What I have to say first on this subject is entirely of a preliminary nature. I seek to lay the ground for a somewhat new approach - a far more esoteric approach - to the science of astrology. Certain things I may say will probably be regarded by the academic and uninspired astrologer as revolutionary, or as erroneous, as improbable or unprovable. As yet, however, astrology has not really proved itself to the world of thought and science, in spite of many definitely demonstrable successes. I would ask all of you, therefore, who read and study this section of A Treatise on the Seven Rays to bear in mind the above comments and to preserve a willingness to consider hypotheses and to make an effort to weigh a theory or suggestion and to test out conclusions over the course of a few years. If you can do this, there may come to you an awakening of the intuition which will translate modern astrology into something  of real moment and significance to the world. It is intuitional astrology which must eventually supersede what is today called astrology, thus bringing about a return to the knowledge of that ancient science which related the constellations and our solar system, drew attention to the nature of the zodiac and informed humanity as to the basic [4] interrelations which govern and control the phenomenal and subjective worlds.

A.I. Three Basic Statements

The statement is frequently made that astrology is an exact science but that is far from correct in spite of the many mathematical computations. Astrology is based, curiously enough, upon illusion for, as well you know, the zodiac is naught but the imaginary path of the sun through the heavens, and this as it appears from the standpoint of our totally insignificant planet. The sun is not, as stated, in any sign of the zodiac. It simply appears to be so as it passes between our little sphere, the Earth, and the constellations at any particular time or season.

In ancient days it was believed that the earth was the center of the solar system and that around it revolved the sun and all the other planets. This was the exoteric knowledge and position, though not the esoteric understanding. Later, when further discoveries brought more light to the human mind, our planet was decentralized and the truth was more clearly seen, though much remains as yet to be discovered and may even be of as revolutionary a nature. From certain astrological angles, a similar process of decentralization must take place and the solar system must no longer be regarded as a point around which the zodiac revolves or through which the sun passes in its great cycle of approximately 25,000 years. Astrologers with insight may deny that this is the commonly accepted attitude. Yet - for purposes of clarity and in connection with the general public - the inference is permitted and accepted by the ignorant. Upon this theory anent the zodiac rests very largely what we call the Great Illusion, and I would have [5] you bear this in mind as you study with me the newer approaches of this greatest and oldest of all the sciences. Astrology is a science which must be restored to its original beauty and truth before the world can gain a truer perspective and a more just and accurate appreciation of the divine Plan, as it is expressed at this time through the Wisdom of the Ages.

The second statement which I would make is that astrology is essentially the purest presentation of occult truth in the world at this time, because it is the science which deals with those conditioning and governing energies and forces which play through and upon the whole field of space and all that is found within that field. When this fact is grasped and the sources of those energies are better comprehended and the nature of the field of space is correctly understood, we shall then see a far wider and at the same time a more closely related horizon; the relationships between individual, planetary, systemic and cosmic entities will be grasped, and we shall then begin to live scientifically. It is this scientific living which it is the immediate purpose of astrology to bring about.

At present, the position of the average believer in astrology is that he is an individual of importance (at least to himself), that he is living on that important planet, the Earth (important to humanity), and that, through astrology, he can discover his destiny and know what he ought to do. In making this comment, I do not refer to those few astrologers who possess real esoteric knowledge. They are few in number indeed, and only a handful of them are to be found practicing at this time. The modern investigator likes to believe that on him impinge and through him flow all those energies which come from the sign in which the sun "finds" itself at the time of his birth. He regards himself [6] also as responsive to the various planets as they govern the houses in his horoscope and he believes that his life trends and circumstances are thus determined. This makes him feel himself to be a factor of isolated importance. Modern interpretations fail to emphasize the importance of the rising sign (the ascendant) and this has been due to the fact that few have been as yet ready to function as souls; small allowance has been made for the energies which play upon our planet all the time from other constellations or from the many "hidden" planets. Of these, the Ageless Wisdom claims that there are around seventy in our solar system.

I desire to give you a truer and more accurate picture. This has now become possible because group awareness, group relations and group integrity are coming to the fore in the human consciousness. As this takes place, the personality which is individual, separative and self-centered will recede increasingly into the background, and the soul, non-separative, group conscious and inclusive, will come more and more to the fore. Interest, therefore, in the individual horoscope will gradually die out, and increasingly the planetary, the systemic and the universal picture will stand out in the awareness of the individual; he will then regard himself only as an integral part of a far more important whole and his world group will interest him far more than himself, as an individual.

I shall not, therefore, deal with the subject of esoteric astrology from the standpoint of the horoscope at all. Universal relationships, the interplay of energies, the nature of what lies behind the Great Illusion, the deluding "Appearances of things as they are," and the destiny of our planet, of the kingdoms in nature and of humanity as a whole - these will constitute the major part of our theme. [7]

It is immaterial to me whether modern astrologers accept or reject these presented ideas. I will endeavor to give you certain facts as the Hierarchy recognizes them; I will indicate, if I can, the subjective realities of which the outer illusion is but the phenomenal appearance, conditioned by men's thoughts throughout the ages; I will emphasize the fact of the livingness of the Sources from which all the energies and forces which play upon our planet flow and emanate; I will endeavor, above all else, to demonstrate to you that all-pervading unity and that underlying synthesis which is the basis of all religions and of all the many transmitted forces; I will seek to remove you, as individuals, from out of the center of your own stage and consciousness and - without depriving you of individuality and of self-identity - yet show you how you are part of a greater whole of which you can become consciously aware when you can function as souls, but of which you are today unconscious, or at least only registering and sensing the inner reality in which you live and move and have your being.

This brings me to the third statement, which is so basic and fundamental that I would ask you to pause and contemplate it, even though you grasp not its full implications as yet. The Ancient Wisdom teaches that "space is an entity." It is with the life of this entity and with the forces and energies, the impulses and the rhythms, the cycles and the times and seasons that esoteric astrology deals. H. P. B. stated this in The Secret Doctrine. I would remind you that there is an astrological key to The Secret Doctrine which cannot yet be given in completeness. I can, however, give you some hints and suggest some lines of approach, and these, if carried in the consciousness of the illumined astrologers, may enable one of them at a later date to discover that key and then - turning it on behalf of humanity - reveal [8] the fourth great fundamental of the Ageless Wisdom of which three are already given in the proem of The Secret Doctrine.

Space is an entity and the entire "vault of heaven" (as it has been poetically called) is the phenomenal appearance of that entity. You will note that I did not say the material appearance, but the phenomenal appearance. Speculation about the nature, the history and identity of that entity is useless and of no value. Some dim idea, providing analogy even when eluding specifications, might be gained if you will endeavor to think of the human family, the fourth kingdom in nature, as an entity, as constituting a single unit, expressing itself through the many diversified forms of man. You, as an individual, are an integral part of humanity, yet you lead your own life, you react to your own impressions, you respond to exterior influences and impacts, and in your turn you emanate influences, send forth some form of character radiation and express some quality or qualities. You thereby, and in some measure, affect your environment and those whom you contact. Yet all the while you remain part of a phenomenal entity to which we give the name of humanity. Now extend this idea to a greater phenomenal entity, the solar system. This entity is itself an integral part of a still greater life which is expressing itself through seven solar systems, of which ours is one. If you can grasp this idea, a vague picture of a great underlying esoteric truth will emerge into your consciousness. It is the life and the influence, the radiations and emanations of this entity, and their united effect on our planetary life, the kingdoms in nature and the unfolding human civilizations, which we shall have briefly to consider.

The subject is so vast that I have been faced with the problem of the best method whereby to handle it. [9] I decided on brevity, the concise statement of facts (facts to those of us who are working on the inner side of life, but which must rightly be only hypotheses to you) and the avoidance of detail and of detailed discussion. We will endeavor to work from the universal to the particular and from the general to the specific, but our emphasis will always be on the universal and the general, and not upon the particular and specific. It will rest with those of you who are students of astrology to make due application of the truth to the specific. It is definitely in this connection that modern astrology has gone astray. It has reversed the true and right procedure and has laid the emphasis upon the specific and particular, upon the personal horoscope and the individual destiny, and has not laid the emphasis upon the great energies and their Source. These sources are ultimately responsible for the manifestation of the specific. This position and presentation of truth must be altered.

In esoteric astrology we are, therefore, dealing with the Life and Lives which inform the "points of light" within the universal Life. Constellations, solar systems, planets, kingdoms in nature and microscopic man are all of them the result of the activity and the manifestation of energy of certain Lives whose cycle of expression and whose infinite purposes lie outside the comprehension of the most advanced and illumined minds on our planet.

The next point for each of you to grasp is the fact that the ether of space is the field in and through which the energies from the many originating Sources play. We are, therefore, concerned with the etheric body of the planet, of the solar system, and of the seven solar systems of which our system is one, as well as with the general and vaster etheric body of the universe in which we are located. I employ the word "located" here with deliberation and because [10] of the inferences to which it leads. This vaster field, as well as the smaller and more localized fields, provides the medium of transmission for all the energies which play upon and through our solar system, our planetary spheres and all forms of life upon those spheres. It forms one unbroken field of activity in constant ceaseless motion - an eternal medium for the exchange and transmission of energies.

In connection with this, and in order more correctly to understand, it will be useful to study individual man; in this way we can arrive at a faint comprehension of the basic and underlying truth. Students should never forget the Law of Analogy as an interpretive agency. Esotericism teaches (and modern science is rapidly arriving at the same conclusion) that underlying the physical body and its comprehensive and intricate system of nerves is a vital or etheric body which is the counterpart and the true form of the outer and tangible phenomenal aspect. It is likewise the medium for the transmission of force to all parts of the human frame and the agent of the indwelling life and consciousness. It determines and conditions the physical body, for it is itself the repository and the transmitter of energy from the various subjective aspects of man and also from the environment in which man (both inner and outer man) finds himself.

Two other points should here be added. First: the individual etheric body is not an isolated and separated human vehicle but is, in a peculiar sense, an integral part of the etheric body of that entity which we have called the human family; this kingdom in nature, through its etheric body, is an integral part of the planetary etheric body; the planetary etheric body is not separated off from the etheric bodies of other planets but all of them in their totality, along with the etheric body of the sun constitute the etheric [11] body of the solar system. This is related to the etheric bodies of the six solar systems which, with ours, form a cosmic unity and into these pour energies and forces from certain great constellations. The field of space is etheric in nature and its vital body is composed of the totality of etheric bodies of all constellations, solar systems and planets which are found therein. Throughout this cosmic golden web there is a constant circulation of energies and forces and this constitutes the scientific basis of the astrological theories. Just as the forces of the planet and of the inner spiritual man (to mention only one factor among many) pour through the etheric body of the individual man upon the physical plane, and condition his outer expression, activities, and qualities, so do the varying forces of the universe pour through every part of the etheric body of that entity we call space and condition and determine the outer expression, the activities and qualities of every form found within the cosmic periphery.

