# Some Gossip on gossip and what coffee has to do with it.
Godsipp (God and sib (akin), godmother or godfather) was in the 12th century a word used for both men and women in fables and amongst society. The word was recognized by the church as well. It was also used to name the companions at childbirth, just as the `midwife`. Sometimes it was used to mention close friends. It represented the strong ties between women, surpassing the relationship with the husband. Is it witchery that strong and independent women preferred their gossips to their husbands? Well that is something that hasn't changed since the middle ages.
"Godsipp" began its journey with nothing but good and emotionally strong connotations. Women bloomed and blemished among each other and were autonomous in their existence. Men were never a part of this party women were throwing. However, by the 16^th^ century, thing began to change. "The traditional meaning lingered on. In 1602, when Samuel Rowlands wrote Tis Merrie When Gossips Meete, a satirical piece describing three London women spending hours in a tavern talking about men and marriages, the word was still used to signify female friendships, implying that 'women could create their social networks and their own social space' and stand up to male authority. (Federici, 2019)" Solidarity and friendship amongst women were demeaned and female exclusive parties were banned; women who met in public were identified as "witches" and women's first duty was now to be obedient and quiet. Apparently, the talk about husbands at taverns were too hurtful for the sensitive male ego that public, church and the law, forbid women to engage in "idle talk". Centuries past, the sensitive male ego still remains but now is attacking to mutilate women from many resources including cyber bullying, mobbing at the workspace and many more that tie to an act violence in any sort.
Wives who were seen as "scolds" and "witches" were forced under sadistic torture with a "scold bridle". Looking back from today, I can't help but see these sadistic, desperate acts as a meek scream of how men couldn't get even close to satisfying a women physically or mentally. If they spent some time working on female anatomy rather than these horrifying torture methods, we would be living in a different world today...
Here is an excerpt from a song, which portrays women in a tavern. These words on ale and wine is ancient remedy for us to consider today when we are out drinking with our "gossips": "In a 1630s song, Fowre wittie gossips disposed to be merry, a group of married women in a tavern debate the merits of ale and wine in relation to cost and value. They conclude, 'If our opinions do not faile: / a quart twelve cups [of wine] containeth, / Its cheaper then a dozen of ale, / where froth and snuffes remaineth'. ('Snuffes' was the 'backwash' left when, as was common, multiple people drank from a single vessel.) The wives also point out that the after-effects of drinking sack (a Spanish white wine) are much less injurious than those of drinking too much ale. In consequence, they will not suffer hangovers from drinking all night, as all their husbands are. (McShane, 2016)"
"It was in this context that 'gossip' turned from a word of friendship and affection into a word of denigration and ridicule. (Federici, 2019)"
Fortune telling over coffee is a stretch back to 16^th^ century where the beans made it to the Middle East and Ottoman Empire. The reality is that in the Ottoman Empire, concubines in Harem were banned to talk and "gossip". They had a great influence (although not officially recognized by men themselves) on sultans and therefore affected the political decisions and affairs in the Empire. In a way of solidarity, women begin to perform fortune telling over the remains of coffee on and in the coffee cup. This way they could talk about their fears and inner worlds "freely". This to me, resembles the oppression women went through with gossip. The striking difference is how fortune telling over coffee didn't change its connotation in time. Today, it is also an act of solidarity or a chance to "gossip" one might say.
"In this painting, an Ottoman woman drinking coffee and her maid serving her are depicted. It is known that the painting is from the first half of the 18th century. It is also known that for this Ottoman woman, who is the main figure of the painting, the work of Jean-Baptiste Vanmour, 'Turkish Girl Drinking Coffee on the Sedir', is based on. The woman, who is positioned on the right side of the painting and serves on her knees, is noticed as the other interesting side of the painting. The large and ostentatious headdress on the head of the Ottoman woman stands out as another element that focuses attention in the work. It is also among the information that the headdress in question was inspired by the picture of a serpentine woman in the book of the Dutch painter Cornelis de Bruyn, who visited Turkey in the 17th century."
Whether its gossip of chatting over coffee, women have always found a way to express themselves regardless of the oppressions. These rituals were performed by women as an act of sisterhood and respect to both their inner worlds and to each other. It is undeniable that gossip still brings people together which centuries of oppression failed to change. Through the centuries, as the word began to be weaponized against women, making it a tool turn against each other I can't help but wonder how unfair pop culture was to women. In any magazine or TV series you can spot a gossip scene with negative consequences or aim. A woman is sassy, "bitchy" or evil when she gossips, but why do we still let our acts be defined by the misogynistic portrayal of men? Today, the word gossip or fortune telling may be used as something you wouldn't want to be a part of because it can harm someone. Let's oppose the negative connotation assigned to this word by men and use it as a joyful gathering. Reclaiming gossip and fortune telling as an intimate support system, a strong web, is the least we can do to honor the women who met at taverns and shared a part of their souls with each other.
