Thread by @aesthetici4n

A brief thread on the symbolism of foreskins / circumcisions [1/10]

first, let us note that the act of circumcision corresponds to an 'unveiling', a penetration to the 'inner core' (like the Holy of Holies in the temple) which is likewise a shedding of the 'garments of skin' (like Moses putting of his shoes before ascending the Holy Mountain).

This shedding of the garments (which were put onto Adam after the fall; Gen.3:21) thus represents a recovery of the primordial state (which is precisely what is effected in baptism, hence the Apostle speaks of a 'spiritual circumcision' as 'putting off of sinful nature; Col.2:11)

This makes a (spiritual) circumcision also a restoration of primordial androgyny, becoming a 'eunuch for the Kingdom', 'like the angels the angels in heaven', for 'in Christ there's neither male nor female' etc. pp.

The garments of skin are also the 'shells' (qlippoth) which Adam and his progenitors the Kainites envelopp themselves with, which, most generally, represents all the petrifying 'walls' we erect to keep out God and also point to the 'coagulated' state of post-lapsian existence

According to the jewish lore, the qlippoth are most pronounced in the genital area (hence why sexuality is also one of the things most wounded by the Fall); so it is no coincidence that the 'peeling away' of the shells is effected in this area.

But the circumcision is of course also sacrifice, a blood sacrifice to be exact, for 'the soul (the vital principle as distinct from spirit) is in the blood' - Lev.17:11, which makes the letting of blood also a purification of psyche; Sine effusione sanguinis, nulla redemptio.

of course the symbolism of the sacrifice is manifold and we cannot touch on it here; suffice to say that this 'vital principle' is likewise most eminently shown in the genital area (literally that which transmits life), which is also the 'seat of the passions' (the 'flesh').

This sacrificial symbolism also gives us the key the the 'foreskin wedding ring' (like that St. Catherine received), where the foreskin (also: our shell/fallen nature/our ego) i.e. that which we traditionally render unto God, is now being given back by God in a nuptial gesture

'He who loses his life will find it' (Lk.9:24), i.e. in sacrificing our 'foreskin' (our 'self'), we will be given our true Self (the divine foreskin) by the Celestial Bridegroom, such is the mystery of personhood, which only ever finds fullfilment in its own emptying (kenosis).

Die Geister, die ich rief ...

and this, kids, is how I met your mother

Oh Lord my heart is hardened (uncircumcised), give me a (circumcised) heart of flesh and blood. Amen.