Haiku for Spring

...And Be You Blithe and Bonny...

These last several days and nights, my human has been spending some good and happy time in the Real. During that time, she has taken what she now lovingly refers to as "me days", which means that she takes time off from her work, goes out of the house (so as to completely remove herself from the temptation of doing household chores on these days off), and does only what she wants to do. She has found that this helps her maintain her balance and assists in making her a better wife and mother. The planned - and not-infrequent (once every six-eight weeks or so) - "me time" is de rigueur now.

During these last two days, she found herself exploring some of the local spots near her home. On the first day, she discovered a lovely used book store. The scent of leather and aging paper filled her nostrils as she began her perusal of the stacks. As she flipped through the volumes, she realized the one missing thing in this bookstore was the ever-present cat. "Who is keeping the mice at bay?" she wondered. My human had already found several books for herself and members of her family when she spotted the little navy blue tome on the shelf. Not much bigger than an index card and only about 1/2 inch thick, the book's gold lettering still read plainly, Men and Women - By Robert Browning. JM Dent and Co. Opening the cover gently, the publication date was 1855. "First Edition" it said! The pages are in remarkably good shape - why even the small red ribbon, which serves as the book mark is fully intact. Thrilled, she paid the attendant and nearly danced out of the store with her books tucked gently in her arms.

The area in which she was exploring holds many Victorian era homes and artifacts. So it was pleasant to look up from where she was sitting one morning to see a favorite painting (pleasant - but not really surprising).

Spring in Victoria

I have posted this painting in Red Rose before as we have discussed Spring and love. And I am most pleased to post it again as an excerpt from Men and Women is posted. It seems more than appropriate.

In Three Days
by Robert Browning

So, I shall see her in three days
And just one night, but nights are short,
Then two long hours, and that is morn.
See how I come, unchanged, unworn!
Feel, where my life broke off from thine,
How fresh the splinters keep and fine,---
Only a touch and we combine!

Too long, this time of year, the days!
But nights, at least the nights are short.
As night shows where ger one moon is,
A hand`s-breadth of pure light and bliss,
So life`s night gives my lady birth
And my eyes hold her! What is worth
The rest of heaven, the rest of earth?

O loaded curls, release your store
Of warmth and scent, as once before
The tingling hair did, lights and darks
Outbreaking into fairy sparks,
When under curl and curl I pried
After the warmth and scent inside,
Thro` lights and darks how manifold---
The dark inspired, the light controlled
As early Art embrowns the gold.

What great fear, should one say, "Three days
That change the world might change as well
Your fortune; and if joy delays,
Be happy that no worse befell!"
What small fear, if another says,
"Three days and one short night beside
May throw no shadow on your ways;
But years must teem with change untried,
With chance not easily defied,
With an end somewhere undescried."
No fear!---or if a fear be born
This minute, it dies out in scorn.
Fear? I shall see her in three days
And one night, now the nights are short,
Then just two hours, and that is morn.

Alexandre DeFaux - Courting Couple in a Rowboat.

I was also reminded of this painting from an older post entitled, The Logistics of Kissing, which somehow seems so fitting as my human and I read our first editions of Mr. Browning's Men and Women.

Be you blithe and bonny!

Green Men and May Queens - Beltane in Loch Avie

Beltane Celebration - April 30th

Spring is here! For many of us, this means a relief from the cold, dark days and snows of winter. As the days lengthen and get warmer, we are greeted by the rebirth of the earth itself: bulbs come up and bloom, filling the air with their heady, tempting fragrance; birds chirp and sing as they return from their winter migrations to build their nests; cats yowl out their urgent readiness for motherhood. All around us are symbols of fertility, growth, warmth and light.

Please join us in Loch Avie on April 30th for the Beltane Festival beginning at 7:00pm SLT

• Gathering 7:00-7:10pm SLT
• Recognition of the Knights of the Order of the Red Rose (knighted at last Beltane)
• Recognition of the Court of Loch Avie
• Lighting of the Beltane Fires - Ceremony in the Standing Stones
• Music
• Maypoles
• Gifts of light to take back to your own dark hearths
• Dancing
• A few surprises....perhaps traveling through time
• Places to be alone with your God or Goddess to celebrate the fertility and the renewal of life.

Historic Beltane

Beltane is an old Celtic Fire Ritual which celebrates, at the most fundamental level, the end of winter and the beginning of the warmer, lighter half of the year. It is the counterpart to Samhain, which marks the Pagan New Year and celebrates ancestors and the death of the crops (harvest). Beltane celebrates life. For the Celts, it was a festival that insured fertility and growth.

Beltane is one of the four major Sabbats in the Celtic tradition, the other three being Lammas, Samhain and Imbolc. Beltane's traditional date, May 1st, was chosen as the midway point between the vernal equinox and summer solstice (two of the four minor Sabbats).

