I’ve been working through a decision of late, and when it comes to such things I tend to become a whirl of thoughts, breezes of a hundred ideas whirring through my mind, trying to sift through it all, hoping to find a clue of a positive outcome in one direction.
Freya, the innocuous tryanny of humans is forgetfulness or rather ignorance; we are too close to ourselves because, obviously, the world asks and takes so much and then, articles and newsletters like yours, come as gently as a breeze to secure that, out there, amidst the stars and leaves, we can be and breathe, Thank you!
Cassiopeia has always been my favorite constellation - and I always imagined a chaise longue situation, too! I always say hi to her when I'm in a place where the stars are visible. I didn't realize there was so much going on in that cluster of the cosmos!
I agree with you about the chaise lounge. It is certainly a reclining constellation! I think it’s not a place of punishment at all. I think it’s where Cassiopeia went to rest after the rescue and marriage of her daughter. That makes more sense to me than the original. :-). I wish you peace with the choice.
Ah so wonderful. All of my favourite things! Maybe you already know of the miraculous astronomer and poet Rebecca Elson? Her poem ‘Antidotes to fear of death’ is one of my all times favourites. I have it printed and tacked to the wall above my writing desk. Maria Popova writes beautifully about her over at The Marginalian, where you can also read that poem. I love it so ❤️🔥 https://www.themarginalian.org/2020/04/10/antidotes-to-fear-of-death-rebecca-elson/
That poem is so raw and beautiful and real--thanks so much for sharing it! I've been a long time reader of the Marginalian but somehow I didn't know the work of Elson. How tragic and what beauty she wrought in her words. 💜
Absolutely blown away by this piece. Your writing is so spectacular, and so dang powerful!! How rage inducing is Caroline Herschel's note stating she was interrupted to write down her brother's observations? The sigh I let out upon reading that--yuck. Thank you for writing this, Freya, you are astonishing!
That means so much, thank you friend. Isn't that note so quietly resignedly angering? Sigh, yes. And yet, she persisted and we know her name and work. ;) 💜
Freya, you astound me with your oracle like ability to connect seemingly unrelated things and people. I have always loved connection of the greek pantheon to the field of astronomy. And yet to discover brilliant women as early as you cited, to have looked upto the stars while excelling the field of mathematics and science is so fascinating. I loved this essay so much. 💜✨
Ah friend you are so kind and I'm so glad--it always means so much to know that our firefly lights--trying so hard to emulate and talk back to the stars in the night sky--are being received by other firefly sisters and brothers. 💜🧚🏼
Compelling! I’m never surprised to read about the suppressing of women’s discoveries, inventions, and writings published under a male pseudonym. As always, Freya, this essay was both informative and thought provoking.
I was recently reading a tarot card description that referred to choices and how we can presented with an abundance of life choices, but choosing one means we accept letting go of the other possibilities. The writer references Sylvia Plath’s fig tree poem, with life as branches and leaves, and knowing whichever branch we choose. (There’s a full copy of the poem here, though I’d bet some money you own a copy of The Bell Jar! https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1385044-the-bell-jar) Big decisions can feel impossible. But at some point we’ve made choices even if we’re unaware of them.
I LOVE that constellation! She keeps me company on many a wanderings.
oof yes--that fig tree! I had forgotten about it and that is so it isn't it--it's as much the losing as the choosing, even when the thing potentially lost hasn't materialized. And then the reality is that we do it all the time without even realizing it as you say. Cassiopeia is SUCH good company, isn't she? She and Orion always make me feel comforted each time I see them--the are great companions throughout our wandering lives. 💜
I reread the poem a few times after coming across the quote from it, and thought how well it brought home the realities of some big choices I’ve been working through myself over the last year or so.
Ah Freya. This was so, so interesting! The first kind of scientist I wanted to be at, oh, maybe five years old, was an astronomer. I still love the sky.
thanks so much John--I'm with you--I wanted to be an astronomer when I was young as well, to be disabused of the notion when I took my first astronomy class in college. :) I think I'll follow Emily's lead and approach the stars through myth and poetry. ;)
Freya, the innocuous tryanny of humans is forgetfulness or rather ignorance; we are too close to ourselves because, obviously, the world asks and takes so much and then, articles and newsletters like yours, come as gently as a breeze to secure that, out there, amidst the stars and leaves, we can be and breathe, Thank you!
Stunningly beautiful and utterly fascinating! I hope you arrived at a conclusion that makes your heart feel calm. ❤️🔥
💜 🙏
Cassiopeia has always been my favorite constellation - and I always imagined a chaise longue situation, too! I always say hi to her when I'm in a place where the stars are visible. I didn't realize there was so much going on in that cluster of the cosmos!
