Sexual archetypes are patterns of behavior and roles that play an important part in human sexuality, often shaped by cultural norms and traditions. These include the virgin, the whore, the mother, the princess, the seductress, the femme fatale, the warrior, the queen, the priestess, and many others. While they have been used to describe individuals, these archetypes can also be applied to solar and lunar mythologies, which convey cosmic polarity and fertility through their stories. This article will explore how the archetypes of the sun and moon interact with each other to create an intricate web of relational dynamics that reflect our own desires for connection and intimacy.
The Sun is often associated with masculinity and virility, while the Moon represents feminine energy and receptivity. In ancient Greek mythology, Apollo and Artemis were the twin gods who represented the Sun and Moon respectively, and their relationship was one of both sexual and sibling rivalry. Apollo was known as the god of light, music, healing, archery, and prophecy, while Artemis was his sister and patron of nature, the hunt, wild animals, virginity, and childbirth. They were portrayed as lovers, though they never consummated their union due to their status as twins. Their dynamic highlighted the dualities between male and female energy, as well as the tension between independence and interdependence.
In Hindu mythology, the Sun God Surya is married to Chhaya (Shadow), who is considered the shadow side of the Sun. Together they represent the duality of light and darkness, life and death, consciousness and unconsciousness, action and inaction. The relationship between them mirrors the cycles of birth, growth, maturation, and decay that are central to all living things. It also shows how opposites can be complementary and necessary for balance and harmony.
Ancient Egyptian mythology had a similar story involving Ra, the Sun God, and Nut, the Sky Goddess. Ra is depicted as a powerful deity who travels across the sky each day, giving life and warmth to the earth below. His journey is often compared to the cycle of creation, where he emerges from the waters of chaos to create the world anew. He is often associated with masculine qualities such as strength, power, and courage. Nut, on the other hand, is the great Mother who gives birth to the gods and sustains all life. She represents fertility, nurturing, and feminine energy. Their relationship reflects the polarity between the active and receptive aspects of sexuality, as well as the importance of balance between the two.
The Native American tribe known as the Hopi have a story about the Sun and Moon falling in love. They both travel through the heavens, with the Moon following behind the Sun. One night, the Sun grows tired of being pursued by the Moon and decides to run away. In doing so, he leaves a trail of water droplets behind him which become the Milky Way. The Moon follows this path and eventually catches up with the Sun, and their union results in the birth of the first humans. This story highlights the connection between fertility and the natural cycles of the cosmos.
In Norse mythology, Freya was the goddess of fertility, war, and death, while Odin was the king of the gods. Freya is often depicted riding a chariot pulled by cats or boars, which symbolize her sexuality and independence. Odin, meanwhile, is associated with wisdom, magic, and warfare. Their dynamic shows how opposites can complement each other, creating a powerful force that drives creation and destruction.
These examples demonstrate how solar and lunar mythologies reflect the tension between masculinity and femininity, light and darkness, action and passivity, independence and interdependence, creation and destruction. They also reveal how these archetypes are linked to our own desires for intimacy, connection, and sexual fulfillment. By exploring these stories, we can gain insight into our own relationships and learn to balance the polarities within ourselves and others.
Which sexual archetypes in solar and lunar myths convey fertility, cosmic polarity, and relational dynamics?
Solar and lunar myths have multiple archetypes that convey different types of relationships between individuals, including sexual ones. The sun is often associated with masculine energy and the moon with feminine energy in many cultures. This association can be seen in various myths, such as the Greek myth of Apollo and Artemis, who were siblings but had a close relationship that was not romantic or sexual.