Joseph Panek – Page 2 – BeyondPhotoShoot

The Apple – As A Symbol:(The Secret Vessel of the Five-Pointed Star and the Seeded Vulva)

February 23, 2013March 9, 2013Joseph Panek

The Apple:

What is it about the Apple? What caused this fruit to become
such a sacred, magical and enchanting Symbol in the
mythologies and folklores of the world?

We have Johnny Appleseed planting Apples everywhere.

An Apple fell upon the head of Isaac Newton as he was sitting
in the shade of an Apple tree (we should be thankful that
Sir Isaac did not choose to sit under a coconut tree!).

One of the twelve labors of Hercules required that he obtain
an Apple from the nymphs who guarded the Garden of the
Hesperides; thereby gaining him immortality.

King Arthur and Merlin are said to have sailed off to the
blessed Isle of Avalon where they enjoy eternal life.
Avalon is derived from the Welsh word for apple, afal.

And in Christian mythology Eve offers Adam an Apple,
a Forbidden Fruit which grew upon the Tree of Knowledge
of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. And though Eve
originally offered Adam “a fruit”, this fruit later evolved
into an Apple.

In Greek mythology the Apple is associated with Aphrodite,
the goddess of Love. Also in Greek mythology, the root of the
word apple is associated with the sun god Apollo.

In Chinese mythology the Apple is the Symbol for peace and
the Apple blossom is a Symbol of feminine Beauty.

In mystic literature the Apple tree is Symbolic of the “Tree of
Life” or “Tree of Unity”, the other tree which grew in the
Garden of Eden, or Paradise…the “Tree of Immortality” from
which Adam and Eve were permitted to eat.

The Apple tree is often also Symbolic of “The World Tree“.

The Apple is a circular fruit. The Circle is a Symbol for “The All”,
“The Eternal” and “The Complete”. However, many other fruits
are circular: such as the orange, peach, nectarine, grapefruit
and even the grape. So why was the Apple chosen, above all
the other circular fruits, to represent “The All” along with
everything which is contained within “The All”?

The Apple was chosen because within the Apple there is
contained the Five-Pointed Star and the Seeded Vulva which
Symbolize the two aspects which are required for creation in
the material realm.

The Five-Pointed Star:

When we slice an Apple horizontally (width-wise), the Seed
structure at the center of the Apple forms a perfectly
symmetrical Five-Pointed Star.

Five is the number which represents the spiritual and unseen
aspect of life and creation. Within the number Five is
contained the Four Elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water
along with the quintessential Fifth Element which is referred
to by the Alchemists as Aether, the Chinese as ki or chi, the
Indian mystics as prana, and the ancient Egyptians as ka.

When Five is viewed in this Numerological manner it consists
of the numbers 4 + 1; the Four Elements plus Aether.

The number Five is represented in Symbolism by the Five-
Pointed Star of the ancient Egyptians; a Symbol which
abounds in their artwork.

We also find the Five-Pointed Star represented by the Chinese
character “da” which esoterically Symbolizes “the superior
[illuminated] person” and in Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian man:
the naked man with arms, legs and head outstretched in the
shape of a Five-Pointed Star…all contained within a Circle.

The Five-Pointed Star was also the secret Symbol of Pythagoras
and his followers.

The Seeded Vulva:

When we slice an Apple vertically (length-wise) the core
portion has the shape of the Vulva in which the Seeds are
contained.

Symbolically, the feminine Vulva-shape which contains the
masculine Seeds represents the act of creation in the physical
realm. For, in the physical realm, when the masculine Seed
enters the feminine Vulva, creation and life are the result.

The Seeded Vulva Symbolizes the complimentary aspects
of duality which, when joined together, in a Union of Duality,
create life not only in the physical but also the mental realm;
the two realms we experience during our Current Incarnation.

Conclusion:

Within the Circular confines of the Apple, “The All”, is
contained the Symbolism of the two aspects necessary for
creation in the realm of matter: The Five-Pointed Star
(the spiritual, invisible essence) and the Seeded Vulva (the
material, visible essence).

When these two aspects are joined together, creation (human
life) occurs. This is the mystery which is further Symbolized by
the act of Weaving which is depicted for us by way of the
spinning wheel or loom. The spinning wheel or loom of
mythology and folklore takes two Threads, one Thread
representing the spiritual and the other Thread representing
the material, and unites these two Threads into one in the
magical and mysterious act which creates a fully functioning
human being.

This is why the Apple, which contains within it the Symbolism
of the spiritual and material aspects of creation, is the
representative fruit of the creative process which we call life.
In the Apple we find, Symbolically, the spiritual (Five-Pointed
Star) and the material (Seeded Vulva) encircled by “The All”.

In the material realm we can liken the Union of the Seed and
the Vulva to sexual awakening and physical creation. In the
mental realm, which is a complimentary aspect associated
with a person’s physical realm, we can liken the aspects of
the Seed and the Vulva to the conception and fruition of ideas:
ideas (Seeds) which when planted and left to harvest within
the fertile Subconscious (Vulva) create for us new comforts,
achievements, and benefits. And all of this creation, both
physical and mental, contained within the Seeded Vulva is
powered by the mysterious energies Symbolized by the
Five-Pointed Star.

And finally, although the Apple has been associated with
temptation, the Word temptation can also be interpreted
to mean “test”. And as a test, the Apple is a test-ament to
who and what we truly are: The power of the spiritual and
the physical aspects of creation all combined into One!

See also:
“The Four Elements“;
“Aether“;
“Draco the Dragon and the Garden of Eden“;
“Vesica Piscis“

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the “Comment” link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

The Sea Goat [Goat Fish] and Capricorn(Symbolism, Mythology and Astrology):

January 1, 2013December 15, 2013Joseph Panek

It is interesting to delve into the etymology of Words. Etymology
describes the root elements which make up the words we use in
our everyday language.

Capricorn and Cornucopia are two words which are discussed in
this article. So, let us take a look at the root elements which give
meaning to these two words.

Capricorn (Latin Capricornus) is derived from the roots caper
which means “goat”, and cornu which means “horn”.Therefore,
Capricorn means “Goat’s Horn“. Mythologically, this is the horn
of the she-goat Amalthea who nurtured the infant Zeus.

Cornucopia is derived from the roots cornu which means “horn”,
and copia / copiae which means “plenty”, or “abundance”.
Therefore, Cornucopia means “Horn of Plenty”. And, although
we may picture the Horn of Plenty overflowing with all of the
fruits, vegetables and grains we require for our physical
sustenance, it also has a higher spiritual significance.

Esoterically, the words plenty and abundance associated with
the Cornucopia pertain to the universal plenitude available to
us which empowers us to expand our higher consciousness and
spiritual Awareness.

The Cornucopia, or “Horn of Plenty”, is how the ancients “pictured”
the star formation of the constellation which is known to us today
as Capricorn

Capricorn (December 21 – January 20):

We celebrate the start of winter in the northern hemisphere with
the Winter Solstice. This is the day which has the shortest
amount of daylight. It is also the first day in which the Sun makes
its annual appearance in the sign of Capricorn.

The Winter Solstice is that moment when the Sun “stands still”
in the southern sky, turns around, and begins its journey back
to its northern extreme; bringing the season of spring, and then
summer, back to the northern hemisphere.

This point where the Sun “stands still” and reverses its course
is represented in mythology by either a gate, a wall, or a rope
which the Sun is forbidden to pass. This gate, wall and rope is,
of course, the Tropic of Capricorn in the south and the Tropic of
Cancer in the north. The Tropic of Capricorn is where the
constellation of Capricorn is located, and the Tropic of Cancer is
where the constellation of Cancer is located. These two
constellations are the limits of the Sun’s annual journey from
north to south.

Up until the Time when the Sun enters the constellation of
Capricorn, the Moon has been Mistress of the Heavens since the
Autumn Equinox. With the entrance of the Sun into Capricorn, the
Sun will now begin to slowly gain on the Moon and will eventually
overtake it and become Master or the Heavens at the Spring
Equinox. This is the annual “dance” between the Sun and the
Moon; the Silver and the Gold; the cosmic masculine and the
cosmic feminine.

As the entrance of the Sun into the constellation of Capricorn
signifies the moment when the Sun begins to wrest control of
the heavens, it is therefore the moment of the birth, or re-birth,
of the Sun. Mythologically, Symbolically and metaphysically the
cosmic Sun is representative of the earthly Son; which is further
representative of the individual Self.

Therefore, the birth of the heavenly Sun at the cusp of Capricorn
coincides, Symbolically, with the religious celebrations of the
“birth of the Son” on earth.

