In Search of Lord or Lady?
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93!
I got into Kabbalah through a Sophian Gnostic Order that, aside from being hopelessly enslaved by the Black Brothers, had many great techings on several subjects - one of them being the inspiration for this question.
As taught by them, Samhadi is equated with the Descention of Shekinah onto the 'Phallus' of the symbolic male seeker - but in another teaching Samhadi is equated with Ascention of the symbolic female seeker to Bridal Chamber in which she is united with her Lord.
Is the seeker to view themselves as male or female? Are we to view ourselves as being like Sophia, trapped & wandering the earth in search of our Lord? or are we to view ourselves as a Chivalrous Knight in search of our Lady? or does this view switch from one to the other when one reached a specific Grade? such as the seeker being as Sophia until 4=7, but becoming as Parzifal after K&C of HGA at 5=6?93 93/93
L.Lazuli
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@Lapis said
"Is the seeker to view themselves as male or female?"
As convenient. There is no universal rule.
But, in general, below Tiphereth (aftter preliminary stages in which this can go any whichway) the goal is solar. After Tiphereth, the goal genearlly is feminine and often stellar. This may, for many, determine the symbolic nature of the aspirant.
The soul at the beginning of the journey is typically feminine, e.g., the Qabalistic daughter or bride, or Persephone as soul of earth.
But, bottom line, you are what you are.
"Are we to view ourselves as being like Sophia, trapped & wandering the earth in search of our Lord?"
Sophia is generally regarded as the transcendant - the highest, the upper reaches of (say) Gimel, the truth of which all else is but a veil.
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I understood Sophia as the Divine that became trapped in matter by Her offspring, the Demiurge - similar to V.V.V.V.V.'s words:
"There was a maiden that strayed among the corn, and sighed; then grew a new birth, a narcissus, and therein she forgot her sighing and her loneliness. Even instantly rode Hades heavily upon her, and ravished her away." - LXV I:47-8"
I suppose Persiphone might be a better analogy.
Thanks for your insight, Jim.L.Lazuli
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