The second point I would make is that within the human etheric body there are to be found seven major force centers which are in the nature of distributing agencies and electrical batteries, providing dynamic force and qualitative energy to the man; they produce definite effects upon his outer physical manifestation. Through their constant activity his quality appears, his ray tendencies begin to emerge and his point in evolution is clearly indicated.

This "control of form through a septenate of energies" (as it is defined in the Old Commentary) is an unalterable rule in the inner government of our universe and of our particular solar system, as well as in the case of individual man. There are, for instance, in our solar system, seven sacred planets which correspond to the seven individual force centers in man, the seven solar systems, of which [12] our solar system is one, and in their turn the seven energy centers of the One to Whom I have referred in my other books as the One About Whom Naught Can Be Said.

Much has been given in the occult books of which the average astrologer remains profoundly unaware. It is essential that he learns to think in larger Wholes and to be more deeply concerned with the emanating Sources and with the eternal persistent Causes than with the effects of these Sources upon that ephemeral creation, a human being and his temporary existence upon a most unimportant planet. As he seeks to do this, he will discover for himself the signs of the essential divinity of man - a divinity which is to be found in the infinite grasp of man's consciousness when illumined by the light of the soul and in his power to project his thought into the consciousness of those manifold Lives Whose "energetic movements" he must perforce share because his small modicum of energy is an integral part of Theirs.

There is one aspect of energy for which the modern astrologer makes very little allowance, and yet it is of paramount importance. This is the energy which emanates from or radiates from the Earth itself. Living as all human beings do upon the surface of the Earth and being, therefore, projected into the etheric body of the planet (for the reason that "man stands erect") man's body is at all times bathed in the emanations and the radiations of our Earth and in the integral quality of our planetary Logos as He sends forth and transmits energy within His planetary environment. Astrologers have always emphasized the incoming influences and energies as they beat upon and play through our little planet, but they have omitted to take into adequate consideration the emanating qualities and forces which are the contribution of our Earth's etheric [13] body to the larger whole. This we will consider later, but I felt the necessity of calling your attention to it at this time.

Another point which should here be noted is that the influence of the moon is purely symbolic in nature and in effect and is simply the result of ancient thought and teaching (descended to us from Lemurian times) and is not based upon any true radiation or influence. In those far off times, antedating even Lemuria and constituting in Lemurian days simply an ancient tradition, the moon appeared to be a living vital entity. But I would have you bear definitely in mind that today the moon is nothing more than a dead form. It has no emanation and no radiation of any kind and, therefore, has no effect of any kind. The moon, from the angle of the esoteric knower, is simply an obstruction in space - an undesirable form which must some day disappear. In esoteric astrology, the effect of the moon is noted as a thought effect and as the result of a powerful and most ancient thought-form; nevertheless, the moon has no quality of her own and can transmit nothing to the Earth. Let me reiterate: The moon is a dead form; it has no emanation at all. That is why the moon is spoken of in the ancient teaching as "veiling either Vulcan or Uranus." This hint or inference has always been here and astrologers would do well to experiment with this suggestion I have made anent the moon and (instead of working with the moon) let them work with Vulcan when dealing with the undeveloped or average man and with Uranus when considering, the highly developed man. They would find some interesting and convincing results eventuate.

Students would also do well to remember that the twelve constellations which constitute our particular zodiac are themselves the recipients of many streams of energy coming to them from many sources. These blend and fuse with the [14] energy of any particular constellation and - transmuted and "occultly refined" - eventually find their way into our solar system.

I would like to call attention, at this point, to some comments I made in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire which are apposite and helpful. I am somewhat paraphrasing:

"Astrology is concerned with the effect produced in the substance of the sheaths by the influences, vibrations, etc., of the various planets. These are, esoterically, the influences of the solar centers. The forces, emanating from the solar centers, play upon the planetary centers... This is hidden in the karma of the Heavenly Man. When true esoteric astrology comes into being, more anent this will be given. Astrological students are today only learning the ABC of this stupendous subject and are occupied with the exoteric fringes of that great veil which has been thrown wisely over planetary lore." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1051)

The following is a list - incomplete but adequate for our purposes - of the major influences which find their way from far distant Sources into our planetary life and produce definite effects upon individual man and humanity as a whole.

1. The constellation of the Great Bear.
2. The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades.
3. Sirius, the Dog Star.

1. The seven solar systems of which ours is one.
2. The seven sacred planets of which ours is not one.
3. The five non-sacred planets or "hidden" planets. [15]

1. The seven planetary centers.
2. The seven centers of force in the human etheric body.

1. The twelve zodiacal constellations.

We thus have a ninefold energy impact. This is a major chart but it should be remembered that there are other impacts of relative insignificance.

To these would be added other streams of energy which definitely play upon and affect our planetary life, such as those coming from that great star, Betelgeuse, or from Antares and other stupendous suns and solar systems which are related to the constellations of the zodiac and whose force reaches us through these constellations and not directly.

Besides these, it should be remembered that technically we should also add the radiatory influence which comes direct to us from the planet, the Earth, upon which we live. Then, and only then, can you have a fairly complete analysis and picture of the energies to which the etheric body of man (conditioning the physical body which is pre-eminently automatic and negative in its reactions) must and does ever respond. An understanding of that response and the conscious intelligent control of individual reactions are supremely necessary to man but only become possible at a fairly advanced stage of development and as he nears the Path (technically understood). Man learns first of all to control his reactions to the planets as they rule and direct his personality affairs from their different "stations" in the twelve houses of his horoscope. There are two ways in which this is done:

First: By having the horoscope duly cast and then taking [16] steps to determine what should be done to negate the planetary influences where it is deemed desirable to control the personality reactions. This has to be done by the applied power of thought. This necessitates complete confidence in the understanding and interpretation of the astrologer and the recognition of the exact moment of birth. One wonders if these conditions of the exact moment and the completely wise astrologer are ever to be found as yet.

Second: By consciously assuming the position of the spiritual Observer, and by cultivating the power to respond to the Soul. Then, from the angle of that Soul, the man must learn to control circumstance and the attendant reactions of the personality.

The following attitudes and positions taken by the esoteric astrologer should also be noted:

1. That the planetary influences indicate the trend of the outer life circumstances. When correctly interpreted for the average man and for the unevolved man, they can and do indicate the personality destiny and fate; they do condition and completely control the man who has no conscious soul experience. The moment that a man becomes aware of his own soul and is endeavoring to control his own "path in life," the influence of the planets, per se, definitely weakens and steadily becomes less and less; his personality chart appears inconclusive and often most inaccurate. It is the force flowing through the planets and not the force of the planets themselves which then governs and controls. The man then becomes receptive to the subtler and higher energies of the solar system and of the twelve governing constellations.
2. That the Sun sign, as it is called, indicates the nature of the man, physical, mental and spiritual. It holds the [17] secret of the personality ray and of the man's responsiveness or lack of responsiveness to the Soul, the real man. It indicates also the integration already achieved and the present point of unfoldment of the soul qualities, of the present available equipment, of the present life quality and of the immediately possible group relations. It indicates, from the angle of the Ageless Wisdom, nothing more. This is a reversal of the usual astrological position. The reason that I proffer this is that humanity is enough evolved so that the astrology of the soul will become possible before long; it constitutes - from many points of view - a reversal of normal procedure. This is both wise and necessary, and also inevitable. Astrologers will eventually be divided into two classes: the exoteric astrologers who will be occupied with the horoscope of the personality, and the esoteric astrologers who will be occupied with the purposes of the soul.
3. That the rising sign indicates the remoter possibilities, and the spiritual goal and purpose of the immediate incarnation and of the immediate succeeding incarnations. This sign concerns itself with the struggle of the spiritual man "to carry on" from the point achieved so that when the life energy is temporarily exhausted and the "death of the personality" takes place, the man finds himself "nearer the center of his life, closer to the center of his group and approaching the center of divine life," as the Ageless Wisdom expresses it. This particular phrase "death of the personality" has two definite connotations:
   1. It may mean the death of the physical body, which is inevitably followed by the two stages of the [18] death of the emotional vehicle and the subsequent dissipation of the temporary and ever-changing form which the quota of mental energy has assumed during incarnation.
   2. The subjective and mystical "death of the personality." This is a phrase indicating the transfer of the focus for the distribution of energy from the personality (a definite center of force) to the soul (another definite center).

I realize that these concepts are not in line with the usual astrological postulates. However, astrology would not be wasting time if it experimented with these ideas for a while. Astrologers might discover some most interesting and arresting problems and perhaps arrive at an accuracy which is at present unknown. It might be of some service if I enlarged somewhat upon this point:

In connection with the sun sign, the rising sign and the effect of the thought-form relating to the moon, the position of esoteric astrology is as follows:

1. The sun sign. - This sign indicates the present problem of the man; it sets the pace or the established tempo of his personality life; it is related to quality, temperament and the life tendencies which are seeking expression during this particular incarnation, and it is suggestive of the rajasic or the activity aspect of the innate man. Fundamentally, the forces here found are indicative of the line of least resistance.
2. The ascendant or rising sign indicates the intended life or immediate soul purpose for this incarnation. It holds the secret of the future and presents the force which, rightly used, will lead the man to success. It represents [19] the sattvic or harmony aspect of life and can produce right relationship between soul and personality in any one incarnation. It thus points the way to the recognition of the force of the soul.
3. The moon. - This type of force (coming from certain planets and not from the moon) indicates that which is past. It, therefore, summarizes limitation and the present handicaps. It governs the physical body and shows where the prison of the soul is to be found.

The next statement which I would like to make, and which grows normally out of the above, is that the zodiacal, the systemic and the planetary energies act either as hindering or as stimulating forces, according to the type of vehicle or body upon which they play; the nature of these vehicles and their capacity to attract, to respond, to reject, to absorb and to transmute is entirely dependent upon the point in evolution attained and also upon the general planetary condition and psychology to be found in the human family at any given time. An instance of the latter can be seen today in the world where the forces, beating in an almost violent and somewhat new measure and tempo upon our planetary life, are evoking a greatly intensified response from the world thinkers, thus stimulating them to earnest effort along ideological lines and, at the same time, are drawing forth from the masses and the little evolved people nothing but terror, a miserable fatalism, widespread physical depletion and many other undesirable reactions from the form nature. An understanding of these hindering or stimulating effects can be easily grasped by those who can comprehend the nature of the activities of the planet Saturn. This is the planet which conditions primarily the point in evolution where choice definitely becomes possible, [20] where rejection of opportunity or its acceptance can consciously be undertaken, and the shouldering of personal responsibility becomes a recognized fact in a planned and ordered life. This point in the human evolutionary process is spoken of in the Old Commentary in the following symbolic phrases:

"Amid the whirling forces, I stand confused. I know them not, for, during all my past, they swept me up and down the land wherein I moved, blinded and unaware. From place to place and point to point, they drove me up and down the land and nowhere was there rest.

I know them now and here I stand and will not move until I know the Law which governs all this movement up and down the land. I may revolve and turning face the many different ways; I face some wide horizons and yet today I stand.

I will determine for myself the way to go. Then onward I will move. I will not travel up and down the land nor turn in space. But onward I will move."

