The Celts had a concept known as anam cara (lit. soul friend). They believed that your soul radiates around you, so that when you come in contact with your anam cara, your respective souls flow into each other. Further, they believed all of nature possesses a soul, so it stands to reason that when you draw near the aspect of nature that you identify as your anam cara, your souls mingle together. With this interpretation in mind, my anam cara is most certainly the sea.
I recently moved into a house called Anam Cara, on a rugged piece of Manx coastline. To say I am happy to be living so close to my soul-mingling friend is an understatement. I am full. My favourite thing to do is to stand and look at the sea, to contemplate its majesty and the fact it birthed all living things.
Some days, standing on the bank, looking at the sea isn’t enough. Some days, I have to be closer to my friend, so our souls can mingle all the more. Today was one of those days.
Header Image: Hello Friend – acrylic on paper 2022
bexODESSA 