Touched by Urd’s water,
Suns white light pours from her core
Fates unfolding song.
And inspired by Laura’s comment (see below) here’s a second haiku
Rising Phoenix like
From the wells sacred waters
Singing our fates song.
The Well of Urd
Posted in Celtic, mindfulness, mythology, nature photo, photos, poem, spiritual, unconscious, verse
Tagged Haiku, mindfulness, myth, nature, Norse, photography, poetry, spiritual, swan, Urds Well
26 Comments
Windows between Worlds
This ancient window is the oculus in the roof of the Pantheon in Rome, and it allows air filled with light to fall into the otherwise dark interior of the temple. It gives the gods an eye to look down through, but it also allows their sacred light to move into and around the enclosed temple space. The word oculus itself means eye, and this gives us a clue about how windows were seen in the past. They are a way into and out of closed spaces, for air, light and energy, but not for the physical body which moves instead through doors.
To sit and watch light streaming through a window is always an uplifting experience, and the feeling of a space will change as the external light changes with the hour of the day and the season of the year. The quality and direction of light will offer many clues about where we are in time and space. Our ancestors knew this, and they constructed many ways to harness these clues, windows or portals being just one example. These tall slender sandstone windows would once have been filled with coloured glass, which would have thrown beautiful patterns across the stone interior of this royal chapel. Many of the Stuart Kings and Queens of Scotland would have worshiped in this space, including Mary Queen of Scots. As a little girl she might have been entranced by the coloured lights streaming through these very windows, dancing across the stone walls.
The English word window originates from the Old Norse ‘vindauga’. This is made from two Norse words: vindr which means wind or air, and auga which means eye. So we have an eye of the wind or air, letting the energy of air, including light, in or out of the building. We also find natural windows, carved by flowing water through stone, which offer movement between the worlds. Stones with holes were used by seers in Scotland to look into the world of magic, of the old gods and fairies, and into the future. These round windows were portals which could also allow movement into our world of healing and protective energies. So again there is a two way flow of energy, but not of the physical body. In the same way our own eyes allow light and vision to flow into our bodies and minds, where otherwise we would be enclosed in darkness. From within our bodies we sit and look out into the world, and it’s ever changing light, and the light flows in affecting our body clocks and internal rhythms.
The light we see is never the same from one moment to the next, and by taking notice of this we can come to enjoy each unique moment as it flows through our awareness. Windows can offer us frames through which we can see time passing, hour by hour, day by day. The view from this window out across Linlithgow Loch has hardly changed in the 600 years since it was a royal bedroom, and yet it changes every minute as the sun rolls across the sky. Light is timeless and yet full of time, if we know how to pay attention. Resting in an awareness of its movement, and it’s qualities we can come more fully into the present moment of our lives. We live in a beautiful flow of light which opens and closes each day, as we open and close our eyes.
It’s said that the eyes are the windows of the soul, and we should remember that those windows allow energy to flow in as well as out. We drink the world in through our eyes, and pour ourselves out through them into its beauty.
Posted in change, elemental, history, mindfulness, philosophy, photos, relaxation, spiritual, weekly photo challenge
Tagged hag stones, history, magic, mindfulness, photography, postaday, scotland, spiritual, symbolism, window
50 Comments
Swan Light
Shimmering sunlight
Pouring through satin swans wings
Falls to earths dark body.
Berwick Law, East Lothian, Scotland.
Posted in ancient sites, elemental, mindfulness, nature photo, photos, poem, spiritual, verse
Tagged earth, Haiku, mindfulness, nature, photography, poetry, scotland, spiritual, winter
32 Comments
Sacred Beginnings
“In my beginning is my end.” T.S.Eliot
As this new year begins, we have just released the old year, and allowed it to become the past. This is a time of transition or change, and transitions always contain endings and beginnings, woven together into the eternal cycles of time and life. We tend to prefer to focus on the new thing which has begun to fill our lives, and often prefer to try not to notice the endings, the losses, the release, and yet both are vital for growth and change. These pools at Black Linn in Perthshire, Scotland are ancient sites of divination, where people would come to seek their futures. Our ancestors found times of change filled with uncertainty, and hoped that scryers or seers could find clues about the future in the reflections of these sacred waters. We are no different now, but our methods have changed, and we seek to control as much of our lives as possible in order to keep the chaos and uncertainty of change at bay.
If we resist the flow of life and it’s inevitable waves of change, we can become frozen like this oak leaf, suspended in lifeless water. Trying to hard to control too much of our lives will do this, and it is usually driven by fear, fear of change. Our lives can become stuck, held frozen in an unproductive winter. We cling tightly to the things we love, crushing the very life out of them, all the while filled with fear at the thought of losing them.
Yet for new things to enter our lives we must have trust, trust that the future may contain good things, and in this trust we can release the old. These waters contain layers of the past and the future, and in the magic of the present we can gaze into the reflections looking for patterns and hope.
