Esoteric Astrology

by Alice A Bailey

  b. The United States (and later South America) fusing and blending central and western Europe and the entire western hemisphere.

  c. The British Empire, fusing and blending races and men throughout the entire world.

  In the hands of these nations lies the destiny of the planet. These are the three major world blocs from the consciousness angle and from the angle of world synthesis. Other and lesser nations will participate in the process with full independence and cooperation, voluntarily and through the perfecting of their national life in the interests of the whole of humanity, and through the desire to express and preserve their soul integrity and their purified national purpose (which purification is now going on). The keynote, however, of human living will be struck by Russia, Great Britain and the United States—not because of their power, their historical past and their material resources or territorial extent but because they are in a position to fuse and blend the many types, because they are far-visioned in their world purpose, because they are not basically selfish in their intent, and because the government of the peoples reaches down into the depths of each nation and is fundamentally for the people. Their basic Constitution, Magna Charta and Bill of Rights are human. Other nations will be gradually swept into line with these fundamental spiritual requirements, or—if they are already based on these human principles and not on [531] the rule of a powerful minority, exploiting an unhappy majority—they will cooperate freely with these greater nations in a federation of purpose and of interests until such time when all the nations of the world see the vision clear, forego their selfish aims and agree in the unity of the work to be done for the whole. Humanity will then emerge into the light of freedom with a revealed beauty and a spiritual purpose, hitherto unknown.

  3. Research into the relation of the planetary centres to the systemic centres, the sacred planets and the energies pouring through them from the constellations which they "rule" in the esoteric sense. This is one of the paradoxes of occultism but it can be understood if the student remembers that the centres in his etheric body rule the planet in so far as they are receptive or non-receptive to the influences emanating from the planet, via the planetary centres.

  Beginning as ever with the study of the microcosm as the clue to the macrocosm, but seeking at the same time to envisage the macrocosm in order to understand the microcosm, man will some day establish an intelligent relation to the whole of which he is a part and this with conscious cooperation. Thus the higher mind and the lower mind, the abstract and the concrete, the subjective and the objective will be brought into a functioning unity and man will be whole.

  I cannot give you the relation of the planetary centres to the human centres or of the systemic centres to the planets. Too much knowledge would be given too soon and prior to the time when there is enough love present in human nature to offset the possible misuse of energy with [532] its often disastrous consequences. The colours, the mathematical rate of the higher vibrations which emanate from the centres—individual, planetary and systemic—and the quality (esoterically understood) of the energies must be the subject of human research and self-ascertained. The clues and the hints have been given in the Ageless Wisdom. The slower method of research is the safer at present. In the next century and early in the century an initiate will appear and will carry on their teaching. It will be under the same "impression" for my task is not yet completed and this series of bridging Treatises between the material knowledge of man and the science of the initiates has still another phase to run. But the remainder of this century must be dedicated to rebuilding the shrine of man's living, to reconstructing the form of humanity's life, to reconstituting the new civilisation upon the foundations of the old and to the reorganising of the structures of world thought, world politics, plus the redistribution of the world's resources in conformity to divine purpose. Then and only then will it be possible to carry the revelation further.

  All this is dependent upon the triumph of the Forces of Light and the consequent victory of those who stand for human freedom. If the forces of materialism and cruelty triumph and selfish and wicked national interests and ambitions had prevailed, the revelation would still come but very much later. The issue is not in the balance and there is no need to despair. The courage of those fighting for freedom remains unimpaired. The Hierarchy stands. Light is breaking in the world as the realities of the situation emerge more clearly.

  Be of good cheer for there is no true defeat of the human spirit; there is no final extinction of the divine in man, for divinity ever rises triumphant from the darkest [533] pit of hell. There is need however to overcome the inertia of the material nature in response to human need, individually and by the nations not engrossed with the essentials of the situation. This shows signs of happening. There is no power on Earth which can prevent the advance of man towards his destined goal and no combination of powers can hold him back.

  CHAPTER V - Three Major Constellations and the Zodiac

  [537] There exists at this time an inter-relation between three of the constellations upon which I would like somewhat to enlarge, because their potency and the climax of their inter-relation is being reached at this time. From 1975 on, that potency will greatly lessen until it fades out. The period of this interplay of three major energies and their focussed potent effect upon our planet began in 1875, achieved momentum in 1925, will reach its highest expression (for good or evil) in 1945 and will then decline slowly until 1975. These three constellations are: Leo, Capricorn and Pisces. These are curiously and most mysteriously related to the fourth kingdom in nature and therefore to the evolution and the destiny of the human family. Add to these the emerging energy of Aquarius, and you have four energies which are playing upon the vehicles of men and producing peculiar effects—both destructive and constructive.

