Happy Aphrodite’s Day!Do you not see how mighty is the Goddess Aphrodite? She sows and gives that love from which all we upon this earth are born. — Empedocles ca. 490-430 BCE Instead of honoring the various Christian martyrs named St. Valentine on this date, let us celebrate what we REALLY want this day to … Read more
The linden, in the fervors of July,Hums with a louder concert. When the windSweeps the broad forest in its summer prime,As when some master-hand exulting sweepsThe keys of some great organ, ye give forthThe music of the woodland depths, a hymnOf gladness and of thanks.— William Cullen Bryant, Among the Trees The first day of … Read more
The young maid stole through the cottage door,And blushed as she sought the Plant of pow’r; —“Thou silver glow-worm, O lend me thy light,I must gather the mystic St. John’s wort tonight,The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decideIf the coming year shall make me a bride.”— Old German St. John’s Eve divination spell Today is … Read more
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.I do know how to pay attention, how to fall downinto the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,which is what I have been doing all day.Tell me, what else should I have done? — Mary … Read more
Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plane. – Henry David Thoreau I’ve been discussing some suggestions for getting to know your green ally – a plant that will be your guide and friend as you deepen … Read more
Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting — a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.— Ralph Waldo Emerson On Sunday, I shared some first steps to finding and … Read more
A little too abstract, a little too wise,It is time for us to kiss the earth again,It is time to let the leaves rain from the skies,Let the rich life run to the roots again. — Robinson Jeffers Our gardens have much to teach us about finding the balance between creativity and surrender, between acceptance … Read more
The Great Way has no gate.Clear water has no taste.The tongue has no bone.In complete stillness, a stone girl is dancing. — Seung Sahn In the garden, we are able to encounter so many aspects of the Divine and the magical. There we may encounter thresholds to other realms, beyond the everyday concerns of the … Read more
There is a root of peace within this Earth.Plant it in my heart, my home, my land. That it may grow deeply.And then will it branch and give shade, Then will it blossom for the lovers,And yield fruit that none will lack.Then will the old sit under its shade and be honored. And the babies … Read more
“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”“It is the time I have wasted for my rose…” said the little prince so he would be sure to remember.“Men have forgotten this truth,” said the fox. “But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what … Read more