ARIES the RAM 21st March to 19th April

 

ARIES the RAM

2^1st March to 19th April

Spectrum: diamond stones. Red colour.

ARIES  The sign of the Ram who heralds the start of a New Solar Year following the Vernal Equinox, a point where the circles of the Ecliptic and the Equator intersect and there is equal amounts of day and night. The two luminaries of sun and moon hold equal power, which will be emphasised at the Full Moon in the sign of Libra. Now we start our journey around the zodiac to mark out the important points of the solar cycle in relation to life on Earth, whether mineral, vegetable, animal or human.

Aries is called a ‘Cardinal’ sign and in cosmic terms has the qualities of the positive, active polarity of energy. ‘Cardinal’ refers to a first impulse of energy at each of the four quarters of the year marked by the Solstice and Equinox points. ‘Cardinal’ energy is active and outgoing, moving ahead and providing leadership to the two zodiac signs that follow it. The Fire Element of the sign Aries adds the heat of activity to the driven Cardinal quality, the result is endless energy to charge ahead in unstoppable enthusiasm for self-expression. This is the sign of the adrenalin rush, symbolized also by the planet Mars who rules the zodiac signs of Aries and Scorpio. Mars is the symbol the metal iron. The Fire quality of Aries is shared with the signs Leo and Sagittarius, but expressed in different ways.

The Aries influence allows one to forge our way forward with courage, daring, initiative and enterprise, in the mode of a pioneer. Assertive and passionate, there needs to be the cultivation of calm and reflection to make these energies mean something of use as we begin the solar year with this out rush of new energy. There are plenty of new ideas floating around but will there be the ability and sustained effort to make them grow and work in the practical world? We must not give way to impatience and bad temper under the impetus of all the new found energy and enthusiasm of this time of the year. At the same time, we must allow ourselves a break from the deadening routine of the previous cycle and allow the windows of opportunity and new possibilities to air themselves. In our hurry and enthusiasm we must not forget or neglect those who are going a little slower due to circumstances. 

All natural energy moves to a rhythm of mathematical proportions and so we start our journey around the cosmic wheel to explore these qualities and principles. Whatever side of the planet you are on, it is time to ‘Spring’ clean, your house and your soul, for the start of a new journey of discovery.

Sculpture by Philip Jackson

Hercules, the hero of our solar journey of 365 solar days, is born of the ‘House of Perseus’. His role in life is to follow the Sun in its 360 degree journey around the zodiac signs in 13 months or moon periods; with modernisation this has been recalculated to 12 months in order to accommodate the two ancient but separate calendars of Father Sun and Mother Moon. The ancient Egyptians solved this discrepancy of circle and solar cycle by giving the five extra days to their five great gods who existed outside of time and space.

Starting on a new grand cycle, our hero Hercules takes up a renewed challenge in each month in line with the zodiac sign being traversed and marked by the ritual and magic of his heroic feats. Hercules’ first challenge in the new astrological year is marked by the sign of Aries, the challenger of life moving forward with great energy and enthusiasm on a new turn of the spiral. We too set out to conquer our wildest of thinking and head activity as indicated and ruled by the sign Aries. Are we too proud and hurried to get there before everyone else, in such speed that we forgot to check on our struggling friend? Are we very brave, but unfortunately also just a little selfish or put another way, only thinking of our self in this rush to begin our ‘Labours’ or ‘Challenges’ or ‘Race’ to some unseen goal? This is the lesson and the promise of Aries energy, the awakening to the new possibilities, wants and desires without forgetting what already exists around us. The urge to create and perform pushes us forward in such haste that we can get into great trouble without awareness of what we are doing. But really we have time, for the coming months will continue the opportunity to fulfil what we conceive of now. All beginnings are in the head, on the mental plane, you think an idea and then act on it. You do not act and then think about it, well hopefully not! 

This time of year marks a time of wanting to do things in a better way rather than repeat that of the previous solar year. The ancient god of Egypt called Sobek represented the cyclic repeating of new beginnings, as did Thoth, the master of writing and ideas. In chasing this new beginning we must strive to eradicate all the past negative ways of thinking and doing things or at least attempt to identify them as a first step. Then in a strange way we enter the process of purifying ourselves and our life so that new growth and better performance can move in. Here is a time to realise our power and our strength in controlling the form and expression of the material world with applied spirit and energy. 