How to make the perfect Turkish coffee and some guides to fortune telling:
1. Put two teaspoons of coffee in "cezve" the traditional pot.
2. Add one cup of cold water in the pot. Mix once with the spoon. The ratio is one cup, two teaspoons of coffee.
3. Begin cooking at low temperature until the top coat gets darker.
4. Cook at high temperature until the point where the coffee begins rising.
5. Take the pot off the oven right before it overflows.
6. Take the foamy part with a teaspoon and put it in the cup before pouring the rest. This will protect the foam. The foam is important for quality check 😊
@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ The Coffee upright in a reading tells you it is now the time to be naive and cou
*Reversed*
If the Coffee appears reversed, it is a warning. The coffee will spill and it may burn you or others. Be careful not to disregarding the consequences of your actions. Your eagerness for freedom and new beginnings may harm others or yourself. Now, you are being asked for consistency and patience. There is a time to be brave and to set off on new paths, a time to be reliable and patient. Wisdom lays in knowing the difference.
If the Coffee appears reversed, it is a warning. The coffee will spill and it may burn you or others. Be careful not to disregard the consequences of your actions. Your eagerness for freedom and new beginnings may harm others or yourself. Now, you are being asked for consistency and patience. There is a time to be brave and to set off on new paths, a time to be reliable and patient. Wisdom lays in knowing the difference.
**✳**tarot correspondence: 0. the fool.
@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ If the Coffee appears reversed, it is a warning. The coffee will spill and it ma
.keywords: magic, manifestation, setting intentions, directing energy consciously, willpower, concentration, having all the resources you need.
Two old women stand before a table, one pointing above, the other below. Their eyes glow with mystic power. If they appeared in your dreams you would feel their power radiating. This is particularly powerful card. While looking at it, reject what you have been told about the emotional loneliness of spinsters and focus on their ability to spin a magical web. These women appear to you at an important time, at the moment when you may choose your own path. You are now fully able to manifest your desires. The Spinsters show you the power you hold and ask you for intense concentration. There is power in your focus and dedication, now is the time to channel all your resources to achive what you wish.
Two old women stand before a table, one pointing above, the other below. Their eyes glow with mystic power. If they appear in your dreams you will feel their power radiating. This is particularly powerful card. While looking at it, reject what you have been told about the emotional loneliness of spinsters and focus on their ability to spin a magical web. These women appear to you at an important time, at the moment when you may choose your own path. You are now fully able to manifest your desires. The Spinsters show you the power you hold and ask you for intense concentration. There is power in your focus and dedication, now is the time to channel all your resources to achive what you wish.
*Reversed*
@ -114,11 +114,11 @@ If the Spinsters have appeared reversed, it is a sign that you are ignoring your
. keywords: intuition, subconscious, higher wisdom, knowing something you can't explain, stillness, meditation, spell-work and ritual.
The Bride sits in silence in an underground cistern, two eyes closed and a third eye open. Upon her head two crescent moons hold the globe. She is alone, but does not appear to be waiting. The Bride is a figure of divine wisdom, feminine mystery and intuitive knowledge. She is the guardian of the unconscious and she is meeting you. By receiving this card you are being gently led deeper, invited to go deeper. To artists, she is the representation of creative potential. The bride has little care for the material because her powers lay in the true nature of emotion. Let your intuition lead the way, quieten the chatter of the rational and logical.
The Bride sits in silence in an underground cistern, two eyes closed and a third eye open. Upon her head two crescent moons hold the globe. She is alone, but does not appear to be waiting. The Bride is a figure of divine wisdom, feminine mystery and intuitive knowledge. She is the guardian of the unconscious and she is meeting you. By receiving this card you are being gently invited to go deeper. To artists, she is the representation of creative potential. The bride has little care for the material because her powers lay in the true nature of emotion. Let your intuition lead the way, quieten the chatter of the rational and logical.
