Michael D. Robbins

Socrates—Greek Philosopher, Teacher of Plato: May 20, 467 BC, birth place unknown, but proposed as Athens. There is insufficient data given to do anything but cast a chart for around noon. (Source: Maurice Wemyss who references the ancient records that Socrates was born on the 6th Thargelion in the 4th year of the 77th Olympiad—according to Stanley's History of Philosophy, equated with May 20, 467 BC O.S.). Using approximately that time, the Ascendant could be either late Leo or early Virgo; MC, either Taurus or Gemini; Sun conjunct Jupiter in Taurus with both near the MC; Venus, retrograde, conjunct Mercury in Gemini; Mars in Aries; Saturn in Leo; Uranus in Virgo rising close to Ascendant; Neptune in Capricorn; Pluto in Scorpio near the IC).    

There are good reasons for thinking that either a Leo or Virgo Ascendant is justified. If  Virgo, however, it is unlikely that the birth would be any later the 12:33 PM, LMT, due to the manner of Socrates’ historically renowned death—he was made to drink the poison, Hemlock, which would fit well with Pisces (ruled by drug-related Neptune and deadly Pluto—the orthodox Jupiter rulership of Pisces, with Jupiter on or near the MC relating to the fact that his is one of the most significant and inspiring deaths in all history). On the other hand, and improbably, the Aries eighth house cusp would relate to a sudden, violent death—especially since Mars in natally placed in Aries—a death very unrelated to death by relatively painless poison.. It is also unlikely that the birth occurred before 11:50 AM, LMT, as this would remove the Sun from the ninth house of philosophy, and emphasize instead a more public career or office. Socrates is thought by many to have neglected his civic duties, since, though qualified, he never sought public office, and, instead, used every occasion to discuss issues of philosophy whenever and wherever his fellow citizens congregated..

Socrates was one of the greatest of all philosophers and a modern man in many respects. He could be regarded as the ‘Father of Western Philosophy’, and was, according to Plato in his Apology, pronounced by the Oracle of Delphi to be the wisest man in all Greece, even before his fortieth year.        

The “Acute Energy of Divine Mental Perception”, the energy of the third ray, was fully manifest through Socrates, as was the power to illumine conferred by Taurus. As well, because he was a great teacher to many (and especially to Plato, found according to the Tibetan upon the second ray) and a lover of wisdom (which is what the word “philosophy”—philo sophia—means) his relation to the second ray of Love-Wisdom (and especially to wisdom) is more than reasonable.           

“Such Avatars were Plato, the first Patanjali and Sankaracharya; they emerge upon the second ray line of energy, in the department of the Christ and are expressions of hierarchical force.” (EXH 298)
 
As Socrates was a major “light bearer” intimately related to the world of “ideas” or “forms” (as Plato called his archetypes), his major rays may be presumed to be similar to those of Plato—namely the second and the third. 

Because his philosophical method was critical, sharp, logical, syllogistic and endlessly inquisitive, there is evidence for the presence of the fifth ray in the mind, but Mercury in oscillatory Gemini would surely provide ample fourth ray facility—he was always in discussion and dialogue. His mind was unclouded by emotion (as his serene and noble behavior through his death process clearly indicates). This may speak of the second ray in the emotional nature. Perhaps not much can be said of his physical nature (other than to cite his proverbial ‘ugliness’ or crudeness of form, and to infer that he was physically strong, as stories of his courage in war suggest). He did not seem to be a person of regular habits (seven ray, in the physical nature) but rather a peripatetic—always walking and talking his great love, philosophy. This seems more related to the third ray in the outer, physical-etheric nature. 

Socrates’ major precept was “know thyself”. This illuminating dictum has resounded resonantly down the ages as the keynote of Socratic philosophy. All students of esoteric astrology recognize the relation of this injunction to the sign, Leo, the sign of self-knowledge. It is no wonder that the Oracle of Delphi considered him the wisest of men, for “know thyself” was the keynote of the Oracle as well.   

Socrates (though some dispute his actual physical existence, just as some dispute the actuality of Jesus) was a great light, and yet a humble person. In all humility (not just a Virgoan trait, but one achieved by the advanced Leo individual) he wondered in puzzlement why the Oracle had declared him the wisest, but then concluded (a little humorously yet aptly) that, while others professed knowledge without realizing their ignorance, he at least was aware of his own ignorance. The issues of pride and humility (especially, when the third ray is involved—mental pride and humility) is pivotal to the Leo experience of the initiate (and certainly Socrates was an initiate of some degree, perhaps the third).           

We must also remember the two keynotes of Leo—the “Will to Rule” and the “Will to Illumine”. It is the latter to which Socrates, obviously, related. Perhaps his connection to the first keynote manifested in his determination to master or rule over ignorance. His position with respect to ignorance was very much like that of the Buddha, Who considered ignorance the greatest sin. For Socrates, virtue and knowledge were identical; thus, no person (who knew better) would willingly do the wrong. Is this an optimistic second ray attitude, finding, through overestimation, too much “good” in human nature? According to the Tibetan, the second ray type often has this attitude towards “loved ones”. Socrates held it for all human beings.        

A few other characteristics point to the reasonableness of Leo as an Ascendant. Socrates was, reputedly, a man of great physical courage, who fought nobly and powerfully in war. With a late Leo Ascendant, the zodiacal decanate ruler would be Aries, with its ruler Mars already placed in courageous Aries; Mars would trine a late Leo Ascendant. (Of course, Jupiter as the ruler of the third decanate of Leo—as proposed by the Tibetan—would contribute to the quality and scope of the illuminative power which Socrates carried.)     

As well, Socrates did more than just talk—although he did that quite well, with his Mercury and Venus conjunction in Gemini. He lived his convictions. There were probably ways in which he could have avoided his death sentence for religious heresy (Uranus rising, Sun in ninth house), and corrupting Athenian youth (Neptune in the fifth house), but, instead, he accepted the judgment with great serenity, humility and courage, and set an historically inspiring example of the philosophical and  noble death. To the author’s judgment, this relates more to the sign Leo (the sign of “coeur-age”) than to Virgo (though, significantly, the veiled hierarchical ruler of Leo, Uranus, is placed in Virgo and is rising). 

The sculpted images we have of Socrates also suggest the more hearty and vigorous Leo rather than the Virgo of slighter frame. As well, were Virgo the Ascendant, the ruling planet, Mercury, for which sign placement is so physiognomically and physically revealing when one of the Mercurial signs (Gemini or Virgo) is the Sun or Ascendant, would be placed in Gemini (another sign giving height, slenderness and spareness). The image of Socrates much more suggests his Taurus Sun, which would be physiognomically accented were Leo (ruled by the Sun) the Ascendant. Socrates’ reputed strength and fortitude in battle also suggest Leo. The Moon would be in Cancer in any case, and is surely reflected physiognomically in the images of him which claim to represent him.          

