In this rather long article we will be looking at the signs of the Zodiac through the lens of the Labours of Hercules as first envisioned by Alice Bailey. A lot may be paraphrased but mostly I have incorporated my own ideas into the text.
This information will prove valuable when you are looking for meaning in your life as you should see that your life and be summed up in the myths associated with each sign.
Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius PisceThe great beings told of their first summons, which Hercules, now resigned to his fate, accepted eagerly. Hercules was revived by this new sense of purpose and was confident of success. Rushing forward, he found himself in a new land, the land beyond the threshold. Each adventure has a new threshold and a new land where the plot can be played out.
This land was ruled by the son of Mars, Diomedes who raised horses which roamed wild and free among the marches of this land. These were the flesh eating mares which terrorised all in their path. They ate the flesh of all they caught and prospered well, breeding vivaciously with each generation serving only to increase their violent and pernicious natures.
The voice in Hercules' head said
“Go capture these Mares, save this land from the torments which they endure.”
Hercules issued to his life long friend Abderis to aid him in this his first task. Abderis, being such a friend abandoned his own doings and set of in unquestioned support. Plans were made together and together, with great courage and cunning, they cornered the mares within a field. Here Hercules, strong of arm and heart, tethered the diabolical mares of Diomedes
Hercules, flush with his success, was overjoyed and arrogance gained access to his heart. After such a success was it right that he, the mighty Hercules, should lead tethered mares. He called to his friend.
“Abderis, come drive these mares for me.”
Then he turned his back on them and full of pride marched on ahead. Abderis through was not up to the task, he did not possess the same physical strength as Hercules and the mares broke free. Now they turned on Abderis and viciously trampled him and tore the flesh from has broken bones. Thus they escaped and once more they were free to ravage the land but now they were even meaner than before.
Hercules, now wiser but humbled and discouraged, grief-stricken over the death of his friend, set off to redo his task alone. Tracking and chasing throughout the land Hercules went till eventually he was able to accomplish his first labour and the land was at last free from the roaming flesh-eating mares of Diomedes. But Abderis lay dead.
The great beings sent the mares to a place of peace where they were broken and tamed. The people of that land praised him and acclaimed him saviour of that land. The great being turned to Hercules and said
“Your first task it is done, but it was done badly. Learn the true lesson of this task and when this is known you may go forth again in service of humanity.”
You may have noticed that Hercules took on the characteristics of the sign involved, he was; eager, rash, confident, head-proud. He was ill prepared for failure. Each sign confers on man certain traits and characteristics which are to be understood before a full comprehension of the lessons of the sign can be gained. The labour would not have been possible were it not for these characteristics.
Aries is the first sign, the sign of creation. In the human being this sign marks the beginning of consciousness, of existence and the start of a journey which cycles through objective and subjective experiences on an evolutionary path.
Aries is the sign of outgoing power. In human form it is but a symbol of the divine energy streaming from the source, the same energy which eventually circles back on its self to create the arena of form, which gives to it dual direction either from the source towards the creation of form or from the experience of form reuniting with the source. The choice of polarity is with the user for in human terms we are at the switch point and the method is simply one of focus.
Aries represents the head, not only in the headlong rush which they attempt their tasks but in connection with the mind this is why the esoteric ruler of Aries is Mercury. Aries is the sign of beginnings and all beginning come from the mind. Our universe had its beginnings in the mind of God.
The Horse.
The symbolism of the horse has always been connected to intellectual activity. The white horse represents the enlightened mind and the black horse the lower mind, in the Book of Revelations we find Christ come forth riding a white horse. The breeding mares we find in this labour represent the feminine aspect of the mind which gives birth to ideas and concepts. Here we are introduced to the idea of the thought form which once born will be released upon the world. There they will be destructive and cruel or constructive and healing depending on their parentage, be it a lower mind or an illumined mind.
The Ruler Mars
Mars rules Aries, the god of war, and so Hercules begins his task as the warrior. But the esoteric ruler is Mercury so the battle must be fought on the mental plane. It is plain then that the first task is to do with the mastery of the mind. The conquest of the higher mind over the lower mind, this is the first task for any on a path of development and it is for those with Sun in Aries to round up the devastating, devouring, mares of wrong thought and show them for what they are.
The first lesson that every beginner has to learn is the awesome power of thought and the tremendous power he has, to inflict a great deal of harm on, not only himself but on his environment and those around him, through the brood mares of his mind. The Aries Sun must capture this feminine aspect of his mind, and bring it under the control of his higher self. This will require him to pay close and constant attention to his thoughts for a moment’s lapse and they will be gone ‘but Abderis lay dead’.
The second labour starts thus. The greater of the great beings asked
“Where is the one, the son of man and the son of God, the one whose light has shone forth, the one who dared to stand before us and willingly do what is bid.”
“He rests” came the reply. “and ponders on his failure, and mourns for Abderis, and seeks help within himself.”
“This is good, for it is well to rest and allow the gifts of failure to bring there rewards of success. Let him now stand and cross the next threshold and be at his labours once more.”
Hercules found himself at the second gate and a voice from the mists told him to pass through the gate into the land beyond and when the deed is done return and report once more.
This time alone and sad, aware of his needs and in deep distress he commenced his second labour. Once in the land the mists cleared and he could see the island where he knew dwelt the bull and the vast maze where great heroes had been lured only to find themselves in the bewilderment of the maze of Minos the King of Crete and the keeper of the Bull.
His task was to find the Bull and lead it to a place, a holy place, the land of the one-eyed men. He chased the Bull for mile upon mile always led by the shimmering star which shone from the forehead of the Bull. Alone he followed the Bull being led from place to place and always the star shone. At last he captured the great Bull and climbed upon its back. In the sky above the seven sisters urged him on and in the shimmering light he rode the Bull like a horse. Upon the waters he rode the star shinning before them. Onward he ventured to the land of the one-eyed men.
On the shore the three great Cyclops were waiting. As Hercules neared the shore he urges the Sacred Bull on. Once on the shore the three men grasped the Bull and Hercules relinquished his charge.
Hercules then returned to the great beings and told them of his success. The Sacred Bull is safely in the holy place and in the hands of the holy three. The great being responded with, “Within the light shall you see the light, walk in that light and there see the light. Your light must brighter shine.”
