Turn around, look at what you seeeee’…
It’s 1984, I am 9 years old and I walk out of the cinema mesmerized.
Now the year 2019 and I must have seen this film over 50 times and I know it by heart.
Other films I loved as a child (and still do) were Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Looking at these films now I find some of it a bit disturbing and dark, filled with a lot of occult symbolism. Definitely not children’s films.
But The NeverEnding Story still holds it’s magic and wonder and is deeper than you may think.
You see Michael Ende was heavily influenced by Rudolph Steiner and other Pagan movements. But there is also a symbolism from the Qabbala, Mystic Buddhism, Hinduism, Esotheric spirituality, occultism and Freemasonry.
This afternoon I had the chance to see it on the big screen once again and I jumped at the opportunity. Now it had been a couple of years since I had last seen the film and even though I have always been aware of the deeper meaning of the film, I can now see so much more was written into it. This reminds me that I want to re-read the book as well.
Fantasia is full of imagination, wonder, magic, and fantasy, the things a child sees everywhere, but an adult loses sight of. Therefor, only a child can preserve Fantasia because only a child can truly appreciate it. And I am glad to discover that I haven’t lost all of my sense of childlike wonder as I am still enchanted by it.
Spoiler alert
If you haven’t seen the film, spoiler alert! Stop reading here (if you want to see the film that is).
We start the journey at the breakfast table with Dreamer Bastian Balthasar (King of Babylon) Bux (Books) and his father who represents the material world. We learn that Bastian has lost his mother and his father tells him to move on ‘and get his head out of the clouds’.
As for those riding lessons you’ve been wanting you say you love horses yet you seem to be afraid to get on a real one. Now, Bastian, you’re old enough to get your head out of the clouds and start keeping both feet on the ground. all right ? – Bastian’s father
Bastian (Bastir (to build), Bastion means Builder) is bullied by three (3) boys and hides in a bookstore (note the Fleur-de-lys on the door – symbol of Magna Mater/Semiramis mother of Nimrod/magnetic field of the Earth/Holy Trinity/Virgin Mary?) where he meets the Keeper of Esoteric Wisdom (or Mr Koreander for friends ;-)) who gives wisdom to those who seek it and are worthy to receive it. Bastian takes the book (not really stolen, borrowed and Koreander wanted the boy to take the book even though he said it wasn’t for him as it isn’t ‘safe’) The NeverEnding Story with the Ouroboros symbol on the cover (the Auryn).
I know books! I have 186 of them at home. – Bastian
186 Gematria “after His image” and Quph and Golgotha
The Ouroboros symbolizes eternal cyclical return and the union of opposites – darkness and light. The gold and silver represent the Sun and the Moon. And there is a lot more symbolism in this film, subtle and not so subtle. Unicorns, owls, rainbows, turtles, and Falcor winking all the time.
Forget about it. This book is not for you. – Mr. Koreander
At school Bastian retreats from the world as he goes to the attic (Upper echelons? Higher Learning, as he skips Maths class (right brain) for creative spiritual development) to read the magical book. We are sucked into the world of Fantasia where The Nothing (Chaos/primitive evil which tries to dismantle all of creation into Infinity) is destroying everything. So a meeting has been called at the Ivory Tower (in the East, hope, rising sun). Now this building structure is very symbolic. It has a Cathar cross, the trefoil (3), for a tower (or is it a triqueta?) and on the walls and floor we see the fleur-de-lys again. The shape of the Ivory Tower reminds me of a closed rose bud (Rosenkreuz?) in a large lotus flower (purity). This is the home of the Childlike Empress and we find out she is very ill and that this is connected to The Nothing. Here at the Tower the warrior Atreyu (Atreyu an unique ancient word which means “Bold Guardian”) starts his quest to save Fantasia from eternal destruction. He has to do this unarmed and he is handed the Auryn necklace to guide and protect him. And so the journey begins.
