How to Read the Aura

H O W T O READ THE AURA 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.

ISBN 0 85030 179 3

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd., Bungay, Suffolk.

CONTENTS

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 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. c

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 farr 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. 'Katabolic' and 'Anabolic' Metabolism M e t a b o l i s m is o p e r a t i n g in u s in t w o o p p o s i t e w a y s . As t h e ' k a t a b o l i c force' it b r e a k s d o w n t h e very c o m p l e x c h e m i c a l c o m p o u n d s of o u r b o d i e s i n t o s i m p l e r forms a n d t h e s e a r e e x p e l l e d from t h e b o d y . As t h e ' a n a b o l i c force' it b u i l d s u p from s i m p l e r c o m p o u n d s s u p p l i e d b y o u r food a n d d r i n k t h e highly complex c o m p o u n d s which replace those already broken down and eliminated. T h u s t h e r e is a cycle of b r e a k i n g d o w n a n d b u i l d i n g - u p c o n s t a n t l y in p r o g r e s s w i t h i n u s . V a r y i n g r a t e s a n d r a t i o s of this m e t a b o l i c p r o c e s s result in v a r y i n g c o n d i t i o n s of t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y , a n d it is o n e of t h e chief t e a c h i n g s of o c c u l t i s m t h a t t h e m e t a b o l i c p r o c e s s e s a r e i n i t i a t e d from a n d c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e ' b o d y ' of finer p r e - m a t t e r w h i c h we term the 'etheric body'.

T h i s finer b o d y h a s received v a r i o u s n a m e s . A m o n g s t t h e E g y p t i a n s of old, it w a s k n o w n as t h e fa, a n d in m e d i e v a l E u r o p e as t h e Doppelganger. I n the E a s t it h a s b e e n k n o w n as t h e 'Linga Sharirah in F r e n c h S p i r i t i s m as t h e 'Perisprit' a n d in v a r i o u s old writings it w a s k n o w n as t h e ' a s t r a l b o d y ' o r ' d o u b l e ' I n c e r t a i n R o s i c r u c i a n schools it is c a l l e d the ' V i t a l B o d y ' , a n d t h i s b r i n g s us t o its p a r t i c u l a r significance in o u r s t u d y of t h e a u r a . 3

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. >

Disease Indicated by Etheric Aura W h a t w e h a v e called t h e ' e t h e r i c a u r a ' is t h e g e n e r a l r a d i a t i o n , t h e 'field of force' of t h e e t h e r i c b o d y , a n d it i n d i c a t e s w h a t t h e c o n d i t i o n s in t h a t b o d y a r e . S i n c e t h e e t h e r i c directly c o n t r o l s a n d affects t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y , it often h a p p e n s t h a t

d i s e a s e is i n d i c a t e d b y t h e e t h e r i c a u r a long before it b e c o m e s e v i d e n t in t h e p h y s i c a l a n d it is in t h i s e t h e r i c b o d y t h a t t h e real r e m e d i a l a c t i o n b e g i n s . If! t h e i n d i c a t i o n s c a n b e s e e n in t h e e t h e r i c a u r a , t h e n it is possible t o t r e a t t h e m o n t h a t level, a n d m u c h of t h e ' f a i t h - h e a l i n g ' , p s y c h i c a n d s p i r i t u a l h e a l i n g , t a k e s p l a c e in t h i s r e g i o n of t h e h u m a n b e i n g . B e c a u s e of t h e fact t h a t t h e e t h e r i c a u r a a c c u r a t e l y i n d i c a t e s disease c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h a r e e i t h e r l a t e n t in t h e e t h e r i c b o d y or h a v e a l r e a d y b e g u n t o manifest o n t h e p h y s i c a l levels, if h a s often b e e n termed the 'health a u r a ' T h e Dual Etheric Aura O b s e r v a t i o n s w h i c h h a v e b e e n c a r r i e d o u t o n this h e a l t h a u r a h a v e disclosed s o m e very i n t e r e s t i n g facts. Its g e n e r a l a p p e a r a n c e is t h a t of a ' s u r r o u n d ' of fine hair-like e m a n a t i o n s w h i c h form a r o u g h oval a r o u n d t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y . T h e s h a p e of this ovoid often i n d i c a t e s ill-health, b y b e i n g ' b u l g y ' or b y o t h e r d e p a r t u r e s from t h e s h a p e t a k e n b y t h e a u r a of a p e r s o n in g o o d h e a l t h . I h a v e referred t o this oval of t h e e t h e r i c a u r a as t h o u g h it w e r e a s i m p l e t h i n g , b u t f u r t h e r r e s e a r c h h a s s h o w n t h a t so far from b e i n g s i m p l e in a p p e a r a n c e , it is s o m e w h a t c o m p l e x , a n d s o m e of t h e s e c o m p l e x i t i e s a r e of t h e g r e a t e s t interest. T h e e t h e r i c a u r a of a p e r s o n is actually dual, comprising an 'outer' and an 'inner' part. T h e r e is a n i n n e r a u r a w h i c h follows t h e g e n e r a l s h a p e of t h e b o d y , a n d is a b o u t t h r e e o r four i n c h e s (this is s o m e w h a t v a r i a b l e ) from its surface. T h e n t h e r e is a n o u t e r a u r a w h i c h e x t e n d s t o a b o u t a foot from t h e b o d y , t h o u g h this d i s t a n c e is m o r e v a r i a b l e

t h a n in t h e c a s e of t h e i n n e r a u r a . E v e n t h i s is n o t t h e t o t a l i t y of t h e a u r a , m u c h finer a n d less easily d e t e c t e d , w h i c h e x t e n d s far o u t from t h e surface of the o u t e r a s p e c t of t h e g e n e r a l a u r a . T h i s d o e s n o t s e e m to h a v e a n y definite b o u n d a r y a t all, a n d it m a y b e d u e t o s o m e a c t i o n b y t h e o r g a n i z e d a u r a of the individual u p o n the general etheric atmosphere, in s o m e w h a t t h e s a m e w a y as a n electrified b o d y will i n d u c e electrical activity in s u r r o u n d i n g objects. 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-anh 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 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. 1

