The Harvest Moon is a magical phenomenon that occurs once a year. It is a full moon that appears closest to the Autumnal Equinox, typically in September or October. This moon is incredibly special as it brings with it a unique energy and atmosphere. The Harvest Moon gets its name from its association with the agricultural harvest season. In the past, farmers used the light from this bright moon to extend their working hours in the fields, allowing them to gather their crops even after the sun had set. This extra boost of light was seen as a gift from nature, aiding in the completion of their important tasks.
Roses appear in accounts from all of the world's major religions as a symbol of miraculous love at work in the world. In ancient mythology, roses symbolized eternal love in stories of how gods interacted with each other and human beings. Pagans use roses as decorations to represent their hearts. Muslims view roses as symbols of the human soul, so smelling the scent of roses reminds them of their spirituality. Hindus and Buddhists see roses and other flowers as expressions of spiritual joy. Christians view roses as reminders of the Garden of Eden, a paradise in a world that reflected God's design before sin corrupted it.
RULES Giveaway will end Aug 15th at midnight EST US ONLY not affiliated with Instagram -must be 18 or have parents permission -must be a public account. In the early twentieth century, the German philosopher Rudolf Steiner founded Anthroposophy, another attempt to merge western humanistic science with Eastern and pre-modern European religion and philosophy.
This extra boost of light was seen as a gift from nature, aiding in the completion of their important tasks. This magical moon has always captivated people's imaginations. Its eerie glow and larger appearance make it a sight to behold.
A Rose a Day No.34
A tattoo of a rose wrapped around a cross. What are the origins of this fashionable ‘Goth’ symbol?
In alchemy the conjunction of a red rose and a wooden cross was understood to being together the "female" rose and the "male" cross. But the rose and the cross was especially important for the secret society known as Rosicrucianism, which was founded in the seventeenth century to study alchemy, Hermeticism, Cabala and Christian mysticism, and to merge them with the proto-scientific and humanist quest for deeper knowledge of the workings of the cosmos and advocacy of radical political reform of society. But even today, no one seems entirely sure why the Rosicrucians choose the title ‘rose’ and ‘cross’, but it probably derives from Christian Rosencreutz (‘Rose Cross’) the legendary figure at the centre of the so-called ‘Rosicrucian manifestos’ published in the second decade of the seventeenth century In fact, the ‘Ros’ in ‘Rosicrucian’ may not be referring to a plant at all, because in alchemy, the Latin ‘ros’ (dew) was also a very significant symbol.
Incidentally, Rosicrucians is still alive and well. There’s an informative website, and ‘Lodges’ in most major cities, including London, where is is housed in a former Nonconformist chapel in Peckham.
But in the eighteenth century the mystical Hermetic and alchemical traditions which underpin Rosicrucianism came under increasingly devastating attack from the nascent scientific thinking that became fundamental to the Enlightenment, the “Age of Reason’, and subsequently to the entire modern age. Now, there was no place for the arcane pretensions of alchemists, Occultists or Rosicrucians. The scientific method rejected the ‘macrocosm-microcosm’ principal, replacing it by the system upon which today’s chemistry, physics, and biology are founded. This was a new worldview that proceeded based on the very different analogy in which the secrets of nature are understood according to the model of mechanism, and whose workings were reduced to mathematics. The seventeenth century philosopher had René Descartes argued that the only valid truth was that revealed through ‘clear and distinct thought’, which proceeds in a logical manner. This effectively overturned the pre-modern belief that if human reason is properly exercised, it grants spiritual or otherworldly illumination, and magical powers to transform reality. The ‘magician’ sought domination through drawing the world into the darkness of his own subjectivity, while the scientist externalized their subjectivity within the luminous world, dominating it through depersonalization. The mystical-occult insight into the macrocosm-microcosm was superseded by the abstract logical system of the modern scientist, which quickly reaped many benefits, especially in relation to medicine and technological innovation.
But the seemingly soulless society that the scientific worldview brought into existence under the sign of the mechanical analogy, quickly provoked a reaction, and as the nineteenth century unfolded, visionaries, thinkers, and artists emerged who hoped to strengthen the deep currents in Western mysticism and spirituality through the absorption of Eastern philosophical and religious traditions which were becoming increasingly known through the translation in Western languages of Buddhist and Hindu texts. Once again, the mystical rose would play its part.
In France there was a briefly influential revival of Rosicrucianism, and in final decades of the century the Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose Cross was founded by Joséphin Péladin and his fellow initiates. Péladin was a well-known literary figure and dandy, who promenaded around Montmartre dressed as a monk. He was also a fervent Roman Catholic, and soon broke with his colleagues to found l’Ordre de la Rose Croix Catholique, du Temple et du Graal, in which he aimed to connect occult beliefs with the Church and also with the arts. Péladin organized several exhibitions of art called Salons de la Rose-Croix, declaring: ‘The artist should be a knight in armour, eagerly engaged in the symbolic quest for the Holy Grail, a crusader waging perpetual war on the bourgeoisie!’
