Signs, Constellations and Zodiacs

By Niklas Nihlen

An attempt at making a distinction between signs and constellations in the heavens may be of esoteric value.

The constellations can be said to be galaxies of stars formed by certain allied stellar exponents. These stars can form absolute constellations or only apparent constellations. The latter only seem to be linked in our line of sight, but may actually be far apart radially from each other in space. Nevertheless, these apparent constellations may emerge with respect to our developing consciousness, and thus form meaningful constellations that are conveying most significant and effective energies.

The absolute constellations are real 3D clusters of stars in time and space, and these often even travel through space together. The many multiple and binary stars in space, revolving around a common mass center, would then fit into this category, but that is a question of definition.

For our current purposes, we may define a constellation as an isolated unity or congregation of stars, whose individual member stars can be visually resolved with the naked eye. Thus we would limit our criteria of a constellation, excluding the many binary or multiple star systems in space. This criteria would however include constellations such as the Ursa Major cluster and the Pleiades.

The Seven Solar Systems of which ours is one, is a special case because we are ourselves at the center of that constellation, thus seeing the member star systems spread across the sky. Nevertheless, we may be linked together as an absolute constellation, when seen within a larger whole.

The galaxies of stars that are forming the constellations of the zodiac are a mixture of real and imaginary stellar congregations. They align themselves in time and space and are found in the apparent path of the Sun as it is moving in its annual journey. These constellations are of unequal size, but are in most sidereal systems geometrically aligned into the twelvefold division of the circle and thus assigned 30 degrees each.

It may seem like an arbitrary thing to assign these divisions, but it is not so in reality. The zodiac is a reflection of a great heart centre and heart within the head centre, and these heart centres have twelve petals each. In alignment with the truism that God geometrizes, these twelve petals of the heart are reflected in the twelve zodiacal constellations.

Astrologically speaking, the unity of the Tropical zodiac finds a coherent representation in the twelve signs, whereas the constellations together represent the Sidereal zodiacs.

The signs of the Tropical or moving zodiac are concentrated influences, in magnetic resonance with the manifested constellations of the sidereal zodiac. They are thus linked, regardless of the apparent displacement between the two zodiacs. Both of these two wheels or zodiacs have the twelvefold heart for their archetype.

The signs of the zodiac, like the constellations, are also usually assigned 30 degrees each, but their positions are syncronized with the revolution of the earth's polar axis--the Precessional cycle. The Equinoxes and the Solstices indicate the four directions, and of these, the Vernal point indicate the beginning (00ARI00) of this moving or Tropical zodiac. 

The Tropical zodiac of signs has an astronomically defined starting point (The Vernal Equinox), but the true starting point for the Sidereal zodiac remains to be defined and revealed. It will then be an indicator and a fixed reference point for the calculation of cycles, and the passing of the ages. We would reckon and know with greater surety when the age of Pisces ends and the age of Aquarius begins, and so on.. The following may be suggestive and clarifying:

It is the relation between the Vernal point and the Undisclosed point and their relative displacement, that determines the zodiacal cycles, indicating the passing of the ages and their respective beginnings.

It is still an unanswered question as to whether the terrestrial ages coincide with the systemic ages. The planets all have their own ages, but the Earth has a special relationshop to the Sun and hence it is possible that the changes on Earth, due to the passing of the ages, actually coincide with changes in the greater solar system.

Earth and Sun form a Power axis of Will and provide a yardstick of measurement for the whole solar system.

Astrology is a most ancient and revered science, which includes an understanding of the many different cycles. Astrology is based upon on understanding of the great illusion--which illusion is nevertheless a reality in terms of its great potency and impact in our lives. In other words, the energies and the relationships indicated are to us very real and this is what counts, pragmatically and symbolically speaking. The science of Astrology can help us master the illusion, so that liberation becomes possible.

As part of the illusion we find all the thoughtforms linked to the signs and constellations. These thoughtforms, and their resultant energies, were anchored by the Hierarchy in ancient Atlantean days and have been increasing in potency ever since, reflecting planned developments and regulating their impact according to human evolution.

The astrological thoughtforms anchored on the mental plane in Atlantean days find a natural division in terms of the higher and lower mind. Thus it is possible to relate the ancient mystery of the Sphinx to the division of signs and constellations. The Sphinx is a sign or a symbol of both union and division--much like the state of the mental plane. The mystery of the Sphinx is connected to the illusory division of the higher and lower mind, that eventually has to be bridged.

Suggestively, the concrete and manifested constellations in the outer heavens relate to the exoteric facts of the lower concrete mind, whereas the abstract and symbolic signs relate to an understanding of the deeper and more esoteric truths of the higher mind. This therefore also relates to the basic duality of the Sun and the Moon.

However, when we look at the astrological concept of signs and constellations, they both represent “the environment” and “that which is around us.” As mentioned, the difference between the two perspectives is that the sidereal constellations tend to represent exoteric fact and more definite outer events and circumstances in the three worlds, whilst the tropical tend to be more subjective and indicative of esoteric truth in terms of the inner worlds of subjective realisation and impression. A brief summary may look like this:

We have to understand that everything includes everything else, and that we are here talking about certain tendencies amongst the zodiacs. These tendencies, if true, may have important ramifications however.

