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LEGEND

the Key & 4th Fundamental

The Seven Ray Cycles

Occult Cosmology

Science of the Antahkarana & Ray Words of Power

Esoteric Astrology
Superimposition

Aries

On the Ordinary Wheel

March 21st to April 20th

And the Word said:
Let form again be sought

Decanates

First decan           Mars                     March 21st to April 1st

Second decan       Sun                      April 1st to 10th

Third decan          Jupiter                 April 11th to 20th

 

Please read the prefatory material before investigating your own Decanate Stage, as proper assignment is required. i.e., your birth date does not indicate the stage of development, rather, you must employ a subjective recognition of the state of consciousness (point of advance along the Path of Initiation) which you, or another, has achieved.

See this note on determining the decanate.

 

Step One Physical Man

March 21st to April 1st

Mars

Upon the Ordinary Wheel as it rolls clockwise into illusion, the first sign is entered via Mars in the first decan. The Sun is in the central decan and Jupiter in the third. Mars inaugurates the process of individualization and impulses the initial movement outward into incarnation, embodying the blazing will and burning desire to physically manifest and experience Earth.

It is the dynamic impulse of Mars that propels the emergence of the soul upon the Path of Outgoing through the medium of a physical body. It is possible only through the use of a physical form for the soul to express itself in the lower three material worlds of human evolution. The first response or thrill of the soul is to the pull, urges and suggestions of the physical body wherein it finds itself.

Ever keep in mind that the conditioning force of each planetary decanate ruler produces a dual influence. In other words each decan has lower, recessive and negative traits on the one hand and, on the other, higher, positive and active features.

In the recessive Martian specimen, the characteristic profile is exceedingly like that of a sheep, rather than the young ram which is usually associated with Aries. In these cases the cranium and skull are very rounded with the forehead protruding, low and wide. The brow is prominent and the eyebrows thick. The lower forehead has a characteristic expression of a scowl. On the inside of the brows towards the nose we find deep lines or raised surfaces. The nose always has a trick of standing out from the face. It is thick, fleshy, with a high bridge or bump down its trunk markedly standing out from the face in the stereotypical uncompromising ram-like manner.

The hair is typically orange, titian or red, abundant, woolly and coarse, but the man's beard tends to be scraggly and sparse. The eyes possess a timid, skulking or furtive expression, wide-open, often bulging. The eyes will show a dull or sleepy expression very similar to a weak specimen of the first decan of Pisces which is also under the dominion of Mars. They characteristically bear a facial expression of apology for their own existence. Is this surprising? It should not be.

The caricature of the unevolved Martian type is to be found on the lowest levels wherein cringing greed, slackness, loudness, rudeness, excess and orgiastic self-indulgence are the norm. Commonly the general expression on the face is one of an insufferable pride. The weak, small, narrow, pointed sheep-like chin is certainly not pronounced. The jaw-line is also weak and the mouth small. The bottom lip is usually thicker and more prominent than the upper, which tends to a real severity and reticence.

The recessive feminine type can appear as the most mannish, butch or masculine female persona in the entire zodiac; moreover unattractive, unsympathetic and decidedly lacking in feminine seduction or repose.

Extremities of the recessive body type such as the legs and arms are tiny, pathetic and weak, or thick, short and very fat; in any case always appearing disproportionate. Overall symmetry of the body is lacking, whether short or tall, pathetically small or grossly large; while the physical frame itself appears somewhat awkwardly arranged. Regardless of size, the recessive body displays a characteristic degenerate posture and slackness.

Any real sense of physical rhythm and timing, such as is required in music or dance for instance, is non-existent. Spastic, clumsy and heavy, the movement is certainly lacking in style and grace. In sports for example, timing, agility, and footwork remain a lifelong problem, shortcoming and handicap. Showing restless movements without purpose, the body appears at times totally given to a perpetual irritation of spasmodic or quick motions.

In the primitive stage the physical decan is a place of dark, violent and short-lived lives and unstable beginnings characterized by blind and undirected experience. Perhaps it is not truly fair to state so, but the unevolved Ram appears to be just about deaf, dumb and blind.

The indwelling consciousness is identified with and imprisoned within the types of consciousness of the specific form, matter, substance, time and space with which it finds itself surrounded. These young Arietians are simply animals with vague higher impulses, which must remain simply impulses. Initially in fact, the incarnated soul's intelligence is of such a low order that it only possesses a dim and nebulous awareness of itself and of the surrounding life.

