MEJ On Grimm's Fairy Tales

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GRIMM 'S FAIRY TALES!
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A Symbols Commentary
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MARC EDMUND IONES
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World-renowned author of Sabian Symbols In Astrology
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1
GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES
2
Also by
Also Marc Edimmdfomy
by Marc Edmund Jones
How To Learn
How To Learn Astrology
Astrology
The Guide
The To Horoscope
Guide To Horoscope Interpretation
Interpretation
Problem
Problem Solving
Solving by
by Horary Astrology
Horary Astrology
Astrology: How
Astrology: How & Why It
& Why Works
It Works
The Sabian
The Sabian Symbols
Symbols In Astrology
In Astrology
Essentials
Essentials Of Astrological Analysis
Of Astrological Analysis
Scope
Scope Of Astrological Prediction
Of Astrological Prediction
Mundane
Mundane Perspectives
Perspectives In Astrology
In Astrology
Fundamentals
Fundamentals OfOf Number
Number Significance
Significance
The Counseling
The Manual In
Counseling Manual Astrology
In Astrology
How
How ToTo Live
Live With
With The
The Stars
Stars
The Marc
The Marc Edmund Jones 500
Edmund]ones 500
George
George Sylvester
Sylvester Morris:
Morris: Philosophical
Philosophical Career
Career & Theistic Idealism
& Theistic Idealism
Gandhi Lives
Gandhi Lives
Occult
Occult Philosophy
Philosophy
The Sabian
The Manual: A
Sabian Manual: A Ritual
Ritual For Living
For Living
The Sabian
The Sabian Book
Book Of Letters To
Of Letters To Aspirants
Aspirants
Man, Magic
Man, Magic And
And Fantasy
Fantasy
3
GRIMM'S
GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES
FAIRY TALES
A Symbols
Commentary
Twenty-seven Lecture—Lessons
Twenty—seven Lecture-Lessons by
by
MARC EDMUND JONES
Comprising
Comprising an
an Introduction
Introduction to
to Fundamental
Fundamental Symbolism
Symbolism
© 2010
 2010 Sabian
Sabian Publishing
Publishing Society
Society
4
Sabian
Sabian Publishing
Publishing Society
Society
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Road
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© 2010
 2010 Sabian
Sabian Publishing
Publishing Society
Society
ISBN
ISBN
LCC
LCC
All rights
All rights reserved. No part
reserued. No part of
of this
this text
text
may
may be
he reproduced
reproduced in
in any
au} manner
mauuer whatsoever,
whatsoever,
without
without the
the written permission of
writteu permission of the Publisher.
the Puhlisher.
Lily and
Lil)! and Snake Logo
Shake Logo
® Sabian
 Publishing Society
Sahiau Puh/ishiug Society
Cover Illustration
Cooer Illustration
Hansel and Gretel, by Arthur
Arthur Rackham, 1909
from
from The Arthur Rackham
The Arthur Raekharu Tre asury, Dover
Treasury, Dover Publications,
Publications, Inc.,
Inc., 2005
2005
By Permission
Printed in
Priuted iu the
the United
Uuited States
States of America
ofArueriea
5
(Dedication Page)
(Dedication Page)
6
TABLE OF
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS
A Series
A Series of Lessons Based
of Lessons Based on
on
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES
FAIRY TALES
Comprising
Comprising
An Introduction
An Introduction to
to Fundamental
Fundamental Symbolism
Symbolism
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
Lesson Title
Lesson Title Consideration Page
a
M
w
“weak
II Effective
Effective Symbolism
Symbolism Intuitive
Intuitive realization
realization 5
II
II The Study
The Study of
of Symbols
Symbols Creative
Creative realization
realization 9
III
III Faithful John
Faithfuljohn The voice
The voice of of conscience
conscience 3
IV
IV Snow White
Snow White The birth
The birth ofof aspiration
aspiration 17
H
V
V Hansel
Hansel and
and Gretel
Gretel The Garden
The Garden of of Eden
Eden 19
19
VI
VI The Goose
The Goose Girl
Girl The drama
The drama of of adolescence
adolescence 23
23
VII
VII The Frog
The Frog Prince
Prince The doctrine
The doctrine of of beauty
beauty 26
26
VIII
VIII The Table,
The Table, Ass
Ass and
and Stick The gifts
Stick The gifts ofof the
the angles
angles 29
IX
IX The Sleeping
The Sleeping Beauty
Beauty The little
The little people
people 32
32
X
X Rumpelstiltskin
Rumpelstiltskin The law
The law ofof activity
activity 36
36
XI
XI Little
Little Red
Red Cap
Cap The doctrine
The doctrine of of karma
karma 39
39
XII Tom Thumb
Tom Thumb Four great
great initiations
initiations 42
42
XIII
XIII Aschenputtel
Aschenputtel Evolution
Evolution of of the
the soul
soul 46
46
XIV
XIV Roland
Roland The seven-year
The seven—year cycles
cycles 50
50
XV
XV The Raven
The Raven The mystic
The mystic marriage
marriage 54
54
XVI
XVI The Twelve
The Twelve Brothers
Brothers The twelve
The twelve faculties
faculties 58
58
XVII
XVII The Brother
The Brother and
and Sister
Sister Golden Wedding Garment
Golden Wedding Garment 61
61
XVIII
XVIII The Three
The Three Little Men
Little Men The doctrine
The doctrine of of affinities
affinities 64
64
XIX
XIX The White
The White Snake
Snake Nine lesser initiations
Nine lesser initiations 68
68
XX
XX The Golden
The Golden Bird
Bird The key
The key toto demonstration
demonstration 72
72
XXI
XXI Rapunzel
Rapunzel The magic
The magic of of existence
eXistence 75
75
XXII
XXII Shiver
Shiver and
and Shake
Shake Sustaining
Sustaining consciousness
consciousness 79
79
XXIII
XXIII Iron
Iron Hans
Hans The eternal
The eternal flux
fluX 83
83
XXIV
XXIV The Water
The Water of
of Life
Life The true
The true manna
manna 87
87
XXV
XXV The Maiden
The Maiden without
without Hands The power
Hands The power of of evil
evil 91
91
XXVI
XXVI The Two
The Two Travelers
Travelers The cosmic
The ledger
cosmic ledger 95
95
XXVII
XXVII The Clever
The Clever Elsie
Elsie Self-hypnotism
Self—hypnotism 99
99
Index
Index 104
IMPRIMATUR
IMPRIMATUR
J
8
9
Lesson
Lesson 61, issued 4/14/08
61, issued 4/14/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES II
FAIRY TALES
EFFECTIVE
EFFECTIVE SYMBOLISM
SYMBOLISM
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This lesson,
This inaugurating the
lesson, inaugurating the second
second half
half of
of an
an eighty-fifth year in
eighty-fifth year in the
the
presentation
presentation of of the
the Philosophy
Philosophy of of Concepts
Concepts (Classes
(Classes 6,12; lessons 61-71,
6,12; lessons 61-71, 176-176—
184,
184, 3005-3010
3005—3010 and and an intercalary 3011
an intercalary 3011 that is included
that is included at at this
this threshold
threshold of of
the
the fourth
fourth philosophy
philosophy cycle) cycle) andand beginning
beginning aa series
series ofof twenty-six
twenty-six (or (or twenty-
twenty—
seven)
seven) studies
studies that
that provide
provide the the aspirant
aspirant withwith an introduction to
an introduction to the
the simplest
simplest
and
and essentially
essentially most
most familiar
familiar structure
structure of of fundamental
fundamental symbolism
symbolism on which
on which
all
all genuine
genuine symbolism
symbolism is is based
based on its poetic
on its poetic as in distinction
as in distinction fromfrom its its rational
rational
side
side of
of approach
approach to to the
the reality
reality ofof everyday
everyday experience,
experience, is is the
the first
first ofof two
two thatthat
have been prepared for general general student orientation in in the light
light of the com- com—
pleted corpus of mimeographed exposition and with with the perspective of forty
years
years ofof Sabian
Sabian development.
development. The The beginning
beginning of of the
the Sabian
Sabian project,
project, as identi-
as identi—
fying what
what ultimately is is more the group group or potentially continuing rather than
the individual efforts
the individual efforts of of the
the founding
founding chancellor
chancellor that that date
date back
back somesome threethree
decades
decades earlier, was the
earlier, was investigation of
the investigation of the
the occult
occult mathematics
mathematics that that in in
known history or broadest and and most generally accepted
most generally accepted tradition
tradition are are derived
derived
from the Pythagoreans through Plato primarily and so in in a sense through Ar— Ar-
istotle. The
istotle. The direct exposition of of the insights of
the insights of thethe mathematical
mathematical sort sort hashas
taken
taken form
form asas (1)
(1) aa special
special subproject
subproject represented
represented by by the
the Codex
Codex Occultus
Cam/Ms les— les-
sons
sons inin the
the hypothetical
hypothetical consideration
consideration (Classes(Classes 1,2,7,
1,2,7, and
and then
then 9,109,10 andand 11 11
each
each inin part)
part) and
and (2) (2) the long-continued and
the long—continued and comprehensive
comprehensive work work towards
towards
the
the clarification
clarification of of judicial
judicial astrology
astrology in in the importantly practical
the importantly practical consideration.
consideration.
To establish
To establish aa balance
balance with with these
these activities
activities such
such as as constitute wholly rational
constitute wholly rational
and
and scientific
scientific research,
research, in in order
order that
that the
the project
project as as aa whole
whole might
might escape
escape any any
overemphasis
overemphasis tending
tending to to defeat
defeat the the effectiveness
effectiveness of of the
the total
total endeavor,
endeavor, has has
been
been anan equally intensive attention
equally intensive attention to intuitive experience
to intuitive experience and its ordering
and its ordering in in
everyday
everyday experience
experience as as no less aa primary
no less primary manifestation
manifestation of genuine occultism.
of genuine occultism.
The most
The important manifestation
most important manifestation of intuitive experience
of intuitive experience has has been
been found
found in in
the
the Hebraic-Christian
Hebraic—Christian tradition
tradition or what has
or what has been
been dramatized
dramatized as as the great red
the great red
line of prophecy as far as the Western Western world world and its its common culture are
concerned.
concerned. TheThe direct
direct exposition
exposition of of the insights representing
the insights representing this direction of
10
10
human
human outreaching
outreaching has has had had an inaugural exposition
an inaugural exposition in in the
the subproject
subproject repre- repre—
sented
sented by by the
the Chaldean
Chg/dean Book Book of Initiation lessons
of Im'z‘z'az‘z'm lessons (Classes
(Classes 5,8) 5,8) andand by by (1)
(l) thethe
almost
almost complete
complete commentary
commentary on on the
the Bible
Bible together
together with with (2)(2) the
the development
development
of
of the
the healing
healing ministry
ministry of of the group and
the group and (3)(3) the
the provisions
provisions for for Solar initiation
Solar initiation
through
through the the acolyte
acolyte and legate disciplines.
and legate disciplines. The T/Qe KeyKey Truths
Tmz‘lar of of Occult Philosophy
Occult Phi/amply}
and its rewritten
and its rewritten versionversion as as Occult
066q Philosophy
PM/omp/y with with esoteric
esoteric deletions
deletions to give it
to give it
less
less the
the aspect
aspect of of the
the profane
profane mysteries
mysteries are are aa part
part of of the
the rational
rational subproject.
subproject.
The studies
The studies in in the
the fairy
fairy tales were aa first
tales were first phase
phase in in aa continuing
continuing complementa-
complementa—
tion
tion through
through essentially intuitive realization
essentially intuitive realization for for thethe refinement
refinement of of the
the rational
rational
comprehension
comprehension of
of a
a genuine
genuine occultism
occultism in
in its
its age-old
age—old lineaments.
lineaments. Here
Here is the
is the
underlying
underlying pattern
pattern of of all
all Sabian
Sabian presentation.
presentation. SymbolismSymbolism is is the
the basic language
basic language
of intuitive experience,
of intuitive experience, or or of of conscious
conscious self-existence
self—existence more more at at focus
focus on on the the
feeling
feeling than
than on on the intellectual side.
the intellectual side. Symbols
Symbols are are mediated
mediated by by mind,
mind, but but they
they
are
are never
never properly
properly rationalized
rationalized as as such
such in in any
any acceptance
acceptance of of the
the message
message they they
bring
bring to to the individual in
the individual in thethe particular
particular case.case. Reason
Reason has its true
has its true function
function in in
observing
observing or or deducing
deducing the the circumstances
circumstances under under which which anything
anything in in question
question is is
able
able toto symbolize
symbolize the given intuitive
the given intuitive impact
impact eithereither as as subconscious
subconscious reaction reaction
or
or conscious
conscious but but reflexive
reflexive response,response, and and this this the the mind
mind may may or or maymay not not
choose
choose to to facilitate
facilitate in in the the manifestation
manifestation of of thought.
thought. Thus Thus the widest widest em- em—
ployment of symbolism other than in in the phenomenon of language language is is in
in rit-
rit—
ual,
ual, and
and it it is
is through
through the the ritualization
ritualization of of spiritual
spiritual experience
experience out out of of the
the pastpast
that
that the
the troubled
troubled soul soul in in thethe present
present may may perhaps
perhaps regrasp itself most
regrasp itself most effec-
effec—
tively
tively oror make
make neededneeded adjustment
adjustment to to crisis
crisis or or frustration.
frustration. The The familiarity
familiarity of of
the
the symbols
symbols poses poses aa minimum
minimum of of challenge
challenge to to the
the mentality,
mentality, and and thethe buildup
buildup
of
of fear
fear and
and frustration
frustration and and self-acceptance
self—acceptance of inadequacy is
of inadequacy is defeated
defeated at at core
core
to
to the
the extent
extent the the being
being responds
responds directlydirectly out out of its inherent
of its inherent genius genius ratherrather
than
than according
according to to the
the dictates
dictates of its conditioning
of its conditioning through through its its maturation
maturation in in
prescribed grooves. Even if if ritualizations and entrenched orthodoxies of any
sort
sort end
end up up as as themselves
themselves conditioningconditioning factors factors as as any
any culture
culture or or society
society bebe—
comes
comes static,
static, thethe release
release of of self
self to itself in
to itself in its
its practice
practice of of thethe familiarities
familiarities
leaves the consciousness less less divided within within itself
itself by everyday dilemmas and
so
so there
there is is reconciliation
reconciliation if if perhaps
perhaps not not thethe best
best in in the world. Here is
the world. is the ex- ex—
planation
planation of of morality,
morality, or or thethe determination
determination of of people
people to to cling
cling to what in
to what in their
their
self-realization
self—realization has has remained
remained their their principal
principal reassurance.
reassurance. That That symbolism
contributes
contributes to to evil
evil nono lessless thanthan to good is
to good is seen
seen in in the
the use
use of of propaganda
propaganda by by
men in in power to facilitate their exploitation of their fellows and also when when a
distorted
distorted mind mind or or aberrated
aberrated awareness awareness leads leads everyevery normal
normal act and reaction
astray
astray through
through purestpurest fantasy.
fantasy.
The study
The study of of symbols
symbols must must be be in in detachment
detachment from from any immediate
any immediate
experience
experience of of their impact, but
their impact, but the
the experiencing
experiencing of of their
their significance
significance is is aa nec-
nec—
essary validation of
essary validation of the insights gained
the insights gained in in respect
respect to to them
them and and their
their common
common
11
11
implication; it
implication; it is
is for
for this
this reason
reason that
that all
all spiritual
spiritual development
development depends
depends on
on aa
continual
continual rehearsal
rehearsal ofof symbolical
symbolical representation
representation or or on
on dramatic
dramatic repetition
repetition ofof
the
the essence
essence of
of transcendental
transcendental accomplishment
accomplishment as as built into the
built into the history
history of
of the
the
race.
race. Symbolization
Symbolization mustmust be
be practiced
practiced toto have
have any
any continuing
continuing effectiveness,
effectiveness,
since
since aa symbol
symbol no
no less
less than
than anything
anything else is what
else is what it
it does.
does. Its
Its doing is its
doing is its ca-
ca—
pacity
pacity for
for quickening
quickening man’s
man’s actions
actions or
or reactions
reactions properly
properly toto an
an exalted
exalted and
and
unfortunately
unfortunately to
to aa debased
debased participation in his
participation in his everyday
everyday environment.
environment.
The best
The best approach
approach to to aa mastery
mastery of of symbols
symbols is is the
the attempt
attempt to live sig-
to live sig—
nificantly
nificantly oror the
the effort
effort to
to shift
shift concern
concern from
from thethe more general or
more general or condition-
condition—
ing to
ing to the
the more
more specific
specific oror self-quickening
self—quickening symbols
symbols by by seeking
seeking excellency
excellency in in
everything
everything trivial
trivial until
until aa growing
growing sensitiveness
sensitiveness to larger implications
to larger implications increas—
increas-
ingly becomes
ingly becomes aa guideguide to to self
self inin its
its response
response to to the worthy symbols
the worthy symbols of of the
the
world at
world at large
large from which recognition
from which recognition or or reward
reward must
must come. The symboliza-
come. The symboliza—
tions
tions that
that characterize
characterize enduring
enduring potentialities
potentialities and immortal opportunities
and immortal opportunities are are
those
those that
that possess
possess quickening
quickening power power for for the greater sweep
the greater sweep of of humanity.
humanity. The The
superficialities
superficialities of of established
established orthodoxy
orthodoxy or or of values long
of values long entrenched
entrenched in in the
the
very fiber of the race itself may seem to meet this criterion
very fiber of the race itself may seem to meet this criterion but the test is notbut the test is not
the wideness of
the wideness of acceptance
acceptance but but the
the breadth
breadth andand actuality
actuality ofof the
the quickening
quickening
power.
power. Since
Since aa symbolical
symbolical stimulus
stimulus may may facilitate
facilitate self-defeat
self-defeat inin retreat
retreat to to the
the
psychological
psychological womb, womb, or or inin destructive
destructive and and antisocial
antisocial self-expression
self-expression as well
as well
as
as quickening
quickening of of the
the soul
soul toto aa higher
higher destiny
destiny for which to
for which labor and
to labor with the
and with the
exactions
exactions of which to
of which to match
match aa real real refinement
refinement of of the
the necessary
necessary skills
skills and
and ba- ba—
sic
sic stamina
stamina of of selfhood,
selfhood, the the test
test too
too isis whether
whether the individual is
the individual is separated
separated
from his fellows or brought more effectively into into mutually profitable rela- rela—
tions with them.
tions with them.
The spiritual
The spiritual experience
experience of of the
the race is rehearsed
race is rehearsed in in company
company withwith
others,
others, and
and in in an
an employment
employment of of the
the common
common symbolssymbols through which the
through which the
shared
shared exaltation
exaltation of of the
the spirit is gained.
spirit is gained. This
This isis religion
religion primarily, and the
worship may
worship may be be quite
quite private
private or
or solitary
solitary ifif the
the roots
roots are in the total company
are in
of
of those
those living
living or
or deceased who have
deceased who gained strength
have gained strength andand so yielded it
so yielded it in
in turn
turn
through the rehearsal. Hence the study of symbols properly is is in
in the areas of
self-refinement
self—refinement or or specifically
specifically of
of the
the skills
skills of
of thought
thought and and disciplined
disciplined realiza-
realiza—
tion
tion as
as establishing
establishing an increase of
an increase of dimension
dimension in in symbolical
symbolical and and ultimately
ultimately
transcendental
transcendental awareness.
awareness.
12
12
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
FOR REVIEW AND APPLICATION
REVIEW AND APPLICATION
(1)
(1) Sabian
Sabian materials
materials have
have been
been prepared
prepared to implement what
to implement what two
two facets
facets of
of
aa genuine
genuine occultism? What important
occultism? What important balance
balance hashas been
been achieved
achieved
through
through thethe overall
overall pattern
pattern ofof Sabian
Sabian presentation?
presentation?
(2)
(2) What is
What is the
the function
function of of symbolism
symbolism in in the
the Sabian
Sabian presentation?
presentation?
Through what
Through what media
media may
may itit be
be employed?
employed? WithWith what
what possible
possible effect?
effect?
(3)
(3) What twofold
What instruction should
twofold instruction should bebe followed
followed in in any
any study
study of
of symbol-
symbol—
ism? How
ism? How can you ensure
can you ensure effectiveness
effectiveness in in using it?
using it?
(4)
(4) What great
What great challenge
challenge do you accept
do you accept if if you
you seek
seek mastery
mastery of
of symbols?
symbols?
Why is
Why is it
it important
important never
never toto neglect
neglect thethe trivial
trivial details
details of your daily
of your daily
living?
living?
(5)
(5) What are
What are thethe essential
essential differences
differences between
between effective
effective and
and superficial
superficial
symbolism?
symbolism? By what test
By what test may you identify
may you identify this
this difference? What has
difference? What has
symbolism
symbolism to to do with initiation?
do with initiation?
13
l3
Lesson
62, issued 4/21/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES II
FAIRY TALES II
THE STUDY
THE STUDY OF
OF SYMBOLS
SYMBOLS
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This lesson
This is the
lesson is the second
second ofof two
two for general orientation
for general orientation to prepare
to prepare
the
the student
student for
for the
the occult
occult analysis
analysis of
of the
the fairy
fairy tales,
tales, and
and to
to the
the preliminary
preliminary
consideration
consideration of of symbols
symbols as as the
the principal
principal factor
factor in in man’s
man’s rehearsal
rehearsal of of his
his ex-
ex—
perience
perience and and particularly
particularly of of his intuitive or
his intuitive or spiritual
spiritual realization
realization there
there now now cancan
be
be added
added the the further
further consideration
consideration of of them
them as important agents
as important agents or or tools
tools of of
his
his conscious
conscious awareness
awareness in in its
its development
development of of aa genuinely
genuinely creative
creative and and
wholly spiritual
wholly spiritual mastery
mastery of of everyday
everyday living living and
and hence
hence an an ultimate
ultimate achieve-
achieve—
ment
ment of of personal immortality. It
personal immortality. It must
must be be reiterated
reiterated that that the
the symbol
symbol as as such
such
presents itself in
presents itself in the
the matrix
matrix ofof experience,
experience, and and therefore
therefore can can never
never be be some-
some—
thing
thing thatthat the
the mind
mind carries with it
carries with it on
on entering
entering the the situation
situation or or approaching
approaching
the issue at
the issue at hand. Anything of
hand. Anything of the
the sort would be
sort would be an an action
action of of the
the willwill oror an an
expression
expression of of purpose
purpose and intent, and
and intent, and whatwhat symbolization
symbolization providesprovides is is light
light
on
on the
the conditions
conditions met met inin any
any actuality
actuality of of situation
situation or issue rather
or issue rather thanthan merely
merely
an
an echo
echo of what is
of what is brought
brought to to them.
them. In In retrospect,
retrospect, the the purposed
purposed act act of of self
self
can
can be be seen
seen revealing
revealing many many things
things symbolically,
symbolically, but but the mind cannot both
direct
direct and and reflect
reflect in in the
the same
same moment.
moment. Whatever Whatever any any event and its its concomi-
concomi—
tant
tant factors
factors maymay symbolize
symbolize willwill have
have itsits impact
impact on on the
the feeling
feeling or intuition of
or intuition of
self,
self, and
and the
the preparation
preparation of of selfhood
selfhood for for the impact or
the impact or any
any realization
realization of of cer-
cer—
tain
tain sort in some
sort in given case
some given case must
must be be inin advance
advance precisely
precisely as as the
the mental
mental rec- rec—
ognition
ognition of of the
the symbol
symbol mustmust be be subsequent.
subsequent. Symbols Symbols operate
operate whenwhen presentpresent
experience
experience rehearses
rehearses pastpast experience
experience in in whole
whole or in part,
or in part, and what is
and what is impor—
impor-
tant
tant toto understand
understand is is that
that any
any effective
effective study study or or analysis
analysis of of them
them is is anan experi-
experi—
ence
ence of of them
them in in the
the hypothetical
hypothetical case where afterview
case where initially and
afterview initially and then then repe-
repe—
tition
tition inin contemplation
contemplation makes makes possible
possible their later effectiveness
their later effectiveness in in the
the broader
broader
or
or general
general and and social
social experience.
experience. Here Here is is the
the procedure
procedure by which the
by which the child
child
learns
learns or or the
the baby
baby becomes
becomes the the true
true person.
person. The The infant
infant is is as
as sensitive
sensitive as as the
the
adult
adult in in every
every respect,
respect, butbut there
there is is little
little done
done in in infancy
infancy that that byby being
being aa re- re—
hearsal
hearsal of of experience
experience makes makes experiencing
experiencing mature mature and and competent.
competent. At At thethe start
start
there
there is is eating where the
eating where the repetition
repetition is is most
most conscious
conscious becausebecause of of thethe neces-
neces—
sity
sity toto express
express appetite
appetite to to assure
assure nutriment,
nutriment, but but the
the similar
similar andand equally
equally im— im-
14
14
portant
portant elimination virtually dismisses
elimination virtually itself to
dismisses itself to automaticity. Toilet training
automaticity. Toilet training
comes
comes from
from the
the adult impressment of
adult impressment of symbolization with the
symbolization with important early
the important early
accomplishment
accomplishment of of aa developed
developed self-control. The mastery
self—control. The mastery of language can
of language can be be
watched as
watched as aa wonderfully
wonderfully graphic
graphic dramatization
dramatization of of the way in
the way in which
which symbols
symbols
are
are rehearsed vicariously to
rehearsed vicariously to be gained in
be gained in actuality. Thus the
actuality. Thus the child
child usually imi-
usually imi—
tates
tates the
the cadence
cadence ofof speech
speech before
before acquiring words, and
acquiring words, and parallel play illus—
parallel play illus-
trates
trates the
the general
general phenomenon
phenomenon very very strikingly.
strikingly.
The study
The study of
of symbolism
symbolism by by the young occultist
the young is of
occultist is of necessity
necessity his will-
his will—
ing subjection
ing subjection ofof himself
himself to
to aa growing—up
growing-up process in aa literally
process in literally quite identical
quite identical
fashion.
fashion. Much
Much ofof the
the needed
needed rehearsal
rehearsal of
of symbols
symbols as
as aa vicarious
vicarious preparation
preparation
for
for their
their later
later effective
effective recognition
recognition may
may have
have been
been provided
provided for for him
him by
by relig-
relig—
ious interests
ious interests and
and participation
participation inin ritual with an
ritual with an appreciation
appreciation of of the
the real
real re-
re—
sults
sults from
from aa faithfulness
faithfulness of of performance,
performance, even if his
even if intellectual estimation
his intellectual estimation of of
this is negative
this is negative oror isis more
more aa matter
matter ofof appreciating
appreciating itsits stimulus
stimulus toto static
static and
and
defeatist
defeatist aplomb
aplomb than than real
real creative
creative self-expression.
self—expression. At At least
least subconsciously
subconsciously he he
is more
is more aware
aware than
than many
many others
others of
of the
the fact
fact that
that skills
skills must
must be worked at
be worked at
clumsily before they can be exhibited in any competence.
clumsily before they can be exhibited in any competence. The seeker who The seeker who
has studied a language as an an adult is usually
adult is very aware
usually very aware ofof the
the need
need to
to have
have
the
the feel
feel of
of things
things before
before they
they can
can be
be reduced with any
reduced with any success
success toto the
the dicta-
dicta—
tion
tion of
of mind
mind oror reason
reason alone.
alone.
The aspirant
The aspirant on
on the
the Solar
Solar path
path must
must above
above all
all else
else realize
realize that
that man
man isis
thoroughly
thoroughly aa part
part of
of nature
nature at large, or
at large, or that
that the
the terms
terms spiritual
spiritual and
and material
material
indicate differences of function rather than separate kinds of static reality,
indicate
and
and that in consequence
that in what constitutes
consequence what constitutes anything
anything aa symbol
symbol is is not
not something
something
inherently of that significance in
inherently in its
its makeup but rather a relationship of
which it
which it is
is the
the convenient
convenient evidence
evidence in in aa shared
shared or
or common
common reality in which
reality in which
man and also everything around
around him
him have
have their
their being
being and
and consciousness.
consciousness. It is
It is
in consequence of this that all the earliest symbolizations in
in in human experi-
experi—
ence
ence are
are natural
natural phenomena
phenomena such such as as the
the storms
storms or or changes
changes of weather, the
of weather, the
seasons,
seasons, the
the features
features ofof organic life in
organic life in both
both plants
plants and
and animals,
animals, the
the needs
needs and
and
threats of everyday living as waterwater and fire, illness
illness and accident and especially
escape
escape oror the
the phenomenon
phenomenon of luck, the
of luck, the cycles
cycles of life as
of life as birth
birth and
and death
death to-
to—
gether with fertility,
gether with fertility, and
and so
so on
on endlessly. And then
endlessly. And then and
and out
out of
of these
these simple
simple
symbolizations,
symbolizations, by which most
by which language itself
most language itself is
is created,
created, there
there has
has arisen
arisen the
the
more sophisticated sort of dramatization of meaning in in terms of special per—
per-
tinence ranging from basic functional indications indications to the suggestiveness of
things wholly psychological
things wholly psychological or or superphysical
superphysical in in nature.
nature. Here
Here are
are the
the omens
omens
and
and auguries,
auguries, and
and the
the rise
rise of
of an
an elaborate
elaborate mythology
mythology among among all
all ancient peo-
ancient peo—
ples.
ples. Even
Even inin the
the Bible
Bible there
there are
are the
the symbol-stories
symbol—stories of of the
the patriarchs,
patriarchs, and
and the
the
15
15
traditional
traditional lessons
lessons they
they teach
teach for
for rehearsal
rehearsal inin the growth of
the growth of ritual
ritual and
and religion.
religion.
What the occultist
What the occultist needs,needs, however,
however, is
is not
not so
so much
much a
a thorough
thorough knowledge
knowledge of
of
this
this treasure
treasure ofof lore
lore and
and fable with indications
fable with indications usually
usually far
far afield
afield from
from his
his own
own
personal
personal problems,
problems, but but rather
rather the gift of
the gift of recognizing
recognizing direct
direct or intuitional in—
or intuitional in-
dication
dication of value to
of value to him
him inin perhaps
perhaps eacheach and
and every
every situation
situation ofof his
his daily life.
daily life.
From
From thethe tradition
tradition hehe obtains what he
obtains what he needs
needs for
for rehearsing
rehearsing his
his sensitiveness,
sensitiveness,
and with that
and with that developed
developed he is able
he is able to
to create
create or
or recognize
recognize aa kaleidoscope
kaleidoscope of of
new
new symbols
symbols as as his
his own
own unique
unique experience
experience unfolds
unfolds and
and demands indicative
demands indicative
reflection
reflection from
from each
each and
and every
every manifestation
manifestation of of his world at
his world large.
at large.
For
For the
the study
study of of symbols
symbols it it is
is necessary
necessary to to recognize
recognize aa very very definite
definite
area
area ofof symbolization
symbolization that that cancan be
be subjected
subjected to to competent
competent rational
rational ordering,
ordering,
and if possible
and if possible to to find
find one
one that
that has
has not
not been worked over
been worked over by by people
people whowho for
for
one
one reason
reason or or another
another havehave modified
modified or or distorted
distorted itsits features
features to to conform
conform to to
special
special theories
theories or or to
to meet
meet particular
particular demands
demands of of public
public taste
taste and
and acceptance.
acceptance.
Thus the
Thus the Greek
Greek andand Roman
Roman myths, while aa profitable
myths, while profitable subject
subject of of study
study have
have
yet
yet been
been revised
revised andand conventionalized
conventionalized from long before
from long written record
before written record and
and
so are of little help at this beginning point of analysis. The religious
so are of little help at this beginning point of analysis. The religious tales have tales have
passed
passed through
through endless
endless ritualization,
ritualization, as as brought
brought out out inin detail in the
detail in Bible
the Bible
studies.
studies. Fortunately
Fortunately JacobJacob and Wilhelm Grimm,
and Wilhelm Grimm, who who werewere philologists
philologists andand
antiquarians
antiquarians and interested more
and interested more inin finding
finding early
early examples
examples of of usage
usage inin the
the
Germanic
Germanic tongues
tongues or in restoring
or in restoring thethe older
older texts
texts asas they
they could
could rather
rather than
than inin
editing
editing folk
folk lore
lore material
material for for any
any special
special purpose,
purpose, collected
collected the the household
household
tales
tales that
that have
have preserved
preserved so great aa content
so great content of of symbolism
symbolism in in pretty
pretty much
much itsits
raw or original state. The The stories coming down orally and unchanging for
generations
generations are are of
of particular value, and
particular value, and inin this
this context
context the the pioneer
pioneer Sabian
Sabian
studies
studies hadhad access
access toto primitive
primitive structuring
structuring of of concepts
concepts that were in
that were in no way
no way
affected by the translation
translation intointo English.
English.
Folk
Folk tales
tales have
have always
always been loved for
been loved for the insights they
the insights they bring
bring to
to ordi-
ordi—
nary experience. In their more sophisticated form, with with which
which there is is no
concern
concern at at this
this point,
point, they
they offer
offer dramatized
dramatized explanation
explanation forfor the
the actualities
actualities ofof
situation
situation ofof aa people
people or or culture,
culture, and it is
and it is in
in this
this role
role that
that they
they come
come toto be pre-
be pre—
served
served inin sacred
sacred scriptures
scriptures everywhere.
everywhere. On On thethe more
more uninhibited
uninhibited or or naive
naive
level as in
in the children’s stories they largely
largely present a promise of an ultimate
moral reward for man who who will
will make his contribution of decency to his fel- fel—
lows. This
This phase is is only ofof passing importance in
passing importance in the
the study
study of
of symbolism.
symbolism.
What is
What is more vital is
more vital is the
the revelation
revelation of
of underlying
underlying and and essential
essential patterns of life
life
and
and experience,
experience, out out of which symbolism
of which symbolism arises
arises originally
originally and
and so
so out
out of which
of which
subsequently
subsequently it it offers guidance to
offers guidance to the individual in
the individual in facing
facing his
his own
own special
special and
and
everyday
everyday problems.
problems.
16
16
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) How
How can can symbols
symbols become
become aa factor
factor inin the
the achievement
achievement of personal
of personal
immortality? Where
immortality? Where areare these
these symbols
symbols to to be
be found?
found?
(2)
(2) In
In any
any effective
effective use
use of
of symbols
symbols for for spiritual
spiritual purpose what must
purpose What must be be
avoided?
avoided? Why? Why? How
How do do afterview
aftervieW and
and repetition
repetition enhance
enhance the
the effec-
effec—
tiveness
tiveness of of symbols?
symbols?
(3)
(3) What training
What training inin the
the use
use ofof symbols
symbols may may become
become available
available to
to the
the
young occultist?
young What constitutes
occultist? What constitutes aa symbol?
symbol?
(4)
(4) What is
What is the
the difference
difference between
between simple
simple andand sophisticated
sophisticated symbols?
symbols? Of Of
what value
What value toto the
the occult
occult student will be
student will be the
the material
material of
of traditional lore
traditional lore
and
and fable?
fable?
(5)
(5) How
How havehave myths,
myths, fairy
fairy tales,
tales, and
and similar
similar stories
stories acquired
acquired occult
occult sig-
sig—
nificance?
nificance? HowHow maymay they
they bebe used
used byby the
the aspirant in his
aspirant in his development
development
of
of creative
creative realization?
realization?
17
l7
Lesson
63, issued 4/28/08
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES III

