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How To Read The Aura P 96
How To Read The Aura P 96
A v e t e r a n occultist e x p l a i n s several w a y s b y w h i c h
a u r i c sight m a y b ^ d e v e l o p e d . T e c h n i q u e s of e t h e r i c
h e a l i n g a r e given, a n d t h e a u t h o r also e x p l a i n s t h e
c o l o u r s of t h e a u r a , e t h e r i c l e a k a g e , p s y c h i c
vampirism, a n d how to re-charge one's etheric
'batteries \
By the same author
MAGIC A N D T H E Q A B A L A H
MAGIC: ITS RITUAL, POWER A N D PURPOSE
T H E MAGICIAN: HIS T R A I N I N G A N D W O R K
A P P R E N T I C E D T O MAGIC
In this series
AN I N T R O D U C T I O N T O TELEPATHY
HOW T O DEVELOP CLAIRVOYANCE
HOW T O DEVELOP PSYCHOMETRY
HOW TO READ
THE AURA
by
W.E. Butler
T H E AQUARIAN PRESS
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
First published 1971
Fifth Impression 1977
Second Edition (completely revised, enlarged and reset) 1979
Fifth Impression 1985
© W. E. BUTLER 1979
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of
trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated
without the publishers prior consent in any form of binding or cover
other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition
including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Chapter Page
1. W h a t is t h e A u r a ? 7
2. T h e S t r u c t u r e of t h e A u r a 19
3. T h e C i r c u i t of F o r c e 33
4. The Emotional-Mental Aura 58
5. Developing Auric Sight 75
Bibliography 91
Index 93
W H A T IS T H E A U R A ?
F o l l o w i n g m y u s u a l c u s t o m , I p r o p o s e t o define as
well as I c a n w h a t t h e a u r a is. T h o s e of y o u w h o
h a v e r e a d m y o t h e r b o o k s will h a v e n o t i c e d t h a t I
u s u a l l y give t h e o r d i n a r y d i c t i o n a r y definition of t h e
subject, a n d I d o t h i s b e c a u s e it e s t a b l i s h e s a
c o m m o n g r o u n d b e t w e e n m y r e a d e r s a n d myself.
A c c o r d i n g t o m y d i c t i o n a r y , therefore, t h e a u r a is
c
defined as a s u b t l e invisible essence o r fluid said t o
e m a n a t e from h u m a n a n d a n i m a l b o d i e s , a n d even
from t h i n g s ; a p s y c h i c electro-vital, e l e c t r o - m e n t a l
effluvium, p a r t a k i n g of b o t h m i n d a n d b o d y , h e n c e
the atmosphere surrounding a person; character;
p e r s o n a l i t y . I n a p a t h o l o g i c a l sense m e a n i n g a
p r e m o n i t o r y s y m p t o m of epilepsy a n d h y s t e r i a ' .
I t h i n k w e m a y i g n o r e t h e s e c o n d p a r t of this
definition, t h o u g h I s u p p o s e m a n y w o u l d say t h a t
a n y o n e w h o c l a i m s t o see t h e a u r a m u s t himself b e
subject to h y s t e r i a , if t o n o t h i n g w o r s e ! H o w e v e r , as
w e g o o n w i t h this s t u d y of t h e a u r a , I h o p e y o u will
b e r e a s s u r e d , a n d will not feel t h a t y o u a r e b e i n g led
i n t o h y s t e r i c a l w a y s of t h o u g h t a n d feeling.
Luminous Atmosphere
T h e a u r a is u s u a l l y s e e n as a l u m i n o u s a t m o s p h e r e
a r o u n d all living t h i n g s , i n c l u d i n g w h a t it u s e d t o
be the custom to regard as inanimate matter.
A d v a n c i n g k n o w l e d g e b e g i n s t o suggest t o t h e
scientist t h a t even in t h i s so-called ' d e a d ' m a t t e r
t h e r e a r e living forces a t w o r k , t h u s s u p p o r t i n g t h e
old P e r s i a n p o e t w h o w r o t e of Life as ' s l e e p i n g in
t h e m i n e r a l , d r e a m i n g in t h e p l a n t , a w a k e n i n g in
t h e a n i m a l a n d b e c o m i n g c o n s c i o u s of itself in
man'
I n m a n y s t a i n e d glass w i n d o w s w e see
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s of C h r i s t a n d H i s A p o s t l e s in w h i c h
t h e a u r a is p o r t r a y e d as a s u r r o u n d of g o l d e n light.
I n m a n y cases w e o n l y get t h e n i m b u s or r a d i a n c e
s h o w n a r o u n d t h e h e a d of t h e figure, b u t in o t h e r s it
s u r r o u n d s t h e w h o l e form.
T h e s a m e p i c t o r i a l c o n v e n t i o n is also found in
s o m e B u d d h i s t p a i n t i n g s of a very early d a t e . T h i s
m a y of c o u r s e , b e d u e in this c a s e to t h e far-
r e a c h i n g influence of t h e early N e s t o r i a n C h r i s t i a n
C h u r c h , w h i c h sent o u t its m i s s i o n a r i e s t h r o u g h o u t
t h e w h o l e of t h e E a s t , t h o u g h t o offset this it is t o b e
n o t e d t h a t this s a m e w a y of e x p r e s s i n g t h e
s p i r i t u a l i t y of t h e p e r s o n p o r t r a y e d is t o b e found
in e a r l y H i n d u a n d P e r s i a n a r t . A s i m p l e
explanation m a y be that the artists w h o originated
this c o n v e n t i o n a l w a y of i n d i c a t i n g t h e m o r a l
s t r u c t u r e of c e r t a i n p e o p l e w e r e t h e m s e l v e s a b l e t o
see t h i s s t r a n g e p h e n o m e n o n w h i c h h a s b e e n
termed the 'aura'.
False Auras
T h e a p p e a r a n c e of w h a t s e e m s t o b e a l u m i n o u s
atmosphere surrounding people has been reported
b y a very g r e a t n u m b e r of p e o p l e d o w n t h e a g e s . I n
less critical ages s u c h a n a u r a of light w a s t h o u g h t
to b e a sign of s p i r i t u a l a d v a n c e m e n t , b u t in m o r e
m o d e r n t i m e s it is u s u a l l y d i s m i s s e d as e i t h e r a
figment of t h e i m a g i n a t i o n or a n i n d i c a t i o n of e i t h e r
m e n t a l i n s t a b i l i t y o r o p t i c a l d i s e a s e . T h e r e is s o m e
justification for this l a t t e r view t h a t d i s e a s e of t h e
eye is r e s p o n s i b l e for s u c h a p p e a r a n c e s of light
a r o u n d a p e r s o n , a n d t h e r e is o n e c o m m o n c a u s e of
illusion in this c o n n e c t i o n .
It often h a p p e n s t h a t s o m e o n e in a n a u d i e n c e will
r e m a r k of a s p e a k e r t o w h o m h e h a s b e e n l i s t e n i n g
intently, t h a t his a u r a w a s q u i t e p e r c e p t i b l e t o h i m .
I n s o m e c a s e s this m a y a c t u a l l y h a v e b e e n t h e c a s e ,
b u t often t h e c a u s e is a p u r e l y p h y s i c a l o n e a n d h a s
n o t h i n g w h a t e v e r t o d o w i t h t h i s r a d i a t i n g influence
w h i c h w e call t h e a u r a .
T h e e x p l a n a t i o n is fairly s i m p l e . If o n e g a z e s w i t h
fixed a t t e n t i o n a t s o m e o n e for a l e n g t h y p e r i o d of
t i m e , as, for i n s t a n c e w h e n o n e is listening t o a
lecture, t h e m u s c l e s c o n t r o l l i n g t h e focusing
m e c h a n i s m of t h e eyes b e c o m e fatigued, a n d t h e
eye-focus s u d d e n l y a l t e r s . W h e n t h i s h a p p e n s , t h e
n e w i m a g e w h i c h is b e i n g received u p o n t h e r e t i n a
falls o n a slightly different p o i n t , a n d t h e r e s u l t is
t h a t t h e old i m a g e is s e e n as a ' s u r r o u n d ' t o t h e o n e
w e a r e looking at. T h i s s u r r o u n d will b e in t h e
complementary c o l o u r s t o t h a t of t h e p e r s o n , a n d will
u s u a l l y b e seen as a w h i t e o r yellow b a n d of light
a r o u n d h i m . T h i s is p u r e l y a p h y s i o l o g i c a l
p h e n o m e n o n , b u t in a n e x c e e d i n g l y l a r g e n u m b e r of
cases it is t a k e n t o b e a vision of t h e a u r a .
It is i m p o r t a n t t h a t a n y o n e w h o is a t t e m p t i n g t o
develop a n d t r a i n e x t r a - s e n s o r y p e r c e p t i o n s s h o u l d
s t a r t b y c u l t i v a t i n g t h e m o s t s c r u p u l o u s h o n e s t y . It
is far t o o easy t o drift i n t o a slack a n d e a s y
d i s h o n e s t y , a n d t o give v a g u e a n d sketchy
d e s c r i p t i o n s carefully, t h o u g h often u n c o n s c i o u s l y ,
f o r m u l a t e d in s u c h a w a y a s t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e of a
lack of t h e critical faculty in t h o s e to w h o m t h «
d e s c r i p t i o n is given. O r , in t h e w o r d s of a n
A m e r i c a n s l a n g t e r m , y o u ' b u n c o steer* t h e p e r s o n
c o n c e r n e d t o believe w h a t y o u h a v e d e d u c e d h a
w a n t s t o believe. T h i s is a very r e a l t r a p for thm
u n w a r y a n d t h e b e s t r e m e d y t o p r e v e n t oneself f r o m
falling i n t o it is t o a d o p t a h i g h s t a n d a r d of h o n e s t y .
T h i s s t a n d a r d is r e w a r d i n g , for it e n a b l e s us t o
t r u s t o u r vision w h e n w e h a v e b e g u n to u s e it, a n d
this c e r t a i n t y is a v a l u a b l e t h i n g .
T h e Field of Force
If w e a c c e p t t h e definition w h i c h t h e d i c t i o n a r y
gives, w e see it refers t o a ' p s y c h i c electro-vital a n d
e l e c t r o - m e n t a l effluvium'. L e t u s see j u s t w h a t t h i s
m e a n s . It is n o w well e s t a b l i s h e d t h a t all t h e
activities of o u r p h y s i c a l b o d y a r e . a s s o c i a t e d w i t h
electric c u r r e n t s w h i c h c i r c u l a t e t h r o u g h o u t t h e
o r g a n s , a n d w h i c h a c t u a l l y f o r m a definite electrical
'field' a r o u n d u s . R u s s i a n scientists h a v e r e c e n t l y
perfected a p p a r a t u s w h i c h , t h e y c l a i m , c a n d e t e c t
this very faint field of force w h i c h exists a r o u n d all
living t h i n g s . T h e y h a v e c l a i m e d to d e t e c t t h e
p r e s e n c e of s u c h fields e x t e n d i n g s o m e twenty-five
c e n t i m e t r e s fr6m t h e b o d i e s of s o m e insects.
I n c i d e n t a l l y , this field of force h a s n o t h i n g a t all
to d o w i t h t h e electrical ' c h a r g e ' w h i c h s o m e y o u n g
ladies a c q u i r e b y w e a r i n g n y l o n dresses o r u s i n g
n y l o n b e d s h e e t s . T h e c h a r g e of s t a t i c electricity
w h i c h is often b u i l t u p b y friction a g a i n s t s u c h
m a t e r i a l c a n give q u i t e a s m a r t shock. A m i l d f o r m
of this m a y b e seen if a n y l o n g a r m e n t is t a k e n off in
t h e d a r k w h e n t h e air is d r y . T h e c h a r g e is r e l e a s e d
in a c r a c k l i n g s h o w e r of s m a l l s p a r k s . T h i s ,
however, is q u i t e different t o t h e ' b i o l o g i c a l
electricity' w h i c h is l i n k e d w i t h all o u r b o d i l y
activities. S o w e h a v e in a n d a r o u n d us a n electrical
'field of force' w h i c h m a y b e c o n s i d e r e d as t h e first
a n d m o s t d e n s e of t h e several s u c h fields of force
which make up the composite emanation which we
call t h e ' a u r a ' .
A l t h o u g h t h e t e r m is o n e w h i c h is o b j e c t e d t o b y
those w h o h a v e h a d t r a i n i n g as p h y s i c i s t s , t h e r e is a
n a m e a l r e a d y in u s e w h i c h w e m a y u s e , a n d t h i s is
the ' e t h e r i c a u r a ' . T h e r e is, of c o u r s e , a still d e n s e r
a u r a w h i c h is c o m p o s e d of t h e m i n u t e solid
p a r t i c l e s w h i c h a r e b e i n g c o n s t a n t l y t h r o w n off
from t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y itself. S u c h m i n u t e p a r t i c l e s
a r e left b y us u p o n e v e r y t h i n g w e t o u c h , a n d g o t o
m a k e u p t h e ' s c e n t ' b y m e a n s of w h i c h w e c a n b e
t r a c k e d b y a d o g or o t h e r a n i m a l . W e h a v e of l a t e
y e a r s b e e n m a d e a c u t e l y c o n s c i o u s of this, b y
n u m e r o u s a d v e r t i s e m e n t s r e l a t i n g t o w h a t is
discreetly referred t o as ' B . O . ' W e refer to it h e r e in
o r d e r t o cover t h e p h y s i c a l a s p e c t of t h e a u r a , since
t h e s e p a r t i c l e s also c a r r y w i t h t h e m s o m e t h i n g of
t h e t e n u o u s s u b s t a n c e w h i c h is c o n s t a n t l y b e i n g
t h r o w n o u t from a m u c h finer ' b o d y ' t h a n this ' t o o ,
too solid flesh' w h i c h so m a n y of us r e g a r d a s t h e
only b o d y w e possess.
T h e T r u e Physical Body
T h o s e w h o have studied these matters have become
c o n v i n c e d , b y d i r e c t e x p e r i e n c e in m a n y c a s e s , t h a t
w e possess a finer b o d y w h i c h , a l t h o u g h still a
physical b o d y , is of a n e x t r e m e l y e t h e r e a l a n d
t e n u o u s n a t u r e . C e r t a i n schools of t h o u g h t refer t o
this finer p h y s i c a l s u b s t a n c e as ' p r e - m a t t e r ' , a n d in
old occult w r i t i n g s it w a s referred t o as t h e ' a s t r a l '
substance. In m o d e r n occultism that n a m e has been
t r a n s f e r r e d to a n o t h e r t y p e of s u b s t a n c e , a n d t h i s
often c a u s e s confusion w h e n p e o p l e r e a d s o m e of
t h e old b o o k s a n d t r y to u n d e r s t a n d t h e m u n d e r t h e
new descriptions.
N o w this e t h e r e a l b o d y is t h e true p h y s i c a l b o d y
(it persists from o u r b i r t h u n t i l o u r d e a t h ) w h e r e a s
t h e c o a r s e r d e n s e m a t t e r w h i c h w e u s u a l l y t h i n k of
as o u r m a t e r i a l b o d y c o n s t a n t l y c h a n g e s . It h a s
b e e n said t h a t every m o l e c u l e of o u r b o d y is
c h a n g e d for a n e w o n e w i t h i n t h r e e y e a r s , so t h a t
t h e r e is a c o n s t a n t flow of m a t e r i a l p a r t i c l e s from
this physical body, a n d a constant replacement by
n e w p a r t i c l e s as t h e forces of w h a t is c a l l e d
'metabolism' work within us.
T h e Etheric Aura
O c c u l t i s t s c l a i m t h a t , as well as c o n t r o l l i n g t h e
i n t a k e a n d egress of p h y s i c a l m a t e r i a l from t h e
b o d y , t h e e t h e r i c b o d y also d r a w s vital e n e r g y , o r
Prana, from t h e s u n a n d o t h e r forms of e n e r g y from
t h e e a r t h itself, for u s e in t h e living e c o n o m y of t h e
b o d y cells. T h e s e e n e r g i e s c i r c u l a t e t h r o u g h o u t t h e
e t h e r i c b o d y a n d its d e n s e m a t e r i a l c o u n t e r p a r t ,
a n d h a v i n g s u p p l i e d t h e n e e d s of t h e o r g a n i s m , t h e y
a r e r a d i a t e d o u t from t h e e t h e r i c b o d y in a p e c u l i a r
h a z e w h i c h e x t e n d s all r o u n d t h e b o d y for s o m e
inches b e y o n d its surface.
T h i s h a z e , w h i c h is u s u a l l y t h e first p a r t of t h e
a u r a t o b e seen, is k n o w n a s t h e etheric aura. S i n c e
t h e e t h e r i c b o d y is so closely c o n n e c t e d w i t h all t h e
vital p r o c e s s e s of t h e b o d y , t h e a p p e a r a n c e w h i c h t h e
e t h e r i c a u r a p r e s e n t s is u s u a l l y a g o o d g u i d e to t h e
p h y s i c a l h e a l t h of t h e p e r s o n c o n c e r n e d , a n d t h e
p r a c t i c e of d i a g n o s i s b y t h e a u r a is o n e w h i c h is
w i d e s p r e a d in occult circles.
I have said that we have m o r e t h a n one 'body',
a n d we have just been considering the etheric body.
N o w we come to other bodies, a n d here the t e r m
' b o d y ' becomes somewhat misleading. W e usually
Male aura
Female aura
t h i n k of a b o d y in t e r m s of t h e o n e b o d y w i t h w h i c h
w e a r e familiar, o u r d e n s e p h y s i c a l o n e , b u t t h e s e
finer b o d i e s a r e best d e s c r i b e d a s ' v e h i c l e s ' or
' s h e a t h s ' . I n fact, in t h e E a s t this l a t t e r t e r m is u s e d ,
a n d t h e y a r e k n o w n as Koshas.
N o w it is t h e p r a c t i c e in c e r t a i n occult schools t o
refer t o t h e ' e m o t i o n a l b o d y ' a n d t h e ' m e n t a l b o d y ' ,
a n d a l t h o u g h t h i s is c o r r e c t from o n e p o i n t of view,
I t h i n k w e m a y safely say t h a t s e l d o m i n d e e d d o w e
t h i n k w i t h o u t s o m e a d m i x t u r e of e m o t i o n , a n d
s e l d o m d o w e r e a c t e m o t i o n a l l y w i t h o u t some
thought entering into the process.
T h e t w o a s p e c t s of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , e m o t i o n a n d
m i n d , a r e closely linked t o g e t h e r , a n d t h e e n e r g i e s
of t h e i n n e r w o r l d s s t r e a m t h r o u g h t h e ' b o d i e s '
w h i c h a r e o u r m e a n s of c o n t a c t w i t h t h o s e w o r l d s .
