"Sophia Speaks" by The Veil (2002)

Here is something that came to my mind today.  "Sophia Speaks" by The Veil.  I first heard this piece when I was living in the Bay Area, and creating a ritual theatre piece at the Black Box Theatre in Oakland in 2003.  We used it in the Performance, and the Performance was created in part to ask for Peace, on the advent of the invasion of Iraq.  

The Veil draws on ancient mythic texts (Nag Hammadi Gospels?) from early Gnostic Christianity, when "God had a Wife, and Her Name was Sophia".  The Sophia was very important in the early days of Christianity - the great Basilica of Istanbul was named for Her,  "Hagia Sophia", Holy Sophia.  

 https://youtu.be/8Cy0AKVkMKM?si=Eka6Ow1YziOJaaVv

The Veil

Mark Ungar and Deirdre McCarthy had spent years exploring  Irish and English folk music. In The Veil, They decided to pursue a project in which music suitable for  ritual would be created. Margarita Kovats brings her  prophetic writing skills to the mix and a mesmeric, evocative narrative voice to the recordings. Scott Irwin lends his expertise on drum, and Cat Taylor adds her sinuous electric violin.

Sophia Speaks

I will be your shade in the wasteland.

Take my symbol from this day forth
of my never ending promise.
I will be where your eyes look
I will be there when they're resting
None but me will fill your chalice.
I will be your light and ale and water.
Come with me, and begin again.

I am Sophia: Know Me.

THE VEIL Copyright © 2002
from "Sophia Speaks"

"Know Thyself" is the threshold to Sophia. In the Gnostic Gospel of Saint Thomas, Sophia is called "The silence beyond comprehension." Sophia means wisdom, "to know" in Greek. In early Gnostic Christianity, Sophia was, like the Shekinah of Judaism, the female aspect of God. Churches were dedicated to Her, among them the great Basilica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. 

I have always admired the visionary power of this Invocation to Sophia performed by The Veil in 2002.

 

 ''Sophia Speaks''(2002).. by The Veil

Margarita Slevin - lyrics, spoken word, synthesizer
Deirdre McCarthy - vocals, percussion, drums
Mark Ungar - electric and acoustic guitars
Scott Irwin - drums
Cat Taylor - electric violin

To Listen and visit their website:   The Veil