Astrology is a strange subject.
Why does it work people ask. And Astrology answers; with the first breath a new
living thing takes into itself the essence of the Universe. This essence
carries the seed pattern of experience for that existence.
This pattern is recorded in the
Astrological Natal Chart of that thing or person. However, the outcome is not
dogmatic or set in concrete because humans are endowed with will-power and with
this will-power they can adjust their living and thereby their circumstances
can change. Another ‘however’: it takes quite some effort and self-knowledge to
achieve such a thing but it certainly is not impossible. One should rule the
stars not allow the stars to rule the Self.
The ancients understood this
Universal essence, taken in at birth, to be made up of 4 subtle elements that
pervade the universe. Even now we do not really understand the subtle essence
of Universal forces, so until science can oblige we might as well stick with
the ancient view, which is still used in Astrology to explain the principles of
the discipline of Astrology.
The elements from J. D. Mylius, 'Philosophia Reformata'.
Theses 4 subtle essences or
elements are called Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, the reason being that in the
material world these are the nearest analogies to be found to the more subtle
and invisible qualities of the Cosmos.
So we have a good starting point
for a very general classification of the 12 tribes of the human species and
this is according to the 12 zodiac signs, each of which is given to one of
these above mentioned elements.
It must be remembered that this
classification is very general and very basic. Each individual expression of
one of these signs and qualities can manifest in a myriad of possibilities or
shades of the one prime element.
Life will not respond to a
dogmatic statement that leaves no room for movement. As the ancient wisdom
advises, if there is one thing we can be sure of, it is that change and
transformation is ever present and no two things are ever exactly the same.
Each of the 3 signs in one
elemental group is therefore divided once again into 3.
3 x 3 = 9.
9 is the number symbolic of a
circle or a cycle of growth. A woman is pregnant for 9 months; the nodes of the
Moon return to their starting point every 18 years [9 + 9] and of course the
important half nodal cycle is 9.
The 12 signs of the zodiac fall
into 4 groups of 3 when classified according to our metaphysical elements of
Fire, Earth, Air and Water.
FIRE: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
EARTH: Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus.
AIR: Libra, Gemini, Aquarius.
WATER: Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio.
There is a 5th element but that is hidden and
secret. The Chinese call it ‘Chi’ or ‘Qi’.