T h e s e energies also radiate out a r o u n d the physical
b o d y , b u t over a far l a r g e r a r e a t h a n t h e vital
e n e r g i e s of t h e e t h e r i c d o u b l e . W h e r e a s t h e e x t e n t
of t h o s e vital r a d i a t i o n s c a n u s u a l l y b e r e c k o n e d in
inches, the combined emotional-mental radiation
e x t e n d s for several feet in t h e a v e r a g e p e r s o n , a n d in
m o r e h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d p e o p l e it m a y e x c e e d t h i s .
T h e Spiritual Aura
Finally, we come to w h a t we m a y describe as t h e
' s p i r i t u a l a u r a ' , a n d h e r e t h e a r e a over w h i c h it
e x t e n d s b e y o n d t h e b o d y varies from a few feet, i n
t h e case of unevolved p e o p l e t o y a r d s or even miles
in t h e c a s e of h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d p e o p l e . It is s a i d in
t h e E a s t t h a t t h e s p i r i t u a l a u r a of t h e L o r d
G a u t a m a B u d d h a e x t e n d e d for t w o h u n d r e d m i l e s ,
a n d t h e y also s a y t h a t t h e w h o l e of this p l a n e t is
h e l d in t h e a u r a of a very g r e a t B e i n g . T h i s is also
C h r i s t i a n t e a c h i n g , t h o u g h it is u s u a l l y r e s t r i c t e d t o
the p r e s e n c e of D e i t y : ' I n H i m w e live a n d m o v e
a n d h a v e o u r b e i n g ' , as St P a u l s a y s .
It will b e clear, from w h a t I h a v e s a i d , t h a t t h e r e
is not o n e a u r a , b u t several a u r a s , e a c h w i t h its o w n
peculiarities, w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r as a c o m p o s i t e
a t m o s p h e r e s u r r o u n d i n g u s , a n d b e i n g p a r t of t h e
flow of i n n e r e n e r g i e s t h r o u g h all p a r t s of o u r b e i n g .
It will also b e evident t h a t e a c h level of t h i s a u r a c a n
only b e d i s c e r n e d b y a n a p p r o p r i a t e m o d e of
p e r c e p t i o n o r vision.
Emanations
T h o s e of m y r e a d e r s t o w h o m t h i s idea of e m o t i o n a l
a n d m e n t a l ' b o d i e s ' m a y b e s o m e w h a t difficult m a y
d i s r e g a r d it for all p r a c t i c a l p u r p o s e s , since, as I
h a v e said, t h e s e t w o a s p e c t s of c o n s c i o u s n e s s a l m o s t
a l w a y s w o r k t o g e t h e r in t h e o r d i n a r y p e r s o n .
N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e t e s t i m o n y of m a n y c l a i r v o y a n t s is
t h a t t h e s e b o d i e s o r vehicles of c o n s c i o u s n e s s d o
a c t u a l l y exist. H o w e v e r , t h e y m a y b e d i s r e g a r d e d ,
a n d a t t e n t i o n fixed u p o n t h e e m a n a t i o n s w h i c h
s t r e a m o u t b e y o n d t h e limits of t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y
w h e n w e a r e r e c o r d i n g , as w e a l w a y s a r e , t h e
impressions which are being received in
c o n s c i o u s n e s s from t h e w o r k i n g s of t h e senses, b o t h
physical a n d superphysical.
E v e n in s t a t e s of w h a t w e t h i n k of a s
'unconsciousness', i.e., in trance, sleep or
pathological states d u e to disease, accident, d r u g -
t a k i n g a n d so o n , t h e a u r a is still actively e n g a g e d in
responding to those impressions which are being
received from t h e s u b c o n s c i o u s levels of o u r m i n d ,
a n d t h a t p a r t of t h e a u r a w h i c h w e h a v e referred t o
as t h e ' e t h e r i c a u r a ' still s h o w s t h e fluctuations of
t h e vital forces of t h e b o d y .
Also, a n d this is i m p o r t a n t , t h e a u r a is a t all
times registering the general emotional a n d mental
q u a l i t y of o u r c o n s c i o u s n e s s , a n d t h i s g e n e r a l
q u a l i t y is s o m e t h i n g w h i c h is relatively s t a b l e , a n d
is, i n d e e d d u e t o a l o n g - c o n t i n u e d series of
e m o t i o n a l a n d m e n t a l h a b i t s of t h e c o n s c i o u s m i n d .
T h e result is t o give to t h e a u r a a c e r t a i n g e n e r a l
c o l o u r i n g w h i c h c h a n g e s c o m p a r a t i v e l y slowly.
T h i s b a s i c c o l o u r i n g gives to t h e c l a i r v o y a n t a c l e a r
i n d i c a t i o n of t h e e m o t i o n a l , m e n t a l a n d s p i r i t u a l
c h a r a c t e r of its o w n e r . T h i s p o i n t will b e d e a l t w i t h
m o r e fully w h e n I c o m e t o t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e
v a r i o u s a p p e a r a n c e s w h i c h a r e p r e s e n t e d t o t h e seer
b y t h e a c t i o n of t h o u g h t a n d e m o t i o n o n t h e a u r a .
I n t h e next c h a p t e r I w a n t t o c o n s i d e r t h e
s t r u c t u r e of t h e a u r a , since t h i s will give s o m e
i n s i g h t i n t o its c h a r a c t e r a n d h e l p y o u t o
u n d e r s t a n d t h e i m p o r t a n t p a r t w h i c h it p l a y s in
o r d i n a r y life.
It m u s t b e k e p t in m i n d t h a t t h e a u r a h a s t w o
definite a p e c t s . T h e r e is w h a t w e m a y call t h e
' f o r m ' or ' s h a p e ' of t h e a u r a ; t h e ovoid of c o l o u r e d
emanations which surrounds and interpenetrates
t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y , a n d t h e u n d e r l y i n g c u r r e n t s of
e n e r g y w h i c h c a u s e it t o k e e p t h i s s h a p e . T h e l a t t e r
c u r r e n t s m a y b e c o n s i d e r e d as a ' m a g n e t i c ' or
' p s y c h i c ' field of force, t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e finer
s u b s t a n c e s of t h e i n n e r levels of m a n i f e s t a t i o n a r e
c o n t i n u a l l y flowing.
T h e 'Silver Cord'
I h a v e referred in t h e last c h a p t e r to t h e e t h e r i c ,
e m o t i o n a l a n d m e n t a l e m a n a t i o n s w h i c h go t o
m a k e u p t h e t o t a l i t y of t h e a u r a , a n d w e m a y r e g a r d
these as m a k i n g u p t w o q u i t e definite c o n s t i t u e n t s
thereof. T h e e t h e r i c b o d y is so closely linked w i t h
t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y t h a t w e m a y , for all p r a c t i c a l
p u r p o s e s , r e g a r d it as t h e true p h y s i c a l b o d y , u p o n
w h i c h t h e gross o u t e r p h y s i c a l form h a s b e e n
m o u l d e d . As it influences t h e p h y s i c a l form w h i c h
w e t h i n k of as o u r b o d y , w e c o u l d also c o n s i d e r t h e
etheric double to be the 'inner physical body', a n d
t h e flesh a n d b l o o d b o d y t o b e t h e ' o u t e r p h y s i c a l
b o d y ' . T h e s e t w o a r e c o n n e c t e d b y w h a t is u s u a l l y
t e r m e d t h e 'silver c o r d ' , a n a l l u s i o n t o t h a t verse in
t h e Bible w h i c h says ' O r ever t h e silver c o r d b e
l o o s e n e d ' , this b e i n g p a r t of a very w o n d e r f u l
s t a t e m e n t c a s e in p o e t i c a l f o r m d e s c r i b i n g t h e
p r o c e s s of old a g e a n d d e a t h .
T h o s e w h o h a v e d e v e l o p e d t h e faculty o l
c l a i r v o y a n c e c l a i m to b e a b l e to see this silver c o r d il
t h e y a r e o b s e r v i n g s o m e o n e w h o is d y i n g . Briefly, a s
d e a t h a p p r o a c h e s , t h e y see a silvery d u p l i c a t e f o r m
leave t h e d y i n g b o d y , u n t i l it is e n t i r e l y clear of it
e x c e p t for w h a t s e e m s to b e a c o r d or line of silvery
light w h i c h c o n n e c t s t h e t w o b o d i e s . A s long as t h a t
c o r d is i n t a c t / t h e r e is a l w a y s t h e possibility of t h e
c o n s c i o u s n e s s r e t u r n i n g t o tjie m a t e r i a l b o d y a g a i n ,
b u t o n c e t h e c o r d b r e a k s , t h e s e p a r a t i o n is
c o m p l e t e , a n d n o s u c h r e t u r n is possible. T h e m a n
is ' d e a d '
T h e Etheric D o u b l e
At t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e d e n s e r p a r t of t h e e t h e r i c
b o d y is still c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e d e a d p h y s i c a l b o d y ,
for e a c h i n d i v i d u a l cell of t h a t b o d y h a s its e t h e r i c
i n d e p e n d e n t life, a n d will c o n t i n u e t o live in a
p u r e l y vegetative m a n n e r u n t i l t h e c o n d i t i o n s
b e c o m e s u c h t h a t it c a n n o l o n g e r function in a n y
w a y . T h e r e is m u c h to b e l e a r n t c o n c e r n i n g t h e
functions exercised b y t h e e t h e r i c d o u b l e , a n d in
t h e s e d a y s of ' o r g a n t r a n s p l a n t s ' a n d t h e g r u e s o m e
p r o s p e c t e n v i s a g e d b y s o m e R u s s i a n scientists of
idiots b e i n g k e p t alive a n d u s e d a s host b o d i e s t o
n u r t u r e ' t r a n s p l a n t s ' until s u c h s p a r e p a r t s a r e
called for, this is a line of r e s e a r c h for t h o s e
qualified t o c o n d u c t it w h i c h m i g h t well b e helpful
to mankind.
T h e w h o l e p h e n o m e n o n of ' r e j e c t i o n ' , t h e
m e c h a n i s m b y w h i c h t h e b o d y rejects a n alien
o r g a n , m a y t u r n o u t t o b e m o r e c o m p l e x t h a n is at
p r e s e n t r e a l i z e d , a n d factors o t h e r t h a n b i o -
c h e m i c a l o n e s m a y b e involved.
I n d e e d , all m e d i c a l r e s e a r c h c o u l d b e i m p r o v e d if
this e t h e r i c d o u b l e w a s r e c o g n i z e d a n d s t e p s t a k e n
to observe its w o r k i n g s . U n d e r s u c h c o n d i t i o n s it
m i g h t b e found p o s s i b l e to d i s p e n s e w i t h m u c h of
vivisectional r e s e a r c h , w h i c h is often m i s l e a d i n g , a s
c e r t a i n t r a g i c h a p p e n i n g s in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e
m a n u f a c t u r e of d r u g s h a v e m a d e us a w a r e . Also,
freedom from d e p e n d e n c e u p o n questionable
e x p e r i m e n t s w o u l d b e a m o r a l b l e s s i n g to t h o s e
m e d i c a l m e n w h o c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e y m u s t use s u c h
r e s e a r c h in t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s of t h e i r p a t i e n t s , b u t
w h o feel nevertheless t h a t t h e m e t h o d s of r e s e a r c h
are m o r a l l y evil.
O f c o u r s e , o n e w o u l d not for a m o m e n t s u p p o s e
t h a t t h e possibility of u s i n g s u c h e t h e r i c vision a s a
tool of biological r e s e a r c h w o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d b y
t h e m a j o r i t y of m e d i c a l m e n at t h e p r e s e n t d a y .
H o w e v e r , if t h e r e s u l t s of ' e t h e r i c r e s e a r c h ' s h o u l d
prove b o t h m o r e satisfactory a n d m o r e r e a d i l y
a p p l i e d t h e n t h e y w o u l d b e c o m p e l l e d t o fall i n t o
>
line w i t h t h e i r m o r e e n l i g h t e n e d c o l l e a g u e s . T h i s , of
c o u r s e , is a very ' l o n g - t e r m ' i d e a , b u t t h i n g s a r e
m o v i n g so r a p i d l y in t h i s p r e s e n t a g e t h a t it is
u n w i s e t o set a n y limits a s t o w h a t m i g h t o r m i g h t
not b e d o n e in t h e n e a r future.
R a y s of L i g h t
Another interesting p h e n o m e n o n connected with
t h e e t h e r i c a u r a is t h e o c c a s i o n a l a p p e a r a n c e w i t h i n
it of w h a t s e e m t o b e r a y s o r shafts of light w h i c h in
m o s t cases a p p e a r t o s t a r t from t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y
and then ray out into the space around. I n some
cases it h a s b e e n n o t i c e d t h a t s u c h r a y s p a s s e d t o
s o m e o n e o r s o m e t h i n g n e a r at h a n d , a n d it w a s
ascertained that the person whose a u r a was being
s t u d i e d w a s , in fact, t h i n k i n g s t r o n g l y of t h a t p e r s o n
or object t o w h i c h t h e a u r i c r a y h a d g o n e . It m a y b e
t h a t w e h a v e h e r e o n e a s p e c t of a t e l e p a t h i c
t r a n s m i s s i o n of feeling a n d t h o u g h t . H o w e v e r , I
shall t r y t o d e a l w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n of t h e role of t h e
a u r a in t e l e p a t h y l a t e r o n in t h i s b o o k .
W e c o m e n o w t o a n o t h e r i n t e r e s t i n g a s p e c t of t h e
a u r a . T h i s is w h a t is c o m m o n l y t e r m e d t h e ' d a r k
s p a c e ' . It is from o n e - s i x t e e n t h t o a q u a r t e r of a n
inch in t h i c k n e s s , a n d e x a c t l y follows t h e o u t l i n e of
t h e b o d y . All t h e a u r a s a p p e a r to s t a r t from this
d a r k s p a c e , w h i c h I t h i n k m a y b e t h e a c t u a l surface
of t h e e t h e r i c b o d y itself. O f c o u r s e , it c o u l d b e a
still further p a r t of t h e a u r a , b u t r e s e a r c h h a s n o t
yet d e t e r m i n e d t h e exact p a r t w h i c h it p l a y s .
Finally, as I h a v e a l r e a d y said, t h e r e is a n a u r a
w h i c h is d u e to t h e biological a c t i o n s t a k i n g p l a c e in
t h e b o d y a n d in t h e skin. T h e s e result in t h e
g e n e r a t i o n of a m i n u t e e l e c t r o - m a g n e t i c field
a r o u n d the physical body, a n d this can be
m e a s u r e d b y t h e u s e of sensitive i n s t r u m e n t s . It
a p p e a r s t o b e i n c r e a s e d w h e n s t r o n g light falls u p o n
t h e surface of t h e b o d y , a n d different t y p e s of light,
ultra-violet, infra-red a n d t h e p r i m a r y c o l o u r s , h a v e
v a r y i n g effects o n this field.
T h e Etheric Skin
So m u c h for t h e g e n e r a l d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e a u r a as it
is seen b y a g o o d c l a i r v o y a n t , or b y t h e u s e of t h e
'Kilner Screens' N o w both the inner a n d outer
a u r a s a p p e a r t o h a v e w h a t w e m a y t h i n k of as a
surface skin, a n d t h e s e e t h e r i c skins p l a y a n
i m p o r t a n t p a r t in t h e a c t u a l h e a l t h of t h e
i n d i v i d u a l . W h e n t h e y a r e o b s e r v e d closely, t h e y
a r e found t o b e m a d e u p of i n n u m e r a b l e e t h e r i c
lines of force, a l m o s t as t h o u g h t h e e n d s of t h e
s t r i a t i o n s or h a i r l i k e lines w h i c h m a k e u p t h e a u r a
w e r e t w i s t e d t o g e t h e r to form a covering a n d
protective envelope to the entire a u r a .
Etheric Leakage
I n a n o r m a l p e r s o n in g o o d h e a l t h , t h e e t h e r i c skin
p r e s e n t s a n u n b r o k e n surface, b u t for m a n y r e a s o n s
this is t h e ideal r a t h e r t h a n t h e a c t u a l s t a t e of
things. In most people there appear to be what can
best b e d e s c r i b e d a s ' w o u n d s ' a n d ' t e a r s ' in it, a n d
t h e s e a p p e a r to a l l o w for w h a t w e m a y t e r m ' e t h e r i c
leakage'.
Abnormal shape of aura with gradual recovery.
A dark patch on the right side.
S u c h o p e n a r e a s in t h e a u r a w e r e well k n o w n to
t h o s e w h o s t u d i e d t h e s e m a t t e r s in t h e p a s t , a n d
t h e y called t h e m ' o r b i c u l a r w o u n d s ' . C e r t a i n
p r a c t i c e s in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h m e d i u m s h i p cans
s o m e t i m e s , c a u s e t h e s e o r b i c u l a r w o u n d s , a n d for
t h i s r e a s o n t h e o l d e r occultists w e r e n o t a l t o g e t h e r
in favour of t h e indiscriminate d e v e l o p m e n t of
m e d i u m s h i p . M a n y of t h e m o r e thoughtful
spiritualists at t h e present time have come to have
t h e s a m e c o n c l u s i o n in this m a t t e r .
Anyway, the orbicular wound was taken
seriously b y t h e o l d occultists, a n d , I t h i n k , w i t h
g o o d r e a s o n . O n e of t h e m o s t s e r i o u s results of s u c h
a ' l e a k i n g a u r a ' is t h a t vitality is q u i c k l y lost, a n d
t h e u n f o r t u n a t e p e r s o n c o n c e r n e d goes t h r o u g h life
in a t h o r o u g h l y devitalized c o n d i t i o n , a n d t h u s h a s
little e n e r g y to a t t e m p t a n y w o r k , a n d little p o w e r
t o resist t h e o n s e t of disease.
If t h e e t h e r i c vitality is low, t h e n t h e m e t a b o l i s m
of t h e b o d y will suffer, and under these
c i r c u m s t a n c e s t h e b u i l d - u p of ' a n t i - b o d i e s ' , w h i c h
will p r e v e n t t h e o n s e t of d i s e a s e , is s a d l y c u r t a i l e d .
So t h e u n f o r t u n a t e p e r s o n will s u c c u m b t o diseases
w h i c h will o n l y slightly affect h i s m o r e r o b u s t a n d
healthy brother.
