Richard
Robb is the founder of the world's most important theosophical bookstore
"The Wizards Bookshelf", and on this book he wrote the following:
« The work states that
it is to be a guide for disciples, and that there is a realization “that man is
in very truth made in the image of God, and one in nature with his Father in
Heaven” (p.2).
The format is 19 short chapters,
being a compilation of writings and lectures by the author over several years.
The theme is that the Labors of Hercules, (originally Heracles in Greek)
correspond to the 12 signs of the zodiac, and that his exertions in each sign
as given in Greek mythology, can be interpreted in an astrological sense.
Heracles was the son of Zeus, who
is identified with Jupiter in the mythical pantheon of cosmology. As such he
personifies forces in nature, and his Labors, give characteristics to the
interplay of various influences to be found in the manifested universe. But, as
each chapter of this book proceeds, it is begun with a section by “The
Tibetan”. Then, Mrs. Bailey gives her slant on the awe inspiring grand
pronouncements. We begin with quotations that will indicate her level of
expertise:
-
“In the physical
body, handicapped and limited by the tendencies . . .” (p.4)
-
“his physical body
must be a fit medium of expression . . .” (p.9)
-
“. . . he was
physically bullnecked.” (p.11)
Thus a force in nature is
anthropomorphized into a physical human, and removed from cosmology — perhaps a
Kevin Sorbo leaping about (Hercules TV series). But what then follows is quite
unlike the original Greek mythology, as Mrs. Bailey has her own special
interpretation of the 12 Labors, guided of course by The Tibetan.
Her Hercules is the “ancient Son
of God,” (p.2) a sort of pre-Jesus, and as such he naturally is related to the
later one, whom she expects to return momentarily. It isn’t explained why the
‘ancient Son of God’ doesn’t return.
None the less, she predicts the
astrology of the future will be superior to that of the present day, and she
fastens upon astrological influences for this work, having an aversion for
numbers, angles, and the like.
Our next citation relates to
Bailey’s concept of cosmological evolution:
-
“For eons, this life
force has been applied to selfish ends, to the purposes of self-gratification
and to the satisfaction of desire.” (p.15)
The dictionary defines eons as,
“an unlimited amount of time,” “immeasurable,” and as “eternity,” thus it seems
there has been no gradual descent of spirit into materiality, from a simple
undifferentiated proto-matter, nor a developing monad gradually descending into
physical complexity, as in the teachings of Theosophy, Vedanta, Buddhism etc.
In short, we have been rotten from the beginning, like biblical “original sin.”
-
“Saintliness,
sweetness and a pleasing, loving disposition have their place . . .” (p.10)
This passage is cited to give the
reader an idea of the Bailey astrology. And:
-
“This [Neptune’s]
emotional, fluidic nature, with its sensitivity and its power to feel. . .is
one of the greatest assets. . .” (p.12)
Here we find the lower nature of
emotions and feelings elevated to a level never seen before. The concept is diametrically
opposed to Theosophy and Eastern occultism, with its regimens designed to
overcome and rise above the physical and astral worlds.
-
“Through emotional
sensitivity and response, we, too, can be en rapport with the world in which
our labors are cast.” (p.12)
In the Secret Doctrine (vol. I, p. 275) perfected men are free of
emotions, completely, and thus the road to perfection (for Theosophists anyway)
doesn’t include emotional indulgence, but a gradual path towards the impersonal
and dispassionate.
-
“Three outstanding
urges characterize this sign [Aries].” (p.15)
We have here a new term in
astrology, doubtless full of hidden meaning; the urge.
-
“But the esoteric
ruler [of Aries] is Mercury . . .” (p.17)
Some astrologers may be delighted
with this intelligence, but others with experience will be suppressing
laughter. It certainly doesn’t fit Theosophical correspondences.
