Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 2 (His Powers)

"All that is not eternal is eternally out of date."
- C.S. Lewis

(Note: In order to appreciate the conclusions drawn in this article,
please first read: "Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings" followed
by "Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 1".)

After having defined Nature Spirits, and having analyzed the color
Symbolism and Appearance associated with Tom Bombadil, let us
now look at the powers and behaviors associated with Tom
Bombadil which further define him to be a Nature Spirit.

The first glimpse we have of the power and supremacy which Tom
Bombadil possesses within his forest domain is when Merry and
Pippin become trapped within Old Man Willow.

Tom listens to Frodo's and Sam's account of the incident with an
amused interest. Then, with a final authority, as one would see in
a parent scolding a naughty child, Tom orders Old Man Willow to
release his captives. Old Man Willow instantly obeys and Merry
and Pippin are released at once.

This incident makes us quickly aware of the complete power and
authority which Tom possesses over his forest domain. This is
consistent with the power that a Nature Spirit possesses over all
that resides within Its realm.

While resting in the house of Tom Bombadil the Hobbits experience
further displays of Tom's powers.

He tells the Hobbits not to fear any nightly noises they may hear
while they are his guests for nothing evil or harmful can penetrate
the walls or windows of his home.

He is conscious of their every waking and sleeping moment. And,
he makes the Hobbits aware of this when he tells them, "In the
night little folk wake up in the darkness, and sleep after light has
come!"

Tom speaks of Events which occurred in distant and long-forgotten
ages. And he is able to create vivid visions of these Events in the
minds of the Hobbits. Thus allowing the Hobbits to "see" these
long-ago Events which Tom had personally experienced.

Tom also describes to the Hobbits the lives, thoughts, and feelings
which are the heart and soul of his forest domain. Thereby giving
the Hobbits a better understanding of all that resides within his
forest realm.

It is through these stories, comments, and visions that Tom makes
the Hobbits aware of the mystical and magical powers he has at his
command; powers which are the natural essence of a Nature Spirit.

Now we come to Tom Bombadil and The Ring.

"Show me the precious Ring!", Tom suddenly says to Frodo.

Tom then places the much feared Ring round the end of his little
finger but does not disappear. This shows us that the Ring has no
power over Tom.

Tom then tosses this most powerful Ring into the air and causes
it to vanish! He is "toying" with this One Ring which is serious,
feared, and perilous to the creatures and inhabitants of middle
earth. Yet the powers of this One Ring are useless, amusing, and
in fact even silly to Tom.

These two incidents are a further reminder that not only does
anything which enters Tom's realm have no control over him, yet
Tom has complete control over everything which enters into his
domain. These are further indications that Tom Bombadil is a
Nature Spirit.

Frodo then places the Ring on his finger and disappears before his
Hobbit companions... but he remains fully visible to Tom Bombadil.
This shows us that Tom is the "Master" who knows, sees, and has
power over all that exists within, or enters into, his domain.

This is yet a further display that, as a Nature Spirit, Tom exists
well beyond, and is therefore immune to, the mundane rules and
restrictions, which govern both mankind and the material realm.

Later on, when the Hobbits leave the house of Tom Bombadil, we
see another awesome display of Tom's authority when the Hobbits
are overcome by a barrow wight in the barrow downs which are
within Tom's realm.

By the use of a summoning rhyme, taught to the Hobbits by Tom,
Frodo summons Tom, who immediately appears, rescues the
Hobbits, and banishes the wight from his domain.

Now we come Tom's self-admitted limits to his powers.

Tom proclaims that, although he is the Master of his forest,
"I am no weather-master". This tells us that Tom is a Nature
Spirit of his forest but not of the weather. For the weather is
the realm of, and governed by, another Elemental Being; the
Nature Spirit of weather.

Tom also states, "Out east my knowledge fails. Tom is not
master of Riders from the Black Land far beyond my country."
This is a further reminder that, as a Nature Spirit, Tom is only
Master of his particular, self-created, domain; the domain of
his ancient forest.

And though, being a Nature Spirit, he may have some powers
outside of his personal realm, he is not Master of, nor does
he have control over, that which occurs in any of the domains
beyond his borders.

These admissions by Tom are consistent with the Divine Principles
which govern all Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings. They are the
complete Master of only their specifically defined realm and have
minimal, if any, power outside the borders of their sole domain.

In "Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings" we have a specific
definition of these powerful, important, and eternal essences.

In "Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 1" we analyzed the
Symbolism associated with Tom Bombadil.

In this article we have discussed Tom's powers and behaviors.

In "Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 3" we will discuss the
legends associated with Tom Bombadil.

(Tom Bombadil appears in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Fellowship of the Ring")

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

Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 1 (His Symbolism and Appearance)

"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Note: This is the first of four articles on Tom Bombadil)

Tom Bombadil is an enchanting, jolly, powerful, and highly
Symbolic character who is introduced to us in J.R.R. Tolkien's
"The Fellowship of the Ring".

Several very interesting and detailed essays have been written
about this "enigmatic" character in an attempt to un-Veil who
Tom Bombadil is, and what he represents.

This article defines Tom Bombadil to be a Nature Spirit.

