As you know... the alligator is one of my symbols= oh how my heart fluttered at the image. In your Como valley talk on metaphor, I appreciated when you reminded us that imagery comes prior to language, spoken words, not the other way around. Wrestling with the duende of words feels like when the alligator takes its prey down to deeper waters before the captured meal dies. A second symbolic image is : Alligators are said to "cry" when they eat... due to the physiological shift in the lungs to divert the blood to the stomach (inner Agni). This too has been my relationship with the fear and anger this symbol represents for me personally. In Yoga there is a practice to increase the ability to "digest"...it requires a type of fitness and capacity. You might say a "courtship". This capacity can be nurtured. The digestion/ transformation happens not only on a physical food level, but also on an emotional and mental level if given the right tools and understanding. This is the current need for the modern day. The paradox is, a nuanced re parenting of inner child is needed to encourage that inner flame.
Image: a child wearing a alligator coat holding a candle, to see through the murky dark waters for a "light" just beyond.
What an astonishing reflection! Thank you for adding layers of meaning to the image. The gator as duende-guide, as digester, as flame-bearer in the murk... that child in the alligator coat holding a candle will stay with me. This is the kind of symbolic echo that makes writing feel like correspondence with the world.
With immeasurable gratitude for this clearly articulated, pure, highly meaningful transmission of the Dark Mother. Remarkable timing for the world of your readers and benefactors. I cheer your Voice on as I finally become ever cohesive in my own experiential awakenings. Love, V
Thank you for this beautiful reflection, Valeta! I’m deeply moved by how many of us seem to be arriving at the threshold together. May your cohesion continue to deepen. Your voice, too, is a necessary part of this awakening.
What a wonderful piece, it feels like a subtle and strong map in the seas of the unknown. I can relate to so much of what you have shared. I had a dream a few years ago where I descended into an underworld and was skinned and hung on a hook. I later came to find the initiatory myth of Inanna which helped me to understand and listen to the calling from the dream. The dream and myth were such a powerfult initiation that it gave birth to a entire new body of work (images and writing). In fact my whole substack was born from it! It honestly changed the course of my life and my work. It can be scary to listen to these initiatory calls and to cross the threshold but the transformation is truly undeniable. Thanks for sharing! P.S. The crocodile has been a recurring image in my artworks and it has brought me many many messages! I actually wrote a whole piece on the crocodile the other day: https://substack.com/@amysimonsart/p-158913117
This is incredible. I am brand new to Substack and I referred to this piece in my post, but I was unsuccessful in my (many) attempts to link to your work. I’ll keep trying- my apologies in the meantime- I did mention your name and the title of the piece, and I’ll keep trying. Really valuable work, and uncanny timing. Much appreciated
This threshold - it is indeed 'terrifying' - so much so that it is tempting to run away and hide. But what then? It takes enormous amounts of courage to cross it into the new terrain...so yes this dismembering is an essential part - burying and burning what is dead so that we can change. What is the bigger meaning of this? What do we have in common, we who are at the threshold?
Thank you for naming the threshold. In my work, I find that awareness of the threshold is a big first step. People experience “I am not wrong”, but “I am standing on a threshold” - and that has value. I find it enormously important to be able to accompany yourself through these threshold times in order to become a valuable supporter and companion at your own side and to notice when it is time to go and when it is time to listen within. Thank you very much for this contribution!
In my case, it has manifested as the Death Father but regardless the voice is the same. I do wonder if the personification of that voice onto a mother or father archetype is the “right” thing. The import of it is facing our own voice(s) and that is what causes the movement across the threshold. It is the listening, really listening that causes the change. I realized from reading this that I have crossed the threshold 3 times in my life because I have received 3 names. I have tried to forget each name except the most recent but recently I can hear all 3 of those names being called during my inner work. Now I know why. They are all important manifestations of myself from crossing the threshold. They are to be honored and held close, revered even, because they have brought me the gift of being even more myself. ❤️
So timely as I stand at a threshold. Your line ‘…..or simply letting your body catch up to change’…..exactly what’s going on for me right now on this transition period. Thank you for supporting and encouraging those that are called for transformation and find themselves in these liminal spaces
As you know... the alligator is one of my symbols= oh how my heart fluttered at the image. In your Como valley talk on metaphor, I appreciated when you reminded us that imagery comes prior to language, spoken words, not the other way around. Wrestling with the duende of words feels like when the alligator takes its prey down to deeper waters before the captured meal dies. A second symbolic image is : Alligators are said to "cry" when they eat... due to the physiological shift in the lungs to divert the blood to the stomach (inner Agni). This too has been my relationship with the fear and anger this symbol represents for me personally. In Yoga there is a practice to increase the ability to "digest"...it requires a type of fitness and capacity. You might say a "courtship". This capacity can be nurtured. The digestion/ transformation happens not only on a physical food level, but also on an emotional and mental level if given the right tools and understanding. This is the current need for the modern day. The paradox is, a nuanced re parenting of inner child is needed to encourage that inner flame.
