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Telling Time The Old-Fashioned Way With A Sundial
Sundials were used during pre-modern times for time-keeping. It measured time according to the position of the sun. As the sun moved across the sky, the shadow edge, provided by the style (a thin rod or sharp, straight edge), aligned with the hour lines on the plate. This allowed people to tell time. Today, sundials are used as outdoor décor. Although it may be perceived as being a primitive and sometimes outdated technology, sundials are still used as reliable time readers, even with the advent of the mechanical clock. The sundial continues to fascinate folks across the globe, and has gained admiration. This guaranteed the ancient technology’s longevity. And now, with its emergence in garden stores, it is making a comeback, used more for its decorative nature than its useful purpose. They are crafted by artisans and use brass, aluminum, and resin as their mediums. This allows for longevity in the elements. Here are various designs of sundials to add to your colorful outdoor landscape:
Grow Old with me—the look and feel of this sundial has an heirloom quality that will last for centuries. The words inscribed are from English poet Robert Browning, and quotes “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.” The sundial has a knot work design and is decorated with a beautiful Irish claddagh centerpiece—the symbol of everlasting love. This sundial makes a great anniversary or wedding gift for that special couple.
Avignon—this sundial has a French Romanesque style that is classic and sophisticated. It has a faux patina finish, and is cast from resin. It contains bold design elements that stand out amongst a flower bed.
Brass Moon and Stars—this sundial is appropriate for those that enjoy all things celestial. The strength of the sun and moon are displayed. Cast from solid brass, it brings day and night together, the two forces of nature, entwined. The motto inscribed on the sundial: “I mark time from morning ‘til moonlight.”
Modern Times—instead of the classic Roman Numerals associated with sundials, this one contains numerical numbers, a sign of modern times! It indicates directions, as well as provides a simpler way for folks to tell time. It has a clean look that pays homage to 1950’s futurism.
Cherub—baby, or toddler angels, in art, is what describes cherubs. Innocent is another word for these cute, tiny winged angels. In this sundial, sweet cherubs float in the clouds in the heavens, with a big heart in between. This item is perfect for collectors of angels, as well as a charming Valentine’s gift for a garden lover.
Celtic Dreams—enjoy the intricate designs of Celtic knot work on this square-shaped sundial. It features the motto: “Now sweetly lies old Ireland, emerald green beyond the foam. Awakening sweet memories, calling the heart back home.” Celebrate Irish heritage with this uniquely designed and heartfelt love of Ireland with this sundial.
Seasons—for those that ponder the awe and wonder of life, this sundial will remind us of our value and our place in this world. It neatly displays the names of the four seasons in a square, around a bed of flowers. Larger leaves circle the sundial. The saying is based off a verse from Ecclesiastes: “For every time, there is a season. A time to plant. A time to harvest.”
Earth—for the well-traveled gardener, this sundial will certainly bring about tales of adventure. The design includes a view of the world with the seven continents, resembling an old world map. The motto displayed on this solid brass dial is from American poet Walt Whitman. His words evoke a confident declaration of the amazement of everyday life: “You, earth and life, ‘till the last ray gleams, I sing.”
As our home is an extension of who we are, the outdoors, too, should reflect who we are. Adding touches that show off and complement our personality can provide long lasting enjoyment of the outdoors. Adding a sundial to the garden setting will further define who we are as a person. Garden Winds has a fine collection of sundials that will complement your style and celebrate your individuality.
About the Author
Charmaine Ferrer is an associate writer for Garden Winds and The Lucky Clover Trading Co. For questions or comments, she can be reached toll free 877.479.4637.
Every year there is a surge in romantic interest as February, the Month of Hearts, approaches, and the scent of ValentineÂ’s Day begins to waft in the air. When it comes to reality, though, how much of that surge is genuinely about romance? Is it not all a commercial exercise designed to rake in the profits?
I do not think anyone can argue that commercial interests contribute greatly to the publicity that surrounds ValentineÂ’s Day. You see it everywhere from Christmas onwards; the ValentineÂ’s cards, the ValentineÂ’s chocolates with their heart shaped boxes and pictures of roses, plus of course all the advertisements for the roses themselves and how you must book early for that Valentine evening meal.
The commercial side of ValentineÂ’s can appear so overwhelming you may be persuaded to believe that it is nothing to do with love and romance at all, but purely about making money; that the hearts and the roses are nothing more than artificial symbols of a romantic world that no longer exists.
With much of Western society having a hardened veneer, where underneath relationships fall apart with a puff of wind, and divorce is almost built into marriage, anyone can be forgiven for taking such a cynical view. However, dismissing the whole Valentine Day experience as nothing but commercial is far too simplistic, and to do so is to deny oneself a far richer experience: that of genuine romance and love.
Any commercial venture only succeeds if there is a demand, and ValentineÂ’s Day has been a commercial success for many years. Before then, the ValentineÂ’s tradition itself had evolved over many centuries, long before commerce became the apparent driving force behind it. So where has the modern demand come from for an event such as ValentineÂ’s Day?
Love, attraction, obsession, and romance are as old as the hills, and are integral to the human constitution. While many modern people may claim that they prefer to be alone and do not need anyone else, do not need love and romance in their lives, if they were truly honest with themselves they may say something very different. It is not “macho” to publicly need love, affection and romance, so many hide from their own truth, that they probably yearn for the love of another as much as the most openly romantic.
Others, though, reflect as much desire for romantic love as any man or woman over the centuries, and it is deeply natural to do so. They reflect those desires as they go searching for romantic fiction, love poems and true love stories by the million. If they do have love in their lives as ValentineÂ’s Day comes around, then they are well prepared to make the most of it; to indulge in the romantic image with their own twist of reality and desire.
Love and romance have not died and will never die. Some may shy away in fear of the pain of a failed or a tragic romance; but others dive in head first, not fearful that their love will turn out to be as tragic as Romeo and Juliet. Such people provide the never ending demand for a ValentineÂ’s Day that transcends the commercial and explores all the bright and dark corridors of romance. In other words, experience life to the full, and risk the pain and heartache to achieve the ecstasy.
This Valentines Day article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Romeo and Juliet Valentines web site.
Do you enjoy a good romance? You can also read Roy’s romantic Valentine’s Day Romeo and Juliet Story, being written live for Valentine’s Day 2006.
