The Planets
beyond Saturn's orbit
23.2
page 2 of 12
A first general exploration
Known and unknown
Although the planets beyond Saturn’s orbit have not been known for long, still we find a lot of references to their respective influences in previous centuries. In mythology, they are the huge powers inhabiting the world of the gods. They also turn up as figures in fairy tales, legends and ghost stories. Extraordinary sensory perceptions (ESP) are a phenomenon of all times. On the other hand, there are descriptions of disorders within the field of the human soul where we may well suspect the disturbing interference of these superpowers.
In all these messages we can find information that is relevant to our quest.
The question about our identity
In our exploration of the relation between the Self and the non-Self, the natural place to start would probably be the Self. And developmental psychology does give us something to go on. Still, the various views in that discipline differ widely, so a clear-cut definition cannot be given yet (17.1). The same indeterminacy is reflected by the fact that throughout history, many cultures held different views about our identity. However, in spite of these differences, which can be very diverse indeed, there is also common agreement in the shared realization that the physical existence of individual human beings is founded upon a deeper identity.
A possible misunderstanding
This deeper identity is often alluded to in myths and creation stories. The existence of human beings on Earth is usually seen against a hidden background. In the Bible, for example, it is said that man was created in God’s image. If we go along with the anthropomorphic idea of God usually following this statement, we risk losing sight of the original message of the story. In many religions, making such a form image is seriously advised against. This leaves room for a different interpretation of the concept of ‘in God’s image’.
The first two brothers
As we have discussed before, the immaterial, unnamable that wants to make itself known in matter, expresses itself in two counterparts (7.1). Many creation myths refer to a human couple that emerges in the beginning. We are all familiar with Adam and Eve with their sons Kain and Abel. But there are also stories about Balder and Hoder, Castor and Pollux, Isis and Osiris versus Osiris and Seth, as well as Romulus and Remus, and Gilgamesh and Enkidu (*).
The unnamable One expresses itself in these counterparts without entering into this duality itself (7.1).
Opposition and connection
In these myths, the contrasting characters of the two brothers, each playing their own role in the creation story, are always emphasized. Besides the male-female polarity, there is a theme of one of the partners or twin brothers dying while the other continues life on Earth on his own. In this case, a fratricide is often involved. However, the dead brother continues his life on the other side and acts as the hidden identity of his mortal counterpart. Although he does not share his earthly life, he does support it, ensuring the earthbound partner’s relation with his deeper background. At this deeper layer of existence, both brothers remain in permanent connection to each other.
Developmental psychology
When we transfer these creation stories to the developmental process in young human beings, we see that after birth (which is like an expulsion from paradise) and the breaking up of the symbiotic relationship around the age of three, the Self-development obtains a firm footing (7.1, 20.1). By referring to itself as ‘I’, the young child identifies with its own imaginary world. As an I-sayer it is enveloping itself, yet its de-velopment can now start as well.
Time
The anchoring of earthbound human beings to their celestial background also involves a different relation to time, that is, to Saturn: The living brother in this sublunary world is a mortal creature. Over the years, he passes through a process of self-development and gets older, whereas the dead brother dwells in a different dimension where he lives on a different level of consciousness (3.1).
Untouched by time, he is able to continuously represent this level of existence. In this way, he carries and guards the soul of his earthly brother and guarantees his ongoing existence after death.
So these stories reflect the notion that the deeper identity of human beings cannot be found in our mortal world with its Saturnian, temporary Self-view, but is permanently rooted in another, timeless dimension, which may permeate ours, yet does not take part in it (3.1).
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