Again multiple interpretations and also adaptations. Calling birds is now common, but the original references birds that are coal-black so ravens, crows or most likely blackbirds. The most prosaic interpretation is that blackbirds were a delicacy (think of the four and twenty baked in a pie) and it was simply a generous gift. The hymnologists […]
I must admit that this was one of the most problematic of the verses when I did a quick viability test before starting. There is no clear agreement on the interpretation. Our Canadian hymnologist sees them as representing the three cardinal virtues of faith, hope and charity. In the Ango-Celtic Pagans they represent the three […]
While the conventional interpretation relates to devoted love I want to look at this more in the context of love and loss, of dualities and the cycle between life and death and the seasons. So for this post I am looking more into the pagan, less the sophomoric complacency that graces the Christmas cards. That […]
One of the issues I’ve found with the Twelve Days of Christmas nursery rhyme is that is no precise agreement on their symbolism. The idea that it is a catechism song from the period of Roman Catholic persecution in Britain (1558-1829 for those who don’t know) would have mean neat as a teaching rhyme designed […]
Its time to bring this Christmas blog sequence to an end as the year draws to a close. Choosing which books has not been an easy task. However I have in all cases chosen books that have value for adults as well as children. I've also chosen ones that do not compromise on language and […]
I've mentioned the terror of the Earldelving before and recommended Alan Garner's books, based around Alderley Edge in Cheshire, that synthesise a hodgepodge of different magical traditions. The first, Weirdstone of Brisingamen was again discovered through the BBC's children's hour and with its sequel The Moon of Gomrath were read and reread when I was young. My […]
Kipling, the first English author to win the Nobel Prize for literature, had to appear in this series sooner or later. The issue which I have wrestled with between various forms of Christmas Cheer, is which of the Just So Stories and Jungle Book to feature. I ended up realising that I needed to talk about both, […]
Swinging back to those glorious years for English literature between the two world wars, I come to Tarka the Otter. I am somewhat conflated in my memories by the fascist leanings of its author. He gave explicit support to Moseley's Brown Shirts and in the 60s his novels reference Hitler as some form of flawed […]
I've sorted out the sequence of the final posts here which will take me through to the 31st, allowing me to start the new year with something less serious than Children's literature, maybe power in research or reflections on my trip to the Warsaw Rising Museum with daughter on the 30th/31st of this month. Publication […]
The Cynefin Company (formerly known as Cognitive Edge) was founded in 2005 by Dave Snowden. We believe in praxis and focus on building methods, tools and capability that apply the wisdom from Complex Adaptive Systems theory and other scientific disciplines in social systems. We are the world leader in developing management approaches (in society, government and industry) that empower organisations to absorb uncertainty, detect weak signals to enable sense-making in complex systems, act on the rich data, create resilience and, ultimately, thrive in a complex world.
Cognitive Edge (USA), Inc.1000 N. WEST ST STE 1200 WILMINGTON DE 19801 USA
COOKIES ON OUR WEBSITE
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on The Cynefin Co website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookie settings at any time. To find out more, please view our cookies policy.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
