Sunday, 10 March 2013

DESCENT


A descending stairway conveys the theme of Descent and has many connotations. The fearful and negative meanings are used liberally in the media of 'western' cultures, while traditionally it is seen as an entry to the the Lower World and rebirth.....a place where can be found entire realms of helpful beings that maintain the Mid World we inhabit.....symbolically speaking of course. That Lower World can also be a place of trials and labours related to spiritual growth. 

As part of the traditional hero journey, the myth of the descent seems to signify several things: for instance, a return to Mother Earth in preparation for rebirth into a higher divine hero state or the facing of death before full potential can be achieved. Psychologically, the descent is the “night journey” or “dark night of the soul,” which points to the fact that to be whole the self must rule his or her inner world.