Book Review: Illuminating the Way: Embracing the Wisdom of Monks and Mystics

Product DetailsIn Illuminating the Way: Embracing the Wisdom of Monks and Mystics, Christine Valters Paintner applies the modern psychological concept of archetype, or “primordial blueprint” in human consciousness, to twelve famous and not-so-famous figures. She then leads readers on a gentle inward journey to hidden insights into their own psyches’ light and shadows. Her choice of monks and mystics is refreshing and unexpected at times: Francis of Assisi, King David, the Virgin Mary, Dorothy Day, Desert Mother Amma Syncletica, Brigid of Kildare, Brendan of Nursia, the Old Testament’s Miriam, Rainier Maria Rilke, Hildegard of Bingen, and Thomas Merton. Each of these provides a basis for an archetype: the Inner Fool, the Sovereign, the Mother, the Orphan, the Warrior, the Healer, the Pilgrim, the Sage, the Prophet, the Artist, the Visionary, and the Monk. She addresses each monk or mystic and his or her related archetype in a separate chapter in which she provides a reflection on the person in question, a discussion of the “light” and “shadow” aspects of each archetype, and a connection to a Gospel story. She then suggests a meditation and a mandala practice. Finally, she lists questions for reflection and includes a poem addressing that monk or mystic as a closing blessing.

Although raised in a Catholic home, I have never felt any real appreciation for long-dead monks, mystics or saints. I believe this is in part because many were rather eccentric and their lives were far removed from my experience of the world. However, Valters Paintner’s application of the concept of archetype to their lives suggested a new lens through which to view my own inner life that I found insightful. For this reason, I think this book has significant value for both personal introspection and for group study.

(Reviewed in exchange for a copy of book via Netgalley.)

Gotcha!, Part 2

After discovering far more patience than I normally exhibit, I finally had the opportunity to get a clear picture of my chickadee. I’m pretty certain he’s a Black-Capped Chickadee.

Black-Capped Chickadee

Black-Capped Chickadee

In the process of obtaining this photo, I’ve actually become quite fond of this little fellow. He’s pretty darn interesting. He does not eat at the feeder like the goldfinches. Instead, he sneaks up and snatches a sunflower seed before darting back into the safety of the shrubbery. Although it made taking his photograph more complicated, I admire his cleverness.

Feeling Hawkish?

I have to preface this post with an apology about the quality of the photography. It is clearly awful, but I was shooting fast across several acres with my zoom lens, and I will readily admit that I will take an grainy photo over no photo at all, if that is my only option.

Yesterday, we had what I believe were two hawks hunting in our goat pasture. I couldn’t see enough to identify either definitely. I know that one got a good meal, though.

Hawk on fence.

Hawk on fence.

Nicer view of top portion of hawk with snake.

Nicer view of top portion of hawk with snake.

Hawk with snake.

Hawk with snake.

You just never what you may see here on a given day!

Gotcha!

I finally moved quickly enough to capture pictures of hummingbirds at both front and back feeders!

Hummingbird at back feeder.

Hummingbird at back feeder.

This little lady appeared at our back feeder. I believe this is an adult female Anna’s or Rufous hummingbird because of what I think is a small patch of red under the neck. That said, I reserve the right to change my mind if I get better photos.

 

 

 

Meanwhile in the front, I took two nice shots of this little visitor.

Close up of hummingbird at the front feeder.

Close up of hummingbird at the front feeder.

Hummingbird at the front feeder.

Hummingbird at the front feeder.

I believe this is also a female because her tail feathers are clearly white tipped in another photo, but again I’m not sure whether she’s an Anna’s or Rufous.

Now, I wondering if in fact she is the same bird in all three photos?

In any case, gotcha!

 

Herb Bed Progress

As plants go, I have to say that I am a huge fan of herbs. They are hardy and often insect and disease repellent. They smell wonderfully and often produce cute flowers. Of course, they are useful in cooking and crafting. What’s not to love?

One of my greatest delights this summer in reclaiming our ornamental beds from three years of neglect (a process that has made me think numerous times of one of my favorite childhood novels, The Secret Garden) has been the discovery of a variety of herbs that clearly thrive here. In addition to literally armfuls of oregano, I’ve found large quantities of thyme, sage, chives, and to a lesser extent, lavender, all thriving without human interference. Indeed, I’m pretty certain the previous owners encircled the flag pole with a hedge of alternating sage and thyme. (I can’t help but wonder if the parsley and rosemary failed to thrive?)

Flagpole with overgrown herb border.

Flagpole with overgrown herb border.

Closeup of overgrown flagpole border.

Closeup of overgrown flagpole border.

All of these herbs are terribly overgrown, as you can see. While they look healthy on top, layers of dead branches lay underneath that should have been pruned. Unfortunately, my research suggests that they should be pruned when they are dormant in February. So, beyond quite forcibly removing invasive plants like blackberries, stinging nettles and a cedar tree start, I’m leaving this circle alone for the time being.

By the way, I cannot tell you what an invaluable help the Garden Answers phone app has been in identifying the plants (wild and planted) on our property. You use the app to take a picture of the plant in question and moments later it provides photographs of similar plants. Those photos link to information about the given plant. Best of all, the app is free. Genius, I say! Sheer genius!

That said, all of these thriving herbs got my green thumb itching. So, we’ve reclaimed a bed in front of our shed that had gone completely native. In it, we’ve planted English and lemon thyme, lemon verbena, rosemary, lavender, Bergamot bee balm, French tarragon, and dill. I’ve planted seeds and tiny seedlings of several other herbs, but I’m not sure if any will survive. (Note to self: skip seeds. You always fail.) If I’m right and none survive, I’ll be adding echinacea, chamomile, and anise next year.

It will be interesting to see what survives and thrives.

Shed herb bed

Shed herb bed

Oh and if, by chance, you are wondering how I could have missed that most popular of herbs, basil, never fear. We’ve got that covered, too. It is growing quite happily on its own . . . in the lawn.

Basil in the lawn.

Basil in the lawn.

Bird Feeder Update

“And they told two friends. And they told two friends. . . .”

The Nyger seed feeder traffic is definitely picking up. Several times a day, I see one or two finches feeding and one day, we saw a total of six! And they are showing interest in the suet feeder!

Six finches!

Six finches!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And one more, just because. . . .

Gotta love the symmetry.

Gotta love the symmetry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I finally managed a photo (albeit terrible) of the elusive hummingbird as well.

Hummingbird at front feeder.

Hummingbird at front feeder.

For one brief moment, we saw a small bird resembling a chickadee at the Nyger seed feeder, but I couldn’t get a clear shot. That said, I know he’s out there and would feed if he could!

I am wondering if the finches scare away other birds. They fight pretty intensely among themselves. I’m thinking of redesigning the feeder configuration once the finches empty the Nyger seed to give more feeding stations to the finches and move the other types of feed further away. Most definitely, putting the suet almost under the most active feeder was not my smartest move.

Of course, I am not the only one enjoying this new adventure. Apparently, Stormie, Wiley and Moxie are budding ornithologist. Who knew?

Stormie, Wiley, Moxie observing the feeders.

Stormie, Wiley, Moxie observing the feeders.