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"Feat of Hercules" Hercules (Hercules) is a hero of myths, gifted with extraordinary strength. His name has become a household name for a person with great physical strength
. The expression Herculean feat, labor is used when talking about any task that requires effort. Hercules (ancient Greek Ἡρακλῆς), lat. Herculēs, Hercules) ancient Greek mythology
- the greatest hero, the son of the god Zeus and Alcmene, the wife of the Theban king Amphitryon. At birth he was named Alcides. Repeatedly mentioned already in the Iliad (II 658, etc.).
Among the numerous myths about Hercules, the most famous is the cycle of tales about the 12 labors performed by Hercules when he was in the service of the Mycenaean king Eurystheus.

The cult of Hercules was very popular in Greece; through Greek colonists it early spread to Italy, where Hercules was revered under the name Hercules. The constellation Hercules is located in the northern hemisphere of the sky.
"Pillars of Hercules"
Pillars of Hercules - They often say about a person who talks nonsense and nonsense that he has reached an agreement right up to the very pillars of Hercules. The ancient Greeks believed that where the very edge of the world is located and the endless ocean opens up to the eye, there are two huge pillars (they are also called pillars in the ancient dialect). It was Hercules who installed them during his journey, and they meant only one thing - there is no further road, therefore a common person should not even take risks.

As for today, indeed, these pillars exist and have their own names: Ceuta and Gibraltar, while people calmly swim between them in any direction and nothing happens. In ancient times, they were the end of the earth, and to go beyond them means to commit suicide. Thus, if a person went beyond the pillars, then he reached the final limit. This is where the modern name of the phraseological unit “pillars of Hercules” comes from.
"Speaking into the Wind"
There is the following scene in the legendary Odyssey. Israel, having said some harshness in his heart, apologizes to the “cunning Ulysses”: “If I uttered impudent words, then let the wind carry them away and scatter them.” To which the wise Ulysses replies: “You shouldn’t talk into the wind.”
And in a poem by the German poet Heinrich Heine, written many centuries later, we find other lines:
Oh, if only in one word
Should I drain my sadness and sadness?
And throw that word to the wind,
So that the wind carries him away...
It is obvious that people’s attitudes to both the wind and the word can be different. However, in most cases, the expression “talking into the wind” or “throwing words into the wind” means a person’s frivolous attitude towards his statements and given obligations or promises. The phraseology “not to throw words to the wind,” on the contrary, means that a person is responsible for his words and fulfills his promise.

Dmitry Markin

INTERPRETATION OF THE LABERS OF HERCULES
Introduction

Myth is a special form of knowledge of the world. Myth certainly helps us live. Every myth, to some extent, is true. Russian philosopher A.F. Losev notes: “Myth is not poetic fiction at all and not even poetry in general; myth is for a mythically thinking subject something absolutely real, and not at all fictitious.” At the same time, Losev repeatedly emphasizes in various works that the only reality for the man of antiquity was the “sensually material” “sculpturally designed” cosmos, i.e. first of all, the starry sky.”

“Myth, as the original form of spiritual culture of humanity, represents nature and the social forms themselves, already processed into unconscious artistic images by folk fantasy,” as K. Marx and F. Engels write.

Myth scholar George Frazer viewed myth as an inaccurate and naive perception of natural phenomena, or human actions, and associated mythical stories with ancient customs and rituals.

According to the theory of philosopher and anthropologist Claude Levi Strauss, individual details of a myth can often be replaced by other details, keeping the overall structure unchanged. Levi Strauss's theory seems to us to be the main one, and we are inclined to agree with it.

There are categories of myths different types, for example, solar myths - main character they contain the sun; myths are also called solar. In which the hero or heroine exhibits solar traits, i.e. features with signs of the sun as a mythological hero.

Hercules fits the definition of a “solar hero.” Pagan Latin philosopher and philologist Macrobius, who lived in the 4th-5th centuries AD. directly connects his image with the sun. Robert Brown, in his book “Semitic Influence on Hellenic Mythology,” writes that Hercules is a solar god who performs a special feat in each month and sign of the zodiac.” The twelve labors of Hercules remind us of the twelve signs of the zodiac. This Solar theory about the twelve labors of Hercules in which:

Aries corresponds to the Cyrenean Hind; Taurus is the Cretan bull; Geryon's cows correspond to Gemini; Lernaean Hydra Raku; Nemean Leo is the constellation Leo; The Virgo corresponds to the belt of Hippolyta; Atlanta sky - sign of Libra; Kerber is Scorpio; Stymphalian birds correspond to Sagittarius; The Erymanthian boar is Capricorn; Augean stables approach the sign of Aquarius; Horses of Diomedes to Pisces.

It is worth noting that Hercules wore the skin of a Leo, an animal that symbolized the summer sun, and at the end of summer, in August, the sun is in the constellation Leo.

There are other categories of myths. For example, Astral myths - myths about stars and planets. A number of myths end with the heroes moving to the sky, turning them into a constellation - this is what happens in the myth of Hercules - after his exploits, Hercules turns into a constellation.

Myths heroic fix the most important points life cycle, are built around the biography of the hero and may include his miraculous birth, trials from his elder relatives or hostile demons, the search for a wife, marriage trials, fighting monsters and other feats, and the death of the hero. These are the heroic myths. .

Meteorological theory myth. Ancient man, according to this theory, raised into myth celestial phenomena associated with the movement of the sun and moon, so that the gods turned into solar, lunar and astral symbols in a generalization of meteorological phenomena, i.e.: thunderstorm, lightning, rain, rainbow, dawn, storms and winds, etc. - these are some categories of myths.

In our opinion, the existing theories of myths mentioned above can be supplemented with one more. Let's call it “ethical” . The myth presents us with echoes of some ethical principles that existed in ancient times and had a great influence on morals, lifestyle, morality in historical eras. And also on philosophical movements. Example - Hercules at the crossroads: One day Hercules retired to the Cytheraean mountains and, in deep thought, pondered which path to choose in life. Walking along the road, he saw that the road forked. One road led to an easy, calm, unhindered life, where there is no need to work, while the other led to a complex, restless and difficult life, to a noble, but difficult life, a life where one has to work, and not blissfully. Without hesitation for long, the noble Hercules took the difficult road towards his destiny.

This work represents the fruit of some preliminary considerations on this topic. Myth contains the essence of human life. By solving myths, we learn about a person’s past and how he imagined the world. We will look at this using the example of myths telling about the exploits of Hercules.

The predecessor of Hercules is the Sumerian hero Gilgamesh, who did not achieve immortality. The legends of Hercules and Gilgamesh contain echoes of twin myths. .

Gilgamesh performs feats similar to those of Hercules. Myths about Gilgamesh tell about his victory over the bull, a gigantic bird, Gilgamesh kills the Lion. Like Hercules descends into underworld.

So, Hercules is a hero who performs great feats in the name of humanity. The Labors of Hercules show us the life of the ancients in problems and ways to solve these problems.
^ I Nemean Lev.

At the behest of Apollo, Hercules went to the homeland of his ancestors in the Peloponnesian city of Tiryns. He had to serve the king of Mycenae Eurystheus for 12 years and perform feats, for which he would receive immortality. By order of this cowardly king, Hercules goes to the city of Nemea in the north-east of the Peloponnese to kill the terrible Lion that was devastating its surroundings. He discovered a lion in a cave with two exits, with two gates - the gates of People and Gods. Entering the gates of people, Hercules shot three arrows at him - they bounced off his skin. Hercules strangled the Lion and left the cave from the gate of the gods.

All problems that stand in your way are solvable. Solve the problem yourself, says the myth. (How Hercules strangled Leo with his bare hands). And you will emerge victorious (Hercules entered the cave through the gates of people, and came out of the gates of the gods). From here you will gain knowledge, you will become wiser (Hercules tore off the skin of the Nemean Lion with his own fangs and put it on himself) - this was a sign of wisdom.
^ II Lernaean Hydra

Near the city of Lerna, in the swamps, there lived a monster with the body of a snake and 9 heads. Hydra was killing everyone around. Hercules and his assistant Iolaus arrived to fight the hydra. He pressed the monster's body with his foot and began knocking off the hydra's heads with his club. The hydra tried to strangle Hercules with its tail. But he continued to fight. Then the hero noticed that in place of the severed head, two new ones were growing. Then he called for help from Iolaus, who began to set fire to the hydra’s necks with tree trunks after Hercules cut off their heads. The Karkinos cancer also clung to Hercules' leg, but he crushed it. After this, the monster was defeated. Hercules smeared his arrows with hydra poison, after which the wounds from them became fatal.

If something doesn’t work out for you, i.e. an insoluble problem has arisen, call a friend for help - he will help you (this friend Iolaus). Friendship in antiquity was one of the highest virtues. An example of the highest friendship is the friendship of the heroes of the Trojan War, Achilles and Patroclus. Patroclus encouraged Achilles to fight and died in his armor. In history, the sacred Theban detachment, whose 12,000 warriors were bound by bonds of unbreakable friendship.

So, together with a friend you will solve this problem (the problem is the Lernaean Hydra). But if another easier problem appears (Cancer Karkinos tried to drag Hercules into the swamp) - solve it yourself, without forcing your friend to do everything for you. King Eurystheus did not count this feat because of the help of Iolaus (Still, you must solve the problem without help, but, on the other hand, it could only be solved with a friend - although the feat was not counted by Eurystheus - the problem was solved).
^ III Cyrenean Hind

This Doe was sent as punishment to people by Artemis. She did not know fatigue and rushed across the fields with lightning speed, devastating them. Eurystheus ordered Hercules to catch the doe alive. For a whole year, Hercules ran after the animal, only after Hercules wounded the Hind in the leg with an arrow, he managed to grab her.

Don’t be lazy and work on the task at hand, pursue your goal (like Hercules pursued the Cyrene Hind). Pursue a goal until it is achieved. If the task is very difficult for you, then resort to “cunning” (Hercules wounded the Cyrene Hind). Just like a student applies a formula to solve a complex mathematical problem - in this or that case, you win.
^ IV Erimathan Boar

The boar who lived on Mount Erymanthus killed people with his huge tusks. Hercules pursued him for a long time, drove him into the snow on the top of a mountain, tied him up and carried him alive to Mycenae. Eurystheus, seeing the boar, hid in a jug out of fear.

Solve the problem to the very end, so that “it’s not the problem that baffles you, but you the problem.” To win, you can resort to cunning (Hercules drove the boar into the snow). Before Hercules caught the boar, on the way to him, Hercules had the same battle, Hercules killed the tribe of Centaurs - Forest demons, half-men, half-horses. In our opinion, it was more difficult to kill the Centaur tribe than to catch a boar, i.e. more difficult problems always come first, and then are always better and easier. (For example, when a person learns one foreign language, the next one learns easier - this usually happens).
^ V Augean Stables

The son of the sun god Helios, King Augeas of Elis, had a huge herd of cows. His entire barnyard had not been cleaned for many years and was littered with manure. Eurystheus ordered Hercules to cleanse this barnyard. Hercules offered to cleanse it in 1 day if Augeas gave him a tenth of the herd. Augeas agreed. Hercules blocked the flow of two rivers and directed the water to the barnyard. During the day, all the manure was washed away, but Augeas broke his word and did not give Hercules the cows. A few years later, Hercules took revenge on the deceiver king. With a large army, he invaded Elis, defeated the army of Augeas and killed him with an arrow. After the victory, Hercules established Olympic Games, which have been held every four years since 776 BC. to 394 AD

Cleaning a barnyard may not seem like a difficult task, but rather unpleasant, but if so, then you can find a completely normal way to solve the problem, says the myth. Whatever task is given to you, work hard and solve it - that's it. Choose the right path to solve the problem (in historical times, Socrates did this) - that’s two. You can ask for a reward for your work (Augei promised to give a tenth of the cattle for cleansing the yard). But Hercules was not rewarded, or rather, they were not given what was promised. The myth says: it is better not to ask for anything. On the other hand, the meaning of the myth is different - water can wash away everything, even the dirtiest, and can also cleanse a person’s soul. (In ancient times, people purified themselves by immersion in water. They did this in nearby rivers, lakes, seas, waterfalls - this was one of the ways to cleanse the soul from sins). Conclusion: solve any problem, no matter how difficult it may be.
^ VI Stymphalian birds

Birds near the city of Stymphala destroyed animals and people with their copper claws and beaks. They could shoot their bronze feathers like arrows. Hercules climbed the hill, at the foot of which there was a forest where birds lived, and struck the tympanums given to him by Athena - musical instrument in the form of a bronze drum. From the deafening ringing, the birds rose in horror above the forest. They began to shoot feather arrows, but Hercules began to strike the birds with his arrows, and the remnants of the birds flew away to distant lands.

To win, you can “intimidate” and “scare”, i.e. think about the future, model for yourself your whole life (Hercules stunned the Stymphalian birds). You must know everything for the future. Don't be afraid if there are a lot of problems (Stymphalian birds are problems). Resolve them so that you don’t have them, i.e. decide the first time (Hercules hits the birds the first time, accurately and precisely strikes them with his poisonous arrows). If some of the problems go to others, be calm, this other one must solve them (Some of the birds flew away, but then the Argonauts finished them off). The main thing: be brave and do not be afraid of anything.
^VII Cretan Bull

Poseidon sent a huge bull to Minos, the king of Crete, to sacrifice. But Minos took pity on the bull and decided to keep it. Then Poseidon sent him into a frenzy, and the bull devastated the entire island. Hercules sailed to Crete, caught and tamed a bull. Then on his back he swam across the sea and returned to the Peloponnese. Eurystheus released the bull, and Theseus killed him on the Marathon field.

Do not pay attention to what is happening to others (Disputes between Poseidon and Minos) - give your work and solve it quickly. (Hercules tames the Cretan bull). You can learn to take advantage of this problem (Hercules swam across the sea on a half-dead bull). You’ve done the job - walk safely, you shouldn’t worry about what will happen in the future - you’ve done your job (Eurystheus releases the bull). If the problem is “updated”, someone else will solve it (Theseus killed the Cretan bull on the marathon field).
^ VIII Horses of Diomedes

The king of the Biston tribe from Thrace, Diomedes, had magic horses. They were chained with iron chains in stalls, and they were fed human meat, the meat of foreigners. Hercules freed the horses and entrusted their guard to Abdera, Abdera was torn to pieces by the horses, Diamed fell in the battle with Hercules, Hercules buried Abdera and named the city in his honor. Hercules drove the horses to Eurystheus, ordered them to be released, and they ran into the mountains, where they were eaten by wild animals.

