Esoteric

The Fall 2006

Volume 2
Number 4

Quarterly A publication of the

School for Esoteric
Studies

Esoteric philosophy
and its applications to
individual and group
service and the expansion
of human consciousness.

The School for Esoteric Studies.

275 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina 28801, USA.
www.esotericstudies.net/quarterly; e-mail: [email protected].
 `The Esoteric Quarterly
The Esoteric Quarterly is published by the School for Esoteric Studies. It is
registered as an online journal with the National Serials Data Program of the
United States Library of Congress. International Standard Serial Number
(ISSN) 1551-3874.

Further information about The Esoteric Quarterly, including

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can be found at: www.esotericstudies.net/quarterly. All corres-
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Editorial Board
Donna M. Brown (United States)
Barbara Domalske (United States)
Gail G. Jolley (United States)
Bruce Lyon (New Zealand)
Kathy Newburn (United States)
Robert G. Waggener (United States)

Editor-in-Chief: John F. Nash

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006.

All rights reserved.

Copies of the complete journal or articles contained therein may be made for
personal use on condition that copyright statements are included. Commercial use
without the permission of The Esoteric Quarterly and the School for Esoteric
Studies is strictly prohibited.
 Fall 2006

The Esoteric Quarterly

Contents
Volume 2, Number 4. Fall 2006

Page Page

Features Symbolism and the Path 67

5
“A Subjective Worker”
Editorial
Publication Policies 6 Book Reviews
Letters to the Editor 6
Meditations on Planets in 73
Quotes of the Quarter 7 Signs
by James Davis
Articles 73
The Revelation of Saint John
Disciples and the Year 2025 9 by Zachary Lansdowne
Nancy Seifer
News from the School
Zodiac and Ray Cycles in 15
Esoteric Astrology: The Revelation of Beauty and Joy 75
Beginning of the Age of Chuck Heinrichs
Aquarius 75
An Invitation
Phillip Lindsay
Discipleship and Initiation: 27
The Three Stages and Seven The mission of the Esoteric Quarterly is to
Steps to Hierarchy and Be- provide a forum for the exploration of eso-
yond (Part II) teric philosophy and its applications. Full-
Temple Richmond length articles and short papers are solicited
pertaining to both eastern and western eso-
The Virgo Full Moon 45 teric traditions.
Luisa Romero de Johnston We also encourage feedback from readers.
Comments of general interest will be pub-
Devas, Nature and 51 lished as letters to the editor.
Humanity
All communications should be sent to
Donna Brown & John Nash [email protected].

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 3

The Esoteric Quarterly

The New Millennium

in Spiritual Perspective
The advanced Beings who guide the evolution of humanity are preparing to
emerge into outer visible functioning in the world. In preparation for this,
the inner side of world developments is gradually precipitating into human
consciousness in the form of a growing global impetus toward freedom
and right human relations, a necessary first step.
Could the fact of this preparatory stage explain some of the constructive
and destructive events we see unfolding in the world? Could there be a posi-
tive purpose behind apparent chaos?
More on the theme of the emergence of the Kingdom of God on Earth is
given in a free compilation from the writings of Alice A. Bailey,
The Externalization of the Hierarchy, available from:

School for Esoteric Studies

275 S. French Broad Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801-3951
Email: [email protected]; www.esotericstudies.net

One copy of this booklet is available free, but your $5.00 (U.S.)
donation is encouraged to help keep these publications in service.

4 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006.

 Fall 2006

Editorial
Optimism and Pessimism

E soteric teachers have normally presented

an optimistic picture of the expansion of
human consciousness and the growth of lov-
correspondingly greater. Philip Lindsay’s arti-
cle takes a larger view, examining what eso-
teric teachings reveal about the beginning of
ing, respectful relationships among people, the widely heralded Aquarian Age. Naturally
groups and nations. But it is hard to reconcile we are disappointed by Lindsay’s conclusions.
that optimism with what the news media show But if he is right that the New Age will not
us on a daily basis. At the time of writing the dawn for another century, that may explain
world seems to be in particularly bad shape, why the world still seems so mired in Piscean-
and—at least as viewed from the personality style problems.
level—there are few grounds for expecting
The third article: the conclusion of Temple
things to improve any time soon.
Richmond’s exploration of the paths of disci-
Perhaps we can reassure ourselves by thoughts pleship and initiation, contributes to this dis-
that the present difficulties stem from crystalli- cussion by presenting in clear terms the path
zation of outworn forms, or that violence, in- humanity must follow in order to realize its
difference and greed are the death-throes of near-term potential—and approach its glorious
infantile segments of humanity—or for that longer-term destiny. Richmond’s article may
matter ourselves—left behind in the surge to a well come to be regarded as the definitive
new world order. In any event there is an ur- study of the initiations. Part I appeared in the
gent need for people of goodwill everywhere Summer 2006 issue.
to bring light and love into their lives and into
The other articles in this issue step back to
the collective human consciousness. A letter
look at broader issues of esoteric teachings.
to the editor expresses the general sense of
But they also contribute to the overall theme.
pessimism but also offers some hope.
Luisa Romero de Johnston’s article—particu-
This may be a critical time in human history. larly appropriate since this issue is published
However, from our perspective in the trenches, during the sign of Virgo—discusses the great
we cannot evaluate the world situation as the sacrifice Life makes when it descends into
Masters of Wisdom no doubt can from their dense matter. Nowhere is this sacrifice more
broader and wiser perspective. Accordingly, evident than in the world’s war zones, where
there may be good reasons to set aside our human forms as well as the fabric of the planet
anxieties for a few moments and review the are experiencing untold suffering.
prophecies for the next decades and centuries
The article by Donna Brown and her co-author
contained in esoteric teachings.
explores the natural environment in which we
The first two articles in this issue of the Eso- live and the deva evolution which builds and
teric Quarterly do just that. Nancy Seifer’s ensouls it. The article draws upon the litera-
article focuses on the year 2025 which has of- ture of all ages and diverse cultures to bring
ten been cited as the date when the Christ will new clarity to our understanding of the devas,
reappear or the Hierarchy will exteriorize. their relationship to nature, and humanity’s
When the original prophecies were made, 2025 relationship with both.
was so far in the future—beyond the life ex-
The last article, whose author asked to remain
pectancy of the people who read them—that
anonymous, explores the spiritual path from
there seemed an eternity to prepare for it. But
the standpoint of symbolism. It includes a
the date is getting excitingly—or frighten-
number of visualization exercises that help the
ingly—close, and the urgency of preparation is

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 5

The Esoteric Quarterly

seeker tune into the higher levels of his or her contribute to the expansion of human con-
being. sciousness.
In addition to the usual book reviews, this is- Publication of an article does not necessarily
sue also includes a short section contributed by imply that the Editorial Board or the School
our sponsor, the School of Esoteric Studies. for Esoteric Studies agrees with the views ex-
pressed. Nor do we have the means to verify
The continued success of this journal depends
all facts stated in published articles.
on the flow of high-quality articles, and we
invite prospective authors to consider the Eso- We encourage critical thinking and evaluation
teric Quarterly as the vehicle of choice for of ideas. However, we will not allow this
sharing their insights. Our mission is to pub- journal to be used as a platform for attacks on
lish articles on esoteric philosophy and its ap- individuals, institutions or nations. This policy
plications. Topics can relate to either the applies to articles and features as well as to
western or the eastern esoteric tradition. The letters to the editor. In turn, we understand
latter includes Buddhism, Hinduism and Tao- that the author of an article may not necessar-
ism, as well as the Trans-Himalayan teachings ily agree with the views, attitudes or values
represented by Theosophical literature and the expressed by a referenced source. Indeed, se-
writings of Helena Roerich and Alice Bailey. rious scholarship sometimes requires reference
Articles that integrate different traditions are to work that the author finds abhorrent. We
especially welcome. This is a peer-review will not reject an article for publication simply
journal; all articles are blind-refereed, and final on the grounds that it contains a reference to an
decisions on publication are made by the Edi- objectionable source.
torial Board.
An issue of concern in all online journals is the
John Nash potential volatility of content. Conceivably
www.uriel.com articles could be modified after the publication
date because authors changed their minds
about what had been written. Accordingly we
Publication Policies wish to make clear our policy on this issue.

A rticles are selected for publication in the

Esoteric Quarterly because we believe
they represent a sincere search for truth, sup-
We reserve the right to correct minor typo-
graphical errors, but we will not make any sub-
stantive alteration to an article after it “goes to
port the service mission to which we aspire, or press.”

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor: “battlefields” and “burning grounds” and

emerge from them, as the teachings describe,
I am writing in response to John Nash’s com-
passionate article, Discipleship and Disillu-
sionment. By addressing issues that are nor-
with insights that change us profoundly.
Those insights can often be extremely helpful
and encouraging to others. Nash’s article
mally closeted away, the article brought to
raises the possibility that the time might be
light how rare it is to read about the pitfalls of
ripe for engaging in dialogue about the chal-
the path from a human perspective, and how
lenges faced by disciples in these times.
useful that can be.
One issue that is currently troubling for some,
Crises, as we well know, are part and parcel of
if not the cause of deep crisis, is how to handle
the discipleship path. We all pass through
contradictions and inconsistencies that appear

6 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

in the teachings. When coming across state- incredibly valuable, and have become so foun-
ments in the books that contradict each other, dational to our sense of reality, that question-
or are at variance with facts emerging since the ing any part of them can be psychologically
books were written, some of us have experi- threatening. If it turns out they are not correct
enced considerable discomfort. Questions in all regards, where does that leave us?
arise: Is there something we aren’t seeing?
In religious life, a crisis of faith often leads to a
Could we resolve the contradiction if we knew
departure from that faith. When a person can
more? Or is it possible that information
no longer believe in the doctrine, he or she
transmitted by a Master is incorrect?
may feel obliged to turn away from the relig-
In one particular area of the teachings transmit- ion entirely. One of the many differences be-
ted by the Tibetan Master through Alice Bai- tween traditional religion and the esoteric path
ley, reality has diverged markedly from what is that the latter is based on knowing, not on
the Hierarchy anticipated. It appears that Their belief. In fact, the teachings repeatedly caution
expectations for humanity, as outlined in The us against turning them into a doctrine or
Externalization of the Hierarchy, have largely dogma. They are actually intended to help us
failed to materialize. There was a wave of al- reach beyond them, by attaining a level of con-
truism in the post-war period, and the altruistic sciousness at which we can know truth di-
impulse is now increasingly apparent among rectly—through the intuition.
certain groups. But the trend toward selfish-
It seems that remembering this intention of the
ness has so far outpaced the trend toward self-
teaching is important as we navigate this diffi-
lessness that the future of many species, in-
cult era of transition, perhaps feeling unpre-
cluding our own, is imperiled. Selfishness on
pared, if we have based our sense of reality on
an unprecedented scale is also a major culprit
the printed word. And yet when things do not
in the climate change crisis, not mentioned in
unfold as foreseen, we are thrown back upon
the Bailey books.
our inner resources. That can be extremely
For students who have accepted the books as stressful, but it can also serve to stimulate the
gospel, and have relied on the impression con- development of the intuition. Perhaps this is
veyed that the transition to the New Age would one of the hidden gifts of our times.
be relatively painless (without noting the Ti-
Sincerely yours,
betan’s many caveats), such discrepancies can
lead to a crisis of faith. What is happening in Nancy Seifer
our world right now is not mirrored in the Reston, Virginia
books. Yet the teachings as a whole are so

Quotes of the Quarter

“
A rise, Henry—rise up, noble-minded,
good, and generous, though widely mis-
taken man—Thy faults are those of this cruel
F or within you is the light of the world—the
only light that can be shed upon the Path.
If you are unable to perceive it within you, it is
and remorseless age—thy virtues all thine useless to look for it elsewhere. It is beyond
own.” you; because when you reach it you have lost
Catherine (Katie) Glover, yourself. It is unattainable, because it for ever
The Fair Maid of Perth by Walter Scott, 1828. recedes. You will enter the light, but you will
never touch the flame.
Mabel Collins. Light on the Path.
Theosophical Publishing House, 1888.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 7

The Esoteric Quarterly

O ne of the results of the world condition at

this time is the speeding up of all the
atomic lives upon and within the planet. This
H e who experiences and hears much on
earth will also be learned in the resurrec-
tion, while he who knows nothing will be infe-
necessarily involves the increased vibratory rior. For there are many mansions in God’s
activity of the human mechanism, with a con- house, and each one will find his mansion ac-
sequent effect upon the psychic nature, produc- cording to his learning. We are all learned but
ing an abnormal sensitivity and psychic not equally, all wise but not equally, all skillful
awareness. It would be of value here to re- but not equally; he who searches deeply is
member that the condition of humanity at this most. For research and seeking experiences
time is not the result of simply one factor, but thrive in God and avoid the vices of the world;
of several—all of them being active simulta- they flee worldly service, obedience to princes,
neously, because this period marks the close of court manners, nice gestures… Obedience to
one age and the inauguration of the new… God, this is man’s command. Obedience to
This is a transition period between the passing men, what else is it than a vain shadow?... Oh,
out of the Piscean Age, with its emphasis upon how joyful is he who thinks in the following of
authority and belief, and the coming in of the his creator! He finds pearls that will not be
Aquarian Age, with its emphasis upon individ- thrown to the swine.
ual understanding and direct knowledge. The Paracelsus. A Book on Nymphs, Sylphs, Pygmies,
activity of these forces, characteristic of the and Salamanders, and on the Other Spirits,
two signs, produces in the atoms of the human published posthumously, sometime after 1541.
body a corresponding activity. We are on the
verge of new knowledges and the atoms of the
body are being tuned up for reception. Those
atoms which are predominantly Piscean are
beginning to slow down their activity and to be
N ature had shown me a great mountain,
crowned with a peak of immaculate
whiteness, but she was unable to teach me the
“occultly withdrawn,” as it is called, or ab- way leading to it.
stracted, whilst those which are responsive to René Schwaller de Lubicz.
the New Age tendencies are, in their turn, be- Nature Word, Lindisfarne, 1982.
ing stimulated and their vibratory activity in-
creased.
Alice A. Bailey. The Externalization of the
Hierarchy. Lucis Publishing Company.
(Passage written in March 1934).

8 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

Disciples and the Year 2025

Nancy Seifer

Abstract The sheer volume of such statements about the

future tends to create the impression that the

T his article is an effort to alert disciples to

both the dangers and opportunities of our
time, the “Stage of the Forerunner.” The
Plan is unfolding inexorably—an impression
that can make our own contribution seem neg-
ligible. Yet the Tibetan repeatedly advises us
author highlights the importance attached by not to be lulled into complacency. A kind of
the Tibetan Master to humanity’s recognition “fine print,” in the form of understated cau-
of three aspects of reality before the year 2025: tionary notes, appears frequently in the books.
the existence of the subtle “world of meaning,” These notes indicate that the plans of the Hier-
the Spiritual Hierarchy, and the Divine Plan. archy are continually under review and subject
The task of communicating knowledge of sub- to revision, and that they will come to fruition
tle realities to a broader public was assigned to only if all the necessary elements come into
disciples, although this fact is often overlooked play.
or underestimated. To a surprising extent, the
Plan depends upon the willingness and ability One of the essential elements in this transi-
of esoteric students to carry out this work ef- tional stage is the work entrusted to disciples.
fectively in time to avert possible disaster. It may be difficult for us to fully comprehend
this, especially in light of the cosmic forces at
Introduction play—the incoming energies of Aquarius and
the influx of the seventh ray—plus the impacts
T he books of Alice Bailey are filled with
electrifying statements about our times.
“This is… the most amazing period in the
from Shamballa and actions of the Hierarchy.
However, we are told repeatedly that our role
is critical. Before the Hierarchy can external-
history of humanity,”1 the Tibetan states in The ize or the Christ can reappear, humanity must
Externalization of the Hierarchy. “We stand at have recognized, to some degree, Their exis-
the gateway of the new world, the new age, tence. The task of fostering that recognition is
and its new civilization, ideals and culture,”2 largely ours.
he declares in Esoteric Astrology. “A new
revelation is hovering over mankind… A new In The Externalization of the Hierarchy, the
heaven and new earth are on their way,”3 Tibetan points out in several places the need
writes Alice Bailey in The Reappearance of for our assistance. In one instance, describing
the Christ. “the scheme of preparation for the transition
period between the old and the new as it is in
Appearing throughout the books is the vision process of completion in the Council Chamber
of a glorious future, with humanity working in of the Great Lord,”6 he states: “Your accep-
alignment with the Hierarchy and Shamballa to tance and understanding of it and of its sym-
precipitate the Kingdom of God on Earth. We
are told that “humanity is undergoing a true
initiation as it enters into the new age of
Aquarius.”4 Moreover, we are assured that the About the Author
work of preparation for the Reappearance of Nancy Seifer is a writer and longtime student of the
the Christ is well underway, and that “Certain Ageless Wisdom. She recently published Russian
of the Masters have the work under Their con- Odyssey, a spiritual memoir, and is co-author of the
trol, and through Their grouped disciples are forthcoming When the Soul Awakens: The Path to
already actively engaged in [it].5 an Age of Universal Spirituality,

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 9

The Esoteric Quarterly

bolic implications are dependent upon your For disciples on the Path, the Stage of the
capacity to assimilate truth, to use your intui- Forerunner has been depicted as a time of great
tion, and thus to assist in the work itself when spiritual opportunity. The Tibetan tells us that:
the right time comes.”7 “a great and new movement is proceeding and
a tremendously increased interplay and interac-
Surely the right time has come. There now
tion is taking place”11 between Shamballa, Hi-
exist both an unprecedented opportunity and a
erarchy and Humanity. This movement in-
looming deadline. As the forces of destruction
volves the “process of substitution and re-
carry out their work, the crisis atmosphere
placement”12 taking place as Chohans enter the
hovering over our world has created fertile
Council Chamber of the Lord of the World,
ground for new seeds of understanding. As old
senior Masters replace Chohans, initiates be-
thought-forms about material reality crumble,
come Masters, disciples take initiation, and
there is a new openness to learning about
pledged disciples become accepted disciples.
Higher Reality. Our window of opportunity,
however, is small. A reading of the Tibetan’s It has been the Hierarchy’s intent, in this pre-
“fine print” reveals that paratory stage, to increase
our work has a deadline and expand working rela-
that is now less than The period from the publi- tionships between disci-
twenty years away.
cation of the Bailey books to ples in the world and their
Masters, enabling the
We are told that a
“great General Assem-
the next Great Assembly, Masters’ plans to be car-
8 designated “The Stage of ried out. And it was an-
bly of the Hierarchy”
th 1 ticipated that the interac-
is held in the 25 year the Forerunner,” was in- tion between humanity
of every new century.
The Members of the
tended as a period of prepa- and Hierarchy would pro-
ration and testing. Many duce changes of such
Hierarchy meet at that
magnitude that by 2025, at
time to make decisions developments previously set the next great General As-
that determine Their
plans for the remainder in motion by the Hierar- sembly of the Hierarchy,
“the date in all probability
of the century, based chy—in spheres such as will be set for the first
upon what has or has world governance and stage of the externalization
not transpired by that
world religion—were pro- of the Hierarchy.”13
time. The next Assem-
bly, in 2025, will be of jected to reach a culminat- The phrase “in all prob-
monumental impor- ability,” one of many such
tance. It will launch
ing stage by 2025. caveats in the books, is
the events of the mil- easily overlooked by stu-
lennium in which the Aquarian civilization is dents assimilating the magnitude of the state-
due to emerge into manifestation. ment surrounding it: that a date is to be set for
the Hierarchy’s emergence into physical form.
The period from the publication of the Bailey
Yet this phrase is crucially important, espe-
books to the next Great Assembly, designated
cially when viewed in the light of other fore-
“The Stage of the Forerunner,”9 was intended
casts for that portentous year. The statement,
as a period of preparation and testing. Many
written with three quarters of a century remain-
developments previously set in motion by the
ing before the next conclave, carried the Ti-
Hierarchy—in spheres such as world govern-
betan’s note of positive expectancy that the
ance and world religion—were projected to
needed preparatory work would in fact be exe-
reach a culminating stage by 2025. More gen-
cuted in time. Still, he indicated that the tim-
erally, with the tide of spiritual life shifting
ing of the first stage of the externalization was
from East to West, a new spiritual conscious-
not assured, and could well be delayed.
ness was expected to “reach its zenith between
10
the years 1965 and 2025.”

10 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

If there is to be a delay in the Hierarchy’s changes in consciousness fail to occur, he

plans, what, we may well wonder, might be its sounds a dire warning: “These three recogni-
cause? The Tibetan asserted that the Hierarchy tions must be evidenced by humanity and af-
was actively seeking to remove “barriers fect human thinking and action if the total de-
which militate against the return of the Christ struction of mankind is to be averted.”17
and the emergence of the Hierarchy as a fully
The required changes in consciousness are
functioning body on earth.”14 Most of those
worded as follows:
barriers probably have little if anything to do
with disciples. But could it be that we, in • a recognition of the world of meaning,
some way, might be responsible for delaying • a recognition of Those Who implement
the process? world affairs and Who engineer those
steps which lead mankind onward toward
Our Role its destined goal, plus
• a steadily increased recognition of the
A s mediators between the Hierarchy and
Humanity, disciples have a dual role to
play. If we were, in fact, a contributing
Plan on the part of the masses.18

factor in delaying the unfolding Plan, it would Disciples are at times referred to by Djwhal
be logical to look for the cause of delay in one Khul as “world knowers”—human beings who
of the two aspects of our role: have attained a degree of higher knowledge
and are responsible for communicating that
• the inner work of building the an- knowledge in service to world need. In 1945,
tahkarana—creating the bridge in con- at the time he made the statement about the
sciousness to the degree that a relation- necessary recognitions, eight decades remained
ship with our Ashram is formed and a for disciples to convey to humanity knowledge
sense of our task on behalf of the Ashram of these three subjective realities: the reality of
is perceived; and the inner world of the Soul, the existence of
• the outer work of bridge-building to hu- the Masters of Wisdom as Custodians of an
manity. evolutionary Plan, and the fact that such a Plan
exists. Now, in 2006, with less than two dec-
The two aspects are, of course, intimately re-
ades remaining, we face a grim prospect—if
lated. The more we meditate and practice
the Tibetan’s forecast is correct, and if human-
spiritual disciplines, the more solid the inner
ity as whole remains oblivious to these reali-
bridge to the Guides of the Race becomes, and
ties.
the more our capacity for outer service grows.
Likewise, the more we serve, the greater our Living through these times, watching the pre-
ability to invoke the inspiration and guidance sent order unravel, the reason for the Tibetan’s
needed for our work. For all practical pur- sense of urgency becomes increasingly clear.
poses these two aspects of discipleship work The underlying cause of all our interrelated
are inseparable. However, at this moment in global crises can be directly related to igno-
history, the role of outer service, often under- rance of the dimensions of inner Reality that
valued by esoteric students, appears to be cru- he enumerated. The present state of affairs
cial to the unfolding Plan. would be inconceivable if large numbers of
people understood the true nature of the human
The Tibetan says as much in a compelling pre-
soul and the laws by which it evolves; if they
diction for 2025 that appears in Discipleship in
accepted as fact that there is a God, a Kingdom
the New Age II. He states that three “recogni-
of God, and a Plan leading humanity to fulfill
tions” must take root within humanity by 2025.
its divine potential.
They must be assimilated in such a way that
they will “produce fundamental changes in Sadly, at this point in time there is little evi-
human thought, awareness and direction.”15 dence that these recognitions are taking root in
The importance of achieving these recogni- human consciousness, particularly among the
tions is: “Above everything else required at masses. While there is cause for optimism
this time.”16 Moreover, if these fundamental regarding a growing awareness of the soul,

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 11

The Esoteric Quarterly

knowledge presented about the soul in popular them, to the measure of their receptivity.
mainstream publications is conspicuously Did not the greatest of all the Great Ones do
vague. The world of the soul—with its laws, this Himself in the synagogue and with His
its evolutionary perspective, and its higher di- disciples in Judean days?19
mensions of consciousness—remains relatively
unknown beyond esoteric circles. Even less Encouragement
well known are the existence of the Hierarchy and Urgency
and the Plan. In fact, based on the awareness
of the Hierarchy reflected in Alice Bailey’s
comments about her own time, we may, in
A long with his request that this work be
carried out, the Tibetan offered his en-
couragement. While noting (in 1945) that the
fact, have slid backward in this regard.
period until the year 2025 was “a brief space of
The books tell us that at the end of an age, it is time indeed to produce fundamental changes in
intended that knowledge once held as esoteric human thought, awareness, and direction,” he
be made exoteric. The purpose is twofold: to also stated that it was “quite possible [of]
foster the evolution of human consciousness as achievement, provided the New Group of
a whole, and to allow for the transmission of World Servers and the men and women of
further esoteric teachings. Disciples, the goodwill perform a conscientious task.” Un-
“world knowers,” are the only ones equipped derscoring the need, he added: “Evil is not yet
to meet the evolutionary need of our time by sealed. The spread of the Christ consciousness
translating and simplifying essential esoteric and His recognized Presence with us is not yet
principles. No matter how far we have pene- attained. The Plan is not yet so developed that
trated the inner realms experientially (whether its structure is universally admitted.”20
or not we have completed both spans of the
In 2006, these goals appear to be far from at-
inner bridge), we have knowledge of spiritual
tainment, although we know that significant
realities that few other human beings currently
progress has been made in many ways and that
have.
tremendous help—of which we may be largely
From all appearances, the work of informing unaware—is coming “from the inner side.”
humanity is not taking place on the scale re- Hopefully, the urgency of our times will stimu-
quired. Perhaps the reason is the natural pro- late a growing pool of disciples to address the
clivity of disciples—those who are esoteric need of humanity by sharing some of the
students—to focus on the cosmic and timeless knowledge that is ours. It goes without saying
rather than that which is immediate. Or per- that a great responsibility rests on our shoul-
haps the sense of urgency concerning this ders.
work, buried in the fine print, has simply been
Though the dangers of our time are more ap-
overlooked. Whatever the reason, the Tibetan
parent than its opportunities, the latter are sub-
warns of dire consequences if we fail to carry
stantial and growing. A hint of this lies in one
out this service. In a very real sense, he has
of the names assigned to the present era: the
given us a specific task with a specific dead-
Age of Uncertainty. Uncertain minds tend to
line: to convey the above-mentioned recogni-
be receptive minds. When long-held ideas
tions to humanity at large—through writing,
about the nature of reality are inadequate to
teaching, or various other creative means – by
explain the happenings of the time, thinking
the year 2025.
people seek truth wherever they can find it. To
In addition, he has given us the method of ac- a certain extent, the growing thirst for spiritual
complishment: truth is being quenched by the current outpour-
[T]he truth must be stepped down and ing of books reaching the mainstream. But the
adapted in such a way that the advanced deeper truths—on which the future of human-
minds, the enquiring minds, and the . . . ity hinges—still remain largely buried, waiting
masses may have opportunity proffered for disciples to bring them into the light of day.

12 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

1
Alice A. Bailey. The Externalisation of the
Hierarchy. Lucis Publishing Company, 1957,
p. 567.
2
Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Astrology. Lucis
Publishing Company, 1951, p.148.
3
Alice A. Bailey. The Reappearance of the
Christ. Lucis Publishing Company, 1948, pp.
148-149.
4
Ibid., p. 82.
5
The Externalisation of The Hierarchy, p. 504.
6
Ibid., p. 503.
7
Ibid., author’s italics.
8
Ibid., p. 530.
9
Ibid.
10
Alice A. Bailey. The Light of the Soul. Lucis
Publishing Company, 1927, p. xii.
11
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, p. 530.
12
Ibid., p. 529.
13
Ibid., p. 530.
14
Ibid., pp. 550-1.
15
Alice A. Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age,
II. Lucis Publishing Company, 1955, p. 164.
16
Ibid.
17
Ibid, author’s italics.
18
Ibid., bullets added.
19
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, p. 503.
20
Discipleship in the New Age, II, p. 164.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 13

 Fall 2006

Zodiac and Ray Cycles in Esoteric Astrology:

The Beginning of the Age of Aquarius
Phillip Lindsay

Summary The exact time for the beginning of the Age of

Aquarius has been debated amongst astrolo-

T his article aims to establish the date for the

true astronomical beginning of the Age of
Aquarius, based mainly upon the writings of
gers for years. For students of Esoteric Astrol-
ogy (the Science of the Seven Rays), discrimi-
nation must be applied between zodiac cycles
the Master Djwhal Khul through his amanuen- and ray cycles.
sis, Alice A. Bailey. It was born from many
dialogues within the esoteric community, some From the greatest manvantaras to the lesser
of which revolved around an “unpublished let- daily round, the mystery of cycles has pre-
ter” from the Master D.K. that indirectly gave occupied this author for some time. I am re-
the date in question. Nevertheless, the author minded of the illusory nature of this sacred
has endeavoured to prove the 2117 date by science and the limited personal veil through
other means, several of which lay in Bailey’s which I perceive time. Any attempt at pene-
published writings. This article seeks to work trating its arcana solely through my concrete
from the greater view to the particular, remind- mind is always soundly repelled by a veil of
ing us that the Science of Cycles is extremely protection that surrounds it. This method is
complex and intricate, giving pause for thought applied to several other areas of the Ageless
about the illusory nature of time. Wisdom to “safeguard them from the profane;”
the “profane” being simply the degree of my
Introduction unregenerated substance—or ignorance.

