Embedded Files
SERIES SUMMARY
SERIES SUMMARY
EPISODE 1
JULY 6: Sachiel appears at 12:30 PM and approaches Tōkyō-3, while the Self-Defense Force tanks wait along the shores. Its goal is to merge with the progenitor of its species to destroy the Chamber of Guf, the origin of humanity (Third Impact), and create a life form in its image. The Angel is drawn to Lilith’s A.T. Field, which is identical to Adam’s.
All the Angels mentioned in the series originate from an ancient text — the Book of Enoch (or חֲנוֹךְ, Enoch, son of Adam and Eve) — which was discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
In the guise of Rei dressed as a schoolgirl, Lilith’s soul watches over Shinji, who is about to form new relationships with others. She embodies the hope that remains in the heart of every Lilin.
The JSSDF’s defense line proves ineffective against the Third Angel. All the generals thus give NERV free rein to intervene and continue the offensive.
Shinji rejects his father’s proposal, but as soon as he meets Rei — who is forced to pilot EVA-01 while covered in blood — the young boy decides to take her place.
EPISODE 2
EVA-01 confronts Sachiel, but the power cable breaks during the duel, causing the EVA to deactivate. As Shinji finds himself in a precarious situation, his EVA becomes bestial and destroys Sachiel’s Core. Gendō faintly smiles as he observes the emergence of his wife’s will in the battle.
JULY 7: Shinji wakes up and is discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. His father keeps his distance from him (visiting Rei instead) and wants the boy to return to his guardian. That same evening, Shinji moves in with Misato and crosses her threshold, saying, “I mustn’t run away.” This new experience marks a decisive turning point in his life.
EPISODE 3
JULY 20: Two weeks after starting school, Shinji meets Kensuke Aida and Tōji Suzuhara. Tōji is tormented by the condition of his younger sister, who was injured during the Third Angel’s attack, and since then harbors hatred toward the pilot of EVA-01, whom he holds responsible. After school, Tōji punches Shinji in the face upon learning that he is the Third Children.
Shamshel appears near territorial waters and confronts EVA-01. In order to evaluate Misato’s ability to manage NERV’s operations against the Angels on her own, Gendō deliberately absents himself on the very day the Fourth Angel’s appearance is predicted, in accordance with the Dead Sea Scrolls’ prophecies.
Note: The MAGI computer displays “4th Angel.” No member of NERV questions the existence of a 2nd Angel that appeared between 2000 and 2015.
During the battle, Shinji brings Kensuke and Tōji into the Entry Plug to protect them from danger. By disobeying Misato’s order to retreat, he ultimately manages to kill Shamshel at the very last moment. Shinji is disciplined for insubordination and does not immediately return to school.
JULY 23: Three days after the death of the Fourth Angel, Tōji becomes worried about Shinji’s absence from class.
EPISODE 4
JULY 25–26: Shinji spends the day riding the circular train in Tōkyō-3. Once night falls, he stays at a movie theater in the city for several hours, then heads into the countryside until early morning, where he encounters Kensuke.
JULY 27: Section 3 of NERV arrests the Third Children and brings him back to Headquarters. After refusing once again to pilot the EVA, Gendō’s son is dismissed from the institute and taken to the station to return to New Atsugi. Before the train arrives, Shinji’s friends meet him in front of the platform entrance to see him off. Meanwhile, Misato realizes that Shinji has been protecting himself by hiding his feelings from others (the hedgehog’s dilemma), and decides to rush to the station to join him. On the platform, the middle school student chooses to continue his new life.
JULY 28: EVA-00 is released from the Bakelite.
EPISODE 5
JULY 28–30: Misato, Shinji, and Ritsuko visit the site where Shamshel’s body lies. The Angel’s S² Organ will be sent to the GEHIRN laboratory in Nevada (USA). Gendō and Fuyutsuki hope to find a way to complete Dr. Katsuragi’s theory in order to duplicate the S² Organ and implant its copies into new EVAs. That same day, Ritsuko tells Shinji about Rei’s accident and explains how Gendō came to her rescue.
JULY 31: Shinji goes to Rei’s place to deliver her new access card.
Ramiel appears and flies over Tōnosawa. While fighting the Fifth Angel with the EVA Unit-01, Shinji is quickly evacuated due to severe injuries.
EPISODE 6
Misato devises Operation “Yashima,” which consists of channeling all of Japan’s energy into a precision weapon (a positron rifle) adapted for EVA-01. The latter is protected by Rei thanks to the EVA-00's shield.
AUGUST 01: After two shots, Ramiel is destroyed.
EPISODE 7
Following Ramiel’s appearance, the Japanese government orders a classified report on the Angels and the Human Instrumentality Project. Ryōji provides them with a censored document containing numerous falsified data. The young man turns out to be an undercover agent working for various international organizations.
Ryōji calls Gendō after stealing Adam’s embryo from German NERV. Given his own sources of information, Gendō assures Ryōji that he will be able to travel through Japanese territory without interference from the government. Meanwhile, Misato goes to school for Shinji’s guidance meeting.
During a business trip, Gendō meets with a Chinese informant who tells him that the budget for Unit-06 has been approved by the UN. The man hopes that Unit-08 will be built in his own country.
Note: China becomes capable of producing EVAs by possessing one of the MAGI System’s supercomputers installed in Beijing.
Ritsuko explains the truth about the Second Impact to Shinji. This event brings back painful memories for Misato, who looks away.
Japan Heavy Chemical Industries unveils a new giant robot: “Jet Alone.” In the middle of budget renegotiations with Japanese officials over the organizations fighting the Angels, NERV sees JHCI as a serious competitor. Gendō then decides to sabotage their demonstration by reprogramming the robot (without endangering the public). The designers lose control of Jet Alone during its inaugural test. Misato, assisted by Shinji piloting Unit-01, is forced to intervene to handle the situation. The robot shuts down by itself at the last second... Ritsuko and a special agent report the success of their sabotage to Gendō.
On his way to school, Shinji realizes that he has formed a family with Misato.
EPISODE 8
Adam’s Embryo
AUGUST 23: A new Angel threatens to attack the Pacific fleet ship transporting Unit-02 and Adam’s embryo (being carried by Ryōji) from American NERV. To prepare for any possibility, Gendō keeps Unit-00 and Unit-01 (reconfigured for Rei) nearby to guard the GeoFront. He therefore sends Shinji as backup in case of an attack on the sea expedition. Although the Second Children — Asuka Sōryū Langley — is participating in the transport, she has no actual combat experience against Angels. Gagiel (the Sixth Angel) emerges from the depths of the ocean and attacks the convoy’s ships. Asuka, with Shinji’s help, fights together against Gagiel and destroys it.
Ryōji entrusts the embryo to Gendō.
AUGUST 29-31: Asuka enrolls in Class 1.
EPISODE 9
SEPTEMBER 4: Around 12:00 PM, Israfel appears in the bay of the Wakayama Peninsula.
3:42 PM: EVA-01 and -02 are disabled by the Angel. An N² bomb is launched at Israfel to temporarily halt its advance.
SEPTEMBER 8: Shinji and Asuka begin their training.
SEPTEMBER 11: Decisive battle against Israfel (enemy annihilated).
EPISODE 10
SEPTEMBER 13: Asuka goes shopping with Ryōji in search of a swimsuit for the school trip to the hot springs of Okinawa. That evening, Misato informs Shinji and Asuka that they will not be going on the trip with their classmates, so they remain in Tōkyō-3 in case of an alert.
SEPTEMBER 14: Sandalphon (the 8th Angel) is discovered as an embryo in the crater of Mount Asama. EVA-02 (piloted by Asuka) captures Sandalphon. The Angel develops, hatches, and attacks the EVA. It is destroyed during the battle.
EPISODE 11
SEPTEMBER 19: After discovering their robot was sabotaged, JHCI decides to take revenge on NERV by cutting the power supply to Tōkyō-3 and the GeoFront on the day of the 9th Angel’s appearance (as predicted by the Dead Sea Scrolls). They hope the UN will call on the Jet Alone, now repaired, to destroy the Angel inside the GeoFront, which would redirect funding back to their productions. JHCI enlists Ryōji to get information about the HQ’s electrical systems. He agrees and takes the opportunity to access secret areas within NERV. He also ends up trapped in an elevator with Misato.
Mataraiel (the 9th Angel) appears in the Atami region. A total blackout hits Tōkyō-3. Rei, Shinji, and Asuka fight and destroy Matarael.
EPISODE 12
Dead Sea of Antarctica
Misato is promoted to major, allowing for the simultaneous absence of NERV’s leaders. Gendō and Fuyutsuki travel to the former UN laboratory at the South Pole to retrieve the Spear of Longinus. This operation aims to prepare the Instrumentality Plan and neutralize Lilith’s A.T. Field, which attracts the Angels.
Note: Lilith’s size is reduced (see Episode 14).
The appearance of salt pillars attests to the high salt concentration of the Dead Sea, making life impossible within it. This depiction references the story of Lot’s wife in Genesis, who was turned into a pillar of salt after she looked back at Sodom (a city punished by God and located near the Dead Sea).
OCTOBER 2: The 10th Angel — Sahaquiel — is detected in orbit above the Indian Ocean, preparing to collide with Earth and devastate the region. The three EVAs launch around Tōkyō-3, reach the impact point, and eliminate Sahaquiel.
EPISODE 13
OCTOBER 14: Ireul, a microscopic Angel, manages to infiltrate the NERV HQ after contaminating the "87th protein barrier" (a wall panel designed to repel infectious germs) recently installed in the Sigma Unit (the sterile zone of the Central Dogma). Inside the "Pribnow Box" (a testing room at the center of the Sigma Unit), Shinji, Rei, and Asuka participate in a test on the harmonics of the human body. Their task is to activate EVA imitations without wearing Plug Suits (Puragusūtsu, プラグスーツ), then simulate their movements (Mogitai, 模擬体, “body imitation”). The goal of the test is to finalize research on the creation of Dummy Plugs. However, the experiment is interrupted by the 11th Angel, which infects the simulators in the Pribnow Box and part of the MAGI System (Melchior-1 and Balthasar-2), triggering the GeoFront's self-destruction. To prevent the Angel from making contact with Yui’s soul, Unit-01 is immediately sent to the surface by Gendō’s order. Ritsuko resets MAGI and destroys Ireul using a program that accelerates its premature evolution.
