When the word astrology is mentioned most people immediately think of the signs of the zodiac. Usually they will think of their “star sign” which is the sign that the sun was placed in at birth. Astrologers use the term “sun sign” instead as all the signs play a part, however small, within everyone’s natal horoscope. The signs of the zodiac come from the constellations of the same names. Each sign is represented by some kind of living thing with the exception of Libra. Libra is the only inanimate object in the zodiac. The zodiac signs respective representations are drawn from the pattern that the constellation makes in the sky, although some are very difficult to appreciate.
The zodiac signs in a birthchart are like the stage where the actors (the planets) play out their roles. The particular sign sets the scenery, the backdrop. The sign’s associations and traits are already there, but influenced or blended with those of the planet posited there. The signs begin with Aries (the point of the Spring Equinox) passing through the summer solstice point of 0 degrees Cancer, then on to the Autumn Equinox at 0 degrees Libra to the Winter Solstice at 0 degrees Capricorn, and end with Pisces. They go round the chart anti-clockwise so that each sign rises over the eastern horizon in its natural order. Each of the equinoxes and solstice points are the start of the signs of the cardinal quality or quadruplicity.
Each sign covers 30 degrees so making up the full circle with twelve signs making 360 degrees. Each sign is further broken down into three segments called decans and each of these is jointly ruled by another planet. The first decan of any sign shares its ruler with that of the sign. For example, the first ten degrees of Aries is in the decan ruled by Mars, which is also the natural ruler of Aries.
Each sign also contains some Fixed Stars. When a planet is posited within 1 degree of a Fixed Star the characteristics of that particular star are blended in too, just like any other celestial body being so close.
Arabic Parts or Lots fall into the signs according to the placements of certain other planets or points of the horoscope. These parts will take on the background of the sign they fall into in much the same way as a planet or star.
Aries
Aries is the sign of the Warrior, the first sign of the astrological calendar, and its symbol shows the Ram’s horns. The fiery Aries forges ahead with great courage as an initiator and pioneer. Aries dates are in the Spring from March 21st to April 20th.
Dates: March 21 – April 19
Symbol: Ram
Positive Character Traits: Self-confidence, leadership skills, and enthusiasm.
Negative Character Traits: Irritable, impatient, and forceful.
Most Compatible With: Sagittarius and Leo.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Actress Reese Witherspoon, composer Andrew Llyod Webber, singer Aretha Franklin, musician Sir Elton John, singer Celine Dion, politician Al Gore, and actress Julia Stiles.
Taurus
Taurus is the first of the Earth signs and the sign of the Bull, with horns from that imposing animal. The resourceful Taurus approaches everything with caution, taking deliberate and sure-footed steps toward success. Dates for the Sun in Taurus are from April 21st to May 21st.
Dates: April 19 – May 20
Symbol: Bull
Positive Character Traits: Traditional, creative, romantic, organized, and honest.
Negative Character Traits: Stubborn, jealous, resentful, and self-conscious.
Most Compatible With: Capricorn and Virgo.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Actor Jack Nicholson, actresses Renee Zellweger and Uma Thurman, actor Daniel-Day Lewis, musicians Bono of U2 and Billy Joel, and actress Cate Blanchett.
Gemini
Gemini is the sign of the celestial twins and has a curious duality to its nature. Often called mercurial after its ruling planet Mercury, the Gemini is rarely at a loss for words. The dates for the Sun in Gemini are from May 22nd to June 21st.
Dates: May 21 – June 20
Symbol: Twins
Positive Character Traits: Charming, social, friendly, and intellectual.
Negative Character Traits: Vain, critical, boastful, and tricky.
Most Compatible With: Gemini, Aquarius, and Libra.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Musician Bob Dylan, actress Annette Bening, former president John F. Kennedy, actors Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman, Michael J. Fox, and Nicole Kidman.
