What is this enigma; twilight?
A simple definition:
Pacific Coast, Ventura, December 20, 2014, 4:12 PM, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
Crepuscular means "pertaining to or resembling twilight", from Latin crespuculum "twilight, dusk", related to creper "obscure, uncertain", from Proto-Italic *krepos "twilight", which is itself of creper (uncertain) origin. Maybe a bit like creepers, those shades of the night who hide in the shaddows. Shade from,
A simple definition:
twilight
- 1.the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, caused by the refraction and scattering of the sun's rays from the atmosphere.
Twilight; Woodland Hills, August 5, 2016, 8:24 PM, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
However, anyone who experiences a sunrise or a sunset knows that twilight is much more than a simple phenomenon of physics. It touches us on a subline level of the soul. It is a time between light and dark, day and night, rising and falling. It is a junction, neither day, nor night; the two meet briefly in ballance, they take a few steps together, and then one vanishes . . . but in their mysterious merging, they become something very unique.
Pacific Coast, Ventura, December 20, 2014, 4:12 PM, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
Middle English shade, shade, Kentish ssed, "dark image cast by someone or something; comparative obscurity or gloom caused by blockage of light," from late Old English scead "partial darkness; shelter, protection," also partly from sceadu "shade, shadow, darkness; shady place, arbor, protection from glare or heat". . . [OE]
People sometimes dress up as "shades" wearing sheets, so it is funny that these creeps who might appear at crepuscular times could be described as being "crapey". Crape meaning "a light thin fabric with a wrinkled surface is from Old French crespe "ruff, ruffle, frill", therefore like a veil, as is the twilight being a time between, the tween time; liminal.
Limin meaning "threshold” in Latin.
It is often in these ephemeral moments such as twilight that we are most acutely aware of our state here on earth, as creatures subject to time and change. Everything is in constant change and movement; cycles, cycles within cycles, spiraling out into endless space.
It is a potent time, yet subdued. Fleeting yet timeless, still, muted, yet often bright with brilliant colors filling the horizon at the juncture of the vanishing sunset.
Topanga, CA, June 4, 2018 , 7:41 PM, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
So it is unclear what the original connotation of the "twi" in twilight is. However, it does make sense that this word would have the connotation of half light (1/2), -twi being related to the PIE root *dwo meaning "two," as in twice, twin, twine, and the German zwei "two", zwischen "between, zwielicht "twilight".
But perhaps there is more to the story. . .
Looking at another word meaning twilight shows that there is another sense in which we might say this 'in between' light is related to the word forming sound
-twi.
So twilight is also named after this time of glowing.
Pacific Coast, Ventura, Dec. 24, 2014, 5:03 PM, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
It is interesting, then, what is said about a seemingly unrelated word, seismic (as in seismic activity, or an earthquake).
Earthquakes are powerful and also awe inspiring. The goddess Durga had seismic powers.
The word Seismic is from the root seismo-
Therefore, seismio- being from *twei-, seems phonetically or by pronunciation to be connected to twi (the supposed root of twilight), because we say the “seis” in seismic with a long I sound just as we say "twi” in twilight.
Certain words coming from seismo have to do with a kind of agitation of light, seemingly, rather than just having to do with shaking; such as, sparkle, inflame. So in that sense this *twei- may have connection to the naming of the time when deep fiery colors overwhelm the horizon. These colors can have an intensive and definite glow to them.
Another seemingly unrelated word in concept to twilight is the name of the star, Sirius. Stars are usually associated with night rather than twilight, yet the appearance of stars (and also planet "stars" like Venus) at sunrise and sunset are actually historically very important dates and times.
In ancient Egypt, the star Sirius, the brightest star by magnitude, was looked for in the twilight after a 70 day absence (being hidden by the brightness of the sun during that phase). This heliacal rising (rising just before the sun) was important to the ancient Egyptians because it indicated the time of the annual inundation of the Nile which fertilized the black land and made growing possible, and it was celebrated as the New Year.
