Dragons

Dragons are fantastic creatures that have appeared in various forms throughout the world. They are the epitome of power.

Most dragons have been depicted as composites of other animals. They may have a snake's body and a lion's claws. They may have the wings of an eagle or a bat. They could be multiheaded like the Hydra, or they could shapeshift using varied forms.

The word Dragon comes from the greek “drakon” for serpent or great worm. It was the greek perception of the dragon that became the prototype for the western world.

Dragons are often depicted as guarding treasures or doorways to treasure. One dragon guarded the sacred grove where the golden fleece was hidden away and another protected the golden apples of the Hesperides. This hidden treasure is often symbolic of hidden wisdom that is going to open up or a new treshold that you will soon cross in your life.

The basilisk is a dragon of great virulence. It is cobralike and often depicted as a terrifying creature. It breathes fire and has a deadly venom. It can kill with a look from its eyes. If a human encounters a basilisk and lays eyes upon the monster first, the human will live. If the basilisk sees the human first, the human will die.

Many of the qualities of the basilisk and other dragon forms are symbolic. The perception that it can kill probably has as much to do with the shock of seeing something so strange and powerful as it does with the changes that would result in the individual's life and consciousness as a result of such an encounter. The death may reflect a death of some aspect of the individual's life.

As frightening as the basilisk dragon is made to appear, it has great magical properties as well. Its skin can repel snakes and spiders, and silver rubbed with its ashes will become gold. Crystal will deflect its deadly vision and its venom. It has been said that the eyes are the gateways to the soul, and it is through the basilisk form of the dragon that we learn how to read the true soul of individuals by looking into their eyes. This dragon has the knowledge to use the eyes to entrance and to control.

Other countries have different forms and myths of the dragon. The epitome of the dragon of old english lore is probably best found in the beast Grendel of the epic Beowulf. In Egypt, the population of serpents, dragons, and snakes were controlled by the ibis.

From the chinese, we get a different view of dragons. In chinese mythology, dragons are powerful, but most often beneficent. Not just traditional fire breathing beasts, they are associated with each of the elements. They are water dragons, cloud dragons.... The imperial dragon ( the most powerful ) always has five claws and it holds either in its claws or under its chin, a great pearl. This pearl is magical and can multiply whatever it was placed with eg: food, money, jewels, or whatever.

The dragon has been the source of many creation and destruction myths and tales. If nothing else, this reflects the tremendous power associated with it. It has fired the imagination of people in both the east and west. Of all the creatures in the faerie realm, it is one that still inspires great awe and fear, in spite of its general benevolence.

The dragon comes in many sizes and forms. In most of them, it is the personification of life. Its eyes are often glittering springs or gold. It can see and hear better than almost any creatures. Should one encounter a dragon in your explorations of the faerie realm, it may signify that your own sense and life energies will be amplified.

The dragon is the force of wisdom , strength, and spiritual power. It is the primal force of creation. It is also the guardian , and when a dragon is encountered, you will experience greater strength and guardianship in your life.

Dragons are wondrous creatures, and one of the great rewards of opening to the faerie realm. As mentioned in chapter 8, planting basil ( sacred to the basilisk form of dragon) is a means of inviting them into your environment and making y ourself more open to their perception.

HYDRA