The Advent of Dionysus / The New Church / 12.01

The New Church / Southern Oregon

Shown are the seven major communities in Southern Oregon which I've ascribed to the New Church. It was a correspondence I suspected for awhile (since 1988), and I finally drew drew it up in 1993. Now the reason I selected these cities, as opposed to some of the larger communities—except for Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland—is because of their familiarity and, they stood out the most in my mind, and so required little thought on my part.

And here I had lived in Grants Pass and Merlin, while Selma and Cave Junction were strategically located nearby on Highway 199, which enters Southern Oregon from Northern California and links U.S. 101 with Interstate 5 at Grants Pass. (Note these four cities are located in Josephine County.) And Rogue River, like Medford and Ashland, was located next door off Interstate 5, the major highway running the length of Oregon. (These three cities are located in Jackson County.)

Now there's a remarkable similarity here—in configuration—to the Seven Churches of Asia, as portrayed in

Revelation 1-3 which, were central to the Kingdom of Lydia. And though there's some variation, both are nearly the same, except the Southern Oregon area is about half scale. Therefore when speaking of the Churches of Asia, we're speaking of the Christian Church, and where it initially manifested itself. And having lived in the Southern Oregon area, I suspected it had something to do with the New Church, and it occurred to me that there might be a parallel. And there is!

Being the fourth and sixth churches, the obvious correlation is with the number 46, as corresponds to the number 4—or, the fourth church (and to the woman's mother or will). Beyond that, it seems significant that the Christian Church, which proceeded from the Israelite or third church, migrated to Greece, which was northwest of Judea: a direction which when plotted on the cross, corresponds to the number 3. It therefore seems fitting that when The Church migrated to Great Britain, the fifth church, it was northwest of Greece! Which finally migrated to the United States (although more of a westerly direction), to Southwestern Oregon—which is the Pacific Northwest!

While this is where Roy Masters has relocated the Foundation of Human Understanding from Los Angeles (more specifically Grants Pass and Selma). Indeed the FHU has been instrumental to the development of the New Church and, if wasn't for them, we wouldn't be speaking about a church, or anything else? Which only corroborates what I'm saying above, but as I mention elsewhere, I view them more as its forerunner. Thus it would suffice to say the New Church has manifested itself in Southern Oregon. Therefore in the following, using representations from the last chapter, as well as in Gerarai, I'll be giving a general account of The Church. And while a bit on the sketchy side (the map telling much of the story), I follow with the additional Account of Theseus, which helps confirm this.

But before I begin, I'd like to carry the theme of Joseph a little further, for the first four cities are located in Josephine County, where I lived four years altogether. And as I said in the last chapter, I lived in San Jose for nine years as a youth, and worked another nine years there as an adult. And since Josephine is the feminine of Joseph, it brings to mind the marriage: with these last four years corresponding to the proposal (19th), the engagement (20th), the marriage (21st) and, the honeymoon (22nd).

1. Unto the Church of Cave Junction / Ephesus

Located in the Siskiyou Mountains on Highway 199—as with Selma—Cave Junction is the first major community you enter after crossing the California border. Primarily a tourist town, it was named specifically for its proximity to the Oregon Caves, about 20 miles east off Highway 46. (Once again the correlation to the number 46.) And, both Highways 199 and 46, junction here.

Thus there seems to be a connection with the Church of Adam, or first church. For according to The Forgotten Books of Eden (often bound with the Lost Books of the Bible),Adam dwelt—and finally died—in the Cave of Treasures. Therefore when "truth is separated from charity," essentially why Adam fell, man is resigned specifically to his intellect (as corresponds to the first church). And as he attempts to rationalize his failure, through knowledge, it's indeed comparable to sinking into a dungeon, or cave, of "one's mind."

While towards the end of the first church Noah appeared, and built the Ark. Thus is it any coincidence that Noah's Ark, the world famous petting zoo, is located in Cave Junction? Which at one point was called Woodland Wildlife Park, and was bought and sold by the Foundation of Human Understanding, before it was renamed.

