The Grace of Festivity and Cheer, Euphrosyne now leads our journey of a year and a day to Graceland. Pronounced “you FRAHS uh nee,” She welcomes us as we honor the turning of the Wheel of the Year, and will reveal to us the rich diversity with which cultures throughout the world now begin a … Read more
There was three kings into the east,Three kings both great and high,And they hae sworn a solemn oathJohn Barleycorn should die. — Robert Burns We have come to another turning of the Wheel of the Year, for now is the time when many flowers have ripened into fruit, grain, or seed, and what has been … Read more
If Zeus had willed it soThat o’er the flowersOne flower should reign a queenI know, ah, well I know,The rose, the rose, that royal flower had been.— Sappho Since ancient times dating back to records from Mesopotamia, the “cradle of civilization,” the rose has been a treasured companion and central to our most enduring myths. … Read more
The glowing Ruby should adornThose who in warm July are bornThen will they be exempt and freeFrom love’s doubt and anxiety. — Traditional The first day of every month is sacred to Hestia (known in Rome as Vesta), the Goddess of the Hearth. With the Graces, Hestia was always honored first, before all others. She … Read more
The air was fragrant with a thousand trodden aromatic herbs, with fields of lavender, and with the brightest roses blushing in tufts all over the meadows. . . — William Cullen Bryant As the Wheel of the Year turns now to the fullness of Summer’s lush ripening, we continue on our Graceland journey — that … Read more
Go not to the hills of ErinnWhen the night winds are about,Put up your bar and shutter,And so keep the danger out. For the good-folk whirl within it,And they pull you by the hand,And they push you on the shoulder,Till you move to their command. — from The Wind on the Hills, by Dora Sigerson … Read more
Lord Oberon – King of Wands,from The Fantastical Creatures Tarot,© D.J. Conway, Lisa HuntIt is by yonder thorn that I saw the fairy host(O low night wind, O wind of the west!)My love rode by, there was gold upon his brow,And since that day I can neither eat nor rest. — from The Fairy Lover, … Read more
Iris © Josephine WallIris on saffron wings arrayed with dewOf various colours through the sunbeams flew. — Virgil In these beautiful days of Spring, we continue our journey with the Graces, particularly noting the gifts of the Grace, Thalia. She is the giver of mirth, growth, and flowering. In Greek mythology, Iris is the messenger … Read more
We abuse the land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. — Aldo Leopold, Sand County Almanac The Grace Thalia invites us to participate in Her gifts of laughter, flowering and … Read more
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feetand the winds long to play with your hair. — Kahlil Gibran As we move forward on our journey to Graceland, we honor the lovely Grace, Thalia. Thalia, who is also considered one of the Muses, offers us Her gracious gifts of flowering, laughter, and … Read more