The Dummy System (Damī Shisutemu, ダミーシステム) is an artificial piloting system designed by NERV to autonomously control Evangelions and generate their own A.T. Fields. It can take control of an EVA regardless of the pilot or completely replace them via a Dummy Plug.
Gendō decides not to inform SEELE or the Japanese government about the invasion. He also destroys the information recorded by the Supercomputer.
EPISODE 14
Thanks to a spy report, the members of SEELE learn that NERV was attacked by Ireul. The committee holds an extraordinary session to question Gendō about the incident; however, he denies the facts.
At the HQ, a mutual compatibility test between the pilots and the different EVAs is underway.
Inside Unit-01, Rei reflects on the meaning of life and her own existence:
- “A woman who does not bleed” — a reference to Lilith, preserved from Original Sin: she gives birth without suffering and does not bleed. The blood of Lilith that formed the planet’s oceans is not from postpartum bleeding.
- “A human made of Red Earth” — a reference to Adam (in Hebrew: Adama אדמה — “red earth”).Inside Unit-00, Shinji thinks about Rei and awakens the ghost of Naoko, who tries to penetrate his mind. He loses control of the EVA, striking the glass behind which Rei is located.
After Unit-00 is reset, Rei goes to the Terminal Dogma (Tāminaru Doguma, ターミナルドグマ) and pierces Lilith’s original body at the abdomen with the Spear of Longinus. SEELE’s intention is to slow Lilith’s growth until Adam’s children are completely eradicated. Nevertheless, the Angels continue to be drawn to Lilith. The Terminal Dogma is the deepest level of NERV HQ beneath Tōkyō-3. It contains Lilith’s chamber and the Dummy System Factory, where inactive substitutes of Rei Ayanami are stored.
EPISODE 15
OCTOBER 19: Ryōji, working for the UN, investigates the Marduk Institute. Misato catches him forcing his way into the Terminal Dogma, where together they discover the existence of Lilith.
While Rei had believed herself to be devoid of all feelings, she begins to fall in love with Shinji.
Gendō uses Rei to finalize tests on the Dummy Plug. SEELE will produce identical Plugs for the EVA Series based on the thought patterns of Kaworu Nagisa.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Magick Circle of Lemegeton - From "The Book of Ceremonial Magic" (1911), Arthur Edward Waite
On the floor of the Dummy System Factory lies a "Magick Circle" — the Circle of Goetia — which replicates the ritual seal from the Lemegeton, also known as the Lesser Key of Solomon. This circle is meant to create a sacred and purified space, isolated from the profane world. It serves to prevent the summoned spirits from directly interfering with the body or soul of the vessel (Rei Ayanami, the medium between the material and spiritual worlds). This is a codified cosmic representation that connects the operator to the Celestial Spheres. The four pentagrams placed at the cardinal points symbolize mastery over the elements and directions, while the double ring forms a mystical barrier between the two worlds, inscribed with the sacred names of God, the Sephiroth, the Angelic Choirs, and the Archangels. Without this protection, the vessel cannot benefit from talismanic power. In the first section of the grimoire associated with the Lemegeton, called "Goetia" (a Latin term meaning the "evocation" of demons or evil spirits), it is stated that the form of the Magic Circle created by King Solomon was intended to shield him from entities of demonic nature.
EPISODE 16
OCTOBER 20: Leriel (the 12th Angel) appears. Shinji attacks the Angel with EVA-01 but becomes trapped inside it in a parallel dimension (the “Dirac Sea”). He communicates with his mother, who resides within the Evangelion, and loses hope of being rescued. Shinji falls unconscious; the EVA awakens and frees itself from the Dirac Sea by destroying Leriel.
EPISODE 17
Misato is questioned by SEELE about the offensive against Leriel. The organization has lost trust in Gendō, who has been creating false reports on NERV’s operations.
OCTOBER 28: The second NERV branch (located on the American continent), which was researching the S² Organ and constructing Unit-04, has vanished. The UN leadership is unable to explain the reasons for this new disaster. It later turns out that Gendō orchestrated the disintegration of the S² Organ to delay SEELE's scenario. Under these circumstances, the Americans decide to urgently transfer Unit-03 to Japan. The school principal then informs Tōji that he is the Fourth Children.
EPISODE 18
OCTOBER 29–31: EVA Unit-03 is transported by a long-range aircraft ("EVA Transport Aircraft", EVA長距離輸送機) headed for NERV’s secondary facility in Matsuhiro. As the convoy crosses a cumulonimbus cloud over the Pacific Ocean, Bardiel (the 13th Angel) infiltrates and merges with the EVA inside the cloud. Meanwhile, Misato and Ritsuko are transferred to the test site to witness Unit-03’s activation trial. The next day, during the second phase of synchronization, EVA-03/Bardiel activates its S² Organ and causes an explosion at the Matsuhiro facility. The Angel escapes the underground cage and advances toward Tokyo-3. Given the emergency and Misato’s unavailability, Gendō takes control of operations. The EVA is now considered a hostile target to be eliminated. After neutralizing EVA-00 and EVA-02 at Nobeyama, Bardiel violently attacks EVA-01, which is controlled by the Dummy System.
Faced with Shinji’s refusal to fight, the commander calls the tactical operations division to connect the synchronization circuits to the Dummy Plug, overriding the pilot. Bardiel is finally neutralized after being disemboweled by EVA-01. Shinji is relieved to learn the pilot of the infected EVA is still alive — but on discovering the identity of the Fourth Children, he becomes enraged at his father and threatens to destroy half of NERV HQ. Unmoved, Gendō orders the operators to increase the LCL pressure in the Plug to force Shinji’s ejection from the EVA. Shinji loses consciousness and is transferred to the hospital.
EPISODE 19
NOVEMBER 02: Two days after Bardiel’s defeat, Shinji is discharged from the hospital and dismissed from duty after a cold meeting with his father. As he prepares to leave Tokyo-3, an alarm sounds throughout the city. Zeruel (the 14th Angel) appears along the Komagatake defense line.
Gendō orders Unit-01 to be reconfigured for Rei and sends her into battle. However, the EVA refuses to activate, rejecting both the pilot and later the Dummy Plug during a restart attempt. Yui’s soul within EVA-01 resists Gendō’s command because of the harm he caused to Shinji.
Zeruel decapitates EVA-02 inside the GeoFront. The EVA’s head crashes into block 6 of HQ, where Shinji has taken shelter. While evacuating, Shinji meets Ryōji tending a watermelon farm to reconnect with nature. Ryōji no longer works for NERV after being exposed as a spy for the Japanese government. Amid the chaos, Rei attacks the Angel in EVA-00 and detonates an N² bomb nearby.
Listening closely to Ryōji’s words, Shinji realizes he must act according to what he believes is right. He returns to face his father and resolves to fight Zeruel himself. After a fierce struggle, EVA-01 runs out of power and loses the armor plate protecting its core. To keep her son from further danger, Yui triggers EVA-01’s awakening, absorbing Shinji with a synchronization rate of 400%. The Evangelion rushes toward the Angel, devours its S² Organ, and frees itself from NERV’s external power control by breaking its armor seals.
EPISODE 20
Since the recent events, SEELE has grown wary of Unit-01’s emancipation and is now aware of Gendō’s true intentions.
NOVEMBER 04: After fusing with EVA-01’s Core, Shinji’s body has lost its consistency. Indeed, the concept of the "Ego boundary" refers to a limit within which the Ego recognizes its body as "self," and if crossed, results in the dissolution of its physical entity. According to the Technical Division (NERV’s scientific branch), the chemical components of the LCL inside the EVA reveal that the boy’s organic substances have been preserved in the Entry Plug in a quantum state. Meanwhile, NERV observes heavy losses of its paramilitary equipment and decides to move the MAGI System to the secondary backup control center.
DECEMBER 05: Ritsuko launches the Salvage Operation to try to recover Shinji’s physical appearance. The plan involves transferring genetic information into Unit-01 using electromagnetic signals to reconstruct the teenager’s corporeal shell, through which his soul will be able to dwell. The original plan was developed in 2004 as a project to save Yui, but its implementation was a failure according to Naoko Akagi's records. Its new implementation will not succeed due to the EVA's rejection. Each wave sent to it is retained in a dimension curved in on itself, forming an infinite loop: this is the “Klein Space” (Kurain no kūkan, クラインの空間), in which it is no longer possible to define an existing “inside” or “outside.” Later, Shinji finally regains his mental balance; Yui then decides to free her son by ejecting him from EVA-01’s Core; Shinji is reborn in body and soul.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Based on the data displayed on NERV’s psychographic analysis monitors, the Libido refers to a psychic energy that derives from the “Life Drive” (Eros). It essentially represents the mechanism behind the creation of a living being, especially when it takes form out of “nothing” under extreme conditions. In the context of Evangelion, this suggests that an individual’s A.T. Field emerges through this Libido. It is an act by which the soul gain a body to “relish” carnal freedom, and at the same time, to feel what others can offer it. This term, borrowed from Freudian psychology, is opposed to Destrudo, associated with the “Death Drive.”
Psychography of Shinji's Soul
DECEMBER 07: Two days after Shinji’s rescue, the Committee intends to place EVA-01 in cryogenic freeze. Meanwhile, Misato sleeps with Ryōji and uses the opportunity to question him about NERV’s true objectives. The young man remains silent and gives her a capsule containing the access codes to Terminal Dogma.
EPISODE 21
By order of SEELE, Ryōji kidnaps the NERV deputy commander and quickly realizes that this act will cost him his own death sentence. The organization interrogates Kōzō Fuyutsuki about the awakening of Unit-01. But a few hours later, Ryōji returns to free Fuyutsuki and enlightens him about his personal motivations. He is aware that his life is gravely threatened and fears that SEELE has discovered he stole Adam’s embryo. Due to her relationship with the infiltration agent, Misato is placed in solitary confinement by NERV. Ryōji is executed by one of Gendō’s henchmen.
