Here we see a wayfarer walking along a path between the cliffs and a river estuary that opens itself out to the great water beyond. Our pilgrim walks beneath a waning moon, just as we are doing in our comings and goings in the sublunary realm this week. Thus, we find ourselves walking on two planes of being, the spiritual or esoteric pilgrimage informed by the arcana of (20) Judgment, and the carnal, or exoteric pilgrimage of our daily life as social creatures.
Whenever the Eight of Cups appears I am reminded of that moving eighteenth century hymn by John Cennick, Children of the Heavenly King, which I offer for your refreshment as you journey through the week:
Children of the heavenly King,
As ye journey, sweetly sing;
Sing your Saviour’s worthy praise,
Glorious in his works and ways.
We are travelling home to God,
In the way the fathers trod;
They are happy now, and we
Soon their happiness shall see.
Fear not, brethren; joyful stand
On the borders of your land;
Jesus Christ, your Father’s Son,
Bids you undismayed go on.
Lift your eyes, ye sons of light,
Zion’s city is in sight:
There our endless home shall be,
There our Lord in glory see
Children of the Heavenly King, John Cennick, sung by the Choir of Wakefield Cathedral
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