FAITHFUL JOHN
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale was the
tale was the first
first to
to be
be considered
considered inin the
the original presenta-
original presenta—
tion
tion of
of Class
Class 66 in
in 1924. There were
1924. There were eleven
eleven sessions
sessions of
of the
the class
class but
but only
only nine
nine
of
of the
the tales were considered,
tales were considered, and
and nono surviving
surviving record
record oror memory
memory tells
tells how
how
the
the tales were distributed
tales were distributed over
over the
the evening
evening atat that
that time. When the
time. When the program
program ofof
preserving
preserving the
the materials was worked
materials was worked out gradually by
out gradually by aa committee
committee of volun-
of volun—
teers,
teers, atat first in typescripts
first in typescripts mademade with with multiple
multiple carboning
carboning and and then later with
then later with
mimeographing,
mimeographing, the the nine
nine reports
reports were were assigned
assigned beginning
beginning with with session
session 63, 63,
and
and inin consequence
consequence the the two
two preliminary
preliminary expositions
expositions four four decades later have
decades later have
been issued as
been issued as aa species
species of of memorial
memorial to to sessions
sessions 61 61 and 62. Of these nine
reports
reports made
made available
available atat the
the start,
start, and
and then
then reissued
reissued in in the
the more
more readable
readable
form with
with the resumption of the study of the tales two years years later
later as Class 12,
this
this first
first one
one waswas barely
barely half
half the length of
the length of the
the others,
others, and
and thus
thus the policy of
the policy of
unifying the format for the lessons lessons in in the regular twenty-one-year
twenty-one—year philosophy
cycle
cycle has
has provided
provided extra
extra space
space here
here forfor comment
comment on on the
the nature
nature ofof these les-
these les—
sons
sons asas they
they are
are reissued initially as
reissued initially as part
part of
of the
the cycle in the spring of 1966. In
cycle in
general
general it it is
is desirable
desirable toto preserve
preserve the the flavor
flavor of of the
the original
original presentation,
presentation, and and
hence there is is a minimum of editing from this point forward through the
eighteen analyses that launched launched the studies in in symbolism as a whole whole as al- al—
ready explained. At At the beginning there was was no attempt to transcribe any of
the
the exposition verbatim, and
exposition verbatim, and in in consequence
consequence the the first
first materials
materials are little more
are little more
than
than shorthand
shorthand notesnotes strung
strung together
together rather loosely. The
rather loosely. The fact will be
fact will be evident
evident
in this series particularly. The
in The seven added analyses of the Grimm collection
of
of tales
tales (including
(including the the one
one that
that isis intercalary
intercalary and will not
and will not always
always appear
appear in in the
the
cycle)
cycle) are written after
are written after the long interval,
the long interval, and
and in in that
that fact
fact they present an im— im-
portant
portant after-perspective
after—perspective on on thethe subproject.
subproject. TheThe special
special technique
technique of of analysis
analysis
here
here should
should have wide application,
have wide application, and and hence
hence be be ofof high value to
high value to other
other
workers in
workers in the
the Sabian vision or
Sabian vision or inin occultism generally.
occultism generally.
Characteristic
Characteristic of
of the
the original lessons in
original lessons in this
this series
series as well as
as well as of
of the
the
materials in the
materials in the Codex
Codex Occultus,
Omar/2m, the
the Chaldean
Clad/dam Book
Boo/é of Initiation and
oflm'z‘z'dz‘z'm and the
the commen-
commen—
18
18
tary
tary onon the
the Stanzas
Stanza; of 0f Dyzan
Dyzom in in the
the studies
studies on Madame Blavatsky’s
on Madame Blavatsky’s Secret Secret Doc-
D06-
trine
mm is is an
an uninhibited
uninhibited or or quite
quite unordered
unordered marshalling
marshalling of ideas. This
of ideas. This approach
approach
was for
was for the
the purpose
purpose of of facilitating
facilitating the greatest possible
the greatest possible flow
flow of inspiration, or
of inspiration, or
rapport
rapport withwith the invisible sponsors
the invisible sponsors of of the
the project,
project, and
and there
there is is little
little question
question
but
but that
that thethe method
method helped
helped get get the
the foundations
foundations for for the
the Sabian
Sabian contribution
contribution
very well
very well established
established in in the Arcane tradition.
the Arcane tradition. TheThe emphasis
emphasis was was fortuitously
fortuitously
very Solar,
very Solar, since
since everything
everything was was built
built onon an immediate and
an immediate and personal
personal experi-
experi—
ence
ence in in and
and through
through the the common
common outreaching
outreaching of of an interested and
an interested and essentially
essentially
dedicated
dedicated group.group. The The system
system of of discipline was to
discipline was to come
come some
some three years later,
three years later,
and
and there
there was was the very gradual
the very gradual perfection
perfection of of the
the rituals
rituals under
under thisthis same gen-
same gen—
eral
eral procedure.
procedure. The The stimulus
stimulus to inspiration developed
to inspiration developed in in this
this fashion
fashion in— in-
creased
creased the the access
access to to esoteric
esoteric resources
resources of great depth,
of great depth, already
already channeled
channeled
through
through the individual efforts
the individual efforts ofof the
the founding
founding chancellor
chancellor preceding
preceding the the start
start
of
of this
this stage
stage of of questing
questing two years earlier,
two years earlier, and was successful
and was successful in in shielding
shielding thethe
group
group fromfrom dictation
dictation as as to ways and
to ways and means
means fromfrom the
the superficial
superficial fringes
fringes ofof the
the
invisible realms
invisible realms in in which
which thethe Sabian
Sabian sponsorship
sponsorship rested
rested ultimately.
ultimately. The The be-be—
ginning
ginning of of the
the more
more organized
organized development
development and and exposition
exposition of of thethe materials
materials
began
began withwith thethe Ibn
Ibn Gabirol
Gabirol studies
studies to which the
to which the Grimm's
Grimm's Fairy Tales series
Fairy Tales is
series is
now the introduction
introduction in in the
the philosophy
philosophy cycle.
cycle.
Faithful John is
Faithful John is the voice of
the voice of conscience
conscience and and thethe tale
tale serves well to
serves well to
introduce the study of fundamental symbolism because as conscience is
introduce is the
essence
essence of individual experience
of individual experience so so symbolism
symbolism is is the
the essence
essence of of the general
the general
knowledge that derives from individual
individual experience. The The old king and his son
represent the same individual
individual because occultly a man is is always the successor
of
of himself
himself during
during life
life and
and asas aa matter
matter ofof many lives, and
many lives, and thus is the
thus is the author
author ofof
his own destiny. In the Mysteries therefore, where where life
life is
is patterned through
intensified cycles of experience, an initiate
intensified initiate always chooses a successor whom whom
he terms his son. In ordinary life life conscience is is the attending knowledge re- re—
tained
tained from
from prior
prior experience,
experience, and and hence
hence isis represented
represented by by Faithful John as
Faithful John as
servant
servant both
both to
to father
father and
and son.
son.
There are
There are three
three aspects
aspects of life. First
of life. is the
First is innocent, when
the innocent, when allall seems
seems
beautiful
beautiful and
and entrancing.
entrancing. Second
Second isis the inquiring, when
the inquiring, when allall becomes
becomes sour
sour and
and
bitter. Third is
bitter. Third is the
the recovery, when the
recovery, when the original
original beauty is reconstructed.
beauty is reconstructed. TheThe
golden
golden room
room represents
represents the
the seat
seat of
of knowledge
knowledge and and the
the demand
demand ofof the
the king’s
king’s
son
son for
for admission
admission symbolizes
symbolizes the
the awakening
awakening out out of
of the innocence stage. The
the innocence The
princess as always a symbol ofof the
the soul in the
soul in general patterning
the general patterning of
of these
these tales
tales
here represents the fruits of experience that the prince now must gain gain for
himself. The
The days of mourning are outer recognition of the interval interval between
phases of consciousness, such as immediately
immediately precedes the awakening. The The
19
19
soul
soul as
as first
first discovered in picture
discovered in picture form
form or indirect representation,
or indirect representation, as in
as in
imagination any
imagination individual best
any individual best so
so sees
sees the
the possibilities
possibilities of
of the
the future
future and
and es-
es—
pecially in the
pecially in the first
first flush
flush of youthful self-awareness,
of youthful self—awareness, is is made
made real
real to
to the
the self
self
through
through the
the personal
personal experience
experience of
of the
the self.
self.
Wine like
Wine like blood
blood is is aa symbol
symbol forfor the
the essence
essence of of aa thing,
thing, and
and so so here
here is is
an indication of
an indication of the
the first
first strengthening
strengthening element
element in in adultship,
adultship, or or the
the realization
realization
of
of essentials.
essentials. Consciousness
Consciousness must must bebe distilled
distilled from
from life, life, as was dramatized
as was dramatized by by
Jesus in
Jesus in the
the miracle
miracle at at Cana
Cana whenwhen he he made
made wine wine out out of water. Gold
of water. Gold is is the
the
symbol
symbol of worth in
of worth in all
all things,
things, and long has
and long has been
been the the primary
primary standard
standard of of
value among
value among the the metals.
metals. As As baser
baser metals
metals in in alchemy
alchemy are are turned
turned to gold so
to gold in
so in
spiritual
spiritual alchemy
alchemy all all the
the elements
elements of of everyday
everyday livingliving may may be be transmuted
transmuted into into
the
the gold
gold ofof everlasting
everlasting value.value. But
But by
by the
the same
same token
token they they maymay be be surrendered
surrendered
to
to ultimate
ultimate depreciation,
depreciation, in in terms
terms ofof the lesser metals
the lesser metals of of the
the symbolism.
symbolism. The The
merchant’s
merchant’s garb garb is is symbolization
symbolization of of adaptability,
adaptability, since wherever anybody
since wherever anybody
goes
goes he he must
must for for effective
effective contacts
contacts be be dressed
dressed in in thethe clothing
clothing that instru-
that instru—
ments
ments aa familiarity with the
familiarity with the environment
environment of of sojourn.
sojourn. This This assimilation
assimilation to to the
the
genius
genius of of aa people
people or or aa culture
culture inin working
working with with them them has long been
has long been aa prime
prime
requirement
requirement of of higher initiation. The
higher initiation. The ravens
ravens symbolically
symbolically are are often
often the the most
most
highly evolved of the birds, or or are
are those
those most likely to
most likely to serve
serve eternal
eternal reality
reality asas
representative of wisdom. wisdom. Indeed, all birds symbolize contact with with higher
intelligence, and only conscience understands
intelligence, understands the language of
the language of the
the feathered
feathered
creatures.
creatures. TheThe horse
horse is is aa symbol
symbol of of the
the senses,
senses, and and is is capable
capable of of carrying
carrying man man
far from his soul unless in in truth he masters his own steed. The The bright shirt
symbolizes
symbolizes the the false identity or
false identity or superficial
superficial personality.
personality. SeeminglySeemingly it it is
is of gold
of gold
and
and silver
silver or
or of
of heavenly
heavenly understanding
understanding but but actually
actually it it is
is of
of sulphur
sulphur and pitch
and pitch
or hellish experience. The The breast represents the giving giving of nutriment. The The
horse,
horse, shirt
shirt and
and breast
breast represent
represent thethe three
three ordeals
ordeals on on thethe path
path through
through which which
every
every seeker
seeker must
must pass.
pass. TheThe conscience
conscience turnsturns to to stone
stone and and becomes
becomes the im-
the im—
age
age of what might
of what might have have been been oror might
might at least have
at least have been visualized, and
been visualized, and
when this
when this occurs
occurs man man is is wholly
wholly enmeshed
enmeshed in in life
life inin its
its lower
lower aspects.
aspects. But But
when he
when is willing
he is willing to to sacrifice
sacrifice outer
outer rewards
rewards for inner poise,
for inner poise, thethe conscience
conscience
speaks
speaks again.
again. OnOn itsits restoration
restoration to to active
active part
part in in the
the being the first act of
conscience
conscience is is to
to restore
restore the the twins
twins also,
also, and
and they
they symbolize
symbolize knowledge
knowledge in in its
its
dual
dual functions
functions of of outer
outer and inner cooperation
and inner cooperation with with enduring
enduring reality.
reality.
20
20
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What early
What early Sabian
Sabian method
method of of presentation
presentation of
of material
material has proved to
has proved to
be
be effective
effective and important today?
and important What effect
today? What effect on it has
on it has the
the reissuing
reissuing
of
of the
the lessons
lessons had?
had?
(2)
(2) How
How hashas the
the arcane
arcane tradition
tradition been
been served
served throughout
throughout thethe develop-
develop—
ment
ment and
and reissue
reissue of
of Sabian
Sabian materials?
materials? How
How have
have the
the rituals
rituals been
been aa
part
part of
of the
the same
same method
method of
of procedure?
procedure?
(3)
(3) Why is
Why is the
the story
story of
of Faithful John aa fitting
Faithful John introduction to
fitting introduction to this
this study
study
of
of fundamental
fundamental symbolism?
symbolism? How
How does
does thethe story
story dramatize
dramatize the
the cycli-
cycli—
cal
cal patterning
patterning and
and the
the three
three aspects
aspects of
of experience?
experience?
(4)
(4) What is
What is spiritual
spiritual alchemy?
alchemy? How
How can you as
can you as an individual make
an individual make use
use of
of
its miraculous
its miraculous power?
power?
(5)
(5) What is
What is the
the principle
principle of
of adaptability which it
adaptability which it is
is important
important for you to
for you to
understand
understand andand employ?
employ? How
How may your conscience
may your conscience speak
speak to you?
to you?
21
21
Lesson
64, issued 5/5/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES IV
FAIRY TALES IV
SNOW WHITE
SNOW WHITE
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the birth
birth of
of aspiration
aspiration and
and so
so opens
opens at
at mid-
mid—
winter as
winter as aa symbol
symbol of of the
the nadir
nadir of
of consciousness. Man graduates
consciousness. Man graduates from
from his
his
smaller
smaller cycles into larger
cycles into larger ones
ones and,
and, as
as their
their point
point of
of contact is the
contact is the common
common
foundation
foundation of of the
the circles
circles atat their
their nadir,
nadir, so
so man
man after
after reaching
reaching thethe height
height of of
any
any experience
experience mustmust slip slip back
back toto the low point
the low point of of hope
hope oror of
of humbleness
humbleness at at
which point
which point alone
alone he he isis able
able toto achieve greater aspiration
achieve greater aspiration through
through contact
contact
with the
with the greater
greater cycle. The queen
cycle. The glances back
queen glances back andand forth
forth from
from the
the snowflakes
snowflakes
that
that represent
represent purity
purity of of divine lineage to
divine lineage to the
the black
black embroidery
embroidery frameframe thatthat
represents the darkness of experience when when it it is
is gained
gained blindly and without
without
understanding.
understanding. The The fingers
fingers areare symbol
symbol for for the
the everyday
everyday activity
activity of living,
of living,
since
since all
all men
men at
at this
this early
early semiconscious
semiconscious stage stage are
are embroidering
embroidering their life life ex-
ex—
perience on the black frame of of nonunderstanding.
nonunderstanding. But when the
But when the queen pricks
queen pricks
her finger and brings the three drops of blood the awakening to full human
consciousness
consciousness is is symbolized.
symbolized. Blood Blood represents
represents the the essence
essence of life itself,
of life itself, and
and
the
the fact
fact that
that there
there areare three
three drops
drops numerologically
numerologically emphasizes
emphasizes the the activity
activity ofof
the
the essence
essence of of life in the
life in the conception
conception of of aspiration.
aspiration. No No man
man can
can create
create aspira-
aspira—
tion
tion or
or anything
anything else else until
until he
he awakens
awakens toto the
the prick
prick of life, and
of life, learns to
and learns to bring
bring
the within into
the within into the without of
the without of himself
himself inin an
an externalization
externalization or or objectification
objectification
of
of the
the spiritual
spiritual being.
being.
Activity of the spiritual essence brings about the true birth of aspira-
Activity aspira—
tion
tion symbolized
symbolized in in the
the birth
birth of
of Snow White. The
Snow White. The three
three colors
colors successively
successively
represent the qualities necessary in in aspiration
aspiration ifif aspiration
aspiration is is to
to have power.
have power.
White best
White indicates purity
best indicates purity because
because itit includes
includes and
and also
also excludes
excludes all other
colors.
colors. Genuine
Genuine purity is not
purity is innocence but
not innocence but rather
rather isis sublimation
sublimation or or trans-
trans—
forming inclusion
inclusion of evil and so is is not exactly strength against evil but rather
is evolution beyond evil. Black best indicates
is indicates objective or physical experience
because
because itit absorbs
absorbs all
all the
the colors
colors ofof being
being equally
equally and
and isis complementary
complementary to to
white to
white to show
show experience
experience as as the
the only
only true
true complement
complement to to purity.
purity. Red
Red best
best
symbolizes
symbolizes activity
activity or
or the
the manifestation
manifestation of life because
of life because it it is
is the color of
22
22
blood
blood or
or the
the fluid
fluid that
that sustains life, and
sustains life, it is
and it is the
the most vivid and
most vivid inflammatory
and inflammatory
color
color or
or the
the hue
hue of
of fire
fire that indicates the
that indicates the activity
activity of
of spirit in matter.
spirit in matter. Purity,
Purity,
experience
experience and
and self-sustaining vitality are
self—sustaining vitality are the
the qualities
qualities of
of aspiration.
aspiration.
When the
When the child
child isis born
born the the queen
queen dies
dies because
because the the queen
queen is is merely
merely
the
the point
point of view or
of view or aa convenient
convenient figure figure through
through whomwhom the the story’s
story’s beginning
beginning
is told.
is told. ItIt might
might be be said
said that
that thethe queen
queen is is the
the potentiality
potentiality of of the
the self,
self, and
and that
that
one
one dies
dies many
many times
times during
during life life in
in giving
giving birth
birth to
to aa higher
higher aspect
aspect ofof self
self that
that
becomes
becomes more-self.
more—self. HereHere is is the
the phoenix
phoenix rising
rising from
from itsits ashes
ashes and
and alsoalso the
the
clue
clue toto the
the puzzling
puzzling teaching
teaching of of mysticism
mysticism that that to live one
to live one must
must diedie or
or that
that to
to
have
have hishis life
life must
must lose it. The
lose it. The passing
passing of of aa year
year before
before thethe king
king takes
takes another
another
queen
queen is is the
the symbol
symbol for for the
the transition
transition or or change
change in in cycle. After the
cycle. After the birth
birth ofof
aspiration
aspiration aa new new point
point of view is
of view is necessary,
necessary, andand the
the new
new queen
queen maymay be be con-
con—
sidered
sidered the the residual
residual self
self or
or the influence that
the influence would drag
that would drag everything
everything back into
back into
its original
its original conditioning
conditioning now now that that thethe aspiration
aspiration or or Snow White is
Snow White is the incar-
the incar—
nation
nation of of the
the higher
higher self
self that gave her
that gave her birth.
birth. From
From now now onon there is aa constant
there is constant
warfare between
warfare between the the aspiration
aspiration and and thethe residual
residual or lower nature,
or lower nature, andand thethe de-
de—
tail
tail of importance is
of importance is the
the fact
fact that
that the lower nature
the lower nature is is created
created in in objective
objective
awareness
awareness by by the
the birth
birth ofof the
the aspiration. Whenever man
aspiration. Whenever man creates
creates aa pattern
pattern of of
himself
himself in in inspirational
inspirational realms
realms he he also
also and
and by by the
the same
same actact creates
creates aa negative
negative
or
or reversed
reversed pattern
pattern of of himself
himself in in back
back of of himself
himself or or the
the Satan
Satan that
that belongs
belongs
behind.
behind. The The superficial
superficial behindness
behindness or or residual
residual personality
personality is is not absorbed in in
the
the aspiration,
aspiration, but but becomes
becomes the the stimulating
stimulating adversary.
adversary.
The new
The new queen
queen has
has aa looking
looking glass
glass that
that isis aa symbol
symbol for for the intuition
the intuition
or what in
or what in occult
occult terms
terms represents
represents the the akashic
akashic records
records or or eternal
eternal history
history of of
the
the self.
self. Since
Since the the highest
highest and
and the lowest realms
the lowest realms are are most
most closely
closely related
related as as
demonstrated
demonstrated throughout
throughout the the arcane
arcane tradition
tradition the the residual
residual self
self has
has access
access to to
the image of
the image of higher
higher being
being but inverted as
but inverted in aa looking
as in looking glass.
glass. At At first
first the
the
young
young aspiration
aspiration has indefinite form
has indefinite form andand does
does not
not challenge
challenge the the superficial
superficial
beauty
beauty ofof the
the residual
residual being,
being, but
but at last aa time
at last time comes
comes whenwhen the lower lower or con- con—
ditioned
ditioned says,
says, “This
“This aspiration
aspiration bothers
bothers me me andand II will
will eliminate it it and be hu- hu—
man.” The
The huntsman who who symbolizes the will will or volition
volition is is summoned. But But
instead of slaying the aspiration or Snow White
instead White and bringing its its essence or
her
her heart
heart that
that contains
contains the
the seed-atom
seed—atom of of objective
objective beingbeing toto the
the residual
residual self,self,
the will allows
the will allows the the aspiration
aspiration to live and
to live and brings
brings aa false
false essence
essence or or the
the heart
heart of of
the
the boar
boar toto the
the conditioned
conditioned being.
being. No No harm
harm comes
comes to to the
the aspiration
aspiration in in the
the
woods, which
woods, which always
always symbolize
symbolize experience,
experience, and and thethe dwarfs
dwarfs represent
represent the the fac-
fac—
ulties
ulties that
that are
are gained
gained through
through lifelife and
and experience.
experience. There There areare seven great facul-
seven great facul—
ties with five
ties with five now
now active in man
active in man and and two latent. Aspiration
two latent. Aspiration attempts
attempts to to use
use
the various faculties
the various faculties and
and finally
finally isis able
able to implant itself
to implant itself in
in the
the seventh,
seventh, whichwhich
23
23
represents indefinite self-awareness.
represents indefinite The residual
self—awareness. The residual self goes to
self goes to her
her mirror
mirror
when the consciousness descends to her, since everyone on the path at times
when the consciousness descends to her, since everyone on the path at times
must
must slip
slip back into his
back into his outer
outer normal life, and
normal life, and the
the mirror
mirror or intuition always
or intuition always
says,
says, “You
“You are are not
not one
one thousandth
thousandth part
part as
as desirable
desirable as your aspiration.”
as your aspiration.”
Meanwhile
Meanwhile the the faculties
faculties make
make Snow White or
Snow White or aspiration
aspiration at
at home.
home. She is wel—
She is wel-
come
come toto dwell with them
dwell with them so long as
so long as she waits on
she waits on them,
them, and
and this is always
this is always true
true
of
of the
the faculties
faculties of
of being. They reveal
being. They reveal themselves
themselves at at their
their best when served
best when served byby
the
the least
least selfish
selfish considerations.
considerations.
The residual
The residual self
self makes
makes three
three efforts
efforts to
to kill
kill the
the aspiration. The first
aspiration. The first of
of
these is through
these is through thethe tight lacing of
tight lacing of Snow White, which
Snow White, which symbolizes
symbolizes suppres-
suppres—
sion.
sion. Here
Here the
the lesson
lesson for
for all
all men is in
men is in the
the fact
fact that
that the
the effort
effort to
to suppress
suppress evil
evil
also
also kills
kills out
out good. The second
good. The second attempt
attempt toto kill
kill aspiration
aspiration isis through
through the poi-
the poi—
sonous
sonous comb
comb that
that symbolizes
symbolizes dissipation,
dissipation, or is an
or is an effort
effort to
to mortify
mortify the
the higher
higher
nature
nature by by debauchery.
debauchery. Hair
Hair always
always has
has aa phallic
phallic connotation
connotation in in the
the eternal
eternal
symbolism.
symbolism. And And as as the
the faculties
faculties unlaced
unlaced aspiration,
aspiration, andand soso saved
saved it it before,
before, soso
now
now theythey draw
draw out
out thethe comb.
comb. Even Even in in mortification
mortification the the faculties
faculties may
may re-re—
spond
spond to to aspiration.
aspiration. The The lower
lower or or residual
residual nature
nature makes
makes its its third
third attempt
attempt
through
through the the apple
apple oror false
false materialistic
materialistic teaching,
teaching, andand this
this effort
effort apparently
apparently is is
successful.
successful. The The faculties
faculties mourn
mourn aspiration,
aspiration, as as do
do the
the three
three symbolical
symbolical birds
birds
or
or the wisdom of
the wisdom of the
the habit,
habit, emotional
emotional and and spiritual
spiritual natures
natures in in order. The
order. The
glass cage represents externalization or or the
the form
form of of aspiration
aspiration thatthat continues
continues
to
to live,
live, and
and thethe prince
prince or or purpose
purpose or or uncompromising individualization of
uncompromising individualization of
the
the being
being as as distinguished
distinguished from from the the purely
purely administrative
administrative will will represented
represented by by
the
the huntsman
huntsman is is attracted into manifestation
attracted into manifestation to to serve
serve the
the aspiration
aspiration as as strug-
strug—
gling to break away from all the conditioning limitation, limitation, and begs for the
body
body of of aspiration.
aspiration. The The jolt
jolt ofof moving
moving Snow White restores her, and the
Snow White
wedding which
wedding which follows
follows is is thus
thus of of the
the aspiring
aspiring andand practical natures. The The
prince gives real expression to to the
the divinity
divinity that
that comes
comes out out ofof experience
experience and and
the
the residual
residual self
self must
must dance
dance in in shoes
shoes of iron or
of iron in the
or in the practical
practical actualities
actualities ofof
everyday
everyday lifelife or
or until
until dead
dead oror all
all the
the outer
outer karma
karma of of being
being isis worked
worked out.out.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) How does individual

individual experience
experience occur
occur inin cycles?
cycles? Upon what does
Upon what does
your ability
your ability to
to create
create aspiration
aspiration depend?
depend?
(2) How isis purity defined? How does this quality help an individual
individual meet
evil?
evil?
(3)
(3) What qualities
What qualities are
are comprised
comprised inin aspiration? What change
aspiration? What in an
change in indi-
an indi—
vidual results
vidual results from
from each
each new
new aspiration?
aspiration?
24
24
(4)
(4) What is
What is the
the residual
residual personality? What are
personality? What are the
the seven great faculties
seven great faculties
the individual may
the individual gain through
may gain through his life?
his life?
(5)
(5) Why should
Why should the
the residual
residual personality
personality try
try to
to kill
kill aspiration? What de-
aspiration? What de—
termines its success
termines its success or
or failure?
failure?
25
25
Lesson
65, issued 5/12/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES V
FAIRY TALES V
HANSEL AND GRETEL
HANSEL AND GRETEL
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the first
first conscious
conscious experiences
experiences of
of humanity
humanity
or with the
or with the Garden
Garden of of Eden
Eden and and so so might
might be be termed
termed the Adam and
the Adam and Eve
Eve
story
story ofof the Teutonic folk
the Teutonic lore. Adam
folk lore. Adam and and EveEve are are respectively
respectively representa-
representa—
tions
tions of of racial
racial tendency,
tendency, and and as as such
such areare eternal,
eternal, and and so while the
so while the story
story
dramatizes
dramatizes the the differentiation
differentiation of of the
the sexes
sexes itit no less concerns
no less individual ex-
concerns individual ex—
perience
perience as it evolves
as it evolves through
through all all human
human life.life. The
The kingdom
kingdom of of heaven
heaven is is
within and
within and the
the Garden
Garden of of Eden
Eden is is eternal. Any individual
eternal. Any individual who who is is able
able to grasp
to grasp
the
the flaming
flaming swordsword of of spiritual
spiritual powerpower may may enter
enter the garden of
the garden of eternity
eternity andand eat
eat
of
of the
the tree
tree of wisdom as
of wisdom Adam and
as Adam and Eve
Eve ate
ate ofof the
the tree
tree of life. In
of life. In this
this fairy
fairy
tale
tale there
there areare four
four characters
characters or or the
the father
father and
and mother
mother and and thethe twotwo children
children
as
as an
an older
older pair
pair and
and aa younger
younger pair, pair, andand this
this offers
offers aa real introduction to
real introduction to the
the
structure
structure of of most
most of of the
the tales
tales that will be
that will given later
be given later attention
attention in in great
great detail.
detail.
Here
Here thethe older
older pair
pair asas the
the queens
queens in in Snow White in
Snow White in aa sense
sense represent
represent the the ori-
ori—
entation
entation or or point
point of view because
of view because the the parents
parents symbolize
symbolize cosmic process
cosmic process
while the
while the children
children represent
represent the the human
human race. The father
race. The father is is the great mascu-
the great mascu—
line
line principle
principle or wisdom and
or wisdom inherent or
and inherent or divine
divine knowledge
knowledge while while the the mother
mother
is the whole
is whole of the nature forces. Mother Mother Nature usually is is presented in in an
unsympathetic
unsympathetic guise guise because
because she she demands
demands evolution
evolution and and progress
progress from from herher
children.
children. The The father would love
father would love to to shield
shield them
them and and care
care for
for them, whereas
them, whereas
Nature
Nature turns
turns them
them out into the
out into woods of
the woods of experience.
experience. This This isis dramatization
dramatization of of
the
the survival
survival of of thethe fittest
fittest since
since when when the young reach
the young reach the the age age ofof self-
self—
sufficiency
sufficiency nature
nature makes
makes them them survive
survive of of themselves
themselves or through their own
wits and
wits and separates
separates themthem at least temporarily
at least temporarily from from their
their divine
divine father.
father.
Man
Man inin his
his evolution
evolution harnesses
harnesses allall the
the forces
forces ofof nature.
nature. Because
Because he
he
will so
will so survive
survive he
he becomes
becomes fit fit and
and by
by his
his spiritual
spiritual knowledge
knowledge hehe controls
controls or
or
circumvents
circumvents allall the
the lightning
lightning or or earthquakes
earthquakes and and supreme
supreme manifestations
manifestations of
of
nature
nature raised
raised against
against him. All things
him. All in life
things in life when
when first
first organized go smoothly,
organized go smoothly,
but
but sooner
sooner or
or later
later there
there comes
comes the
the tendency
tendency for for something
something to gogo wrong
wrong with
with
more
more and
and more
more difficulties
difficulties encountered.
encountered. This This isis nature in reaction
nature in reaction to
to the
the
26
26
awakening
awakening and growth of
and growth of man.
man. Nature
Nature eternally
eternally changes in presentation
changes in presentation of
of
various
various aspects
aspects of
of herself
herself while
while man
man fights
fights the
the change
change and
and seeks
seeks to
to preserve
preserve
the
the status
status quo
quo ofof his
his own growth. Nature
own growth. Nature demands
demands that
that her
her children grow,
children grow,
and
and forces
forces them
them toto do
do so whenever they
so whenever they do
do not grow and
not grow and struggle
struggle of
of their
their
own
own accord.
accord.
Children instinctively feel

Children instinctively when trouble
feel when trouble is is coming,
coming, as as inin this
this fairy
fairy tale,
tale,
and
and so so manman knowsknows when when he he comes
comes to to face
face his
his ordeals.
ordeals. TheThe forest
forest represents
represents
life
life and
and is is always
always aa symbol
symbol of of experience.
experience. The The soul led out
soul led out into into life
life looks
looks
back
back to to its
its divine
divine state
state for
for guidance,
guidance, as
as in
in prayer,
prayer, but
but the
the materialist
materialist says
says as
as
does
does the the mother
mother in in the
the story,
story, “You“You fool, fool, it it is
is only illusion?” But
only illusion?” But the the boy
boy
wisely persists
wisely persists in in turning
turning back
back for for his
his spiritual landmarks, and
spiritual landmarks, when the
and when the
moonlight
moonlight comes comes the the two
two children
children make make their
their effort
effort to to return
return home.home. The The
moon
moon as as the
the baneful
baneful one one of of the lights of
the lights of heaven
heaven is is only
only evilevil to to the
the material-
material—
minded.
minded. It is aa symbol
It is symbol of of that
that nadir
nadir of of consciousness
consciousness that that is is death
death to to those
those
without aspiration
without aspiration or or spiritual landmarks. From
spiritual landmarks. From everything
everything in in life
life the
the boy
boy has
has
extracted
extracted something
something that that now
now serves
serves to guide him
to guide him back
back to to his
his spiritual
spiritual home.
home.
The flints,
The flints, or or that
that stone
stone from which fire
from which fire isis struck
struck because
because symbolically
symbolically flint flint is is
matter carried through fire, fire, symbolize
symbolize the the details
details of of spiritual
spiritual truthtruth he he has
has
gained.
gained. Indeed,
Indeed, if if one
one can
can extract
extract aa spiritual
spiritual essence
essence out out of of anything
anything no no mat-
mat—
ter
ter how
how grossgross it it may
may be,
be, he
he engenders
engenders practically
practically no no karma
karma from from it it and
and so so has
has
guidance
guidance back back to to his
his spiritual
spiritual state.
state. TheThe flints gleam in
flints gleam in the
the moonlight
moonlight and and
guide
guide the the children
children back,
back, and
and inin life
life the
the point
point of greatest darkness
of greatest darkness shelters
shelters and and
frames the sparkle of the pebbles pebbles of of spiritual guidance. Mother
spiritual guidance. Mother Nature Nature how-how—
ever
ever takes
takes the the children
children out into life
out into life aa second
second time when they
time when they have have thus
thus clev-
clev—
erly made their way way back to unearned spiritual peace. Only once may man
dabble
dabble with with any any particular
particular phase
phase of life. After
of life. After aa first
first sightseeing trip the pil— pil-
grim must make his return to Eden by sheer hard work. work. Now there is is no
door
door through
through which which the the children
children can can steal
steal out
out to to collect
collect their flints. A A spiri-
spiri—
tual
tual truth
truth givengiven once gratuitously can
once gratuitously can never
never aa second
second time
time be be so gained. Thus
so gained. Thus
it is
it is that occult principles can be given given through the veil veil phenomenally but
once. And And yet yet there are stillstill the landmarks of
the landmarks of spirituality.
spirituality. AllAll the given or
the given or dis-
dis—
covered
covered occult occult truths
truths exist
exist somewhere
somewhere in in life
life inin writing,
writing, and and for for all
all men
men as as
for the children in in the story there are means to guide guide them back to divine
estate.
estate.
On
On the
the second
second trip into life
trip into life the
the reliance
reliance for guidance is
for guidance is put in perish—
put in perish-
able
able things
things or
or the
the bread which the
bread which the birds
birds asas aa symbol
symbol forfor thought
thought and
and com-
com—
prehension quickly remove from the trail. And And now comes the real struggle
for survival. The
The candy house is is a symbol for the allurement that draws into into
life,
life, once
once the
the spiritual landmarks have
spiritual landmarks have been
been absorbed
absorbed in in primitive
primitive or
or adoles-
adoles—
27
27
cent
cent experiences.
experiences. LifeLife at
at this
this dabbling
dabbling stage
stage or
or just
just fresh
fresh from
from the innocent
the innocent
sojourn
sojourn in Eden is colored by the spirituality that still suffuses the being, and
in Eden is colored by the spirituality that still suffuses the being, and
it seems
it very glorious.
seems very glorious. But
But inin the
the house is the
house is the symbol
symbol of life in
of life in its
its first
first un-
un—
couth
couth andand threatening
threatening reality
reality oror the witch. When
the witch. When the the soul
soul actually
actually is is en-
en—
meshed
meshed in in life
life the
the awakening
awakening comprehension
comprehension is is in
in terror
terror and life then
and life then seems
seems
wholly hideous.
wholly hideous. TheThe witch
witch thereupon
thereupon represents
represents the the dweller
dweller on on the
the threshold
threshold
or
or the
the custodian
custodian of of the individual’s karma,
the individual’s karma, andand it it is
is life
life in
in this
this first
first flush
flush ofof
ugliness
ugliness that
that really
really awakens
awakens the longing for
the longing lost heavenly
for lost heavenly state
state andand so gives
so gives
birth
birth to
to aspiration
aspiration andand the
the urge
urge for growth and
for growth and aa newnew divinity.
divinity.
The witch
The witch puts
puts the
the boy
boy in in the
the cage,
cage, andand thus
thus the
the masculine
masculine nature
nature oror
purpose
purpose is is fattened.
fattened. TheThe feminine
feminine elementelement or or nascent
nascent soul soul isis set
set to wait on
to wait on
purpose.
purpose. But But by
by aa flash
flash of inspiration born
of inspiration born of of the
the soul’s love for
soul’s love for real purpose
real purpose
the
the lower
lower or or threatening
threatening element
element of of being
being is is pushed
pushed into into thethe oven
oven toto burn
burn
and
and soso the witch is
the witch is destroyed.
destroyed. Now Now the the purpose
purpose and and soul
soul find
find themselves
themselves in in
possession
possession of of the
the jewels
jewels of lower being
of lower being earned
earned by by their
their experiences
experiences in in life
life all
all
too
too briefly
briefly summarized
summarized in in this
this story. And while
story. And while thethe flints
flints that
that first
first brought
brought
them
them home
home were were spiritual
spiritual the
the flints were unconvertible
flints were unconvertible and and demanded
demanded moon-moon—
light, while the
light, while the jewels
jewels are
are spiritual
spiritual valuevalue inin the
the coin
coin of of the world or
the world or are
are spiri-
spiri—
tual value earned
tual value earned in in experience.
experience. The The jewels
jewels areare thethe power inherent not
power inherent not in in
mere experience however, but in in the essence of experience. And And now the
children
children areare confronted
confronted withwith the
the problem
problem of of returning
returning to to their
their spiritual
spiritual home
home
or
or their
their Eden.
Eden. TheThe ocean
ocean isis merely
merely aa symbol
symbol of of the
the bridge
bridge between
between thethe spiri-
spiri—
tual
tual and
and material worlds. The
material worlds. The white
white duckduck is is earned
earned helphelp in in aspiration
aspiration made
made
tangible
tangible inin knowledge
knowledge as as can
can bebe symbolized
symbolized by by any
any bird. Masculine and
bird. Masculine and femi-
femi—
nine must be taken over the waters waters separately because they are complemen- complemen—
tary
tary but
but not identical, and
not identical, and thus
thus it it is
is that
that the initiate must
the initiate must be be bisexed
bisexed oror of
of the
the
nature
nature ofof both
both sexes
sexes rather
rather than
than sexless
sexless or without polarity
or without polarity of of being.
being.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) How may you you find and grasp grasp the flaming
flaming sword of spiritual power? power?
What is the fourfold structure common to all the
What is the fourfold structure common to all the fairy tales? fairy tales?
(2) Explain how nature reacts reacts toto the
the awakening
awakening and growth of
and growth of man.
man.
How
How does
does this
this fair
fair tale
tale further your understanding?
further your understanding?
(3)
(3) What do
What you think
do you you already
think you already have
have extracted
extracted inin life
life that
that may
may serve
serve
as
as aa spiritual guide? What
spiritual guide? What missed
missed opportunities
opportunities can you identify?
can you identify?
(4)
(4) What are
What are some
some ofof the landmarks of
the landmarks of spirituality
spirituality that you may
that you may find
find and
and
use? What should
use? What you do
should you do about
about spiritual
spiritual truth you receive?
truth you receive?
28
28
(5)
(5) Upon what do
Upon What do wewe too
too often
often mistakenly
mistakenly rely
rely for guidance in
for guidance in life?
life?
What may result? What
What may result? What then
then should
should we
we do?
do?
29
29
Lesson
66, issued 5/19/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES VI
FAIRY TALES VI
THE GOOSE
THE GOOSE GIRL
GIRL
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the drama
drama of of adolescence,
adolescence, and and is is of particu-
of particu—
lar importance in
lar importance in connection
connection with with the whole matter
the whole matter ofof symbolism
symbolism because
because
adolescence
adolescence is is preeminently
preeminently the the period
period of life through
of life which the
through which later adult-
the later adult—
ship
ship isis symbolized
symbolized by by the
the different
different first
first phases
phases of of self-consciousness.
self-consciousness. The The
fairy
fairy tales
tales present
present aa symbolism
symbolism that that has
has survived
survived through
through channels
channels thatthat have
have
made
made no no self-conscious
self—conscious effort effort to
to preserve
preserve it it and
and soso tampered
tampered with with the pattern
the pattern
of ideas. The
of ideas. The fairy
fairy tales
tales are
are symbolic
symbolic because
because they they have
have been loved, and
been loved, and bebe—
cause
cause thethe quality
quality ofof love
love for
for them
them hashas brought
brought them them closer to the truth than
would have
would have been
been possible
possible had had they
they been intellectually recognized as signifi-
been intellectually signifi—
cant. And because
cant. And because the the symbolism
symbolism in in them
them is is therefore
therefore in in a sense accidental
there
there isis aa danger
danger in in too inflexible an
too inflexible interpretation of
an interpretation of the
the symbols.
symbols. Yet Yet truth
truth
wherever taught
wherever taught preserves
preserves itselfitself in
in symbols,
symbols, becausebecause all cognition and all
memory of truth is is inin symbols, and and itit is
is the
the element
element of of truth
truth inin the
the fairy
fairy tales
tales
that
that explains
explains thethe love
love for for them
them found
found in in all
all peoples.
peoples. Any Any writing
writing thatthat does
does
not embody a large amount of truth dies out because it it finds no response in in
the
the hearts
hearts ofof those whom it
those whom it reaches.
reaches. TheThe justification
justification of of the
the fairy
fairy tales lies in
tales lies in
their
their symbolism,
symbolism, and and the the proof
proof of of the
the truth
truth in in their
their symbols lies in
symbols lies in the persis-
the persis—
tent
tent survival
survival of
of the
the tales
tales inin form
form soso close
close toto the
the originals.
originals.
A foolish
A foolish person is often
person is often called
called aa goose,
goose, but
but such
such aa person
person isis not
not aa
congenital idiot nor
congenital idiot is he
nor is viciously foolish.
he viciously foolish. Something
Something about
about the goose in—
the goose in-
spires
spires tolerance
tolerance because goose foolishness
because goose foolishness is is no
no more
more than
than aa lack
lack of
of under-
under—
standing
standing due
due to inexperience. It
to inexperience. is this
It is this kind
kind ofof foolishness
foolishness that is found
that is found inin
adolescence,
adolescence, and it is
and it is with
with the ingenuous groping
the ingenuous groping forfor experience
experience in in adoles-
adoles—
cence
cence that
that the
the story is principally
story is principally concerned.
concerned. Of Of all
all stages
stages of life adolescence
of life adolescence
is most
is interesting because
most interesting because itit is
is the
the period
period for
for the
the development
development of imagina-
of imagina—
tion.
tion. It is the
It is the objective
objective or or outer
outer andand foolish imagination of
foolish imagination youth that
of youth that sym-
sym—
bolizes
bolizes the
the greatest
greatest soul
soul power
power of of adultship,
adultship, oror the
the ability
ability to
to create images
create images
and
and toto give
give them
them life
life or
or being
being inin fact. All soul
fact. All growth is
soul growth is aa matter
matter of image-
of image—
creating. The husband
creating. The husband of of the
the queen
queen is is dead
dead and
and represents
represents thethe separated will
separated will
30
30
or volition. The
or volition. The daughter
daughter or or the life expression
the life expression in in aa new
new form
form andand in in aa new
new
environment
environment symbolizes
symbolizes the youthful condition
the youthful condition of of the
the soul
soul as
as feminine
feminine and and
receptive. The king’s
receptive. The king’s son
son isis the
the masculine volition that
masculine volition is to
that is to come
come intointo power
power
again
again through
through understanding,
understanding, with with the volition or
the volition will factor
or will factor inin this phase of
this phase of
adolescence
adolescence revealing itself far
revealing itself in the
far in the past
past or
or far in the
far in the future. The intuition
future. The intuition
or
or the
the latent
latent prescience
prescience oror point
point of view is
of view is the
the old
old queen
queen whowho is is behind
behind the the
new
new expression when the
expression when the daughter goes out
daughter goes into life.
out into life. This
This old
old expression
expression that that
knows
knows gives
gives to
to the
the new
new expression
expression aa handsome
handsome dowry
dowry in in the
the sense
sense that
that eve-
eve—
ryone is endowed
ryone is with the
endowed with the essence
essence ofof his
his past
past experience
experience and and that
that this
this speaks
speaks
to
to him
him as intuition and
as intuition and conscience.
conscience. This This dowry will become
dowry will become the the faculties
faculties ofof
the
the new
new expression when these
expression when these new
new faculties
faculties mature.
mature.
The horse
The horse represents
represents the
the senses
senses and
and this is one
this is one of of the
the most
most unvarying
unvarying
and
and universal
universal of of symbols.
symbols. TheThe waiting—woman
waiting-woman is is the
the superficial
superficial oror merely
merely
conditioned
conditioned personality
personality and it is
and it is to
to be
be noted
noted that
that the
the senses when controlled
senses when controlled
by
by the
the real
real self
self or
or the
the princess
princess can
can talk
talk but when controlled
but when controlled by by the
the superficial
superficial
personality
personality can can only
only echo. White as
echo. White as the
the summary
summary of of all
all colors indicates either
colors indicates either
purity
purity or innocence. The
or innocence. The three
three drops
drops of of blood
blood areare the
the seed
seed atoms
atoms ofof the
the
lower vehicles given
lower vehicles given toto the
the princess,
princess, because
because thethe real
real self
self as
as an
an adolescent
adolescent
entering into life
entering into life and
and experience
experience forfor the
the first
first time
time has
has full
full control
control ofof the ve-
the ve—
hicles. AA synchronization of the vehicles vehicles isis necessary to key the being and lay lay
the
the foundation
foundation for for adult
adult experience
experience through later specialization
through later specialization of of the vehi-
the vehi—
cles in separation
cles in separation fromfrom each
each other.
other. AnAn hour,
hour, day, year or
day, year or epoch
epoch are
are always
always
the
the marks
marks of of cycles,
cycles, and
and these
these time
time units
units merely
merely symbolize
symbolize the the completion
completion of of
aa phase
phase of of experience.
experience.
The self
The self demands
demands that that thethe superficial
superficial personality
personality getget down
down and
and fill
fill
her
her cup,
cup, that is, contribute
that is, contribute to to her
her experience.
experience. But when the
But when the adolescent
adolescent first
first
starts
starts out in life
out in life hehe loses
loses the
the ability
ability to
to control
control the
the superficial
superficial personality,
personality, andand
that
that fact
fact becomes
becomes the the foundation
the major
major troubles
troubles ofof his induction into
his induction into
adultship. Water always
adultship. Water always symbolizes
symbolizes the the substance
substance ofof experience
experience or or awareness.
awareness.
The three
The three seed
seed atoms
atoms relyrely on
on the wisdom behind
the wisdom behind them
them that
that sees
sees the
the futility
futility
and
and foolishness
foolishness of of the
the experiences
experiences whilewhile yet
yet realizing
realizing the
the necessity
necessity of of the
the ex-
ex—
periences. Such realization is is symbolized by the breaking of heart of the
mother queen, and is is explained by the spiritual principle that one cannot
control
control any
any faculty
faculty until
until he
he hashas suffered
suffered sufficiently
sufficiently through
through thatthat faculty
faculty to to
have brought it it truly within
within his
his being. When the
being. When the princess loses the
princess loses the napkin
napkin as as
aa symbol
symbol of of synchronization,
synchronization, she loses control
she loses control ofof the
the seed
seed atoms
atoms and is at
and is at
once caught in in the trap that snares every adolescent. The The superficial personal—
personal-
ity sees the chance and takes
ity takes control
control of of the
the being, while the
being, while the self weeps at
self weeps its
at its
sudden inability to
sudden inability to control
control thethe faculties. The superficial
faculties. The superficial self is the
self is the true vehicle
true vehicle
31
31
of
of objective
objective experience,
experience, and
and becomes
becomes the lower self
the lower self that is overcome
that is overcome not not by
by
any
any attempt
attempt toto transmute
transmute it it into
into something
something it it cannot
cannot bebe but
but byby the
the use
use of its
of its
power in its
power in its own
own sphere. The self
sphere. The self must learn to
must learn to draw
draw an an essence
essence from
from the
the
experience
experience ofof the
the false
false or
or superficial
superficial self.
self. In
In other words the
other words the aspirant
aspirant does
does
not
not spiritualize
spiritualize his
his lower
lower being,
being, but
but rather
rather spiritualizes
spiritualizes the
the experiences
experiences that
that
come
come through
through his
his lower
lower being.
being.
The nascent
The nascent willwill or
or the
the prince
prince mistakenly
mistakenly acceptsaccepts the the superficial
superficial per— per-
sonality,
sonality, and and itsits role
role asas the
the false
false bride
bride isis the
the basis
basis of of all
all the
the remaining
remaining trouble.
trouble.
The old
The old king
king stands
stands in in relation
relation to to the
the prince
prince as as the
the queen
queen to to the
the princess,
princess, or or
as
as the inner wisdom
the inner wisdom behindbehind the the outer,
outer, and and so so isis able
able toto save
save thethe situation.
situation.
The false
The false bride
bride is is sincere
sincere toto the
the extent
extent thatthat thethe superficial
personality wisheswishes
to
to be
be thethe real
real being,
being, andand the impulse is
the impulse is toto cut
cut off
off the
the senses
senses symbolized
symbolized by by
the
the horse
horse Falada
Falada because
because the the superficial
personality knowsknows the the senses
senses willwill
betray
betray her. The dark
her. The gateway represents
dark gateway represents the the moment
moment between
between sleep sleep and wak-
and wak—
ing or
ing or the
the transition
transition point when all
point when all adjustments
adjustments are are easiest. The real
easiest. The real self is
self is
left
left toto subconscious
subconscious experience
experience symbolized
the menial
menial occupation,
occupation, and and
the inversion of
the inversion of life
life at
at adolescence
adolescence for for the
the purpose
purpose of of experience introduces
experience introduces
Conrad
Conrad or or the
the symbol
symbol of of aa false
false or
or subconscious
subconscious volition volition as as companion
companion for for
the
the real
real self in subconscious
self in subconscious realms.realms. TheThe story involves aa phallic
story involves phallic teaching
teaching bebe—
cause
cause the the hair
hair is is always
always aa symbol
symbol of of power
power or vitality, and the natural wish
or vitality, wish of
the
the self is towards
self is towards expression.
expression. In In the
the false will this
false will this results
results in in aa desire
desire forfor anan
objective
objective unionunion of of the
the poles
poles of of being,
being, butbut thethe negative
negative polepole hashas aa natural
natural reti-
reti—
cence
cence because
because of which she
of which she calls
calls onon thethe windwind or or aa fusing
fusing to to blow
blow awayaway
Conrad’s
Conrad’s hat hat that
that symbolizes
symbolizes the the head
head thatthat hadhad been
been held
held erect. Thus man
erect. Thus man
does
does not not conquer
conquer woman,woman, but but persuades
persuades her her toto accept
accept him.
him. ThusThus the the mascu-
mascu—
line
line isis separated
separated so so that it may
that it may go go outout and gain experience,
and gain experience, and and thethe feminine
feminine
draws
draws and and retains
retains thethe essence
essence of of experience.
experience. The The oven
oven is is merely
merely the the crucible
crucible
of
of life.
life.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) Why is
Why is this drama of adolescence especially important
important a part of sym-
sym—
bolism? Why are
bolism? Why are the
the fairy
fairy tales
tales acceptable
acceptable symbolisms?
symbolisms?
(2) Why is
Why is goose
goose foolishness tolerable? Does it it matter at what
what age an
individual indulges
individual indulges in
in it?
it? Why?
Why?
(3)
(3) What is
What is your
your interpretation
interpretation ofof the
the statement
statement that
that the
the senses when
senses when
controlled
controlled byby superficial
personality can
can only
only echo? What are its
echo? What its im—
im-
plications?
32
32
(4)
(4) What characterizes
What characterizes the individual of
the individual of mature years who
mature years who remains
remains ado-
ado—
lescent? What is
lescent? What is most likely to
most likely to stimulate
stimulate his growth from
his growth from this?
this?
(5)
(5) How
HOW do you differentiate
do you differentiate between
between the the superficial
superficial and
and the
the real
real self?
self?
How
HOW are
are these
these symbolized
symbolized inin this
this tale?
tale?
33
33
Lesson
67, issued 5/26/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES VII
FAIRY TALES VII
THE FROG
THE FROG PRINCE
PRINCE
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the doctrine
doctrine of of beauty
beauty and
and isis associated with
associated with
that very necessary
that very necessary human
human manifestation
manifestation that that erroneously
erroneously isis regarded
regarded as lux-
as lux—
ury
ury and
and termed
termed pleasure.
pleasure. Humanity grows not
Humanity grows not by
by the
the attention
attention itit gives
gives to its
to its
necessities
necessities butbut through
through itsits ability
ability to
to place ideas or
place ideas ideals and
or ideals imagination into
and imagination into
its necessities
its necessities soso that
that they
they become
become aa little
little more
more than
than necessities. The most
necessities. The most
evolved
evolved person
person isis the
the man who while
man who while taking life perfectly
taking life perfectly seriously yet makes
seriously yet makes
it also
it also aa game. Austerity has
game. Austerity has no
no particularly
particularly exalted
exalted place in spiritual
place in spiritual devel-
devel—
opment
opment since while the
since while the aspirant
aspirant inin his
his moments
moments of of exaltation,
exaltation, must
must bebe som-
som—
ber
ber hehe also
also must
must have
have the
the ability
ability to let himself
to let himself gogo and
and to be joyously human
at
at all
all other
other times. The story
times. The story opens
opens at at carnival
carnival time,
time, during
during an an age when the
age when the
ability
ability to to play
play andand to to pretend
pretend werewere regarded
regarded as as aa valuable
valuable gift.
gift. In
In aa great
great
number
number of of these
these stories
stories there is aa castle
there is castle oror spiritual
spiritual haven,
haven, the woods or
the woods or for-
for—
est
est as
as thethe symbolization
symbolization of of experience,
experience, and and aa journey
journey or or necessary
necessary trip trip that
that
symbolizes
symbolizes progression.
progression. Generally
Generally the the journey involves aa return
journey involves return to to the
the start-
start—
ing place or its
ing its equivalent and and thus
thus representing
representing life life in
in its
its cyclic
cyclic aspect.
aspect. And And
as
as aa fairy
fairy tale
tale always
always has has aa happy
happy ending
ending so would life
so would life itself
itself ifif people
people would would
only
only complete
complete their their journeys
journeys backback to to their
their spiritual
spiritual homes,
homes, since
since happiness
happiness is is
an
an essential.
essential. The The gold
gold ball
ball serves
serves to illustrate the
to illustrate the next
next step
step inin man’s
man’s develop-
develop—
ment beyond the adolescence that was was considered in in the preceding lesson lesson on
the
the Goose
Goose Girl. The golden
Girl. The golden ballball symbolizes
symbolizes the the physical
physical perfection
perfection of of chas-
chas—
tity
tity and
and represents
represents the the first
first outgrowth
outgrowth of of the young soul
the young into maturity
soul into maturity in in its
its
awareness
awareness of its perfection
of its perfection and and itsits invitation
invitation to life and
to life and experience.
experience. The The prin—prin-
cess
cess isis surfeited
surfeited withwith that which already
that which already hashas been
been obtained,
obtained, sincesince nono divine
divine
spark
spark is is willing
willing to to rest
rest at at any
any stage
stage of its development.
of its development. The The wellwell isis the foun-
foun—
tain
tain ofof life
life and
and the water is
the water is the
the essence
essence of of experience.
experience. The The princess
princess as as the
the
soul
soul has
has learned
learned to imagine realities,
to imagine realities, andand now
now she goes out
she goes into life
out into life toto create
create
her images
images in in reality. Life
Life of course is is deep, and she knows of no way way to see
to
to the
the depths.
depths. Here Here is is the
the fascination
fascination and and also
also the
the terror with which
terror with which life life pre—
pre-
sents itself to
sents itself young souls.
to young souls.
34
34
Tears represent
Tears represent the the first
first recognition
recognition of life since
of life since the
the soul
soul suddenly
suddenly is is
aware
aware that
that life
life isis more
more thanthan play
play and and through
through this this awareness
awareness the the unfettered
unfettered
imagination of
imagination of adolescence
adolescence is is killed. With the
killed. With the death
death of of adolescence
adolescence comes
comes an an
empty
empty feeling within, while
feeling within, while life
life presents itself in
presents itself in its
its ugliest
ugliest aspect
aspect asas here
here inin
the
the frog
frog toto represent
represent the the prince
prince factor. And the
factor. And the recently
recently adolescent
adolescent soul will
soul will
promise
promise anything
anything underunder the the sun
sun to get back
to get back itsits days
days of golden dreams,
of golden dreams, as as rep-
rep—
resented
resented objectively
objectively by by the
the ball.
ball. Fortunately
Fortunately the young soul
the young soul has
has nono concep-
concep—
tion
tion of
of the
the power
power of life to
of life to sear
sear its its being.
being. It It has
has no no realization
realization that its physi—
that its physi-
cal
cal perfection
perfection is is no longer the
no longer the same,
same, and and it it does
does not not know
know that
that this
this tempo-
tempo—
rary
rary respite
respite is is merely
merely thethe phenomenon
phenomenon of of spiritual
spiritual law law whereby
whereby every
every soul
soul
may
may gogo through
through aa givengiven experience
experience once once or initially without
or initially without scar
scar or injury.
or injury.
The young
The young soul
soul here
here tries
tries toto sidestep
sidestep lifelife in
in its
its ugly
ugly aspect,
aspect, andand the
the superficial
superficial
appearance
appearance of of success
success in in doing
doing thisthis isis the lure that
the lure that draws
draws thethe soul
soul deeper
deeper andand
deeper into its
deeper into its destiny
destiny of of experience.
experience. Once Once plunged
plunged into into life,
life, no
no soul
soul can
can
withdraw but
withdraw instead must
but instead must press
press ever ever forward.
forward.
The inherent
The inherent justice
justice of of spiritual
spiritual authority
authority is is represented
represented by by royalty.
royalty.
When the adolescent
When the adolescent has has enmeshed
enmeshed himself
himself in
in life,
life, life
life demands
demands a
a share
share in all
in all
things
things belonging
belonging to to the
the self. Though the
self. Though the soul
soul is is then
then reluctant
reluctant about giving
about giving
up
up the
the promised
promised share,share, thethe eternal
eternal justice
justice of
of the
the spirit
spirit enforces
enforces the the fulfillment
fulfillment
of promises and so adolescence is is irrevocably
irrevocably lost. lost. But But that which seems
that which seems
most gross may become very very beautiful when when spiritualized, and when when the
princess
princess realizes
realizes at at last
last that
that sheshe hashas made
made this
this bargain
bargain with with life
life of of her
her ownown
free will she
free will she asserts
asserts herself
herself in in aa fit
fit of
of temper.
temper. ThisThis is is the
the soul’s
soul’s first
first real
real self-
self—
assertion,
assertion, and
and it it becomes
becomes the the birth
birth of of adultship.
adultship. The The soulsoul actually
actually awakens
awakens to to
real
real consciousness
consciousness of life, and
of life, and determines
determines that that it it will
will not
not share
share itsits being
being withwith
ugliness. Thereupon the
ugliness. Thereupon the ugliness
ugliness reveals its beauty.
reveals its beauty. This This result
result isis not
not because
because
of
of the
the temper
temper but but through
through the the real
real assertion
assertion of of self
self that
that the
the temper
temper symbol-
symbol—
izes, since
izes, since as
as long
long as as one
one compromises
compromises with with life
life and
and feels
feels that life is
that life is not
not toto
his satisfaction just that long long will
will life
life remain
remain ugly.
ugly. TheThe number
number eighteight is is always
always
aa symbol
symbol of of the
the octave
octave or or the
the mark
mark of of aa new
new cycle
cycle in in experience,
experience, and and itit signi-
signi—
fies
fies that
that the
the princess
princess has has earned
earned the the right
right to
to gogo into
into new new experience
experience and and in in
control
control of of that
that new
new experience.
experience. The The grossness
grossness of of this
this first
first dip into
into life
life by the
young
young soul soul takes
takes place
place in in the
the fourth
fourth or lowest nature,
or lowest nature, but but one
one by by one
one thethe
bands
bands around
around the the seed-atoms
seed—atoms of of thethe higher
higher principles
principles are are broken.
broken. Faithful
Faithful
Henry’s
Henry’s heart
heart symbolizes
symbolizes the the synchronized
synchronized atoms. atoms. Thus Thus the the soul
soul at last is
at last is
freed to adult
adult expression.
expression.
In this story the two elements