“ None of us is free from illusion, glamour and

O ne of the secrets of initiation is con-
cerned with the apprehension of cycles,
and with their duration … before a man is con-
maya, nor do we possess the clear vision of the
Master who has been liberated from these
sidered a true occultist.”1 This is a quote with trammels. The tendency for the western eso-
which many students of cycles and Esoteric teric student with well a equipped concrete
Astrology may resonate, particularly from the mind, is toward a linear and literal perception
viewpoint of the complexity and sheer number of time. Ultimately the buddhic intuition is the
of cycles. Time is an illusion—there is no be- only factor that can be invoked to accurately
ginning or end. Yet the science of cycles as- (and safely) perceive the true nature of time
sists us in understanding the unfoldment of and its cyclic unfoldment; many of us still
consciousness, the evolution of races and civi- work at their comprehension via a combination
lisations; ultimately comprehension of the
Eternal Now.
There are ray, planetary and zodiac cycles, all About the Author
of which have various contexts within the
greater “yugas” or wheels; or according to the Phillip Lindsay has been a teacher of the Ageless
Wisdom and esoteric astrology for over 20 years.
rays of soul groupings, races, subraces and
He has lectured in New Zealand, Europe and Amer-
branch races. No wonder that even the Master ica as well as in his native Australia. He is the au-
Koot Hoomi once stated, “I had to study for thor of several books. Further information is avail-
fifteen years before I came to the doctrines of able at: www.esotericastrologer.org, and he can be
cycles and had to learn simpler things at first.”2 contacted at [email protected].

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 15

The Esoteric Quarterly

of the concrete mind and the developing bud- that revealing light only finds Location
dhic faculty. when the seventh Ray of Ceremonial Order
is active and in process of manifestation in
The Greater Wheel of Aquarius the three worlds, and necessarily, therefore,
upon the seventh plane, the physical plane.
W orking as ever from the greater to the
particular, let us examine a passage
which points to two Aquarian cycles:
Such a manifestation inevitably takes place
in moments of planetary crisis, when the
seventh ray is active and when the Sun is in
This is, therefore, the most amazing period Aquarius. Such a combination of relation-
in the history of humanity. Added to this, it ships is being established now, for the sev-
must be borne in mind that we are entering enth ray is rapidly coming into manifesta-
another greater round of the Zodiac, and this tion and the Sun is in Aquarius, for the
coincides with the lesser zodiacal activity Aquarian Age is just beginning. The Objec-
because Aquarius governs the greater im- tive of this combination (which has occurred
mediate cycle of 25,000 years and is also the six times during the period of the fifth root-
sign into which the sun is now moving for a race) is to bring about illumination and the
period of 2300 years—a most amazing hap- establishment of order upon the Earth.5
pening and full of import in our planetary
history.3 This passage has been taken literally by some
to mean that the “Sun is in Aquarius” for the
The Sun is entering Aquarius on a greater and 2,160 year lesser cycle—when it more likely
a lesser cycle: 25,000 upon the greater wheel refers to the greater 25,000 year cycle. Why
and 2,300 upon the lesser wheel. (More on else would the Master D.K. have made the in-
this lesser wheel later.) Having been informed direct reference to the time-span of the Fifth
that a greater cycle exists (this applies to all Rootrace? Students of Esoteric History should
signs), other passages about any astrological note that the duration of the Fifth Rootrace is
age in the Tibetan’s books must be examined at least 1,000,000 years,6 referring only to its
by the careful student for ambiguity or hints— physical appearance, not to its nascent emer-
as to whether they refer to a greater cycle. The gence closer to four million years ago.7 Either
greater wheel of 25,000 years is also part of a figures of one or four million could be com-
250,000 year cycle: puted to have had this combination of sign and
The great sweep of the sun around the ray cycle occurring six times.
greater zodiac (a period of 250,000 years, or
If the small wheel is calculated, Aquarius
a complete round) came to an end when the
comes around full circle every precession cy-
sun entered Pisces over two thousand years
cle of 25,920 years—for a period of 2,160
ago. This process of passing out of, or en-
years. One type of ray-seven cycle is 2,500
tering into, a particular sign and cyclic influ-
years8 and it is said to be never out of incarna-
ence covers a period of five thousand years
tion for more than 1,500 years.9 It is probable
where this greater round or cycle is con-
therefore, that its cycle would coincide with
cerned. This period of five thousand years
that of the lesser Aquarian wheel every 25,920
covers the complete cycle of transition until
years. Multiplying this precession figure by
complete freedom to function under the in-
six yields only 155,520 years—well short of
spiration of the new sign is accomplished.
the duration of 1,000,000 years for the Fifth
We are, therefore, not yet free from inciden-
Rootrace.
tal turmoil.4
If the greater wheel is considered, even with a
In other words, the two lesser cycles of Pisces
coinciding greater seventh ray cycle of 7,000
and Aquarius constitute approximately the
years,10 then Aquarius comes around every
5,000 year cuspal period of the greater 25,000
250,000 x 6 = 1,500,000 years, much closer to
year cycle. Let us examine another passage
both the shorter and longer durations of the
which refers to the Sun in Aquarius:
Fifth Rootrace mentioned earlier.

16 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

It is now the seventh time that this combina- diacal cycles—the Piscean and the Aquar-
tion of the seventh ray and the greater Aquar- ian.14
ian cycle has occurred in the history of the
As an aside, when Djwhal Khul refers to the
Fifth Rootrace. There is something momen-
full moon of June he usually means the full
tous about the 7 x 7 that relates to the 7 x 7 =
moon period of Gemini as this is Christ’s own
49 ashrams—that may accelerate their exter-
unique festival accompanied by powerful sec-
nalisation process during this next cycle. The
ond ray of love-wisdom forces.
seventh ray is certainly about the precipitation
of the Plan upon the physical plane. (Note all However in June 1945 it was the Cancer full
the “p”s in this sentence have a numerical moon which fell in June (the Gemini lunation
value of seven.) was in May that year), and Cancer may cer-
tainly be appropriate in terms of the birthing
Another point to reflect upon is the passage,
upon the physical plane of Christ’s mission.
“the seventh ray is rapidly coming into mani-
Indeed, Neptune (as the soul ruler of Cancer) is
festation.” A greater seventh ray cycle started
one of the names that Christ is known by in the
in 167511 (related specifically to the Piscean
West.15 Yet it may well be academic as to
Age) and whether it is a cycle of 700, 2,500 or
whether it is the Gemini or Cancer full moon.
7,000 years, it certainly has gained momentum
The Master D.K. follows up with another pas-
over the past few hundred years. There was a
sage a little further on:
seventh ray sub-cycle (as part of the greater
sixth ray cycle) that started in 186012 during At the centre of this Triangle the Christ took
the time of the great reformer Abraham Lin- His stand; from that point His Aquarian
coln; and there may well have been another work began, and it will continue for two
seventh ray cycle that commenced around thousand five hundred years. Thus He inau-
1945 (which will be discussed shortly): gurated the new era and, upon the inner
spiritual planes, the new world religion be-
There are vaster cycles, of 2500 years, of
gan to take form.16
7,000 years, of 9,000 years, of 15,000 years,
and many others which only advanced initi- Note that the period mentioned is 2,500 years
ates know of or can follow; these can break not 2,160 years, the usual cycle for a zodiac
in upon any of the lesser impulses, and can sign’s precession. Here, 2,500 refers to a sev-
be seen appearing, unexpectedly, as far as enth ray cycle which unfolds over this period
average man's knowledge is concerned, and and encompasses the zodiacal cycle of Aquar-
yet they are but the returning impulses set in ius on the lesser wheel of 2,160:
cyclic motion perhaps thousands of years [T]he Lord of the seventh Ray plays a simi-
ago.13 lar part. Herein lies the reason for His in-
flowing force at this time, for a profound
The Lesser Wheel of Aquarius: movement is in order of accomplishment,
Distinguishing Zodiac Cycle and a transference is in progress which calls
from Ray Cycle for His particular type of energy. A trans-
ference is being effected of certain groups of

F ollowing is another passage that could be

interpreted as a greater cycle but more
likely refers to the lesser cycle, as it is encom-
human and deva Monads out of the human
kingdom into the fifth or spiritual kingdom.
During His cycle of close on two thousand
passed by the ray cycle within which it unfolds: five hundred years, a specific number of
In June, 1945, at the time of the full moon men will pass on to the Path of Initiation,
(so significant a day in the spiritual experi- and take at least the first Initiation, thus
ence of the Christ), He definitely and con- transferring their centres of consciousness
sciously took over His duties and responsi- out of the purely human into the early stages
bilities as the Teacher and Leader during of the spiritual.17
the Aquarian solar cycle. He is the first of Hence if a 2,500 year cycle started in or
the great world Teachers to cover two zo- around 1945, it inaugurated the Aquarian Age

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 17

The Esoteric Quarterly

whose zodiac cycle of 2,160 years unfolds would find it useful to make a study of the re-
within the duration of the ray cycle. This may lation of the second ray to the seventh, for
well be the case as it is not entirely clear where there is a close creative reaction or impulsive
else this 2,500 seventh ray cycle could have interplay between the
begun or what “close on 2,500 years” means. two…”22
The seventh ray cycle that started in 1675 is The Lesser Wheel of
“within the influence of the sign Pisces”18 and 23

hence may not apply to the seventh ray cycle Aquarius and 2,117
encompassing the sign Aquarius. Students
need to bear the following in mind about ray
cycles: “They enter into constructive activity;
they pass through that particular cycle; they
L et us re-examine an earlier passage:
This is, therefore, the most amazing pe-
riod in the history of humanity. Added to
then pass out, or die to that activity, and are this, it must be borne in mind that we are en-
then "raised into heaven," until such time as tering another greater round of the Zodiac,
their cycle again comes round.”19 and this coincides with the lesser zodiacal
activity because Aquarius governs the
The figure of 2,500 may also refer to a cycle greater immediate cycle of 25,000 years and
composed of several second ray cycles of 500 is also the sign into which the sun is now
years20 each; 2,500 is also half of a 5,000 year moving for a period of 2300 years—a most
second ray cycle, if the figure of 500 years is amazing happening and full of import in our
extrapolated. Christ is the head of the second planetary history.24
ray department hence the “new world religion”
in the above passage may also relate to the Note that 2,300 years is an unusual figure that
start of a second ray cycle. The following pas- is not mentioned anywhere else in Djwhal
sage points to a 2,500 year cycle of the second Khul’s or H. P. Blavatsky’s writings. Multi-
ray variety: plying 2,300 x 12 = 27,600—far too long for
the current obliquity of the ecliptic25 and meas-
At the time of this Wesak Festival, [1941] I urement of the current Great Year precession
would call your attention to the fact that the cycle of 25,920. The figure of 2,300 is most
annual return of the Buddha to bless His likely rounded off; it depicts the shorter time-
people everywhere and to convey the mes- span from the 1940’s, leading up to the period
sage of wisdom, light and love to human- when the Sun astronomically precesses into
ity—coming as He does from the very Heart Aquarius—plus the future 2,160 year cycle.
of Deity Itself—is the outer evidence and (2,300 - 2,160 = 140 years.)
guarantee of inner divine guidance and reve-
lation in this present world cycle of 2500 The latter part of The Externalisation of the
years.21 Hierarchy was written around 1949, hence 140
years + 1949 = 2089. Figure 1 including the
It is not entirely clear from this passage as to
parallel 2117 date may illustrate.
whether the cycle is starting or finishing but it
may well be the latter as the Buddha came In other words, from 1949, the figure of 2,300
forth around 2,500 years ago. As the Christ is years veils or approximates the true astronomi-
said to soon take over the responsibilities of cal beginning of the Aquarian Age on the
the Buddha, their sharing a 5,000 year cycle of lesser wheel of 2,160 years. This is corrobo-
2,500 years each may well be feasible. rated by the reading of the words, “Aquarius
… is also the sign into which the sun is now
Nevertheless, with the duration of 2,500 years,
moving for a period of 2,300 years.” As in an
the seventh and second rays both share this
earlier passage, this can be read ambiguously.
time-span as part of their respective retinues of
The import of the meaning can be seen as the
cyclic harmonics. This is a fascinating fact as
Sun moving toward the true astronomical be-
the personality and soul rulers of Aquarius are
ginning of the Aquarian Age over the next 140
Uranus and Jupiter. Jupiter has a 12 year cycle
years or thereabouts.
whilst Uranus is 84 years or 7 x 12: “You

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 Fall 2006

Figure 1. Aquarian Age Timeline

A passage from an unpublished private trans- ciled? Several astrologers would much like
mission written by the Tibetan in 1940 further to know.
supports, in both reasoning and process, that A. In answering this question, I would point
the true astronomical beginning of Aquarius out that astrologers must determine whether
has been approximated or veiled in the “2,300” the decanate being entered is in reality the
statement. last or the first, and this is
The passage has been determined by finding out
reproduced in its en- [F]rom a present point of whether the horoscope
tirety, even though the accuracy [astrologers] can being cast is of that of the
relevant information for person or nation who is
then ascertain precisely proceeding clockwise
this discussion is in its
last paragraph. The rea- when past or future cycles around the zodiacal
son for this is that some have started or finished; wheel or whether the pro-
students have doubted cedure is anti-clockwise.
the veracity of the
this provides a better degree This constitutes a definite
source being the Master of accuracy in prediction problem at this time and
D.K., so the reader will and for exploring elapsed almost an insoluble one,
have the opportunity to given the profound igno-
decide what speaks to
time in history; it helps to rance of the average in-
them intuitively. There map the unfoldment of hu- vestigator as to status and
is also a lengthy appen- man consciousness and how point the
of development of
subject under consid-
dix at the end of the ar-
ticle which further de- it has responded (or will re- eration.
scribes how the passage spond) to the various ray Our planet is passing
originated: and zodiac cycles. through what is esoteri-
cally called “an interlude
Q. Owing to the pre-
of reversal;” the old order
cession of the equi-
is definitely changing and
noxes (which produces an apparent move-
the astrological significance of the words of
ment from Pisces to Aquarius) the Sun is at
the Christ that “the last shall be first and the
present entering or has entered, at the spring
first, last” begin to appear in their true
equinox, the last degrees of Aquarius and
meaning. It must also be remembered that
these (21–30) are ruled by Venus, according
the processes of planetary life in the king-
to exoteric astrology.
doms of nature are determined, in the last
In the recent teachings it is said that the first analysis, by the status of the human king-
third of the Aquarian Age is ruled by Saturn, dom (the fourth) at any particular stage in
the second by Mercury and the last by Ve- planetary history.
nus. This seems very satisfactory from the
Also, just as in the life of an individual man,
subjective and spiritual angle as it produces
he comes to a point when he becomes the
first of all the testing, then illumination and
aspirant and disciple and reverses his pro-
last the result of both: brotherhood and love.
gress upon the wheel of life, and—
How can the two points of view be recon-
reorienting himself—goes counter to the

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The Esoteric Quarterly

usual mode of procedure, so at this time a specifically compliments this former state-
similar process is taking place in humanity ment.
as a whole. Humanity is endeavouring to
reverse its position upon the wheel and to The Aquarian Cycle Has
travel anti-clockwise. This leads to definite
changes and is responsible for much of the
Not Astronomically Begun:
present chaos, turmoil and confusion. If you Part I
add to this the shift which is taking place in
the earth’s axis (indicated by the widespread
climatic changes and earthquakes among
W hen discerning students consider all of
the Master D.K.’s seemingly conflicting
statements about the Aquarian Age, they may
other things) you have a situation which find that he is obliquely referring in several
must cause much confusion to astrologers passages to the greater wheel of Aquarius, not
everywhere. just the one most obvious statement where he
It might be said, therefore, that both points discusses the synchronisation of both wheels.27
of view are correct and can be so inter- The following passage is a definite statement
preted; it will be found, however, in due regarding the fact that we have not yet astro-
time that the teaching which I have given is nomically entered the Aquarian cycle:
relatively more correct. I say relatively, as The coming in of the Aquarian Age, Christ
the changes being undergone are so stupen- foresaw and reduced to pictorial form for us,
dous that it will be wise to preserve a fluid thus preserving for us—down the centu-
attitude as regards interpretation. ries—a prophetic episode, the interpretation
I would remind you also that it is still a of which is possible of demonstration only
question unanswered as to whether we are as in our time and age. Astronomically, we are
yet really entered into the sign Aquarius; it not yet functioning fully within the influence
is more probable that we are simply nearing of Aquarius; we are only just emerging from
it with great rapidity and so becoming in- the Piscean influence, and the full impact of
creasingly responsive to its influences and the energies which Aquarius will set loose
less responsive to those of Pisces. I would has not yet been felt. Nevertheless, each
suggest that another 177 years must go by year carries us closer to the centre of power,
before we enter into what you have called the major effect of which will be to induce
the last decan of Aquarius but which might, recognition of man's essential unity, of the
from a certain point of view be the first de- processes of sharing and of cooperation and
can. Is it difficult for you to grasp the fact of the emergence of that new world religion
that esoterically speaking—the wheel turns whose keynote will be universality and ini-
both ways at once and will register its mode tiation. If the word "initiation" signifies the
of turning according to the state of con- processes of "entering into," then it is in-
sciousness of the individual unit.26 deed true today that humanity is undergoing
a true initiation as it enters into the new age
Hence, 1940 + 177 = 2117, yields the date for
of Aquarius; it will then be subjected to
the astronomical beginning of Aquarius. As
those energies and forces which will break
one who has studied Djwhal Khul’s works for
down the barriers of separation, and which
many years, this passage certainly carries his
will blend and fuse the consciousness of all
“note.” One can recognise the vernacular he
men into that unity which is distinctive of
uses plus his careful, cautionary, specific
the Christ consciousness.28
wording, syntax and description. (See Appen-
dix for more details about the source of this This is quite plainly stated—we have not en-
passage.) When considering the earlier pas- tered the lesser cycle of Aquarius, we are “not
sage regarding the 2,300 year figure yielding yet functioning fully within the influence of
an approximate Aquarian cycle beginning of Aquarius;” we are “entering into,” and have
2089, then 2117 is only another 28 years and not passed fully through the “gate” of Aquar-

20 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

ius. Is Djwhal Khul talking about the greater ner the new energies needed in order to
Aquarian wheel in this passage? No, because bring about restoration and resurrection.
he is referring to the astronomy associated with This new energy is the “implementing force
the precession of the lesser wheel, as well as of universality;” it concerns the future. This
Christ’s unique role over two astrological ages. inflow of Aquarian energy is one of the fac-
Herein follows the 1945 statement again: tors which will enable the Christ to complete
In June, 1945, at the time of the full moon His task as world Saviour and world
(so significant a day in the spiritual experi- Teacher. It was to the definite performance
ence of the Christ), He definitely and con- of His duties as Distributor, Nourisher and
sciously took over His duties and responsi- Dispenser that He pledged Himself in June,
bilities as the Teacher and Leader during 1945, and entered upon His responsibilities
the Aquarian solar cycle. He is the first of as the Forerunner and the Teacher of the
the great world Teachers to cover two zo- Aquarian Age.32
diacal cycles—the Piscean and the Aquar- Note the earlier part of this passage is in the
ian.29 future tense: “will set loose in the Aquarian
There may be pause for thought here regarding Age.” The latter words are most telling: Christ
the Christ and his relationship to the greater was pledging (committing himself) to the im-
wheel of 250,000 years, said to be related to mediate task at hand as a forerunner of the
the cycle of the human Monad.30 As a high age. (The definition of forerunner: a predeces-
Initiate, His jurisdiction covers the greater cy- sor, one who foreruns; a herald or harbinger.)
cle of human-monad-blossoms who grace his In other words one who comes before the age,
garden, or ashram. This fact may relate to the though who will of course preside over that
earlier statement about the Lord of the Seventh age. In other words, Christ pledged himself as
Ray: “A transference is being effected of cer- the forerunner of the Aquarian Age, whilst at
tain groups of human and deva Monads out of its portal in 1945.
the human kingdom into the fifth or spiritual
kingdom.” In another passage the Master D.K. The Aquarian Cycle Has
plainly states that the Aquarian Age has not yet Not Astronomically Begun:
started: Part II
The passing of our Sun out of the sign Pi-
sces into the sign Aquarius is another of the Miscellaneous Statements
conditions bringing about the present confu- 1. The release of the energy of the atom is
sion. This confusion of forces in the solar definitely the inauguration of the New
system is notably affecting our planet. In Age.33
the process of passing from sign to sign, as
for instance transitting out of Pisces into
Aquarius as is now the case, the period cov-
T his statement is not supportive of a spe-
cific astronomical precession into Aquar-
ius; it actually refers to the New Age, a generic
ered is approximately five hundred years.31 term for the new era into which we are enter-
It seems that the Cancer full moon period in ing. There is no reference here to the astro-
June 1945 was an important marker for the nomical precession of the Sun into Aquarius.
seventh-ray cycle to take hold, this sign being There is however no question that the release
a conduit for both the third and seventh rays. of the energy of the atom is a harbinger of
Hence the birthing of peace (presided over by technologies to come in the Aquarian Age; it
the Prince of Peace), the United Nations and also points to a little-realised association of the
the Great Invocation, all most Aquarian initia- first ray/will aspect/Great Bear with Aquar-
tives. ius.34
Christ can draw upon the energies which are Hence 1945 is not the beginning of the Age of
defined by the phrase “life more abun- Aquarius, astronomically; it would be too neat
dantly,” because they will set loose (in the a date or coincidence right at the end of the
Aquarian Age) in a new and dynamic man- war; 1945 still very much the era of the Pi-

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The Esoteric Quarterly

scean Age, especially with the strong presence ing in—Libra will eventually rule, and the
of esoteric ruler Pluto the Destroyer, discov- end of this century will see the influence of
ered between the two world wars. Pluto cul- Libra steadily coming into pronounced con-
minated/eliminated the 1945 conflict with the trol and into a position of power in the
destructive power of the atomic bombs in Ja- planetary horoscope. There is, therefore, no
pan. This does not mean that the Piscean Age need for real anxiety.36
ended abruptly and the Aquarian Age began 4. Only the dawn is with us as yet—the
astronomically and exactly by precession— dawn of the Aquarian Age.37
that would be an untenable proposition. Pluto
now continues its powerful transformative The “dawn” is the light that precedes the “day”
work “wrapping up” the last vestiges of the of Aquarius. This twilight period is the cusp
Piscean Age. of the ages over which Libra rules at present.

Astrologers often link Uranus the ruler of 5. [I]n this present cycle (the ante-chamber
Aquarius, with uranium and atomic power and of the New Age)…38
this is certainly true, particularly with regard to Twilight is synonymous with “antechamber,”
the new technologies that will be created in “a chamber or an apartment through which
this age. Yet the atomic bomb and contempo- access is had to a principal apartment;”39 the
rary nuclear development is only the first crude “principle apartment” being the Age of Aquar-
foreshadowing of what will come, for instance, ius. Esoteric Astrology was written in the
nuclear fusion as opposed to nuclear fission. 1940s; hence “this present cycle” refers to that
2. The animal kingdom does not react period as the “antechamber,” not the Age of
strongly to the 7th ray. Aquarius per se.
The human kingdom does, but the 7th ray 6. The teaching planned by the Hierarchy to
will have three effects in relation to the two precede and condition the New Age, the
kingdoms and their interplay: Aquarian Age, falls into three categories:
a. It will refine the animal bodies. Preparatory, given 1875–1890...written
b. It will bring about a closer relation be- down by H.P.B..
tween men and animals. Intermediate, given 1919–1949...written
c. It will cause a great destruction of the down by A.A.B.
present animal forms.35 Revelatory, emerging after 1975...to be
given on a worldwide scale via the radio.40
This passage has been regarded by some stu-
dents as an indication that the Aquarian Age Note the word “precede.” The Rays and the
commenced in 1945 because of the destruction Initiations was one of the last books published
of millions of (human) animal forms in WWII by the Master D.K. (1960) and was probably
and the widespread disappearance of animal written in the 1940s. Even after 1975 the na-
species upon the planet since that time. This ture of the ‘teaching planned by the Hierarchy’
type of reasoning confuses the two separate would still “precede and condition … the
cycles of the zodiac signs and the rays. The Aquarian Age.”
quote above clearly states that it is the seventh
ray that will bring about the destruction of The Age of Pisces
animal forms, not the forces of Aquarius per Starts 43 BC?
se. The ray and zodiac cycles work with each
other but do not have exact synchronisations
simply because they are of varying durations. A nother argument in favour of the Aquar-
ian Age starting in 2,117 is to subtract
2,160 years, giving the date of 43 BC. This is
3. In this transition period through which a much closer date for the arrival of the Pi-
the world is now passing [written in the scean avatar who appeared during the latter
1940s] and in this interlude between two ac- years of his disciple Jesus, around 27-30 AD—
tivities—that of the Piscean Age which is some 70 years later. If 2,160 is subtracted
passing and that of Aquarius which is com-

22 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

from the 1945 date, the figure of 215 BC is into Pisces; just as in 1945 he undertook his
obtained, much further away and perhaps less responsibilities for the new cycle that had not
relevant. Even though the process of destruc- quite precessed astronomically into Aquarius.
tion of the old Age of Aries started with Alex-
ander the Great around 300 BC, Julius Cae-
500-Year Cusp of the
sar’s destruction of the Alexandrian Library in Piscean and Aquarian Ages
48 BC seemed to be the final nail in the coffin In the process of passing from sign to sign,
of that previous age and very close to the 43 as for instance transitting out of Pisces into
BC date. Aquarius as is now the case, the period cov-
ered is approximately five hundred years.43
Some Discrepancies with 43 BC Arguments based upon the beginning of the
“The great sweep of the sun around the greater Aquarian cycle quite often come down to
zodiac (a period of 250,000 years, or a com- when the cuspal period started and when it
plete round) came to an end when the sun en- will finish. One could say that the great ef-
tered Pisces over two thousand years ago.”41 floresence of the arts in Europe in the 15th
This section of Esoteric Astrology was written and 16th centuries signaled the start of the
during World War II, because on the same cuspal period and this is supported by the
page Djwhal Khul mentions “the present world following:
crisis—though precipitated by human error and
This tendency to aspiration and to service is
sinfulness, by past Karma …” Let us suppose
right and good and should be seen as form-
the date is 1940; subtracting 2,000 years from
this figure yields 60 BC. Yet D.K. states that ing part of the coming universal conscious-
the sun entered Pisces over 2,000 years ago, ness and equipment of the race as a whole.
It is steadily coming to the surface owing to
theoretically pushing back the date for its com-
mencement to 160 years beyond 60 BC, i.e. the growing strength of the Aquarian influ-
220 BC. This latter date does not seem to ence which (from about the year A.D. 1640)
has been gaining in potency and is produc-
square as well with events around 43 BC,
creating too early a time for the start of the ing two effects: it is breaking down the crys-
Piscean Age. tallised old forms of the Piscean age, and is
stimulating the creative faculties, as they
How much “over 2,000 years” is it then? Or is express themselves in group concepts, and
this statement a deliberate blind? Another an- group plans.44 (Author’s italics)
swer may well be that the Sun entered Pisces
in the greater zodiac just as it has recently en- This is a most significant statement and one
tered Aquarius on the greater wheel, the differ- could infer from the phrasing, “growing
strength” and “gaining in potency” that the
ence being that the former is the “ordinary
cycle may have started a little earlier, perhaps
wheel,” whilst the latter is the “reversed
around or on 1625, which coincidentally saw
wheel.” If the same reversal process is true for
the beginning of the exit of the sixth-ray
the lesser wheels then it well may be for the
greater. This situation may well reflect the fact force.45 To continue: 1625 + 500 = 2125, only
that Humanity currently has an opportunity to eight years from 2117, bearing in mind that the
500-year cuspal cycle is not going to be exact.
reverse the wheel en masse.
The following section is related to this one as it
Another passage that mentions “over 2000 refers to the same passage “about the year
years ago” was also written around 1940 and A.D. 1640.”
hearkens back to the same 60 BC date: “Such
an one was the Christ; He was twice an Avatar Venus Cycles and the
because He not only struck the keynote of the Aquarian Age
new age (over two thousand years ago) …”42
Again, the term “new age” is used generically
for the new era, yet perhaps Christ struck the
T he fifth ray of science is the only one that
passes through Aquarius and its ruler is
Venus. Dates for the pairings of the various
keynote before the exact precession of the Sun Venus conjunctions correlate with the pro-

