Since I was young I have seen rape and killing and war; and friends and loved ones die and no one has been able to tell me why. Not knowing whether to join my laughing or weeping friends, I began the journey that has no end:
In Search of The Phoenix
Ancient and modern myths tell of the magic and mystery of the transforming powers of a magnificent, mystical, mythological bird that could or could not exist or be.
Spanning continents, cultures and eons of time, the phoenix has long been a rich and complex symbol of human nature and an image of the human soul graced with extraordinary qualities and abilities that could be called divine and the phoenix alludes to degrees of perfection, vitality and power that are found inside the human heart and mind.
Inside the human heart I have seen a death come from despair. A heat like no other come from anger. A chill like no other come from fear. A joy that invigorates the nerves and a comfort that comes from hope and love near.
I heard of this fabulous bird that has the powers to cast out disease and ease human sorrow and pain whose feathers constitute a glorious medicine to make the old young again.
I spent a fortune, endured every hardship, traveled the world in search of a bird with qualities reflecting the human soul that could or could not exist much like the philosopher's gold.
Among other things, the phoenix is a symbol of wholeness, completion and androgyny, equal parts of male-female so it can be called he or she. For our purposes here we will refer to the phoenix as she. And it will be your task, to remember that 'she' includes 'he'.
The phoenix, the Queen, the Empress of all birds is said to have gifted the world with the musical scale. Seven notes divided into two tetrachords corresponding to masculine and feminine elements by repeating the note of origin to bring the world to one again. Her songs of heavenly proportions and propensity are of such sweetness that they bring tears to a heart of stone and anyone that hears her sing never feels alone.
On the edge of a branch, high in a tree, in the sun's full light, the phoenix builds her nest of fragrancy with aromatic twigs of cinnamon, frankincense and myrrh and it becomes her funeral pyre on the first nite that the moon disappears.
The sun sets the nest on fire and the phoenix sits and waits until it burns itself to ashes in the flames. For three nites no one can see the moon or the nest of the phoenix burning high in the tree. A nest built as a sacred altar becomes through purification her victory. On the fourth nite when the moon reappears, a new phoenix emerges from the fire.
A luxurious plumage of crimson, deep purplish red feathers gives the phoenix her name. Her wonder working properties and her virtues give the phoenix her fame.
It is truly wondrous what the phoenix can do. The phoenix can live for a thousand years and more. She has the ability to always exist, to choose when to die and to recreate herself and to regenerate. The phoenix has long been a spiritual symbol of the synthesis of the life force of human nature and fate.
It's a sacred art to know when life closes and to have a secret way to restore a new existence or so great sages say. It's amazing to be known and loved even though you may or may not exist. But truth without proof is the theme of the myth.
There is only one phoenix living in the world at one time. It is unique and one-of-a-kind. I searched the world for one feather and the question is still open.
Is there a bird named Phoenix? Is it possible or impossible? Is it believable or absurd? Who in the world has ever seen such a bird?
(c)Aurora Terrenus, 2004
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