In revelation there are two captivating images of the feminine soul, the first, representing the descent on humanity, is the whore of Babylon, the second, representing the ascent of humanity, is the woman clothed in the sun.
The whore represents the animal qualities of the humanity that must be overcome to spiritually evolve. To the whore, everything is transactional, the material world is her dominant plane of interest, and the lowest impulses are indulged as a means, not of transformation, but rather chasing the simple sensation of release. Release, or the brief feeling freedom that occurs after indulgence, is confused as spiritual awakening. Lucifer rules her and to the whore there is no greater thrill than rebellion.
On the other side, we have another image of the feminine consciousness, the woman clothed in the sun, or the holy Sophia. This is the revealed goddess of the age, or, the representation of the transformed human soul. In occult science the soul is depicted as female, the Spirit as male, and the physical body is the medium in which they must unite. Unlike the whore, the woman clothed in the sun is whole and complete, so much so that she is now fully united with the Christ. Here she radiates the wisdom of the world, and of God. She is now the bridge between humanity and heaven, the living spirit and wisdom of Christ. She is the embodiment and image of the next incarnation of the earth: New Jerusalem, or in Anthroposophy, New Jupiter. She is chaste, meaning that she requires no forces from the material world to function therefore she is truly free. She has achieved what the whore still craves, yet she has done it not through rebellion, but rather through self realization.
These two paths represent, not simply women, but rather the path of every human soul. Specifically the process of catharsis and the purification of the astral body. The image of the whore is the impure astral body that is a slave to base survival impulses, cravings and sensations. The woman clothed in the sun is the image of the Spirit Self, or the purified astral body. It is the human soul that is no longer governed by the material world and animal drives. The soul that is purified in this way naturally draws to itself the Holy Spirit and therefore becomes clothed in it. Therefore, the whore and woman clothed in the sun live in all of us, and each of us must choose which will be our inspiration.
