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.