See Michael Robbins' Tapestry of the Gods, Volume III
| Gemini
3. Pleiades.............. | ......... Mercury..................................Fourth Creative
Hierarchy (the 9th) |Sagittarius Unknown
The Mutable Cross (EA p 50)
Through the effect of the energy flowing from the zodiacal signs the man is prepared for the "crisis of orientation" wherein he slowly and gradually reverses his mode of progress upon the wheel of life and begins consciously to travel back to his source. He then goes from Aries to Pisces, via Taurus, Scorpio and Capricorn, instead of moving from Aries to Taurus via Sagittarius, Leo and Cancer.
The triplicity of constellations mentioned in these two great routes around the zodiac have a definite and momentous effect and are called "paramount signs of influence." During this process the mental principle, the discriminating mind, is developed and in this specific connection (not in a general connection) the emphasis is laid upon the influence of Aries, Gemini and Libra. Under that influence the man learns to overcome desire through experiment with and experience of every kind of desire and selfish impulse. (EA p 52)
Resolving the dualities in Gemini
When astrologers understand the true significance of the constellation Gemini, the Twins, and the dual forces which pour through this sign (the "forces in conflict" as they are sometimes called or "the quarrelling brothers") and beat upon our planetary life, then the true method of resolving the dualities will be known. (EA p 55-56)
It is interesting to note also that seven of the symbols which express the twelve signs of the zodiac are dual in their nature, and duality can be inferred from them.
1. The two horns of the Ram in Aries.
2. The two horns of the Bull in Taurus.
3. The figures of the Twins in Gemini (two lines).
4. The two claws of the Crab in Cancer.
5. The two scales of the Balance in Libra.
6. The two Parallel Lines of force in Aquarius.
7. The two Fishes in Pisces.
(EA p 56)
2. From the standpoint of the man upon the probationary path, seeking the light, struggling through the signs (as the Old Commentary expresses it when considering this point):
"He turns from right to left, and then again from left to right. He revolves in giddy fashion upon an axis of desire. He knows not where to go or what to do. The sky turns black."
At this point, the sign Gemini begins potently to play its part in the life of the disciples, with Sagittarius gradually "piercing the heart with his arrows, and then upon the flight of the arrow, the man reaches Capricorn." Then comes the Crisis of Renunciation. (EA p 61)
I earlier gave a hint upon which definite astrological computation could be based when I gave the time of the "Great Approach" of the Hierarchy to our planetary manifestation when individualisation took place and the fourth kingdom in nature appeared. I placed that stupendous event as happening 21,688,345 years ago. At that time the Sun was in Leo.
The process then initiated upon the physical plane and producing outer physical events took approximately 5,000 years to mature and the Sun was in Gemini when the final crisis of individualisation took place and the door was then closed upon the animal kingdom.
It has been stated that Sagittarius governs human evolution, as the Sun was in that sign when the Hierarchy began its Approach in order to stimulate the forms of life upon our planet. Sagittarius, however, governed the period of the subjective approach.
The Sun was in Leo when physical plane individualisation took place as a result of the applied stimulation.
The Sun was in Gemini when this Approach was consummated by the founding of the Hierarchy upon the Earth. This is one of the great secrets which the Masonic Rituals typify, for the symbol of the sign, Gemini, is the source of the concept of the two pillars, so familiar to Masons. It might therefore be stated that, symbolically speaking,
1. Leo governs the E\ A\ degree.
2. Gemini governs the F\ C\ degree.
3. Sagittarius governs the degree of M\ M\ up to the episode of the raising of the Master, and that Capricorn governs the final part of the ceremony and the H\ R\ A\
(EA p 63-64)
Gemini unrelated to any other sign through the 5th ray
NOTE: In connection with disciples and the zodiacal signs, Gemini and Libra are two constellations which—through their rulers—express 5th and 7th ray energy. For some occult reason, they remain unrelated to any other of the signs. (EA p 66)
Aries initiates the cycle of manifestation. All souls, as individual entities, come into human incarnation for the first time in the sign of Cancer, emerging as mental entities in the sign Aries, as emotional-desire entities in the sign Taurus and as vital entities in the sign Gemini, taking then physical form in Cancer. This is an involutionary, subjective cycle. Thus they emerge into the ocean of physical plane existence, into the world of matter. Yet the first impulse is awakened in Aries, for Aries is the place where the initial idea to institute activity takes form. (EA p 92)
4. Gemini—In the undeveloped man or the average man, the experiences undergone on three arms of the Mutable Cross have brought him to the stage where the "dream of life" can be changed into the recognition of the reality, and the Great Illusion can be seen as undesirable and untrue. The sense of duality is, at this stage, instinctual but becoming increasingly real and steadily more complex.
The man begins to dream of stability, of ordered changes and of union with that which he senses to be the most real part of himself. The mystical vision emerges into his consciousness and he becomes aware of the higher self through the first faint flickerings of the intuition. (EA p 119)
Again and again, he enters into the sign Pisces and finds his way around the great wheel until the experience of change and of mutability and the establishing of the transmutation process carry his consciousness from the instinctual and intellectual stages to the faint beginnings of the intuitive processes in Gemini. Then comes a great process of polarisation and a moment of transference, after which the influence of the Fixed Cross causes reversal and the lessons gained upon the Mutable Cross have to be worked out and the effects demonstrated upon the Fixed Cross. (EA p 119-20)
Gemini—The man upon the reversing wheel in Gemini becomes increasingly aware of the intuition and increasingly under the influence of "the Brothers who live in the Light," as the Twins are sometimes called. The light of the personality dims and the light of the soul waxes. The fluidity of Pisces and the undeveloped Gemini gives place to the responsiveness of the personality to soul impression and consequent stabilising of the life on the physical plane.
(EA p 120)
From this it will be apparent how important and powerful is this sign. Through its orthodox ruler, Jupiter, that force is brought to bear which "brings all together" and— in this case—relates the two fishes and binds them together in a functioning relationship. It is the activity consequently of the second ray force which relates soul and form and brings the two together, and this magnetic potency is peculiarly descriptive of the activity of Pisces.
From another angle and in a dual sign, this can also be seen working out in Gemini. In Pisces, there is demonstrated the captivity angle of relationship and the two fishes are unable to escape from each other; in Gemini there is also a definite relationship between the two brothers but there is no connecting band, and in that relationship is latent free choice and free determination. In connection with a lesser duality found in every human being, that of head and heart, of mind and love, and of will and wisdom, the work of Jupiter is to develop these two qualities and bring them into synthetic interplay.
Eventually there has to be the complete fusion of love and mind before a world saviour can manifest and function efficiently, and this is pre-eminently the final result of the forces of the Mutable Cross, as they work out the qualities released by the planets active in Pisces, Sagittarius, Virgo and Gemini. (EA p 126)
Esoterically, the reason that Venus is exalted in Pisces is connected with the relation of Pisces to the sign Gemini, of which Venus is the esoteric ruler, and also in relation to the fact that Venus is the Earth's alter ego and is closely related to the human kingdom. This subject is too vast and complicated to be elaborated here, but the point should be remembered. The Fishes in Pisces are bound together, as we have seen, and this is a symbol of the captivity of the soul in form, prior to the experience upon the Fixed Cross.
The Twins in Gemini are symbols of the same basic duality, but the experience of the many changing incarnations has done its work, and the Band (uniting the two fishes) is in process of dissolution, for part of the work of Pluto is to "cut the thread which binds the two opposing lives together."