It is believed that Beltane is a Celtic reinvention of an even older Roman festival, Floralia, which celebrated the goddess Flora and the flowering of spring. Most major religions have a holiday that marks the coming of spring. The Christian religion celebrates rebirth (or resurrection) on Easter; Easter eggs, Easter bunnies, chicks, and lilies are all pagan symbols of fertility associated with spring, adapted to the Christian tradition. The Hindu religion celebrates Holi, a carnival-like spring festival, dedicated to Krishna or Kama, the God of Pleasure. This festival resembles Beltane, with bonfires being a main focus of the holiday.



Traditionally, Beltane festivities began days before May 1st or "May Day," when villagers traveled into the woods to gather the nine sacred woods needed to build the Beltane bonfires. The tradition of "May Boughing" or "May Birching" involved young men fastening garlands of greens and flowers on the windows and doors of their prospective ladyloves before the fires are lit Beltane night. As with many Celtic customs, the type of flowers or branches used carried symbolic meaning, and much negotiating and courting could be worked out ahead of time.

Many communities elected a virgin as their "May Queen" to lead marches or songs. To the Celts, she represented the virgin goddess on the eve of her transition from Maiden to Mother. Depending on the time and place, the consort might be named "Jack-in-the-Green" or "Green Man," "May Groom" or "May King." The union of the Queen and her consort symbolized the fertility and rebirth of the world.

Because the Celtic day started and ended at sundown, the Beltane celebration would begin at sundown on April 30th. After extinguishing all hearth fires in the village, two Beltane fires were lit on hilltops. The villagers would drive their livestock between the fires three times, to cleanse them and insure their fertility in the coming summer, and then put them to summer pasture. Then the human part of the fertility ritual would begin.

As dancing around the bonfires continued through the night, customary standards of social behavior were relaxed. It was expected that young couples would sneak off into a ditch, the woods or, better yet, a recently plowed field for a little testing of the fertility waters. Even after hand-fasting was replaced by the Christian tradition of monogamous marriage, the Beltane ritual continued with a new tradition: all marriage vows were temporarily suspended for the festival of Beltane. Many a priest would lament the number of virgins despoiled on this one night, but the tradition persevered. Babies born from a Beltane union were thought to be blessed by the Goddess herself.

Beltane, like Samhain, is a time when the veil between the worlds is thought to be thin, a time when magic is possible. Whereas Samhain revelers must look out for wandering souls of the dead, Beltane merrymakers must watch for Fairies. Beltane is the night when the queen of the fairies will ride out on her white steed to entice humans away to Faeryland.

The maypole, which was either a permanent feature or cut in a ceremony during the gathering of the nine sacred woods, was a symbolic union of the God and Goddess. The maypole itself represented the male, a phallus thrust into mother earth, while the ribbons that were wound around it represent the enveloping nature of the woman and her womb. The maypole was usually danced after sunrise, when disheveled men and women would stagger back into town carrying flowers they picked in the forests or fields. The area around the maypole was decorated with the flowers, and then the winding of the ribbons would begin.



from: Welcome in the May by Annwn

We were there last night when the dark drew down:
we set the bonfires leaping.
Then we vanished in the heather
and we couldn't be found until the dawn came creeping.

Did it get a little warm around the fire last night?
Were the flames a little higher than they had the right?
Was your breath a little heavy and your dress a little tight
and the moon too bright for sleeping?

Spring Is A Lovely Time For Flight

As you may have noticed, I am finding Beltane and Springtime inspiration in many places. Some are quite obvious and others, like this particular one, are a bit more obscure. But the occurrence, which I will outline below, sent me on a new quest. A quest for poems on ballooning. I found several worthy candidates, but the e.e. cummings piece that was ultimately selected hit the sweet spot, as it were.

Several nights ago now (and I do apologize for my lack of content at this site of late) I was working on Taigh Róis connecting it to my keep when I heard the familiar whooshing sound of a hot air balloon. Looking over at my mini map I saw at least two green dots headed my way. Stepping out onto my newly created walkway and peering past my new colony of bats (thanks to Lady Kate Nicholas for helping me create the walkway and also for pointing me in the direction of the bat dealership) I saw a large green balloon heading my way.

Imagine the pleasant surprise when I noticed that it was Subedar Singh flying along with Colonel O'Toole. I had not seen Mr. Singh in several months around Caledon (or anywhere on my friends list at all). They both waved a hearty hello to me and I climbed up to the battlements of the keep where I could converse with them more easily. After chatting for a little while and catching up with Mr. Singh - learning of his real life adventures as a father of four energetic children and his ongoing work at his university - the gentlemen wondered if I would care to join them for trip across Caledon. Having lost my appetite for construction, I decided that I would tag along for at least part of the trip.

We set out from the Loch and traveled briefly over into Lovelace, where we found Her Grace Primverness hard at work on her skyplat. We chatted briefly with her, but decided not to disturb her overmuch. Waving a cheerful farewell, we headed north once again.

We crossed uneventfully into and through Victoria City, through Carntaigh, and generally northward until we reached Penzance.


