Gold - As A Symbol (Alchemy, Mythology, Tarot, and Folklore)

"All that is gold does not glitter."
- "The Hobbit", J.R.R. Tolkien

History, Alchemy, mythology, and folklore abound with tales of the
Quest for Gold.

The 49ers rushed to California from all parts of the world in their
Quest for this precious metal. The medieval Alchemists toiled
their lives away over their furnaces in their attempt to turn "lead
into gold".

Mythology tells us of: Jason and his Argonauts in search of the
Golden fleece...Hercules and the Golden Apples of the Hesperides
...and, King Midas turning everything he touched into Gold.

Folklore tells us of: leprechaun Gold...dragons guarding huge
caverns of Gold...maidens with long Golden hair...and even a
damsel spinning straw into Gold.

But what is it about this yellow metal that has captivated,
obsessed, and hypnotized mankind throughout the ages of Time?
And, what is the True meaning of the Golden Quests which
entranced so many Seekers and Adventurers of myth and legend?

For our answers, let us turn our attention to the Symbolism
connected with this precious metal we call Gold.

Gold represents the masculine, yang Principle. In Alchemy and
Astrology Gold is a Symbol for the Sun. In mythology, Gold was
thought to be the rays of the Sun which were captured by
Mother Earth and buried in Her underground Womb.

Gold is maleable. It can be hammered paper thin and it will not
shatter This means that it can be easily molded to fit upon, or
create, almost any Statue or work of art. In this sense, Gold is a
Symbol for indestructible, eternal, and adaptable.

Gold has a constant luster. It shines just like the Sun. Therefore,
in both Astrology and Alchemy, Gold is the physical Symbol for the
Divine Radiance of the heavenly Sun.

We can experience this Symbolism for ourselves by simply gazing
at a Gold coin or a Gold nugget. Regardless of what angle a Gold
coin, or Gold nugget, is viewed from, its shine neither diminishes,
"glitters", nor changes. For this reason, Gold is a Symbol for
constancy, certainty, honesty, permanence, stability, and the
unchangeable. In this aspect, Gold is the Symbol for Truth.

Gold is the one metal which will not tarnish, corrode, oxidize, or
have its color fade due to either Time, or the elements of Nature.
A Gold coin, or a Golden object, which has been in the ground for
thousands of years, will come out of the ground in the same
untainted condition today as when it was first buried either
centuries, or millennia, ago.

And because Gold will not tarnish, corrode, or fade in color, it is
not only a Symbol for Immortality, but also a Symbol for any
uncorruptible or untarnishable Quest, Ambition, or Purpose.
In this sense, Gold is also a Symbol for ultimate Wisdom and
ultimate Truth. For just as Wisdom and Truth can be hidden,
Obscured, ridiculed, and buried without losing their luster, shine,
and permanence, the same holds True for Gold.

Although the Symbolism of Gold appears throughout mythology,
legend, and folklore, we find excellent examples of Gold's Symbolism
the Tarot deck. The card of "The Fool", along with several other
cards, contains a Golden Sky. This tells us that the Quest, or the
Purpose, Symbolized by these particular cards is taking place under
the Shining Wisdom of the Eternal Heavens, and that spiritual
perfection and superiority are the Lesson contained within that card.

Gold, in both its physical form and spiritual essence, has beckoned
mankind from the earliest of Times. Those who find physical Gold
will certainly find a Treasure. Those who find spiritual Gold will find
ultimate perfection. And those who find both, will experience the
Union of Duality, which is the ultimate aim of our Current
Incarnation.

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

Appearances And Perceptions

"Trust not too much to appearances."
- Virgil

"The fish sees only the bait, not the hook."
- Chinese proverb

Why is it that we are so ready to unconditionally judge the inner,
and unseen, contents of a box or package based solely upon its
outer gift wrapping?

Why is it that we so readily accept the words of some "expert"
or "authority" simply because these Words are presented to
us by someone who is stylishly groomed, impeccably dressed,
and is in possession of some "recognized credentials"?

Why is it that we trust in, and unquestionably Believe, the many
arguments, dogmas, and Indoctrinations which are served to us
by way of attractive "packaging" which is designed by, and
delivered to us by way of, self-serving individuals, groups, and
organizations?

Over time, society has created a materialistic measuring scale
for us to use when making Decisions. This measuring scale has
conditioned us to perceive that the more attractive a person, a
cause, or thing appears, the more we should unquestionably rely
upon it as being trustworthy, desirable, and True.

