Leo Compilation
From Esoteric Astrology, by Alice A. BaileySee Michael Robbins' Tapestry of the Gods, Volume III
image by Vicktorya.comThe interplay of Leo and Aquarius
2. The effect of the relation existing between the forces emanating from the sign Aquarius and the sign Leo which is its polar opposite and, therefore, closely related to it. The interplay of the two signs is, at this time, responsible for the appearance of the great and modern human movements, involving vast numbers of men and engineered usually by some dominant personality. It is responsible also for the intense individualism which is manifesting in every department of human life today.
Leo as a “paramount sign of influence”
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. Thus gradually, and with infinite pain, the human soul learns to function first as a member of the human family, and, secondly as a spiritual entity, the divine soul. (EA p52)
Symbol of Leo
8. The symbol for Leo, which is simply the Lion's tail.
from the point where, in Cancer, he forms a part of the mass with the mass consciousness, inchoate and unfocussed, and with no recognition of objective (except the satisfaction of instinctual desire) until in Scorpio he becomes the triumphant disciple, having found himself in Leo. Then comes the Crisis of Reorientation which may take a long time and constitute an interlude of many lives of struggle. (EA p60-61)
Leo finds its crown in Aquarius (the urn…)
3. From the standpoint of the pledged disciple and initiate who traverses again the Path of the Sun and finds that that which he has discovered himself to be in Leo finds its crown in Aquarius. The separative individual consciousness becomes the group consciousness in Aquarius, and he begins to comprehend the significance of that basic combination of signs, that "triangle in the consciousness" of humanity:
Cancer Leo Aquarius.
(EA p61)
Leo and the “Great Approach”
I earlier gave a hint upon which definite astrological [Page 64] 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.
… The Sun was in Leo when physical plane individualisation took place as a result of the applied stimulation.
(EA p64)
Leo and the Entered Apprentice degree
- Leo governs the E\ A\ degree.
(EA p64)
Leo and Aquarius are related to Ray 2
- Leo and Aquarius, through the Sun and Jupiter, are related to Ray 2. Development of the individual consciousness into world consciousness. Thus a man becomes a world server.
(EA p67)
Leo and Virgo are related to Ray 2
b. Ray 2—Leo and Virgo, through the Sun and Jupiter.
(EA p68)
The self-conscious individual in Leo
- The crisis of the birth place in Virgo, brought about through the activity of Mercury, leading through Leo to the birth of the Christ in Capricorn. The self-conscious individual in Leo becomes the Christ-conscious Initiate in Capricorn.
(EA p101)
Leo, the "birthplace of the individual”
- Leo, the "birthplace of the individual," the coming into form of individual self-conscious man who emerges out of the mass and herd in Cancer, substituting, for instinctual consciousness, self-awareness and a sense of responsibility of an individual kind.
(EA p102)
Leo expands into the group awareness of Aquarius—from individual to universal
The quality of these keynotes changes from a petty and superficial nature to one of deep purpose and profound conviction. The low grade and undeveloped Aquarian upon the Mutable Cross manifests through a superficial self-awareness. This matures in Leo and becomes a deep-seated self-consciousness and a profound interest in self and its need and wishes.
As the interplay goes on between Leo and Aquarius (for they are polar opposites) there comes a deepening of all qualities and the superficialities disappear until—upon the reversed wheel—the intensive self-consciousness of Leo expands into the group awareness of Aquarius. The individual becomes the universal.
Man, alone and separative, becomes mankind in his reactions and awareness and yet, at the same time, preserves his individuality; he is no longer just a human being, individually self-centred and separative, but becomes humanity itself, losing his personal identity in the good of the whole yet retaining his spiritual Identity. From self-service, he proceeds to world service and yet is always the individualised Son of God until after the third initiation. (EA p135-36)
The Sun rules all three in Leo
In Capricorn, for instance, the influence of Saturn is both exoteric and esoteric; in Taurus, Vulcan has both an esoteric and hierarchical effect, whilst in Leo the Sun rules all three—the exoteric, the esoteric and the hierarchical life. This we will study somewhat later in this section and when we come to the consideration of the constellation Leo. (EA p141)
Development of Leo individual
In Leo, a man's centre and point of consciousness is himself; he turns upon himself and revolves entirely upon his own axis and in respect and relation to himself, and is all the time the self-centred individual, consecrating all thought, time and service to his own well being and personal interests.
But in Aquarius, the polar opposite of Leo and its sign of consummation, he becomes outgoing; there is no centre or circle of circumscribed influence but only two outgoing lines of energy, pouring from him into the world of men. The self-conscious individual in Leo becomes the conscious server in Aquarius, and this is well expressed for us in the symbols of these two signs.
… 2. In Leo—The self-centred man becomes eventually the soul in life expression and focussed on the achievement of the spiritual goal of selflessness. In this sign, he undergoes preparation for the first initiation and takes it also in this sign, or under this sign when it is the rising sign, becoming "the Lion who seeks his prey," that is the personality who becomes the captive of the soul. (EA p142, 143)
The learning of Leo
In Leo, the individual awakens to his own identity, concentrates his purpose, learns the lessons and uses of selfishness (for that is one of the best ways to learn and to discover that it is contrary to the laws of the soul) and is eventually so cornered by the life processes that he becomes aware of the futility of self- interest. In Aquarius, the man awakens to the beauty of group life, group interest and his individual responsibility towards the group and begins to live his life and to spend himself in the service of humanity. (EA p145)
Individual self-consciousness In Leo
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 p145)
Leo indicates the height of achievement of the human soul.
In Aquarius, the initiate consummates all that has been achieved in Leo through the influence of the Sun, for in Leo there is an almost unique condition where humanity is concerned as the Sun governs all expressions—exoteric, esoteric and hierarchical. It rules the personality, the soul and the fourth Creative Hierarchy. Hence the Sun (the physical Sun) is lessened in its power in Aquarius. The third initiation has been undergone and the light of the personality has been "put out" or dimmed by the light of the subjective Sun, influencing the soul.
There is much to think out here but little more can be directly indicated, as the curious fact of this triple control by a planet constitutes one of the mysteries of initiation. It is tied up with the relation between Leo and Aquarius, for Leo is unusual in having all its ruling influences concentrated through the medium of one planet. Leo indicates the height of achievement of the human soul. We are apt to think that initiation and liberation are the achievement of the human kingdom and the attainment of humanity. This is not the case.
Initiation is an achievement and an attained success of the soul which has at last succeeded in dominating the personality and in manifesting its true nature and character, in spite of the personality and the antagonism of the human being intent upon his own purposes. It is literally the attainment of certain desired objectives, towards which the units of the fifth kingdom in nature have been working for aeons, and expresses the end of the enforced task and sacrifice and planetary service. This achievement reaches its goal at the third initiation and from that time on man, liberated and free, serves from free choice and as a soul, conscious of intent and purpose upon the physical plane. (EA p146)
The dual mystery of Leo
Behind all the above lies the dual mystery of Leo, for Leo is—as far as humanity is concerned—the key or clue to the entire zodiac and around the constellation Leo two great mysteries are found:
1. The mystery of the Sphinx, connected with the relation of Leo and Virgo, and tied up with the secret of the solar Angels. This is not the mystery of soul and form, but the mystery of the higher and the lower mind and their relation to each other.
2. The Mystery of the Lion and the Unicorn. This secret is preserved for us in the ancient nursery rhyme about the "Lion and the unicorn going up to town," and contains in a peculiar way the secret of initiation and the "going up" of the human being to the portal of admittance into the Hierarchy as well as the "mystic raising" of which Masonry holds the key. This deals with the emergence of the consciousness of the initiate (white and one-pointed) and the defeat of the king of beasts (the personality) leading to the triumph of group and world consciousness, of selflessness and illumination over self-consciousness and selfishness. In the true rendition of this ancient myth the king of beasts is blinded and killed by the piercing of his eye and heart by the long horn of the unicorn.
(EA p154-55)
Leo and initiation
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 p157)
No response to the influences of Leo and Virgo by animal man
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.
2. In Atlantean days, man had become so responsive to the planetary and solar influence that the door of initiation into hierarchical experience was opened and two more signs were added.
These two signs were the higher correspondences of Leo and Virgo and were the polar opposites of these two: Aquarius and Pisces. Their influence became active and effective and thus they formed part of the zodiacal wheel because man began to respond to their potencies. ... . (EA p159-60)
Leo, the most human sign of all
1. Humanity, as a whole, is in a state of turmoil, prior to a great step forward in self-conscious unfoldment, and in the expression of the sense of responsibility which is the first flower and fruit of self-conscious awareness.
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. You consequently have a sign in each of the three Crosses particularly active today in influencing the masses of men everywhere. A little [Page 162] study of world conditions, as far as man is concerned, will prove this. (EA p161-62)
The forces of Leo
Second ray influences and potencies are abidingly present and pour into our planetary sphere and life, via the Sun (veiling a hidden planet) and Jupiter. These sweep the forces of Leo, Sagittarius, Pisces, Aquarius and Virgo into and through our entire planet and all its kingdoms in nature. (EA p172)
Leo closely connected with man
This sign is, as you know, a peculiarly human sign and is connected in a definite manner with the appearance of humanity upon our Earth. There are three of the zodiacal signs which are more closely connected with man than are any of the others. These are: Leo, Sagittarius and Aquarius. In one peculiar (but not yet provable) manner, they are related to the three aspects of body, soul and spirit. The following tabulation or concise statement of rather momentous implications may serve to make this clearer:
Leo Sagittarius Aquarius
The Lion The Centaur The Water-Carrier.
The Man The Archer The Server.
Self-consciousness Focussed consciousness Group consciousness.
Physical nature ........... Emotional nature Lower mental nature.
Integrated man ............ Aspiring man Intuitive mental man.
Human soul Spiritual human soul Spiritual soul.