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

THE CIRCUIT OF FORCE

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 . Occult Work in India W h e n I w a s in I n d i a , I d i d a fair a m o u n t of p r a c t i c a l w o r k in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h occult m a t t e r s as a m e m b e r of a s m a l l g r o u p of a d v a n c e d occultists,

a n d in t h e t e a c h i n g I t h e r e received, t h e r e is, I think, t h e a n s w e r t o this a p p a r e n t d i s c r e p a n c y betweeri t h e s y s t e m s . W e w e r e t a u g h t , a n d it w a s demonstrated to us, that there were m a n y such ^ c e n t r e s ' in t h e e t h e r i c b o d y , a n d c e r t a i n p e o p l e t e n d e d to c o n c e n t r a t e u p o n s o m e of t h e s e a n d i g n o r e o t h e r s . All, it w a s t a u g h t , w e r e p a r t of a n i n t r i c a t e s y s t e m of e t h e r i c c h a n n e l s t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e life-forces, i n c l u d i n g t h e vital force k n o w n as prana, w e r e c o n s t a n t l y c i r c u l a t i n g . T h e reasons why certain people tended to use a ' c e n t r e ' w h i c h o t h e r s a p p a r e n t l y d i d not w o r r y a b o u t w e r e c o m p l e x , a n d it w a s best, so o u r m e n t o r s said, to find o u t for oneself w h i c h w a s t h e n a t u r a l c o m b i n a t i o n of c e n t r e s for us, p e r s o n a l l y , a n d t o leave o u r n e i g h b o u r t o w o r k o n his o w n c o m b i n a t i o n if h e found it of benefit. F u r t h e r personal research, together with the reported findings of m a n y o t h e r psychics h a s c o n f i r m e d t h i s , a n d I w o u l d s i m p l y advise a n y of y o u w h o m a y w o r r y a b o u t t h e s e differences to w o r k a l o n g t h o s e lines a n d follow t h o s e t e a c h i n g s w h i c h s e e m , to you, to b e helpful. 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 . Western Classification of Centres H o w e v e r , to r e t u r n t o o u r list of ' c e n t r e s ' . T h e w e s t e r n classification is q u i t e in line w i t h t h e g e n e r a l t h e o s o p h i c a l o n e if t h e c e n t r e a b o v e t h e h e a d is r e g a r d e d as t h e o n e w h i c h d r a w s in e n e r g y from t h e s u n , a n d if it is also t h o u g h t of a s b e i n g t h e c a u s e of t h e lesser c e n t r e l o c a t e d b e t w e e n t h e e y e s . T h e c a r d i a c a n d solar p l e x u s c e n t r e s t o g e t h e r will t h e n form t h e c e n t r e w h i c h is l o c a t e d in t h a t p a r t of the b o d y , a n d t h e g e n e r a t i v e c e n t r e c a n b e c o n s i d e r e d in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e c e n t r e a t t h e b a s e of t h e s p i n e as o n e c e n t r e . So w e h a v e only lost t h e s p l e e n c e n t r e , a n d it m a y be t h a t t h i s p a r t i c u l a r c e n t r e h a s o t h e r functions. It has b e e n o b s e r v e d t h a t in s o m e c a s e s w h e r e t h e etheric b o d y t e m p o r a r i l y left t h e p h y s i c a l , it a p p a r e n t l y u s e d t h e s p l e e n c e n t r e a s its g a t e of exit. W e a r e n o w r e d u c e d to t h e five c e n t r e s referred t o in t h e w e s t e r n t e a c h i n g . I ' m s o r r y if t h i s u p s e t s a n y o n e w h o feels t h a t t h e m y s t i c n u m b e r seven h a s b e e n t h r o w n into t h e d i s c a r d . P e r s o n a l l y , I d o n o t

feel t h a t t h e r e is a n y m y s t i c virtue in t h e n u m b e r seven, a t least as far as this subject is c o n c e r n e d , w h a t e v e r its significance m a y b e in t h e fields of n u m e r o l o g y a n d s y m b o l i s m , b u t , of c o u r s e , I m a y b e m i s t a k e n ! If so, t h e n I m u s t ask t h e r e a d e r ' s pardon. T h e centres which are apparently located along t h e s p i n e a p p e a r t o e x t e n d o u t t o t h e surface'of t h e a u r a in w h a t s e e m to look like cones o r t r u m p e t s h a p e d vortices of e n e r g y , a n d w h e r e t h e s e vortices t o u c h t h e o u t e r skin of t h e a u r a , t h e y a r e covered b y w h a t looks like a fine a n d t e n u o u s w e b of e t h e r i c s u b s t a n c e . T h e s e vortices a r e c o n s t a n t l y in a s p i n n i n g m o t i o n , a n d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e i r ' s p i n ' , so e n e r g y a p p e a r s to b e d r a w n in or directed out. I h a v e s a i d t h a t in t h e s y s t e m w h i c h I a m n o w w o r k i n g w i t h , t h e c e n t r e a b o v e t h e h e a d is r e g a r d e d as d r a w i n g e n e r g y from t h e s u n , a n d this e n e r g y w h e n so d r a w n in, c h a r g e s u p t h e s o l a r p l e x u s c e n t r e s t r o n g l y . B u t h e r e w e c o m e to a difficult p o i n t in o u r o b s e r v a t i o n s ; a n d for t h a t r e a s o n it w o u l d c e r t a i n l y b e of t h e g r e a t e s t v a l u e if o t h e r o b s e r v e r s w e r e t o s t u d y t h e w h o l e q u e s t i o n of this vitality i n t a k e . T h e p o i n t at issue is, w h e t h e r this solar e n e r g y ( w h i c h is s p e c i a l i z e d b y t h e solar p l e x u s c e n t r e ) is t h e e n t i r e e n e r g y i n t a k e . O r is it simply a stimulating a n d 'triggering' charge which c a u s e s a n i n c r e a s e d a m o u n t of vital p o w e r to b e d r a w n from t h e g r e a t p r i m a r y c u r r e n t of e n e r g y w h i c h c o m e s i n t o t h e e t h e r i c from t h e e t h e r i c w o r l d itself? If t h e l a t t e r s u p p o s i t i o n b e c o r r e c t , d o e s t h i s e n e r g y a r r i v e b y w a y of t h e c e n t r e w h i c h lies b e l o w t h e feet in t h e a u r a ?

Mental and Emotional Stimulus In a n y case, w h e n t h e s o l a r p l e x u s c e n t r e is in a c t i o n in this w a y , it d i s t r i b u t e s its e n e r g y t o all t h e other centres. Equally, the head, throat a n d generative centres a p p e a r to be stimulated by c e r t a i n t y p e s of e n e r g y w h i c h t h e y d r a w from t h e e t h e r i c levels, q u i t e a p a r t from t h e g e n e r a l vitality w h i c h is d i s t r i b u t e d t o t h e m from t h e solar p l e x u s . H e r e I m u s t t o u c h u p o n s o m e t h i n g w h i c h is, I t h i n k , not sufficiently realized b y m a n y w h o w o r k a l o n g occult lines. T h i s is, t h a t t h e s e c e n t r e s c a n b e s t i m u l a t e d i n t o full activity n o t o n l y b y e n e r g i e s from t h e s u n a n d o t h e r s o u r c e s , b u t a l s o b y m e n t a l and emotional stimulus, such as ritual, the cinema a n d t h e a t r e , t h e television s c r e e n or a n y b o o k w h i c h is so w r i t t e n t h a t it b u i l d s u p c l e a r a n d well defined i m a g e s in t h e m i n d of its r e a d e r a n d also s t i m u l a t e s t h e e m o t i o n s . I feel t h a t t h i s is a n i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t of a u r i c m e c h a n i s m , a n d t h e i m p l i c a t i o n s t h e r e o f in o u r lives m a y b e far m o r e powerful t h a n w e . a t p r e s e n t realize. 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. Re-charging the Etheric 'Batteries' T h e e n e r g i e s of t h e v a r i o u s c e n t r e s m a y b e projected from t h e a u r a , a n d s u c h p r o j e c t i o n s of p o w e r a r e often to b e s e e n a s e i t h e r m i s t y , c l o u d like e m a n a t i o n s or c l e a r - c u t r a y s or b e a m s of light. M u c h d e p e n d s u p o n t h e i n t e n s i t y of t h e will or desire w h i c h lies b e h i n d s u c h a p r o j e c t i o n of e n e r g y . W h e r e t h e i n t e n s i t y is g r e a t , it w o u l d s e e m t h a t m u c h c o n c e n t r a t e d p o w e r m a y b e given o u t in a short t i m e , a n d s u c h e x p e n d i t u r e of e n e r g y leaves the p e r s o n d e p l e t e d in vitality. U n d e r t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s h e m a y t e n d t o b e c o m e so n e g a t i v e t h a t a kind of ' s u c t i o n ' is e s t a b l i s h e d , a n d h e t e n d s t o