Psychic Vampirism
N o t only, h o w e v e r , will t h e vital e n e r g y p o u r o u t
from t h e a u r a of o n e w h o h a s s u s t a i n e d t h e
o r b i c u l a r w o u n d . Its flow c a n b e c o n s i d e r a b l y
i n c r e a s e d b y t h e ' v a m p i r e - a c t i o n ' of c e r t a i n p e o p l e
w h o c a n o n l y m a i n t a i n a n o r m a l a m o u n t of vital
e n e r g y b y d r a w i n g it c o n t i n u a l l y from o t h e r s
a r o u n d t h e m . I n m o s t cases t h i s p s y c h i c v a m p i r i s m
is a p u r e l y u n c o n s c i o u s h a p p e n i n g , a n d t h e p s y c h i c
v a m p i r e s w o u l d b e horrified t o l e a r n t h a t t h e y w e r e
doing this t h i n g . M o s t of us h a v e m e t , at o n e t i m e or
another, people w h o depleted one by their presence.
Often t h e y a r e sincere a n d d e d i c a t e d seekers after
s p i r i t u a l t r u t h , b u t t h e fact r e m a i n s t h a t a n y o n e
c o m i n g i n t o close c o n t a c t w i t h t h e m for half-an-
h o u r or so leaves feeling t h a t h e h a s b e e n d r a i n e d of
all vitality. (Conversely, t h e o n e w h o h a s d r a i n e d
h i m of e n e r g y in this w a y , m a y b e h e a r d to say t h a t
they really enjoy a visit from M r S o - a n d - S o , t h e y
feel so m u c h b e t t e r after t h e y h a v e b e e n to visit
him!)
A p a r t , h o w e v e r , from t h i s d e p l e t i o n , t h e r e is a
c o r r e s p o n d i n g s u c t i o n , a$ it w e r e , o n t h e i r p a r t , as
t h e d e p l e t e d vital b o d y a t t e m p t s t o r e - c h a r g e itself.
But b e c a u s e of t h e w o u n d in t h e a u r i c skin, i n s t e a d
of t h e n e w vitality b e i n g d r a w n in t h r o u g h t h e
correct a n d n o r m a l c h a n n e l s , it is d r a w n in from
w h a t e v e r h a p p e n s t o b e a r o u n d in t h e w a y of
e t h e r i c e n e r g y . A s t h e s o u r c e s of s u c h e n e r g y m a y
b e n e i t h e r n o r m a l n o r d e s i r a b l e , t h e net result of
this m a y b e t h e r e - c h a r g i n g of t h e b o d y w i t h
p o l l u t e d a n d u n d e s i r a b l e forces, a n d t h e s e m a y
b r i n g w i t h t h e m in t h e i r t r a i n t h e c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h
will p r e - d i s p o s e t h e m t o d i s e a s e .
Etheric Parasites
Also, j u s t a s p h y s i c a l s o j o u r n in u n d e s i r a b l e p l a c e s
a n d c o n d i t i o n s m a y c a u s e o n e t o collect p a r a s i t e s of
different k i n d s , s u c h as b u g s , fleas a n d lice, so t h e
u n d e s i r a b l e forms of p s y c h i c life w h i c h exist in
p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n s of d i r t a n d neglect will b e
picked u p a n d become parasites on the etheric aura,
w h e r e t h e y m a y b e seen b y a n y o n e p o s s e s s i n g t h e
slightest d e g r e e of c l a i r v o y a n t p o w e r .
T h e s e etheric parasites a p p e a r to be simple forms
of life w h i c h , in t h e i r o w n p l a c e a n d u n d e r t h e i r
o w n n o r m a l c o n d i t i o n s h a v e a definite p a r t t o p l a y
in t h e e t h e r i c r e a l m . I n this r e a l m t h e r e a r e t o b e
found m a n y g r a d e s of living intelligences, a s well as
a g r e a t d e a l o f ' t h r o w - o u t ' p s y c h i c m a t e r i a l w h i c h is
u l t i m a t e l y d e a l t w i t h b y t h e purifying p r o c e s s e s
w h i c h a r e c o n t i n u a l l y at w o r k in t h e s e levels, a n d is
then returned to normal etheric circulation. Here,
t o o , t h e r e a r e g r e a t c u r r e n t s of e n e r g y w h i c h s w e e p
t h r o u g h t h e w h o l e r e a l m a n d act u p o n t h e p h y s i c a l
p l a n e in m a n y s u b t l e w a y s .
T h e s e c u r r e n t s , k n o w n in t h e E a s t a s t h e Tatvas,
a p p e a r to b e closely c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e activity of
the sun, a n d to be somehow concerned with the
b a s i c n a t u r e of p h y s i c a l m a t t e r ; t h a t is, its
a p p e a r a n c e in solid, l i q u i d , g a s e o u s a n d r a d i a n t
forms ( c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e old a l c h e m i c a l i d e a of
t h e ' F o u r E l e m e n t s ' of E a r t h , Air, F i r e , a n d W a t e r . )
H e r e in t h e e t h e r i c r e a l m lie t h e keys t o m e d i c i n e ,
psychology a n d psychism, a n d anyone w h o submits
to the a r d u o u s training required t o develop a n d
o r g a n i z e his e t h e r i c a w a r e n e s s will find a r i c h field
of r e s e a r c h w h i c h so far h a s o n l y b e e n e x p l o r e d o n a
s m a l l scale.
Psychedelic Drugs
T o r e t u r n , h o w e v e r , t o o u r c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e
e t h e r i c b o u n d a r y a r o u n d t h e a u r a . C e r t a i n forms of
u n w i s e p s y c h i c a n d m e d i u m i s t i c d e v e l o p m e n t will
c a u s e a n o r b i c u l a r w o u n d , a n d t h i s c a n also b e t h e
end result of t h e use of a l c o h o l in excessive
q u a n t i t i e s , as well as b e i n g q u i t e c o m m o n l y t h e
cause of t h e m e n t a l a n d e m o t i o n a l d e t e r i o r a t i o n
shown by those who have become drug addicts.
T h i s is especially t h e c a u s e w i t h t h o s e w h o h a v e
b e c o m e h a b i t u a l l y c o n d i t i o n e d t o t h e use of some of
the so-called ' p s y c h e d e l i c d r u g s ' s u c h as L S D .
I n c i d e n t a l l y , this is a r e a l m of a c t i o n w h e r e
e m o t i o n a l p r e j u d i c e s a r e rife, a n d it is not fair t o say
t h a t all d r u g s c a u s e m e n t a l d e t e r i o r a t i o n . H o w e v e r ,
for a n y o n e d e s i r i n g t o b e c o m e p s y c h i c a l l y a w a r e ,
a n d p r o p o s i n g to use t h e s e d r u g s for t h e p u r p o s e ,
the best advice w o u l d b e ' D O N ' T ' T h i s a d v i c e
certainly h o l d s g o o d w h e r e t h e p s y c h e d l i c d r u g s a r e
c o n c e r n e d . T h e r e a r e b e t t e r w a y s of e x p a n d i n g
consciousness t h a n these, t h o u g h they take longer
to p r o d u c e t h e d e s i r e d effect.
I n t h e s e d a y s of i n s t a n t coffee, i n s t a n t c o o k i n g ,
i n s t a n t q u i t e a lot of o t h e r t h i n g s , t h e r e s e e m s t o b e
a d e m a n d for ' i n s t a n t p s y c h i c a b i l i t y ' I n s o m e r a r e
cases, w h e r e t h e p s y c h i c m a k e - u p of t h e p e r s o n is of
a c e r t a i n t y p e , t h e p s y c h i c abilities m a y b e
developed in s u c h a s h o r t t i m e t h a t in t h e s e c a s e s
we m i g h t s p e a k of i n s t a n t p s y c h i s m , b u t this is n o t
t h e g e n e r a l r u l e , a n d even w h e r e it is, t h e n e w l y
developed faculty n e e d s l o n g a n d careful t r a i n i n g
before it c a n b e u s e d to t h e b e s t a d v a n t a g e .
T h e e t h e r i c b o d y is c o n s t a n t l y receiving its
e n e r g y from t w o s o u r c e s w i t h w h i c h I will d e a l
p r e s e n t l y , b u t it will t e n d t o d r a w u p o n t h e e n e r g y
of o t h e r p e o p l e if for a n y r e a s o n t h e vitality p r e s s u r e
is low a n d t h e r e exists t h i s w o u n d in t h e a u r a w h i c h
allows t h e vital e n e r g y t o leak a w a y .
Vital Energy
T h e r e a r e p e o p l e w h o a p p e a r t o d r a w t h e vital
e n e r g y from its n o r m a l s o u r c e s in s u c h a b u n d a n c e
t h a t , w h e n t h e i r o w n o r g a n i s m s h a v e received all
t h a t t h e y n e e d , t h e r e is a c o n s i d e r a b l e s u r p l u s
remaining, a n d this 'charges' their auras, a n d rays
o u t as a s t e a d y s t r e a m of vital e n e r g y t o all a r o u n d .
S u c h p e o p l e a r e s o m e t i m e s t o b e found in t h e
n u r s i n g profession, a n d t h e i r m e r e p r e s e n c e in t h e
r o o m will s t i m u l a t e t h e vital forces of t h e i r p a t i e n t s *
T h i s is v a g u e l y realized b y m a n y p e o p l e , w h o will
s a y of s u c h a n u r s e , ' S h e gives y o u s t r e n g t h w h e n
s h e is n e a r y o u ' . O t h e r s , e q u a l l y d e d i c a t e d to
h e a l i n g , p r o d u c e n o s u c h r e s u l t , for in t h e i r case,
t h e y s e e m t o b e d r a w i n g in j u s t sufficient vital
energy to supply their own needs.
I n a n o t h e r c h a p t e r of this b o o k , I will discuss t h e
q u e s t i o n of t h e s u p e r a b u n d a n c e of vital e n e r g y in
c e r t a i n p e o p l e in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h w h a t is k n o w n as
' m a g n e t i c h e a l i n g ' , for h e r e t h e a u r a is u s e d in a
definite w a y .
I h a v e referred t o t h e ' v a m p i r e ' activities of s o m e
p e o p l e , a n d h a v e p o i n t e d o u t t h a t in m a n y c a s e s
s u c h p e o p l e a r e q u i t e u n a w a r e of t h e r e s u l t s t h e y
p r o d u c e u p o n t h o s e a r o u n d t h e m . It will b e s e e n
from w h a t I h a v e s a i d t h a t in b o t h t h e v a m p i r e a n d
his v i c t i m t h e r e is a lack of vital e n e r g y . I n t h e
v a m p i r e t y p e , t h e e t h e r i c a u r a r e a c h e s o u t , as it
w e r e a n d d r a w s from o t h e r s t h e e x t r a e n e r g y it
requires.
I n t h e victims t h e lack of vital e n e r g y c a u s e s w h a t
w e m a y d e s c r i b e as a 'vitality v a c u u m ' a n d t h e y will
also t e n d t o d r a w i n t o t h e i r a u r a a n y s u r p l u s e n e r g y
which m a y be available. T h e r e are m a n y such
sources, s o m e g o o d a n d s o m e b a d , a n d it is
u n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e case t h a t as a g e n e r a l r u l e t h e
p e r s o n w h o possesses t h e o r b i c u l a r w o u n d , or t h e
1
leaky a u r a ' , if y o u prefer t h a t t e r m , t e n d s t o d r a w
extra e n e r g y from o r g a n i z e d life-units of a lower
type, s u c h as c e r t a i n a n i m a l s , or from o t h e r s w h o
are even m o r e n e g a t i v e t h a n t h e m s e l v e s , s u c h a s
very s m a l l c h i l d r e n . T h e r e a r e m u c h b e t t e r s o u r c e s
from w h i c h t h e y c o u l d d r a w t h e e x t r a vitality t h e y
r e q u i r e , o n e of w h i c h is t h e e t h e r i c a u r a of living
p l a n t s , m o r e p a r t i c u l a r l y t r e e s of a c e r t a i n k i n d .
A g r e a t d e a l of p r i v a t e r e s e a r c h h a s b e e n c a r r i e d
out i n t o t h i s i n t e r e s t i n g a s p e c t of t h e subject, a n d in
the c h a p t e r w h i c h I h a v e p r o m i s e d y o u o n t h e
whole q u e s t i o n of t h e a u r a a n d h e a l i n g I shall give
you s o m e i n s t r u c t i o n s w h i c h y o u m a y find t o b e of
great use w h e n a n d if y o u ever find yourself
d e p l e t e d of vitality.
A Leaky Aura
O f c o u r s e , in t h e case of s o m e o n e w h o h a s a leaky
a u r a , t h e o b v i o u s t h i n g t o d o is t o p l u g u p t h e leak.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y s u c h a s i m p l e s o l u t i o n is s e l d o m
t h o u g h t of, let a l o n e p u t i n t o p r a c t i c e , p o s s i b l y
b e c a u s e it is so very obvious. I n s t e a d , vital e n e r g y is
p u m p e d i n t o t h e p e r s o n c o n c e r n e d , o n l y t o b e lost
a l m o s t i m m e d i a t e l y , a n d a fresh r e - c h a r g e b e c o m e s
necessary.
T h e w h o l e subject of t h i s a u r i c skin o r e n v e l o p e is
o n e w h i c h p r e s e n t s f a s c i n a t i n g p r o b l e m s for t h o s e
w h o desire t o u n d e r s t a n d m o r e of t h e m y s t e r i o u s
w a y in w h i c h o u r c o n s c i o u s n e s s m a k e s c o n t a c t w i t h
our physical b o d y a n d brain mechanism.
T h i s a r e a of r e s e a r c h also p e r m i t s t h e a p p l i c a t i o n
of t h e scientific m e t h o d of s t u d y in a w a y w h i c h is
m u c h m o r e difficult in t h e case of t h e e m o t i o n a l a n d
m e n t a l levels of c o n s c i o u s n e s s .
Be it n o t e d , h o w e v e r , t h a t this e t h e r i c a u r a arid
t h e e t h e r i c b o d y from w h i c h it e m a n a t e s is s t r o n g l y
affected by p e r s o n a l t h o u g h t or t h a t of o t h e r people,,
a n d since t h e e t h e r i c is t h e c o n t r o l l i n g level from
w h i c h t h e p h y s i c a l is d i r e c t e d , w e h a v e h e r e a c l u e
t o t h e success of s o m e m e t a p h y s i c a l s y s t e m s of
h e a l i n g , s u c h as t h o s e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e N e w
T h o u g h t Movement, with the Unity Movement a n d
with Christian Science.
Supernormal Manifestation
V e r y m a n y carefully c o n t r o l l e d e x p e r i m e n t s in
hypnosis, together with the accounts of
s p o n t a n e o u s p h e n o m e n a s u c h a s t h e alleged
' s t i g m a t a ' ( t h e r e p r o d u c t i o n of t h e w o u n d s of
C h r i s t w h i c h h a v e b e e n s e e n to a p p e a r o n t h e
b o d i e s of s o m e C h r i s t i a n S a i n t s ; St F r a n c i s of Assisi
b e i n g a n e x a m p l e ) , t o g e t h e r w i t h m a n y well
a u t h e n t i c a t e d a c c o u n t s of ' f i r e w a l k i n g ' a n d o t h e r
exploits of s o m e E a s t e r n ascetics, as well as t h e
p h y s i c a l p h e n o m e n a of s p i r i t u a l i s m , all suggest t h a t
t h i s e t h e r i c b o d y a n d its a u r a p l a y s a n i m p o r t a n t
p a r t in w h a t is u s u a l l y t e r m e d ''supernatural
manifestation', but which should m o r e correctly be
t e r m e d ''supernormal m a n i f e s t a t i o n ' .
W i t h o u t g o i n g i n t o t h e v e x e d q u e s t i o n of t h e
proofs of p e r s o n a l survival, w e c a n at least say t h a t
h e r e in this b o r d e r l a n d b e t w e e n t h e p h y s i c a l a n d
t h e m o r e t e n u o u s levels of t h e e m o t i o n a l - m e n t a l
w o r l d s , t h e r e is a p r o m i s i n g field for t h e s t u d e n t s of
psychical research hitherto somewhat neglected.
CHAPTER THREE
In o r d e r t o p r e v e n t t h e p r e v i o u s c h a p t e r from
b e c o m i n g t o o l o n g I d e c i d e d to d e a l w i t h further
a s p e c t s of t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h e a u r a in this t h i r d
c h a p t e r . I h a v e u s e d t h e title ' T h e C i r c u i t of F o r c e '
since w h a t I h a v e to say is very largely c o n c e r n e d
w i t h t h e flow of e n e r g y t h r o u g h t h e e t h e r i c a u r a . I
have a l r e a d y t o u c h e d u p o n o n e of t h e p a t h o l o g i e s of
the a u r a , the 'leaky a u r a ' or 'auric w o u n d ' , a n d I
think that w h a t I have to say here m a y help the
r e a d e r t o see h o w s u c h a w o u n d m a y b e h e a l e d ,
a n d , w h a t is b e t t e r still, h o w it m a y b e p r e v e n t e d
from h a p p e n i n g at all.
Established Teachings
First of a l l , it m a y b e helpful if w e c o n s i d e r w h a t
this a u r i c e n e r g y is, a n d from w h e n c e it is derived.
Here we come up against certain established
t e a c h i n g s w h i c h h a v e in t h e p a s t b e e n t a k e n very
m u c h for g r a n t e d b y m a n y s t u d e n t s of o c c u l t i s m ;
p a r t i c u l a r l y b y followers of g e n e r a l t h e o s o p h i c a l
t e a c h i n g . I n s o m e fairly i m p o r t a n t r e s p e c t s s u c h
t e a c h i n g differs from t h a t given i n t h e w e s t e r n
esoteric school, a n d , for t h e m a t t e r of t h a t , from
t h a t given in t h e e a s t e r n esoteric schools. I n a w a y ,
this is all t o t h e good, for t o find t h e ' a u t h o r i t i e s '
differing m a y h e l p t h e e n q u i r e r to k e e p his m i n d
open to new outlooks a n d teachings.
I n t h e s a m e w a y , t o u s e t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n of t h e
p r e s e n t s t a t e of a s t r o n o m i c a l k n o w l e d g e , t h e r e is a
d e c i d e d difference b e t w e e n t h e a d v o c a t e s of w h a t is
called t h e ' b i g b a n g ' t h e o r y of t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h i s
u n i v e r s e , a n d t h e o p p o s i t e t h e o r y of t h e ' s t e a d y
s t a t e u n i v e r s e ' , a n d t h e efforts of e a c h side to p r o v e
their h y p o t h e s i s to b e t h e c o r r e c t o n e a r e h a v i n g t h e
effect of r a p i d l y i n c r e a s i n g o u r g e n e r a l k n o w l e d g e of
t h e u n i v e r s e in m a n y o t h e r a s p e c t s , entirely a p a r t
from its origins.
