The Dragonslayer and the Hero's Path: 7 episodes
The Norse narrative, like so many traditions, follows the structure of the Hero's Path (see The Hero's Path). It begins with 7, the introduction of the goal (wholeness):
7. superordinate goal (spirit): The virgin in the castle of the rosy clouds
The youth recognises in a dream image the higher vision of love ("virgin") and eternal life.
1. personal decision for the path (awareness, vocation)
In a next step, he learns what he needs concretely to achieve the goal and he decides to fulfil the prerequisites to the best of his ability.
2. the first step on the path (initiation): the dragon serpent and the sword
His path begins with a concrete sign of surrender to the great feminine, life itself. He wins the miraculous sword and slays the dragon.
3. fire (desire), overcoming (desert): The red coat
The hero uses his body to save, provides active help and overcomes paralysis in his youthful strength and devotion.
4. devotion also in success (service): The white horse
Even in success, the true hero remains humble, helpful and does not impute evil.
5 Integration of Shadows (Trial by Fire): The Black Giant
Even in the face of death, he does not lose sight of his goal.
6th Holy Wedding and the Birth of the New / New Life
This is how he achieves his goal in the end. Virgo is a symbol for the positive female parts of the man's personality (anima). With her he gains pure love and thus access to the spirit and eternal life.
This completes the heroic path. It is the "masculine" path, in the sense, that is, the path of loving consciousness to wholeness. It leads out of the bondage to matter (black), into the fullness of spirit and life (white; see Male and Female - the Two Primordial Forces of Creation / The Sacred Marriage - Wh oleness / The creation of new reality - fruit of the unity of male and female.).