spiritual symbolism of the sun and moon

7/23/2019 Spiritual Symbolism of the Sun and Moon

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New Lectures on the Ancient Wisdom--No 3

SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM

of the

SUN AN MOON

!"

AL#IN BOY $U%N& Ph' '

()ectronic*))" t"+ed *nd edited !" ,u*n Schoch for educ*tion*) rese*rch +ur+oses' I c*n

!e cont*cted *t +c3.!e))south'net' I wi)) !e /re*t)" inde!ted to the indi0idu*) who c*n +ut me in touch with the (st*te of r' A)0in Bo"d $uhn *nd1or *n" of the fo))owin/

wor2s

The Mi/ht" S"m!o) of the %ori4on& N*ture *s S"m!o)& The Tree of $now)ed/e& The

Re!e))ion of the An/e)s& The Ar2 *nd the e)u/e& The True Me*nin/ of 5enesis& The

L*w of the Two Truths& At Si6es *nd Se0ens& Ad*m O)d *nd New& The Re*) *nd the

Actu*)& Immort*)it" Yes - But %ow7& The Mumm" S+e*2s *t L*st& S"m!o)ism of the8our ()ements& Throu/h Science to Re)i/ion& 9re*tion in Si6 *"s7& Rudo)+h Steiner:s

;M"ster" of 5o)/oth*;& $rishn*murti *nd Theoso+h"& A' B' $uhn:s /r*du*tion *ddress *t9h*m!ers!ur/ Ac*dem" ;The L"re of Or+heus;& A' B' $uhn:s un+u!)ished*uto!io/r*+h"& 5re*t P*n Returns'

SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM O8 T%( SUN AN MOON

<<<<<<<<

I h*0e found * most fittin/ introduction to the theme *nd sentiment of our *ddress this

e0enin/ in the !e*utifu) )itt)e 0erse of Wordsworth which he c*))s %e*rt)e*+ We))

M" he*rt )e*+s u+ when I !eho)d

A r*in!ow in the s2"=



So w*s it when I w*s * chi)d=

So is it now I *m * m*n=

So sh*)) it !e when I /row o)d&--

Or )et me die>

The chi)d is f*ther of the m*n&

And I cou)d wish m" d*"s to !e

Bound e*ch to e*ch in n*tur*) +iet"'

There *re two thin/s in this )itt)e /em of sentiment th*t *re worth" of our *ttention *t the

outset of this )ecture' The one is the +oet:s u+)ift th*t his )ife !e continu*))" sweetened*nd dee+ened !" the emotions of * ;n*tur*) +iet"'; The de0e)o+ment of re)i/ion under

9hristi*n *us+ices h*s se0ered it ?uite dr*stic*))" from its ori/in*) 2inshi+ with n*ture&*nd it is the +ur+ose *nd 2e"note of this )ecture to re0i0e some of the +rimordi*) )in2s of

re)*tionshi+ !etween the re)i/ious emotions in m*n:s he*rt *nd the +henomen* of the

e6tern*) wor)d' 8or re)i/ion once owned to * c)ose *ffinit" with n*tur*) e0ents *nd thecourse of the so)*r "e*r' The 9hurch *nd the 0*rious re)i/ions sti)) ho)d the thin cords of

th*t !ond of 2inshi+ !etween the su!@ecti0e *nd the o!@ecti0e wor)ds in their c*)end*r of

"e*r)" festi0*)s' But to * distressin/ e6tent either the 0er" d*tin/s of these festi0*)s h*0e

!een mis+)*ced& or the inner +ur+ort of the ce)e!r*tions h*s effer0esced out ofecc)esi*stic*) 2now)ed/e& *nd the /re*t round of +*/*n festi0*)s in the "e*r is reduced to *

mere)" nomin*) +)*ce in the re)i/ious )ife' This is !ec*use the /re*t fund*ment*) te*chin/

of the Ancient Wisdom& th*t !oth *stronomic*) *nd n*tur*) +henomen* *re * ref)ection*nd e+itome of m*n:s s+iritu*) histor"& h*s !een )ost out of current 2now)ed/e'

If I m*" m*2e * +erson*) reference for * moment& I desire to st*te th*t m" own disco0er"&*s * resu)t of rese*rch into (/"+to)o/"& of the *m*4in/ re+roduction of m*n:s s+iritu*) )ife

in the mo0ements of our two /re*t he*0en)" nei/h!ors& the sun *nd the moon& h*s !een

+erh*+s the

c)im*ctic re*)i4*tion in * who)e )on/ series of *stoundin/ re0e)*tions which weredisc)osed to m" mind in recent stud" of re)i/ious ori/ins' Words indeed f*i) me in the

effort to con0e" to *nother mind the 0erit*!)e tr*nsfi/ur*tion of m" own +hi)oso+hic

mind& m" conce+tion of )ife *nd re)i/ion& *s the truth em!odied in so)*r *nd )un*rmo0ements )itt)e !" )itt)e too2 form in m" com+rehension' It w*s& to s*" the )e*st& *n

i))umin*tion so f)*shin/ *s to stun *nd !enum! m" thin2in/& *s if I h*d !een !rou/ht f*ce

to f*ce with the entire /)or" of truth in one sudden f)*re' If co)d words wi)) en*!)e me to

im+*rt to "our minds * fr*ction of wh*t h*s !een m" own inte))ectu*) e6+erience in



de*)in/ with this m*teri*)& I m*" e6+ress the ho+e th*t whene0er here*fter "ou !eho)d the

moon in the ni/ht)" s2"& "ou& )i2e Wordsworth *t si/ht of the r*in!ow& m*" !e mo0ed !"

fee)in/s *nd intim*tions of the utmost +rofundit" *nd /ri++in/ +ower' 5od set these )i/htsin the he*0ens& not mere)" *s )*m+s unto our +h"sic*) feet !" ni/ht *nd !" d*"& !ut in *

f*r dee+er sense to 2ee+ us mort*)s en)i/htened !" their *stonishin/ re0e)*tion of our

cosmic *nd s+iritu*) histor"' 8or the sun *nd moon to/ether tr*ce in the o+en !oo2 of thes2ies e*ch month *nd e*ch "e*r the entire n*rr*ti0e of our inner e6+erience'

The *++*rentC *nnu*) re0o)ution of the sun *!out the e*rth& or more +ro+er)" the courseof the sun throu/h the four se*sons or four ?u*rters twe)0e si/nsC of the 4odi*c& w*s the

entire s"m!o)ic*) !*sis of *ncient re)i/ious s"stem*tism' The di0init" in m*n w*s t"+ed

!" the sun& *nd the sun:s "e*r)" e6+erience in its @ourne"in/ w*s m*de the outw*rd

t"+o/r*+h of the e6+erience of the s+irit in mort*) m*n' As the sun descended into thed*r2 re*)m of winter& died *nd w*s !uried out of si/ht& to !e re0i0ed *nd r*ised u+ */*in

to /)or" in the 0ern*) e?uino6& so the /od descended into the de+ths of ni/ht *nd winter in

m*tter& )ost his di0ine n*ture *nd died on the cross of inc*rn*tion& to rise */*in& *s did

