Cygnus: Hemispheres
62
______________________________
This epic movement was my introduction to the concept of Balance, as well as my introduction to RUSH (It wouldn't be until a couple years later that I would hear the more popular "2112"). The lyrics were written by brainiac percussionist Neil Peart - who is lovingly referred to as "The Professor" by band mates and fans. I don't know if he's an actual professor or not, but the guy has given me plenty of opportunity to stop and think.
Thanks, dude!
______________________________________________________________
BALANCE is used to mean a point between two opposite forces that is desirable over purely one state or the other, such as a balance between the metaphysical Law and Chaos - law by itself being overly controlling, chaos being overly unmanageable, balance being the point that minimizes the negatives of both.
Nothing in Excess was one of the three phrases carved into the temple at Delphi.
______________________________________________________________
HEMISPHERES
When our weary world was young, the struggle of the ancients first began. The gods of Love and Reason sought alone to rule the fate of Man.
They battled through the ages, but still neither force would yield. The people were divided, every soul a battlefield.
______________________________
Apollo: Bringer of Wisdom
"I bring truth and understanding, I bring wit and wisdom fair - precious gifts beyond compare. We can build a world of wonder, I can make you all aware. I will find you food and shelter, show you fire to keep you warm - through the endless winter storm. You can live in grace and comfort in the world that you transform."
The people were delighted, coming forth to claim their prize. They ran to build their cities and converse among the wise. But one day the streets fell silent, yet they knew not what was wrong. The urge to build these fine things seemed not to be so strong. And the Bridge of Death was crossed, in quest of Dionysus, to find out what they had lost.
_____________________________________________________________
Dionysus: Bringer of Love
"I bring Love to give you solace, in the darkness of the night - in the Heart's eternal light. You need only trust your feelings, only love can steer you right. I bring laughter, I bring music, I bring joy and I bring tears - I will soothe your primal fears. Throw off those chains of reason, and your prison disappears."
The cities were abandoned, and the forests echoed song. They danced and lived as brothers - they knew love could not be wrong. Food and wine they had aplenty, and they slept beneath the stars. The people were contented, and the gods watched from afar. But the winter fell upon them, and it caught them unprepared, bringing wolves and cold starvation. And the hearts of men despaired.
_____________________________________________________________
Armageddon: The Battle of Heart and Mind
The universe divided as the heart and mind collided, with the people left unguided. For so many troubled years, in a cloud of doubt and fears. Their world was torn asunder into hollow hemispheres.
Some fought themselves, some fought eash other. Most just followed one another - lost and aimless like their brothers. For their hearts were so unclear, and the truth could not appear. Their spirits were divided into blinded hemispheres.
Some who did not fight brought tales of old to light, "My Rocinante sailed by night on her final flight." To the heart of Cygnus' fearsome force, we set our course. Spiralled through the timeless space, to this immortal place.
_____________________________________________________________
Cygnus: Bringer of Balance
I have memory and awareness, but I have no shape or form. As a disembodied spirit, I am dead and yet unborn. I have passed into Olympus. as was told in tales of old, to the city of Immortals - Marble white and purest gold...
I see the gods in battle rage on high... Thunderbolts across the sky... I cannot move, I cannot hide... I feel a silent scream begin inside...
Then all at once the chaos ceased. A stillness fell - a sudden peace. The warriors felt my silent cry, and stayed their struggle, mystified.
Apollo was astonished, Dionysus thought me mad, but they heard my story further and they wondered, and were sad.
Looking down from Olympus on a world of doubt and fear. It's surface splintered into sorry hemispheres.
They sat a while in silence, then they turned at last to me, "We will call you Cygnus. The god of Balance you shall be."
_____________________________________________________________
The Sphere
We can walk our road together, if our goals are all the same. We can run alone and free, if we pursue a different game. Let the truth of love be lighted, let the love of truth shine clear.
Sensibility...
Armed with sense and liberty
With the heart and mind united in a single... perfect... sphere.
