The Orb and the Earth

The orb represents the earth it is true, but digging a little deeper, does the orb (earth) represent the divine rule of the king and his status as a representative of the god (s), or does it represent the agenda of the one world government; a new world order?

would the coronation of a king be a sort of mock coronation of a god, a symbolic type of what is in store for the new monarch?

The cross on the orb could also represent the sun, but that is a whole different post.

sword - power

The sword is where the symbolism gets a little more abstract. It represents power, and power comes in many forms. Thus it should not surprise us that there are many alternate tools that can be used to symbolise power. A staff (or rod), a scepter (a stylized mace), a spear or stylized thunderbolt, or in the case of the Egyptian regalia - a crook and flail. The Egyptian crook and flail help to make clear what kind of power we are talking about; power over humans, the power to domesticate humans to be precise. The power to reward and to punish. Thus the double edges of the sword which can also can cut a thing in two, dividing the good from the evil (a key concept in human domestication).

robe - heavens

The royal robes are meant to signify the heavens above. The designs of some robes make this more evident, as in the case of Mithras' above. The sky was conceptualized as a veil over the earth, and a red or purple robe could easily represent the sky at the setting of the sun, as they did in Christ's mock coronation.

orb - earth

The orb represents the earth.

crown - sun rays

The crown represents the rays of the sun. This is also true of halos and the crown of thorns that Christ recieved during his mock coronation.

ritual symbolism: coronation

Those who have had the priveledge of seeing the underlying order of the cosmos often try and bring that experience to the masses through symbolism. Coronation rituals are rich in this kind of symbolism.

For our purposes I would like to demonstrate that it can be interpereted as a microcosmic model, and can lead us to a deeper appreciation of our relationship with the heavens.

I will subsequently be interpereting the regalia accordingly.

reptilian shapeshifters

check this out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilian_complex

When I think about this model of the brain it makes me wonder if it is part of the explanation of the shape shifting human/reptilian phenomenon that David Icke has brought to our attention.

Specifically I think of how brain functions manifest emotionally, physically, and perhaps spiritually.

So if one was to use the reptilian parts of their brain a disproportionate amount of the time how might effect their physical being? And if you believe in things like karma and subtle energies, how might the overuse of the reptilian functions of the brain, and/or reptilian karmic energies (fear, rage, etc. so called "negative" emotions) effect ones spirit or etheric body? Could a normal, healthy, fully human entity eventually develop the attributes of a twelve foot blood drinking lizard if he were to work at it?

Snake Symbols

I find interesting the wide use of serpent symbols in cultures and traditions around the world. In the Christian tradition, we find the serpent in the garden of Eden, as a representation of the devil, the great deceiver however, the serpent also represents the Christ to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Christ also makes reference to vipers in the New testament in a negative context, comparing them to his enemies. yet he tells his apostles to be wise as serpents, harmless as doves. This could be in reference to the fact that he came from a long a tradition of royalty being very closely associated with dragons. (In Egypt, they were anointed to be king with the fat of the crocodile.) A good king is supposed to be wise, exercising judgement, ruling in equity and justice, a tyrant on the other hand would exhibit the more negative attributes of the serpent. In the book of revelation, John sees a wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, It can be debated as to what this is referring, (I will post my ideas in another post.), The thing to look at here is the dragon symbolism that is displayed in direct contrast to the woman. The dragon again could represent the devil, or an earthly king, just as the book of Isaiah makes a reference to the dragon which has been taken to mean the king of Babylon and also the devil. (coincidentally the king of Babylon was regarded as a tyrant.

Other symbols of the serpent are that of health. It is used in the medical profession as the snake coiling around the rod or caduceus. This could be a derivative of the kundalini energy also associated with the snake coiling around a rod (The human spine). Kundalini is an eastern meditation practice which requires severe discipline. When the event happens it is referred to as awakening the kundalini, and is an extremely powerful experience. This has been compared to a nuclear blast in the spine, and for those who are not prepared for the rising kundalini have often reported severe physical and mental ailments as a result. For those who are able to bear this, it is described as an awakening, enlightenment, and empowerment. again there is a positive and negative association with the serpent.

dragon blood

Here the hero has slain the dragon and drinks his blood, and begins over a tragic cycle.

As one empire is destroyed and freedom is allowed an opportunity to rise, typically another tyrannical empire is soon on the horizon.

dragon's gold

Dragons are known to hoard gold and other precious items. This again is a useful analogy of government. Not producing anything, and preventing valuable resources from being used in any meaningful way.

Captive dragon

Another image of the chained or captive dragon. Notice the skulking scheming look on his face, and how he is eyeing the maiden - the object of his appetite. The peasants run in fear, while the knight thinks he is doing everyone a favor.