Therefore, the appearance of a star at its heliacal rising has to do with, and can be associated, by experience, with twilight. Not only is the sky bright and glowing at twilight, but the stars themselves; the stars that having been journeying in the underworld (absent from sight), can be described as shinny and sometime sparkling [remember one definition of PIE root *twei- "sparkling"]. So if star = sparkling we could say twei-light [twilight] is the majestic time of the appearance of this prominent starlight. Especially given the fact that a possible etymological origin of Sirius is also connected to the *twei root.
But death is always a solemn time, sometimes painful, sometimes frightening, at other times gloomy; death is a time of transition, and therefore a time in between; a kind of twilight time for a person; transition from life in this world to life in the next. Even the "good-est" of deaths dim the light in our lives, if even just for a time.
As we see this from the death of Jesus. It is called Good Friday, but it really was a bit gloomy, as well as awe inspiring. It certainly shook things up when this 'Son' set.
Some people theorize that there was a lunar eclipse near the time of Jesus' death. And the gospels tell us that following his death there was an earthquake, and the curtain in the temple, the veil between God and man was split. At the time only the high priest could enter beyond the curtain to the Holy of Holies, and even then, only once a year to offer a blood sacrifice for atonement. We could say the curtain being torn down the middle illumined the liminal space, or barrier between God and human. The son was then placed in in the tomb and rose again on the third day. Just as the sun reaches a death and rebirth point at the winter solstice, and each and every day this drama is replayed in the microcosm of the day, i.e., The Day; day, night, morning; one day. The sun sets, day turns to night, light to darkness, and then rises again gloriously each morning.
Depending on one's perspective and purposes, the light going to darkness is good, it is evil, or it is neutral, or even all at the same time. But one thing is true, without the darkening; without night, there is no morning.
The ancient Egyptians even personified this drama of the sun, attributing the different stages of the sun's travels with certain gods. Interestingly, the god of the setting sun was Atum. And we call the setting or twilight of the year, when the light and dark momentarily meet in perfect balance, the autumnal equinox; and the season autumn.
So, twilight can be both glowing and bright, but also somber and gloomy, reminding us of our own fleeting day, the day of our life, and our mortality.
Gloom (n.), is said to be,
However it states that the etymology of "gloom" is not considered to be related to "glom" twilight . . . yet the origin, is unknown.
Since the twilight can be described as both glowing and, also at times, a bit solemn or gloomy we can make a connection between these words, gloom and glom, through the phenomenon of twilight.
Twilight = Gloaming -> related to Glow
Twilight is Glowing
Twilight is Gloomy
Gloaming (twilight), can be both glowing and gloomy at the same time. So glow and gloom are connected in the experience of twilight.
Also since it is said that seismic (seismic events being events that can cause great fear and awe which we as also we could say of eclipses), is from root *twei- "to agitate, shake, toss; exite; sparkle", which is also the root of Avestan words for "fears" and "fright, danger," it's not crazy to think that gloom could be connected in some way to gloaming "twilight" and glow, seeing as how gloom (n.) itself can be the cause of sober or somber contemplation, and can inspire a state of internal gloominess or twilight, then places in between earth and heaven, matter and spirit, are brought to mind, which could be at times, frightening, even shaking us to the core.
In distillation, the 6th process in alchemy the substance is agitated (*twei-) or excited by the distillation. When a substance is heated in a distillation tube there might be sparks, and sparkling "shine as if giving off sparks." Spark (n) is from Old English spearca "glowing or fiery particle thrown off," from Proto-Germanic *spark- . These words call to mind the time when our bright shining sun (star) fades from view and other sparkling stars appear in the sky. The stars themselves are very agitated, i.e., always in explosive movement; fearful awe inspiring energy machines. Distillation itself is a sort of a *twei- light, or seismic (shaking) event. We could also say that distillation in its psychological description is related to twilight.
The Sower, Vincent Van Gogh, 1888
Oh, twilight, I knew I loved you so! I will surely meditate in thy light!
Limin meaning "threshold” in Latin.