Later the great being said
“Hercules, this task is complete and it was easy for you. Learn from this Hercules, first the strength to do the arduous task and then the willingness to perform a task that taxes you not.”
After beginning on the mental plane, the thought impulse is followed by desire, the second labour deals now with the world of desires and the potency and power of desire. The key then to a proper understanding of this the sign of the Bull is a proper understanding of the principle and laws of attraction. This is the magnetic force that produces stability and persistence. The laws of attraction then, govern the basic relationships of the cosmos, positive and negative, spirit and form, male and female. In other words, the attraction of opposites.
This test then is primarily about Sex, three letters which mean so much and yet are so misunderstood. Sex drives life, it is the principle behind the union of spirit and matter, it is the interplay of the subjective and the objective. It is the pull of divinity and the urge in the restless soul. It is the desire of the male to the female. It is the urge for life and creation. It is what binds together the very atoms of matter. All of this is the principle of Sex. All forms of attraction are principles of sex.
Illumination.
The star which shone from the Bull was the source of illumination throughout the second labour, let us then discover the meaning of illumination. Illumination is the lighting up or the revealing of something once hidden or unknown. If we consider that in Aries we are concerned with the creative thought or word then illumination would be the interpretation of that word or in biblical terminology ‘the word made flesh’. One interesting point what was the pontifical bull, it was regarded as the interpretation or illumination of God’s voice.
The point of illumination is further emphasised when we consider that exalted in Taurus is the Moon and exalted in Aries is the Sun. The Moon is the interpreter of the Sun. Also the Moon when viewed by the esoteric or agricultural peoples has been thought of as the form bringer.
The main focus of the Taurian influence must be the glorification of matter and then the illuminate through it. At this stage man can know God only through his works.
Venus the Ruler.
It is through Venus we become attracted to form, the fruits of the earth, carnal desire, attraction, sex. When Sun is in Taurus the choice is made to switch the focus from the earthly love to heavenly love, and thus ‘see the world in a grain of sand’ and in doing so we switch from the ruler to the exalted the Moon.
The Lesson then of Sun in Taurus is to understand the laws of attraction, to come to a right understanding of desire. Then to illuminate for all to see the wonders of the cosmos, the workings of the spiritual on and through the earthly. The tests are, as one would expect, dual. Firstly the test of the strength of ones desire and secondly the test of ones control over that desire. The Bull obviously represented the desire element while Hercules riding the Bull is a symbol of control, the star in the forehead has been discussed as illumination. One further point needs to be made and that is the maze. The Maze stands for the illusion of matter which many are content to wander through. That matter is an illusion has been proved by science but that matter is disconnected from spirituality is the vilest illusion. Matter and spirit are held together with by the Law of attraction which makes for creation, it should be noted that the maze is not destroyed in this labour it is left to stand for in the cosmos all things have a purpose.
As Hercules stepped forward for his third labour, word was sent out among the great beings to prepare the way so that Hercules may gain the power to search through discouragement, through deception and through hindrance. Let perseverance now be gained.
Across the threshold Hercules stood in a vast land, a land where grew the sacred tree of wisdom and on this tree grew the golden apples of the Hesperides. Their fame was spread throughout the world and all men of the slightest enlightenment sought them out. Hercules to, knew of the golden apples and when he knew of his task he turned to his teacher for guidance.
“Teacher of my soul I implore you I must be quick, show me the quickest route for I must have these without delay.”
“Alas I say to you the way for you is long. I will share with you these two points so listen well to what I say. The sacred tree is guarded by three maidens and these are guarded by a dragon of one hundred heads. Be prepared to face strength far greater than yours and wiles too subtle for your comprehension. The second point my son is this. The path you take will lead you to five tests, each bringing you great opportunity were you to recognise it. I cannot tell you more but watch well and remember what I have told you.”
With confidence Hercules began his search, he set to the north, he searched far and wide but did not find the tree. He questioned everyone he met but none knew where the tree could be found. Though sad and discouraged Hercules continued on to the very edge of the land, often retracing his steps, no stone he left unturned, no path he left untried, the quested went on.
Watching always, the Teacher saw his pupil’s trial, he sent to Hercules a messenger, Nereus. Time and time again Nereus came to Hercules, in various forms and with different words Nereus proffered his aid but Hercules did not recognise him for the messenger who he was nor could he grasp the deep wisdom subtly offered. Nereus returned and told of his failure to impress on Hercules his message. The first of the five lesser tests was done and failure marked its passing.
After search on the northern path to no avail he turns to face the south. On this dark path he was met by Antaeus the serpent and the battle was begun. At first Hercules was confident of victory but Antaeus would not be bested. He must be the guardian of the tree, thought Hercules, I was told as much, and the tree must be close at hand. I must overcome this serpent and gather the fruit right away but the serpent did not yield. Why is this, wondered Hercules, in my cot as a child I bested two serpents with my bare hands, how is that I fail now. Hercules wrestled on and with both hands he lifted Antaeus high in the air and of the ground. As soon as the serpent was clear of the ground the battle was done and Hercules the victor.
Antaeus spoke
“You and I will face each other again though I will be in different skin, watch for me through the eighth gate.”
“The second test is passed” declared the teacher “Let him proceed.”
Full of confidence, Hercules continued his search and turning west was immediately met by the great arch deceiver Busiris, son of the waters, kin to Neptune.
The work of Busiris is to spread delusion amongst men through words which seem like wisdom. He claims to be a teacher, a bringer of the truth, the only truth and all other truths are wrong. Lay down your lives for me and be saved, and man accepts this bringer of falsehood and lays down his own life for the deceiver of men. Hercules also, perhaps because he was weakened by the serpent, was taken in by Busiris. Hercules accepted Busiris as his new master and daily he weakened. At Busiris’ request he abandoned his search for the sacred tree and devoted himself to his new master. He was bound to his master on the altar of deception for a whole year till at last the spell weakened and he saw Busiris for what he really was he heard the words spoken to him by Nereus long ago.
“Truth lies within yourself. There is a higher power and wisdom in yourself. Turn inwards and invoke the power which is your birthright.”
With this realisation, Hercules then broke the bonds, seized the false prophet and bound him to the altar in his place. Speaking not, he left him there to learn.