The birth of the new year also occurs within the sign of Capricorn.
This is the time when many of us celebrate the birth of the new
year by way of making our “new year’s resolutions”; some of
which are actually kept.

But, on a much higher mental and spiritual plane, solar rebirth is
Symbolic of Self Initiation. Over the past year we have gained
new experiences and learned new Lessons. Did we learn from
them? Did we even recognize them? Are we going to rid ourselves
of all that is superfluous and irrelevant, take the Lessons and
experiences of our past twelve months, and Initiate ourselves into
an elevated level of consciousness? Or, will we simply be content
to be re-born into our same old self and live our same old life over,
and over, and over again?

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn: The Teacher. Either we take the
experiences and Lessons of our past twelve months and use them
as a springboard to learn, grow, expand and elevate our
consciousness under the tutorship of Saturn – The Mentor. Or,
we Ignore the Lessons and experiences of the past twelve months
and keep taking the same test over and over under the strict
disciplinary eyes of Saturn – The Teacher of Hard Lessons.

Sea Goat / Goat Fish:

Astrologically, the constellation of Capricorn is associated with
a powerful, mythological archetype called the Sea Goat.

But, what is a Sea Goat? And, how did this ancient archetype,
or Image, obtain its Symbolism?

The upper portion of the Sea Goat contains the forelegs,chest,
head and horns of a mountain goat. Its lower portion contains the
rear-half and tail portion of a fish.

The head, or skull, is a Symbol for the mind which is the domain
of logic, reason and consciousness…all that is rational. The fact
that the sure-footed mountain goat occupies the highest mountain
peaks is, therefore, Symbolic of the pursuit of higher
consciousness by the mind. And, as the mountain goat is
sure-footed, this is Symbolic of a pursuit that is that is borne upon
the feet of confidence, assuredness, steadfastness and Awareness.

It is important to keep in mind that mountain peaks are the
highest points in the physical realm. They represent the
Borders Between Realms where the earth below (lower
consciousness) comes into contact with the heavens above (higher
consciousness). In mythology,mountain peaks are the domains of
gods, sages and mystics.

The depths of the ocean is the domain of the fish. Symbolically,
the ocean represents the Subconscious. The Subconscious is
the realm of intuition, insight and inner knowing (Gnosis). the
Subconscious represents all that is mysterious.

The Sea Goat, therefore, Symbolizes the evolved individual who
has mastered both reason and intuition; consciousness and
Subconsciousness; the rational and the mysterious.

The Cusp of Capricorn:

The cusp of Capricorn is located at the highest point, the
mid-heaven, of the astrological chart. This highest point, the
mid-heaven is a further allusion to the mountain peak which the
higher consciousness (higher mind) aspires to ascend and
conquer. However, the mid-heaven cannot be conquered by
either the conscious mind or the Subconscious mind alone.
It can only be conquered by the dual effort of both; by the
highly evolved Sea Goat.

When we look at the astrological chart we notice that Capricorn
is opposite Cancer. Cancer is ruled by the Moon and is the sign
or intuition and inner knowing (Gnosis).

Just prior to Cancer is the sign of Gemini. It is a dual sign and
is ruled by Mercury. It is the sign of logic, communication and
reason. Proper reason requires that we are able to understand
both sides of an issue; this is the duality of Gemini.

In the lower portion of the astrological chart reason and intuition
are separated and defined by two different signs: Gemini and
Cancer. However, here at the opposite side of the astrological
chart, at the midheaven and the cusp Capricorn, the well evolved
individual has united the Lessons learned from the signs of
Gemini and Cancer. And instead of experiencing their Incarnation
from solely a rational or intuitive point of view, solely from a
masculine or feminine point of view, this individual now becomes
the Sea Goat and understands the complimentary aspects of
reason and intuition, the masculine and the feminine, and applies
this Union of Duality to ascend to the highest peak of illumination
available in the earthly realm.

This is Capricorn. This is the Sea Goat, This is the mid-heaven.
This is the Winter Solstice. This is the rebirth of the Sun…the
Son…the Self into a higher realm by way of Self-Initiation.

Earth Signs:

Taurus: The Bull. Firm and solid ground which can support the
heaviest beast or the largest structure. The heavy and slow moving
bull seeks minimal risk and maximum security. The bull cannot
easily be persuaded, tempted, intimidated or rushed.

Virgo: Agricultural ground. Fertile land. Harvesting. Sorting and
selecting the best grins, finest seeds and nutritious plants. The
sign of the fertile corn and wheat goddesses of mythology.
Gardens, meadows, agriculture and nourishing plants.

Capricorn: Mountain peaks. Higher aspirations. Mountain tops
are the “Borders Between Realms” where the consciousness
of the earth below comes into contact with the higher
consciousness, or enlightenment, of the heavens above; the
domain of gods, sages, mystics and the Sea Goat.

See also:
“Cornucopia – Symbol For Abundance“;
“The Goat and the Goat’s Horn – Symbolism and Mythology“;
“Winter Solstice“;
“Borders Between Realms“;
“Statues, Images and Idols“

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the “Comment” link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Anubis and Upuaut [Wepwawet] (Egyptian Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism)

December 2, 2012January 2, 2013Joseph Panek

Egyptian Neters, commonly referred to as gods and goddesses,
are Symbolic representations of divine principles of Nature. They
are the means by which the Ancient Egyptians materially and
artistically expressed the mythological archetypes existing
within nature and the cosmos. In other words, the Neters are
the physical Symbolic expressions of the invisible Laws, aspects,
essences and principles concealed within Nature.

The depiction of a Neter is twofold: first, the aspect of Nature which
is being represented; and secondly, whether this aspect is either
masculine or feminine. A masculine Neter is depicted with a man’s
body and a feminine Neter is depicted with a woman’s body.

This article will evaluate two Egyptian Neters: Anubis and Upuaut
(aka: Wepwawet); two Neters which are often confused with one
another. Both are masculine aspects of Nature and are therefore
portrayed with the body of a man.

Anubis has the head of a dog and Upuaut has the head of a
jackal. Both heads are painted black which tells us that they
represent some form of transformation. Transformation is
synonymous with Sacrifice, Initiation Ceremonies and
Rites of Passage.

Anubis: Anubis is portrayed either as a black dog or as a man
with the head of a black dog. It is important to note that this
“dog” is a sleek and domesticated dog which is Symbolic of
loyalty, protectiveness and obedience to its master. It is the
type of dog which is the perfect guardian, companion and ally;
the kind of dog that is always proud and content to be near its
master and often sleeps at its master’s feet.

As a dog’s role is that of a guardian and protector, Anubis is
therefore called “Guardian of the Way” or “Protector of the Way”.

We are probably most familiar with Anubis in his role in the
Ceremony of the Weighing of the Heart in which he gently
escorts the recently deceased Pharaoh (who is a Symbol for
every man and woman) into the Hall of Maat where his heart
is placed on the Scales of Justice and weighed against the
Feather of Maat.

In the painting of this scene the Pharaoh is Symbolic of the
Ancient Initiate who is participating in an Initiation Ceremony,
Rite of Passage or an Act of Sacrifice in order to obtain
entrance into a much higher realm. However, before the
Initiate, or aspirant, can be admitted into this higher realm
he, or she, must pass through a threshold or doorway. This
threshold is Symbolized by the Initiation Ceremony called the
Weighing of the Heart which takes place in the Hall of Maat.
And it is Anubis who is the guardian and protector of this
threshold.

And although Anubis is gently guiding the Pharaoh into the secret
and sacred Hall of Maat in this scene, he is also assuring that the
Pharaoh will not proceed through the threshold which leads to the
higher realms of consciousness unless he, or she, is not only
worthy and well-qualified but also properly passes the necessary
Initiation test.

Whether or not the Pharaoh passes the test is determined by the
weight of his, or her, heart in relation to the weight of the Feather
of Maat when both are weighed against each other on the Scale
of Justice. The heart, in this instance, is Symbolic of the
worthiness of the Initiate.

Once the Pharaoh successfully passes the required Test of
Initiation the Pharaoh leaves the dog-headed Anubis behind and
is then escorted by the falcon-headed Horus to the next threshold
where he is greeted by Osiris who is accompanied by Isis and
Nephtys.

The Symbolism contained in this part of the scene is thus:

The dog (Anubis) occupies the realm of earth; and earth, in this
instance, is Symbolic of the lower aspects of our Incarnation.
The falcon (Horus) is Lord of the Skys and is Symbolic of the
higher aspects of our Incarnation. Osiris is the Neter of, and
therefore Symbolic of, re-Incarnation. The Pharaoh, again, is
Symbolic of every man and woman.

