Eden: A Mythical Journey

In the beginning was the One

Hovering above the indistinguishable darkness

Essential, unitary Being

Unfathomably deep

Impenetrably dark

Wind-blown and chaotic

Alone and undifferentiated

Yet the One sought self, consciousness

And yearned for the Other

To distinguish the One from the Other

And so the One divided mitotically

Producing Father Sky and Mother Earth

Like the One, both empty and alone

Separate, yet needing, yearning, desiring

In His yearning and desire

Father Sky reached deep into the womb of Mother Earth

Extracting Her rich red seed

Creating a vital Earthling called Human

Fashioned from the cosmic womb of Mother Earth

Carrying her essence, but also her corporeal substance

Yet infused with the breath of the divine Father

But, like Him, singular and alone

And through Him, overwhelmed by Power, Dominion and Authority

Restricted, bound by rules:

Don’t touch this

Don’t eat that

A luxuriant, verdant Tree blossoms

Distinct in the midst of a lush Garden

Its roots deep in the heart of Mother Earth

Imbued with Her divine wisdom and knowledge      

Its branches seeking eternity

Reaching for the embrace of Father Sky

“Do not eat of this Tree,” demands Father Sky

Wrapped in Power and Authority,

“Do not taste Wisdom and Knowledge

Close your eyes

Remain ignorant, naïve, innocent

Here among the other creatures born of Mother Earth

Like them, remain wild, uncultured, uncivilized,

Feeding on the fruits of the trees and the grass of the earth.”

Thus did singular Humanity

Remain caught in a web of patriarchal authority

Left dependent and ignorant

Living in a trap of Maleness

Awed by the allure of Power

Unable, unwilling to imbibe the cosmic secret

The mysteries of knowledge, consciousness and self-awareness

Cowed by rules and authority.

Yet just as the domineering Divinity

The Oneness of Being

Alone in His Male Power and Authority

Could not ignore the allure of Feminine intimacy and knowledge

And so divided Father and Mother

Just so was the singular Human bifurcated Male and Female.

Broken free from the embodied bondage of Maleness

Released from the power of patriarchal authority

Female would not be trapped and bound

To her belong the secrets of intimacy

The deep recesses of motherhood, mystery and mercy

An oracular Pythian voice

Spoke from deep within Her rejuvenating, regenerative essence

“Eat of the Tree

Open your eyes

Attain self-awareness, consciousness, knowledge.”

Spellbound by its beauty

Fascinated by its fragrance

Inspired by its promise of Wisdom

They ate

And their eyes were opened

Finally they could see, discern, know

Each saw the other and all of the other others

Bifurcated, distinct and separate

Male and Female

Earth and Sky

Nature and Nurture

Divine and Human

Life and Death

Aware as well of separation’s accoutrements:

Need, yearning, desire

They walked together

Knowing that desire would overcome separation

And bring forth a world

Populated by a race of humans

Born of Mother Earth

But reaching for Father Sky