The Teacher turned to Nereus and said
“The third test has been completed and you helped him to success, though it took time, it is done.”
Hercules learnt a lot from his year on the altar and with greater wisdom he renewed his search.
At once he heard a cry of distress. He noticed vultures circling over a far of rock and the cry of distress struck his ears and drove deep in his mind. What was he to do, should he impede his quest even further or should he answer the call? He was debating thus with himself, he had been delayed already for a whole year and he was in a great hurry, why should he hold his progress any longer. A third cry rang out and Hercules sprang to the aid of his brother in need.
At his arrival he discovered, chained to a rock, Prometheus. Upon this rock Prometheus suffered terrible agony as the vulture devoured his liver only to have it re-grow to be consumed in awful pain again and again. Hercules broke the chains and drove of the vultures. He then stayed with him till his wounds healed and with much time lost he once more resumed his search.
The Teacher deemed the fourth test complete and no delay caused for the rule upon this path, which hastens its passing is ‘learn to serve.’
All ways Hercules searched; north, south, west and now the east but the sacred tree was not found. Resting for a while, worn out with fear and travel, a man passed by and in passing told of a sacred tree high on a mountain to which he gave the way.
Immediately Hercules was on his feet and heading for the high mountains of the east. At last he beheld the object of his quest and rushed forward. Now he knew his steps and was sure of what he had to do, defeat the dragon, hasten passed the maidens without a glance and pluck the apples. His quest was all but complete, or so he thought.
Again he was stopped in his tracks. This time it was Atlas who came into view staggering with the load on his back. His face distorted with pain his eyes closed in agony, he did not see Hercules nor did he ask for his help. But the image filled Hercules with distress, his own task was forgotten and his only thought was to rush to the aid of the giant. With all his strength he lifted the load and shouldered the burden himself. At once the burden was gone and Atlas and Hercules stood free. The giant held out his hand to Hercules and in it was the golden apples which Hercules gratefully took.
The three maids had more golden apples which they gave up to Hercules. At this sacred place Aegle the glory of the setting sun appeared and set a further apple in his hand, doing so she told how the Way is always marked by service, good deeds done with love are the signpost of the Way. Erytheia, the one who keeps the gate which all must pass alone was there and gave to him another apple and on this was inscribed the word Service, remember this she told him. Finally, Hesperis came and with love said
“Go forth and serve, and tread the path for others.”
Hercules, now realising the meaning of the labour gave back all the apples, leaving them for those that followed. He then returned to the great beings and told of his exploits of which they were already aware. They gave a word of approval and pointed to the fourth Gate.
Moving on from the subjective and the mystical this third labour is set on the physical plane of achievement where the test of sincerity is played out. A longing to be good, a deep desire to understand the meaning of life, spasmodic attempts at meditation or prayer as well as futile efforts towards self discipline are the tell tale signs which almost always precede the real work of Sun in Gemini. In Gemini the visionary must become a man of action, desire is no longer enough, objective completion must be the touchstone of Sun in Gemini.
Hercules, having achieved mental control and also rode the bull of desire is now set the task of collecting the golden apples of wisdom. Immediately we think of the Garden of Eden and the apple which the serpent gave to Eve who subsequently passed in on to Adam which brought on them the loss of innocence and the burden of the knowledge of good and evil, thus, symbolically telling us of the coming of mind which brought in its wake the knowledge of duality, of opposites and separation.
In the tale of the garden of Eden it will be note that there was but one apple whereas in our tale we are told of several all on the one tree, for these apples represent the knowledge of synthesis.
The Tests.
The first test involved Nereus, who symbolised the intuition (inner-tuition) of our hero. We are told how Hercules failed to recognise or understand Nereus. How difficult it is indeed to heed the prompting of our own intuition when we, like Hercules we are convinced that the answers lie outside ourselves. With Sun in Gemini, we must learn to trust our own self. Mercury, the ruler of Gemini was the messenger of the gods and would often be cast as a go-between from the gods to men. The intuitive abilities of Gemini are second to none, Sun brings us the courage to use them.
The second test concerned the wrestling of a serpent which would prove to be much more difficult that Hercules had imagined, he was used to wrestling serpents, he had started as a child. This serpent however was different for in our quests we must see all things as symbolic. The serpent here is the representation of the powers of nature which while still in contact with the earth was invincible but as soon as Hercules raised him up the battle was over. For Sun in Gemini can not wrestle with the things of the earth, Gemini is of the Air and must always seek out the spirit in matter, for as we have mention before matter is illusion the search now is for reality. The battle with the serpent was a battle with glamour and illusion, raise it up and see it for what it really is.
The third test was with Busiris, this was really just another form of glamour but not the illusion of matter, the illusion of truth. Many people have truth for sale at various costs and currencies. Many people are willing to buy what they already possess and if the price be only money then very little harm is done. However, we are told that Hercules was bound to the altar, what was bound was not Hercules but his inner truth. We are told that Hercules became weaker every day because he had given away or denied his truth which is his own source of strength. Along the trail of the Gemini quest we must be ever vigilant for Busiris. If another man leads you to the truth, he had better be leading you inside yourself.
The fourth test, the saving of Prometheus, leads our hero into the crux of the Labour. Should he stay or should he go, should he continue on his quest or waste yet more time? The lesson of this test is that time is never wasted if spent in the service of others. A difficult lesson for the ever busy Gemini, the giving of your time to another person or cause is a very small gift indeed if you have time to spare and are bored anyway, but to postpone your own task for the benefit of another is service indeed. The reward, we are left to wonder is that had he not spent time with Prometheus, would he have rendezvoused with his next test.
The fifth test is the final test and with it he completes his labour. Here the price of the Golden Apples is revealed and it is nothing less than renunciation. Hercules completely gives up his own one pointed task for the greater good. He is over come, we are told, by the greatness of the burden which Atlas bears and feels compelled, not only to help but to take on the burden himself. At that moment, and I have left this part till now, Atlas approaches the sacred tree, overcomes the hundred headed dragon which Hercules would not have been able to do anyway and elicits also the aid of the three maidens, who are, in fact, his sisters.
And then, Hercules must prove he has truly learnt the lesson for he is given all and more also but then, not just delay does he accept, not through compassion in the face of suffering does he sacrifice. He now learns fully the lesson of the greater good and with that certainty there is no hardship in giving back the Golden Apples of Wisdom. It has been a long haul but here stands the lot of Sun in Gemini.
