In the domain of literary studies, Sylvia Plath has long been recognized as a seminal figure, primarily associated with her poignant poetry and her tragic life story. However, her involvement in mystical and occult practices has often been sidelined or overshadowed. Yet, understanding this aspect of her life is crucial to grasping the full scope of her creativity and the depth of her works’ emotive power. This blog post delves deeply into the lesser-known spiritual dimensions of Sylvia Plath, demonstrating how the esoteric profoundly influenced both her life and her literary oeuvre.
Unveiling Sylvia Plath: More than a Tragic Poet
Sylvia Plath, often remembered for her vivid and severe verse as well as her tumultuous marriage with fellow poet Ted Hughes, harbored an intense and lifelong fascination with the mystic and the esoteric. Her engagements ranged from active tarot reading and astrology to deep allegorical incorporations of gnostic and hermetic elements in her poetry. This spiritual journey was not merely a side interest; it was an integral part of her worldview and creative expression.
The Occult Influence: A Journey Through the Mystic
Plath’s spiritual quest was complex and multifaceted, encompassing a broad range of interests and activities that directly influenced her writing. From her early days, Sylvia showed a profound interest in the mystic, spurred perhaps by her family’s own deep-seated inclinations towards esoteric traditions.
Early Life and Esoteric Beginnings
Raised in a family where freemasonry and spiritual study were not unusual, Plath found herself drawn to the mystic from a very young age. Her father, a strict yet intellectually rigorous man, left an indelible mark on her, as much through his untimely death as through his scholarly habits, which included a deep dive into entomology that bordered on the obsessive—an echo of the kind of devotion Sylvia would herself show towards her occult studies.
Tarot and Beyond: Sylvia’s Spiritual Tools
Plath was not only an eager tarot card reader, often using the deck to channel her thoughts and emotions, but she was also a scholar of its implications. This fascination wasn’t just a fleeting interest—it was an academic pursuit. Her understanding of tarot symbology profoundly shaped her poetic symbols, and numerous accounts from her college years at Smith suggest that she carried her deck almost as a constant companion, using it as a lens through which to view the world and her experiences.
Astrology and the Zodiac: Mapping the Stars
Astrology also played a considerable role in Plath’s life. She meticulously noted astrological alignments and their potential influences on her day-to-day existence and creative output. This celestial mapping became a source of both inspiration and consolation to Plath, offering her a framework within which to contextualize her personal and professional struggles.
The Gnostic Influence in Plath’s Writing
In her writing, particularly in her acclaimed collection “Ariel,” Plath’s use of gnostic themes such as transformation, sacrifice, and redemption is evident. The intense, almost prophetic tone of many of these poems aligns closely with gnostic concepts of seeking knowledge and enlightenment beyond the mere material. Such themes are woven intricately throughout her work, often surfacing through vivid, at times startling imagery that challenges the reader to look beyond the surface.
A Connection to Alchemy
Plath’s engagement with alchemy, primarily through her readings and her discussions with Hughes, who shared her interest in the field, allowed her to use alchemical metaphors to explore transformations—both physical and metaphorical. Her poem “Lady Lazarus” can be seen as an alchemical recount of death and rebirth, a theme recurrent in her poetry and her personal letters.
Plath’s Legacy: Reinterpreting Her Mystic Side
Understanding Sylvia Plath’s mystic side offers us a more comprehensive view of her as not just a literary figure but as a meticulous student of the occult. This perspective helps to reframe her not just as a ‘tragic figure’ but as someone who actively engaged with and questioned the universe through her spiritual and poetic explorations.
Conclusion: The Mystic Poet
Sylvia Plath’s life and work are a testament to the complexities of the human spirit. Her journey through the esoteric realms was not merely a means of escape but a profound engagement with the questions that define us all: Who are we, why do we suffer, and what secrets lie beyond the material veil? In her, we find not just a poet of exceptional depth but also a mystic who dared to gaze deeply into both the light and the darkness of existence.
In reevaluating Plath through the lens of her mystical interests, we gain not only deeper insights into her works but also into the era’s cultural and spiritual undercurrents. As we continue to study her life and works, let us remember Sylvia Plath as a relentless seeker of truths—seen and unseen.