The Closed Circle

Saltmarsh watersnake in a mangrove swamp. Not pictured are the mosquitos in their dark-clouded legions. Saltmarsh watersnake in a mangrove swamp Iโ€™ve seen a lot of ibises, though too small to take on serpents of this size. Iโ€™m open to being surprised. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Serpents have rich symbolism, both benefic and malefic like any other. When … Continue reading The Closed Circle

What to Make of the Flowers

โ€œWhen the world seems to tremble on its foundations, a glance cast upon a flower can restore order.โ€~ Ernst Jรผnger, Journal 1945โ€“1948โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹. Aristotle, and some 1,500 years later Aquinas, would call the vegetative soul the most basic aspect of the living hierarchy, with Plato too before them attributing the โ€˜appetitiveโ€™ aspect of the tripartite soul … Continue reading What to Make of the Flowers

Man the Animal

Science and the materialists say weโ€™re apes. Traditional teachings say the same, to a point. This shouldnโ€™t be an observation that alarms anyone, though of course itโ€™s a common tendency to desire to be special and view oneself as somehow separated from the animal; and we are, ideally. Part of what sets us apart from … Continue reading Man the Animal