Carpe Diem Extra July 5th 2016 New Prompt-list published

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

I hope you all are alright. I am okay, but (as always) busy with work and CDHK. I have published our new prompt-list, you can find it above in the menu.

Our "prayers" kukai is still open for your submissions. If you like to participate in this "prayers" kukai you can email your haiku (a maximum of three not published earlier) to our email-address:

carpediemhaikukai@gmail.com

Please write 'kukai prayers" in the subject line.

 

You can submit your haiku until July 10th 10.00 PM (CET). 

Our third renga-party "summer moonlight" is going well and it becomes already a wonderful renga. The last link was written by Rallentanda (I published it for her, in her name) and now Kyle TM has to write the next link / stanza.(link 15). I am looking forward to the follow up links.

For closure:

As you all know next October CDHK celebrates its 4th anniversary. I am already busy with the preparations for this celebration, but I like to get some input from you my dear CDHK family members. Do you have ideas to celebrate our 4th anniversary? Please let me know through the comments field or by emailing me to the same email address as mentioned above. (If you email your ideas, please write "October celebration" in the subject line.

Have a great week,

Namaste,

Chèvrefeuille, your host

Carpe Diem #991 Alder

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Welcome ... I hope you have had a great Sunday. Today we will explore the beauty of another beautiful and mysteriously mystical tree ... the Alder. The Alder is also part of the Celtic Ogham secret language of the druids and has a deeper meaning which I hope to explain to you and by doing that I hope to inspire you and open up your eyes for our mysterious nature (as is the theme for this month).

The Celtic meaning of the Alder deals with giving and nurturing among the sacred Ogham for many reasons. Namely, its root system provides rich nutrients to the soil, more so than other trees. The alder can successfully restore poor soil conditions back to healthy Ph levels.

Primarily a wetlands and swamp tree, the alder's root system is often submerged in watery areas. As such, the Celts observed their roots serving as intricate shelter systems to fish, specifically trout and salmon. Further, the alder's leaves easily decompose in the water providing rich nutrients to all manner of water creatures.

These acts of generosity and shelter against harsh conditions can be translated in our own lives. By simply standing firm in our own positive environment, we can affect those around us in positive ways. By emitting our signals of tranquility, and peace, we are enhancing the lives of others just be sheer association.

Although it is primarily associated with the element of water, the alder gracefully crosses into the realm of air and fire as well.

Alder and Ivy

For example, ancient legend indicates the wood of the young alder is traditionally used for crafting whistles, pan flutes and recorders. This establishes the alder's claim to the air element. Within the realm of fire, the alder's coloring transmutes into a fiery orange after it is cut, indicating to the Celts that the alder secretly harbors sacred flame within its flesh. To prove the point, the alder (although a poor firewood) makes a pristine grade of charcoal, and was perfect for steadily hot conditions utilized to forge fine Celtic weaponry.

In this respect the alder reminds us that we have hidden powers within us that if tapped, provide magnificent resources that allow us to live out our highest ideals.

We are all haiku poets and our goal is to catch the beauty of nature that's surrounding us in just three lines. In a way the haiku is the same like the Alder. In our haiku there hides knowledge and wisdom, but also spirituality.

For this episode of Carpe Diem I love to challenge you to create a haiku in which you have hidden a deeper knowledge .... maybe a spiritual layer ... it's up to you. Try to "contact" your inner spiritual knowledge and bring it out in the open in the hidden way of the Alder ... "the haiku under the trees".

Of course I had to try it myself and it wasn't easy to reach the goal I have asked you in this episode. So ... maybe ... it was to much to ask for.

symbiosis
ivy and alder
entwined

© Chèvrefeuille

I have tried to bring a deeper meaning into this haiku in which I brought Ivy and Alder together, both strong trees (bushes) and they make each other stronger. The Alder hides secret knowledge which can help us to change and the Ivy makes that secret knowledge stronger because of its spiraling growth. Ivy literally embraces the Alder, using its strength, but making it stronger also.

This episode is open for your submissions tonight at 7.00 PM (CET) and will remain open until July 9th at noon (CET). I will (try to) publish our next episode, a new Tokubetsudesu episode, later on.

