Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIIe (4-Seasonal Stages, 4-Dharmic Wheels,12-Houses & 36-Decanates)

(HZ: Please note that this ten-part series is just a review of Alice A Bailey’s Esoteric Works in respect to this ten cycles and stages review with a few additions plus some experiential heuristic observations and as a rule does not contain reified source impressions received during meditation.)

The Decanates.

The fact of the three tests each existing in their three stages may convey a hint to esoteric astrologers as to the purpose of the three decanates into which each sign is divided—a point upon which I shall hope to touch when we come to our study of the Science of Triangles. Each test (and therefore each decanate) concerns the three aspects which in this Treatise on the Seven Rays we have called: life, quality and appearance. EA, p.203

Jupiter, cycles through each of the thirty-six decanates, three per sign where each are representative of the focus of one of the three major aspects – Life, Quality, and Appearances. As earlier discussed, these three major cosmic, solar, and planetary aspects also condition each of the three periodic vehicles which unfolds to better express the major aspects, and each are in turn three-fold as the part always includes the Whole. Thus, given our point in evolution we can be focused either in the three-fold form livingness aspect of the personality, or the three-fold consciousness aspect of the soul, or the three-fold will-life aspect of the monad and as such will determine the present focus of our own Life wave overall in the cycle of evolution. The decanates will have different meanings and rulers depending on the human Units aspect focus point in evolution or Life wave status. On the osculating wheel where the focus is stabilizing in the human soul consciousness aspect than the decanates will represent more of the three mind aspects which the soul might be focussed in  – the lower mind, the son of mind, or the higher mind. The decanates for the initiates will be inferred to represent more the abstract mind, the intuitive mind and the spiritual mind (all three together basically are representative of the universal mind) or the triadal sheaths potential content once developed by the fusing spirit-soul-personality. For the average person the physical, astral, and mental sheath expressions focus is inferred. The above sheath focusses capture most human Units evolving through the aid of or immersed within this planetary Earth field of experience or livingness except those of exceptionally low status or very high status. The correct rulers for these decanates at different periods under the cycle of evolution is still being worked out by esoteric astrologers. Later, a chart is provided of the given rulers on the normal wheel by the present fifth root race average person and also the rulers for the present average disciples on the reversed wheel are also inferred.

The important practical concept to hold in respect to the decanates is what sign related decanate/aspect does the sun and ascendant and the other the major planets and house cusps occupy in a natal chart. It is this decanate which will indicate the level of influence activity of the respectful planet or house affecting the unit under consideration. This is another reason the point in evolution must be established before a chart can be more correctly interpreted. It is of little value to give a physical plane interpretation to an influence affecting the lower or a higher mind life aspect. We have been given three sets of planetary rulers that generically captures the aspect related conditioning influences given humanity’s evolutionary status projection through the Aquarian Age. The decanate rulers will vary according to the human occult constitutional focus of the unit involved.

The exoteric planetary rulers influences are particularly responded to by those upon the mutable cross under the influence of the Great Illusion and as a rule are focused in their personality form expressions particularly on the physical, astral and/or the lower mental and are moving against the outgoing Life wave (and thus involutionary) individually on the normal wheel. In most charts the major significant house points or planetary influences will be collectively in one decanate more than the others indicating a level of focus and possible principle type of response to influences. The normal wheel direction indicates an involutionary descent undertaken by the soul involved and the first decanate’ focus and interest for the soul would be inferred to be the mental sheath on the normal wheel as they descend to manifest. The second decanate indicates an astral sheath developmental and expressive interest where the third an interest in physical development and expression. It is understood that the higher three vehicles reflect themselves in the lower three personality vehicles but on the normal wheel these are not yet identified with or developed for the soul-personalities’ use. This is indicative of the higher three chakras energies (ajna, heart, and throat) being transmitted to the lower three centers (solar plexus, sacral, base) depending on how one counts these. When one begins to reverse themselves on the path the forces acting through the lower chakras are transmuted back into energies channeled into the higher chakras until the process is complete and all seven head centres are developed and expressive and transformation leading to transfiguration of the lower sheaths by the higher sheaths can then be enhanced just as the higher centres transforms the creative hierarchical lives embodying the lower sheaths. The exoteric and esoteric effects are influenced by the planetary decanate rulers influences and are based upon point in evolution of the average western individual and/or disciple respectively.