elements of
of particular importance are
particular importance love and
are love and
beauty.
beauty. Everything
Everything inin life
life carries
carries the
the aspect
aspect of
of the
the frog
frog until
until one is able
one is able to
to
transmute
transmute the
the ugly
ugly aspect into beauty
aspect into beauty by
by the
the force
force of love. Love
of love. Love can
can be
be and
and
35
35
frequently
frequently is is exceptionally gross, but
exceptionally gross, but need
need notnot bebe and
and inin any
any case it still
case it still re-
re—
mains
mains the
the transmuting
transmuting force. Thus it
force. Thus it is
is that
that many
many different
different types
types of of effort
effort are
are
made
made to to utilize
utilize this
this force,
force, from
from thethe attempt
attempt to to draw
draw upup the the magnetism
magnetism of of
lower
lower organs
organs by by aa physiological
physiological and literal transmutation
and literal transmutation to to thethe endeavor
endeavor to to
interpret any
interpret any transmuting
transmuting love love as as mentalism
mentalism or or cold
cold altruism.
altruism. Both Both extremes
extremes
are wrong, although
are wrong, although both both types
types of of effort
effort are grasping at
are grasping at truth. Affection is
truth. Affection is
perhaps
perhaps the the best word for
best word for the
the middle ground between
middle ground between extremes,
extremes, since since aa great
great
love in life
love in life isis no
no more
more than
than affection
affection carried
carried to its point
to its point of of power.
power. Perhaps
Perhaps
the
the mastery
mastery of of love
love andand affection
affection can can best
best bebe expressed
expressed through
through the the spiritual
spiritual
principle
principle thatthat one
one cannot
cannot achieve
achieve aa greatgreat love
love until
until he
he hashas proved
proved himself
himself
capable
capable of of holding
holding aa smallsmall one.
one. TheThe manman who who knows
knows no no affection
affection in in the
the or-
or—
dinary walks of
dinary walks of life is hardly
life is hardly capable
capable of of altruism. Affection as
altruism. Affection as especially
especially ex-
ex—
pressed
pressed in in true
true fellowship
fellowship is is more
more thanthan anything
anything elseelse the
the outer
outer and visible
and visible
sign
sign of
of spiritual
spiritual development.
development. And And this leads to
this leads to the idea that
the idea that builds power,
builds power,
since
since no
no real
real man
man or woman can
or woman can be
be satisfied with one
satisfied with love in
one love in life.
life. This
This does
does
not
not mean
mean promiscuity
promiscuity of of affection
affection but but only
only that
that much love for
much love for many people
many people
builds
builds aa pyramid
pyramid that that carries
carries the the supreme
supreme love love on on an
an apex
apex of lesser fond-
of lesser fond—
nesses.
nesses.
The importance
The importance of of beauty lies in
beauty lies in the
the fact
fact that it is
that it is through
through beauty
beauty that
that
love best typifies itself.
itself. Thus
Thus any man can love love a beautiful womanwoman but any
man loving any woman
woman believes her beautiful and all things that are of the
nature of love are essentially beautiful.
beautiful. Since
Since the
the race is grasping
race is grasping after
after these
these
truths it becomes
truths it becomes the
the aspirant’s
aspirant’s duty
duty toto be
be beautiful. Those who
beautiful. Those who areare seeking
seeking
spiritual
spiritual development
development must
must have love or
have love or affection,
affection, but
but more
more than
than that
that they
they
must have not only that whichwhich is
is the sense of beauty but also the ability to
create
create beauty. When the
beauty. When the principles
principles are
are carried into abstract
carried into abstract things it will
things it will be
be
seen
seen that
that no
no one
one ever will be
ever will be able
able to love God
to love God unless
unless he can lovelove mightily inin
all
all the walks of
the walks of ordinary life, and
ordinary life, it is
and it is this
this affection
affection for
for his
his fellows
fellows that
that dem-
dem—
onstrates whether or
onstrates whether or not
not the individual is
the individual is growing
growing in
in spiritual
spiritual consciousness.
consciousness.
Since
Since the
the best
best typification
typification of love is
of love is in
in beauty
beauty the
the question
question before the aspi-aspi—
rant is
is his ability to produce something beautiful, and in in that inquiry
inquiry lies
lies the
whole key
whole key to
to the
the true inner operative
true inner operative or or solar
solar occultism.
occultism.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What is
What is the doctrine ofof beauty? What have
beauty? What luxury or
have luxury or pleasure
pleasure or
or aus-
aus—
terity
terity to
to do with spiritual
do with growth?
spiritual growth?
(2) What elements in
What in the
the fairy
fairy tale
tale symbolize life and
symbolize life its progress
and its progress towards
towards
aa spiritual
spiritual home?
home?
36
36
(3)
(3) What characterizes
What characterizes the young soul?
the young soul? By what spiritual
By what law is
spiritual law is this im-
this im—
pelled
pelled forward in life?
forward in life? How
How does it react
does it generally?
react generally?
(4)
(4) How
How maymay the
the power
power of love be
of love be used in life?
used in life? How
How does
does affection
affection dif-
dif—
fer
fer from
from love?
love?
(5)
(5) What constitutes
What constitutes the importance of
the importance of beauty? What challenge
beauty? What challenge does it
does it
present
present to
to the
the seeker?
seeker?
37
37
Lesson
68, issued 6/2/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES VIII
FAIRY TALES VIII
THE TABLE,
THE TABLE, ASS
ASS AND
AND STICK
STICK
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale is aa very
tale is very clever
clever piece
piece of
of disguised
disguised astrology,
astrology, and
and itit con-
con—
cerns
cerns the
the gifts
gifts of
of the
the horoscopic
horoscopic angles
angles or is aa clue
or is clue to
to the intelligent control
the intelligent control
of
of the volitional activity
the volitional activity of life. More
of life. More than
than any
any other
other tale
tale of
of the
the series it pre—
series it pre-
sents
sents dramatically
dramatically thethe power
power of of even
even the
the most
most unusual
unusual and
and complicated
complicated sym- sym—
bolism
bolism toto preserve itself intact.
preserve itself intact. Aries,
Aries, Cancer, Libra and
Cancer, Libra and Capricorn
Capricorn are are the
the
cardinal
cardinal signs
signs inin astrology,
astrology, or or the
the zodiacal
zodiacal angles
angles in in their
their normal
normal order. The
order. The
son who becomes
son who becomes aa joinerjoiner excellently
excellently symbolizes
symbolizes LibraLibra byby hishis profession,
profession, as as
the
the turner
turner symbolizes
symbolizes Aries Aries andand thethe miller
miller Cancer.
Cancer. Capricorn
Capricorn of of the
the total
total
twelve
twelve signs
signs complements
complements the the tenth
tenth house
house angle,
angle, andand this
this sign
sign isis symbolized
symbolized
in this story and in
in in astrology itself
itself by the goat.
goat. The
The tenth house in in astrology
rules the social or business or spiritual position of any individual individual and the goat goat
possesses
possesses moremore of of this
this tenth
tenth house
house nature
nature than
than anyany of of the
the other
other animals
animals
through
through itsits singular virility and
singular virility and ability
ability to
to create
create energy
energy out out of little. In
of little. In astrol-
astrol—
ogy
ogy the
the tenth
tenth house indicates the
house indicates general milieu
the general milieu forfor everything
everything that will hap-
that will hap—
pen in
in outer or objective life, life, and
and inin this
this story
story the goat is
the goat is the
the cause
cause and and sus-
sus—
taining influence
influence behind everything that happens. Every house angle of the
horoscope
horoscope is is associated
associated with with aa particular
particular department
department of life, with
of life, with thethe other
other
eight
eight houses
houses of of the
the chart gaining their
chart gaining their meaning
meaning and and significance
significance from from the
the an-
an—
gles. The
The first son becomes a joiner or the profession represented by the sign
Libra,
Libra, and
and since
since Libra
Libra is is the
the spiritual
spiritual head
head of of our
our familiar
familiar zodiac
zodiac and and the
the
joiner
joiner or
or carpenter
carpenter is is the
the man
man who who puts
puts things
things together
together and and fits
fits them into
them into
their
their place
place thethe symbolization
symbolization is is of
of that
that balance
balance of of the
the scales
scales that pictorially
that pictorially
represents Libra and in in life
life represents the bridge between material and spiri- spiri—
tual
tual things.
things. Libra
Libra inin its
its seventh
seventh position
position among
among the the signs
signs corresponds
corresponds to to the
the
house
house ofof partnerships,
partnerships, and and of of partnerships
partnerships the greatest is
the greatest is between
between man man andand
God. Thus it
God. Thus it might
might be be expected
expected in in terms
terms ofof universal
universal symbolism
symbolism that that Christ
Christ
by vocation would
by vocation would be be aa carpenter
carpenter or or joiner.
joiner.
The second
The second son
son becomes
becomes aa miller
miller or
or the
the profession
profession represented
represented by
by
the
the sign
sign Cancer,
Cancer, and
and since
since Cancer is the
Cancer is the natural
natural fourth
fourth sign it rules
sign it rules the
the home
home
38
38
where the
where the flour is consumed.
flour is consumed. It is represented
It is in the
represented in the zodiac
zodiac by
by the
the crab
crab to
to
signify its tenacity
signify its tenacity aptly
aptly because
because no no tie is more
tie is more tenacious
tenacious thanthan that
that of
of the
the
home,
home, andand as in astrology
as in astrology Cancer
Cancer rules
rules the
the taking
taking ofof nutriment
nutriment oror the
the stom-
stom—
ach
ach and
and the
the giving
giving ofof nutriment
nutriment or or the
the breasts we see
breasts we see the
the close
close relationship
relationship
between
between the the manufacture
manufacture of of the
the substance
substance of of food
food and
and this
this one
one of
of the
the zodia-
zodia—
cal
cal angles.
angles. TheThe third
third and last son
and last son becomes
becomes aa turner
turner or or the
the profession
profession repre-
repre—
sented
sented by by the
the sign Aries and
sign Aries and since Aries is
since Aries is the
the material
material or or outer
outer head
head ofof the
the
zodiac
zodiac and
and rules
rules pioneers while the
pioneers while the turner
turner shapes
shapes andand prepares
prepares material
material sub-
sub—
stance
stance for
for practical
practical use
use by
by man
man the the symbolization
symbolization is is of
of the
the experimental
experimental or or
adolescent
adolescent position
position that
that must inaugurate all
must inaugurate all real life activity.
real life To the
activity. To the astrolo-
astrolo—
ger it is
ger it is striking
striking toto find
find the
the fairy
fairy tale giving the
tale giving the four
four cardinal
cardinal signs in their
signs in their
correct
correct cosmic
cosmic or or clockwise
clockwise order.
order.
Not
Not only
only are
are the
the professions
professions of of the
the sons
sons associated
associated withwith the
the signs
signs but
but
also
also the
the gifts
gifts presented
presented toto each
each sonson atat the
the close
close of of his
his apprenticeship
apprenticeship in in the
the
new
new profession.
profession. The The joiner
joiner isis given
given aa table which covers
table which itself at
covers itself at aa word
word since
since
Libra
Libra or
or the
the sign
sign corresponding
corresponding to to the
the joiner
joiner isis the
the most
most optimistic
optimistic of of all
all the
the
signs and Libra people
signs and Libra people are are so
so enthusiastic
enthusiastic over
over the
the thing
thing of
of the
the moment
moment that
that
they
they can
can spread
spread aa meal
meal out
out onon anyany table
table of life almost
of life literally. The
almost literally. The miller
miller is is
given an ass that spits out gold, gold, and this similarly is is a fine picture of the nutri-nutri—
tive
tive gifts
gifts of
of Cancer. The stick
Cancer. The stick inin the
the sack given to
sack given to the
the turner
turner isis an
an excellent
excellent
representation
representation of of the gift of
the gift Aries in
of Aries in terms
terms of of energy
energy andand driving initiative.
driving initiative.
And then as though to make a good
And good job of its its symbolism the fairy tale re- re—
peats its message
peats its message accurately.
accurately. TheThe goatgoat goes
goes into
into aa cave
cave oror aa universal
universal repre-
repre—
sentation
sentation of of life
life and
and particularly
particularly of initiation through
of initiation through life life experiences.
experiences. To To
bring
bring the
the goat
goat out
out of
of the
the cave
cave thethe services
services of of aa fox,
fox, bear
bear and
and bee
bee are invoked
are invoked
in that
in that order.
order. OfOf these
these three
three thethe fox
fox isis aa substitute
substitute for for the
the beaver
beaver inin the
the ani-
ani—
mal
mal zodiac
zodiac butbut the
the bear
bear for
for Cancer
Cancer is is an
an old
old and legitimate though
and legitimate though unfamiliar
unfamiliar
symbol
symbol forfor Cancer while the
Cancer while the bee
bee or or aa stinging insect is
stinging insect is excellently
excellently descriptive
descriptive
of
of the
the ram
ram that
that ordinarily
ordinarily represents
represents AriesAries inin the
the heavens.
heavens.
This fairy
This fairy tale is only
tale is only superficially
superficially more
more happy-go-lucky
happy-go-lucky than than itsits
predecessors, and the application of its symbolism
of its symbolism lieslies in
in the idea of
the idea of the gifts
the gifts
of
of the
the angles
angles asas pictured
pictured byby the
the omnipotent
omnipotent goat goat and
and in in order
order byby the
the three
three
sons
sons and
and the
the rewards given them.
rewards given them. TheThe gift
gift of Libra is
of Libra is the gift of
the gift of harvest
harvest time
time
or of mellowness and the ability to materialize the substance and essence of
experience
experience onon the
the table
table of life. As
of life. As flowers
flowers and and fruits
fruits above
above the ground are
the ground are
dependent
dependent on on process
process that
that takes
takes place in the
place in the soil,
soil, so
so the
the power
power of Libra is
of Libra is
beneath
beneath the
the table
table or intangible. The
or intangible. The spiritual
spiritual power
power of of the
the creative word that
creative word that
is available to every aspirant provides everything necessary not only for nu-
is nu—
triment
triment but
but also
also for
for cheerfulness.
cheerfulness. TheThe gift
gift of
of Cancer
Cancer is is the gift of
the gift gold as
of gold as anan
39
39
objective
objective representation
representation of of spiritual value. All
spiritual value. All spirituality
spirituality comes
comes fromfrom the the
north
north oror the
the fourth
fourth angle
angle of of the
the horoscope
horoscope of life, and
of life, and often
often comes
comes in in ugly
ugly
guise
guise as
as the
the humble
humble ass.
ass. Indeed
Indeed even
even the word ass
the word ass has
has become
become unpleasant
unpleasant in in
many
many of its usages.
of its usages. But when the
But when the ass is given
ass is given the
the right word it
right word it spits
spits the gold,
the gold,
and
and Cancer
Cancer gives
gives man
man the
the ability
ability to
to draw
draw on inner spiritual
on inner spiritual resources
resources of of self
self
for
for unlimited
unlimited power. The man
power. The man whowho has
has no
no resources within himself
resources within himself is is alone
alone
wherever he
wherever he may
may be,be, but
but toto the
the recipient
recipient of
of Cancer’s
Cancer’s giftgift there
there isis no loneli-
no loneli—
ness. The gift
ness. The gift of Aries is
of Aries is the
the stick in the
stick in the sack
sack that
that isis merely
merely aa representation
representation
of
of energy,
energy, andand all
all too
too many
many people
people do do not
not have
have this
this first
first and
and most
most essential
essential
gift
gift of
of life. At aa word
life. At word thethe stick
stick comes
comes out,
out, to
to suggest
suggest howhow every
every man
man should
should
be
be able
able to
to call
call upon
upon his
his reserve
reserve strength.
strength.
The gift
The gift of
of Capricorn
Capricorn is is the gift of
the gift of making
making trouble
trouble and and this
this curiously
curiously
enough
enough is is the
the highest
highest giftgift of
of all. The sons
all. The were living
sons were living with
with their
their father per-
father per—
fectly
fectly content
content and when they
and when they took
took the goat out
the goat out they left it
they left it shift
shift for itself. A
for itself. A
principle
principle of of eternal
eternal lawlaw was
was demonstrated
demonstrated when when theythey questioned
questioned the goat
the goat
since
since life will yes
life will yes everyone
everyone who who merely inquires of
merely inquires life perfunctorily.
of life perfunctorily. The The
sons were not getting into their experiences, and while
sons were not getting into their experiences, and while in one way the goat in one way the goat
lied, in
in another he told the the truth.
truth. TheThe goat
goat was
was full
full superficially,
superficially, but but itit had
had
been
been denied
denied the
the real
real companionship
companionship or or the
the real interest of each son As
real interest As a re-
re—
sult
sult of
of the
the goat’s
goat’s answer
answer eacheach son was driven
son was driven out into life
out into life and forced to earn
his own gift. Capricorn in in many ways ways is is perhaps the most unpleasant of all
zodiacal types, and its its obnoxious side is is expressed in in its
its almost insupportable
insupportable
criticism
criticism and intolerance. But
and intolerance. But Capricorn
Capricorn stirs stirs up life and
up life and it it has
has been pointed
been pointed
out
out that
that the
the goat
goat has
has more
more stamina
stamina thanthan anyany of
of the
the other
other animals. This is
animals. This is aa
matter
matter of of phallic
phallic significance
significance to to the
the extent
extent that
that nature
nature herself will not
herself will let her
not let her
children
children remain idle. Capricorn
remain idle. Capricorn changes
changes not,not, and
and itsits inflexibility
inflexibility is is its
its value.
value.
In
In the
the story
story the
the tailor
tailor ofof course
course is is the
the usual
usual point
point of view, while
of view, while the landlord
the landlord
is the adversary or is
is is life
life and
and experience
experience demanding
demanding their their accounting.
accounting.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What makes this tale actually a piece of disguised astrology? How can
What
an
an understanding
understanding of it help
of it you to
help you to control your own
control your life?
own life?
(2) How are the professions of the sons and the gifts gifts presented to them
associated with the
associated with the signs? What does
signs? What does this
this mean
mean to you?
to you?
(3)
(3) What is
What is the
the message
message of of this
this tale?
tale? How
How isis it
it presented
presented and and then
then re-
re—
peated?
peated?
(4)
(4) What is
What is meant
meant by
by the
the creative word? How
creative word? How can you learn
can you learn toto speak it or
speak it or
change it? With
change it? With what
what effect?
effect?
40
40
(5)
(5) What is
What is the gift of
the gift of Capricorn
Capricorn and why is
and Why is it
it the
the highest
highest of
of those
those sym-
sym—
bolized
bolized here? How may you secure these gifts? What should they do
here? How may you secure these gifts? What should they do
for you?
for you?
41
41
Lesson
69, issued 6/9/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES IX
FAIRY TALES IX
THE SLEEPING
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
BEAUTY
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with little people
the little people oror the
the fairies
fairies themselves,
themselves,
and is aa consideration
and is consideration of of the
the full gamut of
full gamut gifts from
of gifts life to
from life to the individual or
the individual or
the
the complete
complete twelve
twelve andand the
the supplementary
supplementary thirteenth. The peoples
thirteenth. The peoples of
of the
the
elements
elements oror the
the little
little ones
ones must give gifts
must give gifts to
to all who discover
all who discover them
them or who
or who
are
are able
able to
to call
call on
on them
them byby name,
name, and in this
and in this factfact isis an
an allegory
allegory of of all
all experi-
experi—
ence. The feast
ence. The feast isis aa symbol
symbol of life. Not
of life. Not only
only the invited powers
the invited powers of life come
of life come
but
but those who are uninvited also. Thus in the living of life one should seek to
those who are uninvited also. Thus in the living of life one should seek to
have all spiritual powers share his feast or his experience since those he can
call
call on
on byby name will give
name will give him good gifts
him good gifts while
while the gifts from
the gifts from those
those he he does
does
not
not know
know are are not
not evil inherently but
evil inherently but only
only to to the
the extent
extent of of his lack of
his lack of knowl-
knowl—
edge.
edge. Nothing
Nothing understood
understood is is ever
ever evil,
evil, and
and it it is
is inin full
full accordance
accordance with with natural
natural
law that the essence of experience embraced should be good good and the essence
of
of experience
experience refused
refused should
should be be evil.
evil. Spirituality
Spirituality must must make make its its dip into mat-
dip into mat—
ter,
ter, and
and this
this isis the
the marriage
marriage of of spirit
spirit and
and flesh
flesh that that isis the
the concern
concern of of the
the sac-
sac—
rament
rament of of matrimony
matrimony and and that
that isis only incidentally an
only incidentally an actual
actual mating
mating of of two
two
individual beings. There
individual There isis a necessary matrimonial intermingling intermingling of higher
and
and lower
lower planes
planes because
because in in cosmic
cosmic reality
reality there
there is is no
no distinction
distinction between
between
spirit
spirit and
and aa flesh
flesh that is crystallized
that is crystallized spirit
spirit emphasized
emphasized in in experience. All All
through
through life
life there
there must
must be be an
an association
association between
between the the spirit
spirit and
and the
the elements,
elements,
and as man grows upward by his association with with divinity he is is concurrently
supported
supported in in his
his lower
lower or or foundation
foundation naturenature by by the
the elements
elements to which his
to which his
spirit is divinity.
spirit is divinity. TheThe peoples
peoples of of thethe elements
elements or or the
the powers of substantial
being
being are
are entitled
entitled to to share in his
share in his experience
experience because
because they they areare collectively
collectively thethe
consciousness
consciousness of of life
life streams
streams contributing
contributing to to his
his necessary
necessary lower lower being.
being.
The king
The king and
and queen
queen represent
represent bipolarized
bipolarized human
human nature in its
nature in its gener—
gener-
ality. The king
ality. The is the
king is volition or
the volition or human will and
human will and the
the queen
queen the life principle
the life principle
or experience as such. The The heart and head sides of life life say to each other,
“Would
“Would that we had
that we had aa child!” The urge
child!” The urge to
to create is inherent
create is inherent inin all
all being,
being, and
and
here
here the
the experience
experience potential
potential and
and the will conspire
the will conspire to
to conceive
conceive the
the soul
soul that
that
42
42
shall
shall inin time
time conjure
conjure purpose
purpose into into being
being as its mate.
as its mate. Water Water is is always
always aa symbol
symbol
for
for consciousness
consciousness in in experience,
experience, and and thethe frog
frog is is aa euphemism
euphemism for for the phallic
the phallic
act. Things which
act. Things which are are phallic
phallic serve
serve to to etch
etch experience
experience into into being
being more more
sharply
sharply and and deeply
deeply thanthan the less ecstatic
the less ecstatic events
events that that only later can
only later can serve
serve as as
well or
well or better
better for growth. The
for growth. The daughter
daughter is is the
the emanative
emanative principleprinciple in in tangible
tangible
life
life or
or spiritually
spiritually the the soul
soul and
and so so actually
actually the the receptive
receptive personality
personality that that isis the
the
active
active factor
factor in in all
all experience.
experience. The The willwill ordains
ordains the great feast
the great feast at which are
at which are set
set
out
out the
the twelve golden plates
twelve golden plates that
that are are aa symbol
symbol for for thethe full
full manifestation
manifestation of of
objective
objective being.
being. GoldGold symbolizes
symbolizes worth,worth, and and it it is
is toto be
be seen
seen that
that thethe best
best the
the
being
being can can offer
offer is is at
at the
the disposal
disposal of of those
those who who may may wish wish well
well to to the personal-
the personal—
ity. But
ity. But as as the
the twelve guests correspond
twelve guests correspond to to the
the twelve
twelve disciples
disciples who who reveal
reveal aa
thirteenth
thirteenth or or aa teacher,
teacher, so so do
do thethe expected
expected guests guests disclose
disclose aa thirteenth
thirteenth who who
had
had not
not been invited. The
been invited. The thirteenth
thirteenth fairy fairy comes
comes in in after
after the
the eleventh
eleventh gift gift had
had
been
been given
given because
because the the twelfth
twelfth signsign of of the
the horoscope
horoscope or or zodiac
zodiac has has aa secret
secret
and withheld significance
and withheld significance that that is is brought
brought out out onlyonly after
after the whole being
the whole being is is
polarized
polarized through
through the the thirteenth
thirteenth principle
principle able able to to complement
complement the the twelve.
twelve.
The twelfth
The twelfth disciple
disciple of of Christ
Christ diddid not
not take
take hishis place
place among among the the disciples
disciples untiluntil
after
after thethe crucifixion
crucifixion since Judas was
since Judas was false
false andand discarded,
discarded, and and onlyonly after
after the
the
thirteenth
thirteenth fairy fairy arrives
arrives following
following the the eleven
eleven giftsgifts is is the
the twelfth
twelfth fairyfairy able
able toto
assert
assert herself.
herself. Pisces
Pisces is is the
the sign
sign of inner resources
of inner resources tapped tapped only only at at the
the supreme
supreme
moments
moments of of life.
life. Not
Not until
until all
all the
the tangible
tangible gifts gifts of life can
of life can be be renounced,
renounced, as as
symbolized
the pronouncement
pronouncement of of death
death by by thethe thirteenth
thirteenth fairy,fairy, areare these
these
gifts
gifts really
really thethe possession
possession of of the
the soul.
soul. To To thethe eleven
eleven must must be be added
added the the magic
magic
twelfth
twelfth or or the
the realization
realization that that behind
behind death death is is aa greater
greater life.life.
The fifteenth
The year represents
fifteenth year represents the
the physiological
physiological cycle
cycle of
of adolescence
adolescence
or
or aa lunar
lunar measure, while the
measure, while the hundred years are
hundred years are aa cycle
cycle of
of adultship
adultship or
or aa solar
solar
measure. The The whole
whole meaning and importance
importance of this fairy tale lieslies in
in the
hundred-year
hundred—year cycle as a period of recuperation and inner inner rest and a necessity
in all life. The
in The will
will does not intend
intend to yield
yield to the necessity to gestation
gestation out of
the
the powers
powers of of being
being from within, but
from within, but determines
determines to to prevent
prevent thethe matter
matter arbi-
arbi—
trarily
trarily and
and to to force growth at
force growth at the
the drive
drive of will with
of will with soul
soul cooperation.
cooperation. AllAll
spindles in the
spindles in the kingdom
kingdom areare destroyed
destroyed and
and this
this symbolizes
symbolizes the suppression or
the
the erroneous
erroneous method
method of of soul
soul culture.
culture. Soon
Soon the will and
the will and experience
experience take
take aa
journey
journey as
as must inevitably happen,
must inevitably happen, oror relax vigilance, and
relax vigilance, and the
the personality
personality oror
soul
soul promptly
promptly starts
starts to investigate life
to investigate life and
and atat once
once finds
finds the
the fatal
fatal spindle
spindle and
and
is plunged into
is into the sleep. WithWith the sleep of the personality all of her envi- envi—
ronment is is plunged under the the same
same spell
spell because
because the
the focus
focus ofof uninitiated
uninitiated be-
be—
ing is
ing is wholly
wholly through the personality. Thus the
personality. Thus the mistakes
mistakes of of the will reflect
the will reflect
through
through personality
personality and and often
often plunge
plunge the whole being
the whole into seeming
being into seeming destruc-
destruc—
43
43
tion,
tion, but
but here
here as
as always is the
always is the protective
protective twelfth
twelfth principle
principle that
that transforms
transforms
death into sleep.
death into sleep.
Now
Now the the prince is brought
prince is brought intointo thethe story
story as
as purpose
purpose or or the
the offshoot
offshoot
of
of mind
mind to to reawaken
reawaken andand to guide the
to guide the evolutionary
evolutionary experiences
experiences of of the
the soul.
soul.
Many
Many false
false princes
princes oror superficial
superficial purposes
purposes have have tried
tried to
to break
break through
through the the
hedge
hedge of
of habit
habit but
but now
now that
that itit is
is the
the proper
proper time
time the
the real
real prince
prince finds
finds every-
every—
thing
thing opening
opening ahead
ahead ofof him. Thus the
him. Thus the hundred years or
hundred years or the
the solar
solar cycle
cycle are
are
revealed in the
revealed in the aspect
aspect of
of protection.
protection. Everything
Everything is is just
just as it was
as it was at
at the
the begin-
begin—
ning
ning of
of the
the cycle,
cycle, and
and this indeed is
this indeed is the
the power
power ofof solar
solar being
being because
because nothing
nothing
need
need ever
ever bebe lost
lost to
to man. The opportunity
man. The opportunity that was passed
that was yesterday is
passed yesterday is to
to be
be
met
met today
today spiritually without change
spiritually without change of of any
any sort. What aa soul
sort. What soul once
once hashas earned
earned
belongs
belongs to it through
to it through eternity,
eternity, andand all
all that
that can
can happen
happen is is temporary
temporary separa-
separa—
tion.
UOfl.
One
One of of the
the most
most difficult
difficult truths
truths ofof occultism
occultism is is that
that the individual is
the individual is
the
the center
center of of the
the universe
universe and and that
that as
as far
far as
as he
he isis concerned
concerned the the universe
universe de-de—
pends
pends entirely
entirely on on him.
him. Karma
Karma withwith perfect
perfect convenience
convenience will will reconstruct
reconstruct all all
those
those things
things to which the
to which the person
person isis entitled,
entitled, and
and that
that person will find
person will find himself
himself
back
back just where he
just where was before
he was before hehe slipped
slipped offoff hishis path
path ofof progress.
progress. If If one
one
truly is living
truly is living hishis experiences
experiences everything
everything in in life
life must
must adjust itself to
adjust itself to him. Life
him. Life
is complex, but life in
is in its
its principle isis essentially simple. And And so the personal—
personal-
ity when
ity when it it is
is unhampered is is truly beautiful, and the aspirant must remember
that
that different
different aspects
aspects ofof his
his personality
personality must
must sleep
sleep oror have
have this
this protection
protection of of
karmic
karmic reconstitution
reconstitution at at frequent intervals and
frequent intervals and thatthat the
the sleeping
sleeping aspect
aspect isis
ready to awake at the coming of of the
the proper
proper purpose
purpose or or channel
channel ofof expression.
expression.
No
No man
man is is all
all asleep
asleep oror all
all awake
awake atat any
any time
time in in the whole of
the whole of his
his being. The
being. The
personality
personality like like the
the cut
cut diamond
diamond has has many
many facets,
facets, andand the
the protective
protective aspect
aspect of
of
rest is
is a recurrent and necessary fact throughout the being. All All things, at least
least
in their proper domain, are
in are normal when permitted
normal when permitted aa proper
proper cycle
cycle of
of expres-
expres—
sion.
sion. It was profitable
It was profitable onlyonly as as an
an allegory
allegory of of spiritual
spiritual principle
principle for
for the will to
the will to
set itself to
set itself to prevent
prevent the the pricking
pricking of of the
the personality.
personality.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What kinds of gifts

What gifts does life
life have for the individual?
individual? From what
what
source
source may
may they
they be
be expected?
expected? In what way
In what way is
is life
life aa feast? Who are
feast? Who are the
the
participants?
participants?
44
44
(2)
(2) What association
What association must
must be be evident
evident throughout
throughout life?life? What
What is is the
the sig-
sig—
nificance
nificance ofof twelve invited guests
twelve invited guests at
at the
the feast? Who was
feast? Who was the
the thirteenth
thirteenth
and what was
and what was her
her place?
place?
(3)
(3) What is
What is the
the most important factor
most important in the
factor in the symbolism
symbolism of of this
this tale? Why?
tale? Why?
What happens
What when your
happens when your will
will relaxes its vigilance?
relaxes its vigilance?
(4)
(4) What keeps
What you out
keeps you out ofof real
real trouble? What is
trouble? What is the
the power
power ofof solar
solar being?
being?
What challenge
What challenge and
and opportunity
opportunity doesdoes it it offer? What are
offer? What are the implica-
the implica—
tions
tions of
of the
the occult
occult truth
truth that
that the individual is
the individual is the
the center
center ofof the
the uni-
uni—
verse?
verse?
(5)
(5) When and
When why must
and why must different
different aspects
aspects of of personality
personality sleep?
sleep? WhyWhy is is aa
proper
proper cycle
cycle of
of expression
expression necessary
necessary in in experience?
experience? HowHow is is this
this ef-
ef—
fected?
fected?
45
45
Lesson
70, issued 6/16/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES X
FAIRY TALES X
RUMPELSTILTSKIN
RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the spiritual law of
spiritual law of activity
activity and
and fundamen-
fundamen—
tally
tally dramatizes
dramatizes three
three qualities
qualities that
that are
are paradoxical in their
paradoxical in their application
application or
or ava-
ava—
riciousness,
riciousness, boastfulness
boastfulness and and tearfulness.
tearfulness. The The paradox
paradox lies lies in
in the
the fact
fact that
that
these
these are
are the
the three
three first
first necessary
necessary qualities
qualities for for cosmic
cosmic usefulness,
usefulness, since while
since while
apparently
apparently theythey areare evil
evil and
and farfar from
from desirable
desirable yet yet the
the aspirant
aspirant onon analysis
analysis andand
on
on determination
determination of what lies
of what lies behind
behind them them is is able
able to to discover
discover their
their tremen-
tremen—
dous value. Avariciousness
dous value. Avariciousness is is aa symbol
symbol for for thethe quality
quality of of urge. All avaricious-
urge. All avaricious—
ness is is not evil because the thirst for knowledge and the hunger after right- right—
eousness
eousness is is of
of this
this quality. Ambition is
quality. Ambition is the
the usual
usual constructive
constructive synonym
synonym for for aa
proper
proper avariciousness
avariciousness but but the
the unpleasant
unpleasant word word better
better expresses
expresses the the real
real na-na—
ture
ture ofof the
the quality. When aa man
quality. When man is is avaricious
avaricious he he desires
desires the
the thing
thing withwith anan in—in-
tensity
tensity that
that puts
puts the the desire
desire above
above all all other
other desire.
desire. The The miser
miser subordinates
subordinates
health,
health, comfort,
comfort, esteem,
esteem, honesty
honesty and and duty
duty to gold. In
to gold. In aa sense
sense this willingness
this willingness
to
to go
go after
after aa thing
thing regardless
regardless of of the
the cost
cost is is the
the material
material representation
representation of of aa
true
true spiritual
spiritual urge,
urge, and
and it it is
is brought
brought out out in in the
the story
story found
found in in many
many occult
occult
works of
works of the
the sage
sage whowho dunked
dunked the the seeker
seeker after wisdom under
after wisdom water until
under water until thethe
seeker
seeker desired
desired air with an
air with intensity necessary
an intensity necessary in in the
the desire
desire for wisdom if
for wisdom if wis—
wis-
dom
dom werewere toto be be obtained.
obtained. Such intensity of
Such intensity of desire
desire is is avariciousness or the
paradoxical
paradoxical first first quality.
quality. Boastfulness
Boastfulness is is aa symbol
symbol of of aa pledge
pledge taken,
taken, andand any-
any—
one who gets
one who gets ahead
ahead mustmust ofof necessity
necessity havehave this this quality
quality of of boastfulness.
boastfulness. When When
aa man
man boasts
boasts he he isis swearing
swearing himself.
himself. He He is is pledging
pledging himself
himself to to be
be something
something
or
or to
to do
do something.
something. If If he
he boasts
boasts about
about it it often
often enough
enough he will in
he will in sheer
sheer self-
self—
respect be forced to make good. good. Here is is the committing of the self to somesome—
thing. The man
thing. The man who who boasts
boasts in in spiritual
spiritual things
things is is the
the man
man whowho goes
goes farfar spiri-
spiri—
tually, whereas the
tually, whereas the man
man whowho never
never boasts
boasts never never gets gets anywhere.
anywhere. No No oneone on on
the
the path
path isis asked
asked by by any
any higher
higher spiritual
spiritual authority
authority to to take
take aa vow
vow oror obligation,
obligation,
but
but the
the seeker
seeker who who does
does notnot exact
exact aa hard
hard stiff stiff pledge
pledge fromfrom himself
himself or who
or who
does
does notnot join
join an an objective
objective organization
organization that that for for this
this reason
reason requires
requires aa pledge
pledge
or
or obligation
obligation is is apt
apt to
to make little progress.
make little progress.
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The quality
The quality ofof tearfulness
tearfulness is is also
also anan absolute
absolute essential. This is
essential. This is the
the abil-
abil—
ity to
ity to bebe depressed
depressed over over something
something so so thoroughly
thoroughly that that the
the being literally
being literally
melts
melts away. Tears are
away. Tears are the
the blood
blood ofof the
the astral vehicle. Unless
astral vehicle. Unless aa man possesses
man possesses
the
the ability
ability to
to bleed
bleed inin aa nadir
nadir sacrament
sacrament of white blood
of white blood he he never will progress
never will progress
far
far on
on the
the path. This is
path. This is the
the occasional
occasional surrender
surrender toto the
the cycle
cycle ofof the
the seeker’s
seeker’s
own
own being
being under
under thethe Rosicrucian
Rosicrucian dictum
dictum of of unclutch
unclutch and let go.
and let go. It is the
It is the
pause
pause andand beginning
beginning again
again that
that allow
allow oldold cycles
cycles to
to coalesce
coalesce andand new
new ones
ones to to
operate.
operate. Success
Success that is aa real
that is real and greater success
and greater success follows
follows not
not aa lesser
lesser success
success
but
but the immediately preceding
the immediately preceding failure
failure or or operation
operation of of forces
forces and
and aspirations
aspirations
at
at their
their nadir
nadir point.
point. TheThe important
important consideration
consideration of of these
these qualities
qualities isis the
the fine
fine
line
line ofof distinction
distinction between
between theirtheir destructive
destructive and and constructive
constructive aspects.
aspects. TheThe
potentiality
potentiality of of great good and
great good and strong
strong evil is well
evil is well known
known to to revivalists. The
revivalists. The
profanity
profanity of illiterate and
of illiterate less cultured
and less individuals is
cultured individuals is the
the mark
mark of latent spiri-
of latent spiri—
tual intent and
tual intent and urge. The greed
urge. The greed ofof the
the narrow-minded
narrow—minded man man of of today gives
today gives
birth
birth toto the
the generosity
generosity and and breadth
breadth ofof the
the same
same man
man tomorrow.
tomorrow.
The king
The king symbolizes
symbolizes the
the overshadowing
overshadowing presence
presence ofof the
the divine. The
divine. The
miller is the
miller is the ego
ego or
or the
the conscious
conscious manman or
or self
self that
that boasts
boasts to get into
to get into contact
contact
with the
with inner spark.
the inner The seeker
spark. The seeker reaches
reaches the inner man
the inner man by
by pretending
pretending to to be
be
worthy of
worthy of the
the attention
attention ofof the inner man,
the inner man, and
and that which is
that which is supposed
supposed to to be
be
worthy of
worthy of attention
attention isis the
the personality
personality symbolized
symbolized byby the daughter. It is is curi-
curi—
ous
ous to
to note
note that
that the word miller
the word is used
miller is used aptly
aptly several
several times
times in in these
these stories,
stories,
and
and here
here represents
represents thethe hungry
hungry or growing self.
or growing The miller
self. The is Cancer
miller is Cancer inin the
the
zodiac or the sign of the stomach and also of the pituitary body which which is is pe—
pe-
culiarly
culiarly associated with boasting
associated with boasting since when the
since when the pituitary
pituitary overstirs itself the
overstirs itself the
body
body becomes
becomes giantlike.
giantlike.
Rumpelstiltskin represents the inner talents.

the inner Man never
talents. Man never realizes
realizes hishis
talents
talents until
until he is in
he is in trouble,
trouble, but when the
but when the astral
astral body loosens and
body loosens and the
the seeker
seeker
is sufficiently tearful the talents then appear and some circumstance comes to
is
the
the rescue. The straw
rescue. The straw represents
represents rootroot stuff,
stuff, and
and the gold as
the gold as aa symbol
symbol for for
worth here
worth indicates objective
here indicates objective fact
fact or or being.
being. Spinning
Spinning symbolizes
symbolizes activity,
activity,
and
and the
the castle
castle represents
represents aa soul
soul orientation
orientation in in the
the sense
sense ofof aa domain
domain of of activ-
activ—
ity within
ity within the being. In general
general the
the soul
soul represents
represents thethe body
body of of spiritual
spiritual es-
es—
sence
sence drawn
drawn out
out ofof experience,
experience, so so that
that personality
personality is is brought to the castle
and
and there
there confined
confined in in the
the rooms
rooms that
that represent various particular
represent various particular domains.
domains. In In
life anyone whowho can spin anything into into gold,
gold, no matter how small the quan- quan—
tity, is repeatedly
tity, is given larger
repeatedly given larger quantities
quantities to to spin. The opportunity
spin. The opportunity for for the
the
spinning
spinning always
always comes
comes at at the
the point
point of of complete inner relaxation or night
complete inner
while morning
while morning is is always
always aa symbol
symbol for for new
new beginning
beginning or or accounting
accounting or or the
the
only moment when when contact between
between personality
personality and inner spark
and inner is possible.
spark is possible.
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47
Three prices
Three prices exist which personality
exist which personality must
must pay
pay to
to the
the hidden
hidden talents. The
talents. The
necklace is aa symbol
necklace is symbol of virginity and
of virginity innocence because
and innocence in aa sense
because in it separates
sense it separates
head
head or
or cognition
cognition and
and body
body or
or sensation,
sensation, the
the ring
ring of
of participation in things
participation in things
because worn on
because worn on the
the finger,
finger, and
and the
the king’s
king’s child
child of
of creative
creative power. The neck-
power. The neck—
lace is consecration,
lace is consecration, the
the ring
ring dedication
dedication and
and the
the child immolation in
child immolation in the
the
higher
higher symbolization
symbolization because
because the
the seeker
seeker after
after first
first recognition
recognition of
of aa challenge
challenge
must
must then
then prepare
prepare himself
himself for
for aa definite
definite task
task and
and finally
finally separate
separate himself
himself
from
from all
all part in anything
part in anything not
not concerned with that
concerned with that task.
task.
The marriage
The marriage of of the
the divine
divine spark
spark to to the
the personality is the
personality is the ego’s vic-
ego’s vic—
tory
tory because
because thethe miller
miller or
or conscious
conscious selfself has welded the
has welded the highest
highest and lowest
and lowest
elements
elements ofof being
being and and so
so created
created spiritual
spiritual at-one-ment.
at—one—ment. OnceOnce thethe self
self can
can getget
its inner
its inner spark into any
spark into any one
one of its experiences
of its experiences it it then
then has
has truly
truly placed
placed the the
spark
spark onon the
the path
path of of conscious
conscious evolution
evolution and and inin essence
essence atat the
the same
same time
time
spiritualized
spiritualized all its experiences.
all its This is
experiences. This is aa phase leading to
phase leading to mastership.
mastership. Rum-Rum—
pelstiltskin is not
pelstiltskin is not only
only the latent talents
the latent talents but
but also
also the
the habits,
habits, since
since the
the differ-
differ—
ence
ence between
between the the talent
talent and
and the
the habit is only
habit is only that
that aa certain
certain responsibility
responsibility fol- fol—
lows when the
lows when the talents
talents are
are used
used and
and habit
habit isis created
created outout of
of them.
them. In In this lies aa
this lies
clue
clue to
to understanding
understanding all all queer
queer human
human habits,
habits, because
because aa perversion
perversion is is no
no
more
more than
than aa physiological
physiological attempt
attempt to to bring
bring about
about aa marriage
marriage of of spirit
spirit and
and
flesh or a method founded upon true urge although usually both destructive
and vile. And
and vile. And inin this lies the
this lies the explanation
explanation of of the later actions
the later actions andand end
end ofof
Rumpelstiltskin, whenwhen he demands the child that was was promised to him long long
before. The habits
before. The habits always
always demand
demand the life of
the life of aa thing,
thing, and when
when the victim
victim
weeps and
weeps is self-pitying
and is self—pitying the
the habit lets him
habit lets him alone
alone for
for aa while
while but
but only
only to
to come
come
back
back again
again and
and again with increasing
again with increasing strength. The victim
strength. The victim must know the real
name
name or or the
the real
real nature
nature ofof the
the habit in order
habit in order toto control it, since
control it, since the
the name
name of of
anything
anything is is power
power over it. The
over it. The personality gave the
personality gave the power
power to to the
the habits
habits that
that
later
later are
are conquered
conquered by by the
the calling
calling up
up of
of aa greater
greater power,
power, and yet the
and yet greater
the greater
power
power of of freedom
freedom has has been
been established
established out out of
of the very habits
the very habits the
the freedom
freedom
destroys.
destroys.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What three qualities are dramatized in

