by Leoni Hodgson [updated Jan 2010]
PMAFA, DMNZAS, MSE (Psych), Ph.De Esotericism
Astrologers and Numerologists are always looking at numbers or planet movements in order to try to ascertain upcoming trends and cycles. There are many systems of numerology. I thought it might be useful from an esoteric viewpoint, to look at how numbers affect humanity on a global scale, and how human consciousness is shaped and moulded by the influences which condition the human psyche year by year – the Seven Rays.
1. THE SEVEN RAYS
The Seven Rays are the seven forces wielded by the Absolute Creator to build the universe (all forms and Souls), and to have a Spiritual experience through the pageantry of these players on the stage of life. The orthodox numerologist should merge current understanding of the numbers, with the following. For more information read Alice A. Bailey’s Esoteric Psychology volumes I and II.
The three major rays of “the Father”
1. Ray One of Will and Power (1)
It is easy to reconcile the traditional understanding which numerologists have of the number "1", with the description given in this Ray 1 paragraph. When "1" is potent in the personality, then very powerful and often arrogant characteristics will be seen.
Ray 1 is the creative-destroying force of the universe – volcanoes erupting, earthquakes, tsunamis, war, death, destruction, all followed by the bursting forth of new life and new beginnings. In human nature it gives tremendous power, strength, will, courage and fearlessness. It focuses upon the “I”. Ray 1 types are rulers and leaders – statesmen, managers, statesmen, governors, supervisors, politicians, judges, law enforcers, military personnel, pioneers, explorers, the matriarch who rules the family with a rod of iron. Examples are Mohandas Ghandi, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela.
Strengths: Strength of will, courage, fearlessness. Dynamic power to lead, govern, direct. Power to synthesise, centralise, initiate. Power to preserve values, to establish and enforce the law. Independence and detachment; large mindedness. Power to destroy, liberate old forms.
Weaknesses: Wilful, anger, violence, controlling. Unrelenting ambition, pride. Impatient, power-hungry. Inhibited, suppresses, stubborn. Separateness, isolationist. Hardness, cruelty, arrogance.
Historical Ray 1 figures: Patton, Franklin Roosevelt, Charlemagne, Anwar Sadat, Chancellor Bismarck, Adolph Hitler, Mohandas Gandhi, Mikhail Gorbachev, Hercules, Winston Churchill, Mussolini, Margaret Thatcher, Paul Keating, Khrushchev, Luther, Carlyle, Walt Whitman, Napoleon, Kitchener.
2. Ray Two of Love-Wisdom (2)
Numerologists have always used the "2" as dualism and a primary symbol of relationships, and this is confirmed by the universal force of Ray 2. Other interpretations however such as 'submissiveness and the feminine' need to be questioned when viewed esoterically, because this is the cosmic ray of love, of unification and of wisdom. Above all else it is potentially the most powerful (although still undeveloped in most) force in nature. When "2" is potent in the personality, then gentle, loving and inclusive characteristics will be seen.
Ray 2 is the attractive and magnetising force of the universe, which draws life and matter together, to build the stars, planets and all form life. Then in man, from the merging of Father-Mother, the Son (consciousness, soul) arises, and evolves from ignorance to wisdom. Our solar system is governed by the second ray, and there are more ray two souls on Earth, than on any of the other rays. Ray 2 focuses on “we.” There are two distinctive Ray 2 groups – those who represent the love aspect and are drawn to go into healing, and those who represent wisdom and are drawn to education. Both groups are the embodiment of love and wisdom and are the most charismatic and magnetic group of souls. They are reformers and humanitarians, and many are drawn to work in religion.
Love Types: Strengths – Loving wisdom, serene, composed. Inclusive, empathetic, sympathy, compassion. Exquisite sensitivity. Tolerant, patient, tactful, faithful. Magnetic, attractive love. Power to salvage and redeem. Power to heal through love.
Weaknesses – Express emotions indiscriminately. Binds others through a need to be loved, over attachment. Impressionable, vulnerable, fearful, overprotective, hypersensitive. Non assertive, inferiority complex, self-pity.