It is often in these ephemeral moments such as twilight that we are most acutely aware of our state here on earth, as creatures subject to time and change. Everything is in constant change and movement; cycles, cycles within cycles, spiraling out into endless space.
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area we call The Twilight Zone
It is a potent time, yet subdued. Fleeting yet timeless, still, muted, yet often bright with brilliant colors filling the horizon at the juncture of the vanishing sunset.
The Sun moves no more quickly at these junctions, yet we are more acutely aware of its movement as it touches the horizon than at other times of the day. It is not surprising that during a total solar eclipse we also experience a mystical twilight. It is only during these fleeting moments that the majesty of the sun's corona (crown) is revealed. We grow pensive in this half light.
On hiding, the sun, which a moment before made everything twice, thrice, a hundred times greater and better with its complexities of the light and gold, now leaves all things, without the long transition of twilight, lonely and poverty stricken as though one had exchanged gold for silver first and then silver for copper. The town resembles a musty and valueless copper cent. How gloomy and unimportant the streets, the squares, the tower, the mountain roads. - Platero and I, Juan Ramón Juménez, translated by Eloïse RoachAccording to the Online Etymology dictionary:
Exact connotation of twi- in this word[twilight] is unclear, but it appears to refer to 'half' light. . . Compare also Sanskirt samdhya 'twilight,' literally 'a holding together, junction,' [and] Middle High German zwischerliecht, literally 'tweenlight.'" Twilight [OE]
Topanga, CA, June 4, 2018 , 7:41 PM, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
So it is unclear what the original connotation of the "twi" in twilight is. However, it does make sense that this word would have the connotation of half light (1/2), -twi being related to the PIE root *dwo meaning "two," as in twice, twin, twine, and the German zwei "two", zwischen "between, zwielicht "twilight".
But perhaps there is more to the story. . .
Looking at another word meaning twilight shows that there is another sense in which we might say this 'in between' light is related to the word forming sound
-twi.
Gloaming is from Old English, glamoung meaning "twilight, the fall of evening", from glom "twilight", which is related to glowan "to glow" (hence, glow of sunrise and sunset). [OE]
So twilight is also named after this time of glowing.
Pacific Coast, Ventura, Dec. 24, 2014, 5:03 PM, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
It is interesting, then, what is said about a seemingly unrelated word, seismic (as in seismic activity, or an earthquake).
Earthquakes are powerful and also awe inspiring. The goddess Durga had seismic powers.
Upon encountering Durga, Mahishasura underestimated her, thinking: "How can a woman kill me, Mahishasur-the one who has defeated the trinity of gods?" However, Durga roared with laughter, which caused an earthquake and made Mahishasur aware of her powers." -Devi Mahatmya, www.dscourse.in/durga
Goddess Durga, fighting Mahishasura, the buffalo-demon, Early 18th century, Picture of the "Guler School"
The word Seismic is from the root seismo-
word forming element meaning "earthquake," from Greek seismos "a shaking, shock,; an earthquake," also "an extortion" (compare colloqial shake [someone] down), from seiein "to shake agitate, sway; to quake, shiver" from PIE root *twei- "to agitate, shake, toss; exite; sparkle" (also source of Sanskrit tvestai "to excite; to be excited, inflame, sparkle," and Avestan words for "fears" and "fright, danger"). [OE]
Therefore, seismio- being from *twei-, seems phonetically or by pronunciation to be connected to twi (the supposed root of twilight), because we say the “seis” in seismic with a long I sound just as we say "twi” in twilight.
Certain words coming from seismo have to do with a kind of agitation of light, seemingly, rather than just having to do with shaking; such as, sparkle, inflame. So in that sense this *twei- may have connection to the naming of the time when deep fiery colors overwhelm the horizon. These colors can have an intensive and definite glow to them.
Another seemingly unrelated word in concept to twilight is the name of the star, Sirius. Stars are usually associated with night rather than twilight, yet the appearance of stars (and also planet "stars" like Venus) at sunrise and sunset are actually historically very important dates and times.