It is the task of Venus to "reunite the severed lives but with no binding thread." Therefore, Venus is exalted in Pisces and at the end of the greater cycle, the Sons of God who are the Sons of Mind are raised up into glory through experience and crucifixion because they have learned to love and truly reason. The influence of Pisces, Gemini and Virgo is eventually fused and blended (symbolically the Cross must always become the line and then the point). (EA p 129-130)
Gemini and Sagittarius are connected through their ruling planets (because the Earth is more closely related to Venus than to any other planet) and thus again you have the six potencies which produce release from the bondage of form, entered into in Cancer as far as the mass of humanity is concerned (by this I mean the birth of the human kingdom) and in Pisces as far as the individual is considered. (EA p 131)
1. Subjective latent consciousness In Aries
2. The consciousness of duality In Gemini
3. Mass consciousness In Cancer
4. Individual self-consciousness In Leo
5. Equilibrised consciousness In Libra
6. Group consciousness In Aquarius
(EA p 145)
The same basic mode of considering the three Crosses can be carried out with Gemini, Taurus, Aries or the reverse: Aries, Taurus and Gemini, remembering always that the Mutable Cross governs the wheel in ordinary progress and the Fixed Cross governs it on the reversed progress during discipleship. The Cardinal Cross in reality governs [Page 152] both processes but this is only understood when initiation has taken place.
1. Aries—Governs the Path of Discipleship. The Will to return to the Source. Determination to achieve liberation. The emanating cause of the changes upon the Mutable and Fixed Crosses.
2. Taurus—The desire to overcome desire. The longing for liberation. Transmutation of desire into Love.
3. Gemini—The fusion of the opposites; the intelligent work of at-one-ment; synthesis.
Upon the ordinary wheel, these signs bring about:
1. Gemini—Experience of the pairs of opposites. Pronounced and separative duality. The interplay between the Twins: Soul and form natures.
2. Taurus—The refocussing of the lower desires prior to another circling of the Great Wheel in search of personality satisfaction. The Prodigal Son journeys into a far country.
3. Aries—Again the beginning as well as the end.
(EA p 151-52)
Taurus opens the door into the Hierarchy when the significance of Gemini and Leo is understood and the first two initiations can therefore he taken. (EA p 157)
1. In Lemurian days, during the early period of animal man and before humanity appeared on earth, in the interim period of development, eight signs influenced the planet and the kingdoms of nature found upon it. There was no response to the influences of Leo and Virgo. The mystery of the Sphinx did not exist and these two signs were not then part of the zodiacal wheel.
Then individualisation took place and the seed of Christhood was planted in man and these two signs began to influence humanity, and gradually that influence was recognised and the zodiac was then known to have ten signs. The Mutable Cross dominated, but it was then the Tau, for Pisces was lacking and only Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius were evidenced. Aries to Capricorn marked the circle of experience. (EA p 159-60)
This fact is responsible for sweeping into the conflict in a peculiar and pronounced manner, the forces of Cancer (involutionary in nature), of Leo (concerned with individualisation), and of Gemini (expressive of man's essential duality).
You find, therefore, today, the activity of the mass consciousness of Cancer which is indicative of the activity of the Cardinal Cross in the involutionary stage; the self-consciousness of man as indicated by Leo, the most human sign of all, and indicative of the Fixed Cross; and Gemini, which gives the sense of the dual nature of man —human and divine—which is the goal of the consciousness of experience upon the Mutable Cross. (EA p 161)
2. The disciples of the world today and advanced humanity are equally in a state of turmoil. They are being tested and tried, prior to taking a major step forward—in some cases this will be the taking of the first initiation and in others the second. This is brought about by, and brings in, the forces of Taurus, Leo and Scorpio, plus a general pervasive influence coming from Gemini. (EA p 162)
You will note that the world disciples are related to the mass of men through their responsiveness to influences emanating from Gemini, and to each other through Scorpio. This produces in them the capacity to respond to test, to a sense of the vision (through the illumined eye of Taurus) and to use their power of individuality through a developed personality and through the potency of Leo. Initiates are brought into relation to the world disciples through the constellation Scorpio, to the hierarchical centre through Capricorn, and to the mass through Pisces, the sign of all world saviours. (EA p 162-63)
Gemini |
| The Mutable Cross. "World salvation is possible today."
Pisces | (EA p 163)
From certain angles, Saturn can be regarded as the planetary Dweller on the Threshold, for humanity as a whole has to face that Dweller as well as the Angel of the Presence, and in so doing discover that both the Dweller and the Angel are that complex duality which is the human family. Saturn, in a peculiar relation to the sign Gemini, makes this possible. Individual man makes this discovery and faces the two extremes whilst in the sign Capricorn; the fourth and fifth Creative Hierarchies do the same thing in Libra. (EA p 164)
Taurus—Guards the secret of light and confers illumination upon the initiate.
Gemini—Guards the mystery or secret of duality and presents the initiate with a word which leads to the fusion of the greater pairs of opposite.
Libra—Guards the secret of balance, of equilibrium and finally speaks the word which releases the initiate from the power of the Lords of Karma.
Capricorn—Guards the secret of the soul itself and this it reveals to the initiate at the time of the third initiation. This is sometimes called the "secret of the hidden glory." (EA p 165)
Path Rays Planets Constellations
Evolution 6 and 4 Mars. Mercury Aries. Gemini. Cancer.
Virgo. Scorpio
Discipleship 3 and 5 Venus. Saturn Gemini. Sagittarius.
Capricorn.
Initiation 1 and 7 Vulcan. Uranus. Taurus. Libra. Pisces.
Pluto.
You will notice from the above tabulation one or two interesting points. These should be carefully considered by all astrologers after determining the approximate place of the subject upon the evolutionary path in one or other of its three divisions.
First, that the constellation Gemini appears twice on account of its close connection with the fourth Creative Hierarchy. Second, that during the period of the Mutable Cross five constellations are concerned with the experience of man upon the path of daily life, of constant rebirths and of karmic difficulty. Four of them lead to Scorpio, in which sign comes the point of the reversal of the Wheel. (EA p 166)
He "flies from point to point, searching for the arrows which he has discharged." He has, figuratively speaking, to dismount constantly from his white horse (the developed and purified personality) and find where the arrows of intuitional aspiration will take him; he travels upon the "wings of the soul" (note the relationship to the winged feet of Mercury, the messenger of the Gods) and becomes, in his own personality, himself the winged God: Mercury, as you know, governs Gemini, the polar opposite of Sagittarius. This he does until he has established a balanced relationship between the personality and the soul and can function as either at any desired moment with equal facility. (EA p 181)
| Gemini—Changeableness. Instability. Interplay.
|
| Sagittarius—Ambitious desire. Direction. Orientation.
Unevolved man |
| Virgo—Material life. The cherishing of an idea.
|
| Pisces—Sensation. Mediumship. Fluidity.
|Gemini—Recognition of soul and form. Soul interplay.
|
| Sagittarius—One-pointed spiritual aspiration. Disciples.
Evolved man |
| Virgo—The mother of the Christ Child. Gestation.
|
| Pisces—The world Saviour. Mediatorship.
