CLOUDS OF OLOLON

New York Public Library
Milton
Copy C, Plate 45

The culmination of Blake's myth of regeneration was the bringing together of the broken parts. Under the domination of the Fall from Eternity divisions were created. Through the loss of relationship of the individual parts, they evolved into selfish parts jealous of the roles which were allocated to other parts. At the end of Milton various pieces confront their errors and become capable of fitting themselves together with the piece to which they were meant to be conjoined. Even the most fallen pieces can be redeemed if they are matched with their missing counterpart.

So it was that the Virgin form of Ololon found the Shadow of Milton. Together they portend a new beginning as was made by the ark of Noah which preserved a remnant. When the waters of materiality overwhelmed the dry land of a state of diffused consciousness, a detente was reached allowing the two to exist within limits. A means of moving forward was provided when the contrary states admitted the validity of the other.

Jesus entered the world not to be redeemed but to be the vehicle for redemption. He took on the garment of human life in order to walk upon the earth and enter into man by partaking of human experience. Blake reported that in the vision he was receiving, he heard and felt the total impact of Jesus entering 'Albions Bosom, the bosom of death.' The experience knocked him off his feet and he was left lying on his garden path, but ready for the new life he was entering.

Milton Plate 42 [49], (E 143)
"So saying, the Virgin divided Six-fold & with a shriek
Dolorous that ran thro all Creation a Double Six-fold Wonder!
Away from Ololon she divided & fled into the depths             
Of Miltons Shadow as a Dove upon the stormy Sea.

Then as a Moony Ark Ololon descended to Felphams Vale
In clouds of blood, in streams of gore, with dreadful thunderings
Into the Fires of Intellect that rejoic'd in Felphams Vale
Around the Starry Eight: with one accord the Starry Eight became
One Man Jesus the Saviour. wonderful! round his limbs
The Clouds of Ololon folded as a Garment dipped in blood
Written within & without in woven letters: & the Writing
Is the Divine Revelation in the Litteral expression:
A Garment of War, I heard it namd the Woof of Six Thousand Years

And I beheld the Twenty-four Cities of Albion
Arise upon their Thrones to Judge the Nations of the Earth
And the Immortal Four in whom the Twenty-four appear Four-fold
Arose around Albions body: Jesus wept & walked forth
From Felphams Vale clothed in Clouds of blood, to enter into    
Albions Bosom, the bosom of death & the Four surrounded him
In the Column of Fire in Felphams Vale; then to their mouths the Four
Applied their Four Trumpets & them sounded to the Four winds

Terror struck in the Vale I stood at that immortal sound
My bones trembled. I fell outstretchd upon the path             
A moment, & my Soul returnd into its mortal state
To Resurrection & Judgment in the Vegetable Body
And my sweet Shadow of Delight stood trembling by my side"