It is of major interest for us to know something about the energies and forces which are producing the present international situation and presenting the complex problems with which the United Nations are confronted. In the last analysis, all history is the record of the effects of these energies or radiations (rays, in other words) as they play upon humanity in its many varying stages of evolutionary development. These stages extend all the way from those of primeval humanity to our modern civilization; all that has happened is the result of these energies, pouring cyclically through nature and through that part of nature which we call the human kingdom.

To understand what is today taking place we must recognize that these energies are seven in number. They are called by many names in many different lands, but for our purposes the following seven names will be used:

1. The energy of Will, Purpose or Power, called in Christian lands the energy of the Will of God.
2. The energy of Love-Wisdom, called frequently the Love of God.
3. The energy of Active Intelligence, called the Mind of God.
4. The energy of Harmony through Conflict, affecting greatly the human family.
5. The energy of Concrete Knowledge or Science, so potent at this time.
6. The energy of Devotion or Idealism, producing the current ideologies. [4]
7. The energy of Ceremonial Order, producing the new forms of civilization.

1. Indicate, as you have seen, a new and powerfully efficient esoteric psychology, and also
2. Show the lines of development which are inevitable, for the reason that certain major potencies are coming into play at this time. Certain forces are becoming increasingly active whilst others are steadily becoming quiescent. It is these active forces which we will now consider.

This is the force which pours into the world from the major world center, Shamballa. Little is known of Shamballa. More will be known as you study this text and note how world affairs are taking shape before your eyes in accordance with my prevision (as presented to your limited [13] vision) and the obvious possibilities. These are necessarily the equally obvious effects of the predisposing causes.

The first crisis, as you have been taught, was the crisis of individualization wherein man became a living soul. The second crisis is the immediate one of racial initiation, made possible (if you will but believe it) by the many individual initiations which have lately been undergone by those members of the human family who had vision and a willingness to pay the price.

In connection with this discussion which governs and influences the leading nations of the world, the student should bear in mind the fact that all are today primarily conditioned by the Law of Cleavages; however, advanced groups in every nation are beginning to respond to the Law of Understanding. This is a law which will eventually emphasize the eternal brotherhood of man and the identity of all souls with the Oversoul. This will be recognized in the racial consciousness, as well as the oneness of the Life which pours through, permeates, animates and integrates the entire solar system. This Life functions in and through all planetary schemes, in all their kingdoms of forms and with all that can be included under the phrase "form life." That phrase contains three basic ideas: the ideas of life, of form and of evolution.

1. The world of psychical living. This requires the recognition, by the brain consciousness, of the need for mental [48] and spiritual control, as the first step.
2. The world of mental unfoldment.
3. The world of the soul or ego, the individualized man.

When these recognitions are established in the aspirant, then there comes the recognition by the disciple of the Master Who should guide him.

4. The control of the physical plane life by the soul.
5. The functioning and the utilization of the psychic powers and their place and part in the field of intelligent service.
6. The interpretative faculty of the illumined mind.
7. An inspired creative life upon the physical plane.

Today there are many thousands coming under the influence of this Law of Loving Understanding. Many in every nation are responding to the broader synthetic brotherly note, but the masses as yet understand nothing [49] of this. They must be led in right ways gradually by the steady development in right understanding of their own nationals. Bear this in mind, all of you who work for world peace and right human relations, for harmony and for synthesis.

It might be of interest here if we continued our study by a consideration of some of the countries and their governing signs. This would be a practical though necessarily a most debatable point. It is not related in any way to the geographical position of these countries but to the destiny (future) and karma (past) of humanity itself as it differentiates itself into nationalities, living at one period of time upon certain territories and so constituting that amalgamation of forms which we call nations or races. Basically and fundamentally the souls, informing these nations or races, remain detached from identification with them until such time as such souls can function on earth. Until, therefore, astrologers know more about group astrology and know also how to determine past influences as well as forecasts, it will not be possible for them to assign the correct ruling signs to the various countries and nations or to check the accuracy or the inaccuracy of the statements which I may make in the following tabulations. That type of astrology which concerns itself with the past, we call essential astrology esoterically, in contradistinction to predictive astrology. Past conditioning factors are basic and essential to the expression of the present and to what happens in the human family at any given moment, and from a proper understanding of the rules which should (but as yet do not) govern the processes of what is sometimes called the rectifying of [64] a horoscope when the exact moment of birth is not known will come the future science of ascertaining those past facts which produce present occurrences.

You will note that I would differentiate most carefully between countries and nations, owing to the fact that today and increasingly in the future, they will not be synonymous. The British nation is, for instance, a great synthesis of people, as is the United States of America, and also, in a lesser extent, both Brazil and the Argentine. Under the present situation, incident to the war and starting around the year 1900, there is a constant and ceaseless migration of peoples from one place to another and from one country to another, taking place today not only individually but also in group formation. This tends to produce an inevitable fusion, blending and producing interracial life, thus constantly offsetting and negating what has been called "racial purity." This attempt at an impossible racial segregation and purity is a misnomer, for the past renders it impossible; mixed blood runs in all veins, but the effort to produce this is the keynote of certain of the more modern cultures. These fortunately are in a minority, for they are anti-evolutionary and their objective is quite impossible of achievement, for they do not start with any pure strain. This tendency towards racial segregation (so noticeable in the Jew and the German) is a form of isolationism and necessarily an aspect of materialism, and is related to the personality of humanity and not to the soul aspect; it is separate in effect and normally feeds pride in the individual and the nation; it runs counter to the true progress of humanity which must lead increasingly to closer human relations, to human wholeness in the truest sense of the term; it will produce the inevitable recognition of vital human unity, placing no [65] emphasis upon individual nations and races. This isolationist spirit was one of the dangers to which the neutral powers were at one time prone, particularly the United States, and the physical warning as to this danger was given to them in the magnetic storms which severed contact between them and Europe and dislocated their relationship between states within America itself.

