Mere minutes after pushing the publish button for the Midweek Bonus Boots Post, I felt uneasy.
Meanwhile, Georgie (AKA Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie – heroine of Her Royal Spyness* mystery series) is being asked by Her Majesty the Queen to investigate several murders. Since it isn’t proper to say no to HMQ, Georgie becomes a detective and solves crimes by relying on her impulses, reactions, and feelings.
My compulsion to read Spyness mysteries and my compulsion to understand the Shadow initially seemed two separate drives. Today I realize that Georgie provides a model for my exploration of the Shadow; she’s in contact with her impulses, reactions and feelings all of which are found in the Shadow.
So when I read the words, “unholy trio” in the published version, I felt someone could compare me with Prince Siegfried; he always looked as if there were a bad smell under his nose. This phrase, my words not Miller’s, words that initially appeared the height of cleverness and literary aplomb,** actually stunk.
The goal of writing about the shadow has been to encourage an investigation of the shadow.
It makes no sense to label impulses, reactions, and feelings unholy.
Tune in next week to solve the mystery: Why did I use unholy? Did you object to the words? Please let us know by going to the comment section and leaving your thoughts.
Thanks for exploring the mystery with me – Nicky Mendenhall
*A mystery series by Rhys Bowen that made me laugh out loud, pull my feet off the floor in flight, say OH NO multiple times and stay up way too late. So far I’ve read Her Royal Spyness, A Royal Pain, Royal Flush, Royal Blood, and as soon as this is published I will begin Naughty in Nice.
**I’m not sure how words like this pop into my awareness. I had to look it up and found it fit perfectly. If you aren’t familiar with the word, look it up – there are many reasons that each of you can claim this wonderful word!
4 comments
NIcky,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, in weeks when I write a response, as well as in weeks when I don't.
If we want to take a gentler approach to holiness, we can look at the word's roots, which are shared also with whole and holistic. Then, if something holy is complete and whole, something unholy might be yet incomplete, scattered, not fully whole….
With whole-hearted appreciation,
Ruth
My whole-hearted appreciation for your comment Ruth.
The definition of unholy as yet incomplete makes me think of a song – Everything Is Holy Now. It is a story song where the man recalls going to Sunday School and thinking that the Holy was only available on Sunday. Now that he's an adult, he has trouble finding anything that isn't Holy. It is a lovely song.
I can't remember the singer's name. Itunes features another singer that I don't like as well. Maybe someone reading this will provide a link to the song and provide us with a more satisfying version.
Thanks again,
Nicky
Hi Nicky-
I wasn't bothered by you referring to impulses, reactions and feelings as an "unholy trio" because, in context, you were noting how we often treat them. We generally do not treat them as though they are holy.
As an aside, your mention of "shadow" is reminding me of Christine Valters Painter's most recent book (Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice). I had the privilege of reviewing it on my blog recently. Have you read it? I heartily recommend it to those inclined to photography and spirituality.
Thanks Mary – your comment helps me understand another reason for my unholy comment. I appreciate your clarity that this is how we normally treat impulses, reactions, and feelings.
Thanks for the reminder to buy Christine's new book – I just went to Amazon and placed my order. I'm excited to read it and ponder it. Your photos on your blog – findhope – are beautiful!
I appreciate your continued presence here.
Nicky
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