One other interesting matter is of moment. Socrates would, legend tells, suddenly become wrapped in deep communion with his “Daimon”—his  “Inner Genius” or “Inner God”. He is reputed to have stood still for three whole days in deep meditative  process with this “god”, whom esotericists will recognize as the soul or Solar Angel. Apart from the tremendous fortitude and fixity (Leo and Taurus) required for such a physical feat (if the story is true, he certainly did not observe seventh ray rhythms), the “Daimon”, or Solar Angel, is directly connected with the solar sign, Leo. This Solar Angel is a far higher form of identity than the customary ego or personality, and Socrates, so it seems, was deeply impressed by the need to understand the scope and nature of identity.   

Virgo, as an Ascendant, is not without its justifications. The keen mental discrimination of Virgo would be strongly in evidence, along with the Virgoan traits of modesty, piety and humility, and critique (he was the “gad-fly”—often more than unappreciated—to Athenian society).  Socrates was, we know, deeply interested in ethics—a sometime Virgo preoccupation.  With a Virgo Ascendant, his Mercurial characteristics (already very powerful through the Mercury/Venus conjunction in Mercurial Gemini) would be even more strongly accented.          

We must ask whether the Venus/Mercury conjunction (both orthodox and esoteric ruler of Gemini in Gemini) plus a strong fifth ray, would be sufficient to give him his critical (and ironic) method of inquiry. Very possibly. Mental, revolutionary Uranus (veiled hierarchical ruler of Leo) also cannot be ignored in Socrates’ case, as he may well have been an illumined initiate of the third degree; certainly his survival as a great philosophical influence warrants that he was no ordinary individual, and possessed an encompassing mountain-top perspective (though he surely would have denied it).  In a way, Socrates was responsible for a philosophical revolution (at least in terms of technique—Virgo). He emphasized the method of the “dialectic” a logical method which consisted in examining statements by pursuing their implications, on the assumption that if a statement were true it could not lead to false consequences.  This approach was intellectually revolutionary for his time. Socrates’ contributions to philosophy were a new method of approaching knowledge, a conception of the soul as the seat both of normal waking consciousness and of moral character, and a sense of the universe as purposively mind-ordered.  Interestingly, Einstein, another mental revolutionary, had a prominent Uranus in Virgo.   

Tradition has it that Socrates not only neglected his civic and social ‘duties” (though not his military duties—Mars in Aries) in favor of philosophical discussion, but his home duties as well. His wife, Xanthippe, has become legendary as a shrew. Perhaps it is no easy thing to be married to a philosopher! One wonders if, with a Virgo Ascendant, Socrates might have paid a bit more attention to his domestic responsibilities (he already had the Moon in Cancer, tying him, at least unconsciously, to the “Mother Force”). Rather, it would seem, he exemplified a Leo Ascendant (following his individual and deeper soul calling, ignoring the more mundane considerations to which Virgo would have related him). If this interpretation has merit, his Virgoan expression related more to innovations (Uranus) of new philosophical techniques (Virgo) and these he carefully cultivated (Virgo).     

The power for philosophy of a conjunction between the radiant Sun and philosophical, second-ray Jupiter in luminous Taurus, with the Sun in the house of higher mind (the ninth) and Jupiter just into the tenth (reputation and vocation) speaks for itself. Socrates’ mind was ever dwelling upon the ;great thoughts, though his Geminian intellect (fourth ray Mercury and fifth ray Venus, retrograde, in second ray Gemini) gave him the versatility and adaptability to be intellectually sharp on the level of concrete mind as well. Dedicated Vesta, conjunct first Venus and then, by translation of light, Mercury, adds great focus to the intellectual, Geminian preoccupation. The Sun and Jupiter (both of them on the second ray) are (using this approximate chart) either conjunct or very close to the MC. Thus the light which Socrates’ stimulated has already lasted nearly 2500 years. The MC in Taurus seems correct, rather than in more versatile, mobile, Gemini, for Socrates, like the Taurean Buddha, was a great light-bearer and light-bestower. 

A few declinations are interesting and important. Venus and Mercury (already powerful by longitudinal conjunction) are closely parallel in the same degree of declination, adding to Socrates’ versatile, mental brilliance. Saturn and Moon, only very widely conjunct by longitude, are parallel within twenty minutes of arc by declination, giving him his ‘home karma’ (his challenges and domestic sorrows, even as he shone brilliantly among his philosophical colleagues and the social elite), and also, the later rejection by the state of Athens (Saturn representing the law and the Moon, one’s community). Socrates’ intellectually nonconformist nature is accented by the close parallel between revolutionary Uranus, assertive Mars and ingenious Pallas Athene; clearly, he went his own way and broke through traditional boundaries of thought (Mars/Uranus), even in that relatively free-minded society.     

A few stars tell a supportive story. Mars (battles and initiatives in the ninth house of philosophy—part of the “gadfly” character theme) is parallel one of the stars in the constellation Aries—Hamal, which means, “to go one’s own way”. Mars is also conjunct Mirfak which is interpreted as “challenge-oriented”. With an Ascendant in the last degree of Leo, both Betelgeuse (“uninterrupted success”) and Polaris (the power to “show the way” or direct) would, significantly, be on the MC. 

The position of Pluto cannot be ignored as a the planet of death (and esoteric ruler of the house of death—the eighth, placed, as well, in Scorpio, the sign of death). Pluto is positioned  in the house of the home or “city state” (Athens), quite closely conjuncted to the IC. Exoterically, Pluto may have contributed to his unhappy home life; perhaps he was thrown out of the house (exiled) more than once. He was also rejected and, even, killed by those in authority in Athens. The charges against him were unfair, politically motivated, of murky origin and surrounded by obscurity. Clearly, under-handed, ‘subterranean’ forces were at work, and the result was the imposed yet sacrificial death of a great exponent of the Light. Pluto is, characteristically (and significantly), the planet of poison. As well, from an esoteric perspective, the death was a service to the Ashram (fourth house), and served as a model of exemplary, philosophical serenity for two millennia and more. This Pluto (darkness) opposes the brilliant, revelatory, Sun/Jupiter  conjunction. This can easily be seen as the inevitable opposition of darkness to the Light of Wisdom. Interestingly, the star, Diadem (“to sacrifice oneself”), is conjunct the rising Uranus, which, itself, is closely parallel to Hamal (again—“to go one’s own way”).           

Socrates became convinced that his calling was to search for wisdom (Leo, Taurus, and the second ray) concerning right conduct (Earth signs) by which he might guide the intellectual and moral improvement of the Athenians (transformative Uranus in improvement-oriented Virgo). He made many enemies in the process (unforgiving Saturn in Leo, the sign of pride, in the twelfth house of “hidden enemies”). Their conspiracy against his person, only fanned the flames of the great philosophical quest. We might say that Socrates was a martyr for the spirit of philosophy, though there was in his martyrdom none of the fanatical sixth ray.        

