Daylight dawning over the horizon signals so much more than just the beginning of a new day here on Earth. The celestial orb of ‘light’ that marks the passage of our day has always been central to man’s beliefs. Reverence, and deification of the ‘Sun’ is one of the earliest, and the most inherently natural, forms of religious proclamation. Human ‘minds’ recognise the power of the Sun, and inevitably humanity came to worship ‘Him’ as some sort of proxy for the ‘Supreme Deity’ (the ‘One’ or the ‘Source’ of all). The various beneficial influence(s) of the Sun resulted in him being identified with (what became known as), the ‘Principle of Good’, and as a result, wherever you find ‘Gods’, you will find a Sun god or goddess. Whether that be the ‘Mithras’ of the Persians, ‘Ra’ and ‘Osiris’ to the Egyptians, the Chaldean ‘Bel’, ‘Adon’ to the Phoenicians, ‘Helios’ and ‘Apollo’ to the Greeks, the Goddesses ‘Sol’ of the Norse, and ‘Arinna’ of the Hittite, ‘Huitzilopochtli’ of the Aztec, ‘Inti’ to the Inca, ‘Kinich Ahau’ to the Maya, or ‘Lugh’ of the Celts; in each (and every) case these gods are all ‘personifications’ of the Sun.
Regardless of which individual culture they relate to, all of these Sun gods and goddesses are representations of a sort of ‘regenerating’ principle, and through them the rejuvenation, and perpetuation, of this material existence (as well as the ‘existence’ of Earth) is ensured to continue. In fact, throughout all of the nations and peoples of antiquity, temples have been dedicated to worshiping the ‘Sun’ (this is quite possibly because many early priests were well versed in Astrology; as such, their writings and oral traditions are better understood when viewed through this ancient science). This is demonstrated by the fact that, the Sun is said to ‘reign supreme’ amongst all of the ‘celestial bodies’ that were visible to the astrologers of old. As such, the Sun was assigned to the highest position (amongst the gods) and became symbolic of the ‘supreme authority’ (or ‘One’), and from their understanding of the ‘principles’ of the Sun came the concept of the ‘Trinity’ (as it is known by humanity today). This concept of a ‘Triune Divinity’ is not peculiar to Christian (and wider Abrahamic) theology, but it forms a central tenant of the dogma of all the greatest religions (both ancient and modern).
Analysis of the origin of this ‘Trinity’ shows (to anyone who has observed the daily motion and manifestations of the Sun), that this symbol of all ‘light’ has three very distinct phases: rising (dawn), midday (or noon), and setting (dusk). These three phases of the Sun induced the ancient philosophers, astrologers, and alchemists to therefore divide the life of all things into ‘three distinct parts’: starting with growth, developing into maturity, and then receding into decay. Observing this ‘apparent’ motion of the Sun in its rising and setting provides more clarity to this concept. Which is startlingly true when we observe the ‘movement’ of the Sun against a ‘horoscope’ (what we now commonly call a natal chart). When we do so, we see that the cusp of the ascendant is the point of sunrise, the cusp of the tenth house that of noon, the cusp of the seventh that of sunset, and the cusp of the fourth house, that of midnight. Three of these four ‘points’ are related with ‘day(time)’, with the remaining point marking the middle of the night.
When the Sun is at the midnight point (below the horizon), it can be said that the ‘darkness’ reigns, the activities of the ‘day’ have concluded, and (typically) humanity is asleep. In our ‘physical’ world, especially in today’s busy societies, activities of all types are going on during every hour of the day and night; nevertheless, this ‘period’ of the movement of the Sun, corresponds (cosmically) to the stage before a ‘solar system’ has come into existence (or after it has passed out of existence). If we then apply this to an ‘individuality’ it indicates the similar state of ‘un-manifestation’ before the ‘soul’ has been born into a ‘body’ (within this material world), or after the death of that body (and the soul’s departure). So, the midnight hour can be seen as being akin to the ‘un-manifested’ state of our soul.