In other words, we have been Indoctrinated into believing that
illusion should be accepted as Truth, and that Truth, which is
seldom, if ever, presented to us by way of sparkle and glitter,
should be ridiculed, discredited, and ignored.

This is why it is so easy to manipulate, and Deceive, the masses.
Manipulation and Deception simply require an attractively
camouflaged appearance, a well-baited hook, for them to be accepted
as valid by most members of society.

And after we have willingly allowed ourselves to be tricked by
some cutely packaged scheme or promotion, we say to ourselves:
"I should have known better".

But how does this happen to us? Why do we allow ourselves
to be tricked, manipulated, and deceived by attractive Words,
well-groomed "experts", and tantalizing promotions? Why is it that
we do not 'know better' right from the start?

The answer is quite simple. Slowly, over time, and without even
being aware of it, we have been taught to become complacent,
lazy, and impatient. We have been "nudged" into relinquishing
our Sovereign responsibility to fully research and investigate
the Choices, Decisions, and dilemmas that constantly confront
us as we Journey through our Current Incarnation. We have been
"baited" into relying upon others to make important Decisions
for us regarding our personal well-being. We have agreed to
accept Indoctrination as a replacement for Self-Instruction. We
have been led to Believe that Appearance and Perception are the
only "tools" we need we need to consider when making our
Decisions.

And although we may be cunningly convinced by methods of
Appearance and Perception when making our Choices and
Decisions, deep down within ourselves most of us know that
Appearance and Perception, by themselves, very seldom lead
us to Truth, Wisdom, Happiness and Harmony.

This is why, in Myth and Legend, Oracles, Omens, Wise Sages,
and Master Teachers, who are plainly dressed and soft-spoken,
speak their Truths only once. And when these Truths are spoken
they are left to fall upon the ears of those few who are ready to
receive them. That which is True, Wise, Honest, and Harmonious
does not rely upon any Appearance and Perception created by way
of sparkle and glitter.

Ancient Teachings continually remind us that Truth, Wisdom,
Honesty, Harmony, and Compatibility are always standing right
before us in all of their undeceptive and common Simplicity, and
few of us ever take the Time to give these longed-for Treasures a
second look.

(See also: "Beauty - Inner Beauty vs. Outer Beauty" and
"Masquerade - The Masks We Wear")

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

Maat - Egyptian Goddess (Symbol And Myth)

The Egyptian goddess Maat is one of the earliest Neters (Divine
Principles) to be recognized, depicted, and worshipped in Ancient
Egypt. Maat is also the original primal essence upon which nearly
all of the other Neters (gods and goddesses) relied upon for their
stability and sustenance.

Maat is a feminine Neter portrayed wearing an ostrich Feather atop
her head. As a feminine Neter, Maat depicts a feminine aspect of
Divinity.

Maat is the Symbolic representation of Stability, Balance, Justice,
Order and Truth upon which the cosmos, and everything contained
within the cosmos, including the material realm, relies.

Maat, therefore, Symbolizes cosmic, universal, and celestial
Harmony. She is the True, Stable essence of Creation which governs
the Rules of Eternity.

As Maat is the one Stable essence of all cosmic order, She was also
referred to as the "bread" of the gods. A concept later referred to in
Christianity as the "bread of the angels".

Although Maat is depicted as wearing an ostrich Feather atop her
head, this was not always the Symbolism used to portray Maat.
A very ancient Symbol for Maat was a short, wide Pedestal upon
which the other Neters would stand when exercising their Duty.

The straight, flat surface of a Pedestal is Symbolic of two Divine
Principles: Straightness and Elevation.

Elevation Symbolizes authority and superiority. Straightness, or
flatness, Symbolizes unwavering and constant.

When a Neter stood upon the Pedestal of Maat this not only elevated
that particular Neter to a position of authority and superiority, it also
provided the straightness and flatness that was necessary to insure
that this particular Neter would not wobble, waver, or risk being
unsteady when performing their Divine Duty.

When Maat is depicted wearing an ostrich Feather atop Her head,
She represents a different, and more visual way, to view Her
feminine Divine Nature.