The Esoteric meaning contained in the Symbolism of this
scene is this:

Whenever we successfully pass a Test of Initiation we pass
through a threshold whereby we leave a lower aspect of
ourselves (the dog-headed Anubis) behind. We are then
introduced to, and experience, a higher aspect of ourselves
(the falcon-headed Horus) who ascends us to our next higher
Test of Initiation.

These next higher Tests of Initiation take place in our upcoming
and continuous processes of re-Incarnations (Osiris) where these
three archetypes repeat their designated responsibilities, but
in much higher realms.

Of course, should the Pharaoh (who is a Symbol of our self) fail
a Test of Initiation, Anubis would not permit the Pharaoh to be
introduced to Horus nor be greeted by Osiris. Anubis would then
exercisehis authority as protector and guardian of the threshold,
turn the Pharaoh away, and require the Pharaoh to repeat his, or
her, current Incarnation until he, or she, ultimately “gets everything
right” in order to pass the Test of Initiation.

Anubis’ role in the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony is an ideal
depiction for his title of “Guardian of the Way” and “Protector
of the Way”.

In this role Anubis is very similar to the Greek dog Cerberus
who stands guard at the entrance to underworld realm of Hades
which is a Symbol for the Great Subconscious.

And because Anubis both guides the Pharaoh and guards the
entrance to higher realms of spiritual existence, Anubis, as the
guardian of the threshold of transformation, is also associated with
the process of Becoming; for each time we obtain the required
Wisdom to cross a spiritual threshold we Become more spiritually
enlightened then we were before we crossed this threshold.

Anubis is often portrayed wearing a ribbon around his neck. The
ribbon is a Symbol of achievement and recognition. Ribbons, and
ribbons attached to medals, are presented to us for achievements
we experience throughout our life. Ribbons, shaped into bows,
also adorn the boxes of gifts we either give or receive. And it is
because gifts represent the appreciation or recognition one person
feels for another that they are wrapped up with not only a ribbon
but also with a bow made from a ribbon.

As Anubis is the Guardian of the Threshold and the guide who
escorts the worthy Initiate through the threshold he is often
portrayed wearing a ribbon. For the ribbon is Symbolic of the
recognition of the achievement obtained by the Initiate when he,
or she, successfully crosses the guarded threshold which leads
to the higher realms of spirituality and enlightenment.

Upuaut (aka: Wepwawet): Upuaut is depicted as a man with the
head of a black jackal. Very often, in today’s mythology books, the
jackal-headed Upuaut is mistakenly identified as Anubis. And
although the jackal and the dog are both members of the canine
family, their differences are both subtle and distinct. For whereas
the dog-headed Anubis is the archetypal “Guardian of the Way”,
the jackal-headed Upuaut is the archetypal “Opener of the Way”
Whereas Anubis (the dog) is domesticated, sleek and obedient,
Upuaut (the jackal) is wild, disheveled and wily.

The jackal is the Egyptian counterpart of the American coyote.

The jackal is a seldom seen animal that lives on the outskirts of
civilization. It is an animal that fends for itself. The jackal spends
its life becoming familiar with secret hiding places and concealed
passageways. It avoids contact with people and thrives by way
of its curiosity and wits.

These characteristics make the jackal synonymous with the
adventurer, explorer and mountain man. In addition, the jackal
is a Symbolic counterpart of the Wanderer, the Traveler, the
Seeker and the Lone Wolf.

The following two stories serve as metaphors which support the
archetypal aspect of the jackal, and thereby Upuaut, as the
“Opener of the Way”.

Until around 1879 no hieroglyphic writing was ever discovered
in any of the pyramids and it was assumed that no such
inscriptions were to be found in any of the pyramids.

Then one day, at Saqqara, an Egyptian workman found himself
in eye-to-eye contact with a jackal standing next to a pyramid.
According to the workman, the jackal seemed to be trying to
get his attention so as to entice him to follow it.

The jackal then walked to the north face of the pyramid and
again made eye contact with the workman before disappearing
into the rubble at the base of the pyramid.

Curious, the workman crawled through a passageway in the
rubble into which the jackal disappeared and found himself
standing in the main chamber of the pyramid. Holding his light
to the walls the workman discovered that the walls were covered
with hieroglyphic writing. The first hieroglyphic inscriptions ever
discovered within a pyramid!

The pyramid in which he was standing was the pyramid of Unas
and the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the wall came to be what is
now referred to as the Pyramid Texts.

This well documented story serves as one example of how the
jackal is the “Opener of the Way”.

Rudolf Gantenbrink is the inventor of a remote-controlled robot.
In 1993 Gantenbrink used his remote-controlled robot to explore
one of the shafts in the Queen’s Chamber in the Great Pyramid
at Giza. And because this robot was used in an adventure of
curiosity and discovery he appropriately named his remote-
controlled explorer Upuaut!

See also: “The Egyptian Neter“; “The Ancient Initiate“;
“Egyptian Weighing of the Heart“; “Statues, Images and Idols“

Autumn (Fall) Equinox (Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism)

September 19, 2012September 19, 2012Joseph Panek

“For everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1

The word Equinox comes from two root words: aequus (equi) which
means “equal” and nox or noct which means “night”. Therefore the
word Equinox means “equal night”. It is the time of the year when
there is a perfect balance between day and night; between the Sun
and the Moon; between the celestial Silver and Gold.

Furthermore, the Autumn and Spring Equinox is the “tipping point”
of earth’s annual Cycle when either the the Moon overcomes and
begins to outdistance the Sun, or when the Sun overcomes and
begins to outdistance the Moon.

Ancient temples and sacred monuments were built with three
windows facing to the East. The left, or northern-most window, let
in the rays of the rising Sun on the day of the Summer Solstice:
the day when the Sun reached its northern-most point in the
Constellation (tropic) of Cancer. The middle window let in the rays
of the rising Sun on the day of the Spring and Autumn Equinox.
The right, or southern-most window, let in the rays of the rising
Sun on the day of the Winter Solstice: the day when the Sun
reached its southern-most point in the Constellation (tropic) of
Capricorn.

In the northern hemisphere, the Autumn Equinox is that moment
of the year when the Moon, which has been pursuing the Sun for
the six months since the Spring or Vernal Equinox, has finally
caught up to the Sun and will now begin to out-distance the Sun
and rule the heavens for the next half year until the Sun once
again catches up to, and begins to outdistance, the Moon at the
Spring Equinox.

Mythologically, this is the celestial dance, the annual heavenly
pursuit, which takes place between the Sun and the Moon;
between darkness and light; between the feminine and the
masculine; between the Silver and Gold.

From the Autumn Equinox forward the Sun’s Seeds (its solar rays)
begin to lose their power as the darkness of the lunar-ruled sky
cools the surface of the earth. It is the time when leaves change
color, fall from the trees, and blanket the earth. It is the time when
Mother Earth begins Her annual slumber…Her “long winter’s nap”.

Mythologically, the Autumn Equinox is the time when Persephone
bids adieu to her mother Demeter on earth, takes her Pomegranate
(which contains all of earth’s fertile seasonal Seeds) below ground,
and spends the next six months with her husband in Hades.

The Autumn Equinox is the Time of the year when many plants
and animals begin taking shelter below the surface of the earth
while they await the warming of Spring in the womb of Mother
Earth.

This is also the time of year when the animal life which depends
on nature’s nutrients either go into hibernation or seek out warmer
climates.

One of the Hermetic truisms is ” As above so below, as below so
above”. Therefore, metaphorically, this seasonal dance between the
Sun and the Moon reminds us that there is a time for activity and a
time for rest; a time for concentration and a time for meditation; a
time to pursue and a time to relax. For whether or not we are
aware of it, or want to accept it, we are all children of the universe
and part of the Great Cosmic Dance.

Draco the Dragon and the Garden of Eden: Constellation of the Cosmic Serpent (Symbolism, Mythology, and Astrology)

August 27, 2012March 10, 2015Joseph Panek

“With vast convolutions Draco holds
Th’ ecliptic axis in his scaly folds.
O’er half the skies his neck enormous rears,
And with immense meanders parts the Bears.”
– Erasmus Darwin’s “Economy of Vegetation”

“Heroes take journeys, confront dragons,
and discover the treasure of their true selves.”
– Carol Lynn Pearson

Draco is one of the largest constellations in the heavens. We
currently refer to this constellation as “Draco the Dragon”.
However, in Ancient Egypt this constellation was called “The
Cobra” or “The Serpent“

So, why is this constellation referred to as the Dragon in modern
times? And, to be even more precise, what is a dragon, and from
where do we get the word “dragon?

