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COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS and BOOKERS'S SEVEN BASIC PLOTS

8/25/2017

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THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS
All writers and readers have experienced a sense of déjà vu when writing or reading a novel. Have I read this before? Didn't author so-and-so write this same story? Didn't such-and-such a movie have this plot?

You're probably right. It's been done already, because everything has already been done.
According to Christopher Booker's 2004 book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, there are only seven basic plots for all stories told, written, or shown visually. These are the seven, according to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Basic_Plots).

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1. Overcoming the Monster
The protagonist sets out to defeat an antagonistic force (often evil) which threatens the protagonist and/or protagonist's homeland.

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2. Rags to Riches
The poor protagonist acquires things such as power, wealth, and a mate, before losing it all and gaining it back upon growing as a person.

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3. The Quest
The protagonist and some companions set out to acquire and important object or get to a location, facing many obstacles and temptations along the way.


4. Voyage and Return
The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to him or her, returns with nothing but experience.


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5. Comedy
Light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending: a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstances resulting in success or a happy conclusion.

Picture from YouthTime Magazine http://www.youth-time.eu/slideshow-tips/weekend-picks-bring-light-hearted-humor-to-your-synapses

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6. Tragedy
The protagonist is a villain who falls from grace and whose death is a happy ending (or he/she gets away with their deeds as with "Cask of Amontillado").



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7. Rebirth
During the course of the story, an important event forces the main character to change their ways, often making them a better person."

You may or may not agree with the way the standard plots are described by Booker or the number of plots, but we've all heard or read versions on the same theme. If you're really interested, you can find volumes written on how many basic plots there. Pick a number, and you can find it.

The unusual part is Brooker's assertion that "the force of convention" does not explain the connection, and the reason lies in something much deeper, such as the collective consciousness. In other words, he believes "that archetypal stories are rooted in the human unconscious." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/books/the-plot-thins-or-are-no-stories-new.html?_r=0

COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS
So, what is collective consciousness? That depends on how you define it. The idea was proposed by Émile Durkeim (The Father of Sociology) in 1893.
His theory related to a "shared understanding of certain morals and social norms based on people either imitating others, explicitly passing on these behaviors to one another, or agreeing certain ideals in order to feel accepted". His concept is more that shared beliefs, ideas, and moral attitudes function as a unifying force within society. (Wikipedia)
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The sociological definition used refers to the knowledge and beliefs shared by all the members of a particular group, whether that group encompasses a few individuals, a nation, or the planetary population as a whole. By this definition, collective consciousness allows members of a group to share common goals, behaviors, and attitudes. It also encourages individuals with differing views to conform to the beliefs of the overall group.

Today collective consciousness is a term used by some scientists to describe the practice of humans and animals sharing behaviors and ideas when they have never come into contact with each other. In other words, the theory that we are all interconnected and interrelated on a paranormal level.

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GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!
This phrase "Great minds think alike" was first written by Carl Theodor von Unlanski in his biography in 1816. Similar phrases date back at least to the 17th century. Apparently, great minds have been thinking alike for at least several hundred years.

The concept of a paranormal level of collective consciousness is more pronounced in the world of science, math, and physical inventions. Throughout history two or more people, in different locations and unbeknownst to the others, have come up with the same idea at the same time. Today, we question this and believe it must be a "stolen" idea.

The "P" word…Plagiarism. That might be true…or not.

This sort of overlap of ideas has happened throughout the world long before we had the television, the internet or cell phone to spread ideas quickly from continent to continent. Sometimes, the ideas or inventions do happen through pure synchronicity of thought. Two people are trying to solve the same problem with the same basic available knowledge, and come up with the same answer. It happens.

A good example that is well-known and scientifically significant is the development of differential calculus by both Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz.
       

          Newton                            Leibniz
Each man was known for working in alone in secrecy, yet they both developed the same idea at about the same time in complete isolation from each other. According to Tom Evans in The Art and Science of Light Bulb Moments, "Even if there had been espionage, the postal service from Germany to England would take weeks."

