Sunday, March 6, 2016

Eleventh Labor of Hercules, revisited: The apples of the Hesperides






































image: Wikimedia commons (link).

I've just posted some new discussion of the Eleventh Labor of Heracles (Hercules), in which the hero must retrieve the apples of the Hesperides, and (because it is not safe for him to pick the apples himself), he must negotiate with the Titan Atlas to pluck the apples for him.

I've visited this important myth previously on this blog, back in 2014, but this discussion introduces some new perspectives on both the celestial correspondences and the possible spiritual significances of the Eleventh Labor.

The discussion is now up at the Message Board area on Graham Hancock's website, and I've divided it into two different "posts" or "threads" or "topic-headings" -- 
  • the first one (labeled "Part One") to describe the details of the myth itself (with a few clues regarding the direction you might want to look, if you choose to analyze the myth yourself and draw connections to its celestial foundations), and . . .
  • the second one (labeled "Part Two") to discuss my interpretation of some of the myth's celestial underpinnings, as well as discuss some of the spiritual truths which I believe this myth may be trying to convey to us. 
This format generally follows the structure of the volumes in the series Star Myths of the World (see here for Volume One and here for Volume Two), in which the first half of the book discusses the events which take place in the myth ("the storyline" of the myth or text), and then the second half contains the discussion of the celestial correspondences, and some discussion (when appropriate) of its possible spiritual import and message.

The idea is to read the first half of each chapter, consider any "hints" or pointers offered in the summary at the end of that "first half," and then (when you are ready, but not before), turn to the second half of the same discussion, found in the second half of the book -- where you'll find star charts and diagrams and discussion of the likely celestial connections in the story.

If you want, you can use the two links above in just the same way -- read the first link, and then take as much time as you want to think about the myth and its possible celestial metaphors, before moving on the next link.

And, of course, you can also join in the discussion if you wish!