The Key Sound

Man, it might be stated, is the expression of seven principles and of the life expression or activity of five planes. In this 7 + 5 is to be found the clue to the mystery of the seven and the five zodiacal constellations. [EA.427]

At the third initiation he stands before the One Initiator, the Lord of the World, and "sees His star shine forth" and hears the sound which - to quote the Old Commentary.

"...Pours forth from that central point of power where substance and the outer life have met together, where spirit utters loud the cry which drew the form to meet the highest need; where energy comes forth and blends with force and (in the blending) music had its start within the sphere of blending and of being thus created.
"Man only hears the distant sound and knows it not for what it is. The disciple hears the sound and sees its form. The one who stands for the third time upon the mountain top hears a clear note and [82] knows it as his own, as ours, as yours, and yet the note which none have sounded forth."

Salutations to the Great Goddess Alcyone. It is most fitting to begin this paper on a dedication note offered to Alcyone, the eldest of the Seven Sisters, the great star of the Individual and the star of Humanity. Alcyone is the star, which governs the month and sign of Aquarius in the same way, for example, that Sirius, the Dog Star governs its opposite sign Leo. At the full Moon of Aquarius the energies of Alcyone pour through and are at their most intensified peak in the annual cycle. Alcyone is the great illuminating and guiding star of the third Human center. Above and beyond all other stars Alcyone is expressive of the cosmic Whole and best represents, as the Hub of the Wheel, the consummated point of effective light of the 12, the 7, the 3 and the 1.

It is Alcyone, the central star, which is the supreme symbol of the great process of Aquarian Group Initiation. Let me next continue by reminding us all of the goal of Aquarian Age as given by DK:

• Aquarius
  The Achievement of the Hierarchy - The self-consciousness of Leo gives place to the group consciousness of Aquarius.
  The FUTURE - The merging of the human center and the Hierarchy.
  Soul Expansion - Recognition of relation. [EA492]
  The work of the Fellow Craft - The building and service of the temple of humanity.

On the mystery of the relationship between the seven forms of light, the substance of the seven planes and their relationship to the 12 forms of Light of the 12 Creative Hierarchies, the Tibetan is not free to expound because such explanations and cosmic correlations pertain, as he says, to “the mysteries of the higher initiations”. I simply make the statement so that all who read this realize my relative inadequacy of Knowledge; a feeling I’m sure we must all feel. With that disclaimer in hand, I can say that in my attempt to shed any light at all on this theme, I have strictly endeavored to follow the trail of the path indicated by the “paralleling” statement and then sought to ring out the changes and exercise the Law of Correspondence and Analogy. As well, I have - through carefully constructed text reference -sought to adequately define the Whole of the paradigmatic framework, archetypal blueprints, abstract themes and integral concepts associated with the Occult cosmological interpretation of the  ‘expression of the whole

Here is the key sentence to begin our reasoning:

 “A paralleling statement would be that the light of the seven centers in man (when enhanced by the light of the seven planetary centers) and the five kingdoms in nature (7 + 5 = 12), plus the twelve lights of the zodiac will produce a consummation of "light" effectiveness which will make possible the expression of the whole. This is accomplished through the medium of humanity”.

Immediately we are given a reflexive microcosmic correspondence to study. And, this in theory, if and when successfully studied and accomplished should or may allow some light to be shed on the macrocosmic correlations which pertain to the higher mysteries.

In the first place; the augmentation of the seven centers in man by the seven planetary centers is governed under a great Law.  It is termed the Law of Supplementary Seven and I recommend reading it again in Rule VIII. The Rays and the Initiations, prior to proceeding with my commentary. In the second place Man is the five-pointed star or vehicle in manifestation. The 7 +5 = 12 stand for his completed nature as 12 is the number of the completed Temple. Again, occultly speaking, Man is composed of seven principles in a fivefold form. It is the fifth Initiation on the Atmic plane, which completes the perfection of Man in the Great Redemptive Planetary Effort.

We need next to define in technical astrological and zodiacal terms just what a Ray is. It is hard to avoid this type of explanation because of the ray/solar system/zodiacal framework of DK’s paralleling statement. Keep in mind; every cosmic Ray is dual that is, the recipient and custodian of energy of the seven solar systems and the 12 constellations. This is explained on page 26 of Esoteric Astrology.

