Max Heindel

“ In the Father’s Kingdom there is no evil. What appears so is only good in the making. When a lapidary is cutting a precious stone he applies part after part of the rough gem to the grindstone and at each application we may hear the loud screeching, as if in pain, from the stone. By degrees, however, as a consequence of the harsh grinding process, it will acquire a beautifully polished surface with numerous facets capable of receiving, reflecting and refracting the brilliant sunlight. ”

“ God and His Ministers, the Seven Planetary Spirits, are the Lapidaries and man is a diamond in the rough. To polish and uncover his spiritual nature varied experiences are necessary. They may be pleasant or otherwise, as indicated by what are commonly called good or bad aspects; but it is safe to say that the adverse experiences which come to us under so-called bad aspects are as potent developers of spiritual muscle—removing more of our selfishness, serving to make us more tolerant and sympathetic, as the harsh grinding which serves to remove the rough coat of the diamond. ”

“ When a planet is within an orb of three degrees of any of these points, it will be found to exercise a much stronger influence in the life than otherwise. This influence will tend to increase the strength of an exaltation, and also to offset the weakness resulting from a planet being in its fall or detriment. It will also increase the strength of aspects to that planet. ”