The Unspeakable Girl – The Myth and Mystery of Kore (The Italian List)

The Eleusinian Mysteries"Clement of Alexandria was either himself initiated into the mystery cult at Eleusis or was told of the process by more less reliable sources. He relates that, at Eleusis, the hierophant presented the initiate with a cut ear of wheat and recited the formula hye, kye ('rain', 'render fertile'). 'And this was the grand and inexpressible Eleusian mystery,' he contemptuously writes. In so doing, Clement displays the degree to which he had lost all sense of the role and meaning of the unspeakable in pagan religion. Through the mystery cult one was not held to learn something - such as a secret doctrine - about which one had to then remain silent. Instead, the initiate was meant to ecstatically experience his or her own silencing... The initiate was thus to experience the power and potentiality offered to mankind of the 'unspeakable girl' - the potentiality of a joyfully and intransigently in-fantile existence."Giorgio Agamben, "The Unspeakable Girl," (2014) p. 12-13.For those who love beautifully bound and illustrated work, this book, published by Seagull Press, and illustrated by Monica Ferrando, is a real treasure. It is a pleasure to own it and hold it and read it, bit by bit. Agamben is not an author one swallows hole.

Agamben is dense, abstruse as usual. He's got something important going here, but i am still trying to figure it out. Meanwhile, the artwork and artist's comments and historical references tell the myth in its richness. Value is in the challenge, which has taken me to other sources to integrate, and the complexity of it seeks integration and resolution by impelling me to understand other symbolic and relational events in the present. As a psychotherapist, the idea of being 'Unspeakable' is disruptive and heuristic.

Stars seem a liitle redundant - just to let others know although this is a beautifully presented book with lovely art from the co author - it contains a very small essay by Agamben himself - so really for those who like me have all the works and not for those that wish to become acquainted with the master. For which perhaps potentialities would be a good place to begin depending on what moves you in the first place.

The book arrived in perfect condition. Thank you.

If your soul is open the unspeakable mystery will speak to you.