would aid in the refinement and enrichment of each individual regardless of their interests or scope of knowledge, and especially, to cultivate through regeneration the minds of those living in downtrodden urban communities whose welfare is often forgotten or ignored in mainstream media outlets.<br /><br />SUBMIT AN ARTICLE, POEM, RECIPE, SEED ACTIVITY, WORD OF WISDOM, OR CIPHER (and Birth) ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE STAFF OF THE 14TH DEGREE AND BEYOND FOR THE SHOW and PROVE SUMMER 2010 ISSUE, TODAY!<br /><br />EMAIL US at the14thdegreeandbeyond@comcast.net<br />WRITE US at The 14th Degree and Beyond, Inc. P.O. Box 2134Teaneck, NJ 07666-1534<br /><br />ADVERTISERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR LAST ISSUE TAKING HALF-PRICED ADS! Thousands of people – Gods and Earths who reside in the NY Tri-State area, the hundreds who travel in from out of town, and supporters of the Nation of Gods and Earths – descend upon Harriet Tubman School in Harlem every year for the Annual Show and Prove, in order to build with the best, meet a-alikes in person, and support the many Gods and Earths vending products, books, music, documentaries, and media publications. It is the perfect opportunity to place an ad in the 14th Degree and Beyond – AS OUR SHOW and PROVE ISSUE SELLS OUT EVERY YEAR TO PEOPLE RESIDING ALL OVER THE WORLD! As a recession buster, prices have been slashed in half for this 2009-2010 volume: business card sized ad space is $5, 1/4 page ads $10, 1/2 page ads $20, full page ads $40, and back cover ads are $60. In this issue only all ads are full-color! Email your ads to us in jpeg form and make your payments via paypal or postal mail!<br /><br />We are always accepting new subscriptions and bulk orders!! Environmentally friendly Electronic Subscriptions (emailed to you in the form of a PDF file) are $20; Print Subscriptions (including postage) are $28; Individual Issues are $6; Back issues are $4. (An additional $2 shipping fee is required for individual and back issues that are postal mailed.)<br /><br />Please make your money orders payable to The 14th Degree and Beyond, Inc. and mail to P.O. Box 2134, Teaneck, NJ 07666-1534, or pay via www.PayPal.com to the4thdegreeandbeyond@comcast.net. Donations are welcome and appreciated!<br /><br />ATTENTION: Any supporters who began their annual subscription with the Show and Prove Summer 2009 Issue - your subscription expired with the Spring 2010 Issue and is now due for renewal. Subscription payments can easily be made online via your PayPal or mailed as a money order.<br /><br />PEACEThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-45871080107411031232010-04-24T22:06:00.002-04:002010-04-24T22:08:49.471-04:00The Official debut of MGT & GCC Classes at Allah School in Mecca<span style="font-size:100%;">Just spreading the word...<b><br /><br />The Official Debut!!!!!!!!!!</b><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Peace to my NGE (My Family),<br /><br /><b>The Official debut of MGT & GCC Classes! Is finally here!<br /><br /></b>Where: Allah School In Mecca<br />2122 W 127th St. Manhattan,NYC (bet. 126th &127th St.)<br /><br />Time: 1pm to 3pm<br /><br /><b>Date: May 22, 2010 and Every 3rd Saturday of the Month<br /><br /></b>Contact: Allah School..Allah B. & Queen Natural Reflection Earth<br />Ph:212-655-4175 (Allah School)...347-371-7204(Queen Natural)<br /><br />Spread this on to all brothers and sisters, Gods and Earths.<br />We need your help in making this our beginning and future.<br />Every Queen from every area should have a representation!<br />Queen Mother of Civilization, we need you and all First Born.<br />This is the most important step in securing our future.<br />I give my love, my support, my time, my dedication to you.<br />To all Queens and my NGE family you are my hope and future.<br />Together there's nothing we can't accomplish.<br />I believe in all of you and look forward to seeing you there.<br />No Queen or Earth shall ever be left behind again.<br />Teach A Queen And Build A Civilization!<br />To The Gods it is also your civilized duty to help us.<br /><br />Peace To All: Queen Natural Reflection Earth of Mecca</span>The 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-18763773605420130782010-04-18T06:47:00.005-04:002010-04-18T07:39:46.691-04:00"Culinary Crack"Peace Asiatics,<br /><br />It's EARLY Saturday morning (about 6:30AM at the start of this writing), and I've spent a great deal of time in the past 24 hours in the kitchen making scrumptious vegan, vegetarian, and raw eats for the king and I. It started Friday afternoon, with my making my Creamy Baked Ziti (vegetarian) in preparation for a visit from the God's younger brother and his woman. Unfortunately, they never showed and now we're forced to eat this giant pan of bangin' ziti all by our lonesome (woe is us - giggle giggle) - that and my Passion Fruit Iced Tea. I also bought all the fixings, at the God's request, to throw together my Sweet & Spicy Kale Salad that so many in the community out here seem to love. But when bra-in-law never showed, I decided to make "Community Coleslaw" (a recipe I got from Afya Ibomu's "The Vegan Soulfood Guide to the Galaxy), an easy old school raw salad I had been longing for for a couple days now. I took the Queen's recipe and freaked it (as I do all recipes) taking out a couple things and adding a little bit of this and that, that virtually nothing I prepare goes with out - namely, spike seasoning and cayenne pepper. In addition to coleslaw, I made what I can only call "Nutty Coconut Delight", another inspired creation; this one coming from Tassili's Raw Realtiy (a raw catering company out here in Atlanta) based on a Haitian fruit salad they do that is wayyyyyy better than my mere attempt to copy (for personal use only of course). But it was fun to have my go at other people's creations, because when I cater I have a strict policy to only serve me and my partner's own culinary inventions, so I don't delve into bringing to life other people's recipes too often.