Newton used his calculus to develop the Theories of Gravitation, which we use today. Leibniz came up with binary notation used by modern day computers.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS?
I don't believe or disbelieve in collective consciousness or that we are all interconnected on a paranormal level. I believe, however, there is a lot about the human mind we have yet to discover.

As a writer, I don't worry about how many basic plots there are or if "it's been done before" (although that can affect what a publisher will buy). I write what I am inspired to write, and the way I handle a "basic plot" (if that is what it is) will be different than other writers.

In my opinion, "basic plots" derive from our instincts and universal emotions as human beings. That is what connects us. It makes sense that humans would be similar no matter where they are from, based on DNA or whatever gives us instincts. The differences are more likely to be what moral values and cultural traditions have been superimposed on the basic emotion.

What does matter to me is making at least a tiny contribution to the deluge of data floating around out there and to the ever-increasing oceans of literature.

Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_consciousness
http://csmt.uchicago.edu/glossary2004/collectiveconsciousness.htm
http://www.carl-jung.net/collective_unconscious.html
http://www.hungerforculture.com/?page_id=502
http://www.creativity-portal.com/articles/tom-evans/collective-thoughts.html
http://phys.org/news/2011-07-minority-scientists-ideas.html
http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/the-seven-basic-plots-9780826452092/
http://thegreaterpicture.com/collective-consciousness.html
http://www.learnmindpower.com/using_mindpower/the_subconscious_and_synchronicity/
http://www.bloomingrosepress.com/collective-consciousness.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2509971/Are-PSYCHIC-Scientists-believe-animals--including-humans--collective-consciousness.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/books/the-plot-thins-or-are-no-stories-new.html?_r=0
 

 
 

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Using Birth Order To Develop Fictional Characters

8/18/2017

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What effects do you believe birth order has on how people develop, their character
traits, and values? 


DEVELOPING FICTITIOUS CHARACTERS
All authors, when they first begin writing, search for ways to develop characters and their motivations out of nothing but an idea. None of the innumerable approaches are right or wrong. Whatever works for the writer.

My novels tend to be driven by external conflicts, so I usually have the story idea before I start developing the characters. That provides clues about the personality traits my characters will need to support and move the storyline. What sort of people, under what circumstances, could reasonably get themselves into that situation? And what kind of character would figure a way out? Other writers start with the characters, some meld both situation and characters.

There are innumerable books on how to develop characters, basic personality types, and what traits go with each. Those authors are more qualified to give advice to other writers.

A writer can always use real people as models for characters or create a written biography of the person. The biography approach has never worked for me. I like to discover who the characters are is and what they like and dislike. Part of the joy of writing is when they do or say something I never expected or planned.

A couple of other fun methods I've tried include: Astrological signs [which works best for matching the personalities of the hero and heroine and their compatibility issues]) and birth order [which can provide strong motivations].

To tell you the truth, I've never put much stock in either astrology or birth order … you can always make a case for or against the traits and/or motivations of any particular character … and real person. But they can provide a beginning point and are fun to play around with.

BIRTH ORDER
Although birth order has been studied extensively over the years, it's a difficult area to study, which makes the topic controversial … both the studies themselves and the findings. Studies have always been complicated by the genders of siblings as well as the birth order and the time span between children.

Today, making studies even more confusing, we have blended families of step-siblings and half-siblings which obscure the "real" birth order. We have single parent families. Ethnically blended families. Also, large spacing between siblings and other factors skew birth order effects.

Many families are different than the typical ▼
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Nonetheless, birth order does affect, but does not determine, how we interact with the others, our personality traits, and romantic compatibility. Birth order has a great deal to do with how parents treat children, which is part of what forms personality.

When I write, I use birth order to help me identify the characters' motivations.


