Cazimi, under the sunbeams & combust: the

conjunctions of theSun
.entry-header
Hello again, and welcome back. After some correspondence with a friend this week I
decided to start publishing my own database on astrology. This database has been
built up over the last 13 years using the interpretations editor of my computer
software. It has been systematically added to over that time with all of my
observations and discoveries and I use this as my raw material when writing an
astral vision of someones birth chart. It is now so huge that in places I can no longer
add to it, the software having reached a limit to its capacity. It represents every
aspect of my personal experience with astrology and so in the time intervening
between writing my next entry I will be posting bits and pieces of this database for
people to use, ignore or think over. Today I give you some of my thoughts on the
general nature of conjunctions with the Sun.

The corona of the Sun is so bright that any planet within about 8 of the Sun will not
be seen at all. This is called being combust. Even beyond that point and up to
about 17 away the brightness of the Sun is still overpowering and the planet is faint.
This is called being under the sunbeams. If a planet is right at the core of the Sun,
within 0 17, then it is utterly consumed and this is called being cazimi.
So there are really three kinds of solar conjunction cazimi, combust and under
sunbeams each of which has a somewhat different effect. Planets under the
sunbeams are said to be mildly debilitated, with this weakness increasing the closer
they come to the Sun. So conjunctions between 8-17 still count as conjunctions
with the Sun.[1] Closer than 8, the weakness of the planets is said to increase to a
higher degree, which is called being combust.[2] This is considered a more serious
weakness implying a restriction of power and strength, as the fierceness of the Sun
burns away the principle of the planet. Finally, when in the very core of the Sun at 0
17 or less, a planet is cazimi and is briefly strengthened by its contact and union

with the solar principle, being reborn and re-forged in its own depth of being and
these are conjunctions finding a true alignment between the inner self of the
individual and the principle of the planet. They are often described as bestowing
some kind of brilliance or genius.
This seems rather unfair since it means that there are no strong solar conjunctions
except those which are almost exact, until you realise that the mainstream writings
on astrology have a political philosophy which evaluates strength and power purely
in material terms. A good chart is one that makes us rich easily, ensures our
perpetual emotional bliss and provides us with all that we want. The view is
materialistic. But with the conjunctions to the Sun, the attachment to materialisation
itself is dissolving.
Thus, what is being made combust is the detritus and silt of the planet, the outer
material crust which interacts with the physical material world in which power and
strength are measured very tangibly and crudely. The power of these planets is not
destroyed it is simply being transferred to more spiritual and intangible realms which
are sourced within. This transference is made by the fusion of our conscious
awareness to and with what the planet represents, by the casting of our inner light
upon it in a dazzling illumination of its entire realm and a command of that realm in
our own being. The dross burns away in the light of awareness and we see the
principle of the planet with brilliant illumination, but within ourselves.
Cazimi, then, leads to the most enchanted state wherein the essential meaning of the
planet becomes truly inseparable from our spirit. If the planet is in a superior
conjunction with the Sun (on its far side) then the effect will be stronger, because
superior conjunctions represent a Full Moon stage of the planetary cycle.[3] A
cazimi Venus, for example, could easily be a nymphomaniac or sex addict, for
example. It could also be a person with near supernatural charm, grace or insight
into the world of feelings. Under the sunbeams a planet is warmed and vitalised and
somewhat or completely invisible, meaning it is commanding and infused with our
inner light but somehow on the fringes, lacking in conventional status. It becomes
ethereal, alluring, unusual and dreamy. Combust planets are unorthodox and often
willfully defy external direction because they are confident in their own inner unique
grasp of the planets essential meaning. They are either aloof from or disinterested in
the material agenda of the planet concerned but will still display its power radiantly
and forcefully but somewhat enigmatically and individually.
Short answer: when a planet becomes non-visible because of the Suns light it
becomes less physical and more astral in focus.
[1] Since Mercury is very often within at least range of being under the sunbeams, the vast majority
of people live with something similar, whereas with Venus there is frequently more distance and
thus objectivity. This is part of the nature of Mercury thought is more tightly bound to
consciousness than emotion and it is thus more difficult to gain objectivity on its operations.
[2] Astrologers have not concluded whether conjunctions which take place at the end and beginning
of signs, causing the aspect to be out of sign, still count as a combustion or even as conjunctions,
but my experience is that they do.
[3] Note that all planets except Mercury and Venus always form superior conjunctions with the Sun,
as only Mercury and Venus can form inferior conjunctions. The inferior conjunction is therefore
connected with the integration of the poles of the personality, thought and feeling, with the light of
our being. If we were living on Mars, then Earth could also form an inferior conjunction with the
Sun, and so on

enus in Scorpio or Venus in

Relation to Scorpio
1
2

(from Esoteric Astrology)

Venus Partially Related to the Intellect, Which is Released
into Full Governing Activity in Scorpio:
the intellect has become more and more dominant and an
increasingly potent factor. In Scorpio the mind is released into full

enus in Scorpio or Venus in

Relation to Scorpio
1
2

3
4

5
6
7

8
9

(from Esoteric Astrology)