The world is one world and its sufferings are one; humanity is in truth a unity, but many are still unaware of this and the whole trend of the present teaching is directed to the awakening of humanity to this while there is yet time to avert still more serious conditions. The sins of humanity are also one. Its goal is one and it is as one great human family that we must emerge into the future. I would emphasize this thought: it is as one humanity, chastened, disciplined but illumined and fused, that we must emerge into the future. Those who do not grasp this important fact, whether they are what is called belligerents or neutrals, will suffer deeply as a result of their non-participation in the fate of the whole. The isolationist or the super-racial attitudes of the bewildered German people are the attitudes of the separate tendencies of the form nature with its wrong emphasis; but so also is the attitude, veiled under beautiful words and misty idealism, of any neutral power who stands aloof from the happenings of the present. The Hierarchy is not neutral. It is one with the right element in every nation and set against all separate, isolationist and materialistic attitudes. Such attitudes prevent the apprehension of the true spiritual values and hinder human development. Identification with all and participation in world conditions - voluntarily and not from force - is the way out today for all peoples. Ponder on this. [66]

I will give you here the present personality influences of the nations, indicated by their governing signs of the zodiac, trusting that you will give due thought to what I impart and assuring you that they are of vital significance at this time, particularly if you compare them with what I gave you anent the rays of the nations in the first volume of A Treatise on the Seven Rays. I would remind you that - over the lapse of centuries - nations are reborn several times or come into incarnation in a new form which we may call a period, if unimportant, or a civilization if significant and dramatic enough. Therefore, the personality ray and the governing influences change with frequency. This is oft forgotten, because the cycles are so much vaster than those of human incarnation. I would also point out that the tabulations which follow agree in part with the ordinary accepted assignment of zodiacal signs to the various countries, but not always. I will give you two signs for each country. One will be the emerging influence which will govern the ego or the soul of the country or nation, and the other that which governs at the present moment the personality ray of the individual country, and so conditions the masses. Forget not that the soul of the people is represented by those who [68] react to the influence of the soul ray and of the sign which is affecting it (its ascendant, one might say), whilst the masses are conditioned by the personality ray and therefore by the sun sign of the specified nation.

NOTE: This tabulation is arranged alphabetically and not in the rate of importance and influence of a country and nation.

The horoscope of a country can, therefore, be either that of the soul of the nation or of the personality of the nation, based on the form aspect; there are no means, as yet, of determining the date, for instance, of the birth of a nation or of a race. Boundaries are not determining factors nor is history itself, as now given, an adequate guide. As said above, some nations are entities and demonstrably so, as, for instance, France or Japan; others have been great and powerful nations but are so no longer, but the strain is there, and of these, India and the Jewish race are illustrations. Other nations are, relatively speaking, very modern, as for instance the German nation, yet the strain is very ancient. Strains, types, races, nations, branches and subbranches produce a bewildering kaleidoscope before which astrology necessarily stands confused. But to the eye of the enlightened esotericist, certain entities emerge clearly and form the nations of the world; the important factor always to remember is that it is humanity as a whole which is the factor to be considered. The simile of the human body with its definitely recognized areas of expression, and the organisms which, in their turn, control and condition these areas will be helpful here. The important and the non-important appear; the developing and the vestigial also emerge and under the Law of Correspondences aid in elucidating. In the great body of humanity there are certain areas [72] which vibrate in unison and which attract to themselves souls of a certain quality and keynote; there is a magnetic interplay between countries (territories) and the nations which occupy them. This is not an arbitrary matter but due to magnetic interplay. It is also vibratory interplay, under the great Law of Attraction and Repulsion which has much to do with the intercourse and relationships between nations. Let us now look at a few of them.