If you see something beautiful, and evil reigns over this beautiful thing, free this beautiful thing from evil (Beautiful horses). Moreover, fight evil (Having entrusted the guard of the horses to Abdera, Hercules kills Diomedes, Abdera is killed by the horses) - if something happened to your friend (a friend is Abdera) through your fault, try to atone for this guilt in any way, however you like. (Hercules named the city Abdera in honor of the deceased). Do the job to the end no matter what, even the most terrible thing (i.e. the death of a friend) (Hercules delivered Diamed to Eurystheus, and he set them free, where they were torn to pieces by wild animals). Still, Hercules did his job!
^ IX Belt of Hippolyta

On the northern shore of the Black Sea is the country of the Amazons - women warriors. The queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta, had a belt - a sign of power over all the Amazons. The daughter of Eurystheus wanted to have this belt, and the king sent Hercules to the land of the Amazons. Hercules collected best heroes Among them was Theseus, and sailed into the Black Sea. Hippolyta wanted to give the belt to the heroes, but the insidious Hera, the wife of Zeus and the enemy of Hercules, quarreled the Amazons with the Greeks. The battle began, the Amazons were defeated, Hippolyta was captured by Hercules. Hercules let her go, but took the belt.

For the sake of fulfilling your goal, you can leave your country for another country - i.e. make a journey (Hercules goes to the land of the Amazons). No matter how difficult your path is - overcome it - then you will reach your goal (Hercules sailed to the land of the Amazons. He asked Hippolyta to give the belt (i.e. do not engage in battle, but decide the weight through negotiations) - this will be more correct, but if they don’t want it by word, then by force, i.e. if they don’t believe you, but you speak the truth, achieve truth and peace and complete your work, no matter who stands against you, be it a woman or a man.
^X Cows of Geryon

Hercules heads to the Far West. He had to drive a herd of purple bulls of the three-headed Giant Geryon to Mycenae. Sitting on the ocean shore, Hercules did not know how to get to the island lying in the middle of the ocean, but he immediately saw the Sun God Helios descending from heaven. It’s hard for Hercules to look at the Sun, in anger he points his bow at the radiant Helios, Helios lowered his boat to the ground, on this boat Hercules reached Erythia and took possession of Geryon’s herd, driving the bulls to Mycenae, he gives them to Eurystheus, and he sacrificed them Gere.

Yes, it’s true that the ancient Greeks knew so well that they foresaw everything about human life in their myths. In this myth, Hercules created the Strait of Gibraltar. As the myth says, he did this in memory of himself, so that his descendants, and not only them, but all of humanity in general, would remember him and his exploits. What can Geryon's cows tell us? Feel free to set out on your journey and do not be afraid of anything, but remember the difficulties along your way. (Hercules suffered from the scorching rays of the sun during the campaign). When you cannot go your own way, you can take the most courageous step. (Hercules aimed an arrow at Helios and he gave him a boat for the journey) i.e. Do not fear anyone, not even God himself. Use your courage and come to a solution to the problem. (As Hercules did). (In Italy, the robber Kak stole from him some of the cows, which Hercules took from Geryon, but Geryon was killed by Hercules’ arrows. When he drove the cows into a cave, Hercules could not find them and drove the remaining cows further, one cow mooed in the cave, Hercules found them, freed and killed Kaka). Here the code is this: sooner or later everything is revealed - be cool and courageous (After this, Hercules in Scythia meets the Half-Deva-Half-Snake, they enter into a marriage relationship and children are born). So, all your suffering will certainly be rewarded, but do not forget about the matter (Hercules drove the horses to Mycenae and gave them to Ephvrystheus, and he sacrifices them to Hera).
^ XI Sky Atlanta

This feat was the most difficult. Hercules had to find the Titan Atlas, who held the firmament on his shoulders, and bring three golden apples from the garden of Atlas's daughters, the Hesperides. Hercules wandered around the world for a long time. Finally, Hercules found Atlas. The Titan agreed to give him three apples, but while he goes for them, Hercules must hold the firmament for him. A terrible weight fell on the hero. The goddess Athena helped him hold the sky. Atlas wanted to deceive Hercules and force him to hold the firmament forever, but he failed. With three golden apples, Hercules returned to Eurystheus, Eurystheus gives the apples to Hercules, but Athena gives them back to the Hesperides.

If you need to do something and you are not able to do it, ask someone else - someone who can do it, but for a reason - “replace him” - “switch roles with him”, i.e. if they do good to you, repay the same kindness, even if it is very difficult, but you must do it. Do the job and think at the same time. Do it this way. so that you don't get deceived. (Atlas wanted to forever force Hercules to hold the sky until he got the apples of the Hesperides). And if things are really bad and you don’t know that you have been deceived, “cunning” yourself, only “cunning”, for good purposes and, most importantly, wisely. (When Atlas brought apples to Hercules, intending to leave forever, Hercules asked him to hold the sky for him until he put a pillow under his head and stood up again. Atlas believed - and remained standing there forever). Finish your job. (Eurystheus gives apples to Hercules; Athena returns them back).
^ XII Kerber

Eurystheus sent Hercules to the underground kingdom of Hades so that Hercules would bring him the guardian of this kingdom - the three-headed dog Kerberus. Hercules descended to the kingdom of Hades, caught Kerberus, and brought him to Mycenae. Where the foam fell from Kerberus’s mouth, poisonous herbs grew. Seeing the dog, Eurystheus was horrified and on his knees begged Hercules to take him back to the kingdom of the dead, and he did so.

Perhaps information is stored here about what will happen to a person after his death.

Don't be afraid to go down to Hades. You will have to overcome a lot of things to return to your world. You must overcome everything. Lord Hades may give you a task, after which you can leave in peace. You must overcome something terrible (ie Kerberos), and then return to your world. (var. I)

Be brave and do not be afraid of anything, endure everything for the sake of fulfilling your goal, you can take the most dangerous step (Hercules descends into the kingdom of the dead), fight with your passion (it is possible that passion is represented in the form of Kerberus) and emerge as a hero and winner - this was the last from the great labors of Hercules (var. II).
Conclusion

The exploits of Hercules had very important pedagogical significance in ancient times, since his life seemed full of great labors for the benefit of humanity. This can be evidenced by the fact that in Ancient Greece There were so-called school communities that bore the name of a hero. The fraternities of Hercules, Theseus and others are known. This suggests that not only Hercules, but also other representatives of heroic mythology were role models for the younger generation. Particularly great importance was given to the exploits of Hercules in the Middle Ages, for example, the image of Hercules was considered as an allegory of the astronomer student, and Atlanta - of the astronomer teacher, which was later reflected in the engraving on the title page of the famous star atlas by Johann Bayer (1603).

In our opinion, the ethical interpretation of the exploits of Hercules and other characters of heroic mythology can be very useful in modern society.

LITERATURE

1. Vetash V., Vetash S., Astrology and Mythology. M., 1998

2. Krapp E. Astronomy: Legends and Traditions. M., 1999

3. Losev A.F., Mythology of the Greeks and Romans - M., 1996.

4.Losev A.F. Ancient philosophy and socio-historical formations // Antiquity as a type of culture - M., 1988.

5. Marx K., Engels F., Works. 2nd ed., vol. 12. M., 1969.

6. BES “Mythology”. M., 1998.

7. Taho-Godi A. A., Losev A. F. Greek culture in myths, symbols and terms. St. Petersburg, 1999.

Many of us became acquainted with the image of Hercules in childhood. We watched how this one, on the pages of books or on the TV screen, gets into unusual adventures, risks his life, saves people, fights with terrible monsters and always emerges victorious from these fights.

In order to understand what the expression means, you need to plunge into the story of Hercules himself. Who was he and why did he do everything on whose instructions, was it voluntary or was it done under duress, what gift was the hero awarded after accomplishing great deeds?

Zeus' Divine Plan

The story of Hercules has its roots in ancient Roman religion, while in Ancient Greece Hercules was called Hercules. The very first source in which the name of the hero is mentioned is the ancient Greek poem "Iliad". In it, the author Homer talks about a boy who was born to an unusual couple - Amphitryone (a married Theban queen) and Zeus, the supreme Olympian god married to the goddess Hera. Homer tells that Zeus deliberately seduced Afithryona; he needed a mortal heir on earth, one who could defeat the giants. As a result of this sinful relationship, as Zeus wanted, the queen was born half god, half man.

Sin of Hercules

According to mythology, the divine child became known from his very birth. The first feat of Hercules occurred in infancy: he strangled a snake, which the jealous Hera sent to kill the baby she hated.

But the very expression “Feat of Hercules” refers to twelve orders that the hero carried out while serving for King Eurystheus, who led the ancient state of Tiryns.

Execution of orders and service to the king were not patriotic, but forced, and were punishment from the Olympian gods for the murder of a demigod’s wife and three children. The goddess Hera provoked sin; she struck Hercules with madness, during which the son of Zeus killed his entire family. Then the Olympian gods ordered Hercules to perform 12 labors while serving Eurystheus, then his sin would be forgiven.

Labors of Hercules

The list of Herculean labors includes:

• victory over a huge lion in the city of Nemea;
• killing the hydra (half snake, half dragon with 12 heads);
• the battle with the bloodthirsty Stemphalian birds, which the goddess Athena helped defeat;
• the capture of the Kerynean fallow deer, which, on the orders of Artemis, ate the entire harvest in the fields of Arcadia;
• cleaning up a huge pile of manure from numerous bulls of Augeas, which the hero accomplished in one day, washing away the manure by the rivers Alpheus and Peneus;
• capturing the bloodthirsty bull from Mount Erifman and others.

In total, Hercules performed 12 greatest feats. Thanks to him, humanity was freed from terrible troubles and terrible monsters.

The expression "Feat of Hercules"

In everything ancient world except no one could accomplish at least one Herculean feat. The meaning of the phraseological unit can be briefly described based on the context of the myths about the demigod.

A Herculean feat is overcoming a very difficult obstacle, solving a matter that requires superhuman efforts.

Historical significance of the labors of Hercules.

Essay for the literary competition “Phraseological Turns” (full version)

Epigraphs

“Eagles can descend lower than chickens, but chickens can never reach the clouds!”

The people's path to the hero's monument will not be overgrown!

Introduction

Now all you can hear is “Greece! Greece this, Greece that!”

What do we know about Greece, except for A. Raikin’s miniature “In the Greek Hall” and the classic phrase that it has everything?

Yes. There is everything! And since time immemorial!

There is even its own Olympic base near Mount Olympus. True, theirs is not like ours, in Sochi, in Krasnaya Polyana, where everything is for the people.

The Greeks boast that they invented democracy, but the upper Olympic village is occupied by such an elite that only one mere mortal managed to get a job there, even as a cupbearer.

If you look, by the way, in the same Greek Hall, at this company (and many of them were in close family relationships!), well, they really are gods! And if you start reading about them, nothing human is alien to them!

And their eldest, Zeus, generally established despotism - nepotism - voluntarism, and played such tricks that one is amazed! Either from his head he gave birth to his daughter Athena with a spear in his hand, then he turned into a bull and kidnapped the beautiful Helen, then, blinded by passion for Alcmene, faithful to her husband Amphitryon, transforming into him, he treacherously seduced a woman.

At that time, society had not matured enough for trade union committees and party committees, so some disbanded, imagining who knows what about themselves!

Main part.

By the way, after this misalliance with Alcmena, a child was supposed to be born. What cannot be taken away from Zeus is that, despite his immoral lifestyle, he did not abandon his illegitimate children to the mercy of fate and not only looked after them himself, but also ordered others to take care of their own little man.

So in the upper Olympian village everyone already knew that there would be a boy named Hercules, and that he was destined for a heroic future.

Well, pray tell, how could the legal wife of Zeus, Hera, react to this? Yes, if she could throw thunder and lightning, then humanity would have ceased to exist even then

Glory to Zeus that this was his working tool, which he cherished like the apple of his eye and did not concede the prerogative of using it to anyone!

It’s clear that the stepmother decided to kill the newborn. In the spirit of that time, Hera sent two huge poisonous snakes against Hercules and his twin brother Iphicles. Sneaking up to the children's cradles, the snakes, obviously wanting to curry favor with the goddess, made a fuss about who would bite Hercules, which woke them up famously, because, without further ado, he grabbed them by the necks with his chubby little hands and strangled them both to hell ! And thus he turned the evil Hera against himself even more.

Years will pass, Hercules grew up, started a happy family, children...

It was then that the vindictive goddess decided to strike him from around the corner! After all, where it’s thin, that’s where it breaks! She sent the red-haired goddess of fools, Ate, to attack him, who befuddled Hercules.

Driven mad, he mistook his children for terrible two-headed monsters and killed them. Then the bandage of madness fell from him and, seeing the work of his hands, Hercules fled from the house in horror.

He joined Jason's team of Argonauts, who headed to Colchis to steal the Golden Fleece, but the gods destined Hercules for a different fate and sent a messenger to meet him.

And fleet-footed Hermes said: “My brother, Hercules! Listen to the command of our father, almighty Zeus. Go to places not so distant to King Eurystheus, serve him faithfully, like a galley slave, fulfill all his whims. Atone for your guilt with heroic deeds. And may the Gods forgive you!”

Without delaying the matter, Hercules went to another kingdom-state. And he walked for a long time, without shaking off the dust from his sandals, scorched by the sun, in the rain and in the storm.

But here is the end - the crown of everything! He finally achieved his goal! Suddenly - whoops!

Frightened Eurystheus, this Judas, at the instigation of Hera (truly - “Cherchez la femme!”), sent him to distant lands to defeat the Nemean lion.

(Where could he, the feeble-minded Eurystheus, have thought of such a thing? Still, not every cook can rule the state!) Hercules listened to the command in silence. Nothing was reflected on his high brow. Taking it for granted, the hero set off on his journey, found a lion, and so, in his hearts, hit him with a club on the stone skull that he left no stone unturned, then he peeled him off like a stick, tearing off the last skin (such was the lion's share!) and with the shield he returned to Eurystheus.

The frightened king trembled with fear, like an aspen leaf, and, without even feeding the hero bread and salt, without batting an eye, he immediately declared that, they say, there was no need for Hercules to chase the lazy man, beat his backs and sent him to fight terrorism in the person of the Lernaean Hydra .

Hercules remained silent in a rag.

For a long time he searched for the underwater reptile, lured it out of the swamp and cut off all its heads with a sword, except one, and they, like a Phoenix, came to life again and pounced on him. And again I had to start everything with Leda’s eggs, and chop with the magic sword with my last strength left and right.

Goosebumps were already running down the hero’s back until he thought of cauterizing the severed necks. True, you can’t jump over your head. Even he could not cope with the last, immortal head. But he covered it with huge stones, and presented the severed heads to Eurystheus on a silver platter.

But what's the point of throwing pearls before swine! This poor-spirited puppet, who had it written on his forehead that he was a fool of the king of heaven, again decided to remove the hero from sight and ordered him to shoot the Eurymanthian boar!

Well, I took up the tug - don’t say it’s not hefty! Hercules found the beast and made such a noise, banging his sword on his shield, and screamed so loudly throughout Ivanovskaya that he drove the frightened boar into the deep snow on the top of the mountain and captured him.

But the king’s ineradicable fear of the hero and women’s revenge know no bounds.

And again, being the mouthpiece of Hera, Eurystheus, this pygmy, unworthy to untie the strap of Hercules’ sandal, sends him to distant places to catch the Cyrenean hind, the favorite of the goddess Diana.

It was truly a sensitive and fast, like an arrow, doe. You can’t approach her on a goat!

