Postmodern Hymn: The Earth Forgives

"The World," from the Zombie Tarot

Today's hymn is literally postmodern; it was written by Margaret Atwood for her book The Year of the Flood. It is part of a collection of hymns that members of God's Gardeners sing. While Atwood's invented religion is far from perfect (she says so herself in an interview on To the Best of Our Knowledge), there are aspects of it that clearly are meant to resonate with contemporary culture. The website devoted to the book includes tips on how to become more saintly green, which I love. But there's also the lurking message that no religion is the whole story; no religion can make a perfect human adherent.  

The hymn itself is so simply sweet to my ears. After just a few listens, I feel that John Denver would be a better representative for the God's Gardeners' hymnal, but I do appreciate the critical tone of the hymn.

Admiring: Midwife of Art, Ideas, and Healing

photograph by Carl van Vechten
April 12, 1934
via Yale Library

Mabel Evans Dodge Sterne Luhan was an influential salon hostess throughout her life, in Italy (where she hosted Gertrude Stein and Carl van Vechten, among others), then in New York (where she again hosted salons and also helped organize a post impressionist art exhibit). But she is perhaps is best known for hosting many great thinkers of her day at her home in Taos, New Mexico. Georgia O'Keefe, Carl Jung, Willa Cather, and D. H. Lawrence were among the visitors that Mabel invited to stay with her.

When her third husband moved to New Mexico, she soon followed, and when she arrived she was thoroughly moved by the landscape and the people who lived there. She saw the value in the pueblos' rituals and art, their connections to the earth and to each other. 

She was also interested in psychoanalysis and its ability to help people rediscover these connections, and she would invite guests that she believed could help her spread this "gospel" of reconnection to the rest of the world. Apparently her strong beliefs and goals also could make her manipulative and domineering. There are no perfect heros! But I admire her whole-hearted determination to bring healing to the world.

Language Celestial

Vision, by Katie Scott
via The Idea Foundation

O thou Spirit of Truth, visit our minds once more,
Give us to read in letters of light the language celestial
Written all over the earth, written all over the sky—
Thus may we bring our hearts once more to know our Creator,
Seeing in all things around, types of the Infinite Mind.
    —from "Correspondences," by Christopher Pearce Cranch

When I read this poetic excerpt, I perform a creative misreading in which "Creator" becomes "Creative Ground of Being" and "Infinite Mind" becomes "Infinite Mind-Body." I've had lots of practice hearing my own heretical revisions in my years of church going. I like to think of this process of willful misunderstanding  as recycling worn material for my own use. 

Do you ever imagine what your version of the "Creative Ground of Being" looks like? Would it be the famous giant eyeball? For me, I like to think it has the particular smell of a garden after rain. I rarely seem to break my imagination away from the earth and into the stars.

Postmodern Hymn: Country Roads

via Vintage Plum

I remember visiting my brother at his summer camp in Colorado, sitting around the camp fire with him and his friends and listening to them sing from their repertoire of songs. I remember Joni Mitchell's "Circle Games" and John Denver's "Country Roads" in particular. And I remember thinking how great it was that they had classic songs to share together. I'm off to the mountains this week, and I think I'll be singing John Denver songs in my head as I hike. 

Sacred Space: Impermanent Gifts

Danmala, by Kathy Klein
via Colossal

What is it about us humans that makes us want to rearrange natural objects into patterns? When I find myself in a beautiful setting, sometimes the most natural thing to do seems to be to make some sort of "offering" to the beauty I find myself surrounded by. An arrangement of shells, in some attempt to align my own perspective with the greater landscape. An arrangement of rocks, as a greeting to others, a sign of recognition that my own perspective can blend with others'. 

Kathy Klein's danmalas are a good example of this kind of art. Visit her gallery to see a quilt of technicolor patterns, all created from flower petals. She describes "centering" herself and creating the art in a state of devotional silence. The designs she creates seem to pulsate from the blending of her state of mind with the natural matter she works with.

Some of my favorite art is the kind that is meant to be impermanent. There's something so poignant about making something, knowing that when you leave it behind, it will eventually be returned to the earth. There's something beautiful, too, in leaving the art to be discovered for others who happen to be passing by. I sometimes want to hoard everything that's beautiful, and making something that can be left behind is a good exercise in sharing and letting go, even if a photograph allows us to hold onto the art in some sense!

Shell Offering by me

Personal Myth: Humans

Humans, by me

Humans, by me

Here is my next chapter in my personal myth project, which explores what it means to be human in this world. For me, what's interesting about being a humans is how language, laughter, and story can be used to   mediate the natural cycles of life and death. Given that I love learning foreign languages, I really feel that language is an integral part of the human experience. Maybe it's because I feel that words fail me too often, and that stories uplift me, but my own experience of the world is closely related to the human faculty for language and for nonlanguage too.

