The Masters of Wisdom
At the Sixth Initiation or Decision which occurs every 49 years, all the Masters meet together. The Fifth Initiation makes of a soul a Master or “Mahatma” (Great Soul) so the Sixth Initiation is very high indeed. It gives Masters the “qualifications” to be the “Chohans” or custodians of the Seven Ray energies on Earth, or to journey upon other evolutions beyond this solar system altogether.

Bearing in mind that with any initiation a candidate “takes”, they have already achieved that point of spiritual unfoldment for which the Initiation per se, is something of a formality in one respect.

The Decision the Masters make usually is something that will drastically and permanently affect the Earth through a clear delineation of planetary problems. This will force  Humanity to recognise existing conditions and then make a free choice (decision).

The most drastic recent decision was the conclave of 1903, where the Hierarchy were faced with the emerging forces of “cosmic evil” (See Germany essay) which led eventually to the two World Wars. It was also the cycle of karma from the great Atlantean war, which itself was precipitated by the Masters of that day. There had to be delineated a clear line between that which was of the light and the materialistic forces.

Likewise at the start of the 20th century, Humanity had to recognise the “cleavage between right and wrong, between imprisonment and freedom”. The Decision of 1952 probably led to the great technological revolution of the past 50 years, as well as the reduction of world dictators, for which the World Wars had been a start.

So where will the Decision of 2001 lead Humanity? And particularly after the fifth major impact from Shamballa in 2000? It is interesting that these two great events are linked in that when the Masters take this Initiation, they are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Hierarchy: it is now transferred to Sanat Kumara or the Lord of the World at Shamballa.

It is said that the sign Libra admits the soul into the world centre Shamballa because it is sign where the perfect balance of spirit and matter is demonstrated. Libra’s polar opposite Aries is where that journey first symbolically starts – where spirit and matter first come together.

Furthermore, the “Buddhas of Activity”, advisors to Sanat Kumara, act as a link between the “informing life” of the constellation of Libra, the solar logos, and the logos of Earth. (RI267)

Therefore the Decision Initiation is intimately related to Libra, at a higher and lower level, as will be shown later. That the Masters make this Decision means that it creates a vacuum within the ranks of the Hierarchy, which is composed of aspirants, disciples and initiates. Therefore the momentous Decision taken by the Masters must also be taken to varying degrees by those who follow in their steps.

This is one of the tasks of the Council Chamber at Shamballa to see how many advanced disciples will be needed to fill the vacancies in the inner ashram. If the ashram is viewed as a many petalled lotus, with each petal representing initiates and disciples, from the centre to the periphery, then all move toward the centre, in positions of responsibility, and those on the “outer” of the ashram are admitted into it. The Decision of each Master intimately affects his ashram and its particular work in the world.

The Masters can postpone their Decision, and do, if it will assist the externalisation of the Hierarchy and the Christ himself, through the various ashrams which they head.

The Masters have been treading the Path of Earth Service for many lives, but at the Decision they are confronted with a choice of seven paths which, for the most part will take them beyond the Earth sphere altogether

1. The Path of Earth Service.

2. The Path of Magnetic Work.

3. The Path of Training for Planetary Logoi.

4. The Path to Sirius.

5. The Ray Path.

6. The Path on which our Logos is found.

7. The Path of Absolute Sonship. (RI396)

Path I.  The Path of Earth Service
Space does not permit a description of all paths, but suffice to say the “Path to Sirius” is the one that the majority of Humanity will take eventually, and that the Path of Earth Service is the first path trod, and the hence the most well known.

Only enough Masters are permitted to follow this Path so that planetary evolution may be carried on satisfactorily. There around 63 Masters upon the planet who work as such, their power and organising capacity being sufficient to the task.

Basically there are seven Chohans of the Seven Rays who preside over seven groups of human souls, these groups having seven other subdivisions, making 49 of the these ray groupings on the planet.

The outstanding quality of these Masters is wise-compassion, and this holds the clue to the Path of Earth Service.  Esoterically they are known as the “beneficent dragons,” because the energy with which they work comes from the constellation of the Dragon, Draco, through the sign Libra. This energy is “buddhi”, that consciousness possessed by a liberated human being, i.e. “Arhat” or “Dragon of Wisdom”.