But Hercules, after grueling preliminary training, nevertheless found her and, without understanding the road, drove her for a long time, like a Swede near Poltava. True, to no avail.

Here it must be admitted that, although he was a good guy himself, the hero still always came to the aid of difficult moments not only with special military equipment made and donated by the gods, but also the gods themselves with their advice. They appear to him either in a dream, or, if necessary, in reality, directly, and not, as in the theater, from a “mechanism”. So the goddess Athena advised Hercules to catch a doe in a net.

And now Hercules with a joyful cry: “Oh, there’s a bird, stop! You won’t leave the network! ”, again, amid fanfare, he returns to Eurystheus, and again he sends him to God knows where - God knows why.

But Hercules did not bother. His motto was: “no goo-goo!”

He religiously fulfilled his obligations and carried his heavy cross with dignity! No step back!

And, even being the son of Zeus, he did not disdain any work, fought for purity not in words, but in deeds, not afraid to lose face by cleaning the Augean stables overnight.

This is how the insidious Hera and Eurystheus chased Hercules into the tail and mane. So Hercules wandered between Scylla and Charybdis, not having anywhere to lay his head, stepping on the throat of his own song, with Olympian calm, without fear or doubt, covering marathon distances and performing his feats over and over again.

He was also at the end of the world, where he helped Makar drive calves along the way.

Not only did he know where the crayfish spend the winter, but even with one of them, who, by the way, was very musically gifted, he was invited to Kuzkina’s mother’s country dacha on Kudykina Mountain, where he whistled, albeit in a second voice, her favorite song "That woman who sings"! "I'm shocked!"- Mom rolled her eyes.

But everything has an end. Eurystheus could not stand it either.

When he saw that Hercules was dragging Cerberus, the evil three-headed dog, guardian of the underworld, to him on a chain, his soul sank to his feet. The king shouted in horror: “Enough, Hercules! I dare not keep in my service someone who has conquered death itself! Take the monster back...and go wherever you want! You have completed all twelve labors. The punishment is over. The gods have forgiven you. You are free!"

Well, the Moor has done his job one hundred percent, the Moor can leave.

Oh, the sweet word SVO-BO-YES!

The smell of the homeland, the smoke of the fatherland reached the hero.

Having called Heaven and Earth as witnesses, Hercules did not postpone his departure until tomorrow.

He did not even express to the king everything that was boiling in his soul, everything that he thought about him, but silently, in English, he retired to his native Thebes, where his faithful wife Megara was waiting for him with the hope of building ab ovo a normal family life.

And the hero walked through mountains and forests, across rivers and fields, humming a melody that had arisen from somewhere, to which many, many years later the words would be written: “The song helps us build and live!”

P.S.. Evil tongues claim, giggling meaningfully and obscenely, that Hercules performed not twelve, but thirteen labors. But for some reason they don’t provide any evidence!

Conclusion

Now about the historical significance.

It seems to me that the ancient Greek national hero Hercules throughout his life, starting from the cradle, one might say, “from the diapers of childhood,” proved that even if one swallow does not make spring, but with God’s help there is one warrior in the field.

Adhering to the only correct general line of struggle against evil in all its manifestations, despite individual excesses and distortions (which manifested itself in actions according to the principle: “The forest is cut down - the chips fly!”, while violating all the Laws on the protection of environment and the Helsinki Agreements), Hercules made his contribution to the cause of building Communism - the bright future of all Mankind.

» Mythology and symbolism

© Justyna Golubets

The Labors of Hercules - a myth or psychotraining?

Introduction

Perhaps a myth is not fabulous and fictitious, but symbolic, and in fact, it is the key to our subconscious and to solving very pressing problems.

Throughout the entire history of his existence, man has been trying to unravel the riddle of immortality, passionately wanting to prolong his life, to rid his body, mind and soul from the destructive influences of time and the environment. And the legends of antiquity, which still continue to live in the works of musicians, poets, painters, beckon him with inexpressible charm, beckon with their secrets, constantly tempting the inquisitive human mind.

Controlling your destiny, managing the events of your life is a tempting desire. But it is not so easy to see clear lines in the intricacies of life situations. Who knows whether the secrets of success are not kept in ancient times, whether it conceals the gifts of the treasury of the spirit, which modern man so passionately dreams of, and just as passionately denies them through the reluctance or inability to open the mysterious passage into his own subconscious?

A myth, an ancient story, familiar from childhood, an enchanting world of wonders, gradually forgotten and becoming synonymous with fables, inventions, and even delusions and untruths. But is the myth as unreal as we think? Perhaps it would be more expedient to change the point of view and call it symbolic? Maybe a myth is a map, a panoramic image of all kinds of life paths, where any image and plot are a symbol-sign on the path to the treasures of the spirit. And what if the miracle is real, and the myth is the key to it, the key for the one who knows, who feels and perceives. After all, we look, but only a few are able to see.

Myth is a fairy tale for those who live in a two-dimensional space of categorical duality: “light-darkness,” “good-evil,” “day-night.” Myth exists in the twilight, which allows us to see new facets of the familiar. It is the myth that takes on a completely new meaning if you look at it from the other side, if you forget about the stereotyped routine view of “at”, changing it to “in”. And the ancient story will reveal its facets to those who are inflamed with the desire to enter its bizarre, outlandish and yet so simple world.

Everyone has their own favorite ancient heroes. Perhaps this is a manifestation of an unconscious craving for those stories that can give us answers to questions that trouble us regarding current emotional, mental and psychological states. The legends about Hercules are perhaps the most widely popular. Who hasn’t admired the mighty hero, his titanic exploits, who hasn’t dreamed of gaining Herculean strength and miraculous capabilities, at least for a moment?

Unfortunately, the obstinate mind quickly returned our consciousness and imagination to everyday life, forcing us to let out a quiet sigh for the glorious times when miracles, gods and heroes were commonplace.

Before moving directly to the 12 feats, let's consider some background information about the hero himself.

a) Origins

Hercules was the son of Zeus and Alcmene, that is, a god and an earthly woman. Being the offspring of the supreme Olympian himself, a beloved son, he nevertheless had to make titanic efforts in order to reach the home of his heavenly father - Olympus. It is impossible not to see in this a hint of the divine nature of man. Even possessing originality and advantages over other living creatures, even carrying this divine greatness within himself, a person has to remain in the earthly vale and go through own way lessons and tests.

And the fact that in infancy, Hercules strangled two snakes in his cradle directly indicates the extraordinary power of a pure consciousness, unclouded by fears. This was the first incident that determined the fate of the hero, since after this incident, Hercules’ stepfather provides his son with diversified development, rightly believing that such abilities should not disappear. Thus, each of our victories, accomplished unconsciously, without fears and doubts, often determines our future destiny. And the more difficult the test, the more powerful our potential, because the lesson is always proportionate to the capabilities. Thus, we ourselves are able to shape our environment. By demonstrating our abilities, we declare to the world about ourselves, that we are worthy of more than herding goats and sheep.

b) Two beginnings

The fate of Hercules is constantly influenced by two opposing forces - the will of Zeus and the will of Hera. The hero's life passed under the sign of the struggle of these opposing principles - male and female. In each feat, except for the actions of Hercules himself, there is a line of invisible actions of God and Goddess. A person’s life seems to be locked in a millstone between them. The masculine principle, personified by Zeus, influences patronizingly, harmonizes, and gives the desire to learn, develop, and experience. The feminine, Hera, is a hostile element, the destructive aspect of the feminine principle, in every possible way counteracts control and orderliness, awakens irritation, anger, provokes crazy, eccentric actions, for which you have to pay dearly.

Creation and destruction, chaos and order - isn’t this where someone who begins to observe himself finds himself? The desire to create and the desire to destroy wage their eternal struggle for dominance in the human heart.

As readers, we enjoy watching the hero's adventures from afar. For us, Zeus and Hera are fairy-tale characters who help or plot. We are accustomed to consider gods to be chimeras, certain entities with superpowers invented by primitive, undeveloped consciousness. And, strangely, we rarely think about our reasonable explanation, namely that “the gods are just the personification of natural forces.

In other words, the gods are these natural processes of existence that operate at all levels of life, both in the animal and plant world, and in man himself. In other words, Zeus is an all-pervading essence, a world-generating force, the origin of the identity of things. The strange brilliance of his gaze, unique abilities and indestructible energy, which, according to myth, distinguished Hercules - is a manifestation of this power, or “gifts of Zeus” to his chosen ones.

Hera should be perceived as the source of duality and the cause of contradictions and differentiation, and also as the cause of change. Change is precisely the critical point after which the process acquires a new trajectory of its development, which can be both positive and negative. Life cannot be delayed, and the situation of change is the law of human existence. At the same time, it is change that forces you to mobilize and use your full potential. Thus, the “negative” Hera serves as a stimulus for development.

A situation of duality and unpredictability accompanied Hercules throughout almost his entire life. If at least for a moment you shift from the position of an observer, who knows the reasons for the events in the life of Hercules, who is aware of the presence of Zeus and Hera, to the position of a participant, and imagine yourself as Hercules, who is not aware of the confrontation of higher entities, then the attitude that dominates will become clear among us, namely, that man is just a plaything of blind fate. After all, no matter what we call them, we feel the struggle of opposing principles, and, in addition, we realize that our soul has been chosen as its arena. Hercules, like an ordinary person, remains to be able to see Zeus’s help in what is happening, without focusing on Hera’s machinations, and, of course, rely on his choice. Thus, the myth unfolds before us a panorama of existence at various levels of consciousness: human and higher, shows the behind-the-scenes background of human destiny, describing not just events, but their causes, contained in the motives of the gods, who are the forces of nature, the laws of life.

So, in this attitude of Hercules lies the first lesson - not to look for someone to blame for your troubles and not to blame yourself, but simply to follow your destiny, trusting something higher and wise in yourself.

c) Conditions

Hercules performed many other feats, for example, military ones, much more honorable than cleaning stables and catching all sorts of monsters. Paradoxically, it was precisely the 12 labors performed on the orders of the envious, cowardly, puny ruler Eurystheus that glorified Hercules and perpetuated his glory. It is unlikely that he did not realize the worthlessness of his boss, but, nevertheless, he persistently strived for the goal, perceiving delusional tasks as the next step towards the coveted reunion with the divine Olympians. Hidden in this fact is precisely the idea that is often denied presence in Greek myths, namely, the idea of ​​humility, the renunciation of pride. A person will not diminish his greatness, even serving in an unassuming and modest position. Even by submitting to someone or something that is unworthy of him, he accumulates inner strength, atones for past mistakes, and exalts himself. The most seemingly insignificant events can become true feats.

d) Talents

Even in his youth, Hercules, in addition to brilliant training, receives all kinds of gifts from the gods. From Hermes - a sharp sword; weapons (bow and arrows) are presented to him by the solar Apollo, the armor is given by Hephaestus, and Athena herself weaves the clothes. If we translate from the symbolic language of myth, we get a completely banal, and yet practical conclusion. The hero, or the one who diligently and persistently masters knowledge, eventually discovers that in his arsenal of abilities:

The gift of a sharp, apt word, along with sociability and a thirst for change and development (traditional attributes of Hermes);

An exquisite sense of taste, aestheticism, perhaps artistic or musical talents, the gift of a poet or healer, or simply a positive solar attitude that is beneficial to others (the character of the solar deity Apollo)

Physical strength and skill, allowing one to easily solve everyday living conditions (the shell of Hephaestus - the dark underground deity, the “laborer” Olympian).

And finally

Wisdom, spirituality, determination, fearlessness and sanity, without which all other gifts will be useless (tunic of Athena - goddess of defensive war and heavenly strength, courage, as well as thinking).

e) Use of force

The picture of the life of Hercules seems to illustrate the spiritual and psychological growth of the individual. In the prime of his youth, a respite comes in the hero’s life: having protected his city from enemies, he begins a peaceful family life and enjoys comfort. But was this the only reason why the gods bestowed such valuable gifts on their favorite? After all, it is known that a sword becomes dull when sheathed. Is it only for the philistine, monotonous life that a person works and develops himself? After all, it is impossible to make talents and abilities disappear so that they do not interfere with such a boring, albeit cozy, life. The energy of Zeus, the active energy of action, already requires release. No longer directed either to oneself (self-improvement) or to others (social activity), the force accumulates to a dangerous level, and is ready to explode.

In addition, the destructive principle - Hera - automatically comes into play. In the myth, she sends the hero into a fit of madness, in which he kills his wife and children. Isn’t it often true that modern man, unable to withstand the crazy monotony and boredom of everyday life, literally goes crazy and, with his outbursts, kills those around him, especially his loved ones?

The gods (different in different myths) show Hercules the path to atone for his fatal mistake, and he unquestioningly embarks on his path, the 12 stages of which tell modern man what to fight, how and in what ways to fight, and how to reveal his potential as fully as possible and connect with your higher self.

In order to understand and correctly formulate the essence of the tests on the path to acquiring divine power, it is advisable to consider the symbolism of the feat itself, that is, who you have to fight with, what to acquire, what to extract, and what to destroy. And to determine the method, it’s worth paying attention to the hero’s luggage, his weapon or experience. We will analyze each feat according to the “goal - path - result” scheme.

The first feat. Nemean Lion

Target

Fighting a lion is a popular theme in ancient cultures: the Sumerian Gilgamesh and the biblical Samson also fought with a lion. Leo is a universal symbol. The most common meaning of lion is fire, sun, royal power. It denoted nobility and divine protection. Christ, Buddha, saints Saul and Daniel, the evangelist Mark, the Hindu deity Vishnu, the Egyptian Sekhmet, Tefnut, Hathor were associated with the lion.

As a sign of the sun and its cyclical nature, Leo also relates to the idea of ​​all-consuming time. The idea of ​​absorbing time was embodied in images of a lion on Roman sarcophagi, medieval funeral processions, in the image of the Egyptian monster Aamu, casting the soul into the eternal whirlwind of time.

Leo symbolizes the masculine, solar active principle of action and hidden knowledge. The wild lion, as the recognized expert in symbolism C. G. Jung believed, is the passions hidden in the depths of the unconscious that threaten to engulf the individual. In Tarot cards, the major arcana called “Strength” depicts a lion defeated by an innocent girl, as if translating strength into a moral dimension.

Hercules will have to fight a wild lion. And this is no ordinary predator. This is a special lion, he is the offspring of Echidna, a bloodthirsty monster that gave birth to many other monsters. Before formulating the essence of this feat-lesson, we should consider the symbolism of the origins, in this case, Echidna. Possessing the body of a woman and a snake, the monster personifies precisely that feminine dual principle in its chaotic dangerous aspect, since the snake is an ancient chthonic deity who embodied unconscious instincts. This means that Hercules must fight the generation of deep hidden forces.

So, defeating the Nemean lion in the deciphered interpretation means:

• demonstrate strength;
• master solar divine energy;
• subdue your wild, sometimes thoughtless passions and impulses;
• master time.