Osiris in (/"+t& ;on the third d*" in the moon'; The new moon w*s !orn on the third d*"of the d*r2 +eriod' And this& !e it 2nown on *uthorit"& w*s the ori/in of the three d*"s

durin/ which *)) S*0iors in *ncient scri+tures re+osed in the tom! of de*th'

The 4odi*c*) ch*rt is di0ided into four ?u*rters to m*tch the four se*sons& the four

c*rdin*) +oints& *nd the fourfo)d se/ment*tion of m*n:s n*ture' At the @unction +oints ofe*ch two of these di0isions& or *t the two so)stices *nd e?uino6es& the *ncients ce)e!r*ted

the four /re*t re)i/ious festi0*)s of the "e*r' In ,une c*me the /re*t 8ire-festi0*)& s"m!o)ic

of the hi/hest e6+ression of the fier" n*ture of deit"= in Se+tem!er c*me the festi0*) th*t

commemor*ted the inc*rn*tion& under wh*te0er n*me= in ecem!er w*s ce)e!r*ted theend of the d*r2 ni/ht of de*th& *nd the !irth or ?uic2enin/ of the Sun-/od to new )ife= *nd

*t the 0ern*) e?uino6 in M*rch fo))owed the @o"ous festi0*) of the !urstin/ of the !*rs of

de*th in

D

m*tter& or the resurrection' (*ch of these w*s of c*rdin*) im+ort*nce *nd si/nific*nce= "et

it mi/ht !e s*id th*t of the four the *utumn *nd s+rin/ occ*sions were the ones of +rim*r"

r*tin/' The" se0er*))" s"m!o)i4e the descent of the /od into inc*rn*tion *nd his re-*risin/

*fter ;de*th'; The" thus t"+if" de*th *nd re!irth in the s+iritu*) )ife of m*n'

The 8ire-festi0*) of *ncient d*"s in ,une h*s +*ssed ?uite out of modern 2en' Our 8ourth

of ,u)" ce)e!r*tion& with its +"rotechnics *nd o)d-time !onfires& h*s ch*nced to come in&for Americ*& with * cert*in *++ro+ri*teness not dre*med of !" the /ener*) mind' Of the

/re*t *utumn*) festi0*) commemor*tin/ the de*th of the /od *s he s*n2 !e)ow the

hori4on& the m*in sur0i0*) is& *)) unsus+ected& our %*))owe:en mummer"' It w*sdesi/n*ted Mich*e)m*s& *s Mich*e) is from the (/"+ti*n M*2hu& the /od of the hori4on

or the !*)*nce' The +ro+er ce)e!r*tion of %*))owe:en or A)) Sou)s: Ni/ht h*s +reser0ed

fe*tures of the *ncient re)i/ious s"m!o)o/" which *re of e6treme si/nific*nce' The

+u!)ic:s tot*) i/nor*nce of the hidden me*nin/ of these mummeries s+e*2s 0o)u!)" *s to



the dec*" of *ncient wisdom *nd * 2now)ed/e of the forms under which it w*s de+icted'

The we*rin/ of m*s2s& which were ori/in*))" those of *nim*) f*ces& si/nified the

incor+or*tion of the /od or sou) th*t c*me from s+iritu*) re*)ms in the !od" of *n *nim*)'The mummer" de+icted the sou)s *s hidin/ themse)0es !ehind the outw*rd m*s2 of *n

*nim*):s !od"> We& the /ods& c*me to e*rth *nd m*de the !odies of *nim*)s our

h*!it*tion' These were the ;co*ts of s2in; th*t 5enesis descri!es the (tern*) *s m*2in/for Ad*m *nd (0e in the (denic d*"s' As the /od too2 residence in the !odies of the

)ower r*ce which he c*me to u+)ift& it w*s * most n*tur*) form of t"+o)o/" to +icture him

*s )oo2in/ out u+on the wor)d throu/h the /rim*cin/ fe*tures of some *nim*)' The)udicrousness of the m*s2s w*s desi/ned to !eto2en the distortion *nd s*d disfi/urement

of the !e*ut" of the /od *s his intrinsic*))" di0ine n*ture c*me to e6+ression d*r2ened

*nd corru+ted !" the *nim*) medium throu/h which it +*ssed into concrete e6+ression'

%ere is the )on/-)ost me*nin/ of the m*s2s of %*))owe:en'

T*2e ne6t the di0ided *nd !i-co)ored suits worn !" the %*))owe:en ce)e!r*nts' Wh*t is the

em!)emism !*c2 of these7 It is not )ess interestin/ th*n th*t of the m*s2s' It w*s desi/ned

to re+resent the f*ct th*t the /od& * unit n*ture on his own +)*ne& s+)it or !ifurc*ted intodu*)it" when he inc*rn*ted' A /re*t (/"+ti*n 0erse re*ds ;The sou) m*2es the @ourne"

throu/h Ament* inc*rn*te )ifeC in the two h*)0es of se6'; There is * /re*t truth !*c2 ofthis st*tement' Indeed it is the /re*t m"ster" of hum*n )ife' Before inc*rn*tion& we& *s

s+irits& were *ndro/"ne& or !iune in se6' Se6 +ert*ins to the +h"sic*) !od"& *nd the sou)&

which is se6)ess& recei0es * se6u*) differenti*tion !" 0irtue of its comin/ to inc*rn*tion in* !od"' But the !ifurc*tion rises to e0en hi/her si/ni-

3

fic*nce when it is seen to connote *)so m*n:s du*)it" *s * cre*ture of com!ined +h"sic*)

*nd s+iritu*) n*tures' %um*nit" is di0ided into m*)e *nd fem*)e& in outer form= it is *)so

di0ided in e*ch indi0idu*) !etween the two wor)ds of s+irit *nd m*tter' M*n is the resu)tof the union of * sou) or imm*teri*) +rinci+)e of inte))i/ence with * /ross !od"' This

du*)it"& *)on/ with the se6u*) du*)it" of the r*ce& is t"+ed !" the di0ided suit of the

%*))owe:en s"m!o)ism'

Then we h*0e the /re*t festi0*) of (*ster t"+in/ the resurrection of de*d )ife on *))

+)*nes' And how do we /i0e e6+ression to the me*nin/7 9hief)" in the outw*rd form of

!ri/ht new s+rin/ c)othin/> This is not mere)" * soci*) custom' It *rose out of the *rch*ics"m!o)o/"& when m*n thou/ht it fittin/ to imit*te n*ture& who w*s then c)othin/ herse)f

*new in the !ri/ht /)ories of s+rin/tide' Ponder * moment o0er the ide*& *nd "ou wi)) !e