The egoic ray of France is that of Concrete Science and this, working in conjunction with the energy of the fifth zodiacal sign, Leo, has given the French people their intellectual brilliance and their scientific bias. The forces of crystallization pour through Paris which is ruled by Capricorn in its personality and yet the soul of the French nation [73] is nurtured in that great capital through the soul of the city, energized by Virgo and, forget not, that Virgo is the polar opposite of Pisces and the infant Christ in Virgo comes to full flower in Pisces. Here lies the hope of France. You will remember perhaps that some years ago I indicated that from France will come a great psychological or soul revelation which will bring illumination to world thought. If the true Piscean element can be drawn forth and the selfishness and the self-protective interests of the French nation can be offset, France then stands free some day to lead the world spiritually as she has effectively in past history from the more political and cultural aspects, but this can only happen when the personality ray is subordinated to the soul ray and Leo can respond to the Aquarian influence in the coming new era when Aquarius is dominant. The Sun, as the ruler of Leo, made France what she was, irradiating Europe for centuries; but it was the personality and not the spiritual aspect, and her influence at no time was spiritual, as that word should be understood. Esoterically, Pluto, one of the rulers of Pisces, must work, bringing in the death of the personality influence, fostered by Leo; this can be done without any great outer dissolution of the form of the nation through the beneficent influence of Jupiter, the exoteric ruler of Pisces. What is needed in the national life of France is the more spiritual expression of the second Ray of Love-Wisdom, which has in the past led to material success but which can flood the world, via France, once she dies to self. Capricorn, ruling Paris, signifies both death and initiation into the spiritual life, and here lies the choice for France. With the cooperation which Pluto can give in bringing about those conditions which will lead to the revelation of Virgo (ruling the soul of Paris) there is possible - in connection with this powerful and influential country - a [74] contribution to the life of humanity which will be effective in bringing about the new desired conditions in Europe, but France's demand for her personal security must give place to the security of the whole from aggression and evil and fear, and all thought of revenge upon or the dismemberment of other countries in the interests of France will have to end, if the true soul of France is to find expression.

1. Pisces - with its rulers Jupiter and Pluto (the Nation).
2. Leo - with its ruler the Sun (the Nation).
3. Virgo - with its rulers Mercury, Moon, Jupiter (Paris).
4. Capricorn - with its rulers Saturn and Venus (Paris).
5. Ray influences of an indirect nature, coming via the planetary rulers:
   1. Ray 2. - Love-Wisdom, via Jupiter and the Sun.
      These are the most powerful.
   2. Ray 1. - Power or Will, via Pluto.
      This is also the Destroyer Ray and can bring the death of the Leo influence.
   3. Ray 3. - Active Intelligence, via Saturn.
      This cooperates with the third ray personality of France, and at this time Saturn offers most definite opportunity through the focus of power now to be found in Paris.
   4. Ray 4. - Harmony through Conflict, via Mercury.
      Can France work for world harmony in the postwar period?
   5. Ray 5. - Concrete Science or knowledge, via [75] Venus.
      In this a realized cooperation with the soul ray, which is also the fifth ray, can bring about, through the French nation, a consummation of the Piscean influence or genius.
   6. Ray 4. - This time through the Moon, thus aiding the work of Mercury and producing that needed internal conflict which will release France from Leo and from the control of her self-centered personality.

I have given you France somewhat in detail so that you can appreciate the extent of the influences which determine any nation and make it for the time what it is. The combination of Piscean power in the Piscean Age, plus a potent Leo nature, enabled France at one time to express quite phenomenally its innate subjective tendency to save the world (for France is essentially on the Path of a world Savior); this was aided by the brilliant clear vision of the fifth and third rays with their intellectual bias, plus the opportunity offered by Saturn, ruling Paris. This enabled France to stage the great French Revolution and strike one of the major blows for the release of humanity from bondage. This has twice occurred during the Piscean Age: once at the signing of the Magna Charta at Runnymede and again at the French Revolution. The recognition of the importance of the rights of humanity, as a whole, came to [76] the world via France. It marked a climax and high point in the evolution of the nation. Since then Capricorn and Pluto have produced crystallization and the death or obscuration temporarily of the then emerging soul aspect (speaking symbolically) and the note of France has not been a selfless one. The forces of the soul are working, but France is as yet predominantly governed by personality and by the selfish aspects of the Leo influences. France, as yet, matters to herself more than humanity matters and the question is: Can she achieve the terrific task of decentralizing herself, of sacrificing herself for the common good and of relinquishing her dreams for France in the vision of the whole and so tread again more fully the Path of a World Savior? There are as yet no signs of this; when the time to make peace treaties arrives, it will become clearer which way France will go and whether she will work for the peace and security of the whole in love and with wisdom, or for France with intellectual brilliance and selfishness.

Let us briefly look at one or two other countries, so enabling students to make comparisons and understand relationships and future possibilities.

1. Aries - with its rulers, Mars, Mercury and Uranus (the Nation).
2. Pisces - with its rulers, Jupiter and Pluto (the Nation).
3. Scorpio - with its rulers, Mars and Pluto (Berlin).
4. Leo - with its ruler, The Sun (Berlin).
5. The soul ray - Harmony through Conflict - 4th.
6. Personality ray - Will or Power - 1st.
7. Ray influences of an indirect nature, coming via the planetary rulers:
   1. Ray 6. - Idealism or Devotion, via Mars which rules Aries and is the double ruler of Scorpio. This produces the fanaticism and unreasoning devotion and blind acceptance of conditions, so distinctive of the country at this time. It is virtue misdirected.
   2. Ray 4. - Harmony through Conflict, via Mercury, thus cooperating with the soul ray intensifying the conflicting conditions and leading to a pull between idealism and facts, between France and Germany, and between the groups within Germany itself.
   3. Ray 7. - Ceremonial Order or Ritual, via Uranus. This affects the masses as a whole, as it is the hierarchical ruler and (because of their point of evolution) leads to their facile standardizing and regimenting. The 7th ray also focuses or "grounds the first ray" and leads to the power direction which is given them.
   4. Ray 2. - Love-wisdom, via Jupiter and the Sun as the ruler of Leo. Thus the personality ray of [79] the nation and the personality ray of Berlin tend at this stage to express self-love.
   5. Ray 1. - Will or Power, via Pluto as the ruler of Pisces, governing the personality of the nation in cooperation with the death giving power of Scorpio which it rules and which governs Berlin. This tremendous activity of the destroying agent as far as Germany is concerned is offset by the influence of Jupiter. It is not nevertheless very potent.

