August | 2013 | Temple of the Cosmic Spheres

Archive for August, 2013

Completion: Standing Naked in the Light

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags astrology, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, fire, Leo, Lunar, Magick, new moon, Water on August 6, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 6

New Moon in Leo

Sun in Leo

Posted during the planetary hour of the Sun

Today marks the official ending of the Temple of the Moon journey and the start of a New Moon in the astrological sign of Leo. This is a natural flow of the existing and primed waters (Cancer) receiving the fires (Leo) that will birth their own mound of manifestation (think of the Primordial waters of Nun).

This journey has taught me a lot about not only myself, but also others and the quality of being more receptive to the emotional flow surrounding. I am comfortable in my head and in a state of analytical scrutiny and feel most vulnerable when that guard must be lowered and compassion and understanding are the needed driving forces. It feels very much like standing naked in the full light of day, flaws and imperfections etched deeply ad on display for all to see. There is anxiety that seeps in that perhaps another will see those things as weaknesses. I realize that none of this is true and that the only one really standing in judgement and scrutiny is myself. Which, calls for more compassion in the more complex form of self-love. And, this is the biggest leap of faith and trust in that you have to acknowledge your own weaknesses and strengths and see them as neither detriment nor support, but in truth the synthesis of both and accessible in either form as you Will it to be.

I hope you have enjoyed this journey and found useful insights and new streams to be explored within your own emotional make-up.

I hope that each day has brought a deeper connection to the cycles of the Moon and the abundance of Her outpourings of healing, change and the need for intent-filled flow and movement.

I hope you have revealed a softer more compassionate way of being and strengthened the raging waters that are also necessary for productive outcome in clearing away.

Waters flowed within
The darkness of foundations
Firmly wrought.

Will found its space of opening
As flow came bubbling up and
Expanding with new life.

The droplets gathered
Breath of full force
And Geyser sent
Watery tendrils
Upward towards
Sunlit sky.

Fire and Water showered down
Returning to their source
And, descent brought
Openings of new found wells
Of pristine clear flowing heart.

Blessings in your continued journey!

If you have enjoyed the style of these postings and would like to know more about Astrology and Qabalah please take a look at the resources below:

Traveling Through the Stars: An Exploration of the Basics of Astrology

The Inner Chamber, Vol. One
Its Written in the Stars (Astrology)

The Inner Chamber, Vol. Two
Poetry of the Spheres (Qabalah)

Beginning next week, I will also be posting regularly to The Sacred Vessel Mysteries blog. It took a back seat to this work, but ready to now implement in energetic practice what I started with this project.

Upcoming in The Temple of the Cosmic Spheres:

The Temple of Mercury – October 2013

The Temple of Venus – December 2013

The Temple of the Sun – Aries – March 2013

Day Twenty-Nine: The Midnight Flame

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags candle magick, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, fire, Leo, Lunar, Magick, planetary hours, polarity, ritual, void of course, Waning Dark Moon, Water on August 5, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 5

Dark Moon Enters Leo

Sun in Leo

12:58 pm

Posted during the planetary hour of the Sun in preparation for the New Moon’s energy in Leo tomorrow afternoon

The Moon entered the transition of void at 2:49am and enters the astrological sign of Leo at 12:58pm. The early morning hours held a steady flow and integration of what will be in the solar light of center stage shortly after the noonday hour.

There is already a change in the atmosphere and the soft flow that I noted yesterday gave way to a pricklier dynamic. The ritual last night had the feel of loss, but more of the nature of a great weight being lifted than sorrow at what was left behind. The dual energies of both Sun and Moon being in their signs of rulership (noted on previous day’s post) worked collaboratively and what non-productive emotions that were stirred into action, flowed in a gentle stream into a place of release. The trick is to not reabsorb and draw up the mist of that release, but to let it move steadily and smoothly into the belly of the great deep.

With the completion of this cycle, and the movement of the Moon into Leo through the hours of sleep, I am reminded of the midnight sun, or flame of reflection of sunlight that penetrated the darkness of night. This is another of my favorite pictures (of an eclipse) that I use as a frequent reminder of the merging of the energies of water and fire, heart and will, Soul and Spirit. It also speaks of the exchange of the polarities of light and dark and their powerful expression in the uniting of the two extremes, each acting upon the other, to create a third that is the sum of their combination.