Cancer
The first of the water signs is Cancer, which is ruled by the changeable Moon and associated with the Crab. The Cancer has a nature that is both sensitive and strong, an imaginative mind, and a nurturing attitude toward loved ones. The dates for the Cancer Sun are from June 22nd to July 23rd.
Dates: June 21 – July 22
Symbol: Crab
Positive Character Traits: Loyal, loving, intuitive, and wise.
Negative Character Traits: Moody, controlling, and unstable.
Most Compatible With: Pisces, Scorpio, and Taurus.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Actors Meryl Streep, John Cusack, Liv Tyler, and Tom Cruise, singer Linda Ronstadt, politicians Ross Perot and Nelson Mandela.
Leo
The sign of Leo is ruled by the mighty Sun and its astrological creature is the Lion. The Leo is proud, expressive and optimistic with a need for adoration and respect from those they love. The dates for the Sun in Leo are from July 24th to August 23rd.
Dates: July 23 – August 22
Symbol: Lion
Positive Character Traits: Passionate, fun-loving, noble, and supportive.
Negative Character Traits: Pushy, over-dramatic, and arrogant.
Most Compatible With: Aries and Sagittarius.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Actress/Musician Jennifer Lopez, actor Kevin Spacey, comedian Steve Martin, singer/actress Madonna, former president Bill Clinton, athlete Pete Sampras, and musician Mick Jagger.
Virgo
Virgo is ruled by Mercury and associated with the Virgin because of its qualities of physical purity and chastity. Many are admired for their healthy ways and ability to cover all the bases. The dates for Sun in Virgo are from August 24th to September 23rd.
Dates: August 23 – September 22
Symbol: The virgin
Positive Character Traits: Meticulous, responsible, and intelligent.
Negative Character Traits: Critical and shrewd.
Most Compatible With: Taurus and Capricorn.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Author Stephen King, musician Chrissie Hynde, actress Raquel Welch, actor Tommy Lee Jones, actress Cameron Diaz, actor Sean Connery, and musician Van Morrison.
Libra
Libra is often symbolized by Scales to represent the innate qualities of fairness, balance and partnership. The dates for Sun in Libra are September 24th to October 23rd.
Dates: September 23 – October 22
Symbol: The golden scales
Positive Character Traits: Cooperative, charming, and sensitive to others.
Negative Character Traits: Gullible, flirty, and possible manipulative.
Most Compatible With: Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Talk-Show Host Barbara Walters, actor/musician Will Smith, actress Naomi Watts, actress Susan Sarandon, actor Hugh Jackman, musician Sting, and actor Michael Douglas.
Scorpio
Associated with life and death, as well as sexuality, the namesake for Scorpio is the scorpion, and its deadly tail is shown in its symbol. The Scorpio is the fixed water sign, and has the focus and drive to dig deep below the surface of any area of life. The dates for Sun in Scorpio are October 24th to November 22nd.
Dates: October 23 – November 21
Symbol: Scorpio
Positive Character Traits: Powerful, emotional, and passionate.
Negative Character Traits: Intense, mysterious, and deeply resentful.
Most Compatible With: Pisces and Cancer.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Politician Hillary Rodham Clinton, Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, actresses Julia Roberts and Sally Field, musician Joni Mitchell, talk-show host Larry King, and director Martin Scorcesse.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius is the Archer that is also a Centaur, and its symbol shows its fiery arrows of truth. The Sagittarius is swift and covers a lot of ground, whether by traveling or through artistic and intellectual pursuits. The dates for the Sun in Sagittarius are from November 23rd to December 21st.
Dates: November 22 – December 21
Symbol: The archer
Positive Character Traits: Free-spirited, moral, positive, and honest.
Negative Character Traits: Temperamental, impatient, and idealistic.
Most Compatible With: Aries and Leo.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Musician Tina Turner, actor Bruce Lee, political figure Caroline Kennedy, actor/director Woody Allen, actor Brad Pitt, actress Jane Fonda, and actor Samuel L. Jackson.