Everything tends to show that the German people, not being an integrated race, are very largely victims and should be just as easily guided into right ways as they have been, at present, guided into their present activities. They did, however, provide a good medium through which the ancient Atlantean conflict could be precipitated and brought to the surface, and the ancient feud between materialism and the Forces of Light be finally resolved for this particular world cycle. Germany is mediumistic, as was its dictator, as I have earlier indicated; it is the Aries-Leo influences which produced the dictator. The Piscean personality of Germany (which is the sign governing mediumship) accounts for the apparently fluid grasp of essentials and the inability of its people and ruling government to stand by pledges. The influence of the sixth ray, coming via Mars, martially applied, and the lack of true spiritual love as it is diverted into sentimental personality devotions, account temporarily for the mass negligence to assert itself on behalf of the oppressed and in the interests of the higher principles. The need for this assertion is realized by many in Germany but the negative Piscean personality attitude provides a great obstacle and accounts for what has puzzled all who know and love the German people. At present, the [80] influence of Mars, of Leo and of Pisces in their lower octave or connotations, are dominant. That which can offset this unhappy situation is the influence of Scorpio, the sign of discipleship and one of the death signs in the zodiac.

I cannot elaborate this further beyond pointing out that both for nations and individuals the first great crisis in Scorpio upon the path of discipleship is determining in its effect upon the future.

There is a much closer relation between the United States of America and Great Britain than between any continental power, for Gemini is the ruling sign of both countries, and they have, in many ways, a synchronous vibration. There is however little of the Taurian influence in the States and consequently you have the attitude of frequent misunderstanding which exists between the two powers. They are very close to each other and the welfare of each means much to each of them, so much so that the tendency to misinterpretation of each other's actions and motives is not aided by the fluidity of Gemini. Nevertheless, the arrogance and self-will of the Bull must give way to the fluid understanding of the inclusive Gemini consciousness, and this is a hard thing for the British temperament at this time to grasp. They are so sure of their rectitude and so convinced of their wisdom that they are apt to forget that good intentions are oft offset by bad methods. The British are just and wise, but their self-sufficient technique and their blindness to other peoples' point of view has not aided world peace and is indicative of the control of Taurus. I would add here that the belief of the German race that they constitute the super-race, the intense nationalism of the French which leads them to feel that they have a superior culture to any other race, the sure pride of the British which leads them to regard themselves as eternally in the right, and the [83] noisy self-assertion of the United States which leads them to regard their country as the hope of the world have in reality little to choose between them and are all equally indicative of personality control. This is, as you know, a thing to be overcome in all nations and individuals.

Governing Great Britain, therefore, are the following energies, working through the zodiacal signs and the ruling planets:

1. Gemini - with its rulers, Mercury, Venus and the Earth (the Nation).
2. Taurus - with its rulers, Venus and Vulcan (the Nation).
3. Leo - with its ruler, the Sun (the Capital).
4. Libra - with its rulers, Venus, Uranus and Saturn (the Capital).
5. The soul ray - Love-wisdom - 2nd.
6. The personality ray - Will or Power - 1st.
7. Ray influences of an indirect nature, coming via the planetary rulers:
   1. Ray 4. - Harmony through conflict, via Mercury, leading to a definite link with Germany (as a study of the earlier tabulation will show). It accounts for the warlike history of Great Britain, but works out at the present time in the harmony of the empire.
   2. Ray 5. - Concrete Knowledge or Science, via Venus. It is interesting to note that it is this ray which links Great Britain so closely with France and appears nowhere among the influences which affect the German nation. Venus rules Taurus [84] and Libra as well as Gemini and hence the well developed lower concrete mind of the British nation. The intuitive mind however needs development.
   3. Ray 3. - Active Intelligence or Adaptability, via the Earth and also via the planet Saturn as it appears among the rulers of Libra. Here you have the clue as to why the British Empire covers the Earth, for there is a close connection between the Earth, as a whole, and Great Britain. It links Great Britain also with the third ray personality of France.
   4. Ray 1. - Will or Power, via the planet Vulcan. There is in the first ray - as it expresses itself through Vulcan - very little of the Destroyer aspect as there is in the planetary influence of Pluto, another agent of the first ray. Again you find in this ruler of Great Britain's Taurian personality, a link with the first ray German personality. It accounts also for the forging of the chains which tie the Empire together, making it a unity through the will of the people.
   5. Ray 2. - Love-wisdom, via the Sun, the ruler of Leo which governs the soul of London, and which is also a channel for the soul force of the British empire which is essentially that of love-wisdom when given real expression and not controlled and dominated by the Libra influence.
   6. Ray 7. - Ceremonial Order or Organized Ritual, reaching our planet via Uranus and giving to the empire its grounded physical plane control over place and circumstance, its legal fundamentals, in cooperation with Libra, and its love of order and [85] of rule, thus providing full expression for the first ray energies of the British Empire.