In Britain, the Hermetic Order of Golden Dawn was founded around the same time. This too proved briefly influential beyond the narrow confines of those uniquely interested in occult philosophy, such as the poet Swinburne and the writer Oscar Wilde. The Anglo-Irish poet W.B. Yates was an especially committed member of the Golden Dawn. Members wore a rose on a ‘rood’ – or cross – as a pendant to symbolize the ‘female’ rose of intellectual, spiritual, eternal beauty united with the ‘male’ cross of worldly suffering. The symbol was intended to be a talisman to remind initiates to strive to overcome the material world in their quest for spiritual transcendence. In ‘The Rose upon the Rood of Time’, Yeats wrote: ‘Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days! / Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways.’
In the early twentieth century, the German philosopher Rudolf Steiner founded Anthroposophy, another attempt to merge western humanistic science with Eastern and pre-modern European religion and philosophy. As Steiner described it, initiation into secret mystical knowledge must be as rigorous as any scientific experiment, and in his teachings, he described what he called the ‘Rose Cross Meditation’, which drew on the Hermetic and alchemical tradition. An initiate is invited to consider the red petals of the rose as analogous to human blood in a purified state, that is, after the destructive aspects of the human passions have died away. Next, the initiate mediates on a wooden cross symbolizing what is left behind when the passions die. Following that, the initiate visualizes seven red roses of purified, transformed blood forming a wreath around the wooden cross. This is now a composite image of a rose-cross, representing the victory of the higher, purified nature of the self over the lower animal dimension.
But I’m not sure how much knowledge of such recondite historical context and spiritual profundity lay behind the decision by the person to have the tattoo in the photograph. This is what Wikipedia says about contemporary Goth fashion styling:
Gothic fashion is marked by conspicuously dark, antiquated and homogeneous features. It is stereotyped as eerie, mysterious, complex and exotic. A dark, sometimes morbid fashion and style of dress, typical gothic fashion includes black hair and black period-styled clothing. Both male and female goths can wear dark eyeliner and dark fingernail polish, most especially black. Styles are often borrowed from punk fashion and—more currently—from the Victorian and Elizabethan periods. It also frequently expresses pagan, occult or other religious imagery. Gothic fashion and styling may also feature silver jewelry and piercings [and tattoos].
The New York Times noted: "The costumes and ornaments are a glamorous cover for the genre's somber themes. In the world of Goth, nature itself lurks as a malign protagonist, causing flesh to rot, rivers to flood, monuments to crumble and women to turn into slatterns, their hair streaming and lipstick askew".
I love that this book was stippled with Spanish aphorisms and phrases, and included an impressive amount of vocabulary in-context to help teach Spanish to non-speakers. As someone who is constantly trying to improve my Spanish, this is something I really appreciate seeing in new books. Garber does it well, allowing the reader to infer meaning from context clues without needing to use a translator. However, I can really appreciate having the translation dictionary available if I do need it, conveniently built into my e-reader. It saves a lot of time not having to click out of the book, and as a visual learner I enjoy seeing side-by-side translations because it really helps me understand spelling and pronunciation. Continue reading “Lobizona: Undocumented. Unprotected. Unafraid.”
Many cultures and traditions have associated various magical properties with the Harvest Moon. It is believed to have a powerful influence on the natural world, bringing forth feelings of abundance, fertility, and rejuvenation. During the Harvest Moon, some believe that the veil between the physical and spiritual realms becomes thinner, allowing for increased paranormal activity and connection with the spiritual realm. It is a time when people feel more in touch with their intuition and inner selves. It is also a time when ancient rituals and ceremonies are performed to honor and celebrate nature's bounty. Witches and practitioners of magic often consider the Harvest Moon to be a potent time for spellwork and manifestation. They harness the moon's energy to bring about positive changes in their lives and the world around them. It is a time for setting intentions, releasing negativity, and embracing new beginnings. The Harvest Moon also holds much sentimental value for many. It is a reminder of the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of life. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, a time when nature prepares for the colder months ahead. The moonlit nights under the Harvest Moon evoke feelings of nostalgia, romance, and a deep connection with the rhythms of the natural world. In conclusion, the Harvest Moon is a magical and enchanting event that holds great significance for many. Its allure lies in its mystical properties and the way it connects people to the cycles of nature and the universe. This moon brings with it an energy of abundance, intuition, and transformation, making it a truly magical experience for all who witness its beauty..
Reviews for "Harvest Moon Folklore: Tales of Magic and Wonder"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to play Harfest Moon Magical, but I was ultimately disappointed. The graphics were lackluster and the controls were clunky. The gameplay itself was repetitive and not very engaging. I was hoping for a fun and immersive experience, but it fell short. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this game to others.
2. Emily - 1/5 - Harfest Moon Magical was a complete letdown for me. The story was confusing and hard to follow, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the game was filled with glitches and bugs, which made it almost unplayable. The soundtrack was also repetitive and annoying, making me want to mute the game. I regret spending my money on this game and wish I had chosen something else.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Harfest Moon Magical, but it failed to deliver. The game lacked depth and variety, and I quickly got bored with the repetitive tasks. The controls were also frustrating, and I found myself fighting with the game more than actually enjoying it. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to a magical farming experience, but this game fell short in every aspect.
4. Sarah - 3/5 - While Harfest Moon Magical had some redeeming qualities, it ultimately didn't meet my expectations. The graphics were nice and the concept was interesting, but the execution was poor. The game felt unpolished, with major issues like frame rate drops and long loading times. The character interactions were also shallow and lacked depth. Overall, it had potential, but the flaws outweighed the positives for me.