Right now, the apocalypse myth has been primary in our cultural consciousness. It is for those who are in tune with their own 'apocalypse' that this cultural phenomenon has the most resonance. This a-tunement could be the product and result of a number of base emotions: fear, awe, fascination, confusion. Regardless, if the idea of personal apocalypse had no sway over you, the cultural inflection would be meaningless as well. (And vice versa?)
This myth is a part of Babalon, however it isn't pessimistic. Optimism and pessimism are both human reactions to events. Babalon is simply about a force of nature, one which at least in our corner of the galaxy seems almost universal. Though some of you probably haven't heard of the thelemic symbol of Babalon, I'm sure you have heard of Kali and Shiva. Babalon is a symbol that borrows, in part, from both.
From the perspective of the forest, a forest fire is good. From the perspective of the deer that gets roasted alive, it may not be so good. But whether the forest 'thinks' the fire is good, or the deer 'thinks' that it's bad, it's a necessity for the perpetuation of the cycle. If there is an attitude to hold that brings you in accord with the symbol of Babalon, it would be more akin to optimism than pessimism- embracing that transition, and the coming of the next life.
Wine, song and dance, as in the case of Dionysus, has a deeper, somewhat more ominous meaning than merely good times. Babalon is a hard mistress and teacher. Within this symbol, the dissolution of form, and the inevitable destruction of ego, is pleasure. Music, sex, art, exercise can all be meditations on her beauty. As with Jesus, the wine is the blood of the sacrifice, and the joy which you give and take through the song is an offering to the 'dark womb' of creation from which life, time and space comes and goes.
Personally, this symbol has gained meaning for me over the last 2 years. I've gone through many personal losses and battles. The solace I've found is that all these things, though eternally present, are also illusions cast by space on the surface of time, and that ultimately life is merely about remembering, and forgetting. In some ways I think my goal within this band isn't that different from the Bodhisattva, in respect to the world -- "blissful participation in the sorrows of the world." (Though my methods differ.)
Whether I choose to be optimistic or pessimistic in a particular instance is my own choice, and my own prerogative, but it isn't a decision that is worthy of sharing with the world. On the other hand, I think a recognition of this cycle and the silence that underlies it is. And it is that, as a sharing growing process, that I would like to explore with all of you.
[January 1st 2003.]