As a matter of inference and supposition, it might be useful to suggest various generic rules for analyzing the significance of the decanates at certain generic points in evolution. The chart below infers that upon the reversed wheel Hercules must possess certain zodiacal related capacities and abilities to move forward in the develop the necessary spiritual and divine “gifts” to move forward into the unknown deity. A description of these zodiacal related capacity and ability characteristics are given below and taken from Esoteric Astrology by A.A.B.  These are achieved through the absorption of varying lights or the blending influences coming through the exoteric, esoteric, and hierarchical planetary rulers. In particular there is a response to the esoteric rulers indicating the disciple is not identified with the planetary influences but the zodiacal qualifies energy patterns coming through them.  The zodiacal related goal of Hercules as a soul-personality can be understood as the ability to demonstrate these capacities and abilities zodiacally imbued. The personality itself is likewise tested by their lack of response and identification to the exoteric planetary rulers’ influences.

Chart of Zodiacal absorbed Capacities Tested & Esoteric Decanate Rulers

The important point to keep in mind is that each of these twelve zodiacal signature types of quoted capabilities and/or abilities once successfully demonstrated by way of the transmitting influences of the blending decanate rulers reflecting the tests of Hercules and leads the disciple-initiate to further demonstrate certain zodiacal related “gifts”. Our form response to the influences of the planets prevent our higher response to the realities and qualities revealed and made possible by the impact of energy from the zodiacal sign being transmitted through them. Thus, our consciousness cannot qualitatively expand if the soul is not freed from its qualifying form identification. It could be surmised that the ultimate release of consciousness is thus symbolized by the falling of a planetary radiatory influence in a sign. The zodiacal or inner constellation influences transmitted through these decanate rulers are blended with the respective sign influences associated with its planetary decanate rulers. The relative word description forms given in Esoteric Astrology are used here to capture the nature of these twelve “gifts” is based upon observation as well as theory. These descriptions represent only one way of capturing these generic zodiacal “gifts.” These “gifts” or guideposts are necessary to progressive traverse the endless Way back to the unknown identity Source.

For the disciple-initiate the three esoteric related decanates might be understood as referring to the three triadal sheaths: manasic, buddhic, and atmic depending upon focus of major periodic vehicle sheath related consciousness thus the decanate rulers would assume to be different accordingly. These denoted rulers in the chart below are inferred to relate more to the conditioning influences coming through the planets as opposed to the planetary radiatory influences.  If a human soul-personality focus than the first decanate influences more resonant. If a, spiritual soul-personality focus than the second decanate more resonant, and their combined integration process or spirit-soul-personality focus than the third (first aspect) decanate influences.

The position of the Sun in one of the three decanates is indicative of the personality’s aspect focus which can also be understood as the personality ray’s focus. The position of the ascendant in one of the decanates is indicative of the soul’s aspect focus which can also be understood as the soul ray’s focus.  It has been suggested that the point opposite the Sun (Earth) is theoretically indicative of the monad’s present life aspect focus or monadic Ray focus. If this is so than a first decanate point (third aspect of the third aspect) for the personality would indicate a physical sheath ray livingness focus or expression but for the monad or monadic ray a manasic focus (third aspect of the major first aspect).

The sun sign.—This sign indicates the present problem of the man; it sets the pace or the established tempo of his personality life; it is related to quality, temperament and the life tendencies which are seeking expression during this particular incarnation, and it is suggestive of the rajasic or the activity aspect of the innate man. Fundamentally, the forces here found are indicative of the line of least resistance. EA, p. 18

The position of the Sun in one of the decanates in a probationary disciple’s chart on the reversed wheel would indicate more of a second major periodic vehicle aspect focus aligned with one of the threefold mental sheaths or respectfully the concrete mind, son of mind, and higher mind.  In the disciple-initiate’s chart on the reversed wheel it would indicate more first major periodic vehicle aspect or a triadal sheath focus.  The position of the Sun in an average person’s chart would indicate a third major periodic vehicle aspect focus in general. Overall, the Sun’s position is indicative of one’s present but unknown dweller issues that will needing to be resolved to achieve harmony. This Sun sign qualified dweller pattern focussed by the personality will is given as setting the pace or tempo of the incarnation.

The ascendant or rising sign indicates the intended life or immediate soul purpose for this incarnation. It holds the secret of the future and presents the force which, rightly used, will lead the man to success. It represents the sattvic or harmony aspect of life and can produce right relationship between soul and personality in any one incarnation. It thus points the way to the recognition of the force of the soul. EA, pp.18-19

The position of the ascendant is indicative of the soul’s intended focus represented by the soul ray and of the sign which is affecting it or its ascendant. It has been given that that the ascendant is indicative of the pathway where the Whole can flow in and fulfill the purpose of the soul in a particular incarnation and is the best pathway to unfolding one’s future spiritual or karmic life path. It is the key to harmony in all aspects of one’s livingness if consummated correctly or one’s personality will, and soul will are blended and balanced. It has also been given that each life there is some discipline level set that needs to be reached each life and this should be factored in as also necessary to achieve a consummated harmony.