However, before simply stating that Tom Bombadil is a Nature
Spirit, we must first have a fair definition of this term. The article,
"Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings", provides a specific and
detailed definition of the term "Nature Spirit".

Based upon that definition, let us now take a look at some of the
Symbolism, and Mystery contained within this wonderfully
mysterious character called Tom Bombadil.

When Tom first appears, he is described as: wearing an old
battered hat with a long blue feather, great yellow boots, a blue
coat, and having a long brown beard. Later, Tom is described as
having thick brown hair.

Furthermore, "his face was red as a ripe apple but creased into a
hundred wrinkles of laughter".

As can be seen, we are presented with an abundance of color
Symbolism in Tom's attire and Appearance. Let us now carefully
analyze this Symbolism:

Old battered hat:

It is important to keep in mind that Tolkien possessed a very deep
understanding of Mythology. This would also encompass the
understanding of Symbolism, of which Color Symbolism plays an
integral part.

Therefore, it is interesting to note that while Tolkien is very specific
in describing the colors, and in many cases even the size, of Tom's
other clothing, along with his physical features, he does not
mention the color of Tom's hat. He simply describes it as "an old
battered hat with a tall crown".

As meticulous as Tolkien is in his descriptions of nearly everything
else in his writings, this makes the color of Tom Bombadil's hat
an intriguing curiosity!

But, back to the "old battered hat".

Anything "old" Symbolizes timelessness, antiquity, and Wisdom.
"Battered" Symbolizes a time-worn, and time-tested, familiarity.

Long blue feather:

A Feather comes from the wing of a bird. Wings and birds are
Symbols for Spirit. The fact that the Feather is long tells us that it
belongs to a very large bird; a Great Spirit.

Blue is the color of Truth. It Symbolizes "that which IS".

Long brown beard and thick brown hair:

Brown is the color of the earth; of soil. This tells us that Tom is
associated with the earth and is therefore an Earth Entity; an
Earth Spirit.

The fact that Tom's hair is long and thick suggests virility, potency,
plentifulness, and generative powers.

Blue coat:

Again, blue is the color of Truth. Therefore Tom "wears" the Truth;
he is "that which IS".

Great yellow boots:

Yellow is the color which is associated with, represents, and is
interchangeable with Gold. Gold Symbolizes the incorruptible, the
untarnishable, the unchangeable, the unalterable, the everlasting.

In mentioning that his boots were "great", we are again presented
with the Principle of Greatness or Largeness, just as in the length
of his Feather mentioned above.

The boots are what Tom walks in and is supported by. They are
also responsible for leaving his Footprint.

Therefore the great yellow boots are Symbolic that Tom walks in,
and is supported by, the untarnishable, the incorruptible, and the
everlasting. Furthermore, the Footprint Tom leaves, by way of his
"great boots", is a reminder to others that he is a representative,
and Bringer, of these Divine Qualities wherever he Travels.

His face was red as a ripe apple but creased into a hundred
wrinkles of laughter.

Here, in Tom's face, we encounter a striking familiarity to St.
Nicholas (Santa Claus), whose "cheeks were like roses, his
nose like a cherry!" ***

Red is a masculine essence which Symbolizes vitality, activity,
power, energy, and life-blood. In other words, Tom's Red face
Symbolizes an active masculine life-force.

The "wrinkles" in Tom's face again Symbolize age, Time, and the
Wisdom contained within the wrinkles of Time. More specifically,
Tom's wrinkles represent Aged (and Ageless) Wisdom.

Based upon the Symbolism contained within Tom's clothing and
features alone, we have enough details to classify him as a Nature
Spirit. However, this only describe Tom's outward appearance.

We will now turn to Tom's behavior and powers in order to further
determine why Tom Bombadil is a Nature Spirit.

An analysis of Tom's behavior and powers appears in
"Tom Bombadil - Nature Spirit - Part 2".

*** "Twas The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore

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

Initiation Ceremonies (Ancient Symbolism)

Initiation Ceremonies have been an important part of the human
Spiritual Experience since the earliest beginnings of Time. They
are sacred, Esoteric Ceremonies bestowed upon only a rare few
individuals and are, without a doubt, the highest celebration of a
Rite of Passage.

Perhaps the oldest Initiation Ceremonies which we are aware of
are those alluded to have occurred in ancient Egypt.

These Ceremonies were memorized word-of-mouth rituals, recited
by Master Teachers, for the benefit of a worthy and well-qualified
Initiate. These rituals were forbidden to be written down and were
conducted in a secret, holy, and very private location; possibly
within the Great Pyramid itself.

History tells us of individuals who Traveled to Egypt for the sole
purpose of being Initiated into the Ancient Mystery Schools where
they received secret, sacred, and privileged knowledge. Among
the individuals we know to have been Initiated in Egypt are Plato
and Pythagoras.

Although the Mystery Schools may have originated in Egypt,
they eventually spread to other parts of the world where Initiation
Ceremonies where then performed in caves, sacred groves, and
"tombs".

