​The Importance of Knowing Current Events
By Emily Chance
 
A lot of times, knowing what is going on in the world can be seen as “useless information.” However, this “useless” information has helped me understand the world around me, and has informed me of many controversial goings-on in the world. The information that I have found and retained has shaped me into a more caring and aware human being. This “useless” information actually has many uses.
 
1. Awareness. I was never fully aware of the world until I took my World Regional Geography class freshman year of high school. I knew, but I never really grasped the idea that people lived without water in other countries. I wasn’t even aware of the fact that the United states uses more energy than anywhere else in the world. I was unaware about the severe effects of climate change, and I was unaware of the reasons each country had while fighting in a war against the other. Once someone becomes aware of an issue, they have two choices: ignore it, or seek to understand it.
 
2. Empathy. I have learned a lot about different cultures. While learning about different cultures, I began to dig up some uncomfortable topics, such as the fact that even some of the most developed countries still have segregation. For example, I have recently come across the fact that the Ainu people, who are indigenous to Japan, are nearing elimination. I found that they were forced to assimilate into the Japanese culture, and these indigenous people are very close to experiencing language death, where the older generations are the only ones who know it and cannot pass it down to other generations before they die. There are dozens of cases of this happening a year.
 
3. Intelligence. I have learned both sides of an issue in order to both understand and negate information. Many people I know take one side on an issue and argue only that side. However, the only way there can be an issue is if there are valid points on both sides. But learning current events and doing research and looking into both sides of the issue, one would be able to fully understand why the other person is going against their views. After acknowledging that the other person has valid points, they can then kindly explain why they disagree with their views without making themselves look dumb with red herrings and condemning the other person for what they believe in.
 
Paying attention to what is happening and striving to understand current events and other points of views can be beneficial to one’s character, professional relationships, and their views about themselves. I’m not going to lie, it’s very difficult to admit someone else is correct in their way of thinking at times, but anger and false information gets nowhere with them. Don’t try to change their mind. Strive first to understand them, then to be understood.
 
Edited by Klancy Hoover

​Introduction to the Tarot
 
The standard Tarot deck which is commonly in use today consists of 78 cards. They are divided into the Major Arcana, The Minor Arcana and the Court Cards.  There are 22 Major Arcana or Trumps.  These cards are thought to represent the Higher parts of our consciousness and have been linked with the Archetypes proposed by Jung, the 22 Letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, The paths of the Tree of Life, The IChing and the Runes among other things. 
 
The Court Cards represent other people in our lives or aspects of our own personality.  The Minor Arcana are concerned with the everyday, mundane affairs of day to day living such as work, school, the home and relationships. The Minors consist of four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.  In various decks these suits might be renamed, but they are usually recognizable. 
 
Some of the more common alternate names are: 
Wands - Staves 
Cups - Vessels, Bowls 
Swords - Crystals 
Pentacles - Disks, Coins
 
Tarot can be used in several ways; as a means of divination, as a tool for self-discovery, as an aid to spiritual or esoteric study or even as a game.  Tarot is such a diverse medium that an entire lifetime can be devoted to it's study.  
 
The Suits
 There are 4 suits commonly found in Tarot decks: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.  While they sometimes have different names, the idea behind them is usually the same. If you understand the meanings of the suits and have some knowledge of numbers, you can read the Minor Arcana of any deck of Tarot cards, or even playing cards for that matter. 
 
I have included some basic astrological descriptions as the two systems, Astrology and Tarot seem to complement each other.  I have also noticed that many Tarot readers incorporate their knowledge of astrology into their interpretations and readings and that many people who are interested in one are also interested in the other. Since a great many people have some knowledge of Astrology, I thought the descriptions might be helpful in understanding the ideas behind the suits.
 
Wands:  Wands can be described as the suit having to do with energy, creativity, communication, action, passion, self improvement/self development, spirituality and enterprise. If you look at the suit of Wands in most decks you notice that most of the cards show some type of action in progress, or someone who appears to be reviewing or enjoying the results obtained from a recently completed action.  Action and energy are two key words to this suit. Wands are usually associated with the element of fire.  If you know a little of astrology, think of the personality attributes of the fire signs, the forceful Aries, the flamboyant Leo and the honest and enthusiastic Sagittarius. Additional attributes include: Direction - South Season - Spring (Vernal Equinox) Masculine/Feminine - Masculine
 
Cups: Cups are associated with the emotions, the subconscious, relationships and intuitive or psychic abilities. Most decks try to convey emotions in this suit; happiness, love, boredom, disappointment and dejection are usually represented and easily identified. This suit is associated with the element of water and like water can be calm and serene, or turbulent and rough.  Astrologically, the nurturing Cancer personality, the depth of the Scorpio and the intuitive, dreamy Pisces could be applied. Additional attributes: Direction - East Season - Summer (Summer Solstice) Masculine/Feminine - Feminine
 
Swords:  Swords are the suit of mental activity, rational thinking, decisions, and intellectual pursuit.  Because much of the turmoil in our lives can be attributed to our thoughts, this suit often depicts conflict and struggle as well.  Looking at this suit in most decks, one finds some of the more negative cards depicting nightmares, craftiness, pain and restriction. Swords are usually associated with the element of air. Astrologically one can think of the Libran desire for balance, the contradictions inherent in the Aquarian personality, and the Gemini's thirst for intellectual stimulation. Additional attributes: Direction - West Season - Autumn (Autumnal Equinox) Masculine/Feminine - Masculine
 
Pentacles: Pentacles are the suit associated with work, money, crafts, the home, the physical body. Looking at this suit, one sees craftsman at work, business being conducted, the physical comfort and security of having material things and the physical discomfort and pain of not having them. Pentacles are associated with the element earth. Astrologically one can think of Taurean practicality and love of home, the Capricorn's financial and business prowess and the Virgo's industry, skill and productivity. Additional attributes: Direction - South Season - Winter (Winter Solstice) Masculine/Feminine –
 
Swords and Wands are usually associated with Air and Fire respectively, however some writers have reversed these attributions assigning Fire to Swords and Air to Wands. 
 

