Living in Drawings: October 2014

October 3, 2014

Babacino and me have decided we want to make Dream Catchers!

As it happens, when something that is quite important, needs to be made, it is often the culmination of lots of seemingly little things and ideas all disparetly collected up and kept safe, for one day, for something.

It's sort of like lots of little soldier ants waiting to find the long line of marching ants to join and start marching!

I have a bottle of Modge Podge. I found out about Modge Podge long long ago, and I bought some, and I've been really wanting to play with it. It's quite American. I suspect we have a similar product here, but I just like the name, and I love the enthusiasm of the American Makers who make things with Modge Podge with their hands, and I want to see what it feels like! Now it is time, nearly!

And if you read about Angels, it is true that they leave signs for us like feathers, coins, and all kinds of things. Not all are things things, they can be inanimate, but if we walk around, with our eyes open for treasures, we will find them. And then we can collect, them, for Dream Catchers!

I dont know how I got the idea of making Dream Catchers, I guess I always liked dream catchers, but they can be a bit twee can't they.
But they dont have to be! What about the true original Dream Catchers ?

Also, I think its from thinking about my little sister, who is like a real live Angel. If you met her, you would just know!! I think it would be nice right now, for her to have a dream catcher to help her collect her dreams and keep them safe. And actually I think everyone should have a dream catcher, but, a real one of course. I think its fair to say, that that dream catchers surely only really work if they are made with some ones hands! and if they are made by the maker with a certain intention mixed naturally with universe intention.

Other things about our Dream Catchers - I think they are like Mandala's which are also about the maker, so if we make a dream catcher for someone, its extra powerful because while we are making it, we're connecting somehow in some kind of magical way. I cant explain. Its a feeling.
This is about Mandalas

So, me and Babacino need to get busy and start collecting, and sorting and safekeeping, and also to be purest, we also have a lot of dreaming and exploring and playing to do, so that we can make beautiful Dream Catchers for all the people that we love!

To start, here are our first harvest of Autumn Leaves...and my book that I just started reading. It generally takes me about 3 or 4 months now to read a book these days [thats also why we're starting the dream catchers now, so that we can finish them before the end of the year, hopefully!] , So this one, is a good one, because its a collection of stories, AND its written by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, who wrote Women who run with Wolves, One of the most powerful thought provoking and life changing books I have ever read. So I am quite excited to read it. Right now it's with our leaves, breathing and feeling earthy.
I wish I could put the smell of our leaves onto this blog, they are wonderful, our leaves!! I love them!! They are going to be great in our Dream Catchers.

Oh, before we go, I must mention this The Artful Parent. She blogs about Art for kids, never ending streams of ideas and energy and things. I think that's where I got the awesome idea of using autumn leaves, and that kind of tied into the dream catchers, perfectly. I will no doubt gratefully use some of her ideas, once we start the journey of the dream catcher making! When Babacino is a bit bigger and can make things with his hands, we'll have lots of ideas to try. And well have no shortage of sunshine and trees and land and the sea places to explore and collect and make things, when we are in Sicily!

Here are our pictures:
Tomorrow I will get some pics of my leaf collector helper being amongst the leaves. We had to collect in a rush today to get back for bath time!!

And we need to star collecting pictures of cool dream catchers and mandala's made by other makers, for our research!
ok. time to sleep and collect dreams for the dream catcher makers!

Babacino's Onomastico

Just a 'little' post about something so lovely, that it just can`t not be said about!

On Monday, was Babacino's Onomastico. In fact it was the day of cellebration for all the Arch Angels: Michele, Raffaele and Gabriele. Here are some Angel pictures I've been collecting!
I also have some children's angel cards. Perhaps they will be for Kaelin, Babacino's cousin in South Africa!! For christmas!

'Onomastico', basically means 'Name Day' and is a little bit like a birthday in a sense. It is a celebration. In Italy, families will often have a big feast for someone's Onomastico! And most especially in the Crispi family!!

How it works: In Italy, children are often named after saints. Some children are named after the saint on who's feast day they were born. Others are named after the patron saint of the town they live in, while others still, are named after a saint that their parents feel a connection with. Of course, children are also often named after parents, and there may be a long line of a saint name or names in the family. Perhaps it is a sort of 'passed down' connection with a saint, which is kind of interesting and nice!

