Mythical Dimensions Of Trees: Their Relation to the Human Psyche
as Reflected in Dreams, Myths,
and Cultural Traditions Part Two Index - The Creative Power of Matter
The Mythic is Still Present Trees in Dreams Dangers ... References The Creative Power of Matter Modern society, however, has lost this understanding of matter as having a creative power of its own. We tend to view matter instead as a dead, inanimate substance. The word 'matter' remains a dry, inhuman, and purely intellectual concept, without any psychic significance for us. How different was the former image of matter - the Great Mother - that could encompass and express the profound emotional meaning of Mother Earth. (Jung 1964) For some people, however, the scientific study of evolution and life does inspire a sense of awe at the mysterious creativity of matter. I would say that if 'dead' matter has reared up this curious landscape of fiddling crickets, song sparrows, and wondering men, it must be plain even to the most devoted materialist that the matter of which he speaks contains amazing, if not dreadful powers. (Eiseley 1978) Growth and development are just one part of the life cycle of a tree. Trees also die and decay. They are subject to disease and defoliation, and this fact is reflected in some World-tree myths. The Norse myths say that the trunk of Yggdrasill is rotting. Deer and goats leap among the branches of the World Tree, devouring the leaves and shoots, and a great serpent gnaws at one of the roots (Davidson 1964). | |
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