July 6, 1935, 11:45 AM, Takster,
Tibet.
(Source: The Taeger Archives as quoted in The Mountain Astrologer June
1996).
(Ascendant, Libra; MC, Sun
and Pluto in Cancer; Moon conjunct Neptune in Virgo, H12; Mercury in
Gemini; Venus in Leo; Mars in Libra; Jupiter in Scorpio; Saturn in Pisces;
Uranus in Taurus)
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama,
His Holiness, is perhaps the greatest spiritual leader of humanity working
upon the physical plane at this time. He carries, and seems effortlessly
to transmit, the energy of the Bodhisattva—the energy of Love-Wisdom
and of Divine Compassion—the energy of the second ray. Like his
predecessors, he is believed to be the incarnation of the Buddha of
Compassion, Avalokitesvara.
His message is to the all
the peoples of the world. He sees humanity as one, for his Sun sign
is Cancer, and in Cancer the “whole is seen as one” and
the “One Humanity” is known. His message is one of peace
and reconciliation—the meeting and cooperation of East and West,
and of all those who have, formerly, stood opposed to each other. Thus,
is his Ascendant, Libra, demonstrated in practical, world service.
His life appears to be one
of great sacrifice and renunciation. He serves as a source of inspiration
to all men and women of good will. He is certainly at least an illumined
initiate of the third degree. He has received the equivalent of a doctorate
degree from the theological university system in Tibet, in a program
of academics far more rigorous and time-consuming than the nominally
comparable educational program in the West.
Yet, for all his learning,
he expresses himself as a man of simplicity—kind, approachable,
concerned with the welfare of the average human being on this plane.
Although he is open and honest about his human failings, the personality
as an independent and wayward force center has clearly been subdued,
its “ancient authority” ended. In fact, his life is so much
an example for millions of human beings (no matter what may be their
religion of birth or choice), that it is very probable that he is a
fourth degree initiate—living the life of the Great Renunciation—his
life a complete sacrifice to the elevation of the human race.
At the fourth degree, the
power of the buddhic plane (the plane of harmony) is powerful in the
life, and buddhi (or pure love-wisdom) has completely supplanted the
normal desires of the emotional nature. Although his mind is sharp and
exacting, it is clear that his major service is the transmission of
buddhi through the astral vehicle. He is involved in the emotional regeneration
of humanity. Although he would probably not publicly enter into a discussion
that would confirm or deny the possibility, he is surely a great servant
of the Maitreya Buddha (the Lord Maitreya—the Christ). The energy
he projects is of a ‘friend to all’, just as does the Maitreya-Bodhisattva.
As an exemplary apostle of
love and light, his soul ray is surely the second Ray of Love-Wisdom.
His principal effect is to bring about loving understanding between
diverse human beings, causing them to overlook their differences and
separatisms in favor of those factors that unite them. Two aspects of
the will—the Will-to-Unify (characteristic of the second ray),
and the Will-to-Harmonize (characteristic of the fourth ray and the
buddhi plane), express potently through his presence.
At his stage of development
(presumably the fourth degree or very close to it), the monadic ray
would also be, to a degree, an expressive factor. Probability points
to the second or third ray for the quality characterizing the highest
factor in his energy system. It is not possible for us to discern with
definiteness.
The Buddha, Himself, a great
Lord of Light (conveying, it is said, a touch of the cosmic mental plane),
is most probably a third ray monad. How much does the Dalai Lama’s
message differ from that of his great Predecessor, known as Gautama,
the Buddha? Yet, the principal transmission (exceeding that of the third
ray of light) is of love, compassion, understanding, and wisdom—very
much along the second ray line. At our stage of development, we will
simply have to defer anything like a definitive conclusion.
Looking for astrological
conduits for the energy of the second ray soul, we find that all the
signs/constellations given as transmitters of the second ray of Love-Wisdom
are active and tenanted in his chart. Gemini holds its orthodox astrological
ruler, Mercury, and interestingly, Chiron—a planetoid of healing
and guidance, which can, on one level of its expression, be reasonably
associated with the second ray. The Dalai Lama is a great and healing
(Chiron) communicator (Mercury in Gemini), and his thoughts convey a
new and more illumined life perspective—as we might expect because
Mercury and Chiron are placed in the ninth house of higher mind.
