In honor of today's snowstorm, here are some images of snow crystals from a 19th century Japanese book.

While admiring Sara's new, skull-adorned pillow, I was reminded of an anatomical drawing from an 18th century Japanese text that I'd recently seen. There's a delicacy and refinement to these images that I find quite beautiful.

This is a cigarette card illustration of the British actress Anna Neagle. I'm not sure what role or film this was - she looks like she's working at a Ren Faire. I think this would make a lively Page of Cups.

Here's a great illustration of Marlene Dietrich, from a cigarette card. With the flowers and mirror, she looks like a celluloid Venus.

The work of Isabel Toledo, the talented designer responsible for creating the dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama during her husband's swearing-in ceremony, will be the subject of an exhibit at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology beginning June 2009.

I have long admired the work of this creative woman, and I am delighted that she is now receiving greater exposure. People just learning about her, as well as long time devotees, will have an opportunity to enjoy her artistry.

The Medieval Garden Enclosed has a wonderful post about the date palm tree. My name is the Hebrew word for this variety of palm, so I feel a special affinity for this amazing plant.

As the post points out, the date palm was long regarded as a symbol of life, and it was one of the trees associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah. While it is no longer revered, it remains an important plant, cultivated chiefly for its fruit (though every part of it may be used). I enjoy date molasses on my oatmeal; it has a milder flavor than its sugarcane counterpart.

While taking in Obama's historic Inauguration, I couldn't help but admire First Lady Michelle Obama's stunning ensemble, designed by the supremely talented and original Isabel Toledo, whom I adore. The diamante necklace made me think of the wide collared menet necklaces worn in ancient Egypt. It lent a regal and refined touch to a very elegant outfit, giving the First Lady a timeless, dignified air befitting this extraordinary occasion.

Poster by Jonathan Hoefler.

I was inspired to create a color palette for Field Recordings for Unicorn Listening Practice, by Craig Conley.

The colors are, from left to right: forest shadow; forest floor; ancient oak; dappled sunlight; resting unicorn.

Like many people, I'm intrigued by La Papesse card. One would think that the creators of the Tarot would have selected the image of an Abbess to represent a female religious authority figure. Instead, they made the unorthodox choice to make her the precise feminine counterpart of the Pope, and they vested her with all the symbols of that office, including the papal crown.

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In an insightful essay on this card, Tom Tadfor Little believes that she represents, quite simply, "the feminine face of religion" which could never be entirely stamped out by the Church (as much as it tried). Owing to our "biologically dual" nature, the feminine has its rightful place in the religious sphere along with the masculine, with each complementing the other. By including La Papesse in the major arcana, the Tarot both acknowledges and affirms the role feminine energies play in the spiritual life of any society.