In the act of the Sun rising, a new day begins. We can thus correspond this period with the ‘coming into existence’ of a solar system, and therefore also as the ‘soul birth’. Something that before was considered to be ‘dormant’ has now become ‘manifest’. This is referred to by astrologers as the ‘Angle of Self’, and is viewed as the separate ‘centre’ around which all subsequent experiences, feelings, cognitions, and actions gather. To the Hindu’s the sacred word ‘Aum’ is said to represent this passage of the Sun, with the sunrise corresponding to the letter A, the ‘Self’, and to the act of cognition; this is due in part to the ascendant (the first house) being astrologically associated with the first zodiac sign of ‘Aries’, of the element Fire, and of the ‘mental plane’ (because ‘thought’ always comes first). At the point of noon (midday), the activities of the ‘day’ are now at their busiest, and this is the period where the ‘fullest’ possible manifestation has been reached, essentially, the ‘middle period’ in the life of a solar system, what is known as the ‘fourth globe of the chain’ (commonly referred to as the Kali Yuga these days).
Noon illuminates that the ‘Self’ is projecting its ‘power’, to the fullest potential as a ‘separate’ being, and that all of its ‘capabilities’ (which were only possibilities in the beginning), are now ‘actualities’. The correspondence here (with the Hindu ‘Aum’) is with the letter U, the ‘not-Self’, and with ‘action’; note that the tenth house in a horoscope signifies ‘occupation’, that is to say action in the outer world, and the ‘culmination’ of the powers of the ‘individual’. The zodiac sign of Capricorn, belonging to the ‘physical’ plane of Earth, and of action, naturally comes here to represent this period. Then, in the final sunset, the day is now coming to an end. The Sun is at the middle point of the ‘decline’ (which began as soon as the noon point was passed). The period of ‘manifestation’ is now ending, the cessation of all activity is beginning. The ‘Self’, which before was separated at sunrise and at noon, loses that separateness and becomes ‘indissolubly’ correlated with (and merged into) ‘others’. This is known as the ‘Angle of Others’, and it corresponds with the letter M in the Hindu ‘Aum’, it is in essence the relationship between Self and Non-Self, associated with the zodiac sign of ‘Libra’, of the element Air, and the plane of ‘force’.
Gathered together as a whole, these four ‘points’ elucidate the complete ‘lifecycle’ of solar systems, of a day (and year) on Earth, the progression of the Ages, our lives, and ultimately, the necessary journey of our Soul. When the Sun rises, it manifests as a separate ‘Self’, when it culminates (at noon) it is in the most prominent position possible and is at the height of ‘manifestation’; and when it sets its ‘separateness’ is reducing and ‘union’ is therefore beginning; and finally, when it is below the horizon (on the lower meridian), it is completely withdrawn from any sense of ‘manifestation’. This guiding principle permeates the Christian religion (as well as the esoteric beliefs of many religions throughout history); God the Father, the ‘Creator of the World’, is symbolized by the dawn. His colour is ‘Blue’, because the Sun rising in the morning (springtime) is often said to be ‘veiled’ in blue mist. God the Son, the ‘Illuminating One’, sent to bear witness (before all the worlds) of ‘His Father’, is then symbolised by the Sun at noon, at his most ‘radiant’, he is the golden-haired ‘Saviour of the World’, the maned ‘Lion of Judah’. ‘Yellow’ is his colour and his power is said to be ‘without end’. God the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) is the sunset phase, when the Sun, now cloaked in ‘Red’, rests momentarily upon the horizon and then vanishes into the darkness of the night; to wander the lower ‘worlds’ and then rise triumphant again from the embrace of ‘darkness’.
So intrinsic was this ‘Sun Wisdom’ that the ancient Egyptians saw the Sun as a symbol of ‘immortality’, whilst it died each night, it always rose again with the coming dawn. In many of the Egyptian priests ceremonies they wore the skins of ‘lions’, a beast which has always been a symbol of the Sun (owing in part to the fact that the Sun is what astrologers term as being ‘exalted’, as well as most fortunately positioned within the zodiac constellation of ‘Leo’ – which the Sun ‘rules’). So, as well as dividing the day into these ‘periods’, philosophers (from Greece and Egypt predominantly) decided to also divide the life of the Sun through the ‘Solar Year’ into four parts (the seasons). This further led them to ‘symbolically’ divided the ‘Solar Man’ into four different figures. When ‘He’ was born it was considered to be during the ‘winter solstice’, the Sun God was symbolised as a ‘dependent infant’ who managed to escape the ‘Powers of Darkness’ that were seeking to destroy ‘Him’. The Sun, due to it being considered as ‘weak’ during this season of the year, had no ‘golden rays’, and the survival of the ‘light’ through the ‘darkness of winter’ was then often symbolised by a single tiny (blonde) hair which alone would adorn the head of the ‘Celestial Child’ (as this ‘birth’ of the Sun took place in the zodiac sign of Capricorn, various images that have been passed down to us, represented this child as being suckled by a goat).
