Evoking the Soul of the Nations in a Time of Crisis
STIMULATION OF THE SOULS OF THE NATIONS
In recent webinars we have been discussing different aspects of the soul of the nations. I was interested, therefore, to read the following quote:
“….when the proper and correct ray stimulation is applied to the centre which we call the soul in any form but not to the form itself, then the soul, thus stimulated, will do its own work of destruction, of attraction, of rebuilding and of a consequent renewed life manifestation. This is true of the soul of man, of the soul of a nation and of the soul of humanity itself” (The Destiny of the Nations, p. 123).
This quote gives us a deepened perspective on the way in which we can learn to work together with energies. The incoming Aquarian dispensation is a time when we will have the opportunity to move from working without much precision, as is the case today, and into a growing ability to work more consciously--in effect, as white magicians. The quote tells us that as we so move we will be able to know how to apply the proper ray stimulation to a form in order to allow that soul, so stimulated, to undertake its work within the three worlds.
This idea gives us pause for it is asking us to consider looking at our nation, and all the other nations of the work, not so much through the lens of the form nature, with all its flaws and personality challenge, but to instead cultivate the ability to step back and penetrate into the world of causes and see what the soul essence of any nation is seeking to express and the potential it has to reveal to the greater whole. Each nation has its contribution to make to the tapestry of the whole and through the tools of the rays and astrology that contribution can perhaps be better understood and aided by the disciples living in any particular land.
The Tibetan gave us some information about the souls of the nations in his book The Destiny of the Nations. It seemed he was pointing to this idea that the destiny of a nation and its role within the larger conglomerate of nations is reflected in its rays and signs. By experimenting with this information perhaps we can learn to work more scientifically within the times and seasons to help facilitate effective change within the world.
Perhaps one such potent opportunity is coming up with the Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Aquarius for which we can prepare within consciousness. The upcoming influence has been speculated about by many people, not only in our generation but throughout time. This alignment will take place in zero degrees Aquarius on the day of the winter solstice,--a day which is considered by some as the day of greatest impact within the entire annual cycle. The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction occurs rhythmically every 20 years in the same element –either earth, air, water or fire. But every 200 years the element shifts and that shift is occurring in December as the cycle moves out from a 200 year cycle in the element of earth and into the beginning of a two hundred air sign cycle. This conjunction can often be the harbinger of important events, a time when new and important alliances are formed and, in ancient times, was often seen to be related to changes within the rule of kings and today it has been correlated with the lives of political leaders.
It is generally understood that the star of Bethlehem was actually the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction that occurred in Pisces at around 6 C.E. and was said by H.P.Blavatsky to be the sign of the coming of the Piscean saviour, the Christ. Surely this coming conjunction, occurring as it does in the sign of Aquarius, the sign of the coming age and Avatar, is a similar signature reflective of events unfolding in our time. We know, however, that this Avatar will not come about through the birth of a child but through some other means wherein He will appear fully formed--in a time that we think not.
We can participate in this event by simply keeping it in our minds and hearts and holding to a sense of expectancy. It is like a beautiful story that is unfolding, on this day, at this time, heralded perhaps by the Neowise comet. These events we can assume are related to the very special nature of this time in planetary history which is said to be the time for the long-awaited externalisation of the Hierarchy and the reappearance of the World Teacher. We are not here suggesting that the actual appearance of the Teacher is imminent as the necessary preconditions have not yet been fulfilled. It would, however, appear that these signs in the heavens are sign posts for that eventuality, sometime after the year 2025.
If we look back at the appearance of other Avatars, we see that their births also coincided with Jupiter-Saturn alignments and in signs resonant with their nature -- at the time of the Buddha’s birth the conjunction occurred in Taurus, the sign in which he was born, died and attained enlightenment. At the birth of Mohammed the conjunction occurred in Scorpio, the sign which corresponded to his sixth ray quality.
The planet Jupiter is the sacred planet along the second ray line -- the line of Love-Wisdom, the energy conditioning all world saviours. Saturn is the planet of discipleship. Jupiter rules Aquarius esoterically and when combining with Saturn also passing through that sign will surely bring about a powerful stimulation for those who can tune into this energy and particularly for those countries that are likewise aligned with it.
The Tibetan highlights an important triangle between 3 nations -- Russia, the USA and the UK which he says will be instrumental in ushering in the new age. Therefore, the lines of unification have to be fostered between these three countries. The establishment of this alignment was surely one of the reasons why the Allied Forces won the war because they were able to build bonds of strength and unity between these three countries which was needed to bring the war to its successful conclusion. It’s interesting to note that these three countries will be stimulated by this Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Aquarius.
