First and foremost, I agree the song is about his mummy, but I also think the lyrics have a dual meaning, and also apply in the following:

this part mimics Gnostic ideas, like the ones found in this text
( http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/origin.html )

The basic Idea is that 'Samael' is the agent acting as Satan, mostly from ignorance, and is proved wrong with a light.

thus follows....
now the tricky part to follow is this next step. the lyrics are...

Samael does indeed pray in the aforementioned text to Pistis Sophia, however I am making a leap that this part is spoken from Samael / Satan's point of view. essentially, Satan's recounting the experience of falling from ignorance and becoming redeemed by *God's* faith in Satan.

The dimmed daylight is the undivine light experienced during the separation from God. Essentially, Satan is following a Left Hand Path to God, whereas instead of denying self will to synchronise with God's will, Satan is purifying self will to synchronise.

Summing the idea so far for some clarity, Satan's fall from grace is a necessary step of spiritual creation, and in this fall, based in ignorance, Satan's experience of redemption is similar to a human's. there are 2 paths to salvation, and Satan's is the successful Left Hand Path.

The selfish question is in itself selfless, what should I say to these ghouls, or impure... the selfishness is asking "what is my role".

Pistis Sophia, or whatever you wish to call the progenitor of creation, is incapable of living a lie, however the duality of being may cause the telling of lies.
Also, this being does not 'live' as in fall from spirit, but certainly saves lives, specifically Satan's.

This is Maynard singing to what I'm calling Satan in this little expo.
Imagine a church of believers following the Left Hand Path, and imagine that that church fails just as much as any other.

I'd say this Maynard trying to keep focus within this sort of congregation.

the next bit is the best imo...

Basically this is following Satan's light or path to union with pure divinity.

You can follow the next set of lyrics as Maynard scoffing at the make-believers who are not essentially following the principle of purifying self in preparation of divine ascension, those who do not know anything but to be distracted by 'light' rather than use it as a tool for self cleansing.

The naming of Judith Marie is the only direct reference to his mum that does not have a dual meaning, imo, even though you could read it as a name of duality, 'Judith' and 'mary' being opposed female forces in one being,

This is a rather crude and narrow interpretation, but I hope it leaves an opening for people to see more duality in the lyrics rather than simply accepting one interpretation.

Cheers.

This is pretty deep, but not too far fetched. I like the Gnostic representation theory, because from what I read from your link, there is also a duality in the interpretation of the Gnostic writings! The duality is not only between maynard's experience with his religion and his mother, but it also exists between Gnosticism and Qabalism (whos themes seem to penetrate the entire album, and Lateralus) if you will:

"These are the seven forces of the seven heavens of chaos. And they were born androgynous, consistent with the immortal pattern that existed before them, according to the wish of Pistis: so that the likeness of what had existed since the beginning might reign to the end."

Imo, these correspond to the seven sephiroth in the tree of life. The Tree of Life is "a mystical symbol used in the Kabbalah of esoteric Judaism to describe the path to HaShem and the manner in which He created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing). The Kabbalists developed this concept into a full model of reality, using the tree to depict a map of Creation."

The "immortal pattern" could refer to the way Qabalists describe the "pattern" in which the universe was formed.

Also, the obvious relation between the "Immortal Father", Pistis (Faith), and Sophia (Wisdom) to that of the corresponding sephiroth on the tree of life.

"After the natural structure of the immortal beings had completely developed out of the infinite, a likeness then emanated from Pistis (Faith); it is called Sophia (Wisdom)."

Keter (Divine Creator/Supreme Total Consciousness) came first, then "He" created Chokmah (Wisdom), which gave way to Binah (Love), which could be interpreted as Faith since some would argue Faith is blind and requires the purity and the power of love to exist.

Excuse me if it seems like I'm getting off topic from the song, but it all comes together here shortly.

This holy pattern is referred to in Gnosticism, but it's worded differently. The general consensus seems to agree that the 17th path on the tree of life is referred to specifically in the album inserts (puzzle pieces?). Which connects Binah (love/understanding) to Tifareth (creative power). This is represented by the lovers, the twins in tarot, and also by the layout of lamps on the wall in Adam Jones pic when compared to Danny's pic with the tree of life hanging in the same spot. To connect, inside your body, your Love to your creative power is the essence of the artist to express himself purely. It's Tool saying, in a more complicated way, think for yourself, be individual and use your mind to connect the right power sources inside your body to produce that which will be known as The Great Work.

Thank you for this boost in interpretations.

Excellent ideas, I do think there are a range of modes of interpreting this duality in the lyrics. Qabala, Gnosticism, Jungian, etc all have a mode of

separation, repentance, trial, ascension

which is essentially the story in the lyrics.

What I take from it is actually much more simple but to me it just means that most couldn't compare to the faith that she had, she was a true believer and followed the ideals of her faith unlike the hypocrites who call themselves religious and righteous but don't follow the ideals and break and bend the rules while pointing fingers at others.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wings for Marie lyrics
A passionate spirit
Uncompromised
Boundless and open
A light in your eyes
Then immobilized.


Nah, i personally think u digging far too deep with this one - if you look at these lyrics it's pretty clearcut - His Mother was robbed of life, paralysed and just left to whither away....