To begin the Hero’s journey

AAL’S LABYRINTH HISTORY An Alternative Viewpoint…..contd. #65

 

Confucius by Wu Daozi 

Of the Tang Dynasty 

c520               CONFUCIUS. Chinese sage who edited and annotated the ‘Book of Changes’ or ‘I Ching’, adding his own ‘Commentary on the Decision’. It is this fuller version of the ‘I Ching’ which has come down to modern times. The development of his philosophical speculation is reflected in the works, ‘The Great Learning’ (Ta Hsudh) and the ‘Doctrine of the Mean’ (Chung Yung).  Both these works were originally part of the ‘Book of Rites’ (Li Chi). (120). Confucianism is a comparatively modern crystallization of the ancient tradition of the Atlantean Chinese, reformed and restated by Confucius. (212)

Plum blossom – the Eyes of Buddha

c520               GAUTAMA BUDDHA (c563-483) Born Siddhartha Gautama became known as the enlightened one or Buddha.  Son of the king of the Sakyas, a people of the warrior caste near the Himalayas and belonging to the Gautama Clan. At 29 years of age he left home and wandered for six years seeking spiritual enlightenment which came to him during meditation beneath a Bo-tree. He then established an order of monks to which was later added an order of nuns based on his new found doctrines. (6) Buddhism will grow into two main divisions:-

1. Mahayanna (Sanskrit) meaning Great Vehicle. This is northern Buddhism prevalent in China and Japan. It will begin about the second century CE as a theistic form of Buddhism and regards Buddha as a deity. This system includes a pantheon of lesser deities known as the Bodhisattvas.

                    2. Hinayanna (Pali) meaning the Little Vehicle. This is a nontheistic and monastic Buddhism. It advocates a life of seclusion and separation from sensual appeals and temptations. The monks or bhikkus live in monasteries, which are like small colonies. This form of Buddhism flourishes in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Burma, Thailand and southern India. Its teachings are mainly metaphysical and philosophical. (99)

515 BCE       DARIUS (522-486) The Persians under the command of ruler Darius will use the Phoenician alphabet [to write in Arabic] rather than the cuneiform script inherited from Babylon and Sumer. (176) The Persian triad of gods at this time are; Ahura Mazada, Mithra and Anahita. (102)

                  ZERUBBABE rebuilds a temporary Temple of Jerusalem, under the reign of Darius. [372]

510            TARQUIN the PROUND last king to rule the Roman kingdom before the monarchy is replaced by the Republic regime of annually elected magistrates. (324)

 

c508        NABURIANNU (GK Naburianos) Babylonian astrologer who establishes the Equinox Points at sidereal 10° of the constellations Aries and Libra. (30) His name may also be spelt NABU-RIMANNU.

Greek statue, impression of Heraclitus

c506          HERACLITUS (c536-476BCE) Greek philosopher, born in Ephesus; he maintained that all things are constantly changing, even the universe as a whole, since only change is real. The orderliness of successive changes or the world’s destiny, is all that remains the same.  He believed that there was a hidden connection between everything in the universe. (114) Heraclitus believed that all things were composed of opposites (eg. hot/cold, wet/dry) and these opposing conditions were constantly in strife with one another and which therefore drove a process of perpetual change. But all change was governed by the ‘Logos’, the primary principle of order and intelligibility. (13) Heraclitus associated the ‘Logos’ or original creative word, with the element of fire and he taught that the soul is of the same nature as the aether which in turn is the soul of the universe into which the individual soul returns at the death of the body. (15) Heraclitus’s influence will be seen in the philosophy of Stoicism and in the future 20^th century CE style and thought of such philosophers as Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. (102) Heraclitus gave a symbolic or moral exegesis of the ‘Twelve Labours of Hercules’. (122)

PISCES 19th February to 20th March

 PISCES

19^th February to  20^th March 

Spectrum: Sardonyx, jade. Blue-green colour.

