Lectures
Perth, Australia Occidental, 1951 - 1952
ASTROLOGY
(A verbatim record of Dr. Raynaud de la Ferrière’s lecture delivered under the auspices of the Theosophical society, 182, 49th. Street, Rangoon, on Sunday 24th. September 1950).
Astrology has for its basis mathematics and philosophy. Mathematics are required for astronomical purposes. By “Astronomy”, we mean the study of the stars and the planets so far as density, speed, orbit, etc. are concerned. By learning philosophy we know the difference between macrocosm and microcosm, the purpose of life, where we come from and were we are going, and, with the help of astrology we are able to know exactly what is going to happen to a particular man, what has happened to him and why.
Astrology has now been recognized as an important science in the western countries. When a student has finished his course in the higher mathematics, he is usually taken on to the study of astrology, which is a deeper science. At present some Universities are giving Diplomas for passing in Astrology. Astrology is, therefore, not a science to be learned in a few months or a few years. I shall, however try and give you a general idea of the subject today.
First of all, here is the sun, which is the center of our Universe. You must know that in mathematics and physics, we have certain signs to represent certain things. For instance, when we want to refer to gold or silver, we refer to them by certain definite signs. In the same way, the planets and the constellations, which go round our Sun are represented by certain signs. These all astrologer knows.
The distance of the planets from the sun is approximately as follows. The figures represent the distance in million kilometers.
Mercury-58; Venus-57; Earth-150; Mars-225; Jupiter- ; Saturn 1 milliard 200; Uranius- 2 mil. 840; Neptune - 4 mil. 480; Pluto- 6mil. 170.
During the older days, there were no telescopes, and hence they were able to observe the planets with their naked eyes only. Thus, they were able to observe only Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Beyond Saturn only the initiates were able to see. They were even able to reveal the existence of the 12 constellations known as the Zodiac. With the aid, however, of scientific apparatus, people have seen the other stars beyond the Saturn. Uranius which is 2 milliard 840 million kilometers away from the sun, was discovered by HERSHELL in the year 1781. Neptune was discovered in 1845 by a French Astronomer LEVERRIER. And Pluto was discovered in the year 1930 from an American observatory by (LOWELL).
Between the Sun and MERCURY there is a meteorite known as Vulco. Though it is not yet recognized by Science, yet the occultists know of the existence at one time of a planet called “Vulco” (Vulcain).
Around the Venus is some matter which looks somewhat like a fog. There is a satellite near the Earth known as the Moon, which revolves round the Earth, coming back to its original position on the 28th day. Mars has two such satellites. Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter are the Asteroids. They are actually not Stars. They are sparks from the planet Juno. Juno exploded at certain period, and when this happened, the continent of Atlantis go submerged. This big cataclysm occurred some 15.000 years ago.
Beyond these asteroids exist the 4 big moons known as the “GALILEE-MOONS”. Further on is Jupiter with 5 satellites which can sometimes be seen. Then there are Saturn with 10 satellites and Uranius with five (one being discovered recently). The Neptune has one satellite which is as big as our Earth. Then finally comes Pluto, the last planet that we have discovered.
It takes 8 minutes for the light from the Sun to reach our Earth. We therefore calculate the speed of light to be 300.000 kilometers per second. Calculating at this rate, we find that light takes 3 years and 8 months to reach the Wolf Star No. 424 (34 trillions 700 Milliards- KMS). It must be noted here that our Sun with the 10 planets and 20.000.000 stars makes our Universe-System. There are many such systems. We have catalogued some 2.000 galaxies and 375 thousand different systems. How big is this Universe! And yet, man thinks no end of himself!
Coming back to the distance from the Suns of other systems, we know that the light of our Sun would take 9 years to reach Sirius, 16 years to Altair, 26 years to Vega, 41 years to Arcturus, 57 years to Aldebaran, & 362 years to Antares, 32 milliard Stars composed Milky Way and it takes 85.000 years light speed to go from one end of the Milky Way to the other. This is the white line that we see in the sky. And then there is the Andromeda Triangle that is 800.000 light years away from the Earth. Then we have other Constellations (NEBULOUSE). This gives you a very vague idea of what Astronomy is. We have to know all this before we study Astrology.
These different Stars, these different Planets have their own vibrations, their own magnetism, and we are all affected by them. There are different materials, some attractive and some repulsive. This is known in physics and biology. We know we are composed of different materials and, when we have too much of one material and very little of another, we know that we are physically or psychologically defective.
What we call “Karma” in oriental philosophy can be said to be the result of the influence of the different stars and planets. In fact, karma can be easily understood by a student of Astrology and Astronomy, by long study and observation, the scientists of old found that when one star or planet is in conjunction with another, it brings good or bad results. So is the case when they are in opposition or in other aspects (Sectil, square, triangle, etc…).
The planets travel in their own orbits, but sometimes there is an incursion. We know that the Mars made such incursion in 1914 when it came very close to the Earth. The consequence was the World War of 1914-18. Similarly in August 1939, the same phenomenon appeared. The result was World War II.
The Mars is composed of certain metals that are injurious to the nerves of the human beings. Hence, when there is an influence upon the Earth, we find the people excited, every little incident makes the people fight and difference of opinion makes them come into conflict.
