Characterisation of stages 3–17 from lanthanum to lutetium.
Jan Scholten compares the lanthanides with the myth of Heracles. The inner development is reflected in his life story. Heracles had to perform twelve labours to atone for his guilt. In order to recognise the inner world and one’s own shadow, the instincts must be overcome. These are symbolised as monsters which Heracles had to defeat, e.g. the boar, the lion and the hydra, the man-eating horses and, finally, Cerberus, the hellhound, as a metaphor for overcoming the fear of death.