In connection with the above, it is interesting to note that the Twins set apart and unattached in Gemini become the Centaur, the man-beast, in Sagittarius, whilst Virgo, the Virgin, becomes the Fish goddess in the polar opposite, Pisces. (EA p 182)
This involves its mental beginnings in Aries (the will to manifest) and the start of the outgoing life; you have its directed desire in Taurus, producing manifestation; then emerges its dual consciousness in Gemini or the soul-body realisation; the processes of physical incarnation go forward in Cancer, followed by the dual development of the soul-body, or the subjective and objective consciousness, and the God-man in Leo-Virgo. (EA p 230)
Libra is an air sign; there are three air signs in the zodiac and their inter-relation makes a most interesting study and well worth the close investigation of the student as are all these major triplicities. Each of these signs is to he found in one or other of the three Crosses:
1. Gemini, the Twins Mutable Cross Duality.
2. Libra, the Balances Cardinal Cross Equilibrium.
3. Aquarius, the Water-Carrier Fixed Cross Initiation.
These three, therefore, stand for duality—sensed, overcome and resolved into the synthesis of the great World Server, identified with the Heavenly Man and bringing his contribution, wrested in his experience upon the wheel of life from the sum total of energy, to the service of the Whole. Forget not that initiation is but another name for synthesis and fusion.
From another angle, you have:
1. Gemini, the Twins Mind Cause of duality.
2. Libra, the Balances Supermind Cause of synthesis.
3. Aquarius, the Water-Carrier Universal Mind Soul.
These three signs are pre-eminently signs of the Mind of God as it expresses itself through man; the lower mind dominates at first, causing the recognition of the Self and the Not-Self, or the essential dualism which underlies all manifestation; the higher mind, however, steadily increases [Page 242] its power and control, producing the balancing of the pairs of opposites through the illumination which it brings to the lower mind, and then the Soul, the eternal Son of Mind, becomes the ultimate synthesis, focussing and relating the universal mind to the two lower aspects of the Mind of God.
These hints should serve to show you one of the great inter-relations which exist between the three Crosses, and with these we shall later deal when discussing them in greater detail in another part of this section on esoteric astrology.
It is interesting that in the note to Tabulation V both Libra and Gemini are omitted from the list. This is not an oversight but a point of true significance and an omission warranting recognition. This omission is based on two facts:
First, that there was a time, as you have heard, when there were only ten signs, and in those ancient days as in the present time, there was a divergence of opinion among the astrological scientists; they differed as to which the ten signs might be and in this connection there were several schools of thought, but mainly two of importance. One group fused or made one sign out of Leo-Virgo and perpetuated their belief in the Sphinx; the other omitted Gemini and Libra altogether. They were of an earlier date than the latter who in reality had a zodiac of eleven signs. This is a fact of importance to you today.
The other point of note and of a relative importance is that Gemini and Libra are the two strictly human signs; they are the signs of the ordinary man. Gemini upon the Mutable Cross stands for man's humanity, whilst Libra upon the Cardinal Cross rules man's subjective and spiritual life. (EA p 242)
The emphasis, however, on Gemini and Libra as far as humanity is concerned is on human attainment and achieving the point of balance before the other attainments become possible. (EA p 242)
Gemini Duality Condition Interplay.
(EA p 247)
Gemini and Virgo are closely related but Gemini presents the pairs of opposites—soul and body—as two separate entities whereas in Virgo, they are blended and of great and supreme importance to each other; the mother protects the germ of the Christ life; matter guards, cherishes and nurtures the hidden soul. The keynote which embodies the truth as to the mission of Virgo most accurately is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (EA p 252)
A recognised duality in Gemini.
Virgo is, therefore, the opposite pole of spirit and stands for the relation of these two after they have been brought together originally in Aries and have produced a recognised duality in Gemini. (EA p 254)
I. Gemini.
1. Essential unrelated duality. The Twins.
2. Sensed and recognised duality through
a. Mass fusion in Cancer.
b. Individual consciousness in Leo.
The stage of Humanity.
II. Virgo.
1. The period of the hidden germ of spiritual life.
2. The period of the active germ of spiritual life.
a. Gestation in the early stages.
b. The stage of quickened life.
The stage of Probation or Awakening.
III. Sagittarius.
1. Sense of duality ended. Fusion attained.
2. The one-pointed direct life.
The stage of Discipleship.
IV. Pisces.
1. Duality linked in synthesis. Compare symbols for Gemini and Pisces.
2. The emergence of the World Saviour.
The stage of Initiation.
Throughout this relation and as a result of the steady unfoldment of the soul principle runs the theme of service. In Gemini, the relation between the great duality of soul and body emerges in which, at this stage, the body or form serves the soul. (EA p 257-58)
Gemini and the 4th month of gestation
Today it would seem (curiously and convincingly) that we are entering into the eighth month of the gestation period; this is almost literally the case where humanity is concerned for—counting from Virgo to Aquarius, the sign into which we are now entering—we find that there are just eight signs: Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces and Aquarius, and this is surely the guarantee that the birth of the new age, of the new consciousness and the new civilisation and culture is inevitable and sure. (EA p 260-61)
There is here an esoteric reference to the essential identity of Son with the Father, the "undying One," and with the eternal Mother; that is, with spirit and matter. This is the fundamental mystery of Virgo and will be revealed when the energies pouring into Virgo from Gemini, via the planet Mercury, have done their destined work; for Gemini is an expression of the fourth unmanifested Creative Hierarchy—one of the higher group of Lives which stand just beyond the seven Who condition our systemic lives. These Lives have achieved Their goal, but Their energies are still directed towards and focussed upon our planet. They are not unmanifested in the case where such developed planets as Uranus, Jupiter or Saturn are concerned. (EA p 272)
Aries sees the beginning or initiation of the relationship between spirit and matter. Gemini is definitely a sign of duality and signifies the relation of these two major energies in the human or fourth Creative Hierarchy; this dualism is emphasised in a still more intimate and comprehensible manner in Scorpio, in which the note of the evolutionary cycle which it dominates is "the Word made Flesh." It is the sign wherein the Christ demonstrates His control over matter in the guise of the triumphant disciple. Spirit and matter (Aries ), soul and body (Gemini), the mother and the child (Virgo), the Word and the Flesh (Scorpio)—here are the four signs of creative dualism and inter-related evolution presented and descriptive of the potency and objectives of the fourth Creative Hierarchy.
When Mercury, the divine Messenger, the principle of illusion and the expression of the active higher mind, has performed his mission and "led humanity into the [Page 273] light" and the Christ-child out of the womb of time and of the flesh into the light of day and of manifestation, then the task of that great centre we call humanity will be accomplished. (EA p 272-73)
I state a basic truth—vaguely acknowledged by you—that in Aries the essential substance of manifestation awoke to renewed activity under the impact of divine desire, impelled by the divine Breath, by divine Life or Spirit. In Cancer this living substance assumed a triple differentiated relationship to which we give the names of Life (Aries) of Consciousness (Taurus, the next sign to Aries) and manifested duality (Gemini, the sign preceding Cancer) and these three, blended together, came into outer manifestation in Cancer, thus completing an esoteric quaternary of great importance. (EA p 313-14)
There are three signs, preceding these, which provide the subtle or subjective realities of the will-to-be (Aries), the desire-to-know (Taurus) and the establishment of relationship (Gemini), and these constitute the triple incentive to the manifestation of man and of the human kingdom. They correspond cosmically to the logoic, the monadic and spiritual planes to which the higher initiate has access or when dealing with the entire concept on a lower turn of the spiral and in connection with ordinary man, they correspond to the mental, the astral and the etheric vehicles of man. They are, therefore, related to the highest and the lowest expression of human life. (EA p 320)
The theme of that ray is "Harmony through Conflict" and it is the lower aspect of the ray energy, producing conflict which has hitherto controlled, and is climaxing now through the impetus of the new incoming Shamballa force. As it exhausts itself (and this is rapidly coming about) there will be a shift of direction and force to that major ray, the second Ray of Love-Wisdom, of which the fourth ray is an aspect.
