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The Timeless Gyres of Socrates

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 12:46 pm
 An exercise in understanding the mechanics of Yeats’ A Vision.

Let us assign to the four quarters of our cycle the four labels from the pop science idea of learning as unconscious incompetence, then conscious incompetence, then conscious competence, then unconscious competence.



Now let us apply the faculties.

1. Unconscious Incompetence

So if the will in the first quarter is seeking to express the state of unconscious incompetence, then it will be opposed to the mask in the third quarter of conscious competence. The true mask of the third quarter would be derived from the first quarter and be modified by the creative mind of that phase – unconscious competence in the fourth quarter. So the true mask can be thought of as a seeking to express without consciousness of what you are doing – just hack away. And perhaps the false mask can be seen as a striving for method in this.

The creative mind at this first stage will be seeking to experience unconscious competence, which will be opposite the body of fate of conscious incompetence. The true creative mind is derived from the first quarter (unconscious incompetence) as modified by the fourth (unconscious competence), whereas the false is derived from the first quarter (unconscious incompetence) as modified by the body of fate in the second quarter (conscious incompetence). So the true creative mind could be seen as an immersion in the experience; and the false as overthinking it and doubting yourself.

2. Conscious Incompetence

Moving forward (counter-clockwise per Yeats) to the second quarter, the will is then seeking to express its consciousness of incompetence, with the opposing mask of unconscious competence (fourth quarter). The true mask of the fourth quarter would be derived from the second quarter (conscious incompetence) and modified by the creative mind of that phase (third quarter – conscious competence). So the true mask is seeking to express consciousness of what you are doing; and the false is wanting to go with the flow.

Meanwhile the creative mind (in the third quarter) will be seeking to experience conscious competence, and is opposed by the body of fate of unconscious incompetence. The true creative mind is derived from the second quarter (conscious incompetence) as modified by the third (conscious competence), whereas the false is derived from the second quarter (conscious incompetence) as modified by the body of fate in the first quarter (unconscious incompetence). So the true creative mind is seeking to experience consciousness of the shift from incompetence to competence; whereas the false is seeking to experience a return to being unconscious of your incompetence.

3. Conscious Competence

Moving forward again to the third quarter, the will is then seeking to express its consciousness of competence, with the opposing mask of unconscious incompetence (first quarter). The true mask of the first quarter would be derived from the third quarter (conscious competence) and modified by the creative mind of that phase (second quarter – conscious incompetence). So the true mask is seeking to express consciousness of knowing what you can and can’t do; and the false is in seeking to express consciousness of competence you do not have.

Meanwhile the creative mind (in the second quarter) will be seeking to experience consciousness of its incompetence, and is opposed by the body of fate of unconscious competence. The true creative mind is derived from the first quarter (unconscious incompetence) as modified by the second (conscious incompetence), whereas the false is derived from the first quarter (unconscious incompetence) as modified by the body of fate in the fourth quarter (unconscious competence). So the true creative mind is seeking to experience a shift to consciousness of its incompetence; whereas the false is seeking to experience a return to being unconscious of its (in)competence.

4. Unconscious Competence

And finally moving forward to the fourth quarter, the will is then seeking to express its competence unconsciously, with the opposing mask of conscious incompetence (second quarter). The true mask of the second quarter would be derived from the fourth quarter (unconscious competence) and modified by the creative mind of that phase (first quarter – unconscious incompetence). So the true mask is seeking to express itself in flow witthout consciousness; whereas the false mask would be trying to remain conscious of what it is doing.

Meanwhile the creative mind (in the first quarter) will be seeking to experience its incompetence or otherwise unconsciously, and is opposed by the body of fate (in the third quarter) of conscious competence. The true creative mind is derived from the fourth quarter (unconscious competence) as modified by the first (unconscious incompetence), whereas the false is derived from the fourth quarter (unconscious competence) as modified by the body of fate in the third quarter (conscious competence). So the true creative mind is seeking to experience competence without having to think it through; whereas the false is still seeking to experience consciousness of its competence.