The US and UK are both ruled at the soul level by the 2nd ray, therefore Jupiter is a key ruling planet for each of them and when it passes through this powerful position in Aquarius all second ray souls and nations will be given a powerful stimulation. The UK is ruled by Gemini, another air sign, at the soul level and so it will also be in harmonious flow with this energy, bringing in soul light. The US and Russia are both ruled at the soul level by the sign Aquarius itself and so this alignment will also prove a powerful stimulation for both.
Triangles partners the world over can work with the energies of love, via Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius to aid in the consolidation of the lines of lighted love uniting these three countries at a soul level during the coming year and perhaps all the work being done with the souls of nations at this time is in preparation for this upcoming opportunity.
Finally, in relation to the planet as a whole, this alignment is also highly auspicious. Our planet is ruled at a soul level by the 2nd ray and at the personality ray we are ruled by the 3rd ray. Therefore the coming together of these two planetary energies which are reflective of the energies ruling our soul and personality -- both in the sign of Aquarius, the sign into which the planet as a whole is moving, is surely reflective of a great possibility for the merging of soul and personality on a planetary level. Let us hold this possibility in our consciousness thus contributing to the letting in of the light. Kathy Newburn
"Evoking the Soul of the Nations in a time of crisis – A main objective of the NGWS" Monday 24.8.2020
Warm greetings to everyone (from Greece), and a warm thank you for this invitation… It is always a joy and privilege to participate in the work of triangles, and for all of us to play our little part in the purification of the planetary atmosphere aiding to offset any contamination caused by poisonous and virulent agents.
Purification, and purity, are the keywords for the sign of Virgo we just entered, shortly after the New Moon in the fiery sign of Leo. And, I think that much of this crisis concerns and aids as well the purification of the heart of humanity and also refers to our whole-heartedness that might be also described as the power of spiritual and focused single-mindedness. The only place which can lead us eventually out of instability and doubt, uncertainty, and tumult.
What makes this 6thsign so interesting and timely, related to our triangles work, is its triplicity. In fact, it is one of the only two triple signs in the zodiac. The other one is Scorpio and it is this triplicity, standing for the mental, emotional and physical vehicle of the Soul, which pairs them.
In the Secret Doctrine we have a description of “pure spirit before he became matter” and how after its fall on Earth, Ophis (the divine serpent) and Ophiomorphos (its pattern and form) joined at the sign of the “Androgyne Virgo-Scorpio”.
Both signs (Virgo and Scorpio) are “connected with the growth of Christ consciousness” and what we call the birth of Christ in the human heart. And, this is maybe the most critical issue in the esoteric agenda of our transitional times of deep crises.
Both “mark critical points in the soul's experience—points of integration wherein the soul is consciously at-one-ing itself with the form and at the same time with spirit’. And, “when the experience [of the Soul] undergone in Virgo is consummated in Pisces and the tests of Scorpio have led to illumination in Taurus, then the effect of these four energies [or the “square”] (Virgo, Pisces, Scorpio, Taurus) will be to make man the true triangle, expressing the three divine aspects or energies as they come from the three major conditioning constellations: the Great Bear, the Pleiades and Sirius.” EA
From a wider perspective humanity is said to be “entering into the eighth month of the gestation period” and we may notice that eight is the number of Scorpio, the sign for tests and trials, and discipleship. But the outcome for this “crisis of the birthplace” (Virgo) might be seen as “inevitable and sure” as numbers are speaking their own truth… And, how is that? Eight are the signs “counting from Virgo to Aquarius” – on the reversed wheel”, which gives us “the guarantee that the birth of the new age, of the new consciousness and the new civilization and culture is inevitable and sure”. We may say that it is our only new certainty…!
In this relation of Virgo and Aquarius – “the Mother of Christ” and “Global Server” and dispenser of the Water of life– there is a great potential and potency. We may notice that the esoteric name of the great Law of Service is: “Law of water and the fishes” and its symbol “A man with a pot of water”.
Their mutual relation as described in EA is quite revealing and beautiful:
- Virgo (the Mother, the Protector)hides the light which irradiates the world in Aquarius, and
- Aquarius (the Server of all men, the burden of the word) releases Virgo from her load.
A minor clue can be found in their position in the zodiacal cycle; they are forming an aspect of 150odegrees called “quincunx” related also to the symbol of the “five-pointed star”.
