Months ago my friend Susan introduced me to the meaning of Anam Cara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and Cara is the word for friend. There’s a whole story behind that…but for a future journal entry. Her introduction lead me to the book of Celtic Wisdom – Anam Cara – by John O’Donohue.
In the very first chapter – The Mystery of Friendship – O’Donohue was able to put into words the feelings I have when dawn breaks.
The world rests in the night. Trees, mountains, fields and faces are released from the prison of shape and the burden of exposure. Each thing creeps back into its own nature within the shelter of the dark. Darkness is the ancient womb. Nighttime is womb-time. Our souls come out to play. The darkness absolves everything; the struggle for identity and impression falls away. The dawn is a refreshing time, a time of possibility and promise. All the elements of nature – stones, fields, rivers and animals – are suddenly there anew in the fresh dawn light. Just as darkness brings rest and release, so the dawn brings awakening and renewal. Each day, the dawn unveils the mystery of this universe. Dawn is the ultimate surprise; it awakens us to the immense “thereness” of nature. The wonderful subtle color of the universe arises to clothe everything. This is captured in a phrase from William Blake: “Colours are the wounds of light.” Colors bring out the depth of secret presence at the heart of nature.
This so speaks to me. Thank you Susan!
