| Sun symbols .
. .often involve the wheel, disk, or circle, sometimes with
radiating rays.
Sometimes the sun is
associated with an eye.
To the Aztecs, the
rising sun was symbolized by the eagle.
In astrology, the Sun rules the sign of Leo, which is symbolized by the lion and is
associated with royalty.
And in 18th century
France, Louis XIV called himself "the Sun King," emphasizing the power of his
will and the glory of his court.
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You have a reading assignment from
Edith Hamilton's book on Greek Mythology, but perhaps the following comments will inspire
you think a little more about the general topic of myths:
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The Sun. Whether you call it
Amaterasu, Apollo, or Ra. What does it mean?
Power. Glory. Illumination. Life force. Vitality. The source of
life on earth. An important part of mythology, art, and literature, the Sun also
represents a psychological principle that transcends time and place.
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You might say that the Sun is
symbolic of our ability to direct our will and
to have a sense of purpose.
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The Sun can be considered our inner
King, the one who rules and takes considered action. Of course, when looking into our
Sun nature, the myths tell us that it's a good idea to ask a few questions. Do we believe
in a Divine plan or purpose? Are we guided by a set of values or principles? Are we in
balance? Too much Sun can mean ego run amok. You remember the myth about Icarus who flew
in his great wings of wax a little too close to the sun?
In most traditions, the Sun is considered a masculine way of
being. However, to the Teutonic, Japanese, Oceanic, Maori, and Cherokee cultures the Sun
is feminine.
When you read myths, you may also begin to notice that the Sun
god or goddess is often paired with another god, whether Moon, Earth, or Storm. The Greek
Sun god Apollo has a twin sister, Artemis, the Moon goddess.
In many stories, the sun is paired with storm, and in others with earth.
In these pairings, the rational intellect must be balanced by the irrational
emotions; the light of understanding and action with the power, passion, and latent
creativity of the unconscious mind. We are more whole when both "gods" are taken
into account. |
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