The triplicity of Virgo is highlighted also as it belongs to a greater triangle, of the three earth sign: Taurus-Virgo-Capricorn. In their interrelation and blending of energies - in connection to our non-sacred planet Earth – they are affecting the earthly manifestation of the kingdoms in nature, and in terms of the light they are called
1. Taurus.— The Light of Knowledge
2. Virgo.— The Hidden Light of God
3. Capricorn.— The Light of Life
Through this, we can recall the invocative appeal in the first stanza of the GI: “Let light descent on Earth”.
Between the above mentioned two signs, as if “between two summits”, … “Virgo symbolizes depths, darkness, quiet and warmth; it is the valley of deep experience wherein secretsare discovered and eventually "brought to light"; it is the place of slow, gentle and yet powerful crises and periodic developments which take place in the dark and yet which lead to light. It is the "blinded stage" … which ever precedes the gift of light.”
“Virgo stands for the "womb of time" wherein God's plan (the mystery and the secret of the ages) is slowly matured and—with pain and discomfort and through struggle and conflict—brought into manifestation at the end of the appointed time.”
Herein and in particular relation with the three earth signs might the reason be found for the relatively late emergence of the New Group of World Servers - whose members belong to all nations, they know no separation and share in common their love for humanity. Let us here recall that they are ruled by Taurus and are subjected to the Law of Group Endeavour, whose symbol is that of Capricorn - “a goat on the mountaintop”, indicating group elevation and group initiation.
Holding a place (and function) somehow similar of Virgo, that of the middle point and mediator between Hierarchy and humanity – the “slow and careful formation” of this bridging and healing group, as pointed out in Education in the New Age, “is indicative of the crisis” (the “birth” crisis). Like a skillful and compassionate midwife, they have the role to help and effectively facilitate this delivery for they are conscious and present “at the birth pangs of the new civilization and the coming into manifestation of a new race, a new culture and a new world outlook” (Ibid).
In this context “one of their main objectives and tasks” is to “evoke the soul ray [of the nation] into an increased functioning activity”. Thus the Law of Cleavages which we see today governing “the leading nations of the world” (5throot-race) may be replaced (or offset) by the Law of Loving Understanding (6throot-race). At the present moment this can be sensed “only by the disciples and the aspirants of any nation” because the controlling factor in all nations at this time is their personality ray.
“When the proper and correct ray stimulation is applied to the center which we call the soul in any form but not to the form itself, that then the soul, thus stimulated, will do its own work of destruction, of attraction, of rebuilding and of a consequent renewed life manifestation.” This is a fundamental rule of white magic in the hands of the white magicians, and “this is true of the soul of man, of the soul of a nation and of the soul of humanity itself”. WM
Although certainly not a new one, this science of invocation and evocation (or impression and expression of certain great ideas, humanity must be brought to the understanding of the fundamental ideals which will govern the new age) is gaining increasing recognition and momentum. Several spiritual groups all over the world are coming up, in one or the other way, with this as a primary mission in their agenda. The 7-year cycle of the New World Servers’ Festival Week might have offered a renewed impetus – apart from impact – towards this group effort. (Let’s hope that it may prove to be contagious - under the Law of Magnetic Impulse…!)
And it might be true that “in this world period we have the division of the sign of the Sphinx into two signs (the Lion and the Virgin, soul and form) because the state of human evolution and conscious realization is that of a recognized duality (…), but the eternal riddle of “Man know thyself” remains a mystery to be solved yet this time on the higher turn of the spiral at the threshold of the Aquarian Age for nation souls.
A new expression may appear which Rudolf Steiner calls the “self-knowledge of the people”. “For even as the saying ‘Know thyself’ played a great part in the Mysteries of Apollo in ancient Greece, so likewise in no distant future, this will be spoken to the folk-souls or nation-souls: ‘Know yourselves as nation-souls!’”
It may sound simple but it’s not easy. As Assagioli writes considering the Soul of the Nations “The Self, the “Soul,” the true spiritual Center, is, in both nations and individuals, superconscious. It does exist, but in a realm or at a level that is ordinarily above the reach of personal consciousness. Its reality is revealed by its manifestations, which usually occur only on exceptional occasions, but which are so vivid, potent and of such a different quality that they bear a sure proof of their higher origin”.
* * *
*[The medium through which the thought currents or impressions (from no matter what source) must pass in order to make an impact upon the human brain is the planetary etheric body. Telepathy]
** [If it is remembered that humanity is primarily governed by two rays (the second and the fourth) it will be found that those nations and countries whose governing rays are also the second and the fourth must and will play an important part in determining human destiny. Destiny]