All of these locations Symbolize the Great Feminine Womb into
which a worthy and well-qualified Initiate would enter as the Seed
of a previous existence in order to be "incubated", through a
process of deep meditation, and thereby be re-born into a new
and higher realm of existence.

These Initiation Ceremonies took place during the three days
of the new moon, the dark moon, the moon which W.B. Yeats
calls the "Silent Moon"; a time of darkness and meditation.

Mythology, legend, and folklore abound with tales of Initiation
Ceremonies. Whenever we read of someone becoming lost,
unavailable, or "dying" in a dark and contained place for three
days, we are almost assuredly reading about an Initiation
Ceremony.

Furthermore, mythology, religious texts, and folklore make
additional references to Initiation Ceremonies. Jonas spends
three days in the belly of a great fish. Jesus spends three
days in a sepulchre, or tomb. Odin (Wothan) hangs suspended
upon the World Tree, Yggdrasil, until he learns the secret of
the runes. And even Pinocchio gets himself swallowed by the
great whale, Monstro.

Here is an interesting allusion to a very powerful Initiation
Ceremony: We are all familiar with the story of Christ "dying"
and being placed within a sepulchre. After spending three days
in the sepulchre, the stone is "rolled" across the entrance to this
tomb and Christ "raises from the dead".

The Symbolism and metaphor contained within this parable
is very powerful.

In a nutshell: The sepulchre represents the Great Feminine
Womb. The dark entrance to the sepulchre Symbolizes the
three dark days of the new moon. The "rolling" of the stone
across the entrance Symbolizes the waxing of the moon as
it begins its new Cycle after three days of darkness. And,
Christ's "raising from the dead" Symbolizes the completion
of His Initiation Ceremony.

Please consider this: In many of the older texts Christ is
referred to as "The Christ". This infers a Title rather than a
name. If this is True, then it is not only possible, but highly
probable, that several individuals may have held the Title of
"The Christ". Especially when we consider that the Greek
word Christos (Christ) translates as "The Anointed One"
(The Master Teacher).

From this analogy it is but one small step to further conclude
that any person who was granted the Title of "The Christ" would
naturally have had to pass through some sort of a High Initiation
Ceremony prior to being "elevated" to that higher station which
that Title required of them.

When we carefully consider all of these thoughts, it is easy to
understand why the Initiation Ceremonies of the Ancient Mystery
Schools held such a high esteem, and why they were only made
available to a very select few men and women who were truly
worthy and well-qualified to receive this high honor.

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

Rites Of Passage (Archetype Symbolism)

Although we may be unaware of it, most of us have experienced
a Rite of Passage at least once during our Current Incarnation.

In our mundane and everyday world voluntary Rites of Passage
occur in various different ways. Here are two examples of simple
Rites of Passage:

A "probation period" upon beginning a new job during which time
our employer can judge whether or not we are the appropriate hire
for his or her firm.

A "jostling period" in our interactions with other individuals in order
to determine whether or not they are compatible with us. Should
we find that we are compatible with each other, we are then able
to accept each other as either a new friend, partner, lover, or mate.

These types of Rites of Passage are experienced by probably
every one of us during some part of our life. And, although these
Rites of Passage are valuable and important to us at the time, they
are the simple Rites of Passage which we may not even be aware
of experiencing when they are presenting themselves to us.

However, a Rite of Passage also occurs in a very individual and
personal form. This Rite of Passage honors the Sacred meaning
behind the Rite of Passage Ceremonies which have been practiced
and revered within every world-wide culture since the very
beginning of Time.

These Rite of Passage Ceremonies acknowledge, celebrate, and
remind us that we are a part of a perpetual process. A process by
which we leave childhood and enter adulthood. It is the honored
moment when a boy enters manhood and a girl enters womanhood.

This Rite of Passage is an experience we are fully aware of and
actually look forward to with great excitement, pomp, and
anticipation.

But, what is the underlying Esoteric, or hidden, Lesson contained
within this involuntary Rite of Passage which which we all must
experience?

During the early years of our life we are unable to take care of
ourselves. Therefore, in order to simply survive, we need someone
to take care of us. This task falls upon our mother for she is the
one person whose sole responsibility is to nurture and protect us.

Our mother, therefore, becomes the living Symbol for the Mother
Archetype who is feminine, nurturing, and intuitive. Our Mother
Archetype caters to our early physical and emotional needs. Not
only is She nurturing, but her feminine intuition makes Her Aware
of our needs even though we cannot, or do not wish to, express
them. She is our protectress, guide, and nurturer during our
childhood years.

However, there comes a Time, generally about the age of puberty,
when we are now able to fend for ourselves. It as at this Time that
we enter adulthood and are now responsible for creating and
experiencing our personal Destiny.

This is the Time when our Mother Archetype unconditionally
releases us. She steps aside and graciously sends us off into
the domain of our Father Archetype.

Our Father Archetype is the masculine, assertive, and rational
aspect of adulthood. The Father Archetype teaches us how to
"hunt", interact, compete, and survive with our other fellow
adults. The realm of the Father Archetype is where we spend
the remainder of our Current Incarnation. It is the realm in which
we either enjoy the rewards, or suffer the Consequences, for all
of our Thoughts and Actions.

