Today is the Epiphany.
Perhaps it is because I have only had one cup of Earl Grey but I am blinking drowsily. Truth be told, I am sliding into Winter Brain, although the temperatures are calling me a blatant liar with a high of 52°F forecasted for today. The sun has just broken out behind weeks worth of clouds and I am tap-dancingly grateful for this has been one of the most unlikely sleeper seasons on record. As there has not been enough cold in the Alps, there isn’t the pull to create the Mistral winds that fold back the blanket across the sky. I am keeping an eye on the one magnolia blossom that opened her bloom three months ahead of schedule, hoping that her sisters won’t follow suit. They must be tempted…like I am to take my camera and chase after these bright lights with a butterfly net before they disappear again.
But I think that I will stay put and watch it from my window instead, just as I have been following the saga of the swallows that are fighting over the bird food ball that we have tucked into a crook of the olive tree. For despite the weather, my body knows what January means and so the blue of this second room on the first floor of Anthony’s house feels just right. No, not blue for sadness (like the brilliantly voiced character of “Inside Out” – if you haven’t seen it already, it’s amazing) but blue for calm.
On a few of my friends blogs, “reinvention” has been the new buzz word and it has left me subtly surprised. For although “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” (thank you, Plato) and some of us have no choice but to start over from scratch (I’ve done it), I am dubious when it comes to anything whispering of “a whole new you.” We need who we already are. I am more inclined to peaufiner or keep adjusting if I can, working on both the personal projects and modus operandi that are already en route. Quietly. In the past, there have been midnights which were ushered in with the banging of pots and the trill of my Dad’s old trumpet. Not this year. Granted, I am also really aware that tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the terrorist attack at Charlie Hebdo.
So what is the Epiphany? As in the religious signification, not the spine-tingling realization nor the galette des Rois almond pastry with a surprise hidden inside that is served in France today. Let’s see…it is several things…but to (over) simplify, it is ancient, a celebration of the Adoration of the Magi in Western Christianity and of Jesus’ baptism for Eastern Christianity or sometimes both together. There are many different manifestations of this holiday all across the world and until very recently, it was often considered as important as Christmas itself. However, in Medieval times, there also existed Twelfth Night, which was then a period of rollicking tomfoolery as portrayed in the eponymous play by Mr. William Shakespeare, a time when holiday greenery was burned in case evil spirits were lurking there. Perhaps it is best to go to the source? I am drawn to the etymology of the word from the Greek, epiphaneia which is the verb “to appear” and signifies “to reveal” and also “manifestation.” Interesting.
So, we have something or someone existing, something brand new arriving. Yes, I start to see what my friends mean. Old customs and current traditions are often closer to each other than we think. Then as now, we keep on keeping on, each in our own beautiful way, like the fluttering of the birds or the peace that a blue room brings.
Speaking of new, a sneak peak of one of the first additions to the new old house, below, in the adjoining bath to this blue room…can you imagine? I can. 🙂
If you have missed the introduction to Anthony’s house, you can find it here.
And here is a lovely song that I heard on FIP yesterday:
Well…if you feel like sharing…where are you at right now?
Do you feel like hibernating or jumping out of a cake?
Do you have goals or just some clear ideas of things to look forward to?
Because…as you can see…(and this is the follow-up from the previous post)…
…the door is open. All we need to do is walk through…
Cheers,
Heather
Oh my goodness, I hope so too Donna. Where we live is a huge agricultural area and there have been really dire predictions – as in a year without a crop for certain fruit trees – if things don't change…
A. On the couch, between my puppies B. Hibernating. Definitely hibernating (but maybe eating some cake). C. No goals; maybe some foggy things to look forward to: more serenity, less ego, better inner monologue. You KNOW I am with you on the idea of being who you already are! There is a great Buddhist quote that says, "you're perfect just as you are, and you could use a little improvement". I LOVE that! Trying for acceptance of myself with a little tweaking – spiritual tweaking! Lovely photos, bathtub and writing – and SO lovely to be alive!
The epiphany, the day of giving.Moments of anticipation, like blossoms, are gifts of the season.
Should we measure the future by days,the distance by hours,the witting by steps and gaze? She stayed.
The doors to connecting rooms…
I wish you a happy new year! Do you write the blog "Greeker than the Greeks"?
Susan, this comment is from Maria Anagnostopoulou – see below!
Luscious blues and your equally delicious words…
I love when you dissect a word and riff on the word and teach us more about the layers to a word… That's delicious too…
I feel as though I've been hibernating for too long, and so I find myself trying to get back out into the world even if in small steps and stages…
Happy New Year!
xo
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Thanks for knowing the meaning of the greek word "epiphaneia"! When Jesus was baptised by St.John in Jordan river the Holly Spirit appeared above Jesus head.
"Epi" means "on or above" and "phaneia" means appear. The Holly Spirit is portrayed often as a white dove. So every 6th of January the priest is throwing the cross in the sea or river or lake and then releases a white dove. Many young men (now women too) try to catch the cross from the waters. The one that brings it back to the priest is blessed for a whole year!
really touching Heather — there's also James Joyce's concept of epiphany — a kind of vulgar shudder, and awareness at the core of your being that somehow manages to change nothing — of course this can be taken as just cynical — but for me I think it points towards an awareness of reality as a radical mixture — on this reading blue might be sad and calm at the same time — your pictures and prose are really terrific…
This is so beautifully written. I've been in hibernation mode for exactly one week now, and I'm not sure why. Your post made me think that it's for a good reason, and I just haven't walked throough the door yet:)
Mary