  Twice before has this relation and intensification of vibration occurred: At the time of the coming of the Sons of Mind to the Earth during the Lemurian age and once in the Atlantean period at the climax of the conflict between the Lords of the Dark Face and the Lords of the Shining Countenance. (See Volume II of The Secret Doctrine or the Vishnu Purana. A.A.B.) In the earlier activity, the fourth active constellation was Gemini and in the Atlantean [538] it was Sagittarius. The effect then was on the physical plane (the earliest was on the mental) and the great Flood eventuated to which the Bible bears testimony. It brought about the destruction of the humanity of the time, but released the indwelling life for further experience and development.

  1. Leo, Capricorn and Pisces.

  The effects produced are mass effects and the Rulers of these constellations which move into activity at this time are those listed in one of the earlier tabulations which I gave you.

  Leo.—Ruler: The Sun, veiling Uranus, the planet of occultism, and that which governs group relations, organisations and the eleventh House. It relates the Leo influence to Aquarius.

  Capricorn.—Ruler: Venus, governing the second House, which is concerned with economics, the distribution of money and metals and which rules Taurus, the “seed house” of illumination and the new emerging light. Venus also rules Libra exoterically and the seventh House wherein enemies are recognised and unions and friendships achieved.

  Pisces.—Ruler: Pluto, governing the eighth House, the house of death, of dissolution, of detachment and ruling Scorpio, the sign of testing and of discipleship.

  This tabulation and its inferred relationships warrant careful study in the light of modern affairs and the present world situation. From the angle of the ray energies involved and seeking to control human life, you have the influence of the seventh Ray of Ceremonial Law, Order and Magic, [539] the fifth Ray of Concrete Knowledge, or Science and the first Ray of Will unitedly bringing about fundamental changes, and ushering in the new era. This combination is terrifically potent and brings about the precipitation of inner forces, an increased activity of the lower mind and an outpouring of the Shamballa force—all three of which can be seen functioning in the fi
eld of the planetary life today as never before. The greater effect is produced owing to the greatly increased sensitivity of mankind, compared to the two other times in which (in cyclic evolution) these three constellations were active. The combination is seen demonstrating in human affairs today. It was responsible for the organisation which lay behind the World War—an organisation involving all three levels in the threefold world of human evolution and which affects also the three kingdoms in nature, climaxing in the fourth. It is responsible for the use of mental power on a vast scale, notably in the material sense as at present and for the achievement of human desire, plus the self-will of an evil few, who, because of the seeds of evil in their own nature, respond to the lower aspects of this force. It is also responsible for the steadily mounting will-to-good of the awakening many.

  A close analysis of these constellations, their planetary rulers and the ray forces which these transmit will clarify the world issues in an amazing manner, plus an appreciation of the houses in which these effects will primarily be felt. The following brief tabulation may prove useful, even if it is only a repetition of that earlier said:

  Constellation Ruler Ray House

  Leo . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Sun (Uranus) . . Seventh . . . . . Eleventh

  Capricorn . . . . . . . . Venus . . . . . . . . . . . . Fifth . . . . . . . Second and Seventh

  Pisces . . . . . . . . . . . Pluto . . . . . . . . . . . . First . . . . . . . Eighth

  [540] The energies poured out, therefore, will be felt primarily in those aspects of human living which are influenced by the rulers of certain houses.

  The seventh Ray of Ceremonial Order or Organisation is felt in the house of relationships, of organisations and of mutual effort and of aspiration (either towards good or evil). The forces of this ray work out on the seventh or physical plane—the plane whereon major changes in all forms are made and on which the disciple must firmly stand as he takes initiation.

  This seventh ray sweeps into organised and directed activity the world of forces upon the outer sphere of manifestation, and produces the precipitation of Karma, which, in this case leads to:

  1. The working out into expression of all the subjective evil of the life of humanity, thus producing the world war.

  2. The initiation of the planetary Logos and—with Him—of all who take their stand upon the side of the Forces of Light. This takes various forms as far as humanity is concerned:

  a. The initiation of the consciousness of the masses of men into the Aquarian Age, bringing them under the new influences and potencies, and enabling them to make a response of which they would not otherwise be capable.

  b. The initiation of the aspirants of the world on to the Path of Accepted Discipleship.

  c. The bringing about of certain major initiations in the case of those world disciples who are ready enough and strong enough to take them.

  [541] In spite of the vast destruction everywhere, the work of the seventh ray is being increasingly felt; the destruction of the forces of evil is going on even though at great cost to the Forces of Light; simultaneously there is a regrouping and a rearrangement of human attitudes and thought; this is brought about as a result of the tremendous demand upon the world thinkers for direction and guidance. Thus the nebulous structure and the dim outlines of the New Age civilisation can already be seen.

  The underlying spirit of freedom will triumph as it is organised into revolt against slavery. To this end, the seventh ray will increasingly make contribution.

  Leo, the constellation in which the keynote is full self-consciousness, is becoming increasingly dominant. The issues involved in today’s situation are becoming clearer in the minds of the masses of the people; they can and will act with full awareness and intentional conscious purpose when the right time comes and will understand the implications and the price involved in a manner not hitherto possible. Hence the meaning back of my reiterated statement that the issues and determinations of the present situation are in the hands of humanity itself. The “stars in their courses” will aid humanity or bring destruction, according to human determinations. Men can achieve liberty and organise for the New Age with its unique civilisation and constructive synthesis, or they can commit suicide (if I may speak symbolically) and hand over their immediate future to the forces of evil and of death. These work for the death of all the true values and of all for which the human spirit has fought.

