The Role of Alan Leo and Sepharial in the Development of Esoteric Astrology (Part I) Temple Richmond

Summer 2005

Abstract for the inclusion of these two astrologers and none other in the Tibetan’s discussion of eso- The names of late 19th–early 20th century teric astrological technique. Some historical British Theosophists and astrologers Alan Leo context is needed, though, to set the stage for and Sepharial are known to students of Alice understanding why this is so. This historical Bailey for their frequent mention in Bailey’s context arises from the sequential nature with Esoteric Astrology. This study explains why which the Ageless Wisdom is in process of these two figures merit such references and being revealed. demonstrates that of the two, Leo cultivated a much more intensively Theosophical focus and As Djwhal Khul, the Tibetan Master, has in so doing, may very well have paved the way pointed out, our Planetary Hierarchy is in for the eventual articulation of the esoteric as- process of imparting to Humanity portions of trological doctrine by the Tibetan Master the initiatory wisdom with which it has been Djwhal Khul. Specific elements of Alan Leo’s invested. Though it could be argued that all cosmology and his astrological system are the religions and scientific advances of the compared and contrasted to that of Bailey, and world each and collectively constitute a release Leo’s lasting mark on astrology as the infusion of Hierarchical wisdom into the world, more of Theosophical concepts and the notion of recently there have been two distinct efforts of free will into astrological literature is explored. the Hierarchy to reach Humanity with the true esoteric teaching. These two efforts were em- Background bodied, as the Tibetan has stated, in the writings of H. P. Blavatsky and Alice A. Bailey, Familiar to many students of the Alice Bailey respectively, with a third such effort slated to writings are the names of Alan Leo and appear early in the twenty-first century.2 Sepharial. Leo was mentioned seven times in That being the case, it is apparent that the re- Alice Bailey’s Esoteric Astrology,1 in each lease of Hierarchical teaching is a work in pro- case alongside and in contrast to an occultist gress. Consequently, it might be understood who used the pen name of Sepharial. An un- that the revelation of the Ageless Wisdom is a derstandable first reaction when twenty-first continuous stream looking for an appropriate century readers encounter the names of Leo course in which to run. In other words, the and Sepharial might be summed up in the source is plentiful, but that fact can only be question, “Who are these people and why are revealed when a suitable channel opens the they mentioned here?” The answer forms the subject matter of this study and situates the works of these two British astrologers of the late 1800s and early 1900s within the context About the Author of the evolving Ageless Wisdom literature. M. Temple Richmond is an internationally recog- Readers of the Bailey material may with good nized authority on esoteric astrology and author of reason be puzzled as to why these two particu- the milestone book Sirius. She recently founded lar astrologers out of all the astrologers in the the StarLight Ashram, an online discussion group world have been singled out for mention. dedicated to the study of esoteric astrology: However, a rational explanation can be offered http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StarLightAshram.

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2005. 13 The Esoteric Quarterly way for the flow of information. Nonetheless, in England.6 In addition, Leo was also a in the background Hierarchy ever holds the widely known astrologer of great public ap- thoughtform of the teaching in its conscious- peal, much sought by consumers of astrologi- ness, thus rendering it continuously available. cal guidance in his day.7 As a result of all this, it is fair to say that the name of Alan Leo As a consequence, spiritually attuned and al- was written large in the minds of Theosophists truistic minds may telepathically register vari- on both sides of the Atlantic in the early part of ous parts of that thoughtform at any time. the twentieth century. Thus, even though there have been but two formal revelations leading to published litera- And it was just this group, the world Theoso- ture, communication between Hierarchy and phists of the early twentieth century, to whom advanced minds takes place all the time. the Tibetan addressed himself, especially in his Pieces of the Ageless Wisdom teaching may in earliest dictations given to Alice Bailey. Evi- this way reach suitably attuned minds. Fur- dence that this is so abounds. Perhaps the thermore, it is even possible that Hierarchy has most immediate and convincing is found in the tried to reach particular individuals with as- works of Alice Bailey herself, the first ones of pects of the teaching in hopes of bringing such which may be read as nothing short of a con- ideas before the public at times other than the tinued discussion on themes found in Blavat- two highly successful efforts about which the sky’s Secret Doctrine.8 Terms and concepts Tibetan has spoken. from Blavatsky’s work were used without in- troduction or definition, very much as if it Either of these may very well have been the were assumed that anyone reading the Bailey case in regard to British Theosophist and as- material would of necessity have previously trologer Alan Leo, who did in fact write and read the Blavatsky material.9 And this may publish a work entitled Esoteric Astrology well have been so in that day and age, for right some twenty-six years before the Tibetan be- at the time the Tibetan was issuing his first gan his dictations to Alice Bailey on that very dictations to Alice Bailey, Bailey was involved topic. Leo’s volume was published in 1913,3 in teaching Secret Doctrine classes to a large while Alice Bailey began her work under the group of Theosophists in the New York area.10 Tibetan’s impression in 1939.4 