Wisdom types: Strengths – Clear perception, intelligence. Power to teach, heal, illumine. Love of pure truth. Clear understanding.
Weaknesses – Cold and indifferent. Over absorbed in study. Scorns mental limitation in others.
Historical and Famous Figures: Buddha, Christ, Plato, Pythagoras, Albert Schweitzer, Abraham Maslow, Mother Theresa, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, Alice Bailey.
3. Ray Three of Active Intelligence (3)
Number "3" has always been regarded as symbolic of expansion and growth, and many numerologists have linked 'intelligence' with this number, confirming the correctness of this when compared to Ray 3. When "3" is potent in the personality, an active mind and natural intelligence will be displayed.
Ray 3 is the force of the Mind of God as it works through substance. It is the highly fertile and intelligent activity of matter itself (3rd Aspect, Holy Ghost, Mother), which naturally and easily adapts itself to suit its environment. It is the proliferation of nature, covering the earth with an active blanket of life. It is form life which knows exactly what it needs to do to reproduce, to nourish itself, and to survive, the apotheosis of which is – the personality! This is the third ray at work in the universe, and it is always concerned with the material and external. This ray develops human intelligence, and produces individuals who can master the complexities of the modern civilised world, and excel in all its fields. Vocations which come under this ray are, business people, financiers, entrepreneurs, alchemists, chemists, astrologers, astronomers, physicists, mathematicians, tacticians, strategists. Examples of people with ray three somewhere in the make-up are Albert Einstein, Aristotle, Bill Gates, Richard Branson.
Strengths: Acute, powerful intellect; capacity for rigorous analysis. Great mental fertility and creativity. Wide ranging, philosophical, and abstract mind, wide views on all abstract questions. Ability to plan, strategise, theorise, speculate. Skilful, influential communicator, facility with language. Great activity and adaptability. Power to manipulate. Power to understand and explain complexly woven patterns. Executive/ business skill, good with money, philanthropic.
Weaknesses: Intellectual pride. Devious, untruthful, deceitful. Manipulative, calculating, an opportunist. Excessive thought without practical action, scattered reasoning. Hyperactive, restless wasted motion, disorder, chaos, busyness. Amoral materialism, excessive materialism. Chameleon, always changing.
Historical and Famous Figures: Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russel, J.D. Rockefeller, Isaac Asimov, Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, Machiavelli, Shylock, F Krupp, Jack Nicholson, Lucretia Borgia
The four minor rays of “Mother-Intelligence”
4. Ray Four of Harmony through Conflict (4)
The traditional understanding of number "4" is that it symbolises all that is solidly earth-bound, practical and four-square. This is correct and based upon the incarnation of the soul into matter. But when it is linked to Ray 4, the true esoteric power of "4" can then be seen. It is the force which bridges the spiritual worlds and the worlds of man, and symbolises the war which occurs between spirit and matter, between the beauty of spiritual beingness and the earthbound selfish ego. When the higher trinity – spirit, controls the ego, then beauty and harmony – on earth and shining through the form nature, is the result. When "4" is potent in the personality, creative and artistic characteristics will be seen, and often rebelliousness and emotionalism.
This is the ray-force of conflict and war. It rules the Human Kingdom, hence the struggle and conflict which seems so distinctive of our race. But it is also called the Ray of Beauty, because when all differences are resolved and all parts come together into a harmonious whole, the result is glorious. Artists can be found on any ray, but there seems to be a preponderance of them on R4 – composers, musicians, writers, and all entertainers. Mediation, counselling and peace-making belong to this ray.
Strengths: Facility for bringing harmony out of conflict. The capacity to grow spiritually and psychologically through constant crises and struggle. Capacity to reconcile, to achieve "at-one-ment", to compromise, mediate and ‘bridge’ opposites. Love of beauty, ability to create and express exquisite beauty. Strong imagination and intuition. Love of colour, strong sense of drama. Abundant creativity, musicality, ability to entertain, amuse, delight. Spontaneity and improvisation. Fighting spirit, courage, ability to make peace.