There is another revolutionary idea which the esoteric science of astrology brings to its modern and exoteric aspect: In. the greater cycle of man's many incarnations, he - as is well recognized - passes through the zodiacal circle from Pisces to Aries, thus retrograding through the signs as he follows the sweep or path of the Sun's retrogression. This phrase has always disturbed me, but the apparent retrogression, based upon the precession of the equinoxes, is all an integral part of the Great Illusion. The moment a man begins to emerge out of that illusion and is no longer subject to the glamor and to the effect of the world maya, that moment the motion of the great Wheel of Life [21] is reversed and he then begins (slowly and laboriously) to work in the opposite direction. He then passes through the signs from Aries to Pisces. He begins patiently and consciously to function as a soul struggling towards the light until finally he emerges at the end of the Path in Pisces as a world Victor and a world Savior. He then knows the significance of the triumph over death because he has surmounted and overcome desire.

This reversal of the way a man travels through the signs of the zodiac will necessitate a readjustment of the method employed by astrologers when they are casting a horoscope of senior aspirants, of disciples and of initiates.

According, therefore, to an individual's point of evolution upon the Path or (in other words) the individual's place upon the wheel of life, the practicing astrologer will arrange the interpretation of the horoscope. It will require the work and the thought of the intuitive astrology, dependent upon soul contact and much meditation, to determine the processes of astrological interpretation for those who are active and living souls at some one or other of the final stages upon the Path. The casting of the horoscope of the average man or the undeveloped man presents no such difficulties.

It might be added in addition that the signs of the zodiac, are concerned primarily with the life expression of the Heavenly Man (as far as our planet is concerned) and therefore with the destiny and life of the planetary Logos. They are also concerned with the great man of the heavens, the solar Logos. I refer in this last instance to their effect as it makes itself felt in the solar system as a whole and with this effect there are few astrologers at this time fit to deal. I would remind you that to the lives who inform these great constellations and whose [22] radiation - dynamic and magnetic - reaches our Earth, this effect is incidental and unnoticed. The primary effect that they have is upon our planetary Logos and this effect reaches us through Him, pouring through that great planetary center to which we have given the name of Shamballa. It is, therefore, capable of evoking the major response from the monads, and these monads express themselves through the kingdom of souls and through the human kingdom; it consequently expresses itself through the Hierarchy and through humanity as a whole. This is a point of real importance and should be noted and connected with all the teaching you have had upon this most interesting theme of the three major planetary centers. It is the work of the zodiacal influences to evoke the emergence of the will aspect of the Heavenly Man and of all monads, souls and personalities who constitute the planetary body of expression. This statement means but little to you today but it will mean much to those students who, in a few decades, will study what I am here saying. Properly understood, it accounts for much that is happening in the world at this time.

As these influences pour through our planet and thence to the centers of force upon the planet, they produce a dual effect:

1. They produce an effect upon advanced man, galvanizing the centers above the diaphragm into activity and enabling him to respond to the radiation and the activity of the Hierarchy.
2. They produce an effect upon unevolved man, enabling him to function as an ordinary, unenlightened human being.

It should be noted here, however, that all the energies - zodiacal, systemic, and planetary - have a definite effect [23] upon all the lives in all forms in all kingdoms of nature. Nothing can escape these radiatory and magnetic influences. The goal of evolution for humanity is to become consciously and livingly aware of the nature of these energies and begin to know them and to use them. This is the field of occultism as the Hierarchy has always told men. It might be stated that the disciple has to become consciously aware of the planetary influences and begin to use them for the carrying out of soul purpose. The initiate has to be aware of the zodiacal influences which emanate from outside of the solar system altogether. These can be recognized as

1. A vibration, registered in one or other of the seven centers.
2. A revelation of a particular type of light, conveying a specific color to the initiate.
3. A peculiar note.
4. A directional sound.

The whole story of the zodiac can be picturesquely yet accurately summed up in the following statement: There are three books which the three types of human beings study and from which they learn:

1. The Book of Life - Initiates - the 12 constellations.
2. The Book of Wisdom - Disciples - the 12 planets.
3. The Book of Form or of Manifestation - Humanity - the 12 Creative Hierarchies.

In summation, it might be said that:

1. The zodiacal signs affect primarily the man who lives below the diaphragm. This is the ordinary average man. These signs thus condition four of the centers: [24]
   1. The base of the spine.
   2. The sacral center.
   3. The solar plexus center.
   4. The spleen.
2. The inner group of solar systems, working in conjunction with the zodiacal signs, affect primarily those who live above the diaphragm. They, therefore, condition:
   1. The heart center.
   2. The throat center.
   3. The ajna center.
   4. The head center.
3. Three of the energies work through the head center but only after the third initiation.

There are one or two other points which might be noted here also. I note them for your enlightenment. Out of all the many energies which impinge upon, pass through and produce effects upon our planet, esoteric astrology emphasizes the following four types of force because they affect what might be called the personality of our Earth:

1. The quality of our solar system. God is a consuming fire but God is also love. This is the teaching of both esoteric and exoteric truth.
2. The quality of the Logos of our planet as it pours through the chains, the rounds, the races, and the kingdoms of nature.
3. The quality of the Earth's complementary planet, which is the Earth's polar opposite, esoterically considered. This planet is Venus.
4. The quality of the attraction of the three planets which produce an esoteric triangle of force. [25]

I have several times used the phrase "pass through" the centers and forms. This concept necessitates the idea of distributing centers to which the incoming energies may go and from which they may pass out again as radiation. Some idea of this might be grasped if I gave you the new proposition (new to you though old to esotericists) of the centers in the human etheric body. The four centers above the diaphragm - the heart, throat, ajna and head centers - are basically and primarily receiving centers. The centers below the diaphragm - the base of the spine, the sacral, solar plexus and spleen centers - are galvanized into activity by the four higher receiving centers. This, when accomplished, demonstrates as personality and physical magnetism and influence until the time comes when there is a reversal in the way of passing - as a soul - around the zodiac. This is symbolized as the revolution of the sun around the zodiac from Aries to Pisces instead of the reverse movement, from Aries to Taurus. This is repeated in the human frame and the four lower centers eventually return that which has come to them. They thus reverse the process normally followed and the centers above the diaphragm become radioactive, dynamic and magnetic. This is an intricate occult study and is concerned with the response of the etheric body to the incoming energies. It relates finally the lowest center at the base of the spine to the highest center, the head center. This is a correspondence to the relation of the Earth to the Sun. Think this out.

As we work and study over these matters, let us bear in mind always the fact that we are considering the seven rays and their interrelations in the cosmic process. We are concerned esoterically with:

1. The seven rays and the twelve signs of the zodiac. [26]
2. The seven rays and the twelve Creative Hierarchies.
3. The seven rays and the planets as they govern the twelve houses of expression.

As we ponder and think and as we correlate the various aspects of the teaching, we shall find three propositions emerging which govern the inflow of life to the planet and to the individual man. These have been laid down earlier in A Treatise on the Seven Rays but it might profit us to state them here:

Proposition One - Every ray life is an expression of a solar life and every planet is therefore:

1. Linked with every other planetary life.
2. Animated by energy pouring into it from the seven solar systems, of which ours is one.
3. Actuated by three streams of force:
   1. Coming from solar systems other than our own.
   2. Our own solar system.
   3. Our own planetary life.

Proposition Two - Each one of the ray lives is the recipient and the custodian of energies coming from

1. The seven solar systems.
2. The twelve constellations.

Proposition Three - It is the quality of a ray life - manifesting in time and space - which determines the phenomenal appearance.

Before we penetrate further into the consideration of our theme, I would like to emphasize two points:

• First of all, that we are considering esoteric influences and not astrology, per se. Our subject is the seven rays and [27] their relationship to the zodiacal constellations - or - in other words - the interaction of the seven great Lives which inform our solar system with the twelve constellations which compose our zodiac.
• Secondly, that we have necessarily to study these energies and their interplay from the angle of their effect upon the planet, and incidentally, their effect upon the forms in the various kingdoms of nature and particularly in connection with the fourth kingdom, the human, and with individual man - average man, the disciple and the initiate.

We shall enter into no definitions in connection with technical astrology, nor shall I use the many technical terms. If, in the presentation of this vast subject, and in the process of indicating the attitude of the Ageless Wisdom to this new and coming (yet very ancient) "science of effective energies," as it has been called, I may present a new approach, or point out an unsuspected relation and from the standpoint of the Ageless Wisdom correct what are deemed errors by the Teachers on the inner side of life, I am hoping that some astrologers may be found who will be sensitive to that which is new. I am believing that there are investigators along astrological lines who will be open-minded enough to recognize possible hypotheses and then to make fair experiment with them. May I repeat: I am not writing a treatise upon astrology, but one upon the seven rays and their equivalent and corresponding energies, upon the effects of ray energy and the interplay of these energies with, and their effect upon, the various planetary forces, particularly those of the Earth. I am looking for these fair-minded astrologers to make due experiment with the factors and suggestions which I may indicate. With this in mind, let us proceed. [28]

I have pointed out that these energies fall into three groups:

1. Those coming from certain great constellations which are to be found active in relation to our solar system and which, from the most ancient days, have always been related in myth and legend to our system. To these constellations, ours is related in a peculiar way.
2. Those coming from the twelve zodiacal constellations. These are recognized as having a definite effect upon our system and our planetary life.
3. Those coming from the planets found within the periphery of the Sun's sphere of influence.

From a certain point of view, one can generalize largely and say that these are the correspondences in the solar system to the three great centers of force which produce and control manifestation and evolutionary progress in the human being:

1. The great exterior, yet controlling, constellations are analogous to that center of force which we call the Monad and to its universal will-to-power which is distinctive of the first divine aspect.
2. The twelve constellations might be regarded as embodying the soul aspect and, for the present, their effect upon the individual must be regarded and should be studied in terms of consciousness and of the development of the life of the soul. This is in essence the will-to-love.
3. The planets, twelve in number (seven sacred planets and five non-sacred), are effective (using the word in a technical sense) in relation to the external life, environment and circumstances of the individual. Their force contacts should be interpreted largely in terms of the human [29] personality, the third divine aspect. They thus exemplify the will-to-know.

I would have you remember that I am talking entirely in terms of consciousness and of the responses and reactions of the individual to the forces which impinge upon him. The effect of the emanation of our planet, the Earth, is a correspondence to the effect of that aggregate of atoms and molecules which we call the dense physical body and of its response to the pull and the attraction of any or all of the subtler bodies.