The Feather is a Symbol for the lightest, most minuscule, Weight.
However, the Feather is also a part of a wing, and a wing is part
of a bird. Both birds and wings were ancient Egyptian Symbols
for Spirit. Therefore, in addition to Symbolizing a minuscule Weight
in the physical realm, the Feather also Symbolizes a Spiritual
Weight and essence in the higher, Unseen Realms.

The fact that the Feather of Maat comes from an ostrich is
perhaps based upon the even length, and symmetry, of the ostrich
Feather. This would be an allusion to Order and Constancy.

In addition, it is also perhaps based upon the fact that the ostrich
appears to bury its head in the sand. This could be another
allusion that the ostrich does not concern itself with the illusion
of what it appears to "see" with its physical eyes, but to what it
intuitively "sees" and understands with its spiritual Inner-Eye.
For Truth, Balance, and Harmony cannot be seen, they must
be intuitively understood; they simply are.

The Feather of Maat also played an important role in the ancient
Egyptian Ceremony called the Weighing Of The Heart. A
Ceremony in which the Heart of the Pharaoh, who is Symbolic
of all of us, is placed upon the Scales of Justice and Weighed
against the Feather of Maat. The Pharaoh's heart represented the
earthly deeds performed by the Pharaoh during his, or her, recently
completed Incarnation.

When the ancient Egyptians indicated that someone had Maat,
they meant that that person was in Balance with, and perfectly
attuned to, cosmic Harmony.

This cosmic Harmony has always been, and will always be,
available to each one of us. However, we must first make the
effort to understand cosmic Harmony. Once we are able to
intuitively understand this Divine Principle, we too will find
ourselves standing upon the stable platform of Maat and our
unwavering, and un-wobbling, Thoughts and Actions will
insure that when our Heart is finally placed upon the Scales
of Justice, at the end of our earthly Voyage, it will Weigh less
than the Feather of Maat.

 See also:
"The Feather As A Symbol"
"Egyptian Weighing of the Heart"
"Justice - And Its Symbolism"

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

Traveling (Symbol, Metaphor, I Ching)

"All journeys have secret destinations
of which the traveler is unaware."
- Martin Buber, philosopher and theologian

Although many of us may be unaware of it, we spend a great deal
of our time Traveling. Traveling does not merely consist of the
occasional vacation we may take to some distant land; this is
merely recreational traveling. Metaphorical and metaphysical
Traveling, however, occurs within us. It is an integral part of our
Current Incarnation. We engage in this type of Traveling when a
segment of our life comes to a close, or when we enthusiastically
make plans to embark upon new Adventures and "tackle" new
endeavors.

Whenever we make plans to Change our lives, however large or
small these plans may be, we are mentally and metaphysically
embracing Traveling. We realize that a magic moment has been
sparked within us. Our mind and intuition tell us that the time has
arrived for us to "move on".

There are basically three types of Traveling: Traveling away from
something; Traveling towards something; or, Traveling due to
Curiosity. Let's take a quick look at all three of these types of
Traveling.

Traveling away from something: We do this kind of Traveling
for one of two reasons: either to avoid danger, or to run away from
a problem of our own creation.

When we Travel in order to escape a real danger, we are doing so
for self-protection and peace of mind. This is a legitimate form of
Travel and is a highly recommended precaution we should take in
order to protect our physical and mental well being.

However, if we are Traveling in order to run away from a problem
of our own creation, Traveling will do us no good. For until we can
finally stand up to, conquer, and exorcise the Inner Demons which
are responsible for the problems of our own creation, the calamities
we have created for ourselves at our past destinations will be the
same calamities which will be awaiting us at all of our future
destinations. We cannot run away from who we currently are. We
can only Change who we currently are so that the problems of our
Past do not accompany us into our future.

Traveling toward something: In its most esoteric sense, this
type of Traveling is represented by hexagram number 56 of the
"I Ching". Hexagram 56 Symbolizes "Traveling" and it follows
hexagram number 55 which Symbolizes "Prosperity". Hexagram
56 teaches us that after a period of Prosperity, or Abundance, has
completed its Cycle in our life, a Time for Traveling and "moving on"
is upon us.

This reminds us that once a certain achievement, purpose, or
plateau of our life has come to a successful conclusion, the time
has come for us to set our sights upon our next higher purpose.
It is now time to embrace Sacrifice and pursue the journey which
will ultimately lead us to the next elevated plateau of our
Current Incarnation. This transition period is generally a time of
temporary stagnation which must be endured by us so that we
can learn new skills and Wisely prepare ourselves for the next
upward step in our life.