What in this story? Why
Why are they para—
para-
doxical? Why should
doxical? Why you possess
should you possess these
these qualities?
qualities?
(2) What must you
What you avoid in
in using the qualities? Why
Why is
is failure important
important
to
to the
the achievement
achievement of
of success?
success?
(3)
(3) What can
What you learn
can you learn from
from Rumpelstiltskin:
Rumpelstiltskin: from what he
from what he represents
represents
and
and how
how he
he acts? What in
acts? What in the
the tale
tale points
points to
to mastership?
mastership?
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48
(4)
(4) Why must
Why must personality
personality pay
pay any
any price
price to
to hidden
hidden talents? What are
talents? What are they
they
here? What is
here? What is the
the price?
price?
(5)
(5) What clue
What Clue to
to the
the understanding
understanding ofof queer
queer human
human habits
habits does
does this
this
story
story offer?
offer? How
HOW can
can an individual go
an individual go about
about changing
Changing these?
these?
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49
Lesson
71, issued 6/23/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XI
FAIRY TALES XI
LITTLE RED—CAP
LITTLE RED—CAP
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the doctrine
doctrine of
of karma which is
karma which is brought
brought out
out
by
by the
the unusual
unusual nature
nature of of the
the mother
mother principle
principle or immediately nurturing
or immediately nurturing ele- ele—
ment
ment thatthat technically
technically always always represents
represents the lunar of
the lunar of karmic influences. Here
karmic influences. Here
in the
in the character
character of of the grandmother the
the grandmother the relationship
relationship betweenbetween the point of
the point of
view and
view and aa cause
cause is is twice
twice removed.
removed. The The function
function of of the
the moon
moon in in occult
occult sci-
sci—
ence
ence that
that gives
gives the the specialized
specialized meaningmeaning to to thethe term lunar is
term lunar is to
to provide
provide the the
reservoir
reservoir of of residue
residue from from all life. Karma
all life. Karma is is aa latent
latent piling
piling up up of of things,
things, butbut
these
these lose
lose their
their effect
effect if if brought
brought into into objective
objective being being too too soon.
soon. The The moon
moon
serves
serves thethe same
same purpose
purpose to to the
the earth
earth thatthat the
the placenta
placenta serves
serves to to the
the child
child be-
be—
fore birth. Every planet at regular stages has a cosmic placenta which which existing
latently
latently is is then
then crystallized
crystallized into into objective
objective lunar lunar being.
being. ThusThus aa moon moon or or aa
group
group of of moons
moons is is always
always said said toto bebe thethe body
body of of aa planet
planet left left and
and decaying
decaying
from a prior incarnation
incarnation of the planet, and this is is true semi-literally although
the
the moon
moon emerges
emerges from from pralaya
pralaya at at the
the same
same time time as its planet
as its planet andand in in aa sense
sense
is thrown off from that planet in
is in a crystallization of astral effluvia too
strongly
strongly causative
causative to to bebe absorbed
absorbed at at once
once intointo thethe active
active bodybody of of the planet.
the planet.
The same
The same principle
principle prevails
prevails in in individual
individual life life because
because everyone
everyone has has karma,
karma,
and
and this
this karma
karma literally
literally and and technically
technically is is aa placenta
placenta in in higher
higher realms
realms or or aa sus-
sus—
taining mother behind the immediate immediate mother sustainer or as in in this story a
grandmother
grandmother who who can can serve
serve as as aa mother
mother principle
principle once once removed.
removed. The The father
father
and
and sonson always
always represent
represent the the direct line of
direct line of succession.
succession. The The will
will or volition
or volition
element
element in in its
its fundamental independence of
fundamental independence of karma
karma hashas aa freedom
freedom and and aa di-
di—
rectness
rectness of of action
action that that cancan engender
engender new new karmakarma and and thusthus produce growth.
produce growth.
The color
The color red red symbolizes
symbolizes life. life. The
The cap cap is is the
the mind
mind sheath
sheath of of realization
realization in in
experience
experience and and in in this
this sense
sense karma
karma caps caps human
human expression.
expression. The The soulsoul inin put—
put-
ting
ting onon the
the capcap thatthat fits with the
fits with the fit
fit constituting
constituting cognition
cognition or or recognition
recognition is is
entering
entering experience.
experience.
The mother
The is merely
mother is merely the
the force
force of growth or
of growth or the
the natural
natural urge.
urge. Sur-
Sur—
vival of
vival of the
the fittest is aa doctrine
fittest is doctrine recognizing
recognizing this inherent force
this inherent force forward
forward or
or
50
50
outward.
outward. Nature
Nature however
however does does not not survive
survive because
because it it is
is fit
fit but
but isis fit
fit through
through
the inherent necessity
the inherent necessity and latent determination
and latent determination to to survive.
survive. The The bread
bread andand
wine represent
wine represent thethe sacrament
sacrament of of experience
experience or or the
the eucharistic
eucharistic necessity
necessity forfor
the
the evolving
evolving soulsoul to
to recognize
recognize its its ancestors
ancestors or its karmic
or its karmic background.
background. The The
second
second principle
principle of
of self
self back
back in in line
line ofof cause
cause or
or the grandmother is
the grandmother is the
the ripe
ripe
causation
causation or or root
root karma
karma thatthat must
must be worked out
be worked in the
out in given life.
the given life. This
This
karma
karma becomes
becomes weakweak and ill if
and ill if the
the soul
soul does
does not
not draw
draw on it, and
on it, and itit is
is for
for this
this
reason
reason that
that the Western races
the Western races as as recently
recently becoming
becoming sufficiently grounded in
sufficiently grounded in
objective
objective being
being have
have been
been stirred
stirred to live hard
to live hard and
and have
have been
been driven
driven however
however
subconsciously
subconsciously to to realize
realize the
the danger
danger of of avoiding lessons ready
avoiding lessons ready to to be learned.
be learned.
In
In this
this story
story an
an excellent
excellent picture
picture is is given
given of
of the
the manner
manner in in which
which thethe aspirant
aspirant
should
should approach
approach his his karma.
karma. The The approach
approach should
should bebe made
made whenwhen he he isis cool,
cool,
or in the
or in the early
early morning
morning of life. He
of life. He should yield deference
should yield deference to to the
the ethics
ethics and
and
morals
morals of of the
the age
age inin which
which he lives. He
he lives. He should
should never
never be in aa hurry,
be in hurry, butbut
should
should hasten
hasten only in the
only in the surety
surety of of understanding.
understanding. The The necessary
necessary good good morn-
morn—
ing greeting
ing greeting at at any
any point
point ofof meeting
meeting with with experience
experience is is articulation,
articulation, and and isis
also
also the
the poise
poise ofof deference.
deference.
The wolf
The wolf represents
represents the impersonal passion
the impersonal passion nature,
nature, and
and this passion
this passion
nature
nature is is not
not to to be
be taken
taken as viciously evil
as viciously evil nor
nor necessarily
necessarily destructive. Those
destructive. Those
things
things that
that are vicious are
are vicious are notnot to to be identified as
be identified as being
being thethe passion itself,
passion itself,
which at
which at the worst is
the worst is playfully wanton, but
playfully wanton, but rather
rather asas the gluttonous and self-
the gluttonous self—
ish nature behind passion. The
ish The apron has phallic reference because the inno— inno-
cent
cent reservoirs
reservoirs of of spiritual
spiritual force
force uponupon whichwhich the the passion
passion draws are normally
posited
posited in in the
the covered
covered or or protected
protected lower lower centers
centers or or sacral
sacral region. The pas—
region. The pas-
sion
sion nature
nature at at the
the beginning
beginning of of the
the story
story does
does not not know where to
know where to find
find the
the
karma,
karma, since
since thethe ego itself has
ego itself has to give first
to give first permission
permission to to passion
passion toto approach
approach
or
or awaken
awaken karma.karma. TheThe three
three oakoak trees give the
trees give the trinity
trinity of
of eternal
eternal being
being as as they
they
represent great strength and and stability.
stability. The The passion
passion first
first opens
opens the
the eyes
eyes and and
ears.
ears. ItIt tries
tries to get the
to get young soul
the young soul off off the
the path
path byby appealing
appealing to to the
the senses.
senses.
Passion
Passion leads
leads aa manman toto think
think to to himself
himself or or feel
feel that
that karmic
karmic things
things are
are fine
fine but
but
karma
karma willwill appreciate
appreciate aa little
little more
more experience,
experience, and and this
this experience
experience is is repre-
repre—
sented
sented by by little
little Red
Red Cap wandering in
Cap wandering in the woods to
the woods gather blooms. Passion
to gather
however knows exactly where where it it isis going,
going, and the passion nature can smile
and
and appeal
appeal with with conviction
conviction to to the inner ego
the inner ego as as being
being the
the real
real outer
outer self. Thus
self. Thus
passion
passion gobbles
gobbles up up the
the karma
karma whichwhich Jonahlike
Jonahlike remains
remains alive within the
alive within wolf,
the wolf,
so
so that
that karma
karma hereafter
hereafter is is represented
represented to to the
the self
self by
by the wolf. In
the wolf. In other words
other words
the
the aspirant
aspirant meetsmeets his
his karma
karma through
through his his passions.
passions.
The wolf
The wolf cannot
cannot enter
enter the
the house
house until
until the grandmother tells
the grandmother tells him
him to
to
lift
lift the
the latch,
latch, and
and so
so nothing
nothing can
can enter into the
enter into the being
being until given permission
until given permission
51
51
by
by the inner ego
the inner itself. Meanwhile
ego itself. Meanwhile when when thethe outer
outer self
self oror the
the aspirant
aspirant in in his
his
consciousness puts off facing its problems until the
consciousness puts off facing its problems until the morning is passed, it morning is passed, it
feels
feels off-center
off—center and
and notnot equal
equal to to the
the task
task and
and so so finally
finally has
has to to force itself
force itself
forward.
forward. Because
Because of of this
this forcing
forcing everything
everything is is magnified
magnified to to the
the senses
senses ofof the
the
self,
self, as
as symbolized
symbolized by little Red
by little Red Cap when she
Cap when she arrives
arrives at at the
the house
house of of her
her
karma.
karma. TheThe huntsman introduces the
huntsman introduces the masculine
masculine or volition element.
or volition element. The The self
self
in all
in innocency of
all innocency of soul
soul oror feminine
feminine receptivity
receptivity starts
starts forth
forth in in life.
life. The
The pas—
pas-
sion
sion nature
nature meets
meets thethe self
self andand sets
sets the
the self
self to
to chasing
chasing butterflies.
butterflies. When When the the
passion
passion has has devoured
devoured both both the the karma
karma and and the
the self in its
self in its soul
soul aspect
aspect every-
every—
thing
thing isis enmeshed
enmeshed in in the
the passion
passion or impulse nature
or impulse nature except
except the volition that
the volition that
now
now comes
comes on on the
the scene. When the
scene. When the huntsman
huntsman hearshears thethe snoring
snoring he he realizes
realizes
that
that something
something is is wrong
wrong because
because here here isis symbolized
symbolized that that emanation
emanation from from
every
every human
human being which in
being which in its
its impact
impact on on others
others is is the
the key
key toto the
the state
state of
of any
any
individual’s consciousness.
individual’s consciousness. The The employment
employment of of aa snore
snore toto represent
represent the the auric
auric
emanation
emanation is is unusual,
unusual, butbut anyany ofof the
the senses
senses may interpret the
may interpret the aura.
aura.
The volition
The volition makes
makes up its mind
up its mind that
that the
the time
time has
has come
come for it to
for it to step
step
in and
in and take
take aa part. The will
part. The will always is wishing
always is wishing that it may
that it may catch
catch the passion
the passion
asleep,
asleep, toto slay it. The
slay it. The passion
passion however
however should
should nevernever be be slain,
slain, but
but should
should be be
scissored
scissored open
open or or understood,
understood, and and the
the method
method of of cutting
cutting represents
represents thethe dis-
dis—
crimination
crimination that that itit is
is worthy
worthy of of note
note does
does not not awaken
awaken or or disturb passion.
disturb passion.
Immediately following this comes the technique for the conquest of passion passion
as
as symbolized
the act
act of little Red
of little Red Cap
Cap in in filling
filling the
the body with the
body with the stones
stones
that
that represent
represent externalization.
externalization. Stone itself is
Stone itself is symbol
symbol for for permanency,
permanency, as illus-
as illus—
trated
trated inin the
the phrase
phrase philosopher’s
philosopher’s stone,
stone, and and to to take
take passion
passion downdown to its
to its
most crystallized point as in in weighting
weighting it it with
with stones is is its
its complete resolu-
resolu—
tion
tion toto the
the understanding
understanding that that causes it to
causes it to die
die asas destructive
destructive passion.
passion. ByBy con-
con—
trast
trast aa ruthless
ruthless slaying
slaying ofof passion would, like
passion would, like thethe dragon’s
dragon’s teeth,
teeth, sow
sow the the
seeds
seeds of of many
many consequent
consequent passions
passions that
that inin turn would be
turn would be slain
slain endlessly. Af-
endlessly. Af—
ter
ter the
the first
first experience
experience the the self
self recognizes
recognizes passion
passion and and knows
knows how how toto refuse
refuse
attention. When passion
attention. When passion then
then mounts
mounts the the roof
roof to lie in
to lie in wait
wait the
the higher
higher
knowledge or the grandmother
grandmother promptly recognizes and circumvents the
danger.
danger.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What point of view

What view is
is represented
represented by
by the grandmother? How
the grandmother? How does
does
she
she represent
represent also
also the
the mother
mother principle?
principle?
(2) What is
What is the occult meaning of karma and of lunar?
lunar? What
What is
is the im—
im-
portance
portance of will in
of will in relation
relation to
to karma?
karma?
52
52
(3)
(3) What is
What is meant
meant byby the
the direct line of
direct line of succession
succession asas represented
represented byby the
the
father
father and
and the
the son? What do
son? What you understand
do you understand toto be
be the
the sacrament
sacrament of of
experience?
experience?
(4)
(4) What can
What you learn
can you learn from
from this
this story
story about
about howhow toto approach your
approach your
karma? What is
karma? What is the
the function
function ofof passion in this
passion in this respect?
respect?
(5)
(5) What are
What are the
the feminine
feminine and
and masculine
masculine elements
elements symbolized
symbolized inin this
this tale?
tale?
Why must
Why you be
must you be able
able to
to both
both use
use and
and suppress
suppress passions?
passions?
53
53
Lesson
176, issued 6/30/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XII
FAIRY TALES XII
TOM THUMB
TOM THUMB
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the four great initiations
four great initiations through which each
through which each
spiritually
spiritually minded
minded man man mustmust passpass in in order
order to to become
become aa saintsaint oror anan enlight-
enlight—
ened
ened one,
one, or or the
the four
four aspects
aspects of of the
the eternal
eternal spiritual
spiritual message
message symbolized
symbolized in in
the
the Christian
Christian revelations
revelations by by the
the four gospels or
four gospels or four
four points
points of view of
of view of the
the
Christ
Christ teaching,
teaching, and and for its thread
for its thread of of narrative
narrative the the story
story takes
takes the inner voice
the inner voice
of
of conscience
conscience or or articulation
articulation of of the
the real
real Self
Self and
and dramatizes
dramatizes the the development
development
of
of the
the spiritual
spiritual faculties
faculties through
through the the four
four stages.
stages. TheThe occult importance of
occult importance of
the
the Grimm
Grimm fairy fairy tales lies in
tales lies in the
the fact
fact already
already brought
brought out out that
that the
the two
two Ger-Ger—
man
man savants
savants collected
collected themthem not not to give the
to give world matter
the world matter that was valuable
that was valuable
for
for teaching
teaching or or dramatizing
dramatizing anything
anything in in particular
particular but but rather
rather to to draw
draw together
together
the
the oldest
oldest possible
possible material
material to to reveal
reveal thethe roots
roots andand sources
sources of words and
of words and so so
aid in the
aid in the foundation
the science
science of of philology
philology in in which
which Jacob
Jacob Grimm
Grimm had had
aa very
very important
important part. part. Occultly
Occultly the the Greek
Greek and and Roman
Roman myths myths unless
unless traced
traced
through
through to to their
their Semite
Semite and Aryan originals
and Aryan originals are are almost worthless as
almost worthless as revela-
revela—
tion of basic or naive symbolism because the intellectuals intellectuals of the Mediterra—
Mediterra-
nean civilizations were were quite
quite aware
aware of of the
the fact
fact that
that they were myths
they were myths and and
shaped
shaped the the symbolization
symbolization according
according to literary and
to literary and poetic
poetic if if not philosophical
taste. The symbolism
taste. The symbolism of of these
these household
household tales tales has
has escaped
escaped feckless
feckless modifica-
modifica—
tion
tion because
because they were never
they were never regarded
regarded as as significant
significant or important in
or important in any
any relig-
relig—
ious or particularly moral sense but were
ious were handed down in in the main because
they were loved.
they were loved. The The human
human heart heart and and notnot thethe human
human head head hadhad been
been the the
preserving agency. And And of course any narrative that does not embody a large large
amount
amount of of truth
truth inin itself
itself will
will fail
fail to
to survive
survive because
because it it will
will find
find nono response
response in in
the
the hearts
hearts of of those
those to whom it
to whom it speaks.
speaks. Eternal
Eternal truth itself is
truth itself is natural,
natural, andand is is
most likely to be preserved in in purity
purity by by natural
natural means
means as as here,
here, and
and not
not by by
studied
studied and and labored intellectual symbolism
labored intellectual symbolism as as inin much
much myth myth andand folk lore
folk lore
that
that has
has been
been self-defeating
self—defeating in in aa moralizing
moralizing that that tends
tends to to bebe altogether
altogether too too
obvious
obvious and and artificial.
artificial.
54
54
The key
The key toto the
the buried
buried symbolism
symbolism of of allall the
the Grimm
Grimm tales, tales, even
even inin the
the
case
case of
of superficial
superficial exceptions,
exceptions, lies lies in
in anan understanding
understanding of of the
the uniform
uniform four- four—
fold
fold scheme
scheme of of the
the cast
cast ofof characters
characters or or basic
basic point
point of view. Underlying
of view. Underlying any any
analysis
analysis of of this
this scheme
scheme are are two
two foundation
foundation facts facts of of occult
occult psychology
psychology that that are
are
and
and must
must be be taken
taken for granted. First
for granted. it must
First it must be be realized
realized that that the
the characters
characters in in
these
these tales,
tales, as in any
as in any Mystery Writings, are
Mystery Writings, are merely
merely channels
channels for for thethe demon-
demon—
stration
stration of of the
the outworking
outworking of of spiritual
spiritual and and eternal
eternal activities
activities or or that
that inin other
other
words the
words the people,
people, animals,
animals, fairies,
fairies, etc.,
etc., are
are all all aspects
aspects of of point
point of view. Sec-
of view. Sec—
ondly
ondly it it must
must be be remembered
remembered that that man
man is is normally
normally multipersonality
multipersonality since since asas
within
within himself
himself a
a summary
summary of
of the
the lower
lower kingdoms
kingdoms of
of nature
nature as
as well
well as
as a
a hu-
hu—
man
man being
being he he consists
consists of of four
four fundamental
fundamental natures natures in in all
all objective
objective expression.
expression.
In
In any
any analysis
analysis or or understanding
understanding of of man
man he he must
must be be divided
divided into into his various
his various
natures
natures in in accordance
accordance with with their
their activities,
activities, and and under
under the the characteristic
characteristic pro— pro-
cedure
cedure of of the
the higher
higher occultism
occultism these these separated
separated principles
principles must must be be handled
handled as as
separate
separate or or distinct
distinct and independent of
and independent of each
each otherother throughout
throughout the the analysis
analysis or or
must
must be be symbolized
symbolized in in very
very definite
definite fashion.
fashion. The The fourfold
fourfold schemescheme of of the
the
point
point of view consists
of view consists in in essence
essence of of aa king,
king, queen,
queen, prince
prince and and princess,
princess, but but
these vary frequently
these vary frequently in in their
their objective
objective form. form. The The kingking or or older
older male
male figure,
figure,
usually
usually established
established in in his
his place
place before
before the the opening
opening of of the
the story
story and
and undergo-
undergo—
ing no
ing no change
change during
during its its development,
development, is is the
the positive
positive aspect
aspect of of being
being as will.
as will.
The prince
The prince or or seeking
seeking and and achieving
achieving male male figurefigure brought
brought into into the
the scene,
scene, or or
involved very
involved very definitely
definitely in in the
the circumstances
circumstances of of progression,
progression, is is the positive
the positive
aspect
aspect of of being
being active
active as as purpose.
purpose. This This is is aa distinction
distinction betweenbetween the the true
true hu-
hu—
man or fourth vehicle vehicle as the latent will
the latent will of wisdom that
of wisdom that remains
remains understand-
understand—
ingly in
ingly in thethe background
background through through all all experience,
experience, and and the vital or
the vital or emanative
emanative
second vehicle as
second vehicle as the
the active
active urgeurge or or purpose
purpose of of being
being that that isis inin the
the fore-
fore—
ground of all growth. The The queen
queen or or older
older female female figure
figure usually
usually discovered
discovered
established
established on on the
the scene
scene and and undergoing
undergoing no no change
change but but frequently
frequently doubled
doubled
or substituted for in in the contest with with the prince or princess factor, is is the
negative aspect of being as as desire
desire or or the
the third
third or or astral vehicle. The
astral vehicle. The princess
princess
or
or seeking
seeking and and moulded
moulded female female figure
figure that that is is usually
usually the the central
central actor
actor inin the
the
symbolical
symbolical dramadrama is is the
the negative
negative aspectaspect of of being
being as as receptivity
receptivity or or soul,
soul, and
and asas
such
such she
she symbolizes
symbolizes the the truetrue physical
physical or or first vehicle in
first vehicle in and
and through
through and and
upon which the
upon which the experience
experience of life is
of life is etched.
etched. If If once
once this this basic
basic structure
structure is is
grasped by the student, together with with the manner in in which
which it it reveals itself
itself in
in
unfoldment
unfoldment of idea understanding
of idea understanding through through the the essential
essential heart-drama,
heart-drama, he pos-
he pos—
sesses
sesses aa keykey that will open
that will open up up allall the
the fairy
fairy talestales and will through the experi-
and will experi—
ence in universal
ence in universal symbolism
symbolism there gained make
there gained make the the pantheons
pantheons of of the world
the world
accessible
accessible to to him.
him.
55
55
In Tom Thumb
In Tom Thumb aa considerable variation of
considerable variation of the
the fourfold
fourfold scheme
scheme pre— pre-
sents a countryman, his wife, Tom Thumb as the princess
sents a countryman, his wife, Tom Thumb as the princess factor in male factor in male
guise,
guise, and
and anan unnamed individual appearing
unnamed individual appearing in in protean
protean aspect
aspect asas two
two strang-
strang—
ers,
ers, two
two thieves,
thieves, aa cow
cow andand aa wolf.
wolf. At
At the
the opening
opening ofof the
the story
story the
the country-
country—
man
man pokes
pokes thethe fire
fire or
or the
the symbol
symbol under Mars of
under Mars of male
male activity while the
activity while wife
the wife
spins
spins asas symbol
symbol of of objective
objective creation. The desire
creation. The desire for
for offspring
offspring is is the
the desire
desire
for
for expression,
expression, and Tom Thumb
and Tom Thumb is is inspiration.
inspiration. The
The fact
fact that
that he grew no
he grew no big-
big—
ger indicates the
ger indicates the subjective
subjective nature
nature of
of the
the offspring
offspring here
here as well as
as well as the inner or
the inner or
spiritual
spiritual nature
nature ofof all
all the
the symbolism,
symbolism, and and soso permits
permits the
the bizarre
bizarre transforma-
transforma—
tions
tions of
of the
the purpose
purpose point
point of view or
of view or prince
prince factor.
factor.
The man
The man cuts
cuts the wood that
the wood is aa glyph
that is glyph for
for experience
experience always,
always, and
and
mourns
mourns thethe fact
fact that
that he
he cannot
cannot bring
bring the
the cart. Tom Thumb
cart. Tom Thumb brings
brings the
the cart
cart by
by
riding in the
riding in the horse’s
horse’s ear with the
ear with the horse
horse as
as always
always aa symbol
symbol of
of the
the senses. Man
senses. Man
in other
in words may
other words may profit
profit byby experience
experience if if he
he permits
permits the inner voice
the inner voice to
to
guide
guide his
his senses. Then come
senses. Then come the the two
two strangers
strangers or or the
the prince
prince factor,
factor, and
and pur—pur-
pose
pose inin this
this first
first aspect
aspect of itself is
of itself is profit.
profit. ManMan sells
sells his intuition to
his intuition physical
to physical
gain. This hurts
gain. This hurts him
him but
but does
does notnot hurt
hurt the intuition, which
the intuition, which maymay rideride onon thethe
hat that is is a phallic symbol for experience and see the country. When When the
men sit down or purpose relaxes intuition runs
relaxes intuition into the
runs into the mouse
mouse hole,
hole, andand this
this
is the first initiation
is initiation or the one in in humility. Then Then come the two thieves to
replace the strangers, and the second aspect of purpose is is wealth
wealth as an inher—inher-
ent
ent possession.
possession. Tom Tom Thumb
Thumb in in the
the snail
snail shell
shell as
as the
the second initiation or
second initiation or thethe
one
one ofof steadfastness
steadfastness offers
offers toto help,
help, and
and here intuition with
here intuition with aa loud
loud voice
voice ex- ex—
ternalizes
ternalizes purpose
purpose and and rouses
rouses up up higher
higher desire
desire inin the
the fact
fact of which all
of which lower
all lower
purpose
purpose flees. The cow
flees. The cow and its stomach
and its stomach is is aa curious
curious symbol
symbol forfor the
the third ini-
third ini—
tiation
tiation or
or the
the one
one byby sloughing
sloughing or or crucifixion
crucifixion and and here
here aa clue
clue to
to the identity
the identity
of the Cancer symbol and the swastika and the awakening by the maid of the
master who
who also represents the the king
king calls
calls inin the
the higher Will for
higher Will for the Mithraic
the Mithraic
shriving
shriving inin the
the killing
killing of
of the
the cow.
cow. The The wolf
wolf symbolizes
symbolizes the fourth initiation
initiation or
the
the one
one by by satiation
satiation oror the
the sublimation
sublimation throughthrough desire
desire that
that takes intuition
takes intuition
back
back to
to the
the father’s
father’s house.
house.
The personal
The personal application
application of
of the lesson lies
the lesson lies in
in the
the development
development of
of the
the
new inner
inner voice
voice by four stages or through humility, steadfastness, sloughing
and
and satiation. These are
satiation. These are marked
marked in in aa willingness
willingness toto begin
begin atat aa real
real beginning,
beginning,
to
to cleave
cleave to
to this
this beginning
beginning asas aa foundation,
foundation, to to discard
discard all
all that
that has
has no part in
no part in
the
the growth,
growth, and
and to
to fill
fill the
the being with no
being with no fruits
fruits but
but the
the fruit
fruit of
of this growth.
this growth.
56
56
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) Where else
Where else can
can the great spiritual
the great spiritual message
message of of this
this story
story be
be found?
found?
Why have
Why have thethe Grimm
Grimm fairyfairy tales
tales been
been ofof such
such symbolical
symbolical significance
significance
greater
greater than
than other
other myths
myths or or fairy
fairy tales?
tales?
(2)
(2) How
How diddid they
they happen
happen to to be
be preserved
preserved forfor ourour use? Where is
use? Where is the
the key
key
to
to the
the symbolism
symbolism of of these
these stories
stories to
to be
be found?
found?
(3)
(3) What two
What two basic
basic facts
facts about
about themthem must
must be be understood
understood if if the
the deep
deep
meaning
meaning is is to
to be
be clear?
clear? No No matter what the
matter what the outer
outer form what is
form what is the
the
symbolism
symbolism of of each
each of
of the
the four
four parts
parts of
of the
the tales?
tales?
(4)
(4) What power
What power comes
comes to to the
the student who can
student who grasp the
can grasp the significance
significance of of
the
the structure
structure of of these
these tales? What might
tales? What might serve
serve inin your
your case
case as Tom
as Tom
Thumb does
Thumb does inin this
this story?
story?
(5)
(5) What are
What are the
the four initiations which
four initiations which this
this story
story dramatizes? What per—
dramatizes? What per-
sonal
sonal application
application of of the lessons should
the lessons you be
should you be able
able to
to make
make now?
now?
57
57
Lesson
177, issued 7/7/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XIII
FAIRY TALES XIII
ASCHENPUTTEL
ASCHENPUTTEL
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
The Cinderella
The Cinderella story is one
story is one of
of the
the oldest
oldest ofof all
all fairy
fairy tales. Thus it
tales. Thus it was
was
known
known to
to Straho in 24
Straho in A.D. and
24 A.D. was old
and was old at
at that
that time.
time. Few
Few if if any
any stories
stories make
make
the
the same
same appeal
appeal to to human
human hearts
hearts as as this,
this, and
and even without occult
even without occult knowledge
knowledge
the
the layman
layman is is rather
rather aptapt toto see
see inin itit aa dramatization
dramatization of of the
the experiences
experiences of of
every
every soul.
soul. Out
Out of of all
all the
the drabness
drabness of of conventional
conventional life life man
man seeks
seeks aa wayway to to
better
better things
things to to come
come or or to
to aa future
future statestate notable
notable for for the
the absence
absence of of ashes
ashes
and
and drudgery
drudgery and and ofof envious
envious associates
associates and and cruel
cruel overlords.
overlords. In In the
the realm
realm of of
religion this universal longing longing has given given ready acceptance to the doctrine of
heaven in in all its
its forms, whilewhile inin ordinary life life it
it is
is the rare man who who does not
halfway expect sooner or later later an intervention of
an intervention of providence
providence or luck or
or luck law
or law
of
of averages
averages that will lift
that will lift him
him from
from an an unsatisfactory
unsatisfactory present present intointo an ideal fu-
an ideal fu—
ture
ture state. The hope
state. The hope thatthat springs
springs eternal
eternal in in the
the human
human breast
breast is is the psycho-
the psycho—
logical fact that has become in in its
its Teutonic
Teutonic form form the the story
story of Aschenputtel.
of Aschenputtel.
In occult teachings the difficulties of life life are seen as for the purpose of
growth and evolution. They They are taken as a present effect resulting from
causes
causes engendered
engendered in in aa previous
previous existence
existence or or condition.
condition. Man’s Man’s debit
debit balance
balance
on
on the
the cosmic
cosmic ledger
ledger is is given
given thethe technical
technical term term karma
karma and and thethe story
story of of
Aschenputtel is
Aschenputtel is the drama of that karma clearance which which is is the most fascinat-
fascinat—
ing of all individual
ing individual achievements. Only Only whenwhen the the aspirant’s
aspirant’s karma
karma is is clear
clear is is
he
he aa free
free agent
agent or or liberated
liberated fromfrom the wheel of
the wheel life and
of life and established
established in in his
his di-
di—
vine estate.
vine Then he
estate. Then he has
has at last donned
at last donned his golden slippers
his golden slippers and stepped from
the
the ashes
ashes of of unevolved limitation to
unevolved limitation to thethe palace
palace of of evolved
evolved manhood.
manhood. The The
structure
structure of of the
the story
story does
does notnot depart
depart radically
radically fromfrom the the foundation
foundation fourfold
fourfold
scheme
scheme of of this
this fairy-tale
fairy—tale symbolism.
symbolism. The The rich
rich father
father of Aschenputtel and the
of Aschenputtel
prince’s father are two aspects of the same factor or the ego in in a relatively
inactive role. The
inactive The mother and stepmother represent the growth growth and suste-suste—
nance principle in in two phases. The The drama is is acted out between the nascent
consciousness
consciousness or or soul, which here
soul, which here is is the
the active
active or or seeking
seeking principle of man
because
because at at this
this stage
stage of of his growth he
his growth he isis negative,
negative, and and thethe nascent
nascent will will oror
mind or the aspiration active now only in in a vague
vague desire state. Aschenputtel
Aschenputtel
58
58
is the
is the soul
soul or
or the
the central
central figure
figure throughout. The prince
throughout. The is the
prince is the mind waking to
mind waking to
effort
effort only
only after Aschenputtel has
after Aschenputtel has attended
attended the
the first
first ball.
ball.
The stepsisters
The stepsisters are Aschenputtel in
are Aschenputtel in varying
varying aspect.
aspect. AsAs she
she is is the
the true
true
self
self the
the other
other two two are
are the
the false
false and
and the
the shadow
shadow self
self respectively.
respectively. At At thethe outset
outset
in an
in an understanding
understanding of of this
this story
story and
and for
for aa grasp
grasp ofof the
the process
process of of karma
karma
clearance
clearance it it is
is necessary
necessary to to realize
realize that
that the
the enmity
enmity of
of the
the outer
outer false
false andand shad-
shad—
owlike
owlike oror misguided
misguided and and fantasying
fantasying aspects
aspects ofof being
being to
to the inner is
the inner is wholly
wholly the the
cause
cause ofof the
the joys
joys and
and rewards
rewards eventually
eventually coming
coming to to the
the self,
self, for
for the
the reason
reason
that
that these
these outer
outer things
things areare created
created and
and supported
supported inin balance
balance byby the inner be-
the inner be—
ing. As
ing. As the
the snake
snake or or the
the symbol
symbol of wisdom sloughs
of wisdom sloughs hishis skin
skin soso the
the naga
naga or or
human
human master
master of wisdom sloughs
of wisdom sloughs his
his superficial
personality in in its
its two
two self-
self—
enslaving
enslaving forms.
forms. Yet Yet the
the outer
outer cannot
cannot be be sloughed
sloughed until
until through
through the indwell-
the indwell—
ing of
ing of the
the higher
higher selfhood
selfhood the world of
the world of the
the outer is completed
outer is completed and and ready
ready forfor
sloughing.
sloughing. It is not
It is not that Aschenputtel did
that Aschenputtel did not
not dwell
dwell among
among thethe ashes
ashes before
before
the
the coming
coming of of the
the stepsisters
stepsisters but but that
that their
their coming
coming mademade her
her aware
aware of of her
her
unhappy
unhappy dwelling
dwelling place
place by by contrast.
contrast.
Taking the
Taking the symbolism
symbolism of of the
the fairy
fairy tale in two
tale in two sections,
sections, the
the father
father or
or
will aspect
will is rich
aspect is in subjective
rich in subjective realms. The mother
realms. The mother about
about to die as a symbol
of
of approaching incarnation calls
approaching incarnation calls her
her daughter
daughter oror the young soul
the young soul and
and endows
endows
her with
with a formula of piety to preserve the tie with with upper realms and good— good-
ness or the inherent
inherent proper sense of selfhood to launch launch her individuality
individuality in
in
lower realms. After
After the mother’s
mother’s death
death the
the maiden goes daily
maiden goes daily to
to her grave
her grave
and as long as the snow of winter winter or a white
white covering as true remembrance
covers
covers the
the grave
grave thethe processes
processes of of evolution
evolution do
do not
not start.
start. Indeed,
Indeed, the
the soul
soul at
at
early
early stages
stages ofof being
being isis too well aware
too well aware of its divine
of its divine origin
origin to
to concern itself
concern itself
much
much over
over the
the problems
problems ofof mundane life. But
mundane life. But the
the ego, when the
ego, when the sun
sun comes
comes
and
and melts
melts the
the snow,
snow, awakens
awakens to
to objective
objective activity
activity and
and takes
takes another wife as
another wife as aa
further symbol ofof the
the plunge into matter.
plunge into matter.
Through the
Through the ensuing life up
ensuing life up to
to the
the point
point ofof awakening
awakening thethe stepdaugh-
stepdaugh—
ters
ters are
are found
found outwardly
outwardly beautiful
beautiful but inwardly black
but inwardly black or
or ephemeral.
ephemeral. The The
kitchen with the
kitchen with the cooking
cooking isis aa symbol
symbol of gestation, the
of gestation, the ashes
ashes are
are aa figure
figure for
for
experience.
experience. TheThe self is now
self is now to to be
be forced
forced to grow. The
to grow. The gray
gray dress
dress represents
represents
forgetfulness
forgetfulness or or lack
lack of
of differentiation
differentiation fromfrom environment,
environment, and and the
the shoes
shoes are
are
poignancy as in in the treading on hot coals by the fakir or a symbol through
the
the feet
feet under
under Pisces
Pisces ofof first
first awakening
awakening to to spiritual
spiritual things. The peas
things. The peas and len-
and len—
tils
tils strewed in the
strewed in the ashes
ashes represent
represent hopes
hopes andand desires
desires respectively.
respectively. The The self
self
must
must pluck
pluck hope
hope andand desire
desire out
out ofof the
the small
small experiences
experiences andand trivialities
trivialities of life,
of life,
as
as preparation
preparation for greater things.
for greater When the
things. When the father goes to
father goes to the
the fair
fair the
the false
false
59
59
self
self or
or the
the sister
sister that
that sacrifices
sacrifices aa toe later in
toe later in symbolizing
symbolizing dissipation wants
dissipation wants
fine
fine clothes
clothes and
and creates
creates karma
karma through
through show. The shadow
show. The shadow self
self that
that sacrifices
sacrifices
aa heel in symbolization
heel in symbolization of vanity wants
of vanity wants jewels
jewels and
and creates
creates karma
karma through
through an an
emphasis
emphasis on on false values or
false values or objective weight sustained
objective weight sustained inin fantasy,
fantasy, but
but the
the self
self
wants the
wants the twig
twig that is aa symbol
that is symbol for inspiration. There
for inspiration. There are
are two
two kinds
kinds ofof karma,
karma,
or
or the
the superficial
superficial and
and the
the real,
real, and
and the
the former
former although
although created
created first
first only per-
only per—
sists in order
sists in order to
to nourish
nourish thethe other. The foundation
other. The foundation of of the
the true
true karma
karma is is in
in the
the
tree
tree grown
grown from
from the
the twig
twig onon the grave of
the grave of spiritual
spiritual remembrance
remembrance by by the
the tears
tears
that
that are
are aa symbol
symbol of of consciousness
consciousness in in activity.
activity. Birds
Birds or
or thoughts
thoughts harbored
harbored in in
the
the tree
tree of
of the
the self
self bring
bring any wish to
any wish to consummation
consummation through image-power as
through image-power as
aa function
function ofof the
the self
self alone,
alone, and
and asas manifest later in
manifest later in supplying Aschenputtel
supplying Aschenputtel
with her
with her ball
ball gowns
gowns
In
In the
the second
second section
section ofof the
the fairy
fairy tale
tale the
the three-day
three-day feast
feast for
for the
the
prince
prince symbolizes
symbolizes the the first
first sense
sense ofof aa new
new birthbirth ofof self
self or
or aa stepping
stepping onon the
the
path
path through
through the the birth
birth ofof mind.
mind. NowNow the the soul
soul approaches
approaches adultship.
adultship. In
In the
the
kitchen
kitchen thethe stepsisters
stepsisters trytry to
to keep Aschenputtel from
keep Aschenputtel from the the feast. The one
feast. The one dish
dish
and
and one
one hour
hour symbolize
symbolize simple
simple effort,
effort, and and thethe two
two dishes
dishes andand the
the half
half hour
hour
in a dimensional convolution symbolize
in symbolize compoundcompound effort. The two
effort. The two doves
doves
that
that come
come to to pick
pick upup the lentils show
the lentils show the the thought linked in
thought linked in two worlds that
two worlds that
characterized
characterized man man conscious
conscious in in his
his own
own estate.
estate. OnOn the the first
first night Aschenput-
night Aschenput—
tel
tel escapes
escapes the the prince
prince through
through thethe pigeon
pigeon house, which is
house, which is aa glyph
glyph for
for ro-ro—
mance in in imagination.
imagination. On the second night she eludes him through the pear pear
tree, which is
tree, which is romance
romance in in sensation.
sensation. On On the the third
third she gets away
she gets away through
through thethe
loss
loss of
of aa shoe
shoe in in the
the pitch,
pitch, asas representing
representing the the etching
etching of of habit
habit or
or the
the true
true
consciousness
consciousness of of lower
lower things
things that
that isis possible
possible only only to to the evolved man. The The
wedding brings
wedding brings the
the cooperation
cooperation of of heart
heart and and mind.
mind. The The picking
picking outout of
of the
the
eyes is seeing
eyes is with intuition,
seeing with intuition, asas the
the two lower selves
two lower selves areare transformed
transformed fromfrom
objective
objective to to subjective
subjective usefulness
usefulness to to the
the self. The personal
self. The personal application
application isis inin
the gaining of the new personal heaven or the lentils lentils out of ashes. The The key
thereto isis inspiration
inspiration planted and nourished with with sympathy. The The road thereto
is the conscious enjoyment or
is or the
the dancing
dancing in in image—created
image-created gold. gold.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What is
What is the essence of the Cinderella story? What
What real meaning may it
it
have? What
What change does the occult interpretation
interpretation offer? How do you
you
gain your personal
gain your personal heaven?
heaven?
(2) How does the fourfold foundation theme of the fairy tales appear in in
this
this one? Who serves
one? Who serves as
as the
the chief
chief participant?
participant?
60
6O
(3)
(3) What is
What is your
your interpretation
interpretation of of the
the functional
functional relationships
relationships inin the
the
threefold
threefold self
self as
as symbolized
symbolized here? What is
here? What is the
the process
process of of karma
karma
clearance?
clearance?
(4)
(4) What can
What you learn
can you learn from
from fairy
fairy tale
tale symbolism
symbolism about
about maintaining
maintaining the
the
proper
proper balance
balance between
between subjective
subjective andand objective
objective realms?
realms?
(5)
(5) How
How do you create
do you create karma? What two
karma? What two kinds
kinds are involved? How
are involved? How do do
they
they differ? What is
differ? What is that
that birth
birth of
of mind which marks
mind which marks thethe first
first step
step on
on
the
the path?
path? How
How areare the lower selves
the lower selves changed
changed and
and made
made subjectively
subjectively
useful
useful to
to the
the self?
self?
61
61
Lesson
178, issued 7/14/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XIV
FAIRY TALES XIV
ROLAND
ROLAND
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the ten
ten stages
stages of
of human growth in
human growth in the
the mas-
mas—
tery
tery of
of cycles,
cycles, and
and possesses
possesses an an unusual
unusual fascination
fascination because
because of of the
the extremely
extremely
complicated
complicated nature
nature of its structure.
of its structure. Of Of course
course the
the element
element of of complication
complication is is
wholly esoteric.
wholly esoteric. Roland
Roland outwardly
outwardly is is simple,
simple, and indeed the
and indeed the story would not
story would not
have
have survived
survived otherwise.
otherwise. ItsIts outer
outer simpleness
simpleness is is analogous
analogous to to some
some splendid
splendid
work of
work of art in which
art in which aa technique
technique that that has
has been
been acquired
acquired onlyonly through
through manymany
years
years of
of endeavor
endeavor and and demands
demands the greatest skill
the greatest is unapparent
skill is unapparent except except toto the
the
trained
trained eye in the
eye in the beauty
beauty ofof the
the product.
product. An An analysis
analysis of of the
the stages
stages of growth
of growth
as
as based
based upon
upon the the cycles
cycles makes
makes the the paths
paths ofof ordinary
ordinary mortals as well well as of
master men very very understandable and and thethe appeal
appeal ofof this
this fairy
fairy tale lies in
tale lies in its
its
subtle
subtle correspondence
correspondence to to everyday
everyday experience.
experience. Only
Only the the student
student of of the
the hid-
hid—
den
den side
side of
of things
things however
however is is likely
likely toto find
find much
much of interest in
of interest in the underlying
cycles
cycles as
as here
here applied
applied toto the
the stages
stages of of human
human experience.
experience. Ten Ten isis the number
of
of completeness,
completeness, and
and the
the nine
nine ordinary
ordinary stages
stages of growth or
of growth or the
the nine lesser
nine lesser
initiations in
initiations in the Mysteries become
become ten
ten through
through thethe magic
magic square
square ofof nine
nine as
as
illustrating the seven-year
illustrating seven—year cycles of human experience. Thus Thus evolution from
the
the first
first square in two
square in two directions
directions constitutes
constitutes aa first
first and
and aa second
second seven-year
seven—year
stage
stage andand so
so doubles
doubles this
this one
one square
square and in effect
and in effect creates
creates ten squares. TheThe
ages
ages of of man
man consisting
consisting ofof seven-year
seven—year periods
periods andand ordinarily
ordinarily culminating
culminating in in
adultship
adultship at at twenty-one,
twenty—one, are are familiar
familiar to
to most laymen. But
most laymen. But there is aa corre-
there is corre—
sponding
sponding process
process inin the
the higher vehicles as
higher vehicles as the
the etheric which is
etheric which is born at seven
and
and matures
matures at at twenty-eight,
twenty—eight, the
the astral which is
astral which is born
born at
at fourteen
fourteen and
and matures
matures
at
at thirty-five,
thirty—five, andand the
the human which is
human which is born
born at at twenty-one
twenty-one and
and matures
matures at
at
forty-two,
forty—two, and this is is accepted
accepted by
by occultists
occultists only.
only. In
In applying
applying the
the magic
magic
square
square to illustrate the
to illustrate the story
story of
of Roland
Roland the
the three
three higher vehicles or sheaths of
higher vehicles
consciousness
consciousness alone alone of
of the
the four vehicles are
four vehicles are considered,
considered, and
and the
the adult
adult com-
com—
pleteness or fourth stage of vehicle
vehicle growth
growth is is only implied
implied in
in each case as the
result of development through the preceding three. The The consideration inin
other words is
other words is threefold
threefold or
or through
through activity instead of
activity instead of fourfold
fourfold or
or through
through
form. TheThe analysis is is of process rather than constitution. Nevertheless the
62
62
four
four greater initiations are
greater initiations are traceable
traceable through
through thethe square,
square, first in the
first in the evolution
evolution
of
of each
each higher vehicle to
higher vehicle its adultship
to its adultship as
as aa process
process reflected
reflected in in the
the first
first three
three
initiations or
initiations or time
time as as usually
usually anan ordeal
ordeal through
through sex,
seX, space
space asas usually
usually an an ordeal
ordeal
through
through poverty
poverty andand duration
duration as as usually
usually aa testing
testing through
through aa task
task of of organiza-
organiza—
tion,
tion, and
and secondly
secondly in in the
the evolution
evolution ofof the
the coordinated
coordinated but but separated
separated selves,
selves,
indicated in
indicated in the
the first
first column
column of of the
the square
square downward
downward and and corresponding
corresponding to to
the
the fourth initiation or
fourth initiation or creation
creation asas usually
usually aa testing
testing through
through aa teaching
teaching as-as—
signment
signment leading
leading toto the
the production
production of of aa master
master thesis.
thesis.
Garment
Garment Day
Day House
House
_____________________________________________
Self
Self Listens
Listens Lake &
Lake & Duck
Duck Blood
Blood drops
drops Witch
Witch
77 14
14 21
21
_____________________________________________
Flower
Flower &
&
False
False Covets
Covets Fiddler
Fiddler Service
Service Wand
Wand
Self
Self 14
14 21
21 28
28
_____________________________________________
Red
Red
Shadow Works
Shadow Works Milestone
Milestone Singing
Singing Roland
Roland
Self
Self 21
21 28
28 35
35
_____________________________________________
Negative
Negative Positive
Positive Transmutative
Transmutative
In this analysis the evolution of the false and the shadow selves from
the
the self is cosmic
self is cosmic or inverted, or
or inverted, is involution
or is involution rather
rather than
than evolution,
evolution, andand
therefore the self here begins to function at the age of seven instead instead of at
twenty-one
twenty—one as it would
as it would andand does
does inin outer
outer oror objective
objective fact. This
This cosmic in— in-
version is
version is aa principle
principle most
most confusing
confusing to to the young student,
the young student, and yet it
and yet it may
may be be
demonstrated
demonstrated by by the veriest novice.
the veriest novice. ThusThus when
when manman evolves from within within
outward
outward by individual involution
by individual involution leading
leading to to adultship
adultship he is closest
he is closest to
to his
his real
real
self
self or
or to
to God,
God, in in his
his earliest years, and
earliest years, and he he moves
moves progressively
progressively away from
this
this childlike
childlike clarity
clarity of
of understanding
understanding as as he
he advances
advances in in objective growth.
objective growth.
Christ
Christ stated
stated thethe principle
principle asas that
that aa little
little child
child shall lead them,
shall lead them, and
and this lies
this lies
behind
behind the
the fact
fact that
that aa world
world teacher
teacher isis always
always aa relatively young soul.
relatively young soul.
The first
The first cycle
cycle of
of seven years is
seven years is represented in the
represented in the Roland
Roland story
story by
by
the
the love
love for
for ugliness
ugliness or
or of
of the witch for
the witch for her
her daughter
daughter that
that symbolizes
symbolizes an
an urge
urge
for individuality
individuality as at first difference
difference or
or ugliness. The first
ugliness. The first fourteen
fourteen cycle is
cycle is
63
63
the
the apron
apron that
that isis coveted
coveted or or the
the phallic
phallic selfhood
selfhood with with thethe apron
apron in in this
this sense
sense
aa universal
universal symbol.
symbol. The The second
second seven,
seven, following
following self self or
or sex-consciousness
sex-consciousness is is
symbolized
the escape
escape fromfrom death
death and and corresponds
corresponds to to the
the turning
turning of of at-
at—
tention
tention toto outer
outer things
things and and complementing
complementing the inner attention
the inner attention of of the
the first
first
seven. The first
seven. The first twenty-one
twenty—one which which is is ephemeral
ephemeral in in nature
nature has has aa threefold
threefold
symbol
symbol or or the wand as
the wand as an
an awakening
awakening of of the
the false
false self
self inin desire
desire or or mind,
mind,
Roland
Roland or or an
an awakening
awakening of of the
the shadow
shadow self self inin memory
memory or or realization
realization of of the
the
habit
habit nature,
nature, andand the
the three
three drops
drops of of blood
blood that that inin all
all the
the fairy
fairy tales
tales represent
represent
the
the seed
seed atoms
atoms of of the
the higher vehicles and
higher vehicles and so so here
here signify
signify responsibleness
responsibleness or or aa
quality
quality that
that grows
grows out out ofof the
the proper
proper meshing
meshing or or cooperation
cooperation of of the phases of
the phases of
consciousness.
consciousness. The The second
second fourteen
fourteen coming
coming next next in in the
the evolution
evolution of of the
the self
self
on
on this
this ephemeral
ephemeral foundation
foundation is is unfolded
unfolded with with the waking of
the waking of the witch and
the witch and
the
the creation
creation ofof the
the first
first day
day ofof experience
experience through
through the the episode
episode of of the lake and
the lake and
the
the duck.
duck. It is to
It is to be
be noted
noted that that the
the self's
self's twenty-one
twenty—one cycle cycle hashas preceded
preceded its its
fourteen
fourteen cycle
cycle because
because the the spirit
spirit activity
activity thatthat is is the
the deeper
deeper meaning
meaning of of the
the
three
three drops
drops of of blood
blood alone
alone makes
makes possible
possible the the consciousness
consciousness involved involved in in the
the
lake
lake and
and duck
duck experience.
experience. The The lakelake is
is life
life and
and the the duck
duck spirit,
spirit, and
and thethe brood-
brood—
ing of
ing of spirit
spirit on waters here
on waters here isis experimentation.
experimentation.
The second
The second twenty-one
twenty—one cycle
cycle corresponds
corresponds to
to the
the second
second day
day of
of expe-
expe—
rience,
rience, that
that isis created
created in in and
and through
through the the false
false self
self or
or desire
desire nature
nature as as aa
growth intointo virtue
virtue and ecstasy symbolized by the flower and the fiddler. The The
death
death of of the witch or
the witch or selfself atat this
this stage
stage shows inversely the
shows inversely the old
old self
self reborn.
reborn.
The first
The first twenty-eight
twenty—eight cycle cycle is is the
the third
third day
day ofof experience
experience in in which
which self-
self—
estimation
estimation or or retrospection
retrospection is is symbolized
the return
return ofof Roland
Roland to to his
his fa-
fa—
ther’s
ther’s house
house andand inin the
the redred or living milestone.
or living milestone. The The third
third twenty-one
twenty-one cyclecycle as as
picking up the shadow self self isis aa digression
digression that interrupts growth,
that interrupts growth, andand inin this
this
the
the new
new maiden
maiden gets gets Roland.
Roland. The The symbol
symbol is is work
work and and at at this
this stage
stage inin allall
growth a hard labor is is necessary and fruitful. Now man’s growth growth is is complete
in potentiality because he has acquired his three garments
in garments or the three higher
vehicles. The
vehicles. The second
second twenty-eight
twenty—eight is is aa complete
complete and and beautiful
beautiful dramadrama of of the
the
growth intointo responsibility of of the
the desire
desire nature
nature symbolized
the flower
flower and and
shepherd
shepherd and and by by the
the service
service givengiven in in the very small
the very small house.
house. The The surrender
surrender
when the
when the shepherd
shepherd finds finds the the flower
flower leadsleads toto the
the reconstitution
reconstitution of of the whole
the whole
being
being at at this
this point. The thirty-five
point. The thirty—five cycle
cycle isis the
the climax
climax of of the whole
whole process
process or
the
the transmutation
transmutation of of the
the habit
habit nature
nature andand reunion
reunion of of all
all parts
parts of of being. The
being. The
white cloth
white cloth inin the
the cottage
cottage symbolizes
symbolizes an an embrace
embrace in in understanding, and the
wedding and
wedding and singing
singing represents
represents the the establishment
establishment of of self
self and
and thethe true
true expres-
expres—
sion
sion of
of self in joy
self in The personal
joy The personal application
application of of the lesson lies
the lesson lies through
through the the drill
drill
in tracing simple threads through complex structure. Ability
in Ability to do this as in in
Roland and its its diagram
diagram is is aa faculty
faculty of of mastership.
mastership.
64
64
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What is
What is the
the special
special appeal
appeal ofof this
this tale? What can
tale? What can the
the occult
occult student
student
find in it
find in it that
that the
the ordinary
ordinary reader
reader might
might miss?
miss?
(2)
(2) What are
What are the the nine
nine ordinary
ordinary stages
stages of growth? How
of growth? How do do they
they become
become
the
the complete
complete ten? ten? How
How areare these illustrated in
these illustrated in this
this tale?
tale?
(3)
(3) What is
What is meant
meant by by cosmic inversion? Why
cosmic inversion? Why isis it
it important
important that you un-
that you un—
derstand
derstand it? it? When
When is is an individual closest
an individual closest to
to his
his real
real self?
self?
(4)
(4) How
How areare thethe cycles
cycles symbolized
the Roland
Roland cycle?
cycle? How
How can you
can you
develop
develop the the quality
quality of
of responsibleness
responsibleness whichwhich here is symbolized
here is symbolized by by
the
the three
three drops
drops ofof blood?
blood?
(5)
(5) What are
What are thethe days
days of
of experience
experience andand how
how dodo they
they correspond
correspond to to the
the
cycles? What faculty
cycles? What faculty of
of mastership
mastership may may this lesson help
this lesson you develop?
help you develop?
65
65
Lesson
179, issued 7/21 /08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XV
FAIRY TALES XV
THE RAVEN
THE RAVEN
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the process
process of
of spiritual growth by
spiritual growth individu-
by individu—
als in advance
als in advance of of the
the race
race forfor thethe purpose
purpose of leavening and
of leavening leading the
and leading the race,
race,
or
or aa process
process generally
generally termed initiation and
termed initiation illumination but
and illumination but better
better symbol-
symbol—
ized by
ized by certain groups of
certain groups of occultists
occultists as as the Mystic Marriage
the Mystic Marriage or or drama
drama of invo-
of invo—
lution
lution andand evolution.
evolution. The The title
title is is the
the first
first key
key to to the
the meaning
meaning of of the
the tale
tale be-
be—
cause
cause the
the raven
raven symbolically
symbolically is is thethe most
most evolved
evolved of of birds
birds and
and soso frequently
frequently
symbolizes
symbolizes thoughts
thoughts of of divine guidance and
divine guidance and spiritual
spiritual aspiration.
aspiration. AtAt the
the outset
outset
the
the student
student may
may know
know that that some
some exaltation
exaltation of of human
human consciousness
consciousness is is here
here
involved. The
involved. The queen is is a symbol for Mother Mother Nature or the negative and in— in-
choate
choate urge
urge of of all
all being
being towards
towards expression.
expression. The The ravens
ravens represent
represent spirit
spirit inin
the
the abstract
abstract because
because there
there areare an indefinitely large
an indefinitely large number
number of of them
them over
over thethe
castle,
castle, or
or the
the divine
divine father
father as as thethe king
king of of the
the usual
usual fairy-tale structure. The The
wish of
wish of the
the queen
queen that
that her
her child
child might might become
become aa ravenraven isis the wish for
the wish perfec-
for perfec—
tion noted in in every normal mother who who dreams of prominence for her offoff—
spring. The little
spring. The little daughter
daughter is is the
the soul soul or
or the
the retentive
retentive consciousness
consciousness in in human
organization,
organization, and and soso the
the focal
focal figure
figure in in the
the process
process of of evolution.
evolution. Instead
Instead of of
flying
flying away into into the air or or the
the element
element symbolizing
symbolizing wisdom wisdom as as dodo the
the ravens
ravens
the
the bewitched
bewitched daughter
daughter flies into the
flies into the dark woods. The
dark woods. The woods
woods as as always
always de- de—
note
note experience,
experience, and and their
their darkness indicates the
darkness indicates the condition
condition of of the
the conscious-
conscious—
ness at the start of growth.
growth. The The man in in the woods
woods who who hears the cry of the
raven
raven oror the wail of
the wail of the
the soul
soul is is the
the fourth
fourth figure
figure of of the
the foundation
foundation structure,
structure,
or incipient mind
or incipient mind or or purpose
purpose as as created
created at at the
the beginning
beginning of of human
human evolution
evolution
and
and growing
growing to to aa degree
degree of of divine
divine wisdomwisdom through
through association
association with with the
the soul.
soul.
It is
is to be noted that growthgrowth in in all life
life is
is just as here symbolized because until
aa human individual is
human individual is bewitched
bewitched by by aspiration
aspiration or or obsessed
obsessed by by aa vision
vision or or
great desire no real evolution takes place. The The start of conscious evolution
for all men is is when
when the mind first hears the cry of the soul, “Set me free!”
But
But before
before evolution
evolution can
can proceed
proceed along
along supernormal lines, as
supernormal lines, in ini—
as in ini-
tiation
tiation or illumination, aa recapitulation
or illumination, recapitulation of involution must
of involution must take
take place.
place. Involu-
Involu—
66
66
tion
tion as
as here
here used
used isis aa technical
technical term
term peculiar
peculiar to
to occultism,
occultism, and
and itit indicates
indicates the
the
process
process complementary
complementary to to evolution
evolution or or the
the non-conscious
non—conscious descent
descent of of spirit
spirit
into the
into the mesh
mesh of of matter
matter for for the
the purpose
purpose of of conscious
conscious evolution
evolution from from matter
matter
back
back toto spirit
spirit of
of aa higher
higher and and more
more useful
useful degree.
degree. Evolution
Evolution occultly
occultly shows
shows
the
the birth in succession
birth in succession of of the
the physical,
physical, habit,
habit, emotional
emotional andand responsible vehi-
responsible vehi—
cles
cles of
of man.
man. Involution
Involution shows shows successively
successively the
the descent
descent ofof the
the ego into the
ego into the
mental,
mental, astral,
astral, etheric
etheric andand physical
physical states
states of
of being.
being. InIn the
the precedent
precedent descent
descent
of intelligence into
of intelligence into matter
matter the the soul
soul or
or negative
negative principle is active,
principle is active, andand the
the ra-
ra—
ven of
ven of the
the fairy-tale issues the
fairy—tale issues the directions
directions and
and knows
knows byby prescience
prescience the the out-
out—
come
come just
just as
as aa child
child inin its
its early irresponsible years
early irresponsible years has
has aa spiritual
spiritual acumen
acumen thatthat
is cast
is cast away
away carelessly
carelessly and and is is regained
regained only
only after
after many
many bitter
bitter adult lessons. In
adult lessons. In
the
the later
later ascent
ascent of intelligence out
of intelligence out of
of matter
matter the
the mind
mind oror positive
positive principle
principle isis
active.
active. Hence
Hence the the man
man decides
decides onon and
and takes
takes all
all the
the action while the
action while the raven
raven re-
re—
mains
mains helpless
helpless inin her
her transparent
transparent prison.
prison.
The mind
The mind is is told
told to go deeper
to go deeper intointo experience
experience and and therefore
therefore the the man
man
meets
meets the the old woman who
old woman who is is another
another symbolsymbol for life and
for life and replaces
replaces the the queen
queen
but
but here
here shows
shows aa concentrated
concentrated experience
experience as it is
as it is the
the symbol
symbol thatthat isis Babylon
Babylon
or
or the
the harlot
harlot in in the Apocalypse and
the Apocalypse and hence
hence in in life
life isis represented
represented by by densely
densely
populated
populated citiescities inin general.
general. All All growth
growth is is founded
founded on on thisthis density
density and
and it it is
is cu-
cu—
rious to note that practically all great great spiritual messages have originated in in
great
great cities
cities from
from Pythagoras
Pythagoras to to Plato,
Plato, Ezekiel
Ezekiel to to Christ,
Christ, PhiloPhilo to Maimonides
to Maimonides
and Jerome to
and Jerome to Luther
Luther to to trace
trace out out occidental
occidental faith.faith. The The symbolism
symbolism of of the
the
man’s conduct is is twofold. He must refuse food and sleep because to take
part inin life through substance or or food
food and and activity
activity or or sleep when the
sleep when the body
body is is
surrendered
surrendered to to the
the nature
nature forces
forces is is to
to enmesh
enmesh the the selfself further in in life.
life. One
grows
grows through
through partaking
partaking of life, but
of life, but toto free
free the
the soul
soul oneone must gain illumina—
must gain illumina-
tion
tion oror must
must break
break the the hold
hold of life on
of life on the
the being. The garden
being. The garden with with the
the heap
heap of of
tan
tan isis aa convenient
convenient symbol symbol for for cultivated
cultivated or or controlled
controlled growth growth and and so so for
for aa
catalytic
catalytic spiritual
spiritual consciousness
consciousness that influences life
that influences life without
without being influenced
being influenced
by
by life. The middle
life. The middle of of the
the day
day sometimes
sometimes given given as as two
two o’clock,
o’clock, or when the
or when the
sun
sun as as representing
representing divine divine willwill isis at
at the
the height
height of its power indicates
of its indicates that il— il-
lumination results from conscious power alone. Consequently true spiritual
instruction can be given
instruction given most
most accurately
accurately near near thethe noon
noon and and midnight points.
midnight points.
The car
The car and
and the
the four
four horses
horses are are aa familiar
familiar solar
solar symbol
symbol as as here
here conveying
conveying the the
soul
soul through
through the the realm
realm of of sense.
sense. The The white
white of of the
the horses
horses represents the inno— inno-
cent
cent plunge into sensation
plunge into sensation or lymph, the
or lymph, the redred the
the consuming
consuming plunge plunge or or blood
blood
and
and thethe black
black the immolating plunge
the immolating plunge or or the
the death
death that that isis life.
life. The
The cup cup that
that
the
the man
man takes
takes from
from life life with
with itsits wine
wine is is the intoxication on
the intoxication on minor
minor achieve-
achieve—
ment that shuts off major progress. The The ring of gold gold and name is is a symbol
for conscience that the soul bequeaths to mind on its its departure that is is a lapse
lapse
67
67
into non-activity
into non—activity at
at this
this stage
stage midway
midway between involution and
between involution and evolution. The
evolution. The
letter is the
letter is the memory
memory on which the
on which the mind
mind can
can draw
draw as it takes
as it takes up
up the
the threads
threads of
of
growth.
growth.
Next
Next follows
follows aa recapitulation
recapitulation ofof evolution
evolution or
or aa period
period of growth in
of growth in
which the
which the aspirant
aspirant for
for the
the mystic
mystic marriage,
marriage, carried
carried down into the
down into the deepest
deepest
depths
depths the
the race
race has
has known,
known, nownow mounts
mounts asas the
the race
race has
has mounted
mounted and
and then
then
plunges
plunges on
on ahead
ahead to
to be
be aa leader
leader or illumined one.
or illumined The bushes
one. The bushes and
and the
the dark
dark
woods symbolize
woods symbolize the
the small
small cycles
cycles of willfulness in
of willfulness in which
which the
the aspirant
aspirant must
must
get
get hold
hold of
of himself. The giant
himself. The giant and
and the
the small
small house
house represent
represent the
the second
second as-
as—
pect
pect of
of life in which
life in which the
the temptation
temptation toto abandon
abandon thethe path
path arises
arises from
from terror
terror
rather
rather than
than seduction.
seduction. The The maps
maps and and thethe searching
searching and and the giants at
the giants at the
the
puny
puny meal
meal allall symbolize
symbolize the the aspirant
aspirant floundering
floundering around around for lack of
for lack of aa road
road toto
the
the goal, which is
goal, which is the
the castle where the
castle where the soul is dwelling.
soul is dwelling. HereHere isis life
life at its most
at its most
hopeless
hopeless stage!
stage! Here
Here thethe average
average seeker
seeker must
must be given help!
be given At last
help! At last the place
the place
is located
is located andand the giant or
the giant or the lower nature
the lower nature takestakes the
the mind
mind to within aa hun-
to within hun—
dred
dred hours
hours of of the
the castle. This is
castle. This is the
the final
final journey
journey to to bebe taken
taken only
only by by the
the
higher
higher nature,
nature, andand three
three stages
stages of growth follow.
of growth follow. First
First is is the
the child
child oror the
the dis-
dis—
covery
covery ofof the
the superficial
superficial personality
personality that that demands
demands the the attention of the lower lower
nature. The mind
nature. The mind freed
freed ofof the lower discerns
the lower discerns the the transparent
transparent or or spiritual
spiritual
mountain
mountain but but cannot
cannot climb it. Second
climb it. Second is is the
the three
three robbers
robbers as as an
an awakening
awakening of of
the
the higher
higher selves
selves inin separative
separative activity. The mind
activity. The mind enters
enters thethe castle
castle by gaining
by gaining
the
the power
power of of abnegation
abnegation or or the invisible cloak
the invisible cloak for for the
the self
self or
or conquest
conquest of of the
the
senses
senses oror the
the horse with magic
horse with magic feetfeet for
for the
the false
false self
self and
and thaumaturgic
thaumaturgic power power
or
or the
the stick
stick that
that opens
opens any gate for
any gate for the
the shadow
shadow self. Third is
self. Third is the
the chalice
chalice or or
the
the universal
universal symbol
symbol for for achievement
achievement of of adeptship.
adeptship. The The mindmind throws
throws the the ring
ring
into the
into the cup,
cup, thethe soul leaps to
soul leaps to realization
realization and and the the mystic
mystic marriage
marriage takes place.
takes place.
The personal
The personal application yields aa short
application yields short cut
cut to
to perfection
perfection by
by aa deliber-
deliber—
ate working out
ate working out of
of the
the three
three stages
stages above
above inin individual
individual experience.
experience. Externali-
Externali—
zation
zation of
of the inner impulses
the inner impulses leads
leads to
to conquest
conquest of of the lower nature,
the lower nature, harmoni-
harmoni—
zation
zation of
of outer inharmonies develops
outer inharmonies develops and
and reunites
reunites the
the three
three Selves in power,
Selves in power,
and
and learning
learning to
to pass
pass through
through experience
experience unscathed
unscathed produces
produces mastership.
mastership.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What is
What is the symbolism of the raven? What
What is
is the central theme of
this
this story? What is
story? What is the
the fourfold
fourfold foundation
foundation structure in this
structure in this story?
story?
What does
What it symbolize?
does it symbolize?
68
68
(2)
(2) What is
What is the
the first
first step in conscious
step in conscious evolution
evolution forfor all
all men? What is
men? What is the
the
involution which
involution which must
must follow
follow evolution?
evolution? How How do do both
both become
become partpart
of initiation?
of initiation?
(3)
(3) What has
What has been
been the
the significance
significance ofof areas
areas ofof density
density inin spiritual growth?
spiritual growth?
What are
What are the implications for
the implications you of
for you of the
the man’s
man’s conduct?
conduct?
(4)
(4) What is
What is the
the symbolism
symbolism here
here of
of the
the succession
succession of involution and
of involution and evo-
evo—
lution
lution inin spiritual growth? When
spiritual growth? When isis life
life seen
seen to
to be
be most
most hopeless
hopeless for for
an individual? What
an individual? What can
can he
he do
do about it?
about it?
(5)
(5) What are
What are the
the three
three stages
stages of growth and
of growth and how
how areare they
they symbolized
symbolized
here?
here? How
How can you use
can you use them? With what
them? With what result?
result?
69
69
Lesson
180, issued 7/28/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XVI
FAIRY TALES XVI
THE TWELVE
THE TWELVE BROTHERS
BROTHERS
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale uncovers
uncovers inin its
its buried
buried symbolism
symbolism the
the drama
drama ofof the
the
transition
transition of
of man
man from
from the
the traditional ideal stage
traditional ideal stage of
of the
the past
past to
to that parallel
that parallel
ideal stage
ideal stage that
that still lies in
still lies in the
the future,
future, or
or the
the process
process over
over the whole of
the whole of our
our
age
age that
that carries
carries man man fromfrom his his traditional
traditional earlyearly condition
condition of government by
of government by
divine
divine rulers
rulers to to his
his eventual
eventual stage stage in in which
which the the divine
divine rulership
rulership is is established
established
and
and made
made manifest
manifest symbolically
symbolically within within every individual. The
every individual. The drama
drama is is of in-
of in—
terest
terest toto every
every aspirant
aspirant for illumination because
for illumination because the latter stage
the latter stage maymay be be an-
an—
ticipated
ticipated among
among the leaders and
the leaders and advanced
advanced members
members of of the
the race
race as as the
the short-
short—
cut
cut to
to power
power that that isis the
the personal
personal application
application of of the lesson. The
the lesson. The golden
golden age age is is
indicated at the opening of the tale by the peaceful condition in
indicated in which
which the
king and queen dwell. They They have no girl girl child, and this symbolizes the stage
in man’s evolution before the separation of the sexes or the fall in
in in Eden. The The
twelve
twelve children
children are are all
all boys
boys and and are are simply
simply the the signs
signs of the zodiac or the
twelve
twelve mundane
mundane root root types
types of of expression
expression found found as as an
an eternal symbol in in all
the
the traditions
traditions and and spiritual
spiritual activities
activities of of man.
man. They They havehave beenbeen seenseen in in the
the
twelve
twelve tribes
tribes of of Israel,
Israel, thethe twelve
twelve disciples
disciples of of Christ
Christ andand so so on.
on. Parentheti-
Parentheti—
cally it is
cally it is to
to be
be noted
noted here
here that woman is
that woman is created
created out out of
of man
man oror Eve
Eve fromfrom thethe
rib
rib of Adam as
of Adam as inin the
the Genesis
Genesis narrative,
narrative, and and that while this
that while is the
this is the reverse
reverse of of
the
the physical
physical fact fact since woman objectively
since woman objectively is is the
the matrix
matrix of of man
man andand thethe eternal
eternal
sex
sex yet
yet itit is
is the
the correct
correct teaching
teaching of of the
the fact
fact inin upper
upper realms
realms since
since the will and
the will and
mind together are the creator of of the
the soul
soul oror evolving
evolving principle
principle of of conscious-
conscious—
ness. In this same digression the student should also review his basic underunder—
standing
standing of of symbolism.
symbolism. A A symbol
symbol is is as
as real
real and important as
and important as aa fact
fact in in its
its own
own
sphere
sphere as as the
the larger
larger fact
fact it it represents
represents or indicates. To
or indicates. To many
many aspirants
aspirants and and to to
nearly all orthodox Jews Jews and Christians it it is
is a tremendous disillusionment to
conclude
conclude that that thethe tribes
tribes of of Israel
Israel are are allegorical,
allegorical, probably
probably because the fact of
the
the allegory
allegory to to them
them makes
makes the the existence
existence of of the
the tribes
tribes aa fiction.
fiction. Nevertheless
Nevertheless
the
the tribes
tribes existed
existed in in actuality
actuality if if never
never aa precise
precise twelve
twelve in in number,
number, as as did
did thethe
disciples
disciples of of Christ. That St.
Christ. That St. Paul
Paul (Galatians
(Galatians 4:24) 4:24) plainly
plainly states that much if if
not
not all
all of
of the
the story
story of Abraham is
of Abraham is an
an allegory
allegory doesdoes not indicate that
not indicate Abraham
that Abraham
70
7O
had
had no
no real
real existence. The twelve
existence. The twelve mundane
mundane faculties
faculties have
have aa very
very real
real exis-
exis—
tence in all
tence in all human
human experience,
experience, as is thoroughly
as is thoroughly demonstrated
demonstrated by by the
the Sabian
Sabian
astrology,
astrology, and
and the whole matter
the whole matter of of the
the shortcut
shortcut to
to power
power inin anticipating
anticipating thethe
evolution
evolution dramatized
dramatized in in this
this fairy
fairy tale
tale and in store
and in store for
for all
all men is aa process
men is process of of
building into one
building into one consciousness
consciousness the the essence
essence of
of these
these twelve
twelve faculties
faculties asas
found
found separated
separated and
and unevolved
unevolved at at the
the beginning
beginning ofof objective
objective evolution
evolution both
both
in the
in the race
race and
and the individual man.
the individual man.
The king
The king states
states the
the fact
fact of
of evolution
evolution that if aa girl
that if girl child
child oror the
the soul
soul isis
born the twelve
born the twelve sons
sons or
or mundane
mundane or
or group
group faculties
faculties shall
shall die.
die. Man
Man lives
lives to
to
rule
rule or
or control
control life
life and
and the
the soul
soul isis created individually at
created individually at the
the differentiation
differentiation of of
sex
sex oror beginning
beginning of of objective
objective consciousness
consciousness for for just
just the
the oneone purpose
purpose of of be-
be—
coming
coming an individually divine
an individually divine ruler. The coffins
ruler. The coffins of of the
the fairy
fairy tale
tale continue
continue the the
parallelization
parallelization of of thethe Eden
Eden allegory
allegory since
since they
they symbolize
symbolize sheaths
sheaths forfor the
the sepa-
sepa—
rated
rated faculties
faculties and
and represent
represent the the creation
creation of of the
the animals
animals thatthat inin occult
occult drama-
drama—
tization
tization are incarnations of
are incarnations of separate
separate human
human traits traits as
as such
such as wolfishness, li—
as wolfishness, li-
onheartedness,
onheartedness, foxiness,foxiness, andand so so on. The shavings
on. The shavings are are experience.
experience. In In other
other
words any
words vehicle of
any vehicle of consciousness
consciousness is is filled with or
filled with or nourished
nourished by by the
the chips
chips of of
its experience. The
its The pillow as a symbol for sleep represents the alternation of
inner and outer consciousness by
inner which incarnation
by which incarnation in in aa vehicle
vehicle alone
alone is is pos—
pos-
sible.
sible. Benjamin
Benjamin of of the
the twelve
twelve brothers
brothers is is the
the symbol
symbol forfor the liver or
the liver or seat
seat ofof
the weaknesses of
the weaknesses of experience.
experience. In In the liver is
the liver is the
the astral
astral seed
seed atomatom andand the
the seat
seat
of
of all
all destructive
destructive emotion
emotion as well as
as well as of
of allall poetic
poetic or or truly
truly spiritual
spiritual creative
creative
power.
power. When When thethe brothers
brothers flee
flee to to the woods or
the woods or out into objective
out into objective experience
experience
it is
it is Benjamin that remains in in the
the house
house thatthat symbolizes
symbolizes the inner realms
the inner realms and and
provides the contact with with the
the princess
princess who who is is symbol
symbol of of the
the new
new soul
soul created
created
when she
when she grows
grows to to the
the point
point of of objective
objective consciousness.
consciousness.
The symbolism
The symbolism ofof the
the narrative is remarkably
narrative is remarkably clear
clear and
and straightfor-
straightfor—
ward. The
ward. The waiting
waiting brothers
brothers or
or faculties
faculties take
take turns in sitting
turns in sitting on
on top
top of
of the
the
highest
highest tree
tree as
as an
an act indicating exaltation
act indicating exaltation in in experience,
experience, and and the white and
the white and
red flags
flags symbolizing lymph
lymph and blood indicate
indicate whether
whether or not a real growth growth
will launch
will launch the
the drama
drama forward.
forward. It is in
It is in blood
blood alone
alone that
that higher
higher consciousness
consciousness
is supported. The
is The lymph or plasm merely supports life life at an involving
involving stage
before
before objective
objective evolution. When the
evolution. When the daughter
daughter is is born
born the brothers swear
revenge and take a pledge to to slay
slay the
the first woman to
first woman to cross
cross their path. This
their path. This
slaughter
slaughter ofof the innocent associated
the innocent associated withwith all world teachers
all world teachers or or cosmic
cosmic figures
figures
as
as Moses
Moses andand Christ,
Christ, and
and represented
represented in in material life by
material life by the
the odd
odd eagerness
eagerness of
of
dope
dope addicts
addicts and
and degenerate
degenerate men
men toto trap
trap new victims, is
new victims, is an objective form of
the
the allegory
allegory of
of the
the fallen
fallen angels
angels or Lucifer spirits
or Lucifer spirits and
and is is aa principle involved
principle involved
in the selection of a successor by every master of wisdom
in wisdom and symbolized in in
71
71
the
the figure
figure of
of the
the phoenix
phoenix rising
rising from its ashes.
from its To spiritualize
ashes. To spiritualize or
or exalt
exalt the
the
inner reality
inner reality of
of any
any person
person or
or thing is figuratively
thing is figuratively to
to slay
slay the
the outer
outer manifesta-
manifesta—
tion. A Moses
tion. A Moses and
and aa Christ
Christ as group spiritual
as group spiritual heads
heads are
are symbolically
symbolically the
the
summation
summation of
of the
the souls
souls of
of aa host
host of innocents.
of innocents.
The wash
The wash symbolizes
symbolizes judgment
judgment day when the
day when the dead
dead rise in their
rise in physi-
their physi—
cal
cal form,
form, andand the
the shorts introduce the
shorts introduce the daughter
daughter or or soul
soul to
to the
the fact
fact of
of her
her
brothers.
brothers. She She starts
starts out
out to
to find
find them.
them. At At thethe house
house Benjamin
Benjamin or or the poetic
the poetic
faculty intercedes for
faculty intercedes for her. The fine
her. The fine feast is aa familiar
feast is familiar symbol
symbol for for expression
expression as as
aa first
first necessity
necessity whenwhen thethe soul
soul comes
comes to to dwell with the
dwell with latent faculties
the latent faculties of
of be-
be—
ing. The
ing. The lilies
lilies are
are the
the seeds
seeds ofof faculties
faculties oror thethe anticipatory
anticipatory symbol
symbol of of the
the re-
re—
generated
generated faculties. When the
faculties. When the soul grasps at
soul grasps at the
the faculties
faculties they
they elude
elude the grasp
the grasp
because
because it it is
is an
an objective
objective one
one much
much as as an
an artist
artist may
may feelfeel that
that aa commerciali-
commerciali—
zation
zation of
of his
his skill
skill means
means death
death toto something
something withinwithin him
him and
and as as every
every occultist
occultist
senses
senses that
that aa turning
turning of of spiritual
spiritual truth
truth toto financial
financial benefit
benefit is is similarly
similarly destruc-
destruc—
tion within. The
tion within. The faculties
faculties become
become ravens immediately, to
ravens immediately, to bebe found
found only
only on
on
the
the mental
mental or or higher
higher planes,
planes, andand the
the ephemeral
ephemeral or or first golden happiness
first golden happiness dis-
dis—
appears
appears inin aa parallelization
parallelization to to the
the ejection
ejection ofof man
man from
from thethe Garden
Garden of of Eden.
Eden.
The woman
The woman is
is life
life or
or the voice of
the voice of nature,
nature, and
and the
the refusal
refusal to
to speak
speak or
or
laugh
laugh for
for seven years is
seven years is aa manifest
manifest cycle
cycle of inner steadfastness
of inner steadfastness oror discipline
discipline inin
the
the two
two higher
higher principles.
principles. The The king
king represents
represents thethe prince
prince factor
factor of
of the
the usual
usual
fairy-tale
fairy—tale structure,
structure, or will espousing
or will espousing soul,soul, and
and the
the new
new queen
queen desire in the
desire in the
form of slander or outer suspicion of inner inner reality. Fire is is always a symbol of
initiation, and on the pyre the soul is
initiation, is justified and all ends happily. The The per—
per-
sonal
sonal application is in
application is in aa shortcut
shortcut to to power
power consisting
consisting of of three
three stages
stages of
of disci-
disci—
pline in conduct.
pline in Taking the
conduct. Taking the shirts is grasping
shirts is grasping personal
personal habits
habits and
and using
using them
them
to
to spiritual
spiritual ends.
ends. Plucking
Plucking the lilies is
the lilies is stripping
stripping all
all mask
mask from
from the inner nature
the inner nature
fearlessly.
fearlessly. Remaining
Remaining dumbdumb seven years is
seven years is learning
learning full
full responsibility
responsibility for
for all
all
personal
personal expression
expression or or actions.
actions.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) From what

