#Cultural traditions and rituals

[all-turkic]

Ashure: A Sweet Meal with Rich Cultural Significance

Ashure in Different CulturesThe Generosity of AshureHistorical Roots and RitualsLegend of Noah and AshureCultural Significance of AshureAshure: A Versatile DishVideo: How To Make Ashura (Noah’s Pudding)You may also like Ashure is known as Noah’s pudding or trigo koço. It is a delectable sweet pudding with its origins in the Eastern Mediterranean. This unique dish is made by combining various…

[yebreed]

Steampunk Divine Beast From Spring And Autumn Period.

Richer in zoomorphic options than the griffin, this teasing bronze beast is actually a musical instrument bracket. Geometric and animalistic patterns are inlaid with turquoise.

Bronze of the Spring and Autumn period. In the collection of Henan Museum (河南博物院).

Photo: ©正太破

[purpleenma]

Getting my therapy by drawing more Pre-Surak Vulcan warrior women, this time with ritual piercings and markings cause we were talking about it on a server.

Detail shot under the cut

[pratchettquotes]

In the village in the Ramtops where they understand what the Morris dance is all about, they dance it just once, at dawn, on the first day of spring. They don't dance it after that, all through the summer. After all, what would be the point? What use would it be?

But on a certain day when the nights are drawing in, the dancers leave work early and take, from attics and cupboards, the other costume, the black one, and the other bells. And they go by separate ways to a valley among the leafless trees. They don't speak. There is no music. It's very hard to imagine what kind there could be.

The bells don't ring. They're made of octiron, a magic metal. But they're not, precisely, silent bells. Silence is merely the absence of noise. They make the opposite of noise, a sort of heavily textured silence.

And in the cold afternoon, as the light drains from the sky, among the frosty leave and in the damp air, they dance the other Morris. Because of the balance of things.

You've got to dance both, they say. Otherwise you can't dance either.

Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man*

*special request from @asmuchasidliketo, who wanted the unabridged account of the other Morris dance.

[kemetic-dreams]

 Conjure canes in the United States are decorated with specific objects to conjure specific results and conjure spirits. This practice was brought to the United States during the transatlantic slave trade from Central Africa. Several conjure canes are used today in some African American families. In Central Africa among the Bantu-Kongo, banganga ritual healers use ritual staffs.

These ritual staffs are called conjure canes in Hoodoo which conjure spirits and heal people. The banganga healers in Central Africa became the conjure doctors and herbal healers in African American communities in the United States. The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida collaborated with other world museums to compare African American conjure canes with ritual staffs from Central Africa and found similarities between the two, and other aspects of African American culture that originated from Bantu-Kongo people.

[eggdrawsthings]

im not sure what we're really expecting from the show at this point with all the human only mandos, the talk of mandalorian "bloodlines," no mention of the resol'nare, and no mando'a. it's just neat armor and neat scenarios. i guess that's all it has to be, but i gotta confess i for one feel cheated

the things we could've had

i thank @/hellikait on Twitter for this. Idk what canon is, this was what happened in s3 to me :')

[bleakbluejay]

you guys gotta learn to be a lot cooler about religions that aren't your own

and yes. that does include christianity.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Shinto

Shinto, often referred to as "the way of the gods," is the indigenous spirituality of Japan. Unlike many Western religions, Shinto does not have a single founder, sacred texts, or a formalized set of doctrines. Instead, it is characterized by a reverence for nature, the worship of kami (spirits or deities), and practices that emphasize purification and rituals. Here’s an exploration of the key principles and ideas within the philosophy of Shinto:

1. Reverence for Nature

Nature as Sacred: In Shinto, nature is considered sacred and imbued with spiritual significance. Mountains, rivers, trees, rocks, and other natural features are often seen as manifestations of kami.

Harmony with Nature: Living in harmony with nature is a central tenet. This involves respecting and protecting the natural environment, recognizing it as the dwelling place of the kami.

2. Kami (Spirits or Deities)

Multiplicity of Kami: Shinto recognizes a vast number of kami, which can be spirits of natural objects, ancestors, or deified historical figures. Kami are not all-powerful gods but rather spirits with specific roles and localities.

Interconnection with Kami: The relationship between humans and kami is one of mutual respect and care. People perform rituals and offer prayers to kami to seek their blessings, protection, and guidance.

3. Ritual Purification

Purification Practices: Purification, or misogi, is a fundamental aspect of Shinto. It involves cleansing oneself of impurities and pollutants to maintain spiritual and physical purity. This can be done through washing, rituals, or even symbolic acts.

Rituals and Festivals: Shinto rituals and festivals (matsuri) are numerous and diverse, often held at shrines dedicated to various kami. These ceremonies reinforce the connection between the community and the kami, celebrating seasonal changes, agricultural cycles, and significant life events.

4. Shrines and Sacred Spaces

Shinto Shrines: Shrines, or jinja, are the focal points of Shinto worship. They are considered the homes of the kami and are places where people can go to offer prayers, perform rituals, and seek blessings.