Observing the onward passage of the Sun through the year, we reach the point of the ‘vernal (spring) equinox’, where the Sun has grown into a ‘youth’ of great beauty. Now his golden hair hangs about his shoulders and his ‘light’ is said to extend to all of infinity. Then, at the point of the ‘summer solstice’, the Sun now becomes a strong ‘man’, often depicted as heavily bearded, who is in the prime of maturity, and he symbolises that ‘Nature’ is now at its strongest and also its most ‘fecund’. Finally, at the ‘autumnal equinox’, the Sun is pictured as an ‘aged’ man, with a bent back and white locks of hair (which symbolise the coming winter – an darkness). As highlighted above, the noon point of the summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky and thus provides us with the longest day of the year. This point marks the ‘second phase’ of the soul journey, which started with the spring equinox.
Understanding that the cycle of the Sun represents the cycle of our lives, the growth of our ‘soul’, and also reflects the natural flow of energy that is moving ‘inward’ and ‘outward’ all of the time, is essential for the growth of your ‘individuality’. Whilst it is believed that the spring equinox is the beginning of this journey (and thus represents new beginnings), it is the summer solstice that represents the next step of this ‘divine rhythm’ that sets the tone to our ‘becoming’. This solstice always occurs at the start of the point (degree) the Sun enters the zodiac sign of ‘Cancer’ (which occurred a few days ago on 21 June). The solstice is said to remind us, to ‘turn inward’, find the ‘nourishment’ that we need to further grow (and evolve our soul). It is a time to wait for the ‘energy’ (that was planted in the spring) to reach its full bloom. If the season of spring represents ‘action’, then the summer season should rightly represent ‘patience’. For our course is now set at this point, all we need do is ‘nurture the seed’, and find our ‘purpose’ within the process that is unfolding.
Looking at the summer solstice objectively, we see that it represents a ‘transition’ to an active ‘sustenance’ phase of the Sun, (which is exactly what he provides during the long nights of summer); this relates to the growth of our food crops and gardens, as much as it does to the continual journey we and our soul are on, as we travel from the darkness towards the ‘light’. A keen observation of this principle is the basis of a particular branch of Astrology – ‘Esoteric Astrology’ – which has, at its core, a crucial belief that all ‘cosmic’ phenomena (and by extension, the whole expression of ‘life’), proceeds from a central, and primal ‘Source’. Such astrologers seek to understand the stars from the point of view of the ‘One’ (the source of ‘all’) flowing forth into the ‘Many’. Within our solar system, the ‘Sun’ is considered to be the ‘centre’ of it all, and thus it is also always our starting point – the Sun is the source from which all things live, grow, move, die, and ultimately have their ‘being’. And ‘emanating’ out from this centre (Sun) are vibrating ‘life waves’ (rays) which pass into (and through) the material ‘organisms’ of every living being on Earth (whether that be mineral, plant, vegetable, animal, or human). This ‘life’ (these vibrating currents), descend and ascend, through each of the ‘seven’ planets within our solar system and are transformed by this process for the sole purpose of evolving Earth’s ‘entities’
Something the reader needs to bear in mind is the fact that esoteric Astrology requires its practitioner to be ‘wise’ to the fact, that the ‘seven’ planets are directly (and indirectly), connected with the seven ‘principal substances’ in the human body. Ss well as the important (actually ‘fundamental’) understanding of the difference between the ‘individuality’ (considered to be the most ‘permanent’ part of our nature, namely our ‘soul’), and the ‘personality’ (considered to be the more ‘changeable’ part of our nature, which only exists as a very small ‘ray of the individuality’). Symbolically, the ‘Sun’ is the visible expression of the ‘Source’, hence why it has always been used as a symbol for the ‘individual’ within Astrology. Lastly, it is also crucial to know the difference between ‘consciousness’ and ‘life’. It might help to think of it like this – ‘consciousness turned inward is life, and life turned outward is known by the name of consciousness’. The real truth of Man’s ‘divine inheritance’ (when viewed through ancient Astrological symbolism) takes for its central symbol the ‘Sun’. This Sun is seen to be ‘mirrored’ through its innumerable ‘rays’ as myriads of tiny ‘Suns’, whose ‘reflections’ are also mirrored in the vast ‘oceans’ of life. Each ‘individuality’ (that is, each of us) is a ‘miniature Sun’ shining with our own light across (and within) the many different ‘forms of matter’, and thus, through the various reflections that are thrown back to ‘itself’ (us), it comes to know itself as the ‘light’ of that inner ‘Sun’ (which is a ‘mirror’ of the divine source, the parent Sun).