what golden
golden age have we we come? On what
what do wewe base our
hopes of some day returning to a golden
golden age?
(2) What are the twelve faculties symbolized here? How are they to be
What
built into consciousness
built into consciousness and and how
how does
does this
this provide
provide aa shortcut
shortcut to to
power?
power?
(3)
(3) How
How does
does this
this tale
tale parallel
parallel the
the Eden
Eden account? What is
account? What is the
the special
special sig-
sig—
nificance
nificance of
of Benjamin
Benjamin asas a
a symbol?
symbol?
72
72
(4)
(4) Why is
Why is something like aa symbolical
something like symbolical slaughter
slaughter of innocents associated
of innocents associated
with all
with all cosmic
cosmic figures? What is
figures? What is the interpretation of
the interpretation of the
the soul
soul coming
coming
to
to dwell with the
dwell with latent faculties
the latent faculties of
of being?
being?
(5)
(5) Why do
Why do the
the faculties
faculties elude
elude the
the first grasp of
first grasp of the
the soul? Where only
soul? Where only
may
may they
they be
be found? Why must
found? Why must the
the first golden happiness
first golden happiness of
of the indi-
the indi—
vidual disappear?
Vidual disappear? How
How hashas this
this been
been symbolized?
symbolized?
73
73
Lesson
181, issued 8/4/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XVII
FAIRY TALES XVII
THE BROTHER
THE AND SISTER
BROTHER AND SISTER
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with golden wedding
the golden wedding garment
garment of
of occult
occult teach-
teach—
ings, or
ings, with that
or with that remaking
remaking of
of the
the self
self that is the
that is the real
real objective
objective of
of all
all religion
religion
and
and allall spiritual instruction. The
spiritual instruction. The whole
whole consideration
consideration emphasizes
emphasizes the person-
the person—
ality,
ality, and
and it it is
is therefore
therefore necessary
necessary at at the
the outset
outset to gain aa clear
to gain clear conception
conception of of
the
the real
real place
place and value of
and value of the
the personality.
personality. In Theosophy and
In Theosophy and Rosicrucianism
Rosicrucianism
there
there is is aa decided
decided tendency
tendency towards
towards aa belittlement
belittlement of of personality
personality for for the pur-
the pur—
pose
pose of of achieving
achieving an ideal impersonal
an ideal impersonal nature, nature, but
but this is not
this is not attained
attained because
because
of its artificiality.
of its artificiality. Personality
Personality isis the
the active
active manifestation
manifestation of of consciousness
consciousness in in
human individuals
individuals and hence hence aa difference
difference must must bebe recognized
recognized between
between thisthis
and
and personalities
personalities as as the
the clash
clash of
of petty
petty temperaments.
temperaments. The The goal
goal of illumination
of illumination
is not
is not thethe elimination
elimination of of personality,
personality, since since this would be
this would be the
the destruction
destruction of of
objective
objective beingbeing entirely,
entirely, but
but rather
rather is is the
the transformation
transformation of of the
the expression
expression of of
the
the self into the
self into the real
real or
or masonic
masonic personality
personality that in its
that in its full
full development
development is is
symbolized
the term golden wedding
term golden wedding garment.
garment. Human
Human personality
personality is is to
to be
be
found in in a threefold aspect or the normal and healthy expression of the self
that
that isis the
the usual
usual manifestation
manifestation of of human
human nature witnessed when
nature witnessed when aa man man isis said
said
to
to be
be himself,
himself, the the subnormal
subnormal and and unhealthy
unhealthy expression
expression whenwhen the individual is
the individual is
moody and temperamental or or the
the superficial
personality known
known to to occultists
occultists
in its
in its climactic stage as the dweller on the threshold and the illuminated illuminated or
supernormal
supernormal expression
expression whenwhen the individual has
the individual has developed
developed his love and
his love and aes-
aes—
thetic
thetic nature
nature to to the
the point
point of
of power
power that that constitutes
constitutes the
the soul
soul body
body as as the per-
the per—
sonality
sonality glorified
glorified in in its
its golden
golden wedding
wedding garment.
garment.
The structure
The structure ofof this
this narrative
narrative in in the
the Grimm
Grimm collection is built
collection is built onon the
the
usual
usual fourfold
fourfold scheme
scheme of of the
the fairy
fairy tales,
tales, but with aa few
but with variations that
few variations that reveal
reveal
basic
basic points
points of importance. Thus
of importance. Thus the the sister
sister or
or the
the princess
princess factor weds weds the
king instead of
king instead of the
the prince while the
prince while the brother
brother oror the
the prince
prince factor
factor isis negative
negative
throughout. The stepmother
throughout. The stepmother as is frequently
as is frequently the
the case is the
case is the queen
queen factor. The
factor. The
stepdaughter
stepdaughter isis the
the superficial
superficial personality while the
personality while the sister
sister here is
is both normal
personality
personality and
and the
the superpersonality
superpersonality because
because the
the soul
soul beginning
beginning at at the
the race’s
race’s
74
74
stage
stage of
of growth
growth evolves
evolves through
through processes
processes of illumination into
of illumination into possession
possession of of
the
the golden wedding garment
golden wedding garment that identifies the
that identifies the superpersonality
superpersonality in in its
its race
race
leadership. When development
leadership. When development is is forward
forward definitely
definitely the the superficial personal-
superficial personal—
ity seems
ity seems toto the
the soul
soul to
to be
be aa separate individual, although
separate individual, although bothboth are
are part
part of
of the
the
self
self as
as stepdaughter
stepdaughter and and daughter
daughter of of the
the ego
ego oror the
the king
king factor
factor that
that does
does not
not
and
and needs
needs not
not appear
appear here
here inin this initial period
this initial period of of development.
development. The The fact
fact that
that
the
the soul in this
soul in this story is wedded
story is wedded to to the
the ego
ego or will or
or will or the
the elder
elder factor
factor rather
rather
than
than to
to the
the mind
mind or or purpose
purpose is is merely
merely key key to
to the
the fact
fact that
that this is aa dramatiza-
this is dramatiza—
tion
tion of
of astral
astral or
or superphysical
superphysical processes.
processes. ThatThat is, is, the
the evolution
evolution of of the
the soul
soul
involves an
involves an older generation that
older generation that symbolizes
symbolizes aa higher
higher dimension.
dimension. The The whole
whole
evolution
evolution of of personality
personality is is in
in fact
fact above
above the the physical
physical plane,
plane, andand this is
this is
brought
brought out out again
again byby the
the negative
negative nature
nature of of thethe brother
brother or or prince
prince factor
factor
throughout
throughout the the story. The mind
story. The mind has its influence
has its influence but but does
does not
not control
control or or ac-
ac—
tuate
tuate the
the soul,
soul, since
since although
although the the mind
mind maymay serve
serve to to precipitate
precipitate occult
occult devel-
devel—
opment
opment in in any individual case
any individual case as as here
here inin the
the story
story thethe mind
mind andand so-called
so—called
mental
mental processes
processes in in and
and of of themselves
themselves are are helpless
helpless and and useless
useless in in the
the devel-
devel—
opment.
opment.
The symbolization
The symbolization of of the
the story is straightaway
story is straightaway and and crystal
crystal clear. De-
clear. De—
sire
sire takes
takes the
the soul’s
soul’s hand,
hand, andand says:
says: “Our
“Our experience
experience is is all
all secondhand.
secondhand. Let Let usus
go
go together
together out into the
out into wide world!”
the wide world!” Here
Here isis the
the critical
critical point
point forfor most
most hu-
hu—
man beings or a realization of the emptiness of the average life life without
without the
courage
courage to to leave
leave the
the familiar
familiar environment.
environment. But But inin the
the story the soul acqui- acqui—
esces. The fields
esces. The fields are
are the
the realms
realms ofof expression
expression andand the woods the
the woods the facts
facts of
of ex-
ex—
perience. TheThe rain represents the consciousness of nature and the weeping weeping
together
together of of man
man andand sky
sky symbolizes
symbolizes alsoalso man’s
man’s sharing
sharing ofof consciousness
consciousness with with
the
the race
race or
or the
the somberness
somberness foundfound in in the lives of
the lives of all world leaders
all world leaders as in the
as in the
man of sorrows of Galilee. Sleep in the
Sleep in the high
high tree
tree ofof the wood is
the wood is the
the first
first
symbol
symbol of of evolution
evolution in in advance
advance ofof the
the race
race through
through relaxed
relaxed oror natural
natural aspira-
aspira—
tion
tion above
above andand soso out
out of lower experience.
of lower experience. ManMan must
must dream
dream idlyidly before
before he he
can
can achieve
achieve actually
actually since
since the
the development
development of imagination must
of imagination must comecome first,
first,
and
and inin this is the
this is the justification
justification of of the
the bohemia
bohemia of of an
an art
art colony
colony or or aa sociopoli-
sociopoli—
tical
tical salon.
salon.
A new cycle begins with

A with thirst as localized
localized aspiration and the tempt-
tempt—
ing brooks or the channels of astral growth
ing growth are bewitched by the stepmother
who symbolizes
who symbolizes Mother
Mother Nature
Nature seeking
seeking to
to culture
culture responsibility in her chil-
responsibility in chil—
dren. The tiger
dren. The is aa symbol
tiger is symbol for
for stealth
stealth and
and represents
represents that first
first stage of
growth inin which
which the aspirant seeks to get get things surreptitiously or without
without
payment
payment of of price. The wolf
price. The wolf is
is aa symbol
symbol of of avarice
avarice or
or the
the second
second stage
stage inin
which the
which the aspirant
aspirant seeks
seeks to
to devour
devour or or conquer
conquer all
all about
about him in
in order to clear
75
75
the
the path
path for
for himself. The fawn
himself. The fawn is is aa symbol
symbol for for fleetness
fleetness or or the
the third
third and
and most
most
constructive
constructive stage in which
stage in which the the aspirant
aspirant seeks
seeks to to progress
progress by by outdistancing
outdistancing
his
his fellows. The golden
fellows. The golden girdle
girdle that
that becomes
becomes aa collar collar symbolizes
symbolizes the the need
need for for
physical incarnation. That
physical incarnation. That whichwhich encircles
encircles the waist objectively
the waist objectively bandsbands the the
neck
neck subjectively. The cycle
subjectively. The cycle that
that follows
follows is is the
the true
true astral
astral cycle,
cycle, and
and it it in—
in-
volves three
volves three stages
stages of
of testing.
testing. TheThe house
house symbolizes
symbolizes the inward nature
the inward nature of of this
this
activity.
activity. Desire
Desire supports
supports or or pillows
pillows the the soul,
soul, andand the
the soul
soul feeds
feeds desire.
desire. InIn the
the
outward world comes
outward world comes thethe hunt
hunt and and thethe desire
desire must
must respond
respond because
because thethe in—in-
ner
ner or
or fundamental
fundamental reaction
reaction to to awareness
awareness is is action
action andand the
the truly
truly evolving
evolving asas—
pirant
pirant must
must take
take some
some part
part inin every
every matter
matter that
that enters
enters hishis consciousness.
consciousness. The The
three
three stages
stages ofof testing
testing are
are the
the three
three daysdays ofof the
the hunt.
hunt. TheThe phrase
phrase “Little
“Little sister,
sister,
let
let me in” is
me in” is the
the aesthetic
aesthetic sesame
sesame to to the
the soul’s
soul’s door,
door, forfor aa bringing
bringing home
home of of
the
the essence
essence of of experience
experience by which outer
by which outer experience
experience contributes
contributes to to depth
depth
within. And
within. And now
now the
the king
king or will replaces
or will replaces desire,
desire, andand the
the soul
soul has
has achieved
achieved
astral
astral adultship. The soul
adultship. The soul is is frightened
frightened at at realization
realization of of the
the actuality
actuality ofof itsits
emotional
emotional power
power butbut isis glad
glad to to gogo to to the
the castle
castle ofof the will. Desire
the will. Desire isis taken
taken
along,
along, but
but to
to serve
serve rather
rather than
than to to tempt
tempt the the soul.
soul.
In the story’s climax the child represents the objectification of the