During the first stage the infant-like soul is easily bewildered both by events and by others in advance of themselves. Free will is, as yet, non-existent. Perhaps the best analogy is that they are somewhat like a newborn baby; completely overwhelmed by the environment, they are slow, inert and inarticulate. The Ram's horizon is totally limited by the physical plane while the basic life outlook is exceedingly muddled, shortsighted and narrow. Totally conditioned by mass consciousness, mass reactions and mass ideas they are simply mediums receptive to concepts which are not their own or self-achieved.

In the early stage then, this decan type is best described as a negative impressionable automaton, blind, fanatic, sectarian and unreasoning. The idea of ordered activity or of a conscious and purposeful goal is unknown. Logic and reason are incomprehensible and unattainable. Having no sense of time and grasping no purpose in events, they cannot be trained along any mental line and very rarely demonstrate skill in any direction.

Quite naturally, at this embryonic stage of the career, concentration and sustained application to a given task have not been developed. They are only suited to learn on their own through direct, immediate, painful experience and are exceedingly difficult to control or teach.

Conflict supervenes early in the life because instinctively the struggle and strife for that which is physically desired will naturally predominate. Useless friction, fierce opposition, endless delay and struggle against failure are the common lot. Strongly conditioned by fear, stress, strain and superstition, the young Ram is stubborn and bigoted in belief and ever prone to sudden gusts of fury and ferocity. In the base type this produces the typical inquisitor and amounts to a real heedlessness, blindness and deafness. Brutality, torture, resentment and systematic bullying come naturally. These Rams will not lift a finger to help outside their immediate sympathies.

As warriors, when aroused in battle they fight like demons. The young Martian type can be very destructive for they operate only through physical desire and are not directed towards gaining wisdom. They need handling with care for they are too energetic, one-pointed and too full of personal desire. They head straight for the rocks of fanaticism and the dangerous shoals of superficial desire.

In this first phase of the Ram's experience, the desire for physical satisfaction and the pursuit of prey or material acquisition of some kind mark the life-path. Blindly and impotently they go on their way swayed by the lowest forms of physical desire. The Ram will follow the line of least resistance and unconsciously obey the dictates of the natural instincts of his animal body.

The overwhelming urge of the incarnated soul is to experience, to exist and to satisfy the instinctual nature. The whole process is one of experiencing, grasping, existing, followed by renewed demand for satisfaction. The sensation is an active one of being engaged in the process of carrying on a hand-to-hand conflict with death.

In view of this, the Ram is an extremely intolerant person and is always enamored of his positions of authority, ever thinking first and foremost of his own exaggerated self-importance. Ram-man is willful, suppressive, controlling, militaristic, power-hungry, dominating, destructive, angry, violent, prideful, egoistic, separative, unreasonable, isolated and arrogant. He is full of impatience, obstinacy, inhibition and is known for his unrelenting ambition, hardness and cruelty.

Rigid and set thought patterns go along with his total lack of intuitive sensitivity, excessive loves and total identification with material objectivity. Committed to his keenly desired objective, which is effective pursuit of intensely focused personality desire, the developed personality demonstrates an unflagging persistence, earnestness, sincerity, loyalty, adherence and sacrificial ardor.

Eventually, Arietians under Mars become receptive to religious guidance, albeit in blind faith. They then strive not to be so self-indulgent or inclined upon luxury, and endeavor to gain a sense of humility, an unshakeable faith, unswerving devotion, unwavering dedication and undimmed optimism. Rams have the willingness to follow their vision with enthusiasm, inspiration and orientation, and are ready to devote themselves without reservation to the pursuit they value most highly.

In sharp contrast, the active Ram type appears well-balanced and symmetrical with proportional carriage and broad shoulders. Their Martian physiques are strong, lean, hard, disciplined and muscular. Polished, clean-cut, highly professional and well groomed, on the military side, the Arietian soldier possesses a real reticence, appears quite strict, fearless, regimented and severe. The large, aggressive and powerful Ram is not one that you would wish to meet on the battlefield. They take care of the business of killing with swift and brutal efficacy. Their physical stride and bodily movements are measured, controlled, powerful and well directed.

