The Language of Flowers

A dear friend presented me with a beautiful gift this weekend.

This gilded frame, resplendent with delicately carved flowers, reminds me of a small Dutch print I once purchased at a local auction house. This print is also housed in a similarly styled frame.

Both frames are from another era - one is Edwardian and the other Victorian.

The Victorians wrote books on the language of flowers. Each flower was given a certain meaning. Today that language is lost on most of us. Like the lost language of symbolism, which appears in almost every aspect of our lives today. And yet again, mostly lost to us.

Centuries ago, artists and their patrons knew these languages. And the languages still exist, mostly in old books which make for fascinating reading.

All of this came to mind while looking through some photographs from a recent trip to Landsford Canal. A fellow photographer and I went to see the world famous rocky shoals spider lilies in full bloom on the Catawba River near the end of May. This state park, only an hour's drive from our state capitol, is home to the largest population of this species of lilies on Earth.

"Man is the seed
Of the unimaginable flower,
By singleness of thought and deed
It may bloom now -- this actual hour."
~ Crowley (A.)

Summer Blessings

On the eve of the celebration of our country's birthday, here is some enlightening information. The timing of both of these links is exceptional, and even more noteworthy because they both offer free assistance.

The first link is from Carol Tuttle, a very renowned practitioner of EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique. Carol is offering free assistance with resolving financial manifestation issues. Please click on this link. www.lyteveryday.com/cf/

The second link comes from the wonderful metaphysical publishing firm, Sounds True. During the month of July, Sounds True is offering free access to several online discourses from noted experts in their fields, such as Marianne Williamson. Please click on www.maestromonth.com/SoundsTrue

May you and your family and friends be truly blessed with light and love during this Holiday. And thank you to the many souls who sacrificed so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Celebrating our Earth -- Earth Day, April 22nd 2009

Today is Earth Day. A time to honor our Mother Earth with our thoughts and prayers, and to spend time outdoors in Nature's bounty.

My Celtic ancestors worshipped in ancient groves. Perhaps you will find a moment today to send blessings to our great planet. If you wait a moment longer, you will feel the love returned to you in abundance.

Enjoy a walk by the Columbia Canal sharing space with the great blue herons. Or meander down one of the many trails through the Congaree National Park and say hello to one of the tallest trees on our planet. Wherever you are today, please take time to feel the ground underneath your feet and embrace the beauty all around you, and be grateful.

For those unable to be outdoors today, here's a walking tour of Thoreau's Walden Pond. www.earthday.net/walkingtour/index.html

"Touch the earth in mindfulness, with joy and concentration. The earth will heal you and you will heal the earth." Thich Nhat Hanh

Empowering and Transforming Times

Several emails have reached my desk this week with links to the amazing, most uplifting video of Susan Boyle of Great Britain. In her own words, she is a 47-year-old lass who's never been kissed, is out of work, and has spent most of her life taking care of her mother.

Susan appeared recently on the "Britain's Got Talent" television show and in the space of a few minutes, she quite simply challenged everyone's perceptions and viewpoints. In case you have not seen Susan's amazing singing debut, here's the link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

These are the times of the awakening dragon. It starts with tuning into our Earth and her energies, and believing in our Divine Self. Empowerment begins with realizing that we are responsible for creating our lives. Taking responsibility for our lives brings empowerment and transformation to ourselves, and to our world around us.

Now for a little inspiration from the webpage of The Parallel Community based in Cornwall, England (http://www.parallelcommunity.com/). Here is a poem on their newsletter page, written by Pamela from Ilfracombe, after a visit to Holsden Down, UK. Thank you Pamela, for brightening our day with your vision!

"Today I stood atop a hill
I asked for guidance
Where could I use my experience?
Where could I be of service?
How could I be connected?

As I stood beside the cairn
High up above the world
A mist crept up from the sea
Silently it enveloped me
I wept for joy
And the powerful beauty
Of sea, sky and rugged moor
I remembered
This is I

Today I stood atop a hill
I asked for guidance
Where could I use my experience?
Where could I be of service?
How could I be connected?

Tonight I re-discovered friends
Dowsers and Doers
A Parallel Community...
It's late; I will sleep and dream tonight
Of connections old and new
My heart will sing
To a song it has always known
And now remembers

My Prayer was Answered"

Thank you, Pamela. Thank you, Susan. For shining your own True Lights and answering our own prayers of remembrance and connection.

From Across the Pond

Such a beautiful message was sent to me recently by my friends at Grays of Westminster in London (www.graysofwestminster.com) that I am compelled to share it with you. Penned by Gillian Greenwood, it's a brilliant, elegant and touching tribute to my favorite time of year. I feel a special kinship with Grays as I was once a neighbor, living just a few streets away. Walking to classes, I passed by their distinctive doorfront almost daily.

"October is almost at end, and in that brief period before the chilling white frosts of winter, the world is full of colour and motion; in the forests and parks, swathes of leaves spiral downwards, spinning in circles before finally falling to earth, ribbons of bright pigment - emerald green, pitted gold and bronze, beaten copper, crimson and scarlet.

The skies are filled with tumult and movement; here and there a soaring flock of starlings fills the skies with a swirling aerial display, almost as if orchestrated by a higher hand.

Autumn is the time of the artist with his palette, and the photographer with his lens."

Thank you, Gillian, for your inspiration and grace.

Circle of Friendship

Several years ago when I returned to live in my hometown, I met a beautiful soul named Jen at a yoga class. Our friendship has blossomed and grown over time and Jen is fulfilling her dream of owning her own business in the heart of town.  From this little sanctuary named Belladonna's nestled between the local university and the downtown business district, Jen dispenses good cheer and spiritual tidbits on a daily basis.  

Like the Celtic circles of my ancestors that symbolize unity and everlasting faith and love, our friendship continues to grow and evolve. Just like our lives.

Here's an invitation to celebrate this Saturday, October 25th, from 10 am - 4 pm with Jen and her circle of friends at Belladonna's Jubilee at the Unitarian Church on Heyward Street in Shandon.  

Living an Empowered Life

Ten years ago I travelled abroad for the first time in my life. It was my first journey outside my country of birth, and an eye opener.

Seeing my own culture through the eyes of others was, and continues to be, a very good experience.

I remember as I was planning my trip then, I envisioned what it would be like on my journey. I listened to music from that region of the world, to set the mood so to speak. I read guide books, and talked to others who had lived and visited the same areas.

It prepared me, and yet the experience itself was uniquely my own. No other person's experience was quite the same.

Life is like that, n'est pas? We can listen to other people's experiences, and yes there are similarities. For we are all connected, interconnected.

And our own experiences in life are uniquely our own.

So if we are "planning" our life journeys -- creating our ultimate realities, manifesting our destinies -- then why don't we all plan happy, successful ones, filled to the brim and overflowing with love?

Ah, that is the $64,000 question for the day.

We are what we think.

Powerful thoughts for your day --

"There is always reason to be optimistic. Enjoy life!" Dr. James Ephraim Lovelock

"My life is glorious, joyful and self-empowered."

"I am living an empowered life over which I have absolute control."