sannion [6:07 PM]
You’ve seen the Monkey Chant video, right?
tetradactyl [6:07 PM]
No, I haven’t. I’d love to
sannion [6:07 PM]
oh!
[6:07]
best thing ever:
[6:07]
[6:10]
asia has this sublime sense of the collective
which is very much a part of the Dionysian
tetradactyl [6:11 PM]
That was fascinating. What was that?
sannion [6:11 PM]
it’s a completely different experience, worshiping him as part of a large group
[6:12]
Kecak. It’s a ritual they do for the Monkey God in Bali, which has this wonderfully blended Hindu-Buddhist tradition.
tetradactyl [6:13 PM]
Hmmm that’s awesome. I’ll have to look into it
sannion [6:14 PM]
they have this absolutely stunning shadow puppet theater tradition
tetradactyl [6:15 PM]
Tell me if I understand this: being torn apart and then stitched back together is a part of the rituals in honor of Dionysos. Is this why worshipping has a collective effect? Does Dionysos tear down our borders with each other and stitch us together into him? (edited)
sannion [6:15 PM]
Yes.
[6:15]
Think about it like this, once you’ve gone through initiation – which mimics the process he suffered – a little piece of him is stitched into you.
[6:16]
What happens when bunches of these pieces come together?
tetradactyl [6:16 PM]
They become a whole. A tapestry
sannion [6:16 PM]
yup.
[6:17]
and he’s much more manifestly present
tetradactyl [6:17 PM]
Is this why grapes are sacred to Dionysos (among other things)? Because we crush individual grapes together to make them the same liquid?
sannion [6:18 PM]
yes
[6:18]
we have a very symbiotic relationship with the vine and wine
both the divine and the human are involved in the wine-making process
the soil, the sun, the air and water mingle to provide form and sustenance to the grape
and yet it is a very vulnerable plant.
it requires constant tending
and then there are all the steps involved in its harvesting and the transformation into wine
all steps that reflect different stages of Dionysos mythology
for instance the story of Lykourgos brandishing his ox-goad and chasing the Nurses and baby Bacchus into the waves
Pentheus getting plucked
the descent to retrieve his mother
[6:24]
These aren’t just metaphors. They really happened. But each also fits into a larger narrative.
And Dionysos is the Vine
And the Mystery.
tetradactyl [6:27 PM]
So fascinating. Who knew such a tender plant could teach us so much