The decanate position of the ascendant in a probationary disciple’s chart on the reversed wheel would indicate more of a major threefold second aspect focus (three mental aspects).  Whereas, in a disciple-initiate’s chart on the reversed wheel would indicate more of a major three-fold first aspect focus (triadal sheaths). This would be the focus coming into incarnation and the rest of the chart should indicate an alignment with this intent. As an example, in a disciple’s chart, with Leo ascendant on  the cusp of the second decanate and Sun on the cusp of the second decanate of Cancer would indicate the soul-personality’s intended focus was on linking the concrete mind/son of mind aspects and/or the linking of the manasic/buddhic aspects.  In this exampled probationary disciple’s earlier life period this incarnation, the personality focus was more of a physical sheath focus on the normal wheel until the maturation period where the mind was re-appropriated by the soul moving the focus onto the reversed wheel with a new focus on the concrete mind. Thus, one does need to accurately know the relative point in evolution of the unit in question before the chart is analyzed. The problem for this disciple is the that the ray/sign influences that will being eventual harmony is the fifth and the first rays conditioned by energies qualified by Leo constellations (their sidereal ascendant). Whereas the ray/sign line of least resistance is third and seventh ray influenced pursuits qualified by Cancer related characteristic energy patterns.

It should be noted that the exoteric, esoteric, and hierarchical planetary rulers likewise relates to the expression unfoldment and focus of the three major periodic vehicle aspects in that the personality or activity aspect tends to express itself through the physical sheath; the soul or consciousness aspect through the astral sheath; and the monad or will aspect through the mental sheath thus the decanate rulers planetary ray colors the influences of these three major aspects Ray expressions. It was earlier noted that the rays of the respective three sets of (particularly those rulers of the moon sign) ruling planets are conditioning of the respective three personality sheaths and can be confused with the actual rays conditioning the personality sheaths as they also color these sheath ray expressions especially due to their close aspect to those planets indicating the actual sheath rays as earlier inferred. Decanate ruler influences need to be taken into consideration whenever there is a planet or house cusps located there as it is indicative of a sub- aspect and/or sub-principle qualifying focus.

The exoteric and esoteric effects are further broken out in the two separate charts below indicating the testing related influences on Hercules as either a personality (identification) on the normal or reversed wheel or a soul (identification) on the normal or the reversed wheel. They work together to produce the ultimate zodiacal and sheath related testing and labor.

Chart of Exoteric (Normal Wheel) & Esoteric Decanate (Reversed Wheel) Rulers.

The chart below denotes ordinary decanate rulers based upon the elements. The direction of the wheels is based upon point in evolution of the average western individual and/or disciple, respectively.  The three-fold exoteric decanate rulers are only those taken mostly from mundane astrology and referenced in Esoteric Astrology by A.A.B. They depict the ruling effect of the exoteric planets over the ruling zodiacal influences. The reversed wheel representing the esoteric effect of decanate rulers are necessitated, inferred, and related to the lessening influence of the planets that are holding down consciousness of the soul.

 The two charts below experimentally extend for discussion the above chart’ decanate rulers’ influences based upon the livingness of either that of the personality’s form related identification and/or that of the soul’s form related identification or not. The exoteric decanate rulers indicate a personality identified with its form sheaths on the normal wheel and not identified with them on the reversed wheel but identified with the soul and its ray qualified consciousness imbued aspect sheaths.  The esoteric decanate rulers indicate a soul identified with its form sheaths on the normal wheel and not identified with them on the reversed wheel but identified with the monad’s sheaths. Basically, the decanate planetary rulers’ lower aspects are either identified with or their higher aspects.

Chart of Exoteric Decanate Rulers & Testing of the Personality

Chart of Esoteric Decanate Rulers & Testing (the Soul on its Own Plane)

