By Fm’toth Gna’uln
The concept of rebirth is in some of the oldest recorded mythologies, dating back to at least the 4th millennium BCE with the Osiris Myth of ancient Egypt. It has become a common theme in religions across the world such as resurrection or reincarnation. To many of the Abrahamic religions there is a concept known as being ‘Born Again’ where the old spirit/soul dies and a new spirit is born within the same body. This is typified by the ritual of baptism of most non-Catholic denominations, where the person is ‘buried’ in the water and ‘raised up’ out of it a new person.
Many celebrations of the Winter Solstice revolve around the concept of the Rebirth of the Sun or the Sun God, since that is the point where days start lengthening from their shortest point. Likewise, even the daily cycle of the sunset and sunrise have been viewed as death and rebirth in some cultures.
Even in cultures and belief systems where rebirth is associated with death the common theme with the rebirthing is Change. One dies and reincarnates into something new. As the Sun is reborn the season changes into Spring. Your soul enters the waters of baptism dirty then comes forth clean.
Even less esoterically, Life itself is dependent upon Death. A plant grows, taking in light from the Sun, nutrients from the soil, and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It gives off oxygen which is then taken in by aerobic organisms, and can be eaten by creatures which then become part of that creature; the plant dying in the process. In turn the animal or aerobic organism gives out carbon dioxide which is taken in by the plants. Furthermore, the animal will itself die; from age, disease, predation (in turn giving life to another creature directly), injury, and etc.
The substance of the creature is decomposed as food for scavengers, putrefying organisms, worms which then enrich the soil with nutrients. Those nutrients are taken in by the seed, which starts the process again. Simplistic explanation, yes, but accurate. That is not dead, which can eternal lie.
We have gone through a change this last year. A figurative death of the Official Cult of Cthulhu and rebirth as the Temple of the Old Ones. With death there is pain. With death that which is not important is discarded. With rebirth there is loss. With rebirth there is new growth.
We are becoming a new incarnation of an ancient belief. What is needed is information and direction to ensure that the Growth is not simply “one person’s vision” for how the Temple should be. None of us have a privileged place or knowledge which will create a utopian organization. There are no prophets or enlightened here, just wanderers making a new home. This home needs to be our home, so cannot be made without everyone.
This article and more can be found within the first edition of the Arkham Advertiser