Esoteric Astrology
Page 57
This Trinity in manifestation knows Itself as the Transmitting One and says through the words of the Christ: “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me.” This, through the attractive power which the Transmitting One transmits.
This Trinity in manifestation knows Itself to be the Transforming Agent and through the voice of the many chants the words: “Glory to God in the highest, on Earth peace, goodwill to men”—glory, peace and the will-to-good being the effects of the transmitted life of the Transcendent One.
Finally, at the end of the age, it knows Itself as the Transfigured One and realises that the paean of the angels: “Glory to God in the highest” is the enunciation of its ultimate perfection and triumph.
Can more be said anent this subject? The major Rays of Aspect embody the entire story; the minor Rays of Attribute contribute the detail in process and enterprise. They [632] are conditioned by the three major rays. It is not, therefore, my intention to take up the analysis of the four remaining triangles. I have indicated enough in this treatise to enable the interested student to work out for himself their subjective theme. I will, however, consider briefly the three constellations connected with the third ray; their significance is relatively clear.
1. CANCER. This is the constellation which symbolises the will of the mass, which conditions mass response and mass psychology. This has not yet been the theme of astrological study for it connotes far more than the mass consciousness. It is basically the focussing of the mass will through the medium of the mass consciousness—a thing unknown as yet, though the rudiments of this knowledge can be seen in that peculiar factor in the life of humanity which we call ‘public opinion.’ This is now being brought into the educational field through what is commonly called propaganda. The implications will be clear to you. A trained and enlightened public opinion is an unknown thing on a world-wide scale, though enlightened groups are rapidly appearing. Out of public opinion (which is the focussed expression of the growth of mass consciousness) will emerge the mass will-to-good, inherent in every individual; for this humanity must work and wait.
2. LIBRA. This constellation, as you know, connotes the point of balance in the long relationship and interplay between the pairs of opposites. It indicates the will-to-express—in perfected proportion and harmony—both the life of the spirit and the potency of matter.
3. CAPRICORN. This constellation stands for the influence which will carry the will of Shamballa to the Hierarchy or to the world initiates, giving to Them that dynamic and [633] enterprising spirit which will enable Them to carry forward to completion the Will of God on Earth. It was the “angel, born under Capricorn” which came to Christ in the garden of Gethsemane and fused His individual will into the divine Will and thus enabled Him to carry out His mission to completion. This was not only the revelation of divine love to the world but—as the legend in the Masters’ Archives goes on—He came “to fabricate the gossamer thread which bound the two together and linked the place of the Most High (Shamballa) with the Holy City (The Hierarchy). The bridge between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was securely anchored. The will of God could now be carried to fruition.” Under the same symbolic teaching, we could say that the following terms distinguish the three rays with which we have been dealing.
I. Ray I. The Holy of Holies. Shamballa.
The Dwelling Place of the Most High.
Spirit. Life. Energy.
Will. Identification.
II. Ray II. The Holy Place. Hierarchy.
The Secret Place where Light dwelleth.
Soul. Consciousness. Light.
Love. Initiation.
III. Ray III. The Outer Court. Humanity.
Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Form. Appearance. Body.
Intelligence. Individuality.
Remember, nevertheless, that these Three are One. Behind all of them stands for ever the One Who remains, transcendent [634] and immanent also, greater than our whole yet also within that whole.
Through Ray IV, we learn to be at-one with this eternal synthesis and will; through Ray V, we develop the means to understand the nature of that synthesis and will; through Ray VI, we move forward to complete identification with that synthesis and will, and through Ray VII we demonstrate on Earth the nature of that synthesis through the medium of the appearing form and the purpose of that underlying will.
And so the Many are absorbed into the One.
