Filename: RC1075.TXT
Source: "The Rosicrucian Philosophy in Questions & Answers, Vol. I"
by Max Heindel
[PAGE 2671]
QUESTION NO. 148:
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CULTIVATE CLAIRVOYANCE BY THE USE OF DRUGS, BY CRYSTAL
GAZING OR BREATHING EXERCISES, AND DO THESE METHODS NOT BRING RESULTS
QUICKER THAN THE METHODS YOU ADVOCATE?
ANSWER: Yes; it is possible to cultivate a certain kind of clairvoyance
by any of the methods mentioned, but when a man cultivates the sixth sense
by such means he is not master of his faculty; the power of producing clair-
voyance is vested in the crystal and not in the man. He is in a similar po-
sition to one who learns horsemanship at a riding-academy where the horses
are trained to allow themselves to be ridden. The pupils acquire no ability
to deal with intractable animals, but simply ride by permission of their
mount.
If a man learns to break a wild horse he can break others, and rides by
virtue of his own power to master his horse, and when a man has used will
power instead of drugs or a crystal to subdue his body and cultivate clair-
voyance, he has acquired a soul quality which enables him to exercise his
faculty in all future lives. But the crystal gazer and the drug fiend have
lost their power at death, and must wait till they can obtain drugs or crys-
tals in the new life to train the new body, and thus a great loss of time
and effort results from the use of such methods. When we take into consid-
eration the fact that drugs and breathing exercises have a dreadfully de-
structive effect upon the body, it will be seen that these methods are alto-
gether undesirable. Many a man is today in the insane asylum or in the
[PAGE 2672]
grave of the consumptive on account of breathing exercises, and the effects
of drugs are well known.
Besides, there are various kinds of clairvoyants. There are some who
have a faculty of such a nature that the clairvoyant may be likened to a
prisoner who sits in his cell behind bars. The window in his cell opens
upon a certain view; he cannot escape seeing whatever comes into the range
of his vision, for he cannot turn away. There is also a shutter before his
window which he cannot control either. Thus at all times when that shutter
is open he must see whatever passes outside his window whether the sight
pleases him or not. A faculty of that nature is an unmitigated curse, for
sometimes the most dreadful scenes are enacted before the vision of such a
clairvoyant. The writer remembers the case of a certain gentleman, who pos-
sessed that kind of a faculty. Lecturing before a certain society at the
time of the War in the Phillippines, a battle scene presented itself before
his gaze. An encounter was taking place at that moment between Filipinos
and our soldiers. He saw horses ripped open and falling with entrails on
the ground, our men being hewn to pieces by the bolos of the natives, etc.
Unable to shut off the vision, he turned deathly pale, but exercise of
will-power enabled him to finish his lecture without attracting attention
from the general audience.
There are other clairvoyants who have only a partial control of their
sight and who cannot count on the power at any time. To this class belongs
the ordinary medium who prostitutes the faculty for a fee. At times, when
the power is on, she may give exceedingly good readings and tell the truth,
but at other times, when the power is off, there may be a temptation to se-
cure the fees needed for office rent and personal expenses by simulating.
[PAGE 2673]
The only safe way to cultivate the faculty of clairvoyance is by means of
exercises given by the mystery schools, but these exercises and lessons in
the development of the higher faculties are never sold for gold or any mate-
rial consideration. They are always given without money as a reward of
merit. The man who possesses this faculty, cultivated by their method, has
no off days, but he will never consent to use it to gratify anyone's curios-
ity, for tests or other frivolous purpose. He directs all his energy to aid
in uplifting humanity.
QUESTION NO. 149:
WHAT TIME IN THE MORNING IS BEST FOR CONCENTRATION?
ANSWER: The object of the exercises, both morning and evening, is to
bring the pupil into conscious touch with the invisible worlds, and there is
no time so good as the morning, for during the night the spirit withdraws
from the dense body and enters the invisible world, leaving the body asleep
upon the bed; and it is the return of the spirit in the morning which causes
the body to awake and focuses our consciousness upon the material world
Through the sense organs. Wordsworth says in his beautiful "Ode to Immor-
tality":
"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting, and cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness, and not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who
is our home:
"Heaven lies about us in our infancy!
Shades of the prison-house begin to close
Upon the growing Boy,
But He beholds the light, and whence it flows,
He sees it in his joy.
"The Youth, who daily farther from the east
Must travel, still is Nature's Priest,
And by the vision splendid
Is on his way attended;
At length the Man perceives it die away,
And fade into the light of common day."
During the life of a person, the Inner Worlds are closest to him in
childhood's years, as Wordsworth says, for that is life's morning, and so it
is with us; when we waken in the morning we are in closer touch with the
Spirit Worlds than at any other time of day, and then it is easiest to re-
turn to them. Therefore, THE PUPIL SHOULD COMMENCE HIS EXERCISES THE VERY
MOMENT HE WAKENS, without allowing his mind to rest upon anything else. He
should be particular to relax his body perfectly so that no muscle is tense
and fix his mind upon a high ideal or upon the first five verses of the Gos-
pel of St. John, either sentence by sentence, or as a whole. That will put
[PAGE 2674]
him in touch with cosmic vibrations. He should still the senses so that he
can hear nothing and see nothing in his room. When he succeeds the scenes
of the Desire World will present themselves to his inner vision. First
spasmodically, later more and more clearly, as practice makes him perfect.
For most persons, however, the evening exercise is of the greater impor-
tance and will probably bring results quicker, because that works upon the
life we lead and ennobles us in a way that the morning exercise cannot.