Buddhi is very much a quality of the second Ray of Love Wisdom, is the “profound faculty for identification” exhibited by these Masters of Wise-Compassion.

This identification though is almost beyond our ken, as it has to do with the spiritual essence or Monadic consciousness at the heart of the “Jewel in the Lotus” within the heart chakra.

“Luminosity” is the key quality possessed by the “beneficient dragons” – the luminosity behind the injunction “Let your light shine forth”. This luminosity is understood to be obtained only upon a battleground through a “fight with the dragon”. This is reminiscent of a fight that all disciples have with the Hydra of the Lernean Swamp, in the labour of Scorpio.

All reptilian symbolism (dragons, snakes, hydras, monsters) in constellations and zodiac signs have a link to these themes of buddhi, beneficence and the Second Ray of Love-Wisdom, as will be shown later.

The following qualities apply to the First Path of Earth Service

Attributes…….Wise-compassion.

Source………..Constellation of the Dragon, via Libra.

Method………..Twelve cosmic Identifications.

Hierarchy……..The sixth.

Symbol………..A green dragon issuing from the centre of a blazing sun.  Behind the sun and over-topping it can be seen two pillars on either side of a closed door.

Quality gained…Luminosity. (TCF1244-1247)

Gethsemane
The spiritual crisis of the Sixth Initiation took place in Gethsemane, whilst the Christ overshadowed his disciple Jesus, enabling the latter to reach the Fourth Initiation, the Crucifixion or Great Renunciation.

This latter “lesser” renunciation makes the higher renunciation possible and vice versa. Herein lies a hint of the future Science of Invocation and Evocation to be developed in the Aquarian Age. It also points to the inter-relationships which exist between the Hierarchy and Shamballa.

The Master Jesus upon the cross felt the agony of human need, renouncing his own life to meet that need. Likewise, the Christ, overshadowing Jesus experienced the agony of his yearning for revelation and increased enlightenment so that he may better serve Humanity.

The pain of Gethsemane was to do God’s will: “Not my will but Thine be done”  the will of  the One of whom the Monad is an expression. It was also the desertion of those nearest and dearest to him, “thrice denying” him before sunrise the next day. The agony in the Garden of Gethsemane was based upon the fact that He was not understood and that his suffering was based upon an unique vision.

It was also the will of soul/personality conflicting with the evocation of the fire of the divine will of the Monad. The Fourth Initiation (for Jesus) entailed standing “in isolated Unity,”, where the forces of Vulcan make the candidate plumb the depths of aloneness and isolation:

“He stands detached from “that which is above and this which is below.” There comes a dramatic moment when all desire is renounced; the will of God or the Plan is seen as the only desirable objective – There is revealed to him – some definite, active undertaking which embodies that aspect of the will of God which it is his peculiar function to appropriate and make possible of expression. This has been called in the Christian phraseology, “the Gethsemane experience.” The Christ, kneeling beside the rock (symbolic of the depths of the mineral kingdom and of the activity of Vulcan, the fashioner), raises His eyes upward to where the light of revelation breaks forth and knows at  that moment what it is He has to do.” (EA392-3)

The “Decision” of the Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane was to take over the work of construction in the Age of Aquarius. This was 2000 years yet further down the track but would enable the work that was started in Pisces to be finished.

Building and construction are much suited to the qualities of Saturn, ruler of the first decanate of Aquarius. The aspirants and disciples of the world are those builders wisely chosen by the Christ who will help usher His return.

Saturn is of course ruler of Capricorn, a sign which carries the forces of Ray 1 and Shamballa. Capricorn materialises the Plan on Earth for the workers in the ashrams of the Hierarchy. DK tells us that it was:

“… the “angel, born under Capricorn” which came to Christ in the garden of Gethsemane and fused His individual will into the divine Will and thus enabled Him to carry out His mission to completion.” (EA633)

His “mission” was the revelation of divine love to the world and also the first tentative thread linked between Shamballa and Hierarchy:

“A new type of energy became available—the energy of life itself, imbued with purpose and actuated by intention.  For the first time, the relation of the Will, which had hitherto expressed itself in His life through love and the creative work of inaugurating the new dispensation and the launching for all time of the Kingdom of God, became clear to Him.  At that point He passed through the Gethsemane of renunciation.” (RI290)

There is another interpretation also on “angels”:

“Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. There again – as in the fourth Initiation of Renunciation – the human element of suffering is emphasised, whereas in the true symbolical “garden” between the sixth and the seventh initiations there is no aspect of suffering.  Suffering and pain enter not into the consciousness of the Master. Where it says in The New Testament that, “angels came and ministered unto” the Christ, the correct implication is that Those Who dwell and work in Shamballa use this period to instruct the initiate who has made his decision through an expression of his divine nature and in the significance of the divine purpose; this concerns the relation of our planetary Logos to the solar system, and decision is made through the development of that higher sensitivity which leads inevitably to cosmic perception.” (RI723)

These ideas are further borne out in the following:

“Forget not that all rays have three aspects, and that all three can be contacted by the human consciousness of the spiritual man, thus placing at his disposal the energies of the seven rays and of the twenty-one forces.  It is this synthesis which is revealed at the fifth initiation and – as I said above – the combination of these forces produces the Ascension [Sixth Initiation]; this is an exceeding great mystery and one which cannot as yet be grasped by you. From the height of the Mount of Ascension light is thrown upon the hierarchical Plan in such a manner that the purpose in the mind of the planetary Logos is (for the first time) truly grasped.” (RI645)

Draco the Dragon
The constellation of the Dragon which contains the star Draco (Alpha Draconis), is said to be the “base of the spine centre” in the One About Whom Naught May Be Said (OAWNMBS). The OAWNMBS is an enormous cosmic entity that has seven energy centres, just as a human does so in the microcosm.

Our solar system is one of seven chakras that constitute this great cosmic entity, whose seven centres are said to orbit around the Central Spiritual Sun, Alcyone.

Our solar logos is said to represent the heart chakra of this great being, hence the connection between buddhi and love-wisdom mentioned earlier. As the planets within this solar system represent the chakras within this entity, Love will be the a major expression there too – including Earth particularly in this cycle.

In fact the logos of this planet is known as a Dragon of Wisdom-Love, and the transmuting quality of his energy creates in humanity eventually, “Lords of Love”.

Draco has been the pole star in various precession cycles, most recently around 2750BC where it was less than 10° arc from the exact pole. It could be seen both during the day and night from the bottom of the central passage of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, as well as other temple structures. Its position can be used to accurately determine when the Great Pyramid was built:

“Now it is claimed that it is by means of the cycle of 25,868 years (the Sidereal year) that the approximate year of the erection of the Great Pyramid can be ascertained. Assuming that the long narrow downward passage was directed towards the pole star of the pyramid builders, astronomers have shown that . . .Alpha Draconis, the then pole-star, was in the required position about 3,350 B.C., as well as in 2,170 B.C. -But we are also told that “this relative position of Alpha Draconis and Alcyone being an extraordinary one …  it could not occur again for a whole sidereal year”(ibid). This demonstrates that, since the Dendera Zodiac shows the passage of three sidereal years, the great Pyramid must have been built 78,000 years ago.”(SD3-430-1) “…the Egyptian Zodiac is between 75 and 80,000 years old.” (SD3-434)

Alpha Draconis had many names in different cultures, some of them very similar, such as “Favourable Judge”, “Judge of Heaven”, “Prospering Judge” and “Judge Directing”. All names reflect the judicial nature of Libra, and hence the link, particularly with Saturn’s exaltation in Libra. The “Dragon with Seven Heads” was also assigned to Saturn, “The Dragon of Life”.

However, the quality of judiciousness is also Ray 4 – the mediator, diplomat, arbitrator and negotiator. Ray 4 corresponds to the fourth plane of buddhi which “mediates” between spirit and matter. The fourth plane of buddhi corresponds to the Fourth Initiation – the Arhat.

