AAL’S LABYRINTH HISTORY An Alternative Viewpoint…..contd. #64

 

Ahuramazda/Ormuzd, Persian deity of Zoraster

[E. Pike 1961]

536 BCE          NEHEMIA as an official of the Persian Court, together with the Jewish priest Ezra, become leaders of a revived Judean centre following the conquering of Babylon by Cyrus the Great. He gave the Jews their freedom and Palestine to rule. Jewish exiles return to Judah from Babylon and rebuild their Temple. As Jerusalem is rebuilt, spiritual life is consolidated by allegiance to the Torah or Law of Moses. Leadership of the Jewish people continues to be provided by priests descended from Aaron, brother of Moses. (102)

                       When the priest Ezra returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon be brought with him ‘The Book of the Law of the Lord’, (198)

 

c536               AKIBA. About 50 years after the destruction of Jerusalem, this rabbi recorded in writing most of the oral wisdom tradition in his book ‘Sepher Jezireh’ or the ‘Book of Creation’, which is the oldest known book to be of reference to the  future Medieval Kabbalists. Akiba’s disciple Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai, wrote down the rest of the knowledge in the books of the ‘Zohar’. (22a).  These books are at the foundation of the Kabala system of knowledge whose purpose is the study of the hidden meaning of the scriptures recording esoteric knowledge of man, nature and the universe.

 

c525               The Persians capture Egypt, and the Roman Republic gets going with its ideals of democracy. Persian conquest of Egypt dramatically increased the influence of Mesopotamia in that country and of the Chaldean star knowledge. (29)

525                 PYTHAGORAS (c582-500 BCE) settles in Croton, Sth Italy and establishes a school of Italic philosophy and a religious brotherhood. Born on the island of Samos, the son of a gem-engraver, he is said to have studied under the Magi (wise men) of Persia and the priests of Thoth in Egypt for 20 years, in particular with the priest Oenuphis of Heliopolis. Pythagoras did not conform to the atomic theory of Democritus (430 BCE) or the dichotomy of religion and reason as per the Eleates, but maintained a synthetic approach to knowledge and established the principles of maths and physics on which modern science is based. He also established the principles of music and the ratios of musical tones and the theorem of geometry. Pythagoras established the famous theorem that the square on the longest side of a right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides, an important discovery for the world of mathematics. (12. 114). Pythagoras explains the properties of matter in terms of numbers, knowledge that he inherited from the Chaldeans and Egyptians and probably the Indians. Pythagoras’ doctrine of numbers is the basis for modern numerology. [206.350]

 

c524               XENOPHANES (c570-480BCE) Greek Philosopher, born at Colophon, Ionia.  He travels extensively, perhaps spending considerable time in Sicily.  He attacked traditional Greek conceptions of the gods, arguing against anthropomorphism (attribution of human characteristics to God) and polytheism (belief/worship of many gods). (13)

 

523                  NINEVEH LIBRARY founded by Assyrian King Assurbanipal [650 BCE] holds a tablet showing advanced calculations of relative positions of sun and moon, dates of moon and planetary conjunctions, planetary zodiac positions.  This is an early Ephemeris. It is the oldest known document of scientific astronomy of the Chaldeans. (14).

AQUARIUS SUN

 

AQUARIAN WATERS

AQUARIUS: is a fixed sign of the positive or active element of AIR. The element of Air has an abstract quality to it that suits the idea of intangible things like thinking and wave formations. Air is hard to grasp or contain but is almost a magical medium for carrying subtle things and influences, thus allowing them to circulate freely. Air is refined and communicatory, so it is associated with intelligent activity and human cooperation and interaction. In particular the Air sign of Aquarius loves the freedom of such activities, the more involved the merrier. However, Aquarius can be a little awkward in wanting to stay independent and not get too emotionally involved with the group. This is the sign of independent people yet also of the stubborn. Perhaps this has something to do with the double rulership of the sign Aquarius. This time of the year has the continuing influence of the planet Saturn. We met Saturn in the previous sign of Capricorn and noticed his demand of care and organisation and getting things done. Now Saturn is joined by the planet Uranus as co-ruler and who wants to do everything differently, to break away from those previous formalities and set rules, in order to discover the new and exciting. Chaotic confusion comes to mind! 