This second ray energy is very potently focussed through the constellation Gemini via the planet, Jupiter. We shall then have the inauguration of a long cycle of beneficent development in which the conflict essential to the interplay between the dualities will be stabilised upon the mental plane and—under the influence of the salvaging, serving egos of the fifth kingdom—entirely change world civilisation. (EA p 328)
3. Gemini.—The Light of Interplay. This is a line of light beams, revealing that which opposes or the basic duality of manifestation, the relationship of spirit and of form. It is the conscious light of that relationship. (EA p 329)
3. Gemini Mutation of relation. Orientation of Right relation.
"I serve myself." "I serve my brother." "I serve the One."
Keynote: Gemini moves towards Libra. (EA p 332)
3. Gemini-Sagittarius.—Fluid interplay and instability leads to personality focus and determination. The man is one-pointedly devoted to personality achievement. The threefold lower nature, synthesised and directed controls all activity.
… 3. Sagittarius-Gemini.—The result of this related pair of opposites is that there is one-pointed soul effort, spiritually directed activity and a demonstrated readiness for initiation. There is the waning of the power of form and the waxing of the life of the soul. (EA p 338)
In this world cycle, Gemini, Taurus and Aries are three subjective energies or the three conditioning signs which lie behind manifestation. They lie behind the form-taking experience in Cancer and they also lie behind manifestation in Pisces.
… As we study Gemini and Taurus (Aries we have already considered) let us bear in mind their cause-initiating nature and the fact that they have a more specifically psychic effect and subjective influence than their strictly phenomenal and physical effects would lead one to imagine. (EA p 344)
Gemini determines the paramount influence within the fourfold influence of the Mutable Cross
In each of the Crosses of the Heavens there is one sign and influence which, in any world cycle, dominates the other three. Such dominating effects necessarily change when a world cycle changes, but for the present cycle, Gemini determines the paramount influence within the fourfold influence of the Mutable Cross. The main objective of these four energies is to produce that constant flux and periodic change in time and space which will provide a field of adequate experience for the unfoldment of the Christ life and consciousness.
… Gemini.—This is the force which produces the changes needed for the evolution of the Christ consciousness at any particular point in time and space. It is always compatible to the requirement. (EA p 345)
The formless nature of the influences of Gemini is strikingly borne out if the significance of Masonry is studied. This world-wide institution was—as I have earlier told you—organised under the influence and impulse of this sign and is governed by it in a most unusual manner.
The format or exoteric symbolism of Masonry has frequently been changed during the millenia of years through which it has been active. Its present Jewish colouring is relatively modern and not necessarily enduring, but its significance and its history of unfoldment are the history of the indwelling Christ consciousness and of that inner light, and this must unalterably be continued. That which has entered through the two pillars of Hercules, the disciples (Jachin and Boaz), and through the sign Gemini, has entered to stay. (EA p 346)
Apart from the importance of the influences of Gemini as the dominant power in the Mutable Cross, it is one of the paramount zodiacal signs in that it is the major symbol of duality in the zodiac. It is the constellation Gemini and its inherent second ray influence which control every one of the pairs of opposites in the Great Wheel. Gemini, therefore, forms with each of the pairs of opposites in the Zodiac a third factor, powerfully influencing the other two constellations, and thus forms, with them, certain great zodiacal triangles.
These only become of importance when considering the horoscopes of advanced human beings or esoteric groups, but eventually—when casting the horoscope of a disciple or an initiate—the esoteric astrologer will have to consider their potency.
For instance, in the case of an initiate whose Sun is in Leo, the triangle of constellation energies determining the interpretation of the horoscope would be Leo-Aquarius-Gemini. When dealing with a subject whose Sun is in Gemini itself, the conditioning triangle would be Gemini-Sagittarius and Pisces—the latter forming a part of this triangle because it marks both the end and the beginning and is, for this great cycle of the zodiac, the Alpha and the Omega. (EA p 347)
This sign is sometimes called the "constellation of the resolution of duality into a fluid synthesis." Governing as it does all the pairs of opposites in the zodiac, it preserves the magnetic interplay between them, keeping them fluid in their relations, in order eventually to facilitate their transmutation into unity, for the two must finally become the One.
It should be remembered that—from the angle of the final development of the twelve zodiacal potencies—the twelve opposites must become the blended six, and this is brought about by the fusion in consciousness of the polar opposites. Pause and consider this phrasing. The opposites eternally remain from the point of view of human reason, but to the initiate whose intuition is functioning they constitute but six great potencies, because he has achieved "the freedom of the two," as it is sometimes called. (EA p 347-48)
Gemini is, therefore, one of the most important of the twelve signs and its influence lies behind everyone of them—a fact but little realised as yet by astrologers. This will be more fully understood when the triangle of Gemini and two opposing signs is studied. Because the Ray of Love-Wisdom, the second ray, pours through Gemini it becomes apparent how true is the occult teaching that love underlies the entire universe. God is love, we are assured, and this statement is both an exoteric and an esoteric truth.
This underlying love of Deity reaches our solar system primarily through Gemini, which forms, with the constellation of the Great Bear and the Pleiades, a cosmic triangle. This is the triangle of the cosmic Christ and is the esoteric symbol lying behind the cosmic Cross. There is ever the eternal triangle to be found behind the fourfold phenomenal appearance. Speaking symbolically and in the words of the Old Commentary:
"Upon the golden triangle, the cosmic Christ appeared; His head in Gemini; one foot upon the field [Page 349] of the Seven Fathers and the other planted in the field of the Seven Mothers (these two constellations are sometimes called the Seven Brothers and the Seven Sisters. A.A.B.). Thus for aeons, the Great One stood, His consciousness in-turned, aware of three but not of four. Intent, with suddenness, He heard a sound go forth.... Arousing to that cry, He stretched Himself, reached forth both arms in understanding love, and, lo, the Cross was formed.
"He heard the cry of the Mother (Virgo), of the Seeker (Sagittarius), and of the submerged Fish (Pisces). Then, lo, the Cross of change appeared, though Gemini remained the head. This is the mystery."