There is also a powerful
conjunction of the Moon and Neptune in the second ray/sixth ray sign,
Virgo, in H12, a house friendly to both these planets. As the Dalai
Lama is certainly a true initiate, Neptune, the esoteric and hierarchical
ruler of the Sun Sign (Cancer), must be considered unusually potent.
Neptune, we realize, is, in its higher level of functioning, a planet
of compassion, and distributes, monadically, the second ray. Virgo is
esoterically ruled by the Moon which veils either Vulcan or Neptune
(or both).
In this case, it would seem
that the Moon veils Neptune. As the Moon represents all that is deeply
instinctual in the nature, it can be said that, through karmic right,
the Dalai Lama was born with an instinctively compassionate response.
This Moon/Neptune conjunction in H12 is a deeply Christ-centered focus.
It demonstrates a ready willingness to save and redeem in all manner
of practical and even humble ways. It connects the Dalai Lama with the
great “Mother Force”.
The two most maternal zodiacal
signs are Cancer and Virgo. The Dalai Lama’s Sun is in Cancer,
and the two ruling planets of Cancer (the Moon orthodoxly, and Neptune,
both esoterically and hierarchically) are place in the other maternal
sign, Virgo—a sign in which these two planets rule as well. The
aspect between the Sun and the Moon/Neptune conjunction is also the
harmonious sextile, further emphasizing the cooperative ease with which
the Mother Force flows.
The third second ray sign
is Pisces, and it holds the “planet of opportunity”, Saturn.
When Saturn is place in Pisces in the chart of a highly evolved individual
it represents “spiritual responsibility” (cf. EA 333). The
Dalai Lama is most Saturninely practical in all transcendental matters
(Pisces).
Between these three second
ray signs, we find a wide T-Square, with Saturn opposing the conjunction
of Moon and Neptune, and all members of this opposition, widely squaring
Mercury in Gemini (and almost exactly squaring Chiron). The Dalai Lama
has earned the right to speak as he does of higher matters because,
through practical, compassionate service, he knows what he is talking
about. His illumined words (Mercury in Gemini) represent deeply responsible
experiences gathered through true Christ-like service. We can see how
powerfully the second ray (whether only the soul ray, or both the soul
and monadic ray) can express through this chart.
It should also be mentioned
that the second ray planet, Jupiter (the chief planet of the soul ray)
is almost exactly trine to the Sun in Cancer. Both Jupiter and the Sun
express the second ray, and so this water-sign trine is extremely powerful
for the good. It also reinforces the Dalai Lama’s “good
nature” and sense of tension-dispelling humor. Saturn in Pisces,
is also in trine to both the Sun and Jupiter, completing a grand trine
in the sensitive water signs.
In many ways, the Dalai Lama
is a Jupiterian and solar being, but Saturn, chastening in the ways
of humility and responsibility, balances his buoyancy. The ease with
which he expresses himself emotionally (an ease based upon an achieved
discipline), is a boon to all he encounters. Saturn in this grand trine
shows that he has “done the work”, earning the right to
make his pronouncements on happiness, constructive emotion and good-naturedness.
Another partial transmitter
of the second Ray of Love-Wisdom is Venus (the planet of the love and
light of the soul) place in radiant Leo, conjuncted to nurturing Ceres.
Venus in Leo is also an indication of mental quality and can confer
the fifth ray, but it is potent here, as well, for sweetness of disposition
and good-heartedness. It is an indicator of the “joy of the soul”,
which the Dalai Lama certain nurtures and cultivates (Ceres) in those
he encounters.
The out-of-sign trine from
Uranus (H8) to Venus shows the deeply transformative power of the joyful
soul-radiance which he expresses. It is as if that sunny smile and infectious
laugh are two of the most transformative tools through which he works.
Therefore, all the distributors
of the second ray are potent in this chart—admirably constituted
to express the unifying force of the quality that animates both the
Buddha and the Christ.
The Ray of the Personality:
While it can be said that the Dalai Lama is unquestionably devoted to
his mission, there are more reasons to think that he works through a
fourth ray personality than a sixth. In his case, as in the case of
any advanced initiate, the personality ray is very much a subray of
the soul ray and, therefore, fused with that higher ray. We are used
to thinking of the fourth ray as the ray of “Harmony Through Conflict”—a
most apt description.
