I am reminded of the enchanting medieval Maypole celebrations that took place on the first of May. The memories of my childhood festivities, adorned in new summer dresses, with flowers delicately placed in our hair, and joyfully dancing around the Maypole in a sun-kissed field, came rushing back to me. Little did I know then, we were symbolically weaving of the fabric of life. For those who have not experienced or heard of the May Pole dance, allow me to provide an explanation.
During the Maypole dance, a grand pole is erected in an open area, its top adorned with vibrant, multicolored fabric streamers. These streamers are twice the length of the pole, with the number of attached streamers determining the number of dancers participating in the dance.
The dancers take their positions in a circle around the pole, creating an alternating pattern of male and female participants all around. As the dance commences, each dancer picks up their designated streamer. The ladies then take two steps towards the pole, turning to face the gentlemen. A captivating wheel within a wheel is formed, with the ladies comprising the inner circle and the gentlemen encircling them in the outer circle.
When the music begins, the inner circle of ladies gracefully moves to the left, while the outer circle of gentlemen moves in synchronization, but to the right. As each partner is reached, the ribbons are skillfully woven over and under before proceeding to the next partner. This weaving action creates a mesmerizing effect, symbolizing the intertwining of the ribbons and the formation of the fabric of life that gracefully envelops the central pole. Upon completion of the dance, the ribbons remain woven together as the dancers release their streamers.
Through these fond childhood memories, I experienced an illuminating revelation as an adult. This dance embodies the requirement for half of the dancers to move in one direction, and the other half in the opposite direction. Essentially, the dancers are following either the right-hand path or the left-hand path. If all participants were to move in the same direction, nothing would be woven. The dance would result in a whirlwind of streamers that would immediately unravel once released.
It became evident to me that the dance of life necessitates the harmonious weaving together of the essences of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine energies. Some achieve this by embracing the right-hand path that enhances the Divine Feminine energy of Fire. While others attain it through the left-hand path, which enhances the Divine Masculine energy of Water. In numerous spiritual writings, the left-hand path or the Grail Path, is often deemed erroneous or associated with terrible sin. While this may hold true for those whose intellectual inclinations lead them towards arrogance when infused with Divine Masculine energy of Water, individuals of a creative and emotionally driven nature require and thrive within an atmosphere that fosters an ever-increasing Divine Masculine energy.
This whimsical May Pole dance revealed to me that the primary objective of spiritual development is not to ignore, banish, or denounce one divine energy in favor of the other. The left-hand path beautifully complements the right-hand path. I discovered that in order to manifest The One, we must unite, embrace, and interweave these two energies, allowing them to merge into a state of wholeness and Holiness.
