Pisces 16º: In the quiet of his study a creative individual experiences a flow of inspiration.

11:11, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

Jonathan Livingston Seagull meets Yoda

pp. 278-279     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

SCENE TWENTY-FOUR: PERPETUATION
(Pisces 16º to Pisces 30º)

FIRST LEVEL: ACTIONAL

PHASE 346 (PISCES 16º): IN THE QUIET OF HIS STUDY A CREATIVE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES A FLOW OF INSPIRATION.

KEYNOTE: Reliance upon one's inner source of inspiration or guidance.

In this last scene of the great ritual of cyclic existence we are dealing with various aspects of the process that enables man to "con-firm," formulate and perpetuate the original creative impulse which has become self-actualized in a myriad of ways throughout the cycle, short or long as the cycle may be. This first symbol strikes the keynote of truly significant creative processes: their source is above, beyond, but also around the individual creator. The inspiration, original and individual though it may be, is given a form which is conditioned by the cultural, social and religious background of the creative person. In a sense, every genius merely records an answer to the needs of his time. The hands that write, play an instrument, or mold a plastic material are his own; the urge or drive back of the flow of inspiration has arisen in a vast collective mind of Man.

This is the first of the seventieth series of five-symbols. The individual aspect of the creative process is emphasized as is the individual's need for concentration and at least inner quiet. He must have faith in his own SUBJECTIVE STRENGTH.

Pisces 15º: An officer instructing his men before a simulated assault under a barrage of live shells.

11:00, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

pp. 277-278     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 345 (PISCES 15º): AN OFFICER INSTRUCTING HIS MEN BEFORE A SIMULATED ASSAULT UNDER A BARRAGE OF LIVE SHELLS.

KEYNOTE: The need for thorough rehearsing before any complex and inherently dangerous social ritual in which power is used or evoked.

In this fifth symbol of a series dealing with the confrontation with superpersonal group or occult power we see a picture which once again synthesizes what the four preceding symbols have implied, rather than stated. In social life, as well as occultism, conflict is always to be expected; one must prepare for it. At the close of the great cycle–in the zodiac, the sign Pisces–a deep-seated struggle is inevitable at least to some extent. It can be a struggle against the ghosts of the unfulfilled past, the "unlived life," or a confrontation with accumulated and often eluded karma. Indeed, Pisces refers to a period in the year during which many generals and admirals have been born. The rules of the game, at least in traditional forms of warfare, can be known. One may have to rehearse the dangerous play, just as our astronauts endlessly rehearsed every step in the moon landings. Individual rashness cannot be tolerated. Even a deliberate sacrifice must play a well-conceived part–like the sacrifice of an important piece in a game of chess.

This is the last symbol in Scene Twenty-three. The entire scene dealt in various ways with the process of integration of the individual into a social Whole, a community, an occult Brotherhood. A concluding Keyword could be VALORIZATION. The concept of group-value dominates the entire scene.

Pisces 14º: A lady wrapped in a large stole of fox fur.

10:50, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

Jung's The Red Book

pp. 276-277     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 344 (PISCES 14º): A LADY WRAPPED IN A LARGE STOLE OF FOX FUR.

KEYNOTE: The use of intelligence and mental subtlety as a protection against storms and trials.

Coming just after the preceding symbols and as the fourth stage of a five-fold sequence, which is usually related to some kind of technique, this symbol may at first seem irrelevant. The key to its interpretation, missed by the commentators, is fox fur. In symbolism and mythology the fox is always a clever and subtle animal. It represents the intellect at its early stage of "cunning"; in a broader sense, it also refers to "intelligence," considered as the ability to adapt to any and all life situations. Spiritual will and the ability to stand in facing tests are necessary in any crucial or challenging situation that an individual meet within a power-oriented group. But the sword-like will often has to be shielded, and intelligence or acumen can be the most precious help in danger. It is a personal (i.e. "animal" or instinctual) shield, perhaps even a camouflage. It hides the central will, but it keeps the individual from unnecessary hardships.

What we see symbolized here is a self-protective way of meeting the inclemencies of weather, actual or psychic, which abound as one leads a life consecrated to a vaster Whole; for this very consecration arouses strong enmities. Unnecessary risks are forbidden to the initiate, for the security of the Brotherhood might be endangered. The need for PROTECTIVE SHIELDING is imperative, and glamor can be an effective shield.

Pisces 13º: An ancient sword, used in many battles, is displayed in a museum.

10:41, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

p. 276     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar

PHASE 343 (PISCES 13º): AN ANCIENT SWORD, USED IN MANY BATTLES, IS DISPLAYED IN A MUSEUM.

KEYNOTE: Through the effectual use of his will a consecrated man can become a symbol of courage for all those who follow in his footsteps.

Will power is the ultimate spiritual weapon, and its undeviating use is the certification of individual worth. Wherever found, this symbol emphasizes the imperative need to make use of the will in meeting the basic challenges of the inner life as well as outer adversaries.

With this third symbol of the sixty-ninth sequence we see singled out and strongly emphasized the one power in man which is an assurance of victory in the contests generated by social (or occult) processes in which he has become an active part. The individual must use that WILL POWER, yet it is not really his own once he operates at a spiritual level. It is God's will operating through his mind which focuses its thrusts. It is, occultly speaking, the power of the Brotherhood–the energy of the Whole operating through the one-pointed individual who has made this Whole aware of the need for its use in a particular situation.

Pisces 12º: In the sanctuary of an occult brotherhood, newly initiated members are being examined and their character tested.

10:28, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

p. 275     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 342 (PISCES 12º): IN THE SANCTUARY OF AN OCCULT BROTHERHOOD, NEWLY INITIATED MEMBERS ARE BEING EXAMINED AND THEIR CHARACTER TESTED.

KEYNOTE: The ever-repeated challenge presented to the individual by the group in which he has claimed acceptance–the challenge to prove himself and his ability to assume responsibility effectively.

At any level of activity, sooner or later life itself demands of the individual that he or she stand up clearly and unequivocally to the ideal he himself has declared publicly his own. At the occult level the testing seems to be controlled and irrevocable. The "initiate" has become a constituent part of an integrated field of mental-spiritual activity. He is therefore controlled by the structural order of the group. He is no longer seeking; having found his place, he must prove himself able to fulfill the function associated with it. He is no longer "free" as an individual, for he has become a part of an integral Whole operating under structural principles of immense antiquity.

This second symbolic stage of unfoldment stands in contrast to the first in that the individual is now bound by collective laws and traditions. At a mundane political or business level he is the junior executive incorporated in a hierarchical institution. He has at all times to prove his worth. QUALIFICATION is an apt Keyword.

Pisces 11º: Men traveling a narrow path, seeking illumination.

10:19, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

pp. 274-275     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

THIRD LEVEL: INDIVIDUAL-MENTAL

PHASE 341 (PISCES 11º): MEN TRAVELING A NARROW PATH, SEEKING ILLUMINATION.

KEYNOTE: The capacity inherent in every individual to seek at whatever cost entrance to a transcendent realm of reality.

This refers to the ancient and eternal symbol of the Path of Discipleship. The greatness of man is that he can always be greater; and the belief–deeply rooted in men's inner nature–that if he fulfills the necessary conditions he can find "Elder Brothers" who have already attained a higher level of consciousness and will transfer their attainment and light to him. The Path is always open to the pure in heart, the mentally aware, the conqueror of emotions and the spiritually self-moblized.

This symbol opens the sixty-ninth five-fold sequence and a new level of consciousness. Man is always in the making and remaking. He can always go further, reach beyond. But he has to take the first step. Someone can show him the Path, but he alone can do the walking. Thus the Zen injunction: WALK ON.

Pisces 10º: An aviator pursues his journey, flying through ground-obscuring clouds.

10:10, 03.10.2015, Pisces 19º (late posting)

p. 274     AN ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA, by Dane Rudhyar (1973)

PHASE 340 (PISCES 10º): AN AVIATOR PURSUES HIS JOURNEY, FLYING THROUGH GROUND-OBSCURING CLOUDS.

KEYNOTE: Man's ability to develop powers and skills which by transcending natural limitations allow him to operate in mental-spiritual realms.

This symbol in a sense synthesizes the implications of the four preceding ones: the dedication to the community of men (present and future), self-assertion and the ambition to reach a social goal. Man is seen mastering difficulties implied in a type of operation transcending his organic limitations and the narrow boundaries of a localized "living space." He does so as an individual in command of powerful energies, but also as heir to the industry of countless innovators and managers.

This is the last symbol of the sixty-eighth five-fold sequence of evolving stages of consciousness and human activity. It evokes the achievement of MASTERY.