Tag Archives: Greek myth

The Secrets of the Odyssey (13): Journeying on Snakelike Wet Paths

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Symbol Reader

While reading Hermes Guide of Souls: The Mythologem of the Masculine Source of Life by Karl Kerènyi I came across the following passage describing the nature of Odysseus’s journeying and the special patronage of Hermes over Odysseus: “We previously called the … Continue reading →

Posted in The Odyssey | Tagged archetypes, Greek myth, Greek mythology, guide of souls, Hermes, Homer, journey, journeying, Kerenyi, messenger, Odysseus, Odyssey, psychopomp, symbolism, symbols, travelling, Zeus | 31 Comments

The Guilt of Prometheus and Pandora’s Gifts

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Symbol Reader

Prometheus was one of the Titans – the gods who descended from primordial deities, and preceded Olympian gods and goddesses. His name meant “forethought;” he proved he deserved it by showing a gift of premonition and prophecy when he sided … Continue reading →

Posted in Prometheus | Tagged afterthought, Athena, C.G. Jung, Chiron, depth psychology, fire, forethought, Franz Kafka, Greek myth, Greek mythology, guilt, Heracles, Hesiod, individuation, Pandora, Pandora's box, Pandora's jar, pithos, Prometheus, redemption, suffering, Titans, Zeus | 39 Comments

Phaethon’s Gorgeous Death: Geminid Meteor Shower

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Symbol Reader

“Phaethon [struck by Zeus from the chariot of the Sun], flames ravaging his auburn hair, falls headlong down, a streaming trail of light, as sometimes through the cloudless vault of night a star, though never falling, seems to fall.” Ovid, … Continue reading →

Posted in Phaethon, The Geminids | Tagged Atlantis, C.G. Jung, comet, depth psychology, ego inflation, geminid meteor shower, Greek myth, Greek mythology, Phaethon, Sri Aurobindo, the Self | 5 Comments

Awe-Inspiring Sculptures: “Night” by Michelangelo

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Symbol Reader

“Night” by Michelangelo was sculpted in white marble and put to rest on the tomb of Giuliano de Medici in San Lorenzo Church, Florence. Her attributes are an owl and a mask. I remember seeing the sculpture for the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in Sculpture, The Night | Tagged animus, art, Carl Gustav Jung, Chaos, Dark goddess, darkness, Greek myth, Greek mythology, love, Michelangelo, night, Nyx, sculpture, symbolism, symbols | 31 Comments

The Lightening Message of Grace

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Symbol Reader

Kanji symbol for cherry blossom Linden tree fossil In his book On the Way to Language (1959), the philosopher Martin Heidegger includes a philosophical dialogue between an “Inquirer“ (I) and a Japanese man (J). This particular exchange really stirred my … Continue reading →

Posted in Language | Tagged archetypes, bark, book, cherry blossoms, Chiron, etymology, Greek myth, Japanese, language, liber, linden tree, Martin Heidegger, Medusa, On the Way to Language, Pegasus, Philyra, symbolism, symbols | 14 Comments

The Secrets of the Odyssey (11): Death of Odysseus, Master of Land Ways and Sea Ways

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Symbol Reader

Edward Dodwell, “Ithaca” Having emerged from the Cave of the Nymphs, while the Moon is still in its dark period and the Sun stands still at Winter Solstice, Odysseus hides away in the hut of a pig-keeper Eumaeus. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in The Odyssey | Tagged archetypes, C.G. Jung, epic poetry, Eumaeus, Greek myth, Gregory Nagy, hero, Homer, Homer’s Secret Odyssey, Kenneth and Florence Wod, literature, Odysseus, Odysseus’ death, Odyssey, pig farm, symbolism, symbols, universe, winnowing shovel | 15 Comments

The Secrets of the Odyssey (9): Leucothea in the Sea of Space and Time

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Symbol Reader

The climax of the Odyssey is the hero’s arrival in Ithaca but a harbinger of that pivotal moment is his sojourn on the island of Scheria (Phaecia), which I have written about here. William Blake also connected these two events, … Continue reading →

Posted in The Odyssey | Tagged archetypes, goddess, Greek myth, Homer, Leucothea, mythology, Odyssey, Phaecia, poetry, Scheria, symbolism, symbols, The Sea of Space and Time, veil, white goddess, William Blake | 9 Comments

Okeanos

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Symbol Reader

“Okeanos is situated at the outermost limits of the world, which is encircled by its stream. The circular stream of the Okeanos flows eternally around the world and eternally recycles the infinite supply of fresh water that feeds upon itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged Greek myth, mythology, Oceanus, Okeanos, ouroboros, uroboros | 17 Comments

The Secrets of the Odyssey (8): the Sirens, Scylla & Charybdis, and Thrinacia

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Symbol Reader

John William Waterhouse, “The Siren” Reading the Odyssey in a superb translation of Robert Fitzgerald is like listening to the most delightful music. No interpretation can possibly replace the sheer pleasure of experiencing Homer’s talent. The opening lines of Book … Continue reading →

Posted in The Odyssey | Tagged archetypes, astrology, Calypso, Charybdis, fig tree, Greek myth, Helios’ cattle, Homer, Libra, mythology, Odysseus, Odyssey, Scorpio, Scylla, sirens, symbolism, symbols, Thrinacia | 29 Comments

The Secrets of the Odyssey (6): the God of Winds

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Symbol Reader

In the fourth month of his journey, Odysseus, guided by friendly winds, reaches the kingdom of Aeolia, where the god of winds Aeolus resides with his family: wife and twelve children. Homer depicts it as a rectangular island, which brings … Continue reading →