Certainly, the Dalai Lama
inherited a religio-political situation characterized by conflict of
the most menacing and intransigent kind. While he may have some strictly
personal conflicts (as he is a member of the Fourth Creative Hierarchy,
the very nature of which is an inherent conflict moving towards harmony),
he seems to have transcended personal conflicts of the more obvious
kind. Instead, the Dalai Lama has become an agent of harmony within
a troubled world. He is experienced as a reconciler, at war with none
(not even with the Chinese oppressors who overran and now occupy his
native country).
His is, therefore, an advanced
expression of the fourth ray, emphasizing its harmony aspect and invoking
the energy of buddhi. He is a very vortex of harmony, into which actual
and potential conflicts are poured and resolved with humor, joy and
a refreshing wisdom.
Although Libra is not, in
this World Period, a sign which distributes the fourth ray, there is
much in the Libran nature which is reminiscent of that ray. The fourth
ray seeks to bring peace and harmony out of often intractably difficult
situations; Libra is the sign of the Spirit of Peace, and does likewise.
The fourth ray enters through
the three sign/constellations Taurus, Scorpio and Sagittarius, two of
which are tenanted in the Dalai Lama’s chart—Uranus (esoteric
ruler of the Libra Ascendant) in Taurus and Jupiter (the transmitter
of the second ray—the proposed ray of the Dalai Lama’s soul)
in Scorpio.
These two planets (Jupiter
representing the heart and Uranus, in the chart of initiates of at least
the third degree, representing the head) are opposed to each other (the
opposition being the aspect most related to Libra), and thus can be
related synthetically—‘married’ to each other, as
it were. Together, these two are planets of “beneficent organization”,
and indicate fulfillment. Actually, they are said to be powerful in
initiates of the fifth degree.
The blending of second ray
Jupiter with fourth ray Taurus in the house of resources, speaks of
the presence of a treasury of wisdom-through-buddhi. The Dalai Lama
has rich spiritual resources at his disposal, won through lives of suffering
and successful spiritual practice. He offers that abundance to fourth
ray humanity (incidentally, ruled by Scorpio), so that its conflicts
may be resolved into unity; so that humanity may experience the more
abundant life. The fourth ray rules the Law of Sacrifice.
How interesting to have the
planet of abundance (Jupiter) in the house of physical and spiritual
resources, with Jupiter placed in a potent sign of sacrifice. Gain through
sacrifice is indicated.
Uranus, the transformer,
is placed in the eighth house—a house of major transformations
which is friendly to Uranus, because the eighth house corresponds to
Scorpio in which sign Uranus is exalted. The transformation indicated
here occurs through light—the gift of Taurus in which Uranus is
placed. The light here is not just the light of the mental plane, but
the light of buddhic wisdom, of which the Dalai Lama is so much an exponent.
In an advanced soul, the axis of Taurus/Scorpio is particularly buddhic
and relates as well to the clarification of the astral plane—the
level on which this advanced soul seems so much to focus for the sake
of a humanity that is largely polarized there.
Another fourth ray conduit
is Mercury, places in second ray Gemini, and in a loose T-Square configuration
with the opposition of Moon/Neptune and Saturn. The Dalai Lama knows
how to speak to fourth ray humanity, and heal them (Chiron) with his
words, which convey the blending of the second and fourth rays. Of course,
he speaks from the perspective of wisdom (ninth house), but his speech
is so practical (Mercury as the orthodox dispositor of the Moon/Virgo
conjunction), that everyone seems to understand him. He has that “common
touch” which is the gift of his Cancerian Sun Sign (Cancer, being
the sign of “mass consciousness”) and his practical Virgoan
Moon.
Another conduit for the fourth
ray is the Moon itself, orthodox ruler of the fourth sign, Cancer, and
relating to the four lunar vehicles which embody the fourfold exoteric
nature of humanity. The Moon represents the “prison of the soul”,
and the Dalai Lama is definitely one of those who is engaged with “freeing
the prisoners of the planet”—in this case, benighted human
beings subject to the demands of their fourfold lunar nature.
His major method for accomplishing
this is through the transformation of the emotional nature of humanity,
accomplished through the pervasion of compassionate love—Neptune.
Neptune is also a planet related to buddhi and the buddhic plane, and
in the case of the initiate is a definite redeemer of the usual energy
associated with the Moon.
