Archetypes In Symbolism And Mythology

"Mythology is a fictitious tale about 
characters who never existed,
engaged in events that never happened.
But, yet, it is true."
- Joseph Panek

An Archetype is a physical portrayal of either an Event or an
abstract concept. An Archetype is portrayed as male when it is
designed to depict a masculine aspect, or essence, of nature.
An Archetype is portrayed as female when it is designed to
depict a feminine aspect, or essence, of nature.

Ancient Esoteric writings inform us that masculine aspects of
nature are active, bestowing, rational, logical, conscious, and
solar - The Seed; while feminine aspects of nature are passive,
accepting, intuitive, emotional, subconscious, and lunar
- The Womb.

The events depicted by an Archetype can be either terrestrial
( earthly ) or cosmic ( heavenly ). The Epic tales of classic
literature all contain Archetypal heroes, gods, and goddesses
who weave their ways through these ancient sagas and mingle
in the affairs of mankind. Consider the heroic and divine
Archetypes who have mesmerized us in Homer's unforgettable
classic tales of The Iliad and The Odyssey.

The abstract concepts depicted by Archetypes are limitless.
They include, but are not limited to, dreams, insights, epiphanies,
prophecy, esoteric Wisdom, and Shamanic experiences. These
are the Archetypes portrayed in the many temple paintings and
hieroglyphs which come down to us from ancient Egypt.

Archetypes allow us to visualize, personify and personalize events
and abstract concepts. They are unforgettable physical
constructions which then become an ingrained mental image that
allows us to recall and associate a specific Archetypal character
with a specific event or abstract concept.

An Archetype is a necessary element for the creation of metaphors,
allegories, parables, myths, legends, fables, and stories which
become the unforgettable Lessons which are then passed down
from generation to generation.

The ancient thought process was Archetypal and metaphorical.
The ancients thought, spoke, taught, and wrote through the use
of Archetypes and metaphors. Therefore, in order for us to
understand ancient histories, legends, myths, and sacred writings,
we must first attempt to understand the ancient mind which
evaluated events, ideas, and concepts by way of Archetypal thinking.

For only by understanding this ancient thought process can we
truly understand the histories and Lessons which they have
passed down to us by way of their myths, legends, sacred
writings, puns, and metaphors.

So, how does this process of Archetypal thinking actually work?

First: An event must occur, a hero must be glorified, an
abstract concept must be brought into consciousness, or a
phenomenon of nature must be experienced. These are the original
and fundamental sources from which Archetypes are conceived
and brought into physical reality.

Second: An Archetype is created which Symbolizes this event,
hero, abstract concept, or phenomenon of Nature. Only then, by
way of a physical representation ( a Symbolic Archetype ), can
a myth, legend, story, or metaphor then be created. If the event
or abstract concept is masculine in nature, it is portrayed by a
man. If the event or abstract concept is feminine in nature, it is
portrayed as a woman. The Archetype must exist before the
myth, story, or legend can be created.

Third: The myth, legend, sacred writing, or metaphor is created
by way of using the Archetype, or Archetypes, which have been
created from the initial event or abstract concept. This end result
is the stories and Lessons that have been passed down to us from
our ancient ancestors from the most ancient of Times.

An Archetype is perpetual while those who later assume the role
of that particular Archetype are temporary. THE HERO is an
Archetype for all heroes who follow. AN ECLIPSE is an Archetype
for all eclipses which follow. MOTHERHOOD is an
Archetype for all women who later assume the role of mother.

Furthermore, THE HERO will always exist; regardless of whether
or not there are currently any heroes to assume that role.

This fact is True for ALL Archetypes.

KINGSHIP is the Archetype for all future kings who assume this
role. KINGSHIP ( or RULERSHIP ) will also always exist
regardless of whether or not there is currently any king to assume
this role. The Archetype of KINGSHIP is clearly defined in the
statement, "The king is dead. Long live the king". What this
proclamation is actually saying is, "The old king is dead. Long live
the new king". This proclamation reminds us that the Archetype of
KINGSHIP is perpetual, even though the characters who wander
in and out of the role of 'king" are continuously replaced.


The same goes for "popes", "presidents", "history teachers",
"comedians", "architects", etc. These are all perpetual Archetypal
titles under which others temporarily assume a role as Time and
history ceaselessly march onward.

Let us look at two Archetypal portrayals (one masculine and the
other feminine ) in order to better visualize the concept of Archetypes:

 

Horus - image via wikipedia

HORUS: Horus is the ancient Egyptian Archetype, or Neter, which
Symbolizes KINGSHIP or RULERSHIP. Horus is depicted as
having the body of a man and the head of a hawk.