QUESTION NO. 150:
IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO REVIEW THE EVENTS OF THE DAY IN REVERSE ORDER
WHEN DOING MY EVENING EXERCISES. IS THIS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, AND IF SO,
WHY?
ANSWER: In the evening exercise the pupil reviews and judges his life
for that day. He is then doing the work ordinarily reserved to Purgatory
and the First Heaven. There the life is lived backward from effects to
causes in order that we may see HOW AND WHY suffering results from our mis-
takes. Reviewing our daily life, in reverse order, from effects to causes,
we note that our troubles and trials have all been caused by previous acts
[PAGE 2675]
during the past day or some other day of our life.
It is our task to find that cause and to analyze the reason which leads
up to every development, so that we may know in future how to take advantage
of opportunities for soul growth and avoid evil. Thus if we follow up the
day's experience in reverse order we profit by the experiences gained right
away instead of waiting until we have passed out of this life and are FORCED
to reap the fruits of our deeds in Purgatory and the First Heaven.
QUESTION NO. 151:
WHAT VALUE ARE BREATHING EXERCISES IN DEVELOPING BODY AND MIND?
ANSWER: The value of breathing exercises depends upon the knowledge of
the person who gives them. Breathing exercises given in books and by
so-called teachers, who advertise courses in psychic development, are ex-
ceedingly dangerous and many a person is in the insane asylum today on ac-
count of having attempted to use them, or, perhaps, sleeps under the sod in
the grave of a consumptive.
[PAGE 2676]
Every human being is an individual and needs individual exercises. The
appropriate exercises can only be given by a person who is clairvoyant and
also able to watch the growth of certain etheric organs in the physical body
of his pupil. He must also know what this growth should be in each indi-
vidual case. Anyone who has the ability to thus give this individual exer-
cise also knows how to check undesirable developments. But such a teacher
does not advertise psychic developments for so much per lesson. Such exer-
cises are never sold for money, but are always given for merit.
The reason is evident. One who has the faculty of clairvoyance at com-
mand has an enormous power; if misused it can work more harm than any
earthly weapon. it could cause a panic in the markets of the world, bring
about wars and enmities among people anywhere and everywhere, and thus the
possessor would become a scourge to society unless he were also of such a
mind that he would never use his faculty save for good. The powers behind
evolution, the Elder Brothers of humanity who have developed these powers
and are capable of teaching them, take exceeding good care that no one shall
attain to this power until they have given proofs of unselfishness and have
been bound by vows and restrictions. Therefore it may be said that no one
should undertake breathing exercises unless prescribed by the proper
teacher, and neither is it necessary to run about the world seeking such a
teacher. The aspirant ought rather to strive to do good and use the facul-
ties which he now possesses in the environment where he is, for that is the
only proper stepping stone towards a higher power. When he has sufficiently
fitted himself, the teacher will appear in his life and he will not for a
moment be in doubt of the genuineness of the teaching that will then be
[PAGE 2677]
given. In this respect we may quote a little poem that is exceedingly beau-
tiful:
"Don't waste your time in longing
For bright, impossible things;
Don't sit supinely waiting
For the sprouting of angel wings.
Don't scorn to be a rushlight,
Everyone can not be a star;
But brighten some of the darkness
By shining just where you are.
"There's need of the tiniest candle
As well as the garish sun,
And the humblest deed is ennobled
When it is worthily done;
You may never be called on to brighten
Darkened regions afar,
So fill day by day your mission
By shining just where you are."
[PAGE 2678]
QUESTION NO. 152:
IS NOT THE INVISIBLE WORLD OF WHICH YOU SPEAK VERY UNREAL AND SHADOWY IN
COMPARISON TO THIS WORLD IN WHICH WE NOW LIVE?
ANSWER: God is the Prime Reality. The Desire World and the World of
Thought are one and two steps nearer to that central source of energy and
hence they are more real. By "real" the inquirer presumably means that in
this world the forms are stable and do not easily change, whereas in the In-
visible Worlds they are more than plastic and change with the rapidity of
thought, but THE LIFE within is the reality and not THE FORM. Stability is
not a mark of reality. Everything in the world which is now crystallized
and stable has first existed in a plastic condition in the Invisible World.
Everything which has been made by the hand of man was first a thought form
in the mind of its maker.
When an architect desires to build a house, he first thinks it out. He
seeks to form an idea as clearly as possible of what the house is to be.
Could the workmen see the thought form in the mind of the architect, they
would be able to work from that without plans, but the architect's idea is
hidden from them by the veil of flesh and, therefore, it is necessary for
the architect to put his idea on paper and make a plan. This is the first
stage of crystallization; afterward the workmen build the house in iron,
wood and stone.
