Sabian Symbols: A teacher of chemistry
This universal idea is best expressed through planets in
Leo 18 (17° - 18°)ABILITY TO TRANSFORM
We can learn various techniques and policies that enable us to change our feelings and situations in life "Demonstrating knowledge of magick" Knowledge grows rather like a big old tree, having roots that go deep and branches that reach and spread. Anyone furthering an aspect of wisdom does so by continuing the chain of it, called silsila in Sufism, and they become an aspect of the transmission of its power. Knowledge is an energy-configuration and has the power, and in fact the purpose, to shift reality magically.
Rudhyar: A CHEMIST CONDUCTS AN EXPERIMENT FOR HIS STUDENTS |
|
|
|
A chemist conducts an experiment for his students
Instruction |
Learning and teaching life’s operating principles must surely result in happiness
It is a rare person who comes to understand the workings of the world well enough to teach of its mysteries. By extension, this symbol points to the processes whereby a mind has become strong and very clear – enough actually to show others how to shape life on earth. This is the magician – the master who demonstrates lordship over the circle that he chooses to influence. This elevated station can only be reached by penetrating into the depth of matters. The mysteries exist in the form of the relationship between things, symbols and people. It takes a sharp yet intuitive mind, fully focused and engaged, to understand the rules that govern these interactions. Unintelligent conformity to the ‘rule book’ – written by the blind to lead the blind – is the attitude of sheep, for whom comfort is more important than wisdom. Comfort is better utilised as a recuperative process until further adventures claim our attention, and in the same way any belief in the rule book is but a staging post towards real knowledge. For seekers, it is necessary to try things out before we accept them as true. Whatever ideas we may be offered for the explanation of life, we need to experiment with them, and also opposing viewpoints, and organise our experiences into a considered way of life – a path based on informed principles that work for us. These experiments take the form of our ambitions. If we cannot achieve our goals, then our ideas about the nature of reality are false – so we must change them. Above all else, the physical realm is an examination of our competence in demonstrating that we affirm abundance and not scarcity. The feedback we are looking for – to validate our hypotheses about how best to live – is happiness. For the creative optimist, life is delightful. When the default condition and underlying certainty of life is joy, then we know that we have found our place and path. We are only interested in questing for the meaning of life until we are happy with the way things are. Then, even teaching becomes unnecessary. |