Astrological
Aspects
Many statements are being made in
public mass media about the Aquarian Age. Frequently an observer will
comment that the Aquarian Age has arrived, that it will last for this or
that period of time, that it is the result of one or another astronomical
or astrological phenomenon, that it has certain characteristics, or that,
under its influence, human beings will be more apt to perform certain
specific actions than others.
In an attempt to clarify the confusion
which exists about this subject, The Rosicrucian Fellowship teachings
about the Aquarian Age are presented here.
The Aquarian Age has not yet arrived,
although its influences are already being felt, and it will not be fully
with us for over six hundred more years-- or in approximately 2,600
A.D.
Precession of the
Equinoxes
The fact that, nevertheless, some
authorities claim that we are already in the Aquarian Age possibly may be
explained by the difference between the zodiacal constellations and the
so-called "intellectual zodiac." A certain group of fixed stars in the
heavens is called Aries; another group, located close to it, is called
Taurus; a third group is called Gemini, and so on. These twelve
constellations, or groups of stars, as seen in the heavens, always remain
in the same group and in about the same relative position one to another.
Through these constellations, the Sun circles from year to year with
unvarying precision, but owing to the fact that the axis of the Earth
inclines toward the Sun and has a wobbling motion, similar to that of a
spinning top which has almost spent its force, the motion of the Sun
appears to be uneven. Each year, when it enters the constellation Aries,
crossing the Earth's equator, it is a little earlier than the year before.
It precedes, and therefore astronomers speak of the "precession of the
equinox." That is, the Sun appears to cross the equator at the vernal
equinox, or the start of spring, each year, a short distance before it
reaches the point where it crossed the preceding year. Thus if one year it
crossed in the first degree of Aries, the next year it would cross
slightly within the constellation Pisces. The following year it would be
still farther away in Pisces from the first point of Aries, and so on.
This backward motion, however, is so slow that it takes nearly seventy
years to move through one degree, or twenty-one hundred years to go
through one sign, or approximately twenty-six thousand years to go
backward through the twelve signs. This latter period is called a Great
Sidereal Year.
Two Zodiacs
Astronomers usually speak of "degrees
of right ascension," by which they divide the circle of the heavens into
the usual number of three hundred and sixty degrees, starting with the
point where the Sun crosses the equator at the next preceding vernal
equinox. But they also call the first thirty degrees from that point
Aries, the second thirty degrees Taurus, etc., as does the astrologer.
Thus there is a natural zodiac composed of stars in the heavens which
change so little that it is imperceptible in one lifetime or even in
several hundred years, and the intellectual zodiac which starts from the
point of the vernal equinox for any year.
Seeing that the Sun by precession
travels backward among the signs of the zodiac, it will be understood that
there must come a time when the vernal equinox occurs in the first point
of Aries; and thus during that year the intellectual and natural zodiacs
agree. This occurred the last time in about the year 500 A.D., and as the
Sun has been traveling backwards at its accustomed rate of one degree in
about seventy years, it is evident that at the present time the vernal
equinox occurs in about nine degrees of Pisces. Thus it will be about
2,600 A.D. before it actually enters the constellation Aquarius. The
Aquarian Age may be said to start at that time, and it will last
approximately 2,100 years while the Sun moves backward through the thirty
degrees of the sign Aquarius. There is, however, no definite and sharp
cut-off such as we make when we say that we enter the year 1969 at
midnight on the night of December 31, 1968, or that 1969 will continue
until midnight of December 31, 1969. That is a mathematical division of
time. The various epochs of human existence, however, depend upon vital
influences in life, and are conditions of mind rather than division of
time, though the two are linked.
Orb of Influence
Therefore, astrologers recognize what
is called an "orb of influence." To understand this, we must realize that
every human being is something more than that which we see--that he has
surrounding him an aura, an invisible atmosphere, a "something" which
radiates from him and which partakes of his distinct and personal nature.
Man has, in other words, certain vehicles which are invisible to ordinary
vision and which extend beyond the physical body. Thus, when we stand
close to another person, the invisible bodies intermingle, and at times
when we are very quiet and passive these subtle influences are more
readily felt than at other times, though they exist and are powerful
factors in our lives at all times.
Suppose that someone has his whole mind
concentrated upon his work so that he neither hears nor sees what is
happening about him. Gradually he becomes aware that someone else has
entered the room--is, in fact, standing behind him--and he turns around to
find a friend. He had not heard the friend enter because he was so
absorbed in his work, but he FELT him, because the aura of the friend
intermingled with his own auric atmosphere. Thus, though there was no
physical contact, he knew that someone was close by.
"As above, so below," and vice versa.
This is the Law of Analogy, the master key to the mysteries. Man is the
microcosm and the stars are the macrocosm. The constellations are groups
of great Spirits who have immured themselves in their starry bodies in
order to help less advanced intelligences gain the experiences of
evolution. We may conclude that these great Spirits have subtle vehicles
similar to the auric atmosphere of our Earth. Hence, the proximity of the
Sun to the constellation Aquarius at the time of the vernal equinox
transmits these influences to the Earth along with the solar rays, and as
the spring is the particular time when everything on Earth is impregnated
with life, we also may judge that the Aquarian Ray thus transmitted will
make itself felt among the people of the Earth.
