The Rose Window

The smile of the New Moon slices a crescent in the summer skies, stationed in the constellation of Leo. Amidst the leonine retinue of 16 named stars, the brightest is the star system Regulus/ little king, known as Qalb al-Asad, the heart of the lion in Arabic or Magha/ mighty in Sanskrit. Regulus is one of six stars forming The Sickle, a reversed question mark stroking the lion’s shoulders and head, whilst the star Denebulus/ Beata Lionis, illuminates the tail. A constellation of myths surrounds Leo - for Ancient Greeks, it was the Nemean Lion defeated by Hercules, whilst astrologers claimed that the Egyptians aligned their Great Sphinx with the big starry cat. Bounding free across the heavens, the lion symbolises majestic power, courageous open-heartedness, roaring expression and brave creativity.

As I pounded the sun-baked London pavements on my evening walk this week, roars erupted from the pubs as the Lionnesses, English female football team bounded into the final of the Euros. I smile as I realise that for my 11-year-old nephew, women’s football will be normal, whereas in my schooldays, it was the rebellious few amongst us who decided to form our own team. Women had been of course, been playing football for centuries - including Mary Queen of Scots - they just didn’t get the same press. The idea of a pub full of people of all genders roaring for the Lionesses was not a future we could have foreseen, but our feet were moving towards.

To innovate, we need to imagine and take action towards a different future, even when we cannot see any way of it becoming possible in our current reality. New Moons are traditionally considered the time to plant new crops and seed fresh ideas, dreams and wishes. A little Leonine boldness can inspire the courage we need to swish our tail, shake out our manes and bound towards the unknown.

Lion Rock, Piha New Zealand - it’s original name, Te Piha is the patterns made by crashing waves on the rock. Photo: Russell Street

I will dive in the ocean of life,
Savouring every moment,
Catching the flicker of rainbows
Dancing in the seaspray,
Seeking and singing of beauty
In the brightest sunshiny joys
And the deepest indigo blues.
I will ride the waves of existence
Rolling over the sand, one after the other 
In joyful union, like coupled lions. 
I will love unceasingly the madness of humanity,
Facing the crashing waves of creation and destruction
As passions, dramas and dreams unfold.
I will set sail on the bark of imagination
To lands real and unreal, 
I will jump tree-top to tree-top, 
Bound over rugged mountain backs, 
Wander amongst fragrant fields of flowers,
Turning my bare face to the sun -
Just a thing of nature passing through.

Written in response to Kate Baer’s poem, Idea 
During ’s wonderful recent Salt and Sky Retreat.