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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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).
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