*!)e to see *n infinite de+th of new me*nin/ in this custom of c*stin/ off o)d /*rments*nd comin/ out in new ones' One of the se0er*) re*sons wh" the sn*2e w*s * s"m!o) of

the resurrection w*s his s)ou/hin/ *nd se)f-renew*) in the s+rin/time' The entire +rocess

of e0o)ution in the hum*n c"c)e is to !e consumm*ted *t our (*ster !" our c*stin/ off theo)d /*rment of mort*)it"& the !od" of f)esh& *nd st*ndin/ forth tr*nsfi/ured in the r*di*nt

!od" of so)*r /)or"& our s+iritu*) house not m*de with h*nds'



(*ster is ri/ht)" the consumm*te festi0*) of hum*n @o"& !ec*use it si/n*)i4es the /od:s

re)e*se from his im+risonment in * !od" of wh*t w*s to him 0irtu*))" de*th' ;Who sh*))

de)i0er me from the !od" of this de*th7;--cries P*u)& referrin/ to his inc*rn*tion' ;Out ofthe !e))" of de*th h*0e I cried unto thee& O 5od&; echoes ,on*h from the de+ths of this

w*ter" /r*0e of the !od"--The !od" of m*n is c)ose to EFG w*ter>C' The o++osite side of

the "e*r& then& must h*0e !een the se*son of /rief *nd sorrow o0er the /od:s descent froms+iritu*) freedom into the !ond*/e of ;(/"+t&; or the hum*n !od"' Our mort*) !odies *re

the ;f)esh-+ots of (/"+t>;C And so we find it in the *ncient d*"s' In o)d s"stems *nd cu)ts

there were ce)e!r*ted 0*rious festi0*)s *++ro+ri*te to this moti0e' Si/nific*nt)" there w*s* three-d*"s festi0*) of mournin/ for the de*th of the /od *round the d*te of the *utumn

e?uino6= )i2ewise * se0en-d*"s festi0*) of the s*me +ur+ort= *nd * fort"-d*"s festi0*)

e?ui0*)ent to Lent' The se0en-d*"s festi0*) w*s c*))ed in 9hristi*n times the 8etes de

Tene!res& * 8rench n*me for 8esti0*) of *r2ness' It commemor*ted the sou):s s*d entr"u+on its d*r2 ni/ht of !odi)" inc*rn*tion'

Now *)) three of these *ncient *utumn*) festi0*)s which !ew*i)ed the sou):s descent into

the re*)ms *)w*"s descri!ed in the s*cred !oo2s *s ;de*th&; h*0e !een continued !" the9hristi*n 9hurch& !ut !" * str*n/e

H

misc*rri*/e of their +rim*) intent& the" h*0e !een tr*nsferred o0er into the o++osite sideof the "e*r& where the" h*0e no *++ro+ri*teness *nd where the" *re /)*rin/)" out of +)*ce'

This h*s !een due to the )oss of the ori/in*) me*nin/ of the ce)e!r*tions with the dec*" of

*)) *ncient theo)o/" d*tin/ from the third centur" on' 9hristi*nit" h*s so f*r missed the

inter+ret*tion of o)d s"m!o)s *nd so f*r drifted *w*" from so)*r re)i/ion th*t it h*s +ost+oned the se*son set *side for )*mentin/ the de*th *nd !uri*) of our s+iritu*) Lord

unti) th*t se*son in which *)) n*ture is in the midst of her renew*) *nd resurrection' It

sure)" is no time to !ew*i) the !uried 2in/ of )ife when he is *)re*d" emer/in/ from histom!> The fit time for th*t is in ;the me)*ncho)" d*"s; of *utumn'

But the 9hristi*ns were +ro!*!)" mo0ed !" the consider*tion th*t ;A)):s we)) th*t endswe))&; for the" *rr*n/ed e*ch of the three +eriods *t such * time th*t the conc)udin/ d*"

of e*ch one f*))s u+on (*ster' This is the on)" +ossi!)e @ustific*tion for +)*cin/ the

festi0*)s of mournin/ in the s+rin/& n*me)"& th*t their ni/ht of mournin/ c*n !e /)orious)"

termin*ted in the re@oicin/ on (*ster morn' And this is the on)" consider*tion th*t s*0esthe 9hristi*n 9hurch from the commission of * fri/htfu) *n*chronism in its c*)end*r of

festi0*)s'

We h*0e seen one of the ori/ins of the three-d*"s +eriod in the tom! *nother *nd more

*!struse one h*s !een e)*!or*ted in other )ecturesC' It is desir*!)e now to tr*ce the ori/in

of the P*ssion Wee2 of se0en d*"s& the *ncient 8etes de Tene!res& *nd *)so the ori/in ofthe fort" d*"s of Lent'

To e6+)*in fu))" the si/nific*nce of the num!er se0en *nd its *++)ic*tion to the sufferin/s

of the 9hrist wou)d t*2e no )ess th*n * 0o)ume in itse)f' Suffice it to s*" with the utmost



!re0it" th*t the di0ine )ife in *nd !*c2 of e0o)ution stru//)ed u+ throu/h si6 2in/doms of

n*ture& three su!-miner*)& the miner*)& the 0e/et*!)e *nd the *nim*)& !efore *tt*inin/ to

the e6+ression of its )*tent deific force in the se0enth or hum*n st*/e& wherein the /odm*2es his de!ut u+on the scene of inc*rn*te e6istence' %ence in *)) f*!)es *nd m"ths the

/ods *++e*r in * se0enth e+och& +eriod or c"c)e& *s in the 5enesis *ccount of the finishin/

of cre*tion on the si6th d*"' A series of o)d *))e/ories +)*ced the risin/ of the S*0ior outof de*th on the se0enth morn& *nd this construction the 9hristi*ns fo))owed in the

institution of P*ssion Wee2'

The Lenten +eriod of fort" d*"s h*s two m"tho)o/ic*) ori/ins' 8irst it w*s deri0ed from

the (/"+ti*n */ricu)ture& where the seed w*s in the /round fort" d*"s !efore /ermin*tin/'

As the seed in the soi) w*s * n*tur*) fi/ure for the sou) in inc*rn*tion& the +eriod of

incu!*tion w*s tr*nsferred to the s+iritu*) *))e/or"' Thus the 9hristi*ns themse)0es*nnounce three different +eriods of the /od:s !uri*) or de*th in m*tter--

three& se0en *nd fort" d*"s--* definite +roof th*t the e0ent c*n not !e historic*)'

A second ori/in deri0es it from *nother n*tur*) +henomenon of incu!*tion& the fort"

wee2s s+ent !" the hum*n foetus in the wom!' As fort" wee2s w*s too )*r/e * +ortion of

the "e*r to de0ote to * commemor*tion of one +h*se of the s+iritu*) dr*m*& the t"+ic*)fort" d*"s were su!stituted& the num!er *)one !ein/ si/nific*nt' And *fter *))& wh*t more

n*tur*) * t"+o)o/" of the inc*rn*tion cou)d !e found th*n the foet*) c"c)e7 -(TAOIN UN