In practice, the task of Hercules is very relevant for modern man. Indeed, today, composure, equanimity and the notorious time management (time management) are of particular value. And the myth about the Nemean lion tells how to control yourself and not spin like a squirrel in a wheel, plan competently and manage everything without fuss, feel your confident power of a lion.

Path

It would be superficial to assume that purely physical strength is decisive in a fight. In addition to physical power, the myth emphasizes the importance of spiritual and moral forces in overcoming one’s “ego” and the wild instincts of one’s animal nature. Hercules first teases the predator with Apollo's arrows, which takes him 30 days. Then, when he, enraged, pounces on him, stuns him with a thunderclap, and then strangles him with his powerful hands.

All this clearly warns: it is unreasonable and absurd to go into battle with your passions with blind bravado. Even to recognize in person, call out, see your shortcomings and passions, it takes time. And the 30-day period hints at the full lunar cycle, in which each day is associated with the development of certain emotions and qualities, and during which it is possible to trace and observe oneself. After such work on yourself, the time comes to hit yourself with “Apollo’s arrows,” or, with the arrows of consciousness, clear thought, that is, to realize, define yourself, tease out your shortcomings, “awaken the sleeping beast.” Of course, such an experiment is unsafe, because it causes contradictions, divisions, and the rage of base instincts. A lion can tear you apart in the blink of an eye. And you just need to know the moment when you should act with lightning speed. The period of waiting and observing is over, now you need to deafen the roar of passions with a well-aimed blow of willpower, but also not stop there, don’t wait for them to wake up, but simply destroy them with patience and confidence to the bitter end.

Result

Having defeated the lion, the hero sacrifices it to Zeus and establishes the Nemean Games as a prototype of the Olympic competitions. The skin of a defeated enemy serves as his armor and helmet, and protects him from arrows.

So, having gone through the difficult path of struggling with some shortcomings, having managed to master oneself, a person becomes invulnerable to external hostile influences. What threatened to tear him apart turns into a wonderful, reliable shield, a shield of firmness, will, self-organization and strength, strength not as an advantage over others, but as an internal advantage. It is noteworthy that Hercules does not kill the enemy in any barbaric manner. That is, the point is not to feverishly, with enthusiasm, get rid of shortcomings and abandon your ego, but to subjugate it, turning it from a formidable master into a harmless servant.

The second feat. Lernaean Hydra

Target

The hero's next feat is much more intense and complex than the first. He sets off to kill the hydra, a monster that terrified and devastated the entire area. So, in order to determine the nature and essence of the second step on the path of self-development, one should study what the hydra personified.

She is ambiguous. As a symbol, it is a complex archetype that combines many images. It is both a snake and a water snake, and its many heads bring it closer to a dragon or serpent; that is, its nature, and even its appearance, is difficult to imagine. It is as difficult to define as the vices that he embodies. The only way out is to consider known facts, trying to interpret them as accurately as possible and according to the symbolism of each of them.

a) Hydra was the offspring of Echidna and Typhon. We examined the symbol of Echidna as the embodiment of the dark forces of the universal human unconscious in the first feat. That is, the nature of this feat has its source in the fact that the first one is the original vicious beginning. However, unlike the Nemean Lion, which originated from the incestuous relationship of Echidna with her offspring Ortrom (a two-headed dog), Hydra was born from Typhon. Typhon in mythology was understood as the deity of the underworld, the depths, caves, abysses, and especially volcanoes. Frightening even the gods, the powerful Typhon constituted the destructive, dangerous, devastating aspect of the earth.

The suddenness, surprise, rage and thirst for destruction of Typhon, combined with the cunning and resourcefulness of Echidna, gives Echidna a truly devilish character.

This means that the obstacle that we will have to face now has the explosive power of the earthly element as the original element of human origin.

b) The hydra's habitat is a swamp. The element of water as the source of everything immaterial, primordial, subconscious, was cultivated in the beliefs and mythologies of almost every people in the world. It varies from the state of icy expanses, salty masses of oceans and seas to freshwater streams of rivers and crystal lakes. The swamp acts as the antipode of the purity and purity of water; it is a polluted, clouded, distorted source, it is rot, poisonous fumes that bring death instead of life.

In general, when interpreting the images of mythology, it would be useful to turn to folk wisdom, since it is in some proverbs and sayings, stories and typical ideas about certain phenomena that their primary essence has been preserved. Thus, the swamp was traditionally considered a disgusting, mysterious place, overflowing with all sorts of evil spirits, which not only destroy travelers, but throw them off the scent, and then drag them into the quagmire.

The swamp suggests another characteristic of this feat: illusion, a distortion of reality. In a swamp as a negative space of the unconscious, you can easily get lost, get stuck and never get out.

c) The Hydra is mentioned as a symbol of the 29th day of the lunar cycle, the last and most powerful satanic day, where all the devilry gathers in order to be destroyed and burned at the moment of the new moon. On these moonless days, instead of the blessed moon goddess Selena, the dark gloomy Hecate rules the ball, which is associated with chaotic destructive mental complexes. So, Hydra can be considered associated with the Moon, whose influence on a person is undeniable and tangible.

Hydra isn't the only one involved in this feat. A crayfish crawling out of the swamp comes to her aid. And through cancer, the hydra correlates with the 18th lasso of the Tarot called “Moon,” the thought form of which is “Illusion” and which describes addictions, phobias, fears, and the depths of the unconscious. Perhaps the cancer on the map, emerging from the dark river in the reflections of the ominous moon, is the same one that materializes from the quagmire. The fact that the cancer (according to other versions, the crab) was sent by the Hero perhaps signifies heavenly influence. In the astrological tradition, the sphere of cancer is the sphere of home in the broadest sense of the word, that is, the sphere of communication with ancestors, with genetic memory kind. And, apparently, the myth hints at this information-genetic channel, the problems of which can manifest themselves at the most unexpected moment and sting painfully in order to knock the ground out from under one’s feet and jeopardize a successful outcome internal struggle, as the cancer did, hitting the mighty hero in the heel.

d) different versions of the myth attribute different numbers of heads to the hydra, 50, 7, but most often agree on 9. The number 9 in numerology is the most unknown and mysterious, and in magic it is the most powerful. In nine there is again a hint of the 18th arcana, the numerological value of which is 9. The number was considered the number of initiation, that is, dedication, and embodied the highest humanism, genius, supersensibility and sacrifice; in the negative aspect - mental disorders, vicious addictions. In addition, 9 is a self-generating number. It was the ninth head of the hydra that was immortal, that is, the one that reproduces itself.

Perhaps, unlike the lion as a symbol of the ego and strong passions, which, in the end, can really be subdued and even directed into a creative direction, the hydra embodies vices that cannot be used in any way, since they are invisible, unconscious, and destructive in nature , and also indestructible. “Their name is Legion,” says the Christian holy book, describing the devil. Indeed, there seems to be a myriad of nouns denoting vices. And every time they are reproduced again and again. The head of pride grows into the “head” of arrogance or is modified into conceit, or into empty boasting. The other heads of the hydra, no doubt, are easy for everyone to determine for themselves, but it is unlikely to do without laziness, anger, gluttony and immoderation, laziness, stinginess, anger and other vices.

And yet, in my subjective opinion, there is an immortal “head” that is not only reborn, but is generally indestructible. This is envy, which can overtake you completely unexpectedly, even when you think that you have already gotten rid of it, and its disgusting mouth again hisses and splashes its poison on you.

Path

How can one defeat such a monster of vices as the hydra? The path of Hercules here is quite difficult. The myth tells that he was not able to emerge victorious from this feat as easily as in the first. He had to retreat, and suffer an unexpected attack of cancer, in addition, he almost died in the quagmire, and also had to use help more than once. And, as it seems, this path fully illustrates the complex way of struggling with one’s shadow side of the soul. So,

Hercules takes his nephew Iolaus as his assistant. And in relation to this task, this is the second hint at the importance of family ties, along with the above-mentioned sign of cancer. The status of a nephew, usually associated with an inexperienced young family member, should be considered a clue from whom to seek support and whose advice to listen to. This fact seems to remind us that we should not be condescending towards the younger generation, since decisive help very often comes from those family members who do not have authority and influence.

Confidently moving towards the hydra, Hercules very stupidly gets into trouble, not taking into account how easy it is to stumble in a swamp and never get out. Without taking into account the peculiarities of the environment in which he had to act, the hero almost paid for this before even encountering the enemy. Having straightforwardly and openly entered the territory of the Hydra, he began to get stuck in a quagmire, and was forced to resort to the help of Iolaus, who pulled him out. It is obvious that primitive, simplified, familiar measures are not suitable here. If he lured the lion with arrows and it rushed at him, showing open resistance, then the hydra acts in exactly the opposite way: it hides, hides. This is precisely the nature of our fears and phobias, illusions and nightmares - they slip away, luring us into their dangerous quagmire.

The cancer incident clearly demonstrates how, having stepped onto the shaky ground of understanding our mental nature, we inevitably unwind the genetic spiral. After all, it is impossible to consider it from influencing factors, the first place among which is heredity. Hercules is not particularly worried about this, and simply flattens the cancer. It is advisable to take this fact as a recommendation: even the most difficult, inevitable problems of the kind cannot distract from active self-knowledge and self-improvement.

Forced to retreat, Hercules devises a plan in which fire plays a key role. With fire he lures the hydra out so that he can finally fight it, and with fire he burns the places of the severed heads. The symbolism of fire is extremely rich and varied, but in the context of myth, its function as a destroyer and destroyer of evil comes to the fore. Arche is the central fire of the heart of the earth, which is the beginning of all things. Fire in Greek mythology was controlled by Hephaestus (Vulcan). Considering the origin of the Hydra from Typhon as the destructive aspect of fire, its creative aspect should have become deadly for it, since Hephaestus is a god-craftsman, creator, producer. Irritated by the fire of consciousness, the hydra of vices can be finally destroyed only by its antipode, or virtue. This vision of fire echoes the New Age interpretation that fire is aspiration, that is, active intention. After all, fire is action, activity, combustion, inspiration.

So, it is possible to defeat your negative mental manifestations that provoke sins not simply by endlessly cutting off constantly resurgent vices, but by a direct fiery action that practically cauterizes the very temptation to succumb to your weaknesses; that is, the key to success is to shift the position from “not doing bad” to the position of “doing good.”

What to do with that immortal head, which is not affected even by fire? Whatever that undying vice is, probably individual for everyone, the myth suggests a way out. Hercules crushes her not just with a stone, but with a piece of rock.

The rock is an eternal symbol of firmness, loyalty, constancy, stability, and later - the knightly code of honor. In fact, only through continuous momentary vigil, an unbreakable promise to oneself, is it possible to keep under control the last indestructible head of the undying vice. Only steadfastness can prevent him from being reborn again.

Result

Having won such a difficult, exhausting fight, Hercules dismembers the Hydra’s body, and uses its black blood, dipping arrow tips into it, thus acquiring a reliable weapon. What does the end of a myth mean?

The deadly poison of vices no longer consumes the personality, does not poison the soul, but is on the tip of the arrows of consciousness. Now it is dangerous not for a person, but for his enemies, who are those mental addictions that so vilely, stealthily control us. By being aware of them, there is a chance to fight and win.

The third feat. Kerynean fallow deer

Target

This feat of Hercules is no longer associated with either murder or destruction, however, it is hardly less complex. He is ordered to catch the Kerynean doe. This is not an ordinary artiodactyl animal, but a favorite of the goddess Artemis herself. The golden-horned doe had amazing grace and beauty, as well as tirelessness and endurance, since her hooves were copper.

So, the next step on the path to immortality lies in the exciting hunt for what the doe embodies.

Firstly, hunting here is not aimed at killing, but at capturing, that is, you need to master something, gain something.

The deer is the sacred animal of Artemis. The Goddess is traditionally associated with the Moon, but not with the dark, unknown gloom of the new moon, but with the intense, frank, stormy full moon, that period of the lunar cycle during which all the hidden reserves of the soul are activated, and the sensory and emotional perception of the world is heightened.

Restless, frantic, impetuous, hot-tempered, energetic, overflowing with amazing vitality - this is exactly the goddess-hunter. This is precisely the nature of our animal instincts, emotions, feelings, experiences. Among the many sacred animals of Artemis, which embodied various aspects of her, the doe was a favorite.

The deer is a sacred totem animal in many cultures, but what is common is its association with the sublime spiritual realms of existence. The female deer, the doe, an attractive graceful animal, represents high and pure feminine energy, the feminine part in initiation rites and the feminine animal nature.

According to myth, the fallow deer devastates the fields, which clearly demonstrates that not only vices can have a destructive effect on a person. Our emotions can be just as dangerous, elusive and difficult to control.

On the other hand, the nature of this feat can be interpreted from a slightly different point of view. Due to the fact that the leitmotif of the adventure itself is most likely a competition rather than a struggle, it is advisable to correlate it with the motive of life’s struggle for survival, in modern formulation, with work and career. The image of a horned animal quite transparently hints at Capricorn, whose astrological sphere of influence is professional achievements, material success, and golden horns symbolize the thirst for wealth.

Path

The fact that the hero needed so much time just to prepare for his third feat once again reminds us how long it takes to develop sensitivity, gain mastery over one's emotions, or accumulate material wealth.

Hunting a doe required completely different qualities from Hercules than those he had used so far. Aggressiveness, pressure, strength - all this is completely meaningless and useless in an emotional matter, although the process itself is exciting and gambling.

The hero spends a long time chasing through forest thickets and mountains, showing perseverance and dexterity. And it seemed that when the doe was already giving in, it turned out that this was just a game, and the capricious animal disappeared again, beckoning Hercules further and further, until the end of the world. According to myth, he reached all the way to Hyperborea, the extreme northern land. The shine of golden horns and the clatter of copper hooves teases and excites and calls for you, giving illusory hope.

How far can the pursuit of the joys of life, both emotional and material, so tempting and tempting, take us? Although such a race is exhausting, it at the same time teaches and develops the qualities of resourcefulness, intelligence, intelligence, along with many other talents.

To gain sensitivity, sensitivity, as in purely material tasks, patience, diligence, endurance and willpower are required to start all over again with the next failure.

According to different versions, Hercules manages to capture a doe in various ways: by wounding him in the leg, by taking him by surprise during sleep, by throwing a net of sedge, which only demonstrates the variety of means by which one can achieve his goals.

Result

As a result of long and hard work, Hercules returns victorious again. Unlike the first two feats, his reward in this one is completely immaterial: he does not keep for himself either golden horns or hooves. He sets the doe free, back into the forest, into her element. Having caught a doe, we seem to get to know our emotional world, its beauty, grace, fragility, swiftness, and, having known it, we gain invulnerability, which is symbolized by reliable copper hooves.

And it is not so much in the myth itself as in its ending - the essence of the lesson. Do not regret and voluntarily sacrifice what you achieved through such efforts. Having acquired the coveted treasures of feelings or material wealth, we will completely master them only by letting go. This contradictory conclusion from the standpoint of a rational-rational worldview is the secret of the true art of possession according to myth.