According to the ideas of most people this house is much more real than
the thought form in the mind of the architect, but in reality that is not
so. The concrete house may be destroyed in a moment by earthquake, by
[PAGE 2679]
dynamite, or in other ways, but THE IDEA in the architect's mind will last
as long as he lives and from that idea a new house, or a dozen, may be built
at any time, yes, even after the death of the architect the house will still
exist as a model in the ether, and any clairvoyant capable of contacting the
Invisible Worlds and reading in the memory of nature is capable of seeing it
there at any time, though millions of years may elapse. Thus the Invisible
World is the source and everlasting record of all that is or was here, hence
it is the prime reality.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING ASTROLOGY:
DIAGRAM 17:
THE PATH OF THE UNUSED SEX CURRENTS
IN
THE MYSTIC THE OCCULTIST THE ADEPT
|---------| |---------| |---------|
| THE | | THE | | THE |
| HUMAN | | HUMAN | | HUMAN |
ORGANS OF | HEAD | | HEAD | | HEAD |
KNOWLEDGE--------[BRAIN]------------[BRAIN]-------------------[BRAIN] |
| | | | | |
|---------| |---------| |---------|
| | || | | || | |
LARYNX----------->| * |----||--------| * |----||----CREATIVE---| * |<--THE
| | || | | || ORGAN | | WORD
| | || | | || | |
| | || | | || | |
_/\___/\_ || _/\___/\_ || _/\___/\_
ORGAN OF | THE | || | THE | || | THE |
FEELING--------| HUMAN |-||-----| HUMAN |-||------------| HUMAN |
\ HEART / || \ HEART / || \ HEART /
\ / || \ / || \ /
\___/ || \___/ || \___/
|| ||
RIGHT SIDE || LEFT SIDE ||
SPINAL CORD--------------->|| SPINAL CORD-->||
|| ||
|| ||
THE MYSTIC: THE OCCULTIST: THE ADEPT:
UNUSED SEX FORCE UNUSED SEX FORCE PERFECT
POSITIVE IN HEART NEGATIVE IN HEART BALANCE
NEGATIVE IN BRAIN POSITIVE IN BRAIN
NOTE: As it is impossible to represent in ASCII text characters all of the
information in the original diagram, the following explanation is given:
In the Mystic, the path of the unused sex currents forms a figure eight. The
upper part of the figure eight is in the brain and the currents are flowing
in a counterclockwise direction if the human body is viewed from the left
lateral position. The lower part of the figure eight includes the right side
of the spinal cord and the heart and the forces here flow in a clockwise
position. The two segments of this figure eight meet at the larynx.
In the Occultist the pattern of the forces is identical to the Mystic,
except that the direction of the forces is reversed. Therefore, in the brain
the forces flow in a clockwise direction, and through the left side of the
spinal cord and heart they flow in a counterclockwise direction.
In the Adept the figure eight includes the larynx, heart and brain, which
are in perfect balance, and the original diagram does not show either
clockwise or counterclockwise flow of the forces.
[PAGE 2680]
QUESTION NO. 153:
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ASTROLOGY AND PALMISTRY CAN BE TRUE, INASMUCH AS WE
COULD AVERT COMING DISASTER BY BEING FOREWARNED IN THAT MANNER? AND WOULD
THIS NOT INTERFERE WITH OUR DESTINY?
ANSWER: The destiny which we generate under the law of causation by our
own acts may be divided into three kinds. In the first place, there is the
destiny which from the very nature of the case we cannot expiate in the
present life; for instance, when a man commits murder, whether he suffers
the penalty for it here or not, the prison life usually does not have the
effect of making him more mellow and kind. Sometimes it does the reverse;
it makes him bitter and turns his hand against all. Before nature will be
satisfied, he must learn that he may not deprive a fellow being of his form;
he must learn to SERVE. Thus the case is not satisfied until he has had the
opportunity at a future time to render service of importance to his previous
victim.
A second kind of destiny we reap from day to day; it is, we might say, as
a cash transaction, we pay as we go. If we overeat, we have indigestion; if
we go out without sufficient clothing, we take cold, etc.
A third kind is called "ripe" or "mature" destiny. It is the result of
our actions in past lives or in our early years, which has matured into ef-
fect so far that it is embodied in the pictures shown a spirit as the
[PAGE 2681]
panorama of its coming life when starting toward rebirth. Once the spirit
has chosen a certain life with the 'ripe" destiny allotted for liquidation
by the Recording Angels, it is bound by its choice. the TENDENCIES to act
in a manner conducive to adjustment of this mature destiny are inherent in
the body and inscribed in the stars, for the stellar influences are the
source of man's activity, and therefore this mature destiny may be seen from
the horoscope at birth, standing out with exceeding clearness, so that it is
very plain and patent to the spiritually minded astrologer or palmist. He
can also see the other kinds of destiny and may sometimes mistake one kind
for the other and hence be wrong in his view as to whether an event can be
avoided or not. If it is "ripe" destiny, it will be impossible to avoid it
despite all warnings, as perhaps the following instance may serve to show:
In 1906 the writer gave some lessons in astrology to Mr. L., a well known
lecturer, in Los Angeles, using the gentleman's own horoscope for purposes
of instruction, as that enables the pupil to check the truth of the inter-
pretations of the symbols so far as the past is concerned, and lends more
interest than when using the horoscope of a stranger. It was found that Mr.
L. had had a number of accidents; these were figured to the day when they
happened. An impending accident, due to occur at the time of the new moon,
July 21, 1906, was also noted. Mr. L. was, therefore, warned to stay in the
house on that day and the seventh day after, the latter date being regarded
as the more dangerous. He was told that there would be danger of an acci-
dent to the lower part of the head, the neck, breast and arms, in conse-
quence of a short journey by bicycle, buggy or electric car.
[PAGE 2682]
Mr. L. was much impressed and promised to stay at home on the dates
named. The writer went North and from there wrote reminding Mr. L. of his
danger just before the time it was due. He received a letter assuring him
that Mr. L. would be careful.
The next communication regarding the matter came from a mutual friend and
stated that Mr. L. had gone to Sierra Madre to lecture on the twenty-eighth
of July and had been hurt in the places mentioned in the prediction by a
collision with a locomotive. The writer wondered why his instructions had
been so disregarded, and the answer came three months later when Mr. L.
thanked him for the information which had been very valuable to him, as he
said, in proving the truth of astrology. The reason for the accident was
that he had forgotten the date. He wrote "I thought the 28th was the 29th."
This case, in the estimation of the writer, shows that MATURE destiny
cannot be interfered with and that we may safely do anything we can to avoid
impending danger without fear of interfering with the law of causation.