Taking this premise further; there are considered (to esoteric thought) to be ‘three’ Suns within each solar system (which is a sort of metaphor for the three centre’s of life in each individual). These are known as the ‘three lights’: the ‘spiritual’ Sun, the ‘intellectual’ Sun, and the ‘material’ Sun. On our ‘physical plane’ (here in Earth) we can view ‘Man’ as being a composite being of Body, Spirit, and Soul. The Spirit of Man is a ‘centre in the universal consciousness’. The Soul of Man is either a (spiritual) entity, human, or animal, according to the ‘plane (or ‘quality of matter’) with which his consciousness is (for the time being), identifying itself. The Body of Man then is the ‘vehicle through which he enables contact with the plane where he is currently functioning’; thus, in order for us to express ourselves ‘here’ on this physical plane, we require a ‘solid physical body’, on the soul plane an ‘astral body’, and on (what is often termed) the spiritual plane (of force), a refined, pure ‘mind (or intellectual) body’. It is these three bodies (or rather these ‘vessels of consciousness’) that esoteric astrologers track in the zodiac signs. The ‘seven’ planets (and half of the signs of the zodiac) are concerned with the ‘spiritual’ side of man’s evolution, whilst the other half of the signs (together with the twelve houses of the horoscope), are concerned with the ‘material’ side of evolution.
Of course, the alchemists of old (not to be outdone by the astrologers) also looked to the Sun for understanding and wisdom. ‘Gold’ is the metal of the Sun and has been considered by many throughout history as a form of ‘crystallised sunlight’. Whenever gold is mentioned in alchemical texts, it is either the metal itself, or the Sun that is being referred to as the source (or spirit), of gold. Likewise, when alchemists state that every animate and inanimate thing in the universe contains the ‘seeds of gold’, they mean, that even a single grain of sand possess a ‘spiritual’ nature, for gold is the spirit of all things. The ultimate purpose of alchemy is the means to ‘fertilise and nurture’ the ‘seed’ which is already present (before our birth). Alchemical processes throughout antiquity did not create gold, but rather they made the always-present ‘seed of gold’ flourish and bloom. Everything in existence has a spirit (the seed of divinity within itself), the (religious) concept of ‘regeneration’ therefore, should not be viewed as a process of trying to create a thing that previously had not existed. Regeneration actually means the ‘unfoldment of the omnipresent divinity’ within Man, so that his ‘Divinity’ can then shine forth as a ‘Sun’ (Son), and thus ‘illuminate’ all with whom he comes into contact.
Woven into the above beliefs, is the relationship between the Sun (light) and colours. The theory (long held) that there are three primary, and four secondary colours can be considered as quite incorrect; for since antiquity it has been known that there are in fact ‘seven’, not three, primary colours (you can observe them all in a rainbow). Therefore, although it is ‘true’ that Green can be made by combining Blue and Yellow, there is also a ‘true’ or rather, ‘primary Green’, which is not a compound colour. This has been proven when observing the ‘breaking up’ of the spectrum of coloured ‘light’ with a second prism. It was ultimately discovered that the ‘secondary colours’ of the spectrum could not be broken up into their supposed ‘primary colours’; for example, when the Green of the spectrum was passed through this second prism, it was evidenced to not break up into Blue and Yellow but to remain Green.
