True Lies

 Ultra-processed plant-based meat alternative have problems it would seem:

In the first investigation of its kind, researchers from University of Surrey found that the risk of depression amongst vegetarians who consumed plant-based meat alternatives was 42 per cent higher than for those who shun both meat and plant-based substitutes. Link.

I can believe this because recently after consuming fake vegetarian sausages I've woken up on a couple of occasions feeling really depressed which is quite uncommon for me. Interestingly, depression can be caused by antibiotics:

Studies have shown that antibiotics can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, especially in males. The risk may increase with the number of courses of antibiotics taken, and may persist for years. 

Antibiotics can disrupt the intestinal flora, which can lead to mental illnesses like depression. Antibiotics can also activate glial cells in the brain, which may be associated with the onset of depression. 

Antibiotics can impact the brain-gut axis, which plays a key role in the development of depression. 

Antibiotics can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. The original antidepressants were derived from antimicrobial agents. However, as antibiotics are used more frequently, there is increasing evidence of their negative impact on mental health. Generated by Google Gemini.

In other news, I heard that biopsies to check for cancer actually cause the cancer to spread throughtout the body. Mainstream medical "experts" do not concur but then again they wouldn't would they? Who to believe? It would seem that everything that is taken for granted nowadays needs to reassessed. Believe nothing and trust nobody.

Passing On

Last night I dreamed that I only had a few months to live. In the dream, I was looking on at myself and I took the news (delivered as a sort of announcement) rather well, I wasn't perturbed in the slightest. I just accepted it. In another dream, I was observing a swarm of meerkat-like creatures gnawing feverishly, frantically, frenetically at rock that appeared to be sandstone. They were trying to gouge out a pathway but they had taken a wrong turn. I knew where they should be headed but they themselves didn't. I tried to tell someone about the situation but to little effect.

This dream suggested some natural somatic process gone wrong but what do meerkat-like creatures gnawing feverishly at rock indicate? There's information to be had about the spirit animal significance of meerkats on this site. Here's a small quote:

One key message from Meerkat Spirit Animal is that of vigilant awareness. You need to stand up and see true. Things look much different when you elevate your perspective. Use your new point of observation for measuring and metering your actions. Meerkat also reminds you to remain ever watchful. Standing guard is an honor in the Animal Kingdom and among humans.

Of course in the dream they were burrowing and not standing guard. The dream was disturbing in that the creatures were so totally and frantically involved in their activity. It came at a time when I'd begun to do more regular strengthening exercises in an effort to tone my body and perhaps build a little more muscle.

Prior to the dream I'd been feeling quite spritely but following it I've been lethargic. The day before the dream I woke up feeling quite depressed which is unusual for me. I wondered what had triggered it but couldn't come up with an explanation, although physical impairment like cancer, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, and infections can trigger depression.

I'll monitor my dreams more closer to see if there are any more clues to be had. I am feeling quite flat at the moment with little interest in the outside world. I noticed that the transiting north node of the Moon was conjunct my natal Mercury but this wouldn't seem to account for my low mood. Apart from that, transiting Uranus is slowly grinding to a halt and will station in early February at a sensitive spot in my chart.

POSTSCRIPT

Last night (30th December 2025) I had the most awful dream that I can't even bear to write down but I'm hardly likely to forget it. It certainly had to do with death and dying.