“It is the task of the enlightened not only to ascend to learning and to see the good but to be willing to descend again to those prisoners and to share their troubles and their honors, whether they are worth having or not.” - Plato, from The Allegory of the Cave in Book VII of The Republic
In the coming days, weeks, and months, we will encourage everyone to come out of darkness. Our times have demanded that we acknowledge the darkest shadows in the obscurity of our deepest selves. Paradoxically, as we have ventured inward, we have realized just how interconnected we really are on the outside. Our appreciation for the collective has grown proportionately to the isolation we have experienced as individuals. Now is the time to come out and to connect. We have all taken part in initiating the profound work of our times; our task now is to come out of our caves and to know that our trials were needed experiences.
In accordance with this idea, we blended a new incense last Monday(7/20). Our divine Persephone, Goddess of both the Underworld and of Springtime, perfectly lends herself to our purpose of rising out of darkness. Persephone spends half the year in the Underworld with her husband, Hades, who reigns over the land of the dead. Persephone ascends to spend the other half of the year on Earth. In his song named for this Goddess, David Randy observed that “only Persephone knows what is Above and what is Below.” Persephone’s understanding of the balance of light and darkness reminds us that no matter how long we must sit in the abyss, the time to come out of the dark will always ultimately reveal itself.
Persephone guides us through hard times and instructs us to be patient, especially when we feel lost in our darkest hours. The incense we consecrated in her name is especially useful for helping to heal addiction and depression. Persephone reminds us that sometimes the only way out is through.
Patrick gave a reading to ascertain higher meanings associated with our new blend of Persephone incense. His reading of this incense’s auspices was informed by the Native American Medicine of the Animals(Medicine Cards deck). Here is the interpretation:
Persephone is reminding us to have strength. As we all know, going through the darkness is no easy task. Surrender to the grace of this time, as even in the midst of hardship, the very fact that we are able to do the needed works is a blessing. Persephone also reminds us to connect with Mother Nature. We need not only to come out in mental, emotional, or even spiritual ways, but in physical ways, too. Allow yourself to go outside, even if you are alone, because when you are with nature, you are never truly alone. As you come out of the darkness, you are washing away the old things that have held you back; you are seeing through the illusions that have been placed constantly in your path. Know that you are spiraling up to your potential, and have faith that you are learning your lessons. Lastly, always remember to connect to the things that bring you joy. Even in the hardest times, it is right and necessary to feel happiness for yourself.
Also blended this week on Tuesday(7/21), was the incense that we call Archangel. After the power of Persephone announces that coming out is a joyous experience, the Archangels then follow to tell us to accept the balance of all that is. The Archangels Gabriel (North, Earth), Raphael (West, Water), Michael (East, Air), and Uriel (South, Fire) carry the message that all things balance as one. The Archangels help us to create an authentic sacred space within our own selves.
So to all of you, we say “Come out!”
Wherever you are in this process, remember that the joys of a new dawn are on their way. Harmonious balance will allow us to climb out of the darkness together to meet them. You are not alone in this; tomorrow will bring blessings to all of us as one. Remember to have strength and courage. Have faith in the promise of forthcoming joys.
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