Thresholds are seen as a significant space to transit through in Celtic Spirituality.
And thresholds have become extraordinarily significant in our world wide practice of social isolation. In so many places we are all under orders or if not orders then encouragement to stay home. To not pass through our front door except for the most urgent of reasons.
Thresholds are also edges, a place where one kind of space ends and another begins. In Permaculture, edges are seen as the most creative and dynamic spaces in green growing systems. A forest is a forest and a field is a field except for the edges of each as one makes room for the other. In permaculture, which is based on careful observation of a place before turning soil for a garden or a growing field, the transition zone between cultivated and uncultivated spaces holds important information for the health of the land as a whole.
And so for us as well. Our thresholds, our doors to the outside world is our transitional space. Before, we’d hardly think about moving through the door. We’d shrug on our coats and wrap our scarfs and grab our purses and backpacks and maybe kiss a family member good by as we run off to the store, the office or workplace or church. Our minds were already racing to our destination before we put foot out onto the sidewalk but now that doorway is heavy with symbols of safe and unsafe. On the other side of the door is vulnerability, disease, fragility. We have to think about our hand sanitizers and gloves least we touch a surface contaminated with great illness and possible death.
When we come in, we rush to the sink to cleanse our hands of potential biotic contamination. We sings songs to make sure we are fully cleaned before we begin the other tasks of arriving: setting down our packages and taking off our outer clothing. I’ve heard some who’s work keeps them in the outer world fully undress and leave their clothing in a corner near the door. It is as if we are all wondering, where is the contamination? How long does it live on our surfaces? How do we keep the home side of our doorway/threshold safe from the unseen threats lurking just the other side?
We are deep into transitions now. Thresholds are important.
Maybe we need to remember how to honor the thresholds we are crossing with our attention and our prayer. When we go out, we can ask for God’s blessing and protection. When we return, we can give thanks for a safe journey. And when we remain in place, we can pray for blessing for ourselves, our loved ones, our community, our world.
Consider taking some time to contemplate the door you use the most often to enter and leave the house. Take a long look at the door, the door handle, the door frame and the wall around it. Take the time to really see the door as if you hadn’t already looked at it a thousand times already. Are there broken spots in the door? Paint chipped? A glass insert with a crack or the dust of a year built up? Have finger oils darkened the door frame or around the handle? Or has is it still new? Is the door strong? Strong enough to stand between you and the world outside? Does the door open easily, welcoming summer breezes? Where is the transition space between your arriving and your leaving? Where are the creative edges and what is happening there?
Blessing
In every step
may grace enfold us
may peace envelop us
may love embrace us.