As regards the influence of the seven solar systems, I should suggest (more I cannot do) that they are linked up astrologically with the constellations, the Great Bear, the Pleiades, and Sirius. They are intimately related to them, but their exact effect is a transmitted one and cannot be noted as producing noticeable results, as yet, upon humanity and the other kingdoms in nature. The effect of the three great constellations also cannot be noted by individual man until such time as he becomes conscious of the monadic vibration, after the third initiation. There are many potent influences playing upon our solar system and the planet all the time but - as far as man is concerned - his response apparatus and his mechanism of reaction remain what is called "occultly unresponsive," for they are not yet of a quality which will permit any noticeable recognition, either in the dense or subtler vehicles or even by the soul. Later in the evolutionary process, recognition and response will come, but for all astrological purposes and recognizable produced effects, they may be regarded today as non-existent except as they react upon the fourth kingdom of nature as it constitutes a living unit in the body of the planetary Logos. As little conscious effect is produced by these forces as the effect of a [30] high moment of contact in your morning meditation produces an effect upon the atom or cell in the little finger upon one of your hands. There may be a general response and stimulation throughout the entire body, but the intelligent atom makes no conscious response. The vibration is of too high a character.

Speculation along these lines is profitless. A vast system of interlocking energies is in active and rapid circulation throughout the whole cosmic etheric body - of which our systemic etheric body is an integral part - but speculative research along the indicated lines and the following of obscure trails are utterly futile until the main highway of approach has been constructed and followed. The general outline of the astrological way is all that is possible today, until the time when man can think in larger wholes and has a more synthetic capacity. We shall confine ourselves to the vast field of energies which I have outlined for your consideration and shall consider only the major forces which are in circulation. This will suffice for our day and generation. We are concerned with energies which can and do evoke response and of which man can be aware and, in many cases, is today aware.

It might be useful here to comment in a wide and general way, and with many necessary reservations, upon the broad sweep of some of these responses:

1. Undeveloped humanity is primarily conditioned in its life and circumstances by the influence of the lesser zodiac and thus by the position of the planets in the twelve houses.
2. Average intelligent humanity and those nearing the Path of Discipleship and upon the Probationary Path respond consciously to [31]
   1. The planets, affecting their personalities.
   2. The Sun sign, as indicating life trends which are already established and which constitute the line of least resistance.
   3. The rising sign in a small measure. This indicates the life goal for that particular life cycle or else over a period of seven lives. The last two constitute the Greater Zodiac.
3. Disciples and initiates can begin consciously to respond to all the above influences, handling them constructively, plus those potent yet infinitely subtle forces which pour into our solar system from the three major constellations referred to above. In the early stages, the response is in the subtler bodies and the brain fails to register them, but after the third initiation, there is a recognition of them upon the physical plane.

Bringing the theme back to the subject of this treatise, which is that of the seven rays, I would point out that these rays have a close connection with the seven stars of the Great Bear (again always the four and the three as a secondary differentiation) and to the seven Sisters, the Pleiades. The first constellation is the agent of positive force to the planetary Logos and the other the relayer of the negative aspect. There is, therefore, a direct interchange of energies between the lives of the seven planetary Logoi and the stupendous and unfathomable Lives Who inform these major constellations. Great interlocking triangles of force can be found existing between the seven planets and these two groups of seven stars each. It will eventually be discovered that the innermost secret of astrological deduction in the planetary sense is connected with these "sacred triangles," and they are - in their turn - represented by the triangles [32] (shifting and changing) which can be constructed in connection with the seven centers.

In casting the horoscope of the planet (which will some day be possible) it will be found that the line of these forces and of our planetary response to them is of a more potent effect than is the influence of the zodiacal constellations upon the human unit. This is due to the immeasurably advanced point in evolution of the planetary Spirits Who have (in Their individual lives) largely transcended the influence of the twelve constellations and are becoming rapidly responsive to the higher vibrations of their great Prototypes, the "three intimate constellations," as they have esoterically been called. This is a correspondence in the lives of these great Entities to the manner in which an advanced individual can offset the influence of the planets and thus so dominate his personality life that prediction and certainty, as to activity and circumstance, are no longer possible. The soul is dominating, and the planets cease to condition the life. So it is with the constellations and the planetary Logoi. They can offset the lower influences as They awaken to and respond to the infinitely higher vibrations of the three major constellations.

A.II. The Creative Hierarchies

It might here be appropriate if I interpolated a chart or a tabulation which maybe found suggestive of some of these interlocking energies which play through, traverse, return, stimulate and energize every part of our solar system. They only evoke conscious response where the vehicle of expression and of response is adequate to the impact, and this statement is true of the solar Logos, the planetary Logoi, and of all forms in all the kingdoms upon our planet. [33] Unconscious reaction will of course exist, but it will be on a general or mass scale, and much of it pours through to us from these distant constellations, via the fifth Creative Hierarchy. This Hierarchy, being on the verge of liberation, is to be found on the intellectual level of consciousness and can, therefore, be used as a focal point and a transmitter of the higher energies to our solar system and to the planet. If you make a careful study of the chart of the twelve Creative Hierarchies, page 34, you will note that this Hierarchy is influencing, and is influenced by, the seventh Ray of Magical Order and of Ceremonial Organization. The basic function of this ray is to relate spirit and matter and produce the manifested form. The sign of the zodiac with which it is closely connected is that of Cancer, the Crab, which is a mass sign and one of the "gates" into manifested life.

The following information anent the Hierarchies may prove useful. It has been gathered from various sources.

I might here remind you that the seven planes of our solar system are the seven subplanes of the cosmic physical plane. The four Creative Hierarchies which have achieved liberation are now to be found focused upon the cosmic astral plane; hence their potency even when out of manifestation. The fifth Creative Hierarchy exists on the highest etheric level and will join the other four Hierarchies when the sixth Creative Hierarchy has measured up to cosmic opportunity and is itself nearing liberation. The following is a tabulation showing some of the astrological relationships in connection with

1. The constellation of the Great Bear.
2. The Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.
3. Sirius.
4. The seven solar systems. [34]

Tabulation I

The Twelve Creative Hierarchies
(The Five Kumaras)

Nos. Down	Name	Ray	Sign	Energy	Comments	Nos. Up
1 *	Unknown	III	Pisces	Intelligent substance	None	12
2 *	Unknown	IV	Aries	Unity through effort	None	11
3 *	Unknown	V	Taurus	Light through knowledge	None	10
4 *	Unknown	VI	Gemini	Desire for duality	None	9
5 **	Unknown	VII	Cancer	Mass life	Veiling the Christ	8

Tabulation II

The Seven Creative Hierarchies in active planetary expression
(The seven states of being - under karmic law)

Nos. Down	Ray	Name	Sign	Energy	Comments	Nos. UP
6	I	Divine Flames Divine Lives	1. Leo Planet - Sun Color - Orange	Parashakti Supreme energy	Fire - Air Logoic Plane	7
7	II	Divine Builders Conferring soul (C.F. 605) Burning sons of desire	2. Virgo Planet - Jupiter Color - Blue	Kriyashakti Materialising ideal	Ether Monadic Plane	6
8	III	Lesser Builders Conferring form (C.F. 605) The triple flowers	3. Libra Planet - Saturn Color - Yellow	Jnanashakti Force of mind	Water Atmic plane	5
9	IV	Human Hierarchy The Initiates Lord of Sacrifice	4. Scorpio Planet - Mercury Color - Yellow	Mantrikashakti The WORD made flesh. Speech	Solar Angels Agnishvattas Buddhic	4
10	V	Human Personality The Crocodiles Makara, the mystery	5. Capricorn Planet - Venus Color - Indigo	Ichchhashakti Will to manifest	Fire Mental Plane	3
11	VI	Lunar Lords Sacrificial Fires (C.F. 378)	6. Sagittarius Planet - Mars Color - Red	Kundalinishakti Energy of matter Form	Water Astral Plane	2
12	VII	Elemental lives The Baskets of Nourishment. The Blinded Lives	7. Aquarius Planet - the Moon Color - Violet	None	Earth	1

1. The Hierarchy of Creative Powers is divided esoterically into seven (4 and 3) within the Twelve Great Orders.
2. Three Hierarchies are - in this greater cycle - of profound significance, the fourth or human Creative Hierarchy and the two deva Hierarchies, the fifth and the sixth.
3. The fourth Creative Hierarchy is in reality the ninth and that is why it is called the Hierarchy of Initiates. This can be seen by referring to the chart.
4. We are told in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire that in the ninth, tenth and eleventh Hierarchies (counting from the bottom upwards) lies the clue to the nature of Agni, the Lord of Fire, the sumtotal of systemic vitality.
5. Much light can come to the earnest student through a study of the numbers connected with these Hierarchies.
   1. The first 5 are regarded as pure abstractions.
   2. Hierarchy One has the numbers - 6.1.7.
      Hierarchy Two has the numbers - 7.2.6.
      Hierarchy Three has the numbers - 8.3.5.
      Hierarchy Four has the numbers - 9.4.4.
      Hierarchy Five has the numbers - 10.5.3.
      Hierarchy Six has the numbers - 11.6.2.
      Hierarchy Seven has the numbers - 12.7.1.
      It is necessary to take note of this as in The Secret Doctrine reference will be found to the Hierarchies under different numbers. This serves to conceal, but it will also confuse the student.
6. The first four Hierarchies achieved liberation in the first solar system. Their influence reached our Earth through the medium of the fifth Creative Hierarchy. [37]
7. These are, therefore, related to the four rays which work as minor rays of Attribute under the great major third Ray of Active Intelligence.
8. Pisces is seen at the head of the list of zodiacal signs because it is governing the present great astrological world cycle of 25,000 years. It was also one of the dominant signs, influencing our planet at the time of individualization when the human kingdom came into being. It is basically related to the first or highest Creative Hierarchy which is, in its turn, related to the third Ray of Active Intelligence. It was the product of the first solar system. The development of illumination through an awakened intelligence is the first goal of humanity.
9. The fifth Creative Hierarchy (also numbered 8) is on the verge of liberation. It is peculiarly connected with the tenth Creative Hierarchy, with the constellation Capricorn and with the human personality which veils and temporarily hides the Christ principle behind both form and mind. Eight is, under some numerical systems, regarded as the number of the Christ.
10. The Greater Builders and the Lesser Builders, working on the second and third planes of our solar system, have their activities reflected in the work of the Lunar Lords and the elemental lives.
11. You will note that the human Hierarchy (on chart 9-IV-4) is assigned no particular element as it has to fuse and synthesize them all. This is part of the great tests of initiation under Scorpio.
12. This chart is drawn up in relation only to the fourth Creative Hierarchy, the human. It is not drawn in relation to the other planetary manifestations. [38]

(The chart has been compiled from the very limited stock of knowledge that has thus far been revealed on the subject, and it is as correct as possible under the circumstances.)

Each of the seven Hierarchies of Beings, found within the Twelve, Who are the Builders or the Attractive Agents are (in their degree) intermediaries; all embody one of the types of force emanating from the seven constellations. Their intermediary work, therefore, is dual:

1. They are the mediators between Spirit and matter.
2. They are the transmitters of force from sources extraneous to the solar system to forms within the solar system.

Each of these groups of beings is likewise septenary in nature, and the forty-nine fires of Brahma are the lowest manifestation of their fiery nature. Each group also may be regarded as "fallen" in the cosmic sense, because involved in the building process, or the occupiers of forms of some degree of density or another.

