Liber ab Genesis (Book of Creation)^45
New Zealand—The tribal folk of New Zealand, the Maori, offer a story similar to P’an
Ku. Here the Sky is Rangi or Raki (both male), depending on what part of the island
you are on. The Earth is Papi (female). The creation of our world is a result of the two
being separated by their children, who are a product of their great love for each other,
the Fifth Element.Summer and Winter: Creation in Union and Separation
Summer and WinterFrom the union of Earth and Sky came Winter and Summer who were named in
honor of their grandparents. Winter, their son, was called the Dark half of the year in
honor of his Grandmother Darkness. Summer, their daughter, was named the Light
half of the year in honor of her Grandfather Light. It was their hope that by naming
their son Winter after his grandmother Darkness, those generations to come would
understand that although masculine, he would not exist without his feminine half. In
like fashion, it was their hope that by naming their daughter Summer after her grandfa-
ther Light, those generations to come would understand that although feminine, she
would not exist without her masculine half.
Here again we see culture after culture attempt to explain the mystery: We are
separated for the sake of union.Mediterranean—The Greek Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and brought to the
Underworld. Her mother, the fertility goddess, Demeter, mourned her loss so much
that she fell into depression and neglected her ability to provide fertility to the green of
the Earth. The world fell barren, and the first Winter began. Realizing what had hap-
pened, Zeus sent Hermes to recover Persephone. But Persephone had already fallen
in love with Hades. Although the story is sometimes told differently, the story of how
Persephone took vengeance on a Nymph named Minth for having slept with Hades
makes the story a bit clearer. Persephone agreed to spend part of the year with her
mother Demeter because she loved her dearly and the other part of the year with the
one who had won her heart, Hades. Thus, Summer returned to the Earth with
Persephone’s exit from the Underworld (separation), but leaves with the arrival of
Winter and Persephone’s love affair (union) continues. The story is virtually retold in
the Etruscan story of Persipnei and the Roman story of Proserpina.Winter
Dark Half of the year
Light Half of the year
SummerFeminineMasculineh WB Chap 01.p65 45 7/11/2003, 5:48 PM