This num!er fort"--which occurs scores of times in O)d *nd New Test*ment *))e/orism&--h*s !een ret*ined *t se0er*) other +oints in the 9hristi*n "e*r' %*))owe:en h*s !een +)*ced

@ust fort" d*"s +*st the *utumn e?uino6& *nd the festi0*) of 9*nd)em*s& or the Purific*tion

of the 0ir/in& fo))owin/ the !irth of the 9hristos& f*))s on 8e!ru*r" D& @ust fort" d*"s *fter9hristm*s' A)so Whitsuntide f*))s fort" d*"s *fter the *scension' But from these

ce)e!r*tions more or )ess of the *ncient si/nific*nce of the num!er h*s dis*++e*red'

8rom 5er*)d M*sse":s Ancient (/"+t& the Li/ht of the Wor)d +' JHC we t*2e the

fo))owin/ si/nific*nt +*ss*/e

;But there w*s * di0ersit" of o+inion *mon/st the 9hristi*n 8*thers *s to whether ,esusthe 9hrist w*s !orn in the winter so)stice or in the 0ern*) e?uino6' It w*s he)d !" some

th*t the D of M*rch w*s the n*t*) d*"' Others m*int*ined th*t this w*s the d*" of the

inc*rn*tion' Accordin/ to 9)ement of A)e6*ndri* the !irth of ,esus too2 +)*ce u+on the Dof M*rch' But in Rome the festi0*) of L*d" *" w*s ce)e!r*ted on the D of M*rch in

commemor*tion of the mir*cu)ous conce+tion in the wom! of the 0ir/in& which 0ir/in

/i0es !irth to the chi)d *t 9hristm*s& nine months *fterw*rd' Accordin/ to the /os+e) of,*mes 9h' EC it w*s in the e?uino6& *nd conse?uent)" not *t 9hristm*s& th*t the 0ir/in

!irth too2 +)*ce';



This +*ss*/e is 0*)u*!)e from m*n" +oints of 0iew& *nd shou)d +ut *n end fore0er to the

notion th*t the 9hristi*n 9hristm*s festi0*) h*s *n"thin/ to do with commemor*tin/ the

!irth of * +erson*) !ein/ from * hum*n mother' It w*s +ure)" *n *stronomic*) ce)e!r*tion'Indeed when it w*s offici*))" set !" decree of Po+e ,u)ius in the "e*r 3H A''& it w*s

+)*ced on ecem!er D e6+ress)" to m*tch the *stronomic*) d*te of the !irth of Mithr*

*nd ion"sus in the M"ster" cu)ts> It w*s the +*/*ns who set the d*te for 9hristm*s>

T*2in/ our rou/h di*/r*m of the 4odi*c *nd its four ?u*rters& we m*" see se0er*) )*r/e

s+iritu*) f*cts which *re fruitfu) for our instruction'

K

The four ?u*rters t"+e the fourfo)d n*ture of m*n& or his four !odies& the +h"sic*) e*rthC&the *str*) or emotion*) w*terC& the ment*) *irC& *nd the s+iritu*) fireC' The di0ine s+irit

in m*n )i0es in these four she*ths& which inter+enetr*te e*ch other in the fie)d of the

+h"sic*) !od"' It )i0es in the four !ec*use it h*s !ui)t them u+ in its @ourne" throu/h the

round of the e)ements& !ui)din/ * form in *nd of the m*tter of e*ch' To cont*ct those foure)ement*) wor)ds it h*d to e0o)0e *n or/*nism of the m*teri*) of e*ch' The sun& tr*0ersin/

the four ?u*rters of the 4odi*c& is * /)"+h of this e0o)ution*r" @ourne" of the hum*n sou)throu/h the four wor)ds or e)ements' To s"m!o)i4e this /re*t f*ct& the "e*r& the month

)un*rC *nd the d*" were e*ch di0ided into * fourfo)d section& *nd the "e*r *nd the d*"

*ddition*))" /i0en * twe)0e-fo)d +*rtition& i'e'& the twe)0e months *nd the twe)0e hours& of d*" *nd ni/ht' The )un*r months /i0e us se0en d*"s in e*ch ?u*rter& *nd twent"-ei/ht is

the num!er of the /est*tion +eriod& in d*"s& of m*n" *nim*)s'

A)) this numero)o/" *nd +eriodicit" is +*rt of the /re*t si/nific*nt f*ct th*t the *ncientss*w in the mo0ements of the sun *nd moon * counter+*rt or *n*)o/ue of the s+iritu*)

histor" of *)) men' With n*ture:s *id the" wrote the dr*m* of hum*n )ife on the o+en

t*!)et of the s2"' Or r*ther& it mi/ht !e s*id& the" deci+hered the h*ndwritin/ of mothern*ture herse)f in the s2ies& her stenci)s !ein/ the sun *nd moon'

Then we h*0e *)so the c"c)e of the 5re*t Ye*r& * +eriod of D&EKE "e*rs& me*sured !" thetot*) +recession of the e?uino6es throu/h the entire twe)0e si/ns& /i0in/ us the different

*stronomic*) ;A/es'; (*ch of these twe)0e di0isions )*sted D "e*rs= *nd the *ncient

s*/es re+resented the Messi*h *s comin/ *t the !e/innin/ of e*ch new A/e under the

form of the si/n' In Li!r* he c*me *s the Lord of the B*)*nce& or the $in/ ofRi/hteousness= in Scor+io he c*me *s the di0ine Scor+ion& to stin/ the /od into

inc*rn*tion*) Lethe from which he w*s to *w*2e on 9hristm*s in his ?uic2enin/ to )ife=

in S*/itt*rius he c*me *s the h*)f-*nim*) Archer *imin/ *t the dist*nt /o*) of unific*tionof his two e)ements= in 9*+ricorn he c*me *s the mount*in /o*t sc*)in/ the hei/hts of the

s+irit= in A?u*rius he w*s the W*ter-Pourer& or uni0ers*) ser0er= in Pisces he c*me *s the

Ichth"s& the di0ine 8ish& *s the food of m*n= in Aries the r*m or L*m! of 5od& s*crificedfor the wor)d= in T*urus& *s the 5o)den Bu)) or 9*)f& the m*)e 9ow of )ife *nd +)ent" of

*ncient (/"+t= in 5emini *s the two di0ine twins& the /od in his !iune form& the one of

which& )i2e ,ohn the B*+tist decre*ses *s the other incre*ses= in 9*ncer *s the 5ood

Sc*r*! or Beet)e& t"+e of the se)f-renewin/ di0ine )ife= in Leo *s the )ion of the house of



,ud*h= in #ir/o *s the shoot of the 0ine& conste))*ted in this si/n in o)d 4odi*cs' ,esus of

5*)i)ee c*me *t or ne*r the !e/innin/ of the Pisce*n er*= his fo))owers were c*))ed the

Piscicu)i )itt)e fishesC *nd his disci+)es were fi/ured *s rude fisherm*n' As we h*0e nowentered the

