the old ways

doctrine of signatures \DAHK-trun-uv-SIG-nuh-cherz\

noun: a theory in old natural philosophy: the outward appearance of a body signals its special properties (as of magic or healing virtue) and there is a relationship between the outward qualities of a medicinal object and the diseases against which it is effective

If my doctrine of signatures lets you know any of my secrets, I hope you're convinced. Judge the book by the cover. That way you always end up with a surprise ending.

hardened

festoon \fess-TOON\

noun
1 : a decorative chain or strip hanging between two points 2 : a carved, molded, or painted ornament representing a decorative chain

Early on in my boxed-in office life, I made myself a festoon of paper hearts. They looked so promising then, a simple craft to garnish the light streaming in from the macadam lot beyond the broken plastic blinds. Now they get caught every time I try and shut out the day.
Hearts get in the way of everything.

we are made of stars

heliacal \hih-LYE-uh-kul\

adjective: relating to or near the sun — used especially of the last setting of a star before and its first rising after invisibility due to conjunction with the sun's rising and setting

I can't tell you which planets have helical risings; my understanding of the heavens is minimal and often limited to "look, it's Orion!" How fortunate I am to live with a dog that embodies the energies of the stars and brings them to me every morning.
Even if you're a pain in the ass to run with, O, I love you.

progenitor

hark back \HAHRK-BAK\

verb
1 : to turn back to an earlier topic or circumstance 2 : to go back to something as an origin or source

This will be the year that we will not hark back, but look forward and create more happiness than we think we will deserve. No fears, no hate, only honesty an purity.

Maybe this year everything will be ok.