Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on a lexicon (vocabulary specific to a certain subject) 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 challenge – keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.
V is for…
vespertine – (adj) of, relating to, or occurring in the evening; active, flowering or flourishing in the evening.
The root of this beautiful-to-me word is the Latin vesper, which means “evening star.” It’s related to Greek Hesperus, the personification of that star, which is what Venus was known as when she showed up in her evening star iteration. The word came into English in the late 14th century from French vespre (“evening” or “nightfall”).
I find the etymology of vespertine particularly interesting as Venus and her travels are of great interest to me. I was, in fact, born when she was appearing as an evening star. Determining where Venus was from your astrological natal chart is simple. First locate where your Sun is. If Venus is positioned clockwise from the Sun, Venus was in her morning star mode. If Venus is positioned counterclockwise from your Sun, she was an evening star.
I love the mysteries of the night. I love the night sky, and I love all things lunar. And it just so happens that today is the full moon. The full Pink Moon. Every moon carries multiple names, as each culture chooses a predominant signifier for that time of the year. So Pink moon actually refers to the time when wild ground phlox also known as the herb moss pink shows its beautiful self widely. Being the flora adorer I am, I love that connection. But I also like imagining the moon is actually pink as well. That she slips on a lovely pink gown for this lunation celebration.
Very often when I look at the moon, I think about how others all over the world are looking at the moon with me. I find that so extraordinarily powerful – it feels like such a reminder to me of our connection no matter what our separations might be.
I also think of all those in the past who moon gazed and always end up thinking of the poets who let the moon pull words from their souls. Isn’t the moon a perfect inspiration to write haiku?
But I truly love Rumi’s beautiful poem:
Hafiz understood this as well. Clearly he knew about the love-window.
Sometimes I imagine what it would have been like to know Rumi, to know Hafiz. How I would love to speak with them, and I’d would most definitely like to do it in a night-blooming garden.
Imagine the conversations that might be had amongst these blooms from the Flowers of the Night Oracle?
I’m wishing you a wonderful Pink Moon celebration and hope you invite the moon to breathe into you.
But in the meantime, I’d love to know what you imagine when you look at the moon? Are you tempted to wear pink in solidarity tonight? Are you a vespertine soul, or is day time your niche? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
My sundress today has pink-centered plumeria so I’m all set to view the Pink Moon tonight in Honolulu. I look for the moon each evening, feeling slightly disappointed when cloud cover obscures its face. But on nights when the moon shines full, it earns all smiles.
Also earning all smiles is that this is the final week of AtoZ. Always so much fun but never enough time to view posts of all the participants. Aloha, Deborah!
I’ll think of you in your lovely dress tonight as I view the moon as well. And yes, I totally agree, A-to-Z is fabulously fun AND I can never make it to as many posts as I wish.
Yes, Supermoon tonight! Or as they say, perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system 😉 I love the moon too.
They say it beautifully don’t they? 🙂
We used to have a telescope and could look at the moon in detail. It was amazing to see it glowing in such detail. The moon has such an impact on the earth in spite of its relatively small size. That speaks to me in many ways. I read a bit about the pink moon before coming here. I love astronomy and the night sky, but am not a nocturnal creature.
Gazing at the moon through a telescope is incredible. It’s hard not to be impressed with Luna.
Hari OM
Oh, I am definitely vespertine! What a luscious word. Sadly, as per usual, it’s total cloud cover above the Hutch, so the fullest moon will not be seen. But I know it’s there. I gazed freely upon it last night and thought about all my pals around the globe looking upon it too… YAM xx
It makes me happy knowing so many of us make those thought connections as we greet the moon.
I love the colour of full moon nights- the hard crisp silver sheen – this months moon is also known as the Vesak moon – the celebration of Buddha ..birth death enlightenment.
In our garden is a few ( grows easily from cuttings) night flower shrubs, original name unknown to me , tiny white flowers that when you press your face in no scent at all but at evening fall the perfume releases and fills the air waves – a glorious dense fragrance like gardenia
heavenly really .
Blessings at the Vesak moon Sandra. Your vespertine bushes sound so lovely – I’d love to smell their perfume.
I have goose bumps after reading this post.
This is truly a soul connection.
I think the same as you do when I gaze up at the moon . And to be in the same room as Hafiz and Rumi! Goose bumps all over again. xx
Wouldn’t it be fabulous? It’s funny how I can swoon at an idea that isn’t even possible. Of course, there is our dream time. 🙂
We were admiring the moon on our walk yesterday evening (a vespertine walk) and it was absolutely magnificent and huge… and definitely yellow! Perhaps I will rename it the daffodil moon. =)
Black and White: V for Valhalla, Vaikuntha
Evening walks in the presence of the moon are the best. And Daffodil Moon has a lovely ring to it – good call.
I saw the full moon last night and took my usual pictures. Vespers is the evening prayer so i was able to guess at vespertine. Nice one!
Nice going with the recognition of vespertine. It’s always fun to see your moon photos.
I think so about the sun that infinite triangles could be drawn between me, the sun and every other soul on earth looking at it now….Same thing could be said about the moon… The moon provides a cooling effect …like entering an air conditioned room after a walk in the heat outside
And I believe it’s a silver moon
What lovely imagery!
I love it that our new apartment has east-facing windows, so I can see the moon come up every night 🙂 I remember moving out to a village from the city, and being amazed at how bright an actual full moon is when there is no light pollution.
The Multicolored Diary
How lovely about your moon-view windows! Light pollution is a big issue where I live. Like you, I have such a vivid memory of the first time I saw a night sky away from a city. From me, it was so utterly wonderful I was literally shaking with excitement. It was like a whole other world opened up in the sky.
I am a complete night person. I love the dark… I love the moon.. The stars. I simply love the quietness… The ruminations… The simply me effect that the night brings with it. Maybe even for me Venus must have been counterclockwise from the Sun on the day of my birth :).
Yes, yes, yes, to all the wonderful things you describe about night. May we always be held in that magic.