KINGSHIP or RULERSHIP is an invisible abstract concept which
relates to an "active", or "masculine", aspect of Nature. Therefore,
the Archetype the ancient Egyptians called Horus is depicted as
having the body of a man.

Furthermore, Nature also provides us with a visual phenomenon of
RULERSHIP by way of the hawk.

The hawk is a powerful bird that RULES the heavens. And just as
the hawk was seen as the ruler of its domain of the heavens, so
was the KING or PHARAOH seen as the earthly counterpart of the
hawk who was destined, and responsible, for RULING on earth.

This is why Horus, the Archetype of RULERSHIP, was depicted as
having the body of a man with the head of a hawk

All Egyptian pharaohs were understood to be a temporal aspect of
the Archetype Horus and were therefore recognized as HORUS.

 

Hathor - image via wikipedia

HATHOR: Hathor is the ancient Egyptian Archetype, or Neter,  for
MOTHERHOOD. MOTHERHOOD is a feminine aspect of Nature.
Therefore Hathor is portrayed with either a woman's body with a
cow's head, or, simply as a woman's facial features with a cow's
ears. HATHOR can also be portrayed simply as a cow.

The cow is a docile, nurturing animal. It is also the animal which
provides the milk which is necessary to nourish infants. Here we
see the reason why the ancient Egyptians chose the cow as the
Symbol for MOTHERHOOD.

All women who chose the role of motherhood in ancient Egypt
therefore became a physical manifestation, and representation, of
the Archetype called HATHOR.

Furthermore, when a person's earthly incarnation came to its end,
it was HATHOR who welcomed, nourished, and nurtured the Soul
of the newly deceased when it once again returned to the spiritual
realm from whence it had departed in order to experience a
physical existence.

Conclusion: As we become more and more familiar with Archetypes,
we gain a better understanding of the thought processes and
perceptions of our most distant ancestors. And it is by this
process of understanding the ancient mind that we can slowly
unravel the enigmatic and mystical riddles which baffle and amaze us;
enigmas, mysteries, riddles, and abstract concepts conceived and
cast into stone at the most remote beginnings of historical Time.

See Also:  Article about "The Egyptian Neter"

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 2019

Virgin Birth(Symbolism, Mythology, and Mystery)

The doctrine of Virgin Birth is an extremely ancient and common
motif (theme) found in the numerous mythologies, legends, and
religions throughout our planet.

However, before we begin to explore the doctrine of Virgin Birth, it
is important that we understand the Alchemical, Hermetic, Gnostic,
and Esoteric meaning of the Word Virgin; a designation which
comes down to us from the earliest dawn of antiquity.

Virgin, or Virginity is the pure; the untainted; the unadulterated.
And the only True essence which fits this description of Virginity
is Spirit. Specifically, the Virgin is that Esoteric Spiritual essence
which is untainted or unadulterated by union with matter.

Therefore, Virgin Birth is Creation which occurs in the Spiritual
Realm. It is pre-manifested Thought of the highest degree.

One of  the oldest accounts of Virgin Birth comes to us by way of
the ancient Egyptian Mystery concerning Osiris and his wife-sister
Isis.

After Seth murdered Osiris, and cut his body into fourteen parts
which he scattered throughout creation, Isis scoured the entire
world collecting Osiris' parts in order to reconstruct the body of
her husband.  She was able to locate every part of Osiris' body
except one - his penis.

After she located all of Osiris' severed parts - save one - and
reconstructed his body, she then hovered over the reconstructed
body of her dead husband, became impregnated, and gave birth
to Horus.

This Ancient Egyptian Mystery illustrates to us that this was not
a physical birth. It was a Spiritual Birth; it was an Immaculate
Conception.

This Egyptian Mystery is the same Lesson which comes to us
by way of the Symbolic Trinity (Father, Son, and [Holy]Spirit).
It is also the same Lesson which comes to us by way of
The Three Gunas (Sattwa, Tamas, and Rajas). And, it is the
same Lesson which comes to us from Hermetic texts (Nous,
Chaos, and Logos).

In the Egyptian Mystery Osiris is the Father (the creator), Sattwa,
and Nous. Horus is the Son (the created), Tamas, and Chaos. Isis
is the Spirit (of creation), Rajas, and Logos.

A great deal of Symbolic Wisdom is contained within the Egyptian
Mystery of Isis and Osiris.

