The traditional seasons in Japan are marked out by impercetibly small changes in nature across 72 miniature seasons in a year, each lasting 5 days and reflecting the fleeting, impermanent and diaphanous beauty of nature and all of its wonders. There are 24 divisions or sekki in the calendar that are split into 72 kōContinue reading “Japan’s 72 gossamer-light and poetic microseasons”
Tag Archives: spirituality
Everyone comes into the world with a job to do
Everyone comes into the world with a job to do— I don’t mean working for a company, a corporation— we were all given gifts to share, even the animals, even the plants, minerals, clouds . . . all beings. From ‘Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings’ by Native American Poet Laureate Joy Harjo
Omnia tempus habent: a delightful medieval rhyming calendar
Omnia tempus habent – All things have their season. Ecclesiastes Here is a medieval rhyming calendar outlining the labours of the months in the fields, dating from 14th century England. The mis-spelling of the words reflects their Old English origins. Discovered via the fun and enjoyable book Weatherland: Writers and artists under English skies byContinue reading “Omnia tempus habent: a delightful medieval rhyming calendar”
The bones of native peoples
Imagine if we natives went to the cemeteries in your cities and dug up your beloved relatives, pulled off rings, watches, and clothes and called them “artefacts,” then carried the bones over to the university for study so we could understand you. Consider that there are more bones of native people in universities and museumsContinue reading “The bones of native peoples”
We all have our helpers in seen and unseen realms
We all have helpers in seen and unseen realms.Give them something to do.Otherwise, they will grow inattentive with boredom.They can clean junk from your mind,Find the opening note for the chorus of a song,Or give a grandchild a safe path through the dark.They will not give you winning numbers at the casino,Wash your dishes, orContinue reading “We all have our helpers in seen and unseen realms”
The ancient and elusive fairisle of Hy Brasil
Hy Brasil is a mysterious phantom island that was thought to exist off the west coast of Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean for hundreds of years. The area being nautically challenging for seafarers, it was an elusive and mysterious place, hailed in pre-Christian times as being the Celtic Elysium or land of promise. During ChristianContinue reading “The ancient and elusive fairisle of Hy Brasil”
Where did Māori and Polynesians come from?
Tā Moko (Māori facial tattoos) is covered by a Polish YouTuber who makes claims about the origin of Māori that are incorrect – so I set the record straight here!
Before Time Began: Latin Quotes on Ancient Sundials
Ancient sundials of Greece, Egypt and Babylon often featured provocative and emotional expressions in Latin. They were succinct and powerful calls to action which were designed to waken up the senses and peel back the blinkers on what really matters. These concise messages highlighted the passing of time, mortality, life, death and enjoying one’s briefContinue reading “Before Time Began: Latin Quotes on Ancient Sundials”
History: The dizzying world of alchemy and the philosopher’s stone in medieval times
The word alchemy is derived from the Arabic root “kimia”, from the Coptic “khem” (referring to the fertile black soil of the Nile delta). The word “alchemy” alludes to the dark mystery of the primordial or First Matter (the Khem).
For Keeps
Sun makes the day new.Tiny green plants emerge from earth.Birds are singing the sky into place.There is nowhere else I want to be but here.I lean into the rhythm of your heart to see where it will take us.We gallop into a warm, southern wind.I link my legs to yours and we ride together,Toward theContinue reading “For Keeps”
Content Catnip 