There are invisible agencies around us to counteract any move upon our part
which would interfere, and in the opinion of the writer they were respon-
sible for Mr. L.'s confusion of dates.
[PAGE 2683]
QUESTION NO. 154:
IS IT WRONG TO USE PALMISTRY, ASTROLOGY OR PHRENOLOGY AS A MEANS OF LIVE-
LIHOOD?
ANSWER: What is right or wrong depends upon the viewpoint of the indi-
vidual. Less than 150 years ago it was thought right to kill a refractory
Black slave. His master could do so with impunity as he may nowadays kill a
hog or a horse. Today we would consider that murder. Some people today look
upon astrology as merely a matter of calculation and upon palmistry and
phrenology as material sciences, without any spiritual significance. Who
thus views these sciences would be blameless if he used them as a means of
livelihood, while anyone who had obtained an idea of the spiritual side of
these sciences would, in the estimation of the writer, be prostituting his
knowledge. Besides, no one who thus belittles these spiritual sciences can
ever give the highest and best advice to his clients, for the glimmer of
gold will always obscure the judgment. Such has been the experience of the
writer and many others who hold the same views. The inquirer, at any rate,
would do wrong to use his knowledge of these spiritual sciences for a live-
lihood, for his question shows that he must have misgivings; and then he is
already judged from within if he prostitutes his talent.
There is a reward that is much more than gold. If we use our knowledge
to heal and to help we shall never lack means of living and we shall be lay-
ing up treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust corrupt. Greater and
better opportunities for service will be ours if we devote our talents to
unselfish service.
[PAGE 2684]
QUESTION NO. 155:
ARE MARS, JUPITER AND OTHER PLANETS INHABITED; IF SO, ARE THOSE PEOPLE
SUPERIOR TO THE PEOPLE ON THE EARTH; DO THE SOULS FROM THE EARTH EVER REIN-
CARNATE ON OTHER PLANETS AND VICE VERSE?
ANSWER: All the planets in the solar system are inhabited and are fields
of evolution for different classes of spirits at various stages of develop-
ment. The planets nearest to the sun support the beings which are most
evolved. Jupiter forms an exception to this rule; it is peopled by a human-
ity slightly higher than that of the earth.
The principle is this: The highest vibrations exist in the central sun,
which at one time contained all the beings now dwelling upon the different
planets. But not all were able to sustain the terrific vibrations of that
central firemist; therefore, a crystallization took place at the poles;
gradually the crystallized matter gravitated toward the equator and was ex-
pelled, with the spirits dwelling thereon. That first emanation became
Uranus. Later on other classes of spirits have crystallized a part of the
sun and been expelled to move in orbits at varying distances from the cen-
tral source, according to the rate of vibration necessary for the unfoldment
of the spirits upon them, forming eventually the solar system as we know it
now.
Each class of spirits stays in its environment, being under the direct
tutelage and guidance of one of the Planetary Spirits whose body is the
planet where they dwell. As the spirits have been incarnated on different
planets because they are at widely different stages of spiritual unfoldment,
[PAGE 2685]
they do not usually incarnate upon the other planets, save that at times
some from the inner planets are sent as teachers' to the outer spheres.
This, at least, was the case when our humanity needed teachers, embodied and
visible. Then some of the beings from Venus and mercury were brought to the
earth to guide nascent humanity. They were known as messengers of the Gods
and these lords from Venus were the first kings and rulers over the human
race. Later on the most precocious among human beings were turned over to
the lords of mercury who initiated them into the mysteries and these, in
turn, became the rulers over their brethren. They were then truly kings BY
THE GRACE OF GOD, ruling the people for their upliftment and good, regard-
less of power and self aggrandizement.
QUESTION NO. 156:
DOES NOT THE NEBULAR THEORY ACCOUNT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE UNIVERSE IN
A MUCH MORE SCIENTIFIC MANNER THAN THE CREATION STORIES OF THE BIBLE?
ANSWER: THE NEBULAR THEORY WAS REJECTED BY HERBERT SPENCER BECAUSE, LIKE
THE BIBLE, IT POSTULATES A FIRST CAUSE.
Viewed briefly, the theory is this, that at one time there appeared in
space a firemist, SPONTANEOUSLY. Within that firemist, currents started,
ALSO SPONTANEOUSLY, and that under the impact of these currents, the
[PAGE 2686]
firemist took a spherical shape, revolving with intense rapidity. The cen-
trifugal force caused it to throw off a ring which disintegrated, the frag-
ments coalesced and became a planet revolving in an orbit around the central
mass. Thus different planets were brought into existence one after another.
They cooled gradually, and at last the solar system was complete. Upon one
of these planets at least, there appeared, SPONTANEOUSLY, Life, or proto-
plasm, which gradually evolved through the different classes of Radiates,
Mollusks, Articulates and Vertebrates, finally flowering in man, who is the
highest Intelligence in the Cosmos, lord of all he surveys.
This the scientist says, with a wise mien, and may also add: "Don't you
see how simple and reasonable this is? If not, let me show you by a demon-
stration." He may then take a basin full of water and pour a little oil
upon the surface, the water to represent space and the oil the firemist. He
may then take a needle and commence to stir the oil in imitation of the cur-
rents generated in the firemist, and under his stirring the oil will take a
spherical shape. Gradually the sphere will bulge at the equator, a ring
will be thrown off and shape itself into a planet which will revolve around
its primary and the scientist will then triumphantly say: "There, don't you
see how natural it is, not the slightest need for your God!"