Image: a child wearing a alligator coat holding a candle, to see through the murky dark waters for a "light" just beyond.
Holding deep gratitude for this work.
What an astonishing reflection! Thank you for adding layers of meaning to the image. The gator as duende-guide, as digester, as flame-bearer in the murk... that child in the alligator coat holding a candle will stay with me. This is the kind of symbolic echo that makes writing feel like correspondence with the world.
Every single word 🩷
Thank you, Toko-Pa
Thank you for sharing this- our relationship with the threshold guardian is what truly guides us into each true unmaking and remaking
Yes…it is the quality of that encounter, the way we hold our ground, resist, listen, or defy, that shapes the soul of the crossing.
This topic is essential in rights of passage and initiation work, though most people want to face and fight the protector of the threshold.
It’s felt to me crucial that it’s a dialogue and dance. First standing face to face and slowly shifting into walking side by side.
To be honest, my guardians sometimes need a good smackdown 😹
I can hear that, for sure.
And
With immeasurable gratitude for this clearly articulated, pure, highly meaningful transmission of the Dark Mother. Remarkable timing for the world of your readers and benefactors. I cheer your Voice on as I finally become ever cohesive in my own experiential awakenings. Love, V
Thank you for this beautiful reflection, Valeta! I’m deeply moved by how many of us seem to be arriving at the threshold together. May your cohesion continue to deepen. Your voice, too, is a necessary part of this awakening.
Oh these were exactly the words I needed to read today, thank you 🙏
❤️
wow. This is a wonderful read. Thank you.
What a wonderful piece, it feels like a subtle and strong map in the seas of the unknown. I can relate to so much of what you have shared. I had a dream a few years ago where I descended into an underworld and was skinned and hung on a hook. I later came to find the initiatory myth of Inanna which helped me to understand and listen to the calling from the dream. The dream and myth were such a powerfult initiation that it gave birth to a entire new body of work (images and writing). In fact my whole substack was born from it! It honestly changed the course of my life and my work. It can be scary to listen to these initiatory calls and to cross the threshold but the transformation is truly undeniable. Thanks for sharing! P.S. The crocodile has been a recurring image in my artworks and it has brought me many many messages! I actually wrote a whole piece on the crocodile the other day: https://substack.com/@amysimonsart/p-158913117
This is incredible. I am brand new to Substack and I referred to this piece in my post, but I was unsuccessful in my (many) attempts to link to your work. I’ll keep trying- my apologies in the meantime- I did mention your name and the title of the piece, and I’ll keep trying. Really valuable work, and uncanny timing. Much appreciated
Wow. Thank you for sharing your words they found me at the perfect time.
This threshold - it is indeed 'terrifying' - so much so that it is tempting to run away and hide. But what then? It takes enormous amounts of courage to cross it into the new terrain...so yes this dismembering is an essential part - burying and burning what is dead so that we can change. What is the bigger meaning of this? What do we have in common, we who are at the threshold?
Thank you for naming the threshold. In my work, I find that awareness of the threshold is a big first step. People experience “I am not wrong”, but “I am standing on a threshold” - and that has value. I find it enormously important to be able to accompany yourself through these threshold times in order to become a valuable supporter and companion at your own side and to notice when it is time to go and when it is time to listen within. Thank you very much for this contribution!
this was very very profound. i think this found me right when it needed to, and encouraged me to let myself be unmade and remade. thank you 🤍
In my case, it has manifested as the Death Father but regardless the voice is the same. I do wonder if the personification of that voice onto a mother or father archetype is the “right” thing. The import of it is facing our own voice(s) and that is what causes the movement across the threshold. It is the listening, really listening that causes the change. I realized from reading this that I have crossed the threshold 3 times in my life because I have received 3 names. I have tried to forget each name except the most recent but recently I can hear all 3 of those names being called during my inner work. Now I know why. They are all important manifestations of myself from crossing the threshold. They are to be honored and held close, revered even, because they have brought me the gift of being even more myself. ❤️
So timely as I stand at a threshold. Your line ‘…..or simply letting your body catch up to change’…..exactly what’s going on for me right now on this transition period. Thank you for supporting and encouraging those that are called for transformation and find themselves in these liminal spaces
This is lovely, thank you for writing this.