Another look at Eden

I recently asked on a Facebook group:

I'm working on a blog post about this, so I'd love to get anyone's insights.

If matriarchy indeed preceded patriarchy, what would the Eden story have looked like from a matriarchal perspective?

Interestingly enough, this is not the post I was working on!  Not by a long shot!  That's been on the back burner for over a week.  However, I got the concept for my extremely speculative answer rather suddenly late last night/early this morning--it was such that my mind felt illuminated and engaged the entire time I was writing, as if someone had it to dictate--and I sat down for about five or six hours just now to write about five or six pages.  The result is after the jump.  It's certainly controversial in some of its elements depending on how literally one believes the Eden story, but I really enjoyed writing it.  To avoid confusion, please note that I exchanged the English "Eve" for the Hebrew "Hawwah" throughout.  "Adam" apparently is already as Hebrew as I'm going to get.

And one last thing before you go and read: I love this story.  I don't get stuff like this coming through my brain very often and I felt inspired.  Whether this is "gospel truth" or not, I don't know--none of us knows--but I feel that it could be.  It could be close to the original series of events in the Garden of Eden, as told before patriarchal culture took the Creation mythology and recorded it as we have it today.  Whether it's pure truth or pure fiction or somewhere in between, I hope this take on the story of our origins touches your heart and feeds your soul the way it did mine.

“Hawwah, my daughter... awake and arise.”

The warm, familiar voice stirred the young woman from her sleep.   The night air was humid and warm around Hawwah as she opened her hazel eyes in the darkness.  Moon shadows played across her dark bronze skin as she sat up in the wide crook basin created by the spreading branches of the tree she and her husbad had chosen for the night.  She glanced at him, seeing that he slumbered still.  The voice had not awakened him.  Nor did he stir as it came a second time, softly beckoning her.

“Hawwah.”

“Coming, Mother.”

Hawwah slipped between two boughs thicker than her round hips and climbed to the ground.  She turned as her feet met the spongy leaf litter around the roots, following the direction from whence she’d heard the voice.  The grove was thick with the sweet smell of ripe fruit and dew-dampened grass, her legs leaving feathery swirls in the mist that clung near the ground as she made her way toward the lowering moon.  Skirting a final tree, she heard her name once more.

“There you are, my dear Hawwah.”

The woman before her stood a little taller, her skin the tones of madrone wood and her hair the colors of late autumn.  She emanated light in such a way that the moon beyond her appeared to be her mirror.  Hawwah smiled and ran to her, being received into her Mother’s loving embrace.

“Why are you here, Mother?”

“I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.  You and Adam have both grown very smart and capable and good.”

“Thank you.  We’ve been trying very hard.”

“You have, and your Father and I are very pleased.  However, there is something bigger yet in store for you.  Come.  Follow me.”

Mother led Hawwah through the trees, further into the west, further into the densest portion of the grove.  Hawwah brushed her palm against the bark of each trunk she passed it, gazing up into the blue and silvered boughs, guided onward by the radiance of Mother no matter which way she looked.  Soon, the trees came so closer together that she had to weave between them, twisting and bending her hips around  the lowest branches to avoid them.  Just as the way came near impassable, the forest opened up into a round clearing with the moon just touching the opposite canopy.  In the center of the clearing stood a loose circle of six fruit trees: three of one variety, three of another.  Hawwah turned to give her Mother a questioning look.

“Do you know where we are, my daughter?”

“I do.  This is the part of the grove we were told not to enter, and those are the trees we’re not supposed to eat from because they would hurt us.”

“That is correct.  Your bodies were not able to withstand their strong medicine when you were younger.  Now, you have grown and matured, and you can endure it.”  Mother approached the trees, slowly circling them as Hawwah kept in step by her side.  “You are both strong and able-bodied, but you are also strong in mind and spirit.  You have been diligent in your learning and your observations.  You’ve made some very smart connections, and you’ve been obedient to the rules We have given you.  The time has come, however, for you to take the next step.”

“The next step?”