The great beings sat in their council chamber discussing what is to become of our hero.
“What is he doing now?” asked one.
“Nothing but resting for the third labour involved much learning and endeavour” replied another.
“Then let us provide a test of great simplicity, at least on the outer plane.” said one.
“But let it be so that it will awaken the inner plane” continued another.
Through the forth Gate Hercules went and found himself in a land of gentle rolling hills. On one of these a temple stood, a shrine to the Sun-God, while on another, Hercules caught sight of a slender fawn. Both shimmered in the moonlight and Hercules thought he heard a voice coming from the Moon.
“That Doe is mine” said Artemis from the Moon “I nurtured it, I tended it, the doe is my and so it will remain.”
Then into view Diana came, the huntress and daughter of the Sun. She too claimed the doe her own.
“The doe is mine, not yours Artemis, but mine, It has been to young till now but the doe surely belongs to me”
Hercules watched and listened with interest to the quarrelling pair, until a third voice he heard.
“The doe belongs to neither one, Hercules, but to the God who has his shrine close by. Go now Hercules, rescue the doe and take it to the safety of the shrine.”
So Hercules set off in chase as swift as he could run, and run he did from end to end he chased the doe. Many times he would come close only to have it elude him time and time again. Both Artemis and Diana watched the chase and when ever they could they would by illusion and cunning foil his attempts.
After one whole year had passed Hercules came upon the doe, while it slept, took an arrow and wounded the doe in one ankle. Now Hercules flung himself upon the doe and held it to his chest. No longer the doe tried to evade him, so our hero carried the doe over his shoulder to the temple of the Sun.
Once at the temple he laid down the doe in the inner sanctuary, closely followed by Artemis and Diana. The Sun God bared the way to Artemis but allowed Diana only a glimpse inside. Hercules left the temple and the goddess still arguing and returned to the great beings to report his task complete.
“Turn around.” came the reply and doing so Hercules looked once more on the rolling hills the temple of the Sun and the doe standing free.
“Many times must this round be run but your Labour number four is complete.”
Cancer is the sign of the Moon and the Moon is very much the planet of the instincts which is represented by the doe, the animal instincts which we all posses and hence was claimed by Artemis. A counter claim was laid also by Diana the huntress, representing the human intellect which grew out of the animal instinct. As she herself declared it was too young until now. In the development of the human form we first relied on instinct alone then with time intellect developed and this has for a long time battled with the instinct. But, we are told neither one had rightful claim on the doe for it belonged to the Sun, here representing intuition. The doe then stands for instinct, intellect and intuition all at the same time. To capture the doe took Hercules a whole year for the doe was indeed very illusive as is the definition of this inner something this gut feeling. By taking the doe to his heart, Hercules was able to raise the status of the doe to its highest level so instinct and intellect had to forfeit their claim, and it was only allowed of the intellect to try and understand.
Sun in Cancer therefore is primarily concerned with development of the inner feelings. Very often with Cancer we see this battle between Artemis and Diana, between the instincts and the intellect, head and heart, but by taking the matter to the Sun heart the situation is transformed and the higher faculty of intuition is developed. I am not referring here to the second sight kind of inner knowing, with Sun in Cancer we still retain the family or group focus so it is a deeper feeling of connection with the family, the group and ultimately the whole of human kind, which is the development of an instinctive caring, to an at-one-ment.
The fifth Labour was his most dangerous yet and of course our hero met it with great resolve. The Nemean landscape together with all its peoples which lay beyond the fifth great gate was terrorised by a mighty lion. The people were so afraid of the lion that they rarely ventured out of doors. Their farms and homesteads where falling in to disrepair and their hearts were weakening day by day. And so the call went out for the strongest, bravest man alive to slay the Nemean Lion.
Dutifully, Hercules answered the call and unencumbered with armour he set of in search of his foe. It took a little time but with the aid of the Nemean people he tracked it down. Such was the roar let out by the lion that all his aids and supporters ran away, leaving Hercules alone to face his fate. He took from his quiver an arrow so sharp and true and dispatched it from his mighty bow straight at the heart of the lion. The arrow found its mark but just fell away. Another and another were sent on their way only to bounce harmless of the target. Unharmed but sourly vexed the lion charged. Unafraid and proud of spirit Hercules charged also. At the last moment before they met the lion veer off and ran through a thicket of trees disappearing from sight.
It was some time until he heard the mighty roar which signalled the presence of his prey coming from within a mountain cave. Hercules entered the cave and searched its dark interior, at last he found light of day again at a second entrance. Then behind him in the cave came that terrible roar. Once more Hercules went after his foray in to the darkness of the cave searching every corner, every crack. Once more he found day light and once more the lion roared from behind.
Now our hero realised that the lion was simply circling round, being chased out of one entrance and returning through the other. So Hercules took some branches and block up one end and trapped the lion in the cave. Here they finally met in mortal combat, long and hard was the struggle but eventually, with his bare hands Hercules defeated the Nemean Lion. Once the battle was won he stripped it of its skin, showed it to the rejoicing people and returned to the Gate and the waiting great beings.
What are we to make of this, most people I am sure can find an association with Leo and the Lion but what kind of lion is this that is impervious to arrows will terrorise, yet is difficult to corner and is reluctant to stand and fight. The Nemean Lion, represents personality. The overcoming of the personality is indeed a tricky task to accomplish. The lion was immune to arrows or external attack. One does not defeat the personality by criticising, only by direct contact could the lion be slain and still this is something which needs to be persevered with, every time he chased the lion into the cave, remember, it would not fight outside it had to be an internal struggle, it would simply reappear behind him. This is the nature of the personality for it to, like matter, is illusion.
The idea of defeating one’s personality may require some further comment. Personality comes from the word persona, meaning mask. So our personality is something which we wear to disguise our true self. Very often we can have several personalities, we can have the personality we wear for work, another one for home and yet another for our friends. If we are to truly understand ourselves, the personality must be the first thing to go, that is not that we should become automatons that would be simply another personality or the lion returning through the back door. Grappling with the personality is not about getting another one, even if it is perceived to be a better one. The personality is only an act and therefore when you are say, giving service to some person or group, are you a true server or are you acting like one. It is this distinction that Sun in Leo needs to grapple with, it is not good enough to act like a good and kind being, even if your acting is constant and convincing.
