SPIRITUALITY,
PHILOSOPHY &
RELIGION
27 Explores all of life, including philosophical, religious, and spiritual beliefs.
Mankind are religious for various complex and personal reasons, often intertwined with psychological, social, and cultural factors.
People seek a variety of ways of knowing themselves and coming to terms with the meaning of life, trying to understand the challenges of our human existence. Others find comfort and security in faith and belonging to a community.
Everyone must understand that even if one does not believe in a God, that itself is a belief, and everyone is entitled to their own freedom of beliefs as long as they do not harm others in their practice.
To deeply anchor oneself and establish a strong foundation, individuals can explore and engage with diverse spiritual traditions and religious practices. Through these varied belief systems, people continue to discover peace, purpose, and meaning in their lives.
We inspire women everywhere to explore various practices, customs, and religious traditions to foster their personal growth. Engaging with divine wisdom, spiritual beliefs, and ethical philosophies can provide guidance, while practices like prayer and worship can help manage stress, anxiety, and grief. Praying, manifesting, and meditation are all rituals that have been used for thousands of years as powerful supplements to approaching life's ups and downs.
When you don't know something it's natural to be curious and ask questions, but whether you agree with someone's religion and beliefs or not, or believe something different, be mindful and respectful.
Earth, humanity, and our existence is beyond complex.
ASTROLOGY
SPIRITUALITY
Astrology's roots trace back to ancient Mesopotamia, specifically Babylon, where it was intertwined with astronomy and the interpretation of celestial omens from the planets.
The Babylonians developed the zodiac and other astrological concepts from correlations between the movements of the sun, moon, planets, seasonal changes, planting times and other important events that were later adopted and adapted by other civilizations, including the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans.
Evolving through the contributions of various cultures throughout humanity's history, ancient Babylon and Greece play the most significant roles in the astrological systems we still recognize today. Inscribed in the ancient Greek temple of Apollo at Delphi are the words 'know thyself', known today as one of the 147 Delphic maxims, or rules to live by attributed by Apollo himself, and later extended by the philosopher Socrates, that 'the unexamined life is not worth living'.
WESTERN ZODIAC
Astrology is the study and interpretation of how planets can influence us, and the world in which we live, through an understanding of their specific positions and place in time.
It takes 365 and a quarter days for Earth to orbit the Sun, and in doing so the Sun spends a month traveling through each of the 12 signs of the zodiac, known as Sun signs.
Each Sun sign has a range of recognizable differences, and characteristics shared by people born under that sign.
Many people believe that a knowledge of the consolations of the skies and their potential for psychological interpretations can be a useful tool.
Further divisions of the 12 astrological signs into four elements of fire, earth, water, and air add other characteristics. Sun signs that share the same element are believed to have an affinity, and share a deeper understanding with each other.
THE FOUR ELEMENTS
AIR
VIRGO * LIBRA * AQUARIUS
Free spirited signs who are often calm and collected. Associated with intellect, communication, and social interaction, air signs are perceptive and visionary, reflecting the nature of air as a connecting and communicative element.
FIRE
ARIES * LEO * SAGITTARIUS
There is a warmth to these signs, characterized by a dynamic and outgoing energy that drives them towards their goals. Fire signs are known for their passionate, energetic, and enthusiastic nature.
EARTH
TAURUS * VIRGO * CAPRICORN
Known for their grounded nature, loyalty, and focus on tangible results, Earth signs are associated with practicality, stability, and a connection to the material world.
WATER
CANCER * SCORPIO * PISCES
Responsive like the tide ebbing and flowing, empathetic and deeply connected to their feelings and the emotions of others. Water signs are known for their depth, intuition, and sensitivity.
12 SUN SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC
"the search for a transcendent level of knowledge"
EASTERN ZODIAC
The Chinese zodiac has ancient roots, likely originating during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), though some evidence suggests it may predate that, emerging from early Chinese astronomy and folk belief. With heavenly stems and earthly branches, the Chinese zodiac is part of the sexagenary cycle, a 60-year cycle combining 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches, used for tracking time in traditional Chinese calendars.
Chinese zodiac years begin/end at Chinese New Year in January/February, encompassing a repeating 12-year cycle, each year represented by 12 animals and their associated characteristics. The Chinese zodiac's animal trines are deeply connected with ancient Chinese cosmology, reflecting Five Elements -
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and their natural order. Each animal trine has a specific elemental attribute and a celestial pattern, showing the combination of astronomy and philosophy in the system.
The zodiac is very important in traditional Chinese culture and exists in modern times as a reflection of ancient Chinese philosophy, adopted and adapted by Asian cultures throughout history. Chinese folkways held that one's personality is directly related to the attributes of their zodiac animal.
PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY 101
Philosophy is essentially the 'love of wisdom', and a specific discipline dealing with the rational, abstract, and methodical consideration of reality as a whole, or of fundamental dimensions of human existence and experience.
