Today as I was driving in my car, I decided to put on some music, and what could be better than “Wheel In The Sky Keeps On Turning” by Journey for some serious mind stimulation……every time I hear this song sung by Steve Perry I have to sing along at the top of my lungs to the peril of anyone else in my vicinity.
It’s amazing how this song is still relevant and can be interpreted esoterically and deeply by many. The “wheel in the sky” can be interpreted as many things, it’s up to the listener. Some feel it has to do with the passing of time, others spaceships, and I’m sure there are many other interpretations. It always makes me think of the “eye of God” and mysticism…….
It got me to thinking of how many symbols can be interpreted differently yet recognized by so many across time, ethnicities and how we are moved by them. The Celtic cross has been used as a symbol for eons both artistically and religiously going back as far as the Druids. Looking back to Egyptian panels there are reoccurring hieroglyphic symbols resembling the Jewish Star and many more currently recognizable shapes. Take for instance the Swastika that the Zuni Indians drew thousands of years before Hitler, Buddhists also drew it, Aztecs, the Gauls, the Mayans and the Incas. How interesting is that? It all depends on the use and intent on how things are interpreted. The Swastika shape was a positive symbol for 3,000 years meaning life and good luck until Hitler used it negatively for hate and violence.
What strikes my fancy is how alike people are after all these centuries. And yet we haven’t learned a thing…….
I read today that though we are supposedly trying to be a more open and accepting people, they are taking down all “objectionable” symbols in Afghanistan at military base Chapels for fear of hurting anyone’s feelings who don’t agree with what they interpret as the religiosity of said symbols. I fear that for the sake of some’s freedom we are subverting other’s. I don’t understand what happened to acceptance and tolerance of differences unless it’s your cause. Again, can’t these “symbols” be interpreted differently by all and why do they bother some people so much when they are just geometric shapes after all. Why does one group take precedence over another? It really is a slippery slope.
It’s a shame that it seems no matter who we are and where we are people are always human and must control each other . . . and we never seem to learn from history. Tolerance for others differences if they don’t actually cause you bodily harm seems to be the way to go, not always complaining and wanting to take away another’s freedoms for you own personal “comfort” or feelings, in my humble opinion.
As Rodney King once said, “Can’t we all just get along?”
Evelyn Garone 1.25.13
The Oracle Of Ahwatukee . . . 