Sun deals with the higher self not the personality. Personality can truly be a dangerous thing not only for others but for ourselves, for it keeps us locked up in a tiny part of ourselves and hinders us from carrying out our true work. To your own self be true is not possible if you are true only to your personality only true to the way you act.
For those with Sun in Leo their quest is to discover the true self, the face behind the mask. We are not saying that you must not have a personality for personalities are meant to be used. Hercules took the skin of the lion and used it for protection in further adventures, but it was only the skin it had no real substance, it was not real. Sun here knows that the work to be done is not on the personality but on the real self.
This sixth labour leads our hero in to the land of the Amazons that band of female warriors who are the match of any man. Here, he is to retrieve the girdle of Hippolyte, the queen of the Amazons.
Now of course this is no ordinary girdle it is the main treasure of the tribe and a symbol of that which is held dear and true. It is said that Hippolyte knew of the coming of Hercules and also the intent of his visit, this information coming from the gods as she worshipped in the temple. She informed her tribe of the same and also that the gods had asked that the girdle be freely given. It was put to the vote whether to obey the gods and part with their precious symbol of their worth, or should they retain the girdle and face the wrath of the gods.
As Hercules arrived their decision was put in to action and they handed over to him the much loved girdle. It was at this transaction that the misdeed took place. Hippolyte went out to meet Hercules and was about to offer freely the girdle when Hercules, knowing nothing of this decision, seized the girdle with one hand and dealt a fatal sword thrust to Hippolyte with the other.
The deed done and everyone mourning the loss, Hercules set out on his homeward journey across the sea. Whilst at sea he caught sight of a sea monster with the maiden Hesione already between its fearsome jaws. Hercules flung himself to her aid but too late, the monster had already swallowed poor Hesione. Undeterred, Hercules dived into the mouth of the sea monster and found Hesione deep in its belly. Hercules took his sword and cut his way out thereby saving the doomed maiden. In this way our hero balanced the deed of death with a deed of life.
Virgo is the sign of the maiden carrying a sheath of corn; therefore she is the fruitful female in all her guises, eventually as the Virgin Mary giving birth to the Christ Child of the opposite sign Pisces.
The girdle is the symbol of virtue and its attendant opposite vice. Now on the higher planes; vice is simply that which is not done properly, virtue that which is done right. This task was not done right, so what caused the error. As Hippolyte handed over the girdle did she do so from love or fear, is this why she died? On Hercules’ part what was of more import, the accomplishment of the labour or the lesson there to be learnt. Polarity is prominent in this labour as is maintaining a balance between the two, we are told how Hercules balanced the death with saving another, thus balancing out the equation, and we are dealing with Amazons, females with male characteristics.
Played out on the lower planes we find the Virgo preoccupied with health, a matter of balance. We find the attention to detail so important; what ever is to be done must be done correctly. With Sun here we are confronted with the higher planes and the task is to bring to perfection or deliver up the Christ Child within which is Sun. In this sign it is given to us to learn that the great polarity is the body/spirit polarity, a child is born from both, the body is not the prison of the spirit it is the vehicle of its manifestation. It is also the lesson of this sign that both motive and deed be in harmony.
The great beings decided on the next labour for Hercules, it was to be one which would equip him well for the difficult labours which were to follow. It was felt that he needed more balance and a judgement sound, so he was dispatched to capture the wild and savage boar which ravaged the countryside beyond the seventh Gate. As Hercules pass through that Gate he took on the powers of the seventh mystery. Our hero knew that the labour was dual and he would be tested both on friendship true and courage.
Once across the threshold Hercules found himself at the foot of a mountain which he set to climb. On his way to seek out the boar he passed many sights and vista rare. After a short while he met a friend, a centaur, half man half horse, named Pholos. There Hercules rested and talked a good while with is friend, at length Pholos offered to open a cask of wine. Unfortunately, the wine was not his to offer; it belonged to all centaurs, a gift from the gods, and was never to be opened excepting all the centaurs were together. Disregarding this codicil the two friends opened the cask and they and another centaur sat down to drink. And drink, and sing, and dance, and generally make merry. Such a time was had that they all failed to notice that their noise had been heard by all the other centaurs, who were inflamed by this breech of trust and set upon the three friends. In the ensuing battle the drunken Hercules swung wildly with his club and his two friends lay dead. While the rest of the centaurs mourned, Hercules escaped high up in the mountain.
Beyond the snow line now he found the tracks of the boar and so the search was renewed. Hercules followed the tracks higher and higher as the weather got colder and colder. As night drew in, he resolved to set a trap and so a snare was made, and our hero waited. It was not till morning that the boar left its den and returned down the mountain in search of food. Straight into the trap it fell a testament to the maker’s skill. Hercules jump up and wrestled with the boar till its strength and will was spent. Hercules had master the boar and though still wild, would do as its master deemed. By holding the back legs of the animal, Hercules led the boar down the mountain, wheelbarrow fashion. This sight caused much laughter to all who saw and again Hercules was acclaimed a hero of the land.
When Hercules stood once more before the great beings there was no such rejoicing.
In the sign of the balance, the only mechanical sign, all the rest are symbolised by beasts or man, we find the scales are free to swing wildly or remain steady and true. In Venus ruled Libra we face the problem of sex and money, both of which make good servants but bad taskmasters.
Sex is a sacrament to the union or at-one-ment of male and female polarity. Money is a means of exchange and sharing. Those who are of the Libran clan will need to mark these principles well, more so if Sun be involved. Libra stands half way between summer and winter and as such marks the balance of the year. Now, in the northern hemisphere, the nights grow longer than the days, it becomes noticeably colder and life once more becomes an uphill struggle, as seen by the landscape, that of a mountain. The Libran must take time to smell the flowers that remain for soon it will be all gone. The Librans often lust for pleasure is often a reflection of this for they seem to realise that hardship is always just around the corner. This is not always played out to the extent of the drunken revelry of Hercules but it does show the full extent of the swinging scale.
