In part 2 of this two-part article from the LCM Archive Soul Astrologer Ruth Hadikin explores the deeper meaning of the Aquarius-Leo axis for our spiritual journey…
The Soul Journey through Aquarius mirrors the unfoldment of Human Consciousness at this current point of our evolution as we enter the Aquarian Age. Over a period of time, roughly spanning the next 140 years, the whole of Humanity will undergo a ‘rite of passage’ akin to the Soul’s Journey through Aquarius. As we shift from unconscious reacting to our external environment (impulsiveness in Aries), we pass through Self Awareness (in Leo) and eventually become conscious co-creators of our reality, powerful Masters of our own energy flow, in Aquarius.
How many of us are consciously able to choose a specific emotional energy wavelength, for example Love? Or Appreciation? And then consciously flow that energy for a prolonged period of time without any interruption or distraction? The ability to become a continuous outpouring of Love and Life without interruption from our ‘monkey mind’ is the hallmark of the fully integrated Aquarian Soul.
There are some key distinctions which will help us to understand the progression from the lower Aquarian vibration to the higher Aquarian octaves. As we collectively journey through the Age of Aquarius, these shifts in consciousness are some of the signposts we may see along the way:
From Indifference to Compassion
The urge to be of service to the group can lead the Aquarian personality to adopt an aloof air of indifference, for fear of being subsumed by the needs of others. This indifference becomes transformed into detached compassion and true equanimity in the fully integrated Aquarian Soul as deep empathy and the importance of each individual within the group is recognized.
From Powerlessness to Empowerment
In spite of an ‘urge to serve’ the Aquarian personality often feels powerless in the face of all the problems in the world, and can often be found in political activist groups, protesting the perceived ‘enemy’. The fully integrated Aquarian Soul has built up powerful spiritual energies over many lifetimes which radiate from him like the Sun – transforming all around him. He combines this with a capacity to direct the flow of this energy wherever it is needed. He knows it is not what he says or does that matters as much as his presence and how he is flowing his energy. This is Christ Consciousness.
From “Us and Them” to We (There is no separation)
The Aquarian personality has a tendency to divide and separate: there is still polarity and a tendency to view the world in categories: this type of thing and/or that type of person. Supporting one group over another, or taking sides with one group against another. The fully integrated Aquarian Soul has realized true Equanimity: that there is only one Humanity, there is no separation, we are all connected, have equal needs, and we all matter. There is no Aquarius vs Leo: it is all one energy, on a continuum.
From Emotional Coolness to Emotional Intelligence
Because of his preoccupation with mental processing the Aquarian personality can sometimes be emotionally immature, and often presents as a scientist or ‘boffin’ who is intellectually brilliant yet emotionally insecure, detached and socially inept. In contrast the fully integrated Aquarian Soul is highly spiritually and emotionally intelligent: utilizing all his senses including empathy, warmth, self-awareness and intuition, to discern where and how he may next be of selfless service.
“Aquarius is depicted as a man holding an inverted vase.
The man inverts the vase and out of it come two streams of water,
the river of life and the river of love,
and those two words, life and love,
are the two words that embody the technique of the Aquarian age;
not form, not mind, but life and love.”
-Alice Bailey1
The fully integrated Aquarian Soul is the World Server: an individual expression of Christ Consciousness in service, “pouring forth the dual waters of love and life for thirsty humanity”2. But before he can reach such spiritual heights the Aquarian personality has a long way to go, and his journey takes him within: discovering the unpredictable terrain of his own heart by accessing the energy of his polar opposite Leo.
This is a tricky path. Another ego trap for the Aquarian personality (and there are many!) is in believing he is already ‘there’, already enlightened. Because he quickly grasps concepts mentally, he believes there is nothing more for him to do in terms of his own spiritual journey. He may make the common mistake of thinking he has ‘got it’ when in fact he has yet to realize the concept within his own experience, and integrate it into his physical Being.