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The Esoteric Quarterly

posed 2117 date. Appropriately for fifth-ray 1. There are lesser and greater zodiac cycles
symbolism, these conjunctions trace out over a and two Aquarian cycles are now current.
period of time a five-pointed star (Venus fifth 2. There are approximate but not exact syn-
ray) in the heavens. An astrologer describes chronising cycles of rays and zodiac signs.
these conjunctions in relation to the Aquarian 3. The zodiac cycle is encompassed by the
cycle: greater ray cycle.
If we take the example of the transition into 4. There are several durations of cycles for
the age of Aquarius we can calculate from the seventh ray (and all other rays).
the passage of the year 1631 until the fifth 5. Various cycles work with one another,
passage occurring as a pair in either the year such as the second and seventh rays.
2117 or 2125. This gives us a transition
6. Two major cycles of the seventh ray? One
from first passage till the dual fifth passage
each for Pisces and Aquarius.
of either 486 years or 494 years: in other
words quite close to the 500 year approxi- 7. Seventh ray and Aquarian cycles coincide
mation. The transitional Venus passages for for the 7th time in the history of 5th Root-
the beginning of the Aquarian age: race.
1st passage: 1631 & 1639 8. The start of the Aquarian Age is as much
2nd passage: 1761 & 1769 determined by the start of the Piscean Age.
3rd passage: 1874 & 1882 9. The Aquarian Age has not astronomically
4th passage: 2004 & 2012 begun.
5th passage: 2117 & 2125 (thus cover- 10. The date of 2117 seems most likely in light
ing a transitional period of 494 years) of all the factors considered.
These are the five focal passages for the In summary, the reader should bear in mind
transitional period from Pisces to Aquar- that for “astro-ray-ologers,” accurate timing
ius.46 for contemporary cycles is essential; from a
This commentator further elaborates: present point of accuracy they can then ascer-
tain precisely when past or future cycles have
The close-to-500 year transitional period be-
started or finished; this provides a better de-
tween the age of Pisces and the age of
gree of accuracy in prediction and for explor-
Aquarius began in earnest. This coincided
ing elapsed time in history; it helps to map the
with the fact that, in the years 1631 and
unfoldment of human consciousness and how
1639, on December 7 and December 4 re-
it has responded (or will respond) to the vari-
spectively, the first transitional pair of Ve-
ous ray and zodiac cycles.
nus passages occurred, signaling the transi-
tion into Aquarius. The latter Venus pas- This deeper esoteric knowledge will place hu-
sage on December 4, 1639 indicated the manity in a position of self-determination and
definite entry into the transitional period empowerment, assisting conscious choices and
from the age of Pisces to the age of Aquar- decisions—that will lead eventually to a more
ius. The date of December 4, 1939, is cer- rapid liberation of the race as a whole; this is
tainly to be defined as “about the year the promise of the Aquarian cycle into which
1640.”47 we are moving—and invoking
The reader will note that the period of 494 the masses of men in all lands will be en-
years is close to the 500 years of a second-ray abled to register consciously the “birth of
cycle. Of course Venus as the goddess of love the Christ” in the heart… the first initiation.
is related to the second ray of love-wisdom; It will not, in the future, be the experience of
the fifth ray which Venus rules has a special the occasional disciple but the general ex-
relationship to the second ray; 500 years is a perience of countless thousands towards the
fifth of the 2,500 year seventh-ray cycle etc. close of the Aquarian Age. The purifying
waters of the Baptism Initiation (the second
Hence it may be seen from the foregoing that: initiation) will submerge hundreds of aspi-

24 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

rants in many lands, and these two initia-

tions (which are preparatory to true service, 29
Ibid., p. 82.
and the third initiation of the Transfigura- 30
Esoteric Astrology, Bailey. p. 410.
tion) will set the seal on Christ's mission as 31
Ibid.
the Agent of the great spiritual Triangle 32
The Reappearance of the Christ, Bailey. p. 86.
which He represents.48 33
Problems of Humanity, Alice A. Bailey. p. 81.
Lucis Publishing Company, New York. 1964.
34
Esoteric Astrology, Bailey. p. 349.
35
1 Esoteric Psychology I, Bailey. p. 415.
A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Alice A. Bailey. p. 36
Esoteric Astrology, Bailey. p. 238.
792. Lucis Publishing Company, New York, 37
The Rays and the Initiations, Alice A. Bailey.
1925. p. 234. Lucis Publishing Co., New York, 1960.
2
The Mahatma Letters, A.P. Sinnett. Letter #90. 38
Esoteric Astrology, Bailey. p. 285.
Theosophical Classics CD ROM. 39
Macquarie Dictionary CD ROM.
3
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Alice A. 40
The Rays and the Initiations, Bailey. p. 255.
Bailey. p. 567. Lucis Pub. Co., New York, 41
Esoteric Astrology, Bailey. p. 409.
1957. 42
The Reappearance of the Christ, Bailey. p. 9.
4
Esoteric Astrology, Alice A. Bailey. p. 409. 43
Esoteric Astrology, Bailey. pp. 409-10.
Lucis Publishing Company, New York, 1951. 44
A Treatise on White Magic, Alice A. Bailey.
5
Discipleship in the New Age II, Alice A. Bailey. Lucis Publishing Co., New York, 1934, p. 419.
p. 425. Lucis Publishing Co., New York, 1955. 45
Esoteric Psychology I, Bailey. p. 26.
6 46
The Secret Doctrine II, H.P. Blavatsky. p. 435. Email from esoteric astrologer Niklas Nihlen in
Theosophical Classics CD ROM. a discussion group.
7 47
Hidden History of Humanity, Phillip Lindsay. Ibid.
Apollo Publishing, 2006. 48
The Reappearance of the Christ, Bailey. p. 87.
8
A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Bailey. p. 446.
9
Esoteric Psychology I, Alice A. Bailey. p. 86.
Lucis Publishing Company, New York, 1936. Appendix: Correspondence
10
A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Bailey. p. 1039. about the “2117” letter.
11
Esoteric Psychology I, Alice A. Bailey. p. 26.
Lucis Publishing Company, New York, 1936. Dear Phillip:
12
Ibid., p. 165.
13
A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Bailey. p. 1039. You asked for further clarification pertaining to the
14
The Reappearance of the Christ, Alice A. Bai- authenticity and context of that statement which
alludes to the “2117” date for a paper that you are
ley. p. 82. Lucis Pub. Co., New York, 1948.
15 writing, and which I included in my letter of Sep-
Esoteric Astrology, Bailey. p. 220.
16 tember 2005. Of course, I am happy to oblige.
The Reappearance of the Christ, Bailey. p. 83.
17
A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Bailey. p. 446. The Instructions on Esoteric Astrology were first
18
Esoteric Psychology I, Bailey. p. 26. issued in a sequential monthly Series of Instructions
19
Ibid., p. 266. (over several years) to students in the Disciple’s
20
Ibid., p. 349. Degree of the Arcane School. As was His custom,
21
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Bailey. p. D.K. invited the recipients of these papers to for-
287. ward questions to Him via A.A.B. Incidentally, He
22
Discipleship in the New Age II, Bailey. p. 582. did this with other Instructions covering different
23
See Appendix. topics. Hence, we have in Esoteric Healing a
24
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Bailey. p. whole section entitled, “Some Questions An-
567. swered.” From other sections of questions and an-
25
The angle between the plane of the earth's orbit swers on other topics, however, some of His an-
and that of the earth's equator, equal to about swers found their way into the published versions
23°27". (without the question) and some did not. I guess it
26
Letter from the Master Djwhal Khul answering all depended on whether or not His answers could
the querent ‘R.A.’, February 1940. See Ap- be inserted into and maintain the flow of the main
pendix for a more detailed explanation. text, according to the view of the editors and pub-
27
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Bailey. p. lishers.
567. At the end of the main text in some of these
28
The Reappearance of the Christ, Bailey. p. 82. monthly Astrology Instructions there are sections of

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 25

The Esoteric Quarterly

questions and answers, the answers of course being

His. It was His way of gauging what was going on
in the minds of the recipients and what type of re-
sponse there was to what He was imparting. I
found that particular question and answer in such a
section at the end of the monthly Instructions dated
February 1940, the main text being on the astro-
logical sign, “Cancer.” I then simply did the math.
All of D.K.'s papers of Instructions are dated ac-
cording to the month and year of their first distribu-
tion, for, as you know, He always sought to pre-
serve Hierarchical integrity pertaining to such dis-
pensations. Some of the questions were signed
with the initials of the inquirer, some were not and
were left blank. This particular question was
signed, “R. Assagioli.” However, it should be real-
ised that this instruction or “answer to the question”
was definitely not in a “private letter” to Dr. As-
sagioli. The fact that should be realised is that it
was included in the Astrological Instructions sent to
all the students in the Disciples Degree who had
requested them at that time.
Thus it is that this simple recognition should drive
through any further controversial questions pertain-
ing to the authenticity of this “answer to the ques-
tion” which included the hint towards 2117. Since
this “answer to the question” was included in
D.K.’s original monthly Instructions on Astrology
(which has subseuently been published in full) and
as a part of those Instructions, then one might as
well consider it as really being an intrinsic part of
those original Instructions. If one is going to dis-
pute that little passage then one might as well dis-
pute D.K.’s entire treatise on Esoteric Astrology.
This particular question and answer is one of the
very few upon which D.K. elaborated and endeav-
oured to give more, albeit, including a most inter-
esting and vital piece of information that, for some
reason, never found its way into the published ver-
sion. I do not know why, for He obviously never
meant it to be a big secret because it had been given
to all the students in the Disciples Degree. Perhaps
it was simply a bit of an “odd-ball” because it did
not particularly fit neatly into the flow of any of the
main text, and perhaps when Regina Keller was
later editing the manuscripts for publication she
simply did not know where to place it or it might
have just been an oversight.
Sincerely,
Keith Bailey

26 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

Discipleship and Initiation: The Three Stages and

Seven Steps to Hierarchy and Beyond (Part II)
Temple Richmond

Summary However, a literal immolation of the fleshly

self is not actually characteristic of passage

T he nature of the spiritual path has been

discussed in the books of Alice Bailey by
the Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul in terms of
through the Fourth Gate, proof of which may
be gathered from the fact that the Tibetan has
stated that he preferred the term “Renuncia-
discipleship and initiation. It is therefore im- tion” as a name for this initiation.2 Thus, rather
perative that these terms be well understood. than the torture of the physical vehicle, this
To this end, this essay surveys definitions of initiation more essentially concerns a great
the terms “disciple” and “initiate” offered by psychospiritual relinquishment or renuncia-
the Tibetan. Each is explained in practical tion,3 the nature of which involves the release
terms which may be applied by the seeker. of any attachments to personality life4 and a
Next, the three stages of discipleship are enu- resultant complete freedom from any aspect of
merated and explained, these being the Paths desire.5 The Tibetan has stated that the essen-
of Probation, Discipleship, and Initiation. Fi- tial teaching of the Buddha regarding detach-
nally, the seven initiations available on planet ment from the transitory elements of life has
Earth are described in detail, including the indicated the way toward the Fourth or Renun-
names for each, the nature of ray energies en- ciation Initiation.6
countered, the resultant psychospiritual issues,
the centers concerned, the marks of recogni- On the more esoteric side of things, the Re-
tion, and the numbers of persons thus quali- nunciation Initiation involves three major
fied, all according to the published books of spiritual movements—release of the energy
Alice Bailey. Full footnote information is pro- contained within the causal body,7 attainment
vided throughout. This is Part II of a two-part of consciousness upon the buddhic plane,8 and
article. solid linkage with the monad,9 thus conferring
knowledge of the Planetary Logos and its plans
The Fourth or Renunciation and the institution of the spiritual will where
desire once reigned.10 Each of these three shall
Initiation now be explained.

S ometimes referred to as the Crucifixion

Initiation, the Fourth Initiation signifies a
dramatic abstraction of energy and connection
Up until the time of the Fourth Initiation, the
egoic lotus or causal body on the higher sub-
planes of the mental plane functions as the
from without the three planes of human en-
deavor and the transfer of attention and focus
into the planes above the mental plane. It is
this dramatic and permanent disidentification About the Author
with the formerly familiar vestures of con- M. Temple Richmond is an internationally recog-
sciousness which has earned this step on the nized authority on esoteric teachings and author of
path the rather ominous sounding moniker, the milestone book Sirius. She recently founded
Crucifixion,1 with its inevitable and unfortu- the StarLight Ashram, an online discussion group
nate connotations of physical mortification in dedicated to the study of esoteric astrology:
the extreme. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StarLightAshram.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 27

The Esoteric Quarterly

source of spiritual inspiration and literally as Logos. This resonance perhaps comes into
he heart center of monadic life.11 However, as play on the basis of a fundamental correspon-
the Fourth Gate is neared, there begins a proc- dence. The Planetary Logos of our scheme is,
ess which will ultimately change the situation like the Fourth Degree Initiate and the fourth
drastically. The light content of the causal or buddhic plane, fundamentally connected
body reaches such a volume and intensity due with a fourth position among the seven, and is
to the wisdom accumulated that the energy even slated to take the equivalent of the Fourth
within the egoic lotus grows beyond what can Initiation at its own level of being.17 In a fur-
be contained. At the moment of the Fourth ther reference to the factor of fourness, it is
Initiation, the accumulated energy bursts forth also said that the Fourth Initiation not only re-
into incandescence and escapes from the veals the nature of the Planetary Logos, but
bounds of the causal vehicle, surging upward also that it places the initiate in contact with
in vibrational levels to be absorbed into the the Four Avatars of the Planetary Logos.18
monadic point.12 This is the destruction or
Thus, attainment of buddhic consciousness at
conflagration of the egoic lotus or causal body
the Fourth Initiation brings the initiate into
so frequently mentioned by the Tibetan, and
vibrational contact with the Planetary Logos,
which is unequivocally characteristic of the
whose karma has been said to be concealed by
Fourth or Renunciation Initiation.13 The causal
the higher manasic and lower buddhic levels.19
vehicle itself therefore constitutes one of the
This is a way of saying that the nature and
essential factors renounced or released at this
purposes of the Planetary Logos can only be
initiation, as all attachment to accumulated
contacted and scrutinized after consciousness
personal past life experience is discarded,
has passed through the matter of the higher
though some remembrance of the past once
mental subplanes and has penetrated into the
stored in the causal body is transferred into
buddhic levels. Thus, the higher mental and
higher levels.14
lower buddhic subplanes constitute the vesti-
Thus, at the Fourth Initiation, attachment and bule leading into the inner sanctum of con-
connection with the causal vehicle and its ves- sciousness connected with the nature, plans,
tures on the three planes of personality en- and purposes of our Planetary Logos. This is
deavor are forever severed. In exchange, the why the attainment of consciousness upon the
consciousness of the initiate is raised and buddhic plane is, as the Tibetan has said, syn-
transferred to the fourth or buddhic plane, onymous with awareness of the Planetary Lo-
which plane becomes the permanent seat of gos.
focus until a later initiation.15 It is just this
Yet another factor which serves to increase
transfer of consciousness to the buddhic plane
linkage with the Planetary Logos comes into
which determines the status of the Fourth Ini-
effect with this initiation. It is that of centering
tiation. Attainment of consciousness on the
within monadic awareness, the accomplish-
buddhic plane immediately opens the way to
ment of which is fundamentally linked with the
contact with the Planetary Logos, which fact
Fourth Initiation,20 at which time the initiate is
was brought forth plainly by the Tibetan Mas-
placed in touch with his monadic group, a cen-
ter, who stated, “When a man has attained the
ter in the body of the Planetary Logos.21 Once
consciousness of the buddhic plane, he has
this is done, conformity to the Will Aspect as
raised his consciousness to that of the Heav-
embodied in the monad is estimated by the
enly Man in whose body he is a cell. This is
initiate as the only desirable objective, as the
achieved at the fourth initiation, the liberating
Tibetan has stated.22
initiation.”16
Further, the Will Aspect indicates to the initi-
Since the Heavenly Man to whom the Tibetan
ate “…some definite, active undertaking which
referred in that passage is our Planetary Logos,
embodies that aspect of the Will of God which
the meaning is clear: consciousness of the
buddhic plane facilitates connection with the it is his peculiar function to appropriate and
emanations and inner being of the Planetary make possible of expression.”23 In other
words, through the monad and its inherent con-

28 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

tact with the Planetary Logos, there is made would adequately describe the attainment to be
plain to the initiate a definite action that he or made. In fact, the Tibetan even stated that the
she can take to advance the objectives of the Fourth Degree initiate after taking this initia-
Planetary Logos. This revelation appears in tion may actually return to the familiar world
the form of a specific project, the carrying out of human endeavor and use the physical body
of which is required for the full outworking of as the medium of service,27 appearing just as
the effects encountered at the Fourth Initiation. before, which statement suggests that Fourth
With the completion of such a project, no other Degree initiates may be found in varying cir-
desires may be allowed to interfere, for the cumstances.
Fourth Degree initiate must demonstrate that Hence, a more mediated understanding of the
he or she has moved well past the point at term “renunciation” is in order in regard to the
which personal desires figure into to major Fourth Initiation. It may be more accurate to
decisions in any prominent way.24 Thus, the say that this renunciation hinges not upon a
initiate at this point is still challenged to prove repudiation of the material world in which
his or her ability to move loved ones and worldly
forward along the indi- conventions are sternly
cated line of service, and resolutely cast
though the outcome is [R]enunciation hinges not aside, but rather upon
hardly in any real doubt. upon a repudiation of the an inner, subjective, and
entirely private happen-
Thus, the picture from the material world in which ing caused by the adop-
esoteric angle reveals that loved ones and worldly con- tion of points of view
the Fourth Degree initiate
is advancing through the ventions are sternly and held whether they hap-
pen to facilitate the
planes of consciousness resolutely cast aside, but comforts of life or not.
away from the world of
the personality and most
rather upon an inner, sub-
In fact, the Tibetan
decidedly toward the jective, and entirely private drew a portrait of cer-
higher reaches of sys- happening caused by the tain Fourth Degree ini-
temic knowledge. tiates as well versed in
adoption of points of view the ways of the material
At the same time, it is
said that the Fourth Initia-
held whether they happen world and in fact,
tion entails a complete to facilitate the comforts of skilled in financial mat-
renunciation of all things ters. Specifically, he
life or not. stated that there exist
personal, including
friends, family, money, Fourth Degree initiates
reputation, character, who are “authorities
status, and even physical existence itself. 25 upon modern financial matters” and who are
Many have conjectured that because the Ti- working at the design of a world economy
betan spoke from within an essentially Asian which will be based on barter and exchange,
or Eastern frame of reference, that therefore he and that the system which will result from their
must have meant that the attainment of the labors will “supersede big business and enter-
Fourth Initiation requires utter personal isola- prise.”28 Further, the Tibetan described other
tion and entire absence of material comfort— initiates of the Fourth Degree who are special-
the terms of existence traditionally associated ists in the English language, which language is
with Eastern asceticism. Yet, the Tibetan has to become, according to the Master, the lan-
specifically stated that the teachings of both guage of international relations.29 Clearly,
the West and the East are required truly and such individuals live not the lives of isolated
correctly to estimate the sacrifice to be made at hermits, disinterested in all but austerity.
26
this initiation, so it is not likely that the ex- Rather, it would appear that they apply them-
clusively Eastern notion of spiritual asceticism selves to a study of the methods and means

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 29

The Esoteric Quarterly

whereby life may be materially and ethically In preparation for the Fourth Initiation, the in-
improved. These are not individuals who have tuition is exercised and cultivated by intensive
marginalized themselves through vows to live study of highly symbolic charts and diagrams,
in abject poverty, or through the refusal to be- this process leading to the unfoldment of
come educated in a conventional sense, or fourth dimensional vision.37 The training of
through the wholesale rejection of the notion consciousness for this initiation includes “ac-
of a world economic and political system. cess to the library of occult books,” which
wording in this case is likely to refer to a series
Thus, it is entirely possible and in fact down-
of impressed images existing in matter of
right likely that a Fourth Degree Initiate may
planes higher than the physical subplane of the
have a family, a method of livelihood, a home,
systemic physical. In this way the acquisition
and the other accoutrements of modern living.
of knowledge concerning occult principles and
Inwardly, however, such an individual will be
laws is much intensified, and the process of
immune to the normal pressures of personality
assimilating such information much acceler-
life—such as the invitations to collect friends,
ated.38 When the Fourth Initiation is ultimately
please the family, compete in commerce, im-
consummated, all this and previous preparation
press others, or fight for physical survival—
results in the ability of the initiate to engage in
and especially if any of these things should
a direct contact with the Mind of God at a rela-
constitute a compromise of basic spiritual ori-
tively high level39 and to contact not only her
entations and commitments. This is not to say
or his personal Master, but the heads of the
that such a person would not be found in social
three major departments of Hierarchy as
and professional circles, but rather to say that
well.40
his or her reasons for doing so would be of an
impersonal character reflecting the interests As is evident, the stage of the Fourth Initiation
and propensities of the Fourth Initiation. marks a relatively high level of attainment. It
was this level of attainment to which the Mas-
This level of spiritual attainment, the Tibetan
ter Jesus rose during his incarnation during the
has said, “has to be faced clear-eyed, free from
First Century CE in the area of Jerusalem and
glamour, with a heart full of love and a mind
Palestine,41 which fact suggests that perhaps
released from all criticism.”30 The absence of
attainment of the Fourth Degree is an ex-
glamour is to be noted in the immunity of the
tremely rare occurrence. The question of the
initiate to the pull of worldly identity just dis-
number of persons who have lifted themselves
cussed, while the heart full of love correlates to
to this status and how many the esoteric stu-
the attainment of consciousness upon the bud-
dent might therefore expect to encounter is
dhic plane, the plane of universal love. In
highly relevant. This question can perhaps be
keeping with this emphasis, the heart center
answered by the following considerations.
itself becomes the main center via which ser-
vice aims are accomplished.31 All tendency to A hint may be found in the fact that during
indulge in criticism disappears, for it is at this 1940s, the Tibetan remarked that many thou-
initiation that the discriminating mind even in sands of spiritual seekers were at that time al-
its higher manifestations loses hold over the ready responding to the light of the spiritual
initiate,32 to be replaced with the ever and al- triad.42 Since the spiritual triad is the outer veil
ways functioning buddhi or intuition.33 This is through which the light of the monad expresses
in keeping with the fact that the Fourth Initia- itself, this comment could be read to imply that
tion is an encounter with the Fourth Ray and in the mid 1940s, many thousands of persons
hence all its correlates, including the fourth were within range of making monadic con-
plane, that of buddhi—the plane of love- tact,43 which accomplishment would in course
wisdom, pure love, or universal love,34 knowl- of time lead to the taking of the Third and
edge of the Plan,35 and complete spiritual Fourth Initiations.
knowledge illumined by the loving purpose of
The Third and Fourth Initiations were in fact
Divine Mind.36
linked with each other by the Tibetan, who

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stated not only that they may be taken within The Fifth or Revelation
the limits of one lifetime, but that many were
doing just this and heading on to the even more
Initiation
demanding Fifth Initiation. He put the matter
this way: speaking of the mid 1940s, he re-
marked that “today,” as he called it,
T he taking of this initiation traditionally and
technically marks the point at which an
individual becomes a Master,48 or Master of
“…initiates above the third degree are rapidly the Wisdom,49 such as was Djwhal Khul , the
taking the fourth and fifth initiations and be- Tibetan Master,50 who took the Fifth Initiation
coming masters.”44 In other words, even back in the mid-to-late 19th century.51 Much about
in the approach to the middle of the twentieth this initiation remains secret,52 yet enough has
century, the taking of the Fourth Initiation was been revealed that some picture of the states of
becoming a more frequent occurrence. consciousness and modes of activity native to
Fifth Degree initiates may be comprehended.
Thus, it would seem that the accomplishment
of the Fourth Initiation lies well within range According to the Tibetan, this initiation is
of attainment by many and that indeed, as time called the Revelation because it is at this point
goes on, it is certain that Fourth Degree initi- in the spiritual career of the striving seeker that
ates will become more plentiful. The Tibetan is attained and accorded a revelation concern-
even voiced encouragement in this direction,45 ing the nature of the Seven Cosmic Paths and
stating that the goal set before Humanity is to the “door” through which one must pass in
attain buddhic functioning (as done at the order to follow one of them53 to the Central
Fourth Initiation) and beyond that, to become Spiritual Sun.54 Though the actual decision as
Masters of the Wisdom,46 the technical term to exactly which one of the Seven Cosmic
for initiates of the Fifth Degree. Paths shall be trodden did at one time take
place at this, the Fifth Initiation,55 since the
Thus, contrary to the seeming remoteness of
mid twentieth century, that step has been trans-
the Fourth Initiation, it appears that a reason-
ferred to the Sixth Initiation, now called the
able amount of evidence points in the direction
Decision Initiation as a result, leaving the Fifth
that the esoteric students of the twenty-first
to be denominated as the Revelation.56 Conse-
centuries and beyond may indeed expect to
quently, the interlude between the Fifth and
encounter initiates of the Fourth or Renuncia-
Sixth Initiations concerns a progressive inquiry
tion Initiation—likely only a few, but some
into and understanding of the nature of the
nonetheless. Such individuals are likely to
Seven Cosmic Paths.57 Such matters far tran-
present a distinctively refined psychology,
scending the interests and engagements of all
much characterized and influenced by ad-
but a very few, this fact serves to alert those
vanced metaphysical knowledge, detachment
concerned that the consciousness content of
from ordinary concerns, ability to integrate
the Fifth Degree initiate vectors significantly
numerous time and space dimensions simulta-
away from average human preoccupations.
neously, and a vision of life embracing the
evolution of planetary consciousness. Further, This initiation represents a shift of emphasis
at some point following the Fourth or Renun- from the intuition and the Fourth Ray corre-
ciation Initiation, the path does lead away from lates of the Fourth Initiation to an emphasis
the normal endeavors of Humanity and toward upon intention and development of the spiri-
the Seven Ways of Higher Evolution,47 thus tual will, the atmic or Fifth principle, emanat-
imparting to the Fourth Degree initiate a defi- ing from the atmic or Fifth Plane (counting up
nite inclination toward matters of no relevance from the physical).58 In fact, it is the attain-
whatsoever to those centered within personal- ment of consciousness and mastery upon the
ity life. Thus, the Fourth Degree initiate is apt fifth or atmic plane which characterizes this,
to present a decidedly exalted psychospiritual the Fifth Initiation.59 As is therefore clear to
outlook, unhampered in any real sense by the see, this initiation follows the pattern set by the
ephemeral things of the personality. earlier initiations, in which each subsequent
step raises the effort and attainment up by one

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major vibratory level or plane. In this way, effective connection with the monad. It could
then, the Fifth Initiation marks the rise of con- therefore be said that initiations three through
sciousness and endeavor to the fifth or atmic five (or the Transfiguration, Renunciation,
plane, counting from below upwards. Revelation Initiations) progressively unveil
purpose.
Since the atmic plane is that of spiritual will, it
is not too surprising to find that the Fifth Initia- This purpose is, according to the Tibetan, the
tion concerns the Will Ray, which is of course drive to bring about right relations in every
the First Ray.60 Thus, though the Fifth Initia- field contained within the manifestation of the
tion conforms to the previously established Planetary Logos.69 It is the reason for which
pattern of ascending one plane per initiation, it the Planetary Logos has created this planet,
departs from the previous ray sequence pattern, and His intended contribution to the general
concerning as it does an encounter with the work of the solar system.70 This purpose and
First Ray61 rather than the Third as might be reason why the planet exists are revealed rather
expected. As it turns out, the Third Ray condi- dramatically to the Fifth Degree initiate by the
tions the Sixth Initiation,62 as shall be dis- impact of the First Ray during the initiatory
cussed shortly. However, the Fifth Initiation ceremony for the Revelation, during which
concerns the atmic plane, which is the domain there is a “blazing forth of the light which will
of the spiritual will. In keeping with that fact, focus… in a flash of time, the significance of
the Fifth or Revelation Initiation is an encoun- that which is slowly being revealed on
ter with the First Ray, the ray of the will. Earth…in toto…”71
Thus, the Fifth Initiation entails the unfold- Subsequent to this, sandwiched between the
ment of a much greater appreciation of the Di- Fifth and Sixth Initiations, the purpose of the
vine Will and the purpose lying behind it.63 So Planetary Logos continues to be revealed,
much is this the case that at the Fifth Initiation, bursting in upon the consciousness of the initi-
the advancing initiate arrives at conscious and ate in “blazing and synthetic glory.”72 All this
complete identification with the unified divine brings the Fifth Degree initiate to a stage of
intent lying behind all appearances and quali- consciousness which is actually equivalent to
ties.64 It is this much enhanced understanding that reached by a Planetary Logos in a much
of the Will of Deity which makes possible the earlier mahamanvantara,73 thus confirming the
following of the Seven Cosmic Paths, the intimate connection of the Fifth Initiation with
Ways of the Higher Evolution which glimmer the level of consciousness represented by a
at the edges of the Fifth Degree initiate’s hori- Planetary Logos.
zon.65
Of course, the Fifth Degree initiate is not yet a
Just as the Will or First Aspect emerges into being such as a Planetary Logos, but is all the
prominence at this initiation, so also does the same advancing toward real comprehension of
monad, the First Aspect correlate in the indi- just what indeed is meant by the term, Plane-
vidual unit. Linkage with the monad begins at tary Logos. Such an individual would be rare
the Third Initiation and continues to be within the human community and would pre-
strengthened through the Fourth. However, it sent to the onlooking esotericist a unique en-
becomes perfect and complete only at the Fifth gagement with intentions far beyond the nor-
Initiation, at which time the influence of the mal human scope. Conventional psychology
monad takes over entirely.66 This fact is of would not know what to do with such a person,
great importance because the influence of the and would likely find reason to suspect all
monad is in reality the influence of the Plane- manner of psychopathologies. It is for this
tary Logos,67 in Whom the monad is but a cell. reason and because they have no need for hu-
Thus, the purpose of the Planetary Logos is man intervention that Fifth Degree initiates
progressively revealed over the course of the will not be found interacting with standard
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Initiations,68 the stages psychotherapeutic environments. They are far
at which the striving unit makes increasingly too advanced for that.

