#also there's bonus symbolism from the Romans in the violets

[sixminutestoriesblog]

rose

Barbara Allen was buried in the old church yard,

Sweet William was buried beside her.

Out of Sweet William's heart grew a red, red rose,

Out of Barbry Allen's, a briar.

They grew and grew in the olde church yard,

Til they could grown no higher.

At the end they formed a true lover's knot,

and the Rose grew 'round the Briar.

It seems almost silly to talk about roses and superstition or symbolism given how steeped the general public already is in it. I like to blame that on Valentine's Day, one of the rare things I can't decide if that makes it a bonus or not. Roses have become the go-to flower for all occasions, but never more so than when it comes to romance. There's even a long running dating show where the focus of the season picks their potential love interests by handing them a single rose a piece. I say 'roses' and, at least in most of the western world, anyone would respond 'love'.

Except gardeners who seem more inclined to use the word 'cantankerous'.

Roses aren't just for love though. Like most things, if you dig deep enough backward into their past, you'll find roots that spread deep and dark as well.

So let's talk about the myth and superstition around roses.

If you've been reading this blog, you won't be surprised to find that roses were associated with death just as much as they were with love (not because this blog is about death but because just about everything seems to be associated with death if you go digging). What might surprise you is that roses and death go as far back as the Iliad at least. After Hector was killed, Achilles attempted to desecrate his body, and thereby damn him in the afterlife, by dragging the corpse behind his chariot and then leaving it out to rot. Aphrodite, for all her faults, anointed Hector's body with rose oil to ensure that there would be no decay until he was given a proper funeral. Rose oil, and petals, were common in funerals but it was probably the Romans who took it to excess. Roses for them were protective, keeping the dead safe from evil spirits as well as being offerings to the dead themselves, a potent mourning symbol. The celebration Rosaria (or Rosalia) was known as the Festival of Roses and was a time when the graves, and ghosts, of their ancestors were honored. And here's where it gets interesting. Because the Roman military often made sacrifices before marching off and roses, and violets, could be a part of that. The significance of those two flowers together were based on several things, not the least of which were their colors. The colors of blood and rot. Perhaps, one could speculate, the red of a rose has always stood for the preciousness of heart's blood - and the purpose of sacrificing that varies depending on who you're giving it to, and what outcome you're hoping for.

Roses weren't just good for funerals though. The Romans also had a saying 'sub rosa' which means 'beneath the rose'. The idea behind it was that, with all its thorns and tangled branches, beneath a rose bush was a very good place to hide a secret. Its interesting to find that, that too, has passed along with the rose as a symbol. Cupid gave a rose to Harpocrates, the (kinda) god of silence, in exchange for keeping his mother's affairs a secret. Sleeping Beauty is locked in a tower or castle that's guarded by a thorny briar rose forest. Many Catholic confessional booths used to have rose carvings on them and there are still some rooms in older buildings with a rose painted on the ceiling. The Jacobite rebellion in Scotland took a white rose as its symbol. 'Sub rosa' is still used to this day when implying something is confidential.

Let's go a bit lighter now.

Did you know in France, one story has briar roses created by a failed attempt of the Devil to make a ladder to get him back into heaven?

Did you know that the word rosary comes from the word rosarium, which means crown or garland of roses?

The book The Romance of the Rose, written in the 1200s, has some very saucy puns when it comes to roses and women.

If a young girl wraps a rose in a piece of clean white paper on Midsummer's Eve, and its still intact by Christmas day, she can wear it in her buttonhole and the first man to compliment her on it will be her future husband.

Rose leaves touching the floor (leaves, not petals, your weddings are safe) brings bad luck but throwing the leaves into a fire brings good luck.

Cleopatra was rumored to have filled the floor of her bedroom two feet deep with rose petals to impress Mark Anthony.

And lastly, don't sneeze too hard while holding a single rose. If all the petals fall off it and you're left holding only the stem, its a sign of bad things to come (and probably of hay fever).

“I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Does anyone know any Asian or Middle Eastern lore about roses? I was disappointed my sources didn't seem to have any. I'd love to hear them if you do!

[traditional-with-a-twist]

When Will I See You Again?

 Day 7 - Reunion

Series masterpost: The Beast with the Beautiful Face

The sky was gray, the sun barely visible on the horizon. A northern wind nipped at the cloaks of the gathered host, making the horses snort and stamp. Zen patted his steed’s neck to calm it.

Behind him, the knights of the Wistal Castle waited in full armor for their king-to-be.

Across the ranks, their faces were drawn and dispirited. Even Kiki, mounted at the head of the company, had a deeper distance in her face than Zen had ever seen. Beside her, Mitsuhide’s eyes were tired, but he managed a smile when he caught Zen’s eye.

Zen turned back as the palace doors swung open to reveal his lord brother. He met Izana’s solemn gaze before letting his eyes fall to Shirayuki.

She accompanied the first prince in her best dress. When their eyes met, Zen saw her relax and stand a little taller. She raised her chin, looking almost regal by the time Izana spoke, and Zen felt his heart swell with pride as he watched her.

Izana’s voice carried above the wind, cold and sharp. “Go in courage and honor to face these useless brigands that have invaded our shores. Exact justice for the knights of Sereg. In three weeks’ time, I will join you with the full force of our army. Clarines is no unguarded treasure ripe for plundering. Before winter comes, we will have vanquished and returned to peace and celebration.” Izana nodded at Shirayuki.

She squared her shoulders and descended the stairs. The whole host was watching her, but she only had eyes for Zen. As she drew closer, he could see a square of cloth peeking out from between her clasped hands. He couldn’t help but smile, feeling as though the sun had broken through the clouds.

Shirayuki stopped in front of him, her cheeks flushed. She hesitated, holding her hands tight to her chest. “Zen,” she whispered.

“Hey, Shirayuki.”

Her face softened and the last of the tension left her shoulders. “Prince Zen,” her voice rang out clear in the morning air, “please accept this favor from…from your…promised wife.” Her voice lingering on the last words, Shirayuki unfolded a scarlet scarf trimmed with white lace. It shone in the light, but her hair put it to shame.

Zen bowed. “I would be honored.” The scarf crinkled when she laid it in his hands and a sharp but sweet scent drifted between them. “Shirayuki?”

She was still blushing but her eyes were bright as she whispered back, “I sewed thyme and rosemary in the lining and filled it with crushed violets and wasurenagusa. I…don’t have enough skill to embroider so…”

Zen pressed her favor to his lips. He took her hand and ran his thumb over the gold ring on her finger, feeling the days-eye flower engraved there, wishing he could leave her with more than a ring and a promise. “I thank you, my lady,” he said loud enough for the host to hear. Slowly, he let her hand fall from his. “Goodbye, Shirayuki.”

“I’ll see you soon, Zen.” Shirayuki clasped her hands together again, blinking back tears. Zen wanted to brush them away, but it was time to go. Turning to mount his horse, Zen carefully tucked the scarf in his coat, right next to his heart.

[ketchup-monthly]

Night Talks - Chapter 2 Bonus

Loceit (post-relationship)

TWs: self-deprecation, flower mention

They were having a quiet night in, laying together in Janus’ bed, reading, when Logan remembered something he had been meaning to ask Janus for months. He and Janus were in their night clothes, Logan in a pair of shorts and t-shirt, and Janus in a set of gold silk pajamas, with the shorter one laying on Logan’s chest, head turned to the side, looking at his e-reader. Putting a bookmark in his book to mark his page and setting the book down on the nightstand, he placed his hands around Janus’ waist.

“Are you prepared to sleep?” Janus looked up from his book, glancing at him, mismatched eyes sparkling behind blue light glasses.

He shook his head. “I have a question for you, my dear.”

While Logan felt that it may have been underhanded, asking him a personal question in the one room where he can’t lie, it was something that had been weighing on him in the back of his mind.