To properly answer these questions, it is necessary to look into
the etymology of the word “dragon”.

The word “dragon” comes from the Latin word draconem and the
Greek word drakontos. Both of these words sound like “dragon”
and both of these words contain the sound draco within them.
Therefore, by simple word association, we get Draco the Dragon
as the modern name for this constellation.

However, when properly interpreted, the words draconem and
drakontos translate as “Serpent”, or “huge Serpent”.

With these thoughts in mind, let us now analyze the Symbolism
and mythology associated with the constellation Draco in its
role as the heavenly archetype of the Cosmic Serpent.

In ancient times Draco was a much larger constellation than
it is today. However modern astronomers, astrologers and
sky cartographers, in their never ending pursuit of attempting
to improve upon the perfection of the Ancient Skywatchers,
have dissected, or broken up, what was once an enormous,
mythologically rich, constellation in the ancient sky. This
breaking up of large ancient constellations by modern
astronomers, astrologers and sky cartographers has not
been limited to only Draco.

In ancient times Draco consisted of not only the modern-day
remnant but also included both Ursa Major (the Big Dipper)
and Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper) which we also know as
the Big Bear and the Little Bear.

And because the Little Dipper resembled a “wing”, which was
then a part of this ancient constellation of the Cosmic Serpent,
this constellation was also referred to as the Winged Serpent –
or Feathered Serpent; a term which can be found in many
ancient mythologies.

For example, this constellation of the Feathered Serpent was
known as Kulkulcan to the Mayans and as Quetzalcoatl to the
Aztecs.

So now we come to the question: Why was this constellation of
the Cosmic Serpent regarded with such importance in ancient
mythology?

And the answer is: because this Cosmic Serpent is that same
“tempting Serpent” which lives within the branches of the “Tree of
Knowledge of Good and Evil” in Garden of Eden lore. This Garden
of Eden Tree is the same as The Cosmic Tree and The World Tree
we read about in the mythologies of various cultures throughout
the world.

In ancient times, stars and constellations which never set, or fell
below the Horizon, were considered more powerful than those
which did fall below the Horizon. Therefore Draco, The Cosmic
Serpent which entwines itself around the pole center of the
heavens, and therefore occupies the trunk and branches of the
Cosmic Tree, was a Symbol of eternal cosmic vigilance.

In the Garden of Eden myth we are told that there were two trees
in the Garden: The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good
and Evil.

The Tree of Life is the Tree of Spiritual Life, or the “Tree of Unity”.
Unity, of course, is “one”; and “one” is the number which is
Symbolic of the spiritual, united and undivided realm. The Tree of
Life, therefore, exists in the Spiritual Garden, or Spiritual womb,
where all souls reside prior to their manifestation, or Incarnation,
into the realm of matter.

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is the “Tree of Duality”.
Whenever we come across two extremes, or opposites, in
mythological tales or religious texts this should automatically
remind us that these opposites, or extremes, are a reference to
Duality and the realm of Duality. Duality can only exist in the realm
of matter; and duality is expressed, numerologically, by the number
“two”.

It is within the branches of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
that the “tempting serpent” resides. This is, metaphorically and
Symbolically, the same Cosmic Serpent which resides in the stars
(branches) of the Cosmic Tree; the World Tree; the Tree of Duality;
and the polar center of the heavens,

The Serpent tempts Eve with the Forbidden Fruit. Eve accepts.
She then offers the fruit to Adam who also accepts. They are then
“banished” from the Garden of Eden.

What can this tale possibly mean?

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is that this
tale is a myth, a metaphor, an allegory of an archetypal process
by which spirit becomes manifested, Incarnated and united within
matter in the physical realm; the realm of duality.

The Word temptation can also be interpreted as “test”.
Symbolically, spirit is feminine: therefore Eve is the Symbol for
spirit. The “tempting serpent”, or Cosmic Serpent, is a Symbol for
Time, re-Incarnation and Cycles; all of which can only exist within
the realm of duality or matter. The Forbidden Fruit is the Symbol
for the “Seed” of manifestation into matter (the “test”). Adam is
the Symbol for mankind.

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (the Tree of Duality) is
where a soul, or spirit, who is ready to re-Incarnate (Eve) accepts
its test (temptation) from the Cosmic Serpent which is Symbolic
of Time, Cycles, and therefore re-Incarnation.

And what is this “test”? The test is for this particular soul to rid
itself of, or Alchemically purify itself from, all Karma and Sin it has
acquired throughout all of its past Incarnations. If this soul can
pass this test during its upcoming Incarnation then the soul will no
longer have to re-Incarnate again into the mundane world of matter.

At that point the soul is ready to Ascend into higher and higher
realms and receive more noble and glorious “tests” until it finally
reaches the most divine spiritual realm from whence it originally
came; which is the ultimate Destiny of all souls.

How does the soul accept this “test”? By eating the “fruit”, or
Seed of matter, with which it is presented by the “tempting
serpent”; the Cosmic Serpent.

Once the Seed of matter (fruit) in ingested, the soul then descends
from the high spiritual realm through the branches of the Comic
Tree (the stars), past the Serpent (Draco), down the trunk of the
Cosmic (World) Tree and into the realm of matter and duality
where it becomes a temporal member of mankind (Adam).

Manifesting as a member of mankind, this spiritual soul (Eve)
becomes entrapped, or impregnated, within matter (mankind;
Adam) until its Incarnation, its Adventure in the realm of matter,
is complete.

If the soul passes its test during that incarnation it will no longer
have to return to the physical realm. If it does not pass its test
it will have to re-Incarnate again and again until finally passes
its test.

We have discussed how the soul descends past the Cosmic
Serpent (Draco) into the realm of matter by accepting its “test”.
Now let us analyze what role this Cosmic, winged, Serpent plays
when a soul has completed its Incarnation in the realm of matter.

There is a painting, a Symbol, which comes to us from Ancient
Egypt. This painting portrays a soul Traveling on the back of a
Serpent amidst the stars. This represents the soul, whose earthly
journey has ended, being carried back into the spiritual, heavenly
realm to either Ascend to a much higher level of consciousness
after passing its earthly test, or, to await its next re-Incarnation
back into the realm of matter where it will once again be presented
with its “test”.

As the descending soul must accept the temptation, or “test”
from the Cosmic Serpent, and as the Ascending soul is carried
back into the heavens by this same Cosmic serpent, Draco can
therefore be considered to be the “guardian of the heavens”; for
Draco stands at the gateway, or border, that separates heaven
and earth.

For whether a soul is ascending, or whether a soul is
descending, it must have a Symbolic encounter with this
Cosmic Serpent named Draco.

It is also in this sense that the dragon (draconem, drakontos)
has become the guardian of mythological treasure (Gold;
purification). For to get past the dragon, Ascend past Draco,
we must first become Alchemically pure. This means we must
rid ourselves of all past Karma and Sin. For only then can we
gain the Gold of Ascension and be permitted to pass into the
highest and purest realms of the domain of Spirit.

Closing Thought: What is the purpose our continual Incarnations
into the realm of duality; what is the Lesson to be learned; and
what is the “test”?

The “test”, and Lesson, is to rid ourselves from the pull we
experience whenever we are “tempted” to associate ourselves
with either side of duality. For whenever we make a Choice based
solely upon the notion that this faction, or idea, is right and that
one is wrong we are drawn away from balance and Harmony.
These “temptations” are the kinds of befuddling Choices and
Beliefs which cause us to accumulate Sins and acquire Karmic
debts.

The realm of duality Instructs us that it is necessary to have
two opposing forces, tensions, or entities constantly tugging at
each other in order to establish and maintain equilibrium and
Harmony. When we learn to Transcend Duality we understand
how to balance opposing tensions: we learn how to turn the
chaos (Egyptian Isfet) of duality back into the Harmony
(Egyptian Maat) and tranquility of Unity.

This is the “temptation” or “test” our spirit is sent into this
physical Incarnation to conquer. This is the “Seed” or “fruit”
offered to our spirit by the “tempting Serpent”.

Once we pass the test of physical duality we acquire the
Wisdom, purity and tranquility which enables us to ascend to
the much higher spiritual planes.

It is at this point that the Cosmic Serpent (Draco) seats us
upon its back and flies us into the higher and higher realms
of Divine Consciousness.

