Fall 2019, Volume 15, Number 2 The Esoteric Quarterly An independent publication dedicated to the trans-disciplinary investigation of the esoteric spiritual tradition. ______________________________________________________________________ Esoteric philosophy and its applications to individual and group service and the expansion of human consciousness. Washington, D.C., USA. www.esotericquarterly.com e-mail: [email protected] The Esoteric Quarterly The Esoteric Quarterly is an online, peer-reviewed, international journal, published by The Esoteric Quarterly Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Washington, D.C. It is registered as an online journal with the National Serials Data Program of the Library of Congress. International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) 1551-3874. Further information about The Esoteric Quarterly, including guidelines for the submission of articles and review procedures, can be found at http://www.esotericquarterly.com. All corres- pondence should be addressed to [email protected] Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Donna M. Brown (United States) Editor Emeritus: John F. Nash (United States) Alison Deadman (United States) José Becerra (United States & Puerto Rico) Celeste Jamerson (United States) Vijay Srinath Kanchi (India) Katherine O'Brien (New Zealand) Miguel Malagreca (Italy) Michael J. Stacy (United States) James Moffatt (Canada) Irina Kuzminsky (Australia) Facebook Administrator Miguel Malagreca (Italy) Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2019. All rights reserved. Copies of the complete journal or articles contained therein may be made for personal use on condition that copyright statements are included. Commercial use or redistribution without the permission of The Esoteric Quarterly is strictly prohibited. Note: The copyright for volumes 1 thru 8, remain with the School for Esoteric Studies. Fall 2019 The Esoteric Quarterly Contents Volume 15, Number 2. Fall 2019 __________________________________________________________________________ FEATURES Editorial 4 Publication Policies 5 Poems of the Quarter 6 “Unrelenting Freedom Carves My Soul,” and “Teach Us How to Speak Justice,” by Christian Saade Picture of the Quarter 7 “Cosmic EmBrace” by Melina Del Mar Quotes of the Quarter 8 Advertising 10 ESOTERIC ASTROLOGICAL COMMENTARY The Stars Alcyone and Aldebaran in the Constellation of Taurus, by Maureen Temple Richmond 13 ARTICLES The Creative Hierarchies, by John F. Nash 27 The Rediscovery of Byzantine Orthodox Mysticism: An Introduction to the Medieval Hesychasts’ Theory of Humanity’s Deification, by Nikolas Laos 47 The Fifth Ray Cause of Inharmony and Disease, by Zachary F. Lansdowne 59 BOOK REVIEW An Introduction to Agni Yoga, by Vincente Beltrán Anaglada 85 Living on the Inner Edge: A Practical Esoteric Tale, by Cyrus Ryan 87 The mission of the Esoteric Quarterly is to provide a forum for the exploration of esoteric philosophy and its applications. Full-length articles and student papers are solicited pertaining to both eastern and western esoteric traditions. We also encourage feedback from readers. Comments of general interest will be published as Letters to the Editor. All communications should be sent to: [email protected]. Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly. 3 The Esoteric Quarterly Editorial Esoteric Philosophy & Mystical Christian Theology hree of the articles in this issue deal with the function of these Hierarchies and their T one or more branches of esoteric synthetic cooperation with the governing philosophy as propounded by Djwhal Khul, constellations, the seven rays, the ruling through Alice A. Bailey. Two of these address planets, and their relationship to humanity. The aspects of esoteric astrology, or the science of hierarchical structure of these creative powers relationships, which concerns itself with the is explained along with the idea that “the conditioning and governing energies that play consciousness of the Monads in any given upon the entire field of space. The first Hierarchy are evolving individually and explores the influence of certain fixed stars on collectively toward the attainment of a human development. The second article draws particular Logoic goal.” Nash’s contribution attention to the great orders of Spiritual Beings serves as a lucid guide for those wanting to upon whom the mystery of the universe is understand more about the Creative built. The third article in this category explores Hierarchies’ profound significance for the psychological cause of dissonance and its humanity and all planes of existence. healing via the Science of the Seven Rays. A Next, Nicolas Laos elucidates the philo- fourth article challenges some of the sophical and spiritual visions of Medieval misleading interpretations of