The Aquarian time of year is a time to get the ‘little grey cells’ active, to break out of the rut of winter [or the too hot summers of the southern hemisphere]. Leave behind conventions for the time being and seek out what is different but try not to rebel too much if you wish to keep life relatively on track. This is the time of year to utilise that little flash of genius that we can all experience and which can keep life interesting. Is there a new way of doing the same old same old? Is there a new Uranian discovery to which you can give Saturnian boundaries in a practical application of the airy idea? Be warned though, that once a path has been chosen the Aquarian force doesn’t give up easily and may push you beyond what you can comfortably handle. A time of year to enjoy your friends and group associations or the freedom of the club down the road.

‘The Wing’. Ken Kelleher.

Aquarius is the month of the 11^th Labour for the Solar Hero Hercules. As the Hero of the Solar Trail, Hercules must now clean out the Augean cattle stables where the muck of centuries has been allowed to accumulate. The king of Augea had never meet anyone willing to serve without recompense and so suspected Hercules to be after his throne in offering to complete such an unpleasant task. To protect his possession, the king bargained with Hercules. He said that if Hercules could clean the stables in just a day he would win 1/10 of the royal cattle; if he could not do this then Hercules was to forfeit his life. Hercules went on to accomplish his task by diverting the rivers Alpheus and Peneus through the stables and thus flushed them out in one swift action. Of course the king was not happy to lose his cattle and turned face to refuse the gift to Hercules. It was the rivers and not Hercules who accomplished the task, said the king, and banished Hercules from his kingdom.

The cosmic ‘Age of Aquarius’, an astrological period of approximately 2000 years, is symbolised by the constellation of Aquarius, which has a resonance with the zodiac sign of the same name. This new age of evolution is now upon us and according to one author actually began its influence around the year 1750; that was just before the French Revolution as people craved for Liberty, Freedom and Equality, and were prepared to die for it. These are themes very much dear to the heart of the true Aquarius nature, whether individuals or of a social era of history. As the new great age of 2000 years gets underway, more and more people will become awakened or aware of greater possibilities in life for this freedom of intellect that Aquarian influences can bring to Earth. The symbol of this sign and constellation is that of the cleansing and purifying power of water; at an individual level and a cosmic level. Light is said to travel through the heavens in a wave form and may be termed the ‘waters of heaven’. Today we use these light waves to carry communications at great speed around the world. Are we utilising these waters to cleanse and purify or to pollute our minds and the planet Earth. As ever it is the choice presented to the human will. This time of year, we should meditate upon these possibilities.

The Hindu god Vishnu first manifested to man as a great fish who came in the nick of time to tow man’s life raft and save some human’s from the world ‘Deluge’ that came as a purifying force to humanity. A similar god, by the name of Oannes is recorded in the mythology of the ancient Babylonians. More recently, Jesus or Joshua was called NUN the son of the fish god but you won’t hear of this beyond the fish shaped mitre helmet of the church priest.

At night in the cool, under the influence of the moon, the air becomes impregnated with moisture. This moisture, known as honey-dew, collects the essence of the early morning light and allows us to breath in the cosmic essence or energy for our benefit. Get up early and hail the new morning Light, Life and Love; then share your new energies with others as you trundle through your day.  Look beyond the wants of self and willing share what you know and have so that the group you belong to can benefit, whether family, interest group or company. Silently and quietly aid in the cleansing of the world of its grief and pollution. The standing lake is a limited force, the power is in allowing the waters to follow their natural path says the I Ching.

Vega new cycle 2025

 On this day the Sun is in alignment with the great star Vega/Wega of the constellation Lyra.

From the Southern Hemisphere, Cygnus flies up from the North. ]

Vega of the Lyre is in the sky in alignment with the Sun.

The star Vega was anciently known as the ‘Messenger of Light’. It is the star towards which our Sun is slowly travelling. This day is the day that the three wise men were lead to the Christ in the manger on the 13^th day of his birth, to present him with 3 gifts of Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold. It is the day that reveals an aspect of God or the Christos as incarnate in the man child Jesus.

In mythology, the constellation Lyra, the Harp of the Sun god Apollo, is closely linked with the great constellation known as Cygnus, the Swan, who in turn may be related to the ancient Egyptian concept of ‘MAAT’.  MAAT stands for justice, equilibrium, love and harmony, something we all hope for as we travel through the beginning of a new solar cycle. 

 

The Harp of the Sun god Apollo has 7 strings and plays out the cosmic song of creation to assist in raising human consciousness from Earth to Heaven. This is an echo of yesterdays’ 'Day 12' of the historical Christmas tide, a time when the 12 Drummers beat out the rhythm of creation in accordance to the song of the 12 days of Christmas.

