Ophiuchus - the Serpent Bearer

In order to understand the nature of Quaoar, it is important to also understand the surrounding influences where Quaoar was 'born' (discovered).

Quaoar was discovered in the constellation of Ophiuchus. The name Ophiuchus is derived from the Greek words 'ophis' (serpent) and 'cheiro-o' (to handle)--hence the Serpent Bearer or Serpent Handler.

There is a myth in which this constellation while in an embryonic state, was 'saved' out of the fires of death and decay, and put under the care of Chiron the Centaur, who taught him the arts of medicine and healing. This also involves the handling of drugs.

The serpent is sometimes seen as a healing agent, as it represent prudence, rejuvenation, wisdom and rebirth. But just as there is the power to create and heal life, there is also the power to destroy life. However, the destruction is not of life itself, but rather certain of the forms that life utilises.

It can be said that Ophiuchus is a snake-charmer of sorts. A snake-charmer develops a certain skill in dealing with serpents, he also develops immunity against poisonous bites. Therefore, Ophiuchus is able handle the poisonous snakes, threats and dangers that we may have to face in life. Ophiuchus gives the power to handle very difficult and even deadly things by using skill and a power to withstand and resist aggression. To become skillful he has to become proficient in the use of directional sound and movement. Often with Ophiuchus we find an introduction of poisons in a system, and then the handling and curing of these poisons. This also entails the 'Power to Absorb' and dilute the otherwise deadly concentrations of intruding substances or aggressors. It develops resilience with the power to take what is coming, and then bounce back. It 'awakens the bear that is asleep'. We find the power to resist deadly bites, and develop the immune system.

In the Book of Job xxvi, 13, it says: "His hand hath pierceth the swift serpent". This could very well be an allusion to Ophiuchus, whom can say: "I got it" or "I made it". Because when looking at his name in Greek--'cheiro-o' (to handle)--we find that the hands, and their skillful use have to be very much involved with Ophiuchus. This would relate Ophiuchus to Gemini and Mercury and the 4th Ray (Harmony through Conflict) as well as the 7th Ray (Order, Magic and Creative Manifestation). These influences co-operate in the way that the gaps are bridged so that manifestation of the Higher or Divine nature becomes possible in the body. The perceptive person will also see a connection to Chiron the Centaur ('cheiro' means 'hand'), who has skill and is a knower of many things, especially healing it would seem. Chiron, Ophiuchus and Quaoar form an interesting triangle; handling, bridging and manifesting original intent.

Ophiuchus is a rather sprawling constellation covering a large area, it has a wide reach and this is also true of its influences. Through the ages, its stars have been looked upon as dangerous for mankind, occasioning much mortality by poisoning. But since Ophiuchus is often depicted as an elderly man, there is the indication of knowledge and wisdom having been gained through experience and hardship. It is therefore also an image which can inspire in the present, while carrying the learnings made in the past, and passing it on to our modern society. So, it has to do with passing down or handing down things (like knowledge) to posterity to preserve those skills. Or it can be the struggle to preserve a set of values or world-view that is involved.

It was through the occurence of a Nova in the constellation of Ophiuchus that the Aristotelian axiom of the incorruptibility of the Heavens was 'leathally wounded'. The Nova was observed by Johannes Kepler whom was alerted by his helper. The Nova is called Kepler's Star, and was observed in Ophiuchus on October 10, 1604. It can be said that the Nova was in the nature of a poison that was introduced into the system of thought related to the governing axiom. It could not be ignored, and had to be handled and processed, thus re-activating creative thinking on the part of the inspired and the intellectual on matters of the heavens. It set free the locked in powers whose time had come to be released and make a difference. It brought change and a new world-view.

Somehow, "the more things change, the more they stay the same". This is true of the Ancient Wisdom, but also of appearance. This constellation should bring a deeper understanding of the nature of things, and an ability to see through the transcience of things into the real issues involved. It gives an understanding of the opposing forces; contrasting the light and dark. In this sense it has to do with the battle of good and evil. Ophiuchus is a Knower of the Secrets of Life and is becoming a Master of Life and Death. According to Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the Serpent was once identified with Tiamat, the Sea Monster, whom eventually was struck by Marduk (Jupiter). Tiamat represent Chaos from which all other things come, a pre-organised state where there are occuring many unholy liasons and relations giving different progeny and offspring. Marduk is the Sun god who eventually killed Tiamat for these reasons, thus bringing a sense of order or control to Creation. There seem to be a theme here around ignorance with its consequences of wrongful creation and the regulatory action that follows upon that.

On the individual level, it can be said that, "to handle the serpent", is to control the mind and the desires with their unenlightened powers of greation and generation. To become a conscious and enlightened (co-)creator having in mind that "energy follows thought". Before long, the act of Creation should become inspired from above, and wrought out as a result of thought impulses, rather than selfish desire impulses. Therefore, you should beware of what you wish for, as you might just "get it" or have it come true. Ophiuchus is calling forth the sense in man of being responsible for his own actions or creations and to handle his own affairs. To become a causative factor in evolution, rather than dealing with the effects or consequences of what has been handed down or passed on to you from earlier actions or in-actions.

