Activities of the Sushumnsj 189 



dition that the eyes of Copernicus were never grat- 

 ified by the sight of this swift solar attendant. In 

 the latitude of New York and neighboring States, 

 for about a fortnight during its greatest Eastern 

 elongation from the sun, Mercury can be seen in 

 the early twilight just before its setting; and for a 

 like period when the planet is West of the sun, ris- 

 ing before the orb of day, it can be seen in the early 

 dawn. During the first weeks of December, 1906, 

 Mercury was a morning star, and was seen in close 

 companionship with Venus. These neighboring 

 planets were in Scorpio ; and only two signs to the 

 Southwest, in Virgo, the crescent of the waning 

 moon was in conjunction with Mars. The spec- 

 tacle was unforgetably beautiful, worth many 

 early risings to enjoy. 



It was a reminder, also, that both esoterically 

 and astrologically, Mercury and Venus are consid- 

 ered spiritual affinities, while Mars and Saturn are 

 thought to have a close physical sympathy. This 

 latter may be beneficial or harmful according as the 

 physical is kept under subjection and subordinated 

 to its divinely planned office as a perfectly fitted 

 vehicle for the soul's activities, or is given free rein 

 and stifles all higher interests. 



Now, Mercury is the unifying element between 

 the several Principles of man as between the Tatt- 

 vas. The strife the planet arouses is that it is ever 

 impelling upward and resists downward tenden- 



