The Canute Key

The Esoteric Philosophy Behind the Famous FableBy Philip Gardiner, author of

The Serpent Grail, The Shining Ones, Gnosis:The Secret of Solomon’s Temple Revealed, Proof – Does God Exist?

and

Secrets of the Serpent.

Almost everybody in the UK, if not the Western world, will know of the tale of King Canute and how he tried to turn back the sea, but is everybody aware of the esoteric teaching behind this remarkable story?The time is the 11

century and the Viking Canute (Knut) is King of Demark,Norway and England. He was a very real King and his tomb can to this day beseen in Winchester, England.But as with most monarchs and people in power there erupts around them all-manner of weird and wonderful folktales, many based upon the art-form of propaganda but many also based upon the sacred teachings of esotericsocieties. In this instance we have a little of both, as the tale erupted well after the death of the King and so was therefore Christian and monarchistpropaganda and yet it was released by brothers who knew the esoteric truths.The story goes that the courtiers of King Canute were so overwhelmed withhis leadership qualities that they constantly adored him and praised his everymove. One day Canute was walking by the sea with his courtiers praising himas usual. He eventually grew weary of this praise and decided he would teachthem all a lesson and said:“So you say I am the greatest man in the world?” To which they replied:“O King, there has never been anyone as mighty as you.”“And you say all things obey my word?”“Yes my lord, all things bow before you.”“In that case bring me my chair and we will go down to the water.”Although the courtiers were puzzled they did as they were told and the Kingschair was placed close by the sea.“Very well Sea, I command you to come no further.” Said the King.Of course they all waited and as we all know the sea refused to listen to thecommands of the King. Finally he said:“Let it be known to all inhabitants of the world that the power of kings is empty,and no one is worthy of the name king except Him, whose will is obeyed byHeaven, earth and sea.”

We do know that the real King Canute was a religious man, with many non-Christian Viking styled followers who had followed him to England and so heruled a religiously divided nation. It seems he respected the Christian Churchand spent a lot of time and energy rebuilding the various churches andmonasteries, in this way showing his allegiance to the power of the Churchand according to some [1] had early but distinctly Masonic tendencies – usingthe buildings as symbols of the Grand Architects power. In this fable however we may have a hint of Christian propaganda revealing that the King himself issubject to the power of God (and therefore the Pope) in the form of the waves.But, as this story is obviously a fable and in all likelihood not a true literalaccount, then we do have to find the reason for it and as with many thingsthere are many answers.The most often used explanation for this tale is that it proves that no man isabove the law of nature, created by God, and this is very true, however thereis depth here that is taught in several esoteric schools and never passed on tothe uninitiated. I believe it is time for the true depth of this teaching to surface.To understand exactly what we are talking about here we will have to alter our perceptions slightly. Firstly we need to understand that the King in the storycould have been any King. It simply uses him as the figure-head, the role. TheKing is in the role of our consciousness and indeed he is the head of the Stateand our own head. This King is our male-dominated consciousness that isconstantly boasted of. We build up our own self-worth with our own thoughts –here portrayed as courtiers - the courtiers of the mind. In our conscious statewe believe that we are in charge, that we control our actions, that we can doanything. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can become so if it is out of balance with nature itself.Inside all of us the power of nature surges like the sea and if we believe thatwe can control or turn back this powerful tide then we are indeed fools and notKings. As an example I will create a fictional role. Let us say that my wife hasa deep natural urge to nurture and care for young. She is attracted to puppieseyes and baby seals, as we all are to some extent. This is a natural urge anda good one. If this urge gets out of control or out of balance then we will endup with a houseful of children and baby animals, but she curbs the desire andbalances it out with her conscious knowledge. However, if she denies thepower of the urge, the natural urge that sources through her very veins thenshe will be a mental and physical wreck because the natural urges will never cease and allow her a moment’s emotional rest. She will be denying anessence that is from within the heart of the very universe – the essence of lifeand life-creation.No man or woman on this planet can deny the natural urges that are withinus, creating desires, loves, hunger and all-manner of emotions that when outof balance simply form an unnatural state and division and duality. WhenArthur and Guinevere were split apart the land became infertile. WhenSolomon and Sheba were parted, Israel divided; and Robin Hood was nothingwithout Marion. We must be in union inside our minds with the natural world,