We can see how, in the case
of the Dalai Lama, the proposed personality ray would become the vehicle
for some very important redemptive energies. In a way, with his proposed
second ray soul and fourth ray personality, he represents what humanity
should become when it, too, is possessed of a second ray soul and a
fourth ray personality. For now, humanity is said to have a fourth ray
soul and a fifth ray personality, but at the end of its development,
the rays will have changed, and humanity, as an Entity, will have become
more harmoniously loving.
The Ray of the Dalai Lama’s
Lower Mind: In the case of an initiate, the lower mind is capable of
displaying a number of varied qualities. Such a ray will be the subray
of the personality which, itself, is a subray of the soul—itself
a subray of the monadic ray. There is no question of the Dalai Lama’s
shrewd intelligence, but one has the impression that his thinking is
guided by wisdom and is processed intuitively. So much of his response
seems entirely natural and spontaneous. There is no sense (at least
in his public appearances) of laborious cogitation or mental fixation.
Perhaps there is a hint (concerning
the lower mental ray) in the fact that he seems to love to take watches
apart to “see how they tick”. This represents the curiosity
of the fifth ray, and its fascination with mechanism. He jokes that
he has a lot harder time putting the watches back together. If the ray
of the mind is the fifth, it serves the function of the illuminator—for
the fifth Ray Lord is a “being of the intensest illumination”.
The anecdotes about his relation to time-pieces simply serves as a hint
concerning the quality of the ray.
One sign of the three that
transmit the fifth ray (namely Leo) is active in the Dalai Lama’s
chart. Here we find placed Venus, the orthodox ruler of his Libra Rising
Sign. (Concerning the degree of this Libra Rising Sign, its most appropriate
symbol is “A Man Teaching the True Inner Knowledge”). Venus
is a planet proposedly ruled in its soul nature by the fifth ray, and
this ray is reinforced by the fifth ray, transmitted through Leo. They
are placed in the eleventh house, the house related to Aquarius, another
sign that serves as a conduit for the fifth ray.
There is an out-of-sign trine
from Uranus (the planet of “occult science”) to Venus. Scientific
Uranus has much to do with the fifth ray, and this trine reinforces
the fifth ray’s power of illumination. We must remember that the
exoteric and esoteric rulers of Libra are Venus and Uranus, respectively,
and thus this trine makes of the Dalai Lama a true representative of
the Libran energy. The illuminated mind is behind all that he does.
Venus represents the effect of the Solar Angel upon the lower mind,
and Uranus represents (for the initiate) the awaking of the mind through
contact with the spiritual triad.
The Emotional Body of the
Dalai Lama: At his stage of evolution, the second Ray of Love-Wisdom
is pouring through what remains of the emotional vehicle. He tells us
that he “gets angry” now and then, and there is a certain
urgency and the feeling of emotional intensity in his speech. He is
surely no stranger to the sixth ray (as both Virgo and Pisces—sixth
ray as well as second ray signs—are strongly tenanted). Also,
when he (like any good ‘politician’), “presses the
flesh”, he really presses.
Conjunctive Juno in urgent
Aries gives this tendency. He seems, spontaneously, to leap into new
relationships within the community of love and wisdom. He has also been
known to weep openly. One feels him working through the solar plexus
and using it (probably quite deliberately) to stir the people he contacts.
His grand trine in water signs brings him in close relation to the astral
plane, which is the sixth plane associated with the sixth ray. All the
water signs emphasize the six in some significant manner. Thus, even
though great love pours through his sentient nature, he certainly knows
how to “move the crowd” by utilizing the sixth ray sentiently
and emotionally.
The Physical Body of the
Dalai Lama: This is difficult to assess. His Sun Sign, Cancer, distributes
both the third and seventh rays. The Sun can stand for the physical
body, and is trined by third ray Saturn. The seventh ray of monastic
living is deeply ingrained in him, but the grueling schedule he keeps,
requires a body with great endurance. Indeed, his constant traveling
suggests the third ray, with its tendency towards “field work”.
Although Libra, his Ascendant,
is the seventh sign, it is principally a distributor of the third ray,
as is Cancer (for the masses). Mars is another planet that represents
the physical body, and its square to the Sun makes it even more representative
of this lower vehicle. Mars in an expression, particularly, of the principle
of activity, and by a number of associations is connected to the third
ray. It is also placed in a third ray sign. Judging from his manner,
the third ray is the more likely choice of ray to qualify the physical
body.
