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 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 or 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.
|