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Indeed, this is so for many reasons. The Ti- ized by the Tibetan as an “emergence out of
betan has said that an initiate of the Fifth De- matter,”78 which epitomization has given rise
gree is given to know the nature of the energies to the popular characterization of this initiation
coming from the six solar systems which to- as “the Mastery of Matter.”79 However, since
gether with ours constitute a basic septenary of all the initiations connote mastery within and
great importance.74 These would be the Seven over one degree of matter or another, this name
Rays, and their basic vibrations. True knowl- for the Fifth or Revelation Initiation fails to be
edge of these energy qualities reveals the syn- particularly descriptive, and is even possibly
thesis of life and the key to manifested exis- somewhat misleading. At any rate, it is indeed
tence. The Fifth Degree initiate is thus in a said that the need or compulsion to function
position to understand the grander workings of through a physical vehicle is dissipated totally
time and manifestation. at the this the Fifth or Revelation Initiation,80
not the Fourth or Renunciation Initiation, as is
Further, after having arrived at the Revelation
commonly thought, so here again is another
status, the now Master level initiate is en-
reason why the Fifth Initiation might legiti-
dowed with the freedom of the Earth and is
mately be portrayed as
responsive to all states of
an emergence from
consciousness within the
[T]he Fifth Degree initiate… matter.
planetary sphere, whilst
also being sensitive to would be rare within the Along with this decid-
perception of things far edly upward focus in
beyond our planet,75 human community and the levels of planes and
again a distant remove would present to the onlook- states of conscious-
from the interests and ing esotericist a unique en- ness, the Fifth Degree
capabilities of earlier Initiate undergoes a
stages on the path. gagement with intentions far profound expansion of
The functioning of the beyond the normal human inclusive awareness
scope. Conventional psy- that allows him or her
Fifth Degree initiate is
to begin the first for-
also far advanced beyond chology would not know mal association with
normal human interests
because he or she has what to do with such a per- the home of the Great
White Lodge on the
moved beyond the effort son, and would likely find star Sirius and to take
to distribute the energy reason to suspect all manner the equivalent of what
of ideas as in the case of
of psychopathologies. is considered a First
a Third Degree Initiate,
Degree initiation in
and the effort to under-
that more exalted mi-
stand the intuition as
lieu. As a result, the Fifth Degree initiate—
with a Fourth Degree initiate, into an effort to
highly advanced by Earth standards—is but an
develop the spiritual will. The Fifth Degree
initiate of the First Degree on Sirius. In ac-
initiate is therefore concerned with integrating
knowledgment of this fact, the Fifth Initiation
and distributing the energies of the spiritual
76 on our planet is called the First Sirian Initia-
triad, itself the vehicle for the will-centered
tion,81 in somewhat the same fashion as the
monad as atma-buddhi-manas. Much concern-
Third Initiation on our planet is called the First
ing the nature of the spiritual triad and its ex-
Hierarchical. This is because the Fifth Initia-
pression through the three major departments
tion is the first point at which the candidate for
of Hierarchy is said to be vouchsafed at this,
77 spiritual advancement begins the training taken
the Fifth Initiation.
in association with the star Sirius.
For all these reasons and due to the basic fact
Immediately there comes to mind the relevant
that the Fifth Degree initiate is no longer held
question concerning how many such advanced
by the maya of attraction to physical plane
initiates there might be circulating amongst
matter, the Revelation Initiation is character-

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The Esoteric Quarterly

Humanity, if there be any at all. It should be initiates are not altogether absent from Earthly
recalled that the Tibetan Master was himself an endeavor.
initiate of Fifth Degree status at the time he
Nor could they be, if logic be admitted. Con-
dictated and transmitted the second installment
sider that the Tibetan has stated the Fourth and
of the Ageless Wisdom to Alice Bailey,82 hav-
Fifth Initiations follow very closely upon one
ing taken the Fifth Initiation in the mid to late
another, 85 together with the fact that the
1800s.
Fourth Initiation is attainable as concluded in
Of course, the fact that the Tibetan took the the previous section, and the only logical de-
Fifth Initiation in the 19th century indicates that duction can be that the taking of the Fifth Ini-
in all probability, it was the Fifth Degree as the tiation is indeed possible to some and that ap-
Decision Initiation through which he passed, plicants for the Fifth Initiation must be in the
since up until the middle of the 20th century, making. Further, there must be considered the
the Fifth Degree was constituted of the Deci- group of Fifth Degree initiates said by the Ti-
sion rather than the Revelation. For that rea- betan to be incarnating from approximately the
son, the Tibetan’s knowledge as set forth in the late 1940s to the late 1990s, members of which
Bailey books may be more representative of group will be present on Earth through the 21st
what would be called a Sixth Degree initiate century, and perhaps longer, given the capacity
under the terminology presently in effect. of the Fifth Degree initiate to perdure beyond
Thus, there may be elements of both the Reve- the current average human life span.
lation and the Decision Initiations in the modes
What might such Fifth Degree initiates be
of being demonstrated by the Tibetan. This
found doing? According to the Tibetan, the
would mean that he knows something of the
Fifth Degree initiate will be found engaged in:
Seven Cosmic Paths firsthand.
1. constant service to planetary life,
How frequently might such an initiate be en- 2. the forming of an original ashram
countered? As may be surmised from the Bai- through cultivation of proper magnetic
ley books, the Tibetan Master’s contacts with and vibrational conditions,
average and even advanced Humanity were
3. attention to ashramic responsibility,
restricted to the telepathic kind, and thus, if he
is a model for this initiation, it can be confi- 4. the subjection of self and the forming
dently concluded that Fifth Degree initiates are ashram to stimulation from Shamballa,
not likely to be found circulating freely within the planetary head center, and
Humanity. 5. a mysterious process concerned with the
“sensitivity of the universe.”86
Even so, Fifth Degree initiates exist, according
to hints given by the Tibetan. Writing in the These are the pursuits which a unit of the Fifth
1940s, he stated that there would be individu- Degree might follow. Clearly, it is a mode
als coming into incarnation in the following which has naught to do with the average inter-
fifty years who were already in line for the ests of Humanity, nor with that of even its
following of the Seven Cosmic Paths, and that more advanced portions. Numbers 4 and 5 in
it was for such advanced units that he wrote.83 the above list attest rather dramatically to that
Consideration of the Seven Cosmic Paths now point, showing just how far beyond human
taking place between the Fifth and Sixth Initia- concerns are the pursuits of the Master.
tions,84 this statement can be interpreted to An interesting fact about the Fifth Initiation
mean that between the 1940s and 1990s, there pertains here. According to the Tibetan, it is
would come into incarnation those who had the manner of dress and physical appearance
attained sufficient initiatory progress in lives had by the initiate during the lifetime of the
past to place them at what is now considered Fifth Initiation which remains the appearance
Fifth Degree initiate status, and who are thus used in working with Humanity.87 For this
preparing for the Sixth or Decision Initiation. reason, the familiar images of the Masters
Therefore, it can be reasoned that Fifth Degree given out by the Theosophical and other

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sources show the Great Ones as they looked dition, the Tibetan Master has further stated
during the lifetimes in which their Fifth Initia- that this initiation will ultimately be called the
tions were taken and in which technical mas- Ascension when the New World Religion has
tery status was thus attained. This is the way arisen.91 So we have both Decision and As-
Humanity knew Them then, and so this is the cension as words to characterize this, the Sixth
way They continue to present themselves to Initiation.
Humanity when interacting in the form vehi-
As many careful readers of the Bailey writings
cle, which the Fifth Degree initiate can do at
will note, the Initiation of Decision was indeed
will if necessary. At will, indeed, is precisely
initially presented in the Tibetan’s dictations to
the issue, for here is the initiation at which the
Alice Bailey as the Fifth Initiation.92 Many
Will dawns glaringly and reveals much.
years later, that nomenclature was changed
As remote and exalted as this Initiation may when the Tibetan announced that evolutionary
thus be, it remains apparent that evidence ar- advances had led to the designation of the
gues for the presence of Fifth Degree or Reve- Sixth Initiation as that of the Decision,93 and
lation initiates on Earth in some reasonable the Fifth as that of the Revelation.94
number—maybe a hundred or so. Yet, there
According to the Tibetan, at what is now con-
could be more. In fact, the Tibetan went so far
sidered the Fifth Initiation, “a revelation of the
as to suggest the accuracy of such a deduction
true united goal of the seven Paths and like-
when he stated that “many thousands” of ad-
wise a vision of their varying intermediate,
vanced units may ultimately take the Revela-
individual goals” is accorded; hence the moni-
tion Initiation,88 though within exactly what
ker, “The Revelation.”95 The nature of the
time frame, he did not say. It would seem,
Seven Cosmic Paths is unveiled at this point,
therefore, that progress toward the Fifth Initia-
and again according to the Tibetan, it is at this
tion is no more impossible than that toward the
point that the initiate gains the first vision of
Fourth, which earlier initiation has been shown
the “door” through which one must pass to
to admit of successful candidates and so to
gain entry to the Seven Cosmic Paths.96
prove the onward march of emerging Fifth De-
gree applicants. Consequently, the effort to discern the nature
However, the presence of fully attained Fifth of the Seven Cosmic Paths occupies the atten-
Degree initiates on Earth is nonetheless likely tion of the initiate between the Fifth and Sixth
to be a highly secretive affair, their where- Initiations (the Revelation and Decision Initia-
abouts and identities exactly as mysterious as tions, respectively), and so the existence of the
that of Djwhal Khul, the Tibetan, who in the Seven Cosmic Paths most certainly constitutes
mid 1940s, as he stated, was still using the a major factor for the Initiate of the Fifth De-
body in which he had taken the Fifth Initia- gree.97
tion89 some nearly 100 years earlier. Such ini- Nonetheless, the final choice of which path to
tiates will likely be equally capable of the ac- tread is now made at the Sixth Initiation, which
curate remote clairvoyant viewing and sus- is therefore called the Initiation of Decision.98
tained telepathic communication characteristic It represents a determination made through, as
of the Master whose presence animates the the Tibetan said, the “development of that
Alice Bailey literature. higher sensitivity which leads inevitably to
cosmic perception.”99 It is a decision made
The Sixth or Decision possible by all the many right choices made
Initiation earlier on the initiatory path100 and by the fa-
vorable karma accumulated by the initiate
A ccording to the Tibetan Master, the Sixth
Initiation constitutes the point at which
the advanced initiate formally chooses which
leading up to this point.101 As a result, the
Master literally breaks through the planetary
boundary or ring-pass-not to arrive at the door
of the Seven Cosmic Paths to tread from that
of the Higher Evolution.102 Once set upon this
point forward, and hence this initiation is re-
way, the initiate contains nothing in inner be-
ferred to as the Initiation of Decision.90 In ad-

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ing which would cause a turning back from the bind, and the initiate is free to progress along
general region of the Cosmic Paths,103 though the paths which lead to the seven centers of the
in cases such as that of the Buddha (now fol- Cosmic Logos.
lowing the Path of Earth Service), a second
The opportunity to rise to such an exalted state
choice of path is actually possible due to the
comes but once every 49 years, according to
complete freedom of choice said to be charac-
the Tibetan Master,113 who stated that the years
teristic of this stage of evolution.104
1903 and 1952 CE were years in which the
As the Tibetan has stated, any of the Seven Sixth Decision was offered.114 This would
Ways of Higher Evolution may be chosen by mean that the Sixth Initiation was previously
the ascending105 Master, but the Sixth Initiation offered in the year 1854, a date close to one
has a particular connection, he also said, with given for the Tibetan’s Fifth Initiation, that of
the Sixth Cosmic Path,106 the path of those in the mid 1850s.115 This coincidence, together
training to become Solar Logoi.107 Much more with fact that the Fifth Initiation prior to the
than this he did not specify. Students are left mid 20th century was equivalent to what is now
to draw their own conclusions, but the implica- called the Decision or Sixth Initiation, broadly
tion is large that the Sixth Initiation vastly hints that in fact it may have been the Decision
transcends those states of being associated Initiation which the Tibetan underwent in the
with anything planetary or human, verging mid 1850s. Another possibility is that the up-
most evidently toward far more inclusive or- ward shift of other advancing Masters made
ders of organization, particularly that evi- way for the Tibetan’s Fifth Initiation, which in
denced by stars and their related planetary sys- his case was still called the Decision Initiation
tems. (under the old categorization).
However, the Tibetan also reiterated that a At any rate, the mid 1850s appears to have
Master is free to choose any of the Seven been a watershed development in matters Hi-
Ways of Higher Evolution, without reference erarchical. Then followed the 1903 passages
to personal ray constitution or that of this to the Sixth Initiation, those in 1952, and in
planet,108 so it is clear that the initiate who 2001. Future such opportunities will take
passes the Decision Initiation is in no way con- place in the years 2050 and 2099, and at 49
strained to select any particular path, including year intervals thereafter. Even a casual exami-
the Sixth Cosmic Path. nation of the years already passed in this re-
gard reveal a suggestive connection with im-
In fact, the entire lack of constraint concerning
portant world conditions and events. It would
anything is the keynote of the Decision Initia-
seem that in all likelihood, the consequences of
tion. According to the Tibetan, it signifies the
Sixth Initiation ceremonies ripple out quite
arrival at a uniquely liberated state in which
powerfully into planetary affairs.
the Law of Karma no longer exerts any hold -
a state embodying the Master’s recognition of As with the preceding five initiations, the De-
liberation, what it is and how to be it, leading cision Initiation constitutes an encounter with
to an entirely free decision regarding projec- ray quality, in this case, that of the Third Ray
tion into future states of being and purpose.109 or the Ray of Active Intelligence.116 It was
originally an encounter with the Second Ray in
Within this context, the Sixth Initiation signi-
the categorization of initiations used before the
fies the first hint of truly cosmic conscious-
mid 20th century,117 but the arrangement was
ness.110 It brings the Master to an understand-
eventually changed, as the Tibetan has indi-
ing of “the reason for the intelligent manifesta-
cated in his later dictations to Alice Bailey.
tion of substantial forms,” and reveals the good
Thus, it is the Third Ray which characterizes
which is achieved by creation.111 Along with
the achievements of this, the Sixth Initiation.
this, the nature of cosmic evil is also unveiled,
but the point of attainment now reached by the Perhaps this fact is best demonstrated by the
initiate prevents any harm to self as a conse- experience of the Buddha, whose enlighten-
quence of such a recognition.112 Nothing can ment has been described by the Tibetan in

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terms directly reflective of the Third Aspect door of the will, and the door of the monadic
and Third Ray. According to the Tibetan, the sense of essential duality. Passage through
Buddha embodied the force of the Third Ray them gains the initiate the right of admission
in its capacity to produce light in and through into the courts of Shamballa.
matter, and that furthermore, the Buddha was
As a result of having successfully passed
an Avatar representing the ripened seeds of the
through the three doors leading to Shamballa,
prior solar system, which embodied the Third
the Sixth Degree initiate faces all experience
Aspect.118
and perception from the angle of three factors:
This pertains to the Sixth Initiation because the pure reason or infallible intuition (which is to
Buddha at Wesak119 performs one of the func- say, fully developed buddhi); the true spiritual
tions attributed by the Tibetan to Sixth Degree will bringing complete identification with the
initiates,120 that of representing Shamballa to purpose of the Planetary Logos (which is to
Hierarchy. This the say, the fully developed
Buddha does amidst a atmic and monadic prin-
brilliant display of light ciples); and the highest
brought about by the [T]he final choice of which possible focussed rela-
force of his spiritual path to tread is now made at tion. This characterizes
presence and high volt- the Sixth Initiation… It the level of functioning to
age energy. In this be found, the Tibetan
way, he brings force represents a determination Master has stated, in
from Shamballa to Hi- made through…, the “de- Sixth Degree initiates and
erarchy, in somewhat velopment of that higher in a few Fifth Degree ini-
the same way as do the tiates,123 the latter proba-
Nirmanakayas, a group sensitivity which leads inevi- bly being those who had
composed of certain tably to cosmic perception.” passed the Fifth Initiation
Sixth and Seventh De- under its prior designation
gree initiates who regu-
It is a decision made possi- as the Decision Initiation.
larly receive impression ble by all the many right The plane of conscious-
from Shamballa and choices made earlier on the ness upon which the Sixth
pass it on to Hierar-
chy.121 Thus, it could as initiatory path and by the
Initiate normally func-
tions thus becomes that of
well be said that the favorable karma accumu- the monad, with recourse
Buddha at Wesak per- lated by the initiate leading to the levels of the atmic
forms a function carried and buddhic planes as
on both by Sixth and up to this point.
gained at the Fifth and
Seventh Degree initi- Fourth Initiations, respec-
ates, suggesting that his tively.124 Therefore, it is
initiatory stature may be the one or the other plain to see that the normal region of aware-
(or some beyond even that). At any rate, the ness and activity of the Sixth Degree initiate is
manner of bridging from Shamballa to Hierar- to be found from the buddhic plane upwards to
chy involves the characteristic mark of the the monadic. This might facetiously be called
Third Aspect, that of light in matter. Thus, the buddhi-atma-monas in a play on the familiar
Buddha’s work at Wesak provides some hint Theosophical formula of atma-buddhi-manas,
as to the nature of a Sixth Degree Initiate. or the Spiritual Triad which represents and
The relationship of the Sixth Degree initiate to channels the energy of the monad outward and
Shamballa is of essence in this regard. Ac- downward, unlike buddhi-atma-monas, which
cording to the Tibetan, the Sixth Degree initi- points upward to the monad.
ate has passed through what are called sym- Though somewhat playful, the latter formula is
bolically the three doors to Shamballa.122 truly relevant here, as it actually indicates the
These three “doors” are the door of reason, the general direction taken by the now ascending

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The Esoteric Quarterly

Master, who is in process of raising the focus that prove to have lasting implications for the
through the planes upward to the monad and to worlds of human endeavor. In fact, according
the Planetary Logos of which the monad is an to the Tibetan, “All the Masters Who are initi-
integral part. At last, this brings contact with ates of the sixth degree meet in conclave… and
the seventh or Logoic Plane (if counting up- decide what measures They propose Hierarchy
ward), the highest level of vibration in the should take which will drastically and perma-
planes associated with our solar system, the nently affect the planet on which They have
vibrational level which will engross the atten- lived and for which They have worked.”127 In
tion of the initiate at the next or Seventh Initia- so doing, these Sixth Degree initiates “are the
tion. group which makes final decision anent human
affairs,” such as that made to bring the At-
In a nod toward the advanced status repre-
lantean civilization to a close. They are cer-
sented by the Sixth Initiation, the Tibetan re-
tain, according to the Tibetan Master, to insti-
vealed that the Sixth Degree initiate is con-
tute further initiatives that will cause sweeping
trolled by the Logos of our solar system and
changes in the current civilization.128 It is pos-
suggested that Solar Logoi even beyond that of
sible or perhaps even likely that they will do so
our system may lay some claim upon the
primarily in and around the years at which the
awareness of those who have taken the Deci-
Sixth Initiation is offered.
sion.125 This would only make sense, as the
Decision Initiation places the feet of the Sixth Two unusual terms were used by the Tibetan
Degree initiate firmly on a path that will lead to designate initiates of the Sixth Degree –
to the stellar congeries which constitute the nirmanakaya and chohan, the first of which has
centers of the Cosmic Logos, if not those of a already been mentioned, the second of which
Super-Cosmic Logos. In either case, such cen- was first defined in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire.
ters are formed of Solar Logoi, and it is these There it is said to be a Tibetan term denoting
toward which the Sixth Degree initiate is in- Lord or Master, a high adept, or an initiate
exorably attracted. That is why the Tibetan having taken more than the Fifth Initiation,129
could say that those past the Decision Initiation but the assertion that it is a Tibetan word has
are “controlled” from the level of Solar Logoi, been disputed by some modern researchers.
either ours or others. Whether or not the term chohan is truly a word
from the Tibetan language, Djwhal Khul the
Meanwhile, here on Earth the Sixth Degree
Tibetan Master certainly employed it, specifi-
initiate becomes pupil to the mighty entities
cally associating it with the Sixth Degree ini-
who dwell and work within the planetary head
tiatory status in The Rays and the Initiations,
center at Shamballa.126 These of course are the
where he stated that the Master who takes the
Kumaras around Sanat Kumara, and Sanat
Decision Initiation is thereafter called a Cho-
Kumara himself, backed by the Buddhas of
han.130 The Tibetan also took care to distin-
Activity and the Nirmanakayas of the Eighth
guish the terms Master and Chohan, noting
and Ninth Degree initiatory status. It is these
that the Chohan is higher and more potent in
beings, concerned with impression coming
force than the Master,131 “Master of the Wis-
from the Solar Logos and from other planets
dom” being the technical term for an initiate of
and planetary schemes, with whom the Sixth
the Fifth Degree.132
Degree initiate is engaged. It can consequently
be seen that the Sixth Degree initiate is on his Emphasizing the close connection of Sixth
or her way out of the planetary heart center as Degree initiates with the planetary head center,
Hierarchy and into the planetary head center as the Tibetan stated that it is the function of the
Shamballa, leaving the Fifth Degree Masters to Chohans to invoke energies from Shamballa
manage many of the affairs of Hierarchical for use in the process of bringing Hierarchy to
concern. external expression once again,133 and to re-
ceive the consequent impression emanating
Even so, Sixth Degree initiates exert enormous
from Shamballa.134 In so doing, the Chohans
influence upon planetary affairs, meeting peri-
function as focal points of very powerful Ash-
odically in conclave and settling on decisions

38 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

rams. The Tibetan singled out the names of Decision Initiation, equivalent to what is now
Morya and Koot Humi as Chohans of this called the Sixth Initiation.
sort,135 though these two are also called Mas-
At any rate, there is no question that Rakoczi
ters throughout the Bailey material and in
currently fulfills the role of the Mahachohan,
common parlance. However, there can be no
and therefore stands in appropriate initiatory
doubt that Morya and Koot Humi were initi-
status for that position. Whatever it was when
ates of the Sixth Degree when the Alice Bailey
he originally took it, it is now equivalent to the
books were written.136 True, they both may
Initiation of the Decision, or the Sixth Initia-
have taken the Sixth Initiation when it was
tion in current esoteric parlance. Thus, as a
something more akin to what is now called the
Chohan and Sixth Degree initiate, the Master
Seventh or Resurrection Initiation, since the
Rakoczi has charge over the management of
taking of their Sixth Degrees was long before
planetary affairs.
the mid 20th century, but all the same, it must
be understood that Morya and Koot Humi are The term “chohan” was also applied to the
Chohans who have taken at least what is now Master Jesus by the Tibetan in A Treatise on
called the Decision Initiation, if not one or Cosmic Fire,138 a footnote of which specifies
more of those beyond it. this term as indicative of the Sixth Initiation.
Such a comment can only represent the con-
Another Master called by the term Chohan is
tinuation of the initiatory history of the Master
that of the Seventh Ray adept known as Master
Jesus as given in Initiation, Human and So-
Rakoczi in the Bailey material and Saint Ger-
lar.139 There, the Tibetan indicated that the
maine elsewhere. Mentioning the Master Ra-
Master Jesus passed the Third Initiation as the
koczi in the decade of the 1940s, the Tibetan
Biblical Joshua, then the Fourth or Crucifixion
stated that Master R. had “lately” acceded to
Initiation as Jesus whilst rendering his vehicles
the position and office of the Mahachohan,137
over to the Christ,140 and then the Fifth Initia-
which is to say that he had relatively recently
tion as the adept known as Appollonius of
taken the reins of the third great department of
Tyana.
Hierarchy and the one charged with setting the
tone for the nature of the civilization to be Appollonius of Tyana was a great occultist of
manifested under the Plan at any given time. the first century CE who traveled throughout
Because the Master Rakoczi represents and the Middle East, Near East, and India, becom-
embodies the Seventh Ray, his influence is ing initiate in the Pythagorean and Vedic mys-
needed in this position as archetype for the teries and even demonstrating many miracles
civilization to be created during the Seventh of healing and dematerialization before various
Ray Aquarian Age. governmental figures of the time.141 His Fifth
Initiation under the auspices of Hierarchy
That Master R. functions in the role of Ma-
would, of course, have been taken well before
hachohan strongly suggests that he passed the
the change of nomenclature which took place
Sixth Initiation or its earlier equivalent not
in the mid-twentieth century. Thus, the Fifth
later than 1903, which would have been the
Initiation taken by Appollonius of Tyana
most recent time of its availability before the
would have been the Decision Initiation,
decade of the 1940s. However, the Master
equivalent to the Sixth Initiation as it is now
Rakoczi’s ascension to the Decision Initiation
called. It is either due to this fact or because
may also have taken place in the mid 1850s,
yet another initiation has been taken by the
which date might well have been considered
Master Jesus that the Tibetan refers to Him as
“recent” by the Tibetan at the time the he made
a Chohan, which he most certainly does.
his comment. Either of these dates would have
fallen considerably before the designation of Last but certainly not least, the Head of Hier-
the initiations was changed in the mid twenti- archy, the Christ Himself was said by the Ti-
eth century, and so it may also be that the Mas- betan to have taken the Sixth Initiation long
ter Rakoczi passed the Fifth Initiation as the ago, and subsequently what is now called the
Resurrection or Seventh Initiation.142

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The Esoteric Quarterly

As is evident without any further elaboration, Consequently, the Seventh Degree initiate is
the nature and function of the Sixth Degree enabled to function upon the logoic or highest
initiate is far beyond normal human concerns. plane of our solar system, all of which planes
Such high degree initiates exist off and beyond belong to the cosmic physical plane.
the scale of human psychology, having tran-
In fact, the Seventh Degree initiate reaches
scended even Hierarchy and the planetary ring-
from that platform onward to the cosmic astral
pass-not. The Cosmic Paths will be their
plane, for as the Tibetan has stated, the one
guides; disciples of lesser degrees such as
who attains the Seventh Initiation “dominates
those who will study these pages may be only
the entire sphere of matter contained in the
reverentially silent as the Chohans pass.
lowest cosmic plane, escapes from all etheric
contact, and functions on the cosmic astral
The Seventh or Resurrection plane.”149 The “lowest cosmic plane” here re-
Initiation ferred to is, of course, the entire cosmic physi-
cal plane, composed of the seven planes in our
I f the Sixth Initiation represents a segment of
the path far beyond human concern, the
Seventh goes beyond that, for it stretches the
solar system. It is these over which the Sev-
enth Degree initiate gains dominion, and
bounds of perception to a region of being thereby claims ability to register and interact
which knows even less limitation or require- upon the next cosmic plane, which is the cos-
ment for orientation. mic astral plane.
According to the Tibetan, it is the Seventh Ini- The number associated with any astral plane
tiation which is now considered the true Resur- (whether systemic or cosmic) being even, there
rection Initiation,143 though this title was once is immediately suggested a linkage with the
associated with a lesser attainment.144 The rays of even number. Prime among these is
concept of resurrection is here applicable, the great Second Ray, with which this initia-
stated the Tibetan, for the word itself denotes a tion has particular affinity. In fact it is this ray
return to an original state, which original state with which the Seventh Initiation is an encoun-
refers both to the condition of original spiritual ter,150 bringing the seven initiations pertinent
light as well as to Shamballa, the planetary to experience on our planet to a close with ref-
head center.145 Indeed, the taking of this initia- erence to the synthetic note of our entire solar
tion confers the right of access to the courts of system.
Shamballa, into which the initiate may go ac- This is so for good reason. It is because the
cording to the dictates of service and the need highest available realization in our system
for periodic re-charging with the high energies stems from the nature of our Solar Logos, itself
emanating in and throughout the planetary an expression of the Love-Wisdom Ray. The
head center.146 Tibetan stated it this way: “The highest reali-
Just as each of the previous six initiations has sation …is the awareness…of the embodied
represented an upward step along the sequence Logos, of Deity…of that stupendous Creator
of the planes in our solar system, so also does Who is seeking expression through the me-
this one. Thus, whereas the focus for the pre- dium of the solar system.”151 The highest or
ceding initiation involved the monadic plane, seventh realization, then, is an awareness of
the Seventh Initiation concerns the highest sys- the Solar Logos, which awareness character-
temic plane—the logoic, or Plane of Adi, the izes the unfoldment taking place concurrent
primordial or original. Hence, the Seventh with the Seventh Initiation.152
Initiation is consummated upon the logoic or This could be contrasted with the knowledge
seventh plane,147 counting from below upward. of the Planetary Logos which characterizes the
Upon this plane, according to the Tibetan Mas- initiate progressively from the Third to the
ter, “dynamic electricity is held as in a great Sixth Initiation. Over the course of that part of
reservoir of potency.”148 It is this energy the journey, monadic awareness intensifies and
which is directed by higher beings to the initi- so increasingly reveals the nature of the Plane-
ate undergoing the Resurrection Initiation.

