Draco Maureen Temple Richmond

Summer 2018

Abstract constellation as Draco, while in Esoteric As- trology he called it “The Dragon.” n the works of Alice Bailey and the Tibetan I Master, Djwhal Khul, many constellations Draco being the Latin word for serpent or well outside of the zodiacal belt are identified dragon, these names refer to one and the same as key sources of occult energies. Of these, non-zodiacal star grouping. The constellation Draco is one of the most important. This article Draco gets its name from the long and winding explores the many occult and esoteric charac- shape this star grouping seems to make as it teristics of Draco, demonstrating that the sig- snakes around and amongst several other con- nificance of this constellation results from its stellations near the celestial north pole, ultimately to span twelve hours of right ascen- sky position near celestial north, association 2 with Hierarchy and advanced initiates as the sion, a vast portion of space astronomically Dragons and Serpents of Wisdom, position in considered. This gigantic, sinuous constella- the base of spine center in the Cosmic Logos tion has accordingly throughout history been and hence its expression as cosmic kundalini, labeled by various cultures as Snake, Sea connection with the Mother Goddesses of the Monster, Alligator, Crocodile, Porpoise, and ancient Egyptian religion and their power to even Hippopotamus, all aquatic animals of imposing nature (except for the kindly and both generate and destroy form through spir- 3 itual fire, the transmission of its energies playful Porpoise). through the constellation and sign of Libra, Draco was known to the ancient Egyptians as and its role as a source of manas or mind on Crocodile,4 an animal clearly connected with planet Earth. their great experience of water, the Nile. The ancient Egyptians also referred to this constel- Draco as a Circumpolar lation as Hippopotamus,5 under which image Constellation this constellation was associated by the ancient Egyptians with several important goddess fig- een from the perspective of our planet, ures—Isis, Hathor,6 and Taurt, the last a god- Draco is a vast constellation located not in S dess of fecundity and childbearing.7 Other the ecliptic or zodiacal belt surrounding our Egyptian goddesses were associated with a planet, but rather in the northern sky near the specific star in this constellation. Apet, Bast, Great Bear and the north celestial pole. Be- Mut, Sekhet or Sekhmet, and even Taurt were cause of its position in the northern sky, Draco is never seen to set, but instead remains in the ______night sky, ever to circle the celestial north point. As a result, Draco is called a circumpo- About the Author lar constellation, meaning one of the several Maureen Temple Richmond is a lifelong astrolo- visible star groupings that appear, as a result of ger and esotericist known for her scholarly study the Earth’s revolution on its own axis, to circle titled Sirius, a comprehensive examination of the the North Star. teaching on that great star as revealed in the works of Alice Bailey. Author of numerous essays, poetry, Esoteric students are drawn to the study of and fiction, Richmond holds a Master of Arts in Draco because Djwhal Khul discussed this English and Creative Writing from Southern New constellation extensively in A Treatise on Hampshire University. She is a native of Arkansas, Cosmic Fire, and then mentioned it passingly where she currently makes her home. A counseling in the later Esoteric Astrology.1 In A Treatise astrologer, Richmond advises Anglophone clients on Cosmic Fire, the Tibetan referred to this around the world. She can be reached at: star- [email protected].

