Mission 2011: Redefine Sensuality As Life-Affirming & Respectable

Yuval Hen’s lensing of Katja Verheul for the Financial Times’s ‘How To Spend It’ magazine has grossed out more than a few women.

After all, it’s three Santas, not one, as several young women commented at Noirfacade. And they are creepy.

At Fashionising, we read:

Her three elderly companions leave me feeling depressed,
With their longing expressions and their cheery red vests,
What hope does these Father Christmases have when put to the test,
So if this is their idea of Christmas we’d prefer they give it a rest.

For certain, these guys are sinister Santas; and Katja Verheul looks like she deserves better than any of these suited-up guys are giving her.

Katja is elegantly sensual and they are lecherous.

Then again, perhaps the three men aren’t as wise as they look and are sitting at Katha’s feet for a reason. You know me, Ms Meaningmaker.

I awoke in the middle of the night, silently screaming a truly primal one.

By nature I am a vivid dreamer and in technicolor. This was the second major dream that I had this week. Most of my dreams have plots, and these didn’t. Instead these two Christmas-week dreams were dramatic, explosive moments.

First, a gorgeous fan of decorated cards was unfurled so close to my startled, awakened brain that I could smell it. The sensual, visual extravaganza opened fan-like and in steel frames before my eyes.

Hours later, I remembered the metal structure around each card, as much as the beauty held inside.

My dream last night was not a nightmare, although any brain scan would have revealed a full-scale assault on my thinking and feeling capacity. Perhaps because I read a Catholic Church update on exorcism yesterday, I felt as if I was having one — but I was in charge and doing the screaming, requiring no priest to help me. He judged me seriously and erroneously once, and there is no interest in a second act on my part.

At the moment I awoke from my shouting match, my blood pressure must have been the highest ever recorded in my body. My entire physical self was shaking and my big heart racing wildly. A less healthy person would have had a stroke or a heart attack.

Not wanting to make a ruckus in the apartment, I sat quietly in bed, completely amazed at my physical state and what I had confronted.

It has been a great year for Anne of Carversville and Sensuality News, as all the parts of the editorial puzzle came together in my mind. My poor readers, I’ve dragged you back and forth across channels and websites, trying to stay clear of Google Images and connect the dots between materials that don’t always match obviously.

Finally, I have rhythm. We’re in cleanup mode now, and there will be no more structural changes in 2011. Wel, maybe just …

I am clear about the nature of our mission, which is to redefine the meaning and integrity of sensuality in human life.  Being a sensual woman does not make me a person doing the devil’s handiwork, no matter how the dictionary defines sensuality.

It’s disgusting, if you’ve never read the definitions of sensuality. To be sensual, according to Websters, is to look like these dirty old Santa men, totally devoted to the wanton gratification of bodily appetites.

Putting on my rose-colored glasses, I choose to believe that these Santas understand the moral corruption of the patriarchy worldwide, and that includes the Vatican who probably wrote this dictionary definition of sensuality. I think the Santas are looking for a new way forward, one not based on sin and guilt.

I reject the assertion that to be sensual is to be morally bankrupt. An embrace of responsible pleasure — or a middle way — as Buddhism asserts, seems to me to be the best way for living.  Eve’s original sin is not the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment, based on a respectful engagement with nature, whether we speak of flowers, dolphins or sexual intimacy.

Original sin is violence and women did not create it. The Santas know this, and they reach out to Katja for a new feminine path of wisdom.

At Anne of Carversville, we have only begun to celebrate sensuality as respectable, authentic, healthy and beautiful.  Before the New Year, I will post a new definition of sensuality on the website, one that will hopefully inspire us all to a year of giving up guilt and replacing it with responsible pleasure that unleashes our determination to do good in the world.

Anne of Carversville and Sensuality News exist for “smart, sensuality people with heart”. All three elements are required to support our mission.

I am so touched by the support that we have had this year from readers, who communicate much in their silence and enviable web statistics.

A special thank you to my Facebook friends. FB has been an enormous source of support for me and a lightening rod, really, in motivating me to move forward aggressively and wholely.

On the one hand, my intense dream last night was about saying “no”. At the same time, it opened the door even wider to say “yes” to life.

So many women are tired of being guilty, slutty sources of corruption and seduction. If I can help women see themselves in a mirror denied them by all the men in black —  in every country and most religions — then my life is worth something.

I don’t believe that God sees women as guilty, immoral, carnal creatures. It is total nonsense to believe that such a great force would create half the human world in ugliness and immorality, while blessing the other half in brains and virtue.

We will make our way through the world of fashion, culture, art, politics, nature and positive sensuality in 2011, with a mission of every woman reclaiming her true worth and honor as a sensual being.

There many men who support this goal for themselves, as well as for women. Like the three Santas, they want a place in a new ark where the animals live, the flowers continue to bloom, and humans respect sensuality rather than trying to eradicate it.

Most resolutions aren’t kept two weeks after New Year’s Day. My resolve is strong, and I will keep our mission front and center in our consciousness.

Have a wonderful, high-spirited and spiritual holiday season.

With love,  Anne

Comments

[Mikenna]

Anne,

As male, I am very much with your belief systems. Sensuality is a wonder to behold in highest regard. I will continue to discuss in like manner in my circles and continue to enjoy following your site.

Happy Holidays and the Best of the New Year to You

Mickey/Ken

[Anne]

Hi Mickey/Ken,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. All the best to you also. Anne