In this occult statement is hidden one reason why Gemini is regarded as an air sign, for it is cosmically related (as are Libra and Aquarius, the other two points of the airy triplicity) in a most peculiar way to the Great Bear, to the Pleiades and to Sirius. The relation is essentially a sixfold one, and here you will find a hint as to the resolution of the pairs of opposites—involving as these three constellations do the three ideas of opposition-equilibrium-synthesis or universal fusion. It might be stated that:
1. Gemini—forms a point of entrance for cosmic energy from Sirius.
2. Libra—is related to and transmits the potencies of the Pleiades.
3. Aquarius—expresses the universal consciousness of the Great Bear. (EA p 347-49)
A close consideration of what I have said above will serve to emphasise in your consciousness the importance of this constellation, Gemini, and the inner significance of the Mutable Cross. All the constellations on this Cross mark points of change or are the custodians of those energies which produce the needed periods of re-orientation, preparatory to fresh developments and new activities. (EA p 350)
In the expression of the activity of this sign of duality, it is subjective energy we must consider as it produces objective effects. This sign controls esoterically the heart of our solar system and thus controls the pulsation of life which sustains all that is. Gemini is, therefore, connected with the heart of the Sun, just as Cancer is related to the physical Sun and Aquarius to the central spiritual Sun. Here again, you have a significant triangle of a cosmic nature, the energies of which are focussed through the three aspects of the Sun in a most mysterious fashion:
1. Cancer . . . physical Sun . . . 3rd aspect . . . intelligent activity of the Whole.
2. Gemini . . . heart of the Sun . . . 2nd aspect . . . love of the Whole.
3. Aquarius . . . central spiritual Sun . . . 1st aspect . . . the will of the Whole.
(EA p 351)
In Cancer, you have the intelligent synthetic consciousness of the mass, viewing it from the consciousness of matter itself and the awareness of all forms and atoms; in Gemini, you have an emerging recognition of duality, leading to experience and growth in all separative intelligent forms; in Aquarius, you have the results of the activity of Cancer and Gemini, producing a higher synthesis and a universal group awareness. This the intelligent student can trace with moderate facility in relation to humanity, but it applies equally to all forms in all kingdoms of nature and also to planetary and solar expression.
The proved reality of this is one of the developments of the initiatory process at the end of the long, long path of evolution. Attraction and repulsion are therefore conditioning factors in our solar life, and this conditioning reaches us through Gemini. It is the effect of a cosmic energy at present unknown to humanity. The waxing and the waning light which distinguishes soul experience from the first faint move towards incarnation and Earth experience, the rise and fall of civilisations and the growth and unfoldment of all cyclic manifestations are produced by the "interplay between the two brothers," as it is called. In that far-off time when the greater round of the zodiac was started in Gemini, as now it is in Pisces, there was a relation between the waxing and the waning moon, due to the pulsating power of Gemini. (EA p 352)
In Cancer, you have the intelligent synthetic consciousness of the mass, viewing it from the consciousness of matter itself and the awareness of all forms and atoms; in Gemini, you have an emerging recognition of duality, leading to experience and growth in all separative intelligent forms; in Aquarius, you have the results of the activity of Cancer and Gemini, producing a higher synthesis and a universal group awareness. This the intelligent student can trace with moderate facility in relation to humanity, but it applies equally to all forms in all kingdoms of nature and also to planetary and solar expression. The proved reality of this is one of the developments of the initiatory process at the end of the long, long of evolution.
Attraction and repulsion are therefore conditioning factors in our solar life, and this conditioning reaches us through Gemini. It is the effect of a cosmic energy at present unknown to humanity. The waxing and the waning light which distinguishes soul experience from the first faint move towards incarnation and Earth experience, the rise and fall of civilisations and the growth and unfoldment of all cyclic manifestations are produced by the "interplay between the two brothers," as it is called. In that far-off time when the greater round of the zodiac was started in Gemini, as now it is in Pisces, there was a relation between the waxing and the waning moon, due to the pulsating power of Gemini. This is now greatly lessened, owing to the removal of the responsive life from the Moon, but the rhythm then set up still remains, producing the same basic illusion. I am talking here in terms of ancient facts and not in terms of reflection, as is now the case. I refer to realities and not to shadows.
Gemini, as you may now begin to grasp, is related to the etheric body; it is the custodian of conditioning energy and the intermediary, as far as basic essentials are concerned, between soul and body. These are the two allied brothers. In the average person, the etheric vehicle is the transmitter of psychic energy, galvanising and coordinating the dense physical body and permitting, therefore, astral and mental control of the personality.
When the man is upon the Path of Discipleship and, therefore, upon the reversed wheel, leading to initiation, the etheric body becomes the transmitter of soul energy and not of personality force; the powerful effect of the second Ray of Love-Wisdom—working through the subjective six rays, according to ray type—begins steadily to dominate the vital body, producing consequently the shift of force and of intensity to the centres above the diaphragm. The power of the personality lessens and wanes whilst that of the soul waxes and grows.
There is much to be learned from the study of the dual activity—higher and lower—of the etheric body and its relation to and responsiveness to the constellation, Gemini, but it is too abstruse for the ordinary student. It is nevertheless an esoteric fact to be borne in mind and will be some day of real service to the astrology of the future, for some day astrology will be lifted up to a higher plane. True interpretation will come and true healing in all departments of human living through a proper understanding of the available potencies and energies pouring into the planet at any particular time. (EA p 352-53)
In a peculiar way, therefore, Mercury increases in the Gemini subject the latent sense of duality in its various stages and also the sense of distinction, leading to that mental agility and that fluidity of mind which is one of the major assets as well as one of the major difficulties of this sign. This agility has, however, to be rightly understood and handled.
When there is facility of mental approach in any direction and in connection with the many opposites in manifestation, you have the emergence of the divine Messenger in his true character, able to comprehend extremes and to relate them divinely to each other. Gemini is pre-eminently the sign of the messenger, and this sign produces many of the messengers of God as they appear down the ages, the revealers of new divine truths and the intermediaries between the fourth and fifth kingdoms. (EA p 354)
There is much to be learned from the study of the dual activity—higher and lower—of the etheric body and its relation to and responsiveness to the constellation, Gemini, but it is too abstruse for the ordinary student. It is nevertheless an esoteric fact to be borne in mind and will be some day of real service to the astrology of the future, for some day astrology will be lifted up to a higher plane. True interpretation will come and true healing in all departments of human living through a proper understanding of the available potencies and energies pouring into the planet at any particular time. (EA p 353)
The orthodox ruler is Mercury who, as the Messenger of the Gods or the "divine Intermediary, carries messages between the poles with speed and light." In this most potent and important planet the idea of duality is again to he found, enhancing and enhanced by the influence of Gemini.
Mercury is the expression of the dual aspect of the mind as it mediates between the higher and the lower. This mediation again falls into two stages: the use of the concrete mind as the mediator within the personality, conditioning the personality life, analysing and distinguishing between the human self and the not-self and emphasising the "me and thou" consciousness as well as that of the personality and its environment.
Secondly, it carries the messages between the soul and the brain and establishes right relation between the lower self and the higher self; it is, therefore, the illumined mind, relating soul and personality. This process of the higher relationship is carried forward with rapidity upon the Path of Discipleship.
There is a third aspect of Mercury which begins to function when the other two are perfected or in process of rapid perfecting. Mercury, in this case, is the abstract mind—removed from all form contact as we understand it—and relates soul and spirit, and this again in two stages. Mercury is the revealer of the Spiritual Triad (atma-buddhi-manas or spiritual will, spiritual love and the higher mind) to the soul, and this carries the disciples to the stage of the third initiation. It is then the revealer of the life aspect during the processes of the higher initiations, but upon these it is not necessary for us to enlarge.
In a peculiar way, therefore, Mercury increases in the Gemini subject the latent sense of duality in its various stages and also the sense of distinction, leading to that mental agility and that fluidity of mind which is one of the major assets as well as one of the major difficulties of this sign. This agility has, however, to be rightly understood and handled. When there is facility of mental approach in any direction and in connection with the many opposites in manifestation, you have the emergence of the divine Messenger in his true character, able to comprehend extremes and to relate them divinely to each other.
