tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833204375789249557.post8286292442520170415..comments2024-01-14T15:52:43.644-05:00Comments on The Thirteenth Depository - A Wheel of Time Blog: The Refining Principle: Alchemical Symbolism in the Wheel of TimeDominichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17610557134981958201noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833204375789249557.post-45025915642964622902021-11-22T21:34:51.106-05:002021-11-22T21:34:51.106-05:00Thanks for your comments.
I have a whole article...Thanks for your comments. <br /><br />I have a whole article on Jordan and Freemasonry due to Jordan being a Freemason. The articles index or symbolism labels would have directed you to it.<br /><br />https://13depository.blogspot.com/2002/03/freemasonry-and-wheel-of-time.htmlLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14767984732078916662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833204375789249557.post-3710539432757512372021-11-22T18:12:35.352-05:002021-11-22T18:12:35.352-05:00It's always interesting to read an analysis of...It's always interesting to read an analysis of fantasy based on literary alchemy. Not done very often. Especially unusual that you used the lens of Jungian psychology. The old "Harry Potter for Seekers" website did that, iirc, but it's rare. It's good that you went back to the original works of European physical alchemy and Hermeticism as well. I posted a link to this post on my Tumblr blog, @argentive<br /><br />Have you consulted Lyndy Abraham's Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery? Very handy reference to the most common symbolism. <br /><br />I wish you had written a bit more on the influence of Freemasonry on Jordan. I wouldn't be surprised if Masonic alchemical ideas were more important in the writing of the series than Jungian ones were. Jung added his own ideas, an extra layer of interpretation, to the classical alchemical writings. A good example is his disciple Marie Louise von Franz' interpretation of the Aurora Consurgens. <br /><br />I first learned about alchemical symbolism in English literature by reading studies of Shakespeare, Jonson, and Donne. It is also obvious in the works of Goethe and Mozart ("The Magic Flute"). All of these long predated Jung. <br /><br /><br /><br />eusebeiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09561656344574637573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833204375789249557.post-8376124834570685792013-03-27T17:56:36.126-04:002013-03-27T17:56:36.126-04:00Thanks Manetheren.
I noticed the different link o...Thanks Manetheren.<br /><br />I noticed the different link of the 'sacred conjunction' that is the double Warder bond last night, as I updated the Weaves and Talents article. I agree that I need to word this differently in the essay, and I'll do that after River of Souls is released since I expect that novella to provide some more examples of Mortification and the Nigredo/Blackness.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14767984732078916662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833204375789249557.post-29975595695005152902013-03-27T14:16:09.333-04:002013-03-27T14:16:09.333-04:00Very interesting essay and enjoyable. Probably a b...Very interesting essay and enjoyable. Probably a bit too abstract for me, but I definitely enjoyed a different perspective.<br /><br />I'm probably splitting hairs here, but in the "Conjunction" section where you said:<br /><br /><i>Linking in general has aspects of conjunction and solution: union and communion. The strengths of channellers are added in the circle, but not their full strengths. Only one person at a time can use the circle, which is both positive, since it enables great precision, but also negative in that other members of the circle can’t channel to ward off sudden danger.</i><br /><br />This also became a more complete conjunction due to the double warder bond between male and female when Pevara was not only able to wield full, simultaneous control of her circle with Androl, who had the lead, but also exercised it using Androl's strength in gateways as if it here her own strength. Full simultaneous control with complete integration/sharing of strengths and weaknesses in the One Power.<br /><br />Truly extraordinary.<br /><br />I know you mentioned the double bond a couple paragraphs later, but that was more about the bond as a conjunction itself, not as a conjunction via linking and thus worthy of separation recognition.<br />Manetherenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16136085597386765947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833204375789249557.post-85628237431325303162013-03-11T02:45:02.590-04:002013-03-11T02:45:02.590-04:00Thanks so much, Southpaw. Symbolism was an integra...Thanks so much, Southpaw. Symbolism was an integral part of the story, and Jordan used it so well, even quite complex combinations. A classic example is how Jordan developed Rand and his destiny from the sacrificial figure in alchemical symbolism, which is usually one of the dragon, the king or the sun. He managed to make Rand all 3. And then there is this image that Carl Jung described:<br /><br />“I am an infirm and weak old man, surnamed the dragon; therefore am I shut up in a cave, that I may be ransomed by the kingly crown…A fiery sword inflicts great torments upon me; death makes weak my flesh and bones…My soul and my spirit depart; a terrible poison, I am likened to the black raven, for that is the wages of sin: in dust and earth I lie, that out of Three may come One. O soul and spirit, leave me not, that I may see again the light of day, and the hero of peace whom the whole world shall behold may arise from me.” Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14767984732078916662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4833204375789249557.post-69662564893932029372013-03-08T00:56:39.968-05:002013-03-08T00:56:39.968-05:00A brilliant analysis as usual. It really shows as ...A brilliant analysis as usual. It really shows as well, how amazing of a writer and storyteller Robert Jordan really was. Bravo!<br /><br />-SouthpawAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com