Individualisation Discipleship Initiation.
Personality Egoic focus Monadic focus.
The Fixed Cross The Mutable Cross The Fixed Cross.
Centralisation Orientation Decentralisation.
Individual unity ............. Sensed duality Universal unity.
Fire Fire Air.
Selfishness Struggle Service.
Evolution The final path Liberation.
I could continue to summarise the qualities and characteristics of these three and their peculiar inter-relation but the above will suffice amply to demonstrate the connection between them and their progressive effect upon the subject passing under their influence periodically and cyclically.
They are frequently referred to as the signs which—when studied—will reveal divine intent in man, will mark the points of crisis in his progress and will (when the three influences which they express have done their work) carry the man "from door to door, for Leo is the next sign to Cancer, and Sagittarius is the sign which precedes Capricorn." I am quoting from an ancient book on the signs. (EA p174-75)
Individual one-pointed self-interest in Leo
The keynote of the Centaur is ambition. The keynote of the Archer is aspiration and direction, and both are expressions of human goals but one is of the personality and the other of the soul. [Page 176] From ambition to aspiration, from selfishness to an intense desire for selflessness, from individual one-pointed self-interest in Leo to the one-pointedness of the disciple in Sagittarius and thence to initiation in Capricorn. (EA p175-76)
Ambition of Leo
2. Intellect, governing ambition—Leo. Individual consciousness. I Know. (EA p178)
Leo and the reversal of the wheel
It might then be possible to discover whether the particular life in which a man carries forward the process of reversal may not perhaps be one in which the sun is in Leo, with Libra rising. Such statistical studies have not yet been made, but there is much to be done along these lines; I only make suggestions, but it will, I think, be found that this is the case. (EA p183)
Leo and the second aspect
2. Leo is the focal point for the expression of the second aspect, the love-wisdom or consciousness aspect. This, primarily where humanity is concerned. (EA p194)
Leo and Polaris
The four signs—Aries, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius—are related to the following stars which are not numbered in the twelve signs of the zodiac; they constitute another field of relationships:
Aries to one of the two stars, found in the constellation, the Great Bear, which are called the two Pointers.
Leo to Polaris, the Pole Star, found in the Little Bear.
Scorpio to Sirius, the Dog Star.
Aquarius to Alcyone, one of the seven Pleiades.
There is little that I can tell you in connection with the energies pouring into the four zodiacal signs from these distant though potent points of outgoing energy; they are part of the life expression of an Identity, immeasurably superior to and more advanced than our solar Logos.
A few hints may, however, be of service to the truly esoteric astrologer who may study these pages, particularly where Scorpio is concerned. Scorpio, at this particular stage of human evolution, governs the Path of Discipleship. You will note here also how Leo-Scorpio-Aquarius form a peculiar triangle of force, but of this I will later deal in Chapter III under the heading, The Science of Triangles. (EA p194-95)
Leo, Polaris and the Pointers
Leo is the sign wherein the consciousness of individuality is developed, utilised and finally consecrated to divine purpose. It is related to Polaris, the Pole Star (found in the Little Bear) and it is also peculiarly susceptible to the influence of that Pointer in the Great Bear which is the nearest to the Pole Star.
Esoterically speaking, the Pole Star is regarded as the "star of re-orientation" whereby the art of "refacing and recovering that which is lost" is developed. This eventually brings a man back to his originating source. It might, therefore, be correctly inferred that this Pointer and the energy emanating from it guides humanity upon the involutionary path, and is constantly active in its influence upon the man who is still upon the Mutable Cross.
Then the energy of the Pointer furthest from the Pole Star begins to make its presence felt and a sense of right direction or guidance is registered by the disciple upon the Path, and such guidance (when followed) leads man nearer to the Hierarchy. It is here that the divine necessity of achieving alignment is portrayed for us in the symbolism of the sky and when it has been achieved then there is a direct inflow of divine energy and man is linked up in a new and creative manner to sources of divine supply.
Astrologers will do well (in connection with the horoscopes of disciples and particularly of initiates) to consider the two Pointers and the Pole Star. They are mysteriously connected with the three aspects of incarnated man—Spirit, soul and body.
More than this it is not permitted to me to convey to you. I may, however, give you another hint. These three stars are embodiments of the three aspects of divine will. It is the three aspects of all expressions of divinity in manifestation which underlie the Science of Triangles. This I will later elaborate.
Another triangle of energy also appears: Aries, Leo and Polaris, and they are doubly connected through the medium of the Pointers. (EA p196-97)
Leo as part of the vertical life of the Fixed Cross
In connection with the vertical and the horizontal life of the Fixed Cross, it is instructive to note that the vertical life of the man upon that Cross (no matter in what sign his sun may temporarily find position), is ever Aquarius-Leo. This indicates that the self-centred individual in Leo learns the lesson of the Cross and becomes decentralised, group conscious, and given to service.
... Likewise, fire and air (Aquarius and Leo) must also be blended and thus the four elements as well as six out of the seven rays must all play their part in conditioning the man in Scorpio for the final stages of the Path. (EA p223-24)
Leo and the stage of concentration
1. Leo—Concentration—Soul life focussed in form. Individualisation. Self-consciousness. Undeveloped and average man. Human experience. (EA p228)
The sign of Leo-Virgo
In the days before Leo-Virgo were divided into two signs, Libra was literally the midway point. The situation was then as follows:
Aries. Taurus. Gemini. Cancer. Leo-Virgo.
and in this round of the zodiac (as far as humanity is concerned) you have depicted the entire history of the race. 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 p230)
Lion as part of the Sphinx
In this world period we have the division of the sign of the Sphinx into two signs (the Lion and the Virgin, soul and form) because the state of human evolution and conscious realisation is that of a recognised duality; it is only at what is called the "final judgment" that another fusion will take place and Virgo-Libra will form one sign, for then man's sense of antagonistic dualism will be ended and the scales will have been turned finally in favour of that which the Virgin-Mother has hidden from expression for aeons. (EA p230-31)
Leo, Regulus and the legal profession
A certain relationship or configuration of stars—of which one is the star Regulus, in Leo—will bring about a situation wherein the re-orientation of the attitude of the legal profession will take place; its functions and duties will be centralised for the purpose of world usefulness, and in this process legislation for children will assume great importance and be the motivating power.
This legal step will be primarily advocated by Russia and endorsed by the United States of America. Before 2035 A.D. such legislation will be universal in its sphere of influence and control. (EA p238)
Three aspects of Virgo are brought to perfection in Leo
The sign of Virgo itself stands for a synthesis of these three feminine aspects—Eve, Isis and Mary. She is the Virgin Mother, providing that which is needed for the mental, emotional and physical expression of the hidden but ever present divinity. These three expressions are brought to the needed perfection in Leo, the sign of the individual, developed self-consciousness and personality unfoldment. (EA p254)
Leo – a sign of crisis
From this group of signs and their attendant constellations, three are omitted. These are Leo, Libra and Capricorn. These three signs are all signs of crisis and indicate the progressive influence of the other nine and the situations which evolve out of their activity. They are the testing points in the process of the play of energies from the other nine signs as these energies affect individual aspirants.
- Leo.—The Crisis of Individualisation. This shows itself in two stages as:
a. Diffused inchoate power.
b. Personality integration.
It signifies the emergence of personality and preparation for the Christ experience. It is self-consciousness and the lower synthesis. (EA p265)
Leo related to the Father or Will aspect
There are, therefore, nine signs through which potencies pour which are creative in their effect and which produce changes which are needed in the progress of the soul towards divine expression. You have also three signs of crisis whereby the point in evolution is determined. In this connection it should be noted that:
1. Leo-Libra-Capricorn.—Constitute the triangle of the father or will aspect; they mark points of attainment, through crisis met and triumphant achievement.
2. Cancer-Virgo-Pisces.—Constitute the triangle of the Mother or matter aspect, conditioned by intelligent activity. They indicate points of opportunity of an inner kind where consciousness is concerned, and therefore you have the recognition of mass, individual and group consciousness. (EA p266)
As I earlier pointed out to you, the sign Virgo is related to nine constellations and in this fact lies both prophecy and guarantee. That which this sign veils and hides is potentially responsive to nine streams of energy which—playing upon the life within the form and evoking response from the soul—produce those "points of crisis" and those "moments of demonstrated development" to which we have referred in speaking of Leo-Libra-Capricorn.
Cancer precedes Leo
Of all these attributes or conditions of the feminine pole in existence (the material aspect), the constellation Cancer is outstandingly symbolic. It precedes Leo, the sign of individuality and of self-conscious effort, and is concerned with the slow rhythm of mass life—either instinctually active or the reactions of an imposed consciousness which is a result of chosen experience after initiation. It connotes mass life, leading to group life after the experience of initiation, for which its polar opposite, Capricorn, stands and which finds full expression in Aquarius which completes the experience of Leo and fuses it with that of Cancer and Capricorn. (EA p275)
Leo in the Aquarian Age
Passing as we are into the Aquarian Age in which the spirit of Aquarius will be exemplified in its universality and its sense of "general distribution," it is inevitable that a point of crisis should be reached.
The true Leo type must react in a new and unique manner to the proffered opportunity, and when I say type, I refer to those people whose sun is in Leo or who have Leo rising. The reason for this is that Leo is the polar opposite of Aquarius, and the interplay of energies between these two is far more potent than at any previous time in racial history. ...
... It is also of the nature of Leo, for the people who can produce these results have necessarily to be intensely self-aware. This is the major characteristic of the Leo person. What part Leo may play In the personal horoscope of Hitler I do not know, for I have not investigated it, but it plays a very prominent part in the horoscope of his soul.