Gemini is pre-eminently the sign of the messenger, and this sign produces many of the messengers of God as they appear down the ages, the revealers of new divine truths and the intermediaries between the fourth and fifth kingdoms. (EA p 353-54)
Again you find the note of duality in the relationship (established by the activity of these two rulers) between the third kingdom of nature, the animal kingdom and the kingdom of God or of souls, the fifth kingdom in nature, thus producing the fourth or human kingdom. Between these two the influences play from Sagittarius to Gemini and vice versa.
It was the activity of Venus—under the influence of Gemini—which produced the great crisis of the individualisation when the two kingdoms "approached" each other. Venus, Mercury and the Earth then set up a magnetic field which made the intervention of the Great Lodge on Sirius and the dual stimulation of Gemini effective in producing significant results of which the fourth kingdom in nature is the expression.
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.
You will note that 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. It relates humanity in an unique way to Gemini. In the coming world religion this fact will be noted and in the month of June, which is essentially the month in which the influences of Gemini are peculiarly strong, due advantage will be taken in order to bring man nearer to the spiritual realities.
Just as Venus was potent in producing the relation of such pairs of opposites as the fifth kingdom of souls and the third kingdom (the synthesis of the sub-human kingdoms) leading to a Great Approach between soul and form, so in the new world religion this fact will be recognised. Appeal will be made to the Forces which can utilise this planetary potency in order to work out the divine plan upon the Earth. 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 p 355-56)
It is interesting to discover that the hierarchical ruler of Gemini is the Earth itself, which is a non-sacred planet. The Earth is also the esoteric ruler of Sagittarius, the polar opposite of Gemini. These are the only two constellations ruled by the Earth, and this fact is of major significance, creating an unusual situation in the solar system and a unique relation. The cosmic line of force from Gemini to Sagittarius and the reverse is subjectively and esoterically related to our Earth, thus guaranteeing its soul development, the unfoldment of form as an expression of that soul, and leading our sorrowful humanity upon this woeful planet inevitably to the very gate of initiation in Capricorn.
In this statement and in the fact of the pain and sorrow which are distinguishing qualities of our planetary life lies hid a secret mystery.
Through this relationship and through the medium of the potencies pouring into our planet, a situation is set up which I might express in the words of the Old Commentary:
"When the dual forces of the cosmic brothers (Gemini) become the energy of the one who rides towards the light (Sagittarius) then the fourth becomes the fifth. Humanity, the link, becomes the Hierarchy, the bestower of all good. Then all the Sons of God rejoice." (EA p 356)
This effect is most powerful in Gemini owing to the fact that the two arms of the Mutable Cross are thus related, and the result of the activity of Mercury as it rules Gemini is to produce a steady pull between the pairs of opposites; in Virgo it produces that interior struggle between the exoteric not-self and the esoteric self, between the form-consciousness (planetary, human and subhuman) and the soul within all forms. (EA p 358)
The potencies of Gemini-Aries, instilled into our planetary life via Mercury, focus the energy of the conditioning will-to-be upon the Earth, producing initial beginnings as in incarnation, or initiation, or the start of organisation as well as organisms. It should be remembered that there is the will-to-be in form and the will-to-be free from form, but all these aspects of will are achieved through conflict and interplay of which energy both Gemini and Mercury are the eternal symbols. (EA p 358-59)
All this activity is intensified by two facts: one is that the Earth is the hierarchical ruler of Gemini and the other that Venus is the esoteric ruler. This intensifies all that goes on and leads to the unfoldment upon our planet of the consciousness of universality—to which the word "Hierarchy" is the key. Venus is also the Earth's alter ego, as it is called in the occult literature, and its true supplementary and complementary planet.
You have thus established a double dual relationship: that of Gemini itself, the two brothers, and that of the Earth and Venus. The Earth is peculiarly related to the "brother whose light is waning," for it is not a sacred planet, as you know, and to that aspect of divinity which is material or substantial; Venus is closely related to the "brother whose light grows stronger cycle by cycle" and thus to the soul whose nature is love. It is this Gemini-Venus situation which lies behind the fact that our Earth is uniquely the "planet of releasing sorrow and of purifying pain," the energy producing these releasing factors being focussed through Mercury and Venus upon our Earth.
You will see, therefore, the significance of that triangle of planets (at which I hinted in A Treatise on Cosmic Fire): the Earth-Venus-Mercury. From certain angles, these are related to the Personality of our planetary Logos:
1. The Earth—planetary vital body.
2. Venus—planetary astral vehicle, or Kama-manas.
3. Mercury—planetary mind.
The Earth itself is, on a small scale, also an intermediary or a relating planet, because it is found ruling both Gemini and Sagittarius and is potent, therefore, only within the line of this dual relationship, existing between this particular pair of opposites. In the Earth a great balancing process is going forward between two great streams of cosmic energy, emanating the one from Sagittarius and the other from Gemini. This condition, aided and influenced by Mercury and Venus, produces the somewhat unusual situation in our planet. (EA p 361-62)
The three planets ruling and conditioning Gemini (through out-drawn activity, though not through their own influence) are in this third sign effective in constituting this dual sign a working triplicity; it is the aid they give to our Earth which produces the appearance in form of the dual energies of soul and the subjective psychic personality. Ponder on this. It is the energies of the fifth, fourth and third rays, pouring through Venus, Mercury and the Earth, which are productive of the eternally recurring, divine triplicity and its work of releasing the soul from the influence of form. (EA p 363)
Gemini is lacking the 7th ray
Indirectly, Gemini is ruled by the rays transmitting those potencies which, with Gemini, constitute the Mutable Cross. These are the Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Pluto. They transmit energies expressive of the fourth, second, sixth and first rays.
Only one ray is, therefore, lacking where Gemini is concerned, and that is the seventh Ray of Organization, Ceremonial Magic and Ritual. This accounts for the instability and the fluidity of the Gemini influence, and is largely responsible for the frequent failure of the Gemini person to express the beauty, ideals, etc., which are sensed so that they materialise upon the physical plane. The seventh ray produces fixation upon the exoteric level of experience and "anchors" (if I may use such a term) the ray forces into form, producing concrete expression of the subjective realities or powers.
Six forces meet in Gemini and, for this reason, the double triangle or King Solomon's seal is one of the subjective symbols of this sign, linking it again with the Masonic tradition and indicating also again the essential dualism of this sign.
All the inner potencies are, therefore, present and only the stabilising seventh ray energy is omitted from the dowry of the man born in Gemini. Thus we can easily account for the versatility of the Gemini subject. The effectiveness of Mercury is also enhanced in its interpretive aspect because the Gemini person can always find points of contact with people on nearly every ray.
This is an interesting point to remember if you will realise that the great Masonic ritual was inaugurated under the influence of this sign, and yet—the ray of ritual was omitted. This is due to the fact of reaction, producing opposition and therefore interplay and struggle. Hence the tests and trials of the Masonic procedure. (EA p 363-64)
The indirect influence of the Moon as it symbolically embodies the fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict provides Mercury with the dual tendency to struggle, which is characteristic of this sign, and also the dual tendency to harmony which is the inevitable result of all spiritual conflict. In connection with the duality of conflict, you should bear in mind that there is a conflict of the evolutionary process, leading finally to the conflict upon the Path.
