Fundamentals
of Esoteric Astrology
- The Decanates
Introduction
to
Fundamentals
of Esoteric Astrology - the Decanates
This
letter will address matters fundamental to Esoteric Astrology. It
will focus on the ‘firm’-ament or Ground itself and those
matters that truly sub-stand this the Greatest of Sciences. It will
provide a Key to the nature and origin of the Decanates, whilst the
decanates themselves open doors to heavenly mansions. I find it understandable
that the Tibetan considered the Decanates at length in His Treatise.
In this
day and age, no one really knows the source or derivation of the concept
of decanates. Although they are part of ancient sources of Indian
and Egyptian astrology etc., no one can explain how they were derived
and in which way they were really used. It is true that one of their
uses in Egypt were to keep the time. Besides keeping the time, they
are also related to various cycles, which broadens the sense of time-keeping
and gives perspective. Using the decans in this respect also gave
certain times their own qualities, because governed by specific Deities
of planets, stars and constellations.
What
are the decanates really?
First
of all, the concept of the decanates is not just one simple thing.
The decanates have actually been used in several different ways, all
more or less justifiable. However, I will here focus upon one of the
more fundamental reasons behind the concept of decanates.
I have come to the understanding that the decanates of a sign are
focal points for extra-zodiacal influences. There are many constellations
and stars other than those found in the zodiac--the apparent path
of the Sun--yet, these extra-zodiacal influences have not been readily
accounted for. They are fused and blended by the zodiacal constellations,
and find their way through the signs where they are focussed in the
decanates. It can be stated that they represent different aspects
of the specific constellation with which they have affinity.
As a
possible analogy can be offered by the chakras of a human being. These
chakras located in the lower vehicles are inlets into the physical
framework from different levels and vehicles of the specific human
being in question. The constellations and signs also have inlets related
to different levels or aspects. This is reflected in the decanates
and the rulers. According to development and rays, so do the chakras
and hence also the planets change their interrelation and governing
energies. As human beings and their interior dynamics change, so do
the chakras (and thereby a human beings responsiveness to the different
decanates). This makes quite explicit the relation of the decanates
and the Science of Triangles.
The
decanates in the scheme of things
Now,
in order to make more clear the place the decanates have in the scheme
of things, let me give you two fundamental quotes of relevance here.
EA p.
621-22:
"In
the understanding of the significance of the distinction between constellations
as galaxies of stars, and signs as concentrated influences will come
fresh light upon the science of astrology. This is fundamentally connected
with the difference between the relation of a ray energy to the triangle
of constellations and the human relation. More I may not say but this
will give a hint to the intuitive astrologer."
To this
can be added the following from EA p. 28-29:
"1.
Those coming from certain great constellations which are to be found
active in relation to our solar system and which, from the most ancient
days, have always been related in myth and legend to our system. To
these constellations, ours is related in a peculiar way.
2. Those
coming from the twelve zodiacal constellations. These are recognised
as having a definite effect upon our system and our planetary life.
3. Those
coming from the planets found within the periphery of the Sun's sphere
of influence.
From
a certain point of view, one can generalise largely and say that these
are the correspondences in the solar system to the three great centres
of force which produce and control manifestation and evolutionary
progress in the human being:
1. The
great exterior, yet controlling, constellations are analogous to that
centre of force which we call the Monad and to its universal will-to-power
which is distinctive of the first divine aspect.
2. The
twelve constellations might be regarded as embodying the soul aspect
and, for the present, their effect upon the individual must be regarded
and should be studied in terms of consciousness and of the development
of the life of the soul. This is in essence the will-to-love.
3. The
planets, twelve in number (seven sacred planets and five non-sacred),
are effective (using the word in a technical sense) in relation to
the external life, environment and circumstances of the individual.
Their force contacts should be interpreted largely in terms of the
human [Page 29] personality, the third divine aspect. They thus exemplify
the will-to-know."
I will
suggest a distinction between the major fundamental sidereal constellations,
the minor sidereal constellations, the signs and the decanates. Let
me try to make this clear to you. The following relations should be
viewed according to the hourglass or diamond formations as suggested
in the chapter on Cosmic Energies and Transformation (around page
609 in E.A):
TRANSCENDING
CAUSE -- MONAD-- ONE ABOUT WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID -- SIDEREAL ZODIACAL
CONSTELLATION ==>>
==>>
TRANSMITTING TRIANGLE --TRIAD-- GREAT BEAR, PLEIADES AND SIRIUS --
EXTRA-ZODIACAL TRIPLICITY OF SIDEREAL CONSTELLATIONS ==>>
==>>
TRANSFORMING FOCI -- SOUL -- SEVEN SOLAR SYSTEMS OF WHICH OURS IS
ONE -- TROPICAL ZODIACAL SIGN ==>>
==>>
TRANSFIGURING CENTER -- PERSONA -- SUN / THREE SYNTHESIZING PLANETS
-- DECANATES OF TROPICAL SIGN AND THE RULING PLANETS ==>>
etc.
into the chakras.
|
So,
the true basis of the decanates is found in the extra-zodiacal
constellations, which minor/subsidiary constellations stand
to the major constellations, as the decanates stand to the tropical
signs.
|
The planetary
rulers of the decanates, can actually be considered as being the rulers
of the minor constellations. The planetary rulers of the decanates
on the Wheel of Form (clockwise) are the exoteric rulers of the respective
constellations. The planetary rulers of the decanates on the Wheel
of Consciousness (anti-clockwise) are the esoteric rulers of the respective
constellations.
