To understand Aries is to gain valuable understanding of much that is happening throughout the world at the advent of a new age. The birth of anything at all requires an expulsive use of releasing energy. You use more gasoline to start the engine of your car than to keep the wheels going. To set in motion, to commence, requires a strong Initial push to offset the inertia of matter.

The birth of a new age requires a mighty impact of resurrective power. The beginning of a new age is springtime vastly augmented. So, appropriately enough, the birth of the Aquarian Age is marked by the resurrection of Temple Teachings relative to zodiacal significance. In the growing emphasis upon the observance of the three linked full moon festivals of Aries-Taurus-Gemini, human creators find their way to consciously participate in vital movements of planetary unfoldment.

The new initiating energy pouring into the mental plane in Aries, descends to the emotional plane in Taurus, where it may be reached and claimed by upstretched human aspiration, pictured as the up-pointed horns, the single-eyed bull of desire, symbol of Taurus.

The annual gift-wave from the Most High which had poured down into the mental plane in Aries, on down into the upheld chalice of humanity's spiritual desire in Taurus, must be brought down still farther in Gemini into the etheric body of humanity, there to be contained and assimilated so that in Cancer the new energy may find proper forms in planned service to the common good.

Upon the shoulders of world servers, the true sons of Aquarius, rests the responsibility to be suitable channels for this energy, carrying it in their own vehicles, providing it with proper unimpeded outflow via their world-spanning world-coordinated service activities. So, in Gemini, through the agency of the servers of the world, the new energy must pass between two pillars guarding the entrance to the outer world of form, to be further precipitated (later in Cancer) into birth in the dense physical form.

All along this Way of Descent of the downpouring stream of new livingness are stationed lives of every imaginable grade and order and degree of co-creative capacity, to convey and condition the downpouring "life more abundantly" into -- what else? -- NEW FORMS.

As we have seen, ARIES is the birthplace of ideas. The birth of a new idea requires that old forms of thinking, old attitudes, die out. Wherever old, outworn ideas are held onto, the new ideas cannot enter the mind. Aries means deathbirth.

Not death and birth. Not two sequential happenings. But one occurrence: birth-death. Or, death-birth.

In the realm of consciousness, to pass through a doorway is to die out of one room and be born into another, and the crossing of the threshold is one step. So birth on the mental plane indicates an inpouring of enlightenment that will prove to be death-dealing to whatever thoughtforms are standing in the way of Life's onmoving; and will simultaneously give birth to new insights, new incentive, new vision of the way ahead.

It can scarcely be repeated sufficiently: where there is reluctance to relinquish old forms for new, the destroyer aspect of Aries can be disconcerting -- or devastating. Life moves on! -- don't try to stop it.

The first degree of Aries is the place of the rising sun. The entrance of the sun into Aries is one of the initiatory points of the zodiac.

Major world religions, past and present, have woven the cardinal points of the solar year into important festivals. The tradition, the myth, the ritual whence issue the various religious observances of Springtime, develop around the planned placing of the Applicant to the Mysteries at such time, in such location, in such position, that three days after his ceremonial departure from his body his re-entrance to waking consciousness is induced by the first rays of the rising sun striking his forehead. He awakens, re-born godlike.

We have read, or been told, and have agreed in our hearts, every year for several years, that the New-Religion will be built upon a foundation of group meditation meetings held as close as is feasible to the time of the full moon; that upon such foundations will be raised a structure of public meeting, held annually in each of the major cities of the world, at the time of the full moons of Aries, Taurus and Gemini, to be presided over by a trained disciple of appropriate ray; that such meetings will be used by the spiritual Hierarchy and certain Spiritual Entities of magnitude to reestablish on earth anchoring points for new energies and, eventually, new institutions for developing a whole new world culture.

The vision is attractive; the method sounds workable once it gains momentum. Passages in the Tibetan's teaching describing the future possibility are quite exciting. Many readers tell how the pulse beats faster as they read.

Are you tempted, at this point, to take one of three courses?