symbolized by Gamma Draconis,8 one of the beings initiated in the mysteries embodying the many stars in this vast constellation known to principles of evolution on our globe, or those the ancient Egyptians.9 who have esoteric knowledge.15 Specifically, Dragons of Wisdom were said by the Tibetan The constellation Draco has been of note to encompass aspirants, disciples of various throughout time because it contains three stars degrees, initiates, and adepts, all of whom have that have all functioned as indicators of the evolved past the point of exclusive reliance celestial North Pole at various periods of histo- upon the everyday intellect and who therefore ry. These three stars are Alpha, Iota and Theta are able to live transcendent lives to one de- Draconis,10 so denominated for their relative gree or another. brightness (with Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, signifying the brightest, and In plain language then, Dragons of Wisdom the following letters indicating lesser degrees are the Masters of the Planetary Hierarchy, of brilliance). Alpha Draconis was the North their disciples, and aspirants of various lev- Pole star during the Pyramid Age, or around els.16 A more restrictive definition of the term, 2700 B.C.11 Iota Draconis indicated celestial Dragon of Wisdom, confines the meaning of north even earlier, around 4,500 B.C.12 this phrase to those who can initiate others into esoteric wisdom, thus, an initiator.17 Thus, says Presently, it is Alpha Ursa Minor, or Polaris, Blavatsky, the title “Dragon” was given to the the brightest star in the Little Bear, which initiated adepts of ancient times, such that the marks the celestial north point. Different stars hoary concept of feeding on a dragon was mark celestial north at various times as a result veiled language for the assimilation of initiato- of our planet’s nutation, a very gradual nod- ry wisdom bequeathed by an initiated adept.18 ding movement which causes the imaginary tip of the rotational axis to trace out a circular The same can be said for the term “serpent.” shape and in so doing, to point at different According to Blavatsky, both the titles “Ser- stars. Because Draco inhabits the region of the pent” and “Dragon” were given to the initiated night sky toward which the north end of adepts of ancient times.19 Similarly, Djwhal Earth’s rotational axis points, even during his- Khul stated, “…there is a profound signifi- torical periods when one of its stars has not cance connected with the expression ‘the ser- marked precise celestial north, Draco was pents of wisdom’ which is applied to all adepts highly noticeable as one of the circumpolar of the good law.”20 Thus, it is apparent that constellations, those star groupings that never “Serpent of Wisdom” and “Dragon of Wis- set, but which are seen from our perspective on dom” were entirely equivalent terms, both ti- earth to slowly and continuously circle the tles alluding to those who had attained esoteric north star during the night. This continuous wisdom through the processes of discipline presence of Draco and its circumpolar com- and genuine spiritual initiation. Of course, panions throughout the night has suggested the dragons and serpents have much in common notion of unchanging eternity to many a sky- anyway. Long and reptilian of body, both ser- oriented culture.13 pents and dragons seem to be constituted of an endless spiraling coil, and when in movement, Draco and the Dragons undulating and wave-like. of Wisdom In keeping with the physical similarity be- owever, the constellation Draco is signif- tween these two types, the Tibetan’s state- Hicant for reasons beyond its important ments indicated that the Dragon constellation role as a circumpolar constellation. According (or Draco) is indeed linked with all serpent to the Ageless Wisdom Teachings, Draco as symbolism.21 Further, Djwhal Khul related all Dragon is directly linked with and indicative of serpent symbolism to the evolutionary energy those beings called “Dragons of Wisdom.”14 of matter called kundalini, the driving force of As spoken of by Helena Blavatsky and Djwhal evolutionary action that is said to lie coiled Khul, Dragons of Wisdom are highly evolved like a serpent within the base of spine chakra.22

This Kundalini energy, or “serpent fire,” as The Rods used for the First, Second, and Third Djwhal Khul called it, is related to the constel- Initiations all feature three intertwined serpents lation Draco,23 for Draco itself is the base of which form the body of the rod, and during the spine center in a great cosmic logos,24 and as higher initiations, the bodies of the serpents are such is the repository of cosmic kundalini seen to rotate on their own axes as they circle force. and orbit their neighbors.27 In this fashion, the motions of the serpents which constitute the In general, kundalini is said to rise or progress rods of initiation simultaneously depict and through the various chakras in the process of imply the three major types of motion in the evolution, whether the unit undergoing such manifested cosmos — rotary, orbital, and spi- evolution be human or cosmic in scope. In ral, each of these corresponding respectively to either case, the kundalini fire or force can be the Brahma (matter), Vishnu (consciousness) perceived as a fiery light that awakens and ac- and Shiva (or spirit) aspects of Deity.28 Thus, tivates matter and consciousness wherever it the Rods of Initiation on our planet enact in goes. Its progression from chakra to chakra occult symbolism the various ways in which may in some cases be perceived as a zigzag cosmic, systemic, and planetary kundalini path, tracing out a curve or waving line remi- drives matter into action. niscent of serpentine motion. As stated above, this kundalini force is particu- Further, the progress of kundalini up the chak- larly associated with Draco, for according to ras and along the human spine involves an al- the Ageless Wisdom, the constellation Draco ternation between the two interpenetrating en- functions as the base of spine center for the ergy channels within the spine itself, known as Cosmic Logos,29 acting as a repository for Ida and Pingala in yogic philosophy.25 As the cosmic kundalini. Thus, Draco