Therefore it is appropriate that buddhic force is transmitted from the Dragon to create Dragons of Wisdom. Buddhi is an expression of the Second Aspect or Love-Wisdom Ray:

“This is the system [our solar system] of the SON, whose name is Love. This is the divine incarnation of Vishnu. The Dragon of Wisdom is in manifestation, and He brings into incarnation those cosmic Entities who are in essence identical with Himself.” (TCF176)

Vishnu is depicted frequently with Ananta, the Serpent of Eternity which carries Vishnu through the cycle of the Manvantara. Many Buddhist deities are depicted with the hooded cobra (or multiple cobras) hovering over their heads and likewise in other traditions such as the Gnostic Ophites who revered the serpent as a symbol of divine wisdom. These “serpent worshippers” regarded Ophis as identical with Christos, and the feminine Sophia was wisdom incarnate.

Tribes of the Old Testament such as the Midianites, Canaanites and the Hamites, were known as “wise men” or “sons of snakes”. The Ophites also honoured the serpent because he was a symbol of teaching humanity the Mysteries.

It is the force of Buddhi which, which when fully appropriated, brings about Liberation for the human soul, who is then elevated to the status of Arhat or a Dragon of Wisdom. Buddhic force  from Draco is transmitted via the Seven Sisters of the Pleaides.

The Pleiades represent the Third or Mother Aspect, and correspond to the Ray 3 of Libra, through which energy from Draco passes. Ruler of Ray 3, Saturn, is of course the Third Synthesising Scheme in this solar system. Both Ray 7 (which emanates from Draco) and Ray 3 are the “materialising” qualities that bring spirit into matter.

The fifth creative hierarchy “Makara, The Crocodiles” (reptillian) has a mysterious link between our solar logos, Draco and the logos of this planet, and constitutes the true “secret of the Dragon”. It was this force which caused the entrance of mental or manasic energy into this solar system, and onto Earth at Individualisation in Lemuria. Apparently this is connected to the ancient serpent religion and the Serpents of Wisdom in those times.

Lemuria was the first civilisation to “anchor” this mental energy, and hence the activation of the base of the spine centre on this planet, so that solar and planetary kundalini forces could align:

“The Grand Heavenly Man of Draco is the source of the seventh Ray and is the major transmitter of radiation from the Central Spiritual Sun and is the origin of Logoic Kundalini. The prime function of the Great Dragon beyond all else, is that of adaptation or the moulding of the form and making it suitable to the specific needs of His six Great Brothers. On Earth this relationship concerns stimulation, vitalisation and consequent co-ordination of the seven major Ashramic centres along with the developing 49 subsidary centres. Keep in mind, “7”, is the Sacred Number of the seventh ray and the key number for its cycle of emanatory impulses.

At the penultimate moment of the 49 year cycle, the final “luminous door” of Initiation is opened leading to one or other of the seven cosmic Paths. On the basis of seen opportunity and through response to the seven phases of cosmic vision the Chohan faces, what is for him, the final great crisis of vision within the planetary ring-pass-not. We also learned that electrical stimulation – the “Light Supernal” of the Great Cosmic Seventh Ray – reaches us on Earth along the path of the planetary antahkarana from Draco once in every cycle of 49 years.”

Libra expresses the forces of Ray 3 and Ray 7. The Lord of Civilisation, Master R, (previous Chohan of the Ray 7 ashram) in charge of the Third Department of planetary government, has his yearly conclaves at this time:

“Every October and every March, the Master R. gathers together His council of helpers, the Masters and the senior initiates in the Ashrams of the third, the fifth and the seventh rays.” (EOH669)

As Draco “moulds the forms for his six brothers”, so R “acts as the general manager for the carrying out of the plans of the executive council of the Lodge.” (IHS59)

Probabtioners, Disciples and Initiates
The 49 year cycle of Initiation creates vacancies and causes a huge influx of power. As Libra is connected to Shamballa and relationships, new relationships are formed within the changing structures of the Masters’ ashrams. Disciples start to work with new forces and energies,  as well as new personnel within the ashram. Relationships are about being “engaged” in communication with an energy or entity, and to do so correctly creates better transmitters of the Plan.

Therefore all these activities occurring within the lesser ashrams of the greater ashram of the Christ, constitute an extraordinary spiritual event. It has been called “one of the great compensations of discipleship” whereby “added light can be occultly endured”.

