The soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine

"The soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through." — these powerful words by Edna St. Vincent Millay are not simply poetic expressions, but a profound insight into the power and potential of the human spirit. The soul, as Millay suggests, possesses the remarkable ability to transcend the limitations of the earthly realm, reaching upwards with such intensity that it can, in a sense, part the heavens themselves. In this image, we see the soul as a divine force capable of accessing the very light of the Divine, of connecting with the ultimate source of truth and beauty. The sky, a vast and seemingly impenetrable expanse, is no barrier for the soul; it is but a veil to be torn away.

In the ancient teachings, the soul was always seen as the most sacred aspect of the self. It is the immortal spark within each of us, the part that connects us with the Divine. The Greeks called this essence the nous, the divine intellect, and they believed it had the power to unite the human spirit with the gods. Socrates believed that the soul was capable of attaining knowledge and wisdom that transcended the physical world. The soul’s journey was one of ascension, rising above the material distractions to gain understanding of the higher truths of existence. Similarly, the Hebrews held that the soul could connect with God through prayer, meditation, and the practice of virtue, allowing the light of the Divine to penetrate the darkness of the human condition.

Millay’s words also evoke the power of the will, the human ability to reach into the unseen realms, to rise above the mundane and the trivial. The soul does not passively wait for the light of God to shine upon it; it actively seeks it out, tearing open the sky to allow that light to enter. In Christian mysticism, saints like St. Teresa of Avila spoke of the soul's yearning for union with God, describing moments of intense divine connection as if the heavens themselves opened up to reveal the face of the Divine. St. Teresa believed that through devotion and prayer, one could experience God’s presence in a profound and transformative way. Her experiences were not mere emotions, but deeply spiritual moments of revelation, where the soul found itself in communion with the Creator.

Consider, too, the life of Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet, whose soul was like a flame seeking to burn brighter and brighter, always reaching for the Divine. Rumi’s poetry is filled with imagery of separation from the Divine and the longing to reunite. In his famous verses, he speaks of the heart’s deep yearning for God, comparing it to a lover seeking the beloved across vast distances. His soul, in its desire to be one with the Divine, did not wait for the world to change; it sought to pierce the heavens with its devotion, just as Millay suggests. The metaphor of the sky being torn in two to reveal the face of God speaks to this deep spiritual desire, this unquenchable thirst for God’s presence.

The lesson embedded in Millay’s quote is a call to the human spirit — a reminder of the sacred power within each of us. We often feel small in the face of the vast universe, and the sky seems an unreachable expanse. But the truth Millay imparts is that the soul is capable of extraordinary feats. It has the potential to break through barriers, to rise above earthly concerns, and to meet the Divine in the very act of its seeking. There is a divine light within each person, waiting to shine through if only we allow it. To seek God is to open oneself fully to the possibilities of spiritual transformation, to tear away the clouds of doubt and distraction, and to allow the Divine light to flood the soul.

In our daily lives, the lesson is clear: seek the Divine with all the passion and desire of the soul. Meditate on the sacred, give thanks for the blessings you receive, and actively seek connection with the higher realms. Do not wait for the world to offer you peace or clarity — create that peace by reaching out with your spirit, just as the soul reaches for the heavens. The sky of your life may seem full of obstacles and challenges, but you possess the power to tear through them with your devotion, just as the sun pierces through the clouds each morning.

Finally, remember that the face of God is not far away, nor hidden in some distant heaven. It is within you, within your soul, waiting to shine through if you but turn your gaze inward and upward. You have the power to transform your life, to let your soul split the sky, to let the Divine light shine through. With faith, devotion, and gratitude, you can experience the fullness of God's presence, and in doing so, become a living reflection of that light for all the world to see.