A Phoenix is a mythical bird with a colorful plumage and a tail
of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue, and green according to some
legends). It has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle, near the end of
which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest
and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new,
young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. The
new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self. In some
stories, the new phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an
egg made of myrrh and deposits it in the Egyptian city of
Heliopolis (literally "sun-city" in Greek). It is said that the
bird's cry is that of a beautiful song. The Phoenix's ability to be
reborn from its own ashes implies that it is immortal, though in
some stories the new Phoenix is merely the offspring of the older
one. In very few stories they are able to change into people.
The phoenix or firebird originated in ancient mythology and has
gone through a variety of representations in art/literature,
ranging from being fully birdlike to having the head of a dog and
suckling its young. Typically, it is considered benevolent, but
some tales suggest that humans are not always safe around it.
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus gave the following account
of the phoenix in the fifth century BC while describing the animals
of Egypt: "Another sacred bird is the one called the phoenix.
Now, I have not actually seen a phoenix, except in a painting,
because they are quite infrequent visitors to the country; in fact,
I was told in Heliopolis that they appear only at 500-year
intervals. They say that it is the death of a phoenix's father
which prompts its visit to Egypt. Anyway, if the painting was
reliable, I can tell you something about the phoenix's size and
qualities, namely that its feathers are partly gold but mostly red,
and that in appearance and size it is most like an eagle. There is
a particular feat they say the phoenix performs; I do not believe
it myself, but they say that the bird sets out from its homeland in
Arabia on a journey to the sanctuary of the sun, bringing its
father sealed in myrrh, and buries its father there."
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.