*Reversed*
If you are facing a reversed Bride, it is an indication to examine when you ignor your gut. Perhaps you have allowed your thinking mind to run loose, you have not been listening to your gut. You overvalue the opinions of others or act too hastily. Whichever it is, it may be time to be still, reflect and meditate on your intuition.\
If you are facing a reversed Bride, it is an invitation to examine when you ignor your gut. Perhaps you have allowed your thinking mind to run loose, you have not been listening to your gut. You overvalue the opinions of others or act too hastily. Whichever it is, it is time to be still, reflect and meditate on your intuition.\
**✳**tarot correspondence: 2. the high priestess.
@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ A priest stands in front of you, one hand hidden and the other towards the divin
*Reversed*
The Church is upside down. Its integrity is questioned, the status quo stumbles. The pressure of conformity weighs heavy, others' belief systems hang above your head. This card is now urging you to move. Tradition can be a teacher or a jailer and in this case, it is trapping you. It may be time to shake your ancestors wishes away and start anew, upon a path you paved yourself.
The Church is upside down. Its integrity is questioned, the status quo stumbles. The pressure of conformity weighs heavy, the belief systems of others hang above your head. This card is now urging you to move. Tradition can be a teacher or a jailer and in this case, it is trapping you. It may be time to shake your ancestors' wishes away and start anew, upon a path you paved yourself.
**✳**tarot correspondence: 4. the hierophant.
@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ Due to the nature of this card, up is down and down is up. However you pull this
.keywords: focused*action, s*elf-belief and confidence, commitment, drive and determination, hard, passionate work, assertion.
A chariot flies across a starry sky with two half moons. Inside it, a man dressed in Roman armour with the head of turtledove looks straight at you. The dove drives through the sky, led by stars. This is the card of control and victory. The Bird has control of his own fate but it will also help you with yours. It directs you to assert your will with mastery, careful practice and self-discipline. It reminds you of your courage and strength. It encourages you to direct your energies towards the stars.
A chariot flies across a starry sky with two half moons. Inside it, a man dressed in Roman armour with the head of a turtledove looks straight at you. The dove drives through the sky, led by stars. This is the card of control and victory. The Bird has control of his own fate but it will also help you with yours. It directs you to assert your will with mastery, careful practice and self-discipline. It reminds you of your courage and strength. It encourages you to direct your energies towards the stars.
*Reversed*
@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ In a warm room, a candle-lit Christmas appears next to a window. On the windowsi
.keywords: shadow work, getting in touch with your wild nature, listening deeply to your intuition, secrets, signs and symbols, non-rational, witchcraft, magic and spell-work, lies and deception, deceiving yourself, wearing a mask.
A wolf drinks from a pond filled with blood. Close by, a wild dog turns away from the pond to face the moon that illuminates all around them. Further away in the pond, a crab floats on a leaf, rising from the subconscious. The Blood is telling you that all is not what it seems. Unsettling as a nightmare can be, this card allows your inner wildness to be seen. The Blood represents witchcraft, spell-work and occult arts of any kind. Do not be fooled by the blood, as nobody in this figure is harmed. The moon shines its silvery light on the elements within reality that are dishonest and manipulative. Uncomfortable questions have to be asked and someone may be just mad enough to think of them. Things are strange, it is usual to feel disorientated. Now is not the time for answers, but for wild magical practice.
A wolf drinks from a pond filled with blood. Close by, a wild dog turns away from the pond to face the moon that illuminates everything around them. Away from them, a crab floats on a leaf in the pond, rising from the subconscious. The Blood tells you that all is not what it seems. Unsettling as a nightmare can be, this card allows your inner wildness to be seen. The Blood represents witchcraft, spell-work and occult arts of any kind. Do not be fooled by the blood, nobody in this figure will come to harm. The moon shines its silvery light on the elements within reality that are dishonest and manipulative. Uncomfortable questions must be asked and someone may be just mad enough to think of them. Things are strange, it is usual to feel disorientated. Now is not the time for answers, but for wild magical practice.
*Reversed*
@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ When reversed, the Blood shows a moon shining in the front. The inner confusion
.keywords: positivity, saying yes, joy, practicing gratitude, success, things coming together, life's simple pleasures, allowing yourself to simply be, connecting to a dynamic life force.
Two children laugh in harmony on a horse, holding each other's hands and a waving flag. The sun shines on them and sunflowers are growing around them. Laughter is an undoubtledly positive card. It represents enthusiasm, growth and victory. Your good choices will pay off, you will laugh again soon as victory is so close you may taste it already. Joy will fill your heart and life will once again seem light-hearted and effortless.
Two children on a horse laugh in harmony. They hold each other's hands and a wave a flag. The sun shines on them and sunflowers grow around them. Laughter is an undoubtledly positive card. It represents enthusiasm, growth and victory. Your good choices will pay off, you will soon laugh again, victory is so close you may already taste it. Joy will fill your heart and life will once again seem light-hearted and effortless.
steve
ada