The Phoenix - Symbol And Myth

Just like the Unicorn, the Phoenix is a mystical and magical
creature. The Symbolism of the Phoenix can be found in the myths,
fables, legends and religions of nearly all civilizations and indigenous
cultures throughout the world. In Ancient Egypt it is called the Benu
bird; in India Garuda; in Chnia Feng Huang; and in Japan Ho-oo.
In addition, the Phoenix is also an integral, and archetypal, Symbol
used in Alchemy.

The Phoenix is a fabulous bird which enjoys an extremely long life
span. When its current life Cycle is complete, the Phoenix Sacrifices
its current self through Fire and renews itself three days later. Only
one Phoenix can exist at any given time.

Since the mythology of the Phoenix is found in so many different
cultures, scattered throughout the most remote reaches of the world,
we find ourselves asking the question: What is the hidden meaning,
and sacred Lesson, contained with this wondrous and Symbolic
creature?

To answer this question, we must delve into the esoteric Symbolism,
and not simply the fairy-tale-like "story", associated with the
Phoenix.

In a way, the Symbolism of the Phoenix is similar to that of the
Serpent. The Serpent sheds its worn-out old skin in order for it to
renew itself with the new skin of youth in the physical realm.

However, the Phoenix is a bird. And as birds can fly and travel
through the element of Air, they have been, since ancient times,
Symbolic representations of mind and Spirit. Therefore, when the
Phoenix "gives up" its old and completed self, it does so because
it is ready to be transformed and reborn unto a much higher realm.
The Phoenix Symbolizes the ultimate Act of Creative Destruction,
Sacrifice, and rebirth within the sublime realm of mind and Spirit.

In Ancient Egypt The Phoenix was also a Symbol and Metaphor for
the setting and rising Sun. The Sun disappears beneath the Western
Horizon in a ball of flames when Its daily Journey is complete so that
it may be re-born anew in the East the following morning by way of a
new ball of Fire.

Symbolically, Fire represents light, enlightenment, and illumination.
The Fire in which the Phoenix Sacrifices and renews itself is not
the fire of physical destruction which is portrayed in paintings. It is
the Spiritual, Alchemical Fire indicative of Purification, Wisdom,
Transformation, and Rebirth; it is the "Fire which does not burn".

The three-day process of Death, Transformation, and Renewal
referred to in the legend of the Phoenix appears numerous times
in Legend, Myth, and Sacred Texts. It is an allusion to the Rite
of Initiation which an Ancient Initiate was required to submit him,
or her, self to in order to Transcend, by way of Sacred Ritual,
to the next higher plane of Instruction and Initiation.

This Initiation Ceremony was conducted during the three dark,
or silent, nights of the new moon.

Death, Transformation, and Renewal. This Lesson is constantly
emphasized within Ancient Teachings found throughout the entire
world. It is presented to us in the Lesson of Creative Destruction,
the Act of Sacrifice, and the Symbolism of the Phoenix.

It is a constant reminder that our Current Incarnation is a Path of
expansion and growth. It is also a reminder that our Journey is an
infinite Adventure in which we can Decide, at any time, that our old
self has completed its Cycle of usefulness. Once we Choose to leave
our old self behind we simply need to follow the example of the
Phoenix: immerse ourself in the Spiritual Fire of Sacrifice and
Transformation, and use the ashes of our old self to create the
new person we are Destined to Become.

(See Also: "The Unicorn")

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

Rivers - As A Symbol (Part 1)

"You can never step into the same river;
for new waters are always flowing on to you."
-Heraclitus of Ephesus

"Follow the river and you will find the sea."
-French Proverb

Symbolically, a River represents the flow of Time. It Symbolizes
the natural flow of Nature along with all of Her Cycles, transitions,
transformations and passageways.

When we stand in the middle of a bridge above a River, and look
down, we experience a powerful, awe-inspiring, hypnotic sensation
as we watch the River flow beneath our feet. Although it is the same
River, it is the continual flow of new Water within that River which
mesmerizes and enchants us. The metaphor, "A lot of water under
the bridge" paints a mental picture of the hypnotic effect of the
passage of Time.

To get an even deeper "feel" for this passage of Time, let us first
consider the birth, journey and final transformation of a River.

A River begins as a spring of Water high up in the mountains.
Mountains Symbolize the higher realms of consciousness. They are
the home of gods and Wise Men and represent the Border between
the realms of Heaven and Earth. (See: The Fool and The Hermit).

This high mountain spring of Water is Water which has been filtered
and cleansed by way of a multi-year (and perhaps, multi-century)
journey through the womb of Mother Earth. When this water finally
emerges from Mother Earth it is Sacred, Pure and Life-Giving.

After leaving its mountain spring, these Waters join with other
Waters from other mountain springs to eventually form a River.
A River does not flow in a straight line, it has many twists and turns.
These twists and turns are Nature's way of keeping Her life-giving
Waters healthy: they create the eddys that aerate the Water which
is so vital to the nourishment and preservation of all the people,
animals and vegetation which rely on the River for sustenance.

