Zeus: Difference between revisions
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==Interpretations of Zeus== | ==Interpretations of Zeus== | ||
Throughout the ages, Zeus has often been symbolized as the [[ | Throughout the ages, Zeus has often been symbolized as the [[Serpent]]. | ||
<blockquote>Between Zeus, the abstract deity of Grecian | <blockquote>Between Zeus, the abstract deity of Grecian | ||
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more, whenever shown yielding to his lower passions, -- the jealous God, | more, whenever shown yielding to his lower passions, -- the jealous God, | ||
revengeful and cruel in its egotism or I-AM-NESS. Hence, Zeus is represented as a serpent -- the intellectual tempter of man -- which, nevertheless, begets in the course of cyclic evolution the "Man-Saviour," the solar Bacchus or "Dionysos," more than a man. <ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''The Secret Doctrine Vol. II'' (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 419-420.</ref></blockquote> | revengeful and cruel in its egotism or I-AM-NESS. Hence, Zeus is represented as a serpent -- the intellectual tempter of man -- which, nevertheless, begets in the course of cyclic evolution the "Man-Saviour," the solar Bacchus or "Dionysos," more than a man. <ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''The Secret Doctrine Vol. II'' (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 419-420.</ref></blockquote> | ||
==Æther and Ether== | ==Æther and Ether== | ||
Zeus is known to represent the Æther, the divine, as well as Ether, the physical. [[H. P. Blavatsky]] recognized Zeus' duality, as "The "Supreme Deity" bears, in every ancient Pantheon -- | Zeus is known to represent the Æther, the divine, as well as Ether, the physical. [[H. P. Blavatsky]] recognized Zeus' duality, as "The "Supreme Deity" bears, in every ancient Pantheon -- including that of the Jews -- a dual character, composed of light and shadow."<ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''The Secret Doctrine Vol. II'' (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), ft. 412.</ref> By embracing both the Æther and the Ether, Zeus represents both the spirituality of the creator as well as the intellect of the [[serpent]]. | ||
<blockquote>Æther is Akâsa in its higher aspect, and Ether Akâsa, in its lowest. In one sense it is | <blockquote>Æther is Akâsa in its higher aspect, and Ether Akâsa, in its lowest. In one sense it is | ||
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==Zeus and triple Monads== | ==Zeus and triple Monads== | ||
Through ancient scholars and mystics of Pythagoras, Zeus has been believed to evolve the [[Monad]] into the triple Monad. Through the transformation of Zeus' single being, he embodies the higher aspects of the spiritual, intuitive, and mental spheres. [[H. P. Blavatsky]] comments: | In Greek legend, Zeus is known to be the Supreme Creator. | ||
<blockquote>In the Greek allegory Zeus represents the hosts of the primal progenitors, the Pitris, or "Fathers" who created man senseless and without mind, who provided the first element of his nature, the chhaya or astral shell about which as a nucleus his material form was to be aggregated, this combination later to receive the gift of mind and later still that of divine monadic individuality or spirit. <ref>Kuhn, Alvin Boyd.'' Theosophy: A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom'' (New York: Henry Colt. and Co., 1930), ???</ref></blockquote> | |||
Through ancient scholars and mystics of Pythagoras, Zeus has been believed to evolve from the [[Monad]] into the triple Monad. Through the transformation of Zeus' single being, he embodies the higher aspects of the spiritual, intuitive, and mental spheres. [[H. P. Blavatsky]] comments: | |||
<blockquote>Later, in the Pythagorean speculations, Zeus became the metaphysical trinity; the monad evolving from its invisible SELF the active cause, effect, and intelligent will, the whole forming the Tetractis.<ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''Isis Unveiled Vol. I'' (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 262.</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>Later, in the Pythagorean speculations, Zeus became the metaphysical trinity; the monad evolving from its invisible SELF the active cause, effect, and intelligent will, the whole forming the Tetractis.<ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''Isis Unveiled Vol. I'' (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 262.</ref></blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 21:07, 25 July 2012
Zeus was the ancient Greek god of the realm Mt. Olympus. Also known as Jupiter in Roman Mythology, Zeus represents a Universal Being. H. P. Blavatsky defines Zeus in the Theosophical Glossary as:
Zeus (Gr.). The "Father of the gods". Zeus-Zen is Æther, there fore Jupiter was called Pater Æther by some Latin races.[1]
Interpretations of Zeus
Throughout the ages, Zeus has often been symbolized as the Serpent.