<br /><br />I started a catering company some time in 2007, when I realized me and another Earth were quite often catering or vending food at various Nation and cultural community functions. I realized, "everybody else has a hustle, I might as well make food mine." I called it 7th Jewel Vegan Catering, with the idea that it would be a business that the Earths could and would embark upon. After working several events all by my lonesome I realized the Earth I had been working with had no real interest in making a living - or even making a hustle - by cooking and catering food - delicious, healthy vegan food I might add. And I realized that a sista I had worked on numerous community building efforts with was helping me with my catering more and more, taj anwar. And as I saw her become enthralled by serving up "culinary crack" (as she calls it) more and more, I thought maybe this Queen will provide the partnership I thirst for.<br /><br />See, I COULD bust my butt and go it alone, but I have always been one who cherishes work done cooperatively more so than independently. I suppose it's because I'm not the most self-motivated person (it's not cause I lack ambition, it's cause I'm just so chill - smile - and working for others is infinitely easier than working for self), and having another person that I'm responsible for keeping my word to forces me to get on the job and stay on the job. (This is very much the reason why I love and am dedicated to the collective effort of The 14th Degree and Beyond as well.)<br /><br />So my sista taj and I decided to partner up on this "food for a living" biz and changed the name to Feed The People Catering, to coincide with the organization that had brought us together - the FTP Movement. And having a partner who is business minded and image oriented has made a vast difference in the progression and gradual success of our small business. I would never have started a website as she did (maybe a facebook fan page, but not actually paid for a website - LOL), she got us a stunning 8 ft x 10 ft banner, matching business cards and postcards, even aprons with our logo on it!<br /><br />There is just so much that my partner visualized needing in order to garner people's attention and add to our success that never even crossed my mind. So I build on this because working with taj has allowed me to realize that a partnership works best when both entities are complimentary in their differences - rather than having nearly the exact same interests and skills. When each person has the very same skills set and interests, they're doing the same thing and leaving major ground uncovered. On the contrary, when their differences fill in the gaps of the traits or skills one lacks it strengthens the partnership as a whole. <br /><br />So to all those in business partnerships, even life partnerships, bond with those who allow your differences to compliment and complete, rather than divide, and you'll find you have a much smoother ride on your way to success!<br /><br />Peace,<br />Eboni Joy AsiaticThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-85161414630327327682010-04-10T13:51:00.004-04:002010-04-10T17:43:12.348-04:00Quality or Quantity?Peace All -<br /><br />It's been a while since we have last posted which doesn't mean we have forgotten... not at all. We have been working on the lastest issue of our quarterly mag "The 14th Degree and Beyond" as well as preparing our homes for the changes in season and upcoming events.<br /><br />As some of you may or may not know - I have been writing music for years. I perform occassionally as well which is extremely theraputic. I find as someone who is into music as not just a culture but as a living breathing thing... I take it more personally. Like when I see real talent washed to the side for whom ever has a sexier image... it's just the truth. Here's one case:<br /><br />Alicia Keys and India.Arie - Hands down Arie is a better writer and a better singer. Everything she does is deliberate and on point... Not to say Alicia isn't talented it's just I feel that India has more QUALITY. They both came out around the same time. I was living in Chicago then. Alicia Keys may have visited the House of Blues there about 8 times in 3 months....India... only once. Granted - you could say the labels have a say in that however, fans have a voice too.<br /><br />Arie made it clear with her first Video "She's not the average girl from the video..." and she wasn't changing anything - and I think that scared people. And to this day she hasn't changed. However, when I look at Keys, I notice her image is increasingly sexier and her success increases. She's not her mis matched, braided, Harlemnite lace glove wearing self anymore... she is now big hair, tight pants and glittered belts... with some popped gloss too! lol.<br /><br />I say all this to say... how much are you willing to change who you are to be accepted by others? Are you willing to become something other then what you say you are in order to make more $$? Or can you be happy with less and stay true to yourself?<br /><br />Peace<br /><br />QC ZagThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-54936337824031415402010-03-10T00:00:00.002-05:002010-03-10T00:00:02.037-05:00Say Hello...Peace -<br /><br />Since my last post so much has happened. In most recent events was a black out I had on my childs former teacher. What is interesting is that it was easily avoidable. As we all are (most anyway), I am protective over my children. I also teach them that (to quote Jay-Z) "If you owe me $10 you ain't givin' me 9". You buy something, you get what you paid for... or you get your money back.<br /><br />My daughter made a purchase in school for something to be delivered at a later date. It didn't arrive. My daughter made an inquiry and they said they didn't know what happened...so I needed to go to the school because they weren't trying to give her $ back. Eventually, I get in contact with the teacher responsible for the fundraiser and she says that the class rep (who's in 6th grade) gave her all the money and it was all accounted for etc. To which I informed her my daughter had a receipt of sorts and either gets her money back or the item. The teacher felt that was unfair as she would have to give her money out of her pocket. Not my concern. So instead she gave the item to my daughter an reiterated how unfair she felt it was.<br /><br />Problem solved right? Wrong<br /><br />The teacher felt the need to be Colombo and ask my daughters homeroom teacher about the purchase and then addressed my daughter (while she was on her way to the bathroom) stating she still felt it was unfair for her to tell her mother that she didn't get her purchase and she didn't feel that was right. **looking around in a WTF face...*** yea.