... The tendency to fusion, blending, amalgamation, and the spiritual counterpart of this unity is stronger today than heretofore and the types which produce this exoterically must have Leo somewhere in a prominent position in their horoscopes or the Sun controlling in some important house. If the horoscopes do not prove this, it is because the exact hour, moment and day of birth has not been accurately ascertained. (EA p285-86)
Leo as part of the mysterious number ten
This sign, Leo, is the fifth sign of the zodiac which indicates that it is part of the mysterious number, ten—the number of perfection, a relative perfection, prior to entering into a new cycle of progress.
This links Leo consequently with Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac, for it is the processes of initiation which make the self-conscious person the group conscious individual. I am choosing these words with care and forethought. Upon the reversed wheel, this is the eighth sign, the sign of the Christ and of the indwelling Reality; it therefore marks—in this manner—a new cycle. When self-consciousness is born (as at the moment of individualisation) a new cycle begins.
This numerical significance links Leo with Scorpio (the eighth sign of the Zodiac) in an effective manner and you have, therefore, the triangle of Leo-Scorpio-Capricorn involving humanity and indicating the three important crisis points in man's career:
1. Self-consciousness or human awareness. Unity—Leo.
2. Consciousness of warring dualities. Discipleship—Scorpio.
3. Group consciousness as an initiate. Unity—Capricorn.
(EA p286-87)
Leo is a fire sign
This sign is a fire sign, and it is the pre-eminent fire sign at this time. The Sons of Mind, the self-conscious Sons of God, are above everything else the Sons of Fire, for our "God is a consuming Fire." There is in them that peculiar quality which can burn and destroy and so eradicate all that hinders their essentially divine expression. I would have you bear in mind the purificatory nature of fire.
There are two elements in nature which are connected in the public consciousness with the thought of purification—one is water and the other is fire. It is in this connection that the water signs, Cancer—Scorpio—Pisces, are interesting, and the fire signs, Aries—Leo—Sagittarius, warrant study. Fire always carries forward esoterically that which water has begun.
… Upon the wheel reversed, the fire takes the place of water and burns away all dross. Purification of the entire nature is thus achieved gradually, and the man becomes sensitive to the influences which can be brought to bear upon him when the fiery triplicity plays its part and the influence of Aries-Leo-Sagittarius begins to re-orient him towards universality, self-consciousness and one-pointed attitudes. As we go on with our study, the significance of this statement will increasingly appear. I am hinting at matters of spiritual and esoteric importance because this sign, Leo, is of paramount control in the life of the aspirant. He has to know himself through true self-awareness before he can know that divine spirit which is his true Self and know also his fellowmen. (EA p287-88)
Leo is a part of the Sphinx
Leo is a part of the Sphinx, and upon this I need not enlarge as we have touched upon this elsewhere. This is a great mystery. Virgo and Leo together stand for the whole man, for the God-man as well as for spirit-matter. It is important to have this in mind, for when the nature of the world is revealed, then the mystery of the Sphinx will no longer exist. (EA p288)
Keynotes of Leo
The keynotes of this sign are exceedingly well known. They sound out the note of individuality and of true self-consciousness. Many people are convinced that they are self-conscious when they are only swayed by desire and are oriented towards the satisfaction of that desire or when they recognise themselves as the dramatic centre of their universe. Yet the only truly self-conscious person is the man who is aware of purpose, of a self-directed life and of a developed and definite life plan and programme.
Where these are present, the inference is that there is mental perception and some measure of integration. To be motivated only by emotion and actuated by desire is no indication of true self-consciousness. In the undeveloped man, it is far more instinctual than is self-awareness. In the truly developed self-conscious man not only is direction, purpose and plan present, but also a consciousness of the active agent of the plan and action. Ponder on this.
There are two subsidiary yet potent keynotes of the Leo person upon which I should touch at this point if the nature of the influences wielded by Leo are to be clearly perceived. These are the will-to-illumine, which constitutes the driving urge towards self-knowledge, self-perception and intellectual positivity, and also the will-to-rule and to dominate, which is of such a controlling nature in this sign and such a subtle potency in the Leo type.
It is this will-to-rule which leads a person born in this sign eventually to achieve self-mastery and the control of the personality (for either a good motive or a selfish one), and it is also the same tendency which leads him finally to the control by the personality, ruled by Leo, of groups and large or small bodies of people.
This—at an advanced stage—is an expression of the fusion of Leo energy and Aquarian potency. It is inevitable in the long run for men and races; for this all experience in Leo is preparatory. The will-to-illumine is that which drives all Leo people on to experiment and so to gain knowledge; it is this which links them with Taurus, which "carries the fair jewel which gives light upon its forehead." In the relationship of Taurus-Leo-Aquarius, you have a significant and important zodiacal triangle as far as man is concerned and it is peculiarly significant to the fourth Creative Hierarchy, the human Hierarchy.
You have, therefore:
1. Taurus.—The incentive towards experience in order to gain knowledge.
2. Leo.—The expression of experience in order to justify knowledge.
3. Aquarius.—The use of experience in order to make the gained knowledge a factor in service.
This triangle expresses the life of humanity and it demonstrates finally the perfection or consummation of the human way. Another triangle is of a somewhat similar nature, Leo-Virgo-Pisces, but these three produce a still more subtle expression of consciousness.
1. Leo.—The self-conscious man. Personality. Lower unity.
2. Virgo.—The latent Christ life or principle. Duality.
3. Pisces.—The group conscious soul. The world Saviour. Unity.
(EA p288-90)
Leo upon the Fixed Cross
I have sought to bring the above thoughts to your attention because the sign we are now studying is one in which the theme of self-consciousness lies open to the investigator. Mass consciousness in Cancer gives place to individual consciousness in Leo.
Out of the mass or the herd emerges the self-sufficient unit which becomes increasingly aware of its oneness, its aloneness and its isolated attitude as the "one in the centre" of its small cosmos. This attitude continues to develop and to become emphatic and dynamic (I use these words with intent), leading to the pronounced ego-centric consciousness of the selfish, intelligent man and to the ambitious display of selfish power of the man who desires place and position.
But eventually the time comes when the nature of the Fixed Cross begins to dawn upon the consciousness of the man and the influence of Aquarius (the polar opposite of Leo) begins to balance that of Leo. Then there comes the gradual shift of the focus of attention away from the "one who stands alone" to the environing group, and an equally important shift away from selfish interests to group requirements.
This gives concisely the objective which is attained by the man upon the Fixed Cross; the effect of that Cross is to bring light and liberation. This can be clearly seen if we contrast the energies of the four arms of the Cross as they are demonstrated by the man both before and after the long and drastic experience upon the Cross.
1. Taurus.—The Bull of Desire. The light of aspiration and knowledge.
2. Leo.—The Lion of Self-assertion. The Light of the Soul.
3. Scorpio.—The Agent of Deception. The Light of Liberation.
4. Aquarius.—The Chalice of Self-service. The Light of the world.
The Fixed Cross is the cross of light. And playing through this Cross all the time, and emanating from Leo, are the "fires of God"—cosmic, solar and planetary—producing purification, the intensification of the light and eventual revelation to the purified man who stands in light. From Aries comes cosmic fire; from Sagittarius comes planetary fire; and from Leo comes solar fire; and each of these fires "clears the way by burning" for the expression of the three divine aspects: spirit (Aries), soul (Leo) and body (Sagittarius).
Such is the scientific basis for the yoga of fire, applied by the fully self-conscious man to the reflection of the three divine aspects in the three worlds; these are the three modes of divine expression in these three worlds. Such is the significance of the fact that it will be found that before the Door of Initiation lies the burning ground which all disciples and initiates must tread. The Leo subject treads this burning ground with will and self-effacement. When he has reached full self-consciousness and mental integration and when he has attained personality effectiveness, then he treads it—undeterred by pain. (EA p293-94)
Sun as the ruler of Leo
A little thought will make it apparent to you why the Sun is the ruler of all the three conditions of Leo—exoteric, esoteric and hierarchical. It is a correct surmise that the purpose of this solar system is the unfoldment of consciousness, and if for the strictly human being self-consciousness is the goal, then the Sun must obviously rule, for it is the source of physical consciousness (exoteric and symbolic of the personality), of soul awareness (esoteric), and of spiritual life (hierarchical).
I am reiterating the necessity to recognise the stimulation of consciousness as the objective of all the astrological influences because the outstanding theme of Leo is the activity of the self-conscious unit in relation to its environment or the development of sensitive response to surrounding impacts by the one who stands—as the Sun stands—at the centre of its little universe.
The whole story and function of Leo and its influences can be summed up in the word "sensitivity," and this sensitivity can be studied in four stages:
1. Sensitivity to conditioning impacts from the environment, i.e., to the impacts of the world of human evolution, the three worlds or planes, through the medium of the three aspects of the response apparatus of the soul;
2. Sensitivity to the will, wishes and desires of the personality, [Page 295] the integrated self-conscious man, the lower self;
3. Sensitivity to the soul as the conditioning factor instead of sensitivity to the environing world as the conditioning factor;
4. The spiritual sensitivity of the God-Man (the soul and personality fused) to the environment. At this stage of unfoldment, the liberated man is not conditioned by his environment but begins the arduous task of conditioning it in relation to the divine plan and purpose and at the same time to cultivating sensitivity to the higher impacts of those worlds which lead to the final goal.
I want you to have this innate spiritual sensitivity and this outer material sensitivity most carefully in mind if you want truly to understand the influences of Leo upon human beings and especially upon the person born in this sign or who has this sign rising, as well as its influences upon the planet. ... (EA p294-95)
Three aspects of the Sun ruling Leo
The three aspects of the Sun (as dealt with in The Secret Doctrine) are of importance at this point, because influences flowing through and from them bring the entire subjective and latent world consciousness to the fore and produce eventually (at the final revelation and liberation) the full expression of the consciousness of Deity. This can be called divine sensitivity, the universal mind or the divine plan or purpose. Words are inadequate to express that of which the highest initiate as yet knows but little.
