THE SPHINX:The sphinx is known through the surviving, but badly eroded, Egyptian monument near the pyramids. However, there were two kinds of sphinxes: the Egyptian and the Greek. The Egyptian sphinx had the head of a man and the body of a lion. It symbolized the four Elements and Spirit, and all the science of the past. The generic Greek creature had the head and breasts of a woman, the body of a lion, and wings. However, the Theban sphinx described in legend had the head and breasts of a woman, the body of a dog, the claws of a lion, tail of a dragon, and wings of a bird. The Greeks associated her with initiation and death. The Babylonian sphinx, symbolizing the goddess Astarte, was female like that of the Greeks. The Hittites carved in rock images of lion bodies with human heads. A mysterious magickal being, the sphinx was said to possess the deepest secrets of the universe, but remained eternally silent. Magickal AttributesInitiation, end of a cycle, Element magick.Meeting the Dark Mother; instruction from Her. ChantI spiral inward to the Center,The hidden sacred space of the Dark Mother. She awaits beside her cauldron of rebirth With open arms and comforting words. The silent sphinx sits beside Her, All ancient knowledge in its keeping. The Wise One is the ultimate wisdom of life. She answers all who call to Her. None pass through death without Her. No one re-enters life, but with Her blessing. From Her hands come all cycles, physical or material. I await Her wise words. |