So, in this difference in t h e t e a c h i n g s , t h e r e is
r o o m for i n d e p e n d e n t r e s e a r c h , a n d for t h i s r e a s o n ,
t h o u g h I shall p u t f o r w a r d t h e g e n e r a l t e a c h i n g
w h i c h I h a v e myself received, I shall e n d e a v o u r t o
c o m p a r e it w i t h t h a t given from t h e o t h e r s o u r c e s of
w h i c h I h a v e s p o k e n , a n d in a d d i t i o n will d e s c r i b e
s o m e of m y o w n o b s e r v a t i o n s in t h i s field. T h e n
t h o s e of y o u w h o m a y yourself develop t h e p o w e r to
o b s e r v e t h e a u r a will feel free to m a k e y o u r o w n
experiments without worrying about whether your
results agree with those recorded by theosophical
seers, e a s t e r n yogis, spiritualist p s y c h i c s a n d
m e d i u m s or even t h o s e p e r s o n a l o b s e r v a t i o n s
r e c o r d e d b y m e in this a n d o t h e r b o o k s !
Chakras or 'Centres'
T h e g e n e r a l occult t e a c h i n g is t h a t t h e e t h e r i c b o d y
d r a w s vitality from t h e s u n a n d d i s t r i b u t e s it t o t h e
v a r i o u s p a r t s of t h e b o d y . A n o t h e r t e a c h i n g , t h e
w e s t e r n esoteric o n e , t e a c h e s t h a t t h e e t h e r i c b o d y
is d r a w i n g e n e r g y n o t only from t h e s u n b u t a l s o
from t h e e a r t h as well. T h i s w e s t e r n t e a c h i n g ,
w h i c h I c o n s i d e r to b e a fuller e x p o s i t i o n of w h a t
h a p p e n s in this d r a w i n g in of vitality, affirms t h a t
t h e r e a r e c e r t a i n p o i n t s w i t h i n t h e e t h e r i c b o d y , all
located a l o n g t h e s p i n a l c o l u m n , t h r o u g h w h i c h t h i s
d u a l s t r e a m of vitality is p a s s e d i n t o t h e p h y s i c a l
b o d y . T h i s is a l s o t a u g h t in t h e o t h e r school, b u t t h e
n a t u r e a n d n u m b e r of t h e s e ' d i s t r i b u t i o n p o i n t s ' o r
chakrasy as t h e y a r e t e r m e d in t h e east, a r e
differently d e s c r i b e d in t h e t w o s y s t e m s .
In t h e o r d i n a r y t h e o s o p h i c a l t e a c h i n g , t h e r e a r e
said to b e seven of t h e s e chakras o r ' c e n t r e s ' , n a m e l y ,
t h e c e n t r e a b o v e t h e h e a d k n o w n g e n e r a l l y as t h e
'thousand-petalled lotus', the centre between the
eyes, t h e t h r o a t c e n t r e , t h e h e a r t c e n t r e , t h e s o l a r
plexus centre, the spleen centre a n d the sacral
c e n t r e a t t h e b a s e of t h e s p i n e .
I n t h e w e s t e r n t e a c h i n g , t h e c e n t r e s a r e given as
t h e c e n t r e a b o v e t h e h e a d , t h e c e n t r e at t h e t h r o a t ,
t h e h e a r t c e n t r e , t h e sex c e n t r e , t h e c e n t r e b e l o w t h e
feet. ( I n b o t h s y s t e m s t h e c e n t r e a b o v e t h e h e a d is
l o c a t e d in t h a t p a r t of t h e a u r a w h i c h e x t e n d s a b o v e
t h e h e a d , a n d in t h e w e s t e r n s y s t e m , t h e c e n t r e
below t h e feet is also s a i d t o b e in t h a t p a r t of t h e
a u r a w h i c h e x t e n d s d o w n w a r d s b e l o w t h e soles of
t h e feet.)
It will b e seen t h a t w h e r e a s t h e g e n e r a l
t h e o s o p h i c a l t e a c h i n g s p e a k s of seven c e n t r e s , t h e
w e s t e r n s y s t e m s p e a k s of o n l y jive. I n t h e e a s t e r n
t a n t r i c s y s t e m w e h a v e t h e c e n t r e s a s given in t h e
theosophical teaching, with the exception that the
spleen c e n t r e is not m e n t i o n e d , a n d its p l a c e is
t a k e n b y t h e sex c e n t r e .
Tantric Practices
W e w e r e told t h a t t h e s u b s t i t u t i o n of t h e s p l e e n
c e n t r e for t h e sex c e n t r e in t h e t h e o s o p h i c a l
t e a c h i n g w a s largely d u e t o a c e r t a i n u n c o n s c i o u s
b i a s a g a i n s t a n y inclusion of s e x u a l i d e a s in t h e
m a t t e r , since, in t h e case of c e r t a i n debased T a n t r i c
p r a c t i c e s , a n d c e r t a i n debased w i t c h - c u l t p r a c t i c e s
t h e sexual e l e m e n t h a d b e e n grossly e m p h a s i z e d .
Y o u will n o t i c e t h a t I h a v e I t a l i c i z e d t h e w o r d
' d e b a s e d ' . T h i s is b e c a u s e I o n c e received a n
i n d i g n a n t letter a c c u s i n g m e of b e i n g u n f a i r w h e n I
referred t o ' d e b a s e d T a n t r i c p r a c t i c e ' in o n e of m y
former b o o k s . T h e t r o u b l e w a s , I h a d n o t
e m p h a s i z e d t h e w o r d ' d e b a s e d ' , a n d m y critic w a s
under the impression that I was attacking the entire
T a n t r i c s y s t e m , w h i c h I m o s t a s s u r e d l y w a s n o t . It
is a lofty e a s t e r n s y s t e m of p r a c t i c a l p h i l o s o p h y a n d
c a n n o m o r e b e b l a m e d for t h e excesses of some
p r a c t i t i o n e r s of T a n t r i c m a g i c t h a n c a n t h e
C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h e s b e b l a m e d for t h e o c c a s i o n a l
Black M a s s w h i c h o n e h e a r s a b o u t , n o w a n d t h e n .
W o u n d i n g the Aura
I h a v e b e e n d e s c r i b i n g s o m e t h i n g of w h a t h a p p e n s
as t h e c e n t r e s d r a w in e n e r g y . W h a t h a p p e n s w h e n
t h e y reverse t h e i r s p i n a n d b e g i n t o p o u r o u t
e n e r g y ? First of all, t h e fine w e b over t h e o u t s i d e
e n d of t h e vortices a c t s as a n a u t o m a t i c c h e c k u p o n
t h e a m o u n t of e n e r g y w h i c h m a y b e p r o j e c t e d a n d
so p r e v e n t s t h e i n d i v i d u a l losing e n e r g y t o a
d a n g e r o u s e x t e n t . S o long a s t h i s r e s t r a i n i n g w e b is
u n d a m a g e d , this a u t o m a t i c r e s t r a i n t o n t h e vital
forces a c t efficiently, b u t t h e r e a r e c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h
m a y a r i s e w h e n it is d a m a g e d , a n d t h e n w e h a v e t h e
' a u r i c w o u n d ' of w h i c h I h a v e written^
Certain unwise meditation procedures can cause
a u r i c d a m a g e , b u t o n e of t h e m o s t c e r t a i n w a y s of
c a u s i n g s u c h a w o u n d is b y t h e c o n t i n u e d p r a c t i c e
of drug-taking. Whatever some 'advanced'
p s y c h o l o g i s t s m a y say, t h e c o n t i n u e d u s e of d r u g s
does d o g r e a t d a m a g e t o t h e a u r a , a n d o p e n s it t o all
m a n n e r of i n v a d i n g influences.
Psychedelic Drugs
T h e o c c a s i o n a l ' t r i p ' u n d e r careful medical
supervision" m a y n o t h a v e t h i s effect, b u t I a m in
e n t i r e a g r e e m e n t w i t h o n e of t h e m o s t e x p e r i e n c e d
w r i t e r s in t h i s field, a n d o n e c a n s p e a k from his o w n
p e r s o n a l k n o w l e d g e . D r I . F . R e g a r d i e , w r i t i n g of
t h e effect of s u c h p r a c t i c e s , says ' . . . t h e o u t r i g h t
psychotic p e r s o n . . . should be sternly counselled
never, u n d e r a n y c i r c u m s t a n c e s , to t o u c h t h e
p s y c h e d e l i c d r u g s . ' H e r e h e is s p e a k i n g of t h e
p s y c h o l o g i c a l s t a t e s , a n d , of c o u r s e , it is r e a l i z e d b y
m o s t p e o p l e w h o h a v e s t u d i e d t h i s m a t t e r t h a t few
p e o p l e a r e free from s o m e t r a c e of t h e n e u r o t i c o r
p s y c h o t i c in t h e i r m e n t a l m a k e - u p .
M o r e fully does t h i s r u l i n g a p p l y w h e n w e a r e
c o n s i d e r i n g t h e e t h e r i c a u r a , for t h e r e i n a r e m a n y
dim shapes which foreshadow coming trouble and
conflict in b o t h t h e m i n d a n d t h e b o d y , for all
d i s o r d e r s of t h e m i n d , e m o t i o n s a n d p h y s i c a l b o d y
s h o w t h e i r t r a c e s in t h i s a u r a before ever t h e y a r e
m a d e manifest in p s y c h o l o g i c a l o r p h y s i c a l illness.
T o o p e n t h e surface of t h e a u r a t o t h e p l a y of all
k i n d s of forces is e q u i v a l e n t t o p e e l i n g off t h e
p r o t e c t i n g skin from o n e ' s b o d y , a n d t h e d a n g e r s
a r e a s g r e a t in t h e o n e c a s e as t h e y w o u l d b e in t h e
other. O b v i o u s l y , n o o n e in his senses w o u l d
deprive himself of his b o d i l y skin, b u t b e c a u s e t h e
process is not so painful, t h e r e a r e m a n y w h o
perform t h e p s y c h i c e q u i v a l e n t of this p r o c e s s b y
practices of v a r i o u s k i n d s .
Some theosophical writers would prohibit
t o b a c c o a n d a l c o h o l a n d it is t r u e t h a t t h e social use
of alcoholic b e v e r a g e s h a s b l i n d e d m a n y to t h e g r i m
fact t h a t addiction t o alcohol is in itself a disease,
with d i s t r e s s i n g c o n s e q u e n c e s . H o w e v e r , t h e school
to w h i c h I s u b s c r i b e does n o t lay d o w n a r b i t r a r y
rulings o n t h e s e p o i n t s , c o n t e n t i n g itself b y p o i n t i n g
out t h a t if y o u w a n t t h e b e s t r e s u l t s , t h e n y o u m u s t
provide t h e best c o n d i t i o n s !
T h e e t h e r i c w e b n o t only restricts t h e a m o u n t of
energy w h i c h m a y b e p o u r e d o u t from t h e centres*
b u t it also a c t s as a b a r r i e r to o u t e r influences w h i c h
m a y seek t o p e n e t r a t e i n t o t h e e t h e r i c b o d y , a n d as
long as it is k e p t i n t a c t , t h e n t h e possibilities of
w h a t I t e r m ' p s y c h i c infection' a r e lessened.
Suitable Trees
T h e best t r e e s to c h o o s e for t h i s p u r p o s e a r e t h e
p i n e a n d fir t r e e s , o a k , b e e c h a n d a p p l e b e i n g g o o d
s e c o n d choices. I n t h e g r o u n d s of t h e c o t t a g e in
w h i c h I a m w r i t i n g t h i s , w e h a v e a h u g e oak, several
h u n d r e d y e a r s old, a n d t h e a u r a w h i c h it e m a n a t e s
is very helpful i n d e e d . T h e e l m is a t r e e t o avoid as
far a s its a u r i c a t m o s p h e r e is c o n c e r n e d , for q u i t e
a p a r t from its n a s t y h a b i t of d r o p p i n g a d e a d
b r a n c h w i t h o u t a n y w a r n i n g , it d o e s s e e m t o b e in
some way inimical to h u m a n beings.
H o w e v e r , w e will i m a g i n e t h a t y o u h a v e found a
s u i t a b l e p i n e t r e e for y o u r r e - c h a r g i n g activities.
Y o u n o w seat yourself o n t h e g r o u n d w i t h y o u r
b a c k p l a c e d firmly a g a i n s t t h e t r u n k of t h e tree.
S i n c e t h e g r o u n d is liable t o b e d a m p , a g o o d
w a t e r p r o o f c u s h i o n is i n d i c a t e d , a n d it does not
m a t t e r o n e little bit w h e t h e r it is m a d e of r u b b e r ,
plastic f o a m or a n y o t h e r m a t e r i a l , as long as it
keeps y o u clear of t h e d a m p g r o u n d .
T h e r e h a s b e e n a g o o d d e a l of n o n s e n s e w r i t t e n
and spoken about insulation. M a n y people
s u b s c r i b e to t h e s u p e r s t i t i o n t h a t a n y t h i n g m a d e of
r u b b e r or p l a s t i c will ' i n s u l a t e ' you from t h e e t h e r i c
forces. T h i s is j u s t n o t so, as h a s so often b e e n
d e m o n s t r a t e d . W a t e r diviners w h o believed t h a t
r u b b e r n e u t r a l i z e d t h e i r p o w e r s , f o u n d t h a t this
w a s i n d e e d t h e case, b u t o t h e r w a t e r d i v i n e r s w h o
did n o t believe in this i n s u l a t i n g p o w e r of r u b b e r
w e r e a b l e t o divine whilst w e a r i n g r u b b e r soled
shoes or W e l l i n g t o n s .
T h e superstition arose, I think, because r u b b e r
is a n i n s u l a t o r as far as electrical c u r r e n t s a r e
c o n c e r n e d , a n d so led t o t h e idea t h a t t h e vital
c u r r e n t s a r e electrical in t h e i r n a t u r e . T h e y a r e , of
c o u r s e , b u t in q u i t e a different w a y , a n d n o r m a l
r u b b e r i n s u l a t i o n does n o t c u t t h e m off or interfere
w i t h t h e i r activity in a n y w a y , unless the person
concerned thinks that it will have this effect.
T h e Vital Flow
W e m a y t h i n k of t h e s e t w o c e n t r e s as b e i n g t h e t w o
t e r m i n a l s w h i c h c o n n e c t us t o t h e b i - p o l a r universe
of force a n d form. T h e s e t w o c e n t r e s m a y therefore
b e r e g a r d e d as t h e t w o t e r m i n a l s of a circuit
c a r r y i n g a n a l t e r n a t i n g c u r r e n t of electricity. Y o u
will see t h a t t h e full flow will b e h i n d e r e d if either
t e r m i n a l is n o t p r o p e r l y c o n n e c t e d t o t h e universal
supply.
I h a v e s a i d t h a t this vital flow is a n a l t e r n a t i n g
o n e , g o i n g first in o n e d i r e c t i o n a n d t h e n in a n o t h e r ,
a n d a n y o n e w h o d o e s a n y p r a c t i c a l occult or
p s y c h i c w o r k h a s t o r e c k o n w i t h t h e d i r e c t i o n of this
flow a t a n y p a r t i c u l a r t i m e . I n t h e east, t h i s h a s
b e e n carefully w o r k e d o u t , b u t in t h e west t h e r e is
not m u c h d e t a i l e d k n o w l e d g e a v a i l a b l e except in
s o m e of t h e m o r e h i d d e n o c c u l t g r o u p s .
M o d e r n psychology, a n d more particularly w h a t
is n o w called ' d e p t h psychology* h a s a g o o d d e a l t o
tell us c o n c e r n i n g t h i s vital flow a n d t h e w a y s in
w h i c h it m a y b e c h e c k e d a n d interfered w i t h o n t h e
one hand, a n d increased and helped on the other.
'Open' Psychics
As t h e g e n e r a l d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e i n d i v i d u a l
c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o n t i n u e s , t h e e t h e r i c w e b or skin
becomes m o r e properly organized a n d begins to
s h u t off t h e a u r a from m a n y of t h e influences w h i c h
o n c e affected it so s t r o n g l y . B u t w h e r e this does not
h a p p e n t h e i n d i v i d u a l r e m a i n s o p e n t o all t h e
various o u t s i d e influences w h i c h m a y p l a y u p o n
him.
T h i s is o n e of t h e d a n g e r s w h i c h t h r e a t e n t h o s e
w h o a r e s o m e t i m e s called ' n e g a t i v e p s y c h i c s ' . T h e
t e r m h a s b e e n unfairly u s e d b y some occultists t o
i n c l u d e all t h o s e p s y c h i c s of a different w a y of
t h i n k i n g t o t h e i r o w n , b u t I a m u s i n g it h e r e for
w h a t h a s often b e e n d e s c r i b e d as t h e ' o p e n p s y c h i c ' .
T h e s e o p e n p s y c h i c s a r e t h e c u r s e of a n y m o v e m e n t
in w h i c h t h e y h a p p e n t o b e , for w i t h t h e i r i n a b i l i t y
t o s h u t off u n w a n t e d influences t h e y a r e like h u m a n
A e o l i a n h a r p s , u p o n w h i c h every p a s s i n g w i n d
makes sound, usually discordant.
J u s t as t h e y a r e r e c e p t i v e to all influences w h i c h
strike u p o n t h e i r a u r a , so a r e t h e y o p e n t o every
p r e d a t o r y influence w h i c h m a y d e s i r e t o d r a w from
t h e m w h a t vital energies t h e y m a y h a v e to give,
t h o u g h as a g e n e r a l r u l e , b e c a u s e of this l e a k i n g
a u r a , t h e a m o u n t of vitality t h e y a r e c a p a b l e of
losing in this w a y is s m a l l , s i n c e t h e r e is never a
l a r g e s u p p l y in s t o r e .
W i t h true development, however, the a u r a
becomes insulated against such involuntary
reactions, a n d the etheric centres begin to be
c a p a b l e of b e i n g u s e d as p e r c e p t i v e o r g a n s u n d e r
voluntary control.
Interesting Research
A w i d e field of i n t e r e s t i n g r e s e a r c h lies before t h e
c l a i r v o y a n t w h o elects to w o r k a l o n g t h e s e lines,
a n d it is m y o w n c o n s i d e r e d o p i n i o n t h a t t h i s
r e s e a r c h m a y well b e of g r e a t use n o t only i n w h a t
w e m a y call t h e p s y c h i c field, b u t in t h e fields of
m e d i c i n e a n d e l e c t r o n i c p h y s i c s as well.