Just as Ophiuchus is the 13th sign, breaking the perfect harmony of the 12 zodiacal signs, so we find an introduction of a disturbing element into a static environment with Ophiuchus. There is always 'the other thing' (often unthinkable or unexpected by many) which should be considered with an open mind. It is like the snake in the tree in the Garden of Eden, telling Eve to eat from the apple of knowledge. Therefore we find that it challanges the innocent and the ignorant. It serves to bring knowledge and truth, activating and upsetting the static condition. In a way, it opens the Gate into Eden, that will eventually permit a greater understanding.

Ophiuchus and the Disciple

According to Alice Bailey: "There are many disciples who have achieved a fair measure of self-control and of personal disinterestedness. They are not the victims of personality desire and aims, and are comparatively free from the whirlpool of selfish tendencies. But their astral bodies are again and again swept into a state of agitation by the group for, and in which, they work. They are elated or depressed, satisfied or dissatisfied by the results they achieve or fail to achieve; this achievement or lack of achievement and the steadiness or disloyalties of their fellow servers produce agitation and emotional upset, and on this powerful reaction their thought-forms, constructed so diligently and prayerfully, come to naught. Their "skill in action" is lost, because they are tied to the desired result and so their labour produces nothing."

"Man, as he creates those thought-forms by which he expresses himself, through which he works, and by which he is surrounded. It should also here be borne in mind that this definite creative work is only possible to those who function on mental levels—the thinkers of the world and the disciples of the Masters."

"When the soul has learned to handle its instrument, through the medium of the mind and the brain, direct contact and interplay between the two becomes increasingly possible and steady, so that a man at will can focus his mind upon earthly affairs and be an efficient member of society, or upon heavenly things and function in his true being as a son of God. When this is the case, the soul utilizes the mind as a transmitting agent and the physical brain is trained to be responsive to that which is transmitted. The true son of God can live in two worlds at once; He is a citizen of the world and of the Kingdom of God."

Ophiuchus and the Master Hilarion

Now, when considering this matter, we will use some associative thinking. Then we find that Ophiuchus have been looked upon as being Saint Paul with the Maltese Viper. Saint Paul is also known to be an earlier incarnation of the Master Hilarion. Hilarion is a Master on the 5th ray of Concrete Mind and Science. This ray is also known as "The Revealer of Truth", a theme which very much motivates the work of the Master Hilarion. He is also working with healing in its many aspects. One very important aspect of the healing work is the bridging of faith and reason, and Science and Religion.

This is interesting since the constellation of Ophiuchus is also known as Aesculapius, who was taught the arts of medicine and healing by the Centaur Chiron. Eventually Aesculapius got so good at his craft that he could restore the dead to life. This threatened Pluto, the lord of the underworld, who then complained to Jupiter. Jupiter then sent Aquila, the Eagle to kill Aesculapius with one of his thunderbolts. It is also interesting that the constellation of Ophiuchus was known by the name of 'Toiling' in the early days. He holds the Serpent with his hands; he toils and grapples with it. This sense of toiling is preeminently associated with the 5th Ray among the seven rays. So, Ophiuchus was once known as 'Toiling' and upon the 5th ray one gets to know the "toil severe", and the Master Hilarion is upon the 5th Ray and was earlier incarnated as Saint Paul, whom have also been associated with this very constellation. The numerology of Hilarion could be interesting to look at:

It comes as no surprise that the 5th Ray Master Hilarion numerologically reduces to the number 5. But also, it is interesting to find that Quaoar have been given the asteroid number 50000, which of course also reduces to the number 5. When counting clockwise from the Vernal Point, we actually find that Ophiuchus is the 5th constellation along the ecliptic. When counting in the anti-clockwise direction we find Leo as the 5th zodiacal sign. This is of course the creatively expressive sign par excellence, governing the fires of creation.

The opposite constellation of Ophiuchus, is the great constellation of Orion, the Hunter. This luminous constellation also represent the Christ. There is a story telling how Orion got bit by the Scorpion and died, but how Aesculapius healed Orion and restored him to life. This story is imbedded in the name of Master Hilarion.

Having established the relation between Ophiuchus and the Master Hilarion, we just have to remind ourselves that Quaoar was discovered in the constellation of Ophiuchus, to establish a link between Quaoar and Hilarion. Since I do not have the data of Hilarion's chart, I will take a look at one of his probable disciples to see if Quaoar can have some prominence in his chart, life and work.

By NN © 2002

Sources

1. Patterns in the Sky, Julius D. W. Staal

2. Twenty-four books on Esoteric Philosophy, Alice A. Bailey