Introduction
I would like in a series of posts to address the meaning of
the terms Lunar and Solar. These two terms appear very often in one’s studies
of esotericism and Gnosis, and in fact looking at these terms from a deeper or
more profound perspective we find them at the foundation of any esoteric
doctrine.
As a Gnostic student without conducting an investigation
into the meaning of these two terms, one’s understanding can remain superficial
and because of this superficial understanding one easily at times gets confused
or blank minded when these terms lunar and solar are mentioned in relation to
the ego, humanity, human psychology, human beings, cosmic forces etc. etc.
Superficial Understanding
We typically think that lunar is related to the moon and
solar is related to the sun. In esotericism and especially in Gnosis that is
true, but only to a certain extent. Sometimes we can understand the terms lunar
and solar when they are mentioned in any esoteric or Gnostic text by
remembering some the characteristics of the moon and the sun, but sometimes
remembering the sun and the moon just doesn’t help.
Another superficial understanding that we can develop
especially in Gnosis, is that Lunar equals bad and solar equals good. This
comes about because we know that the essence which is freedom from pain and
suffering is solar and the ego which is the cause of so much of our pain and
suffering is lunar.
Another superficial understanding is to say that solar is
masculine and lunar is feminine or that lunar and solar are the ying and the
yang, and even though this is true there is still much more to it.
Another superficial understanding is to say that lunar is
silver and solar is gold, and even though this is true there is still much more
to understand. This understanding was portrayed prolifically amongst the
plaques and writings of the medieval Alchemists.
A Better Understanding
A better or deeper understanding of lunar and solar, is to
understand lunar and solar as principles or qualities or forces that are an
expression of duality, similar to good and evil but not the same as good and
evil.
Ultimately though the solar and lunar forces merge together
to form one in the Absolute or in the Being itself. The Being is neither lunar
nor solar He or It is the integration of both of them just as is the Absolute.
This brings us to an interesting point here and it is that
we need both of these forces in creation and within ourselves. The Being is
made up of the very thing that is produced when these two forces clash or shock
against each other, so He is born of both of them and he is above both of them,
He is the fire and the light that is produced when these two forces collide.
Conclusion
The topic of lunar and solar is a difficult one and to
surpass the confusion we need to delve deeply into what is lunar and what is
solar and what is beyond them. Knowing the characteristics of each force, is
also something that helps as we will see in subsequent posts, to deepen our
understanding of lunar and solar.
As a conclusion though, the best is to see lunar and solar
not as objects or as planetary bodies or as man and woman or as good and bad
but as cosmic forces or principles. They are indeed cosmic forces with a real
presence and place in the cosmos and they are needed in the cosmos and within
us.
End (104).
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