In the video game "Secret of Evangelion", the story reveals that Ryōji is killed by his old friend — Kyōya Kenzaki (29 years old) — who works as an investigator for NERV.
Late in the afternoon, the Intelligence Division releases the female head of tactical operations following Fuyutsuki’s return. When Misato arrives at her apartment, she listens to Ryōji’s last message on the answering machine.
EPISODE 22
DECEMBER 10: The construction of the EVA Series begins at multiple facilities, while EVA-01 is placed in cryogenic storage in Tōkyō-3. Thus, humanity's defense rests solely on Asuka and Rei. However, as tests on harmonics progress, Asuka’s synchronization rate declines due to the deterioration of her psychological state.
DECEMBER 12: Arael (the 15th Angel) appears in Earth’s geostationary orbit. Aboard EVA-02, Asuka takes the initiative to go frontline and target the Angel with a positron rifle. But Arael seizes the opportunity to penetrate the Second Children's mind remotely. Its psychic attack affects Asuka's heart and successfully shuts down Unit-02. Under the commander’s directive, Rei retrieves the Spear of Longinus from the Terminal Dogma and sends it toward Arael, which is annihilated.
Note: Lilith is the origin of the LCL lake surrounding her / The Spear of Longinus heads toward lunar orbit and will end its course on the Moon (see The End of Evangelion).
EPISODE 23
DECEMBER 13-14: Asuka has not returned to Misato’s apartment and has been skipping classes for several days, staying at Hikari Horaki’s place (the class 2-A representative). The next day, the SEELE members once again demand answers from Gendō, who knowingly used the Spear of Longinus without their approval. They also know he implanted Adam’s embryo into himself and plan to send Kaworu Nagisa (the Angel who looks like a Lilin) to NERV in order to hasten their project before the commander’s plan can come to fruition.
DECEMBER 15: Armisael (the 16th Angel) flies over the Owaku valley, rotating around a fixed point. Suddenly, it lunges at EVA-00 and penetrates its organic parts. The Angel’s goal disorients the entire NERV headquarters by trying to establish a level 1 contact with the Evangelion. Misato sends Unit-02 as reinforcement, but Asuka’s synchronization rate (below 10%) is insufficient to move the EVA. At the same time, Armisael manages to merge with Rei, who breaks down in tears, realizing their mutual loneliness. Affected by the girl’s heart, Armisael then attempts to resurrect all the previously dead Angels using the Core of EVA-00 that it absorbed (see image opposite). Facing the gravity of the situation, Gendō cancels the freezing order for EVA-01 and sends it to assist Rei on the surface. The Angel detects the presence of the other EVA and rushes toward it. Fearing for Shinji’s survival, Rei reverses her A.T. Field to trap Armisael within its own Core and activates the Entry Plug’s self-destruct mode. The contaminated EVA takes on Rei’s appearance under the Angel’s control, then explodes, devastating part of Tōkyō-3.
The survivors of the N² bomb evacuate the fortress city. All the water from the nearby lake flows into the crater left by the destruction of Unit-00.
Form called "Angel Tower"
Rei III is sent to the hospital to fake the survival of her former replica. Later, she is confronted by Shinji outside the radiology office, who realizes that his teammate has no memory of saving his life. The soul of Lilith, which has reincarnated into a new human clone, gradually recovers the memories of Rei II at her home. She is about to crush Gendō’s glasses, which she had retrieved during his accident in July, but her tears stop her, revealing the affection she still holds for Shinji’s father.
Note: Rei wears her bandages the same way as in episode 1.
DECEMBER 22: Gendō sends Ritsuko to face accusations of the SEELE. Exposed before the Committee, the scientist feels she is Rei’s equal (just like her mother before), and realizes that her lover has been manipulating her. Late in the day, Ritsuko calls Shinji and asks him to come to NERV. She is caught by Misato at the entrance of the Terminal Dogma. Misato had previously managed to change the sector access code using information from Ryōji. Under Shinji’s watchful eye, Misato points her gun at her former friend and orders her to lead them to NERV’s secret areas. Ritsuko shows them the hospital room where Rei III was born, as well as the old EVA Control System where the very first failed prototypes of Project E are stored (the place where Shinji’s mother died). She finally reveals the Dummy System Factory and destroys the Rei substitutes to take revenge on Gendō.
EPISODE 24
DECEMBER 24: Upon learning of Ryōji’s death, Asuka runs away from Misato’s apartment and attempts suicide by slitting her wrists in the bathtub of a ruined house. NERV intelligence agents find the Second Children in time and quickly transfer her to the HQ hospital, where she is placed in room 303.
Ritsuko has been arrested after destroying the Dummy System.
Shinji is still tormented by the revelations made to him a few days earlier. Under the sunlight, he finds himself alone by the new artificial lake formed after the explosion of Unit-00. Next to him, he notices the Fifth Children and begins to get to know him. Night falls, and Rei, still amnesiac about her true identity, gradually understands on her own that her soul has been reincarnated into a new body.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
In Alchemy, according to the Emerald Tablet, the Moon and the Sun represent the two fundamental polarities of the All. Their complementarity expresses two opposing energies that establish the coherence of the universe. The Sun is the masculine principle, ordering and active, while the Moon is the feminine principle, chaotic and passive. This duality constitutes the central point of Hermetic philosophy:
The Moon embodies a disordered, indeterminate energy, symbolizing becoming and change, both creative and destructive (dissolving). Bearer of life as much as of death, it assumes all possible forms and remains intimately connected to matter and the Earth, akin to the “Prima Materia.” Associated with Water (represented by the inverted triangle), the Moon also corresponds to the Mercurial principle, the metal Silver, the color white (reflection of the Sun’s light), as well as the archetype of the Virgin: the primordial woman, untouched by the active. It is also symbolized by the Ouroboros — the serpent (or dragon) that devours or generates itself through its mouth while spinning upon itself. In Freemasonry, the Moon is the star of the North, that of Apprentices, who seek to explore their soul: to know the forces at work, to discern passions from noble ideas, and to understand the duality of love and hatred within themselves. It invites one to explore inner darkness and to reflect on time, matter, life, violence, and death. As a symbol of the human soul and of Alchemical Silver, the Moon calls for immersion into oneself to rediscover traces of the higher Light — a process that opens the way to true consciousness.
The Sun stands as a principle of fixity that organizes lunar chaos. Unalterable, immaterial, and celestial in nature, it is the stable center around which all revolves. A symbol of pure consciousness, of radiant and fulfilled individuality (evoked through Gold), it embodies the awakened being, master of himself. Associated with Fire and the red color — the color of life, will, and alchemical power — it acts as an agent of cohesion, coagulation, and transmutation. In Masonic tradition, the Sun is placed at the top of the Southern Column, and symbolizes access to ultimate reality: the fundamental unity of the All — the true essence of the universe, where all things are connected, interdependent, and exist only in relation to this eternal Whole. The Sun transcends duality, merges oppositions, and reconciles all paradoxes: impermanence is permanent, the past is actualized in the present, the ego dissolves into the Self. It allows one to discover that the Other is but a reflection of oneself (“I am everything and nothing at once, I am the other”). In this sense, the Sun is the quintessence of the Realized Being, who radiates beyond time and illusion.
Ouroboros
Alchemical Symbols of the Moon and the Sun
Thus, the Sun and the Moon appear as intimately connected in their meaning, even though one leads to the other. In this case, the Moon invites one to find the path to the eternal Light — that is, the path of Truth, but also of wisdom and serenity. This idea echoes the teaching of the famous Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus, the founding text of Hermeticism:
"Tis true without lying, certain and most true, that which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to do the miracles of one only thing. And as all things have been and arose from one by the mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation. The Sun is its father, the Moon its mother, the Wind hath carried it in its belly, the Earth is its nurse. The father of all perfection in the whole world is here".
Christ on the Cross Adored by Saints – collaborator of Botticelli – early 1490s – Alana Collection
The eclipse that occurred during the darkness of the Crucifixion is depicted in numerous cultural works of Christian theology. It portrays the Sun and the Moon — symbols of the two fundamental principles of Hermeticism — each associated with one of the major instruments of Christ’s Passion: the Holy Lance and the Holy Sponge. These two objects respectively embody the Father and Mother polarities. In esoteric tradition, the Holy Sponge — associated with the Moon — offers Christ a drink made of vinegar and water (Solve), while the Lance of Longinus — linked to the solar principle — pierces Christ's side, causing his blood to flow (Coagula). This episode is inscribed in the history of humanity as the union of opposites, the reconciliation of the Sun and the Moon, in a spiritual Eclipse that seals the Passion. The site of Calvary (Golgotha), where Christ was crucified, also bears deep symbolic significance. According to the Gospel of Nicodemus (Cave of Adam), it is believed to be the place where the skull of Adam — the first man — was buried. The blood of Christ, shed on the cross, is said to have flowed down and touched this skull, thus granting direct redemption to humanity by purifying the Original Sin for which Adam was responsible, and bringing forth salvation. Christ’s sacrifice, followed by his resurrection three days later, symbolizes the transmutation of the “old man” (Adam) into the rebirth of the divine man.
Shinji feels a deep sympathy for Kaworu and decides to spend the night at his place.
Misato considers entrusting Pen Pen to Hikari’s family.
DECEMBER 25: On the very day of Christ’s birth, SEELE urges Kaworu (the “last messenger”) to trigger the Third Impact. Kaworu takes control of Unit-02 telepathically, then travels to the Terminal Dogma with the mission to return to Adam. His offensive is detected by the Tactical Operations Division. Filled with resentment, Shinji pursues the 17th Angel aboard EVA-01 and fiercely battles EVA-02 in the shaft leading to the Black Moon’s center. In the heat of the fight, Kaworu wonders why the Lilin consent to use copies of Adam to ensure their survival, when the original entity is responsible for their suffering on Earth. He reveals to Shinji that he could merge with the EVAs if they were not endowed with souls. After destroying the last barrier of Central Dogma, Kaworu abandons the Third Children, who is still fighting, and moves toward the Progenitor Angel. Meanwhile, Rei III watches her counterpart from a distance after having released Lilith’s power. Kaworu feels sadness at the thought of reuniting with Adam, at the cost of humanity’s destruction. But as he approaches his goal, he realizes that the Terminal Dogma contained Lilith, not Adam as he had believed. The boy understands that SEELE orchestrated his death to accelerate the Human Instrumentality Project's timeline, and comprehends that the fate of the Lilins essentially depends on the will of their progenitor when he opens the "Pandora's Box."