2. Unto the Church of Selma / Smyrna

As Adam portrays the first church, Noah portrays the second church, and together they portray the Church of Man (as corresponds to the number 12). And when speaking of Noah's Ark, I've heard Roy Masters say (though I haven't verified it for myself), that Selma was an Indian word—for ark! Thus at the end of the first church, i.e., Cave Junction, Noah built and launched the ark, and when he landed, he established the second church, i.e., Selma. And similar to what I said in chapter 5, a flood signifies an "abundance of falsities." So there it is!

All of which brings up what I said about the Church of Smyrna in the last chapter, that it signified "false doctrine" (as Swedenborg explains in The Apocalypse Revealed), and it applied more so to Roy Masters' church. Which brings up Tall Timber Ranch, Roy's "working ranch" in Selma—of all places! This is the place where people go, after paying a sizable tuition, to "get in touch," and get further acquainted with "Roy's lifestyle." Which is to say, this is where they go to become indoctrinated. Thus having ascribed Roy's church to the church of false doctrine (Smyrna), we're speaking of Selma, Oregon. "...I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."

Revelation 2:9

3. Unto the Church of Merlin / Pergamos

One thing about the town of Merlin, is that it's primarily to the "northwest," a direction that corresponds to the number "3." It's also the direction the Rogue River flows out of Grants Pass, which is only easily accessible through Merlin, via the Merlin/Galice Road. (Galice is about 12 miles "northwest" of Merlin). And here we're speaking of primarily wilderness area, where the Rogue River is called a wild and scenic river. There are also several "whitewater outfitters" located in Merlin.

Hence as this direction corresponds to the New Church, it also corresponds to the wilderness itself. Thus I'm referring to "the woman"—which is the church—who flees into the wilderness in

Revelation 12:6. And I'm drawing a correlation to my move from my seventh residence, in Grants Pass—on Rogue River Highway—to my eighth residence, in Merlin. Indeed I had become the scapegoat, and out of a sense of persecution, and great travail, I moved all I had, and fled to Merlin! Only to find myself out in the middle of nowhere, completely isolated.

While there's the obvious correlation to Merlin, the magician and "highpriest" to King Arthur's court. Remember the movie, Excaliber? "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges ... "

Revelation 2:12 Whether the town was named after Merlin or not I don't know, but an immense amount of magic, regarding the spiritual marriage, was released when I moved there (as mentioned in my eighth residence). And when speaking of the Church of Pergamos, Swedenborg says it corresponds to the "priestly kingdom," which corresponds most to the "heavenly marriage." Thus it seems suitable that we're speaking of Merlin, "the highpriest," who presided over the marriage of Arthur and Guinevere ("32").

4. Unto the Church of Grants Pass / Thyatira

Though I say Rogue River is the "focal point" of the area, Grants Pass is actually its hub, or center of activity: and in the spiritual sense, everything seems to be channeled through Grants Pass. Most of which is due I believe, to the recent development that's occurred in Southern Oregon—more so in Grants Pass—most likely because of the Foundation of Human Understanding relocating here. As I said in the last chapter, Grants Pass was named after Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War hero and president of the United States, and that Ulysses was another name for Odysseus. Thus being the 18th president, he corresponds to the 4th—which is "Grants Pass." So what of Odysseus? Have we forsaken his house? And when can we expect his return?

One thing I'd like to relate here, is the lifestyle of the people, which I view as unique, and yet, "well defined" it's unlike any other place I've been. It's as if somebody had called a truce, and everybody agreed to go along: most everyone behaves in a neighborly way, and would go out of their way to extend their charity towards you. Yet much of it is superficial and corny—reminding me of smelly socks! It's due in part to the lack of major industry in the area, "except tourism" and, that many Southern Oregonians have relocated from California—from Los Angeles! Indeed it's quite a contrast, and consequently people feel compelled to conform. (I call it being suggestible.) And out of a fear of deterring from their charity, they get "hemmed in" to its viewpoint. But it beats the heck out of the rat-race!

Which brings up the letter "delta," the "fourth aspect," or the area contained within. And in Swedenborg's account of Thyatira, he says it signifies "faith conjoined with charity," which are good works. He also says it signifies the opposite, faith separated from charity. So in my mind the question becomes, how genuine is our charity? Is it only a show that we put on, to try and fool everyone? Swedenborg also says we need to become the same person on the inside that we display on the outside, otherwise we'll meet up with the person who's really there when we die!

