Beauty of the Phoenix

Hi everyone! Things are moving right along this week with our latest theatrical drama at church: The Cheatham's - Howey's Wedding Celebration. I can't believe it's going to be time to present it soon (in November). Other than that, there isn't anything to share this week. So onto our "usuals".

Days till:

It is: 3 days till Elephant Appreciation Day

It is: 24 days till Columbus Day
It is: 42 days till Harvest Day, usually referred to as "Halloween"

In the Spotlight:

Unfortunately, there wasn't really anything for me to report on this week.

Topic of the Week by Joy Hammond

The phoenix is a powerful bird of Greek and Egyptian mythology.

Imagination is one of the best attributes in a human, more or less. Today I'll be talking about the Phoenix bird. It's origin is in Ancient Greek and Egyptian Mythology. It was a bird that is one of a kind. Sort of like in that movie the Water Horse, the Phoenix is the only one in existence and when it dies another one comes to take it's place. This bird is different than normal birds...it doesn't just die. It burns up in a fiery flame and then in ashes a new bird is born. There's actually an example of this exact even in a Harry Potter movie. But like all movie making magic, unfortunately the Phoenix bird is not real.

Before death, the phoenix is said to construct a nest before burning up in flames. In its place is a phoenix egg, continuing the life cycle once again.

Supposedly the bird could live over 1400 years. It has feathers of green, purple, red, and yellow. It's been used as a symbol of royalty or even of rebirth, the sun, or time itself. Some people have referred to the phoenix being a raven of some sort or another common bird somewhere else. Sometimes known simply as a peacock or an eagle.

This is a sculpture of the phoenix from Japan.

In Egypt, the bird was known to sing a beautiful song and the sun god, Re (or Ra), would stop his chariot to listen to the music. Later the bird would eventually make a nest and set it on flames, consuming itself in the fire. In the ashes would be an egg and another phoenix was born. It would put the egg on the alter of the sun god. The phoenix is very powerful and it's tears could heal someone. The Phoenix has been known to be the symbol of resurrection as well. This incredible bird would be a sight to see, if it was real. The phoenix bird is an important symbol for many people but it's unfortunate it's not alive. Stories about the phoenix is probably the only reason it exists in the first place. Words may disappear but the memories won't.

Though not real, the phoenix is a symbol of renewal.

Disclaimer: Many (or in some cases all) of the photographs and images above are not mine. If you own one or more of them and would like them to be removed, politely let me know via one or both of the email addresses above.