| 1 | Well, it's been almost ten years since I wrote about Julie Beloved and, in order to keep in line with the theme (i.e., one might wonder how much it has to do with the rest of the book), I've opted to mention something about my good friend Rhea at work. |
| 2 | As I said in chapter 17, I gave a copy of chapters 1-10 of the book to Julie on April 20th, 1999, which happened to be Adolf Hitler's birthday and, the day the Columbine Massacre occurred. While at the time, it seemed like a very ominous sign—indeed—but now I no longer view it this way. The fact that it happened on this day, however, is the whole point, for it would seem like a good place to start, if something else were to happen along these lines: in the quest for Ariadne. |
| 3 | It all started when somebody brought up the date 01/11/09 on my webpage, said something ominous was supposed to happen that day, despite the fact that it didn't. It was the day that I got sick with a nasty cold or the flu, however. While I said it would be 24 years to the day that everything fell apart back in 1985, as I explain in chapter 11 (my seventh residence). Hmm ... "This will be the day that I die?" It's funny, but the song, American Pie, by Don McLean, started randomly playing on my computer, and these words came up right at the moment I was writing this. Well Well, it was the day that I died back then anyway. |
| 4 | And yet, as I mention in my seventh residence (after the boyfriend shows up), it was the beginning of something entirely new. In fact, the whole book is contingent upon the fact that this happened. And here, the number 24 signifies the completion of one cycle, or timeframe, like the 24 hour period on a clock. This is what I realized when I brought it up, meaning the previous cycle was now over, and a new cycle had just begun. |
| 5 | I also said I was working with the number 24 just prior to what happened on April 20th (in 1999). It was actually the number 24, in conjunction with the number 31, after the lollipop incident in chapter 17: where the number 24 signifies the woman, as she descends, to assume her position as the bride, hence the number 23; and the number 31 signifies the man, as he ascends, to assume his position as the bridegroom, hence the number 32. Whereas once this occurs, and the two are joined, 320 + 023, you get, 343 or, 7 x 7 x 7, which signifies the "holy marriage" (7). While I mention throughout the book that the 7th church which, signifies the marriage of heaven and earth (Father Sky and Mother Earth), is supposed to occur in the year 2010 or, 23 years after the advent of the 6th church in 1987: although the focus remains on the number 24, in accord with the bride to be, because the marriage has yet to occur. |
| 6 | While come to find out, with their close affinity to each other, the rites of Dionysus were held in honor of his grandmother, Rhea. Any wonder why he was called her favorite grandson? Hence it would seem fitting that the 7th church be instituted in accord with Rheaw hich, is what I'm suggesting. While sure enough, this girl Rhea, who practically fell into my lap at work one day (with shades of Princess Thianna all over again, although it didn't amount to anything serious), turned 23 on April 20th this year. Meaning she will turn 24 in the year 2010 which, is indicative to the holy marriage above. And, though she's still 23, she is actually living in her 24th year, and her status is automatically maintained (as the bride) in accord with her 24th birthday. Yet this is already received or, implicitly known, on her 23rd birthday. |
| 7 | In fact this is what happened. And when she called me the week before, and invited me to her birthday party which, was supposed to occur on Saturday, April 18th (a couple of days early), I wasn't too sure about going, but finally decided the night before. This is when I opted to write this chapter, and give her a copy for her birthday, which I did. And, because she expressed an interest in the Greek myths, or mythology in general (much like Princess Thianna), I gave her a copy of the DVD, The Power of Myth, with Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. I figured she would at least appreciate this, if she didn't get anything out of what I had written here or, in the rest of the book. Oh well, she invited me, so... |
| 8 | Rhea and I were a riot together. She and I got along famously, right from the start. And, with her infectious personality, she's one of the most orgiastic persons I've known, regarding the worship of Rhea, the goddess, that is. Neither does that imply anything vulgar, as it has more to do with the rites of spring and blossoming of nature or, even being wild and crazy, though sexual connotations also applied. She was more of a tease, albeit intent on remaining faithful to her boyfriend. |
| 9 | We discussed her affinity to Rhea early on, and I said in many ways she represented my grandmother, saying Dionysus was Rhea's favorite grandson. She didn't particularly care for this, and said she wished her mother named her something else. But I said, Hey, Rhea signified Mother Nature and, although she might be ancient, it was nothing to scoff about. I also gave her a copy of chapter 5 to read (and an earlier copy of this book about a year later). She seemed pretty impressed, and started calling me Dionysus at work, although I don't think she fully understood what she was saying. I think it had more to do with trying to get my attention when I was "trying" to ignore her which, was not easy to do. |
| 10 | I should also note that in the intro of The Power of Myth, following the moon walk and Martin Luther King's speech, the first thing Joseph Campbell mentions is the labyrinth, while referring to the Hero's Adventure which, is also the title of chapter V in the book (based upon the program), where he repeats the same thing there. Now it's funny, because of all the myths he studied and was familiar with, this is the one he chooses to begin with: which, as I mention in An Account of Theseus, is integral to the Dionysus/Ariadne myth. And yet, throughout the rest of the series (as I recall), he doesn't once mention Dionysus, Ariadne, Theseus, King Minos or, the Minotaur, all of which were central to the labyrinth theme. |
| 11 | I just thought it was fitting, whether it was done wittingly or unwittingly, because it falls in line with my reasons for giving it to Rhea: again, the quest for Ariadne. And here, Joseph mentions the thread, in conjunction with the hero's path which, was Ariadne's contrivance that allowed Theseus to escape the labyrinth after slaying the Minotaur. This was something I noticed (or, actually recalled) when I was preparing the DVD's for Rhea. The whole thing was already quite pertinent, just that this topped it off and put it all into perspective. |
| 12 | So, perhaps you can see why I would even bring it up? And, while this may be the end of it, there may be more. I don't know? Anyway, it would seem a fitting prelude, in dedication to Rhea (both the goddess and the person) to what lay ahead in the year 2010. |
Blessed are they who keep the rites of the mother, Cybele! |