For example: Franci, Babacino's big brother, is named after his grandfather, Mauri's father. There is a long tradition of Francesco's in the Crispi family. Mauri's mum was very liberal and progressive because she started a brand new fresh nams in the family for hMauri, who was supposed to be called "Giosué". But Mauri's mum felt this was too pompous and too much of a weight for Mauri to carry, so she gave him his own chosen name, and it has worked out perfectly! Tata was named after his grandfather on his fathers side, rather than after his father. A little break from tradition. That has been perfect too because it suits Tata AND I am sure it has helped to keep their father with them throughout their lives. And who better to do this, than Tata!

Mauri's mama and papa were teachers, artists and writers, so it is no surprise that they decided to choose their own conventions for naming their boys, keeping tradition alive but making sure the names were felt and meaningful to the family in real life! I never met Mauri's mum, but I think she was an amazing enlighted strong and courageous lady. She is still Gabriels Nonna!!!
Of course I never met Mauris Papino iether. Mauri was the age Franci is now, when he lost his dad. But there are books and memories all over Mauri's and Tata's homes, of him, so he is still very much part of life. It would have been his Onomastico this Saturday, along with Franci! Luckily Mauri is in Italy for the feast.

So, our piccolo Gabriel wasn't specifically named after the Arch Angel Gabriel. But, of course, it is a lovely connection and I am happy that he has a real Onomastico day of his own, as he will be a mostly Italian little boy as he grows up and he is a Crispi! [with some English-ness and some South African-ness and I am sure he will absorb all sorts of other sparkleyness along the way, being a Rainbow Angel Baby and all!]
These are Arch Angel Gabriel pictures I found, that I've been collecting.. and now they have a home!

A drawing I found on t`internet of Arch Angel Gabriel, which I think is really beautiful

These are our Onomastico dates in our family and some little bits to explain:

Tata [Salvatore] 6 August
This feast day is often celebrated on March 18 in memory of San Salvatore of Horta.
But in some areas of Italy, and specifically in Sicily, where our family is, the Name Day [Onomastico] is celebrated on the feast of Corpus Christi., so the name Salvatore therefore refers to Jesus as Savior and is celebrated on August 6 at the Transfiguration of Jesus.
I really think this day totally suits Tata because he really does have light shining out of him, He is like the story! He was named perfectly. Tata is Mauri's big brother and Gabriel's Zio!

Mauri [Maurizio] 22 September - Mio Marito!I couldn`t find so much about San Maurizio, even though I think there is probably a lot! but this is what I found.. maybe I'll add some when I find some more.
Maurizio is an Italian name derived from Latin and means "inhabitant of Mauritania." The name of this Saint's day is celebrated on 22 September each year in memory of San Maurizio, an imperial general who commanded the Roman Theban Legion. The features or characteristics that San Maurizio manifests are: "Thoughtful and at the same time always ready to act, Mauritizio is a good man who knows his rights and obligations and who loves to protect and help people, especially the most needy."
Again, that is just perfect for Mauri, he is a helper and healer through and through. Its in his bones and of course he has an incredible sense of justice and of belief in the human spirit. I think his default position is definitely to see the good in people! So even though I only found a very little bit about San Maurizio, I think it is perfect. Well done to Tata and Mauri's parents for choosing such perfect names for their boys!!

Franci [Franceso] 4 October
Franci's Onomastico is linked to Saint Francis of Assisi [Italian: San Francesco d`Assisi]. San Francesco founded lots of different orders which still stand today. In 1223, Francesco arranged for the first Christmas nativity scene. In 1224, he recieved the stigmata, making him the first recorded person to bear the wounds of Christ's Passion. AND he is perhaps most well known especially among children, and in terms of imagery and stories, as the man who could talk to and be unerstood by birds and animals! So he was multi-facetted, creative, and full of depth and courage. He went along many different paths until he found where he needed to be. So I think that name is perfect for Franci. Franci is really creative, He thinks a lot, and is full of curiosity about life and about where ever he is in the moment. Franci lives life to the full. I think the intensity of the life story of San Francesco, is a quality that Franci has, which is perfect for his creative endevours, and no doubt his soul will demand feeding for ever, with ideas and creativity, just like his Papino!

