The Genius Within

If you give birth to the genius within you,it will free you.If you do not give birth to the genius within you,it will destroy you. — from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas Throughout history, humans have found pathways that are aimed at awakening our consciousness to those transcendent levels that we may occasionally, or accidentally, … Read more

Splendor

Life’s splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. — Franz Kafka We’ve been getting … Read more

Our Guides to Graceland

Illustrious Kharites, mighty named, from Zeus descended, and Eunomia famed [Eurynome], Thalia and Aglaia fair and bright, and blest Euphrosyne, whom joys delight.– from The Hymns of Orpheus, translated by Thomas Taylor (1792) The Graces, also called the Charites (sometimes spelled Kharites), were three beautiful daughters of Zeus, the supreme God of ancient Greece. Their … Read more

Preparing for the next lighting

Though my soul may set in darkness,It will rise in perfect light,I have loved the stars too fondlyTo be fearful of the night. — Sarah Williams (1837 – 1868) On Sunday, we take the next step in our Solstice Sunwheel ritual. At sunset, or some other quiet time, you will first re-light the first candle, … Read more

Chaji

Tea with us became more than an idealization of the form of drinking; it is a religion of the art of life. — Kakuzo Okakura, The Book of Tea Taking tea is a simple, gentle way to work time magic. Not only does it help you to slow down and change your personal pace, it … Read more

Dreams Within Dreams

DREAMS WITHIN DREAMSby Fiona MacLeod (William Sharp) I have gone out and seen the lands of Faery,And have found sorrow and peace and beauty there,And have not known one from the other, but found eachLovely and gracious alike, delicate and fair.“They are children of one mother, she that is called Longing,Desire, Love,” one told me: … Read more

Where Are We?

© Jane Dahmen – Maine Fall I am rich today with autumn’s gold, All that my covetous hands can hold; Frost-painted leaves and goldenrod, A goldfinch on a milkweed pod, Huge golden pumpkins in the field With heaps of corn from a bounteous yield, Golden apples heavy on the trees Rivaling those of Hesperides, Golden … Read more

The Truth about Reality

Holding Peace by Nancy Howe© 2001-2007 Free Spirit ArtFrom Pronoia by Rob Brezsny: At the Beauty and Truth Laboratory, we believe that stories about the rot are not inherently more captivating than stories about the splendor. On the contrary, given how predictable and omnipresent the former have become, they are actually quite dull. Obsessing on … Read more

Loving Autumn’s Beauty

You find a flower half-buried in leaves,And in your eye its very fate resides.Loving beauty, you caress the bloom;Soon enough, you’ll sweep petals from the floor. Terrible to love the lovely so,To count your own years, to say “I’m old,”To see a flower half-buried in leavesAnd come face to face with what you are. — … Read more

Blessings of the Full Harvest Moon!

This is the Harvest Moon, also known as the Wine Moon. It is the Full Moon closest to Autumn Equinox and when the Moon is in the sign of Aries. This is truly the ideal time to harvest any herbs, veggies and other garden goodies before they are nipped by frost or simply the dwindling … Read more