International Day of Forests - March 21st

March 21^st, [Monday this year] is International Day of Forests. Despite this being one of my busiest times of the year, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to write about forests and trees. [You'll just have to wait with baited breathe for me to finish up my posts about dragons next month.]

Fires of Inspiration (Part Four) – Fairy pictures link and Mythological Species of Humanoids # 25 – Muses

Inspiration is a “breathing in” of ideas and motivations that move people in a new direction.

The Burning Bush symbolizes a fire of inspiration for Moses starting the Exodus. The Tongues of Fire that came with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost on the Apostles, started the Church. The apple falling on Newton's head and making stars is the fictional inspiration for his career in science.

My initial inspiration for my SylF(ae) Saga is a

Fires of Inspiration (Part Three) - Poetry

Fire and light found in Fire Flies and Will-O-Wisps reminds me of Poetry.

The definition of poetry is nebulous. It is differentiated from prose by an attention to sound, using alliteration, rhyme, meter and assonance among other things to create consonance, and an intentional layering of the meanings of the words with symbolism and similarities, similes and metaphors, to create depth of thought.

Often prose will employ these tools too, but not to the same degree, though prose can be described as lyrical or poetic. In fact, most good story writers are

Holy Week and Mythological Humanoid # 12 – Centaur

First a little poesy:
Spring, my Spring, where do you hide? North Wind don't cast her aside. We ache to stroke her gentle face, to hear her color, smell her grace. Ah! There you are at last...

This is the holiest week of the year for Christians.

Palm Sunday - Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of an ass, symbolizing the return of the conquering king, coming in humility and peace. The populous responds with elation. They lay palm fronds and

Happy Valentine's Day

Shortly after Ground Hog's Day comes another holiday, that though it feels quite different in our culture, has similar origins in Imbolc and pagan culture. Valentine's Day is said to be the time when birds pair up with a mate.

For Educators or childcare providers: To celebrate Valentine's Day, I've played a game our homeschool co-op loved. I would read a story about St. Valentine's life and death. (I have

Autumn



Red Maple

I love Fall. It's my favorite time of the year. I used to wonder when I was a kid, if it was because I have a fall birthday. But the older I get the more I realize, it has never had anything to do with birthdays. Autumn is just the best time of the year (for me).

 Winter's snow and ice are stunningly beautiful.



 Summer's relaxation and butterflies are superb.


 Spring's flowers are amazing and so refreshing after the long wait through the ice and dark

Symbology of Acorns

                     

Well, research is minimal on the mythological implications of acorns. I'll share what I've learned, but I think I'm going to need to draw from my personal creativity to flesh out this symbol. I'll explore that after I report the research results.

1. Biological facts - Acorns are the seeds of Oak Trees.
[Check! My inner science teacher is coming out. I couldn't resist the opportunity to make a diagram. If anyone is interested in it, you are welcome to copy and use it.]