Let us begin a series of 12 articles devoted to the 12 “essential qualities” related to the 12 Signs of Zodiac, the living symbol, key and reality for the development of consciousness. The main purpose here is to marry the established understanding of Aries in the Astrology of esoteric Teachings with Laurency‘s work on the corresponding 12 Essential Qualities.
1st – Festival of Aries – “I come forth, and from the plane of mind I rule.”
Aries is the first sign in the procession of the zodiac that has bearing on the development of the self as per the geocentric tropical perspective. The landing vibrations of Aries magnified through the Sun correspond to the 1st of the 12 Essential Qualities. It is an opportunity to align our service and learning in harmony with those landing energies so that acquisition of Aries qualities can be facilitated for humankind.
The sign the Sun is in is an important factor in the appeal and distribution cycle. There are opportunities for willing participants of world service to align works for collective betterment in-line with the 1st Essential Quality.
It is also interesting to note that in being the 1st of 12, when the first dawn of Aries occurs the astrological ‘houses’ (fields of experience) appear to align in the same order 1 to 12 as the 12 signs of the zodiac. This denotes a beginning of a yearly cycle, and beginnings represent a time of rebirth and rejuvenation of life. This time of year holds the first major collective celebration of new-life.
Laurency’s take on the matter is expressed as “Trust In Life”. May the following of his work be of use in our approach to the full moon of Aries, the most propitious time to realize the 1st essential quality:
1 Trust in Life
security, safety, assurance, lightheartedness,
faith, hope, confidence,
trust in Law, courage,
realization that there is no failure,
realization that everything is planned for the best,
faith in the powers of life within us,
freedom from: fear, anxiety, envy, despair
(KL1-8: The Conception of Right, 8.16)
Below is a basic consideration of concepts listed above as a starting point for deeper personal and collective consideration for world-activity:
▪ Security – This is not what may be first considered as security – a state of reactive defence underpinned by fear. It is really a realisation of acceptance that existing is being part of a system of order with higher powers of goodwill at work. It is acknowledgement of the collective care we receive. It is a perspective that incorporates the widest possible point of view, acknowledging that personal or collective suffering is transitory if approached as a learning opportunity and that the rest of the universe is a total groove.
▪ Safety – Physical discomfort is contextualised in the light of knowledge of reincarnation. While these drawbacks are difficult and challenging to endure because of our biological functions, despair need not dominate. We will in time get a new body and a new chance in a new context to further the development of self and to continue to help others. Our true selves remain safe, enduring and evolving.
▪ Assurance – The more we can test and confirm the wisdom afforded to us by the gifts of the Teachings and lessons in nature, then the more we can be assured in our work. We gain insight into the network of life and become unburdened by fear of the unknown, even though we accept that for us there are unknowns. It is a launch pad for the flight of ‘living as if‘ one already knows how to fly.
▪ Lightheartedness – Clinging to pain and hurt in our lower strata appears absurd in the face of magnificent and wonderful cosmic reality. In addition to physical hurt, the strife is deepened by deliberate focus on the stones of emotional affronts and mental contradictions. These heavy dramas makes us deadly serious – a type of prejudice which isn’t conducive to evolution and the full functioning of heart and mind. Better to foster attraction, and better to foster perspective and system thinking, so that all worldly tensions can be quickly sifted through with a smile. The smiling heart and open mind can efficiently embrace the challenge with a joyous laugh.
▪ Faith – Faith is a much abused word that has come to be used a tool of fear. Faith is better considered anew from the point of view that it is a description of attitude towards endless testing of our conception of reality and acknowledgement that Order is observable. This becomes a process of navigating the most tenable working hypothesis rather the black and white dismissive absolutes. It is a state of joyous endless discovery.
▪ Hope – ‘Blind hope’ is not enough on its own to hold everything together – Hope comes alive when brought into the Light. It is a healthy and optimistic attitude toward the future that employs wisdom and is nurtured by service and participation. Hope in striving for something better does not need to have a perfect roadmap for the future. Hope is an affirmation of the rightness of Law and to continue on with thirst for life.
▪ Confidence – If we wait until we have obtained complete mastery of the task at hand before we claim we are confident, then we have missed an opportunity to better encourage those around us. Confidence is a process of communication. A captain of a ship at times must appear as if they know what needs to be done and what is the right choice – the life-lesson comes regardless of the outcome. Collective work ignites when passion for life prompts confidence, even for “absolute beginners”.
▪ Trust in Law – Wisdom is there as a gift of acceleration. After the trials of thousands of incarnations a store of knowledge becomes accessible – what a great advantage to have! This helps us navigate Law and service. Once we our done with our testing of Law, joyous efficiency can be gained to move harmoniously with the flow of the cosmos, making the best of the opportunities that arise. Trust is a relationship with Law based on respect and collaboration, thus affording bounteous collective progress.
▪ Courage – Life favours those who stand! Those who walk! Those who fly! If we are cut down as tall poppies or as threats to the established corruptions then there needed to be a lesson learned for all concerned. The Black Ones [the forces opposing evolution] thrive in a climate of fear. Stick not your head out so it gets shot: learn deeper ways to make your ripples felt more effectively. Courage is not the senseless stupidity of jumping into the lion’s mouth – it is a refined balance of heart and eye to pick the right battles at the right time, and then follow through. It is a fantastic service-artform that blooms with the acceptance of nourishment from the heavens.
▪ Realisation That There Is No Failure – When the full breadth and depth of Space is acknowledged then failures can be seen as relative setbacks per particular contexts. The upwards path of human evolution only has that one direction, and a ‘failure’ is simply the slowing of that movement. Even if one became so corrupted they joined with the the forces of evil, a greater perspective can be gained when it is understood that even the members of the Black Lodge will eventually undergo process of Law and slog through until they too are ready for the next level of evolution. All will achieve Unity in the long run, it is only a matter of when. Dust yourself off and try again.
▪ Realisation That Everything Is Planned For The Best – Higher powers are at work to maintain the project of the world’s development. Higher again is the solar project, and the galatic project and so: all with vast operations and responsibilities. The trials of humanity require time and genuine conditions to produce genuine development. Hierarchy [the powers and energies fostering evolution] and all greater forces work in concert to weave a most brilliant symphony so that we and all Earth life can continue to grow. The Plan is bigger than our current comprehension, but its benevolence is observable. Once this is held to heart then it can be consciously worked with in a state of beneficial flow.
▪ Faith In The Powers of Life Within Us – Our potential is incredible if it is cultivated, and one only need to test the opposite of this to see the importance. With the awakening of power comes responsibility. There is no greater joy than to facilitate the realisation and activation of Love and Wisdom. If this is doubted then it can be tested against other material, emotional and mental stimulants. An attitude of self-cultivation in order to make the self a better component in the network of service will see that life will be an amazing adventure. Life will be a process worthy of trust.
