Hare Décor XVI

Clock Art: Artist unknown.
Image: The Leveret

In the Arena III

See also the previous posts:
• In the Arena
• In the Arena II
• Wrestling: "The Heterosexually Acceptable Form of Homosexual Foreplay"
• The Domain of Eros
• Olympic Male Beauty
• Olympic Male Beauty II
• Ball[s] Sports

Hare in Green World

Image: "For a Green World" by Sarah Jarrett.

Totem of Mystery and Misunderstanding

Hares have been associated with magic and the ability to walk between worlds and connect to the other world. The hare is a totem of mystery and misunderstanding.

– Samantha Grayson

Image: Roy Flint.

Mon Bel Amie

Image: The Leveret.

Hare Décor XV

Plate Art: Artist unknown.
Image: The Leveret

Beltane

Beltane or Beltain is the Gaelic May Day festival. Most commonly it is held on May 1st, or about halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In Irish it is Bealtaine, in Scottish Gaelic Bealltainn and in Manx Gaelic Boaltinn or Boaldyn. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh—and is similar to the Welsh Calan Mai.

Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire, or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí. Doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush; a thorn bush decorated with flowers, ribbons and bright shells. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe.

– Source

See also the previous posts:
• "Hail to the Seasonal Prince"
• "I Have Become Your Brother . . . One of Your Kin"

Image 1: "Godling Prince" by Mikel Marton (with Jade as the faerie).
Image 2: "The Beltane Hare" (artist unknown).
Image 3: "Beltane Windowsill" by Jude.

Another

Image: "Another" by Rory Coyne.

Morning Light

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

Origins of the Easter Bunny

The following was first published at The Holiday Spot.

The bountiful Easter bunnies have become the most favorite Easter symbol. It's universal and secular in its appeal. And, most important of all, it relates to Easter historically.

However, one fact has got to be made clear. It is the hare, and not the rabbit, that should be treated as the true symbol of Easter. Though both of them (along with Pikas), belong to the Lagomorpha family and have most of things in common, there are some differences.

If you go by the history, since the ancient times the hare has been a symbol for the moon. Not the rabbit. And, the legend says, the hare never closes its eyes, not even for a single blink! The reason for having such a belief may be rooted in the fact that hares, not rabbits, are born with eyes open.

The ancient Egyptians related hares to the moon. Egyptian name for hare was un, meaning 'open.' And they were beloved to be watching the full moon opened eyes throughout the night.

Also the hare and eggs have to the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eostre. Possibly, this is because both of them were regarded to be emblems of fertility.

And this fertility factor may hold the key in making rabbit more familiar as Easter symbol in America, as against the traditional hare. Rabbits beat hares by being more prolific.

The German immigrants, who brought in most of the Teutonic Easter traditions here, made rabbits so popular among the non-German kids. The German children used to have rabbit's nests filled with decorated eggs. They also used to build nests. They looked so attractive that even the non-German kids demanded such gifts on the Easter.


See also the previous posts:
• Eostre: Goddess of New Life Beginnings
• The Goddess Ostara
• Remembering Eostre
• Celebrating Eostre
• The Easter Hare
• Symbol of Enlightenment
• Body and Soul
• Sacred

Ballerino III

Image: Eric Underwood by Rick Guest.

Related Off-site Link:
Ballet's Problem with Non-white Performers – Eric Underwood (The Guardian, September 9, 2013).

Energy and Spiritualism

Notes the website of artist Jane Keay: "Her work reflects [the] constant changes in nature, showing an energy and spiritualism, captured in a deeply emotional response, producing works both distinctive and individual in style."

Image: "In the Sixties" (watercolor) by Jane Keay. For more of Keay's hare artwork, click here.