Between Zeus, the abstract deity of Grecian
thought, and the Olympic Zeus, there was an abyss. The latter represented during the mysteries no higher a principle than the lower aspect of human physical intelligence -- Manas wedded to Kama; Prometheus -- its divine aspect merging into and aspiring to Buddhi -- the divine Soul. Zeus was the human soul and nothing more, whenever shown yielding to his lower passions, -- the jealous God,
revengeful and cruel in its egotism or I-AM-NESS. Hence, Zeus is represented as a serpent -- the intellectual tempter of man -- which, nevertheless, begets in the course of cyclic evolution the "Man-Saviour," the solar Bacchus or "Dionysos," more than a man. [2]
Æther and Ether
Zeus is known to represent the Æther, the divine, as well as Ether, the physical. H. P. Blavatsky recognized Zeus' duality, as "The "Supreme Deity" bears, in every ancient Pantheon -- including that of the Jews -- a dual character, composed of light and shadow."[3] By embracing both the Æther and the Ether, Zeus represents both the spirituality of the creator as well as the intellect of the serpent.
Æther is Akâsa in its higher aspect, and Ether Akâsa, in its lowest. In one sense it is equivalent to the Father-Creator, Zeus, Pater Æther; on the other to the infernal Serpent-Tempter, the Astral Light of the Kabalist.[4]
Zeus and triple Monads
In Greek legend, Zeus is known to be the Supreme Creator.
In the Greek allegory Zeus represents the hosts of the primal progenitors, the Pitris, or "Fathers" who created man senseless and without mind, who provided the first element of his nature, the chhaya or astral shell about which as a nucleus his material form was to be aggregated, this combination later to receive the gift of mind and later still that of divine monadic individuality or spirit. [5]
Through ancient scholars and mystics of Pythagoras, Zeus has been believed to evolve from the Monad into the triple Monad. Through the transformation of Zeus' single being, he embodies the higher aspects of the spiritual, intuitive, and mental spheres. H. P. Blavatsky comments:
Later, in the Pythagorean speculations, Zeus became the metaphysical trinity; the monad evolving from its invisible SELF the active cause, effect, and intelligent will, the whole forming the Tetractis.[6]
Zeus and Fohat
According to Theosophy, Zeus is the Greek embodiment of Fohat, the masculine primordial cosmic energy. The cosmic vitalitiy of Zeus propells the Natural forces, which brings life to all things. Stemming from the Supreme essence, Zeus has been recognized as a guiding power of the manifestation process. H. P. Blavatsky notes:
The Supreme Being of Heaven, or of all that is comprehended under this name, is Zeus, for it is by Heaven that Zeus gives life to all things...This is quite philosophical and in accordance with the spirit of Eastern esotericism: for all the Forces, such as Light, Heat, Electricity, etc., etc., are called the "Gods" -- esoterically...And, therefore, the personification of Fohat synthesizing all the manifesting forces in nature is a legitimate result.[7]
Notes
- ↑ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. Theosophical Glossary (Los Angeles, CA: Theosophy Company, 1973), 386.
- ↑ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. The Secret Doctrine Vol. II (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 419-420.
- ↑ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. The Secret Doctrine Vol. II (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), ft. 412.
- ↑ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge (Pasadena, CA: Theosophical University Press, 1946), 95.
- ↑ Kuhn, Alvin Boyd. Theosophy: A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom (New York: Henry Colt. and Co., 1930), ???
- ↑ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. Isis Unveiled Vol. I (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1972), 262.
- ↑ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. The Secret Doctrine Vol. I (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1978), 672.
Further Reading
- Zeus at Theosopedia