Of note is that Bailey herself had not long before been deeply fact that Leo’s volume contained a number of involved in the American branch of the The- general concepts as well as specific notions osophical Society in California. which are very similar to if not identical to portions of the system eventually revealed The atmosphere in which the Tibetan found much more completely in the later volume of Alice Bailey was thus profoundly Theosophi- the same name by Alice Bailey; representative cal, and it was into this atmosphere that the examples will be examined. second literature of revelation initially was cast. So basic was this fact to the time and The Historical Context spirit of Alice Bailey’s early writings that of Leo and Sepharial when The Beacon magazine was founded by Alice and Foster Bailey in 1922, it was subti- Like Bailey, Leo was a Theosophist.5 In fact, tled A Periodical Intended for Theosophists.11 Leo was a decidedly prominent British The- B. P. Wadia of the world Theosophical head- osophist in the post-Blavatsky era, traveling quarters in India expressed enthusiasm about with Theosophical Society president Annie the first few chapters of Initiation, Human and Besant in India, joining the party of dedicated Solar, and in fact printed these in the society’s Theosophists which ushered the now infamous international magazine, The Theosophist.12 Jiddu Krishnamurti on his first trip from India Further evidence that the Bailey work was to England to be introduced as the putative born amidst a Theosophical atmosphere and “New World Teacher,” and providing the mo- environment can be seen in the enigmatic tive force behind the establishment of the As- symbol stamped on the cover of all the Bailey trological Lodge of the Theosophical Society books—a triangle containing the interlaced

14 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2005 Summer 2005 letters L, U, X, spelling LUX, or Latin for mately used professionally. Leo was born in light, a reference to the Lucifer tradition as London on August 7, 1860 as William Freder- discussed in The Secret Doctrine,13 which tra- ick Allen; Sepharial in Birmingham on March dition itself forms the notion from which the 20, 1864 as Walter Richard Old (later calling name Lucis Trust was formed. himself W. Gorn Old).14 In a well-established custom amongst astrologers, both changed Thus, it is easy to see that the audience for the their names to appellations linked with astro- new dictations arriving through Alice Bailey logical tradition, the one to allude to angelic was in the earliest days primarily constituted of intelligence (Sepharial), the other to the Sun well-read and informed Theosophists. As the sign under which he was born (Leo). Bailey writings gained acceptance and popu- larity over the following three decades, this It was the younger man, Sepharial, who came situation changed substantively, but it is likely to Theosophy first. In fact, Sepharial was a that the fact of the original Theosophical con- member of London Theosophical circles when text never left the Tibetan’s mind. H. P. Blavatsky was yet living, and became one the few students privileged to be counted So, when the Tibetan in her inner circle.15 engaged on the topic of Sepharial also served esoteric astrology in the As the Tibetan Master has as a vice-president of late 1930s, it was only pointed out, our Planetary Hi- the Blavatsky Lodge natural that he should erarchy is in process of im- in London and even bear in mind and seek to lived at the same resi- address questions that parting to Humanity portions dence with Blavatsky could be counted on to of the initiatory wisdom with from 1889 until the surface in the minds of which it has been invested… great occultist’s death those familiar with the in early May of post-Blavatsky Theoso- [T]here have been two distinct 1891.16 phical milieu. And that efforts of the Hierarchy to group was keenly aware reach Humanity with the true Sepharial and Leo met of two outspoken and at a London astrologi- highly visible British esoteric teaching. These two cal gathering in 1889, astrologers by the efforts were embodied… in the and it was from that names of Alan Leo and platform that Seph- Sepharial. It was only writings of H. P. Blavatsky arial introduced Leo to in keeping that the The- and Alice A. Bailey. Theosophical meet- osophically-minded ings in the summer of esoteric students of the world should want to the same year. Leo took to the Ageless Wis- know how the work of these two colorful early dom teaching enthusiastically, formally joining twentieth century Theosophists stacked up the Theosophical Society in May of 1890 and against this new esoteric astrology now ap- remaining devoted to its philosophy for the rest pearing under the name of Alice A. Bailey. of his life.17 Sepharial, on the other hand, be- Apparently anticipating this interest, the Ti- came disenchanted with the Theosophical So- betan simply spoke directly to the issue by ciety after the death of the flamboyant and comparing and contrasting certain features of charismatic Blavatsky.18 This fundamental the new esoteric astrological dispensation with difference between the two men was evidenced positions taken by Leo and Sepharial on simi- in their subsequent astrological writings; for lar matters. whereas Leo proudly proclaimed his Theoso- phical orientation, Sepharial never became the Some background information on Leo and spokesperson for an esoterically-slanted and Sepharial may be relevant here. These two Theosophically flavored astrological doctrine British astrologers were both born in the 1860s such as that eventually articulated by Leo. under different given names than they ulti-

Even so, Sepharial exerted considerable influ- Then, as further declamation of his Theosophi- ence upon the astrological and occult scene of cal leanings, he selected excerpts from Blavat- his day, authoring over forty books,19 many of sky’s Secret Doctrine as headers to introduce which demonstrate a distinct genius for astro- several chapters. These include citations from logically, numerologically, and kaballistically Blavatsky’s work on the triplicity of spirit, based predictive techniques for winning at soul, and matter, and the one life pervading games of chance and for predicting life events. them all;23 eventual universal dissolution;24 the As an astrologer, Sepharial was technically gods of classical antiquity as figures represent- oriented, with a good grasp of the history of ing Time and Eternity;25 the relevance of the astrology, the evolution of its analytic and pre- constellations and their influences on the evo- dictive techniques, and an interest in adducing lution of the soul;26 and the Sun, Moon and mathematical proof that future events can be planets as connected with the mysteries of known. Among Sepharial’s works are studies adeptship and initiation.27 on transits and an eclectic treatise on various In addition, the text of Leo’s Esoteric Astrol- astrological topics called The Science of Fore- ogy is peppered with terms and concepts origi- knowledge. In addition, Sepharial established nally introduced in The Secret Doctrine. For three astrological organizations over the period example, with no particular explanation as to of his life, though none of these lasted very why, Leo invoked the esoteric model of the long. His influence upon English and world solar system as given in Theosophical litera- astrology remained strong in the late 1930s ture in his Esoteric Astrology, referring with- when the Tibetan began his dictations to Alice out preliminary definition to the seven Plane- Bailey of what would be the later Esoteric As- tary Logoi. These Logoi he characterized as trology . In fact, Sepharial’s Manual of As- did the Theosophical tradition, as Beings each trology was a standard astrological instruc- manifesting through a chain of seven globes28 tional text recognized throughout the English- (rather than through a scheme of seven chains reading astrological world from 1900 through as would later be stated in the Bailey works), approximately 1940.20 which is in decided contrast to the model of the Alan Leo, by contrast, was as flamingly The- solar system embraced by mainstream astrolo- osophical in some of his writings as Sepharial gers of Leo’s time. Of course, the reason he was determinedly worldly and pragmatic in did so was to advance the Theosophical teach- his. Leo wrote numerous studies for the gen- ing by expanding it into and integrating it with eral astrological audience, but the main volume the field of astrology. In so doing, he was in of relevance to the present discussion is his no way reluctant to simply state the Theoso- volume entitled Esoteric Astrology, published phical position as fact, the more to firmly es- in 1913 as volume number seven of his Astrol- tablish himself as a voice for a new, Theoso- ogy for All series.21 phically inspired version of astrology. That Leo’s Esoteric Astrology was greatly in- As further proof of Leo’s immersion in the fluenced by Theosophical teachings is in no Theosophical doctrine, it should be pointed out way difficult to discern. For example, in the that he demonstrated obvious familiarity with preface Leo wrote, “There is but one material and referred to the Ray Lords and hence the substance in the universe, primordial or root seven rays,29 the Spirit of the Earth,30 deva matter,”22 a Blavatskyesque formulation if ever lives,31 the alternation of pralaya and manvan- there was one, given her famous dictum that tara,32 the position of our globe as fourth,33 matter is spirit at its lowest vibration, and spirit and the triune composition of Deity as Will, matter at its highest, plus her repeated discus- Wisdom, and Activity,34 all Theosophical con- sions of mulaprakriti (or universal root sub- cepts in nature, and equally representative of stance) to be found throughout The Secret what the Tibetan would later teach via Alice Doctrine. In this, Leo’s Theosophical coloring Bailey. But to continue with the recitation of was already on display. Leo’s telling marks as a Theosophical thinker, it should be mentioned that he even referred to

16 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2005 Summer 2005 the eminent nineteenth and twentieth century an esoteric astrological philosophy and system Theosophist, T. Subba Row of India,35 the ar- which differed greatly from the then known biter of so many Theosophical debates. It is exoteric or mainstream astrology.36 Part of the through Theosophical literature and contacts difference, Leo asserted, lay in the necessary and only that literature and ambience that Leo inclusion of reincarnation and karma as essen- could have arrived at this vocabulary. tial facts of existence and evolution,37 the em- brace of which were not yet practiced by the In sum, it can be said that the atmosphere of general astrological field of his day. In fact, so Alan Leo’s astrological thinking was rather adamant was Leo on this point that he admon- thoroughly permeated with the esotericism of ished the reader that no philosophy lacking the H. P. Blavatsky and the accepted doctrines of components of reincarnation and karma could the Theosophical Society. The same could fully account for the variation in life circum- have been said of Alice A. Bailey’s general stances to be seen amongst members of Hu- worldview on the eve of her work with the Ti- manity. Leo stated boldly that his formulation betan on behalf of Hierarchy. It might even be of astrology plus the teachings of reincarnation tendered that the Theosophical Society func- and karma were “given to represent…the true tioned as a hothouse for the cultivation of Astrology for the New Era that is now dawn- promising Hierarchical channels at that time. ing upon the world.”38 That new era being the Alice Bailey herself stated that it was uniquely Age of Aquarius, Leo’s statement appears to her Theosophical background which prepared have sounded very much the same note as the her mind for telepathic linkage with the Ti- Tibetan’s many statements to that effect re- betan, and which paved the way for articula- garding his presentation of the new astrology tion of the concepts which it was his intention of the rays, discipleship, and initiation as given to bring forward to the greater public. Alan later through Alice Bailey. Both presentations Leo may have been in somewhat the same po- proclaimed themselves as astrological dispen- sition, and as the nature of his astrological sys- sations for the New Age. tem might be shown to suggest, Leo just may have been the early and perhaps first recipient Yet another factor of similarity between Leo’s of at least some of the information which presentation and that of Alice Bailey’s is a would eventually appear in the Tibetan’s reve- fundamental obeisance eastward in acknowl- lation of the esoteric astrological system via edging the source of inspiration and tutelage. Alice Bailey. Leo himself claimed to have been immersed in this new version of astrology in India. This A number of general concepts found in Leo’s fact immediately brings up the question in the Esoteric Astrology seem to anticipate or at mind of trained astrologers as to whether or least agree remarkably with positions the Ti- not Leo had embraced siderealist Hindu astrol- betan would take in Bailey’s later volume of ogy. As even a brief examination of Leo’s the same title. Given their importance, a de- Esoteric Astrology reveals, Leo integrated into tailed examination of these similarities fol- his system only small portions of Hindu astrol- lows. After that, a number of specific ele- ogy, while retaining the basic framework of ments of Leo’s system will be explored, again western tropical astrology, the zodiac for with reference to features held in common with which is structured on the natural facts of the the material presented by Djwhal Khul through equinoxes and solstices, in contrast to the side- Alice Bailey. real zodiac, which is based on other measure- General Philosophy of Alan ments. Leo’s Esoteric Astrology and Nonetheless, at the head end of his work on Similarities to the Esoteric what he called esoteric astrology, Leo bowed eastward. In his own words, “…on my recent Occultism of the Tibetan visit to India I was enabled to learn from un- Just as the Tibetan would also do publicly questionable sources that these teachings [of through Bailey some years later, Leo posited reincarnation and karma—MTR] were part of

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2005. 17 The Esoteric Quarterly the ancient mysteries of astrology.”39 Exactly subject which views all stellar phenomena by what or whom Leo was contacted and in- from the standpoint of unity: whilst Exoteric structed in these matters while in India, he did Astrology beings its study from the side of di- not say, which informational lacuna leaves versity and separateness….”43 As can be seen, open the distinct possibility that Leo may have this comment of Leo’s demonstrates both his been instructed by any of the Masters of the emphasis upon unity as the fundamental con- Wisdom who have such ease of passage in In- text for all things and his essential agreement dia. At any rate, Leo claimed his esoteric as- with the Tibetan’s later critique of modern astrological flame was lit in that great cradle of trology, which field both Leo and the Tibetan spiritual tradition, while Alice Bailey is known took to task for its emphasis upon the fates and to have received her torch from Tibet. The fortunes of individual persons rather than upon presence of near-Himalayan esotericism is thus the greater spiritual lives in which those units inasmuch claimed for both—hinted at in Leo, find place. Leo’s position is in fact closely outright proclaimed in Bailey. reminiscent of the Tibetan’s dictum that study of things cosmologi- In keeping with the east- cal and astrological ward glance, Leo named Sepharial and Leo met at a should ever proceed the Pranava Vada as one from the universal of the specific sources London astrological gather- (the realm of unity) to from which some of his ing in 1889… Leo took to the particulars (the realm ideas had arisen.40 A Ageless Wisdom teaching en- of multiplicity). classic of Hindu esoteric Though his words are literature much revered by thusiastically, formally join- just a little different, Theosophists, The ing the Theosophical Society the idea is strikingly Pranava Vada was also the same. mentioned in Bailey’s A in May of 1890 and remain- Treatise on Cosmic Fire,41 ing devoted to its philosophy Like the Tibetan, Leo a fact which obviously for the rest of his life. Seph- held that the divine serves further to under- creative process re- score the similarity of phi- arial, on the other hand, be- quires a ternary or losophical outlooks to be came disenchanted with the triplicity to get roll- found in Leo and Bailey. Theosophical Society after ing,44 which triplicity he characterized as Beyond these similar the death of the flamboyant the Rays of Divine bases of thought, there Will, Wisdom, and exists further compelling and charismatic Blavatsky. Activity, with the evidence that Leo may third or Activity Ray well have been on the same wavelength as the comprehending within itself the four minor Tibetan some years before Bailey was given rays of aspect,45 precisely as the Tibetan would the official signal. This evidence takes form as say in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire.46 Also like general esoteric principles formulated by Leo the Tibetan, Leo associated the three primal in ways and even in language much the same emanations of Deity with three types of mo- as would be used in the Bailey presentation. tion, though Leo called them rotary, transla- For example, Leo firmly advised that study of tory, and vibratory,47 differing slightly from astrology should proceed from the basic prem- the Tibetan’s characterization of them as ro- ise that one life pervades all forms, and that all tary, orbital, and spiral cyclic.48 Leo, good lives find place within greater lives,42 a formu- Theosophist that he was, went on to relate the lation very much like that which the Tibetan three primary emanations to the three gunas as would eventually articulate in A Treatise on well, though in a slightly different application Cosmic Fire and Esoteric Astrology. than that used later by the Tibetan. However, Said Leo taking off from that point, “We may Leo and the Tibetan were of one mind con- define Esoteric Astrology as that side of the cerning the nature of the First, Second, and

Third Logoi or Aspects as emanations from which it is viewed. However, Leo followed Parabrahm, with Leo characterizing the Three the Theosophical model of the solar system primary Logoi respectively as unity, con- and held that though indeed the solar system is sciousness, and matter and its organization,49 constituted of the Solar Logos as the central exactly as would the Tibetan throughout the life manifesting through seven energy centers, Bailey writings. each energy center is made of just one planetary chain (or seven globes).56 Elsewhere Leo This triplicity, Leo maintained, gives rise to referred to seven individual planets as being the septenary,50 just as was later elucidated by the centers of the Solar Logos,57 which notion Bailey. The septenary played as important a falls even shorter of the Tibetan’s later formu- role in Leo’s cosmology as it did in that of the lation58 that schemes fulfill this function, but it Tibetan’s, for Leo recognized seven planes of remains consistent with the central and impor- existence, each plane subdivided into seven tant contention that the Solar Being functions subdivisions or subplanes.51 Leo even de- through seven energy centers. nominated the subplanes in the same fashion as the Tibetan would in the Bailey writings, with Leo seems to have recognized the principle of the highest subplane on any given plane called systemic kundalini as well: that is, the force the atomic, next down being the sub-atomic, which vitalizes each of the centers in the body then the super-etheric, the etheric, gaseous, of the Solar Being. For he stated that the Solar liquid, and solid.52 Obviously and importantly Being is the source of all life currents in the for interpretation of astrological symbolism, system,59 and that it supports a “…circulation Leo equated the astral plane with the water of physical and other forces and of vital- element,53 as would the Tibetan in numerous ity…constantly going on between the seven passages throughout Bailey’s Esoteric Astrol- globes…the point of greatest activity...centred ogy. sometimes upon one globe and sometimes upon another, according to the stage of evolu- Leo also recognized at least a portion of what tion reached.”60 Except for the difference in might now be called the esoteric model of the the number of total globes attributed to the so- solar system, together with the primacy of the lar system, here in essence is the same point Solar Logos within it.54 It would also appear made repeatedly by the Tibetan concerning the that Leo anticipated the teaching upon the rela- ordered circulation of systemic kundalini in A tionships of Solar Logoi one to another which Treatise on Cosmic Fire. was to be revealed more fully in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire and Telepathy and the Etheric Leo’s point of view was like that of the Ti- Vehicle, for Leo understood that our Solar Lo- betan’s in that he, too, specified deva life as gos is in conscious union, which is to say one of the essential factors in the distribution communication, with the vaster universe be- of energies and forces in the solar system. Leo yond.55 This vaster universe is of course con- attributed to deva life the same functions as did stituted of orders upon orders of Solar Logoi, the Tibetan; for in describing the seven cos- individually and in ever-expanding groups, as mic planes, Leo stated that each plane is in fact the scale of logoic organization is ascended. the body of great Deva Lords, 61 just as did the So in a roundabout way, Leo implied that our Tibetan. And he characterized deva lives in Solar Logos is in telepathic relationship with general as the builders of form,62 as also would others of its kind, just as the Tibetan would the Tibetan later.63 spell out in his later works. The Law of Correspondence, a key interpretive Leo certainly acknowledged that there is more tool according to the Tibetan, was likewise in to the structure of the solar system than is pre- evidence in Leo’s Esoteric Astrology, where he sented by the mere physical body of the Sun indicated the importance of links between the and visible planets, asserting just as did the chain, globes, and rays of the same number, Tibetan that the Solar Logos manifests triply and even suggested that in some cases, the mi- and that the number of planets to be seen in the crocosm can be the clue to the macrocosm,64 solar system depends upon the point in time at just as did the Tibetan later through Alice Bai-

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2005. 19 The Esoteric Quarterly ley.65 Leo likewise called upon the Law of In any case, the important point is that in both Correspondences to deduce that the three ma- Leo and Bailey, the Seven Supreme Intelligen- jor aspects are reflected in the lowest three ces represent the rays, have as their duties the planes, with the mental plane expressing Ac- working out of the Will of the Solar Logos, tive Intelligence, the astral or emotional plane and provide the ground for perfecting of one of mirroring Wisdom, and the physical plane ex- the seven principles. These essential notions pressing Will.66 This reverse order or mirroring are found in both Leo and Bailey. effect, which matched the highest with the So also is the idea that each of these seven cen- lowest, is also a feature of the Tibetan’s dis- ters has a particular group of advanced beings cussions of the planes in some passages.67 It is associated with it. For Leo, it was a “great an unusual application of the Law of Corre- Spiritual Hierarchy” which found its home in spondence, and as such, the more strongly each of the seven (for him, planets);73 for the suggests that Leo was attuned to certain subtle- Tibetan, it was the cosmic instructors in the ties of the thoughtform containing the particu- eight Planetary Schools, each found in a plane- lars of the Ageless Wisdom. tary scheme associated with our solar system.74 At any rate, Alan Leo certainly knew of and Thus, though the details differ between the Leo embraced the teaching on the seven emana- presentation and that of Bailey, certain com- tions of Deity, acknowledging specifically the mon features and key ideas nevertheless stand seven rays when he wrote, “…seven great out in regard to advanced beings associated rays…are constantly streaming through the with the various centers of the Solar Logos, seven planetary spheres of influence.”68 These and this is the main point to be gathered here. seven rays Leo identified with what he under- Both presentations envisioned the force centers stood by the term Planetary Spirits or Logoi,69 of the Solar Logos as homes to advanced be- though his Logoi manifested through fewer ings capable of leading evolution forward. globes than did those of the later teaching. Leo’s thoughts on the medium through which In a way, Leo also recognized the Lords of the the various bodies in space communicate and Rays, explaining “…[it is] not the physical through which astrological energies flow was planets themselves that affect mankind, but the like that of the Tibetan’s as well. Leo held that supreme Intelligences who use the planetary space is constituted of etheric matter and that bodies as their physical vehicles….”70 These this etheric matter is the medium of communi- supreme Intelligences filled a specific role in cation amongst the planets and between the Leo’s esoteric model of the solar system, one planets and the Sun,75 a favorite theme of the that will be familiar to the mindful student of Tibetan’s from A Treatise on Cosmic Fire and the esoteric astrological doctrine. It is the Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle. same role imputed to the Planetary Logoi by Matters closer to home were also conceptual- the Tibetan throughout A Treatise on Cosmic ized by Leo in a fashion very similar to what Fire; for Leo asserted that the “planetary intel- the Tibetan would later propose through Bai- ligences” carry out the will of the Solar Lo- ley. Importantly, Leo made a hard-and-fast gos,71 just as the Tibetan repeatedly stated it is distinction between the more durable portion the function of the Planetary Logoi to do. of the self, which he called “the individuality,” Further, it was Leo’s contention that each and the ephemeral portion of the self, which he planet is charged with mastering the evolution called “the personality,” with the personality of one of the seven principles,72 which is ex- constituting, as he put it, a “small ray of the actly what the Tibetan said about the schemes. Individuality.”76 Here in only very slightly Thus, though in Leo’s mind it was individual different terms is the Tibetan’s soul and per- planets that represented the “Supreme Intelli- sonality model, with the personality being but gences,” the Ray Lords, or Planetary Logoi, it a small fragmentary expression of the soul and was the schemes which fulfilled that role in the its ray. In fact, entirely in line with what the more fully developed system ultimately re- Tibetan would later reveal in A Treatise on vealed through Bailey. Cosmic Fire concerning the creation of the

20 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2005 Summer 2005 soul or causal body from the monadic essence, during past incarnations—the essential residue Leo wrote of the “individuality” (his word for of the various vehicles and sheaths of manifes- soul), “Through the agency of …[the] Seven tation and containing condensed qualities of Divine Rays man creates his causal body, col- expression, these to be re-manifested in some ored primarily by its ‘Father in Heaven,’ (or subsequent embodiment.80 And precisely as Monad) and from which a ray is cast into the the Tibetan would affirm some years later, Leo physical body at birth to be the personality.”77 identified the permanent atoms as the key mechanism for the discharge of planetary or That Leo was aware not only of soul or egoic astrological influence into the form nature.81 rays but also of groups of souls constituted on As is thus apparent, Leo had the essential eso- the basis of ray affinity is a certainty as well, teric model of the solar system and the human for Leo penned, “…at the head of the group of being in his sights more or less as it would individuals belonging to each ray there stands later be discussed more fully and methodically a Master….”78 Bailey students would say that by the Tibetan in the Bailey material. at the head of the souls on each ray stands a Master of that ray vibra- Another Tibetan- tion, but the idea is re- Leo certainly acknowledged esque item caught in markably the same, mi- the crosshairs of nor variations in termi- that there is more to the struc- Leo’s mental scope nology notwithstanding. ture of the solar system than is concerns what might Both presentations ten- presented by the mere physical be called a critique der the idea of soul or of the then-popular egoic groupings estab- body of the Sun and visible astrology. Leo’s lished along the lines of planets… However, Leo fol- central problem with ray vibration. As for the field as it was in evolution beyond the lowed the Theosophical model his day sounds re- soul ray, it seems that of the solar system and held markably like the Leo’s insight penetrated that though indeed the solar Tibetan’s main criti- there as well. For Leo cism of modern as- even seems to have an- system is constituted of the So- trology when Bai- ticipated the momen- lar Logos as the central life ley’s Esoteric As- tous occurrence of manifesting through seven en- trology was dictated transfer from the egoic nearly thirty years onto the monadic ray ergy centers, each energy cen- later. and the consequent dis- ter is made of just one plane- Both Leo and the sipation of the causal tary chain (or seven globes). Tibetan noticed a body as detailed by the serious collective Tibetan.79 psycho-spiritual problem in the making, Thus, Leo’s model of the esoteric human con- caused by the intense focus upon individual stitution accounted very neatly for the Ti- fate and fortune, as undertaken by mainstream betan’s standard triplicity of monad, soul, and or exoteric astrology of the early twentieth personality. Further, the more intricate eso- century. Here is what Alan Leo had to say on teric structure of all forms suffered no neglect the matter. “If he [a seeker] gains knowledge from Leo either, for he even acknowledged the of Astrology and become fascinated by the existence of the critically important “perma- wonders of his horoscope, he holds it as a fet- nent atoms.” Nuclei of forces and tendencies ish; it is his horoscope, and at once he sepa- within each of the seven principles, according rates himself from all the rest of humanity by to the Tibetan, the permanent atoms were re- hugging to himself the joys of the good aspects ferred to as such by Leo and described as and planetary positions, and pitying himself for “karmic seeds,” or repositories containing all the bad ones.”82 Compare this to the Tibetan in the vibrations and characteristics accumulated Bailey’s Esoteric Astrology: “At present, the

Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2005. 21 The Esoteric Quarterly position of the average believer in astrology is proper nature of an esoteric astrology. That that he is an individual of importance…, that the one preceded the other suggests no shame- he is living on an important planet,…and that, less borrowing on the part of Alice Bailey, but through astrology, he can discover his des- rather an inspiration common to both. tiny….This makes him feel himself to be a 83 [Part II of this two-part article factor of isolated importance.” will appear in the Fall 2005 issue.] Leo decried separatism; the Tibetan, isolation. Thus, an attitude of separation and isolation of the individual from the greater life in which it dwells struck both Leo and the Tibetan as the 1 Alice A. Bailey. Esoteric Astrology. Lucis, main problem with the orientation of the popu- 1951, pp. 106, 132, 192, 251, 284, 311, 369. lar astrologies of their respective moments, and 2 Alice A. Bailey. The Rays and the Initiations. in this, they are yet again on very much the Lucis, 1960, p. 255. same wavelength regarding important matters. 3 Patrick Curry. A Confusion of Prophets. Again similarly, Leo proposed as an antidote Collins and Brown, 1992, p. 145. an esoteric astrology posited on cosmic unity, 4 James Stephenson. Prophecy on Trial. Trans- and the Tibetan would do much the same Himalaya, 1983, p. 23. through Bailey, urging greater attention be 5 James H. Holden. A History of Horoscopic given to the sources of astrological energies Astrology. American Federation of Astrolo- and less to the microcosmic lives merely re- gers, 1996, pp. 194-195. ceptive to them at a much lower level. 6 Curry. A Confusion of Prophets, pp. 141, 151. 7 Ibid., particularly, pp. 137 – 138. Perhaps anticipating the Tibetan’s point that all 8 Helena P. Blavatsky. The Secret Doctrine. astrological energies transmit the Divine Will, Theosophical University Press, 1888/1977. Leo held out the possibility of union with the 9 Just one amongst many telling examples is Divine Will as a logical consequence of a 84 found in Alice A. Bailey. Letters on Occult rightly directed esoteric astrology. And what Meditation. Lucis, 1922 (written in 1920). is the best way to approach union with the Di- On p. 223 of Letters, there appears the term, vine Will? According to Leo, it is through the 85 “Day Be With Us,” without definition or cultivation of what he called “pure reason,” a further explanation. The phrase “Day-Be- term later used by the Tibetan as an equivalent With-Us” was used in The Secret Doctrine to for buddhi, the very principle the perfection of signify the conclusion of a manvantara, or which the Bailey teaching would pinpoint as period of a solar system, as verified by the particular intended destiny for this Geoffrey Barborka. The Divine Plan. The- 86 planet. osophical Publishing House, 1964, p. 151. Pure reason, Leo maintained, would cure the Without knowledge of prior usage, readers distortions created by viewing life and matters would have found “Day Be With Us” a through the “fluidic emotional body,” an obvi- relatively meaningless term. 10 ous reference to the astral body and its legen- Alice A. Bailey. The Unfinished Autobiogra- dary abilities to twist appearances according to phy. 1951, pp. 189 – 191. 11 the likes and dislikes of the viewer. Here John Cobb. “The New Emerging from the spoke an esoteric psychologist after the Ti- Old.” School for Esoteric Studies, p.2. 12 betan’s own heart, for this is a central theme Bailey. The Unfinished Autobiography, p. 167; John Sinclair. The Alice Bailey Inheritance. that the Tibetan himself would return to time Publisher, date, p. 20. and again in the Bailey material, ever urging 13 See: Blavatsky. The Secret Doctrine, v. 1, pp. the calming of the astral currents through the 70 – 71. practice of universal love, knowledge of the 14 Curry. A Confusion of Prophets, pp. 123, 125, Plan, and the divine discriminating conscience: 126. Leo’s birth time may have been 6:10 all attributes of buddhi. Once again, it is ap- AM or 5:49 AM, as Curry reports on pp. parent that Leo and the Tibetan were looking 123, 180; Sepharial is reputed to have been at the same design in their comments on the

born at approximately 1:30 AM, as Curry 41, 42, 1034, of Bailey’s A Treatise on Cosmic records on pp. 125, 126. Fire. 15 Ibid., p. 125. 49 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, pp. 11 – 12. 16 Ibid., pp. 125, 126, 127. 50 Ibid., pp. xvii, 18. 17 Ibid., p. 126. 51 Ibid. p. 17. 18 Ibid., p. 135. 52 Ibid., p. 17. 19 Ibid., p. 127; Holden. A History of Horo- 53 Ibid. p. 18. scopic Astrology, p. 196. 54 The following is a summary of Leo’s view 20 Curry. A Confusion of Prophets, p. 127; from Esoteric Astrology, pp. xiv, 11, 12, 16, Holden. A History of Horoscopic Astrology, 19. p. 196. 55 Ibid., p. 15. 21 Ibid., p. 145. 56 Ibid., p. 16. 22 Alan Leo. Esoteric Astrology. Destiny Books, 57 Ibid., pp. 2, 127. 1913/1983, p. xvii. 58 It should be noted that in the earliest dicta- 23 Ibid., p. 75. tions to Alice Bailey, the Tibetan himself 24 Ibid., p. 85. seems to have alluded to a solar system 25 Ibid., p. 93. composed of seven chains, rather than one 26 Ibid., p. 63. composed of seven schemes. For example, 27 Ibid., p. 131. see p. 264 of Letters on Occult Meditation, 28 Ibid., pp. 8 – 18, 125. dictated in 1920, according to James Ste- 29 Ibid., p. 64. phenson in Prophecy on Trial, p. 23. Subse- 30 Ibid., p. xvi. quently, the esoteric model of the solar sys- 31 Ibid., p. 123. tem built on seven schemes of seven chains 32 Ibid., pp. 47 – 48. apiece came through much more clearly in 33 Ibid. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, though even in 34 Ibid., p. 65. that work there are to be found certain pas- 35 Ibid., p. 90. sages which muddy the matter. At any 36 Ibid., p. 67. rate, it seems that the decision to reveal 37 Ibid., p.vii. more fully the entire esoteric model of the 38 Ibid., p. vii. solar system must have been made between 39 Ibid., p. vii. the dictation of Letters (1920) and Cosmic 40 Ibid., p. 55. Fire (1921–1924, again according to Ste- 41 Alice A. Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire. phenson). This would suggest that the ear- Lucis, 1925, p. 425. liest point at which the Tibetan was fully 42 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, p. 68. permitted and committed to divulging the 43 Ibid., p. xiv. more complete information would have 44 Ibid., p. 139. been late 1920 or early 1921, which would 45 Ibid., p. 21. have been some seven to eight years after 46 Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 336. the completion of Leo’s Esoteric Astrology. 47 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, p. xvii. Thus, had Leo enjoyed the distinct privilege 48 The three types of motion discussed by the of telepathic contact with the thoughtform Tibetan are: (a) rotary motion, or the of the new esoteric astrology, he would rotation of any sphere around its own axis, only have been permitted to have cognized (b) orbital motion, such as the orbit of a and communicated the teaching on the eso- planet around the Sun, or the orbit of the teric model of the solar system as it had Sun around the galactic center, and (c) been cleared for revelation in his day—with spiral motion, produced when a body in the energy centers of the Solar Logos com- orbit around its center is simultaneously posed of chains and not schemes. propelled forward in space along a line of 59 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, p.16. travel perpendicular or angled to its plane 60 Ibid. of orbit. These points were developed from pp. 61 Ibid., pp. xiv, 125.

62 Ibid., p. 124. with which it is associated. Though neither 63 For example, see Bailey. Letters on Occult sentence states flatly that the Schools are Meditation, p. 179. found in the schemes and not just on indi- 64 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, p. 16. vidual planets, it makes greater sense that if 65 Bailey. Esoteric Astrology, p. 415. the primary influencing factor for each is a 66 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, p. 70. Planetary Logos, then the context in which 67 For example, see Bailey. Letters on Occult each exists is the life of that Logos, not Meditation, p. 285. merely the life of one forty-ninth of Its ex- 68 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, p. 122. pression. 69 Ibid., pp. 6, 13. In sum, even though there seem to be oddi- 70 Ibid., p. 7. ties in trying to match up the names and 71 Ibid., p. xvii. number of the schemes with those of the 72 Ibid., p. 100. Planetary Schools as given by the Tibetan, 73 Ibid., p. 5. for the most part, there is a meaningful and 74 Bailey. A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1175, comprehensible correlation. 1177-1179. Why there were eight and not 75 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, pp. xvi, 2, 17. seven Planetary Schools is a complexity re- 76 Ibid., p. 100. lated to the enumeration of the schemes. 77 Ibid., pp. 64 – 65. Cosmic Fire gives nine schemes on p. 373, 78 Ibid., p. 117. naming these the Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, 79 Ibid., p. 33. Jupiter, Venus, Vulcan, Mars, Mercury, and 80 Ibid., pp. 34, 35, 98. Earth schemes (which are, of course, not to 81 Ibid., p. 48. be confused with the eponymous planets). 82 Ibid., p. 290. But eight Planetary Schools are listed on 83 Bailey. Esoteric Astrology, pp. 5 – 6. pages 1177-1179: Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, 84 Leo. Esoteric Astrology, p. 6. Venus, Vulcan, Mars, Mercury, and Earth 85 Ibid., p. 72. schools. Thus, there is either no school as- 86 See M. Temple Richmond. “Affirming sociated with the Saturn vibration, or an Planetary Purpose.” The Esoteric Quarterly, omission has occurred here. And which of Spring 2005, pp 13-23, for full explication these eight or nine should be the essential of this theme. seven is not stated. Further, that the Planetary Schools are associated with schemes and not individual planets is difficult to discern, though ar- guably the case. Chief among the argu- ments that the Planetary Schools are found located in schemes and not planets is the following, from Cosmic Fire, p. 1175. “Each scheme exists in order to teach a specific aspect of consciousness, and each planetary school or Hierarchy subjects its pupils to this law, only in manners diverse. These planetary schools are necessarily governed by certain factors of which the two most important are the peculiar karma of the planetary Logos concerned, and His particular Ray.” The first sentence presents the schools in the context of what the schemes do, and the second sentence states outright that the most important governing factor over each school is the Planetary Logos