The meaning of the lyrics of the song "To Shine Forever" by the artist "Therion"

The lyrics of Therion's "To Shine Forever," specifically Scene 4 of Picture 26, depict the transcendent ascension of Seth and Joanna, symbolizing the union of opposites – light and darkness, love and loss, masculine and feminine.

The rising of Seth and Joanna marks their liberation from earthly existence and their transition into a higher reality. The presence of the spirits Sophia and Helena, representing wisdom and beauty, along with the angel and the demon, emphasizes the idea that all dualities merge into oneness on this transcendent level. Their united singing of the union with love, "as if there had been no loss and bitterness," indicates that in this higher reality, there is no place for suffering and separation.

The image of "light changing to darkness" that engulfs Seth and Joanna reinforces the idea of the merging of opposites. Light and darkness, traditionally perceived as antagonists, are presented here as two sides of the same coin, necessary for achieving wholeness. The remaining "brightly shining star" symbolizes the eternity and imperishability attained by Seth and Joanna in their new state.

The singing of Mara and Agnessa about the "gaze dissipating, striving for eternity" and "dreams in our hearts" emphasizes the idea that true reality lies beyond earthly existence, and our dreams are glimpses of this eternal reality.

The image of the "ageless cup of light" that must be overturned to "fall like stars through time into the night" is a metaphor for overcoming the limitations of time and space. The call to "run and flow until dawn" and "rise in all your glory in the divine darkness" urges us to cast aside our fear of the unknown and embrace the transformation that leads to eternal shining.

The farewell of the angel, Mara, and Agnessa can be interpreted as a farewell to the old, limited reality and a welcome to the new, eternal one.