The Advent of Dionysus / Sexual Orientations / 7.02

1. Man on Top

This position, commonly called the missionary style, has the couple laying down and facing each other: the woman lays on her back while the man assumes the superior position from above. Hence the development of the man's intellect, his dominant strength. One of the most beautiful positions, it allows the couple the most intimate embrace, while looking each other in the face.

It's also one of the most abused! And when we start out in life, in our quest for knowledge and our desire to know, we try to attain the highest and most beautiful things first. And out of ignorance we draw them down from heaven—to our level—to serve our inflated pride. For which reason I ascribe this to the first level. Knowledge is power, they say, and it's typical of our western culture, where man continually asserts his dominance over the woman .... It's a man's world. It thus portrays Apollo's attempt to dominate Daphne, at pinning her down, all of which aids to serve a man's pride.

While Apollo was known for his prize herd of cattle, and I correlate this with "herding the cows." For in spiritual terms cattle, more specifically a calf, signifies natural affection or, the desire to know. Which isn't yet spiritual, for it's only speculative and unsubstantiated: i.e., Adam fell to the earth or natural world for not having a substantial or "working idea" of God. It's also interesting that the first animal Adam names in Genesis is cattle.

Genesis 2:19-20 Similarly, something can be said of "Apollo's fall," who as a youth disobeyed his Father by killing the cyclops, and was punished one great year (eight years) by serving the mortal, King Admetus (sound similar to Adam?) as "a shepherd." Knowledge is not wisdom! Therefore western man orders his world almost exclusively, by "herding the cows"—its primary commodity. And usually at the woman's expense, who suffers a "loss in femininity."..."Herd the Cows."

2. Rear Entry

Commonly referred to as doggie style (for lack of a better way to put it), this position has the woman assume a position on her hands and knees, while the man assumes a superior position from above and mounts from the rear. This is how most mammals engage in intercourse, and it's probably the most common technique practiced amongst humans, more so with "non-western cultures." Hence it involves the development of the man's will (his femininity): here the woman "slightly leads," or is ahead of the man, while the position itself suggests a "state of alignment."

I correlate this with "tending the sheep," for in spiritual terms sheep signify compliancy—"of the affection." This is what the masculine will signifies, if what is willed is "good": as corresponds to a man's wisdom or his "life's experiences." (And due to his youthfulness, and lack of wisdom, Apollo was resigned to tending the sheep.) It thus becomes the foundation for what is "truly spiritual."

And here I'd like to speak of the two heavenly kingdoms: the spiritual kingdom and the celestial kingdom. And together with the natural world, they comprise the three levels of spirituality that the "well disposed" spirit enters after death (as Swedenborg explains in Heaven and Hell): i.e., the natural (1), the spiritual (2) and celestial (3). Thus when speaking of masculine and feminine representatives, the man himself depicts the natural level; the woman herself depicts the spiritual level; while a small boy child (a son) depicts the celestial level. A small girl child (a daughter) depicts the "fourth level": the conjunction between the celestial (3) and the spiritual (2)—or, "the entirety of heaven itself" as the number "32," Sybil's number (4), suggests. And here, Dionysus was perceived as a small boy (3), who was "lord," specifically over the women (2): he brought out the little girl in them (4). Which if properly understood, is what heaven expressly promotes (32). Something similar can be said about Jesus. ..."Tend the Sheep."

3. On the Side

This position has the couple laying on their sides and facing each other. And, being one of the more difficult positions, where neither partner assumes dominance, it signifies the "equality of both": and concerns the development of the "woman's intellect" which also corresponds to Gemini—The Twins, the third sign of the Zodiac.

In the spiritual sense, a goat, is typically portrayed as lecherous, and signifies "faith without charity"—or, "truth separated from good." I view it a bit differently though, for spiritual connotations have their "opposite values." For instance, a sheep becomes the "epitome of complacency," which surely doesn't correspond to good. Therefore, a goat must have its opposite value also. And, as the goat was one of Dionysus' favorite creatures, I believe it epitomized him the most. So why do we call little children "kids?" Who are far more spiritual than most adults! Thus it's interesting how the Christian religion, which esteems the sheep, became established in Greece, which esteems the goat. When the ancient Israelites released the goats into the wilderness, as a sin atonement, they must have gone to Greece! (I speak of The Church and its northwest migration in chapter 12.)

I view the goat as a refined or substantiated version of a cow—"an economized version"—as goats will eat most anything and still produce milk. Hence it signifies "everything as to truth," which is the triangle culminating at "its apex." And, as truth is more specifically a masculine trait, "to milk the goats," is to milk all the truth from the situation: giving it a feminine aspect, i.e., the woman's intellect. Hence it signifies the highest aspect of spirituality, "what is celestial, and puts the woman on equal grounds with the man. And here, Zeus, the "third successor" to heaven's throne, was nursed specifically from Amaltheia—"the goat."..."Milk the Goats."

4. Woman on Top

19	This position has the man laying on his back while the woman straddles him from above and, both are facing each other. And indeed, the woman appears to be "straddling a horse." Hence as she assumes the superior position, it concerns the development of the woman's will, her dominant strength.