Venus Partially Related to the Intellect, Which is Released
into Full Governing Activity in Scorpio:
the intellect has become more and more dominant and an
increasingly potent factor. In Scorpio the mind is released into full
governing activity. This release takes place in two stages:
Stage 1Wherein the intellect becomes dominant and powerful
and controls eventually the emotional nature.
Stage 2 Wherein the intellect is illumined by the light of the
soul. (EA 179-180)
Venus is in Detriment in Scorpio:
Venus, the intelligent mind, has its power lessened in this sign
because the intellecthaving been developed and usedmust
now be subordinated to a higher power of the soul, the spiritual
intuition. The Son of Mind, the solar Angel, must now manifest as
a Son of God. This solar Angel, when in control, must give place
eventually to the Presence. This it has hitherto veiled or hidden.
Venus must wane and the Sunas a symbol of Deitymust wax
in influence and finally take its place. Such are the symbolic and
esoteric significances. (EA 225)
VenusBehind the Scene of a Triangle Involving two Rulers
of Scorpio:
You will note that Pluto and not Mars is here mentioned by me as
a non-sacred Planet, ruling Scorpio. The reason for this is that
there is a relation between Mars and Pluto analogous to that
between Venus and the Earth. Esoterically speaking, Mars is the
alter ego of Pluto; the activity of Pluto at this time and in this
lesser world cycle is very important on account of its esoteric
approach to the Earth, impelled thereto by the vivification of its life
by a display of Martian energy. The Earth, Mars and Pluto form an
interesting triangle with Venus behind the scene acting as the
impelling soul acts towards a rapidly integrating personality. (EA
507-508)
Venus in ScorpioLove of Death:
With the combination, Venus in Scorpio, the planet of love is
found in the pre-eminent sign of death. In the consideration of
most, love and death are considered opposites, for death is all
that most human beings love least. Combining these two
influences, therefore, is likely to produce an unusual result. For
some, this may mean a morbid, unnatural, life-denying love of
death, or of those unhealthy, destructive ways of living which
lead to death. For others, there may come the realization that love
(Venus) leads to death (Scorpio). This was graphically the case in
pre-scientific days, due to the high incidence of death in childbirth. Venus in Taurus (the sign opposite to Scorpio) represents a
love of all that is natural, vital and alive.

10
11 Venus in ScorpioMorbidity in Love:
12 Occasionally in literature, one meets the figure of Death as a

some, this may mean a morbid, unnatural, life-denying love of

death, or of those unhealthy, destructive ways of living which
lead to death. For others, there may come the realization that love
(Venus) leads to death (Scorpio). This was graphically the case in
pre-scientific days, due to the high incidence of death in childbirth. Venus in Taurus (the sign opposite to Scorpio) represents a
love of all that is natural, vital and alive.
10
11 Venus in ScorpioMorbidity in Love:
12 Occasionally in literature, one meets the figure of Death as a
lover. Those who are weary of the world and its disappointments,
are sometimes attracted to the apparent peace which death may
bring. They are lured by the darkly attractive image of deaths
embrace. This is vividly portrayed in Schuberts song, Death and
the Maiden. Death approaches the maiden as a lover, and
promises her that she shall sleep peacefully in his arms.
13
14 Venus in ScorpioVampiristic Love:
15 Love is considered an act of giving and sharing. Scorpio,
however, is the pre-eminent sign of vampirism, which is a theft of
vitality from others. Venus is magnetic, and can be, in early days,
selfishly magnetic. With this combination, one may find that socalled love, takes from him everything he has; or he may be such
a personexercising a negative, devitalizing magnetism upon
others.
16
17 Venus in ScorpioLoss of Love through Death:
18 Voluntary death is rare, except upon initiates. Usually, death is
involuntary, and when Venus is found in Scorpio, people may find
themselves deprived (Scorpio) of that which they love (Venus).
This, of course, can serve the purpose of developing detachment.
19
20 Venus in ScorpioObscuration of the Soul through
Attachment:
Venus is the soul of light and love, plunged into the obscuration of
the lower worlds. In these worlds the magnetic power of the soul
attracts matter and lower forms. These attractions prevent the
light of the soul from shining and the love of the soul from
radiating. Lower attraction is a preoccupation, and preoccupation
is a method of stabilizing a lower vibratory state which is resistant
to the influence of a higher state. With the lower state stabilized,
the higher state cannot influence and express. To a greater or
lesser extent this is true of Venus in every sign during the early
days of evolution, but it is especially so in those signs which
particularly represent the darkness of the material sphereof
which Scorpio is one, Virgo and Capricorn being others
21
22 Venus in ScorpioSeduction:
23 Venus is the planet particularly associated with magnetism; when
that magnetism is negative (i.e., leading into attachment to the
worlds of form) we call the magnetism allure, or more
emphatically, wrong allure. Scorpio, too, in an astrological
influence associated with negative magnetism, and also with
stealth and coversion. Venus and Scorpio, together, are
seductive, rendering falsely attractive that which leads only into
vice and bondage. The truth, however, does not appear until the
bitter-sweetness, has done its work and the unwitting subject is

