July 17th, 2010
There is an undeniable aura that surrounds Celtic designs and Druid traditions. Although I have strong family ties to both Ireland and Scotland, you don’t need a Celtic heritage to be enticed by the culture. It’s been said that as long as you respect Mother Earth and feel an affinity with the Celtic people you too have a Celtic soul.
The meanings behind all of the spirals, knots, labyrinths, and crosses have intrigued many people for many centuries. Since you will find all of these symbols in this book, a brief explanation of some of the more popular interpretations are listed on below:
Celtic Knots:
Quite possibly the most recognized of all the Celtic symbols is the knot. The elaborately interwoven design with no end and no beginning is thought to be an expression of the Celts’ belief in eternity. The Druids and the ancient Celts believed in a life without end, with death only being a transition into a new phase. While all knot patterns contain this element of life-everlasting, certain designs are believed to carry more specific meanings.
For example, the triquestra or trefoil knot points to the importance the Druid’s placed on the number 3, the number of fate. This design was such a hallmark of the Celtic people that Irish Christians found a way to bring it into their new faith by adopting the symbol as a representation of the Blessed Trinity.
Spirals:
There seems to be a lot of debate as to the true meaning of spirals in Celtic art. The direction of the spiral and the number of rotations appears to affect the meaning behind the image, therefore we will discuss some specific configurations.
Triple Spiral- is also known as the triple Goddess or triskele, symbolizing the maiden/mother/crone phases of life or the three phases of the Moon.
Double Spiral- signifies balance. Also believed to portray the equinox, a time when day and night are equal in length.
Clockwise Spiral- While the Druids tended to favor the Moon in their symbolism, this design is actually a representation of the Sun. A loosely wound spiral would embody an expansive summer sun while a tightly wound spiral expressed the shortened days and long nights of winter.
Labyrinth or Step Patterns:
Symbolic of the journey we take in life, the labyrinth was often used during prayer or meditation. Focusing on the design reminds us that life is full of options, and open doors, as well as obstacles to overcome.
Circles:
Finally, we come to the simple circle, the building block for mandalas as well as Celtic imagery. Much like Gods’ love, the circle is never ending. It is a universal symbol of the cycle of life; birth-death-rebirth. The intertwining of circles is the basis for many Celtic knots with the number of circles often symbolizing something more.
Note that by combining 3 circles the aforementioned triquestra knot is formed in the center. On the other hand, five circles linked together form the circle of being; a Druid illustration of the four earthly elements being forever united by a fifth element, balance.
Tags: Celtic Knots, Knot Patterns, Phases Of The Moon
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July 11th, 2010
Wildly entertaining and shockingly hilarious, Alan Ball has turned Charlaine Harris’ vampire mystery novels into television’s most interesting show. The series revolves around Sookie Stackhouse, played by Anna Paquin, who is a beautiful and quirky telepathic barmaid living in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Her life gets turned upside when vampires ‘come out of the coffin’ and start co-existing with the human residents of her small town. Things really get going when she starts an unlikely romance with a 173 year old Civil War veteran and local vampire named Bill.
This show has been continually climbing in the ratings since its first season and for good reason. It offers the perfect combination of gore, lust and political satire. It provides a unique spin on pop culture that appeals to a broad range of audiences. Unlike so many vampire dramas, “True Blood” isn’t endlessly grim and full of angst; in fact some of the characters, especially Sookie, are downright cheery. Other Bon Temps residents include Sookie’s sexy yet dumb bad-boy brother Jason, her sweet liberal boss Sam and her sarcastic, loud-mouthed best friend Tara. All the characters provide the plot with plenty of unique plot twists. Several new characters have also entered the scene this past season and are sure to wreak havoc in the upcoming third season. Most notably, Eric, a vampire sheriff and owner of the local vampire bar Fangtasia, presents an opening for a potential love triangle with Sookie and Bill.
“True Blood” certainly provides its audience with some classic vampire fair, including lots of gore and fangs; however it also offers a fresh take on the traditional vampire storyline. The third season is sure to offer plenty of surprising twists and turns as the show continues to distance itself from the original book series. Die hard fans will have to be patient though, as the third season isn’t set to air on HBO until June 2010. In case you missed a few episodes last season, you can always watch free tv shows online for free!
Tags: Bon Temps, Brother Jason, Fictional Town
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July 11th, 2010
Want something different for your home? Something truly unique? Maybe a stunning art masterpiece that everyone is irresistibly drawn to admire as soon as they walk through your door. Maybe you want something a bit more functional, such as a distinctive piece of furniture. What if you found something that combines the two? Lovely stained glass mosaic tables add color and warmth to your home or office. They serve not only as beautiful works of art, but they also serve a useful function as furniture.
You probably think, “Mosaic tables are nothing new or unique, so what’s this guy talking about?” You’re right! Search the Internet for “mosaic table” and you’ll find that most websites offer round bistro or kitchen tables with wrought iron stands done with mosaic designs using standard tessera shapes (i.e., squares and triangles) in standard checkerboard, circular, or sunburst patterns. You’re right, those kinds of tables are a dime a dozen. That’s not what I’m talking about.
Imagine a beautiful stained glass transom window above your front door. Or a delightful stained glass sun catcher hanging in front of your kitchen window. Now, imagine the stained glass design on a wooden table top, such as an end table, sofa table, or entry table. That’s the true uniqueness I’m talking about. Imagine your foyer or vestibule with its stylish hardwood floor, intricate baseboard and crown molding, and a gorgeous mirror centered on the wall with an antique coat stand in the corner. The image looks wonderful, but it’s missing something. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know it needs more. Aha! Something must act as a transition from the floor to the mirror on the wall. That’s it! An entry table. But not just any ordinary entry table. An elegant stained glass mosaic entry table done in a rich, full stain color that perfectly complements the hardwood flooring. Imagine another room in the home with similarly wonderful mosaic furniture, such as end tables, curio tables, and sofa tables.
Forget the ga-zillions of round mosaic bistro tables on metal stands that look like they were mass produced in a third-world country. Those are okay (sometimes) for kitchens and patios, but they just don’t fit the style and look of the other rooms in your home. You want real wood furniture stained to match the décor in your living room. You want a table painted white to blend perfectly with the bright, beachy feel of your sitting room. Stained glass mosaic tables made of real wood provide exactly what you want–and more.
With a stained glass mosaic table, not only do you get the perfect piece of furniture, you get a beautiful work of art. You also get a conversation piece that will likely draw your guests’ curiosity and awe. You may even find that your stained glass mosaic furniture becomes the focal point of the room. When thinking of “mosaic,” don’t limit your imagination to the common square or triangle pieces laid in common mosaic patterns. Instead, go beyond the common and imagine the extraordinary. Imagine the beauty and uniqueness of stained glass designs artfully integrated with wood furniture. Your home will love you for it.
Tags: Glass Mosaic Tile, Stained Glass Sun Catcher, Tile Mosaic
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