<br /><br />So I went there this morning and blacked out. You don't approach a child about an issue that is with another adult. This isn't a custody case and your feelings are not my daughters problem. It's between the parent and the teacher. She owes my daughter an apology for making her feel uncomfortable in school by approaching her about an issue she had with me. Needless to say the principal is involved. There is more but I needed to vent that out for now.<br /><br />Children are taught how to address other children etc and how to handle whatever teasing may come. We also try to guide them in how to avoid or handle conflict. However, when dealing with someone who is a teacher there is a certain level of respect we ask our children to give them (ie. listen in class, don't talk back etc...) , and for them (in my opinion), to abuse that respect by approaching a minor about their hurt feelings or what is not fair in life is disgusting.<br /><br />Just another few of my 6 cents.<br /><br />Peace<br /><br />Q. Civilized (most of the time) ZagThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-78022191605387048612010-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:002010-02-03T00:00:00.437-05:00I Wish You Insight So You Could See For Yourself"You're now in a game where only time can tell <br />Survive the droughts, i wish you well... <br />Survive the droughts' I wish you well' <br />How sick am I? I wish you HEALTH <br />I wish you wheels, i wish you wealth <br />I wish you insight so you could see for yourself <br />You could see the signs, when the jackets is schemin' <br />And the cops is comin', you could read they mind <br />You could see from behind, you could redefine <br />The game as we know it, one dream at a time <br />I'm american dreamin' " - Jay - Z American Gangsta<br /><br />Peace -<br /><br />I've been listening to a lot of hip hop lately - for the past couple of years. For Most of my life I did R&B, Soul, World... even whale sounds etc. While I still do listen to those things, I feel that in my current state of mind, hip hop (Jay, Jeezy, Tip, Kanye...) is closer to my mental state right now. Because I feel as though I am constantly fighting to get up out of certain things that are holding me back. And while I know that there are those that are close to me - when I come home, <strong>I </strong>have to deal with these things. <strong>Myself</strong>. And sometimes a phone call and a couple laughs doesn't help. It doesn't pay my rent and it certainly doesn't put food in my fridge. Sometimes you have to hole up in your world, suffer through certain things in order to come up stronger. <br /><br />I chose the above verse from American Dreamin because it reminds me of what I'd never been taught and what I'd learned the hard way. What I teach the seeds on a daily basis. When we say survival of the fittist it's not just physical strength it's mental strength, it's street smarts and book smarts. Knowing when to keep your mouth shut and when to walk away. In general I am a person who keeps to myself and in the past tried to change that... but, I find that I am happy with who I am originally. That's what brings me peace. When I DID try to change who I was there was an unhappiness and constant disappointment in others that I could only blame myself for and found myself acting (at times) other then who I was. <br /><br />I am not saying all things can be resolved by your lonesome as we all need someone sometimes, but if you never fall, how will you ever learn how to pick yourself up?<br /><br />These blogs usually have some thought inspiring question at the end but, I have none this time. Just a written scribe. And perhaps, if you have opinions and other revelations, you will gift us with an add on.<br /><br />Peace<br /><br />Queen CivilizedThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-21318779323451866762010-01-20T10:29:00.006-05:002010-01-20T11:51:07.766-05:00Bringing Relief to the Aid of HaitiPeace Asiatics,<br /><br />Aside from the joys of new parenthood, it's been solemn times in my household as we focus on the hell our brothers and sisters in Haiti are going through - reading news reports and viewing reflections online. All I can say is, I've never been more relieved NOT to have cable because I would be watching CNN all day and existing in a state of depression (as my mother-in-law called us crying and expressed that that's what she's dealing with from watching video footage of the disaster).<br /><br />Last week I put together a care package of dozens of baby clothes, some sanitary napkins and diapers but didn't have anywhere to send the goods to. If Doctors Without Borders can't even get their surgical supplies and other equipment - as the US Military, who is regulating Port-Au-Prince's single-runway airport, keeps turning away airplanes; calling themselves prioritizing the order in which they land. What could be more of a priority than life-saving medical equipment?! On top of that it's been reported that tons upon tons of food is trapped in warehouses... WTF!??!<br /><br />Another thing to consider with this apocalyptic-like disaster is how prepared are we - in our households - to survive and struggle through a natural disaster? Would you/we be starving and dehydrated after less than a week because we don't have a stockade of non-perishable food and purified water? Some of the reasons Haitians are in such desperate condition is (1) their poverty is extreme in comparison to ours, so many people were malnutritioned to begin with (2) they're on a small island which means receiving aid is more difficult because it must come by air or sea and only so many planes can land in a particular time frame and from what I've read their seaport was not functioning (3) their infrastructure was weak and many homes and buildings were erected without the supervision of codes or standards (4) many of the aid workers/organizations were instilled with a fear of the Haitian people and are moving like snails to get them aid because they are anticipating that our people act like savages and (5) with a nearly non-existent corrupt government and the corrupt US government vying for dominance among the countries bringing aid, there are no natural born leaders/citizens of that country to lead the way in organizing efforts to save the people.