The Path of Liberation (was Alchemy revisited)

[Talisman]

No: HPFGUIDX 67804

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Ivan Vablatsky 
<ibotsjfvxfst at y...> wrote:

> On April 21 I posted message 55793. In this message I said that 
the epic of Harry Potter is an alchemical formula symbolic of the 
path of human liberation. From what? From all limitations; from 
death, from disease and from suffering; from this time-spatial 
universe. 

Talisman Responds:

(* * * indicates a big snip)

I think your alchemic interpretation is very powerful, and I have no 
doubt that your predictions will come to pass.

Because I haven't studied alchemy, I have spoken of your 
delightful "Path of Liberation" in terms of human actualization 
(Maslov, etc.) which I also relate to the "hero's journey."

Myself and others have pointed out the similarities between Harry's 
journey and some archetypical hero's path.  It is not surprising 
that so many hero's stories and so much religious symbolism can be 
interpreted in the series (that's why they call it archetypical), 
but your information is much more detailed than these 
other "mirrors" of the path.  

I hope readers will keep an open mind an give serious consideration 
to your explication.  I don't presume to be an alchemy expert like 
you, Hans, but I do know that alchemists's attempts to make gold 
from base metals is really tertiary and more a metaphor for 
transformation on the emotional and spiritual level. There is no 
doubt in my mind that this transformation is what Harry's adventures 
are all about.

 * * * 
Hans Said: 
Harry will come to know divine Love, symbolized probably by a 
demonstration or sacrifice of great love. 
                           
and further said:   * * * 
> How J.K. Rowling will turn Harry's liberation of the heart into a 
ripping yarn is impossible to say, but to me it's certain that she 
will expand on the love in Harry's heart and that this will liberate 
his emotional consciousness. > 
* * * 

Talisman inquires:
 Do you think Sirius's death could be this sacrifice? We are told 
that Sirius cares more for Harry than anyone (OoP 831), and that 
Sirius is the one person Harry would go to any lengths to save (OoP 
831). In the mutual effort to save each other, Sirius is slain (I 
say sacrificed, and yes I say by Dumbledore, see my #66983 and 
#67142)

I don't have the cite, but I believe there is a divination class 
scene in PoA where Trelawney sees the Grim in the tea leaves (can we 
agree that the Grim is really big black Sirius from 12 Grimmauld 
Place?) and Ron sees a Sheep (sacrificial lamb?)

Sirius's death clearly leads to a heightened level of emotional 
consciousness for Harry. (OoP 816) As both of us have noted in our 
various posts, it unleashes "The Power the Dark Lord knows not of." 

I noted with great interest that even Harry was surprised that he 
felt "pity" for Luna in the final chapter where she is trying (in a 
detached sort of way, hmmm) to recover her possesions. 

(I would have preferred the less condescending "empathy," but maybe 
we are to compare Harry's "pity" with LV's "pitiless eyes") 

Harry usually feels annoyed by Luna, even though she is totally 
supportive, pivotally helpful and, heck, risks her life to help 
him).  In past books and in the beginning of OoP Harry often 
demonstrates a sort of selfish ingratitude toward lesser characters 
who are trying to help him. He can be quite rude to Hedwig, he never 
seems to realize how much Moaning Myrtle helped him in the second 
task, etc. Luna is no exception, all the way up to that last scene 
he shows no sign of connecting with her emotionally.

Personally I think this "pity" is one of the most significant signs 
of Harry's growth (progress on the path) in the book. 

    * * *
Hans said:
To win Jupiter, Harry will have to become the leader of the Gods; in 
other words he will become a great leader. To achieve the Saturn 
initiation Harry will have to go through the Gate of Saturn - a 
Death followed by an implicit or explicit resurrection in an 
indestructible body."

* * * 

Talisman responds:

I have no doubt.
> 
 
Hans Said: 
> And of course book 7 must finish with the total Liberation of the 
consciousness ego. *** My theory is that this consciousness 
liberation is the very purpose of human existence; the very point of 
life on earth. * * * This means Harry will die: yet he will not die. 
It's a fictional death; a symbolic death only. How can the death of 
the limited, time-spatial consciousness be sad when it's replaced by 
something that is eternal, immortal and totally selfless? Harry's 
death will be the great triumph of eternity over temporality. And 
it's not the end of anything.
> 
Talisman responds: Yes. This is the raison d'etre for the 
transforming hero's journey.  This is the object of the quest for 
the Holy Grail. This is bringing authentic life to the Waste Land.  
This is the meaning of "He who would save his life must lose it."
> 
Hans said:

* * *   
> Take for example Ron and Hermione. My theory is that they're not 
actually two different people, but aspects of the same person, 
namely us! We, the reader, have in us Harry, Ron and Hermione.
* * * 

Talisman responds:

I totally agree that HRH are three in one. And, as I said in #67142 
we can (and should) all take this journey (though perhaps not many 
do).  
> 
 Hans said:

I notice that some people think that Harry's occlumency lessons will 
have to continue in his sixth year. Well my theory is that the whole 
point of book 5 is that Harry doesn't need occlumency! He can defeat 
Voldemort with the power of his heart. He is liberated from mental 
overshadowing. Love is the greatest power in the universe. Nothing 
is stronger. It is "a force that is at once more wonderful and more 
terrible than death, than human intelligence, than the forces of 
nature."
 Hans in Holland
> 
Talisman responds:
I agree completely. I note in my message #66983, that Dumbledore 
knew this immediately and acted accordingly. 

Don't worry too much if you get few replies.  I read your earlier 
post and thought, "That is Great!" But as I didn't have a particular 
point I wanted to make at the time I didn't post anything.  I see 
now that I should have at least sent you a supportive email. Better 
late than never, I'm banging this out now.  

Many people may not be equipped to work with the series at this 
level.  At least you have clearly pointed a way in for them if they 
find someday that they are ready to go.  Dumbledore couldn't have 
done more.

Thanks again for the great post,
Talisman 
> 
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