Aquilla A. Griffith

The name "Aquilla" is Latin, meaning "eagle," a symbol of vision, power, and ascension. "Griffith" is a Welsh patronymic, meaning "son of Griffin," a mythical creature associated with strength and guardianship. The combination suggests a noble, watchful spirit.

Aquilla A. Griffith (February 22, 1878–1947) was a lawyer and politician in Alabama. He served in the Alabama Senate. He also served as solicitor for Cullman County, Alabama. He was a Democrat. Born in Blountsville, Alabama, he graduated from Cumberland University. He also graduated from Blount College. In 1903, Griffith's law library burned in a train depot fire. In 1904 he married Lillie Johnson. He defeated incumbent James Edwin Horton. He was a member of the Masons and a Red Man. He was also...

The inclusion of Aquilla A. Griffith within an esoteric lexicon, despite his overt career in law and politics, invites a fascinating reconsideration of where the sacred might reside. Blavatsky's definition, a factual recounting of his earthly achievements, offers a stark contrast to the symbolic weight of his name. "Aquilla," the eagle, has long been a potent emblem across cultures, from the Roman legions to the alchemical pursuit of the "eagle" as a metaphor for the volatile spirit or the philosopher's mercury. It signifies keen sight, the ability to survey vast territories from a lofty vantage point, and a connection to the celestial realms.

Griffith's dual affiliations, the Masons and the Red Men, are crucial here. These fraternal organizations, while often secular in their public face, are steeped in ritual, symbolism, and a rich tradition of initiatory knowledge. They offer a framework for understanding the hidden architecture of the cosmos and the individual's place within it, echoing the Hermetic principle of "as above, so below." The esoteric student, encountering Griffith's name, might ponder the latent spiritual currents that flow beneath the surface of everyday life, the potential for the eagle's vision to inform the lawyer's judgment or the senator's policy.

Mircea Eliade, in his studies of shamanism and the sacred, often highlighted how individuals, even those seemingly bound to the material world, can act as conduits for transcendent forces. Griffith's name, a potent symbol of soaring perspective, suggests an inherent capacity for such a connection. His life, then, becomes a subtle reminder that the esoteric is not confined to cloistered studies but can manifest in the most unexpected of lives, waiting for the discerning eye to perceive its symbolic significance. The lawyer's brief, the politician's speech, can, in this light, become an arena for the eagle's descent into the world of form.

RELATED_TERMS: Eagle, Symbolism, Hermeticism, Masons, Esoteric Psychology, Archetypes, Higher Self, Consciousness ---