I honestly didn’t know either until I started looking! I love how sometimes the writing just leads if you step back. I love you love Cassiopeia too! ✨
Loved this, Freya, informative and insightful. Thank you.
💜🙏
I agree with you about the chaise lounge. It is certainly a reclining constellation! I think it’s not a place of punishment at all. I think it’s where Cassiopeia went to rest after the rescue and marriage of her daughter. That makes more sense to me than the original. :-). I wish you peace with the choice.
💜 🙏
Ah so wonderful. All of my favourite things! Maybe you already know of the miraculous astronomer and poet Rebecca Elson? Her poem ‘Antidotes to fear of death’ is one of my all times favourites. I have it printed and tacked to the wall above my writing desk. Maria Popova writes beautifully about her over at The Marginalian, where you can also read that poem. I love it so ❤️🔥 https://www.themarginalian.org/2020/04/10/antidotes-to-fear-of-death-rebecca-elson/
That poem is so raw and beautiful and real--thanks so much for sharing it! I've been a long time reader of the Marginalian but somehow I didn't know the work of Elson. How tragic and what beauty she wrought in her words. 💜
Erudition, discursion and passion. A heady combination, Freya! Thanks for the best piece we've read in ages
That means so much, thank you! 💜
Absolutely blown away by this piece. Your writing is so spectacular, and so dang powerful!! How rage inducing is Caroline Herschel's note stating she was interrupted to write down her brother's observations? The sigh I let out upon reading that--yuck. Thank you for writing this, Freya, you are astonishing!
That means so much, thank you friend. Isn't that note so quietly resignedly angering? Sigh, yes. And yet, she persisted and we know her name and work. ;) 💜
And yet, she persisted. 💜 Thank you for inspiring.
yes she did! all 4’3” of her did. omygoodness.
Freya, you astound me with your oracle like ability to connect seemingly unrelated things and people. I have always loved connection of the greek pantheon to the field of astronomy. And yet to discover brilliant women as early as you cited, to have looked upto the stars while excelling the field of mathematics and science is so fascinating. I loved this essay so much. 💜✨
Ah friend you are so kind and I'm so glad--it always means so much to know that our firefly lights--trying so hard to emulate and talk back to the stars in the night sky--are being received by other firefly sisters and brothers. 💜🧚🏼
Yes to all these and to shining our light across the universe 🕯️🌌🧚🏽♀️
love you my sister! 🧚🏻
Love you beloved sister 🧚🏽♀️💜
Compelling! I’m never surprised to read about the suppressing of women’s discoveries, inventions, and writings published under a male pseudonym. As always, Freya, this essay was both informative and thought provoking.
Thanks so much Gary. I too am never surprised, but I am consistently, repeatedly incensed. ;)
Fantastic piece.
💜🙏
So beautiful, Freya.
I was recently reading a tarot card description that referred to choices and how we can presented with an abundance of life choices, but choosing one means we accept letting go of the other possibilities. The writer references Sylvia Plath’s fig tree poem, with life as branches and leaves, and knowing whichever branch we choose. (There’s a full copy of the poem here, though I’d bet some money you own a copy of The Bell Jar! https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1385044-the-bell-jar) Big decisions can feel impossible. But at some point we’ve made choices even if we’re unaware of them.
I LOVE that constellation! She keeps me company on many a wanderings.
oof yes--that fig tree! I had forgotten about it and that is so it isn't it--it's as much the losing as the choosing, even when the thing potentially lost hasn't materialized. And then the reality is that we do it all the time without even realizing it as you say. Cassiopeia is SUCH good company, isn't she? She and Orion always make me feel comforted each time I see them--the are great companions throughout our wandering lives. 💜
I reread the poem a few times after coming across the quote from it, and thought how well it brought home the realities of some big choices I’ve been working through myself over the last year or so.
I find them good company, too.
Beautiful, thank you! I love all the swirling connections so artfully drawn together.
ah, thank you so much! I'm so glad it also connects to readers! 💜
Ah Freya. This was so, so interesting! The first kind of scientist I wanted to be at, oh, maybe five years old, was an astronomer. I still love the sky.
Good luck with your decision.
thanks so much John--I'm with you--I wanted to be an astronomer when I was young as well, to be disabused of the notion when I took my first astronomy class in college. :) I think I'll follow Emily's lead and approach the stars through myth and poetry. ;)
And Cassiopeia was the second constellation I could name after The Plough (Big Dipper)
the same for me!