Capricorn
Capricorn is the sign of the Goat in astrology and ruled by the disciplinarian Saturn. As a Cardinal Earth sign, Capricorn embodies ambition and a love of enduring traditions. The dates for the Sun in Capricorn are December 22nd to January 20th.
Dates: December 22 – January 19
Symbol: Goat
Positive Character Traits: Responsible, ambitious, and career-oriented.
Negative Character Traits: Forceful and dissatisfied.
Most Compatible With: Taurus and Virgo.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Actors Mel Gibson and Robert Duvall, actress/spokesperson Kirstie Alley, model Kate Moss, actors Kevin Costner and Denzel Washington, and actor/comedian Jim Carrey.
Aquarius
Known as the Water Bearer in astrology, Aquarius is actually an Air sign. It is ruled by Uranus, and its qualities are rebelliousness, originality and perhaps more than just a touch of genius. The dates for the Sun in Aquarius are January 21st to February 19th.
Dates: January 20 – February 18
Symbol: Water carrier
Positive Character Traits: Innovative, intuitive, and engaging.
Negative Character Traits: Stubborn, opinionated, and unpredictable.
Most Compatible With: Libra and Gemini.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Talk-show host/actress Oprah Winfrey, musician Justin Timberlake, actress Geena Davis, actor John Travolta, actresses Mia Farrow and Jennifer Aniston.
Pisces
As the last of the Zodiac signs, Pisces is said to contain qualities of them all. It is often depicted as two fish swimming in opposite directions, which sums up the enigmatic and multi-dimensional Piscean nature. The dates for the Sun in Pisces are February 20th to March 20th.
Dates: February 19 – March 20
Symbol: Fish
Positive Character Traits: Gentle, compassionate, versatile, and spiritual.
Negative Character Traits: Impressionable, impractical, and naive.
Most Compatible With: Cancer, Scorpio, and Taurus.
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Model Cindy Crawford, politician Ted Kennedy, actress/director Drew Barrymore, actor/comedian Billy Crystal, actors Chuck Norris and Bruce Willis, and mogul Rupert Murdoch.
The Sun is a star both in astrology and in real life, and its sign in your chart reveals a lot about your basic nature.
The Sun sign is just the tip of the iceberg in Astrology, the study of which can take you deep into the mysteries of the universe. But from a random peek at horoscopes to becoming a devotee of the art, it all begins with the Sun. When someone asks, “What’s your sign?” – and hopefully not as a pick-up line — they’re talking about the Sun sign, which is the basis for most horoscopes today. There are twelve Sun signs, each with its own character traits, inclinations, leanings, motivations, etc.
The Moon represents your instinctive nature and mysteries of the self that often remain hidden.
Just as the Moon passes through phases of hiding and revelation, so too do these deep emotional truths within each of us.
Venus
For the Greeks, Venus became Aphrodite, and so was associated with love, relationships and the feminine side of the psyche. In astrology, her influence is greatest in the intimate realm and in the Arts.
Mars
Mars is associated with the Greek God Ares and known as the God of War. In astrology, Mars influences all things masculine, and filtered through its particular sign reveals how anything is pursued, from a potential sexual partner to a career.
Mercury
Mercury influences communication, and the mental filters through which information is channeled.
Jupiter
In astrology, Jupiter points the way to expansion and good fortune. Look to Jupiter’s sign and house position for clues to fulfilling your highest potential.
Saturn
Saturn brings hard-won lessons and shows areas where only discipline and perseverance will hold sway. It’s lessons are tough and could also be called karmic, but the long path to overcoming them is what builds character.
Uranus
Uranus is the Great Awakener, credited for the sudden and disruptive changes in our lives, both personally and collectively. The Pluto-Uranus alignment in the late-60s is said to have triggered the unsettling hippie revolution, many of the values of which have been integrated into the mainstream.
Pluto
Now considered a “dwarf planet,” Pluto retains its power as a transformer with the ability to burn away what has been outgrown.