aesthetic
aesthetic nature
nature and
and this
this brings
brings thethe real
real tests.
tests. Suffocation
Suffocation or or the
the ordeal
ordeal by by fire
fire
elevates
elevates the
the consciousness
consciousness into into the
the superpersonality.
superpersonality. The The one
one eye
eye ofof the
the su-
su—
perficial
perficial personality
personality shows
shows its its narrowness
narrowness and and spiritual
spiritual uselessness. The three
uselessness. The three
visits of
visits of the
the real
real personality,
personality, in in which
which the
the symbol
symbol ofof the reality is
is a nourish-
nourish—
ment
ment of of objective
objective spiritual
spiritual expression, illustrates the
expression, illustrates the determining
determining of of spiritual
spiritual
values through
values through aa watching
watching of of moods.
moods. TheThe personal
application of
of the lesson
the lesson
is the
is the shortcut
shortcut toto love
love inin the
the three vehicles of
three vehicles of consciousness.
consciousness. In In the
the emo-
emo—
tional
tional realm
realm the
the shortcut
shortcut is is the
the awakening
awakening of of the
the aesthetic
aesthetic nature,
nature, since
since sen-
sen—
sual
sual appreciation
appreciation is is the
the foundation
foundation of of both
both pure
pure and impure love.
and impure love. InIn the
the
habit realm the shortcut is is the
the collaring
collaring of of the
the emotions,
emotions, since
since self-control
self-control is is
the
the sustenance
sustenance of of love
love ofof both
both sorts.
sorts. In
In the
the mental
mental nature
nature the
the shortcut
shortcut is is the
the
creation
creation ofof aa new
new nature
nature outout ofof both good and
both good and evil love elements,
evil love elements, since
since un-
un—
derstanding
derstanding is is the
the only
only true love.
true love.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) How does the Sabian definition of personality differ from that of
Theosophy and
Theosophy and Rosicrucianism? Why is
Rosicrucianism? Why is the
the Sabian interpretation es-
Sabian interpretation es—
pecially
pecially helpful
helpful and
and significant?
significant?
(2) In what
what threefold aspect
aspect do we find
do we find personality
personality presented?
presented? How
How is is
this
this dramatized
dramatized through
through the
the usual
usual fourfold
fourfold structure
structure of
of the
the fairy
fairy tales?
tales?
76
76
(3)
(3) Why must
Why you need
must you need thethe call
call to go out
to go into the
out into wide world?
the Wide world? From
From
what source
What source isis this
this call likely to
call likely to come? What may
come? What may itit involve?
involve?
(4)
(4) What three
What three stages
stages of growth are
of growth are symbolized
symbolized in in this
this tale? What is
tale? What is
meant
meant by
by the
the astral
astral cycle? Whenever it
cycle? Whenever it occurs what does
occurs What it involve?
does it involve?
(5)
(5) What is
What is the
the only
only true love? How
true love? How may
may itit be
be manifested?
manifested? HowHow may you
may you
be
be able
able to
to determine
determine spiritual values through
spiritual values through moods?
moods?
77
77
Lesson
182, issued 8/11/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XVIII
FAIRY TALES XVIII
THE THREE
THE THREE LITTLE
LITTLE MEN
MEN
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale presents
presents an
an allegory
allegory ofof the
the development
development of of character
character or
or
of
of that intangible and
that intangible indescribably something
and indescribably something in in the individual that
the individual that consti-
consti—
tutes
tutes the immortal and
the immortal and eternal
eternal foundation
foundation man.man. TheThe theme
theme of of the lesson is
the lesson is
that
that character
character isis destiny,
destiny, and
and this
this statement
statement of of Heraclitus
Heraclitus isis of
of supreme
supreme use in
use in
any
any self
self analysis. The keystone
analysis. The keystone of of occult
occult and
and metaphysical instruction is
metaphysical instruction is the
the
realization
realization that
that the
the outer
outer conditions
conditions of life are
of life are aa direct
direct result
result or
or reflection
reflection ofof
inward makeup
inward makeup and inner activities,
and inner activities, and in the
and in light of
the light of this
this realization
realization the
the de-
de—
velopment of
velopment of character
character becomes
becomes in in the
the technical
technical occult
occult terms
terms the
the clearing
clearing of of
the
the superficial
superficial karma.
karma. Man
Man inin his growth is
his growth is not
not freed
freed from
from trouble
trouble or or diffi-
diffi—
culty,
culty, but
but rather
rather he
he becomes
becomes more
more and
and more
more able
able to
to surmount
surmount his
his handicaps
handicaps
and
and master
master his
his problems
problems asas he
he progresses
progresses spiritually.
spiritually. Karma
Karma oror the
the credit
credit and
and
debit
debit balance
balance of
of obligation in account
obligation in with life
account with life is
is never
never cleared in the
cleared in the sense
sense
of its complete
of its complete elimination,
elimination, but in the
but in the development
development of of character
character thethe superfi-
superfi—
cial
cial karma
karma of of the
the moment
moment is is cleared
cleared away while new
away while new and less superficial
and less superficial
karma is is engendered as the the means
means andand agency
agency ofof further
further and
and deeper growth.
deeper growth.
In one sense a master is is karma free because his superficial obligations are
precipitated and worked worked out out day
day by
by day in passing,
day in passing, but in the
but in larger sense
the larger sense hishis
karma is is greater and heavier than that of any ordinary man. For this reason
Christ was
was symbolically termed termed aa manman of of sorrows.
sorrows. Character
Character is is destiny
destiny and and
karma is is destiny and so it it may be realized that karma is is character, and con- con—
versely that
versely that character
character is is karma.
karma. The The clearing
clearing ofof the
the superficial
superficial karma is is a con-
con—
stant
stant rather
rather than
than aa climactic
climactic process. The story
process. The story ofof the
the three little men
three little men in in its
its
emphasis
emphasis of of the inner and
the inner and spiritual growth of
spiritual growth of man
man or or the
the subjective processes
subjective processes
that
that appear
appear negative
negative in in perspective
perspective to to the
the outer
outer objective
objective and
and positive world
positive world
shows
shows the the usual
usual fairy-tale
fairy—tale structure with the
structure with the father
father or
or king
king oror ego
ego or will fac-
or will fac—
tor
tor relatively inactive and
relatively inactive and thethe prince who is
prince who is here
here aa king
king asas the
the purpose
purpose or or
lower evolving will will aspect merely
merely receptive. The masculine
receptive. The masculine element
element is is almost
almost
wholly latent
wholly while the
latent while the two
two feminine
feminine factors
factors are
are both very active
both very active in in dual
dual as-as—
pect. The mother
pect. The mother or or queen
queen factor
factor reveals
reveals herself in good
herself in good andand bad guise and
bad guise and
the
the soul
soul oror princess
princess factor
factor is is shown
shown as as two
two daughters
daughters or with the
or with the evolving
evolving
78
78
inner or
inner or feminine
feminine principle
principle dramatized
dramatized as
as the
the two
two types
types of impulse to
of impulse to be
be
found
found potential in every
potential in individual.
every individual.
One
One of of the
the most interesting of
most interesting of all
all the
the surprises
surprises found
found in in these
these fairy
fairy
tales
tales is is the
the true
true doctrine
doctrine of of affinities
affinities uncovered
uncovered in in this
this particular
particular one one ofof the
the
series.
series. In In aa general
general way way humanity
humanity realizes
realizes thethe necessity
necessity of of an ideal companion
an ideal companion
to
to complement
complement any any particular individual life,
particular individual life, and
and the identical proposition
the identical proposition is is
recognized
recognized by by science
science commonly
commonly in in the
the doctrine
doctrine of of complementary
complementary actions actions
and
and reactions.
reactions. In In occultism
occultism however
however aa false false doctrine
doctrine of of an
an objectively
objectively divided
divided
soul
soul has has grown
grown up up on on thethe basis very largely
basis very largely of of aa joke
joke inin Plato’s
Plato’s Banquet.
Banquet. It It
presents
presents each each manman as as aa half-soul
half—soul who who mustmust seekseek and
and find
find his
his other
other half,
half, and
and
this
this has
has beenbeen metmet by by an
an equally
equally false
false antithetical
antithetical doctrine
doctrine of of aa latent
latent half-self
half—self
of
of opposite
opposite sexual sexual polarity
polarity to to build
build aa spiritual
spiritual philosophy
philosophy on on aa phenomenon
phenomenon
of intermediate sexhood.
of intermediate sexhood. If If either
either thethe doctrine
doctrine of of outer
outer oror of inner affinities
of inner affinities
were true
were true then individual man
then individual would be
man would be forever limited by
forever limited by aa fixed
fixed boundary
boundary
of
of experience,
experience, and and then then eacheach human
human being would be
being would be seen
seen asas aa spiritual
spiritual oror
psychological
psychological Siamese Siamese twin. The true
twin. The true doctrine
doctrine of of affinity
affinity rather
rather presents
presents the the
individual successively
individual successively complemented
complemented by by other individuals, who
other individuals, who in in turn vari-
turn vari—
ously
ously serveserve to to complement
complement one one another
another and and in in time
time directly
directly or indirectly all
or indirectly all
others
others in in order
order to to spread
spread and and diffuse
diffuse the the experience
experience of of the
the race
race by by building
building
the
the growth
growth of of the individual into
the individual into the
the race. Affinity is
race. Affinity is not wholly sexual
not wholly sexual and
and in in
fact phallic things in in the full full measure
measure of of experience
experience have have butbut aa minor part.
minor part.
Moreover
Moreover it it is
is not
not restricted
restricted to to one
one plane
plane and and one
one sphere
sphere of of experience
experience at at
one
one time.
time. The The ideally
ideally happy individual is
happy individual is one
one whowho finds
finds his immediate and
his immediate and
constant
constant affinity
affinity in in his
his marriage
marriage or life partnership
or life partnership but who also
but who also possesses
possesses aa
life richly complemented by those who who challenge and aid his growth growth in in a
hundred
hundred related related lines
lines of of business,
business, the the arts,
arts, pleasure,
pleasure, sports
sports andand so so on.
on. Occult-
Occult—
ism is
ism is too often small and narrow and busy breeding bigotry and taboos
rather
rather than than cosmic
cosmic citizenship
citizenship and and enlightenment
enlightenment because because it it seeks
seeks to to bend
bend
the
the lines
lines of of life inward rather
life inward rather than
than outward.
outward. Soul Soul affinity
affinity asas often
often taught
taught isis aa
pernicious
pernicious doctrinedoctrine because
because so so frequently
frequently no no more
more thanthan anan excuse
excuse for for aa vio—
vio-
lation
lation of of decency
decency and and honor.
honor.
In the fairy tale here the two children are complementary aspects of
self.
self. Reality
Reality cannot
cannot be be divided
divided nor increased but
nor increased but only
only enlarged.
enlarged. Both
Both aspects
aspects
of
of self
self are
are real,
real, and
and the
the evolution
evolution of
of character
character brings
brings that
that understanding
understanding of of
reality
reality that
that merges
merges these
these aspects,
aspects, superficially
superficially separated
separated as in this
as in this case. Milk
case. Milk
to wash in
to wash in is
is aa symbol
symbol representing
representing the
the substance
substance ofof purification,
purification, and wine to
and wine to
drink
drink isis the
the consciousness
consciousness that that brings
brings knowledge,
knowledge, and water for
and water washing and
for washing and
drinking
drinking remains
remains the the simple
simple being
being that is the
that is the matrix
matrix of
of all
all experience.
experience. TheThe
transposition
transposition of of the
the treatment given the
treatment given the daughters
daughters dramatizes
dramatizes the
the externaliza-
externaliza—
79
79
tion
tion of
of evil
evil or
or that
that side
side of
of the
the nature
nature that is most
that is most superficial
superficial and
and soso closest
closest to
to
the
the surface. The hole
surface. The in the
hole in the boot
boot and
and the
the holding
holding of
of the water is
the water is aa symbol
symbol of of
that inability of
that inability of the
the being
being toto externalize
externalize that
that makes
makes the
the recognition
recognition of of an
an af-
af—
finity
finity necessary.
necessary. Here
Here parenthetically
parenthetically isis the
the explanation
explanation for
for the
the tendency
tendency of of
husbands
husbands and wives to
and wives to pick
pick and
and poke
poke atat each
each other
other and
and so
so draw
draw on on the
the su-
su—
perficial
perficial evil when no
evil when no real
real affinity
affinity exists
exists between
between the
the deeper
deeper parts
parts of of the
the
character.
character.
Freezing
Freezing symbolizes
symbolizes setness
setness and and the
the paper
paper frock
frock shows
shows basic
basic natural-
natural—
ness.
ness. Strawberries
Strawberries as as feeling
feeling and
and particularly
particularly first first or
or pure impulse are
pure impulse are an in-
an in—
teresting
teresting symbol
symbol because
because of of the
the relationship
relationship of of strawberries
strawberries toto the
the externali-
externali—
zation
zation ofof toxic
toxic poison
poison through
through hiveshives on on the
the body’s
body’s surface.
surface. Furs
Furs represent
represent
artificiality. The three
artificiality. The little men
three little men symbolize
symbolize the vehicles of
the vehicles of consciousness.
consciousness.
They are
They are found
found in in the woods representing
the woods representing experience
experience and and they
they areare active
active
spirituality
spirituality as is indicated
as is indicated by by their littleness. In
their littleness. In habit
habit realms
realms thethe daughters
daughters
grow
grow prettier
prettier oror uglier,
uglier, and
and inin emotional
emotional realms
realms they give forth
they give gold or
forth gold or toads,
toads,
and
and inin imaginative
imaginative realms
realms they
they merit
merit royalty
royalty or or miserable
miserable death
death allall depending
depending
on whether the
on whether the affinity
affinity emphasis
emphasis is is self-giving
self—giving or or self-grasping.
self-grasping. Scalded yarn
Scalded yarn
represents root consciousness and the axe volition. volition. The
The king and coach are
outer
outer understanding
understanding and and situation
situation in in life.
life. The
The sonson born
born to
to the good daughter
the good daughter
and
and the
the king
king symbolizes
symbolizes negative
negative or or physical
physical expression,
expression, andand the
the duck
duck repre-
repre—
sents
sents positive
positive or or spiritual
spiritual expression.
expression. To To brandish
brandish the the sword as a symbol of
self-rulership
self—rulership three
three times
times over
over the
the threshold
threshold as as representing
representing the gateway be-
the gateway be—
tween
tween physical
physical andand spiritual
spiritual foundations
foundations is is to
to raise
raise the
the three vehicles
vehicles of con-con—
sciousness
sciousness intointo anan expression
expression higher
higher thanthan thethe unsatisfactory
unsatisfactory duality.
duality. Here
Here the
the
climax
climax of of the
the fairy
fairy story
story suggests
suggests thethe only
only eternal
eternal affinity in which
affinity in which the the objec-
objec—
tive details inin individual
individual life
life find and hold their complementary inspiration inspiration in in
spiritual
spiritual realms.
realms.
The personal
application of of the lesson presents
the lesson presents aa short
short cut
cut to
to happi-
happi—
ness
ness or
or the
the finding
finding ofof aa spiritual
spiritual principle
principle of
of affinity. Three rules
affinity. Three rules must
must be
be fol-
fol—
lowed.
lowed. First is to
First is to be
be aa part
part of life and
of life and thereby learn the
thereby learn value of
the value lower expres-
of lower expres—
sion.
sion. Second
Second is is to
to share
share all
all experience
experience andand thereby gain memorableness or
thereby gain
emotion
emotion and imagination as
and imagination as experience
experience becomes increasingly significant
becomes increasingly significant or
or
rich and vivid.
vivid. Third
Third is
is to remain at the boundary of life life and in
in blending the
physical
physical and
and spiritual
spiritual to gain eternal
to gain youth.
eternal youth.
80
80
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What is
What is the
the meaning
meaning of of the
the statement
statement that
that character is destiny?
character is What
destiny? What
is involved
is involved in in aa clearance
clearance of
of karma?
karma? WhyWhy is is it
it never
never complete?
complete?
(2)
(2) On what is
On What is the
the emphasis
emphasis placed
placed inin this
this story?
story? How
How does
does the
the fourfold
fourfold
fairy
fairy tale
tale structure
structure help?
help?
(3)
(3) What is
What is the
the doctrine
doctrine ofof affinities? What are
affinities? What are some
some similar ideas? What
similar ideas? What
can you say
can you say ofof the
the relative
relative merit
merit ofof each?
each?
(4)
(4) What should
What should result
result from
from adherence
adherence to to true
true occult
occult doctrine? What can
doctrine? What can
be
be some
some of
of the
the complementary
complementary aspects
aspects of
of self?
self?
(5)
(5) What three
What three rules
rules are given to
are given to help you find
help you find aa spiritual
spiritual principle
principle of
of
affinity? What three
affinity? What vehicles of
three vehicles of consciousness
consciousness are are seen
seen raised
raised above
above
what unsatisfactory
What unsatisfactory duality
duality to what higher
to What higher expression?
expression?
81
81
Lesson
183, issued 8/18/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XIX
FAIRY TALES XIX
THE WHITE
THE WHITE SNAKE
SNAKE
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the nine lesser initiations
nine lesser initiations of
of occult
occult teachings,
teachings,
and it should
and it should bebe studied in particular
studied in particular conjunction with Roland
conjunction with Roland ofof the
the stories
stories
covered in this
covered in this series
series because
because Roland
Roland deals with these
deals with these nine
nine stages
stages from
from the
the
point
point of view of
of view of the interrelationship of
the interrelationship of the
the seven-year
seven-year cycles
cycles of
of normal
normal
growth
growth and
and experience.
experience. Here
Here the
the point
point of view is
of view is of
of the
the nine
nine stages
stages of
of
growth in spiritual
growth in spiritual consciousness
consciousness under
under the Lesser Mysteries
the Lesser Mysteries as
as constituting
constituting
successive
successive experiences
experiences or or ordeals
ordeals each
each of which results
of which results from
from the preceding
the preceding
one.
one. Here
Here is is aa closer
closer parallel
parallel to to occult
occult teachings
teachings than in Roland,
than in Roland, and and aa far
far
more simple structure. The The personal application instead instead of being presented in in
summary
summary at at the
the end
end ofof the lesson is
the lesson is given
given in in connection with each of the nine
connection with
initiatory events. The
initiatory The structure of the tale presents two kings to indicate indicate the
will factor.
will factor. TheThe servant
servant whowho is is the
the prince
prince factor
factor or
or the
the mind or purpose in in
the
the guise
guise of of the
the pilgrim
pilgrim or or seeker
seeker after
after truth
truth and wisdom progresses
and wisdom progresses from from hishis
position
position as as servant
servant of of the
the first
first king
king to to aa supreme
supreme position
position as as son
son ofof the
the sec-
sec—
ond
ond king,
king, and
and this
this reveals
reveals thethe mind
mind as as consciousness
consciousness or or being
being successful
successful after
after
the
the nine initiations in
nine initiations in the
the achievement
achievement of of anan equality with the
equality with latent eternal
the latent eternal
and
and divine will. The
divine will. The queen
queen factor
factor here
here is is wholly
wholly negative,
negative, and
and is is merely
merely repre-
repre—
sented
sented by by the
the nature
nature forces
forces such
such as as the
the fishes
fishes and
and ants
ants and
and ravens
ravens onceonce the
the
mind leaves the castle or domain domain of of first
first existence. The princess
existence. The princess or or soul
soul fac-
fac—
tor is subordinated
tor is subordinated to to the
the active
active principle
principle of of consciousness
consciousness in in this
this allegory
allegory
and
and so so appears
appears at at the
the end
end inin aa reticent
reticent aspect. The soul
aspect. The soul here
here as in life
as in life exacts
exacts
the
the fullest
fullest measure
measure of of effort
effort in in its
its behalf
behalf fromfrom the
the mind.
mind. TheThe order
order of of the
the
nine initiations reveals
nine initiations reveals three groups or
three groups or stages
stages of of evolution
evolution in in consciousness,
consciousness,
each including three
each including three preparations
preparations and and three
three tests
tests and
and three
three ordeals.
ordeals. TheThe
preparations develop three qualities qualities that
that every
every aspirant
aspirant on
on the
the path
path must
must dis-
dis—
play in in succession, the tests demand three changes that every seeker next
must make within within his own consciousness, and the ordeals finally awaken
three faculties that are necessary
necessary in in the
the character
character of of every initiate.
every initiate.
82
82
The first
The first of
of the
the qualities in the
qualities in the preparatory initiations is
preparatory initiations is curiosity. The
curiosity. The
servant
servant carries
carries the the dish
dish toto the
the king
king each
each day,
day, but
but his growth does
his growth does notnot com-
com—
mence
mence until
until anan all-consuming
all—consuming curiosity
curiosity causes
causes himhim to to disregard
disregard objective limi-
objective limi—
tation
tation and
and to to lift
lift the
the cover
cover ofof the
the dish
dish asas aa symbolization
symbolization more more commonly
commonly
found
found in in lifting
lifting thethe corner
corner of of the veil of
the veil of the Mysteries. He
the Mysteries. He sees
sees the white or
the white or
pure
pure snake
snake of wisdom and
of wisdom and partakes
partakes of it, and
of it, and this
this results
results in in an
an opening
opening of of his
his
ears
ears to
to the voices of
the voices of nature
nature oror of inner life.
of inner life. Men
Men are
are slaves
slaves to ignorance and
to ignorance and
must
must carry
carry the
the burdens
burdens of of their wiser masters
their wiser masters until
until they
they one
one byby one
one seek
seek the
the
freedom
freedom of wisdom for
of wisdom for themselves.
themselves. As As aa pawn
pawn in in aa chess game may
chess game may advance
advance
and
and bebe transformed
transformed into into any
any other
other piece
piece soso may
may man
man evolve into an
evolve into individu-
an individu—
alistic
alistic divine
divine estate. The personal
estate. The personal application
application lieslies in
in the
the use
use ofof curiosity. The
curiosity. The
seeker
seeker gains
gains higher
higher faculties
faculties ofof being
being only
only as as he
he seeks increasingly to
seeks increasingly to discover
discover
the why in
the why in all
all things.
things. None
None cancan enter
enter the
the kingdom
kingdom so so easily
easily asas aa little
little child,
child,
and
and aa why
why is is the
the most important word
most important word in
in aa child’s vocabulary.
child’s vocabulary.
The second
The second quality
quality is is responsibility.
responsibility. Suspicion
Suspicion of of the
the theft
theft of
of the
the
queen’s
queen’s ring
ring or or nature’s
nature’s power
power falls falls upon
upon the the servant
servant because
because mostmost isis ex-
eX—
pected
pected of of those
those whowho have gained awareness.
have gained awareness. HereHere is is the
the doctrine
doctrine of of steward-
steward—
ship
ship that
that asserts
asserts the increasing responsibility
the increasing responsibility of of man
man for for all
all his
his fellows
fellows asas he
he
grows
grows in in power
power and and understanding.
understanding. The The servant
servant could
could understand
understand the the duck
duck
or
or spirit
spirit and
and so so he was able
he was able to to regain
regain the
the ring
ring or
or materialize
materialize the lost power.
the lost power.
The personal
The personal application lies in
application lies in anan emulation
emulation of of the
the servant
servant here.
here. He went
He went
out
out to
to think
think or gave the
or gave inner nature
the inner nature aa chance
chance to to speak. The third
speak. The third ofof the
the
qualities
qualities isis decision. After the
decision. After vindication of
the vindication of the
the servant
servant the the king
king offers
offers toto
grant
grant him
him any wish. Following
any wish. Following Solomon
Solomon the the servant
servant chose
chose to gain wisdom
to gain wisdom by by
asking
asking for
for aa horse
horse since
since he was determined
he was determined to to ride
ride the
the senses
senses andand for
for money
money
since
since he was determined
he was determined to to apply
apply spiritual
spiritual power
power or or money
money to growth by
to growth by
travel.
travel. In
In and
and through
through thethe senses
senses is is found
found the the only
only sustenance
sustenance of of being,
being, and
and
nothing
nothing is is as
as dangerous
dangerous to to the
the seeker
seeker as as aa stamping
stamping out out ofof his
his own
own emotional
emotional
nature
nature inin lieu
lieu of
of conquering
conquering it. it. Such
Such aa procedure
procedure is is annihilation.
annihilation. The The personal
personal
application
application lies in aa realization
lies in realization thatthat the
the aspirant
aspirant must
must enterenter new
new cycles
cycles con-
con—
stantly
stantly and
and soso must
must dwell in aa future
dwell in future made
made manifest
manifest in in the
the present.
present.
The first
The first test
test becomes
becomes the
the episode
episode of
of the
the fishes
fishes or
or nascent
nascent Christ
Christ
consciousness,
consciousness, and
and itit is
is to
to be
be noted
noted that
that the
the aspirant
aspirant must
must dismount
dismount the the
senses
senses to
to meet
meet the
the test. The change
test. The change here involved in
here involved in his growth is
his growth is aa function-
function—
ing spiritually or dismounted as
ing as aa convenient inversion in
convenient inversion in point
point of view and
of view and
the
the personal
personal application lies in
application lies in an
an understanding
understanding that while man
that while man receives
receives his
his
essence
essence ofof consciousness
consciousness through
through the
the senses
senses he gives out
he gives out or
or manifests
manifests his
his
real self through his higher nature. The second
nature. The second test is the
test is the episode
episode of
of the
the ants
ants
and
and the
the aspirant’s
aspirant’s taking
taking aa bypath in the
bypath in the sand in order
sand in order toto save
save the lives of
the lives of the
the
83
83
ant
ant king’s
king’s people.
people. The The change
change here involved is
here involved is the
the taking
taking ofof aa new path. Un-
new path. Un—
der
der definite initiation the
definite initiation the seeker grows not
seeker grows not through
through the the effort
effort toto change
change him-
him—
self
self or
or change
change life life but
but through
through spiritual
spiritual change
change marked
marked in in the
the objective world
objective world
when he
when he lets
lets life
life be itself and
be itself and produces
produces the the change
change subjectively
subjectively by by material
material
realignment.
realignment. The The personal
application becomes
becomes an an understanding
understanding of of adjust-
adjust—
ment
ment or or aa realization
realization thatthat the
the spiritual
spiritual man
man for for new
new expression
expression blazes
blazes aa pio—
pio-
neer
neer trail. To change
trail. To change the the figure,
figure, new wine cannot
new wine cannot be be put into old
put into old bottles. The
bottles. The
third
third test is the
test is the episode
episode of of the
the path
path inin the woods and
the woods and the young and
the young and helpless
helpless
ravens
ravens or wisdom at
or wisdom its inarticulate
at its inarticulate stage.
stage. Here
Here it it can
can bebe understood
understood that that the
the
raven
raven is is always wisdom in
always wisdom in activity,
activity, and
and the
the snake
snake is is wisdom
wisdom in in substance. The
substance. The
aspirant
aspirant kills
kills his
his horse
horse oror the
the senses
senses toto feed
feed the
the birds. The personal
birds. The personal applica-
applica—
tion is in
tion is in this
this feeding
feeding of of the
the sensual
sensual nature
nature to to the wisdom nature.
the wisdom The lower
nature. The lower
parts
parts ofof being
being may may be be killed
killed out
out safely when their
safely when their purpose
purpose has has been
been fulfilled
fulfilled
and
and their
their functions
functions supplanted.
supplanted.
First
First ofof the
the ordeals
ordeals in in the winning of
the winning of the
the princess
princess is is the
the recovery
recovery of of
the
the ring
ring or
or power
power fromfrom the the sea
sea or
or universal
universal being,
being, andand the
the necessary
necessary faculty
faculty
at
at this
this point
point inin growth
growth is is the
the ability
ability to
to create. The personal
create. The personal application lies in
application lies in
the
the principle
principle that
that spiritual
spiritual functioning
functioning molds
molds the the archetype
archetype of of effort.
effort. He who
He who
works out
works out his
his problems
problems withinwithin hishis own
own higher
higher nature
nature seessees his
his objective prob-
objective prob—
lems work out
lems work out themselves.
themselves. The The next
next ordeal
ordeal isis the
the picking
picking up up ofof the
the ten
ten sacks
sacks
of
of millet
millet seed, with the
seed, with the ten indicating aa completeness
ten indicating completeness of of the
the emanative
emanative spiri-
spiri—
tual
tual consciousness
consciousness that that the
the seed
seed symbolizes,
symbolizes, and and thethe necessary
necessary faculty
faculty isis the
the
ability
ability to
to rule
rule soso that
that myriads
myriads of of forces
forces asas the
the ant
ant serve
serve the
the aspirant. The per—
aspirant. The per-
sonal
sonal application
application is is that
that the
the seeker
seeker must
must accept
accept from life the
from life the reciprocal
reciprocal coop-
coop—
eration
eration that
that results
results from
from his his contribution
contribution to to the general consciousness
the general consciousness of life
of life
through
through his interest in
his interest in the
the problems
problems of life. The
of life. The final
final ordeal
ordeal and initiation
and initiation
develop
develop thethe faculty
faculty of of regeneration
regeneration through
through effort
effort spent
spent in in the
the three
three realms
realms
or
or kingdoms
kingdoms for for the golden apple
the golden apple oror spiritual
spiritual being.
being. TheThe personal
application
is that
is wisdom will
that wisdom will aid
aid the
the completion
completion of of all
all things
things started
started in in faith.
faith.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) Why are you

Why you advised to study this lesson
lesson in
in conjunction with
with the one
on
on Roland? What does
Roland? What does this
this one
one offer
offer that
that the
the other
other did
did not?
not?
(2) What is
What is the symbolism of of the white snake?
the white snake? How
How may
may an
an aspirant
aspirant find
find
and use
use this?
this?
(3)
(3) What basic
What basic quality will assist
quality will you in
assist you in your
your efforts
efforts to gain higher
to gain higher facul-
facul—
ties? Why is
ties? Why is the
the seeker
seeker encouraged
encouraged to
to emulate
emulate the
the servant in this
servant in this tale?
tale?
84
84
(4)
(4) What is
What is implied
implied for you in
for you in the
the doctrine
doctrine of of stewardship?
stewardship? WhatWhat is is the
the
difference
difference between
between stamping
stamping out
out and
and conquering
conquering the
the emotional
emotional na- na—
ture? Why is
ture? Why is the
the one
one to
to be
be desired,
desired, the
the other
other avoided?
avoided?
(5)
(5) What is
What is meant
meant by by dismounting
dismounting thethe senses? Why is
senses? Why is this
this aa test which
test which
you must
you must pass? Then what
pass? Then what must you do?
must you What are
do? What are the
the stages
stages inin the
the
evolution
evolution ofof consciousness
consciousness and
and how
how can you pass
can you pass through
through them?
them?
85
85
Lesson
184, issued 8/25/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XX
FAIRY TALES XX
THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN BIRD
BIRD
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the key
key to
to demonstration
demonstration or or the
the principles
principles of of
attainment whether in
attainment whether in material
material or or spiritual
spiritual realms
realms through
through the the employment
employment
of
of superphysical
superphysical means,
means, and and this lesson is
this lesson is the last of
the last of the
the original
original expositions
expositions
of
of the
the stories in the
stories in the Grimm
Grimm collection.
collection. The The series
series as
as aa whole
whole isis of greatest
of greatest
importance as
importance as prepared
prepared for insertion in
for insertion in the
the philosophy
philosophy cyclecycle because
because it it brings
brings
the
the essence
essence of
of aa naive
naive oror thorough
thorough uninhibited
uninhibited approach
approach to to the genius of
the genius of aa
universal
universal symbolism
symbolism as as this
this had
had itsits part in launching
part in launching the the Sabian
Sabian project
project inin the
the
lineaments that were
were to comecome to to characterize
characterize it. it. The
The analyses
analyses through
through thisthis
eighteenth
eighteenth ofof the
the selections
selections made
made for for the
the first
first classes
classes inin 1924-5
1924-5 andand 1926
1926
were completed
were completed in in aa complete independence of
complete independence of occult
occult oror esoteric
esoteric creed
creed and
and
dogma,
dogma, and and the
the preservation
preservation of of this
this spontaneity
spontaneity of of exposition
exposition is is of poten-
of poten—
tially
tially great
great service
service to
to the
the philosophy
philosophy studiesstudies as it sets
as it sets the
the stage
stage forfor the pio-
the pio—
neer
neer freshness
freshness of of the
the Ibn
Ibn Gabirol
Gabirol analyses
analyses that
that nownow andand hereafter
hereafter follow
follow
immediately in
immediately in the cycle. The
The most striking single feature of the lessons lessons as a
series
series isis the
the demonstration
demonstration of of the integrity of
the integrity of the
the human
human heart,
heart, andand already
already
has been emphasized that the the stories
stories have
have survived
survived because
because they were loved
they were loved
and because they were were passed on in in love
love from heart to heart perhaps before
books
books or or even
even before writing. The
before writing. The development
development and and structure
structure of the Golden
Bird isis simple and direct although
although at at the
the same
same time
time bizarre
bizarre and
and picturesque.
picturesque.
Beginning at the negative semi-waking
semi—waking stage of the average individual’s individual’s con-con—
sciousness,
sciousness, the whole tale
the whole is aa spiritual
tale is spiritual rather
rather than
than aa material
material recapitulation
recapitulation of of
experience
experience leading
leading to
to aa complete
complete mastery
mastery of of self
self through
through the the culture
culture of pur-
of pur—
pose.
pose. TheThe fourfold
fourfold structure
structure is is bizarre
bizarre inin that
that the will factor completely
the will
dominates
dominates the the allegory.
allegory. Not
Not oneone but
but four
four kings
kings appear
appear to show the intrusion
intrusion
of
of the will at
the will at every
every stage
stage of of spiritual growth and
spiritual growth and thereby
thereby teaching
teaching the the su-
su—
preme importance
importance of this will will whether
whether human or divine in in all New Thought
Thought
or
or occult
occult demonstration.
demonstration. The The prince
prince or or purpose
purpose factor
factor isis here
here considered
considered in in
threefold aspect, since instead
instead of considering the higher vehicles vehicles as aspects of
soul
soul oror associated with the
associated with the princess
princess factor
factor as in the
as in the other
other tales where the
tales where the
various selves
various selves of
of man
man appear
appear these
these here
here are
are taken
taken in in their
their active
active manifesta-
manifesta—
86
86
tion
tion as
as revealing
revealing the
the prince
prince oror purpose
purpose factor. The princess
factor. The princess factor
factor appears in
appears in
aa minor
minor role
role towards
towards the
the end
end of
of the
the tale
tale but
but soul is necessarily
soul is necessarily somewhat
somewhat
secondary
secondary in in aa process
process ofof self-mastery. The queen
self—mastery. The queen factor is represented
factor is in-
represented in—
animately
animately byby the
the merry inn where
merry inn where the
the false
false and
and shadow
shadow selves
selves are
are sidetracked
sidetracked
in their
in their simple
simple objective
objective or
or the
the material
material sustenance
sustenance of
of being.
being. Only
Only the
the real
real
self
self can
can press
press on
on to
to mastery.
mastery.
The story
The story begins
begins at at the
the back
back of of the
the castle
castle in in aa garden
garden wherewhere aa treetree
bears
bears golden
golden apples
apples and
and symbolizes
symbolizes the the reservoir
reservoir of of spiritual
spiritual possessions
possessions at at
the
the sacral
sacral plexus.
plexus. Physiologically
Physiologically the the pelvic
pelvic cavity
cavity may may be be represented
the
Garden
Garden of of Eden.
Eden. The The tree
tree isis the
the spine
spine and
and the the apples
apples areare the
the fruits
fruits ofof the
the
aura which is
aura which is gold in its
gold in its potential
potential development
development and which is
and which is specialized
specialized in in
the
the coccygeal
coccygeal gland
gland AtAt the
the start
start of
of responsible
responsible existence
existence man man has has all potenti-
all potenti—
alities
alities ofof spiritual
spiritual being latent within
being latent within him, him, andand in in the garden episode
the garden episode of of this
this
story
story hishis awakening
awakening comes comes as as usually
usually beginning
beginning in in life
life with
with aa lossloss through
through
idleness. As
idleness. As soon
soon asas the
the aspirant wakens spiritually
aspirant wakens spiritually he he must guard his
must guard golden
his golden
apples,
apples, or or they will be
they will be stolen
stolen away
away fromfrom him. Midnight is
him. Midnight is the
the point
point of of divi-
divi—
sion between cycles, and the shadow self and false
sion between cycles, and the shadow self and false self as the older brothers self as the older brothers
are
are unable
unable by by their
their own
own efforts
efforts toto bridge
bridge any any cycle
cycle since
since they
they fall
fall asleep. The
asleep. The
self
self isis here inversely presented
here inversely presented as as the youngest son
the youngest son because
because the the self is last
self is last to
to
mature
mature although
although first in spiritual
first in spiritual manifestation,
manifestation, and and isis shown witless like
shown witless like the
the
poor
poor foolfool of
of the
the Parsifal legend yet
Parsifal legend yet this
this son
son alone
alone can can stay
stay awake
awake and and see
see the
the
golden
golden bird. The bird
bird. The bird signifies
signifies realization
realization and and the the arrow
arrow is is aa flash
flash of of under-
under—
standing
standing to which the
to which the foolish
foolish or or uncrystallized
uncrystallized mind mind alone is is open. The The
feather
feather is is aa residue
residue of of knowledge
knowledge following
following the the flash.
flash. Now
Now the the sons
sons start
start out
out
to
to find
find the
the golden
golden birdbird for
for their
their father,
father, andand the the twotwo older
older areare sidetracked
sidetracked at at
the
the merry inn. The
merry inn. The austerity
austerity of of the
the proper
proper inn inn symbolizes
symbolizes the the tendency
tendency for for
inner spiritual things to present themselves outwardly through objective in—
inner in-
version. The
version. The helpful
helpful foxfox isis the intuition, or
the intuition, or the
the essence
essence of of past
past experience.
experience.
The three
The three ordeals
ordeals and
and their
their recapitulation
recapitulation follow
follow and
and represent
represent thethe
three stages inin achievement of self-mastery
self—mastery and the three succeeding steps of
testing
testing and
and three
three of
of proving
proving that
that somewhat
somewhat parallel
parallel the
the nine lesser initiations
nine lesser initiations
of
of the
the preceding
preceding lesson.
lesson. AsAs in
in that lesson the
that lesson the personal
application isis here
here
given in
in passing. The
The first ordeal is is the golden
golden bird and the two cages. The The
witless self
witless self disregards
disregards the
the advice
advice of
of the
the fox
fox and
and attempts
attempts to to put
put the
the bird into
bird into
the
the golden
golden case
case and
and so is captured
so is captured and
and faces
faces death.
death. Here
Here the
the ordeal
ordeal concerns
concerns
the mental powers symbolized by the bird, and the personal application is is to
learn not to dress up spiritual verities
verities inin empty outer gaudiness.
gaudiness. In other
words to
words to boast
boast or
or to
to be
be proud
proud of
of mental
mental achievements is to
achievements is to risk
risk their loss,
their loss,
87
87
and
and the
the attracting
attracting of
of avarice
avarice and
and enmity in others
enmity in others that
that may indeed lead
may indeed lead to
to the
the
death
death of
of the
the self.
self.
The second
The second ordeal
ordeal isis the golden horse
the golden horse and and thethe two
two saddles
saddles and
and isis aa
parallel
parallel of
of the
the first
first ordeal
ordeal inin the
the realm
realm of of astral
astral powers
powers or in the
or in the realm
realm ofof the
the
senses
senses that
that always
always are are symbolized
the horse. Again the
horse. Again the self
self disregards
disregards thethe
promptings
promptings of intuition and
of intuition and attempts
attempts to to put
put the golden saddle
the golden saddle or or tinselled
tinselled
show
show on on the
the mastered
mastered senses,
senses, only
only to
to pay
pay for
for the
the effort with his
effort with liberty. The
his liberty. The
personal
application is is aa caution
caution against
against any
any attempt
attempt to to show
show off off astral pow-
astral pow—
ers
ers since
since toto do
do so so attracts
attracts suspicion,
suspicion, and indeed boasted
and indeed boasted or indiscreetly ad-
or indiscreetly ad—
mitted
mitted astral
astral and
and psychic
psychic powers
powers are are more
more often
often false
false than
than otherwise.
otherwise. TheThe
third
third ordeal
ordeal isis the
the princess
princess at at the
the bath
bath and
and the
the forbidden leave-taking. Here
forbidden leave-taking. Here
habit-power
habit—power or or objective initiation is
objective initiation is symbolized,
symbolized, and and the
the temptation
temptation is is to
to
permit
permit aa turning
turning back
back to to objective
objective things
things in in aa dependence
dependence on on past
past material
material
achievements.
achievements. The The princess
princess waswas obtained
obtained because
because she was taken
she was taken at at the
the mo-
mo—
ment
ment of of freedom
freedom from from objective limitation, the
objective limitation, the freedom
freedom symbolized
symbolized by by her
her
lack
lack of
of clothing,
clothing, andand the
the personal
application is is aa warning
warning to to seek verity in
seek verity in its
its
pristine
pristine state.
state.
The mountain
The mountain removed
removed on on the
the seventh
seventh day
day asas an
an achievement
achievement freeing
freeing
the
the self in the
self in the first
first stage
stage of
of testing is aa symbol
testing is symbol ofof the
the removal
removal of
of ephemeral
ephemeral
barriers
barriers by
by spiritual
spiritual relaxation
relaxation or
or sleep.
sleep. Bartering
Bartering the
the princess
princess for
for the
the horse
horse
symbolizes
symbolizes aa regaining
regaining of of the
the emotional
emotional powers,
powers, and is aa test
and is in which
test in which thethe
seeker
seeker learns
learns the
the objective value of
objective value of spiritual
spiritual attainment
attainment and
and uses it. Bartering
uses it. Bartering
the
the horse
horse for
for the
the bird
bird isis similarly
similarly aa regaining
regaining ofof the
the mental
mental powers
powers in in aa paral—
paral-
lel
lel and
and final
final test.
test. OfOf the
the three
three stages
stages of
of proof
proof or
or manifestation
manifestation ofof attainments
attainments
the
the purchase
purchase of of the
the older
older brothers
brothers isis aa necessary
necessary salvaging
salvaging ofof the lower na-
the lower na—
ture
ture and
and the
the sitting
sitting byby the
the brook
brook as indicating pure
as indicating pure experience
experience is is aa necessary
necessary
reconstitution of the lower lower nature or the material activity during which which the
seeker
seeker rests
rests for
for aa while
while on on his
his spiritual laurels, and
spiritual laurels, and the
the cutting
cutting off
off of
of the
the fox’s
fox’s
head and feet is is a necessary acceptance
acceptance of of responsibility
responsibility for
for the lower nature.
the lower nature.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1) What makes these stories from Grimm such an important