Anton Raphael Mengs 1765 Hersperus As Personification of the Evening Star
Starlight star bright
first star I see tonight
I wish I may
I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight
In ancient Egypt, the star Sirius, the brightest star by magnitude, was looked for in the twilight after a 70 day absence (being hidden by the brightness of the sun during that phase). This heliacal rising (rising just before the sun) was important to the ancient Egyptians because it indicated the time of the annual inundation of the Nile which fertilized the black land and made growing possible, and it was celebrated as the New Year.
The first sighting of Sirius and its association with the rebirth of the Nile was so important that its heliacal rising marked the start of the Egyptian calendar year. Heliacal relates to the stars proximity to the Sun (Helios in Greek), at the time, Sirius made its first appearance in early July as seen from the ancient capital of Memphis, but due to the procession of the equinoxes, the star now rises into view in early August. Sky and Telescope; Sirius
A stellar Goddess, possibly Sopdet[Gk. Sothis, Latin Sirius 'the Dog Star', (Sirius also discussed here)], from the tomb of Seti I, c. 1300 BC
Latin Sirius rom Greek Seirios, said to mean literally "scorching" or "the scorcher" [*heliacal rising heralding the "dog days of summer", Sirius being found in the constellation of Canis Major]. But other related Greek words seem to derive from this use, and the name might be a folk-etymologized borrowing from some other language.
An Egyptian name for it was Sothis [*actually Sopdet is the transliterated name from the Egyptian, and Sothis is the Greek rendering of this] Beekes suggests it is from PIE root *twei- "to agitate, shake, toss; excite; sparkle" [OE] *my additionAlso, being associated with the underworld, death and rebirth, and thus the liminal; junctions, crossroads. The process of mummification interestingly, took around 70 days, just as the star Sirius spent 70 days in the underworld before its heliacal rising. The Egyptians were believers in resurrection of the body and life after death.
The ancient Egyptians' attitude towards death was influenced by their belief in immortality. They regarded death as a temporary interruption, rather than the cessation of life. To ensure the continuity of life after death people paid homage to the gods, both during and after their life on earth. When they died, they were mummified so the soul would return to the body, giving it breath and life. Canadian Museum of History, Life After Death
Resurrection scene from the tomb of Maya in Saqqara XIX Dynasty, Photo; ahramonline.
But death is always a solemn time, sometimes painful, sometimes frightening, at other times gloomy; death is a time of transition, and therefore a time in between; a kind of twilight time for a person; transition from life in this world to life in the next. Even the "good-est" of deaths dim the light in our lives, if even just for a time.
As we see this from the death of Jesus. It is called Good Friday, but it really was a bit gloomy, as well as awe inspiring. It certainly shook things up when this 'Son' set.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open. Matthew 27:50-52
Gloaming of the Christ, by Julie O. /chthonickore, 2003
Some people theorize that there was a lunar eclipse near the time of Jesus' death. And the gospels tell us that following his death there was an earthquake, and the curtain in the temple, the veil between God and man was split. At the time only the high priest could enter beyond the curtain to the Holy of Holies, and even then, only once a year to offer a blood sacrifice for atonement. We could say the curtain being torn down the middle illumined the liminal space, or barrier between God and human. The son was then placed in in the tomb and rose again on the third day. Just as the sun reaches a death and rebirth point at the winter solstice, and each and every day this drama is replayed in the microcosm of the day, i.e., The Day; day, night, morning; one day. The sun sets, day turns to night, light to darkness, and then rises again gloriously each morning.
O happy fault that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer.
O felix culpa quae talem et tantum meruit habere redemptorem - Catholic Paschal Vigil Mass Exsultet
Depending on one's perspective and purposes, the light going to darkness is good, it is evil, or it is neutral, or even all at the same time. But one thing is true, without the darkening; without night, there is no morning.
One is fruitful only at the cost of being rich in contradictions . . .