1. Move out of the speed and smog and pressure of the city; find a quiet place and be glad that God and all those Spiritual Beings are taking such good care of the world.

2. Recall having heard of groups here and there who hold full moon meetings; remember vaguely having heard that the meetings are rather dull -- no food or social activity -- just people sitting, meditating. Leave the early stages of the work to others, wait and see who becomes involved.

3. Decide that if the restoration of the Mystery Temple on earth depends upon public meetings in your city, the whole idea is utterly unrealistic. Maybe the Tibetan doesn't know what a western metropolis is like. And there are so many other things to do.

We wonder what sort of people held what sort of gatherings in what sort of places in the formative stage of past religious systems. Early Christian meetings were held in rather unlikely places (such as underground cemeteries) at unlikely times (during Roman orgies, so as not to attract attention). Earlier still, they met in private dwellings. Little groups met quietly, uncertainly, animated by a Teaching then new, not well understood. How Interesting it is to look back on previous beginnings
    THOUGHTLINE, 3 April 1963

Ideograph of the Three Linked Festivals

Out of the Aquarian Urn is poured "life more abundantly", Down through the Messianic Tradition (the tie that binds the Fishes) into the Mind of the Creator
	There to be focused and translated into the Will-to-Incarnate;
	Received by the upreaching horns of the Bull of Desire;
	Channed between the twin pillars into the form etheric, woven by rhythmic interplay of life's polarities.
	Dense physical manifestation is now assured.

The Christ Today: Exponent of Brotherhood and Group Process

The Christ, when He reappears, is expected to anchor upon earth the Aquarian principles of universal brotherhood and group consciousness. As avatar of a cycle expected to be distinguished by brotherhood of men and of nations, and by group work and group progress as the way of the world, He may be expected to embody brotherhood in His reappearance and to exemplify group method in His way of working.

During the present cycle, the Christ is directing His influence through the sign Gemini. Gemini is the sign in the zodiac which channels second ray energy, love-wisdom. The symbol for Gemini is a pair of pillars. The pillars signify two brothers. The important part of the symbol is the space between the pillars, which signifies what goes on between two brothers: the nature of brotherly relationship.

Readers of the Tibetan's teaching know somewhat of the collaboration of the Buddha and the Christ as together They prepare for the Christ's reappearance and the Buddha's subsequent release from His long time commitment to aid our planet. During the period of preparation, the Buddha is focussing in Himself down-pouring energies of extra-planetary origin which constitute the spiritual inspiration of the governing forces of our planet; and the Christ focusses in Himself "the outgoing demand and the spiritual aspiration of the entire planet. This makes a planetary alignment of great potency."

The cooperative roles of the Buddha and the Christ might be envisioned as the two central pillars in the true Temple of the World. Symbolically and factually, the vitality of a new era is pouring in through these two pillars.

As you have already learned (through our mailings or through other channels of the Tibetan's teachings) at the time of the Wesak Festival, the full moon in Taurus, there is performed in the Himalayas a ceremony in which the Lord Buddha and the Lord Christ are the central participants. Other participants include the entire membership of the spiritual Hierarchy as well as the world disciples and aspirants who comprise the New Group of World Servers (all present either in the body or out of the body or in the dream state). At the exact moment of the full moon the Buddha transmits to His great brother, the Christ, spiritual energy which the Buddha brings to earth each year. The Christ holds the energy in trust for one full month. Then, at the hour of the full moon in Gemini, the Christ begins the gradual distribution of the Buddha's blessing throughout the year, throughout the world.

It so happens -- and do try to capture the beauty and simplicity of the pattern, now, as you read -- that the relation of Gemini to all other signs in the zodiac is curiously appropriate for the circulation of a sense of brotherhood, and for the planting of group values in the heart of humanity. Gemini is related to every pair of opposite points, making of every pair of opposites a three-way relationship, a triangle. Triple relationship reflects the origin of the group concept in the Triune God. God in His triplicity is the First Group.

A future world society, animated by the spirit of brotherhood and built upon group relations, is even now taking shape in mind.