22 Venus in ScorpioSeduction:
23 Venus is the planet particularly associated with magnetism; when
that magnetism is negative (i.e., leading into attachment to the
worlds of form) we call the magnetism allure, or more
emphatically, wrong allure. Scorpio, too, in an astrological
influence associated with negative magnetism, and also with
stealth and coversion. Venus and Scorpio, together, are
seductive, rendering falsely attractive that which leads only into
vice and bondage. The truth, however, does not appear until the
bitter-sweetness, has done its work and the unwitting subject is
trapped.
24
25 Venus in ScorpioObsessive Love:
26 When desire repeats itself without cessation, it is called
obsession. Scorpio (like Taurusboth on the Fixed Cross) is a
sign conferring great persistence (whether for good or for ill).
Negative desires acquire a vitality of their own. Add the
magnetism of Venus, and a situation is created in which
attachment to negative energy patterns is greatly strengthened. It
becomes almost impossible for the subject to rid himself of the
objects of love or desire to which he is compulsively attracted. He
is obsessed by love.
27
28 Venus in ScorpioFatal Attraction to Negativity and the
Dark Side:
Within the last decade there appeared an interesting film called
Fatal Attraction. It emphasized morbid, obsessive love and
death. Venus in Scorpio leads into such fatal attractions, which
end with the death of the ones attracted, or of the love which
attracted them (a preferable conclusion). Once in the clutches of
such an attraction, release is extraordinarily difficult. The alluring
magnetism must be broken and it is extremely resistant.
Sometimes fatal attractions are really fated attractions, having
to do with the expiation of karma. The apparently negative
situations which result are actually staging a release from some
viceoften a release through the medium of pain.
29 Orthodoxly - an attraction to that which is low and which should
be rejected.
30
31 Venus in ScorpioTemptation (Seduction, Wrong Allure):
32 Under the seductiveness of glamour, the attracting object looks so
appealing. The unsuspecting lover hears the sirens singing, little
suspecting that they are luring him to his doom. (Perhaps Venus
in any of the water signs suggests the thought of surrendering to
sensuous life, but in Scorpio the allure becomes almost irresistible
because the magnetism becomes so intense. Oscar Wilde, a
Libran with Venus in Scorpio, I can resist anything except
temptation, which is equivalent to saying, I can resist nothing.
His unfortunate end proved this to be the case. Under this
combination (especially upon the Fixed Cross) the will can be
seduced; the power of the will is overcome by an allurement; thus
wrong magnetism triumphs over the will. Venus in Scorpio sets up
those magnetic conditions which should be rejected, but they are
rarely rejected until there is sufficient experience upon the Fixed
Cross.
33
34 Venus in Scorpiothe Reign of Lower Values; Vice:

His unfortunate end proved this to be the case. Under this

combination (especially upon the Fixed Cross) the will can be
seduced; the power of the will is overcome by an allurement; thus
wrong magnetism triumphs over the will. Venus in Scorpio sets up
those magnetic conditions which should be rejected, but they are
rarely rejected until there is sufficient experience upon the Fixed
Cross.
33
34 Venus in Scorpiothe Reign of Lower Values; Vice:
35 Venus is the planet of values, and Scorpio represents the power
of the Hydra to hold the consciousness in maya, glamor and
illusion. Upon the Mutable Cross, soul values are completely
overwhelmed, and the magnetism of Venus is made to serve the
threefold negative forces. One values all that is lowest.
36
37 Venus in ScorpioCompulsive Sexuality:
Venus in Scorpio will stimulate intense intimate relationships of a
compulsive kind. Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto, two planets
with strong sexual connotations. Mars stimulates sexual desire,
and Pluto renders desires compulsive, irresistible. Add Venus to
the picture, and a vision of the beauty of sexual life arises. In the
worst extremes we may have nymphomania and satyriasis; the
sexual appetite is, then, completely in control.
38
39 Venus is ScorpioAnimal Magnetism:
40 The physical elemental has its own natural, animal attractiveness.
Venus in both Scorpio and Taurus strengthen this magnetism, but
other astrological factors, such as Earth and Mars, also make their
contribution.
41
42 Venus in Scorpiothe Ability to Accumulate Resources:
Venus is associated with the money and material resources
through its rulership of Taurus and its dignity within in the second
house. Taurus and Scorpio are both financial signs, as is Libra
(Law, Sex, and Money) over which Venus rules, exoterically.
Scorpio is a sign of investment, conferring the ability to gain power
over resources and selfishly corner the market; negatively,
Scorpio is one of the signs of greed,(with Cancer and Capricorn
also contributing). Venus placed in Scorpio, adds to the magnetic
ability to accumulate resources, and sometimes to suddenly lose
them, for Scorpio takes away at length what, for a term, it gives,
just as death does.
43
44 Venus in ScorpioIssues of Love and Power:
Scorpio is a power sign. Upon the Mutable Cross the subject
seeks to gain power over others, and, upon the Fixed Cross,
power over himself. Venus, upon the Mutable Cross, is the planet
of love and affection. Ideally, relationship, is based upon
mutuality, with neither partner seeking to overpower the other.
This is not true of Scorpio, in which the destructive use of power is
often found in the field of relationships. Power games are
frequently played to see who will come out on top. Often, in
Scorpio, it is the female force which dominates. We have the
example in the insect world, of the black widow spider killing her
mate after the mating ritual. This is typical of Venus in Scorpio.
The destructive goddess, Kali, can also be associated with this