However, although we spend our entire adulthood in the realm
of the Father Archetype, it is very important that we remember
the early Lessons we learned while living in the realm of our
Mother Archetype.

For it is by Learning, and retaining, the Wisdom contained within
both the Mother and Father Archetypes that we are then able to
understand the importance of Blending of Differences, and the
Union of Duality, which our personal Rite of Passage endowed
upon us when we crossed the borders of Toyland and left the
realm of childhood.

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

Pacts vs Self-Reliance (Angels vs Demons)

"Independence is happiness."
- Susan B. Anthony

We live in a realm of Duality. A Duality which expresses itself in
many different ways.

Duality is the parent of Choices. And one of the many Choices we
are presented with during our Current Incarnation is the Choice
between whether we will live our life by way of Pacts, or by way of
Self-Reliance.

As always, there are various degrees contained within all forms of
Duality. However, if we look at how Duality expresses itself in its
greatest extremes it gives us a better feel for how Duality presents
itself to us in its lesser extremes.

Throughout mythology, legend, and ancient texts, one of the
ways in which Duality expresses itself is by way of Angels versus
Demons; or, good spirits versus evil spirits. The Lesson presented
here is that, if our Choices are Angelic in nature, we will be rewarded.
On the other hand, if our choices are Demonic in nature, we will be
bound to suffer the Consequences...often dire Consequences.

With these thoughts in mind, let us consider the differences
between Pacts and Self-Reliance in their most extreme degrees.

Pacts: When we enter into a Pact we automatically place ourselves
at the mercy of external Events, sub-events, plots, and sub-plots
which are entirely out of our control. As a matter of fact, we can
never rest assured that the other individual or entity will honor
their side of the Pact.

However, because we have entered into a Pact, and have made a
Promise, we are Karmically obligated to honor this Pact even if
conditions Change, or the other party fails to uphold their end of
the deal.

And because these underlying possibilities are built into the
foundation of every Pact, we can summarize a Pact as being
conditional, restrictive, manipulative, constrictive, and limiting.
In other words, Pacts can Force us to do certain things, things
we may deeply regret as the Pact develops a "life of its own".

Pacts also contain fine print and implied expectations.They also
come with "strings attached". Pacts can "paint us into Corners",
trick us into undesirable Compromises, and shackle us with
Self-Imposed Limitations.

It is for these reasons that Pacts are the preferred tools of
Demonic Creatures and evil spirits who use Pacts as harmless
looking bait to lure us into their domain.

We all have probably either read stories, or watched movies,
of someone who makes a "Pact with the Devil". This Pact always
starts out as something exciting, powerful, and full of fun.

However, conditions quickly begin to change and the person
who entered into the Pact begins to understand that there are
underlying Consequences which he, or she, had not taken into
consideration when they entered into the Pact. It is then that
the person wants to get out of the Pact but finds, to their great
dismay, that they cannot. For it is not the underlying conditions
that govern the Pact, it is the Pact itself that governs the Pact.

In the end, this poor, pitiful, gullible individual always succumbs
to the Consequences of the Pact.

It is important to keep in mind that whenever we enter into a
Pact we are relinquishing our Free Will and potentially exposing
ourselves to Karmic Consequences which we will have to deal
with at some future Time...perhaps even in future Incarnations.

Self-Reliance, on the other hand, is dependence upon ourselves.

And this is why it is the preferred tool of Spiritual Guides, Angels,
and the Good Spirits.

Mythology, folklore, ancient texts all speak of Angels and Good
Spirits offering Spiritual Guidance to those who wish to accept it.
The Instructions and Lessons bestowed upon humanity by these
High Beings come in the form of options, suggestions, and
guidance which honors our Free Will and allows us to Choose
whether or not we will follow any particular Path.

Angels, Spiritual Guides, and Good Spirits offer us their guidance
without any "fine print" or "strings attached". Their assistance does
not come with any impositions. Nor do they require any sort of Pact
from us when they offer assistance or encouragement.

These High Beings simply present their Truth to us and then leave
it up to us to either accept it or discard it. They do not threaten us
with any form of excommunication, penalty, or force if we do not
follow their guidance.

It is the Eternal Nature of these Good Spirit to promote boundless
freedom, unrestricted Choices, spiritual liberty, personal
Sovereignty, and self-Governance; all of which are our guaranteed
birthright the moment we enter our Current Incarnation.

They are fully aware that the only torments and disasters we can
experience are those which we bring upon ourselves when we
Choose to either ignore or violate Divine Law.

As always the Choice is entirely ours. It is up to us to Choose
whether we will live our life by way of restrictive and complex
Pacts, or, enjoy the Independence and Happiness, which are the
natural by-products, of Traveling upon the Simple, open, and
unrestricted Path of Self-Reliance.

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

Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings (Symbolism, Mythology and Folklore)

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."
- Albert Einstein

Anyone who has read Fairy Tales, Folklore, or Mythology has
come across those magical and mystical creatures referred to
as Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings; two different terms which
represent the same concept and are therefore inter-changeable.

Elemental Beings are often referred to when characterizing the
Four Elements. They are: Gnomes (Earth), Sylphs (Air),
Undines (Water), and Salamanders (Fire).

