1 2 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 3 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 1 7 This makes the dark an intimidating, but at the same time, liberating “otherworld”; a state of unsettling chaos for some and uplifting liberation for others, in which we await the solidness of the real world (i.e. the conscious universe) which light heralds in. Both water and darkness are thus elements in which we await creation, and as such, I cannot imagine the Old Testament’s dark and watery precondition as a kind of void of nothingness or as a state of pure darkness and absolute absence. Such a void alludes to the impossibility of creation, for something cannot spring into existence from nothing. So instead, I would present this dark and watery primordiality as a condition of pure expectation before creation – of pure possibility. Rather than a blank slate of nothingness, I imagine this as a slate upon which all possibilities exist, but where no one possibility has yet been created. A place (if you can call it such) where a “signature” of every possibility exists prior to creation, and where no one possibility dominates another; a theme I have previously touched upon (Crowther 2014). This is what I identify as the “omniversal Potential”, and putting the concept of “God as creator” aside for a moment, it is this which acts as the precondition of all creation. The act of creation is when a possibility is removed from the omniversal Potential – from this dark and watery void of infinite possibility – and becomes something apart from it: a “creation”; that is, a possibility created. In the Genesis narrative, the “Spirit of God” moves across the dark and watery void of the omniversal Potential, and, guided by a vision of what his universe will consist of, he removes a single possibility so as to construct that universe, uttering those immortal, albeit now hackneyed words, “let there be light”. In so doing, the ordered solidness of his new creation (i.e. the original universe as stated in the bible) is revealed. light thus represents the act of creation here; that is, a possibility previously in the dark, previously only a possibility in the omniversal Potential, being formed and revealed. The creation of light does not eliminate the darkness which preceded it however, but separates a world apart from it. likewise, the creation of the lighted universe does not eliminate the omniversal Potential which lies behind it, and from which it was essentially sourced. Significantly, the Genesis tale suggests that the possibility which is separated from the omniversal Potential (i.e. the universe which was formed and revealed) is one that is designed and therefore, limited. And in Eden, the heart of this new creation, God resolves to craft a species that will dwell within and eventually dominate this new world: humanity. But the greed inherent within the human design becomes clear early on, as is hinted in the actions of Eve; the intriguing and tragic antagonist who unwittingly triggers the fall of the human race. It is perhaps unsurprising then that she is now regarded by her descendants as the original sinner, the heretic, and the weaker twin of God’s last creation, man. But I’ve always pictured her in a rather different light: flawed, yes, but also as a bold firebrand who personifies some of our most cherished values. It is this version of Eve which I wish to share. 2 The Torch Bearer: Eden and the Fall “And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2: 9–10). Between the lines, one can sense the Garden of Eden to be the embodiment of abundance, harmony and most of all, perfection. Indeed, when we imagine Eden, we often think of a place where the material and spiritual aspects of life have been harmonised; a Utopia if you will – that grand idea of perfection we dream of (re)gaining. In the Genesis narrative, perfection is embodied in one element: the Tree of Life, which is in reality and in legend the source of eternal life, guarding Eden against the “evils of fear, decay and corruption; a warden of the garden’s imperishable state. However, as Genesis clarifies, the Tree of Life has a counterpart; an element of the garden I believe to be one of the most resonant symbols in human history. Hanging over the very edge of creation, over the edge of Eden, stands the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. With its roots extending into
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