“Proposition One - Every ray life is an expression of a solar life and every planet is therefore:

1.     Linked with every other planetary life.

2.     Animated by energy pouring into it from the seven solar systems, of which ours is one.

3.     Actuated by three streams of force:

a.     Coming from solar systems other than our own.

b.    Our own solar system.

c.     Our own planetary life.

Proposition Two - Each one of the ray lives is the recipient and the custodian of energies coming from

1.     The seven solar systems.

2.     The twelve constellations.

Before we penetrate further into the consideration of the definition of a solar ray, I would like to re-emphasize two points which D.K. makes:

First of all, that we are considering esoteric influences and not astrology, per se. Our subject is the seven rays and [27] their relationship to the zodiacal constellations - or - in other words - the interaction of the seven great Lives, which inform our solar system with the twelve constellations, which compose our zodiac.

Secondly, that we have necessarily to study these energies and their interplay from the angle of their effect upon the planet, and incidentally, their effect upon the forms in the various kingdoms of nature and particularly in connection with the fourth kingdom, the human, and with individual man - average man, the disciple and the initiate. [E.A.28]

“Upon this activity and its understanding depends the whole science of astrology; in this statement I give you a clue which may some day revolutionize the present approach to astrology”. [D.K.]

Furthermore, we have been advised, that the center/ray/number/ and figure values will have to be self-ascertained and the subject of human research. We have been informed that the necessary hints and clues have already been given to enable the human center to unfold the third phase of the Ageless Wisdom Teachings based upon the correct understanding and correlation of Phase I and Phase II through H.P.B. and A.A.B.

In Destiny of the Nations D.K. says:

“I cannot give you the relation of the planetary centers to the human being. Too much knowledge would be given too soon and prior to the time when there is enough love present in human nature to offset the possible misuse of energy with its often-disastrous consequences. The colors, [106] the mathematical rate of the higher vibrations, which emanate from the centers - individual and planetary - and the quality (esoterically understood) of the energies must be the subject of human research and self-ascertained. The clues and the hints have been given in the Ageless Wisdom.

From this statements of the Tibetan’s the entire onus and responsibility in the next immediately available unfoldment of the Ageless Wisdom is squarely on the Human center.  One suggestive thought that I would venture is that the Key Note is the Unified Sound of the Perfect 10  “ perfectly keyed” to the numerical values and mathematical “notes” of the Seven Rays and their corresponding Centers, macrocosmic and microcosmic, precise mathematical rates of vibration, rhythm and cycles of emanatory impulses. I link this to the Perfect 10 of the Ashram of SK, as well.  We must try to scientifically and accurately hear and reproduce  the right rate of vibration and key note sounds of the Seven Rays on the physical plane. A lengthy study, extensive meditation, visualization and an applied scientific knowledge of the correct ray value figures and colors is certainly, in my view necessary prior to bringing about the results specified in Rays and the Initiations in Rule VIII .The Law of Supplementary Seven. I would offer or suggest the thought that meditation and visualization on the numerical formula and geometric symbols of the Seven Rays would help result automatically to begin to establish a synchronous vibration and chronological contiguity between the Seven Lesser or microcosmic centers and the Greater Seven planetary or macrocosmic centers.

Now, take a quick look at Rule VIII again for a moment,

Rule VIII.

For Disciples and Initiates: Let the group find within itself response to the greater seven groups which carry out the hierarchical will with love and understanding. The group contains all seven, the perfect group. The lesser seven, the greater seven and the planetary seven form one great whole, and these the group must know. When this is realized and the Law of the Supplementary Seven is understood, let the group understand the Three and then the ONE. This they can do with the united breath and the unified rhythm.

1. The seven greater groups - The seven groups or Ashrams within the Hierarchy.

The Hierarchy

• These carry out the hierarchical will, which is love.
• They work through love and understanding.
• Each is presided over by a Chohan and a group is called an Ashram.
• These major Ashrams have many affiliated Ashrams, presided over by a Master on the same ray as the Chohan, and are capable at any moment of being absorbed into the primary Ashram.
• The perfect or complete group is the Hierarchy itself, containing all the seven major Ashrams and their affiliates.