J

A?u*ri*n A/e& the Messi*h shou)d !e re-ch*r*ctered to conform to *ncient us*/e' %e

shou)d !e the W*term*n& or dis+enser of the w*ter of )ife *nd uni0ers*) )o0e'

But on)" now& on to+ of *)) this +re)imin*r" so)*r s"m!o)ism& do we +)un/e into the he*rt

of those *m*4in/ *n*)o/ies th*t m*2e the sun *nd moon the ce)esti*) writers of our

histor"' We must de)ine*te sh*r+)"& first& the ch*r*cters +)*"ed !" the two or!s& *s e*chst*nds& !oth in f*ct *nd in s"m!o)o/"& for cert*in definite tr*its& e)ements *nd n*tures in

our constitution' Let us )oo2 *t these se0er*))"' The sun t"+es our di0init"& the moon our

*nim*)it"= the sun the sou)& the moon the !od"' As *)) s+irit is m*scu)ine& the sun is of th*t

/ender& the moon fem*)e& the wom*n' The so)*r /od em!odies the +ositi0e ener/ies of)ife& the moon the ne/*ti0e' The sun:s essence is fier"& the moon is s"m!o)ed !" w*ter' We

mi/ht t*!u)*te this *s fo))ows for re*dier c)*ssific*tion

T%( SUN'

T%( MOON'

The /od'

The *nim*)'

S+irit'

Ph"sic*) m*tter'

Sou)'

Bod"'

Positi0e'

Ne/*ti0e'

M*scu)ine= m*n' 8eminine= wom*n'

8ire' W*ter'

A//ressi0e& )i/ht-/i0in/' Rece+ti0e& )i/ht-recei0in/'

%e*0en)" )ife'

(*rth)" )ife'



S+irit !od"'

Astr*) !od"'

The sun is our )i/ht !" d*"& the moon !" ni/ht& *nd in the )*r/e cosmic sense d*" s"m!o)sour )ife in the ce)esti*) wor)ds or the em+"re*n when not inc*rn*ted' Ni/ht is the definite

s"m!o) of our !odi)" inc*rn*tion' Our d*" is s"m!o)ic*) on)"C of our )ife *s +ure s+irit=

ni/ht !eto2ens the su!@ection of our s+irits to the /)oom *nd d*r2ness of inc*rn*tion' Thiswi)) !e seen in im+ort*nt connections in * few minutes' In the d*"time we recei0e the

r*"s of our s+iritu*) )ife direct)"= !" ni/ht we /et them on)" second*ri)" *nd !" ref)ection'

And here is the !e/innin/ of the /re*t s"m!o)ism of the moon' It is * ref)ector of the sun:s

)i/ht& *nd this ref)ection is m*de *t ni/ht& when the sun is out of si/ht of m*n> The moonis our sun-!"-ni/ht& *nd it is we)) to de)0e more dee+)" into the im+)ic*tions of this

d*tum' The moon con0e"s to us the sun:s )i/ht in our d*r2ness' Wh*t does this me*n on *

wider sc*)e of 0*)ues7 It me*ns this *s the ni/ht t"+ifies our time of inc*rn*tion& the

diminished so)*r )i/ht ref)ected on the )un*r surf*ce is *n inde6 of the f*ct th*t !" nome*ns the fu)) +ower *nd r*di*nce of the sun our di0ine )i/ht or s+iritC c*n f*)) u+on us

or shine for us whi)e in the )ife in !od"' As the moon st*nds for the !od"& the ref)ected)i/ht of the sun u+on it *nd from

E

it to us& !eto2ens th*t we c*n h*0e *ccess on)" to *s much of the s+iritu*) /)or" *s our

!odies c*n /i0e +*ss*/e to& or /i0e e6+ression to& or !ecome susce+ti!)e to' In inc*rn*tion

we *re in s+iritu*) d*r2ness& or h*0e *ccess on)" to th*t s+iritu*) force *nd r*di*nce th*tc*n /et down to us throu/h the inter0enin/ medium of the +h"sic*) mech*nism' The !od"

which indi0idu*)i4es us must needs !e the tr*nsmitter of /od)" )ife *nd n*ture to us' As it

is our outer /*rment& the )i/ht from within must come throu/h it to re*ch us in the outerwor)d' As *t ni/ht so)*r )i/ht comes to us ref)ected *nd refr*cted& dimmed *nd o!scured

!" its +*ss*/e throu/h *nother or!& so in our ni/ht of inc*rn*tion on e*rth& our di0ine

ch*r*cter shines for us on)" in th*t diminished *nd !ro2en form in which the mech*nismof ner0es *nd !)ood tr*nsmit it to our inte))i/ence' The moon is *)) th*t we c*n h*0e of the

sun *t ni/ht' So the !odi)" re/istr*tion *nd tr*nsmission of /od)" n*ture in our +h"sic*)

)ife is *)) th*t we c*n h*0e of deit"' %ence the *ncient wides+re*d desire to esc*+e the

!onds of the !od" !" ri/id mortific*tion *nd crucifi6ion of its he*0ier tendencies' Whenin inc*rn*tion& we *re de+ri0ed of the fu)) /)ow of our inner )i/ht' Our /od is then *s the

hidden sun& *nd we must /et its r*"s throu/h * ref)ectin/ medium& the !od"' This is wh"

T*ht& the moon-/od in (/"+ti*n m"tho)o/"-re)i/ion& is c*))ed the witness for R*& the/re*t Sun-/od' %e& throu/h his or!& is the witness to the hum*n r*ce of the +resence of

the in0isi!)e sun' %e is identic*) with the 5os+e) ch*r*cter of ,ohn the B*+tist& who is

descri!ed in the 5os+e)s *s !ein/ not th*t true )i/ht& !ut *s comin/ to !e*r witness to th*t)i/ht' So the moon is not * true )i/ht& !ut st*nds in the s2" of our ni/ht to !e*r witness

th*t the so)*r )i/ht& our /od& is sti)) shinin/' It thus *)so s"m!o)i4es the hum*n !od"&

which is sure)" not the )i/ht of s+irit& "et in its structure *nd in its outw*rd counten*nce& it



ref)ects *nd !e*rs witness to the di0ine s+irit th*t *nim*tes it& the /od hidden within' A

m*n:s s+irit shines out on his f*ce *s the sun shines on the moon>

This is * +rofound thin/ to re*)i4e *!out the moon&--th*t it t"+es our )ower n*ture& which

ref)ects the hi/her' But the most su!)ime e)ement in the s+iritu*) s"m!o)ism we *re tr"in/

to de+ict comes ne6t in the de0e)o+ment of our theme' This is the etern*) me*nin/connected with the sun:s )i/ht on the moon th*t we *re desirous of im+ressin/ in

unfor/ett*!)e 0i0idness u+on the im*/in*tion' This is the /re*t f*ct which we wou)d h*0e