 

The constellation Lyra, the Harp, is also closely associated with a celestial Eagle who holds the Harp in his claws. The Eagle is a symbol of the Sun god.

 

The Vulture or Eagle carries the Lyre

This is the Theosophical New Year’s Day when the ‘Mysteries’ are revealed to those prepared. It is the mystery of the life cycle of birth death and resurrection as encapsulated in the stories of Jesus-Mary and before that of Osiris-Isis and in between, the Greek Mysteries of the Mother goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone. It is the day of fulfilment of Hercules 12 Labours and the preparation to the start of a new cycle of ‘Being’, to find its celebration in the ‘Easter Tide’ following the Aries Equinox. 

 

This 13^th day of Christmas commences a tide of energy which reaches its culminating point in 40 days’ time at what we now call ‘Valentines’ day on the 14^th February.

Sun aligned with the star Vega

 

SAMHAIN HALLOWEEN

 Apple tree

Apples of the Northern Autumn are symbols of the Samhain goddess for they contain the 5 pointed star within their heart. The 5 petalled blossom that results in the apple fruit is reminiscent of the simple 5 petalled rose. The red and white alchemical roses belong to the Virgin Mother who is Artemis/Isis whose dark side is Hecate/Lilith Queen of Samhain. Some call Samhain -  Halloween,  the night of the other world.

 

Hekate, Roman sculpture

Hekate is one phase of The Great Mother Goddess ISIS who is represented in the 3 stages of the fruiting of the apple tree. 

 

1. The bud, representing the virginal state of the aspirant.

2. The blossom, representing the fructified (by the bee) creative potential of the Mother.

3. The fruit or final product, the apple, representing the crone, guardian of the Lunar Wisdom Mysteries.

 

Attune with the ‘Fire of Purification and Peace’, on this day of Samhain/Halloween, as the Sun sails past the small star group ‘Crux’ of the Centaur in the sky and we commune with the ancestors and ask for their golden wisdom.

 

Constellation Centaur

The great poet Dante identified the 4 stars of ‘Crux’, the cross, as representing the cardinal virtues, 

             JUSTICE                   PRUDENCE                

 

FORTITUDE            TEMPERANCE 

 

Dante ends each of his 3 books with a reference to the stars [quoted in Hinckley Allen]:-

 

‘Inferno’:          Thence we came forth to rebehold the stars;

‘Purgatorio’:    Pure and disposed to mount unto the stars:

‘Paradiso’:       The love which moves the sun and other stars.

 

At Samhain/Halloween, the wall between world’s is thinned – listen for the words of inspiration, see the cyclic nature of birth- death- birth. Light a fire or candle to your ancestors living in the other world. 

 

John iii.3: ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’. And the Phoenix rises from the ashes,

 

Rose of Light and Peace

 

EQUILIBRIUM

 Having survived a rather powerful New Moon is the sign of Libra, those of us still left on planet Earth should perhaps think about the dark side of life and the powerful balancing force of EQUILIBRIUM.

MAAT goddess of Equilibrium [cTethy]

We are all searching for harmony or equilibrium in our lives. We search for this harmony internally in bodily health and externally in personal relationships, and in our place in the world.  Internal harmony or good functional working between body parts brings an Equilibrium of body function called good health, such a condition is a reflection of the external harmony of our lives, or lack of. Our living, thinking and relationships reflect the greater harmony or not, of the Cosmos and the Great Laws of Unity or the Universe. With all these many layers of life and living a lot can go wrong, there are just so many opportunities to get things out of balance according to thinking, emotion and action; and then health, living and relationships go sour and become difficult, without our constant vigilance. Like the dust and dirt that ever accumulates around the house and needs constant attention.

 

Some say that our internal bodily rhythms are but a reflection of the Cosmic rhythms and when there is balance these internal rhythms play an internal musical harmony that reflects the natural and unpolluted rhythms of natural law and the greater cosmic movements. But, you ask, what are these rhythms of balance that I so yearn for? I cannot hear them, feel them, see them, record them. To which the answer comes, they are silent rhythms that each must discover for themselves by developing those inner senses that can respond to intangible energies and influences. This discovery is helped and assisted by such humanitarian groups of self-development as the Rosicrucians [AMORC] who have been waiting patiently in the background for many, many, years anticipating our coming Age of Aquarius when the majority of people is growing who are becoming seekers of this light of understanding.

