Planets: Earth—ray 3 (non-sacred)

W Ray 3 (non-sacred planet)

Method: The field of human experience

Earth: general information

There is one aspect of energy for which the modern astrologer makes very little allowance, and yet it is of paramount importance. This is the energy which emanates from or radiates from the Earth itself … [our bodies are] at all times bathed in the emanations and the radiations of our Earth and in the integral quality of our planetary Logos … astrologers have always emphasised the incoming influences and energies as they beat upon and play through our little planet, but they have omitted to take into adequate consideration the emanating qualities and forces which are the contribution of our Earth…to the larger whole (EA 12-13)

The Earth can only be placed in the individual geocentric horoscope from a heliocentric viewpoint—in the sign opposite (or complementary to) the Sun sign. As a heliocentric “visitor” to the geocentric horoscope, the Earth for an individual becomes a pointer towards working with the complementary sign (with associated planets and rays etc.) so the individual can eventually resolve the “pairs of opposites” and reach a balance between the Sun sign and its complementary. This can often be regarded as “the other”—being in reality that part of the inner self that is may be projected outwards onto another person (in seventh house fashion), towards an “othered” group, a set of circumstances, or even the world in general (perhaps from a victim perspective). It can at later stages symbolise the (Jungian) “shadow” that we gradually learn to own as part of us, and the Theosophical “dweller on the threshold” that appears as the sum of all personality traits to be integrated and transcended during initiation.

As one of the four esoteric rulers of the six rulers of the Mutable Cross, and as one of four influential planets at the time of transition to the Fixed Cross (Venus, the Moon, the Earth and Pluto) the Earth stands for the sphere of experience, and under the influence of this planetary experience (which is different to individual experience)… personal consciousness [is transmuted into] into group awareness. Through these four esoteric rulers, the individual is preparing to transfer off the Mutable Cross and mount the Fixed Cross (EA 126-8).

However, the most powerful interpretation of the sign opposite the Sun is as a symbol of the monad or spirit, and the possibility of working with both signs as one of the blended six (see The Sign Opposite Sun as Monad). This implies that our entire journey is tied up with the idea that its placement in the opposite sign represents our journey beyond the personal, and hints at the ultimate human goal where the 12 complementary signs are blended into six pairs. The distinction between “self and other” is thereby transcended.

As a Ray Three planet, the qualities of the planet are inescapable for us, as human evolution is an essential part of the planet’s own development, humanity being one of the three planetary centres (third principle), with the Hierarchy (second principle) and Shamballa (first principle). For the bigger picture on the three planetary centres, see Leo-Capricorn-Pisces and the entry for Humanity in the Glossary. The eventual merging of humanity into the hierarchy (see glossary—not an elite!) is an essential part of the process of Earth becoming a sacred planet:

…the evolutionary process—from the standpoint of the ordinary human being—is to make the non-sacred planet, our Earth, responsive to cosmic impacts thus bringing more inter-related and inner integration into the logoic body of expression. (EA 494)

In other words, as we develop and eventually become functioning serving elements within the Hierarchy, at a systemic level humanity is also aiding the evolution of Earth itself in its shift towards becoming a sacred planet. Humanity is thereby evolving beyond its original “fourth kingdom” state as a collection of self-oriented individuals, into a globally aware “fifth kingdom” where individual progress alone has been transcended. This process requires responsiveness to the Second Ray qualities of our solar system (as expressed through the Sun):

Love is response to contact and this—in the human being—means understanding, inclusiveness and identification. Wisdom connotes skill in action as the result of developed love and the light of understanding; it is awareness of requirements and ability to bring together into a fused relationship the need and that which will meet it. Service is essentially a scientific mode of expressing love-wisdom under the influence of one or other of the seven rays, according to the soul ray of the serving [individual]. The whole problem is one concerning our planetary Logos. (EA 494)

At the personal level, this might all seem remote, but this extract nicely sums up the esoteric meaning of the Earth for developing individuals:

the Earth in the natal chart represents the physical location of a person’s Path. The house position… will reveal this location. … [For those] walking upon the Fixed Cross, the Earth’s position indicates where service to humanity takes place. The esoteric meaning of the house will point to the inner journey that is taken simultaneously. [It is] this balance between the inner and outer journeys—between the envisioned goal and the actual field of service—that we have to create in our physical reality. Esoteric Astrology with Mermaid

Earth: Rulerships

• Orthodox: none
• Esoteric: Sagittarius
• Hierarchical: Gemini

Orthodox: none ⇧

Earth has no orthodox rulerships. It is itself the sphere of experience for humanity and, symbolically in a geocentric chart, is always placed in the sign opposite the Sun or self.

Esoteric: Sagittarius ⇧

Details to follow of Earth as esoteric ruler of Sagittarius.

Hierarchical: Gemini ⇧

Details to follow of Earth as hierarchical ruler of Gemini.

Earth decanates

The Earth as used in esoteric astrology rules no decanates.

Earth Dignities

• Exaltation: Libra
• Fall: Aries
• Detriment: Gemini

Although, strictly speaking, the Earth has no allocated dignities, detriment could be extrapolated (in the traditional way) as the Gemini, opposite to Sagittarius where Earth is the esoteric ruler; while Exaltation and Fall could follow the paired Ray 3 planet Saturn. This is a suggestion only:

• Exaltation: Libra (as with Saturn, opposite Sun in Aries)
• Fall: Aries (as with Saturn)
• Detriment: hierarchical ruler of Gemini as the “waning brother” to Venus (EA 361), and opposite esoteric rulership Sagittarius

Exaltation in Libra ⇧

To follow

Fall in Aries ⇧

To follow

Detriment in Gemini ⇧

To follow