Archetypes

When conveyed correctly and understood correctly, archetypes can be a very effective way to communicate ideas. This is why religious texts and folk lore is so full of such symbols. However, when misinterpreted or taken at face value, archetypes come across as nonsense. It is therefore very unfortunate that many archetypes have become increasingly separated from their original meaning.

Many people believe folk lore to be nothing but superstition, and religious texts to be only for religious people. But we don't have to be religious to understand and benefit from the stories in the Bible, and folk lore is often full of useful insights too.

"To pay the piper," is an expression taken directly out of one of Grimm's texts. It's about debt and the inevitable bill that has to be paid, either by the ones who committed to it, or by their children.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse convey a similar story. Those who follow false advice will eventually have to pay dearly for their sins.

All of this is quick and easy to pick up, provided we know what the archetypes represent.

While many archetypes are still readily understood by most people, some have been perverted. The most important figure in this respect is God, who represents the idea of existence. Nature and God is almost indistinguishable. Knowing this, we do not have to wonder why God can be so cruel at times. God is not good or bad. God simply is.

Satan is another misunderstood figure. He is not a sadistic tormentor of souls. That's what demons are. Satan is a deceiver. He is constantly coming up with schemes that are supposedly better than what God has made. But all his ideas are flawed. They require force and coercion. Wherever Satan spreads his ideas, there is strife and misery. People who fall for Satan's trickery end up miserable. To follow Satan is to sin, and the physical and mental hardships that come with sin is hell.

To sin is to miss the target through frivolity, greed, lust, etc. Hell is mental ruin, often coupled with economic ruin.

Heaven is also a mental state. It is the reward for bravery, righteousness and honesty. It is the just reward that comes with a balanced life in tune with God. It comes in the form of praise and love and often riches. Most importantly it is the comfort of a clean conscience. Knowing that we did the right thing is the biggest comfort of all.

I'm not a religious man, but I'm no idiot. I understand that there is much wisdom in the Bible, and in old folk lore too for that matter. To ignore all this wisdom is folly. It simply makes us susceptible to Satan's trickery. We all have our weaknesses. If we are not careful, we will give in to one or more of them, and we will end up miserable. We should therefore all take some time to reflect over what we are doing, and whether or not it is sustainable. Are we gambling with our lives? Are we living beyond our means? Are we slothful? Are we self centered and vane? Are we out of tune with God? If so, we better shape up and get our act together, because hell in the form of depression or ruin is never far away for those who live their lives in sin.

Paradise lost

By Gustave Doré - https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/milton/john/paradise/complete.html, Public Domain, Link