Reading is my life.
I‘m Jasmine, but you can call me Jass.
I’m a tea-fueled writer, researcher, and voracious reader with an inquisitive mind that’s interested in a wide variety of topics.
Why the name Golden Threads of Wisdom?
To break it down:
Gold is a sought-after precious metal that has become more valuable over time and has often been used for embellishment or as a symbol of wealth.
Threads have been used throughout ancient and medieval times, often by women, to sew and weave tapestries that tell stories, both real (historical and everyday events) and fictional (myths).
Wisdom is what we can gain from diving deeper into different stories, narratives, and perspectives.
And, so, the philosophy here at Golden Threads of Wisdom is to look at the big, complex tapestry of stories and narratives throughout history to find the golden threads of wisdom that can enrich our lives.
Even though I’m currently in the exploration phase and searching for topics I want to dive deeper into, I already know that I want to focus on books and stories written by and featuring women and queer folks and themes relating to either or both. Some books may be academic or heavily theoretical, while others are fictional.
Why focus on women?
Why not? Aside from women carrying an incredible depth of wisdom we need perhaps now more than ever, my focus on books written by women is also a response to my past university studies in literature, where the writers we were assigned to read were primarily male. My research here is basically a way for me to “fill in the gaps” that were created and unfulfilled during my studies. (More on this below.)
Why does this matter?
Aside from being personally fulfilling for me, stories have a way of being moving, inspiring, and empowering. They can spark something within us we didn’t know existed, help us realize our own potential, and empower us to make beneficial changes in our lives. They can make us feel seen and understood, and help us know that we’re not alone in our struggles. They can give us a different perspective that enriches our lives. This is the power and wisdom of stories.
My approach
I’m not always researching to answer any specific questions I have, which is a common approach to doing research. I’m more interested in researching to expand my knowledge base, my mind, and my horizons. I’m more interested in finding the golden threads of wisdom. Even though I have a lot of questions, you could say that I’m often more interested in contemplating possible answers rather than finding “the right one” (if a right answer even exists). So, if you’re looking for answers, this is probably not the right place for you.
My content
The content I will publish here on the website:
Research lists, which include a list of books I’m currently reading and/or some notes about one specific book I want to take my time with.
Research notes, which include the notes I take as I read, the wisdom I’ve gleaned, the other books it reminds me of, etc.
Essays, which include parts of the full essays that I publish exclusively on Patreon, and can include a wide variety of topics that I find interesting as I research.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
― Jane Austen
My story
I’ve loved reading for as long as I can remember. My parents were both big readers, so I had the privilege of being surrounded by books, and my love for reading came naturally to me. It also culminated in my university studies as I graduated with an MA in literature.
One recurring theme throughout my studies, though, was the primary focus on literature written by men, which included poetry, fiction, textbooks, and articles. If I wanted to focus on books written by women, I had to do that on my own time.
That experience wasn’t exclusive to students of literature, however. I’ve heard the same from students of philosophy as well.
I felt like I had a big hole to fill after graduation, and I took that as a personal challenge. (As someone who has Mercury square Jupiter in my natal chart, that definitely expanded my personal library.)
While I have read quite a few books since then, I still have a long way to go and a big gap to fill. Golden Threads of Wisdom is the project that will help me keep doing this work.
“Think before you speak. Read before you think.”
― Fran Lebowitz
Where to start!
Blog Posts:
Go deeper!
Browse the collection of blog posts available here.
Join my Patreon and get access to the research notes and essays in full and support my research.