Energies that prompt the building of that world society are reaching us from distant points in the solar system, via groups of Beings unknown to man, via the collaboration of the two great Brothers focussed in the Wesak Festival. Then, beginning at the full moon of Gemini, the Christ releases these energies gradually throughout the year, through triangles of zodiacal signs.

(The zodiac is simply a thoughtform, a concept, a symbol, which by its nature leads the thoughtful student into an understanding of the nature of God, the working of human nature, and the relation between God and man. A full moon is simply a condition of the sun and moon occupying opposite points in the physical sky, and opposite points in the zodiac upon the plane of mind.)

At each full moon, the spiritual impetus released by the Christ through Gemini, first circulates around a triangle formed by Gemini and the two opposite signs occupied by the sun and moon. Each month the energy circulates around another triangle, as the sun and moon move at each full moon into the next pair of opposite signs, thus around the circle. Month by month, the Christ's influence continues its circulatory flow into the human kingdom, and is received by groups whose rhythm of work has been carefully synchronized with the full moon rhythm. Full moon meditating groups are an essential part, even though a fractional part, of the vast process.

Naturally, the new inpouring energies will be received first and assimilated most comfortably by persons whose character and quality of living reflect the character and quality of the new energies. Groups actively and strenuously engaged in establishing brotherhood between nations, between races, between religions, are the early recipients of the new energies.

This briefly describes the invisible structure and mechanism currently bringing the love of the Christ into the affairs of men.
THOUGHTLINE, 4 June 1963

The three main channels through which the preparation for the new age is going on might be regarded as the Church, the Masonic Fraternity and the educational field. All of them are as yet in relatively static condition, and all are as yet failing to meet the need and to respond to the inner pressure. But in all of these movements, disciples of the Great ones are to be found and they are steadily gathering momentum and will before long enter upon their designated task.

The Masonic Movement when it can be divorced from politics and social ends and from its present paralyzing condition of inertia, will meet the need of those who can, and should, wield power. It is the custodian of the law; it is the home of the Mysteries and the seat of initiation. It holds in its symbolism the ritual of Deity, and the way of salvation is pictorially preserved in its work. The methods of Deity are demonstrated in its Temples, and under the All-seeing Eye the work can go forward. It is a far more occult organization than can be realized, and is intended to be the training school for the Coming advanced occultists. In its ceremonials lies hid the wielding of the forces connected with the growth and life of the kingdoms of nature and the unfoldment of the divine aspects in man. In the comprehension of its symbolism will come the power to cooperate with the divine plan. It meets the need of those who work on the first Ray of Will or Power.

The Church finds its mission in the helping of the devotee, in aiding the great public which is innately religious and of good will. It hides in its heart those who vibrate to the great love ray, the second ray of Love-wisdom. Christ Himself works through it and by its means seeks to contact the vast Christian public. It is the leaven in His hands to leaven the whole lump, and being in a form comprehended by the people, it can touch the great masses of seeking souls.

By means of the educational work of the world, the Great Lord seeks to reach those of the intelligent public who cannot be reached by means of ceremonial and symbolism, as in Masonry, or by religious means and ritual, as in the Church. It touches the masses and those in whom the intelligence aspect predominates to the lessening of the other two aspects. It aids those men who are predominantly on the third Ray of Intelligent Activity.

In all these bodies there are to be found esoteric groups who are the custodians of the inner teaching and whose uniformity in aspiration and in technique is one. These inner groups consist of occult students and of those who are in direct or occasional touch with the Masters and of those whose souls are in sufficient control so that the will of the Hierarchy may be communicated and gradually filter down to the channel of the physical brain. These groups which constitute the true inner esoteric group are many, but their membership is yet small, for the fact that a student may belong to any of the outer esoteric groups so-called is no indication of his true esoteric status. When the few who are the true esoteric students of the world know the difference between etheric and astral forms, between mental clairaudience and clairvoyance and their astral counterparts, between the elementals of thought and the elementals of nature, then will the Christ and His church have a real esoteric group on the physical plane and the outer organizations receive the needed stimulation. That is why it is necessary to work with the students at this time and train them in the nature of true occultism. When we understand better the significance of time in prevision, and of force in movement, and when we comprehend more fully the laws that control the subtler bodies, and through them therefore the laws that function on the planes whereon those bodies express themselves, then will there be more intelligent and more useful work offered in cooperation with the Occult Hierarchy.