As a synthetic thinker, Socrates displayed the union of the second and third rays, as did Plato. Perhaps the monad was upon the third, the soul upon the second and the personality upon the third. According to the Tibetan,          

“Plato endeavoured to picture forth the completeness of the Whole and the intricacy of the ideas which have come forth as an expression of that Whole.” (EP II 399)   

Here we have an example of entirety (second ray) and intricacy (third ray). It is likely that Plato gathered much of his original inspiration from Socrates, who, reasonably, shared the same soul and monadic rays, but with very different personality equipment.

Constellationally, the third ray would have its entry points into the chart through the Cancerian Moon and the Capricornian Neptune. As well, the conjunction of sometime third ray Mercury and luminous Venus in the third sign, Gemini, gives another important conduit for this acutely mental force. The second ray also can enter through the Gemini conjunction, as Gemini (during this world period) is primarily a second ray sign, and Venus (orthodox ruler of his Taurus Sun) has a strong second ray component. The conjunction between the second ray Sun and second ray Jupiter in the second sign, Taurus, gives a potent entry point for the ray of Love-Wisdom—especially, wisdom. Through this conjunction the “Greatest Light” associated with the second ray is accessible.           

Neptune would be an esoteric veiled esoteric ruler whether the Ascendant were Leo or Virgo. It is an intuitive planet (with much second and sixth ray) and it is placed in the Leo house (the fifth) in either case. Esoterically, this has to do with inspired creative expression drawing from the realm of accumulated quality—the casual body. What this position says about Socrates’ children (if he had any) or his early artistic life (apparently he practiced the art of his father, Sophroniscus, who was a sculptor) we cannot say. Buddhic Neptune was trine the atmic/manasic planet, Uranus, showing a balance between these factors within the Spiritual Triad. Socrates’ communion with his “Daimon” might also be, in part, reflected here, as Neptune gives impressionability in a field or house (the fifth) where the Solar Angel is strong.     

First ray factors are also to be acknowledged, with sometime first ray Uranus rising, and first ray Pluto, angular. If Leo is hypothesized as the Ascendant, then all first ray signs are tenanted, with Mars in Aries being very strong. These factors would strengthen Socrates’ ability to stand on principle, and give his life for his philosophical conviction.           

The synthesis of Socrates’ principal third and second rays are reflected in his doctrine of the central importance of the soul leading him to the belief that all virtues converge into one, which is “the Good”, or knowledge of one’s true self and purposes through the course of a lifetime. Knowledge in turn depends on the nature or essence of things as they really are, for the underlying “forms” or archetypes of things are more real than their experienced exemplifications (clearly a second ray perspective)  This conception leads to a teleological view of the world that all the forms participate in and lead to the highest “form”—the “form” or archetype of “the Good”. Here we see synthesized the “Greatest Light” and the Wisdom of the second ray and Taurus, as well  the brilliant unity-in-light of Leo—the “light of the soul”. (EA 293, 329)       

It is unlikely that we will every be entirely certain of the chart of Socrates, or even, in every particular, of his rays, but enough has been suggested to bring forward the major energy pattern of this seminal, revolutionary thinker who, certainly in death,  proved himself to be a noble example of his highest thought.

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Martin Luther


Michael D. Robbins

Martin Luther-Inspirer of the Protestant Reformation: November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Germany, 11:00 PM. (Source: his mother; listed in More Notable Nativities), died Feburary 18, 1546.

(Ascendant, Leo; Sun in Scorpio with Venus conjunct Saturn also in Scorpio; Mars, as well, in Scorpio; Moon in Aries in or on cusp of 9th house {depending upon exact time used}; Mercury conjunct Neptune in Sagittarius; Uranus also in Sagittarius; Jupiter in Libra)

Martin Luther was a great religious reformer, clearly changing the course of Christianity in the 16th Century, and protesting against many of the abuses then current in the Catholic Church. He became a priest in 1507 and taught theology. As an act of protest in 1517, he nailed his ninety-five Theses to the church door and in 1519 he broke with the Catholic Church by refusing to recognize the supreme power and infallibility of the Pope. He was condemned as a heretic in 1525 and began the Reformed Church also in 1525; and also married in that same year (a year in which transiting Jupiter was very active, transiting both his Moon and reaching his Taurus MC). He spent the rest of his life organizing and spreading the new gospel of his Protestant Reformation.
The Tibetan associates Martin Luther with the first ray (at least in terms of his writing style).

"The literary work of a first ray man will be strong and trenchant, but he will care little for style or finish in his writings. Perhaps examples of this type would be Luther, Carlyle, and Walt Whitman." (EPI 202)

It is, however, difficult to know whether this means that Luther was principally upon the first ray, or that perhaps his personality or mind were upon the first ray. In any case, such was the nature and strength of his effect upon humanity and religion that the first ray must, necessarily, have been prominent. Was he as well in the department of the Master Jesus and more essentially (in the soul) upon the sixth ray? This question could be debated. The Christian Church is certainly upon the sixth ray under the direction of the Master Jesus, and Luther's most profound effect was at first upon the Christian Church, and, inevitably, upon society (build around that Church). Yet, it must be remembered that the Catholic Church itself, upon which his effect was, to say least, shocking and provocative, is found upon the first ray in its soul nature (its rays, according to the Tibetan, being 13-667).

St. Paul who conditioned the entire Scorpionic direction of Christianity, was not, it would appear, a first ray soul-rather, probably, a sixth ray soul with a fifth ray monadic subray. Paul's monadic ray, however, was very probably the first (as he was one of those who would "take the kingdom of heaven by storm"). Could this have been the case with Luther as well? Intensive biographical research is needed.

Luther's early life in the church was both devoted and disciplined. In 1505, when his progressed Sun in Sagittarius held a midway position between (and conjuncting) both his natal and progressed Uranus (also in Sagittarius), he had a profound religious experience and entered a monastery of the Augustinian friars at Erfurt. He devoutly adhered to the rigid disciplines of the order. Transiting Saturn had entered his twelfth house (the monastery) and progressing Saturn (natally in the sign of mortal conflict, Scorpio) continued to converge upon the IC of his chart.

Luther was ordained as a priest in 1507 with Saturn in the vicinity of and then crossing his Ascendant, indicating the serious beginning of a new cycle. In 1510 he was sent to Rome on business for his order and was shocked to witness the spiritual laxity apparent in high places. His high idealism (Mercury conjunct Neptune in Sagittarius), further intensified by his powerful Scorpio planets could not condone such lapses. Thus, the sixth ray certainly cannot be dismissed from Luther's chart. He was a man of great intensity-little given to compromise, especially on matters of principle (first ray blended with the sixth). His mind began to envision the possibility of reformation (Mercury in Sagittarius, parallel Uranus.)