“I have noticed your growing frustration.”  Mother smiled.  “I understand.  You want to go beyond this valley and see the world.  You have seen the small huts in the hills past the ridge line--yes, I know you’ve been up there--but you’ve been very good and have remained here, where it is safe, where you have grown.  You will have all the more advantage when you leave this place.”

“We’re leaving?”  Trepidation and excitement fluttered up through Hawwah’s chest, lending a quiver to her voice.

“If you choose to, yes.  You are ready.  Adam is ready.”

“Adam does not wish to leave.  He likes it here, too much.  It is an easy place to live and very beautiful, and we both love to be so close to you and Father.”

“I know, my child.  I know.  But it is time to move forward.  It is time to explore, to meet new people and learn new things.  This is what you were made to do.  This is what we have prepared you both for through all these years.”

They had come full circle and Mother stopped, turning to reach up and pluck a fruit from one of the trees.  “Here.  This will be my gift to you, and in turn, it will be your gift to Adam, and from you both it will be your gift to the world.”

Hawwah took the fruit, her fingers running across its taut, leathery, crimson skin.  She examined its surface a moment before returning her gaze to her Mother.  “We will not be able to return, will we?”

“No, my dear.  Not in this lifetime.”

“Can we still talk to you and Father?”

Her Mother smiled, her lips pressing tightly together and her eyes suddenly brimming with tears like starlight.  She hugged her daughter tightly, folding her close against her shoulder and bosom.  “Please!  Yes.  Please do.  Oh please never stop talking to us, my dear one.  Tell Adam never to stop talking to us.  Tell your children never to stop.  We love you so much, Hawwah.  You are our precious ones.  You have such important work to do.  The people out there need you so badly.  They are just as precious to us, but theirs has been a very, very different path.  You two, you are our beacons.  The others, they cannot walk with us as you do.  They do not know us as you do, not yet.  You are to teach and instruct and help and raise wonderful, beautiful children and tell them all never to stop talking to us.”

Hawwah’s own tears stained the glimmering silver fabric of her Mother’s robes as she clung to her.  She didn’t want to leave this place where she could be with her Parents.  She wanted to stay, but Mother was right.  She yearned for the land beyond the horizon, for its sights and its people.  She longed to hear their songs and their stories and learn their ways and taste their food.  She wanted to know them.  She could not do that by staying in this valley, no matter how safe, easy, or pleasant.

Several minutes passed as the women embraced before the moment came when they both loosened their holds at the same time.  Hawwah looked at her Mother and heaved a sigh.  The moon had fallen far below the tree tops now.  Behind her, the first bird made its chirp and trill.  Dawn was coming.  She knew that it was time to return to Adam.  She looked again at the fruit in her hand.  “How do I open it?”

“You must pierce its skin with your nails.  Inside you will find its seeds.  They are bittersweet, but they are good medicine.  It is your decision when to eat them, but do not let the fruit rot with your hesitation.”  Mother leaned forward and kissed her daughter on her crown and again on her brow.  “I love you, Hawwah.  Deeply and forever.  Never forget that, my daughter.”

“I will not forget, Mother.  I love you, too.”  Hawwah took her first steps backward, back to the east, back toward the edge of the trees through which they had passed before.  She knew she must leave Mother there, but she kept her gaze upon her as long as she could before making her careful way back through the sea of branches.  She clutched the fruit to her bare chest, whether to protect it or be protected by it was hard to say, holding it there even as she began to run when the trees thinned out once more.

The growing light of morning washed everything in a dark gray as she returned to the tree where she and Adam had their nest for the night.  The stem of the fruit was held in her teeth to free her hands as she ascended into its branches and settled herself again beside her sleeping companion.  He wasn’t even aware of her absence.  She smiled at him, admiring his strong brow and full lips, and the curly black hair that she couldn't help running her hand over.  Her dear, sweet, good Adam.

It was her touch that finally roused the man’s faculties enough to open his eyes enough to see her, giving her a sleepy smile.  “You’re up early.”

“I went for a walk with Mother.”

“Mmm,” he muttered, interrupting himself with a yawn as he flopped an arm across her crisscrossed legs.  “Fun?”