Neptune
This is where the planet Neptune is located, including which sign of the Zodiac and in which of the twelve houses. Any birth chart program will include Neptune, and you can find it by looking for the Neptune symbol on the wheel. Neptune claims kinship with the Greek god Poseidon, and both rule the vast oceans. Its influence in astrology is in areas of spirituality and creativity, and it can sometimes create confusion between the real and the imagined. It is a fairly recent discovery and therefore referred to as one of the “modern planets.” Neptune was discovered in 1848 when astronomers solved the mystery of why Uranus was being pulled off its orbit. They had suspected that another planet was exerting a gravitational pull, and were proven right when they discovered Neptune. It takes about 14 years for Neptune to pass through a sign, so those born in a particular period have this in common. It influences a generation and the lens through which that group handles Neptunian concerns.
The long view of history reveals the impact a generation made on the culture via Neptune. One example is the 1960s when Neptune was in Scorpio, and there was heavy experimentation in drugs, and the music veered toward the trance-like, shadowy, dark, mysterious and subterranean. Neptune shapes the collective myths, and the memory of that era is colored by Scorpionic undertones of emotional intensity.
Spirituality, dreams, illusions, imagination, idealism
Neptune was named for the Roman god of the sea, and its province is the oceanic depth of the imagination, dreams and spiritual visions. Our nightly dreams can be a portal through which we find meaning in life. And dreams, as well as the visions of waking life, can be expressed through art, dance, movies, music, etc, reflecting back to us a vision of that inner world.
Neptune is a bridge to the mysterious and that knowing many of us have that we’re all somehow linked. It’s like the other slow moving planets. guiding each generation toward its collective spiritual destiny. Because of this, it’s often easier to see how it colored a particular period in retrospect.
Beyond the sign shared by an entire generation, the house position of Neptune is important in the individual birth chart. It shows areas of life that could bring up confusion because it’s hard to discern reality from illusions. But it also points to how you’ll express the vast landscape of the imagination through creativity. It might show what areas of life you find spiritual meaning, as well.
If Neptune is prominent in your chart – if there are many favorable aspects, for example – you could be naturally drawn toward the spiritual path and mysticism. Neptune also holds sway, if you have a heavy Pisces influence in your chart. But everyone has a personal dream world and the potential for creativity, and the house and sign position shows how this part of life will be expressed.
The Twelve Zodiacal Signs
ARIES
Soul : . . I come forth and from the plane of mind, I rule.
Light : . . The Light of Life Itself.
This is the dim point of light found at the center of the cycle of manifestation, faint and flickering. It is the “searchlight of the Logos, seeking that which can be used” for divine expression.
Form : . . Let form again be sought.
TAURUS
Soul : . . I see and when the Eye is opened, all is illumined.
Light : . . The penetrating Light of the Path.
This is a beam of light, streaming forth from the point in Aries, and revealing the area of light control.
Form : . . Let struggle be undismayed.
GEMINI
Soul : . . I recognize my oher self and in the waning of that self I grow and glow.
Light : . . The Light of Interplay.
This is a line of light beams, revealing that which opposes, or the basic duality of manifestation, the relationship of spirit and of form. It is the conscious light of that relationship.
Form : . . Let instability do its work.
CANCER
Soul : . . I build a lighted house and therein dwell.
Light : . . The Light within the form.
This is the diffused light of substance itself, the “dark light” of matter, referred to in The Secret Doctrine. It is the light awaiting the stimulation coming from the soul light.
Form : . . Let isolation be the rule, and yet the crowd exists.
LEO
Soul : . . I am That and That am I.
Light : . . The Light of the Soul.
A reflected point of light logoic, or divine. The light diffused in Cancer focuses and reveals eventually a point.
Form : . . Let other forms exist, I am because I am.
VIRGO
Soul : . . I am the Mother and the Child. I, God, I, matter am.
