A Logophile’s Ludic Musings: Y

As an unrepentant logophile (lover of words), I’ve assembled a list of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words. Ludic is defined as “playful, in an aimless way,” and that’s my plan for approaching this a-to-z challenge—keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.

Y is for…

ylem – the primordial matter in some cosmological theories – comes from the ancient Greek word “hylē,” which means “matter,” “wood,” or “stuff.” The word “ylem” itself entered modern English through Middle English and Medieval Latin, with the modern scientific usage being adopted in the 1940s.

Ylem, in the context of the Big Bang theory, refers to the hypothetical initial substance from which all matter is believed to have been derived. It is often described as a primordial gas consisting primarily of neutrons, and from which the elements were formed.

I like to think of ylem as a more “modern” theoretical descriptor of the building-block material of creation.

And I like to think of prima materia as an older concept, known in the realm of philosophy and alchemy  – a formless, ubiquitous starting substance of raw, unformed potential, considered the original material of the universe.

No matter what our current ideas are, there’s no denying that I’m fascinated by creation/origin stories. So many cultures, so many wonderful tales! While I could undoubtedly write a billion words on the subject, I thought instead I’d share some books.

Inside Out: Revealing the Mysteries of Creation & the Wisdom to Live Your Life Consciously Connected by Karen Elkins.

This book is filled with pictures and page-long descriptions of both modern science and ancient wisdom on a myriad of topics from an equal number of sources. I find this kind of book interesting, not because it  goes into anything in particular depth, but rather it’s a like a tasting menu. I have no trouble paging through it and finding something captivating or compelling, and then I can head out on my own with something I want to research or explore more deeply.

Next up, something I consider a real gem – an oracle deck and guidebook from Uusi, Materia Prima: An Expression of Matter.

Uusi decks are always stunning in both appearance and concept, and this one is no exception with its sparkly gold and dramatic black. The deck is based on 84 elements from the periodic table, and the theme of unification of all life is woven throughout. This is definitely one of my favorite decks.

Creation by Bhajju Shyan, with Gita Wolf, is a fabulous production of Tara Books, one of my absolute favorite publishing houses. It’s a limited-edition treasure with handmade silkscreen art by a renowned Gond tribal artist printed on beautiful textured paper. According to their tale, creation begins with water, and then the unborn fish.

The Tree of Life by Roger Cook is part of the Art and Imagination series, published by Thames and Hudson.

The first part of the book is an essay about the Tree of Life appearing in the symbolism of so many cultures. The rest of the book is filled with artwork and commentary.

Sort of on the flip side of Tree of Life, is Some Folks Say: Stories of Life, Death and Beyond by Jane Hughes Gignoux, Illustrated by Stephan Daigle. While the stories are from various cultures exploring death, it really is also about the mystery of life. All part of the creation cycle. And I really love the illustrations by Gignoux.

Let me end with a couple of books by Stephen Ellcock. Elements: Chaos, Order and the Five Elemental Forces and The Cosmic Dance: Finding Patterns and Pathways in a Chaotic Universe.

I was introduced to Ellcock’s work by someone who said he was a writer/researcher basically curating a cabinet of curiosities and making his work available virtually so it reaches a wide audience. I was, of course, immediately ensnared at the mention of “cabinet of curiosities” and the rest is history.  The books are filled with images and commentary, and are very much my cup of tea.

What about you? A fan of creation tales? Love contemplating the mysteries of life? Have a favorite oracle/tarot deck? Do tell – you know I love to hear.