Character Discussion: Hagrid (2) - Grawp and the giants

[Hans Andréa]

No: HPFGUIDX 126615

In book 5 Hagrid reveals his compassion for humanity. 

One day, when Ron is engaged in playing quidditch, Hagrid asks Harry and
Hermione to come into the Forbidden Forest with him. When they reach a place
deep in the forest, they see a great mound of earth that moves rhythmically
up and down, accompanied to the sound of deep, grunting breathing. They
realise to their horror that it is a sleeping giant.

I couldn' leave him,' said Hagrid, tears now trickling down his bruised
face into his beard. 'See  he's my brother!

These are among the most sublime words in the whole Harry Potter septology.
This proves what the Masters of Compassion feel for humanity: they see us as
their brothers. The sleeping giant is the symbol for the unconscious masses.

We learn that the giants name is Grawp and that he is tied to the trees
around him. Hagrid asks Harry and Hermione to befriend him and to teach him
things. 

Here we see a Master of Compassion, or Hierophant, showing the apprentice
alchemist what his task will be in the future: to teach unconscious
humanity. This is an extension of Harrys work as leader of Dumbledores
army, which is the Jupiter initiation. We notice that Ron is absent. This is
a task for the new soul and the new mind. The old, earthly personality is
not involved.

The mystery of why Hagrid is always bleeding and showing wounds and
lacerations is now solved. Grawp is somewhat reluctant, and not too
sensitive about what he does to others. This is the reward for the
Bodhisattvas sympathy for the suffering of the human race: wounds, blood
and pain. But to Hagrid this means nothing. He loves his brother with
all-enduring patience and brushes the wounds off as insignificant.

When we look back to Hagrids tale earlier in the story we can learn more
about the relationship of the Hierophant with humanity.

Hagrid is accompanied by Olympe Maxime when he visits the giant community in
a valley far, far away from civilization. They tread with caution as the
giants are very aggressive. To make sure they are well received they bring
some gifts. First they bring everlasting fire.

'Dumbledore'd bewitched this branch to burn fer evermore, which isn'
somethin' any wizard could do, an' so I lies it down in the snow by Karkuss
feet and says, "A gift to the Gurg of the giants from Albus Dumbledore, who
sends his respectful greetings."'

'And what did Karkus say?' asked Harry eagerly.

'Nothin',' said Hagrid. 'Didn' speak English.'

Who are these giants? They are the nations of the earth! They do not
understand the language of the Masters of Compassion. They dont even
understand each other, as they all speak different languages. Hagrid tells
us they are every aggressive and kill each other at the drop of a hat. They
are always warring. How typical of the human race! Nearing extinction,
Hagrid says.

The first gift is everlasting fire. This is obviously a reference to the
Greek legend of Prometheus, who brought fire to humanity. This proves beyond
any doubt that Jo is symbolising the giants as humanity, the masses in
general. In the Greek legend Prometheus steals fire from Mt Olympus to give
the fire to the human race. The fact that Hagrids partner is Olympe, the
French feminine form of Olympus, proves that Jo is referring to this legend
beyond a shadow of doubt.

The three gifts are: everlasting fire, an indestructible helmet, and a roll
of dragon skin. Three supernal and radiant symbols of what the Masters of
compassion want for humanity: a total renewal of spirit, soul and body. The
fire is the soul-fire that is born in the heart when a person opens his
heart to the divine power. This soul-fire is the new soul, personified in
Harry Potter by Harry.

The helmet is the new spirit that enters the head when the heart has been
renewed. This is personified by Hermione.

The dragon skin symbolises the new indestructible body that is constructed
after liberation has been achieved through the rebirth of the soul and the
spirit.

If there is any proof needed of what Harry Potter is really about, surely
this is the one of the clearest and most obvious symbols in the whole book?

Thanks for coming down from Mt Olympus to give us Harry Potter, Jo!


"if I talk too freely about [if I believe in God] I think the intelligent reader, whether 10 or 60, will be able to guess what's coming in the books." JK Rowling

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Hans Andra 
see you at Harry Potter for Seekers 
http://www.harrypotterforseekers.com


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