第 4 节
作者:      更新:2021-02-18 21:16      字数:9322
  upon scientific truths; which can be demonstrated; combined with the pure
  spiritual   essence   found   in   all   systems   of   religion;   a   religion   with   more
  spirituality     and   less  theology;     a  broader     charity   and    less  dogma;     and
  deeper love for God and man; its only creed。
  We     must   now     consider    the   astral  influence     of  the   cycle   upon    the
  physical organism of mankind; and particularly of the Western races; who
  are   moving   upon   the   upward   arc   of   the   cycle。   It   is   quite   evident   that   a
  radical change must take place in the physical form and constitution with
  the    influx   of   more    intellectual;    ethereal    and   spiritual   vibrations。     The
  organism   must   become   more   refined   and   compact;   a   greater   degree   of
  sensitiveness be attained; with a highly nervous system。 The forerunner of
  this    superior    organism      is  now    apparent     in  the   numerous       schools    of
  physical   culture   and   gymnasiums   throughout   the  land;   the   many  articles
  and pamphlets on deep; rythmic breathing disseminated among the people;
  and   last;   but   not   least;   the   various   schools   of   mental   healing;   etc。   The
  masses      look    on   and    wonder;     while    they   exclaim:     〃What      marvelous
  changes are coming to the world!〃 but are utterly ignorant of the cause of
  the mysterious change。 To the student of Hermetic Philosophy there is no
  mystery  involved。   He   knows   the   cause;   and   confidently   watches   for   the
  effect。
  Each one must seek to comprehend for himself; according to the light
  he   may   receive;   basing   his   premises   upon   the   TRUE   PRINCIPLES   of
  astrology;   carefully   noting   the   triune   aspect   of   planetary   influence   upon
  humanity; ever remembering that the Sun and Moon are the great factors
  in human destiny; and that his premises and conclusions must occupy the
  14
  … Page 15…
  THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
  same plane。 Having acquired a knowledge of the science in its application
  to the individual; take the broader field; or universal aspect; as it applies to
  human races; and you will find the   rise and fall of nations; empires  and
  families   marked   upon   the   celestial   dial;   and   in   perfect   accord   with   the
  influence     of   the  Sun    and   planets    upon    Mother     Earth;   in  her   various
  movements。 And last; but most important; seek with an earnest desire for
  truth to learn the relation of those glittering constellations of the shining
  Zodiac to the human soul and their influence in shaping its eternal destiny。
  This will reveal the whole of involution and evolution in a general sense。
  A   faithful;   earnest   and   devout   study   of   the   〃Science   of   the   Starry
  Heavens〃 will lead us on to other planes of thought; relating to still more
  interior realms of knowledge than we perhaps now dream of; and; in the
  words   of   the   master:   〃A  true   knowledge   of   the   stars   will   include   a   true
  knowledge of the soul;〃 and we shall realize 〃the mystical link that binds
  the soul to the stars。〃 MINNIE HIGGIN。
  15
  … Page 16…
  THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
  CHAPTER I
  THE ZODIAC
  To   the   ordinary   astrologer   the   Zodiac   is   simply   a   band   of   space;
  eighteen degrees wide; in the heavens; the center of which marks out the
  pathway of the Sun during the space of one year of 365 days; etc。
  The   twelve   signs   are   to   him   simply   thirty   degrees   of   the   space   (12
  times 30 equal 360); bearing the names of the constellations which once
  occupied   them。   Nay;   he;   as   a   rule;   still   imagines   in   some   sense   that   the
  signs (constellations) are still there; and that the power and potency of the
  twelve signs is derived from the stars which occupy the Zodiacal band of
  the skies。
  But this is not so; as any ordinary astronomer well knows。 This single
  fact; i。e。; the gradual shifting of the constellations; the DISPLACEMENT;
  let   us   say;  of   the   starry   influx   from   one   sign   to  another   without  any