Hierarchy I. The first great Hierarchy is emanated from the Heart of the central Spiritual Sun. It is the Son of God Himself, the First Born in a cosmic sense, even as the Christ was the "Eldest in a vast family of brothers," and the "first flower on the human plant." The symbol of this Hierarchy is the Golden Lotus with its twelve petals folded. The Secret Doctrine Vol. I, 233-25O and Vol. III, 565.

It should be remembered that this Hierarchy is literally the sixth, for five hierarchies have passed on, being the product of the earlier system, that wherein Intelligence or Manas was the goal. The five liberated Hierarchies are in their totality the sumtotal of manas. It is the Hierarchy which is the fifth in order, and which we are told is in [39] process of achieving final liberation, or taking its fourth Initiation, which is the cause of certain phenomena upon our planet which has merited our planet being called the "Star of Suffering." There is a karmic link between the animal kingdom and the fifth Creative Hierarchy of the earlier system which makes itself felt in man in the necessary crucifixion of the animal physical nature, particularly along sex lines. We must remember that the Hierarchies work under the Law of Attraction; it is the law of the Builders.

This first (sixth) Hierarchy has for its type of energy the first aspect of the sixth type of cosmic electricity, and wields special power, therefore, in conjunction with the lowest fire, or "fire by friction," as it makes itself felt on the sixth plane. These lives are called "the burning Sons of Desire" and were the Sons of Necessity. It is said of them in the Old Commentary: "They burned to know. They rushed into the spheres. They are the longing of the Father for the Mother. Hence do they suffer, burn, and long through the sixth sphere of sense."

Hierarchy II. The second Hierarchy is closely allied with the Great Bear. We are told that They entered through the second ventricle within the Sacred Heart, and are (as we are told in The Secret Doctrine) the prototypes of the Monads. They are the source of monadic life, but They are not the Monads; They are far higher.

This Hierarchy, which is literally the seventh, is the influx into our system of those Lives who in the first solar system remained on their own plane, being too sinless and holy to find opportunity in that very material and intellectual evolution. Even in this, they will find it impossible to do more than influence the incarnating Jivas, imparting to them ability to realize the nature of group consciousness, the quality of the seven Heavenly Men, but not being able to express [40] themselves fully. Some clues to this mystery will come if the student carefully bears in mind that in our solar system and our seven planes, we have only the physical body of the Logos, and that that physical body is a limitation of the expression of His threefold nature. The first (sixth) Hierarchy might be viewed as endeavoring to express the mental vibration of the solar Logos and the second, His emotional, or cosmic astral, nature.

This second (seventh) Hierarchy has for its type of force the second aspect of the seventh type of force from out of the many. Some idea of the relative point in evolution of the solar Logos may be gained by study of the varying aspects of force which He is demonstrating in this particular incarnation. It is this energy which drives the Monads through into physical incarnation, for it makes itself felt on the seventh plane. The energies which are functioning are those which the Logos has unfolded, and are the gain of previous incarnations. Gaps necessarily occur, and certain types of force are lacking because He has as yet much cosmically to gain.

It is the energy of this Hierarchy which results in the manifestation of the Divine Androgyne, and in the seven centers of force which are the seven Spiritual Energies.

Hierarchy III. The third Creative Hierarchy (or the eighth) is a peculiarly interesting one. They are called "the Triads" for They hold in themselves the potencies of triple evolution, mental, psychical, and spiritual. These Triads of Life are inherently the three Persons of the Trinity and the flower of the earlier system from a certain angle. From another angle, when studied as the "flower of the earlier Eight, "They are the eightfold points awaiting opportunity to flame forth. They are the devas who are ready for service, which is to give to another Hierarchy [41] certain qualities which are lacking. This Hierarchy is regarded as the great donors of immortality whilst Themselves "standing aloof from incarnation." Lords of Sacrifice and Love are They, but They cannot pass out of the logoic etheric body into the dense physical vehicle.

This third Hierarchy wields the third aspect of electric force of the first type of cosmic energy. They stand for a recurrent cycle of that first type symbolized by the number  8. The formulae for these electrical energies are too complicated to be given here, but the student should bear in mind that these Hierarchies express.

1. Septenary cosmic energy.
2. Cosmic prana.
3. Solar energy or electric fire, solar fire and fire by friction.

Each Hierarchy manifests a triple energy or an aspect of each of the above, and that necessitates a ninefold differentiation, for the two first are triple, as is the third. It is the rejection of the Triadal lives by units in the fourth Hierarchy, that of the human Monads, which precipitates a man eventually into the eighth sphere. He refuses to become a Christ, a Savior and remains self-centered.

We have dealt with the first three Hierarchies which are regarded as ever "seeing the Face of the Ruler of the Deep," or as being so pure and holy that Their forces are in realized contact with Their emanating source.

We now take up for brief consideration two Hierarchies which closely concern ourselves, the human self-conscious entities. These two groups are literally three, as the fifth Hierarchy is a dual one, and it is this which has led to some confusion and is the occult significance behind the ill-omened number thirteen. They are the "Seekers of satisfaction" and the cause of the second fall into generation, the fact [42] behind the taking of a lower nature by the Ego. The fourth and the fifth Hierarchies are the ninth and tenth, or the "Initiates" and the "Perfect Ones." All human beings, or "Imperishable Jivas," are those who evolve through a graded series of initiations, either self-induced or brought about on our planet with extraneous aid. They achieve through a "marriage" with the order next to them, the fifth. They are then completed or perfected, and it is owing to this occult fact that the fourth Hierarchy is regarded as masculine and the fifth as feminine.

Hierarchy IV. The fourth Creative Hierarchy is the group wherein the highest aspect of man, his "Father in Heaven" finds place. These lives are the points of fire who must become the flame; this they do through the agency of the fifth Hierarchy and the four wicks, or the two dual lower hierarchies. Thus it can be seen that where man is concerned, the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh Hierarchies are, during the cycle of incarnation, his very self. They are the "Lords of Sacrifice" and "Lords of Love," the flower of Atma-Buddhi.

In studying these Hierarchies, one of the most valuable lessons to be learned is the place and importance of man in the scheme. The Hierarchy, for instance, which is the essence of the intangible Life of Spirit, the principle of Buddhi, is the esoteric cause of the cosmic marriage of spirit and matter, based on the love and desire of the Logos, but each Hierarchy also expresses itself through one particular manifestation which comes to be regarded by the finite mind of man as the Hierarchy itself. This is not so, and care must be taken to distinguish between these Hierarchies.

They are latent germs of force centers and manifest subjectively; they warm and vitalize groups of forms; they [43] flower forth and express themselves through the medium of a form, or another Hierarchy. These Hierarchies are all interrelated and are negative or positive to each other, as the case may be.

As is stated in The Secret Doctrine, Vol. I, 238, this Hierarchy is the nursery for the incarnating Jivas; and it carried in it the germs of the Lives which achieved the human stage in another solar system, but were not able to proceed beyond that owing to the coming in of pralaya, which projected them into a state of latency. The condition of the Hierarchy is similar, only on a cosmic scale, to the condition of the seeds of human life held in a state of obscuration during an interchain period. The three other Hierarchies dealt with (first, second and third) were those who have (in previous kalpas of logoic manifestation) passed beyond the human stage altogether. They are, therefore, the arupa or formless groups, as the remaining are the rupa groups or those having forms.

The fourth Creative Hierarchy, or the ninth, must ever be regarded in this solar system as occupying what might be considered as the third place,

• First, the Lives or the three Persons of the Trinity.
• Second, the Prototypes of man, the seven Spirits.
• Third, man or the lowest manifestation of the self-conscious Spirit aspect.

This needs to be carefully considered and has no reference to the form aspect but solely to the nature of the Lives expressing themselves through other lives who are also self-conscious, or fully intelligent. This, certain of the Hierarchies are not.

The four lower Hierarchies are all concerned with [44] manifestation in the three worlds, or in the dense physical body of the solar Logos. They are Those who can discard or pass through the etheric body of the solar Logos and take forms composed of either gaseous, liquid, or dense substance. The others cannot. They cannot fall into physical generation.

Students must bear in mind that from the standpoint of the Logos, the solar Angels on the mental plane (the fifth subplane of the cosmic physical plane) are in physical incarnation, and what is called the "second fall" applies to this. The first fall has reference to the taking of a form of cosmic etheric matter, such as is the case with the Heavenly Men, the prototypes of the human jivas. In this latter case the bodies used are called "formless" from our standpoint, and are "vital bodies," animated by cosmic prana. In the case of ourselves and the remaining groups, the forms are composed of substance of the three lower planes (that which the Logos does not regard as a principle) and, therefore, matter responding still to the vibration of the earlier system. This means that the four lower Hierarchies are links between the life of the past and of the future. They are the present. They had not finished their contacts with the active intelligent principle of the preceding kalpa, and so must continue such contacts in this. They will work out of it in this system, the four will become the three and they will then be the three higher arupa Hierarchies of the next system.

Before continuing our consideration of the particular Hierarchies, it is necessary to point out that in these Hierarchies, certain of them are termed "dominant hierarchies" and others "subsidiary hierarchies." By this is meant that certain of them are expressing themselves in this solar system more fully than the others, and this necessarily entails [45] the consequence that their vibration is more to be felt than that of the subsidiary groups. The dominant groups are the second, fourth and fifth, and this because:

1. The second is the great expression of duality, of the Son as He vitalizes the Sun.
2. The fourth is the Hierarchy of human Monads who are the mediators or the synthesizers; they express the gain of System 1 and the goal of System 2.
3. The fifth or tenth is closely linked with the five liberated Hierarchies, and is an expression of their synthesized life. It might, therefore, be said that the fifth Hierarchy serves as the representative of the five liberated groups, and the fourth is the representative group in this system, whilst the second represents (for man, or these two groups united) that which is the Spirit aspect, the Father, the Unknown.

Hierarchy V. The fifth Creative Hierarchy is, as we know from study of The Secret Doctrine, a most mysterious one. This mystery is incident upon the relation of the fifth Hierarchy to the five liberated groups. This relation, in connection with our particular planet, which is not a sacred planet, can be somewhat understood if the history of the Buddha, and His work is contemplated. This is hinted at in the third volume of The Secret Doctrine.

The relation of the fifth Hierarchy to a certain constellation has also a bearing upon this mystery. This is hidden in the karma of the solar Logos, and concerns His relationship to another solar Logos, and the interplay of force between Them in a great mahakalpa. This is the true "secret of the Dragon," and it was the dragon-influence or the "serpent energy" which caused the influx of manasic or mind energy into the solar system. Entangled closely [46] with the karma of these two cosmic Entities, was that of the lesser cosmic Entity Who is the Life of our planet, the planetary Logos. It was this triple karma which brought in the "serpent religion" and the "Serpents or Dragons of Wisdom," in Lemurian days. It had to do with solar and planetary Kundalini, or Serpent fire. A hint lies in the fact that the constellation of the Dragon has the same relation to the ONE greater than our Logos as the center at the base of the spine has to a human being. It concerns stimulation, and vitalization with a consequent coordination of the manifesting fires.