the mystical Hesychasm and its theory of humanity’s quietist tradition and highlights the manner in deification in the Eastern Christian tradition. which it can help one achieve inner The article delineates an interpretation of illumination and liberation. hesychasm based on the meaning of the Greek Maureen Richmond’s ongoing series in words “nepsis,” meaning wakefulness or an Esoteric Astrology now focuses on two Alpha alert and stable mind, and “heresy” derived Stars—Alcyone and Aldebaran—in the from herō, meaning to receive, to grasp or constellation of Taurus. Combining pertinent conquer. It contrasts knowledge that can be extracts from the works of Alice A. Bailey and understood in a natural language from that of Helena Blavatsky, as well as astronomy, the inner, mystical approach. An historical legend and myth, with her own insights, account of hesychastic acceptance along with Richmond provides a revealing portrait of its Platonic and Hermetic influences is Alcyone’s and Aldebaran’s spiritual included along with a synopsis of the significance in radiating universal light and hesychastic system of spiritual practices. Also inspiration to Humanity. She also discusses the included are an Orthodox understanding of respective star groupings—the Pleiades and the God’s hypostatic existence as well as a greater and inclusive constellation of Taurus— distinction between “energies” and “essence” in which they are found. Her article shows that and “intellect” and “mind.” “the characteristics associated with the stars Zackary Lansdowne contributes the seventh Alcyone and Aldebaran are timeless, and final article in his series on the seven archetypal designs applicable to all human psychological causes of inharmony and spiritual striving.” disease. In this article, Lansdowne analyzes John Nash explores the subject of the Twelve Alice A. Bailey’s cryptic stanza for the Fifth Creative Hierarchies, the mysterious entities Ray of Concrete Knowledge and Science. The responsible for building, creating and primary imperfection of fifth-ray energy is its stimulating life in our solar system. Drawing cleavage-making characteristic. The verses of upon the writings of Helena Blavatsky and the stanza depict the accrual of “many Alice A. Bailey, Nash provides an overview of cleavages: projection, emotional isolation, 4 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2019. Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2016. Fall 2019 shutting out the higher illumination, cleavage must read for any serious esoteric student. The within an individual, cleavage between an second review is for Living on the Inner Edge: individual and a group, separative scientific A Practical Esoteric Tale, by Cyrus Ryan. dogma, and barriers to love and joy.” Ryan’s book is a spiritual memoir about his However, these same characteristics, as the 30-year journey into the world of experimental author points out, are later turned to advantage Group Work and his efforts to synthesize the as the fifth ray individual directs his or her essence of various Esoteric Traditions. attention to the science of the soul and Donna M. Brown becomes receptive to illumination. Editor-in-Chief Christian Saade contributes our Poems of the Quarter. Saade is an author, poet, and Publication Policies psychological and spiritual teacher, with rticles are selected for publication in the degrees in counseling, economics, religion and A Esoteric Quarterly because we believe history. After serving as a therapist in private they represent a sincere search for truth, practice, he spent the next 20 years training support the service mission to which we aspire, therapists and coaches in the method he and/or contribute to the expansion of human developed called “Authentic Individuality and consciousness. Global Solidarity.” His 14 years’ experience working for peace and humanitarian activities Publication of an article does not necessarily during the Lebanese war taught him to imply that the Editorial Board agrees with the approach tragedy through service and the views expressed. Nor do we have the means to heart. Saade is the director of “The Olive verify all facts stated in published articles. Branch Center” along with his wife: www.the We encourage critical thinking and analysis olivebranchcenter.net. He is the author of from a wide range of perspectives and Second Wave Spirituality, and Prayers from traditions. We discourage dogmatism or any the Heart. Saade has collaborated with Andrew view that characterizes any tradition as having Harvey on Evolutionary Love Relationship and greater truth than a competing system. two CD sets: An Evolutionary Vision of Relationships, and Sacred Activism and the Neither will we allow our journal to be used as Epic Spirituality of Love. a platform for attacks on individuals, groups,