Other Chart Features
When we consider the meaning
of the Sun in Cancer we must think of the Dalai Lama as the foremost
representative of his native country (Cancer rules native countries)—Tibet.
All Tibetans are his family. His still wider family, is the “Human
Family”, which he sees and embraces as one. Here is an instance
in which the sign Cancer has a much wider meaning than as indicator
of the usual physical family or more local group of relatives. Already
a Capricornian initiate, the Dalai Lama has become the “crab Who
clears the ocean of matter which flows around the soul of man”
(EA 62).
The Libra Ascendant is entirely
fitting for a man who has received the Nobel Peace Prize. A number of
higher beings probably influence or work through the Dalai Lama. He
seems especially resonant with the “Spirit of Peace”.
The three rulers of the Ascendant,
Libra, are, each of them, important. The relationship between the orthodox
ruler, Venus, and the esoteric ruler, Uranus, has already been discussed.
Because the Dalai Lama is a true initiate, the hierarchical ruler of
Libra, Saturn, placed in the sixth house of service and discipleship-training,
is likewise significant. Libra, for the Dalai Lama, can represent a
connection to the spiritual triad (over which Libra presides) and to
the impersonal life.
Saturn represents karma and
spiritual duty. It would seem that in this incarnation, he is involved
in bringing to a close some very ancient national karma. It would seem
that he has transcended much of what could be called strictly personal
karma. Saturn in Pisces, therefore, represents all that must be bravely
faced at the end of a cycle. Since Saturn is also the orthodox and esoteric
ruler of the IC, much of this karma involves his homeland.
Mars in Libra is an important
planet as it is square to the Sun in Cancer and rising in the chart.
The square represents the danger and opposition to which he has been
subjected since his youth. This danger is exacerbated by the presence
of Pluto within twelve degrees of the Sun. Mars is widely square Pluto
as well as the Sun, and almost exactly square the midpoint between the
Sun and Pluto. There are many who seek to eliminate him—some from
within the Buddhist community. He has his definite enemies, who are
also the enemies (Mars) of peace (Libra).
Mars in Libra is in the sign
of its detriment, which weakens Mars in the usual sense, rendering it
less aggressive, more subservient to the principle of harmony. This
position also makes one work actively and even aggressively to promote
the ideal (sixth ray Mars) of peace (Libra). The Dalai Lama is not at
all passive when it comes to promoting peace; in fact he is pro-active,
taking the ideal of peace with him in his extensive travels and championing
it.
Just as the Sabian Symbol
for the Libran rising degree speaks of the impartation of inner knowledge,
the symbol for the Sun Sign degree is also extremely telling: “A
very old man facing a vast dark space to the northeast.” The Dalai
Lama, spiritually, is a “very old man”. The North and the
East are places of mystery and illumination, respectively.
Further, when the Buddha
returns yearly to the Wesak Valley, his image is said to appear in a
northeastern section of the sky to the left of the great Mount Kailash.
By facing the northeast, the Dalai Lama is facing his buddhahood, for
he is said to be an emanation of Buddha of Compassion. This symbol speaks
of his profound spiritual orientation—towards the luminosity of
the East and the mysterious spirit-power of the North.
It is impossible to overlook
the role played in the Dalai Lama’s chart by the two brightest
stars in our local cosmic environment (i.e., those stars with the greatest
visual magnitude)—Sirius and Canopus. Canopus conjuncts the Dalai
Lama’s Sun within 51’ of arc and Sirius is conjunct his
Cancer Sun with exactitude—only 1’ of arc from the degree
and minute of the Sun. Given the role and spiritual status of the Dalai
Lama, the conjunction with Sirius is remarkable to say the least.
Canopus is the second brightest
star (visually). In terms of absolute magnitude Canopus is well over
a thousand times more luminous than Sirius. Canopus is the great navigator
of the mythical ship Argo, and represents the “path finder”—those
who find new ways and method. It is particularly associated with education,
educators and those who travel much in search of education or for the
sake of disseminating education. We can see how appropriate are these
meanings in the case of the Dalai Lama.