From the astrological perspective, the esoteric ruler of his Leo Ascendant is sixth ray Neptune in sixth ray Sagittarius, and trining his singleton Moon. Thus, there exists a powerful conduit into the chart for the sixth ray. As his Sun sign is placed in Scorpio, both the orthodox and esoteric rulers of this sign are sixth ray Mars-a planet further empowered because it itself is placed in Scorpio-its own sign.

In many ways Luther exhibited some of the same psycho-spiritual dynamics as St. Paul. The years between 1510 and 1513 were times of profound spiritual and physical torment. Obsessed with anxieties about his own salvation, he sought relief in frequent confession and extreme asceticism (sixth ray). Here we see at work the full dynamics of Scorpio (the sign of struggle between the soul and personality.) The presence of the often tormented, harmony-seeking fourth ray (conveyed by Scorpio) may be inferred, as well as by his own love of music and hymn-writing. Scorpio is the sign of radical transformation, and he had not less than four major astrological factors are placed in this sign-Mars (the "God of War"), Saturn (the "God of Opportunity" and Discipline), Venus (the 'Goddess of the Soul') and that all-important centralizer of energy, the Sun. These planets are of the utmost importance in the struggle between the great Pairs of Opposites-soul and personality.

Mars indicates the full rebellion of the integrated personality against the higher principle, but also the courage to face the opponent; Saturn ("Lord of Materiality") concentrates the forces of the "Dweller on the Threshold", but also gives the discipline and understanding of law and principle necessary to oppose it; Venus indicates that the light of the soul has penetrated to the dark places (Scorpio) within the personality and is involved in its redemptive work, uplifting towards the mountain top, where its transfiguring light can shine. Interestingly, both Saturn and Venus are placed in the Venus-ruled decanate of Scorpio-the second, and Mars is in its own decanate-the first. The Sun is concentrated in the third decanate, considered by some to be ruled by Pluto, indicating a final struggle, especially with the mental heads of the Hydra (pride, separativeness and cruelty).

From a certain perspective, these four planets can be considered potently involved in the second and third initiations. Scorpio is archetypally the sign of the second initiation, and Luther, with his tremendous early emphasis upon purity, idealism, devotion and principle, was certainly at least that-an initiate of the second degree. Through Mars the Hydra can be fought. Through Saturn the Dweller can be intelligently faced. Through Venus, the astral waters can be calmed by the luminous light of mind, and through both Venus and the Sun, the mind itself can be greatly illuminated. Further, Saturn and Venus, conjuncted, are the two rulers of Capricorn, the sign most associated with the third degree. For those upon the "reversed wheel", Saturn rules the first decanate of Capricorn, Venus the second, and Vulcan the third.

Interestingly the sequence in his chart is Saturn-Venus-Sun, and it is well known from the Tibetan's writings, that "Vulcan and the Sun are one". The Sun in the third decanate of Capricorn promises illumination on the mountain top. Thus we see in this chart a passage through the second degree and a rehearsal for the third degree through the agency of those planets especially related to the third degree (Saturn, Venus and the Sun).

An interesting sidelight on one of these planets (Venus) is related to the fact that in his forty second year, he married a former nun Kartharina von Bora (Venus in Scorpio), raised six children (Jupiter, planet of increase, is ruler of the fifth house of children, placed in Libra, the sign of marriage, and also conjuncted to Juno-the asteroid of unions-itself placed in Libra), and had a happy (Venus) home life (Venus conjunct the IC) with much music (Venus) in the home! Given the position of Venus at the cusp of the fourth house, we might say that this marriage was part of the soul's plan, and presented a much-needed and balancing view on how a priest of God might live-more naturally.

Like St. Paul, Luther resolved his Scorpionic turmoil by finding a loving God who bestowed upon sinful humans the free gift of salvation, to be received through faith, against which all good works were as nothing. Certainly this is a further corroboration of Luther's sixth ray approach, emphasizing a God of Love, Who required of all human beings faith-above all other contributing factors-if salvation were to be attained.
It is interesting to realize that St. Paul as he approached the third initiation immersed himself in the field of love (Letters to the Corinthians), and Luther seemed to follow a similar course. Could it be that the Leo ascending sign with its esoteric ruler, Neptune, (the planet of the Christ, of buddhi and the heart) conferred this possibility?

Did Luther take the third initiation? Certainly he influenced directly (and indirectly) millions of people for centuries to come. Scorpio is a sign that may be associated with the first three initiations (if not, in some important way, even the fourth). Leo is a sign that may easily be associated with the third degree, as it represents the Solar Angel risen to a position of domination over the personality elementals which have been subdued by strenuous application of the Scorpionic and Sagittarian forces. There is more than one way to achieve the third degree, and Capricorn need not always be involved. However, it must not be overlooked that while the preparation for Luther's break with the Catholic Church occurred while his progressed Sun was in the sign Sagittarius (a predominantly sixth ray sign having much to do with the second initiation), when his ninety-five Theses were actually posted on the door of the castle church, his progressed Sun had moved into Capricorn (the sign of the third initiation).

We now come to the moment which destined Luther to break with the Catholic Church and which, thus, set the Protestant Reformation upon its inevitable course. The radix chart features involved show the prominence of several signs and planets. Sagittarius is a sign in which religion is emphasized, and Uranus, the Transformer, exalted in Scorpio, is placed in Sagittarius. The Moon is a singleton on the cusp of the ninth house of religion, and so, Luther being definitely a disciple if not an initiate of some degree, must have had the Moon veiling Uranus (further emphasizing this planet)-with Moon's position trining the midpoint between the Mercury/Neptune conjunction and Uranus. He initiated (Aries) great transformations (Moon veiling Uranus) in the field of religion and religious philosophy (H9).

The ninety-five Theses were posted on All Saints Day, 1517. Initially, Luther was largely protesting the dispensation of indulgences (a great financial success for the Church) and was thus pitting himself against the Church's commercial, venal third ray personality. The chain of events which he launched (the triggering Moon in Aries), however, went far beyond his original intentions and was responsible for creating, at length, an entirely new religious and theological structure. It is fascinating to see that at that crucial time, the progressed Sun, which had entered Capricorn about a year and a half before, was receiving a exact conjunction from transiting Pluto! A great destruction was underway, leading to a re-birth of the Christian Church. Note as well, that Pluto, the regenerator is a special ruler of Scorpio (one of Luther's most significant signs) and is, natally, in close opposition to that all important Aries Moon on the cusp of the ninth house. In effect we have a natal Uranus/Pluto opposition, since the Moon in advanced individuals veils Uranus. The potentials of this opposition would be activated whenever Pluto came into prominence, as at the time of the posting of the Theses.

Leo, his Ascendant, showed the strength with which he had to stand for these Theses, and all the organized theology and doctrine which developed from them. He had to embody the Reformation in his person (Leo), and have the fortitude to withstand the inevitable backlash from the Catholic orthodoxy of his day, as well as the splintering effect of those within his own camp who wished to carry things perhaps too far, and whose respect for the unity and synthesis which Leo represents was far less than his own.

