I have analyzed here the point reached in our studies, as I am anxious for you to know as far as possible just where we stand in our attempt to throw the light of esoteric [408] understanding upon the present entirely exoteric study of astrology.

In no place have I attempted to give any of the mathematics connected with my statements in this series of astrological studies. Certain basic changes in the orientation of the Earth's axis are now taking place, and these will throw much confusion into the computations of astrologers. These changes are proceeding slowly and progressively and according to cosmic law. Whilst they are in progress, accuracy of computation and deduction is unattainable. When the orientation and "pointed direction" of the Earth's pole has again been stabilized, the new conditioning, mathematical figures can be again ascertained. There has indeed been no true accuracy since ancient Egyptian days. Anything now possible along these lines can only be regarded as approximate, and, therefore, certainty in analysis, prediction and interpretation is not possible. This whole subject is one of the greatest obscurity and quite incomprehensible to the average astrologer and certainly to the average student. I would remind you, however, that several times in the great life cycle of the Earth, there have been changing "polestars" and that our present polestar has not always held that position. This science itself recognizes.

At each of the great shifts in the Earth's axis, there has been upheaval, confusion and cataclysm, preceding reconstruction, stabilization and relative quiet. Of these macrocosmic events there are similar microcosmic correspondences in the lives of both humanity and individual man. Hence the present world crisis - though precipitated by human [409] error and sinfulness, by past Karma and emerging idealism (responsive to the development of the intellect and the appearance of the intuition) - is basically the result of much greater and vaster combinations of force currents in macrocosmic relations.

Briefly it might be said that the following cosmic and systemic causes are responsible for the present world crisis and the present difficult world situation:

1. A welling up of magnetic force on Sirius, which produces effects upon our solar system and particularly upon our Earth, via the Hierarchy.
2. A shift in the Earth's polarity, due to the pull of a great cosmic center. This powerfully affects the Earth's orientation and is responsible for the present earthquakes, and for the volcanic eruptions and the many earthquakes during the past one hundred and fifty years.
3. 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.
4. The passing of our Sun out of the sign Pisces into the sign Aquarius is another of the conditions bringing about the present confusion. This confusion of forces in the solar system is notably affecting our planet. In the process of passing from sign to sign, as for instance [410] transiting out of Pisces into Aquarius as is now the case, the period covered is approximately five hundred years.

These are points which astrologers would do well to consider. I would remind students again that when speaking of signs I am referring to the influences of the constellations as they are represented by the signs, calling to your attention that in the great evolutionary process and owing to certain shifts and astronomical-astrological discrepancies, the Sun is not in the constellation to which a particular sign refers at any given moment. This I called to your attention in an earlier part of this treatise.

5. Another factor little known is that the Moon today is disintegrating with increasing rapidity and this necessarily affects the Earth and produces terrestrial results.