Weaknesses: Constant inner/ outer conflict, excessive moodiness. Self absorbed in suffering, worry, agitation. Artistic temperament, unregulated passions, exaggeration, temperamental, dramatic displays. Inertia, indolence, procrastination, indecisive. Unpredictable, unstable activity patterns. Overeager for compromise, moral cowardice. Fights for sake of fighting, confused combativeness, swings to extremes.
Historical and Famous Figures: Michelangelo, Pablo Picasso, Dostoyevsky, Shakespeare, Salvador Dali, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Dylan Thomas, Eugene O'Neil, Ludwig van Beethoven, Isadora Duncan, Pablo Picasso, Benevento Cellini, Richard Wagner, Robert Burns (poet), Wolfgang Mozart, Franz Schubert, Clause Debussy, Giacomo Rossini, Leonardo da Vinci, Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh, El Greco, Edgar Allen Poe, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Felix Mendelssohn, Anna Pavlova, Raphael.
5. Ray Five Concrete Mind and Science (5)
Number "5" is definitely representative of change, and has been linked to the intellect through Mercury by some numerologists. Its true esoteric purpose and power is seen when viewed as the fifth ray of nature, the force of mind when used by man in very practical ways – to understand the world in which he lives. When "5" is potent in the personality, it enhances the power of the lower mind so that often people have good mechanical mental processes, and a natural orientation towards science and scientific thought.
This ray-force governs the Aryan (in consciousness) race, and the development of the discriminating and scientific mind. It has brought about the enquiring, questioning nature which launches man to search for answers about himself and his place in the world. But it becomes a problem when over-emphasised. For then facts and knowledge are used to find differences, and to divide and attack – the separative spirit is the cause of all sin on Earth. It produces scientists, electricians, engineers, inventors, analysts, surgeons, lawyers, technicians, psychologists, astrologers, detectives, etc. Historical examples are Thomas Edison, Louis Pasteur, Charles Darwin, Alan Leo, Rudolph Steiner.
Strengths: Keen, focused intellect, scientific mind. Highly developed powers of analysis and discrimination. Capacity to think and act scientifically. Power to define. Accuracy and precision in thought and action. Detached objectivity. Facility with mathematic calculation. Technical expertise, mechanical ability. Lucidity of explanation. Common sense and rejection of non-sense. Power to discover through research, investigation, experimentation.
Weaknesses: Excessive mental activity. Over-analysis, rigid and set thought patterns. Ultra-rational, over detailed. Lack of intuitive sensitivity. Narrowness and prejudice. Separativeness and judgment. Seeks to control through knowledge. Excessive objectivity. Lack of emotional responsiveness and magnetism; social awkwardness.
Historical and Famous Figures: Louis Pasteur, Gregor Mendel, Thomas Edison, Wright Brothers, Charles Darwin, Niels Bohr, Galileo, Isaac Newton.
6. Ray Six Devotion and Idealism (6)
Number “6” has long been viewed as a number symbolising compassion and love, and this latter is correct when interpreted strictly as the conditional love of earth-bound souls. “6” is man’s attempt to love which is limited and flawed. The true number of love is “2”. When "6" is strong in the personality very emotional, intense, passionate and fervent 'servers' and 'believers' are seen.
Ray 6 is related to the Astral Plane, and is the force of idealism and burning desire. It gives the energy of fiery devotion, unshakeable loyalty, a self-sacrificial nature – for an ideal, a cause or a leader. On the personality level Ray six souls are idealistic, pure, good, saints, earnest, trusting, sincere, profoundly humble, and their unstinting service to the poor and suffering is legendary. Mother Theresa is an outstanding example. Ray six types are drawn to religious and service vocations – the mystic, devotee, the saint, preacher, evangelist, missionary, church official, martyr, orator, the active philanthropist, reformer, service men and women, nurse, aide, carers. Examples of strong ray six types are Joan of Arc, Martin Luther King, Florence Nightingale and President Jimmy Carter.
