Friday, July 15, 2022

Initiation



It just struck me that Jesus is one of the oldest archetypes around: the "ordinary man" who becomes a hero while looking for initiatory knowledge. He goes through ordeals, is dismembered and killed, only to be reassembled again and rise, initiated and stronger than before. 

Already the shamans were said to go through this process. Also, compare it with coming-of-age initiatory rituals in many "primitive" cultures around the world.  

Of course Jesus has certain traits typical of his own time, place and religious background. But the original archetype is very, very visible. 

Make of that what you wish. 


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