Three aspects, four attributes: seven rays
“Using the thread of ray influences, correspondences between planets and signs of sympathetic ray can highlight deep and significant formative patterns that are not ordinarily apparent. The way these patterns are represented in the individual horoscope represent the predominant qualities of a particular life.” (489)
The entire system of esoteric astrology is predicated on three primary principles and seven ‘rays’, based on symbolic properties of the first seven numbers. The rays are primarily expressed through the three signs of their ray triangles (the current sign is highlighted bold) and, from there within our solar system, through one of the sacred planets, with some also expressed through a non-sacred planet:
| Ray | Ray triangle | Prime planet | Second planet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ray—Primal energy | Aries-Leo-Capricorn | Vulcan | Pluto |
| 2nd ray—Love, wisdom | Gemini-Virgo-Pisces | Jupiter | (The Sun) |
| 3rd ray—Active intelligence | Cancer-Libra-Capricorn | Saturn | Earth |
| 4th ray—Mediation | Taurus-Scorpio-Sagittarius | Mercury | (The Moon) |
| 5th ray—Science, proportion | Leo-Sagittarius-Aquarius | Venus | - |
| 6th ray—Idealism | Virgo-Sagittarius-Pisces | Neptune | Mars |
| 7th ray—Structure, pattern | Aries-Cancer-Capricorn | Uranus | - |
Although other triangles are specific to certain rays, these are the primary ray triangles as represented on the main navigation diagram (top left).
These seven qualities—three rays of aspect and four rays of attribute—form the foundation of an astrology that brings the crosses (cardinal, fixed, mutable), plus the elements, aspects, planets and signs of astrological symbolism together under a vision designed to aid personal growth in an esoteric context. The individual can thereby finds a place the universal, where the personal plays its part in a much greater pattern.
Overall, this simplifies the complexity of all other astrological features into triadic groupings, enhanced by a septenary series of attributes.