Returning Renaissance

Soul Musings are just that, “musings”.  

Not advice, just an exploration of the journey of life.

I awoke in the darkness of the early, early morning today in more ways than one. These early morning “wake up calls” range from 3am to 5am...mostly right around 4am and have been happening for years. 

I've been curious about the reason, but have had a whisper of an idea about why. Then I heard a loosely translated quote from Guru Singh that got my attention and really seemed to make sense of what was happening to me and perhaps others as well! He said that “the Yogis call these early hours the Ambrosial Hours. When the thought forms are asleep and the antennae getting to God is clearer...there's not as much static.”

I have a knowing that it is a call from my soul to awaken me more to the creativity that longs to be expressed through me. But this morning as I sat in the darkness willing to listen to what wanted my attention, I kept thinking of the word, “Renaissance”. 

While I'm no history scholar, I was very captivated by art history in college. It connected me to the feel of the anima mundi (world soul) when learning about the different expressions of art with similar themes reconciling the human experience. I remember being so enamored with the Renaissance period. For some reason, I always thought renaissance meant return to the light. Perhaps it was due to the Renaissance period arriving after the “dark ages”. 

This early morning sit in the darkness, I decided to explore this word that was floating in my mind like a messenger inviting me to a deeper understanding of some kind. I looked up the definition of Renaissance out of curiosity to find: “the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century. 2. the forms and treatments in art used during this period. 3. (sometimes lowercase) any similar revival in the world of art and learning. 4. (lowercase) a renewal of life, vigor, interest; rebirth.” “Rebirth.” Yes, yes, yes! 

A light bulb moment that shined light on the puzzle pieces I was searching for to offer a glimpse of perhaps the bigger picture. In Italian, the literal translation of “to give birth”— “Dare alla Luce”— is: “to give to the light” and even made more sense of what I've been observing in myself and in so many others. And perhaps, hopefully, gives hint of things to come as we move through a collective time of darkness sloughing off the residual effects of the hard aspects of life, releasing limiting patterns and systems that no longer work; facing the darkness of our own shadow and our collective shadow. 

We invite in the gift of transformation when we surrender to the powerful and trustworthy midwife of our souls; creativity! 

The process through which we birth in new ideas and deepened awareness. The mechanism that churns what is painful, dark and challenging into beauty, light and grace that helps illuminate the uncertain path before us strengthening our trust that everything we face is part of the rebirth, part of the unfolding of humanity, part of our individual story and collective evolving. 

Signs of this emerging Renaissance have been popping up more and more from the fun “sip and paint” parties, expressive movement, writing groups, and so much more! 

There appears to be a greater interest in creative expression like poetry, painting/drawing, graphic design, singing, dancing, even sharing our innermost on Facebook! 

And perhaps interest isn't the right word...it feels more like a great push from our souls! That is what it has felt like for me over the last few years during which I have been dropping into my own personal darkness brought about by some health challenges. 

Ultimately I believe I entered into my own “dark night of the soul” due to lots of undigested grief that I became present to towards the end of my work as a Bereavement Coordinator for hospice and also from having a sensitive disposition that makes it hard to be with all the distressing events happening in the world. 

At many times through these challenging years I questioned if I was depressed. But the idea of being depressed didn’t quite fit as my optimistic, joyful spirit would be the first thing to greet me each morning. 

So, one morning in meditation I asked if indeed I was depressed and quickly received a knowing that I was not depressed, but rather deeply “suppressed”. Suppressed! Wow that made perfect sense and it opened up so much for me. What had I been pushing down? What had I been resisting? What longed to be expressed through me that I was holding back? 

Each day, as a practice I must call my soul back to the light by finding or creating something meaningful to bring to the world as my offering in the wake of what I witness. I am inspired by those who are able to take the ugliness of this world and create something beautiful through their creative expressions. 

The desire to create is wired into us providing us with a therapeutic practice that restores us to wholeness. And perhaps we are all waking up with the desire for restoration and need to honor the nudges of our souls to create something to help transform ourselves and our world. 

One of my beloved mentors started writing groups a few years back in our small town. Since then these groups have grown like unbridled wild fires igniting the muse! These groups offer the warmth of the fire of creative alchemy that burns the deadwood of our life experiences and provides transformation through the process! 

This calls to me, inspires me and invites me back to the dance of life as hard as the movement may be and as stiff as my body is from resisting what is. I'm willing to move into action, to listen to the rhythm of my soul's unique song as it leads me into creating what is mine to create and blend with the rhythms of others bringing harmony to our world. 

Like hearing the first bird call in the darkness of the morning yet to be, cheerfully announcingng the returning of the light. This lovely creature who is guided by the rhythm of nature that moves us all from one cycle to the next; from the darkness of nighttime to the bright dawn morning, from winter to spring, from dying to birthing. 

What is this time period announcing to us? Are we listening? What if instead of sitting in the darkness feeling helpless, we begin to listen to the call of our souls and become willing to utilize the power of creativity to herald in a new era birthed from the challenges and seeming darkness we are facing to bring forth a new renaissance? 

Imagine a revival of renewed hope that honors the artistry sculpted out of the events of life and celebrates the fruits from the harvest of our collective journeys. Imagine us all seated together at a table of unity enjoying the bounty of our work in the darkness, reconciled, transformed and thriving! Here's to creating a wonderful world together...literally!

What creative expression is your soul longing for?

Create like our lives depend on it, because they do!

“In essence the Renaissance was simply the green end of one of civilization's hardest winters.” - John Fowles

“He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” Isaiah 50:4

To learn about Transformational Hypnotherapy or to schedule a session of support with Victoria Jazwic, please visit:

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