“Not really,” Hawwah said quietly.  Adam’s eyes opened more and he looked up at her.  “I always enjoy being with her, but it wasn’t very fun.”

“What did you do?”

“She led me to the think part of the grove to the west, to the clearing where the trees are that we’re not supposed to use.”  Hawwah looked at the fruit in her hand.  “She gave me this.”

Adam sat up, inspecting the object in her hands by the growing light.  “Is that... one of the fruit that we were told would hurt us?”

“Yes.  Mother gave it to me and said we were strong enough for it now.  She said it was up to me when to open it and eat.  I think... we will have to leave this place once we have.”

“No.”

“Adam...”

“Father told us not to eat that fruit, that we would die after eating it.  I don’t want to die.  And I don’t want to leave.”

“Mother said we’re ready.  She said we’re strong enough, so maybe it won’t kill us.  She said we’re supposed to go out into the world and meet the people that are out there and teach them about her and Father, and be... beacons, and have children and teach them, too.”

Her reasoning didn’t seem to set him completely at ease, but he was listening.  “I don’t know...”

“Adam... I love you.  You love me.  Mother and Father love us both, and they love those people.  They made us for this.  We’ve been prepared.”  She placed her hand over his.  “It’s time.”

“I’m afraid.”

“I am, too.”

Adam considered in silence a minute longer.  Around them, the songs of birds were growing in enthusiasm and volume as though willing them to break open the fruit.  At length, he met her gaze again.  “It is your decision.”

Hawwah nodded, taking back her hand.  She eyed the fruit one last time before digging her nails into its flesh.  Bright red droplets squirted out, staining her fingers.  Both of them jumped and Adam grabbed her hand.  “Are you hurt?!”

“No,” she assured him, taking her hand back gently and peering at the liquid.  “I think it’s just the juice.”  She dug into the skin again, pulling it back to reveal a tight cluster of brilliant red seeds.  More of them burst as she tried to dig them out, splattering them both and drawing out nervous giggles.  Finally, she held a small handful in her fingers.  They were like nothing she’d ever seen.  She gave Adam a brief glance before tilting her head back and dropping a few into her mouth and biting down.

Bittersweet was right!  Hawwah’s face crumpled in a surprised wince.  The flavor was so strong at first, she wondered if she’d somehow been strung by an unseen insect.  Adam watched her with alarm as if incredulous that she expected him to partake as well.  After a moment, though, the sharpness began to wear off and she could taste the sweetness of the juice as well.  It was still a potent mixture, but not as tart as the initial shock.  She held the remaining seeds out to him, resulting in a vigorous head shake of refusal.  Hawwah gave him a look, pointedly swallowed, and kept the hand out.

“Go on.  It’s not that bad.  It’s actually.... it’s good.”

“No, I watched your face.  I’m not eating that.”

“I was just surprised.  Eat.”

“No.”

“Look at me, I’m not making the face anymore.  See?”  She dropped a couple more seed in her mouth and chewed.  It was much easier now that she knew what it was.  “There.  I promise.  It’s good.  You just have to get through the shock.”

His expression remained uncertain, but he finally consented to take the seeds.  still, he hesitated.

“Eat, Adam.  I’m not going into the world without you.”  The young man sighed, bracing himself, and threw the seeds into his mouth.  Hawwah smiled, watching his face now as he went through the same experience.  “Thank you.”

“Anything for you... even that.”

Hawwah laughed, digging her fingers into the fruit again for more seeds.  They hadn’t eaten more than a dozen seeds each when they heard another voice through the trees.

“Adam... Hawwah...  please come to me.”

“It’s Father.”

The young pair looked at each other, Hawwah’s gaze dropping to the fruit in her lap.  It was time to go.  The uppermost leave above them were taking on a delicate pink tinge as the two of them descended, preparing to go meet their Father.

“Wait,” said Adam, taking Eve’s hand and leading her to a nearby tree with its wide lobed leaves.  “If we have to go out in the world... we should wear something like Father and Mother do.  If we’re supposed to teach people how they are, we should dress like them, right?”

