The Dark Nights Of The Soul
February 7, 2012
I have alluded here from time to time that I have been on a path filled with struggles in recent weeks. It has been a time that many would call, the dark nights of the soul, referring to a time in one’s life when spiritual practice and discipline suddenly loses all it’s experiential value.
This particular journey through the dark nights of the soul started for me when I had what then seemed like a minor fall in my driveway, on the last full moon, January 8 ~ the Wolf Moon.
That fall however, coupled with other concurring trials and tribulations, has managed to turn my world upside down and leave my soul weary and wondering. Try as I may day by day, hour by hour, and at times minute by minute, I ask for answers and I am, most oft left wanting.
Yet, there are times through it all, when I know that the universe has some mighty plans for me in this time of darkness, and I see a spark of light beckon through the darkness. I have watched the moon as it goes through it’s phases and as she began to wax, I began to feel my strength waxing with the her.
In a recent moment of clarity a few days ago, when faced with yet another trial, I knew that the intuitive, empath in me had in fact been feeling the wound resting in the vessel of a dear one. Learning what I had, some of my suffering then became clearer. And, in that moment of clarity, I thanked the Mother Goddess/Holy Mother and the Grandmother Moon for guiding me, nurturing my soul and feeding my heart with their wisdom. Yes, they were listening…
Then like balm to the weary soul, the Grandmother and the Mother guided me back into the light with their strong, nurturing voices ringing clear in the darkness…
Rise Up. Rise Up… You are not alone in your struggles. The Mother hears… She listens.
Daughter, you must know that these are the tests of time… And you have weathered for worse than this on your journey through this life.
Tired as you may be, you must Rise Up, because you have work to do. There are those who need the healing and wisdom of which you have been gifted…
So… Rise Up. Rise Up… The moon is full once again and you have been replenished in it’s ethereal light.
And so they spoke to me, the Great Mother Goddess and the Grandmother Moon and I felt my strength slowly return. Still I know, needed as I am, there will be more dark nights before the tests of time are through…
I believe, there are times in each of our lives that take us each into the dark nights of the soul. But, no matter how dark the nights may seem, no matter how bleak the circumstances are, no matter how deep the despair, call out to her…
Call out to the Holy Mother and she will be there to wrap you in her arms of love and comfort you. The dark nights will pass. There will be light.
And, remember too, to look to the Grandmother Moon when she is full, as she is tonight (Snow Moon) and bask in her glow… For she has come to guide you back from the dark nights of the soul…
Blessed Be…
(Photo credits: Wolf Moon ~ c. Jerry Blackburn 2012 & Snow Moon ~ c. Jerry Blackburn 2012.)
