Iconology - The Great Work … Transformation
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In the accomplishment of the Great Work in Alchemy there are fundamental principles, which have been firmly established, as essential to the process. The central idea is of the fusion, the interaction or cooperation of the male and female principle, the sun and the moon. Early in alchemical thought the interaction of the two parts was figuratively called impregnation. Both fuse into one symbol. The idea is that we must derive the male activity from the gold and a female activity from the silver, in order to get from this union that which perfects mercury. Astrologically, the planet Mercury is represented by the moon over the sun, and sun over the earth. Mercury is the planet of intelligence and the messenger of the gods. To be intelligent then was to have the instincts be realized by consciousness in a practical way. Conceptual, spiritual and practical are one: metaphorically and actually turning lead into gold.
- Left Panel
Image - Map of Middle East - The words at top “The Bride Waits”
The Bride – The Moon
The moon astrologically represents the higher emotional faculties like hope, faith, and benevolence. It also represents the female principle: nurturing, mother, wife, and women generally, instincts, receptivity, change, habit patterns and emotions.
Image - Parable of the Ten Virgins from Matt. 25:1-13
The question of salvation or entrance into the kingdom of heaven is the subject of this parable. This parable has been interpreted, by conservative bible scholars as, the need for preparedness in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the mark of faith that is the only prerequisite for entrance into the kingdom and the participation in the celebration of the wedding feast of the Bridegroom (Christ), the sun astrologically as the male principle.
Christian Interpretation
Preparedness is demonstrated by faith, which will enable one to enter the kingdom at the time of the Bridegroom’s unexpected arrival. The lack of proper preparation is the demonstration of unbelief, which will disqualify one from the entrance and enjoyment in the kingdom.
My Interpretation
Christianity is very big on not judging. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. - Matthew 7:1,2. What is being said here is very similar if not exactly the same as the Law of Karma. “As you sow so shall you reap”. Awareness is the only way in human experience that I know of, to be non-judgmental. Being prepared amounts to being ready to experience life directly, without filters, without agreeing or disagreeing with it. Taking life as GOD delivers it, as if He/She didn’t make a mistake. According to some most of humanity are sleepwalkers, are unaware of the nature of reality, are the sleeping virgins. The bridegroom is awareness.
Image - Kabalistic Tree over the Parable of the ten Virgins
The Kabalistic Tree symbolizes the prototypical Adam, the cosmic system with its multitude of parts. Sometimes represented as a human body, the heavenly man, - Adam Kadmon - links the human being as made in God’s image and carries the characteristics of astrological attributions (symbolic meanings of Planets and Signs).
Image – The Bembine Table of Isis
The Egyptian and the occult system of the ideas, parallel in scope to the Kabala.
Image – Medieval Image of Astrological Sign Libra – from the “Book of Hours”
Image - The Golden Egg of Brahma from The Law of Manu India (1775-1880)
The Egg appears again at the beginning of every new cycle.
Image – of Divine Emanation – Medieval image
Image - Words élan vital
By its vital impetus, the "vital force", or élan vital, life acts on its environment, and evolves with it.
- Middle Panel
Image is second part of 3 part image including “The Threshold is Now” and “The Word”.
Ouroboros Circular shape above the door is a snake biting it’s own tail.
The Ouroboros (or Uroboros) is the symbolic representation of the idea that "All Is One," even though the universe undergoes periodic cycles of destruction and creation (or resurrection). In Orphic and Mithraic symbology, the Ouroboros was the "Good Spirit" and was a symbol for the "Operation of the Sun." In Greek terminology, the Ouroboros was the Aion, and to the Greeks this defined the cosmic period between the creation and destruction of the universe.
- Right Panel
Astrological Image of Venus
The traditional meaning, according to astrology is that the planet Venus has an influence centered on the expression of self in personal relationships, harmony, art, beauty, and affection. Venus has the ability to attract others and maintain relationships.
The evolved meaning of Venus’s function is to establish values and ideals through a process of inner meaning for the purpose of internalization that includes the purifying (separating the wheat from the chaff) force within experience, the attempt to reach the center of self and others, a sense of aesthetics and the establishment of a pattern of appreciation and a set of values and ideals. Venus involves the expression of internal experience.
The symbol of Venus the C over the +, sun over the earth, represents the idea of organization of matter into harmony of parts. Therefore Venus rules the arts.
