Film Review: Backtrack Boys

Framing delinquent youth as hopeless cases is a common narrative ploy by a ruthless and shallow media. There’s the assumption that youths are going to gather together in gangs, commit crimes and cause havoc. Director Catherine Scott has thrown a fresh bucket of water on an old stereotype. Just as she did in her otherContinue reading “Film Review: Backtrack Boys”

Pagan Date: Beltane

Beltane is celebrated in the southern hemisphere on this date. All throughout the land everything is rich, green and verdant. The celebration of Beltane involves lighting a bonfire, dancing and performing rituals and is a boisterous and passionate day to celebrate fertility. 

Film Review – Utopia directed by John Pilger

Utopia is veteran and respected journalist John Pilger’s attempt to tell an extraordinary story, one hidden from the eyes of everyday Australians, of Australia’s first people. Pilger uses words like apartheid and hidden genocide to describe it. And the evidence he presents in this documentary is overwhelmingly convincing. It’s difficult to do justice to thisContinue reading “Film Review – Utopia directed by John Pilger”

Pagan Date: Eostara

In the southern hemisphere, today marks the date of the Spring Equinox, also know n as Eostara. This is a time to celebrate new beginnings, regeneration, growth and the conception of new ideas. The venerable Bede mentions the name in reference to Eostre, the Germanic goddess of spring. In the northern hemisphere this rite coincidesContinue reading “Pagan Date: Eostara”

Pagan Date: Imbolc

In the southern hemisphere, today in the Pagan calendar is Imbolc. It’s a Sabbat to honour the Celtic goddess Brighid. It’s a time to purify oneself, dedicate oneself to a task. The word imbolc comes from Irish Gaelic and means ‘ewe’s milk’. It’s in reference to the time when ewe’s begin suckling with their youngContinue reading “Pagan Date: Imbolc”

How to banish the harsh inner critic – by Nick Cave

Nick Cave’s incredible blog The Red Hand Files features Ask Me Anything question and answers. It’s a beacon of pure creative joy for anyone in search of inspiration. Here’s an unforgettable nugget of wisdom from Nick on how to forge on with big ideas and ignore the asshole inside of you, telling you to stopContinue reading “How to banish the harsh inner critic – by Nick Cave”

Gather up the night: An eerie hotel causes confusion on Melbourne’s Eastlink freeway

As an occasional driver along the Eastlink in Melbourne, I have had the odd experience of passing a hotel with no trace of human habitation around it. A hotel completely devoid of people and life and yet that lights up in a unique configuration of lights from fake windows each night. Located in Melbourne’s southContinue reading “Gather up the night: An eerie hotel causes confusion on Melbourne’s Eastlink freeway”

Pagan Date: Samhain

In the southern hemisphere, today we celebrate the pagan new year or Samhain. This ancient gaelic word means Summer’s End.  On this date it’s a good time to reflect on and honour those that have come before us. It’s also a time to release anything that no longer serves you.  Incantation for ancestors  This isContinue reading “Pagan Date: Samhain”