1. Introduction to Esoteric Astrology
&
the Seven Rays
(From Soul Cycles of the Seven Rays,by Phillip Lindsay © 2005)
Humanity is entering a 2,160 year cycle called the Age of Aquarius, where astrology will gradually evolve toward
that which is known as Esoteric Astrology. Esoteric Astrology looks towards causes rather than effects, to the life
of the human soul that lies behind the outer form, the body.
The soul is that imperishable, perpetual existence that takes repeated cyclic embodiments - in male or female
bodies and in varying cultures; part of its purpose is to expand consciousness, and to work out karma.
Most astrology practiced today is ‘personality’ astrology that ranges from the mundane to the quite spiritually
oriented. Whether we are considering fortune-telling astrology or the more serious psychological astrology that
strives to help bring about integration and wholeness, we are still limited by the tools with which we work.
One of the major new tools is the Science of the Seven Rays. They are seven streams of energy which enter this
solar system from cosmic sources and condition every life form within it.
Esoteric Astrology gives a larger perspective of life; that we are not just inhabiting a little planet on its own in the
solar system, but participating as an energy centre within a greater solar life.
The Seven Rays are the “missing link” in astrology, and the planets are simply ‘vehicles’ for these energies,
transmitting them to Earth via the zodiac, whose signs have specific resonances with the rays.
The rays can be studied by themselves and constitute what is known as Esoteric Psychology. One of the greatest
psychologists of last century, Roberto Assagioli, developed his Psychosynthesis techniques from the Seven Rays.

2. The source for this new information came from Alice A. Bailey, who acted as an amanuensis between 1919 and
1949 for the Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul, or D.K., one of the Masters of Wisdom.
The series of 24 books were written mainly for the many souls who would be incarnate in the West around the
turn of the century. The teachings therein are profound, multi-levelled, and timeless, synthesising Eastern and
Western traditions.
Before discussing some techniques of Esoteric Astrology, take a look at some tabulations of the Seven Rays,
noting all the qualities that apply to yourself, trying to be as honest as possible! By spending a little time doing
this you may start to isolate some ray expressions in your make-up.
There needs to be a process of discrimination as to what ‘body’ is expressing which ray. For example, you may
have Ray 7 for the physical, Ray 6 for the astral, or Ray 4 for the mental. You could be a Ray 2 soul with a Ray 3
personality, so these five Rays would constitute your ‘Ray Structure’.
This information does not come instantaneously, nor can be derived from your horoscope, but will emerge after
patient pondering, meditation and reflection.
Ray 1
Will or
Power
Virtues: Strength, courage, steadfast, truthful, fearless,
trustworthy, large-minded.
Vices: Ruthless, hard, cold, proud, arrogant, ambitious, tyrannical,
cruel, controlling.
Ray 2
Love
Wisdom
Virtues: Calm, strength, endurance, patience, love of truth,
intuition, serenity.
Vices: Coldness, indifference, self pity, fear, love of being loved,
personal wisdom.
Ray 3
Active
Intelligence
Virtues: Wide abstract views, sincerity, clarity of intellect,
patience, caution, planning.
Vices: Intellectual pride, devious, scheming, inaccuracy, obstinacy,

3. critical, busyness.
Ray 4
Harmony
through
Conflict
Virtues: Affectionate, sympathetic, courageous, devotion,
generosity, quick intellect.
Vices: Worrier, inaccuracy, self-centeredness, cowardice,
extravagance, mood swings.
Ray 5
Concrete
Science
Virtues: Perseverence, commonsense, accuracy, rational,
uprightness, keen intellect.
Vices: Narrowness, harsh criticism, lack of sympathy, arrogant,
proud, prejudice, cold.
Ray 6
Devotion
Idealism
Virtues: Devotion, single-minded, tenderness, intuitive, loyal,
reverence, loving.
Vices: Selfish, jealous, sentimental, deceptive, fiery anger,
narrow, sectarian, fanatical.
Ray 7
Ceremonial
Order
Virtues: Strength, perseverence, courage, courtesy, detailed, self-
reliance, practical.
Vices: Formalism, bigotry, pride, opinionated, superficial
judgements, narrowness.
This may take a while, and one method is to ‘try a ray on’ for a month or so, observing yourself and others in your
environment.
The rays are also dual in expression,
hence the following tabulation:
(Note the planetary rulers below can be applied to types A & B)
Ray 1
Will-Power
Type A: Persistent. Never gives in. Depended upon by others.
Type B: Destroys that which prevents free expression of life
force.

4. Purpose Destruction
Ray 2
Love-Wisdom
Inclusive Coherence
Type A: Magnetic, radiant, sharing, compassionate,
empathetic.
Type B: Emphasis on wisdom, not knowledge. Dispassionate.
Ray 3 Active-
Intelligence
Adaptability
Creativity
Type A: Philosopher, theorist. Emphasis on abstract ideas.
Type B: Businesslike. Practical. Manipulator. Gamesmanship.
Ray 4
Harmony/Conflict
Beauty Unity
Sensitivity
Type A: Brings harmony from conflict. Mediator.
Type B: Colourful. Strong contrasts. Artistic. Volatile. Forceful.
Ray 5
Concrete Science
Science Analysis
Mind
Type A: Researcher. Intellectual. Accuracy. Clarity.
Type B: Technician. Practical in applications.
Ray 6
Devotion/Idealism
Idealism Persistence
Type A: Receptive. Passive. Loyal. Worshipful. Tranquil.
Gentle.
Type B: Fiery zeal. Strives toward ideals. Aspires. Aggressive.
Ray 7
Ceremonial Order
Organisation
Creative
Type A: Highly organised. Plays by rules. Meticulous in action.
Type B: Emphasis on creative process. Manifests into forms.

