Showing 604 articles
The Symbolism of the Emerald
Author: M.A. Carrillo de Albornoz & M.A. FernándezJune 22, 2014
The emerald is the stone of green light, which endows it simultaneously with an esoteric significance and with regenerative powers. In Central America, the stone was associated with rain and blood and all the symbols of the lunar cycle. It was regarded as a token of fertility. The Aztecs associated the emerald with the bird [...]
The Strong-minded Snake (Determination)
Author: AnonymousJune 21, 2014
Once upon a time there was a doctor who was an expert at treating snakebites. One day he was called for by the relatives of a man who had been bitten by a deadly poisonous snake. The doctor told them, “There are two ways of treating this snake bite. One is by giving medicine. The [...]
The Razor’s Edge
Author: AnonymousJune 1, 2014
Production: 1946 Country: USA Directed By: Edmund Goulding Starring: Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Anne Baxter, John Payne, Clifton Webb, Herbert Marshall, Lucile Watson, Frank Latimore, Elsa Lanchester Written By: John Byrum, Murray Bill Soundtrack composed by: Jack Nitzsche Director of Photography: Peter Hannan DVD Distribution: Fox Length: 145 min. Plot: Based on the novel by [...]Gladiator
Author: AnonymousJune 1, 2014
Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed Duration: 155 min. This is a pure Hollywood movie that nonetheless refers to a very important era of history – the beginning of the fall of the Roman Empire. This movie reminds us of the glory of Rome, long before Christian historians misjudged [...]
The Symbolism of the Eagle
Author: M.A. Carrillo de Albornoz & M.A. FernándezMay 27, 2014
The eagle is one of the most ancient symbols of humanity. The Greeks and the Persians consecrated it to the sun, as a symbol of elevation and of spirit associated with the supreme sky-god, representing the spiritual principle. For the Greeks, the Eagle was the emblem of Zeus. The Druids regarded it as the symbol [...]
The Symbolism of the Raven
Author: M.A. Carrillo de Albornoz & M.A. FernándezMay 22, 2014
The black of its feathers and its mournful cry make the raven, which feeds on carrions, a bird of ill omen. This reputation is also to be found in China even though the Chinese see the raven as symbol of filial gratitude, considering the fact that it feeds its parents. In Japan as well the [...]
The Symbolism of the Giants
Author: M.A. Carrillo de Albornoz & M.A. FernándezMay 22, 2014
Gaia, the Earth, gave birth to the Giants in order to avenge the Titans whom Zeus imprisoned in Tartarus. They are chthonian beings, symbolizing, by their gigantic physical mass and their spiritual poverty, the predominance of forces arising from the Earth. Giants represent magnified commonplaceness and the image of unrestrained physical and brutal instincts. They [...]
The Birth of Buddha
Author: AnonymousMay 21, 2014
Twenty-five centuries ago, King Suddhodana ruled a land near the Himalaya Mountains. One day during a midsummer festival, his wife Queen Maya retired to her quarters to rest, and she fell asleep and dreamed a vivid dream. Four angels carried her high into white mountain peaks and clothed her in flowers. A magnificent white bull [...]
Let’s play some Chess
Author: Agostino DominiciMay 13, 2014
Although I have never been a chess player I have always been fascinated by the various elements which constitute this game. Looking at the black and white chess board or the shapes of the various pieces I feel as if something very old and mysterious has been hidden behind those symbols. The origins of this [...]
Willpower
Author: Delia Steinberg GuzmánMay 13, 2014
“I will never be an obstacle to myself.” – Epictetus Willpower is much more than a simple desire. In order to do things, to live and to achieve goals in life, desire is not enough. A desire dies faster than a passing gust of wind, while willpower manifests itself with the power of faith, [...]
The Language of Birds
Author: Julian ScottMay 13, 2014
“We’ve been on earth all these years and we still don’t know for certain why birds sing. We need someone to unlock the code to this foreign language and give us a key; we need a new Rosetta Stone.” – Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker CreekThere have always been traditions about human beings with the [...]
Rowing Against the Current
Author: Jorge Angel LivragaMay 13, 2014
“The difference between a floating tree trunk and a boat made of the same wood is that the latter has oars and can row upstream.”Dr. N. Sri RamI heard these words from him in my distant youth. The phrase was not part of any of his lectures and I do not know if it is [...]