Facial lines are longer and show more angular features compared with the more short round lines of the recessive type. Well-shaped, straight or aquiline, the nose itself prominently stands or juts out appearing either somewhat short or long but in either case indicates a strong and forceful character. Well-defined, the jaw line also shows strong character with the chin small but sharply defined. Cranium and forehead are unusually long and high, as are the cheekbones.

Deep set and small, the expression of the eyes can appear steel-cold, possessing a dominating, keen, fearless or haughty expression. Looking impersonally right through you, utterly indifferent, cold, unmoving and detached, the eyes at times possess the most intense and penetrating stare. The usual expression of the eyes is however, sincere, sensitive and charming, reflecting a real tenderness. It is interesting to observe that the ears and mouth, like that of the totem of the sign, are usually small and well shaped.

There is in the above analysis much to consider. As you correlate and observe, ponder and think, light will come. I have sought in the case of the Ram-man on the first rung of the ladder to emphasize the subjective causes and the objective effects of his physical appearance. The two must always be related. The causes of the activity or non-activity of the Ram—excessive or inadequate—are initiated by the physical man himself either in this life or stemming from an earlier incarnation.

In the final analysis the physical body is the medium of his active experience in and through matter. This body is the externalization of the Ram's soul and according to the condition and point of evolution so will be the appearance and nature—lower or higher—of the outer physical form, thus qualifying all of its activities.

The subjective keynote of this decan is the desire to manifest. The task of the soul is to balance the lower psychic nature and its expression through the medium of the body. Suffice it to say, the mechanism of the Ram's divine perception is still in process of development, and certainly at the physical stage has yet to achieve a measurable usefulness.

The primitive Arietian initially entering the sign, inaugurates the process of Individualization whereby the soul nature and the form nature meet and blend. Eventually desire for identification with form changes into aspiration for self-awareness. Through the process of successive incarnations, the various physical bodies of expression are developed, little by little, until the interpretation of experience intensifies, becoming more adequate and correct as time passes. Mars eventually leads, after many rounds of death and rebirth upon the Wheel, to the expression of one-pointed, highly developed and directed personality effort.

Mars reminds us that the primitive step on the way to selfhood of necessity is selfishness and the ability to say I am, I wish, I desire and I will.

 

Step Two. Emotional Man

April 1st to 10th

The Sun

When the physical battle has been fought and won, Ram-man steps into the ranks of the emotionally polarized and joins those upon the second rung of the ladder. He is no longer totally immersed in the physical plane. Now he battles the forces of the astral or emotional plane to which he now naturally reacts. The Ram gains, through his evolving response apparatus, sentient consciousness in the world of forms.

Thus the work and the labor of the soul expands to include the struggle with the fulfilment of desires, glamours and ambitions. This battle is stupendous—all that the Ram at this stage, can stand—but from the wider angle of the soul it is only one more rung of the ladder.

Remember, it is the Sun which stimulates the sensitivity or awareness of moods, emotions, desires and aspirations which have their roots within the principle of self-awareness and self-consciousness. During the early phase of emotional development the mental nature is not functioning strongly and only very rarely does it come into any definite form of activity.

At the early emotional stage the Aries man or woman is still only an unwitting sheep of the human family, and can be regimented and standardized with facility by orthodoxy and dogmatism of every type in any field, especially science, the military, religion and politics.

On the recessive or negative side a list of the astral traits include unrealistic expectation, unresponsiveness, and insensitivity. The Arietian in this decan often feels rejected, stressed, isolated, alienated, misunderstood, dissatisfied and restricted. The Ram is uncontrollable, unaware, ungenerous, dictatorial, overconfident, blunt, self-destructive, insecure, forgetful, aloof, opinionated, rebellious, argumentative, one-track, naive, demanding, scornful, impulsive, angry, cold, cheap, cruel, hard, mean, violent, frenzied, crazy, ballistic, unstable, repetitive, indulgent, impatient, irritable, extreme, misleading, obsessive, grasping, possessive, resistant, anti-social, snobbish, classist, racist, repressed, judgmental, permissive, pugnacious and overbearing.

The young Ram's personal horizon is extremely limited. He is known for tacky style, questionable clothing, poor manners, bad taste, pet glamours, devious delusions and nervous habits which run in tiny grooves and small circles repetitively. Outside of his or her muddled myopic viewpoint and modest skills, there is little comprehension of life or circumstance. Struggling and grasping to make sense and appearing at times quite mad or insane, they are at best simply bewildered by other people's ideas, outlooks or attitudes.