Torii Gates: The iconic torii gates mark the entrance to sacred spaces, symbolizing the transition from the mundane to the sacred. Passing through a torii gate signifies entering a space where the kami dwell.

5. Ancestral Worship

Respect for Ancestors: Ancestral worship is an important component of Shinto. Families honor their ancestors through rituals and offerings, believing that deceased family members continue to influence and protect the living.

Continuity and Connection: This practice underscores the continuity of life and the interconnectedness of generations. Ancestors are seen as integral to the family's ongoing spiritual wellbeing.

6. Syncretism with Other Beliefs

Integration with Buddhism: Shinto has historically coexisted and intertwined with Buddhism in Japan. Many Japanese people practice both religions, incorporating elements of each into their daily lives and rituals.

Adaptability: Shinto’s flexibility and lack of rigid doctrines allow it to integrate other spiritual and philosophical traditions, adapting to the evolving cultural landscape.

The philosophy of Shinto offers a unique perspective on spirituality that is deeply intertwined with nature, community, and the reverence for life’s sacred aspects. It emphasizes living in harmony with the natural world, maintaining purity through rituals, honoring the kami and ancestors, and celebrating the cyclical nature of life. Shinto’s adaptability and integration with other traditions highlight its enduring relevance in contemporary Japanese culture.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

At last, After our home attain'd, we turn'd, and lo! With festal fires the hills were lit! Thine eve Saint John, had come once more, and for thy sake As though but yesterday thy crown were worn, Amid their ruinous realm uncomforted The Irish people triumph'd. Gloomy lay The intermediate space; - thence brightlier burn'd The circling fires beyond it. 'Lo!' Said I, Man's life as view'd by Ireland's sons; a vale With many a pitfall throng'd, and shade, and briar, Yet overblown by angel-haunted airs, And by the Light Eternal girdled round.

Aubrey Thomas de Vere, The Sisters (1861)

June 24th is St John's Day.

Saint John's Eve, starting at sunset on 23 June, is the eve of celebration before the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26–37, 56–57) states that John was born six months before Jesus; therefore, the feast of John the Baptist was fixed on 24 June, six months before Christmas according to the old Roman calculation. This feast day is one of the very few saints' days which commemorates the anniversary of the birth, rather than the death, of the saint being honoured. The Feast of Saint John closely coincides with the June solstice, also referred to as Midsummer in the Northern Hemisphere. The Christian holy day is fixed at 24 June; but in most countries festivities are mostly held the night before, on Saint John's Eve. This holiday is celebrated in many places.

In England and Ireland there is a tradition to jump over a bonfire holding hands with your lover. Your love will last all year. Save the ash from your fire. It will protect crops from lightening storms.

Across many parts of Europe they celebrate St. John’s day with bonfires.

In France, the "Fête de la Saint-Jean" (feast of St John), traditionally celebrated with bonfires (le feu de la Saint-Jean) that are reminiscent of Midsummer's pagan rituals, is a Catholic festivity in celebration of Saint John the Baptist. It takes place on June 24, on Midsummer day (St John's day). Nowadays it is seldom celebrated. In certain French towns, a tall bonfire is built by the inhabitants in order to be lit on St John's Day. In the Vosges region and in the Southern part of Meurthe-et-Moselle, this huge bonfire is named "chavande".

In Norway, as elsewhere in Scandinavian countries, this event is celebrated with a communal bonfire. The event is also known as Jonsok, meaning ‘wake of Saint John’.

[awesomecooperlove]

🩸🩸🩸TOLERANCE & ACCEPTANCE IS THE NEW NORMAL… SOON NEAR YOU🪦🪦🪦

❌❌❌

[yebreed]

Knotting the Banner by David J. Mozina

Academic research unfolding within a living biographical narrative.

This impressive book combines the virtues of ethno-cultural and religious study and adventure novel. In the context of everyday Hunan, the reader discovers a world permeated with cosmogonic meanings: it’s like a Rabbit Hole into Taoist thinking. A complicated mystic quest takes place right in the rural daily routine.

David J. Mozina explores the topic of Banner Rites focused on worship of the Lord Yin Jiao (殷郊 aka 殷交), the principal of the sixty Tai Sui (太歲). The fierce celestial Tai Sui is a much revered guardian deity in Taoist exorcism.

An essential book for the connoisseurs of authentic experiences.

Mozina, D. J. (2021). Knotting the Banner: Ritual and Relationship in Daoist Practice. University of Hawaii Press.

