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qosIn my "Cupid and Psyche" reading thus far, most of those who address the "deeper meanings" of the story focus on the fact that "psyche" is the Greek word for soul. Because of this, many, many people are eager to see her story as an allegory for the soul's progress from innocence, ignorance and isolation to the full flowering of divinity.
That's a very powerful story -- but I am as yet unconvinced that that's the story we see in the original version. In order to make "Cupid and Psyche" bear that weight, it has to be adapted to fit the purpose -- as these interpreters tend to do. (Again, so far in my reading.)
What is usually mentioned only in passing is that "psyche" also means "butterfly" -- and the butterfly is a living symbol of transformation. More pertinent to my study, following that line of symbolism doesn't require that the interpreter adapt the original story to make it conform to expectations of what a "spiritual journey" looks like. Stories of spiritual journeys to enlightenment require toil, commitment, endurance, patience, compassion, and etc. It's hard work. Dramatic work. Only the worthy win through to their reward. The rest fall to obscurity, to punishment, or are sent back to try again during their next life.
In contrast, a caterpillar is not an heroic creature. It doesn't aspire to anything. It doesn't struggle and yearn and overcome. (Unlike, say, salmon, birds or whales who struggle to cross hundreds or thousands of miles to reach their mating/birthing sites.) The caterpillar is utterly humble, unassuming, vulnerable, and not known for cleverness of any kind. And yet. . . simply following its instincts leads it first to complete dissolution as "chrysalis soup" (a metaphor I have used often in the past decade) and then to transformation into a creature so utterly unlike its original 'self' that no one would believe they were the same creature without having observed the entire lifecycle. Nature touches it with grace, not because of its own merits, but Just Because. Just Because it can. Just Because it seemed like The Thing To Do. The humble, witless caterpillar doesn't even have any choice in the matter. So long as it follows its instincts (and free will also seems to be conspicuously lacking in caterpillars) it will, if it survives the myriad dangers of its existence, experience something like apotheosis. Through absolutely no apparent virtue of its own.
Kind of like Psyche, in my opinion.
Which is all very well and good from a scholarly/academic perspective -- which, as a Queen of Swords, I am all in favor of. But twice yesterday I received rather more personal suggestions that "butterfly" rather than "soul" is the key in my particular journey with the story.
Last Saturday, several days before I started on this investigation, I went shopping at a very large bead store. At some point during my browsing, I picked up a package of butterfly-shaped beads and, after hesitating over them for a while, finally put them in my tray.
I am not the kind of woman who usually gravitates to butterflies -- but I had the sense that these would be put to use in upcoming projects. I then promptly forgot I had them until a mention of butterflies in my C&P reading suddenly reminded me.
Later in the day, during a break, I was browsing online images of the Queen of Swords card and some interpretations. As this is my personal card, I don't usually feel the need to read other peoples' interpretations, but for some reason it seemed like 'the thing to do' yesterday.
What did I find?
Butterflies.
Butterflies are traditionally part of the iconography of the Queen of Swords, something I had utterly glossed over in all my years working with the cards. I thought of them as relating to Air and thoughts, but nothing more than that. I never connected their symbolic relationship to transformation or the soul to the card.
Where is this leading?
At first, I wrote I'm not sure yet, but I'm certainly enjoying the journey.
But then, as I was re-reading this entry before posting, I realized exactly where it is leading. I'd already written it. It leads to Grace. To the undeserved, unlooked-for touch of Divinity that transforms us.
And now I need to sit with that for a while. . .
That's a very powerful story -- but I am as yet unconvinced that that's the story we see in the original version. In order to make "Cupid and Psyche" bear that weight, it has to be adapted to fit the purpose -- as these interpreters tend to do. (Again, so far in my reading.)
What is usually mentioned only in passing is that "psyche" also means "butterfly" -- and the butterfly is a living symbol of transformation. More pertinent to my study, following that line of symbolism doesn't require that the interpreter adapt the original story to make it conform to expectations of what a "spiritual journey" looks like. Stories of spiritual journeys to enlightenment require toil, commitment, endurance, patience, compassion, and etc. It's hard work. Dramatic work. Only the worthy win through to their reward. The rest fall to obscurity, to punishment, or are sent back to try again during their next life.
In contrast, a caterpillar is not an heroic creature. It doesn't aspire to anything. It doesn't struggle and yearn and overcome. (Unlike, say, salmon, birds or whales who struggle to cross hundreds or thousands of miles to reach their mating/birthing sites.) The caterpillar is utterly humble, unassuming, vulnerable, and not known for cleverness of any kind. And yet. . . simply following its instincts leads it first to complete dissolution as "chrysalis soup" (a metaphor I have used often in the past decade) and then to transformation into a creature so utterly unlike its original 'self' that no one would believe they were the same creature without having observed the entire lifecycle. Nature touches it with grace, not because of its own merits, but Just Because. Just Because it can. Just Because it seemed like The Thing To Do. The humble, witless caterpillar doesn't even have any choice in the matter. So long as it follows its instincts (and free will also seems to be conspicuously lacking in caterpillars) it will, if it survives the myriad dangers of its existence, experience something like apotheosis. Through absolutely no apparent virtue of its own.
Kind of like Psyche, in my opinion.
Which is all very well and good from a scholarly/academic perspective -- which, as a Queen of Swords, I am all in favor of. But twice yesterday I received rather more personal suggestions that "butterfly" rather than "soul" is the key in my particular journey with the story.
Last Saturday, several days before I started on this investigation, I went shopping at a very large bead store. At some point during my browsing, I picked up a package of butterfly-shaped beads and, after hesitating over them for a while, finally put them in my tray.
I am not the kind of woman who usually gravitates to butterflies -- but I had the sense that these would be put to use in upcoming projects. I then promptly forgot I had them until a mention of butterflies in my C&P reading suddenly reminded me.
Later in the day, during a break, I was browsing online images of the Queen of Swords card and some interpretations. As this is my personal card, I don't usually feel the need to read other peoples' interpretations, but for some reason it seemed like 'the thing to do' yesterday.
What did I find?
Butterflies.
Butterflies are traditionally part of the iconography of the Queen of Swords, something I had utterly glossed over in all my years working with the cards. I thought of them as relating to Air and thoughts, but nothing more than that. I never connected their symbolic relationship to transformation or the soul to the card.
Where is this leading?
At first, I wrote I'm not sure yet, but I'm certainly enjoying the journey.
But then, as I was re-reading this entry before posting, I realized exactly where it is leading. I'd already written it. It leads to Grace. To the undeserved, unlooked-for touch of Divinity that transforms us.
And now I need to sit with that for a while. . .
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(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-13 05:39 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-13 04:49 pm (UTC)I have them
Date: 2011-02-14 11:27 pm (UTC)I love the little critters, and I even have a Shimmerwing.
Butterflies also spread Beauty naturally, and by taking from flowers, they actually help create more.
Amazing little creatures. They can also heal themselves with medicinal plants, and know where to lay their eggs in order to have them protected and provided for.
Also, sometimes they're poisonous. ;)
copyright infringement - modern-myth
Date: 2011-09-06 06:41 pm (UTC)Re: copyright infringement - modern-myth
Date: 2011-09-07 02:50 am (UTC)The icon was a gift from a friend who had cited your work when she gave it to me, and I assumed she had permission to use it. The image has been removed from my main collection and will no longer appear anywhere on this journal.
Again, my apologies.