2. The Planetary seven groups - The seven rays, the central septenate of energy.

Shamballa

• These embody the will of Shamballa, which is divine purpose.
• They work as life energy, as quality, and produce appearance.
• Each is presided over by one of the seven Spirits before the Throne; by one of the seven Ray Lords.
• Each of these rays has its seven subrays, which relate it to all the other rays.
• These seven rays can, under divine purpose, be reabsorbed into the Three and then into the One.

3. The lesser seven - The seven types of men and also the seven root races.

Humanity

• These embody the intelligence of the Logos as it expresses itself through creativity.
• They are learning to work intelligently with matter in order to develop love in response to divine purpose - which is will or life.
• Each of the seven types, responsive to one or [151] other of the seven rays, is conditioned or ruled by its prototype, the soul on its own plane.
• These major types or races of men have many subraces and subsidiary types, developed during the evolutionary process; all will eventually demonstrate the seven major types.
• The perfect type is the Christ, the Heavenly Man, Who expresses all the major types and Who is the "pattern of things as they are."

4. The supplementary seven - The seven centers of energy in the individual man.

Humanity

• These together embody the combined forces of the planetary life as registered by the perfected individual. They will eventually enable the man to achieve perfection.
• They enable the individual to respond to material forces, to soul energy and spiritual life, and they constitute a complete response apparatus to the planetary life, purpose, intent and form.
• Each of the seven centers is responsive to one or other of the seven rays and their qualities under the conditioning energy of the soul ray and the forces, emanating from the environment.
• These centers develop progressively and under the impact of circumstances and the Law of the Supplementary Seven, but all will eventually express in some measure the seven types of ray energy.
• The Law of the Supplementary Seven can be worded as follows:

"The Law demands the entrance of that which can effect a change.
The Law demands that right direction should then guide the entering forces.
The Law demands that the changes thus effected remove the form, bring quality to light and lay the emphasis upon life. [152]
The Law demands that this is brought about by the One, working through the Three, energizing the Seven and creating the straight line from there to here, and ending in a point which ignores the Three."

1. The work, which the initiate must accomplish within himself.
2. The group relations of the initiate and his absolute need to work with his group and as an integrated and conscious part of it.
3. The place which invocation and evocation must take as instruments in his pledged intelligent service.
4. The blending of the four lessons which the applicant has to master and the four lessons which the initiate has to complete in order that a complete fusion of personality and Monad can be brought about.
5. The significance of resurrection and ascension, particularly the latter, because little has been given out to date anent ascension.

This Law of the Supplementary Seven is concerned with the inflow of energy from the seven planetary centers to the seven groups or types of men, via the seven groups within the Hierarchy. In this work of transmission the seven centers of the initiate are used as agencies; their work, therefore, is not the interrelated work of right transmission of energy within the septenary constitution of the etheric body of the individual initiate, implementing his life expression, but is the task of being responsive to the seven types of planetary energy which are received in a pure state. It is then channeled through the seven centers, in the initiate's etheric vehicle and out into the world of men as regenerative and constructive forces. These living spiritual energies - transmitted by the individual initiate from the planetary centers - are handled by him under a great uniform plan and are the means whereby salvation (to use an old familiar word) can come to the aid of humanity. This is the "saving force" in its various aspects, of which the Great Invocation speaks: "The hour of service of the Saving Force has now arrived". (The Externalization of the Hierarchy, Page 249.) [159] The high Initiates (Those above the rank of Master) work with the energies coming from the seven planets of the solar system at this time active; these feed or implement the seven planetary centers. But initiates below the rank of Master apply the Law of the Supplementary Seven, and they are therefore working solely with the seven centers within the Form of the One in Whom we live and move and have our being

