Meticulously,
Pieces of body preserves
In resistance of the the transitory.
Body not dross to be shed or
sin to escape
But to be honored, sanctified.
In every moment,
there is Death,
a will-never-be-again.
When life is approached with impermanence,
There is reverence.
Body is gift, vivified
………………………….
Main picture is from Pexels. Small picture and writing by Dr. Allison Mitch, PT (DPT); writing is copyright protected, please cite accordingly. For Zoe 💖
The canopic jars, pictured in text, were gifted to me recently by a dear one, Zoe, after her trip to Egypt. She didn’t know that I’ve been in love with these jars – synchronous and sweet.
Canopic jars were part of the afterlife preparation process in ancient Egypt. The jars contained lungs, liver, stomach, and intestine and were attributed to specific gods.
The care and reverence suggested by these practices have always inspired me – different from the early (even contemporary) European view of the body as base, gross, and source of sin.
These jars leave me with many questions: How did these practices begin? Who decided what organs were significant and why? What is worth preserving for the afterlife (assuming there is one)? And would things like “shadow”, sin, pain, and lessons make the “cut”?
Interested in collaboration or death transition (death doula) or psychopomp work?, email Allison at wildwomaninthesuburbs@gmail.com