See Also: “The Serpent – As a Symbol“
“The World Tree“;
“Transcending Duality“;
“The Sword – Symbol of the Mind“;
“The Apple – As A Symbol”

The Serpent – As A Symbol(Mythology and Mysticism)

July 29, 2012September 15, 2012Joseph Panek

The Serpent is perhaps the most enigmatic Symbol in mythology,
religion and mysticism.

It is worshiped, honored and respected by civilizations and
indigenous cultures, both ancient and modern, throughout the
entire world. And even those of us who detest gazing upon a
Serpent become spell-bound by its hypnotic movements.

Its slithering, wavy movements are identical to the shapes of
Rivers. Therefore, its wavy pattern was used by the Ancient
Egyptians for their hieroglyph for Water. Its wavy pattern, when
used in a dualistic pair, is also the Symbol for the Constellation
of Aquarius, the “Water Bearer”.

And as the Serpent was the original ancient archetype assigned
to the Constellation Draco, it is also associated with the “branches”
of the World Tree along with the Great Cosmic Sea of the heavens
as well. In this heavenly aspect it is referred to as the “Cosmic
Serpent”.

As the movement of the Serpent is Symbolic of the shape of Rivers,
and the movement of Water through Rivers is Symbolic of the “flow
of Time“, the Serpent is also a Symbol for the various Cycles and
Incarnations which permeate the cosmic and earthly realms. We
find this Cyclical Symbolism represented by the ancient Symbol of
the Ouroboros; the Serpent devouring its own tail which reminds us
that as one Cycle comes to its end, or is “swallowed up”, the next
Cycle is preparing itself to begin.

The Serpent also sheds its own skin in its annual renewal. This
shedding is a Symbol for transformation, re-Incarnation, Change
and renewal; whereby an old and expired era, Cycle or Incarnation
is shed for a new and rejuvenated one; one stage of life is shed for
another; and one type of existence (physical and material) is shed
for its next higher aspect of existence (spiritual and sublime).

In this respect the shedding of the Serpent’s skin is also Symbolic
of an individual’s various Rites of Passage in which he or she
engages during their Current Incarnation. And, in a more sublime
aspect, the shedding of the Serpent’s skin is also Symbolic of the
Path of the Initiate who sheds his, or her, prior state of being in
their Ladder-like progression through higher and higher realms of
Awareness until Ascension into the realm of Spiritual Illumination
is finally attained.

The twisting shapes of the two Serpents around a central staff,
depicted in the physician’s Caduceus, is Symbolic of both the
DNA matrix and the Kundalini energy which entwines itself around
our spinal column.

However, on a much higher Symbolic plane, the dancing and
entwining Serpents Symbolized by the Caduceus represent the
Spiritual DNA which is the the Breath of Life that permeates all
realms of the physical, mental and spiritual cosmos.

It is interesting to note that the Serpents which are Symbolized
and held in high esteem by both the Ancient Egyptians, the native
cultures of the Americas and all other native and indigenous races
are always poisonous. This is Symbolic of both the Initiatory and
physical “deaths” which must be necessarily experienced at the
various stages of an individual’s Incarnation so that “birth” into
higher realms and orders can be attained.

This is further Symbolized by the fact that the same poisonous
Serpent’s venom which can end a person’s life is the same venom
which is used to create a serum which can also save a person’s
life; thereby signifying the Initiatory and Spiritual re-birth and
salvation (serum) which a worthy and well-qualified Initiate receives
once their transformative “death” (venom) has been accepted and
experienced.

The “reared-up” and “ready to strike” pose of both the cobra and
the rattlesnake is also Symbolic of its deadly protective, watchful
and defensive posture which warns all unworthy trespassers who
approach that “thou shalt not pass nor intrude”.

We see this protective pose of the cobra displayed in the uraeus
worn by Egyptian pharaohs. The uraeus is a royal protective band
which encircles the pharaoh’s head at the level of the pineal gland,
or “third-eye”. The rearing cobra extends forth from the uraeus as
if emerging from the “third eye” chakra. The cobra’s hood is flaring
out in a ready-to-attack protective posture signifying its readiness
to protect the pharaoh.

The band of the uraeus is the protective coil of the cobra which
warns the curious, the non-Initiated and the un-worthy to keep
their distance.

However, there is a higher Symbolism attached to the uraeus.

The pharaoh was a Temple Initiate who was Instructed in the
highest Esoteric mysteries of the physical and mystical arts and
sciences. In addition, the pharaoh was entrusted with defending his,
or her, nation and people from all dangers and enemies which may
attack Egypt from either within or without. In this respect the
pharaoh was considered to be, and was worshiped as, the
physical manifestation of Horus. Horus is the Divine Neter who
was identified with defensiveness, protectiveness, higher Wisdom
and direct ascension.

Therefore the uraeus, which is Symbolic of the encircling coils of
the cobra, represented the protective Circle which defended the
pharaoh’s higher mind, higher faculties and higher level of
Awareness.

The hooded cobra leaning forth from the uraeus not only
Symbolized the kundalini energy emerging from the “third eye”
chakra of the pharaoh but was also a warning to all who were
not worthy or well qualified to keep their distance from the
higher mind and higher Wisdom which were encircled and
protected within the coils of the uraeus.

Now here is another interesting Symbolism connected with the
Serpent: The Serpent Nailed to the Cross.

Many of us have seen drawings and artwork of either a Serpent
nailed to a cross or a Serpent hung upon a cross and perhaps
have wondered to ourselves what this Symbolism could possibly
mean.

The Serpent nailed to a cross is Symbolically similar to The Christ
nailed to the cross.

The cross, having four extensions, is the Symbol for matter and the
materialistic world; four being the number representing matter.

As the Serpent sheds its old skin to take on a renewed skin, it is
therefore the Symbol of re-Incarnation; the shedding of an old,
used-up life for a new existence.

Being nailed to a cross is Symbolic of the Serpent shedding its
final skin (body) and leaving it behind in the world of matter (the
cross). At this point, the physical re-Incarnations of the Serpent
have come to an end.

Likewise, The Christ being nailed to the cross (the realm of matter)
represents the final leaving behind of His physical body in the
realm of matter, never requiring to re-Incarnate in the earthly plain
ever again.

This Symbolizes the final separation of His soul from His physical
body as He has attained complete Enlightenment, Illumination and
Awareness and has now Ascended into the higher, or even highest,
Spiritual Realms having never again to experience the ongoing and
repetitive Lessons of the mundane, physical realm.

And as a final Thought: The Serpent is a unitary creature. It has no
limbs. When laid out straight it representative of the number “one”.
One is the number which represents Divine Unity; The All.

However, when the Serpent sticks out its tongue, its tongue is
forked. The forked-tongue represents the number “two”. Two is the
number for duality; which can also be Symbolized by the cloven-
hoof.

Therefore the Serpent reminds us that from Divine Unity (The All)
emerges the realm of duality. And just as the Serpent creates
duality when it sticks out its tongue, it also returns duality back
into itself when it retracts its tongue.

This is a teaching which is found in many ancient texts: The Divine
One creates the temporary, illusory world of duality and when Time
is up, Divine Unity retracts the temporal realms of duality back into
itself.

See also: “Draco: Constellation Of The Cosmic Serpent”

Thoth – The Ibis-Headed Egyptian Neter (God):Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism

July 2, 2012July 13, 2015Joseph Panek

Thoth is one of the oldest Neters, or deities, worshipped in Ancient
Egypt where he also was called Djehuti.

Thoth is usually portrayed as having the body of a man and the
head of an ibis. The man’s body tells us that he represents
masculine aspects of nature. The head of the ibis tells us that
Thoth is associated with the principles and aspects of this bird
which was sacred to the Ancient Egyptians.

Thoth was later called Hermes by the Greeks and Mercury by the
Romans. Therefore the aspects attributed to both Hermes and
Mercury are the same attributes which were originally attributed to
Thoth.

Thoth is the deity who is recognized for bestowing all arts and
sciences unto mankind. This includes, but is not limited to,
art, music, writing, speech, communication, Words, Symbols,
numbers, mathematics, geometry, counting, measuring, land
surveying, astronomy, astrology, science, logic, medicine,
magic and the mystical arts.

It is because Thoth bestowed such an enormous amount of
knowledge and Wisdom upon humanity that he was recognized
and honored as a great magician. This is made clear to us by
one of the titles originally attributed to him: Ur heka.

When we analyze the title Ur heka we get the following definition:
Ur translates as first, original or primary. Heka is the Egyptian
Neter (god / Divine Principle) of Magic.

