In part one we discussed Nietzches’ three stages of consciousness: the Camel, the Lion and the Child. If we look around at our world today there may be a significant number of individuals who are indeed waking up and walking their own individualized spiritual path, but there are an even greater number of ‘Camels’, who still follow the herd, follow the group, want to belong, be in a gang, go along with the family, ‘toe the Corporate line’, want to ‘fit in’, not ‘make waves’, follow the latest fashion, drop out and use drugs, alcohol, TV and many forms of Piscean-type escapism.
The polarity of Aquarius’ opposite sig
Leo, is needed, for Leo brings with it the path of Self-Realization. It takes a Lion’s heart and courage to begin our inner journey to Self-realization. If we polarize too far to the Aquarian extreme, we run the risk of making ‘humanity’ – a utopian ideal of the collective - more important than the individuals within it. This is when ecological idealism becomes imposed on people rather than structures which support individuals in developing their self-awareness. Indeed this is where communism went wrong.
Our present-day experience of Communism is an example of when the ideal Aquarian group utopia is implemented before people are ready. Camels cannot do it, and the result is a faceless collective in which individualism is suppressed. Individuality is squashed and people are not allowed to make waves. This is where our lovely Leo will stand up and roar: What about ME? There is a real Self and a false Self, and it is Leo’s job to figure out which is which, by exploring the Self.
The Aquarian Age is the ‘new age’ that we are entering. We are on the cusp of that age now as we leave the Piscean age that began in AD 1. Each age lasts approximately 2,160 years*. Esoteric Astrology tells us that during this new age we will each experience our own Soul. This will be a gradual process and not a sudden, blinding revelation. It is important to note that we are not in the Aquarian Age yet, we are still in the Piscean Age, but on the cusp. So our minds are still fogged by the illusion, fear, and confusion, of lower Piscean consciousness.
Every individual matters. Every Lion who has the courage to stand up and choose an individualized path, that breaks free from the old patterns of ‘tribal thinking’ will make a difference. Especially when those individuals have begun to walk the path of their own inner truth. Look at some of the most ‘radical’ people of our age: Nelson Mandela, and most recently Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi. People who stood alone and stood out, were persecuted for it, and yet on a personal level radiate such warmth, love and peace. It is through such heart-centred and courageous individuals that the Aquarian dream of equality and humanitarianism will be realized in the Aquarian Age.
Our collective spiritual awakening will be a gradual process, that will take place over the next 2,200 years. The Age of Aquarius will bring ‘mystic revelations and the mind’s true liberation’ (just as the song said!) But we aren’t there yet. We need a bridge and Soul Astrology can be just such a bridge for those who resonate with it.
Soul Astrology is the Astrology of our inner journey. It supports individuals in waking up and embarking upon their own unique spiritual path. It is a bridge between the old world and the new age. It allows us to read a natal chart from a conventional perspective and from a spiritual perspective. It is a vehicle which can ferry us across the river on our journey to higher consciousness.
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*The earth makes a 25,625 year orbit through the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. This is known as a ‘Great Year’. During this time it spends about 2,160 years in each sign. In addition the ‘Great Year’ can also be divided into five ‘World Ages’ which last approx 5,125 years. These are the ‘World Ages’ of the Mayan calendar, however sometimes a world age is referred to as the 2,160 year period. There are also other systems which refer to ‘world ages’ like the Yugas in Hindu cosmology. Although this seems potentially confusing, all becomes relevant in terms of Soul Astrology. While the dates vary, the conditions they describe do not. So if we are speaking less in terms of a physical tangible time period, and more in terms of a ‘developmental stage in consciousness’ they become meaningful and make more sense.