Libra is an Air sign so the use of reason is more acceptable than that of might, we are reminded of this when Hercules, with great skill constructs at trap for the boar. He does not want to kill the boar, only capture it, so to get it down the mountainside he comes up with this novel idea of holding its back legs while it struggles on its fore legs. This creative use of reason is a quality of this sign. Creativity is looking at things from a different angle seeing an original viewpoint. The sight of the boar being trundled down the mountainside brings great merriment and laughter as so often what was once so frightening is a subject of ridicule when looked at in a different way.
Sun in Libra brings the opportunity to shed a different light on old established fears. To realign the balance. It brings the opportunity to revel in natures bounteous gifts and share with others, again, redressing the balance. It offers the sublime relationship of at-one-ment, not only with others but within oneself.
It brings also the problems of maintaining the balance, all things in moderation, the choice is firmly of your own making, the responsibility is yours alone, but you must forever maintain that balance by constant vigil or things can all to quickly get out of hand.
Sun in Libra must be realised with a group orientated mind, the wine was not for Hercules and a couple of close friends it was for the group. The centaurs are a symbol of the lower mind. Hercules is a symbol of an enlightened mind and should have known better it was this that was meant when Hercules slew only his friends and all mourned the loss. But woe betide the Libran who shuns the earthly delights altogether and, tired of tragedy, turns wholly to heaven, for then he cuts off a major part of himself and those he is meant to serve. Libra stands half way between heaven and earth and sees both sides of the coin.
Sun in this sign of the balance will eventually be the steady rock on which others may stand as a step along their path. It is with the balance that while the scales move up and down, the centre is still. In this centre is the synthesis of the Ways.
In ancient Argos the eighth labour is framed, the scene is set after the drought, whence Amymone sought the help of Neptune who struck his trident on a rock and three streams appeared. All was well for a short time only when a Hydra took up residence. The great beings gave council to Hercules upon his task.
“The Hydra with nine heads, in yonder swamp does lie, prepare yourself to do great battle here, but know this, one of the nine is immortal, no ordinary battle will this be and this I give to you, we rise by kneeling; we conquer by surrendering; we gain by giving up. Now the labour is set, cross the threshold through the eighth Gate.”
As Hercules passed through the eighth Gate he found himself in a vast, putrid swamp. The stench was overwhelming and the ground treacherous, Hercules had to move carefully through the swamp for fear of been sucked down into the depths. Eventually he found his quarry hiding in its lair deep in a cave as black as night. Hercules decided that he stood at least a chance if he where to wait for the Hydra to leave the cave and come out into the light, so he waited and he waited but there was no sign of the monstrous beast. At length Hercules took some arrows dipped in pitch and sent one after another of flaming arrows into the mouth of the cave. This must have work for there was a loud roaring and commotion inside the cave and out into the light, snorting flames, came the most hideous creature he had ever seen. It looked as if it had been constructed from every nightmare the world had ever had. Its nine ugly heads flailing wildly and snorting fire with every breath, its scaly tail slashing through the mud and slime.
The battle commenced with Hercules flinging himself at the Hydra with all his force, only to be knocked back by its tail. The next attack was sprung by the Hydra, coiling its loathsome body around Hercules, it took immense strength to break free but eventually he did and fell to the floor exhausted. Taking its chance the Hydra lunged at Hercules with first one then another of its nine terrifying heads. Hercules with all his might swung his club an knocked clear off each head in turn but yet the vile beast grow more heads as quick as they were severed. Hercules and the Hydra fought in this manner for a long time and Hercules was fearful of losing. When into his consciousness came the words of the great beings, ‘we rise by kneeling; we conquer by surrendering; we gain by giving up’. With a hero’s courage Hercules throe away his club and bowed down before the Hydra. The Hydra towered over Hercules while he knelt, at first perhaps bemused by the victory. From this position Hercules grasp the Hydra with both hands and rose to his feet lifting the Hydra clear out of the fetid mire. With its body no longer in touch with swamp and its nine heads clear of the putrid air and expose to clear air and light for the first time, the Hydra began to weaken and die as each head breathed its last Hercules found the immortal head which he severed and buried, still hissing, under a rock. Thus was the eighth labour performed.
We are now in the realm of the unconscious or subconscious mind, that dark and frightening place where dwell dangerous monsters of our own making. Scorpio is fixed water, think about that, what does that say to you? What happens when water does not move? I am sure that the image of our dark and stagnant swamp are forming in your mind. This is an apt metaphor for the subconscious, that dark recess of the brain, the pit where all negative thoughts are stored.
It took our hero a while to discover the liar of the Hydra as it does with the subconscious, it takes a while to discover that there is something nasty lurking there. The Hydra does not want to be discovered nor do the complexes that lurk in our dark subconscious regions. It was only the flaming arrows of reason which flushed the monster out, the intense conscious desire to find the truth.
Now come the battle, as Hercules learnt it was no use wallowing about in the mire of our subconscious, it is only when, with the great courage of humility that we can raise the matter into the cold light of day where it, like the Hydra will lose its power.
The Hydra had nine heads each symbolising a different aspect of fetid thought. Again it was no use dealing with them one at a time, the whole creature had to be lifted up. And what of the immortal head, the head which will never die, this symbolises that there must always remain the initiating force behind every situation, this can not and must never die, but be confined under the rock of will if we are not to cloth it once more with wrong thinking or stagnant emotions. Again and again we are reminded of the essentialness of form, of the human condition. It is up to us to transform, to go beyond form but we cannot escape from it for it is the means of manifestation of spirit and the living bible.
With Sun in Scorpio this is our lot, we are asked to bring to the light all those lurking dogmas and believes no matter how well hidden and expose them for what they are. It is given to them to explore the dark regions and expose what is found there. The most likely subject matter which they will come upon are nine in number, as symbolised by the nine heads of the Hydra, these are three times three.
The appetites: sex; comfort; money.
The passions: fear; hated; power.
The vices: pride; separateness; cruelty.
I do not propose to go through these in detail here as that would take us beyond the scope of this article and is probably a book in itself.
Scorpio is a dangerous land but a study of this labour reveals a lot about how to bring to fruition Sun in Scorpio. Many Scorpio’s associate in some way with the topics mentioned above but how many are prepared to humbly accept their own subconscious and raise them all up to the light.