As self-trust is not yet possible, so neither is trust in others. The advanced attributes and virtues of patience, tranquility, gentleness, and humility remain latent but as yet, uncultivated.

The superimposition of the force of the Sun over the astral body fosters the sense of personal drama and helps to create the capacity to visualize oneself as the center of one's environment. Like the Sun, the Arietian imagines himself to be at the center of his own tiny universe.

"Around me the Heavens move and the stars in their course revolve" is the motto of this stage. (TWM, p.393) This consciousness, this sense of self, does help to determine their little destiny and relatively important or unimportant fate.

The Sun, it should be realized, is responsible for fostering Ram-man's ambition and his longing for superiority, authority, fame, wealth, comfort, leadership, influence and power in some field of human expression. Rams plan and struggle to make an individual impact on the world and to magnetically attract around themselves a group of people who admire them, thus making them feel influential and important.

Personalities, keep in mind, experiment with the energy flowing through them and gather around themselves those people who vibrate to their note. Self-referencing, self-cherishing and self-grasping are the benchmark keynotes of the astral Aries. Do not forget that their entire motivating force is personal desire and energy.

The process of decentralization is not desirable or possible at this stage of  evolution. Compromise, tempering or restriction of their desires, fantasies or dreams is out of the question even if they are unusual, reckless, foolhardy or extreme. After many highs and lows, risings and settings, the man in Aries gains a sense of power, self-love, exalted ambition, a superiority complex and a determination to reach the top rung of a particular ladder.

Both favor and disfavor will be known, but as applause is the breath of life for the Sun-inspired Arietian they try to do nothing that will endanger their popularity with their loved ones, fans or followers. The Ram gains a sense of personal responsibility; although this translates into a perception that the surrounding members of the human family are dependent upon them, and thus a sense of self-importance.

As we would naturally expect in one ruled by the Sun, competition and emulation play a large part in Arietian progress, which of course have their unlovely aspects as well as their beneficent and stimulating effects upon the growth and development of personal character. Loyalty, follow-through and tenacity are not among the early virtues, so a constant desire for change of circumstance, surroundings and companionship are impossible to control or master.

These urges continually cause sufficient difficulty in all manner of personal and family relations and quarrels. Commonplace, unrestrained emotional excitement, such as screaming, shouting and ordering people about — especially when stimulated by the urge for personal attention and recognition — spells personal, family, business and social trouble. Sibling rivalry is intense, often with the parents taking sides with tragic consequence. Some lives appear to be stunted, dwarfed, ruined or spoiled from the start.

The energy enhancement of the Sun always leads to new endeavors and fresh activities. Because of this stimulation, developed types appear quite anomalistic. Becoming extraordinarily aggressive and self-willed the Ram acts with a singular dominant selfishness, exhibiting an extremely narrow range of sensitivity.

For example, in matters of love the woman is exceedingly independent, active and unhampered by any social, moral, or family consideration beyond her own desires. The man, on the other hand, is passionate but selfish, rigid, narrow and conventional. In both cases, they typically resented early parental restraint or authority and are emotionally preoccupied with evidencing sensitivity to the steadily increasing intensity of their own vision, views and feelings.

This type does, of course, possess a selfish instinctual love for those who are supportive or necessary for emotional stability and physical comfort, but they are in no way psychologically astute. Eventually the Ram learns that personal fame, stardom or victory depends on their adherence, and that only a sense of group loyalty gives any large enterprise its best chance of success. It is only at a mature stage of emotional growth that Aries will take the lion's share of any danger involved, never shrinking, shirking or sparing themselves.

It is the overlay of solar energy which also accounts for the sunshine-like optimism and the outgoing fun-loving expression of Aries. Inspired by the rays of the Sun, the Arietian subject is naturally bestowed with a positive outlook and a bright enthusiasm, but as yet has no means of gauging the opposing forces.

Life is largely spent in various states of astral bewilderment, confusion and turmoil as they continually oscillate between simple awareness of physical plane life and the life of the senses. In time and through experience, the unfoldment and enhancement of the sensory apparatus affords the Ram an ever-increasing consciousness of the world of forms and the sentient ability to react to those forms with some small measure of embryonic wisdom and intelligence.

