Blossoms in Spring

The Proud Little Apple Blossom

by Hans Christian Andersen (adapted)

It was the month of May, but the wind still blew cool, for the sun was not yet ready to shed his warmest rays on the waiting earth.

Yet some of the birds had come, and more were on their way, 

and many beautiful blossoms were already showing their pink and white blooms, 

 by Cecily Mary Baker

so that from bush and tree, field and flower, came the glad cry, "Spring is here! Spring is here." 

 by Cecily Mary Baker

Now, it happened that a young princess rode by a beautiful orchard in full bloom, and she stopped to pick a branch of apple blossoms to take to her palace. 

 by Cecily Mary Baker

All who saw the apple blossom praised its beauty and fragrance until the blossom became proud, and thought that beauty was the only valuable thing in the world. 

But as the apple blossom looked out upon the field she thought, "Not all of the plants are rich and beautiful, as I am, some seem poor and plain." 

And she noticed a little, common, yellow flower, which seemed to lift up its sunny head and grow everywhere.

The apple blossom said to the plain little flower, "What is your name?"

 by Cecily Mary Baker

"I am called the dandelion," replied the little flower.

 by Cecily Mary Baker

"Poor little plant," said the apple blossom. "It is not your fault; but how sad you must feel to be so plain and to bear such an ugly name."

Before the little plant could reply a lovely little sunbeam came dancing along and said, "I see no ugly flowers. 

 by Cecily Mary Baker

They are all beautiful alike to me." 

And he kissed the apple blossom; but he stooped low and lingered long to kiss the little yellow dandelion in the field.

The End.

Omens of Insects and Other Cold Blooded Creatures

Omens of Insects and Other Cold Blooded Creatures

Belief in supernatural or omens is subjective. For fun sake however on this Friday 13, I’ve explored some of the omens regarding our encounters with certain insects and other cold blooded creatures.

Ant- To be bitten by an ant foreshadows enmity and quarreling. If ants make their nest near your threshold prosperity is indicated. 

Bee- If bee flies into the house it is thought to bring luck to the inmates of a house particularly if it is detained for a short time. In some regions fisherman believe that the sight of a bee will bring them a good catch if it is flying in the same direction, as their boat is moving. Meanwhile, to kill or dispose of a bee presages bad luck.

Strangely enough, in ancient times the Romans considered seeing a swarm of bees, especially prior to a battle, to be a very ill omen. The calamitous defeat of the army of Pompey by Caesar at Pharsalus in 48 B.C. was foretold by a swarm of bees which settled upon the sacred altar.

Beetle- Ever since ancient Egypt, the scarab has enjoyed divine honours and along with them other beetles as well had been attributed with omens of fortunate significance. If a beetle runs across your path when you are on a country walk, regard it as a very lucky omen and the bigger the beetle, the greater the good fortune that it portends. It must be understood, however, that we are not referring here to the common black-beetle, or cockroach, which has a very different significance.

Butterfly- Who doesn’t love a colourful butterfly? For they stand for beauty and metamorphosis. As far as omens are concerned, a butterfly denotes renewal and rejuvenation, the ability to bounce back from setbacks or disappointments, a transformation of spirituality. It also symbolizes the human soul.

In Japan, the butterfly symbolizes young womanhood. To see two butterflies dancing about one another, it portends marital happiness. In China, the butterfly symbolizes long life and beauty.

Cockroach- Back in olden days the presence of this contemptible pest in a place where it was not generally seen held to presage illness or even death.

Cricket- In contrast to the Cockroach, a Cricket is always been greeted with happy acceptance in all parts of the world for these delightful little critters have always been regarded as omens of luck. What’s more they betoken peace, prosperity and domestic felicity. If crickets mysteriously abandon a house which they have inhabited for a long time however, illness or death is to be feared.

Cicada- (The tree cricket.) The sound denotes 'elevated' poetry, immortality or life after death. A stylized cicada form represents "loyalty to one's principles.