A clue to the mystery lies also in the relation of this fifth group to the two contracting poles. They are the fivefold Links, the "Benign Uniters" and "the Producers of the At-one-ment." Esoterically, they are the "Saviors of the Race" and from Them emanates that principle which - in conjunction with the highest aspect - lifts the lower aspect up to Heaven.

When these mysteries are carefully studied, and due application made to the lives of the greatest exponents of the at-one-ing principle, it will become apparent how great and all-important is their place in the scheme.

It is for this reason that the units of the fifth Hierarchy are called "The Hearts of Fiery Love"; They save through love, and in Their turn these lives are peculiarly close to the great Heart of Love of the solar Logos. These great redeeming Angels, Who are the Sons of Men on their own true plane, the mental, are ever, therefore, pictured as taking the form of twelve-petalled lotuses - this symbology linking them up with "the Son of Divine Love," the manifested solar system, which is said to be a cosmic twelve-petalled lotus, and with the logoic causal lotus, equally of a twelve-petalled nature. [47]

We have, therefore, a direct stream of energy flowing through:

1. The logoic twelve-petalled egoic lotus, cosmic mental plane.
2. The solar twelve-petalled lotus.
3. The planetary logoic heart, also a twelve-petalled lotus.
4. The twelve-petalled human egoic lotus on the mental plane.
5. The twelve-petalled heart center in a human being

Or, to word it otherwise, energy flows direct from:

1. The solar Logos, via three great cosmic centers:
   1. The central spiritual Sun.
   2. The heart of the Sun.
   3. The physical Sun.
2. The heart center of the planetary Logos, situated on the fourth cosmic etheric plane (our buddhic plane).
3. The egoic lotus of a human being on the mental plane, which is literally a correspondence to the "heart of the Sun." The monadic point is a reflection in the human system of the "central spiritual Sun."
4. The heart center of a man on the etheric plane of the physical plane, which is in its turn a correspondence to the physical Sun.

Thus the tiny atom is linked with the great central Life of the solar system.

This fifth Hierarchy is equally, under the law, a distributor of energy to the fifth subplane of each plane in the system, only it must be borne in mind that, in the three worlds, it is the fifth subplane counting from above downwards, whilst in the worlds of superhuman evolution, it is [48] the fifth counting from below upwards. This Hierarchy wields, its we know, the dual aspects of manas, one in the three worlds and one which makes itself felt in higher spheres.

It is necessary to bear in mind that all these groups are (even when termed "formless") the true forms of all that persists, for all are in the etheric body of the solar Logos or planetary Logos. This is a point requiring careful emphasis; students have for too long regarded the form as being the dense physical body, whereas to the occultist the physical body is not the form, but a gross maya, or illusion, and the true form is the body of vitality. Therefore, these Hierarchies are the sumtotal of the vital lives and the substratum or the substance of all that is. We might regard the subject as follows:

1. The four superior groups are the Hierarchies expressing themselves through the three cosmic ethers, the second, third and fourth.
2. The two lowest groups are the lives which are found functioning as the involutionary matter (organized and unorganized) of the logoic dense physical body, the liquid and gaseous, with the living substance of the four higher subplanes of the systemic dense physical body.
3. The fifth Hierarchy has an interesting position as the "mediating" body between the higher four and those which are found on the lower three subplanes. There is a vital and significant correspondence to be found between the seven head centers and the seven groups of egos on the mental plane, and there is an occult analogy between the three head centers (pineal gland, pituitary body, and the alta major center) and the expression of these seven groups of egos in the three worlds. This is [49] a most esoteric fact, and all students meditating upon the laws of at-one-ment must take this analogy into consideration.

It is useful to remember the place of these Hierarchies in the scheme, and to realize that upon the sumtotal of these vital bodies is gradually gathered the dense manifestation which we regard as the evolutionary matter. The forms are built (from the form of all atoms to the body of the ego, from the form of a flower to the vast planetary or solar lotus) because the Hierarchies exist as the aggregate of germ lives, giving the impulse, providing the model, and procuring, through their very existence, the entire raison d'être of all that is seen on all planes.

Hierarchies VI and VII. These sixth and seventh Hierarchies which provide the substance forms of the three worlds have a vital use and a most interesting place. From the logoic standpoint, they are not regarded as providing principles, but from the standpoint of man they do provide him with His lowest principles. They hold the same relation to the Logos as the dense physical body does to man, and all that concerns the evolution of man must (in this particular place) be studied as going on within the physical, logoic vehicle. They deal with the display of physical energy; with the working out in the physical vehicle of all divine purposes, and, with the physical organization of a certain great cosmic Life.

Particularly is this so when we view the two Hierarchies under consideration. They are the lowest residue of the previous system, and the energy of that matter (liquid, gaseous and dense) which the vibration of the logoic permanent atom (on the plane adi) attracts to itself in the building of the divine form. For purposes of clarification [50] and of generalization, it might be noted that the seventh Hierarchy is the life or energy found at the heart of every atom, its positive aspect, and the sixth Hierarchy is the life of the forms of all the etheric bodies of every tangible object. The function of this Hierarchy is well described in the words of the Old Commentary:

"The devas hear the word go forth. They sacrifice themselves and out of their own substance they build the form desired. They draw life and the material from themselves, and yield themselves to the divine impulse."
- A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1196-1207

Tabulation III

I. Dynamic Energy - Electric Fire
The Cardinal Cross:
1. Sirius	Cancer Capricorn	Saturn	Fifth Creative Hierarchy (the 8th) Unknown
The Cardinal Cross:
2. The Great Bear	Aries Libra	Sun, veiling Vulcan	Second Creative Hierarchy (the 11th) Unknown
The Mutable Cross:
3. Pleiades	Gemini Sagittarius	Mercury	Fourth Creative Hierarchy (the 9th) Unknown

All the above energies are called into play as far as man is concerned during the major initiations and upon the Path of Initiation.

II. Magnetic Energy - Solar Fire
The Fixed Cross:
4. The seven solar systems	Taurus Scorpio	Mars	Third Creative Hierarchy (the 10th) Unknown

All the above energy is called into play as far as man is concerned whilst he is in training as a disciple and upon the Path of Discipleship

Before continuing with the analysis of the tabulations and showing the interrelations existing in this particular zodiacal cycle between the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve planets, there are certain things which I would like to point out here in connection with these zodiacal constellations. They are in the nature of generalizations, but the specific and the particular can be deduced from them.

First of all, I would point out that the twelve planets, governing the twelve houses, concern primarily the physical plane expression of the man; they affect potently the personality aspect; their influence, plus inherited karmic conditions, produces those environing states and those circumstances which give opportunity for the development and eventually the control of the form side of life.

Secondly, the twelve constellations are concerned primarily with the stimulation of the soul within the form, producing subjective activity which, in its turn, causes changes in the outer expression, through the fusion of the energy of the constellation with the energy of the planets. The effect produced falls into two stages:

1. The first stage wherein the sun sign dominates the man and he is gradually fitted to respond to the soul. His latent possibilities for this life are unfolded. The effect of the sun sign is sometimes called "the potency of the Sun of Probability."
2. The second stage wherein there is increasing response to the energies, concealed by the rising sign. They evoke the unexpected and produce the hastening of the evolutionary process and the unfoldment of the inner life. The rising sign is termed in the language of esotericism "the Sun of Possibility." [52]

Through the effect of the energy flowing from the zodiacal signs the man is prepared for the "crisis of orientation" wherein he slowly and gradually reverses his mode of progress upon the wheel of life and begins consciously to travel back to his source. He then goes from Aries to Pisces, via Taurus, Scorpio and Capricorn, instead of moving from Aries to Taurus via Sagittarius, Leo and Cancer. The triplicity of constellations mentioned in these two great routes around the zodiac have a definite and momentous effect and are called "paramount signs of influence." During this process the mental principle, the discriminating mind, is developed and in this specific connection (not in a general connection) the emphasis is laid upon the influence of Aries, Gemini and Libra. Under that influence the man learns to overcome desire through experiment with and experience of every kind of desire and selfish impulse. Thus gradually, and with infinite pain, the human soul learns to function first as a member of the human family, and, secondly as a spiritual entity, the divine soul.

You will see from the above that certain positions taken by the esoteric astrologer reverse the position of the orthodox astrology of today. The reason for this is that in the descent of ideas from the plane of ideas, they become "reversed" upon the astral plane and subject to the great illusion; astrology must eventually free itself from this reversal.

A right understanding of the effect of the various energies and forces will make it apparent that, when the conditioning planetary forces, the expanding energies of the sun sign and the driving energy of the rising sign are all being controlled and directed by the illumined spiritual man, you will then have a soul upon the very verge of liberation.

Eventually the energies of the twelve constellations [53] and - at a final stage of experience and development - of the three great constellations which condition the solar Logos are blended with the innate energies of the seven rays or of the seven planetary Logoi. This marks a point of perfection. These extraneous energies (I refer here to those of the major constellations) are relayed to the Earth via the seven sacred planets and the five non-sacred planets, and when there is the complete fusion of the related energies and, therefore, full expression, a great world period comes to an end. For a long time during this cycle of reincarnations and periods of manifestation, the human being is conditioned almost entirely by the activity of the non-sacred planets. These, as you know, are five in number:

• The Sun (veiling a planet)
• The Moon (veiling a planet)
• The Earth itself
• Mars
• Pluto

Man - speaking symbolically - is the "five-pointed star and, at the fiery points, the forces of the man pour out and upon each fiery point appears a center of reception." This is of course pictorially expressed, but the meaning is clear. However, as man nears the Path of Discipleship the influence of the sacred planets becomes increasingly effective, until after the final and fifth initiation the non-sacred planets have no effect, though the initiate wields their energies potently as they pour into and through his vehicles of reception, of response and of expression, for all three activities and purposes must be noted.

The energies of the twelve constellations are blended with those of the twelve planets, but their power to evoke response, and to be consciously received, recognized and [54] employed, is dependent entirely upon the type of response mechanism of the planetary Life and of the individual man. It has been rightly said that consciousness is dependent upon the vehicles of consciousness, upon their point of development and upon the ability of the individual to identify himself with the energies and impulses which are reaching him, and is not dependent only upon that which is already a recognized part or aspect of himself. It might be said that the higher response to the realities and qualities revealed and made possible by the impact of energy from the zodiacal signs is somewhat dependent upon the waning influence of the planets to hold down the consciousness aspect of the man. Ponder upon this, for it embodies a deep esoteric truth.

Thus, two potent streams of energy - cosmic and systemic - reach man via the conditioning planetary centers of force (the seven planetary schemes in the solar system and their corresponding seven centers in the planet on which we live) and pour into the symbolic "twelve houses" through their medium. It is for this reason that our solar system is spoken of as one of "intrinsic duality" (love-wisdom) and that the major task of man is the "regulation of the pairs of opposites." The theme of duality, therefore, runs through the whole story of man's development. Upon all the three planes of human unfoldment the reconciliation goes forward.

