The Destiny of Nations: Chapter 4: An Analysis of Certain Countries

The Destiny of Nations
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Introduction

Chapter 1:The Influence of the Rays Today

Chapter 2:The Nations and the Rays

Chapter 3:The Nations and their Governing Signs

Chapter 4: An Analysis of Certain Countries

Chapter 6: Spiritual Life in the New Age

Chapter 7: Initiation in the Aquarian Age

Chapter 8:Christ and the Coming New-Age

Chapter 4: An Analysis of Certain Countries

4. An Analysis of Certain Countries

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.

France is a Pisces-Leo country, and is expressive egoically of the fifth Ray of Concrete Knowledge or Science and the personality Ray of Active Intelligence. The soul of France, subjectively ruled Europe for the most important and influential part of the Piscean Age, now passing out; she colored and dominated, by her Leo personality, a large part of the happenings in Europe during the Middle Ages and for centuries; she mediated the Piscean quality to the civilization of the then known world and her definitely Leo personality - self-conscious, self-centered, brilliantly intelligent and individual - conditioned Europe. It is this Leo personality which is responsible for the intensely nationalistic spirit of the modern French and which negates in them the more Aquarian tendency to universal consciousness or to the expression of the advanced Piscean soul to save the world; France comes before the world. The lesson France has to learn today is that the salvation of others is the goal of her Piscean soul and in this the self-interest of Leo precipitates conflict - one to which France is slowly awakening.

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.

Therefore, the following signs (cosmic energy) and planets transmitting solar and cosmic energies, are the conditioning factors of France in incarnation at the present time:

Pisces - with its rulers Jupiter and Pluto (the Nation).

Leo - with its ruler the Sun (the Nation).
Virgo - with its rulers Mercury, Moon, Jupiter (Paris).
Capricorn - with its rulers Saturn and Venus (Paris).
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 would here call your attention to the fact that the astrology which I am emphasizing is that which is concerned with the effective energies - what they are and from whence they come. I would repeat here as I have often done before that I am not concerned with predictive astrology. The coming emphasis in astrology will be upon the available energies and the use the subject makes of them and the opportunity which they present at any given time.

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.

Germany is ruled by Aries, bringing in the powerful influences of this first sign in combination with its fourth ray soul (the Ray of Harmony through Conflict). The simple interpretation of this is that we are watching the beginning of a new phase and cycle in the history of the country which emerges into prominence through conflict but which is essentially a process of releasing the soul to fuller expression. It is ruled also by Pisces, cooperating with the influences of its first ray personality, which is the Ray of Power and the Ray of the Destroyer. The whole problem of French-German relations is tied up in this fact for the Piscean soul of [77] France and the Piscean personality of Germany must eventually come to terms and it is obvious, is it not, that the real solution lies in the hands of France, which must let its soul control? It is because of this that, at the close of the Piscean Age, this whole relationship has come to a focus. France has an integrated personality whilst Germany has not; France is mental whilst Germany is predominantly astral; France is, therefore, essentially more potent, and its Leo personality can control with force to the detriment of future world understanding, or its soul can control to the furthering of the ends of the Hierarchy. As you know, Berlin is controlled by Leo from the personality angle, and there again comes out the relationship between the two countries. They are both powerfully influenced by this sign of self-interest and of individuality as well as by Pisces. They cannot escape this relation. Hence the constant clash of these two countries through the dominating self-intensest of Leo (ruling both personalities). Engrossment with present attitudes should not lead to forgetfulness of the past. France should not forget the Napoleonic wars, nor Great Britain the Boer war. All nations have much in the past which is apt to be forgotten, particularly if the lessons of greater spiritual growth have been learnt. The United States must not forget either that she is a section of the entire European continent transplanted across the ocean and that European history, successes, mistakes and sins are here also - a thing that many people are very apt to do, thus shifting responsibility. What is happening in the world today is a world happening, not a continental and local occurrence.

Germany is therefore controlled by the following energies and forces, and a study of the consequent interrelations should prove interesting to the detached and open-minded student. [78]

Aries - with its rulers, Mars, Mercury and Uranus (the Nation).
Pisces - with its rulers, Jupiter and Pluto (the Nation).
Scorpio - with its rulers, Mars and Pluto (Berlin).
Leo - with its ruler, The Sun (Berlin).
The soul ray - Harmony through Conflict - 4th.
Personality ray - Will or Power - 1st.
Ray influences of an indirect nature, coming via the planetary rulers:
1. 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.
2. 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.

