On the Wings of One’s Dragon
In our discussion of Dragons we noted that effective interaction between Magi and these beings is described as riding — that is, mastery of the elemental forces of one’s Psychocosmos.
Note that the untameable nature and power of the Dragon’s elemental force often drive Magi toward other modes of engagement — in particular, fusion with the Dragon can seem very attractive. Indeed, many Magi, especially those with a megalomaniacal streak, imagine that by admitting the Dragon’s elemental force into the upper layers of the mind they will gain “authority,” “might,” and other such things. Nevertheless, the results of such “experiments” are almost always lamentable — the elemental force “burns” the mind’s order, and the Magus either perishes or goes mad.
Thus, the effective way to interact with a Dragon is not to slay it, not to merge with it, but precisely to ride it.
Let us try to understand the essence of this process.
Being an elemental force, the Dragon cannot be controlled by the mind; it can be governed only by the Magus’s will.
In other words, the Magus does not seek simply to balance the elemental forces, understanding that in equilibrium the potential for movement is absent, but rather fastens a bridle — applies external balancing force, namely, will, to the elemental activity that remains free, though now controlled.
For that, of course, the Magus must first find the Dragon.
The quest to find one’s Dragon is one of the key tasks in a Magus’s mastery of his resources. Somewhere, in the deepest reaches of the Psychocosmos, even deeper than where the Animal forces dwell, the Magus must find the Dragon’s Cave. To lure the Dragon out of its cave, as is well known, a virgin is needed — that is, the purest and most untouched structure of the Psychocosmos: an idea, an image, a memory.
And finally, the meeting with the Dragon is all the more successful the more balanced the Magus’s will is, the less it is torn by thoughts and desires, each striving to direct it into its own channel.
It is precisely the integrity of will that is the key factor determining success in subjugating the elemental forces of the Psychocosmos.
Therefore, before seeking the Dragon, the Magus must, of course, expend effort to achieve this focused cohesion — not only the training of willpower, which many schools emphasize, but specifically the development of its purity. In any case, this development is an inseparable part of the Magus’s Way.
If the Dragon has been successfully ridden — if the Magus has managed to place himself between the Dragon’s wings and the Dragon has accepted him — the value of that victory is hard to overestimate.
For it is from the depths of the Psychocosmos, from the place where the Dragon comes from, its creative activity emanates. And it is precisely when this activity is directed by the mind that its power becomes maximal.
Moreover, the union of the higher and lower layers of the Psychocosmos, symbolized by the union of human and dragon, allows one to achieve a unique integration of the personal universe, not to mention how valuable an ally the Dragon can be in the struggle against predators and parasites. For they dwell in those lower layers of the mind to which the Magus’s human component has no access… unless the Dragon provides it.
The ancients well understood the importance of this quest. Today, unfortunately, even among Magi there are few who have met their Dragon, let alone those who have managed to ride it.
Nevertheless, the Way to Eternity always lies between the Dragon’s wings…
“The purest and untouched structure of the Psychocosmos” – can we say that this is a structure that was formed without the influence of external factors (or rather, under maximally harmonious influences, for example, without the presence of other people), and which has not been shown to anyone since then?
The most pure structure in different systems of consciousness can have significantly different elements. In one consciousness, it is indeed something absolutely untouched and intolerant of disharmony, while in another, it is simply something less soiled than the rest of consciousness. As they said in the Middle Ages, “in every city, its own virgins”. The important thing is that the element that lures the Dragon is much more harmonious than its surroundings.
Thank you! But why does the Dragon attract harmony and purity, as a binary opposite to its unstructuredness/elementality? Can we say that the pair “virgin-Dragon” is a binary in consciousness?
Of course, and like any poles of a binary – they attract each other.
I will allow myself a slightly different interpretation; it may supplement what Enmerkar wrote.
Luring the Dragon with “virgin” is one of the Ways. I describe this process differently:
– Only a “virgin” can enter the Dragon’s cave (i.e., all others simply fear descending so deeply… they are corrupt and know they won’t withstand the Power of the dragon). Only a “virgin” will lead Down and even lower (her Goal is to find the Dragon, and she will not be distracted by demons and parasites on the way… there is nothing for them to cling to, she is Pure). Only the Dragon will allow a “virgin” close to him (he will be surprised by what appears before him… the “underground” Dragon, seeing the “celestial Star” – will be enchanted by its Light).
I prefer this approach; it contains no deception (i.e., luring), only the connection/interplay of two very distant poles.