For the rest of his life, Luther was involved in a dangerous game-really a kind of 'war' (Scorpio) with the Catholic Church, over the hearts and minds of his countrymen. His life was frequently in danger. He was eventually condemned as a heretic in 1521 (under the influence of Uranus which was transiting in Taurus near his MC on the midpoint between his MC/IC and his Scorpio Sun), and more than once he had to flee opposing forces or be protected from them. On other occasions, however, he marched directly into the "enemy camp" (the star Alhena), and despite the patent danger, survived (the star Aculeus). The potential courage of the combination of Leo and Scorpio are much in evidence. Despite many setbacks (originating as much from his allies as his enemies), he achieved great influence, and permanently weakened the Catholic Church and its claims over the souls of humanity. In this mission he attacked the misuse of the Catholic Church's first ray soul energy, just as when he protested against its venality, he attacked its third ray personality force.

In point of fact, Luther's influence extended far beyond Church matters. He contributed to the formation of a new German nationalism which was a seed of synthesis leading in later centuries to the formation of true German nation. In Germany his socio-religious concepts laid a new basis for German society, and His writings, in forceful idiomatic language (an application of the first ray of which the Tibetan speaks), helped fix the standards of modern German. Thus, it is clear that his work had implications impacts not only in the Department of Religion of the Bodhisattva, but also in the Departments of Civilization lead by the Mahachohan and the Department of Government, led by the Manu.

It would seem that his greatest influence occurred in relation to the Ashram of the Master Jesus, Whose work it is to oversee the development of the Church and Christianity. However, it is also apparent that Luther worked with the first ray, contributing the energy of synthesis, becoming a factor of moment in the synthesizing of the German nation. There is good reason to believe that St. Paul (Hilarion) for all his recent emphasis upon the energy of Love and Buddhi, is a monad upon the first ray. Again we ask, could the same be true of Martin Luther?

Martin Luther will always be considered the man who began the Protestant Reformation. In this regard, it is important to consider a few of the aspects of the stars relative to his natal chart. Both his Saturn and Venus (planets of initiation) are closely conjunct Zuben Elschemali (which are considered stars of "negative reform"). The term "negative" should not be taken too literally, as it probably relates to the degree of self-consultative independence with which the reformer undertakes his mission, and the potentially drastic effect of the reform. Certainly, Luther took matters into his own hands (Moon in Aries, Leo Ascendant), and his reformation led, subsequently, to a number of brutal wars. The star Alhena, called the "Proudly Marching One", is closely parallel his MC, and its meaning is interpreted as "to have a mission"-an undeniable truth in the case of Luther. One other star makes a close conjunction to Uranus (the planet of reformation) in Sagittarius-Aculeus-the meaning of which is "enduring attacks successfully"-also remarkably true of Luther, who had to contend with conflict from the Catholic Church, from the various factions within his own Reformation Movement, and even from his own psyche-a battle of which every Scorpio person know.

Whatever may have been his personal limitations, Martin Luther stands forth as a man of vision (Mercury and Neptune conjunct in visionary Sagittarius with Uranus also in Sagittarius), and fortitude (four planets in Scorpio with Leo Ascending and its ruler, the Sun, placed in Scorpio). If the initiate can be recognized by his eventual positive impact upon his society and humanity as a whole, Martin Luther has to be recognized as an initiate.

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Nietzsche

Michael D. Robbins

1. Friedrich Nietzsche-Philosopher: (1844-1890) October 15, 1844, Rocken, Germany, 10:00 AM, LMT. (Source: Sabian Symbols), died August 25, 1900, Weimar, Germany.
(Ascendant the last degree of Scorpio; MC, Virgo with Mars in Virgo conjunct the MC; Venus is also in Virgo, conjunct Chiron; Moon rising in Sagittarius; Mercury in Libra widely conjunct Mars; Jupiter in Pisces conjunct IC, widely conjunct Uranus in Aries; Saturn in Aquarius; Neptune in Aquarius; Pluto in Aries exactly opposed the Sun)
It can be questioned, if the Ascending degree in Scorpio is so close to Sagittarius (and the time of birth so apparently rounded off), why might the Ascendant as well not be Sagittarius. In response to this possibility, it would seem that the very evident Sagittarian energies in Nietzsche's life are well covered by the afflicted Sagittarian Moon.

Many other factors in his life, however, demand (if they are to be understood) the potent presence of Scorpio and hence, the enhancement of the power of Pluto. The birth could have been a little earlier and only a mere three minutes later (before the change into Sagittarius), but Scorpio as an Ascendant will have to be preserved if Nietzsche's character and the deeper meaning of his life are to be revealed.

Friedrich Nietzsche was the most influential German Philosopher since Kant and Hegel. He was , as well, a classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture, who became one of the most brilliant (the stars Arcturus and Spica conjunct the Sun) and influential of all modern thinkers. His attempts to unmask the motives (the last and critical degree of Scorpio Ascending) that underlie traditional Western religion, morality, and philosophy deeply affected generations of theologians, philosophers, psychologists, poets, novelists, and playwrights.

Nietzsche was not a systematic philosopher (third ray) but rather a moralist (sixth ray) who passionately (sixth ray) rejected (first ray) Western bourgeois civilization. He regarded Christian civilization as decadent (Scorpionic sensitivity to morbidity), and in place of its "slave morality" he looked to the superman, the creator of a new heroic morality that would consciously affirm life (first ray) and its highest values. That superman would represent the highest passion (sixth ray) and creativity (fourth ray) and would live at a level of experience beyond the conventional standards of good and evil. His creative "will to power" (first ray) would set him off from "the herd" of inferior humanity. A high note of idealism and perfectionism rings through these thoughts, and a will to transcend the stultification and corruption of normal life.

Nietzsche was a brilliant and respected philologist, and taught classes in classical philology until 1879, but he longed for far greater expression. Freeing himself from his onerous academic responsibilities, he spent the next ten years in loneliness, writing his major works, including Thus Spake Zarathustra, and Twilight of the Gods. He became insane in 1889; probably due to the effects of latent syphilis, and spent the next eleven years in complete mental darkness until he died on August 25th, 1900.
According to the Tibetan, "the genius of Germany has often in the past been expressed along the line of its fourth ray soul, and through its power Germany has given much of music and philosophy to mankind." (DN 58) Nietzsche's rays are not those usually found in the foremost representatives of Western Philosophy (the third, fifth and second rays).

The above quotation from The Destiny of the Nations makes it clear that philosophy can also be found upon the fourth Ray of Harmony Through Conflict, in which case it will not be especially systematic or cogently logical, but, instead, will be rooted in dialectic and conflict and will attempt to utilize the intuition to reconcile the warring opposites-or it will emphasize, in an unbalanced manner, one pole over another. Both such approaches were characteristic of Nietzsche's thought.

