Planets: Uranus—ray 7 (sacred)

H Ray 7 (sacred planet)

Method: Sudden shifts invoking systematic reorganisation

Uranus: general information

Uranus combines the power and abstraction of Ray 1 with the form-creating power of Ray 3, which is why it is said to connect opposites (or ultimately “spirit and matter”). These connections can produce the disruptive kind of Uranian response well-known to contemporary astrology, but esoterically this only acts as a prerequisite to creating links—and an eventual balance—between elements that are otherwise disconnected.

The energy of Uranus, pouring upon and into humanity, produces the urge to better conditions to provide better forms for the occult and esoteric life and to blend more adequately the inner and the outer [self]. (EA 446)

The “permanent atoms”

The four signs connected by Uranus rulerships—Aries, Leo, Libra and Aquarius (see rulerships)—represent the experiences of the core self that are “stored” in the permanent atoms, a Theosophical concept that explains how life experiences from each of the human subtle bodies or principles (causal/soul, mental, emotional, etheric/physical) are able to persist from life to life. This subjective quaternary of the reincarnating soul forms—during the cycle of reincarnation—the repositories or the storing houses of the experiences undergone during life in the three worlds:

…the term “permanent atom” is essentially symbolic and … is in reality only a unit of energy within the sphere of influence of the soul ray which can at any time “pick it up”… In these atoms the past memory of the personal self is stored; these are in the nature of “memory cells” and are the repositories of past experience, of gained quality, and of the particular note which the body of which it is the nucleus has achieved. They are material in nature, are connected only with the form aspect, and are imbued with as much of the quality of consciousness as the soul has succeeded in developing in the three worlds… (EA 302-3)

Uranus and the Esoteric Schools

There are cryptic references to the work of various esoteric schools throughout Esoteric Astrology, and Uranus is mentioned as The School of Magic of the tenth order

It is sometimes called ‘the planet of the violet force,’ and its graduates wield the power of cosmic etheric prana. (EA 693)

More details to follow

Uranus: Rulerships

• Orthodox: Aquarius
• Esoteric: Libra
• Hierarchical: Aries Leo

Orthodox: Aquarius ⇧

Uranus—Ray Seven—The will to be and to know simultaneously on all planes of manifestation. … Uranus gives innate spontaneous activity and this produces evolutionary development—both natural and spiritual. It is the urge to better conditions. (EA 139)

[the seventh ray is also] linked with the incoming Aquarian influence, [with one of the personal qualities needed to work with this energy being a willingness] to work in a group as an integral part of the group, …having no idea of personal ambition or any wish to be a leader. —Edited from Bailey, Esoteric Psychology II, p145–6

Esoteric: Libra ⇧

The core of this rulership is how Uranus connects spirit and matter—the most abstract and the most concrete, and in Libra the influence of Ray 3 is especially enhanced.

…the seventh ray works through this planet and is the embodiment of the principle of concretion and the materialising of that which is in need of objective manifestation, through the bringing together of spirit and matter. It is here that the whole mystery of money lies hid and the creation and production of money. I would like here to point out to you that it is with the third aspect of divinity and the third aspect alone that the creative process is concerned. It is through the relation of the three aspects of the third divine manifestation—law, affinity and concretised energy—that money is created.

It is here that many mystics and world servers prove futile. They work from far too high a level and from the standpoint of spiritual incentive. They normally and naturally (because that is where their focus of consciousness is placed) work from the standpoint of the second aspect, whereas it is the third aspect (equally divine and equally important) which must be invoked and evoked. … It is not the bringing together of spirit and matter as occultism understands those terms but the relating of physical need and physical supply and the bringing together of two tangibles through the power of the creative imagination. It is for this reason that so many schools of thought prove so successful in materialising that which is required and why other schools of thought so signally fail. They work from too high a plane and have not the ability to carry through. (EA 246)

