Mystic Light, Mystic Darkness

We all know that light is a metaphor for spiritual reality. But what of darkness? Is it simply the privation of light, its absence?

We’ll start with the familiar theme of light in symbolism and rituals before we ask about the significance of darkness. Is darkness real? Is is a necessary stage on the path to spiritual enlightenment? Does the soul’s “dark night” open us?  Can we learn to work with darkness as a way of teaching about the light?