It is reasonable to think of Friedrich Nietzsche as possessed of a fourth ray soul, a sixth ray personality, and a first ray mind (with a strong and acute Libran Mercury {the hierarchical ruler of his Scorpio Ascendant} conjunct a Virgoan Mars adding to the sharpness of his mind), probably a sixth ray astral vehicle strongly influenced by the fourth ray, and a rather seventh ray etheric/physical vehicle.

When looking for the conduits and reinforcements for some of these important rays, we find the Scorpio Ascendant transmitting the fourth ray, and the fourth ray Moon placed in Sagittarius, which sign is also a partial conduit for the fourth ray. Mercury, a planet which powerfully transmits the fourth ray is elevated in the tenth house, and placed in Libra (a sign which, though not given as transmitting the fourth ray, has many ambivalent characteristics suggestive of the presence of this ray). In addition it is interesting to note that the proposed ephemeris for the undiscovered planet, Pan-Loki, places it in a close conjunction with the Moon. Pan is said to rule all manner of divisions. Niklas Nihlen, in his book, The Unseen Planets describes it in the following manner:

[Pan-Loki is active]-"Where there will be an identification of Cleavage, and, therefore, an urge to be made whole by the higher synthesizing aspect. The inter-relation of many energies, their fusion and their balancing, plus the final synthesis of two major energies, their fusion and their balancing" Pan-Loki, therefore, is clearly associated with the fourth ray, and thus with all manner of cleavages, the pain of those cleavages, and their reconciliation. Further channels for the fourth ray in Nietzsche's birth chart are evident in abundance of significant oppositions-an astrological aspect associated with the contest between polarities and their possible reconciliation, fusing and blending. Pluto opposes the Sun; Uranus opposes Mercury; Jupiter opposes Mars.
Neptune, ruler of the fourth or buddhic plane should also be mentioned, for it closely trines the Sun and is placed in the third house which has so much to do with the mode in which mind perceives the world. Neptune in the fourth house enhanced the possibility of buddhic perception (when, in more ordinary cases, it does not simply lead to delusion). Nietzsche's aesthetic sensitivity (associated with the fourth ray) was furthered by this placement.

If, as hypothesized, the soul were upon the fourth ray, Mercury (the main planetary conduit for the fourth ray) would become very important. It is in the prominent tenth house and conjunct the other major ruler of Scorpio, Mars. Nietzsche was known for his powerful (Mars/Mercury), sensitive (Libra) and highly critical (Virgo) mind. By means of this mind, he pursued his vocation (H10). Thus, the two rulers of Scorpio (on three levels-exoteric, esoteric and hierarchical) are not only conjuncted, and both of them conjunct the Virgo MC-Mercury through the expediency of what is called "translation of light".

One might question, should the hierarchical ruler of the Ascendant be utilized in this instance, but for the disciple/initiate it is, in some cases, legitimate. Certainly , Nietzsche, for all his fourth ray instability, was an advanced soul, commanding the respect of some of the foremost thinkers of his age, and of decades to come. His Mercury (already important as the exoteric ruler of his Virgo MC) would be esoterically crucial in his chosen mission of seeing through cultural illusions. In Scorpio it is said: "Let Maya flourish and deception rule". The buddhic function of Mercury associated with Scorpio, dispels illusion (Maya and deception), and would thus be crucially important to the fulfillment of his deeper esoteric calling. That it was placed in the sign Libra, gives it a potent evaluative function, providing illumination through the faculty of comparison.

When considering reinforcements for Nietzsche's passionate sixth ray, we look first to the Sagittarian Moon, and then to the two planets placed in sixth ray Virgo (sixth ray Mars, and Venus-which, too, has its sixth ray component), and thence to Jupiter (a planet with some sixth ray vibrations) placed in Pisces-a sign which transmits both the sixth and second ray as does Virgo. Thus all the signs connected with the sixth ray (Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) hold important planets . The Moon is the esoteric rulers of the MC, and, thus, a veil for either Neptune or Uranus. In some ways it seems as if both were active. The Moon's Neptune coloration would reinforce the sixth ray Sagittarian potential, making of Nietzsche a philosophical (Sagittarius) visionary (Neptune).

The Uranian coloring of the Moon, justifiable because Nietzsche was an advanced soul, would add to his intellectual rebellion against conventional culture and reinforce his iconoclasm. When considering reinforcements for the first ray mind, we recognize that Mercury is conjunct critical Mars in Virgo (a sign containing the potency of first ray Vulcan). In addition, Mercury is ostensibly conjunct the undiscovered planet Morya (a potently first ray planet relating to being, Shamballa and the "Eye of God"). Further, Mercury receives a very close opposition and parallel from Uranus (a planet conveying the first ray from its monadic nature), and Uranus is placed in first ray Aries. Saturn (with its confirmed first ray component) trines Mercury from Aquarius.
As Nietzsche was certainly an initiate of some degree (probably the second), the esoteric ruler of his Libran Sun sign, Uranus, must be considered of importance. This potent Uranus, when related to his powerful Mercury, reinforces his vocation of social revolutionary. The normal ruler of the Sun sign is Venus (in Virgo), giving him an exacting refinement of taste, and conferring, to some extent his musical abilities-for he was both a composer of songs (in early days) and an accomplished critic of fine music. Uranus, however contributed to his role as arbiter of human values, based upon an entirely new and revolutionary perspective. Though Libra is, archetypally the sign of peace, how could peace prevail in the presence of such dynamic, revolutionary and destructive aspects?

It was Nietzsche's role first to destroy, and then assert; many critics do only the first. The destructiveness and potential regenerative urge of his life is signaled by the powerful Scorpio Ascendant (in Scorpio's last and critical degree), and by the special ruler of Scorpio, Pluto in the first ray sign Aries, exactly (within a degree) opposed the Libran Sun. Aries is the only first ray sign in which the major planets are placed, but the two planets thus placed, Pluto and Uranus, are very significant in the chart, for, as stated, Pluto rules Scorpio, and Uranus (another partially first ray planet) is the esoteric ruler of Libra, Nietzsche's Sun sign.

If we look at these two oppositions-Pluto opposed the Sun and Uranus opposed Mercury, we can see Nietzsche's inherent attitude of rebellion. He could not be satisfied with things as they were. He was the iconoclast; the idols must be shattered, especially the "idols of the mind". The fact that his Pisces IC is esoterically and hierarchically ruled by Pluto, adds to his power to undermine the foundation (IC) of cultural vision in decline, contributing to the psychological, philosophical and theological, uncertainty, anxiety and moral relativism of the modern age. This Pluto would have been active in Nietzsche's war against religious and philosophical absolutes. If we look for the psychological roots of this rebellious criticism of conventionality, we will notice that Nietzsche's early home was a stronghold of Lutheran piety, and that his upbringing was strictly Christian. The conventional and pious side of the sign Virgo was at work. Further, Virgo rules "women" in general and the "mother" in particular.