These three aspects of the Sun are the factors which bring consciousness to the birth and make the ultimate goal attainable; they make all forms of consciousness possible because these are rooted in the Sun (symbolically speaking) and are an inherent aspect of the greater whole.
1. The physical Sun—the anima mundi; the animal soul. Multiplicity.
2. The heart of the Sun—the human soul and the divine ego. Duality.
3. The central, spiritual Sun—the divine consciousness. The will of the whole. The awareness of God. Unity.
(EA p295-96)
Sun veils certain hidden planets in Leo in relation to the Crosses
As you have been told, the Sun veils certain hidden planets, and in the case of Leo, the two planets through which the Sun focusses its energy or influences (like a lens) are Neptune and Uranus. The "heart of the Sun" employs Neptune as its agent, whilst the central, spiritual Sun pours its influences through Uranus.
The activity of Uranus is, however, only registered at a very advanced stage of development upon the Path and is analogous to that point in the unfoldment of consciousness wherein, by an act of the will, the conscious and illumined man (focussed in the highest head centre) arouses the centre at the base of the spine and draws the kundalini fire upwards. Making a broad and consequently somewhat inaccurate generalisation, it might be said that this process is followed upon the three Crosses:
1. Upon the Mutable Cross, it is the physical Sun and its influences which affect the man, stimulate the bodily cells and sustain the form nature, affecting the centres below the diaphragm.
2. Upon the Fixed Cross, it is the "heart of the Sun" which is called into activity and which pours its energies through Neptune upon man. These stimulate and affect the heart, the throat and the ajna centres.
3. Upon the Cardinal Cross, it is the central, spiritual Sun which is called into play, and Uranus is then the distributing agency and the head centre becomes the centre in the initiate's body through which direction and control come.
In connection with the Mutable Cross, the rays of the Sun in a threefold form (combining the lowest energies of the threefold Sun) pour into and through the man, via Jupiter. Jupiter is the agent of the second ray which the Sun expresses—cosmically and systemically.
Hence the triple relation of the Sun to Leo which is unique in our solar system, and hence the importance of the triangle which controls the man born under Leo—the Sun, Uranus and Neptune. The energy of Leo is focussed through the Sun, and is distributed to our planet via the Sun and the two planets which it veils. (EA p296-97)
Neptune as a ruler of Leo
Neptune, being the sign of the Deity of the waters, is related to the sixth ray which governs the astral or emotional plane of desire. When Neptune is thus active in the advanced Leo subject, then emotion-desire have been transmuted into love-aspiration and are dedicated to and oriented to the soul; the entire emotional or sensitive nature is responsive to energies coming from "the heart of the Sun," and when this is the case, it indicates that the disciple is now ready for the second initiation.
This orientation is brought about by what is called "the sublimination of the influence of the Moon" which is, as you know, the mother, symbolically speaking, of the form nature and reflects the Sun, or the Father aspect. The above statement is exceedingly occult in its significance.
Esoterically speaking, you have the emergence of an interesting triangle of force which affects the Leo subject—the Sun, the Moon and Neptune; these are an expression of Rays 2.4.6 and, where these three are dominantly active, you have the establishing of that "inner alignment and attitude which forces open the Door into the Holy Place." I use these old phrases here because they express concisely what it would take many pages to elucidate and because they have that note of esoteric stimulation which awakens, in the disciple, the power of abstract thought. (EA p297-98)
Leo and initiation
In connection with the horoscope of the Leo subject and the theme of initiation, I would point out that when the Sun, the Moon (hiding a planet) and Saturn are all combined in a certain house in the horoscope you have what is called the "sign" of the man who is to take initiation. Leo, being the fifth sign of the zodiac, counting from Aries via Taurus, and also the eighth sign, counting from Aries via Pisces, is closely connected through numerical affinity with Mercury, who is esoterically called "the Messenger at the eighth gate"; Mercury was active at the time of individualisation when the "eighth gate" was opened and a major initiation of our planetary Logos took place, producing, in the human kingdom, the process of individualisation.
From another angle, as might be anticipated, Leo is related to Scorpio, whose numbers upon the zodiacal wheel are the same as those of Leo, being five and eight. You have, therefore, the formation of the triangle to which I earlier referred: Leo-Scorpio, leading to initiation in Capricorn. (EA p298-99)
Leo, in the cosmic sense (and apart from our solar system altogether) is ruled by Sirius.
As we are upon the subject, one other point might be touched upon here. August, which is ruled by Leo, is the month of the Dog-star, or of Sirius, which thus brings Sirius into close relation to Leo. Leo, in the cosmic sense (and apart from our solar system altogether) is ruled by Sirius. Sirius is the home of that greater Lodge to which our fifth initiation admits a man and to which it brings him, as a humble disciple.
Later, when the new world religion is founded and is working, we shall find that the major, monthly festival in August, held at the time of the full moon, will be dedicated to the task of making contact, via the Hierarchy, with Sirian force. Each of the months of the year will later be dedicated (through accurate astrological and astronomical knowledge) to whichever constellation in the heavens governs a particular month, as Sirius governs Leo. This I shall later elaborate in the papers to be written anent the new "Approaches" to spiritual reality. (EA p299)
Leo, Sirius, Mercury and Saturn
Mercury again comes, at this point, into our discussion, and you thus have the formation of an esoteric quaternary, affecting powerfully the major quaternary of man—spirit, soul, mind and brain. This energy brings about an inter-relation and an inner awakening which prepares the aspirant for initiation. This higher quaternary is Sirius-Leo-Mercury-Saturn. You have, therefore:
Sirius Leo Mercury Saturn
Spirit Soul Mind Brain.
Life Quality Illumination Appearance.
Inhalation Interlude Exhalation Interlude.
The above tabulation gives you the clue to the basic reality and necessity of meditation as practised by the disciple and the initiate. This may not be apparent to you at first sight and I may not further expand these suggestions, but the directed reflection of the illumined mind may bring insight to you in time.
The influence of Sirius is not consciously felt until after the third initiation when the true nature of the spirit aspect begins to dawn upon the liberated, intuitive perception of the initiate. For the advanced initiate in this sign, and after the third initiation, Sirius becomes a major life factor. He begins to respond to its vibration because he now rules the Sun and the Moon and is controlling those two planets, for that is what the Sun and the Moon have become to him—simply planets to be ruled.
This is a great mystery and I simply state the fact. Sirius, Leo, the Sun, the Moon and Mercury are now the influences with which the initiate is concerned. The influences of Sirius, three in number, are focussed in Regulus, which is, as you know, a star of the first magnitude and which is frequently called "the heart of the Lion." There is more real occultism hidden in the names given to the various stars by astronomers down the ages than has yet been realised, and here you have a case in point. (EA p299-300)
Leo governing the triangle of the Sun, Jupiter and Venus
Several major triangles of force were active when individualisation took place and the "Lions, the divine and tawny orange Flames" came into being and thus humanity arrived upon the planet. I would touch here briefly upon one triangle: The Sun (second ray), Jupiter (second ray) and Venus (fifth ray). It will be apparent to you that we here have another sphere of influence of major importance, governed by Leo.
It is a triangle to which H.P.B. refers in The Secret Doctrine, the influence of which she was endeavouring to elucidate. So potent was the influence of this triangle that its effect upon the Moon was to denude her of life by drawing out all the "seeds of life," thus destroying her influence, for it was undesirable where humanity was concerned. (EA p301)
Leo and Uranus related to the permanent atoms
Through Uranus, Leo is related to three other signs of the zodiac: Aries, Libra and Aquarius, and these three constellations, with Leo, form what has been called "the subjective quaternary of the reincarnating soul" because they are related to the permanent atoms which persist from life to life and which form—during the cycle of reincarnation—the repositories or the storing houses of the experiences undergone during life in the three worlds.
1. Aries—is connected with soul intention, the vibratory activity of which (under impulse from the Monad) initiates the successive involutionary periods which produce appearance upon the physical plane.
2. Libra—is related to the mental unit and, as we saw when studying the sign Libra, produces eventually a balance between the pairs of opposites. This is brought about upon the astral plane. It is the attainment of this balance which produces the reversal of the mode of passing around the zodiacal wheel and it takes place when integration has occurred, and the man is focussed upon the mental plane. He can, then, through right use of the mind, discriminate between the pairs of opposites and find the narrow razor-edged path which passes between them and keep his balance upon it.
3. Leo—is connected with the astral permanent atom, for the reason that desire or the power to go forth and occultly touch that which is desired is the basis of all sense of awareness or responsiveness and the underlying cause of progress or evolutionary movement forward; it is the keynote of the man who has achieved that true "self-centred" attitude which makes him an individual. Later, as responsiveness grows and the world of small affairs is converted into the world of ever larger [Page 303] values and reality, the desires change into aspiration and finally into spiritual will, purpose and intent.
4. Aquarius—is eventually connected with the physical permanent atom which is, as you know, upon the etheric level. It is this individual web which is the medium of relationship to the whole. The universal consciousness of Aquarius becomes expressive just in so far as the individual etheric body is in conscious relation with the etheric body of humanity, the solar system and—of course—the planet.
(EA p301-304)
Leo and the six-pointed star of humanity
Because of its position upon the Fixed Cross, Leo comes under the influence, direct or indirect, of six planets: The Sun; Neptune; Uranus; Jupiter; Venus; Mars. All of these are potent in expression in this sign, achieving a determined point of revelation and producing, through their united activity and interplay, the six-pointed star of humanity. They condition the man's consciousness but not events, except in so far as his consciousness assumes control at a certain point in his evolution.
Connected with the esoteric science of astrology are subsidiary sciences, such as the Science of Triangles, to which I have frequently referred; there is also the Science of Relationship, which concerns the relations between the many quaternaries which can be discovered in the planetary interrelation, the relation between four constellations, plus many human and divine quaternaries.