As you light your candles this evening and enter your final post of the journey, take a moment to meditate on this picture. Remain open to what more you can receive with its visualization and how its energy has streamed like black and golden strands of alchemical blood throughout this journey. Blessings of the Midnight Flame!

A Point of Numerology:

Today is the 29th day or 2+9= 11

11 is considered a master number; resonating with the energy of the iteration of itself. One is the singular form, the prime from which having been manifested all else flows. The double 1’s could be considered the point of self and SELF, i and I in communication and support of one another.

In fact, if you reduced the 11 to: 1+1= 2

you would have the number 2 of collaboration with another. It is this energy that establishes transformation and clarity of intent and purpose.

Applying these thoughts to this 29 day journey offers insight into how we started – self/i and the end goal we have moved closer towards- SELF/I

Tomorrow will be the final daily post to wrap up this journey to the Temple of the Moon.

Day Twenty-Eight: Fill Me Up

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags astrology, cancer, candle magick, cardinal, celestial, cosmic, Esbat, ritual, Waning Dark Moon, Water on August 4, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 4

Dark Waning Moon in Cancer

Sun in Leo

Today the Moon remains in the astrological sign of Cancer for the entirety of the day. My day started with a beautiful view of Lady Moon very early this morning as I drove on the New Jersey Turnpike. It reminded me of the depth of your emotional self that this work can take you to, the sliver of moonlight that is just beneath her skirts at this time of Phase and the promise of her brilliance just ahead.

Tonight I will do the Waning Dark Moon Ritual as completion of the ritual energy that ran as a stream through this study, There is a flowing movement to today’s energy. I’m feeling like this potent energy of contraction and now release has filled me up with waters that are ripe and ready to be shared and used to sustain future cycles of deeper work. These waters are the first drops of the depths of current that one finds in Shadow work. These waters are the rising currents that then carry those things we have learned from this work forward to be drawn from as we begin generating a more pure form of our intuitive and insightful expression.

This is one of my favorite pictures. This makes me think about the energy of the waning waters, pulled deep deep down. All moving into a central point of focus, ever flowing and limitless in their supply. All the while knowing that the sky will draw those same waters up in evaporation, so they may be showered back down again, renewed and feeding once again into the same cycle of process.

The waters move into a space that is mysterious and unseen. You look and conjecture at where this flow ends. There is the inference of Faith in the equation. And, as the sunlight flows in bands amidst the clouds hovering just above the moving waters, so too the light of our sun shines at times in random patterns through our subconscious. Lighting here and there revealing those deeper flows that lay beneath.

Think about it! And see how you feel about what analogies I’ve used. This is cardinal Cancer Moon’s energies!

Breathe in
Waters flow deep.

Exhale up
Sun dries the pain.

Breathe in
Fill yourself up.

Exhale out
And shower down
The healing rains.

Day Twenty-Seven: Floodgates of Release

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags astrology, cancer, cardinal, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, Lunar, Magick, Water on August 3, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 3

Waning Moon in Cancer

Sun in Leo

Posted during the planetary hour of Mercury (communication)

The Moon entered the astrological sign of Cancer at 12:30am this morning. We are back to the Cardinal (beginning) modality and a sign that is ruled by the Moon and her mysteries. The Sun is in Leo, astrological sign that is ruled by the Sun. This means both are in their exalted or powerful signs with compatible energies supporting. This also means that during this time that the Moon remains in Cancer the elemental directives are that of the initial flow of Water (Cardinal Cancer) and stable Fire (Fixed Leo). Back to the heated waters with those fires being placed exactly where they are needed to quicken with the spark of creation.

When the Moon is in Cancer, emotions are running high and not always well placed. The waning or contractive energy of the Moon’s phase provides the vehicle to move into those dark recesses of your emotions and gather them in a new way. If not careful, the damming up of those emotions through inhibition and censoring can produce so much pressure that they will find the weakest spot and break free.

