Third ray triangle. Key to evolution
The following applies to all seven ray triangles:
The seven stars of the Great Bear are the originating sources of the seven rays in our solar system [which] express themselves through the medium of the seven planetary logoi [which in turn] manifest through the medium of the seven sacred planets. Each [ray] is transmitted into our solar system through [a triangle of] three constellations and their ruling planets (EA 422-3)
This relation is the basis of the entire science of triangles and, therefore, of astrology itself; it is also related to the rays, the constellations, their ruling planets and our Earth in a great synthesis of energies; it relates our solar system to the larger whole and our tiny non-sacred planet to the solar system.
… These seven triangles of energy … pour their force through one of the constellations in each triangle (EA 489-90)This inter-relation is effective in this world cycle and will remain so until the end of the Aquarian Age. Table (EA 423, 489-90). Site map shows lines to controlling signs
The signs that express Ray 3 each have a specific effect on humanity at this time: Cancer is the most potent generally, while the balance Libra can bring is quiescent due to the intensification of polarities as a general human reaction to current circumstances. Finally, Capricorn has a more esoteric influence behind the scenes, specifically for those engaging in conscious development (“disciples”).
- Cancer
- The mass movement towards liberty, release and light, so dominant today, is caused by the energy of this sign.
- Libra
- today there is no true balance but the opposition of spirit and matter is so violent that the Libran force is relatively quiescent.
- Capricorn
- Ray III … is expressing itself through Capricorn, on a much smaller scale [than Cancer and “the mass”] in relation to world disciples. Capricorn esoterically leads towards the externalisation of the Mysteries (EA 490-91, 628)
Ray III—Active Intelligence from the will aspect
…the key … to what is commonly called evolution. The emphasis, is necessarily from the angle of the form nature and upon the phenomenal side.
This evolving Reality which is focussed in the Third Ray … during the “period of appearance” has—in this solar system—undertaken the task of developing conscious “awareness in Itself in that which it is not.” This is carried forward in three stages—all of them the result of process, of progress, of activity and of mind or intelligent perception…
The stage wherein sensory perception is transmuted into knowledge [and] the form gradually and steadily adapts itself to the requirements of the perceiving self.
The stage wherein knowledge is transmuted into wisdom, or consciousness utilises the gradually acquired knowledge to achieve detachment from the form, the organ of perception.
The stage wherein wisdom is transmuted into omniscience and both consciousness and form are superseded by the One Who exists, Who is conscious, but Who remains as greater than either of these two phases… This One wills to incarnate, wills to know, wills to be conscious, but is none of these phases essentially, having realised them, prior to manifestation.
The third ray will is the producer of external synthesis in successive stages, carried forward from temporary synthesis until there is complete unification between consciousness and form and later complete atonement realised between That which is neither consciousness nor form but the Creator of both and the relating Principle of spirit-matter. (EA 629-630)
Still from the will aspect (bear in mind that all these are Cardinal signs):
- Cancer
- …symbolises the will of the mass, which conditions mass response [and] psychology. …it connotes far more than the mass consciousness [it is] the focussing of the mass will through the medium of the mass consciousness—a thing unknown as yet, though the rudiments of this knowledge can be seen in [what we call] ‘public opinion’. This is now being brought into the educational field through what is commonly called propaganda. […] A trained and enlightened public opinion is an unknown thing on a world wide scale, though enlightened groups are rapidly appearing. Out of public opinion (…the focusses expression of the growth of mass consciousness) will emerge the mass will-to-good, inherent in every individual…”
- Libra
- …connotes the point of balance in the long relationship and interplay between the pairs of opposites. It indicates the will-to-express—in perfected proportion and harmony—both the life of the spirit and the potency of matter.
- Capricorn
- [explanation of Bailey’s Christian symbolism is below] stands for the influence which will carry the will of Shamballa to the Hierarchy or to the world initiates, giving to Them that dynamic and enterprising spirit which will enable Them to carry forward to completion the Will of God on Earth. …the “angel born under Capricorn”… came to Christ in the garden of Gethsemane and fused His individual will into the divine Will and thus enabled Him to carry out His mission to completion. …not only the revelation of divine love to the world but … “to fabricate the gossamer thread which…” linked [Shamballa] with [The Hierarchy].
The original text for Capricorn above is steeped in Bailey’s biblical language and capitalised emphases. The completion of the “Will of God on Earth” is the crucial point in human evolution that first enabled humanity to embark upon conscious development, for which Christ (as an avatar, harbinger or pioneer) paved the way by undergoing the initiation (the “angel born under Capricorn”) that subsumed his individual will into the greater (cosmic) will. Bear in mind that:
the fifth major initiation of our planet is the first cosmic initiation, just as the third initiation is the first systemic. The two first initiations are planetary in their implications (EA 90, emphasis added)
The gossamer thread
mentioned here connects the systemic (the Hierarchy who embody the love-wisdom principle of the second ray Sun of this solar system) with the cosmic principle of will, of which the the first ray and the esoteric centre known as Shamballa on this planet are the transmitters, and of which the constellations in general are one of the visible symbols in astrology.
Esoteric Astrology: 423 (table), 489-91, 628-633