CHAPTER IV
THE UNCONSCIOUS ORIGIN OF THE HERO
Prepared by the previous chapters, we approach the
personification of the libido in the form of a conqueror,
a hero or a demon. With this, symbolism leaves the impersonal
and neuter realm, which characterizes the astral
and meteorologic symbol, and takes human form: the
figure of a being changing from sorrow to joy, from joy
to sorrow, and which, like the sun, sometimes stands in
its zenith, sometimes is plunged in darkest night, and
arises from this very night to new splendor.[1] Just as the
sun, guided by its own internal laws, ascends from morn
till noon, and passing beyond the noon descends towards
evening, leaving behind its splendor, and then sinks completely
into the all-enveloping night, thus, too, does mankind
follow his course according to immutable laws, and
also sinks, after his course is completed, into night, in
order to rise again in the morning to a new cycle in his
children. The symbolic transition from sun to man is
easy and practicable. The third and last creation of
Miss Miller's also takes this course. She calls this piece
"Chiwantopel," a "hypnagogic poem." She gives us the
following information about the circumstances surrounding
the origin of this phantasy:
"After an evening of care and anxiety, I lay down to sleep
at about half past eleven. I felt excited and unable to sleep,
