Blavatsky describes the Zodiac as:’ Zodiac (Gr.).
From the word zodion, a diminutive of zoon, animal. This word is
used in a dual meaning; it may refer to the fixed and intellectual Zodiac, or
to the movable and natural Zodiac. “In astronomy”, says Science, “it is an
imaginary belt in the heavens 16° or 18° broad, through the middle of which
passes the sun’s path (the ecliptic) .“ It contains the twelve constellations
which constitute the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and from which they are named.
As the nature of the zodiacal light—that elongated, luminous, triangular
figure which, lying almost in the ecliptic, with its base on the horizon and
its apex at greater and smaller altitudes, is to be seen only during the morning
and evening twilights—is entirely unknown to science, the origin and real
significanće and occult meaning of the Zodiac were, and are still, a mystery,
to all save the Initiates. The latter preserved their secrets well. Between the
Chaldean star-gazer and the modern astrologer there lies to this day a wide
gulf indeed; and they wander, in the words of Albumazar, “‘twixt the poles, and
heavenly hinges, ‘mongst eccentricals, centres, concentricks, circles and
epicycles”, with vain pretence to more than profane human skill.
The
movable or natural Zodiac is a succession of constellations forming a belt of
in width, lying north and south of the plane of the ecliptic. The precession of
the Equinoxes is caused by the “motion” of the sun through space, which makes
the constellations appear to move forward against the order of the signs at the
rate of 501/3 seconds per year. A simple calculation will show that at this
rate the constellation Taurus (Heb. Aleph) was in the first sign of the
Zodiac at the beginning of the Kali Yuga, and consequently the Equinoctial
point fell therein. At this time, also, Leo was in the summer solstice, Scorpio
in the autumnal Equinox, and Aquarius in the winter solstice ; and these facts
form the astronomical key to half the religious mysteries of the world-—the
Christian scheme included.
Daksha, Rameshwara Temple (1) |
Blavatsky,
in discussing the symbolism of the first sign, Aries, mentions that symbol of
the Ram is present in mythologies of India,
Egypt, and Greece, as well
as Judaic and Christian traditions.
Virabhadra, with Daksha (2) |
According to Blavatsky: ”Daksha, who is regarded as the Chief Progenitor, is, moreover, pointed out as
the creator of physical man in the “fable,” which makes him lose his head from
his body in the general strife between the gods and the Raumas. This head,
being burnt in the fire, is replaced by the head of a ram (Kasi-Khanda). Now
the ram’s head and horns are ever the symbol of generating power and of
reproductive force, and are phallic. As we have shown, it is Daksha who
establishes the era of men engendered by sexual intercourse. But this mode of
procreation did not occur suddenly, as one may think, and required long ages
before it became the one “natural” way.’ (Secret Doctrine 2, 182)
She
also mentionsl Agni: ‘The Hindu
god Agni, who presides at the sign of Pisces, next to that of Aries in their
relation to the twelve months (February and March), is painted of a deep red
color, with two faces (male and female), three legs, and seven arms; the whole
forming the number twelve. Agni is represented mounted on a ram, with a tiara
surmounted by a cross. (Isis Unveiled 2, 465)
Agni (3) |
Mesha (4) |
1) Mêsha. One of the synonyms of this word is Aja.
Now, Aja literally means that which has no birth and is applied to the
Eternal Brahman in certain portions of the Upanishats. So the first sign
is intended to represent Parabrahmam, the Self- existent, Eternal,
Self-sufficient Cause of all. The Self-existent, eternal Brahman (The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac, The Theosophist, November, 1881).
Image References
(1) Rameshwara Temple, Keladi, Sunday, 17 June 2018
http://www.milesandtrails.com/2018/06/rameshwara-temple-keladi.html(2) "Painting
on paper depicting Virabhadra. At his left stands the ram-headed Dakṣa, with
tripundras on his forehead and arms.
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_2007-3005-13
(3) Agni, with two heads, sits on the back of a ram. On both heads
his hair is tied neatly in a jata makuta from which emanate tongues of
fire. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1992-0410-0-1-56
(4) Aries zodiac sign, Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India. 18th century CE. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesha_Sankranti#/media/File:Aries_zodiac_sign,_Jantar_Mantar,_Jaipur,_India.jpg
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