The World of Macro
This Monday it’s all about Macro! Macro photography offers an exciting opportunity to see everyday objects in a new way, and allows you to see things that are normally invisible to the naked eye….
Epic Beards
These photos were chosen because their subjects are sporting some spectacular facial hair, but it shouldn’t be overlooked that they are also examples of outstanding portraiture. Compelling and f…
Best of Photo.net – Animal Photos
Whether it’s a hard-earned shot of an elusive wild animal, a captivating close-up of a zoo resident, or a portrait of a beloved pet, animals are a perennial favorite subject for photographs. Below …
Baby, It’s Cold Outside!
Baby, it’s cold outside! Well, ok…it isn’t really THAT cold here in my neck of the woods, but it is Winter after all (at least in this hemisphere). So, in honor of the season, I am posting some …
New & Noteworthy Photos for the Week of January 10, 2013
It’s probably unreasonable to expect that most people have the time (or inclination) to look at each and every new photo that is uploaded to Photo.net on any given day. So, rather than sifting through …
In With The New!
Welcome to the brand new and improved Photo.net blog!! What do you think? To kick off the new year (a few days late, I know…) here are some photos of fireworks. Did you get any great shots of …
The Sea Goat [Goat Fish] and Capricorn(Symbolism, Mythology and Astrology):
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.
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.
© copyright Joseph Panek 2013
Anubis and Upuaut [Wepwawet] (Egyptian Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism)
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“
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.
© copyright Joseph Panek 2012
Autumn (Fall) Equinox (Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism)
“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.
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.
© copyright Joseph Panek 2012
Draco the Dragon and the Garden of Eden: Constellation of the Cosmic Serpent (Symbolism, Mythology, and Astrology)
“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”
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.
© copyright Joseph Panek 2012