Esoteric astrologer, Stephen Pugh comments further:

“On this 49 year cyclic sweep of the Divine Will a much greater number than in any previous cycle have been prepared and are ready for higher positions. In the previous 49 year cycle which just commenced such was not the case... no matter to what extent free will is operating in the life of the disciple and may be exercised in individual affairs, his position in the 49 year cyclic spiral is determined by the higher Will of S.K. However, even though a disciple's latitude is so wide in his own field of will power, there is, nonetheless, no injustice on what at first thought might appear to be his arbitrary control. It is his individual past karma that has fitted each soul for the position it occupies in the cosmic scale, whatever his position in life may be. Furthermore, if a disciple is connected with any one Great Soul in the cycle of time wherein is developing individual parts or subsidary groups of the same Ashramic Soul which governs that cycle, his karma must be inextricably intertwined with that of each one of those parts. Therefore, all within the Ashram are subject to the Will of the Group Soul…My brothers, let me remind all of you of the futility of personal satisfaction through position. Ashramic members are not battling for position; position of one kind or another, merely for the sake of control, power or position. The words spoken by Jesus "The least of these, my disciples" contain all that we need to understand. Any position worth having on spiritual lines seeks the disciple because he has earned it through the action of the cyclic law. It is "the least of these" who gains the recognition of the Hierophant by reason of the "child heart" that obeys unquestioningly those initiates who have the karmic right to such obedience and so act in conjunction with the Will of Sanat Kumura.” (SDP)

The fact that some Masters will be taking the Sixth Initiation means that there is an automatic flow-on effect on to those poised to take the lesser initiations. The Second and the Fourth Initiations are ‘on the even ray line´ so to speak, therefore In this way it is possible that many disciples will ‘partake´ of the Sixth Initiation by going through the Second Initiation. (See further in text under “Second Initiation. Scorpio”)

A few will take the Fourth Initiation (buddhic consciousness) and may even be overshadowed in a similar way that Christ did with his disciple Jesus. Christ achieved the Sixth Initiation and “went to the Father and Way of Higher Evolution”, whilst Master Jesus took the Fourth Initiation (Renunciation).

Still on this Fourth Initiation theme, we must bear in mind another statement which suggests that more than just a few may take this Initiation:

“The Buddha and His 900 arhats struck the first blow at the world glamour when He promulgated His Four Noble Truths. The Christ struck the second blow with His teaching of the nature of individual responsibility and of brotherhood. The next blow will be struck by the New Group of World Servers, acting under the direction of Christ and His disciples, symbolically described as "Christ and His 9000 initiates."” (GLAM40)

“In the time of the Buddha [approx. 500BC] and through the stimulation He produced there was a great gathering in of Arhats. These were men who had achieved liberation through self initiated effort. This period ... marked a climax for the East. Since then the tide of spiritual life has steadily flowed westward, and we may look for a corresponding climax in the West, which will reach its zenith between 1965 and 2025.” (LOTSxi-xii)

The fifth Shamballa impact and the Decision fall right in the middle of this window of time, hence processes are happening now! (2001). The Buddha inaugurated a 500 year Ray 2 cycle around 500BC, which can also be seen as a 5,000 year cycle which is now having its outgoing halfway culmination of 2,500 years.

The Libran full moon of 2001, will have exhorted many to make a major decision that will permanently and radically affect the rest of their lives. A 49 year cycle comes but once in the average human life, therefore the importance of availing oneself of the opportunity cannot be over-stressed:

“It is perfectly clear that the externalisation of the Hierarchy, the restoration of the Mysteries and the reappearance of the Christ dominate the present planetary timetable and agenda…The year 2001 will be a year of tremendous spiritual crisis and a year when it should prove possible to greatly accelerate the preparations for the reappearance of the Christ…this is the single most important spiritual event of our time, except for the Great Return itself. Ponder on that! Those individuals and groups who do not avail themselves of this once in a LIFETIME opportunity will miss their chance to be a part of the greatest Hierarchical undertaking in human history.” (“The 49 Year Cycle”, SDP)

Saturn, Libra, Aquarius

This ‘lesser´ decision is very much influenced by the forces of Saturn (exalted in Libra) which rules the first decanate of the 2,160 year Aquarian cycle into which we are moving. Saturn is the planet of discipleship and opportunity, and very active today:

“Saturn gives opportunity to face difficult situations and crises which involve free choice, discriminative pioneering, wise response and correct decision, thus bringing about the destruction of that which hinders without the relinquishing of any true values of which humanity may be aware.” (EA148)

First Initiation: Libra Leo Aquarius Saturn The first Initiation corresponds very closely to Humanity, just as the Second Initiation does to the Hierarchy and the Third Initiation to Shamballa. Humanity is poised en masse to take the First Initiation, which is unprecedented in the history of the planet.