Traveling due to Curiosity: Of all the reasons for someone to
Travel, this is perhaps the purest and noblest reason of all. For
the realm of Curiosity is the Adventure-land of the Seeker, the
Lone Wolf, and Wizards and Wanderers.

Those who Choose to Travel in the realm of Curiosity do so for
the rewards that this kind of Traveling can bestow upon them.
These Travelers seek knowledge in order to turn it into Wisdom.
They acquire new friendships and acquaintances for the
experiences and Lessons that can be gained from these individuals.
They are continually mastering the necessary new skills that enable
them to journey into the most distant Horizons of their current
earthly Adventure.

These Travelers are humble Wayfarers anxious to explore the
invisible Paths that lead to the Secret and Mysterious. They follow
the same irresistible calling of all Master Teachers and Trailblazers
who have come before them; a calling to blaze a trail which opens
up new Horizons for not only the Traveler, but for all those who will
eventually follow these Traveler's Path.

Their ultimate destination is not their immediate concern. For they
realize that their final destination can never be attained in the
material realm. Their journey is a never-ending Adventure which
beckons these unique Travelers to continually ascend to higher and
higher realms until they eventually reach the highest realm of all:
the Realm of Unity, Peace, and Enlightenment.

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

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

Refusal Of Sacrifice (Symbol And Metaphor)

"Iron rusts from disuse;
water loses its purity from stagnation...
even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind."
- Leonardo da Vinci

(This article is the conclusion of the article on Sacrifice)

As previously alluded to, The Act of Sacrifice is an act of
Creative Destruction. It is the act of giving up, and leaving behind
us, that which we have already become, and using our Past
achievements, Lessons, and experiences, as stepping-stones to
new Adventures.

Sacrifice is a metamorphosis. It is a Doorway, a Threshold, a
Vesica Piscis we must step through in order to experience all of
the personal, mental, and spiritual growth available to us during
our Current Incarnation.

But, what happens to us when we refuse to accept, and submit
ourselves to, the Act of Sacrifice?

From the moment we refuse to Sacrifice who we currently are for
who we can ultimately become, we find ourselves frozen in Time;
our Incarnation stagnates and solidifies; and our future becomes a
crystallized, monotonous repetition in which we basically re-live the
same day over and over for the remaining days of our "life".

Metaphorically, when we refuse to submit ourselves to Sacrifice and
Transformation, we allow ourselves to be "nailed to the cross of
matter" upon which we stagnate, deteriorate, and decay.

To use another metaphor, Refusal of Sacrifice is to voluntarily
confine ourselves within a narrow and high-walled Tower of our
own design wherein we simply horde whatever possessions we have
accumulated while forsaking imagination, enthusiasm, and desire
for any future growth, achievements, or new Adventures.

This restrictive Tower, which we slowly, methodically, and
unconsciously construct around ourselves, not only deteriorates
with time, but is constantly being attacked by external forces. And
the more we attempt to fortify and defend this self-created fortress
of ours, the more we find ourselves fighting a losing and futile battle
with the timeless forces of evolution, progress and growth. And, in
the end, as our protective Tower slowly becomes our self-created
prison, we finally find ourselves crying out for help and pity as our
short-lived material world crumbles all about us.

We see the sad and lonely results of the Refusal of Sacrifice all
around us every day. Those who Refuse the Act of Sacrifice are
those who ferociously cling to their old selves and their old
accomplishments. These time-worn individuals are so intent on
watching their old "pots" and "nests" that they do not notice the
great abundance of pots and nests that are continually passing
them by. Their lives become a stale, moldy repetition simply
because, at some point in their Incarnation, they Refused to step
through the beckoning Threshold of Sacrifice and embrace the
greater achievements, and bolder Quests, which are the rewards
of Change, Transformation, and Sacrifice. They are the faceless
masses we encounter every day who have traded personal, mental,
and spiritual growth for the illusion of security, conformity, and
complacency.

We live in a realm of Duality and Choices in which we are constantly
encountering Crossroads, or Forks-In-The-Road, where life-altering
Decisions must be made. One such Fork-In-The-Road presents us
with the Choice of traveling upon either the "Road of Sacrifice" or
the "Road of the Refusal of Sacrifice". The Road we ultimately
Choose to travel is entirely up to us. For only we can determine
whether we will travel upon the "Road of Refusal of Sacrifice":
which leads us to stagnation, complacency, and conformity…or the
"Road of Sacrifice": which continually leads us to new Adventures,
broader Horizons, and Enlightenment.

