WEAVING BODIES

Integral to Blake's myth is the idea that entering the material world, the world of generation, is a mercy provided so that man may be regenerated through forgiveness and annihilation. Entering the material requires that a spectre must receive a garment or body to clothe him in the world of generation. Just as Jesus was clothed in a body when he came to earth, so are all who descend from Eternity. Thel refused to enter the material world, Milton and Ololon voluntarily leave Eternity and descend in order to heal unhealed wounds. Blake uses the image of the weaver to describe the process of providing bodies for those naked souls who enter the world of "joy and woe."

Here is a painting which Blake made for Blair's The Grave, said to have been rediscovered in 2001.
It is a perfect illustration for Enitharmon's work as described in The Four Zoas.

Our Time is Fix'd, and All Our Days Are Numbered

Four Zoas, Night the Eighth, Page 100, (E 372):
"Then Enitharmon erected Looms in Lubans Gate
And calld the Looms Cathedron in these Looms She wove
the Spectres
Bodies of Vegetation Singing lulling Cadences to drive away
Despair from the poor wandering spectres and Los loved them
With a parental love for the Divine hand was upon him
And upon Enitharmon & the Divine Countenance shone
In Golgonooza Looking down the Daughters of Beulah saw
With joy the bright Light & in it a Human form
And knew he was the Saviour Even Jesus & they worshipped

Astonishd Comforted Delighted in notes of Rapturous Extacy
All Beulah stood astonishd Looking down to Eternal Death
They saw the Saviour beyond the Pit of death & destruction
For whether they lookd upward they saw the Divine Vision
Or whether they lookd downward still they saw the Divine Vision
Surrounding them on all sides beyond sin & death & hell

Enitharmon wove in tears singing Songs of Lamentation
And pitying comfort as she sighd forth on the wind the Spectres
Also the Vegetated bodies which Enitharmon wove"

Enitharmon and the lovely 'Daughters of Beulah' assisting her in the picture reflect the two prospects for the souls being vegetated: that they may go 'weeping in the evening dew' and 'that they may learn to bear the beams of love'. The weavers exhibit the quiet joy of accomplishing merciful work.