Having experienced a deeper initiation into love, she becomes firmly established ‘in the worlds,’ adorned with apples, and having been pierced by love's arrow, she transforms into an arrow in the hands of a skilled archer, guided toward the ultimate truth. Upon reflecting on her journey, I initially reasoned that the soul, having ascended so many levels, had reached the pinnacle of joy. However, it becomes evident that even this perfect elevation is merely an initial step, as the soul perceives these ascents not as a clear vision or understanding of truth, but rather as a voice of longing that is discerned through hearing, not reasoning, leaving her amused yet yearning.
Therefore, if this exalted soul, akin to Paul who was taken to the third heaven, does not fully attain what is promised, what might be our own fate, or what conclusions can we draw about ourselves, who have not even approached the threshold of the ‘mysteries’ we seek? The unfathomable nature of what we yearn for is exemplified by the soul's expression: “the voice of my Brother.” She speaks not of a sight, a face, or a form that reveals the essence of what she seeks, but rather of a “voice” that suggests yet does not provide definitive proof of the one who speaks. The utterance is more akin to a simile than a certain understanding, as it is not confined to a singular sense or imagery. Instead, it is clear from her expressions that the soul, in these visions, is drawn toward various things, seeking something different, rather than resting on the same recognition of what she grasps. It is said: “This One is coming,” not remaining still, nor waiting for the one observing to recognize Him while He pauses; instead, He vanishes from sight before the soul achieves complete knowledge. Thus, it continues: “He is leaping to the mountains and skipping to the hills” (Songs 2:8), and even though He is recognized as ‘sulphur,’ He is also compared to a youthful stag.
As such, that voice belongs to the Bridegroom, through which God communicated via the prophets. Following the voice, the Word rides upon the mountains and leaps upon the hills (cf. Song 2:8), trampling every rebellious power, both the highest and the lowest. The distinction between hills and mountains indicates that both the ruling adversary and the subordinate forces are overthrown with might. Likewise subdued are the lion and the dragon, representing the highest threats, alongside the serpent and the scorpion, denoting those of lesser stature.
THEOSIS