 

Will

Mask

Creative Mind

Body of Fate

1. Unconscious incompetence

True: blithely hacks away

False: tries to systematise hacking

True: immerse in the experience

False: overthink it and doubt yourself

(2) Conscious incompetence

2. Conscious incompetence

True: express consciousness of what you are doing

False: wanting to go with the flow

True: seeking to experience consciousness of the shift from incompetence to competence

False: seeking to experience a return to being unconscious of your incompetence

(1) Unconscious incompetence

3. Conscious competence

True: express consciousness of knowing what you can and can’t do

False: express consciousness of competence you do not have

True: seeking to experience consciousness of competence

False: seeking experience of flow

(4) Unconscious competence

4. Unconscious competence

True: seeking flow

False: trying to express consciously

True: letting go

False: trying to stay conscious of the experience

(3) Conscious competence

The shift between conscious incompetence and conscious competence is a marker of the coinciding of what you are trying to do with the (expanding) limit of what you can do. Similarly the shift from unconscious competence to unconscious incompetence is a marker of the passing of this limit in a different way – the mismatch of what you are trying to do with the (static) limit of what you can do. It is the period of conscious incompetence which forms the thrust block for pushing towards conscious competence, and it is the consciousness of competence which removes that impetus.

Was Socrates consciously incompetent, as he claimed, or unconsciously competent, as the Oracle claimed? Or consciously competent, as he demonstrated in conversations, or unconsciously incompetent, as his fate may suggest to some? The answer(s) may lie in that these four labels are not descriptions of reality as such, but rather symbols to train your mind. And recall that it is a cycle with interrelationships between the four categories as opposed to a linear sequence. So in a sense all four quarters are contained within each quarter and the key thing is to understand the flows of the relationships so as to be able to work with them rather than against them (in a similar way to how in astrology the stars do not compel, they incline).

And so what does all this have to do with building traditional barns?


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Thema Mundi Return 2026 for New Zealand

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, August 15th, 2026 12:13 pm


The condition of the planet that rules each house, modified by the nature and condition of any planets in that house, reveals the condition of the affairs of that house for the period indicated by the chart. – JMG, The Astrology of Nations (2025)

Summary

This chart applies to New Zealand for a year from 7 August 2026. Note that the national election occurs on 7 November 2026.

Expect a hung, or at least very fractious parliament and the continuation of a two-paced economy with the provinces doing well and the major cities struggling. The likelihood of an epidemic and crises in the hospital system seem high. A recurring theme seems to be the possibility of scandals coming to light.

First house – the ordinary people of the nation, their general state.

Cusp in last degrees of Aries – ruled by Mars. Mars is peregrine in Gemini in the second house and square to Venus and Neptune – so quite debilitated. No planets are present in this house.

Issues with the productive economy and excessive government expenditure are expected to negatively impact on the common people with a likelihood of domestic unrest and conflict with the political class. An epidemic and/or scandal is highly indicated.

Second house – the national (productive) economy

Cusp in Taurus – ruled by Venus. Venus is peregrine in Libra in the fifth house and trine to the Moon, sextile to Mercury, square to Mars, trine to Uranus, and opposition to Neptune – so quite mixed. The Moon, Mars, and Uranus are all in this house.

Issues with government expenditure are likely with the potential for flow on effects from speculative markets (AI financial crash?) and signs of scandal. Agriculture should remain strong (Moon well placed) with a likelihood that the economy will remain two-paced with the major centres struggling and the provinces staying robust.

Third house – transportation/communications/media and related sectors, plus primary and secondary education

Cusp in last degrees of Gemini – ruled by Mercury. Mercury is peregrine in Cancer in this house and sextile to Venus – so mixed. No other planets are present in this house.

Recent improvements in the education sector are expected to continue.