1. Upon the physical plane we find the merging of the dense and the etheric forces. This is consummated upon the Path of Purification.
2. Upon the astral plane there must come the resolution of the pairs of opposites. This is consummated upon the Path of Discipleship. [55]
3. Upon the mental plane the Angel of the Presence and the Dweller on the Threshold are brought face to face. Their synthesis is brought about upon the Path of Initiation.

What is true of man in this connection is true also of humanity as a whole, of the planetary Logos of the Earth, as of all planetary Logoi, and of a solar Logos. The analogy between the fusion of the pairs of opposites, for instance, upon the physical plane can be seen in the conscious and directed fusion of the planetary forces with the energy of any specific planet or group of planets. The analogy, involving discrimination to regulate and offset the force of the pairs of opposites upon the astral plane, can be seen when the energies of the sun sign and of the planets are perfectly directed and adjusted. The analogy can also be carried forward onto the mental plane and when the energies of the sun sign and the rising sign are coherently blended and expressed (in the case of both the individual or a planetary Life) there comes a point of crisis wherein the soul and the personality are brought face to face. The Angel of the Presence, distributing solar fire and holding focused electric fire, and the Dweller on the Threshold, expressing and utilizing fire by friction, know each other "with intimate occult knowledge." The door then stands open wide through which the life and light of the three major constellations can - after the third initiation - be occultly available to the initiate, be he a liberated human being or a planetary Logos.

When astrologers understand the true significance of the constellation Gemini, the Twins, and the dual forces which pour through this sign (the "forces in conflict" as they are sometimes called or "the quarreling brothers") [56] and beat upon our planetary life, then the true method of resolving the dualities will be known.

It is interesting to note also that seven of the symbols which express the twelve signs of the zodiac are dual in their nature, and duality can be inferred from them.

1. The two horns of the Ram in Aries.
2. The two horns of the Bull in Taurus.
3. The figures of the Twins in Gemini (two lines).
4. The two claws of the Crab in Cancer.
5. The two scales of the Balance in Libra.
6. The two Parallel Lines of force in Aquarius.
7. The two Fishes in Pisces.

These seven constellations are, therefore, closely related to six of the seven sacred planets and to one non-sacred planet. There are two signs which are simple figures and have no significance of duality. They are

8. The symbol for Leo, which is simply the Lion's tail.
9. The arrow in the symbol depicting Sagittarius.
   They embody the idea of isolated separation and one-pointed desire. Two signs are definitely triple in construction and this has a clear meaning to the esotericist.
10. Virgo is a triple sign.
11. Scorpio is also a triple sign, closely resembling the symbol of Virgo.
    These two signs are crucial in the experience of the human being, indicating as they do the function of the triple form and the liberation of the man imprisoned in the form, through the tests in Scorpio wherein he proves to himself and to the world the reality of that which Virgo has veiled or hidden. [57]
12. The symbol for the sign Capricorn is most mysterious. It conceals the mystery of the Crocodiles, or Makara. It is constructed in an inaccurate and definitely misleading manner and should be regarded as a mystery and therefore not to be defined.

These signs and their relationship to the sacred and non-sacred planets will be considered later.

To sum up: Man will, therefore, have to be studied as a threefold entity, a composite individual, expressing (in the three worlds)

1. The spiritual soul, reflecting the Monad.
2. The human soul, reflecting the divine soul.
3. The form nature, which should be the revealer of the two higher.

Three Creative Hierarchies condition the man in incarnation, the 4th (or 9th) the 5th (or 10th) and the 6th. These, in collaboration, create man and, at the same time, constitute the field of his expression. Man is consequently a blend of electric fire, being a divine Flame, and becomes eventually responsive to the three major controlling influences; he is also solar fire, being a solar Angel in manifestation. He then becomes increasingly responsive to the influences of the twelve constellations. He is likewise fire by friction and comes under the influence of the planets. The tabulation below may make this somewhat clearer:

I. Electric Fire - Path of Initiation - 4th Hierarchy;
full soul expression; monadic life.

Goal: Identification with the Monad. Produces responsiveness to the three constellations.

II. Solar Fire - Path of Discipleship - 5th Hierarchy;
full life experience; soul life. [58]

Goal: Identification with the Soul. Produces responsiveness to the twelve zodiacal constellations.

III. Fire by Friction - Path of Evolution - 6th Hierarchy;
life experiment; human life.

Goal: Identification with the Personality. Produces responsiveness to the planetary influences.

A.III. The Great Wheel and Spiritual Unfoldment

Before I give you the remaining part of the chart which deals with the constellations as conductors of cosmic energies or as transmitters of their own energy, I would like to remark that much that I shall say will be based upon:

1. The wheel of life and the path of man, the human being, as he passes through the signs according to the mode recognized by orthodox astrology. He, as well as the planets, apparently retrogrades through the signs and appears to pass through the constellations from Aries to Taurus. But this is all part of the Great Illusion.
2. The wheel of life and the path of man, the divine or spiritual soul, as he passes through the signs of the zodiac according to the mode studied by the esoteric astrologer. This is the Path of Reality as the other is the Path of Illusion. This carries the disciple around the path from commencement in Aries to consummation in Pisces.

The present method is based upon the temporary truth that ordinary man is subject to the illusory nature of manifestation and "as he thinks, so is he." When, however, he becomes Hercules, the Sun God (or solar Angel), he begins to reverse the process (again only apparently) and a definite reorientation takes place. The Teachers on the [59] inner side, therefore, study the horoscope only in its relation to the following three entities:

1. The horoscope of the planet itself as the expression of the life of the planetary Logos. This involves the studying of the horoscope of the spirit of the planet as well as of the informing Life and their joint relationship and interplay. The spirit of the Earth is to the planetary Logos of the Earth, for instance, what the personality (or form nature) is to the soul of man. The two horoscopes are superimposed and the "planetary pattern" then emerges.
2. The horoscope of the human family, of the fourth kingdom in nature, regarding it as an entity, which it essentially is. This is in reality the study of two horoscopes, as in the above case; the horoscope of the kingdom of souls, of the divine sons of God upon the mental plane, and the study of the entity which is the coherent life of the form side of the fourth kingdom in nature. This is again done by superimposing the two charts. These charts are drawn on a large scale and on a transparent material of which humanity knows nothing. Upon these charts are noted the pattern which emerges when "soul and personality are brought together" and present conditions, possible developments and relationships, and the immediate future objective appear with clarity.
3. The horoscopes of disciples. The Masters do not study the charts of ordinary undeveloped man. There is no profit in so doing. This involves again the study of the two horoscopes of the disciple under inspection - one of the soul and the other of the personality. Again the process of superimposition is utilized. In one horoscope, [60] the new orientation and the embryonic reorganized inner life will be noted and studied, and in the other the outer life and its conformity or nonconformity to inner conditions will be the subject of attention. Thus the life pattern will emerge, possibilities will be indicated, problems will disappear, and the immediate next step will clearly show forth.

It thus becomes apparent again to what an extent the "principle of duality" enters into everything. It is a shifting dualism, according to where the emphasis may be placed, but this dualism is present until the last and final initiation - present in the later stages of the evolutionary process, in the adjustment of form relations but not present in the consciousness of the disciple of advanced degree. That is the major point to be grasped.

A third point must here be made, following upon the two earlier emphasized. A great part of our study will be occupied with the relation of the six constellations in the upper half of the zodiacal wheel to the six which are found in the lower half; we shall consider the energy which is a human being (note that phrasing) as it travels clockwise from Aries to Taurus and then - reversing the process - travels from Aries to Pisces. We will consider the dualities provided by one of these constellations and its opposite; we will study, therefore, the great qualities provided by a constellation and its opposite sign. We will take up these points in the following manner:

1. From the standpoint of commencement in Aries until the man - through many turnings of the wheel of life - reaches the point of reversal and reorientation. The man progresses from the point where, in Cancer, he forms a part of the mass with the mass consciousness, [61] inchoate and unfocused, and with no recognition of objective (except the satisfaction of instinctual desire) until in Scorpio he becomes the triumphant disciple, having found himself in Leo. Then comes the Crisis of Reorientation which may take a long time and constitute an interlude of many lives of struggle.
2. From the standpoint of the man upon the probationary path, seeking the light, struggling through the signs (as the Old Commentary expresses it when considering this point):

   "He turns from right to left, and then again from left to right. He revolves in giddy fashion upon an axis of desire. He knows not where to go or what to do. The sky turns black."

   At this point, the sign Gemini begins potently to play its part in the life of the disciples, with Sagittarius gradually "piercing the heart with his arrows, and then upon the flight of the arrow, the man reaches Capricorn." Then comes the Crisis of Renunciation.

3. From the standpoint of the pledged disciple and initiate who traverses again the Path of the Sun and finds that that which he has discovered himself to be in Leo finds its crown in Aquarius. The separate individual consciousness becomes the group consciousness in Aquarius, and he begins to comprehend the significance of that basic combination of signs, that "triangle in the consciousness" of humanity:

Cancer - Mass awareness - Instinctual consciousness.
Leo - Individual awareness - Intelligent consciousness.
Aquarius - Group awareness - Intuitive consciousness. [62]

Then, from the standpoint of achievement in Capricorn, he works for several lives around the zodiacal path, descending into the sea of the mass consciousness to become what is called in the ancient books "the Crab, who clears the ocean of matter which flows around the soul of man," and eventually to become a functioning world savior in Pisces. He descends into the world of men to save mankind and to further the plan. He is then "the fish who swims free in the ocean of matter."

The initiate has always to express, in each sign of the zodiac, the consummation and the spiritual fruit of earlier life experience, world experiment and soul achievement. Selfishness has ever to be translated into living active service, and desire has to demonstrate its transmutation. in the purity of spiritual aspiration for identification with the will of God.

There are one or two points which must be dealt with in order to enable you to study with certain definite ideas clearly formulated in your minds. I have hinted at them in some of my earlier books but it will be of service to refer to them again and to expand the ideas somewhat. I would have you carry them in your minds as you read and study.

I have frequently referred to the fact that the entire science of astrology is based upon a non-existent condition. It has no basis in material fact and yet is eternally based on truth. The zodiac is, as you well know, the imaginary path of the Sun in the heavens. It is therefore largely an illusion, from the exoteric point of view. But at the same time the constellations exist, and the streams of energy which pass and repass, intermingle and interlock throughout the body of space are by no means illusions but definitely express eternal relationships. It is the misuse of the [63] various energies which has created the illusion. This illusory path is consequently as much a reality to humanity today as are the personality illusions of any individual. These illusions are due to the polarization of the individual upon the astral plane.

It is interesting also to note in this connection that - due to the precession of the equinoxes - a fourth type of force is brought to bear upon the planet and man, but one which is seldom recognized and given due place in the horoscope. The month and the sign, or the place of the Sun in the heavens, do not really coincide. When we state, for instance, that the Sun is "in Aries" it conveys an esoteric truth but not an exoteric fact. The Sun was in Aries at the beginning of this great cycle, but it is not in exactly the same position today when it is "found" in that sign.