The fourth feat. Erymanthian boar

Target

In the fourth labor of Hercules, his goal is not nearly as attractive as the previous one: instead of a graceful doe, the hero needs to take possession of an ugly, ferocious boar. However, there is a special detail here, a kind of key to the interpretation of the entire incident. The path to Mount Erymanth, where the monster lived, ran through an oak grove inhabited by centaurs, which was impossible to avoid. The adventure of Hercules with the centaurs serves as an interlude that distinguishes this feat from the others and gives it a specific mood.

So, what will you still have to face this time? Ego and passions have been destroyed, the shadows of the unconscious have also been destroyed, the emotional and material spheres have been ordered, where can we expect a catch? As you move along the path of self-improvement, sooner or later you will encounter unpleasant surprises, which, in fact, is not surprising. Composure and modesty are gradually replaced by a certain frivolity and arrogance, which have a very fair justification, because, be that as it may, behind are successfully passed tests and a clear result of strength and confidence. Oddly enough, the wild monster in the myth is not given as much attention as the lion or hydra, but in the foreground is the incident with the centaurs, and it makes sense to analyze it in detail in order to fully understand the essence of this myth.

Hercules does not simply pass the grove. He visits, or, according to another version, agrees to the invitation of Fol, the gentlest, most good-natured of the centaurs. In any case, the hero absolutely voluntarily, independently makes a decision, in this case to stay, rest, relax. Innocent gatherings unfortunately end in a bloody fight, as other centaurs, attracted by the smell of wine and the noise of the party, offended that they were ignored, provoked the hot-tempered hero and provoked his anger. To the great grief of the hero himself, one of the poisoned arrows accidentally hits both the hospitable Pholus and Hercules’ close friend, Chiron, the wisest of the centaurs, teacher and friend of many heroes and even gods.

The centaur symbol is controversial. These creatures with the body of a horse and a man embody not only our animal nature, wild, uncontrollable, spontaneous instincts, but also the thin line between human and animal in our minds. Being companions of Dionysus, who is often depicted riding a centaur, they symbolize the primitive orgiastic “Dionysian” principle, in addition, hinting at a specific vice - drunkenness as one of the aspects of the “god of winemaking”. In contrast to the ominous ugly hydra, the centaur looks more noble, and rather, testifies not so much to the vices that cause harm to others, as to his own innocent weaknesses, self-indulgence, destroying a person from the inside.

A grove, a forest, especially an oak forest, in almost all cultures was a sacred space, a symbol of the human soul. The restless centaurs who live in the grove remain invisible and unheard until Hercules himself comes into contact with one of them. The first thing you have to face almost immediately is the problem of choice: to do or not to do, to go or not to go, and so on. The hero could have calmly passed the grove without stopping, defending himself if necessary, but the temptation to rest outweighed him. Very often, the longer the hesitation, the more the scales tip towards the wrong decision and the more correct it seems to us.

As mentioned above, Phol was distinguished by the gentlest disposition, because, according to mythology, among them there were envious people and cunning people. In addition, Fol can be considered the embodiment of laziness itself, since he always basked in the shade. Just like our temptations. After all, Hercules probably did not expect such tragic consequences from a cheerful friendly party. Perhaps the story with the boar is the only one where we see the hero eating and drinking. However, he not only quenches hunger and thirst, but feasts and gets drunk with his characteristic irresistibility. As a result, he ends up causing the death of his friend, the healer Chiron. This clearly demonstrates the danger of giving in to your slightest, even the most innocent, natural weaknesses. Rest, which develops into dull boredom, or a glass, which is intended to refresh, but clouds the mind, will inevitably irritate our dormant Dionysian instincts, and, in the end, will lead to the fact that with your own hands you can destroy what heals you.

Freedom of choice, a sense of proportion, restraint - something that is not always possible to master, as the experience of Hercules showed, even with considerable advantages.

The boar symbol is also a bit ambiguous. On the one hand, he embodies strength, power, and the pressure of military valor. Both in Hellas and among the northern peoples, it was valued as a battle totem, bestowing ferocity and fearlessness. On the other hand, it symbolizes the immoral and harmful principle; in many religions it is despised as an unclean animal associated with abuse and excess. A very clear symbol of involution, degradation, the process of descent, the joy of the flesh at the expense of the spirit.

Path

Hercules managed to defeat the boar in a rather unconventional way. Since the blows of the sword did not cause him any trouble, only annoying him, the hero used a primitive but effective technique. He directed a ray of sun reflected in his shield into the eyes of the monster, and then frightened him with deafening noise and screams; then he drove him to the top of the mountain, where he got stuck in snowdrifts.

The sword of wisdom and reason does not always work in the fight against weaknesses. Reproaches, arguments, logical reasoning and decisions are often fruitless and the rage of our inner boar only intensifies. Hercules blinds the boar in a cunning way, simply by directing a ray of sun. Perhaps this is a hint: instead of focusing all your attention and all your efforts on how to hit the beast, you should just catch the ray of solar clear consciousness and direct it correctly. By emphasizing and concentrating on abstract goals and activities, removing as much as possible everything that could seduce, we thereby “blind” these temptations.

As for the noise and screams, here, it seems to me, is an illustration of the method that psychologists often recommend, namely, the method of releasing all accumulated tension in voluntary actions. The method is childish, rather comical, but effective. Perhaps it would have been more fitting for Hercules to swing his sword, beautifully, nobly, but uselessly, and die in the process, than to slam his sword on his shield with screams and curses and run after a frightened animal, and as a result win.

We also have a choice: become a hero and follow our goal of getting rid of weaknesses, or remain the same as everyone else, not standing out, so as not to seem funny.

The mountain peak where the boar is driven has always been perceived as an area of ​​spiritual ascents and accomplishments, a place of high, pure states. Freed from the exhausting struggle, the soul regains the indestructibility of the mountain and the purity of winter snow, which extinguishes the fiery, withering fury of our wild instincts.

Result

The fate of the boar remained unknown. Hercules delivered him alive on his shoulders to Eurystheus, but it is not clear whether he was sacrificed or simply killed. Isn’t there a hidden hint in this about the indestructibility of our weaknesses, which, even having been conquered, may still be alive?

The fifth feat. Stymphalian birds

Target

After capturing a ferocious boar, Hercules is ordered to destroy the equally ferocious and bloodthirsty giant birds that live on a swampy lake near Stymphalus, devastating the forest and terrorizing the city.

The bird as an archetypal image is most often interpreted positively. She is a messenger, a mediator between the earthly and heavenly worlds, embodies the sublime enlightened spirit of man, which soars upward to the spiritual spheres, symbolizes the power of thought, correlating with the fire and air elements. Therefore, it would be most logical to accept the bird as an image of human thought, that mental halo of human consciousness.

The Stymphalian birds bear little resemblance to the sacred birds of grace in their traditional description.

Firstly, they are heavy: their claws, beak and wings are made of metal, copper most often appears along with iron and, less often, bronze. Since copper, due to its softness, pliability and bewitching shine, has always been considered the metal of Venus, it can be assumed that the myth emphasizes thoughts colored by base desires. Such a desire is not modified into an intention that presupposes active action, but, on the contrary, destroys and tears apart from the inside, just as birds tore apart all living things with their copper claws. This little-known association of birds with nature base desires finds its confirmation in the same little-known dialectical features of completely different cultures. For example, the Chinese "niao", bird, also means penis.

Secondly, they do not fit into the animal life of the forest at all; on the contrary, they paralyze it, destroying all life around. They, like the hydra, lived in the forest, not in a swamp, but on a swampy lake. Every time, rising from the lake, they devastated the forest and attacked people. That is, negative thoughts, rising from the depths of the unconscious, penetrate the soul, and finally reach consciousness.

Consequently, these monsters are a fairly transparent collective image of human negative thoughts that truly paralyze any will to action and life.

Notable in the myth is the fact that Hercules, who sat down to rest, was overcome by such languor and laziness that he could not even bring himself to get up, let alone do the task with the birds; and he came to his senses only when the feather-arrow almost pierced him. Isn’t that what negative thoughts have on us?

Path

The awakened hero strikes the birds with his deadly arrows, but although he manages to kill several, it is too early to talk about complete extermination.

As was defined in the introduction, the arrows of Hercules, by the way, also being a gift from Athena, are the embodiment of the arrows of consciousness. But, as it turns out, superficial reasoning cannot neutralize the hordes of negative thoughts that annoy and haunt us. Such continuous shooting is exhausting, and the victory of the negative, depressive-manic state is only a matter of time. That is, allowing and then fighting such thoughts until exhaustion is not an option; they need to be expelled, as the myth shows, and expelled in a very specific way, simple and complex at the same time.

The gods come to the aid of man. Athena sends crotals (rattles), which, according to one version of the myth, were made by Hephaestus, and the frightened flock is forever carried away from the Stymphalian Valley. The hero, in such a comical situation, cannot help but laugh.

Instead of winning battles and losing wars, myth teaches how to win wars. Athena is the archetype of intelligence, strategic thinking and practicality. In addition, in addition to the widespread image of the virgin warrior goddess and mistress of wisdom, Athena controlled the psychic energy of intuition, inspiration, foresight, and belonged to the elements of air and fire. Birds, as a traditional image of harbingers and a popular symbol of divination, can also be understood as the embodiment of the oppressive fear of the future, which rarely does not torment our consciousness. Wise calm and, as a result, intuitive insight will help you quickly cope with this fear.

At the same time, the myth does not imply static fatalism, but a dynamic way of managing one’s thoughts.

Crotals are an ancient musical instrument similar to castanets. Ratchet in ancient world, as well as in the shamanism of the modern world, has a cult purpose. Its function is the call, the call of the gods, spirits, that is, the highest spiritual substance. In addition, being a musical instrument, it symbolizes fun, dance, or, in a broader sense, the power of rhythm and freedom. Sisters and rattles were popular sacred attributes of many ancient goddesses.

The fact that it was made by Hephaestus himself, the “Olympian craftsman”, “working god”, indicates precisely the benefits of labor, creative production, and the fact that this is not some kind of crude tool of a farmer, but an instrument of art, suggests that this work should be inspired, sublime and joyful. Because an activity that brings joy and satisfaction is in itself a gift from the gods, divinely inspired, and will certainly drive away heavy depressing thoughts. Negative thoughts are afraid of spiritual power.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the material of the instrument is the same as that of the birds' deadly feathers: copper. It is very likely that the recommendation of the myth echoes the popular Freudian theory of sublimation of libido, when carnal desires, in this case, the arrows-feathers of birds, for the purpose of spiritual harmony and comfort, must be embodied, transformed into a peaceful action, for example, into a dance, symbolized by rattles.

Result

This is probably the only hero’s feat that did not exhaust him, but made him laugh. Although Hercules did not gain anything, in any case, he relaxed well. Remembering the sad consequences of drunken idleness with a centaur, this feat proves that for internal balance and mental comfort it is more useful to at least rattle the rattle, dance and laugh heartily.

The sixth feat. Augean stables

Target

Like the lessons of our lives, this feat again surprises with its unexpected feature. The valiant hero is ordered to engage in a task that would seem to degrade his dignity as a fighter and warrior. Hercules is sent to clean out the stables of King Augeas, to rid them of the manure that has accumulated over thirty years.

This feat, despite its simplicity, can be read on two planes: purely practical and mental-emotional.

So, first one. Here, what is required from the hero is not so much courage and courage as ordinary worldly wisdom, economic savvy, or, in the modern interpretation, business acumen. This is indicated by nothing more than a business agreement between Hercules and the king for 10 percent of the income in the form of a tenth of the Augean cattle. Hunting for a doe is a little related to this task, but still, dirty and stinking stables are more reminiscent of routine and everyday life than a golden-horned animal.

The stables belonged to Augeas, the richest king of Hellas, the son of Helios himself. The divine functions of Helios, in contrast to his identical Apollo (Phoebus), are somewhat monotonous and even boring. As the sun god, Helios rode out every day in his chariot and religiously followed the same route in the sky. The sun is traditionally responsible for our realization in society, and the presence of solar deities in myth seems to hint at the need to move along the eternal trajectory of the cycle of life. However, like Hercules, man is doomed to work far from the solar chariot or elegant palaces.

The stables represent the roughness of the material world. The law of human existence is strict and inexorable: rarely does anyone manage to avoid monotonous painstaking work. Therefore, no matter what spheres our mind hovers in, no matter how lofty our thoughts are, the material overtakes and lies in wait for us in the most ordinary moments of everyday life.

As for the emotional and mental perspectives, the function of purification and liberation is cultivated here, in contrast to several previous feats, where the goal was mastery, capture. Although the order of feats is quite arbitrary, this particular one is numbered fifth or sixth, that is, it is located almost on the equator. If the path of Hercules is taken as a metaphor for our life's path, then the appearance of a 30-year period in the myth can serve as an allegory for the middle of life. It is this age that psychology considers to be a kind of threshold time when the accumulated experience is comprehended and, often, very radical changes occur.

The myth shows that sooner or later the time comes for ordinary banal cleaning. Any change requires reconstruction and reorganization, a revision of the past; and the more saturated it is, the more information should be analyzed. The amount of manure in the camps of Augeas is directly proportional to the volume of everything unnecessary, stagnant, worked out in our consciousness. And in order for the horses of our inspiration to continue to be suitable for their daily victorious march, and not rot in dung heaps, there is a growing need to free ourselves from all this garbage.

Path

Thanks to reflection, correct calculation and an unusual method, Hercules manages the task quickly, conscientiously and skillfully. Instead of going deeper into the fetid camps, he, on the contrary, moved away from them and began to build a dam on the river that flowed nearby. And then he dug a canal for quite a long time, and thus changed the vector of its direction. Having broken the walls of the stables, he directed the strong flow of the river directly through the barnyard, which was cleared very efficiently and quickly. The iconography of this feat depicts the hero imposingly leaning on his club and proudly observing his achievement.

The myth illustrates that the meaning of human labor is not to mindlessly pick up perennial waste with a shovel and dustpan, consoled by the thought of one’s own plight as an oppressed worker, but in rational thinking, the wise use of all available resources.

So, foresight, the ability to calculate ahead and predict events pay off handsomely, allowing you to avoid boring and joyless wallowing in the muck of everyday life. It is the desire and effort to go beyond the boundaries, to approach life’s issues in an unconventional way, that clears the way and makes it possible to let into your life a stream of opportunities that will work for you.

And if you again shift your perspective a little towards the intangible, you can find a hint on how to analyze and revise your experience. In this case, it is advisable to analyze the central symbol of the myth - water, or, more precisely, a river. The symbol of water is extremely rich and diverse, but in the context of the myth of the stables, its cleansing aspects are brought to the fore. Considered to be the container of existence itself, it is water that contains the past, present, future, and is a symbol of universal human experience, concentrated in the forms and content of cultural images. Changing and acquiring different states, it embodies an example of understanding and acceptance, impartial contemplation.

In contrast to the sun, water is a passive feminine principle, possessing the powerful power of the unconscious, and the myth demonstrates the advantages of the “water” power of the unconscious over the “solar” power of consciousness. It is an irrational, illogical action associated with the inner world, introverted cognition, intuitive insight that can unexpectedly effectively help in cleansing a person’s clogged mental world, as well as so-called everyday issues that are resolved as if by themselves. The myth clearly depicts such a causal chain.

