This is our first Easter since the unfolding, relentless Saturn/Pluto cycle which began on 12th January 2020. The archetypal story of suffering, crucifixion, death – and rebirth, let us not forget! – which is at the core of the Easter message, feels profoundly appropriate now as our human community travels the dark night of the current corona virus crisis. At present we have no idea of when, or how, we will emerge. So we wait, and hope…
Here are my thoughts, which I first wrote at Easter Eve some years ago. They seem even more apt now:
photo: Anne Whitaker
“…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.
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) from T.S.Eliot ‘s “East Coker” No 2 of The Four Quartets
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400 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2020
Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see About Page
Thank you for this, Anne. Such a wonderful piece for reflection. This phrase, “So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing” resonated deeply. Blessings to you.
And blessings back to you, Carrie, as we wait with stillness and hope to see what the other side of this Darkness looks like…
Via Facebook:
10.4.20:
Virginia Bell:
Love your Easter post and love that passage from T. S. Eliot (my favorite). The art of waiting is much undervalued in our culture but so essential. Sending you and your loved ones many blessings.
Thank you so much for this, Virginia. Blessings back across the Atlantic to you and your loved ones also…
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10.4.20:
Sandy Keefe:
This is perfect. I have to share as so many will resonate with and find personal meaning in your beautifully crafted message. And gratitude for posting from (also) my favorite poem.
Thank you, Sandy.
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10.4.20:
Deborah M Carvalho:
Thank you, Anne! Lets wait, simply.
Yes, Deborah, just that…
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10.4.20:
Tinisha Shade Spain:
Be present for every single second of that darkness and the light will shine even brighter.
Wow. Beautiful
Thanks, Tinisha, and lovely to hear from you…⚡️
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10.4.20:
Jules Edwards:
I really needed to read this right now. Thank you, Anne, for being you.
Can this be shared? X
I’m so glad, Jules,… And thank you for your kind words. Of course it can be shared! I’d be happy for you to do so…🙏🏼x
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10.4.20:
Martina Balaam:
Thank you so much. Annie this is beautiful and so true x
Many thanks, Marty- blessings to you at this time of waiting…x
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10.4.20:
Cedric Blakey:
“And the most profound question of all: what should we do with the life which has been given back to us?” Thank you Anne. May the next 24 hours be ones of rest & peace for you & for all. C x
Many thanks, Cedric..🙏x
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10.4.20:
Ronnie Grishman:
Love and Easter Light, dear Anne. ❤️🙏
And also to you, dear Ronnie 🙏🏼🌻x
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10.4.20:
Lindel Barker-Revell:
Beautifully said Anne, and so important to remember in these times. Bless you. 🙏🐨
Thanks, Lindel, and thank you for sharing the post…🌈
I saw this reposted today in my Facebook astrology group, and was amazed at the synchronicity, having just reconnected with your site just days ago. It instantly transported me back to the Easter weekend years ago when you originally posted it. Your exquisite writing left a lasting personal impression on me. In these days of waiting … Day 388, from my 16th journal this year … this is indeed the “most profound question of all: what shall we do with the life which has been given back to us?”
Thank you again, Anne