<br /><br />I am grateful that one of the Gods out here in Atlanta, Allah Justice Allah, contacted us (The FTP Movement) to join in his efforts to start the Haiti Aid Society (H.A.S. www.haitiaidsociety.com) - as it has enabled us to put in work that will, ideally, EVENTUALLY bring relief to the aid of our people, if only in the most minute way. We're also working with a collective of our comrades to put on a massive concert in order to raise gold. If not for these efforts I would be doing nothing but sitting up watching - via my over-priced computer, my free internet, my comfy couch - and stating my criticisms without doing anything to counteract that which I criticize. And really, who AM I to criticize... I said something snide about the fact that some Earths mentioned watching the Golden Globes on facebook and realized I have the time to bulls**t on facebook - SHAME ON ME, what am I doing that's beneficial to the people of Haiti, what am I doing that's productive period?! That's what I should have been focused on, and that's what I urge you to ask yourselves - because we ARE our brothers/sisters keeper and the civilized are responsible for the welfare of original people period!<br /><br />I know the Earth Beautiful SeeAsia out in Now Justice is working with a collective to put on relief efforts for Haiti out there. Are there any other efforts being put on or supported by the Gods and Earths throughout the wilderness reading this? I know many of us have donated to Wyclef's organization Yele Haiti via texts - which I definitely support regardless of the media reports that they've mis-managed funds which I see as another way for mass media to divide and conquer us. Others still support the Red Cross (regardless of their mis-management of funds donated specifically to Hurricane Katrina relief - just had to throw that out there).<br /><br />What can we do to bring relief to the aid of our people? Or have we relegated ourself to the role of mere witness?<br /><br />Peace,<br />Eboni Joy AsiaticThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-53132954564532845082010-01-13T11:10:00.002-05:002010-01-13T12:01:32.634-05:00Keeping 120 Relevant, or is it?Peace. First of all, Happy 2010 to all of our readers and followers out there. On behalf of the staff of The 14th Degree and Beyond, we thank you for your support of our Blog and magazine over the last year and a half. We are continuing to build and renew our history with you, for you, and for US as a collective and we build that you continue to ride this wave with us.<br /><br />In on our last blogs, Eboni Joy asked you all if you still get anything out of our blogs and what, if anything you want to see moving forward. A few of you gave great feedback and we will definitely be looking at the blogtalk radio, and in general, keeping our role in your ciphers relevant. Thinking on that, brought me to another questions (which relatively ties to where we want to go with our magazine) and that is, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br />HOW DO YOU KEEP 120 RELEVANT IN YOUR CIPHERS, OR IS IT?</span><br /><br />For me, I am not memorization guru, and I frequently have to find myself renewing my degrees because I start tripping over them, combining them, or just completely drawing a blank on them. Many of you know what I mean? But what I've found is that in renewing of my own qu'ron, that that is usually the beginning and end of it - memorizing the degrees. I KNOW that we should internalize them, absorb their meaning on different levels, and build on how it applies to us...yadda, yadda, yadda. However, in all honesty, it become redorick after a while. We are in a day when single mothers are not nurturing and rearing their children properly because we are busting our ass 10-12 hours a day just to make sure the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter are met...with little to no additional support. Our Black Families are crumbling because our Original Men and Original Women who come together in the name of love, still do not know how to sustain it long term, or even how to initiative a serious committed relationship based on communication, trust, and devotion. Our Original Men are struggling to find employment in this economy, while still struggling to support their babies, women, and selves by progressing themselves through education or trade training. How in the world can 120 help with these daily challenges we face? <br /><br />I can't tell the next God or Earth how to keep 120 relevant for them and some would answer questionably whether it even is or not. However, what I DO know is, that arguing over whether the knowledge knowledge degree of the 1-14 says "shall" or "will" won't teach your babies or keep the rent paid... but rather, the degree itself may be able to help you set realistic goals for 2010, start looking at GED or University programs and scholarship opportunities to pay for them. UNDERSTANDING the degree may help you find ways to improve the relationship between you and your mate by re-affirming your bond and commitment to each other, or attending a couples retreat together. <br /><br />As the times change, so must our ability to apply change within our ciphers. When I look at my lessons now, I tend to spend equal, if not more, time on how the degree will help me better myself and my family in more practical terms, rather than just simply memorizing words on the 4 corners of a page. <br /><br />So, I ask again...<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">HOW DO YOU KEEP 120 RELEVANT IN YOUR CIPHERS, OR IS IT?<br /><br /></span>Add on.<br /><br />PEACE<br />Victorious Lanasia Earth<br /><br />PS - Also, stay tuned for our Winter 2009-2010 14th DEGREE AND BEYOND Magazine...out this month!!The 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-32540100623505683322010-01-06T23:27:00.002-05:002010-01-06T23:44:35.174-05:00RulesPeace -<br /><br />Recently I found out my daughter had an email address and I made her delete it. Mainly because of her reasoning behind...online games. lol. She and I have a very close relationship but I do worry because she is getting older, developing and I want to protect her.<br /><br />I know that other friends of mine have children with e-mails in the same age range but I am still uneasy... so I compromised and said she could use mine. Perhaps it's because I didn't have an e-mail address until I was 20 or so... but that was a different time. I think that there is a certain paranoia that parents have now because of everything that is out there that WASN'T when we were younger.