5. Unto the Church of Rogue River / Sardis

Here we're speaking of the fifth church—or number 5—which corresponds to "the understanding," and is what a river signifies. Thus we're speaking of the town of Rogue River, "specifically." It's interesting that it was originally called Tailhold, Oregon, for a ferry crossed the river here and, in order to avoid its high cost, people swam across with their horses—holding on to their tails! I've already said a "bridled horse" corresponds to the understanding, and that the color green corresponds to the number 5. Thus the river, which bends due west and runs through Rogue River, is actually green! (from agricultural runoff?). And as it supplies water to our fields and cities, a river promotes "green foliage": thus signifying "faith" or, "the understanding."

It's also significant that Interstate 5, the "main artery" which runs through Southern Oregon, runs through Rogue River, and like the river bends due west! (between Medford and Grants Pass). And, as Oregon is the 33rd state, which corresponds to the number 5, we're speaking of the "focal point" (of the cross), as depicted on the map in chapter 6. Indeed Rogue River appears to be the focal point which, is most central to the Southern Oregon area.

6. Unto the Church of Medford / Philadelphia

Medford, like the other cities here (though I'm not sure about Cave Junction and Selma), is located in the Rogue Valley, which is named after the Rogue River. It's funny because Medford and Ashland are situated in a valley to the east, where the river only skirts the "northwest edge." But I've always heard it called the Rogue Valley. While Grants Pass and Rogue River are situated in a valley—maybe half the size—to the west, where the river meanders throughout, and runs directly through both towns. So it would seem fitting if this were called the Rogue Valley, but until recently, I've never heard it called this. On the other hand, Bear Creek, which runs the length and down the middle of the Medford valley, runs directly through Medford: as it skirts along Interstate 5, from Ashland to well north of Medford, and enters the Rogue River. So I'm surprised they didn't call this Bear Creek Valley. But since it's a part of the Rogue Valley, it suggests a closer affiliation with Rogue River, Grants Pass and Merlin (543 + 67).

Being the largest city in the region, Medford is the most industrialized. Most of which is due to the lumber industry, which has nearly died out; and in many ways Medford appears to have followed suit. Thus when driving through Medford, it appears archaic and rundown: "about due for renovation." Which brings up what

Revelation 3:11 says about the Church of Philadelphia: "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." To me, in conjunction with what else is said, it implies having "gone the distance" or, something in its "latter stage." And over the years, Medford with the logging industry, has been the mainstay of the Rogue Valley—and, has gone the distance. Something similar can be said about the United States, i.e., the "sixth church," and the waning world industrial giant. (It's time now to modernize and revitalize our national interest.) And, as I've associated the trunk of the tree with the sixth aspect of the cross, Medford is associated with harvesting timber: cutting trees at their trunk or base.

7. Unto the Church of Ashland / Laodicea

To bring up Laodicea, is to bring up the lukewarm church. So why should I regard Ashland as lukewarm? Two things are brought to mind: Southern Oregon State College, located in Ashland (Ashland being a college town), and The Shakespearean Festivals, also held there. And here a sense of culture, along with a sense of wealth is implied—when in fact there is none—that Ashland expressly promotes. Indeed it's the only town in the valley which makes this kind of boast.

And while I'm not suggesting people shouldn't go to college, there's something disturbing about academic study. Why should the retention of a mass of facts and information—i.e., "knowledge"—constitute true intelligence? This is a common misconception, which tends only to serve, the egotistical. (It seems we're easily seduced by knowledge when we're young.) You gotta cram anyway right? Knowledge is not wisdom! And what about the professors? As college life is typically buffered from the outside world, many are simply out of touch. Then there are those, who after devoting their whole lives to a dehumanizing system, become absolute tyrants; after being seized with madness, and behaving like they were gods, they begin lording it over the students.

As for the Shakespearean Festivals, this becomes an extension of the educational system. And while I'm not knocking Shakespeare, a lot of pomp and ceremony is involved, and a "sense of mania," which is mistaken for culture, is passed on to the audience. (It's significant that western drama was invented by Dionysus, for I believe Shakespeare wrote a play alluding to The Dionysia.) Along with this wealth is associated: it's yet another diversion for the rich, and opportunity, for exhibitionism and snobbery. Indeed, what

Revelation 3:17 says about Laodicea seems to apply: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor... and naked...," etc..