Truth Dwelling on Earth

Galileo's Moon, by Scout and Catalogue
via Ill Seen and Ill Said

"It is true without lying, certain and most true.

That which is Below is like that which is Above and that which is Above is like that which is Below to do the miracles of the Only Thing.

And as all things have been and arose from One by the mediation of One, so all things have their birth from this One Thing by adaptation. The Sun is its father; the Moon its mother; the Wind hath carried it in its belly; the Earth is its nurse. The father of all perfection in the whole world is here. Its force or power is entire if it be converted into Earth. Separate the Earth from the Fire, the subtle from the gross, sweetly with great industry. It ascends from the Earth to the Heavens and again it descends to the Earth and receives the force of things superior and inferior.

By this means you shall have the glory of the whole world and thereby all obscurity shall fly from you. Its force is above all force, for it vanquishes every subtle thing and penetrates every solid thing.

So was the world created. From this are and do come admirable adaptations, whereof the process is here in this.

Hence am I called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world. That which I have said of the operation of the Sun is accomplished and ended."

    —Translation of The Emerald Tablet, by Sir Isaac Newton

Postmodern Hymn: Morning Has Broken

Foxglove, by Beatrix Potter
via Shelley Bean, via Victoria Albert Museum

Here's another hymn that isn't entirely new (see my post on Brother Sun Sister Moon for another example). Cat Stevens brings a earnest, hippie feeling to this classic hymn, and the tone seemed just right for these spring days we've been having. I walk outside and see bursts of new color each day—what a miracle this world is!

Postmodern Hymn: Brother Sun Sister Moon

Let's continue on with medieval Christianity, shall we? (Seeing as my last post was on Hildegarde.)

"Brother Sun Sister Moon" isn't really a postmodern hymn, because it was written by Saint Francis back in the day. What makes it postmodern is Donovan's singing of it, and the layer of 60s earthiness that Zeffirelli added to the film. I think this is appropriation and reinterpretation at its best.

This song comes from the movie of the same name, and Brother Sun Sister Moon is one of my favorite movies ever. You must watch it if you haven't already!

Destino

A collaboration between Dali and Disney, which I find incredibly beautiful.

The original collaboration was completed in 2003, after Disney's nephew found the storyboards and 17-second clip and saw the project through to completion. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short Film.

Feet

I'm looking at ledger art a lot these days, and I'm noticing that many artists were concerned with the feet of the animals. For example, deer and bison are often portrayed with their cleft hooves.

Buffalo Hunt by Cheyennes, by Making Medicine
via Jennifer Graber

I like these artists' perspectives. Can you imagine if instead of focusing on the face of a person, as artist focused on a person's feet? (And of course, there are paintings like Van Gogh's Peasant Shoes.)

Let's get grounded!

Humans in the World

I just discovered the gorgeous art of Juan Gatti through Phantasmaphile, a favorite website of mine, and wow! What amazing work.

His art captures a feeling I've been having lately, of being no less a part of the growth and decay I see around me. Now that cool weather is finally coming to these parts, I find dead butterflies and moths sometimes on my morning walk. The cold was just too much for them, I guess. There's something fantastical about finding such a beautiful creature, waiting to be discovered. And there's also something heartbreaking about thinking how many little creatures must perish each cold night in the fall.

by Juan Gatti via Michele Filomeno

by Juan Gatti via Michele Filomeno

Click through to see more of his work—each piece is brilliant.

Sacred Space: Right Here

In my part of the world, rolling hills and big sky are reminders of spaciousness (in the loveliest of senses) and possibility. Just driving through the country yesterday was a pilgrimage for me. 

Western Oklahoma Sky, by Nancy Park
via Bold Brush painting competition

What parts of your environment do you find inspiring?

Sacred Space: Cabezon/Tsenajin

Cabezon/Tsenajin, taken by me

Cabezon Peak, as it is usually called by New Mexicans these days, is featured in the mythologies and cultures of the people native to the region. You can see it as you drive on highway 550, and you can hike it if you choose.

The Navahos call the peak "Tsenajin." For them, it is the head of the Big Giant Ye'iitsoh, who was killed by the twins Child Born of Water and Monster Slayer. When the giant died, his blood became the black rocks around Mount Taylor. This mountain marks the eastern boundary of the Navaho world.

Thanks to the twins, many people were saved from being eaten by the giant, and they were able to do this by the help of a variety of important figures, including their father, the Sun. The Sun was also father of the giant, making the twins and the giant brothers. 