  ALLOWANCE being made in the astrologer's rules for any such change;
  has been one of the greatest obstructions to the popular spread of the art
  among EDUCATED MINDS。 Argues the scientist: The 〃fiery influence of
  Aries;〃 if depending upon the stars of that constellation; ought now to be
  shedding   forth   their   caloric   from   the   sign   Pisces;   and Aries   ought   to   be
  lumbering along with the earthy Taurine nature。 So; also; the lords of these
  signs ought to be changed; but that they are not can be proved by the fact
  that our earliest records of that dim; historic past show; equally as well as
  your latest 〃text…book;〃 that Mars is the lord of Ariesa fiery planet in a
  fiery  sign;   but   astrologers   still   say  that   Pisces   is   watery  and Aries   fiery;
  WHICH IS NOT THE CASE; IF THE STARS HAVE ANY INFLUENCE
  AT ALL。   It   is   not   necessary;〃   say   these   logical   thinkers;   〃to   learn   your
  abstruse   science   if   we   can   demonstrate   that   the   very   basis   upon   which
  your conclusions rest is in every sense fundamentally false。〃 The scientific
  facts   of   the   case   are   as   follows:   The   influence   of   the   twelve   signs;   as
  described      by  astrologers;    is  a  delusion;    because    in  all  ages   they   are
  reported the same; whereas WE KNOW that every 2;160 years each sign
  retrogrades to the extent of thirty degrees; and; as your art does not make
  16
  … Page 17…
  THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
  allowance for this; it is false。 For; if the influence of the twelve signs does
  not   emanate   from   the   stars   occupying   the   space   of   those   signs;   it   must
  emanate   from   nothinga   doctrine   well   suited;   no   doubt;   to   musty   old
  sages     of   your    superstitious     Chaldea;     but   quite   out   of   court    in  our
  progressive agethe last decade of our cultured and scientific nineteenth
  century。
  So far; so good。 And so the world rolls along its bright pathway in the
  heavens; little heeding the logical conclusions of an exact science。 But to
  an   initiate   of   those   inner   principles   of   our   planet's   constitution   all   these
  mental   conflicts   have   a   meaning   and   a   purpose   within   Nature's   divine
  economy; for it is neither wise nor expedient that the masses; with popular
  science in the lead; should grasp the truths which Mother Nature reserves
  ALONE for her own devoted priests。
  The     shining    Zodiac;    with   its  myriad     constellations     and   its  perfect
  galaxy      of  starry    systems;    derives     its  subtle   influence;     as   impressed
  astrologically  upon   the   human   constitution;   from  the   solar   center   of   our
  solar    system;     NOT      FROM       THE     STARS       which     occupy     the   twelve
  mansions       of   space。   Aries;    the   fiery;  and    PISCES;      the   watery;    ARE
  ALWAYS THERE; and; instead of its being an argument against astrology;
  it is one of its grandest truths that; in all ages and in all times; Aries; the
  first sign of the Zodiac has been found EVER THE SAME; equally as well
  as Pisces the last。
  In order to convey our meaning; let us digress for a moment and bring
  forth    a  fitting   illustration。   The    condition     of   our   atmosphere      and    the
  surrounding       objectsvegetation;       etc。have     a  peculiar    condition     and   a
  magnetism wholly their own when surveyed exactly at sunrise。 There is a
  freshness and peculiar sense of buoyancy not visible at any other time。 If
  this   state   could   be   registered   by  any  instrument   and   compared   with   any
  other set periods during the day; it would offer a remarkable contrast。 Two
  hours   later   there   is   a   very   different   influence;   and   at   noon   there   is   a
  wonderful contrast。 The same may be said of sunset; and again at midnight;
  and; lastly; note the difference two hours before dawn。 This is the coolest
  period of the whole twenty…four hours。 These are facts; and yet our hearts
  are all beating to the same life…flow; and the Earth is no farther away from
  17
  … Page 18…
  THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
  the parent Sun; and yet it is the angle at which we; THE INHABITANTS;
  re