Here is a verse from Paul talking to the Corinthians: There has been no temptation which is common to man : but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10: 13
The shape.
The muted colours.
The price.
I didn’t look carefully at the characters. A woman with her outstretched hand .
Nice.
But what was in her other hand?
I didn’t look.
It is a reproduction Greek vase from the Classic Period.
Made in Mycenae.
The place where Homer celebrates the seat of King Agamemnon who led the Greeks.
Here is a story of King Agememnon and his wife Clytemnestra.
It is ghastly!
Poppies red like blood above their heads are appropriate.
These two had several daughters and a son. Agememnon was a commander in the Trojan wars. He had a problem. The wind was not filling the sails of the Greek ships so he called his daughter to him telling her he was going to marry her to the Greek hero Achilles.
This was far from his actual plan. He proceeded to sacrifice her to the goddess Artemiss.
Agememnon’s wife took a lover while he was away and yes that is why she has a weapon in her hands. She murdered Agememnon on his return from the Trojan war. In retaliation for their father’s death , their children, a brother and sister, then murdered their mother and her lover.
How did I know I was holding in my hand so much paganism and family hatred.
It was a good shape.
It had two figures in muted defined colours.
It was reasonably priced.
£10.
This was the blood I bought!
In the garden still pulling out grass from the beds , these blood red poppies were struggling, smaller than usual in the shade of grass and weeds.
How was I to know the role they would play when I brought them in and put them in my chosen Greek vase.
Together with the stories of pagan sacrifice , murder and family hate. Their blood red is rather symbolic of all blood shed through
war,
revenge
and hate.
This post took its own road. I followed with gasps as I simplified and read. I had no idea of its destination.
I hope you all stay safe. A special thought and prayer for those in Canada and elsewhere experiencing fires. Take care.
Sandy 🙂
The poppy stems have such unusual bends as the head looks for light.
PS
Upon reflection it is no wonder that Paul wrote:
Stop your sexual intercourse with others you are not committed to (who isn’t your wife), unsanitary behaviour, unhealthy obsessions of uncontrollable lust and strong sexual desire. Covetousness which is idolatry.
For which things the anger of God comes on the children of disobedience. This is how you were when you walked with these people.
Paul was living with child sacrifice and with thousands of women used with no commitment. His words are clear, some I had to look up in a dictionary to really understand what he was feeling so strongly about. The actual words are written by Paul in Colossians 3:5.
So beautiful, Sandy. I’ve only recently seen my first poppy growing in a garden, and I think I’ve fallen in love with them. The Greek vase is really pretty and interesting.
Thank you. These poppies last such a little while it is a shame.
That was a very deep and interesting story Sandy. Beautiful poppies and I like both arrangements🌺
Thank you. Glad you found it interesting.
Interesting, Sandy. The vase is lovely, as well as the poppies. 🌞
Thank you. 🙂