40 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

tary Logos, until complete identification with is connected with and exists in the midst of
that Source supervenes at the Sixth Initiation. universal life energies as they flow throughout
Then at the Seventh Initiation, it is the Solar all creation, on all planes and in all dimen-
Logos of which the initiate becomes aware. In sions.
this sequence is to be perceived the fact that
This consciousness of Universal Life, said the
just as the initiations are an upward climb
Tibetan, is the characteristic mark of the Sev-
along the vibratory frequencies represented by
enth or Resurrection Initiation.157 Such, he
the seven planes of the solar system, they are
said, far transcends simple immortality, which
likewise a shift upward in levels of logoic or-
is but one of the attributes of the secret of life
ganization, proceeding from Planetary to Solar
and is an inherent factor of spiritual being not
Logos over the course of the seven initiations
to be sought as an end in itself. However, the
pertinent to experience on our globe.
Seventh Degree initiate in fact is immortal by
Thus arrives the initiate at the Seventh Initia- virtue of connection with Universal Life and
tion—the summation experience for our globe, the absolute whole of which our planet and
and rightfully therefore at a connection with Planetary Logos are simply one small part.158
the summation ray for our present solar sys- Why this initiation is called “The Resurrec-
tem—the Second Ray, or Love-Wisdom Ray. tion” is therefore made plain. It is because it is
In fact, this ray represents the nature of the a step on the infinite initiatory way which re-
revelation associated with the Seventh Initia- stores the unit to its original condition as
tion, for the Seventh or Resurrection Initiation unlimited light energy capable of connecting
“accords a revelation of the quality which must with the most seemingly distant aspects of ex-
express itself through all created forms: the istence, forever shining, no longer enslaved to
quality of love-wisdom which…is the basic the cycle of birth into form or physical exis-
quality of our entire solar system.”153 tence such as it is on the cosmic physical
plane.
However, the extent of the connection estab-
lished at the Seventh Initiation is even greater Attainment of the Seventh or Resurrection Ini-
than that. It extends all the way to the Central tiation is, according to the Tibetan, a rare ac-
Spiritual Sun, for as the Tibetan has indicated, complishment indeed, only one hundred eleven
the highest initiation possible on this planet human beings having passed to this state of
renders the initiate responsive to energy ema- awareness over the course of our planetary
nating from the “outer cosmic center.”154 This history.159 Apparently this stunning metamor-
“outer cosmic center” is, in all probability, phosis was undergone by the Christ during
quite simply the Central Spiritual Sun, toward what Christianity calls the Resurrection epi-
which lead the Cosmic Paths, upon one of sode following the alleged physical crucifixion
which the initiate sets foot at the prior initia- and burial of the Master Jesus.160 Other Sev-
tion. Now here, one initiation later, the con- enth-Degree initiates would be found among
nection with that outer cosmic center has the Nirmanakayas who link Shamballa with
grown even more secure. Hierarchy.161 Their effulgence and transcen-
dent functions speak eloquently of an exalted
Limitation to time and locality is, quite obvi-
nature.
ously, no longer a factor at this point in the
evolutionary journey. Said the Tibetan on this As has been shown, the spiritual journey from
point, “The seventh initiation is divorced from the Path of Probation to the Seventh Initiation
all considerations of form.”155 In fact, at this is long, an astounding adventure in conscious-
point, the initiate becomes nothing other than a ness that leads from the first tentative victories
concentrated point of living light.156 Clearly, over limited personhood to ultimate identifica-
the Seventh Degree initiate no longer requires tion with the entirety of systemic creation and
any kind of gross physical vehicle, but is in- beyond. In surveying this path, the reader has
stead a radiant field of light energy such as the toured the three stages of discipleship and the
spherical spiritual radiances conceptualized by seven great steps on the initiatory path. It is
visionary artists. In this condition, the initiate hoped that this overview will serve to organize

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The Esoteric Quarterly

the mind in regard to these matters, as well as

to stimulate striving toward the higher initia- 33
Ibid., p. 699.
tions. 34
Ibid., p. 415.
35
See: Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age, II,
p. 258; The Rays and the Initiations, p. 700.
36
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 700.
37
1 Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar, p. 89.
Alice A. Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations. 38
Ibid., p. 89.
Lucis, 1960, p. 699. 39
2 Ibid., p. 711.
Ibid., p. 696. 40
3 Ibid., p. 89.
Alice A. Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar. 41
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 290,
Lucis, 1922, p. 89.
4 386, 697.
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 696. 42
5 Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age, II, p. 413.
lbid., p. 651. 43
6 Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 511.
Ibid., pp. 702 – 703. 44
7 Bailey. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p.
Alice A. Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire.
529.
Lucis, 1925, p. 538. 45
8 Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 703.
Ibid., p. 114. 46
9 Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 511.
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 693. 47
10 Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 711.
Ibid., p. 651. 48
11 Bailey. Letters on Occult Meditation, p. 259.
Alice A. Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age, I. 49
Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 66fn.
Lucis, 1944, pp. 766–768. 50
12 Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 389.
See A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, pp. 538, 820;
Here the Tibetan referred to himself as a Master
and Alice A. Bailey. Letters on Occult Medita-
of the Fifth Degree.
tion. Lucis, 1922, p. 11. 51
13 Bailey. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p.
Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Healing. Lucis,
522; Initiation, Human and Solar, p. 57.
1953, p. 654; The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 52
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 706.
279, 710. 53
14 Ibid., pp. 391, 424.
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 710– 54
Ibid., p. 652-653.
711. 55
15 Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1241.
Ibid., p. 704. 56
16 Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 410,
Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 121.
17 643.
Ibid., p. 384. 57
18 Ibid., p. 391.
Alice A. Bailey. A Treatise on White Magic. 58
Ibid., p. 713.
Lucis, 1934, p. 379. 59
19 Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar, p. 180; A
Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 704.
20 Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 121.
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 491. 60
21 Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 567.
Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, pp. 696– 61
Ibid.
697. 62
22 Ibid., p. 642.
Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Astrology. Lucis, 63
Ibid., p. 713 – 715.
1951, p. 392. 64
23 Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, I. Lucis,
Ibid., p. 392.
24 1936, p. 37.
Ibid., p. 392. 65
25 Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 518.
Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar, p. 89. 66
26 Ibid., p. 709.
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 700; 67
Ibid., p. 706.
Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, II. 68
Ibid., p. 652.
Lucis, 1942, p. 231. 69
27 Ibid., p. 394.
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 704– 70
Ibid., p. 717.
705. 71
28 Ibid., p. 650.
Alice A. Bailey. The Externalization of the 72
Ibid., pp. 652 – 653.
Hierarchy. Lucis, 1957, pp. 569–570. 73
29 Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 272.
Ibid. 74
30 Bailey. Esoteric Astrology, p. 467.
Alice A. Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age, 75
Ibid., p. 503.
II. Lucis, 1955, p. 527. 76
31 Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 711.
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 698. 77
32 Ibid., p. 711.
Ibid., p. 700. 78
Ibid., p. 715.

42 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

79 116
Statements on p. 704 of The Rays and the Initia- Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 653 -
tions can be construed as support for this con- 654, 725.
117
tention. See: Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar, p.
80
Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar, pp. 16 – 17.
118
17. Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, II, pp. 277–278.
81 119
Bailey. Letters on Occult Meditation, p. 262. Bailey. The Externalization of the Hierarchy,
82
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 389. pp. 420–421.
83 120
Ibid., p. 390. Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 735;
84
Ibid., p. 391. Discipleship in the New Age, II, p. 210.
85 121
Ibid., p. 700. Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 735.
86 122
Ibid., p. 653. Ibid., pp. 139–142.
87 123
Ibid., p. 705. Ibid.
88 124
Ibid., p. 648. Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, pp. 121,
89
Bailey. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 451; The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 587, 729.
522. The Cosmic Fire passages, since written in the
90
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 654– early 20th century, would seem to refer to the
655. old categorization, but the later passage in Rays
91
Ibid., p. 284. and Initiations points to the same conclusion, as
92
Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1241. does simple logic, which would indicate that the
93
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 410. initiations represent a sequential mastery of the
94
Ibid., p. 643. planes in an upward direction. Thus, the Sixth
95
Ibid., p. 424. Initiation should concern mastery upon the
96
Ibid., p. 391. Sixth or monadic plane, if the count is begun
97
Ibid. from the physical plane. It may therefore confi-
98
Ibid., p. 390. dently be accepted that indeed, the Decision Ini-
99
Ibid., p. 723. tiation entails a shift of focus one plane upward
100
Ibid., p. 719. from that of the Revelation, which is to say, up
101
Ibid., p. 724. in vibrational level from the atmic plane to the
102
Ibid., p. 283. monadic.
103 125
Ibid., p. 390. Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 694.
104 126
Ibid., p. 396. Ibid., pp. 722–723,
105 127
According to the Tibetan, both Ascension and Ibid., p. 721.
128
Decision are associated with the Sixth Initiation. Ibid.
129
See The Rays and the Initiations, p. 720 in this Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 66.
130
regard. Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 284.
106 131
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 721. Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age, II, p. 606.
107 132
Ibid., p. 421. Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 66 foot-
108
Ibid., p. 721. note.
109 133
Ibid., pp. 728–729. Bailey. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p.
110
Ibid., p. 694. 522.
111 134
Ibid., p. 726. Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age, II, p. 135.
112 135
Ibid., pp. 726–727. Bailey. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p.
113
Ibid., pp. 721–722. 522.
114 136
Ibid. Bailey. Discipleship in the New Age, II, p. 135.
115 137
Bailey. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. Ibid., p. 135.
138
522. There the Tibetan states in a letter dated Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 439.
139
January 1946 that he had taken the Fifth Initia- Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar, pp. 56 –
tion “nearly ninety years” previously, which 57.
140
would have been in the mid 1850s. However, in Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 290.
141
Initiation, Human and Solar, p. 57, the date H. P. Blavatsky. The Theosophical Glossary.
given for his Fifth Initiation is 1875. This con- Theosophical Publishing House, 1892, pp. 26–
flict might perhaps be solved by according 27; Lynn Thorndike. History of Magic and
greater emphasis to the more recently divulged Experimental Science. 1964, pp. 242–267. See
information , which would confer pride of place also Manly P. Hall. The Adepts in the Esoteric
to the mid 1850s date. Classical Tradition, 1981, part 1, pp. 64–69.

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142
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 655.
143
Ibid., p. 729.
144
Ibid., p. 643.
145
Ibid., p. 730.
146
Ibid., p. 735.
147
Ibid., p. 733.
148
Ibid.
149
Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 121.
This statement concerning the Seventh Initiation
would have been dictated before the change in
nomenclature regarding the initiations, but it so
clearly mirrors the nature of the Seventh Initia-
tion as described by the Tibetan later in The
Rays and the Initiations that it would without
question seem to apply.
150
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 656.
151
Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, I, p. 15.
152
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 732.
153
Ibid., p. 726.
154
Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, I, p. 156.
155
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 732.
156
Ibid.
157
Ibid., pp. 730–731.
158
Ibid., p. 733.
159
Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, I, p. 156.
160
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, pp. 730,
739.
161
Ibid., p. 735; Discipleship in the New Age, II, p.
210.

44 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

The Virgo Full Moon

Luisa Romero de Johnston

“I am the Mother and the Child; A basic postulate of esoteric philosophy posits
I, God, I, matter am” a primordial energy or Life principle that, as it
manifests, produces all that exists. This Life
Abstract principle could be seen as a potential that re-
mains true to its nature, whether as a latent
T he sign of Virgo holds a special signifi-
cance in the planetary realm as well as the
human. As the Master Djwhal Khul (the Ti-
nucleus of the Universe or as a multiplicity of
forms in which it is expressed. This potential
is omnipresent and inexhaustible, and it creates
betan) observes in his book Esoteric Astrology, its own instrument and mechanism for its revi-
this sign “concerns the whole goal of the evo- talization, conservation and permanence. Thus
lutionary process, which is to shield, nurture we can appreciate matter as a necessary vehi-
and finally reveal the hidden spiritual reality.” cle subject to a series of actions or Laws
This revelation of spiritual reality is of direct through which that marvelous process called
importance to us, not as an intellectual fact nor evolution is produced.
because the dynamic of this series of circum- This evolutionary process, which simplistically
stances propels us forward, but rather because considered seems like an interplay between
we are beings capable of higher thought, di- unity and duality, is presented to our limited
vine sparks manifesting in a material form that vision as the formula by which primal energy
must be spiritualized so that it can be attuned revitalizes itself again and again, guaranteeing
and synthesized with the original vibration in this way its eternal existence and inex-
from whence it came as per cosmic laws. haustibility. It is something like the rhythmic
This sign calls us to our responsibility as con- action of ocean waves, coming in and going
secrated servers to dedicate ourselves to the out, in perpetual movement and infinite repeti-
redemptive work of transmuting and trans- tion, waves confronting waves, crashing into
forming the dense forms of our world—not each other in order to demonstrate power and
just the dense forms that compose our vehicles, renew energy.
but all those forms in our environment that link In this process, form, or matter, seems neces-
us together, each a divine manifestation.* sary for the expression of Life. Matter is like a
Background mirror where the unmanifested is reflected, a
spark that rises up so that darkness might—

I n his book Esoteric Astrology the Tibetan

Master Djwhal Khul writes: “The sign Virgo
is one of the most significant in the zodiac, for
through contrast—recognize itself as such.
This Darkness of the unmanifested is the dark-
ness of That which has no name, That un-
its symbology concerns the whole goal of the
evolutionary process, which is to shield, nur-
ture and finally reveal the hidden spiritual real-
ity.”1 The keyword for Virgo (stated above) About the Author
also refers to this divinity that is inherently Dr. Luisa Romero de Johnston, a retired medical
present in matter and that reveals matter’s doctor of maxillofacial surgery, is part of a small
spiritual reality. group in Venezuela (Fundaser) that cooperates with
the Fundación Lucis in Buenos Aires to promote
* the activities of World Goodwill by printing and
Address given by Dr. Romero in Venezuela in distributing books and information in Spanish.
1994. Translated from Spanish by Gail Jolley.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 45

The Esoteric Quarterly

known that transcends the limits of time and verse, since Light, being a product of Dark-
space, the expression of the sound and the ness, is essentially one with it. Thus the third
nothingness of silence. The light of the mani- stanza of Dzyan states: “The Germ is That, and
fested rises up from it only to return to it. This That is Light.” And the fourth stanza states:
darkness is different from the darkness pro- “From the Effulgency of Light—the Ray of the
duced when the light is obscured by the den- Ever-Darkness—sprang in Space the reawak-
sity of matter. ened Energies.”5
Darkness and Light Therefore, when we direct our thoughts, devo-
tion and aspiration toward the Supreme, it is
I t is worthwhile to reflect on some concepts
regarding darkness. The first concept con-
cerns the pre-genesis state of “Divine Dark-
correct to conceive of it as a center of Light,
since that is what It is even though this Light is
kept safeguarded within due to the abstract
ness,” about which Dionysus the Areopagite condition of pure potentiality that characterizes
spoke and to which Dom Bede Griffiths refers it. And when we try to conceive of the Source,
when he urges us to transcend imagination and the One Cause, as a fount of potential, this is
thoughts in order to enter that Divine Darkness as far as we can go. And even then, as abstract
and be able to encounter God. The second as this concept seems to us, we must recognize
concept pertains to the occultation of the phe- that it is a product of our finite mind and the
nomenon of light inherent in the form, within limitations of its scarce resources. Abstract
the density of form, and thus is called the thought, the instrument of the higher Self and
shadow. the path toward Wisdom, is for us, for now,
References to darkness, when speaking of the only a speculative exercise. However, due to
causal potency from which all that is origi- the Laws that govern the evolutionary process,
nates, are present in the basic teachings of the it may also be a firm possibility.
Ageless Wisdom. “The “Stanzas of Dzyan” For that reason our path is to try to arrive at the
explores the matter: “Darkness alone filled the cause by analyzing its effect. It is like the
Boundless All, for Father, Mother and Son study of the phenomenal world, the study of
were once more one.”2 “Where were the matter; it gains real importance because it is
Builders, the Luminous Sons of Manvantaric the level where we find ourselves, the world to
Dawn? … In the Unknown Darkness … The which we have access, and the only world, for
Producers of Form from No-Form – the Root now, that we can manage to understand. Thus,
of the World … rested in the Bliss of Non- as the Tibetan Master states: “matter protects,
Being…. The Ray had not yet flashed into the shelters and nourishes the hidden soul.” The
Germ…. The Seven were not yet born from individual who manages to disentangle the se-
the Web of Light. Darkness alone was Father- crets from matter will arrive at knowledge of
Mother, and Svabhâvat was in Darkness…. spiritual reality.
The Universe was still concealed in the Divine
Thought and the Divine Bosom.”3 Within this realm of ideas, and in relation to
what was expressed earlier about Darkness as
For his part, the Tibetan Master in his work A the origin and destiny of the objective world, it
Treatise on White Magic attributes to Spirit the would certainly be relevant to consider that
terms Life–Father–Positive–Darkness; while to phenomenon known as a “black hole” that has
matter he gives the names of Form–Mother– lately been of such interest in the world of as-
Negative–Light. And in Genesis we read that trophysics. A black hole has been described
before Light was made “darkness was upon the by science as a center of very powerful energy
face of the deep.”4 capable of attracting all light that reaches it to
However, we should also reflect upon the con- the point of absorbing it into its interior.
cept of Light, which only seems to be the op- The Virgo message is of special interest re-
posite of darkness when considered in a sim- garding matter through its representation as
plified way, and thus introduce a second ele- Mother and Son. The Mother is a divine be-
ment, bringing in the concept of a dual Uni-

46 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

ing, a protector, nurturer and revealer of hid- In this way, we are told, all forms and all
den spiritual reality; she speaks to us directly manifestations in existence are created. Thus
as human beings, spiritual sparks incarnated, the One Life thrusts itself into multiple lives
entities of remarkable material expression. without losing Its state of singularity or Its dis-
The message of Virgo is that the Mother is also tinctive quality, remaining faithful to Its es-
the Son, that matter is God and that in matter is sence in spite of all the diversity, because that
found hidden the Spirit that must be revealed Life is Everything that is and nothing exists
in order to comply with the evolutionary proc- outside of It. In that quality resides the possi-
ess. bility of a return to the original center, the pos-
sibility of synthesis, through which all that was
Again we must go within in deep reflection to
externalized can return within; all that is objec-
try to understand this message and find our
tive can again become subjective; all sons can
place in such a frame
return to the Father.
of reference:
This interplay of ob-
The Absolute is the In the symbology of the Zo- jectivity and subjectiv-
One Cause. It holds diac, Virgo represents the ity, light and darkness,
within Itself all possi-
ble potential. It is the mother’s sacrifice, holding her is the interplay of evo-
lution. It is ruled by
Life from which mani- son in gestation until he is able the Absolute, That
festation arises and in
which it dwells. It
to confront life, to emerge into which has no name,
creates Primordial the light and complete his mis- which requires form,
or matter, for its com-
Substance, abstraction, sion. It is an act of love and plete expression. It is
a potential within
original matter that service that speaks for itself from the interplay be-
regarding matter’s inherent tween the pairs of op-
only awaits a stimulus
posites that an inter-
in order to appear. spirituality and its potential for mediary must appear
The Absolute, acting
as “Universal Uncon- revealing Spirit—its true es- that is capable of re-
uniting the seemingly
scious Mind” ex- sence—since there is no possi- separate elements in a
presses Its Will, pro- bility of anything other than mutual consciousness,
jects Its force over
spirit emerging. fusing the two into one
Primordial Substance,
and attaining reintegra-
organizes it, imprints
tion.
it with Its intention,
and thus forms are The “unfolding” and
born, as well as the Laws that govern these the “revelation” of that consciousness or Soul
forms, and in this ordered way the subjective are, according to the Master Djwhal Khul, “the
become objective. First comes matter, then its object for which life takes form and the pur-
vitalization, and then order. First comes poten- pose of manifested being.”6 As a result of this
tial within abstraction, later the impulse to the Son grows in experience and becomes ca-
make concrete. From the Unmanifested, mani- pable of recognizing in himself the qualities of
festation is born; from Darkness, light; from the Father so that he can then become Him.
the Father, the Mother; from Spirit, matter. In
In this way the importance of matter-mother is
this way the Universe becomes dual, bipolar.
clearly established, as well as the reason for
And this duality immediately presents a third
which Virgo—its zodiacal symbol—is consid-
factor, a necessary and obligatory fruit of this
ered the most significant sign of the Zodiac,
dual interaction: the Son. And with the Son
since it represents the necessary element for
we have the possibility of self-knowledge and
the evolution of consciousness, for the pres-
consciousness.
ence of the Soul. Matter is the complementary

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 47

The Esoteric Quarterly

manifestation of the unmanifested, the custo- ing to allow that birth. There is a mutual
dian of the divine, the spirit deposited within stimulation that will bring about, as a logical
it. It is the point where outward movement consequence, the establishment of a narrow
ends and the return begins on that eternal voy- link between them; yet a wider relationship is
age, repeated age after age by the Creator, pro- implicit that includes the originating factor of
ducing the periodic appearance of the Light the Father.
followed by its abstraction into Darkness.
Matter justifies its existence by safeguarding
On the downward arc, the compression of the its spiritual essence and taking part in the mar-
Light—as it manifests in ever more compact velous process of preparing for the return. In
grades of matter—takes it into the world of the symbology of the Zodiac, Virgo represents
shadows, limiting its pure expression accord- the mother’s sacrifice, holding her son in ges-
ing to the vibratory ability of its instrument of tation until he is able to confront life, to
expression. On the upward arc, the evolution- emerge into the light and complete his mission.
ary process brings about the progressive libera- It is an act of love and service that speaks for
tion of the Light through the hierarchy of itself regarding matter’s inherent spirituality
forms in the Universe. The Light within mat- and its potential for revealing Spirit—its true
ter is redeemed by the son’s work—the expan- essence—since there is no possibility of any-
sion of consciousness—bringing him ever thing other than spirit emerging. For his part,
nearer to the Father. the son is not only the translation of the
mother’s spiritual condition, but he is also a
All manifestation is involved in this upward-
witness that such is the condition of the father
striving task, from the smallest atom to the
as well.
most complex forms: planets, systems, galax-
ies and the highest beings. Everything in exis- Virgo is the point of departure for the return
tence is part of this process and possesses con- that the incarnated Spirit must undertake at
sciousness, even though this consciousness some decisive moment in the cyclical transit of
may be expressed in very subtle forms, which Life to which it submits in its need to express
is to say pure energy or pure light since we itself and acquire full consciousness. The im-
know that matter, energy and light are syn- manent divinity in that manifestation called
onymous. man must flower in the true divinity of the
spiritual Being.
Thus, by a process of refinement and ascend-
ing the vibratory scale of manifestation, matter It is interesting to study the meaning of the
returns to its original spiritual state. This is in Zodiacal signs and the influence they have
accord with the concept transmitted by H.P. over humanity and humanity’s evolution via
Blavatsky that Spirit is matter at a higher vi- their energetic complexes. This influence de-
bration and matter is Spirit on a lower vibra- pends on one’s degree of development and
tion. Each stage of the eternal journey ends consciousness. Thus Virgo, which has a close
when consciousness reaches its maximum ex- relationship with the lower triple vehicle via
pression and light reaches the highest degree the so-called “Crisis of Incarnation” and the
corresponding to each unit in a particular in- life experiences acquired through a series of
carnation. Thus matter is “impregnated” by rebirths into form, will influence the shaping
Spirit on the downward arc and “birthed” into of the new individual that must emerge—first
lighted consciousness on the upward arc. as a primitive force inherent in substance to
preserve life, and later as the mother who cra-
The Virgo Revelation dles in her breast the germ of what will even-
tually manifest as a spiritual life. This takes
I n the life of the spiritual seeker, Virgo repre-
sents the beginning of awakening. The son
in gestation begins to be felt, transmitting its
for granted the human task of redeeming the
personality through the development of the
intellect, increased capacity to think and rea-
will to be born; this will finds its correspon-
son, and a gradual increase in sensitivity to the
dence in the mother who, in response, is will-
influence of the Soul or consciousness. This is

