Last week, Bill Maher Did battle with the world of Marvel fandom over Stan Lee’s contribution to society. Two positions were expressed in this dustup:
- The flawed and conflicted heroes in these stories demonstrate qualities of heroism, integrity, and courage and provide models and inspiration for the Hero’s Journey, just like any other myth.
- The comic books and movies are merely diversions for children and once we grow up, we don’t need them anymore as we turn to more “Adult” sources of inspiration.
The “be adults” position seems to stem from the belief that once we are educated, grown, and responsible we no longer need myths, though we tolerate [spoiler alert] Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny. Now, you may argue that as adults we do that for the sake of the children. Uh huh. How sad were you when your kids realized the truth? Kind of took the magic out of life a little bit, didn’t it? And I know adult couples who enjoy going to Disney World without the kids. It’s OK to enjoy joy and wonder where you find it.
Many of us believe in magic as a matter of course and can relate to the old gods as avatars of certain powers, or in some cases historical figures who became bigger than life. As myth, as woman or man, or as Supernatural being, they are models for understanding metaphysical and psychological concepts.
Whether Thor is illustrated and discussed in a book by Joseph Campbell or Neil Gaiman or in a comic book or movie by Stan Lee, he still represents applied Power and integrity – the ability to focus and direct immense energy toward a purpose worthy of who you are.
A few years go, I found myself in a conversation about the four Reiki symbols. Some folks were saying they are just ideas that teach how to channel the energy and after that, they are not needed anymore. Others use them during Reiki sessions to balance energy and send certain healing intentions to the person on the table. And some believe that these symbols, like the Germanic Runes, are the concept that they represent – that they are portals to the archetypal energy. So like Guides, Angels, and other helping Spirits, these symbols have consciousness and the power to support us.
And so it is with the forms of divination we consult. Of the hundreds of Oracle and Tarot decks, you probably own a few. Why those? They were attractive to you for some reason. If you are Runecaster, your resonance with those symbols allows Spirit to communicate with you. If you are a journeyer, the entities, animals, and symbols that you encounter have personal meaning for you, based on your question.
So when we encounter our symbols as omens or messages from Spirit, we are hearing the answer to questions that face us. That’s the purpose of divination.
But symbols can also support manifestation and healing by the way we use and arrange them, charge them with intention, and stay focused on that intention through the symbol. Whether you learned bout Thor in a Marvel comic or A scholarly work on the gods, you can use symbols associated with Thor – a lightning bolt, a hammer – to empower your intentions.
Reclaiming Your Sacred Path leads you to find what ideas, myths, experiences, and symbols hold meaning for you and the sources you find have truth for you, and to make them part of your life to bring energy and joy to your journey.
On Thursday, December 6, I will be talking with Laura Tempest Zakroff from 6:00- 7:00 PM Pacific time about her writing, her art and design work, her dancing, and her 20+ year journey as a Modern Traditional Witch. Please use the link below to join the conversation or listen any time after the show as a podcast:
http://tobtr.com/11097385