Fourth house – primary industries and real estate

Cusp in Leo – ruled by the Sun. The Sun is in its rulership in Leo and weakly conjunct Jupiter and trine with Saturn – so benefic. Jupiter is also present in this house.

A lot of intention is expected to be devoted to the primary industries by the government – perhaps a renewed focus on mining? Agriculture is expected to do very well. Expect the government to be strong and relatively prosperous without necessarily being hugely popular. Real estate may show signs of recovery.

Fifth house – speculative finance and professional sport

Cusp in Virgo – ruled by Mercury. Mercury is peregrine in Cancer in this house and sextile to Venus – so mixed. Venus is present in this house.

Speculative markets likely to be volatile. Perhaps some successes in women’s professional sport.

Sixth house – public health, labour force and public service

Cusp in Libra – ruled by Venus. Venus is peregrine in Libra in the fifth house and trine to the Moon, sextile to Mercury, square to Mars, trine to Uranus, and opposition to Neptune – so quite mixed. No planets are present in this house.

Mixed prospects for public health and employment. Possibility of scandals.

Seventh house – foreign affairs

Cusp in last degrees of Libra – ruled by Venus. Venus is peregrine in Libra in the fifth house and trine to the Moon, sextile to Mercury, square to Mars, trine to Uranus, and opposition to Neptune – so quite mixed. No planets are present in this house.

Mixed prospects for foreign affairs. Possibility of scandals.

Eighth house – foreign trade and investment, plus deaths

Cusp in Scorpio – ruled by Mars. Mars is peregrine in Gemini in the second house and square to Venus and Neptune – so quite debilitated. No planets are present in this house.

Possible sharp rise in the death rate, perhaps through an epidemic. Foreign trade could be harmed by overseas crises. Death of a national figure indicated.

Ninth house – judiciary, religion, universities, maritime and air travel

Cusp in Sagittarius – ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter is peregrine in Leo in the fourth house and weakly conjunct the Sun, sextile to the Moon, trine to Saturn, sextile to Uranus, trine to Neptune – quite benefic. No planets are present in this house.

Judiciary are widely seen to be just and fair and aligned with the government on new laws rather than undermining them. Perhaps a recovery for the universities?

Tenth house – executive branch

Cusp in Aquarius – ruled by Uranus. Uranus is peregrine in Gemini in the second house and conjunct the Moon, trine to Venus, and sextiles to Jupiter and Neptune – so mixed tending towards benefic. No planets are present in this house.

Mixed of successes and failures for the government, perhaps with slight decline in popularity despite prosperity.

Eleventh house – legislature

Cusp in Pisces – ruled by Neptune. Neptune is peregrine in Ares in this house and sextile to the Moon, in opposition to Venus, square to Mars, trine to Jupiter, and sextile to Uranus – very mixed. No other planets are present in this house.

The possibility of a hung parliament after the election looks very high and partisan behaviour could be amplified.

Twelfth house – hospitals, prisons, NGOs, nonprofits, organised crime

Cusp in Aries – ruled by Mars. Mars is peregrine in Gemini in the second house and square to Venus and Neptune – so quite debilitated. Saturn is present in this house and mixed (in its fall, but with trines to the Sun and Jupiter).

Hospital system is unlikely to improve and may face crises and/or scandals. Organised crime may become more of an issue.
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Mastery

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Friday, July 31st, 2026 07:23 pm
 From an interview with a Shaolin master https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq92sWWU4FM:

"We do not try to perfect the martial art […] it is already perfect […] we use the martial art to perfect ourselves."

"The master title is not the end, it is the beginning. It is all about self-mastery."

"You use this lifetime that you have available to master yourself, self-mastery, you need to become your own master. We are all masters. It is just sometimes the master is sleeping, the master is lazy, ..."

Beer Tasting Notes

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Monday, July 27th, 2026 04:12 pm
Shining Peak Imperial Stout 2024
A very hot 11% ABV! Quite nice, but the alcohol tends to overpower the flavours a bit.