Janus turned off the e-reader and removed his glasses, leaning further over Logan to place them on top of the book on the side table. He settled back down on his chest, smiling at him. “Of course, love. Ask away.”

“Do you still have that deck of cards that we played gin with?”

“Yes.” He snapped his fingers, materializing the cards in his hand.

Logan took the deck and shuffled through it, taking out the jokers, and one of every face card and an ace. He looked over them again, checking to see if they were the same as they were on that day.

“Why do you ask?” Janus set his chin onto his folded hands, eyebrow cocked.

Logan showed him which cards he had taken from the rest. “I recognize the flowers on these cards, but I am afraid I’m not sure what the meaning of each of them is. Could you tell me, dearest?”

“Of course. Which card would you like me to explain first?”

Logan held up the jokers. “This one has Roman holding a red rose and Remus holding a rhododendron. I know that red roses signify romance, but what do rhododendrons symbolize? And this one has amaryllis and angelica.”

Janus smiled a bit before talking. “Roman is Thomas’ romantic, fanciful side, hence the rose, however he is also Thomas’ ego. Amaryllis means pride. Remus, as goofy as he may act, still poses a threat. Despite that, he also shares the mantle of creativity. Rhododendrons mean danger or beware and angelica mean inspiration.”

“You think Roman is prideful.”

“You do as well, love. I also think that Remus is inspirational. He deserves to hear that more, and not just from me.”

Logan caressed his scaled cheek. “He would believe you, no matter what any of the rest of us say to him.”

“I guess. Shall I explain Patton’s next?”

He excitedly switched the cards in his hand. “White camellia, blue hydrangea, white jasmine, and forget me nots. A very beautiful mix; you have a very good eye.”

“You flatter me. I am colorblind in my left eye.”

Gaze sweeping across Janus’ face, he smiled. “Fascinating.”

He cleared his throat. “White camellias mean you’re adorable, hydrangeas mean gratitude for being understood, while blue ones signify frigidity and heartlessness. White jasmine is sweet love and amiability, and forget-me-nots are, quite aptly, do not forget me.”

Logan thought for a second, placing together what Janus and Patton had gone through together. “He was one of the first to truly accept you in front of Thomas, and is widely considered the sweetest of us. However, he is not always like that, shown through his interactions with Remus. You are thankful that he understood you, and want him to remember that. You are also on good terms with him, but feel hurt that he cannot accept Remus as he has you, and still hold that grudge.”

“Brilliant as always, love.”

He pointed to the jack. “What about Virgil? White clover, red columbine, edelweiss, and coriander.”

“Think of me, anxious and trembling, course and devotion, and hidden worth. What do you think that means when put together?”

“This was just after Virgil had joined us on the other side, so you were missing him. You think very highly of Virgil, and believe that he is more than just ‘Anxiety’, you believe him to be strong, able to stand up, if not for himself, for Thomas, at the very least. You understand that separation from you was for the best for him, but you don’t want him to ignore and block you out forever.”

Janus nodded. “He had good times here as well as bad. I don’t want him to live for the rest of his life remembering me as what he thought I was when he left.”

“And my card? The king? Why am I the king? Not that I’m complaining, my dear, I’m just curious because we were not together at the time.”

“You deserve to be someone’s king, both then and now.”

Logan leaned up and kissed his forehead. “Thank you.”

Janus pushed the blush off of his right cheek. “Blue hyacinth means constancy, violet means watchfulness, modesty, and faithfulness, clematis means mental beauty, rosemary means remembrance, and savory means interest.”

This time, Logan blushed. The cards were created long before he and Janus had chosen to pursue romantic endeavors, and yet this was still what Janus thought of him.

“And—ahem—and this means…?”

The man on his chest reached a hand out to fiddle with the collar of his shirt. “I find you to be exquisite, inside and out, not only your brain. Your memory is uncanny, you are so very loyal, even to those who may not always deserve that faith that you place in them, and while you see and know so much, you remain humbled. You’re stable, never changing for the negative, remaining by Thomas’ side even when he doesn’t believe he needs you there. And I find myself very interested in you, my love.”

“That’s beautiful, Janus.” He took Janus’ hand and pressed it to his lips. “And yours, my queen? Snapdragon, anemone, belladonna, black-eyes susan, lavender, and bittersweet?”

At this, he went from looking into Logan’s eyes, as he had been since they started talking, to looking to the side, a frown on his face. “Deception and graciousness, forsaken, silence, justice, distrust, and truth.”

His words were barely audible, shame clinging to every syllable.

“Darling, that can’t be what you think of yourself.” Logan’s brow furrowed and he squeezed Janus’ hand softly.

He still didn’t look up. “It’s all I’m good for. I lie, I silence others for my own gain, while I pursue justice, I don’t do it in a way that will help others. The rest of you still don’t trust me fully, after all, I am just a liar. I know the truth, I am the truth, but I am stuck in a gray area between that and deception, never fully filling either. I can act as polite as I please, but Roman and Virgil, and even Patton, still cannot look me in the face and believe what I mean. Thomas still doesn’t trust me. I’m stuck.”

Logan reached up and placed his hands on the sides of Janus’ face, gently turning him back to face him, wiping away tears. “That’s illogical and it’s not true. It may be true to you because you could say it in here, but it certainly isn’t true to me, or Virgil, or Thomas, or anyone else. Yes, you represent deception, but you also represent some facet of truth. Thomas needs you as much as he needs Patton, Roman, or myself. I believe you, I know when you’re telling the truth or lying, and understand the meaning behind what you say. So can Remus, and Virgil.”

Janus sniffed. “Virgil doesn’t, that’s why he left me.”

He shook his head, making sure Janus could see into his eyes, and could see that he was being truthful. “Virgil does know. He was hitting his rebellious phase, he was filling his role more. He got caught up in his own head, tricking himself into believing the opposite of what you meant, and that was making him more anxious than usual. That caused him to lash out in anger or isolate himself to give him a chance to calm down. You are not responsible for what happened to Virgil. He made his own choices. He still cares for you, all of us do, even Roman, but they don’t know you well enough now to be able to show you that they care.”

“But my powers—”

“Your powers are meant to protect Thomas. Yes, at times they can be used to cover up the truth, but the truth can often be ugly and harmful. The mission you have given yourself, keeping Thomas honest to himself, while the others cannot see it, I can. Thomas can. Your pursuit of justice within Thomas, it keeps him going, keeps him from breaking down over things that build up. You are as perfect as you can be, in fulfilling your role, in handling your relationships with us, in almost everything you do and are. You may not believe that about yourself now, but I will spend every day for the rest of our lives making sure you know what I believe.”

More tears spilled out of Janus’ eye, and he hiccuped quietly, rubbing at his face over Logan’s hand, trying to dry his wet cheeks. “You really believe that.”

“I do. And you believe so much about the others, in their strengths. Let yourself believe in you too.” Logan caressed Janus’ cheek with his thumb.

He buried his face in Logan’s neck, wiggling forward before relaxing more than he was. Taking a deep breath, he spoke again, in a small, cracking voice. “Can we sleep now?”

“Of course.” Logan took his glasses off and placed them next to the book, turning off the light. He wrapped his arms around the still trembling form of his partner and settled in.

He was going to make sure that Janus knew how much he meant to everyone, and even if that meant actually talking to the others about speaking to him, showing him that he wasn’t just meant for one single thing, then that’s what Logan would do. In the morning, though, because now he had someone dozing on him, someone who needed sleep as much as he did.

[phlaimeaux]

Hello!

I mentioned this on the ISOLATING podcast today.

Here is a six round quiz you can do with your friends/family/frenemies in person or over the internet/WhatApp. The questions are mostly from the amazing Louise O’Connor and I wrote some of the less good ones. Please go on Twitter and say thanks to her. She’s @oconnola.

You can use this quiz but the only rule is that you have make a donation to a charity that is helping vulnerable people at this time. In Ireland, good ones are Alone or Age Action. Please find a similar one in your country/area. And if you could ask the people who are playing with you to do likewise.

