Introduction
The ‘Doctrine of Flux’ is a hermetic principle that drives the spiritual existence of humanity. It is associated with the physical characteristics of the elements (air, water, earth, fire), and the extent to which those characteristics are qualitatively expressed in human lives. The doctrine is a code whose value lies in its application, and whose power lies in its ability to manifest itself. The chapter 54 of Quran mainly deals with the ‘Doctrine of Flux’ by demonstrating its values and powers in human existence.
The ‘Doctrine’ and the ‘Authority’
The function of a ‘Doctrine’ relates to the symbolism of a seed, and the ‘Authority’ is the plant into which the seed grows. A particular plant requires a very specific seed, but the ground in which it is sown can vary. Thus, the choice of ground for the growth of a certain plant can be optional, but not the choice of the seed. Once the plant grows out of the seed, the climatic conditions of the land tend to affect the health of the plant. Those conditions include the availability of water, the quality of earth, the intensity of Sunlight, and the presence of humidity in the air. The intermingling of these conditions constitutes the ‘Flux’, and therefore Flux is the primary factor causing the manifestations of a Doctrine (seed) in the Authority (plant).
Astrologically, the Sun symbolises Doctrine and the Moon symbolises Authority. The Moon reflects the light of Sun in varying forms depending on its state and position. The Authority of the Moon fully reflects the doctrine of the Sun at the time of Full Moon, and it partially reflects the doctrine at other times. The Moon rules the sign of Cancer, which is also the sign of Authority. Hence, depending on the state of the Moon, the Authority can be legitimate only if it remains consistent with the Doctrine, or else the Authority would reflect vanity. For instance, it can be easily recognisable that the quality products of technology have to rely upon proper scientific investigations in order to be viable, as the technological devices that do not qualify the science mostly comprise of bogus and defunct products. Similarly, the Doctrine qualifies Authority to be the representative of either Truth or Vanity.
A doctrine is essentially the science that may give rise to different kinds of technologies or authorities in both constructive and destructive manners. Therefore, the ‘Doctrine of Flux’ is the doctrine that governs the applications of spiritual science in the realm of spiritual technology. The chapter 54 of Quran explains this doctrine by teaching its conditions to the authorities, and warns of the ensuing disasters if the humans attempt to ignore the ‘Doctrine of Flux’ by violating its principles.
The Fixed Signs of Astrological Zodiac
The Fixed astrological signs namely; Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are placed in the midst of their respective seasons. These signs are special because they represent the astrological seasons in their purest elemental forms. They are the most loyal signs to their respective seasons because they connect to the seasons in a very definite way by completely defying every other influence. The purity of specific elements that each fixed signs share in their characters make them very challenging for the humans. The relationship of the elements (air, water, earth, and fire) is something that gives birth to intelligence in every kingdom (mineral, plant, animal, and human). The intelligence acquired from the understanding of the physical properties of these four elements can resolve all kinds of problems in life. Just like plants need earth, water, air, and Sunlight in proper proportions to grow, so do the events that transpire in human lives require the involvements of these four dimensions of intelligence in an orderly fashion.
However, human beings usually find it difficult to withstand the elemental pressures of the fixed signs. It can be tough for the people who would depict the signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius to deal with the pressures of earth, fire, water, and air respectively. They may not manage to live in their own elements without disturbing or polluting the elements of the other fixed signs. Consequently, in order to preserve the purity of one element often the other three elements get corrupted and compromised. Therefore, the people of fixed signs must follow the Doctrine of Flux to exercise an appropriate sense of proportion in every aspect of their lives.
The Ministry of Prophet Muhammad
The major objective of the spiritual ministry of prophet Muhammad as indicated in the chapter 54 was to promulgate the Doctrine of Flux in the world. The Quran mentions the following symbolism for the affirmation of his Authority regarding this spiritual ministry.
The hour drew nigh and the moon was rent in twain. And if they behold a portent they turn away and say: Prolonged illusion. They denied (the Truth) and followed their own lusts. Yet everything will come to a decision. (54, 1–3)
The symbolism of Moon here is very significant due to the traditionally attributed appearance of Moon as the Celestial Egg. The hatching of an egg giving birth to a fledgling organism is the most miraculous event of life in nature. The birth of prophet Muhammad’s ministry for the proclamation of Islam is symbolically depicted in these verses of Quran as such an event. Therefore, the cracking of the Moon would serve as a sign for the confirmation of prophet’s Authority to manifest the Doctrine of Flux. The Mention of the term “Prolonged illusion” in the text seems to represent the doubts of his opponents regarding the authenticity of his mission. The Quran suggests that if the prophet’s Authority represented the Truth then it would successfully reflect the Doctrine of Flux. Therefore, the following content of chapter 54 elucidates the Doctrine of Flux from the standpoint of Islam.
The Fixed Sign of Taurus, and the Ultra-Conservatives
The folk of Noah denied before them, yea, they denied Our slave and said: A madman; and he was repulsed. So he cried unto his Lord, saying: I am vanquished, so give help. Then opened We the gates of heaven with pouring water. And caused the earth to gush forth springs, so that the waters met for a predestined purpose. And We carried him upon a thing of planks and nails, That ran (upon the waters) in Our sight, as a reward for him who was rejected. And verily We left it as a token; but is there any that remembereth? Then see how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings! And in truth We have made the Qur’an easy to remember; but is there any that remembereth? (54, 9–17)
Taurus is a fixed sign associated with the element ‘earth’. It represents solidity, stubbornness, durability, and resilience. It confers upon people the behaviours of social conformity and ethics in their persona, and it relishes the adoption of traditional outlook in their culture. In the sign of Taurus, things perpetuate their mode of existence for a very very long time. All this on the surface might appear rather nice, but it does have a tragic downside of causing utter stagnation in life. The fixed earth sign of Taurus in the zodiac opposes the fixed water sign of Scorpio. Therefore, it must learn the lessons of fluidity from the waters of Scorpio in order to find a meaningful existence.
The folk of Noah had all the shortcomings of Taurus in their lifestyle. Despite of having a very high average lifespan of about millennia, the majority of them were neither smart nor promising. Their repugnance to reproductive acts had caused a great decline in population whereby new generations were born not in years, but in centuries. Thus, it would not be surprising to find the youngest member of the family there as being only a few hundred years old. Their extra devotion to vanity and meaningless traditions had made them haughty and superficial in character. They had to learn the value of innovative movements in living because their stagnancy had altogether ossified the spiritual growth of humanity. Consequently, the divine punishment fell upon them through the element of water. The verses in the text of Quran refer to the meeting of both the waters from heaven and earth for a predestined purpose. It symbolically means that both the Doctrine as well as the Authority of the element of water had contributed together to the destruction of Noah’s people. The Noah himself survived because of his intelligence and skill in building the vessel whereby he could navigate through the storms. This accomplishment actually made Noah a true Authority in the Doctrine of Flux.
The Fixed Sign of Scorpio, and the Ultra-Liberals
The folk of Lot rejected warnings. Lo! We sent a storm of stones upon them (all) save the family of Lot, whom We rescued in the last watch of the night, As grace from Us. Thus We reward him who giveth thanks. And he indeed had warned them of Our blow, but they did doubt the warnings. They even asked of him his guests for an ill purpose. Then We blinded their eyes (and said): Taste now My punishment after My warnings! And in truth the punishment decreed befell them early in the morning. Now taste My punishment after My warnings! And in truth We have made the Qur’an easy to remember; but is there any that remembereth? (54, 33–40)
Scorpio is a fixed sign associated with the element ‘water’. Water is a universal solvent whose main function is dissolution and cleaning. It is also the source of life, for no life may exist without water. Water supports life by quenching the thirst of living beings and keeping them clean. Despite of its indispensable significance for life, water has some flaws in its character. It recognises no boundaries, it carries no shape, and it can inundate anything in its way. Therefore, the main challenge of Scorpio would be to give direction and purpose to the flow of its water, and to allow its life bestowing properties to serve a productive end.
The activities of the people of Lot are both fascinating and repulsive at the same time. These people actually went Rogue in the true sense of the word. They recognised no traditions, and became dissolute beyond all limits. Their minds were constantly occupied with sexual perversions, and they would innovate every opportunity to excel in their malady. Therefore, when those people discovered that Lot had beautiful foreign boys as visitors, they intended to welcome the lads by sexually violating them. Just like any other trait, human sexuality is not ignoble as long as it serves its desirable objectives. However, when love becomes lust, and the lust crosses all boundaries then humans lose their distinction from animals or even become worst than the beasts. The people of Lot were the criminal counterparts to the people of Noah; and as the people of Noah got a storm of water, they were on the receiving end of stones. The elements of their opposite signs destroyed both the people because they did not appreciate the Doctrine of Flux.
The Fixed Sign of Aquarius, and the Ultra-Socialists
(The tribe of) A’ad rejected warnings. Then how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings. Lo! We let loose on them a raging wind on a day of constant calamity, Sweeping men away as though they were uprooted trunks of palm-trees. Then see how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings! And in truth We have made the Qur’an easy to remember; but is there any that remembereth? (54, 18–22)
Aquarius is a fixed sign associated with the element ‘air’. The name and symbol of Aquarius depicting a man bearing a pitcher of water is actually an anomaly. The anomalous character of this symbol is because men traditionally never bore the water pitcher in ancient cultures, as it always had been the job reserved for women. Therefore, the symbol actually suggests that the air of Aquarius has to be so pure as not to include the traces of any other element inside it. The air of Aquarius is completely devoid of humidity, warmth, and dust particles; which makes it a cold, clean, and heartless air. The air of Aquarius tends to sustain its purity despite of efforts on the human part to pollute it.
The tribe of A’ad as mentioned in the text of chapter 54, comprised of a large tribe of people living in a cold, desolate area similar to the Arctic. They were tough and sturdy people due to the effects of extremely cold weather conditions persisting in their habitat, and were quite adapted to survive under the harsh environments. The corruption happened when they started burning the wood in massive quantities to obtain lots of heat for their luxury and convenience. Not only they started cutting down all the trees and thereby affecting the conditions of earth, but also the pure air of Aquarius became heavy and polluted. It became less of the air and more of a black smoke. Since the tribe of A’ad betrayed their own element by polluting the pure air of Aquarius, the fury of a raging wind destroyed them. They had uprooted so many trees in their drive for excessive luxuries, and as a result ended up being like the very ‘uprooted trunks of palm-trees’. Even the tribe of A’ad failed to follow the Doctrine of Flux and then, suffered accordingly.
The Fixed Sign of Leo, and the Ultra-Fascists
(The tribe of) Thamud rejected warnings. For they said; Is it a mortal man, alone among us, that we are to follow? Then indeed we should fall into error and madness. Hath the remembrance been given unto him alone among us? Nay, but he is a rash liar. (Unto their warner it was said): To-morrow they will know who is the rash liar. Lo! We are sending the she-camel as a test for them; so watch them and have patience; And inform them that the water is to be shared between (her and) them. Every drinking will be witnessed. But they call their comrade and he took and hamstrung (her). Then see how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings! Lo! We sent upon them one Shout, and they became as the dry twigs (rejected by) the builder of a cattle-fold. And in truth We have made the Qur’an easy to remember; but is there any that remembereth? (54, 23–32)
Leo is a fixed sign associated with the element ‘fire’. The Fire is one element that can prove useful and harmful in equal measures because its primary function is always to destroy something. The fire of the fixed sign of Leo itself never dies out but keeps burning everything around it indefinitely. The fire is essentially a pure element, and it can work most beneficially for purification purposes. It requires only one person to light fire to huge piles of garbage and the stuff automatically burns to ashes. Fire also gives light in the darkness, and therefore is the element of enlightenment. Astrologically, fire symbolises individuality and authenticity because it burns down all vanity and restores the truth to its original beauty. Historically, many human cultures subjected their criminals to the test of fire in order to vindicate the accused of their judgements. Fire also serves as the most easily improvised form of energy, whose utilisation widely distinguishes the cultures of humans from animals. The controlled use of fire in every aspect of life is therefore, the hallmark of humanity.
Again, the Thamud was a large tribe of people but in contrast to the tribe of A’ad, the Thamud lived in the arid hot deserts. The heat waves caused by the high temperatures of the region would evaporate all the water reservoirs in the area, causing all creatures whether plants, animals, or humans to strive for their survival. Although, the Thamud were human beings in the possession of greater intelligence than the other creatures, they decided to use their mental prowess to keep all the water to themselves, and thereby let everyone else perish of thirst. Hence, the tribe received a symbolic test in the form of a she-camel, so that they might learn to share the limited quantity of water in a just and measured way among all the living beings. The corruption in their hearts made them fail in their test; as a result, they proved themselves weak and unworthy of the intelligence that was a privilege of humanity. They undermined themselves by rejecting the spiritual light of the fixed fire of Leo, and consequently the fire burned them to ashes. The Doctrine of Flux proved to be the nemesis for the tribe of Thamud as well.
The End Note
The Doctrine of Flux represents the intelligence about the sense of proportions that humans may rely upon for conducting every affair of their lives. The Knowledge of elements in the fixed astrological signs can be the key factor where the Doctrine of Flux may obtain the best results. The fixed signs are the most politically polarised in the zodiac, and thus require especially meticulous handling to produce beneficial outcomes. The stress and pressures of the fixed signs only exist to enhance the spiritual growth of humanity, and to accelerate the process of unveiling its hidden potential. It is a ‘Game of Thrones’, and it has a definite end. The Quran says,
Lo! We have created every thing by measure. And Our commandment is but one (commandment), as the twinkling of an eye. (54, 49–50)