The struggle for the soul of the people and its emergence into control is really taking place today in Berlin and upon the decision of this conflict much depends. France whose soul is governed by Pisces, the world Savior, can do much to release the Piscean personality of Germany. Here lies the crux of the world problem. Great Britain, with her soul ray ruled by Gemini (which understands both the soul nature and the personality nature), can do much to help.

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.

In considering Great Britain, we note first that the ruling sign is Gemini from the standpoint of the soul of the people, and that Taurus governs the material outer form of the nation; it is this factor that has led her people to appear before the world under the symbol of John Bull, expressive of the British personality. It has been thought by certain astrologers that Great Britain is ruled by Aries, and this is true of it, as far as that small part which is called England is concerned; but I am dealing with the empire as a whole and not with a fraction of it. It is the Gemini influence that has led to the constant movement and restlessness of the British people; which has led them to cross and recross the ocean and to stage a constant going out to the very ends of the earth, to return ever again to the center from which they came. This is characteristic of the race. It is the Gemini influence which has produced - viewing the [81] work of the nation from the personality or lower angle - the secret and oft devious diplomacy and subtlety which has in the past distinguished Great Britain's political activity. Gemini people are often distrusted, and the Gemini effect along this line makes of Great Britain no exception. Such distrust has been warranted in the past but is not as justifiable now, for the nation is old and experienced and is fast learning the lessons which she has had to master. As yet, from the higher angle, Gemini does not entirely control, for the soul of Britain is only now struggling for expression. For long ages Taurus has led the way with his material aims, his acquisitive desires, his arrogant will and his blind moving forward towards the possession of that which has been desired. Pervasiveness and movement are two qualities with which Gemini and Taurus have dowered the race. London, the heart center of the empire is ruled spiritually by Leo and materially by Libra and it is, therefore, the soul factor which links Great Britain to France and which should assist spiritually the Leo nature of the French personality. It is not, however, the spiritual quality of this sign which dominates British policy, but primarily the Libra aspect. Great Britain regards herself as the preserver of the balance of power among the nations and as the one to mete out justice and indicate the right methods of law and order; yet her Gemini nature at times offsets this, whilst Taurus frequently blinds her to the real issues. It is the Leo aspect also which links London to Berlin, but it is Leo in its more self-assertive aspect and hence some of the difficulty and hence also the close and not to be evaded relationship between London-Paris-Berlin, a triangle of force which conditions Europe most potently. It is between these three that the destiny of the race, of men in the immediate future lies, and again the question arises: Will the coming [82] decisions be based upon the good of the whole or upon the good of a part of the whole?

It was the Leo force in Great Britain which attracted originally the Leo force in France and led to the Norman conquest in the 11th century. I mention this because it indicates relationship and the demonstrated results of such relations, but not because that past event has any true repercussions at this time.

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:

Gemini - with its rulers, Mercury, Venus and the Earth (the Nation).
Taurus - with its rulers, Venus and Vulcan (the Nation).
Leo - with its ruler, the Sun (the Capital).
Libra - with its rulers, Venus, Uranus and Saturn (the Capital).
The soul ray - Love-wisdom - 2nd.
The personality ray - Will or Power - 1st.
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.

I can only most briefly touch upon the energies which motivate and condition the Italian empire and the United States, leaving you to make your deductions and applications. Russia is as yet embryonic and her part lies more in the East than in the West, provided she follows the indicated lines. Her two ruling signs are Aquarius and Leo and her real function in the comity of nations lies far ahead when [86] the Aquarian age is flourishing and the Leo control of the Russian personality has been offset. The planets which primarily influence Russia are the Sun (2nd ray), Uranus (7th ray), Jupiter (2nd ray) and the Moon (4th ray). This makes a most interesting, a most humanitarian and - in the long run - a non-destructive combination. At present, the intensely individualistic Leo force in its worst aspects are dominating, but this will not last as history will eventually prove. The noisy, cruel child can turn into a controlled humanitarian in adult life and the influences potent in the Russian horoscope indicate this.