It’s one point for a correct answer plus a bonus of two if you can get the link that ties each round together, so the whole quiz is out of 72 points. Sometimes it’s easier to figure out the link and work backwards to get the questions.

The way I did it with my family was to use the main O’Doherty family WhatsApp. There are forty people across three time zones on that. I told them we’d be having a quiz at 8pm Irish time and to form teams and nominate a captain. In the end there were six teams and they could converse with the rest of their team across video platforms. At 8pm I cut and pasted the questions from round one up on the WhatsApp and gave them 10 (more like 15mins really) for the team captains to get the answers back to me directly . Then we moved on to round two. There was a threat of excommunication from the family if anyone cheated.

I corrected them and my Dad did the scores while they were deliberating on the next round and it was one of the most fun nights of the pandemic so far!

Good luck with it and let’s all just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Let me know how it goes.

DO’D

ROUND ONE

1. Brazilian forward and politician Bebeto played for which northern Spanish club for four years in the 1990s?

2. What is the currency of Sweden?

3. Name the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber, and provides most the eye’s focusing power.

4. What is the scientific name for the family of birds that includes jackdaws, rooks, ravens and magpies amongst others?

5. What number appears directly opposite 1 on a standard dartboard?

6. What is the Internet country code top-level domain for Colombia?

7. In anatomy, by what name is the crown on the top of the head also known?

8. Which song on The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan features a woman’s name twice?

9. Which brand regrettably launched its hard seltzer line in the USA in early 2020 with the tagline "coming ashore soon"?

10. Who is the lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs?

ROUND TWO

1. According to singer Edwin Starr, what is good for absolutely nothing?

2. The Pub Landlord comedy character is played by whom?

3. A rock group, record label or film not belonging or affiliated to a major record or film company is known by what name?

4. ‘______snipe,’ is originally Wall Street slang for ‘streetcorner broker.’

5. Which 2020 Democratic presidential candidate was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana?

6. What was Spike Lee’s film about murderer David Berkowitz?

7. Which international football team played with the letters CCCP on their shirts?

8. What was Lewis Carroll’s sequel to Alice in Wonderland?

9. In Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, what is the name of the Imperial troop transporter/combat vehicles that defend the ice planet Hoth?

10. French duo Air had a hit with ‘Kellie Watch ___ _____’ in 1998?

ROUND THREE

1. Ursula Andress appeared as Honey Ryder in which James Bond film?

2. After Romeo and Juliet, which character has the third most lines in the eponymous play? We never actually learn this person’s given name.

3. What 1994 Robert Altman film was shot on location during Paris Fashion Week?

4. Otto Octavius is the real name of which myopic enemy of Spider-Man?

5. Louise Fletcher won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of which character, the antagonist of a character played by Jack Nicholson?

6. An 1886 book by Robert Louis Stevenson investigates the dual lives of which two title characters?

7. What does assassin Leon call his work in the movie ‘Leon’?

8. What genre of song was first published in Tommy Thumb's Song Book, published in the 1740s? Subject material includes the destruction of a major thoroughfare in the English capital, an expedited order of a very special cake, and the threat of a tragic arboreal accident?

9. The term PhD is an abbreviation of which academic title?

10. Jackie, played on TV by Edie Falco, and Betty, played on screen by Renée Zellweger, both share what job in the title of their show and movie respectively?

ROUND 4

1. How are Athos, Porthos and Aramis better known?

2. Which 1991 film stars Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze?

3. How many countries of the world begin with the letter O (in English)?

4. As of 2020, how many times have Manchester City won the premier league?

5. On a typical dart board, which number is directly to the right of the number twenty?

6. How many claws does a rabbit have on its foreleg?

7. In Greek mythology, how many Muses are there? They are the daughters of Zeus.

8. Does a vein carry blood to or from the heart?

9. How many players are typically on a volleyball team?

10. How many countries are permanent members of the UN security council? They are also the only countries with a veto.

ROUND 5

1. What denotes the letter C in the NATO alphabet?

2. What is the surname of the central family in the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances?

3. A 'black light' emits what kind of light?

4. Which Louisiana general led the Confederate troops at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 during the American Civil War?

5. Which rock group sang the 1988 number 2 hit, The Living Years?

6. What was first broadcast on August 1st 1981?

7. Which Roman emperor succeeded Julius Caesar?

8. What five letter word, beginning with G, refers to sloppy or sticky semi-fluid matter?

9. A Plantar wart is most commonly known as what?

10. Which (US) city hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics?

ROUND SIX

1. Which long running BBC music show is hosted by Jools Holland?

2. Which Shakespeare comedy features the characters Benedick and Beatrice?

3. Complete the title of this Duke Ellington song: ‘East St Louis ______ ____’ 

4. What breed of dog is or was a pet kept by, amongst others, Elvis Presley, Martha Stewart, President Calvin Coolidge and Sigmund Freud?

5. What is the chemical symbol for the element copper?

6. The sitcom Frasier was itself a spin-off of which sitcom? I hope everybody knows its name.

7. Which cereal, marketed in the UK and Ireland by Nestlé, features the cereal in question falling into a bowl with blue, red, yellow and green stripes?

8. Which condiment is made mainly of mayonnaise and finely chopped capers?

9. Constantinople was the capital of which empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, until it fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453?

10. Which Australian musician’s singles include Chandelier and Cheap Thrills?

ANSWERS

Round ONE

1. Derportivo La Coruna

2. Krona

3. Cornea

4. Corvids or Corvidae

5. 19

6. Co

7. The corona

8. Corrina Corrina

9. Corona

10. Karen O

Theme: Coronavirus

Round TWO

1. War

2. Al Murray

3. Indie

4. Guttersnipe

5. Pete Buttigieg

6. Summer of Sam

7. USSR

8. Through the Looking Glass

9. AT-AT

10. The stars

Theme: Oscar Wilde Quote. ‘We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.’

Round THREE

1. Dr No

2. Nurse

3. Pret a Porter

4. Dr Octopus

5. Nurse Ratched

6. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

7. Cleaner

8. Nursery Rhymes

9. Doctor of Philosopy

10. Nurse

Theme: Heroic front line workers at this time

Round FOUR

1. Three Muskateers

2. Point Break

3. One

4. Four

5. One

6. Five

7. Nine

8. To

9. Six

10. Five

Theme: Pi

ROUND FIVE

1. Charlie

2. Bucket

3. Violet

4. Beauregarde

5. Mike

6. Teavee

7. Augustus

8. Gloop

9. Veruca

10. Salt

Children in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory/Willie Wonka

ROUND SIX

1. Later

2. Much Ado About Nothing

3. Toodle-oo

4. Chow

5. Cu

6. Cheers

7. Cheerios

8. Tartar

9. Byzantine

10. Sia

Theme: Ways of saying goodbye.

[irl-daddystans]

Daddy Squad as Flowers ✿❀❁❀

P.S.: listen to “Flowers” by Nori (in love with a ghost). Gave me all the uwus while I was writing this!!

Parker - Violets (purple) @aphenglandstan

(Photo by Caroline Ingebrigtsen on Unsplash)

Sweet, lovely Parker. Not only is he a wonderful flower of violets—I’ve always associated you with the colors of purple because you’re an absolute KING—but it’s also the meaning and the way they grow that remind me of you. Despite the name, they’re actually commonly white or yellow, and real purple ones are quite rare. However, you can find them if you search hard enough. Finding people like you, Parker, is pretty hard—but verily worth it.

Violets don’t need the same love and nurture that other flowers do (although it’s appreciated). They grow on roadsides just fine. They’re very determined flowers that will bloom and flourish even under the circumstances they’re placed into. They maintain dignity and symbolize staying strong. They stand for being brave. To me, you are one of the bravest people in the world. All of these are just like you, Parker!

Aside from violets in particular, the color purple in general symbolizes royalty and pride. They even symbolize admiration (which I have loads for you!!).

