Babel

Tag: Religion

  • 12/10 The Messenger

    Stephanie Pui-Mun Law-gabriel

    The Messenger by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, watercolor, 20″x28″

    Ancient structure, light, movement, sweetness, peace and love, the Dove, inspiration… Gabriel. This is a beautiful and interesting  feminine depiction of Archangel Gabriel.

    Gabriel translation ‘man of God’; literally ‘Master, or of God’. Gabr is man or masculine, El is a supreme Deity or God.

    Description of Gabriel from various sources:

    Gabriel is the planetary archangel in charge of the moon’s oversoul; a genius of mysteries who has worked psychically through the great masters during their earthly incarnations. Some include: Muhammad, (Jibra’il) dictated the Qur’an; Heron (a Greek scientist) received inspiration to write ‘The Recitation’; and Daniel (Bible) came as the Holy Spirit and gave him wisdom and understanding; Bahá’u’lláh received inspiration for his mystical work Seven Valleys; Joan of Arc was inspired to look to the King of France for help. Gabriel is a messenger of God, the spirit of truth and bringer of prophesy. He is the prince of justice who destroys sin and evil. One of the 2 highest ranking angels. He sits on the left side of God and presides over paradise. Is also said to have had a mortal life as Noah.

    xmasangelGabriel was the angel that came to Mary announcing that Christ would be born through her. And angels appeared to many to announce the birth of Christ. Today angels have an important place during most Holiday celebrations.

    May Angels watch over you always. Happy Holidays!

     

    Stephanie Pui-Mun Law is a 31 year old artist/programmer. She began painting otherworlds in early childhood.  Graduated from a program of Computer Science in 1998. After working in programming for three years, She left the world logic for the world of fae; painting full time.  You can read news, learn about watercolor painting, browse her galleries and purchase paintings at www.shadowscapes.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/9 Hideaway

    Hideaway by Inga Nielsen. © 2002 - 2008, Inga Nielsen

    Hideaway by Inga Nielsen, digital art

    A spectacular digitally created image of the sunset/moonrise reflected in still waters. Darkness/Light, Sun/Moon Creator’s beautiful dance of dualities. Birth of the waters of night, the stillness, quiet, cool and calm. Beautiful art!

    happy-eidEid ul-Adha

    Eid ul-Adha is a celebration of God’s love for the whole of mankind. It is celebrated around the world by Muslims and Druze. Eid commemorates Ibrahim (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Charity (sacrifice) called Zakat al Fitr is required from everyone. A special offering is given in thanks for one’s own prosperity and dedication to the practices. Eid can be a 1 to 7 day celebration including prayer, offerings, dance, traditional music, gift giving and feasts.

    In Islam… God is the Ultimate Reality. All things in visible creation emanate from Him and are manifestations of His Divine Names or Attributes (Sifat). He created the cosmos, both what is known to man and what is unknown. He is the Sustainer of all things, with everything turning to Him and centered upon Him. This is evident in the structure of atoms .

    Happy Eid! Peace and Blessings of the Season.

     

    You can learn more about Islam and read the sacred texts at the links. View more of Inga Nielsen’s wonderful images at Gate to Nowhere Gallery.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/8 Buddha Sun

    photo ©Kevin Baird. All rights reserved.

    ‘Buddha Sun’ photograph by Kevin Baird

    Buddha Sun is my name for this spectacular photo which was featured on SpaceWeather.com. The sun became Buddha one October evening in Southern California to radiate blessings to the world. A magical sunset photo!

    Kevin says: “At first the cloudless sky suggested a ‘boring’ sunset;. Instead, it was unforgettable.”

    The scientific explanation from Atmospheric Optics: Multiple inversion layers produced the complex mirage. The cold California Ocean Current had cooled the air next to the ocean surface. Above that there were layers of warm dry air driven from inland by high pressure over Utah and Nevada.

     

    gautama-buddha The day of enlightenment. December 8, 596 BC Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Image shows enlightened Gautama Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree.

    It is said that on the morning of his enlightenment he looked up and saw the morning star (Venus) and cried in wonder:

    That’s it! That’s it! That’s it. That’s me! That’s me that’s shining so brilliantly! How wondrous, how wondrous! All beings are endowed with this pure nature! What a wondrous, astonishing thing has been realized! All the ten thousand things, all the flowers, all the trees, all the rocks, all things everywhere are shining brilliantly!

