The Korybantic Path
The Path Towards Authenticity
Within this article I want to go deeper into the Korybantes. Yet before doing so I want to give some context regarding the Dionysian aspects, the shadow and the stages of spiritual and psychological development linked to the four kingdoms. As we know, we have so our own personal shadow with the hidden aspects, the parts of ourselves we don't want to see, or got repressed, and the linked trauma's as well. Yet many of these factors that lead to the repression of these aspects of ones personal shadow, as much tie into familial and thus societal factors. Which link directly to the societal complexes (Societal norms, beliefs, attitudes, values, next to taboos and stigmas). Where thus Dionysian aspects like emotions, intuition, spontaneous behaviour, artistic pursuits, communal values, mysticism and spiritual practices, next to displays of vulnerability and emotional honesty are pushed into the Collective Shadow.
There can thus be a tendency to pathologize emotions and treat them as problems to be solved rather than integral parts of the human experience. Where also ecstatic rituals, are seen as threatening to the orderly, rational structure of society. A lot of these aspects tie not only to the Dionysian but also with that into Wotan and the Divine Feminine as a whole. As such individuals at odds with these specific aesthetic emotional norms of society, that align more with the Dionysian than just the pure Apollonian society that is pushed, are shadow projected upon. Seeing as threatening embodiments of the Collective Shadow.
The Four Kingdoms
So we start of with the kingdom of Ouranos. This represents the initial state of wholeness, the raw, undifferentiated state from which the personal development begins. Think here also to the wild man and woman in touch with instinct or early childhood. It is a state where distinctions and individuation are not yet fully formed, reflecting a primal and archetypal unity within the material world. However now to paraphrase Maggy Anthony who wrote in her book “Women and Dionysus”, “As time goes on, our parents and our society teach us to repress our instinctual desires. Some of these teachings, given harshly or with impatience, induce us to repress those needs. And at this point, when we hit our teenage years, without any rituals of the ancient cultures for us to transform into adults, is where our society is breaking down. This is when some of the more negative alternatives begin to surface: drugs, alcohol, overeating and, increasingly in the teen and pre-teen years, suicide.”
Which leads into what is called The Kingdom of Kronos. This kingdom represents the state of division and separation, where it is characterized by a sense of confusion, chaos, and uncertainty, but also with the idea of control. Kronos's restriction of the primal forces of Ouranos signifies the ego's attempt to regulate and thus control instinctual drives. In the worst case scenario, Kronos becomes the Negative Animus of the Terrible Mother. As thus becoming a symbol of the negative parental complexes. It is within this stage of psychological and spiritual development that shadow projection and thus also scapegoating is most prevalent. This ties into what the substack article “Escaping the Fate of The Little Prince“ called Solar Madness, which is a term coined by Bussel. Which reflects the core issue of modernity. The dismemberment of Dionysus-Zagreus by the Titans is also connected to this. Kronos represents hyper-rationality, order, and control within the psychic realm.
Where the kingdom of Zeus represents the internal ethical and moral development, and is associated with the idea of wisdom, guidance and inner harmony. It represents the process of purification, self-awareness, and the start of the integration of the shadow aspects of the self. This realm signifies a higher intellectual and spiritual realm (noetic), where universal principles, ideals, and the platonic forms are contemplated and understood through moral reasoning and intellectual inquiry. Where within Neo-Platonic philosophy, the noetic realm (intellectual or intelligible realm) transcends the psychic realm and represents a higher level of reality where universal forms, principles, and divine intellect reside.
The kingdom of Dionysus finally then represents the process of integration and spiritual transformation. Within this kingdom the Anima has already been realized as an inner figure, and there is an increasing movement towards the coming together of opposites whilst going closer towards the Self. Symbolically this is the emergence of Iacchus. The transcendent function, which plays the role of an autonomous regulator, emerges and gradually begins to work as the process of individuation begins to unfold. Where within Neo-Platonism this aligns with the concept of the One, the ultimate source of all existence and the goal of spiritual ascent. Union with the One involves transcending individual identity and experiencing mystical union with the divine, characterized by ecstasy and ineffable unity.
Throughout this process, to move from one state of psychological and spiritual development to another, the Koryos as much as the Korybantes that protected Zeus and Dionysus are key when it comes to moving from the Kingdom of Kronos to the Kingdom of Zeus. Where then Anima work further ties into the reintegration process, and with it also is connected to the Sovereignty Goddess. Who in the end together with her son Dionysus helps to mend the two halves of the Self, and with it take away the burden of the shadow places through projections. For me shamanic journeys, next to ecstatic rituals were key in working through the repressed anger and rage, as much as creating the safe container for the inner child and Anima to slowly heal.
The Korybantes
Now when it comes to the Korybantes (linked to the Koryos). In Greek mythology, they are the attendants or priests of the goddess Cybele, known for their frenzied, ecstatic dancing and drumming. They represent a ritualistic and ecstatic form of worship that embraces both order and chaos. The Korybantes were the offspring of Apollo and the Muse Thalia. And are the protectors that nurture and teach Dionysus.