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Psychology of Gen X Men With No Tattoos Explained

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, June 6th, 2026 04:17 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XADgQjUd7H0

This is a surprisingly insightful video.

Paths

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 10:29 am
Recently I was thinking about the idea that the path is not the direction, and the related idea that "the direct way is the labyrinth" (see Christoph Hein's Der Tangospieler). And just today a relevant quote was brought to my attention:
Where there is a way or path, it is someone else’s path. You are not on your own path. If you follow someone else’s way, you are not going to realize your potential. Eternity is a dimension of here and now. The divine lives within you. - Joseph Campbell
 
This idea that where there is a path it must have been created by someone also seems quite relevant to the idea of egregores. It also suggests that when you talk about choosing your path, you should be clear about whether you are choosing an existing path for your own, or are choosing to lay down a new path.
But that also brings the question of what the difference is between a path you can follow and a path taken. There may be no pre-existing path, but in taking a path are you creating a path? And does awareness matter? Could you be following someone else's path without knowing it? There is a lot in Campbell's statements to disagree with, but it is good fodder for contemplation.

On a side note, the tenth and last of my translations of Johann Baptist Krebs's work is now available for pre-order (official publication date: 1 June 2026):
Krebs, Johann Baptist. Meditations over Gospel Truths for Every Day of the Year. Whanganui: K A Nitz, June 2026.
ISBN: 978-0-473-78773-8
A translation of Betrachtungen über evangelische Wahrheiten auf alle Tage des Jahres  (first published 1851 under the pseudonym J. B. Kerning).

Wise words

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Sunday, April 12th, 2026 09:00 am
From Egon Fischer (summarising Christian Köhlert):
Oft geht es nicht um die Information selbst, sondern darum, wie das gesamte Inkarnationssystem eines Menschen (Psyche, Verstand, Gefühle, Körper) darauf reagiert. Die Manipulation erfolgt dabei nicht durch den Informationsgehalt, sondern dadurch, dass das Inkarnationssystem eines Menschen in einen Zustand versetzt wird, in dem er leicht steuerbar ist
[Often it is not about the information itself, but rather about how the entire system of incarnation of a human (psyche, mind, feelings, body) reacts to it. The manipulation arises as a result not through the information's content, but rather through that the system of incarnation of a human is placed in a state in which it is easily steerable.]

My current all time bestsellers - top 10

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 02:27 pm
  1. Werner Sombart's Modern Capitalism I (paperback) 
  2. Etteilla's Book of Thoth
  3. Werner Sombart's Modern Capitalism I (hardback)
  4. Werner Sombart's Modern Capitalism II (paperback)
  5. Karl Kolb's The Rebirth
  6. Carl du Prel's The Puzzle of Humanity
  7. Paul Keller's Forest Winter
  8. Johann Baptist Krebs' Paths to Immortality
  9. Werner Sombart's Modern Capitalism II (hardback)
  10. Johann Baptist Krebs' Key to the Spirit World
And the lowest sellers (tied at #47): Georg Engel's The Rider on the Rainbow, and the same author's Tales of the Forbidden.

Hermann Stehr's bestseller is #11 The Account of Peter Brindeisener.
Georg Engel's bestseller is #12 Kathrin: Raising to Love.
Immanuel Kant's Lectures on Psychology comes in at #21.
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New Publication

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Friday, October 17th, 2025 05:18 pm
The latest work of Johann Baptist Krebs (aka J. B. Kerning) to be published will be The Student - available from 7 November 2025.
 
Krebs, Johann Baptist. The Student or Secure Foundations for the Formation of Soul and Character. Whanganui: K A Nitz, November 2025. ISBN: 978-0-473-76526-2
A translation of Der Student oder Sichere Grundlagen für die Gemüts- und Charakterbildung (first published 1837 under the pseudonym J. Kerning).