A study of the interplay of these energies and forces will account adequately for Great Britain and her activities; they indicate also certain definite lines of affinity and also point the way to imminent possibilities of adjustment, if the love which is the basic motivating power of the British soul is permitted expression. Hitherto it has been primarily Taurus and Leo as well as Libra which have colored British attitudes, decisions and activities. Can Britain change and - preserving the will-to-order and the balanced judgment which Libra confers upon her - eliminate the Taurian aspects which have led her blindly to seek that which she desires and because of her powerful personality to gain those ends? There is an ironic fate which determines that this great nation, having in past centuries been one of the major aggressors of the world, should now bring to an end, with the aid of France (which has a very similar aggressive tendency), the period of aggression, and so be used to inaugurate an age of cooperation, of understanding and of mutually shared responsibility. The future of the world lies at present largely in the hands of France and Great Britain, and the happiness of the world is assured if the soul energy of both these countries controls, and personality aims and ambitions are negated.

1. Leo - with its ruler, the Sun (the Nation).
2. Sagittarius - with its rulers, Jupiter, Earth and Mars (the Nation).
3. Taurus - with its rulers, Venus and Vulcan (the Capital).
4. Leo - with its ruler, the Sun (the Capital).
5. Soul ray - Ideals, Devotion - 6th.
6. Personality - Harmony through conflict - 4th.
7. Ray influences of an indirect nature, coming through the planetary rulers:
   1. Ray 2. - Love-wisdom, via the Sun and Jupiter. This again relates Italy to the second ray soul of Great Britain and tends to a basic understanding. I would here point out that in this second ray influence it is the wisdom aspect more than the love aspect which is dominant. Love is in reality, understanding wisdom in active expression.
   2. Ray 3. - Active Intelligence, via the Earth. It was this Earth influence which, in the past, gave Italy her world dominion and which swayed the Italian personality towards the thought of another worldwide empire.
   3. Ray 6. - Devotion and Idealism, via Mars. I would remind you that the soul ray of Italy is also the sixth ray. You have, therefore, the influence of Mars dominating Italian and Roman history, and it is this martian tendency which lay at the base of the German Italian axis. It, however, is not today the controlling factor.
   4. Ray 5. - Concrete Knowledge or Science, via Venus. This influence is also dominant in Great [88] Britain and again closely relates the two countries. Of this there is one curious little instance, which demonstrates an almost uniform working of this scientific bent for the good of the entire world (Venus in relation with Jupiter). That is the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and the development of the radio by Marconi.
   5. Ray 1. - Will or Power, via Vulcan, the forger and the worker in metals whose influence in this case closely associates itself with the undeveloped aspect of the Leonian influence.

In the above hints you may find much that is explanatory and much that will clarify British-Italian relations. The destinies of the two countries are closely allied and together they can potently affect the German race and influence it towards a better adjustment to life and a wiser discrimination. It will require the backing of France, when the soul of that country controls.

This vast land is ruled by Gemini, linking it therefore closely with Great Britain and also by Aquarius as the ruler of its soul ray. This combination of a sixth ray personality, ruled by Gemini, and a second ray soul (as has Great Britain), ruled by Aquarius, is potent for future power and usefulness. The capital city, Washington, is ruled by Cancer and Sagittarius, and it is this fact which leads the United States to act like the Crab (Cancer) and be preoccupied with its own house which it carries heavily on its back and [89] to vanish into hiding at the first Signs of trouble. Because also the Sagittarian influence is strong, there is a potent determination to stick one-pointedly to any decision made. This its sixth ray personality enforces at times almost to the point of a fanatical blindness and to the detriment of the long range vision which is needed at such times as these.

Like Russia, this country is in the making and - as I have told you elsewhere - as the nation's power shifts, as it will and as it now really is shifting from Washington to New York, the Cancerian influence will steadily lessen and the country will take its place as an adult among the nations. Its Gemini nature and its Aquarian soul should (when developed and balanced) provide a most remarkable channel for human expression. You will note that none of its zodiacal rulers link it with France, except indirectly through Cancer, which is the polar opposite of Capricorn, one of the rulers of Paris. It is for this reason that such a small percentage, relatively speaking, of French people migrate to the States; there is a closer link with Italy than with France, and hence the large Italian population, for Sagittarius rules both Italy and Washington. The influences are, therefore, as follows:

