Odysseus: Poseidon's rage

The Greek pantheon offers a way of exploring a universal intelligence or god, as a group of different personalities, with a host of different temperaments and proclivities. Odysseus was favored by Athena, but hated by Poseidon. This tells us a lot about Odysseus’ character and personality. As well as the areas of life where Odysseus excelled and the areas of life where he struggled. Odysseus is named often in the story as a man of wisdom and discernment, so it isn’t a surprise that he has earned Athena’s favor. Yet less is known of the nature of Odysseus’ tension with Poseidon.

Poseidon’s rage towards Odysseus stems from an encounter Odysseus had with one of Poseidon's children, the giant Polyphemus. Their encounter left Polyphemus blinded and from that moment Poseidon’s rage towards Odysseus was kindled. (There is more to that story but we will explore that another time.)

In exploring the gods, we can explore what they represent, what they offer us, and the price we pay when we scorn them. Poseidon is god of horses, and god of the sea. An entity who rules over forces of raw primal power, power that lies far beyond the capacity of humans. We can harness the powers that Poseidon lays claim to, but we must do so with respect. The horse rider knows that their horse is stronger than they are, and if their horse gets spooked, it will eject them. The sailor knows that they must work with the tide and the nautical weather, not against it.

One level deeper, we all contain within us a primal impulse. This serves as a sort of rocket fuel for many of our urges. This is the core of “libido,” as envisioned by Freud, the primal need to mate and to protect ourselves. Our ego’s are “the rider,” while the horse and the sea is libido. Libido is far more powerful than the ego, yet we can harness libido to do great things. Those who can channel their libido effectively create abundance, invention, and personal success. Then there are those times when we are “ridden,” by our libido, unable to organize ourselves, and unable to delay gratification as our horse runs about from one pasture to another, our rider having thrown up our hands in dismay.

What happens to Odysseus in his encounter with the son of Poseidon? Odysseus blinds him. What would one say of a horse rider who chose to blind their horse? Perhaps a rider who cannot work with his horse. Perhaps a rider who resents the horse for it’s greater strength and who chooses to punish the horse for it. There is always a tension between the horse and the rider, but a truce of great mutual gain can be established. This act of blinding, is an act of war; a war within oneself. Poseidon demands that we learn to respect his power if we want to harness it, or he will torment us, as he torments Odysseus.

Odysseus was stuck for eight years on the island of Ogygia, unable to return home. During that time a number of god's wanted to advocate for Odysseus, but Poseidon would always object. If you are feeling stuck on the path towards your goals, examine how you treat your horse.

(This chapter is partly inspired by the writing of Jacob Winkler, you can check out his excellent blog here https://grouptherapynj.com/