The powerful energies of Love and Life which flow through the fully integrated Aquarian Soul, have accumulated over many lifetimes spent transforming fear and negative thought patterns, while cultivating life-force energy, unconditional love and compassion. The Buddha used the analogy of ‘untying knots’ to explain our spiritual process. As we re-trace our steps on our inner journey home, we undo all the ‘knots’ of our own pain and suffering. This experiential learning is first grasped mentally, synthesized emotionally, then fully integrated physically. We cannot skip over it, or by-pass this pathway.
Aquarius can’t leap to the end result, without having walked the path in Capricorn (although he may want to!). It is interesting that Saturn, the task master and Lord of Karma, is the personality ruler of Capricorn and also the old ruler of Aquarius. No Zodiac sign stands in isolation and it is important for Aquarius more than any to remember this important point. Each sign unfolds one into the other, and Aquarius needs to remember the important lessons learned in Capricorn, if he is to fully flower into Christ Consciousness.
Only by going deep within will Aquarius discover powerful energies within himself, that he has the power to bring under his conscious control:
“[In Aquarius] Hercules had to aid in the cleansing of the world
by the right direction of the forces of life through it.
You appreciate that we are entering into the Aquarian age where materialism,
as we know it, will have completely died out at the close
and when the whole life will be interpreted in terms of energies.
We are dealing entirely with forces…
You are dealing with energies and you are mis- using energies.
Watch yourself and begin to work in the world of forces within yourself.”
– Alice Bailey1
There are deeper mysteries hidden in Aquarius that we cannot yet begin to comprehend. Many of these will be revealed to us as we progress through the Age of Aquarius, expanding our perception and inner awareness. In “The Labors of Hercules: An Astrological Perspective”1, Hercules’ eleventh labor is a metaphor for the Soul’s Journey through Aquarius. After completing his task successfully, not only was his work not recognized, but the King accused Hercules of trickery and refused to pay him! This is an important key to understanding the heightened state of consciousness and advanced skill that is demonstrated by the Aquarian Soul.
At this level the flow of Love and Life continues as a steady stream, not for personal reward, payment or recognition (these are concerns of the ego, which would be a distraction from our Soul work). If the flow of Love and Life was dependent upon praise, which then never came, these vital energies would wane. This is an important point.
This point is illustrated in the story of a Tibetan Monk who was imprisoned and tortured for many years by Chinese Soldiers2. When asked if he was ever afraid his reply was yes: he was afraid he would lose compassion. He knew that his ability to continue flowing benevolent energy was what mattered most, irrespective of the attitude and behavior of those around him, and the external circumstances. It is the same point that Jesus Christ was making when He taught about ‘turning the other cheek’.
The Sun continues to shine whether we remember to appreciate it, or not. The Aquarian Soul is here to be of service to Humanity for no other reason but that (in the words of his Leo counterpart) “The Show Must Go On!” If you have Sun, Moon or Rising Sign in Aquarius you are here to consciously flow your energy into the world in ways that make a positive difference.
You matter Aquarius. Your energy is truly vital for the good of the whole, but you will never realize this by Self-denial, and using group activism as an excuse to avoid your inner path. Your own ego is a vital foundation for the flowering of your Soul. Adopt the courage of your opposite number Leo. Look your own ego squarely in the eye, complete with all your deepest fears, failings, needs and vulnerabilities, and be prepared to walk your inner path to the very end. This way you will discover your true magnificence: your inner light that is brighter than any Sun, and the beautiful energies of Love and Life may flow through you continuously without end, for the good of the whole.
This post is an excerpt from Ruth’s book “Soul Astrology: How Your Rising Sign Reveals Your Soul Path and Life Purpose” Click HERE to read more and/or order your copy.
Key Points:
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Aquarius is the sign of group consciousness: on the personality level this can be group participation and activity, at the Soul level this is a higher state of consciousness.
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The spiritual path of Aquarius is to flow a continuous stream of love and life for the benefit of humanity.
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The ego-trap for Aquarius is his own brilliant mind: in becoming too attached to, and limited by, his concrete mental conceptualizations, and neglecting to explore the limitless potential of his own heart.
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The solution is to journey deep within – embracing the warm, radiant, heart-centered energy of his polar opposite Leo, whereby he will discover for himself the brilliance of his own inner Sun.
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