A Sacred Holiday to All... by anahata.c
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Description
In the Middle Ages, winter light & winter warmth were precious & rare as angels: At a time when eternity loomed out one's window, warmth inside became sacred. Many lived several families to-a-home--which was often no more than a barn or wood shack--privacy was unknown, fires burnt all night because there was no heat (imagine the terror when there was no more kindling wood!) and people didn't take off their clothes for days because to do so--in that cold--was dangerous. This is how our season developed its adoration for reds & greens (blood & life), sweets & songs & the traveling artisans who went from town to town to call the residents to Joy (the beginning of our present-day carols): Because when light was so hard to come by, they were a reminder that our spirits were as great as any cold, and that the earth was asking us to dance & revel & turn the season into a true Season of Lights. Chanukah probably grew out of the ancient Solstice, the shortest day of the year when people prayed for the sun's ecstatic return. Likewise, Christmas wasn't originally on Dec 25, but was assigned to it most likely to counteract the Solstice as well: Yet the result was astonishing--because, for Christians, their beloved child-of-the-divine would appear as light in the center of the darkest days of the year. And Yule, Solstice (it has many names) told us that the earth & everyone in it are called to make Light where there is dark and find bliss in the stillness & silence. An old teacher said: "It is not the wise who are in heaven, but heaven that is in the wise". It's an old Jewish saying...This image--reworked from an older one--is dedicated to the Light inside all darkness, the Warmth inside all cold; to all those who search for both (and to the rest of us to help them find it) and to the heaven that rests inside everyone, everywhere, always. May it gift everyone this season, without exception. Without exception...
Comments (13)
lyron
Marvelous. Happy Holidays!!!
helanker
Thank you Mark for this wonderful brench in bloom and those lovely words. My best wishes for you to have a Happy Holiday too.
beachzz
I don't know what dazzles me more, your words or your image. The image is spare, clean, sharp, but your words are full of light and life and truth. I love the winter tales, where all these holidays really began. It reinforces my feeling that now I can see the light, for the shortest day has come and gone. Peace, and thanks for your always wonderful work.
nikolais
divine are the words and the image, Mark! thoughts to remember
november22
Very fine Mark - as allways, so much more than art from you.
koosievantutte
my very best wishes to you, mark.
magnus073
Mark what a truly thoughtful and touching dedication you presented. I too am not sure what to enjoy first your lovely blooming branch that reaches out through what appears to be snow or maybe rain, or the fabulous narrative you presented with it. Your pointing out the light in the darkness and the warmth in the cold is something you always do through your work to all those around you my friend.
amota99517
Beautiful work and such a great story to boot.
tennesseecowgirl
Wow, Mark this is just beautiful the image of course is lovely but you words, truly reach out. I am sorry more didn't view this. I love the quote. I have to admit I saw this before I left for work today, but I didn't have time to read what you wrote, so I did not comment, NOW I wish I would have taken the time. Wonderful words of wisdom to carry around with us all, especially at this time of the year..
gunsan
Thanks for your lovely words and heartfelt wishes. I hope you will have a great Chanoukah or Christmas, or whatever, Just as it is just how you wish it to be. Holiday hugs, love an peace - Gun
Margana
Such wonderful insight you always share with us, Mark. I love how your image accompanies them so beautifully. Like one of your other more recent posts, this reminds me of an image seen from indoors... as if the branch is pressed up against a frosted glass, seeking the warmth that comes from inside. Elegant, stirring and as always displaying your wonderful way of saying so much with a few deceptively simple-looking yet perfectly placed strokes. A warm and illuminated holiday season to you, too, my friend. And thanks once again for sharing your light with us. -M *<] :^)
Chipka
I'm finally beginning the slow process of catching up. It's great to start with this piece! Both words and image are astonishingly good. There is a wealth of emotion in both components of this piece, and even as particular holidays come and go, this piece stands outside of passing time as a reminder of the great things that surround (and come from within) us at all times. Great stuff here!
anaber
Excellent.Very fine.Simple and exquesite.Touch inside and brings emotion.