  The self-consciousness aspect of the human being is [542] being steadily expanded under this major interplay and through the forces transmitted by Uranus, via the eleventh house, and will ultimately give place to group consciousness and group relationships and group work. Hence the trend towards amalgamation today, towards federation, spheres of action and the many groups which distinguish increasingly human intercourse. The group spirit and the forms through which it will express itself are being increasingly demonstrated and this constitutes a veritable initiation for the race. It is the emergence of the glory of the human spirit in a more definite and arresting way and involves an orientation towards freedom which will later stand in the historical records as the outstanding characteristic of this age of major conflict. Humanity is today participating in the preparatory tests for initiation, the initiation of the world disciple. Great is your privilege to be taking part in this. Forget not that eleven is the number of the Initiate and that today it is the eleventh house which is so dominant; forget not that Aquarius, the eleventh sign, is the sign of universal relationships, interplay and consciousness. For all this, the combination of signs, Leo, Capricorn and Pisces—is preparing the race.

  The evil men who guided the destiny of Germany talked of world groups and of the European Order of Nations but it was a grouping around Germany as the centre and for the selfish interests of Germany. The grouping which is a part of the divine Plan is not around any one nation but a grouping based on the ideal of brotherhood, on the will-to-good and on the freedom of the whole. One expresses a selfish materialistic distortion and the other a spiritual objective.

  Capricorn is related, as you have been told, to initiation; [543] it is also the sign of the coming world Saviour and these higher aspects of the Capricornian influences can be potently demonstrated if humanity so wills it and will take advantage of the Venusian influence to use the mind as the reflector of soul purpose. If this does not take place, the present situation will turn into something far worse—a situation wherein the mass of men will be “re-initiated into the Earth and forced to turn their backs upon the dawning light.” A dark period of civilisation will ensue. Instead of the dark cave of initiation wherein the light of the initiate’s own nature illumines the darkness and so demonstrates his command of light, the dark cave of materialism and of physical, animal control will take the place of the “lighted Way.” The earthy aspect of Capricorn, the lowest concrete aspect of the mind and an increased control by the Taurian spirit in its worst form will take the place of the divine possibility of entrance into greater light, the manifestation of the soul nature and the recognition of the “light which is found in the eye of the Bull.”

  Such are the possibilities confronting the world of men today; the issue is dependent upon the final triumph of the Forces of Light (working through the Allied nations) or on the control of the forces of materialism. Germany represented materialism in the West and Japan in the East. I would also add that those who in both nations (and there are many such) represent the “lighted Way” were so imprisoned in their environment and so dominated in their personalities by the thoughtform of their powerful rulers that for them right action was impossible. It is this thought which prompts the Hierarchy to renewed effort. The Forces of Light recognise and work for the spiritual good of all people, irrespective of their national relations. They are [544] working for the release of Germany from the glamour which descended upon her people. The Hierarchy makes a distinction between the bewildered mass, the wrongly educated youth and the obsessed leaders in all branches of the government. The latt
er are “shells,” obsessed by evil entities and hence their dynamic, one-pointed potency, hence also their extreme skill and cunning, based on very ancient evil experience and hence also the well-nigh ludicrous falsity of their propaganda. They are the spirit of materialism embodied, devoid of all true feeling and perception, lacking the light of love and understanding, but powerfully animated by the energy of substance itself. It is time that men woke up to the nature of these beings who sought (under the present grouping of constellations) to enslave the race. The earthly influence of Capricorn made their activity possible; they themselves have been evoked out of their evil past by the material side of humanity itself and the potency of the massed selfishness of mankind. In like manner, the Forces of Light can be evoked in tremendous potency but only by the massed aspiration and spiritual desires of the peoples of the Earth. Of this evocation, there are already signs.

  The Venusian influence—as you will have noted—brings in likewise the influences of Libra. You find today a cycle wherein an appropriate balance or point of equilibrium has been brought about which is a correspondence to the great point of balance on the Path of Involution when spirit and matter balanced each other, making the upward arc of evolution the next possible step. This time the balancing is on mental levels; in the earlier crisis, it was on the physical plane. This point of equilibrium is to humanity, to the Sons of Mind, what the earlier point of crisis was to the planetary [545] Logos. This is a fact to be remembered and given due place in your thinking. The problem to be solved is: Which aspect of humanity will finally triumph and so disturb the balance by achieving dominance—spirit or matter, soul or personality? Such is the nature of these points of crisis. As in the planetary crisis, if spirit should triumph, a new feature, function or quality of divinity will begin to manifest—the highest mind. In the human crisis, the same thing is possible. If the spirit of man triumphs, then the aspect of true love in its divine nature and with its group emphasis will be possible. Such are the issues involved.