Certainly Arietians are more immediately generous in showing spontaneous affection than any other type. The personal manner seems to be perpetually immature, loving, light-hearted, mischievous and given to practical jokes. A real knack for getting in and out of all kinds of adolescent foolishness is a forté, so life is composed of many narrow escapes, adventures and escapades. Impulsive tendencies lead to the trouble and sorrows that follow rash business partnerships, unions, engagements and imprudent marriages.

Fortunately the astral disposition is specially endowed with a sense of fun along with a real gift for enjoying a situation, and may just succeed in making any relationship, marriage or business partnership a more or less happy contest or relatively enjoyable competitive duel. At least the foibles, follies and fancies are always highly colorful and full of dramatic flair.

Also on the positive side, the list of hallmark emotional tendencies, traits and strengths are numerous. The Ram is gallant, dashing, daring, fearless, unshrinking, unsparing, good-natured, virile, fun-loving, lively, ambitious, consistent, courageous, self-expressive, enthusiastic, well-directed, dynamic, interesting, positive, open, affectionate, energetic, loyal, one-pointed, independent, sunny, self-sufficient, undaunted, responsible, self-reliant, realistic, idealistic, driving, visionary, tenacious, sincere, honest, magnetic, imaginative, progressive, diplomatic, socially aware, persuasive, dominant, humorous, generous, accepting, vigorous, fair and controlled.

After many lifetimes in and out of every sign around the Great Wheel, the revelation of the Sun ultimately bestows full sensitivity and personal awareness of the hopes, wishes and dreams of the Lower Self. In time, some form of personal destiny, fame and fortune is sought by the Sun type and eventually attained. What is finally produced is a dominant selfish personality expression. At the apex of emotional development they express some obvious flair, style and taste. Working hard at playing a special part in their unique way, the mature Arietian becomes star-like, radiating a bright legacy.

The Arietian in this decan governed by the Sun, like those born under the sign of Leo, make good artistic performers, singers, athletes or actors shining in stadiums, the arena, movies, theater and stage. A quick glance at famous movie stars of the 20th century shows this to be true. Consider for example Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, Betty Davis, Spencer Tracy and Gregory Peck, all of whom were born under the central decan of Aries.

Again the superimposition and dominance of the Sun-ruled emotional decan over the Mars-ruled physical decan bestows a tremendous brightness and positivism of a new type. A sense of power grows, they develop importance and influence, and a full-blown star is born.

 

Step Three. Mental Man

April 11th to 20th

Jupiter

Passing now away from the development of the emotional body upon the astral plane, the mental plane comes next for the Ram and eventually, at the acme of the third stage the right use of the intellect is his outstanding achievement.

At the first step of this period, the mind becomes the receiver of impressions from the outer world via the five senses and the brain. This is a negative condition whereby the modifications of the thinking principle are brought about through the impacts of the external world and the reactions of the Ram to the emotional plane.

In the first stage of mental development the mind possesses only a vague diffused awareness, unidentified with any definite form of focus. The second aspect of the mental period of development commences when the Ram's young mind is developed enough to begin to initiate its own activities, and when the intellect becomes the dominating factor and the individual becomes highly responsive to the thought currents of the mental plane.

It is Jupiter which produces the ultimate expression of self-conscious personality existence. Under this expansive stimulation the Arietian mind begins to awaken and steadily becomes increasingly self-aware. The Ram brings the mind to bear upon information gained, sets his own individual stream of consciousness, formulates his own thoughtforms, as well as registering those of others. Superimposing itself on other people and things, the mind growing in its own power becomes the dominant factor overshadowing the entire personality expression. Ultimately, through this expansive unfolding process an intellectual grasp of environing conditions is fostered, a personal agenda formulated and definite plans made.

In the interim period of mental evolution however, the semi-educated Arietian is blindly conservative, intolerant or bewildered by superior persons and does not endure or countenance any person who holds different values or beliefs.

The recessive mind of the Ram is ready to strangle every new truth which happens to knock for admission. Also on the negative side, Jupiter fosters great mental pride and does lead to undue exaggeration and inflation of the personal ego which in turn leads to falsification, the tendency to stretch the truth and embroider the facts, and sometimes to pathological lying.

This same stimulation inclines the Ram towards shallowness, fanaticism and callous indifference. Striking portraits of unevolved mental types are revealed in the unmitigatedly selfish activities of miserly husbands, bosses, deranged housewives, fraudulent schemers, dangerous demagogues and brutal bullies. Needless to say, their erroneous ideas, wrong thought, wrong actions and wrong speech have a devastating effect on friends, family and associates. An ability to see through, understand or overcome personal delusions is simply not yet actuated.