accomplishes kundalini energy thus alternates from one of in the body of the Cosmic Logos what the base these channels to the other, it creates the ap- of spine center does in the human. In the hu- pearance of a zigzag action very much like that man body, the base of spine center functions as produced by the slithering of a serpent. Thus, the source of life to the physical body.30 Ac- whether kundalini is seen in progress from cording to the Tibetan, the base of spine chakra chakra to chakra or between the two energy “…supports all the other centres.”31 The base channels along the spine and leading to the of spine center has this function because it re- chakras, its motion is suggestive of the serpen- ceives, distributes, and embodies the First Ray tine. Hence, the persistent association of ser- — that of Will and Power.32 Hence, the hu- pent imagery with the kundalini force. man base of spine center is, as Djwhal Khul As the Tibetan stated, when the “serpent of stated, “…responsive only to the will aspect, God” lying coiled in the base of spine center and the will-to-be in incarnation is the factor has been transformed into the serpent of wis- which at present controls its life and produces dom and all impediments to its action have its effects as it feeds and directs the life princi- been removed, it rises upward and engages all ples in matter and form.”33 Simply stated then, the centers in a display of radiance which the will-to-be is seated in the base of the spine makes the individual thus sanctified a “dragon center,34 and from there, it vitalizes the entire of living light.”26 Such a description easily physical form. evokes an image of the wholly actualized initi- Similarly, the Tibetan stated that Draco as the ate as essentially an upright column of light base of spine center in the Cosmic Logos pro- whose fully illuminated spinal column suggest vides stimulation, vitalization, and a conse- the shape of a standing dragon or serpent. quent co-ordination of the energies of manifes- This fundamentally serpentine symbolism and tation.35 In other words, the power coming motion are memorialized in the design of the from Draco activates and puts physical life rods of initiation used on this planet by Hierar- energy into forms, as well as relating various chy and the Planetary Logos in advancing units energies one to another in an organic and or- of consciousness along their initiatory paths. derly whole.

Draco in Egyptian Symbolism ed in various times and places with the Egyp- tian goddesses Bast, Menhit, and Sekhet,49 notable correspondence with the Egyp- among others. Menhit seems to have been a A tian view of Draco arises in this context. version of Hathor, who personified the great As previously mentioned, the ancient Egyp- power of nature, perpetually conceiving, creat- tians perceived a hippopotamus figure in the ing, bringing forth, rearing, and maintaining all stars of what is today things, great and called Draco. The ...Draco addresses matters of small.50 Egyptian constellation universal scope, the full impli- Sekhet, a lion-headed Hippopotamus was 51 frequently artistically cations of which go far beyond goddess, was like cat- depicted in profile, everyday concerns for the great headed Bast a goddess standing on its hind of flame, fire and heat, legs with a full and environment; the influence of the fire in this case definitely curving bel- Draco drives certain evolution- serving to release the ly, clearly reminiscent ary processes in the body of the human soul from the of a pregnant human body at death and in female. In keeping Cosmic Logos, while here on general to destroy the with this imagery, our planet, the influence of this enemies of righteous- ness.52 Further, Sekhet several Egyptian god- dragon-shaped star grouping is desses of fertility and was identified with the fecundity were linked intimately bound up with the other goddesses, Bast and Hathor.53 In her with the constellation mysteries of initiation... Hippopotamus. Fur- nurturing aspect, Sekhet was patron god- ther, one particular star in the head portion of 54 the Hippopotamus figure was specifically con- dess of cultivated land and fields. nected to a group of interrelated goddesses, The last of the goddesses mentioned here as many of whom were characterized as mother associated with Draco, Taurt was also figured figures. This particular star was Gamma in Egyptian art as a hippopotamus,55 the con- Draconis, which according to nineteenth centu- tours of which strongly recalled the profile of a ry archeoastronomer Sir Norman Lockyer, was pregnant human female.56 In fact, the link be- identified with the Egyptian goddesses Apet, tween Taurt, pregnancy, and childbirth was 36 Bast, Mut, Sekhet, and Taurt. An examina- literal in Egyptian symbolism, for Taurt was a tion of the symbolic meaning associated with goddess of mothering 57 whose imagery was each of these goddess figures is thus in order. found in the living quarters where Egyptian 58 Of these, Apet is shown in Egyptian iconogra- queens gave birth to their infants. At the oth- phy as a standing half-hippopotamus, half hu- er end of the life spectrum, Taurt like Hathor 37 was the helpful and kindly guardian of the man, her name frequently used together with 59 that of two other goddesses, Mut and Taurt.38 dead. 39 40 Next, Bast was a cat or cat-headed figure The key to understanding the nature of these said to personify the life-giving power of the goddesses is the fact that they are all interrelat- 41 Sun, manifesting as heat. Bast was also ed, and in some senses, quite nearly inter- 42 linked with various other goddesses, includ- changeable. The common factors between 43 44 ing Sekhet and Hathor, the latter being a these interlinked goddess figures are as fol- 45 goddess of nurturing femininity and a helper lows: of the deceased to attain immortality.46 1) They were all symbolized by the constella- 47 Mut, also associated with Hathor, was con- tion Hippopotamus (now called Draco) and ceptualized as the great world mother who had were specifically represented by Gamma 48 conceived and brought forth all that exists. Draconis, a star in the head of the Egyptian Mother of the world, Mut was further associat- constellation, Hippopotamus.