Note: According to MAGI System data, Rei and Kaworu possess the most powerful A.T. Fields ever recorded since Sachiel’s appearance.
EVA-01 arrives in Lilith’s Chamber after defeating Asuka’s EVA, then grabs the target to be killed in its hand. Kaworu tells Shinji that Angels (including himself) cannot act against their own nature. He explains that only one of the two life forms on Earth can escape extinction. His final wish is to die by the hand of his friend, so that humanity can continue to live in peace. With great hesitation, Shinji resolves to give death to the Fifth Children.
THE END OF EVANGELION
THE END OF EVANGELION
EPISODE 25
The SEELE Committee informs the Prime Minister of Japan (one of the leaders of the UN) about the exact nature of the Human Instrumentality Project, and persuades him that Gendō Ikari is the one orchestrating the project in Tōkyō-3.
DECEMBER 30, 2015: Shinji is completely disoriented under the sun and meditates at the place where he first met Kaworu Nagisa. Later, Shinji visits Asuka at the hospital, and unintentionally exposes the teenage girl’s chest while shaking her in bed. He closes the door and masturbates over his beloved, who is still unconscious: "I disgust myself," Shinji murmurs, rejecting the demonic nature of the species to which he belongs.
Note: Asuka’s intravenous drip administers LCL to her.
3:49 PM: The NERV staff wonder what will become of the institute after the death of the Angels. The Committee members warn Gendō that they no longer intend to follow the original project scenario. They now plan to use EVA-01 (a direct descendant of Lilith) as a Christ-like figure. Surprised, Fuyutsuki had no idea that the EVAs were designed to trigger the Human Instrumentality Project.
DECEMBER 31: Rei wakes up at night under the full moon and senses that the time of the Third Impact is near. She breaks Gendō’s old glasses upon realizing that her love for him is an illusion, then heads to NERV. As for Shinji, nothing happens (his Walkman's batteries are dead).
5:30 AM: Misato accesses the MAGI database to learn the truth about the events of the Second Impact.
6:00 AM: The MAGI System of Tōkyō-3 suffers a cyberattack from the five other UN MAGI (USA - Massachusetts / China - Beijing / Japan - Matsushiro / Germany - Berlin, Hamburg). Balthasar-1 and Melchior-2 are hacked; Ritsuko is released from prison so she can reinforce the protections of the supercomputer. Once she has retreated into the conduit leading to Casper-3, she sets up the “Type-B Danang” defense program (Firewall 666), which suspends the hacking attempt and protects the MAGI System for 62 hours.
7:20 AM: The JSSDF attack begins — the generals’ objective is to seize control of the EVAs and kill the pilots so they will not have to fight them. Misato protects Asuka by placing her in EVA-02, which will be hidden at the bottom of the Black Moon’s lake.
7:23:23 AM: Shinji has gotten lost inside NERV headquarters and cannot reach EVA-01. Misato decides to retrieve him before he is executed. On the way, she is shot, but manages to lead Shinji to an elevator going to the EVA platform. After giving him his first “kiss of love,” Misato offers him the cross from her father's necklace as a token of faith. She dies of her wound moments later; the spirit of Lilith (appearing in Rei’s form), symbolizing hope and happiness, welcomes Misato into the afterlife.
The JSSDF drops an N² bomb on Tōkyō-3. The city is completely destroyed, and the GeoFront is now open to the sky.
Rei purifies her mind in an LCL tank to free herself from Yui’s genetics. Once she has become the full reincarnation of Lilith, she goes to the cloning laboratory and observes her mutilated clones.
Note: The Dummy System factory tanks are arranged in the same pattern as the Sephiroth in the Tree of Life. At the position of Malkuth (the seat of all souls), the part of Lilith inside Rei regains its memory.
The Self-Defense Army troops discover the location of Unit-02 and deploy mines in the GeoFront’s lake to destroy it. Asuka wakes up in despair and makes contact with the motherly spirit of her mother, who manifests in Unit-02 to comfort her daughter. By regaining harmony with herself, Asuka finally synchronizes with the EVA and fiercely attacks the JSSDF’s armored vehicles. In response, SEELE takes the initiative and sends the EVA Series to stop her. Under the rays of the sun, a disoriented Asuka is killed by the replica Spears of Longinus wielded by the nine EVAs.
Gendō finds Rei in the cloning laboratory. They enter Lilith’s Chamber and meet Ritsuko. While setting up the protection systems, Ritsuko had tampered with the Terminal Dogma’s self-destruct program. She intends to destroy all of Gendō’s preparations to prevent him from realizing his plan. However, the Casper module (the feminine side of the MAGI System, linked to Naoko’s personality) denies her access to the command and betrays the will of her own daughter. Ritsuko is shot by Gendō, then is welcomed by the spirit of Lilith (dressed as a schoolgirl).
EPISODE 26
Yui convinces Shinji to board EVA-01 to protect him, then awakens the Evangelion through the S² Organ, which upon activation pulverizes the pyramid-shaped headquarters building (a symbol of human ascension). The powerful A.T. Field of the Evangelion attracts the Spear of Longinus, which was located on the Moon.
Note: The Wings of Light (Hikari no Tsubasa, 光の翼) of EVA-01 transform into a cross as soon as the EVA frees itself from its armor.
Sephirothic System of the Tree of Life
The Human Instrumentality Project is about to begin. To subjugate EVA-01, SEELE’s nine EVAs administer the stigmata of Christ on its hands. They then reproduce the inverted Sephirotic System (the path of Awakening) by each activating their own S² Organ. This process triggers the Third Impact, which frees the Black Moon from the Earth. EVA-01 occupies the position of the Sephirah “Tiphereth,” referring to the solar plexus (the location of the EVA’s Core) and to the crucifixion of Christ.
Meanwhile, Gendō initiates the Forbidden Fusion of Adam and Lilith. He inserts his right hand into Rei’s human body, whose A.T. Field was waning (humanity within Rei is disappearing). However, Lilith’s soul refuses to obey him. She severs Gendō’s hand to absorb Adam’s embryo, then returns to her original body. Finally revived, Lilith frees herself from the sacred stigmata and prepares to become Adam Kadmon.
Note: The supervisor of the anime, Hideaki Anno, offers a visual reinterpretation of the Book of Revelation through a sacrilegious ritual inspired by the Black Mass, where Lilith — the antithesis of the Virgin Mary — plays the central role of the "Scarlet Woman," serving as a medium between worlds: a naked figure lying upon the altar (as described in the occult tradition of Thelema by Crowley). The Black Mass is the inverted cult that stages the coming of a new Luciferian age, founded on the transgression of sacred sexual power, and fulfilled with an obscene image of the Antichrist.
Traditionally, the Beast of Revelation is equated with the Antichrist and the number 666. In the film, Ritsuko had reinforced the Supercomputer’s protections by installing a defense program, named "Firewall 666." The designation of this device transcends its technical function and becomes an allegory. Technology is conceived as a spiritual barrier, preventing humanity from being immolated by the sacred fire of Redemption — the "Blood of Christ" — and, consequently, from attaining true transcendence. In esoteric terms, this "wall" of "fire" symbolizes a prohibition: the obstacle that prevents man from accessing ultimate knowledge (in contrast to the Seraphim and their fiery relationship with God). The Antichrist is perceived here as the inner tendency of humanity that rejects God. In the Book of Revelation, the Scarlet Woman, seated upon the seven-headed Beast, embodies "Babylon the Great," the mother of abominations (identified with Lilith in the narratives of the Inquisition).
Click the slider on the right to display the relevant verses
Revelation 12 :1 - "Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars."
Revelation 12:3 - "And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads."
Revelation 12:3 - "Then another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 12:4 – His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 12:5 – She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron*. 12:6 – And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days."
*: to rule with a rod of iron = to destroy instead of ruling with severity.Revelation 17:1 - "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters. 17:2 – With whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 17:3 – So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 17:5 – And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Revelation 17:15 - "Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Before Creation, God is Ein Sof (or Ain Soph, אין סוף — literally “without end”): the infinite and the ineffable. His Light fills all space, and nothing yet exists that can be known. It is then that God performs the Tsimtsum: a withdrawal of the infinite divine Light to make room for the emergence of a perceptible and habitable world. By concealing part of His Light, God grants a space to the beings He is about to create, so that they may exist and feel. In other words, He gives them a chance to live, to evolve, and to find their way back to Him. For although partially hidden, God does not disappear from the world. After the Tsimtsoum, God continues to emit a ray of Light (the right side), which manifests as ten energies represented by the ten spheres of the Sephirotic Tree of Life — each one a perceptible reflection of divine Light, expressed through different levels of consciousness and interpretation. The nature of Adam Kadmon is divine, but Adam Kadmon is not God, for the simple reason that God remains the eternally unknowable. Yet if the head of the celestial body of Adam Kadmon corresponds to the highest Sephirah (Kether, the Crown), the link between the finite and the infinite becomes evident: Adam Kadmon is in direct contact with Ein Sof.
Within the structure of the Hermetic Tree of Life, the “Cosmic Christ” is identified with Chokmah, the second Sephirah. Binah, the third Sephirah, corresponds to the Holy Spirit. Together, Kether, Chokmah, and Binah form the Divine Trinity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — as represented in the Tree of Life of the Hebrew mysteries taught by the rabbis. However, in the "Ethical Triangle" of the Tree of Life, the center of gravity of the Cosmic Christ is found in Tipheret, which then becomes the focal point of His spiritual expression.