Mars - Carnations (red) @kirklandarthurs

(Photography by Valsanfox on Pixabay)

Boy do I have a lot to say why this is Mars.

First of all—GREEK. Some intellectuals—not me, of course—debate that its name came from the word “corone” or even “coronation” as it was used as Greek ceremonial crowns!

On the other hand, “others propose that it's derived from from the Latin ‘carnis’ (flesh) referring to the flower's original pinkish-hued color or ‘incarnacyon’ (incarnation), referring to the incarnation of God-made flesh” (Teleflora). Proof that Mars is a goddess, Roman or Greek or Christian or not!

Carnations represent love and fascination. Mars gives love easily and willingly, and she does not hide it. In fact, she shares it openly for everyone to have, should they get on her good side, which isn’t very difficult, either. Easily lovable and easy to love. I use red carnations in particular because Mars is a romantic and loves passionately and deeply. Red carnations, in particular, symbolize admiration as well, as Mars openly admires people and I wholly admire her!!

renn - Sunflowers (yellow, just yellow) @noruue

(Image by U. Leone from Pixabay)

renn is!! A ray!! Of sunshine!! Sunflowers are said to turn to wherever the sun is, and they’re just wonderful, (ironically) tall plants. Hey, APH Russia also likes it and Finland use to be part of Russia! Sunflowers are very iconic and cheery like renn is.

In old Chinese culture, they represent good luck, long life, and a lasting happiness, as well as symbolize admiration, loyalty, and non-romantic love for a friend and family member in modern times (Orchid Republic). In addition to a wink wonk at renn’s heritage, renn makes for one of the best people to have as a friend as she’s extremely loyal and loving. She won’t disappoint you when you need her, trust me.

Yellow, as a color in general and in the language of flowers, is a color of positivity, happiness, and friendship. These are all traits and characteristics that are very much true to renn’s character! An amazing friend and person, a true ray of sunshine and sunflower. Cue Post Malone.

Bonus! Canamama - Marigolds (orange) @martizt

( Image by Sussie Nilsson from Pixabay)

Why orange, you ask? (You probably didn’t ask, but I’ll answer.)

Canamama gives me such earthy vibes that are both vibrant and down-to-Earth, which is what gave me orange in particular. They’re also a very warm, cozy person. That, and they roleplay as Canada, which makes me associate maple leaves and fall with them, hehe.

Marigolds are kickass, like Canamama. They’re a fall flower, so even in that withering season they kick in! They’re also extremely funny as the Victorian interpretation is that they display a desire for wealth, as the name Marigold derives from “Mary’s gold,” alluding to how early Christians placed flowers instead of coins on the virgin Mary’s altar. There is also a superstition that looking at a marigold long enough will make you a drunkard, in addition to it being a love charm. Which is absolutely hilarious and gives me Canamama vibes (Brand).

Marigold flowers symbolize beauty and freshness. Not only is Canamama extremely beautiful, they are also beautiful in the inside and a very fresh addition to the original Daddy Squad. They’re often used in ceremonies and parties. And they serve as excellent pests-be-gone! Not only does Canamama good enough to appear in formal ceremonies, they will also not put up with your crap. We stan Canamama!!

Sources

“Meaning & Symbolism of Carnations.” Teleflora, www.teleflora.com/meaning-of-flowers/carnation.

“30 Types of Yellow Flowers and Their Meanings.” Orchid Republic, orchidrepublic.com/blogs/news/types-yellow-flowers-meanings.

“Marigold.” Brand, www.auntyflo.com/flower-dictionary/marigold.

[scriptflorist]

I'm looking for flowers that represent gods or goddesses. Of any culture.

Hey there Nonny!

That is a great question! But also one that is very non-specific. There are a great many deities and a great many cultures. So without knowing what you're looking for specifically, we've decided to scan The Big Five – Greek, Roman, Indian, Egyptian and Norse mythology. I've found a great many things and this is going to be an incredibly long ask, so grab a drink and some food we'll be here for a while.

Put under a cut so this doesn't block anyone's dash.

Key:

misc: might be a symbol, might be a sacred plant IT'S SOMETHING to say the least

sacred plant: sacred plant

plant: might or might not be sacred but is certainly associated with them

offering: things offered to the deity in question

symbol: generally something they're depicted with or sth that was listed as their symbol, often both

incense: incense used for offerings/temples, listed as long as it’s derived from a plant

Notes:

if wine counts so does beer so does mead so does ale

cornucopia/horn of plenty listed bc flowers are a common filling, also it holds floristic value

I’ve had to translate some of the offerings to Indian deities, take ‘em with a grain of doubt

Greek Deities:

achelous – plant: cedar

aether – offering: saffron (according to a hymn)

althaea – offering: fruits

aphrodite – sacred plants: (wood) anemone, apples/apple tree, myrrh (tree), quince, (gallic and red) roses, lime tree, (prickly) cedar, (prickly) lettuce, big-leaf linden (unsure), myrtle, pomegranate tree, narcisssus/ offerings: apples, pomegranates, roses, myrrh, myrtle, wine / symbol: apple, myrtle wreath, flowers

apollo – sacred plants: (italian) cypress, larkspur, laurel, date palm, violet (unsure) / plant: (bay) laurel, palm tree, apple tree, poplar tree, mistletoe / incense: myrrh, frankincense / symbol: laurel wreath

arachne – plant: monkshood

ares – sacred plant: manna ash

artemis – sacred plants: (persian) walnut, almond, fir, (italian) cypress, willow, wormwood, daisy, laurel, chaste tree, (prickly) cedar, (italian) cypress, amaranth / offering: saffron

asklepios – sacred plants: various herbs

athena – sacred plants: mulberry, oak, olive tree / said to have created the very first olive tree

cerce – renowned for her vast knowledge of drugs and herbs

cotys – offering: wine

demeter –  sacred plants: grains, wheat, barley, (penny royal and spear) mint, opium poppy, chaste tree, fig tree / plant: chaste tree, myrrh, sunflower / symbol:  wheat ears, horn of plenty, lotus / goddess of corn, grain, harvest and the fertility of earth / her sacred eleusinian drink was made of barley, honey and mint

dionysos – sacred plants: bindweed, elm tree, fennel, fig tree, (grecian) fir, grapevine, ivy, (aleppo and corsican) pine, plany plant (w/e tf that is), calamus, cinnamon / symbol: pine cone, fig, grapevine, wine, pine cone tipped staff, ivy crown / god of wine agriculture and fertility of nature

eileithyia – sacred plant: (grecian) fir

eirene – sacred plants: corn, olive tree / symbol: horn of plenty, olive branch,  often depicted carrying/wearing ears of corn

eos – sacred plant: saffron (was also associated with the colour of the same name)

eris – symbol: golden apple of discord

gaia – goddess of the earth

hades – sacred plant: asphodel, elm tree, spear mint, white poplar / plant: ebony, cypress / offering: pomegranates / symbol: narcissus

hebe – plant: lettuce, ivy sprigs

hecate – sacred plants: asphodel, various herbs, belladonna, hemlock, mandrake, poppies, many hallucinogenic plants, yew tree / plant: oak, cypress, aconite, dandelion, garlic, lavender, willow

helios – sacred plant: frankincense tree, heliotrope, black poplar

hera – misc: iris / sacred plants: apple tree, chaste tree, pomegranate tree, lotus, willow / plant: opium poppy / symbol: lotus staff, pomegranate

hermes –  sacred plants: crocus, greek strawberry tree

hestia – misc: unknown flowering plant / sacred plant: chaste tree

hymen – symbol: flowers in general

hypnos – plant: poppy

iris – sacred plant: iris

nemesis – plant: apple tree

nike – sacred plant: date palm

pan – sacred plants: (corsican) pine, calamus

persephone – sacred plants: grain, lily of the valley, spring flowers, pomegranate, asphodel, spear mint, black poplar, wheat, white willow / offerings: seeds, flowers in general, pomegranate, grain / symbol: pomegranate

phanes – incense: myrrh, god of creation

pluto – plant: cypress / offerings: figs, dates / symbol: horn of plenty

pontus – plant: seaweed / symbol: seaweed

poseidon – sacred plants: (aleppo) pine, parsely, wild celery, rock-rose (unsure)

rhea – sacred plants: fruit bearing trees, pine, oak

selene – misc: selentrope / plant: chamomile, valerian, hyssop, rosemary, mugwort, myrtle, birch, willow / offerings: white roses, poppies / incense: aloe, jasmine, lotus, sage

zephyrus – plant: hyacinth

zeus – sacred plants: manna ash, parsley, wild celery,  holm oak, olive tree, white poplar