What I love about this story is that even the "evil" character is intimately related to the heroes. I appreciate world views that accept evil as a part of the world, rather than as a wholly Other force. 

What I love about the place is that it is so physically connected to the story. (I can't think of any place that has such historical/cultural/religious significance. Except maybe for Jerusalem. But that is very far away and not part of my daily experience.) How would your life change if you had stories for the most beautiful, mysterious features of your world? What places would you choose to mythologize?

See the excellent full epic Dine Bahane for the story, or visit Voyage to Another Universe, Day 7 for a summary. You can also see a interdisciplinary master's project on the area here.

Golden October Days

The Joy of a Fallen Leaf, by Arthur Rackham
via If We Live That Long

"I'm so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers."

    —Anne, in Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery

I rediscovered this quotation from Anne of Green Gables via Mon Cabinet de Curiosities, via Book Oasis.

Being a red-head and imaginative little girl, Anne was my hero growing up. I loved how she was continually trying to add romance and magic to her world, always with comedic results. (Green hair and raspberry cordial, anyone?) As the books progressed, she learned to love what was quotidian and simple, without losing her talent for seeing the world through poetry and beauty.

It's about balance, isn't it: taking joy in each falling golden leaf, without getting swept away? 

Freedom or Gold

"Have you ever seen anything more beautiful? Come on, man, look around us. Do you realize what we've got? We can work when we want, sleep where we will, eat from the Lord's bounty. . . . We're free. The two freest men in the whole world."

    —Alexander McKeag, a character in the Centennial miniseries

Richard Chamberlain as Alexander McKeag (captured by me)

We just finished watching the Centennial miniseries (which I also posted about here). My favorite episodes were the first three because they dealt with the exciting, strange, and heartbreaking encounter between Europeans and Native Americans, and the environment of North America. If you enjoy historical dramas on cable, such as Deadwood or John Adams, I think you'd enjoy Centennial.

The point of this post isn't to review the series, though; it's to share the best moment in the series. It's when two trappers argue about what's worth striving for: freedom or gold. Go to 3:48 in the video, and watch at least to 5:23. I think it's a dialogue that every one has at one point or another.

Sacred Space: Spirit Nests

Let's fly away to these little nests, and watch the sun rise. (Originally discovered via Unstitched.)

Via Treebones Resort

What makes these spaces sacred for me is that they're homey and welcoming, besides being beautiful. They can be used for gatherings as well as for more meditative purposes. But no matter how they're used, they're set apart from the usual Western style shelter. Circular and constructed out of raw branches, the nests reorient visitors to the world, hopefully in a way that is more harmonious with the world and more filled with wonder at how humans fit into the beautiful world.

Ten-person spirit nest

Happy Autumn

Happy first day of autumn! It doesn't matter when the calendar year starts, autumn always feels like a time of new beginnings for me. 

via Lacrima di ghiaccio

Going on a walk with the doggie, we were both a little prancy from the cool air. Of course, I can't walk on my tiptoes with legs straight like she does, but we both walked with a bounce in our step. We could smell transformation afoot.

Fantastic Fall Fox Coat, made by Molly Goodall
photograph by bellinipics.com

That's all. A simple post. Sometimes you've got to just delight in being a part of the beautiful, ever-changing world.

via Harmonious Harlequin

The Alchemy of Love

I'm giving a reading at my friend's wedding today. I almost wish I'd found this poem for my own!

picture via Art & Lair

"Fidelity," by D. H. Lawrence

Man and woman are like the earth,

that brings forth flowers

in summer, and love, but underneath is rock.

Older than flowers, older than ferns,

older than foraminiferae, 

older than plasm altogether is the soul underneath.

And when, throughout all the wild chaos of love

slowly a gem forms, in the ancient,

once-more-molten rocks

of two human hearts, two ancient rocks,

a man's heart and a woman's,

that is the crystal of peace,

the slow hard jewel of trust,

the sapphire of fidelity.

The gem of mutual peace

emerging from the wild chaos of love.

Touching the Earth

A while back, I listed to Touching the Earth, by Thich Nhat Hahn with Sister Chan Khong. It was a beautiful experience.

What I love is something as simple as bowing and touching your head to the earth can be very transformative, because you invite the transformation that occurs within the earth, from death to life, into your own heart.

New Mexico Triptych, by Frank McColloch

In Chanting from the Heart, Thich Nhat Hahn says that touching the earth "helps us return to the Earth or our roots, and to recognize that we are not alone but connected to a whole stream of spiritual and blood ancestors." By touching the earth, you "breathe in all the strength and stability of the Earth, and breathe out to release your clinging to any suffering."