It becomes clear how necessary it is to know the figures for the cycles of emanatory impulses of the seven Universal Rays and to further realize that there is a great uniform Lodge Plan Cosmic, Solar, Planetary and Human and an identical mathematical standard precisely applied throughout the sevenfold inter-related centers of the cosmic Whole. But, besides knowing the figures for the seven types of spiral-cyclic ray emanations we also need to be fully cognizant of the role, place, function and purpose of the 12 signs of the Zodiac and their transition and interlude figures both in and between any two signs in the cycle of the greater zodiac. D.K clearly informs us, archetypically speaking, of the Higher Cosmic Correspondences and the true Symbol of what the 12 constellations of the zodiac actually constitute as one center or One Cosmic Whole, within the Great cosmic body of the OAWNMBS. In The Rays and the Initiations, Part Two, Introductory Remarks, D.K. states:

"The zodiacal wheel is itself essentially a cosmic center; it is a twelve petalled lotus, but it is a twelve petal led lotus within the thousand-petal led lotus of an unknown cosmic Entity, the One referred to in my earlier books as the One About Whom Naught May Be Said."

Keep in mind as well; "It must be remembered that, from certain angles, the circle of twelve signs or constellations constitutes a special unity which revolves within our universe of heavens as our planet revolves in the center of our circle of influences." (Esoteric Psychology II, pg.196)

And:

The wheel, therefore, moves not only clockwise, but both ways at once and also at right angles to itself. [EA.370]

Furthermore, as we do know based upon the Law of Correspondence and Analogy, there is a direct between the 12 petal led center in the Highest head center and the 12 petals of the cosmic Logoic Heart center within the body of the OAWNMBS.

The center in the cosmic body of the ONE ABOUT WHOM NOUGHT MAY BE SAID of which our solar Logos is the embodied force is the heart center. Here we have one of the clues to the mystery of electricity. The sacred planets, with certain allied etheric spheres within the ring-pass-not, are parts of that heart center, and are 'petals in the Lotus,' or in the heart center of that great unknown Existence Who stands to the solar Logos as He in His turn stands to the Heavenly [512] Men Who are His centers, and specially as He stands to the particular Heavenly Man Who is the embodied force of the logoic Heart center. Therefore, it will be apparent to the careful student that the entire force and energy of the system and its life quality will be that which we call (having perforce to use handicapping, misleading words) LOVE. This will account for the fact that the force that plays through that cosmic heart center will be the paramount force found in the manifestation of a solar Logos, and of a Heavenly Man; it will likewise produce its microcosmic analogy, and reflective reactions; hence the relative importance of the astral permanent atom within the causal periphery. It is in the direct line of active force emanating from the cosmic existence, and passing to it in ever lessening degree, via the solar Logos in His system of love, and the planetary Logos within a scheme, the Dragon of Wisdom-Love. [T.C.F.512]

"The solar system is (from the higher cosmic planes) seen as a vast blue lotus and so on down the scale; even the tiny atom of substance can be so considered... The solar system is a twelve-petal led lotus, each petal being formed of forty-nine lesser petals. [TCF.1018]

They are, therefore, one and all an expression of His love nature, and it is for this reason that buddhi is found at the heart of the tiniest atom, or what we call in this [1226] system, electric fire. For the positive central life of every form is but an expression of cosmic buddhi, and the down pouring of a love which has its source in the Heart of the Solar Logos; this is itself an emanating principle from the ONE ABOVE OUR LOGOS, HE OF WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID. [T.C.F.1226]

Our sun is the embodiment of the heart, or love aspect, of the Logos (Who is Himself the heart of ONE ABOUT WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID) [T.C.F.156]

The next step is to grasp or understand the nature of the intimate connection and relationship of the circle of seven solar systems within the circle of the 12 constellations and appreciate the unproven “occult fact” that they share the same cosmic center, the great “star of the Individual” Alcyone, the Central Spiritual Sun. Both wheels form major centers within the Cosmic Great Body of the OAWNMBS; both wheels therefore revolve around the “Star of the Individual.