“The perfected strength of the Ashram (symbolised by the number 10) becomes available to the disciple whose purity of heart has enabled him to penetrate into the Ashram; his knowledge becomes more rapidly transmuted into wisdom as his mind is subjected to the play of the higher understanding of Those with Whom he is associated; gradually he begins to contribute his own quota of light and of understanding to those just entering and to those who are his equals.” (DINA2- 330)

The fact that some Masters will be taking the Sixth Initiation means that there is an automatic flow-on effect on to those poised to take the lesser initiations. The Second and the Fourth Initiations are “on the even ray line” so to speak, therefore In this way it is possible that many disciples will “partake” of the Sixth Initiation by going through the Second Initiation. (See further in text under “Second Initiation. Scorpio”.)

A few will take the Fourth Initiation (buddhic consciousness) and may even be overshadowed in a similar way that Christ did with his disciple Jesus. Christ achieved the Sixth Initiation and “went to the Father and Way of Higher Evolution”, whilst Master Jesus took the Fourth Initiation (Renunciation).

Still on this Fourth Initiation theme, we must bear in mind another statement which suggests that more than just a few may take this Initiation:

“The Buddha and His 900 arhats struck the first blow at the world glamour when He promulgated His Four Noble Truths. The Christ struck the second blow with His teaching of the nature of individual responsibility and of brotherhood. The next blow will be struck by the New Group of World Servers, acting under the direction of Christ and His disciples, symbolically described as “Christ and His 9000 initiates.” (GLAM40)

“In the time of the Buddha [approx. 500BC] and through the stimulation He produced there was a great gathering in of Arhats. These were men who had achieved liberation through self initiated effort. This period … marked a climax for the East.  Since then the tide of spiritual life has steadily flowed westward, and we may look for a corresponding climax in the West, which will reach its zenith between 1965 and 2025.” (LOTSxi-xii)

The fifth Shamballa impact and the Decision fall right in the middle of this window of  time, hence processes are happening now! (2001). The Buddha inaugurated a 500 year Ray 2 cycle around 500BC, which can also be seen as a 5,000 year cycle which is now having its outgoing halfway culmination of 2,500 years.

The Libran full moon of 2001, will have exhorted many to make a major decision that will permanently and radically affect the rest of their lives. A 49 year cycle comes but once in the average human life, therefore the importance of availing oneself of the opportunity cannot be over-stressed.

Saturn, Libra, Aquarius
“This “lesser” decision is very much influenced by the forces of Saturn (exalted in Libra) which rules the first decanate of the 2,160 year Aquarian cycle into which we are moving. Saturn is the planet of discipleship and opportunity, and very active today:Saturn gives opportunity to face difficult situations and crises which involve free choice, discriminative pioneering, wise response and correct decision, thus bringing about the destruction of that which hinders without the relinquishing of any true values of which humanity may be aware.” (EA148)

First Initiation: Libra Leo Aquarius Saturn
The first Initiation corresponds very closely to Humanity, just as the Second Initiation does to the Hierarchy and the Third Initiation to Shamballa. Humanity is poised en masse to take the First Initiation, which is unprecedented in the history of the planet.

Humanity also corresponds to and is conditioned by the Third Ray of Active Intelligence, a ray which has been steadily waxing in intensity since 1425 CE, bringing about a revolution in education, and hence a revolution in the reasoning and discriminating mental processes.

Ray 3 will be in “incarnation” throughout the Aquarian Age, giving much scope for the development of the intellectual faculty and creative activity in general.

Therefore Saturn, the ruler of Ray Three and  the first decanate of Aquarius, will have a powerful influence in testing humanity to align with the higher laws of which it is the custodian.

“Saturn offers opportunity to suffer and, through suffering, to learn to choose rightly, to analyse correctly and to decide upon the higher values – humanity is beginning to mount the Fixed Cross of the disciple, thus reversing its progress upon the circle of the Zodiac. Humanity – as a whole and owing to the large proportion of aspirants and thinking idealists – is entering Aquarius, via the open door of Saturn.” (EA283)

The First Initiation is ruled over by Leo, the polar opposite of the Aquarian age. Leo represents individualised self-consciousness – a mental development (the mane or manas of Leo) that is powerful and can discriminate and reason independently. Leo also rules the heart wherein can be anchored the realisation of the Christ or soul.