1. Aquarius - with its rulers, Uranus, Jupiter and the Moon (the Nation).
2. Gemini - with its rulers, Mercury, Venus and the Earth (the Nation).
3. Cancer - with its rulers, the Moon and Neptune (the Capital).
4. Sagittarius - with its rulers, Jupiter, the Earth and Mars (the Capital).
5. The soul ray - Love-wisdom - 2nd.
6. Personality ray - Idealism, Devotion - 6th. [90]
7. Indirect influences via the planetary rulers are many, and the rays conditioning this country are consequently many, owing to the mixture of races found there. Of these influences there are eleven in all, for the Earth presents two aspects and the Moon veils both Vulcan and Uranus.
   1. Ray 7. - Order and Magic, via Uranus. This influence is inherited from the Atlantean world, which still rules the territorial aspect of the States, which is a remnant of old Atlantis. It is this that produces the many magical, spiritualistic and occult groups which flourish today in the States.
   2. Ray 2. - Love-wisdom, via Jupiter, thus linking the States closely with Great Britain and indirectly with France.
   3. Ray 4. - Harmony through Conflict, via the Moon, veiling in this case the planet Vulcan. Vulcan here "forges on his anvil, through fire and blows, that linking network which covers all the nation and makes it hold together." This ray produces the condition which brings together Germany and the States, for the fourth ray is the German soul ray and the first ray, which Vulcan transmits via the Moon, links the German soul and personality to the United States. Hence the vast numbers of Germans who come to the States in order to escape from the personality activity of Germany as it expresses itself through its first ray destroyer aspect.
   4. Ray 4. - I enumerate this ray for the second time because it expresses itself here through Mercury, [91] the Messenger, and emphasizes the harmony aspect in contradistinction to the conflict angle which the Moon and Vulcan together have precipitated. It is the Moon-Vulcan relation which produces the political conflict which always rages in the States.
   5. Ray 5. - Concrete Knowledge and Science, via Venus. This confers the intelligence which is so marked in the American people and will eventually determine the lines along which their education will run and their religious organizations.
   6. Ray 3. - Active Intelligence or Adaptability, via the Earth, thus 'grounding' the American people and basically making the soil their problem. Hence the prominence of agriculture in the public consciousness and the preoccupation of the government with cotton problems, the corn belt problem and many other issues of moment.
   7. Ray 6. - Idealism or Devotion, via Mars. This greatly augments the power of the sixth ray personality of the States, thus presenting very real problems in a young people who are apt always to be fanatical and exclusive. Exclusiveness is one of the major weaknesses of the sixth ray type.
   8. Ray 4. - This influence appears, as you see, frequently, but this time it is through the Moon as it veils Uranus. This produces a conflict of a different nature than that which takes place when the Moon veils Vulcan or transmits the energy of the fourth ray direct. Uranus is the medium for the 7th ray and the function of its blending with the fourth, via the Moon, is to bring about a magical relationship between the many diverse [92] nationalities found in the States and so fuse and blend them into an homogeneous whole - which is not the case at this time.

Thus the influences pouring into the United States today are very many; they relate the country practically to every country in Europe; this leads at times to chaotic conditions and to much confusion of thought. Yet it produces a richness in the national life which is a good augury for the future. A study of what I have said and a consideration of the various tabulations will prove how utterly impossible it is for the American people to dissociate themselves from Europe and the rest of the world.

Later, two more points for energy will be added to these but the time is not yet. Through these five places and the areas in their neighborhood the energy of five rays pours forth, conditioning the world of men, leading to results of profound significance and determining the trend of events. These five points of conditioning energy (in spite of the [93] fact that the energy pouring through Darjeeling has not yet reached its full strength) produce two triangles of force in their interrelations:

1. London. New York. Darjeeling.
2. Tokyo. New York. Geneva.

It may interest you also to know the governing rays and the astrological signs of these five centers, but it must not be forgotten that the personality rays change from period to period in connection with countries and cities just as with individual human beings:

I would like here to interpolate some remarks. It is of deep moment to realize that Great Britain and the United States are closely related; that this relation makes certain realities and activities inevitable once the soul of each nation is functioning potently. India and Great Britain are also related through this first Ray personality of Great Britain and the soul ray of India. The implications are clear and interesting and also encouraging. The consciousness aspect of the British people is steadily shifting into an expression of their second ray soul and hence their seizing upon the opportunity at this time to serve humanity at immense cost. The same thing is happening to the American people. The problem of shifting idealism is great, as I have said, and the temptation is to hide behind the glamor of fighting for an ideal rather than react to world need, and omit to react to the ray of the soul which is the second ray of love.

I would here point out that in these interrelations is no inevitable fate or unavoidable destiny. The aim of the individual disciple is to handle the forces which play through him in such a manner that only constructive good can eventuate. He can misuse energy or employ it for soul ends. So it is with nations and races. The fate of a nation lies in the hands of its leaders usually; they marshal the nation's forces, focus the national intent (if intuitive enough) and develop the characteristics of the people, leaving in fact behind them the memory of symbols of national intent, ideals or corruption. This can be seen as it worked out in a demonstrable way in the two great guiding groups of world leaders during the war. The three Axis groups of leaders, dominated by the evil German group, with Italy and Japan fighting at intervals against the evil influence (consciously seldom but unconsciously often), and the second group - the leaders of the Allied Cause. No matter what past history may indicate in connection with many of the allied nations (past aggressions, ancient cruelties and wrong doing), they were and are today seeking to cooperate with the Forces of Light and are endeavoring to salvage human freedom - political, religious and economic.