Humanity also corresponds to and is conditioned by the Third Ray of Active Intelligence, a ray which has been steadily waxing in intensity since 1425 CE, bringing about a revolution in education, and hence a revolution in the reasoning and discriminating mental processes.

Ray 3 will be in ‘incarnation´ throughout the Aquarian Age, giving much scope for the development of the intellectual faculty and creative activity in general.

Therefore Saturn, the ruler of Ray Three and the first decanate of Aquarius, will have a powerful influence in testing humanity to align with the higher laws of which it is the custodian

“Saturn offers opportunity to suffer and, through suffering, to learn to choose rightly, to analyse correctly and to decide upon the higher values….humanity is beginning to mount the Fixed Cross of the disciple, thus reversing its progress upon the circle of the Zodiac. Humanity—as a whole and owing to the large proportion of aspirants and thinking idealists—is entering Aquarius, via the open door of Saturn.” (EA283)

The First Initiation is ruled over by Leo, the polar opposite of the Aquarian age. Leo represents individualised self-consciousness – a mental development (the mane or manas of Leo) that is powerful and can discriminate and reason independently. Leo also rules the heart wherein can be anchored the realisation of the Christ or soul.

The Master DK suggests that the life in which an aspirant ‘reverses the wheel´ of life prior to the First Initiation, takes place with the Sun in Leo and Libra rising. (EA184) He also mentions Libra coming into pronounced control at the end of the twentieth century. Ongoing legislation (Libra) for the rights of children is a successful reflection of this process, which DK did predict. Children are also a great symbol for the “little ones”, meaning the ‘younger´ souls who are in the process of taking the First Initiation. Also, the vast “Science of Relationships” has made huge strides forward in the past twenty years.

Therefore it can be seen how Libra is definitely ‘rising´ (2001), and that the “Sun is in Leo” from the point of view of its activated Aquarian polarity, and that millions are about to take the First Initiation.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna is the archetypal Libran who is forced to make a choice between the pairs of opposites on the great battlefield of life: Between enemies of his own household and the prompting of his higher self, symbolised by Krishna, his charioteer.

The ‘warring armies´ are of course a symbol for the pairs of opposites on all planes seeking resolution, standing generally for conflict between the personality and the soul, or lunar ‘elementals´ and solar angel:

“In this sign [Libra], Saturn is exalted for—at the point of balance—opportunity comes and a situation is staged which makes a choice and a determination inevitable… a choice which has to be made intelligently and upon the physical plane, in the waking brain consciousness. It is only now that the full purpose and the work of Saturn for humanity can reach a point of group usefulness, for it is only now that humanity has reached a point of general and widespread intelligence which can make any choice a definite conscious act, entailing responsibility. Prior to the present time, only a few pioneering disciples and a handful of intelligent people could be regarded as freely choosing at the "point of balance" the way that they intend "to tip the scales." Today, there are countless numbers and hence the intense activity of Saturn as we enter into the first decan of Aquarius and hence the same activity because humanity itself now stands upon the probationary path. This, Libra governs and controls, therefore the path of choices, of deliberately applied purificatory measures and the turning point before Scorpio, which governs the path of discipleship, can properly play its part.” (EA249)

Saturn is a mental energy, the force of which allows a disciple to construct thoughtforms, plan ahead and build a stronger mental body that can discipline the astral and physical bodies. Through the activity of the ‘judicial mind´ Saturn helps to make appropriate choices and decisions, establishing peace and harmony

“This sign [Libra] is sometimes called "the place of judgment" for it is here that the decision is made and the die is cast which separate the "sheep from the goats" or those constellations ruled by Aries (the Ram or Lamb) and those ruled by Capricorn, the Goat. It really marks the distinction between the ordinary wheel of life and the reversed wheel.” (EA229)

The so-called “first pair of opposites” of the physical/etheric planes is encountered by the candidate for the First Initiation, and is when the Path of Purification (ruled by Libra) is embarked upon.

The conflict of the etheric/physical planes is caused by the registering of the soul´s higher vibration within the etheric body. This sets up a conflict with the ‘status quo´ of the physical body, and the aspirant embarks upon purification methods such as diet and yoga to raise the vibration of the physical body.

This is partly why there has been such a huge focus on sports and diet in the last 100 years, particularly the last 20 years. It is also influenced by the incoming Ray 7 forces which relate particularly to the etheric/physical planes.