And so, ‘Consciousness’, ‘Intelligence’, and ‘Force’ became symbolised with the colours Blue, Yellow, and Red. The ancient mystics believed that the ‘Spirit of Man’ corresponded with the colour Blue, the ‘Mind of Man’ with Yellow, and the ‘Body of Man’ with Red. Heaven is therefore said to be Blue, the Earth is Yellow, and Hell (the underworld) is Red. In the ancient ‘Greek Mysteries’ the ‘irrational sphere’ was always considered to be Red, for it was said to represent that condition in which the consciousness is ‘enslaved by the lusts and passions of the lower nature’. In Hindu beliefs, certain of the gods (mostly related to Vishnu), are depicted with Blue skin to signify their divine constitution. Accordingly, to esoteric philosophy, Blue is the true and sacred colour of the Sun. The apparent orange/yellow colouring of this ‘orb of light’ is actually a result of its ‘rays’ being immersed in the substances of this illusionary (material) world.
Relating this to the symbolism found within the ‘Tarot’, we note that the ‘Sun’ tarot card (the nineteenth of the Major Arcana) ultimately represents ‘manifestation’. When we view the Rider-Waite tarot card (produced by A.E. Waite in 1910, with illustrations by fellow Golden Dawn member Pamela Colman Smith), we can the Sun card showing a naked young boy (‘Son of the Sun’) sitting on a white horse (said to represent movement), with no saddle (indicating this movement, and ‘direction’ is provided by ‘will’ alone). The boy wears a ‘crown’ of tulip, or globe-like flowers (representing ‘life’, as well as the six other ‘planets’), with a single Red feather (symbolising truth and justice) in the centre. He holds in his left hand a Red banner (signifying celebration/victory), and behind him is a wall on which is observed ‘sunflowers’ in full bloom (the ‘traditional’ flower symbolising fame/fortune). Above the boy in a Blue sky is a Yellow ‘Sun’ which shines down with a rather benevolent smile, as if he is urging on the ‘Sun-child’ that is known to be within each of us. The choice of colours and symbolism is highly telling (although not surprising for the Golden Dawn), and it aptly portrays our ‘childlike instinctual inner purity’ (which is actually our ‘strength’); the Sun’s true creative powers; and the liberation of ‘Self’ through our self-acceptance (which provides us with the ‘energy’ to move on and use our talents without restraint). Ultimately, this is the tarot card that is understood to be of the ‘highest spiritual order’, that shows how to nurture our boundaries (represented by the wall) and set our inner child free.
Deep within these tales of both the Sun tarot card, and the above descriptions of the passage of the Sun, are some of the teachings of ‘ancient wisdom’, which have (at their core), the descent of ‘spirit into matter’ and its inevitable subsequent return to ‘source’. Essentially, we are all indivisible sparks of a ‘divine flame’ (esoterically referred to as ‘monads’), and we are all engaged upon an ‘evolutionary’ journey (of the soul). Our sole purpose is to developing our latent ‘spiritual qualities’. Due to the ‘purity’ of its ‘vibration’ this monad is unable to descend downwards into the planes of consciousness ‘below its own level of being’. Our ‘soul’ (or ‘higher self’) thus serves as the ‘instrument of the monad’. It exists for the sole purpose of obtaining a complete ‘form of consciousness’, so it can then respond to the ‘vibrations of life’ which surround it on each and every level of existence on the scale. This process is usually said to require ‘many’ lives in a human form upon the karmic ‘Wheel of Rebirth’.
Souls are quite commonly symbolised as a ‘lotus-like structure’ that is in the active process of ‘unfolding its petals’, these petals are said to represent ‘Knowledge’, ‘Love’, and ‘Sacrifice’. Some of the wisdom (that has been passed down to us), states that ‘symbolically’ it requires 777 ‘lives’ for the human ‘soul’ to learn every lesson that life within ‘human form’ can offer. It is understood that the first 700 of these lives relate primarily to the ‘opening of the knowledge petals’, the next 70 lives relate to the ‘opening of the love petals’, and the last seven lives relate to the ‘opening of the sacrifice petals’; whereby such a ‘progressed’ individual then performs acts of great sacrifice towards the betterment of humanity and planet ‘Earth’. Their personal needs are cast aside as they dedicate all of their endeavours towards these ends. The number of lives required for the soul to ‘fully develop’, and thus express its full ‘qualities’, can be reduced when we learn how to ‘work on our soul purpose’, and both ‘master’ as well as ‘reverse the spheres’. By so doing, we are able to reduce the number of ‘learning experiences’ required into a few short lives (if we are diligent).