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First-Born
These traits showed up in all or most of the sources I reviewed as characteristics of first-born children:

● Conscientious, reliable, serious, mature, cautious
● Natural leaders
● Diligent, high achievers, goal-oriented, want to be the best at anything they do
● Ambitious to succeed
● Structured, controlling
● Perfectionist
● Strong need for approval from people in charge
● Don't easily admit they are wrong
● Don't like surprises
● Protective


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Middle-Born
In my opinion, the character traits of middle-born children are questionable. After all, in many families with more than one child, the middle-born may be a last-born child for a number of years, and the poof … suddenly he or she finds himself [herself] now in the middle.  I suppose that's why spacing between children is so important in studies.


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Middle-borns are difficult to categorize, but you can be sure they will develop different interest and skills from those shared by the family. They will also prioritize friends and peer groups since they don't feel they have a special place in the family. These traits are identified as characteristics for middle-born children:

● People pleasing, good friend, peace-maker, go-with-the-flow attitude
● Social, thrives on friendship
● Rebellious, doesn't like being told what to do, doesn't like to be boxed in
● Adaptable
● Independent and resourceful
● Insecure and secretive
● Obsessed about fairness

There seems to be more agreement among the experts on the middle-born personality traits, although to me rebellious seems to be in conflict with other traits such as adaptable.


    Imagine - Four Older Brothers                      The Kennedy Family                                The Only Child

The Only Child
Only-children are similar to first-born, only more so. They are typically mature for their age. This may have something to do with spending time with adults. Many only-children are high achievers, some are rebels who march to the beat of their drum. Remember, first-borns are also only children for a period of time.

● Mature, confident
● Comfortable with adults as children which makes them comfortable with people when they are adults
● Perfectionist
● Conscientious
● Diligent
● Verbally precocious
● High achievers
● Don't take criticism well
● Tend to do well in school as children
 
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
According to Chinie Diaz [http://www.rappler.com/] "Whatever the case – whether you're true to you birth order personality type or not – it's always good to remember that personality type theories only serve as a tool for greater self-awareness. And any tendencies we many have are simply that – TENDENCIES.

If they're good ones, then by all means nurture them and allow them to blossom. If they're bad, well … that's the beauty of being free and intelligent human beings. We always have the choice and ability to overcome that which makes us less than great."

THAT ABOUT SAYS IT ALL!


Resources
http://www.parents.com/baby/development/social/birth-order-and-personality/
http://www.lexiyoga.com/birth-order-can-predict-romantic-compatibility
http://www.parents.com/baby/development/sibling-issues/raising-only-child/
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/35606-birth-order-personality
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-things-people-dont-understand-about-only-children/

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TURKISH DELIGHT ON A MOONLIT NIGHT?

8/11/2017

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How many of you remember the 1953 swing-style song "Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople" and the line, “Now it’s Turkish Delight on a moonlit night”? Probably not many, but you still may have heard of Turkish Delight. [Not the Erotica kind]

WHAT IS TURKISH DELIGHT?
Actually, Turkish Delight, or Lokum, is a family of absolutely yummy confections concocted of a gel made from starch and sugar and dusted with icing, sugar, copra, or powdered cream of Tartar, to prevent clinging.
The Turkish term for the confection, rahat lokum, literally means "throat's ease".

Oh, I’m gaining weight just writing this.

When I was in Turkey I visited the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) in Istanbul and learned there are many varieties of Turkish Delight, consisting largely of chopped dates, pistachios and hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel and most frequently flavored with rose water, mastic, lemon, cinnamon or mint.

Originally, honey and molasses were used for the sweeteners, and water and flour as the binding agents, and rosewater, lemon peel, and bitter orange as the most common flavors.  They are usually made in bars or logs and cut into approximately 1” square pieces.  But I saw several other shapes labeled as Turkish Delight. The following are just a few.
ORIGINS
The Turkish words lokma and lokum are derived from the Turkic luqma(t), meaning morsel and mouthful.  Egypt, Bulgaria, Syria, Greece, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina all have their versions of the delight and their own names.  In English, it was formerly called Lumps of Delight.

Its precise origins are unknown.  Like most foods, it no doubt existed in some form, for centuries, made from locally available ingredients.  Turkish legend has it that a Turkish sultan, tired of rumbling of discontent with his harem, summoned all confectioners in the land and ordered them to come up with a new dessert to quell the unrest.  As a result, lokum was born.