Nature Spirits are expressed as fairies, elves, dwarfs, centaurs,
mermaids, minotaurs, nymphs, pixies, the Phoenix, the Unicorn,
and yes, even Santa Claus.

We even find a charming and jolly Nature Spirit appearing in
J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring" whose name is
Tom Bombadil.

But what are these Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings? And why
are they so important that we find them expressed in all forms of
mythology, folklore, legend, and Ceremonies in all periods of Time?

Nature Spirits, and Elemental Beings, are the basic essences
which underlie, support, and are responsible for manifesting and
governing, all of the many different aspects of creation; not only
here on earth, but throughout the universe as well. In other words,
Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings are the Divine Principles which
are at the root of all creation.

The Ancient Egyptians Symbolized, memorialized, and honored
these Divine Principles in their Statues, Images, and Idols. They
called these Elemental Essences the Neters; a term we have come
to refer to as gods and goddesses.

Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings are the Divine Laws and
Principles of Eternity which simply ARE. They govern (are the
Masters of) specific aspects of creation and are immune to the rules
and Consequences of both mankind and the physical world.

These Divine Essences existed before any beginning and will
continue to remain after any end. They Truly represent the concept
of "being in this world but not of it".

To get a better idea of what these Divine Essences are, and of how
they interact with the physical realm, let us create a metaphor.

An author writes a story. Within this story are characters, locales,
conditions, plots, etc.

The author existed before the story began to unfold and will
continue to exist well after the story comes to an end.

The author governs the following aspects of his, or her, story:

...who the characters will be in the story;
...the personalities of each character;
...the behavior of the characters;
...the specific locale where the story will take place;
...all of the other elements and conditions which take place within
the story.

In other words, the story is the author's domain. The author brings
the story to life, gives it a life of its own, and sets the rules by which
all of the characters and elements contained within the story must
abide. The author is the sole Master of the characters and
conditions of the story's realm.

Furthermore, the author can change or eliminate any portion of the
story he, or she, may wish. The author can also add new elements,
plots, and characters to the story. Whatever occurs in the story is
at the sole discretion of the author; for this is the author's domain.

But, and here is a most important point, the author can only
make changes which are consistent with the theme and
essence of the story.

However, although the author can completely affect the characters
and elements contained within the story, the story can in no way
have any affect upon the author. The author is immune to the plots,
characters, and conditions contained within the story; for, again, the
author is the complete Master of this particular domain. This is
another very important concept to keep in mind in when considering
this metaphor.

Therefore, in this metaphor, the author is the Nature Spirit, or
Elemental Being which existed prior to the beginning of the story
and will continue to exist long after the story comes to its end.

The author also has complete control of (is Master of) his, or her,
specific realm...the story.

However, the author has no control or power over anything which
does not exist within the realm of the story. Therefore, the author
has no control over how his realm will be experienced by anyone
who enters it and is not a part of the story...the readers!

(We can further elaborate on this metaphor to include the specific
realms of artists, composers, inventors, philosophers, etc. For
these individuals too are, metaphorically, the Nature Spirits and
Elemental Beings of their very specific realms; and of the creations,
elements, and conditions contained within their realms.)

And here is where we come to the most important, and subtle,
aspect of Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings. Nature Spirits and
Elemental Beings are very specific, powerful, and limited Principles
which have complete control of only that aspect of nature, or
creation, for which they have been created to govern. They are
also fully aware of all that occurs within their domain.

They have minimal, if any, power outside the boundry of their
specific realm; save for that personal power which they possess as
a Spirit.

Nor do they have any power over the behavior and Choices of
anyone who ventures into their realm.

Anyone who ventures into a specific realm of a Nature Spirit is
subject to the conditions which exist within that realm. And in
this instance the Nature Spirit becomes simply an Unattached
Observer to the Events, experiences, and inter-actions of any
Traveler who wanders into Its domain.

This is why there are so many Nature Spirits, Elemental Beings,
Divine Principles, and Neters. For each one has a specific
responsibility, role and power; but only within Its specifically
designated realm.

Does this mean that Nature Spirits and Elemental beings are
not held accountable to a higher power? No, it does not.
For each Nature Spirit, Elemental Being, Divine Principle, and
Neter is a specific aspect, mood, or representation of the
One Divinity which, although expressing itself in many different
ways, is the One Power which governs all.

One final note. Although a Nature Spirit may not be currently
expressing itself in the physical realm, this does not mean that
it does not exist. Nature Spirits, and Elemental Beings, are the
underlying essences of all that exists, and can exist, in the
physical realm. These Divine Essences only make their
appearances when the Time becomes appropriate for them to
manifest themselves in a physical form.

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 Shadow (Symbol, Myth, and Metaphor)

"Where there is much light, the shadow is deep."
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We can trace the Symbolism of The Shadow back to Ancient
Egypt. The Shadow is an integral part of probably all Belief
systems. We find it appearing in ancient texts, mythology,
folklore, and psychology.

