Anam Cara

Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and cara is the word for friend. So Anam Cara in the Celtic world was the soul friend. In the early Celtic church, a person who acted as a teacher, companion, or spiritual guide was called an anam cara.

Now, as an older woman, my Anam Cara is Nature which requires nothing more than a humble heart and a willingness to remember who you are. Here's the poem:

Anam Cara surrounds you within and without dear one.

The caw of the crow, the jabber of the jay

all know this and sing to the glory of

the one who is Anam Cara.

Seek the Anam Cara within while she shields you

in the shade of her palm.

Breathe in the fresh salty air giving your heart

up to her when you despair.

Rest your weary soul till noonday come.

Then rise up and write these words for me. . .

I am Anam Cara! No one passes alone through me.

Poem: Anam Cara, 2020

Photo: Kumar Harsh at Unsplash