SECTIONS

Triangles: Aries Scorpio Pisces

Three kinds of spiritual death

Three kinds of “death” represent transition from one state of evolution to the next, from Humanity to the Hierarchy, and from there to Shamballa.

The “three deaths” in these signs can be seen at work in the great sweep of human evolution, as well as in the individual’s journey. There is a sign on each cross, which leads to the eventual blending of all three crosses.

when the relationship between Aries, Scorpio and Pisces is properly understood (as the linking and merging of the three crosses) a new light will be thrown upon all subsidiary sciences—exoteric and esoteric. The teaching in The Secret Doctrine about the reincarnating monads who are called the divine Sacrifices, Lords of Knowledge, Will and Sacrifice, will be clarified. These monads, who are ourselves, are Lords of Persevering Ceaseless Devotion—devotion even unto death (See Taurus-Scorpio-Mars.)

Although a little obscure, the above simply outlines the grand sweep of human development, from initial impulse in Aries to incarnate in material form and the “jungles of experience”, through the struggle in Scorpio towards inner or soul awareness, and finally in Pisces to the eventual “escape from the wheel of birth” symbolised by the Mutable Cross. This can also be viewed in reverse with the signs traversed backwards as humanity en masse gradually gains experience in the three worlds. In either case:

there is something in the energy [pouring] through these signs which pre-determines a crystallising process and the eventual destruction of some type of form control

This “crystallising process” refers to the decay of outgrown forms. This is similar to forms in nature, where the energy from a plant is withdrawn after sprouting, fruiting and seeding. The visible plant (or parts of it) die, yet the essence remains, either in seed or root. A similar process occurs with our own outgrown personality “bodies”, be they physical, emotional or mental, so that our essence, soul or inner self is thereby liberated from these formerly limiting vehicles of expression.

On the path of individual development ⇧

These extracts blend individual development with the overall goals of human evolution.

Aries, Cardinal Cross
Through the fiery processes of war and strife, brought to the individual through the influence of the planetary ruler, Mars, the God of War, a needed purification takes place. The same purification… this time through vision, comes … through the activity of the [esoteric ruler] … Mercury, who is the illuminating principle which releases the mind, directs the way… through life and enables… awareness to develop of the plan which underlies all this fiery experience.
at different points along the Path of Life [Aries] forces the soul on to the burning ground and subjects it to a purifying process during incarnation. Through the lesser fire of mind, the “jungles of experience are set on fire and dissolve in flames and then the path stands clear and unobstructed vision is achieved.” (Old Commentary)
Scorpio, Fixed Cross
which brings about eventually the death of the personality… Esoterically as well as exoterically, Scorpio is the sign of death and burial in the earth, of descent into the depths in order to be lifted again on to the heights (the mountain top in Capricorn). It is stated in some of the most ancient books that “the heat of the earth, the mother, and the sting of the scorpion are the beneficent gifts which the turning of the wheel gives … at the beginning and the end.” This brings liberation from the control and pain of the Fixed Cross.
Pisces, Mutable Cross
sees the relinquishing or the death of all the influences which hold [us] to the ‘wheel of birth’ and brings release from the control of the Mutable Cross.

On the path of human evolution ⇧

The quotes from the Old Commentary at the end of each sign describe how deaths in each sign and cross—through fire (burning), earth (suffocation) and water (drowning)—“release the soul into three great planetary centres”. This outlines the vast human journey of gradual and inevitable evolution. The reverse order of the signs follows the long, slow evolutionary process symbolised by the precession of the equinoxes backwards through the zodiac.

Pisces
Death by drowning … into Humanity, where experience is gained on the Mutable Cross. Herein lies the mystery of the fish-goddesses “who spawn their young again and yet again.”
“The waters drowned the man. The fish was made to disappear. It then appeared again only to die or else to die and bring salvation”
Scorpio
Death by suffocation … liberation from the struggles of the “disciple” on the Fixed Cross into the Hierarchy and the “fifth kingdom” in nature; the “kingdom of souls” or a collectively aware future humanity that has resolved conflict between the pairs of opposites.
“The heat of earth, the fiery temper of the mother, destroyed the form, released the soul and so the lesser self was killed”
Aries
Death by burning … into Shamballa, at a point where humanity has withdrawn from the experience of incarnation and is able to focus the collective will of the Cardinal Cross. Although at present this state is unimaginable in humanity in general, it remains the goal of individual initiation.
“The fire blazed forth and through that fire I died to life and so was born to death. And then again I died to form…”

Death through Pluto in Pisces ⇧

Death through the influences of Pluto and death through the influences of Mars are widely different. Death in Pisces through the energy of Pluto is transformation—a transformation so vital and so basic that the …Ancient One is no longer seen. He sinks to the depth of the ocean of life; he descends into hell, but the gates of hell hold him not. He, the new and living One leaves below that which has held him down throughout the ages and rises from the depths unto the heights, close to the throne of God.

Death through Mars in Scorpio ⇧

Death in Scorpio is of a different nature and is also described in the same ancient writing in the following words: “…Ancient One dies by drowning… The waters envelop him and there is no escape. He drowns. The fires of passion are then quenched. The life of desire ceases its appeal and to the bottom of the lake he now descends. Later, he re-ascends to Earth where the white horse waits his coming. And this he mounts, proceeding towards the second death” (that is, towards Pisces).

The reference here to Sagittarius is clear. The disciple—after the death of the personality and after the killing out of desire—goes on towards Pisces where again he dies “unto an eternal resurrection”. In Scorpio there is the death of the personality, with its longings, desires, ambitions and pride. In Pisces there is the death of all attachments and the liberation of the soul for service on a universal scale. …Christ, in Pisces, exemplified the substitution of love for attachment.

Esoteric Astrology: 95-98, 214-15