We only wonder that the men who have a mind capable of conceiving this
splendid demonstration can at the same time be so dull that they do not see
that they, themselves, take the place of God, who thought out and brought
into being the universe as the scientists conceived their demonstration, and
carried it into execution. God by his power preserves our universe and
moves the planets as the scientist moves his oil-planet, and were God to
cease his activity for a single moment, cosmos would instantly resolve
[PAGE 2687]
itself into a conglomerate chaos as the oil-sun and planet cease to be the
moment the scientist discontinues his operation.
Therefore, so far from refuting the assertion of the Bible that God is
the Creator and sustainer of the cosmos, the nebular theory demonstrates the
necessity for divine interference most thoroughly, and when properly under-
stood, there is no essential difference between the scientific and religion
conception.
QUESTION NO. 157:
WHAT ARE COMETS?
ANSWER: Contemplating the wisdom of the Great Creative Hierarchies as
compared with our own, we would naturally feel inclined to think that they
are above mistakes; but upon second thought it appears reasonable that as
they are yet evolving, though learning lessons far beyond us, they must at
times make mistakes. They are active in the Macrocosm, the "Great World,"
the Body of God, as we are working in the Microcosm, the "Little World,"
composed of our different vehicles, and just as we make mistakes in handling
our affairs and in learning the lessons we are learning, so also the Great
Creative hierarchies at times fail in their labors.
We know that when bringing a child to birth there may be a miscarriage.
[PAGE 2688]
The foetus is then expelled from the system and at once commences to decay.
There is a similar risk when a world is in the making, namely, that it crys-
tallizes or sets before it has completed the period of gestation in the De-
sire World. Then it has not been properly molded, and may be likened to
plaster of Paris mixed by a sculptor to form a beautiful statue, but set be-
fore it was molded--a shapeless, useless mass. When this happens in the
making of the world, we have what is known as a comet, and the elliptic or-
bit which it travels is the path of a current in the Desire World. We have
something similar to the comets in the appearance of the Ego before it en-
ters the womb of the mother. Then that is also such a bell-shaped thing
with a nucleus at the top and a great deal of material flowing behind it
similar to the tail of the comet. And these bell shaped reincarnating Egos
also traverse elliptic orbits around the earth, until it is necessary for
them to enter the womb of the future mother.
[PAGE 2689]
QUESTION NO. 158:
DOES THE MOVEMENT OF A PLANET THROUGH SPACE CREATE A NOISE?
ANSWER: Pythagoras spoke of the harmony of the spheres, and he did not
use that expression simply as a poetical allusion. There is such a harmony.
We are told by John that in the beginning was the word . . . and without it
was nothing made that was made. That was the creative fiat which first
started the world into being. The familiar experiment of placing sand upon
a glass plate and creating geometrical figures by bowing the edge with a
violin bow, illustrates the creative ability of sound. And we hear of ce-
lestial music, for from the point of the heaven World, everything is first
created in terms of sound, which then molds concrete matter into the multi-
tudinous forms which we see around us.
In the occultist's sphere of vision, the whole solar system is one vast
musical instrument, spoken of in the Greek mythology as "the seven-stringed
lyre of Apollo, the radiant Sun God." As there are twelve semi-tones in the
chromatic scale, so we have in the heavens, twelve signs of the zodiac, and
as we have the seven white keys or whole tones on the keyboard of the piano,
we have seven planets. The signs of the zodiac may be said to be the
sounding-board of the cosmic harp and the seven planets are the strings;
they emit different sounds as they pass through the various signs, and
therefore they influence mankind in diverse manner. Should the harmony fail
for one single moment, should there be the slightest discord in that heav-
enly band, this whole universe as such must crumble. For music can
[PAGE 2690]
destroy as well as build. This has been well proven by great musicians.
For instance, the grandson of the immortal Felix Mendelssohn has for several
years been experimenting with the power of sound in that direction. He has
come to the conclusion that once we find the keynote of a building, bridge
or other structure, we may raze that structure to the ground by sounding
that not sufficiently loud and long. An illustration in point occurs to the
writer:
"A few years ago a band of musicians were rehearsing near an old ruin
outside the city of heidelberg, Germany. At one point in their exercises
they came to an extremely high pitched and long continued note, and as they
sounded it the massive wall of the nearby ruin tumbled to the ground with a
tremendous crash. They had struck the keynote of that wall and it fell."
In view of these facts, our supercilious smiles of bygone days when listen-
ing to the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho are no longer in place.
The sound of the ram's horn undoubtedly struck the keynote of those walls
which had been much sensitized by the rhythmic tramp of his army in prepara-
tion for this final climax. The rhythmic tramp of many feet will destroy
any bridge, and therefore soldiers are instructed to break step when cross-
ing a bridge. So that we may say in answer to the question that every plant
gives out a certain keynote which is the sum total of all the noises upon
it, blended and harmonized by the indwelling Planetary Spirit. That sound
can be heard by the spirit ear. As Goethe says:
"The sun intones his ancient song
Mid rival chant of brother spheres;
His prescribed course he speeds along
In thunderous way, throughout the years."
[PAGE 2691]
This, from the first part of Faust, the prologue in heaven. And also in the
second part of Faust, spirits of air greet the rising sun with the words:
"Sound unto the spirit ear proclaims the new born day
is here;
Rocky gates are creaking, rattling,
Phoebus' wheels are rolling, singing--
What sound intense the light is bringing."
QUESTION NO. 159:
WHAT IS THE ESOTERIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE USE OF THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE
SONS OF JACOB IN CONNECTION WITH THE TWELVE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC, AND ARE
THESE USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EARTH'S ZODIAC OR THE SUN'S ZODIAC, OR
BOTH?