In addition, the river serves as an additional key. In symbolic terms, a river is that water that does not act statically, like the sea, but which, thanks to its flow and spills, determines the dynamics and constant time periodization of events. Hercules influences the river, breaking through a channel, trying to change the vector of its flow. And he succeeds. We are not able to stop the flow of time, but the example of the hero proves that directing it, using it wisely, using it in order to change and cleanse ourselves, both morally and physically, is accessible to us and completely real.

Result

The result of the feat, unfortunately, is not as optimistic as its beginning. Hercules did not receive the promised tenth of the herds for one single reason. Greedy Augeas simply changed his word, amazed at the hero’s resourcefulness. So, Hercules suffered from his own genius. There is also a hidden hint of a sad pattern that even famous heroes or authoritative respected individuals do not always foresee deception. People who differ from the general mass do not always remain in an advantageous position, although it is they who serve as the engine of progress and the cornerstone of evolution. However, the revenge of Hercules, which took place beyond the scope of the twelve labors under consideration, when he brutally took revenge on Augeas by attacking his kingdom and taking possession of absolutely all of his wealth, leaves some hope for reward, even with interest.

The seventh feat. Cretan bull

Target

Probably the most intriguing and exciting feat of Hercules is his adventure with the bull. Now Hercules will have to travel to Crete, since he was sent precisely for the bull belonging to Minos, the Cretan ruler. This time it is not a monster born of a monster, but a gift from a god, Poseidon himself. Minos did not fulfill the instructions and did not sacrifice the bull, as a result of which the god sent rabies to the animal, and the gift turned into a curse: the inhabitants hoped for a miraculous salvation. Therefore, they rejoiced at the appearance of the famous hero.

The myth touches an ancient and perhaps the most eternal chord in the nature of man, his consciousness and soul: invisible, but so tangible, constantly cognizable, and yet unknown, powerful and beautiful, and so uncontrollable. Passion, desire, lust, sensual instinct - all this is embodied in the symbol of the bull, the traditional archetype of the collective unconscious.

With the symbolism of the bull, the myth sends us back to the distant past, emphasizing the authenticity and originality of the images. It was in Crete that the center of world culture was born. The bull is a zoomorphic image of the supreme Olympian Zeus, his earthly aspect. The Cretan-Minoan civilization was based on the cult of the sacred bull, and researchers come to the conclusion that even the name “Minos” itself was the divine title of the Cretan kings in general. And their ancestor is considered to be the same Europe that Zeus, inflamed with passion, seduced in the form of a bull and brought to Crete.

This veneration of the bull is seen as a direct legacy of ancient Egyptian culture, where the word “bull” itself was a necessary component of the title of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom. Many gods were embodied in bulls: Buhis, the son of the heavenly cow, the solar Apis, and later Serapis.

In Indian myths, the progenitor of the world is a bull; among the Japanese, it also plays a key role in cosmogony, breaking an egg; among the Sumerians, the bull acts as the ruler of time; in Asia Minor, bull horns became a symbol of holiness and wisdom and an integral attribute of power.

The allusion to the symbolism of Taurus, which in the astrological tradition has always been associated with fertility and productive forces, therefore with animal magnetism, attraction, passion, itself, is completely transparent here. sexual act as an earthly expression of divine love.

The sacrifice of bulls, purification rituals and cult games with bulls, that is, rituals aimed at increasing the fertility of the earth, automatically increased the fertile powers of the person himself. In other words, they awakened in him the power of desire as the basis of his existence. And, unlike other cults of antiquity, the veneration of the bull turned out to be the most constant. After all, all these elements migrated from Egypt to Greece, and through it into Western thinking. And proof of the relevance and necessity of their hidden content can be seen in the fact that remnants of this cult are found even in modern Spanish bullfighting. It is as if unconsciously people are still trying to connect with the ancient source of earthly power.

It is also not surprising that the myth so emphasizes the influence of Poseidon, since he is directly associated with the sign of Taurus. Namely, through the number 7, which was considered the sacred number of Poseidon and the number of stars of the Pleiades cluster in the constellation Taurus.

Poseidon, lord of the seas, ruler of underwater life, especially patronized sailors and fishermen, divers and swimmers. He was revered, but also feared, since such destructive manifestations as tsunamis, earthquakes and floods also came from him. In earthly nature it commands all liquid substances; in human anatomy it is associated with blood, lymph, that is, fluids and secretions, including sperm. In a psychological context - with the psychic energy of sensation. Poseidon's Gifts: The Pursuit of thrills and the desire for pleasure, the desire to feel the world with every fiber of the soul, the intensity and uncontrollability of passion are embodied in the image of a bull.

In a sense, the bull as a symbol of the next stage of development is unique; it combines both the masculine principle, personified by the active image of Zeus the Taurus, and the feminine, symbolized by its origin from the watery depths of the kingdom of Poseidon. The flame that bursts from the nostrils of the mythical bull, along with its affiliation with the sea, designates this bull as a transition zone between the elements of fire and water, as a point of overcoming incompatible dualism, and its frenzy and rage reflects the conflict, the imbalance of the two creative forces in the human mind. Combining the features of both solar and lunar deities, the bull seems to represent that coveted unity of opposites that humanity has been striving for throughout its history. Perhaps this is what explains its popularity in almost all cultures.

To master this unity, in my opinion, is the global goal of the feat, and on a more earthly level, to attract passion and gain dominance over your desires.

Path

The divinity and sacredness of the bull also determines the style of test for Hercules, which is not to destroy, get rid of, expel or cleanse, as in previous tests, but to tame; but in order to tame, you need to know, study. The myth is silent about the detailed interaction of the hero with the bull. Arriving on the island, he seems to disappear from the reader’s field of view, and again we see him as a proud winner riding on a conquered bull, who completely voluntarily transports his rider across the sea, without surprising him with any unpleasant surprises.

In other words, in this feat we are not provided with instructions for controlling passions and desires. And, perhaps, in such secrecy lies the answer: passion is a purely personal thing for each person, and must be learned in an intimate atmosphere; and the ways of learning and taming desire are so diverse and creative that they are not limited to specific recommendations.

Result

The bull, devouring and devastating the area, terrifying with its rabies, appears as a meek, obedient animal at the end of the myth.

The result of the test is clear: tamed passions elevate our spirit, crowning us with the glory of the winner, giving us the consciousness of our own strength. However, this stereotypical idea does not always take into account the detail that Hercules rode the bull, did not kill, did not tie, and did not catch him in a net. Isn't there a hint here that violence is contraindicated in taming passion and desire?

After all, the beautiful bull went berserk when Minos regretted giving him back to Poseidon, that is, he did not want to return him to his native element, the sea deity. In the esoteric tradition, good Poseidon is a courageous, physically powerful, sexually attractive type. The lack of Poseidon's energy, directed to the inner world of man, leads to the vice of gluttony in food, incites gluttony and drunkenness. Its excess, directed to the outside world, leads to the vice of violence, to the point of sexopathology.

By rejecting, condemning, forbidding ourselves and others, holding back carnal pleasures in ourselves and others, we do not pay tribute to that primitive, fertile power to which we owe the gift of desires and passions; that is, we do not return the sacrifices to God. Thus, we transform sublime creative energy into either a devouring and corroding force from the inside, or into a destructive and crushing force.

The outcome of Hercules' campaign shows what we should strive for. Like a bull carrying a hero on its powerful back through the waves of the sea, our passion, our desire should carry us along the waters of life, and not suppress it, as the result of this victory is sometimes viewed superficially.

The eighth feat. Belt of Hippolyta

Target

The eighth feat suggests plunging into a rather delicate situation that no mortal has yet been able to resolve harmoniously, namely, into the contradictory sphere of interpersonal relationships and life together. Moreover, the myth is focused not so much on the theoretical self-improvement of the soul, as on the very practical, somewhat mundane problem of regulating cooperation between a man and a woman; and contains a lesson for both some and others.

The daughter of Eurystheus decided to get the belt of the Amazon queen Hippolyta herself, and, of course, Hercules was immediately sent for it. Along the way, he visits many islands, where he performs feats of arms, but his journey to the land of the Amazons does not seem to play a decisive role, and takes on a somewhat routine character. So, the goal is to get the belt of Ares, which is owned by the leader of the Amazons.

The belt in almost all cultures of antiquity and the modern world denoted prestige, dignity, maturity and symbolized the strength of power and influence of the wearer. It was on the belt that the sword, wallet, attributes of adulthood, stability, and confidence were located. The location of the belt covers those parts of the human body that, in the Eastern tradition, correspond to the second and third chakras - zones of willpower and sexual power. The word itself appears in proverbs and biblical phrases as a symbol of the will and impulse for an active life: “gird yourself with glory and strength,” “gird your loins.”

The Amazons have been controversial. Their independence, military skill and courage were so frightening and repulsive that their very tribe and way of life became overgrown with all sorts of disgusting details. As with every mythical archetype, harmony plays a big role here, the balance of energies represented in a certain way. The Amazon archetype bestows female soul very valuable qualities: pride, independence, self-sufficiency. An excess of these energies inevitably leads to irreconcilable feminism; a woman literally turns into a callous warrior, rejecting a man, expelling him from her territory, from her inner space. She fanatically guards her “belt,” and few men dare to go into the distant “wild spaces” of her soul in order to try to defeat her aggressiveness, isolation, and still take the belt. On the other hand, the lack of Amazon energies makes a woman a weak-willed, weak-willed creature, depriving her of that notorious intriguing “spark,” in other words, taking away from her the “belt” of fiery Ares.

In the origin of the belt lies, it seems to me, the key to understanding the basis of the relationship between a man and a woman. Ares is a masculine deity, the embodiment of the nature of a man, his original qualities: aggression, pressure, strength, temper, war, the spirit of competition and rivalry. In its celestial aspect, it corresponds to the unpredictable “red” Mars, an explosive, destructive force.

A god who did not evoke sympathy among either the Olympians or the people, but, oddly enough, was the most adored lover of the mistress of love herself, the popular and desirable Aphrodite. Despite the countless number of her lovers, Aphrodite truly loves only Ares, that is, without the fiery energies of pure masculinity, love is devoid of true completeness. And the fact that the belt, or rather the power of Ares, belongs to the Amazon can illustrate that the source of a man’s strength and courage is the woman. The secret of his achievements, accomplishments, his exploits, and in the modern interpretation, social success and prestige is the power of inspiration belonging to a woman, or rather, her loins, released when she comes into contact with a man.

Path

Hercules, already a self-sufficient and matured man, a god-like hero, is not afraid of the prospect of taking possession of the belt of the inaccessible Hippolyta. Despite all the successes and achievements in life, a man clearly needs a woman, a partner, an ally; It is no coincidence that Hippolyta is a warrior, leader, and leader among the Amazons. The hero needs a belt, a center of power, the time has come to take possession of it.

In all likelihood, the belt is a mysterious, invisible, but very tangible force materialized in myth, originally belonging to a woman. When making contact, a woman always gives, gives, sacrifices this power free of charge for the benefit of the man who is imbued with it. In different versions of the myth, it is as if different scenarios of interaction between a man and a woman are read, concentrated around the eternal core substance - femininity, female eros.

In one of them, Hippolyta would like to give up the belt voluntarily, seeing a strong, attractive athlete-hero. Hercules, in turn, does not even think of fighting women, and intends to ask for or earn a belt as a reward. This option is perhaps the most harmonious: a woman’s pride and independence are replaced by meekness and complaisance in response to the humility and affection of an equally proud and self-confident man.

There is an option in which Hercules appears as a not-so-noble knight. Without hesitation, he equips a military expedition and seizes the treasure by force. But this is also an illustration of a simple pattern: in response to aggression and predatory instincts, a man receives an absolutely identical response; and even having acquired the coveted belt, he is hardly able to boast of a worthy victory.

But even in a harmonious version, not everything is so rosy. As always, Hera intervened in the fate of Hercules. The myth tells of the insidious plan of the Hercules-hater, who sowed among the Amazons the seeds of doubt about the hero’s sincerity, and thus provoked a battle. This time we see manifestations of Hera among the Amazons, which hints at the manifestations of the Hera archetype we have considered in female consciousness and behavior. The union was ruined by inappropriate suspiciousness, suspicion, unfounded fears and fears of losing itself. Distrust of a man, fear of giving in and dissolving in him always plays a role cruel joke with a woman, or provoking him to aggression, or forcing him to defend himself from unfair condemnation, again, showing aggression.

Result

Hercules finally gets the belt and gives it to Admeta. On the way home, he saves from certain death in the mouth sea ​​monster Hesion, daughter of the Trojan king Laomedon. Perhaps this is a kind of atonement for the unfortunate outcome of contact with Hippolyta. Still, Hercules learned to master the energies of the belt. Indeed, taking into account the symbolism of the sea element as an emotional and unconscious principle, it can be assumed that this incident in symbolic form demonstrates the understanding and support of a woman by a man who literally saves her from the monstrous complexes that threaten to swallow her.

And Hippolyta, or a woman with a strong Amazon archetype, succumbing to the ill-fated machinations of the destructive dark principle, remains a loser in any case. Or she dies, which symbolizes the extreme version of a woman’s defeat, moral spiritual death; or is deprived of freedom, that is, completely loses the energy of its archetype; or he suffers defeat and concludes an unfavorable peace, sacrificing some of his Amazons - he suppresses his qualities for the sake of imaginary freedom; however, in any case, she loses the belt, loses power, independence, authority.

Therefore, the lesson of this feat is a call to a man not to succumb to the dangerous thoughtless impulses of his aggression, and to a woman: not to be led by her secret fears and insecurities.

The ninth feat. Diomedes' horses

Target

The ninth labor is somewhat terrifying in its bloodthirstiness. Hercules was ordered to deliver wild horses (or mares, according to one version) that belonged to the Thracian ruler Diomedes. The cruel king fed all the foreigners to his favorites.

Despite its apparent simplicity, the symbolism of the myth is quite complex to interpret.

The horse, like the bull, is dual. It also belongs to two opposing elements. Most often associated with fire and light. It is this interpretation of it that is already somewhat stereotypical: the images of the winged Pegasus, the fiery horses in the chariot of Helios, the white horses of Apollo, Mithras, and Diana are still popular and understandable. Less known is the origin of the horse from Poseidon, whose psychotype we examined in the seventh myth about the Cretan bull. In the context of this fact, the horse symbolizes the unbridled and wildness of desires, lust, and correlates more with the element of the fickle unreliable wind. It is noteworthy that Poseidon himself turned into a stallion in order to overtake and unite with Demeter. In the sagas and legends of many peoples there are ominous, wild horsemen, wild hunts.

As a symbol of speed, it symbolized the passage of time. The change in the rhythm of the day was associated with the running of a horse, and the calendar was correlated with parts of its body. It is also associated with the cyclical nature of existence, and, as a result, with death. Since ancient times, it has played a special role in funeral rites, transporting the deceased to another world.

