Gillian Welch: Time the Revelator
Aha!
That’s my simple explanation to anyone who wants to understand an epiphany, the moment something is revealed, when the penny drops or the dots are connected. The classic reference is, of course to the series of revelations of Jesus as Messiah in the gospel, and hence the liturgical season of Epiphany to celebrate these revelations.
It was taken and used in literature as personal revelation in matters from the mundane to the profound. The mystic Julian of Norwich, who wrote her “Revelations of Divine Love” in 1395 (reputedly the first known published work by a woman) reveals a series of spiritual epiphanies, perhaps the most often quoted being: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” A profound awareness.
James Joyce polularised the term in his autobiographical work Stephen Hero and in Portrait of the Arrtist as a Young Man, in which he would refer to times when he’d had a deep realisation, or when something manifested more clearly to him.
I really like how Gillian Welch plays with the idea of time as a revelator (see video), as the giver of epiphany, how living and engaging, reflecting and looking back, helps make sense of change and life now. Whereas for Dylan God is the revelator and judge, for Welch Time is. For Welch, time will tell!
I think my first epiphany was that I was part of the fabric of the universe. I freaked my parents out when I was four, I was regularly caught sitting on the window ledge of the second story window where my bedroom was. But I couldn’t help it, the moon and the stars captivated me and held me prisoner in wonderment. Going backwards, I later discovered the world when a maternal uncle gave me a large world wall map to gaze on and realised there was so much that constituted life. And incidentally, I think that order of learning has deeply affected me, because I go to the universe first and the world second.
More recently epiphany is related to my meditation and the contemplative. I never cease to be amazed, even by dew drops on grass! And I’m strangely warmed and satisfied by that.
The whole point of epiphany is that it comes to you, you can’t make it, but you can facilitate it – simply by taking time, time to observe, to engage, to listen, to feel, to receive, to attend.
Paul,
pvcann.com
Another inspiring post, my friend! (Do believe Sappho had Julian predated by a century or eleventeen, though 😉)
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Yes that’s true, but I gather the historians were being pedantic relating one to formally published as a document, the other as letters. Weird. Thank you for that input and for such a kind reflection too, and not forgetting the reblog 🙂
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Glad I won’t be around when they make that distinction re mine! Have a lovely evening, bro 😎
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🙂 you too, though it’s now mid morn, thank you for the convo, yes, I wonder they will have to rethink their historical categories – again. 🙂
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Oh, yes, that’s right — you’re in Australia…
Rethinking their categories — now, there’s an amusing field of conjecture! I can think of more than a few unflattering new labeled boxes to which we might be assigned, hahaha!!
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Lol, there’s plenty to go on 🙂
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😆
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Those last two paragraphs say it all 🙂
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Thanks Kate:)
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Thanks mate
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Support
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Your beautiful words just made my day. Thank you so much for adding such magical drop of words in my jar of motivation.I feel blessed by your writing right now.
I found delight love in what you just said in your post.
Again such a beautiful write up on your blog.
Keep the vibes on.
#PATRICKSTORIES
Peace ✌and Love ❤
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Thanks for accepting and following my blog.
I’m available to read your post at my convenient time.
You have such an interesting topic I will love to read in
your blog.
I still remain the simple blogger…..
#PATRICKSTORIES
Peace ✌and Love ❤
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you all have a watch, but I have the time! 😉
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🙂
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Inspiring and beautiful article
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Many thanks
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You’re gladly welcome
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Paul,
I really liked this and the dew drop poem and echo the comment we writers like best “well said.” Say on poet writer man.
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Thank you David, feeling encouraged.
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A great use of the word, Paul. This is such an inspiring post!
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Appreciate those thoughts Winnie, thank you.
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You’re welcome, Paul!
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Thanks so much for sharing this great post on the subject and you!!!
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I really appreciate your kind thoughts, thank you for sharing.
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Am blessed by this sweet post.What a good, inspirational and thoughtful post.You have interesting and wonderful content. I like reading works that are motivational, but realistic.
Love this post. Am a fan of this post.
Cheers,
#PATRICKSTORIES
Peace ✌and Love ❤
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Many thanks
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Thanks for replying me. This reply means alot to me.
Such an awesome way of replying someone.
Thanks. Again.
You welcome dear friend.
You can also check on my blog for the recent post and say your own views and contribution on it.
I did a good post about:
TIME IS PRECIOUS.
Just needed your contribution on it
You can check on it now.
Keep the vibes on.😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
Enjoy this weekend
#PATRICKSTORIES
Peace ✌and Love ❤
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