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Esoteric Astrology - The Nature of Esoteric Astrology - Spiritual Effects of the Zodiacal Constellations
In order the better to understand the nature of discipleship and the processes of stabilization and right direction, we must precede the Capricornian experience of initiation with a careful study of the spiritual implications of the sign Scorpio and of its function in providing "points of crisis" and "moments of reorientation," as this will be of the utmost value to the earnest student. Even though I am endeavoring to lay the foundation for the new astrology and to provide some measure of technical information from the point of view of the Hierarchy, my underlying motive is ever the same: to indicate the way of living process and to stimulate that divine curiosity and that sense of outgoing spiritual adventure and eager aspiration for progress which is latent in all disciples and which, when stimulated, will enable them to proceed more serenely and sanely upon the [203] Path of Return. Otherwise the practical value of that which I seek to impart is of no real importance at all; I shall be understood and the new astrology will come into being according to the esoteric capacity of those who read and ponder my words. I am exceedingly anxious that in these days wherein the influence of Scorpio and of the planet Mars is so strongly felt in world affairs that true insight may be cultivated, optimism and understanding developed and the nature of the tests to which the world disciple, humanity, is today being subjected may be estimated at their true value and thus light be shed upon the way of man. Only through understanding will solution come and rectification of error be achieved.

The tests of Scorpio are necessarily three in nature as they concern intimately the readiness of the threefold personality:

  1. To reorient itself to the life of the soul and later.
  2. To evidence readiness for initiation.
  3. To demonstrate sensitivity to the Plan thus becoming the one-pointed disciple in Sagittarius.

The three major tests are again divided into three stages, and upon the Path of Discipleship the man may find himself passing into this sign for testing and experience nine times. The fact of the three tests each existing in their three stages may convey a hint to esoteric astrologers as to the purpose of the three decanates into which each sign is divided - a point upon which I shall hope to touch when we come to our study of the Science of Triangles. Each test (and therefore each decanate) concerns the three aspects which in this Treatise on the Seven Rays we have called: life, quality and appearance. Thus the three great [204] tests in Scorpio are in reality nine tests and hence the nine-headed Hydra or Serpent which is ever associated with Scorpio and hence also the nature of the stupendous victory achieved by Hercules, the Sun-God, in this sign.

It is interesting to note that each of the great Sons of God Whose names are pre-eminent in the minds of men - Hercules, the Buddha and the Christ - are associated in the archives of the Great White Lodge with three special signs of the zodiac (which in a peculiar manner constitute the "zodiacal decanate") in each of which They passed from test to victory.

  • In Scorpio - Hercules became the triumphant disciple.
  • In Taurus - The Buddha achieved victory over desire and arrived at illumination.
  • In Pisces - The Christ overcame death and became the world savior.

These three constellations, therefore, form a triangle of initiation of profound importance because it provides those conditions and that energy which will test and perfect the three aspects of the personality so that they are true reflections of the three divine aspects; they concern soul and body primarily and therefore their expression is through the Mutable Cross and the Fixed Cross but not the Cardinal Cross. We might add to the above the following:

  1. Scorpio carries the test right down into the physical plane life, and then, when it is faced and handled there, the life of the man is carried up into heaven, and the problem which the test involved is solved by the use of the reasoning mind.
  2. Taurus governs desire and carries the test into the emotional [205] or astral plane, and carries desire-sensitivity up from the form side of life into that world of sensitive perception which we call the intuitional plane.
  3. Pisces carries the test into the region of the mental processes, which is the reflection of the will aspect of divinity; the problem of the initiate in this sign is voiced by Christ in the words, "Father, not my will but Thine be done." The tests carry the self-will of the personality up into the region of the divine will and the result is inspiration and the emergence of a world savior.

Ponder upon the above and learn the lessons of appetite, of desire and of self-will for they are many and useful.

The three tests in Scorpio also concern the three aspects of the human being as they fuse and blend upon the physical plane. They are, first of all, the test of appetite. This appetite is the natural predilections and tendencies which are inherent in the animal nature and these are mainly three: Sex, physical comfort, and money, as concretized energy. They are, secondly, the tests connected with desire and the astral plane. These are subtler in nature, producing automatic effects upon the physical plane; they are not inherent in the animal nature but are imposed by the desire nature and are again three in number: Fear, hatred and ambition or desire for power. Then there are, thirdly, the tests of the lower critical mind which are: Pride, separativeness and cruelty. Remember that the worst kind of cruelty is not of a physical nature but is more mental in character. Therefore, you have in the category of that which must be tested and proved to be non-existent the following categories, which I am re-enumerating because of their basic importance: [206]

Category I

  1. Sex - the relation of the pairs of opposites. These can be selfishly utilized or divinely blended.
  2. Physical comfort - life conditions, selfishly appropriated.
  3. Money - selfishly cornered (if I may use such a phrase).

Category II

  1. Fear - which conditions activity today.
  2. Hate - which is a factor in conditioning relationships.
  3. Ambition - conditioning objectives.

Category III

  1. Pride - which is intellectual satisfaction, making the mind the barrier to soul control.
  2. Separativeness - which is the isolated attitude and which makes the mind the barrier to right group relations.
  3. Cruelty - which is satisfaction with personality methods and which makes the mind the instrument of the sense of power.

When these faults are realized and are overcome, the result is twofold: the establishing of right relations with the soul and also with the environment. These two results are the goal of all tests in Scorpio.
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