The Olive Tree is related to Athena and symbolises Divine wisdom.
Because she was born from the Head of Zeus, she is related to
the intelligible nature. The olive has a white part that is
raised upward in the Summer and downwards in the Winter and is therefore
similar to the movement of the soul through the two entrances, and
symbolises the alternation between light and dark. It symbolizes peace
and victory as the fruits of labour in the Olympiad of the soul: "Thus,
too, the world is governed by an intellectual nature, and is conducted
by a wisdom eternal and ever-flourishing; by which the rewards of
victory are conferred on the conquerors in the athletic race of life, as
the reward of severe toil and patient perseverance". (17)
"For in
summer the white leaves of the olive tend upwards, but in winter the
whiter leaves are bent downward. On this account also in prayers and
supplications, men extend the branches of an olive, nominating from this
that they shall exchange the sorrowful darkness of danger for the fair
light of security and peace. The olive, therefore being naturally
ever-flourishing, bears fruit which is the auxiliary of labour (by being
its reward , it is sacred to Minerva; supplies the victors in athletic
labours with crowns and affords a friendly branch to the suppliant
petitioner". (15)
In this cave all things must be
deposited in a process to purify the passions. According to Plato in
the Timaeus, Phorcys represents material nature. It is related that
Numenius gives a general interpretation of the Odyssey: "On this
account, too, a seat under the olive is proper to Ulysses, as to one who
implores divinity and would appease his natal daemon with a suppliant
branch. For it will not be simply, and in a concise way, possible for
anyone to be liberated from this sensible life, who blinds this daemon,
and renders his energies inefficacious; but he who dares to do this, will be pursued by the anger (note 25)
of the marine and material Gods, whom it is first requisite to appease
by sacrifices, labours, and patient endurance; at one time, indeed,
contending with the passions, and at another employing enchantments and
deceptions, and by these, transforming himself in an all-various manner;
in order that, being at length divested of the torn garments (by which
his true person was concealed) he may recover the ruined empire of his
soul. Nor will he even then be liberated from labours; but this will be
effected when he has entirely passed over the raging sea, and, though
still living, becomes so ignorant of marine and material works (through
deep attention to intelligible concern) as to mistake an oar for a
corn-van" (17).
Summary
A cavern at the top of a cliff :
The universe, matter
A stream of water flowing through:
Elements formed by matter
Marble beams where Naiads weave purple garments :
Souls descending into generation and acquiring body.
Naiads :
Related to human nature of incarnated souls
Marble Beams Bones Purple Garments Flesh Bowls and urns filled with honey provided by bees :
Earth symbols - Nutritive, generative and preservative powers of nature.
A North gate for mankind :
Tropic of Cancer -Summer, Moon, North gate where the souls descend.
South gate for immortals :
Tropic of Capricorn - Winter, Saturn, South gate of ascent.
An olive tree :
Related to Athena, Divine wisdom. Peace, Victory. The Intellectual Principle that governs nature.
Basically, theses images represent the process of the soul's descending incarnation from it's cosmic origin and it's experience in relation to natural process up to the point of disembodiment and return to it's cosmic origin.
In general, Porphyry explains these symbols in relation to traditional Greek religious symbols and other mystical traditions such as Mithraism and Orphism. The symbols are all implicitely related to the lesser mysteries in ancient traditions such the mysteries of Eleusis and Attis, related to processes of generation and fertility.
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