“Oh, yes. There will be waves.”
July 15, 2018
Apprentice Hunter
introduction
Potential Apprentice Hunter is desirous to study under a Master of the Occult Arts and Sciences, and until that fortuitous time arrives, he must be content to study under Yours Truly.
Since Apprentice Levi analyzed the lyrics to “Believer”, I thought I'd try something less ambitious and to that end I will expound upon the lyrics of Blondefire’s “Waves”. Although lyrics are not considered the typical fare of legitimate Occult research, however, as Master noted, one cannot know what one may discover without investigating all possible avenues.
1
“You hear them when you try to fall asleep.”
The singer informs the many listeners [“you” is the third person plural] that the listeners hear “them” when they “try to fall asleep”. The use of the pronoun “them” does not reference a previous noun, so we are uncertain of what “them” references, and we can only presume, based on the entirety of the lyrics, that “they” refers to waves. This ambiguity forces the researcher to listen to the song again to seek clarification.
2
“They crash to the shore, they come from the deep.”
The waves encounter the shore and, without any evidence or an argument, it is categorically stated that they come from “the deep”. We find ourselves in a difficult position, as we are uncertain of what, exactly, “the deep” is or what it is not.
3
“As sure as the sun will rise, the sun will set.”
We would like to share the singer’s certainty of future events, in this example that the “sun will set”, but we cannot. Although it is highly likely that the sun will set, it is also within the realm of possibility that it could either stop shining or explode.
4
“You taste the salt the closer you get.”
We presume that “people” notice the saltiness of the air as their proximity to the beach decreases, however, our presumption is not a certainty.
5
“Waves. Picking you up, pushing you down.”
This line reminds this researcher of how Fate is described in “Carmina Burana”: “vita detestabilis nunc obdurat et tunc curat”. From this subjective observation, we conclude that “waves” are synonymous with Fate and Fate’s profoundest quality: indifference.
6
“They're always around.”
“They” are the “waves”, but in our analysis, the waves are the physical embodiment of Fate or Fortune “semper crescis aut decrescis”.
7
“Waves. Just like a dream.”
Waves are now equated to a dream, or “a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep”. Waves are not to be confused with reality.
8
“Silver and green. We live in between.”
We had difficulty with this line and the above sentences is our construction of the lyrics, partially based on the preceding lines and, in part, upon our extensive experience with musical composition. The first sentence presents many difficulties and we can offer an explanation, although it is not wholly satisfactory. Silver is the metal associated with the Astrological sign of Cancer, which is itself a water sign. Therefore, silver can to be understood as alluding to the ocean. This explanation is also consistent with “green”, due to the slight tinge of green, due to algae, often observed in the ocean.
Alternatively, we can understand silver as referring exclusive to the sea, and “the green” is the vegetation beyond the sandy shore. This explanation would also assist our understanding of our “living in between”. Metaphorically, we live between the sea and the lush foliage on the barren sandy beach where nothing grows. We can partake of the sea or wander through the flora, but we cannot live exclusively in either, that is, we need water and, as animals, we have a primal need to frolic in the forests.
Alternatively, we can understand silver as referring exclusive to the sea, and “the green” is the vegetation beyond the sandy shore. This explanation would also assist our understanding of our “living in between”. Metaphorically, we live between the sea and the lush foliage on the barren sandy beach where nothing grows. We can partake of the sea or wander through the flora, but we cannot live exclusively in either, that is, we need water and, as animals, we have a primal need to frolic in the forests.
9
“They can carry you all the way to me.”
Once again, “they” are the waves, the embodiment of Fate. Through chance, “you”, both presumably singular and the object of the protagonist’s affection, have been carried by the the vicissitudes of fate into the protagonist’s life.
10
“They can pull you out to the deep blue sea.”
Alternatively, while waves, or Fate, can bring individuals together, the indifference of Fate can take one’s beloved away, into the “deep blue sea”. We have suggested that the sea is green, which seems to be in conflict with the expressly stated “blue sea”. However, no contradiction exists, as the sea can be described as either blue or green, depending on the observer’s physical position vis a vis refraction and reflection.
11
“Oh waves, there are waves.”
The listener is reminded waves exist, that Fortune, or chance, is ever present and unpredictable.
12
“Empires will crumble to the sand.”
It is odd in a popular love song that “empires” are mentioned. As the rise and fall of Empires are often attributed to Fate, or waves, the reference to empires is understandable. In “Viva la Vida”, the singer comments that he “discovered that” his “castles stand upon ... pillars of sand”, once again alluding to the imagery that Fate is always indifferent.
13
“All that you love can slip through your hand.”
The veracity of this lyric is to be understood that nothing is to be presumed to be stable, to last forever.
