I have been reading a book I found many years ago in London during an Open Architectural Weekend and we tried to visit the Gherkin Building, only to find that it was locked. Instead we happened into an amazing historic church, St. Andrew Undershaft. [Photo thanks to Rita A. on Foursquare]. This is where I found Sacred Spaces: Stations on a Celtic Way by Margaret Silf.
Among many things, she talks about angels as the light behind our shadow. When we are full of ego our shadows are very dark and solid, letting no light thru, our collective heavy shadows overwhelm the earth and, by extension, destroy what we know thru war and environmental degradation. Yet, as we let go of our self and become more open to the universe, the eternal light (the sun, if you want) is allowed to flow and fill our being.
In this time of devastating militarization, upheaval of homelands, and climatic crisis, to think that we can bring a fraction of light back into the world is powerful. Maybe the return of Spring is part of that reminder despite the darkness of conditions.
On a personal level, I learned that solid surfaces can break thru in unexpected ways. I was trying to get a closer look at a beaver house, or “igloo,” in the Burlington Barge Canal when suddenly the ice I was standing on gave way. I went thru up to my knees and my boots filled with water. It was an awakening I didn’t expect obviously and startling enough that I forgot what I was trying to do.
I love it when the unexpected happens and reminds me that I should pay more conscious attention to my world…. And am super grateful this had nothing to do with Great Ice 2022! Meanwhile, I want to remember that the light shines behind us even when we are in the dark.