What important source of
spiritual
spiritual principles?
principles? How
How can you learn
can you learn to
to use
use the
the symbolism?
symbolism?
(2) What is
What is the doctrine of demonstration? WhatWhat isis the lesson
lesson for the
aspirant
aspirant inin this
this tale?
tale? How is the
How is the usual
usual basic
basic structure
structure altered
altered to
to make
make
this
this lesson
lesson clear?
clear?
88
88
(3)
(3) What is
What is the
the significance
significance of of the
the beginning
beginning inin aa garden?
garden? Why
Why does
does the
the
youngest rather
youngest rather than
than the
the oldest
oldest son
son represent
represent the
the self?
self?
(4)
(4) Why is
Why is the
the former
former thethe only
only one
one to
to see
see the golden bird?
the golden What in
bird? What in oc-
oc—
cult interpretation is
cult interpretation is the
the purpose
purpose of
of the
the three
three ordeals?
ordeals?
(5)
(5) Discuss
Discuss each
each of
of the
the three
three and
and show
show how
how perhaps
perhaps itit has
has personal
personal ap-
ap—
plication,
plication, either
either now
now or
or at
at some
some future
future time.
time. How
How are
are all
all the
the difficul-
difficul—
ties
ties resolved?
resolved? How likewise may
How likewise yours all
may yours all be
be brought
brought to
to aa construc-
construc—
tive
tive conclusion?
conclusion?
89
89
Lesson
3005, issued 9/1/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XXI
FAIRY TALES XXI
RAPUNZEL
RAPUNZEL
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the magic
magic of
of existence,
existence, or
or the inbuilt urge
the inbuilt urge to
to
self-expression
self—expression and
and fundamental love of
fundamental love of experience,
experience, and it launches
and it launches the
the
analyses
analyses that
that have
have been
been added
added toto the
the series
series forty years after
forty years after the
the original
original stud-
stud—
ies so
ies so that
that the
the general
general exposition
exposition might
might have
have the
the requisite length for
requisite length for aa place
place
in the
in the regular
regular philosophy
philosophy cycle
cycle of
of Sabian
Sabian presentation.
presentation. The The English
English text
text util-
util—
ized for
ized for the
the eighteen
eighteen preceding
preceding stories was the
stories was the translation
translation by Lucy Crance,
by Lucy Crance,
published
published by by the
the Macmillan
Macmillan Company
Company in in 1923,
1923, and
and the
the one
one forfor these
these follow-
follow—
ing six or seven is
ing is the selection by Frederick Jacobi,
Jacobi, Jr,
Jr, published by Random
House
House in in 1952. The basic
1952. The basic pattern
pattern of of reality in which
reality in which thethe plot
plot ofof this
this narrative
narrative
shapes itself, and
shapes itself, which not
and which not only is characteristic
only is characteristic of of all
all the
the fairy
fairy tales
tales but
but also
also
is the essential ordering in
is in which
which all play of human imagination
imagination and creativity
takes
takes place
place by by the
the necessity
necessity of
of the
the structure
structure ofof mind itself, is
mind itself, is very
very easy
easy toto rec-
rec—
ognize
ognize in in this instance. The
this instance. The father
father of
of Rapunzel
Rapunzel originally
originally andand then
then the
the king
king
who is
who is the
the father
father of
of the young prince
the young prince constitute
constitute aa continuing
continuing aspect
aspect of what
of what
it has been convenient to identify
it identify as the king factor or the overall manifesta-manifesta—
tion
tion ofof order
order and
and justice
justice and
and divine wisdom in
divine wisdom in the
the cosmos
cosmos and and ramifying
ramifying
throughout
throughout all its parts.
all its parts. Of
Of the
the four
four pattern
pattern factors,
factors, thisthis tends
tends toto be
be the
the most
most
inactive in
inactive in any actual plot development. When When there is is action it it reduces di-
di—
rectly or indirectly
indirectly to the fiat of necessity in in the makeup of universal reality
itself. Here
itself. Here there
there is is an
an exception
exception in in the
the fact
fact that
that thethe father-to-be
father-to—be of of Rapunzel,
Rapunzel,
in his compulsion to meet the desire of his wife,
in wife, is is willing
willing to promise anyany—
thing or everything to the witch witch and
and so so to
to sacrifice
sacrifice his his daughter
daughter before
before she
she isis
born.
born. In In the
the analysis
analysis of of symbolism
symbolism therethere isis always
always highhigh significance
significance in in what—
what-
ever
ever isis out
out of
of normal
normal course
course or is exceptional
or is exceptional in in any way. This
any way. This opportunism
opportunism
of
of the
the essentially impersonal and
essentially impersonal and far-distant
far—distant father
father factor
factor therefore
therefore calls
calls for
for
prompt
prompt recognition
recognition of of the
the power
power of of the
the basic
basic demand
demand of of all
all actual
actual being,
being,
whether in
whether in its
its potential
potential oror materialized
materialized stage,
stage, forfor the
the chance
chance to to have
have experi-
experi—
ence
ence or or know itself. Hence
know itself. Hence it it is
is that
that occultism
occultism and and orthodox
orthodox theology
theology both
both
give general acceptance to the idea idea that a total or monotheistic divinity cancan—
not
not tolerate inactivity, even
tolerate inactivity, if omnipotent
even if omnipotent in in infinite
infinite self-sufficiency,
self-sufficiency, and and soso
90
90
must
must project
project aa creation
creation from itself or
from itself or emanate
emanate in in some
some procreative
procreative capacity
capacity
of itself even
of itself even if if only
only ultimately
ultimately to to re-embrace
re—embrace and and accept
accept back into itself
back into itself the
the
total
total of
of all
all of which it
of which it has
has remained
remained the the ultimate
ultimate actualization.
actualization. HereHere of of course
course
is an
is intellectual tour
an intellectual tour de
de force
force forfor comprehending
comprehending divinitydivinity in in the
the time-and-
time—and—
space
space thinking
thinking from which the
from which the mind
mind of of man
man cannot
cannot free itself without
free itself without can-can—
celling
celling out itself, and
out itself, in aa sense
and in sense the
the conception
conception in in all its many
all its many forms
forms remains
remains
aa fairy
fairy tale
tale ifif withal
withal aa very
very useful
useful oneone forfor strengthening
strengthening the the mental
mental aplomb.
aplomb.
What is
What is to
to be
be realized
realized here
here of of course
course is is that
that thinking
thinking in in overall
overall context
context must
must
be
be circular,
circular, to to the
the extent
extent that
that every
every phase
phase of of reality
reality must
must complement
complement every every
other
other phase
phase with with which
which it it has
has contact,
contact, and and the
the underlying
underlying orderorder ofof the
the uni-
uni—
verse that
verse that as as such
such is is usually
usually seenseen as as passive
passive must
must be be understood
understood to to have
have also
also
an
an active
active role
role in in stimulating
stimulating or or fecundating
fecundating the general receptivity
the general receptivity of of nature
nature
or
or cosmic
cosmic potentiality
potentiality at large. But
at large. But here
here areare factors
factors thatthat stand
stand atat aa one-
one—
remove
remove from from the the developments
developments of immediate existence,
of immediate existence, as as has
has been
been seenseen
throughout
throughout the the earlier
earlier studies.
studies. HereHere are are the wheels within
the wheels within wheels
wheels through
through
which all
which all deeper
deeper understanding
understanding must must operate.
operate.
The mother
The mother factor
factor that generally represents
that generally represents nature
nature at large in
at large in the
the
symbolism
symbolism is is here
here seen
seen quite
quite simply
simply in in the
the dual
dual manifestation
manifestation of of aa primitive
primitive
surrender
surrender to to desire
desire as as both
both the the original
original and and continuing
continuing foundation
foundation of of bare
bare
existence
existence and and the the later
later or
or more
more sophisticated
sophisticated and and deliberate
deliberate determination
determination to to
facilitate the maturation of being and call out its its capacities in in every possible
possible
direction.
direction. Unconditioned
Unconditioned motherhood motherhood just just drops
drops out out ofof the
the story with the
story with the
delivery
delivery of of the
the baby
baby to to the witch, and
the witch, and it it is
is with
with birth
birth to
to tangibility
tangibility that
that thethe
witch administers
witch administers the the exactings
exactings of life and
of life and seessees to it that
to it that the
the provisions
provisions of of
individual and conscious selfhood
individual selfhood are are met
met to to the
the full. The emphasis
full. The emphasis in in this
this
fairy tale isis on the ordeal of the soul or princess factor as represented by Ra- Ra—
punzel,
punzel, rather
rather thanthan on on the
the struggle
struggle of of the young prince
the young prince to win her
to win her and
and bring
bring
about
about the inevitable happy
the inevitable happy ending.
ending. He He is is the
the symbol
symbol of of purpose
purpose as as here
here in in
consequence
consequence the the bringing
bringing of of the life of
the life of the
the soul
soul to to aa point
point that
that accomplishes
accomplishes
its self-realization
its self—realization ratherrather than
than as as ambition
ambition in in its
its role
role of
of creating
creating situations
situations andand
mastering
mastering difficulties
difficulties as is the
as is the characteristic
characteristic of of other
other stories
stories ofof this
this sort.
sort. HeHe
hears
hears thethe singing
singing of of Rapunzel,
Rapunzel, and and isis attracted
attracted and and so lingers near
so lingers near the
the tower
tower
in which
in which she she is is imprisoned
imprisoned to watch and
to watch learn how
and learn how to to reach
reach her.
her. But
But for
for the
the
major
major partpart hehe isis aa shady
shady figure
figure in in the
the present
present symbolizations,
symbolizations, where where attention
attention
centers
centers on on the
the psychology
psychology of of the
the soul’s
soul’s self-involvement
self—involvement in in the experience it it
enters
enters at at the
the threshold
threshold of its achievement
of its achievement of of adultship
adultship or or eventual
eventual fulfillment
fulfillment
of its
its own promise.
promise.
Rapunzel
Rapunzel as
as the individual but
the individual but as yet naive
as yet naive soul is here
soul is here the
the special
special
symbol
symbol of
of man’s
man’s everyday
everyday personality
personality as it comes
as it comes up
up through
through preliminary
preliminary and
and
91
91
largely vicarious self-realization
largely vicarious self—realization to to discover
discover and and assert itself significantly
assert itself significantly
enough
enough to to become
become aa real real person. The symbolism
person. The symbolism is is highly
highly phallic,
phallic, as as might
might be be
expected
expected in in tales
tales rising
rising out
out of
of aa primitive
primitive society
society in in which
which sexsex isis aa dominating
dominating
phenomenon
phenomenon in in everyday
everyday experience
experience andand dealing
dealing with with the
the maturing
maturing of of the
the
organism
organism with with the
the necessary
necessary psychological
psychological overtones.
overtones. The The witch
witch imprisons
imprisons
Rapunzel
Rapunzel in in aa tower without entrance
tower without entrance at at the
the base
base or or stairs,
stairs, and
and in in its
its Freudian
Freudian
lineaments
lineaments thisthis dramatizes
dramatizes the the soul’s imprisonment to
soul’s imprisonment its own
to its innocence.
own innocence.
When Rapunzel
When Rapunzel must must letlet down
down herher hair
hair from
from thethe single window high
single window high up
up inin
the
the tower wall, for
tower wall, for the witch to
the witch visit and
to visit later the
and later the prince,
prince, thethe significance
significance is is
purely
purely sexual.
sexual. TheThe natural
natural functions
functions of of organic
organic being
being areare the
the foundation
foundation for for
all
all higher
higher experience
experience or or realization,
realization, and
and this is not
this is not any
any endorsement
endorsement of im-
of im—
morality
morality oror anything
anything but indication that
but indication that experience
experience must must be whole and
be whole and must
must
embrace
embrace the the more
more primitive
primitive elements
elements in in any genuine refinement
any genuine refinement of of selfhood
selfhood
and
and consequent
consequent escapeescape from
from the
the tractions
tractions ofof experience
experience in in the
the cruder
cruder oror es-
es—
sentially
sentially animalistic
animalistic form.
form.
What in
What in many
many respects
respects is is the
the fundamental
fundamental drama drama of of all
all conscious
conscious ex-ex—
istence is
istence is shown
shown in in the vicious circle
the vicious circle of
of experience
experience symbolized
symbolized in in this
this one
one of
of
the
the old
old tales.
tales. Increasingly
Increasingly eager eager forfor experience
experience as as she
she develops,
develops, Rapunzel
Rapunzel is is
innocent of the nature and conditions of what
innocent what she craves. In her naiveté she
betrays
betrays the
the prince
prince to to the witch. She
the witch. She isis punished
punished by by the
the banishment
banishment to to the
the
wilderness as
wilderness as the
the familiar
familiar symbol
symbol for for experience
the rough
rough or or raw,
raw, and
and he
he
is punished by his blinding as
is as the
the result in the
result in imagery of
the imagery of his
his seeking
seeking to grasp
to grasp
what he
what he cannot
cannot as yet see
as yet see solidly
solidly or in the
or in light of
the light of aa proper
proper experience
experience on on his
his
part. Thus he
part. Thus in turn
he in wanders in
turn wanders in the woods that
the woods that again
again are
are unmastered
unmastered experi-
experi—
ence. Soul and purpose are separated, and so the total self is is in
in disconnection
and
and frustration
frustration because
because in in this
this first
first stage
stage atat the
the threshold
threshold of of adultship
adultship there is
there is
aa participation
participation in in experience
experience before
before there
there isis adequate
adequate mastery
mastery of of the
the capacity
capacity
for experience or of the skills skills and
and understanding
understanding neededneeded at at all
all points.
points.
Wandering in
Wandering in the wilderness or
the wilderness or away
away from
from contact with others
contact with others as is
as is
necessary
necessary inin all
all real
real experience
experience for
for man
man as as the
the social
social animal,
animal, his
his soul
soul and
and his
his
purpose
purpose survive
survive inin the
the fashion
fashion ofof the
the savages with what
savages with what food
food aa wild
wild nature
nature
may provide. Purpose suffers blindly, little little able to act in in its
its own genius.
genius. The
The
soul
soul however
however although
although distraught
distraught must
must express itself, and
express itself, and soso Rapunzel
Rapunzel in in her
her
solitude
solitude here
here out in the
out in great open
the great open as in her
as in her solitude
solitude of imprisonment in
of imprisonment in the
the
tower
tower sings
sings and
and lets
lets her voice project
her voice project outout from
from herher unhappy
unhappy state
state and
and this
this
the
the prince
prince hears
hears and
and soso finds
finds her. They embrace
her. They embrace and and her
her tears
tears restore
restore his
his
sight,
sight, and
and all
all ends
ends happily
happily asas he
he takes
takes her
her home
home to to his
his father’s
father’s palace. The
palace. The
personal
application is is in
in the
the age-old injunction to
age—old injunction to be
be true
true to
to self,
self, and
and inin
92
92
trouble
trouble oror doubt
doubt to
to express
express the
the self in outflung
self in outflung joy
joy of
of some
some sort
sort of
of self-
self—
realization.
realization.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) How
How isis the
the basic
basic pattern
pattern ofof reality
reality of
of the
the tales
tales carried
carried out in this
out in this one
one
also? What is
also? What is significant
significant about
about the
the use
use of
of the
the father
father factor
factor here?
here?
(2)
(2) Why is
Why is inactivity
inactivity ever
ever deemed intolerable? What
deemed intolerable? What is is to
to take its place?
take its place?
How
How does
does this
this concept
concept further your understanding
further your understanding of of divinity?
divinity?
(3)
(3) Why must
Why must thinking
thinking bebe circular? What does
circular? What does this
this mean?
mean? WhatWhat areare the
the
wheels Within
Wheels within wheels
wheels through which all
through which all deeper
deeper understanding
understanding must must
operate?
operate?
(4)
(4) What shift
What in emphasis
shift in emphasis isis found
found in in this
this story? What does
story? What does the prince
the prince
symbolize?
symbolize?
(5)
(5) What typical
What vicious circle
typical vicious is dramatized
circle is dramatized in in this
this story? What can
story? What you
can you
learn
learn from
from itsits symbolism
symbolism about
about howhow toto meet
meet and and overcome
overcome similar
similar
conditions?
conditions?
93
93
Lesson
3006, issued 9/8/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XXII
FAIRY TALES XXII
SHIVER AND SHAKE
SHIVER AND SHAKE
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale about
about the youth who
the youth who could
could not
not shiver
shiver and
and shake
shake deals
deals
with the
with the phenomenon
phenomenon of
of sustaining
sustaining consciousness,
consciousness, or
or the
the characteristic
characteristic ca-
ca—
pacity
pacity of of the
the human individuality to
human individuality to enforce
enforce aa pattern
pattern of of condition
condition and per-
and per—
formance
formance on on his world at
his world large through
at large through his his fidelity
fidelity in in holding
holding to to aa set
set of
of tem-
tem—
perament
perament and and realization.
realization. At At aa point
point of of near
near burlesque
burlesque this this is is what
what is is seen
seen
when aa soldier
when soldier is is unable
unable to learn to
to learn to change
change step step during
during drill
drill atat the
the command
command
to
to dodo so, with the
so, with the result
result thatthat an an entire
entire company
company in in the
the actual
actual experience
experience of of
the writer of
the writer of these
these lessons
lessons was was required
required to to adjust
adjust to to him
him on on aa march
march or or inin
exhibition
exhibition drilling
drilling and
and always
always did did so.
so. It is the
It is the basis
basis of of the
the principal
principal assump-
assump—
tion
tion inin New Thought or
New Thought or the
the procedure
procedure of of occult
occult healing
healing on on thethe rational
rational as as inin
contrast
contrast with with the
the operational
operational magic magic or group consciousness
or group consciousness side, side, namely,
namely, that that
an
an attitude
attitude maymay be be taken
taken and and held with unrestricted
held with unrestricted power power of of performance.
performance. It It
is given its
is its common metaphysical explanation as a manifestation of divinity
as indwelling in
as indwelling in each
each person
person as well as
as well as remaining
remaining creatorcreator andand administrator
administrator of of
the
the universal
universal totality,
totality, andand as as concomitantly
concomitantly aa demonstration
demonstration of of the
the essential
essential
nonreality
nonreality of of material
material or or time-and-space limitations once
time—and—space limitations once the genuine and
the genuine and
hence essentially solipsistic inwardness inwardness is is coaxed to express or realize itself. itself. It
is what
is what has explanation in in more acceptable terms in in a scientific age as the
general interplay
interplay of convenience among among all all phases
phases of of aa pluralistic
pluralistic reality
reality exist-
exist—
ing in
ing in indeterminacy
indeterminacy and and permitting
permitting the the exceptional,
exceptional, if if to
to diminished
diminished degree degree
with increasing
with increasing uniqueness
uniqueness in in the
the averaging
averaging as as charted
charted statistically by the bell- bell—
shaped
shaped curve.
curve. TheThe most
most familiar
familiar form form of of this
this plot, with its
plot, with its dramatization of
its thesis of such particular psychological importance,
its importance, is is the thirteenth-
thirteenth—
century
century epic epic used
used by Wagner for
by Wagner for his
his Parsifal.
Parsifal. The The guileless
guileless fool there main- main—
tains
tains hishis strange innocence until
strange innocence until at at the
the end
end he he becomes
becomes the guardian of
the guardian of the
the
Holy
Holy Grail,
Grail, and
and thethe prototype
prototype of of the
the seeker
seeker who who from
from age age toto age
age takes
takes upup the
the
task
task ofof guardianship
guardianship for for this
this or or that
that segment
segment of of the
the arcane
arcane tradition
tradition as it has
as it has
come
come down down to to afford
afford aa liberation
liberation and and expansion
expansion of of the
the human mind through
untold
untold millenniums.
millenniums. Thus Thus it it has
has happened
happened in in the
the nineteenth
nineteenth and into the
and into the
twentieth
twentieth century with the
century with the exceptional
exceptional quickening
quickening of of aa genuine
genuine occultism
occultism that that
94
94
aa surprising
surprising number
number of of dedicated workers contributing
dedicated workers contributing to to the
the breadth
breadth ofof the
the
general
general achievement
achievement have have been illiterate and
been illiterate and uncouth
uncouth and and even
even hazardously
hazardously
deviate
deviate byby the
the normal
normal standards
standards of
of the
the period,
period, andand that
that there
there has
has been
been aa great
great
deal
deal of
of tolerance
tolerance for for fanaticism
fanaticism and
and superficial gullibility because
superficial gullibility because of
of the
the dan-
dan—
ger
ger otherwise
otherwise of of failing
failing to
to screen
screen out
out some individual who
some individual who might
might make
make an an
epochal
epochal contribution
contribution to to the great vision.
the great vision. This
This isis not
not to indicate that
to indicate that the
the aspi-
aspi—
rants
rants of
of this
this generation
generation are are actually
actually or
or ever
ever necessarily
necessarily crackpots,
crackpots, even when
even when
their
their eccentricities
eccentricities may may bebe pronounced
pronounced or indulged indiscreetly,
or indulged indiscreetly, but
but only
only that
that
the
the price
price of of escape
escape from
from submergence
submergence in in the
the prevailing
prevailing mediocrity
mediocrity ofof any
any
given
given time
time and and place
place inin some
some form
form ofof social
social dissociation
dissociation mustmust never
never be per-
be per—
mitted
mitted toto obscure
obscure aa spiritual
spiritual potentiality
potentiality that
that needs
needs recognition
recognition and
and direction.
direction.
If
If there
there isis an initiate-to-be he
an initiate—to—be he merely
merely needs
needs to learn to
to learn wear the
to wear the clothes
clothes of
of the
the
country
country of of his
his sojourn,
sojourn, but without self-compromise
but without self—compromise at at core.
core.
The story
The story now
now toto be
be considered
considered exhibits
exhibits broad
broad but
but quite
quite simple
simple
modification
modification of
of the
the basic
basic pattern
pattern of
of fairy-tale
fairy—tale symbolism. The king
symbolism. The king or
or factor
factor
of
of overall
overall isis quite
quite subordinate,
subordinate, represented
the father
father at at the
the beginning
beginning andand
the
the king who in
king who in aa sense
sense oversees
oversees thethe ordeals
ordeals ofof the
the prince
prince factor
factor and wel-
and wel—
comes
comes him
him as as aa son-in-law
son—in—law at at the
the end,
end, and
and this is true
this is true tootoo ofof the
the princess
princess fac-
fac—
tor
tor represented
represented by by her lady’s maid
her lady’s maid as well as
as well as herself
herself andand hashas no no function
function ex-ex—
cept
cept to
to solve
solve the the dilemma
dilemma of of the
the prince
prince figure
figure in in the
the happy
happy ending
ending andand
therein
therein suggest
suggest the the personal
application of of the
the tale.
tale. Everything
Everything centers in the
centers in the
adventures
adventures of of the guileless fool,
the guileless fool, and
and the
the queen
queen factor
factor is is active
active in in the proces-
the proces—
sion
sion of individuals and
of individuals and the
the total
total ofof the
the furniture
furniture of of the
the tests
tests that
that the
the aspirant
aspirant
must meet in in this symbolization of his pilgrim’s progress. Hans as the dimwit
younger
younger sonson ofof the
the long-suffering
long—suffering father,
father, for whom the
for whom the older
older brother
brother hashas toto
do virtually everything,
do virtually everything, is is at last told
at last told he
he must grow up
must grow up andand become
become aa manman by by
accepting
accepting adult
adult responsibilities.
responsibilities. His His reply gives the
reply gives the theme
theme of the drama. “I
am
am quite
quite ready
ready to to earn
earn mymy own living whenever
own living whenever you you like,
like, ifif II may
may only learn
only learn
to
to shiver
shiver and
and shake,
shake, for for II don’t
don’t know
know howhow toto do
do that
that atat all.”
all.”
The sexton
The sexton of of the
the church,
church, as as momentary
momentary manifestation
manifestation of of the
the father
father
factor,
factor, offers
offers to
to help
help show
show the
the stupid
stupid son
son how
how toto tremble
tremble in in fear. Taking him
fear. Taking him
to
to his
his own
own house,
house, and
and teaching
teaching himhim to
to help
help ringing
ringing thethe church
church bells,
bells, he
he sends
sends
him out at midnight to go go toll the hour and masquerades as a ghost ghost at the top
of
of the
the steps in the
steps in the belfry. The literal—minded
belfry. The literal-minded Hans,
Hans, utterly
utterly devoid
devoid of of any
any ca-
ca—
pacity
pacity for
for fear
fear through
through hishis dissociate
dissociate anchorage
anchorage in in the
the depths
depths of of his
his own
own de-de—
viate potentiality,
viate potentiality, demands
demands to to know
know who who this visitant is,
this visitant is, and what he
and what wants,
he wants,
and
and threatens
threatens toto throw
throw him
him down
down thethe steps
steps unless
unless hehe answers.
answers. Repeating
Repeating this
this
thrice,
thrice, hehe proceeded
proceeded to to do
do so when the
so when the sexton
sexton remains
remains stillstill and
and silent
silent to
to
frighten
frighten him,
him, and
and soso breaking
breaking thethe sexton’s leg and
sexton’s leg and not
not even
even knowing
knowing that that he
he
95
95
had
had left
left him
him there
there helpless
helpless forfor the
the rest
rest of
of the
the night while he
night while goes home
he goes home to to
bed
bed and innocent sleep.
and innocent With this
sleep. With this exhibition
exhibition of of the
the boy’s
boy’s fecklessness
fecklessness thethe
father
father gives
gives him
him some
some money
money and and sends
sends him
him offoff never
never to to come
come back.
back. Hans
Hans
acquiesces
acquiesces cheerfully,
cheerfully, ever
ever taking
taking lifelife as it comes,
as it comes, and and the
the second
second of of the
the or-
or—
deals
deals of
of the
the two
two ofof this informal sort
this informal is when
sort is when in in complaining
complaining to to aa stranger
stranger
that
that he
he cannot
cannot shiver
shiver or
or shake
shake and and offering
offering his
his stake
stake ofof money
money to to anybody
anybody
who will
who will show
show himhim how
how hehe isis taken
taken to to spend
spend thethe night
night under
under aa gallows
gallows where
where
seven
seven malefactors
malefactors havehave been
been hunghung and left to
and left to dangle.
dangle. He He builds
builds aa fire
fire and
and
makes
makes himself
himself comfortable
comfortable under under them. Then he
them. Then he feels
feels sorry
sorry for
for them
them andand
takes
takes them
them downdown andand puts
puts them
them nearnear the
the fire
fire so
so they
they cancan be warm, but
be warm, but re-
re—
stores
stores them
them to to the gibbet when
the gibbet when they they merely
merely remain immobile and
remain immobile permit
and permit
their
their rags
rags toto burn.
burn. He
He has
has no
no more
more rapport with death
rapport with death than life, and
than life, and his
his feck-
feck—
lessness is his
lessness is his unensouled
unensouled efforts
efforts to to deal with experience.
deal with experience.
The ordeals
The ordeals reveal
reveal aa highly
highly occult
occult pattern
pattern ofof unfoldment
unfoldment to to self-
self—
realization
realization onon the various levels
the various levels of
of experience. The sexton
experience. The sexton tries
tries to
to quicken
quicken
him
him toto fear
fear as
as the
the symbol
symbol ofof actually
actually conscious
conscious participation in life
participation in life by
by aa sim-
sim—
ple
ple scare,
scare, and
and this is on
this is on the lower or
the lower or physical level and
physical level and of
of no value because
no value because
wholly superficial.
wholly The similar
superficial. The similar attempt
attempt to waken him to apprehension
to waken
through
through the the night with the
night with the hanged
hanged menmen isis on
on the
the mental level, and
mental level, and just
just as as
fruitless because without
without the depths of experience there is is no possibility of
reflection
reflection or truly self-conscious
self—conscious anticipation. Then Then it it is
is that Hans hears of
the
the offer
offer by by the
the king
king of
of his
his daughter
daughter in in marriage
marriage to to anyone
anyone who who will
will disen-
disen—
chant
chant aa castle
castle supposed
supposed to to contain great treasure
contain great treasure byby spending
spending aa nightnight there,
there,
and volunteers. In
and volunteers. In this
this threefold
threefold ordeal,
ordeal, symbolizing
symbolizing the the struggle
struggle ofof self
self to to
realize itself
itself on the astral or emotional and personal level level of human existence,
existence 3
he deals withwith recapitulations of of the