The ‘personality’ (what we often erroneously term ‘our self’) is the ‘instrument of the soul’. The Latin word ‘persona’ actually describes the mask that were worn by Roman actors, indicating the ‘specific role’ they were playing. During the ‘incarnations’ of our soul we are tasked with fashioning this ‘personality’ into a more effective instrument whereby we can then successfully express our souls ‘intent’. Essentially, our soul and personality must be ‘unified’ into a single coherent ‘structure’ capable of fulfilling the very specific purpose which our soul had ‘chosen’ to perform during this ‘incarnation’. This is where Astrology comes into the equation. Our ‘natal chart’ (horoscope) is the required set of ‘celestial instructions’ that can assist us with realising our own ‘innate soul potential’ (which is rather important, because our ‘soul’s purpose’, is the very reason for our existence here on Earth).
Human’s (at birth) each possess a general ‘Soul Purpose’ that is usually expressed by some kind of ‘service’ to our fellow ‘beings’ (within the human as well as Nature’s other kingdoms – the mineral, plant and animal). However, when we are individually ‘called’ to fulfil our ‘Spiritual Destiny’, the expression of our specific soul’s purpose then becomes of paramount importance (and the driving force), within our lives. We are then able to access a vast ‘well of energy’, that provides ‘meaning’ and direction to our lives. It is worth noting that whilst many today are ‘unconsciously’ (and luckily) expressing their soul’s purpose, there are many, many more who are depressed (diseased and detached), because they are failing to fulfil the requirements of their ‘Higher Self’ (their ‘soul’). The there a countless others who have irredeemably sold theirs souls already. All individuals (particularly those who are only ‘unconsciously’ (re)acting in the world), need to better understand the ‘vector’ within their natal chart that indicates the purpose of their soul. This vector is their ‘Rising Sign’ (also known as the ascendant – the point of the rising Sun discussed above).
Expressed in the ascendant (at the time of birth), is the moment where the ‘soul’ (the ‘individuality’) imprints the ‘personality’, with a blueprint and map for its full ‘expression’. This point in our natal chart indicates our deepest ‘potential’ and the primary source of our creative ‘energy’ and ‘wisdom’. In esoteric Astrology the ascendant is considered to be of much greater importance than the ‘Sun Sign’, this is due to the former relating to the ‘intent of the soul’, whilst the latter relates ‘to the personality’. Through our ascendant, the purpose of our soul can be identified, and we can then utilise our natal chart to direct us to the areas of life where this can be suitably ‘expressed’. This is not to say that esoteric Astrology should replace traditional Astrology, on the contrary, the various ‘systems’ of Astrology should be utilised together, as a whole, to work on both. By gaining greater understanding of your natal chart (both tropical and sidereal – for one guides the ‘personality’ the other the ‘individuality’), as well as the different planet rulership(s), you will be provided with the tools to actively ‘nurture’ your soul along its journey with the Sun, from rising to eventual setting (and potentially reduce the number of lifetimes required to fully ‘express’ yourself, and your soul’s purpose).
Symbols tell many tales, and the image of a ‘Green’ Lion devouring a ‘Gold Sun’ is an ancient motif of alchemy that has been passed down to us from antiquity, and represents a stage along this journey. The story goes that the Sun (as a symbol of the ‘Ego’ – or ‘personality’), shone brightly and truly believed that everything should ‘revolve’ around it. But then there appears a Green lion intent on devouring it. This Green Lion (as the king of all beasts) is said to represent our ‘instincts’ (for today’s story, this particular image of a lion devouring a sun is our ‘individuality’, and thus our ‘soul’, an other similar image’s tale has been told elsewhere). The traditional image of our story (below) shows the encounter of our ‘personality’ with the ‘individuality’, the primal (soul) force that is within us devouring our ego. We all fear our instincts (because we know they are usually dangerous), so we often repress them. Most of time, this is a positive thing, but it has the unfortunate result of making us ‘inwardly’ weak, because we are ignoring our ‘inner’ experiences and separating ourselves from our ‘natural’ instincts (which is highly detrimental to the health of our three bodies). This image symbolises the release of our ‘primordial essence’ (this is why the lion is Green, which is considered to be a primordial colour). The act of eating the Sun represents dominance over the ego by instinctual forces. It is the beginning of a return to a more natural state (in the related cycle), where ‘Man’ beings to flourish.
