The images and texts published in these posts were created by Francis Donald. His wonderfully evocative images and inspiring writings help us to more fully understand the nature of astrological signs, and the esoteric concepts underlying their meaning and power.
We are grateful to Francis for this most significant contribution.
Francis Donald can be contacted at oeahoo@yahoo.com
Gemini
Gemini Discussion
by Francis Donald
This month’s image, entitled ‘Castor and Pollux’ (the archetypal Geminian twins) is
simpler in concept than usual, and almost seems as though it might be a detail of a larger piece (it’s not). From a Treatise on White Magic: “The Solar Angel [Pollux] collects himself, scatters not his force, but, in meditation deep, communicates with his reflection. When the shadow [Castor] hath responded, in meditation deep the work proceedeth. The lower light is thrown upward; the greater light illuminates the three [the threefold personality], and the work of the four proceedeth.”
The Secret Doctrine tells us: “The legend of Castor and Pollux is concerned with the mortal half of man, the personality, and the immortal part, the ego or spiritual individual… This is Pollux, while Castor represents the personal, mortal man– an animal of not even a superior kind, when unlinked from the divine Individuality.” The Secret Doctrine, Volume II, p. 130.
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This month’s Full Moon is called the “Festival of the Christ,” the third and last of this year’s three great full moon festivals. Master Djwhal Khul (DK) writes: “The first things which the Christ will do, beginning with this full Moon of June, will be:
- The reorganization of the world religions so that their out-of-date theologies… may be offset, in order that the churches may eventually be the recipients of spiritual inspiration.
- Preparation for a revelation which will inaugurate the new era and set the note for the new world religion.
Gemini rules the hands, thus the spiritual hand gestures called mudras are especially relevant to this sign. Gemini also rules the etheric or vital body, making the ‘Pran Mudra’– used to promote the circulation of prana in the etheric body– a quintessentially Geminian gesture. This is borne out by the form of this mudra: The raised first and second fingers indicate duality and proclaim the symbol of Gemini, while the three remaining fingers describe a circle suggesting circulation.
In this month’s image, ‘The Freedom of the Two’, the soul is seen stimulating the primary triangle of centers in the mind and brain of its personality reflection by means of this mudra. With regard to this triangle the Tibetan tells us, “The pineal, pituitary, and carotid glands are objective correspondences of the three energy centres through which the soul controls his physical vehicle. Where the relation is close between the three glands—as is increasingly the case where disciples are concerned—a triangle of circulating energies is always established.” Rays and Initiations, p. 431
The presence of the monad, indicated by the triangularly enclosed eye, reminds us that the soul is the vehicle (the triangle) for the monad (the eye), and that in Gemini, this energy can be channeled through the hands.
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Number and Geometry: the six-pointed star. In this third sign– ‘the major sign of duality’– any speculation concerning the relevant geometry must include a consideration of the inter-relationship of the numbers two and three. For example, the Tibetan tells us, “Gemini forms with each of the pairs of opposites in the Zodiac a third factor, powerfully influencing the other two constellations, and thus forms, with them, certain great zodiacal triangles.”
When we consider these six zodiacal axes as six synthesized potencies, we can visualize Gemini– the agent of this fluid synthesis– standing at the center of a six-pointed star. The Tibetan tells us, “The opposites eternally remain from the point of view of human reason, but to the initiate whose intuition is functioning they constitute but six great potencies, because he has achieved ‘the freedom of the two,’ as it is sometimes called.” Esoteric Astrology, p. 348
DK describes another demonstration of the six-pointed star: “Six forces [rays 1-6] meet in Gemini and, for this reason, the double triangle is one of the subjective symbols of this sign, indicating again the essential dualism of this sign.” Finally, this star symbolizes the triangle of the soul– which is the vehicle for the threefold expression of the monad (atma, buddhi, manas)– overlaying the triangle of the threefold personality. This represents the essential Geminian duality.
The Three Glands: Stimulation of the glands is an effect of the activation of the etheric head centers, which are ruled by Gemini.
The ‘Eye of the Father’ representing the will aspect and monadic consciousness, is associated with the 1000-petaled lotus, and through it, the pineal gland (upper left in this month’s image). DK tells us, “The downflow of egoic energy (the result of the awakening of the centres through meditation and spirituality of life), impinges upon the pineal gland and in the course of years gradually increases its secretion, enlarges its form, and starts it into a new cycle of activity.” This downflow is depicted in ‘The Freedom of the Two.’
The pituitary gland (upper right in the image) associated with the ajna center, is related to the right eye, the ‘eye of the Son’ and corresponds to the love wisdom aspect, buddhi, and the Hierarchy. When both the pineal and the pituitary gland become active, a radiant magnetic field, which DK calls the ‘light of the inner sun’, becomes ‘the directing agents for all the activities of the man upon the physical plane.’
Finally, the carotid gland (lower point in the image) is associated with the alta major center, and is related to the left eye, the ‘eye of the Mother’, and corresponds to the 3rd aspect of intelligent activity. DK tells us, “energy from the spirit aspect, the first or Father aspect, pours down through the head centre [associated with the pineal gland] to the ajna center [associated with the pituitary gland], combining personality energy and soul energy. Then, by an act of the will, it is projected down the spinal column, via the alta major centre, which conditions the carotid gland.” This willful projecting of the energy down into the alta major center must bridge a gulf– a gulf associated with that found between the plane of the Ego and the lowest point of the Triad– which must be bridged by the building of the antahkarana. DK says, ‘When the manasic centre is vibrating forcefully, then the alta major centre and the head center via the throat centre can be united.’
Venus: Gemini’s esoteric ruler: Woven into the fabric of the robe in this image is a pattern that represents the cyclic movement of Venus as seen from the Earth, Gemini’s hierarchical ruler (zoom in for a closer look). This pattern represents the link between these planets and thus indicates something of the nature of the relationship between soul and personality. DK tells us, “Venus is the Earth’s alter ego, and its true supplementary and complementary planet. You have thus established a double dual relationship: that of Gemini itself, the two brothers, and that of the Earth and Venus.”
Gemini: “Gemini is related to the etheric body; it is the custodian of conditioning energy and the intermediary between soul and body. These are the two allied brothers.” Esoteric Astrology, p. 352
I’ll close with DK’s final observation in his section on Gemini in Esoteric Astrology: “Fluidity, recognition of duality, soul control! These are the keynotes of this sign, and should be the keynote of your life, for whether you are in this sign in this life, it has at some time and many times conditioned your experience, and the results are marked in the life of the advanced disciple.”
Thank you for sharing this work with me!
Highest Regards,
Francis
Link to this document in PDF:
Gemini – Evocative Images and Esoteric Teachings