Metaphysics of sex
“As above, so below” is an old saying stating that the Universe being a Macrocosm and
the human being a Microcosm, or exact reflection of the Universe, every expression of nature is the symbol of a superior or “macrocosmic” reality.
The Universal Manifestation is based on the union of the complementary aspects of the Principle, or two principles which could be defined as “essence” and “substance”, essence being masculine and active in nature, and substance being feminine and passive in nature. This “duality” is only apparent since these two principles are aspects of the Primordial Unity which contains the Whole (the manifested and non-manifested worlds). Besides, the word “duality” is inappropriate and, as Rene Guenon says: “We spoke about complements and not opposites; it is important not to confuse these two notions as it is often the
case, and to confuse complement with opposition…. The opposition will correspond to the most inferior and superficial aspect, whereas the complement, in which this opposition has been resolved, corresponds to the higher and deeper point of view”. (Symbolism of the Cross).
Therefore, there cannot be opposition or superiority of the essence with regard to the substance, these two principles being interlocked in the manifestation. At the universal level, this “couple” is called, in Hinduism, Purusha-Prakriti, and in Taoism Ying-Yang. At the divine level, it is represented by Shiva-Shakti (the god and his spouse),
and at the human level it is constituted by Adam and Eve. The union of these
complements forms the Androgyne. It is the totalisation of the being, since the
complements must be in perfect balance, with no predominance of one over the
other.
As we already know, humans of the Golden Age, which corresponds to the Garden of Eden, were androgyne. They were immortal. The succession of the cycles of our humanity resulted in a gradual deterioration of spiritual values and the human being became “separated”. Instead of being one, male and female together, he became two distinct creatures, one male, symbol of Purusha, the active principle, and one female, symbol of Prakriti, the passive principle. As a result of this separation, the human being became mortal. He will become immortal again when he will find his primordial unity.Since this mythical time, humans have been looking for their totality. Men and women of the Kali Yuga are separated beings unknowingly longing for this primordial unity. It is this aspiration, this feeling of being incomplete, that draws men and women toward one another,to accomplish the “fusion” of the two in one, through the sexual act.
It is certainly not the instinct of reproduction that motivates the sexual act, and procreation is the natural consequence of the “fall” of man who can survive only by perpetuating the species. However, this “immortality” is relative since, by giving life
we also perpetuate death.
The sacred sexual act
In various traditions, the sexual act is performed ritually with the objective of metaphysical liberation. We will quote Julius Evola in the “Metaphysics of Sex” who describes this ritual in Tantrism:
“In these forms, the concept of the human couple, transformed into a momentary embodiment of the everlasting divine couple, moves from the generic ritual plane
of holy marriage to the operational plane. The ontological principles of Shiva and
Shakti, or of other equivalent deities present in the bodies of the man and the woman
are realized; it is necessry to arrive riatually and sacramentally at a state when
the man actually feels himself to be Shiva and the woman Shakti. This is the precondition of a sexual union that must transcend the limitations of physical and
carnal nature and assume a magical character. Its center of gravity must be
transferred to a subtle plane where the mutual magnetism of intense sexual love
and desire consists in an “intoxication or congestion of astral light”. Its “climax”
and supreme ecstasy corresponds to the rupture of level of individual consciousness
and the sudden realization of the nondual state. This is the ultimate goal of that path of
desire which has been considered in Hindu tradition alongside the other paths of liberation…”
Profane love
For ordinary men and women, sex does not reach this dimension and our sexual experiences do not elevate our spiritual consciousness. They might even be degrading,
in certain cases when sex is performed without discrimination.
However, there is one state in our ordinary human experience which can compare with what is described above, and that is “passion”. First, because psychologically, when we experience passion for another being, we are totally unselfish and ready to die for the one we love, and secondly because the sexual act with this particular person reaches, in intensity, the pure state of bliss sought in ritual sex. Orgasm is the moment when duality disappears and we are “one” for fraction of time.
You will find in the “Metaphysics of Sex” by Julius Evola all the possible phenomena of transcendency in the profane love, so this subject will not be developed any further.
Male and female natures
In astrology, the male principle is symbolized by the Sun and Mars. The Sun represents the giver of life, light, warmth, positive energy, will power; it is the reflection of the divine principle on earth. It is the father and the husband.
Mars is male strength, courage, assertiveness, aggressiveness, action, erection. It is the lover.
These are some of the attributes of Purusha, the Universal Essence.
The female principle is symbolized by the Moon and Venus. The Moon represents fecondity, gestation, plasticity, sensitivity, passivity, imagination, dream, the ocean, the home. It is the mother and the wife.
Venus symbolizes love, voluptiousness, beauty, charm, sociability, the arts. It is the lover.
These are some of the qualities of Prakriti, the Universal Substance.
Of course, these represent the “absolute” male and female principles and, in reality,
each human being share both male and female qualities, with a predominance of one
or the other, depending on gender. We will be attracted to a person of the opposite sex who will have the reverse percentage of male and female. For instance, if we are 80% female and 20% male, we will be attracted by a male who will be 80% male and 20% female, thus realizing the perfect balance.
Metaphysics of marriage
In a traditional society, marriage is a “social institution” which reproduces in miniature (microcosm), the society in which it developes, this society being itself a reflection
of the Divine Order (Dharma). The goal of this institution is to create a family which will develop harmoniously, according to well established laws. All these families combined constitute the “society”, in perfect harmonywith the family spirit.
In the traditional society, marriage is not based on romantic love but on social and economic requirements. Families decide on their child’s spouse. Men and Women are aware of their “duties” and perform them faithfully. The husband is the “chief”of the family (like the king who is the chief of the country). He provides protection, material support, guidance, etc.. to his wife and children. He is the “Sun”, a microcosmic image of Purusha in his microcosmic world represented by his family.
In turn, the wife is the nurturing element of the family, providing love, food, warmth, moral support, etc. Like the Moon, she reflects the “light” of her husband and projects it onto her children.
It is obvious that a “traditional” marriage cannot be one if there are no children, since
this is the scope of this social institution. This is why one of the reasons for breaking up a marriage is the impossibility for the couple to have children together. There are many other reasons which we will not discuss here, but what is protected in the marriage is its conformity to the laws of harmony in the Universe.
Of course, a traditional marriage can only be possible in a traditional society and does not apply to our Western world, especially at the end of the Kali Yuga. In our society, marriage has lost its real meaning and has become a mere “superstition”. A superstition is something in which everybody believes but nobody knows why. In the case of marriage, this ignorance is dramatic and has lead to the failure of marriage in our society.
Does this mean that we should not get married? I would not be so drastic as to say “no,
we shouldn’t”, but I would advise anyone who wants to get married to wait long enough, until the “passion” is over, to find out if this passion has turned into a long lasting love, or if it was just a wonderful infatuation which has left nothing but ashes. Passion cannot be thebasis of marriage because it is incompatible with duration. If we accept this fact, and also the fact that men and women are different in nature but yet, compatible and complementary, then maybe we will be able to avoid failure.