of love and affection. Ideally, relationship, is based upon

mutuality, with neither partner seeking to overpower the other.
This is not true of Scorpio, in which the destructive use of power is
often found in the field of relationships. Power games are
frequently played to see who will come out on top. Often, in
Scorpio, it is the female force which dominates. We have the
example in the insect world, of the black widow spider killing her
mate after the mating ritual. This is typical of Venus in Scorpio.
The destructive goddess, Kali, can also be associated with this
sign. Venus in Scorpio brings forward negative femininity, or what
we might call feminine evil. Under its influence such power
games as are played may also be subtle, using sexual attraction
and allure as weapons of power.
45
46 Venus in ScorpioJealousy, Hatred and Possessiveness in
the Field of Love and Desire: For the average or undeveloped
man, Venus contributes to love and sexuality. But Scorpio, like
Taurus, is a field in which owning and possessing are highly
valued. With this combination, there may be a refusal to share
love, and a desire to corner the market in terms of affection, just
as the Scorpio subject sought to do this in the area of finance. The
love aroused by Venus may be intense in this combination, but
the lethal tendencies of Mars and Pluto are always lying in wait,
ready to emerge and take control.
47
48 Venus in Scorpiothe Use of Love for Negative Purposes:
Todays films are full of characters who use sex and natural
attraction to get what they want. Scorpio (a triple sign) is
associated with the power of manipulation. Manipulation and
attractiveness together can be extremely effective in overcoming
the opposition.. An archetype for this position could be the spy
who uses her (or his) sex appeal (Venus) to obtain the necessary
secrets (Scorpio).
49
50 Venus in ScorpioDistorted Loves
Whereas Venus in Taurus gives a love of that which is natural,
Venus placed in the opposite sign, Scorpio (an sign in which
Uranusplanet of deviationis exalted) may render all that is
unnatural, artificial and perverted strangely attracted. Upon the
Mutable Cross, and even for the advanced man (before spirituality
has been established) there may be a distorted sense of
aesthetics and strange fascinations. It becomes clear that the
repulsive perversion known as necrophilia (the love {Venus} of
dead bodies {Scorpio}) can be indicated by this position. All this,
of course, depends upon aspects and other placements.
51
52 Venus in Scorpiothe Gain which Comes from Being
Beautiful:
Both Taurus and Scorpio are signs of gain, though for Scorpio,
typically, it is gain before loss. Venus, the symbol of that which is
of value (for instance money) is magnetically attracted to those
with these two placements. There is often a fascinating beauty
associated with these two positions. Venus in Scorpio is, if
anything, more covert and seductive. The subject can capitalize
upon being beautiful, and many gifts will come. Venus in Libra
offers something of the same, but without the negative

Beautiful:
Both Taurus and Scorpio are signs of gain, though for Scorpio,
typically, it is gain before loss. Venus, the symbol of that which is
of value (for instance money) is magnetically attracted to those
with these two placements. There is often a fascinating beauty
associated with these two positions. Venus in Scorpio is, if
anything, more covert and seductive. The subject can capitalize
upon being beautiful, and many gifts will come. Venus in Libra
offers something of the same, but without the negative
consequences, because Venus in Scorpio often suggests that
energy is being used negatively (if subtly and even unconsciously)
to secure the gain. Many good things come to the beautiful, but
there is often a price to pay.
53
54 Venus in ScorpioBuried Treasure:
55 Traditionally one has to dig to find buried treasure. If pirates have
not hidden it, then nature has. This is a combination which
suggests that something valuable can be found in the depths. It
can suggest thievery and hiding the stolen objects or, later, it can
suggest a psychological process through which the subject
descends into hell (Scorpiothe unconscious mind) to redeem
soul values which may be there hidden.

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Specific Expressions of Venus in

ScorpioVenus in Scorpio for the
Average or Undeveloped Man
Venus in Scorpio for the Advanced Man
1

Venus in Scorpioa Light-Filled Mind

Controlling the Astral Vehicle:
Venus is the planet of the intellect. For the
Scorpionic individual, the mind becomes powerful
in two waysfirst as the instrument for the control
of the emotions, and, secondly, as an organ of
illumination. Venus, a planet of light and tranquility,
can contribute to the control of the emotions
through the illumination and tranquilization of the
astral nature.
Venus in Scorpioa Transformation of Values:
In Libra (under Uranus) the reversal of the wheel
occurs and the orientation to the soul is
established. Scorpio ensures that the values of the
soul are established, and are tested against the
prevailing values of the personality. Venus, is the
planet of values, or of ideal desires. Under Scorpio
(and finally at the second initiation, ruled to a great
extent by Scorpio) the subject dies to old desires
and old values, and replaces them with desires
and values which have been transformed by the
light and love of the soul. For the advanced man,
there is simply the realization that there are higher,
better and more beautiful things worth striving for.

soul are established, and are tested against the

prevailing values of the personality. Venus, is the
planet of values, or of ideal desires. Under Scorpio
(and finally at the second initiation, ruled to a great
extent by Scorpio) the subject dies to old desires
and old values, and replaces them with desires
and values which have been transformed by the
light and love of the soul. For the advanced man,
there is simply the realization that there are higher,
better and more beautiful things worth striving for.
Venus in ScorpioAttraction to That which
must be Relinquished:
Venus in Scorpio always attracts to that which
must be relinquished. For the advanced man, the
value of this dynamic begins to be understood, and
the meaning of the inevitable loss is more readily
accepted. There is, perhaps, more understanding
and less resentment in relation to the process of
privation. It is realized that a change for the better
is necessary , and that loss is a prelude to that
change.
Venus in ScorpioHarmonizing Conflict:
Scorpio is a sign full of conflictinner and outer.
Venus is a planet of harmonization (though in its
usual ray complement, it does not seem to transmit
the fourth ray). Perhaps we can think of the second
ray (which is definitely associated with Venus) as
the higher aspect of the fourth ray. When Venus is
found in Scorpio, its power of harmonization can
be applied to the conflict aspect of Scorpio; further,
it can draw forth the harmony aspect of the ray of
Harmony through Conflict which is so powerfully
transmitted through Scorpio. This combination can,
at least, help the subject bring the light of the
intellect to bear upon emotionally difficult positions.
It would be a good position for a psychologist who
must bring light into dark places.
Venus in Scorpiothe Pulls Between Higher
and Lower Magnetism:
For the advanced man, Venus is Scorpio will begin
to make the contrast between the higher and lower
magnetisms more evident. It is no longer only
lower magnetisms which make their appeal. The
normal lower attractions will now be opposed by
higher attractions stimulated by the soul (though
the individual may not yet be a conscious aspirant
or disciple).
Venus in Scorpio-Deeply Felt Artistic
Expression:
Venus represents the arts and artistic expression;
Scorpio represents the depths of human
experience. With this combination there may well
be artistic expression through themes which
portray humanitys deep struggles, attractions and
repulsions. The beauty of the darker side of life is
understood and expressed, as well as the
possibility of redemption in the light.