Light : . . The Blended dual Light.
Two lights are seen — bright and strong, the light of form; one faint and dim, the light of God. This light is distinguished by a waxing of one and the waning of the other. It differs from the light in Gemini.
Form : . . Let matter reign.
LIBRA
Soul : . . I choose the way which leads between the two great lines of force.
Light : . . The Light that moves to rest.
This is the light that oscillates until a point of balance is achieved. It is the light which is distinguished by a moving up and down.
Form : . . Let choice be made.
SCORPIO
Soul : . . Warrior I am and from the battle I emerge triumphant.
Light : . . The Light of Day.
This is the place where three lights meet — the light of form, the light of soul, and the light of life. They meet; they blend; they rise.
Form : . . Let Maya flourish and let deception rule.
SAGITTARIUS
Soul : . . I see the goal. I reach that goal and then I see another.
Light : . . A beam of directed, focused Light.
In this the point of light becomes the beam, revealing a greater light ahead and illumining the way to the center of the light.
Form : . . Let food be sought.
CAPRICORN
Soul : . . Lost am I in light supernal, yet on that light I turn my back.
Light : . . The Light of Initiation.
This is the light which clears the way to the mountain top, and produces transfiguration, thus revealing the rising sign.
Form : . . Let ambition rule and let the door stand wide.
AQUARIUS
Soul : . . Water of Life am I, poured forth for thirsty men.
Light : . . The Light that shines on Earth, across the sea.
This is the light which ever shines within the dark and cleansing with its healing rays that which must be purified until the dark has gone.
Form : . . Let desire in form be the rule.
PISCES
Soul : . . I leave my Father’s home and turning back, I save.
Light : . . The Light of the World.
This is the light, revealing the light of life itself. It ends for ever the darkness of matter.
Form : . . Go forth into matter.
The 12 SIGNS on the TWO WHEELS
ORDINARY WHEEL
Ordinary humanity, focused almost entirely in the personality, evolve in their consciousness (not form aspect) by progressing backwards through the 12 zodiacal signs.
REVERSED WHEEL
Spiritual students, focused in the universal and group values of the soul, progress in consciousness by moving forward through the cycle of zodiacal signs.
Here is a rendition, to be understood symbolically.
ORDINARY WHEEL
Aries-Libra . . Unstable embryonic beginnings leading to the balancing of the lower psychic nature and its expression through form. Embryonic desire for expression consummates in the passion of satisfaction. Lower love controls.
REVERSED WHEEL
Libra-Aries . . The achieved equilibrium, at the point of rest, provides the mental impetus for soul control. Passion is transmuted into love and the initial desire of Aries becomes the full expression of love-wisdom. Desire to manifest becomes the aspiration to be.
ORDINARY WHEEL
Taurus-Scorpio . . Powerful focused lower desire leads to death and defeat. The triumph of the lower nature which eventuates in the awakening to satiety and death. The man is the prisoner of desire and at the moment of consummation knows his prison.
REVERSED WHEEL
Scorpio-Taurus . . The final victory of soul over form. Death and darkness demonstrate as life and light as the result of this energy relationship. The dark night of the soul becomes radiant sun.
ORDINARY WHEEL
Gemini-Sagittarius . . Fluid interplay and instability leads to personality focus and determination. The man is one-pointedly devoted to personality achievement. The threefold lower nature, synthesized and directed, controls all activity.
REVERSED WHEEL
Sagittarius-Gemini . . The result of this related pair of opposites is that there is one-pointed soul effort, spiritually directed activity and a demonstrated readiness for initiation. There is the waning of the power of form and the waxing of the life of the soul.
ORDINARY WHEEL
Cancer-Capricorn . . The urge to incarnate leads to the densest incarnation and immersion in form. The pull of form life and the processes of concretization control. The man arrives after many incarnations at a point of crystallization. [On the common fear of reincarnation - "Karma is an executioner who guards his victims." --Supermundane II]
REVERSED WHEEL
Capricorn-Cancer . . The initiate now chooses to incarnate and passes freely and at will through both doors. The pull of matter is superseded by the free choice of the soul. Form life becomes a conscious method of expression for service.