Frozen Summer Recipes
By Elizabeth Dubos
 
Summer officially begins Friday, June 21st. The summer months approach with hot and humid weather accompanied with thunderstorms and hurricanes. Let’s start off Summer with some frozen recipes to help cool down!
 
1. Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
For this recipe, you will need a box brownie of your choice. I highly recommend making the brownies more cakey than chewy or fudgy because it will help keep the ice cream together. Follow the box instructions to cook the brownies. I recommend using a 9” X13” pan, so the brownies are thinner and easier to eat in sandwich form. After the brownies have completed cooking, set them in the refrigerator for two hours to cool down. This will allow them to cool down and make them easier to cut into sandwiches squares or rectangles. Next, you will need your choice of ice cream. Here are ice cream recommendations: vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, coffee, or cookies and cream. Now, please scoop the ice cream into the cut brownies to make the sandwiches. If the ice cream is hard to scoop and smooth out on the brownie, then turn on the kitchen sink faucet to hot water and place the spoon under it. The heat from the spoon will help make it easier to scoop the ice cream. After you’ve arranged your brownie ice cream sandwiches place them in the freezer to set overnight. The following day you can serve and eat your delicious brownie ice cream sandwiches!
 
2. All-Natural Popsicles (Frozen Hot Chocolate Recommendation)
Never fear if you don’t have a popsicle mold! Head on over to Amazon and you can purchase one for an economical price. Plus, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, then you can receive it with their Free One-Day or Free Two-Day shipping. I would recommend checking out recipes from Pinterest because they’re delicious and not filled with preservatives. I found this Frozen Hot Chocolate Popsicle recipe from Imperial Sugar by Erin Sellin. According to the website directions, you will need 4 cups of milk, 6 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows. Step One: In a saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and chocolate chips. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Step Two: Once the sugar is dissolved and chocolate is melted, removed from heat and let cool. Step Three: Place a few marshmallows into the bottom of 12 popsicle molds. Pour in cooled hot chocolate. Step Four: Place in freezer for 6-8 hours until completely frozen.
 
Here is the recipe:
ttps://www.imperialsugar.com/recipes/frozen-hot-chocolate-popsicles?utm_source=Dinners%20Dishes%20Desserts&utm_medium=Blog%20%2B%20Social&utm_campaign=Frozen%20Hot%20Chocolate%20Popsicles
 
3. Healthy Ice Cream Milkshake
For this recipe, you will need three scoops of ice cream, 1 cup of ice, and 1 cup of milk. Are you trying to fit in that fabulous bathing suit that you bought during the winter time? Wear that bathing suit anyway because you’re beautiful! If you want to join the Summer milkshake train, then here’s a healthier route for you. I highly recommend checking out Breyer’s ice cream from your local grocery store. Breyers offers Non-GMO, Non-Dairy, No Sugar Added, Gluten-Free, and a Carb Smart option. Breyers offers numerous flavors, but their most popular flavors are chocolate and vanilla. I highly recommend selecting a fat-free or almond milk option for your healthy milkshake. After you’ve selected your ice cream and milk, put them into the blender with your ice and blend it all together. Now you can enjoy an icy milkshake with no regrets on a hot summery day.
 
Here is a link to the Breyers ice cream website where you can find various ice cream flavors:
https://www.breyers.com/us/en  
Edited by: Emily Chance

On Another Morn- A Short Story
By: Maddy D.

 
And we will sit there and watch the threads of dawn weave their way across the sky. Just sit there, you and I. You with your glazed wonder, and I with all my questions, we’ll greet the same morn. You’ll be cold, I know you will. You’ll be full of unanswered questions and broken words. I’ll be the selfish one. I’ll be the one that speaks; I’ll be the one that questions the air and take it away from you. What good is the wonder, when your questions are captured by a different voice? Burning in your still heart, seizing with the blood in your veins, fluttering behind the eyes, the caged bit of soul that never leaves?
​
So many questions, so many unknowns, what-ifs. What sort of selfish being I am, to steal your breath, like the ground that steals your heat. You don’t need it anymore, you know. The questions, the light, the warmth. You don’t need it anymore. Give it to the sun, give it to the air, give it to the earth. But keep the questions, let me take them, let me set them free to the unending eye of the sun.

Don’t let it fester in your veins, don’t let them settle like a poison froth. There’s no need for that. I can take them, I can speak your tongue, fill in for your heart. Surely when I receive my answers, you will receive yours. It’s the least I can do, my Brother, my kin. Trust me with the words that trembled with your weak breath, trust me to hear the ghost of whispers that leave your frozen lips. Trust me to hear, trust me to seek the truth behind this day.

Trust me with your soul, my brother. Trust me to keep it safe- our little secret. There is no need to haunt me so, no need for your shadow to latch onto mine. No need to stalk me in the nights, wailing like the wind and hissing like the snow. No need when I take nothing of yours, other than your questions, your knowledge, the very essence of the truth.
No need when we sit here, you and I. Sit here as long lost friends once more, this mere accident surely set aside? No need when someday, I pray none too soon, I will be just as cold as you. Broken and severed questions hanging on my lips. But I will have your answers by then, my brother. When we sit here to watch the dawn thread into the sky on another morn.

Edited by: Anna Grace Dulaney