Mythology, Beauty and Reality
Harmonia: In Greek mythology, Harmonia is the immortal goddess of harmony and concord. Her Roman counterpart is Concordia, and her Greek opposite is Eris, whose Roman counterpart is Discordia.
So you think you know where this article is headed? Harmony and discord?! No, that is everywhere: at home, at work, in love, at the market, on the freeway. Don’t get me started on the interaction with children.
Now then, back to my story…. legend believes that Harmonia had a necklace that most people and theologians associate with her name. This magical necklace was highly coveted amongst women; for it was believed that who ever wore it would have eternal youth and beauty. However, the necklace was wrought with curses and disasters to any one who wore it.  Many tales involving Oedipus, Zeus, and Aprodite revolve around Harmonia’s infamous necklace.
So I wonder this, though this really has nothing to do with the state of the world today, it does have to do with the billions of dollars spent on anti-aging products by Americans. Eternal youth and beauty. The end all for so many women and men. The endless stream of reality shows based on beauty and good looks. Even though the economy is in a tail spin, we are still obsessed and will spend on our looks. Is botox the new necklace of Harmonia?
I wonder what the Greek gods would think of skinny models– the greek gods and goddesses all seemed rather robust to me. That was considered beauty. I wonder about eternal beauty, anyone who wore Harmonia’s necklace had ill fated consequences. With what we know about silicone, botox, restalyn, etc… I do see a parallel between the perils of seeking eternal beauty and Harmonia’s necklace. Meaning that perhaps not everyone should pursue the idea of beauty, but rather be beautiful from within. Instead of being like Aprodite, we should remember Gaia, after all she is Mother Earth. She is beauty. She could balance harmony and discord.
And as I sit here in awe of our “HeadMutha Rocky” she is to me, Gaia and Harmonia, with a little Aprodite thrown in the mix. But she, like the goddesses before her, are securing the earth, the beauty and the people in it. Bless your soul Rocky, you have and continue to change the world. You are most definitely- a beautiful person.
Kelley, thank you my dear friend.