In the esoteric group, which is composed of the true spiritual esotericists found in all exoteric occult groups, in the church, by whatever name it may be called, and in Masonry you have the three paths leading to initiation. As yet they are not used, and one of the things that will eventuate -- when the new universal religion has sway and the nature of esotericsm is understood -- will be the utilisation of the banded esoteric organisms, the Masonic organism and the Church organism as initiating centres. These three groups converge as their inner sanctuaries are approached. There Is no dissociation between the One Universal Church, the sacred inner Lodge of all true Masons, and the innermost circles of the esoteric societies. Three types of men have their need met, three major rays are expressed, and the three paths to the Master are trodden, leading all three to the same portal and the same Hierophant.

It must not be forgotten that only those souls who are on the Probationary Path or the Path of Discipleship will form the nucleus of the coming world religion. It exists on the Inner planes for the purpose of gathering out of all the churches those who have reached the point in evolution where they can consciously and of their own free will place their feet upon the PATH which leads to the centre of peace; who can in full awareness turn their eyes upon the Great Lord, and transmute the life of worldly endeavour into the life of service. The first detachment gathered into the coming Church will be found to be a part of the present great band of servers. These have, down the ages, been associated with the Christ in His work. Remember always the fact of the work He did in connection with the last advent, and remember likewise that in the turning of the cyclic wheel, in the evolution of the spiral, similar conditions will eventuate, the same needs arise, and the same egos incarnate that were present in the days of old in Palestine. The numbers of those associated with Him will be greatly increased, for all who knew Him in earlier incarnations in the ancient East, all whom He cured or taught, all who contacted Him or in any way incurred karma with Him or with the Master Jesus, will have the opportunity to cooperate at this time. Each sincere aspirant who is closely connected with the present Church organisation, who feels a close link with the Christ and who loves Him, can be practically sure that in Palestine they saw Him, knew Him and mayhap served and loved Him.

The sacraments, properly understood, serve to strengthen this link and realisation, and such a one as that of Baptism (when entered upon with understanding) will draw forth oft a response from the Great Lord Himself. It is almost as if a golden strand were directed from His heart to the heart of the servant -- a strand unbreakable and unfathomable and which, with each administration of any of the holy rites in the succession of lives, becomes stronger, broader and brighter. Eventually these many strands will become reabsorbed into their source when the Body of the Christ -- one of the seven Heavenly Men on the second or monadic plane -- is completed in full expression, for each one linked to Him becomes, in a vital sense, a cell in His Body. This the initiate Paul truly sensed and knew. Via this strand passes the power to strengthen, to stimulate, to vivify and to bless, and this is the true apostolic succession. All true disciples are priests unto the Lord.

There is no question therefore that the work to be done in familiarising the general public with the nature of the Mysteries is of paramount importance at this time. These Mysteries will be restored to outer expression through the medium of the Church and the Masonic Fraternity, if those groups leave off being organisations with material purpose, and become organisms with living objectives. When the Great One comes with His disciples and initiates we shall have (after a period of intensive work on the physical beginning around the year 1940) the restoration of the Mysteries and their exoteric presentation, as a consequence of the first initiation. Why can this be so? Because the Christ, as you know, is the Hierophant of the first and second initiations and He will, if the preparatory work is faithfully and well done, administer the first initiation in the inner sanctuaries of those two bodies. Many faithful workers will, during His period of work on earth, take this first initiation, and some few will take the second. The race has now reached a point where many souls are on the Probationary Path and need but the heightening of their vibration (made possible by His Presence) to reach the portal of the Path itself.

