X2M.217 — Occiduous: Anointer of God’s Temple
The word occiduous has nearly vanished from common speech, yet its meaning pierces with precision: to descend, to shed one’s leaves, to set in the West. In the biblical imagination, each of these layers bears covenantal weight. Adam and Eve clothed themselves in fig leaves, an attempt at fertility and productivity apart from God (Gen. 3:7). Jesus cursed the barren fig tree, exposing the insufficiency of human coverings (Mark 11:12–14). Nathaniel, under the fig tree, became a sign of guileless vision restored (John 1:48). In occiduous, the fig leaf is stripped away, and the worshiper stands unclothed before the face of God.¹
This is the anointing of the temple — not a structure of stone, but the human body made dwelling place of the Spirit. Hezekiah’s healing through a poultice of figs extended his life (Isa. 38:21), but such provisional coverings point beyond themselves. True anointing comes not from borrowed productivity but from the covenantal descent of God Himself.² The temple is consecrated as the leaves fall away; what seemed to clothe in shame becomes the ground for glory.
Narratively, Occiduous marks the westward turn of redemption. Cast out eastward from Eden, humanity journeys west into restoration. David, fleeing east in exile, is brought back across the Jordan to reign in Jerusalem. Elijah is taken up in the east, Elisha returns west with double portion.³ The setting sun becomes not loss but promise — that in the westward descent, covenant is renewed, and the face of God shines upon His people.
The soundscape of Occiduous follows this shedding: technologies and coverings collapse, until only the voice remains — “Where are you?” The answer, finally, is not in fig leaves, not in productivity, not in self-ingratiation, but in the unveiled simplicity of belovedness: “Right here, with You.” The anointed temple is no longer hidden. It is consecrated by exposure, made holy by the fall of leaves, and filled with the light of the uncreated Face.
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¹ Genesis 3:1–14; Mark 11:12–14; John 1:47–48.
² Isa. 38:21; Heb. 8:10; Jer. 31:31–34 — new covenant inscribed upon the heart.
³ David’s eastward exile and westward return (2 Sam. 15–19); Elijah’s ascent and Elisha’s westward crossing (2 Kgs. 2).
