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| Astrology interpreted through the use of ancient mythical trials |
The Labors of Hercules is written by Alice A. Bailey and is a reprint of articles that first appeared in the BEACON magazine between 1957 and 1958 and was eventually published as a whole work in 1974. I searched for this publishing house on the web and found Books-on-line which offers access to the author’s books with permission of the Lucus Trust. Another site, I believe, hosts the Astrology book online with all Twelve challenges, so you can go over there and read the labor for your sign. Returning to the astrological interpretation of the Labors – the back of the book reads:
“The story of the dramatic experiences of the great and ancient Son of God. Hercules or Herakles will give us a synthetic picture of the progress of the soul from ignorance to wisdom, from material desire to spiritual achievement…Its theme will be found to be so inclusive that all of us, struggling in our present modern life, can make application ourselves of the tests and trials, the failures and achievements of this heroic Figure, who strove, centuries ago, towards the same goal as we do. A secondary object of this study is to present an aspect of astrology which will differ from what is usually expressed. We shall trace the story of Hercules as he passed through the twelve signs of the zodiac. In each sign he expressed its characteristics, and in each sign, he achieved some fresh knowledge of himself, and through that knowledge demonstrated the power of the sign and acquired the gifts which the sign conferred. In each of the signs we shall find him surmounting his natural tendencies, controlling and governing his destiny, and demonstrating the fact that the stars incline, but do not control.”
Overall – going by the introduction – we are treated to an analysis of each sign by their characteristics and a display of the expertise of each zodiacal area, providing an overview of the challenges to overcome. In the process, we uncover our greatest abilities and don’t we all periodically move through periods of trial and error throughout life. Capricorn, for example, is completely psyched up to slay a dog for its zodiacal trial! Hey, no poking fun, this isn’t just any old hound, it is the one and only Ceberus the three-headed beast from Hell. Hercules, in true Capricornian fashion, must climb a mountain as part of the task and there is a lot of loneliness, hardship and struggle. Of course, these articles may not be everybody’s cup of tea, as it sometimes plunges heavily into the esoteric. It is usually read with the Sun sign in mind, being as this represents the Hero within us all (Mariah Carey). It is different, as stated above, from all other kinds of astrology. However, there is still knowledge to be gained by reading the astrological zodiac from a somewhat different perspective.