5. Identifying rays through Occupations
Ray 1
Will/Power
Politicians, occultists, leaders, explorers, executives,
managers, dictators.
Ray 2
Love/Wisdom
Teachers, healers, sages, servers, scholars, humanists,
philanthropists.
Ray 3
Active Intelligence
Philosophers, organisers, astrologers, mathe-maticians,
economists, historians, business people.
Ray 4
Harmony/Conflict
Artists, mediators, architects, poets, psychologists,
musicians.
Ray 5 Concrete
Science
Scientists, researchers, alchemists, engineers, analysts,
inventors.
Ray 6
Devotion/Idealsim
Ministers, mystics, missionaries, devotees, orators,
crusaders, zealots.
Ray 7
Ceremonial Order
Builders, administrators, designers, revolutionaries,
magicians.
The Seven Rays correspond to many ‘septenaries’, which provide the basic building blocks of occultism. Planets
‘rule’ rays, similar to astrological rulerships, hence the interface between rays, planets & zodiac signs. Remember
though, do not make the mistake of trying to ascertain the rays from the horoscope; determining the rays, then
interpreting the horoscopein light of the rays, is ideally the correct procedure.
Ray Chakra Colour Jewel Planets
Ray 1
Will Power
Crown Red Diamond Vulcan
Pluto
Ray 2
Love Wisdom
Heart Indigo Sapphire Jupiter
Sun
Ray 3
Active
Intelligence
Throat Green Emerald Saturn
Earth
Ray 4
Harmony/Conflict
Base Yellow Jasper Mercury
Moon

6. Ray 5
Concrete Science
Ajna Orange Topaz Venus
Ray 6
Abstract Idealism
Solar
Plexus
Blue Ruby Neptune
Mars
Ray 7
Ceremonial Magic
Sacral Violet Amethyst Uranus
The above chakra assignations vary according to one’s stage of evolution.
All life is conditioned by the Seven Rays, whether it be an animal, a tree, a human, an organisation, a city or
nation. The rays have their own cycle periods which connect with the greater astrological ages of 2,160 years, the
Great Year of 25,920 years, and the Yugas, or secret cycles of the Hindu adepts.
A major cycle of Ray 6 has just finished in the Piscean Age, and a Ray 7 cycle is starting, which overlaps into the
Aquarian Age.
These rays and Ages have their sympathetic resonances of course, ensuring maximum effect upon humanity.
Esoteric Astrology has been called the ‘science of all sciences’ because it is a system of relating every living
entity - a planet, ray, sign or human being. It describes the qualities and energies of these living beingsthereby
allowing comprehension, and also understanding of how theyinteract with each other.
Therefore it is truly the Science of Relationships - human, planetary, zodiacal and stellar.
When the word ‘science’ is used, bear in mind that it refers not to concrete analysis that employs the tangible
senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. ‘Science’ comes from the root ‘scire’ - to know or discern - it is
really the knowledge of the ‘higher self’, soul or abstract mind, which perceives the whole synthetically, intuitively
and inclusively; hence the term Occult Science.
The disciplines of Esoteric Astrology and The Ageless Wisdom incorporate the concrete tangible sciences, but also
draw upon that intangible ‘sixth’sense: intuition.

7. ‘Esoteric’ means: “understood by, or meant for a select few…the initiated”. (Macquarie Dictionary.) This is not to
be misunderstood as any kind of elitism. What was esoteric becomes mainstream eventually, yet there will always
be a core that remains esoteric, waiting to be unveiled by the generations of enquirers on the spiritual path.
The similar word ‘occult’ means “hidden ... beyond the bounds of ordinary knowledge” or, “of a nature not
understood, as physical qualities”. In itself, ‘occult’ does not have the negative implication which mainstream
media has promoted.
Those who have done the necessary work, have undergone various disciplines (such as meditation) and have
developed these ‘subtle’ senses, are ready to receive esoteric knowledge. The unprepared would have no
foundation within which to ‘ground’ it, though many are capable of developing these faculties.
The zodiacal signs are another ‘occult’ factor, i.e. they are ‘unseen’, yet act as a channel through which the
archetypes of the zodiacal constellationsfocus. That the two types of zodiac do not align, as argued by astrologers
of the tropical and sidereal schools, or astronomical sceptics, is secondary to the primary fact that the potent
‘thoughtforms’ of the signs exist and act as gateways for the rays and planets.
Astrology is based upon illusion in the sense that the zodiac is built around the ‘ecliptic’, the apparent path of the
Sun around the Earth. Of course we know that the Earth’s path or orbit is around the Sun, so we work within this
paradox, in the knowledge that eventually humanity will transcend this illusion. This is the source of one of our
greatest mysteries, and we are told that the situation will be ‘rectified’ in the Age of Capricorn, following the Age
of Aquarius.
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