Decoding Mythology

THE PINEAL GLAND, THIRD EYE, THE AJNA CHAKRA AND THE EYE OF HORUS:

Known as the 'intuition organ' or the 'seat of spirituality' the pineal gland is, scientifically speaking, an endocrine gland. It is actually our third eye. It is a pea sized, pine cone shaped structure in our brain that secretes melatonin and serotonin.
Serotonin is a natural anti depressant and is secreted more when exposed to natural sunlight.
Melatonin on the other hand needs dark. It is secreted at night. Scientifically, a hormone, melatonin is also an antioxidant, a smooth muscle relaxant and a consciousness altering drug. (Chemically very similar to LSD) (you can see my post on melatonin and crop circles which I posted on google+ )

The pinecone shaped pineal gland corresponds to our Ajna Chakra or the third eye. While pinecone symbolism appears all over the ancient world from the Sumerian, Greek, and  Roman traditions, in Hindu mythology, Shiva is represented as having a third eye. Now, shiv represents the state of ultimate stillness, meditation and knowledge (coincidence?)(See my post on Mahashivratri for details)
The Egyptian 'Eye of Horus' actually describes the anatomy of the Pineal gland along with its surrounding structures.
The Eye of Horus was believed to have healing and protective power. The symbol was divided into six parts, representing the shattering of Horus´ eye into six pieces. Each piece was associated with one of the six senses and a specific fraction.(see image)
Horus was an ancient a sky god whose eyes were said to be the sun and the moon. (Day and night, serotonin and melatonin?)
It is said when injured, THE EYE was restored by Thoth (associated with moon).
Thoth is assisted by fourteen gods. Each god represented one of the fourteen days leading up to the full moon. (Note how the 14th day is observed as the night of Shiva-Shivratri, in Hinduism.)(coincidence?)
The restored eye became emblematic of the re-establishment of order from chaos (from ignorance to knowledge) (from darkness unto light) (tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, in Sanskrit)

An open Third Eye brings clarity, concentration, intuition, decisiveness and insight: spiritual evolution, as I call it.

A closed Third Eye or Ājňā Chakra in Hindu tradition brings with it confusion, uncertainty, cynicism, pessimism, jealousy, envy and one sidedness.

I am sharing some interesting images.
Soon I will post about maintaining the Pineal gland: decalcification.

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri, perhaps the most significant Hindu festival, is celebrated on chaturdashi tithi of krishnpaksha of phagun maas (14th day of the lunar cycle).
Perhaps this explains the waning crescent on Lord Shiva's head.

Lord Shiva, the most compassionate God/Diety/Adi guru as well as the God of destruction, is also shown to have his third eye (pineal gland/seat of spirituality) open.

Ideally each 14th day of the waning moon phase is Shivratri, Mahashivratri being the most significant.

To everyone, this day holds its own significance. Some celebrate it as the union of Shiva and Shakti, his consort.
Some, celebrate it as the day when Lord Shiva attained Mount Kailash like stillness (deepest state of meditation).
I figure it means the same.
Vigyan Bhairav describes Shakti as the face of Shiva as well as the path unto Him. It also, in its various dialogues between Shiva and Shakti, describes the various paths to attain perfect state of mediation (or the state of Shiva) which also includes divine union.
So we can all agree that basically Shivratri is a night of spiritual evolution. It is celebrated by a day long fast and a night long vigil. A person who wants to observe this pious day stays upright all night long. The most significant time is that of midnight (calculated as the time exactly midway between sun set and sunrise) (not 0000hrs!)

The question is why night? Why darkness? Why waning moon? Most festivals especially those that are supposed to bring in prosperity, are observed during the waxing phase of the moon. Waxing phase is the phase that is observed by religions that follow the moon (which includes pagan/wiccan religions too) as the phase of 'increment'.
So why the waning phase for mahashivratri?
Dark is sadly associated with the devil, by the naive. Dark (and waning moon) signifies 'banishing'. Each month, Shivratri encourages us to banish ignorance and attain spiritual advancement, Mahashivratri being the most powerful night amongst them all. Similar banishing rituals are held by those who follow Paganism/Wicca.

Shiva, the destroyer, destroys 'all that is' like material objects around us so we may attain 'all that isn't' (Shiva) that is void/dark depths and truths of the universe.

Light creates distractions by showing us all sorts of illusions. When there is no light, there are no illusions, only truth.

Truth alone can help us all evolve as a species. In the absolute truth, there is love compassion and kindness. Thus, Lord Shiva is known as the most compassionate-The destroyer of 'all that is' and the giver of knowledge and truth...

Mahashivratri is an opportunity to seek and ask, an opportunity to grow and evolve.

Happy Mahashivratri!
Namaste