Venus in Scorpio-Deeply Felt Artistic

Expression:
Venus represents the arts and artistic expression;
Scorpio represents the depths of human
experience. With this combination there may well
be artistic expression through themes which
portray humanitys deep struggles, attractions and
repulsions. The beauty of the darker side of life is
understood and expressed, as well as the
possibility of redemption in the light.
7 Venus in ScorpioRelationship Reveals the
Need for Redemption:
Through Venus (the principal planet of
relationship) and Scorpio (a sign of sexuality and
of absorbing psychological struggles), relationship
proves to be great testing ground. The compulsive
magnetism between the sexes leads to a perpetual
battle of the sexes, and brings to light much
which must be redeemed by the soul, or at least,
by sound psychological understanding.
8 Venus in ScorpioBeauty Revealed in
Ugliness; Beauty and the Beast:
Scorpio is the sign of the monster (EA 333), of that
that which is abnormal and deviates widely (and
frighteningly) from the design of Nature. Venus is
the planet of beauty. Together, they give the
capacity to discern beauty in ugliness. Though the
surface expression be repulsive, Venus can see
beneath it and into the soul, discovering beauty in
the deeper recesses of the self. To sense and
cultivate the beauty within the beast, of course,
transforms and redeems the beast.
9 Venus in ScorpioInvestment:
Venus is the planet of accrual and appreciation
(financially defined). Scorpio is a sign of initial loss
followed by gain (on a higher turn of the spiral).
Venus (representing the treasures of the causal
body) is definitely a planet of gain. With this
combination comes the realization that if one
wants something of value, one must be ready to
make initial sacrifices; value, benefit and gain will
emerge after the sacrifice. Every investor
understanding this. Venus in Scorpio enhances
benefit from investment (whether monetary or
psychological).
10 Venus in ScorpioUnhappiness and Profit in
the Relationship Life:
This is not an especially happy position for
relationship life (unless there is considerable
psychological security) because (in this sign of
struggle) harmony is never easy to sustain. It is,
however, a potentially, profitable combination
psychologically. Always some new depth of love is
revealed, demanding that some lesser value within
the relationship be relinquished for a greater value.
This can be painful. Love is tested here, and the
illusions surrounding the relationship life are

This is not an especially happy position for

relationship life (unless there is considerable
psychological security) because (in this sign of
struggle) harmony is never easy to sustain. It is,
however, a potentially, profitable combination
psychologically. Always some new depth of love is
revealed, demanding that some lesser value within
the relationship be relinquished for a greater value.
This can be painful. Love is tested here, and the
illusions surrounding the relationship life are
challenged by the demands of higher light and
truer love.

Venus in Scorpio for the Disciple/Initiate

(example of Libra with Venus in Scorpio: Gandhi): Iron

will, but quiet about it. Basically - If you don't do what I
want you to do. I will starve myself to death. He
eventually became a brahma charya, which is the path
of total abstinence. He tried four times it didn't work out,
finally the fifth time he succeeded
1 Venus in Scorpiothe Soul Enters the
Darkness of the Astral-Emotional World, the
Underworld: Under this combination, the soul
(Venus) deliberately enters the Underworld,
Hades, the lower astral plane, where lower desire
makes its home and unresolved complexes
(hidden enemies) lurk in the darkness. Venus
represents the light and love which must be carried
into these depths, if the quality of energy is to
change.
2 Venus in ScorpioLead us from
The prayer of the disciple (to the soul and the
Master) is to be led from darkness to light, from
the unreal to the real, from death to immortality
and and from chaos to beauty. Lower Scorpio
represents darkness, unreality, death and chaos.
Venus is the light, the reality, the immortality and
the beauty of the soul. Venus represents the
magnetic attraction of the higher worlds which
draws the disciple out of the lower magnetic
conditions, and into the higher mental plane where
the soul finds its habitation. From a certain
perspective, Venus represent the light at the end
of the tunnelthe tunnel of being the passage
through the illusion, glamor and maya of the lower
three worlds. The disciple also prays to be led
from the individual to the universal, but it is the
task of planets other than Venus to accomplish
this.
3 Venus in ScorpioAppreciation Leads to
Transformation and Redemption:
Appreciation can be defined as the capacity to
recognize quality. Quality is often well hidden
within normal circumstances; the personality is
visible, but not the soul. Venus, however, (in the
disciple or initiate) is the power to see behind and
within the obvious to the core. When soul quality is