The slaying of Osiris is Symbolic of the end of one life, or Cycle,
so that another life, Cycle, or Incarnation can begin. As Osiris is
the Egyptian Neter who personifies re-Incarnation, He represents
the continuing Cycles of re-incarnation we must progress through
until all of our Inner Demons are slain and Spiritual perfection
is accomplished.

The number 14 represents the fourteen segments of the waning
moon, it is therefore Symbolic of the waning portion of a Cycle.

The fact that the penis of Osiris was never recovered by Isis
teaches us that the "birth" created between Isis and Osiris is
a spiritual and abstract creation which comes about by way of
Osiris "dying" in the physical and becoming transformed into a
higher essence so that His Seed can reproduce itself, with the
Spiritual assistance of Isis, on the next higher realm. This is
a continuing Cycle which forever repeats itself until Spiritual
completion is attained.

This continuing Cyclical principle of death, transformation, and
re-birth into a higher realm is the theme which is Remembered,
and honored, through the performance of Initiation Rituals and
Rites of Passage. It is this Spiritual and Esoteric process which
is represented by the Egyptian Symbol of the Ankh.

Isis, the Virgin, is the unseen creative essence which stimulates
creation, and re-creation, in the Spiritual, mental, and abstract
realms. Without the Spiritual stimulation of creative energy
which Isis provides, the ability to create could not exist between
the creator and the created. Therefore Isis Symbolizes the
Spiritual creative principle which is invoked in Initiation Rituals
and magical Ceremonies.

Horus Symbolizes the abstract, Esoteric, and Spiritual Creation
which is the result of Virgin Birth. And because Horus is the
highest essence which is created between Spirit (Isis) and the
higher and higher re-incarnations of Osiris, Horus is the Symbol
and essence of direct ascension. Horus Symbolizes the Path
which is available to, and can be Traveled by, the select few
who Choose to resolve all of their Incarnations in one lifetime.

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 2011

The Egyptian Pyramid - Part 2(Symbolism and Metaphor)

"Where the telescope ends the microscope begins,
and who can say which has the wider vision."
-Victor Hugo

In "The Egyptian Pyramid - Part 1" we examined the Symbolism
and metaphor associated with the Triangular-shape of the Pyramid.
In this article, we will explore additional Esoteric aspects of that
wondrous and mystical structure we call the Pyramid.

In this article we will examine the following:
1. The numerology of the Pyramid;
2. The unfinished (truncated) top;
3. The invisible capstone;
4. The "All-Seeing Eye" (which appears on the U.S. Dollar bill);
5. The invisible descending Pyramid.

Numerology:

The structure of the Pyramid contains the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The number 1 is represented by the top, or peak, of the Pyramid.
1 is the number of Unity, the Source, and Genesis; it is the
number of the unmanifested aspects of Divinity.

The number 2 is represented by the two points of the axis that
exist at the peak of the Pyramid and its base. In addition to
representing duality the number 2, in this instance, represents
the World Axis, or World Tree. It is by way of this axis, or Tree,
that energy is exchanged between the Spiritual Realm above and
the world of matter below .

The number 3, represented by the Triangular shape of the Pyramid,
is the number of Creation which is explained in Vedic texts by way
of The Three Gunas.

The number 4, which is represented by the four sides of the
Pyramid, is the number which represents both matter and the
The Four Elements of matter: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water.

The number 5, which by looking downward at the Pyramid from
above and seeing the four sides and the mid-point of its peak,
represents the quintessential (fifth-essential) Fifth Element.
When viewed in this manner, the Symbol of the Dot-Within-The-
Square is similar to that of The Dot Within The Circle.

Additionally, the number 5, which was the sacred number of
Pythagoras and his followers, and was Symbolized by them by
way of the pentagram, represents the Fifth Element referred to
as ki, qi, chi, prana, Aether, akasha, the Hebrew yod, and the
akh of Ancient Egypt.

This Fifth Element is the unmanifested and ever-flowing energy of
Divinity which rains down upon, and provides all aspects of Divine
Energy to, all things which exist in the seen, and unseen, realms
of the cosmos.

The Unfinished Top:

The top of the Great Pyramid is flat, unfinished, truncated. We
see this Symbolism represented of the back of the U.S. one-dollar
bill. This unfinished top represents unfinished work.

This Symbolism is a Lesson that teaches us that our inner-work,
while we still occupy the realm of matter and duality, is never
complete until we reach the state of being which enables us to
ascend to the sublime realms of the eternal heavens above.