Strengths: Transcendent idealism. Power of abstraction. Intense devotion, self-sacrificial, self-sacrificial ardour. Receptive to spiritual guidance. Ability to achieve ecstasy and rapture. Earnest, sincere. Utter loyalty, unshakeable faith, undimmed optimism. One-pointed, single-minded, unflagging persistence. Profound humility. Purity, goodness, sainthood.
Weaknesses: Rigid idealism. Unreasoning devotion, ill considered loyalty. Excess; extremism; hyper-intensive; overdoing. Unvarying one-pointedness in spite of evidence to contrary. Blind faith. Emotionalism. Selfish and jealous love. Too dependent on others, unwise susceptibility to guidance. Superstition and gullibility; lack of realism. Unnatural suppression of the instinctual nature. Masochism, the martyr-complex, self abasement. Easy to be involved with fanatical (mob) behaviour. Fanaticism and militarism.
Historical and Famous Figures: Jesus of Nazareth, Joan of Arc, Ayatollah Khomeini, Jane Fonda, Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Ronald Reagan, Pete Seager, Rev Jesse Jackson, Jimmy Carter, Sir Galahad, Martin Luther King, Florence Nightingale.
7. Ray Seven of Ceremony, Order and Magic (7)
Number “7” has been viewed by many numerologists as being a number involving ‘going into retreat’ and also sacrifice, and is often associated in this regard with Neptune. Esoterically, this sacrifice is a result of the pain and suffering which occurs when souls are too attached to their material possessions – Ray 7 rules the physical plane. In the cycle of numbers from 1 to 7 it is the last number, so when strong in the life does teach the necessity of learning to “let go” and move on. Although it is a number which gives power to organised earth life, Ray 7 also rules ritual and magic. Many “7’ people may be organised and earth-bound, others live with “fairies” and opt for an alternative lifestyle.
This lowest ray is related to the highest – ray one. It manifests God’s Plan on Earth. It is the manifesting ray, producing forms on the Physical Plane, which it rules. A seed is sown, and after a period of gestation a form is born on the physical plane – a baby, a creative work, an organisation. This is the seventh ray in action. Ray seven types are “manifesters” because they know how to work the rituals of life. They excel in any vocation which requires superior management and organising skill – business leaders, managers, politicians, organisers, alchemists, ritualists, designers, architects, stage director, magician, occultists.
Strengths: Power to create order out of chaos, to plan and organise. Power to manifest and to work upon the material plane. A keen sense of rhythm and timing, a natural ritualist. Power to work as a magician, to work with Devas and elementals. Power to perfect form, manage detail. Power to understand and implement the law. Power to renovate and transform. Power to build. Power to coordinate groups. Power to synthesise.
Weaknesses: Rigid orderliness and formalism; crystallisation. Over concern with rules, regulations, the “law.” Subservience to habit, excessive perfectionism. Superficial judgement based on appearances, a snob.
Meaningless, pompous ritual. Intolerance of individuality; lack of originality. Bigotry and sectarianism.
Addiction to occult phenomena, perversion of the magical process. Materialism; earth-bounded.
Historical and Famous Figures: Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Francis Drake Leonardo Da Vinci, General Kitchener, Aleister Crowley, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Merlin, Kofi Annan, Tony Blair, Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepburn.
—————————————————————————
The number "8" is a combination of rays 7 + 1 and is power manifested upon the physical plane.
This can be used for material purpose by the ego or for spiritual service by the soul.
The number "9" is a combination of 7 + 2 and is love manifested upon the physical plane.
This can likewise be used for material purpose by the ego or for spiritual service by the soul.
2. THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS CAN BE MAPPED BY ANALYSING THE FOUR DIGIT NUMBER SYSTEM WE USE TO NAME THE YEARS.
Example: 1953.
1. The first digit sets the tone and goal for 1000 years. Hence the goal of the “1” which underpinned the evolutionary goal for humanity in the last millennium was to develop individuality and self consciousness.
2. The second digit sets the tone and goal for 100 years. The development of individuality (1), was to be fine tuned by the nine vibration in the 1900’s. “9” is a synthesising number, so the development of a holistic and more philosophical attitude in human consciousness, was the goal. This would help balance the self centred and selfish tendencies of “1”. As a consequence, a more integrated and interdependent society emerged into the 21st century.