d r a w e n e r g y from t h o s e a r o u n d h i m or, for t h e m a t t e r of t h a t , from any c o n v e n i e n t s o u r c e of s u c h power. Here I m a y mention one method by which s u c h a t e m p o r a r i l y devitalized p e r s o n m a y r a p i d l y recharge the etheric 'batteries'. V i t a l i t y is b y n o m e a n s confined to t h e a n i m a l a n d h u m a n k i n g d o m s , of c o u r s e , b u t m o s t p e o p l e d o n o t realize t h a t 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 not o n l y d r a w in e t h e r i c e n e r g y , b u t a r e a l s o s u r r o u n d e d b y a s i m p l e a u r a of s u c h e n e r g y w h i c h is s u r p l u s t o t h e i r r e q u i r e m e n t s . T h e q u a l i t y of t h e s e a u r a s varies c o n s i d e r a b l y , b u t t h e r e a r e s o m e w h i c h b l e n d very well w i t h t h e specialized h u m a n e t h e r i c e n e r g i e s , a n d it is p o s s i b l e for a n y o n e w h o is d e p l e t e d of vitality t o r a p i d l y r e charge by a simple technique. 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. The Tree Aura N o w , h a v i n g s e a t e d yourself q u i t e c o m f o r t a b l y w i t h y o u r b a c k firmly p r e s s e d a g a i n s t t h e t r e e t r u n k , y o u n o w a d o p t a c e r t a i n a t t i t u d e of m i n d , o r r a t h e r of m i n d and feeling. F o r in t h i s r e a l m t h e feelings a r e i m p o r t a n t , y o u d o n ' t ' t h i n k ' yourself i n t o t h e t r e e a u r a , y o u 'feel' yourself i n t o it, w h i c h I still find listed in R o g e t , i.e., ' c u d d l e ' , w h i c h h a d t h e g e n e r a l idea of h o l d i n g in o n e ' s e m b r a c e s o m e o n e w i t h

w h o m o n e w a s o n t e r m s of e n d e a r m e n t . M a y b e t h e r e is a m o d e r n e q u i v a l e n t , t h o u g h I m u s t confess I h a v e not h e a r d of it. A n y w a y , it is this affectionate feeling t o w a r d s t h e s i m p l e intelligence w h i c h o n e m i g h t figuratively t e r m t h e 'spirit of t h e t r e e ' w h i c h is r e q u i r e d . It is a feeling, n o t a s h a r p l y defined m e n t a l p i c t u r e w h i c h is r e q u i r e d , b u t a g o o d a u x i l i a r y t o this 'feeling' a p p r o a c h is to visualize a s clearly as o n e c a n w h a t e v e r s y m b o l i c form w h i c h w e feel m a y best r e p r e s e n t , to u s , t h e essential n a t u r e of t h e t r e e . If, b y a n y c h a n c e y o u h a v e d e v e l o p e d t h e e t h e r i c sight, t h e n it m a y well b e t h a t y o u d o a c t u a l l y get a g l i m p s e of t h e living intelligence of w h i c h t h e t r e e is t h e o u t w a r d a n d visible m a n i f e s t a t i o n . N o w , w i t h o u t s t r a i n , b u t u t t e r l y r e l a x e d in t h i s affectionate a p p r o a c h to t h e living b e i n g w h i c h is t h e real t r e e , you s i m p l y rest, a n d allow t h e e n e r g i e s w h i c h a r e b e i n g given off b y it to p a s s i n t o yourself. Fifteen m i n u t e s o r even less of this c a n effectively r e c h a r g e t h e vitality b a t t e r i e s in y o u . O n m a n y o c c a s i o n s I h a v e u s e d this m e t h o d of r e n e w i n g e n e r g y , a n d I k n o w from t h a t p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e t h a t it really d o e s w o r k . M a n y o t h e r s h a v e also u s e d t h e m e t h o d , a n d received benefit from it. H o w e v e r , t h e key to t h e w h o l e o p e r a t i o n is t h e 'feeling' r a t h e r t h a n t h e ' t h i n k i n g ' a p p r o a c h t o it. It even w o r k s w i t h s o m e w h o t o t a l l y disbelieve in t h e possibility of s u c h a vitality-transfer, p e o p l e w h o p u t it all d o w n to m e r e a u t o - s u g g e s t i o n . Y o u a r e free to a d o p t this e x p l a n a t i o n if it pleases y o u , b u t I c a n a s s u r e y o u t h a t t h e r e is m o r e t h a n ' m e r e ' a u t o - s u g g e s t i o n involved in t h e p r a c t i c e .