Today seemed soft in flow. There was a gentleness in the air that made me think of the excitement and emotions present while waiting for a child to be born. So much moves through your mind, but the main point of pressure is in how you feel while waiting, The beauty of this is that you do not need to be the one giving birth. Friends, relatives, hospital workers, complete strangers and whole nations- as was evidenced by baby Prince George’s birth- all feel the same type of emotions and anticipation. These are the emotions that hold the promise of something new being birthed from their feeding and quickening.

And, when the cresting of anticipation becomes more than can be borne; the floodgates open and a purposeful and directed flow feeds the deeper source from whence it came. Today I am reminded by these feelings of how much work remains of the refining and fine tuning of how I allow my own emotions to flow and what they will carry along caught up in their currents. I am also reminded to offer up gratitude for how far I have come in being attentive to mind and heart.

May love flow
In my heart
May the waters
Of creation flow
Through my actions.

May what I grow
Expand and grow
May the barriers
I have created
Hold fast and strong.

May love be birthed
In the water’s release
May the flood gates open
And the streams of pure
Intuitive sight move
Like twin rivers
Back to the Source.

Day Twenty-Seven: Waning Dark Moon Ritual of Completion

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags astrology, cancer, candle magick, cardinal, celestial, cosmic, Esbat, esoteric writings, Lunar, Magick, new moon, planetary hours, ritual, Waning Dark Moon, Water on August 3, 2013 by themagickalpen

There are two posts today. The first is the Waning Moon Ritual so that you may prepare and read through for tomorrow evening. The second is the usual post and will be available tonight at 8:30 during the planetary hour of Mercury. Enjoy!

This ritual marks the final phase of the Ritual of Dedication begun at the start of this journey and should be done tomorrow, August 4th. The Moon remains in Cancer the entire day, so you may do this ritual at any time. If you want to make use of the Planetary Hour of the Moon as additional support those hours would be:

9:34-10:44am or %;49-6:59pm

and for the really late nighters- 12:17-:06am

Waning Dark Moon Ritual of Release

Sunday, August 4.2013

Moon in Cancer

You will need:

1/Silver (or Black) Candle (New Moon)

1/White Candle (Full Moon)

1/Black Candle (Dark Moon)

Black and white altar cloths

OPTIONAL for a physical working of release: Place on altar as part of ritual set-up

Glass cup or small bowl

small piece of Obsidian, Hematite,Jet or Quartz crystal placed in container as above with enough water to cover

Deep bowl to place crystal in after working

Coarse (or regular) Salt; enough to completely cover the crystal you have selected when placed in the deep bowl.

Set up your altar space with the black cloth on top of white. This represents the Waning Dark Moon phase and the waxing of its light soon to be reborn. The candles should be arranged in triangular shape with the White candle at center point, Silver candle as left base and Black candle on right side forming the base. The Silver candle on the left represents the New Moon phase (1st Quarter Waxing), the White – the Full Moon and the Black candle on the left- the Dark Moon (Last Quarter Waning).

Your journal and pen can be placed in front of the triangular candle formation.

Establish sacred space in whatever way is in keeping with your path.

Invoke the assistance of whatever Deity, guides or patrons you work with to inform and enliven this journey.

Standing in front of your altar begin by lighting the Silver candle. As you light this candle offer up words stating your intention of gratitude for all that has brought you to this place on the journey as you deepen your connection to the lunar energies and the mysteries of your lunar nature. Envision those insights that were newly revealed and the feelings of anticipation at the start of this journey.

Move to stand in front of the White candle. As you light this candle offer up words stating your intent of gratitude for the fullness and anchoring that was drawn to you at the time of the Full Moon. See this as the light of the Moon’s reflection as it waxed towards a space of full expression and expansion. Give thanks for the abundance of the blessings of deeper self knowledge that and the work you have accomplished.

Move to stand in front of the Black candle. As you light this candle offer up words stating your intent of release and refining what has been brought to the surface on this journey of the Moon. See this as the hidden light of Lady Moon working Her magick of cutting away, restoration and preservation of what is the viable seed to be birthed at the next New Moon.

