Sophia's Children: Rilke and the Black Madonna

"Whom should I turn to,

if not the One whose darkness

is darker than night,

the only one who keeps

vigil with no candle,

and is not afraid --

the Deep One, whose

being I trust ..."

Rainer Maria Rilke

Rilke's words reflect a deep knowing about the energy of the Great Mother, Sophia, the Black Madonna.

"To whom shall I turn, if not the One whose darkness is darker than night, the only one who keeps vigil with no candle, and is not afraid..."

We get a sense of why the Black Madonna, as one symbol of the Great Goddess, the Divine Feminine, is associated with freedom from that which oppresses our Divine nature.

Because She is not afraid, she has no qualms with standing for humanity, for Wisdom or the Heart, for authentic being, or standing up to power that has been abused and become tyrannical, oppressive, and socio- and psychopathic.

That means outside of us, as well as where we've internalized the 'voice of tyranny'.

Perhaps this is why Lech Walesa and those of the solidarity movement wore lapel pins featuring the Black Madonna of Czestochowa -- and why he dedicated his Nobel Peace Prize to Her who provided the guidance and energy.

And perhaps this is why the Black Madonna is a Goddess of NOW.

If you'd like to explore the Black Madonna further, here are just a few of the blog entries I've posted in Sophia's Children:

• Who is the Black Madonna?

• The Sacred Feminine and the Dark Madonna

• The Power of Imagery & the Awakening Feminine

• The Black Madonna's Calling

• Goddesses of NOW: Durga & Akhilandeshwari

These are exciting and transformative times. Neither old maps nor old fears can guide us.

The deep Feminine wisdom -- with guides such as the Black Madonna -- offer us a powerful lantern. She is our Initiatrix and inspiration.

What is your reaction or response to the re-emerging Divine Feminine and her Black Madonna image? Feel free to share your reflections and questions in the comment section.

Blessings,

Jamie

Image Credits: Black Madonna at the Gates of Hope, Vilnius, Lithuania; Black Madonna of Częstochowa at the Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland.