When we hear the word Astrology, many things come to mind. Mostly we think about predictions and the future. What we often forget to consider is that Astrology shows us our life path and life purpose. So if we look at our astrological sign and birth charts from a life path or life purpose standpoint. We find a rich treasure trove of information opens up before our very eyes. The terms we often hear for this type of Astrology are: karmic, destiny, spiritual or esoteric.

This is the adventure I would like to take you on with this article. So let us take a look at a few things:

1) What is spiritual or esoteric astrology?
2) Is it different from what we might call regular Astrology?
3) How can it help us and how do we use it?

First of all spiritual or what I will refer from here on in as Esoteric Astrology investigates much more and goes way beyond the mundane or daily things in life (will I fall in love, get the job, win the lotto, have 25 children, get that $4 million home?). Esoteric Astrology looks at why did I incarnate in this life at this time in the first place (what are my life lessons, what do I need to do in order to grow as a being, how can I manifest my wisdom on this plane during this incarnation?)

To find out the answers to these questions and others, we look to the astrological sign you were born under. For a much more in depth look, we would also look at your natal/birth chart as well. For the purpose of this mornings lecture we will just be looking at the 12 Sun signs of the zodiac. I am sure that everyone of us is aware of our own personal Sun sign. At least as an Astrologer I hope so. If not let me know and I will give you a little hint so that you can follow the lecture and not feel lost.

Each sign of the zodiac is governed by or manifests through one of Seven Rays in Esoteric Astrology. This is why we call Esoteric Astrology the Astrology of the Seven Rays. Please keep in mind that this rulership or governing is different than Exoteric or regular Astrology. So first let me give you the signs and which ray governs them. As I do this keep your own sign in mind or those of anyone else you may wish to think about. Once I have done this we will go over the rays definitions and their individual meanings.

Aries- 4th Ray

Taurus- 1st Ray

Gemini- 5th Ray

Cancer- 6th Ray

Leo- 2nd Ray

Virgo- 4th Ray

Libra- 7th Ray

Scorpio- 6th Ray

Sagittarius- 3rd Ray

Capricorn- 3rd Ray

Aquarius- 2nd Ray

Pisces- 1st Ray

We should note that there are some rays that rule more than one sign, this is naturally due to the fact that there are 12 signs but only 7 rays. This comes from the system of ancient and classical astrology. In these systems only 7 planets are used and assigned to the various signs since during those times in history what we call the outer planets of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto had not been discovered yet. Many Astrologers still practice ancient or classical Astrology to this day. In fact this is the technique I employ or use myself.

So let's take a look at the 7 Rays and their meanings:

Ray I- Will to Power- Aspect of the Will which conquers death. But is nevertheless the Ray of the Destroyer. For it destroys death since in reality there is no such thing. It is only part of the Great Illusion, limitation of the human consciousness, connected to the brain and not the heart. Abolition of death and of the destruction of form is a manifestation of Ray I. Ray I is the Will which initiates. (Today highest realization is initiation)

Ray II- Love and Wisdom- Will to unify and synthesize, to produce coherence and mutual attraction. Also to establish relationships. Will to unification. The fact of unification as seen from the beginning of existence forever and ever in the Mind of God, whose will (God's) embraces the past, present and future. Whose mind is total and not in terms of evolution of the human mind. (Highest expression today is mystical vision)

Ray III- Active Intelligence- Will of conditioned purpose. Carry forward a recognized plan with a goal intelligently conceived. Will to Evolution. Moving towards trying to know the Will of God. (Today the highest expression is education or development through experience)

Ray IV- Harmony through Conflict- Will to destroy limitation, but not the same as the Will to destroy negation or negative like Ray I. Shatters and breaks up limitations the moment that a point of real harmony or atonement has been reached. Seeds of Death emerge through the medium of this Ray and the Grim Reaper, Death is but an aspect of this Will, conditioned by the IV Ray. Will of Harmonization. (Highest expression is the intuition)

Ray V- Concrete Science or Knowledge- Know that: Matter is Spirit at its lowest point of manifestation and Spirit is Matter at its highest. Human perfection is carried forward consciously upon the mental plane, the fifth plane. This Ray is inherent in substance and actuates all atoms of which all forms are made. This Ray's energy is intelligence and it is the seed of consciousness but not any we understand. It is inherent in life of matter, it is that living something for which we have no name which was the product of the first solar system, the beginning. Major asset of God, the Father and the human Monad (core). Will to Action. (Highest expression is liberation through death or initiation)

Ray VI- Devotion or Idealism- Will which embodies God's ideas. Provides the motive and power behind the working out of whatever may be the purpose of creation. What this purpose is we have not as yet the faintest idea. Ideas are related to the Will aspect. Embodies dominate potency. Expresses God's desire. Basic energy emanating from the cosmic astral plane. Desire is related to consciousness but Will is not. Will to Causation. (Highest expression is idealism, the incentive and cause of human activity)

Ray VII- Ceremonial Order- Will which drives through into outer manifestation, contains or embodies both the periphery (edge) and center point. Ritualistic Synthesis. It is necessary to express itself, to manifest in an orderly rhythmic way or manner. Necessity to embrace what is above as well as what is below. It is the energy which the Being emanates as it takes form and lives. Will towards Expression. (Highest expression is organization)