task of planets other than Venus to accomplish

this.
Venus in ScorpioAppreciation Leads to
Transformation and Redemption:
Appreciation can be defined as the capacity to
recognize quality. Quality is often well hidden
within normal circumstances; the personality is
visible, but not the soul. Venus, however, (in the
disciple or initiate) is the power to see behind and
within the obvious to the core. When soul quality is
recognized, it can be strengthened and drawn into
expression. Further, this placement helps the
subject draw to himself all that must be
transformed and upliftedespecially within the
realm of the emotions, to which the energy of
Scorpio is so related.
Venus in Scorpiothe Muse as Guide in the
World of the Unconscious:
When Dante descended into Hell, he needed the
guidance of Beatricethe Lady with the lamp. In
this image, the symbolism of Venus is easily
recognized. The Lady represented the realm of
the soul. She could see within the lower worlds; he
could not. Venus in Scorpio also represents the
artists muse, who guides and inspires him as he
seeks to work with and within the depths of
himself. There is much to be learned within the
lower worlds, but it is only safe (and creative) to
enter this Hell under the guidance of the soulor
of the psychological mentor who represents the
soul.
Venus in ScorpioUseful at the Second
Initiation:
Scorpio is active at the first three initiations and
especially at the second: In this sign, the disciple
undergoes those tests which will enable him to
take the second initiation and demonstrate that the
desire nature is subdued and conquered, and that
the lower nature is (by being lifted up in the air, i.e.
into heaven) capable of reaching the goal for this
world period, (EA 143). After the third initiation, its
peculiar testing potency is no longer felt. (EA 199)
The second initiation requires that the emotional
nature be subdued, and that personality desire
die. Venus, Jupiter and Neptune (planets with a
strong second ray) are all active at this initiation,
as are the testing influences of Mars and Pluto
(two of the rulers of Scorpio). For this initiation to
transpire, the light and love of the soul must
penetrate the astral sphere, subduing Martian
selfishness (Venus can do this), and reorienting
the desire nature entirely towards the world of the
soul. Venus represents this light and love, and
Scorpio, the astral vehicle. From the time of the
second initiation, the emotional vehicle becomes a
more reliable transmitter of soul light (Venus), and
of the lovenot only of the soulbut of the
buddhic plane.

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transpire, the light and love of the soul must

penetrate the astral sphere, subduing Martian
selfishness (Venus can do this), and reorienting
the desire nature entirely towards the world of the
soul. Venus represents this light and love, and
Scorpio, the astral vehicle. From the time of the
second initiation, the emotional vehicle becomes a
more reliable transmitter of soul light (Venus), and
of the lovenot only of the soulbut of the
buddhic plane.
Venus in Scorpiothe Crisis of Light:
During the process of integrating soul and
personality, a fivefold psycho-spiritual process is
experienced. It consists of Alignment, Crisis, Light,
Revelation and Integration. The soul reveals the
personality to itself. This revelation arises following
the crisis induced by alignment with the soul;
subsequently, the revealed light becomes, itself, a
cause of further crisis. If 1)the challenges of
alignment, 2) the crisis of personal adjustment to
that alignment, and 3) the revelation of the faults of
the personality nature are understood, the soul
goes on to reveal the nature of the Divine Plan,
and the role which the disciple may play within it.
The light-bearing, light-shedding quality of Venus
is clearly associated with the revelation of
personality faults and bonds represented by
Scorpio.
Venus in Scorpiothe Expression of Beauty:
Artistic tendencies certainly manifest early in the
process of evolution. One need not be a disciple or
initiate to be an artist. But when the disciple or
initiate does express himself through art, the art
will reflect the life of the soul rather than the
contents of the personality vehicles only. Venus is
the planet of art and Scorpio the pre-eminent sign
of discipleship. In the following statement, the
Tibetan gives an excellent idea of the creative life
in Scorpio: In Scorpio, the man who has mastered
his lessons in Taurus must demonstrate that
creativity which will work under the inspiration of
aspiration and vision and constructively attempt to
express the beauty which all forms intrinsically veil,
thus bringing to all revelation of that underlying
purpose which motivates all events and forms. (EA
398) Here we have the idea of creative expression
and the idea of the beauty veiled by the form.
Scorpio confers the power to penetrate the veil of
form, and Venus gives the appreciation of beauty.
Together, they can fulfill the requirements of which
the Tibetan speaks.
Venus in ScorpioUseful in the Field of
Esoteric Psychology:
Venus is the distributor of the fifth ray (the ray
which rules the practice and teaching of esoteric
Psychologythe science of the soul). Scorpio, in
its own right, is a sign deeply related to

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Scorpio confers the power to penetrate the veil of

form, and Venus gives the appreciation of beauty.
Together, they can fulfill the requirements of which
the Tibetan speaks.
8 Venus in ScorpioUseful in the Field of
Esoteric Psychology:
Venus is the distributor of the fifth ray (the ray
which rules the practice and teaching of esoteric
Psychologythe science of the soul). Scorpio, in
its own right, is a sign deeply related to
psychological inquiry. One can readily see how this
combination (Venus in Scorpio) can help esoteric
psychology to fulfill its purposethe liberation of
the soul (Venus) from bondage (Scorpio).
9 Venus in Scorpioa Harmony Through
Conflict Position:
At this time, Scorpio is the most potent distributor
of the ray of Harmony through Conflict. Venus is a
planet of which reconciles conflict. Venus
represents harmony and beauty rising out of the
turmoil of Scorpio. Venus is the light after the
Scorpionic dark. Under this influence, the disciple
(under the guidance of the soul) passes through
the valley of the shadow of death and is liberated
into soul life. Scorpio, too, has its own quality of
lightthe Light of Day, entered after victory upon
the battlefield.
10 Venus in ScorpioVictory through
Illumination, Release from the Coils of the
Serpent:
If the disciple is to be released from the coils of
the serpent, mental illumination is required. Venus
(with Mercury) is a planet which contributes to the
illumination of the mind. Venus confers the power
to bring mental illumination and soul values to bear
upon the normal conflicts of the paths of aspiration
and discipleship, as well as the struggles incident
to the initiations of the threshold. These conflicts
and struggles arise from the human predicament
for humanity is the middle kingdom and its soul is
ruled by the fourth ray.
Thus, humanity is caught between the pairs of
oppositessoul and form, spirit and matter.
Humanitys personality is, at this time, ruled by the
fifth raythough a change of soul and personality
rays is expected at the climax of human evolution.
We see from the combination of the fourth and fifth
rays how closely related is the combination of
Venus (fifth ray) and Scorpio (fourth ray) to
humanitys ray structure, and why this combination
of influences is so archetypally related to its
struggle for liberation. A victory is requireda
victory of light and love. Venus has its role to play
in this victory, but it is certainly not the only planet
involved. Venus represents the light, love and
beauty of the soul brought to bear upon the whole