"ou c*)) to mind whene0er "ou /*4e u+on the si)0er" or! from ni/ht to ni/ht' As the"oun/ crescent fi))s with )i/ht *nd rounds out its )uminous circ)e& it is writin/ our s+iritu*)

histor"> It is +re*chin/ to us uncom+rehendin/ mort*)s the /os+e) truth *!out our own

di0ini4*tion' The /rowin/ e6+*nse of )i/ht on the moon& we re+e*t& is the si/n& s"m!o)

*nd se*) of our own tr*nsfi/ur*tion into /odhood> The s+*r2 of di0init" im+)*nted in ouror/*nisms must& to use

one Bi!)ic*) fi/ure& /r*du*))" )e*0en the who)e )um+= to use *nother& must i))umin*te the

who)e !odi)" house' 5r*nd)" do the te6ts of the (/"+ti*n Boo2 of the e*d e6+ress thefe*tures of this +rocess' %orus in his resurrection is m*de to s*"& *fter enumer*tin/ the

!odi)" mem!ers one !" one ;There is no mem!er of m" !od" th*t is without * /od'; %e

me*ns in effect th*t there is no +ortion of his n*ture th*t h*s not !een di0ini4ed& i'e'& +urified& r*ised& tr*nsfi/ured with s+iritu*) r*di*nce' And this st*tes the who)e +ur+ose of

hum*n )ife' The /od c*me to dwe)) within us in order to tr*nsform our )ower n*tures *nd

)ift them u+ to * h*rmon" of 0i!r*tion with his own ethere*) +erson*)it"' As we /*4e u+on

the )un*r crescent *nd see it /o on tow*rd the fu))& the 0ision shou)d fortif" us with the +rofoundest *nd su!)imest truth *!out this mort*) e6istence of ours& 0i4' th*t we *re in

+rocess of fi))in/ our 0er" !odies with the m*nt)in/ /)ow of *n interior hidden )i/ht&

which wi)) ste*di)" tr*nsform our who)e n*ture with the !e*ut" of its /)e*min/' The si/htof the crescent from L*tin crescere& to /rowC shou)d thri)) us with the re*)i4*tion th*t

)itt)e !" )itt)e& )ife !" )ife& di0init" is cree+in/ o0er us& s+re*din/ throu/h us> The /rowin/

)i/ht on the moon is n*ture:s sure +)ed/e of our deific*tion> %ere is ins+ired writin/ ofre0e)*tion !" the h*nd of N*ture herse)f' %ere is * Bi!)e whose word no sce+tic wi)) den"'

The Sun-/ods in *ncient s"stems were re+resented *s !ein/ dismem!ered& or cut to

+ieces& when the" c*me to inc*rn*tion' Osiris:s !od" w*s f*!)ed to h*0e !een cut !" Sut&the de0i) of d*r2ness& into fourteen +ieces& which were sc*ttered *nd !uried o0er the )*nd

of (/"+t& to !e re*ssem!)ed )*ter !" Isis or %orus& *ided !" the /od T*ht& *nd the !od"

restored who)e in its resurrection' %ere is indis+ut*!)e +roof th*t the re)i/ious m"ths were !*sed on *stronomic*) s"m!o)ism& for the fourteen +ieces c*n h*0e no other !*sis th*n

the f*ct th*t the +ower of d*r2ness cuts off fourteen s)ices of )i/ht from the !od" of the

fu)) moon& or cuts the fu))-or!ed )i/ht of the sun on the moon& the /od in m*tter& intofourteen +ieces' These *re re*ssem!)ed or reconstituted in the ne6t !irth of the crescent=

*nd once more the he*0en)" s"m!o)ism of the /r*du*) s+iritu*)i4*tion of the )ower m*n

t*2es form in the /rowin/ )i/ht' So th*t we c*n underst*nd the hidden ecst*s" of the /od



%orus& when *t the com+)etion of the +rocess *nd the di0ini4*tion of his who)e n*ture& he

cries& trium+h*nt)"& ;I *m the /od entire';

In this s*me /re*t (/"+ti*n Ritu*) The Boo2 of the e*dC there is the st*tement th*t

;Osiris enters the moon on the si6th d*"'; This h*s not heretofore !een seen *s of *n"

+ointed si/nific*nce& !ec*use the s"m!o)ism h*s not !een understood' As the moon t"+esthe wom*n& )un*r t"+o)o/" w*s m*de to m*tch feminine functions& *nd the three d*r2

d*"s of the moon were e6tended to& or re+resented *s& fi0e& to e?u*te the fi0e d*"s of the

feminine +eriod' As the o0um& the seed of )ife from

F

*!o0e& descends into the wom! for fecund*tion *t the end of the +eriod& it w*s used tot"+e the descent of the /od into inc*rn*tion *fter * +eriod of +r*)*"* or non-e6istence in *

wor)d of form& *nd the t"+ism w*s tr*nsferred from the wom*n to the moon& her

*stronomic*) counter+*rt' Or the moon-/oddess w*s sim+)" fi/ured *s menstru*tin/'

This entr" of Osiris or the /od into the moon on the si6th d*" of the new c"c)e is the

+rime ori/in of the S*!!*th& *nd m*2es c)e*r +*rticu)*r)" wh" the ,ewish S*!!*th !e/ins8rid*" e0enin/ *nd e6tends to S*turd*" e0enin/' The descent of the /od w*s timed on

so)*r s"m!o)ism& *nd therefore w*s m*de *t sunset' 9ountin/ from Sund*"& 8rid*" is the

si6th d*"& *nd e0enin/ the time of the descent' ,esus *nd %orus !oth enter the !o*t tocross the se* *t e0entide'

As the under)"in/ ide* of the S*!!*th is the crownin/ of the si6 rounds or w*0es of

e)ement*) )ife& non-inte))i/ent& with the comin/ of the se0enth or s+iritu*) inte))i/ence&*nd the !rin/in/ of +e*ce the s*me (/"+ti*n word& hete+& which me*ns se0en *)so

me*ns +e*ce *nd is the n*me of the (/"+ti*n Messi*h& Iu-em-hete+& he who comes *s the

se0enth& *nd he who *s the se0enth !rin/s +e*ce to the se0en e)ement*r" forces of !)indn*tureC--See )ecture on the M"th of the Sun-/ods for fu))er e)ucid*tion'C--there w*s thus

* S*!!*th on the se0enth d*" of e*ch month& c*))ed the 8e*st of the Ten*it' Then *s the

fu)) moon w*s t"+ic*) of the com+)ete di0ini4*tion of the )ower m*n& *nd c*me on theth& there w*s *nother S*!!*th he)d ei/ht d*"s )*ter' (*ch month thus h*d *t first on)"

two S*!!*ths& on the se0enth e0enin/ of the si6thC *nd the fifteenth' L*ter the /ener*)

ide* of * se0enth or s+iritu*) d*" com+)etin/ the si6 secu)*r d*"s& w*s *++)ied to e*ch

recurrin/ /rou+ of se0en d*"s& without reference to the )un*r +h*ses or +eriods& *nd w*sm*de continuous&--the ori/in of our wee2' Se0er*) of the /oddesses& *s Semir*mis *nd

