What did Ra mean by...?

[isis]

I meant, did Ra mean by that sentence:

1. Every man is a woman. Every woman is a man.

2. Every female (as an adjective; like "female/girly dress") is male (as an adjective; like "male pair of pants")

Or, 

3. Every man is female (as an adjective); and every woman is male (as an adjective).

?

I vote #1.

[Nau7ik]

I meant, did Ra mean by that sentence:

1. Every man is a woman. Every woman is a man.

2. Every female (as an adjective; like "female/girly dress") is male (as an adjective; like "male pair of pants")

Or, 

3. Every man is female (as an adjective); and every woman is male (as an adjective).

?

I don’t interpret Ra’s quote as any of these options. In context of the answer in 5.2, Ra is discussing the polarity of mind and body. The key to understanding each man is a woman and each woman a man, in my opinion, is by the polarity of the mind/body complex. Ra talks about acceptance of the polarity of the body complex. The balancing exercise can be applied here because man and woman are a polarity.

Dion Fortune goes into this in detail in “The Mystical Qabalah” in the chapter on Netzach. I’ll quote the relevant points:

17. We shall comprehend the nature of Netzach in the microcosm best if we remember that it is the Sphere of Venus, with all that that implies. Translated from the symbolic language of the Qabalah into plain English, it means that we are concerned here with the function of polarity, which is a very great deal more than mere sex as popularly conceived.

18. It is important to note in this respect that Venus, or in her Greek form, Aphrodite, is not a fertility goddess ar all, such as are Ceres and Persephone; she is the goddess of love. Now in the Greek concept of life, Love embraced much more than the relationship between the sexes, it included the comradeship of fighting men and the relationship of teacher and pupil. The Greek hetaira, or woman whose profession is love, was something very different to our modern prostitute. ...

19. The Aphrodite cult was something very much more than the simple performance of an animal function. It was concerned with the subtle interaction of the life-force between two factors; the curious flow and return, the stimulus and the reaction, which plays so important a part in the relations of the sexes, but extends far beyond the sphere of sex.
...
21. The function of the hetaira was to minister to the intellect of her clients as well as their appetites: she was a hostess as well as a mistress, and to her resorted the philosophers and poets to receive inspiration and sharpen their wits; for it was wel realized that there is no greater inspiration to an intellectual man than the society of a vital and cultured woman.

22. In the temples of Aphrodite the art of love was sedulously cultivated, and the priestesses were trained from childhood in its skill. But this art was not simply that of provoking passion, but of adequately satisfying it on all levels of consciousness; not simply by the gratification of the physical sensations of the body, but by the subtle etheric exchange of magnetism and intellectual and spiritual polarization. ...

23. We cannot understand sex aright unless we realize that it is one aspect of what the esotericist calls polarity, and that this is a principle that runs through the whole of Creation, and is, in fact, the basis of manifestation. It is represented on the Tree by the two Pillars of Severity and Mercy. The whole of the activity of force is comprised in the principle of polarity, just as the whole of the function of form is comprised of the principle of metabolism.

24. ... The great point we need to realize is that in the microcosmic Tree there is a flow down and up the positive and negative aspects of our own subjective levels of consciousness, whereby the spirit inspires mind, and the mind directs the emotions, and the emotions form the etheric double, and the etheric double moulds the physical vehicle, which is the “earth” of the circuit. This is a fact that is generally realized, and it’s inplications are easily seen as soon as attention is drawn to them.

[Silk]

[Redacted to avoid further misunderstandings/misconceptions. The gist of the post was pertaining to how "man" and "woman" are social constructs distinct from male/female.]

[Highrculling]

Think of Male/Female as a pair of Active/Passive energy/principle which is the dominant tune of the physical vehicle during incarnation. To incorporate that and to enact it as a somewhat loosely integrated unit(which is the body complex + mind & spirit Complex), you will need some counterweight(presumably coming from one/all of the latter two) to balance/harmonize that tune.

Anyways this is what my intuition tells me. My first response was like “it fucking beats me.”

[Ankh]

Thank you so much for your input, everyone!

[loostudent]

Here's some "outside" perspective on things: gender (what is "man" and "wom(b)man") is an artificial social construct (and in fact the very first and most fundamental "divide & conquer" gimmick on this world) ...

Gender theory is totally ignoring that the Infinity has no gender but the Creation has polarity - the female and male principle - Yin/Yang. As we can see from the yin-yang symbol every pole contains also the opposite pole (the small circle of the opposite color) - polarity is just determined by the dominant principle ... This polarity is also manifested in the microcosm of humans - man/woman. It's not a social construct. It's in the nature of things and different cultures just have different cultural and symbolic expressions/distortions of this.

[Nau7ik]

What do you think that Ra meant by: "...that each biological male is female; each biological female is male" in 5.2?

Maybe this:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anima_and_animus

I think this is a very important concept! The anima and animus; The collective unconscious feminine and masculine nature of men and women.
This, together with the physical characteristics, is ample proof that men and women are not exactly the same; that the polarity of sex matters a great deal; that the polarity, which is biological sex, is NOT a social construct. Cultural ideas about men and women may varie, but if you look deep at it, these qualities are of a masculine or feminine nature. At the base level (for a female), the masculine image exudes strength and power. Our ideas of what a man is is refined and developed from this immature conception. It’s not wrong, but it’s not a full understanding either. At the base level for the male, the feminine image is the object of his desire. As we can see, both of these levels of animus and anima are animalistic, unrefined, concerned with reproduction.

These images / ideas are refined and developed in the course of our evolution and personal spiritual development. The mind is broadened. Jung describes the different levels of development of the anima (for the male) and the animus (for the female).

[Silk]

[Redacted to avoid further misunderstandings/misconceptions. The gist of the post was pertaining to how "man" and "woman" are social constructs distinct from male/female.]

[anagogy]

Hey guys,

New question. What do you think that Ra meant by: "...that each biological male is female; each biological female is male" in 5.2? I am specifically asking if they by "female" and/or "male" in this sentence meant that as in - each *man* is a *woman* and vice versa, or did they mean "female" and "male" here as an adjective? Because in English I guess that you could mean and say both (?), but in other languages you can not.

What's your take on it? I would really appreciate your input.

I think they were simply using it in metaphor to say in every yang there is a little yin, and in every yin, there is a little yang. Another reference to the whole in every part nature.

As Ra said, "In a more general sense, that which reaches may be seen as a male principle. That which awaits the reaching may be seen as a female principle. The richness of the male and female system of polarity is interesting and we would not comment further but suggest consideration by the student."

So in this sense they are, seemingly, describing maleness as that which actively radiates (reaches/yang), and femaleness as that which passively absorbs (awaits the reaching/yin). Similar correspondences may be seen on the tree of life. Neither force is inherently good or bad, morally speaking, as that is determined by how the forces are used by will in the choice archetype. The tools are the tools. 

I believe the two forces are potentiated for the metaphorical spark to jump over (for work/play in consciousness to occur). What makes sex exciting? In a bodily sense, you might say it is the difference, or complete opposite, between ones body and the others (in a heterosexual sense -- I can't speak for the homosexual experience -- probably different for them somewhat). The old saying "opposites attract". The creator potentiates the opposites in all variety of ways: physically, culturally, socially, psychologically etc, and what is sex but the coming together of opposites, and orgasm is the ultimate union (for the body). There is also sex of the mind, and sex of the spirit, which when all are integrated at the gateway result in the so called ultimate orgasm as the one infinite creator is witnessed in all it's metaphysical and physical glory.

"We used the term to indicate that in your bisexual natures there is that which is of polarity. This polarity may be seen to be variable according to the, shall we say, male/female polarization of each entity, be each entity biologically male or female. Thus you may see the magnetism when two entities with the appropriate balance, male/female versus female/male polarity, meeting and thus feeling the attraction which polarized forces will exert, one upon the other.

This is the strength of the bisexual mechanism. It does not take an act of will to decide to feel attraction for one who is oppositely polarized sexually. It will occur in an inevitable sense giving the free flow of energy a proper, shall we say, avenue. This avenue may be blocked by some distortion towards a belief/condition which states to the entity that this attraction is not desired. However, the basic mechanism functions as simply as would, shall we say, the magnet and the iron."

So you might say the whole purpose of the universe is to set up the ultimate dynamic sexual/magnetic/tension/friction/romance eventually resulting in the ultimate reconciliation, unification, or sexual orgasm of the mind, body, and spirit. Sex in the human animal is just one way the reconciliation of opposites occur. The union is realized in an infinity of other ways too. Some we can't even imagine yet.

It is also symbolic of how creation occurs (conception). The coming together of opposites, and then the next infinity is born. The creator is "knowing itself".

From the use of know in the Bible. Some Bible translations, such as the King James Bible, translate the Hebrew word יָדַע‎ (yādaʿ) as know even in sexual contexts, giving rise to lines like "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived."

[loostudent]

Nobody is arguing nature here; that'd be like running into a bramble of thorns. What is being stated is: male and female differ only in biological/reproductive functions.

Do you think nature (creation) is only biological/physical? "Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?" "Body is the creature of the mind."

Sexual polarity is much more. Ra talked about various energy transfers that occur not only in sex in the narrow sense and not only in 3d. It's more than just sex. More than just red ray. More than 3d.

[Nau7ik]

Nobody is arguing nature here; that'd be like running into a bramble of thorns. What is being stated is: male and female differ only in biological/reproductive functions.

Do you think nature (creation) is only biological/physical? "Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?" "Body is the creature of the mind."

Sexual polarity is much more. Ra talked about various energy transfers that occur not only in sex in the narrow sense and not only in 3d. It's more than just sex. More than just red ray. More than 3d.

That’s exactly what I was trying to say with the concept of anima and animus. Men and women both have the corresponding unconscious nature of the opposite sex. At the base level, it is just physical. We are late 3D humans, and many of the people here spiritual seekers. As we develop our consciousness in the course of evolution the masculine and feminine principles of our being are brought into harmony and equilibrium. Yin and Yang. The Tree of Life; both of these symbols show the masculine and feminine in equilibrium. A balanced give and take. We also incarnate into both male and female bodies. Everyone here has been both sexes many times in the course of 3D evolution. Certain lessons and slants on lessons are best learned in one of the sexes or the other. We plan our incarnation with our higher self, and I’m sure we determine whether incarnating as a male or a female is best suited for the task to be undertaken. There is no better or lesser than, that is a human distortion. Men and women are totally equal.

On the Tree of Life, the magical image for the Sephirah Hod (the sphere of the intellect) is an androgynous figure. The ancients used strange symbols to indicate polarity at different levels of consciousness, such as Hercules in a dress or the bearded Venus. This androgynous figure is meant to indicate the androgyny of mind, which is the goal of the spiritual initiate. The balanced configuration of his energy body allows for the fiery serpent (kundalini) to make its way up first to the heart chakra and then indigo-ray. The differences between male and female are totally harmonized. And in that UNITY we become more than we ever thought we were.

@Salt, I sense that we are misunderstanding each other more than actually disagreeing.

[Silk]

[Redacted to avoid further misunderstandings/misconceptions. The gist of the post was pertaining to how "man" and "woman" are social constructs distinct from male/female.]

[flofrog]

On the Tree of Life, the magical image for the Sephirah Hod (the sphere of the intellect) is an androgynous figure. The ancients used strange symbols to indicate polarity at different levels of consciousness, such as Hercules in a dress or the bearded Venus. This androgynous figure is meant to indicate the androgyny of mind, which is the goal of the spiritual initiate. The balanced configuration of his energy body allows for the fiery serpent (kundalini) to make its way up first to the heart chakra and then indigo-ray. The differences between male and female are totally harmonized. And in that UNITY we become more than we ever thought we were.

I so love that Nau7ik,  just lovely. Thank you

It's funny if we look at the ephemeral and apparently superficial world of fashion designers there is this sort of love/hate against the very thin models, who often look androgynous.  Perhaps not that it's a complete  healthy way to spend your late teens or  early twenties but there is something there which attracts attention sometimes.

I am  studying the archetypes cards and precisely the sixth and somehow I am linking it to your post too, Nau

[loostudent]

Meanwhile, the whole point of "man/woman" being completely different than male/female was entirely (sadly) overlooked.

Ah, misunderstandings and misconceptions!

Arguing is quite taxing/distasteful.

One must rest now.

Sorry Salt! Didn't mean to distress you. I thought we were just sharing views somewhat different. In my language sex and gender is one and the same word. I see cultural gender roles as relative but still not completely different: they are reflecting the concepts in deep mind.

[Ankh]

Hi guys,

New question:

In 6.4 Ra described their physical appearance when they walked on Earth. In one sentence they say that they "were tall and delicate". What I'm wondering about is the word "delicate". I am translating the material into Swedish, and in Swedish "delicate" can only mean "delicious" as in the taste of foodstuff. While I'm sure that Ra is very delicious, I don't think that this is what they've meant. So, in English, the word "delicate", specifically in this sentence" means something else than delicious.

I would like your help in this: can you exchange the word "delicate" with a synonym in English which would mean what you think Ra meant by their "delicate"? For instance: "We were tall and graceful" or "we were tall and tender" or what do you think or understand it as?

Thank you so much in advance!

[AnthroHeart]

Maybe dainty? Not sure.

[moyal]

I think in this context: delicate -> gracile, tender.

[David_1]

I think your "tall and tender" comes close.

[Jim Kent +]

Hi guys,

New question:

In 6.4 Ra described their physical appearance when they walked on Earth. In one sentence they say that they "were tall and delicate". What I'm wondering about is the word "delicate". I am translating the material into Swedish, and in Swedish "delicate" can only mean "delicious" as in the taste of foodstuff. While I'm sure that Ra is very delicious, I don't think that this is what they've meant. So, in English, the word "delicate", specifically in this sentence" means something else than delicious.

I would like your help in this: can you exchange the word "delicate" with a synonym in English which would mean what you think Ra meant by their "delicate"? For instance: "We were tall and graceful" or "we were tall and tender" or what do you think or understand it as?

Thank you so much in advance!

Greetings Ankh, 

I hope you and yours are well?

The immediate word that sprang to my mind was "fragile",  as in easily broken due to not being physically strong.

I've copied and pasted below from the Oxford English Dictionary in case their definition helps any further:

delicate /Ⴀˈdɛlɪkət/ Ⴂadjective 

1 very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality. Ⴁ(of food or drink) subtly and pleasantly flavoured. 

2 easily broken or damaged; fragile. Ⴁsusceptible to illness or adverse conditions. 

3 requiring sensitive or careful handling. Ⴁskilful; deft. Ⴂnoun (delicates) garments made from delicate fabric. 

– phrases in a delicate condition  archaic  pregnant. 
– derivatives delicately adverb. delicateness noun. 
– origin Middle English (in the sense ‘delightful, charming’): from French délicat or Latin delicatus, of unknown origin.

L & L

Jim

[Ankh]

Thank you so much for your help, everyone!

[flofrog]

Thank you so much for your help, everyone!

I love translating, good luck with your translation Ankh !!!