Also it should be remembered that as it is necessary to know the moment of birth and the place of birth in casting the horoscope of the individual, so in order to have a perfectly correct understanding and accurate deductions in connection with the constellation, the planets and our Earth there should be a fixed time from which to reckon. That fixed time is as yet unknown in exoteric astrology, though the Hierarchy possesses the needed information and it will be made available when the right time comes. It is the knowledge of this inner information which constitutes the basis of the statements which I have made or will make which will seem revolutionary to the orthodox investigator. There has to be a constant rectification of the earlier conclusions of humanity and of this the outstanding instance is the statement in the Bible that the prime date of creation is 4004 B.C. This is recognized as an error by modern science but is still believed by many.

I earlier gave a hint upon which definite astrological [64] computation could be based when I gave the time of the "Great Approach" of the Hierarchy to our planetary manifestation when individualization took place and the fourth kingdom in nature appeared. I placed that stupendous event as happening 21,688,345 years ago. At that time the Sun was in Leo. The process then initiated upon the physical plane and producing outer physical events took approximately 5,000 years to mature and the Sun was in Gemini when the final crisis of individualization took place and the door was then closed upon the animal kingdom.

It has been stated that Sagittarius governs human evolution, as the Sun was in that sign when the Hierarchy began its Approach in order to stimulate the forms of life upon our planet. Sagittarius, however, governed the period of the subjective approach.

The Sun was in Leo when physical plane individualization took place as a result of the applied stimulation.

The Sun was in Gemini when this Approach was consummated by the founding of the Hierarchy upon the Earth. This is one of the great secrets which the Masonic Rituals typify, for the symbol of the sign, Gemini, is the source of the concept of the two pillars, so familiar to Masons. It might therefore be stated that, symbolically speaking,

1. Leo governs the E .*. A .*. degree.
2. Gemini governs the F .*. C .*. degree.
3. Sagittarius governs the degree of M .*. M .*. up to the episode of the raising of the Master, and that Capricorn governs the final part of the ceremony and the H .*. R .*. A .*.

It is always confusing to the beginner who has not yet a developed and trained intuition to reconcile the seeming discrepancies and apparent contradictions which appear in [65] the teaching of the Ageless Wisdom. This same difficulty will be met with in the science of astrology and some reference to the matter is in order at this point. I would remind you of the occult truism which states that interpretation and right understanding are based upon the stage of the development of the individual. H. P. B. remarked in The Secret Doctrine that for some people the highest principle of which they can be consciously aware might be a very low one for another person. The constellations and the planets which govern them may, and do, have one effect upon the mass and another upon the average individual man, and still a third effect upon the disciple or the initiate. As the various energies and forces circulate throughput the etheric body of our solar system, their reception and effect will depend upon the state of the planetary centers and upon the point of unfoldment of the centers in individual man. That is why the various charts and tabulations can differ so widely and different planets can appear as ruling the constellations. There seems to be no fixed rule and the student gets bewildered. Orthodox astrology posits one set of planetary rulers, and they are correct as far as the mass of humanity is concerned. But the disciple, who lives above the diaphragm, responds to another combination and it is with these that I shall principally deal. That is why the three charts here given do not appear to coincide. They are drawn up to express the situation in regard to three groups:

1. The mass of people who conform to orthodox and recognized astrological conclusions.
2. Disciples and advanced individuals, conforming to the conclusions of esoteric astrology.
3. The Creative Hierarchies, giving the interim situation in this world cycle. [66]

Tabulation IV

The Orthodox Astrological Relationship

Constellations and Planetary Rulers in connection with Ordinary Man

	Constellation	Ruler	Ray	Related to
1.	Aries	Mars	6th	Scorpio	Same ruler
2.	Taurus	Venus	5th	Libra	Same ruler
3.	Gemini	Mercury	4th	Virgo	Same ruler
4.	Cancer	Moon	4th	none
5.	Leo	The Sun	2nd	none
6.	Virgo	Mercury	4th	Gemini	Same ruler
7.	Libra	Venus	5th	Taurus	Same ruler
8.	Scorpio	Mars	6th	Aries	Same ruler
9.	Sagittarius	Jupiter	2nd	Pisces	Same ruler
10.	Capricorn	Saturn	3rd	none
11.	Aquarius	Uranus	7th	none
12.	Pisces	Jupiter	2nd	Sagittarius	Same ruler

Tabulation V

The Unorthodox Astrological Relationship

	Constellation	Ruler	Ray	Related to
1.	Aries	Mercury	4th	Virgo	Same ray
2.	Taurus	Vulcan	1st	Pisces	Same ray
3.	Gemini	Venus	5th	none
4.	Cancer	Neptune	6th	Scorpio	Same ray
5.	Leo	The Sun	2nd	Aquarius	Same ray
6.	Virgo	The Moon	4th	Aries	Same ray
7.	Libra	Uranus	7th	none
8.	Scorpio	Mars	6th	Cancer	Same ray
9.	Sagittarius	The Earth	3rd	Capricorn	Same ray
10.	Capricorn	Saturn	3rd	Sagittarius	Same ray
11.	Aquarius	Jupiter	2nd	Leo	Same ray
12.	Pisces	Pluto	1st	Taurus	Same ray

 

The relation between the other constellations through the planets, as expressing the rays, is as follows:

1. Taurus and Pisces, through Vulcan and Pluto, are related to Ray 1. Transmutation of desire into sacrifice and of the individual will into the divine will.
   The World Savior
2. Leo and Aquarius, through the Sun and Jupiter, are related to Ray 2. Development of the individual consciousness into world consciousness. Thus a man becomes a world server.
   The World Server
3. Sagittarius and Capricorn, through the Earth and Saturn, are related to Ray 3. The one-pointed disciple becomes the initiate.
   The Initiate
4. Aries and Virgo, through Mercury and the Moon, are related to Ray 4. Harmonizing the cosmos and the individual through conflict, producing unity and beauty. The birth pangs of the second birth.
   The Cosmic and Individual Christ
5. Cancer and Scorpio, through Neptune and Mars, are related to Ray 6. Transformation of the mass consciousness into the inclusive consciousness of the disciple.
   The Triumphant Disciple

I would call attention to the fact that in Tabulation IV, the relationship is between the planets which rule, and in Tabulation V the emphasis is laid upon the conditioning ray. [68]

Tabulation VI

Planetary Rulers in 3 Tabulations

	Constellation	Orthodox	Disciple	Hierarchies
1.	Aries	Mars	Mercury	Uranus
2.	Taurus	Venus	Vulcan	Vulcan
3.	Gemini	Mercury	Venus	The Earth
4.	Cancer	The Moon	Neptune	Neptune
5.	Leo	The Sun	The Sun	The Sun
6.	Virgo	Mercury	The Moon	Jupiter
7.	Libra	Venus	Uranus	Saturn
8.	Scorpio	Mars	Mars	Mercury
9.	Sagittarius	Jupiter	The Earth	Mars
10.	Capricorn	Saturn	Saturn	Venus
11.	Aquarius	Uranus	Jupiter	The Moon
12.	Pisces	Jupiter	Pluto	Pluto

Tabulation VII

Unorthodox Constellations, Rulers and Rays

in Connection with the Hierarchies

	Constellation	Ruler	Ray	Related to
1.	Aries	Uranus	7th	none
2.	Taurus	Vulcan	1st	Pisces	Same ray
3.	Gemini	The Earth	3rd	Libra	Same ray
4.	Cancer	Neptune	6th	Sagittarius	Same ray
5.	Leo	The Sun	2nd	Virgo	Same ray
6.	Virgo	Jupiter	2nd	Leo	Same ray
7.	Libra	Saturn	3rd	Gemini	Same ray
8.	Scorpio	Mercury	4th	Aquarius	Same ray
9.	Sagittarius	Mars	6th	Cancer	Same ray
10.	Capricorn	Venus	5th	none
11.	Aquarius	The Moon	4th	Scorpio	Same ray
12.	Pisces	Pluto	1st	Taurus	Same ray

In view, of all the above, and starting with the basic fact of the Great Illusion it should be remembered that the [69] accuracy of astrological prediction and interpretation will be based upon three factors:

1.The potency of the thought-forms which have been built up in connection with the twelve signs. These thought-forms were originally constructed or anchored upon the mental plane by the Hierarchy in Atlantean days and they have steadily gained in power ever since. They serve as focal points for certain forces and enable the individual, for instance, to be in touch with great reservoirs of energy which then definitely condition him.

2.The intuition of the astrologer. The casting of the horoscope serves to put the astrologer en rapport with the individual, but this is of small service to either party unless the intuition and sensitivity of the astrologer is actively present.

3.The capacity of the astrologer in any specific period to respond to the changes which are all the time taking place, such as the gradual shifting and changing brought about by the precession of the equinoxes, or the slow shift of the pole of the planet. To this should be added that - as man evolves - the mechanism of response or the vehicles of consciousness likewise steadily improve. His reactions, therefore, to the planetary influence and to the energy of the various constellations change with equal steadiness and allowance must be made for this. It is consequently essential that the modern astrologer begin to study the point in evolution of the subject, prior to casting his horoscope. He must ascertain his approximate place upon the path of evolution. To this end, the study of the rays is most necessary through an investigation as to quality and characteristics and life objectives. [70]

Astrologers will eventually be able to cast the horoscope of the soul, which is sensitive to different combinations of forces to those controlling the personality life. The disciple and the initiate respond distinctively to the incoming influences and their response differs from that of the undeveloped man or the self-centered person. This will have to be recognized. Those who "live below the diaphragm" and who react to the incoming energies through the medium of the lower centers will have a very different type of chart to that of the disciple and initiate. It will require a different mode of interpretation. I have referred to this before and would remind you of some of the points which I made.

1. Disciples upon the Path of Discipleship are strongly influenced by Mercury and Saturn - one bringing illumination and the other offering opportunity.
2. At the various initiations, the influence of the planets affects the candidate in a totally different manner than earlier. Cyclically the energies from the constellations pour through the planetary centers.
   1. At the first initiation, the disciple has to contend with the crystallizing and destroying forces of Vulcan and Pluto. The influence of Vulcan reaches to the very depths of his nature, whilst Pluto drags to the surface and destroys all that hinders in these lower regions.
   2. At the second initiation, the candidate comes under the influence of three planets - Neptune, Venus and Jupiter. The three centers - solar plexus, heart and throat - are actively involved.
   3. At the third initiation, the Moon (veiling a hidden planet) and Mars bring about a fearful conflict, [71] but at the end the man is released from personality control.
   4. At the fourth initiation, Mercury and Saturn again bring about great changes and unique revelation, but their effect is very different to the earlier experience.
   5. At the fifth and final initiation, Uranus and Jupiter appear and produce a "beneficent organization" of the totality of energies found in the initiate's equipment. When this reorganization is complete, the initiate can then "escape from off the wheel and then can truly live."

All this time the energy of the sun (veiling a sacred planet, hitherto unknown) is steadily and persistently reaching the man via the solar angel. [75]