Roman Deities:

abundantia – guardian of the horn of plenty / symbol: horn or plenty, corn, wheat

aesculapius –  symbol: several herbs, pineapple

aeternitas – symbol: horn of plenty

angitia – goddess of healing herbs

anna perenna – plant: fruit trees, rose, foxglove, violet, daffodil, birch, elder / offering: wine / symbol: wreaths / incense: honeysuckle, sandalwood, jasmine, lavender, vanilla, pine

apollo – symbol: laurel, hyacinth

bacchus – plant: fennel, pine, ivy / offerings: wine, honey, figs / symbol: grapes, wine, grapevines, pine cone tipped staff

bellum – offerings: grain, fruit, flowers, wine (among others)

bona dea – offering: wine / symbol: horn of plenty

bonus eventus – plant: poppies / symbol: grain stalks

cardea – plant: hawthorn

carmenta – plant: walnut, willow, juniper / offering: flowers, fruits, vegetables / symbol: bean leaves / incense: bay, laurel

ceres – sacred plants: chaste tree, corn, pumpkin / plant: poppies / symbol: wheat, grains, horn of plenty, poppy / offerings: flowers, wheat, first fruits of harvest /  goddess of agriculture, grain crops among other things / “Poppies were her emblem as the grow in cornfields.  All other flowers were banned as she had lost her daughter to the underworld when she was out picking flowers.” / enna is her most ancient sanctuary and its said flowers bloomed on it throughout the year on its “miraculous plain”

cloacina – plant: myrtle / offering: incense / symbol: incense burner

concordia – symbol: horn of plenty

consus – offerings: garlands, flowers, corn seed / symbol: corn seed

cupid – symbol: rose

cybelle – personified mother earth

diana – sacred plants:  oak groves, apple, balm, beech, jasmine, mugwort, oak trees, vervain, wormwood / symbol: cypress tree, woodland/woods /  goddess of the woods/nature, her followers would wash and decorate their hair with flowers for the festival of torches

egeria – plant: oak tree

fecunditas – symbol: horn of plenty

felicitas – symbol: horn of plenty

feronia – some believed her to be a harvest goddess appeasing her with the first fruits of the harvest, also considered a goddess of wilderness, of untamed nature, and nature's vital forces

fides – offerings: (unnamed) flowers, wine, incense / symbol: olive/laurel branch

flora – misc:  blossoming plants, wheat, crops / plant: flowers / offerings: grain, fruits goddess of flowers and the season spring (so?? spring flowers??)

fons/fontus – offering: garlands / fountains and well-heads where adorned with garlands for his festival

fortuna – plant: oak tree / symbol: horn of plenty / protector of grain supplies under the name annonaria (brings luck of the harvest)

janos – offerings: dates, figs

juno – sacred plant: wild fig tree / symbol: pomegranate

jupiter – plant: oak tree / offering: walnuts / symbol: oak tree

juturna – offering: oil

lares – symbol: horn of plenty

laverna – plant: wild poppy

liber – plant: ivy / offering: oil, the first, sacred pressing of the grape-harvest, known as sacrima / protector of vines and grapes

libitina – plant: mugwort, patchouli, hourehound, sage, henbane

lucina – misc: lotus trees

meditrina – offering: wine

mercury – plant: dogs mercury, anise, dill, fennel

minerva – sacred plants: olive, mulberry, alder tree / symbol: olive tree

mithras – symbol: pine cone

ops – symbol: corn spikes/corn / earth goddess

pales – offerings: branches, wreaths / may be male or female

pax – plant: olive tree / symbol: horn of plenty

pilumnus – symbol: grain

pomona – sacred plant: apple (tree) / offerings: fruits / symbol: horn of plenty / goddess of fruit trees, gardens and orchards / was said to be a wood nymph, generally depicted with a platter of fruit or a horn of plenty in art

priapus – symbol: flowers, fruit, vegetables

proserpina – offering: pomegranate / symbol: poppy, white rose, pomegranate

rumina – plant: fig tree

salacia – symbol: crown of seaweed

salus – offering: grain

saturn – symbol: wheat / god of seeds, harvest and agriculture among other things

silvanus – plant: cypress / offering: grapes, grain, wine

tellus/terra (mater) – offerings: flowers, fruit / symbol: flowers, fruit, horn of plenty / “mother earth”, goddess of the earth

terminus – offerings: crops, wine, garlands / marker would be decorated with garlands

tranquilitas – symbol: grain

trivia – offerings: grain, fruit, flowers, wine

venus – sacred plants: aloe, wood anemone, apple, benzoin, maidenhair fern, heather, sweet marjoram, (especially) myrtle, parsley, quince, sandalwood, pomegranate, rose / offering: wine / symbol: rose

victoria – symbol: laurel wreath, palm branch

virbius – god of forests

volturnus – offering: wine

vortumnus/vertumnus – god of seasons, gardens, fruit trees, change, plant growth

Indian Deities:

aranyani – goddess of forests

ardhanarishvara – in the four-armed form the left hands holds a flower, an early depiction shows the left side of the head covered in flowers

ayyappan – flowers are commonly scattered near the shrine

bhairava – offerings: red flowers / one of his forms is depicted with a garland of red flowers / eight types of flowers and leaves are used in arcana to bhairava

bhikshatana – garland of sylvan flowers which is the only thing he wears to entice the sages' wives to humble and enlighten the sages

bhumi – plant: blue lotus / offering: pomegranate, vegetables / symbol: blue lotus, pomegranate / personification of mother earth

brahma – offerings: white lotus (6)

chamunda – plant: fig tree / offering: wine

dattatreya – offerings: jasmine (7), bael tree leaves, indian fig tree leaves, indian fig tree branches

durga – plant: lotus flower / offerings: lotus, jasmine flower and bael tree leaves (1 or 9), most red flowers (e.g. hibiscus) / some shaktas worship durga's symbolism and presence as mother nature

ganesh – offerings: red sandalwood paste, red flowers in general, dhurva grass blades (1,3,5,7) , the red hibiscus is his favourite, lotus, champa (magnolia most likely), rose, jasmine, yellow and orange marigold flowers, bael tree leaves, herbs / usually 21 different varieties of flowers and leaves are used while performing ganesha puja

ganga – having washed the lotus feet of the Lord, which are covered with reddish saffron, the water of the ganges acquired a very beautiful pink colour

gayatri – plant: red lotus

hanuman – offerings: chameli (a type of jasmine flower), garland made up of basil or crown flower leaves

jagannath – (ratha yatra festival) chariots/rathas have wheels painted with flower petals and inverted loti behind the throne

kali – worshipped as the preserver of nature, standing on shiva her presence represents the preservation of mother nature, red hibiscus flowers to match the blood she's depicted with

kathyayini – incense: sandalwood

krishna/avatar or vishnu – offerings: blue lotus (3), coral flowers, carnation of india, basil leaves, local flowers

lakshmi – plant: lotus / offerings: pink lotus, yellow marigolds) and desi gula/rose (no hybrids), bael tree fruit, likes loti best, red jasmine, red flowers in general / often depicted on a seated on a lotus flower, holding lotus buds in her upper pair of limbs