It so happens that Nietzsche, after the age of five and the death of his father, was raised exclusively in the company of five women-his mother, his sister, his maternal grandmother and two maiden aunts. Hardly the atmosphere in which to cultivate thoughts of the "superman" -except through compensation!

It should be noted that the planet of wounding, Chiron, is found in Virgo, conjunct Venus (the planet, among other things, of the feminine) again in Virgo-the sign of woman and the mother. The midpoint of these two planets (Chiron and Venus) is square to the Moon (another 'planetary' indicator of the feminine) showing the difficult relations with women characteristic of Nietzsche's life, and perhaps indicating why he should, through compensation, so much emphasize the strength of the masculine polarity and all that was Dionysian and anti-Christian (Christianity and its morality being easily interpreted as a 'soft' or feminine religion). Perhaps second ray Jupiter in the compassionate sign Pisces, conjunct the fourth house cusp of "home" indicates that Nietzsche was protected and sheltered too much by the attentive feminine element at home and longed to break free so that he could 'breathe'.

Nietzsche rebelled against the inherent asceticism of declining Christian civilization. He railed against its implicit life-denial and nihilism. In fact he was protesting against his puritanical, well-behaved upbringing. His protest was passionate and unrelenting (sixth ray personality). In fact he even managed to lose his mind to a sexually transmitted, Scorpionic disease, syphilis. Nietzsche's mastery of classical philology is reinforced by the trine between comparative Mercury in Libra and exacting Saturn in fifth ray Aquarius. Further, his ascending degree is Scorpio is placed within the Cancerian (or backward looking) decanate. He had great respect for the glory of former civilizations and cultures which compared unfavorably with the sterility of contemporary culture. While Nietzsche may have begun his professional life as a philologist, this discipline could not forever contain the wild, creative fervor which seethed within his nature.

Breaking from this Saturnian, Mercurian discipline, he threw himself into the world of aesthetics (fourth ray) with the writing of his book The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music, in which he argued that Greek tragedy arose out of the fusion of what he termed Apollonian and Dionysian elements-the former representing measure, restraint, harmony, and the latter representing unbridled passion-and that Socratic rationalism and optimism spelled the death of Greek tragedy. We can see him arguing here against rationalism (third and fifth rays), and for the Dionysian element (fourth and sixth rays). The final sections of this book extol Wagner and rhapsodize on the rebirth of tragedy from the spirit of Wagner's music. In this literary effort we see the blending of the aesthetic fourth ray and the passionate sixth.

Nietzsche's greatest literary contributions occurred during his years of withdrawal (1879-1889). Constant serious ill health, semi-blindness and pain (note the many squares and oppositions in his chart), and his stultifying university work, forced him to withdraw from his teaching responsibilities, and instead, concentrate upon writing. During this time he published his philosophical and literary masterpiece, Thus Spake Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil, and the Genealogy of Morals. It is important to note that from 1879-1881 (depending upon the accuracy of the 10:00 AM birth time), the progressed Sun had reached the last degrees of Scorpio, was crossing his late Scorpio Ascendant, and was moving into Sagittarius, during which time he offered the world his most prophetic and philosophically powerful work (prophecy and philosophy are both hallmarks of the Sagittarian energy).

The fact that the progressed Sun had come to the Ascendant and began is progress through the first house, demonstrates an alignment between the energy system of the personality, and the will, light and power of the soul. Thus, these years were his most productive. As well, during the early part of this period, transiting Pluto (the reformer and regenerator--already opposing his Sun natally) was continuing to move in opposition to his progressing Sun (as, amazingly, it had since his birth) and was coming to a conjunction of the seventh house cusp. His destructive, regenerative influence on society (H7) would be at its greatest. We see that Nietzsche was, as it were, hunted by Pluto, one of his major ruling planets, so that the urge to destroy and resurrect never left him. He worked ever, its seems, under the "Shadow of Death".

The year 1888 was Nietzsche's final lucid year and witnessed a great outpouring (Jupiter) of his creative power. He wrote: The Case of Wagner; The Twilight of the Idols; The Anti-Christ; Nietzsche Against Wagner; and Ecce Homo. The main astrological correlation is transiting Jupiter crossing the Ascendant, entering Sagittarius (its own sign) and crossing the stellium of planets, asteroids and points to be found in the first house of Nietzsche's chart-either natally or by progression. These planets included his natal Moon, and progressed Sun and Mercury. After this brilliant period, insanity, apparently caused by syphilis, descended. The exact diagnosis was "atypical general paralysis caused by dormant tertiary syphilis".

In January of 1889, Nietzsche collapsed in the streets of Turin. His chart shows transiting Uranus conjunct his natal Sun in Libra and opposing natal Pluto in Aries. Further, the Uranus transit was stationary and thus more powerful. Neptune (paralysis and insanity) was transiting conjunct his Descendent and in the same degree. During the next eleven or so years Nietzsche lived in a vegetative state in complete mental darkness, cared for variously by asylums, his mother and his sister. Among the diseases to which the various ray types are prone, fourth ray types can be the victims of insanities. (EH 51)

An analysis of Nietzsche's work shows it falling into three stages. The first stage was characterized by a romantic perspective influenced by Schopenhaur and Wagner. Chart reinforcements for this period consist of the impulsive Sagittarian Moon widely trine natal Uranus in Aries, and the close trine between romantic Neptune (in the third house of mental perception) to the natal Libran Sun. This period saw the creation of such works as The Birth of Tragedy and Untimely Meditations.

The second or middle period extols reason and science and reflects Nietzsche's emancipation from Romanticism. His works such as Human, All Too Human and The Gay Science are written somewhat in the style of the French Aphorists. Astrological reinforcements for this period emphasize Venus and Mars in Virgo and reasonable Mercury in a sign of rational consideration, Libra.

In his mature writings, Nietzsche was fundamentally interested in the origin and function of values. Here we see, especially, the importance of his Libran Sun, ruled by Venus in Virgo (a position of refinement), and his Mercury in Libra. Venus is the planet of values and Libra is the sign of evaluation and assessment. That he was sharply critical of the values of Western Civilization, may be laid to the power of Mars, the exoteric and esoteric ruler of his Scorpio Ascendant, in the critical sign Virgo, conjunct Mercury, the exoteric ruler of Virgo, and in the very visible 10th house.

The destructive power of Pluto, the "destroyer", certainly adds to the potency of his criticism. Nietzsche's greatest critiques were leveled against asceticism and "slave morality". He had no use for what we call the Christian virtues, and viewed them as a conspiracy by the weak (the slaves) against those who were naturally and rightfully powerful and masterful. In these thoughts we sense that Nietzsche is encouraging the rebellion of man's instinctual, subterranean, Dionysian forces against the unitive, solar forces. Scorpio and Pluto are asserting themselves.