2) They were either mother figures or linked beyond everyday concerns in the greater envi- with other goddesses who were mother figures, ronment; the influence of Draco drives certain and thus were either involved with or super- evolutionary processes in the body of the vised physical creation and in some cases, Cosmic Logos, while here on our planet, the physical death. influence of this dragon-shaped star grouping 3) They either watched over the souls of the is intimately bound up with the mysteries of dead or were sister goddesses of those who initiation as administered by the Planetary Hi- did. erarchy. 4) They were either directly or indirectly as- In fact, our planetary Hierarchy itself is strong- sociated with heat and fire as both a creative ly affected by Draco. This is so, according to and destructive agency. the Tibetan, because the entire membership of our Planetary Hierarchy is composed of initi- Thus, the Egyptians saw qualities in Hippopot- ates who have traveled what is called the First amus that are much the same as that attributed Cosmic Path, a particular method of spiritual by the Ageless Wisdom to Draco. Where evolution actuated and enlivened by energies Djwhal Khul specified the action of a fiery coming from Draco.60 This First Cosmic Path cosmic kundalini force acting as vitalization, is one of seven ways of higher evolution said stimulation, and the coordination of life pro- to open before the initiate after the Initiation of cesses, the Egyptian reading of the same area Decision,61 each of the Seven Cosmic Paths of the sky emphasized the female principle in ultimately leading to one of the seven centers nature, giving birth to and destroying form in the body of the Cosmic Logos.62 The First through the agency of heat. Here is a remark- Cosmic Path, also called the Path of Earth Ser- able parallel to the functions attributed by the vice, brings the initiate who chooses to tread Ageless Wisdom to Draco, cosmic base of the its way to the Cosmic Logoic center in which spine center and hence home to the First Ray, our solar system is found. Thus, instead of the ray which not only embodies the will-to- going elsewhere, the adepts or initiates of this be, but also the will to destroy when necessary path stay on our planet and form the seven in the cosmic process. Ashrams of the Hierarchy.63 This parallel is all the more remarkable in view Since Hierarchy is such a potent influence up- of the fact that the esoteric occult philosophy on Humanity and all the kingdoms of life on equates the terms “mother” and “matter” with Earth, its powerful link with Draco brings the fire by friction, or energized matter, for the energy of that constellation to bear upon our heat-producing and fiery mother goddesses of entire planetary expression. Through Hierar- the Egyptians suggest the same idea. Thus, chy, Humanity thus receives the influence of whether Egyptian goddesses of fecundity and Draco, which (according to the Tibetan) im- liberating flame characterize this star grouping parts the qualities of wisdom, compassion, and on one hand, or the mysterious kundalinic the capacity to identify with the spirit aspect in dragon does so on the other, a similar type of all forms.64 Clearly, this influence is greatly influence appears to have been perceived as needed on the paths of probation, discipleship, emanating from this part of the sky. This con- and initiation, which in themselves are central- currence between ancient religion and a mod- ly concerned with a growing sense of oneness ern installment of the Ageless Wisdom teach- with all that exists. ing serves to strengthen appreciation for the reality of the claims made by the Tibetan in Draco’s Astrological regard to the constellation Draco. Intermediary Draco and Hierarchy his important spiritual influence from Dra- s has been demonstrated, the influence of T co is channeled into our solar system by the zodiacal sign of Libra, according to the A Draco addresses matters of universal 65 scope, the full implications of which go far esoteric occult teaching. As a zodiacal sign,

Libra is a thirty-degree portion of the ecliptic eventual membership in that body. A case in that begins with the point in space at which the point might be seen in the chart of H.P. Blavat- Sun is to be seen at the northern hemisphere’s sky, who had the Moon in Libra.69 Autumnal Equinox. Though this thirty-degree portion of the ecliptic does not coincide in Further Occult Effects of Draco space with the location of the stars in the con- he full constitution of what thus comes stellation of the same name, this discrepancy T forth from Draco, through Libra, to Hier- presents no problem within the esoteric astrol- archy, its associates, and entire planetary life ogy of Alice Bailey and the Tibetan, for web is of great importance.70 According to Djwhal Khul held that the sidereal constella- Djwhal Khul, Draco is not only a source of tions are the energy sources for the zodiacal Ray One energies from the Cosmic Logoic 66 signs. This statement should dispel any base of spine, and not only an incentive toward doubt about whether or not the Tibetan really wisdom, compassion, and the power of spiritu- meant to indicate the tropical (or zodiacal) sign al identification, but also an emanating source of Libra in this context. of buddhi71 and manas,72 or intuition and intel- At any rate, the Tibetan specifically stated that lect. As is apparent, Draco functions as a com- the influence of Draco arrives in the con- plex source of higher energies, all of which are sciousness and experience of Hierarchy needed on the path of consciousness evolution. “through the zodiacal sign Libra.”67 Here is a Each of these energies has its own place and remarkable correlation to the ancient Chinese intended function as needed in the outworking zodiac, which placed a dragon in the location of the Divine Plan. 68 now identified as sidereal Libra, which ac- Together, however, all the energies emanated cording to the esoteric astrological teaching is by Draco may be grouped into three broad cat- the energy source for zodiacal Libra. It seems egories, the implications of which will be ap- long established that Libra, whether tropical or parent to the well-versed student of the esoteric sidereal, is associated with Dragon symbolism. occult doctrine. First, the Ray One energies As a result, the sign Libra should be firmly consequent upon Draco’s role as the base of linked with the influence of Draco in the minds spine center in the Cosmic Logos correlates it of all students of esoteric astrology. Plainly, to the First Aspect. Next, Draco’s definite link this means that individuals whose astrological with wisdom links it to the Love-Wisdom or birth charts contain an emphasis upon zodiacal Second Aspect. Finally, Draco’s function as a Libra are in the midst of an opportunity to as- distributor of manas or mind connects it to Ac- similate and express the qualities emanated by tive Intelligence, or the Third Aspect. In this Draco — these specifically clustering around sense, the constitution of energies from Draco the ability to expand beyond one’s own frame follows the fundamental pattern advocated by of reference to identify with that of other lives the esoteric occult philosophy for all things, and forms. This capacity is a characteristic for it is composed of an obvious triplicity. classically associated with the sign Libra, According to information about Draco given which even in mainstream astrology is explicitly in the Bailey material, this triplicity acknowledged for its ability to see the many contains both buddhi and manas, two factors sides of any question, and for its emphasis up- conspicuously suggestive of the constitution of on awareness of and empathy with others. To the spiritual triad. As explained in an earlier this the esoteric doctrine adds the link of Libra section, the spiritual triad is part of the esoteric with Draco, the energy source actuating the constitution of the human being. Composed of path of Earth Service, the adepts of which con- atma, buddhi, and manas, the spiritual triad stitute our Planetary Hierarchy. Thus, any mediates between the abstract monad on one conscious disciple or spiritual seeker whose hand and the more concrete levels of mind (or astrological chart contains a strong representa- manas) inherent in the soul on the other. This tion in Libra is very likely under the definite bridging function spans the atmic, buddhic, grip of Hierarchy and in rigorous training for and manasic planes.

Thus, like the energies of Draco, the spiritual lishment of the mysteries of initiation on our triad is constituted of a triplicity. Between the planet, the ability of the human kingdom to triplicities found in Draco and the spiritual tri- function at the manasic level, and the evoca- ad there exists a definite correlation, so much tion of the spiritual will in the individual seek- so, in fact, that the energies of Draco might be er. These are all themes of broad and general said to contain the prototype of the spiritual relevance, as is appropriate for the nature of triad. As a result, it is likely that the impact of the non-zodiacal constellations, held by the Draco acts upon the spiritual triad, and in so Ageless Wisdom to symbolize the region of doing, evokes the spiritual will, for knowledge universality and monadic synthesis. of the spiritual will is the special province of the spiritual triad. This is so because the will, originating for the microcosm in the monad, is 1 The Tibetan’s articulation of the esoteric as- first registered at the atmic level of the spiritu- trological doctrine is not confined to his vol- al triad, then intuited by the buddhic compo- ume ostensibly devoted to that topic. Thus, it nent of the spiritual triad, and finally precipi- is necessary to view the Bailey corpus as a tated into the manasic aspect of the triad, this whole if an adequate and accurate formulation last step bringing the nature of the spiritual of the esoteric astrological doctrine is to be will to the level of conscious mental recogni- derived. 2 tion. R.H. Allen, Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning (New York: G.E. Stechert, 1899), The critical role of the manasic or mind level 206. in this process is evident. The nature of the 3 Ibid., 202 – 206. divine or spiritual will as known by the monad 4 Ibid., 205; H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doc- may be a great and high thing, but if this will trine (Adhyar: Theosophical University Press, 1888), Vol. I, 409. can’t be recognized by the mind, it is as noth- 5 ing to human consciousness at its present level Peter Tompkins, The Secrets of the Great Pyramid (New York: Penguin Books, 1979), of evolution. In order for the mind to register 172. In this passage, Tompkins reports the any input from the monadic level, the spiritual fact that the Denderah Zodiac portrays Draco triad must translate the content of the monad as hippopotamus. Some have argued that the into something the mind can understand. Then Denderah Zodiac is a very late creation and the mind can fulfill its divine destiny as an or- may have been influenced by Greek astrologi- gan of revelation. cal ideas. Whatever the case may be in this regard, Draco is Hippo in the Denderah Zodi- Obviously, without the inspired mind, the hu- ac. man is nothing but a physically oriented au- 6 Allen, Star Names, 205. tomaton. The fact that Humanity can claim a 7 Robert Bauval and Adrian Gilbert, The Orion manasic or mental component in its makeup is Mystery (New York, Crown, 1994), 264. due in part to Draco, for according to the Age- 8 Allen, Star Names, 209. less Wisdom, Draco was instrumental in bring- 9 The ancient Chinese also included a Dragon in ing manasic energy to our solar system,73 and their zodiac, but instead of being near the with it the “serpent religion,”74 or science of north celestial pole, the Chinese Dragon was the initiates which forms the basis of Hierar- placed among the stars of what the west calls the zodiacal constellation of Libra. This fact chical teaching on our planet today. about the Chinese sign of the Dragon will Conclusion have relevance further on in the discussion of Draco, as will the linkage of various Egyptian s this essay has demonstrated, massive goddess figures with this northern star group- Draco with its swelling starry curves rep- ing. A 10 resents themes of great importance which Vivian Robson, The Fixed Stars and Constel- range from its role as the cosmic base of spine lations (London: Cecil Palmer, 1923), 185. 11 Bauval and Gilbert, The Orion Mystery, 206: and a source of Ray One vitalization in the Robert Bauval and Graham Hancock, The One About Whom Naught May Be Said, to the nature of the Path of Earth Service, the estab-

