Libra These notes are based upon the teachings of Djwhal Khul presented in Alice Bailey’s Esoteric Astrology (Lucis Trust, 1951). It is the work of the zodiacal influences to evoke the emergence of the will aspect of the Heavenly Man and of all monads, souls and personalities who constitute the planetary body of expression. … The goal of evolution for humanity is to become consciously and livingly aware of the nature of these energies and begin to know them and to use them. Libra NEW MOON 5 DEGREES LIBRA 27TH SEPTEMBER 2000 Libra wields the power of balance and equilibrium. The sign Libra’, D.K. tells us, ‘is one of peculiar interest, but in a most paradoxical manner, for much of its interest is based upon the fact that it lacks spectacular interest of any kind - except in the case of disciples or those nearing the Path.’ It can be regarded as the sign in which the first vision of the spiritual path is glimpsed and is identified as the ultimate goal of the disciple. The path is the ‘razor-edged path between pairs of opposites’. The qualities of balancing, weighing values and achieving equilibrium between opposing forces are the gifts of Libran energy. In Libra we sight and begin to negotiate the Path. This requires the development of a sense of values, an understanding of the spiritual laws that govern us on Earth and the power to use the analytical faculty of the mind (it makes sense then that the sign’s orthodox ruler is Venus and its element air). In ancient times, when Leo and Virgo were still considered as one sign, Libra was the fulcrum, the literal point of balance in the wheel of the zodiac. Thus Libra provides a kind of seesaw experience, bewildering to one who seeks to be entirely human; it will create impediments and urges that drive such a person towards the higher. The aspirant will find within much that draws him/her towards old habits, as the expression of life is refined. In Egyptian mythology the gods weigh the heart of the deceased against the weight of a feather. If the heart outweighs the feather the life must seek to be reborn on Earth. Libra is often called the ‘place of judgement’, for here the sheep are separated from the goats (or the constellations ruled by Aries from those ruled by Capricorn). Will the life follow the Path of Ingoing (Aries and the will to manifest) or the Path of Return (Capricorn and the movement towards initiation)? There is therefore the individual expression in Libra of the balanced life wherein experiment is made and the consequent tipping of the Scales in one direction or another until either desire or spiritual aspiration weighs the balance down sufficiently so as to indicate the way that the man must go at the time. It becomes clearer why Libra is associated in orthodox astrology with judgement, advocacy, values, aesthetics and partnership (for in partnership we attempt to resolve the opposing forces of self/other, masculine/feminine, etc.). Traditionally, the ‘problem of sex’ is connected with the Taurus-Scorpio polarity. Esoterically, however, the question comes up for answering in Libra, because here the balancing of opposites must occur and a solution found through the judicial mind, thus establishing equilibrium between male and female principles. Likewise, Libra holds the balance between East and West; when right relation develops between the Orient and the Occident it will be achieved through Libra and the legal profession. The appreciation of law must, in Libra, reach maturity: the law is the custodian of ‘positive righteousness’ not a nursery regime or instrument of enforcement. Libra, the ‘master of no-man’s land’, rules the interstice between the Piscean and Aquarian Ages. The end of the twentieth century has seen Libra coming to a position of power in the planetary horoscope as Humanity (the World Disciple) prepares for initiation. Planetary Initiation and the Cardinal Cross CREATION MANIFESTATION INITIATION LEGISLATION Cosmically, they [these words: creation, manifestation, legislation, initiation] mean the activity of Deity when spirit and matter are brought into a definite relationship and, under divine purpose, produce that fusion of living energies which will be adequately potent in time and space to bring that purpose to its desired consummation. ARIES signifies the activity of creation (of God’s thought-form), which is manifested in CANCER as the plan working under spiritual and natural law; the working out of the plan reveals God’s quality and character because it is governed by His laws, represented by LIBRA. The unfoldment of the plan is thus carried forward to the point of initiation in CAPRICORN. Although this process is occurring on a vast and incomprehensible scale, we can appreciate it as a process of ‘becoming’, which has correspondences in our own development and in all processes of evolution. On the ordinary wheel, a lifetime in Libra follows the ‘drastic experience’ of Scorpio, which has usually led to a call to the soul and the first faint flashes of intuition. The Libra experience then bestows a life of quiet reflection, or a condition of ‘static unresponsiveness’. This life of balancing, contemplating and repose is designed so that a life in the next sign will produce certain results. The next sign on the ordinary wheel is Virgo (sign of the slowly emerging soul vibration). On the reversed wheel the Libra experience leads to Scorpio and active soul life through the medium of the personality. Thus, Libra is something of an ‘interlude between two activities’, in which the soul can organise itself for battle! The personality waits quietly. This thought is underscored by the Sun’s fall in Libra: neither the soul nor the personality dominates pure Libra; neither voice is heard particularly: “No strident note is heard; no violent colouring of the life affects and no upsetting of the chariot of the soul.” D.K. offers the analogy of meditation as a way into understanding Libra and the signs to either side of it. Meditation, as it is usually taught, consists of five stages:- concentration, meditation, contemplation, illumination, inspiration. Libra is represented by the central stage: contemplation. The five stages are paralleled by five ‘strictly human signs’: Leo - concentration. The soul life is focused in the form. Individualisation. Self-consciousness. Human experience. Average man. Virgo - meditation. Soul life, as sensed in man; the gestation period. Stage of the hidden Christ. Personality hiding the Christ life. Intelligent man. Libra - contemplation. Life of soul and form balanced. Equilibrium. Interlude wherein the soul organises itself for battle and personality waits. Duality known. Probationary path. Scorpio - illumination. The soul triumphs. Experience in Taurus is consummated. Astral glamour is dissipated. Soul light pours in. Path of Discipleship. Sagittarius - inspiration. Preparation for initiation. Soul inspires the personality life. Soul expressed through personality. The initiate (initiation occurs in Capricorn, but one is an initiate before one is initiated). Venus is the orthodox ruler of Libra, it also has rulership of Taurus and Capricorn (at the hierarchical level). It is the source of the intelligent mind (fifth ray energy). In Taurus, mind is expressed through intelligent desire. In Libra, the ‘point of equilibrium is attained between material personal desire and spiritual love, for the two qualities of cosmic desire are brought to the fore in the consciousness in Libra and balanced one against the other.’ In Capricorn, mind stands for spiritual love ‘expressing itself perfectly when the work in Taurus and Libra has been accomplished’. Uranus is the esoteric ruler of Libra, bringing in the seventh ray: bringing together spirit and matter (the ray of ceremonial magic). Uranus relates Libra to Aquarius and Aries; it creates a deep connection and intense interplay of force in the Aries-Libra polarity. Saturn is the hierarchical ruler of Libra, which brings the third ray of intelligence. Through these three rulers of Libra are represented God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit: URANUS Seventh ray of Ceremonial Magic. God the Father. He who relates. Source of Duality. He who perceives the end from the beginning. Spiritual consciousness. Intuition to Inspiration. VENUS Fifth ray of Mind. God the Son. Son of Mind. He who includes. Egoic consciousness. Intellect to Intuition. SATURN Third ray of Intelligence. God the Holy Spirit. He who knows. Mind. Human consciousness. Instinct to Intellect. Saturn is exalted in Libra because here, at the point of balance, opportunity comes and a situation is staged that unavoidably requires a choice or a determination to be made. The importance of Libra at this time to Humanity, as it stands upon the probationary path, leads to increased and more intense Saturn activity. Mars is in its detriment in Libra owing to Libra being the sign of interlude, rendering Mars temporarily quiescent, gathering force for renewed effort in Scorpio, or for the quickening of life in Virgo. The Sun is in its fall in Libra, because neither the soul nor the personality dominates. The keynotes of this sign are so clear and plain that any elucidation of mine would serve but to confuse the issue. They speak straight to the heart and without obscurity. To the average man with no developed spiritual consciousness, he word goes forth again and again throughout the aeons: “And the Word said: Let choice be made.” The response eventually comes back as a result of the evolutionary process and from the soul: “I choose the way which leads between the two great lines of force.” ©2000- The D.K. Foundation. This article, including this copyright statement, may be freely distributed but not altered, expanded or abridged in any way. We thank you for respecting this request.