Transition into Early Spring and the Dao. Many Paths, One Center.

When we are in the midst of seasonal transition, I always love to revisit the Daoist translations and the work of Dennis Willmont. His work is rich and meaningful on so many levels. I look for the pearls, something to hold onto, even if it is for just a few savored hours of study and exploration. He has merged what feels like lifetimes of academic research into just one book and he has written so many! Thank you Dennis.

This particular excerpt caught my eye today, it is from the Embracing Dao section of the book title Many Paths, One Center, A Comprehensive Study of the Diodejing. (Volume 4 in the Daodejing Series)

"The idea of PROTECTION works on the PREVENTION level of HEALING where an alliance with the Principles of Dao is fundamental. Such an alliance is also fundamental in having FAITH in the ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE as the External provider of VIRTUE/EMPOWERMENT.

One who sincerely embodies VIRTUE is like a NEWBORN. Poisonous insects (that is, hornets and scorpions) and snakes do not sting it, fierce beasts do not prey upon it, and birds of prey do not spring upon it. -Daodejing 55."

"Now it is heard that he who is proficient in living LIFE meets with no wild buffalo or tigers in his tracks, and comes out of the MILITARY without SUFFERING from SHIELDS and WEAPONS. For him the buffalo finds no place for his horn, the Tiger finds no place to claw, and WEAPONS find no place to slay. What is the reason for this? Because he has no place for DEATH in him. -Daodejing 50."

The understanding that I take away from this translation is to seek and mind the middle path.  By walking alongside this construct, we are less likely to swing too far into one direction or to become injured. 

As Spring arrives, I have been taking pictures of the new flowers, making collages and reading. I observe the middle path of the natural rhythms and remain the constant and curious observer. 

Befriending this hibiscus flower again in bloom has brought me so much joy this week. The color, the vibrancy and grace,  the study of the anatomy, and to be held in its pink embrace.

These collages include my botanical illustrations, a dragon that I painted many years ago, my needlepoint and favorite reproductions from my grandmothers books. They are happy floral images and I wanted to include as many beautiful images in this post as possible. 

The middle lower center image is one of my sun prints, the bird image in the lower right hand square is by Tanya Wolfkamp, the needlepoint from a series that I completed this past Winter. 

The Hellebore above was taken in the afternoon light this week, here in East Hampton. This is the best light of the year because the leaves have not yet emerged but the sun is stronger and crisp. The bluebird was an extraordinary gift yesterday that made my heart sing. 

Wishing everyone the gifts of the middle path as we transition into Spring in these changing times. 

Hawk Medicine on Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, New York.

These two beauties were together today. What a healing. And a gift. 

Something here about Yin and Yang, and finding balance on the branch of a maple tree. The hawk on the right was sharing its beautiful feathers as the wind blew across its chest. 

Magic like this feels rare and very special. 

Taken in the afternoon light of Springs, East Hampton.

Four Harbors Audubon Society Show

Tomorrow, Saturday the 15th is the opening reception for the Four Harbors Audubon Show. It will be filled with beautiful artwork by artists of Long Island. The show is at the Bates House in Setauket and the hours are from 1-3 pm. The show will be up until the 20 th. 

This year, I am showing this image of one of my Bald Eagles and it printed beautifully. I am pleased with the outcome of the image. I highly recommend the show as so much love and passion shines through the work. Today I got a sneak peak as I dropped off my piece. It is inspiring to see how so many creative eyes capture the beauty of nature. 

The site of the Bates House is also magical. 

Thank you Patricia Paladines for curating such a lovely event!

Happy Valentines Day!

Beannacht by John O'Donahue

Today was a magical day. I was reunited with an eagle. It has been a while since there was an intimate exchange with these beloved beauties. I was happy all day to have had this special connection again, it felt like being reconnected with an old friend. 

Another old friend, even though we never met in person is  

 the theologian and scholar John O'Donahue. I have recently been reading every book, and poem, carefully and with great care. Savoring his words like dark salty chocolate that has a lingering  rich and generous flavor. 

It was fitting to see this beauty this morning and to come home to settle in with a Celtic poem by 

John O'Donohue. His writings on nature make my heart melt and this is welcome on the eve of gale force winds and January snow. 

 

This poem is one of my favorites. From his book Anam Cara. 

Please enjoy, and wishing everyone a fruitful year filled with much beauty and grace.

Beannacht

On the day when 

the weight deadens 

on your shoulders

and you stumble,
may the clay dance 

to balance you.

And when your eyes

freeze behind

the grey window

and the ghost of loss

gets in to you, 

may a flock of colors, 

indigo, red, green

and azure blue

come to awaken in you 

a meadow of delight. 

When the canvas frays

in the curach of thought

and a stain of ocean

blackens beneath you,

may there come across the waters

a path of yellow moonlight

to bring you safely home. 

May the nourishment of the earth be yours, 

may the clarity of the light be yours, 

may the fluency of the ocean be yours, 

may the protection of the ancestors be yours. 

An so may a slow

wind work these words

of love around you, 

an invisible cloak 

to mind your life. 

The Hummingbird Series

Sometimes in a blink of an eye, a spark of inspiration may arise and it has in the past few days. I have created a few new images that birthed a series of hummingbirds and local flowers. 

They are floral collages that highlight the magic of the hummingbirds that have come to the garden over the years.

Here is one image, of Guapo the hummingbird. Bless his heart.

I am look forward to sharing more of them in the future. 

In the meanwhile...

Wishing everyone a generous and safe Thanksgiving. 

Hawk Messengers

This beauty appeared in a series of images that I just found today. I am currently editing photographs for a collection of aviary delights and this beauty caught my eye. 

The bright sky, the red of the tail feathers and the transparency of the wings made me very happy. 

The hawks have been circling the property and their call has been filling my heart. 

While many of the migrating birds are now gone, the hawks and the owls remain. 

Just last night I heard the owls in the tress outside and I wished that they would allow me a sneak peak of them perched in the trees. While the owls have been here for years, I have never been able to photograph them as they come out at night. For now, I must be satisfied with my glorious hawks and be grateful that they fly low enough for me to capture these kinds of magnificent details. 

Hawks always feel like messengers for me, it is as though they are trying to convey an important piece of information from the heavens.

Praying Mantis Medicine and Autumn Sweetness.

It is Autumn now and for several months, the mantis have been revealing themselves to me. At first, on my back door. They hid behind the vines of the passionflowers and they seemed to blend in to an environment that kept them safe.



They had an eye on the house, the garden and on my every move. 

As I got close to them, they would turn their triangular heads, look at me, and seemingly study my every move. They peered through the windows and when I knocked on the glass doors they would move their heads in inquisitive ways.



At one point I felt as though I was under their mindful watch. 

I write 'they' because there were two. At first I thought the couple may have been mating. And then it appeared as though there was only one. So I expected that the female had devoured the male in her mating ritual and that she was preparing to lay eggs. 

My hypothesis was thrown to the wind yesterday when I found two mantis inside my house. No nest, larvae or babies were ever found.

So both mantis were delicately taken outside and released, but my curiosity could not fathom why two were inside my house and how on earth they managed to camouflage  themselves so well. 

A few images were captured, but they are very difficult to photograph.  

 I had the felt sense yesterday that they were protecting the land, keeping an eye on the hummingbird garden and gifting their presence to us. 

They say that they symbolize stillness, mindfulness, protection and good fortune. 

If this is all true, then I have been blessed twice and I am deeply grateful.

Wishing everyone golden sunsets and autumnal sweetness.



Best wishes,
Maria