-
“The Virgin Mary
gives birth to Jesus.” (p.17)
The above phrase is included to
give a sample of similar ones throughout the book. And, the following passage
is perhaps a confirmation of the above:
-
“The astral plane is
the distorted reflection of the buddhic plane, and it is only when we carry
glamour up into the clear light of the Christ soul that we shall see truth as
it is, and become invincible.” (p.36)
Theosophists will wonder what
happened to higher and lower manas, which precludes the astral plane from
receiving anything from the sixth or Buddhic. The astral is a repository of the
essence of lower emanations, solely. The next citation will absolutely confirm
our suspicions that this work under review has nothing in common with
Theosophy:
-
“The Ageless Wisdom
of the east tells us that the number five is the most occult and the most
deeply significant of the numbers.” (p.49)
Theosophy, as well as all the
oriental systems postulate seven as the most occult number, which has been born
out universally for thousands of years. To continue with our retinue of
poignant quotations:
-
“. . . for in the
sphinx we have the lion with a woman’s head . . . It may, therefore, signify
the two polarities, masculine and feminine . . .” (p.50)
The Sphinx has always been an
emblem of the spirit of man encased in an animal body, but with Bailey, all she
sees are the lower aspects. Bailey may be unique in ascribing the female gender
to the monument.
-
“. . . Leo and Virgo
were one symbol.” (p.50)
Not in Theosophy. When there were
but ten signs (which correspond to ten orifices in the human body) a split took
place in Virgo, resulting in the new sign Libra, and Scorpio. Leo wasn’t
involved (1). Our next quote confirms the one from page forty nine:
-
“Nine is the number
of initiation. . .” (p.51)
Nine, the number of spirit
descending into matter, is the emblem of generation on the physical plane (9 months
gestation for humans) of abject repetition, quantity, extreme proliferation on
the material plane, as developments from 1900-1999 show.
-
“six is the number of
mind . . .” (p.51)
In Theosophy, FIVE is the number
of mind or manas, intellectuality, thought, etc. Six is the number of unity,
marriage, Buddhi, etc (2).
-
“We are told in the
Book of Revelations that the mark of the Beast is 666, and Hydra, the serpent,
lies under three constellations and its number 6 is, therefore, three times
potent.” (p.51)
For the riddle of the 666, we
must further examine Revelations 17:5 for the passage: “Mystery, Babylon the
Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth,” which in Theosophy,
applies to CHURCHIANITY (3). Well, we have selected quotes
from the first half of the book, and this last one is the sole reference to The
Secret Doctrine, which is shown in quotes, but without a page reference. It
reads as follows:
-
“In The Secret
Doctrine is a clear statement of the whole message of this sign [Virgo]:
‘Matter is the vehicle for the manifestation of soul on this turn of the
spiral; and soul is the vehicle on a higher turn of the spiral for the
manifestation of spirit, and these three are a trinity synthesized by Life
which pervades them all.” (p.57)
After some searching, this
“quote” was located on page 49, volume I. But it reads:
-
“Matter is the
vehicle for the manifestation of soul on this plane of existence, and soul is
the vehicle on a higher plane for the manifestation of spirit, and these three are
a trinity synthesized by Life, which pervades them all.”
The phrase, “turn of the spiral”
is wonderfully ambiguous compared with “plane of existence,” and allows much
latitude. Here, an extra step of dissimulation took place, pretending to be
original. Those finding Bailey’s quotes elsewhere are forewarned. We will stop
here, as the second half of the book is similar.
However, on page 96 appears an
editor’s note stating that the work The Reappearance of the Christ, was
dictated by The Tibetan in 1948. The introductory paragraphs at the beginning
of each chapter by The Tibetan are in the best tradition of the church pulpit.
Are we expected to believe that
this is the same Djwal Khool who was the favorite chela of the Mahatma and has
not only defected from all his eastern knowledge, but become a promoter of
something ridiculed in Theosophy, namely, the “second coming of Jesus”?
Absurd!
CONCLUSION
In this work on “astrology,” we find in its 111 pages,
156 places where the word “God” appears, 84 Christ or Jesus the Christ, World
Saviour 13 times, Virgin Mary 8, and Father in Heaven, just 5. It is a work by
a deluded Christian, for gullible Christians, and its reading would be, to use
T. Subba Row’s word, “unprofitable.” Once again, Bailey advocates may believe
what they will, but it isn’t Theosophy.
»
Footnotes
- see: “The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac,” by T. Subba Row, and Blavatsky Collected Writings XII, p.533.
- see Blavatsky Collected Writings XII.
- see Secret Doctrine II, p.748.
(Source: Fohat, Vol. I, Number 3, Fall 1997, p.58)
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