The sweet as we know it today is credited to Bekir Effendi, who moved from his hometown Kastamonu, Turkey (although some references say Anatolia – maybe that’s the region) to Istanbul and opened a confectionery shop in 1776.  He was a hit.  Soon, fashionable ladies began giving Turkish Delight to their friends in special lace handkerchiefs.  These were also used as acts of courting between couples, as documented by traditional Turkish love songs of that era.  The confection was introduced to the western world in the 19th century. Again, unconfirmed stories tell of an unknown Briton become fond of the delicacy, purchased cases of lokum, and shipped them to Britain under the name Turkish Delight.

Turkish Delight can be a euphemism for hashish candy, as hashish (an extract of cannabis) is sometimes thought to have been an ingredient in the original recipe.  The candy’s other claim to fame is its mention in C.S. Lewis’ "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" where the White Witch tempts Edmund with Turkish Delight.

RECIPES
And speaking of recipes, here are a few.  I’ve never made Turkish Delight, or seen it made, but the ones I had in Turkey all had pistachios or other nuts in them.


● Recipe 1
From http://mideastfood.about.com/od/dessertssweetspastries/r/turkishdelight.htm
by Saad Fayed, About.com.Guide


Since I wrote this blog a few years ago, I checked this website recently. Since it is current date-wise, I'm not sure that the recipe posted now [July 2017] is the same as the one which follows. The following photo [by Rosemary Calvert/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images] is with the current recipe.

Picture
Preparation time:         15 minutes
Cooking time:               1 hour, 10 minutes
Total Time:                   1 hour, 25 minutes




Ingredients:
4 cups granulated sugar                              1 1/4 cups cornstarch
1 teaspoon cream of tartar                           4 1/4 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice                             1 1/2 tablespoons rosewater
1 cup confectioners sugar                           Vegetable oil or shortening


Preparation:
In a 9 inch baking pan, grease the sides and bottom with vegetable oil or shortening. Line with wax paper and grease the wax paper.

In a saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar and 1 1/2 cups water on medium heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Allow mixture to boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer, until the mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and set aside.

Combine cream of tartar, 1 cup corn starch and remaining water in saucepan over medium heat. Stir until all lumps are gone and the mixture begins to boil. Stop stirring when the mixture has a glue like consistency.

Stir in the lemon juice, water and sugar mixture. Stir constantly for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring frequently.

Once the mixture has become a golden color, stir in rosewater. Pour mixture into wax paper lined pan. Spread evenly and allow to cool overnight.

Once it has cooled overnight, sift together
confectioners sugar and remaining cornstarch.

Turn over baking pan containing Turkish delight onto clean counter or table and cut with oiled knife into one inch pieces.

Coat with confectioners sugar mixture. Serve or store in airtight container in layers separated with wax or parchment paper.


● Recipe 2
From April 1997 Gourmet at: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pistachio-Rosewater-Turkish-Delight-14057 

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Cuisine:                                 Middle Eastern
Dietary considerations:         Low sodium
Yield:                                     Makes about 36

This recipe is called non-evil Turkish Delight. 

Ingredients
Four 1/4-ounce envelopes unflavored gelatin (about 3 tablespoons)
1/2 cup shelled natural pistachios
2 3/4 cups cold water
1 cup cornstarch
Four 1/4-ounce envelopes unflavored gelatin (about 3 tablespoons)
3 cups granulated sugar
5 teaspoons rosewater
1 drop red food coloring if desired
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar plus additional if necessary

Preparation
Oil an 8-inch square baking pan and line with plastic wrap. Oil plastic wrap.

In a small saucepan of boiling water blanch pistachios 3 minutes and drain in a sieve. Rinse pistachios under cold running water and pat dry. Rub skins off pistachios.

In a small bowl sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water and let soften. In another small bowl stir together 1/8 cup cold water and cornstarch.