Emanations from the Mineral K i n g d o m It is also possible t o b e c o m e en rapport w i t h t h e emanations which are continually being radiated from t h e m i n e r a l k i n g d o m , t h e r o c k s a n d e a r t h a r o u n d us a n d u p o n w h i c h w e live a n d m o v e , t h o u g h t h e artificial c o n c r e t e j u n g l e of o u r l a r g e t o w n s often p r e v e n t s us receiving t h e s e e m a n a t i o n s except in a d i l u t e d form. At t h e s a m e t i m e , it is in t h e basic e t h e r i c of t h e planet that we make contact, through the centre b e l o w t h e feet, w i t h t h e g r e a t s o u r c e s of vital e n e r g y , j u s t as in t h e c e n t r e w h i c h is a b o v e t h e h e a d w e m a k e c o n t a c t w i t h t h e positive forces w h i c h a r e t h e driving e n e r g i e s of t h e universe o n its h i g h e r levels. 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. Manifestation of Universal Energy A c c o r d i n g to t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e flow of t h i s p r i m a r y o r c e n t r a l c u r r e n t of t h e a u r a , will b e t h e n a t u r e a n d m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e universal e n e r g y . If it is flowing from t h e e a r t h c e n t r e u p w a r d s , it will t e n d t o intensify t h e b o d i l y vitality a n d all t h e n o r m a l functions of t h e b o d y will b e s t r e n g t h e n e d . If, o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , it is flowing from t h e h e a d c e n t r e , t h e n t h e m e n t a l a s p e c t s will p r e d o m i n a t e . B u t at all t i m e s , t h e a u r a will b e c h a r g e d w i t h a mixed 'magnetism', and the ultimate deciding factor in h o w t h a t p o w e r m a n i f e s t s will lie in t h e h a n d s of t h e w a k i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h o u g h t h e i n n e r forces m a y b e s t i m u l a t i n g a s p e c t s of o u r n a t u r e w h i c h w e find it i n c o n v e n i e n t o r w r o n g t o e x p r e s s in t h e i r b a s i c form at t h e t i m e , it is t h e w a k i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h h a s t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y as t o h o w t h o s e forces d o a c t u a l l y s h o w t h e m s e l v e s in daily life. It is h e r e in t h e n o n - d i m e n s i o n a l c o n s c i o u s n e s s of t h e p r e s e n t t h a t o u r real d e v e l o p m e n t a l w a y s t a k e s p l a c e . F o r t h e p a s t is g o n e , t h e future h a s n o t yet e m e r g e d , a n d o n l y t h e r a z o r - e d g e d p r e s e n t is o u r s t o w o r k w i t h . E v e n as w e t h i n k a n d s p e a k a n d a c t , that which was present becomes the past, a n d the future b e c o m e s t h e p r e s e n t . P e r h a p s t h e r e is a p r o f o u n d p s y c h o l o g i c a l t r u t h c o n t a i n e d in t h e biblical w o r d s : 'Now is t h e a c c e p t a b l e t i m e ; n o w is t h e d a y of s a l v a t i o n ' .

T h e Secondary Circuit T h i s b r i n g s m e t o a n o t h e r p o i n t . T h e a c t i o n of t h i s c e n t r a l circuit of force b u i l d s u p a s e c o n d a r y 'field of force' in w h a t w e h a v e h e r e c o n s i d e r e d as t h e e t h e r i c a u r a , a n d this a u r a h a s c e r t a i n p h a s e s t h r o u g h w h i c h it h a s t o p a s s . T h i s s e c o n d a r y circuit is sensitive t o a n y o u t s i d e influences w h i c h m a y affect it, especially before it is p r o p e r l y d e v e l o p e d a n d w h e n it is in a c o n d i t i o n w h i c h , to g o b a c k t o o u r a n a l o g y of t h e ' s k i n ' , is s i m i l a r t o t h e c o n d i t i o n of a p h y s i c a l b o d y d e p r i v e d of its p r o t e c t i n g skin. T h u s , this e x t r e m e sensitivity is e n t i r e l y o u t of t h e c o n t r o l of t h e p e r s o n c o n c e r n e d , a n d his reactions to those outside influences are correspondingly intense a n d irrational. '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 Cure with Oils T h a t t h e use of t h e h e a l i n g oils m a y b e effective w a s o n c e d e m o n s t r a t e d t o m e . It w a s in J a n u a r y of 1919, a n d I w a s at t h a t t i m e a p a t i e n t in t h e M i l i t a r y H o s p i t a l in G l a s g o w , h a v i n g been i n v a l i d e d from F r a n c e in 1918. D u r i n g m y convalescence, I w a s invited t o a healing demonstration which was being done by a small g r o u p of ' m e t a p h y s i c a l ' h e a l e r s . T h e i r t e c h n i q u e w a s to s u r r o u n d t h e p a t i e n t w i t h t h o u g h t s of h e a l i n g , a n d to call d o w n , from h i g h e r levels, t h e u n i v e r s a l h e a l i n g force. A s it w a s k n o w n t h a t I w a s a c l a i r v o y a n t , t h e y a s k e d m e t o r e p o r t o n w h a t I m i g h t see d u r i n g t h e h e a l i n g . T h i s I d i d , a n d I w a s a b l e t o tell t h e m t h a t although the patient appeared to be surrounded by a d e e p b l u e c l o u d of e n e r g y , n o n e of it w a s e n t e r i n g h e r b o d y ; it s i m p l y lay t h e r e like a pool of b l u e light e n v e l o p i n g h e r . S h e herself, o n b e i n g q u e s t i o n e d , s a i d t h a t s h e felt n o different, a n d c e r t a i n l y n o better. It s o h a p p e n e d t h a t a n o t h e r occultist w h o w a s

also p r e s e n t , h a d s o m e of t h e h e a l i n g oils in his pocket, a n d it w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t h e s h o u l d u s e them on the patient. So un-stoppering t h e small silver t u b e in w h i c h t h e h e a l i n g oil w a s k e p t , h e m o i s t e n e d his t h u m b w i t h oil a n d j u s t t r a c e d t h e sign of t h e C r o s s o n t h e f o r e h e a d of t h e p a t i e n t . 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 . 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 . 4

y

'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. Form from Mental Activity T h e o t h e r form b u i l d i n g p r o c e s s o n t h e levels of t h e a s t r a l light is t h a t of thought, b o t h c o n s c i o u s a n d s u b c o n s c i o u s . T h e m e n t a l levels a r e ' f o r m ' levels, as o p p o s e d t o t h e ' f o r c e ' levels of t h e a s t r a l light, a n d it is t h e form p r o d u c e d b y m e n t a l activity ,which is t h r o w n i n t o t h e a s t r a l r e a l m s a n d w h i c h i m m e d i a t e l y b e c o m e s c h a r g e d w i t h t h e force of t h a t level. S o in t h e a s t r a l light, t h e r e a r e t o b e found m u l t i t u d i n o u s i m a g e s b u i l t u p b y t h e a c t i o n of t h o u g h t from t h e p l a s t i c fluidic s u b s t a n c e of t h a t level. S o m e of t h e s e forms a n d i m a g e s a r e as t r a n s i e n t as t h e r i p p l e p r o d u c e d b y t h e p a s s i n g b r e e z e p l a y i n g u p o n t h e still surface of a lake, b u t o t h e r s a r e far m o r e lasting, a n d p r o v i d e t h e s e m i p e r m a n e n t s c e n e r y of t h e a s t r a l w o r l d . O f s u c h a r e t h e ' h e a v e n s ' a n d ' h e l l s ' a n d ' g r e y w o r l d s ' so c o m m o n l y d e s c r i b e d in s p i r i t u a l i s t l i t e r a t u r e , a n d to t h o s e w h o live in t h e m t h e y d o c o n s t i t u t e a s c e n e r y a n d b a c k g r o u n d w h i c h reflects, t o a g r e a t e r or lesser d e g r e e t h e s c e n e r y a n d c o n d i t i o n s of t h e e a r t h itself. T h e thoughts which produce these 'mansions', t h e s e t e m p o r a r y r e s t i n g - p l a c e s of t h e h u m a n spirit in t h e a s t r a l w o r l d , a r e t h e r e s u l t s of c o n s c i o u s a n d s u b c o n s c i o u s t h i n k i n g o n t h e p a r t of h u m a n i t y b o t h i n c a r n a t e a n d d i s c a r n a t e , a s well as t h e m e n t a l activity of o t h e r n o n - h u m a n life w h i c h s h a r e s t h i s level w i t h m a n a n d w h i c h closely influences h i m ,