_____________________________________________________________
 | Amazon Price: $58.45 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.36 List Price: $18.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $11.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $78.97 |
CommentsLoading...
Deep stuff C.W. I've never been much on Rush except for Pearts Exit--stage left and Roll the bones. I shouldn't say it like that, I like the sound of their music but (what's his face) the lead singers voice (I always forget his name) is like whinney scratches on a blackboard in my ears. I don't mind Vapor trails as much and Snakes & Arrows kind of grew on me as my son played it a lot.
In the summer 1971 I worked in a Hungarian restaurant in St Cathrines and my then boyfriend took me to a party, supposedly Peart was there too... so my EX kept telling me for years.
Definitely different hub regards Zsuzsy
-Thanks Cris. To "confound" is always good! (for some reason every time I go to type your name, I start typing "Eric" weird...) Anyway, ya it's such a basic concept, yet so rare in today's society.
-Zsuzsy, you're thinking of Geddy Lee (bassist) and a lot of people say that. You certainly know your RUSH, though. I'd take your boyfriend's claim with a grain of salt. I've been to my share of California parties where a rock star or movie star were "supposed" to be there. The few times I've actually known that to be true is when The Babies (80's pop band) and my band kept showing up at the same parties - no idea why, 'cause we didn't personally know any of them. All other star close encounters were just wishful thinking.
C.W. I very seldom will agree that my EX was right about anything but this one I will have to give him. My sister-in-law until two years ago lived in Port Dalhuize just around the corner from where Peart grew up and actually knew some of his family. hope your recouped and well zs
Well, he probably see's him around. RUSH used to have a studio somewhere in the Oregon hills, don't know where though, or even if they still have it.
constant
i just hope eric is a good guy :D
Ha-ha. Me too. I don't know anybody named Eric.
mmmm yes, I like RUSH and their music and I also loved this hub. I will read this many times. This goes beyond the Religious boundaries that people on this planet think they must put you in a categorie. Thre is no categorie for some of us becasue we are gifted (not sure if this is the correct word, but close) to see it all.
Darknight of the soul--that was told to me on a comment on my Whispers Of Oz hub. I just commened back to that person just prior to reading this one! Some of us have to hit that before they are able to understand what this world is all about. Though with the hemispheres we sometimes will slip back and forth and not be totally in one or the other. I think that is the humaness we all are a part of and what *I* feel is the *fall*. It is not evil or bad, but a part of us and we can't have one without the other.
-Good comment, Lady. 'Darknight of the soul?' Tell that person NO, your are the Dark KNIGHT of the Soul. Couldn't help it.
Anyway... if I were to ever pay homage to a god, it be Balance (Cygnus) and/or Love, and it would certainly have nothing to do with any western religions... the sadistic bastards!
You Rock!
Thanks!
HU-WHAT?! LOL
Hu-hu...
I remember Rush, but I only recall one song, it's in my head right now, but all I hear is the music and not the words. I'm horrible at recalling lyrics and quotes.
This is indeed deep. Balance is so necessary in every aspect of life. Balancing the two hemispheres of the heart and brain can be tricky. I still battle with it...my heart fighting with my brain. ;) Sometimes my brain cheats just so it can win. lol! Not really, but the heart feels, the brain thinks, so it's sometimes easier to convince ourselves of things with thinking.
Profoundness becomes you CW.
I'm betting it's probably Tom Sawyer. That was their one hit.
Wow, thanks, Pam. "Profound." A cool word. I think, if we think about it, one could even proclaim the secrets to a happy life to be Balance and Maintenance. I actually gave some serious thought to this once, and it applies to every aspect of life.
A well balanced and maintained life is a healthy and happy one. A life lacking in either or both of these things and you've got... well, watch the news.
Can't seem to get enough of Hemisphere's lately... ;)
Hemispheres (part 1)
Hemispheres (part 2)
Cris A Level 2 Commenter 3 years ago
the concept of duality is a given constant, its existence gives way to the idea of balance or imbalance.
nice work on this Constant, different but still nice. and i must admit i was confounded when i first read the title :D