The Ouroboros often represents self-reflexivity or cyclicality,
especially in the sense of something constantly re-creating itself,
the eternal return, and other things perceived as cycles that begin
anew as soon as they end (the mythical phoenix has a similar
symbolism). It can also represent the idea of primordial unity
related to something existing in or persisting before any beginning
with such force or qualities it cannot be extinguished. The
ouroboros has been important in religious and mythological
symbolism, but has also been frequently used in alchemical
illustrations, where it symbolizes the circular nature of the
alchemist's opus. It is also often associated with Gnosticism, and
Hermeticism.
Carl Jung interpreted the Ouroboros as having an archetypal
significance to the human psyche. The Jungian psychologist Erich
Neumann writes of it as a representation of the pre-ego "dawn
state", depicting the undifferentiated infancy experience of both
mankind and the individual child.
Plato described a self-eating, circular being as the first
living thing in the universe—an immortal, mythologically
constructed beast.
"The living being had no need of eyes when there was
nothing remaining outside him to be seen; nor of ears when there
was nothing to be heard; and there was no surrounding atmosphere to
be breathed; nor would there have been any use of organs by the
help of which he might receive his food or get rid of what he had
already digested, since there was nothing which went from him or
came into him: for there was nothing beside him. Of design he was
created thus, his own waste providing his own food, and all that he
did or suffered taking place in and by himself. For the Creator
conceived that a being which was self-sufficient would be far more
excellent than one which lacked anything; and, as he had no need to
take anything or defend himself against any one, the Creator did
not think it necessary to bestow upon him hands: nor had he any
need of feet, nor of the whole apparatus of walking; but the
movement suited to his spherical form was assigned to him, being of
all the seven that which is most appropriate to mind and
intelligence; and he was made to move in the same manner and on the
same spot, within his own limits revolving in a circle. All the
other six motions were taken away from him, and he was made not to
partake of their deviations. And as this circular movement required
no feet, the universe was created without legs and without
feet".
Disclaimer:
Do not approach this series lightly. If this were only a 500'
bushwhack, I would call it hellish. The roots will trip you, the
branches will shred you and poke your eyes, and the insects will
consume you. But it's not 500'. It's over 12 bloody miles! I highly
recommend you bring snake boots, lots of water, long pants, long
sleeve shirt, lots of water, good hat, pokey stick, lots of water,
spare everything, bug spray, lots of water, writing utensils, cell
phone, lots of water.
Did I mention bring lots of water?
You may find a laminated clue slip in this cache. If you do, you
might want to solve the riddle. This will help you locate the Gaia
puzzle cache nearby. Please leave clue slips in the caches you find
them in.