A young man goes off to university with a set of promises to his father that he must fulfil. In the tumultuous world of the university, these promises prove more troublesome than expected.
 
Conditions under which his father gave him permission to attend university:
    1. You shall visit church every Sunday and feast day, for high mass, with unforeseen hindrances at least attending a mass.
    2. You shall be alone with closed doors and windows every day for one hour, but you shall not occupy yourself with your usual studies, but rather thinking about yourself, about your relationship to us, to nature, to God and to humans, and remember each time your mother.
    3. You must not enter into any political associations, whatever name or goal they may have.
    4. You must not duel under any circumstances. Self-defence is allowed, for which learn to fight, ride, and everything which seems helpful to you for that. Self-satisfaction is an intervention into the laws which turns the infringer into a state criminal.
 
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Indifference as moderation

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 12:44 pm
Just as virtue is the midpoint of two vices, so too are support and opposition bisected by indifference. Thus the 'opposite' of support should be indifference rather than opposition, as support and opposition are mirrors of one another and to oppose is to direct energy at something just as much as to support is, whereas indifference is to withhold energy.
  • Current Mood: musing

Food for thought

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 10:48 am
Should we be trying to:
  • become better humans, or
  • better at being human, or
  • better at becoming human.
(This was inspired by Jack Donovan's distinction between being a better man and being better at being a man.)

This could also be adapted to other things. For example:
Should druids be trying to:
  • become better druids, or
  • better at being a druid, or
  • better at becoming a druid.
(Or all three? Considering the distinctions is a good topic for meditation.)
  • Current Mood: musing

Last Rose of 2024/25

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Friday, July 4th, 2025 04:30 pm
Almost a fortnight after the Winter Solstice too.

Governance

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, May 10th, 2025 09:02 am
The latest post by New Zealand political commentator Chris Trotter has an interesting footnote:
The use of the word governance – as opposed to "government" – by liberal democrats is deliberate. It denotes not decisive power, but rational administrative process. Governance is what happens when the possibility of radical – i.e. system-threatening – change has been taken off the table.
This is perhaps the best explanation of the use of the word 'governance' that I have seen yet.
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Epitaph

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, April 26th, 2025 03:02 pm
I want my epitaph to be:

He was a lifelong immortal.

The Kingdoms Within You

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, April 26th, 2025 12:09 pm
Thinking more about my earlier post Valhalla is within you, and the ideas of both Kerning/Krebs and Immanuel Kant that not only is the "Kingdom of God" within you, but also Hell, I have been meditating on the idea that the mansion of the father has many rooms.

This can be looked at from different directions. On the one hand, the many rooms could indicate many individuals who each are carrying their own room in the mansion of the father - i.e. their own individual heaven (and hell). On the other hand, it could indicate that their are many rooms or "realms" within an individual. That is, not only in the "Kingdom of God" and Hell within you, but also all the realms of all the virtues and vices. (This also brings to mind Robert Heinlein's novel Job and its underlying premise that each individual faces the afterlife they believed in during their life.) On the third hand, you could argue for each room being a lifetime and the lessons that lifetime is meant to teach you.

Taking the second option, the idea of Valhalla is within you could fit into this, but so too could the third option fit into this Valhalla. That is, each day of fighting in Valhalla represents a lifetime in the physical world. The feasting afterwards represents the time between lifetimes. The people who went to Hel (not the Christian Hell, but the heathen round of Hel where people who did not die nobly in battle went) could be seen as people who were directed to a different set of virtues in their life - the virtues that would be needed after Ragnarok.