So, Hercules has to conquer these monsters, but he also has to fight their master. What will a person have to overcome in this test? In myth, the horse, as a sunny and positive symbol of activity, valor, loyalty, wisdom and nobility, appears in a repulsive, even unnatural image of a cannibal animal. This means we need to conquer what could become a faithful companion and ally in the life path, but instead devours our flesh. In my opinion, the very fact of the number of these horses implies the presence of many opponents for the soul. The first of them is time, personified by the horse, its inexorable running. It is time that turns out to be the devourer of human flesh, mercilessly destroying the body with decrepitude and disease. The second is desires and passions, and not only in a sexual context, but the very thirst for power, money, prestige, authority. Ambition and the desire for fulfillment, achievements are transformed into a fever of vanity, a thirst for power and profit, unbridled workaholism, and begin to tear apart human consciousness, in other words, the “solar horse” turns into a mad, wild horse of Poseidon’s depths.

Path

Hercules, without much effort bridling the mad horses, challenges Diomedes to a duel and kills him.

It would not be superfluous to take into account the fact that Diomedes was the son of Ares himself, and given his senseless cruelty, this king can be considered the embodiment of the perverted manifestations and consequences of Mars aggression, which gives rise to sadistic tendencies.

The only thing that darkens the joy of victory is the death of Hercules’ friend Abdera, whom he entrusted with holding the mares during the battle with the king. To defeat endless vices, it is advisable to get to the bottom of it, identify and destroy their cause. Instead of heading to the stables and starting to tame the animals, Hercules could have saved his friend from death by dealing with Diomedes first. And so, even with a positive outcome, he was overtaken by the owner of the horses and was forced to entrust them to a weaker friend.

However, the myth contains the truth: the struggle on the difficult path of soul development cannot be done without sacrifices, and mistakes cannot be avoided on the path itself. Taming shortcomings without destroying the cause will sooner or later lead to a decisive confrontation, and then something will have to be sacrificed. Managing time when ambition and cruelty are still alive in the soul will lead to nothing but an inevitable confrontation with our dark beginning, and in any case, it will destroy what served as our support.

Result

The horses were safely delivered by Hercules to Mycenae, and sacrificed to the gods, and, according to another version, released into the forest thickets, where they were torn to pieces by other predatory animals.

The tamed thirst for those intangible and such coveted goods is subordinated to something higher in man, what is commonly called morality and spirituality; or it is released into the thicket of our soul, where it is absorbed and destroyed by other desires and passions.

In the context of all-consuming time, a person who distributes and manages his time either sacrifices it to his own improvement and development (as if sacrificing time to the gods), or directs it into an active life outside (symbolized by the forest and mountains), and in this case, time, what devoured man is itself devoured by activity.

The tenth feat. Cows of Geryon

Target

Hercules' next task involves a long and dangerous journey: he is tasked with stealing a whole herd of red cows from the giant monster Geryon, who lives at the end of the world - the "far west", and driving it to Eurystheus.

So, in order to understand the essence of this task, first you need to consider the symbol of the cow.

The cow was sacred not only for India. Since ancient times, there have been ideas, especially in ancient Egyptian culture, about the Heavenly Cow in the guise of the star Nut, which absorbed the sun at sunset and gave birth to it again at dawn, as well as in the guise of the seven Hathors, corresponding to the Pleiades of the constellation Taurus. Isis was depicted as a cow or often with cow horns, and in Greece one of the epithets of Hera was “hair-eyed.” This animal personified all the lunar goddesses in their nutritional aspect, embodied the principle of productivity, and was the personification of Mother Earth, the ancestor. As an image of the womb, which bears all things, it is an absolutely feminine symbol.

Unlike the bull, horse, boar and other creatures, the cow does not contain contradictory poles. She is an absolutely positive, good symbol. This is both virtue and powerful cleansing power, abundance and prosperity. By the way, oddly enough, a red cow also appears in Judaism. One of the chapters of Bamidbar, a commentary on the Torah, contains a prescription for the law of purification, according to which one must certainly burn a red cow in order to be cleansed with its ashes. The same chapter explains that the color red in the Jewish tradition means a material approach to the world, and a red cow means the power of material transformation. In addition, red is the color of the earth in many cultures.

With its way of life and character, the cow reflects this principle: feeding on the gifts of the earth, it produces a healthy, vitamin-rich, multifunctional product - milk, which is sacred in many ancient mysteries. She is patient, calm and submissive to fate, displays the principle of submission to the higher order of nature, the worldview of philosophical fatalism.

It's a long way to get to the cows - you need to get to the ends of the earth, to an island in the Western Sea. The West almost always denoted the kingdom of death, and the island as such was interpreted as the world of the dead, which suggests a mystical journey in the style of the Orphics, who sought to achieve a special state through initiation - the killing of stereotypical thinking and the acquisition of a fresh enlightened consciousness.

In order to fully understand the barriers that separate us from learning the secrets of the Great Mother, we should also clarify the symbolism of her guardians. The cows are in the power of the ugly giant Geryon and under the supervision of his servants - the giant Eurytion and the dog-headed Ortra.

So, Ortr, the two-headed dog. He is none other than the offspring of Echidna, the brother of Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. The double-headedness of the ferocious cow guard is a direct allusion to the frightening duality, which is the source of the dark depths of the unconscious and aggressively rejects our consciousness from the peace and harmony of unity.

The giant Eurytion did not possess any distinctive features, That's why general description giant characterizes him completely. The giant, as a popular mythical and fairy-tale creature, is associated with formless primeval nature, represents the stage of savagery, and is also considered the source of destructive natural disasters - rockfalls and earthquakes. Being a rude, stupid, aggressive and stupid creature, it symbolizes irrational elements - unbridled fears, faceless, nameless, which overwhelm the psyche and create obstacles to a sober assessment of reality. In ancient traditions, the giant is a symbol of primary nature before its mastery by cultured man.

Geryon is also related to Echidna, being her brother. He is distinguished by a special ugliness - he has three fused torsos, three heads, and six arms and legs. There is a hint of a triple hexad, the biblical ominous number of the beast - 666, emphasizing the power of the devil's spawn. The dominance of the triad is obvious.

The number three is one of the most symbolically rich numbers, unchanged in ceremonial magic and religious rituals. Even the Pythagoreans noted its sacred essence: self-sufficiency, universal significance as an impulse for development. However, its dynamism is not always creative. Being the number of the triangle describing the fire element of the pyramid, the number was the center of instability and unpredictability, potential danger.

Perhaps Geryon's torso is a metaphor for the rigidity of man's mental, sensory and physical worlds; his heads, separate, and yet connected - a metaphor for differentiated, not universal consciousness, and his legs and arms - contradictory and uncoordinated actions.

So, Hercules is ready to go after the cows to lead them away from the giants and monsters. And our soul, our consciousness, is ready to set off on a journey beyond the origins in search of the Great Mother in order to find the comfort of Divine protection in the bosom of the Ancestress, who nourishes her favorites and generously bestows warmth, prosperity, and abundance. Femininity as a source of abundance, as a condition of fertility, the very archetype of the earth in our time is belittled and leveled, the demonic and chaotic nature of the feminine principle is cultivated. Therefore, consciousness is looking for ways to restore contact with its earthly, feminine, its positive beneficial aspect; looking for ways to free him from the vigilant monsters of stupidity, primitive savagery and tightly rooted fears. The myth tells how to find the highest cosmic selfless love and gratuitous generosity, embodied in the heavenly cow, by destroying pride, ego and greed personified by giants.

Path

The task also determines the style of its implementation. Without a doubt, this is one of the most intense and plot-intensive labors of Hercules. Therefore, it makes sense to briefly interpret them.

A long journey through Africa awaits the hero, and in this feat it is no longer a forest grove or forest that awaits him, but a hot, dangerous desert, which symbolizes the conclusion of his consciousness to an unfamiliar, unusual way of thinking, a rejection of the beaten familiar path.

The slightly mystical nature of the feat is hinted at by the first act of the hero, who reaches the ends of the earth. On the shores of a narrow sea strait, he erects two stone pillars, which went down in history as the Gibraltar pillars. At the symbolic level, such an act, impractical from the point of view of the goal of the feat, makes one think about some kind of initiation. After all, the pillars of Hercules are very reminiscent of the columns of the mysterious temple of the Priestess, depicted on the second major arcana of the Tarot deck, the most mysterious and secretive. It is the Priestess who is the keeper of the secrets of the Great Mother, and depicted with a lunar crescent, is the image of the lunar goddesses. It is not surprising that the hero erects pillars, that is, constructs an entrance, or rather, a border between worlds. Its gates seem to separate everyday consciousness from meditative consciousness, which is necessary for a special kind of knowledge.

The lesson of the map is the acquisition of knowledge, but not the set of functional abilities that replace knowledge in modern world, but that true, hidden and accessible only to those who are truly thirsty. In other words, before the task it is necessary to “go through the columns of the temple”: to distance oneself from the world and the fussy haste of everyday life.

The unusualness is also emphasized by the specificity of the scene of the feat - the island as a symbol of another dimension. Even such an experienced hero was pondering on the shores of the Ocean how to get to the island, until Helios himself arrived on his chariot. Its blinding light is so strong that Hercules intends to shoot an arrow at it. Such behavior, unthinkable for the ancient consciousness, strangely enough, produces unexpected results: God lends him his own boat.

The boat is an image of a crossing, its function is to connect various parts of the universe. This is probably the most popular fairy-tale symbol: often a magic boat takes the hero to a magical inaccessible island, however, only the brave have access to such a path. Hercules, not afraid to challenge Helios, receives a vehicle as a reward from him. Doesn't this inspire one to challenge the solar rational consciousness, and, despite the expected defeat, suddenly find the means of freely unhindered passage through the waters of the unconscious?

On the island and subsequently, Hercules is in for constant unpleasant surprises: unlike previous exploits, which took place in a relatively simple “come-saw-conquer” scheme, cows give him constant trouble. And again the mystical trinity appears.

The fight for the cows takes place in three stages: first, he kills the dog Orpheus with a blow of his club, then he briefly fights with Eurytion, and, having already taken possession of the herd, he encounters Geryon himself, whom he hits with just one arrow. So, acquiring intimate knowledge allows you to use all the skills acquired along the path of improvement: both will and clear consciousness.

It was believed that initiates who comprehended the secret of the Triad knew neither obstacles nor barriers, and gained wisdom and understanding. The law of three requires the hero to face the main obstacle - giants - three times. This is the shepherd of the herd, its owner Geryon himself, and the evil fire-breathing Kak, who stole a couple of cows from the sleeping Hercules during the distillation of the herd.

The victory over the giants symbolized the victory over chaos, a step towards the establishment of the cosmos. Having gotten rid of the inconsistency and differentiation inherent in the ordinary worldview, the hero acquires universal syncretic thinking.

The difficulty and fragility of the acquired knowledge is indicated by all the ongoing adventures of Hercules on the way home: in addition to the natural elements, he withstands the attack of barbarians, the machinations of the Sicilian prince Eryx, who keeps a stray cow and forces the hero to fight for it; a dangerous battle with Kak, who also did not fail to steal; the herd suffered from rabies sent by Hera and fled; and at the end of the path there was even another giant who blocked the entrance to the gorge with a huge stone.

Probably, preserving knowledge is a feat no less difficult than obtaining it. Extraction does not guarantee ownership. Constant vigilance and readiness to protect and preserve it is the lesson of the second part of this feat. The story of the herd drive warns against those who are always not averse to taking advantage of the achievements of heroes, against the limited savagery of the barbarians, against the explosive rebellion of their own nature, and the stumbling blocks of the still invisible giants.

Result

Eurystheus sacrificed the cow to Hera, which once again emphasizes the connection of the sacred animal with the goddess. Perhaps in this way the myth demonstrates the destruction of the chaotic destructive aspect of feminine energies through reunification with the newfound ancient primacy.

The eleventh feat. Apples of the Hesperides

Target

Eurystheus sends Hercules to find the wonderful garden of the Hesperides and get three golden apples from there. Although the eleventh adventure is already deeply rooted in human consciousness as the hero’s quest for immortality, it still contains more detailed information about that coveted key to immortality that everyone is looking for in their lives. Therefore, we will consider each element of the myth to determine the essence of this feat.

It would be quite logical to start with the symbol apple The apple has imprinted itself in such archetypal word forms as “apple of knowledge”, “apple of temptation and seduction”, “apple of discord”. They are cherished and nurtured by the heavenly nymphs themselves and are considered a heavenly treasure that bestows goodness and goodness. Both goddesses and mortals are eager to get them, even despite the paradoxical ability to give rise to global fatal conflicts, such as, for example, the expulsion of the first people from paradise, the quarrel of the three wise goddesses Hera, Athena and Aphrodite over the judgment of Paris, or the tragic Trojan War. And does not this desired, longed for, precious gift of heaven possess all the characteristics of Love and Beauty itself?

Love, which subjugates wisdom, power, and the very life of a person; despite its heavenly origin, it is capable of casting one into the abyss of earthly passions. The very image of the fruit, the fruit associated with flora, hints at the only divine grace that can be known through the flesh. In the biblical Song of Songs, the apple is mentioned as the source of conception and birth - the sacred goals of love. The apple is most often associated with love magic and love spells, appearing in many conspiracies and rituals.

The second point worthy of attention is the fact that the apples were gold. Gold is the color of the sun, reason and immortality, the divine principle in the manifest world. In the Bible, a wise word is compared to a golden apple. The symbol of the golden apple contains the idea of ​​the dazzling and destructive power of Divine Beauty. That is, the love that one should strive for is that notorious Divine love, immortal and illuminated by the light of the Higher Mind, and the condition of obtaining three fruits may indicate a thirst for spiritual, heartfelt and physical unity in love.

The apples were on tree. Tree of Life and Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Polysemantic ancient symbol, reflecting the foundations of the Universe and fitting man into the structure of the laws of life. Personifying the core of the cosmos, he showed the earthly image of the Divine essence, a metaphor for cyclicality: growth, formation, dying and birth.

The psychoanalytic tradition denotes the subconscious through the roots of the tree, through the trunk - the physical life of a person, and through the crown, which belongs to heaven, consciousness and superconsciousness. And the fruits, in turn, are symbolic aspects of the superconscious. A whole integral worldview gives rise to the fruit of Divine beauty - Love. Love, as a reunion under the shadow of harmony, is indicated by the fact that this tree was a wedding gift from the land of Gaia to the supreme Olympians.

Hercules needs to be found garden Hesperides. Traditionally it is interpreted as immortality, and its fruits as the key to it. But what rejuvenates, if not love, what gives immortality and memory, except love? The garden is a polymorphic symbol. It is impossible to ignore the parallels with the Garden of Eden, the “scientific” gardens of Plato’s Academy, and the hedonistic Epicurean gardens. In addition to the fact that the garden is a symbol of cultivated consciousness, it embodied the space of satisfied love longing. This is the mythical garden of Krishna, where the gopi shepherdesses danced and enjoyed the sensual love of the deity, and the biblical garden of pomegranate trees in the love Song of Solomon, and the gardens of the Indian maharajas with dancing naked virgins.

