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

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.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2013

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

The One Forbidden Act

"Forbidden things have a secret charm."
-Publius Cornelius Tacitus

Why is it that we are subconsciously drawn to those things which
are forbidden, or denied, us?

As children we are told "don't touch the stove", so we immediately
touch the stove. We are told "don't play with matches", so we play
with matches. We are told "don't stick a paper clip into a wall
socket", so we stick a paper clip into a wall socket and immediately
find ourselves on the other side of the room.

And, even as adults, the moment we are told "don't" we experience
an uncontrollable urge to "do" that One Forbidden Act.

Mythology abounds with tales of the One Forbidden Act.

Pandora was told, "do not open the box". So, what does she do?
She opens the box.

Bluebeard tells his wife, "you may open any door in the castle
except that one". What does she do? She, of course, opens that
door.

In Navajo mythology two young boys set out on a journey to find
their father, the Sun, in order to help save their village from
monsters. The wise elder tells them that they can travel in any
direction except North. They immediately set out to the North and
after many unique adventures they find their father.

And, in perhaps the most famous myth of all, Adam and Eve are
told, "you can eat the fruit of all the trees in the garden except that
one." We all know what happened there. Upon performing their One
Forbidden Act, and relishing the Forbidden Fruit, they are cast out
of the Garden (which symbolizes the Womb; the Realm of Unity),
and thrust into the realm of matter (which is the realm of Duality;
the realm of choices both good and ill).

The legend of Adam and Eve is a metaphor for birth, whereby a new
life leaves the world of Spirit to enter the world of matter.

So what is it that these myths and legends are passing down to us?

The One Forbidden Act is a metaphor for that one required catalyst
which is needed in order for change, growth and new creation to
occur. Metaphorically, without the One Forbidden Act, there would
be no change; there would be no growth; there would be no new
creation.

Something must be the catalyst that upsets the status quo, the
proverbial "apple cart", which insures that change and new creation
occur in rhythm with Universal Laws. That catalyst is The One
Forbidden Act.

The One Forbidden Act teases us to do what has not been done
before, to go where no one has gone before, to envision what no
one has envisioned before and to experience what no one has
experienced before.

The One Forbidden Act is the "open doorway" which stands at the
threshold of our journey in our quest for our personal Holy Grail.

Metaphorically, we become the Dorothy who leaves our battered
house to enter the colorful world of Munchkins and bewilderment in
order to travel down the Yellow Brick Road in pursuit of the magical
land of Oz.

However, there are further lessons involved within the tale of the
One Forbidden Act. When we bite into the "Forbidden Fruit" we
acknowledge that we are both willing and unafraid to pursue the
journey which lies before us. This journey consists of accepting the
responsibility for our actions and decisions as we experience the
realm of Choices and Duality in all of its many aspects.

We also understand that should we choose to avoid the Realm of
Choices, we will find ourselves limited to, and enslaved by, the
choices of others. When we willingly, and understandably, accept
the responsibility for our actions we are then able to savor the  
fruits of our chosen odyssey.

On the highest plane the One Forbidden Act symbolizes the Seeking
of Truth, which is the bane of all governments and organizations;
governments and organizations which continually indoctrinate us
to live in a blurred and confused state of false Hope, unfounded faith
and guilt-ridden servitude.

It is only when we bite into the "Forbidden Fruit" that we experience
a Destiny different from the majority and blaze our personal Path
into immortality.

Subconsciously, we desire to grow and become Wiser. However,
society is forever conditioning us to stagnate and conform.

Driven by our Spiritual Desire to grow and create, we find ourselves
in a state of constant battle with society's attempt to stifle and
control our thoughts and actions. This constant battle between
Spiritual Growth and physical control is the central issue of why
many of us live in dis-Harmony and unhappiness.

It is not until we perform the One Forbidden Act of biting into the
"Forbidden Fruit" that we are able to discard the invisible restraints
of conformity and travel down the unique and non-conforming path
that leads us to our personal Destiny.

---Suggested Reading: the writings of Joseph Campbell

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 2009