Ultimately, our ego (self) observes this encounter with the lion of instinct (not-self) as a horrifying experience (because all transformation appears to be a kind of ‘death’ to the self). However, this process is the catalyst for a true encounter with the ‘Self’. Note that in the background of the image, there is a new (Blue) Sun emerging from the water(s). It is the new soul ‘personality’ emerging from the encounter. The old Sun, having been consumed by the lion, needs to have a replacement, a newly resurrected Sun. ‘Water’ (the feminine symbol associated with ‘unconscious’) is the place from which this new Sun is birthed (just as our physical Sun comes out of the darkness, and sleep of night). As infered above, it can be said that we all ‘emerge’ from under the ‘oceans of the unconscious’, and that our ‘Self’ is nothing but a small boat floating on its waves. Also note in the image that there are ‘seven’ Yellow stars arcing across the lion’s body. They are said to correspond with the seven ‘chakras’, which would have been known as the seven ‘inner metals’ to the alchemists of antiquity or the ‘seven planets’ to the astrologers.
Not included in the above image is something further to note: this image is but the ‘first stage’. Ultimately, the Green Lion is said to evolve into the ‘Red Lion’. Matured, and now fearsome, this Red lion is in the fullness of its power, the ‘instincts’ have propelled the ‘personality’ to new heights, and thus revealed the undiscovered realms of the ‘soul’ within. Finally, this Red lion becomes the ‘Golden Lion’. It is at this stage of our (soul) ‘development’, that the instincts are now fully ‘sublimated’ in service to the ‘Self’ (the merging described above at sunset). Each of us (at least those of us that are aware of our ‘soul’, and who are intent on nourishing its growth), will have to undergo an ‘encounter’ with the Green lion if we are to ever ‘individuate’ ourselves. We must all face that terrifying ‘primal presence’ that is deep within us (having a sort of encounter with death), in order to face the ultimate ‘truth’; that our ego (our ‘personality’) is not the sole occupant of our ‘minds’, nor is ever to be considered who we essentially are! It is much better to perceive our ego as simply the ‘role’ (like a Roman actor), that we (our soul) is currently playing during this ‘incarnation’ of life, and it needs to be merged as ‘one’ so we can be who we were born to be. Understanding this, and the principles above will help provide the basis for your own soul development, and hopefully direct you to the required wisdom of ‘Self’ (that will aid you in realising your ‘higher Self’), and thus a more fulfilled and purposeful life.
References:
Cover Photo: Pinterest
In reference to the ‘Principle of Good’ – See Plato’s Idea of the Good on JSTOR
In reference to Sun Gods and Goddesses – See the following:
Mithras – Mithras, the Persian God Championed by the Roman Army | Ancient Origins (ancient-origins.net)
Ra – Ra (Egyptian God) – World History Encyclopedia and Ra – Egyptian God of the Sun | Mythology.net
Osiris – The Outstanding Story of Osiris: His Myth, Symbols, and Significance in Ancient Egypt | Ancient Origins (ancient-origins.net)
Bel – The Chaldean Legend (blavatsky.net)
Adon – Phoenician Religion — Pagan and Carthaginian Religion – World History Encyclopedia
Helios – Helios (greekmythology.com)
Apollo – ☀ Apollo :: Greek God of Music and Light (greekmythology.com)
Sol – Sol — Norse Mythology and Sol – Norse Goddess of the Sun | Mythology.net
Arinna – Hittite Mythology | Mythosphere (folklore.earth)
Huitzilopochtli – Huitzilopochtli: The Hummingbird War God at the Forefront of the Aztec Pantheon | Ancient Origins (ancient-origins.net)
Inti – Inti, Sun God of the Inca, Spawned the First Rulers of An Unforgettable Empire | Ancient Origins (ancient-origins.net)
Kinich Ahau – Mayan God Kinich Ahau: The Sun God of the Mayan Civilization – Old World Gods