t h o u g h h e m a y n o t b e a w a r e of it. I c a n n o t go i n t o g r e a t e r d e t a i l c o n c e r n i n g t h e s e a s t r a l levels in t h e l i m i t e d s c o p e of t h i s b o o k , b u t I h a v e m e n t i o n e d t h i s p o w e r of t h e m i n d t o b u i l d forms, a n d for t h o s e forms c o m p o s e d of a s t r a l s u b s t a n c e t o last for a l o n g e r o r s h o r t e r t i m e b e c a u s e t h e a s t r o - m e n t a l a u r a w h i c h is p r e s e n t a r o u n d e a c h o n e of u s is a field i n w h i c h t h e s e s a m e laws are at work. O u r t h i n k i n g b u i l d s forms in o u r a s t r o - m e n t a l a u r a , even a s t h e collective t h i n k i n g of t h e w h o l e of h u m a n i t y b u i l d s u p t h e forms in t h e a s t r a l light, o r , t o give it its m o d e r n n a m e , t h e collective unconscious. 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. Spirit and Matter not O p p o s e d H e r e I m u s t say t h a t often t h e m i s t a k e is m a d e of e q u a t i n g t h e finer p a s t e l s h a d e s of c o l o u r w i t h t h e ' s p i r i t u a l ' n a t u r e , whilst t h e m o r e vivid a n d d e n s e r s h a d e s a r e h e l d to b e i n d i c a t i o n s of t h e ' e a r t h l y ' side of t h e self. N o w this is a m i s t a k e n view. It is t r u e t o a c e r t a i n p o i n t , b u t it often gives a t o t a l l y false idea of t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e p e r s o n . F i r s t of all, s u c h a view a c c e p t s t h e idea of ' m a t e r i a l ' a n d ' s p i r i t u a l ' as b e i n g t w o s h a r p l y divided o p p o s i t e s like t h e east a n d west in K i p l i n g ' s p o e m , ' N e v e r t h e t w a i n shall m e e t ' . T h i s w a s t h e e r r o r of t h e G n o s t i c s , o r some of t h e m , in t h e e a r l y C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h , a n d in o n e f o r m or a n o t h e r it h a s persisted through the centuries. T h e t r u e r view, in t h e o p i n i o n of m a n y of us, is t h a t b o t h ' s p i r i t ' a n d ' m a t t e r ' a r e t h e e x p r e s s i o n s of a s u p r e m e r e a l i t y ; t h e y a r e , a s it w e r e , t h e t w o p o l e s

THE EMOTIONAL-MENTAL AURA

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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 oversimplification 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 seething with indignation a n d busy working out various p u n i s h m e n t s w h i c h m i g h t fit t h e c r i m e . It is far b e t t e r to release s u c h e m o t i o n s t h a n t o r e p r e s s t h e m violently i n t o t h e d e p t h s of t h e m i n d , a n d , of c o u r s e , it is b e t t e r still t o l e a r n t o c o n t r o l t h e inner r e a c t i o n s r a t h e r t h a n t h e p h y s i c a l e x p r e s s i o n s thereof. S u c h r e p r e s s i o n s r e s u l t in a c h u r n i n g u p of t h e m i n d w h i c h is reflected in t h e a u r a . v

Projection of Thought-forms I n c i d e n t a l l y , in t h e e m o t i o n a l - m e n t a l a u r a t h e r e a r e t o b e found m a n y forms w h i c h h a v e b e e n b u i l t u p in t h e m i n d , b u t m o s t of t h e s e a r e v a g u e a n d i n d i s t i n c t . T h e e m o t i o n a l - m e n t a l a u r a , like t h e e t h e r i c a u r a , h a s a n o u t e r limit w h i c h s e e m s t o a c t as a k i n d of p r o t e c t i v e ' s k i n ' , t h o u g h t h e r a d i a t i o n s of t h e a u r a p a s s t h r o u g h it for c o n s i d e r a b l e distances. It is t h r o u g h t h e s e r a d i a t i o n s t h a t w h a t w e call ' t e l e p a t h y ' t a k e s p l a c e , b u t m o s t of t h e t h o u g h t forms b u i l t u p in t h e a u r a never h a v e t h e e n e r g y n e e d e d to p r o t e c t t h e m b e y o n d t h e o u t e r limit of t h e i r c r e a t o r ' s a u r a . L i k e s p a r k s from the b l a c k s m i t h ' s anvil, w h e n t h e w h i t e - h o t i r o n is s t r u c k b y t h e h a m m e r , s u c h t h o u g h t - s p a r k s fly upwards, but are almost immediately quenched a n d never g o b e y o n d t h e brief a r e a a r o u n d t h e m . T w o t h i n g s a r e n e c e s s a r y for t h e successful p r o j e c t i o n of s u c h t h o u g h t - f o r m s b e y o n d t h e a u r a , a n d t h e s e t w o t h i n g s a r e c l e a r n e s s of form a n d strength of'charge'. T h e successful b u i l d i n g u p of forms in t h e m i n d is s o m e t h i n g w h i c h c a n n o t u s u a l l y b e a c q u i r e d in a s h o r t t i m e ; it t a k e s a p e r i o d of s t e a d y t r a i n i n g , u n l e s s t h e o n e w h o is b u i l d i n g t h e forms h a s s o m e i n n a t e ability in t h i s d i r e c t i o n . T h i s d o e s s o m e t i m e s h a p p e n , a n d t h e n , o n e of t h e c o n d i t i o n s b e i n g fulfilled, it r e m a i n s t o see h o w t h e f o r m c a n b e c h a r g e d w i t h t h e e n e r g y w h i c h will e n a b l e it t o b e projected to a distance. T h i s is d o n e b y a p r o c e s s of ' b r o o d i n g o v e r ' t h e thought, a n d by 'brooding over' I m e a n a steady