Isht*r& *s *)so #enus& were *ctu*))" n*med ;the /oddess 8ifteen&; t"+if"in/ their /i0in/

!irth to the Sun-/od *t the hei/ht of their enciente condition& on the fifteenth'

As intim*ted& the three d*r2 d*"s of the moon were the *ctu*) ori/in of *)) the !uri*)

+eriods of three d*"s for the Sun-/ods or their m"thic*) three d*"s in the tom!' In )un*rs"m!o)ism the" m*tched the fi0e d*"s of the feminine +eriod& *nd *s this is the +eriod

durin/ which the )i/ht of the sun is not in cont*ct *t *)) with the moon& tri!*) *nd n*tion*)

custom& founded !*sic*))" on these outw*rd +henomen* *nd their hidden s+iritu*)

si/nific*tion& c*rried the im+)ic*tion o0er into the )ife of wom*n2ind !" +rohi!itin/



cont*ct with the m*)e durin/ the d*r2 c"c)e& *nd sti)) further !" re?uirin/ women to *0oid

*)) cont*ct with sun)i/ht or e0en with * fire& the outw*rd s"m!o)s of the m*)e or s+irit>

The customs of the ,ews *nd other n*tions of e*r)" time for!*de * wom*n to !e in *house

where there w*s * fire' %er condition w*s su++osed to dishonor the fire or the sun& *nd

this is the me*nin/ !*c2 of the )e/ends of the 5ree2 i*n* 0isitin/ condi/n +unishmentu+on the hero who c*me into her +resence whi)e she w*s !*thin/' *0id *)so )oo2ed from

his houseto+ u+on * !e*utifu) wom*n who w*s !*thin/& *nd w*s se0ere)" +unished for it'

We h*0e s*id th*t the moon *nd wom*n *re mutu*))" re+resent*ti0e in the t"+o)o/"' Now&to indic*te th*t these +*r*))e)isms *re not mere +oetic f*ncies& !ut th*t the" *re /rounded

on *ctu*) *ffinities in n*ture& )et us see if there is *n" *ctu*) !ond of re)*tionshi+ !etween

them' At once we *re confronted with *n *m*4in/ confirm*tion of the connection' The

0er" !*sic functions of wom*n *s fem*)e *re contro))ed *nd timed !" the DE-d*" c"c)e ofthe moon' There is nothin/ th*t c*n !e *dded to this !*re st*tement& !ut there is *n

infinite *mount of thin2in/ th*t c*n !e done *!out it& to /re*t +rofit' The /re*t m"ster" of)ife is the m"ster" of se6& *nd here is one of the most st*rt)in/ +henomen* connected with

it *))'

Another most im+ort*nt )in2 in the series of s"m!o)ism is this the *ncient !oo2s te)) us

th*t m*n:s emotion*) or *str*)C !od"& comes to him from the moon' Our desire !odies *re

the chh*"*s of the )un*r +itris& or our )un*r +ro/enitors' Now the s"m!o) of the *str*) or

emotion*) +)*ne& in *)) *ncient scri+ts without e6ce+tion& is w*ter& *s fire is @ust *sin0*ri*!)" the si/n of s+irit' Which& then& of the two se6es wou)d we e6+ect to find

+redomin*nt)" on the emotion*) r*"7 Need I st*te th*t wom*n is uni0ers*))" *d@ud/ed to

!e the more emotion*) of the two7 A/*in we find our t*!)e of s"m!o)s to !e 0indic*ted'Wom*n& who re+resents the moon *nd is t"+ed !" w*ter& is under the moon inf)uence

!oth +h"sio)o/ic*))" *s *!o0eC *nd +s"cho)o/ic*))"' And how does the t"+ism ho)d *s

!etween moon *nd w*ter7 A/*in we meet *n *stonishin/ 0erific*tion of the correctness of our +*r*))e)s& for the moon it is& not the sun& th*t contro)s the w*ter" tides of our e*rth)"

oce*ns> Thin2 how n*ture h*s !een tr"in/ to instruct us& *nd we *)) these centuries too

du)) to inter+ret her d*i)"& wee2)"& month)" *nd "e*r)" )essons> The moon& w*ter& the !od"

com+osed m*in)" of w*terC& wom*n& emotion& *)) )in2ed in one /re*t !ond of *ffinit"> Nor h*0e we seen the )*st of the +*r*))e)s' Sti)) *nother is to !e found in the word

;)un*tic&; moon-struc2' The inf)uence of the moon on hum*n +s"chic st*tes is seen

!e"ond ?uestion in the !eh*0ior of *s")um inm*tes' At fu)) moon m*n" c*ses& +*rticu)*r)"of women& show 0io)ent s"m+toms which *re not m*nifest !etween the )un*tions'

Now we *re re*d" to e6*mine * series of e0en more wonderfu) +henomen* *nd theirs"m!o)o/ies in connection with the inter*ction of the two !odies& sun *nd moon' As m*)e

*nd fem*)e to/ether en/ender *)) )ife& )et us see if in the inter*ction of sun *nd moon there

is *n" *dum!r*-



D

tion of this f*ct' Of * truth& one of the most thri))in/ situ*tions in *stronomic*) theo)o/"&*)most indeed the corner-stone of re)i/ion *nd +hi)oso+h"& is c)e*r)" out)ined in the

month)" inter+)*" of so)*r *nd )un*r mo0ements'

8irst it must !e +ref*ced th*t this re*)m of !odi)" )ife on e*rth w*s c*))ed in *)) o)d

scri+tures the %*des& of the 5ree2s& the Sheo) of the %e!rews& *nd the Ament* of the

(/"+ti*ns= the d*r2 c*0e& the /r*0e or tom!& *nd )*st)" *nd *)w*"s& the d*r2 Underwor)d'It w*s the /)oom" *!"sm*) +it& the infern*) re*)m of St"/i*n d*r2ness' It w*s the re/ion

of de*th *nd d*r2est ni/ht& the d*r2 ni/ht of the sou)' *r2ness w*s its in0*ri*!)e s"m!o)'