Therefore, Ur heka translates thusly: “The original Neter, or the
original Divine Principle, of Magic”. This tells us that Thoth is the
primal or primary source (a “fountain” – if you will) from which all
of theLessons and secrets of the cosmos are made available to
mankind.

It is important at this point that we define and understand the
true original meaning of the words Magic, Magician and Magi.

A Magician is someone who is the master of magic; a master
of mysteries both terrestrial and celestial. Someone who
understands and is able to make use of the secret powers and
energies that are constantly flowing within and between the
cosmic and earthly realms.

This includes, but again is not limited to, the mastery of herbs,
potions, healing practices and purification practices along with a
thorough knowledge of all the arts and sciences mentioned above.

Magic, in its true original sense, is the knowledge and
understanding of not only the movements of the universe and the
Cycles of Time, but also the secret and sacred powers and
forces contained within all things celestial and terrestrial…hidden
and tangible…visible and invisible…esoteric and exoteric.

Magi is the plural of Magician. And, in Christian lore, we find the
Three Magi, or Three Wise men, bringing gifts to the Christ child
of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

We are now beginning to understand what a powerful deity
Thoth was to the Ancient Egyptians. However, there is more to
this Neter Thoth, much more.

Thoth, as a bestower of all primordial knowledge and Wisdom,
is portrayed with a man’s body; for the act of bestowing is a
masculine aspect of nature.

And because the knowledge and Wisdom he bestowed to mankind
occurred in the realm of duality – the realm of Cycles, Time,
movement and measurement – Thoth was portrayed with the head
of the ibis bird; a bird which also has many additional attributes
and behaviors which are also Symbolic of the knowledge and
Wisdom associated with this beneficient deity, Thoth.

The beak of the ibis is curved, or crescent-shaped; a shape which
is Symbolic of the Moon. This tells us that Thoth is a lunar deity.
Now the question may arise, “but isn’t the Moon a feminine aspect
of nature?”. The answer is “yes”.

However, as all creation occupies the realm of duality, no one
“thing” is either wholly masculine or feminine. All masculine
aspects contain a feminine portion, and all feminine aspects
contain a masculine portion. This is portrayed for us within the
Symbol of Yin and Yang.

Although the Moon is receptive to the light of the Sun (a feminine
aspect), once that light radiates from the Moon in order to
eventually penetrate into the Earth it then becomes a masculine
aspect; similar to the masculine aspect of the sunlight radiating
from the Sun.

The curved beak of the ibis is Symbolic of the crescent-shape
of the Moon which we are all familiar with. The Moon is crescent-
shaped for the majority of its visible time; either the lighted portion
is in a crescent shape, or the dark portion is in a crescent shape.

It is this crescent shape of the Moon, which changes in measure
every night, that Symbolizes the marking, or “notching”, of Time
during either its waxing or waning phases. Lunar calendars, from
the beginning of history, are calculated and measured based
upon the different nightly appearances, or phases, of the Moon.

This cyclical “marking of time”, which is a lunar aspect, is
Symbolic of mathematics, counting, measuring, and numbers;
aspects which are attributed to Thoth. By using a celestial body,
the Moon, to accomplish these “markings” the sciences of
astronomy and astrology also become associated with Thoth.

The ibis is also a wading bird. It therefore has its head above the
water, its legs in the water and its feet firmly planted in the earth
below.

Symbolically, these aspects of the ibis represent the following:

The head, which is also a Symbol for the mind, occupies the
higher realm of Air. And the Element of Air represents the realm
of Thoughts, the super-conscious, the spiritual, and the heavenly.
Air also contains the unseen realm of Aether wherein all creative
aspects of the arts and sciences reside; aspects associated with
Thoth.

The legs occupy the realm of Water. Water represents the
Sub-Conscious: the realm of intuition, feelings and insight

The feet are firmly planted into the ground below the Water.
The ground represents the Earth along with everything associated
with the Earth. This includes the visible and consious realm above
the Earth’s surface along with the unseen realm below the Earth’s
surface: the underworld. The unseen realm of the underworld is
what the Ancient Egyptians associated with the twilight realm of
our spiritual respite between Incarnations.

Thus, by way of the Symbolism of the ibis, Thoth represents the
power and ability to maneuver comfortably within, and Travel freely
and unimpeded throughout, all realms of creation: the unseen
realms of the spiritual, mental, and Sub-Conscious (Aether, Air and
Water), the visible realm of matter (Earth), and the twilight realm of
the Underworld.

Another aspect of the ibis is that, as it probes the water looking for
bugs and insects to feed upon, it appears to be drawing designs
upon the surface of the water; a behavior which makes it appear
as if it is writing, painting, drawing or creating heiroglyphs – aspects
which are also associated with Thoth.

Most of us are familiar with Hermes; the later Greek aspect of Thoth.
Hermes is the Greek god who has wings on his feet and helmet and
is referred to as “the messenger of the gods”. Hermes, like Thoth,
is one of the very few deities who could travel freely and unrestricted
throughout all three realms of nature: heaven (Mount Olympus: home
of the gods), earth and the underworld. And because he was able to
travel unimpeded throughout all realms he was recognized, and
worshipped, as the guardian of roads and travelers.

There is an esoteric Lesson contained within this particular aspect
of Thoth-Hermes: in freely traveling between the underworld and the
earthly realm Thoth-Hermes is the Neter, or Divine Principle, who
assists us in entering and exiting, without restriction, our
Sub-Conscious (our underworld) in order to obtain all the knowledge,
Wisdom and information which is contained and hidden within this
realm.

In addition, this Divine Principle, Thoth-Hermes, is the Spiritual
Guide who we can call upon to assist us in accessing the higher,
and highest, realms of consciousness in order to obtain whatever
enlightenment we may be Seeking from these higher realms.

Also as “Messenger of the gods”, Thoth-Hermes is the diety who
shares information (communication) not only between the gods,
but also between heaven and earth (mental and spiritual messages),
and the underworld and earth (Sub-Conscious messages) as well.
In this aspect he is the Messenger, the Bringer, the Communicator
to mankind of all Cosmic Laws, Divine Principles, Spiritual Truths,
and Esoteric (hidden) Knowledge.

Among the numerous titles assigned to Thoth we find the following:

Inventor of Writing, Keeper of Records, Scribe of Truth, Record
Keeper of the Underworld, Lord of Wisdom, Creator of Sacred
Words and of Secret Writing, God of Chronology, God of
Counting, and Inventor of Hieroglyphic Writing

Thoth, as the “marker of time” is often depicted holding the stem
of a palm leaf. This stem contains sharply pointed protrusions on
both sides of the stem. These protrusions are equally spaced
along the length of the stem and are similar therefore to our
modern day ruler or yardstick.

Thoth is often portrayed as “notching time”, etching counts,
marking Events, recording historical deeds and measuring the
rulership of a pharaoh or the life-span of an individual into the
stem of a palm leaf.

Again this “notching”, or “counting”, or “marking” is Symbolically
similar to the crescent-shape changes of the waxing and waning
moon as it passes through the nightly phases of its cycle.

Ancient Egyptian art in the Egyptian Book of the Dead contains
the scene of Thoth “notching”, or recording, the result of the
Ritual called the Weighing of the Heart as the heart of the recently
deceased pharaoh is weighed against the Feather of Maat.

As previously mentioned, the Roman Mercury is the modern day
counter part of Egyptian Thoth. Mercury is associated with the
mind and therefore controls communication, information, thought,
clear thinking, reasoning, logic, negotiation and discrimination;
all of which are aspects of Thoth.

Mercury is also the astrological ruler of the constellation Gemini.
Gemini is a dual sign (Castor and Pollux). Mercury, as ruler of a
dual sign, enables those who are truly in Harmony with Mercury,
and therefore Thoth, to properly evaluate both sides of any issue
and communicate correctly.

Hermes is also the source of the modern term “hermetically sealed”
which also means “tightly sealed”. Therefore, esoterically,
“tightly sealed” refers to anything which is hidden or Secret –
an aspect of the dark side of the Moon (Lunar Thoth). In this case
it refers to hidden or secret knowledge and information (both Thoth
aspects) which can only be opened by, or revealed to, a select
worthy Initiate.

The mythologies, Symbolism, mysticism and mysteries which are
associated with Thoth, and his later Greek and Roman counterparts
of Hermes and Mercury, are far too vast to be covered in one single
article.

Therefore, those who are interested in discovering further, and
similarly deep, aspects of this ancient and powerful deity named
Thoth, along with his later counterparts Hermes and Mercury, will
find themselves informed, amazed and enlightened should they
Choose to delve into the legends, mythologies and lore of this
ancient, dynamic and powerful Egyptian Neter.

