the entire problem of the conscious use of that which exists upon the planet and also its destructive usage is tied together into one most critical situation

We have just been through the very intense experience of the Wesak festival in the sign of Taurus when the energies of the fifth ray (through Venus) and the first ray (through Vulcan) pour into the planet Earth, which is an expression of the third ray. All these energies are on the line of the first ray, hence the challenges and opportunity associated with this time.

The first ray Vulcan is both the esoteric and Hierarchical ruler of Taurus, and is known as the forger of metals. We read that Vulcan brings the mineral kingdom, "the depths from which supply must come," under human control¹. Vulcan is concerned with relating man to the mineral kingdom and Venus establishes a relation of man to man through the mental energy of humanity. Thus, in Taurus, the Shamballa force works through an esoteric triangle of energy— through the will, humanity and the mineral kingdom.

Vulcan relates the will aspect with the builder aspect, seen in the importance of the mineral kingdom in the creation of so much that our modern economies depend. The Tibetan states that the close rapport ‘between the mineral kingdom and humanity is both from the angle of the Plan and from the expression of material selfishness.’ ²

Humanity is very aware of the catastrophic effects on the environment that the overuse of mineral resources is causing. The effects of CO2 are well known, as are the effects on the environment that comes from the overuse of plastic (created from oil), the effects of mining the metals and minerals that create the proliferation of electronics that have become so essential to modern life, the effects of fertilisers, fabric dyes, animal food, medicines, to name just a few are known and yet demand for all these things continues unabated, encouraged by corporations and governments in the name of economic growth.

It is not just the mineral kingdom that is overused, for the current destruction of our great jungles and forests is happening at an alarming rate and at a time when CO2 emissions coming from our manufacturing processes are growing, despite efforts to reduce them. When CO2 exceeds the vegetable kingdoms’ ability to absorb, as is the case today, it causes climate chaos. If this continues unchecked humanity will find it increasingly difficult to survive on the planet.

A warning as to this very problem comes via the Agni Yoga teachings, in the book Fiery World I - ‘Nor is it far from the truth to state that the vortices of darkness contain a destructive gas, which is not only deadly to the crust of the planet but can alter the climate and even significantly effect a shifting of the poles’.³

As Gaia Theory explains, the Earth and its ecology act as co-ordinated systems that work to maintain the balance of nature. The Earth as a living system has automatically controlled global temperature, atmospheric content, ocean salinity, and other factors that allow it to maintain its own habitability. Life therefore, maintains conditions suitable for its own survival. With the human kingdom exerting a great toll on the lower kingdoms, not just the mineral but the vegetable through deforestation with its associated effects on the animal, the balance of nature is being pushed out to such an extent that the planet is becoming less habitable to humans.  Poor air quality, pestilence and disease in crops, droughts and floods, epidemics, forest fires, are all examples of this process. It is a natural process that will lead eventually to a reduction in the human population around the world, which will of course, reduce the pressure on the lower kingdoms, thus moving the planet back towards equilibrium. As something humanity has the power to avoid, it is important that action is taken now to bring the kingdoms in nature back to a harmonious equilibrium without devastating effects on the human.

It was Earth Day on the 22^nd of April, a global day of environmental activism. Writing on this day, the World Economic Forum warns that despite all mitigation efforts, the Earth’s climate continues to get warmer and to stop it from rising above the 1.5 degree limit that has been set, greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions must be reduced by at least 43% by 2030 and at least 60% by 2035 (compared to 2019 levels).⁴

The Tibetan writes that ‘the entire problem of the conscious use of that which exists upon the planet and also its destructive usage is tied together into one most critical situation.’⁵ He was at the time referring to the world war, but it is interesting to relate this comment to the current world problem. For, much of our use of mineral resources have destructive effects on the kingdoms in nature from the pollution of our air, of our seas and rivers from the excessive use of plastic and dyes, to the effects on hearts and minds of an overuse of electronics, to a reduction in the nutritional content of vegetables due to excessive use of fertilisers. It is clear to see that it is humanity’s material selfishness, the determination to produce and consume at whatever the cost to the planet, that is the root of the climate crisis.

This was highlighted most powerfully by Pope Francis in 2015, when he wrote:

If present trends continue, this century may well witness extraordinary climate change and an unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequences for all of us. (24) Climate change is a global problem with serious implications, environmental, social, economic, political, and for the distribution of goods; it represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day. (25) ⁶

Can we really say with all honesty that much inroad into protecting the environment has happened since the Pope wrote these words.

There are many good intentions, summits and goals but there are also many selfish and entrenched forces that seek to divert humanity from right action, and the will to override the status quo is lacking. This is the great test of Vulcan, of the soul ruling desire, of the Son of God fashioning His instrument of expression in the depths, grasping the divine purpose, and so bending the will of the little self to that of the greater Self.⁷

The spiritually intense opportunity of Wesak with its first ray force is an important moment to consider the environmental crisis that faces us all. For, it is only through the power of the sacrificial will that humanity will be able to face this crisis full on. We can perhaps take this opportunity of using first ray energy channelled through the triangle, Shamballa, humanity and the mineral kingdom to imbue the triangle network with the energy of the sacrificial will allowing the energy of sacrifice to penetrate human consciousness. This will aid the many environmental groups and activists who are striving to bring to public attention the urgency of the current crisis and encourage people to recognise their responsibility to future generations and to take action to create conditions on the planet that are conducive to all life forms.

1. Esoteric Astrology pg.386
2. Ibid
3. Fiery World I pg.
4. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/earth-day-2023-climate-solutions-ipcc/
5. Esoteric Astrology Pg. 387
6. http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
7. Esoteric Astrology pg. 393