These are the two aspects of struggle: unconscious and under the direction of the form; and conscious, or under the direction of the soul. There is also the harmonising of the personality and the achieving of personality integration; this is a consequence or goal of the first conflict, and then there is the attaining of harmony between soul and form; this is arrived at by the struggle upon the final stages of the Path.
Thus again the essential dualism of this sign becomes apparent. When the Jupiter influence becomes strong and powerful in this sign, it indicates the initiate and the rapidly attained "dualism in synthesis" of soul and spirit. Through the activity of Mercury, the man whose Sun is in Gemini is aided to attain the synthesis of soul and form; through the activity of Jupiter, the man whose rising sign is Gemini is enabled to attain the conscious integration of soul and spirit.
Note these two points for they are of real significance. The conflict which produces these stages in consciousness is fostered by the indirect influence of the planet Mars. Mars carries the war into the very depth of circumstance, environment and being, and confers at the same time such devotion to the visioned objective—as seen at any particular point upon the path—that final failure is rendered impossible. Towards the end of the evolutionary process, the disciple begins to respond consciously to the fourth indirect influence—that of Pluto, producing the death of the hindering factors and of all that prevents synthesis. Pluto, as it affects Gemini, brings about the death or the finish of the separative, instinctual nature, for this is the factor which lies behind all dualism; it is inherent in what The Secret Doctrine calls the principle of ahankara or the awareness of the separative, isolated ego; it is inimical for aeons to the aspiration of the imprisoned soul, focussed within or identified with some aspect of the personality, and, in a later stage, with the personality itself. (EA p 364-66)
Gemini rules the arms and the hands, indicating the service which the two brothers must render to each other in producing the dissolution (under Pluto) of the separative relation which exists for so long between them. It is the health unto life that is here to be considered, and for this reason Gemini governs also the oxygenation of the blood, leading as a result to life activity and to the free interplay and circulation of the spirit-soul aspect throughout all the complex organisms within the corporate form. Where there is the free flow of the life force and no impediment to the circulation of the life fluid, via the blood, there will consequently and normally be the presence of perfect health. ...
Gemini also governs the nervous system and the fluid reactions of the entire nervous organism. Hence you have, in this sign and its activity, the tendency to the eventual control of the two aspects of the soul to which I have made such constant reference in my books: the life aspect seated in the heart and using the blood stream as its mode of interplay and of life-giving expression, and the consciousness aspect, seated in the head and using the nervous system as its mode or condition or process of expression.
To these must be added both the direct and the indirect effect of the rays which rule the sign. It is through the understanding of life and consciousness, as governed by Gemini, that the final release can be mentally achieved. Ponder upon this statement, for in Gemini, the disciple can come to some intelligent grasp of what we might call the consciousness-mechanism and of the life processes which enable man finally to be what he is.
Gemini also rules the thymus gland which is inactive at present in the adult person, owing to the fact that the heart centre is unawakened in the majority. It will, however, become active when "the immortal brother floods the mortal brother with the light and life of God." Then the heart centre, with its correlating activity of consciousness (group understanding and group love) will function freely. The mystery of the sign is in reality concerned with the secret of the response which should and eventually will exist between the two brothers, between the two poles—soul and form—and between the mortal self or personality and the immortal self or soul.
Sensitivity and quick reaction are characteristic of people born with the Sun in this sign or with Gemini rising. This leads in the earlier stages and with the undeveloped person to a fluid versatility; in the later and more advanced stages it leads to an equally fluid but analytical understanding of men and of circumstances. This is brought about through the constant activity, the ceaseless movement and the unending changing conditions which are inherent in the sign itself; these "pulsate between the two aspects" of this dual sign, and are enhanced by the fact that Gemini is the most important aspect of the Mutable Cross, setting or determining the changes and their rate of progression. (EA p 366-68)
It is of great interest to the initiate or to the advanced disciple to realise that in this sign no planet either falls or is exalted. The clue to this mystery lies hid in the fact that, in the intermediate stage between Gemini and Sagittarius, equilibrium, balance, fusion and blending are the objectives of the struggling and almost blinded conscious entity. He must achieve harmony with a consequent avoidance of all extremes. The seven signs—inclusive of Gemini and Sagittarius—are of extreme importance where humanity is concerned:
Gemini.—Subjective in nature. Vital. Is not focussed upon the physical plane. Is focussed upon the mortal brother.
Cancer |
Leo |
Virgo > Are strictly human signs with their recognition of duality,
Libra | emphasised in the central sign Virgo.
Scorpio |
Sagittarius.—Subjective in nature. Vital. Is not focussed in consciousness upon the physical plane. Is focussed upon the immortal brother.
In Sagittarius the same condition is found. No planet is exalted and no planet falls. Mercury is, however, in detriment or its influence is lessened. In Gemini, the above is true of Jupiter. Why this is so, is, esoterically speaking, one of the secrets of initiation.
The clue to the mystery lies in the basic, spiritual dualism of Jupiter in contradistinction to the body-soul dualism of Gemini; in Sagittarius, the dualism of Mercury as it expresses itself in the lower-higher mind is transcended by the universal or spiritual mind. More than this hint is not at this time possible. (EA p 368-69)
In connection with the decanates and their rulers, it is interesting to find that Sepharial and Alan Leo give entirely different ruling planets, and yet both are right. Uniquely for him, Sepharial gives the three planets of Jupiter, Mars and the Sun, and thus indicates those which are the esoteric rulers of the sign upon the wheel of discipleship. Usually his choice is exoteric and not esoteric.
Leo, in this case, gives Mercury, Venus and Saturn, and these three govern the wheel of ordinary life. Between them, they cover the wheel as it turns in both directions. You will note how two out of the governing planets of the decanates in the case of the ordinary wheel serve to enhance the planetary rulers of the sign, Gemini with Saturn offering at a certain fairly advanced stage the opposition needed to bring about a basic revolution. (EA p 369-70)
The obviousness of the meaning of the two Words for this sign requires from me no elucidation. For the ordinary man the Word goes forth "Let instability do its work" but for the disciple the Word is uttered by the soul itself: "I recognise my other self and in the waning of that self, I grow and glow."
Fluidity, recognition of duality, soul control! These are the keynotes of this sign, and should be the keynote of your life, for whether you are in this sign in this life, it has at some time and many times conditioned your experience, and the results are marked in the life of the advanced disciple. (EA p 370)
Gemini and the 1st Initiation
Three signs are also closely connected with initiation. The hidden secret of Aries, Taurus and Gemini is revealed at three successive initiations:
1. The secret of Aries is the secret of beginnings, of cycles and of emerging opportunity. At the third initiation, the initiate begins to understand the life of the spirit or the [Page 388] highest aspect; until that time, he has expressed first the life of the form and then the life of the soul within that form. This experience is of so high a nature that only those who have passed through it could in any way comprehend anything I might say.
2. The secret of Taurus is revealed at the second initiation by the sudden removal or disappearance of world glamour in the blinding energy of light. This constitutes the final radiant activity which consummates the play of the Taurian force upon humanity during the long and cyclic journey to which man is committed. The individual enacts on a tiny scale what humanity—as a whole—will enact when it takes initiation in Taurus.
3. The secret of Gemini has to be grasped at the first initiation because it is the mystery of the relation of Father, Mother and Child. The birth of the Christ-child upon the physical plane is the consummating glory of the Gemini force.