THE EMOTIONAL-MENTAL AURA

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emotional c o n c e n t r a t i o n u p o n it. It is for t h i s r e a s o n t h a t so m a n y e x p e r i m e n t s in t h o u g h t - t r a n s f e r e n c e fail. T h e f o r m of t h e t h o u g h t m a y h a v e b e e n visualized a n d b u i l t u p c l e a r l y , b u t since n o e m o t i o n a l force is c o n n e c t e d w i t h it, t h e r e is n o p o w e r t o project it u p o n its w a y . Also, over a l o n g c o n t i n u e d r u n of tests u s i n g t h e Z e n e r C a r d s , t h e interest a n d therefore t h e e n t h u s i a s m ( w h i c h is really a 'feeling') s l a c k e n , a n d t h e p s y c h i c faculty ceases t o w o r k . T h i s is n o t a l w a y s t h e c a s e , for t h e r e is s o m e e v i d e n c e t o s u g g e s t t h a t , sometimes, t h e receiver's m i n d r e a c h e s o u t t o w a r d s t h e m i n d of t h e sender, a n d reads therein the picture or symbol w h i c h h e is w i s h i n g t o t r a n s m i t . 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. Meanings of the Colours I h a v e refrained from giving a n y ' m e a n i n g s ' to t h e c o l o u r s w h i c h m a y b e seen i n t h e a u r a . T h e r e a r e several books which give t h e conventional m e a n i n g s , b u t in m y o w n e x p e r i e n c e I h a v e f o u n d t h a t a l m o s t every p e r s o n w h o develops p s y c h i c vision t e n d s t o h a v e his o w n i n d i v i d u a l m e a n i n g w h i c h h e a t t a c h e s t o t h e c o l o u r s h e sees, a n d for him these meanings are correct. Another psychic m a y well h a v e a different set of m e a n i n g s , a n d for h i m t h e s e m a y also b e c o r r e c t . T h e t r o u b l e arises w h e n a n a t t e m p t is m a d e t o enforce a s y s t e m w h i c h shall b e t r u e for all. It c a n b e d o n e , a n d in c e r t a i n occult schools it is d o n e , b u t it' t a k e s a lot of h a r d w o r k , a n d a s long as t h e c l a i r v o y a n t finds t h a t his i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s of t h e c o l o u r s h e sees a r e correct, h e m a y well leave his b r o t h e r p s y c h i c t o t h e u s e of his s y s t e m . Purity of the Colours O n e p o i n t w h i c h all c l a i r v o y a n t s a r e a g r e e d u p o n is t h e purity of t h e c o l o u r s seen, a n d b y t h i s I d o n o t m e a n the pale pastel shades, which are usually indicative of r e p r e s s e d or d e p l e t e d vitality.

A c o l o u r c a n b e s t r o n g a s well a s c l e a r ; w h a t is n e c e s s a r y is t h a t it shall n o t b e c o n t a m i n a t e d b y a n y m i x t u r e from a n o t h e r c o l o u r . N o w t h e i m a g e s a n d t h o u g h t s d e r i v e d from t h e e x p e r i e n c e s of e a r t h are all t o s o m e e x t e n t so c o n t a m i n a t e d , a l t h o u g h t h e d e g r e e m a y vary, a n d in t h e s a m e w a y t h e i m a g e s a n d t h o u g h t s w h i c h a r e influenced b y t h e r e a l m s of t h e u p p e r m i n d a n d spirit a r e u s u a l l y i r r a d i a t e d b y a s t a r r y l u m i n o s i t y w h i c h is q u i t e unlike a n y t h i n g t o b e f o u n d in t h i s m a t e r i a l level. S o t h e w a y in w h i c h t h e c o l o u r s a r e s h a d e d b y e a r t h l y h u e s , or i l l u m i n e d b y t h e s t a r r y r a d i a n c e of the r e a l m s of t r u e m i n d a n d spirit will give t o t h e clairvoyant s o m e i n d i c a t i o n of t h e g e n e r a l c h a r a c t e r of t h e p e r s o n o b s e r v e d , b u t it is only w h e n t h e a u r a is o b s e r v e d d u r i n g a t i m e w h e n its o w n e r is u n d e r t h e test of trial a n d t e m p t a t i o n t h a t t h e true character can be gauged. 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 ' . * Reading the Aura b y T o u c h H o w e v e r , it m a y n o t b e p o s s i b l e for y o u to o b t a i n s u c h goggles, a n d y o u a r e t h e n forced t o use o n e of the other methods. Curiously enough, one m e t h o d of r e a d i n g t h e a u r a is b y touch\ T h i s is a m e t h o d calling for g r e a t c a r e , a s it is s o m e w h a t difficult, especially in t h e e a r l y s t a g e s , t o get a c l e a r idea of w h a t y o u a r e really g e t t i n g . T h e w a y of u s i n g t h e sense of t o u c h for a u r i c p e r c e p t i o n is a s follows. First y o u enlist t h e services of a s y m p a t h e t i c * As far as I am aware, these goggles are made solely by The Society of Metaphysicians, Archers Court, Hastings, Sussex, to whom all enquiries should be addressed.

friend. H e e i t h e r sits in a s t r a i g h t - b a c k e d c h a i r , o r else lies o n a c o u c h . T h e n y o u p a s s y o u r h a n d slowly d o w n w a r d s over his b o d y , k e e p i n g it a b o u t t w o o r t h r e e i n c h e s a w a y from t h e a c t u a l surface of t h e b o d y . T h i s is m o s t i m p o r t a n t ; never actually touch the physical body ofyour subject. It is not necessary and will indeed, prevent you doing any 'sensing of his aura. I h a v e italicized t h i s last s e n t e n c e b e c a u s e I h a v e k n o w n this instruction to be ignored by some whose m o t i v e s w e r e s o m e w h a t m i x e d a n d h a d very little t o do with auric research. N o w , as y o u slowly p a s s y o u r h a n d d o w n w a r d s over t h e s u b j e c t , focus y o u r a t t e n t i o n u p o n t h e t i p s of y o u r fingers, a n d t r y t o sense a n y difference in t h e s e n s a t i o n s y o u h a v e in t h e m as y o u m o v e y o u r h a n d a w a y for a b o u t eight o r n i n e i n c h e s , or b r i n g it t o a b o u t a c o u p l e of i n c h e s from t h e b o d y . A t first, a n d for a g o o d m a n y a t t e m p t s , y o u m a y p e r c e i v e n o t h i n g , b u t t h i s is often b e c a u s e y o u h a v e n e v e r h a d t o c o n c e n t r a t e u p o n y o u r fingertips in t h i s w a y , a n d o t h e r s e n s a t i o n s will o v e r p o w e r t h e fine i m p r e s s i o n s w h i c h y o u m a y b e receiving. T h e r e will c o m e a t i m e , h o w e v e r , w h e n y o u will perceive that ' s o m e t h i n g ' which seems w a r m or cold or vibrant a p p e a r s to be present some distance from t h e surface of t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y of y o u r subject. W h e n you have experienced this, t h e n you c a n g o t o w o r k t o find o u t j u s t h o w far from t h e subject's body this ' s o m e t h i n g ' extends, a n d you will t h e n b e a b l e t o e x p e r i m e n t t o see w h a t s h a p e t h e 'field of force' t a k e s . 9

