The Sun spirals through the Universe taking this solar system with it.  As the Sun moves is passes through the various influences of the constellations every 2000 years or so.  We passed into the orb of influence of the Aquarian Age in the year 1938, finally coming into direction influence on December 25, 1970.  

Since that time we have been dealing with a dual influence – both Pisces and Aquarius – because the stars of these two constellations now overlap somewhat.  As a result we are seeing a polarity occurring between those who feel the new influence and desire TO KNOW for themselves through their own personal experience, and those who cling desperately to the old energy and still desire TO BELIEVE what the church tells them is the Truth.

In the year 2012 we will finally slide out from under the Piscean Influence altogether and will then only feel the Aquarian influence to Know for ourselves.  Over the next few years, as we approach this date, the polarity will become very strong testing our ability to deal with the changes.

CHANGE is the influence of URANUS, the RULER of AQUARIUS, and haven’t there been grand changes since 1938 – the atom bomb, computers, the internet, and cell phones (to name a few) each with the power to make huge changes in the way we communicate and share what we know.

Since the influence of CHANGE has entered our lives, things have begun to change rapidly.  

Do you think things are changing fast now? ... just wait until it is only CHANGE who rules the day!!

The Wise Ones will take their desires into their meditations and ASK that they be guided to the right place at the right time.  We will have to ride out the whirlwind of Change that’s coming as those who want to Know for themselves overcome the stagnation of those who want to Believe that the status quo is unchanged.

In which group do you find yourself:
    
     1. Are you clinging conservatively to old Beliefs, because that's the way it's always been.  Everyone else thinks that way, and I don't want to stand out.

     2. Are you adventurous enough to “think outside the box”?  Will you seek out experiences that allow you to learn and Know the Truth from your own experience?


Father Eli used to say: “Sayin’ ain’t doing,” because true knowledge comes from your own personal experience and not because someone else tells you it is true.

Are YOU among those true Aquarian Age spirits who want to Know for yourself from your own personal experience?

It’s worth thinking about…

The Basic Hermetic Principles are to the Occultist what the Laws of Physics are to the Scientist.  In each case these are the basic Natural Laws that apply to everyone at all times in all places.

The First Hermetic Principle: "The All is mind, the Universe is mental."
Every thing that appears in your world was once a thought you had.

The Mental world is the REAL world, while the Mortal world is the SHADOW world.  When we do magic, we are causing things to happen in the Mortal world as a reflection or shadow of what we WILL to happen in the Mental world.  Every creative or constructive act or thing was started as a thought in the Mental world. It may be thought of as an additional dimension that exists in coincidence with the Mortal world.

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“I looked about me and could see that what we then were doing was like a shadow cast upon the earth from yonder vision in the heavens, so bright it was and clear. I knew the real was yonder and the darkened dream of it was here.”
~ Black Elk’s vision, 1931, Oglala Sioux
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The mental world is the substantial reality behind everything. This is the fundamental truth upon which all further teachings are simply ramifications.  This substantial reality – the fundamental truth – is really beyond true names and forms, but we give it the name of the Mental world.  Its essence is basically and fundamentally unknowable.  The Mental is all that really exists, and it is infinite and immutable.  Everything else is just a creative thought manifest or un-manifest in the Mortal.

It is the birthright of everyone, including yourself, to become an awakened and perfected being, and dwell in the mental world of the higher conscious planes of unconditional love and oneness.

In order to do this, we must learn to control our thoughts.

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“The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.”
~ Charles Darwin

"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts buid our life of tomorrow:  Our life is the creation of our mind."
~ Buddha (563-483 B.C.) Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism
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If the “ALL” is Mind, as the First Hermetic Principle suggests, then we must be little pieces of this Great Mind that is everything.  We are part of this Source Energy on the leading edge of creative thought and giving birth to new creative ideas – which allows “All That Is” to grow and expand, as well.

If the “ALL” is ever expanding, then it is logical that whatever we dwell upon – with our little piece of the “ALL” that is mind – then whatever we dwell upon also expands.  Our thoughts are literally the leading edge of this expansion, which the “ALL” joyfully and eagerly accepts without hesitation and expands into.

If the thoughts that we dwell upon the most give birth to new avenues of growth, then we must consider what kind of thoughts we are giving our attention to.  

Do you dwell upon what you appreciate, or do dwell upon the faults you find?

If today’s thoughts are pre-paving the path to your tomorrow, what will you find when you get there?  

Do you Know where you’re going?  

Are you attracting more of the same in your future, or are you pre-paving a path to your joyful expectations?

It’s worth thinking about… 

AQUARIUS: “I KNOW”
First Decan Influence: “COOPERATION”

January 20th - January 30th

Herein lies the lesson which the Aquarian needs to learn.  But don't we all?  For cooperation is an aspect of love.  Competition is tension and therefore a form of hate.  Aquarians are the most independent of the signs and above all others, they need to learn to cooperate.  They always seem to be somewhat aloof from the common herd, but inside they are soft and are afraid of being hurt.  Their reserve in many cases is merely a pretended shell.  But everyone can profit from this teaching.  Cooperation is the epitome of love in action.
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For more on the lessons of Aquarius see: http://druidcraft.us/astrology.htm
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What is a Decan?  Each astrological sign is approximately 30 degrees in width and is divided into three 10-day portions called decans. Each decan is assigned a Word that further defines the sign and the influences we ALL feel during that 10-day portion of the astrological month.
 
Why do we study the influence?  In order to become proficient in our magical practice we need to progress spiritually toward the Perfected state of the Creators, our Spiritual Parents, and elder brother’s, the gods and angels.  To do this, we need to assimilate all the strengths of each zodiacal sign and overcome the weaknesses.  
 
Study help: To help us acquire the strengths of each sign we are urged to meditate upon the meaning of the current decan, to find words of wisdom and quotable quotes to post where they are frequently seen, and share these with your brother’s and sister’s to help us ALL understand how we can use these strengths to improve our own character.  
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QUESTION OF THE DECAN

During the next 10 days be watchful for the variety of ways you are called upon to become cooperative.  Many times we are more inclined to do things ourselves, when a cooperative effort would suit the needs of everyone involved so much better.

How are you being called upon to COOPERATE with others?  

Will you become competitive, or will you join with others in the spirit of cooperation so everyone can profit?

It’s worth thinking about…

AQUARIUS
January 20 - February 19

Password = " I KNOW "
Message = "Those who don't know, don't know they don't know"

Key Word = Altruism
(The willingness to give freely of one's time and resources to others.)

Element = Air
Quality = Fixed

Ruling Planet = URANUS: The Planet of Change
The Command of Uranus = "Let's Be Friends"
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THE MAGIC OF AQUARIUS

This is the dawning of the month of Aquarius, the time of the Water Bearer.  It is the beginning of a new year as reckoned by the Gregorian chant of days upon which our modern calendar is based. This is a fairly new concept, officially adopted in 1752.  Prior to that time the beginning of the year was the first day of spring when the new growth of the year began.  Thus the first month of the year was Aries.  This explains the enigmatic names of the last months of the calendar.  In Latin the word December translates as "Tenth Month".  Many traditions, including the Druids, still consider the Spring Equinox to be the true beginning point of the new year.

THE DIVINE INFLUENCE for the month, as well as for the entire Age of Aquarius is "I KNOW".  The age of Pisces and it's systems of Belief has had its time, and in this month we are reminded that now is the time of KNOWING.  We remember that to believe is to say we don't know.  When we truly have knowledge about something, there can know longer be belief. 

How can we truly come to Know for ourselves?