

Haunt me with the Ghost of a Tree
5 snips Jul 2, 2025
Delve into the mystical experiences of a 15th-century saint and a historic extinction event that still haunts our planet today. Explore the whimsical challenges of urban seagulls and how bottle return schemes affect their food supply. Discover the intertwining of historical anxieties and current economic concerns over tariffs while reflecting on the evolution of trees amidst climate change. There’s even a light-hearted nod to self-care tools and meditation apps, making for a thoughtful yet entertaining mix of spirituality, history, and environmentalism.
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Saint Teresa's Ecstatic Visions
- Saint Teresa of Avila's visions of Christ penetrating her heart mix pain and pleasure.
- Her experiences suggest bridal mysticism with sexual overtones interpreted religiously.
Saint Teresa's Mortification Practices
- Saint Teresa reformed the Carmelite order and practiced extreme mortification.
- She wore painful hair shirts, fasted, and sought spiritual communion through suffering.
Sexual Desire's Origins Explored
- Saint Augustine conceptualized sexual desire as a punishment after original sin.
- Sharks were the first creatures to engage in sexual selection, involving attraction and choice.