For Nietzsche, religious and philosophical absolutes (rooted in the ascetic world view) had dissolved. Though his personal life (lived strongly under the influence of Virgo, and much conditioned by the piety of those who raise him), was ascetic and largely abstracted from the expression of root instincts, in his writings he championed the opposite-competition, pride and autonomy-the unleashing of the natural strength of the individual, unfettered by the restrictions of the "slave morality" of the weak. One does not have to think too deeply to realize that Nietzsche was rebelling again the barely acknowledged perception of his own weakness.

Nietzsche was the victim of a subtle existential despair and viewed life as essentially and intrinsically meaningless-though not without value. Ordinary human beings invested circumstance with meaning because they (in their weakened moral and intellectual condition) could not tolerate the truth of a fundamental meaninglessness. From these views arose Nietzsche's famous (and much misunderstood) dictum, "God is Dead". For Nietzsche, religious and philosophical absolutes were dead, but there were truer values in need of passionate assertion.

Nietzsche attempted to replace nihilistic meaninglessness with several key concepts: perspectivism, eternal recurrence, the will to power and the superman.
Perspectivism is a concept which holds that knowledge is always perspectival, that there are no immaculate perceptions, and that knowledge from no point of view is as incoherent a notion as seeing from no particular vantage point. One can relate this notion to two astrological factors-Sun and Mercury in Libra (a sign which evaluates from a given point of view), and the Sagittarian Moon, ever inclining towards the attainment of a vision. These are two signs much associated with the sense of perspective in both art and life. Libra (the sign of relationship) is necessarily associated with relativism.

Things are evaluated depending upon one's vantage point. According to perspectivism, there is no all-inclusive perspective, which could contain all others and, hence, make reality available as it is in itself. If there is no omnipresent point of view (such as 'God' has been presumed to possess), the determination of reality becomes the task of the perspectivally-limited individual-the tiny human being asserting the value of his own perspectives. A great demand and burden fall upon the human consciousness. It would appear that this philosophy also grew out of a compensation for weakness, and a desire to prove one's own potency, rather than attribute omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence to an absolute deity.
The concept of the "will to power" runs counter to the ascetic ideal implicit in Western Civilization. This concept grows, to a degree, out of the Nietzsche's first ray qualities, and is rooted especially in the Pluto/Sun opposition.

Nietzsche believed, "all the supreme values of mankind lack this will-[and] that values which are symptomatic of decline, nihilistic values, are lording it under the holiest names." Here again, it would seem that Nietzsche is doing battle with his own sense of personal impotence (the vulnerability of the fourth and sixth rays). Nietzsche, who for so many years of his life, was subject to physical and psychological pain and suffering, repudiated the ascetic ideal of Western Civilization which he believed endorses existence as pain and suffering. Nietzsche, a man in whom the feminine virtues were pronounced (Libra planets and its ruler, Venus in Virgo) longed for a life of greater authority, dynamism and masculinity. Thus, he despised the apparent weakness of the Christian World View which demands the suppression of individual power and substitutes in its place, self-effacement for the sake of love, unity and harmonious human relations.

The concept of "eternal recurrence" is a distortion of the "Law of Periodicity" (an immeasurably more optimistic world view). The one who accepts the perspective of eternal recurrence believes that there will be, forever, an infinite repetition, without alteration, of each and every moment one lives. This concept is more than depressing, and Nietzsche on more than one occasion was nearly driven mad by its contemplation. Eternal recurrence is the worst kind of fatalism. It is born of a deep feeling of helplessness rooted in rigid determinism. Presumably, even one's best and most heroic present efforts are but exact repetitions of and infinitude of identical efforts which have preceded them and which will follow. This is a philosophy of despair and impotence, and it is difficult to understand how it could have lodged so fixedly in Nietzsche's psyche-except that he loved tragedy. The lot of mankind under the doctrine of eternal recurrence was certainly, for the vast majority (including Nietzsche) tragic. According to Nietzsche, the only kind person who would be strong enough to accept recurrence without self-deception or evasion would be a superhuman being (Übermensch), a superman, whose distance from the ordinary man is greater than the distance between man and ape.

Nietzsche was a brilliant, aesthetically gifted philosopher and acutely sensitive human being-whose life was a torture (fourth ray and sixth ray), both psychologically and physically. For students of the Ageless Wisdom, accustomed to considering discipleship and the life of the initiate in terms of the behavior common to certain rays (the first and second for instance), it may be difficult to recognize an advanced soul upon the fourth ray. The familiar characteristics may not present themselves, and much of negativity may obscure the soul qualities being expressed.

What could the soul be seeking to express in such a brilliant, posthumously influential and tortured life? Nietzsche was a great evaluator and critic of the illusions in which human society is immersed. Speaking in terms of the Ageless Wisdom, he longed for buddhic life beyond mind, for a life of potent and sublime experiences, untrammeled by the strictures imposed by pettiness and small-mindedness. He longed for some transcendent harmony beyond the sordidness and stupidity of the conventional life which confronted him. Thus, it was his task to evaluate, critique and pierce through the many illusions which prevented this higher, greater life, and then to destroy those illusions. Here we see the full spiritual power of the late Scorpio Ascendant and (ever-present) Pluto.

On some deep level, Nietzsche was an advocate of the life aspect-the first aspect of divinity, and its expression. Certainly he displayed the first ray (through aspects of his mind and, to an extent, through his isolative personality), but it would be hard to conceive of him as a first ray soul. What the quality of the monadic ray may be is difficult to determine, but the "will to power" (expressing itself through a sensitive energy system wracked with conflict) has to originate somewhere. One might suggest this "will to power" was only compensation for real and perceived personal insufficiencies-for severely curtained physical and emotional expression. Indeed, in Nietzsche's life there were many compensations. but the power and beauty of Nietzsche's writings (he was considered one of the great masters of German prose) might have a still deeper source. Perhaps it was his great frustration to be in touch with that tremendous, liberating spirit-potency and yet be unable to actualized it through his rather delicate personality instrument.

It might be said of Friedrich Nietzsche that he was born posthumously. He, himself, said that this was the fate of some important individuals. Great recognition came to him after his death, and he influenced a wide range of distinguished thinkers-philosophers, psychologists and theologians-all deeply indebted to his thought. Perhaps, after all, he was a true humanist (like so many notable German thinkers, a fourth ray soul). Perhaps his task was to remove an oppressive cultural emphasis upon "God-transcendent" and restore man's faith in "God-immanent"-the power of the divine within, and thus man's faith in himself.

It seems Nietzsche was a visionary, striving towards a state of consciousness which he was never entirely able to achieve. In this respect, it could be said that he failed in personal application. This failure may mean that he did not achieve the relative stability, illumination and deeply-seated joy characteristic of the third degree, but one must be careful not to judge too hastily the quality of the unrevealed interior states of exalted thinkers. Whatever may have been his initiatory status, his profound influence upon twentieth century thought (both for good and for ill) mark him out as a remarkable (if volatile) disciple, pointing the way to what he and others must one day become-real "supermen". Do the Masters of the Wisdom demand of us any less?

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