ORDINARY WHEEL
Leo-Aquarius . . The individual seeks full expression and arrives finally at the point where he uses his environment for purely individual ends. He dominates his fellowmen for entirely personality objectives. The isolated individual becomes the group ruler or dictator.
REVERSED WHEEL
Aquarius-Leo . . Personality interests as an expression of the individual are submerged in the good of the whole. Selfish individual man becomes the world server. Heights of noted service are then reached in both signs.
ORDINARY WHEEL
Virgo-Pisces . . Virgin matter attracts the soul and the divine Mother becomes more important than the son. The life of the soul is hidden.
REVERSED WHEEL
Pisces-Virgo . . The form reveals and releases the indwelling soul. The Savior of the world appears and nurtures the hidden souls in Virgo.
Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars
THE SUN — BEING
Filtered through the Personality (ego) or Expressing the Soul (Ego)
• The Sun sign is said to represent ‘constitution’ rather than ‘functioning’ (the Moon). Yet, from the point of view of spiritual or ethical self-cultivation, it can be seen as a function. The Sun sign represents both Ego / ego and the function of ‘ego-structure’ to admit or filter out identifiable (or nameable) factors in our circumstances, both human and environmental. The Sun includes the entire threefold personality (ego) including physical, emotional and intelligible factors. The focus and stage of consciousness which the Sun represents allows us to perceive the factors of our circumstances only so far as our personality conditioning permits — that is, until we begin to live as souls (Ego).
For ethical and spiritual students, the Sun basically represents our problem in looking at life as souls — our susceptibility, or our intelligent resistence to unreflective and automatic personality responses to the conditions of daily life. For example, this is not to say that Leos (ruled by the Sun) or strong solar types are not generous or benevolent if they are not polarized as souls — only that their conditioning, stage of consciousness, and preoccupations can determine or limit the purpose or object of benevolence. This is true of all of us. We are all composed of both Ego (soul) and ego (personality), and often take many lifetimes of effort to distinguish between the two. The problem with the lower ego is that it cannot see what lies further along the Path of evolution of consciousness.
Glimpses and insights of this future are determined by the placement of the Ascendant in its relation to the Sun.
Most astrologers associate the Sun with spiritual Being or human identity itself, rather than an ongoing process of identity formation and reconstruction (as a personality), or identity persistence (as a soul). This involves the academic philosophical question of just what constitutes human identity. This “identity” is usually seen through the filter of materialistic, unconscious, and reductionist assumptions. In other words, most significant human spiritual factors are left out of consideration.
On a standard psychological level, the Sun represents the mix of personality and soul-contact factors that work as a kind of prismatic filter, allowing us to perceive certain aspects of neutrally and naturally unfolding life and nature, and shutting other perceptions and observations out. In this way, the slowly developing and integrating personality “protects itself” from energetic and lived contacts that it does not yet have the capacity to handle.
On a strictly energetic level, the personality can be assessed in many ways by its response to (relatively) high spiritual contact — in a descending order of spiritual capacity:
• recognition, inspiration, self-resurrection, initiation,
• recognition and cooperation,
• stimulation and reflection,
• reaction and unthinking self-insulation,
• or brute reaction and unconscious instinctive defensiveness.
For students of AAB, this is one of the reasons the Third Department of Civilization is said to be ruled by masters of tact, so to speak.
• For the spiritual student on the path of discipleship, this truth presents an interesting dilemma and creates a lived duality. The energies of the sidereal Constellations, which the tropical Signs veil, are beginning to have a stimulating and vivifying affect which can be somewhat associated with the stage of achieving freedom of movement and expression in the dual life of the soul in the five-fold aspect of both inner and outer worlds. That is, a transition of focus is taking place from life in the Three Worlds to that in the Five Worlds, which include triadal unfoldment and consciousness.