We got caught on the sim border for a little while, and after we escaped her clutches, I needed to turn in for the night.





I bid my tour-guides adieu and headed back to Loch Avie tossing over my shoulder as I went, "Hotspur! Make sure your friend does not stay away from us so long next time!"

Who Knows if the Moon's A Balloon

who knows if the moon’s
a balloon, coming out of a keen city
in the sky–filled with pretty people?
and if you and I should

get into it, if they
should take me and take you into their balloon,
why then
we’d go up higher with all the pretty people

than houses and steeples and clouds:
go sailing
away and away sailing into a keen
city which nobody’s ever visited, where

always
it’s Spring and everyone’s
in love
and flowers pick themselves

Springtime and Longing

Longing

by Erin Sheets

The moon had cast its heavenly glow outside my window pane. Its luminary essence pulled me closer and closer. I looked up into the night sky and saw the stars smiling. Realizing they were trying to tell me something, I pressed my back upon the cool green grass and listened. The earth was sleeping, but I was awake. I couldn't sleep - all I could do was think of you. I knew you existed somewhere within my soul because my heart ached for your touch. How I longed for the caress of your sweet lips upon mine or the gentle way you held me in your arms. The wind whispered your name in my ear and a smile came to my face. I pictured us dancing - my hand in yours. An angel's voice echoed from the heavens as we danced just you and I. Your eyes, an ocean of blue and gold, gazing into mine. It was as if you were truly there, in my arms, no longer a figment of my untamed desires. I could feel you. How I hated letting go of this blissful longing, but I had to. For the candle- lit night slowly began to flicker into the morn. It was only for a moment, however, that you escaped my mind, for the warmth of the rising sun embraced my being as you so tenderly did the night before.

Celebrating Spring and the Approach of Beltane

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Robert Frost

The first in a series of artwork, poetry, and stories preparing us for the celebration of Beltane on April 30th.

Things That Are Real

A Walk in the Springtime
S. D'Angostino

Hands brushing
That first tentative touch as we walk down the lane together
Thrilling
Electricity coursing through our bodies at the nearness
Touches growing more bold
Fingers entwined
Walking ever deeper into the forest

The sound of rushing, falling water growing stronger
A small stone wall
We stop to admire the beauty of nature
The water rushing over the boulders in the river
A large waterfall - the spray rising to the sky
I feel your tentative touch of my shoulder
Skin nearly burning from your touch

Nervously, I lean into your body as our gaze remains on the water
Your solid strength filling my senses

Now more relaxed, but also highly aware
Aware of your skin, your scent, your touch
A hand sliding down my back and wrapping around my waist
And yet my gaze does not change

Somehow I hear of the birds singing in the trees around us
The water ever rushing
Breath on my neck and ear
Then a whisper
Asking permission to kiss me
I manage to turn and respond with a nod

Soft lips caress my own
Warm and gentle
As this first kiss ends, I look into your eyes
Flecks of gold sparkling into my own
I feel my lips trembling of their own free will
I am without power to stop them
Your hand reaches out to touch my cheek
To stroke my trembling lips

And for the first time I feel the way your eyes see into me
Eternally yours in that moment
In that first springtime moment
Now passed the point of turning back

We walk together ever forward down the path

A Spring Song

Most who know me will recall that I love the classical work, Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. And, in fact, my Real Life Self has sung this work on a number of occasions, most notably with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

The passion and strength of Carmina Burana is enough to have not only moved the listener, but also have the chorus and orchestra shaking from the emotion and exertion by the end of the last note. (The flow of adrenaline is remarkable.)

If you are not familiar with the work, I encourage you to find a recording and have a listen. And perhaps you will get a mere taste of it at the next rave in Caledon. I nearly always request the techno mix of O Fortuna. :-D





Enjoy this musing on Spring from Carmina Burana.



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VERIS LAETA FACIES

Veris laeta facies
mundo propinquatur.
Hiemalis acies
victa iam fugatur.
in vestitu vario Flora principatur,
nemorum dulcisono
quae cantu celebratur.

Florae fusus gremio
Phoebus novo more
risum dat, hoc vario
iam stipatae flore.
Zephyrus nectareo
spirans it odore.
certatim pro bravio
curramus in amore.

Cytharizat cantico
dulcis Philomena.
flore rident vario
prata iam serena.
salit coetus avium
silvae per amoena.
chorus promit virginum
iam gaudia millena.

*****

The happy face of Spring comes to the world. The army of Winter, conquered, is now put to flight. In gay clothes Flora rules, and she is praised by the sweet sound of the woods.

Stretched out in the lap of Flora Phoebus in his new way laughs - she is now covered with these gay flowers. Zephyrus goes blowing the scent of nectar. In competition for the prize let us run in the race of love.

Sweet Philomela accompanies her song with the lyre. The fields, now bright, smile with gay flowers. A flock of birds hop through the pleasant places of the wood. A dancing band of girls now brings a thousand joys