Astrology has been a part of my path since I was in high school and it has led me to many interesting books and organizations along the way. One is the Rosicrucian Order. I was intrigued with the term Rosicrucian. I felt like I knew what it meant, but I didn’t. Nobody else did either. But I kept my ring of mental images surrounding it wide open and learned more about them.
They are one of several similar organizations that seem to hide from us along our path until we are ready and then they appear. It always amazes me how that happens. We will introduce many of them over time and provide links to the websites if more information is desired.
Elman Bacher was a Rosicrucian who wrote a series of astrological articles before his passing in 1951. He is considered among the top esoteric astrologers. If we are going to learn we might as well learn from the best.
As the truth and value of astrology become more and more generally accepted, his articles will serve increasingly to help people know themselves and fulfill their highest destiny.
Google “Elman Bacher” and you will find them easily.
Let’s see what Mr. Bacher had to say about astrology in his introduction. Remember it is better to read a few introductions before reading entire books.(Click here for full text)
To the Rosicrucian student astrology is a phase of religion, basically a spiritual science. More than any other study it reveals man to himself. No other science is so sublime, so profound, and so all-embracing. It portrays the relation between God, the macrocosm, and man, the microcosm, showing them to be fundamentally one.
Occult science, investigating the subtler forces that impinge upon man, the Spirit, and his vehicles, has charted their effects with no less definiteness than has academic science the reactions of sea and soil, plant and animal to the solar and lunar rays.
With this knowledge we may determine the astrological pattern of each individual and know the relative strength and weakness of the various forces operating in each life. To the degree that we are in possession of such knowledge we can begin systematic, scientific character building–and character is destiny! We note times and seasons cosmically advantageous to unfolding undeveloped qualities, correcting faulty traits, and eliminating destructive propensities.
The divine science of astrology reveals the hidden causes at work in our lives. It counsels the adult in regard to vocation, the parent in the guidance of children, the teacher in management of pupils, the physician in diagnosing diseases, thus lending aid to each and all in whatever position they may find themselves.
No other subject within the range of human knowledge appears to hold for this day and age the possibilities open to astrologers for helping people to their own dignity as gods-in-the-making, to a greater grasp of universal law, and to a realization that we are eternally secure within the caressing fold of Infinite and Boundless Being.
“Occult” is one of those words which probably involves a “knee jerk reaction” or a “limiting ring” described in previous blogs. Occult means hidden or subtle – beyond normal sensory perception. The effects can be seen, but the force cannot – like gravity perhaps.
Watch our reaction to the word “Rosicrucian.” Since we may have never heard of it before it is a good example of how we form our various rings of images. Did we create a big ring or small ring to start? Did we create it with an open mind waiting until more information until we can begin to form our own concepts about it, or did we reluctantly create it with the intent of proving it unworthy to merit a ring in our mental world?
Which words in this introduction did we meet with antipathy (repelling force) and which with sympathy (attracting force)? These reactions are mostly subconscious. We have either been taught to do this without our conscious awareness of it or we instinctively feel it from our subconscious memory. This is an area of ourselves which requires our understanding.
What is our definition of the word “science?” Why would a study of our soul and spirit be any less scientific than the study of plants or animals?
Why would we not want a science that reveals man to himself? Isn’t this information that could help us express more of our spiritual nature.
Sir Francis Bacon, the father of empiricism and a Rosicrucian, popularized inductive methodologies for scientific inquiry (i.e. a scientist). He was quoted as saying:
If one will begin with certainties, one will end in doubts; however if one were content to begin with doubts, one will end in certainties
This is a scientist alluding to keeping open rings of doubt instead of closed rings of (apparent) certainty. We want knowledge that is allowed to grow – not made to fossilize.
Character is destiny! Two more words for which we have likely already created mental images. Probably important for our path development.
Gods-in-the-making. Do we view this as egotistic or empowering? We have many powers latent within us just waiting for expression. Learning how begins by understanding their existence.
Mr. Bacher comments on the “Accuracy of Astrology.” Just as in the introduction be aware of our reactions as we read it. Whether it rings true or not we can learn much about ourselves merely by watching our reactions. Try to view the parts as well as the whole.
Millions of words, both printed and verbal, have been used in argument as to whether or not astrology is “accurate” and “scientific.” The anti-astrology group (the non-students, the uninformed, the exoterically religious and mentally unadventurous) hold forth with arguments that serve, in the long run, only as disparaging reflections on the personal abilities of those who “read horoscopes.” They argue that, if astrology is scientifically accurate, it should be proved so by the perfect agreement of all astrologers on any given point of the subject. All such argument is spurious and a waste of time since it does not pertain to the basic essence of the subject at all.
(A brief pause to inquire of these “antis” if all Christians agree as to the meaning of their Teacher’s message; all musicians as to the “correct” interpretation of a Brahms symphony; all doctors as to the “right” treatment of infantile paralysis; all parents as to the “perfect” way of raising children.)
Every protagonist of astrology varies in ability to interpret a horoscope from every other astrologer. Each differs from his colleagues in “approach,” in ability to comprehend symbology, in exactitude of mathematical calculation, in ability to sense the dynamic essence of the horoscope, in ability to understand the psychological problems represented and their potentials for solution. This is the “human variant.”
Astrology is an exact science because: Every factor in a correctly calculated horoscope is a symbolic representation of an exact and impartial effect of a specific cause. It represents the cosmic and immutable law of cause and effect operating in the conditions and experiences of a human being on his progress of many incarnations.
Nothing in a correctly calculated horoscope is there by chance, accident, heredity, or whim of blind fate. Every planetary position and aspect is one factor of the subject’s soul body, one phase of his consciousness, one milestone on his spiritual path.
To the degree that the astrologer identifies his horoscopical findings with the law of “as ye sow, so shall ye reap” will he be able to synthesize correctly the chart in its entirety, will he be able to reduce past causes of present conditions, will he be able to determine the potential solutions of difficulties.
So how did we do? Where do we see ourselves as we read this? How much do with sympathize with the “antis?” Does it stem from our own conscious judgment, the judgment of others, or from our subconscious feelings and judgments? We begin to realize the difference between subconscious and conscious reaction. Open up our rings and let the light of truth shine through them.
We must learn when to get out of our own way.