The dark, mysterious essence of The Shadow has intrigued
mankind since the earliest beginnings of Time. The Shadow
is attached to all things, and all that is required to view a
Shadow is a little bit of light; for a Shadow cannot be seen
unless we first have light.

In mythology, the Ancient Egyptians expressed the essence
of The Shadow in Nephtys, the dark twin sister of Isis.

In astrology, The Shadow is expressed as Lilith, the dark and
un-seeable side of the moon.

in folklore, The Shadow is expressed as the doppelganger,
or "double walker".

In Psychology, The Shadow represents our alter ego.

And yes, even in Fairy Tales we read of Peter Pan losing his
Shadow; and of his frantic effort to find it, catch it, and have it
re-united with himself.

So, what is this Shadow? And, why does this Shadow enchant
us so?

The first thing we need to keep in mind is that we exist within
the realm of Duality. In the realm of Duality, nothing can exist
without its exact opposite: its Lilith; its Nephtys; its alter ego;
its doppelganger...its Shadow.

The Ancient Egyptians realized that each one of us are composed
of two distinct and different persons:

The first is our physical, visible person which consists of all of the
characteristics, Lessons, dreams, and ideals which we have
Blended and bonded into our everyday self.

The second is our invisible, Shadow person which consists of all
of the characteristics, Lessons, dreams, and ideals which we
have Chosen to not incorporate into our everyday self.

Therefore, our Shadow is our dark, hidden, and unmanifested
Alter-Self. In it resides all of the essences, options, and Choices
of that person which we have either not Become, are afraid to
Become, or have not yet Become. In other Words, within the
Shadow is contained all of the unused aspects, or potentials,
of our personal evolution.

Hence, our Shadow is the necessary Dual part of our current
nature which compliments the person we are today.

Furthermore, in a more cosmic and expansive role, the Universal
Shadow is also the unseen compliment of all things in the Universe
which have as yet to manifest themselves.

As our dark side, our Shadow is our personal receptacle for all of
the things we do not wish to bring into our life. Things we are
uncomfortable with: such as our fears and inhibitions. It contains
that unknown aspect of ourself which we are reluctant to venture
into and experience.

As our alter ego, our Shadow contains many aspects which we
both shun and admire. And every so often we become tempted
to delve into our Shadow in order to experience some of the hidden
and tantalizing aspects contained within it.

These are the Times when we generally bring mischief into our
lives because we are experimenting with aspects of our Shadow
which are not compatible with our established personality.These
are also the Times when we allow incompatible individuals to enter
our lives in order to satisfy our craving for an alter-ego experience.

It is during these "alter-ego experiments" that we discover (and
often re-discover, to our dismay) that although "opposites may
attract", they are not always Harmonious with who we truly are.

And though we may allow these individuals, or temptations, to
temporarily enter our lives, we generally do not retain these
persons or experiences for very long for they eventually Become
too dis-Harmonious with our established personality.

However, we must always remember that we exist in a realm of
Duality. And because Duality always contains a positive and
negative polarity, so too does the darkness of our Shadow.

Darkness has acquired a very bad reputation throughout the
centuries and is hardly ever expressed today in its Esoteric
and True meaning.

Darkness, and by association The Shadow, is often represented
to be "evil". However darkness, in its True and Esoteric sense,
represents the Great Feminine Womb from which everything
comes into being.

In this sense darkness is the Hermetic chaos, or the Great
Subconscious, within which everything that will ever exist already
exists in its unmanifested form. In other words, it is the Great
"Unknown" which we have been Indoctrinated to look at with
fear and suspicion instead of curiosity and awe.

This brings us back to our Shadow, and the positive aspect of its
darkness.

The Lesson contained here is that not only does our Shadow
contain those aspects of ourselves which we have Chosen not to
Become, it also contains those aspects of ourselves which we
have not yet Chosen to become.

Therefore, if we are to Become all that we can be, we must not
be afraid to boldly venture into the dark unknown of our Shadow.
For within our Shadow Realm is where our Creative Womb resides.
And our Creative Womb contains the Realm of our Imagination; in
which all of our unmanifested opportunities and wonders reside.

When we venture into our Imagination, we are accessing our
Creative Womb. We are journeying into the dark, magical, mystical,
and enchanting domain of Our Shadow!

Here is another interesting point to consider:

Although it takes very little light to create a Shadow, no amount
of light can ever quench a Shadow. The brighter the light, the more
dense the Shadow Becomes.

The Lesson contained here is that the brighter and more
Illuminated we become, the more we realize we do not know.
These additional unknowns then become deposited into our
Shadow and serve as new catalysts for future Adventures and
manifestations.

Our Shadow is the dual, complimentary part of our current nature.
As we expand our nature, and Become more Enlightened, our
Shadow has more and more unmanifested essences deposited into
it. This causes our Shadow-Self to becomes denser and denser.

Therefore, Symbolically and metaphorically, the brightest and
most Illuminated individuals possess the darkest and densest
Shadow.

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

Failures, Mistakes, And Tinkering

"From their errors and mistakes, the wise and good
learn wisdom for the future."
- Plutarch

The stress of academic and career perfection is enormous. And
this stress is imposed upon us at a very early age.

