I was directed to draw from Nick Bantock’s Archeo Deck this morning. As I shuffled, I asked:
What part of me wants to come forward right now? What part of me do I need to lean into?
I drew The Midwife:
“The Midwife draws from a deep font of female knowledge. She is a facilitator and an advisor to your craft. She will help you develop the lucidity of your language, give rhythm to your music, and breathe vibrancy into your painting.
With her guidance your works will be filled with vitality, but without her your attempts at creation will be as dead as clay golems.
With a firm grip on practicality, she tends us, offering experience and insight. She blows gently on the sparks of our ideas, encouraging us to carry concept to fruition.
She welcomes our births and our struggle to breathe, she feeds our never-ending hunger for truth, and she wraps us in consolation when our finest dreams collapse.
Her knife cuts the umbilical cord.
She has helped launch a million creations. She has fed the hungry artists and held the hand of the mothers and fathers.
The Midwife brings an old knowledge to the table. Her wisdom travels back through all history, and her gift is one of understanding.
She is a good mother. Wise and calm in times of danger, she carries in her chest the seeds of beauty, vitality, and life.”
Ahhhhh….THIS is what I aspire to be. THIS is the highest expression of my calling - to be a Midwife of your dreams and desires. When I read this it sparks all sorts of things in my body.
Also…I had to look up clay golems. “without The Midwife your attempts at creation will be as dead as clay golems.” What the heck is a clay golem? Nick has all sorts of phrases I have to look up. It’s an interesting rabbit hole if you have the time and curiosity. If not, here’s the short version:
A golem is “a creature formed out of a lifeless substance such as dust or earth. Since clay was a weak vessel for life, clay golems were easily damaged.”
What that means to me is that if you’re creating without the help of the divine, your creation will fall flat, will not hold up, it will be a weak vessel.
I think we have many different Midwives in our lives. Both in divine form and human form. We mustn’t forget to ask the Midwife, in all of her various forms, for help.
If you’re needing the help of a midwife, I have my workdress on, and sensible shoes, and my black leather bag is packed with all the essential tools. Just send word and I’ll head on over to help you.