Carpe Diem Special 213 "Whitecaps on the bay" by Richard Wright

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

For this first CD-Special of July I have chosen a beautiful haiku by Richard Wright who was not only a gifted writer of novels, but also a gifted haiku poet. 
Richard Nathaniel Wright (1908 –1960) was an American author of sometimes controversial novels, short stories, poems, and non-fiction. Much of his literature concerns racial themes, especially those involving the plight of African Americans during the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. Literary critics believe his work helped change race relations in the United States in the mid-20th century.

The haiku I love to share for your inspiration is a beauty I think and it gives really an impression of a scene that just lasts for one moment as short as the sound of a pebble thrown in water.

Richard Wright (1908-1960)

As you all know the goal of the CD-Specials is to write a new haiku (or tanka) in the same tone, sense and spirit as the given one. So I hope that this haiku will inspire you. 

Whitecaps on the bay:

A broken signboard banging
In the April wind.

© Richard Wright

A beauty I think ... I hope that I have inspired you all to create a new haiku, tanka or Japanese poetry form.

wind chimes
resonate against the buildings
a thunderstorm passed

© Chèvrefeuille

This episode is NOW OPEN for your submissions and will remain open until July 8th at noon (CET). I will (try to) publish our new episode, Alder, later on. For now .... have fun!

Carpe Diem Utabukuro #13

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Welcome at a new episode of Carpe Diem Utabukuro, the special feature in which you may choose your own favorite haiku, tanka or other Japanese poetry form. This can be written by a classical or modern haiku poet or yourself.

Tell us why that specific haiku, tanka or other Japanese poetry form is one of your favorites and try to write an all new haiku inspired on the verse of your choice. This week I have chosen a beauty by Basho. As you all know I am a big fan of Basho, and I see him as my master, and every haiku written by him is my favorite, but there are a few which I like the very most. For this week ... one of my favorites by Basho:

morning glories
in the daytime a lock
upon the gate

© Basho (1644-1694)

In summer 1693 Basho decided to lock himself up. He would like to think over is his life and closed the gate to his home. You can see this as a retreat. He needed to seek closure for his life as a haiku master. During the months of July and August, Basho closed his gate to visitors. Because the morning glory flower closes up during the day.

Honeysuckle (the English translation of my penname)

As I read this haiku for the very first time I had the idea myself to go on a retreat, but that's not my way of living. I love people around me and I, for sure, will not close my gate for visitors. I am the opposite of Basho. I embrace the people around me. I can't live without them. Of course ... I take sometimes a few days for myself, but that's more to come to myself, to get new energy and inspiration.

a few days
to become myself
and be inspired

the Honeysuckle
in front of my house
guards the gate

© Chèvrefeuille

I am looking forward to your favorites.

This Utabukuro episode is open at noon (CET) and will remain open until July 8th at noon (CET). Have fun!

Carpe Diem #990 Rowan tree

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

First I have to make my excuses, because I don't have had time to create our new prompt-list for July. I hope to get it ready this weekend, but I can not promise that. As you already know this month we are exploring the mysterious, magical and mystical meaning of nature and I started with the trees. The trees which we have already seen here are all related with the Celtic (secret) language of the druids, Ogham.

Today we will look at the mysterious meaning, the spiritual meaning of Rowan. Key-words for the meaning of Rowan are: protection, connection and expression. As I was in my early twenties I had my own practice for natural healing under the name Corr Uilleand, a name extracted from the above called Ogham. I had this practice for three years.

Let us take a look at the deeper meaning of Rowan:

The Celts honored Rowan for its balance of beauty and hardiness. Rowan is a mysterious and magical tree and when silence ourselves and listen long enough to "hear" Rowan speak to you, than we will hear its message: "look deeper, see through the object before your eyes and you will encounter visions into the worlds beyond the one you physically know."

Rowan Tree

The Rowan often grows inside other trees, in craggy riverbeds and in other impossible locations. That's related to its deeper meaning. Sometimes you can find the solution of your problems in a place (or through a person) were you did not expected it.

Rowan is magical and not in word, but also in its appearance. If you look closer to the berries of Rowan than you will encounter / discover the five-pointed star, pentagram, at the bottom of the berries. That magical appearance makes Rowan a powerful symbol of protection against evil. The Celts used branches with Rowan berries as a kind of protection-shield against evil, by hanging it above the entrance of their homes.

natural shield
to keep the Devil outside -
Rowan's branch

© Chèvrefeuille

Go to the Rowan when you are in need of clarity in your life situation, or protection from lower (negative) vibrations that come on your path. The fresh red colored berries cause you to see more light and promise infuse your days.

