The Fallen: Wisdom and Death, Arddhu and Anna

[muninnskiss]

What can popular media tell us about spiritual things?

The Fallen
By Seether

She's wearin' dresses on the borderline
(lookin good)
Or making senses that were lost in time
(make amends)
This liberation is the one they'll love for ages (hey man I see them comin' again)
Just cut those dresses make you look so fine (you're a ten)
Put on that shirt and you'll

Comments

Re: Aging and Death

[muninnskiss]

I think it's present in everything, if you look the right way.

In Jewish Kabbalah, you have the Partzufim. Nukva (Shekhinah) is the maiden, and Ze'ir Anpin (Short Countenance) is the youth. Abba (Father) and Imma (Mother) are the mature, and Atik Yomin/Arich Anpin (Ancient of Days/Long Countenance) are the Crone and Ancient in one. Most of the imagery and ideas here come fro older Jewish tradition.

There is veneration of the elderly, including the wisdom and death aspects, in Christian scriptures, though most of it is ignored now.

The interesting thing about your comment of Arddhu and the modern world of men living longer is that in many cultures in the past, the secular and religious (though not necessarily martial, as war requires the physical abilities of youth) leaders in villages tended to be an elderly man, not a woman. In a lot of societies, women didn't live as long as men because of the higher chance of death in child birth. It is "modern" that women started living longer than men on average, because of medical advances. This is part of why the old wise woman was venerated so much, because they were so rare.

Well, I would definitely see Merlin as edgy unless you look at more modern versions like the Once and Future King, and the cartoon Sword in the Stone taken from it. Merlin was always on the fringe of what was allowed in society, the prophet and meddler, respected out of fear more than love. Not the kindly old man. Merlin is a great character. Watch Excalibur, read Steven Lawhead and Mary Steward's King Arthur novels. And Gandolf had his moments of edginess, when he called up his power.

FFF,
~Muninn's Kiss