Again, in Italy, you find Leo appearing, thus relating Italy to France, to Great Britain and to Berlin - all of which have Leo as a ruling sign, either of the nations themselves or of their chief city. There is, consequently, no possibility of any of these four powers being able to evade relationships. Italy is more closely related to Great Britain than she is to France, because Rome is ruled by Taurus and by Leo which ties her to Great Britain through identity of vibration. This France will have to recognize as well as Italy and Great Britain.

The personality of Italy is ruled by Sagittarius, the sign of the one-pointed disciple, and it is owing to this that we have the undeviating aim of the Italian state and its refusal to be moved from certain attitudes and determinations. Italy sees more clearly than Germany the principles involved at this time, and though Rome is blinded at times by the Taurian influence which leads to a blind rushing forward towards a goal, irrespective of consequences and implications, yet essentially the inner straight line of foreseen and planned activity will hold Italy true to the objective.

The following conditioning forces make the story of Italy sufficiently clear: [87]

Leo - with its ruler, the Sun (the Nation).

Sagittarius - with its rulers, Jupiter, Earth and Mars (the Nation).

Taurus - with its rulers, Venus and Vulcan (the Capital).

Leo - with its ruler, the Sun (the Capital).

Soul ray - Ideals, Devotion - 6th.

Personality - Harmony through conflict - 4th.
Ray influences of an indirect nature, coming through the planetary rulers:
1. 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.
2. 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.

We will just look at the controlling factors in one other country, the United States of America, and indicate the influences working at this time which are in process of bringing to an end the adolescent stage in that country and enabling it to come forth in full maturity.

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:

Aquarius - with its rulers, Uranus, Jupiter and the Moon (the Nation).
Gemini - with its rulers, Mercury, Venus and the Earth (the Nation).
Cancer - with its rulers, the Moon and Neptune (the Capital).
Sagittarius - with its rulers, Jupiter, the Earth and Mars (the Capital).
The soul ray - Love-wisdom - 2nd.
Personality ray - Idealism, Devotion - 6th. [90]
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 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

5. The Significance of Certain Cities These energies which we have been considering are released into our planetary life through the medium of certain great inlets. At this time there are five such inlets, scattered over the world. Wherever one of these inlets for spiritual force is found, there will also be present a city of spiritual importance in the same location. These five points of spiritual influx are: London - For the British Empire. New York - For the Western Hemisphere. Geneva - For Europe, including the U.S.S.R. Tokyo - For the Far East. Darjeeling - For India and the greater part of Asia. 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: London. New York. Darjeeling. Tokyo. New York. Geneva. Geneva and Darjeeling are two centers through which pure spiritual energy can be directed with more facility than through the other three; they, therefore, constitute the higher points of their respective triangles. They are also more subjective in their influence than are London, New York or Tokyo. Together they form the five centers of "impelling energy" today. 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:

City	Soul	Personality	Sign

London	5th ray	7th ray	Gemini.
New York	2nd ray	3rd ray	Cancer.
Tokyo	6th ray	4th ray	Cancer.
Geneva	1st ray	2nd ray	Leo.
Darjeeling	2nd ray	5th ray	Scorpio.

If students will study this information in connection with that given elsewhere in connection with the nations and other cities, the interrelations now emerging in world affairs will be seen as the result of the play of these forces and energies and as, therefore, to a certain extent, unavoidable. The use of the energy may be along wrong lines, producing separation and trouble; it may be along right lines, leading [94] to eventual harmony and understanding; but the energy is there and must make its effects felt. As in the individual life, as the results of the play of soul energy upon the form aspect, one or other of the rays will dominate. If the person or the nation is spiritually oriented, the result of the energy impact will be good and will lead towards the working out of the divine plan, and thus be wholly constructive. Where personality force dominates, the effects will be destructive and may temporarily hinder divine Purpose. Nevertheless, even force which is turned to destructive ends can and does finally work towards good, for the trend of the evolutionary force is unalterable, being based on the Will-to-good of Divinity Itself. The inpouring soul energy can be slowed down or speeded on its way according to the purpose, aspiration and the orientation of the entity (human or national); it can express soul purpose or personality selfishness, but the innate urge to betterment will inevitably triumph.