The forbidden Sephirah called “Daath” (דעת), meaning “knowledge” in the tantric sense, is created by the esoteric conjunction of Shiva–Shakti, Osiris–Isis, who are perpetually united through Yesod, the “Foundation” (a symbol of sexual energy). Daath corresponds to the Forbidden Fruit, the vector of the initiatory trial that leads mankind from its Fall to divine transgression. It is linked to the Black Moon and arises from the Passion of Christ, marked by the Spear of Longinus. Graphically, Daath is sometimes represented as an invisible or occult sephirah, positioned just below the "Supernal Triangle" of the Tree of Life. It occupies an empty space, a gap between the three highest sephirot — Kether, Chokmah, and Binah — the Divine Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; or Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in the Hindu tradition (the Trimūrti). When this Three-in-One expresses itself in creation, it divides into two principles: the God and the Goddess (Jehovah Elohim), the divine couple Shiva–Shakti, also known as Abba and Aima — the Father and the Mother (Yab–Yum) — who give birth to Daath through their creative union.
The intimate connection between Daath and the sexual organs operates through Yesod, the 9th Sephirah of the Tree of Life. Yesod relates to Eden, as well as to the origin of life emerging from divine sexuality. The intimate self-realization of the Being is manifested in Yesod, where sexual energy — associated with the Moon — is personified by a divine, rebellious virgin woman dressed in blue (the color of the night): this is Lilith. She is compared to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, who embodies the "Coniunctio" into Maithuna — the sacred sexual union — accomplished in the profound darkness, at the heart of the night’s shadows. Through this initiation, the Tantras make possible the awakening of the serpent in the spine of the mystic body, that is to say the “Kuṇḍalinī” which results from the union of Shiva and Shakti.
The Sacred Tree of Sephiroth
In Hebrew, Daath (דעת) is written with three letters: ד Daleth, ע Ayin, and ת Tav. Daath is the Gate (Daleth) that leads to the divine, but it is also the Vision (Ayin) that reveals Truth, and the Fulfillment (Tav) signifying the reconciliation of the two polarities of the human race — Adam and Lilith — ready to return to God and seal their Covenant. Indeed, every human being carries both Adam and Lilith within. First Lilith, the sexual organ of the body, then Adam, the cogito (pineal gland), are constantly tempted by the serpent — the sexual energy of Lucifer — who first united with Lilith before she led Adam to partake of the Fruit of Knowledge. The serpent’s path within each human thus represents mankind’s spiritual destiny — a passage through darkness toward Light — forever marked by the transgressive drive of sexuality.
Caduceus of the Tree of Life - Kuṇḍalinī of the two serpents: Ida-Pingala or Od-Ob (Yin and Yang)
According to alchemical Kabbalah, Christ triumphed over evil within himself, like the Lamb who immolates himself in the fire of his own blood — an allusion to the sacred fire of Kuṇḍalinī. In Hindu philosophy, Kuṇḍalinī is conceptualized as a form of divine feminine energy (or Shakti) located at the base of the spine, traditionally represented as a serpent coiled three and a half times upon itself. This serpent remains dormant until spiritual practices such as yoga or meditation awaken it. Once awakened, it rises through the seven chakras aligned along the spine, reaching the crown of the head. The awakening of Kuṇḍalinī is often described as a transformative experience that expands consciousness, brings profound insight, and gives rise to psychic abilities. There is an interconnection between the Tree of Life and the symbol of the Kuṇḍalinī serpent: the Tree of Life is interpreted as a representation of the spine, or the central axis (Sushumna) in Kuṇḍalinī yoga — the channel through which the serpentine energy rises. This ascent symbolically passes through the various “branches” or energy centers (chakras), fostering spiritual evolution. The serpent, coiled at the base of this tree, embodies the potential energy (Kuṇḍalinī) which, once properly channeled, can lead to divine communion and enlightenment.
In Hindu tradition, the six-pointed star, known as the “Shatkona”, can symbolize Brahmā (the creator god), the Trimūrti (the Hindu Trinity), or represent a Shaivite symbol. This sign is therefore very common in India, carrying a strong religious and sacred dimension, much like the Swastika. The Shatkona is a symbol used in Hindu Yantras that represents the union of the masculine and feminine forms, and symbolizes passion, empowerment, and universal balance for the one who bears it. More precisely, it is believed to represent Purusha (the supreme being) and Prakṛti (mother nature or causal matter). Often, this is expressed through Shiva and Shakti. The Shatkona is a hexagram associated with the son of Shiva-Shakti: the god Murugan. Aesthetically, it is identical to the Jewish Star of David and the Japanese Kagome crest.
As indicated by the Theosophical Kabbalah, the Trimūrti — composed of Brahmā, Vishnu, and Shiva — finds its symbolic equivalent in the Christian Trinity, formed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three primordial forces express both the masculinity and femininity aspects of the divine, for God, in His essence, transcends all polarities: He is simultaneously emissive and receptive, active and passive, masculine and feminine. This is why the Trimūrti, as a dual polarity, is analogous to the sacred Tetragrammaton YHWH (יהוה), often rendered “Jehovah” in Latin, which esoteric Kabbalah interprets as an androgynous entity. YHWH is composed of “Yah” (יה), expressing the masculine principle, and “Havah” (חַוָּה, Eve), which embodies the feminine or receptive dimension. The sacred union of the divine couple is symbolized by Daath, the forbidden Sephirah that will give rise to the emancipation of the Son (Tipheret). The mystical body of YHWH, or of the Christ — the Adam Kadmon — is thus creation itself, a reflection of the divine in its three planes of existence, represented by the three successive triangles of the Tree of Life. Each corresponds to a function of the Trinity:
The Triangle of the Father (Kether, Chokmah, and Binah) ➔ On the spiritual plane, spirit dominates over mind and body. This is the first triangle (upper circle), called the “Supernal Triangle,” the source of all emanation, whose center of gravity lies in Kether— God the Father — by virtue of His triple depth.
The Triangle of the Son (Chesed, Geburah, and Tipheret) ➔ On the plane of consciousness, the mind (or soul) prevails over body and spirit. This is the second triangle (middle circle), where God the Son manifests within His triple sphere of intellection. This triangle is ethical and reflective in nature. The Cosmic Christ expresses Himself here through the human soul, represented by Tipheret (the heart of the Tree of Life), in relation to Horus / Jesus (the Son of Man).
The Triangle of the Holy Spirit (Netzach, Hod, and Yesod) ➔ On the material plane, the body takes precedence over spirit and mind. The third triangle (lower circle) reflects the function of God the Holy Spirit, as the Founder of the world. It is the "Astral Triangle," linked to Yesod, the sexual principle at the root of universal life.
Seal of Theosophy made up of several symbols: Shatkona - Ouroboros - Ankh - Om̐ - Swastika
Inverted Triangle (synthesis of the 3 Triangles) dominating the harmony of the Trimūrti (Anāhata), symbol of the human soul and of water, the feminine aspect of divine and lunar energy / Daath, arising from divine union, embodies the knowledge of the Son, and Tipheret, His heart.
Concerned about Shinji’s ordeal, Rei (Lilith) comes to his aid. Meanwhile, the EVA Series form the sacred geometry of the Ein Sof (their A.T. Fields “resonate”), generating the resurrection of Adam by merging with Lilith. The emanation of the circles and the ray of Ein Sof spreads through all the Sephiroth.
Tree of Life (fusion of the Spear of Longinus with the Core of EVA-01)
By embodying Kaworu Nagisa, Adam’s spirit (the masculine principle) softens Shinji's Ego in order to dissolve the A.T. Field of Unit-01. The Spear of Longinus (a phallic and active symbol) penetrates the EVA's Core, then undergoes a transformation, restoring the Tree of Life (Inochi no Ki, 命の木), the source of all souls.
In The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune, the act of crossing the "Abyss" (Daath) requires a symbolic death of the Ego (the Dark Night of the Soul). It is here that the notion of the "Demon" emerges: a being whose consciousness has awakened within the Ego, but without the presence of the divine. Such a being may appear as an ordinary individual, and even believe themselves to be one, but their soul has turned toward the shadow.
Gnostic teaching aims precisely to awaken the Ayin — the inner eye — within the Resh, the head, in order to develop spiritual vision. The energy of the Ego then forms a concrete structure, both in the mind and on the astral plane: a subtle matter. However, this construction is illusory, artificial — a false creation. In esoteric language, this is called an Ego, or a Shell. The Hebrew word "Qliphoth" refers to the lower realms beneath Malkuth on the Tree of Life, and means "the World of Shells," where the subconscious, the unconscious, and the infra-conscious layers of the mind reside. These zones represent darkness for Man: he does not perceive them, for he is still blind to his true nature. Humanity remains ignorant of these inner spiritual principles, lacking the awakening of Daath — the only force capable of leading it toward emancipation.
Athanasius Kircher evokes Noah’s Ark as a unifying symbol, linking universal spiritual truth to cosmic order. In his work "Arca Noë" (1675), it becomes an allegory for spiritual journey, a sanctified space comparable to the principle of the Tree of Life, which grants access to the divine soul. A refuge of salvation and knowledge, the Ark protects from the Flood just as the Tree of Life protects from ignorance. For Kircher, it allows mankind to cross the Abyss without losing itself.
Rei (Lilith) inherits Shinji’s memories and stages the boy’s childhood, through which he escapes into entertainment to forget the love of his mother that he has lost. Shinji, now the spectator of his own past, builds a sand pyramid (a symbol of social and spiritual elevation) and then destroys his creation upon realizing that no one bothers to give him attention.
Note: The playground and the hills represent his mother’s womb and breasts.
Later, Shinji is confronted with the opposite sex (Rei reveals to him the part of Misato and Asuka that resides in his heart). He discovers Misato’s intimate sphere but feels deep discomfort toward the young woman who indulges in adult pleasures. Moments later, Asuka’s thoughts overwhelm him. The teenage girl was hurt by Shinji’s selfishness and remained misunderstood by the one she loved (justifying the recurring nickname “Shinji idiot” throughout the series). However, Shinji still does not understand the feelings of those close to him despite Rei’s attempts to communicate the message. He continues to withdraw into himself and ends up strangles Asuka (embodied by Rei) to cease existing from others’ perspective, and even less so to those who resemble him. Shinji's act echoes the strangulation Naoko Akagi inflicted on Rei I.