3. The third number is in effect for ten years. The fifties was intended to be a decade of change and movement, fundamental qualities of the “5”. Humanity still remained in a state of flux following the end of the world war, as immigrants sought a new life in new countries. This transplanting of millions of people, and the introduction of their new ideas and culture upon the collective mind of their new country, would help achieve the goal of the “9”.
4. The last digit, that of any current year, remains in effect for twelve months. The purpose of this final number is to bring about certain specific results which:
1. Contribute to the goal of the current decade.
2. Contribute to the goal of the current century.
3. To the overall development of consciousness according to the millennium number.
For example: The “3” in 1953 brought in the vibration of the Active Intelligence Ray, and in that year the structure of DNA was worked out. This was a great intellectual feat for mankind.
This helped to change (5) how mankind viewed itself.
The discovery of genetic coding made a major contribution not only to scientific thought which belongs to the “5”, but also to philosophical thought which belongs to “9”.
All these number effects helped the overall “1” evolutionary goal in that millennium – to turn out self conscious human beings.
3. THE SPIRITUAL GOAL OF A MILLENNIUM WITH BASE NUMBER “2”
A millennium responding to the “2” vibration
brings in the power of Ray 2 of Love and Wisdom – the “2” millennium
is all about developing brotherly love in relationships.
Its purpose is the development of wiser and more loving ways of interacting with others. This is the goal on both a personal and global scale. Some of the Names of the Lord of R2, and therefore which give a clue to His purpose, are:
The Displayer of Glory, Lord of Eternal Love, The Cosmic Magnet, Giver of Wisdom, The Great Geometrician, The Radiance in the Form, The Cosmic Christ, The One who hides the Life, The Cosmic Mystery, The Light Bringer.
This millennium gives the Lord of Ray 2, the Lord of Love and Wisdom, a thousand years to develop these qualities in human consciousness. This is also the goal of the Solar Logos whose primary ray is “2”, and which is also a major ray of our Planet Logos. So one can see how vital this millennium is, not only to humanity but in larger schemes and cycles as well!
Paralleling this is the fact that we are also currently in the Aquarian Age. Its goal also happens to be the development of love and wisdom, to be expressed through the Aryan (intellectual) consciousness, – once it has been raised to a more universal or wiser level.
Have you noticed a different type of consciousness in children born since 2000? I have heard that many have had speech difficulties, seem to be a little backward in walking and communicating. My own grand daughter was one of these. She had Mercury retrograde when she was born an astrologers know this indicates slower development of communication, and introversion.
I suspect there is a tremendous re-orientation going on, as sensitive souls who are seeds for the “2” vibration and therefore ‘wired’ to be more considerate of others, try to cope with an atmosphere on earth which has been created by one thousand years of self centredness and gratification under the “1”. A few years may be needed for adjustment.
4. THE FIRST DECADE OF A NEW MILLENNIUM IS THE MOST VITAL SEEDING PERIOD FOR THE ENTIRE GREATER CYCLE
Based on the law of analogy, we can say that events which occur on earth during the first decade, set the tone for what can be expected in the future. The following list indicates the years which affect future decades and centuries.
Year 2000 sets the tone for the first ten years and for the entire first century.
Year 2001 sets the tone for the second decade (2010-2019) and for the second century (2100-).
Year 2002 sets the tone for the third decade (2020-2029) and for the third century (2200-).
Year 2007 sets the tone for the eighth decade (2070-2079) and for the eighth century (2700-).
And so on.
In the year 2007 [when the original paper was written]:
The world as a whole was bathed in the vibrations of “2” and “7”. The Lord of Love was seeking to seed His purpose in a more organised, fundamental, and generic way (7).
