So here are two Aries' stories that lack a happy ending. It seems under patriarchy, the Aries adventure somehow turns sour. Perhaps because in trying to find their own power, they become their fathers.
So here is a third story that I believe will
serve as the definitive Aries narrative as we go forward to create a
better future for ourselves and our world.
This is a Gnostic mystery story from the 3rd century AD. In many ways, it is the spiritual essence of Aries purpose. This is a Gnostic story from the early Christian era, when people wanted a direct connection to spirit rather than living with religious dogma.
It is found in the Acts of Thomas and it is called the Hymn of the Pearl or the Hymn of the Robe of Glory. (For general background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymn_of_the_Pearl )
There is a son of a great King and wise Queen who is sent on a mission--an initiatory quest if you will. Like all Aries, he is sent out from his family's kingdom to make his way in the world and find a 'pearl of great price' that is guarded by a dragon. If he retrieves this pearl, he will take up his rightful place as co-inheritor of the family's kingdom along with his older brother, the Christ. And so he leaves behind his 'robe of glory'--a garment of great riches and beauty--and goes down into Egypt (the world).
This young man goes and finds the dragon, waiting on the shore til it sleeps so he can take the pearl and return to his kingdom. But he has a long wait and after a while he gets lonely. At one point a companion comes, who warns him not to eat the food of Egypt, but he soon leaves. And once again the young man is lonely, so when the people come to him and offer him food and drink, he takes it. He forgets he is a prince and forgets that he has come for the pearl. And he soon falls asleep.
Now his parents and his people worry at the delay and so they write him a letter and send an eagle to bring it to him. (I like to think that this was a dream they sent. Don't you?) The letter reminds him of his royal heritage, reminds him of his kingdom and his family. And it reminds him of his quest--to find the pearl and bring it home. And to retrieve his Robe of Glory.
I bethought me again of the Pearl, For which I was sent down to Egypt.
And I began [then] to charm him, The terrible loud-breathing Serpent.
I lulled him to sleep and to slumber, Chanting o'er him the Name of my Father,
The Name of our Second, [my Brother], And [Name] of my Mother, the East-Queen.
And [thereon] I snatched up the Pearl,
And turned to the House
of my Father.
".My
Glorious Robe that I'd stripped off,
And my Mantle with which
it was covered,
Thither my Parents did send me,
Without my recalling its fashion, -- In the House of my Father my childhood had left it,--
...At once, as soon as I saw it, The Glory looked like my own self.
And me, too, my love urged forward To run for to meet it, to take it.
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