 

Achieving Equilibrium or harmony within ourselves and within our existence is a life-time struggle and the struggle to achieve it proceeds according to our Karma. Karma is the metaphysical concept of living to achieve this much wanted harmony and balance in life. Trouble is, most of us are so out of balance that it takes much effort and perhaps many lives to rebalance our Karma. Karma, what have you done and thought today that will demand compensation tomorrow, or the next day, or maybe in a week, a month, a year, or even in a distant new incarnation. Karma as a subtle energy that pushes all our buttons and forces us to become better than you were.

 

The ancient Egyptians understood this concept of Equilibrium and balance. They gave it a name, Maat.They made the concept of Maat into a goddess and gave her a partner called Thoth. Maat is the concept of Truth and Justice, not the truth and justice of mankind or his law courts, but the Truth and Justice of the gods or the One reality that the Egyptians of old represented in its many god-forms.

 

Hermes, Thoth, Tehuti, three names for the same deity, to honour his tri-powers over the three regions of the cosmos and the three metaphysical divisions of our being; all reflected in the Macrososm and the Microcosm, ‘As above, so below’.  Tehuti of ancient Egypt represents knowledge and understanding of the heart, which in turn can be symbolised in the Ibis, the wisest of birds according to ancient Egyptian lore. Thoth measures and Maat weighs the truth of that measurement.

Thoth recording Judgement of the Heart

Tehuti or Thoth, presides over the weighing of the heart in the Am Dwat or Afterlife and is therefore symbolised also in the scales; bit like the scales of the sign of Libra The weighing scales are monitored by the wisest of animals, the ape, who sits on the fulcrum of the scales and communicates to Thoth the results of the weighing. The scales are used to weigh the deceased’s heart in one pan against the weight of the feather of Maat in the other pan. How do they measure up, are they balanced or is the heart heavy with neglect. The constellation in the sky known as Libra the Scales, also carries the theme of balance and harmony in life, it is the fulcrum between the constellations of Virgo the pure Virgin, who represents outer earthly work, service and health, and Scorpio the Eagle, sign of sharing and the inner mystical transformative life. In the same way, we must strive to balance our inner and outer living.

 

Thoth is the judge of the Equilibrium of these scales of judgement, of the Equilibrium or not of the scales. For this reason, Thoth is also known as the god of the Equinoxes, those two points in the year where equal hours of day and night balance our small universe at the commencement of spring and the commencement of autumn. The principle of this harmony or balance comes under the formula or concept of Maat, the syzygy or partner of Thoth. 

 

We move towards harmony and balance [somewhere between Order and Chaos] by not minding so much about the trials and tribulations we are faced with, or the blocks, obstacles and frustrations encountered along the ‘Way’. Such a process is assisted by detaching from the notion of importance of personal opinion and desire. An ongoing and not easy pathway to be pursued, but as the saying goes ‘No-body said it was going to be easy’, just satisfying in the eventual attainment of inner peace with yourself, and knowing that you have done your best. Greet the sunrise with outstretched arms of Equilibrium and purposeful breathing in of the essence of life to nourish your body and soul, then meet your busy external day in the mode of the Sun Hero, treading the Labyrinth Path of Life.

Labyrinth Mandala of the Mind [cTethy]

BEAUTIFUL VENUS

 The beautiful planet of Venus is closely associated with the sign of Libra and with that of Taurus. Venus is the planet of love and harmony bringing the desire for companionship and reconciliation after the war of competition. Venus likes to eat and dance, to make music and create. Venus needs to find her comfort zone and enjoy that pleasure to its fullest until she grows wise, then she needs to satisfy the mind.  The Egyptian goddess Hathor is often equated with the planet Venus due to her love of music and dance. But Hathor does also have more serious missions to perform.

Egyptian goddess Hathor, representing the planet Venus, 

welcoming Pharaoh Seti into the ‘After Life’.

HYMN TO HATHOR

All hail, Jubilation to you, O Golden One,

Sole ruler, Uraeus of the Supreme Lord himself!

Mysterious one who gives birth to the divine entities,

forms the animals, models them as she pleases, fashions men..

 

O Mother!...Luminous One who thrusts back the

darkness, who illuminates every human creature with her rays,

Hail, Great One of many names..

 

You from whom the divine entities come forth in this your name of Mut-Isis!

You-who-cause the throat to breathe, daughter of Re,

whom he spat forth from his mouth in this your name of Tefnut!

 

O Neith who appeared in your barque in this your

name of Mut!

O Venerable Mother, you who subdue

your adversaries in this your name of Nekhebet!