There is again the Science of Stars of Energy, such as I have here noted when referring to the six-pointed star of humanity, and of this Science King Solomon's Seal is the well known symbol. These stars, triangles and squares are found in all horoscopes—human, planetary, systemic and cosmic—and constitute the life pattern of the particular Being under investigation; they determine the time of manifestation and the nature of the emanations and influences. (EA p304-305)
Leo, Neptune and Uranus
The relation of Leo to Cancer, through Neptune, has already been touched upon above and is, of course, easily apparent to you if you have the slightest understanding of the consciousness aspect of evolution. There is, first of all, the mass consciousness; then the consciousness of the dramatic, isolated self, and finally again group consciousness, which is, in reality, the highest forms of group consciousness and individual consciousness combined together in the service of the Plan. Reflect on this definition, for it will stimulate you to understanding.
The peculiar significance of Leo in the general evolution of consciousness, particularly in the human family, is determined by the control of those two mysterious planets, Uranus and Neptune; in the man who is ready for initiation you have, therefore, a dual control, i.e., the Sun itself and also the Sun as it veils the influences of these two planets, or rather, as it focusses and transmits them with intensity. This produces the following developments:
1. The Sun—Full self-consciousness. This—through the influence of the physical Sun and the "heart of the Sun"—produces awareness of the relation of the higher self and the lower self. Man becomes aware of his essential duality.
2. Uranus—Occult consciousness or that intelligent, fusing condition which produces the scientific at-one-ment of the two factors, higher and lower self, through the intelligent use of the mind.
3. Neptune—Mystical consciousness or that innate sensitivity which leads unerringly to the higher vision, to the recognition of the inter-relation involved in man's [Page 307] essential duality during the process of manifestation, plus the activity of the mediator.
You have, therefore, the conscious, integrated Self, functioning with full occult knowledge and also with mystical perception when the influences of Leo, focussed through the Sun, Uranus and Neptune, have been carried adequately forward in the life of the advanced disciple. This is one of the reasons why Leo is a sign of such paramount importance and why the intelligent Leo subject can usually attain his goal, once he accurately perceives that objective. (EA p305-307)
Leo described as the "battlefield of the Forces of Materialism and the Forces of Light."
This sign has frequently been described as the "battlefield of the Forces of Materialism and the Forces of Light." It is occultly regarded as one of the most material signs, in-as-much as selfish desire for possession of material objectives can be peculiarly present and the display of the possessive spirit can violently control; yet, at the same time, the advanced Leo person can function as the "inspired spiritual Sacrifice." He is then sensitive to world conditions and freed from personal desires. (EA p307)
Undiscovered planet connected with Leo
Before individual man can achieve initiation, he must be fully self-conscious, mystically oriented and occultly developed. He must be aware of himself as he essentially is—a soul involved in form which is itself developed and unfolded through soul activity; he must be a developed mystic, capable of pure vision, motivated by spiritual intent and able to perceive the uses of inherent sensitivity; he must also be a trained occultist, mentally polarised and profoundly aware of the realities, forces and energies of existence and, therefore, free from the ordinary glamours and illusions which colour the reactions and life of the average man.
He is then governed by the physical Sun, motivated by the energies pouring from "the heart of the Sun" (via Neptune) and bringing about at-one-ment through the forces which are reaching him (via Uranus).
Beyond these two distant planets, lies another planet as yet undiscovered, though speculation is rife about it, owing to certain unexplained movements of the planet Neptune. It is through this planet that the Forces (as they are related to Leo and Aquarius) are focussed in one potent stream of force; these pour into our planetary life during the month of August, and distribute themselves, via Uranus and Neptune. You have, therefore, in this connection:
LEO AND AQUARIUS
The physical Sun Heart of the Sun Central spiritual Sun.
/
The undiscovered planet.
/
Uranus and Neptune.
/
The human Hierarchy.
/
The animal Kingdom.
Charts of the cosmic lines of directed forces such as the above can be given for all the energies of the constellations and planetary forces, but this is the only one I choose, at this time, to indicate, because it is of major importance to humanity; the others might prove misleading, given man's present point of intelligent understanding and influence. (EA p307-308)
The rulers of Leo
1. The Sun—2nd ray—love-wisdom.
2. Uranus—7th ray—organisation or directed manifestation.
3. Neptune—6th ray—idealistic one-pointedness. Devotion to an objective.
In the perfected Leo, the loving self-conscious soul (2nd ray) carries its power of expression straight through from its own plane to the plane of exterior manifestation, but preserves at the same time its interior control (Uranus) and from that point of achievement, proceeds to make its ideal objective (Neptune) a fact in consciousness, through sensitivity to the higher vibration and directed intelligent service of the Plan. Ponder on this summation.
When Uranus controls, the Leo person is significantly the true observer, detached from the material side of life, but utilising it as he pleases. His spiritual consciousness is capable of great expression and he can be (as has oft been pointed out by astrologers) both an electric, dynamic leader, a pioneer in new fields of endeavour and also a magnetic centre of a group whether the group is small, as in a home, or vast as in a nation. He is then polarised above the diaphragm, for the lower more material aspects of life have really no great appeal to him; he is then profoundly conscious of his own identity, and this makes him dwell definitely in a state of self-awareness, with its consequently abstracting powers. He is instantly aware, once he is spiritually awakened, of his motivating impulses, and this leads him to an imposed self-discipline—the thing the Leo subject sorely needs and which must always be self-imposed and self-applied for he brooks no disciplinary measures which others may seek to impose
. Discipline imposed by people upon the Leo person leads invariably to revolt and rebellion and the expression of that which the discipline is intended to eradicate. Discipline imposed by himself leads to the perfection of which he is notably capable.
It is this innate ability to control which frequently gives the Leo subject an apparently negative attitude to life; he inevitably believes that his destiny is determined and that all that he has to do is simply to be; he refuses often then to change or to take action, and when this is carried too far it leads to an unexpectedly futile life.
The "Lion must emerge from its lair," and this injunction is badly needed by Leo aspirants. It will, when followed, lead the self-centred Leo consciousness into the decentralised, selfless Aquarian awareness. It will alter the self-service of Leo into the group service of its polar opposite, Aquarius. It might appropriately be added here that the prayer or voiced aspiration of the true Leo person can be expressed in the words of Christ, so well known to all of us: "Father, not my will but thine be done." (EA p308-10)
Dignities, Decanate rulers and Mottoes of Leo
I would also call your attention to another interesting fact in connection with this sign. No planet falls in Leo and no planet is exalted in this sign, whilst the power of both Uranus and Saturn is somewhat lessened, except in the case of the initiate who responds powerfully to the esoteric influence of Uranus.
The same basic teaching is here conveyed as was taught by the Sun ruling exoterically, esoterically and hierarchically. Leo in its consciousness is the dominant self-aware agent and has therefore the control and can—because of this—remain uninfluenced.
This fact will be increasingly understood as the advanced Leo subject makes his appearance. He will be distinguished by his personal freedom from outside control. He knows innately that he is king of himself, the ruler of his own life and, therefore, no planet is exalted and likewise no planet falls. The power of the mind, as symbolised by Uranus, is lessened, for it is not the mind which in reality controls but the Self, or Soul, using and controlling the mind. The man is not then conditioned by his surroundings or life events but rules them with deliberation, bringing out of circumstances and environment that which he requires.
Saturn, therefore, the Lord of Karma, has his power lessened in [Page 311] this sign. It is for this reason that Sepharial is incorrect when he gives Saturn as the ruler of the first decanate. The three decanates are given by him as being ruled by Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. Alan Leo is, however, nearer the truth when he gives us the Sun, Jupiter and Mars.
Self-rule through initial conflict, carried to a successful issue and blessed by the beneficence of Jupiter, is the true history of the advanced Leo aspirant, and this thought and the objective result of this realisation is summed up for us in the two word mottoes of this sign:
I Am—the Word of the self-conscious, selfish, individual Leo.
I Am That—the Word of the Leo subject who is rapidly gaining the higher consciousness and preparing for fresh and universal expression in Aquarius. (EA p310-11)
Leo as part of a triangle of consciousness
We have, therefore, three signs which (from the angle of consciousness) are closely connected yet are widely separate and different in effect.
1. Cancer—mass consciousness—instinctual awareness.
2. Leo—self consciousness—intelligent awareness.
3. Aquarius—group consciousness—intuitional awareness.
(EA p312)
Leo and Cancer both ruled by only one planet
Like Leo, which is ruled in all its three expressions (orthodox, esoteric and hierarchical) by the Sun, Cancer is the only other sign which is ruled by only one planet, though in orthodox astrology, the Moon is substituted for Neptune because it is the form nature which is dominant in the longest stage of human unfoldment, just as esoterically, it is the feeling-sensitive nature which dominates the average man; it is with this stable tendency that the disciple has to wrestle. (EA p321)
The Light associated with Leo
- Leo.—The Light of the Soul. A reflected point of light logoic, or divine. The light diffused in Cancer focusses and reveals eventually a point. (EA p329)
Keynotes related to Leo
Keynote: Cancer visions life in Leo.
5. Leo The Lower Self. The Higher Self. The One Self.
Keynote: Leo seeks release in Scorpio.
Keynote: Scorpio stages the release of Leo.
(EA p332-33)
The Fixed Cross and Leo and right interpretation of the lives of Initiates
2. Through a study of the Fixed Cross—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius—he will arrive at a right interpretation of the lives:
a. Of initiates.
b. Of group absorption into synthesis.
c. Of the significance of the third initiation.
(EA p335)
The interplay of the Leo-Aquarius axis
5. Leo-Aquarius.—The individual seeks full expression and arrives finally at the point where he uses his environment for purely individual ends. He dominates his fellowmen for entirely personality objectives. The isolated individual becomes the group ruler or dictator.