(This article is the conclusion of the article on Sacrifice)

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

Sacrifice - Symbol And Metaphor

"Change is the Essence of life...
Be willing to surrender what you are
for what you could become."
- Unknown

When we study ancient teachings, we begin to discover that the
Act of "Sacrifice" has an entirely different meaning than that which
our religious and social institutions have imposed upon us.

Through guilt-ridden Indoctrination since our childhood, we have
been encouraged to blindly follow the concept that "sacrifice" is
the giving away of our material possessions, or the giving away
of something of ourselves, to bureaucracies, religious groups,
and numerous other "charitable" organizations who will then "best
determine" how to distribute the fruits of our labors.

And while the voluntary giving of ourselves to a noble cause of
our own Choosing is a spiritually rewarding Act of Charity on our
behalf, and is highly encouraged, it is only one aspect of Sacrifice.
For on a much deeper level, the Symbolism and Metaphor that is
associated with the Act of Sacrifice has an entirely different
esoteric meaning.

The Act of Sacrifice referred to in ancient texts is the Sacrificing of
who and what we are today for the who and what we Choose to
become tomorrow.

Sacrifice, in its most ancient and sacred aspect, is an ongoing
process whereby we are continually "Sacrificing", giving up, and
leaving behind us, that which we have already become, and using
our Past achievements, Lessons, and experiences, as stepping-
stones to new Adventures. The Act of Sacrifice, therefore,
Symbolizes the constant metamorphosis to which we must submit
ourselves in order to gain Self-Improvement, Self-Instruction, and
Self-Evolution. Acts of spiritual and mental Sacrifice continually
elevate us to higher and higher planes of Wisdom, Truth, and
knowledge, which eventually lead us to Enlightenment and
Spiritual Perfection.

Legend, Mythology, and Ancient Texts provide us with numerous
Symbols and Metaphors which represent the Act, and process, of
Sacrifice.

Some of the most familiar are:
...The Christ on the Cross;
...Odin (Wothan) suspended on the World Tree;
...The Pelican piercing its own breast to nourish its offspring;
...The Legendary and Heroic Quests in Mythology and fables;
...And, in perhaps our most familiar, enchanting and beautiful Act
of Sacrifice, we have the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into the
butterfly; whereby the caterpillar voluntarily Changes from that
which it currently is into what it ultimately is Destined to Become.

When we contemplate the Act of Sacrifice in its most esoteric
aspect, we find that it consists of three distinct and different types:
Simple, Powerful, and Sublime. And each of these types of Sacrifice
takes place within a different realm: the physical realm, the mental
realm, and the spiritual realm.

Simple Sacrifice: This type of Sacrifice takes place in our physical
realm. It consists of the everyday, mundane, "normal" Changes we
experience and accept as matter-of-fact happenings. Simple Sacrifice
consists of Changing from one style of life to another. Some examples
are: our first day at school, enrolling in a new school, moving to a new
city, pursuing a degree or certificate in a new field, our first job or
career, a new job or career, marriage, parenthood, starting a new
relationship, ending an existing relationship.

Powerful Sacrifice: this type of Sacrifice takes place in our
mental realm. Powerful Sacrifice is the embracing, and following
through, of Life-Changing Adventures. Powerful Sacrifice consists
of the Dreams we passionately pursue, the Guiding Stars we focus
our sights upon, and the Destinies we are anxious to face. When we
pursue Powerful Sacrifice we enter the realm of the Trailblazer,
the Seeker, the Lone Wolf, and the Wizards and Wanderers.

Sublime Sacrifice: this type of Sacrifice takes place in our
Spiritual realm. Spiritual Sacrifice is the continual pursuit of, and
the metamorphosis we experience through, Self-Initiation, Spiritual
Enlightenment, and Esoteric Wisdom. The achievement of Sublime
Sacrifice is depicted within the Symbolism of The Hermit card in
the Tarot deck.

In order for us to Change, and Become more than we currently are,
we must be prepared, and willing, to leave our old Self behind in
order for our new Self to blossom. This is the Divine Principle, and
Lesson, of esoteric Sacrifice.

