Self-consciousness is the distinctly human aspect of consciousness - the consciousness of the waking self mind which you are using to read these pages. Self-consciousness finds it's highest expression in the process of of inductive reasoning. It formulates the premises which subconsciousness accepts as suggestions, elaborates by deduction, and carries out in the direction of physiological function and organization.
Self-consciousness is founded upon the experiences of sensation. The driving power in the greater number of it's activities is desire. The Life-Power's expression through it is always a quest into the unknown, for inductive reasoning is ever an attempt to answer questions. In self-consciousness, moreover, the distinctions between past, present and future are sharply drawn. Our memories of the past, our reactions to the present, and our anticipations of the future are all colored and modified by our desires.
Thwarted desires lead to anger. Desire, moreover, has in it something of heat and fire, because all desire is an urge toward self-expansion. Desire, therefore, is the transforming power in consciousness, and it's effects upon the physical and finer bodies are disintegrating, form-destroying. To desire anything is to wish that some present condition may cease to exist. Desire tears down continually. Hindus call it RAJAS.
The alchemical name for this flaming heat of the waking consciousness is SULPHUR. Some occultists believe the noun sulphur to be derived from the Latin sol, sun, and the Greek pyr, fire. Hence they define alchemical sulphur as "sun-fire". We question the accuracy of this derivation. It is true, however, that every activity of our waking consciousness is a transformation of solar energy.
The alchemical symbol for SULPHUR is [sulphur symbol]. The upright triangle symbolizes the cosmic fire. The cross signifies the subdivision of that fire into the four states of matter which the ancients called Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Thus the Sulphur symbol designates the fivefold nature of self-consciousness, fivefold because it's modifications are based upon the senses. Of these, one corresponds to the cosmic fire, and the other four are developments of it's elementary manifestations.