Four Seasonal Stages, Twelve Houses, Four Dharmic Wheels & Thirty-Six Decanates

Every sign has a potential of nine tests, three per each of the decanates representing the three-fold aspects of the three major aspects. Per the perspective of the three major periodic vehicles the first decanate tests are related to the physical, astral, and mental sheaths, planes or form aspects; the second decanate to the concrete mind, Son of Mind, and higher mind sheaths, planes or consciousness aspects; and the third decanate relates to the manasic mind, intuitive mind, and atmic mind sheaths, or planes or spirit or will aspects.  The twelve tests in context to the three decanates is suggestive of thirty-six minimum tests and 108 maximum tests as suggested by the nine symbolic tests of Scorpio where these were related to the lower three-fold form aspects – physical, astral, and mental. These 108 steps have to be spiritualized to enter Nirvana as his is why Buddhists probably have 108 beads on their roseries and 108 steps to enter the temple. This also represents the overcoming of the 108 feelings determined by multiplying the five senses plus their combined effect on consciousness whether experienced as painful, neutral, or pleasant in experience. These are further multiplied by whether they were internally or externally generated and further multiplied by past, present, and future happenings – 6x3x2x3 = 108. Given this is only the second solar system and we are only just over halfway through it all these potential tests would not be fully developed or apply at this juncture in the group initiation process under the law of freedom.  This is probably why the third decanate is considered the combination of the third and second aspects and not the first in general at this stage in humanity’s evolution. The tests can be better appreciated if the focus is on just the second major periodic vehicle aspect or its nine related tests linked to the freedom of the soul from form identification. It appears the Decanate rulers’ influences are aligned with this goal and information as provided only with the lower initiations at this juncture in Humanity’s soul -personality point of integration and its availability for use by the monad or the One Life.

In respect to the four major wheel directional aspects and the movement of the human unit through the twelve signs and thirty-six decanates we can attempt to isolate three levels of sheath or plane life sensitivity development whose blended corrected use is tested in the renunciation stage. Thus, the three major aspect related sheath expression is first unfolded and then utilized towards the purpose and plan objectives.  Their progressive expression opportunities might be captured by the twelve houses if the appropriate plane or form related vehicle substance characteristics can be identified which is the intent of this section.

Some possible house related form characteristics are organized below according to the overall four seasonal evolutionary related stages and the four wheel directions. There are thus four sets of house related meanings inferred and proffered related to whether the human unit is responding to one or other of the three crosses and or their combination of influences. The lists are derived and extrapolated from the extant lists and general knowledge base and they are far from complete in any way.

Recreation: Personality

Personality – Mental, Astral, Physical Sheaths & Planes

Exoteric Planetary Ruler Influences.

Sun & Moon Sign Influences blending.

Normal Wheel – Mutable Cross.

Average Citizen to Probationary Aspirant

1st Decanate: Mental Sheath unfoldment/expression or plane focus.

2^nd Decanate: Astral Sheath unfoldment/expression or plane focus.

3^rd Decanate: Physical Sheath unfoldment/expression or plane focus.

House                          Major Sign Influence    Ruling Planet

First House.                  Aries.                            Mars.

Second House.              Taurus.             Venus.

Third House.                Gemini.            Mercury.

Fourth House.               Cancer.                         Moon.

Fifth House.                  Leo.                             Sun.

Sixth House.                  Virgo.                           Mercury.

Seventh House. Libra.                           Venus.

Eight House.                 Scorpio.                        Pluto.

Ninth House.                Sagittarius.                    Jupiter.

Tenth House.                Capricorn.                    Saturn.

Eleventh House.            Aquarius.                      Uranus.

Twelfth House.             Pisces.                           Jupiter.

Regeneration: Human Soul

Concrete Mind, Son of Mind, Abstract Mind

Exoteric Blending with Esoteric Planetary Ruler Influences.

Blended Sun Sign and Moon Sign Influences.

Probationary Aspirant to Probationary Disciple.

Osculating Wheel – Mutable to Fixed Cross

1st Decanate: Mental Sheath unfoldment/expression or plane focus

2^nd Decanate: Astral Sheath unfoldment/expression or plane focus

3^rd Decanate: Physical Sheath unfoldment/expression or plane focus

The above focusses Osculates between the following focusses and blends with them over time:

3^rd Decanate: Mental Body Development, Sheath Purification & Sensitization permitting Higher Mind Influences.

2^nd Decanate: Astral Body Development, Sheath Purification & Sensitization permitting Son of Mind Influences.

1^st Decanate: Etheric Body Development, Sheath Purification & Sensitization permitting Concrete Mind Influences.

These osculating wheel house related meanings would be either those given above or those following or a blending combination of the two in general.

Reorientation: Spiritual-Soul

Manasic, Buddhic, Atmic Sheaths & Planes.

Blended Esoteric and Esoteric Planetary Ruler Influences.

Blended Moon-Sun-Ascendant Influences.

Probationary Initiate to Initiate.