48 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

the antechamber to spiritual awakening that around a singular center, promoting a globular
will give way in turn to the birth of the Son, radiation and forming a sphere that illustrates
the revelation of the Christ principle hidden in the range attained by the entity’s conscious-
matter. ness, which in this way manifests and evolves.
This preparatory period—the first of three con- To be able to understand this concept of the
secutive and ascending periods—lasts through sphere and its meaning is fundamentally im-
multiple and sequential incarnations, through portant, limited as we are by the low grade of
which the evolving self is influenced by the understanding the concrete mind is capable of.
energies represented by the different Zodiacal For that reason we must dare to stretch the
signs and their exoteric rulers, but especially mind by attempting to sense what we might
from Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces that, to- become and approach the door toward knowl-
gether with Virgo, exercise an influence de- edge of Life, that Life that we intuit to be eter-
signed to stimulate the personality toward in- nal, inexhaustible, in constant movement and
tegration and into a state of consciousness in growth, animating all existence.
which it recognizes in itself the Christ princi-
Only within this concept of the sphere can we
ple that is immanent in all humanity.
conceive of Life and the qualities attributed to
These signs make up what esoteric astrology it by esoteric teachings: without beginning or
calls the mutable cross, a harmonized group of end, Its center existing everywhere, constantly
qualified energies that the average human be- emitting and absorbing, inexhaustible, omni-
ing requires in order to widen his knowledge present, energy held in potency in the unmani-
of himself and his capacity to know and will- fested and acting with a force in the mani-
ingly integrate his components until he attains fested, able to be simultaneously both light and
insight into the Life principle, as well as in darkness while opposing these two so that
order to develop group consciousness, which Light may be brought forth from conscious-
will allow him to integrate himself into human- ness—the development of which is the goal of
ity. Thus the ordinary individual prepares Its manifestation.
himself to become an aspirant.
It is within this concept of the sphere—whose
The form of the Cross is significant because it extent is being studied by scientists—that we
signals the two directions toward which the can begin to understand the matter-God that
evolving self ought to direct his attention: ver- Virgo proclaims, matter in which—in spite of
tically toward his ruling spiritual nucleus and occupying the lowest extreme of manifesta-
horizontally toward manifestation of that spiri- tion—the principle that created it not only
tual presence into his environment. This never dissipates but that conserves the capacity
form—in the shape of a cross representing the to become once again itself.
two original directions of the creative move-
It is from this idea that the circle in occult
ment, descent and expansion—is a synthetic
symbology represents the state before creation
way of demonstrating the globular scope of
when Supreme Energy had not yet become
this projection of consciousness, which in ad-
manifest, as well as another beautiful sym-
herence to the divine laws and the goal of exis-
bol—the serpent biting its tail—which is a
tence works to become all-embracing.
graphic demonstration of the idea that what
And so it is with all life. That is why we are emanates eventually returns to its origin and
taught that all forms in the Universe are disappears in it.
spherical, alluding without doubt to this char-
This interplay of darkness-light-darkness, of
acteristic of consciousness as a capacity to re-
emission and absorption, of diversification and
late-know-respond in the vertical sense as well
synthesis, is repeated infinitely in open circular
as in the horizontal sense, in the world of the
movements, successively and continuously, in
individual as well as in the world in which he
ascending tonic vibrations, forming a spiral in
evolves. It is the archetypal cross, where each
which each circle represents the passage of a
arm rotates harmoniously on its own plane
segment of that eternal Life with its quota of

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 49

The Esoteric Quarterly

experiences and realizations that, slowly and tion, and thus enter into the essence of things
inexorably, lead matter to undergo a series of and facts, the world of causes, where the action
stimuli that will transform and refine it into of the pure energy of Spirit can be perceived,
such a perfected state that it will eventually and we begin to register the value of the objec-
reveal the mystery it hides. tive as a representative modality of That
which, in spite of appearing denser and more
The onset of this revelatory process occurs
limited, remains always Subtle, Unlimited and
when the dynamic equilibrium between Spirit
Pure.
and matter is broken at the extreme point of
descent. The evolutionary impulse, which is
inherent to vital essence and intrinsic to all acts
of creation, shakes matter and awakens it, re-
1
orienting it toward the point of its origin. That Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Astrology. Lucis,
impulse is represented by the Son, the Soul, 1951, pp. 251-252.
2
the transmitting intermediary of spiritual po- Helena P. Blavatsky. The Secret Doctrine, I,
Stanza I. Theosophical University Press, 1888,
tential. Under Its influence the form is ren-
p. 27.
dered responsive, capable of expressing its 3
Ibid., Stanza II, p. 28.
spiritual reality, and it goes about establishing 4
Genesis1:2.
those relationships necessary in order to con- 5
Blavatsky. Secret Doctrine, I, Staza IV, p. 30.
struct the path of return. This process will cul- 6
Alice A. Bailey. A Treatise on White Magic.
minate at that higher point of dynamic equilib- Lucis, 1934, p. 9.
rium, when that which has been created returns
to its original state, bringing about absorption
or synthesis with the darkness of the unmani-
fest.
Toward the
World of Causes

T his return to a pure, primary state is the

great culminating stage in the history of
the Universe in general and in the history of
each one of the particles that form its body—
the history of the individual, the kingdoms he
leaves behind and those that he still must at-
tain.
The fact that this Energy is able to appear and
disappear, as evidenced in successive and
graduated manifestations; the fact that It is al-
ways true to Its nature; and the fact of Its ca-
pacity to evolve and gradually perfect itself –
completely provable at our level—testifies to
Its ubiquity and inexhaustibility and guarantees
our hope of Becoming. Then we come to
deeply understand one of the fundamental
teachings of the Occult Sciences: such Energy
or Life is gifted with Will, Love-Wisdom and
Active Intelligence.
Therefore let us undergo a stretching of our
ability to understand, a reaching of the mind
toward a territory beyond material manifesta-

50 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

Devas, Nature and Humanity

Donna Brown and John Nash

Summary gandharvas. The term “devic kingdom” is

often used, but “deva evolution” is preferable

T he deva evolution includes the vast range

of ethereal beings with which we share the
planet. Devas are mentioned in the world’s
because of the enormous range of conscious-
ness involved. The term also reminds us that
devas are on their own evolutionary path
scriptures as well as in some of the greatest which runs parallel to our own and occasion-
works of western literature. Recent clairvoy- ally interacts with it to achieve divine purpose
ant investigations have revealed much about in the context of our planet.
devas’ appearance and about their roles in na-
ture and the inner workings of the planet. Culture, myth and religion are based, in large
part, upon humanity’s experience of nature and
Increasing numbers of people are becoming on a sense that the natural order is alive with
aware of devic presence in the natural envi- beneficent and malevolent forces. Accounts of
ronment. Some are even making definite con- nature spirits, angels, and other ethereal beings
tact with devas of various levels of conscious- abound in numerous cultures and civilizations:
ness. Esoteric teachings affirm the reality of in aboriginal and indigenous cultures, in an-
these contacts but warn of the potential dan- cient Egypt, Greece and Persia, in Celtic my-
gers involved. The higher devas cannot be thology, and in Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and
controlled by human will but must be ap- Qabalistic traditions. Significantly, ancient
proached in a spirit of humility and selfless- cultural accounts tended to focus on devas of
ness. substantial power and influence; the existence
and role of more lowly devas may have been
Introduction so commonplace that they did not merit liter-

T he earth is believed to be inhabited not

only by mineral, plant, animal and human
life but also by beings that ordinarily are in-
ary comment.
Most of us know comparatively little about
devas, aside from the mythology of fairies and
visible to human senses. These beings are re-
the popular “angel cult” that developed several
ferred to in esoteric literature as devas. The
decades ago. However, there is a considerable
Sanskrit word deva means “shining one,” a
body of serious literature, and the present arti-
reference to the entities’ ethereal and possibly
cle draws on it to provide a glimpse into the-
illumined nature; it is also the origin of the
English word “divine.”
Devas, as the term is used here, comprise a
vast kingdom or series of kingdoms: “the en- About the Authors
tire range of those intelligences… from the Donna M. Brown is a long-time student and
lowliest of nature spirits to the mightiest of teacher of esoteric philosophy. Her background
those creative powers which aid in building includes a career in the arts and election to public
and guiding the universal processes through all office in the District of Columbia. She serves as a
the cycles of manifested existence.”1 For prac- Board Member of the School for Esoteric Studies.
tical purposes the term is assumed to include John F. Nash, Ph.D., is a long-time esoteric student,
elementals, nature spirits, fairies, angels, as author and teacher. Two of his books, Quest for the
well as the many other classes of beings that Soul and The Soul and Its Destiny, were reviewed
bear technically precise names, such as sala- in the Winter 2005 issue of the Esoteric Quarterly.
manders, seraphim, archoi, agnisuryans and His website is: www.uriel.com.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 51

role of devas in nature and their relationship to the Absolute, Unchanging Source or Founda-
the human kingdom. Studies by persons with tion was believed to lie behind the universe of
clairvoyant gifts, who can “see” devas, help differentiated and abundant Life.3 Based on
provide detailed knowledge. Complementing their observations, the priests of Pharaonic
this research are channeled teachings that tap Egypt developed an elaborate sacred science
into sources of knowledge beyond ordinary that permeated every facet of daily life. The
human comprehension. These teachings are powerful creative beings that inhabited that
believed to come from entities on higher rich metaphysical system were symbols of
planes who enjoy vantage points of observa- spiritual force as it expressed itself in the
tion that we do not share. world of nature.
Devas in Antiquity The sixth-century BCE prophet, Zoroaster
founded a religious movement that had consid-

T hroughout history, people have been

aware of the creative forces in nature and
were moved to contemplate something larger
erable influence on the three Abrahamic relig-
ions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was
based on a theology purported to have been
than themselves in the magnificence of crea- received from angels. Zoroastrian teachings
tion. Primitive people regarded mountains, also included early hints of what would evolve
forests, rivers, the sea, and the sky as inhabited into the doctrine of solar angels. In one ac-
by powerful but capricious spirits. Some spir- count, Zoroaster had a vision of a bridge of
its were potentially benign, while other could light on which stood a woman “veiled in light
bring misfortune in the form of forest fires, [and radiating] superhuman joy and pride… It
earthquakes, storms, floods, famine, pestilence, seemed to Zoroaster that he had known her
or conquest. People enacted rituals to secure forever; yet he could not name her.” She iden-
spirits’ help for their tribe or to appease spirits tified herself as Ardouizur. “Thou hast created
that might harm it. Nowadays, conditioned by me. I am more than myself; I am thine immor-
trust in impersonal “laws of nature,” we tend to tal soul… we will drink the cup of immortal
dismiss such beliefs and practices as “animis- life from the source of light!” The woman
tic” and “superstitious.” then transformed herself into the Angel of Vic-
Eastern religions abound with devas of various tory.4
degrees of power. The ancient Shinto religion The existence of intelligent forces behind our
of Japan involved the worship of kami, some visible universe was a popular topic of discus-
of which were local spirits while others were sion in classical Greece. The four “elements”
associated with natural processes like the wind of fire, air, water, and earth—which refer to
and rainbows. Hinduism assigns a deva lord, states of matter rather than chemical elements
or devaraja, to each direction of the compass. as we know them today—were first identified
In turn the deva lord presides over devas of a by the fifth-century BCE philosopher Empedo-
lower order which can be classified by color. cles. Plato (c.427–c.347), who lived roughly
Thus Vaishravana, Lord of Earth, is Regent of three generations later, characterized these
the North and presides over the yakashas elements “as the visible garb, the symbols of
whose color is gold. Dhritarsashtra, Lord of the informing, invisible Souls or Spirits.”5 The
Air, is Regent of the East and presides over the four elements continue to provide a basis for
white gandharvas. Virudhaka, Lord of Water, classifying the lower grades of devas. Plato
is Regent of the South, presides over the blue also referred to “the guardian spirit who was
kumbhandas. And Virupaksha, Lord of Fire, is allotted to [us] in life,” and who will lead us to
Regent of the West and presides over the red the underworld, whereupon “another guide”
nagas.2 will lead us back to the next incarnation.6
In Pharaonic Egypt, the diverse and pluralistic Neoplatonists Plotinus and Iamblichus (c.250–
world of spirits was regarded as the immanent 330 CE) also spoke of personal angels and re-
manifestation or expression of the Universal portedly tried to contact them by means of
Spirit or One Divine Thought. The concept of ceremonial magic.

52 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

The Bible contains more than 200 direct refer- In addition to the many direct references to
ences to angels. In Genesis we learn that the angels, it is important to note that, in many
Lord appointed cherubim with flaming swords scriptural passages, even the word “God” re-
to guard the Garden of Eden after Adam and fers to a collective group of creative beings or
Eve were banished.7 Some angels could as- builders: the Elohim.12
sume dense physical form, like the one who
The angels of scripture clearly were not all of
wrestled with Jacob,8 while others were purely
equal power or authority, and thus developed
ethereal. Angels typically are portrayed as
the notion of an angelic hierarchy. The Esse-
God’s messengers and are nameless. How-
nes, who lived communal lives in the last two
ever, archangels are referred to by name; for
or three centuries BCE, documented an angel-
instance Michael is
ology of 12 ranks.
mentioned 15 times.
They divided the an-
The Archangel Gabriel
gels into two groups:
makes four appear- We feel revitalized and en- one representing heav-
ances, the most famous couraged by nature’s verdant enly forces and the
being to Zacharias and
gifts, her strength and the other earthly forces.
Mary of Nazareth to
The former, headed by
foretell the birth of their friendliness of a surprisingly the Heavenly Father,
sons.9 He also appeared broad range of living systems. were the Angels of
to Mohammed: “[T]hou
Our appreciation also comes Eternal Life, Creative
art the apostle of God
10 Work, Peace, Power,
and I am Gabriel.” from the often unconscious Love, and Wisdom.
Later, during Moham-
med’s night journey to
knowledge that Nature is the The latter, headed by
Mother of form as well as the Earthly Mother,
Jerusalem, Gabriel took
were the Angels of
the Prophet up the sa- from the sense that she con- Earth, Life, Joy, the
cred ladder, through the
nects us to some inner part of Sun, Water, and Air.13
seven heavens. Jewish
apocryphal writings ourselves and to that which is An angelic hierarchy
was also explored by
mention the Archangels infinitely greater. In turn we the Gnostics of the
Raphael and Uriel. Ex-
plaining the weather, feel obliged to honor and pro- first–fourth centuries
CE. Two almost-
Uriel showed Enoch tect her. identical Gnostic texts
twelve doors in the
describe how the an-
heavens
drogynous “First Be-
through which the rays of the sun break gotten” set in motion a process of unending
forth: and from them is warmth diffused creation of spiritual beings:
over the earth, when they are opened at
The First Begotten… created angels without
their appointed seasons. And for the winds
number… The whole multitude of those
and the spirit of the dew when they are
angels are called “Assembly of the Holy
opened, standing open in the heavens at the
Ones, the Shadowless Lights.” Now, when
ends. As for the twelve portals in the
these greet each other, their embraces be-
heaven, at the ends of the earth, out of
come angels like themselves.14
which go forth the sun, moon, and stars,
and all the works of heaven in the east and The Judaic esoteric system of the Qabalah is
in the west.11 replete with references to divine, spiritual, ma-
terial and sub-material beings. An archangel is
Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel may be
assigned to each of the ten sephiroth, or divine
compared to the four devarajas of Hindu tradi-
emanations, on the Tree of Life. For example,
tion. Also the Christian and Islamic Satan
Michael is assigned to Tiphereth, “Beauty,”
serves a similar function to the demon Asuras
often considered to be the Christ center; Raph-
in the ancient Vedic religion.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 53

ael to Hod; Gabriel to Yesod; and Uriel to the They add that all of nature was experienced as
lowest sephirah, Malkuth, “the Kingdom.” “life confronting life, involving every faculty
The Archangel Metatron—whose anomalous of man in a reciprocal relationship.” Novelist,
Greek name betrays Neoplatonic influence—is poet and philosopher John Cowper Powys por-
assigned to the highest sephirah, Kether; “the trays nature as having a natural magic; some
Crown.” In turn, like the Hindu deva lords, Genius or “soul” expresses the living essence
each archangel oversees an order of lower an- hidden in each tree, each plant, each rock, each
gels. For example, Metatron oversees the tuft of lichen or moss.17
cherubim. Clearly the relative status assigned
Still others note that the spirits in nature
to archangels and cherubim is different than in
“haven't removed themselves from the fabric
Christianity.
of the whole by claiming a separate existence;”
Early Christianity faced the challenge of pro- rather they experience themselves as “not only
moting its vision of monotheism in the Medi- one in themselves but one with the totality.”18
terranean region, Europe, and eastern Asia
Modern people, even some esotericists, either
where people had long-standing beliefs in
dismiss the “livingness” of nature or conclude
ethereal beings and demigods. It adopted a
that they have no hope of ever experiencing it.
twofold response. Christian apologists forced
But the fact is that many of us actually share
powerful, benign entities into the mold of an-
the same experiences reported by “primitive”
gels and archangels, or sometimes canonized
cultures, artists and poets, or the more enlight-
them as saints, while casting malevolent ones
ened among us. As Cowper Powys so richly
as “demons” allied with Satan. The notion of
describes, we respect and treasure the natural
powerful demons that tempted unfortunate
world; the immense beauty and delight it pro-
Christians won wide acceptance. For example,
vides to the senses; the experience of being
several of the Desert Fathers reported being
succored and uplifted by her great vitality, va-
mocked by demons during their long years of
riety and splendor.19 We feel revitalized and
fasting, sleep deprivation, and self-mortifica-
encouraged by nature’s verdant gifts, her
tion.15 Good angels were encountered more
strength and the friendliness of a surprisingly
rarely, although they became the subject of
broad range of living systems. Our apprecia-
considerable devotion in the Middle Ages.
tion also comes from the often-unconscious
Attempts were made to dismiss less powerful
knowledge that Nature is the Mother of form
entities as the products of superstition. But in
as well as from the sense that she connects us
this effort the church was less successful. Be-
to some inner part of ourselves and to that
lief in fairies and other denizens of nature con-
which is infinitely greater. In turn we feel
tinued for centuries, and indeed survives to this
obliged to honor and protect her.
day in Ireland, Latin America, and many other
countries. Cowper Powys goes on to say that it is possi-
ble to sense a singular identity between our
Devas in Nature own being and the inner being of a certain
The Vitality of Nature plant, field, mountain or valley. It is this affin-
ity, as he and many other poets and teachers
E arly people lived in a world animated by
vibrant life. The authors of The Intellec-
tual Adventure of Ancient Man maintain that
understood, that allows us recognize some-
thing of the truth in the statement that human-
ity and the angels are expressions of the One
everything was sensed to be alive: Life. Deep reflection and communion with
[L]ife had individuality, in man and beast nature has always been encouraged as a way in
and plant, and in every phenomenon which which humanity can lose its sense of ego or
confronts him—the thunderclap, the sudden self and become one with its surroundings. To
shadow, the eerie and unknown clearing in develop such an affinity is to partake of the
the wood, the stone which suddenly hurts accord and unbroken unity that exists between
him when he stumbles while on a hunting the devas and the Divine.
trip.”16

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 Fall 2006

In reflecting further upon our response to na- Studies of Devas in Nature

ture—specifically upon the sensation of peace, Many creative thinkers, artists and poets have
balance and serenity that we experience in recognized this animate power or intelligence
natural surroundings—we might assume that in the natural world. Among them we find
this response results, in part, from the suspen- such notable figures as Leonardo da Vinci
sion of our daily routine and immersion in (1452–1519) who thought that Nature was the
beauty. But in looking deeper we discover that mistress of higher intelligences. William
the sensations roused in us might also stem Shakespeare’s (1564–1616) play The Tempest
from an intuitive awareness of devic force as it features the sylph Ariel22 and a substantial
effortlessly produces harmony, cohesion and number of fairies. A Midsummer Nights
organization out of “elemental chaos” or undif- Dream features Oberon and Titania, king and
ferentiated energy. Through our sense of the queen of the fairies. We also find Puck who
“great organizing principle in nature, we touch can make himself visible and invisible at will
an order of universal intelligence that moves in and “greatly enjoys glamorizing mortals—a
steady rhythm and alignment with the Divine characteristic familiar to students of the astral
Mind.”20 In nature’s immediate presence our and etheric regions.”23 Many of Shakespeare’s
own vibration becomes aligned with those other plays and most of his sonnets also feature
harmonizing influences. munificent or malefic spirits. In each case, we
Most people who are appreciative or sensitive get a glimpse of life that is not visible with
to nature would agree that they feel a deep ordinary physical senses.
resonance with a particular landscape. One At a time when church authorities were ever-
scholar and poet described this connection as watchful for signs of heresy, exploring the de-
both “psychical and chemical.”21 Esotericists va evolution in works of fiction had great ad-
will recognize this affinity as being a result of vantages. If challenged, authors and play-
the great Law of Attraction under which the wrights could use the defense that the entities
devic forces work, as well as a result of the they portrayed were purely mythical. Others,
Law of Correspondences which draws like to who took a more serious approach to the sub-
like. When people are drawn to springs, rivers, ject, usually took the precaution of having their
lakes or the ocean, there may be an essential work published posthumously.
similarity, both psychically and biologically,
with the liquid aspect, the sixth plane and ray, One of these was Paracelsus (1491–1541) who
the agnisuryans or animating lives of the astral wrote a treatise on elementals. He does not
plane: the water spirits and undines. The same seem to have actually observed them, but he
principle of correspondences might apply to built upon the folk traditions of the time, add-
those drawn to pastoral or forested landscapes ing his own insightful speculation. As was
(earth), mountainous regions (air), or hot, de- customary, Paracelsus divided the elementals
sert climes (fire). into four groups according to the element in
which they lived: gnomes and manikins in
In observing nature we get the clear sense of earth, nymphs and undines in water, sylphs in
an immense cooperative exchange of energy, a air, and salamanders or vulcans in fire. He
dance, consisting of vast aggregations of living envisioned elementals as ethereal but hu-
entities, both seen and unseen and possessed of manlike. They were not descended from
innate intelligence. At the same time we sense Adam but created in man’s image, as man was
that we are listening in on a grand conversation created in God’s.24 Paracelsus’ elementals
that blends life and matter together in the great worked, dressed, ate, drank and procreated.
mystery of creation. These living entities work They could also get sick and die; but because
in unison with the Plan as it is formulated by they had no souls, death meant annihilation.
the Logos, to further the evolution of all plane- However, nymphs, who were the closest of the
tary life.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 55

elementals to humanity, could marry human all their actions.30 They live, we are told, “in a
men and in the process acquire immortal souls. sphere of immediate knowledge” with joy as
Moreover, their offspring were fully human.25 their defining characteristic.31 Perhaps this
Elementals occasionally bore monsters, but helps explain the feelings of release, spontane-
fortunately they were sterile. Their purpose ity and abandonment to the moment that many
was to warn people of impending calamities; of us experience in open country, mountains or
for example, gnomes could bear giants or the seashore.32 The lightness of being that we
dwarfs, and—most interestingly—nymphs feel may stem from our intuitive sense of
could bear monks!26 devas as being free and unburdened by physi-
cal bodies or any struggle with choices. Since
Clairvoyant studies have taken the exploration
devic life is said to be a life of joy in constant
of devic lives in nature a stage further. The-
service, it is not surprising that nature should
osophist Geoffrey Hodson (1886–1983) pub-
evoke the same sense of
lished a series of
joy and altruism in us.
books reporting ob-
servations of fairies, Those with first-hand knowl- Devas can only be seen
including brownies, by people whose sen-
elves, manikins,
edge describe the devas of na- sory apparatus extends
spriggans, lepre- ture as working with playful to etheric or sentient
chauns, goblins, abandon and with full concen- levels. Even then, some
dwarfs, pixies, and effort seems to be re-
“true fairies.”27 Gob- tration and oneness in all their quired on the devas’
lins and spriggans are actions… Perhaps this helps part: “human con-
regarded in a negative explain the feelings of release, sciousness can compre-
light. For example, hend these ‘centres of
goblins play tricks, spontaneity and abandonment force’ only if they take
sometimes malicious to the moment that many of us on a specific shape
ones, on unsuspecting through which they can
human beings; they
experience in open country, be identified men-
have wit, but no sense mountains or the seashore… tally.”33 Their form
of moral responsibil- Since devic life is said to be a adapts to the situation
ity.28 Others types of they are in, and they
fairies, including life of joy in constant service, seem to have some lati-
brownies and elves, it is not surprising that nature tude in deciding how
34
are regarded more should evoke the same sense of they should be seen.
positively. “True fair- In his discussion of
ies” are described in joy and altruism in us. elementals, Rudolf
particularly fond Steiner (1861–1925)
terms: distinguishes those as-
She is decidedly fair in coloring, full of sociated with earth, whose forms have relative
laughter and happiness, very open and fear- permanency, from water, air and fire elemen-
less in expression, and is surrounded by an tals whose forms are fleeting, ever-changing,
aura of golden radiance in which the outline in continuous transformation. These latter
of her wings can be traced. There is also a “appear flashing up like lightning, like little
hint of mockery in her attitude and expres- meteors; now flashing up, now disappearing
sion, as of one who is enjoying a joke like… will-o’-the wisps.”35
against the poor mortals who are studying Devas often seem to appear in the form that the
her.29 observer expects to see them, hence their
Those with first-hand knowledge describe the glamourizing power or ability to make a per-
devas of nature as working with playful aban- suasive mental image and project it into the
don and with full concentration and oneness in mind of another. Fairies’ “clothing” may be

56 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

modeled after the human attire of a particular also the roots deep down into the earth. The
period, typically of several centuries ago, or of weaving of a power web by the faun seems
a particular geographical region or culture.36 to precede the growth of branches and roots.
As Paracelsus noted, fairies seem to mimic The faun in able to manage this leading role
human beings in their appearance or behavior. because he possesses not only this energy
As reported in a more modern study, a deva body but also a relatively autonomous intel-
described their ephemeral nature as follows: ligence.40
We work in the formless worlds and are not Pogačnik concluded that fauns live in a symbi-
bound or rigid in form as you are. We travel otic, one-to-one relationship with trees. Per-
from realm to realm and are given wings to haps we can compare it to the relationship be-
denote this movement. As we travel, our tween the solar angel and its human charge,
form changes, taking the qualities of differ- although in the latter case the angel’s role is
ent realms. Therefore you cannot pin us more self-sacrificial.41 Moreover, Pogačnik
down to any one form. We deal directly makes the point that, in the vegetable kingdom,
with energy and that energy shapes us, is the devic entity is the “embodiment” of the
part of us, is us, until we breathe it out to consciousness of a plant or tree, whereas, in
where it is needed. We are limitless, free, the animal and human kingdoms, the entity
and insubstantial.37 “partially withdraws” to allow the conscious-
Devas’ Work in Nature ness of its charge to develop independence.42
This is particularly necessary in the higher
Nature spirits are suspicious of people but nev- animals that are moving toward individualiza-
ertheless work for the benefit of humankind.
tion. Human beings, of course, are already
Under certain conditions they may cooperate
individualized.
with human beings to bring about enhance-
ments of the “natural order.” The African- Higher up on the scale of consciousness are the
American botanist George Washington Carver devas of lakes, mountains, and other major
(c.1864–1943), whose work on improving geological features. Geoffrey Hodson estab-
vegetable strains is widely recognized, claimed lished contact with some very large devas that
that he had regular conversations with nature ensoul whole mountain ranges. He describes
spirits. More recently, at the Findhorn Com- one associated with the Sierra Nevada Moun-
munity in Scotland, devas reportedly cooper- tains:
ated to make vegetables and flowers grow on The great sphere of his outer aura gleams
semi-barren soil and, initially at least, to grow white as sunlit snow-fields across which he
to unusually large sizes.38 The experiments at moves majestically. Within the white radi-
Findhorn echoed the work of the Essenes, who ance, and partially veiled by it, shine the
are believed to have cultivated the Palestinian deep greens of the cypress trees, and within
desert by similar means 2,000 years ago. these again the golded glory of the noonday
Some types of devas seem to be assigned to sun. Then glows a rosy light of softest hue,
“look after” certain aspect of nature: helping next azure blue, and last, all white and radi-
plants to grow, controlling streams and water- ant, the Godlike form. The face is moulded
falls, or regulating winds and storms. Tiny in strength, square-jawed and powerful.43
etheric forms help seeds to germinate. After The devic hierarchy forms a vast cooperative
they have done their work, successive teams of system in which lower devas’ work is super-
larger devas take over to bring the plant to ma- vised by higher devas. For example, Marko
turity.39 Slovenian clairvoyant investigator Pogačnik depicts the growth of an oak tree as
Marko Pogačnik observed “fauns” assisting in the result of cooperation over four distinct lev-
the growth of trees: els corresponding to what he calls the physical
I see the faun in a healthy tree as a spiraling body, consciousness, the soul, and spirit. An
energy which encircles the branches and “angel of the oak archetype” at the level of