Philosophers study the logic, ethics, and core ideas of a particular realm of thoughts and how they affect society, civilization, and humankind. Throughout history, philosophy has played a major role in shaping our thoughts, beliefs and reality. Numerous great philosophers have many different theories, and philosophy has long been a cornerstone in education, providing the ethical frameworks necessary to navigate complex social, scientific, and cultural situations using critical thinking. In modern education, the application of philosophy extends beyond traditional classrooms into areas such as public policy, ethics, and even technology like artificial intelligence.
Many educators and influencers embed philosophical inquiry into their core lessons, encouraging students to engage with diverse perspectives.
Philosophy can deeply enhance problem-solving abilities, but also cultivates understanding and empathy, critical skills in an increasingly interconnected world.
PHILOSOPHERS WHO SHAPED OUR UNDERSTANDING
Democritus: Atoms and Empty Space
Our understanding of matter and chemistry essentially owes its basic premise to Democritus (460 BCE).
Democritus contended that everything that exists is just atoms and empty space and that all else is opinion. He didn't believe in supernatural causes of physical phenomena and his ideas divorced the notion of a god or gods from natural order, the starting point for the scientific method and modern atomic theory, and John Dalton’s atomic model (1805).
Pythagoras: More Than Math
Pythagoras (C.570495 BCE) for which the famous Pythagorean theorem is named, stated that math explains the structure of the universe, and that math constants and ratios are universal and true throughout the universe. Therefore, irrespective of ideas, math in itself is the purest form of philosophy according to him.
Math truly is universal. Show an equation to someone who doesn't speak your language, and they will understand.
Pythagoras’ thoughts are still widely accepted.
Voltaire: Only Uncertainty Is Certain
Voltaire’s (1694-1778) main philosophy ideas were based on the fact that human knowledge and theories have been continuously revised at some point in history, and that every idea can be challenged and tested, even religious beliefs.
Voltaire was a proponent of doubt or skepticism that leads to thorough testing and findings that can be universally applied. He believed that certainty is “absurd “ meaning that our truth today may be upstaged or even replaced by newer truths based on newer and more solid evidence, which is exactly how scientific method works.
Descartes: There Is Certainty After Doubt
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) practiced what is known as “methodic doubt", a method that systematically examines various ideas and discards those that are not supported by empirical or other evidence.
The concept is that by doing this, we are left with only those ideas that are “indubitably true", or true beyond doubt we can state that they are true, regardless of the conditions.
Socrates: Question Not for Answers, But to Identify Wrong Assumptions
Socrates (469-499 BCE) introduced what is known as the Socratic Method, consisting of asking questions and presenting scenarios to probe the validity of a premise, the truthfulness of each part of a compound statement, or to clarify the limitations of certain ideas or proposals.
The Socratic Method has been used in courtrooms, scientific institutions, policy analysis, and even in military interrogations to ascertain truth, but more importantly, to determine if an assertion is valid or not.
Immanuel Kant: The Limits of What We Can and Can’t Know
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) is known for his synthesis of the idea that knowledge originates from experience (empiricism) and the idea that knowledge originates from reasoning (rationality).
Naturally, since we can only experience life and reality through sensory input and experiences and the way we understand things, there are limits to what we can know that are external to us. Kant contended that there is a limit to knowledge and what we can know because of our own minds’ and senses’ limitations.
Karl Marx: Mankind’s Class Struggles over Limited Resources
“From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs." Karl Marx (1818-1883)
The Marxist brand of communism states that property and resources should be divided equitably among the people. Equitably not equally, as obviously, it would be difficult to do that with real estate and abstract resources. But mankind has always had its working class and ruling class centered on property ownership and ownership of the means of production.
The proletariat (working class) overthrows the ruling bourgeois class in cycles repeated throughout history, but the reality is that new ruling and working classes are created, ensuring the cycle’s repetition.
Sun Tzu: To Prepare For War Is of Prime Importance
Sun Tzu lived during China’s Warring States period (475221 BC) and his book“The Art of War" is a classic treatise on a nations security and success, valued by military strategists and governments. It is not just about war, but more importantly, it is about tactics and strategy that would ensure the survival of a nation, whether in or out of war.
Some major ideas include knowing when and when not to fight, the presence of opportunity amid chaos, how victorious warriors know they will win even before going to war, and how all warfare is based on deception.
These and many more ideas have become part of standard military doctrine and government planning and operations in the areas of relationship management and modern conflict resolution.
“
I think, therefore, I am
Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
RELIGION
Christianity
Islam
5 RELIGIONS
There’s no exact count of religions worldwide, but estimates range from about 4,000 to 10,000 unique ones.
Even with so many, most people follow a handful of major religions.
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judiasm
Religion involves how people connect with what they consider holy, sacred, or divine, often tied to deep spiritual or moral significance. It typically centers on addressing life's big questions, like purpose and what happens after death. In some traditions, this connection is expressed through relationships with gods or spirits, while in others, it focuses on ties to humanity or nature. Many religions hold certain texts as sacred and recognize individuals with spiritual or moral authority. Followers often engage in practices like prayer, meditation, or rituals, and the religious life commonly includes worship, ethical behavior, core beliefs, and involvement in religious communities.