Esoteric Astrology- An Introduction 

artwork by Jean-Luc Bozzoli

I shall share here extracts on my notes taken  from "Esoteric Astrology by Alice Bailey" in order for us to perhaps begin to grasp the fundamental difference in Esoteric (Inner) and Exoteric (Outer) astrology as we begin our journey of discovery. Astrologers (according to her) will eventually be divided into two classes, the exoteric astrologers who will be occupied with the horoscope of the personality, and the esoteric astrologers who will be occupied with the purposes of the Soul .

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

In ancient days it was believed that the Earth was the centre of the solar system and that around it revolved the Sun, and all the other planets.

This was the exoteric knowledge and position, though not the esoteric understanding.  Later, when further discoveries brought more light to the human mind, our planet was de-centralised, and the truth was more clearly seen, though much remains as yet to be discovered and may even be of as revolutionary a nature. From certain astrological angles, a similar process must take place and the solar system must no longer be regarded as a point around which the zodiac revolves or through which the Sun passes in its Great Cycle of approximately 25,000 years.

Astrology is a science which must be restored to its original beauty and truth before the world can gain a truer perspective and a more just and accurate appreciation of the Divine Plan, as it is expressed at this time through the wisdom of the Ages.

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

At present, the position of the average believer in astrology is that he is an individual of importance (at least to himself) that he is living on that important planet, the Earth (important to humanity), and that, through astrology, he can discover his destiny and know what he ought to do. Modern interpretations fail to emphasise the importance of the Rising sign (the Ascendant) and this has been due to the fact that very few have as yet been ready to function as Souls; small allowance has been made to allow for the energies which play upon our planet all the time from other constellations or from many ~hidden~ planets.

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

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

Esoterisicm teaches (and modern science is rapidly arriving at the same conclusion) that underlying the physical body and its comprehensive and intricate system of nerves is a vital or etheric body which is the counterpart and the true form of the outer and tangible phenomenal aspect. It is like wise the transmission of force to all parts of the human frame and the agent of the indwelling life and consciousness. It determines and conditions the human body, for it is itself the repository and transmitter of energy from the various subjective aspects to man and also from the environment in which man (both inner and outer man) finds himself.

Other points should be noted.

First the individual etheric body is not an isolated and separated human vehicle but is, in a peculiar sense, an integral part of the etheric body of that entity which we have called the human family: this kingdom in nature, through its etheric body, is an integral part of the planetary etheric body, the planetary etheric body is not separated off from the other etheric bodies of planets but all of them in their totality along with the etheric body of the Sun constitute the etheric body of the solar system.

This is related to the etheric bodies of the six solar systems which, with ours, forms a cosmic unity and into these pour energies and forces from certain great constellations. The field of space is etheric in nature and its vital body is composed of the totality of etheric bodies of all constellations, solar systems and planets which are found therein. Throughout this cosmic golden web there is a constant circulation of energies and forces and this constitutes the scientific basis of the astrological theories.

Just as the forces of the planet and of the inner spiritual man (to mention one factor among many) pour through the etheric body of the individual man upon the physical plane, and condition his outer expression, activities and qualities, so do the varying forces of the universe pour through every part of the etheric body of that entity we call ~space~ and condition and determine the outer expression, the activities and qualities or every form found within the cosmic periphery.  

Within the human etheric body there are to be found seven major force centres which are in the nature of distributing agencies and electrical batteries, providing dynamic force and qualitative energy to the man; the produce definite effects upon his outer physical manifestation. Through their constant activity his quality appears, his Ray tendencies begin to emerge and his point in evolution is clearly indicated.
 
The following attitudes and position taken by the Esoteric astrologer should also be noted.

1. That the ~planetary~ influences indicate the trend of the outer life circumstances. When correctly interpreted for the average man and for the unevolved man they can and do indicate the personality destiny and fate; they do condition and completely control the man who has no conscious Soul experience. The moment that a man becomes aware of his own Soul and is endeavouring to control his own "path in life" the influence of the planets, per se, definitely weakens and steadily becomes less and less; his personality chart appears inconclusive and  most inaccurate. It is the force flowing ~through~ the planets and not the force ~of~ the planets themselves which then governs and controls. The man then becomes receptive to the subtler and higher energies of the solar system and of the twelve governing constellations.

2. That the Sun Sign as it is called, indicates the nature of the man, physical, mental and spiritual. It holds the secret of the personality ray and of the man’s responsiveness or lack of responsiveness to the Soul, the real man. It indicates also the integration already achieved and the present point of unfoldment of the Soul qualities, of the present available equipment, of the present life quality and of the immediately possible group relations. It indicates, nothing more. This is a reversal of the usual astrological position. The reason proffered is that humanity is enough evolved so that the astrology of the Soul will become possible before long; it constitutes - from many points of view - a reversal of normal procedure. This is wise, necessary and also inevitable.

3. That the Rising Sign indicates the remoter possibilities, and the spiritual goal and purpose of the immediate incarnation and of the immediate succeeding incarnations. This sign concerns itself with the struggle of the spiritual man " to carry on" from the point achieved so that when the life energy is temporarily exhausted and the "death of the personality" takes place, the man finds himself "nearer the centre of his life, closer to the centre of his group and approaching the centre of divine life". This particular phrase "death of the personality" has two definite connotations:

(a)  It may mean the death of the physical body, which is inevitably followed by the two stages of the death of the emotional vehicle and the subsequent dissipation of the temporary and ever-changing form which the quota of mental energy has assumed during incarnation.

(b) The subjective and mystical "death of the personality". This is a phrase indicating the transfer of the focus for the distribution of energy from the personality (a definite centre of focus) to the Soul (another definite centre)

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

In connection with the Sun sign, the Rising sign and the effect of the thought-form relating to the Moon, the principle of esoteric astrology is as follows:

1.  The Sun Sign

This sign indicates the ~present~ problem of the man, it sets the pace or the established tempo of his personality life; it is related to quality and temperament and the life tendencies which are seeking expression during this particular incarnation, and it is suggestive of  the activity aspect of the innate man. Fundamentally, the forces here found are indicative of the line of least resistance.

2.  The Ascendant (or Rising Sign)

Indicates the intended life or immediate Soul purpose for this incarnation. It hold the secret of the ~future~ and represents the force which, rightly used, will led the man to success. It represents the stavic or harmony aspects of life and can produce right relationships between Soul and personality in any one incarnation. It thus points the way to the recognition of the force of the Soul.

3.  The Moon

This type of force  indicates that which is ~past~. It, therefore, summarises limitation and the present handicaps. It governs the physical body and shows where the prison of the Soul is to be found.

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