As for Sirius, it is, with
respect to humanity, visually the brightest and most potent star in
the local sky. The energy of Sirius supports our solar system and serves
as the inspiration to our planet’s Great White Lodge. Everyone
who steps upon the paths of probation, discipleship and initiation is,
essentially, guided by Sirius, and the Christ, Himself, is an example
of the true Sirian initiate.
Given these facts, it can
be understood that the Dalai Lama is playing a pivotal role is preparing
humanity, en large, for the first initiation—though he is certainly
inspiring to potential actual initiates of the second and third degrees
as well. Sirius is knows as “the Scorcher”, and burns away
from humanity all that inhibits its spiritual progress. Alchemically,
the Dalai Lama is having a huge influence on the psychological nature
of present humanity, helping to change its desire nature, and sensitizing
it to the reception and expression of true Love-Wisdom.
The nebula Aculeus in the
“Sting of the Scorpion” is conjunct his Mercury in Gemini
within less than one degree. Aculeus carries the meaning of successfully
enduring attack. There are incessant attacks (both within and without),
and the Dalai Lama has endured them remarkably. This position also gives
him the power to ‘attack’ evil, slavery, tyranny, etc.,
without seeming to attack. His every positive word, engendering a huge
global following, is an attack upon the forces of darkness and obstruction.
His Jupiter in Scorpio gives him the power to contend successfully with
the “counterforce”.
We find Jupiter contraparallel
to Denebola in the back of Leo the Lion, closely conjunct Menkar, a
difficult star representing the forces of the collective unconscious,
and conjunct Zuben Elgenubi (the star of positive social change.) Denebola
opens the individual to persecution for his beliefs, and because he
is out-of-step with his society. Certainly the Dalai Lama is out-of-step
with the society that the Chinese government would like to see rules
the hearts and minds of Tibetans.
Menkar shows the forces of
ignorance and darkness with which he has to contend, and Zuben Elgenubi
shows the positive results (“positive social change”) that
his mission to humanity is accomplishing. Jupiter, planet of joy (joy
in the midst of the darkness of Scorpio), shows the positivity of his
influence, increasing the wisdom, light, and spiritual treasure of humanity
(all spiritual meanings of the second house). Jupiter as the planet
distributing his proposed soul ray, is of unusual importance, and in
this case, shows him using its redemptive, uplifting power to counteract
negative forces which are determined to stop him.
Venus is conjunct the “royal
star”, Regulus. Regulus promises success if revenge is avoided.
This is precisely the condition of the Dalai Lama. He has every human
reason to resent and even hate the Chinese, but he does not, and thus
serves as a brilliant (Venus in Leo) example of second ray positivity.
Regulus rules, and the Dalai Lama rules through the light of the heart
and mind (spiritual meanings of Venus). It is his luminous nature and
warm heart which are winning the battle, and raising him to a level
of radiatory authority (Venus in Leo) far superior to that of his enemies.
Yet another interpretation
for the Moon conjunct Neptune in the twelfth house is exile. The Moon
is “home”, and Neptune symbolizes the dissolving of locality.
The twelfth house represents the Tibetan karma, which forced the Dalai
Lama away from his ancestral home, into a condition in which his ‘home’
was everywhere—a ‘place’ without boundaries. The planet
Saturn is the ruler of the Dalai Lama’s “home”—the
fourth house. It is placed in a karmic sign, Pisces, in the house of
service and servitude, and opposes the Moon/Neptune conjunction.
Pisces is a sign friendly
to Moon and Neptune, but has a dissolving effect on concrete Saturn.
We can see how one sign (Pisces) and two planets connected to the watery
element (Moon and Neptune) worked together to change the Dalai Lama’s
‘home’ from definite to indefinite. This process had already
begun when the progressed Moon crossed his Ascendant during the time
of his ‘discovery’ by a party of lamas sent in search of
the reincarnation of the last Dalai Lama.
The twelfth house, generically
considered, is esoterically ruled by Pluto, the planet of the exile.
Jupiter is placed in Scorpio, and thus Pluto is the dispositor of Jupiter.
The Dalai Lama has achieved “Freedom in Exile”—the
name of one of his well-known books. Pluto (close to the karmic South
Node in the sign of the home, Cancer, represents exile, and Jupiter,
the freedom (especially in consciousness and expanded influence) achieved.