<br /><br />I don't allow her to go on sites that require usernames and passwords nor do I let her 'chat'. At her age (which is under 12) I don't think it's a good idea. <br /><br />As parents - what are some of the more strict rules you have an why? I will list some of mine below to start off.<br /><br />1) No TV or Phone Calls from friends during the week - It's time for school work<br />2) No Sites that require UN and PW<br />3) Be concious of the reasons why you want things. Be able to articulate your reasoning for things whether it's something that made you upset at school or why you chose to do something a particular way.<br /><br />I don't expect all to agree... I just know what works for my cipher and what I know keeps my children safe. We can't protect them from everything... and we can't keep them sheltered to the point where they do a complete 180 when they leave. We can give them the tools they need to make smart decisions and for the mistakes we know they know they will make, they will be able to understand why it happened and try not to do it again.<br /><br />PeaceThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-1880598449002351692009-12-26T17:03:00.002-05:002009-12-26T17:07:18.779-05:00R U Still Down!??!Peace Asiatics!<br /><br />Just asking cause it's been sooooo long since any of our supporters responded to our blog, answered questions posed, posed questions/concerns themselves.<br /><br />Has the 14th Degree Blog Spot lost it's novelty and thus interests? Are we THAT boring? Are our topics irrelevant, of no interest? What's the science... how can we spice up this Blog Spot for our readers... post recipes, post articles featured in the magazine, build more on the supreme mathematics and 120 lessons??? PLEASE make knowledge born so we can refine and re-build!!!<br /><br />Peace,<br />Eboni Joy AsiaticThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-13080242920579485502009-12-08T22:12:00.003-05:002009-12-08T22:20:44.707-05:00Continued EducationPeace -<br /><br />Recently I have decided to go back to school... and I am studying for my assessment tests... yikes. It is interesting that there is so much that I have forgotten. I remember speaking to myfriend a while back and he said that a few of his friends and he had taken the GED Practice test on a whim and everyone tested at a 9th or 10th grade level. lol. But when you think about that... it is not so strange.<br /><br />Once you have been OUT of school for 10 years or more how would you remember the dates of everything from Social Studies or Science... and that got me to thinking. Why don't they make the testing for re-admittance to college more life skilled based. On things that you use on a regular basis? Ofcourse there should be things in the writing, math and literature sections that should be known from HS however, Social Studies and Science? If those aren't a part of your daily life or what you are striving to have a career in... should those be included in the testing?<br /><br />Now, my assessments are on just English and Math but... I had those questions in my mind so I thought I would put them out there.<br /><br /><br />Peace<br /><br />Q. CivilizedThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-47206799930910869822009-12-02T11:52:00.003-05:002009-12-02T11:59:40.210-05:00When are they ready for our teachings?Peace Fam,<br /><br />This conversation has been coming up a lot for me lately. I have been hearing of people who say that they would not teach their children Supreme Math and Supreme Alpha when they are "so young". I am wondering when is the right age in your opinion to teach children Supreme Mathematics? Supreme Alphabets? 120? Would you include the 12 Jewels? Why Why Not? and When is the right time to teach them that? <br /><br />Also, One God told me that he would not teach his daughter 120 since those degrees were meant for The Black Man here in the Wilderness to prepare him to go back and get his woman but that he would make sure that she knows the 14th degree in the 1-14. What is your opinion on that? Is it necessary for our daughters to learn 120? Is there more of an emphasis on our sons learning it than our daughters? He said that he would also not teach his son unless his son asked to learn it and that he wasnt held responsible to teach until he was 16 anyway. What are your thoughts?<br /><br />Peace,<br />DevotionThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-29462939515344983922009-11-25T10:45:00.002-05:002009-11-25T11:01:46.081-05:00Tell Us How You See ItPeace Asiatics,<br /><br />This is the first "Tell Us How You See It" questions we asked in our Autumn 2009 Issue "WISDOM REVOLUTION: Still In Balance". Your answers - unless you state that you do not want them shared in the magazine - will appear in the next, Winter 2009-10, issue.<br /><br />So build with us...<br /><br /> 1. What is a Black Woman's responsibility to her Black man?<br /><br />I'll state my understanding (which won't be published since I'm a staff writer as it is), and it's based on my responsibility to MY Black man as I know he wants it to be, as is inherent in me as a woman, and as I choose them based on my interests and abilities. To be respectful, supportive - and by that I mean it's often falls on the woman to take action (wisdom) to manifest - or help manifest - his ideas, make and keep a peaceful and nurturing home environment, to raise our children in accord with his/our teachings and ideals, to carry myself - and partake in actions - that command respect abroad, to be compromising, to tell him what I need (rather than rely on him to guess), to choose my words carefully, and work cooperatively to maintain our relationship and kingdom.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Eboni Joy AsiaticThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-90395078333699508882009-11-18T11:07:00.003-05:002009-11-18T12:03:46.946-05:00Governing our own "Best Part" Health CarePeace and Blessings,<br /><br />As you may have heard, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of independent (so-called)experts, recently updated the guidelines for breast cancer screening. In short, these guidelines state the following:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.healthjockey.com/images/breast-cancer-american-women.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 147px;" src="http://www.healthjockey.com/images/breast-cancer-american-women.