Lugh – Lugh – Ancient Celtic Deity – Symbol Sage and Lugh – Gods and Goddesses
In reference to a Triune Divinity – See Secret Teachings of All Ages: Flowers, Plants, Fruits, and Trees (sacred-texts.com) and Basic Beliefs of Saint Thomas Christianity –Sanatana Dharma in the West (ocoy.org)
In reference to the movement of the Sun and the principles behind it – See Pralaya – Theosophy Wiki, Pralaya – Śiva Mahā Purāṇa (srath.org) and Pralaya or Dissolution – Part 1 – SpiritualityUnknown
In reference to the Hindu ‘Aum’ – See What is AUM(OM) and its meaning in Hinduism – Antaryami.com
In reference to ‘The Fourth Globe of the Chain’ and the Kali Yuga – See Ch 3 – The Ocean of Theosophy (theosociety.org), Chains and Rounds – Theosophy Wiki, Globe – Theosophy Wiki, and Kali Yuga – The Science Behind the Cycle of Yugas and the End of Kali Yuga (sadhguru.org)
In reference to the ‘Lion of Judah’ – See The Lion of Judah – Meaning and Symbolism – Symbol Sage and Leo: The Victorious Lion of Judah | Bethany Blankley (patheos.com)
In reference to the journey from Darkness to Light – See From Darkness Toward Light – The Educator An Introduction, G0702012728.pdf (questjournals.org) and Spiritual-Quest-13-A-Journey-from-Darkness-towards-Light-the-Qur’anic-Perspective-on-the-Concept-of-Light-–-Part-VI.pdf (iiis.ir)
In reference to the ‘Three Lights’ – See Esoteric Symbolism – T H E O S O P H Y (blavatskytheosophy.com), The Threefold Flame and Spiritual Light with the Ascended Masters (heartscenter.org), The Empowerment of the Three Lights – Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia, The Three Light-vestures – Sophian.org, and https://rsarchive.org/Books/GA010/English/RSPC1947/GA010_c01.html
In reference to alchemical gold – See (for basic information) The 22 Key Alchemy Symbols and Their Meanings (prepscholar.com) (for more detailed knowledge see the recommended substack pages of Opeaus Blair)
In reference to the religious concept of regeneration – See Concept of regeneration in the New Testament (ed.ac.uk), What Is Regeneration? Biblical Salvation Meaning of Re-Birth (christianity.com), and Regeneration in Theology (slife.org)
In reference to the ‘Seven Primary Colours’ and seven ‘Rays’ – See Life’s primary colours: How humanity forgot the seven principal virtues – ABC Religion & Ethics, 7 Colors And Their Spiritual Meanings – Spiritual Experience, and The Seven Rays of Divine Manifestation – Emergent Light (meader.org)
In reference to the ‘irrational sphere’ – See Philosophical Idealism, the Irrational and the Personal | SpringerLink, Aristotle – Philosophy of Mind, Hierarchy of the Soul, and Moral Virtue | Britannica and Irrationalism | Existentialism, Skepticism & Nihilism | Britannica
In reference to the ‘Golden Dawn’ – See Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn – Wikipedia (I hate to use such, but its generally accurate) and The Golden Dawn and the O.T.O. (Chapter 23) – The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism
In reference to ‘Monad’ – See Monad | philosophy | Britannica, What Exactly Is The Monad? – T H E O S O P H Y (blavatskytheosophy.com) and Monad – Ascension Glossary
In reference to the ‘Wheel of Rebirth’ – See Story of the image of the five-sectioned wheel of rebirth – Buddhism Teaching Resources, The Tibetan Wheel of Life Explained (learnreligions.com), and The Symbolic Meaning Of Stag and Deer – Master Mind Content
In reference to Lotus Soul and 777 lives – See What is the symbolism of the lotus flower? (yogapedia.com), What is the Meaning of 777 in the Bible? – Beliefnet and Angel Number 777 Meaning In Numerology (hiddennumerology.com)
In reference to ‘Persona’ – See On the use of Masks in Roman Comedy | The Journal of Roman Studies | Cambridge Core
In reference to the Ascendant – See Know Your Chart: The Basics – by Seraphim (substack.com)
In reference to the ‘Green Lion’ – See Alchemy manuscript (gla.ac.uk) and Animal Symbolism in alchemy (alchemywebsite.com)