The following passage from SEVEN RAYS, Vol. I, pages 82-85, indicates the purpose of the Seventh Ray. A thorough study of the various ray energies will be presented in later Study Sets. This passage is included here to provide you with another concept of the Temple. It is important that at this stage you try to keep your thinking flexible and receptive to new concepts. The mind that is open and enquiring will be able to adapt itself more comfortably to new energies and influences that are pouring into our planetary life.

The passage quoted below has been translated by the Tibetan from "an ancient teaching preserved on leaves that are so old that the writing is slowly fading" into modern languages "though much is lost thereby."

"Let the Temple of the Lord be built", the seventh great Angel cried. Then to their places in the north, the south, the west and east, seven great sons of God moved with measured pace and took their seats. The work of building thus began.

The doors were closed. The light shone dim. The temple walls could not be seen. The seven were silent and their forms were veiled. The time had not arrived for the breaking forth of light. The Word could not be uttered. Only between the seven Forms the work went on. A silent call went forth from each to each. Yet still the temple door stayed shut.

As time went on, the sounds of life where heard. The door was opened, and the door was shut. Each time it opened, the power within the temple grew; each time the light waxed stronger, for one by one the sons of men entered the temple, passed from north to south, from west to east and in the centre of the heart found light, found understanding and the power to work. They entered through the door; they passed before the Seven; they raised the temple's veil and entered into life.

The temple grew in beauty. Its lines, its walls, its decorations, and its height and depth and breadth slowly emerged and entered into light.

Out from the east, the Word went forth: Open the door to all the sons of men who come from all the darkened valleys of the land and seek the temple of the Lord. Give them the light. Unveil the inner shrine, and through the work of all the craftsmen of the Lord extend the temple's walls and thus irradiate the world. Sound forth the Word creative and raise the dead to life.

Thus shall the temple of the light be carried from heaven to earth. Thus shall its walls be reared upon the great plains of the world of men. Thus shall the light reveal and nurture all the dreams of men.

Then shall the Master in the east awaken those who are asleep. Then shall the warden in the west test and try all the true seekers after light. Then shall the warden in the south instruct and aid the blind. Then shall the gate into the north remain wide open, for there the unseen Master stands with welcoming hand and understanding heart, to lead the pilgrims to the east where the true light shines forth.

"Why this opening of the temple?" demand the greater Seven. "Because the work is ready; the craftsmen are prepared. God has created in the light. His sons can now create. What can else be done?"

"Naught!" came the answer from the greater seven. "Let the work proceed. Let the sons of God create."

These words will be noted by many as of deep significance and as indicating a wide intention (during the coming cycle) to open the door wide into the temple of the hidden mystery to man. One by one we shall undergo the esoteric and spiritual counterpart of the psychological factor which is called "a mental test." That test will demonstrate a man's usefulness in mental work and power, it will show his capacity to build thought-forms and to vitalize them. This was dealt with in A TREATISE ON WHITE MAGIC, and the relation of that treatise to the magical work of the seventh ray and its cycle of activity will become increasingly apparent. A TREATISE ON WHITE MAGIC is an attempt to lay down the rules for training and for work which will make it possible for the candidate to the mysteries to enter the temple and to take his place as a creative worker and thus aid in the magical work of the Lord of the Temple.

Fortune Telling Character Analysis

Predictional astrology Personal horoscopy
Palmistry Palmistry
Quija board Numerology
Psychic readings Clairvoyant analysis
Magic pendulum Phrenology
Tarot Graphology
Crystal ball Physiognomy
Seance gatherings
Tea leaves

Climate of Outer Court:
 

Psychic stimulation
Sensationalism
Extravagant claim-making
Reference to "Mysteries of the Universe"
"How to Unfold Your Hidden Powers"
"How to Control Your Fate"

Common practices of Outer Court groups:

Members required to pledge
.....Secrecy
.....Fidelity
.....Unquestioning acceptance of, acquiescence to or obedience to, teaching.
.....Money
Claim-making
Flattery of membership
 

In his ages-long approach to God, man finds his way, sequentially, into the three chambers of the Temple of the World.

