In one of my previous posts, Star Chart Stone Shrine of Hội An, I delved into a hidden shrine in the ancient city of Hội An, not because I was curious about any golden treasure it might point to, but because I was curious about the meaning behind the engraved characters and what turned out to be … Continue reading Secret Sect of the Big Dipper 1
Following the Ancient Scent of Trầm Hương 1
Dó trầm Agarwood trees from the cliffs of Central Vietnam. I love perfumes. I have a small collection that I have carefully curated through the years, picking and choosing until I have the perfect scents for all seasons and reasons. There are the scents that are just heavenly, like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle and Guerlaine La … Continue reading Following the Ancient Scent of Trầm Hương 1
Ten Conditions for Beauty in Ancient Vietnam 2
(Continued from Ten Conditions for Beauty in Ancient Times 1) As promised, here are the remaining Requirements of an Ancient Beauty, as written by an ancient scholar of anonymity. 5. The Three Arts So far, the first four requirements are something that is beyond the scope and ability of any young beauty of the day to … Continue reading Ten Conditions for Beauty in Ancient Vietnam 2
Cổ Trùng – Dark Sorcery 2
(Continued from Cổ Trùng – Dark Sorcery 1) Okay, so the attempt to create a Cổ Trùng was a huge success! The sorcerer has finally created a brand new demonic critter, and so you're thinking he's itching to take it out and see what havoc this thing can wreak amongst the general populace. To that I … Continue reading Cổ Trùng – Dark Sorcery 2
Ten Conditions for Beauty in Ancient Vietnam 1
We all know what constitutes Beauty in our present-day world. The artificially constructed image created by the trillion-dollar beauty industry informs us in no uncertain terms, what is necessary to have in order to be considered Beautiful. The images show up everywhere we look to influence our lifestyle and to sell us things that we … Continue reading Ten Conditions for Beauty in Ancient Vietnam 1
Cổ Trùng – Dark Sorcery 1
(Continued from Hexagram 18 - Poisonous Dark Sorcery) Cổ Trùng In the ancient world, the word Cổ Trùng include poisonous toads, frogs, snakes, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, as well as various other types of animals we would not normally consider poisonous. This also includes certain types of ticks and butterflies, and even bacteria and viruses. Please … Continue reading Cổ Trùng – Dark Sorcery 1
Bottom’s Up! It’s 2023!
It's 2023 everyone! Happy New Year to all of you. Hehehe. Let's drink and be merry, shall we? For those of you who have managed to make it alive and well to this point in history, I drink to your continued health, wealth, and happiness. 2022 was a tough year. In fact, it has been … Continue reading Bottom’s Up! It’s 2023!
Hexagram 18 – Poisonous Dark Sorcery
Hexagram 18 is a bit of a doozie. On the one hand, it has to do with creepy crawly critters, and on the other hand, it has to do with mountains and wind. Neither of these seem to go well together, but bear up with me for a bit. Since these are very disparate ideas, … Continue reading Hexagram 18 – Poisonous Dark Sorcery
It Looks a lot like Christmas
Good morning everyone! For those of you who live in the north eastern area of the US, I'm sure this is what greeted you during the Christmas season. A hurricane-strength blizzard, burying homes and cars and cities in ice and snow so thick, many people were trapped inside. Along the coastal areas, strong winds and … Continue reading It Looks a lot like Christmas
The Demon of Thất Diệu Mountain 4
(Continued from The Demon of Thất Diệu Mountain 3) The Princess Kim Đình continued to watch the old wizard with horrified fascination. She still had possession of her remaining three paternal souls, but perhaps that was because he had not completed the spell yet. The wizard Cao Sơn's eyes were tragic, but his shoulders remained … Continue reading The Demon of Thất Diệu Mountain 4