Now& *s it w*s on)" when inc*rn*ted on this e*rth th*t the hum*n s+irit c*me into cont*ctwith !od"& s+)it into the two nodes of se6 ;the sou) m*2es the @ourne" throu/h Ament* in

the two h*)0es of se6;--(/"+ti*n Ritu*)C& *nd !ec*me the !i-se6u*) +*rent*/e of new )ife&

the co+u)*tion of cosmic se6 to re+roduce new )ife m*" !e s*id to t*2e +)*ce on)" in the

d*r2 underwor)d& or& most si/nific*nt)"& in the sou):s ni/ht time> The two h*)0es of se6&sou) *nd !od"& unite in the underwor)d to effect * new cre*tion' %um*n fecund*tion

common)" t*2es +)*ce in the ni/ht *nd out of the wor)d:s si/ht' 9*n it !e +ossi!)e th*t thesun *nd moon m*tch this cosmic& this theo)o/ic*) *nd fin*))" this hum*n +*r*))e)ism in

their re)*tions7 Indeed the" do so& *nd with un!e)ie0*!)e fide)it"' The new inf*nt )i/ht of

the sun on the crescent moon is concei0ed *nd !orn in the d*r2 underwor)d& th*t is& !e)owthe hori4on& in the western s2"& out of si/ht of the wor)d& where the sun *nd moon h*0e

met the" *re !oth *t * +oint !e)ow the western hori4on *t the s*me timeC *nd m*" !e s*id

to h*0e co+u)*ted' Sun *nd moon to/ether once * month descend into the d*r2

underwor)d& there unite& *nd in two or three d*"s the moon /i0es !irth to their chi)d& thenew "oun/ moon> %ere is the theo)o/ic*) out)ine or /)"+h of *)) cre*tion& +)*net*r"&

r*ci*)& hum*n& indi0idu*)' Men *nd women on)" meet in the underwor)d there is no se6

in s+iritu*) he*0ensC *nd on)" in the c*0e of inc*rn*tion do s+irit m*)eC *nd !od"fem*)eC e0er meet in the cosmos' Wh*t * sermon the two or!s +re*ch to us in th*t

month)" tr"st !e)ow the rim of the wor)d in the western s2"> 8or it is on)" in the 2in/dom

of m*n th*t sou) *nd !od" *re met in cre*ti0e union' The *n/e)s *nd /ods *re s+iritu*)on)"= the *nim*)s *re without s+irit--M*n *)one is * union of s+irit *nd m*tter in

e?ui)i!rium'

Re0ertin/ * moment to the +h"sio)o/ic*) or +h*))ic *s+ect of the d*t*& we see *n e6*ctre+)ic* of this entire +henomenon once more' As sou) descends into the underwor)d to

meet !od"& *s sun descends !e)ow the hori4on )i/ht to meet moon& so in the +h"sic*)

+)*ne of cre*tion s+erm the m*)e e)ementC descends into the d*r2 c*0ern of the wom! tomeet there

3

the o0um fem*)e e)ementC th*t h*s )i2ewise come down from *!o0e& *nd the two meet in

cre*ti0e union in th*t d*r2 underwor)d' An (/"+ti*n te6t s*"s th*t the sou) of Osiris



descends into the underwor)d of Ament* our e*rthC& it meets there the sou) of Isis= the

two *re there united'

To c)im*6 this series of *)most incredi!)e corres+ondences !etween outw*rd *stronomic*)

*nd inner s+iritu*) +rocesses in two *)to/ether different re*)ms of )ife& there is *nother

n*tur*) +henomenon th*t m*" we)) ser0e to fi)) us with wonder *t n*ture:s recordin/ ofher uni0ers*) *ffinities' In order to +resent it with the utmost im+ressi0eness we sh*)) /i0e

it in the words of the *ncient writer& %or-A+o))o& *n (/"+ti*n ?uoted !" P)ut*rch& *nd *

m*n whose e6t*nt writin/s cont*in some of the c)e*rest hints *t the hidden si/nific*nce of the *ncient s"m!o)s' The fo))owin/ is one of them

;%or-A+o))o s*"s of the 9"noce+h*)us' ' ' ' th*t the (/"+ti*ns s"m!o)i4ed the moon !" it

on *ccount of * 2ind of s"m+*th" which the *+e h*d with it *t the time of its con@unctionwith the /od' :8or *t the e6*ct inst*nt of the con@unction of the moon with the sun& when

the moon !ecomes uni))umined& then the m*)e c"noce+h*)us neither sees nor e*ts& !ut is

!owed down to the e*rth with /rief& *s if )*mentin/ the r*0ishment of the moon' The

fem*)e *)so& in *ddition to its !ein/ un*!)e to see& *nd !ein/ *ff)icted in the s*me m*nner*s the m*)e& e6 /enit*)i!us s*n/uinem emittit L*t'--;emits !)ood from the /enit*r"

or/*n;=C hence e0en to this d*" S"noce+h*)i *re !rou/ht u+ in the tem+)es& in order th*tfrom them m*" !e *scert*ined the e6*ct inst*nt of the con@unction of the sun *nd moon'

And when the" wou)d denote the reno0*tion of the moon& the" */*in +ortr*" *

9"noce+h*)us in the +osture of st*ndin/ u+ri/ht& *nd r*isin/ its h*nds to he*0en& with *di*dem on its he*d:'; T*2en from 5er*)d M*sse":s& The N*tur*) 5enesis& #o)' I& +' HH'C

9*n we /*ther the si/nific*nce of this +henomenon7 So f*r is the union of sun *nd moon

!e)ow the hori4on in the underwor)d from !ein/ * m*tter of sheer +oetic f*nc"& th*tn*tur*) *ctu*))" m*r2s the e0ent !" its inf)uence u+on the +h"sic*) functions of *

susce+ti!)e s+ecies of ne*r-hum*n *nim*)' It is the he*0en)" recordin/ of th*t

+h"sio)o/ic*) function in the fem*)e h*)f of hum*n2ind which +res*/es *nd +re+*res the !irth of * new )ife'

And fin*))" how tru)" does the moon e6em+)if" */*in in *nother +henomenon the truth of 4odi*c*) re)i/ion> As @ust seen& the new moon is concei0ed in the west& the re/ion of *))

!e/innin/ or entr" u+on inc*rn*te )ife& the +)*ce of descent into the underwor)d' It h*s its

!irth *nd !e/ins its c*reer of /rowth in the west& mo0in/ ni/ht !" ni/ht further

H

tow*rd the e*st' M*n& the sou)& enters his @ourne" tow*rd di0init" in the west& *nd )ife !")ife mo0es further tow*rd the e*st& the +)*ce of fu)fi)ment *nd /)orious resurrection' Wh*t

more fittin/& then& th*t the risin/ of the moon in its fu)) /)or"& when it t"+ifies the

com+)eted *nd +erfected hum*n-di0ine& the m*n !ecome /od& shou)d t*2e +)*ce in thee*st& the /*te of the resurrection> The "oun/ new moon *++e*rs *nd mounts in the west=

the fu)) moon in the e*st> The one is the inf*nt /od stru//)in/ for )i/ht *nd /rowth */*inst

* d*r2 +ower= the other is the fu)) e0o)0ed /od-m*n& 0ictorious o0er the d*r2ness& *risin/

to shine o0er *)) the wor)d'



And in conc)usion m*" we not +*r*+hr*se the )itt)e /em of Wordsworth to remind us of

the truths t"+ed !" the si)0er" or! of ni/ht7

M" he*rt )e*+s u+ when I !eho)d

A crescent in the s2"=

Its sh*dowed /)o!e is ni/ht !" ni/ht

In fourteen se/ments& e*ch more !ri/ht&

At )*st in utmost s+)endor di/ht=--

M" deit">

The hidden Lord it m*nifests=

The sun-!ri/ht /od rides on its crests=

In th*t /r*nd )i/ht m*n e0er& e0er rests'

spiritual symbolism of the sun and moon

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