Fish- To see a large fish swimming by itself in the water promises a life of happiness and general prosperity. Fish also denotes spiritual aspects or people in one's life, and spiritual achievements. Fishing represents the spiritual purposes of life and man's search for the higher consciousness. It also represents fertility and the life giving principles of the maternal. To catch a fish suggests growth of the divine self. To catch an ugly fish may imply spiritual weakness. To have an ugly fish appear denotes seeing spiritual weakness in a situation. To see a frozen fish denotes that one's spiritual life is frozen and not used as it should be. To see beautiful multicolored fish represents the joy and peace in one's spiritual life. Saving a fishes life represents the need to save those principles in oneself. In China, the fish represents happiness and plenty. It also stands for courage, strength, and endurance.

Fly- Swarms of flies are usually considered as harbingers of disaster. A fly denotes an irritation in a life situation. To swat the flies therefore, indicate needing to kill or stop the negative irritations.

It’s interesting to note that in most cultures the invincible swarms of flies are considered the embodiment of demonic powers. Particularly in Christianity, Flies are considered predominantly as symbols of satanic beings.

Frog- The frog denotes an impaired mental or physical condition. Again in most Christian societies the frog is considered as symbol of impurity, a plague upon one's house or simply the spirits of evil. It could however represent unintelligent and ugly speech.

On the more positive note, the frog represents fertility, genesis, and reproductive life. In Fairy Tales, the kissed frog always turns into a handsome Prince, a great transformation.

Grasshopper- These cheerful insects, symbol of summer and fun, favour travelling and foretell good news.

Ladybug- Ladybugs are good little helpers for every gardener for they eat aphids and spare plants of the ensuing damage. As far as the omens are concerned Ladybugs are pretty little beetles that are viewed everywhere with favour as a harbinger of good fortune. Moreover, a ladybug bearing seven spots on its back is considered particularly lucky. On the negative note, in some regions ladybug denotes an irritating situation in one's life.

Lizard- To find a lizard in a place where it is unusual to do so is an omen of disappointment.

Snail- It denotes a slow, cautious attitude. 

They are considered self-sufficient because they carry around their own houses and have all of its own belongings with it every moment.

Snake- An encounter with a snake foretells of treachery, betrayal and jealousy, directed against yourself if the creature is coming towards you, but against your enemies if it is going away from you.

Snapping Turtle- Foreshadows a person who will retaliate in a negative situation.

Spider- Too see a spider in the evening portends money losses; to see one in the morning is an omen of grief; while at noon it presages trouble and anxiety. To discover a spider upon one’s clothes or person is an omen of prosperity. To come upon one that is spinning its web means that a plot is being hatched against you. To kill a spider, particularly at night, is very unfortunate.

Tadpole- It denotes spiritual immaturity

Toad- To kill or injure a toad will bring anxiety or grief upon your head.

Tortoise- A tortoise is a lucky animal, and to encounter one casually is an omen of tranquility and protection.

Turtle- Turtles represent quiet strength and long life because they live a long time. It is a symbol of fertility and unwavering vitality, and great patience. The negative aspect is a fear of facing responsibility or reality.

Viper- To encounter a viper, or adder, indicates meeting with a woman of questionable character.

Wasp- To be stung by a wasp is a warning to be on your guard against jealousy, deception and danger.

The end

A Heavenly Law

A Heavenly Law

To bless means to help.

 Heaven helps the man who is devoted

Men help the man who is true.

He who walks in truth and is devoted in his thinking, and furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. He has good fortune, and there is nothing that he would not further.

It is the law of heaven to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest. When the sun is at its zenith, it must, according to the law of heaven, turn toward its setting and at its nadir it rises toward a new dawn. In obedience to the same law the moon when it is full begins to wane and when empty of light it waxes again.

 This heavenly law works itself out in the fates of men also. It is the law of earth to alter the full and to contribute to the modest. High mountains are worn down by the waters, and the valleys are filled up. It is the law of fate to undermine what is full and to prosper the modes; and men also hate fullness and love the modest.

The destinies of men are subject to immutable laws that must fulfill themselves. But man has it in his power to shape his fate, according as his behavior exposes him to the influence of benevolent or of destructive forces. A thing to remember is this: When a man holds a high position and is nevertheless modest, he shines. He who requires much from himself and little from others could be secure from hatred.

I Ching

The End.