We see from the combination of the fourth and fifth

rays how closely related is the combination of
Venus (fifth ray) and Scorpio (fourth ray) to
humanitys ray structure, and why this combination
of influences is so archetypally related to its
struggle for liberation. A victory is requireda
victory of light and love. Venus has its role to play
in this victory, but it is certainly not the only planet
involved. Venus represents the light, love and
beauty of the soul brought to bear upon the whole
sordid expression of normal, undeveloped human
living. Mars and Pluto have sword in hand; they
certainly make their contribution to the victory of
the incarnated human soul, but alone they cannot
triumph. The illumination and understanding
contributed by Venus and Mercury are also
needed. Knowledge and love-wisdom are united in
Venus; these two help the human soul extricate
itself from the normal pushes and pulls of the bipolar Scorpionic experience, for the soul (Venus)
stands midway, and offers a path which is neither
of the pairs of opposites.
One of the reasons that the coils of the serpent of
illusion are so powerful is because they are
largely invisible. Venus (and Mercury) end this
invisibility, and invite the human soul into the
lighted world of higher mind and intuition. In this
elevated atmosphere the serpent cannot breathe,
and dies. Thus, is consciousness released from
the weakened coils of the dying serpent.
11 Venus in Scorpiothe Death of all Lower
Values:
Just as lower values (Venus) were pursued by the
undeveloped or average man, so the testing,
death-dealing atmosphere of Scorpio kills the
lower magnetisms, ensuring that only the higher
values survive. The Scorpio experience deglamorizes lower values and desires, revealing
them for what they really are. Disillusioned, the
human soul drops its attraction for such things.
This is the death of desire.
12 Venus in ScorpioPrivation for the Sake of
Redemption:
Under Venus in Scorpio one falls in love with the
things of the lower worldswith the things which
one cannot have and hold (as Venus in Cancer
would wish) for the soul will take them away. This
combination demonstrates to the evolving
consciousness the impossibility of holding in the
bonds of love-desire that which must be taken
away for the sake of the greater radiance of the
soul. From the souls perspective, the personality,
through loss and pain, is finally forced to find
wanting that which it previously found attractive.
Personal loss becomes spiritual salvation. The
fusion of soul and personality is promoted through

combination demonstrates to the evolving

consciousness the impossibility of holding in the
bonds of love-desire that which must be taken
away for the sake of the greater radiance of the
soul. From the souls perspective, the personality,
through loss and pain, is finally forced to find
wanting that which it previously found attractive.
Personal loss becomes spiritual salvation. The
fusion of soul and personality is promoted through
privation and disappointment. Through the agency
of this combination, the Solar Angel is turned
free (at least, in partfor Venus in Capricorn
looms ahead) of its attachment to and submersion
in form. Venus in Scorpio brings the value of
privation home to the soul in incarnation. As the
process continues, there arises in the
consciousness of the human soul a love of being
free from the attachments of form. Apparent
material loss begins to be seen and understood as
spiritual gain. Values are entirely transformed, and
the Law of Repulse can become effective. This
fourth law of the soul is really an aspect of the Law
of Love. It is not so much that one hates the lower
worlds; it is simply that one loves (Venus) the
higher worlds more.
13 Venus in Scorpiothe War Against Sex:
Upon the Mutable Cross, Venus represents human
desire-love (on the emotional plane), and sexuality
(on the physical). For long, the wrong use of these
two result in attachment to the lower worlds and
retarded spiritual progress. In Scorpio the disciple
realizes that he has, for ages, been dying of
attachment. This realization may cause a violent
compensatory reaction, and he may seek to stamp
out all desire for the lower worlds and its sources
of gratification. Mars and Pluto are certainly
involved in this often fanatical response, but Venus
can play its role as well. Venus in Scorpio need not
represent sexual indulgence; it can represent
exactly the opposite. The normal sexual
magnetism is denied, reoriented and, to the
degree possible, sublimated. Usually indulgence
has preceded such a sublimation and taught the
futility and bondage of powerful, prolonged sexual
desire.
14 Venus in ScorpioFatal Attraction as
Fateful Attraction:
The fatal attractions engineered by this position
have been discussed above. For the disciple/
initiate, these fatal attractions are fated and
fateful attractions, giving the opportunity to
confront karma and extract a harvest of love and
light from the pain of detachment and destruction.
Fatal attractions are far from fatalfor the soul.
15 Venus in ScorpioUnderstanding the
Detriment in a Positive Light:
The detriment of Venus in Scorpio represents the