ANSWER: There is only one zodiac, the twelve constellations which we
call Aries, Taurus, etc. These are the stars, located in a narrow belt
about eight degrees each side of the ecliptic, or the sun's path, as viewed
from the earth. The twelve sons and one daughter of Jacob are identified
with the twelve constellations, because Josephus mentions that the Israel-
ites wandering in the wilderness carried emblems of these twelve groups of
stars on their banner. In the 49th chapter of Genesis and the 33rd chapter
of Deuteronomy, are pronounced blessings upon his twelve sons in such a man-
ner that it is impossible to one who knows astronomy not to see a
[PAGE 2692]
resemblance between the description of these sons and the twelve signs of
the zodiac.
Also, if we regard the manner of pitching the camp of the
Israelites--grouping the twelve tribes around the tabernacle where the seven
branched candlestick was--we see again a reference to the astronomical dis-
position of the twelve signs of the zodiac outside of the seven planets,
which are the lights of the solar system, the House of God.
The spiritual reason of the analogy between Jacob, his wives, their chil-
dren and the cosmos, may be found in the hermetic axiom, as above, so below.
Jacob, with his four wives, symbolize the sun and the four phases of the
moon, which are the givers of life to all that live upon earth; the twelve
sons and one daughter symbolize the Creative Hierarchies, which have been
active in the evolution of our solar system and have brought not only human-
ity but also all the various other kingdoms to their present stage of evolu-
tionary attainment, and are working with them now in order to still further
develop them into spiritual beings. It was they who made man in their like-
ness. Even to this day humanity is stamped with the characteristics of the
twelve celestial signs. Therefore the original Semites, who were to be the
progenitors of a new race, were divided into twelve classes by their leader,
each class representing one of the constellations.
[PAGE 2693]
QUESTION NO. 160:
CAN YOU GIVE AN IDEA OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HELIOCENTRIC AND GEOCEN-
TRIC ASTROLOGY? IS THE GEOCENTRIC CONCERNED ONLY WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS
EARTH THE MATERIAL LIFE, AND THE HELIOCENTRIC WITH THE SOUL OR THE SPIRITUAL
SIDE? THE SUN, BEING THE SPIRITUAL PLANET AND THE RULER OF OUR SOLAR SYS-
TEM, WOULD LEAD TO THIS CONCLUSION, INASMUCH AS WE USE THE SUN'S ZODIAC IN
HELIOCENTRIC ASTROLOGY AND THE EARTH'S ZODIAC IN GEOCENTRIC. CAN PREDIC-
TIONS IN THIS LIFE EVER BE MADE BY THE SUN'S ZODIAC, OR IS THE LATTER SIMPLY
CONCERNED WITH THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF A PERSON'S NATURE?
ANSWER: One of the objections raised to the ancient system of astrology
is that it regards the earth as the centre of the solar system in the same
manner as the ancients did, and that since Copernicus showed us that the
planets move around the sun, many people regard astrology as "an exploded
science," a palpably proven fallacy, and in order to overcome this objec-
tion, certain astrologers in modern times have invented what is called
"heliocentric Astrology," which regards the sun as the centre of our solar
system and the planets as moving about it.
It is perfectly true that, scientifically speaking, the geocentric system
of astrology, which regards the earth as a centre, is incorrect. And it is
wrong when we say that the sun is in Cancer when it is really the earth
traveling in its orbit that has come to the sign Capricorn and, therefore,
it appears to us here upon the earth as if the sun were in Cancer. But that
is not the crux; it really does not matter which of the two bodies has
moved, THE ASTROLOGER JUDGES BY THE POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS RELATIVE TO THE
EARTH. And it is much more convenient to regard the planets as moving round
[PAGE 2694]
the earth as the center than it is to use the opposite system, for in the
geocentric system we note the relationships of the planets AS THEY APPEAR
FROM OUR EARTH and note the effects upon various people at the time when
such planetary influences were felt, and so, BY EXPERIENCE, we have come to
our present system of judgment, which is, therefore, as true today as it
ever was. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," says the homely old
proverb. The proof of astrology is in the truth of its predictions, and no
one who has honestly studied this science and has tried to test it for him-
self can fail to find this truth.
Predictions sometimes fail because the astrologer misinterprets, but even
allowing for the fallibility of the astrologer, there is, nevertheless, such
a mass of predictions which come true that it is quite beyond explanation as
a coincidence.
The geocentric system is correct and takes in all sides of man's nature,
not only the material manifestation but also the spiritual side. The
heliocentric system, on the other hand, has been trumped up by people who
aim to conform to science and have no concern with the spiritual side of na-
ture, therefore that is the least satisfactory. Besides, while those who
have used the geocentric astrology for many centuries have recorded their
observations of the effects of the planets from that standpoint, there is
very little of such empirical knowledge from the standpoint of the
heliocentric system, which we would advise the inquirer to leave alone.
[PAGE 2695]
QUESTION NO. 161:
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET ON GOOD TERMS WITH SATURN? THE INQUIRER HAS
BEEN UNDER HIS INFLUENCE ALL HIS LIFE. SICKNESS, POVERTY, LOSS OF
INHERITANCE AND ACCIDENTS ARE BAD ENOUGH, BUT CAN SATURN ALSO CAUSE US
TROUBLE SPIRITUALLY; CAN HE PUT BARRIERS UP FOR OUR UNFOLDMENT WHEN OUR
SPIRIT IS STRUGGLING FOR THE GOOD, AND ARE WE LIBERATED FROM HIS INFLUENCE
WHEN WE PASS OUT AT DEATH?