In a 4-quart heavy kettle stir together remaining 1 1/2 cups cold water, granulated sugar, and rosewater and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Stir in gelatin and cornstarch mixtures and boil over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula, 10 minutes (mixture will be very thick).

Stir in pistachios and food coloring and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Pour mixture into baking pan, smoothing top with spatula, and cool. Chill confection, loosely covered, until set, about 4 hours.

Sift 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar onto a work surface. Invert confection onto sugar and peel off plastic wrap. Cut confection into 1/8-inch cubes. Sift remaining confectioners' sugar over cubes and toss to coat. Wrap cubes in parchment paper (do not use wax paper, plastic wrap, or airtight containers because confections will weep) and chill.

Turkish delight may be made 2 weeks ahead and kept chilled, wrapped in parchment paper.

Just before serving, recoat Turkish delight in additional confectioners' sugar.

ENJOY!


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FERRAGOSTO

8/4/2017

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CLOSED FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST
Ferragosto, translated from Italian, means August holiday. It also means three to four weeks of vacation for most Italians. Everyt
hing except tourist attractions are closed for the month, and the Italians head for the beaches or mountains. If you travel in Italy during August, most of the people you encounter in the cities are other tourists, foreigners, and a few disgruntled Italians who work in the tourist industry.

Chiuso Per Ferie - Closed for the Holidays
The idea of getting an automatic, mandatory three to four weeks off would be unheard of in many countries. But when the company, government office, or business you work for closes for the month, what else can you do? The Italians have done this for hundreds of years, regardless of the economy. They may have to work harder in July to get projects and tasks completed, but come August, they are out of there. A mass exodus from the big cities always creates traffic problems, news articles, and the incessant question, "Where are you going this year?"
                                        Beaches in Italy in August                                               Italian Alps in the summer
ANCIENT ORIGINS
Like most holidays in Italy and much of the western world, the origins of Ferragosto date back nearly 3,000 years to the early Romans. The festival of the Consuali, dedicated to Conso, the god of the harvest, took place on August 23 (or, if you accept Plutarch's version, on August 18) and workers and animals were granted a time of rest after the harvest. It was unique in that it was the only festival when masters, freemen, and slaves celebrated together.

Legend tells us it was initiated by Romulus, founder of Rome and, according to the ancient stories, it was at the first games for the Consuali that the Sabine women were abducted as future wives for the Romans.

Romulus' followers were mostly men, so after the founding of Rome they tried to negotiate with a nearby city state, the Sabines, for wives. The Sabines, however, feared the emergence of a rival society, and they brought negotiations to a screeching halt.

So the Romans planned an abduction during a festival--some sources say it was the Festival of Neptune Equester, others say the festival of the Consuali, or maybe they were the same thing. All the surrounding peoples and city states were invited, including the Sabines. During the festivities, the Romans snatched the Sabine women, then battled and defeated the Sabine men.

According to the writings of Livy and Plutarch, there was no sexual assault involved—rape in this context means taking the women away by force. However, Romulus offered the women free choice and, if they accepted Roman husbands, promised civic and property rights to them.

Apparently, many accepted because, not long after, there was a war between the Sabines and the Romans. The Sabine women who had become Roman wives stopped the fighting by inserting themselves between their Sabine fathers and Roman husbands on the battlefield and demanding that the war cease. They said they would rather die than to lose both husbands and fathers. The fighting stopped.

In my opinion, this is an example of how much better off the world would be if women were the leaders, not men. We operate on a more compassionate win-win level.

Picture
The Rape of the Sabine women has been a favorite subject for sculptures and paintings over the centuries, and I think it would make a terrific historic novel.

Another version of the origins is that the name is Latin (Ferie augusti) for Augustus holiday. Some sources indicate that the tradition began in 18 AD when Emperor Augustus celebrated the end of the harvest season with three weeks of rest and activities. These sources also cite the unusual practice of mingling all social classes at these events.

Take your pick of legends.  Actually, they're are not mutually exclusive.


