Lightening - As A Symbol

The zigzag drawing, or carving, of the Lightening Bolt is a very
ancient Symbol which is found in all cultures.

Symbolically, Lightening, or Fire from the Heavens, is that Spiritual
Flash which appears to come out of nowhere in order to instantly
awaken new Thoughts and ideas within us. Therefore the Symbol
of Lightening represents that Flash from Above which suddenly
sheds Light upon those new vistas of Awareness, Illumination,
Insight and Enlightenment which had been previously concealed
from us.

Lightening often precedes rain, therefore it is also associated with
Water. When viewed in this manner, Lightening is the supernatural
force from above which destroys, cleans out, and purges whatever is
old so that the Creative Water contained within the rain can
impregnate that which has been cleansed in order for new life,
and new growth, to begin. In this way, Lightening Symbolizes the
Divine Principle of Creative Destruction.

As a "bolt out of the blue" Lightening appears suddenly and without
warning. It is an awesome statement from above. And, against the
dark night sky, it is a giant and emphatic spark of Illumination which
seems to come from an unseen Source.

Mythologically, and Symbolically, Lightening is a weapon, or
instrument, of the gods. For example, Zeus is portrayed as holding
a handful of Lightening bolts which he is prepared to hurl toward
whatever person, place or thing that requires the attention-getting
Spark of Illumination from the unseeable, yet ever-present, Divinity.

With these thoughts in mind, it becomes easy for us to recognize
and understand the Spiritual and Esoteric concepts Symbolized by
the bolt of Lightening.

As an instantaneous and forceful instrument of Divinity, Lightening
represents a powerful and unforgettable statement from a higher
source; the blinding light of mental and spiritual Illumination from
above; and a flash of inspiration or enlightenment which seems to
come to us from heaven itself.

It is the heavenly fire of instant inspiration, enlightenment and
revelation. in other words, Lightening is the Symbol of an Epiphany.
It Symbolizes the Spiritual Moment when Divinity connects, and
shares Enlightenment, with a worthy and well-qualified Seeker or
Initiate which thereby elevates the mind, Spirit and Wisdom of this
special individual to a higher Eternal and Spiritual plane.

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 2010

Cycles Of Eternity

"Like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning
On an ever-spinning reel"
-"The Windmills Of Your Mind", Lyrics

Symbolically, the ever-repeating Cycles Of Eternity is represented
by the Ouroboros. The Ouroboros is a serpent in the shape of a
Circle that is devouring its own tail. As the serpent continues to
devour itself, the size of its Circle spirals into smaller and smaller
Circles. Once the serpent completely devours itself, that particular
Cycle (Circle) is ended and a new Cycle is ready to begin.

Good times begin and good times end...Difficult times begin and
difficult times end...Civilizations begin and civilizations end...
Cycles are the Normal Rhythms of the Universe.

Cycles can be infinitesimally short, infinitely long, or somewhere
in-between. We have daily Cycles (as the earth rotates on its axis),
monthly (lunar) Cycles and annual (solar) Cycles, just to name a few.
But, above all, we have Cycles within Cycles (wheels within wheels)
as alluded to in the lyrics above and described in Ezekiel's Wheel.

What is happening today will ultimately come to an end and be
replaced by another Cycle within the Wheel of Eternity. When the
Ferris Wheel reaches its peak, it must descend. When Time is up,
Change is imminent!

When we read the histories of ancient civilizations such as Assyria,
Babylonia, Mesopotamia and Sumeria we find mention of wealthy
families and kings that ruled these great and powerful civilizations.
Today, not only have these wealthy families vanished, but so have
their great and powerful civilizations. They have vanished so
completely that we can barely find traces of their ruined structures.
All things created by man come to an end!

The Tarot teaches us about Cycles by way of two cards:
"The Wheel of Fortune" and "The Tower".

"The Wheel of Fortune" represents the Cycles of Eternity that
are forever spinning. It is also the 10th card of the Major Arcana.
The number 10 represents completion and tells us that when one
Cycle ends a new Cycle begins.

"The Tower" teaches us that all material things come to an end.
Destruction of the old is necessary for the Creation of the new.
This is the way of the Universe.

"The Tower" portrays a castle built on a solid mountain-top that is
struck by Lightening. The castle is in flames, the king is thrown from
one of its windows, and his crown has fallen from his head.

"The Tower" symbolizes that no matter how strong the structure
and how solid its foundation, the Lightening Bolt of Eternity will one
day bring it to an end. The once "revered" and pompous king is
separated from his crown of "symbolic rulership" to rule no more.
This king, like all vanished kings and civilizations, has built his
physical structures, and man-made laws, on the ever-turning Axle
of Eternity only to be eventually overthrown by Destiny. For
physical structures, and man-made laws, can never endure the
never-ending Cyclical Changes of Time.

There is nothing wrong with acquiring Abundance and comforts.
It is our right to acquire, and enjoy, these pleasures. But Abundance
and comforts must be coupled with Peace of Mind and Contentment
of Spirit in order for us to experience happiness and serenity
during our Personal Cycle of Life within the Great Spinning Wheel
of Eternity.

(Images via Wikipedia)

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 2008