The fact that no one knew the location of the garden, and Hercules searched for it for a long time, symbolizes the continuous wanderings of man in search of pleasure and love.

The fifth detail is that the apples belonged to Hesperides, in other words, love belongs to the extraterrestrial world, is under the auspices of the stars, or the highest destiny of man. Astronomically, the Hesperides, Aegla (“radiance”), Erithia (“red”) and Hesperos (“Evening”) personified the evening western visibility of the brightest luminaries: Venus, Mars and Mercury.

The star sign is often represented in symbolic systems; it is found in emblems and coats of arms, in mandalas and yantras, being the key to the higher spheres of consciousness. Also in the Tarot, one of the arcana of spiritual initiation and alchemical transformation is called “Star”. The leitmotif of the card is hope, and the essence is showing the way, the highest patronage, the gift of peace and hope, predicting the future. A round dance of seven stars with one huge one in the center - a projection of the starry sky.

The astrological symbols of ancient cultures centered around the seven planets known at the time, which were revered by medieval alchemy as the source of creation and creative energies.

The stars connect a person with the heavens, being like the heavenly double of an earthly person. The pharaohs of Egypt became stars after death, and there was a whole science of “star path of transformation”. IN modern culture the star has become a symbol of attractiveness and inaccessibility.

The sixth and final factor is the Dragon, which is guarded by a golden tree. Even the Hesperides themselves were afraid to approach him. The negative connotation that this mythical creature has acquired is due to the shroud of secrecy that has shrouded it since prehistoric times. In the traditional reading, the dragon is the lower nature, a demonic force, chaos that is regularly reborn and a sin that must be overcome. Victory over him was seen as a victory of spirit over matter

In its highest understanding, the Dragon is the guardian of spiritual treasures and the guardian of the threshold; The most ancient interpretations correlate it with the rhythm of life, and parts of its body with cosmic forces.

In myth, the dragon is an inhabitant of the bright palaces of the starry expanses, he is a symbol of wisdom, immortality and eternal rebirth, which is sublimated in the title of the initiated hierophants of Egypt and Babylon, who were called dragons. The wingedness of a dragon indicates the variability and dynamism of the forces that it represents.

In the context of this story, the presence of a dragon may mean that even having reached the “stars” in one’s development, before receiving the desired “golden apple” of love as a reward, one still needs to overcome one’s lower nature, the internal “dragon” of sin, and transform it into “ dragon" of wisdom, that is, to know the secret of immortality and Eternal life, which was possibly provided for by the biblical injunction to "become wise as serpents."

Path

In search of the garden, Hercules endures a fight with the giant Germer, with Cycnus, the son of Ares, from whom he asks for directions, and even almost enters into a fight with the god of war himself. This symbolizes that in the search for Divine love, the aggressive pressure of Mars is useless; in addition, it is necessary to get rid of selfishness and selfishness.

The next test to be faced is the fight with the gigantic Antaeus, whose remarkable feature was a magical connection with the earth: he was invincible as long as he touched the Earth, but as soon as Hercules managed to tear him off and lift him in his mighty arms, he was defeated. This can mean a kind of reminder to abandon the mundane stereotypical perception of the world. The giant of our limitations can only be defeated when we literally get off the ground. That is, the second condition for finding Love is the renunciation of mundaneness.

Finally, upon arrival in the far north, to the sources of the mythical river Eridanus, the hero asks for advice from the nymphs, who treated him with the greatest honor and prompted him to turn to the prophetic old man Nereus. Nymphs are a fairly popular symbol of nature in its feminine aspect. Like the spirits of every phenomenon of natural life, they often favor people, understanding their concerns, and are always ready to help. That is, it is from nature that one should seek advice and support in the difficult task of finding love.

Nereus was no longer so kind, and Hercules had to make significant efforts to be able to keep him while the sea deity was constantly changing his appearance. The transformations of the old man symbolize the variety of illusions that torment the human consciousness, and remarkable willpower is needed in order to retain the desire to continue the search for the bright palaces higher love. And the prophet’s belonging to the sea element points to the water element of the mental unconscious as the source of these emotional and sensory illusions.

True love without sacrifice is impossible. This idea is cultivated in the following two incidents. In Egypt, the cruel king Busiris wanted to sacrifice Hercules, but the hero freed himself and killed the ruler. Walking through the Caucasus mountains, he frees the suffering Prometheus. It is in the eleventh labor that the lines of these two greatest heroes of antiquity intertwine - Hercules, who delights with his strength, and Prometheus, who inspires reverence with his sacrifice for the good of people. The incident with Busiris illustrates the danger and meaninglessness of a useless sacrifice for love; the meeting with Prometheus illustrates the true essence of sacrifice. Freeing the titan, Hercules releases the strength of spirit, love of freedom and greatness of feat not for the sake of glory, but for the benefit of others, in the name of humane, useful sacred knowledge.

The fact that Hercules does not come face to face with the Hesperides suggests that even a god-man cannot reach the stars. The sisters give the hero apples, but through an intermediary - Atlanta. Titan, which supports the firmament on its mighty shoulders, symbolized enormous endurance and strength, but more popular was its perception as an expert on the sky and the world, in whose honor even collections of geographical maps began to be called atlas.

Titan gives apples to Hercules. The help of Atlas can be understood as an indication of the decisive role of knowledge, research, study, and, most importantly, an open, clear consciousness on the path to understanding and acquiring the gifts of the higher cosmic spheres.

Knowledge, symbolized by the titan, holds the universe on itself. Those who have knowledge bear the entire weight of the world, which cannot be compared even with the greatest achievements of the heroes. This is what the strong, invincible, battle-hardened Hercules felt when he agreed to replace Atlas and hold the firmament on his shoulders. When the cunning titan tempts the hero, offering to carry the apples himself, he refuses. The burden of universal knowledge is too much for mortals to bear. Although it is tempting: it is difficult to resist the temptation of power, which education, awareness, knowledge gives.

Result

Only in the eleventh labor is what Hercules gained back. And, however, this feat cannot be considered meaningless. After Hercules delivers the apples to Eurystheus, he, unable to withstand their heat, throws them back to the hero. Then Hercules sacrifices them to his patron Athena, and she places them back in the Garden of the Hesperides.

This may describe the law that the flow of divine love always returns to the source. Being develops, manifesting itself on different levels material world until a certain point when the time comes to return the essence of one's experience to the divine reality.

This result, along with the image of a tree, hints at the goal of transforming one’s linear-structural perception of life processes into a cyclical one, as more integral; and thus reach a higher level of comprehension of the world.

Unlike other labors, where Hercules killed or tied up monsters, chased animals, cleaned stables, lured belts from women, in this labor the heavenly nymphs themselves give him apples, and Atlas, the holder of the firmament, delivers them to him.

Indeed, if vices are tamed, material well-being is earned, health is achieved through careful care, knowledge is acquired, partnerships are sought, then love is bestowed and presented by the highest heavenly powers.

The twelfth feat. Cerberus

Target

In his last labor, Hercules must descend to Hades and deliver to Eurystheus Kerberus himself, the three-headed dog, guardian of the world of the dead. This terrifying monster had three heads and a tail in the form of a poisonous dragon.

Once again we encounter a triad, and this time it is a metaphor for the trinity of time. The heads of the lion, wolf and dog were believed by ancient and medieval authors to represent aspects of time. The unpredictable and strong lion is the power of the present, the lone prowling wolf is the past that consumes our memories, and the dog, known for its premonition instincts, is the future. Snakes flowing throughout the body, like the dragon at the tip of its tail, correspond to the chthonic forces of the subconscious.

However, despite his disgusting appearance, Kerberus did not exterminate, devastate, or kill; he was on guard. Frankly speaking, his role is most likely positive and necessary in life cycles: being a vigilant servant of Hades, he prevents the return of souls from the underworld and does not release the shadow of the other world. Thus, Kerberus symbolizes the boundary between worlds that must be overcome in the final test.

Path

The well-known version is that the hero went down to Hades and brought out a tamed monster from there. However, if you look into the details, then everything seemed much more complicated, in the sense that it required Hercules to acquire completely different skills, and turns our consciousness into a mystical, irrational, unknown area that challenges our linear rational thinking.

First, before descending into Hades, the hero visits Eleusis, an area near Athens, and undergoes a sacrament there Eleusinian Mysteries. These were the most important rituals in honor of the gods and goddesses of fertility, annual rites of initiation for the purpose of gaining mystical otherworldly experiences, knowledge of death and connection with the power that a particular deity embodied. The legendary Orpheus was considered the systematizer and founder of the sacraments of initiation, in whose honor the followers of these ceremonies were called Orphics. Cult actions were kept secret from the uninitiated, the best proof of which is the little-known fact of Hercules passing these sacraments.

As a result, the hero acquires a mystical experience that had a revolutionary effect on the human soul, not only healing the body, but, most importantly, eliminating the fear of death. The ancient experience of the Orphics is reflected in numerous testimonies about the trances of saints and yogis, as well as in the stories of survivors of coma, lethargy, and clinical death. The soul that has survived the second incarnation is invulnerable to what crushes an ordinary person, and the happiness from merging with the divine spheres motivated us to further improve ourselves and the world around us.

Echoes of the consequences of initiation and a special interaction with the matter of time are reflected in some details of the story. The hero meets characters who are the past even for him, which hints at the presence of universal human archetypes in our subconscious; he saves Theseus by tearing him away from the stone that symbolizes control of the present, and also receives information from the shadow of his deceased friend, who asks him to marry his sister, which implies the gift of divination.

Now Hercules can freely and safely enter a world inaccessible to the living.

Secondly, the hero does not descend into the underworld alone: ​​in the best traditions of the esoteric sciences, he finds a Teacher who is always present, guides, advises and helps on a spiritual path replete with dangers. For Hercules, this turns out to be one of the Olympian gods, whose personality serves as the most concrete hint at the presence of mystical experience and initiation. God helps you navigate underground kingdom, and protects you from fighting shadows.

Myself Hermes, god-messenger, god-mediator, and in the Hellenistic world merged with the Egyptian deity of wisdom and cosmic knowledge Thoth Hermes Trismegistus (“thrice greatest”). Although Athena, the patroness of Hercules, continues to help, it is Hermes who yields the palm.

Delving deeper into the subconscious, one cannot do without higher help, and Hermes, as the ruler of the Word-Logos and guide, emphasizes that for a successful journey it is necessary to enlist the support of knowledge and a reliable channel of communication with the heavenly world.

Thanks to Hermes audience with Hades himself passes successfully, and the hero is allowed to take the guard, although with the condition not to use any weapons. A conversation with the ruler of another world is very reminiscent of protective formulas in ceremonial magic, especially popular in rituals Ancient Egypt, when the deceased had to turn to the main guardian monsters of certain palaces of the afterlife.

The condition of not using weapons seems to devalue all such valuable and necessary gifts of the gods and collected trophies in other exploits. However, as it turns out, Hercules does not need them. The seasoned hero is no longer touched by poisonous bites or teeth scary dog, not a dragon’s sting, and once a duel with Hydra, also the offspring of Echidna, almost killed just one pinch of cancer.

Mystical experience, knowledge of the deep spheres of one’s unconscious was precisely what was supposed irrational method, so the hero does not use either the arrow of consciousness or his club of will. On the contrary, he seems to be returning to the past, reproducing the style of his first exploit, when he also strangled the Nemean Lion with his bare hands. The twelfth labor seems to close the circle, because Kerber is the brother of the Nemean Lion and also the offspring of Echidna - the deep unconscious principle.

Result

The monster is tamed, not killed, and, even more, restored to its original place. So, overcoming the border between life and death does not at all mean its destruction. One of the main signs of obtaining secret knowledge was the recognition, acceptance and adherence to the main law of the universe: expediency, according to which “there is a place for everything” and “for everything there is a time.”

The example of Hercules, asking permission and the subsequent return of Kerberus, teaches: even in the knowledge of death itself and other worlds, it is necessary to respect the higher plan that distributed existence. In other words, the true goal of the path, the true destiny of a person is knowledge, reunification with one’s consciousness and archetypes of the subconscious, harmonious interaction with their images. To join the cycle of life, to find harmony in coexistence with the rhythms and patterns of nature, presupposed a change in one’s consciousness, and not a change in reality according to the limited ideas of one’s mind.

Epilogue

So, the twelve labors unfold an almost universal program for human improvement. After all, according to the symbolic interpretation, which is so figuratively capacious that it can be deepened and developed, Hercules passes through three levels of identification.

The first of them is internal self-identification; the struggle unfolds on the plane of the soul and occurs within oneself. The most obvious, and, not coincidentally, more popular examples are his battles with the Nemean Lion and the Lernaean Hydra. That is, overcoming your ego, subduing your passions, and fighting vices is the first step. This also includes the Stymphalian birds. The fact that the first two should have been destroyed, and the birds at least driven out, symbolizes the irreconcilable determination to truly get rid of the shadows inner world, from those hidden complexes that interfere with moving forward.

The following exploits represent a projection onto external life and social identification. They are associated with mastery, capture, delivery. That is, they symbolize the experience acquired in the process of life, the main forces that, in principle, determine the desire to develop, strive, achieve and establish themselves in their existence. These are feats with the Cerynean hind, the Erymanthian boar, the stables of Augeas, the belt of Hippolyta, the Cretan bull, and the horses of Diomedes. The scattered and unsystematic nature of this group of feats reflects the same chaotic and disorderly nature of our hectic life and its hectic pace.

And the last group makes up the mystical three of the cycle and is focused on other worlds, initiations and divine gifts. Hercules travels and experiences all three worlds: the secrets of the earthly Great Mother, symbolized by the cows of the tenth labor, the grace of Divine love embodied in golden apples, and the experience of death as a boundary in Cerberus. Thus, these feats tell about the stages of initiation into the mysteries of existence.

Hercules had to make equally great efforts both to fight the offspring of monsters, such as Hydra, Cerberus, Ortrom - the offspring of Echidna, and to capture animals - gifts of the gods; the fallow deer is the gift of Artemis, the bull is the gift of Poseidon. Sometimes he had one enemy, sometimes many. Feat is not only in the fight against something negative, as our linear dual stereotypical thinking often believes, but even more often is the correct use of those gifts sent to us by life, the correct distribution of those talents and forces that live in us and require implementation .

Maybe only when we bother to understand the continuity and interconnectedness of the phenomena of existence, when we are able to comprehend the nature and language of symbols, only then will the myth speak to us and show the path that everyone wants to follow, albeit unconsciously - the path of self-knowledge and self-improvement.

A person is free to choose between complexity and simplicity, victories and decline, saturation and boredom, life and death. But the legend clearly demonstrates that for those who have power, the problem of existential choice shifts from the plane of “to be or not to be” to the question “HOW to be.”

And the series of myths about Hercules offers a path and each story is a road sign, visible to those who are eager to move forward, and are in a state of readiness for the next turn of their fate.

List of sources used

• Kun M.A. Legends and myths of ancient Greece. - T.: AT "Tarnex", 1993. - 416 s.