The meaning of the lyrics of the song "The Flesh of the Gods" by the artist "Therion"

The lyrics of "The Flesh of the Gods" by the Swedish metal band Therion, imbued with imagery from Egyptian mythology and alchemy, present an ode to the Gnostic search for knowledge and the divine within.

The "abundant black earth," a metaphor for the fertile ground for the growth of consciousness, nourishes the "mind" that seeks knowledge. The "alchemical laboratory of nature" points to the natural process of transformation and transfiguration that takes place within the individual seeking truth. The "tunnels of Set," the god of chaos and change, symbolize the complex and nonlinear path to enlightenment, full of trials and the destruction of old beliefs.

The "serpent," an archetypal symbol of wisdom and knowledge, offers to "taste the fruit of knowledge," a direct allusion to the biblical story of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This act of tasting, as in Eden, promises transformation: "you will become like God" and gain the ability to "enter the starry heavens," that is, to reach a higher level of consciousness.

The "secret network" and "tunnels" where "the flesh of the gods grows" refer to hidden mystical knowledge and practices accessible only to initiates. "Earthly gods" and "the mind of a star" represent the unity of the material and the spiritual, the earthly and the heavenly.

The call to "taste the flesh of the gods" invites the listener to embrace the divine spark within, to unite with cosmic consciousness. The "ancient mysteries of paganism" are identified with forgotten knowledge about the nature of reality and the path of spiritual development. The "third eye" symbolizes enlightenment, intuition, and the ability to see hidden aspects of being.

The "stardust" that makes up the universe carries within it the "embryo of divinity," reminding us that we are all part of a single cosmic organism. "Immersion in dreams," the "continuum of space," and the "gates of time" point to the possibility of overcoming the limitations of ordinary perception and achieving an expanded state of consciousness.

The end of the song emphasizes that the "flesh of the gods" will enrich the mind and lead to spiritual transformation. Thus, Therion calls on the listener to embark on a path of self-discovery, comprehension of secret knowledge, and awakening of the inner deity.