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>•Women between the ages of 40 and 49 should not be routinely screened.<br />•Women between the ages of 50 and 74 should be screened every two years.<br />•Screenings are unnecessary for women 75 and older.<br />•Women should not be taught how to perform breast self-examinations.<br />•There is no additional benefit to clinical breast examination by doctors, nor are there added benefits to digital mammography or magnetic resonance imaging over film mammography.<br /><br />What does this mean for Original women? The problem with many of these Task Forces, government policies, or guidelines when it comes to our own healthcare, is it usually serves too much as template for the initiative that we may or may not take to obtain proper care for ourselves - especially when it comes to our breasts, and cancer. Among Original women, it is reported that not only do we suffer the highest cases of deaths from breast cancer but also that we are diagnosed with it at younger age - sometimes in our late 30's and early 40's. Many times we lack the resources for gaining proper healthcare so we tend to not be forthright about getting proper diagnosis.<br /><br />Our lessons teach that we everything has a source - a cause, and effect. We know that we should not sit up and wait for a mystery to bring us food, clothing and shelter. I would also add to that, that we should also not let a mystery (these unknown task forces, officials, government politics) govern the way we seek care for our bodies. Be cognizant and proactive about your preserving your best part. If there are women in your family with a history of breast cancer, then have yourself checked. If you practice self-exams and find something abnormal, have yourself checked. <br /><br />PEACE<br />Victorious Lanasia EarthThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-29920316044150901542009-11-14T08:25:00.003-05:002009-11-14T08:44:41.970-05:0014th Degree & Beyond Magazine Updates (info for subscribers included)Peace,<br /><br />Just a few updates about The 14th Degree and Beyond:<br /><br />1) Any supporters who began their annual subscription with the December/Winter 2008/09 Issue - your subscription expired with the Autumn 2009 Issue and is now due for renewal. Subscription payments can easily be made online via your PayPal account to the14thdegreeandbeyond@comcast.net. Otherwise, they should be mailed as a money order to: <br />The 14th Degree and Beyond / P.O. Box 2134 / Teaneck, NJ 07666-1534. <br /><br />Electronic Subscriptions (emailed to you in the form of a PDF file) are $20<br />Print Subscriptions (postal mailed to your address, to cover postage) are $28<br />Individual Issues are $6 print <br />Back issues are $4<br />(An additional $2 shipping fee is required for individual and back issues that are postal mailed)<br /><br />For more info on subscriptions contact Queen Civilized Zag.<br /><br />Contact Eboni Joy Asiatic for advertising information (prices have been slashed in half for this volume: business card sized ad space per issue is $5, 1/4 page ads $10, 1/2 page ads $20, full page ads $40, and back cover full-color ads are $60).<br /><br />To contribute articles, poetry or recipes, or submit answers to our "Tell Us How You See It" questions, contact SciHonor Devotion or Victorious Lanasia Earth. <br />(Articles, poems and recipes should be sent as MS Word documents.)<br /><br />ALL inquiries can be sent to the14thdegreeandbeyond@comcast.net or to each individual directly via our "top myspace friends" - http://www.myspace.com/the14thdegreeandbeyond<br /> <br />2) We have a blog at http://14thdegree.blogspot.com/ that is updated every week by a staffer of The 14th Degree and Beyond with vital builds and valuable information. Please do the knowledge and post your comments freely in an exchange of knowledge and wisdom.<br /><br />The current blog is about urban gardening and details how to build your own compost heap in preparation for "cool season crops" and year-round.<br /><br />3) In every issue of The 14th Degree and Beyond Magazine we pose a series of "Tell Us How You See It" questions, and we publish the submitted answers in the following issue. The questions posed in the Autumn 2009 Issue "WISDOM REVOLUTION: Still In Balance" were:<br /><br /> 1. What is a Black Woman's responsibility to her Black man? <br /><br /> 2. Is it is acceptable for a Caucasian woman be considered or called "The <br /> Earth"?<br /><br /> 3. What are some ways we can break the cycle of financial illiteracy within <br /> our ciphers?<br /><br /> 4. TELL US, what do you, as a subscriber, want to see in our magazine, <br /> whether new sections, articles regarding certain topics, more builds on <br /> the lessons, etc.?<br /><br />You do not have to be a subscriber to answer any of the above questions (except for #4 of course). Please send your answers to us at the14thdegreeandbeyond@comcast.net or even to our myspace inbox. Answers to the above questions will be published in the Winter 2009/10 issue of the magazine.<br /><br />4) Some features within our current Autumn 2009 Issue are:<br /><br />"Love Your People Day" a Nation(al) Holiday founded by the young elementary school aged God Ptah Alah of Love Allah (Los Angeles, CA). <br /><br />An interview with the Elder Earth Earthly Embrace - one of the original founders of The 14th Degree and Beyond Magazine/School.<br /><br />"A Struggle is a Struggle, What a Beautiful One It Is" by Maternal Luminous Earth<br /><br />Petition to name the corner of 126th St. & Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.<br />After ALLAH, THE FATHER, submitted by Lajik 17.<br /><br />"Holistic Approaches to Prenatal Health, Labor and Delivery" by Eboni Joy Asiatic<br /><br />The benefits of the herb chickweed (by Queen Civilized Zag), eating brown rice rather than white rice (by SciHonor Devotion), and Ital cooking (by Victorious Lanasia Earth) are only a few of the tips given in this Autumn 2009 issue of the magazine. <br /><br />It also includes information on how to get your seed(s) involved in The Pen Pal Project (a pen pal fellowship for the youth), the science of "Many Are Chosen" (by Gaumaal Complete Allah), and how to express your self-styled wisdom through 3/4ths of cloth (by S'Mas Born Earth).<br /><br />There are also Nation news updates, birth announcements, various recipes, poems, and activities and lessons for the seeds within each and every issue of the magazine!