…
5. Aquarius-Leo.—Personality interests as an expression of the individual are submerged in the good of the whole. Selfish individual man becomes the world server. Heights of noted service are then reached in both signs. (EA p338-39)
Leo and the ”fusion in consciousness”
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.
For instance, the Leo subject who has an initiated consciousness preserves the individuality, developed in Leo, as well as the universality of Aquarius; he can function, if he so chooses, as a fully self-identified individual, yet possesses simultaneously a fully awakened universal awareness; the same thing can be said of balanced activity and consequent fusion in all the signs. This analysis constitutes in itself an interesting and far-reaching field of speculation. (EA p347-48)
Leo as a strictly human sign
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. (EA p368-69)
Taurus and Leo on the Fixed Cross
Through the three other arms of the Fixed Cross and their three streams of divine energy, the force of love can he brought indirectly to bear upon the man born in Taurus.
The rulers of two of these signs, Leo and Scorpio, include the Sun (second ray), Mars (sixth ray) and Mercury (fourth ray). The Sun and Mars are esoteric rulers of Leo and Scorpio and Mercury is the hierarchical ruler of Scorpio. Uranus is the orthodox and Jupiter the esoteric ruler of Aquarius. The Moon is also present but again veils Vulcan, whose influence we have already considered. (EA p395)
Leo related to Sirius and Jupiter
Connected with this major triangle and affecting powerfully our entire solar system is a triple inter-relation of great interest, which has a special and peculiar relation to humanity. This triangle of forces relates one of these major constellations, one of the zodiacal signs and one of the sacred planets within our solar system.
First Triangle:
The Pleiades . . . Cancer . . . Venus.
Humanity.
Second Triangle:
The Great Bear . . . Aries . . . Pluto.
Shamballa.
Third Triangle:
Sirius . . . Leo . . . Jupiter.
Hierarchy. (EA p416-17)
Leo and the Will
Next I will deal with an analysis of three groups of triangles which are of major importance to humanity at this time and which follow upon information earlier given. These groups of triangles emanate energies which reach through space to the individual man and, therefore, cannot he ignored. They are:
The Great Bear The Pleiades Sirius
Transmit energy via
Leo Capricorn Pisces
These transmit energy via
Saturn Mercury Uranus
Reaching the following centres
Planetary head centre Planetary ajna centre Planetary heart
From thence to
Disciple's head centre Disciple's ajna centre Disciple's heart centre
and eventually control
The base of the spine The throat centre the solar plexus
(EA p421)
Leo related to the races and continents
2. Five signs related to the unfoldment, in time and space, of the Human Hierarchy. These five signs are of major conditioning importance and may be enumerated as follows:
a. Cancer
b. Leo
c. Scorpio
d. Capricorn
e. Pisces
These five signs are related in the planetary sense to the five great races of which our present race, the Aryan, is the fifth.
These five races, under the influence of the five signs, produce the externalisations which are called the five continents—Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, America. These five continents are to the planetary Life what five major endocrine glands are to the human being. They are related to five centres. (EA p426)
Leo as part of a greater interlocking whole
2. Leo Pisces Capricorn.
…
Then the triple light which came from the Bear in His high place, from Leo in his lesser place and from Saturn in his little place poured into the planetary place of power. Shamballa was informed. The Lord of Life and of the World took action....
The little one within the greater Whole (the individual human disciple. A.A.B.) likewise responded to the triple light but not until the cycles passed and passed again. Late in the day of time, Shamballa sent a call, relayed from voice to voice and rolling forward on the O.M. The disciple, hearing that sound, lifted his head; an impulse from the base mounted in time and space. Leo within the heart and head shouted aloud and stood whilst Saturn did his work ... and thus the twain were one. (EA p431)
Leo in the triangle of Will
Triangle One is produced by the inter-relation of energies from Leo, Saturn and Shamballa. Its potency is naturally felt more directly in the triangle of the Hierarchy than in that of Humanity. These three energies are sometimes called (in an effort to make understanding more easy and to simplify comprehension) the "triple energy of WILL":
1. The will of self-determination—Leo.
2. The will of sacrifice—Pisces.
3. The will to choose—Capricorn.
… a. Leo, which is the will of the self-conscious Entity to manifest, holds the clue or key to the entire problem of self-conscious being, whether it is the will-to-be of a planetary Logos, of a group or of a man. The self-consciousness of man is inherent in the planet itself, which is the life expression of a fully self-conscious Being.
The use of the will through the Shamballa centre involves the conscious use of that energy by the planetary Logos; this is evoking response today from the world of men in terms of will, both higher and lower. The wilful (self-willed) man of the world is apt to be more responsive to this Shamballa force than is the disciple or the aspirant because they are more attuned to the gentler vibration of the Hierarchy. I have earlier told you that this Leo force from Shamballa is finding direct entry into the human centre instead of indirectly via the Hierarchy as has hitherto been the case. The implications of this are obvious.
At the same time, it will be obvious to you that, in relation to these simple triangles, certain interlocking triangles also emerge, as for instance the zodiacal triangle of Leo-Pisces-Capricorn and the allied planetary triangle of Saturn-Uranus-Mercury.
These two triangles pour their six streams of force into our three planetary centres at this time, vitalising and stimulating the planetary triangle of Shamballa-Hierarchy-Humanity. Behind these three stands a cosmic triangle, emanating three streams of energy which pour into and through the three lesser triangles, thus potently affecting every kingdom in nature. This cosmic triangle is that of the Great Bear—Sirius—the Pleiades. (EA p439-41)
Saturn, Leo and Shamballa
1. Saturn, through which energy flows from Leo, via Shamballa, to Humanity, governs two decanates in Capricorn. Hence its extreme potency today in the triangle of Humanity. Saturn breaks up existing conditions by the force of its energy impact, thus enabling the influence of Mercury to be more fully expressed. The vision can then be intuitively perceived when obstructions have been removed. (EA p442)
Leo is one of the birth signs of the zodiac
2. Leo is one of the birth signs of the zodiac; it connotes the birth of self-consciousness, as you know. Capricorn is also a birth sign, because it is also an aspect or one of the arms of the Cardinal Cross—the Cross of that which initiates or brings into being. This has a peculiar relation to Humanity. It is the birth of the two types of consciousness—self-consciousness and Christ consciousness—which are brought to the attention of humanity by the fact of this Leo force, pouring through Saturn to Humanity and thus bringing Shamballa and Humanity into a closer relation, via Capricorn, active through Mercury. (EA p442)
Leo enabling the first Initiation
In the study of the interlocking of these triangles, it it will become apparent to the student that the combination of the influences of Sirius, Leo and Uranus has been much needed at this time to foster and bring about those conditions which will enable mankind, under the steady influence of the Hierarchy, to take the first initiation and "give birth to the Christ," thus revealing and bringing to the light of day the inner, hidden, spiritual Man.
It is in Leo that man undergoes the preparatory stages of this first initiation. He finds himself and becomes self-conscious; then he arrives at the stage of intelligent discipleship; he formulates a conscious inner programme or purpose under the steady pressure of the life of the indwelling Christ; he begins to exhaust and deny the demands and desires of the lower nature.
This cycle of experience is followed by a painful life of conscious re-orientation—a cycle wherein he achieves balance and begins to "stand in spiritual Being" as a result of constant trial and testing. Finally he stands ready for the ordeal and the accolade of fire, preceding the first initiation.
At that final stage, Humanity today stands. When (as is now the case) the influence of Uranus is added to the other influences and the seventh ray is at the same time entering into a major cycle of activity on the Earth, there is then present the energy needed to precipitate the crisis of initiation and produce a great rhythmic awakening.
Astrologers would find it of interest to note similar combinations in the individual horoscope. (EA p446-47)
Leo marks the height of achievement for the human soul
It must not be forgotten that Leo marks the height of achievement for the human soul, and this is today stimulated by the Shamballa force now flowing into the centre of humanity. This inflow will continue its critical work until in the Aquarian Age, so rapidly coming into expression, the one-pointed attitude of the Leo person (or shall I call it the self-centredness?) becomes the expanded consciousness and the decentralised attitude of the Aquarian man. You can, therefore, see how full of promise is the future. (EA p447-48)
Shamballa influence, transmitted from Leo and Saturn
3. Disciples who respond to the influences above mentioned will necessarily be largely conditioned by their rays, egoic and personal. First ray disciples will, for instance, respond to the Shamballa influence, transmitted from Leo and Saturn, more easily than will second ray disciples. These will in their turn react more rapidly and consistently to the Hierarchy, transmitting energies from Pisces and Uranus. (EA p450)
Leo as part of the triangle of "the Producers of that which knows”
These three constellations are Leo—Virgo—Pisces.
They are spoken of esoterically as "the Producers of that which knows, the Informers of that which is awakened and the Constructors of the modes of fusing Wisdom. They produce a unity; They shatter that which They have produced only again to produce it in greater beauty and in wider fullness." These words are clear.
This triangle is, at this time, an inverted one with the Leo energies in the closest contact with our planetary life. The following triangle will show this more clearly. (EA p469-70)
Leo and the development of self-consciousness
There is the development of self-consciousness to be fostered and this is the major effect—as well you know—of the force of Leo. The influence of this constellation aids in the manifestation of individual will, individual love, and individual intelligence; it fosters the "ahamkara" or egoistic principle; it produces the emphasis upon the "I am" attitude which is so necessary a stage before the individual can merge himself as a conscious Self-respecting unit in the Whole. But behind this influence and pressing through into manifestation is the force of Virgo (the mother or custodian of the Christ-consciousness) which shatters eventually the synthesis and the lower unity already produced by the Leo energy; it stimulates the soul within the form as well as the soul within each atom in the form, because the genius and uniqueness of Virgo is that it produces the form as well as stimulates the life within that form and, therefore, nourishes and energises two lives simultaneously. It is a powerful dual energy, a potent expression of the anima mundi or the soul of the world. It was the recognition of [Page 471] this which made the ancient astrologers merge Virgo-Leo into one sign. Then as the dualism of the human spirit (spirit-matter) became a fact in the consciousness of man, the sign was divided into two signs and the war of the pairs of opposites became a "war with purpose" and is, incidentally, reaching its climax today. This fact will be obvious to all true esotericists. (EA p470-71)
The intellectual overlordship of Leo and the emergence out of the mass
Another stream of energy is also pushing through and producing effects upon those in the human family who not only respond to the Leo force and are consequently individuals in their own consciousness but are responding also to the steadily expanding Christ-consciousness; of this they are becoming increasingly aware in their own individual experience.