Envision the orb of the Waning Dark Moon hidden, yet still holding the power of ebb and flow and harnessing of your emotional waters of deep inspiration held within. Open and allow yourself to connect deeply to the image of the waters of moon’s flow gently holding you as you are carried in Her black waters of renewal and re-creation. Soften your gaze and draw the stream of light that issues from Her flame into the center core of your being. Breathe into it, expanding its intensity and lengthening the depths of its connection. Envision this as the continual stream of informed connection that has been and will continue to be the place of deeper gnosis of the Moon and Her mysteries. Take a deep breath in and allow this energy to move through you; flowing like water, reaching the deepest recesses of your Being. Exhale long and slowly sending that energy back into the circuit that is forming between you and the energy you have called forth to permeate this candle. Breathe in this manner of receipt and release, ebb and flow for as long as you feel is needed; ending with a long exhale.

Sharpen your gaze and return back to the clarity of focus looking at the Silver candle of the New Moon. Once again soften your gaze and see the lines of connection between the Silver and White candles as they move towards your center and forming a triangle of enlivened space. Breathe into this connection of cycle of newness, now having matured and moved to a place of full peak and the completion of return to contraction and discernment. Soften your gaze and see the strengthen of the lines of energetic connection between your central core and the Black candle.

See optional physical working below ** these paragraphs or simply finish as written directly below.

Shift your clarity of focus to all three of the candles forming the triune power of the Moon’s phases and your inner intuitive and emotional self. As you move your gaze from one to the other offer up words of intent:

I call to the Dark Moon and the energy of light held in the place of quickening. I release to the great void and the healing waters of Cancer, the emotions that have restricted and been unproductive for more growth.

I release to the darkness of the waters of the great void those emotions that no longer serve and are ready for their transformation as one and part of the greater whole.

I call to the strength of the midnight Sun that flickers and shines in the waters of new creation. I draw up the intuitive sight to see with clarity and strength. And, I acknowledge the power of my own making that has flowed through me during this cycle.

So Mote It Be!

**Optional working:

You may also do a physical working of release if you wish. You will need a small glass bowl or cup and a crystal with properties that are absorption and the grounding of negativity. I chose a piece of hematite (see other suggestions in list at top), but a simple quartz crystal can be directed for this use as well. Place the crystal in the container with enough water to cover it before you begin the ritual.

I call to the Dark Moon and the energy of light held in the place of quickening. I call to the energies of her New Moon and the strength of the Full Moon that have refined and enlivened my will and intent.

Move your gaze to the container holding the crystal and water and breathe deeply drawing up those emotions you wish to release to the healing waters. Pour as much as is needed into the crystal and breathe deeply and fully into each release:

I release to the great void and the healing waters of Cancer, the emotions that have restricted and been unproductive for more growth. I release to the darkness of the waters of the great void those emotions that no longer serve and are ready for their transformation as one and part of the greater whole.

Envision the energetic strands of each of those things that you released moving into the space of the water and ending within the confines of the crystal. Take a final deep breath, releasing the last of what you wish and see this final strand entering the crystal.

Now, envision the waters covering the crystal glowing golden and radiant. Breathe into this gold light, infusing it and empowering it with your intent. Allow this image to continue to expand filling the container and lighting the energy of the crystal as though from within. This is the healing and transformative action upon those things you have released. When you feel all is complete, make this final declaration:

So Mote It Be!!

Breathe deeply into these words (or those of your own) and see them as being held in witness by the guides, deity or others you called into to assist this rite.

Offer up thanks to those you invoked to join in this ritual, and bid them hail and farewell. Ground and release your sacred space, again, in whatever way is in keeping with your path. And, lastly, snuff out the flames of the New, Full and Waning Dark Moon candles.

You will light these three candles on each of the remaining nights of this journey connecting to their combined energies and adding to these from your own energetic experiences. Continue to do this up to the day of the New Moon in Leo on Tuesday, August 6th as completion of the cycle and work.

