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artwork by Scott Garcia (http://www.hypercanvas.com/)


...today I went to the "Celebrate the Earth Fest" here in ABQ today and it was fabulous!

In a perfect world... I would have been able to be part of it... but it was wonderful to be able to go and see all the great items for sale by vendors, and all the information booths.

I am truly a "hippie" at heart....or whatever that means and implies.

I was born in the 60's.. and even though most of my memories are really of the 70's... I identify more with the whole "peace and love" movement.

I really felt at home at the recycle show.

There were solar companies... herbs... plants....tons of art....ROCKS!!!.... and great music.

I was doubly blessed... to not only be able to go to the show with some great people....but I also got to meet and get re-acquainted with several artists that I greatly admire.

So--- sit back... and I hope you enjoy some photos from the event:

Old New Mexico Birdhouse Company by artist Thomas Hogan

organic coffees brought to you by the Seventh Generation Institute (http://www.seventh-generation.org/)

fabulous artwork by Josie Mohr and daughter Jacque (jmorhstudio.com)

gorgeous rocks, jewelry and beads available at the Kosmic Trading Post

honey and bee products from the Sparrow Hawk Farm (link: here)

this is a close-up of a Tibetan Rug being raffled by the Green Tara Foundation

(http://www.green-tara.org/)

and fabulous Cajun music by Bayou Seco (http://www.bayouseco.com/)


*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Metal -- Chinese Element

metal rods at the Factory on 5th, by Elaine A. Russell

Metal (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Metal (Chinese: 金; pinyin: jīn), is the decline of the matter, or the matter's decline stage.

Metal is the fourth phase of Wu Xing.
Metal is yin in character, its motion is inwards and its energy is contracting. It is associated with the west and autumn, old age, the planet Venus and the color white. The archetypal metals are silver and gold. Its Primal Spirit is represented by a White Tiger.

The qualities associated with metal are unyieldingness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The metal person that is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also materialists, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them. Metal is believed to govern the lungs, nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage.

Wood -- Chinese element

Gorgeous tree in Old Towne... photo by Elaine A. Russell

Tree (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tree (Chinese: 木; pinyin: mù), traditionally translated as Wood, is the growing of the matter, or the matter's growing stage.[1] Tree is the first one of Wu Xing. Tree is yang in character, it stands for springtime, the east, the planet Jupiter, the color green, wind, and Qing Long in Four Symbols.
The Wu Xing are chiefly an ancient mnemonic device for systems with 5 stages; hence the preferred translation of "tree" over "wood".

In Chinese thought, Wood attributes are considered to be strength and flexibility, as with bamboo. It is also associated with qualities of warmth, generosity, co-operation and idealism. The Wood person will be expansive, outgoing and socially conscious. The wood element is one that seeks always to grow and expand. Wood heralds the beginning of life, springtime and buds, sensuality and fecundity. Wood needs moisture to thrive.
In Chinese medicine, wood is associated with negative feelings of anger, and positive feelings of patience and altruism. Organs associated with this element are the liver (yin) and the gall bladder (yang), the eyes and the tendons.

Earth -- Chinese element

foliage at the factory on 5th... photo by Elaine A. Russell

Earth (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Earth (Chinese: 土; pinyin: tǔ), is the changing point of the matter.[1] Earth is the third one of Wu Xing.
Earth is a balance of both yin and yang, the feminine and masculine together. Its motion is inward and centering, and its energy is stabilizing and conserving. It is associated with the color yellow and the planet Saturn, and it lies at the center of the compass in the Chinese cosmos. It is associated with the turn of each of the four seasons and with damp. It is believed to govern the spleen, stomach, mouth and muscles. Its negative emotion is anxiety and its positive emotion is empathy. Its Primal Spirit is represented by the Yellow Dragon.
In Chinese thought Earth is associated with the qualities of patience, thoughtfulness, practicality, hard work and stability. The earth element is also nurturing and seeks to draw all things together with itself, in order to bring harmony, rootedness and stability. Other attributes of the earth element include ambition, stubbornness, responsibility and long-term planning. In pathology, the earth can represent selfishness and self-centeredness. In the controlling cycle, earth controls water and is controlled by wood; while in the conducive cycle, earth is produced by fire, and in turn produces metal.

Water -- Chinese element

water feature in Old Towne. Photo by Elaine A. Russell

Water (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Water (Chinese: 水; pinyin: shuǐ), is the low point of the matter, or the matter's dying or hiding stage.[1] Water is the fifth one of Wu Xing.
Water is yin in character, its energy is downward and its motion is stillness and conserving. It is associated with the planet Mercury, the north, winter and cold, darkness, night and the colour black. It is also associated with the moon, which was believed to cause the dew to fall at night. It is also believed to govern the kidneys, ears and bones. The negative emotion associated with water is fear, while the positive emotion is calmness. Its Primal Spirit is represented by the Black Tortoise.
In Chinese Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom, flexibility, softness and pliancy; however, an over-abundance of the element is said to cause difficulty in choosing something and sticking to it. In the same way, Water can be fluid and weak, but can also wield great power when it floods and overwhelms the land. In the birth and nurturing cycle, water spawns wood, and is spawned by metal. In the conquest cycle, water overcomes fire, and in turn is overcome by earth.