File:FMC00.639.jpg
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Image caption
FMC00.639 shows various artworks illustrating the fight of Hercules with the Hydra,
Rudolf Steiner describes how the twelve labours in the Hercules or Heracles saga are the symbolic representation of the tasks and stages of initiation (1904-10-07-GA093). The slaying of the Lernean Hydra is the second of the twelve labours.
On the left, a quote by Daskalos who explained the use of the image as part of initiation in the ancient Mysteries (source: 'You are the Whale', Daniel Joseph 2020).
For extensive coverage, based on Franz Bardon's IIH, see Initiation exercises#Elemental balance - character transformation 2.
Note: like every symbolic metaphor, this image has multiple interpretations or perspectives, and is also linked to the esoteric expression that 'Christ crushed the head of the serpent', whereby the serpent represents the wisdom (spirit-self or manas) that keeps growing anew but must be overcome by the true wisdom of the heart (life-spirit or budhi) (1905-10-28-GA093)
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| current | 16:45, 10 March 2025 | | 2,469 × 1,898 (1.1 MB) | Diederik (talk | contribs) |
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