HERitage & HIStory

The blistering cold of western winters are keeping #wonderwanderwomen indoors. Safe and snug inside, our thoughts are drawn within and back home. 

A recent return to our hometown where we were born and raised was a trip down memory lane and added opportunity to dig into our roots. 

when worlds collide

This February holds the distinct experience of celebrating several crucial occasions at the same time.

Starting with Valentine's Day on Feb 14, followed by the Aquarius New Moon of Feb 18, then Chinese New Year of the Wood Sheep on Feb 19 and finally the Hieros Gamos (sacred marriage of Venus/love and Mars/desire) in the heavens on Feb 20.

Thus it truly claims to be a time when worlds collide - the dawning of a new age.

sitting in community

This Valentine's Day I contemplate the day's significance and the personal stories I have attached to it through the years.

St Valentine baptizing St Lucilla - Jacopo Bassano

I did not always have such lofty aspirations regarding this special occasion. Where I was born and raised we grew up with too much baggage attached to Saint Valentine and February 14.

bamboo dreams

We grew up where giant bamboo groves lined lazy meandering rivers. We listened to the gentle swishing and creaking in the breeze as we picnicked and snoozed in their shade. 

In much dwindled numbers, our country still uses bamboo for indigenous houses in many of our provinces. The bahay kubo is still a much loved symbol of bucolic bliss.

Read the full article at http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2015/02/bamboo-dreams.html.