The fatal attractions engineered by this position

have been discussed above. For the disciple/
initiate, these fatal attractions are fated and
fateful attractions, giving the opportunity to
confront karma and extract a harvest of love and
light from the pain of detachment and destruction.
Fatal attractions are far from fatalfor the soul.
15 Venus in ScorpioUnderstanding the
Detriment in a Positive Light:
The detriment of Venus in Scorpio represents the
fact that the intelligent mind must be replaced by
the soul and, eventually, by the Presence, itself. Of
course, the intelligent mind is used in Scorpio, and
powerfully so. It is only in the early and later stages
of development that the intelligent mind is
detrimentedfirst because it is obscured and
suffocated by the lower worlds, and later in the
evolutionary period, because it is transcended by
buddhi and atma. When Venus represents the light
of the soul, the Scorpionic atmosphere may
actually be conducive to its expression. From
another perspective, the lower magnetisms of
Venus are detrimented as desire gives way to
aspiration and soul-values are established. The
lower nature of Venussuperficially attractive,
loving only what is pleasant, agreeable and
appealing, etc.is detrimented, as the light and
love of the soul become firmly established in the
consciousness. If the disciple triumphs in Scorpio,
the soul (which guides him and which is
symbolized by Venus) can hardly be considered as
weakened. The entire area of falls and
detriments is most interesting because of what
we might call the principle of reversibility.
Exaltations and rulerships are not necessary
good; falls and detriments are not necessarily
bad.
16 Venus in ScorpioRelease of the Incarnated
Soul through Death:
The incarnated soul must rise-up, out of matterform, and merge with the overshadowing soul. This
process occurs naturally at the close of every life
cycle, and, to a certain extent, whenever one
sleeps. Scorpio stages those circumstances which
bring about the death of the form and with it, the
release of consciousness to the higher worlds.
Assuming the truth of the words of Master Morya
the worse, the betterVenus in Scorpio is a
combination leading to liberation through death.
17 Venus in Scorpiothe Solar Angel as Warrior:
The soul shows itself in many guisesilluminator,
nurturer, lover, but it is also the warrior. Venus in
Scorpio can be seen as the soul (Venus) standing
above the fray, and supervising the battle by
means of which its reflection in the lower worlds
(the soul in incarnation) is liberated. Venus is
never aggressive, and thus, is not a warrior in the

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the worse, the betterVenus in Scorpio is a

combination leading to liberation through death.
Venus in Scorpiothe Solar Angel as Warrior:
The soul shows itself in many guisesilluminator,
nurturer, lover, but it is also the warrior. Venus in
Scorpio can be seen as the soul (Venus) standing
above the fray, and supervising the battle by
means of which its reflection in the lower worlds
(the soul in incarnation) is liberated. Venus is
never aggressive, and thus, is not a warrior in the
conventional sense, but the power of its radiant
magnetism makes a conflict in the three worlds
inevitable as the human soul, inspired by the
higher Venusian beauty it sees, fights its way into
the worlds which Venus rules.
Venus in Scorpiothe Beauty of Detachment:
Upon the Mutable Cross, beauty is recognized only
in form. Detachment from form, then, seems to
deprive one of beauty. But as detachment
proceeds, a higher beauty is revealeda beauty
long obscured by the beauty of the outer world.
Venus has its strong association with the heart
center: Venus corresponds to the heart centre in
the body logoic, and has an inter-relationship
therefore with all the other centres in the solar
system wherein the heart aspect is the one of
greater prominence. (TCF 182) There is a kind of
inner beauty related to the heart more than to form.
This is the beauty of love, which is revealed as one
is released (through Scorpionic detachment and
destruction) from preoccupying attraction to the
beauties of the outer world. We must remember
that Scorpio, too, has its close association with
beauty because it so powerfully transmits the
fourth ray of Harmony, Beauty and Art.
Venus in Scorpioin the Battle of the
Personality Against the SoulLove Conquers
All: The victory of soul over personality is not
merely a victory of mind and will, both of which, of
course, play their roles. Rather, it can be said, that
love is the conqueror and that love conquers all.
The soul of love triumphs as, after the great battle,
buddhi is established in the consciousness of the
triumphant disciple.
Venus in Scorpiothe Triumphant Disciple
(through Love-Wisdom):
The triumph of the disciple (Scorpio) is the triumph
of love-wisdom (Venus). Venus is pure lovewisdom. (EA 282)
Venus in ScorpioDeath of Normal
Relationship; Polar Union Emerges:
Venus in both Taurus and Libra promotes the
normal union of the polaritiesmale and female.
Venus in Scorpio (the detriment position for Venus)
works to put this normal interplay to an endat
least the relationship between the sexes no longer
has the same attractive potency after Venus in

of love-wisdom (Venus). Venus is pure lovewisdom. (EA 282)

21 Venus in ScorpioDeath of Normal
Relationship; Polar Union Emerges:
Venus in both Taurus and Libra promotes the
normal union of the polaritiesmale and female.
Venus in Scorpio (the detriment position for Venus)
works to put this normal interplay to an endat
least the relationship between the sexes no longer
has the same attractive potency after Venus in
Scorpio has fulfilled its mission. Bi-polarity is
neutralized and Polar Union (the second law of
the soul) supervenes. Soul-personality, or soulsoul relationships take the place of the normal
male-female relationships.
22 Venus in Scorpiothe Death of Peace Between
Soul and Personality:
Venus in Libra represents peaceful co-existence
between personality and soul. Venus in Scorpio
represents the death of this peace. The polarities
(soul and form) struggle for the capture of the
human. At last the soul (long patient) becomes
beneficently impatient, knowing that the time for its
victory is near. The soul now wants it all, and
50/50 is no longer an acceptable ratio. Venus in
Scorpio (like Venus in Capricorn) is a combination
indicated the triumph of the soul, even if Venus is
normally considered detrimented in this sign. It
should be remembered that the fall and detriment
of the Moon in Scorpio and Capricorn,
respectively, is important for the success of the
soul-spirit, and not at all a spiritual problem
though it is a problem to the suffering personality.