Second Initiation. Scorpio

Two arms of the fixed cross are important for the first two initiations: Leo (1st Initiation) and Scorpio (2nd Initiation) Many aspirants and disciples today are ready to move from the first degree to the second degree stage. This stage is most arduous and can take up to thirty incarnations to achieve.

The Sixth Initiation of the Master corresponds directly to the Second Degree where the control of desire is demonstrated. Right decision (choice) overcomes desire. Hence it could be said that many disciples may have the opportunity to take the Second Degree when the Masters take the Sixth Degree:

“Today the world Arjuna is facing the pairs of opposites, just as does the individual disciple, ready—when these pairs have been resolved into a unity—to tread the Path of Discipleship….Those who have emerged out of this condition and are becoming aware of their problem. They see the pairs of opposites and are entering upon the "recognition stage of Arjuna's release." They see the Form of God and the indwelling Reality within that Form and are arriving at the decision to let the Warrior carry on the fight. They will then (when right decision and choice have been made) "stand up and fight," and will find themselves no longer on the Path of Purification but upon the Path of Discipleship.” (GLAM99-100)

Saturn´s Cycle (His ‘reaping´ Sickle)

Saturn has a seven year cycle and 49 years (7 X 7 year cycles) represents the transiting Saturn square to natal Saturn, as Saturn moves back to its second return between the ages of 56-58. Exoterically and esoterically the waning Saturn square is a period of severe testing. It can cause crises in confidence, a questioning of motives and a conflict with those in authority. Anything initiated at the start of the previous seven year cycle will come up for critical evaluation as to its validity.

Transiting Saturn square to Saturn, is the Lord of Karma and the Greater Law asking how aligned we are with our chosen area of service? - Simply a portion of the service that the greater Ashram renders.

Through Saturn´s exaltation in Libra, the theme of relationships is also important at this time and can well spell the closing of the door on some, and also the establishment of new ones.

If we extrapolate this theme in an ashramic sense, with the Masters´ departures creating vacuums, then many new relationships may be entered into, as earlier mentioned.

As Libra is demonstrated to be such a powerful force, it is logical that the Decision Initiation would be taken in the sign of Libra. Note that this Decision Initiation also follows very soon after the fifth Shamballa impact in the history of humanity – in May 2000.

As these events are so close together, and as there is a very close link between the Decision and Shamballa, as demonstrated earlier, the full release of the 2000 Shamballa impact may not come until after the full moon of Libra 2001.

The Principle of Conflict

Ray 4 has much to do with the quality of judiciousness – also a quality of Saturn and Libra. Ray 4 is called “Harmony through Conflict”, and it is this Principle of Conflict that underlies the soul´s experience in the four kingdoms – human, animal, vegetable, mineral.

The Principle of Conflict governs all crises in the material world, but the Principle of Decision controls crises in the spiritual world. The Principle of Conflict is based upon Ray 3 of Active Intelligence, as this is the materialising quality of the outer world. The Principle of Decision is based upon Ray 2 of Love-Wisdom, as it pertains more to the inner worlds.

With regard to Ray 4, it is the first subray of Ray 3, relating to the square of matter, and hence conflict in the material world.

The Principle of Conflict we are told (RI609) is based on the intellectual factor of discrimination, a quality of the Mercury, Ray 4´s ruler. It is interesting that Ray 4´s co-ruler, the Moon, is so exoterically non-discriminative and ‘emotional´.

The Principle of Conflict achieves its purpose when one takes the Fourth Initiation of Renunciation. When right discrimination is exercised, renunciation of that which does not pertain to evolution is a natural progression, because it is based upon reason – not blind faith or theory. (Note that Pure Reason is another appellation of Buddhi) In relation to this, DK states:

“There could, however, be no disaster more serious than a too abrupt ending of this clash of the emotional reactions of humanity and of the current ideologies. It is essential that the issues become still clearer in the minds of men, prior to any final choice or decision.… Too prompt a choice at this time might prove only a makeshift decision and one based on expediency and impatience.” (RI611)

The Principle of Conflict is closely related to the Path of Discipleship, as the polarities upon the astral and mental planes are those with which the disciple balances. Scorpio, a sign closely related to Discipleship and the Second Initiation, has Ray 4 as the only ray passing through it.