Apollo represents order, rationality, and harmony, while Thalia, as one of the Muses, represents the arts and celebration. Their role in nurturing and teaching Dionysus signifies the integration and acceptance of Dionysian aspects within a framework that also respects Apollonian principles. The Korybantes’ ecstatic rituals represent a balance between structure (Apollonian) and spontaneity (Dionysian). This dynamic integration is essential for psychological health, as it allows for the expression of both rational control and instinctual freedom.
The Korybantes' role as protectors and teachers of Dionysus also highlights the importance of nurturing and safeguarding the Dionysian aspects of the self. Which involves creating a safe space for the expression of instincts, emotions, and creativity, which are often suppressed by societal norms. Where the ecstatic dance and drumming of the Korybantes symbolize a transformative process that transcends ordinary consciousness, allowing for a deeper connection with the unconscious.
To follow the Korybantic path is a journey of rejection of societal pressure to conform to Apollonian norms exclusively. It highlights the struggle against a society that often values order and hyper-rationality at the expense of spontaneity and emotional expression. This resistance is crucial for those who feel marginalized or scapegoated by prevailing societal norms, as it validates their need to express their true nature. In the end my this path is about helping people who were scapegoated including the Divine Feminine and Dionysian leaning people. To empower people and give them a home and belonging free from marginalisation and scapegoating.
It is also at the same time about the protection of the young Dionysus (inner child) from the forces that seek to repress and harm this sacred aspect of ourselves. As Olympiodorus says, the final goal is to not be like traitors to ourselves like the Titans, yet to be in harmony with the unconscious, and with it our intuition and emotions. That then we are like Bacchus. It is the solar toxicity of the Titans with their hyper-rationality that disconnect us from instinct and our emotions, leading to this disconnect which causes chaos and destructive behaviors. The role of the Korybantes is to protect the sacred inner core of our spiritual essence from the solar toxicity of the Titans with their hyper-rationality. Which ties to a disconnect from instinctual nature, causing internal and external discord.
Protecting the Divine Child
Kronos in his original form symbolized the return to the golden age, thus also representing a return to the primordial ways of being. The more archaic way of being of the early hunter-gatherer people. The untying of Kronos' statue and the inversion of social norms during Saturnalia represent a temporary release of inhibitions and a return to a more primal state. This release of tension can be seen as a symbolic expression of libido, the psychic energy that drives both creative and destructive impulses. Yet through the creation of civilisation and thus societal norms, this turned the figure of Kronos into a distorted figure, that instead acts like an accuser of the very expression of libido and instinct. Creating him much like Azazel or Pan into symbols of fear and repression of the source of libido and thus the unconscious and primal nature of humanity.
The Korybantes were tasked with the protection against the Titans. These beings being through shadow projection associated with instinct and primal nature. Though actually from a Jungian lens, the Titans are more akin to the psychological complexes that steer and can distort the linked behaviour and perceptions of instinct. Which is why they are actually more linked with Hyper-Rationality and thus Solar Madness. As it is our misunderstanding of instinct and primal nature, and the surrounding fear that distorts this into something destructive, due to our disconnection from it. Because as much as instinct and primal nature hold a potential destructive side, it is also creative and regenerative. So life-affirming. Something that the Korybantes teach us.
When it comes to such complexes. They have both a negative, limiting aspect and a core of vulnerability or unmet needs. Initially, the fortress (the psychological complex) is fortified with walls built from repressed emotions and beliefs, keeping its occupants (the soul fragment) trapped within its confines. However, through the symbolic dismantling process, one can strategically breach the fortress walls, disrupting its defenses and rendering it vulnerable. With the fortress weakened, the release of emotional energy serves as a battering ram, striking at the core of the complex and further destabilizing its structure. As the emotional energy floods out, it erodes the foundation upon which the complex relies, weakening its hold over the individual's psyche.
In this way, the complex is gradually dismantled and rendered less formidable, allowing the individual to reclaim their inner territory and establish a greater sense of psychological freedom and autonomy. And my method of dismantling and integrating complexes involves a blend of destruction and transformation. So by rejecting the toxic patterns while embracing and healing the vulnerable parts, one can effectively integrate the complex into ones conscious self. Where emotional release allows one to purge the emotions and toxic beliefs that have been fuelling the complex, draining its energy and reducing its potency.
Shamanic journeys and ecstatic rituals are one way to bring us into direct contact with the unconscious, in a trance state. This altered state of consciousness, in which we can directly interact with the complexes, archetypes and various soul fragments (aspects of ourselves that got split off), allows us to heal and work through this fragmentation. In this way we can protect the vulnerable aspects of the Self from the symbolic Titans. Slowly overtime fostering through the process of re-integration a sense of wholeness. Thus nurturing the inner child and helping to set up our inner parent.
To successfully reintegrate soul fragments, it is crucial for one to establish a healing relationship with these parts. This involves recognizing, accepting, and showing compassion towards them. Expressing unconditional love and acceptance then further helps these fragments feel welcomed and valued, encouraging them to reintegrate into the person's whole self. Which also means countering the internalization of what the accuser aspect makes one belief about these aspects. This requiring a safe and nurturing space for the individual to heal, before they can fully re-enter society. The latter being a process that can't be rushed, and requires careful pacing.