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In continuing to address the subtle differences of the two zodiacs--the Tropical and the Sidereal ones--we may be helped by yet another analogy. We may think of the outer constellations in the heavens as a ring-pass-not, or an enclosure--like the womb of the Mother. Ponder on that; the constellations in the heavens represent the womb of the Mother. Then, may we understand that inside this womb revolves the Son--an animated being, active, moving, and growing, whilst becoming intensely aware and conscious of himself through the signs of the zodiac.

The outer constellations remind us of a caring and protective mother--encircling the signs and suffusing them with the primordial ray, nurturing them and strengthening them--providing a platform and enabling them to stand. Humanity itself, in a manner of speaking, provides a womb through which seekers, initiates and generations of inquirers may be born, having known their true self.

Through a deeper understanding of the relation between the signs and constellations and their respective zodiacs will come much light upon the relationship of the Mother and the Son, and let us remember that in this second solar system we are symbolically revolving around the Son. It is therefore through a study of the Precessional cycle that we may determine much about the inner development and environment of the Son, cyclically coming to fruition through the harvest of a new generation of inquirers.

The evolving Son, is physically linked and psychically attuned to the Mother. This evidences through the anima, the senses and the umbilical cord. There is also a close connection between the umbilical cord and the Sutratma, or life thread. This Sutratma is the silver-thread and symbolically this is the silvery band in the heavens that links the higher and the lower aspects.

In certain respects, the Milky Way--the silvery band, is the Great Mother--also known as the Sea-monster and the Great Serpent or Dragon of the deep, with its mouth at the galactic center and the Pleiades as its rattling tail. This is also related to the mystery of the Makara--the Crocodiles. Some who are astrologically inclined, will also note the origination of the dual 'shadowy planets' from these thoughts.

In the many traditions and their variations the Milky Way is identified with the World-Tree and the Axis Mundi, a pathway, a worm-hole or an elevator that may connect the various dimensions of creation. Higher beings will travel up or down this Black Road, leading to the central Hole in the Sky--the Black Hole of Creation and Resurrection. The lesser cross revolves upon the greater axis and currently the Winter Solstice aligns with the Galactic Center. There, at the center of the Crossroads, an Avatar, a King and a Saviour may be born.

In stated cycles, the Mother may conceive or give birth; the Father may be potent or abstracted; and the Son may be embryonic or born in fullness. The cyclically shifting asanas or postures of the constellations in the heavens may give us a clue and indicate this.

At the two ends of the trunk on the great circle, we find the Mother and the Son coming into opposition, as the Son grows into fullness and eventually takes his Father's place. Their relation is depicted through the central bulge of the Mother Galaxy, as it is being counter-balanced by brave and luminous Sirius and Orion--the great Son of Man. This opposition is further portrayed for us in the struggle of the great hunter Orion with the Bull of materialism and the lure of the Pleiades. In another way, this can be expressed as Vulcan and Neptune in opposition--the Law of Vibration and the Law of Sacrifice and Death, an almost incomprehensible thing to us.

As the Son grows and the Mother prepares herself, certain alignments occur in the cycle of their relationship. An opportunity may come in accordance with particular alignments, sometimes only once or twice every 25-26,000 years or so, in this cycle. In our day and age the Son has come into ascendancy and at His point of attainment, we recently saw the outpouring of divine love reaching its highest expression for all time. This event occurred approximately as the Son of God reached his goal of achievement, and this was recognised in Gemini. This 'event' approximately coincides with the highest point of elevation of the constellation Orion with respect to the Celestial Equator, during the Precessional cycle.

Another example of these alignments can be seen when Virgo, the Mother, comes to the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades. At that time, Virgo, the Mother, and the Seven Sisters unite their forces in the great labour. There is then much focus and expectancy on the Mother and we may find a release of the seed in terms of the immaculate conception or we may find the pregnant Virgin Mother ready to give birth, whichever the case may be.

The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades are known as Krittika in Sanskrit. The root meaning of Krttika is to “cut,” or to “separate” and “divide,” which in this case refers to the first division of the original cell at conception. It may also refer to the cutting of the umbilical cord and the separation of the mother and the child at birth, after gestation has run its course.

The cell rotates upon its axis, symbolically repelling and throwing off all that does not belong in the process and then through differentiation, will apportion and stratify the field of expression by means of the self-generated seeds. The Seven Sisters are the sowers and the midwives, conceiving or bringing forth the Child in fulness. The Pleiades are the central group and the Krittika therefore indicate the beginning of a new cycle or process and the end of a previous one. The Krittika are therefore also considered to be the first Nakshatra or Lunar mansion.

The end is as the beginning and at the appointed time the inner child revolves and assumes his asana or position. He orients himself with respect to the subjective horizon and eventually sees an opening and a door. The Birth canal of the Mother is in sight and he is ready to make the pressing journey towards the magical and mystical light at the end of the tunnel, leading eventually to the radiant light.

Today, in this transitional time-period, the Seven Sisters are beginning their association with Gemini--the sign of the Twins and likewise the Head of the Cosmic Christ. The Child is growing and glowing and together with the Mother He is ranging and gathering the forces, needed for what has long been expected and hoped for--that the Seven Sisters are to give birth unitedly, not only to Twins, but to a Band of Brothers--establishing the ideal of Brotherhood as a manifested truth in the Aquarian age. Hence also the imminent and immanent Reappearance of the Christ--the Hope of Glory.