Chicago– Duan Gaines, also known as DGainz, created another movie setting the bar high with his new visions and development of skills. Taking things to a new height building a laboratory stage to perform his newly produced joint “The Light”. Gaines creatively brought together Make Up Artist(s): Sydney Miller, Kaylin Castellano, Nichelle Marion, and Mya Michelle; and a star studded team of local creative giants, Leon Davinci of Mudwingmedia and Triston Harris of HueWav Digital LLC to help produce this monster mash into reality just in time for “Halloween” and “The Day of the Souls”.
Sydney, also did a great job casting the beautiful actors: Alisa Thach (Vampire), Asiah Langston (Swamp Monster), Jayla Ford (Werewolf), Alexis Harrison (Mummy), and Gaines niece whom played the Hunchback Henchman who was seen dancing with him to electrify “Gaines The Frankenstein” to life so that he can come to the light.
It is wise to know where your practices come from and to have deep insight into how they not only impact you, but the world. Sage comes in more than 900 species, according to Southern Living. It is a medicinal plant used in culinary and spiritual practices. It was once considered a medicinal cure-all, and can still be used to cure many dis-eases. The plant and the uses of it has become a trendy wellness practice. It is very important to know where this trend derived from and to protect the tradition by having a clear understanding of the practice to work effectively with indigenous peoples and Mother Nature.
The practice of burning sage is culturally sensitive to indigenous peoples but it’s something that we should also consider the agriculture process of and how it effects the environment.
Sage burning also known as smudging, is used for purifying and cleansing the spirit of negative energy in the home, room, or body, helping to maintain a satisfactory aura. The term smudging comes from indigenous tribes, commonly, in North America. A good question is, do they practice this medicine in other cultures, if so, where and what are they called ?
Bustle’s Nyla Burton, said “when non-native people burn sage to “smudge” their homes or other spaces, it can minimize the cultural importance of this ritual, and have a negative impact on how the herbs are grown. Instead, advocates say non-native people can learn to cleanse their spaces in ways that are culturally and ecologically sensitive. There are lots of ways to achieve the benefits of smudging by using more ethical practices, terminology, and materials.”
Definition of Smudging
“Sacred smoke from burning medicinal or sacred plants, a traditional ceremony for purifying and cleansing soul of negative thoughts of a person or place.”
The Four Elements
Traditionally, a shell is used as a container representing water the first element
Four sacred plants that are gifts from mother earth represent the second element, earth.
Cedar
Sage
Sweetgrass
Tobacco
Lighting of the sacred plants produces the third element, fire.
Smoke from the fire produces the fourth element, air.
It is better to light the plant with a match then a gas lighter. You can burn both the leaves and the stems before wavering over the subject by hand or with a feather,traditionally natives use eagle feathers. The person being smudge can pull the smoke towards them to inhale softly. When finished the ashes are then returned to mother earth, for which this is where the gifts came from. It is said and believed that the ashes absorbs the negative thoughts and feelings.
Atlanta- Dayvon Daquan Bennett, also known as King Von, a Chicago Native was gunned down outside Monaco Hookah Lounge , 255 W. Trinity Ave. SW, a nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia after a reported argument happened between two groups which left three dead and three injured.
Two of the officers involved were in uniform working off-duty security jobs at the hookah lounge, and a third was on-duty nearby, according to police. None of the officers were injured.
Atlanta Journal Constitution
According to ABC7, “The Georgia Bureau of Investigations was requested to respond and investigate the officer involved shooting aspect of the incident. APD homicide investigators also responded and are investigating the deaths. Officials said part of the investigations will include determining which individuals were struck by gunfire from the suspects and whether any were struck by gunfire from the officers.Charges are anticipated against the two suspects detained on-scene and additional charges are likely as the investigation continues, police said. The identities of the other victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.The investigation into the incident remains open and very active, officials said.”
King Von, a rising rapper known for his visceral storytelling, passed away in Atlanta on November 6th. Born and raised in Chicago’s O’Block neighborhood, Dayvon Bennett emerged from difficult circumstances to become one music’s most promising stars. The 26-year-old artist left us just as the world was beginning to grasp the depths of his talents. Last week, Von shared his debut album, Welcome To O’Block, offering a cinematic and vivid account of his origin story, providing an inside perspective on neighborhood life and the trauma wrought by the criminal justice system.
King Von was a luminary — a natural storyteller, an artist on the verge of superstardom who had so much more to give the world. He overcame myriad unjust circumstances yet remained steadfastly dedicated to giving back to the community that raised him, O’Block. He was a devoted father, a deeply loyal friend, and a man who took care of his people before himself. We are heartbroken for his family, his friends, his team, and his fans. Long live King Von.
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