The force which the center at Geneva is expressing (at present ineffectually, though later a change will come) is that of the second Ray of Love-Wisdom, with its major emphasis at this time upon the quality of inclusiveness. It is concerned with the "binding together in brotherly love" and with the expression of the nature of service. This planetary center, which conditions the little country of Switzerland, has had a most potent effect upon that country and a study of these effects will demonstrate future possibility for the world, once the flow of its energy is less obstructed. It has produced the fusion of three powerful racial types in group formation and not through admixture as in the United States; it has enabled two relatively antagonistic divisions of the Christian faith to work together with a minimum of friction; it has made Geneva the seat of the Red Cross - that world activity which works truly [97] impartially with and for the nationals of all countries and for the prisoners of all nations; it housed that sad though well-intentioned experiment which was called the League of Nations, and will again house a more true league to meet the world need; it is that which protected the small country from the aggressive sweep of the Axis powers. The motto or note of this center is "I seek to fuse, to blend and serve."

The force which is centered in London is that of the first Ray of Will or Power in its building aspect and not in its destroying aspect. It is the service of the whole which is being attempted and at great cost, and the effort is to express the Law of Synthesis which is the new emphasis pouring through from Shamballa. Hence the fact that the governments of many nations found asylum in Great Britain during the war. Also, if the Forces of Light triumph because of the cooperation of mankind, the energy expressing itself through this powerful empire will be potent in establishing a world order of intelligent justice and a fair economic distribution. The keynote of this force is "I serve."

The force expressing itself through the center, New York, is the force of the sixth Ray of Devotion or Idealism. Hence the conflicts everywhere to be found between the varying ideologies, and the major conflict between those who stand for the great ideal of world unity brought about by a united effort of the Forces of Light, backed by the cooperative effort of all the democratic nations, and the separate materialistic attitude of those who seek to keep the United States from assuming responsibilities and her rightful place in world affairs. This latter group, if they succeed in their endeavor, will deny the United States her share in the "gifts of the Gods in the coming age of peace which will succeed this present point of critical suspension," as The Old Commentary phrases it. The sixth Ray is either [98] militant and active, or mystical, pacific and futile, and these two aspects at present condition the United States. The keynote of this world center is "I light the WAY;" this is the privilege of the States if its people so choose and permit worldwide humanitarian, self-sacrifice (self-initiated) and a firm decision to stand by righteousness to govern their present attitudes and policies. This is slowly coming to pass and the selfish voices of the blind idealists, the fearful and the separative are dying out. All this is happening under the inspiration of service, motivated by love. Thus the two major democracies can eventually restore world order, negate the old order of selfishness and aggression and usher in the new order of world understanding, world sharing and world peace. Peace will be the result of understanding and sharing, and not the origin of them, as the pacifists so often imply.

The force pouring through Darjeeling at this time is that of the first Ray of Will or Power. The soul ray of India is the first ray and hence the immediate effect of the inpouring Shamballa force is to stimulate the will-to-power of all dictators, whether they are the would-be world dictators such as Hitler and his group of evil men, ecclesiastical dictators in any religion, business dictators in any business group in any part of the world, or those minor dictators, the tyrants in the home. It is interesting to note that the keynote of India is "I hide the light," and this has been interpreted to mean that the light pours forth from the East and that the gift of India to the world is the light of the Ageless Wisdom. This is true in a sense, but there is a wider and deeper sense in which it will prove true. When the intent and purpose of the great Life which works through Shamballa is carried out and is in process of expression, a light will be revealed which has never yet been [99] seen or known. There is a word in the Christian Scriptures which says "In that light shall we see light;" this means that through the medium of the light of wisdom shed abroad in our hearts through the Ageless Wisdom, we shall eventually see the Light of Life itself - something meaningless and inexplicable to humanity at present but which will be later revealed when the present point of crisis is surmounted. Of its nature and its effect I have naught to say to you at present.

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.

The forces flowing through Tokyo are those of the first Ray in its lower materialistic aspect. Japan is governed by the soul ray in the consciousness of its leaders. Its sixth ray personality is responding to the call of the first ray energy and hence all the present unhappy attitudes and activities, and hence also its link with Germany through the soul ray of both nations and with Italy through the personality rays. Hence, therefore, the Axis. [100]

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.