Note that this approach to Christian literature is not Christian in the sense of worshiping Christ as the son of God, but rather Christian in the sense of drawing from the teachings and life of Christ (a more Odinic approach of emulation over adoration), who in my view was a son of God, in the same way that we are all children of God, where God to me is the divine spirit within us.
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Definitions

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 05:34 pm
Love this definition from RuneSoup blog:
‘science communicators’ (95 IQ technocrat propagandists) 
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The Pattern Recognition Era manifesto

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Thursday, February 27th, 2025 07:34 pm
https://stylman.substack.com/p/the-pattern-recognition-era-a-manifesto


"If you are stuck in a framework where an idea feels unthinkable, you are already controlled."

Worth reading and meditating on.

Just saying

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 11:15 am
 https://babylonbee.com/news/trump-claimed-without-evidence-that-22-makes-4-not-so-fast-experts-say

Attitudes to your own past

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Monday, February 17th, 2025 12:45 pm
From Egon Fischer (with my translation afterwards):
Viele Menschen verurteilen sich selbst wegen ihrer Vergangenheit. Das bindet sie aber an das, was sie verurteilen und ablehnen und erschwert das Auflösen und Abheilen alter Wunden. Wenn ein Mensch über einen längeren Zeitraum immer wieder sich und sein Leben und Wirken mit einem großen Mitgefühl und Verständnis wahrnimmt, lockern sich langsam die Blockaden, die Einstellungen und Muster werden elastischer und Veränderungen fallen leichter.
[Many people condemn themselves on account of their past. But that binds them to that which they condemn and reject, and it makes difficult the resolving and healing up of old wounds. When a human over a longer period of time perceives himself and his life and actions again and again with a great sympathy and understanding, the blockages slowly loosen, the attitudes and patterns become more elastic, and changes occur more easily.]

Presidential Numerology

k_a_nitz: Modern Capitalism II (Default)
Thursday, February 6th, 2025 12:29 pm
One of Kristina Hazler's throwaway remarks in her latest post concerned the numerology of the numbering of the current (45=9 & 47=2) and previous (46=1) presidents of the USA. She suggests 9 represents completion and integration of all other qualities, and relates to loosening shackles and breaking out of well established circles; and 1 represents beginning of a new chapter, and farewell from the old.

So lets dig into them using the list on Wikipedia:
  1. George Washington, John Tyler (10), Rutherford B. Hayes (19), Woodrow Wilson (28), Richard Nixon (37), Joe Biden (46)
  2. John Adams, James K. Polk (11), James A. Garfield (20), Warren G. Harding (29), Gerald Ford (38), Donald Trump (47)
  3. Thomas Jefferson, Zachary Taylor (12), Chester A. Arthur (21), Calvin Coolidge (30), Jimmy Carter (39)
  4. James Madison, Millard Fillmore (13), Grover Cleveland (22), Herbert Hoover (31), Ronald Reagan (40)
  5. James Monroe, Franklin Pierce (14), Benjamin Harrison (23), Franklin D. Roosevelt (32), George H. W. Bush (41)
  6. John Quincy Adams, James Buchanan (15), Grover Cleveland (24), Harry S. Truman (33), Bill Clinton (42)
  7. Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln (16), William McKinley (25), Dwight D. Eisenhower (34), George W. Bush (43)
  8. Martin van Buren, Andrew Johnson (17), Theodore Roosevelt (26), John F. Kennedy (35), Barack Obama (44)
  9. William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant (18), William Howard Taft (27), Lyndon B. Johnson (36), Donald Trump (45)
I can't see many real commonalities that are consistent.

Though for 1, George Washington as the end of monarchy might make sense, given that he refused to stay on at the end of his term, and Nixon and Biden both point to the end of public trust in the leadership. Tyler became President when Harrison died (he had been VP), and had a troubled presidency with all his cabinet resigning on him, and he was the first president to have his veto overridden by congress. The election of Hayes was disputed (he did not win a majority of the popular vote) and was worked out by a backroom deal which resulted in the end of reconstruction. Wilson segregated the federal bureaucracy (ending what was apparently one of the few sources of good jobs for African Americans up until then) and introduced the federal reserve and income tax (which will condemn him in the eyes of many Libertarians).