Some interesting experiments have already been
m a d e i n t o t h e n a t u r e of electric c u r r e n t s , u s i n g t h e
d e v e l o p e d e t h e r i c c l a i r v o y a n c e of o n e m e m b e r of a
research group, but owing to the mental reactions
of o r t h o d o x w o r k e r s in t h i s field, t h e Work of this
p a r t i c u l a r g r o u p h a s b e e n s u s p e n d e d , for t h e t i m e
b e i n g at least. H o w e v e r , it m a y well b e t h a t
s o m e t i m e in t h e future t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l c l i m a t e m a y
so c h a n g e t h a t t h i s t y p e of r e s e a r c h will b e a g a i n
carried out.
T h e e t h e r i c a u r a is n o t o n l y a ' s u r r o u n d ' o r
a t m o s p h e r e w h i c h is t h e b a s i s of t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y .
It n o t only receives influences b u t it a l s o s e n d s t h e m
o u t . T h e influences w h i c h a r e sent o u t from t h e
e t h e r i c a u r a a r e of v a r i o u s k i n d s , a n d a r e c a p a b l e of
c o n s i d e r a b l e v a r i a t i o n s in b o t h s t r e n g t h a n d
quality.
Normally, the healthy person, and by 'healthy' I
also m e a n p s y c h i c a l l y a n d m e n t a l l y , is c o n s t a n t l y
r a d i a t i n g a s t e a d y flow of e t h e r i c e n e r g i e s d u r i n g
his w a k i n g s t a t e , a n d this p e r s o n a l l y c o l o u r e d force
c o n s t i t u t e s w h a t w e m a y call t h e p e r s o n a l
m a g n e t i s m of t h e m a n .
T h e r e is also a s t e a d y flow of vital e n e r g y from
t h e h e a l t h y p e r s o n , for h e d r a w s i n t o himself m o r e
t h a n sufficient of t h e vitalizing forces of n a t u r e , a n d
t h e excess w h i c h is left after h i s p h y s i c a l b o d y h a s
u s e d all it r e q u i r e s is r a d i a t e d o u t in a s t e a d y
stream.
Etheric Healing
M a n y ' h e a l e r s ' w o r k w i t h t h i s vital e n e r g y a n d a r e
a b l e t o ' r e - c h a r g e ' t h o s e w h o m a y , for o n e r e a s o n o r
a n o t h e r , b e d e p l e t e d . T h e r e a r e , of c o u r s e , g r a d e s of
vital e n e r g y , a n d for t h i s r e a s o n v a r i o u s h e a l e r s
a p p e a r t o w o r k in different w a y s .
T h e r e is o n e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g t o r e m e m b e r a b o u t
t h e u s e of excess vital e n e r g i e s for t h e p u r p o s e of
healing. W h e n D r M e s m e r , w h o popularized this
form of h e a l i n g in F r a n c e d u r i n g t h e l a t t e r p a r t of
t h e e i g h t e e n t h c e n t u r y , p u t f o r w a r d his t h e o r i e s as
to t h e e n e r g y w h i c h h e c l a i m e d t o b e a b l e t o direct
t o his p a t i e n t s , h e s p o k e of it a s a u n i v e r s a l ' f l u i d '
which pervades the universe. T h i s energy, he
c l a i m e d , c o u l d b e d r a w n u p o n for h e a l i n g t h e
physical body.
It w a s found in a c t u a l h e a l i n g p r a c t i c e t h a t if t h e
' m a g n e t i z e r ' o r h e a l e r believed this i d e a of t h e
u n i v e r s a l fluid t o b e t r u e , a n d h e l d t h i s belief firmly
in his m i n d , h e d i d n o t t e n d t o b e c o m e d e p l e t e d of
e n e r g y w h e n t r e a t i n g m a n y p a t i e n t s o n e after t h e
o t h e r . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , if h e r e g a r d e d t h e p o w e r s
a s b e i n g his o w n p e r s o n a l p o w e r , h e q u i c k l y b e c a m e
d e p l e t e d if h e t r e a t e d m o r e t h a n a c e r t a i n l i m i t e d
n u m b e r of p a t i e n t s at t h e o n e session. E v e n
w h e n t h e belief in t h e u n i v e r s a l fluid was firmly
h e l d , t o o l o n g a session w o u l d p r o d u c e t e m p o r a r y
d e p l e t i o n , a n d t h e h e a l e r h a d t o rest a w h i l e .
Biblical Healing
T h i s recalls t h e w o r d s a t t r i b u t e d t o J e s u s w h e n h e
h e a l e d t h e w o m a n w i t h t h e issue of b l o o d . S h e
t o u c h e d H i m in t h e m i d s t of t h e c r o w d w h i c h w a s
p r e s s i n g a r o u n d H i m , a n d t h e disciples w e r e q u i t e
r i g h t , of c o u r s e , w h e n H e said, ' W h o t o u c h e d m e ? '
t o r e p l y , ' T h o u seest t h e c r o w d , a n d sayest t h o u
" w h o touched m e ' ? '
I h a v e seen a s i m i l a r s c e n e in t h e east w h e n a
w a n d e r i n g sannyasi o r holy m a n c a m e into a s m a l l
village. T h e e n t i r e p o p u l a t i o n c l u s t e r e d a r o u n d
h i m , t r y i n g t o t o u c h h i m . ( I n c i d e n t a l l y , in q u i t e
a n o t h e r c o n t e x t , s i m i l a r scenes c a n b e seen, n o t in
t h e far-off east, b u t in a n y t o w n in B r i t a i n t o d a y
w h e n s o m e idol of t h e p o p w o r l d visits t h e p l a c e ! )
T h e Bible s t o r y goes o n t o say t h a t J e s u s
p e r c e i v e d t h a t ' v i r t u e ' h a d g o n e forth from H i m .
T h i s word 'virtue' was used by t h e King J a m e s '
t r a n s l a t o r s of t h e A u t h o r i z e d V e r s i o n of t h e Bible t o
s t a n d for a G r e e k w o r d w h i c h is t h e r o o t from w h i c h
such m o d e r n words as d y n a m o , dynamic, a n d
d y n a m i t e w e r e formed. It implies a strong, active
energy n o t w h a t is u s u a l l y t h o u g h t of w h e n w e
employ the term 'virtue'. T h e usual meaning
a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e w o r d is m o r a l o r e t h i c a l p u r i t y ,
m o r e especially s e x u a l p u r i t y .
T h e P o w e r of Purity
T h i s m e a n i n g really p r o c e e d s from t h e o r i g i n a l
m e a n i n g of t h e w o r d , for it w a s w i d e l y h e l d in
a n c i e n t d a y s t h a t p u r i t y of life, a n d especially
p u r i t y of s e x u a l life, c o n f e r r e d a p o w e r u p o n a
p e r s o n . It w a s even h e l d t h a t a virgin girl w o u l d n o t
b e a t t a c k e d b y a w i l d b e a s t b e c a u s e of h e r virginity!
T h i s i d e a also led t o t h e insistence, in m e d i e v a l
magic u p o n the 'scryer' or seer in t h e magical
e x p e r i m e n t s b e i n g e i t h e r a b o y or girl b e l o w t h e a g e
of p u b e r t y .
A c t u a l l y , for r e a s o n s of ' m a g n e t i c ' o r e t h e r i c
p u r i t y t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g i n t h i s l a t t e r i d e a . Also,
m e n a n d w o m e n of p r e - e m i n e n t m o r a l a n d s p i r i t u a l
virtue h a v e b e e n k n o w n t o p a s s u n h a r m e d t h r o u g h
t h e h a u n t s of vicious a n d p r e d a t o r y wild b e a s t s ,
t h o u g h t h e y w e r e closely w a t c h e d a n d i n s p e c t e d b y
those beasts.
T h e c o - f o u n d e r of t h e T h e o s o p h i c a l Society, C o l .
H e n r y Steel O l c o t t , d i d a g r e a t d e a l of m a g n e t i c
h e a l i n g d u r i n g his s t a y in I n d i a , a n d , in fact, so
b a d l y d e p l e t e d himself t h a t , u p o n t h e advice of a n
o c c u l t e x p e r t in s u c h m a t t e r s , h e s t o p p e d this
h e a l i n g w o r k , a n d s p e n t s o m e t i m e in r e c u p e r a t i n g
his e n e r g i e s . T h e chief w a y in w h i c h h e d i d this
w a s , a g a i n u p o n t h e a d v i c e of his o c c u l t friend, t o sit
w i t h his b a c k a g a i n s t t h e t r u n k of a p i n e t r e e , a n d t o
a l l o w t h e vital e n e r g i e s of t h e t r e e t o r e - c h a r g e h i m .
D e p l e t i o n of Personal Energies
V a l e n t i n e G r e a t r a k e s in I r e l a n d in t h e e i g h t e e n t h
c e n t u r y u s e d this m a g n e t i c h e a l i n g t e c h n i q u e b y
w h a t is u s u a l l y k n o w n as> t h e ' l a y i n g o n of h a n d s ' ,
a n d w a s , in fact a l l o c a t e d a s m a l l p e n s i o n from t h e
B r i t i s h G o v e r n m e n t for his w o r k . F a t h e r J o h n of
K r o n s t a d t , a p r i e s t of t h e O r t h o d o x C h u r c h , w a s
n o t so f o r t u n a t e , h e s o d e p l e t e d himself t h a t h e
u l t i m a t e l y d i e d as a result of his h e a l i n g w o r k .
T h e r e is a p o i n t to b e n o t e d h e r e . B o t h
Greatrakes and Father J o h n regarded the power
w h i c h t h e y u s e d as b e i n g s o m e t h i n g w h i c h w a s n o t
t h e i r s , b u t for w h i c h t h e y w e r e a c h a n n e l . W h y t h e n
w e r e t h e y so d e p l e t e d ? T h e a n s w e r is t h a t a l t h o u g h
there m a y be a n inexhaustible supply, unless the
c h a n n e l s t h r o u g h w h i c h t h a t p o w e r is d r a w n i n t o
t h e h u m a n p e r s o n a l i t y of t h e h e a l e r a r e sufficiently
c l e a r a n d o p e n e n o u g h t o a l l o w all t h e p o w e r
n e e d e d to flow in, t h e r e will b e a g r a d u a l d e p l e t i o n
of t h e h e a l e r ' s p e r s o n a l e n e r g i e s , a n d t h e only
s o l u t i o n , a t least for t h e s h o r t t e r m o u t l o o k , is t o
s t o p d o i n g h e a l i n g w o r k u n t i l t h e stock of e n e r g y
has been renewed.
Magnetic Healing
M a g n e t i c h e a l i n g is u s u a l l y d o n e b y w h a t is k n o w n
as ' p a s s e s ' m a d e w i t h t h e h a n d s over t h e b o d y of t h e
p a t i e n t , or b y t h e ' l a y i n g - o n - o f - h a n d s ' o r b y t h e u s e
of ' h e a l i n g oils'. H e r e w e c o m e t o a n i n t e r e s t i n g
p o i n t in t h e s t u d y of t h e s e e t h e r i c e n e r g i e s . T h e
e t h e r i c a u r a is n o t o n l y a receiver of forces, b u t also
a t r a n s m i t t e r , a n d t h e e n e r g i e s w h i c h flow t h r o u g h
it m a y b e d i r e c t e d t o o t h e r t h i n g s , q u i t e a p a r t from
h u m a n bodies.
A n i m a l s m a y benefit from t h e forces d i r e c t e d
u p o n t h e m t h r o u g h t h e e t h e r i c a u r a , a n d so also
m a y t h e m e m b e r s of t h e v e g e t a b l e k i n g d o m . I h a v e
referred t o t h e e n e r g y w h i c h C o l . O l c o t t d r e w from
t h e p i n e t r e e , b u t t h i s is n o t a o n e - w a y traffic. J u s t
as w e c a n d r a w e t h e r i c e n e r g y from t h e p l a n t s a n d
trees, so c a n t h e y d r a w from u s w h e n t h e y , in t h e i r
turn, need such help.
T h e r e h a v e b e e n m a n y e x p e r i m e n t s m a d e in t h i s
p o w e r of s o m e h u m a n b e i n g s t o affect for good o r
b a d t h e lives of m e m b e r s of t h e v e g e t a b l e k i n g d o m ,
a n d it m a y well b e t h a t t h o s e w h o possess t h e
traditional 'green-fingers' are people with the
power to transmit these energies to a n ailing plant.
T h a t t h e s e p e o p l e d o not consciously realize t h e i r
possession of this p o w e r d o e s n o t m a t t e r in t h e
least; in fact it m a y often h e l p , since t h e i r c o n s c i o u s
m i n d is for t h e m o m e n t o u t of t h e w a y , a n d t h e
subconscious has a chance to bring the etheric
m e c h a n i s m into action.
B u t n o t only c a n t h e e t h e r i c e n e r g i e s b e
transmitted to h u m a n beings, animals a n d plants.
T h e y c a n also b e p o u r e d i n t o a n d ' c h a r g e '
i n a n i m a t e objects s u c h as s t o n e s , j e w e l s , oils, a n d so
on. T h e s e objects will t h e n a c t a s a k i n d of m a g n e t i c
b a t t e r y , p o u r i n g t h e i r c h a r g e of e n e r g y o u t a s
required.
W h e r e t h i s ' c h a r g i n g ' o r ' m a g n e t i z i n g ' is d o n e b y
s o m e o n e w h o u n d e r s t a n d s t h e p r i n c i p l e s involved,
t h e n t h e object so c h a r g e d b e c o m e s n o t m e r e l y a
b a t t e r y w h i c h will d i s c h a r g e itself u n t i l its c h a r g e is
e x h a u s t e d , b u t will also b e linked u p w i t h t h e
u n i v e r s a l e n e r g i e s , a n d so r e m a i n c h a r g e d a n d
p o t e n t for h e a l i n g , or for a n y o t h e r p u r p o s e for
w h i c h it w a s originally i n t e n d e d .
I n t h e R o m a n C h u r c h t h e Oleum Infirmorum, t h e
oil for t h e sick, is blessed b y t h e b i s h o p i n his
c a t h e d r a l c h u r c h o n M a u n d y T h u r s d a y for u s e
d u r i n g t h e following y e a r . H o w e v e r , h e a l i n g oil m a y
be prepared by anyone who understands the
p r i n c i p l e of m a g n e t i z a t i o n .
A Vortex
At o n c e t h i n g s b e g a n t o h a p p e n . T o m y sight it w a s
as t h o u g h a vortex w a s set u p over t h e f o r e h e a d of
t h e subject, a n d t h e d e e p b l u e light s e e m e d t o p o u r
d o w n this i n a l m o s t e x a c t l y t h e s a m e w a y a s t h e
w a t e r in t h e b a t h or sink d i s a p p e a r s w h e n t h e p l u g
is r e m o v e d . W i t h i n a s h o r t t i m e , all t h e e n e r g y h a d
been absorbed into the patient's body. Not only did
she say s h e felt m u c h b e t t e r , it w a s clearly evident
t h a t s h e w a s b r i g h t e r a n d m o r e alert, a n d a p p e a r e d
to b e m u c h i m p r o v e d .
It w a s e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e m a g n e t i z e d oil h a d
a c t e d a s a b r i d g e b e t w e e n t h e finer e n e r g i e s w h i c h
had been drawn down upon the patient a n d her
o w n e t h e r i c b o d y a n d a u r a . It w a s t h e n p o s s i b l e for
t h a t e n e r g y t o b e d r a w n i n t o t h e e t h e r i c a u r a a n d so
m a d e of s o m e u s e .
A s i m i l a r t e c h n i q u e is u s e d b y s o m e h e a l e r s w h o
' m a g n e t i z e ' handkerchieves or linen p a d s a n d send
t h e m to t h e i r p a t i e n t s , a n d i n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n o n e
t h i n k s of t h e objects w h i c h w e r e t a k e n t o t h e sick
b e c a u s e t h e s h a d o w of o n e of t h e A p o s t l e s h a d
fallen o n t h e m . If w e r e a d ' a u r a ' for ' s h a d o w ' , w e
m a y see s o m e significance in t h e Bible story.
T h e field of force w h i c h w e c a l l t h e e t h e r i c a u r a is
t h e field in w h i c h m a n y as yet u n s u s p e c t e d e n e r g i e s
p l a y . All t h e facts a b o u t t h e a u r a h a v e yet t o b e
discovered, a n d t h e r e a r e m a n y f a s c i n a t i n g lines of
r e s e a r c h for t h o s e so i n t e r e s t e d .
Etheric Interaction
T h e i n t e r a c t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e e t h e r i c a u r a s of
p e o p l e is a n o t h e r m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g p h e n o m e n o n .
4 y
T h e spell-binder who can c h a r m the birds d o w n
o u t of t h e t r e e s , a s t h e s a y i n g goes, h a s this ability
b e c a u s e of a c e r t a i n d e v e l o p m e n t in his e t h e r i c
a u r a , a n d his i n t e l l e c t u a l o r o r a t o r i c a l a t t a i n m e n t s
h a v e n o t h i n g to d o w i t h t h i s . p o w e r .
T h e r e a r e o t h e r s w h o act as d e s t r u c t i v e c a t a l y s t s ,
a n d w h o , in a n y g r o u p , irrespective of w h a t t h e y
m a y say or n o t say, will c a u s e d i s r u p t i o n a n d
dissension. I n t h e s a m e w a y t h e r e a r e t h o s e w h o ,
b e c a u s e t h e y a r e c a t a l y s t s of t h e o p p o s i t e o r d e r , will
e n a b l e t h e m e m b e r s of a g r o u p t o w o r k t o g e t h e r in
a n a l m o s t i n c r e d i b l e fashion.
Again, there are some who have the peculiar
p o w e r to b r i n g i n t o a c t i o n t h e l a t e n t abilities of
o t h e r s . T h i s is n o t i c e a b l e in cases w h e r e a t e a c h e r
w h o h a s a s t r o n g sense of v o c a t i o n , a p a r t from t h e
p u r e l y m a t e r i a l a n d professional a s p e c t of his w o r k ,
appears to be able to make such a n intimate contact
w i t h t h e m i n d s of his p u p i l s as t o evoke from t h e m
t h e i r o w n i n n a t e p o w e r s in a w a y t h a t t h e o r d i n a r y
t e a c h e r very often signally fails t o d o .
