WINGED WORDS WINDSDAY

Compiled & Edited by Rob Chappell (@RHCLambengolmo)

Editorial Associate: S. A. Sonnenschein

Vol. 3, No. 35: July 3, 2024

 

July Theme: Science & Spirituality

Episode #1: The Star Festival (July 7^th)

 

Editor’s Note

                During the month of July, our blog’s focus will be on science and spirituality – two spheres of human experience that have often been at odds over the centuries. And yet, as our esteemed authors will remind us for the next four weeks, these two areas of our lives overlap quite a bit, and they have the potential to enrich our world all the more as they begin to reconverge after a long time apart.

 

Tanabata, the Ancient Japanese Star Festival, on July 7

https://www.nippon.com/en/features/jg00097/

The celestial story behind the Star Festival concerns the bright stars Vega and Altair in the Summer Triangle. (Image Credit: Public Domain – Wikimedia Commons)

 

“The Story Behind the Star Festival”

By Sabrina Saelind, Staff Writer

                The Star Festival is based on a legend of two lovers, Vega and Altair, who are separated by the Milky Way, the Silver River. They are only granted permission to meet on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, as long as the sky remains calm. If not, they have to wait until the next year.

                As in many traditional societies, the ancient Chinese believed in the influence of celestial bodies on human affairs, and they regarded the stars as the spirits of deceased ancestors. One of the most important festivals in the Chinese calendar is the Qixi Festival, also known as the Star Festival, which falls on the 7th day of the 7th month. This festival commemorates the meeting of the separated lovers Vega and Altair, who are represented by stars in the constellations of Lyra and Aquila, respectively.

                The legend goes that Vega and Altair are the incarnations of the weaver girl, Zhi Nü (Vega), and the cowherd, Niulang (Altair). These two stars, Vega and Altair, appear in the night sky on opposite sides of the Milky Way, which is known as the Silver River in ancient Chinese mythology. Zhi Nü was sent down from heaven by the Queen Mother to live on earth and weave beautiful patterns on the loom in the Celestial Palace. One day, she met Niulang, a poor farmer, who was tending his livestock. Zhi Nü and Niulang fell deeply in love, and they secretly got married. They were very happy together, but their union displeased the Queen Mother.

                The Queen Mother dispatched Heavenly Generals to retrieve Zhi Nü to Heaven. Zhi Nü was forced to return with them to the Celestial Palace. Upon her return, she was confined to the weaving room. However, she could not forget her beloved Niulang. On the 7th day of the 7th month, after all the other gods and goddesses had fallen asleep, she stole the shuttle from the loom and raced down to earth to find her husband.

                The shuttle transformed into a magic flying bridge, and Zhi Nü crossed the wide Silver River to reunite with Niulang. They spent the entire night together and were happy and content. But when dawn approached, Zhi Nü was reminded that she had to return to Heaven. Heartbroken, the couple shared a pot of wine and shed tears together before Zhi Nü crossed back over the Silver River to return to the weaving room in the Celestial Palace.

                Zhi Nü asked the Queen Mother for permission to visit Niulang once per year. The Queen Mother agreed, provided that the sky remained calm. If there was inclement weather, the meeting would have to be delayed. Zhi Nü was allowed to meet Niulang on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. Every year, Zhi Nü and Niulang met on the bank of the Silver River. Over time, the couple had two children, a boy and a girl.

                The Queen Mother was furious when she learned of the children, and she sent Heavenly Officers to bring Zhi Nü back to Heaven. The Heavenly Officers found Niulang tending his livestock and commanded him to give up his children. Niulang refused to obey the Heavenly Officers' request, and a fight ensued. During the struggle, the Officers killed Zhi Nü and the children. Niulang was overwhelmed by grief and threw himself into the Silver River. The Queen Mother felt sorry for Niulang's plight and deified him, allowing him to accompany Zhi Nü in Heaven.

                The Star Festival, also known as the Qixi Festival, commemorates the meeting of Zhi Nü and Niulang on the bank of the Silver River, and it is celebrated every year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. The legend of Zhi Nü and Niulang is a powerful reminder of the deep connection between love, sacrifice, and redemption, and it has had a significant influence on Chinese art, literature, and culture.

 

“When the Shy Star Goes Forth in Heaven”

By James Joyce (1882-1941)

 

When the shy star goes forth in heaven

All maidenly, disconsolate,

Hear you amid the drowsy even

One who is singing by your gate.

His song is softer than the dew

And he is come to visit you.

 

O bend no more in revery

When he at eventide is calling,

Nor muse: Who may this singer be

Whose song about my heart is falling?

Know you by this, the lover’s chant,

‘Tis I that am your visitant.

 

“To a Star”

by Lucretia Maria Davidson (1808-1825)

 

    Thou brightly-glittering star of even,

    Thou gem upon the brow of Heaven

    Oh! were this fluttering spirit free,

    How quick 't would spread its wings to thee.

 

    How calmly, brightly dost thou shine,

    Like the pure lamp in Virtue's shrine!

    Sure the fair world which thou may'st boast

    Was never ransomed, never lost.

 

    There, beings pure as Heaven's own air,

    Their hopes, their joys together share;

    While hovering angels touch the string,

    And seraphs spread the sheltering wing.

 

    There cloudless days and brilliant nights,

    Illumed by Heaven's refulgent lights;

    There seasons, years, unnoticed roll,

    And unregretted by the soul.