ANSWER: Materialistic astrologists speak of Uranus, Saturn, and Mars as
evil, while Venus and jupiter are called good. in God's kingdom there is
nothing evil. That which appears so is only good in the making. Neither
must it be imagined that the influences from any of the planets operate TO
HARASS MEN. We have come into this world in order to get certain experi-
ences necessary to our spiritual unfoldment, and when we seek to understand
the stellar influences we shall find that they are potent factors in helping
us to gain just that experience. Saturn is the chastener. When we have
gone astray from the path of righteousness, wilfully or unwittingly, we are
not allowed to continue in evil, for Saturn comes to stop us. Perhaps we
have gained an inheritance; we misuse and squander it in every direction.
In doing so, we usually abuse our body as well. Then comes an aspect to
Saturn, a sickness ensues and we are laid low. We are forced to diet and to
give our system a rest, and as a result we arise from our sick-bed a new man
or a new woman. But the question is, have we learned our lesson? During
our repose upon the sick-bed, we have had time to think over the life we
have been leading. Have we analyzed our life, so that we understand the
causes that brought us low? If so, we have profited. For then we shall
[PAGE 2696]
know how to do better and avoid the pitfalls that caused our sickness in the
future. Or, our inheritance being altogether squandered we stand with empty
pockets upon the street. Perhaps we can turn nowhere for help; we are then
forced to think and to break a way for ourselves. Our talents were useless
while we were squandering our money. In poverty they are turned to account,
we are forced to use them in doing our share of the world's work. We have
lost our inheritance, but the world has gained a worker, and if we have
learned our lesson in that way, then the influence of Saturn has been a
blessing in disguise.
And so it is with everything in the horoscope that may appear evil. Be-
sides, the more spiritual we grow the less will these so-called evil planets
or evil aspects affect us adversely. They are transmuted to good. Saturn
will not give disaster to the spiritual man, but persistence; not sickness,
but strength; and thus, by conforming to the laws of nature, BY LIVING OUR
LIVES IN HARMONY WITH THE STARS, we rule them and change our lives as we de-
sire.
The greater part of humanity drifts with the tide and acts according to
the tendencies implanted by the stellar influences. Therefore, the as-
trologer can predict what they will do with wonderful accuracy. But the
more a man or woman lives the spiritual life the more he becomes a factor to
be taken into consideration, and the predictions of the astrologer will fail
as far as he is concerned in a measure corresponding to his attainment.
The stars are our helpers in evolution. They are not dead bodies of mat-
ter but the living, throbbing and vibrating bodies of great spiritual intel-
ligences called in the Christian religion the Seven Spirits before the
throne. As we change, their influence upon us changes, but we do not escape
[PAGE 2697]
from that influence by the mere incident of death. When the morning of a
new life dawns for us, we shall arise with a new horoscope, and if we have
aimed to grow spiritually, to learn the lessons that the Star Angeles have
aimed to teach us in the past life, we shall have new aspects and new posi-
tions of the planets to help us further along the path of evolution. On the
other hand, if we have "kicked against the pricks" in a previous life, we
shall find that THE SCREWS WILL HAVE BEEN PUT ON A LITTLE HARDER, that we
will have been placed under influences a little stronger, so that in the end
we must learn the lessons. And the quicker we do so, the better for us.
QUESTION NO. 162:
HOW MAY WE PRAY TO OR ADDRESS SATURN WHEN HE IS IN THE RULING STAR CAUS-
ING US TROUBLE AND SORROW?
ANSWER: To understand what prayer is, let us use the illustration of an
electric power house with wires to the different houses in the city. In
each house there is a switch and when we turn that, the power which was
hitherto outside in the wires and in the power house, enters our dwelling,
illuminates it or runs motors, ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF ITS MANIFESTATION.
We may say that God primarily and the Seven planetary Spirits secondarily
correspond to the power house which is wired to everyone of us, and prayer
[PAGE 2698]
may be said to be the switch whereby we put ourselves in touch with the di-
vine light and life, allowing it to flow into us and illuminate us for our
spiritual uplifting.
It is a law that electricity will flow readily along copper or other met-
als, but is barred by glass, and before we can get the electricity into our
houses we must have a switch MADE IN CONFORMITY WITH THIS LAW, a copper
switch. If we used a glass switch we would obtain no electricity; the glass
switch would be a most effective way of altogether barring the electric
fluid from our dwelling. In similar manner, if our prayers (which corre-
spond to the switch) are in conformity with the laws of God, the divine pur-
pose can manifest through us and our prayers are answered, but if we pray
contrary to the will of God, naturally, such a prayer would operate in a
similar manner to a glass switch in an electric circuit.
As a great nation sends its ambassador and plenipotentiaries to other na-
tions, so there are also ambassadors from each one of the great Star Angels
present upon our earth. Their names are as follows:
Ithuriel is the ambassador from Uranus.
Cassiel is the ambassador from Saturn.
Zachariel is the ambassador from Jupiter.
Samael is the ambassador from Mars.
Anael is the ambassador from Venus.
Raphael is the ambassador from Mercury.
Michael is the ambassador from the Sun.
Gabriel is the ambassador from the Moon.
The moon is our satellite and is not in the same position as those of the
other planets. The ambassadors from those planets are Archangels, while
Gabriel is an Angel.