What can you see in the reflecting eye of the pool? The black waters of forgetfulness can work their magic, and move us forwards filled with hope.
“In my end is my beginning.” Mary Queen of Scots, embroidered this on her Cloth of Estate while imprisoned in England.
So as this new year rolls in, give a moment to remember the old one, and be filled with hope for 2014. Nothing truly ends, it just flows on into a new beginning.
Posted in ancient sites, Celtic, change, elemental, mindfulness, mythology, nature photo, philosophy, photos, spiritual, unconscious, weekly photo challenge
Tagged Celtic, divination, nature, philosophy, photography, postaday, scotland, scrying pools, spiritual
81 Comments
A Day Dies
The earths blood flows out
Across deeply rippled sand,
Returning to source.
Posted in elemental, mindfulness, nature photo, photos, poem, spiritual, verse
Tagged beach, Haiku, mindfulness, photography, poetry, scotland, seascape, spiritual, winter
31 Comments
Surprising Joy
We walked on the beach yesterday, in the first golden sunlight we had seen for a few days. The cold wind whipped our faces red, and tugged and tangled our hair, creating wild styles in the dogs long fur. It swirled the sand into long streaks across the beach and churned the sea into millions of white horses. When we walked into it, it seemed to steal our very breath away, and if I smiled my teeth hurt in the cold fierce air. All this energy made me grin, despite the sore teeth, and joy bubbled up inside me growing with each exciting, windswept breath. I hadn’t gone looking for it, but there it was patiently waiting to be uncovered, and I laughed out loud into the winter wind and the low blinding sunlight.
Sometimes it was so hard to walk that we all ground to a halt and just stood facing into the oncoming wind, our ears filled with wild sounds of rushing air, all our senses stunned. It lifted my spirits in an utterly surprising way, and made me think about the way I sometimes chase after joy, searching it out here and there, and yet never quite find it. Usually when I’m not looking it turns up and surprises me. Had I known the wind would be so fierce, I might have thought twice about a walk on the beach, and then I would have missed out on all this fun. When we think we know how something will feel we make assumptions which narrow our lives.
Just around the corner the wind surprised me again by dropping completely, leaving me gasping in awe at the golden reflections of the setting sun in the still water on the sand. A different joy filled me then, one full of peace. If I had turned back to escape the wild wind I would have missed this golden stillness, and once again I’m reminded to stay open to what lies around the corner. Life might have some surprising beauty to throw our way, filling our lives with unexpected joy, but only if we stay open enough to receive it. Let go, breathe out and open yourself to the wild flowing winds of life.
Find more joy filled posts at this weeks photo challenge.
Posted in change, elemental, mindfulness, nature photo, philosophy, photos, relaxation, spiritual, weekly photo challenge
Tagged beaches, change, dogs, joy, life, mindfulness, philosophy, photography, postaday, spiritual
54 Comments
It was the night before Christmas…..
Christmas Eve has arrived all of a sudden, and the house is looking and feeling full of Christmas spirit. All my presents have been wrapped and are sitting patiently under the tree. I love wrapping gifts, which I know will have some people groaning and rolling their eyes, but for me putting together a beautiful combination of ribbons and paper gives me much satisfaction. Each one is a little work of art, which might only be appreciated for a moment before it is eagerly torn open, but it’s short life is beautiful and filled with promise, bringing a smile to peoples faces.
Starting early and wrapping a few a day, plus not having a mountain of gifts all helps. I can give each present a bit of thought as I wrap it, anticipating the smiles of pleasure when it’s contents are revealed. Giving gifts is a tradition as old as time, and it’s not the money spent which matters or brings the most joy, but the time spent thinking about the person who is to receive the present. A thoughtful gift will warm the heart for months if not years.
I have a tiny inexpensive pair of sparkly earrings which my son gave me many years ago when he was eight years old. Every time I wear them I smile, at the memory of his anxious face breaking into a huge grin when he saw my smile as I unwrapped his carefully chosen gift.
Lots of candles have been placed and lit as the nights have drawn in, and they bring with them memories of those who won’t be celebrating with us this year. This always pulls me back into fond memories of Christmas past, knowing that no two years will be, or should be the same. Time rolls on and change follows in its wake.
Old decorations have been dug out of boxes in the attic, and been hung in their traditional spots, again bringing memories of the past flowing into the present.
This snowman sits on top of the old countdown to christmas decoration, which my son would eagerly change each day with growing excitement. Now it’s left to me!
And these are new additions this year, bringing the present firmly into focus. Along with all the nostalgia for Christmas past we lay down new memories each year, weaving our present into our past.
