A question regarding a TOOL song?!
Question: The song named 46 & 2. What does 46 & 2 signify? I am a big time TOOL fan and usually can identify with the lyrical content. This has me stumped though. Thanks.
Answers: The song named 46 & 2. What does 46 & 2 signify? I am a big time TOOL fan and usually can identify with the lyrical content. This has me stumped though. Thanks.
The title references an idea first conceived by Drunvalo Melchizedek concerning the possibility of reaching a state of evolution at which the body would have two more than the normal 46 total chromosomes and leave a currently disharmonious state.[3] The premise is that humans would deviate from the current state of human DNA which contains 44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes. The next step of evolution would likely have 46 and 2 chromosomes in their DNA. Though this would give us 48 chromosomes - the same number as the chimpanzee.
Furthermore, the song references a wish to experience change through the "shadow"; an idea which represents the parts of one's personality that one hates and fears, which also exists as a recurring theme in the work of Carl Jung.[4] Along with this is the idea behind the anima/animus influences on human behavior. Again referencing the album title, the anima/animus is believed to be the subconscious influence on the dream patterns of human beings.
Basically, it's believed that there are three levels of human evolution and each has it's form of consciousness. There's the 1st level with 44 chromosomes. These are primitive people's like the aborigines in Australia who do not perceive anything outside of themselves. They only see one large consciousness with no distinguishment between organisms. Then there's the second level with 46 chromosomes. That is us. We are a chaotic disharmonic consciousness that is basically used as a stepping stone between the first and third levels. The third level is 48 chromosomes. (Or 46 & 2, with 2 being the sex chromosomes x & y). This is the higher level of consciousness. Our destination.
But this is where the Jungian theory comes in. It is believed that you can not reach this third level of evolution without first delving into yourself and basically cleansing your consciousness for the next jump. That's where the Shadow comes in. The shadow is basically everything about that is unseen that you are uncomfortable with or hate. This is also known as the Anima (hence the name of the CD).