'Developing Circles'
A c u r i o u s v a r i a n t of this p o w e r is t h a t possessed b y
some who, by their presence alone, stimulate into
activity t h e p s y c h i c abilities of t h o s e a r o u n d t h e m ,
t h o u g h t h e y t h e m s e l v e s often d i s p l a y n o s u c h
p o w e r s . S u c h p e o p l e a r e useful m e m b e r s of w h a t
are k n o w n as ' d e v e l o p i n g circles'. It w o u l d s e e m
t h a t s o m e p a r t of t h e i r e t h e r i c a u r a h a s t h e p r o p e r t y
of i n d u c i n g its o w n r a t e of v i b r a t i o n in t h e a u r a s of
others.
H e r e w e m a y also s p e c u l a t e as to w h e t h e r t h e
universal c u s t o m of t h e l a y i n g - o n - o f - h a n d s for t h e
t r a n s m i s s i o n of priestly a n d o t h e r offices m a y n o t
have a b a s i s in this p r o p e r t y of t h e e t h e r i c . T h i s
w o u l d , of c o u r s e , b e s t r o n g l y d e n i e d b y t h o s e w h o ,
in this e g a l i t a r i a n a g e , vociferously insist t h a t all
men are equal a n d that no one has any power or
ability w h i c h o t h e r s h a v e n o t got also. O n e m i g h t
reply to t h i s c l a i m b y s u g g e s t i n g t h a t t h e ideal
society w o u l d b e o n e w h e r e e a c h m e m b e r b r o u g h t
his o w n p a r t i c u l a r a n d , p e r h a p s , u n i q u e gift i n t o
t h e c o m m o n pool for t h e benefit of all.
THE EMOTIONAL-MENTAL AURA
It is t h e c u s t o m of m a n y w r i t e r s o n occult s u b j e c t s
t o m a k e a c l e a r - c u t a n d definite division b e t w e e n
t h e e m o t i o n a l a n d m e n t a l a s p e c t s of m a n ' s n a t u r e ,
a n d w h e n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h e h u m a n
e n t i t y t o refer t o t h e ' e m o t i o n a l or a s t r a l b o d y ' a n d
t h e ' m e n t a l b o d y ' as t w o e n t i r e l y s e p a r a t e p a r t s o{
his b e i n g . T h i s is, of c o u r s e , q u i t e c o r r e c t if y o u a r e
c o n d u c t i n g w h a t w e m i g h t d e s c r i b e as a p o s t -
m o r t e m o n t h e c o m p l e t e m a n ; t h a t is, if y o u a r e
s t u d y i n g h i m as a n a n a t o m i s t s t u d i e s t h e h u m a n
body.
T o t h e a n a t o m i s t , t h e r e a r e c e r t a i n well-defined
s y s t e m s of o r g a n s , nerves, etc., a n d t h e s e h e sees,
first of all as s e p a r a t e s y s t e m s , s u c h as t h e
a l i m e n t a r y s y s t e m , t h e v a s c u l a r s y s t e m , a n d so on,
even t h o u g h h e a l w a y s k e e p s at t h e b a c k of his m i n d
t h e o v e r - r i d i n g fact t h a t all t h e s e s y s t e m s in t h e
living m a n a r e w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r in a very w o n d e r f u l
w a y , a n d t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l activities a r e j o i n e d
t o g e t h e r for t h e c o m m o n life of t h e i n d i v i d u a l .
E q u a l l y , of c o u r s e , it is p e r m i s s i b l e to s e p a r a t e
t h e e m o t i o n a l a n d m e n t a l a s p e c t s of m a n , a n d also
t h e ' v e h i c l e s ' or ' b o d i e s ' t h r o u g h w h i c h t h o s e
aspects work, but w h e n we c o m e to consider the
living i n d i v i d u a l , w e find t h a t in a c t u a l p r a c t i c e w e
c a n n o t s e p a r a t e t h e s e t w o w a y s in w h i c h m a n
e x p r e s s e s himself o n t h e p h y s i c a l p l a n e .
The Kama-Manasic Principle
T h i s h a s b e e n r e c o g n i z e d in b o t h t h e e a s t e r n a n d
w e s t e r n occult t r a d i t i o n s . I n t h e east, t h e t w o
activities of e m o t i o n a n d t h o u g h t a r e g r o u p e d
t o g e t h e r u n d e r t h e t e r m Kama-Manas, Kama
m e a n i n g ' d e s i r e ' a n d Manas referring t o ' m i n d ' .
Above this d o u b l e a s p e c t t h e y also refer to t h e p l a n e
or level of pure t h o u g h t b y t h e t e r m ' T h e Manasic
Plane'.
I n t h e w e s t e r n t r a d i t i o n t h e s a m e idea is f o u n d in
the Q a b a l i s t i c c o n c e p t of w h a t is t e r m e d t h e Ruach
or ' r e a s o n a b l e soul'. T h e y t o o say t h a t a b o v e t h i s
r e a l m t h e r e exists a n o t h e r r e g i o n w h e r e i n t h a t
aspect of m a n w h i c h t h e Q a b a l i s t s n a m e t h e
Neschamah o r H i g h e r S o u l h a s its dwelling.
A l t h o u g h I follow t h e w e s t e r n esoteric t r a d i t i o n , I
a m g o i n g t o briefly a t t e m p t t o s e p a r a t e t h e s e t w o
e l e m e n t s of e m o t i o n a n d t h o u g h t w h i c h g o to m?Ae
u p t h e Ruach o r Kama-manasic p r i n c i p l e in m a n . I
p r o p o s e t o deal w i t h t h e e m o t i o n a l o r ' a s t r a l ' a s p e c t
as b e i n g o n e in w h i c h ' f o r c e ' is p r e d o m i n a n t .
Fundamental Duality
T h e r e is a c e r t a i n f u n d a m e n t a l d u a l i t y t h r o u g h o u t
t h e w h o l e of t h e k i n g d o m s of n a t u r e - a division i n t o
r e a l m s of ' f o r c e ' a n d r e a l m s of ' f o r m ' . E a c h level is
m a d e u p of t h e s e t w o a s p e c t s , b u t t h e p r o p o r t i o n s
vary w i t h t h e different levels of m a n i f e s t a t i o n .
T h u s , t h e p h y s i c a l e a r t h is a p l a n e o f ' f o r m ' , b u t
it is a c t u a l l y t h e a p p e a r a n c e w h i c h is t h e r e s u l t of
interlocked forces. Its chief c h a r a c t e r i s t i c is t h a t of
inertia. It is a level of stability, a n d p h y s i c a l m a t t e r
will n o t of itself c h a n g e p o s i t i o n unless a c t e d u p o n
by s o m e o u t e r force. T h e e t h e r i c levels of t h e
p h y s i c a l a r e t h e ' f o r c e ' a s p e c t , a n d m a t t e r as w e see
it is t h e ' f o r m ' a s p e c t of this p h y s i c a l level.
O n t h e e m o t i o n a l or ' a s t r a l ' level, t h e p o s i t i o n s
a r e reversed. T h e s u b s t a n c e of t h e a s t r a l light is
c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y e x t r e m e m o b i l i t y ; it is ' f l u i d i q u e '
a n d h a s t h e P r o t e a n ability t o t a k e a t h o u s a n d
e v a n e s c e n t s h a p e s a s different influences affect it. I n
itself it c a n best b e t h o u g h t of as a r e a l m of living
light; light w h i c h c a n in a n i n s t a n t b e b u i l t u p i n t o
a t e m p o r a r y form.
Symbols
T h e r e are two m a i n building or form-producing
c a u s e s at w o r k in t h e a s t r a l r e a l m s . O n e is t h e
influence w h i c h is a l w a y s at w o r k m o u l d i n g t h e
t e n u o u s a s t r a l s u b s t a n c e in o b e d i e n c e to its o w n
b a s i c laws. T h e s e forms w h i c h a r e , so t o s p e a k ,
n a t i v e to t h e a s t r a l light, c a n n o t b e p e r c e i v e d b y t h e
a v e r a g e h u m a n c l a i r v o y a n t , for t h e y a r e so far from
all h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e t h a t t h e r e is n o t h i n g in t h e
c l a i r v o y a n t ' s m i n d b y w h i c h s u c h forms c a n b e
comprehended.
T h e only w a y in w h i c h t h e s e n a t i v e forms c a n b e
b r o u g h t i n t o t h e w a k i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s is b y t h e
d e l i b e r a t e u s e of symbols, a n d it is for this r e a s o n
t h a t m a n y seers h a v e found it n e c e s s a r y t o r e s o r t to
t h e use of s y m b o l i s m t o t r a n s m i t even a s m a l l p a r t
of t h e a s t r a l p e r c e p t i o n t h r o u g h t o t h e c o n s c i o u s
mind.
B u t s u c h u s e of s y m b o l s d e m a n d s c o n s i d e r a b l e
t r a i n i n g in t h e i r use a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g so t h o s e
w h o h a v e not u n d e r g o n e a definite t r a i n i n g a l o n g
t h o s e lines d o not, as a g e n e r a l r u l e perceive t h e
n a t i v e forms in t h e a s t r a l light, e x c e p t w h e r e c e r t a i n
well-established symbols have been constructed by
g e n e r a t i o n s of m e n . T h e n , u n d e r e a r t h l y veils, t h e s e
t h i n g s a r e perceived.
Second Aura
So, t o t h e c l a i r v o y a n t e y e , t h e a u r a a p p e a r s a s a
luminous coloured atmosphere surrounding
e v e r y o n e . T h e e x t e n t of t h i s s e c o n d a u r a will-vary
according to the emotional and mental
d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e p e r s o n o b s e r v e d , a s will also its
c o l o u r i n g . T h i s c o l o u r i n g will r a n g e from d a r k a n d
m u d d y looking s h a d e s of b r o w n a n d grey, t h r o u g h
l u r i d r e d s a n d d i r t y l o o k i n g b l u e s , t o t h e finer
s h a d e s of t h e s e c o l o u r s a n d t o fine l u m i n o u s yellow,
b l u e a n d violet s h a d e s . T h e r e m a y also a p p e a r
g l e a m s of p u r e g o l d e n l i g h t , b u t t h e s e a r e u s u a l l y
rare.
I n this s h i n i n g a t m o s p h e r e a r o u n d e a c h p e r s o n
m a y also b e n o t i c e d ' f o r m s ' of v a r i o u s k i n d s , a n d it
is h e r e t h a t m i s t a k e s m a y often a r i s e w h e n a
d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e a u r a is b e i n g given. T h e r e a r e
often h u m a n figures t o b e s e e n in t h e a u r a , b u t
these need not b e anything to d o with the actual
life, b e i n g m e r e l y t h o u g h t - f o r m s w h i c h h a v e b e e n
built u p b y c a s u a l c o n t a c t s w i t h p e o p l e w h o , for o n e
r e a s o n or a n o t h e r , h a v e left a s t r o n g i m p r i n t o n t h e
m i n d of t h e p e r s o n w h o s e a u r a is b e i n g o b s e r v e d .
Subconscious Memories
T h e r e a r e o t h e r finer a n d m o r e s u b t l e forms w h i c h
are often only o u t c r o p p i n g m e m o r i e s from t h e
s u b c o n s c i o u s , a n d , i n d e e d , it s o m e t i m e s h a p p e n s
t h a t s o m e t h i n g is d e s c r i b e d b y t h e seer, a n d is
immediately recognized by the person concerned.
Very often h e will say, ' I t c o u l d n ' t b e t e l e p a t h y , for
I w a s n ' t t h i n k i n g a b o u t t h a t t h i n g at all'.
H o w e v e r , this is w h a t it c o u l d p r o b a b l y b e in
t r u t h , since t h e s e t h o u g h t - f o r m s c a n act as t h e e n d
of a long line of a s s o c i a t e d m e m o r i e s w h i c h a r e
evoked, as it w e r e , from t h e d e p t h s of t h e
s u b c o n s c i o u s n e s s . O f c o u r s e , this does n o t cover all
such forms, b u t it c e r t a i n l y s e e m s t o a c c o u n t for a
good deal of so-called ' e v i d e n c e ' .
O c c a s i o n a l l y s u c h forms s e e n a n d d e s c r i b e d b y
t h e c l a i r v o y a n t t u r n o u t to b e n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n
vivid i m a g e s built u p in t h e m i n d of a p e r s o n
through reading a book which portrays such
characters. T h u s one lady was told by a
clairvoyant, ' I see a s t r a n g e figure w i t h y o u . H a v e
you a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e s e a ? F o r I see t h e figure
of a m a n w h o w o u l d b e a s e a m a n of s o m e k i n d , a n d
w h o possibly fought in s o m e sea b a t t l e , for I see h e
h a s only o n e leg. 1 see a r o u n d h i m w h a t s e e m s t o b e
t r o p i c a l v e g e t a t i o n a n d I get a s t r o n g feeling of
violence a n d b l o o d s h e d . '
T h e p e r s o n t o w h o m this d e s c r i p t i o n w a s given
smiled a n d said ' Y e s , I r e c o g n i z e t h e figure - y o u
see I h a v e j u s t b e e n r e a d i n g R o b e r t L o u i s
S t e v e n s o n ' s b o o k Treasure Islandl'
It is difficult for even t h e e x p e r i e n c e d seer t o
a l w a y s d e t e c t t h e difference b e t w e e n t h e s e t h o u g h t -
forms a n d o t h e r forms w h i c h m a y c o m e i n t o t h e
a u r a from o t h e r s o u r c e s . O n l y p r a c t i c e over a l o n g
p e r i o d will e n a b l e h i m t o d o t h i s , a n d even t h e n h e
m a y often b e m i s t a k e n .
T h e s e c o n d p a r t of t h e e m o t i o n a l - m e n t a l a u r a is
the luminous appearance which spreads around the
p e r s o n . I n s o m e it m a y only e x t e n d a b o u t a c o u p l e
of feet, b u t w i t h o t h e r s its r a n g e is far m o r e
extensive. It r e m a i n s n o w t o d e a l w i t h this l u m i n o u s
a t m o s p h e r e from a c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e c o l o u r s
w h i c h a r e to b e found in it.
of t h e c o s m i c b a t t e r y , a n d t h e w e b of t h e u n i v e r s e is
s p u n b e t w e e n t h e m . I n t h a t 'field of e n e r g i e s ' all life
a n d c o n s c i o u s n e s s lives a n d moves a n d h a s its
b e i n g . T h e r e a r e t w o i n s t i t u t i o n s w h e r e i n this is
s y m b o l i z e d b y t h e t w o P i l l a r s of S o l o m o n ' s T e m p l e ;
b e t w e e n t h e s e lies t h e t e s s e l l a t e d p a v e m e n t of b l a c k
and white squares, and our h u m a n pilgrimage
m e a n s t h a t w e a r e never w h o l l y t r e a d i n g u p o n a
black s q u a r e o r e n t i r e l y u p o n a w h i t e o n e .
A M i x e d Bag
T h i s is reflected in o u r i n d i v i d u a l p r i v a t e universe,
a n d reveals itself in t h e a u r a . It is a n over-
simplification t o divide h u m a n i t y i n t o ' g o o d i e s ' a n d
' b a d d i e s ' , in t h e t r a d i t i o n of t h e W i l d W e s t films.
W e are a mixed bag, a n d there are both good a n d
evil a s p e c t s in e a c h o n e of u s . T h e r e u s e d t o b e a
doggerel r h y m e w h i c h s t a t e d , ' T h e r e ' s so m u c h
good in t h e w o r s t of u s , a n d s o m u c h b a d in t h e b e s t
of u s , ' a n d t h i s is t r u e .
T h e r e a r e a s p e c t s of o u r n a t u r e w h i c h a r e of t h e
higher part, a n d there are other aspects which are
of t h e l o w e r side of ourselves, a n d t h e r e is a l a r g e
p a r t of o u r e m o t i o n a l - m e n t a l m a k e - u p w h i c h is t h e
reflection of a m i x t u r e of b o t h of t h e s e a s p e c t s , a n d
a c c o r d i n g t o t h e g e n e r a l activity of t h e s e factors so
we b u i l d u p w h a t w e m a y t e r m t h e p e r m a n e n t
b a c k g r o u n d of t h e a u r a .
It is this g e n e r a l c o l o u r i n g w h i c h u s u a l l y s h o w s
us a s w e a r e , a n d t h i s is fairly s t a b l e , c h a n g i n g
slowly o r o t h e r w i s e as w e p r o g r e s s t h r o u g h life.
However, there are times when the more
e l e m e n t a l p a r t s of o u r n a t u r e s u d d e n l y e m e r g e i n t o
activity, a n d t h e i r activity is s h o w n b y t h e fiery a n d
t u r b i d s h a d e s of c o l o u r w h i c h s h o w t h e m s e l v e s in
the aura. In the same way, there are times w h e n the
e t h i c a l a n d s p i r i t u a l a s p e c t s of ourselves also c o m e
i n t o activity, a n d s u c h activity is s h o w n b y t h e finer
s h a d e s of c o l o u r .
B u t b o t h of t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s m a y only b e , m o s t
p r o b a b l y will b e , of s h o r t d u r a t i o n , a n d t h e i r
a p p e a r a n c e d o e s not give a c l u e a s t o t h e r e a l
c h a r a c t e r of t h e p e r s o n in w h o s e a u r a t h e y a r e seen.
Significance of Pastel Shades
O f t e n a n a u r a s h o w i n g all t h e c o l o u r s in fine p a s t e l
s h a d e s m a y well i n d i c a t e a p e r s o n a l i t y w i t h o u t a n y
positive will o r e m o t i o n a l ' d r i v e ' , a n d s u c h p e o p l e ,
a l t h o u g h r e g a r d e d b y t h e i r friends as m o s t
' s p i r i t u a l ' , a r e o n l y t o b e so t h o u g h t of in a n e g a t i v e
w a y . I t h i n k it is M i l t o n w h o s o m e w h e r e says, ' I
w o u l d not p r a i s e a cloistered v i r t u e w h i c h h a s n e v e r
been subjected to temptation.'
I n t h e s a m e w a y , t h e a u r a very often i n d i c a t e s
t h a t , far from its p o s s e s s o r b e i n g ' h i g h l y evolved' h e
is, in fact, q u i t e ' u n e v o l v e d ' in s o m e i m p o r t a n t
w a y s , a n d it m a y also i n d i c a t e t h e n e a r t o t a l
r e p r e s s i o n of p a r t of t h e n a t u r e .
B e c a u s e of t h i s , it is difficult t o correctly assess
t h e t r u e level of c h a r a c t e r of a n y o n e b y s i m p l y
r e a d i n g his a u r a , u n l e s s o n e h a s b u i l t u p b y p r a c t i c e
t h e ability t o w a t c h t h e ' p e r m a n e n t a u r a ' w h e n t h e
n a t u r e is b e i n g s u b j e c t e d t o stress. It is u n d e r t h e s e
c o n d i t i o n s t h a t t h e t r u e c h a r a c t e r of a p e r s o n c a n b e
discerned.