For the spiritual student the personality represents a definite problem in its capacity as a temporary construct (from the soul’s point of view), interfacing with a planetary set of circumstances demonstrably conditioned by the “human world” and the planetary Dweller — its servers of a limited grade and, for the most part, unwitting cohorts. The world is not always run by wise idealists or by enlightened elites. This realization aggravates the sense of depression, alienation, existential angst, etc., that the probationer (2nd degree) already feels. This is one of the causes for the experience of fear and the glamour of failure, of which the probationer is vividly aware in experience, but semi-conscious as far as self-mastery, and which factors the disciple (3rd degree) is beginning to address consciously and to utilize constructively.
In this regard, I would encourage astrologers to examine the heliocentric positions of Mercury, Venus and Mars, which are the three planets whose placement in relation to the geocentric chart is most altered. These can provide, through examination of their tabulated aspects and correspondences, the basis for a cursory analysis of the lower aspects of soul expression. In other words, the relative strength of the three aspects of the human mind and personality represented by Mars, Venus, and Mercury — all veiled by the physical Sun — provides insight into both stage and focus of consciousness.
• MARS Generally speaking, the solar plexus, ruled by Mars and associated with the concrete mind, represents and rules the distinctly human transmutation of animal instinct into intelligence. In other words it represents the animal brain, meant to act strictly as a light-bearer for Venus, the human soul.
This Mars can accomplish only through the processes of alignment and constant reorientation of the lower personality nature toward the purposes and insight of the soul, the flower of human nature and universal humanism. This is accomplished by aspiration, hence the term `aspirant.’ This transmutation process is aided by science and logical imperative, which Mars rules. Spiritual science is ruled by Venus and Mercury.
Strictly on the level of personality, the concrete mind of Mars provides the `sense of commonality’ through which all the human factors generally confused with human thought are actualized — such as role-playing, attitude expression, and the habit of waiting for a crisis or conflict to truly think. Mars also rules mobilization of the instinctual nature such as the drive to retain “popularity” at all costs, to fit in with the herd or mainstream or subculture, to pursue self-interest until the price of that self-interest is paid. It’s basically “the sporting type” found among the professional classes and the masses at large.
• VENUS represents the soul and its mechanism, the causal body. Venus rules science in its higher and benevolent aspects, which are demonstrated by a balance of mind and heart, of technological expertise wedded with humanitarian values. It has been characterized as heart-reason, to express its mentality. It represents the accumulation of human knowledge, as well as ethics-, knowledge- and wisdom-values. It also rules the spiritual science of the soul, and technical work with the causal bodies of humanity.
Ethics is the highest form of intelligence, besides philosophy, and guards the gate to the courtyards of this spiritual science.
With regard to questions of “faith,” Venus represents the difficult transition from faith in humanity to faith in God or the Universal Life within Whom we live, move and have our being. Indeed, this usually means that the problem switches from difficulties with faith in God, to more painful difficulties with faith in humanity — humanity now ‘mystically’ seen as the literal embodiment of this Universal Life.
Venus, in turn, serves as light-bearer to Mercury, the divine principle embedded in the human mind and constitution through the spiritual triad of atma-buddhi-manas. It is in this sense that the human soul is said to be the vehicle of the spiritual triad ruled by Mercury.
• MERCURY rules buddhi or “pure reason,” as well as the capacity for abstract thought and intelligent synthesis. It rules science in the sense of major breakthroughs achieved through pure mentation as, for example, through spiritual illumination, philosophical reflection or abstract mathematical reasoning. Mercury represents the mind which has the capacity to know the Mind of God — the triangle of Nous, Anima Mundi, and Demiurge of the Neoplatonic/gnostic philosophical systems.