Piscean Age
We readily recognize the Piscean
influence during the last two thousand years. The superstition,
intellectual bondage, and blind faith through which civilization has
passed are well known to historians. On the other hand, however, the
influences of the Piscean Age were necessary in the process of evolution.
The Teachings of love and altruism which Christ brought to our Earth were
so foreign to the Religion of Law--and of fear--which had come before that
they could not begin to take effect among the majority of mankind without
the stressing of faith, even a blind faith which included the doctrine of
the "Vicarious Atonement." During the Piscean Age--which will perhaps be
remembered as the Age of Faith in contrast to the Aquarian Age of
Reason--the tenets of the new Christianity (love and unselfishness) were
taught to an ever-increasing circle of believers. Abstinence from
flesh-eating was practiced on certain days. Reverence was paid to an
Immaculate Virgin. Gradually man was and is being taught to forsake the
lusts of the flesh and also lusting after the flesh. In the six hundred
years which remain before the Aquarian Age is definitely ushered in, we in
all probability will make great strides in both of these areas of
consciousness. It is well to remember, also, that Jupiter, the planet of
benevolence and philanthropy which is co-ruler of Pisces, has been a
prominent factor in promoting altruism during the past two
millennia.
If we now can find out what the
influence of the sign Aquarius is, we shall learn more about the Aquarian
Age.
Age of Innovations
Information about the influence of
Aquarius comes to us through a study of astrology. Aquarius has an
intellectual influence which is original, inventive, mystic, scientific,
altruistic, and religious. If we apply the biblical standard, "By their
fruits ye shall know them," we would expect to see that the Aquarian Age
would be ushered in by original endeavors along all lines connected with
science, religion, mysticism, and altruism. And indeed, this seems to be
true. We now can look back upon a period of nearly a century in which the
Sun by precession has traveled a little over one degree in the orb towards
Aquarius. During that time we find that there has been a very marked
change in all lines of thought and endeavor from that which history
records throughout the past two millennia. Consider only the inventions of
the past century, from telephone, telegraph, and radar, to the new, highly
complex machinery for space travel. These, and myriad more, are marking
Aquarian progress in the physical world. We also note the rapid rate at
which all the movements of liberal thought in religious matters are
superseding the old creedbound conditions, and the increasing number of
those who have developed spiritual sight and are investigating the trend
in evolution in the higher planes. The study of astrology has assumed
unheard of popularity in the last few years, and a visit to almost any
bookstore cannot help but impress one with the incredible number of recent
publications on occult matters and the "supernatural."
The Aquarian Age will see the blending
of religion and science to such a degree that a religious science and a
scientific religion will be formed--each respecting and learning from the
findings of the other--which will promote health, happiness, and enjoyment
of life.
Universal Brotherhood
The Aquarian Age will bring with it an
era of universal brotherhood, in preparation for which we see the barriers
of race prejudice being broken all around us. To be sure, this is
presently being accomplished under conditions of bloodshed and revolt. We
can be certain, however, that although the sword, which had its reign
during the Piscean Age, still is powerful, SCIENCE and ALTRUISM will rule
during the Aquarian Age.
Since Aquarius is an airy, scientific,
and intellectual sign, it is a forgone conclusion that the religion of
that Age must be rooted in reason and able to solve the riddle of life and
death in a manner that will satisfy both the mind and the religious
instinct. In this respect, the Western Wisdom Teachings promulgated by the
Rosicrucian Fellowship also are preparing the way for the Aquarian Age by
preparing the way for the Aquarian Age by breaking down the fear of death
engendered by the uncertainty surrounding the post-mortem existence. These
Teachings show that life and consciousness continue under Laws as
immutable as God, which tend to raise man to increasingly higher, nobler,
and loftier states of spirituality.
As an airy sign, Aquarius has special
rule over the ether. When the Sun enters Aquarius by precession, moisture
on Earth gradually will be eliminated and visual vibrations, which are
most easily transmitted by a dry etheric atmosphere, will become more
intense. Under these conditions, etheric sight will be developed in the
greatest majority of mankind, and we will be able to see residents of the
etheric region, including our own friends and loved ones who have died. We
then will be able to continue our companionship with them for a while
after "death," and have time to accustom ourselves to the fact that they
are going on to higher realms.
When this point in evolution is
reached, mankind also will be so much more enlightened that it will avoid
many of the pitfalls which cause trouble today, and we will enjoy a much
happier existence than has been the rule up to the present stage. We will
be able to solve social problems in a manner equitable to all, and the use
of improving machinery will free mankind from physical toil to a great
extent and give him greater opportunity for intellectual and spiritual
improvement. Although the blessings of the Aquarian Age assuredly will be
ours in time, it is possible for those who truly aspire to a "better," or
more spiritual life to bring themselves ever more in tune with the spirit
of the coming Age and thus render themselves amenable far more quickly and
completely than their contemporaries to Aquarian influences. He or she who
does his or her best to live a life of service to humanity, and to
exercise his of her powers of compassion, altruism, and beneficence, will
find himself or herself ever more responsive to Aquarian influences, and
his progress on the evolutionary path will be advanced accordingly.
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