The Gates of Guf shaped like vulvas
The Third Eye of Enlightenment
Ultimately, Shinji chooses to remain aloof from others and condemn humanity to disappear, so that suffering may cease to exist. Lilith opens the Gates of Guf, which take the form of genital vulvas in the palms of her hands (stigmata of the crucifixion), and initiates the “Red Earth Purification Ceremony” by spreading an Anti-A.T. Field throughout the entire planet. At the same time, the EVA Series crucify themselves in the name of divine complementarity to concentrate human life within the Black Moon (the reverse process of what Lilith accomplished 4 billion years ago). All the souls of the Lilin are gathered within Rei’s body — the new chamber of Guf — and now represent the red blood cells composing the giantess. The Third Eye of Enlightenment, surrounded by a genital vulva, appears on Lilith’s forehead and absorbs the Tree of Life to complete humanity’s “deification.”
Lilith is associated with the Babylonian goddess named Ishtar (Venus/Aphrodite), whose connotations are linked to prostitution and sexual rituals. Ishtar’s vulva thus represents a symbol of fertility for the Sumerians.
The flowing water and blood can also signify two mystical events: the act of baptism and the Lord's Supper. The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the Redeemer also signifies the two great benefits all believers partake of through Christ: the blessings of sanctification and justification. The grace of the "sanctification" represented by the water, as it frequently is in Scripture and the "justification" by the blood: the water for purification, the blood for atonement, and both from Christ. In The End of Evangelion, purified water is symbolized by the LCL that covers the Earth.
Anti-A.T. Field of Lilith
Lunar Trinity (Ājñā + Triquetra): Lilith (the body), Shinji (the soul), Yui (the spirit)
Lilith’s Wings of Light
The Crown of Adam Kadmon (the 10 Sephiroth)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Eye of Horus - Shiva - Jehovah (YHWH)
Depiction of the Masonic Lodge (18th century) - Eye of Providence, Sun and Moon
The One Eye (“Ayin”, ע in Kabbalah), also known as the “Eye of Providence” or the “Third Eye” (frontal chakra), represents both the Eye of God and that of human consciousness. The Eye of God, which is omniscient, embodies higher consciousness: it is at the same time the center of the universe (the Source) and the universe as a whole — coherent and harmonious. As for the Third Eye, on the other hand, is the inner organ of awareness: it invites introspection and self-knowledge, the foundation of every spiritual and philosophical quest. By transcending mental obstacles, it opens the way to a gradual and authentic vision of reality. It then becomes the point of reconciliation of all opposites — the incarnation of unity and intuitive perception, able to grasp depth beyond appearances. The Third Eye therefore symbolizes the opening of the heart and the awakening of consciousness — a demanding practice that requires letting go, self-giving, and surrender to the world. Ayin is also referred to as the “eye of the heart,” expressing a spontaneous, non-judgmental gaze akin to that of a child: a gaze of love, aware of the interdependence of all things emanating from a single Source, where everything remains ordered despite appearances. Thus, the One Eye is an invitation for individual consciousness to merge with universal consciousness, through clairvoyance and intuition freed from all conditioning. This eye establishes the link between self-knowledge and the knowledge of the Whole, following the Hermetic principle: “That which is below is like that which is above,” for Man is made in the image of God. It represents the convergence of the microcosm and the macrocosm.
On most Masonic artworks, the iconography of the Eye of Providence, enclosed within a radiant Delta, is placed between the two great lights of Genesis — the Sun and the Moon — and above the Worshipful Master, at the Orient. It conveys the resolution of duality (the return to unity), thus introducing the ternary: neither rejection of matter nor of spirit, but their union. The Eye of Providence can be defined as the key to the final union of Man with the Whole and with the Great Architect of the Universe.
The meaning of the One Eye appears across various spiritual symbols, notably the Eye of Horus from ancient Egypt, which symbolizes knowledge and fertility, as well as Shiva’s Eye in Hinduism, which carries within it wisdom and destruction. Located in the middle of the forehead, it corresponds to the Third Eye in Hindu belief. By awakening the Third Eye, Shiva perceives a dimension beyond the physical world, one that is free from all constraint. With a ray of immense power (emitted through his gaze), he annihilates the world at the end of each cosmic era, to bring about its renewal. The serpent (Nāga) around Shiva’s neck represents his power of destruction and regeneration, since the serpent can both kill and heal. In essence, the Third Eye also grants access to the Great Source: the Tao (the center of the circle), the origin and the end of all things.
The Eye of Shiva
Ājñā is the 6th of the seven major chakras in Hindu Tantrism, particularly emphasized in Haṭha Yoga. In Sanskrit, Ā-jñā literally means "command center." The Ājñā chakra is regarded as the energy center of the Third Eye, the dimension of imagination, self-awareness, and lucidity. Ājñā, which arises from Anāhata (the 4th chakra), is also the seat of the sixth sense. It is the primary means of transcending duality and taking control of one’s own reality. The representation of Ājñā includes two petals, one associated with the Sun, the other with the Moon. At its center lies an inverted triangle, a traditional emblem of the feminine principle in tantric iconography, representing the Moon, Water, and Shakti, in contrast to the upward-pointing triangle that symbolizes Shiva, the masculine principle. In the Ājñā chakra, this downward triangle is often interpreted as the meeting point of Shiva and Shakti in a state of supreme union. It is therefore the place of inner vision, of overcoming dualism, where energy (Shakti) merges with consciousness (Shiva) to form the Seal of Sacred Union (Shatkona). In the process of Kuṇḍalinī ascension, Shakti rises through the chakras to join Shiva at Sahasrāra (the Thousand-Petal Lotus). The Ājñā chakra marks an essential stage, representing the beginning of the fusion of polarities.
Ājñā – Third Eye Chakra – The inverted triangle represents Shakti ascending toward Shiva.
Gendō, who was already at the center of the Black Moon (within Terminal Dogma), was able to interact with his wife, who is directly connected to the Adam Kadmon through Rei. He would ultimately be reunited with Yui, but will join the rest of humanity by losing his individual entity (Gendō is devoured before the eyes of Rei I, Rei II, and Rei III). The entirety of human souls was separated from their corporeal shells under the effect of the Anti A.T. Field — characterized by a multitude of Rei clones — thus causing the death of all the Lilin on Earth.
In Jungian psychology, Venus/Aphrodite embodies the archetype of the Anima, a figure also represented in alchemy under the guise of the “Soror Mystica” or the “bride” of the alchemist. The Anima signifies the archetypal and collective image of woman within man, deeply influenced by his first relationship with the mother. It gathers all the feminine tendencies of the masculine psyche, such as feelings, emotions, intuition, receptivity to the irrational, personal love, and harmony with nature. As the guardian of the spiritual dimension, the Anima plays a crucial role in man’s inner development, and may appear either as the inspirer who opens the way to transcendence, or as the seductress who leads him toward sensual love, disillusionment, death, or even self-destruction.
A parade of subliminal images passes through Shinji’s mind. Among the images that remain on screen the longest, we can observe: an emergency exit; the threshold of Misato’s apartment; Rei’s nightstand, where a glass of water and painkillers lie to soothe her suffering; Shinji’s cassette player (a means of escaping reality). To comfort Shinji, Rei gives him a sensation of erotic pleasure by connecting her body with him. However, the teenager’s negative thoughts resurface, forcing him to break away from the universe to which he belongs. Through his imagination, he manages to reverse fiction and reality.
In this “live” sequence, it is important to understand that the world of Evangelion is an alternate reality to the real world (a meta-reference). Hideaki Anno aims to show animation fans (otakus) that they must stop escaping reality by taking refuge in a virtual world. For these views, Hideaki Anno was heavily criticized by both fans and animation professionals.
Rei, Asuka, and Misato remain motionless in a moving crowd, as these three girls stand out from the strangers in Shinji’s heart. Moments later, viewers inside a movie theater watch themselves as the film is shown (during the release of The End of Evangelion in 1997 in Japan), then reflect on their identity and become aware of their place among others, their peers.
Rei, Asuka, and Misato in Shinji’s “fictional world.”
Shinji accepts reality and regains his senses in the Guf dimension, which contains the Earth’s “ocean of LCL” (a reference to the “Ocean of Love” in the hymns of the Coptic Church). It is a world without A.T. Fields where individual entities do not exist. In other words, all human spirits have become One. Shinji keeps Dr. Katsuragi’s cross pendant (he has regained faith in humanity) and thus chooses to reject the existence of his ideal world. Rei and Kaworu explain to him that hope lies not in dreams, but in becoming, so that one day human wisdom may surpass that of the Gods.
Ocean of LCL - On the left, the Black Moon (symbol of Lilith); on the right, the Sun (symbol of Adam); above, the Moon (symbol of Rei); below, the Earth (symbol of Shinji); at the center, Shinji and Rei. The situation lies at the convergence of all possibilities.
After mankind receives the cosmic baptism, Lilith immortalizes the act through her own beheading (like John the Baptist in the New Testament). The "Blood of Christ" (the blood of humanity) gushes from Rei’s neck and projects toward the Moon. Since the divine being no longer has a place in this world, Adam (in Hebrew: אדם / composed of דם – "Dam," meaning "Blood") separates from Lilith. The Moon and the Earth, sealed by the Blood of Christ, now belong to the human race; EVA-01 (Yui) detaches from Lilith to take charge of the fate of the Lilin (the Babylonians).
The Black Moon releases the Blood of Christ, which pours over Rei’s abdomen, then explodes, covering the Earth with all the souls of the Lilin. Thus, all humans can be reborn with an individual A.T. Field. Rei’s body falls to pieces, revealing the bones and flesh that compose her (a symbol of kinship with mankind in the Bible); Yui extracts the Spear of Longinus from EVA-01 and returns the Cosmic Lance to initiate the New Genesis. She had planned for years to be enclosed within the EVA’s body, to become living proof that humanity has existed for all eternity. She explains to her son that everyone has the power to be brought back to life (a return to reality), and that paradise can be found anywhere as long as there is a will to keep living. Lilith’s soul approaches the EVA (God made in man’s image) and separates it from Shinji. The young boy says goodbye to his mother and returns to Earth of his own will (under the Moon’s protection), placing his trust in Rei (Lilith).
