Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with creating a manifesto reflecting wonders, curiosities, and delights currently captivating me – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words.
P is for…
Pierian – (pī-ˈir-ē-ən) adj. – 1. of or relating to the Muses 2. of or relating to poetry or poetic inspiration 3. of or relating to Pieria, region in ancient Macedonia where the Muses were once worshipped.
I’m glad I get to mention poetry in this post, given that it IS National Poetry Month and I’m such a poetry devotee. But bonus points for a word that encompasses my beloved Muses as well.
I expect most of us know about the Greek Muses, at least in general if not well enough to rattle off the names and domains of all nine of them. They are the daughters of Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods, and Mnemosyne, the Titan goddess of Memory. But as befits the Muses I think, there is actually some mystery about them. There are varying origin stories, and some traditions say there were only three Muses.
The story I most favor, begins with the great war that occurred between the Titans, who were the older generation of Greek gods, and the Olympian gods, the younger generation, led by Zeus. That war lasted for a decade and resulted in the defeat of the old pantheon. From there it is said that Zeus (Olympian) partnered with Mnemosyne (Titan) and nine daughters were created. In part they were created to forget the evils of the world, and their lovely voices and dancing helped relieve some of the sorrow of the past.
I like to invoke my Muses for a number of reasons. Of course I always welcome inspiration, and so to invite that seems like a most reasonable thing to do. But additionally calling on the Muses also feels like a respectful acknowledgement that all our efforts here are actually co-creative. We are always creating in collaboration, and to pretend otherwise seems if not delusional, at least ridiculously self-important.
Whatever I create is indeed imprinted with my energy, is indeed my expression, but I like to imagine that we all start by dipping into the infinite pool of possibilities, and that energy stream is available to everyone.
I like imagining sometimes I’m walking through a field with my Muse. Perhaps she’ll steer me to a flower hidden in the roots of a tree, or point out a feather, or hush me so I can hear the wind whispering, or glimpse the shadow of a fox running. All these things are there, whether she is or not, and I’m obligated to do anything with any of them, but it’s wonderful to walk with someone whose very presence reminds you to open your eyes and your heart.
I indeed share Jan Phillips’ thought, which is part of The Artist’s Creed:
“As the Muse gives…so does she deserve…faith, mindfulness and enduring commitment.”
My Muses are generous beyond measure, gifting me with all manner of inspiration. This delights me as I love having multiple things going on – it fuels me and everything seems all the richer for the cross-pollination.
But over the years I’ve learned it’s a fine dance between juggling multiple things and finding it thrilling versus feeling overwhelmed and crashing. But that’s why I keep idea journals. I actually call them my idea reliquaries; reliquary defined as a repository or receptacle for relics. I certainly don’t mean relic in the ecclesiastical sense of some personal bit of a saint, martyr, or other sacred person, preserved as worthy of veneration. Indeed, I define relic as an object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental value. And so my idea reliquaries capture all the juicy inspiration and ideas I’m not ready to work on and keep them safely on hold.
If you know anything about me, you recognize that poetry is important to me. I think it’s a powerful way to bring us back into our hearts, and frankly I think there’s never been a time when we needed to be more heart-based as a collective than right now.
I believe it’s important to claim heart language. What if we paid attention to this admonishment from Rumi?
“Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
I have no doubt the Muses would celebrate us if we did just that. After all, it’s what they’re trying to get us to do.
I revel in the Pierian influences that invite me into creative self-expression and help me experience the world as the astonishing place it is.
What about you? Do you have a relationship with the Muses, or do find the idea rather silly? Are you a poetry lover? Keep a journal of inspirations to return to at another time? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Hari OM
Silly? No… have been known to utter that am ‘tapping my muse’ from time to time. The word being used in terms of having a prompt higher than can be felt within oneself. it is certainly the case that ‘there is nothing new under the sun’ and that all we are doing is putting our small touches on something already existing – turning it to a different light to draw more from it. The Source of Creativity is the same for all, but each reflects it in their own ‘muse-ic’, be it poetry, prose or picking pebbles from the shore.Some with very ponderous strokes, and others with precision and pulchritude.
Poetry is prominent in my life also – as is journalling, which I shall say is my recording mechanism – am not very good at going back through, though! YAM xx
What a beautiful way to express it Yamini – “turning it to a different light to draw more from it.” And I truly love that we are all unique in our reflections – it thrills my heart.