The Act of voluntary Sacrifice is the prelude to metamorphosis
(Change). It is the Creative Destruction which enables us to
Transcend to the next higher-plane of our Spiritual Journey.
Sacrifice is the Doorway, the Vesica Piscis, the Threshold, which we
must step through in order to experience the Adventure, Growth,
and Awareness awaiting us during our Current Incarnation.

Sacrifice does not require that we forsake the knowledge, Lessons,
and experiences, we have already obtained. The Act of Sacrifice is
the Act of taking what we have already Become with us as we
Journey into our next Adventure. For they are the traits and
essences we will use as cobblestones as we continue to construct
our own very special Path which leads us to our personal Destiny.

Added on August 22, 2012: In its most sublime meaning Sacrifice
is a metaphor for the cleansing and purification processes required
to ascend to higher and higher levels of Initiation; it is the Esoteric
process of Alchemical purification.

In other words, Sacrifice is the willing act of shedding all of our
impuruties, weaknesses and faults. It is also the process whereby
we rid ourselves of all of the Guilt, Threats and Obligations along
with all of the false Indoctrinations which have been heaped upon
us during our Current Incarnation.

In order to Ascend we must Sacrifice; for Ascension is a process of
self-purification whereby we Sacrifice our previous lower self (and
selves) so that we may attain the highest levels of Enlightenment,
Illumination, Wisdom and Perfection.

(See Also: "Refusal of Sacrifice" and "The Higher Cause")

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

The Trailblazer - Symbol And Metaphor

"Remember what Bilbo used to say:
Its a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.
You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet,
there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
- J.R.R. Tolkien, "Lord Of The Rings"

In all great accomplishments and discoveries someone must be the
first to imagine them, pursue them, and ultimately bring them into
existence. This unique someone is the Trailblazer.

The Trailblazer is The Great Achiever; the Changer of History.
The Trailblazer is the Sovereign Lone Wolf who breaks down the
old, established barriers...travels into uncharted territory...and
establishes bold, new Horizons for others to follow.

The Trailblazer is the upsetter of the status quo: the true individual
who takes the first step on hallowed grounds which have never
before experienced a human Footprint. And while the vast majority
of people live in fear of Change, the Trailblazer is that one rare and
Self-Confident Adventurer who has the imagination, perseverance,
and courage to follow their Dream, their Path, their beckoning Star,
to its Journey's end while always embracing their personal Destiny.

He, or she, is the founder of new cities and industries; the un-Veiler
of new ideas and concepts; the creator of new inventions and
innovations; the maker of history; the remembered and celebrated;
the Hero and Heroine of fable, mythology, legend, and history.
Trailblazers are the Einsteins, the Newtons, the da Vincis, and the
Galileos: they are the immortals that are admired and respected
throughout Time.

However, although admired, respected, and honored today, we must
not forget the heavy price each and every Trailblazer willingly and
enthusiastically paid while pursuing their Quest which "upset the
apple cart" of the complacent, embedded establishments of their
era.

When we read the biographies of these great "Champions of Change"
we find that each Trailblazer was constantly ridiculed, discredited,
and scorned by the established mediocrities, and self-proclaimed
"experts" who lorded over the outdated bureaucracies and
institutions of their time. But in the end, these same bureaucracies
and institutions, which at first made every attempt to stone these
Trailblazers to death, ultimately realized that they could not stem
the tide of Change.

Upon realizing that they could no longer reign-in these Lone Wolfs
who were dragging society, kicking and screaming into new and
wondrous times, they finally bowed to the achievements of these
life-changing Individuals. The "red carpet" was then rolled out for
these newly accepted Heroes and Heroines, and these Trailblazers
suddenly found themselves honored with holidays, commendations,
state dinners, and having their portraits placed upon postage stamps
and commemorative coins.

And the same established mediocrities and self proclaimed "experts"
who previously tried to destroy the efforts of these Trailblazers, now
begged for the opportunity of having these Heroes and Heroines
attend their parties, banquets and state dinners so that they could
be seen standing side-by-side, and appear to be a peer, of these
new Trailblazers.

But, the Truth is, the Trailblazer is peerless. And it is the confident,
curious, and imaginative qualities of these Individuals which strike
fear into the heart of all established mediocrities, stagnated
institutions, and moldy organizations. For it is the Trailblazer who is
responsible for ushering in the Creative Destruction which disrupts
the status quo and allows the Path of human evolution to re-continue.