APPENDIX - Suggestions for Students
ASTROLOGY IN THE SECRET DOCTRINE
(Third Edition)
[635] 1. Mythology relates to astronomical, theogonical and human struggles; to the adjustment of orbs and the supremacy of nations and tribes. The “struggle for existence” and the “survival of the fittest” reigned supreme from the moment that Kosmos manifested into being.... Hence:
a. The incessant fights of the Gods in all the Old Scriptures.
b. The war in Heaven of the ancient mythologies. (S.D. I. 223.)
2. Behind this veil ... of astrological symbols, there were the occult mysteries of anthropography and the primeval genesis of man. (S.D. I. 250.)
3. Astrology existed before astronomy. (S.D. III. 325.)
4. Astrolatry or the adoration of the Heavenly Host is the natural result of only half-revealed astrology.... Hence, divine Astrology for the Initiates; superstitious astrolatry for the profane. (S.D. III. 337.)
5. Primitive astrology is as far above modern astrology as the Guides (the planets and the Zodiacal signs) are above the lamp posts. (S.D. III. 341.) [636]
6. Astrology has left its eternal imprint upon the world. (S.D. III. 342.)
7. Astrology is built upon the mystic and intimate connection between the heavenly bodies and mankind and is one of the great secrets of Initiation and the occult mysteries. (S.D. II. 525.)
8. Stars and constellations have an occult and mysterious influence on, and connection with, individuals. And if with the latter, why not with nations, races and mankind as a whole? This again is a claim made on the authority of the Zodiacal records. (S.D. I. 709.)
a. There are records preserved through the Zodiac for incalculable ages. (S.D. I. 709.)
b. Astronomy, astrology and so on are all on the physical and not on the spiritual plane. (S.D. II. 667.)
c. Those philosophers alone who studied astrology ... knew that the last word of those sciences was to be sought in and expected from the occult forces emanating from the constellations. (S.D. III. 214.)
9. “... In the presence of the Eternal conformity of the divisions of the Zodiac and of the names of the Planets applied in the same order everywhere and always and in the presence of the impossibility of attributing it all to chance and coincidence ... a very great antiquity indeed must be allowed for the Zodiac. (S.D. I. 711.)
10. High ceremonial astrology ... depends upon the knowledge of the Initiate of those immaterial Forces and spiritual Entities that affect matter and guide it. (S.D. III. 337.)
11. “... our Earth was created or fashioned by terrestrial [637] spirits, the Regents (the Spirits of the seven planets. A.A.B.) being simply the supervisors. This is the first germ of that which grew later into the Tree of Astrology and Astrolatry.” (S.D. II. 26.)
12. “There are seven chief groups of such Dhyan Chohans. They are the primeval seven Rays.... Hence there are seven chief planets, the spheres of the indwelling seven Spirits, under each of which is born one of the human groups.” (S.D. I. 626.)
13. “There are only seven planets specially connected with the Earth and twelve houses, but the possible combination of their aspects are countless. As each planet can stand to each of the others in twelve different aspects their combinations must be almost infinite.” (S.D. I. 626.)
14. That which is the surviving Entity in us is partly the direct emanation from and partly those celestial entities themselves. (S.D. I. 251.)
15. The descent and reascent of the monad or soul cannot be disconnected from Zodiacal signs.... (S.D. I. 73
0.)
16. The following five statements are basic—
1. Each of the Primordial Seven, the first seven rays, forming the manifesting logos, is again sevenfold.
2. As the seven colours of the solar spectrum correspond to the seven rays or Hierarchies so each of these is sub-divided into seven.
3. Each of these Hierarchies furnishes the essence (the soul) and is the builder of one of the seven kingdoms in nature—the three elemental kingdoms, the mineral, vegetable, animal and kingdom of spiritual man. [638]
4. Each Hierarchy furnishes the aura of one of the seven principles in man with its specific colour.
5. Each of these Hierarchies is the ruler of one of the sacred planets.
Thus astrology came into existence and has a strictly scientific basis. (S.D. III. 482.)