From the day on which we first enter school, we are Indoctrinated
to strive for a 100% grade in all of our tests, exams, homework,
and memorizations.

Later on, those of us who Chose to pursue a college or university
education were further faced with the burden of achieving a 4.0
grade point average.

And afterwards, when we finally enter society's workplace, we are
further expected to be 100% correct in all of our Decisions and
Actions. How many individuals have performed 99% of their
workplace or career tasks correctly only to lose a promotion, and
possibly even their job, because of one single and solitary failure?

The expectation of 100% success at all times in either our job
related or academic related world is not only unreasonable to
expect, but the stress of trying to achieve this sort of "perfection"
burdens many good, qualified, and dedicated individuals with a
wide variety of physical and mental illnesses.

This imposed Belief, that we must be 100% correct 100% of the
time is the process by which life "beats us down"...if we allow it.

Life is not a continuous rose-laden Path of never-ending perfection.
Life is a Path of Failures, Mistakes, and Tinkering.

Failures, Mistakes, and Tinkering are life's Trial-And-Error method
of Teaching.

All Trailblazers understand this Truth. All changers-of-history
understand this Truth. All those who hearken to the call to
experience new Horizons understand this Truth. And because these
Lone Wolfs understand this Truth, this Reality, they live their lives
according to a completely different set of rules. This is what enables
them to become Great Achievers and the Changers Of History.

These individuals realize that our Failures and Mistakes are a part
of the process by which we can measure our progress. This is why
they invest so many solitary hours Tinkering with their experiments
and ideas. For without knowing what is wrong , what does not work,
and which Paths are ill-fated, they have no way to truly measure
what is correct, proper, and successful.

When we accept the Reality that life is one continuous Road of
Failures, Mistakes, and Tinkering, our mind becomes elevated to a
higher mental and spiritual plateau. By honestly knowing what is
incorrect, by way of first-hand experience, we no longer rely upon
Hopes, wishes, guesses, or second-hand Advice to keep us on the
Path of our Dreams. For we in fact know, by way of our personal
experience, those things which do not work. We also discover for
ourselves those Paths we should not Travel. We keep eliminating,
through the process of Alchemy, all that is unworkable until we are
finally left with the hidden pearl which we have been Seeking...the
"Eureka!" of our personal Dreams.

Those who do not acknowledge, and understand, this Eternal Truth
find themselves living by questionable assumptions, unsound
"Advice", and by the unfounded Opinions circulating throughout the
mainstream of society.

We cannot be an achiever if we are a follower...We cannot be an
Adventurer if we are a tourist...We cannot be a participant if we are
merely a spectator...We cannot be The Solution if we Choose to
remain an inherent part of the problem...We cannot stand out as
being someone special if we continue to hide amidst the crowd...
And, we cannot be knowledgeable if we do not Honestly "Know".

All Great Adventurers, and Changers Of History, have one thing
in common with each other. They are obsessed with the Passion
of their Dream! And it is because of this Passion, this Obsession,
that they welcome Failures, Mistakes, and Tinkering as part of
their personal learning experience. Furthermore, they know that it
is just as important to recognize the "wrong Paths", which need to
be avoided, as it is to recognize the "right Path" when it ultimately
presents itself to them.

Even geniuses like Newton and Einstein understood that they would
have to Tinker their way through many Mistakes and Failures in
their experiments while pursuing the achievement of their Dreams.

In addition, they also knew that their Achievements would "ruffle
the feathers" of the established mediocrities within their fields.

Did they occasionally become frustrated during the pursuit of their
Dreams? Of course they did, for they are human. But, did they give
up on their Dreams? Never!

Therefore, if we are to Achieve our Great Dreams, and walk
shoulder-to-shoulder with the Immortals of History, we must
accept the fact that Failures, Mistakes, and Tinkering are part of
the normal experience of life. And that Tinkering with our Failures
and Mistakes allows us to explore all of the options available to us
so that we may serendipitously "stumble" upon the Dream which
we have been Seeking.

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

Opinions

"All empty souls tend to extreme opinion."
- William Butler Yeats

Opinions: everyone seems to have one. And the vast majority of
people are not at all bashful about "sharing" their Opinions with
others. Furthermore, the newspaper media, along with radio and
television stations, are constantly bombarding us with "expert"
Opinions on numerous topics. Opinions buzz around us like swarms
of gnats in the springtime. However, while the swarm of gnats is
short-lived, the constant buzzing and influx of Opinions is never
ending.

We have become so Indoctrinated to seek Opinions that we do not
ask, "What is the Truth?". Instead, we have become trained to ask,
"What is your Opinion?"

It is interesting to note that should someone ask us "What is the
Truth" about a certain matter, most of us will honestly answer,
"I don't know". However, should someone ask us "what is your
Opinion" on a certain matter, or Event, our demeanor completely
changes. We become all too willing to spew out all sorts of
comments and conclusions about things we know very little about,
and have done very little, if any, research.

In other words, Opinions allow us to, metaphorically speaking, throw
Truth, Facts, and Reality out of the window for the grand pleasure of
simply hearing ourselves talk.

But what are these things we call Opinions which hypnotize us,
fascinate us, and consume so much of our precious Time?