The Master DK suggests that the life in which an aspirant “reverses the wheel” of life prior to the First Initiation, takes place with the Sun in Leo and Libra rising. (EA184) He also mentions Libra coming into pronounced control at the end of the twentieth century. Ongoing legislation (Libra) for the rights of children is a successful reflection of this process, which DK did predict. Children are also a great symbol for the “little ones”, meaning the “younger” souls who are in the process of taking the First Initiation. Also, the vast “Science of Relationships” has made huge strides forward in the past twenty years.

Therefore it can be seen how Libra is definitely “rising” (2001), and that the “Sun is in Leo” from the point of view of its activated Aquarian polarity, and that millions are about to take the First Initiation.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna is the archetypal Libran who is forced to make a choice between the pairs of opposites on the great battlefield of life: Between enemies of his own household and the prompting of his higher self, symbolised by Krishna, his charioteer.

The “warring armies” are of course a symbol for the pairs of opposites on all planes seeking resolution, standing generally for conflict between the personality and the soul, or lunar “elementals” and solar angel:

“In this sign [Libra], Saturn is exalted for – at the point of balance – opportunity comes and a situation is staged which makes a choice and a determination inevitable – a choice which has to be made intelligently and upon the physical plane, in the waking brain consciousness. It is only now that the full purpose and the work of Saturn for humanity can reach a point of group usefulness, for it is only now that humanity has reached a point of general and widespread intelligence which can make any choice a definite conscious act, entailing responsibility. Prior to the present time, only a few pioneering disciples and a handful of intelligent people could be regarded as freely choosing at the “point of balance” the way that they intend “to tip the scales.” Today, there are countless numbers and hence the intense activity of Saturn as we enter into the first decan of Aquarius and hence the same activity because humanity itself now stands upon the probationary path. This, Libra governs and controls, therefore the path of choices, of deliberately applied purificatory measures and the turning point before Scorpio, which governs the path of discipleship, can properly play its part.” (EA249)

Saturn is a mental energy, the force of which allows a disciple to construct thoughtforms, plan ahead and build a stronger mental body that can discipline the astral and physical bodies. Through the activity of the “judicial mind” Saturn helps to make appropriate choices and decisions, establishing peace and harmony

“This sign [Libra] is sometimes called “the place of judgment” for it is here that the decision is made and the die is cast which separate the “sheep from the goats” or those constellations ruled by Aries (the Ram or Lamb) and those ruled by Capricorn, the Goat. It really marks the distinction between the ordinary wheel of life and the reversed wheel.” (EA229)

The so-called “first pair of opposites” of the physical/etheric planes is encountered by the candidate for the First Initiation, and is when the Path of Purification (ruled by Libra) is embarked upon.

The conflict of the etheric/physical planes is caused by the registering of the soul’s higher vibration within the etheric body. This sets up a conflict with the “status quo” of the physical body, and the aspirant embarks upon purification methods such as diet and yoga to raise the vibration of the physical body.

This is partly why there has been such a huge focus on sports and diet in the last 100 years, particularly the last 20 years. It is also influenced by the incoming Ray 7 forces which relate particularly to the etheric/physical planes.

Second Initiation. Scorpio
Two arms of the fixed cross are important for the first two initiations: Leo (1st Initiation) and Scorpio (2nd Initiation) Many aspirants and disciples today are ready to move from the first degree to the second degree stage. This stage is most arduous and can take up to thirty incarnations to achieve.

