This is such a beautiful and evocative painting from Sandys.
I saw it when I was browsing images in my files and, though I wasn’t aware at the time its connection with Winter and, in a way, the Spirit of the Season, it stirred just that within me … a sense of the Beauty of this time (and really, any time we sense into that spark within us).
As it turns out …
Perdita … whose name means “the lost one” … is one of the heroines in The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare. She is the daughter of Hermione and Leontes, the King of Sicilia, but is unaware of her royal heritage.
A bit like each of us, I think … falling into forgetfulness, understandably, and thus being well-served by reminders of our Divine heritage.
And check this out … inspiration-clues from our shared mythic treasury:
Perdita is ultimately delivered by Prometheus when the latter brings the gift of Fire to humankind.
What are Perditas gifts?
She embodies and carries The Four Loves — philia or friendship; eros or erotic love; agape, or unconditional, whole-hearted love (a.k.a. The Big Love!); and biophilia, which is the love between humans and Nature.
“Humans seize upon fire and begin to use it‚ but they forget about Perdita and eventually abandon her…until she is rediscovered.” [Wikipedia]
Promethean Fire is linked to the Wisdom of Spirit, or spiritual wisdom, insight, and maturity. So our mythic-treasure tells us that these are linked with the gifts of The Four Loves from Perdita.
A Blessing On Us…
May our Way be illuminated, and the embers of the Four Loves be stirred alive within us … may we rediscover our Promethean and Perdita gifts this Holy season and in the weeks and months ahead.
Agape Spirit … Big Love,
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Image Credits:
Perdita, 1866, by Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys. Public Domain, Wikimedia.
Green labyrinth in Luxembourg City. PD image from Lode Van de Velde, PDpictures.net.
December 24, 2015 at 7:46 pm
Much Agape to you in the New Year!
December 24, 2015 at 7:50 pm
And to you as well, Julianne Victoria! Blessings aplenty. xoxo Love, Jamie
December 24, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Even though I love “A Winter’s Tale,” its been a while since I read it or saw it performed, so I must confess I’d forgotten this character. I like the concept of us being born into royalty like the character, but either having never realized it or forgotten it. A very nice message at this time of year. Thank you.
December 25, 2015 at 12:52 am
Dear One,
Thank you Jamie for sharing such beautiful and timely offerings with us.
Wishing you a wonder-full Holy season.
Blessings always,
In Light, Love and Om,
Sri
December 26, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Thank you, Sri. Many thanks! And blessing-full Holy Days to you as well. (Join us in the blessing wave … Blesstival!). xoxo Love, Jamie
December 26, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Just joined in on the blessing wave!
Many thanks Jamie!
Love,
Sri xoxo
December 29, 2015 at 4:13 pm
Excellent, Sri Devi! And as we all know, the more, the merrier (and the stronger the alchemical magic will be!). xoxo Lots of love, Jamie
January 10, 2016 at 4:25 am
Very informative. Thank you kindly for this wonderful post. Biggest of big loves to you my dear friend. Hope your new year is going great!
January 11, 2016 at 6:38 pm
So far so good, Leeby, on the new calendar year — though the ‘fake calendar events’ don’t quite have the same resonance as the more natural-seeming rhythms of the year. Are you feeling that a bit more right about now? I’ve heard several people comment on it as well so far in 2016. Big love and plentiful blessings to you as well! xoxo Jamie
January 11, 2016 at 10:59 pm
Interesting point. I think that whatever the nature of calendar events, the main thing that we should consider is that they can offer us an opportunity to express authentic kindness or joy.
January 12, 2016 at 4:03 pm
True enough … they’re all reminders to choose to ‘lean toward’ the higher possibilities and practice into the ‘better angels of our nature’, as (Aquarian Sun) Abe Lincoln put it. Very shamanic. 🙂 xoxo Love, Jamie
January 24, 2016 at 12:04 am
Indeed. “A rose is still a rose, by any other name.” Best wishes and much love. xoxo
January 24, 2016 at 5:46 pm
To you as well, Leeby. The rose has long been a potent symbol used over many generations, hasn’t it? J
January 25, 2016 at 5:20 am
Indeed it has. Very much so!
January 4, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Thank you for sharing this Perdita musing with your readers, Ashley! And a happy 2016 to you and Andrew. xoxo Love, Jamie