Gabriel Babacino's second name is Francis, which is the English version of Francesco. So he has a family name too! Just like his big brother! I am pleased, and I am sure Babacino will grow into all his names in his own unique way. It will be a pleasure to witness and be part of.

And here are some pictures of a real live Onomastico, this is Tata's one from August, see!!
Vero buon onomastico di famiglia Crispi!!

The Famiglia and Friends at Tata's Onomastico this year on 6th August!

The Crispi Bro's at Tatas Onomastico this year!

AND NOW!!!

Babacinooooo! [Gabriel] 29 September
"Gabriel's name means 'God is my strength'. Gabriel is the Angel of child conception or the process of adopting a child. This archangel also helps anyone whose life purpose involves art or communication. Defender of the Element of Water and of the West. The Angel of resurrection, mercy and peace and benefactor of " messengers". Purity, rebirth, creativity, prophecy, purifying your thoughts, body and emotions.Communication; the Arts. Patron Angel of all who work in the field of communications. postal workers, and clergy."
This is the meaning of his name, well, one of them...! Here are lots of awesome things about Gabriel. And THIS is about mathematical equation or geometric figure, called Gabriel's horn, and it was was first studied by Italian physicist and mathematician Evangelista Torricelli in the 17th century. More great Italian-ness where ever we go!

In the English speaking cultures, we do in fact have a kind of a festival for the Arch Angels. Its on the same day as the Catholic/ Italian festival, and it is called MICHAELMASS.
Its quite similar really. Michaelmas (/ˈmɪkəlməs/): `The Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel` (also the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael.) And, it is also sometimes called `The Feast of the Arch Angels`
It falls in autumn, at the time of harvest [in the Northern Hemisphere]. I remember when we were kids, in our church it was a time to collect a lot of food and clothes for people in need. Huge Mountains got built up in the front of the church especially black cat peanut butter and Pronutro!

The Waldorf Steiner schools which are British in origin,have a great tradition of celebrating festivals and creating a calendar and structure of celebration and gratitude. Of course this involves community, creativity, story, expression and giving.
Michaelmas is still celebrated in the Waldorf schools, which celebrate it as the "festival of strong will" during the autumnal equinox. Rudolf Steiner considered it the second most important festival after Easter.

There is even a Waldorf Steiner school in Palermo!! I would LOVE Babacino to go there, if it is possible. We shall see!! Actually there are 2 I think. Here is one! and here is another which is also for older kids.
I think the philosophy of the Steiner Waldorf schools is very much in line with the Italian family orientated culture and especially the celebratory tactile human elements inherent in both.Of course Waldorf Steiner ties in nicely with the very wonderful Italian Montessori type of education!

The Onomastico for Gabriel is not quite a conventional Onomastico, because it's about the Arch Angels, not saints, which are human. Angels are magical and they are not always easy to see unless you look carefully with different types of eyes. And they are far far more ancient than the saints. According to the Michaelmas celebration on the 29th of September, it is mostly to honour the Archangel Michael who is the greatest of all the Archangels and is honoured for defeating Lucifer in the war in heaven. He is one of the principal angelic warriors, seen as a protector against the dark of night, and the administrator of cosmic intelligence. But he is alongside Gabriel,Uriel and Raffaele. They are all the Arch Angels together. In my view, it is often better not to be the centre of attention, so I glad Gabriel is Gabriel!

In my one of my little wanderings around the name Gabriel, I came across this lovely little book, called The Giver written by Lois Lowry. You would have to read it to find out about Gabriel in the book! Mauri is reading it now, and no doubt he will write a review when he's finished, so watch his space!

This is a little poem I found to celebrate Babacino's Onomastico this week. Its not unknown, as you shall see!

On Children

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

by Kahlil Gibran

And a little video which I chose for Babacino, for his Onomastico!

And finally, here are LOTS pictures of Babacino. The first ones are from yesterday playing in his 'garden' - on the balcony!! I cut his fringe again, you can tell, its not the straighest. Dont you think Babacino is just so cute?? And the rest are from September, our last Autumn in England. We will need to make something with our hands when we say goodbye to England, we are thinking thinking....It will be quite a big change! but exciting and wonderful. Mauri will be with us!! and Aslan no doubt!

Ok, thats it for now from us, until the next time! Happy Onomastico!! Auguri Auguri Tutti!