The Tibetan does say:

Ponder on this and remember also that our Sun is traveling through space (carrying our solar system along in its sphere of influence) around our own central and conditioning star, which it has been rightly presumed, exists in the constellation Taurus, the Bull, being found in the Pleiades. At the same time it appears, from the standpoint of our planet, to be passing through the twelve signs of the zodiac; this is a symbol macrocosmically considered, of the dramatic centralized point of view of the individual human being, the microcosm. It is interesting to [E.A.112] compare the symbolism and the underlying truth connected with the lesser and the greater zodiacs and with their twelve-month and their 25,000-year cycles. They bear out much that I have given you anent the soul, influenced by the esoteric planets eventually, and the personality, influenced by the orthodox planets. The greater zodiac is symbolic of the soul and the lesser of the personality. In the personality cycle, the lesser zodiac conditions the personality career and the twelve planetary houses are of dominant importance. Later the influence of the twelve signs supersedes the influence of the planets.

The great sweep of the sun around the greater zodiac (a period of 250,000 years, or a complete round) came to an end when the sun entered Pisces over two thousand years ago. This process of passing out of, or entering into, a particular sign and cyclic influence covers a period of five thousand years where this greater round or cycle is concerned. This period of five thousand years covers the complete cycle of transition until complete freedom to function under the inspiration of the new sign is completed. We are, therefore, not yet free from incidental turmoil. [EA]

Our ray charts as given by DK change every 25,000 years as we [Sol] transits out of one sign in to the next sign in the cycle of the Greater Zodiac. In other words, as DK says just before giving the famous tabulation X the ray relationships to the signs of the zodiac are relative only for a 25,000-year period.

Question: What are the figures incidental to the orbital revolutionary sweeps of the other six solar Logoi around the Central Spiritual Sun? Our sun [Sol] takes 250,000 years and so we know that the dual cipher “25” is a key cipher for one type of spiral-cyclic force from out of the seven types. We know that we have ray and zodiacal cycles base on “25” from the 250,000 year cycle to 25,000 year, 2,500 to 250 to even the 25 year hierarchical cycle of conclaves within every 100 year first ray racial period of the Planetary Manu.  For instance, how long does the Great Bear spend in each sign of the Zodiac, of the Pleiades or Draco? What are the transition and interlude figures for the sweep of the other six solar Logoi through the 12 signs in the cycle of the Greater Zodiac?  The Tibetan has given us the figures for the transition and interlude figures for our Sun. For example, to continue the path of enquiry we might do well to ask the subsequent logical question; what is the period of the orbital revolutionary sweep of the sun Sirius around Alcyone? We must do this because “In His turn, the Sirian Logos forms one of the seven Grand Heavenly Men, who are the centers in the body of ONE OF WHOM NOUGHT MAY BE SAID. [T.C.F.572] We must also ask what Logoic etheric center from out of the seven, is it the expression? Is its motion based on the number “5”? Sirius B, for illustration, does orbit Sirius A in a 50-year period! Is the orbital revolutionary sweep of Sirius 500,000 years, twice that of our sun but half that of the proposed 1,000,000 year sweep of the Bear around Alcyone.

Further, I think we would do well to remind ourselves have the fact of the Pleiades and that they are an expression of one Major of sevenfold center in the body of the OAWNMBS. If so, what are their respective ray periods and sweep around the Central Cosmic Sun? Obviously they are closest to the cosmic Sun as Alcyone itself is one of the Seven Sisters, the Eldest, I could only imagine. As logic would dictate, their revolutionary cycle is the shortest out of the seven cycles.

And what just as importantly, do we do with the figures for the first ray sweep of the Great Bear? We do know that:

All that originates on the first Ray is controlled by spiral-cyclic impulses based on the number 10 and its multiples such as 100, 1,000, 100,000 and 1,000,000. These figures are given out by A.A.B., on page 265 of Esoteric Psychology I.

The seven stars in the constellation of the Great Bear are the correspondences to the seven head centers in the body of that Being, greater than our Logos. [TCf.183]

"The first 'seven stars' are not planetary. They are the leading stars of seven constellations, which turn [656] around with the Great Bear (S.D. Vol. III, 195) 

Or, take the case of the solar Logos of Draco, the Dragon:

A hint lies in the fact that the constellation of the Dragon has the same relation to the ONE greater than our Logos as the center at the base of the spine has to a human being. It concerns stimulation, and vitalization with a consequent coordination of the manifesting fires.