S u p p r e s s i o n is n o t C o n t r o l
I h a v e told t h e following s t o r y before in a n o t h e r
b o o k of m i n e , b u t it will b e a r r e p e t i t i o n , a s it
illustrates a m i s t a k e so m a n y m a k e in s u p p o s i n g
t h a t t h e suppression of all p h y s i c a l signs of a n y
particular emotion indicates that one has gained
control over it.
I n a c e r t a i n occult t r a i n i n g college (for s u c h
e s t a b l i s h m e n t s really d o exist) t h e p r i n c i p a l h a d a
t e c h n i q u e of his o w n . E a c h of t h e s t u d e n t s h a d a
small g a r d e n for w h i c h t h e y w e r e directly
r e s p o n s i b l e . All t h e s e g a r d e n s w e r e visible from t h e
d i n i n g r o o m a n d it s o m e t i m e s h a p p e n e d t h a t whilst
at d i n n e r , a s t u d e n t w o u l d look t h r o u g h t h e w i n d o w
a n d see his or h e r little g a r d e n b e i n g r u i n e d b y t h e
activities of o n e of several a n i m a l s w h i c h w e r e k e p t
at t h e p l a c e .
T h e s t u d e n t s w e r e s u p p o s e d t o look at this w a n t o n
d e s t r u c t i o n w i t h o u t a n y d i s p l a y of e m o t i o n , even
t h o u g h it m e a n t t h a t m a n y h o u r s of w o r k h a d
p a s s e d in vain. ( T h e p r e s e n c e of t h e a n i m a l in t h e
g a r d e n c o n c e r n e d h a d b e e n carefully e n g i n e e r e d b y
t h e p r i n c i p a l himself.)
T h e o n e w h o told m e of t h i s , w h o w a s herself o n e
of t h e s e s t u d e n t s , said t h a t s h e found herself
perfectly a b l e t o w a t c h h e r g a r d e n i n g efforts b e i n g
b r o u g h t t o n a u g h t b e c a u s e , as s h e p u t it, s h e h a d
b e e n b l e s s e d w i t h a g o o d ' p o k e r face'! U n d e r h e r
calm a n d placid a p p e a r a n c e , however, she was
v
Dissociated C o m p l e x e s
T h e thought-forms which accumulate within the
a u r a b e c a u s e of s u p p r e s s i o n a n d i n h i b i t i o n h a v e a
s t r o n g influence u p o n t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e
i n d i v i d u a l , a n d even m o r e so a r e t h o s e e m o t i o n a l l y
c h a r g e d g r o u p s of t h o u g h t s w h i c h a r e k n o w n t o t h e
psychologists as ' d i s s o c i a t e d c o m p l e x e s ' . T h e s e
t h o u g h t s h a v e b e e n t h r u s t o u t from t h e n o r m a l
c i r c u l a t i o n of t h e m i n d , a n d h a v e b e c o m e s e m i -
independent.
B e c a u s e of t h e s t r o n g e m o t i o n a l ' c h a r g e ' w i t h i n
d i s s o c i a t e d c o m p l e x e s , t h e y c o m e i n t o conflict w i t h
t h e n o r m a l p r o c e s s e s of t h e m i n d , a n d t h e r e s u l t i n g
b a t t l e m e a n s t h a t m o s t of t h e a v a i l a b l e e n e r g y of t h e
p e r s o n a l i t y is locked u p a n d c a n n o t b e u s e d . S o
arise t h e v a r i o u s t r o u b l e s w h i c h a r e t h e s y m p t o m s
of t h i s u n d e r l y i n g fight a n d it is vitally i m p o r t a n t in
every w a y t h a t s o m e c o n t a c t w i t h this s e m i -
i n d e p e n d e n t c o m p l e x w h i c h is t h r o t t l i n g t h e inflow
of e n e r g y s h o u l d b e g a i n e d .
M o d e r n p s y c h o l o g i s t s h a v e a useful m e t h o d of
d o i n g t h i s - t h e so-called ' w o r d a s s o c i a t i o n t e s t ' .
C e r t a i n w o r d s a r e s a i d t o t h e p a t i e n t , a n d h e is
a s k e d t o give t h e first w o r d w h i c h c o m e s i n t o h i s
m i n d a s s o o n a s h e h a s h e a r d t h e test w o r d . T h e
t i m e before h e is a b l e t o p r o d u c e s u c h a w o r d ,
w h i c h arises from t h e d e p t h s w i t h i n h i m , varies
widely.
W i t h s o m e of t h e a s s o c i a t i o n w o r d s t h e p a t i e n t
will p r o d u c e his o w n r e a c t i o n - w o r d almost
i m m e d i a t e l y , b u t w i t h o t h e r s t h e r e is often a
c o m p l e t e i n a b i l i t y t o p r o d u c e a n y r e a c t i o n , or a
r e a c t i o n w o r d will o n l y c o m e u p i n h i s m i n d after
quite a long time. T h e a c t u a l reaction times a r e
u s u a l l y t a k e n b y m e a n s of a s t o p - w a t c h .
Self-Protective Device
T h i s m e t h o d h a s p r o v e d helpful, t h o u g h it h a s also
b e e n found t h a t a c e r t a i n self-protective device in
the subconsciousness has produced a 'substitute
r e a c t i o n w o r d , in o r d e r t o s t o p a n y further p r o b i n g .
Sometimes, such substitute words m a y be as
r e v e a l i n g as t h o s e for w h i c h t h e y s t a n d , b u t o n t h e
o t h e r h a n d , t h e y m a y b e wildly m i s l e a d i n g .
T h e r e a c t i o n w o r d is u s e d a s t h e b e g i n n i n g of a
c h a i n of w h a t is k n o w n as 'free a s s o c i a t i o n ' , a s t h e
p a t i e n t is a s k e d t o let his m i n d g o free a n d a l l o w t h e
r e a c t i o n w o r d t o s t a r t a n y t r a i n s of t h o u g h t it will.
B y t h e u s e of several of t h e test w o r d s , several s u c h
trains of'free association' m a y be started, and they
will often b e found t o b e c o n v e r g i n g t o w a r d s s o m e
c e n t r a l idea.
S o m e w h e r e in this r e g i o n lies t h e c o n t a c t w i t h t h e
s e m i - i n d e p e n d e n t t h o u g h t - c o m p l e x a n d if it is
successfully c o n t a c t e d , t h e n t h e r e p r e s s e d t h o u g h t s
and memories surge up into consciousness, together
with t h e powerful c h a r g e of e n e r g y w h i c h t h e y h a v e
held, a n d , after a p e r i o d of r e a d j u s t m e n t , t h e
p a t i e n t ' s m i n d is r e s t o r e d t o n o r m a l w o r k i n g .
Gentle Disclosure
H o w e v e r , if b y t h e u s e of p s y c h i c vision t h e
dissociated c o m p l e x c a n b e s e e n in t h e e m o t i o n a l -
m e n t a l a u r a of t h e p a t i e n t , it is t h e n p o s s i b l e t o
gently disclose it t o t h e p a t i e n t , t h u s a v o i d i n g t h e
distressing u p r u s h of e m o t i o n a l e n e r g y w h i c h so
often h a p p e n s w h e n t h e c o m p l e x is c o n t a c t e d . T h e
' r e - e d u c a t i o n ' a s it is called, w h e r e b y t h e cause of t h e
dissociation c a n b e r e m o v e d from t h e p e r s o n a l i t y ,
can then proceed m u c h more rapidly t h a n
otherwise.
A n additional advantage possessed by this
m e t h o d is t h a t w h e r e t h e p a t i e n t ' s s u b c o n s c i o u s
m i n d h a s s h o w n itself c a p a b l e of f a b r i c a t i n g
i m a g i n a r y ' m e m o r i e s ' a n d s i t u a t i o n s of t h e p a s t , it
is possible to get b e h i n d t h e defences, as it w e r e ,
a n d see direct i n t o t h e c r e a t i v e a r e a of t h e m i n d a n d
so cease to b e deceived b y t h e p h a n t a s i e s w h i c h t h e
sick m i n d m a y b u i l d u p .
S o m e y e a r s a g o I k n e w a p s y c h i c w h o discovered
t h a t s h e p o s s e s s e d this a b i l i t y t o see t h e t h o u g h t -
forms w i t h i n t h e a u r a of p a t i e n t s u n d e r g o i n g
p s y c h o - a n a l y t i c a l t r e a t m e n t , a n d a s s h e said, s h e
f o u n d herself a b l e t o p r o c e e d d i r e c t l y t o t h e r e -
e d u c a t i o n of t h e m i n d w i t h o u t g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e
l e n g t h y a n d often d i s t r e s s i n g p r o c e d u r e involved in
t h e u s u a j w o r d tests.
As the lady was at that time a worker with a quite
o r t h o d o x (in t h e m e d i c a l s e n s e ) clinic in L o n d o n ,
a n d w a s also o n e of t h e first lay p s y c h o - a n a l y s t s in
t h i s c o u n t r y , h e r t e s t i m o n y m a y b e t h o u g h t t o b e of
value.
A W o n d e r f u l Sight
T h e truly spiritual a u r a appears as a pervading
r a d i a n c e w h i c h informs b o t h t h e e t h e r i c a n d
emotional-mental auras, a n d streams beyond them,
a n d in o n e w h o is a d v a n c e d o n t h e s p i r i t u a l p a t h it
is o n e of t h e m o s t w o n d e r f u l sights w h i c h c a n ever
b e seen b y t h e seer. A t t h e s a m e t i m e , it s h o u l d b e
observed t h a t a n y c l a i r v o y a n t will a s a g e n e r a l r u l e
see only t h a t to w h i c h h e himself c a n r e s p o n d , a n d
c o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e h i g h e r a s p e c t s of w h a t a r e c e n t
w r i t e r h a s called ' T h e R o b e of M a n y C o l o u r s ' a r e
far b e y o n d t h e r e a c h of t h e a v e r a g e c l a i r v o y a n t .
T h e r e are m a n y fascinating things concerning
this a s t r o m e n t a l a u r a a n d t h e forms a n d forces t o b e
seen t h e r e i n w h i c h I h a v e b e e n u n a b l e to t o u c h
u p o n w i t h i n t h e c o m p a s s of this b o o k , b u t I h o p e
t h a t sufficient h a s b e e n given t o i n t e r e s t a n d h e l p
t h o s e w h o m a y n o w o r in t h e future essay t o w o r k
a l o n g t h e s e lines of s t u d y a n d r e s e a r c h .
T h e r e a r e several w a y s in w h i c h a u r i c sight m a y b e
developed. O n e of t h e s e , as I h a v e i n d i c a t e d in
a n o t h e r b o o k , is t o u s e w h a t a r e k n o w n as t h e
' K i l n e r S c r e e n s ' , n a m e d after t h e i r i n v e n t o r , D r
K i l n e r . T h e s e consist of glass cells c o n t a i n i n g a
s o l u t i o n of c e r t a i n d y e s , u s u a l l y ' d y c y a n i n e ' a n d
' p i n a c o l ' , b o t h coal t a r derivatives. By looking
t h r o u g h t h e c o l o u r e d l i q u i d in t h e cells at a s o u r c e
of light for a p e r i o d , t h e m e c h a n i s m of t h e eyes is
slightly c h a n g e d , a n d it b e g i n s to r e s p o n d to t h e
e t h e r i c e m a n a t i o n s given off from t h e b o d y . F u l l
details of t h e p r o c e d u r e t o b e a d o p t e d a r e given b y
t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r s of t h e s e ' a u r i c g o g g l e s ' . *
Rough Drawings
It is g o o d t r a i n i n g t e c h n i q u e t o s p e n d s o m e t i m e
before t h e e x p e r i m e n t s in p r e p a r i n g a n u m b e r of
r o u g h d r a w i n g s of t h e h u m a n b o d y , front, b a c k a n d
side views; t h e s e c o u l d b e m a d e o n a R o n e o stencil,
a n d a n u m b e r of copies r u n off, o r t h e y c o u l d b e
done with hectograph ink a n d transferred to a
' j e l l y - g r a p h ' d u p l i c a t o r a n d a n u m b e r of copies
m a d e . T h e d r a w i n g s c a n t h e n b e u s e d in m a r k i n g
d o w n t h e v a r i a t i o n s w h i c h y o u m a y find t o exist in
the a u r a .
T h i s first a u r a w h i c h y o u will b e o b s e r v i n g is, of
course, t h e e t h e r i c a u r a . L a t e r y o u will w i s h t o t r y
to perceive t h e a s t r o - m e n t a l a u r a w h i c h a s I h a v e
said, e x t e n d s a g o o d d e a l f a r t h e r o u t from t h e b o d y ,
a n d y o u will t h e n m o v e y o u r h a n d s a t a g r e a t e r
d i s t a n c e , say a foot o r so from t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y of
y o u r subject.
Silvery Replica
N o w it m a y well h a p p e n , t h o u g h n o t in all cases,
t h a t a s y o u b e g i n t o perceive o r ' s e n s e ' t h e a u r a ,
p i c t u r e s will b u i l d u p in y o u r m i n d , a n d t h e s e m a y
take t h e f o r m of a silvery r e p l i c a of t h e s u b j e c t ' s
b o d y , a n d t h i s r e p l i c a will s h o w t h e s a m e v a r i a t i o n s
w h i c h y o u a r e s e n s i n g in t h e a u r a . Y o u will b e
seeing t h e a u r a subjectively, a n d t h i s is a q u i t e
c o m m o n f o r m of d e v e l o p m e n t . A t t h e s a m e t i m e ,
t h e r e a r e m a n y w h o n e v e r ' s e e ' a n y t h i n g a t all, b u t
w h o do get a c l e a r p e r c e p t i o n of t h e a u r a , its
variations a n d other peculiarities.
S o d o n o t b e d i s c o u r a g e d if y o u d o n o t d e v e l o p
t h e subjective visual p e r c e p t i o n ; t h e n o n - v i s u a l
intuitive p e r c e p t i o n m a y b e far m o r e a c c u r a t e o n c e
you h a v e l e a r n t t o t r u s t it. It h a s b e e n d e s c r i b e d as
'seeing a b l a c k c a t a t m i d n i g h t a t t h e b o t t o m of a
coal-mine', and although this may sound
r i d i c u l o u s , I c a n a s s u r e y o u , from m y o w n p e r s o n a l
e x p e r i e n c e of t h i s t y p e of vision, t h a t y o u r e a l l y d o
'see t h e b l a c k c a t ' , a n d w h a t is m o r e , y o u l e a r n
m o r e a b o u t h i m t h a n y o u m i g h t h a v e d o n e if y o u
h a d a c t u a l l y p e r c e i v e d h i m visually.
Intuitive P e r c e p t i o n of T h o u g h t - f o r m s
T h e o t h e r i m a g e s w h i c h m a y form in y o u r m i n d a s
visual p i c t u r e s , o r b e p e r c e i v e d intuitively, a r e
u s u a l l y t h e t h o u g h t - f o r m s w h i c h a r e in t h e a u r a ,
a n d t h e s e a r e of t w o m a i n v a r i e t i e s .
O n e g r o u p is m a d e u p of t h o s e t h o u g h t - f o r m s
w h i c h a r e t h e r e s u l t s of t h e m e n t a l a n d e m o t i o n a l
activity of t h e p e r s o n himself, a n d t h e o t h e r g r o u p is
c o m p o s e d of t h o s e forms w h i c h h a v e b e e n b u i l t u p
by other people.
T h e r e a r e several r e a s o n s w h y t h e s e l a t t e r forms
s h o u l d b e found in t h e a u r a . S o m e t i m e s t h e y h a v e
been projected towards the person b y others w h o
h a v e b e e n t h i n k i n g clearly a n d i n t e n s e l y a b o u t h i m ,
a n d h a v e p u t a g o o d d e a l of e m o t i o n i n t o t h e
p r o c e s s . T h i s gives t h e forms t h e i r m o t i v e p o w e r
a n d they are 'projected' beyond their auric
b o u n d a r y a n d a r r i v e w i t h sufficient force t o e n a b l e
t h e m t o l o d g e in t h e a u r a of t h e o n e t o w h o m t h e y
have been directed.
T h i s projection m a y be entirely unconsciously
i n i t i a t e d ; t h e o n e w h o is t h i n k i n g so i n t e n s e l y of
a n o t h e r p e r s o n m a y n o t d r e a m t h a t h e is p o s s i b l y
s e n d i n g o u t s u c h a form. T h e r e a r e o t h e r s , h o w e v e r ,
w h o h a v e a g o o d w o r k i n g k n o w l e d g e of this p r o c e s s ,
a n d a r e well a w a r e of w h a t t h e y a r e d o i n g .
T h o s e w h o h a v e b e e n wisely i n s t r u c t e d d o n o t d o
this k i n d of p s y c h i c t r e s p a s s , for t h e p e n e t r a t i o n of
the a u r a of a n o t h e r p e r s o n in t h i s w a y is t h e
' b r e a k i n g of a superficies' — t h e ' r e m o v i n g of his
n e i g h b o u r ' s l a n d m a r k s ' , a n d in b o t h t h e C r a f t a n d
in t h e Bible s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g is r e g a r d e d as w r o n g ,
a n d as m e r i t i n g p u n i s h m e n t . *
W h e r e , however, t h e surface of t h e a u r a is loose
a n d not s t r o n g l y built u p , t h e n it will easily t a k e in
a n y t h o u g h t - f o r m s w h i c h m a y strike u p o n it, a n d
s u c h p e o p l e go a r o u n d w i t h a n a u r a w h i c h , from
t h e c l a i r v o y a n t p o i n t of view, is d e c i d e d l y s e p t i c !
B e c a u s e of t h i s p o o r l y b u i l t a u r i c ' s k i n ' , it is
sufficient for s u c h p e o p l e t o pick u p , like h u m a n fly-
p a p e r s , a n y forms w h i c h m a y b e a b o u t , a n d s u c h
forms m a y n o t a l w a y s b e of a n e x a l t e d k i n d . S u c h
p e o p l e also ' l e a k ' vitality, a n d develop w h a t is
k n o w n as t h e ' o r b i c u l a r w o u n d ' .
• S e e D e u t : 27.17.
o t h e r s in s o m e w a y o r o t h e r gives t h e m a n i n c r e a s e d
p l e a s u r e in living. O f c o u r s e , t h i s b a s i c u r g e in m a n
is often s m o t h e r e d b e n e a t h a c o d e of selfishness a n d
e g o t i s m , b u t every n o w a n d t h e n it s h o w s itself,
often in t h e m o s t unlikely p e o p l e .
