I knew when I wrote Part1 about Esoteric Astrology and the seven rays, there would have to be a Part2. The problem with Esoteric Astrology is that it's so, well, esoteric. It's hard for this concrete mind to fix on.

Luckily, I've found some astrologer-writers who have a good handle on Bailey's work. Samples of what they have to say are quoted below.

Follow up:

• Bonnie Wells, "Getting Started in Esoteric Astrology"

  RAY I: WILL AND POWER
  This ray is also called the Builder/Creator and the Destroyer, since it is concerned with elemental power and the directed use of the will. It is prominent in leadership issues. It is concerned with the destruction of forms that have outlived their usefulness, and the creation of more suitable vehicles. Ray I concerns the ability to govern on all levels.

  RAY II: LOVE AND WISDOM
  This ray is often associated with teachers, healers and counselors. It is concerned with study and understanding. It is the ray of our solar system, and it represents the union of the heart with the higher mental centers. Ray II is the ray of love as inclusiveness, which -- when joined with the mind -- leads to wisdom.

  RAY III: INTELLIGENT ACTIVITY
  Ray III has to do with economy of energy and the principle of synthesis. It is concerned with adaptability, abstract thinking, skill in action, business acumen, planning and strategy. It involves the practical application of theory on any plane.

  RAY IV: HARMONY THROUGH CONFLICT
  This ray involves intuition and creativity. It has to do with the appreciation of beauty and color and the refinement of form. It seeks the point of balance between all pairs of opposites. Significantly, this is the ray governing the human race.

  RAY V: CONCRETE KNOWLEDGE
  Ray V concerns the scientific method, rational and technical analysis, precision and specialization. It involves impersonal research and unemotional observation. The driving impulse behind Ray V is the search for knowledge in its purest forms.

  RAY VI: IDEALISM AND DEVOTION
  This ray characterizes the Piscean Age. It is the ray of the devotee, the aspirant and the mystic, and has to do with reverence, loyalty (often to the point of fanaticism), dedication and religious fealty sufficiently strong to engage issues of life and death. It is a ray of intense personal feeling.

  RAY VII: CEREMONIAL ORDER OR MAGIC
  This ray is swinging strongly into manifestation with the onset of the Aquarian Age. It is concerned with group work, organizational power, rhythm, pattern and ritual. It is the ray of the occultist. Ray VII is impersonal, but is nevertheless concerned with ethics and the proper, orderly and skillful performance of tasks and duties.

  Each ray is an active expression of Spirit. Ultimately, all rays are one ray; we might think of each ray as a specialization of the One, or in terms of the colour wheel, which -- from our perspective -- is a frequency spectrum finding its fullest expression in white light.

  The rays pass through the zodiacal signs on their way to the earth plane (via the Sun and planets) in the following manner. Ray I filters through Aries, Leo and Capricorn. Ray II filters through Gemini, Virgo and Pisces. Ray III filters through Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Ray IV filters through Taurus, Scorpio and Sagittarius. Ray V filters through Leo, Sagittarius and Aquarius. Ray VI filters through Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Ray VII filters through Aries, Cancer and Capricorn.

  Rays I, II and III are called "Rays of Aspect" because they are primary differentiations of the triune Godhead; Rays IV, V, VI and VII are called "Rays of Attribute," in that they represent facets or phases of the primary triangle of energy. Odd-numbered rays are often referred to as "Will rays" because they are concerned with the forceful application of the mind in any endeavor; even-numbered rays are frequently called "Love rays" because they are linked with the heart center and express the principle of inclusiveness. Like the signs of the zodiac, all rays are of equal value, and each has its most fertile field of application.

  The planets associated with the signs are also qualified by rays. Planetary rulership in esoteric astrology expands upon traditional astrological rulerships, reflecting three phases of development, levels of consciousness or frequencies: exoteric or traditional, concerned with the physical/etheric and lower astral planes; esoteric, with reference to the upper astral and lower mental planes; and hierarchical, referring to the intuitional and monadic (spiritual) planes. The soul is the interface between esoteric and hierarchical rulerships. The terms, exoteric, esoteric and hierarchical, correspond to the basic triad of human manifestation: body, soul and spirit. Each level of expression reflects a particular degree of density, pitch or vibration. More and more people are beginning to respond to the esoteric planetary rulers, and a few to the hierarchical rulers. In terms of exoteric/esoteric/hierarchical rulership, the signs are ruled respectively as follows: Aries by Mars, Mercury and Uranus; Taurus by Venus, Vulcan and Vulcan; Gemini by Mercury, Venus and Earth; Cancer by Moon, Neptune and Neptune; Leo by Sun, Sun and Sun; Virgo by Mercury, Moon and Jupiter; Libra by Venus, Uranus and Saturn; Scorpio by Mars, Mars and Mercury; Sagittarius by Jupiter, Earth and Mars; Capricorn by Saturn, Saturn and Venus; Aquarius by Uranus, Jupiter and Moon; and Pisces by Jupiter, Pluto and Pluto.

  A planet is the outer expression or embodiment of the organizing Ray Life standing behind physical manifestation. Pluto and Vulcan embody Ray I; Sun and Jupiter, Ray II; Earth and Saturn, Ray III; Moon and Mercury, Ray IV; Venus, Ray V; Mars and Neptune, Ray VI; and Uranus, Ray VII.

  A great deal of blending and mingling of rays occurs within the interplay of planets, signs and developmental phases. It is as if the inner sky were constantly being crossed and recrossed by beams of light, each illumining some aspect of life. The soul ray, the overall personality ray, the rays qualifying each of the threefold components of the personality, and the rays of the planets and signs interact to produce a richly textured portrait of ourselves. When we gaze at the night sky through a telescope, at first we see nothing except a field of deep blue; but when specific filters are applied to the lens of the telescope, worlds appear according to our intention. So it is with our rays, which are specific to our needs and purpose.

  We live today on the cusp of truly wondrous changes. Streams of thought and disciplines that were once considered antithetical are converging in unprecedented ways. The ether is crackling with ideas as human consciousness expands. Esoteric astrology can help to light the vistas opening to our wider vision, so that we can see more clearly how our souls participate in, affect and help to create the world around us.

• Alan Oken, "Soul Centered Astrology: The Soul Purpose of your Rising sign Part One"

  One of the major differences between traditional astrology and soul-centered astrology is the focus on the ascendant or rising sign of the natal chart. The emphasis in traditional astrology is usually placed on the sun sign and the position of the sun by house, sign, and aspect in the horoscope. The sun is seen as representing the life principle, our major creative impulse, and our fundamental sense of individuality. All of this is true—from the level of the personality. In soul-centered astrology, we consider the rising sign as the incarnating point of the Presence of the Soul. We look to the rising sign to give us hints as to the reason for the present incarnation. ...

• RLP, "The Seven Rays"

  The reason for the new emergence of this ancient knowledge at this time seems quite simple. "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." Humanity, the World Disciple, is apparently now ready, and stands on the threshold of a great awakening. New responsibilities, new opportunities and new light are being urged upon us by the Teachers of the race. Concurrent with this expansion is the need for a deeper, conscious penetration by the human race into the essential nature of reality. What was once occult mystery is now rapidly becoming practical science. Not only is the teaching on the rays emerging, but so are esoteric astrology, psychology, healing and many other formerly occult sciences receiving increased exoteric recognition.

Journal entry dated 17 June 2006
Category: Whatis Aquarian?