I learnt this morning that last night was a strange one. As if tethered by some unseen thread, my family and I lay restless, unable to fully surrender to sleep. Today is my mother’s birthday, and perhaps, in the quiet hours, we all felt the stir of something significant — an ancestral echo, a collective memory. As I meditated in the morning’s stillness, my thoughts travelled to my parents, my sisters, my children, my nieces and nephews, and to Abi, my wife. Together, we form a great tapestry woven with love, resilience, and shared history.
In my mind’s eye, we stood as one, hand in hand, facing the dawn. The first rays of sunlight painted our faces, illuminating each feature and tracing the subtle bonds that hold us together. There was no need for words; the warmth of our touch and the shared awe for the unfolding sky spoke volumes. This simple vision filled me with a profound sense of connection and hope, the feeling that no matter the challenges or distances, we are part of something greater.
The Midwife and the Gift of Life
As I sat with this vision, the term "midwife" surfaced. It’s a term I've heard in the mythopoetic, often uses to describe those who help birth the new from the known, guiding what is nascent into existence. My thoughts turned to my Nan, who 69 years ago today would have brought my mother into the world, aided by a midwife. This moment, so intimate and raw, represents more than just the act of delivery — it embodies courage, nurturing, and the profound strength of women who usher life into being.
A wave of gratitude washed over me, not just for my Nan, but for all the women who midwife life and change, who hold space for the sacred moments when one state becomes another. It made me think of the many ways we witness and participate in these transformations, both big and small.
A New Dawn Beyond the Personal
This day holds another meaning as well: it’s U.S. election day. The idea of a new dawn takes on a broader significance here, suggesting the hope and uncertainty of change. Just as a midwife guides life’s fragile moments, there are those among us who help steer society through pivotal junctures, nurturing the possibility of something better. The sunrise of election day invites us to ponder what dawns we are collectively facing and what our role might be in shaping them.
My thoughts wandered recent encountered with friends — Franz and Jin, who coincidentally, 7 years apart almost exactly, both shared their testimony stories with such honesty that they resonate in my prayers; Ricky, who recently pointed me at Walt Whitman, reminding me to delve into the layers of poetry and life. Jorge, Richie, Craig, and others who share this journey with me, adding richness to the narrative. This moment was not just about my personal reflections; it was a moment of connection to all who journey with me in this shared experience of being human.
Meditation, Cold Water, and Existential Reflections
After my meditation, I stepped into my usual cold shower. The sudden rush of cold was a reminder — sharp, invigorating, and undeniably present. It was not harsh like fire, but it held a certain kind of exuberance, a force that demanded my attention. The word "cold" echoed in my mind, and I thought about its relativity, how its meaning shifts depending on perception and context. The Hermetic principles came to mind: the Principle of Opposites and the Principle of Correspondence. How fitting that something as simple as cold water could remind me of life’s dualities and interconnections.
In those moments, I felt grateful for the cold. Grateful for the awakening it brought, for the way it aligned my awareness with the present. This sensation of cold, I realized, was a kind of illumination — a way of being conscious, of observing and experiencing the world.
"Let There Be Light" and the Question of Consciousness
As the water cascaded over me, the opening passages of Genesis came to mind:
How the Heavens and the Earth were created at once — as above so below; the principle of correspondence twinning the existence of one to the other.
“Let there be light.” Light, the first creation, that which allows us to see, understand, and experience.
I pondered whether this light is a metaphor for consciousness itself — that spark that illuminates not just the world but our place within it. Are we, then, that light? The observers, the experiencers, the ones who bring meaning to the unfolding of the day?
Connecting the Threads
These reflections — of family, gratitude, friends, the symbolism of the midwife, and the consciousness of light — all felt part of an intricate whole. They reminded me that life is more than the sum of its parts; it’s the feeling of holding hands as the sun rises, the realization that we are part of something luminous and enduring. And as the world wakes to a new day, be it a personal dawn or one that holds significance for a nation, we stand together, midwives to the changes we hope to see.
As you read this, I invite you to pause and reflect. What are the dawns in your life that you hold close? What moments of gratitude, connection, and consciousness have illuminated your path? May we all find ourselves as observers and participants in this dance of light, embracing the gift of presence and wonder.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Mum, from here on Earth
As Above, So Below
As Within, So Without
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