September 17, 2011

  • The myth of the hero

    The myth of the hero

    A runic perspective

    I read the 17 stages of Joesph Cambell's monomyth.  The cyclical nature and steps had many associations with the #Armanen_runes. In this entry I try to put the myth of the hero in correspondence to the different runes. This approach not only affirmed the value of #myth but also helped me to gain deeper insight into the Armanen runes. I also found a correspondence between the three stages mentioned by Joseph namely seperation, initiation and return to align with the three alchemy phases namely the black, white and red phase. I had a vivid imagination and projected meaning between the myth of the #hero, the runes and #alchemy. The following is the result....

    SEPERATION - The black path

    FA -  The hero lives a normal life. He has the basic know how and means but does not know it yet. He has quietly received all that is needed to become a hero. 

    UR - The  hero is faced with the need, a cry for help. The hero resist moving forward to help, looking for excuses. He needs to go deep to the cause of causes.

    THOR - A companion appears to encourage the hero to gain clarity and commit to the quest. There relationship might be at odds but for now inseparably  linked through the hero's quest.

    OS - Gaining insight the hero gathers what he needs for his quest and leave behind the known world and start on the quest. He say good-bye to loved ones, teachers and an old way of living and turns to a new vision.

    INITIATION - The white path

    RIT - The world is left behind and the hero, now a traveler, faces a new, unknown and even hostile world, his only familiarity is the tools and weapons he carries with him. His vision will carry him forward pressing deeper into the darkness of the unknown. He needs to find the way to his quest. 

    KA - The hero faces trials and tests to show his mastery. He might loose track of the road but remain focused on his mission. He might even be failing in the process but he never looses hope in his own skill and with every failure he gains the basic skills needed to complete the quest.

    HAGL - The hero meets the adversary. The quest seems doomed to fail.  The adversary seems to be unbeatable. The Hero is faced with the consequences of failure and the true enormity of task. Often at this stage being isolated from his companions to face the adversary on his own. 

    NOD - The hero begins to understand the true problem. He begins to see that the true adversary is not the enemy outside but his own ego within. His own ego shifts to the background as he contemplate the a need higher than his own wants. He must overcome the temptation of the world and self gratification and sacrifice it for the greater good. The quest becomes more important that the hero's needs and wants.

    IS - The hero face his own demons, find strengths to overcome weaknesses. His inner victory over his ego sow the seed for a new center of self awareness. He gain the inner composure to stand firm in the midst of storms. He realizes that he has all that is needed to secure victory.

    AR - The hero overcomes his own weaknesses and discover his true strength. He dies in himself for his own needs and become detached from the world. He focus on the mission he needs to accomplish. He wins against every power that is set up against him, often freeing his companions from the clutches of the enemy.

    SIG - The hero achieves the the goal. The adversary is subdued, and rendered helpless. Victory is gained and all resistance crumbles. All those who joined the hero step forward in unity and victory. The true measure of his actions can now for the first time be assessed.

    TYR - The hero receives the blessings and awards of success. His world is turned upside down as he sees the world from a new perspective. He finds it difficult to return to his old life with all the new insight. 

    Return: The red path

    BAR - A new world order has started that requires nurturing, protection and growth. The hero is put on the throne, hailed as hero yet something changed. The old is irreversibly replaced by the new.  

    RETURN - The red phase

    LAF - The hero reintegrates back into the new world. His story empowers the people to take responsibility. He points them to his true source of power. 

    MAN - The hero becomes the teacher of the people, he becomes their inspiration and his example brings them hope and encourage them to be hero's in their own right..

    YR - The hero obtains the award for his quest...which now is not wealth or fame but a virtue that burns within, a virtue eternal in nature.

    EH - The hero finds love and harmony...the secret of life and lives happily ever after.

    GIBOR - The story of the hero turns into myth as his story is being told from generation to generation, inspiring more to step out to meet the challenges of their own quests.

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    Seer stone

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