Garlands have been hung all around the house, some old and reusable, others fresh foliage cut from the wild woods just a few days ago. The greenery from the woods brings us firmly into the here and now, while echoing all the previous years. Never the same twice, nature reminds us to stay awake to what is passing right now in this moment, it’s a precious gift.
Beautiful flowers remind me to enjoy the day I’m in, rather than worrying about what is yet to pass.
Cards have been hung, filled with wishes and hopes for a wonderful 2014, pulling me forward into the future, while filling my heart with the warmth and love of family and friends. I know cards are yet another area where many people groan and complain, and many now don’t bother to send them. I think this is sad, as a card is such a wonderful thought sent from one heart to another, but if it is seen as a burdensome task then there is no pleasure. I send less cards than I used to, but those I do send are to people who have touched my heart in someway over the past year.
I take my time to write them, sitting perhaps with a candle lit, and thinking about the recipient. I think of them as little mini gifts, and the cards I see hanging in my own kitchen this year make me smile as I think about the person who sent them, and our friendship.
I’ve looked out the Christmas china, but have yet to set the table, another thing I love doing. It’s like making a work of art which will be here briefly, before being used and enjoyed, and then tidied away.
And I’ve found the cake topper which I have used for our Christmas cake ever since I’ve been married. She always makes me smile, but now I need to get my skates on and bake the cake! Don’t worry it’s not a traditional cake, and so doesn’t take long to make. I have a house full of raisin haters, don’t ask me why as I love them, and so traditional cake never gets eaten.
This year I’m trying a Nigella cake, made of Guinness and chocolate, which I’m sure will go down a treat. Thanks to Poppy who inspired me with her Christmas post over at her lovely blog. I had better stop blogging and get baking!
Wishing all the lovely people who read, follow and comment on my blog a wonderful Christmas. It has been a wonderful year of getting to know all sorts of creative and inspiring people from all across the world. Blogging has been a wonderful and surprising gift in my life, and has enriched me in so many ways. Merry Christmas you wonderful people Xxx.
Posted in food, friends, mindfulness, philosophy, photos, relaxation, spiritual, thoughts
Tagged Christmas, Christmas Eve, friends, joy, life, mindfulness, philosophy, photography, spiritual
59 Comments
Years End
As the year draws her last few breaths, the watery light of the sun leaks across the sky. With barely enough strength to lift his face above the green hills, he appears but briefly, before sinking back into his dark bed. His daughters, the sunbeams, pay such a short visit that they barely impart any warmth to the waiting earth. The cold night folds back over the hills and claims the season as her own.
Yet the hope of growing light lingers in our hearts, trusting the turning earth to roll the sun back into our lives, with all his light and warmth. This hope will fuel us through the cold months of winter yet to come. Even as the earth grows colder to our touch, the suns promise will grow in strength, as the eternal year flows on.
Posted in change, elemental, mindfulness, nature photo, photos, spiritual
Tagged change, elemental, endings, mindfulness, nature, photography, solstice, spiritual, sunset, winter
32 Comments
One Light
Gold light spilt like blood
Across cold hard stone cobbles
Lighting the way home
Find some other takes on the theme of one here at the weekly photo challenge
One lamp in the dark
Nights velvet shadows close in
Painting a light path
Posted in philosophy, photos, poem, relaxation, spiritual, verse, weekly photo challenge
Tagged Haiku, hermit, mindfulness, night, philosophy, photography, poetry, postaday, spiritual
32 Comments
Edinburgh Christmas Lights
Here are some more shots of Edinburgh lit up for the festive season. It was pouring with rain on Saturday when I took these, which made the whole process of night shots even harder, but it did add some wonderful reflections on the pavements. Despite the rain the centre of town was full of smiling faces, rushing between dry spots, and bars like this one were doing a roaring trade.
Called The Dome, this majestic building now serves food and delicious cocktails, where once cheques were signed and cash stored away in vaults. The old Edinburgh banks make great venues for a far livelier crowd nowadays than they were first designed for. The city fathers might not have approved, but I love to see life breathed into these old buildings.
I loved the swirling spirals of these garlands, curling heavenwards. Alas pointing my camera upwards resulted in a rain splattered lens, this was another challenge to be overcome. Night photography is definitely a challenging affair, especially in the rain.
As if all this wasn’t enough, the wind was gusting up to 70 miles per hour, so holding the camera steady was very difficult. You can see that the big wheel isn’t turning in the photo, that’s because it was shut due to the high winds, but it did give me a nice clear shot. All told I think this was one of the most challenging photography sessions I’ve ever done!
I decided to try and get a less blurry shot of the Norwegian Christmas tree I showed you last week on the Mound, and despite the rain, and no tripod I think it came out quite well.
From the side the tree even looks straight, and behind to the right is Edinburgh Castle. It was starting to get cold by this time so just a few more photos before heading home to the warmth and a big mug of hot chocolate.
breathofgreenair 