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Archive for February, 2008
Ancient References to the Gates of Horn and Ivory
Author: MystiJul02 3rd, 2008
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While Conversations with Seth, book 2 says that the Gates of Horn dream suggestion comes from ancient Egypt, the references I found are from Virgil and Homer. It is possible the idea is older though.
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From Wikipedia…
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The gates of horn and ivory, in Virgil’s Aeneid, are the portals in Elysium through which dreams come to the living world. The gate of horn is the path which dreams that are true travel; false dreams emanate through the gate of ivory:
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“There are two gates of Sleep: one of which is said to be of horn,
through which an easy passage is given to true shades, the other
gleams with the whiteness of polished ivory, but through it
the Gods of the Dead send false dreams to the world above.”
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The original reference to the Gates comes from book 19 of Homer’s Odyssey when Penelope recounts the origin of dreams (from Robert Fagles excellent translation):
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“Two gates there are for our evanescent dreams,
one is made of ivory, the other made of horn.
Those that pass through the ivory cleanly carved
are will-o’-the-wisps, their message bears no fruit,
The dreams that pass through the gates of polished horn
are fraught with truth, for the dreamer who can see them.
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