Mystery of Sex Polarity - 1. THE UNIVERSALITY OF SEX - William Walker Atkinson

The Mystery of Sex: or Sex Polarity - 1. THE UNIVERSALITY OF SEX - William Walker AtkinsonWilliam Walker Atkinson's *The Mystery of Sex: or Sex Polarity* (1909), part of his Arcane Teaching series, opens with Chapter 1, titled "The Universality of Sex." This foundational chapter lays the groundwork for Atkinson's esoteric exploration of sex not merely as a biological or physical phenomenon but as a cosmic, universal principle permeating all existence. Written in the distinctive style of early 20th-century New Thought and occult literature, Atkinson draws on ancient wisdom traditions, Hermetic philosophy, and emerging scientific ideas to argue that sex—understood as polarity, gender, or the dynamic interplay of masculine and feminine forces—is inherent in every level of reality, from the grand cosmic scale to the subatomic.The chapter begins with a bold assertion: "All the ancient occult and esoteric fraternities, organizations, and schools agreed upon one point—the Universality of Sex." Atkinson emphasizes that these ancient traditions recognized the sex principle as active throughout the entire Cosmos. He points to the Phallic Cross as a near-universal symbol in occult groups, representing the immanence of male and female principles in all natural activities and manifestations. He notes that older writings often prefer the term "gender" over "sex" because it evokes the primal idea of begetting, procreating, and bringing forth—processes that occur not just physically but on mental and spiritual planes as well. For clarity in this modern context, Atkinson opts for "sex" but stresses its broadest, most universal meaning beyond human or animal reproduction.Central to the chapter is the Arcane Teaching's doctrine that sex manifests on every plane: physical, mental, and spiritual; in organic living forms and even in so-called "lifeless" inorganic matter. This universality ties directly to the **Law of Opposites** or **Law of Polarity**, a recurring theme in Atkinson's works. Sex arises as a manifestation of this polarity: the Male Principle energizes, procreates, and initiates activity, while the Female Principle conceives, nurtures, and brings forth. These are not separate entities but complementary poles of the same Being—counterparts that contrast yet unite to create.Atkinson extends this idea cosmologically. He describes how even the creation of the Cosmos reveals sex polarity. The LAW (the Absolute, the moving and energizing Male Principle) acts upon the Infinity of Nothingness (the Female Principle, containing infinite creative potential). The LAW does not create directly but incites the inherent powers of the Infinite to conceive, gestate, and birth the universe. This mirrors ancient symbolic language: "Nature" is invariably feminine—"Mother Nature"—womb-like, bearing all forms of life. Yet no Mother exists without a Father; religions universally portray the Supreme Deity as Male, acting upon a receptive principle (whether nebulous "Nothingness," Chaos, or a divine consort) to generate existence. Examples abound: Egyptian Osiris (male) and Isis (female); Hindu gods with their female counterparts or Shakti energies; the persistent Divine Mother alongside the Divine Father in Oriental traditions.Descending from the cosmic to the material, Atkinson applies the principle to science of his era. He observes sex polarity in atoms and subatomic particles. Modern physics (early 20th-century electron theory) views atoms as composed of positive (male) and negative (female) electrons. A central positive particle attracts and organizes clusters of negative electrons, forming elements through specific groupings. Positive electrons energize and direct; negative ones are generative, swarming from the "cathode" (from Greek for "path of generation") pole in batteries and rays. Attraction draws opposites together, repulsion separates same charges—creating "marriages and divorces" among particles that vibrate to produce matter, light, heat, magnetism, electricity, cohesion, and chemical affinity. This aligns ancient Arcane wisdom with contemporary discovery: polarity in magnetism and electricity is distinctly sexual in nature, with attraction/repulsion mirroring love/hate dynamics on higher planes.The chapter weaves a tapestry where sex is the creative engine of existence. It is not vulgar or limited but sacred, the key to understanding generation and regeneration across scales. Ancient teachers pointed neophytes to this truth in cosmic creation, religious symbology, and natural phenomena. Modern science unwittingly confirms it through atomic structure and electromagnetic forces.Atkinson's prose is earnest and declarative, blending reverence for ancient esotericism with optimism about bridging occult insight and science. He avoids sensationalism, framing sex polarity as a profound, purifying truth for those ready to receive it. The chapter sets the stage for subsequent discussions on love, evolution of sex, its manifestations in plants/animals/humans, higher phases, and regeneration—transmuting sexual energy for spiritual advancement.In essence, "The Universality of Sex" invites readers to expand their view: sex is not a mere human drive but the eternal dance of polarity driving all creation. It unifies the physical and metaphysical, ancient and modern, urging recognition of this principle as fundamental to life, mind, and spirit.#Occult #Esoteric #Tantra #SexMagic #Hermetic #Polarity #SexPolarity #SacredSex #Spirituality #Mysticism #Alchemy #NewThought #WilliamWalkerAtkinson #Kybalion #DivineFeminine #DivineMasculine #UniversalSex #ArcaneTeaching #TantricSexuality #OccultWisdom