Scorpio is a water sign and hence closely related to the astral plane, yet Uranus is exalted here, giving the promise of an increasing mental strength by which Hercules can overcome the Hydra. This Hydra of course is the Dragon of the Lernean swamp, and triumph over it results in “luminosity … upon the battle ground through a fight with a dragon.” This ‘luminosity´ is ‘illumination´ to which DK refers as a stage of meditation related to Scorpio:

“Scorpio—Illumination—The soul triumphs. Experience in Taurus consummated. Astral glamour dissipated. Soul light pours in. The Path of Discipleship. The Disciple.” (EA228)

Ray 4 and Libra are also connected via the theme of relationships. Ray 4 of Harmony through Conflict is related to Ray 2 of Love-Wisdom, the major ray of right human relations, expressed so powerfully through the two other signs of the airy trine, Gemini and Aquarius. Libra also has a connection to Ray 2 through her exoteric ruler, Venus, the Goddess of Love

“…the Principle of Conflict has worked so effectively that all men are desiring harmony, peace, equilibrium, right adjustment to life and circumstances, and right and balanced human relations.” (RI611)

Therefore Ray 4 will be controlled by Ray 2 in helping bring about right human relations. The Occidental hemisphere of the world is ruled by these two rays respectively at a soul and personality level, so it is very much the West´s responsibility to engender these ethics at this time.

As Libra is in a powerful position in the planetary horoscope, it precedes an imminent Ray 4 cycle in 2025, hence the complimentary nature of these two forces working out in the world.

Second Round. Reptiles

“The secret of the reptile kingdom is one of the mysteries of the second round, and there is a profound significance connected with the expression "the serpents of wisdom" which is applied to all adepts of the good law. The reptile kingdom has an interesting place in all mythologies, and all ancient forms of truth impartation, and this for no arbitrary reason. It is not possible to enlarge upon the underlying truth which is hidden in the karmic history of our planetary Logos, and is revealed as part of the teaching given to initiates of the second degree.

The second great life impulse, or life wave, initiated by our planetary Logos, when brought in conjunction with the first, was the basis of that activity which we call evolutionary energy; it resulted in a gradual unrolling, or revelation, of the divine form. The heavenly serpent manifested, being produced out of the egg, and began its convolutions, gaining in strength and majesty, and producing through its immense fecundity millions of lesser "serpents." The reptile kingdom is the most important part of the animal kingdom in certain aspects, if such an apparently contradictory statement can be made. For all animal life can be seen passing through it during the prenatal stage, or returning to it when the form is in advanced decomposition. The connection is not purely a physical one, but it is also psychic. When the real nature and method of the kundalini, or serpent fire, is known, this relation will be better understood, and the history of the second round assume a new importance.

The secret of life lies hidden in the serpent stage,—not the life of the Spirit, but the life of the soul, and this will be revealed as the "serpent of the astral light" is truly approached, and duly studied. One of the four Lipika Lords, Who stand nearest to our planetary Logos, is called "The Living Serpent," and His emblem is a serpent of blue with one eye, in the form of a ruby, in its head. Students who care to carry the symbology a little further can connect this idea with the "eye of Shiva" which sees and knows all, and records all, as [Page 894] does the human eye in lesser degree; all is photographed upon the astral light, as the human eye receives impressions upon the retina. The same thought is frequently conveyed in the Christian Bible, in the Hebrew and Christian recognition of the all-seeing eye of God. The application and value of the hints here given may be apparent if the subject of the third eye is studied, and its relation to the spine, and the spinal currents investigated. This third eye is one of the objects of kundalinic vivification, and in the spinal territory there is first the centre at the base of the spine, the home of the sleeping fire. [Draco] Next we have the triple channel along which that fire will travel in due course of evolution, and finally we find at the summit of the column, and surmounting all, that small organ called the pineal gland, which when vivified causes the third eye to open, and the beauties of the higher, subtler planes to stand revealed. All this physico-psychical occurrence is possible to man owing to certain events which happened to the Heavenly Serpent in the second, or serpent, round. These happenings necessitated the formation and evolution of that peculiar and mysterious family we call the reptilian. These forms of divine life are very intimately connected with the second planetary scheme, [Neptune] being responsive to energy emanating from that scheme, and reaching the earth via the second globe in the second chain. A group of special devas (connected with a particular open sound in the planetary Word), work with the reptile evolution.

It should be noted here that this evolution on the etheric planes has a closer effect upon man than on the physical. If students will apply themselves to the consideration of these facts, to the investigation of the serpent lore in all lands, mythologies and scriptures, and if they will link up all this knowledge with that concerning those heavenly constellations which have a serpent appellation (such as, for instance, the Dragon) [Ophiucus, Serpens, Draco, Scorpio, Ceta, Hydra, Hydrus, Lacerta], much illumination may come. If the intuition suffices, knowledge may then be imparted which will make clearer the connection between the physical bodies with their centres, and the psychic nature.” (TCF893-5)