In ancient days it was believed that the earth was the center of the solar system and that around it revolved the sun and all the other planets. This was the exoteric knowledge and position, though not the esoteric understanding. Later, when further discoveries brought more light to the human mind, our planet was decentralized and the truth was more clearly seen, though much remains as yet to be discovered and may even be of as revolutionary a nature. From certain astrological angles, a similar process of decentralization must take place and the solar system must no longer be regarded as a point around which the zodiac revolves or through which the sun passes in its great cycle of approximately 25,000 years. Astrologers with insight may deny that this is the commonly accepted attitude. Yet - for purposes of clarity and in connection with the general public - the inference is permitted and accepted by the ignorant. Upon this theory anent the zodiac rests very largely what we call the Great Illusion, and I would have [5] you bear this in mind as you study with me the newer approaches of this greatest and oldest of all the sciences. Astrology is a science which must be restored to its original beauty and truth before the world can gain a truer perspective and a more just and accurate appreciation of the divine Plan, as it is expressed at this time through the Wisdom of the Ages.

At present, the position of the average believer in astrology is that he is an individual of importance (at least to himself), that he is living on that important planet, the Earth (important to humanity), and that, through astrology, he can discover his destiny and know what he ought to do. In making this comment, I do not refer to those few astrologers who possess real esoteric knowledge. They are few in number indeed, and only a handful of them are to be found practicing at this time. The modern investigator likes to believe that on him impinge and through him flow all those energies which come from the sign in which the sun "finds" itself at the time of his birth. He regards himself [6] also as responsive to the various planets as they govern the houses in his horoscope and he believes that his life trends and circumstances are thus determined. This makes him feel himself to be a factor of isolated importance. Modern interpretations fail to emphasize the importance of the rising sign (the ascendant) and this has been due to the fact that few have been as yet ready to function as souls; small allowance has been made for the energies which play upon our planet all the time from other constellations or from the many "hidden" planets. Of these, the Ageless Wisdom claims that there are around seventy in our solar system.

I shall not, therefore, deal with the subject of esoteric astrology from the standpoint of the horoscope at all. Universal relationships, the interplay of energies, the nature of what lies behind the Great Illusion, the deluding "Appearances of things as they are," and the destiny of our planet, of the kingdoms in nature and of humanity as a whole - these will constitute the major part of our theme. [7]