Winter, Advent, and the upcoming Rebirth of Light

 The start of the month of Astraea in the Madrian calendar began on November 28th, marking the start of the winter season here in the Northern hemisphere. For Madrians and Filianists who observe the fixed dates of the Nativity holiday, this means the start of the Advent season building up to that day.

When I first came into the faith years back, I was admittedly taken aback by the use of Advent and Nativity; surely, these are so commonly placed with Christianity and it's theology, correct? Reading on the traditions and thinking further, searching up the etymology of Advent and looking at past and current celebrations by other groups, it falls in line with the themes of rebirth of the light, the renewal of light, etc, that one sees the world over. 

We see the pattern again and again; the mythic leitmotif of the germination in the dark, the promise of growth and return of the Light. In Madrianism, this is no different; God Herself comes back to earth with the great promise of the continuance of Life, in the great mystery of separating Herself from Herself, that humanity might see the great pattern of rebirth and cyclical nature of time. In a further context within Madrianism, it is God coming closer to humanity that we might better learn to listen to the quiet Truth that exists within all things, what all religions try to point to. Divinity may seem far away, transcendent; especially for those of us having either grown up in western Christianity or at the very least, surrounded by a society heavily influenced by it. God, in the sense most of us know, is seen as far away and removed from humanity here on earth.

Within Madrianism, however, it is both; God is transcendent and with us, immanent in the world, and every year She moves again and again in the cosmic dance to return to us and be with us. Madrianism is a panentheistic worldview, and views Deity as the continuing source of Life and Light, an endless creation that occurs until the end of time. If God was not continually creating life Herself, we would cease to exist. Within Madrian writing and the Scriptures, you will come across the phrase 'Ground of All Being' in  reference to God, especially in Her Mysteria aspect. This is Her most elusive aspect, as the Source of creation She both creates but is uncreated Herself, the 'still center of the wheel' (another phrase often used within the writings). As we come to winter and the darkest part of the year, She comes to us again to show us that Light is reborn ever again and again, and She returns to us as the Holy Daughter. The Gentle Light, as reflected in the imagery of the moon, She filters the awesome Light of the Holy Mother Mari aspect to us in a way that does not blind.

We use mythic imagery, symbolism, phrasing, all to allude to the underlying mystery of the Godhead and Divinity. To quote Joseph Campbell;

"If you live with the myths in your mind, you will find yourself always in mythological situations. They cover everything that can happen to you. And that enables you to interpret the myth in relation to life, as well as life in relation to the myth."

Myths give us a framework with which to work from in our lives, and approach divinity. Since I've been studying Madrianism, I've utilized my past searching and studying to help see what lessons I can be taught within the context of this religion and faith, and it's helped me to grow spiritually, seeing the Light return again and again. The patterns on the great tapestry of life, and meditating on the mysteries, are key to this winter season for me and I invite you to read, learn, and consider both Madrian mythos and others to better understand the patterns and message that Divinity sends out to us, endlessly.