D Ray 5 (sacred planet)
Method: Refinement of the mind, appreciation of intelligent division
| Rulerships: | Orthodox: Taurus Libra Esoteric: Gemini Hierarchical: Capricorn |
|---|---|
| Dignities: | Exaltation: Pisces Fall: Virgo Detriment: Aries Scorpio |
| Symbol: | D An circle above an equal-armed cross. |
| Venus triangles: |
Venus: general information
Venus exemplifies one of the major shifts in Esoteric Astrology from the familiar. While embodying the principle of love-wisdom as originating in Ray 2, the planet also transmits the intelligent division and “science” of Ray 5 (see the fifth ray triangle). The best way of understanding this is symbolised by the well-known geometry of the golden section or golden proportion, where the smaller part is to the greater as the greater is to the whole; a ratio approximated in the Fibonacci sequence (in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones). This proportion appears throughout nature as the way in which matter can be arranged in an optimum yet beautiful way, symbolising the real “scientific beauty” that Venus embodies.
Venus also represents the individual soul which, in the theosophically-derived system followed in Esoteric Astrology, is the root of the real self “behind” the personality, carrying the essential systemic principle of love-wisdom (embodied in the sun of our solar system) during the process of conscious evolution or the “path of discipleship”. In the inner psychology of the subtle bodies that make up human existence the soul or “causal body” exists between the abstract higher mind and the rational self, and is held to preserve and process the knowledge gained from the experience of each incarnation, retaining the resulting wisdom between each. This human-level role is derived from the idea that, for humanity, Venus in this solar system is the soul to the Earth as personality.
The rulerships of Venus follow the rather mysterious role of the planet in esoteric astrology, from the personal in Taurus and Libra, through the esoteric in Gemini and the hierarchical and universal in Capricorn. Once the esoteric psychological and cosmic schemes are grasped, the complex role of Venus becomes easier to work with.
It is because Venus thus relates certain pairs of opposites that she has been erroneously connected in the minds of men with sex and the sex life and with the relation of the physical opposites, male and female. (EA 355-6)
Venus: Rulerships
Orthodox: Taurus ⇧
To follow
Orthodox: Libra ⇧
To follow
Esoteric: Gemini ⇧
The role of Venus in the emergence of humanity from the animal kingdom is a major theme in the esoteric philosophy. The term “Individualisation” is used for this process, and the entire role of the connection between Earth and Venus is a crucial part of understanding this.
The fact that Gemini is the third sign and embodies what is called “a third potency” enabled it to reach, with its force, the third kingdom and produce that reaction which resulted in the individualising or the humanising of its higher forms of life. (EA 355)
The above describes—in the occult philosophy—the emergence of humanity (4th kingdom) from the animal (3rd kingdom), and the mythology of Venus and Capricorn.
Hierarchical: Capricorn ⇧
…Venus is also the hierarchical ruler of Capricorn, thus showing the power of the mind and its place and purpose in connection with both the major human crises: Individualisation and Initiation. (EA 355)
“Initiation” here means the stage of personal integration, so that the personality becomes solely the vehicle for the less strictly personal aims of the inner self or “soul”. Ray 5 “pours through” Capricorn to Earth via Venus in this case.
Everything abstract and formless needs form and will refine that form to suit its purpose. In the resulting processing of experience is our esoteric role in the refinement of matter. For the deeper significance see Makara—the cryptic “secret of the crocodiles” and the mythology of Venus in Capricorn. Also see the 5th hierarchy (EA 37, 45-49), the fifth kingdom and the Lords of Flame.
[After] the third initiation [we] can consciously mount the Cardinal Cross, [and are] released from the ruling of Saturn and [come] under the influence of Venus, …ruler of the Hierarchy which is that of the Crocodiles. [Only] upon the Cardinal Cross [does] the significance, purpose and potencies of the Creative Hierarchies become clear… (EA 163-4)
Venus 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.
Venus Dignities
Exaltation in Pisces ⇧
To follow (explain “reunited but with no binding thread”)
According to Greek mythology, the fire-breathing monster Typhon was about to devour Aphrodite (the Roman Venus) and her son Eros (the Roman Cupid), so they turned into fish and jumped into the Euphrates River to make a great escape. Mother and son tied themselves together with a cord to make sure they would not lose one another in the tumbling waters. –Bruce McClure and Kelly Kizer Whitt
Diognetus Erythraeus says that once Venus [Aphrodite] and her son Cupid [Eros] came in Syria to the river Euphrates. There Typhon… suddenly appeared. Venus and her son threw themselves into the river and there changed their forms to fishes, and by so doing this escaped danger.” —Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2.30. From Τυφωευς (Typhus), the Theoi Project
Fall in Virgo ⇧
To follow
Detriment in Aries ⇧
To follow
Detriment in Scorpio ⇧
To follow