I'd appreciate it if you could help me
When you think of the flowers from the medieval times, the rose probably isn't the first one that comes to mind.
For us today, almost every space on Earth is accessible if we choose to explore it. We've studied and understood celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars. However, to the people of the medieval era, spaces were divided into the "human space" and the "space of mysticism". Forests, for instance, were part of the latter.
People back then believed that the "space of mysticism" held unknown powers that determined all aspects of human life. As such, it was crucial for them to harmonize with these spaces. This belief explains the popularity of astrology then; they were trying to interpret the events in the "space of mysticism".
The prevailing thought during the medieval times was that a person's destiny was already determined by the stars under which they were born. The primary focus was on leading a safe life in the present world. Since success wasn't attributed to personal efforts, they relied on the "space of mysticism" for fortunes. Hence, they would make offerings to gods and prayed for good harvests or victories in battles.
It was only around the 15th century that people started to believe that they could shape their own destinies. Gradually, the idea of spaces governed by mysticism faded as Christianity spread, promoting the belief that the world existed for humans.
What about us in the modern era? The common belief now is that the outcomes of our lives are predominantly determined by personal efforts. We think, "He failed his exams because he didn't study hard enough" or "She's happy because she worked hard for it". This value of hard work is second nature to us.
But which perspective is better?
While a hard work ethic is generally more suitable for modern society, it has its pitfalls. When things go wrong, subscribing too deeply to this belief can lead to unnecessary self-blame.
Life presents many unexpected challenges, disasters, accidents, and failures. When the going gets tough, adopting a medieval perspective can offer some respite: "Not everything is my fault." This can lighten one's mood and bring back a positive outlook. Every value system has its merits, but clinging too much to any single one can make life harder. Embrace diverse perspectives for a well-rounded, fulfilling life.