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 flyp 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 ' . Physical a n d Emotional-Mental Stability As y o u b e g i n t o develop y o u r ability t o p e r c e i v e these t h i n g s , y o u will a l s o find t h a t y o u b e c o m e a w a r e of t h e m e a s u r e s w h i c h s h o u l d b e t a k e n if t h e p e r s o n c o n c e r n e d is t o b e b r o u g h t b a c k t o full physical a n d e m o t i o n a l - m e n t a l stability. I h a v e i n c l u d e d t h i s last r e m a r k b e c a u s e it often assists in t h e successful d e v e l o p m e n t of a u r i c vision if y o u have a definite feeling t h a t b y t h e use of s u c h vision you m a y p o s s i b l y b e of h e l p t o o t h e r s . M a n is w h a t h a s b e e n d e s c r i b e d as a ' g r e g a r i o u s a n i m a l ' , w h i c h s i m p l y m e a n s t h a t it is n a t u r a l for us t o g r o u p t o g e t h e r , a n d in t h e c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h this c a u s e s , m o s t p e o p l e find t h a t t o b e a b l e t o h e l p • 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. Auric Sight b y Direct V i s i o n T h e r e is yet a n o t h e r w a y in w h i c h t h i s faculty of a u r i c sight m a y b e d e v e l o p e d , a n d t h a t is b y d i r e c t vision. A t t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e r e is a t r a p i n t o w h i c h y o u m a y easily fall, w h i c h c o n s i s t s of s t a r i n g in s u c h a fixed w a y a t t h e p e r s o n t h a t t h e m e c h a n i s m of y o u r eyes b e c o m e s fatigued a n d shifts t h e focus a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y t h e p o s i t i o n of t h e i m a g e w h i c h is falling u p o n t h e r e t i n a : t h e s c r e e n of t h e eye. T h e r e s u l t i n g flash of c o l o u r , u s u a l l y y e l l o w o r golden which appears around the person being o b s e r v e d is often m i s t a k e n for t h e a u r a , w h e r e a s it is s i m p l y t h e r e s u l t of o p t i c a l fatigue. S o in a t t e m p t i n g t h i s p a r t i c u l a r w a y of s e e i n g t h e a u r a , y o u m u s t n o t s t a r e fixedly a t t h e p e r s o n . T h e best results are obtained w h e n t h e one w h o m you are observing stands against a dark background, w i t h a n o r t h light for p r e f e r e n c e . A s y o u a r e t r y i n g t o see a fine e m a n a t i o n w h i c h m a y a t first, s i n c e t h e e t h e r i c a u r a is t h e m o s t easily

perceived a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of d e v e l o p m e n t , b e o n l y s o m e t w o i n c h e s a w a y from t h e surface of t h e b o d y , it is b e s t if t h e subject of y o u r vision w e a r s closefitting c l o t h e s . I n d e e d , m a n y p e o p l e find t h a t t h e y get t h e b e s t r e s u l t s w h e n t h e c l o t h i n g w o r n c o n s i s t s s i m p l y of vest a n d t r o u s e r s , o r s w i m m i n g t r u n k s . H e r e , of c o u r s e , y o u m u s t u s e y o u r c o m m o n sense. A m a r r i e d m a n w h o insisted u p o n o b s e r v i n g a bikini c l a d d a m s e l w o u l d p o s s i b l y b e a s k i n g for t r o u b l e , u n l e s s s h e w a s h i s wife. If I s e e m (as s o m e of m y p r e v i o u s r e m a r k s w o u l d s u g g e s t ) s o m e w h a t p r u d i s h i n m y a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s t h i s q u e s t i o n of n e a r - n u d i t y , it is b e c a u s e I h a v e h a d a fairly l e n g t h y e x p e r i e n c e of t h e s e m a t t e r s over a p e r i o d of fifty y e a r s , a n d in a n y c a s e it is i n a d v i s a b l e t o i n t r o d u c e u n n e c e s s a r y d i s t r a c t i o n s i n a n exercise w h i c h is difficult e n o u g h b y itself! Re-focusing the Eye T h e subject now standing against the dark b a c k g r o u n d , t h e o b s e r v e r sits a n d g a z e s q u i e t l y a n d w i t h o u t a n y s t r a i n a t h i m , a t t h e s a m e t i m e throwing the eyes slightly out of focus. T h i s is d o n e b y a c t u a l l y focusing t h e m a b o u t six t o n i n e i n c h e s b e y o n d t h e subject. T h i s will m e a n t h a t his a c t u a l form will b e only v a g u e l y d i s c e r n i b l e , a l t h o u g h its g e n e r a l o u t l i n e s will b e sufficiently c l e a r . T h i s re-focusing of t h e e y e is a little t r i c k w h i c h it m a y t a k e s o m e t i m e for y o u t o m a s t e r , b u t b y quietly a n d r e p e a t e d l y a t t e m p t i n g it, y o u will e v e n t u a l l y g a i n proficiency. I h a v e e m p h a s i z e d ' q u i e t l y ' , for t h e r e m u s t b e n o s t r a i n , n o u n d u e p h y s i c a l effort. T h e faculty w h i c h y o u a r e a t t e m p t i n g t o ' d e v e l o p ' is a l r e a d y w i t h i n y o u r s u b c o n s c i o u s m i n d ,

a n d , i n d e e d , t h e b e t t e r w o r d w o u l d b e unfoldment, r a t h e r t h a n development. A n y c o n s c i o u s effort will s i m p l y get in t h e w a y of t h e e m e r g e n c e of t h e faculty. 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 . Misty Grey Luminosity W h e n y o u h a v e m a s t e r e d t h e t e c h n i q u e of r e focusing t h e eyes, a n d t h e p a r a l l e l t e c h n i q u e of t h e positive i n t e n t i o n , y o u m a y b e g i n to look o u t for a n y t h i n g w h i c h y o u m a y perceive a r o u n d t h e subject. U s u a l l y it will t a k e t h e f o r m of a m i s t y g r e y luminosity which seems to extend a r o u n d the s u b j e c t ' s b o d y , a n d it is as well if, at this s t a g e , y o u c h e c k to m a k e s u r e t h a t y o u h a v e not i n a d v e r t e n t l y b e g u n to use a fixed s t a r e .

DEVELOPING A U R I C S I G H T

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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. The Fingers Experiment T h e n , t o give t h e subject a rest, y o u c a n c o n d u c t a few e x p e r i m e n t s for yourself b y h o l d i n g y o u r t w o

h a n d s w i t h t h e fingers a l m o s t t o u c h i n g e a c h o t h e r a n d t h e n slowly m o v e t h e m a p a r t , u s i n g t h e s a m e d a r k b a c k g r o u n d . Y o u will see, if t h e faculty is b e g i n n i n g t o w o r k , w h a t a p p e a r t o b e b a n d s of g r e y i s h light w h i c h r u n from t h e fingers of o n e h a n d t o t h o s e of t h e o t h e r . N o w this c o u l d a g a i n b e a n o p t i c a l illusion, a n d this y o u m a y test b y l o w e r i n g o n e h a n d six o r n i n e i n c h e s b e l o w t h e o t h e r . Y o u will t h e n see h o w t h e s e r a y s still c o n n e c t t h e fingers, b u t a r e n o w r u n n i n g in a d i a g o n a l d i r e c t i o n between them.

