Song of Silence

Today I was reading about "SHIRDAKS", textile with symbols from nature, from KIRGIZIA. These symbols, stories... are called "the song of silence", because the women from Kirgiza don't need words, just their craft, to transfer stories to the next generation. 

This article inspires me to visit them one day, in the mountains, and "listen" to their songs. Central-Asia seems so interesting, and remote, and beautiful, and full of silence, which I sometimes miss in busy cities (and Flanders is 1 big city). (but I don't need to visit it soon; I like my new job haha)

They are very connected with nature... but I frown my eyebrows when I read a Dutch women exports this to Europe (and beyond). I think there is some ecological footprint in their craft... but I guess I should shut up, because I also leave some footprints by traveling. 

 I like their motive of the circle, with crosses, referring to the wind directions, but the circle referring to the fact you're always home, because wherever you go, you'll always bring yourself... and I think this idea suits nomads like them. Or other travelers, and explorers... or in fact everyone... who is connected.

Source & pictures: http://birgittadevos.nl/portfolio-item/verhalen-in-vilt

The Moon & the Woman

The moon is perhaps the most ancient symbol of the Feminine. The association between the changing phases of the moon, the seasons of the year and the life cycle of woman as virgin, mother and old woman or crone is the foundation of a mythology inspired by the experience of the moon as an image of the unfathomable mystery of life. The triune goddess is one of the earliest images of the divine. 

The moon was the greatest stimulus to the human imagination and a focus for contemplation, helping people to create a relationship with the invisible dimension of life.

~ Ann Baring 

Read more: http://www.annebaring.com/anbar06_div-fem.htm

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There are so many texts, poems and other literature using the moon as symbol of the Feminine, that it almost seems so pointless to write another text about the connection between this habitant from the sky, and our own body. Until... Last weeks, in my free time, during different train rides, my mind was part of the Budnitz' world of "If I Told You Once". It is a book about 4, maybe even 5, generation of women. The grandmother, Elena, is an amazing story teller, who tells stories as a sort of education, to make the women in the generations after her wiser, so they will not make the same mistakes. If she succeeds, I will not say. It is better to read this book, which tells, in sometimes a metaphorical, sometimes a raw way, more about being a woman. 

(c) Goodreads, one of my favorite sites

They say the fairytales were in their original version more horror stories, full of dark shadows and things I better cannot write public. People talked a lot with each other, told stories, used symbols... to try to explain, try to educate... so why not share all these texts about so primordial stuff like the connection between the moon and the woman. Maybe, one day, like Elena, I will help someone to make her more conscious about the linkage between her energy level, emotions and the moon.