LOS & HIS SPECTRE

The struggle among the portions of the human psyche are delineated in the 7TH Night of the Four Zoas. This section deals only with divisions within Urthona.
 
Urthona is variously described as the imagination, the unconscious, or the intuition; but always Urthona is connected with man's ability to perceive the spiritual. Damon states that: "In the Trinity, Urthona corresponds to the Holy Ghost." Los and Enitharmon are manifestations of Urthona who are active in the lower worlds.
 
At times when Los is split from Enitharmon he is referred to as the Spectre of Urthona. In this passage the colloquy is between Los and his own spectre, not the Spectre of Urthona.
 
We read that Los embraced his Spectre and accepted him as a brother or another self. The Spectre, however, choose not to be one of many selves or in any way subservient to Los as an expression of Urthona.
 
We think of much of the functioning of the human psyche taking place through the Ego which allocates activities to each division. The Ego identifies with the reasoning mind and assigns a large proportion of activity to reason. Los needs his reasoning mind which is represented by his Spectre, but when he embraces his reasoning mind, it wants to assume control. Additional processes will ensue before the two come together.

British Museum
Jerusalem
Plate 6, Copy A

In the picture from Jerusalem Los sits in his forge with his hammer. Suspended above his head is his Spectre. The text from Jerusalem presents the dividing of the Spectre from Los. The account in the Four Zoas relates processes leading up to the reunification of the fractured psyche which will take place later in the poem. Notice that the Spectre has covered his ears with his hands to avoid hearing what Los is trying to tell him.

Four Zoas, Night VII, PAGE 95 [87] (SECOND PORTION), (E 367)
"Then took the tree of Mystery root in the World of Los
Its topmost boughs shooting a fibre beneath Enitharmons couch   
The double rooted Labyrinth soon wavd around their heads  

But then the Spectre enterd Los's bosom Every sigh & groan
Of Enitharmon bore Urthonas Spectre on its wings
Obdurate Los felt Pity Enitharmon told the tale
Of Urthona. Los embracd the Spectre first as a brother
Then as another Self; astonishd humanizing & in tears    
In Self abasement Giving up his Domineering lust

Thou never canst embrace sweet Enitharmon terrible Demon. Till
Thou art united with thy Spectre Consummating by pains & labours
That mortal body & by Self annihilation back returning
To Life Eternal be assurd I am thy real Self  
Tho thus divided from thee & the Slave of Every passion
Of thy fierce Soul Unbar the Gates of Memory look upon me  
Not as another but as thy real Self I am thy Spectre
Thou didst subdue me in old times by thy Immortal Strength 
When I was a ravning hungring & thirsting cruel lust & murder   
Tho horrible & Ghastly to thine Eyes tho buried beneath
The ruins of the Universe. hear what inspird I speak & be silent

If we unite in one[,] another better world will be  
Opend within your heart & loins & wondrous brain
Threefold as it was in Eternity & this the fourth Universe 
Will be Renewd by the three & consummated in Mental fires
But if thou dost refuse Another body will be prepared

PAGE 86 
For me & thou annihilate evaporate & be no more
For thou art but a form & organ of life & of thyself
Art nothing being Created Continually by Mercy & Love divine"

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