The White Horse

Prophetic timeline from the ancient to the present

The painting above features prominently on the cover of “The Declined Soul and the New Economy.” While it appears far removed from ancient Greek philosophy, it harkens back to Plato’s Republic and the idea of balance in the psyche. Balance means that each part of the soul performs perfectly. The reasoning part that loves truth, wisdom, and clarity rules. The spirit (the fighter) is the source of courage, ambition, and righteous anger. It supports and enforces the judgments of reason. The appetite (the desirer), located in the belly, seeks pleasure, comfort, food, sex, and wealth, and has the job to obey and not to rule.

The wild, bellicose white horse and the vain rider exhibit elements that we do not want to emulate. They lead to parched ground and shifting sands.