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The Magnificent Mount of the Muses, |
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The Winged Horse
of Greek Mythology...
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Pegasus, the Winged Horse, was the son of Poseidon and Medusa, sprang from the blood
of Medusa when it dropped into the sea after her head had been severed by Perseus.
Pegasus appears again and again throughout mythology. He was captured by Bellerophon
at the water of his fountain and ridden by him when he killed the dreaded three
headed Chimaera. Pegasus became the thundering horse of Zeus which is why he appears
among the stars. Pegasus was later brought to Mount Helicon by Bellerophon and with
one kick of his hoof, he caused the spring of Hippocrene to flow. Hippocrene is
said to be the source of inspiration to poets. Bellerophon, who slayed the hideous
beast Chimaera, became so headstrong that he ordered Pegasus to fly him up to Mount
Olympus, the home of the gods. This impudence angered Zeus, who sent an insect to
sting the winged horse, who bucked Bellerophon off its back. Needless to say, Bellerophon
did not survive the fall to Earth. Pegasus went on to greatness, however, as the
"Thundering Horse of Jove" who carried lightning bolts for Zeus.
Symbolism:
Horses
are a potent symbol from almost every world religion and mythology. Many of its
myths express the horse's innate clairvoyance and ability to perceive the magic
within humans. Some view the horse as the symbol of strength, virility and lust.
According to popular belief it loses its sexual powers when its mane is cut, and
is the only animal which shows sorrow because it weeps for its dead master (though
this is later belief is not exclusive to the Horse-Human relationship). Also, it
is a symbol for loyalty and devotion, such as the faith it has with it's master.
It also represents the warrior spirit, bravery and courage.
Strength & Sexual
Energy Wings are a symbol that denotes "flight" and often represent prayer and contemplation,
especially in the sense of feathered bird-like wings. A spiritual or religious symbol
they represent the soul's ability to transcend the weight of earthly burdens and
rise above such concerns into the air, even to Heaven itself, to the presence of
God. In Christian symbolism, through demonization, there are also the accursed wings
of such infernal creatures as vampires, basilisks, dragons and others. These are
the leathery wings of skin, like those of a bat, whose appearance adds to the attributes
of evil inherent in the beast. "Skin" being a symbol of the carnal nature of man,
therefore sinful, is connected to the idea of the perversion of the intellectual
faculties toward evil purposes. Azrael, the Angel of Death, is often depicted with
leathery wings, (i.e., the satyr-like devil, Satan [the former Angel of Light, Lucifer]
the Destroyer). These are the typical wings of the Hellhorse or the Chimaera. Transcendence
& Liberty.
The Winged Horse or Pegasus symbolizes heightened power of the natural
forces - the innate capacity for spiritualization and for inverting evil into good.
As a Christian and religious symbol, Pegasus was adopted from the attribution as
the mount of Apollo, the God of pure light, beauty and truth to be included in the
symbolic fauna of Christ. Winged horses, in general, symbolize the transport of
the soul of the deceased Christian to Heaven, and figuratively, like Apollo the
Sun-god, represents Christ lifted up and, like the sun, 'Full of Glory,' and as
the Revealer of Mysteries and the causer of refreshing (as in the passage: "They
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings
as eagles..." - Isaiah 40:31). Also, during the Apocalypse, Pegasus has been compared
to the "white horse" whom the conqueror rides in the book of Revelation in the Bible.
Aside from being a general symbol of creative inspiration and poetry, the flying
horse is an expression for speed, power and swift transport. As an animal totem,
Pegasus symbolizes the immortality of the soul, and serves as the carrier and protector
of the spirit in its journeys to the astral plane (especially to the Moon - the
emotional plane). Pegasus is closely linked to the Greek gods Poseidon (Neptune)
[emotion ], his father; Athena (Minerva) [heavenly wisdom ], his protectress; Zeus
(Jupiter) [guidance & creativity ] as his Thunder-bearer; and the Muse Urania
[heavenly love ], his nursemaid, and the Muses [inspiration, memory and the arts
] in general; the heroes Perseus [intellect ] and Bellerophon [impudence ]; and
the monsters Medusa [mortal wisdom ] and Chimaera [complex evil ]. Creative Inspiration
& Benevolent Transformation, Communication & Transportation.
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