Some Interesting
Factors from the Dynamic Chart
The Dalai Lama was born with
the Moon in Virgo. By the time the Moon had progressed into several
degrees of Libra, he was “discovered” by the search party
seeking his new incarnation. This took place in 1937, presumably in
the spring and summer months when such a party was able to travel in
search.
We notice that the Moon,
representing the incarnational past, was crossing the Ascendant, representing,
in esoteric astrology, the future and, thus, soul purpose and destiny.
At the same time, karmic Saturn was transiting close to a conjunction
of the seventh house cusp opposing the Moon within a few degrees. His
karmic duties and obligations (Saturn and the Moon) were pressed upon
him. At the same time Jupiter, bringing the influence of the soul, was
transiting conjunct the North Node, giving wide opportunity for his
future growth and development.
Indeed, the Dalai Lama was
destined for a fateful encounter which would change the nature of his
life entirely. Transiting Uranus, as well, was fulfilling its exact
opposition to natal Jupiter, and this helped to account for his sudden,
beneficent elevation.
The young Dalai Lama was
installed on the “Lion Throne” in 1940 during a period in
which transiting Jupiter and Saturn were both in close relation to his
natal Uranus, the esoteric ruler of his Ascendant. He was thereby placed
in a position which, in the future, would allow him to become a transformative
agent in a global society and an apostle of the “right human relations”—a
quality which Libra represents.
When we examine the eclipses
for the period, we discover two involving the Ascendant during 1940.
The Ascendant is important in defining the nature of identity and the
relation of that identity to others (at the seventh). The identity meant,
in this case, is soul identity, and with his ascension to the Lion Throne,
a profound change of identity in line with his soul purpose emerged.
Mon LEcl (X) Tr-Tr Mar 24
1940 04:48 03°Li02' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Oct 1 1940 21:44 08°Li11' D
The Chinese invaded Tibet
in 1950. T-Uranus was on the MC, shaking the authority of his political
position, and T-Saturn was conjunct the Virgo Moon in the twelfth house—representing
the suppression of his homeland. There was a solar eclipse quite close
to this transiting Saturn and within a few degrees of his Moon/Neptune
conjunction, showing the servitude of Tibet to the Chinese invaders.
There was also an eclipse on the Ascendant/Descendant axis, with the
Moon in warlike Aries at the Descendant—representing “open
enemies”.
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Sep 12
1950 12:38 18°Vi49' D
Mon LEcl (X) Tr-Tr Sep 26 1950 13:17 02°Ar31' D
The Dalai Lama’s famous
escape was made on a day (March 31, 1959), when transiting Mercury was
conjunct the seventh house cusp, transiting Moon and Saturn were conjunct
each other and the fourth house cusp (home) in Capricorn (representing
difficulty and repression at home), the progressed Moon had just, less
than a month before, moved into Leo (personal freedom); transiting Jupiter
has moved into Sagittarius (movement towards a foreign nation); transiting
Pluto was square to the progressed Vertex, representing a fate (Vertex)
which called for exile (Pluto); there had been a lunar eclipse on the
Ascendant/Descendant about a week before the date of escape, representing
another focus on identity and relations with others (he became a leader
in exile); there had been, about six months before the escape, a solar
eclipse on the Vertex and Juno—his fate was in question and he
had to collaborate closely with those who would help him escape; the
escape occurred just a few months before a progressed lunation in the
seventh degree of Leo—progressed lunations set the tone for the
next thirty or so years.
The degree of the progressed
lunation reads: “The Constellations of Stars Shine Brilliantly
in the Night Sky”, speaking of his brilliant spiritual future.
At this period, Mars had also entered Scorpio by progression. His enemies
were real and lethal. The war was on.
Mon LEcl
(X) Tr-Tr Mar 25 1959 05:11 03°Li26' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Apr 8 1959 12:23 17°Ar33' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Oct 2 1959 21:25 08°Li34' D
Solar arc directions are
also of interest at this time of voluntary exile. SA-directed Neptune
was exactly on the Libran Ascendant at the time of the flight; his identity
was changing and the future was uncertain. He “slipped away”—Neptune.
Also, SA-directed Chiron was exactly at the proposed MC. He received
a wound (Chiron) in relation to his temporal status and authority. He
was forced to abandon the entire structure to which he was entitled,
and choose a “new direction” (Chiron). He “went off
on his own” (Chiron) rather than submit to Chinese pressure or
the needless sacrifice of his life.
