LIFE AS MYTH
JOURNAL
JOURNAL 2009
A feminine myth
Creating a new myth
SUMMER 2009
Mythology of planet
LIFEWORKS
ATLAS
SUMMER 2009
STONES AS GATEWAYS
Meditating on a stone. It seems a theme lately. And when I look at the ways stones and rocks are present throughout mythology I look for ways that there might be repeating themes.
The alchemists sought the Philosopher's stone. According to legend, the Philosopher's stone had the ability to turn base metals into gold. It is one thing to take that myth literally and quite another to take it as a metaphor for some sort of internal process of transformation.
That idea really opens up the myths to me: Jacob's rock, Sisyphus, St. Peter as the rock, David and Goliath. All of them. Using the rock as a constant throughout those stories I see a canvas of related stories -- about stones and their connection to the pathway of higher consciousness.
DAVID AND GOLIATH [ l Samuel 17:38-50]
And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 KJV
Saint Peter from the Master of Palazzo Venezia Altarpiece Panel, artist unknown. 1350. National Gallery, London.
The slaying of Goliath. Gilded bronze panel. Battistero di San Giovanni. Florence, Italy. c. 1450. Photo: Deror Avi.
