| The story of Gilgamesh sets the stage for many other mythologies which follow in its footsteps, most importantly, the quest for immortality. Being only part-god, Gilgamesh knew he was going to die after losing his best friend Enkidu which caused him to go on a quest to seek the “Plant of Immortality.” Humbaba was the “guardian of the forest” and we know Lebanon was home to a cedar forest in ancient times, but the ancient people cut them all down and turned the forest into a desert. Gilgamesh decided to bring Enkidu along and slay Humbaba. The story of Gilgamesh is some of the earliest mythology of the Patriarchy, along with The Story of Creation, featuring Marduk and Tiamat, The Flood and the Creation of Man. Details beyond the central concepts of nature themes or immortality become confusing to the mind and then scholars add all types of interpretations to the details. That’s just embellishment or dressing. I don’t think that’s necessary if we just focus on the central core ideas being conveyed. It’s far more important to pay attention to the part where we read: “There is a plant... like a boxthorn, whose thorns will prick your hand like a rose.” That rose is mentioned over and over in mythology, religion, fairy tales and countless stories of fiction. The rose is another symbol for the mushroom. |