    For Buddhists today is a day of remembrance and meditation. It is a reminder that with right effort and understanding anyone can become enlightened. Zen Buddhists begin an intensive sesshin (meditation practice) on December 1 which, lasts until through the 8th. They often stay up all night in meditation to bring in Rohatsu (the morning of Buddha’s realization).  Colored lights symbolizing the many pathways to enlightenment are strung and turned on each evening and candles honoring the path of enlightenment are lit for 30 days. Fiscus trees (ficus religiousa) are decorated with colored lights, stings of beads symbolizing the unity and shiny ornaments representing the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha). Children make cookies in the shape of a tree (Bodhi tree) or a heart shaped leaf.

     Happy Bodhi Day! May all sentient beings attain perfect, complete, precious Enlightenment.

     

    Photograph by Kevin Baird October 13, 2005 near Palomar Airport, San Diego CA.  Kevin is a freelance editor at Green Desert Productions. You can see more of Kevin’s wonderful photography at kbaird on Flickr.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/6 O Tannenbaum – Vienna Boys Choir, live

    O Tannenbaum performed by Vienna Boys Choir

    Beautiful voices blending together for a glorious salute to the Christmas tree. O Tannenbaum is German for Oh Christmas Tree, where it is said the decorating of a Holiday tree began. The song is often sung round the tree on Feast of St. Nicholas and throughout the Holiday Season.

    Vienna Boys Choir, Song: O Tannenbaum (a traditional Christmas carol), Album: Christmas Angels, Hans Gillesberger, 1978, RCA Gold Seal. Re-released in 1995.

    The Feast of St. Nicholas by Jan Steen The Feast of St. Nicholas

    Saint Nicholas or Nicholas of Myra born c. 270, Patara, Lycia, died 6 December 343, Myra, Lycia is considered the patron Saint of sailors in Greece, of lawyers in France, and of children and travelers in Belgium. There are thousands of churches dedicated to St. Nicholas.

    In the 12th century an official church holiday ‘The Feast of St. Nicholas’ celebrated December 6, was created in his honor. Traditionally this is a day of gift-giving and charity. St. Nicholas is one who may bring toys, nuts and gifts to children. On the eve of the feast some children leave their shoes by the hearth or outside. During the night they’re filled with goodies or switches (for nice or naughty children).  Who fills the shoes varies from country to country from the 3 wise men to St. Nicolas to baby Jesus to angels or the elder males of the family. A glorious happy day of celebration.

    May your shoes be filled with your heart desires!  Happy St. Nicholas Day.

     

    Vienna Boys’ Choir (German Wiener Sängerknaben) was formally created by Maximilian I of Habsburg in 1498. It  is one of the best known boys’ choirs performing worldwide. The Choir is divided into four touring choirs of equal standing; tours, appearances in Vienna and recording projects are shared among them. The touring choirs are named after famous Austrian composers Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. You can read more, see schedules and music at their website Wiener Sängerknaben.

    The painting above left is The Feast of St. Nicholas by Jan Steen c. 1660-65. Oil on canvas, 82 x 70.5 cm. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  You can see more painting by Jan Steen at Olga’s Gallery.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/5 Star of Wonder

    Manger Scene photograph by Light. ©Bonnee Klein Gilligan. All rights reserved.

    ‘Star of Wonder’ photograph by Light

    A beautiful manger and a star in lights at the Mormon Temple in Phoenix, Arizona during the Christmas Season. The temple has displays of hundreds of thousands of lights, a manger scene and choir singing nightly. A lovely celebration of Christmas and a wonderful outing. I always enjoy our journeys South to see the lights.

    The Church of Christ (the original name for the Mormon Church now officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith their first prophet.  He translated the Book of Mormon, a record of an ancient people on the American continents.

    A quote from The Book of Mormon:

    “The spirit and the body shall be united again in its perfect form.” ~Alma 11:43

    christmas_candle Mormon’s believe that Christ’s birth occurred on April 6 but they celebrate Christmas in December with a tree, lights, gifts, and Santa Claus. The Christmas Holidays are a time for family, neighbors, friendship, thoughtfulness, acts of love, giving and celebration.

    Have a twinkling, joy filled day!

     

    light Light Traveler (August 1946 – July 2003)  photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. He filled my life with awe and wonder. Here’s to you Light!!! You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler’s gallery.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan