The battle of Sol and Luna
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In this colorful picture we see the sun and moon personified into warriors clashing in mortal combat. On the left, riding a lion, is Sol, and on the right is the moon, Luna, riding what appears to be a composite creature, half bird (eagle?), half lion. Each bears a shield that signifies as aspect of its opposite. Sol's shield is comprised of three crescent moons and the shield of Luna depicts a golden sun. Also, it is significant that Sol is clad in blue, while Luna is completely naked. Unlike Sol who shines brightly, Luna is in her new moon face, that is, her face is completely black. The backdrop behind these warring opposites is colored red. In fact, the overall color-scheme consists of the primary colors of alchemy: black, white and red. This picture shows an early attempt at combining the masculine and feminine opposites. Already there are aspects that indicate a readiness for the transformation that will bring about a coniunctio oppositorum. The chief of these attributes lies in the fact that the opposites are engaged in conflict. In other words, they are attracted, excited, ready and preparing for union. Less apparent are the 'seeds' of their ultimate integration, namely, each carries within itself an aspect of the other. This shows itself in the emblems on their shields. The pair reminds us of the yin-yang symbol where the opposites have transformed into a complementary relationship and together they form the 'One Thing' (the Tao). There is an innocent quality reflected in both figures. The blue color of Sol's vestment is an attribute of Jupiter and Juno signifying a "religious feeling, devotion and innocence" (Cirolot, Dictionary of Symbol, p. 52). Jupiter, whose metal is tin, is believed to consist primarily of sun with only a small amount of water. It is therefore well disposed to receive Sol. Another favorable sign of integration is reflected in the images of the moon on the Sol's shield, indicating the inner feminine, the anima, of his otherwise fiery nature. By contrast, Luna is unclothed and dark. She is open to receiving Sol, but not without some resistance. She must be won over. Her shield points to her animus, the spirit that already signifies an aspect of masculine energy within her nature. That she rides on the back of a griffin suggests that the readiness to receive the sun, much like the imagery found in the Annunciation of Mary, identifies this time and place as the threshold of salvation. This union of opposites is necessary for the individuation process to proceed. Griffins were often viewed as guardians who stood watch at sacred places. Psychologically, the griffin "symbolizes the relationship between psychic energy and cosmic force" (Cirlot, p. 128). In other words, this warring pair of opposites precipitates a transformation simultaneously on the individual and collective in the cosmic dimension. The goal of alchemical work is to transmute metals and the states of consciousness they represent out of their chaotic state into a refined cosmic order. In this picture, the clash between opposites represents an early meeting between Spirit (Sol) and Soul (Luna). |
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