Once the River has completed all of the twists and turns of its long
journey it finally empties into the sea. The point at which the River
enters the sea is called It's Delta. The Delta is a triangular area
which forms at the mouth of the River. The word Delta is derived
from a Greek symbol, also in the shape of a triangle, which means
"Change". Upon passing through Its Delta the River "Changes". Its
individuality comes to an end as It merges with all of the other
Rivers, which have also ended their long Journeys, to become part
of the One Great Sea.

Now that we have briefly explored the life-journey of a River, let us
move on to the Symbolism, mythology, metaphor and Lessons
contained within the River and its Waters.

First of all, although a River is composed of Water, it is important
to understand that the River and Its Water are two separate and
distinct essences; they are two separate and distinct Principles.
Water is the Feminine Essence which gives birth and nourishes.
The River, on the other hand, is the Masculine Principle which
Impregnates the soil of Mother Earth with Its Water.

Life on this planet cannot exist without the life-giving nourishment
of Water, and it is the River that provides that Water. Perhaps the
most familiar understanding we have of this Principle is the annual
return of the Nile River in Egypt. Each year the Nile River swells
along its river bed and impregnates the soil along Its banks with the
nourishing and life-giving supply of Water necessary to regenerate
the crop supply. Without the River there would be no Water.
Without the Water there would be no crops. Without the crops there
would be no life.

Creation myths from numerous cultures speak of a great mountain
from which four Rivers flowed in four different directions. These
Rivers provided the life-giving nourishment for the four cardinal
areas of creation (North, South, East and West). These Rivers
impregnated the lands which then gave birth to the exotic gardens
of myth and legend.

Symbolically, a Garden represents fertility and Abundance. For
there to be a Garden (fertility), Water (birth and nourishment) must
be very close at hand. And this Water can only be delivered by either
a River, Spring or Stream.

It is important to also note that a Well, which is also a Water supply,
is simply a man-made effort which taps into an underground River
or Stream.

The twists and turns which are a part of a River's long journey
symbolize the twists and turns which we encounter during our
earthly journey; our Incarnation. As with the River, our earthly
journey is not direct. Just as a River must take Time to turn, pause
and aerate Itself, we too must take Time to pause, alter course a
little, and refresh ourselves.

And just like the River, once our pause and refreshment is over we
are then ready to resume the next clear Path of our journey. The
River also reminds us that we can only go forward in our life's
Journey. It is when we attempt to go back (live in the Past) that we
find ourselves "swimming upstream" in a futile attempt to defy the
natural flow of Nature.

The River, in its long Journey, is Symbolic of life in general; and of
our lives in particular. There are periods when the River experiences
turbulent, chaotic and disturbing Times (rapids); there are periods
when It experiences twists, turns and pauses; and then there are
periods when the River flows peacefully, smoothly and calmly.

And finally, just as with each and every one of us, the Time comes
for the River to end its long Journey. This is the moment when the
River passes through its Delta (Change) to be transformed into, and
become part of, the Great Sea. This moment of transition for the
River symbolizes our moment of transformation which occurs when
our long earthly Journey comes to its end. This is the time when we
also Change in order to return to, and re-Become part of, that Great
Consciousness which we call Divinity. The River, what a great
metaphor for this complex Journey we call life!
Next: Rivers, Part 2

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

Transformation

"Times change"..."The only thing constant is Change".

These are often heard statements. Yet, they are also powerful
Truths.

I am witnessing a dramatically changing Time in history. I have a
Choice to either focus on the current chaos, or on the Adventures
and Transformations which lie ahead.

There are only two choices and I can only Choose one.

For a new era to begin, the old era must come to an end. Birth of the
new comes from the death of the old. This is Transformation; this is
Creative Destruction.

In order to enter a new room, one must abandon the old room. To
enter a new life, one must abandon the old life. To Transform myself
into a higher being, I must abandon the lower being that tries to hold
me back.

I cannot climb a mountain if I insist on keeping one foot on the
ground below.

Ancient teachings present this Truth in the forms of Shiva and Seth,
the destructive forces of the universe. The Tarot presents this truth
by way of The Tower.

All things created by man come to an end. 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 beauty of the butterfly can only manifest with the Transformation
of the caterpillar. We all can take a Lesson from the caterpillar.
The caterpillar never doubts its process of manifestation. It willingly
allows its Transformation to happen, never doubting the outcome.

If I Choose to fight the current Changes I will only expend a lot of
negative energy. This is unhealthy for my body, mind and spirit.

Complaining will not stop Change. Debating will not stop Change.
Mobilizing forces will not stop Change. Worrying will not stop
Change.

These Changes will occur regardless of what anyone attempts to do.
Once Change begins, it cannot be stopped until it has run its full Cycle.

By accepting the Change that is now beginning, I instantly gain peace.
This allows me to be the Witness of Transformation and to take
advantage of the new opportunities and Adventures that will be
presenting themselves to me.

I accept change. I choose peace.

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