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 57

 Table 1. Marko Pogačnik’s Elemental Hierarchy
Level of Element
Attainment Earth Air Water Fire

4th level Muses

3rd level Pan Master deva Nymph queen Spirits of light
Deva of place Landscape
Ritual deva nymph
2nd level Wise old sage Fairies of place Nymphs Spirits of maturity
Loving old crone Plant deva Well nymph & transformation
Woodland fairy Pasture nymph
1st level Fauns Sylphs Nixies Spirits of the
Elementals of Fairies Undines center of the
animals & Watermen earth
humans Spirits of balance

spirit directs the work of the “oak deva” at the expressions of that overall consciousness car-
soul level, that is assisted by the “female deva ing for a particular ambience or space. How-
master” and the “fairies of place.” In turn, at ever, to clarify, we must point out that the
the level of consciousness, the oak deva super- higher devas are believed to be individualized.
vises the work of a “faun,” assisted by the god
Pan and a “cyclical appearance of elementals.”
Devas in Healing and Growth
Finally, the faun directs the tree’s “vital- Devic forces, in their various grades, “pass on
energetic structure” that draws upon biological Life” and function as the positive animating
processes to produce the oak in question.44 lives within all matter.46 They are the builders
The devic hierarchy can be viewed as the suc- of form and transmitters of prana, the all per-
cession of ranks through which groups of vading, vital power in the universe. “All
devas—or at the higher levels, presumably growth and change takes place through the life
individual devas—can advance in conscious- and working of the deva kingdom.”47
ness. This hierarchy, as depicted by Pogačnik, Geoffrey Hodson and others have made clair-
is shown in Table 1. voyant studies of the female human body dur-
In a later work Marko Pogačnik concludes that ing pregnancy. Hodson explains:
devas are expressions of the “overall planetary The building Angels… concern them-
consciousness”: selves… with the construction and ex-
tremely delicate adjustment of the mecha-
This consciousness concerns itself with the
maintenance and further development of nism of consciousness. This consists physi-
every little flower, every single beast or per- cally of the body itself, the cerebro-spinal
system with the seven nerve and glandular
son, every mountain and every landscape on
centers.48
the surface of the earth. To carry out this
almost unmanageable number of tasks, the Devas also repair damaged forms, and therein
overall consciousness of earth is individual- lies their potential in healing. Edgar Cayce
ized through a great variety of cells of con- commented in one of his readings:
sciousness, which we describe as elemental The guardian angel—that is the companion
beings or nature spirits.45 of each soul as it enters into a material ex-
He adds that the elementals and nature spirits perience—is ever an influence for the keep-
are not “individual beings,” like people, but are ing of that attunement between the creative

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 Fall 2006

energies or forces of the soul-entity and which are more developed than Humans.”52
health, life, light and immortality. Thus, to Celestial and Ecclesiastical Hierarchies, long
be sure, it is a portion of that influence for attributed to Dionysius the Aeropagite men-
healing forces.49 tioned in the Acts of the Apostles, is now be-
Such healing and restorative influences under- lieved to have been written by an anonymous
lie the practices of Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Hatha Neoplatonist scholar, living no earlier than the
Yoga, Reiki, flower-essence therapy, home- fourth century. Whoever wrote it, the text had
opathy, gemstone and color therapies, and profound influence on later Christian theology,
therapeutic visits to the country. They also art and literature.
underlie the Vedic system of healing which is The same hierarchical structure found its way
based in its entirety on the laws of nature gov- into modern esoteric teachings. The ranks of
erning creation. As human receptivity in- entities either “belong to or are the creative
creases, devas may reveal more effective hierarchies”53 referred to by esoteric writers.
therapies for the healing of disease, perhaps on Rudolf Steiner cited Dionysius in his discus-
a scale as yet generally unknown. However, sion of the higher devas.54 Of the nine ranks,
this instruction will only be revealed when Charles Leadbeater (1854–1934) claimed that
enough members of the human family can co- “seven correspond to the great Rays of which
operate consciously with healing devas. And, the solar system is composed, and two may be
in order to do that, they must understand that called cosmic.”55 The two cosmic ranks pre-
there are living forces in nature, and they must sumably are the seraphim and cherubim.
acquire a certain measure of selflessness and
love toward one another and the subhuman Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) included a vast
kingdoms. Hierarchy of angels in his Divine Comedy.
The great intellectual luminary Isaac Newton
The Higher Devas (1642-1727), who is known to have had Qa-
balistic and alchemical interests, detailed his
T he devas, identified by Geoffrey Hodson
and Marko Pogačnik, that preside over
large geographic features would certainly
contacts with devic or angelic forces. Some of
his greatest scientific discoveries are believed
to have been based on the dialogues he estab-
compare in stature and power with those on the
lished with the angels that preside over planets
Christian angelic hierarchy.
and stars.56 In Paradise Lost, John Milton
Angels were accepted into the Christian con- (1608–1674) mentions “Th' Arch-Angel Uriel,
sciousness, and angelology became an impor- one of the seav'n, Who in Gods presence, neer-
tant component of western religious teachings. est to his Throne... Regent of the Sun.” Franz
A passage in the New Testament affirms that Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) incorporated Mil-
God created “all things… that are in heaven, ton’s vision into his oratorio The Creation.
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, Haydn’s Uriel announces the words from
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or Genesis: “And God saw the light, that it was
principalities, or powers.”50 good... And God said, Let there be light in the
This passage probably lay behind the early firmament of heaven, to divide the day from
Christian text: Celestial and Ecclesiastical the night, and to give light upon the earth... He
Hierarchies. The text identified nine ranks, made the stars also.”
or“choirs,” of angelic beings: angels, archan- Swedish engineer and mystic Emanuel Swe-
gels, virtues or archoi, powers or exustiai, denborg (1688-1772) claimed to be in close
principalities, dominions or kyriotetes, thrones, contact with spirits. In 1749 he wrote:
seraphim, and cherubim.51 This formulation,
which recalls Zoroaster’s three ranks or triads Twice or three times I was translated into
of angels, provided the basis of standard Chris- the state that spirits occupy, in such a way
tian angelology. The author proclaimed that that I was a spirit among spirits and released
“space is filled not only with matter, but with from the earthly body. I was with the spir-
realm upon realm of spiritual beings,” some of its, talking to them, looking at them, and

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 59

The Esoteric Quarterly

finding out what distinguishes their life from guardian spirit.64 “Holy guardian angel,”
that of men.57 coined by the medieval Qabalist Abraham the
Jew,65 became the preferred term in the west-
Not all of Swedenborg’s spirits were benevo-
ern esoteric tradition, although “guardian
lent; he cited contact with evil spirits. How-
spirit” and “genius” are also used. The equiva-
ever he wrote extensively about the benevolent
lent in eastern literature is manasaputra (liter-
ones, the angels. Interestingly, he emphasized
ally “son of mind”) or solar angel.
their tendency to live in the present. Although
the angels have memory of the past and intui- Much has been written about the solar angel
tion about what is to come: “They say that the assigned to each human entity.66 According to
Lord gives them every moment what to think, esoteric writer Alice Bailey (1880–1949), the
and this with blessedness and happiness, and solar angel has overshadowed the lower human
that thus they are without cares and anxie- nature for an extended period of time:
ties.”58 The Buddha would certainly approve. The great solar Angel, Who embodies the
Swedenborg’s spiritual writing influenced real man and is his expression on the plane
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Johann Wolfgang von of higher mind, is literally his divine ances-
Goethe, Henry James Sr., Fyodor Dostoevsky, tor, the “Watcher” Who, through long cycles
William Blake, and many others.59 Blake of incarnation, has poured Himself out in
(1757–1827) claimed an intimate relationship sacrifice in order that man might BE.67
with angels. The descriptions and images of The angel serves as a surrogate soul, during
spirits that populate his work were all derived countless incarnations, until the individual’s
from his innate ability to see the divine in and human soul reaches spiritual maturity; then it
beyond ordinary experience. Art and poetry departs to pursue its own evolution.68 Rarely
were regarded by Blake as aspects of a unified is the name of someone’s solar angel dis-
spiritual endeavor which could help humanity closed; however Edgar Cayce identified the
overcome the limitations of the senses. An- angel assigned to one querent:
other poet with an “almost preternatural
There are ever, for every soul, those that
awareness of the forces within nature, the
may be termed the guides or guardian angels
otherness of the natural world, and the para-
that stand before the throne of grace and
doxical links between human sensibility and
mercy. The guardian angel for this entity
naturalistic sensations”60 was John Keats
(as may be termed) is that one, Aruel, who
(1795–1821). Keats, who was able to “tempo-
stood with Marcellus at the Cross.69
rarily shed his personality and consciously
identify with his subjects,”61 described his po- Cayce also spoke of the several roles that the
etry as an effort to give the deep feeling that angel can play: it is “the angel of hope, the
life as we know it is somehow both angelic and angel of announcing, the angel of declaiming,
human. “He recognized this ability for self- the angel that would warn, the angel that
annihilation or “negative capacity” as he would protect.”70
termed it, as a central quality of Shakespeare’s
Angels in Music and Sacred Ritual
genius and cultivated it as the governing idea
of his own artistic vision.”62 Scripture records that the birth of Jesus was
celebrated by “a multitude of the heavenly host
Solar Angels praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the
The Czech education reformer Jan Comenius highest, and on earth peace, good will toward
(1592–1670) spoke of “an angel… given to men.”71 From an early date theses words were
him by God and ordained to be his guardian.”63 captured by the Gloria, the great song of praise
He was no doubt familiar with references to incorporated into the Mass. Hildegard of Bin-
the angel in the allegorical Chymical Wedding gen (1098–1179) commented that the angels
of Christian Rosencreuz which was published laud in a wonderful harmony the mysteries
seven years earlier. The Rosicrucian angel that have always been with God… The an-
seemed to perform the same role as Plato’s gels can never stop praising God… They

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 Fall 2006

bear witness to the Godhead through the liv- Devic presences no doubt interact with the
ing resonance of their splendid voices, thoughtforms generated by the music itself and
which are more numerous than the sands of by the intentions of composers and performers.
the sea.72 Sample thoughtforms recorded by clairvoyants
when inspiring music is played, are broadly
She added that “their voices have a richer har-
similar in appearance to angelic beings, except
mony than all the sounds living creatures have
for the anthropomorphic features typically seen
ever produced.”
in the latter.77 Geoffrey Hodson comments:
Powerful devic presences have often been The composer’s idea and the superphysical
sensed in performances of great music, particu- effects of the music meet to produce an
larly sacred music. Geoffrey Hodson de- original form into which a measure of his
scribed the appearance of devas at perform- egoic life and consciousness is incarnated as
ances of several well-known classical compo- an ensouling principle, creating a relatively
sitions, including the plainchant Agnus Dei, the permanent entity. Thus, wherever and
traditional melody Greensleeves, the Trumpet whenever a composition is performed, an in-
Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke (1674–1707), stant rapport with the… composer’s form—
Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685–1750) Prelude and therefore with his life and conscious-
in C Sharp Minor, Franz Schubert’s (1797– ness—is established.78
1828) Ave Maria, and the Pie Jesu from
Gabriel Fauré’s (1845–1924) Requiem.73 He The Master Kuthumi, the future World
describes the scene at a performance of the Ave Teacher and reportedly an accomplished or-
Maria thus: ganist, is said to use his music to communicate
with the gandharvas.79 The gandharvas, al-
One beautiful angel, chiefly blue but with
ready mentioned in another context, are the
the colors of the song… hovers in the
devas of music, or “Sweet Songsters,” of
air…the whole aura waving with the rhythm
Hindu tradition.
of the music. A brilliant five-pointed star
shines above the forehead of the Deva who According to Alice Bailey, the Master Serapis,
is blessing the singer and, through her, the the “Egyptian Master,” works with the devic
listeners.74 kingdom in support of the fine arts:
Musician and Theosophist Cyril Scott (1879– He is the Master upon the fourth ray, and the
1970) suggested that since most people are great art movements of the world, the evolu-
unable to perceive devic presence directly, tion of music, and that of painting and
composers are inspired to convey devas’ vivid drama, receive from Him an energising im-
life and movement through music.75 His inves- pulse. At present He is giving most of His
tigations cited Norwegian composer Edward time and attention to the work of the deva,
Grieg (1843–1907) as an intermediary between or angel evolution, until their agency helps
the spirits of nature and humanity. The En- to make possible the great revelation in the
trance of the Little Fauns, a startling and un- world of music and painting which lies im-
controlled piece, is said to typify gnomes and mediately ahead.80
earth elementals in the raw.76 Scott also Not surprisingly, devic presence is strong in
pointed to Prometheus, by the Russian com- religious services, particularly those that in-
poser Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915), as “the volve elaborate ritual. Bailey commented:
greatest exponent of Deva-Music that so far
The activity of the astral plane is being
has been born.” Claude Debussy’s (1862–
much intensified and the angels of devotion,
1918) La Mer, Ralph Vaughn Williams’
in whom the aspect of divine love is pre-
(1872–1958) The Lark Ascending, and Aaron
eminent, work with the astral bodies of all
Copland’s (1900–1990) Appalachian Spring
those who are ready to strengthen and redi-
are just a few other compositions that seem to
rect their spiritual aspiration and desire.
convey the energy and motion of the devas in a
They are the angels who guard the sanctuar-
powerful way.

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ies of all the churches, cathedrals, temples Children will frequently be born who will
and mosques of the world.81 see etherically as easily as the average hu-
man being sees physically; as conditions of
Marko Pogačnik reported seeing an angel and
harmony gradually evolve out of the present
a figure resembling Christ over the altar at a
world chaos, devas and human beings will
chapel in Venice.82 Charles Leadbeater, The-
meet as friends.87
osophist and bishop in the Liberal Catholic
Church, described the participation of angelic Encounters are already being reported more
beings in the Mass, the most important being frequently. And they are usually described in
the Angel of the Eucharist.83 The angel works the most positive terms, enhancing the con-
with the love and devotion of the participants sciousness of those singled out for the experi-
to build a vibrant thoughtform encompassing ence. Playfulness, joy, beauty, and love are
the sanctuary. Music adds to its intensity: just some of the descriptive terms used.
“bringing into play an entirely new set of
On the other hand, these new abilities must be
forces, another side of Nature, and associating
handled with caution. Bailey continues:
with us in our work a host of great Music-
Angels.”84 The temptation to force the issue, to prolong
meditation, to try out certain methods that
Increasing Contact promise intensification of psychic faculty is
with Devas too strong. They unwarily force matters and
dire disaster results… In meditation it is lit-

A t one time, when our etheric and sentient

faculties were stronger, most people were
able to “see” nature spirits, angels, and other
erally possible to play with fire. The devas
of the mental levels manipulate the latent
fires of the system and thus incidentally the
devic entities. But, as we moved from that latent fires of the inner man. It is woefully
stage of primitive innocence, humanity gradu- possible to be the plaything of their endeav-
ally lost that lower psychism, and we entered a our and to perish at their hands. A truth I
period of temporary blindness in which devas speak here; I give not voice to the interesting
became invisible. The temporary blindness chimeras of a fanciful brain. Beware of
was deliberately orchestrated by the Planetary playing with fire.88
Hierarchy to allow humanity to focus on its
mental development. It may also have been Generations of shamans and ceremonial magi-
orchestrated for our own safety. Nevertheless cians have attempted to evoke and control ele-
angels did appear under certain circumstances. mentals to demonstrate their own power and to
Hildegard of Bingen acknowledged that the impress other people. Case histories reveal
“great band of angels” is only rarely seen. But numerous examples in which ritual magic got
she also noted that “other angels, who are in dangerously out of hand;89 still worse situa-
contact with human beings, show themselves tions were probably never reported. Angels
to us under certain forms in accordance with and other high devas cannot be controlled by
God’s will.”85 human will. Contacts are entirely voluntary on
their part.
Now, as is indicated by the clairvoyant studies
mentioned earlier, awareness of devic lives of Devas have always been of service to human-
all kinds seems to be increasing. Alice Bailey ity, and we are told that the human and devic
tells us that through meditation and ritual, peo- kingdoms will merge in the seventh round.
ple are becoming “more sensitive to the sights Even in the relatively near future, as human
and sounds of the inner planes… They see consciousness further expands, some of the
devas… they catch a sound or a voice that tells restrictions on contact with the higher devas
them truths that they recognise as true.”86 As will be relaxed: “The deva and human evolu-
we move into the Aquarian Age, and the sev- tion will, during the next five hundred years,
enth ray of Ceremonial Order comes into become somewhat more conscious of each
manifestation, such enhanced sensation can be other, and be able therefore more freely to co-
expected to become more common: operate.” 90 An important requirement for safe

62 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

interaction with devas is inner purity. Again to As we reflect upon the relationship between
quote Alice Bailey: the deva evolution and humanity we come to
Therefore is the emphasis laid by all wise understand that the outward activity and
Teachers everywhere on the Path of Purifi- beauty of nature and its role in sustaining life
cation, which must precede the Path of Illu- on our planet are only some of the factors lying
mination. They lay the emphasis on the behind the deep resonance and reverence that
building in of spiritual faculty before psy- nature evokes. In the past we may have only
chic faculty can be safely permitted; they dimly or habitually responded to outer appear-
demand service to the race every day ance with its abundance of color, fragrance and
throughout the scope of life before a man form. But increased sensitivity and conscious
may be permitted to manipulate the forces of communion can help us understand our age-
nature, to dominate the elementals, to co- old impressions and appreciate the vitality or
operate with the devas, and to learn the life in nature and in ourselves.
forms and ceremonies, the mantrams and the Natural knowing and deep affinity with the
key-words, that will bring those forces earth helps us recognize that the Divine is a
within the circle of living and dynamic
manifestation..91 presence within na-
With regard to purity, ture and that humans
There is growing curiosity and the world of na-
Bailey tells us that “only
those of pure life and about the deva evolution and a ture are not separate
unselfish motive can suc- desire to open up more direct and distinct creations.
cessfully reach the deva In addition to sharing
lines of communication. Many a composite body
evolution, whereas in
connection with the ele- of us yearn for greater under- with the devas, we
mentary lives it works standing and more detailed are meant to assist
92
the other way.” “Ele- one another in satis-
mentary lives” are the
knowledge of devas… Cer- fying the purpose of
lowest ranks of devas, tainly it would seem that the natural law and hu-
the least evolved. Her man evolution. As
human and deva lifestreams correct relationship
warning should be taken
seriously. are drawing closer together. increases, members
But to force the process could of the human family
Final Thoughts be both dangerous and irre- will evolve into con-
scious co-creators or
A creative intelligence
transcends, inter-
penetrates and underlies
sponsible. We cannot study
devas like bacteria under a
potent receiving and
transmitting centers
for these subtle life
the purely physical quali- microscope. forces. In this way
ties of what we see humanity can fulfill
around us. Countless its pre-ordained pur-
individuals, from the most primitive to the pose to “act as the Divine Messenger to the
most sophisticated, have witnessed or sensed world of form.”93 Not only will we develop
the “magic” in nature. Nature may provide the greater respect for the earth and understand the
first numinous experience of the universe or urgency of protecting the environment from
perhaps the first experience of God. This was chemical or biological contamination. We may
certainly true for early humanity; it remains be able to think and will the devas into con-
true for indigenous cultures; and it extends to structive action—to produce new sources of
significant numbers of people in post-modern food, protect and heal the earth, and create a
industrialized societies who are trying to rise profusion of new forms of the highest expres-
above the materialism and mechanization of sion.
our age.

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Devas play other major roles in the life of the

planet. We understand that cooperation rou- 1
Joy Mills. Foreword to Geoffrey Hodson.
tinely exists between senior members of the Clairvoyant Investigations. Theosophical Pub-
Hierarchy and their senior devic counterparts, lishing House, 1984, p. x.
and some of the masters serve as intermediar- 2
Ibid., p. 193.
3
ies between the kingdoms. Even though our Geoffrey Hodson. The Kingdom of the Gods.
own awareness is currently limited, devic pres- Theosophical Publishing House, 1952, p. ix.
4
ence can be sensed in spiritual rituals, in pres- Edouard Schuré. From Sphinx to Christ.
entations of inspired music and art, and in both Steiner Books, 1970, pp. 141-142.
5
conventional and complementary healing mo- “The Secret Doctrine in Pythagorean and Pla-
tonic Teachings.” Theosophy, Vol. 64, No. 6,
dalities. We should not ignore the possibility
1976, pp. 166-173.
of devic influence in other aspects of human 6
Plato. Phaedo, 107 d-e. (Transl: G. M. A.
endeavor, including education, business and Grube.) Plato’s Five Dialogues. Hackett,
technology. 1981, pp. 146-7.
7
There is growing curiosity about the deva evo- Genesis 3:24.
8
Genesis 32:24.
lution and a desire to open up more direct lines 9
Luke 1:19,26.
of communication. Many of us yearn for 10
Karen Armstrong. A History of God. Ballen-
greater understanding and more detailed tine, 1993, p. 138.
knowledge of devas, knowledge that can be 11
1 Enoch, Book III, 75:4-7. (Transl: R. H.
documented, examined and communicated in Charles.) Northwest Nazarene College, 1906.
12
intellectual terms. Certainly it would seem that These passages, attributed appropriately to the
the human and deva lifestreams are drawing Elohist source, contrasting with others where
closer together. But to force the process could the divine is referred to as Yahweh.
13
be both dangerous and irresponsible. We can- Edward B. Szekeley. From Enoch to the Dead
not study devas like bacteria under a micro- Sea Scrolls. Costa Rica: International Biogenic
Society, 1981, p. 26.
scope. They are living, conscious beings, 14
Eugnostos the Blessed. III, 81; The Sophia of
some of whom have power over the very forms Jesus Christ, III, 104-105. James M. Robinson
of our existence. We must consider the possi- (ed.). Nag Hammadi Library, Revised Edition.
bly adverse effects not only on the devas we Harper-San Francisco, 1988, pp. 231-232. See
seek to contact but also on ourselves. also: Marvin Meyer. “Judas and the Gnostic
Connection. “ The Gospel of Judas. National
The devic and human evolutions have coex-
Geographic, 2006, pp. 137-169.
isted during the entire history of the planet, and 15
See for example: Williston Walker. A History
each has important responsibilities, delegated of the Christian Church. Revised edition.
from the highest levels of planetary life. The Charles Scribner, 1959, p. 125.
possibility of increased, conscious cooperation 16
Henri & George Frankfort, John Wilson &
in discharging these responsibilities is exciting Thorkild Jacobsen. The Intellectual Adventures
and evocative. Without provoking premature of Ancient Man. Penguin Books, 1949.
17
contact, we can begin to prepare ourselves for John Cowper Powys. The Meaning of Culture.
eventual collaboration with the devas in im- W.W. Norton, 1929, p. 163.
18
plementing the divine plan. Preparation will Eckhard Tolle. Stillness Speaks. New World
Library and Namaste Publishing, 2003, p. 75.
include learning more about the devic kingdom 19
Powys. The Meaning of Culture, pp. 147-185.
and its work. It will also include responsibility 20
Dorothy Mclean. To Hear the Angels Sing,
in thought, since devic force is the “active Lindisfame Press, 1990, p. 73.
agent” between human thought and physical 21
Powys. The Meaning of Culture, p, 163.
plane consequences. Special emphasis must 22
The name “Ariel” has obvious connections with
also be placed inner purity, detachment, dis- Auriel, the Hebrew form of Uriel.
23
cernment and selflessness as the means for Southern Centre of Theosophy. Devas and
establishing right relationship with the forces Men. Theosophical Publishing House, 1977, p
in nature and the whole of creation. 7-8.
24
Paracelsus. A Book on Nymphs, Gnomes, Gi-
ants, Dwarves, Incubi and Succubae, Stars and

64 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

53
Signs., published sometime after 1541. Henry Phillip Lindsay. The Hidden History of Human-
E. Sigerist (ed.). Paracelcus: Four Treatises. ity, Apollo Publishing, 2005, p.248.
54
Johns Hopkins University Press, 1941, p. 229. Rudolf Steiner. Lecture, Düsseldorf, Germany,
25
Ibid., pp. 238-239. April 12, 1909. The Spiritual Hierarchies and
26
Ibid., p. 243. the Physical World. Anthroposophic Press,
27
Geoffrey Hodson. Fairies at Work and at Play. 1996, pp. 23-37.
55
Theosophical Publishing House, 1925, pp. 25- Charles W. Leadbeater. The Science of the Sac-
57 and 74-82. raments. Theosophical Publishing House,
28
Rudolf Steiner. The Influence of Spiritual Be- 1920, p. 149.
56
ings Upon Man. Anthroposophic Press, 1909, Betty. J. Dobbs. The Foundation of Newton’s
p. 128. Alchemy. Cambridge University Press, 1975.
29 57
Hodson. Fairies at Work and at Play, p. 74. Ernst Benz. Emanuel Swedenborg: Visionary
30
Mclean. To Hear the Angels Sing, p. 29.. Savant in the Age of Reason. (Transl: N. Good-
31
Ibid., p. 74. rick-Clarke.) Swedenborg Foundation, 2002, p.
32
Powys. The Meaning of Culture, p. 176 290.
33 58
Marko Pogačnik. Nature Spirits and Elemental Emanuel Swedenborg. Arcana Caelestia.
Beings. Findhorn Press, 1995, p. 10. Quoted in Michael Stanley (ed.). Emanuel
34
Hilarion. Other Kingdoms. Marcus Books, Swedenborg. North Atlantic Books, 2003, pp.
1981, p. 93. 105-106.
35 59
Rudolf Steiner. Spiritual Beings in the Heav- Désirée Hirst. Hidden Riches: Traditional
enly Bodies & in the Kingdoms of Nature. An- Symbolism from the Renaissance to Blake. Eyre
throposophic Press, 1912, pp. 33-34. & Spottiswoode, 1964.
36 60
Hodson. The Kingdom of the Gods, pp. 98-103. “A Romantic Natural History.” The Poetry of
37
Findhorn Community. The Findhorn Garden. John Keats.
Harper & Row, 1968), p. 59. www.dickinson.edu/~nicholsa/Romnat/keats.
38 61
Paul Hawken. The Magic of Findhorn. Bantam From a review by Dana Gioia of “Keats.”
Books, 1976, pp. 171-197. www.danagioa.net.
39 62
Hodson. Fairies at Work and at Play, pp. 18- Source: www.danagioia.net.
63
19. Comenius. Labyrinth of the World. 1623, pp.
40
Pogačnik. Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings, 321-2. Quoted in: Frances Yates. The Rosicru-
p. 35. cian Enlightenment. Routledge, 1972, p. 217.
41 64
John Nash. The Soul and Its Destiny. Au- The Chymical Wedding, 1616, usually attributed
thorhouse, 2004, pp. 184ff. to Johann Valentin Andreae, is considered one
42
Pogačnik. Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings, of the Rosicrucian Manifestos.
65
pp. 202-204. Abraham the Jew. The Book of the Sacred
43
Hodson. The Kingdom of the Gods, pp. 60-61. Magic of Abra-Melin, 1458. (Trans.: S. L.
44
Pogačnik. Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings, MacGregor Mathers.) Kessinger.
66
p. 150-153. See for example: Torkum Saraydarian. The
45
Marko Pogačnik. Christ Power and the Earth Solar Angel. Saraydarian Institute, 1990. Also:
Goddess. Findhorn Press, 1999, p. 18. John Nash. “The Solar Angel.” The Beacon,
46
Mclean. To Hear the Angels Sing, p. 80. March/April 2001, pp. 7-14.
47 67
Theosophist, Vol. 58, p. 47 Alice A. Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar.
48
Geoffrey Hodson. The Miracle of Birth. The- Lucis Publishing Company, 1922, p. 115. Em-
osophical Publishing House, 1981, pp. 84-88. phasis in the original.
68
See also: Alex Grey. Sacred Mirrors. Inner See for example: John Nash. The Soul and Its
Traditions, 1990, p. 78. Destiny. Authorhouse, 2004, pp. 191-192.
49 69
Edgar Cayce. Reading no. 1646-1 M 58. Asso- Edgar Cayce. Reading no. 405-1 F 11. Asso-
ciation for Research & Enlightenment, 1938. ciation for Research & Enlightenment, 1933.
70
Emphasis removed. Edgar Cayce. Reading no. 2533-7 M 38. Asso-
50
Colossians 1:16. ciation for Research & Enlightenment, 1943.
51
Pseudo-Dionysius. Celestial and Ecclesiastical Emphasis in original.
71
Hierarchies, II: 5-7. Luke 2:13-14.
52 72
Peter Tompkins. The Secret Life of Nature, Hildegard of Bingen. Book of Divine Works,
Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 135. Vision 6:4. (Transl: Matthew Fox.) Bear &
Company, 1987, p. 181.