“Yes, I agree.  Let’s hurry.”

It took them several minutes to pull off enough leaves to cover most of their bodies, and crudely stitch them together with long blades of grass through holes poked through with a small, sharp stick.  By the time they made their careful way, hand-in-hand, in the direction of Father’s call--praying the whole time that their leafy robes would not disintegrate around them--brassy light spangled the forest floor ahead of them and they again heard their names called from the east.  The patches quickly grew in size as a wide field opened before them and the sunrise beyond it.  As with Mother to Eve, Father stood before them, radiating his own golden glory that made the sun a more reflecting disk.  His brows were raised at the sight of them, an amused grin barely restrained from bursting across his face.

“Well.  Where have you two been hiding?”

“We heard you call us, Father, and we thought that we should dress ourselves,” Hawwah replied.

“Did you then?  I see.”  A low, mirthful chuckle bubbled up from Father’s throat as he turned aside so the two of them wouldn’t be squinting into the sun.  They could look on him alone much more easily.  “And who told you that you should do that?”

“No one told us.  We just thought... well...”  Adam couldn’t bring himself to say it, and Father’s grin softened in understanding as he nodded.

“You have eaten the fruit of the tree you were forbidden from, then?”

“Yes.  Hawwah brought it to me this morning and I ate.”

“You made the decision so quickly?” Father asked, turning to his daughter.

“Mother told me we were ready and that we were made for this,” she replied, squeezing Adam’s hand for reassurance, “so I decided that we should eat.”

Father reached out and cupped her cheek, stroking it with her thumb.  “Because you have been so ready to move forward, you shall be greatly blessed with the gifts of motherhood which you shall need in the years to come.  And because of your patience with Adam and your unwillingness to leave without him, I bless you with the strength of unconditional love throughout your life, deeper than you even now know.”

Hawwah laid her hand over his and turned her face to kiss his palm.  “Thank you, Father.”

Father turned to Adam, placing his other hand on his cheek.  “Because of your steadiness and obedience, I bless you with strength to help provide for your family.  Because you have been wise enough to listen to your wife whom you love, and follow her in her willingness to progress, I bless you with greater wisdom and ingenuity to help you solve the difficulties which you shall face out in the world so long as you live, until you both return to rest with your Mother and I.”

Adam bowed his head, placing his hand on Father’s shoulder.  “Thank you.”

Father pulled them both close to his chest and the three of them hugged each other.  A moment later, Mother appeared, joining their circle in the bright morning light.

“This is the end of your time here in this pleasant valley, our beloved children,” Father said after some minutes’ interval.  Hawwah and Adam pulled back, allowing Mother to move forward and stand on her husband’s left.  She took in their leafy attire with a soft, sobbing laugh.

Eve smiled through her tears.  “We want to make you proud.”

“We are, sweet ones.  We are.  And your instinct to dress to represent us is wonderful.  However, I believe I have a solution that is a little more protective and durable.”  In her hands appeared a stack of folded skins, which she held out to them.  Adam took one and handed it to Hawwah, then the other for himself.  “These are for you to wear as you represent us to the people you will meet.  They were made from the skins of young sheep and the sacrifice of those sheep is to stand as a token of the sacrifice which will occur one day in time to come that will redeem all people.  They are to remind you of who you are, and who we are, and to provide protection from the world.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

“Thank you.”

“May they always be a blessing to you both.  Remember how much we love you.  Remember that you were made for this.  Remember to speak to us, and we will speak back.”

The world shifted around them in a swirl of color.  The field lay far below to the west, seen in the distance from the ridge where Adam and Hawwah suddenly stood, alone.  In the hills to the east, plumes of white smoke rose in clusters across a vast landscape of rolling hills and rock formations.  Hawwah looked back over her shoulder, gazing down into the valley they had called their home for so many years.  Behind them stood a sheer cliff and to each side were crags and boulders.  They could not enter the valley again.

She turned her beloved once more.  Adam sighed, and gave her a brave and loving smile.  “Let us go forward.”  He lifted her hand to kiss it, and she smiled in return.

Together, they moved eastward.