Hymn to Diana, by Catullus

A translation of Catullus's Hymn to Diana.

July 7, 2015

There's a mullein plant (link goes to Google image search results page) growing wild at the bottom of the hill, in the weed patch by the driveway. I took pictures of it today. I will upload them later. It has a long, tall stalk, with broad, flat leaves that curl down from gravity as they extend out; the upper portion of the stalk is crowned with a long cone from which yellow flowers grow. The internet says the mullein comprises several hundred species; it's a weed in some places; in others, a prized garden plant. It also had traditional medicinal uses in both Europe and Native America. Several sources say the Romans dipped it in suet or tallow and used it as a funeral torch. 

Ours has grown so tall so fast, it's hard not to connect to it some feeling of passion or boldness. But, a sort of daring, vulnerable, breaking-the-rules kind of boldness, because it could easily be felled by a blow from a garden tool, and it's growing in a place where the nearby humans prefer something a little more low key. My mom in fact has designs on cutting it down because it sticks out so much. My dad and I are rooting for its survival. I've offered to do my mom a favor in return for not cutting it down. Negotiations are ongoing. 

High temperature: 88 degrees.

Low temperature: 73 degrees.

High barometric pressure: 30.04

Low barometric pressure: 29.94

Solar wind: 413.2 km/sec. 

Density: 2 protons per cubic centimeter.

*Earth weather data is from njweather.org. Solar weather data is from spaceweather.com.

Birch Trees

To stand next to some birch trees
Leaning out from the edge of a grove
To look out in winter 'cross
Buff-colored straw, lingering snow

Or in summer with foxtail & milkweed
Dragonflies, cicadas, bees
Mutual sense of belonging
Summer haze, person, and tree.

Never need for argument
Whether in spirits or not you believe
A birch tree has something holy;
This, what all concede.

Hymn to Diana

Devotion to Diana is recorded in the New Testament, and even in the sixteenth and seventeenth century, her worship was not forgotten. 

A hymn to Diana, by Ben Jonson (1572-1637):

QUEEN and huntress, chaste and fair, 

Now the sun is laid to sleep, 

Seated in thy silver chair, 

State in wonted manner keep: 

Hesperus entreats thy light

Goddess excellently bright. 

Earth, let not thy envious shade 

Dare itself to interpose; 

Cynthia's shining orb was made 

Heaven to clear when day did close: 

Bless us then with wishèd sight, 

Goddess excellently bright. 

Lay thy bow of pearl apart, 

And thy crystal-shining quiver; 

Give unto the flying hart

Space to breathe, how short soever: 

Thou that mak'st a day of night— 

Goddess excellently bright.

Hesperus: the evening star; the planet Venus.
Cynthia: another name for Artemis or Diana.
Hart: archaic word for a male deer.

An amazing painting of blessed Diana from Deviantart.com.

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy birthday, America!

I attended the Fourth of July parade this morning, and the rain let up just long enough that no one got too wet. Later, it cleared off, then rained just a tiny bit again, then cleared off for good. 

We had hot dogs for dinner, along with potato salad, beans, and sauerkraut. We ate on the patio. I read the Declaration of Independence before we started eating. Well, before I started eating. :)

After dinner, I drove back to the town that had the parade in the morning to watch their fireworks display. I had had a conversation about Concordia with my mom before leaving. On the way, I made a wrong turn and ended up on "Concord Drive," which I took to be auspicious. :)

At the fireworks, there was a fee for nonresidents, so when I got to the entrance, I said, "I'm a nonresident," and the fireman manning the entrance said, "That's too bad." It was funny, and I played along.

Prayer for the safety and well-being of all. Good night! 

Blessed Artemis of the Ephesians

Someone posted a picture they had taken of this in a Facebook group--that's how I learned about it. It is utterly gorgeous. It's a temple to Diana in Italy. But it made me think of Acts 19:28 (hence the title of this post). To any American readers, happy Independence Day! 

Bedtime Prayer

Concordia, bring harmony into the lives of families, groups of people within nations, and between nations. Let no one feel alienated, estranged, or in conflict with another. Good night.