lingam – offerings: flower petals, fruit, fresh leaves

mahakali – offerings: yellow oleander (9)

mariamman – plant: limes, red flowers

narayana – described holding a lotus flower

padmanabha – offerings: flowers (daily)

parvati – plant: lotus flower / offerings: arabian jasmine, white lotus, parrot tree, crown flower, prickly chaff flower, champa and chameli (a type of jasmine flower), fond of all flowers offered to shiva / one of her festival encourages flowers as gifts, gauri-shankar is a particular rudraksha (bead) formed naturally from the seed of a tree found in india (represents parvati and shiva esp when seeds fuse together naturally)

rama/avatar of vishnu – offerings: chameli (a type of jasmine flower) (4)

saraswati – plant: white lotus / offerings: any white flower or white lotus (9) or parrot tree flowers, yellow flowers / seated on a lotus

shiva – offerings: flowers, fruits, fresh leaves, blue lotus (if there is no blue pink or white loti can be offered), oleander, bael tree leaves (9 or 10), dhatura flowers, indian rose chestnut, night jasmine, crown flower, flowers, any white flower, loves wild flowers

tripura sundari – symbol: flower arrows / her hair may be decorated with flowers among other things

umi – plant: lotus flower

vaidheeswara – offerings: grain, flowers

vaikuntha kamalaja – the vishnu half holds the common attributes of vishnu among them a lotus, the female half might hold a kalasha (coconut-mango leaves atop a pot) and sometimes a lotus among other things

vishnu – offerings: pink lotus, jasmine, burflower tree, screw pine, chameli (a type of jasmine flower), champa (magnolia most likely), ashok, velvet pink banana and marigolds(?), basil leaves (1,3,5,7,9), fond of loti, mogra / his fourth arm holds a lotus flower

Egyptian Deities:

amunet – plant: papyrus / symbol: papyrus (staff)

bast – sacred plant: catnip / symbol: papyrus wand

dedun – offering: incense / god of incense

geb – god of the earth, depicted with green skin and plants growing from his body

hapi – plant: papyrus, lotus

hathor – sacred plants: myrtle, sycamore tree / plant: rose, papyrus

hauhet – plant: palm

heka – plant: twisted flax

heket – plant: lotus / symbol: lotus

huh – plant: palm

imhotep – symbol: papyrus scoll

ipy – offering: incense

isis – plant: sycamore tree / symbol: sycamore / incense: myrrh, cedar, narcissus

iusaaset – plant: acacia tree

khepri – plant: blue lotus

meret – symbol: blue lotus, papyrus

min – plant: lotus / symbol: lotus

nefertem – plant: lotus, water lily

neper – offering: grain / symbol: grain, barley, emmer wheat

nut – plant: sycamore tree

qetesh – goddess of nature among other things

rem – his tears produce vegetation

sekhmet – offerings: wine, beer

seshat – sacred plant: papyrus in form of writing paper / plant: palm

shezmu – offerings: wine, grapes / god of the oil press for some time

tenenet – offering: beer

wadjet – plant: papyrus

Norse Deities:

aegir – offering: beer

bragi – offering: mead

freyja – sacred plants: cowslip, daisies,  primrose / plant: elder, birch, rose / offerings: strawberries

frigg – sacred plant: mistletoe / plant: lady's bedstraw, alder, birch, elder, feverfew / incense: myrtle, rose, sandalwood / frigg's grass is a plant was traditionally used as a sedative during birth

gerðr – offerings: mead, apples

heimdallr – offering: mead

hel – sacred plants: holly, yew (toxic), elder and more

höðr – plant: mistletoe

iðunn – sacred plant: apples / offerings: apples / symbol: apples

kvasir – offering: mead

mímir – offering: mead

thor – plant: oak tree / offering: mead, ale

ullr – plant: yew tree / symbol: yew tree (toxic)

valkyries – offering: mead

Misc Deities:

Celtic

arianrhod – sacred plant: ivy

cerridwen – sacred plant: corn

epona – sacred plants: garlands of roses / offerings: incense, wine

morrigan – sacred plants: mugwort, yew (toxic), willow

Misc Religion:

west african deities are commonly offered food rather than flowers bc they like practical offerings and flowers aren't practical but food among other things is

yoruba religion includes the fruit of the palm oil tree more than often, either in parts or as a whole, its 'white' and 'red' oils are associated to specific deities, its 'nut' is used for traditional divination, mostly it's offered as a source of food

- Mod Jana

Disclaimer

This blog is intended as writing advice only. This blog and its mods are not responsible for accidents, injuries or other consequences of using this advice for real world situations or in any way that said advice was not intended.

Sources:

http://www.thespiritualindian.com/flowers-offered-to-hindu-gods-and-goddess/

https://www.boldsky.com/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2012/hindu-gods-flowers-030009.html

http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/

http://www.goddess-guide.com/

http://www.flowersofindia.net/

http://www.theoi.com/

http://www.talesbeyondbelief.com/

[fictionadventurer]

Father Brown Reread: The Invisible Man

In the cool blue twilight of two steep streets in Camden Town, the shop at the corner, a confectioner’s, glowed like the butt of a cigar.

There are no colorless skies in Chesterton’s world. Never just twilight--it’s blue twilight.

Nowadays, you’d never see “butt of a cigar” used as a positive comparison.

Chesterton really loves London. I’m reasonably well-versed in English authors of this time period, and I can’t think of any who go into so much detail about the neighborhoods of London.

He was a tall, burly, red-haired young man, with a resolute face but a listless manner. He carried under his arm a flat, grey portfolio of black-and-white sketches, which he had sold with more or less success to publishers ever since his uncle (who was an admiral) had disinherited him for Socialism, because of a lecture which he had delivered against that economic theory.

This guy ticks a lot of boxes on the Chesterton Romantic Hero list. Red-haired, artist, involved in publishing, has Opinions about Socialism. (It’s the second story in a row involving a Young Socialist in Love).

His name was John Turnbull Angus.

And he almost deserved it. 

(Not a commentary on his character. I just can’t resist the reference.)

“...I mean, what is all that?” “A ceremonial meal, Miss Hope.” “And what is that?” she asked impatiently, pointing to the mountain of sugar. “The wedding-cake, Mrs. Angus,” he said.

Smooth, John Turnbull Angus.

No one writes engagement scenes like Chesterton does. I’ve been grinning like a lunatic through this whole scene. This rivals Michael Moon’s proposal to Rosamund.

“But after all, these freaks were my friends in a way; and I had a horror of their thinking I refused them for the real reason, which was that they were so impossibly ugly. So I made up some gas of another sort, about never meaning to marry anyone who hadn’t carved his way in the world. [...] The first thing I heard was that both of them had gone off to seek their fortunes, as if they were in some silly fairy tale.

I’m both slightly shocked and impressed by Laura. She admits that she’s shallow, but she’s horrified to think that anyone would think she’s shallow. Intriguing little paradox. At least she’s self-aware.

To be fair to her, I think she refused them for more than their looks. If these guys have nothing better to do than hang out in the bar all day, I don’t think they’re great husband material.

And once again, a Father Brown story has become a fairy tale. We’ve had fairy tale elements in all of the stories so far.  

You know the sort of thing: ‘Press a Button--A Butler who Never Drinks.’ ‘Turn a Handle--Ten Housemaids who Never Flirt.’

A fascinating look at a societal structure that’s very foreign to us today. It smacks of horrific classism--they rely on humans to do their work for them, but view them as vulgar, immoral, low-class people who are much better replaced by machines.

“Well, my dear,” said the young man, cheerfully, “if he were Satan himself, he is done for now you have told somebody. One goes mad all alone, old girl.”

This seems like good general life advice.

“Yes. Just when I had finished reading the second letter from Isidore Smythe announcing his success, just then, I heard Welkin say, ‘He shan’t have you, though.’ It was quite plain, as if he were in the room. It is awful. I think I must be mad.”

