While my own spiritual path has been fairly traditional, I also find myself drawn to the cycles of Mother Earth, and find a certain harmony and balance when I make the effort to live in tune with each season. The Wheel turns, the cycle repeats year after year, and we all become part of the ebb and flow - birth, growth, maturity, and eventually death - and rebirth, as the cycle begins again.
I had the opportunity to reflect on the wheel- and the pagan festivals and celebrations therein - this past week as I completed a commission for a very special collector...
As we experienced the transition here in southeastern Pennsylvania from winter to a very early spring, this piece was such a blessing to paint, and inspired me to do a bit of reading about the Old holidays. Fascinating stuff, and serves to confirm what I've believed for a very long time - that there's ultimately more which unites us than divides us.Can one observe Christian holidays as well as Pagan? Can one love both God and Goddess? Personally, I don't see why not (and please, if you disagree, do so respectfully and without prosyletizing - I'm not into being scolded).
If nothing else, it's a question that deserves further exploration, further reading, and perhaps a little prayer and meditation. I do know that when I try to work with the natural rhythm of the Earth, rather than against it - or oblivious to it - I feel calmer, and more balanced.
And that has to be a good thing.
Until next time, wishing you all the blessings of this beautiful season,
♥ Carolee
8 comments:
That is a stunning piece!
The wheel is beautiful and it is a fascinating concept of embracing Mother Earth and traditions at the same time. Yes, most people do celebrate Christian and Pagan holidays together as they were meshed completely together around 1,500 years ago. The more vintage encyclopedias (say, from the 1950's) which give the origin of Christmas and Easter show the rebirth of holidays way back around the 400th century A.D.
Today, we don't really think about the origin, they are just customs that are ingrained into our modern day culture.
from Teresa in California
Carolee, I just found your blog through Joyce Stahl's blog and I am so glad I did! I especially loved this post and share the same feelings.. I think you can very much have multiple beliefs and interwind them.. I cant wait to read more and your creations are absolutley beautiful!!
Thanks so much for the kind comments, all. :)
Melissa, so happy you found me, and thanks again!
♥ Carolee
Hi, Carolee
Thank you for your sweet visit to my blog and kind and encouraging thoughts!
Have a great rest of the week!
I have always admired your creativity...it is so very magical!
hugs,
Teresa in California
Ohh my gosh! I love the wheel! Wish I had commissioned it! Absolutely FANTASTIC!
I absolutely LOVE this piece!!!
What lovely work, Carolee. I don't know very much about Pagan holidays, but can think of a couple of Christian holidays we observe that also include some secular tones - Christmas and Easter. Like you, my spiritual wheel has taken the traditional journey.
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