Auryn gives you great power … but you must not make use of it. For the Childlike Empress herself never makes use of her power. Auryn will protect you and guide you, but whatever comes your way you must never interfere, because from this moment on your own opinion ceases to count. For that same reason you must go unarmed. You must let what happens happen. Everything must be equal in your eyes, good and evil, beautiful and ugly, foolish and wise, just as it is in the eyes of the Childlike Empress. You may only search and inquire, never judge. Always remember that, Atreyu! – Quote from the book
We learn of The Nothing in the film which erases Fantasia, and can be interpreted as depression, the loss of hope and emptiness. Bastian suffers the death of his mother, isolates himself from his friends and family, and becomes engrossed in a storybook about the end of dreams. The Nothing represents depression, and the narrative’s quest to defeat The Nothing is the battle to overcome depression. Bastian feels inadequate, he is bullied, he doesn’t do well in school, his father doesn’t understand him and he feels he is unworthy. Atreyu represents all he longs to be. So this quest is also Bastian finding his True Self and to discover that he is powerful. “One little boy can be that important”.
Children’s films often address growing up, the inevitable moment when the child leaves the magic of youth behind for adolescence and ultimately adulthood. The Nothing is the force that wipes out the magic of childhood and the fantasy and imagination of youth is lost forever. Once The Nothing hits Fantasia the magic and adventure are destroyed.
“The Nothing grows stronger every day,” which also ties into the Empress and Atreyu’s ripening age; as they are getting closer to adulthood and The Nothing grows stronger.
A scene that broke my heart and made me cry over and over is Atreyu’s horse Artax drowing in the Swamps of Sadness, an allegory for even the most strong people giving up and drowning in the depressive energy of this world. People who have lost hope and just let themselves be pulled into darkness and despair. No more fighting, giving up.
Fight against the sadness Artax. Artax, please. You’re letting the sadness of the swamps get to you. You have to try, you have to care. For me, I’m your friend, I love you. – Atreyu
In the Swamps Atreyu finds the Ancient Ones, well really one giant turtle who has started talking to herself and is so bored that she has lost all inspiration to live.
In opposition to Atreyu and the Empress, The Ancient Ones Morla (thus old/adult and nothing left to lose) in the film help The Nothing by refusing to assist Atreyu. They have become disillusioned. These are the disheartening thoughts we get that make us want to give up and quite.
We don’t even care whether on not we care. – Morla
Morla in the end says she can’t help and tells him he should ask the Southern Oracle, but adds that it is useless as it is 10.000 miles away. Jee thanks for the support Morla.
Atreyu barely escapes the pull of the depressing Swamps as a Luck Dragon named Falkor saves him. Falkor is our Higher Self which shines a light in the darkness when we have hit rock bottom. Falkor brings him to witch Urgl and her alchemist husband Engywook, who dress his wounds and send him on his way to the Southern Oracle. Falkor tells Atreyu that he has brought him 9.891 of the 10.000 miles which leaves him 9 miles, the number of the subconscious. Atreyu has to travel this by himself (without his Higher Self Falkor).
Having a luck dragon with you is the only way to go on a Quest. Things will work out fine Atreyu. Never give up hope and Good luck will find you. – Falkor
Atreyu arrives at a gate of two huge Greek sphinxes (Arch of the Convenant/The Moon tarot card ->passing from physical to higher realms). Only those with confidence and courage can pass the threshold. No armor can save you as the sphinxes see straight into your heart. Atreyu learns to ‘know thyself” from the Oracle and finds himself at the Magic Mirror Gate where he needs to face his True Self. The Initiate sees Bastian and Bastian sees Atreyu and they merge as Atreyu steps into the mirror from conscious into subconscious.
Kind people find that they are cruel, brave men discover that they are really cowards. Confronted with their true selves most men run away screaming ! – Engywook about the Magic Mirror Gate
Here Atreyu arrives at the Southern Oracle who tells Atreyu the secret to saving Fantasia and that is to name the Childlike Empress. In many esoteric traditions names controls and also contains the essence of something.
Right after revealing the secret the Oracle crumbles and Atreyu loses Falkor and the Auryn (without Higher Self, guidance and protection) and wakes up on an island in the Sea of Possibilities (The Abyss in the Tree of Life/ in Thelema, it corresponds more or less to the gap in thought between the Real, which is ideal, and the Unreal, which is actual. The only way to pass the test of the Abyss to dissolve one’s ego and merge with the All. The Abyss connects the Supernatural triad above and and the world of the real below. Above the Abyss is the realm of ideas, or the Ideal. Under the Abyss, is the world of the real, or Reality and Causality).