To begin with, Opinions are not Truths. In most instances Opinions
fall into one of the following categories:

...personal and subjective wishes or Hopes;
...marginally-informed guesses;
...egotistical comments;
...the product of a manipulated mind;
...an argument that one person is attempting to impose upon another.

To compound the matter even further, gathering more Opinions
does not lead us any closer to the Truth which we are seeking.
More Opinions tend to lead towards more confusion because
Opinions, by their very nature, do not contain complete Truths
or facts...They are merely Opinions.

Therefore, those who are Seekers of Truth attach very little merit
to Opinions.

Furthermore, those who are Truly Wise, keep their Opinions to
themselves. They do this because they know that their Opinions
are not yet Truths: they are merely subjective guesses about
what may be True based upon partial, and possible faulty,
information. To the Truly Wise, Opinions are warnings, cautions,
or options on how an Event may eventually play itself out.

When we make comments, or take actions, simply based upon
Opinions, we are speaking or acting from a standpoint of limited
factual information. The Consequences which are born from Words
and Actions based solely upon Opinion can, at times, be
devastating.

It is not unusual to see large groups of people rush to action based
solely upon Opinions. Opinions which are oftentimes faulty,
unfounded, and incomplete.

Reality is the only thing which is True. Therefore we should
concern ourselves with Reality and Seek the Truth contained
within Reality.

Reality is not concerned with the Opinions of any individual,
group, or faction. It is not concerned with what any of us think
"should be". Reality laughingly brushes aside these whimsies of
ours, our Opinions, and continues to be what it Truly is: the
ultimate Truth!

And because Reality is the ultimate Truth, it is our responsibility to
recognize it as such, and be able to separate the "wheat of Reality"
from the "chaff of Opinion".

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 Hermetic Logos (The Master's Lost Word)

"In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God."
- John 1.1

"Nothing happens until something moves."
- Albert Einstein

In the beginning all was still. Nothing existed but unmoving and
eternal Divinity. Everything that ever would be, and could be, was
asleep within Divinity. Then something happened: The Mind of
Divinity (the Hermetic Nous) "spoke The Word". And, in that
instant, Time, matter, the cosmos, and Duality sprang forth.

Nothing happens until something moves: Creation myths from all
parts of the world tell of a Breath, a Spirit, or a Bird (which is the
Symbol for Spirit) passing over the dark, still, and deep Primal
Waters of Chaos which represent the Great Subconscious. This
caused the Primal Waters to "stir"; to move; to vibrate. This stirring
process activated the interaction and Blending of all that was still.
This initial Blending and stirring was the First Cause in the Act of
Creation.

At that moment a mountain rose from the Chaos and above this
mountain the sky was formed. The sky then separated itself from
both the mountain (matter, earth) and the Chaos (the Waters). This
was the moment of physical creation; the moment of prima materia;
the moment of First Matter.

Next, everything that exists within Water and Air, and upon the
Earth, was created to occupy these domains.

The Breath, Spirit, or Bird which passed over the still Primal Waters,
in the initial Act of Creation, Symbolizes the "Word" of Divinity. This
"Word" is what ancient Hermetic teachings refer to as "Logos".

Logos is not actually a Word as we understand Words to be. Logos
is the Initial Thought of Divinity. It is the Genesis, or Source, of
Creation. It is the Divine Initiation of movement or stirring. It is the
Masculine Spiritual Seed which impregnates the Feminine Spiritual
Womb, or Waters. It is the Prisca Sapientia, or Pristine Wisdom. It
is also what is referred to, Esoterically, as the "Master's Lost Word".

But what do these creation myths mean? And, what hidden Lesson
do they impart upon us?

Creation myths consist of Three essences, or Gunas: The Mind of
Divinity (Nous); The Word, or Breath, of Divinity (Logos); and the
Primal Waters of the Great Subconscious (Chaos).

The number Three is the number which represents Creation. And
the Three Essences of Creation compare to the Three Gunas in the
following manner:

Sattwa is the Mind of Divinity. It is the Nous.
Tamas is the Primal Waters. It is the Great Subconscious. It is
that which must be acted upon. It is the Chaos.
Rajas is the Word, or Thought, of Divinity. it is the invisible force,
or Action, which causes Mind (Nous) and matter (Chaos) to Blend
together in the Act of Creation. It is the Logos.

The Lesson we can learn from creation myths is this: Thought
creates matter; the unseen creates the seen; what can be imagined
can be manifested.

All great inventions, innovations, and ideas were first a Thought
within someone's Mind. This Thought was then Acted upon. This
Action resulted in Creation.

We are all children of Divinity. Therefore, we have the "spark" of
Divinity within us. This "spark" enables us to also create whatever
we Choose to create by simply using our imaginative minds.

Our Imagination is what enables us to delve into the deep, dark
Waters of the Great Subconscious where everything that is, and
ever will be, already exists in un-manifested form. All it takes is
for us to find whatever it is that interests us and then take the
necessary Actions (the Logos, or Rajas) to pull the un-manifested
out of the Great Subconscious and bring it into the world of matter,
and into Creation.

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