Added on December 24, 2012:
As the Moon is the reflector of the Sun’s perpetual light, the light
which supplies brightness to the dark night, Thoth, as a moon-god,
Symbolizes the reflection of Divine Light. And, in this aspect, he
is the bringer, or conduit, of all eternal Truth, Wisdom and
knowledge (light, enlightenment) to mankind.

The Egyptian Ankh (As A Symbol)

April 8, 2012August 20, 2012Joseph Panek

“Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit
of science becomes convinced that a spirit is
manifest in the laws of the universe, one that
is vastly superior to that of man.”
– Albert Einstein

The deeper we look into Nature, the more we come to the
realization that there is an invisible life force which permeates
all realms of creation. This mysterious life force, or Key of Life,
was acknowledged, honored and respected by the Ancient
Egyptians and was depicted in their artwork and hieroglyphs
by way of the Symbol of the Ankh.

The Ankh, which represents the eternal process of creating,
consists of a T-Shaped Cross surmounted by a Loop.

The T-Shaped Cross Symbolizes the masculine active Seed.
The Loop Symbolizes the feminine receptive Womb.

These two principles, when united, bring forth creation, birth
and Events throughout all of the seen and unseen realms of
the universe.

The “T”, as the the masculine aspect of creation, is similar
to the Symbolism of the Tau cross, the double-headed Axe
and the hammer of Thor. All of these Symbols contain Three
extremities. Three is the first masculine number. Three also
represents the Trinity of Creation.

The Loop, as the feminine aspect of creation, is Symbolic of the
birth passageway from which all created, or manifested, life
emerges.

When the Tau Cross and the Loop are combined they form the
image of a key; a key which the Egyptian Neters, the Divine
Principles of Nature, hold in their hands.

The Ankh, or Key of Life, therefore Symbolizes the eternal process
of continual creation and perpetual manifestation by way of the
union of masculine and feminine aspects of Divinity.

In this respect the Ankh is the Breath of Life, the Hermetic Logos
and the Aether of the Alchemists which instills life (the soul), into
all living matter. Therefore it also represents the Spiritual DNA
which stands forever ready to manifest life throughout all of the
visible and invisible realms of the cosmos.

This ever-present and ever-active life force, Symbolized by the
Ankh, is eternally and perpetually alive and available throughout
all realms of the cosmos. It is a Power which exists whether or not
mental or physical “life” is currently being manifested at any specific
point in the universe.

In Egyptian artwork we often see one of the Neters holding the
Ankh to the nostrils of a person. This gesture, on behalf of a
specific Neter, is the bestowing of the “breath of life” to that
particular person. This is Symbolic of the “breath of life”, or soul,
which enters into our body at birth and which will eventually leave
our body when our Current Incarnation comes to its end.

We also see artwork of Neters gazing into Mirrors which are
in the shape of the Ankh through which they can view the
reflections, results and Consequences of the persons, places,
things and Events into which they have temporarily instilled
the “breath of life”.

Egyptian men and women wore amulets in the shape of the
Ankh in honor of this Divine Creative Process and also to serve
as a reminder to be cautious of the Consequences which can
result from Thoughts, deeds, Words and Actions which they
are responsible for “giving life to”.

The Rainbow – As A Symbol

March 26, 2012March 26, 2012Joseph Panek

“Somewhere over the Rainbow,
way up high
There’s a land that I heard of,
once in a lullaby.
…Birds fly over the Rainbow,
why then, oh why can’t I?”
-lyrics: “Over the Rainbow”, from “Wizard of Oz”

A Rainbow is one of the most beautiful artistic creations that
Nature herself can paint for us. When we are given the
opportunity to view a Rainbow we become mesmerized and
enchanted by the breathtaking Beauty which appears in the
untouchable distance; a Beauty which comes to us directly
from the paintbrush of Divinity.

All four of Nature’s Elements participate in the creation of the
Rainbow: Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

The Rainbow is created by the first rays of the Sun (Fire)
piercing through the heavenly dew (Water) which is still
suspended in the sky above (Air) after a rainstorm. And the
Rainbow touches the ground below (Earth) at both ends of its
majestic arc.

The Symbolism of the Rainbow is both rich and ancient.

As a bridge:

First of all, the Rainbow looks just like a bridge which links two
parts of the earth. However, as the highest point of the Rainbow
touches the heavens, it also represents a link, or bridge, between
the Spiritual realm above with the realm of matter below.

In this respect the Rainbow, as a bridge, is a pathway, a Ladder,
or an intermediary by which Spirit can descend into matter and
matter can ascend back to Spirit. It also represents the link through
which the worlds of Spirit and matter can communicate with each
other.

And, as being a link between heaven and earth, or gods and mortals,
it therefore represents the colorful medium through which Divine
Speech, Word and Instruction is bestowed upon humanity.

As a journey’s end:

The leprechaun’s legendary and mystical “pot of Gold” is to be
found at the end of the Rainbow. The leprechaun wears a green
jacket and green is the color of the evergreen, or eternal. It is
also the color of fertility and abundance. Gold is a Symbol for
the untarnishable and the incorruptible. Therefore the leprechaun’s
“pot of Gold” represents the pure and eternal replenishment of
abundance and fertility, the Cornucopia, which abounds throughout
Nature’s realm.

Noah saw a Rainbow at the end of the great and turbulent Flood
which signified the end of his voyage and a return to calmness and
peace. In this respect the Rainbow is also a Symbol for cleansing.

As A Symbol for Cleansing:

As the Rainbow only appears after stormy skies, it is a Symbol
for the restoration of cosmic order.

As celestial rain is necessary for the skies to be cleansed and
the Earth to be nourished the Rainbow Symbolizes Divinity’s
cleansing and fertilizing Cycle. This Cycle ushers in the next
period of Nature’s growth and rebirth.

And, just as turbulent storms are necessary for Nature to
cleanse and feed the Earth, so too are emotional storms
necessary in our lives in order to cleanse away our burdens
and feed our souls.

In this respect the Rainbow also Symbolizes the peace and
calmness which comes to us at the end of unsettling periods of
our lives.

For, after our emotional tears are finally drained from us our Road
ahead becomes clear, our Rainbow is shining above it, and the
Path we must follow toward our objective, our “pot of Gold”, now
Becomes clear to us.

Colors Of The Rainbow:

A seven-colored Rainbow is created when invisible light passes
through Water particles in the sky.

The seven colors of the Rainbow are also brought into view when
invisible light passes through a prism.

This passing of invisible light through either Water particles or a
prism Symbolizes the manifestation of Spirit into matter. It is the
manifested “appearance” of invisible Deity in the physical realm.

When we gaze upon a Rainbow we are granted a brief glance at
one of the beautiful physical aspects of the Divine Unknowable.

The seven colors of the Rainbow represent the seven spheres, or
seven Heavens, through which Spirit descends in order to become
physical matter.

The seven colors of the Rainbow are also the colors associated
with the seven Chakras. From base to crown, the seven colors of
the Chakras are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and
violet.

And just as these seven colors are the manifestation of invisible
Deity through either dewy skies or a prism, so too do these
seven colors of our Chakras represent the manifestation of
invisible Divinity within each one of us as our Atman, or God within.

Here is an interesting note: although we are taught that the Three
primary colors are red, yellow and blue, there is a fourth primary
color, indigo, which is the color associated with our “third eye”
Chakra.

Primary means something which is first or original; something
which cannot be created from something else; something
unique and therefore “god-like”. And it is in this respect that the
color indigo represents the “god-like” power which exists within
the pineal gland of our “third-eye” Chakra.

The Second Inverted Rainbow:

From Wikipedia: Although most people will not notice it because
they are not actively looking for it, a dim secondary rainbow is
often present outside the primary bow. Secondary rainbows are
caused by a double reflection of sunlight inside the raindrops, and
appear at an angle of 50–53°. As a result of the second reflection,
the colours of a secondary rainbow are inverted compared to the
primary bow, with blue on the outside and red on the inside. The
secondary rainbow is fainter than the primary because more light
escapes from two reflections compared to one and because the
rainbow itself is spread over a greater area of the sky. The dark
area of unlit sky lying between the primary and secondary bows
is called Alexander’s band, after Alexander of Aphrodisias who
first described it.

The 50-53 degree angle of the Rainbow is also similar to the
angle, or outer slope, of the Great Pyramid which is approximately
51.85 degrees. Therefore, much of the Symbolism associated
with the Great Pyramid also applies to the Rainbow.
(See: “Egyptian Pyramid, Part 1” and “Egyptian Pyramid, Part 2“)

The second Rainbow is both nearly invisible and its colors are
inverted. Its near-invisibility offers us, and Symbolizes, a short-lived
glimpse of the manifestation of Divinity into the usually invisible
Spiritual realm.