Human souls in the shape of red blood cells
Rei’s Bones and Flesh
For Christians, the Blood of Christ shed at his crucifixion is the blood required for the Covenant between God and man. It represents the ongoing relationship between Christians and God himself, which will be fulfilled and brought to an end after the Second Coming of Christ, that is, the “Return of the Messiah.” After his coming, the realization of this New Covenant will be established in a New World to come. The link between the Blood of Christ and the New Covenant is seen in the New Testament through the following quotation: “this cup that is poured out for you is the New and Eternal Covenant in my blood.” Redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer being God made man (John 10:30; 14:9).
The petrified EVA Series form the relics of the Redeemer Christ, descending from heaven to redeem the Lilin from their sin. God, out of love (sealed by the Covenant), thus grants humanity the right of redemption and promises his return to the Promised Land through the Messiah.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Cosmic Lance born from the Spear of Longinus – Union of Polarities
Intersection of the Holy Lance and the Holy Sponge – Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de La Salette
Keys of Saint Peter – Saint Cornelius Mission (Caledon)
The new artifact’s form in EVA-01 first recalls the Instruments of Christ’s Passion — the Holy Lance and the Holy Sponge — which together form the Cross of Saint Andrew. In the Apocryphal Texts, Saint Andrew was crucified on two beams forming an X, with his arms raised in a V-shape: a sign of victory over death, where sacrifice washes away sin, dissolves evil, and opens the path to eternal life (Solve and Coagula). The Cross of Saint Andrew brings a fundamental meaning that is found in other sacred relics, such as Saint Peter’s Inverted Keys. These echo the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven — one golden (celestial), the other silver (terrestrial). This dynamic of opposites — heaven and earth, spirit and matter — also appears in the alchemical symbolism of the Hourglass (X➔⧖), which reflects the convergence of two worlds: the Highest and the lowest, Ouranos and Gaia. In other words, the Hourglass signifies a perfect correspondence between God and the universal human. From this same Hermetic perspective, the upper part of the hourglass may be seen as the inverted triangle, a lunar symbol, while the lower upright triangle refers to the Sun.
The symbol of the letter "X" draws its roots from many esoteric beliefs. On a spiritual level, X embodies convergence or unification, often interpreted as the union between Heaven and Earth, the material and the immaterial. Originally represented in the form of an X-shaped cross, the sign Tav (ת) refers to the interweaving of opposites into unity. Its center designates the origin of all things, the Creative Principle — the Source, the Tao — but also the point of emptiness and of truth. Tav is often regarded as the ancestor of the Christian cross, evoking the sacrifice of Christ, where the annihilation of the Ego opens the way to a transfigured world. X is the alchemical mirror of Y, when opposites are superimposed and become complementary, regardless of their orientation. This letter thus embodies the harmony of polarities: light and darkness, life and death, the visible and the invisible. It evokes the necessary balance at the heart of existence through the symbiosis of inverted principles (Yin and Yang). X also symbolizes the crossroads, where the intersection can be seen as the point where past meets future, where destiny approaches free will, and where the macrocosm unfolds within the microcosm. But beyond its Christian roots, the letter "X" carries a powerful symbolic charge associated with sexuality and vital force. This sexual energy, far from being merely physical, is seen as a key to humanity’s fulfillment and spiritual development — a force driving unity, transcendence, and inner awakening.
In the Language of the Birds, sexuality symbolized by X is the junction between the energies of body and spirit, a crossing point between matter and soul. It invites the reconciliation of these two dimensions, often mistakenly perceived as incompatible opposites. When experienced consciously, sexuality becomes a sacred path, where love and vital impulse rise toward luminous and transcendent spheres. According to this belief, the letter "X" echoes the energy of Kuṇḍalinī, the crossing of the serpentine force that rises within to awaken universal consciousness. Through this representation, mystical ecstasy and the soul’s orgasm become one, expressing a state of wholeness and fusion with the divine.
Transmutation of the One Eye (glimmer of the Cosmic Lance) – Excerpt from The End of Evangelion
« Virtuti, fortuna comes. », Emblemata (1531), Andrea Algacio
The Mercury Principle by Federico Zuccari (1586)
The Cosmic Spear is reminiscent of the “Horns of Plenty” (cornucopias) — the Horn of Amalthea and the Horn of Achelous — derived from one of Andrea Alciato’s emblems titled in Latin "Virtuti, fortuna comes," which translates as “Fortune accompanies virtue.” In Alciato’s work, the Horn of Plenty represents the spiritual and moral fortune of humanity, an inner wealth attained through virtue, wisdom, and justice. It is regarded as an attribute of Earth deities and described as an inexhaustible source of blessings and riches. In Christian symbolism, it is the expression of divine grace and God’s blessing, dispensing eternal life and spiritual gifts, sometimes associated with the iconography of the rivers of Paradise (Revelation 22:1–2). However, from an occult perspective, the Horns of Plenty are those of the “Goat of Mendes” (Baphomet), considered the totemic representation of the Antichrist. The Goat of Mendes — a symbol of fertility, lunar and nocturnal — placed to the left of the Lord, embodies the polarities of Solve and Coagula. Upon its abdomen, the Caduceus of Hermes manifests the circulation of energies between above and below, spirit and matter, recalling that for Hermeticists, all transformation rests upon the harmony of opposites.
Federico Zuccari interprets the mediation between the divine and the human through the image of “Mercury” (Hermes), in homage to Dante’s Divine Comedy (Paradiso, Cantos V–VI). One of his eighty-eight drawings depicts two Caducei crossed around a central vertical axis. This configuration, common in certain talismans and Hermetic figures, signifies the sealing of the union between the Macrocosm and the Microcosm: the intersection of celestial and terrestrial influences through the middle path that unites them.
Esotericism, at its core, deals with hidden knowledge reserved for a select circle of initiates. The X is therefore a symbol of mystery, meant for those who follow a sometimes tumultuous spiritual path, and look beyond appearances. Used by various ancient civilizations since antiquity — especially among the Egyptians, where it refers to Osiris, God of death and rebirth — the X appears in pharaonic tombs, engraved on temple and pyramid walls as crosses or crossed bones. Accordingly, pharaohs were always buried with arms and legs crossed in an X-shape, as a sign of devotion to Osiris. The letter "X" has historically been widespread in occultism, due to its Babylonian origins and its deviant sexual meanings connected to transformation, regeneration, and transmutation. In numerology, the number ten — denoted “X” in Roman numerals — expresses both unity and duality. It reconciles the two primordial energies and constitutes the culmination of the spiritual path, the key to the cosmic and divine mystery. The Pythagoreans based their doctrine on the occult science of numbers. To gain access to the mysteries, the initiate had to swear an oath upon the number ten: “By him who has transmitted to our souls the Tetraktys, source containing the roots of eternal nature” (Life of Pythagoras, ch. 18). The Tetraktys (the triangular figure composed of the first ten numbers) embodied for the disciples the very structure of the universe. To reach the number ten meant crossing the threshold of ultimate Knowledge. Thus, the illusion of an insurmountable duality must be relinquished in order to be reborn into the unified Whole. The “X” therefore appears as an invitation to explore the crossroads of existence, to seek the balance of opposites, and to recognize in every intersection a possibility of awakening.
2016
Shinji is reborn in the Dead Sea.
On the red Earth (a world purged of original sin), Shinji finds himself lying near Asuka on a white salt beach where the waves of the sterilized Sea break. Under the veil of night, Lilith’s spirit (now Rei) has brought the two lovers side by side. The boy still cannot distinguish between dream and reality. He remains afraid of rejection by his soulmate and thus tries to kill his Love before experiencing pain once again. Asuka, disoriented, forgives Shinji and gently strokes his left cheek to comfort him. This gesture of affection gives rise to a feeling of guilt in Shinji, revealing the selfishness of his actions in the face of the selfless love being offered to him. He stops strangling the one who loves him and begins to cry (he feels her existence and his own). Asuka stays pensive for a moment, then reacts as she observes Shinji’s posture: “that’s disgusting” (kimochi warui, 気持ち悪い). Their A.T. Field has truly returned.
According to Evangelion Chronicle magazine, the presence of the Destrudo within Shinji’s mind is necessary to initiate Instrumentality. Several scenes in the film have been interpreted as expressions of Shinji’s sexual instincts, notably those where he observes Asuka on her hospital bed or when he partially merges with Rei in the LCL Ocean. Other passages rather illustrate the representation of his death drive, such as the destruction of his sand pyramid or the strangling of Asuka, followed by childlike drawings depicting dead animals. The lyrics of the two songs in the film, “Thanatos” and “Komm, süsser Tod,” highlight the significance of this dialectic of drives in the protagonist’s path, opposing Libido (Eros) to Destrudo (Thanatos). In the final scenes of The End of Evangelion, Shinji rejects Instrumentality, and Yui reminds him that all living beings possess the capacity to regain their human form as well as the desire to continue living (the life drive).
THE GREAT WORK:
In spiritual alchemy (Hermeticism), the Philosopher’s Stone embodies the attainment of spiritual awakening. It is the “secret Gold” concealed within the Lead of Saturn, that is, within the dense, amalgamated matter of the Earth or the body. Alchemy, from this perspective, is not merely an operative art; it is above all a philosophical and spiritual journey aimed at the inner metamorphosis of the individual, the “alchemist-philosopher.” It rests on the idea that man is captive within his carnal prison, which binds and restricts the freedom of the soul. Born of the body and enslaved to its demands, the Ego is the jailer of the soul, ruling as master over the consciousness of the unawakened man. The “Great Work” (Magnum Opus) consists precisely in overthrowing this domination in order to sanctify matter. The Philosopher’s Stone thus represents the culmination of this process: the raw being that the individual once was is reshaped until he becomes the “Philosopher’s Stone” himself. In this state of perfection, all that is material in him has been spiritualized, and all that is spiritual has been reintegrated into the body. Thus, every man is first an ordinary stone that asks only to be transmuted — first purified, then “fixed” (crystallized) — in order to evolve into a sacred Stone: clear consciousness within a purified body. The alchemical processes allow this transition without the addition of any foreign substance. Although his composition remains the same, the alchemist is profoundly transformed, having altered his earthly nature and attained immortality.