 

    Thou little sparkling star of even,

    Thou gem upon an azure Heaven,

    How swiftly will I soar to thee,

    When this imprisoned soul is free!

 

“The Spacious Firmament on High”

By Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

[Based on Psalm 19]

 

The spacious firmament on high,

With all the blue ethereal sky,

And spangled heavens, a shining frame,

Their great Original proclaim:

The unwearied Sun, from day to day,

Does his Creator’s power display,

And publishes to every land

The work of an almighty hand.

 

Soon as the evening shades prevail,

The Moon takes up the wondrous tale,

And nightly to the listening Earth

Repeats the story of her birth:

Whilst all the stars that round her burn,

And all the planets, in their turn,

Confirm the tidings as they roll,

And spread the truth from pole to pole.

 

What though, in solemn silence, all

Move round the dark terrestrial ball?

What though no real voice nor sound

Amidst their radiant orbs be found?

In Reason’s ear they all rejoice,

And utter forth a glorious voice,

Forever singing, as they shine,

The hand that made us is divine.

 

Psalm 19

(1917 JPS Tanakh)

                [1] For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

                [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork; [3] day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night revealeth knowledge; [4] there is no speech, there are no words, neither is their voice heard. [5] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tent for the sun, [6] which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course. [7] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

                [8] The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. [9] The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. [10] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether; [11] more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [12] Moreover by them is Thy servant warned; in keeping of them there is great reward. [13] Who can discern his errors? Clear Thou me from hidden faults. [14] Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins, that they may not have dominion over me; then shall I be faultless, and I shall be clear from great transgression. [15] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before Thee, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

 

“The Sciences and the Humanities:

Partners in Time”

An Interview with Rob Chappell by Kelly Scott, Sophomore ACES James Scholar in NRES

Reprinted from Cursus Honorum VI: 2 (September 2005)

                Let’s stop and think for a moment. Is there really any linkage or relationship between the sciences and the humanities? They seem so different. For example, a major in the sciences such as Biology seems so unrelated to an English major in the field of the humanities. Yet after interviewing Rob Chappell, they seem so connected and dependent on one another.

                Rob began by explaining the history of this relationship. During the Middle Ages, there was no clear demarcation between the sciences and the humanities. All educated people during this time period studied all the “liberal arts,” which included sciences and humanities alike. But upon the rise of the Scientific Revolution, they began to separate from one another, making it seem as though they were completely disassociated altogether. Rob feels that we need to continue to work towards a day when the sciences and humanities are no longer seen as two different fields. We need to get back to the ideals of the Middle Ages when the two seemed compatible and held an essence of togetherness.

                After discussing the history of this relationship, Rob provided some very interesting examples of how the sciences and humanities work together. In the first example, Rob explained how we study the Universe through science by using telescopes and different scientific means to learn. Yet, if we think about it, the story-tellers and mythmakers who lived centuries ago named the stars and planets. This inspired us to dream and wonder about space travel, which in turn has helped us learn more about our Universe scientifically. Rob illustrates the relationship well in this example.

                Another example that Rob conveyed was the relationship between scientists and authors. More specifically, Rob described how his favorite genre, science fiction, has helped scientists through the ages. Well-known science fiction authors such as Jules Verne and H. G. Wells have written many books, which have then given scientists ideas for experiments after reading their books. Rob really makes a strong and solid point when he says, “Humanities provide context, enrich life, make life more interesting, and make YOU more interesting.”

                So what does all this mean for us as students at the U of I? Well, Rob explains the importance for us to understand and embrace this relationship. He says that employers are looking for well-rounded employees. When we graduate and go looking for a job, there is a much better chance that we will get hired if we know and have taken classes in both the humanities and the sciences. Rob tells us, “Don’t look at the humanities classes as a burden, but as an opportunity.” Most parts of our lives merge the sciences and humanities: “Every-thing is interconnected, because the sciences ask how and why things happen the way they do, but the humanities ask what those facts mean for us,” Rob says. I hope that we all can recognize the great importance of this relationship between the sciences and the humanities. In the end, this recognition will help to make us holistic and well-rounded people.

 

In Renaissance Italy, Galileo’s teenage daughter, Virginia (1600-1634), is looking through a telescope at the Milky Way. (Image Credit: Digital artwork created by the Editor.)

 

Weekly Words of Wisdom

By Viviana Rivera, Staff Writer

                I have a few words of wisdom for the coming week:

 

1. Take time each day to do something that brings you joy.

2. Be patient with yourself and others, understanding that change takes time.

3. Express your gratitude for the good things in your life.

4. Choose kindness and respect in your interactions with others.

5. Trust that everything happens for a reason.

 

May your week be filled with blessings!

 

Stoic Proverb of the Week

Contributed by Amy Kendrick, Staff Writer

                Here's a classic Stoic proverb for this week:

 

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark." – Michelangelo

 

                The quote from Michelangelo about setting one's aim too low is consistent with the Stoic belief that we should strive for excellence and virtue in all that we do, and that we should not be satisfied with mediocrity or complacency. The Stoics believed that the true aim of our life should be to live in accordance with nature and reason, and to cultivate the four Stoic virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.

                Michelangelo's quote suggests that we should not be afraid to aim high and to strive for greatness, even if we may not succeed in every single endeavor.