Reversed Wheel – Fixed Cross/All three Crosses Osculation’s

3^rd Decanate: Spiritual Mind Illumination Focus (Probationary Initiate or 2^nd Degree)

2^nd Decanate: Son of Mind Illumination Focus (Probationary Disciple or 1st Degree))

1^st Decanate: Concrete Mind Illumination Focus (Aspirant)

Moving towards the following focuses:

3^rd Decanate: Atmic Mind Illumination Focus (5^th degree initiate training)

2^nd Decanate: Buddhic Mind Illumination Focus (4^th degree initiate training)

1^st Decanate: Manasic Mind Illumination Focus (3^rd degree initiate training)

First House.                  Aries.                            Exoteric

Mars & Esoteric Mercury blending.

Second House.              Taurus.             Venus & Vulcan.

Third House.                Gemini.            Venus & Mercury

Fourth House`              Cancer. Neptune & Neptune

Fifth House.                  Leo.      Sun & Sun (veiling Neptune & Uranus)

Sixth House.                  Virgo.   Mercury & Moon (veiling Vulcan & Neptune).

Seventh House. Libra.                Uranus & Jupiter.

Eight House.                 Scorpio.            Pluto & Mars.

Ninth House.                Sagittarius.         Jupiter & Earth.

Tenth House.                Capricorn.         Saturn & Saturn.

Eleventh House.            Aquarius.          Uranus & Jupiter.

Twelfth House.             Pisces.               Jupiter & Pluto.

Renunciation: Monad

One Life Synthesis.

Blending Esoteric-Esoteric Planetary Ruler Influences with Hierarchical Ruler Influences.

Blending of the six Zodiacal Sign Polarities Influences and the Three Cross Influences in General.

Initiate to Buddha.

Multi-Wheel – All three crosses.

3^rd Decanate: Atmic Mind Illumination Focus (5^th Degree Initiate)

2^nd Decanate: Buddhic Mind Illumination Focus (4^th Degree Initiate)

1^st Decanate: Manasic Mind Illumination Focus (3^rd Degree Initiate

Above focusses blending with the following focuses:

3^rd Decanate: Logoic Identification – Buddha’s focus

2^nd Decanate: Monadic Identification – Chohans focus

1^st Decanate: Triadal Identification – Higher Initiate & Master’s focus

Add the Hierarchical Ruler Influences to the House Influences at this stage:

First House.                  Aries.                            Uranus.

Second House.              Taurus                          Vulcan.

Third House.                Gemini                         Earth

Fourth House.               Cancer                          Neptune

Fifth House.                  Leo                  Sun veiling Uranus

Sixth House.                  Virgo                            Jupiter

Seventh House.             Libra                            Saturn

Eight House.                 Scorpio                         Mercury

Ninth House.                Sagittarius                      Mars

Tenth House.                Capricorn                      Venus

Eleventh House.            Aquarius           Moon veiling Uranus

Twelfth House.             Pisces                            Pluto

First House.                  Aries.                            Exoteric

Mars & Esoteric Mercury blending with Uranus.

Second House.              Taurus.             Venus & Vulcan.

Third House.                Gemini.            Venus & Mercury

Fourth House`              Cancer. Neptune & Neptune

Fifth House.                  Leo.      Sun & Sun (veiling Neptune & Uranus)

Sixth House.                  Virgo.   Mercury & Moon (veiling Vulcan & Neptune).

Seventh House. Libra.                Uranus & Jupiter.

Eight House.                 Scorpio.            Pluto & Mars.

Ninth House.                Sagittarius.         Jupiter & Earth.

Tenth House.                Capricorn.         Saturn & Saturn.

Eleventh House.            Aquarius.          Uranus & Jupiter.

Twelfth House.             Pisces.               Jupiter & Pluto.

Composed by HZ 2018-2023.

Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part I (Cycle of Evolution)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part II (Recreation, Regeneration, Reorientation, and Renunciation)

Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part III (Cycle of Maturation & Cycle of Integration)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part IV (Cycles of Jupiter, The Four Seasons, The Four Dharmic Wheel Directions)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part V (Seven Crises of the Soul & Cycles of Evolution, Aspiration, and Initiation)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VI (The Seven Laws of the Soul)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VII (A Sequence of the 14 Rules for Initiation) Revised 6/25/23
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIIa (12 Final Tests & Summation of “Labors of Hercules”)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIIb (First Six Progressive Cycles of Jupiter & The Aspirant)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIIc (Twelve Basic Gifts of Hercules)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIId (Cycles of Jupiter, Twelve Tests, & Decanates)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIIe (4-Seasonal Stages, 4-Dharmic Wheels,12-Houses & 36-Decanates)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIIf (Three Rules for Determining Decanates)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part VIII (60 Major Astrological/Cosmological Influences during the Tests of Hercules)
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part IX (Seven Stages of Discipleship) Revised 06.24.23
Ten Esoteric Cycles/Stages – Part X (Introduction to Cycles or Stages of Planetary Integration)