The Worship of Mammon (1909) by Evelyn De Morgan
When you tell a story, there must be drama. There is no drama without conflict. To sensationalize, is what grabs attention and pulls people out of their own inner monologue but also stimulates and puts focus on a perspective that is unfamiliar.
Mammon is an allegorical image for greed. The word meaning money. It usually requires passion to accumulate. The Buddhist image of passion and compassion are intertwined.
What defines the hero? The fashion of the time will play a part. Vampires, villains and variety stir the senses. As do Supergirl, the Flash and the Arrow.
The shadow side is intriguing. The contrariness of stimulation in observing evil, when we hope for good. Good is about “being” and less dramatic than venting. But the process of relating often stirs the shadow.
The cardinal virtues, prudence, courage, temperance and justice display a hierarchy. Temperance is a discipline required by all. Courage is the warrior spirit, available to some, some of the time. Prudence is the wisdom and reason to enhance the life experience. Justice is an arbitrary, objective concept, only available to those who recognize their own foibles.
There is the connection to the suits of the tarot or regular playing cards. Justice is air or Spades, with the sword of intellect. Temperance is water or cups with the wheel of history. Fortitude is the club with the element of fire, and the armor that protects us. Prudence is the book or mirror of the pentacles or earth that grounds and encourages self analysis.
Then there are the other three virtues, faith, hope, and charity(or love). As there is a supernatural quality to them, they encourage fun and belief in rainbows.
Also called Theological virtues, they are more gifted or fatalistic as they are just there and not worked toward. In today’s world I liken them to the surge in popularity of comic book heros. We all have a dose of them. You have to hope, believe and love the infinite possibilities of our human condition. As the format of religion is on the wane. What will replace it? We need something.
Mammon is an allegorical image for greed. The word meaning money. It usually requires passion to accumulate. The Buddhist image of passion and compassion are intertwined.
What defines the hero? The fashion of the time will play a part. Vampires, villains and variety stir the senses. As do Supergirl, the Flash and the Arrow.
The shadow side is intriguing. The contrariness of stimulation in observing evil, when we hope for good. Good is about “being” and less dramatic than venting. But the process of relating often stirs the shadow.
The cardinal virtues, prudence, courage, temperance and justice display a hierarchy. Temperance is a discipline required by all. Courage is the warrior spirit, available to some, some of the time. Prudence is the wisdom and reason to enhance the life experience. Justice is an arbitrary, objective concept, only available to those who recognize their own foibles.
There is the connection to the suits of the tarot or regular playing cards. Justice is air or Spades, with the sword of intellect. Temperance is water or cups with the wheel of history. Fortitude is the club with the element of fire, and the armor that protects us. Prudence is the book or mirror of the pentacles or earth that grounds and encourages self analysis.
Then there are the other three virtues, faith, hope, and charity(or love). As there is a supernatural quality to them, they encourage fun and belief in rainbows.
Also called Theological virtues, they are more gifted or fatalistic as they are just there and not worked toward. In today’s world I liken them to the surge in popularity of comic book heros. We all have a dose of them. You have to hope, believe and love the infinite possibilities of our human condition. As the format of religion is on the wane. What will replace it? We need something.
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