Important Note: If you have chosen the option of physical working, libate (pour onto the earth) the water in the container that held the crystal, giving thanks as you do so for its healing properties and offering it in return to the Great Mother. Place the crystal in a deep bowl of salt; completely covered. The salt (of the earth) will absorb the energy and cleanse for another working as needed. Leave it undisturbed for several days.

Blessings on your journey as we walk the last few steps of this road together!

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Day Twenty-Six: Your Number’s Up

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags cancer, cardinal, celestial, cosmic, Esbat, esoteric writings, Lunar, numerology, void of course on August 2, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 2

Waning Moon Void of Course

Sun in Leo

The Moon has been void today and will transit into the astrological sign of Cancer tomorrow morning at 12:30am. It is also a Friday so everyone is winding up for the weekend. The day’s energies seemed like the quiet before the next great emotional outpouring would begin. Everything is gearing up for the floodgates to open through the next two days leading up to the new moon. A lot has been brought forward with the waning of the moon’s energy and now what is occurring under the surface is preparing to begin the cycle anew with this next new moon cycle. It makes me think of the slow boil of the water in a pan, that begins to accelerate more rapidly as more heat is applied. Moon will be in Cancer as the last sign before it begins anew and flows into the heated waters of Leo Moon and Leo Sun.

As promised, here is the information about numbers and the application of numerology.

Some Basics of Numerology:

The Poem below is one I routinely use in my workshops. The application of numerology lends itself to multiple systems and I always have this as an adjunct tool to point out something more than what is on the surface of understanding. This poem was written several years ago and each time I pull it out for use and reread it there is something new to be revealed. In fact one of its uses was to describe the energy of the Qabalistic Sphere of Kether which serve as the Godhead or Source from which the remaining nine spheres receive the outpouring of its creation.

~ The Continuum ~

Nothing and everything
the endless void fills all time
until…

One moves in the silence
stretching and reaching
towards the other as Two
swiftly take flight.

They mingle and join
each claiming their own side
so Three may point the way.
Each base stretched far and wide.

Foundations are laid
by another close at hand
who opens the Four sealed Gates.

Disruption and creative force
issues forth as the skillfully crafted
shield of focus reflects the Five.

The light is fixed
the seeker is found
as outpour of healing grace
gives way to the
harmonious Six.

Each walks a path of experience
pulling and gathering from
vista’s extremes.
Wisdom and lessons hard won
fill what moves within.

As six expands to become Seven
the meandering web that
connects becomes entwined.

A continuum of dual
portal opening and Eight
the final climax of force contained.

Like amoebas they move and
wiggle and stretch and pull
and strain until the
tension and release
catapult them over
the initiatory threshold of
Death’s Nine Gates.

All scatter and disperse
once again seamlessly
part of the void of the All
until…

Once again the singular One rises
reaching out towards its
newly quickened mate.

This gives you an idea of how the energy of one number flows into the next having been informed by the previous. Numerology is the study of numbers, and the occult manner in which they reflect certain aptitudes and character tendencies, as an integral part of the cosmic plan. Each letter has a numeric value that provides a related cosmic vibration. For example, the sum of the numbers in your birth date and the sum of value derived from the letters in the name provide an interrelation of vibrations. It is thought that these numbers show a great deal about an individual’s character, purpose in life, what motivates, and where talents may lie. Experts use the numbers to determine the best time for major moves and activities in life.

Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician who live from 569-470 B.C., is said by many to be the originator of much of what we call numerology today. Although, if we look back at the emphasis placed on the numbers related to the Qabalah, the use of numerology in some form dates back to being a very ancient art of interpretation.

Most every counting system in the world is based upon the numbers 1 through 9. Each of those digits has its own particular meaning. Numerology is the method of reducing names and dates to special numbers that reveal character, quality and cycles of the person or thing being examined. I use numerology to define many of my magickal workings as you can see with the references I have made to the numeric value of a particular day’s date.