And although accolades, ceremonies, awards, and banquets are
ultimately forced upon the Trailblazer, these are not, nor have they
ever been, the rewards that the Trailblazer was originally seeking.

For the Trailblazer is merely driven by, and rewarded by, the
Simplicity of their childlike imagination, by the lure of their innocent
curiosity, and by the refreshing and pure atmosphere of their own
Thoughts and Dreams. They are the Initiates, the Seekers, and
the Wizards and Wanderers whose curiosity, imagination, and
persistence is responsible for keeping mankind on its on its slow,
methodical and wondrous Path of Evolution.

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

Egyptian Weighing Of The Heart (Symbol And Metaphor)

(image via Wikipedia)

In the Egyptian Book Of The Dead we encounter a Ceremony called
the "Weighing Of The Heart" in which the deceased Pharaoh is led
into the underworld by Anubis, the Egyptian Neter who is the
"Guardian of the Way". There the Pharaoh's heart is placed upon
the Scales of Justice and weighed against the Feather of Maat.

If the weight of the Pharaoh's heart was less than, or equal to, the
weight of the Feather, he was then led onward to meet Osiris who
welcomed the recently deceased Pharaoh into the afterlife. However,
if the Pharaoh's heart weighed more than the Feather of Maat, the
Pharaoh was immediately devoured by Ammit, a beast with the
head of a crocodile, the front legs and body of a lion, and the back
legs of a hippopotamus.

This "Day of Judgement", as it is referred to in other religious texts,
may strike us as a hideous trial which is imposed upon the recently
deceased Pharaoh. However, powerful Lessons are often contained
within "stories" which rattle our emotions and strike fear into our
imagination. But, as we shall see, the "Weighing of the Heart"
Ceremony is actually a powerful metaphor, a teaching tool, which
reveals to the Seeker and Initiate an ancient and eternal Truth.

Although the "Weighing Of The Heart" Ceremony contains a great
deal of Symbolism, we need only to focus on the following five
Symbols to understand the Lesson contained within this particular
Ritual: The Pharaoh, the Feather of Maat, the Heart, the beast
Ammit, and the Underworld.

Pharaoh: This is a Symbol, and a Metaphor, which teaches us that
just as the Pharaoh is the ruler of a material kingdom, so too are we
Pharaohs of our own personal kingdom: the kingdom of our mind,
body and Spirit. A kingdom for which we alone bear the sole
responsibility for either its expansion or demise.

Heart: The Heart is the Spiritual Center of our physical body. It is a
Symbol for our Inner Temple in which our Atman (our God-Within)
and our Divine Nature reside.

Feather of Maat: The Feather represents the most minuscule
weight. In the "Weighing Of The Heart" Ceremony, the Feather is
a Symbol for perfect balance, weightlessness, Harmony, and
equilibrium.

Ammit: The beast Ammit Symbolizes our Inner Demons which we
must continually grapple with as we Journey through our Current
Incarnation. Either we boldly conquer our Inner Demons, or they
end up devouring us.

Underworld: The Underworld is that dark, silent place within
each one of us. The Underworld Symbolizes a place where a
"rite of passage" occurs. It is a place of Initiation, deep within
ourselves, where we must go to in order to resolve our dilemmas
and to grapple with, and conquer, our Inner Demons. It is a place
of Decision, Contemplation, and Growth. We do not return from
the Underworld as the same person who originally entered into it.

There is a natural order which prevails throughout the Universe.
The Ancient Egyptians called this natural order Maat.

When we are in perfect Balance with Maat, we experience Peace,
Harmony, and light-heartedness in our life. It is during these times
that we find ourselves in control of both sides of Duality and our
Heart weighs less than the Feather of Maat.

When we are out-of-balance with Maat, we experience stress.
Stress is nothing more than an "unbalanced energy" which the
Qabalists call Qliphoth. These are the times when our Hearts are
"heavier than the Feather of Maat" and we find ourselves grappling
with our Inner Demons, our Ammits, until Balance and Harmony is
restored within us.

Our life is one long Journey of Decisions and Choices. And, as
all major decisions must be "weighed" cautiously and deliberately,
these are the times when we find ourselves retreating into our own
Underworld within ourselves (Our Subconscious) to grapple with
the various dilemmas and demons which confront us during our
times of indecision and strife. We begin our Underworld Journey
with confusion, uncertainty, and a degree of fear. Or, to state it
metaphorically, we begin our Journey into our Underworld with
a "heavy heart".