The Transmutation is accomplished by following the three fundamental phases of the Great Work:
1 – Nigredo (“blackness” in Latin) lies in the extraction of the human soul from the body’s grasp. The individual breaks their chains, renounces their mental prison, and temporarily disconnects from matter. This earthly phase is the most crucial, yet also the most painful. It involves a separation, or even a "Dissolution": the abandonment of the body to allow the subtle soul to escape its cell. A true leap into the unknown, Nigredo demands complete surrender in order to confront death through the extinction of the Ego. It is the experience of all risks, such is the price of freedom. Under the penetrating action of external fire, the inner fire is activated, and matter begins to decompose until it returns to the original "Prima Materia." In mythology, Nigredo corresponds to the initiatory trials a man must overcome during his descent into the Hell, that is, into the depths of his own being. Facing this inner reality is often painful and can lead to depression. Yet, in the heart of darkness, once the root of the Prima Materia is discovered, the White Light appears (Albedo, the next phase of the Work). A state of peace sets in as the psyche integrates the wound, and from this awareness springs a new, more authentic knowledge. For the alchemist, it is about dissolving the "Mixtura" (man in all his complexity) to return to the seed, or to the center that holds the core of the Mixtura free of all superfluity. This seed is the vital essence containing all the essential forces of the body. The aim of Nigredo is to reach the very heart of emotions and inner conflicts, where the power of transformation resides.
On the symbolic plane, Saturn is the planet governing the Nigredo phase. Like Mercury, its sign is used in alchemy to represent chaos, the Prima Materia, and the Philosopher’s Stone. But Saturn is also the god of fertility, hence the adage: “Our black earth is a fertile earth,” expressing the transmutation of death into new life, as evoked by the thirteenth card of the Tarot. Dissolution is the womb of all renewal, reflecting the very cycle of life — death and rebirth. It offers man the opportunity to emancipate himself and perfect his condition. Alchemists fixed the duration of Nigredo at forty days, a highly symbolic period recalling both the fasting of Jesus in the desert, the Flood through which God purified the earth of sinners, and Saint Anthony’s retreat in the Sahara, tormented by intense erotic visions and by demons.
Saturn, the Earth – Excerpt from The End of Evangelion
2 – At the conclusion of Nigredo, an immaculate light arises: this is the second phase of the Magnum Opus, Albedo (from the Latin for “whiteness”). Just as lead is the metal of the Nigredo, silver is the metal of Albedo and of the Moon, transmuted from lead. At this moment, the alchemist has discovered within himself the source of his life, the Fountain of Youth from which springs the “Living Water,” granting eternal youth. The break with matter occurs instantly: the Ego (guardian of illusions and of the mind) loses its purpose and dissolves, giving way to the subtle soul that returns to the unique source, where man and woman are one. Albedo is the recognition of the hermaphroditic nature of Man. In the spiritual sense, every being is androgynous, as revealed in embryonic development, where sexual differentiation appears only after several weeks. When Man descended into the physical world, he entered a realm of duality, manifested physically by the separation of the sexes. His spirit, however, remains androgynous, containing duality at the very heart of its own unity. This division, a fleeting characteristic of the material world, is destined to vanish when man and woman are reunited, and the True Self can be experienced. The individual, freed from his body-matter and from his Ego, now holds the knowledge of the true nature of his soul and of its bond with the higher Principle.
The traditional expression of Albedo — "when the sun rises at midnight" — is an image of the Sun rising in the dark depths of the consciousness, and of the birth of Christ in the heart of winter. Thus, at the darkest point of a psychic crisis, a favorable transformation can unfold. Albedo is also linked to Venus/Aphrodite — the Morning Star — which holds a special place in the Magnum Opus. In Antiquity, Lucifer (literally “Light-Bearer”), identified with the planet Venus, originally carried an eminently positive meaning. He was, in fact, the Angel who bestowed upon humanity the Light of Knowledge. The Gospel of Peter makes reference to this: “until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (1:19), while the Apocalypse of John reports Christ’s own words: “I am the morning star” (22:16), identifying Himself as the Light-Bearer. Saint Jerome translated a passage from Isaiah (14:12) addressed to a king of Babylon — “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! How you have been brought down, ruler of the nations!” — and drew a parallel between the original meaning of the name Lucifer and the image of the Dragon slain by the Archangel Michael. From then on, Lucifer, once the possessor of a brilliant light, became (according to this reading) the darkest and most diabolical figure of rebellion in the world. In Alchemy, Mercury and Lucifer are but two aspects of the same reality, united in a single impure identity. More precisely, Lucifer is the Morning Star fallen from the golden Heaven who, once descended to Earth, now resides within every human being. When Lucifer dissolves “in sulfur and salt,” his brilliance — now mercurial — becomes altered and distorted by contact with these impurities. The “Red Sulfur” is the same concept that Eastern philosophies express under the name Maya: the world of illusions, the veil that keeps Man ignorant of his origin.
Transmutation of Hermes and Aphrodite, frontispiece of Rudiments de la Philosophie naturelle (1655), by Nicolas de Locques.
The Moon, placed above the alembic, marks the phase of the Albedo, while the Sun, surpassing it, represents the phase of the Rubedo. These two celestial bodies, opposite in their nature, must be united. Aphrodite holds two torches: one pointed downward, symbolizing the lower passions to be transmuted; the other, directed upward, representing purified energy. Aphrodite stands atop a tetrahedron, the perfect three-dimensional body in which all angles are equidistant, thereby abolishing all forms of tension.
Venus/Aphrodite is a key image of the lunar phase of the Magnum Opus. According to myth, Aphrodite was born from the foam that formed when the genitals of Uranus, severed by Cronus, fell into the sea — which symbolizing the soul’s refuge. The Goddess of Love, emerging from the waves, thus guides the initiate into the terrifying world of the unconscious, the oceanic realm where repressed contents lie dormant. Other representations drawn from Christianity also express the Albedo phase, such as Baptism and the White Dove. Baptism signifies the purification of both body and soul by the “Living Water,” regarded as the creative force of the Divine, allowing the soul to be welcomed into the community of the Holy Spirit. Once purified through Baptism, the soul awakens within itself the resurrection of Christ. At that moment, the “sacred marriage” (hieros gamos) between the soul and Christ takes place — Christ embodying the deepest divine essence of humanity. The White Dove, witness to Christ’s baptism, is the messenger that heralded the end of the Flood to Noah; it is considered a figure of peace and a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
3 – The alchemical solar phase, Rubedo (Latin for “redness”), is the soul’s ultimate reconciliation both with matter and with the Higher Principle. At this stage, the soul reaches its highest degree of consciousness by sacrificing itself entirely to the forces of Fire and Earth. All components of the being are now reintegrated within a perfect harmony, where only the Celestial and the Terrestrial remain: matter recovers its ordering center, and the body its true and divine essence. It is a return to accomplished individuality, a phenomenon that human consciousness can only witness and embrace in a movement of total reconciliation with oneself and with the world. The awakened being allows itself to be permeated by the self-evidence of its own nature; the mind ceases to be an obstacle to anyone: it merges into the One and into the All.
Albedo, which precedes Rubedo, is often depicted in alchemical iconography — known as the "Rosarium Philosophorum" — by the White Queen joining the Red King (Rubedo), whose union embodies the divine Conjunctio. In alchemical manuscripts, the term "coniunctio oppositorum" marks the moment of transfiguration through the coitus, or the sacred marriage of the King and Queen — the Red Man and the White Woman — immersed together in the Fountain of Youth. The Donum Dei (16ᵗʰ century) offers a striking image of this: “Bind the servant to his fragrant sister, and alone they will accomplish the whole work; for as soon as the white woman has married the red man, they will embrace firmly and become one. They will decompose and perfect one another; from the two bodies they once were, they shall become a single body predisposed to perfection.” Carl Gustav Jung interprets this symbolic incest as a descent, or penetration into the unconscious, and as a return to the maternal womb (regressus ad uterum). The penetration by the woman here is equivalent to immersion in water, and thus into the unconscious. According to Gerhard Dorn, a disciple of Paracelsus, there are three levels of Conjunctio. The first, correlated with the "Separatio" (or "distractio"), occurs when the soul separates from the body and unites with the spirit, forming the "Unio Mentalis." The man ceases to identify with his corporeality, which henceforth imposes no more appetites and submits to the soul. The second takes place when the body, purified through the sublimation of physical, emotional, and mental impulses, comes into accord with the soul and the spirit ; the three Principles — Corpus, Anima, Spiritus — then coexist in perfect harmony. Only then can the third conjunction take place: the absorption of the unified whole into the Unus Mundus, “the potential world of the first day of creation,” prior to any differentiation, where all things exist in the state of primordial Unity. To enter the "Unus Mundus" is to reintegrate into the Absolute One, where all polarity is resolved and where the being perceives all things as identical to itself.
After the descent into the depths of the unconscious and darkness, the "Volatile Spirit" (or "quicksilver") — human lucidity — having been revealed, begins its “Coagulation”: it penetrates fully into the soul and the Heart. In other words, when all within has been purified and the Light has appeared, it becomes necessary to seal this Light and make it perennial, so that its radiance remains forever present in the universe. In this way, the Rubedo phase fixes the volatile and renders it permanent. About Christianity, it corresponds to the resurrection of Christ, the moment when Jesus “welds” the garment of light, abandons His former body, and becomes aware of His inner divine being — the body of Christ — making it His reality. What Jesus accomplished two thousand years ago is within the reach of every human being, who bears the divine essence, or the body of the Cosmic Christ. After the unification of the energies arising from the four aspects of totality is achieved, a new state of being emerges, one that is absolutely immutable. In Eastern philosophies, Rubedo corresponds to the formation of the “Diamond Body,” an apt term for the Philosopher’s Stone, pure and eternal. It is equivalent to the “corpus glorificationis” of European alchemy, and to the "incorruptible body" of the Christian tradition. In yoga, Rubedo is the union of Brahman (the universal self) with the Atman (the individual self), which is part of Brahman — the breath and vital energy, the soul of the All.
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