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />One way to Nation Build is to support your Nation media in the various ways mentioned in this posting - purchasing a subscription, submitting news about your local cipher, contributing articles, etc! <br /><br />Build with us... the14thdegreeandbeyond@comcast.net<br /><br />Peace!<br />The Staff of The 14th Degree and Beyond Magazine<br />Eboni Joy Asiatic, Queen Civilized Zag, SciHonor Devotion and Victorious Lanasia EarthThe 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-24380575839532069432009-11-11T07:03:00.005-05:002009-11-11T07:24:59.747-05:00Composting (and Supporting Urban Farms)Peace,<br /><br />Eboni Joy Asiatic here! It's not my blog week, but I MISSED my blog week being distracted by other happenings in my life. So I'm obliged to make up for lost time; and wanted to share some valuable information I came upon with our readers.<br /><br />I receive a weekly newsletter from a local, black-owned farm out here in Allah's Garden (Atlanta) called Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms. Their website is - <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">www.trulylivingwell.com</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"></span>This week's newsletter is about Composting and the planting of "cool season crops" like greens, beets, onions, carrots, and turnips; and I'd like to share with you their tips to building your own compost heap:<br /><br /><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Composting<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(reprinted from the Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms Weekly Newsletter of November 11, 2009)</span></span><br /></strong></span><div>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </div><div align="left"> Leaf raking season is near. Most people think of fallen leaves as an eyesore to be raked up and removed. Brown paper bags full of dried oak and maple leaves line neighborhood streets throughout the city. The trucks picking up this "trash" are removing a grand source of material for fertilizing gardens. This is the time of year for gathering material to make compost, the best substance there is for making good soil<br /> <br />Composting is a natural form of recycling which continually occurs in nature. Insects, earthworms, bacteria and fungi help transform the material into compost. An ancient practice, compost is the fundamental soil enhancer, essential for maintaining fertile and productive agricultural land. All food and animal wastes should be composted before being added to the soil. <br /><br />Composting is the transformation of plant matter through decomposition into a soil-like material called humus or compost. It is the controlled conversion of dead organic material into a stable form by the action of beneficial microbes, generating sufficient heat to kill all weed seeds and harmful pathogens, while producing a stable end product. Aerobic composting is the most common process used commercially and in our backyards.<br /><br /> Today there are several different reasons why composting remains an invaluable practice. Compost added to gardens improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and water retention. When mixed with compost, clay soils are lightened, and sandy soils retain water better. Mixing compost with soil also contributes to erosion control, soil fertility, proper pH balance, and healthy root development in plants.<br /><br />Decomposition occurs naturally anywhere plants grow. When a plant dies, its remains are attacked by microorganisms and invertebrates in the soil, and it is decomposed to humus. This is how nutrients are recycled in an ecosystem. This natural decomposition can be encouraged by creating ideal conditions. The microorganisms and invertebrates fundamental to the composting process require oxygen and water to successfully decompose the material. The end product of the process is soil-enriching compost.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Keys to Good Composting<br /></span><ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li> The carbon/nitrogen ratio: A mixture of dry leaves, sawdust, or other sources of carbon combined with manure, green plants, or fertilizer for nitrogen (approximately 3:1 by volume).<br /></li><li>The presence of microorganisms: A few shovels full of rich garden soil or compost will supply these.<br /></li><li>The moisture level: The pile should have the moisture of a well-squeezed sponge. Add water as needed.<br /></li><li>The oxygen level: A compost pile should be turned periodically to promote decay of its contents. Turning the pile adds oxygen, so the more you turn it, the faster it breaks down. (Turning heavy, rotting leaves and grass is vigorous exercise!)<br /></li><li>The particle size: The finer the particle size, the more surface there is for microorganisms to work. Shredding leaves and larger materials generates compost faster. Making Good Compost</li></ul> Locate your compost pile on a well-drained site which would benefit from nutrients running off the pile. Your pile can be built gradually in layers and then turned over to mix. Or if you have sufficient material, it can be mixed and blended at one time.<br /><ul><ul><li>To ensure good aeration and drainage, put down a 3-inch layer of coarse plant material such as small twigs or chopped corn stalks, or a wooden pallet.</li><li>Next, add about 8 to 10 inches of leaves or other dry organic wastes from your landscape and/or kitchen.<br /></li><li>Provide nitrogen for compost-promoting microorganisms by adding 2 to 3 inches of fresh grass clippings or fresh manure.<br /></li><li>If no soil is included in your compost material, add a sprinkling of soil or a compost starter to each layer to inoculate the pile with microorganisms.</li><li> Moisten the pile as you add leaves and other dry material.<br /></li></ul></ul>Mix the materials thoroughly. Shape the pile so its center is lower than its sides, to help water flow into the pile. Keep the pile moist, but not soaking wet. Within a few days, it should heat up. If not, it may lack nitrogen or moisture. If the pile emits an ammonia smell, it is too wet or too tightly packed for oxygen circulation; turn the heap and add coarse material to increase air space. Once a month, turn the pile with a pitch fork, putting the outside materials on the inside and vice versa.