The terrifying Stymphalian birds are the next focus of Hercules on this his ninth labour. He must rid the land again of a terrible evil. Again he passes through the gate and now upon a marshy land he spies the birds of terror. He is not the only one who has found its prey for seeing Hercules upon the marsh three birds swoop with deadly accuracy upon him. With his trusty club our hero defends himself and discovers why these birds are the cause of so much terror. Their beaks are made of steel as crushing as a vice and as sharp as a sword. Their talons match their beaks in deadliness. Hercules struck the birds with his club and dislodged some feathers which turned out to be splinter of steel which rained down embedded in his shield and in the soft ground around him.
He managed to fight them off but was perplexed as to what to do for there was so many of them and in the evening when they returned to roost the sky turn black and darkness fell early. He tried quiver after quiver of arrows but the birds where so numerous it made no impression whatsoever.
As the birds sleep, he sleeps also and in his sleep his teacher comes and gives him this message.
“The light which shines beyond you gives you the direction you must take.”
As he wakes so does the dawn and before him on the horizon to the east the Sun blazes through the cold autumn sky. Hercules immediately sets of in the direction of the rising Sun and there on the ground lies a giant chrysalis newly broken asunder. He picks up both pieces and carries them back to the marsh. Here he fashioned the broken chrysalis in to two huge cymbals which he clashes together with such a load clash that all the birds take flight. Another crash of the cymbals and the birds are gone and the land is clear of terror once again.
As in Aries Hercules fought the man-eating mares now he fights the man-eating birds. They are in deed very similar signs, both fire and so both positive, one is Cardinal the other is Mutable. Both imply movement, one ushers in, the other ushers out, both are concerned with the wild untrained mind. Whereas Aries could be looked at as mainly thoughts, Sagittarius is more to do with speech.
The marshes represent the open mind but mixed with emotion very much the field of activity of the average Sagittarian. While there were countless birds in our myth there was three prominent ones each one symbolising a different facet of the Sagittarian demon. It has been said that these represent: gossip; self talk; casting pearls before swine.
These are interesting references to the nature of the ordeal when Sun is in Sagittarius. It is perhaps because this is the last sign before Capricorn which will be explored further on but to cut to the chase, a Sagittarian Sun is about silence. Not the ‘all talk and no action’ type of silence for Sagittarius is a very active sign. It is the ‘silence is golden’ type, this is the lesson for Sun here. The archer is a symbol of this sign which is why these people tend towards a one pointed aspiration, however the tendency is for the gathering of truths and experiences to become paramount and very often there is a failure to recognise the true worth of what it is they have found. There seems to be a sensory overload which can have disastrous effects on those around especially if this overflow of information is expressed in the manner as mentioned above.
There is a strangeness to this myth in the form of the advice received “The light which shines beyond you gives you the direction you must take.” This is an important message for it has in it a profound truth. The light which shines beyond is the next sign of Capricorn and this is where the Sun begins to gain in strength, a lot of people call this the birth of the Sun, this is why a lot of solar deities where said to be born at this time both Jesus and Mithras celebrate birthdays on the 25th December others are around that time. Therefore, Sagittarius being just one step away from Capricorn must be the chrysalis stage, hence the giant chrysalis that Hercules found at the place of the rising Sun.
The Sagittarius Sun then uses the astrological gift of aspiration, always striving forward, looking ahead, and seeing always where he must go. To find the instrument of his salvation. Sun here needs to stop and ponder on where his aspirations are taking him and what is the value hidden inside.
The tenth labour is set in the underworld, the realm of Pluto/Hades, the land of the dead. Hercules is informed of the pain and grief immense, of Admetus who mourned for his wife, the lovely Alcestis. She had given her life to ensure the immortality of her husband but now the immortal Admetus felt the price too high, for he now had to live for eternity without his lovely Alcestis.
Hercules entered the underworld and crossed the river Styx, through the realm of Hades he travelled, ever downward. There he encountered many monsters yet every time he struck with his sword he stuck at thin air. At last he stood before the ruler of this realm seated upon his hard black throne. As he spoke it was like the sound of war and his breath stank the stench of fear, it was all Hercules could do to remain standing in front of such a one as this.
“Why!” he demanded with ruthless tones. “Why is one such as you in my place. This is the land of the dead and no living being comes here”. Hercules found within such courage that he was able to offer reply. “I have come to win back the lovely Alcestis, wife of Admetus.”
“You who are a server of man have entered a dark place and have shown such steadfastness that I offer you this chance and this alone. You must, without weapons, stand before the great and mighty Cerberus and if you, hero and servant of mankind can defeat Cerberus with your bare hands I will grant you the one whom you seek.”
The scene now changed and before him was Cerberus, a huge three headed dog, veraciously three jaws filled with immense teeth dripped blood and roared such a roar that the air itself was in agonising pain. Hercules, who had faced many frightening things before had to search deep within to find the strength that made him stand his ground. Cerberus lunged forward and Hercules, his courage brought to new limits, seized the animal with both hands around the throat that held the central head. All his strength, all his powers, all his courage, poured into his hands as he forced the life out of his foe. At that moment, nothing existed but that one act. Slowly Cerberus weakened and sank to the ground and slowly Hercules released his grip and slowly his awareness returned and the scene had changed for now before him stood the lovely Alcestis whom he took up in his arms and carried her out of that awful place to reunite her with Admetus. Hercules had completed his hardest labour yet and had done it well.
We are now in the darkest period of the year it is midwinter and at this, the darkest hour, the Sun is reborn. But it does not come borne by angels with trumpets sounding, it rises slowly from the deepest depths. Capricorn is the sign of the determined one, the marathon runner, the one who endures. The symbol of Capricorn is the goat and it has been said that there are two kinds of goat, the humble domestic goat, and the sure-footed mountain goat. With Sun we find a third goat, the celestial goat. All have their own personal hell to descend into and return after displaying great strength and courage. All have to face the horrific guardian of hell with its three heads, sensation, desire and good intentions. Hercules concerned himself solely with the central head, desire, for it is desire that controls and under pins the other two. As well as the metaphoric descent into hell which most if not all Capricorn’s find themselves doing at some or several stages in their lives, in the form of life crisis and trials which they inevitably overcome. There is the descent of spirit into matter which it to must eventually overcome.