Rays between the fingers.

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 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 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 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 research into such channels that he m a y be b e t t e r a b l e t o serve G o d a n d his fellow m a n .

the the the his the

BIBLIOGRAPHY

O t h e r r e c o m m e n d e d books on the a u r a a n d related subjects, all a v a i l a b l e from t h i s p u b l i s h e r . 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

alcohol, addiction to, 41 excessive use of, 29 anti-bodies, 26 Apostles (of Christ), 8 astral body, 13 light, 61 perception, 60 substance, 12 aura, astro-mental, 77 definition of, 7 dual etheric, 22-3 emotional, 58-74 etheric, 13-16, 18, 21-2, 27, 30, 3 2 , 4 0 false, 8-10 general, 23 inner, 22, 23, 24 leakage of, 24-6, 31,48 mental, 58-74 outer, 22, 24 reading of by touch, 75-6 spiritual, 16, 17, 73 structure of, 19-32, 33 auric goggles, 75 perception, 75 ray, 23 sight (by direct vision), 801 sight (development of), 7590 skin, 2 7 , 3 1 , 7 9 vision, 79 auto-suggestion, 44

Bible, 19, 79 biblical healing, 50-1 catalysts, destructive, 56 central circuit of force, 47 centre, above the head, 35, 37, 38, 45 at base of the spine, 35 below the feet, 35, 45 between the eyes, 35, 37 cardiac, 37 heart, 35 sacral, 35 sex, 35, 36 solar plexus, 35, 37, 38, 39 spleen, 35, 36, 37 throat, 35 chakras, 34-5 Christ, 8 Christian church, 37 science, 32 teaching, 17 'circuit of force', 33-57 clairvoyance, 20,85 clairvoyants, 17, 18, 24, 60, 63, 73 colours, purity of, 73 seen in the aura, 72 commercial use of psychic faculties, 88 consciousness, 16, 17, 18, 20 waking, 46, 60

'dark space', 23 death, 20 developing circles, 56-7 diagnosis (by the aura), 13 disease, 17, 26 disease, indicated by etheric man, 21-4 dissociated complexes, 69-70 Doppelganger^ 13 drug addicts, 29 taking, 17, 40 drugs, 21 psychedelic, 28-9, 40-1

vision, 21 vitality, 26 web, 41,47 extra-sensory perception, 9

Egyptians, 13 emanations, 17-18, 22 emotional, 19 etheric, 19,75 from minerals, 45 mental, 19 emotion, 16, 18 emotional body, 16, 17 radiation, 16 epilepsy, 7 ethereal body, 12 etheric aura, 40, 47, 49, 52, 53, 68, 73, 77, 80 batteries, recharging, 41, 42 body, 12, 13, 19, 2 0 , 2 1 , 2 2 , 23, 29, 32, 36 centres, 48 clairvoyance, 48 double, 16, 19, 20-1 energy, 27, 42 healing, 49-50 interaction, 56 leakage, 24-6 parasites, 27-8 research, 21 skin, 24, 47

healing, magnetic, 30 health aura, 22 health, physical, 13 Hindu art, 8 hypnosis, 32 hysteria, 7

faith-healing, 22 Father John, 52 field of force, 10-11,21,76 magnetic, 19 psychic, 19 Gnostics, 64 Greatrakes, Valentine, 52

ill-health, 22 infra-red light, 24 inner physical body, 19 insulation, 43 Jesus, 50 Afl, 13 Kama-Manasic principle, 59 Kilneri Dr, 75 Kilner screens, 24, 75 Koshas, 16 Linga Sharirah^ 13 Lord Gautama Buddha, 16 LSD, 29 magnetic-healing, 52-5 manifestation, supernatural, 32

INDEX supernormal, 32 material body, 12 medical research, 21 medicine, 28, 48 meditation procedures, 40 mediumship, 26 mental activity, 61 body, 16, 17 deterioration, 29 instability, 9 radiation, 16 Mesmer, Dr, 49 metabolism, 12, 26 anabolic, 12-13 katabolic, 12-13 minerals, emanations from, 45 Neschamah, 59 Nestorian Christian Church, 8 New Thought Movement, 32 occultism, 12, 33 Olcott, Colonel Henry Steel, 51 old age, 20 Oleum Injirmorum, 54 optical disease, 9 fatigue, 80 orbicular wounds, 26, 31, 79 organ transplants, 20 outer physical body, 19 pastel shades, significance of, 66 perception, intuitive, 78 non-visual, 77 visual, 77 Perisprit, 13 Persian art, 8

95

physical body, 11-12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 35, 49 physics, 48 physicists, 11 plants, 53 plant auras, 85 Prana, 13, 36 pre-matter, 11 psychic ability, 29 psychic healing, 22 infection, 41 psychics, negative, 47 open,47-8 psychism, 28, 48 psychology, 28, 45 psychologists, 70 psychometry, 85 purity, power of, 51-2 Qabalists, 59 rays of light, 23 re-focusing the eye, 81-2 Regardie, I.F., 40 rejection, 20 religious organizations, 89 Ruach, 59 Saint Francis of Assisi, 32 Saint Paul, 17 second aura, 62 secondary circuit of force, 47 self-protection, 70-1 'silver cord', 19-20 SolomQn's Temple, 65 spiritual advancement, 8 healing, 22 spiritualism, 32 static electricity, 10 stigmata, 32

stimulus, mental and emotional, 39 subconscious memories, 63-4 symbols, 60-1 Tantric practices, 36-7 Taivas, 28 telepathy, 2 3 , 6 8 Theosophical society, 51 thought forms, 63, 64, 71 intuitive perception of, 78-9 projection of, 68-9 'thousand-petalled lotus', 35 tobacco, 41 tree aura, 43-4 trees (for re-charging etheric battery), 42-3

ultra-violet light, 24 unconscious, collective, 62 Unity movement, 32 universal energy, 46 fluid, 49, 50 vampirism, psychic, 26-7, 30 vital body, 13 energies, 16, 30-1 flow, 45-6 vitality vacuum, 30 water divining, 43 wounding the aura, 39 Zener cards, 69

How TO READ

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. With practice, the aura can be glimpsed, and this book provides simple but effective techniques for developing auric sight. With this capability, the occultist can control and re-charge his store of psychic energy, combat psychic vampirism, and diagnose illness in the material body. Reading the aura is a practical means of living to your full physical and spiritual potential. It is also a revelation of the true nature of man. Cover design by G r a h a m Lester

ISBN

THE AQUARIAN PRESS Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

D-flSDaD-lT^-a

9 "780a50"3ni793"