the physical
physical terrors
terrors the
the first
first night
night andand dis-
dis—
poses
poses ofof magical
magical cats
cats and
and dogs
dogs and
and shrugs
shrugs off
off the
the antics
antics ofof aa magic
magic bedbed inin his
his
usual
usual literal-minded
literal—minded fashion.
fashion. OnOn the
the second
second night
night he
he faces
faces a recapitulation of
the
the mental
mental threats
threats to
to aplomb
aplomb by by aa cheerful
cheerful participation
participation in in aa game
game of of nine-
nine—
pins with bones
pins with bones for
for the
the pins
pins and
and skulls
skulls for
for the
the balls,
balls, and
and undisturbed
undisturbed thatthat thethe
ten
ten men
men whomwhom he he joins
joins arrive
arrive down
down thethe chimney
chimney in in halves
halves before
before assuming
assuming
their ugly completeness. The The subordinate symbolism here is is rich, and of fa- fa—
miliar Teutonic
Teutonic substance. On the third night and with with experience on the
personality
personality level
level he
he spends
spends time with aa deceased
time with deceased cousin
cousin brought
brought in in resting
resting in in
his
his coffin,
coffin, trying
trying to warm him
to warm him to life and
to life and doing
doing soso but
but quickening
quickening him him to to aa
threat,
threat, and
and then
then having
having aa contest
contest ofof strength with an
strength with an old
old man
man inin substitution
substitution
for the cousin, all as dramatization of the need of self to justify itself itself in
in self-
self—
expenditure.
expenditure.
96
96
The spell
The spell on
on the
the castle is broken
castle is broken but it is
but it is when
when he
he becomes
becomes thethe hus-
hus—
band
band of
of the
the princess
princess that
that he
he achieves
achieves ensoulment
ensoulment or learns to
or learns to shiver
shiver and
and
shake
shake as
as she
she pours
pours cold water and
cold water little fish
and little fish upon
upon him
him at
at the
the suggestion
suggestion of
of
her
her maid. The personal
maid. The personal application is in
application is in the
the occult
occult maxim
maxim that
that aa reduction
reduction of
of
all
all matters
matters to
to the
the familiar is the
familiar is the secret
secret of
of all
all achievement.
achievement.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What in
What in this
this tale illustrates the
tale illustrates importance of
the importance of attitude
attitude inin any
any real
real
achievement?
achievement? GiveGive examples
examples of of this
this from your own
from your own experience.
experience.
(2)
(2) How
How may may the
the same
same principle
principle be illustrated in
be illustrated in modern
modern terminology
terminology
statistically? What is
statistically? What is the
the psychological importance of
psychological importance of this
this tale?
tale?
(3)
(3) What can
What you learn
can you learn from
from the
the Hans
Hans of of this
this story
story or
or aa Parsifal
Parsifal or
or other
other
similar
similar figure
figure about
about the
the basis
basis on which to
on which to judge
judge the
the spiritual potenti-
spiritual potenti—
ality
ality of
of any individual?
any individual?
(4)
(4) What occult
What occult pattern is evident
pattern is in the
evident in the ordeals
ordeals ofof Hans?
Hans? WhatWhat implica—
implica-
tions
tions are
are there
there of value to
of value you in
to you in your
your spiritual
spiritual seeking?
seeking?
(5)
(5) What is
What is the
the final
final dramatic
dramatic event
event of
of this
this tale? Why is
tale? Why is it
it aa fitting
fitting climax?
climax?
97
97
Lesson
3007, issued 9/15/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XXIII
FAIRY TALES XXIII
IRON
IRON HANS
HANS
Marc Edmund
Marc Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the eternal
eternal flux
flux of life or
of life or the
the essentially
essentially cy-
cy—
clic
clic nature
nature of of all
all reality. What man
reality. What gains is
man gains is self-fulfilling
self—fulfilling in in the gaining and
the gaining and
not in the
not in the possession,
possession, and and effort
effort toto settle
settle down
down to to enjoy
enjoy thethe fruits
fruits of of effort
effort
without some
without some continually
continually substantiating
substantiating concernconcern or or creative
creative rehearsal
rehearsal of of
every
every phase
phase of of pertinent
pertinent experience
the course
course of of his
his days
days means
means degen- degen—
eration
eration of of the
the self
self atat core
core andand so so aa gradual
gradual retreat
retreat towards
towards the inevitable
the inevitable
physical
physical dissolution
dissolution but but the
the not-at-all inevitable death.
not—at—all inevitable There must
death. There must be be aa spiral
spiral
evolution
evolution in in the
the conscious
conscious being being asas brought
brought to to focus
focus nownow on on one
one and and on on an-an—
other
other level
level of of the
the self-expression. Matching this
self—expression. Matching this aliveness
aliveness of of the
the being
being and and
the
the shifting
shifting of of orientation
orientation that is at
that is at once
once challenge
challenge and and ultimately
ultimately an an ever-
ever—
transcendent
transcendent realization
realization is is the
the kaleidoscopic
kaleidoscopic nature nature of of the
the phenomenon
phenomenon con- con—
stituting
stituting thethe external world of
external world of time
time and and space
space and and the internal realms
the internal realms of of ad-
ad—
justment
justment and and of of sheer
sheer adventure
adventure in in existence.
existence. Experience
Experience must must be be seen
seen by by
the
the aspirant
aspirant on on the
the Solar
Solar path
path asas participation
participation in in flux
flux and
and thethe fullest
fullest utiliza-
utiliza—
tion
tion of
of constants
constants and and substantialities
substantialities in in an
an appreciation
appreciation of of them
them in in their
their tran-
tran—
siency
siency or viability rather
or viability rather than
than inin any
any presumed
presumed static limitation or
static limitation or subordina-
subordina—
tion
tion to
to elements
elements whollywholly alienalien to
to their
their own
own nature.
nature. The The story
story of of Iron
Iron Hans
Hans
reveals a shifting structure that is is suggestive of the haphazard unfoldment of
some
some long
long dream
dream or or nightmare
nightmare and and in in its
its lack
lack of of the
the more
more common
common dramatic dramatic
unity
unity itit offers
offers aa symbolization
symbolization more more akinakin to to the
the accident
accident and and opportunity
opportunity
than
than the
the grooved
grooved conventionalities
conventionalities and and conditioned
conditioned course course of life. The
of life. The four-
four—
fold frame is is evident in in the patterning, but as in in the preceding analysis the
factors
factors other
other thanthan thethe developing
developing purposepurpose of of being
being are are relatively inactive or
relatively inactive or
present as background contribution and of concern only in in the occasional
necessity
necessity of of the
the details
details ofof the
the pilgrimage
pilgrimage of of the
the human
human entity
entity toto itsits effective
effective
grasp
grasp of itself and
of itself and itsits promise.
promise. HereHere the the delineation
delineation of of purpose
purpose or or the prince
the prince
factor
factor is is not
not approached
approached from from thethe perspective
perspective of of the
the nascent innocence of
nascent innocence of
the
the entity
entity before
before it it is
is fully
fully self-ensouled
self—ensouled in in terms
terms of witlessness or
of witlessness or thethe feck-
feck—
less fool whose
whose self-consistency
self—consistency leads leads to his final justification, but instead instead in in
the
the more
more usual
usual terms
terms of of the
the consciousness
consciousness that that must
must have
have continual vicarious
continual vicarious
98
98
experience
experience of its potentialities
of its potentialities before
before itit can
can move
move outout of its own
of its impulses
own impulses
and
and resources
resources in in any
any definite
definite fashion.
fashion. Here
Here the
the drama
drama is is in
in the lineaments of
the lineaments of
reticence
reticence as in contrast
as in with those
contrast with those of insensibility rooted
of insensibility rooted in in an
an overdesire
overdesire toto
please.
please. It is the
It is the case
case of
of sensibility
sensibility uncertain in its
uncertain in its deployment
deployment of itself, or
of itself, or aa
characteristic
characteristic lean
lean to to outer
outer support
support andand orientation
orientation rather
rather than inner and
than inner and
hence
hence aa simple
simple objectivity
objectivity as
as against
against the
the equally
equally simple
simple subjectivity. While still
subjectivity. While still
immaturity and
immaturity and lack
lack ofof any
any adult
adult discrimination
discrimination itit is
is an
an uninhibited
uninhibited respon-
respon—
siveness
siveness and
and not
not thethe parallel literal-mindedness. Action
parallel literal—mindedness. Action and and reaction
reaction are
are
spontaneous
spontaneous as as customary
customary in in childhood,
childhood, butbut associate
associate oror not
not dissociate.
dissociate.
The tale
The tale starts when aa first
starts when first king
king finds
finds hishis forest
forest enchanted,
enchanted, or or there
there is is
the
the rise
rise for
for thethe need
need of of experience
experience through
through its its ensoulment
ensoulment by by aa truly
truly self-
self—
conscious
conscious purpose.
purpose. The The second
second kingking as well as
as well as the
the real
real oror disenchanted
disenchanted Iron Iron
Hans
Hans at at the
the endend is is this
this same
same elder
elder masculine
masculine factorfactor of of order
order or whole orienta-
or whole orienta—
tion.
tion. He
He sends various people
sends various people and groups into
and groups into the
the forest,
forest, and
and none
none return.
return. In In
aa sort
sort of
of prelude
prelude episode
episode aa huntsman
huntsman as as aa preliminary
preliminary prince prince factor
factor comes
comes
and volunteers to
and volunteers investigate, and
to investigate, and finally
finally is is given
given permission
permission to to do do so.
so. HeHe
encounters
encounters the the magic
magic at at aa pond,
pond, or or aa symbol
symbol of of experience
experience as as at
at focus
focus in in par—
par-
ticularly
ticularly emotional
emotional or or personal
personal experience,
experience, and and drains
drains it it and in that
and in that captures
captures
the wild man
the wild man aspectaspect of of Iron
Iron Hans
Hans thatthat then
then is is placed
placed in in an iron cage
an iron cage at at the
the
palace.
palace. TheThe key key is is given
given to to the
the queen,
queen, and when the
and when wild man
the wild man isis released
released he he
takes
takes over
over thethe queen’s
queen’s function
function as as nature
nature and and itsits powers
powers and and potentialities,
potentialities,
acting
acting out
out ofof thethe forest
forest or general experience
or general experience in in its
its enchanted
enchanted or or unensouled
unensouled
state. The prince
state. The prince factorfactor as as hereafter
hereafter represented
the king’s
king’s son
son is is intro—
intro-
duced
duced at at the
the occultly
occultly significant
significant age age ofof eight,
eight, or immediately after
or immediately after thethe first
first
seven years of
seven years of mainly
mainly cradled
cradled maturation.
maturation. Three Three times times the boy loses loses his ball
in the cage and Iron Hans finally
in gets him to steal the key and release him in
finally gets in
payment
payment for for thethe return
return of of thethe balls. And then,
balls. And when the
then, when youngster is
the youngster is in
in fear
fear
of
of dire
dire punishment,
punishment, Iron Iron Hans
Hans takes
takes him
him away
away to to thethe forest with him.
forest with him. AsAs thethe
prelude is is a sort of vicarious
vicarious or firstfirst ordeal covering the consciousness cra- cra—
dling
dling oror essentially
essentially social social conditioning
conditioning first first period
period of of seven years
years in in human
growth,
growth, so so thethe second
second is is the groping and
the groping and experimenting
experimenting time time through
through the the
second
second seven
seven yearsyears as as symbolized
symbolized with with thethe play
play and interchange with
and interchange with the man
in the cage and the temptation or
in or sense
sense of of necessity
necessity to to open
open thethe cage
cage andand
release the raw potentials of experience in in much the fashion of the myth of
Pandora
Pandora and and her her box.
box.
The third
The third set
set of
of ordeals,
ordeals, consisting
consisting of
of three
three separate
separate tests
tests as in the
as in the
second
second set
set and in the
and in the fourth
fourth to
to come with the
come with the threefold
threefold always the symbol of
activity
activity or
or the
the possibility
possibility of
of chance
chance and
and choice in self-expression,
choice in self-expression, now
now brings
brings
the
the focus
focus ofof potential
potential experience
experience for
for the
the nascent
nascent purpose
purpose or
or prince
prince factor
factor on
on
99
99
the
the level
level ofof the
the feelings
feelings or what in
or what in occultism
occultism is is the
the astral
astral plane
plane and what in
and what in
overall
overall consideration
consideration is is the
the conscious
conscious or or definitely individual personality
definitely individual personality thatthat
can
can be
be refined
refined or or by initiation brought
by initiation brought to to an immortal survival
an immortal survival inin continuous
continuous
and
and self-directed
self—directed exercise
exercise of itself. Required
of itself. Required of of the
the prince
prince factor
factor byby Iron
Iron
Hans
Hans or or the
the substitute
substitute queen
queen element
element or or the
the necessity
necessity of of nature itself is
nature itself is aa re-
re—
fraining
fraining from instinctive or
from instinctive or unthought
unthought or or unrealized
unrealized act act that
that might pollute
might pollute
the
the spring
spring by which things
by which things are are transmuted
transmuted from from baser
baser makeup
makeup to to the gold
the gold
that
that represents
represents perfection
perfection or or aa divine
divine realization
realization and and establishment.
establishment. A A finger
finger
and
and then
then aa hair
hair and
and then
then the whole of
the whole of the
the hair
hair are
are turned
turned to gold, to
to gold, indicate
to indicate
that
that the
the expanding
expanding selfhood
selfhood has has begun
begun to to embrace
embrace phases
phases of of experience
experience thatthat
it as
it yet is
as yet is unable
unable toto substantiate within itself
substantiate within itself except
except inin shadowlike
shadowlike fashion,
fashion,
and
and the
the punishment
punishment like like that
that for
for eating
eating thethe fruit
fruit of
of the
the tree
tree prematurely
prematurely in in
the
the Garden
Garden of of Eden
Eden is is expulsion
expulsion out into the
out into the hard world of
hard world of everyday inter-
everyday inter—
change
change among
among people
people at large. Now
at large. Now the the prince
prince factor
factor isis out
out of
of adolescence
adolescence
and
and purpose
purpose must
must prove itself.
prove itself.
Without resources
Without resources or or friends
friends the youth or
the youth or prince
prince factor
factor must
must seekseek
work
work wherever
wherever he
he can
can find
find it,
it, and
and at
at length
length he
he goes
goes to
to the
the castle
castle he
he encoun-
encoun—
ters in his
ters in wanderings and
his wanderings and isis accepted
accepted as as aa cook’s
cook’s assistant.
assistant. But when in
But when in time
time
he is
is sent with
with food to the royal table he refuses to remove the cap that con- con—
ceals
ceals his
his golden
golden hair,
hair, and
and thethe cook is told
cook is told to get rid
to get rid of
of him.
him. But
But he is permit—
he is permit-
ted
ted to
to stay
stay on
on to
to assist
assist the gardener, and
the gardener, and the
the princess
princess catches
catches the gleam from
the gleam from
his hair through her window window and asks that he bring flowers flowers up to her. Again Again
he refuses to remove his cap, cap, butbut she
she suddenly grabs it
suddenly grabs it off
off and
and this is the
this is the be-
be—
ginning of the role of the soul factor in in a symbolization of the ensouling of
the
the being
being andand the
the effective
effective steeling
steeling of of the
the purpose.
purpose. AboutAbout thisthis time
time thethe king
king
is threatened by an invading
is invading enemyenemy and and the youth wants
the youth wants to to join
join the warriors,
the warriors,
but
but they will not
they will give him
not give him anything
anything but but aa lame
lame old
old horse.
horse. He He has
has been
been told
told byby
Iron Hans that he may return to the forest at any time for help, thus showing
that with ensoulment
that with ensoulment it it is
is possible
possible forfor the
the self
self to
to draw
draw effectively
effectively on on itsits re-
re—
sources
sources in in experience
experience and its fundamental
and its fundamental potentials
potentials for for experience.
experience. In In most
most
familiar fairy-tale
fairy—tale fashion the prince or purpose is is supplied with with a real charger
and
and also
also an
an escort
escort ofof troops
troops in in heavy
heavy mail
mail and
and hehe thus
thus saves
saves the
the king
king and
and his
his
kingdom,
kingdom, but but of
of course
course rides
rides off off and like aa Cinderella
and like Cinderella remains
remains undiscovered
undiscovered
in the garden working
in working away as as always.
always. ToTo find
find the
the knight
knight forfor the princess aa
the princess
great
great series
series of
of feasts
feasts areare arranged,
arranged, and and toto each
each of of these
these he goes in
he goes in different
different
colored
colored attire,
attire, but
but as yet he
as yet is not
he is not enough
enough himself
himself to to declare
declare himself.
himself.
Then it
Then it is
is that
that the
the princess
princess or
or soul
soul has
has aa way,
way, and
and sends
sends for
for the gar-
the gar—
dener’s
dener’s assistant
assistant since
since the
the knight’s golden hair
knight’s golden hair has
has been
been seen
seen and
and that
that fact
fact
gives her the clue. The The happy ending is is the marriage, and to the wedding
wedding
100
lOO
feast
feast comes
comes Iron
Iron Hans
Hans asas a great king
a great king now
now released
released from
from his
his enchantment.
enchantment.
The personal
The personal application is in
application is in the
the realization
realization that
that man is forever
man is forever held in en-
held in en—
chantment
chantment by
by failing
failing to
to master
master his
his own
own experience.
experience.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What is
What is the implication for
the implication you of
for you of the
the realization
realization that
that experience
experience on
on
the
the Solar
Solar path is participation
path is in flux?
participation in According to
flux? According what occult
to What prin-
occult prin—
ciple
ciple must
must youyou meet
meet the
the challenge involved?
challenge involved?
(2)
(2) How
How does
does the
the dramatic
dramatic emphasis
emphasis in in this
this story
story differ
differ from
from that
that of
of the
the
preceding
preceding one?
one? On what qualities
On What qualities isis the
the emphasis
emphasis placed
placed inin the
the two
two
stories?
stories?
(3)
(3) How
How is is the
the first
first ordeal
ordeal typical
typical of
of the
the early
early development
development of of any indi-
any indi—
vidual? What
vidual? What change
change isis marked
marked by by the
the third
third set
set of
of ordeals?
ordeals?
(4)
(4) What marks
What marks thethe end
end of
of adolescence
adolescence in in an individual? How
an individual? How does
does Iron
Iron
Hans
Hans inin the
the end
end find
find himself?
himself?
(5)
(5) What final
What final lessons
lessons andand challenge
challenge does
does Iron
Iron Hans
Hans have
have for
for the
the Sabian
Sabian
aspirant?
aspirant?
101
lOl
Lesson
3008, issued 9/22/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XXIV
FAIRY TALES XXIV
THE WATER
THE WATER OF LIFE
OF LIFE
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the true
true manner
manner or or divine
divine sustainment
sustainment of life,
of life,
or with the
or with the symbolism
symbolism of of bread
bread and water primarily.
and water primarily. AsAs the
the symbols
symbols become
become
more
more sophisticated
sophisticated in in the
the evolution
evolution of living forms
of living forms and
and finally
finally ofof aa conscious
conscious
humanity,
humanity, the water is
the water is changed into wine
changed into wine whether
whether in in spiritual
spiritual dramatization
dramatization
as with the
as with the first
first miracle
miracle of Jesus at
of Jesus at Cana
Cana in in Galilee
Galilee or with the
or with the rise
rise of
of the
the
formally
formally sacramental
sacramental eucharist
eucharist because
because of of the
the suggestiveness
suggestiveness of of the
the blood
blood asas
the
the fluid
fluid tissue
tissue ofof higher
higher organism
organism in in the
the juice
juice of
of the grape. Under
the grape. Moses the
Under Moses the
Hebrews
Hebrews subsisted
subsisted on on aa literal
literal manna
manna of which the
of which later sacrament
the later sacrament of of the
the
Christian
Christian church
church is is aa token
token or or catalytic
catalytic representation,
representation, and and it it was
was the great
the great
lawgiver whowho struck the rock rock to to produce
produce the water for
the water for them
them even
even if if this was
this was
in a fit
in fit of temper and hence an unfortunate presumption that helped deny
him any entrance into into the
the promised
promised land. land. Water
Water is is known
known to to occultists
occultists as as
pure
pure astral
astral fluid,
fluid, and
and in in its
its ownown state
state or in organic
or in organic modification
modification as as blood
blood or or
other
other bodily
bodily liquids
liquids itit is
is aa principal
principal basisbasis ofof operative
operative magic.
magic. In In the
the form
form of of
oil it
it is
is of great assistance in in spiritual
spiritual healing.
healing. The The elixir
elixir of life sought
of life sought by by
Ponce
Ponce de de Leon
Leon hashas been
been familiar
familiar to to every
every schoolboy,
schoolboy, and and the
the quest
quest for for this
this
healing water is
healing water is not
not only
only the the foundation
foundation of of this
this story
story but
but in in the work of
the work of
Solomon
Solomon ben Judah Ibn
ben Judah Ibn Gabirol
Gabirol in in his
his unfinished
unfinished Fountain
Fountain of Life Life isis the in—in-
tellectual
tellectual base
base of of all
all Sabian inquiry and
Sabian inquiry and hashas analysis
analysis in in the
the series
series of lessons
of lessons
that
that now
now come
come nextnext inin the
the philosophy
philosophy cycle. There is
cycle. There is here
here the
the same
same tradition
tradition
found in in the New Testament
Testament with with the psychic or psychological feeding of the
multitudes withwith the single loaf loaf inin physical or literal
literal terms, inin the higher sym- sym—
bolization
bolization of of the
the central
central theme
theme of of the
the remarkable
remarkable book book of Deuteronomy or
the
the redoubled
redoubled giving
giving or or ultimately
ultimately ritualistic
ritualistic realization
realization of of higher
higher reality
reality inin the
the
principle that man does not live live by bread alone, and so the rounding out of
the
the understanding
the true
true manna
manna in in the
the Old Testament. Bread
Old Testament. Bread in in symbol
symbol
is the pure substance of experience as water
is water similarly is is the pure substance of
selfhood
selfhood in in its
its continuity
continuity and and actuality
actuality of of existence.
existence. TheThe breath
breath of of course
course is is
the
the presence
presence of of the
the divine
divine element
element in in being,
being, and
and this
this element
element of of the
the symbol-
symbol—
ism is
ism is only touched indirectly
indirectly in in the
the tale
tale as
as the
the king
king faces
faces death
death or or the
the cessa-
cessa—
102
102
tion
tion ofof breath.
breath. But
But the
the fire
fire element
element is is of importance in
of importance in the
the events
events inin the
the form
form
of
of the
the all-conquering
all—conquering sword
sword or or the
the manifestation
manifestation of of the
the ultimate
ultimate breath
breath in in
specific
specific expression
expression of itself in
of itself in the will-to-be of
the will—to—be of the individual entity
the individual entity or or of
of
simple
simple purpose
purpose oror definite
definite self-direction
self—direction and and self-projection.
self—projection. The The king
king factor
factor
in the
in the general
general structure
structure ofof this
this fairy
fairy tale is passive,
tale is passive, but
but represented
represented is is the
the need
need
for
for ultimate
ultimate oror eternal
eternal reality
reality to
to express itself or
express itself or project itself through
project itself through the the
process
process of of creation
creation shown when the
shown when the sons
sons or
or three
three selves
selves ofof man
man seek
seek toto sub-
sub—
stantiate
stantiate or or establish
establish themselves
themselves in in time-and-space
time—and—space reality. The prince
reality. The prince factor
factor
of
of the
the underlying
underlying patterning
patterning is is revealed
revealed in in the
the subjective
subjective ordeal
ordeal inin bringing
bringing
his
his three
three selves into an
selves into an adult
adult and
and effective
effective unity,
unity, as well as
as well as meeting
meeting thethe chal-
chal—
lenges
lenges established
established by
by the
the natural
natural course
course of of things
things as
as he
he finds
finds himself
himself and
and jus-
jus—
tifies
tifies his
his conscious
conscious existence.
existence.
Dramatizing
Dramatizing this this struggle
struggle of of the
the purpose
purpose to to order itself, the
order itself, prince or
the prince or
central
central self is portrayed
self is portrayed as as stupid
stupid or innocent and
or innocent and trusting
trusting in in parallel with the
parallel with the
two
two preceding
preceding analyses.
analyses. TheThe false
false self
self or
or outer indulgence and
outer indulgence and dissipation
dissipation
through
through the the habit
habit nature
nature and and thethe shadow
shadow self,
self, or inner indulgence
or inner indulgence through through
fantasy
fantasy or or effort
effort at
at escape
escape and and aa flight
flight from
from reality,
reality, are
are seen
seen as as the
the two
two broth-
broth—
ers whose motives
ers whose motives areare ulterior
ulterior and whose desires
and whose desires are
are for
for reward
reward by by favoritism
favoritism
or
or chicanery
chicanery rather
rather than
than honest
honest effort
effort and
and sincerity
sincerity of of any
any sort. Theirs is
sort. Theirs is the
the
look
look toto the
the greener
greener pastures
pastures far far afield
afield asas characteristic
characteristic of of the
the superficial
superficial andand
essential
essential selfish
selfish or
or unquickened
unquickened seekers who make
seekers who make up up the outer fringe of the
profane mysteries in in occultism. The The dwarf represents the voice voice of nature or
the
the queen
queen factor, with the
factor, with the external littleness to
external littleness yield aa clue
to yield clue to to his inner stature,
his inner stature,
and because the two brothers each in in turn dismiss him as of no consequence
and
and brush
brush himhim aside
aside they
they are
are punished
punished by by natural gravitation of
natural gravitation of all
all events
events in in
life to their hopeless positions in in a ravine or a cul-de-sac
cul—de—sac of experience gener— gener-
ally. The iron
ally. The iron wand
wand given
given the
the prince
prince by by the
the dwarf
dwarf is is the
the first
first form
form of of the
the
sword,
sword, andand isis purpose
purpose as yet unsharpened
as yet unsharpened by its own
by its own maturation. Following
the
the dwarf’s
dwarfs directions
directions the the prince
prince throws loaves of
throws loaves of bread
bread to to the lions, or
the lions, or the
the
voracious appetite
voracious appetite of of nature
nature for whatever fails
for whatever fails toto fit into
into the scheme of
things
things as when inactive
as when inactive organisms
organisms proceed
proceed to to decay
decay and and so so on. Thus the
on. Thus the
prince obtains the water water of life life but narrowly escapes failure in in his mission
through
through the the temptation
temptation of of the
the magic
magic bedbed or invitation to
or invitation to rest
rest on laurels
on laurels
rather
rather than
than knowing
knowing the the price
price of
of any
any phase
phase of
of reality
reality isis continuance
continuance in in the
the act
act
of that particular reality, or or being
being it it by
by being
being best
best atat being
being it it always.
always.
The princess
The is ready
princess is ready to give herself
to give herself to
to the
the prince,
prince, as
as aa symbolization
symbolization
of
of the
the ensoulment
ensoulment that gives purpose
that gives its actual
purpose its actual power
power and validation, but
and validation, but he
he
must wait
wait a year
year and then return to claim her. The The repetition of experience in in
cyclic
cyclic significance is ritual
significance is in an
ritual in an overall
overall sense
sense or
or as
as properly
properly understood, or inin
103
103
simple
simple terms
terms is is aa persistence
persistence in in living
living significantly
significantly or or atat all
all times
times forfor the glory
the glory
of
of God
God or or for
for thethe consummation
consummation of of things wonderful and
things wonderful and exalted
exalted such such as as
make
make ordinary
ordinary being being of of no worth and
no worth and exceptional
exceptional self-projection
self-projection alone alone any any
basis
basis forfor conscious
conscious self-realization.
self—realization. The The sustainment
sustainment of individuality cannot
of individuality cannot
be
be mere
mere breadbread but but must
must be be the
the higher
higher manna manna of of the
the nourishment
nourishment for for the
the
spirit,
spirit, and
and even
even on on the lowest of
the lowest levels the
of levels the operation
operation of of this
this principle
principle is is to
to be
be
seen
seen in in instances
instances of inordinate ambition.
of inordinate ambition. Indeed,Indeed, the the apparent
apparent prosperity
prosperity of of
evil is actually
evil is actually no no more
more thanthan thethe duedue results
results of of close
close and and determined
determined attention
attention
to
to one’s
one’s own own business
business at at any
any cost. And by
cost. And by the
the same
same tokentoken the water of
the water life
of life
cannot
cannot just
just be
be stored
stored away
away and
and be
be expected
expected to
to retain
retain its
its magical
magical powers.
powers. The
The
prince
prince has has obtained
obtained it it but
but has has not yet learned
not yet learned to live the
to live the retaining
retaining in in his
his own
own
creative
creative acts acts or or projection
projection out out in in common
common experience
experience in in terms
terms of of creative
creative
contribution
contribution to to any
any total
total reality.
reality. ButBut thethe heart
heart of
of the
the prince
prince is is right
right even
even if if his
his
discrimination
discrimination is is of
of aa low
low order,
order, and and he he pleads with the
pleads with the dwarf
dwarf for for the
the release
release
of
of his
his brothers
brothers and and thus
thus takes
takes home
home with with himhim thethe samesame feckless weaknesses
feckless weaknesses
of immaturity that
of immaturity that had
had only only defeated
defeated themselves
themselves before before and and now would be
now would be
able
able toto defeat
defeat him. him. Before
Before rescuing
rescuing the the shadow
shadow and and false
false selves
selves inin this
this fash-
fash—
ion he
ion he has
has opportunity
opportunity three three times
times on on the way to
the way to use
use thethe sword
sword he he has
has been
been
given
given in in the
the enchanted
enchanted castle where the
castle where water is
the water is obtained,
obtained, and and to to defeat
defeat pow—pow-
erful enemies of three friendly kings by whom whom he is is entertained, and also in in
the
the three instances to
three instances to use
use the the magic
magic loaf loaf hehe has
has obtained
obtained to to carry
carry the
the three
three
peoples
peoples through
through aa time time of of famine.
famine. Thus Thus he he begins
begins to to find
find himself
himself on on thethe
three
three levels.
levels. But But then
then thethe brothers
brothers trick trick himhim andand taketake away
away the the three
three magic
magic
elements
elements of of the water, loaf
the water, loaf andand sword,
sword, and and he
he isis disgraced
disgraced while while hishis father
father is is
healed.
healed. Sent Sent outout to to be
be killed
killed for what has
for what has been
been mademade to to seem
seem aa plot
plot against
against
his
his father,
father, the the huntsman
huntsman sent sent to to dispose
dispose of of him
him does
does not not do do soso asas so
so often
often in in
these
these stories,
stories, and when three
and when three expeditions
expeditions arrive arrive at at the
the king’s
king’s palace with great
palace with great
gifts for the prince in in token of his service to the kings on the way way home in in
stress
stress of of combat
combat and and famine
famine it it is
is evident
evident that that thethe prince
prince is is innocent.
innocent. Then Then
the
the huntsman
huntsman confessesconfesses that that the
the prince
prince was was not
not killed,
killed, andand efforts
efforts areare made
made
to
to call
call him
him homehome and and reinstate
reinstate him him but without avail.
but without avail.
When the
When year is
the year is up,
up, and
and itit is
is time
time toto claim
claim the
the princess,
princess, each
each of
of the
the
brothers
brothers sets
sets off
off to
to do
do so.
so. But
But she
she has
has prepared
prepared aa golden
golden road
road as
as aa test. Ava-
test. Ava—
riciousness would notice
riciousness would its value
notice its value and
and seek
seek to
to preserve it for
preserve it later possession
for later possession
by
by being
being careful
careful not
not toto ride
ride aa horse
horse on on itit and
and possibly
possibly depreciate its value,
depreciate its value, but
but
true-heartedness
true—heartedness wouldwould be be sensitive
sensitive ofof nothing
nothing but
but the waiting princess
the waiting princess andand
gallop
gallop right
right over
over itit unheeding.
unheeding. In In this
this prelude
prelude to to ensoulment
ensoulment of of purpose
purpose is is
the
the personal
personal application,
application, oror aa realization
realization thatthat senses
senses symbolized
the horse
horse
are
are toto serve
serve the
the higher
higher aspiration
aspiration or or true love and
true love and are
are not
not toto be
be subordinate
subordinate
to
to lesser
lesser greed.
greed.
104
104
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) To the
To the occultist what are
occultist What are the importance and
the importance and the
the symbolism
symbolism of water?
of water?
Of water changed
Of water into Wine?
changed into wine?
(2)
(2) With bread
With what does
bread What does the
the symbolism
symbolism of water become?
of water become? How How does
does
understanding
understanding of of these
these elements lead to
elements lead to understanding
the true
true
manna
manna of of the
the Old Testament?
Old Testament?
(3)
(3) What central
What central purpose
purpose isis the
the basis
basis of
of the
the symbolism
symbolism in in this
this story?
story?
How
How does
does itit develop?
develop?
(4)
(4) Why is
Why is significant
significant experience
experience always
always cyclical? What does
cyclical? What does this
this mean?
mean?
What is
What is the
the source
source of
of sustainment
sustainment forfor the individual Who
the individual who so lives?
so lives?
(5)
(5) What threefold
What threefold pattern
pattern of
of ordeals is found
ordeals is found inin this
this story?
story? How
How does it
does it
compare with that
compare with in previous
that in previous ones?
ones? How
How does it all
does it all end? With What
end? With what
implications for
implications for the
the seeker?
seeker?
105
105
Lesson
3009, issued 9/29/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XXV
FAIRY TALES XXV
THE MAIDEN
THE WITHOUT HANDS
MAIDEN WITHOUT HANDS
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the power
power of
of evil
evil or with the
or with the compulsions
compulsions or
or
general
general pressures
pressures that
that are
are suffered
suffered by
by humanity when there
humanity when is an
there is inadequate
an inadequate
orientation
orientation to to the
the pertinent
pertinent patterns
patterns of of reality
reality in in experience.
experience. What What is is encoun-
encoun—
tered
tered here
here is is the
the puzzling
puzzling shiftsshifts in in what
what to to the
the mind
mind are are the
the positives
positives and and
negatives
negatives of of circumstances
circumstances and and events.
events. It would seem
It would seem to to the
the untrained
untrained mindmind
that
that thethe approach
approach to to simplicity
simplicity in in understanding
understanding is is byby the
the recognition
recognition of of
sharp
sharp blacks
blacks and
and whites
whites in
in all
all phenomena
phenomena whereas
whereas in
in fact
fact there
there are
are many
many
kinds of positive and hence as many negative. The The negative may be the lack lack
of
of the
the positive,
positive, or or passivity
passivity in in respect
respect to it, or
to it, or nono more
more than than complementa-
complementa—
tion
tion of of the
the moment
moment or or the
the particular
particular point
point of view, and
of view, and so so on into endless
on into endless
modification.
modification. What What is is important
important here here then
then is is the
the continuing
continuing realization
realization of of
what has
what has been
been brought
brought out out in in these
these analyses,
analyses, or or the
the factfact that when some
that when some
given
given aspect
aspect of individuality ceases
of individuality ceases to to act
act oror react
react in in its
its own
own behalf
behalf in in any
any
case
case an immediate result
an immediate result is is that
that aa counter
counter activity
activity or or resistance
resistance at at once
once takes
takes
over. Thus in
over. Thus in the
the organism
organism aa cessation
cessation of of the life activities
the life activities opens
opens the way for
the way for
the
the processes
processes of of decay
decay or or nature’s
nature’s recall
recall of
of her
her substances
substances to to her general res-
her general res—
ervoir
ervoir forfor the
the sustainment
sustainment of of the living functions.
the living functions. In In such
such aa case
case the positive
the positive
disintegration
disintegration is is negative
negative continuance
continuance for for the
the flesh
flesh no longer ensouled
no longer ensouled by its
by its
phase of individuality.
individuality. The The present story comes close to a chronicle of merci- merci—
less
less persecution
persecution of virtue and
of virtue innocence, and
and innocence, and in in this
this itit of
of course
course reflects
reflects the
the
human
human attitude
attitude toward
toward lifelife asas essentially
essentially misery
misery and and sure increase of
sure increase of suffering
suffering
from which
which no relief is is possible except by divine intervention. intervention. The The lesson
lesson
taught
taught is is that
that the
the rewards
rewards of living are
of living are to
to those
those who who livelive with
with allall their
their heart
heart
and
and soul
soul and
and mind,
mind, as as suggested
suggested strongly
strongly in in the
the preceding
preceding analyses,
analyses, and and that
that
this
this reward
reward is is proportionate
proportionate to to the
the effort
effort andand the grooving of
the grooving of the
the effort
effort inin
the
the general
general convenience
convenience and and in in no way aa consequence
no way consequence of of the innate or
the innate purely
or purely
negative
negative moralmoral excellence
excellence or or spiritual
spiritual makeup
makeup at at the
the core
core of of the
the being. The
being. The
unusual
unusual stress
stress of of all
all this
this byby thethe narrative
narrative is is through
through its its plot
plot pattern
pattern withwith the
the
doubled
doubled or or complementary
complementary suffering suffering of of the
the prince
prince factor
factor represented
represented at at first
first
by
by the
the miller
miller andand then
then by by thethe king who marries
king who marries the the miller’s
miller’s daughter,
daughter, and and
106
106
secondly
secondly by
by the
the princess
princess factor
factor or
or this long-suffering daughter
this long—suffering daughter as
as aa maid
maid and
and
then
then aa queen
queen and
and mother. The unending
mother. The unending chain
chain of
of calamity with its
calamity with its punctua—
punctua-
tions
tions of
of momentary
momentary and and narrow
narrow escapes
escapes andand measures
measures of of amelioration
amelioration isis
sharpened
sharpened asas standing
standing between
between thethe element
element of of the
the fundamental
fundamental kingking factor
factor
represented
represented byby the guardian fairies
the guardian fairies and
and angels
angels that
that may
may offer
offer positive
positive acts
acts of
of
help
help up
up to
to aa point
point but
but that
that mainly
mainly areare standby
standby inin nature
nature and
and possessed
possessed only
only
of
of the
the one
one uncompromising
uncompromising positive
positive ofof the
the attraction
attraction or
or the
the drawing
drawing ofof the
the
self-consciousness
self—consciousness upwards
upwards towards
towards itsits final
final divine
divine estate.
estate. Directly positive is
Directly positive is
the
the queen
queen factor in the
factor in wizard as
the wizard as pulling
pulling everything
everything down into experience.
down into experience.
The miller
The miller has has become
become very very poor,
poor, or or isis exhibiting
exhibiting the the fruits
fruits of inade-
of inade—
quate
quate orientation
orientation or or effort,
effort, and
and hence
hence the voice of
the voice of nature
nature in in the wizard plays
the wizard plays
Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles and and tempts
tempts the the purpose
purpose with with immediate
immediate riches riches in in exchange
exchange
for what seems
for what seems to to be be aa mere
mere surrender
surrender of of perhaps
perhaps an an apple
apple treetree oror the
the nega-
nega—
tive
tive productivity
productivity of of nature
nature as as such
such but which turns
but which turns out
out to to be
be the
the princess
princess fac-
fac—
tor
tor oror soul
soul or or the
the chance
chance for for ensoulment.
ensoulment. It It again
again is is the
the recourse
recourse to to the
the
greener
greener pastures
pastures expectation
expectation of of richness
richness by by aa process
process of luck or
of luck or remote
remote fa- fa—
voritism.
voritism. The
The maiden
maiden however
however moves
moves to
to protect
protect herself
herself by
by a
a rehearsal
rehearsal or
or
ritualization
ritualization of of her
her own own purity,
purity, andand hence
hence she she no less has
no less has reliance
reliance on on aa nega-
nega—
tive
tive or
or aa remoteness
remoteness from immediate experience
from immediate experience or issue. This
or issue. This defeats
defeats thethe
ensoulment
purpose completely
completely for for the
the time,
time, and
and the the procession
procession of of ca-
ca—
lamities begins. The The claim for the maiden was was to be met in in three years,
years, or the
cycle
cycle ofof travel
travel inin three
three realms
realms in in which
which personality
personality may may be be exercised
exercised in in aa to-
to—
tality
tality of itself, but
of itself, but the the soul
soul here
here protects itself with
protects itself with thethe magic
magic ring ring of purity
of purity
established
established by by the
the whitewhite chalk.
chalk. TheThe miller
miller isis told
told toto take water away
take water away from
from her,
her,
to
to prevent
prevent the the ritualistic
ritualistic cleansing
cleansing of of the
the hands,
hands, but but sheshe achieves
achieves the the same
same
result with her
result with her tears.
tears. ThenThen it it is
is demanded
demanded that that hehe cut
cut off
off her
her hands,
hands, andand she
she
like Isaac to Abraham
Abraham tells the miller he must do so but again defeats the
wizard with
wizard with herher tears.
tears. NowNow however
however she she cannot
cannot staystay atat home
home wherewhere sheshe has
has
been
been betrayed
betrayed to to thethe horrors
horrors rather
rather than
than exaltation
exaltation of life. Because
of life. Because all all this
this has
has
been
been unrealistic
unrealistic in in anyany true
true sense
sense she she must
must plunge
plunge intointo experience, and her
real
real trials
trials begin.
begin. In In the garden of
the garden of the
the king,
king, whowho supplants
supplants the the miller
miller asas the
the
prince factor or represents a step forward in in level
level of realization since here
there
there isis material wealth of
material wealth of proper
proper foundation
foundation but but as yet no
as yet no psychological
psychological ma- ma—
turity,
turity, she
she isis helped
helped by by her guardian fairy
her guardian fairy or
or angel
angel that
that attends
attends her her henceforth
henceforth
so
so that
that experience
experience while while deepening
deepening her her does
does not not harm
harm her seriously. In taking
nourishment from the tree as in in Eden she comes to the attention of the king
by
by aa reverse
reverse of of the the Eden
Eden symbolism,
symbolism, and and he he marries
marries her. This This begins en- en—
soulment,
soulment, but but so so far what positive
far what positive action
action there
there hashas been
been is is the
the negative-like
negative—like
protection of itselfitself by the soul with the
soul with the help
help of of the
the over-orientation
over-orientation or or basic
basic
king factor in in fairies
fairies and and angels.
angels.
107
107
The king
The who is
king who is the
the prince
prince factor
factor from
from this
this point
point must
must now
now suffer in
suffer in
actuality,
actuality, and when he
and when is away
he is away andand aa baby is born
baby is born the wizard of
the wizard of the
the challenge
challenge
to
to depth
depth of
of experience
experience fromfrom thethe basic
basic queen
queen factor
factor isis able
able by intercepted and
by intercepted and
false
false notes
notes to
to mislead
mislead thethe absent
absent kingking and
and precipitate
precipitate aa thrusting
thrusting ofof the
the hand-
hand—
less
less queen
queen even
even more
more deeply into experience.
deeply into experience. SheShe finds
finds aa haven
haven inin the woods
the woods
or
or the very heart
the very heart ofof human
human experience
experience in in aa little
little house
house provided
provided by by the
the an-
an—
gelic
gelic guardians
guardians and
and here
here there
there isis aa miracle in the
miracle in the restoration
restoration of of her
her hands,
hands, but
but
now
now herher role is largely
role is largely passive
passive and and her
her suffering
suffering the the building
building upup of
of con-
con—
sciousness
sciousness such
such as will have
as will weight and
have weight and self-stabilization
self—stabilization sufficient
sufficient for
for the
the
real
real ensoulment
ensoulment of of the
the purpose
purpose or or the
the king
king whowho as as father
father ofof her
her child
child isis
linked with her
linked with in the
her in the creativity
creativity thatthat must
must have
have itsits final
final manifestation
manifestation in in the
the
unified
unified selfhood
selfhood oror the
the effective
effective ensoulment
purpose or or the
the prince
prince factor
factor
now
now becoming
becoming positive
positive in in the
the direct
direct effort
effort for
for self-realization.
self—realization.
A point
A point of very great
of very great significance
significance that that isis brought
brought outout here is that
here is that the
the
angelic
angelic forces
forces or or the
the divine
divine help
help through intervention in
through intervention in the
the affairs
affairs of
of the
the
time-and-space
time—and—space world world can can be little more
be little more thanthan palliation
palliation or or strengthening
strengthening to to
the
the purpose
purpose and and appreciation
appreciation of of manman in in some
some innerinner or wholly psychological
or wholly psychological
fashion. The The call to what what is is here the good good influence
influence in in every respect must be
aa direct
direct and
and conscious
conscious appeal appeal or invitation to
or invitation intercede, precisely
to intercede, precisely as is true
as is true
when it
when it is
is desired
desired to to entertain
entertain or or have
have thethe cooperation
cooperation of of essentially
essentially evil
evil oror
self-indulgent
self—indulgent or or debasing
debasing naturenature as as dramatized interestingly in
dramatized interestingly in Bram
Bram Stoker’s
Stoker’s
Dracula.
Dracula. Goodness
Goodness is is its
its own
own reward
reward only only in in the
the sense it provides
sense it provides an an enjoy-
enjoy—
ment
ment or or aa subconscious
subconscious sense sense of of superiority
superiority psychologically
psychologically and instruments
and instruments
an
an easier interconnection with
easier interconnection with the the affairs
affairs and interests of
and interests of other people. It
other people. It
does
does not
not inin any way provide
any way provide any any preemption
preemption on on divinity
divinity oror nature
nature toto rush
rush to to
its assistance
its when it
assistance when it gets
gets into
into trouble,
trouble, or is not
or is not treated in the
treated in the fashion
fashion aa given
given
individual feels it
individual it should be. The The so-called
so—called good good are so frequently long— long-
suffering
suffering because
because they they tendtend toto take
take tootoo much
much for granted on
for granted on the
the one
one hand
hand
and
and are
are too inclined to
too inclined less adequate
to less adequate self-exertion
self—exertion than than their less worthy
their less worthy fel-fel—
lows engaged in in more adequate
adequate struggle
struggle withwith their
their deficiencies.
deficiencies.
The striking
The striking feature
feature of
of this
this fairy
fairy tale is the
tale is the symbolism
symbolism of
of the
the hands.
hands.
Fundamentally
Fundamentally the
the soul
soul factor is portrayed
factor is portrayed asas defeated in nearly
defeated in nearly all it could
all it could
do
do because
because deprived
deprived of of these
these members,
members, and and this
this points
points up
up the
the need
need for
for the
the
purpose
purpose factor
factor not in any
not in any sense
sense for
for service
service to
to the
the purpose in the
purpose in the ensoulment
ensoulment
that
that unifies
unifies the
the selfhood
selfhood primarily
primarily but
but equally
equally that
that the
the soul
soul or
or sensitivity
sensitivity and
and
enduring
enduring personality
personality of
of the
the unit
unit self in its
self in its maturity
maturity may
may have
have every
every facility
facility for
for
fulfillment of the more subtle sort. On the side of what what the consummation
means to the soul is is the conscious immortality
immortality effected by the hands grown grown
108
108
of
of miracle,
miracle, and
and the
the degree
degree to which the
to which the hands
hands can
can symbolize
symbolize this
this deeper
deeper
quickening is shown
quickening is shown through
through the
the breaking
breaking of
of bread
bread by Jesus with
byJesus with his
his two
two dis-
dis—
ciples
ciples at
at Emmaus
Emmaus after
after the
the resurrection.
resurrection.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What are
What are some
some of of the
the positives
positives and and negatives
negatives you you are likely to
are likely to en-
en—
counter
counter in in life? What is
life? What is necessary
necessary if if you
you are
are not
not to
to be
be overcome
overcome by by all
all
the
the pressures?
pressures?
(2)
(2) Who are
Who are likely
likely toto receive
receive the the rewards
rewards of living? What
of living? What purpose
purpose is is
served
served byby the
the succession
succession of of calamities
calamities in in this
this story?
story?
(3)
(3) What is
What is seen
seen toto be
be the
the false way to
false way to riches?
riches? HowHow do do the
the maiden’s
maiden’s trials
trials
show
show her
her progress
progress through
through every
every higher levels of
higher levels of realization?
realization?
(4)
(4) What is
What is seen
seen toto be
be the
the basis
basis of
of true
true self-realization?
self—realization? Upon what does
Upon what does
divine
divine assistance
assistance depend
depend in in the life of
the life of any individual?
any individual?
(5)
(5) Why is
Why is the
the symbolism
symbolism of of the
the hands
hands so so significant
significant here? What are
here? What are the
the
implications for
implications you personally?
for you personally?
109
109
Lesson
3010, issued 10/6/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XXVI
FAIRY TALES XXVI
THE TWO
THE TWO TRAVELERS
TRAVELERS
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with the
deals with the cosmic ledger of
cosmic ledger life or
of life or the
the ultimate
ultimate bal- bal—
ancing-out
ancing—out of of circumstances
circumstances as as far
far as as any given and
any given individual consciousness
and individual consciousness
is concerned.
is concerned. This This isis linked
linked closely
closely with with thethe occult
occult ideaidea of of karma
karma or or the
the con-
con—
tinual
tinual linking
linking of of act
act andand consequence
consequence in in existence,
existence, but but the the conception
conception of of
karma
karma dramatizes
dramatizes what what seemsseems aa persistence
persistence of of consequences
consequences in in the
the form
form of of
limitations
limitations and and compulsions
compulsions and and hence
hence is is an
an emphasis
emphasis of of the
the potential
potential domi-
domi—
nance
nance of of the world at
the world large over
at large over the individual whose
the individual whose life life is
is framed within it.
framed within it.
The less
The less recognized
recognized dharma
dharma then then is is the
the possible
possible dominance
dominance of individuality
of individuality
over
over the
the complex
complex of its framing
of its framing as as this
this takes
takes thethe form
form of of duty
duty or or potentiality
potentiality
seeking
seeking to to establish itself. Differing
establish itself. Differing from from thisthis equilibrium
equilibrium of of man
man and world
and world
is the inner
is inner or psychological balance of what what seem to be the two sides of
every
every self-realization
self—realization or what is
or what is commonly
commonly recognized
recognized as as the
the godgod within
within and and
the
the devil within as
devil within as the irreconcilable enemies
the irreconcilable enemies that that keep
keep thethe human
human creature
creature
more or less miserable on the whole. whole. What What is is operating here is is not an actual
dualism
dualism of of the
the self,
self, reflecting
reflecting what what so so often
often and and unfortunately
unfortunately is is reified
reified as as
twin
twin aspects
aspects of of ultimate
ultimate deity deity inin Ormazd
Ormazd and Ahriman or God and the devil
and Ahriman
or
or the
the forces
forces of of light
light and and those
those of of darkness,
darkness, but but rather
rather the the necessary
necessary di- di—
chotomization
chotomization resident
resident in in all
all thought
thought when when the the mind
mind operates
operates or or the
the self-
self—
conscious
conscious organization
organization engagesengages in in the
the experience
experience that that isis both
both its its actuality
actuality and and
continuance.
continuance. This This isis the
the conflict
conflict of which man
of which man is is aa helpless victim whenever
helpless victim whenever
he yields to his own inner inner frustration
frustration or or to
to fundamental
fundamental compulsioncompulsion or or direc-
direc—
tion
tion by
by elements
elements of of reality
reality exterior
exterior to to himself
himself that inevitably stand
that inevitably stand inin equilib-
equilib—
rium with
with himself. The The psychological struggle between the supposedly inher— inher-
ently
ently good
good and and evil impulses are
evil impulses are the
the essence
essence of of consciousness
consciousness as as such,
such, and and
properly
properly are are not
not toto be
be moralized
moralized or or taken
taken as as either
either meritorious
meritorious or or reprehen-
reprehen—
sible
sible by
by necessity
necessity butbut are instead to
are instead to bebe accepted
accepted as valuable components in
as valuable in
the whole process
the whole process of of organic
organic and and responsible
responsible being. being. The The shifting
shifting in in their
their
practical nature is is well
well recognized by by everybody
everybody in in the
the more
more simple instances
simple instances
as
as fire
fire that
that preserves
preserves or or destroys
destroys as as the
the case
case may
may be, be, or what may be a poison
or what poison
or
or aa medicine
medicine or what in
or what in war
war is is heroism
heroism and and inin peace
peace is is crime
crime and and soso on.
on. InIn
110
110
the
the symbolism
symbolism of of the
the old
old household
household tales tales the
the story
story ofof the
the two
two travelers
travelers is is of
of
the
the two
two sides
sides ofof human
human nature
nature in in their
their ministry
ministry to to each
each other while sustaining
other while sustaining
and
and expanding
expanding experience
experience in in their
their superficial
superficial enmity
enmity to to each
each other.
other. As As made
made
very white
very white and very black
and very black in in characterization
characterization the the drama
drama of of daily
daily self-
self—
realization
realization hashas exceptional illumination. The
exceptional illumination. The kingking factor
factor oror the
the cradling
cradling of of
events
events inin overall
overall order
order and
and cosmic
cosmic justice
justice is is present
present as as the
the actual
actual ruler
ruler ofof the
the
kingdom
kingdom of of these
these experiences,
experiences, and and itit is
is active
active inin each
each case
case asas there
there is is the
the de-de—
mand
mand on on man
man to to live
live up
up toto his
his representations
representations of of himself.
himself. Such
Such aa demand
demand of of
course
course isis the
the basis
basis ofof all
all cosmic
cosmic reality,
reality, or is the
or is the process
process of of the
the balancing-out
balancing—out
that
that establishes
establishes the the eternal ledger and
eternal ledger and constitutes
constitutes the the ever-continuing
ever-continuing crea- crea—
tion
tion of
of the
the universe.
universe. Because
Because the the conflict
conflict to which attention
to which attention is is given
given inin this
this
story is within
story is within thethe self,
self, the
the queen
queen factor
factor escapes
escapes the the usual
usual unpleasant
unpleasant role role and
and
appears
appears in in the
the uninhibited
uninhibited and and unlimited
unlimited cooperation
cooperation of of the various living
the various living
creatures
creatures whowho come
come to to the
the assistance
assistance of of the
the prince
prince factor. The princess
factor. The princess factor
factor
appears
appears only
only atat the
the end
end asas the
the ensoulment
ensoulment of of selfhood
selfhood follows
follows thethe reconcilia-
reconcilia—
tion
tion of
of the
the dangerously
dangerously naive naive extremes
extremes of of superficial
superficial good good and
and evil in the
evil in the
purpose
purpose or or prince
prince factor
factor inin its
its effort
effort to to realize itself.
realize itself.
The two
The two disparate
disparate facets facets of of self-purpose
self—purpose emergingemerging into into self-
self—
responsibility are portrayed by by the
the happy-go-lucky
happy—go—lucky tailor tailor and
and thethe morose
morose and and
selfish
selfish shoemaker
shoemaker as as the
the two
two phases
phases of irresponsibility through which
of irresponsibility which all
human individuals
individuals go go inin their
their maturation.
maturation. The The dichotomy
dichotomy is is easily
easily observed
observed
in the balance between the sadistic leaning
in leaning and the cradling in in the maternal or
family love and care and reflecting this while while also rejecting it it in
in a necessity of
self-assertion
self—assertion as as inin children
children particularly
particularly but but continuing
continuing into into adulthood in in
varying degree
varying degree for for nearly
nearly allall people. These two
people. These two travelers
travelers drift
drift together
together and and
decide
decide to to keep
keep eacheach other
other company,
company, precisely
precisely as as the
the human
human consciousness
consciousness
finds itit must keep its its rebellious and its its loving
loving aspects in in team since any es- es—
cape
cape from
from thethe turmoil
turmoil is is the
the farfar more
more frightening
frightening and impossible cancellation
and impossible
of
of self-realization.
self—realization. At At the
the beginning
beginning the the tailor
tailor and loving-kindness prevail
and loving-kindness prevail in in
the
the person
person of of thethe tailor
tailor as
as he wins friends
he wins friends and gets more
and gets more workwork and and shares
shares
what he
what he gains very freely
gains very freely and
and to to the growing and
the growing and bitter
bitter outrage
outrage of of the
the shoe-
shoe—
maker who who thus is is patronized and and reminded
reminded of of his inferiority when
his inferiority when it it comes
comes
to
to the
the gifts
gifts of
of the gods and
the gods life satisfaction
and life generally. And
satisfaction generally. And then
then in in the pattern
the pattern
of
of the
the fairy
fairy tales
tales there
there must
must be be aa surrender
surrender of innocence and
of innocence and aa plunge
plunge intointo
the
the bitter
bitter realities
realities of of experience.
experience. They They come
come to to aa place where the
place where the road
road to to the
the
capital
capital ofof the
the country where the
country where the king
king factor
factor isis enthroned
enthroned is is through
through the the forest
forest
of
of deepening
deepening experience
experience and and it it divides.
divides. One
One wayway is is aa two-days’
two-days’ journey
journey and and
the
the other
other aa seven-days’
seven—days’ one. one. The The tailor is sure
tailor is sure they
they have
have chosen
chosen the way of
the way of
two
two days
days andand carries
carries food
food accordingly
accordingly but but the
the pessimistic
pessimistic shoemaker
shoemaker carriescarries
the
the heavier
heavier loadload and and has
has the
the sweat
sweat of what he
of what he anticipates
anticipates and what proves
and what proves
111
lll
the
the fact
fact oror the
the longer way. As
longer way. As the
the tailor in extremity
tailor in extremity begs
begs for
for food
food the
the shoe-
shoe—
maker
maker gives it, but
gives it, but at
at the
the price
price of
of one
one eye
eye and
and then
then of
of the
the other. Thus is
other. Thus is sig-
sig—
nified
nified the
the fact
fact that
that a
a childlike
childlike trusting
trusting nature
nature that will not
that will not use its faculties
use its is
faculties is
an
an evil.
evil.
Blind
Blind and
and helpless,
helpless, the
the tailor
tailor finds
finds his way under
his way under aa gallows
gallows andand there
there
learns
learns that
that the
the dew
dew under
under the gibbet will
the gibbet will restore
restore his
his sight
sight and
and inin this is sym-
this is sym—
bolization
bolization ofof the
the fact
fact that
that the
the answers
answers to to man’s
man’s needs
needs come
come under
under the inten-
the inten—
sification
sification of
of his
his consciousness
consciousness in in extremity.
extremity. Now
Now hehe can
can see
see and
and travel
travel onon to
to
the
the capital,
capital, but
but his
his hunger is great
hunger is great and
and hehe seeks
seeks to
to satisfy it through
satisfy it through riding
riding the
the
foal
foal to
to the
the capital
capital or
or eating
eating the
the stork
stork oror the
the duck
duck or
or robbing
robbing thethe bees
bees ofof their
their
honey. These creatures
honey. These creatures appeal
appeal toto his
his kindness
kindness of
of heart
heart to
to spare
spare them,
them, each
each in in
the
the particular way, and
particular way, and he
he does
does so so despite
despite his
his hunger
hunger and
and soso has
has the promise
the promise
of
of their
their later
later aid. These are
aid. These are the
the first
first ordeals
ordeals as
as human
human purpose lives up
purpose lives up to its
to its
own
own morality.
morality.
The more
The more serious
serious ordeals
ordeals are are whenwhen thethe twotwo sides
sides of of the
the purpose
purpose are are
enthroned
enthroned in in their
their adult
adult situation
situation in in thethe capital
capital of of the
the country
country and and inin the
the full
full
conscious
conscious fellowship
fellowship of of their
their kind.
kind. At At this
this point
point the the newly matured man
must
must gain
gain thethe self-integration
self—integration that that enables
enables himhim to to function
function as as the
the social
social crea-
crea—
ture in the
ture in the larger
larger frame
frame of of reality,
reality, nownow thatthat his
his childhood
childhood is is behind
behind him.him. He He
can
can be
be ensouled
ensouled and and become
become trulytruly competent
competent as as he
he isis able to bring his rebel- rebel—
lious
lious leaning
leaning into into leash
leash asas aa stimulus
stimulus to to those
those elements
elements of of his
his makeup
makeup that that
would laze
would laze along
along content
content with with each
each passing
passing phase
phase of of achievement.
achievement. And And so so
now the court shoemaker goes goes to to thethe king
king inin his
his envy
envy of of thethe happily
happily estab-
estab—
lished
lished court
court tailor
tailor and
and explains
explains thatthat the the tailor
tailor has
has boasted
boasted that that he he can
can recover
recover
the
the gold
gold crown
crown of of priceless worth that
priceless worth that has
has been
been lostlost for generations. When
for generations. When
the
the king
king demands
demands that that hehe do
do this
this thethe unhappy
unhappy tailortailor plans
plans to to steal
steal away,
away, but but
the
the ducks
ducks comecome to to his
his rescue
rescue andand bring
bring up up the
the crown
crown from from the the bottom
bottom of of the
the
pond. Then in
pond. Then in succession
succession come come the the demands
demands to to make
make aa replica
replica of of the whole
the whole
palace
palace inin wax
wax and and the
the bees
bees provide
provide this, this, and
and toto create
create aa wonderful
wonderful fountain
fountain in in
the
the middle
middle of of thethe courtyard
courtyard which which the the now-grown
now—grown foal foal isis able
able to go by
to go pranc-
by pranc—
ing around
ing around in in aa magic
magic circle,
circle, and
and to to givegive the
the king
king aa son long wanted
son long wanted since
since all all
his children are girls girls and which
which is is brought
brought by by thethe stork.
stork. In In allall this
this there
there is is
more
more magic
magic than than inin many
many of of the
the tales,
tales, andand consequent
consequent ramification
ramification of of sym-
sym—
bols
bols that
that cancan be worked out
be worked out toto any
any desired
desired degree
degree of of refinement,
refinement, but what is
but what is
important is
important is the
the realization
realization that what superficially
that what superficially is is evil
evil inin the
the makeup
makeup of of the
the
true
true self
self asas at
at focus
focus in in purpose
purpose or or the
the prince
prince factor
factor is is that which can
that which can balance
balance
the
the superficial
superficial good good suchsuch as without challenge
as without challenge is is stagnation
stagnation of of spirit
spirit and
and frus-
frus—
tration
tration of of all
all self-realization.
self—realization.
112
112
The personal
application of
of the
the points
points brought
brought out in the
out in the symboliza-
symboliza—
tion
tion of
of every individual’s psychological
every individual’s psychological struggle within himself
struggle within himself is is in
in the
the
strong
strong dramatization
dramatization of
of the
the fact
fact that
that some
some basic
basic purpose
purpose inin life
life must
must be
be
stated
stated unequivocally,
unequivocally, and
and that it must
that it win broad
must win broad social
social acceptance.
acceptance.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What is
What is the interpretation here
the interpretation here of
of the
the dualism
dualism usually
usually understood
understood as as
God
God vs.vs. devil? Why is
devil? Why is such
such aa dualism
dualism essential?
essential?
(2)
(2) What is
What is meant
meant by by the
the cosmic ledge? What
cosmic ledge? What linkage
linkage or
or comparison
comparison ex-eX—
ists between
ists between it it and
and karma
karma or or dharma?
dharma?
(3)
(3) What is
What is the
the symbolism
symbolism of of the
the two
two travelers? What is
travelers? What is the
the conflict
conflict be-
be—
tween
tween them?
them? HowHow does it become
does it become part
part of
of the
the story?
story?
(4)
(4) What are
What are the
the ordeals
ordeals dramatized
dramatized in in this
this story? What are
story? What are their implica-
their implica—
tions
tions for you?
for you?
(5)
(5) What have
What have youyou learned
learned from
from the
the story
story about
about the
the psychological
psychological strug-
strug—
gle
gle faced
faced by by every individual and
every individual and how
how he he may
may hope
hope toto emerge
emerge suc-
suc—
cessful
cessful inin the
the end?
end?
113
113
Lesson
3011, issued 10/13/08
GRIMM’S
GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES XXVH
FAIRY TALES XXVII
THE CLEVER
THE CLEVER ELSIE
ELSIE
Marc
Marc Edmund Jones
Edmund Jones
This fairy
This fairy tale
tale deals with self-hypnotism
deals With self—hypnotism as what perhaps
as What perhaps most
most com-
com—
monly
monly contributes
contributes to to the
the defeat
defeat of
of the
the self
self as
as far
far as
as any
any really gratifying self-
really gratifying self—
consummation
consummation is is concerned.
concerned. ItIt differs
differs from
from the great majority
the great majority of
of these
these tales
tales
in the
in the fact
fact that it does
that it does not
not have
have the
the superficial
superficial happy
happy ending.
ending. It is true
It is true that
that
the
the prince
prince factor
factor escapes
escapes the
the unprofitable
unprofitable association with Elsie
association with Elsie and
and that
that she
she
meets
meets her
her merited
merited end in oblivion,
end in oblivion, but
but the
the burden
burden of
of the
the narrative is the
narrative is the de-
de—
velopment that
velopment in everyday
that in life tends
everyday life tends to
to prevent
prevent any
any effective
effective ensoulment
ensoulment of
of
individual purpose. Thus
individual Thus it
it is
is that there is
is here an interesting
interesting complementa-
complementa—
tion to the dramatization of necessary self-assertion
self—assertion and articulation of spe-
spe—
cific
cific purpose
purpose to
to the
the point
point of general acceptance,
of general acceptance, as in the
as in the preceding
preceding analysis.
analysis.
Here
Here the
the king
king factor is the
factor is the father
father of
of Elsie,
Elsie, and
and his
his anxiety
anxiety to
to have
have her
her married
married
is the overall urge of cosmic reality to project and perpetuate or give
is give special
manifestation of itself.
itself. The
The spoiling of Elsie by her parents is is reverse symbol-
symbol—
ism in
ism in a way,
way, since the idea idea is
is that the soul factor that she represents has been
self-indulgent
self—indulgent from infancy apparently
from infancy apparently and
and that
that thus
thus has
has been
been obscured
obscured byby aa
superficial
superficial gift
gift for
for coaxing
coaxing special
special consideration
consideration from life. Here
from life. Here ofof course
course isis
dramatization
dramatization of of the
the soul
soul as
as unensouled
unensouled byby purpose
purpose or or refined
refined by by adult
adult expe-
expe—
rience. It is
is the Whining
whining child that symbolizes the crybaby defeatism in in What—
what-
ever
ever form
form itit may
may be be found. All that
found. All that the
the overall
overall order
order or the father function
can
can supply
supply isis aa substitute
substitute recognition. What is
recognition. What is aa deficiency
deficiency may be evident in in
the
the ultimate
ultimate sustainment
sustainment of of things,
things, but what has
but What has positive
positive recognition
recognition is is What—
what-
ever
ever can
can be
be seen
seen toto have
have any
any merit
merit andand so
so here it is
here it is the
the affirmation
affirmation of of clever-
clever—
ness.
ness. Divine
Divine love will not
love will not cast
cast offoff the
the soul
soul of
of man,
man, but
but it it will
will seek
seek toto
strengthen
strengthen the
the soul in Whatever
soul in whatever itsits self-chosen
self—chosen manifestation
manifestation may may prove
prove toto be
be
and in what
and in what positive
positive aspect
aspect this
this can
can be
be recognized. The queen
recognized. The queen factor
factor here
here
provides important
important symbolism of the echoing or reduplicating facility of ba- ba—
sic
sic nature in general.
nature in general. AsAs in
in so
so many
many of of the
the other
other tales
tales this is
is the total of cir-
cir—
cumstances
cumstances asas they
they supply what is
supply What is needed
needed for
for the
the soul’s
soul’s development
development and its
and its
ensoulment
ensoulment byby purpose
purpose oror for
for the
the self-discovery
self—discovery of
of purpose
purpose as it engineers
as it engineers itsits
ensouling
ensouling role
role for
for the
the being.
being. But
But in in the
the present instance there
present instance there isis striking
striking reve-
reve—
114
114
lation
lation ofof this
this reflection
reflection of of the
the soul’s
soul’s state
state by
by circumstances
circumstances when when purpose
purpose is is
not
not too
too active
active inin its
its own interest and
own interest and the
the princess
princess factor
factor isis articulating itself
articulating itself
in almost
in almost totally
totally negative
negative or or purely
purely self-indulging
self—indulging fashion.
fashion. Babied
Babied by life and
by life and
admired
admired by by her
her thoroughly
thoroughly shallow
shallow manifestation
manifestation of of cleverness
cleverness and given
and given
every
every facilitation
facilitation for going her
for going her own
own blinded way, Elsie
blinded way, is symbol
Elsie is symbol of of all
all men
men as as
consistently
consistently taken
taken at at their
their own
own estimation when this
estimation when this has
has strong
strong passive
passive en- en—
trenchment
trenchment no no less
less than
than positive
positive self-assertion with social
self—assertion with social acceptance.
acceptance. It is in
It is in
the
the light
light of
of this
this that
that New Thought is
New Thought is able
able toto make
make itsits many
many demonstrations
demonstrations
when events
when events conform
conform to to aa self-induced
self—induced state
state of
of mind.
mind.
Hans
Hans as as the
the prince
prince factor
factor or or purpose
purpose in in aa sense
sense is is no
no more
more admirable
admirable
than
than Elsie
Elsie since
since hehe puts
puts downdown specific
specific conditions
conditions for for marrying
marrying her, her, oror makes
makes
it very
it very clear
clear that
that he will cast
he will cast her
her offoff ifif she
she does
does not not prove
prove as as clever
clever as as her
her
parents
parents assert.
assert. HeHe does
does notnot suspect
suspect thatthat sheshe isis as lazy of
as lazy of body
body and and shiftless
shiftless of of
mind
mind as as the
the soul
soul can
can be when it
be when it is
is not
not quickened
quickened to to any
any actuality
actuality ofof assertion,
assertion,
and
and the
the fact
fact that
that this
this husband-to-be
husband—to—be wants wants her her to to come
come ready-made
ready-made as as he
he
would like
would like herher to
to be
be isis an indication of
an indication little more
of little more love love for industry or
for industry initia-
or initia—
tive
tive on
on hishis part. The two
part. The two factors
factors areare babes
babes in in the wood to
the wood to aa very
very considerable
considerable
extent,
extent, andand thethe parents
parents in in concealing
concealing her weaknesses are
her weaknesses are hardly
hardly representa-
representa—
tion
tion of
of anything
anything of of any immediate high
any immediate worth or
high worth or direct
direct promise
promise of of any
any better
better
outcome
outcome than what has
than what has become
become aa driftdrift to to nonentity.
nonentity. Thus Thus there is dramatiza-
there is dramatiza—
tion of the underlying respect for personality or what what ends up as immortal immortal
consciousness
consciousness in in man
man on on thethe part
part of of the
the cosmos
cosmos as as aa whole,
whole, and and so so of
of the
the
transient
transient circumstances
circumstances in in dutiful
dutiful reflection.
reflection. This This means
means as as true
true and
and cheerful
cheerful
aa sustainment
sustainment of of the lesser as
the lesser well as
as well as the greater potentialities
the greater potentialities of of existence,
existence,
and
and this
this must
must be be soso because
because what what fromfrom the given point
the given point of view is
of view is the lesser
the lesser
may be the seeds of an immeasurably immeasurably greater greater in in another and more enduring
perspective. The The factor that determines ultimate worth worth and immortalimmortal actuality
is not prescience or a wisdom
is wisdom possessed in in advance as in in divine mind or the
more specific awareness of an adept or major prophet but is is actual end result
in process of unfoldment of the potentials of pertinence in
in in each separate in— in-
stance.
stance. ItIt isis what
what could
could be be seen
seen asas aa survival
survival of of the
the fittest
fittest inin exalted
exalted manifes-
manifes—
tation
tation ofof the
the outworking
outworking of of convenience
convenience and and concomitance
concomitance in in reality’s inter-
reality’s inter—
relations.
relations. It It could
could be be possible,
possible, however
however unlikely
unlikely it it would
would appear
appear to prevailing
to prevailing
common
common sense, sense, that
that the
the cleverness
cleverness of of Elsie would have
Elsie would have transcendent
transcendent justifi-
justifi—
cation
cation ofof some
some sort.
sort. In
In consequence
consequence she she isis recommended
recommended to to Hans.
Hans.
The narrative
The narrative as
as all
all fairy-tale
fairy—tale presentation is fundamentally
presentation is fundamentally an an ac-
ac—
count
count of
of ordeals
ordeals that
that have
have to
to be
be met, with the
met, with the consequences
consequences of what is
of what is good
good
and what is
and what is poor
poor choice
choice and
and reaction
reaction and
and self-expression generally. These
self—expression generally. These
ordeals
ordeals are
are faced
faced by
by the
the soul
soul factor in this
factor in this particular
particular story,
story, and
and they
they are
are the
the
115
115
preliminary
preliminary ones ones that
that end
end up with the
up with the acceptance
acceptance of of her
her for
for his
his bride
bride by by
Hans
Hans andand then
then the
the terminal
terminal ones
ones that
that end with his
end with his rejection
rejection of of her
her and
and herher
disappearance
disappearance into into oblivion. The first
oblivion. The first ofof these
these twotwo chapters
chapters is is her
her stirring
stirring
total
total reality
reality inin aa general
general setting
setting ofof her
her own
own approach
approach to life itself
to life itself and
and toto her
her
own
own self-realization,
self—realization, andand her
her unwitting
unwitting and wonderfully feckless
and wonderfully feckless choice
choice is is the
the
way of
way of fantasy
fantasy or or the
the permanent
permanent sealing
sealing of of her
her own
own self-hypnosis
self-hypnosis in in which
which
she
she has
has been
been encouraged.
encouraged. She She isis sent
sent to to the
the cellar
cellar to get the
to get the beer
beer they will
they will
drink
drink inin celebrating
celebrating thethe betrothal,
betrothal, and
and to to spare
spare herself
herself she
she sets
sets aa stool
stool byby the
the
cask
cask and
and puts
puts the
the jug
jug on
on the
the floor
floor soso that
that the liquid can
the liquid can pour
pour from
from thethe spigot
spigot
with no
with no necessity
necessity that
that she
she hold
hold anything,
anything, and and in in this
this position
position sheshe sees
sees aa loose
loose
crossbar
crossbar and and inin her imagination sees
her imagination sees how
how thisthis might
might fall
fall and
and kill
kill Hans
Hans or or her-
her—
self if she
self if she married
married him him and
and inin her
her superstitious
superstitious fear fear she
she begins
begins to weep.
to weep.
When she
When she does
does not
not return
return upstairs
upstairs aa maid
maid servant
servant is is sent
sent to get her
to get her but
but joins
joins
in the
in weeping when
the weeping when Elsie
Elsie explains,
explains, and when aa boy
and when boy isis sent
sent down
down he he too
too ac-
ac—
cepts
cepts the
the fantasy
fantasy and
and adds
adds his
his tears
tears toto the
the others.
others. However
However and and byby the
the curi-
curi—
ous
ous twist
twist of of his
his own
own mind
mind Hans
Hans sees
sees this
this ability
ability ofof Elsie
Elsie to get all
to get all these peo-
these peo—
ple
ple concerned
concerned over over her well being
her well being and
and hishis as well as
as well indeed aa cleverness,
as indeed cleverness, and and
so they are married.
so they are married.
Some
Some days
days afterwards
afterwards it it is
is necessary
necessary to give attention
to give attention to the practical
practical
side
side of
of life
life and
and Hans
Hans tells
tells Elsie
Elsie to go out
to go into the
out into the field
field and gather grain
and gather grain while
while
he is
is off to his own work.
work. She goes out
She goes out and
and takes
takes her lunch with
her lunch with her,
her, and
and as
as
she
she contemplates
contemplates the the situation
situation she wonders whether
she wonders whether to work and
to work and then
then eat
eat
and
and then
then rest
rest or what, and
or what, and ends
ends upup by
by eating
eating and
and then
then onon feeling
feeling drowsy
drowsy and
and
taking
taking aa nap.
nap. Hans
Hans onon coming
coming home
home and and not
not finding
finding her
her assumes
assumes that
that she is
she is
at work and
at work is proud
and is proud that
that he
he has
has married
married so good aa worker,
so good worker, but
but at length he
at length he
has to investigate
investigate and there she is is still asleep and no grain grain gathered.
gathered. Return-
Return—
ing to the house he gets
ing gets a fowler’s net with with little
little bells on itsits edges and puts
puts
this
this over
over her,
her, and
and then goes home
then goes home and locks the
and locks the door. Thus symbolically
door. Thus symbolically he
he
delivers
delivers herher to
to her
her fantasy.
fantasy.
When she
When wakens in
she wakens in the
the darkness
darkness and and rises
rises and
and hears
hears the
the bells
bells she is
she is
confused
confused andand begins
begins toto ask
ask herself
herself ifif she
she really is Clever
really is Clever Elsie
Elsie or
or somebody
somebody
else.
else. Here is the
Here is great dilemma
the great dilemma posited
posited in in the
the famous
famous butterfly
butterfly dream
dream ofof the
the
Chinese
Chinese philosopher
philosopher Chuan-Tzu.
Chuan—Tzu. Had Had hehe really
really dreamed
dreamed of of the insect or
the insect was
or was
he
he only
only something
something in in the insect’s dream?
the insect’s dream? Elsie
Elsie makes
makes her way home
her way home toto Hans
Hans
and
and knocks
knocks onon the
the door
door to
to ask
ask ifif Elsie is there
Elsie is inside and
there inside and he
he answers
answers that
that she
she
is, since
is, since after
after all
all as
as purpose
purpose there was nothing
there was nothing herehere toto bring
bring about
about anan en-
en—
soulment
soulment andand that
that he
he had
had accomplished
accomplished otherwise
otherwise in in repudiating
repudiating her
her through
through
the
the fowler’s
fowler’s net.
net. She goes to
She goes to other
other doors
doors but when the
but when the bells
bells are
are heard
heard they
they
will not
will not admit
admit her.
her. She
She had
had become
become aa frightening
frightening nonentity
nonentity that invited no
that invited no
116
116
rapport,
rapport, and was wholly
and was wholly sealed in herself
sealed in herself at
at the
the end. The personal
end. The personal application
application
is in
is in realizing
realizing that
that every individual either
every individual either asserts
asserts or
or signals
signals his
his nature
nature for
for bet-
bet—
ter
ter or worse in
or worse in all
all he
he does
does and wherever he
and wherever goes.
he goes.
SUGGESTIONS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
(1)
(1) What have
What you learned
have you learned throughout
throughout this
this series
series of
of the importance of
the importance of
individual purpose
individual purpose inin life
life and
and how you are
how you are to
to acquire
acquire and
and use it?
use it?
(2)
(2) What is
What is the
the significance
significance of of the
the cleverness
cleverness that is characteristic
that is characteristic of
of
Elsie?
Elsie? How
How again
again do we see
do we see circumstances
circumstances supplying what the
supplying what the soul
soul of
of
man
man needs
needs for its development?
for its development?
(3)
(3) In what respect
In what respect is is Elsie
Elsie aa symbol
symbol ofof all
all men?
men? How is an
How is an underlying
underlying
respect
respect for
for all
all personality
personality made
made evident?
evident?
(4)
(4) What is
What is most important in
most important in determining
determining ultimate worth? What
ultimate worth? What do we
do we
learn
learn from
from Hans
Hans in in this
this regard?
regard?
(5)
(5) What ordeals
What ordeals must
must be be met
met and
and solved in this
solved in this story? What is
story? What is the
the final
final
lesson
lesson toto be
be learned
learned from it?
from it?
117
117

MEJ On Grimm's Fairy Tales

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MEJ On Grimm's Fairy Tales

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