I still occasionally get asked the ignorant question “Who is Reed?” in reference to the name of this website, a more accurate question would be “Who are Pan and Syrinx?”
Pan in Greek mythology was a companion to the nymphs; Syrinx was a nymph and follower of Artemis. Pan developed an infatuation with Syrinx, and prided upon his sexual prowess. He was convinced he could have her. Syrinx though would not give into his demands. He chased her down to the water’s edge, where she reached out to her friends the water nymphs. She begged to be transformed, and as Pan’s hand landed upon her they turned her to reeds. However, Pan’s cut down the reeds, and fashioned them into the Syrinx.
It could be said that Syrinx had more influence over Pan in “death”, as the Syrinx was noted continuously in Pan mythology. To the point where his pride in the notes played from her caused him to challenge Apollo’s musical ability. Pan in fact was rarely seen without the Syrinx. The story is beautifully twisted in it’s meaning and odd eternal stalemate. Syrinx surrenders herself to avoid the affection of Pan, only to become his most prized possession. Yet, Pan remains in love of the one he couldn’t have.
Little known to the world is that I’m a flautist. I was inspired to learn to play flute from an early age, one burning memory was receiving a doll in the form of Pan holding a tiny little Syrinx. A few years after beginning training in classical flute I began studying the Debussy solo, “Syrinx”. At this point I learned this sick little myth, and it’s made a point of following me ever since.
Shortly after beginning Underworld study in the Faery tradition I began doing deep totem seeking meditations. No surprise that I encountered Pan, and experienced the pursuit of Syrinx. 12 years later it is still one of my most powerful meditations to date. Syrinx remains a link to the archetypal Underworld, in psychology it would be termed the collective unconscious.
Funny enough Syrinx actually represents the inversion of my archetype. Most classic forms of Underworld meditation involve ego neutralization. Essentially the identity we carry in normal consciousness becomes it’s opposite. It should surprise no one that I’m a fire element, and my archetype is the phoenix. The flipside of that element is water and earth.
As with all things Pan it is easy to draw a sexual connotation to the Syrinx. The myth fits well with my conception of Domination and submission. Especially considering that my study of surrender and much of my spiritual pull in submission comes from a history in Underworld meditation. To get very abstract and theoretical, submission is another form of ego neutralization/dissolution; given that submission in BDSM is a surrender of will.
When I returned to the scene a little over a year ago I reconnected with this story, and it of course inspired the name of this website.