I correlate this with "letting the horses in," as a horse signifies the subconscious mind—"when unbridled"—also, the understanding, "when bridled." Thus as we're speaking of the woman's will, we're speaking of an unbridled horse: letting the "unbroken horses" into the corral, of the subconscious. And here, the Greek letter "delta"—essentially an equilateral triangle, which means "the fourth"—signifies the corral.

One thing about the woman's will, is that it can't be ruled over by itself—even though it signifies "what is good." And, if allowed to take charge, will result in the emasculation of the husband. In order to promote "good" in the relationship, not to rule this position out, a more appropriate position would incorporate positions "three" and "two"—as corresponds to the number "32." (Please see Sybil.) This position has the couple laying on their sides (3), with the man laying behind the woman (2). The woman then extends her leg up over the man's thigh, and allows him to penetrate from the rear (32)...."Let the Horses in."

5. Standing Up

This position has the couple standing up and facing each other: with the woman standing on a stool or something similar, to compensate for the usual difference in height. Being one of the more difficult positions to perform, it requires a lot of balance—and thus alludes to the "crux of the matter," or cross. Which to me suggests, "what is of sport," or recreational.

This is also the quality "of perception," which belongs to the husband, or bridegroom. And here, the man elevates the woman to "his level," as he so gingerly makes "his proposal"—"of marriage." That isn't to say the couple isn't already married, just that this position portrays the proposal: irregardless of what people might say, the sex act is exclusively marital, and is more central to the idea of marriage, than anything else. Thus as the couple stands and faces each other, they can be viewed similarly to position three, "as equals," to which the number "33," which is of Prudence (5), corresponds.

I correlate this with "slaughtering the pigs"—a smaller, weaner pig?—a job requiring you to first "stand," and then chase the little squealer around—to try and get ahold of him—and then "wrestle with him," before doing what you have to do. To me it equates with "one's perception." It's also similar to bridling a horse, which requires skill and is indeed done while standing, but doesn't suggest the kind of struggle associated with the pigs...."Slaughter the Pigs."

6. Sitting Down

This position typically has the man sitting in a chair, while the woman straddles him from above and, both are facing each other. It's not altogether different than position four: where the woman also appears to straddle a horse, to which the number "46," as corresponds to Sybil (4), shows. Once the horse is bridled, a job requiring you to stand (like the previous position), you mount up and go for a ride. It's essentially what this positions implies, as opposed to "riding bareback," like position four might suggest.

It's also similar to position five, in that the two are elevated to an "equal level": but as the woman sits slightly higher, the number "34"—as opposed to "33"—which is of Vanessa (6), corresponds more. Hence it suggests "what is casual," and I view it in terms of the engagement period prior to marriage. It's a lot like receiving a drivers license, a privilege which if taken too lightly, can be revoked. It's essentially what I'm presenting to you here, in this chapter.

I correlate this with "butchering the cows," for it's something done very routinely and in a "casual way" (and initially on horseback). And being the "tryout period," it's an important phase, which allows the couple the opportunity to see if they can be truly comfortable with each other. Hence the "holy cows," which only become a major obstacle if allowed to continue into the marriage, are "systematically removed."... "Butcher the Cows."

7. Masturbation / Woman to Man

This position typically has the man laying on his back or slightly elevated at the elbows or, sitting up completely. The woman, who's laying at his side or kneeling before him (both are unclothed), begins to fondle and stroke his erect penis, "rhythmically." (This position can assume other forms too.) Being the seventh position, I equate it with the marriage ceremony: for when the veil is lifted, as corresponds to the "man's foreskin," it's similar to the wife taking the man's penis into her hand(s) which, symbolically is herself. Being the most responsive part of his body towards her, it's easy to see the correlation—to his "feminine aspect." Hence the wife is allowed a more active role towards intimacy in the relationship, "taking responsibility into her own hands," so to speak. Which seems more applicable to marriage, rather than have the husband go off and masturbate on his own.

Now as the first six positions are expressly "coital," they involve the genitals only. Therefore these and the seventh position, and possibly the eleventh, are apt to comprise the range of acceptability for somebody like Roy Masters: it involves the stimulation of the man—"specifically." And as Roy firmly believes women aren't supposed to enjoy sex, anything that smacks of it, becomes highly suspect. (It's one reason for writing this chapter.) He also believes it's a "temporal phase" when men experience it, existing primarily out of a lack of control in the relationship. Which is to be modified and later reduced—"the less he enjoys it the better!"

As this position "breaks away" from genital contact, I view it as "foraging the goats," which to me is the process of finalization—"of what's formal." And, as it doesn't involve coitus, it also signifies "what's lukewarm." Hence it allows for the exploration of those aspects which aren't readily apparent—"as the goats wander about." (And here, the man's mind is allowed to wander, while the wife does the work.) And as it opens these "new aspects," it involves developing what's new—which opens the door to eroticism. After the goats have foraged, you milk them...."Forage the Goats."