The twelve virtually impossible tasks were the means of penance the Oracle of Delphi revealed to Hercules to regain peace of mind and to free himself from the guilt and remorse for having killed his wife and kids. The rampage was caused by a fit of madness induced by Hera. The labors were conceived by King Eurystheus, Hercules’ cousin and enemy, a Hera’s protégé.
Hercules felt powerless just like we do at times when the odds are overpowering. Some unfortunate individuals, when facing a crisis, are so overwhelmed that turn to substance abuse and or promiscuity and adultery. The lucky ones have family and friends capable to provide psychological support. These fortunate people will never know what it means to be powerless on a virtual suicidal path. The “sinners”, sometimes victims of unfair circumstances, have no other alternative but to follow twelve steps, difficult but necessary if survival is the goal.
One can easily see why Hercules’ twelve labors were the AA twelve steps of ancient Greece. Hercules had to look inward to find the skills needed, and get help from others to achieve his goal.
To slay the Nemean Lion with his bare hands because the lion couldn’t be killed by any weapons (mental and physical strength).
To slay the nine headed swamp monster, Hydra. If one head was cut off, two would grow in its place: the viciousness of substance abuse. Hercules used a torch to burn the neck to prevent head reproduction. He dipped his arrows into the Hydra’s poisonous blood for later use (ingenuity and smarts).
To capture the Golden Hind of Artemis, which ran as fast as an arrow. It took Hercules a full year to think like a stag to understand and find the way to catch it (patience and perseverance).
To capture the giant and dangerous Erymanthian Boar by pushing the animal into deep snow as advised by a wise centaur. (wisdom and listening skills)
To clean, in a single day, the Aegean stables filled with filth accumulated over the years. Hercules diverted two rivers whose waters went through the stables and washed them clean (humility, planning and executing).
To slay the man-eating Stymphalian Birds shooting the arrows earlier dipped into the Hydra’s poisonous blood (thinking ahead and learning from events in one’s life).
To capture the Cretan Bull with bare hands by tiring the bull to the point of exhaustion (patience).
To steal the mad Mares of Diomedes. Hercules employed some youths to learn his skills and better themselves (help and been helped).
To obtain the Girdle of the Amazon Queen, Hippolita who fell in love with Hercules’ looks and candor and gladly gave her girdle (charm and politeness).
To obtain the Cattle of the Monster Geryon who had one head, but six legs and six arms. Geryon shot arrows at Hercules but Hercules’ arrows were deadly being earlier dipped into the Hydra’s blood (self-defense).
To steal the Golden Apples of Hesperides by Hercules holding the heavens for Atlas while Atlas got the apples (cooperation).
To capture the three-headed monster dog Cerberus protecting the entrance to the underworld and then return the animal back as Hercules had promised Hades (upholding promises).
The twelve labors required:
To accept the problem
To realize a power bigger than oneself, God, can restore mental wellness
To choose to turn one’s life around
To analyze the situation to understand the cause/s
To create a successful plan of action
To humbly carry out the plan
To discover the hero within through prayer and introspection
To make a list of amends
To carry out the amends
To take a personal inventory toward self-improvement
To find inner peace
To help others who are facing similar problems
Hercules was not just antiquity’s role model and hero, but today’s. He, legend or legendary, still encourage the modern men and women to understand, to accept, to strive toward good, and to help others. The times have changed but the twelve labors are still here with us to restore to happiness and self-control what was once lost to weakness and pleasure.