Mercury is said to be a substitute for, or to be one with, the Sun. This may be understood in its capacity as the spiritual triad “engineering” the circumstances necessary for the Monad to manifest through worldy and human lived experience, as well as through the awareness (since consciousness normally understood is superceded) of the triad itself on its own three or five planes.
The Three Lights
ASCENDANT, SUN and MOON
The Ascendant, Sun, and Moon are the three most important factors in an astrological chart. They represent superconscious soul, conscious ego, and subconscious habits or complexes respectively.
• The Moon represents influences erupting from our past lives and childhoods, from the human-animal instinctive nature, and from all the habits we retain from training over many lives.
• The Sun represents the everyday consciousness of the standard ego, which allows us to perceive some qualities and circumstances while filtering others out – depending on stage of consciousness and the present life polarization and focus.
• The Ascendant represents the striving of the Ego or Soul to grow, evolve, and transcend its own conditioning and limitations which present in the form of the ego, or little self. • This self-resurrection of the Ego or Atma is achieved in seven Ways, in much the same way the seven Ray types qualify the everyday self, ego, or personality. • The key to the work of the Soul is represented by the sign which is rising (the Ascendant), and that sign’s three planetary rulers, their house placement and aspects.
• For spiritual students and workers, both the Orthodox and Esoteric planetary rulers have a strong impact on the life. • For 1° aspirants, the Esoteric ruler indicates possibility; • for 2° probationers, it indicates the strong experience of conflict in the life of the mystically oriented; • for 3° disciples, it represents the challenges and responsibilities of spiritually-polarized work; • for 4° initiates, it indicates the sometimes drastic apparent division between inner and outer lives and work, and the phantasmagoria of living in the human world and its events brought on by immersion in the Great Illusion.
• By contrast, the Orthodox ruler of the Ascendant, in all these cases, represents the opportune challenges and work to be done in the external world (spiritually considered) of humanity’s status quo establishment or society at any given point in human evolution or history. • Orthodox astrologers usually assign outward personal appearances to the Ascendant. This is probably accurate and sufficient for average humanity, when considered in adjunct with the Sun’s sign and position. This does not apply so well to intermediate groups, but is quite often emphasized in those polarized as souls.
• For the spiritual student, the Ascendant has another meaning. The striving of the Soul to utilize the human personality automatically creates an appearance of fully-developed traits in that personality – perceivable and interpreted in various ways by others in the environment – but which traits are not yet deeply rooted. Since these qualities are part of a spiritual process of self-regeneration in progress, they may not always be relied upon by personalities in the outer world. However, they can be relied upon by souls to indicate lines of cooperation, and mutual help and learning among groups of spiritual students themselves. It is important to remember that most spiritual groups are not organized as such on the physical plane. Their mutual connections are on inner planes. Such groups are also more inwardly-oriented at first, waiting for what has been called “occult recognition” of like-minded principles and people in their environment.
• The keynote of the soul and spirit is autonomous intelligent and compassionate cooperation with the soul principle in others, and so independence tends to be emphasized in the evolved. Also, with the growth in the sense of responsibility for conscious living in our world, the haphazard personalized self-consciousness of the purely self-interested little ego eventually becomes submerged in the purposeful and highly individualized group consciousness of the Ego at work.
• Both Soul and personality can be said to be generally either mentally or emotionally polarized.
• Other means of discerning stage and/or focus of consciousness include questions such as:
Will : . . does the person use self-will (personal), determining will (integrated personality), or conditioning will (soul) — is this applied to persons, or to conditions and the environment holistically considered?
Love : . . does the person characteristically indulge in sentiment or the polar opposites (pain/pleasure, attraction/aversion, fear/hilarity), do they impose a devoted and personalized service-orientation accompanied by roles, or do they express and actuate impersonal compassion?
Mind : . . does the person utilize rank intellect or robotic logical rationality, an intelligent reasoning which blends heart and head, or pure abstract and holistic intuitive reasoning in organizing their lives and affairs?
as published by esoterism.ro
