There is a stillness about Easter Eve. Whether you are Christian, hold another faith, or none, the underlying archetypes of the Easter journey are common to all human experience.
Iona Cross photo, Full Moon at Midnight
by Anne Whitaker
We have all, unless we have led a supremely charmed life, been cast out into the wilderness at one time or another. Life has crucified us all, to a greater or lesser extent. We have been in the Underworld, have known what it is like to go through experiences so severe that we die to our old selves. Then there is the wait, the wait in darkness, fear, and not knowing.
Will we ever emerge, reborn? And when we do emerge, who are we now? Who recognises us, acknowledges and honours where we have been?
And the most profound question of all: what should we do with the life which has been given back to us?
As ever, in times of waiting, the great poets have been there before us, giving a context, bringing collective dignity to our individual struggles. Here are some magnificent lines from T.S.Eliot to see you through this dark night, before the Easter light returns:
“I said to my soul, be still and wait without hope, for hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love, for love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith, but the faith and the love are all in the waiting. Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought: So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.” (i)
Endnotes:
(i) T.S.Eliot “East Coker” No 2 of the Four Quartets
300 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2019
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page of Writing from the Twelfth House
Astrology: Questions and Answers 
thank you so much anne . beautiful!!
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Good to hear from you, `Janice. So glad you like this…
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I so can relate to this. Such beautiful writing. Thank you so much for your wisdom!
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Laura, thank you so much for your kind words.
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Thanks for the beautiful thoughts. ‘ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil , for you are with me,thy rod and staff they comfort me’ Psalm 23.
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Thanks, David – and for sharing those powerful words from the Bible…
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Of course those words from Eliot resonate. I hope your day was a good one, Anne. Thanks for these reflections, and for being there with your thoughts and caring throughout the year!
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Thanks for dropping by, Linda, and I hope your Easter was affirming – as was mine. Your kind words are also much appreciated…I’m trying to be a constructive Elder!
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Nothing more to say!
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Well, Sabine, T S Eliot says it all…
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Beautiful words, Anne. Now it’s time to let them settle and incubate/soothe the soul. Thanks!
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