life Guardian. #RNLI #lifesavers #searescue #whitsandsbay #cornwall #ocean #beach #photography #individuation #collectiveunconscious According to etymological history, one of the Latin origins of the word ‘guard’ is to “sit before, protect”. These men and women adorned in their bright, red, and yellow colours watch over those who wish to enter the mighty ocean. A place both equally hostile and healing to the human mind and body. They are rigorously prepared, both physically and mentally to interact with the ocean. Their senses and emotions are finely tuned to the Eb and flow of the tides, the pushing, pulling, ripping and towing of the currents. Their flags act as entry markers and symbols of reassurance that your being watched. Metaphysically speaking It is also widely considered that the ocean is a symbol of the human unconscious, and just Like its literal form, it too has the potential for both destruction and restoration. So next time you go into the sea, be aware that you’re not only stepping into a place that exists in space and time with all its vicissitudes, but also a metaphysical container of the greatest undifferentiated source of energy humankind has never known.