Why It’s Important to Feed an Inner Light

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Castel del Monte, Andria (BT), ITALY— photo shot by Niccolò Rigacci

I can feel the warmth of sunlight on the face; the smells of the tired earth; the cool autumn wind on my chest. Today is Michaelmas, the festival dedicated to the Archangel Michael—warrior of the light. It is a potent archetype which reminds us to start feeding an inner light inside of us—preventing darkness to reach out our hearts.

Michael doesn’t kill the dragon. Our lower nature must not be rejected, condemned or despised. The only demons that exist in us are the ones we need. Sometimes we all need to blame something—or someone—especially when things go wrong. It is part of our nature—one of those weaknesses that make us human. And also the main reason why we create scapegoats (what demons really are).

Micheal’s symbols—the sword and the scale—have several traditional meanings. But today, as if I was interpreting a personal dream, I’m going to tell you the meaning they have for me. I like to think they are an exhortation to fight for that frail balance I was talking about on the Autumnal Equinox.

November is a tough month, isn’t it? It is the period of the year when the life of summer definitively dies. That’s why—as the external light fades away—an inner light must gradually replace it. After all, what’s depression if not the feeling that every light has gone? This might happen suddenly, but most of times you slip slowly into it.

That’s why it is important to feed an inner light. It can be anything that resonates within you: the memory of your loved ones, your meditation practice, contemplating nature, a sense of honor and integrity, and so on. Just find your own way—it will be like having a lantern that enlightens your way through the season.