Overcoming obstacles is a common thread throughout all Capricorn’s, the nature of the obstacles and the result is the key to the type of goat. If the trials be one of domestic crises and servitude we find the domestic goat who repeats time and time again their descent for the service of others who rarely care or appreciate the supreme efforts of the humble domestic goat. When we find the trials of a more ambitious nature scaling heights undreamed of only to face ruin and yet still comeback for more we know we are in the company of an ambitious mountain goat. What then of the celestial goat, the Sun Experience in Capricorn. This descent in to hell is the hell of physical sensations of good intentions never fulfilled of the final battle with desire, but not this time for our own sake, not for the growth and development of our own soul, not to free ourselves but to free the whole of mankind. By strenuous example Sun in Capricorn will free us all. There are many myths and stories about one man being found who can live the life in the face of all adversity, one man who will not weaken when tested, this is the celestial goat, this is Sun in Capricorn.
For this the penultimate labour the great beings gave to Hercules the task of cleaning the stables which belonged to a wealthy king. The king had a huge herd of cattle and kept them in a stable which was now so dirty and foul it would take hundreds of men hundreds of days to clean. Now Hercules was not only set the task but he was charged to complete it in one day only. This he did by diverting two great rivers through the stables and thus accomplished his eleventh labour. When he returned to the palace of the king he was bared from its gates because, said the king, he had accomplished his task by trickery, he had not cleansed the stables the rivers had and no reward shall be his. Hercules left the city and when he came before the great beings he was greeted warmly for he had performed his task well.
This is at first a strange task to follow on from the mighty trial he endure in his last labour. The marvellous heights he reached then in Capricorn and now he is asked to clean the stables. It is when we look deeper that the measure is realised. The huge herd of cattle was of course the huge herd of people inhabiting and fouling this planet. How did Hercules clean the stables, not bit by bit, not with shovel and broom, he washed the whole lot clean in one go. He found two rivers, the river of life and the river of love and he broke their banks so they would flow in the direction he desired, through the body of mankind and washed away the stink of personality, personal goals and personal desires. He broke the banks of the river, he tore down barriers so all the mess was gone all that was left was the herd, cleansed of its wastes and now representing the group mind.
This is the labour of Sun in Aquarius to break down the barriers he finds so entrenched in society to wash away the messes in which we find ourselves. As we find ourselves in this “The Age of Aquarius” we see more and more barriers being broken. Barriers which only serve to separate us from each other so more and more people are coming together with shared dreams and aspirations. The group soul is to become a reality but we have a long way to go yet, it is for Sun in Aquarius to show us the way, the radical way, the intelligent way, the logical way but like Hercules do not expect praise for your efforts because you will not get it. The true Sun in Aquarius is a world server and does not require praise. Many seek out groups to serve them as a stepping stone for some personal gain and this has resulted in a lot of disillusionment about groups but as more and more people find the Sun Experience in Aquarius this to will be washed away.
Now in the great council chamber the great beings sat.
“At last a true server, he must now become a saviour. Set the final labour and send him on his way.”
The Teacher ponder the way forward and called Hercules before him.
“Hercules, it is for you now to go to that place called Erytheia where rules the monster with three bodies and three heads, Geryon. He holds the beautiful red cattle but they are not his to own, you must bring them back, one and all, let none wander.” After a slight pause he continued. “I give to you this one counsel and this alone I give. Seek the aid of Helius before you venture far.”
Hercules crossed the final threshold and found himself on the shore of a great sea. On the beach he gathered a huge mound of drift wood and set a fire. For six days and six nights he tended the flames and on the seventh morn he pushed it into the sea. That day he slept and dreamed of a golden chalice, when he awoke, before him was a boat of shimmering gold and in this he sailed the great sea to the Erytheia.
It was not long before he discovered the red cattle grazing in the meadow. It was not long either before Orthus had spotted him and was upon Hercules in an instant. Orthus the two headed dog which guarded the cattle was laid swiftly to waste by Hercules who then approached the shepherd Eurytion. This challenge was met by instant submission from Eurytion who pleaded for his life, which Hercules spared. He then led the cattle to the shore and the waiting boat when from behind sprang Geryon himself. Hercules and he struggled but eventually Geryon lay dead on the shore. Hercules herded the cattle in the golden boat which swelled as all the cattle came aboard.
Hercules soon landed on the mainland but it was quite sometime before he was to return the cattle to the great beings, for one or another was forever running of on its own and Hercules would have to stop the herd and go after it. There where also many challenges he met along the way and Hercules dispatched them all. At last he arrived back with all his charges, not a one lost or slain along the way.
Hercules had now completed all twelve of his earthly labours and so now he rested before taking on more labours on the cosmic plane.
I wander how many of my readers have already formed an opinion about this the last sign of the zodiac. At the very beginning we are privy to the knowledge that now he has become a server he must now become a saviour. Pisces the sign associated with Christianity and Christ the Saviour the cattle then, the beautiful red cattle are of course representative of humanity. We are told also that not one is to be lost, it is in fact all or none at all. He plays well the role of good shepherd, he guides, he protects and he brings home the wayward. It must be remembered that Hercules could have done none of this if he had not have been granted the holy grail. By connecting to the Sun god Helius, here representing the Father, who grants the holy grail only to those who are dedicated to bringing His children home. But what has this to do with us, mere mortals and Sun in Pisces.
The obvious Christian overtones are unfortunate only in that it may be thought that a Christian preference is being expressed, it is not. I deal only with Astrology, maybe a very spiritual astrology but I deal not with religion and have no religious views to express within these pages.
Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and as such represents a culmination of all the other signs, it is also all the other signs held in solution. The average Piscian is a very nebulous creature and suffers greatly for his lack of clear definition. When Sun is realised in Pisces the picture is very different, for Sun in Pisces is very clearly defined, it is simply that the dimensions are not known in the material world, restricted as it is to four, if we allow for time. When the Sun Experience is fully realised in Pisces, there is no personality, there are no personal issues there is no separateness, there is only the whole. To these people the goal has gone there is no thought of achievement because they are just to busy bringing about, in any way, be it grand or insignificant, the evolution of the whole of mankind, they are busy but there is no sense of urgency for they have passed through time. They are the steady bobbing waves that wash the shore, they are the winds and rains that bring the mountain tops to the valley floor, till we all graze in the lush meadow of home.