This is the higher aspect of the energy of Pisces; it is awareness of the group, of the whole and of the universe. It is the energy of buddhi, the higher aspect of the lower psychic nature; it is the aspect of the mediator in contradistinction to the medium. It is intuitional control instead of the intellectual overlordship of Leo and the limitations of Virgo.
These three energies are today playing potently on humanity, producing:
1. The self-consciousness of man, as he emerges out of the mass.
2. The recognition of the Christ life and nature, as the aspirant for the first initiation emerges out of the group of world individuals.
3. The awareness, universal in nature, of the initiate, as he emerges out of the ranks of the world disciples.
All this is, therefore, brought about at this time by the steady inflow of the energies of Leo-Pisces-Virgo and these lie behind the very rapid unfoldment of the three types of consciousness to he found in varying degrees in humanity today. (EA p471-72)
Leo governing the Crisis of Burning ground
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 ground Liberation Leo Fixed
You will note that two of the constellations which we have just been considering—Leo and Virgo—are to be found in this list. Five constellations are not so intimately concerned with the mass human crises but are more definitely and specifically related to the unfoldment of the individual disciple.
These are: Sagittarius, Libra, Taurus, Pisces and Aquarius.
Pisces has, however, at this time a unique relation to the seven constellations which produce the great human crises; it also completes the final united effort of the Triangle: Leo, Virgo, Pisces. It has been the steady impact of Piscean force which has at long last brought humanity, the world disciple, to the very door of initiation.
For over two thousand years, Piscean influence has been playing upon mankind; it has brought about the demand for world adjustment; it has developed the international spirit and has led to the formation of groups in every department of human living and so laid the foundation for the future synthesis in Aquarius.
The influence of this triangle finds symbolic expression in the life of the self-conscious individual who reaches self-awareness in Leo; in the culturing care of Virgo and the final self-release in Pisces. (EA p472-73)
Leo as part of the of the seven constellations
Cancer, Aries, Gemini, Scorpio, Capricorn, Virgo, Leo, which bring the man from the stage of individualisation to the Path of Discipleship. (EA p475)
Leo—focussing the energy of the seven constellations
In connection with the five constellations which are peculiarly active in the life of the advanced disciple and initiate, the influences fall into two triangles of force, because Leo—focussing the energy of the seven constellations—is included, thus linking the self-conscious aspect with the spirit (EA p476)
Leo, Polaris and Pointer part of making humanity divine
There are four constellations, as you know, which convey the required energies which will make humanity divine. They are Aries, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. I need not enter into an analysis of them as this was covered when we studied each of them earlier and separately. I would, however, like to point out that each of these constellations is closely connected, as a transmitter of energy, with certain stars, lying outside our zodiac altogether, thus connecting our tiny planet with certain great focal points of energy.
Aries, the initiator of impulses (either the impulse to incarnate or the impulse to return to the originating source) is closely in touch with one of the stars in the Great Bear to which we give the name "Pointer" in common parlance. This Pointer is a "major star of direction" because through it (in this world cycle) flows the will to unify and to bring about synthesis.
This is the force which brings about the fusion or integration of the personality, the at-one-ment of personality and soul, the unification of humanity or the Great Approach of the Hierarchy to Humanity. It will produce also the integration of our Earth into the body of the "sacred planets" and the consequent establishing of a triangle of force composed of the Pointer, Aries and our Earth.
This triangular relationship will have a potent effect upon the solar system as well as upon the planet itself and is also one of the factors producing the shift in the Earth's axis. Related to this triangle is a secondary one within our sun's orbit, composed of Vulcan, Pluto and the Earth. In the Archives of the Great Lodge this is referred to symbolically as:
Symbol shown
This is one of the most interesting and informing astrological symbols I have given you and indicates a most momentous relationship. You have here two major and three minor energies brought into close relation; this is analogous to the two major rays and the three minor rays which condition a human being in manifestation.
These are the five energies which cocern the informing life of our planet. They produce, in humanity, conscious evolution, direction and the founding of Shamballa upon the Earth. They are the five energies connected with the will-to-be, but from the consciousness angle and not the material expression of manifestation. Their activity and united influence in the realm of consciousness produced the appearance of another triangle: Leo, Polaris and another of the Pointers and these two groups form an interlocking directorate, potently effective in the evolution of consciousness.
This is one of the most interesting and informing astrological symbols I have given you and indicates a most momentous relationship. You have here two major and three minor energies brought into close relation; this is analogous to the two major rays and the three minor rays which condition a human being in manifestation.
These are the five energies which concern the informing life of our planet. They produce, in humanity, conscious evolution, direction and the founding of Shamballa upon the Earth.
They are the five energies connected with the will-to-be, but from the consciousness angle and not the material expression of manifestation. Their activity and united influence in the realm of consciousness produced the appearance of another triangle: Leo, Polaris and another of the Pointers and these two groups form an interlocking directorate, potently effective in the evolution of consciousness. (EA p482-83)
Leo is responsible for the mass movement in consciousness
The effectiveness of this dual process can be seen if it is realised that three great signs—Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius—are today exceedingly active and working in close relation with each other. They are the three signs whose energies are affecting humanity as a whole—as a kingdom in nature. Leo: the sign of the self-conscious individual is potent in its mass effect and today, through the stress of circumstance and the dire results of certain events, thousands of men and women are stepping out of the ranks of the mass-conscious herd and out of the deep sleep of irresponsibility and becoming aware of themselves as detached, functioning entities. Sagittarius is powerfully affecting the world aspirants and leading them towards those attitudes of mind which will produce an unswerving allegiance to the spiritual values and an unalterable adherence to the good of humanity. Aquarius is—with equal potency—affecting the world disciples and initiates, leading them to world service on a large scale, producing group activity and that living usefulness which is the hall-mark of the pledged disciple. The influence of these three constellations is felt through their esoteric planets, and the mass movement in consciousness (for which Leo is responsible) can be noted as possible even by the novice when he realises that the ruling planets in Leo are, from all three angles—exoteric, esoteric and hierarchical—the Sun. The mass movement towards individual self-consciousness is today enormously intensified as is the paralleling individual movement towards initiation. (EA p485)
Leo brings about the integration of the personality
Leo appears again in another important triangle at this time: Aries, Leo, Virgo—a triangle which potently aids in inaugurating the New Age. That New Age will be distinguished by a truly self-aware humanity, conditioned by a steadily manifesting Christ consciousness.
The potency of Aries, as it initiates those happenings which will set in motion the causes that will produce the New Age, can be seen today in the trend of all the new movements, in the formulation of the various world orders, in the discoveries of science and in the emergence of the new types in the different kingdoms in nature.
This activity has only been felt since 1835; the potency of Leo can be traced since then in the vast number of people who are achieving the integration of the personality and becoming self-conscious, as well as in the emergence of thousands of self-conscious world aspirants who are subordinating gradually their integrated personalities to the good of the group.
The influence of Virgo appears in the many religious, spiritual and mental organisations and movements which indicate so directly the awakening of the Christ consciousness in humanity. These triangles thus can be seen as vibrant living factors, producing world changes and giving a tremendous push onward to human unfoldment. (EA p485)
Leo in the triangle of Crisis
Leo appears again in this world situation as a part of a triangle of crisis, for the combination of the three constellations involved invariably produces crisis. These three are Leo, Libra and Capricorn. Leo, when dominating the triangle, produced in the past the crisis of individualisation.
Later in human history, when the point of balance was reached, Leo was again potent. H.P.B. pointed out that there came a time when the balance was reached between spirit and matter and from that time on the tendency of humanity was towards evolution out of matter and not involution into matter; humanity turned towards the Path of Return and not the Path of Outgoing; this has become increasingly apparent.
Today, Capricorn is producing a third crisis in the long, long history of mankind—a crisis of initiation, and the possibility of this crisis proving effective and producing the appearance of a new kingdom of nature on Earth is steadily becoming more and more possible.
I would like here to remind you of an earlier reference to still another triangle in which Leo is active and to another of the great triangles conditioning humanity: Taurus, Leo, Aquarius. Taurus incites towards experience and towards the gaining of knowledge; Leo leads to the expression of that experience in daily life and to the effort to justify knowledge; Aquarius takes that experience and the knowledge gained thereby, and turns it to conscious use in the service of the group. We might phrase it thus:
Taurus—in the final stage of development demonstrates as the illumined consciousness.
Leo—produces the truly Self-conscious man.
Aquarius—is the man of spirit, of life, and of consecration to the divine expression of service.
(EA p487-88)
Leo and the rays
Leo, as we have seen, is for instance a most important transmitting agency in the present world crisis.
This means, therefore, that Rays I and V are exceedingly active; it means, secondly, that the Sun's influence is potent, both exoterically and esoterically. It means also that the planets which are related to these two rays will be very active and, therefore, that Pluto and Venus are dominant in producing world results.
I cite this as an instance of the interrelation of planets, constellations and rays; a close study of the world crisis will indicate the plausibility of the premise as to the activity of Leo as a major force in the triangle at present responsible for producing the world situation.