The Invisible Capstone:

Pyramids are used as Capstones. Capstones represent a finished
work of great importance. We find Capstones mounted at the top
of obelisks. An obelisk is a vertical rectangular structure with a
Pyramid at its top.

Obelisks are erected at the geographical center, mid-point, or heart
of a city, nation, or civilization. The place where an obelisk is
located is the most important and central point, or heart, of a
culture; a central point which must must be defended at all costs.
The Washington Monument is the obelisk which represents the
heart of the United States.

Obelisks contain the numbers 3 and 4. The number 4 being the
four sides of the rectangle forming the obelisk (numerologically,
the square and rectangle are similar) while the number 3 being
the Triangle of the Capstone (Pyramid) at its top.

The obelisk bonds together the spiritual number 3 with the number
4 of matter; forming a union of our spiritual and material selfs both
as individuals and as a civilization.

The Invisible Capstone appears above the unfinished Great Pyramid
on the back of the U.S. one-dollar bill. In this depiction, the
Invisible Capstone Symbolizes the highest point of ascension and
Awareness we can achieve while still occupying the realm of duality
and matter. The next higher point above this invisible Capstone is the
realm of Ascension where re-incarnation is no longer required of our
spiritual self.

The All-Seeing Eye:

The All-Seeing Eye, also called the "Eye of Horus", represents the
Path of Direct Ascension (whereas Osiris represents the Path of
ultimate Ascension through numerous re-Incarnations).

The All-Seeing Eye appears on the back of the U.S. one-dollar bill.
It is located within a Triangle atop of, but not touching, the
unfinished Pyramid.

As the All-Seeing-Eye appears in a Triangle, or Pyramid, this tells
us that it is a Spiritual essence. Also, because the Pyramid which
houses it is above, and not touching, the unfinished Pyramid below,
it reminds us that the All-Seeing Eye, while still being associated
with the world of duality and matter, is no longer a part of that realm.

This location of the All-Seeing-Eye represents the point where the
world of matter comes into contact with the realm of the abstract
and unknown.

The All-Seeing Eye, being atop the highest point of the Pyramid,
Symbolizes the Vision which "sees" clearly in not only all directions
but below and above as well.

However, "seeing" does not merely mean "looking at". This kind of
seeing means total and full Awareness: the ability to both observe
and understand what is occurring in all directions, on all levels, and
in all realms.

At this point, the mortal intellect Becomes prepared to ascend into
the realm of Spiritual Awareness...alone! The mind and Spirit
transcend. Knowledge gives way to Wisdom. Seeing Becomes
total Spiritual Awareness.

At this level we are no longer entrapped within the physical realm
and are about to ascend into the upper, inverted, and invisible
Triangle above, which is the domain of Divinity and higher spiritual
beings.

The Invisible Descending Pyramid:

Picture this: an hour-glass with its bottom-half visible and its top-
half invisible. The middle of the hour-glass, where its two points
meet, is where all the action takes place. This mid-point where the
sand from the invisible upper realm descends into the visible lower
realm; this Symbolizes the point of manifestation, Incarnation, and
re-Incarnation.

When all of the sand finally flows into the lower realm, and the job
of the hour-glass (Time) is complete, we then turn the hour-glass
over and return the sand back into the invisible realm from whence
it originally came; this Symbolizes Ascension and Transcendence.

This is the Symbolism associated with the invisible and descending
upper Pyramid mounted atop the visible and ascending lower
Pyramid.

Creation occurs in two directions: downward and upward. The top,
invisible, and downward pointing Triangle (Pyramid) represents the
realm of Divinity and Unity as It creates, and manifests, downward
into the realm of matter. The bottom, visible, and upward pointing
Triangle (Pyramid)  represents the realm of matter where we work
on freeing ourselves of our material and physical burdens and
perform the inner-work necessary to Ascend ourselves back into
the Spiritual Realm from whence we originally came.

These two Pyramids also represent the visible World Tree and its
invisible, Spiritual counterpart. The invisible Spiritual Tree has its
roots in the heavens and its branches in the realm of matter.
The visible World Tree has its roots in the realm of matter and
its branches in the heavens above. This Symbolizes the ability
of all energies, essences, and beings to both ascend into the
upper realms and descend into the lower realms in a continuous
on-going process of creation and Ascension.

One final note: if we take the upper Triangle and superimpose it
within the lower Triangle we have the Symbol for the "Star of David"
which represents the bonding of spirit within matter, the masculine
with the feminine, the yin and yang, and the Union of Duality.

(See Also: "The Egyptian Pyramid - Part 1")

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 2011