Shades of The Phantom of the Opera. I remained surprised by the heavy Gothic influences in the Father Brown stories.

“...I know an extremely clever fellow, who has set up in business five minutes from here in your car. His name’s Flambeau, and though his youth was a bit stormy, he’s strictly an honest man now, and his brains are worth money. He lives in Lucknow Mansions, Hampstead.”

Flambeau’s still using his criminal alias? That doesn’t seem like a smart plan for a reformed man who wants to live in peace.

His youth was ‘a bit stormy’? That’s a bit of an understatement, after several stories discussing his audacious crimes and legendary international status.

Also, is he living off of the profits of his crimes? He’s living around the corner from a millionaire. I can’t imagine that the detective business pays that well.

“I use them in my own flat,” said the little black-bearded man, laughing, “partly for advertisements, and partly for real convenience. Honestly, and all above board, those big clockwork dolls of mine do bring your coals or claret or a timetable quicker than any live servants I’ve ever known, if you know which knob to press.”

This story takes place in a weird steampunk version of London. As far as I know, real-life automatons never had practical purposes.

But of course, with Chesterton, even the sci-fi-like elements are only important for how they comment upon human nature. The automatons serve as the story’s important thematic symbol.

These were the only human shapes in that high suburban solitude; but he had an irrational sense that they expressed the speechless poetry of London. He felt as if they were figures in a story.

Fourth wall: shattered.

They had two great hooks like arms, for carrying trays; and they were painted pea-green, or vermilion, or black for convenience of distinction; in every other way they were only automatic machines and nobody would have looked twice at them. On this occasion, at least, nobody did.

Foreshadowing for the ending.

These servants are stripped of their humanity, mindless machines placed in the house to complete preset tasks. Their colors--like uniforms--are bright, but only serve as markers of their function.

Mr. Flambeau’s semi-official flat was on the ground floor, and presented in every way a marked contrast to the American machinery and cold hotel-like luxury of the flat of the Silent Service. Flambeau, who was a friend of Angus, received him in a rococo artistic den behind his office, of which the ornaments were sabres, harquebuses, Eastern curiosities, flasks of Italian wine, savage cooking-pots, a plumy Persian cat, and a small dusty-looking Roman Catholic priest, who looked particularly out of place.

This is exactly the sort of apartment that I’d expect Flambeau to have.

I LOVE how Father Brown is described as if he’s one of Flambeau’s decorations. Flambeau’s precisely the sort of person who’d hang out with a priest for the Aesthetic. Of course, it’s not the only reason, but I think he finds it a gratifying bonus.

“Yes, I think it will keep clear,” said Angus, sitting down on a violet-striped Eastern ottoman. “No,” said the priest quietly, “it has begun to snow.”

Already, Father Brown is showing that he’s more than just a piece of background scenery. We can’t even get through the small talk without him proving someone wrong.

“Father,” said Flambeau, after a pause, “upon my soul I believe it is more in your department than mine. No friend or foe has entered the house, but Smythe is gone, as if stolen by fairies. If that is not supernatural, I--”

Really, Flambeau? How did you make it as a detective? Five minutes of investigation and you already jump to a supernatural conclusion? You can’t think of any other explanation? Maybe someone climbed up to a window or something? Seriously. Put a little thought into it.

When those four quite honest men said that no man had gone into the Mansions, they did not really mean that no man had gone into them. They meant no man whom they could suspect of being your man. A man did go into the house, and did come out of it, but they never noticed him.”

See, Flambeau, these are the types of things you should be considering.

This theory is true enough. But once they noticed the footprints and started discussing the “Invisible Man”, wouldn’t someone have mentioned, “Oh, yeah, the postman walked up to the house”?

Then again, if they ignored the postman while he was there, they probably forgot all about him after he left, so the footprints would still be puzzling.

“Nobody ever notices postmen somehow,” he said thoughtfully; “yet they have passions like other men, and even carry large bags where a small corpse can be stowed quite easily.

And here’s where the themes of the story come together. It’s a commentary on class.

We have Smythe with his mechanical servants that replace living, breathing people with machines--literally dehumanizing the work that they do.

And then there’s the postman--completely invisible and stripped of his humanity, so long as he’s running on his track and completing his assigned task.

But the postman's humanity drives him to torment a woman and murder a man, and his working class role makes them overlook him as no more than a machine who couldn’t possibly do anything outside his assigned task.

But Father Brown walked those snow-covered hills under the stars for many hours with a murderer, and what they said to each other will never be known.

I have chills.

Rather than giving us the expected ending--handing the murderer over to the police and securing justice--the mystery story ends with another mystery.

This is what I love about Father Brown--he doesn’t dehumanize anyone, not even murderers. Even murderers have souls, and they need saving.

[txwitchery]

God/desses and Festivals A-F

This is the first part of a summary list of god/desses of the Roman pantheon and some of their celebrations and festivals.

Acca Larentia: prostitute foster mother of Romulus and Remus and benefactor of Rome. Her festival fell on 23 December in the Velabrum, where she was said to have been buried. This festival was also dedicated to the Lares, household gods. An invocation may be found here.

Aeternitas: the goddess of eternity and the endlessness of beneficial governmental rule (as Aeternitas Imperii). In her hands, she holds two heads, one in each hand: these are the Sun and the Moon. On her head is a circular diadem. No set festival was celebrated for her, but she was honored in thanks-giving when an Emperor survived a conflict or hardship.

Angerona: often pictured with a finger to her lips and her mouth bandaged, asking for silence, especially in regard to the sacred name of Rome which should not be spoken lest it draw the attention of its enemies. She drove sorrow and disillusionment from people’s hearts. Her festival was Angeronalia or Divalia, on 21 December, during which sacrifices would be made on her alter, in the temple of the goddess Voluptas, of pleasures and delights.

Angitia: ancient goddess of healing through witchcraft and sister of Circe and Medea. She is a charmer of snakes who also has the ability to cure snakebite. She was a master of healing with herbs and charms, and could kill a snake with a single touch. 

Anna Perenna: lunar goddess of the circle or wheel of the year, and of the proletarian struggle. Public sacrifice and prayers were offered to her in order to secure a happy end to the old year and a healthy beginning to the new. Tents and bowers were erected at her festival, in which young couples would make love and pray that the goddess would give them as many good years as they could drink cups of wine. Her festival was held on the Ides of March, or 15 March, or the first full moon in the new year. It was held at the first milestone on the Via Flaminia.

Aurora: goddess of the dawn who flew across the sky to announce the coming of the sun, and mother of the four winds. She was later associated with Mater Matuta, whose festival, the Matralia, was celebrated on 11 June, attended by single women or newly-married women who offered prayers for their nieces and nephews.

Bacchus: god of wine, intoxication, ecstasy, and freedom. His festival orgies, the Bacchanalia, were held at night from 16-17 March, during which attendees would partake of wine and sex freely, mirroring the habits of the hedonistic god. These celebrations were so intense that eventually the Senate stepped in to legislate how they should be celebrated in order to maintain public welfare. Sacrifices of raw meat and wine were given to Bacchus.

Bellona: the consort of Mars, this goddess represented war and bravery, pictured brandishing a bloody spear or sword and wearing a military helmet. She had two festivals: one on 3 June, a feast day in her honor during which war victories were celebrated, and the other on 24 March, the Dies Sanguinis, on which her priests would shed their own blood from their arms or legs as an offering to her.

Bona Dea: a goddess whose true name is a mystery, who protects the women of Rome and whose symbol is a snake. She also was associated with virginity and the use of healing herbs. Only women were allowed at her festivals. Her secret rites were held on 4 December and hosted by the wife of a prominent magistrate. The semi-public festival (still with no men permitted) was held on 1 May. Here, the sick were tended to with herbs in the gardens of her temple. 

Cardea or Carna: Goddess of the hinges of the door, and by extension, the axis of the Earth, and guardian of the vital parts of the body such as the heart. Her festival, the Bean-Kalends, was held on 1 June, and refried beans were given as an offering to her.

