The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Cavern Cold as Ice" by the artist "Therion"

The lyrics of Therion's "Cavern Cold as Ice" narrate a descent into dark magic and mysticism, a transition from reality to illusion, and the power of the subconscious.

Images and Symbolism:

"Soft, enchanting music, bringing darkness": Music acts as a conduit to the otherworldly realm, where darkness reigns, symbolizing the unknown, mystery, and the subconscious.

"Autumn winds": Autumn represents decay, the death of nature, and preparation for a new cycle. It's a metaphor for the death of the old self, a readiness for transformation.

"Four queens rising through cosmic soil": The four queens allude to the four demonesses (Agrat Bat Mahlat, Lilith, Naamah, Eisheth), personifying dark feminine energies, temptation, seduction, and transgression. "Cosmic soil" suggests something beyond, exceeding the material world.

"Night has flown through your eyes": Night is the time of magic, secrets, and dreams. Eyes are the windows to the soul. This phrase implies that the individual has already encountered something mystical and hidden.

"Seeds appeared from light": A paradox: seeds, typically associated with the darkness of the earth, emerge from light. This could be a metaphor for the birth of new ideas, desires germinating within the subconscious.

"No pulse of time, no rhythm, no rhyme": Time and space lose their meaning. The individual transcends the familiar world, where conventional laws and rules no longer apply.

"Cavern cold as ice": The cave symbolizes the subconscious, a place of hidden fears and desires. Coldness signifies detachment, numbness, a trance-like state.

"Tongues start to dance at your will": Tongue represents the ability to speak, express thoughts, but also a tool for magic and spells. The individual gains control over their desires, their subconscious.

"Agrat Bat Mahlat sings to you": The demoness seduces with her song, promising pleasure and fulfillment of desires.

"Nightingale call of the siren": A juxtaposition: nightingale symbolizes love and beauty, while the siren is a dangerous creature luring sailors to their deaths. Danger and allure are intertwined.

"Summoned to tear the veils of pleasures": A call to surrender to hidden desires, break free from constraints and prohibitions.

Central Theme:

The lyrics invite the listener on a journey into the depths of their being, into the world of the subconscious ruled by dark forces and temptations. This journey is fraught with danger, but it also promises liberation from the shackles of reality and the possibility of discovering one's true nature.