Dragon symbolism

Dragons are very popular as symbols. What do they symbolize?

Setting David Icke aside for the moment, I would like to post some of my musings on the subject. For the purpose of this conversation I will define the dragon as a symbol of anything more powerful than any single man.

Typically we think of man being at the top of the food chain with no significant competition for the title of lord of the earth, so we create fantastic fictional beasts to fill us with awe at something more magnificent and powerful than us.

That is what makes the dragon such an apt symbol for government. Government is an entity that is more powerful than any single man. And in a way it takes on a life of it's own and pursues it's own ends at the expense of mankind.

How do we puny humans interact with dragons? There are so many fantasy tales about dragon/human interaction that we can't cover all the scenarios. But I would like to cover a few that I consider significant.

slain dragon

Dragon as Destroyer.

This is where the dragon is an obvious threat to mankind and is the object of a knightly quest. Upon slaying the dragon the knight ascends to a new level of power, usually through taking upon himself some identifying aspect of the dragon; He wears a dragon as his heraldic emblem, drinks the dragon's blood, wears his skin, takes his treasure, marries the princess that was given as a sacrifice to the dragon, or just calls himself "dragonslayer" aka takes his name. The point is that the power has transfered to the knight and for all intents and purposes the knight becomes the dragon that he has supposedly slain. You become what you hate.

Chained Dragon

“ In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” Thomas Jefferson

The founders solution to the problem of too much power being in one mans hands was to set up a series of checks and balances, thus the constitution. Essentially you keep the dragon alive to serve you and be your slave. Obviously this can be benificial to some people.

The difficulty is that dragons are smart enough to tell anything to get you to loose them from the chains, they will tell you what you want to hear, tell you about all the dangerous beasts that they could protect you from if you would just let them go for a little bit. Or you might use the dragon as a weapon, ride on the dragon's back and go destroy the enemies of your tribe.

Once that dragon has got his strength back and is on the loose, you are back to square one and will probably have to put him down.

Jury Symbolism

The trial by jury system is an imitation of the heavenly order. The Judge fills the role of the Sun, and the twelve members of the jury are the stars of the zodiac.

Judgment is committed into the hands of these men. The court is meant to be a dragging of the hidden things of darkness into light; the light of truth and justice. What is just stands up under the light of scrutiny and iniquity is destroyed by it.

I really like the way it is put in the Gospel of Philip; “Most things in the world, as long as their inner parts are hidden, stand upright and live. If they are revealed, they die, as is illustrated by the visible man: as long as the intestines of the man are hidden, the man is alive; when his intestines are exposed and come out of him, the man will die. So also with the tree: while its root is hidden, it sprouts and grows. If its root is exposed, the tree dries up. So it is with every birth that is in the world, not only with the revealed but with the hidden. For so long as the root of wickedness is hidden, it is strong. But when it is recognized, it is dissolved. When it is revealed, it perishes. That is why the Word says, Already the axe is laid at the root of the trees. It will not merely cut - what is cut sprouts again - but the ax penetrates deeply, until it brings up the root. Jesus pulled out the root of the whole place, while others did it only partially. As for ourselves, let each one of us dig down after the root of evil which is within one, and let one pluck it out of one's heart from the root. It will be plucked out if we recognize it. But if we are ignorant of it, it takes root in us and produces its fruit in our heart. It masters us. We are its slaves. It takes us captive, to make us do what we do not want; and what we do want, we do not do. It is powerful because we have not recognized it. While it exists it is active. Ignorance is the mother of all evil. Ignorance will result in death, because those who come from ignorance neither were nor are nor shall be. [....] will be perfect when all the truth is revealed. For truth is like ignorance: while it is hidden, it rests in itself, but when it is revealed and is recognized, it is praised, inasmuch as it is stronger than ignorance and error. It gives freedom. The Word said, If you know the truth, the truth will make you free. Ignorance is a slave. Knowledge is freedom. If we know the truth, we shall find the fruits of the truth within us. If we are joined to it, it will bring our fulfillment." ([....] = portion of the text missing)

Astro-Religion symbolism

What I am hoping to accomplish with this blog is to create a place for the discussion of religious symbolism. I want my religious ideas to hold up under scrutiny, and I think that a public dialog is helpful in creating new connections and developing a more cohesive worldview.

I, personally, am fascinated by the astrological sybolism that is so commonly hidden (in plain sight) in religion. I anticipate that a large portion of my blogging will be dedicated to expounding on the what I see as the religious implications of astrological or astrotheological symbolism.

Also I am becoming more aware of the influence of entheogenic plants in religious symbolism and experience. And I am interested in any related information.