Table of contents hide 1 Myth of Eros and Psyche 2 One of the differences between these two goddesses, which embody two different feminine principles, is the birth 3 “Every woman houses in herself an Aphrodite. It is recognized for its overwhelming femininity and for its vast, impersonal and intangible majesty ”(R. Johnson, 1996) 4“ Aphrodite is the principle that reflects all experience towards our consciousness, like a mirror ”. (R. Johnson, 1996) 5 It is generally very difficult for modern women to recognize their inner Aphrodite and the archaic tricks they can practice.
This article will be based on the teachings of Robert Johnson, who based on the myth of Eros and Psyche tried to exemplify the feminine aspects of the psyche, both in men and women. So this writing will consist of transmitting the functioning of the human psyche, emphasizing the feminine aspects from the exemplification with a myth.
This magnificent writer took myths and ancient writings as keys to understanding both our outer world and, and fundamentally, our inner world . In this way, Robert Johnson demonstrated with his teachings how other great recognized authors have taken from the legends many aspects to refer to their theories about the mind of the human being and other aspects of it. One of the authors he alluded to was about the Austrian psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung who, through myths, found a way to explain the structural basis of the human mind, since he discovered in them the expression of basic psychological patterns.
From the myth of Eros and Psyche, Robert Johnson tries to explain and exemplify the functioning of the female personality . Notwithstanding that, he considers that femininity is found in both men and women . Paraphrasing Robert Johnson who commented that Jung “showed that, just as genetically every man has recessive female chromosomes and hormones, so every woman has a group of male psychological characteristics that constitute a minority element in her. Dr. Jung called anima on the feminine side of the man and animus on the masculine side of the woman . ” (R. Johnson, 1996)
This is how Robert Johnson warned that when in his teachings he refers to the feminine aspects of the myth of Eros and Psyche, he refers not only to women but also to the soul of man, in other words, to his feminine side.
Myth of Eros and Psyche
In any place there is a king, a queen and her three daughters . The first two (older sisters are common princesses). However, the third daughter is the exact expression of the inner world, not for nothing her name is Psyche, whose meaning is soul . People began to notice the great power of this extraordinary princess and began to say: "Here is the new Aphrodite, this is the new goddess who will take the place of the old one, eradicate her from her temple, and replace her completely " ( R. Johnson, 1996)
Until that moment and from the beginning of time Aphrodite was the one who had reigned and was the goddess of femininity . However, now with the appearance of this beautiful princess, Aphrodite began to suffer insults since the ashes of the sacred fires of her temples were cooled by the absence of devotees, while watching as the devotion to this girl grew exponentially endangered by this way your place. This situation was intolerable for Aphrodite so her jealousy and rage, as Robert Johnson puts it, “ were apocalyptic and the entire course of our history is determined at this time. Provoke the wrath of a divinity or demand changes, is equivalent to shaking the very foundations of our inner world ! ”(R. Johnson, 1996)
One of the differences between these two goddesses, which embody two different feminine principles, is the birth
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Aphrodite, called by the Romans Venus, was born from the sea, her power is pristine and oceanic . Its origin dates from the beginning of time and its entourage is at the bottom of the sea. If we observe it in psychic terms, she reigns the unconscious, which is represented in the legends by the waters of the sea . This illustrious American psychiatrist, Robert Johnson, commented that, in common terms of consciousness, she is almost inaccessible in the sense that it is very difficult to establish a link with her . Aphrodite can be revered, admired or can crush the other in a bond, that's why relating to her is like facing a tsunami .
On the other hand, Psyche born humanly from dewdrops that fell from the sky, has the task of relating and attenuating the oceanic female archetype, that is, Aphrodite, to the unconscious .
“Every woman houses in herself an Aphrodite. It is recognized for its overwhelming femininity and for its vast, impersonal and intangible majesty ”(R. Johnson, 1996)
It is known that Aphrodite had a maid who had a mirror in her possession so that Aphrodite could constantly observe herself when she wanted to . Domestic had the task of always being ahead so that Aphrodite could see herself in that mirror assiduously. She is jealous and does not support rivalries of any kind.
"Aphrodite is the principle that reflects all experience towards our consciousness, like a mirror." (R. Johnson, 1996)
Aphrodite's mirror represents that place where we can see our nature, and that without her help we would only project it outside and never be able to observe it, that is, to become aware of our true essence . In this way, this element is a tool from which we can question ourselves about what it reflects and begin a path of understanding about our own nature . This is how we will not find ourselves stuck in an emotional web. Robert Johnson explains to us that it is important to “understand that many things of our inner nature are masked as external events when their reflection should return to the subjective world where it emerged … When someone falls in love and sees in the beloved person qualities of god or goddess, it is Aphrodite who reflects our immortality and our divine qualities . ” (R. Johnson, 1996). Unfortunately, it is so difficult for us to see our strengths and weaknesses, that instead of looking in the mirror, we spend years and years trying to hide our conscience and our beloved eyes from the soul, all that we possess both the virtues and the faults . All that time we spend hiding this becomes a practically chronic suffering . Then the task of Psyche is clearly that long road between the discovery of his nature / immortality, and his crush on Eros.
It is generally very difficult for modern women to recognize their inner Aphrodite and the archaic artifacts she can practice.
For example, Aphrodite can be very despotic and think that, as she sees her world, so is that of others, so her vision is the law that governs others. s. In everyday life, usually when a new type of femininity appears in the evolutionary range, for example the daughter-in-law, the ancient goddess will be charged with anger . So you will use everything in your power to defeat your opponent . It is necessary to observe that many times we have fallen prey to our own Aphrodite and be vigilant in the future in case this happens.
In short, the energy of Aphrodite is necessary for growth, so that the old gives rise to the new, in other words, that old habits and behavior styles give rise to the new and of this way allow a new consciousness to emerge . It is an energy that is at the service of personal growth as well as of everyone who surrounds it .
Because of the complexity and beauty of R. Johnson's words I bring a fragment to conclude this article: Often, when new growth occurs, the most terrible things seem to happen, but then we see That were exactly what was necessary . Aphrodite, who is criticized at all times, does everything necessary to make possible the evolution of Psyche . After the fact it is easy to be optimistic; but while it is happening it is devilishly painful . During this period there is a kind of chaotic internal revolutionary war . The ancient style, the nature of Aphrodite, is regressive . Drag the woman back to unconsciousness, while at the same time the force towards a new life sometimes under great risks. It may be that evolution is achieved in another way or it may be that sometimes Aphrodite is the only element that can promote growth. For example, there are women who will not grow up unless they suffer from the tyranny of a mother-in-law or a stepmother . (R. Johnson, p. 19, 1996).
CONTINUES IN:
PART 1: feminine-aspects-of-the-human-psyche-part-1 /
PART 2: feminine-aspects-of-the-human-psyche-part-2 /
REDACTORA: Gisela S., editor of the great family of the White Brotherhood.
SOURCE: Johnson, RA (1996). She: to understand female psychology. It was nascent.