1. Two groups of advanced Minds, both groups equally illumined by the light of the intellect, and both of them formulating clearly their objectives, but differing in their direction and their emphasis. One group, under the divine plan, works with the form aspect entirely, and in this group the light of love and of selflessness is absent. The other group is working entirely with the soul or the consciousness aspect, and in this group the doctrine of the heart and the law of love control.
   In this connection, the two groups are working in opposition, therefore, upon the mental plane.
2. The plans, which embody these two differing ideals and objectives, are next carried down on to the astral plane, and thus into the world of desire. The lines of demarcation remain ever entirely clear as far as the workers in these two groups are concerned, but are not so clear where ordinary human beings and the world disciples and initiates are concerned. There is much chaos on the plane of desire, and the world Arjuna is today sitting in bewilderment between the two opposing forces or camps, recognizing his relationship both to form and to [108] soul and at the same time wondering where his duty lies. His point in evolution determines his problem.
   Thus the two groups are working in opposition upon the plane of desire.
3. The materializing of the plans of these two groups of illumined minds proceeds steadily under the differing laws of their being - the laws of form life and the laws of spiritual living. In this initial stage and whilst the battle is being fought out in the realm of desire (for that is where the major conflict is being waged, and all that is happening upon the physical plane is only a reflection of an inner conflict) the forces of these two groups, working with the energies of the sixth and seventh rays, have brought about in the field of physical living, a state of complete cataclysm. The economic situation and the religious hatreds are the two major instruments. This is a subject upon which you would do well to ponder.

Consequently, you have two groups, two objectives, two great formulated ideals, two streams of active energy and two rays predominantly in conflict, thus producing the differing ideologies. The result of this dualism is the external chaos, the differentiation of the two group ideals into the many human experiments, and the resultant ranging of the entire human family under many banners, which testify to the various viewpoints in the many fields of thought - political, religious, economic, social, educational and philosophical. The result of all this conflict is, I would tell you, definitely good, and it demonstrates the steady achievement of the Great White Lodge. The consciousness of humanity has been definitely expanded and the whole world of men at this time is thinking. This is a totally new phenomenon [109] and a fresh experience in the life of the human soul. The first result of all the turmoil has been to shift the focus of human attention on to the mental plane and thereby nearer to the sources of light and love.

It is right here and in connection with this eventful change of focus that the world disciples can shoulder responsibility and proceed to active work. When I here speak of disciples, I am using the term in connection with all who aspire to true humanity, to brotherhood, and to the living expression of the higher and spiritual values. I am not using it altogether in the technical sense, which involves a recognized relation to the Hierarchy through the grades of probationary or accepted discipleship, though these are included in my thought. I refer to all aspirants and to all who have any sense of true values and an urge to meet the world's need.

The first initiation is closely related to the planetary center which is humanity itself. It will produce, when over, an increased stimulation of the intellect as it expresses itself as ordered activity upon the physical plane. It is also closely connected with the third Ray of Active Intelligence. This third ray has been in objective manifestation since 1425 A.D. and will remain in incarnation throughout the Aquarian Age. Its cycles are the longest of any of the ray cycles. However, within these major cycles there are periods of intensified activity which are like the beat or pulsation of the heart and these periods last approximately three thousand years. They are, when out of incarnation, called [137] "cycles of withdrawal but not of abstraction." They are three thousand years also in incarnation. One of these three thousand year periods of expression is now here and we can look for much development of the intellectual faculty and a marked increase of creative work during this time. This particular cycle of expression marks a climaxing point in the larger cycle. During the coming age, the intelligence of the race and its active development will assume real proportions and this with much speed.

The intensification of the life of the human center will proceed apace and this is the reason why so many people (as I have earlier hinted) will take the first initiation. Students are apt to forget that the first initiation can be described, in reality as:

1. The grounding or externalization of the Christ principle in humanity as a whole and upon the physical plane.
2. The flowering of the intelligence so that the initiate can work powerfully upon the mental plane and humanity itself be lifted up and aided throughout every part thereby.
3. The coming into activity of the throat center and (because the third ray is closely connected with the first ray) the first faint orientation of the spiritual man towards Shamballa can take place, becoming more and more intensified and pronounced at the time of the third initiation. I would like here to point out the numerical correspondences:
   1. The third great world center - humanity.
   2. The activity of the third ray - active intellect.
   3. The third initiation which marks the consummation of the 1st, just as the 4th initiation marks the consummation of the second, and the fifth of the third. [138]
   4. The third major center - the throat center.
   5. The third race - the Aryan, as it expresses the first strictly human race, the Lemurian.
   6. The third plane - the physical, the reflection of the third highest plane, the atmic.
   7. The third periodical vehicle - the personality.
   8. The third divine aspect - intelligence.
   9. The third grade of divine messenger - Hercules.
   10. The sustaining Life, the third or outer Sun - the physical sun.

These are a few of the correspondences which it is helpful for us to bear in mind in so far as they reveal divine quality, spiritual intent and universal objectives.

"The Lion begins to roar. He rushes forth and, in his urge to live, he wields destruction. And then again he roars and - rushing to the stream of life - drinks deep. Then, having drunk, the magic of the waters works. He stands transformed. The Lion disappears and he who bears the water pot stands forth and starts upon his mission."