Pentagram on Rowan berries

Rowan is able to flourish higher up on the mountains than most other trees. Closer to the sun and divine inspiration in this extreme environment, it yet retains its grace of form and its potential for healing. Exposed to the elements on solitary crags, it still produces blossom and berries to delight the eye and heal the body, bringing vibrant color and birdsong to the hills. Rowan emphasizes the need for color and creative endeavor in our lives and encourages us to open our minds to creative inspiration. It also teaches us that we can draw on the forces of life to heal ourselves and those around us. We can develop the art of turning adversity into creative opportunity. Rowan protects and gives courage and strength to those walking the path of spiritual growth and enlightenment.

under the Rowan
meditating and contemplating a new path
the gentle breeze

© Chèvrefeuille

Rowan ... a wonderful mysterious tree ... another discovery ....

This episode is NOW OPEN for your submissions and will remain open until July 7th at noon (CET). I will try to post our new episode later on. For now ... be inspired and share your wonderful haiku with us all here at our Haiku Kai.

Carpe Diem #989 Oak

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Welcome at a new and exciting episode of Carpe Diem Haiku Kai. As I told you yesterday this new month of CDHK is about the mysteries of nature. We are exploring the deeper (spiritual) meaning of nature and today I love to inspire you with (in my opinion) the king of the trees, Oak.

In ancient days, say in the time of the Celts (and their Ogham and druidism) the Oak was considered to be the "brain" of nature in which all the ancient knowledge and wisdom is embodied in its towering strength.

The Celtic druids observed the massive growth and impressive expanse of this king of the trees. Through their observing, they knew pretty sure that the Oak was the noblest of noblest in nature. They made the Oak holy. Maybe you know that the Oak was used as an altar, a place of worship, by the druids. They often came to the Oak to meditate and contemplate what they had to do.
It is through that habit that the Oak got its name as a gate to the hidden, secret wisdom and knowledge from the gods. To find your path, sitting beneath the powerful crown of the oak will bring you deeper insight and finally Oak will show you the path you have to go.
Wearing oak leaves was a sign of special status among the Celts (and the ancient Greeks and Romans). It was a sign that the wearer had found his/her spiritual path to their deeper Inner Self. By wearing oak leaves they showed that the regal power of the oak was recognized and honored and that they had gain the secret wisdom hidden behind the gate to the secret knowledge of the Oak.

Oak

The actual translation of duir (Celtic for Oak) is "door" and lore indicates the spiritually advanced Celts would access the ethereal planes of higher thought (psychic vision or soul-thought) by "opening the oak door."

So ... to become wise and to gain the secret knowledge you have to go to an oak. Go sit beneath it, meditate and contemplate ... and for sure Oak will give you the answers.

I found a nice haiku on my personal weblog about Oak

this moonlit night
witches dancing around the oak
worshiping Mother

© Chèvrefeuille

Well ... I hope you did like this episode and that I have inspired you.

This episode is open for your submissions tonight at 7.00 PM (CET) and will remain open until July 6th at noon (CET). I will try to publish our new episode later on, and the prompt-list for July. Have fun!

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge #105 "coming to sea cliffs" by Jane Reichhold

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Sorry .... I am a bit late with this new Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge, but there were circumstances which took my time.

Welcome at a new Tan Renga Challenge in which I challenge you to complete a Tan Renga from a given haiku (or "hokku"). This time I have chosen to challenge you with a Tan Renga starting with a "hokku" by Jane Reichhold, a renown haiku poetess and advisor (co-host) of Carpe Diem Haiku Kai. At our side you can find a link to her homepage and to the exclusive Jane Reichhold library.

Sea cliffs

Here is the "hokku" to inspire you and to complete:

coming to sea cliffs
the off-shore breeze raises
a flower fragrance

© Jane Reichhold

I hope this "hokku" inspires you to complete the Tan Renga by adding your second stanza towards it.

This Tan Renga Challenge is NOW OPEN for your submissions and will remain open until next Friday July 8th at noon (CET). Have fun!