This lesson (of the Astrology Self-Study Course) gives final instructions in the art of erecting a simple horoscope of birth. From such a simple figure one who is proficient may read the very soul of a human being, its hopes, fears, and aspirations, the faults and frailties of its mind and body. Moses was commanded to remove his shoes in front of the burning bush in recognition of the fact that he stood on holy ground illuminated by a Spirit Presence. If all the calcium lights in the world were focused upon an actor, their blinding light would be reflected from his body, but his secrets would still remain within. But when an actor enters upon the stage of life and the starry spotlight are focused upon him through the horoscope, they penetrate to the very soul of his being and lay bare the lines of his life with such clearness that he who can read the stellar script may count the pulse beats of such a one as if they were those of his own soul. Therefore Moses stood on no holier ground than the astrologer who holds in his hand a horoscope; and I feel that I cannot too often reiterate that there is a very grave responsibility connected with this wonderful privilege of the astrologer, and that it behooves him to live a holy life so that he may be worthy to stand in the sublime presence of the Human Spirit as it is revealed in the natal figure. Nor should the student deceive himself; spiritual secrets and the privilege of rendering spiritual help by spiritual interpretation of the message of the stars are not given to one who prostitutes this most sublime science for filthy lucre or uses it for low purposes. God is not mocked; we reap what we sow. If we betray our trust and abuse this great privilege, the day of retribution will dawn sometime and we shall eat the bread of sorrow for our sacrilege. To whom much is given, of him much is required. I pray God that you may live up to the highest possibilities of soul growth by helping others and that the knowledge of astrology which you are now acquiring may prove your most important aid, as it has been and is the greatest blessing in my life.

   It is wonderful to contemplate how the planetary forces balance each other so perfectly that universal equilibrium is maintained despite the disturbances of the 1500 millions which inhabit the Earth alone, not to speak of other spheres. Every moment of time, our actions, individually and collectively, interfere with terrestrial equipoise, and were not this instantly restored, the Earth would leave its orbit, fly off at a tangent, and be destroyed. Nor are physical disturbances most potent in disturbing or restoring balance. It is a fallacy to confound solidity and rigidity with strength (as is most thoroughly explained in our Lecture No. 19, "The Coming Force.") A train has no strength itself, but must be solid because it is operated upon by an invisible gas called steam. There is no force in a rigid hammer, but when driven by a column of flexible liquid, like water, backed by an elastic cushion of compressed air, the force stored in the air drives the powerful hydraulic ram irresistibly through whatever comes before it. Likewise subtle, invisible stellar rays are the factors which maintain our ponderous planet in its path, and spiritual disturbances generated by mankind are naturally the most subtle forces which interfere with the Earth's equipoise.

   Therefore each planet has its opposite, and every time we radiate the quality of one planet, we call forth a countercurrent of corresponding force, and by the action and reaction of those forces in and upon us and our environment we learn the lessons of life. If we vibrate to the love ray of Venus, instantly Mars comes to tempt, and tries to turn love to lust, but it depends upon US whether we remain steadfast in virtue or yield to vice. If we court the ideal of Jupiter, if we aim to elevate the standards of church or state, instantly the saturnine forces invite to self-aggrandizement and appeal to the passion for power. With us it lies, to remain true to the ideal and reap laurels that last through eternity, or yield to the promise of present gain of worthless gold which we repay in sorrow when Saturn turns and becomes the chastiser. Each horoscope shows the tendencies in even the humblest life, and opportunity knocks. May we all be prepared to meet it as spiritual astrologers should.
   — Max Heindel (circa 1912)