It is interesting to see
that just a couple of years before the escape, the progressing MC had
conjuncted natal and progressed Pluto. Presumably this conjunction coincides
with a period in which Mao Tse Dung took an increasing interest in the
Dalai Lama and sought by subtle means to coerce him (Pluto) into cooperation
with China. The Dalai Lama realized, of course, that Mao was an “enemy
of the Dharma”.
The Dalai Lama won the Nobel
Peace Prize on October 5, 1989. This was clearly a Jupiterian event,
acknowledging his great contribution to world peace. Not surprisingly,
we find transiting Jupiter at the MC and SA-directed Jupiter exactly
on the proposed IC. Since that time his status in the world (represented
by the MC/IC) has risen dramatically.
The receipt of the Prize,
also sees T-Saturn at the IC, firmly establishing him and anchoring
him (Saturn) in world thought and anchoring the work of the Ashram in
which he participates. As well a progressed Lunation in Virgo had just
occurred—Virgo, the sign of service to the Christ. We remember
that at the time of his progressed Lunation in Leo, about thirty years
earlier, he had made his escape.
Now, thirty years later,
he was acknowledged as a major world-server, and became one of the foremost
examples of living service before the eyes of humanity. It is impressive
to note that barely a month before he received the Peace Prize, there
was a solar eclipse on his progressed lunation in Virgo. At that eclipse,
T-Jupiter was exactly on the MC (recognition and elevation).
Not only was there an eclipse
on the progressed lunation, but a lunar eclipse, also shortly before
the award, involved Venus in Leo, which is the radiant orthodox ruler
of his Libran Ascendant. The signs of recognition were emphatic; a great
reward had come, making his influence in the world even more potent.
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Mar 8
1989 03:07 17°Pi09' D
Mon LEcl (X) Tr-Tr Aug 17 1989 12:08 24°Aq12' D
Sun SEcl (X) Tr-Tr Aug 31 1989 14:30 07°Vi48' D
Conclusion
We have in the 14th
Dalai Lama, a great soul. His astrological chart is remarkable for
revealing his potentials, so many of which seem to have been fulfilled.
Astrologically, he is admirably equipped to be a great servant of humanity.
Could or would a lesser soul
born with a similar chart respond as he has? Almost certainly not, but
he has been in a position to draw from his chart its esoteric and hierarchical
potentials. Is a great soul born at a moment favorable to the expression
of that great soul? To some degree, it would seem so.
The incredibly close conjunction
between his Cancer Sun and the star Sirius, the “Star of Initiation”,
is a case in point. Through his ministrations, he has led thousands
closer to the possibility of taking initiation—even though he
probably would not discuss spiritual progress in such a way.
In order to see the manner
in which esoteric and hierarchical rulers function, it is useless to
study the charts of average people, or even the average spiritual aspirant.
In the Dalai Lama’s case, however, the orthodox, esoteric and
hierarchical rulers of the Sun and Libra are closely aspected. These
are the three synthesizing planets (related to the spiritual triad),
Venus related to the egoic lotus and the causal body, and the Moon related
to the fourfold personality nature. We can see what an important alignment
this would represent.
The Dalai Lama has been able
to incarnate some of the highest realizations and present them, simply
and luminously to the general public—no mean feat. If he is an
initiate of the fourth degree or nearly so, it remains to be seen what
the higher powers have in mind to impress his incarnation upon the mind
and heart of humanity. Already a strong impression has been made, and
perhaps a stronger one is intended. A time of inner and outer fulfillment
lies immediately ahead with transiting Jupiter (his soul ray planet)
passing through Virgo and Libra. This will be accompanied by a time
of testing as T-Saturn crosses his Sun.
It cannot be expected that
conventional astrology will apply in every particular to one at his
stage of evolution, but the general trends should be visible. In sum,
it is reasonable to think of the Dalai Lama as a major agent in preparing
humanity’s heart and mind for the Externalization of the Hierarchy
and (as a result of his Libra Ascendant) for the Reappearance of the
Christ, the “Prince of Peace”.
Will this be his last incarnation?
The teaching that surrounds him inform us that there will be no more
Dalai Lamas. If he is a fourth degree initiate, the present incarnation
may well be his final compulsory incarnation. Whether it is or is not,
few lives have been as successful as his in serving and enlightening
humanity and guiding it towards a better way of life.