Hierarchical: Aries ⇧

The three ruling planets of Aries cover “three crises” in the life of inner development, of which Uranus rules the third, the burning ground:

Uranus embodies the energy of the seventh ray and its work is analogous to that of Mercury, for the seventh ray is the ray which relates spirit and matter and brings together electric fire and fire by friction, thus producing manifestation. Uranus leads the soul to the burning ground during the final stages of the Path, when the fire of Aries and the fires engendered through the potency of Uranus produce the flaming heat of the final burning ground. Through this burning ground, the initiate has finally to pass. Uranus rules the occult Way and is, in an esoteric sense, connected with the Hierophant of the Mysteries of Initiation. (EA 100)

Shared between Libra-Aries: The methodical instigation of new structures and necessary conceptual change, the establishing of inner templates and mental patterns for coming developments.

The background to Ray 3 and Uranus as polar pair Aries-Libra esoteric and hierarchical rulers:

Alcyone impregnated the substance of the universe with the quality of mind. As a consequence of this most ancient activity, the same force was present at the time of individualisation in this solar system, for it is in this system, and primarily upon our planet, the Earth, that the major results of that early activity have made themselves felt. Two of our planets, the Earth (non-sacred) and Uranus (sacred), are directly the product of this third ray activity. (EA 200)

Hierarchical: Leo ⇧

Here the Sun veils Uranus:

…the planet of occultism, and that which governs group relations, organisations and the eleventh House. It relates the Leo influence to Aquarius. (EA 538)

The hierarchical rulership of Leo at the broadest level concerns the ultimate expansion of consciousness for humanity as a whole, as well as veiling Uranus for those beginning to respond to the transcendent power of the Cardinal Cross.

Under the freedom of the two this connects Leo and the polar sign Aquarius, in which the consciousness of humanity in general—and that of soul-aware individuals in particular—reaches a peak. According to the esoteric philosophy, integrated and aware individuals who have successfully extracted themselves from the thoughtless behaviours of “the mass” eventually become part of a “fifth kingdom of souls”—a collective state of being that transcends the current reactive state of humanity, and whose individuals—whether consciously or instinctively—work as a group for the good of the whole:

Leo and Aquarius, through the Sun and Jupiter, are related to Ray 2. Development of the individual consciousness into world consciousness. Thus a person becomes a world server. (EA 67)

The two signs are eventually blended into a functioning whole. For more on this process, and on the expansion of consciousness that dawns once the soul—rather than the personal self—becomes the focus of consciousness, see the Personal Points.

The connection between Leo and Aquarius is apparent in the current shift from the former to the latter in the Ray 5 triangle, and also in the key role of Venus in the origins and expansion in consciousness of the inner human soul.

Also see the Hierarchical ruler of Aquarius where the Moon veils Uranus.

Uranus decanates

In conventional astrology, decanates simply follow the rulerships of each elemental triad, but Esoteric Astrology has inconsistent information. See notes about the decanates, and the “decans” tab under each sign.

Uranus Dignities

• Exaltation: Scorpio
• Fall: Taurus
• Detriment: Leo

Exaltation in Scorpio ⇧

The task of Uranus, hidden in the depths [fall in Taurus], is to awaken and evoke the intuitive response to an ever-increasing light until such time that full illumination is achieved and also the development of the spiritual consciousness—substituting these higher soul aspects for the lower form reactions. (…) Uranus… gives indication of the success of the task which the Uranian forces undertook. Achievement is attained. (EA 401)

Fall in Taurus ⇧

The presence… of the exalted Moon and the fallen Uranus gives a marvellous picture of [human] history during the stage of personality development and power. (…) Uranus, the planet of the hidden mystery and one of the most occult of the planets “falls” in this sign, producing the accentuation and the sharp division between body and soul which is so marked a characteristic of the Taurian subject. It [acts as preparation] for the sharp interplay and conflict in the next sign, Gemini. (EA 400-01)

Detriment in Leo ⇧

To follow