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LIGHT.......
01 The most basic symbol of conscious life. The darkness precedes the light. This is described variously in myth as the abyss, the darkness that is brooded over, the void, the primeval ocean, etc. Actinism: radiation of heat or light (Greek: aktin - a ray). Candle: symbol of light and the individual soul. Candlestick: symbol of spiritual light (Menorah). Eye: symbol of mental vision, organ of sense (connected with light), mirror of your soul. Third Eye: inner vision (seen on the hand of the Tibetian goddess Tara - creative divine wisdom). Symbol of the Trinity when placed inside a triangle ie, American bank notes (this dates from the Baroque period). Symbol of the sun god (antiquity). Wadjet eye: falcon eye of Horus (broad vision, Egypt). The eyes that appear on the wings of the seraphim/cherubim indicate the penetrating power of their knowledge. Jupiter’s satellite Io was used by the Danish astronomer Ole Romer [1644-1710] to determine the speed of light. For years he timed each eclipse of Io and came to the conclusion that the eclipses were earlier when the Earth was nearer to Jupiter and later when the Earth was on the other side of its orbit around our Sun! This meant that it took 22 minutes for light to cross the diameter of the orbit of the Earth itself! He came to the conclusion that light must cross space at a constant speed [before this time the view was that light propagated itself instantaneously]. Today we know that light has a speed of 186,282 miles or 299,792 km per second.
02 The light and dark personified: the contrast between light and dark, and what it means to human beings, is at the root of much mythology and symbolism. A return to the light, for example, the baptismal waters etc, comparable or related to the symbolism of rebirth from the womb. Shadow: the opposite of light (the unconscious).
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
03 The ‘Asvins’, two celestial horses, in harness, one light, one dark; the eternal and the mortal.
04 Goethe’s last words: ‘more light’.
05 Light and Darkness: one of a number of contrasting forces that have been common in the history of religion and chess. Light is usually a symbol of life and immortality and darkness a symbol of chaos and death. Creation myths describe the emergence of light out of darkness. In Chinese yin and yang thought they are regarded as complementary, needing each other and understandable in terms of each other. Light in the form of candles or lamps piercing the darkness has been important in most religious traditions and festivals (Christmas, the Jewish Hanukkah, and the Hindu Divali). During Hanukah the menorah is lit - a candelabrum similar to that which once burnt in the Temple in Jerusalem - beginning with a single candle and each night adding an extra light. Hanukkah means ‘dedication’. The truth of this religious symbol is embodied in the truth of which the prophet Zechariah spoke when he said “Not by strength nor by might, but by my spirit, says the Lord” - the light of faith. Proverbs calls the human spirit the ‘Lamp of God’. Hanukkah is less a tale of victory than of hope. Compare the contrast between astronomy/astrology, physics/alchemy, mathematics/numerology, science/symbols, etc, or compare the qualitative principles of affirmation, negation and limitation with the quantitative principles of unity, plurality and universality. Myths and symbols and the meaning we ascribe to them, show us our own states of unity, plurality and universality, and also as agents of affirmation or negation and limitation dependent upon the meaning we place upon them. The Festival of Hanukkah commemorates Judas Maccabeus’s consecreation of the temple.
06 Banaras, the Hindu holy city, is known as Kashi, the city of light.
07 Darkness is sometimes seen as helpful as ‘dark night of the soul’. Many ‘feasts of light’ are celebrated in December. The Jewish ‘Chanukah’ is an example in winter when the skies suddenly blaze with ‘night candles’. Stars have played an important symbolic role in the Christmas celebration. The most famous of these is the Christmas star which was followed by the Magi.
08 Leucippides (twins) who were called Phoebe (Light) and Hilaeira (Bright).
09 Divali (Hindu feast), ‘cluster of lights’.
10 Fire: a sacred element which takes many forms - the sun, sacrificial fire, the fireplace, funerary pyres, oil-lamps, lightning and the distant stars.
11 Uma (India): ‘The bright one’ (light).
12 Tin Hau (China): goddess of Light.
13 Tolkien: Lios Alfar = Light Elves, Svart Alfar = Dark Elves.
14 Vali (Norse): god of light and spring.
15 Viracocha (Peru): he came to Tiahuanaco ‘in the time of darkness’ bearing the gifts of light and civilization.
16 John 1:5, ‘The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not’.
“As for the decent folk, whilst not perfect on earth, they are likely to proceed to the Third Realm, in the realm of the light, where conditions are hugely superior to earth’s”.
17 Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat eis. ‘Grant them eternal rest, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine on them’ (said at Requiem Masses’).
18 Shakespeare (Measure for Measure): ‘If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, and hug her in my arms’.
19 Heimdall: god of light who guards the rainbow bridge (Bifrost).
20 The painting ‘The Light Of The World’ hangs in Saint Paul’s Cathedral. It was inspired from the line in Revelation 3:3, “Behold I stand at the door and knock” and shows Christ in a garden at night carrying a lantern to show that He is the light of the world. This picture exists in three versions (Keble College Oxford, Manchester City Art Gallery and the Saint Paul’s version). Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo from the Royal Collection (England) were put on display to celebrate the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s birth. Michelangelo’s powerful ‘The Risen Christ’ is reminiscent of the figure of God creating light as seen in the Sistine Chapel. The prince of Wales has said that the ten masterpieces depicting aspects of Christ’s life are by “artists universally acknowledged to be amongst the greatest of the 2nd millennium” - and added “I am proud of, and hugely grateful for, the discrimination shown by Charles II and George III in acquiring them”.
21 Light BS: a BS which moves on the XL cells.
22 Light Piece: term used for a KT or BS.
23 Leam: light, flame, a flash, a ray or gleam of light, brightness.
24 ****: symbol of light’s victory over darkness (a new day). In the East a symbol of battle, courage and boldness. In Christianity a symbol of resurrection and Christ’s return on Judgement Day. Usually seen on top of church spires (catching the first light of day).
25 Lamp: bearer of the spirit (when lit), represented by the flame. Bible: the Wise and Foolish Virgins carry lamps (vigilance/readiness). Lantern: symbol of mental clarity. Often seen in Japanese temples. Ner Tamid: the lamp that continually burns in front of the ark in synagogues (Exodus 27:20).
26 Lighthouse: heavenly harbor.