The Mexican, in contrast, is familiar with death. (He) jokes about it, caresses it,sleeps with it, celebrates it. It is one of his favorite toys and his most steadfast love. — Octavio Paz (1914 – 1998) Nobel Laureate for Literature, 1990 In many parts of Mexico, the Day of the Dead is observed on more … Read more
Enjoy!
Doing good to others is not a duty, it is a joy,for it increases our own health and happiness.— ZoroasterThe Autumn Equinox is celebrated by cultures and traditions around the world. In some places, this is the Taoist festival honoring the divine principles of Wind, West, and Autumn. Rituals held at this time celebrate the … Read more
Please do not offer my God a peanut.— Apu, from The Simpsons Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival that celebrates the birthday of the great Hindu God, Ganesh. Also known as Ganapati and Ganesha, He is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is the Lord of success, destroyer of evils and remover of obstacles. … Read more
Summer means promises fulfilled, objectives gained, hopes realized. The surge of doing and achieving, of watching and enjoying is finally replaced by a sense of quiet and floating and a certain fullness and repletion, as though one cannot absorb any more.— Sigurd F. Olsen This was one of those perfect New England days in late … Read more
Many thanks to my friend Joanna Powell Colbert for finding this. I couldn’t wait to share it with you! Forty two countries and fourteen months in the making. Enjoy!
As the sun spirals its longest dance,Cleanse us!As nature shows bounty and fertilityBless us!Let all things live with loving intentAnd to fulfill their truest destiny.— from a Wiccan Summer Blessing (as reported by the BBC) Happy Litha (Summer Solstice) to those of us in the northern hemisphere, and Happy Yule to our friends below the … Read more
For the May Day is the great day,Sung along the old straight track.And those who ancient lines did leyWill heed this song that calls them back. Pass the word and pass the lady,Pass the plate to all who hunger.Pass the wit of ancient wisdom,Pass the cup of crimson wonder. — Cup of Wonder, from Songs … Read more
Hail Thalia, Grace of Flowering and Mirth! Hail to The Lord and The Lady!Hail to the King and Queen of Faery, to blessed Flora, and to Maia Majestas! ©Helena Nelson-Reed Hail to the Summer!Hail to the Summer!The season that drivesThe cold Winter away!Hail to the Summer!Hail to the Summer!Light your bonfires –Today is Beltane!— from … Read more
The daffodil is our doorside queen;She pushes upward the sward already,To spot with sunshine the early green. No lays so joyous as these are warbledFrom wiry prison in maiden’s bower;No pampered bloom of the green-house chamberHas half the charm of the lawn’s first flower.— from An Invitation to the Country, by William Cullen Bryant We … Read more