Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Practice conjunction. Begin fermentation. Proceed to distillation. Finalize change with coagulation.

Answer: Alchemically, conjunction involves assembling the saved elements from the separation stage into something new and different. In terms of personal transformation, conjunction requires you to combine the conscious and subconscious minds, as well as elements of the masculine and feminine components of your personality, into something new. That something can be a new system of personal beliefs, a new personality, or a new state of consciousness, but it is essential that that new vision of yourself emerges from the existing parts of you. In other words, don't try to become that which you are not - become the best parts of who you already are.  Try removing yourself from any distractions to a quiet place. Close your eyes and focus solely on the pattern of your breathing. Breathe slowly through your nostrils and into your abdomen, hold the breath for a few seconds (but not to the point of discomfort), and exhale slowly through the nostrils.  Any time your mind starts to wander while meditating, return your thoughts to your breath. Focus on the sensation of breathing in through your nostrils, the feeling of your abdomen rising and falling, and the sensation of the air escaping back out through your nostrils. Try visualizing the best version of yourself. Imagine everything going well in your life, and imagine yourself as being fully prepared and in control of everything in your life. Think about what is most important to you and what aspects of yourself you value the most. Fermentation traditionally involved using microorganisms (such as bacteria or yeast, for example) to chemically alter a substance. Common applications of fermentation include the use of yeast to convert sugar into alcohol or the use of bacteria to turn milk into cheese. In terms of personal transformation, fermentation requires you to accept inspiration of some type that will energize or enlighten you. Fermentation is often achieved through various means of focus and transformation. These include (but are not limited to) deep and intense prayer, deep meditation, a conscious desire for some mystical or spiritual union with a higher power, transformative therapy, or altered states of consciousness. Distillation is the process of heating a substance until it turns to vapor, then collecting the condensed vapor as it cools into a liquid. Distillation is sometimes called purifying because it further removes impurities and nonessential components (for example, think about how brandy is distilled from wine by boiling off the water). When it comes to personal transformation, distillation is the "purification" of your personal psychic forces to ensure that nothing remains of the undesirable elements of your old self.  Objective personal introspection is the best way to practice distillation. Distance yourself from all emotions and sentimentality and evaluate what remains of your identity. Consider your life from the viewpoint of someone else - perhaps a friend or relative who knows you well and has given you valuable advice in the past. What aspects of yourself would that person consider to be the most vital elements of who you are? Coagulation occurs when a liquid or gas is permitted to return to a solid state. In transformative terms, coagulation is the final stage of alchemical change - it is marked by a profound sense of confidence and the ability to continue to exist in any aspect of reality. Upon achieving coagulation, you should experience a sense of rejuvenation and a sense of higher being. This will vary, of course, depending on who has experienced the transformation, but will be accompanied by a new sense of self, regardless of the particulars of your transformation.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Clean your beard before you trim it with a moisturizing shampoo. Comb your beard regularly. Moisturize daily. Try "beard lube" to combat itchiness or dryness.

Answer: It's important to trim your beard when it's clean, to make sure the hairs are softened and untangled for an even trim. Wash your beard in the shower with warm water and soap.  You can use a hair shampoo or a special beard shampoo, depending upon how your skin reacts, but it's normal for most guys to just use the same soap they use on their faces in the shower. People with longer beards may prefer a special shampoo, such as Bluebeard's brand. It leaves less residue than facial washes and some shampoos. Most trimmers will come with beard combs, but you can also use the same variety of brush or comb you might use on your hair, and comb your beard downward, with the grain, to make sure it lays nice and flat against your face. This is also a good way of seeing whether or not it needs a trim. Sometimes beards are called "flavor savers" for a reason. It is possible to get food, lint, and other junk stuck in your beard, if it grows especially long. Comb it regularly to keep it from becoming a bird's nest. If you have sensitive skin, try several moisturizers before you start growing your beard, and continue moisturizing your beard follicles and your face after you grow a beard, to keep your skin healthy underneath. A healthy beard needs a healthy base from which to grow. Lubriderm and other lotion brands are perfectly fine for using on your face and making sure your skin doesn't dry out. While they're not super-commonly used among men with beards, there are a variety of beard oils on the market, which can be combed into clean beards to keep them looking shiny, moisturized, and clean. It can be a desirable look, and it may give relief to men with sensitive skin who suffer from itchiness.  Take a small dab of oil on a comb and lubricate the comb with the oil before combining your beard naturally. This is the best way to distribute the oil evenly throughout the hair. Coconut oil is excellent for the hair and makes for a perfectly natural substitute.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Cite a journal in Chicago Style in much the same manner as a MLA, but with the following exceptions: Make it look like this.

Answer: Write the author's last name first, followed by a comma and then the first name and middle initial. Use a period instead of a comma after the author's name and after the journal's title. Indicate the entire range of pages referenced by your paper when citing a source. If you used information from pages 15, 32 and 41, your page range would be listed as 15-41. Do not indent the first line of text, but indent every line under it. In practice, the above structure should lend itself to a citation that looks like this:


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Give your parakeet the “step up” command. Place another finger or perch in front of the parakeet. Repeat the “step up” command.

Answer:
After your parakeet masters stepping up, you can begin doing more advanced training. To begin ladder training, start by asking your parakeet to “step up” as you usually do. Laddering involves having your bird step up from one perch to another repeatedly, as if it were climbing the rungs of a ladder. Once your parakeet steps up, put the index finger of your other hand in front of it. Alternatively, you could use a stick or a dowel. Position the second finger or perch exactly as you would during a regular “step up” command. Ask your parakeet to step up onto the new perch. Once it has done so, put your other finger or the original perch in front of your parakeet and ask it to step up again. Repeat this cycle several times.  Practice this technique daily until your parakeet ladders smoothly. After some practice, your parakeet may begin laddering without the verbal “step up” command as soon as you put your finger or a perch in front of it. Don’t forget to praise and treat your parakeet when it successfully performs the ladder trick!