Circe.
The [classical] hero “falls through” what is merely their life situation to discover their Real Life, which is always a much deeper river, hidden beneath the appearances. Most people confuse their life situation with their actual life, which is an underlying flow beneath everyday events. This deeper discovery is largely what [Christians] mean by “finding their soul.”
~ Richard Rohr
lent, week 4
Need discernment? A guru, a mentor, or a wisdom teacher? Circe is the Traveler’s Guide.
Our friend Odysseus has suffered an enormous blow with the loss of most of his men and ships at Laestrygonia whereafter he drags himself wearily onto the enchanted island of Aeaea (Don’t ask me how to pronounce that. Reminds me of Old MacDonald’s E-I-E-I-O!) His soldiers, savvy and restrained as ever, encounter the beautiful sorceress Circe, are promptly drugged with her mulled wine, and magically transformed into pigs. Odysseus is having a really bad day! Or a bad year. Okay, a decade.
But through all his perils and archetypal travails, Odysseus is growing up. He is gradually uncovering his “Real Life” underneath the surface of his “life situations.” And this is our quest too! Our Long Journey Home. And this year, it’s the understory of Lent.
Why is it that life must be so hard? Are we just that dense… or is this world just that broken? Sometimes we are indeed slow learners, and this world is certainly woven with a strong thread of tragedy. But also, like Odysseus, it takes a lot of strain and struggle to pull our butterfly wings out of the cocoon. Formation isn’t easy and can’t be rushed.
We learn a few things the easy way if we’re paying attention, but it seems like the biggest and best lessons of life are found in the rough and tumble first-hand experiences of love and loss, of attempt and defeat and redemption. The school of hard knocks. And at hard knocks, Odysseus excels.
It is only his squad leader Eurylochus who is savvy enough to avoid Circe’s spiked potion and flee back to warn Odysseus of their plight. As Odysseus comes to confront the sorceress with her trickery, he is intercepted by the Olympian god Hermes who gives him the magic herb Moly to counteract Circe’s enchantment. So armed, Odysseus outwits Circe’s enchantment and obtains her wise counsel: He must travel to the daunting world of Hades.
What are our takeaways from Aeaea? Circe embodies the essence of the Enneagram Five energy; at her worst, she hoards her knowledge and greedily protects it from others, but at her best she shares her wisdom generously and directs seekers to their next stop of the journey. When we find ourselves at a crossroads and need some trustworthy directions, it’s time to seek wise counsel before choosing our course hastily. It’s time to do our homework and research the potential paths ahead.
Lent invites us into this kind of sober reflection, this patient holding of our deepest questions. This season calls us to radical honesty about who we are and where we are and what we really want. Only from this vantage point can we plot our next steps with any kind of integrity. If you feel disoriented, it’s time to tap into the gift of Circe, within and without.
growing your soul
In what part of your journey do you feel confused and uncertain? What remains murky, and who do you trust to offer a clear eye?
serving our world
You’re not the only one traveling! Who do you care about who is under enchantment… and what can you do to break the spell?
takeaway
Listen and Learn.
*Michael Goldberg, Travels With Odysseus. I’m taking much of my inspiration in this series from his book. I recommend it!