Astrologia Theosophia III
Dovid Shlomo ben Aryeh
Dovid Shlomo ben Aryeh
Equilibrium, in Astrology, exists between the seven ancient planets symbolized by the HEXAGRAM, the lineal figure representing the SUN. The Sun, whose Hebrew name is Shemesh, [composed of letters that are the symbols of primary fire and water] equilibrates that fire and water, symbolized by the union of two equilateral triangles [also symbols of primary fire and water]. In the natal chart of a rectified soul, the Sun acts as a King seated upon his Throne in the center of the Hexagrammatical Archetypes, equilibrating the energy of the other six 'Planetary Powers' that are arrayed around the six points of the Mogen Dovid or Shield of David. The 'Planetary Powers' are the Divine Archetypes represented in various cultures [like Rome and Greece] as the pantheon of their 'gods' and 'goddesses', who exist within the collective unconscious of mankind in a state of unequilibrated 'potentia', or seed forms. One mustn't consider them existing outside of the Absolute Unity of the Holy One, blessed be His Name.
The 'planetary archetypes' constitute certain aspects of Shemesh [the Sun] [a reflection and grade of the Light of the Holy One] that array and project themselves in opposites: Mars [Madim], arrayed in scarlet red, opposite Venus [Nogah], arrayed in emerald green. Jupiter [Tzedek], arrayed in royal purple, opposite Mercury [Kokav], arrayed in bright yellow. The pure Moon [Levanah], arrayed in silvery white, opposite Saturn [Shabbatai], arrayed in thick blackness. The Sun [Shemesh] is as a King who sits upon his throne in the center of the planetary archetypes, reconciling all opposites in the Sephira Tipheret on the Etz Chaim, or Tree of Life. The six pointed interlaced Star [Mogen Dovid] is the Image of Universal Synthesis constituting the Supreme Hermetic Analogy of Opposites. Tipheret should be the natural place of consciousness of MAN on the Etz Chaim or Tree of Life, as MAN represents the union of that which is inferior and also that which is superior. If his soul is purified, he reigns as King from within Tipheret, commanding the animal and other worlds beneath him.
It is very important to note that, especially in Western Astrology, the position of the sun is of primary importance in delineating a natal chart. The integrating and equilibrating powers of the Sun, as an aspect of the HOLY ONE, blessed be His Name, not only focuses the vital forces of the Twin Pillars of the Universe, Shin and Mayim [fire and water], within the body of Man, but is also a direct reflection of the highest aspect on the Tree of Life in the material world, and represents the Will operating in the realm of Moral and Intellectual Light [ruach in Hebrew].
Unless an individual purifies his/her character and establishes Virtue within their heart, the opposing and uncontrolled currents of the six 'planetary councilors' or 'powers', will sway the individual from one unbalanced pole of consciousness to another. The Sun, as the source of illumination and the Vital Nature in the 'microcosm', either commands like a noble, just, and merciful King, or, in the case of an unrectified soul, abdicates his Throne to the other 'planetary archetypes' as they become unregulated and unbalanced; the body losing Light and Vitality in the process [concerning the Elixir Vitae].
Within the Mogen Dovid, or six-pointed interlaced star, the equilateral triangle pointing upwards, as a pyramid, represents fire, and the Divine world of the Light of the soul. It is symbolic of the aspiration of the soul to its Divine source in the HOLY ONE, blessed be His Name. The equilateral triangle pointing downward symbolizes water, and the downward attraction to things of the material world, of the body, and the sensual nature. When a purified and virtuous soul incarnates, the fiery part of its soul commands the animal aspect of the soul [nefesh] because Divine fire and Light reflect the Superior Worlds, which rule and command everything below them in the Inferior Worlds.
When a pure and virtuous soul incarnates and allows itself to be drawn downward toward the realm of materiality and sensuality [nefesh], succumbing to its attractions, it gradually becomes less and less able to command its lower nature. This soul will then become more subject to the watery part of the Twin Powers of the Sun [ reflecting the dual nature of the Light and Darkness which Hashem created]. Unless this soul aspires to return to the Divine World of Purity and Light [teshuvah in Hebrew], it remains lost in the world of Darkness, suffering more as it separates further from the Divine Light of its Luminous origin.
