To: K-list
Recieved: 2000/06/11 10:02
Subject: [K-list] Inner Marriage
From: Mrkstavish
On 2000/06/11 10:02, Mrkstavish posted thus to the K-list:
Dear List,
This process of meeting our 'inner self' or hidden self is often described in
alchemical literature as 'The Alchemical Wedding" and its seven stages are
best described in the 'novel' "The Alchemical Wedding of Christian
Rosenkreutz" published in the early 17th century. A modern translation with
commentary is available from Phanes Press.
In summary, the novel states, using the esoteric symbolic language of the
period, that we often get the 'invitation' to the 'wedding' sudden and
unannounced, and wonder if the invitation has 'arrived' at the right
place!<G> We undertake the journey to the wedding castle and meet the groom
and bridegroom, and for seven 'days' or cycles of activity, are challanged
(forced to face our inner 'demons', pathologies, etc.) about what we are
about to experience. During these seven days, many of our companions fail
the tests. This symbolizes first, our intergration of the negative
(limiting, excesive application of a single approach) parts of our psyche; as
well as the lesson that not all people travel the path at the same pace.
Some are left behind for a period of time.
When we meet our inner self, she is 'veiled' for we can not look upon her
directly. For it is written that Enoch say the face of God and was no more.
In short, we see our inner self indirectly, reflected in the world, in
others, and more importantly, in dreams and inner experiences.
Over time, we get to see 'Venus' (or Isis if you will) Unveiled.
Important symbols, dreams, inner experiences, that occur near the end are:
1) Venus is in an underground chamber or tomb. Here we are told that love
lies sleeping deep in all of us, and must be awakened if we are to climb the
tower.
2) Tower, ascent of the lower to the higher. This tower (similar to St.
Terese's and St. John's works on Catholic (heavely cabalistic) mysticism from
Spain in the 16th century) is Mt. Meru of the Budhists.
Here our hero has companions that have three ways of ascent:
Those with "wings", who's consciousness is sufficiently subtle to allow
direct flight. Those with "ladders", that create links between the inner and
outer world; and those with "ropes", who are 'pulled' up by the force of
their will (as in Raja yoga) because their consciousness is more outwardly
directed.
3) Seven gifts, or 'charisma' (Greek -New Testament, or 'powers' , read:
sidhas) are received. We get the gifts of powers whether we like it or not,
it is how we use them that matters.
In the final phase, we are forced to take responsiblity for our 'Work' and to
take on the task of 'porter' and 'guardian' for the 'tower'. That is, we
realize that we must participate fully in this task of self-realization and
not just be passive instruments of unconsicous forces. In doing so we can
then assist other (porter) as well as protect the gateways to consciousness
(and the tradition that assisted us) from being abused by ourselves.
I hope that the above is useful to some of you.
Sincerely,
Mark Stavish
The Wyoming Valley Society for Esoteric Studies
http://hometown.aol.com/esoteric777/myhomepage/index.html
http://www.hermetic.com/stavish/
"Oser, Vouloir, Se Taire. - Dare, Will, Keep Silent"
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