The Sixth Initiation of the Master corresponds directly to the Second Degree where the control of desire is demonstrated. Right decision (choice) overcomes desire. Hence it could be said that many disciples may have the opportunity to take the Second Degree when the Masters take the Sixth Degree:

“Today the world Arjuna is facing the pairs of opposites, just as does the individual disciple, ready – when these pairs have been resolved into a unity – to tread the Path of Discipleship”.Those who have emerged out of this condition and are becoming aware of their problem. They see the pairs of opposites and are entering upon the “recognition stage of Arjuna’s release.” They see the Form of God and the indwelling Reality within that Form and are arriving at the decision to let the Warrior carry on the fight. They will then (when right decision and choice have been made) “stand up and fight,” and will find themselves no longer on the Path of Purification but upon the Path of Discipleship.” (GLAM99-100)

Saturn’s Cycle (His “reaping” Sickle)
Saturn has a seven year cycle and 49 years (7 X 7 year cycles) represents the transiting Saturn square to natal Saturn, as Saturn moves back to its second return between the ages of 56-58. Exoterically and esoterically the waning Saturn square is a period of severe testing. It can cause crises in confidence, a questioning of motives and a conflict with those in authority. Anything initiated at the start of the previous seven year cycle will come up for critical evaluation as to its validity.

Transiting Saturn square to Saturn, is the Lord of Karma and the Greater Law asking how aligned we are with our chosen area of service? – Simply a portion of the service that the greater Ashram renders.

Through Saturn’s exaltation in Libra, the theme of relationships is also important at this time and can well spell the closing of the door on some, and also the establishment of new ones.

If we extrapolate this theme in an ashramic sense, with the Masters’ departures creating vacuums, then many new relationships may be entered into, as earlier mentioned.

As Libra is demonstrated to be such a powerful force, it is logical that the Decision Initiation would be taken in the sign of Libra. Note that this Decision Initiation also follows very soon after the fifth Shamballa impact in the history of humanity – in May 2000.

As these events are so close together, and as there is a very close link between the Decision and Shamballa, as demonstrated earlier, the full release of the 2000 Shamballa impact may not come until after the full moon of Libra 2001.

The Principle of Conflict
Ray 4 has much to do with the quality of judiciousness – also a quality of Saturn and Libra. Ray 4 is called “Harmony through Conflict”, and it is this Principle of Conflict that underlies the soul’s experience in the four kingdoms – human, animal, vegetable, mineral.

The Principle of Conflict governs all crises in the material world, but the Principle of Decision controls crises in the spiritual world. The Principle of Conflict is based upon Ray 3 of Active Intelligence, as this is the materialising quality of the outer world. The Principle of Decision is based upon Ray 2 of Love-Wisdom, as it pertains more to the inner worlds.

With regard to Ray 4, it is the first subray of Ray 3, relating to the square of matter, and hence conflict in the material world.

The Principle of Conflict we are told (RI609) is based on the intellectual factor of discrimination, a quality of the Mercury, Ray 4’s ruler. It is interesting that Ray 4’s co-ruler, the Moon, is so exoterically non-discriminative and “emotional”.

The Principle of Conflict achieves its purpose when one takes the Fourth Initiation of Renunciation. When right discrimination is exercised, renunciation of that which does not pertain to evolution is a natural progression, because it is based upon reason – not blind faith or theory. (Note that Pure Reason is another appellation of Buddhi) In relation to this, DK states:

“There could, however, be no disaster more serious than a too abrupt ending of this clash of the emotional reactions of humanity and of the current ideologies.  It is essential that the issues become still clearer in the minds of men, prior to any final choice or decision. Too prompt a choice at this time might prove only a makeshift decision and one based on expediency and impatience.” (RI611)

The Principle of Conflict is closely related to the Path of Discipleship, as the polarities upon the astral and mental planes are those with which the disciple balances. Scorpio, a sign closely related to Discipleship and the Second Initiation, has Ray 4 as the only ray passing through it.

Scorpio is a water sign and hence closely related to the astral plane, yet Uranus is exalted here, giving the promise of an increasing mental strength by which Hercules can overcome the Hydra. This Hydra of course is the Dragon of the Lernean swamp, and triumph over it results in  “luminosity – upon the battle ground through a fight with a dragon”. This “luminosity” is “illumination” to which DK refers as a stage of meditation related to Scorpio:

“Scorpio. Illumination. The soul triumphs. Experience in Taurus consummated. Astral glamour dissipated.  Soul light pours in. The Path of Discipleship. The Disciple.” (EA228)

Ray 4 and Libra are also connected via the theme of relationships. Ray 4 of Harmony through Conflict is related to Ray 2 of Love-Wisdom, the major ray of right human relations, expressed so powerfully through the two other signs of the airy trine, Gemini and Aquarius. Libra also has a connection to Ray 2 through her exoteric ruler, Venus, the Goddess of Love

“…the Principle of Conflict has worked so effectively that all men are desiring harmony, peace, equilibrium, right adjustment to life and circumstances, and right and balanced human relations.” (RI611)

Therefore Ray 4 will be controlled by Ray 2 in helping bring about right human relations. The Occidental hemisphere of the world is ruled by these two rays respectively at a soul and personality level, so it is very much the West’s responsibility to engender these ethics at this time.