<br /> <br /> The plant materials should decompose into compost within five months in warm weather, longer under cool or dry conditions. Composting may be completed in one or two months if the materials are shredded, kept moist, and turned several times to provide good aeration. Spread it in the garden and dig or till it under to offer your soil and plants renewed vigor.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Compost All of Your Home Waste</span><br /> <br /> Grass clippings and fall leaves are abundant compost materials for most homeowners. Collect vegetable and fruit peelings, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, and similar kitchen waste for your compost pile. Don't use meat waste; it attracts animals. Acquire additional materials, such as sawdust, manure, hay, or straw from sources such as stables and carpenter shops.<br /><br /> If you have questions, send an email to <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">admin@trulylivingwell.com </span></span>and we will do our best to answer you promptly.</div></span></span> <span><span><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></span></span><br /><br />If you reside in the Atlanta area Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms sells compost for $10 per gallon. They also host various gardening classes throughout the year. This is a community garden, so all vegetation is sold at a reasonable price and is also open to supporters of cooperative economics who would like to purchase their produce in full or half barrels on a regular basis. Pick-up is on Wednesdays from 3pm to 6pm, and you are encouraged to tour the field and select your own produce. To learn what's being harvested currently go to - <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">www.trulylivingwell.com/growing.html</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The farm is located at 3353 Washington Road, East Point, GA. The primary owner/operator is Brotha K. Rashid Nuri, and he can be reached at</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">admin@trulylivingwell.com</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br />Peace!<br />Eboni Joy</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#000000;" ><a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102819274904&s=3204&e=001aB8qqor-JTS5Yq7lCaaGvAXNRGaiOzqDgn6zyagtsklpt3s2l4JgHhkEMiUcHYlrRQnG3ZBKKhzK4R-Adrj8A6zEasOdLTG_18fF98J4Pm8IwnSWgq5sPE05u_BKrucmDl9HDXAxB60="><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#800080;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1257940833_3"></span></span></a></span></span>The 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140228397792238517.post-1314195769594664722009-10-22T14:15:00.005-04:002009-10-22T15:00:46.792-04:00Working it Out Within...Peace and Blessings. One of the things I noticed about my self lately is that schedule, commitments, decisions, the filtering of the everyday technological stimuli, and other "debris" has simply turned my mind and thoughts into a raceway - both in speed and noise. I also noticed that as time goes on, I am not clearing out space in my thoughts and mind, but yet just cramming more things in there to remember, recall, to do, to process, and to filter. I realized this mostly at night when I would have trouble falling to rest - sometimes not getting the point where I could sleep until well into the wee hours of the morning. The insomnia really started to take a toll on me so I realized I had to do something about this and learn to quiet my mind somehow. <div></div><br /><div>Quieting the mind teaches us how to focus more on the present moment, instead of on the future or on the past. It is said that 80% of our thoughts are spent on the future and on the past. Worrying about future events creates stress, anxiety, and depression over things that have not yet happened. Thinking about past events causes us to criticize or judge ourselves for how we handled certain situations in the past, instead of letting them go and moving forward. By replaying these events again and again in our minds, we create the stress each time as well. </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4900957/DSCN1884_Full.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 297px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4900957/DSCN1884_Full.jpg" /></a>Learning to live in the moment and enjoy the moment for what it is can be a very empowering skill to learn. Not only does it help lessen our stress and anxiety, it also teaches us to appreciate what we do have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.<br /></div><br /><div><br />A co-worker lent me a book called <u>Cares that Infest</u> by Cecil A Poole, a book written in 1978 that really speaks to exactly what issues I was having. In the book, he discuss these "infestations" as our everyday problems and how they keep us true happiness. Basically, it is a realization that we all have problems - but its how we solve them that affects our individual development and our relationships with others. Learning, he emphasizes, comes from both our problems and from our solutions. He shows how to recognize specific issues - worry, insomnia, fear, and how to develop a practice philosophy of life to alleviate the burnden and heaviness that is caused by these difficulties. This particular book has given me the tools to begin to learn how to quiet and refocus my mind and energies the few important things in life that bring me happiness. </div><div></div><br /><div>The other methodology that has really begun to help also is perpetual meditation. Many of us may practice meditation but often times it is done within a particular time and space, so the quieting of the mind is on a finite level. Instead I wanted to learn how to practice this on a regular basis, so that I can create a built-in filter so to speak, which will frequent my quiet moments, rather than merely dismiss them for a short period of time. I am still working on this one.</div><div></div><br /><div>What ways do you "Work it out from within" or quiet your mind? Do you find that you worry about things that are not in your control, that you fear, or that you are unsure about? Let's hear your build on it. </div><br /><div><br />PEACE<br />Victorious Lanasia Earth</div>The 14th Degree and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04932251080073155288noreply@blogger.com1