W h e n t h i s d e s i r e t o h e l p d o e s e m e r g e its
satisfaction b r i n g s t o m o s t of u s a feeling t h a t in
s o m e w a y w e h a v e m o v e d b e y o n d ourselves, a n d in
a m y s t e r i o u s fashion e n l a r g e d o u r s e l v e s . A l t h o u g h
w e m a y d e v i a t e c o n s i d e r a b l y from t h e i d e a of
selfless service, yet a s w e d e v e l o p , o u r g e n e r a l
i n c l i n a t i o n will b e t o m a k e u s e of t h e s e faculties in
t h e service of o t h e r s a s well a s ourselves.
A l l o w i n g the Faculty to U n f o l d
It is helpful if, before y o u s t a r t t h e session, y o u sit
d o w n q u i e t l y , r e l a x as well a s y o u a r e a b l e , a n d
t h e n , a g a i n w i t h o u t a n y s t r a i n , q u i e t l y tell yourself,
a n d this of c o u r s e i n c l u d e s y o u r s u b c o n s c i o u s self,
t h a t y o u a r e n o w g o i n g t o allow t h e faculty of
s u p e r n o r m a l vision t o unfold itself.
Y o u c a n u s e w h a t e v e r form of w o r d s y o u like, a s
l o n g as t h e y convey t h e idea, a n d a r e positive i n
t h e i r m e a n i n g . F o r i n s t a n c e , y o u w o u l d riot tell
yourself t h a t you a r e going to ' t r y ' t o unfold y o u r
vision. T h i s is not positive e n o u g h .
Y o u a r e n o w going to allow t h e faculty t o unfold.
H o w far it d o e s a c t u a l l y unfold itself in a n y o n e
session is s o m e t h i n g w h i c h y o u will n o t b e a b l e t o
g a u g e , b u t y o u m a y rest a s s u r e d t h a t every t i m e y o u
so affirm y o u r i n t e n t i o n to a l l o w it t o t a k e p l a c e ,
some u n f o l d m e n t will a c t u a l l y o c c u r .
If y o u find t h a t t h i s is n o t t h e c a s e , a n d t h a t y o u
are really seeing this l u m i n o u s h a z e a r o u n d t h e
subject, y o u c a n t h e n g o o n t o n o t e a n y p e c u l i a r i t i e s
w h i c h m a y affect t h e a u r a . F o r i n s t a n c e , it m a y
have a p r o n o u n c e d b u l g e over o n e p a r t i c u l a r p a r t of
the b o d y , o r it m a y h a v e s u n k b a c k a l m o s t t o t h e
surface of t h e b o d y . U s i n g t h e s k e t c h e s of t h e
h u m a n figure in o u t l i n e y o u s h o u l d n o t e t h i s d o w n ,
after t h e o b s e r v a t i o n is finished.
If y o u t r y t o see a n d m a r k o u t at t h e s a m e t i m e ,
you will find t h a t t h e activity so c a u s e d will t e n d t o
b r e a k y o u r vision. O f c o u r s e y o u c o u l d h a v e a t a p e
recorder running, a n d by having the various parts
of y o u r o u t l i n e d i a g r a m n u m b e r e d , it w o u l d b e
possible for y o u to q u i e t l y o b s e r v e , ' T h e r e ' s a b i g
b u l g e over s e c t i o n 7 ' o r w h e r e v e r it m a y b e seen.
W h a t u s u a l l y h a p p e n s in t h e first session i n
w h i c h y o u a c t u a l l y d o see a n y t h i n g is t h a t y o u r
e x c i t e m e n t t e n d s t o a r o u s e y o u from t h e p a r t i c u l a r
m e n t a l s t a t e w h i c h y o u h a v e r e a c h e d , a n d t h e vision
is lost for t h a t t i m e a t least. W i t h p r a c t i c e , h o w e v e r ,
you l e a r n n o t t o a l l o w a n y u n w a n t e d e m o t i o n t o
b l u r t h e surface of t h e m e n t a l m i r r o r w h i c h is
reflecting t h e i m p r e s s i o n s w h i c h a r e c o m i n g in b y
w a y of t h e s u b c o n s c i o u s .
T h e subject s h o u l d c h a n g e p o s i t i o n a n d s t a n d
sideways t o y o u for a t i m e . O r p u t h i s h a n d u p o n
his h i p a n d so allow y o u t o look for t h e s o m e w h a t
d e n s e r a u r a w h i c h will b e in t h e s p a c e b e t w e e n his
arms a n d his body.
A t a l a t e r d a t e y o u c a n t r y t o project t h e g r e y
light from a n y o n e selected finger, a n d see w h a t
h a p p e n s . Also y o u c a n see w h e t h e r t h e s e r a y s will
flow b e t w e e n y o u r h a n d a n d t h a t of y o u r friend, t h e
subject. T r y t h e t w o r i g h t h a n d s a n d t h e n t h e t w o
left h a n d s , a n d t h e n t h e left a n d r i g h t h a n d s of y o u
b o t h a n d see w h a t difference it m a k e s . T h e r e a r e
i n t e r e s t i n g ' p o l a r i t y effects' w h i c h y o u m a y n o t i c e ,
a n d t h e s e will suggest o t h e r e x p e r i m e n t s w h i c h y o u
may carry out.
Auras of Plants
After y o u h a v e b e g u n t o p e r c e i v e t h e a u r a , a n d a s
an i n t e r e s t i n g v a r i a n t o n o b s e r v i n g t h e a u r a s of
people, y o u m a y t r y , u s i n g t h e s a m e g e n e r a l
t e c h n i q u e of l i g h t i n g , e t c . , t o o b s e r v e t h e a u r a s of
plants and, w h e n outside conditions permit, the
a u r a s of t r e e s . A t a l a t e r d a t e , y o u s h o u l d e x t e n d
your o b s e r v a t i o n s to cover t h e r a d i a t i o n s given off
by m i n e r a l s of v a r i o u s k i n d s .
All s u c h e x p e r i m e n t s c a n b e of t h e g r e a t e s t
interest, a n d if careful r e c o r d s a r e k e p t , m o r e
especially w h e n t h e faculty is b e c o m i n g fairly well
e s t a b l i s h e d , t h e n y o u m a y p o s s i b l y discover a s p e c t s
of t h e a u r a w h i c h h a v e n o t h i t h e r t o b e e n d e s c r i b e d .
For this is a l a r g e field of r e s e a r c h , a n d t h o s e w h o
use t h e p o w e r of a u r i c vision a r e u s u a l l y o p e r a t i n g
in o n e sector o n l y , d e p e n d i n g u p o n w h e t h e r t h e y
are w o r k i n g w i t h a religious g r o u p , a r e s e a r c h
group, a magical group, or simply as solitary
s t u d e n t s of t h e subject.
Although I have dealt with 'clairvoyance' a n d
' p s y c h o m e t r y ' in o t h e r b o o k s , it is well to realize
t h a t t h e s e a r e b u t t h e s e p a r a t e m a n i f e s t a t i o n s of t h e
one faculty of p s y c h i c p e r c e p t i o n . T h e c l a i r v o y a n t
and psychometric powers are but specialized
expressions of t h i s o n e p s y c h i c s e n s e , a n d i n a c t u a l
p r a c t i c e y o u will often find t h a t o n e a s p e c t s h a d e s
off i n t o o n e of t h e o t h e r s . A s a g e n e r a l r u l e this does
not m a t t e r greatly, u n l e s s y o u a r e w o r k i n g
exclusively a l o n g o n e line of w o r k .
P a t i e n c e is E s s e n t i a l
F i n a l l y , I w o u l d like to briefly m e n t i o n t h e t i m e
factor. N o o n e c a n tell y o u h o w long it m a y b e
before y o u develop t h e faculty, for t h i s d e p e n d s o n
so m a n y c o n s i d e r a t i o n s . A friend of m i n e s i t t i n g for
this d e v e l o p m e n t , took seven y e a r s before h e h a d
any r e s u l t s w h a t s o e v e r . T h i s w a s a n e x t r e m e c a s e ,
b u t you m u s t b e p r e p a r e d t o exercise q u i t e a lot of
p a t i e n c e , u n l e s s y o u a r e o n e of t h o s e in w h o m t h e
faculty is n e a r t h e surface of c o n s c i o u s n e s s .
Always remember, however, that true
d e v e l o p m e n t s h o u l d result in a well b a l a n c e d
c h a r a c t e r . It is far b e t t e r to h a v e five senses a n d
s a n i t y t h a n to h a v e a c q u i r e d a sixth sense w h i c h
c a u s e s y o u t o b e u n b a l a n c e d a n d u n r e l i a b l e in y o u r
p e r s o n a l a n d social life. S o it is as well, if y o u d e c i d e
t o d e v e l o p t h i s , or a n y o t h e r p s y c h i c faculty, t o
carefully c o n s i d e r y o u r p r e s e n t p e r s o n a l i t y , a n d t r y
t o assess y o u r r e a d i n e s s for s u c h psychic
development.
Adverse Criticism
As w e a r e u s u a l l y t h e w o r s t p o s s i b l e j u d g e s of o u r
o w n p e r s o n a l i t i e s , it is helpful t o t r y to get t h e
o p i n i o n s of t h o s e w i t h w h o m w e c o m e i n t o fairly
close c o n t a c t , a n d this does not m e a n t h a t y o u
s h o u l d c h o o s e as y o u r critics o n l y t h o s e w i t h w h o m
y o u a r e o n friendly t e r m s :
A g r e a t d e a l c a n b e l e a r n t from s o m e o n e w h o
dislikes y o u , a n d w h o is not afraid t o tell y o u so t o
y o u r face. It c o u l d b e , of c o u r s e , t h a t in s o m e of h i s
j u d g m e n t s h e is w r o n g , as h e m a y n o t b e in a
p o s i t i o n t o k n o w all t h e t h i n g s in y o u r life w h i c h
m a k e you t o b e as y o u a p p e a r t o h i m . A l l o w i n g for
this, it m a y still b e t r u e t h a t his c r i t i c i s m is of m o r e
value t o y o u t h a n p e r h a p s t h e k i n d l y e v a l u a t i o n of
y o u r friends! I n a n y c a s e , it is a l w a y s a g o o d m e n t a l
a n d m o r a l discipline t o b e s t r o n g e n o u g h t o
consider such adverse criticism without reacting to
it in a n e m o t i o n a l a n d i l l - b a l a n c e d w a y .
R e m e m b e r t h a t w h a t y o u a r e inviting c r i t i c i s m
u p o n is t h e u n f i n i s h e d t e m p l e of y o u r p e r s o n a l i t y .
A n y defect w h i c h y o u a r e n o w b u i l d i n g i n t o it m a y
well i m p e r i l t h e w h o l e s t r u c t u r e w h e n , at a l a t e r
d a t e , it is s u b j e c t e d t o g r e a t e r s t r a i n .
It is, therefore, t r u e w i s d o m t o c o n s i d e r t h e critic
w h o p o i n t s to defects a n d deficiencies, a n d t h e n
t a k e a l o n g cool look a t t h e s e a l l e g e d defects a n d
deficiencies. It m a y well b e t h a t s o m e of t h e m h a v e
b e e n o v e r s t r e s s e d , b u t it m a y a l s o b e t r u e t h a t in
some measure they are to be regarded as things
w h i c h are t o b e seen in y o u r p e r s o n a l i t y , a n d t h e y
s h o u l d b e a t t e n d e d t o before y o u go o n t o a t t e m p t
t h e b u i l d i n g of a n e w a s p e c t of y o u r p e r s o n a l
temple.
T h e Safeguard of H u m i l i t y
T h e r e is yet a n o t h e r w a y in w h i c h y o u m a y e r r in
these m a t t e r s . W h e n y o u h a v e a t last d e v e l o p e d t h e
faculty, it is easy t o f o r m a n e x a g g e r a t e d i d e a of
y o u r o w n i m p o r t a n c e , a n d t o feel t h a t y o u o u g h t t o
b e r e g a r d e d as ' S i r O r a c l e ' . T h i s is a c o m m o n
t e m p t a t i o n , a n d o n e w h i c h is a l m o s t c e r t a i n t o b e
m i n i s t e r e d t o b y u n w i s e friends w h o will a t t e m p t t o
put you u p o n a pedestal from which you m a y
deliver t h e o r a c l e s of t h e g o d s .
I have mentioned this in previous books because
it is o n e of t h e m o s t c o m m o n t r o u b l e s in t h e w h o l e
of t h e field of p s y c h i c d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d it c a n l e a d
to untold trouble.
S o o n e r or later, d u e t o t h e n a t u r a l fluctuations of
the psychic perceptions, the time comes when
y o u a r e n o l o n g e r a b l e to deliver t h e g o o d s , a n d if
y o u a r e h o n e s t a n d a d m i t t h a t for t h e t i m e y o u a r e
n o t a b l e t o fulfil t h e d e m a n d s w h i c h a r e m a d e o n
y o u , y o u will p r o b a b l y b e s o m e w h a t s u r p r i s e d t o
find w i t h w h a t i n d e c e n t r a p i d i t y y o u a r e r e m o v e d
from t h e seat of t h e o r a c l e , a n d y o u r followers go
h u n t i n g for a n o t h e r w h o , in his t u r n , t h e y m a y
e l e v a t e to t h a t p o s i t i o n !
It is best, t h e n , at all t i m e s , t o b e m o d e s t in y o u r
c l a i m s . T h o s e w h o a r e really i n t e r e s t e d a n d s i n c e r e
will n o t h o l d it a g a i n s t y o u t h a t at c e r t a i n t i m e s y o u
c a n n o t give w h a t is w a n t e d , n o r will t h e y b e
i n c l i n e d t o cavil b e c a u s e y o u d o n o t m a k e a n y h i g h
s o u n d i n g c l a i m s for yourself a n d y o u r gift.
C o m m e r c i a l U s e of P s y c h i c F a c u l t i e s
It is for t h i s r e a s o n , a m o n g s t o t h e r s , t h a t t h e o c c u l t
schools u s u a l l y i m p r e s s u p o n t h e i r p u p i l s t h a t t h e y
m u s t not u s e t h e p s y c h i c faculties w h i c h t h e y
d e v e l o p for m o n e t a r y e n d . T h e c o m m e r c i a l u s e of
t h e p s y c h i c faculties b r i n g s m a n y t e m p t a t i o n s , chief
a m o n g w h i c h is t h e t e n d e n c y to i n d u l g e in f r a u d
w h e n t h e faculty is h a v i n g o n e of its off-days. T h e r e
a r e t h o s e w h o c l a i m t h a t t h e ' p o s i t i v e ' seer never
h a s off-days, a n d t e n d to r e g a r d in a s u p e r c i l i o u s
fashion t h o s e w h o a d m i t t o s u c h l a p s e s .
H o w e v e r , in m a n y y e a r s of p r a c t i c a l e x p e r i e n c e
in t h i s field, I h a v e c o m e t o t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e
distinction cannot be upheld. T h e 'positive' seer
m a y b e less p r o n e to s u c h t h i n g s t h a n his ' n e g a t i v e '
DEVELOPING A U R I C S I G H T 89
b r o t h e r , b u t I h a v e n o d o u b t t h a t at t i m e s , even for
h i m , ' t h e h e a v e n s a r e as b r a s s ' a n d h e gets little or
n o t h i n g t h r o u g h his p s y c h i c faculties.
If y o u a r e free from t h e necessity of h a v i n g t o
d e m o n s t r a t e t h e p s y c h i c faculty for p a y m e n t , t h e n
you a r e free from m a n y of t h e t r o u b l e s w h i c h m a y
o t h e r w i s e c o m e u p o n y o u . W h a t is m o r e , y o u will
b e a b l e t o e x p r e s s y o u r o w n o p i n i o n in t h e s e fields
w i t h o u t t h e fear of a n n o y i n g t h o s e u p o n w h o s e
good-will y o u r finances d e p e n d .
Religious Organizations
T h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e p s y c h i c faculties h a s
h i t h e r t o b e e n m a i n l y u n d e r t h e aegis of religious
organizations, and they have been pressed into
service t o p r o v e this o r t h a t t e n e t of t h e p a r t i c u l a r
o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h i s is n o t a l w a y s helpful, for religion
is o n e of t h e a s p e c t s of life w h e r e t h e feelings a r e
closely c o n c e r n e d , a n d w h e r e t h e y c a n so easily
override t h e facts.
T h e p s y c h i c r e a l m h a s its o w n l a w s , a n d n o t all of
w h a t is p e r c e i v e d b y p s y c h i c p e r c e p t i o n will a g r e e
with the dogmatic statements of religous
o r g a n i z a t i o n s , w h e t h e r t h e p s y c h i c is w r o n g in h i s
o b s e r v a t i o n s , w h i c h is a l w a y s p o s s i b l e , o r w h e t h e r
t h e d o g m a of t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n n e e d s e x p a n s i o n of
r e s t a t e m e n t , or w h e t h e r t h e d i s c r e p a n c y s p r i n g s
from b o t h c a u s e s , t h e n e t r e s u l t m a y well b e q u i t e a
lot of t r o u b l e for t h e p s y c h i c w h o s e findings d o n o t
a g r e e w i t h t h e religious o r g a n i z a t i o n c o n c e r n e d .
F o r t h i s r e a s o n , it is m y o w n p e r s o n a l o p i n i o n t h a t
t h e s e t h i n g s s h o u l d b e s t u d i e d in a n e u t r a l m a n n e r ,
a n d s h o u l d n o t b e r e s o r t e d t o in o r d e r to s u p p o r t
t h e c l a i m s of a n y o n e religious sect.
H o w e v e r , t o essay t h i s d e v e l o p m e n t u n d e r the
aegis of a religious o r g a n i z a t i o n d o e s b r i n g in the
q u e s t i o n of m o r a l issues, a n d it is h e r e t h a t the
religion c a n e n a b l e t h e p s y c h i c t o d i r e c t his
research into such channels that he m a y be the
b e t t e r a b l e t o serve G o d a n d his fellow m a n .
BIBLIOGRAPHY
T H E A U R A by W.J. Kilner.
C O L O U R A N D T H E K A B B A L A H by Doreen &
J a m e s Sturzaker.
C O L O U R H E A L I N G by M a r y Anderson.
T H E O P E N I N G O F T H E T H I R D E Y E by D r
D . M . Baker B.A..
T H E S E V E N R A Y S b y D r D . M . B a k e r B.A.
T H E T W E L V E R A Y S by J a m e s Sturzaker.
INDEX
THE AURA
W E . BUTLER
Its character and function in everyday life
Occult theory states that around all living things
is a luminous emanation — the aura.
ISBN D-flSDaD-lT^-a