As Libra is in a powerful position in the planetary horoscope, it precedes an imminent Ray 4 cycle in 2025, hence the complimentary nature of these two forces working out in the world.Second Round. Reptiles

“The secret of the reptile kingdom is one of the mysteries of the second round, and there is a profound significance connected with the expression “the serpents of wisdom” which is applied to all adepts of the good law. The reptile kingdom has an interesting place in all mythologies, and all ancient forms of truth impartation, and this for no arbitrary reason. It is not possible to enlarge upon the underlying truth which is hidden in the karmic history of our planetary Logos, and is revealed as part of the teaching given to initiates of the second degree.

The second great life impulse, or life wave, initiated by our planetary Logos, when brought in conjunction with the first, was the basis of that activity which we call evolutionary energy; it resulted in a gradual unrolling, or revelation, of the divine form. The heavenly serpent manifested, being produced out of the egg, and began its convolutions, gaining in strength and majesty, and producing through its immense fecundity millions of lesser “serpents.” The reptile kingdom is the most important part of the animal kingdom in certain aspects, if such an apparently contradictory statement can be made. For all animal life can be seen passing through it during the prenatal stage, or returning to it when the form is in advanced decomposition. The connection is not purely a physical one, but it is also psychic. When the real nature and method of the kundalini, or serpent fire, is known, this relation will be better understood, and the history of the second round assume a new importance.

The secret of life lies hidden in the serpent stage, not the life of the Spirit, but the life of the soul, and this will be revealed as the “serpent of the astral light” is truly approached, and duly studied. One of the four Lipika Lords, Who stand nearest to our planetary Logos, is called “The Living Serpent,” and His emblem is a serpent of blue with one eye, in the form of a ruby, in its head. Students who care to carry the symbology a little further can connect this idea with the “eye of Shiva” which sees and knows all, and records all, as [Page 894] does the human eye in lesser degree; all is photographed upon the astral light, as the human eye receives impressions upon the retina. The same thought is frequently conveyed in the Christian Bible, in the Hebrew and Christian recognition of the all-seeing eye of God. The application and value of the hints here given may be apparent if the subject of the third eye is studied, and its relation to the spine, and the spinal currents investigated. This third eye is one of the objects of kundalinic vivification, and in the spinal territory there is first the centre at the base of the spine, the home of the sleeping fire. [Draco]

Next we have the triple channel along which that fire will travel in due course of evolution, and finally we find at the summit of the column, and surmounting all, that small organ called the pineal gland, which when vivified causes the third eye to open, and the beauties of the higher, subtler planes to stand revealed. All this physico-psychical occurrence is possible to man owing to certain events which happened to the Heavenly Serpent in the second, or serpent, round. These happenings necessitated the formation and evolution of that peculiar and mysterious family we call the reptilian. These forms of divine life are very intimately connected with the second planetary scheme, [Neptune] being responsive to energy emanating from that scheme, and reaching the earth via the second globe in the second chain. A group of special devas (connected with a particular open sound in the planetary Word), work with the reptile evolution.

It should be noted here that this evolution on the etheric planes has a closer effect upon man than on the physical. If students will apply themselves to the consideration of these facts, to the investigation of the serpent lore in all lands, mythologies and scriptures, and if they will link up all this knowledge with that concerning those heavenly constellations which have a serpent appellation (such as, for instance, the Dragon) [Ophiucus, Serpens, Draco, Scorpio, Ceta, Hydra, Hydrus, Lacerta], much illumination may come. If the intuition suffices, knowledge may then be imparted which will make clearer the connection between the physical bodies with their centres, and the psychic nature.” (TCF893-5)