The film is growing darker and darker and Atreyu finds himself in some sort of Hall of Records/Akashic Records/Library of Creation. One of the images he sees here is the Ivory Tower with eight nodes, like an eight pointed star which represents creation. Myth and reality are fading as Atreyu sees his own journey depicted on the wall.
And this brings us to one of my favorite dialogues in the film. We are introduced to the G’mork. The G’mork is a symbol of our fears and limitations and it wants to kill the only one that can stop The Nothing. Fears and limitations stop us from dreaming and creating freely.
Atreyu: ” I will not die easily, I am a warrior!”
G’mork: “Ha brave warrior, then fight The Nothing”
Atreyu: ” But I can’t! I can’t get beyond the boundaries of Fantasia”
The G’mork laughs
Atreyu: “What’s so funny about that?”
G’mork: “Fantasia has no boundaries”
Atreyu: ” That’s not true, you are lying!”
G’mork: ” Foolish boy, don’t you know anything about Fantasia? It’s the world of human fantasy. Every part, every creature of it, is a piece of the dreams and hopes of mankind. Therefor, it has no boundaries.
Atreyu: “But why is Fantasia dying then?”
G’mork: ” Because people have begun to lose their hopes and forget their dreams, so The Nothing grows stronger”
Atreyu: “What is The Nothing?”
G’mork: ” It’s the emptiness that’s left. It’s like a despair, destroying this world and I have been trying to help it.
Atreyu: “But why?!”
G’mork: “Because people who have no hopes are easy to control; and whoever has the control … has the power!”
Atreyu kills G’mork and The Nothing destroys everything. Everything is gone, except The Ivory Tower, Falkor and Atreyu. Falkor lets Atreyu enter the lotus tower alone to meet the Empress and here the union of male and female takes place (and no there is no lovemaking). Only by uniting the conscious and subconscious we can become Master Magicians.
Here Bastian realizes that he is needed to save Fantasia, only a child can defeat The Nothing by believing and seeing what is possible. By dreaming and wishing Fantasia back to life. Bastian gives The Empress her new name, the name of his mother, Moon Child. Now this refers to a book by Aleister Crowley (there the Moonchild is the soul of an ethereal being). Also The Empress ofcourse connects to the Tarot card and has also been linked to the virgin (Childlike) queen Sophia who lacks the male principle.
He has suffered with you. He went through everything you went through. And now, he has come here with you. He’s very close. Listening to every word that we say. He doesn’t realize that he’s already a part of the Neverending Story. Just as he is sharing all your adventures, other’s are sharing his. – The Childlike Empress
So this is like the Truman show, what is reality, what is a dream? Who is watching who? And if we aren’t observed, do we exist? The movie (as the title states) is about a cyclical eternal return and that we write our own story, our own external reality.
Bastian: “Why is it so dark?”
Moon Child: “In the beginning it is always dark”
Bastian is given a grain of sand and dreams Fantasia back to life.
This connects to Genesis, the male brings form and order on the feminine principle of matter. So out of Chaos he creates a new world.
Fantasia can arise in you. In your dreams and wishes Bastian. – The Empress
Now I admit that I am still waiting for a luck dragon to come and take me home to Fantasia. I guess I have to wish him to be myself, instead of waiting. A part of me lives in Fantasia and so does a part of everyone, although they may not be aware of it. This is without a doubt the most beautiful movie ever made and its message will never die as long as people hold on to their dreams.
Here is a strong lesson to never give up on your hopes and dreams and keep fighting otherwise you will be easily exploited by powerful forces who will turn your innerworld into Nothing. Keep the imagination alive!
Though I am a bit disheartened as a mother with her young son were sitting next to me (there were only two children in the cinema, the rest were adults reminiscing in their childhood) in the cinema and they left about twenty minutes into the film as the boy said it “is boring”. I guess it doesn’t make any beebeebeebeeps. I do hope a new generation understands the message of this film and taps into it’s magic.
But the Neverending Story is more than just a movie. It speaks to that part in all of us that will never let go of our dreams. It is a story that will never end as long as there are people to appreciate its message. Everyone should see this movie and remember: Fantasia is real. And “Fantasia can arise in you.”
So tell me, do you do what you dream?
Much love and happy creating!
Charissa xx