Ordinarily humanity prays to God. These prayers are at the present time
[PAGE 2699]
mostly SELFISH and ignorant. The prayers of such people cannot receive at-
tention from the ambassadors who have charge over the different departments
of life, but are generally attended to, as far as may be, by the Invisible
Helpers who work for the upliftment of their brethren. The occult as-
trologer, however, who knows what he wants and is able to work in harmony
with the stellar forces, addresses the ambassadors of the Star Angels di-
rectly and obtains his desire more easily in that way. He studies the
planetary hours when those stars have rule and at that time proffers his re-
quest which is usually for someone else, or for spiritual illumination con-
cerning certain matters to be used for the common good.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING ANIMALS:
QUESTION NO. 163:
WHY DO ANIMALS, WHICH ARE A LOWER EVOLUTION, HAVE AN INSTINCT WHICH SEEMS
SO MUCH MORE RELIABLE THAN THE REASON OF HUMAN BEINGS?
ANSWER: The answer to that question has to do with the descent of the
Ego into matter, but in the first place, we must differentiate between the
separate animal spirits and the group spirit, which is their guardian. The
separate animal spirits are as yet not SELF-conscious, hence they act with-
out question according to the suggestions of the group spirit. The latter
is an entity belonging to a different evolution, and it functions in the In-
visible Worlds where things are much more apparent than they are here. It
follows, therefore, that what we call instinct is really the suggestions of
the group spirit in the Invisible World which guides the animals.
The human spirits, on the other hand, have descended directly into the
Physical World and are, consequently, blinded to a certain extent by the
denser matter of this plane of existence. An illustration may perhaps serve
to elucidate the reason of the fact that although the spirit is exceedingly
wise in the higher worlds, the increased materiality which it attains on ac-
count of its descent necessarily obscures that wisdom.
The hand is the most valuable instrument of man and its dexterity is
[PAGE 2700]
perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the case of a musician. A master mu-
sician may produce from his beloved instrument the most soul stirring melody
by the caressing touch of his well trained and sensitive fingers, but let
him put on a pair of gloves and at once the delicate touch has vanished; if
he adds a second pair of gloves over the first pair and these are thicker
and of heavier material, he will probably be unable to produce even a
melody, and should he finally put a pair of mitts over the gloves, he would
be unable to play at all, but would produce discord should he make the at-
tempt. The various gloves on the hand of a musician find their counterpart
in the different vehicles which the spirit puts on in its descent into mat-
ter. The mitt corresponds to the physical body.
Anyone seeing the musician attempt to play with the mitt on his hand, and
who had not heard him play before he put on gloves, might suppose him inca-
pable of playing, but the inference would be wrong. The human Ego is in a
similar position, its spiritual powers have been obscured by the vehicles in
which it is at present incased, but there will come a time when it has
learned how to use these vehicles properly and then its spiritual power will
shine forth in a splendor at present unimaginable.
[PAGE 2701]
QUESTION NO. 164:
CAN YOU THROW SOME LIGHT ON WHAT OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE LOWER FORMS OF
LIFE SHOULD BE?
HAVE WE THE RIGHT TO KILL ANYTHING HARMLESS, SINCE EVERY LIVING THING IS
IN A SENSE OUR BROTHER?
HOW ABOUT THE VENOMOUS INSECTS AND REPTILES?
ANSWER: There is only One Life in the Universe, which is God's life.
"In Him we live, and move and have our being." And not only we, but all
that lives is thus a manifestation of God. We are in time to become cre-
ators, as He is a Creator. But so long as we brutally destroy the forms of
other beings we are hindering ourselves. The inquirer is right when he says
that the lower animals are our brothers, but, sad to say, instead of caring
for them and inspiring them with confidence and love, we have managed to
make ourselves feared by every animal upon the face of the earth by the
ruthless destruction we have spread among them, and it seems but a just ret-
ribution that we, ourselves, should be in constant fear of microscopic life
in the form of bacilli, which cannot be killed by gun or knife.
As for the destructive insects and reptiles, they may in many cases be
said to be an embodiment of our own evil thoughts and produced by our own
unclean habits. Science has shows us how by proper sanitation we may get
rid of them, at least in a very great measure, without the necessity of
killing them. The larger reptiles, such as snakes, are not as dangerous as
they are often thought to be. In the temples in India, where certain
classes of people have cultivated an attitude of absolute harmlessness by
refusing to kill even the smallest thing, one may see as a daily occurrence
[PAGE 2702]
venonmous snakes crawling among the people congregated there, never doing
them the slightest harm, and if we would cultivate a harmless attitude to-
ward the lower creatures they would soon learn to trust us as they now fear
us. Stories are on record of sailors who went to desert islands where man's
foot had never before trodden, and found the birds there perfectly devoid of
fear until a number had been killed by the invading ruffians. Then the
birds learned to fly away at the approach of man.
We have also made human beings into beasts of prey--thieves and robbers
we call them--who waylay their fellow-men, deprive them of their goods and
often harm them bodily, even to committing murder, and all as a result of
our harsh treatment which is dictated by fear. If we had love we should
have no fear, "for perfect love casteth out all fear"; and if we had no
fear, nothing could harm us, for the fearless and trusting attitude is a
safer protection than pistol and lock. Therefore, we should cultivate that
attitude of love for everything that lives and breathes; we should cease
killing the lower animals by the million for food, and for sport, which is
the worst form of cruelty. An attitude of love toward our fellow men would
generate in them similar emotions and locksmiths and gunmakers would very
soon be useless. We complain of the enormous taxes necessary to support a
strong police force, the machinery of the courts, great jails and peniten-
tiaries, but all of these institutions would disappear as if by magic IF WE
WOULD REPLACE FEAR BY LOVE. The Bible pictures to us a time when the lion
and the ox, the little child and the venomous reptile shall all play to-
gether in peace. That may indeed become a fact, for the beasts of prey have
not always been carnivorous. In the far past man had his share in their de-
velopment, and in the future it will be his task to change these conditions.
Continued with file "RC1076.TXT"
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