Its inverted colors Symbolize both the Mirror and the process of
ascension and descension.

As all Mirrors are a reflection, in reverse, of that which is being
reflected, the visible Rainbow is a reflection and earthly
manifestation of the seldom visible Spiritual Rainbow. Just as
Spirit manifests into matter, so too does the Spiritual Rainbow
manifest itself into the visible physical Rainbow; but in a reverse
colored order.

As we experience ascension through the progression of our
Chakras from red to violet, Spirit experiences descension
(manifestation) into the physical realm by way of the seven colored
spheres, or Chakras, of violet to red.

Therefore, the colors of the seldom seen, and nearly invisible,
second Rainbow Symbolize the order of descent of Spirit into
matter. The colors of the visible Rainbow Symbolize the order
of ascent of matter back into Spirit.

Closing Thoughts and Observations:

The Rainbow is the result, or manifestation, of the union of
Sun-light (Superconscious illumination and enlightenment) with
Water (the Great Sub-Conscious and the Mysterious Unknown).

As the Rainbow only appears after turbulent storms it is a
Symbol of the cleansing process which heralds in new life, new
creation and new Times.

As the chameleon can change its body color into any of the
seven colors of the Rainbow, it is associated with the Rainbow.

Rainbow-colored ribbons are used by Shamans when they
“journey into the sky” by way of their trance-like astral voyages.
It is during these meditative journeys that the Shaman raises his,
or her, consciousness to a higher state of awareness in order
to transit into the higher Spiritual realms for divinitory purposes.

The seven Chakra colors of the Rainbow also represent the
ultimate state of transformation we can experience during
meditation whereby all of the visible colors of manifestation,
from densest to purest, are transformed back into invisible and
pre-manifested light; a process through which we can experience
a return to the Oneness of paradise.

And finally, from Dictionary of Symbolism by Hans Biedermann,
pages 277-8, we have the following:

In ancient Greece Iris was the virginal rainbow goddess, rushing
down from Mount Olympus to communicate to mortals the
commands of Zeus and Hera; Iris is portrayed with WINGS and
the CADUCEUS, clothed in the “iridescent” dew. (The similarly
iridescent pigmented membrane of the eye is thus called the “iris”.)

Amnion, Amniotic Fluid, and Amnesia(Past Life Recall)

February 26, 2012April 3, 2012Joseph Panek

“Through memory we travel against time,
through forgetfulness we follow its course.”
– Joseph Joubert

The amnion is the membrane which surrounds and protects the
unborn fetus while in the womb.

Amniotic fluid is the fluid which protects and nurtures the fetus,
and allows it movement, while it is within the amnion.

Amnesia is a loss of recall whereby a person is unable to
remember a part of, or the entirety of, their life.

Now what do the words amnion, amniotic fluid and amnesia
have in common with each other?

To start with, each of these words have the same root beginning:
amn.

Prior to entering our Current Incarnation our Spirit resided in the
realm of Unity; an Unknowable and sublime realm of Beauty and
oneness within The All.

Ancient teachings speak of the process of Incarnation and
re-Incarnation which our Spirits participate in, and experience.

Furthermore, these teachings also inform us that our Incarnations
contain past lives, future lives and our current life. Also, we are
Instructed that we may be experiencing many simultaneous
Current Incarnations in various different realms and parallel
universes.

And, because Time has an entirely different nature in the Spiritual
realm, it is also possible that all of our Incarnations ( past, present
and future ) may be all happening at the same Time.

And, if all of this is not mind-boggling enough, ancient teachings
further inform us that we may have Chosen the specific aspects of
the Incarnation we are currently experiencing.

This means that, prior to descent into matter, our Spirit actually
Chose the physical Time, the planetary location, the historical
Events, and even the parents we Decided to be born to in this
Current Incarnation of ours.

Ancient teachings further inform us that, except for Avatars,
Incarnations and re-Incarnations are participated in by Spirits not
only for the purpose of experiencing the physical world of duality
but also for working off, and Learning to rid ourselves of, all of the
accumulated Karma from our Past, and even possibly future,
Incarnations.

Once our physical experiences are ended and all Karma has been
worked away our Spirit is no longer subject to re-Incarnations in
this realm. At that point we either come to dwell in a much higher
realm or we ascend to the ultimate realm of The All.

Matter cannot exist without Spirit (See: “Spirit and Matter“). At the
moment of conception Spirit and sperm Become one in the egg of
the womb. The sperm grows into the fetus which lives within the
amniotic fluid, which is within the amnion, which is within the womb
of the mother.

The fetus spends approximately nine-months within the amnion.
After this Time the fetus breaks free of the amnion, leaves the
womb, and enters the world of duality as a newborn child.

But, what is happening to the fetus while it is dwelling within the
amniotic fluid, which is within the amnion, which is within the womb?
This is a very interesting question, and mystery, to ponder!

Let us explore a theory…a scenario.

Let us suppose that we have Chosen the Time, location, historical
period and parents of our Current Incarnation; all of which are
designed to work off past Karma, refine our spirit, and rid ourselves
of Sin.

Then, as with any other journey we venture into, this would mean
that we have come into our Current Incarnation with all the
necessary tools and skills required to experience this Incarnation
and work out all of our past Karma and Sin. These tools and skills
would be already contained within the Divine Nature of our unique
personality; our Ba; our Atman.

Therefore, taking this one step further, if we come into our Current
Incarnation with all the skills and tools that we need this also
means that the experiences of our past Incarnations are already
a part of the Spiritual DNA which accompanies us into our
Current Incarnation.

This Spiritual DNA, which contains the building blocks and
substance of our personality, can be further referred to as the
attitude and Destiny (our objective, or “to-do” list if you will) which
accompanies us into our Current Incarnation.

Now we come to a big question:

If we come into our Current Incarnation with all the tools and skills
we require, what is the purpose of the Amnesia which erases from
our consciousness not only the Memory of the sublime realm of
Spirit, but also the Memory of all of our past lives?

And the answer is that Amnesia, the loss of recall of both the
Spirit realm and past lives, is necessary if we are to fulfill the
mission and Destiny of our Current Incarnation.

In regards to Memory of the Spirit realm:

Amnesia protects us from remembering the sublime Beauty of the
Spiritual Paradise which our Spirit has temporarily left in order to
enter into and experience our Current Incarnation.

For, if we were to Remember the sublime Beauty of the Spiritual
realm while in our Current Incarnation, we may be severely tempted
to end our Current Incarnation before the mission and purpose of
our Incarnation is complete.

We hear of many individuals, especially children, who want to
commit suicide after having a near death experience whereby the
Veil between their physical and Spiritual realms has been lifted
and they once again see the Beautiful realm they left when they
entered their current physical existence.

Amnesia, in this instance, is necessary if we are to complete the
task for which we entered this Current Incarnation of ours.

In regards to Memory of Past Lives:

Think of how cluttered up our minds would be if we could recall
every mistake, every foolish act, and every painful Memory we
both performed and experienced in all of our Past Lives

Then think of the powerful emotions, and melancholy, that can
possess us when we visit, or perhaps just simply think about,
the people and places of our distant Past; people and places
we may not have visited, or thought about, for decades.

Now compound this melancholy with the highly emotional
Thoughts of people and places from an infinitude of Past Lives;
people and places both tender and haunting; people and
places which are now forever closed to us, yet still Remembered
through Past Life Recall.

These Remembrances would be more of a hindrance than an
asset to us in our current journey. We would be so overwhelmed,
haunted, confused, obsessed, tormented, and burdened by these
Past-Life Memories that we would never be able to accomplish the
objectives we set forth for ourselves when we Chose to enter
our Current Incarnation.

Therefore, is it possible that the Amniotic Fluid we exist in while
in the womb is not only a fluid that protects and nurtures us but
is also a fluid of un-remembrance; a fluid that gives us Amnesia
from remembering not only our past lives but the Beauty and
magnificence of the Spirit Realm as well?

With all these Thoughts taken into consideration, the final
questions are these:

Considering the Divine Process of Amnesia which our fetus
experiences while in the Amnion, is it in our best interest to
attempt Past Life Recalls where all of our questions lie?

Or, is it much healthier, grander and beneficial for us to Learn
how to tap into and access the Great Subconscious (something
also referred to as the Akashic Records) where all the answers
of Eternity lie?