The unluminous nature of the Yetzer haRa, the "evil" inclination, or the Sitra Achra, the other side, continually suggests to the unpurified and vulnerable mind, thoughts that are a mixture of truth and untruth, gradually leading the undiscerning soul to deeper and deeper depths of illusion and subjugation. The powers of the Sun which reflect the Light from Kether [or Crown, the highest Sepirah in the World of Action], and its placement in a chart, its aspects, which Zodiacal Sign it's in, are the most important factors concerning the interpretation of a natal chart. These indicators determine how the individual soul withstands temptation and tumeh [contamination] from the Sitra Achra. Nevertheless, the Jewish soul is ain mazal [no constellation]. Ultimately, there is no constellation or power that determines its destiny, only its direct relationship with Hashem [G-d], Who can overrule astrological fate, as is written by our Sages, and explained by the RaMChaL.
The various 'signs' of the Zodiacal Light are disposed in an equilibrated fashion: the equilateral triangle produced by the three FIRE signs are opposite the equilateral triangle of the three AIR signs, producing a six-pointed star in the Zodiacal Light. The equilateral triangle produced by the three WATER signs are opposite the equilateral triangle of the three EARTH signs, producing another six-pointed star within the Zodiacal Light. The Name of Six letters, attributed to the Sphere of Shemash, ARARITA, asserts the Divine Unity of the Holy One, Blessed be His Name, reflected and reveiled in the 'Microcosm' or Sphere of Shemesh, Tipheret: Echad Resh Echadoutoh Resh Yechoudoh Temurahtoh Echad. [One is His beginning, One is His individuality, His permutation is One.]
Alchemy is the Sacred Science of transmuting 'base metals' into 'gold' by projecting a 'red powder' onto them, and is the Hermetic application of the knowledge of Superior and Inferior Worlds permeated by a universal 'FIRE'. The fire of the Ineffable NAME, of which it is said, either destroys the profane, or illumines and raises the virtuous. Baruch Shem Kavod Malkutoh le-olahm Va-ed. The 'base metals' constitute the debased and ungoverned 'planetary archetypes', the Divine Powers, represented as the Pantheon of the gods in various cultures. The 'base metals' are transmuted by the redirected currents of 'fire' typified by the 'Dragon', and equilibrated in the Solar World of the Light of the Sun, also known as Aurum [Gold], which illumines them with Kabbalah, or Divine Knowledge [concerning the Stone of the Philosophers].
It is common astrological knowledge that those who are born with the Sun in Fire Signs [ Leo, Aries or Saggitarius] are more naturally inclined to command than other Signs, and also, that individuals born under other Signs usually acknowledge the Fire Signs' hierarchical command. It is also common knowledge that those whose Sun or Rising Sign is in the Element of Fire, have far fewer diseases of an infectious nature than other Signs. This is because the vital energy is generally greater, particularly in Aries [ruled by Mars, and where the Sun is exalted] and Leo [ruled by the Sun]. The nature is inclined to nobility, Virtue, chivalry, manliness, and generosity by the very element of fire [of the Holy One], manifest in it. [Re: Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table; Jason and the Golden Fleece; Hercules and his 12 Labours, etc.] That the Will and Superiority of the Element of Fire is the greatest of the four Elements, is attested to by the Holy Kabbalah.
There exists even further manifestation of equilibrium within the Zodiacal Light. The Fall, Rulership, Exaltation and Detriment of the 'Planets' [Powers] of each Sign always have their corresponding opposites in the Zodiac. For example: Aries ruled by Mars, is opposite Libra, ruled by Venus. The Sun is exalted in Aries, but in fall in Libra. Mars rules Aries, but is in detriment in Libra. Saturn is exalted in Libra, but is in fall in Aries, and similarly throughout the rest of the Zodiacal signs, or Mazlot in Hebrew.
Finally, if we take the SUN, which rules LEO, and the MOON, which rules CANCER, to represent the Twin Pillars of the Universe [i.e. the Twin Pillars of Solomon], and then look to the Signs disposed around the circumference of a chart, they will present the Night and Day Houses of the Planets as we proceed up alternating sides of the TWIN PILLARS . For example: The first Sign next to Cancer on the one side, is Gemini, the Day House of Mercury. The first Sign next to Leo on the other side, is Virgo, the Night House of Mercury. The same is true for the rest of the 'planetary powers'; the Night and Day Houses of the Planets alternating back and forth between the two Pillars of the Sun and Moon, [Fire and Water].
The Sefer Ha-Zohar asserts that equilibration is the basis of the 'LAW' of the manifestation of the universe. According to the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistos: As above, so below, and as below so above, for the Operations of the One substance. The same is equally true of the Soul of MAN, as the Microcosm or lesser universe.
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