Below
you will find a list that relate the Decanates, the Constellations
and the Planetary Rulers. Some editing and amplifications have been
made to the information given on the planetary rulers by the Tibetan.
However, there may still be some ambiguities and even erroneous assignments,
but I believe most to be in line with good reasoning and Ancient Astrology,
as it was anchored by the Hierarchy in old Atlantean days. Certain
changes will be made to the assignments of decanates within a sign,
but the research is not concluded yet.
The
Decanates, with the related Constellations and Planetary Rulers:
[anti-clockwise
wheel of Consciousness <<--->> clockwise wheel of Form]
1. ARI
00 - 10: (Cetus--The Whale) Jupiter and Venus <<--->>
Mars
2. ARI
10 - 20: (Cassiopeia--The Queen and Triangulum--The Triangle) Sun
<<--->> Sun
3. ARI
20 - 30: (Perseus--The Champion) Mars <<--->> Jupiter
4. TAU
00 - 10: (Eridanus--The River) Moon and Venus <<--->>
Saturn
5. TAU
10 - 20: (Auriga--The Charioteer) Mercury <<--->> Moon
(Venus)
6. TAU
20 - 30: (Orion--The Hunter and Buddha/Christ) Saturn <<--->>
Mercury
7. GEM
00 - 10: (Lepus--The Hare AKA an Unclean Bird standing on Serpent)
Jupiter <<--->> Mercury
8. GEM
10 - 20: (Canis Minor--The Second Dog AKA Sebak--Hawk’s Head
and Tail ...Procyon/Castor) Mars <<--->> Venus
9. GEM
20 - 30: (Canis Major--The Dog AKA Apes--Head of Cosmic Christ/Hawk
...Sirius/Pollux) Sun <<--->> Saturn
10. CAN
00 - 10: (Argo--The Ship or Arc AKA Shes-en-Fent--The Great Ox Enclosed)
Venus <<--->> Moon
11. CAN
10 - 20: (Ursa Minor--The Lesser Bear AKA Lesser Sheepfold) Mercury
<<--->> Mars
12. CAN
20 - 30: (Ursa Major--The Great Bear AKA Greater Sheepfold) Moon <<--->>
Jupiter
13. LEO
00 - 10: (Corvus--The Crow) Mars <<--->> Saturn
14. LEO
10 - 20: (Hydra--The Sea Serpent/Leo Minor) Sun <<--->>
Jupiter
15. LEO
20 - 30: (Crater--The Cup or Chalice) Jupiter <<--->>
Mars
16. VIR
00 - 10: (Centaur) Mercury <<--->> Sun
17. VIR
10 - 20: (Boötes--The Bear Guard) Saturn <<--->>
Venus
18. VIR
20 - 30: (Coma Berenice--The Desired or Longed for AKA Shes-nu--Infant
Horus in the lap of Isis i.e., Birthed Christ Child nourished by Virgin
Mother) Venus <<--->> Mercury
19. LIB
00 - 10: (Crux--The Southern Cross) Jupiter <<--->> Moon
20. LIB
10 - 20: (Lupus--The Wolf/Victim/Sacrifice) Saturn <<--->>
Saturn
21. LIB
20 - 30: (Corona Borealis--The Northern Crown related to Corona Australis--The
Southern Crown) Mercury <<--->> Jupiter
22. SCO
00 - 10: (Serpens--The Serpent) Mars and Pluto <<--->>
Mars
23. SCO
10 - 20: (Ophiuchus--The Serpent Bearer) Jupiter and Chiron <<--->>
Sun
24. SCO
20 - 30: (Hercules--The Kneeling Hero) Sun hiding Mercury, Vulcan,
Pluto <<--->> Mercury, Venus?
25. SAG
00 - 10: (Lyra--The Lyre or Falling Grype) Jupiter <<--->>
Mercury
26. SAG
10 - 20: (Ara--The Altar) Mars <<--->> Moon
27. SAG
20 - 30: (Draco--The Dragon and Corona Australis--The Southern Crown)
Sun <<--->> Sun
28. CAP
00 - 10: (Sagitta--The Arrow and possibly Cygnus--The Swan) Saturn
and Jupiter <<--->> Saturn
29. CAP
10 - 20: (Delphinus--The Dolphin/Pirate/Fish and stream of water/free
flowing Water pouring out of Urn) Venus <<--->> Venus
30. CAP
20 - 30: (Aquila--the Eagle) Sun (Vulcan?) <<--->> Sun
(Mercury)
31. AQU
00 - 10: (Cygnus--The Swan) Saturn <<--->> Venus
32. AQU
10 - 20: (Pegasus--The Winged Horse and Equuleus--The Colt) Mercury
<<--->> Mercury
33. AQU
20 - 30: (Pisces Austrinus--The Southern Fish/Avatar) Venus <<--->>
Moon (Uranus)
34. PIS
00 - 10: (The Band--The Bond/Antahkarana/Sutratma) Jupiter <<--->>
Saturn
35. PIS
10 - 20: (Andromeda--The Chained Woman, Fornax--The Furnace) Moon,
Vulcan, Mercury and Sun <<--->> Jupiter
36. PIS
20 - 30: (Cepheus--The King) Mars <<--->> Mars
It is
possible to access the energy of any extra-zodiacal constellation
associated with a certain sign, simply by having a planet in the sign.
There is a more direct access to the energy when the planet is in
the same decanate as a certain extra-zodiacal constellation associated
with it, but it is not necessary. However the placement in a certain
decanate is oftentimes symbolical of the specific process that one
is going through in relation to that sign.
By
NN © 2002