Morning Light XXX

Image: Subjects and photographer unknown.

Remembering Eostre

Eastre (a.k.a. Eostre) was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people of Northern Europe. Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: eastre. Other variations of the name for goddesses of fertility were Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos.

The female powers in animist cultures were much more powerful to people than the male powers. This was because females had the power to create new life. But, as is described in far more detail in “The ‘Roots’ of Domination,” Section I of Cultural Vision, as tribes became more war-like and domineering, the female goddesses were discarded in favor of male deities. However, the pagans, who lived away from the cultural centers where these male gods were championed, still honored large number of goddesses within their mythologies.

As the great exoteric religions became institutionalized, it was difficult to attract ordinary folks, who lived simple agricultural lives in the countryside, to become followers of the new systems of belief. (The word “pagan” means “country dwellers.”) There thus became a concerted effort to demonize their beliefs. In fact, the word “villain” meaning wicked soul, is derived from the word “village.”

- Source

Thackery Earwicket

The character of the March Hare appears in director Tim Burton's 2010 film Alice in Wonderland, voiced by Paul Whitehouse.

His full name is Thackery Earwicket, and his behavior is constantly nerve wracked and completely delirious. He also has a strong Scottish accent, possibly to match his friend the Mad Hatter (played by Johnny Depp) who switches into a Scottish accent as well whenever his emotions are strained.



The March Hare is first seen in the Tea Party scene, which takes place in the ruined grounds of his Hare House. He is shown having tea with Tarrant Hightop, the Mad Hatter; Mallymkun, the Dormouse; and Chessur, the Cheshire Cat. He is seen a second time in the White Queen's kitchen, frantically cooking and throwing dishes. He is then seen a third time in the Frabjous Day scene, standing with the other characters, and wielding a ladle as his weapon as he waits somewhat nervously to go into battle.

Burgeoning Life Force

Hares and rabbits have long-standing associations with spring, especially the month of March. . . . [They] represent the burgeoning life force of spring, with its boundless exuberance and fruitfulness.

– Elizabeth Barrette

Image: "Spring Hare" by Helen Musselwhite.

Tan Lines XX

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

Strawberry Moon Hare

Image: Sandra Pond.

Morning Light XXIX

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

Merman

Introducing a new series that explores and celebrates artistic depictions of a unique form of male beauty: the merman.

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Mermen are mythical male legendary creatures who are human male from the waist up and fish-like from the waist down. They are less commonly known than their female counterparts, mermaids.

In Greek mythology, mermen were often illustrated to have green seaweed-like hair, a beard, and a trident. In Irish mythology, mermen are described as extremely ugly creatures with pointed green teeth, pig-like eyes, green hair, and a red nose. In Finnish mythology, a merman (vetehinen) is often portrayed as a magical, powerful, handsome, bearded man with the tail of a fish. He can cure illnesses and lift curses and brew potions. But he can also cause unintended harm by becoming too curious about human life. The river dolphin (or boto) of the Amazon River regions is described according to local lore as having the ability to take the form of a human or merman, also known as encantado (“enchanted one” in Portuguese), and the habit of seducing human women and impregnating them. Chinese mermen were believed to only surface during storms or, in some cases, were believed to have the ability to cause storms.

Much like sirens, mermen would sometimes sing to people and enchant them, distracting them from their work and causing them to walk overboard or run their ships aground. Other stories have them squeezing the life out of drowning men while attempting to rescue them. They are also said to take humans down to their underwater realms.

The actions and behavior of mermen can vary wildly depending on the source and time period of the stories. They have been said to sink ships by summoning great storms, but also said to be wise teachers, according to earlier mythology. A merman, like a mermaid, attracts humans with singing.

– Source

Image 1: daekazu.
Image 2: Artist unknown.
Image 3: Artist unknown.
Image 4: The Ban Bana.

Running Hare VI

Taking designs from quilting, rosemalling, applique and flat perspective folk art, Jim Shore creates an intricate and colorful work of art that reflects our shared cultural heritage yet is unmistakably Jim Shore. “I can’t imagine myself ever tiring of this,” Jim says of distinctive combination of themes and motifs, “I get to create two designs every time I develop a new piece – what the item will be and then what colors and patterns will go on it. The variety keeps me inspired.”

- Source

Tan Lines XIX

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

Running Hare V

Image: “Hare Running in Pimpernel” by Mary Philpott.

More Tea?

Tim Burton's fantasy adventure film Alice in Wonderland opens today in the U.S.

An extension of the Lewis Carroll novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, Burton's film uses a technique combining live action and animation.

The character of the March Hare is computer animated and voiced by Paul Whitehouse.


See also the previous posts:
The March Hare of Wonderland
A Computer Animated March Hare