From one point of view, the above tabulation represents the outer chamber, the Outer Court. At a certain stage of evolution of consciousness, man awakens to the realization that the outer world of visible forms is but a tiny part of all that exists. His curiosity about the inner layers and inner workings of life, and growing awareness of his own inner self, prompt him to investigate one or several of the areas of interest enumerated above.

All of these areas of interest, which comprise the Outer Court, have two features in common: (a) they appeal to self interest, and (b) they are concerned with form.

Man's experience in the Outer Court, the knowledge and associations he gains there, contribute to his growth and at the same time provide a test.

His response to his own soul depends on his acquiring knowledge on all planes of consciousness. All psychic powers are faculties of the One Soul, which pervades the whole universe with a fragment of itself and which has embedded a seed of itself in the man's triple form. It is that seed of soul which, as it grows, creates a response mechanism with appropriate organs of perception on each ascending plane.

During the stage of unfoldment that is dominated by personal desire, the desires and aspirations of man color his experience, create glamour and illusion as he peers into world within world. His perceptions are illusory, for the perceptive power is limited by the sensory equipment through which it works in the three bodies of the personality. The seer's view is distorted by what he hopes to see, what he expects to see, what he refuses to see. Above all, the seer's view is distorted by his inability (at this stage) to understand and correctly interpret what he sees. To put it most simply, his emotional reaction to everything that happens to him, overwhelms his perceptive and interpretive faculties. It is just at this stage, that the Outer Court holds great appeal and attraction for him.

Yet interest in the so-called pseudo sciences and in psychic phenomena, do indicate (in the materialistic earth-bound consciousness) an increased sensitivity to contacts beyond the dense physical plane. Progressive refinement of the organs of perception gradually shifts the focus of attention to the mental plane.

In using the mind to analyze and compare, to organize and plan, the power to discriminate and to choose is developed. Man learns to consider the effect of mental-emotional activity, and in time learns to control this activity in deference to his environment. The soul contacts the personality on the mental plane. Mental focus enables the seed of soul (embedded in the triple form) to unfold and express its inherent intuitive insight. Intelligent interest in the world of glamour is required in order to understand it, to understand its hold upon others, to learn to control our reaction to it and thus release ourselves from its thralldom.

The stage of preoccupation with the fascination of the Outer Court is a test of the ability to respond to the soul on its own plane while in the midst of distractions foreign to the soul's nature and purpose. For some, it is a prolonged, severe test. Too much attention and curiosity devoted to psychic phenomena imprisons the soul, is subnormal, and retards man's evolutionary progress.

"From the centre where the Will of God is known ...."

INTERLINKED CHAIN OF MEDITATING GROUPS,

VARUNA - The god of water, or marine god, but far different from Neptune, for in the case of this oldest of the Vedic deities, Water means the "Waters of Space", or all-investing sky.

SHIVAVISHNU - BRAHMA - The Trimurti is the Hindu Solar Triad: a compound of tri (three) and murti (manifestation or form). This trimurti or Trinity is composed of Brahma, the Emanator or Evolver, Vishnu, the Sustainer or Preserver; and Shiva (Siva), the Beneficent Destroyer and Regenerator. The Trimurti corresponds to the Holy Trinity in the Hebraic-Christian tradition. The "Three-in-One" concept, three aspects of One God, is expressed thus in the Oriental tradition: The One Mightiest God of the Solar System is called Brahma when he becomes Rajasic or active and brings forth the Solar System; is called Vishnu when by means of his Sattvika quality of purity and truth he preserves all created things through the successive cycles of existence; is called Shiva when, filled with the quality of Tamas, he destroys the Solar System and dies, and then reposes for a long cycle in the depths of some greater being than Himself, only to come forth refreshed again to evolve still higher.

PURANA - The Puranas are allegorical writings which contain ancient legends and archaic traditions of the human race and of our universe. They are called Puranas, meaning "ancient," because they are relics of antiquity passed on by memory from teacher to pupil.