Gilgamesh and Enkidu journey into the wilderness; pursuing the king’s desire for personal glory, the two have left Uruk to seek out the ‘forest demon’, Humbaba. Gilgamesh has vowed to
Tag: Consciousness Studies
Gilgamesh descending (4) ~ Steve TanhamGilgamesh descending (4) ~ Steve Tanham
Steve continues his view of the Lord of the Deep weekend through the eyes of Gilgamesh: And as I watch Gilgamesh ascend towards the vast cliff-edge from which his life
Lord of the Deep: Going for gold…Lord of the Deep: Going for gold…
One of the ‘simple pleasures’ of working on the Silent Eye workshops is that I get to fulfil my dream to run a wardrobe and props department. I love the
The Quest for Immortality: Terms…The Quest for Immortality: Terms…
* … The terms Ego and Id had not yet been applied to the components of the human psyche when Gilgamesh was written but the self same dynamics are evident
Lord of the Deep: Brothers in arms…Lord of the Deep: Brothers in arms…
In order to indicate the passage of time and distance in our story, we tend to walk the circular form of the temple. The third ritual drama began with Shamhat
Gilgamesh descending (3) ~ Steve TanhamGilgamesh descending (3) ~ Steve Tanham
Steve continues to share his experience of the weekend from the perspective of Gilgamesh: Entranced by the living spell that is the movement of the Fate Dancers across their patterned
Lord of the Deep: Dancing the Seven VeilsLord of the Deep: Dancing the Seven Veils
The first part of the second ritual drama was easy enough to design. The Trapper…who looked so good in his costume, he should really dress that way all the
Lord of the Deep: A radiant dawnLord of the Deep: A radiant dawn
There is something about greeting the rising sun at the dawn of a new day that changes our perspective, especially on a spiritual workshop, when the attention is already focussed
Lord of the Deep: The Tyrant and the PriestessLord of the Deep: The Tyrant and the Priestess
We began the workshop weekend by opening a whole can of worms. Gilgamesh, Lord of the mighty city-state of Uruk, stands within the temple of Ishtar, face to face
The Quest for Immortality: Seeds…The Quest for Immortality: Seeds…
* “And in their bed chambers at night… The young-folk of Uruk cry themselves to sleep…” * “When the wild-man succumbs, the animals will leave him forever. He will no
Lord of the Deep: HeroesLord of the Deep: Heroes
“It is,” said Steve, not knowing quite how true his words would prove to be, “a weekend for heroes.” While the ancient story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu was originally
Deluge…Deluge…
* “You know Shuruppak, the ancient city? I was its king, long ago, when the Great Gods sent a flood. * Ea informed me and I built a big boat.
The Round Ark?The Round Ark?
* The story of Noah’s Ark is one of the first Biblical Tales that people in the western world hear. Yet the story far pre-dates the compilation of that venerable
Hearing Beyond Fear…Hearing Beyond Fear…
* We do not take these things lightly. We try to approach them as informally as possible. We want to share their magic and inspiration with others. We want people
Magic and Mystery…Magic and Mystery…
Each year, the Silent Eye holds several events, open to all, where you can come along and meet us, find out what we do and how we work. Our annual
Why Myth? IV…Why Myth? IV…
* ‘Gilgamesh is among the greatest things that can ever happen to a person.’ – Rainer Maria Rilke. Those of you with an eagle eye will have realised that next
In the Similitude of a Dream III…In the Similitude of a Dream III…
* … At this his relations were sore amazed; not for that they believed that what he said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzy distemper
In the Similitude of a Dream II…In the Similitude of a Dream II…
* …In this plight, therefore, he went home and refrained himself as long as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress; but he could not
In the Similitude of a Dream…In the Similitude of a Dream…
* As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where there was a Den, And I laid me down in that place to
A Second-Self…A Second-Self…
* Gilgamesh My vizier says you have tidings of some import to my realm? Trapper Great lord, I bring dire news! A threat to the kingdom… Gilgamesh Speak, man! If
The Tyrant of Uruk…The Tyrant of Uruk…
* “The Eternal City of Uruk… See how its ramparts gleam like copper in the sun… Climb the ancient staircases up stone more ancient than mind… Approach the Temple of
Winter with the Silent Eye…Winter with the Silent Eye…
Full Circle? – Finding the way home… Penrith, Cumbria Friday 7th – Sunday 9th December, 2018 Home. It is an evocative word. The images it conjures are different for each
Behind the scenes…Behind the scenes…
It is an odd thing to put on a workshop where ritual and drama are mixed. Odd, but old… theatre has its roots in the sacred drama of ancient times.
Atrocity…Atrocity…
* “This is the way…” * * “Step inside…” * * “Sense the horrors of A far away place…” * * “Meet the architects of Doom face to face…” *
The right-side of zero II…The right-side of zero II…
* There may well be other contrasts we could make… * * Like that between dressed and cut stone… * * The living and the dead… * *