Thursday

BOOK “THE LABOURS OF HERCULES” ANALYZED BY RICHARD ROBB



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.


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Footnotes

  1. see: “The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac,” by T. Subba Row, and Blavatsky Collected Writings XII, p.533.
  2. see Blavatsky Collected Writings XII.
  3. see Secret Doctrine II, p.748.



(Source: Fohat, Vol. I, Number 3, Fall 1997, p.58)













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