17. All the great astrologers have admitted that man could react against the stars. (S.D. III. 339.)
18. This system (or cycles) cannot be comprehended if the spiritual action of these periods—pre-ordained so to say by karmic law—is separated from their physical course. The calculations of the best astrologers would fail, or at any rate remain imperfect, unless this dual action is thoroughly taken into consideration and mastered upon these lines. This mastery can be achieved only through initiation. (S.D. I. 703.)
19. Modern astrologers do not give the correspondences of the days and planets and colours correctly.
20. There is white and black astrology ... the good or bad results obtained do not depend upon the principles which are the same in both kinds, but upon the astrologer himself. (S.D. III. 339.)
NOTE: S.D. I, Section XVI and S.D. III, Section XXXVIII deal with the Zodiac, with Biblical references to the Zodiac and with astrology and the mysteries of Initiation.
THE CONSTELLATIONS
1. “Each of the twelve constellations, whether separately or in combination with other signs, has an occult influence, either for good or evil.” (S.D. I. 440.) [639]
2. “Enoch, the type of the dual nature of man (spiritual and physical) occupies the centre of the astronomic Cross ... which is a six-pointed star.... In the upper angle of the upper triangle is the Eagle (Scorpio); in the left lower angle stands the Lion (Leo); in the right, the Bull (Taurus); while between the Bull and the Lion ... is the face of Enoch, the man (Aquarius).... These are the four animals of Ezekiel and Revelations.” (S.D. II. 561, 562.)
(The Fixed Cross of the Heavens)
3. “The constellations of the Great Bear and of the Pleiades constitute the greatest mystery of occult nature.” (S.D. II. 580.)
4. “From the beginning of humanity, the Cross, or Man, with arms stretched out horizontally (the Fixed Cross) typifying his cosmic origin, was connected with his psychic nature and with the struggles which led to initiation.” (S.D. III. 141.)
NOTE: All the travels of all the Heroes of antiquity through the signs of the sun and the heavens ... are in each individual case, the personification of the sufferings, triumphs, and miracles of an adept before and after initiation.
5. The signs of the zodiac: Each a double sign in ancient astrological magic—namely: it was Taurus-Eve; and Scorpio was Mars-Lupa, or Mars with the female wolf.... So as these signs were opposites of each other, yet met in the centre they are connected; ... (S.D. III. 154.)
References in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire.
[640] 6. “Until the mystery of the Great Bear is revealed and is known as it is, and until the influence of Pleiades is comprehended, and the true significance of the cosmic Triangle formed by
1. The seven Rishis of the Great Bear,
2. The seven planetary Logoi of our solar system,
3. The seven Pleiades or Sisters,
is revealed, the karma of the seven sacred planets will remain unknown. All that we can see is its working out in the solar system. The intricacy of the whole subject will be apparent when it is borne in mind that not only do these three groups form a cosmic triangle, but that within that triangle many lesser triangles have to be studied. Any one of the seven Rishis with one of the seven Sisters may form a subsidiary triangle, and all must thus be studied.” (C.F. 801.)
7. “A further factor in cyclic computation lies in the effect of the following stars and constellations upon our system and upon any particular planet within the system:
1. The Great Bear. 4. The Pleiades.
2. The little Bear. 5. Constellation Capricorn.
(Ursa Minor) 6. Draco.
3. The Pole Star.
And all the other constellations and allied stars of the zodiac. The mystery is hidden in esoteric astrology and until the subject of energy, working through the etheric body, of radio-activity and of the transmutation of all bodies from a lower state into a higher is better comprehended, the true mystery of the “influence of [641] these various bodies upon each other will remain at its present stage—an unrevealed secret.” (C.F. 795.)
8. Energy in the universe can be differentiated as follows:
“1. Inter-cosmic—affecting constellations.