…
Ray I Aries Leo Capricorn
…
Ray V Leo Sagittarius Aquarius
…
Ray V.—Leo: This sign produces the growth of individualism and of self-consciousness, so prevalent today on a world scale.
…
5. It is interesting to have in mind that Ray V governs the evolution of consciousness through the revolution of its triangle: Leo, Sagittarius and Aquarius. This is from the angle of hierarchical effort, as I earlier pointed out.
Throughout human evolution, this major triangle governs the relation of humanity, through the mind, to the Hierarchy and the approach of that Hierarchy to the human centre of energy. Let me recall to your attention the following facts in this connection:
…
| The work of the Hierarchy To raise the mass consciousness.
| The PRESENT To capitalise on the original
| impetus of this sign.
Leo | Psychic development The growth of the response
| apparatus and the synthesis of the
| inner awareness.
| The work of the Entered Apprentice To learn and acquire knowledge.
(EA p488-92)
Leo as part of "triangles in consciousness"
There are other major triangles which are called "triangles in consciousness" and, as you well know, the most important of these for mankind is the triangle of Cancer, Leo and Aquarius. They are important at this time because the influences pouring through these three are basically responsible for the growth of the human understanding and the unfoldment not only of man's response apparatus, the form nature, but also of his expanding perception of that which is contacted.
This threefold process under these three constellations produces finally the identification with that which is perceived to be the divine essence, underlying form. This identification with that which is the subjective and real Self and the consequent withdrawing from that which is the not-Self is the keynote of the fourth initiation.
From the mass awareness in Cancer, the man becomes an individual in Leo and the slow unintelligent sub-consciousness of the herd becomes the self-awareness of the developed man in Leo. Instinctual reaction gives place to conscious, intellectual activity. This dual activity in turn gives place to the group awareness which is the gift conferred by Aquarian activity; the super-conscious divine man then transcends his limited self-consciousness and the intuition supersedes the intellect. (EA p495-96)
Leo related to a sacred planet veiled by the Sun
Leo—ruled by the Sun, veiling a sacred planet. (EA p507)
Leo, the fifth house and the causal body
The Sun, the transmitter of the energy of the second [Page 509] ray, rules the fifth house or mansion of the soul, the causal body in this case; the force of Leo is also involved, the force of the self-conscious soul. The spiritual man, aware of his identity says in this house: "I am the eternal cause of all relation. I am and I exist." The dualism of the second ray is first realised in the fifth house by man, the embodied fifth principle. (EA p508-9)
Cyclic influence of the triangle of Leo, Capricorn and Pisces
There exists at this time an inter-relation between three of the constellations upon which I would like somewhat to enlarge, because their potency and the climax of their inter-relation is being reached at this time.
From 1975 on, that potency will greatly lessen until it fades out. The period of this interplay of three major energies and their focussed potent effect upon our planet began in 1875, achieved momentum in 1925, will reach its highest expression (for good or evil) in 1945 and will then decline slowly until 1975.
These three constellations are: Leo, Capricorn and Pisces. These are curiously and most mysteriously related to the fourth kingdom in nature and therefore to the evolution and the destiny of the human family. Add to these the emerging energy of Aquarius, and you have four energies which are playing upon the vehicles of men and producing peculiar effects—both destructive and constructive. (EA p537)
Uranus relates Leo to Aquarius and the eleventh house
Leo.—Ruler: The Sun, veiling Uranus, the planet of occultism, and that which governs group relations, organisations and the eleventh House. It relates the Leo influence to Aquarius.
…
Leo The Sun Seventh Eleventh
…
Leo, the constellation in which the keynote is full self-consciousness, is becoming increasingly dominant. The issues involved in today's situation are becoming clearer in the minds of the masses of the people; they can and will act with full awareness and intentional conscious purpose when the right time comes and will understand the implications and the price involved in a manner not hitherto possible.
Hence the meaning back of my reiterated statement that the issues and determinations of the present situation are in the hands of humanity itself. The "stars in their courses" will aid humanity or bring destruction, according to human determinations. Men can achieve liberty and organise for the New Age with its unique civilisation and constructive synthesis, or they can commit suicide (if I may speak symbolically) and hand over their immediate future to the forces of evil and of death. These work for the death of all the true values and of all for which the human spirit has fought.
…
The self-consciousness aspect of the human being is being steadily expanded under this major interplay and through the forces transmitted by Uranus, via the eleventh house, and will ultimately give place to group consciousness and group relationships and group work. Hence the trend towards amalgamation today, towards federation, spheres of action and the many groups which distinguish increasingly human intercourse. The group spirit and the forms through which it will express itself are being increasingly demonstrated and this constitutes a veritable initiation for the race. It is the emergence of the glory of the human spirit in a more definite and arresting way and involves an orientation towards freedom which will later stand in the historical records as the outstanding characteristic of this age of major conflict.
Humanity is today participating in the preparatory tests for initiation, the initiation of the world disciple. Great is your privilege to be taking part in this.
Forget not that eleven is the number of the Initiate and that today it is the eleventh house which is so dominant; forget not that Aquarius, the eleventh sign, is the sign of universal relationships, interplay and consciousness. For all this, the combination of signs— Leo, Capricorn and Pisces—is preparing the race. (EA 538-42)
Leo as one of the arms of the Fixed Cross
The four arms of this Cross are Taurus—Leo—Scorpio—Aquarius. It is called the Fixed Cross because the man is stretched upon it by the directed choice and immovable intent of his soul. From that decision there is no turning back.
Taurus.—Christ said (as have all the Sons of God Who know the true significance of the Fixed Cross), "I am the Light of the world," and he added, "if thine eye be single thy whole body shall he full of light." Taurus is, as you have heard, the Mother of Illumination, and [Page 566] the "eye of the Bull" is the symbol of the eye to which Christ made reference.
Leo.—This is the sign of self-conscious identity. This is testified to by Christ in the words He spoke to His disciples: "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?" or his own centre of self-consciousness—that significant point of attainment which must precede all the more inclusive states of consciousness.
Scorpio.—The significance of this sign in the life of Christ has been deleted from The New Testament, but has been preserved for us in the ancient Christian legend that—in the cradle itself—Christ killed or strangled two serpents, thus referring to the pairs of opposites which could no longer control Him.
Aquarius.—The expression of this influence has been beautifully given to us in the story of the Last Supper. Christ sent His disciples into the city to find the man "bearing a pitcher of water" upon his shoulder. This is the symbol of the sign Aquarius—the sign in which the universality of the water of life will become a factor in human consciousness; then we shall indeed all sit down eventually to the communion of bread and wine. He referred indirectly to the same idea when He spoke of Himself as the "water of life," assuaging the thirst of humanity.
Thus, through the use of the energies of these four signs of the Fixed Cross, Christ demonstrated perfection. (EA p565-66)
Leo and the will-to-fulfilment or to achievement
2. LEO. This is the constellation through which the will-to-fulfilment or to achievement pours into humanity and on to the planet. It is essentially the spirit of self-determination. [Page 620] It is at first the determination of the little self, the personality, the self-conscious individual. It is next the determination of the Self, the soul, the group conscious individual, aware of the greater Whole and of itself as the part, integrated and basically at-one. (EA p619-20)
The Sun as ruler of Leo
It is useful to see these relationships. It will also be obvious why the Sun rules Leo, both exoterically and esoterically. The Sun reveals or "lights up" the two stages of the hidden will: the physical sun, lighting up the personality upon the physical plane and the Heart of the Sun revealing the nature of the soul. (EA p620)
Leo, the Self
Aries, the Initiator, Leo, the Self, and Capricorn, the transfiguring Agent—such are some of the implications in relation to the first ray and humanity. (EA p621)
Leo and the four animals of Ezekiel and Revelations
2. "Enoch, the type of the dual nature of man (spiritual and physical) occupies the centre of the astronomic Cross ... which is a six-pointed star.... In the upper angle of the upper triangle is the Eagle (Scorpio); in the left lower angle stands the Lion (Leo); in the right, the Bull (Taurus); while between the Bull and the Lion ... is the face of Enoch, the man (Aquarius).... These are the four animals of Ezekiel and Revelations." (S.D. II. 561, 562.)
Mantrams of Leo
8. Leo.—And the Word said: Let other forms exist. I rule.
5. Leo.—I am That and That am I. (EA p653-54)
Leo governs the first Creative Hierarchy
1. "The esotericism of the first Creative Hierarchy (which is the sixth in reality. A.A.B.) is hidden in the zodiacal sign Leo." (I. 234.)
Virgo is inseparable from Leo
"Virgo is inseparable from Leo and the Pleiades and the Hyades." (EA p679)
Leo and Aries and the Act of Identification
3. The Act of Identification. This involves what has been called a "moment of opening-up," during which the initiate sees that which lies within the cosmic intent and begins to function not only as a planetary unit but as a cosmic focal point. The Buddha of Activity, responsible for this type of planetary activity, works with the Lord of the first ray and functions as an outpost of the consciousness of the informing life of Aries and of Leo. His work is only now beginning to assume importance. (RI p269)
Leo, the Fixed Cross and the magician
Third, the white magician must recognize the cross which stands in the Heavens upon which the cosmic Christ is crucified and on which the white magician, being a cell in the body of the cosmic Christ, is also crucified. Technically and astrologically speaking, in this present aeon he must understand the inner significance of Taurus, of Leo, of Scorpio and of Aquarius, for they are potent in our world cycle.
He must, if I may express it symbolically, and yet at the same time accurately, be able to utter forth the achievement which is the goal of his endeavor in each of these four signs and under each of these four powers. In Taurus he must be able to say: "I seek illumination and am myself the light." In Leo he will say: "I know myself to be the one. I rule by Law." The word he will utter forth in Scorpio will be: "Illusion cannot hold me. I am the bird that flies with utter freedom." In Aquarius the words spoken will be: "I am the server, and I the dispenser am of living water." (TWM p548)