Message of the Sphinx (New York: Broadway 51 Ibid., 514. Books, 1997), 243; Allen, Star Names, 206. 52 Ibid., 447. 12 Robson, Fixed Stars, 184. 53 Ibid., 514. 13 Virginia Trimble, “Astronomical Investigation 54 Ibid., Vol. II, 216. Concerning the So-Called Air-Shafts of Che- 55 Ibid., 285, 359. ops’s Pyramid,” in Bauval and Gilbert, The 56 Ibid., illustration between 28 and 29. Orion Mystery, 238. 57 Ibid., 30. 14 Alice A. Bailey, A Treatise on Cosmic Fire 58 Ibid., 286. (New York: Lucis Publishing: 1925), 1162. 59 Ibid., 359. 15 Boris de Zirkoff, Helena P. Blavatsky, Col- 60 Bailey, Cosmic Fire, 1245. lected Writings (Wheaton: Quest 61 The Initiation of Decision was presented in Books/Theosophical Publishing House, 1933 the Tibetan’s earlier dictations to Alice Bailey – 1991), Vol. viii, 148; Blavatsky, The Secret as the Fifth Initiation. See Bailey, Cosmic Doctrine, Vol. I, 404; Bailey, Cosmic Fire, Fire, 1241. However, in the later dictations, 705 – 706. the Tibetan indicated that evolutionary ad- 16 Bailey, Cosmic Fire, 705 – 706. vances had led to the designation of the Sixth 17 Blavatsky, Secret Doctrine, Vol. II, 355. Initiation as that of the Decision. See Alice A. 18 Ibid. Vol. I, 404. Bailey, The Rays and the Initiations (New 19 Ibid., de Zirkoff, Collected Works, Vol. XIV, York: Lucis Publishing, 1960), 410. As given 435. in Rays, 391, the Fifth Initiation is now called 20 Bailey, Cosmic Fire, 892. The Initiation of Revelation, and according to 21 Ibid., 892 – 895. the Tibetan, again in Rays 413 and 424, the 22 Ibid., 894. revelation accorded does in fact concern the 23 I bid., 893. nature of the Seven Cosmic Paths, though the 24 Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology (New choice of which to take does not occur until York: Lucis Publishing, 1951), 46. the Sixth Initiation, now the Initiation of Deci- 25 Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Healing (New York: sion. However, the effort to grasp the natures Lucis Publishing, 1953), 183. of each of the Seven Cosmic Paths does occu- 26 Ibid., 182. py the attention of the initiate between the 27 Bailey, Cosmic Fire, 1035 – 1036. Fifth (Revelation) and Sixth (Decision) Initia- 28 Ibid., 1034. tions, and so still constitutes a major factor for 29 Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, 46. the Initiate of the Fifth Degree. See Rays, 30 Bailey, Esoteric Healing, p. 203. 391. Still, the final choice in this matter is 31 Ibid., 181. now made at the Sixth Initiation. 32 Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, 517. 62 Bailey, Cosmic Fire, 1242. 33 Bailey, Esoteric Healing, 181. 63 Ibid., 1244 – 1245. 34 Ibid. 64 Ibid., 1245. 35 Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, 46. 65 Ibid. 36 Allen, Star Names, 209. 66 Alice A. Bailey, A Treatise on White Magic 37 E.A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians (New York: Lucis Publishing, 1934), 437; (New York: Dover, 1969), Vol. II, 30. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, 193, 299, 410. 38 Ibid., Vol. II, 109. 67 Bailey, Cosmic Fire, 1245. This statement 39 Ibid., Vol. I, 446. linking Ray One Draco and Libra certainly re- 40 Ibid., illustration between 444 and 445. inforces the association of Libra with Ray One 41 Ibid., 447. energies coming from the Great Bear, as men- 42 Ibid., 446; Vol. II, 28 - 29. tioned earlier. 43 Ibid., Vol. I, 514. 68 Allen, Star Names, 272. 44 Ibid., 432. 69 Sylvia Cranston, H.P.B: The Extraordinary 45 Ibid., I, 435. Life and Influence of Helena Petrovna Blavat- 46 Ibid., 435. sky (New York: J.P. Tarcher/Putnam Books, 47 Ibid., 431. 1993), 8 - 9. In this passage, Cranston reports 48 Ibid., Vol. II, 28. that Blavatsky was born “close to midnight” 49 Ibid., 28. in the early morning hours on the date of (new 50 Ibid., Vol. I, 431. style) August 12, 1831, in Ekaterinoslav (now

Dnepropetrovosk), Russia. In the old or Jul- 70 Here it should be noted that Libra was associ- ian calendar, Blavatsky’s birthdate and time ated by the Tibetan with two non - zodiacal would have been the early morning hours of constellations, earlier in this text, the Great July 31, 1831, according to Cranston. A trop- Bear, and (now) Draco, both of which distrib- ical and geocentric chart calculated for 12:30 ute Ray One energies. The head and base of A.M. on (new style) August 12, 1831, Dne- spine centers of a greater Logos respectively, propetrvosk, shows the Moon at 8 degrees and these two centers represent Will and Power 34 minutes of zodiacal Libra. Given the working at two different levels. Libra is Moon’s average zodiacal motion of 1 degree linked with both, a fact which adds considera- every two hours, it is clear that the Moon ble esoteric implication to the meanings usual- would have been in Libra any time in the early ly imputed to Libra. morning hours of August 12, 1831. Thus, 71 Bailey, Cosmic Fire, 1162. there can be no question about the sign in 72 Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, 45. which Blavatsky’s Moon is positioned, though 73 Ibid. the precise degree and minute may be argued 74 Ibid., 46. in absence of a precise birth time.