Draco is therefore, the expression of one of the seven systemic Ray Centers revolving around the central Sun of the OAWNMBS.  The questions to ask, once again, are the following: what is the length of time of its revolutionary sweep around the cosmic Sun and how much time does it spend it each sign in the cycle of the greater zodiac?

So the further questions we must ask here is what are the transition period and interlude figures for the sweep of the seven solar Logoi through the cycle of the greater zodiac.

Again, I forward the thought that the keynote or Key sound is the cosmic “voice” of the Unified Septenary circle of inner solar ray Logoi and is based on the Perfect “10” of the cosmic whole and composed of the specific mathematical rates of vibration of the Seven Ray Centers.

A close study of Rule X TWM  is key to understanding the dual relations existing between the circle of seven and the wheel of 12. A close study of Rule X in a TWM goes much further to shed light on the solar Logoic ray relations to the solar zodiac of 12 signs and the seven planetary centers of our solar system.

When, through meditation and service, plus the discipline of the lunar bodies, a man comes consciously and definitely under his soul ray, then he comes as definitely under the influence of one or other of the seven solar systems, as they focus their energy through one or other of the [12 signs] constellations …[T.W.M.438]

This circle of solar systems affects paramount the soul and it becomes the focal point of spiritual energies. This is the problem of the soul on its own plane, - responsiveness to these types of energy, and, of them, the personality is totally unaware. [T.W.M.438]

The inner group of seven major or systemic energies produces their effect upon the man who is living above the diaphragm, and work through the seven representative centers in the head. Four of them focus through the throat center, the heart center, the ajna and head centers. Three are held latent in the region of the head centers (the thousand petal led lotus) and only enter into functioning activity after the third initiation. It will be evident therefore how complicated from the standpoint of the horoscope (as well as of the individual problem) is this meeting of the energies of two types of constellations in the case of the man who is neither purely human nor purely spiritual.

[Note DK’s phrasing: two types of constellations – seven solar systems and 12 signs].

I proposition that the seven types of spiral-cyclic solar Ray energy are based upon the orbital revolutionary periods of the seven solar Logoi as they sweep around Alcyone and pass through the 12 signs is the cycle of the greater zodiac. It is unacceptable philosophically, astrologically, astronomically and certainly cosmologically not to link the emanating source of the seven types of spiral-cyclic motions to the seven solar Rays and, further speaking, in fact, quite unsound not to link their key notes as originating from the principle Laya Centers which form the body of the inner circle of “seven solar systems” as given to us by the Tibetan.

The cycles of the Greater and Lesser Zodiac form the 12 + 12 = 24 = Shamballa mathematical equation given by DK in RI’s which we all know so well.

The shamballa Whole is symbolized by the union of the 12 of the lesser cycle of the zodiac with the 12 of the greater cycle of the zodiac. The circle or path of the “greater” seven and the “lesser” seven both take place within the circumscribed arena of the 12-pedaled cosmic heart center in the 1000 petaled head center of the OAWNMBS. DK says:

The number 24 is of deep interest, expressing as it does the double 12 - the greater and the lesser zodiac. Just as the number 6 expresses space, so the number 24 expresses time, and is the key to the great cycle of manifestation. It is the clue to all cyclic appearance or incarnation. Its two figures define the method of evolution; 2 equals the quality of love-wisdom, working under the Law of Attraction and drawing man from one point of attainment to another; whilst 4 indicates the technique of conflict and the achieving of harmony through that conflict; 4 is also the number of the human hierarchy, and 2 is the number of the spiritual hierarchy.

In conclusion I can only reaffirm my basic and fundamental proposition that the Key Sound of the Aquarian Age is based upon the Key Notes of the greater and lesser Centers of the Seven Universal Rays of the One cosmic Lodge.  I believe that Alcyone, at the Hub of the Wheel is the cosmic source of the Key Sound. [the six revolve around the mysterious seventh] Our discipleship group task is to align our individual seven centers with the planetary centers. One of our principle tasks is now to figure out the ray/center numbers – macrocosmic and microcosmic - and get to work in a more scientific and truly occult, not mystical mode. To best accomplish this we need to first factually know their numerical values,  mathematical rates of rhythm, and emanatory cycles.