IN THE MIDDLE AGES
With the rise of the Roman Catholic faith, church authorities stepped in and turned the pagan festival into a religious celebration, proclaiming Ferragosto, celebrated on the fifteenth of August, as the Feast of the Assumption. This is the Roman Catholic feast day that celebrates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the end of her earthly life, physically ascended into heaven.

While origins of this religious belief remain vague, by the fourth and fifth centuries AD it was mentioned in religious texts. There are debates about it, but by 847 it was solidly embedded in Roman Catholicism.

At some time during the Renaissance, to celebrate the assumption, the Church made it obligatory to recognize workers with a bonus in relation to this feast. That was, apparently, the beginning of the modern Italian practice to give workers a tredicesima, or thirteenth month paycheck in December.

To this day, my husband, who gets a pension from the Italian government, receives a 13th month payment every year. However, because he lives outside Italy, he isn't entitled to it. Still, each December, the Italian government sends his tredicesima. Then, in May they send a letter telling him he isn't entitled to it, and that they're deducting it from his June payment. It's happened that way for years. Don't these people have computers?

FERRAGOSTO IN ITALY TODAY

In addition to swarming the beaches and going to the mountains, contemporary Italians celebrate the holiday in various ways, many of them traditions that have existed for centuries. And, of course, everyone has a big family feast. Italians never miss an opportunity for a feast.

In Sienna the famous horse race Il Palio dell'Assunta is held on August 16 in honor of the Assumption of Mary. Ten horses, whose riders wear the colors representing the ten city wards, ride bareback through the streets. It's a very exciting event and a "must see" if you're in Italy in August.                                                                               Photos by Patricia Winton


At one point in time, the Romans used to flood Piazza Navona and hold boat races. Another source claims it was customary to spray everyone with water and push them into this artificial lake. This is linked to the older rites focusing on Neptune and purification with water. This particular tradition has been discontinued.

Another ancient rite associated with the harvest festival was purification with fire, so in the countryside, you'll see many bonfires. In Trapani, there is a procession where the townspeople burn the grass along the procession route.


In the City of Messina, my husband's home town, there is a procession called La Vara. La Vara, which is derived from the verb meaning to launch, itself is actually a three- to four-story statue representing The Assumption of Mary. It is pulled through the streets of Messina, mounted on wooden beams like railroad ties, by people wanting to do penance. Dressed in white and barefoot, they pull on huge ropes to drag the statue about five miles to the cathedral.
 A city water truck drives in front of the procession spraying water on the cobblestone streets to make the pulling easier. It's a very moving spectacle. I remember one year they tried putting the statue on wheels, so it would be easier to pull, and everyone complained. They went back to the wooden beams.

Another tradition that I've experienced is Cocomerata, or watermelon feast. August is the time for watermelons. On August 15, my husband's family in Messina eats a big feast (usually at someone's beach house), gets inebriated in various degrees, and finishes with watermelon for dessert. That turns into a food fight where everyone chases each other around and smears other people's faces with watermelon.

ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING
Closing down for three to four weeks in the middle of the tourist season may not make sense to others or seem economically feasible in today's world-driven economy, but it's been a tradition in Italy for eons. Employers may be looking at a shorter Ferie (holiday) in the future, and Italians may have to chose more affordable locations to enjoy their days of rest, but Ferragosto has survived through hard times, two world wars, and a myriad of other crises. It will come this year, and next year, and the year after that. I don't see it going away.
So on August 15, sit back, relax, drink a glass or two of wine (or other beverage of your choice), and eat some watermelon. The food fight is optional.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
□

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferragosto
http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/qt/august-italian-holiday-ferragosto.htm
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-italian-holiday-ferragosto-sacred-profane-11321.html?cat=16
http://www.visit-rimini.com/blog/ferragosto-an-italian-holiday/1,056 words
 
 

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    Author R. Ann Siracusa

    Novelist, retired architect and urban planner, world traveler, quilter, owl collector, devoted wife-mother-grandmother, great-grandmother, and, according to some, wild-assed liberal.

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