[tani-b-art]

All on a Mardi Gras Day

[canisvesperus]

🐺✨

[ofgreatart]

Patti Smith on art, music and the spirit of punk: “you look at like Jesus saying, ‘Okay, all you have to do, basically, people, is love one another, and everything will build on that.’ But then you have everyone coming after him that says, 'Okay, you have to love one another, and here are these 40 other rules’”

Patti Smith: “For me, it’s not about tradition at all; it’s about rules and regulations. I like history; I like certain traditions; I like certain rituals, but as soon as they’re encased in rules and regulations, they become inclusive. I mean, you look at like Jesus saying, 'Okay, all you have to do, basically, people, is love one another, and everything will build on that.’ But then you have everyone coming after him that says, 'Okay, you have to love one another, and here are these 40 other rules, and then these rules and these rules, and you know you have to then be this aspect. You can’t be Protestant, or you can’t be Catholic, or you can’t be just non-denominational. As long as you pray and love, you have to be in this religion; you have to wear these clothes; you have to do'…

It’s all the rules and regulations that come with anything, with going to school, with everything we do. Even movements, great movements, important movements that make change, they get like eventually like clubs, and then all they care about is their special interest.

And I think it’s the rules—these rules and regulations—that constantly we’re fighting and trying to shed. And if that makes me, you know, less moral and my less moral because I refuse to have an organized religion, I don’t feel that at all because I feel completely unfettered. My relationship with God is unfettered by a bunch of rules and regulations about how to get to Him. And I think that, you know, is the real key, is just to be a good person. If you’re just a good person, you know, I don’t care what side of the, you know, what you know. Everybody can keep their values, keep their traditions, but you know, as Lennie said, 'live in harmony.’

I don’t think that all arts should talk to everybody. Robert Mapplethorpe didn’t feel like his x-rated photographs or his sadomasochistic photographs were for everyone. They weren’t for his mother; they weren’t for young people or children. They were for specific people. A lot of people look at a Jackson Pollock; it makes them ill, but they will love a Vermeer. You know, I don’t think that everything has to be for everybody. Some people might never like Allen Ginsberg’s poems; that’s okay. They’ll like maybe Wordsworth. You know, we have a whole spectrum and a whole, you know, all of the possibilities to enter the creative sphere and define, you know, where we relate to this expansive consciousness. And it could be through, you know, Whistler or it could be, you know, through Wagner. And it’s just, you know, I think that, you know, it doesn’t have to just be through something new or something, you know, I don’t like all new art. In fact, I can’t stand most contemporary art. You can take all of Jeff Koons and throw them into—I don’t even know; you could bury him in the Hawaiian crater.”

Other speaker: - It’s called the “shlok of the news.”

Patti Smith: “I’m just saying that it’s just, for those like Jesus said, 'those who will hear will hear, and those who will see will see.’

I would have been very happy though we were never in the mainstream. Even when we had one successful song, it was on such a controversial album that, you know, we managed always to stay, like, in the illuminated underground. I would have loved if we could have written a song on Horses, that I used to call it my dream of writing the hit of the world—writing a song that everybody heard and was like felt uplifted by it. Everybody; it was like, you know, the perfect top song, you know, 'Reach Out For Me’ or something, to write one like that. But I don’t have that gift. You know, it’s a gift that Smokey Robinson had or various people have, but I don’t have that particular gift. And I don’t say that like being humble; it’s just a truth. I mean, if I had it, I’d have written the hit of the world. I don’t think it’s important to stay in the underground to be an artist. I would love to see the greatest artists that ever lived suddenly beloved by the whole world.

You know, but, so, you know, you just, we just keep doing our work. You know, it’s like we never cared whether we were even though I had that secret dream. We didn’t do our work to, you know, make money or to be pop stars or dress in a certain way. We got in trouble at least once a week. Everything that we were asked to do, we usually did the opposite—not to be contrary just because that’s the way we were going. We were like, 'No, I’m not going to brush my hair for the cover of 'Horses.’ I’m not going to, like, no, I’m not going to wear a dress on the cover of this album. No, I’m not going to take the word 'pissing’ out of 'Pissing in the River.’ Always, always, oh, no, I’m not going to call it, you know, 'rock and roll potato’ instead of 'rock and roll.’ I’m gonna, you know, no, I’m not going to shave my armpits.’ I mean, it was like the stupidest fights every single—everything we did was a fight, right? But we were, like, we were happy to fight. I mean, Jesus Christ, you know, to be a young person, I knew if you’re going to be a poet or an artist or anything like this, a troubadour, you were going to suffer. You’re probably going to be poor; you were gonna maybe have TB (tuberculosis). I mean, anything that’s going to happen, but you were going to, you know, be blessed with the opportunity to create in this manner and unfettered by, you know, the world’s expectations and demands. You were just going to do your work, and that’s what we did.”

Other speaker: “And I would have to say that that is a legacy that we got from the counterculture of the 1960s—the sense of idealism, the sense of possibility that you could choose your own path, and if it was rocky, well, that’s, you know, that’s rolly. I mean.”

(Patti Smith discusses art, music and the spirit of punk as protest at the Nexus Institute’s Symposium 'An Education in Counterculture’ in May 2018.)

[thingsdavidlikes]

Ethiopia, wedding ceremony by Dietmar Temps

[chandana-gururaja-somayaji]

15x8 Interlaced Dots