Man ist nur fruchtbar um den Preis, an Gegensätzen reich zu sein . . . Friedrich Nietzsche, Götzendämmerung, Twilight of the Idols
The ancient Egyptians even personified this drama of the sun, attributing the different stages of the sun's travels with certain gods. Interestingly, the god of the setting sun was Atum. And we call the setting or twilight of the year, when the light and dark momentarily meet in perfect balance, the autumnal equinox; and the season autumn.
Atum, Ra, Horakhty, and Khepri, made up the different aspects of the sun. Atum was the setting sun which traveled through the underworld every night. He was also linked with solar theology, as the self-developing scarab who represented the newly created sun. As a result he is combined with Ra (the rising sun) in both the Pyramid and Coffin texts as Re-Atum he who "emerges from the eastern horizon" and "rests in the western horizon". In other words as Re-Atum he died every night at dusk before resurrecting himself at dawn. . . In this form, Atum also symbolized the setting sun and its journey through the underworld to its rising in the east. Ancient Egypt Online; Atum
So, twilight can be both glowing and bright, but also somber and gloomy, reminding us of our own fleeting day, the day of our life, and our mortality.
Mom's burial, Feb. 15, 2019, Gloomy and Rainy. Why are people Glowing and Smiling then? Is this a Funeral or a Fun–eral?, photo Julie O. / chthonickore
Gloom (n.), is said to be,
. . . of unknown origin; perhaps from an unrecorded Old English verb or from a Scandinavian source (compare Norwegian dialectical glome "to stare somberly"), or from Middle Low German glum "turbid," Dutch gluren "to leer." Not considered to be related to Old English glom "twilight." [OE]Gloom is related possibly to a word meaning "to leer" wich we could also call a kind of glare; a glare as in "a stare." A different kind of glare is the what the glowing light of the sun might create at the gloaming. And when a person glares they often narrow their eyes. If the eyes are analogous to the sun, then this closing of the eyes, is like the sun winking just above or below the horizon, which creates this atmosphere of gloaming, glare, and gloom.
However it states that the etymology of "gloom" is not considered to be related to "glom" twilight . . . yet the origin, is unknown.
Since the twilight can be described as both glowing and, also at times, a bit solemn or gloomy we can make a connection between these words, gloom and glom, through the phenomenon of twilight.
Twilight = Gloaming -> related to Glow
Twilight is Glowing
Twilight is Gloomy
Gloaming (twilight), can be both glowing and gloomy at the same time. So glow and gloom are connected in the experience of twilight.
Twilight Tree, painting by Ailis O'Reilly, 2016, photo by Julie O. /chthonickore
Also since it is said that seismic (seismic events being events that can cause great fear and awe which we as also we could say of eclipses), is from root *twei- "to agitate, shake, toss; exite; sparkle", which is also the root of Avestan words for "fears" and "fright, danger," it's not crazy to think that gloom could be connected in some way to gloaming "twilight" and glow, seeing as how gloom (n.) itself can be the cause of sober or somber contemplation, and can inspire a state of internal gloominess or twilight, then places in between earth and heaven, matter and spirit, are brought to mind, which could be at times, frightening, even shaking us to the core.
[Psychologically] Distillation is the agitation and sublimation of psychic forces is [sic] necessary to insure that no impurities from the inflated ego or deeply submerged id are incorporated into the next and final stage. Personal Distillation consists of a variety of introspective techniques that raise the content of the psyche to the highest level possible, free from sentimentality, and emotions, cut off even from one's personal identity. Distillation is the purification of the unborn Self– all that we truly are and can be. Alchemy Lab: Distilation
The Sower, Vincent Van Gogh, 1888
To prepare for the final stage, [during Distillation] we need to purify the spirit to make sure that it is free from any destructive forms of ego. Here we are planting the seed for the unborn transpersonal self – one that is free from the distinctions of the collective and the individual. To help it grow one has to nourish it – which can be done with various forms of contemplation, spiritual ritual or meditation. –Labyrinthos.coSo much information distilled to make this post! I feel rich!
Oh, twilight, I knew I loved you so! I will surely meditate in thy light!
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