Sometimes Optics is All You Need

10/2/2022

A speech by a major world leader was the topic of much analysis and discussion at the beginning of last month. Another speech by another major world leader has been the topic of much analysis and discussion thus far this month. Although I am generally all for analysis and discussion, I also subscribe to the notion that sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

With this in mind, let's put aside the content of said speeches for a moment and focus on optics alone . . .

10 Comments

bruce g charlton

10/2/2022 11:51:24

WmJas is the expert on symbolism; but I am happy to give my impression.

The first picture is secular, modernist, totalitarian - and references the threat of coercive violence (police state) - violence by faceless minions of the ruling tyranny.

The symbolism of the Presidential shield or seal is too small to be visible - implying its traditional connotations are either irrelevant to what is being conveyed, or else subordinate to the above picture.

The second has the double-headed Byzantine Eagle - representing the *harmony* of church and state working together (an Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Roman Empire, concept -- which concept contrasts with the City of God (Roman Catholic Church) versus City of Man - with separate domains of responsibility, which is the Western Catholic ideal).

And the figure of St George (essentially the same symbol as St Michael, the Archangel - also central to Rudolf Steiner's prophecies of these times!) slaying the Dragon - ie. Satan, i.e. Ahriman, i.e. the devil of materialism.

Slaying the dragon not with a physical spear, exactly; but a spiritual spear made from a beam of Heavenly Light.

(I can't actually see this light beam for sure, here; but I know it is the usual Orthodox iconography.)

Francis Berger

10/2/2022 12:21:42

@ Bruce - Well, I believe that analysis is worth a thousand words!

I am glad you caught the image of the knight slaying the dragon, which has traditionally been associated with St. George.

Funny -- sixty-seventy years ago, you could argue that the optics depicted above were more or less reversed, couldn't you?

bruce g charlton

10/2/2022 15:25:48

"sixty-seventy years ago, you could argue that the optics depicted above were more or less reversed, couldn't you?"

Yes, and that crossover shows an *opposite trajectory* in each society through time, which is a vital factor in making comparisons (in addition to cross-sectional comparisons).

Ingemar

10/2/2022 18:38:52

Putin is really good at optics, but I'm still not convinced he's the "good" guy here.

I've followed some discussions that have been tracking since the Trump '16 campaign that the present and perhaps perennial struggle is that between Dark Satanists and Light Luciferians, with Trump representing the latter. A lesser evil, but evil nontheless. Now that Trump's role is significantly diminished, Putin now wears the mantle of "savior." (Others propose Xi as the leader of the anti-NWO).

I see a lot in common between Putin/Russia boosterism and Trump boosterism from six years ago. The cheerleaders are right wing nihilists who saw the collapse of civilization as inevitable, but the Trump presidency/the Russia was as a respite. Although in the latter case, I think they've come to realize that respite was an illusion and now they're hoping for a "suitable" collapse so they can live out their Mad Max/Turner Diaries fantasies.

Francis Berger

10/2/2022 19:34:08

@ Ingemar - You've been reading this blog long enough to know where I stand on the whole good guy/bad guy dichotomy at these geopolitical levels, especially since 2020.

In this sense, I agree with you. That said, I would posit that Putin is now clearly the lesser evil with the potential for good, while the collective West is now firmly nestled in greater evil with very little potential for good.

Putin's speech reminded me a lot of the speeches Orbán makes. However, unlike Orbán, Putin appears committed to his principles. He appears to have taken a stand/chosen a side (unlike Orbán, who waffles more than a short order cook at Waffle House). What that means or how authentic it is or where it ends up going is anyone's guess.

I think it's misguided for anyone in the West to regard Putin as a savior. Putin could help lift the veil a bit more for us (as if that's even needed at this point). Can the Russians regard him as a savior? Sure, perhaps . . . but us westerners?

We westerners should definitely focus the bulk of our attention on our own immediate lives and the spiritual challenges and wonders therein and not get caught up in the puerile fantasies and role-playing projection you point to and rightly criticize in your comment.

NLR

10/2/2022 23:02:58

Ingemar, you touch on an important point. People know that the current system must end and what they imagine it will look like and how they envision responding to it is one of the most significant keys into understanding how they think.

For instance, you have Traditionalists who believe it's the Kali Yuga and we just have to endure until the next Golden Age (not fully sure to what extent they imagine enduring spiritually vs. materially and they also differ on how long that will take). And Traditionalist Christians who imagine something similar but in a different way.

For my part, I've wracked my brain trying to figure it out, trying out a variety of mental models, but I haven't succeeded. The conclusion I've come to is that we just have to get through the modern world however we may. And whether that means we or our descendents live through it on Earth or we get through it spiritually by holding fast to what is good up until the end.

For my own views, I'm not dogmatic about what it will look like and what people should do. Even real prophecies aren't always straightforward in how they are fulfilled and things can change. And material and spiritual actions aren't mutually exclusive.

But I agree with you that the people you describe are fooling themselves. The powers that be will try to hold onto control unto the bitter end, though who knows if their grasp will weaken at some point. But if so, people have to use that opportunity to do what's actually good, not become savages.

Anti-Gnostic

10/3/2022 17:18:41

Ingemar - we want a safe, clean country with a sound economy and where it doesn't cost at least $250,000 to price away the riff-raff. The first step in that is a Big Beautiful Wall: Americans should not be in competition with the global poor for wages and the global rich for housing.

Trump at least paid lip-service to that; the effete ideological conservatives do not and resent our very existence and belittle our values. That's why we voted for Trump. It is the very opposite of nihilism.

Lady Mermaid link

10/4/2022 02:10:34

I've noticed that the eyes of the first world "leader" often look like black circles normally associated w/ demons.

Now as far as Putin being a "good guy", I agree w/ Ingemar that Putin is a "lesser evil" along w/ Trump. However, I believe that Trump and Putin have exposed the evil of the modern Western system despite their personal failures. Perhaps that is the best they can do. Opening people's eyes is quite valuable. The next step is to align w/ ourselves w/ the creative power of God.

Francis Berger

10/4/2022 07:58:41

@ Lady Mermaid - " the first world "leader" often look like black circles normally associated w/ demons"

Good, so I'm not the only one who has noticed this!

"However, I believe that Trump and Putin have exposed the evil of the modern Western system despite their personal failures . . ."

Yes, and in that regard they have done some good -- provided people are able to discern the evil when it is revealed to them.

As to what other good a figure like Putin can actually do, assuming he actually wants to do good, remains to be seen.

WanderingGondola

10/4/2022 12:57:53

I must admit to some amusement towards the first picture, having seen various comparisons (not just visual) with the movie V for Vendetta: https://www.denofgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/v_for_vendetta_sutler.jpg
On the Resident, I have little doubt that demons swarm around him. His final hour cannot be too far away.

Also amusing, both the flag and coat of arms of Ukraine's capital bear the image of Archangel Michael. It wouldn't surprise me if he has withdrawn his protection from the unworthy there; my sense is God and His heavenly host are well invested in the events of these times.

As for Trump and Putin, for me they are a reminder that God tends to make use of flawed men for His purposes... and of course, none of us are perfect. Whatever happens in future, it's worth keeping in mind that sometimes drastic action must be taken in the name of Good. I think the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a decent example of this.

I suspect our current tribulation may eventually hit Mad Max levels, if not merely brought to the brink, as the System flails in its fading. However, we ought focus on spiritual preparation above all, on God and His love, and attempt to guide (where possible) those who will struggle with coming revelations.

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