Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be using manicules (those pointing finger symbols) to direct your attention to something I’m pondering that delights or interests me. Each entry is somehow related to an unusual, obscure, or simply charming to me word.
G is for…
glisk – to glitter; a glance or gleam of light; to look slyly at or askance
I love sparkle and think our world is filled with it. For the most part though, I’m not particularly drawn to over-the-top displays of glitter. More is not actually better in that department. I prefer a more subtle display – something that requires you to be present and paying attention. The sparkle is like a little cosmic reward – an unexpected treasure, and a true heart gift that delights.
Lord Byron wrote: “Years steal fire from the mind as vigor from the limb; and life’s enchanted cup but sparkles near the brim.”
Frankly I think that’s a rather pessimistic view of things, and I whole-heartedly believe that “life’s enchanted cup” sparkles throughout. Furthermore, I think we need be careful how we hold and speak of things as it tends to solidify our position, often not in a helpful way. The true delight of sparkle for me is that it entirely depends on your perspective – a bit of light catches it this way, and then shifts and it’s gone. It’s such a vibrant invitation into staying open to flow, staying open to looking, staying open to letting your delight be captured.
This winter I re-ignited my love affair with mica and all its glittering magic. A number of years ago I used a magical body oil scented with rose and jasmine oils and shimmering with tiny bits of mica. While it was luscious, and as you can see from the photo, quite lovely, I’m not really a fan of mica in products used on the body. There are concerns about ethical sourcing as well as concerns there might be contamination with heavy metals. But it is magical to look at, and because mica doesn’t stay suspended in oil, but rather settles to the bottom, you need to shake the bottle. And that leaves you with a swirling display of sparkly magic – quite mesmerizing.
I’ve often used mica flakes and sheets in my art, and I always have a stone or two that contains mica out somewhere where I can pick it and allow myself to be mesmerized a bit. I’m particularly fond of aventurine, and at the start of every Spring I put out a favorite piece of rubellite-included lavender-colored lepidolite whose mica sparkles seem like the perfect harbingers of the magic that Spring unfolds. This is another sparkly piece of lepidolite I have sitting near a window where light can catch it and send a little sparkle in my direction
In Chinese medicine, mica is known as a sacred mirror, and I love contemplating this. Self-reflexivity and the ability to see ourselves as multi-faceted are important to me, and mica is a great ally in this.
But all things that sparkle, all those glimpses of light that catch our eye are invitations. To remember that we can all hold and transmit light; that we can always alter our position so that we receive those flashes of light from others; that there truly is beauty all around us, we simply need to pay attention.
What’s glittering for you these days? What are you reflecting on? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
As I read this, I am watching little dots of light dance on the wall as the sunlight passes through the window between the branches of trees outside. Dancing glisks, lighting up my morning.
I tend to enjoy “shiny things” but am less inclined toward glitter than to materials that catch light. This is part of my fascination with jewelry, I suspect, but I am also attracted to cut crystal and etched glass for the same reason: I love the catch-light sparkle they create!
Your description of the dancing light gives me a little shiver of delight. One of the rooms in my house, with a slanted-roof wall is perfect for catching light and bouncing it off other walls, so I have the windows hung with leaded-glass crystals. I love catching the glisks off the glass itself, but the resulting myriad of rainbows is pretty fabulous as well. May we always have boundless sparkle and shine in our lives Mrs. Fever.
My new kitchen ceiling is glittering. My affectionate cat on my lap too. I’ve had trouble finding the beauty lately with my house torn apart. But I’ve been cleaning up my flowerbeds and mowing my lawn which brings neatness and calm to my world. I like the way you incorporate glitter into your life; I despise actual glitter. It goes everywhere and is impossible to be rid of. My daughters weren’t allowed to bring it in the house. 🙂
I like how you’re navigating chaos into calm Margaret. I’m not sure glitter was welcome in my home when I was a kid, but the very first toy I remember as a very very young child was a sparkly whale bath toy – it was pink and had glitter embedded in the plastic. It was awesome, and I have no doubt was the beginning of my love of whales. The power of glisk! 🙂
Glisk? I like this word. I’m finding more sparkles every day now that we’re finally heading toward warmer weather. There’s morning light shimmering through the front door beveled glass– and there’s the happy hour twinkle of white wine in a cut crystal wine glass.
Lovely examples!
I agree, too much glitter can be overwhelming but just a hint is exciting.
Great minds… 🙂
Thank you for teaching me a new word. I like glitter too, and that seed bag reminds me of the glitteing elf pictures we collected, when I went to school.
Glittering elf pictures – how fun!
Serendipitously, my post today (H) has very similar feel/shine/ethos to what I’ve just read here.
Talking of sparkles–we’re in the process of redoing our kitchen. A couple of countertop samples were left by the contactor for us to mull over. I picked a dark one which has little star like sparkles–like very tiny stars. “This one.” I told him. “But, this is artificial granite.”
All that glitters is not gold… So, for the sake of longevity and sense I’m going with the real thing. Will have to add the ‘sparkle’ with my smile when I’m cooking–I guess:)
LOL – how perfect Arti. I have no doubt you’ll add sparkle with your smile, but I bet you’re eyes will add sparkle as well as you admire your kitchen re-do when it’s complete. Looking forward to making my way over to check out your post soon.
What a fun word!
Ronel visiting for the A-Z Challenge My Languishing TBR: G
Isn’t it?! Thanks for stopping by Ronel.
Your post is so wholesome, it made my day. I took out my lepidolite and held it lovingly. I was transported to the land we bought and where we built our house. Digging for the foundation revealed sheets and sheets of mica that shone in the sun. I found it pretty but really wanted to grow trees and the ground with its glittering mica seemed so hostile. But I did grow trees.
I love that you had a house built on a sparkly foundation AND you got to have your trees. Makes my heart very happy indeed.
“Remember that we can all hold and transmit light.”
What an important reminder. I feel like some days I lack glitter and sparkle as I’m running back and forth, trying to get everything done.
So we should shine more and stress less. Sounds simple enough.
Imagine how different the world would be if that were the only item on to-do lists!
Yeah, Byron was all about the moody broody pessimism… Not really my type! lol
This is a lovely post, and you are so right!
G is for Glowing
LOL – i do believe you’ve called Byron correctly. And thanks for your kind words Anne.
We have naturally occurring Mica near my home and I love coming upon in the woods.. sometimes I find myself singing that song from Oklahoma where they talk about isinglass windows
How delightful to spot mica in the woods – little surprise sparkles. I had to look up the Oklahoma song and it made me smile, as well as the thought of you singing it. Fun!
There is a water canal behind our apartment and during our morning walks the water glitters beautifully in the sun
Jayashree writes
Oh how wonderful. Sparkles on water are one of my favorite things.