However, slowly we begin to unravel our dilemmas and conquer
our Inner Demons. When we are done with this particular "rite of
passage", our dilemmas become clear and our Inner Demons vanish.

Once our Inner Demons are conquered, and our confusions are
clearly resolved, we can leave our Underworld with the "lightest of
hearts", proceed upon the Path of our Current Incarnation, pursue
our Personal Destiny, fulfill our Dreams, and bask in the Peace,
Contentment, and Simplicity of our personal kingdom.

Throughout the course of Our Current Incarnation it is very easy for
us to acquire a "heavy heart" by way of burdens which are heaped
upon us, not only by ourselves, but by all of the various aspects of
society. These difficult to recognize burdens are covered in depth in
the articles on "Sin", "Karma" and "Guilt, Threats and Obligations".

See also: 
"Sin and Judgment Day"
"The Feather As A Symbol"
"Maat - Egyptian Goddess"

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

Instruction vs. Indoctrination

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I---
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost

We live in a realm of Duality, and often we find ourselves standing
at a Crossroad where we are required to Choose between two
diverging Paths: one which is easy, or one which is right.

One of these forks-in-the-road, which each one of us must Choose
to travel sooner or later, is between the Road which leads us to
Instruction or the Road which leads us to Indoctrination. And,
although the names of these two Roads sound quite similar they are,
in fact, two entirely different Paths. And because they are two very
different Paths it is important that we weigh the Consequences of
Choosing one Path over the other.

Indoctrination: This is the easy path; the path of the crowd.
Indoctrination is the one-sided presentation of an idea, theory,
Choice, or Belief. It is something which is imposed upon us by
either subtle means, such as guilt or salesmanship, or by forceful
means, such as fear or threat.

In other words, Indoctrination is a form of "brainwashing". It is the
removal of previous held Beliefs and ideals so that new, regimented
dogmas can be implanted. Indoctrination, in its most fanatical sense,
is aimed at, and accepted by, the most Ignorant, gullible and weakest
of minds.

When we willingly and unquestionably accept Indoctrination, our
Horizons shrink and our growth and Thinking become stagnated
and frozen. We are required to live in a world of policies and
procedures which are not of our own Choosing. Our Imagination
and Dreams are "surgically removed" from our thought process
and our Individual Sovereignty is forfeited to those whose sole
purpose is to dominate and control others.

Indoctrination fractures and divides in its attempt to conquer and
dominate. This fracturing and division is openly visible in the
political and religious organizations which occupy our planet.
However it also exists, just as strongly if not as openly, in scientific,
mathematic and research groups whereby the faction which has
been Indoctrinated into a regimented belief system fights ferociously
to discredit any new ideas, concepts, or theories brought forth by
free-thinkers and visionaries in that particular field.

Instruction: This is the difficult Path; the "Road less traveled".
It is the Path of the Lone Wolf, the visionary, the free-thinker, the
Seeker. It is the Path of wide Horizons, Imagination and Dreams.

The Path of Instruction is the Path which Blends and Creates. It is
the Road on which we discover Wisdom, Truth, Magic and personal
Adventure. Instruction is the inclusion of all possible natural, and
universal, alternatives along with how they apply to, and are
affected by, Universal Principles.

When we embark upon the Path of Instruction we are handed the
Keys which unlock the secrets of the Universe and are Instructed to
go forth and unlock the doors of Eternal Truths which must remain
locked to all but the True Seeker and Initiate.

In ancient times a worthy and well-qualified Initiate would Seek
admission to one of the Mystery Schools where he, or she, would
be Instructed in the Eternal Wisdom of the Universe. Today, we
no longer have these Mystery Schools, nor do we have any of
the Ancient Masters walking among us. Therefore, if we are to
Truly learn that which is understood by only the very few, we
must Choose to travel "the Path less traveled by" ... the Path of
Self-Initiation and Self-Instruction.

And although the Ancient Masters are no longer among us to help
guide us along our way, they have left us the Keys to Ancient
Wisdom by way of their Sacred Writings, Symbols, Mythologies
and Legends. It is now up to us to simply Choose to grab hold of
their Ancient and Mystical Keys, venture forth upon our own
Personal Path, and unlock the doors which hold the Truth,
Wisdom and Enlightenment of all Eternity.

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