If the Mars can give us wars and excitements, Venus and Mercury can give us peace. So, when Mercury and Venus are in conjunction, we can say exactly that there is going to be peace. In the same way, different planets have different influences upon the earth. In short, we can say the Sun gives us vitality; Mercury intellectuality and equilibrium; Venus gives love, sympathy affection and arts; Mars gives the fighting spirit, Jupiter gives personality and wealth; Saturn deep knowledge and meditation and also difficulties. The Uranus is the ALTRUIST planet, and her influence is there when there are volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The Neptune gives us occult and psychic powers and gives us sea voyages. The Pluto is a new planet and we know very little about it, but we know that she is there when new things are found inside the earth and also when there are wars. In this connection see my article on “Mathematic of Buddhism”. She is also present when there is success in Yoga practices and in psychic powers.
The Stars and the Planets affect not only the Earth as a whole but also the lives of individuals. So, by looking at the positions of these, we can say what is going to happen to any human being. The Star chart of an individual is called the horoscope. It comes from the word “Horro”, hour, and “Scope”, chart. Also (HOUR) = time and (scopie = writing, history). By looking at this chart we can say exactly what the characteristics of a particular man is, what is happening to him and what is likely to happen in the future. But in order to get a correct reading it is important to know the exact hour of birth.
There is also the influence of the Zodiac. Further on beyond the planets are the groups of stars known as the “constellations”. There are several constellations, but twelve of these are important so far as we are concerned. The names of these constellations and their corresponding signs are well known to you. They are also shown clearly in the blackboard. (RAM, BULL, TWINS, CRAB, LION, VIRGIN, BALANCE, SCORPIO, CENTAUR, GOAT, WATER-CAREER, FISH).
As you already know, our planet is not standing straight, but is inclining 23 1/2 degrees. It rotates on its axis once in 24 hours. It is for this reason that we see the Sun in the east in the morning and in the west in the evening. Though it appears that the Sun is moving, as I have explained, it is actually the Earth that is rotating on its axis.
The Sun is in the center of our Universe, and our Earth, like our other planets and constellations, goes round the Sun, on its own orbit. That means that when the Earth has made one rotation in 24 hours which we call a day, it also has moved one degree on its orbit round the Sun, because the Earth takes 365 ¼ days to revolve round the Sun.
This orbit of the Earth comes under the influence of the 12 constellations. One the 21st March she enters the Aries; on the 22nd April she enters the Taurus; on the 22nd May, the Gemini; on the 22nd June the Cancer; on the 23rd July the Leo; on the 23rd August, the Virgo; on the 22nd September the Libra; on the 22nd October the Scorpio; on the 22nd November, the Sagittarius; on the 22nd December the Capricornus; on the 21st January, Aquarius; and on the 22nd February the Pisces.
Thus the Earth makes one round of the Zodiac in one year. While making this round, the other planets are at various distances, because their orbits are different. The Mercury takes 28 days to go round the Sun, the Venus 225 days, our planet 365 days, Mars 687 days, Jupiter 11 years 315 days, the Saturn 29 years 157 days, Uranius 84 years 8 days, Neptune 164 years 281 days, & Pluto 248 years. These different aspects influence the life of man. Hence by looking at the position of the stars and the planets at the present time and their position at the time of birth, we can say what is going to happen to any individual.
We see here the working of the law of cause and effect. We are the result of the influence of the various stars and planets. We are as it were, limited in our lives by the forces outside our control. For instance, when a man is born in the sign of Aries with stars in good aspect, we know that he will be possessed of good strength and also a taste for fighting; but on the other hand, if he has Cancer as a strong aspect, he will be strong yet passive.
To believe in Karma is to believe in astrology. A man who is good will be born under the good influence of the stars and a man who is bad under bad influence. To work out any particular Karma, he will be born under that particular constellation that is favorable to him for the purpose. In this way he will have to be born again and again under different constellations till such time as he is strong enough to counteract their influences.
The parts of the body are also governed by different signs of the Zodiac. The head is governed by Aries, the neck by Taurus, the stomach by Cancer, the backside and heart by Leo, the intestines by Virgo, the kidneys by Libra, the sexual organs by Scorpio, the thighs by Sagittarius, the knees by Capricornus, the legs by Aquarius and the foot by Pisces.
If each part of our body is governed by a sign of the Zodiac, we must realize the limitations of our selves. Yet, as I have said, we can overcome the evil effects by our own effort of the will and by careful living. We can even transmute evil effects to good purposes if we understand how to do it. Astrology, therefore, teaches us that though the stars give us some predispositions, yet we can counteract them if we wish to do so. We already know that when Mars is near the earth, there is likely to be a war. It is true that the influence of this planet infuses the people with thoughts of ill will and strife, but if people realize the futility of war, if they are bent on bringing about peace, if they work for brotherhood, then the war that could otherwise have occurred would be avoided. You must, however, understand that cooperative effort is necessary to avert the influence of Mars. In other words, if the balance weighs heavily towards spiritualism, the currents of materialism could be retarded.
It all comes to this that though the body is limited to the influence of the stars, the spirit is not, because spirit soars higher than the Zodiac. It is in the psychological plane. So long as we live in the physical and emotional plane, we are subject to the limitations of karma and the astrological influences. Once we rise up above the mental plane, we are in the absolute plane where the law of karma and the influence of the stars and the planets can lay no hold on us.
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