Ancient Word of the Day – Content Catnip

Ancient word of the day: vernation

Today’s ancient word of the day is vernation. This is the genesis of new leaves sprouting during springtime. This is the arrangement of the buds as they erupt forth into the world.

Ancient Word: Pellucid

François Schuiten’s steampunk cityscapes 'Les Cités obscures'

#Pellucid: An adjective meaning “transparent, translucent, admitting the passage of light.” Originating from the 1610s, from #Latin pellucidus #etymology #ancientwords #words #light #shine

Ancient word of the day: Celandine

This pretty yellow star-like flower is from the buttercup family. It is common to see it flourishing at the beginning of spring in new grasses, hedges and in at the banks of rivers. It blankets forest floors. Commonly thought of as being a weed, it is still absolutely beautiful to behold.

Ancient Word: Dadirri according to Aunty Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr

Old ghost gums swaying in the breeze, trees, Australia

Dadirri recognises the deep spring that is inside us. We call on it and it calls to us. This is the gift that Australia is thirsting for. It is something like what you call “contemplation”. #listening #Dadirri #words #etymology #books #bookreview

Ancient Word of the Day: Stravaig

Stravaig derives from eighteenth-century Scots extravage, meaning ‘wander about; digress, ramble in speech’, in turn derived from Medieval Latin extravagari ‘wander, stray beyond limits’. Stravaig, in various forms, is found in a wide range of Scottish texts from the late eighteenth-century onwards. Read more

Ancient word of the day: Athene Noctua or Athena’s Owl

The Greek goddess Athena had as her sacred animal familiar the owl, also known as the Athene Noctua in Latin. The Romans, fond as they were of stealing from the Greek pantheon, renamed Athena to Minerva. Athena and her owl are considered to be symbols of wisdom, in both cultures. Athene Noctua Athena’s owl orContinue reading “Ancient word of the day: Athene Noctua or Athena’s Owl”

Ancient Word of the Day: Adsum

From Latin: “Adsum” – be here now

The life, in a form, that we all live. Adsum abandons hopelessness and blind hope and even rational hope.

Hope is that virtue by which we take responsibility for the future and a quality that gives our actions special urgency.

Ancient Word of the Day: Lacuna

Kindness woman psychology Olivia Laing, The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone

Ancient Word of the Day: Lacuna “lacuna”- in a manuscript denotes a ‘little lake’ or #hiatus, blank, a missing portion (OED n.1) This word is borrowed from Latin in the 17th Century. Have you ever taken a #pause from your #life or #career? what was this like? A break always gives a clear perspective in my opinion! #language #words #history

Ancient Word of the Day: Kairos

Before Time Began: Latin Quotes on Ancient Sundials

When you walk with ‘Kairos’ you learn how to tip yourself out of chronological time and are able to decommodify your footsteps to walk in sacred time and to the rhythm of your creative mind.

Ancient Word of the Day: Humus

Frida Kahlo - The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico) Myself Diego and Señor Xolotl 1949

From the word ‘Humus’ come many of the words for being human and humility. For millennia and across many cultures, walking with your bare feet in the earth has been a sign of humility.