Fundamentals
of Esoteric Astrology
- The Sidereal and Tropical Zodiacs
Introduction
In this
letter, I wll be sharing some thoughts (far from complete) on this
matter that I wrote in relation to another group.
The following
question was posed--
Question:
"I
have been perplexing over the question of the use of the tropical
over the sidereal zodiac in casting astrology charts. In Solar Fire
there is a Djwhal Khul setting under sidereal that is approximately
4 degrees different than the Fagan-Allen setting. I can grasp the
use of the tropical zodiac for the unevolved person but for a disciple
or initiate would not the sidereal zodiac be more appropriate and
why the 4 degrees difference in the two above mentioned sidereal systems?"
Where
is the beginning of the circle?
Here
follow some thoughts on the matter;
It is
a fact that the constellations in the zodiacal belt are not of equal
length or size, and sometimes they even overlap. This is the case
with the constellations Pisces and Aquarius for example. Therefore,
just by looking at the heavens, it is not so easy to say exactly where
one constellation begin and another one end.
In the
spirit of equality, and to simplify things all constellations are
instead given an equal 30 degrees making a total of 360 degrees of
the circle. This is fine, but then comes the next question; where
does this circle of 12 equals have its beginning? Maybe zero degrees
Aries--but where is zero degrees Aries found in the heavens?
This
is where the different sidereal zodiacs differ. They all have more
or less different beginning points, or anchoring points in the heavens.
Certain stars may indicate the beginning points, but these stars are
also in dispute, hence the different beginning-points.
The Tibetan
gave the year 2117 as year of the beginning of the Aquarian Age, and
based upon this year can be calculated a sidereal zodiac, because
at that time (by most definitions) the vernal equinox will be 30 degrees
off from beginning of Pisces. It is an assumption that when he gave
the year 2117, he meant that the vernal equinox would be displaced
by 30 degrees from its archetypal position at zero degrees Aries on
the anti-clockwise wheel, and zero degrees Pisces on the clockwise
wheel.
So, the
sidereal zodiac can in a way be considered as factual, because there
is no great displacement of planetary positions with respect to the
constellations in the background. The planets are usually seen against
the backdrop of the constellation that they are said to 'be in'. But
the problem is to know where the circle of constellations begin.
The tropical
zodiac does not have the same problem. We know exactly where it begins,
although its beginning-point is moving approximately 1 degree every
72 years in relation to the background stars. We still know exactly
where it is in relation to the background stars and constellations.
The different
sidereal zodiacs are measured with respect to the tropical zodiac
and it's beginning-point--the vernal point. The difference or displacement
between the two is called the ayanamsha. Most ayanamshas these days
are around 25 degrees, whereas DK's ayanamsha is around 28 degrees.
You can calculate this exactly in Solar Fire, by noting the difference
when using the different ayanamshas.
Sidereal
and Tropical perspectives
Contrasting
the two zodiacs:
Generally,
the sidereal zodiac is more lunar, and along the hard-line rays; 1,
3, 5, 7. The tropical zodiac is more solar, and related to the soft-line
rays; 2, 4, 6. It is no surprise that a country like India, influenced
by Rays 1 and 3 and signs (or should I say constellations) Capricorn
and Aries is so much involved with the sidereal zodiac. It is a 'lunar'
nation, and hence maybe it's inhabitants will thereby respond more
to the sidereal zodiacs than the tropical one, as they are envoloped
by that thought-form. If it's a Moon chain Ego, then maybe the sidereal
will have greater influence as well. We also have to consider the
races and sub-races in the same manner as we do with nations and maybe
continents. The individual ray make-up may have to be considered too.
This may be one of the reasons why DK tells us to determine the ray
before interpreting the chart. Also the focal centre of the chakras
for a certain incarnation may also have to be taken into consideration.
The two
different zodiacs are always operative to some extent, and always
have an influence, its just a question of determining the ratio and
percentage of influence.
Listing
factors that may be involved in determining the influences of the
two zodiacs:
- Evolutionary
status.
- Mechanism
of response.
- Race,
sub-race, nation and continent.
- Where
individualisation occurred.
- Individual
ray make-up.
- Focal
centre.
- Gender.
We must
understand that besides considering the different zodiacs, we find
certain techniques or systems applied with the zodiacs. These systems
in themselves may be more material or more subjective in their orientation.
So it's not cut and dry, but a mix depending on matters applied with
the zodiacs.
But again,
in general, I would say that sidereal is more form oriented; tropical
more responsive to soul.
Zodiacs
of Esoteric Astrology
Esoteric
astrology deals more definitely with the unfoldment of the inner life
and bring in the remoter possibilities. Only as a man re-orients himself
and begins to travel back to his source is it possible for esoteric
astrology to become more influential than the other systems.
Why I
mention esoteric astrology here, is because I believe that it is inclusive
of both perspectives and approaches of the Tropical and Sidereal zodiacs.
Esoteric astrology contains both, yet transcends the limitations of
both. Triangulation is achieved, and the polar opposites are being
resolved.
After
the Path of Discipleship the sidereal zodiac, esoterically applied,
will begin to supersede the influences of the tropical zodiac. You
might say that, the sidereal zodiacs are stronger in the 1st and 3rd
decanates of form and spirit, whereas tropical govern the 2nd or middle
decanate.
Maybe
I can express the influences as follows:
1st
decanate of form control and personality integration - Tropical
rise, Sidereal/Houses culminate, Sidereal/Esoteric anti-culminate.
2nd
decanate of Discipleship - Tropical culminates, Sidereal/Houses
set, Sidereal/Esoteric rise.
3rd
decanate of Initiate - Tropical set, Sidereal/Houses anti-culminate,
Sidereal/Esoteric culminate.
As we
take the first Sirian initiation (our third initiation), our scope
becomes widened and more planetary and we can begin to respond to
the stars and constellations in a new and more direct manner. At the
third initiation we start understanding and accessing the first aspect
in a new and more direct way. We are solarized as it were--we have
seen the culmination of the tropical zodiac which is now approaching
the western horizon. The tropical zodiac have served its purpose,
but is now beginning to be a limitation, just like the causal body
have to be destroyed, because it has become a limitation.
Heliocentric
perspective
Then
there is of course the question of Heliocentricity. The Heliocentric
perspective is suited for the astrology that deals with inter-solar
systemic astrology. That astrology which seeks to find out what is
going on between our solar system and other solar systems, especially
within the Sirian System of Suns.
It therefore
deals more with connections to, and within, organisations and organisms,
as these are composed of many parts or entities, put together as one
whole. How ones individual gifts can assist the whole, and how that
whole impress the individual part with something greater and far-reaching,
offering transcendence of the individual ring-pass-not. This is the
preferred domain of Heliocentric astrology.
By
NN © 2002