Carmenta: a goddess of childbirth, prophecy, invention, and midwifery. She was said to have invented the Latin alphabet, and the wearing of leather was forbidden in her temple. Her festivals, Carmentalia, were celebrated on 11 and 15 January, and were observed mostly by women. She was worshipped as both Postvorta (looking into the past) and Antevorta (looking into the future). 

Ceres: the goddess of grains, agriculture, fertility, and motherhood. Mother of Proserpina. She had twelve helper gods all associated with various acts of planting and harvesting. She protects women through all transition periods: adolescence, marriage, birth, and menopause. Pigs were often sacrificed to her, as well as poppies and grains. The Cerealia was a seven-day festival in her honor some time in mid-April (12-18?). It was opened by a horse race, and an event involving the fixture of lit torches to the tails of foxes. Part of the festival involved the Ludi Cereales, or the Games of Ceres. 

Clementia: goddess of mercy, redemption, absolution, forgiveness. Pictured holding an olive branch in one hand and a scepter in the other.

Cloacina: goddess who presided over the sewer system of Rome-- as an aspect of Venus, protector of sexual intercourse between married couples.

Caelus: god of the sky, especially at night in contrast to the Sun. Castrated by Saturnus, his severed genitalia would fall upon the sea and from them would ruse Venus, goddess of love. 

Concordia: goddess of harmony, agreement, and stability (especially in marriage or government). She was depicted in a long clock, holding a patera, cornucopia, or caduceus. 

Consus: a chthonic god who oversaw the harvest and storage of grain. He had two festivals, the first on 18 August, during the harvest, when games and chariot races were held, and the second on 15 December, at time of storage of the grain, when his shrine was finally uncovered from underground. Equine beasts of burden (the mule was sacred to him) were exempted from work and covered in garlands of flowers.

Cupido: a winged god who was the child of Venus and Volcanus. He embodied desire, both for power and sex. He carried two types of arrows, one which would attract love and one which would repel it. His symbols include the bee, the palm branch, and the bow and arrow. 

Dea Dia: ancient goddess of growth often associated with Ceres. Her festival was the three-day Ambarvalia (beginning 29 May), at which her twelve priests, the Fratres Arvales, made prayers to the goddess while leading three sacrificial animals-- a bull, a sow, and a sheep-- around a cornfield three times to bless the harvest. On the second day, the sacrificial victims were slain in the goddess’ grove. On the third day, another procession was held, with hymns and prayer.

Dea Tacita: the silent goddess of the dead. She was called upon at Feralia on 21 February to stop ill-meaning tongues from speaking. Feralia was a festival of pubic mourning to appease the spirits of the dead. Wreaths, grain, salt, wine-soaked bread, and violets were left at the graves of the ancestors. No marriages or other joyful ceremonies could take place on this day.

Deverra: a goddess whose symbol was a broom used to sweep away evil influences and prepare the temples for worship. She also protected midwives and women in labour. 

Diana: major goddess of chastity and nature, represented by the moon, oak groves, and the deer. Twin sister of Apollo, she also presided over hunting and pregnancy. Her festival, Nemoralia, was held on 13 August, upon which her worshippers would come at night bearing torches and decorated with garlands of flowers to Lake Nemi. Hunting was forbidden on this day, and offerings of fruit (especially apples) were given alongside votive images of stags or of body parts in need of healing.

Dis Pater: ancient god of the underworld, and of fertile land and mineral wealth. He was celebrated alongside Proserpina in a festival held once every hundred years, beginning in 249 BCE. It was held from 31 May to 3 June alongside the Ludi Saeculares. His altar was buried underground and only uncovered for his festival. 

Disciplina: goddess of discipline in study and living according to the law. She embodies self-control, determination, education, and practice. She was especially worshipped by soldiers.

Discordia: goddess in opposition to Concordia, ruling over strife and discord. Closely associated with Bellona.

Dius Fidus: son of Jupiter, and god of oaths. Associated with Hercules.

Egeria: minor goddess and guide of the king Numa Pompilius. As she is said to have dissolved in tears into a spring at the news of Numa’s death, springs are sacred to her.

Empanda: an ancient goddess who ruled over helping the needy. She gave bread to the hungry and opened her temple door to all who needed protection. 

Endovelicus: ancient god of public health, safety, and oracles. He would give his divine protection to all who venerated him, and if one were to sleep in his temple, they would be visited by him in a dream wherein he would give advice and tell about the future.

Eventus Bonus: a minor god of success and good outcomes, especially in agriculture and government.

Fabulinus: a minor god who watched over infants and was to receive an offering when a child spoke its first words. 

Fama: a goddess with many tongues, ears, and eyes, with feathered wings and a trumpet. She brought fame and renown to those she favored and gossip and scandal to those who incurred her wrath.

Faunus: god of wilderness and fertility and giver of oracles. Protector of cattle, especially from wolves. His wife (or sister?), Fauna, held sway over many of the same things he did, especially prophecy. As the protector of cattle, he was celebrated throughout the Lupercalia, on 15 February. A male goat and a dog were sacrificed by his priests, the Luperci, and an offering of salt meal cakes was also made. The new goatskin was cut into thongs and upper-class men would run naked through the streets, striking people with the thongs-- especially women, as it was believed to increase fertility and bring a smooth pregnancy. His second festival was observed on 5 December, when rustic offerings were brought by the poor to his temple.

Febris: goddess who both protected from and embodied malaria and fever.

Februus: ancient god of purification, riches, and the underworld. Closely associated with Faunus.

Felicitas: a goddess who was the embodiment of happiness and productivity. On 9 October she received a sacrifice on the Capitoline Hill, likely on a shrine she shared with Honos (Honor) and Virtus (Virtue). A sign was found on a bakery in Pompeii that bore the image of an erect phallus with the inscription ‘hic habitat Felicitas’ as a sign for good luck.

Feronia: ancient goddess of wildlife, abundance, fertility, and health. She also granted freedom to slaves and rights to the downtrodden. Her shrines were found out in the wilderness, far from the city. Her festival, Feroniae, was held during the Ludi Plebeii (the plebeian games) on 13 November.

Fides: goddess of trust and good faith. In her temple, the Roman Senate would sign and keep foreign treaties so that she might protect their terms. She is pictures wearing a wreath of olive and a white stola, and holding a turtle dove in her hand. Numa Pompilius instituted an annual ceremony in her honor on 1 October, during which the high priests would be taken in a chariot drawn by two horses to her temple, where they would conduct a service with heads covered and their right hands wrapped in white fabric.

Flora: An ancient goddess of spring and flowers, and by extension, youth and fertility. Her festival, the Floralia, was held from 28 April to 3 May, and included the Ludi Florae (the games of Flora), opening with theatrical performances and closing with competitive events and a sacrifice to the goddess. Beans and lupines, symbols of fertility, were used as a sort of confetti. Prostitutes would dance naked and fight in mock gladiator matches. Multicolored clothing and garlands of flowers were worn.

Fontus: god of wells and springs, and the son of Janus and Juturna. On 13 October, his festival, the Fontinalia, saw the decoration of wellheads and fountains with garlands of flowers.

Fornax: the goddess of cakes and bread, and the divine personification of the oven. During her festival, the Fornacalia, of which the date was variable but likely fell around 17 February, every family in each curia brought spelt flour to be tasted and sacrificed to ensure all bread made in the coming year would not burn. Each curia celebrated on a different day, and so the festival took nine days.

Fortuna: goddess of fate and good luck. Her temple was on the bank of the Tiber, and its dedication was held on 24 June, when celebrants would take a boat downstream to the temple and partake in rituals to honor her.

Furrina: ancient goddess of unknown description, but who was probably associated with water, springs, or perhaps darkness and the underworld. Her festival was the Furrinalia, 25 July, and her rites are unknown, but may have had something to do with prayers for the end of drought.