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73
Hodson. Clairvoyant Investigations, pp. 78-
140.
74
Ibid., pp. 81-82.
75
Cyril Scott. Music: Its Secret Influence
throughout the Ages. Samuel Weiser Inc.,
1958, part III.
76
H. K. Challoner. The Path of Healing. London:
Theosophical Publishing House, Printers Chau-
cer Press, 1972. .
77
See for example: Annie W. Besant & Charles
W. Leadbeater. Thought Forms. Theosophical
Publishing House, 1901.
78
Geoffrey Hodson. Music Forms. Theosophical
Publishing House, 1976, pp. 18-19.
79
Charles W. Leadbeater. The Masters and the
Path. Theosophical Publishing House, 1925, p.
34.
80
Bailey. Initiation, Human and Solar, p. 60.
81
Alice A. Bailey. The Externalization of the
Hierarchy. Lucis, 1957.
82
Pogačnik. Christ Power and the Earth God-
dess, p. 14-17.
83
Leadbeater. The Science of the Sacraments,
especially pp. 150ff.
84
Ibid,, p. 69.
85
Hildegard of Bingen. Book of Divine Works,
Vision 6:4. (Transl: Matthew Fox.) Bear &
Company, 1987, p. 182.
86
Alice A. Bailey. Letters on Occult Meditation.
Lucis, 1922, pp. 129-30.
87
Alice A. Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire.
Lucis, 1925, pp. 911-912.
88
Bailey. Letters on Occult Meditation, pp. 129-
30.
89
Éliphas Lévi. The History of Magic. Weiser,
1913.
90
Ibid., pp. 182-3.
91
Ibid., pp. 128-30.
92
Ibid.. Lucis, 1922, p. 178.
93
Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Astrology. Lucis,
1951, p. 200.

66 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

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Symbolism and the path

“A Subjective Worker”

Abstract We move from a condition of duality to one of

identification, to recognition of the presence

A symbol is a visual or textual expression of

an idea or thought, a bridge between the
world of concrete form and the abstract plane
and radiation of our pure source within.
Symbols depict a correspondence between
or the direct experience of the Mind of God. planes of substance and allow for a transfer of
In working with symbols or by visualizing a perception from one level to another one.
specific image, a resonance can be established Thus the ink on this page—or the pixel on the
between the image and the reality for which it screen—evokes a meaning in the concrete
stands. This article seeks to show how sym- mind. Most words and icons evoke an impres-
bols are evolving in relationship to seekers’ sion in the mind, yet some stimulate an echo in
level of consciousness. higher levels, such as Life, if the individual has
already registered a movement in perception
corresponding to Life. More generally the use-
Visualization and fulness of a teaching or a symbol is to re-
Symbolism awaken or to remind us of past experiences
and awareness. Thus the symbol or teaching
O ne awakened dream for receiving inspira-
tion is to visualize oneself in a meadow
near a stream. We walk uphill following a nar-
expands and strengthens the dim insights of the
student.
row path beside the stream. Soon we find our- An example of the transfer of perception from
selves in a thick, dimly lit forest. The forest one level to another can be seen in the branch
gives way to a barren highland, then to a of theoretical physics called String Theory.
rocky, snow-covered summit. On the top of This theory postulates that things or particles
the mountain, a hermit is waiting. We ask him are not points but vibrating relations such as
or her a single question. The hermit answers tiny threads or strings. Such symbolism helps
and offers us a single gift. After bowing and us to understand that forms are linked to the
giving thanks, we slowly descend, down to the inner core or subjective life through a sensitive
highland, into the meadow and then into our interaction or vibration into logical pattern.
own home. The symbolism here is clear; the This subjective life is pulsating from the inner
stream signifies the thin thread of conscious- core of identity into outer expression and back
ness, the forest an area of illusions, and the again to its source or inner core. The human
hermit our higher Self or spiritual awareness. being develops or proceeds in much the same
way. Humans begin as a pure divine spark that
Martin Muller takes this exercise further in his projects itself into the lower planes, where it
book Prelude to the New Man.1 After reaching appropriates sheaths of denser and denser mat-
the summit of the mountain we ascend higher ter in order to do objective work. Eventually
on a beam of light. As we move forward, our the spark begins to shed these sheath or skins
body becomes lighter and lighter. Weightless in order to return again to inner levels and its
now, we move closer toward the sun, and then pure source.
turning around—this is a definite step—we
become the sun. The step of progressing “to- One of these inner levels is pure consciousness
ward the sun” to “become the sun” is decisive. which various mystics, traditions and esoteric
philosophies call the Soul. The Soul or pure

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consciousness is symbolized by light. Both Visualization Exercises

light and consciousness are in continual
movement, and both are emanating and recep- Exercises at the Soul Level
tive. This allows for a fusion of the object and
the subject during the contemplation stage of
meditation.
A nother technique for visualizing con-
sciousness is to see consciousness as a
sphere of transparent light that can be felt and
The Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul depicts con- embodied within. Abiding within the center of
sciousness as a luminous blue circle containing this sphere, we connect with an outwardly di-
three dots:2 rected current of light or consciousness. Next
we seize or try to grasp the receptive current;
the pole of acceptance or opening. Then we
connect or attune to the renewing pole. This
pole is experienced as the will or flame aspect.
Finally we fuse the three poles into one: we
experience the three facets of consciousness –
outward emission, inner opening and renewal
becoming a single, unified whole. Then we
Sound the OM and feel it sustaining this fresh
radiation.
This exercise assumes one is in the light and
The white inner circle can be seen as symbol- one is observing what is happening within, in
izing the illumined field of consciousness. The other words one is moving in the light and re-
outer blue circle depicts the Self and is associ- ceptive to its movement. The method is very
ated with the second ray of Love-Wisdom and close to the “Technique of Fusion on The Pre-
the second aspect of the human being. The sented Attributes” described in Esoteric Psy-
three dots within represent the three divine chology, II,5 which depicts a third-ray tech-
aspects and are linked with the first three rays.3 nique for discerning the principles or natures
They are coloured red, luminous blue and operating within consciousness.
green respectively.
The luminous blue circle depicts the level
The third aspect or green dot represents out- where one is identified as the soul on its own
ward movement, acknowledgement of contact plane or within the causal body. The soul is
and creative expression. The phrase, “From the centre of radiant subjective identity. From
the center, I, the Soul, outward move” alludes this point the conviction to realize the Self can
to this third facet of consciousness. The blue be extended beyond the causal plane to the
dot represents the second aspect of conscious- monadic level.
ness. It symbolizes, opening, expansion, re-
Once we become the Self or “sun”, we can
ceptivity, and the quality of love expressing as
expand our awareness further still and enter
consciousness. The red dot depicts the first
into the vast magnetic group consciousness
aspect of pure consciousness. The destructive
embodied in the constellations and stars. But
aspect, unceasing renewal and the purifying
in order to go further than the sun, we have to
flame of the conscious Self which is born
recognize Space, “the field wherein states of
again from the ashes like a phoenix.
being are brought to the stage of recognition.”
The symbolic facets of this image and the in- We might see Space as the Entity or Presence
ward assimilation of soul energy are explored which is sustaining the radiation.
in depth in Prelude to a Modern Man.4

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 Fall 2006

In Prelude to the New Man, Martin Muller creative faculty is expressed though the ab-
suggests that we feel ourselves as a pure space, stract mind.
immaterial, completely free of objectified exis-
The third way consists in using a reflex effect.
tence. Indeed one may expand into Space as
Martin Muller described it as the psychological
Helena Roerich emphasized and Bruce Lyon
impression of being located behind the head
invites us to do so when we cross the event
and of looking or directing the entire person
horizon into the black hole.6 In this way we
through the “chamber” of the head and out of
tune into the energy of the void, as the physi-
the “window of the eyes.” This results in a
cist’s term it, or into vacuity or sunyata, as the
sensation-feeling that allows the student to de-
Buddhists call it. The correspondence between
velop greater detachment and objectivity; in
the material energy of physics and the Bud-
other words, to function at the level of Being.
dhist tradition regarding consciousness is very
close. Beyond the light is space, and beyond The abstraction movement which began to
Angel is Presence. Beyond the light is space, emerge at the beginning of the 20th century has
and beyond space is the Angel or Presence and lead us to view space as a set of possibilities –
in that space are the thought currents of the even the position of inter space bodies were
abstract or spatial mind. viewed as a set of possibilities. This has now
become the usual way to describe space. Each
Currents of the Abstract Mind time we are classifying things, we are creating
1. Imagine space filled with thought currents. an abstract space.7
Seek to perceive the fundamental currents
of thought that are responsible for effecting Space is the garment of deity, but only its gar-
great changes in civilizations. ment. One may go further than this garment to
the field of pure reason. This is the field of
2. Tune into Spirit, to true Reality and know direct perception, which needs no interpreta-
that Deity is conceiving and expressing tion, representation, distance or correspon-
through thought. dence, for it is ubiquitous or ever present. It
3. Imagine that this divine thought current is has only—but this “only” requires much train-
running through your subjective space. ing—to be registered. There is no position to
This will evoke the impression that the be described and thus reality cannot be in-
skull or cranium is crossed by a current. cluded in a space. The idea or symbol of space
Focus yourself at the source, i.e. at the back has been transcended. Any awareness or im-
of the head. Perceive the world from the pression we might have of this exalted state
back of the head allowing that perception to tends to quickly vanish or evaporate due to the
pass through the intra-skull space and mental agitation and/or the production of
through to the eyes. thought.

One easy way to approach abstract thought Tuning into the Buddhic Level
currents is to turn one’s attention to a third-ray First you must align yourself with the true Self
field such as architecture or to history. The or pure being. Be true to yourself. Practice
twentieth century was marked by an inflow of truth. Truth is naked, without any material
the fifth ray which brought in an abstraction in content, but present. Realize that the very
mathematics and physics and a new kind of word Truth, evokes a conception of the truth in
arts and architecture. the mind and at the same time something
greater, denuded, subtle which is beyond any
The second way to touch abstract mind is to
concept. For the reality of Truth, like all sym-
start, not from the tangible concrete world, but
bols, tends to transcend consciousness. (In The
from the abstract, from the Source of All. Re-
Rays and the Initiations the Tibetan goes so far
flecting on the diagrams on page 99 of A Trea-
as to suggest that Truth is a great Life.8)
tise on Cosmic Fire and other highly concep-
tual images or symbols can give us some hints Now turn your attention to an impersonal
as to the creative faculty of the Logos. This situation. You might reflect upon the goal of
the subjective group or inquire about the nature

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 69

The Esoteric Quarterly

of radiance or the radiation of the heart center. rents or ways of contact with the Triad at the
Realize that you know, without thinking, with- same time. To that end, the circle with three
out articulating a series of knowledge-based dots in a luminous blue circle is once again
thoughts. useful in serving as a starting point to symbol-
ize soul consciousness. To symbolize the
Another variation of this technique which can
“whole” with its three divine aspects one can
easily be made a part of one’s daily training is
visualize three dots inside an indigo circle (one
to place a particular topic on the breast as if it
green dot, one ultramarine dot and one red
were being placed on a scale. The Agni Yoga
dot). Focusing on this symbol may allow us
method advises that we use this technique be-
gain a sense of the energy that runs through the
fore we go to sleep whenever we are facing a
spiritual Triad and give us a sense of the inten-
difficult or important choice. Alternatively,
sity of the whole.
we can visualize a laser beam emitting light
from the front of your chest: the laser beam is Each of these three dots evokes one of the
illustrating direct knowledge and the cool in- three principles or aspects of divinity. For ex-
tense coherency of the light. ample, the green dot contained within the in-
digo circle depicts the Principle of Knowledge
The Kena Upanishad is also useful in this re-
or that which gives cognitive ability. The ul-
gard as it may help us lead the mind from the
tramarine dot depicts the Principle of Unity or
gross to the subtle, from effect to cause, or to
the cohesive, organizing and inclusive princi-
Truth or Reality. Kena means “by what.” It
ple. The red dot might be seen as symbolizing
advises us to move beyond the physical senses
the Principle of Direction or that which renews
by employing a series of questions and an-
and is moving upon itself.
swers that helps us to discover the true source
of our being. It asks us to reflect upon The term “direction” is not used here to de-
“whom” or “by what power” we think, see, scribe a movement in space; rather it implies
move, speak and hear. In other words, to stimulation, a specific polarization and a
deeply question who actuates the activities of means of envisioning the Whole. Direction is
the physical woman and man. This approach the One “moving,” first in itself at the atmic
takes us beyond the personality and the mind level, then inside on the buddhic level, then
into the realm of pure reason or Truth and al- going outward as spatial thought at the mana-
lows us to understand that; Truth emerges na- sic level. Thus the three levels of the Triad are
ked from the well, for it has no veil or gar- expressing the One.
ment. It supports no representation, no words,
no radiation—as radiation is a progressive
Tuning into Atmic Levels
spreading in space. And truth exists through- In Esoteric Astrology we are advised to try to
out space and needs no form or thought to act listen to the tremendous sound behind the
as a mediator. sweet note of our soul; “the sound which geo-
metrically forces itself into the vision of the
Cohesion of Triadic levels beholder.”9 In other words we attempt to feel
Contact with the Spiritual Triad provokes the the great forward movement which is carrying
sensation of a powerful current in conscious- us along in the dedication of Monadic purpose.
ness. This current momentarily interrupts the We feel the energetic stimulation of existence
vacuity of space, and yet paradoxically it or Life. If you feel a strong inclination to mat-
stimulates and sustains the radiation and point ter—like the experience of “a strong wind that
of tension. As alignment with the Triad pro- pins a man against the wall”10—you must take
ceeds one is given access to a vast field of in- care not to emphasize it, for it is the “sound of
tensity. In that intense stimulating vivid pres- enchantment” that binds spirit to matter.
ence, thought currents and direct perception
To attune to the atmic current, stay in renewing
intermingle.
balance and increase your receptivity to the
One method for approaching the threefold ex- inner world of truth and beauty. Diagrams of
pression of the One is to envision three cur- the human constitution place atma in the cen-

70 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

ter, manas on the left, and buddhi on the Garden, one finds the following passage on the
right.11 The manasic current guiding creation Path. Under the full moon, Rossul M. and
is located at the left side and it is felt as Christ were talking together: I said to Him,
strongly positive, while connection to one’s “We have lost the way. We must await the
group and the ashrams appears to the right indication of the stars.” "Rossul M., what is a
side. The search for atma needs to be balanced way to Us, when the whole world is awaiting
between these two polarities. Us?”14
The atmic plane is linked with the sound, for it
is the plane of the electric sound 12 and the
worker knows “in terms of colour when deal-
1
ing with form; in terms of sound when dealing Martin Muller. Prelude to the New Man. Santa
with the life side, and in terms of vitality when Fe Associates, 1978.
2
dealing with intelligence.”13 The grounding Alice A. Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations.
Lucis, 1960, p. 456.
point in the body for the manasic current is the 3
Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, I. Lucis,
back of the head. For buddhi it is the heart and 1936, p. 418.
for the atmic current it is the top of the head, 4
Muller. Prelude to the New Man, vol. II,
which is where purpose is anchored. “Sources of Consciousness.”
5
Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, II.
Approach to Unity Lucis, 1942, pp. 391, 296.
6
Bruce Lyon. “The Black Hole God.” The Eso-
T he expression, “the Monad is the One”
produces a response in the brain. On some
level it is already understood. What remains
7
teric Quarterly, Fall 2004, pp. 27-33.
For an example, the serious student might refer
to: Bailey. Esoteric Psychology, II, p. 102.
is for us to fully acknowledge this fact, to inte- 8
Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 139.
9
grate it to our sense of Identity, to our intimate Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Astrology. Lucis,
“I” and to recognize the One in ourselves and 1951, p. 414.
10
in humanity as a whole, in nature and in all Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 52.
11
life. The realization of Oneness goes far be- Alice A. Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire.
yond an intellectual grasp of interconnected- Lucis, 1925, p. 99..
12
Ibid., p. 319.
ness or the boundless unity of consciousness. 13
Alice A. Bailey. Letters on Occult Meditation.
It is an experience that pulsates with the fun- Lucis, 1950, p. 229.
damental stimulus of Life. 14
Helena Roerich. Leaves Of Morya's Garden, II.
The One or the Monad expresses itself in three Agni Yoga Society, 1925, 2 §153. This book is
ways: in its third aspect, the One expresses as available online at: www.agniyoga.org; how-
ever the paragraphs have been renumbered. The
the exteriorizing current, as thought and the
referenced passage appears in Part II, V §5.
concretion of forms. In its second aspect, It
supports relationships and promotes sensitiv-
ity. About the first aspect, one can merely
speculate. The One is FOR itself, it is the apo-
theosis of the Subject: It knows Itself not as an
object but as the origin of attention or the
source of the tension to be.” So Spirit is laying
peacefully IN itself as truth, yet it is willing
FOR itself and thus knowing Itself. The foun-
tain of Existence is flowing.
The path is symbolic, a way to ascend and at-
tune to a deeper reality or a greater truth. It
can be understood as increased growth or ex-
panded perception, as energy currents directed
within the etheric field. In Leaves of Morya’s

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 71

 Fall 2006

Book Reviews

Meditations on Planets in Signs: a handbook cal information on natives born under that
for reflection on personal patterns and spiri- sign-planet combination, historical events that
tual possibilities, by James Davis. Oasis took place under a particular configuration,
Books, 2000. symbols, poems and myths—all meant to help
stimulate insights by meditating on them and
A s a layperson in the field of astrology, I
have developed a degree of belief that
there is a verifiable science behind it, and I
relating them to what we discover within our-
selves.
have been able to derive some valid insights The author believes that we can work con-
into my modus operandi from a periodic pro- sciously toward change by “upgrading the
fessional interpretation of my own chart. Nev- level of our response to astrological energies,”
ertheless, professional interpretations can only finding “new levels of meaning that will give
go so far. Astrologers have to be quite skilled us fresh perspective.” He suggests that the
and practically psychic to unearth the real-life way to accomplish this is through meditation,
application of a given planetary placement as it thought and service motivated by love.
specifically relates to each individual. Since
Gail Jolley
each of us is an expert on his or her own situa-
Asheville, North Carolina
tion, it would be ideal if we had a way to com-
pare a professional interpretation to our own
inner knowledge and insights about what a The Revelation of Saint John: the Path to
specific planetary placement might mean to Soul Initiation, by Zachary F. Lansdowne.
one’s personal current situation. Weiser Books, 2006. Paperback, 236 pages.
This book could be a tool to help us achieve US$22.95.
that extra depth. It is organized like an ency-
clopedia, giving thought-provoking material
related to the Sun in each of the 12 zodiacal
T he Book of Revelation, the last book of the
New Testament, was an enigma in its own
time. The text has more in common with Jew-
signs, then proceeding to do the same for the ish apocryphal and “wisdom” literature than
Ascendant, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, with the gospels and epistles that precede it.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Its inclusion in the New Testament was op-
Unfortunately, the table of contents in the copy posed in the third century by Eusebius, bishop
I reviewed was missing some of the entries, of Caesarea, but supported by church father
but they do all seem to be there. Origen who was accused of Gnostic leanings.
The sections on each planetary placement in- Selection was finally announced in 367 CE by
clude a traditional interpretation, such as in- Athanasius, the controversial patriarch of Al-
formation on character, in order to stimulate exandria, and confirmed 15 years later by Pope
insights into the personality, but the main em- Damasus I.
phasis is meant to be on the spiritual, or eso- The Book of Revelation is traditionally attrib-
teric, significance and how a particular plane- uted to “Saint John,” the fisherman brother of
tary placement might indicate qualities of con- James. However, despite the opinions of early
sciousness. Also, although both positive and church apologists and some modern esoteric
negative aspects are given, the emphasis is on teachers—and despite its internal reference to
the positive. “John”—most scholars today conclude that the
In addition to the author’s notes on each plane- author of Revelation is unknown. External and
tary position, he also gives quotes, biographi- internal evidence suggests that it was written
neither by John the Apostle nor by the author

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 73

The Esoteric Quarterly

of the fourth gospel and the Johannine epistles. and I will show you the truth about your
Revelation remains an enigma, quoted by ego, which is a controlling, corrupt, and de-
commentators whose interpretations vary as luded sense of identity supported by your
widely as the religious agendas the text is many emotional reactions. (Page 145)
forced to support.
Extensive footnotes are provided explaining
Zachary Lansdowne’s The Revelation of Saint particular interpretations and directing the
John: the Path to Soul Initiation provides a reader to supporting references in the esoteric
new and refreshing interpretation based on literature. With respect to the verse just
esoteric psychology. With his extensive quoted, we are told that the disciple has earned
knowledge of esoteric teachings he helps us the assistance of the seven chohans, or angels,
penetrate the biblical text’s arcane symbolism. by having overcome the trials discussed in
Publication of the book this summer is particu- Chapter 16.
larly timely since his article, “The Beasts of
One of the most famous verses in the whole of
Revelation: Glamour and Maya,” appeared in
Revelation (21:1), which the author notes is an
the Summer 2006 issue of the Esoteric Quar-
echo of Isaiah 65:17:
terly. We can now put the article, which ad-
dressed just one of the book’s topics, in the And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
broader context of the author’s research find- for the first heaven and the first earth were
ings. passed away; and there was no more sea.
Like Revelation itself, the book is divided into is interpreted as:
22 chapters, a number not without significance The aspirant realizes that the spiritual and
since it equals the number of letters in the He- physical worlds are united, for his earlier
brew alphabet and the number of Major Ar- perceptions of separate worlds have passed
cana in the Tarot. Dr. Lansdowne’s main the- away. He realizes that the emotional world
sis is that Revelation is a practical manual pro- does not exist. (Page 185)
viding the basic knowledge required by the
disciple and leading him or her through the We are reminded that, in esoteric teachings,
many challenges confronted on the journey to the physical and emotional planes are not con-
initiation and enlightenment. For example, sidered “principles.” At a sufficiently high
Chapter 4 relates to the practice of meditation, level of consciousness they will be recognized
while Chapter 16 discusses the seven trials as illusory.
through which the disciple attains purity of the The Revelation of Saint John: the Path to Soul
lower self. Chapter 17 discusses the disciple’s Initiation is an attractive, carefully researched,
need to overcome ego. and well-written book that will please all seri-
Lansdowne provides a verse-by-verse interpre- ous esoteric students. To those with a special
tation for each verse in Revelation. For exam- interest in the esoteric philosophy and psy-
ple, the first verse of Chapter 17, which the chology of late Judaism, Neoplatonism, or
King James Bible renders: early Christianity, it will have even greater
appeal. However Zachary Lansdowne insists
And there came one of the seven angels that, even though Revelation was included in
which had the seven vials, and talked with the Christian New Testament, it speaks to peo-
me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will ple of all religious persuasions, in all periods
show unto thee the judgment of the great of history. His careful analysis helps make
whore that sitteth upon many waters: the text accessible to this broader readership.
is interpreted thus: We enthusiastically recommend the book.
One of the seven chohans comes to the aspi- Editorial Staff
rant and says, “Raise your consciousness

74 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006

 Fall 2006

News from the School

A Poem of fear in another.

The vivid reds and greens of African dress,
As part of the coursework in the School for and 84 channels on color TV.
Esoteric Studies, we assign an experiment in
the revelation of beauty and joy that is de- Drama
signed to look for evidence of these Soul quali-
ties in the world and subsequently bring more
beauty and joy into one’s life and the life of
A blackbird darting at a hawk, a tern div-
ing for a minnow,
A cat dashing between cars.
others around one. The experiment is a lesson A pool of tadpoles struggling against the
in the objective and subjective recognitions water-stealing sun.
that are needed to lift the focus out of the A sporting match, a theatrical play, a dog
lower self and into a world of expanding hori- barking through a fence.
zons. The key thought behind the experiment A man shouting drunkenly in the darkness, a
is “beauty, service, color, outer relationships woman screaming back in anger.
and inner linkings.” We especially liked what The daily news, anything that happens in the
one co-worker, Chuck Heinrichs from Califor- halls of Congress.
nia, brought forth from this experiment. Much Life on our Emerald, Earth.
more than a mere reporting of his experience,
Service
he created a work that is a beauty and a joy in
itself. Here is Mr. Heinrichs’ poem:
A smile, a smile, a smile.
The word withheld and the word given
in proper time.
Revelation of Beauty and Joy A hand to a stranger, a dollar for a bite to
Chuck Heinrichs eat,
Beauty A hand wave to an angry youth.
A commitment to the task at hand,
T he cloud-streaked sunset, the flight of a
bird,
The tiny green plant breaking through gray
A striving forward in the face of apathy, a
constant hopefulness,
concrete. And a committed focus on the present in ser-
The swirling artistry of a wall painting in an vice of a glorious future for all.
abandoned lot.
The smile from a passing stranger on the
street,
The unselfconscious stare of a baby in a
stroller. An Invitation
A song long forgotten playing on the radio,
the word “freedom.”
Color
T he School for Esoteric Studies is issuing
an invitation to all readers of The Esoteric
Quarterly to deepen their group work by par-

S unset rose, purple flowers hanging over

a sidewalk,
The vibrant green of the plant kingdom.
ticipating in one of the advanced programs
offered by the School.

The pure whiteness of a fishing egret, In the past, members enrolled in these ad-
The gray of the waters of the San Francisco vanced programs after completing the earlier
Bay. sequence. This was because there were rela-
The skin tones of multi-cultures, tively few advanced esotericists around, and
The golden smile of a stranger, the dark eyes most of those were already connected to the

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006. 75

The Esoteric Quarterly

training programs in which they received their betan’s extensive writings on the Will have
spiritual education. been organized by topic and difficulty into se-
quential lessons on mastering the lower will
Times have changed, and now in the twenty-
and evoking the higher Will. Roberto Assagi-
first century there is much more intergroup
oli and the SES staff spent several years refin-
activity. The level of esoteric education is
ing this unique course.
higher, and there are many more informed
readers (and writers) than even a few years Approach to Group Initiation
ago. What was DK attempting to do in the mass of
Each of the three advanced programs we offer advanced material He dictated in what was
is remarkable in its own way. It is likely that published as The Rays and the Initiations and
there are individuals who would benefit from Discipleship in the New Age, Volume 2? Alice
one or more of them out there, if they know Bailey seemed to be thinking about this topic
about them. Therefore a brief description of when she initiated “Applicants at the Portal”
each follows. shortly before she died. In the early 1960s the
SES staff and Roberto Assagioli took a fresh
The Antahkarana Course look at this material, and over seven years of
This is an extensive “centerpiece” of esoteric constant pondering and experimentation found
training, in which the building of the An- a synthesis that is actually built into the teach-
tahkarana becomes a conscious process. Exer- ings themselves. The meditations and the dic-
cises for contacting the Spiritual Triad are in- tated information go hand-in-hand to provide a
cluded, written both by Alice Bailey and the satisfying and challenging method of training
Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul (DK); the six ex- in Hierarchical methods of work.
tensive meditations by DK are not part of His
These programs are presented in their usual
published corpus.
sequence; however, enrollees are welcome in
The Will Course any program that seems to appeal. Please
DK mentioned that the subject of the Will is email us at [email protected] or call 828-225-
gigantic, and this program proves it! The Ti- 4272 if you have any questions.

76 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2006