O You-who-know-how-to-make-right-use-of-the-heart,

you who triumph over your enemies in

this your name of Sekhmet!

It is the Golden One...the lady of drunkenness

of music, of dance, of frankincense, of the crown,

of young women, whom men acclaim because they love her!

It is the Gold of the divine entities who comes forth at

her season, in the month of Epiphi, the day of the

new moon, at the festival of 'She is Delivered'....

 Heaven makes merry, the earth is full of gladness,

the Castle of Horus rejoices.

 

(Translation after M. Alliot, Le Culte d'Horus a Edfou. From Lucy Lamy    )

VENUS in the astrological natal chart represents a search for balance, love and harmony, in the form of inner contentment, and in the outside world through satisfying relationships with other people and pleasant sensations, by war or diplomacy – whatever it takes to restore the Equilibrium.

 

The Greeks anthropomorphised the concept of love and beauty in the goddess Aphrodite, generally an appeal to the aggressors of the world to calm down and see another viewpoint.

Venus-Aphrodite [Larousse]

The ultimate aim of the sensory experience of Venus is to awaken the inner spirit or soul. This is achieved as life experience teaches one to truly evaluate the material world and not just succumb to its pleasures. By and through the symbol of Venus one attracts what one thinks one would like. The lesson being, to discriminate between what one truly likes or loves and what is simply a passing desire on the one hand, or on the other simply an uncontrollable fascination or wanting.

 

In her orbit Venus hurries after the sun and they travel the zodiac almost together for Venus is never more than 48º from that great star, although sometimes running ahead of him, and sometimes behind. Thus Venus sometimes rises before the sun and sometimes she sets after the sun. In this way she acquired the names of ‘morning star’ and the ‘evening star’ depending on where she is in her orbit. From our Earth point of view, if we trace Venus pathway around us it can be plotted as a 5 petal flower or rose which in itself has a deep and mystical meaning.

'

From ‘ EarthSky’, this illustration shows what’s called the 5 petals of Venus. It shows a simplified geocentric – Earth-centered – plot of the orbit of Venus as seen from planet Earth over an 8 year period, from 2016 to 2023. Image and article via Guy Ottewell

VENUSIAN SCALES

 The sun is now passing through the Tropical zodiac sign of Libra, the sign of the Scales of Balance and Justice, which may account for the Libran tendency to weigh up matters, sometimes to the point of extreme annoyance for those observing and in futile procrastination for themselves. But where would we be without them on a good day when they can maintain the harmony and balance of relationships so essential to profitable progress. Such progress in personal development is well guided through AMORC http://www.amorc.org/ and probably would contribute much to the world situation at the moment. When will we give up war and see another’s point of view?

    Libran Scales of Justice 

The beautiful planet Venus has a close attachment to the sign Libra, so that when the whole is synchronising, there is much peace and love in the world. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that anything associated with this sign and planet is therefore simplistic and empty headed just because it likes peace and quiet. The complicated cycles of Venus, if studied will soon dispel this mistaken view.

The Birth of Venus

The Swan is an emblem of Venus and Libra, symbol of their desire to bring love and companionship to its highest form; but neither the swan nor the Libran enjoys being caged simply for another’s pleasure alone. Libran Swans can dance the dance of peace but should this condition be disturbed, watch out for an attack in order to return that peaceful and tranquil state. Everything has its two sided nature!!

The swan has the magic of music in it movement. It is the desire for love and harmony, for justice seen to be done, that can sometimes make the Libran quite combative and whirl into a flurry of fury and indignation. Watch a full grown mother swan in flight when her babies are threatened. Librans can often be found amongst those fighting for human rights and defending those unable to do so for themselves, and even going to war if this is the only way perceived to return the missing equilibrium. That is, unless it is a Libran on an eternal holiday of rest, relaxation, coffee mornings and sun baths, because they just couldn’t get up the energy to take part in life!

This image is an 18^th Century woodcut of Tressan’s retelling of the story of Tristan and Iseult from the Arthurian cycle. It is a party but hides something deeper for those who would chase the Grail Cup.

Around the 17^th October the Sun will be with the star Spica which marks the ear of corn held by the Virgin in that constellation. Although bearing the same name, the constellation is not the same space as the Tropical sign of the Virgin. The constellation and the Ecliptic sign once coincided but due to the phenomena of ‘Precession’ they have moved apart. Some systems of Astrology still use the celestial groups of stars rather than the 30 degree divisions of the Ecliptic.