2. Inter-planetary—affecting planets.
3. Inter-chain—affecting the chains in a planetary cycle.
4. Inter-globular—producing interchange of force between the globes of a chain.
5. Inter-sectional—affecting the transference of force between the kingdoms in nature.
6. Inter-human—interplay between men.
7. Inter-atomic—passage of force between atoms.” (C.F. 1029.)
9. “There must also be borne in mind the play of energy which emanates from any one of the twelve constellations or signs of the zodiac, with which astrology concerns itself. This type of force is primarily concerned with planetary stimulation, with the planetary Logoi, and is hidden in Their cyclic karma—a karma which will incidentally involve those monads and devas which form Their bodies and centres.” (C.F. 1052.)
10. “These three groups of solar bodies (The Great Bear, the Pleiades and Sirius) are of paramount influence where the spiral cyclic activity of our system is concerned. Just as in the human atom, the spiral activity is egoic and controlled from the egoic body, so in connection with the solar system these three groups are related to the Logoic Spiritual Triad—atma-buddhi-manas—and their influence is dominant in connection with solar incarnation, with solar evolution and with solar progress.” (C.F. 1058.) [642]
THE PLANETS
1. “There are seven chief planets, the spheres of the indwelling seven Spirits. These seven Spirits are:
a. The seven chief groups of Dhyan Chohans.
b. The seven Primeval Rays.” (S.D. I. 626.)
2. “There are only seven planets specially connected with the Earth, and twelve houses, but the possible combinations of their aspects are countless.... Each planet can stand to each of the other in twelve different aspects.” (S.D. I. 626.)
3. “The names of the Planets are applied in the same order everywhere and always.” (S.D. I. 711.)
4. “The Seven Planetary Regents (Planetary Logoi) are `the Seven Sons of Sophia (Wisdom)’.” (S.D. II. 221. Note.)
5. “For Pythagoras the forces were Spiritual Entities, Gods, independent of planets and Matter as we see and know them on Earth, who are the rulers of the Sidereal Heaven.” (S.D. I. 535.)
6. “The seven Sons of Light—called after their planets and often even identified with them—namely, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Venus and presumably the Sun and the Moon.” (S.D. I. 628.)
7. “The planets have their growth, changes, development and gradual evolution.” (S.D. I. 667.)
8. “Plato represented the planets as moved by an intrinsic Rector ... one with his dwelling, like a `boatman in his boat’.” (S.D. I. 535.)
a. “The planets were not inanimate masses but acting and living bodies.”
b. “The planets were rational intelligences circulating around the sun.” (S.D. I. 535.) [643]
9. “The seven planets have for supreme Spirits, Fortune and Destiny, who uphold the eternal stability
of the laws of Nature throughout incessant transformation and perpetual agitation. The ether is the instrument or medium by which all is produced.” (S.D. I. 735.)
10. “The seven Gods were divided into two triads and the sun.
a. Lower Triad—Mars, Mercury and Venus.
b. Higher Triad—Moon, Jupiter and Saturn.
(the Moon standing for a hidden planet.) (S.D. II. 484, 5.)
11. “Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus are the four exoteric planets and three others which must remain nameless (Pluto and the two hidden planets. A.A.B.) were the heavenly bodies in direct astral and psychic communication—morally and physically—with the Earth, its Guides and Watchers. The visible orbs furnish our humanity with its outward and inward characteristics and their Regents or Rectors with our Monads and spiritual faculties.” (S.D. I. 628.)
12. “The Trinity was represented by the Sun (the Father), Mercury (the Son), and Venus (the Holy Spirit).” (S.D. II. 569.)
13. “There were seven tabernacles ready to be inhabited by Monads under seven different karmic conditions.” (S.D. II. 223.)
14. “Every race in its evolution is said to be born under the influence of one of the planets.” (S.D. II. 27.)
15. “The Tradition of the 70 planets that preside over the destiny of nations is based on the occult cosmogonical teaching that besides our own systemic chain of World [644] Planets there are many more in the solar system.” (S.D. I. 718, note.)
16. “The spirit of the planet is as much a creator in his own realm as the Spirit of the heavens (i.e. the form life and the soul life of the planet. A.A.B.).” (S.D. II. 500.)