To you, who live and work in this interim period and in this cycle of transition, with all its resultant outer chaos and upheaval, is given the task of expressing steadfastness, service and sacrifice. Those are the three words which I give you. I have no spectacular information to give you, as has sometimes been the case. Too much of this engrossing and novel information can lead to deep seated insensitiveness. You need to absorb and to act upon the information you already have, before there is evoked from you that basic demand for further light which necessitates response from those of us who work within the limits of the Hierarchy. For that demand, we patiently wait. [147]

As we come to an end of our consideration of the world today and its dominating rays, working through the nations and conditioning the people, there is a final point which I would like to make; it lies in the realm of religion and concerns the significance of Christmas. From the very night of time, as well you know, the period wherein the sun moves northward again has been regarded as a festival season; for thousands of years it has been associated with the coming of the Sun-God to save the world, to bring light and fruitfulness to the Earth and through the work of the Son of God to bring hope to humanity. The Christmas season is regarded by those who do not know any better as uniquely the Festival of the Christ, and this the Christian churches have emphasized and to this all churchmen testify. This is both true and false. The Founder of the Christian Church - God in the flesh - availed Himself of this period and came to us in the dark of the year and initiated a new era in which light was to be the distinguishing note. This has been true from several angles, even from the purely physical, for today we have a lighted world; everywhere lights are to be seen and the pitch dark nights of olden times are fast disappearing. Light has also descended on the earth in the form of the "light of knowledge." Today, education whose objective is to lead all men on to a "lighted way," is the keynote of our civilization and is a major preoccupation in all countries. The removal of illiteracy, the development of a true culture and the ascertaining of truth in all fields of thought and of research are of paramount importance in all lands.

Thus, when Christ proclaimed (as He assuredly did), along with all world Saviors and Sun-Gods, that He was [148] the Light of the worlds, He inaugurated a marvelous period in which humanity has been widely and universally enlightened. This period dates from Christmas Day, two thousand years ago, in Palestine. That was the greatest of all Christmas Days and its emanating influence was more potent than was any previous arrival of a Bearer of Light, because humanity was more ready for the light. Christ came in the sign of Pisces, the Fishes - the sign of the divine Intermediary in the highest sense, or of the medium in the lower; it is the sign of many of the world Saviors and of those Revealers of divinity Who establish world relationships. I would have you note that phrase. The major impulse driving the Christ towards special work was the desire to establish right human relations; it is also the desire - realized or unrealized - of humanity, and we know that some day the Desire of all nations will come, that right human relations will be found everywhere and that goodwill will implement that fulfilment, leading to peace in all lands and among all peoples.

Down through the ages, Christmas Day has been recognized and kept as a season of new beginnings, of better human contacts and of happier relations among families and communities. Yet just as the churches have descended into a profoundly materialistic presentation of Christianity, so the simple Christmas Day which would have pleased the heart of Christ has degenerated into an orgy of spending, of acquiring good things, and is regarded as a period which is "good for trade." We need, therefore, to remember that when any phase of life-inspired religion is interpreted entirely materially, when any civilization and culture loses its sense of spiritual values and responds mainly to the material values, then it has served its usefulness and must [149] pass away, and this in the interests of life itself and progress.

1. The Birth Initiation will condition human thinking and aspiration everywhere.
2. The religion of the Risen Christ, and not of the newly born Christ or of the crucified Christ, will be the distinctive keynote.

It is seldom realized that hundreds of thousands of people in every land have taken, or are preparing to take, this first initiation, called the Birth at Bethlehem, the House of Bread. Humanity, the world disciple, is now ready for this. Indications of the accuracy of the above statement can be seen in the reorientation of people everywhere to things spiritual, their interest in human good and human welfare, the perseverance they show in their search for light and their longing and desire for a true peace, based on right human relations, implemented by goodwill. This "mind as it is in Christ" can be seen in their revolt against materialistic religion and in the widespread effort to be [150] seen in Europe and elsewhere to return the land (Mother-Earth, the true Virgin Mary) to the people. It can be seen in the constant movement of people throughout the world from place to place, symbolized in the Gospel story by the journey of Mary with the infant Jesus into Egypt.

1. The story of the upper chamber to which the man carrying the water pot and typifying Aquarius led the disciples, and in which the first communion service was held, participated in by all and foretelling that great relationship which will distinguish humanity in the coming age, after the tests of the Piscean Age. Such a communion service has never yet been held, but the New Age will see it take place.
2. The story of the upper chamber in which the disciples met and arrived at a true recognition of the Risen Christ and at a perfect and complete understanding of [152] each other in spite of the symbolic diversity of tongues. They had a touch of prevision, of prophetic insight, and foresaw a little of the wonder of the Aquarian Age.

The vision in men's minds today is that of the Aquarian Age, even if they recognize it not. The future will see right relationships, true communion, a sharing of all things (wine, the blood, the life and bread, economic satisfaction) and goodwill; we have also a picture of the future of humanity when all nations are united in complete understanding and the diversity of languages - symbolic of differing traditions, cultures, civilizations and points of view - will provide no barrier to right human relations. At the center of each of these pictures is to be found the Christ. Thus the expressed aims and efforts of the United Nations will be eventually brought to fruition and a new church of God, gathered out of all religions and spiritual groups, will untidily bring to an end the great heresy of separateness. Love, unity, and the Risen Christ will be present, and He will demonstrate to us the perfect life.