🙂 Do not perceive “luring” as deception. You cannot fool a dragon – a deceived dragon will never allow itself to be ridden. Magic does not tolerate deception at all, and even entertaining such a thought is a crime. Luring is bringing the binary poles closer, but if you simply allow them to connect – the dragon will eat the virgin, that is – elemental nature will defeat fragile structure.
Enmerkar, thank you very much for this article. This has happened more than once: when I have a question arising, which, in principle, I find difficult to ask anyone, I find the answer in your new articles. Now I will try to lure the dragon. 🙂
Yes, I am all for accuracy of thought expression:)
The very word “luring” has a connotation of cunning, deceit. I understand that this is not what was meant :), which is why I felt it necessary to clarify this example with different words.
And the Hero (i.e., Will) is needed so that no one eats the “virgins”:) That is, of course, their complete connection (whether merging or eating) will yield only negative results.
Very interesting and colorful interpretation, thank you, it sparked a thought.
What benefit does the dragon give to the mage? In the sense of what is the mage capable of mastering this part of the psychocosmos?
The dragon does not give any “benefit”. On the contrary, he complicates and endangers life. Rather, he makes the mage whole…
Greetings, Enmerkar! Could you clarify the difference between Jörmungandr and Nidhogg?
This question has already been discussed: https://enmerkar.com/en/myth/dragons-elemental-forces Nidhogg is a dragon, while Jörmungandr is a serpent.
Having read this article, I pondered the image of the virgin. Especially in conjunction with the myths about unicorns. Now I am questioning: what is a unicorn, and where to find it? Surely not where the dragon is? =)
“The dragon cannot be controlled by consciousness; it can only be governed by the will of the mage.” (c)
In what way can the will (which always arises from the union of Feelings and Reason) govern a dragon?
Does this mean that the dragon (upon contact) enters the realm of the Seekers’ Feelings, and thus for taming it, one must find a place for this new Feeling in the human world through Reason, discovering the channels for realizing this new system of desires?
Or is it somehow different, and the dragon is somehow connected to the object upon which the will is directed? That is, contact with the dragon directly influences the environment (which the mage’s will was previously directed toward transforming), and this environment changes its characteristics, its chaos/elementality becoming more pronounced? And then, upon meeting the dragon, one must not take new actions, but rather withstand the “storm” in the environment, adhering to the previously established vector of will?
What is not clear is: if one manages to enter the cave and find the dragon… what should be done next? Should one find where the dragon “should be” in the world, or resist its onslaught without losing one’s will, or…?
The dragon is an awakened Force, the “Red” Light that is already active but not yet controlled. Taming it is about directing it in the right way. Otherwise, the Dragon can be killed, enslaved, or turn into a destroyer. The power of the Dragon is the primal Desire extracted from universal homogeneity, and when it is governed by the mind, it is will.
When the dragon is found and awakened, it must be tamed, and it’s not just about “withstanding its onslaught,” and even more so, it’s not about seeking a place for it; it is about approaching it and taming it.
Where am I? Can I talk to someone knowledgeable? In childhood, I regularly went to this cave, played with its treasures. Recently I went in again and just got on, we flew. He is affectionate, tame. Completes tasks. What to do with him next?
Love and forgive. As with everyone.
“…Tell me how to live in a world full of people, Knowing that you are alone in your universe? Those who are around you are just your mirrors, How they fulfill their duty – darkness will hide them again. What do you see around? The spawning of shadows? Your enemy buries the days in the snowstorm, The sun shines without warming and you await the warmth, Only your mirrors freeze with you. Do you know there is an enemy? And that this is a struggle. You cannot close the eyes that have awakened from sleep… You see the masks of others, but where is yours? The shadow snarls and shows its fangs, but whose is it? You throw yourself into battle, protect yourself, Wound the beast in the shoulder… painful? The pain is yours. But the beast in another mirror is reborn anew, The shadow of offense, the shadow of anger, and who has been defeated? Who is the beast? Who are you? What do you seek in the ice? How many times in battle will you turn to ash? The traveler knows only that he has kindled his fire, what it was like to live… When you are your own enemy.(c)…”
Once I had an amazing dream of those that give Power, in which I encountered a dragon; at first, I wanted to fight it, but it landed and began to tell me something aimed at teaching me. Then it spewed a large bloody seal onto the ground with some symbol in a ring, like a sigil, which entered me from the back. After waking up, I had a feeling of special Power.