PISCES: is a mutable sign of the negative or receptive element of WATER. This is the sign of adaptable water, that is, it is constantly on the move and reflecting all that passes by. Fluid and free flowing liquid can fill any vessel or channel or space of containment. Water is boundless, sometimes tranquil and sometimes a powerful and raging storm.

In particular, the Water Sign of Pisces is true to its symbol of duality in being often pulled in two directions by life; that of the physical needs and that of the spiritual calling. Sacrifice of self and helping other people is a driving force of the Piscean, they know how to do it from a natural drive to ‘be all things to all people’ and to follow the rhythmic ebb and flow of life with ease. Instinct, intuition and emotion drive a Piscean expression ‘to be’. As with the previous sign of Aquarius, the sign of Pisces has two planetary lords or rulers; this time it is Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter brings a joyous and optimistic note to our watery brooding Piscean nature and Neptune allows contact with the mystical world of spirit, that undefined energy of the cosmos. The combined planetary influence adds a great note of expansion to everything done and thought, one has to be careful under such an influence, not to let things get out of control in a limitless desire for what is not really possible. This Piscean time of year is one of letting go to a certain degree so that we may touch those dreams and inspirations of the soul. In an odd way the previous solar cycle is dissolving now and we must prepare for the coming Aries Equinox, when a new input of cosmic energy can be felt. This is a time for cultivating greater understanding of people close and afar, of their trials and tribulations, and where possible, offers a helping hand. Others must bring their dreams and inspirations down to the Earth plane and communicate their thoughts to those around ,through paintings, poetry, writing, music and scientific solutions found. You too can join the flow by finding some relaxation in dancing and swimming or simply observing our aquatic friends, or even buying a new pair of shoes for our feet according to Piscean rulership. To be impressed is easy, to give those impression useful application takes a little more work of practical reality.

Now Hercules enters upon his 12^th and final labour of the solar cycle. It is a labour of love and summing up all his trials to squeeze from the long year of experience as much conscious growth as possible. This 12^th Labour is to acknowledge and accomplish a dissolution of situations that have bound you, such as bad habits and foolish thoughts. It is a time to become less judgemental and to see yourself as but part of the whole. The result is a new unification of all thought, feeling and action so that as a ‘new’ person you can take a further step forward with the coming new astrological year at the Aries Ingress. Some call this the ‘Alchemical’ process. A temporary obliteration of the personality may occur and can be beneficially allowed to happen. How does one allow this to occur in a happy way so that a new light or awareness can be achieved in readiness for the coming new cycle of action and being?. Submerging the personality for a short time allows the spirit to soar unhampered to the spiritual realm or the realm of the inner and true self. In this 12^th Labour Hercules must gather up the Red Cattle of Geryon, as a summary of his journey, before returning home himself. Help to accomplish this chore comes in the form of a magical golden chalice that fell from the sky. And so our hero gathers up the wayward energies symbolised by the Red Cattle and delivers them back to the sacred city as an offering to Athene the goddess of wisdom.

The Lady in the Sky during this part of the year is known as the constellation Andromeda. She is a goddess in disguise because her wisdom was abused. She waits, chained to a rock, as the monster Cetus draws nigh for she is to be sacrificed as compensation of other’s bad behaviour. But in the nick of time a gallant hero, like Hercules, but in the form of Perseus, comes to the rescue. It is forever the struggle to bring together in harmony the two sides of our nature and of the natural world, the positive and negative, the mind and body, the soul and spirit, the male element and the female element, in order that life may function more truly along the lines that it should be. Cetus, the same sea-sky monster who threatened Andromeda, also swallowed Biblical Jonah. Jonah spent three days in the whales belly. In such quiet isolation, he was able to discover more about himself before being regurgitated back into the world. Such self-sacrifice of the physical wants and sense satisfaction is to be an underlying theme of the new solar journey approaching and which underpins such festivals as Easter. The Hindu god Vishnu, as the white horse Kalki, will also celebrate this coming festival of the Aries Equinox or time of Equal Day and Night. Essence and Life cannot be seen but they are contained in the Light of Heaven which is symbolised by the Golden Flower of Buddhist philosophy, and must be allowed to circulate unimpeded, as the breath flows.

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