People’s journals are fascinating to me on all sorts of levels, and of course, what we record and why differs for us all. Some journals lend themselves more to returning to. If recording something serves as a way to release it, then I don’t actually think it serves to return. For me, my mind somehow is always pointing out connections between things, and sometimes returning to long-forgotten things is like finding a new thread to weave into my now-moment tapestry.
Of all your posts so far this one resonated the most deeply, you will know why 🙂 The quote from Rumi is one of my absolute favourites.
Indeed. If the world offered us only one admonishment by which to set course with our lives, I think this one would serve us all perfectly.
I don’t think of myself as having a muse, so this was fascinating. I do love poetry. I’ve enjoyed many of Mary Oliver’s poems.
Mary Oliver is a true national treasure. She’s taught me so much with her ability to see beauty so intimately in all aspects of nature, and her dedication to keep her eyes and heart wide open.
Thanks Deborah …I loved reading about the ancient gods and their goddess daughters. And the mystery around their origins which is as it should be. Sometimes the (my) muse seems to be absent, although always there. Maybe I need to go deeper at those times. It helps to put pen to paper exactly then ..and summon her.
I suspect all our muses like a bit of courting some times.
I am not sure about the old Greek Muses but Stevie Nicks is my present day one. Journaling and keeping inspirations, you know I’m all over that. Great word, Deborah.
Perfect Janet – our Muses come in all shapes and sizes and musical genres, and Stevie can certainly rock that role. (I couldn’t help myself – sorry)!
You always amaze me! One, because you can keep up with these long blog challenges, and two, because your content always resonates with me. As a young girl, I always wrote poetry and kept a little book of my poems. In secret, of course. Not sure what ever happened to those little journals, but to this day…I still do it. Handwritten, too. I love that bit from the Artist’s Creed…it is sooo true! And I smiled real big with your little idea reliquaries, holding all of your juicy tidbits of inpiration! LOVE IT! You are an inspiration to me…for sure! Aloha!
Aloha Vicki – and thanks for the kind words. I love the idea of your poetry journals, and of course it’s always a delight to see what journals you’re busy creating these days. So many things to explore, so many journals to fill! 🙂
Idea journals are a great idea! 🙂 And I like the term you use for them as well. Reliquary is a nice word too.
The Multicolored Diary: Weird Things in Hungarian Folktales
Ideas – there’s no holding them back! 🙂
Sometimes I doubt the existence of muses until they depart. Then I see how dependent on them I really am!
Facing Cancer with Grace
I like to think that’s part of what they teach us. To celebrate them fully when they are here, like beloved friends surprising us with a visit. But I don’t think they want to encourage dependence. We’re all powerful creators in our own right and thinking of creativity as simply a way we self-express, reminds me I always have that available to me. It’s an over-the-top bonus, when a muse gifts us with additional inspiration.
I’m a poetry lover. You say it brings us back to our hearts and I nod in agreement.
A little something for you because “There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
“Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, “You owe me.”
Look what happens with a love like that.
It lights up the whole sky.”
~ Hafiz.
Thank you for lighting up this A to Z journey with your offerings:)
Q is for Quotes on my fridge door in Qatar
What beautiful wisdom from Hafiz. Thanks for sharing that Arti.
And you reawakened a wish of mine. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if Rumi and Hafiz could be in conversation together? Can you imagine how magical that would be? I’ve thought sometimes of doing a “conversation” by compiling some of their works, just because I think it would be so wonderful to immerse myself in that study. And here you are – setting precedence. You’ve made my day indeed!
Deborah, I urge you to do it. Perhaps as letters –Rumi to Hafiz and Hafiz to Rumi? Perhaps your next A to Z?
To witness that exchange would be a thing of limitless beauty—Ah! sings the heart.
Your encouragement is inspiring me Arti. I just had the beginning of an idea of how I might approach this. How fun!
Hi Deborah – I know so little about the muses … but you’ve sent me in that direction and I must try and find out more … but I love your quote from The Artists’ Creed – one to remember and another subject I must look into … which ties in so well with Rumi’s admonishment – cheers Hilary
I love when we get pulled into our own investigations. I think perhaps it is the Muses leaving us breadcrumbs. 🙂
Although the concept ‘muses’ isn’t new to me, the way you implement it into your daily life is. Very intriguing.
It’s always interesting to peek into each other’s lives isn’t it Patty? There’s so much to experience and learn and share!