At the preliminary phase of mental growth, the Aries man or woman is incapable of reasoning outside of the deprived uniqueness of their childhoods or traumatic personal life experiences. Remaining anomalistic, iconoclastic, ungenerous, and dishonest with themselves, they secretly and selfishly guard away their hidden treasures and wealth. They are able to excuse themselves and their actions by means of self-induced rationalization.

On the positive side, the Aries mental disposition is best described as engaging, outgoing, attractive, magnetic, good natured and freedom loving. The advanced mental type is well traveled, educated and exceptionally bright.

This sign eventually produces eloquent, powerful and persuasive minds which are capable of exciting enthusiasm in others. In these cases the mental body becomes quite expansive and develops great imaginative range. It is in oratory and teaching that many Arietians find excellent scope for their exuberant mental energy. Their speaking and writing expression is Jupiterian in its free and flowing style, abounding in descriptive illustration and evocative phrases with rhythmic cadences.

This is ideally suited to the entrepreneur, all manner of sales positions, marketing, public relations or inspirational speaking at pulpit, podium or platform in service of a chosen 'crusade'. With its rousing style of extempore address, measured swings and flights of eloquence, this speaker may be inspirational (even if grammar and style are defective and even if the ideas behind the words are illogical).

Based on singular efforts and seemingly independent of anyone, the formation of real character begins to emerge, ejecting the Ram from the proverbial flock of sheep. Actually they eject themselves from the conventional social mold or fabric by 'going it alone', and in so doing Aries people eventually become highly successful worldly icons convincing in their own right. This is accomplished through the ongoing process of constant battle, crisis, strain and struggle.

Once Arietians have attained worldly success upon the Ordinary Wheel, they look down upon other people from their powerful positions. Outside of their immediate sympathies they will not lift a finger to help anybody or anything.

The Aries mind loves to exercise military type authority, control and power over lesser minds. Within the limited scope of personal power and the range of personal desire therefore, the power to influence, sway, guide and hold others is gained. They love to be admired or adored. They love nothing more than to exercise their persuasive minds when people seek their advice. They are good at giving someone else a piece of their own mind, so to speak, but give little else. They express at times, a truly elitist contempt for others and belittle those less successful and fortunate.

A real handsome, strong, rugged, superior individualism emerges here along with a rough but perhaps dangerously disengaging maverick quality. A magnetic, charming character bent on going its own way and doing its own thing comes to the forefront. Some women cannot help but be attracted to—and are often abused by—this type of man.

The male of the sign will relish having a cause to fight for and delight in being a woman's champion, defending and protecting her with his full strength, wealth, honor, personal code of honor and power. In this way he proves his virility, masculinity and machismo. The female Arietian on the other hand, will fight to insulate, protect, heal, nurture, shield and guard her man, thus proving the potency of her femininity. In both sexes, individual life-purpose is still totally centered in the realm of personal selfish desire, with the formulated intention of its own satisfaction and assuagement.

Jupiter's influence also fosters the development of the 'wish-life' with its objective of dream fulfilment. These dreams are concerned with personal happiness, passions, comfort and wealth leading eventually to nothing less than the attainment of consummated desire of all and everything on the physical plane.

Thus do dominant Aries personalities come into being and find themselves; they discover the distinction between their true self and the personality equipment employed; they finally become conscious of vocation in the true sense of the term. Paralleling this sequential development is the slow inner growth of soul awareness.

At the advanced mental stage the law of actions and their consequences, the inevitable harvest of the fruits of our deeds, is now beginning to be understood. Once the Ram has a well-founded belief in these principles he or she automatically avoids doing wrong and becomes properly oriented, guided and motivated.

Although Jupiter does ultimately guarantee the satisfaction of selfish personality desire and material ambition, philanthropy will begin to occupy the foremost place in the mind where previously only professional zeal and a keen appreciation of personal glory had reigned supreme. In the final analysis, Jupiter spells release from negativity and blind unintelligent acceptance. Especially in situations where civil or religious freedom is being curtailed, the insightful mind of the Ram will be found actively engaged.

What is demanded of the Aries man or woman at the advanced mental stage of personality development is not acquiescence and acceptance, but rather correct activity and free choice based on the separation of the good and high values and truths from the low and undesirable.