14
“But you must face the ocean once again.”
Due to the ambiguity of the word “you” in the English language, we are uncertain of the exact meaning, or intention, of this sentence. Based on our previous understanding, “you” should refer to the object of the protagonist’s affection. This explanation indicates that the beloved is obligated to confront Fate, the ocean, on at least one additional occasion. The singer knows that there is no certainty that Fate will act to insure the reunion of the two parties.
15
“Follow the tides, wherever you've been.”
It seems that the singer’s advice is to follow the course, or path, of the least resistance, to “follow the tides” while facing the uncertainties of “the ocean once again”.
No exegesis of watery images would be sufficient without touching upon gnostic mythology. The element of water is typically associated with painful and irrational emotions, such as grief, sadness, and fear. Perhaps the best combination of water and allegory is found in the movie Titanic (1997). We attribute the success of the movie, as measured in awards and accolades. to the archetypes found throughout the film. We suggest that the vast majority of viewers identified with these archetypes, if only on a subconscious level.
The strongest evidence that Titanic is a gnostic allegory occurs near the end of the movie, when Rose relates that Jack “saved me. In every way a person can be saved.” From this quote, the viewer is told that there are at least two ways, if not more, that one can be “saved”. As the movie depicts one form of salvation, that of the body, the implication is that there is also a spiritual salvation.
Titanic represents a segment of humanity that, through chance, has been assembled and their virtues, or lack thereof, will be tested. The ship is representative both of the created world and its inferior elements. The ship is also to be understood as man’s manipulation of the material elements, once again, inferior matter is not sufficient to “save” any of the passengers in a spiritual sense.
The final scene, at the Grand Staircase, we witnesses not all the passengers, just those who died on the Titanic, and even then, only those who endured the challenges without compromising their virtues, as the balcony has a limited capacity. Of course, Rose did not die on the Titanic, but just as Pamina is allowed to join the Brotherhood due to her virtues, so Rose is permitted to join Titanic, due to her persistence and virtues. We suggest that Rose’s temperance, her persistence in spite of physical hardship, to not sell the Heart of the Ocean for material gain is the primary reason she is entitled to return to the Titanic. We doubt that Mr. Hockley is aboard, as “the crash of ‘29 hit his interests hard, and he put a pistol in his mouth that year... or so I read.”
No exegesis of watery images would be sufficient without touching upon gnostic mythology. The element of water is typically associated with painful and irrational emotions, such as grief, sadness, and fear. Perhaps the best combination of water and allegory is found in the movie Titanic (1997). We attribute the success of the movie, as measured in awards and accolades. to the archetypes found throughout the film. We suggest that the vast majority of viewers identified with these archetypes, if only on a subconscious level.
The strongest evidence that Titanic is a gnostic allegory occurs near the end of the movie, when Rose relates that Jack “saved me. In every way a person can be saved.” From this quote, the viewer is told that there are at least two ways, if not more, that one can be “saved”. As the movie depicts one form of salvation, that of the body, the implication is that there is also a spiritual salvation.
Titanic represents a segment of humanity that, through chance, has been assembled and their virtues, or lack thereof, will be tested. The ship is representative both of the created world and its inferior elements. The ship is also to be understood as man’s manipulation of the material elements, once again, inferior matter is not sufficient to “save” any of the passengers in a spiritual sense.
The final scene, at the Grand Staircase, we witnesses not all the passengers, just those who died on the Titanic, and even then, only those who endured the challenges without compromising their virtues, as the balcony has a limited capacity. Of course, Rose did not die on the Titanic, but just as Pamina is allowed to join the Brotherhood due to her virtues, so Rose is permitted to join Titanic, due to her persistence and virtues. We suggest that Rose’s temperance, her persistence in spite of physical hardship, to not sell the Heart of the Ocean for material gain is the primary reason she is entitled to return to the Titanic. We doubt that Mr. Hockley is aboard, as “the crash of ‘29 hit his interests hard, and he put a pistol in his mouth that year... or so I read.”
afterword
We were pleased that potential Apprentice Hunter overcame obvious difficulties, firstly, the meagre number of words in the text and, secondly, the seemingly juvenile lyrics, in an erudite style.
By the plenitude of power authorized and granted by the Ancient and Esteemed Order of Hierophants, it is duly proclaimed, declared, and exclaimed that potential Apprentice Hunter is hereby elevated to the exalted and sublime position of Apprentice and shall henceforth be recognized as Apprentice Hunter to a Master of the Occult Arts and Sciences.
All rights, privileges, and benefits associated with said position, current and future, are hereby solemnly bestowed and conferred upon Apprentice Hunter this fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord and Master two thousand eighteen. So mote it be. G.D.O’Bradovich III |