This is a very basic listing of the general attributes if each of the numbers from 1-9

0 – Cycles, void, the limitless ALL, womb of creation and the Gate of the Divine

1 – The singular “I”, the individual, the line of continuum, energy held and gathered back to itself

2 – Collaborative effort- moving beyond the “I” to “we”- duality and polarity that results

3 – The point of trinity or third that is created from the friction and combined effort of the two

4 – Opening the point of support to a place of foundation, equanimity and force in a balanced state

5 – The shield whose tip may be directed by Will to disrupt, change and set in motion

6 – Doubled trinity, intersecting energies of descent and ascent, mirrored image of creative product

7 – Carrying forward the lessons learned, the paths taken and the reconvening of the triune

8 – The lemniscate, foundation (4) uplifted to become the container, receipt and release

9 – Threshold /gate to endings and completion with potential for new fully in-formed beginnings

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Day Twenty-Five: The Epiphany of Silence

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide, The Temple of the Moon with tags Air, astrology, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, gemini, Lunar, Magick, mutable, silence, void of course on August 1, 2013 by themagickalpen

August 1

Waning Moon in Gemini

Void of Course @ 12:48pm

Sun in Leo

Moon’s energy has lessened outwardly, but is flowing deeply internally spreading into every cavern of our being. This is preparation and necessary for the birthing of the Moon anew in the next cycle of her potent phase. It has felt like there has been a definite change in where the thrust of energy has been directed since the peaking of the Full Moon and the days prior as it was waxing. The energies have been a bit more subdued, not really any less potent if you really pay attention, but a definite sense of inner refining and tweaking. As we are nearing the next New Moon cycle there is a feeling of slow and steady pressure building from the inside out. Nothing you can concretely put your finger on, but palpable nonetheless.

The last vestiges of Gemini’s presence was felt this morning and there seemed to be a slowing down in the communication venue. This would be the later stages of Gemini’s outpour so I guess people are all talked out and the pace is relaxing into that space of void at 12:48p.m. Today marks the Sabbat of Lammas, the first harvest of the Great Wheel. So, I am thinking about how this harvesting could be applied to the work that has been done so far on this journey.

The timing is ripe in that we are also in the Moon’s harvesting stage as it wanes; releasing and letting go of Her outward potency. Emotionally and intuitively, what has been nurtured and analyzed in moving through this lunar cycle would have been overwhelming and unproductive if it had been left to expand any further. Leaving Gemini’s constant chatter is similar to reaping what has reached maximum. After the cutting down of the exhaustive noise of communication comes a deep and satisfying silence that holds the keys of what cannot be articulated.

I had mentioned ion an earlier post about an analogy of these energies going though their own individual stages of beginning, peak and ending. The solar energy of its astrological sign of Leo will be hitting is peak point at the New Moon next Tuesday when Moon and Sun are in the same sign. This means that as the Sun’s energies have been waxing the Moon’s have been waning. I am thinking about what effect this could have on the lunar work done; especially since the Sun is in its ruling sign with the potency of draconian fire. The image I have is one of the potency of the Sun’s energy drying up what is left of the lunar waters. (again something similar to Harvest). And, if those waters do not find safe heaven and deeper integration, perhaps those emotions we wish to cultivate will wither and dry up.

So, perhaps moving into the deeper recesses and the space where silence informs and draws gnosis to itself is the safe heaven of integration I will explore. Entering this calming flow of transition is what I will try to do. The Moon will remain void until it enters it’s astrological sign of rulership- Cancer on Saturday morning at 12:29a.m. Until then, I am going to listen deeply to the silence of this void and bring with me those select parts of my emotional self that need more tending.

Words fell like rain
Spilling out and overflowing
Waters that had been dammed
Up and held secure.

Sound rumbled and roared
Like a sleepy lion
Awakened too soon
And ready to pounce.

Movement flowed
And clanged about
Noisily looking for
What path it had left behind.

Silence descended and
All that had raged
Uncontrolled and unanswered
Now rested cloaked in
The wisdom of its sound.

1 Comment »

Temple of the Cosmic Spheres

Archive for August, 2013

Completion: Standing Naked in the Light

Day Twenty-Nine: The Midnight Flame

Day Twenty-Eight: Fill Me Up

Day Twenty-Seven: Floodgates of Release

Day Twenty-Seven: Waning Dark Moon Ritual of Completion

Day Twenty-Six: Your Number’s Up

Day Twenty-Five: The Epiphany of Silence

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