ZEUS GOD OF GODS

ZEUS - GOD OF GODS

Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. He overthrew his father, Cronus/Kronos (King of the Titans), and then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades, in order to decide who would succeed their father on the throne. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods, as well as lord of the sky and rain. His weapon was a thunderbolt which he hurled at those who displeased or defied him, especially liars and oathbreakers. Although he was married to Hera, he often tested her patience, as he was infamous for his many affairs.

Zeus, the presiding deity of the universe, ruler of the skies and the earth, was regarded by the Greeks as the god of all natural phenomena on/in the sky, the personification of the Laws of nature, the ruler of the state, and finally, the “Father of Gods and Men.” God ... the Father.

Using his shield, the Aegis, Zeus could create all natural phenomena related to the air and the sky, such as storms, tempests, and intense darkness. At his command, mighty thunder would roll, and lightning would flash, wreaking havoc … or the skies would open to rejuvenate the earth with life-giving water.

As the personification of the operations of nature, he represented the grand Laws of unchanging and harmonious order, by which both the natural and the spiritual world were governed. He was the god of regulated time as marked by the changing seasons and the regular succession of day and night, in contrast to what his father Cronus/Kronos represented before him; absolute time, i.e. eternity. (Father Time)

As the ruler of the state, he was the source of kingly power, the upholder of all institutions connected to the state, and the friend and patron of princes, whom he guarded and assisted with his advice and counsel. He was also the protector of the people, and watched over the welfare of the whole community.

As the Father of the Gods, Zeus made sure that each deity perform their individual duty, punished their misdeeds, settled their disputes, and acted towards them on all occasions as their all-knowing counsellor and mighty friend.

As the Father of Men, he took a paternal interest in the actions and well-being of mortals. He watched over them with tender care, rewarding Truth, charity, and fairness, while severely punishing perjury and cruelty. Even the poorest and most hopeless wanderer could find a powerful advocate in Zeus, for He, as a wise and merciful paternal figure, demanded that the wealthy inhabitants of the earth be attentive to the needs of their less fortunate fellow citizens.

Perhaps, we should have a closer look at his humanitarian side. After all, isn't that what a God should be most concerned with? The well being of all his offspring. The goodness of the treatment of all people. No favourites, every begotten child treated with equality and justice. Of course, there's that lightning bolt that you'd have to dodge every now and again ... but wasn't it the same for us as kids when we stepped out of line? You know, running from the switch, the ruler, the belt, or that long strip of Hot Wheels plastic track? 

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

SATURN / CRONUS THE BAD GUY

SATURN/CRONUS - THE BAD GUY

In traditional astrology, Saturn was the “bad guy” of the planets. And everything that Saturn touched was sure to be soured. In mythology, Cronus (known to the Romans as Saturn) was the nasty, ruthless father of the 12 Olympian gods. Ultimately, one of his sons that would become Zeus.

Fast forward, and Satan ... I mean Saturn ... underwent a “face-lift” but strikes fear in the hearts of many people. You see, Saturn still symbolizes esoterically, the growth process and lessons learned through painful or difficult experiences. Saturn is much more concerned with the growth of our soul, than it/he is with our personal comfort or ease. 

Archetypal Saturn points to all the open sores and cherished old wounds where we feel the most vulnerable to attack in our unconscious Mind. And when other people step (accidentally or purposely) on our “sore spots” - we instinctively react like the proverbial “wounded animal caught in a trap.”

Even if someone nice were to come along, wanting to release us from our trap - then, purely out of blind instinct, pain (panic) and fear, we'd end up biting and attacking our compassionate and well-meaning Samaritan. (Remember, these are "cherished" old wounds.) And all the while, we thought we were simply defending ourselves. 

  

You may have heard the term the “Shadow of the Psyche.” In Jungian psychology, the shadow (also known as id, shadow aspect, or shadow archetype) is either an unconscious aspect of the personality that the conscious ego does not identify in itself; or the entirety of the unconscious Mind. Everything of which a person is not fully conscious. In short, the “shadow” is the unknown side.

And just so we're clear on things - all of the planets and zodiac signs have their own “shadow” sides. Over the years, Saturn (and Pluto) has been used to being treated as '”scapegoats” and as “uninvited gods.”

When we attempt to sweep Saturn under the rug, then (as is true with all the planets), Saturn shows us his harsher face. Saturn, then, reflects a Shadow aspect of the Psyche that loves to point out our many, manifold weaknesses, fears, and sins. Saturn becomes our angry internal (infernal) father intent on eating up all of our potential and our creativity. We experience Saturn as an angry, judgmental parent thats likely to point out and remind us of all our many flaws and shortcomings.

Saturn also easily qualifies as the nastier side of Santa Claus that only rewards those good children that can display flawless and perfect behavior - and so he leaves the rest of us a “lump of coal” in our Christmas stocking, because we've been very, very bad this year.

You'd better watch out 

You'd better not cry 

You'd better not pout 

and I'm telling you why! 

'Saturn' Claus is coming to town! 

I realize this image of Santa is a bit tough to digest, since our society's image of Jolly Saint Nick has been seriously “Jupiterized” over the years ... but nonetheless ... study it a bit and you will see the correlation.

We've all heard our internal Saturn's angry, condemning voice - reminding us of just how “whatever” we are (or they are). It's never nice, always demeaning. This is our personal Satan/Saturn - the ego. This is in direct opposition to the Higher-Self (Divine) that still small voice of love and compassionate support and insight. Our Divine Self, is our intuition. We should pay more attention to it as we recognize the Saturn of our ego base-nature self.

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.