Ray 7 is called the Ray of Ceremony, Order and Magic. It is often called the manifesting ray, as many things previously conceived only in the mind, are birthed physically. Some of the Names of the Lord of Ray Seven are:
The Unveiled Magician, Worker in the Magical Art, Creator of the Form, Manipulator of the Wand, The Watcher in the East, Custodian of the Seventh Plan, Keeper of the Magical Word, The Temple Guardian, The Representative of God, The Lord of Death, The Whirling Fire, The Divine Alchemical Worker, Orienting Force.
In a “7” year, the 7th Ray should see major events occur upon the physical plane.
In 2007, perhaps the most important event along these lines, was that the debate about the health of the physical world upon which humans live – the reality of global warming, finally registered in the collective human psyche. Particularly so in the United States, and positive steps were taken by the international community to begin to formulate ways to combat the problem.
New magical-like scientific and technological wonders can be expected – especially in the health field. For example, 2007 saw the birth of personal genomics, where individuals can learn about themselves and improve their health by having their genome scanned and analysed.
You could expect to see leaders who are more group-oriented, who are more practical and organised in meeting the needs of suffering humanity, make their appearance. As an example, Kevin Rudd and his Labor Party were elected into office in Australia, after 11 years of the wealth-oriented Liberal coalition. The Labor party traditionally supports the rights of the workers and disadvantaged in society – and therefore is more closely aligned with the work of the Christ. A simple act of saying “sorry” to the Aboriginal people for the suffering endured under Australian Government policies over the last 150 years, was a milestone in right-human relations, and has helped bring white and black closer together.
A “7” vibration provides opportunity for occult workers, to manifest aspects of the Plan – specifically to do with the Reappearance of the Christ – since 7 is associated with the planet Neptune which is a symbol for Christ. [i] It is a year in which White Magic can be potently wielded by those who know how to express this force through occult meditation.
Seven is a number also associated with endings, sacrifice, sorrow, grief, letting go, and as a result – spiritual re-orientation. Seven type words could be “sadder, but wiser, the chastened one turns within.” The underlying purpose for any sorrowful events occurring in a “7” year, is to provide mankind with an opportunity to learn from its mistakes, and respond more wisely in the future. This will be a challenge for some time, since all those in power still have the number “1” powerfully resonating through their natures. It will require those who are in touch with the Soul, and are responding to the higher vibrations of the numbers and rays, to show humanity how to respond in a new and wiser way. I would expect there will be more of this type appearing amongst the crop of new world leaders over the coming years.
It is logical to think that since Neptune in a lower sense rules fundamentalist religious groups, ‘sorrow’ could continue to come via their machinations, as it has for so many years. But the old ways of responding to terrorist force – seeking an “eye for an eye”, a “1” type of response, is no longer appropriate. Now that humanity is in a “2” millennium, we need to learn to respond in line with Christ’s vibration. By dealing with the roots of the disaffection – and through intelligent negotiation, including all affected and involved parties. The Aquarian way!
5. INFLUENCE OF “9”
When the numbers 2007 are added together, we realise the digit “9”, which was also influential in that year. As well as being a number associated with wise realisations, 9 is also a number indicating major endings leading to new beginnings! This all fits with the above observations. For example, we should see the ending of certain world alliances (political, national, social), and the birth of new partnerships in the coming “1” year [2008 = 1].
Both the UK, Australia and the US are due for new political leaders in this period, and the new brigade will lay the foundation for a new 9 year cycle of inter-action.
The new Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, is in an ideal position now time-wise, to bring about necessary reforms and updates which will enable the UN to be more effective vehicle for the Christ, as it responds to world need.
On an individual level, analyse your own life to see what has become old and lifeless, and which needs to be shed in order for you to be unencumbered and free for the coming new cycle beginning next year! Figure out what you need to do in order to fulfil your soul destiny as a seed for the new age (because you are in incarnation now). The Christ energy is drawing closer to mankind, and is due to manifest around 2025. The collective response from aspirants, disciples and initiates will determine whether this revelation is delayed or on time! We are being presented with an opportunity as occult workers, to make a difference. What we do now and in the next few years will have reverberations for a thousand years! It is something to think about and respond to.
[i] “Christ is spoken of as Neptune” Esoteric Astrology 219