All this concerns the subjective energies which express themselves through the medium of the personality or form aspect. When, therefore, I speak of subjective energies, I refer to the forces pouring from the soul (on soul levels) into the form nature upon its own level of awareness. (EA p 388)
This digression was necessary at this point because it is essential that esoteric astrologers should realise that these three signs, Aries, Taurus and Gemini are (from the standpoint of the disciple and initiate) purely subjective in their effects within the life of these signs. They can only find outward expression in the life of the subject and be consciously directed and controlled in Cancer, thus leading to the great liberation which takes place in the polar opposite to Cancer, Capricorn and also in Aquarius and Pisces. This of course refers to effects upon man upon the reversed wheel. In a certain sense these six signs constitute two major triangles of force. (EA p 389)
Gemini, Capricorn and the 3rd Initation
3. That which is fluid and changeable in Gemini produces the great shift in consciousness which distinguishes the initiate from the disciple. This, at the third initiation becomes a fixed attitude in Capricorn. The concrete form life is transcended and the inner man reorients and assumes an unchangeable direction. (EA p 390)
In Gemini, Venus reveals the desire of the pairs of opposites for each other for this is the underlying theme of the entire creative and evolutionary process—the interplay of the opposites. In Capricorn, Venus reveals to man that desire for the whole, for the universal, [Page 392] which is the hallmark of the initiate and the true expression of the spiritual life.
(EA p 391-92)
2. Gemini—Sagittarius—Mercury (which are an expression of the Pleiades) enable the Probationary Disciple to pass on to the Path of Accepted Discipleship. He is then becoming increasingly intuitive and entirely one-pointed whilst the nature of the pairs of opposites is clearer to him. The relation of the Mother-aspect (as embodied in the Pleiades) and of the Christ-child, hidden within the form of the personality, is realised and the inner, spiritual man institutes the process of initial identification with the spiritual entity on its own plane; the little self begins to react consciously and with increasing frequency to the higher Self. The man "presses forward on that Path wherein he learns to see." (EA p 466)
Crisis Quality Constellation Cross
1. Crisis of Incarnation Individualisation Cancer Cardinal
2. Crisis of Orientation Reversal Aries Cardinal
3. Crisis of Initiation Expansion Capricorn Cardinal
4. Crisis of Renunciation Crucifixion Gemini Mutable
5. Crisis of the Battlefield Conflict Scorpio Fixed
6. Crisis of the Birthplace Initiation Virgo Mutable
7. Crisis of Burning groundLiberation Leo Fixed
(EA p 472)
c. Gemini is only found in the triangle of Ray II and at this time, Virgo and Pisces are carrying the major task of transmitting second ray energy. Today the world is focussed (spiritually or materially) and the fluctuations of the pairs of opposites are much lessened temporarily. Gemini, therefore, is the inactive point of the triangle, though still potent from the esoteric angle of the individual disciple or initiate. (EA p 491)
From the standpoint of our theme (the evolution of consciousness) it must never be forgotten that the aim is to bring the solar Angel, the Son of Mind (called in The Secret Doctrine, the Divine Manasaputra) into the seat of power. This task is pre-eminently entrusted to the three great Lives Who function through Gemini-Libra-Aquarius. (EA p 493)
1. Gemini—expresses the relation of the pairs of opposites as they swing the man into activity and evoke his mental perception. With the aid of the ruling planets (Mercury and Venus) the mind begins to function and when the esoteric planet comes into expression and transmitting potency "the Messenger and the Angel exchange their understanding." (Venus and the divine Manasaputras are closely connected. A.A.B.) (EA p 494)
Twice before has this relation and intensification of vibration occurred: At the time of the coming of the Sons of Mind to the Earth during the Lemurian age and once in the Atlantean period at the climax of the conflict between the Lords of the Dark Face and the Lords of the Shining Countenance. (See Volume II of The Secret Doctrine or the Vishnu Purana. A.A.B.)
In the earlier activity, the fourth active constellation was Gemini and in the Atlantean it was Sagittarius. The effect then was on the physical plane (the earliest was on the mental) and the great Flood eventuated to which the Bible bears testimony. It brought about the destruction of the humanity of the time, but released the indwelling life for further experience and development. (EA p 537-38)
The man whose Sun sign is in Gemini, for instance, is subjected to the forces flowing through the Cross as whole, unless he is a very low grade human being; he will be sensitive to the influences of the other three signs when they sweep into power as the lesser zodiac of the year plays its part. Later, when the practical value of esoteric astrology is better understood, men will avail themselves of the three energies of the three other signs of the Cross in which the Sun sign finds a place. ...
The Gemini aspect of His life is shown in the perfect fusion of the basic duality found in humanity: the human and the divine. (EA p 563-64)
1. GEMINI. This is the great symbolic constellation of the Two Brothers, expressing the interplay between the dualities. Because it is governed by Mercury and Venus, you have the light of the intuition and of the mind blended together into one illuminated whole, typical of the fusion of spirit-matter and the demonstration of their essential oneness.
Gemini, as you know, is the sign of divine interplay and it is the life of the Father (of spirit and of will) which flows through the Two Brothers, through the polar opposites, making them one in reality though two in manifestation. Their real nature as the "elder brother and the prodigal son" is revealed by the intuition when it takes hold of the mind. But it is the will to love which governs the relationship and which finally brings about divine synthesis.
2. PISCES. In this sign the work is consummated and the will of the Father works out through the second ray will as the will-to-save. In Gemini, therefore, you have the two, the pair of opposites and the will-to-relate; in Virgo, you have their work in cooperation, the nurturing of the life of that second ray phenomenon, a Christ, the consummation of the task of matter and its elevation into heaven. (EA p 626)
1. "Castor and Pollux, the bright Gemini, were born from Leda's egg." (I. 392.)
2. "The legend of Castor and Pollux is concerned with the mortal half of man, the personality, and the immortal part, the ego or spiritual individual. The personality has nothing in itself to survive and the other half which becomes immortal in its individuality by reason of its fifth principle being called to life by the Informing Gods, thus connecting the Monad with this Earth. This is Pollux, while Castor represents the personal, mortal man an animal of not even a superior kind, when unlinked from the divine Individuality." (II. 130)
a. "Castor owes his immortality to Pollux.
b. Pollux sacrifices himself to Castor." (II. 130.)
The Full Moon of June of 1943 saw this outpouring of divine love reach its highest expression for all time, and at the point of attainment which is, for that particular Son of God, His highest also. Such is the Law. When an embodied Christ in time and space reaches His goal of achievement, recognition of this comes to Him at the time of the June Full Moon, for in that sign of Gemini the complete victory of life over form, and of spirit over matter, is consummated and celebrated. (RI p 88-89)
1. The Act of Individualisation. The work of the particular Buddha responsible at the time for this major activity, has been temporarily quiescent since Lemurian days. He works, when active, through the seventh ray and draws the needed energy from two constellations: Cancer and Gemini. (RI p 268)
The dual energy of Gemini is brought to a point of balance by means of the influence of Libra, and this balanced and dual energy is released then into our solar system. This entering stream of balanced energies forms the second Path. I have given you much information in the above statement. (RI p 425)
The second Ray of Love or of Attraction governs—from the soul angle—the British Empire and there is a relation between this fact and the fact that the astrological sign Gemini governs both the United States and London. The fluid, mercurial, intuitional mind is closely allied with the divine aspect of love and understanding, producing attraction and interpretation. (DN p 52)