At their best, advanced Arietian personalities are highly educated, widely-traveled, multi-lingual, international, cosmopolitan, refined, enthusiastic, interesting, versatile, diplomatic, caring, positive, open, affectionate, independent, intuitive, responsible, innovative, skillful, technically competent, proficient, organized, generous, honorable, fair, controlled, inspirational, expressive, socially adept, pragmatic, goal-oriented, sincere, good-natured, lively, successful, magnetic, colorful, visionary and imaginative.

An integrated Ram personality demonstrates a lucidity of clear perception and an inclusiveness which aspires to a comprehensive point of view. A real tact has been evolved along with wonderful manners, good taste, etiquette, tolerance, patience, serenity, empathy, sympathy and compassion. The power to teach and illumine is gained along with an ever expanding and unfolding love of knowledge, wisdom and truth. This increases receptivity and impressionability, thus cultivating an exquisitely developing artistic sensitiveness. The Aries male emerges as a gentleman; perhaps a veritable diamond in the rough, but a real gentleman nonetheless.

The refined Aries makes a truly wonderful and accomplished host or hostess loving to entertain, party, dine or feast at home. In this way, if you can tolerate their personal manner and charisma, they are truly generous and magnanimous to friends and family. The finer things in life—such as art, wine, food or beautiful women—are appreciated, sought after, enjoyed and collected. This serves to reinforce the ego's sense of itself and its own self-conscious importance, identity and tastes.

Jupiterian mental enhancement of the thinking process produces an efficient, precise mind capable of organization and understanding. Eventually this mind blossoms into a realm of fruitful and useful stimulating activity in the world. As we can see then, the Ram emerges from the fold eventually arriving at an intelligent understanding and a life directed by purpose, forethought and planning instead of blind, unintelligent acquisitive grasping.

The cycle of feeding ardent desire, engaging in constant worldly undertakings and securing material advantages begins to wane and comes to a close. The blind process of evolutionary acquiescence becomes an increasingly conscious effort.

It is Jupiter that reveals to us the method whereby the instinctual nature is transmuted and sublimated into real intellect. Why is this so? Because the intellect unfolds here as the result of applied life-stimulation, the basic expansive evolutionary urge, the normal processes of living and wide experience through diversified contact with the environment.

Rapid growth away from the teaching and training of childhood is typical of the mentally advanced Arietian. Rapid assimilation of fresh ideas, always being at the forefront of progress in their field of work, and active sympathy towards new thought, are the benchmark traits of the mentally polarized and integrated Ram personality. As writers they are capable of rising above the mundane and approaching universal themes.

After a vast cycle of lifetimes of garnered experience upon the Wheel, when the Ram finally succeeds in climbing the mountain of vision the perspective changes and the horizon enlarges. As the three-fold personality has now been integrated into one coherent functioning unit, the Ram can now direct, co-ordinate and control personal thought, feelings and actions.

The concrete mind is fully unfolded and reaches its apotheosis during the high water mark of the third period, signaling the advent of the dawning of the spiritual intuition and the nascent awakening of the synthetic powers of the higher or abstract mind. The Ram must now prepare to end the cycle of the closed self-centered life and open the door wide to spiritual energy.

The Arietian moves forward along the Path of Life now by subjecting him or herself to the purifying process of what is termed the "burning ground" of the soul. (EA, p.95)

This is the beginning of the period wherein the Ram changes life direction, purpose and method of working. When the fires of the personal or lower concrete mind are sufficiently intense, the metaphorical "jungles of experience" begin to be "set on fire" to eventually on the Reverse Wheel, disappear in the 'Egoic flames' of the soul. (EA, p.95)

With rapidity the dense fogs of personality illusion begin to dissipate, allowing ever increasing soul light to pour through. Only at this point does the future Way stand clear and unobstructed vision is attained. Through this process the Ram becomes aware that there is a divine Plan which underlies all fiery experiences and that these fires are in fact literally the living, moving, breathing, active, creative and formative agent.

Attainment of this realization is the entry point or portal for the fortunate Ram seeking the path of true happiness, profound meaning, unfettered enlightenment and transcendence. With down-turned horns it is now time to knock with true headstrong power for admission at the door of Initiation and request entry. New challenges now await, fresh battles and glorious new spiritual warfare eventuates as the Ram prepares to conquer the heavenly citadel of the Self and 'take heaven by storm'.