GUIDANCE

Library of Congress Songs of innocence
Detail Plate 23

I am attempting to put Blake's teachings into the framework of Jung's Archetypes. I began with the idea of the Spiritual Journey which seems to be implicit in Blake's work. When one looks at life from the perspective of evolving or developing, the journey presents itself as an appropriate metaphor. If moving through multiple experiences along life's pathway is a universal description of existence as a human, then the term Archetype can be applied.

A second Archetypal experience that Blake presents is that of Guidance. In spite of the challenges and failures which are encountered along the journey man is not dependent solely on his own resources because he is connected to powers which are not limited to himself. These universal forces are manifest in various ways. The Soul within the individual reveals itself as a reality other than the body, mind or heart which make their presences known. But through the Soul there is felt a connection outside of personal experience with the force which creates and orders the universe, which gives meaning and purpose to existence. The Soul links man with his fellow man as well. We are not isolated from one another but dependent as are organs of one body. 

Guidance as an Archetype may arrive through each of these sources, the internal Soul, the Universal Spirit, or the Humanity dispersed within Beings.

The term Guidance is not prominent in Blake's writing but the idea of being guided is like a thread which runs through his poetry. The role of Guide is primarily assigned to Los and to Jesus. Divine Providence, the Universal Brotherhood and Angels are available for guidance and protection also. Although Guidance is always available, man does not always recognize or accept it. In Blake, the turning away from the perception of the Eternal distances man from the abundant life he is offered. Guidance is there to bring him back.

Milton, PLATE 29 [31], (E 128)
"On Albions Rock Los stands creating the glorious Sun each morning
And when unwearied in the evening he creates the Moon
Death to delude, who all in terror at their splendor leaves
His prey while Los appoints, & Rintrah & Palamabron guide
The Souls clear from the Rock of Death, that Death himself may wake 
In his appointed season when the ends of heaven meet."

Four Zoas, Night VII, PAGE 98 [90], (E 370)
"Enitharmon spread her beaming locks upon the wind & said   
O Lovely terrible Los wonder of Eternity O Los my defence & guide      
Thy works are all my joy. & in thy fires my soul delights
If mild they burn in just proportion & in secret night
And silence build their day in shadow of soft clouds & dews" 

Milton, PLATE 21 [23], (E 116)
"Obey The Dictate! Watch over this World, and with your brooding wings,
Renew it to Eternal Life: Lo! I am with you alway
But you cannot renew Milton he goes to Eternal Death

So spake the Family Divine as One Man even Jesus
Uniting in One with Ololon & the appearance of One Man
Jesus the Saviour appeard coming in the Clouds of Ololon!"
 

Milton, Plate 28 [30], (E 127) 
"Each has its Guard. each Moment Minute Hour Day Month & Year.
All are the work of Fairy hands of the Four Elements             
The Guard are Angels of Providence on duty evermore
Every Time less than a pulsation of the artery
Is equal in its period & value to Six Thousand Years.
PLATE 29 [31]
For in this Period the Poets Work is Done: and all the Great
Events of Time start forth & are concievd in such a Period
Within a Moment: a Pulsation of the Artery."

Four Zoas, Night IX, Page 133,(E 401)
"Not for ourselves but for the Eternal family we live
Man liveth not by Self alone but in his brothers face            
Each shall behold the Eternal Father & love & joy abound

So spoke the Eternal at the Feast they embracd the New born Man
Calling him Brother image of the Eternal Father. they sat down
At the immortal tables sounding loud their instruments of joy
Calling the Morning into Beulah the Eternal Man rejoicd"   

Milton, PLATE 23 [25], (E 119)
"We were plac'd here by the Universal Brotherhood & Mercy
With powers fitted to circumscribe this dark Satanic death
And that the Seven Eyes of God may have space for Redemption.
But how this is as yet we know not, and we cannot know;
Till Albion is arisen; then patient wait a little while,"

Four Zoas, Night II, Page 33, (E 322)
"Thus were the stars of heaven created like a golden chain
To bind the Body of Man to heaven from failing into the Abyss" 

Jerusalem, PLATE 77, (E 231)                            
"I give you the end of a golden string,
Only wind it into a ball:
It will lead you in at Heavens gate,
Built in Jerusalems wall."

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Luke 4
[17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
[18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
[19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

John 16
[12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.   

 

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