MAGICK 3 -- THE FOUR WORLDS
The ancients described man as mind, body, and soul. Psychologists
of the twentieth century added the subconscious to that deffinition.
This produces a four-fold classification. The universe is also
divided into four corresponding parts ('worlds'), as shown below:
WORLD BODY QUALITY ===== ==== ======= spiritual world spiritual
body (soul or kia) intuition mental world mental body (conscious
mind) rational thought astral world astral body (subconscious)
emotions physical world physical body physical senses The astral
body (subconscious) is the intermediary for intuition, magical
and psychic phenomena, and is the 'psychic link' to the physical
world. J.H. Brennan says that the astral is the realm of visual
imagination. It seems to be both a 'place' and a 'state of mind'
at the same time. Most occult and magical phenomena originate
in the invisible, non-sensate, non-physical realm (ie. without
physical senses). Each of the four worlds interacts with the
other worlds. Psychic energy flows from the spiritual to mental
to astrl to physical. The physical world is a projection (manifestation,
reflection, or shadow) of the higher worlds. Our center of consciousness
is generally within these higher worlds. "We are",
to quote the rock music group the Police, "spirits in the
material world". There are many similar terms used by other
occult groups. For example, 'astral light' is another name for
astral world, although it may sometimes also refer to the entire
non-physical realm, as may 'inner planes' or 'the invisible world'.
Planes are essentially the same as worlds. Vehicles or sheaths
are the same as bodies. Some groups include an etheric or vital
body between physical and astral: it is mostly 'physical' with
a little of the lower 'astral' besides. And sometimes astral
and mental are each divided into two parts (upper and lower).
The 'causal body' is the upper 'mental'. MICROCOSM AND MACROCOSM
We have been describing 'traditonal' occult philosophy here,
and certainly an important part of the tradition is the idea
(and terms) microcosm and macrocosm. The greater universe, known
as the *macrocosm*, includes everything that exists. It corresponds
with the *microcosm*, or tiny universe, ie. man -- who is thought
of as a miniature replica of the macrocosm (whole universe).
This basic magical relationship is demonstrated in the Bible
(Genesis 1.27), where God is the macrocosm; and in the writing
of Trismegistus ("As above so below"). Since man is
in the image of God (universe) it follows that God is in the
image of man (in other words, man and the God/universe match
each other). The magician, as a microcosm is thus connected with
the macrocosm. There is an intimate relationship of energies
between you and everything else. The universe is reflected within
us and we are projected into the universe. This is an important
theory behind magick and astrology. MAGICK WHITE AND BLACK 'Personal
magick' is that magick used to affect the self; often involving
affirmation, self-suggestion, and self-hypnosis. 'Active magick'
is outer directed magick (as in PK) used to affect someone or
thing, or to bring about an event. 'Passive magick' is to be
affected (as in ESP) by an outside non-physical cause. Everyone
possesses some magical (and psychic) potential. Some are especially
gifted. Usually people are better at one kind of magick (ie.
active or passive) than they are at the other kind; only rarely
does an individual excell at both. Traning and practice will,
of course, improve ability somewhat. Although the forces of magick
are neutral, various systems may take on the qualities of good
and evil. There is so-called white magick or good magick, black
magick or evil magick, and gray magick between them. When many
people refer to white magick they mean magick for unselfish purposes,
also healing and mental influence with specific permission. By
black magick they refer to magick for self-interest and healing
*without* specific permission. Using magick to forcefully control
another's will is, in a sense, black magick too. There are also
some people on the occult fringe who claim to be, possibly even
think they are, 'Satanists', devil worshipers, or black magicians.
These people are most likely charlatans, hoaxters, dablers, or
merely misinformed. They may be attracted by the 'art' of black
magick, or even by the 'glamor' of doing something against the
'rules'. But a real black magician is very dangerous. Because
he has dedicated his life to evil. We usually think of 'white
magick' as having *unselfish intent*, and (in the extreme case)
of 'black magick' as being actual Satan worship, human or animal
sacrifice, dangerous unconventional magical practices, and other
bizarre stuff as makes a nightmare. It is all a matter of degree.
Most mild self-interest magick (one of the most common kinds)
would be called 'gray'. Better terms may be *constructive magick*
as being beneficial; and *aversive magick* as magick intended
to work against the natural order, and to tear down. There is
also the *high magick* of spiritual alchemy (ie. spiritual growth),
also known as 'the Great Work'; and conversely there is 'low
magick' which is concerned with materiality. Any magick act is
likely to produce side effects regardless of whether or not the
desired result is achieved. Such side effects are no problem
for constructive magick, since they are benificial as well. However,
aversive magick can produce aversive side effects which may even
harm the magician -- aversive magick is dangerous! MAGICK IS
A CONTINUOUS PROCESS What we have been calling 'magick' is actually
a continuous process. Since your subconscious never rests, your
environment is continually being shifted into lne with your model.
This is true whether you study magick or not. For most people,
these effects are usually very subtle, and they are probably
not aware of them. However, as you work with the occult, the
flow of psychic energy and your awareness of it increases. Your
true will is more likely to be strongly expressed. Your luck
may be affected (either in a positive or a negative way). Remember,
our lives tend to follow what we want down deep. That is why
a positive outlook is so very beneficial to us. THE MAGICAL DIARY
Sometimes it is helpful to keep a diary of your magical experiments
and research. Such a diary should include the date, perhaps even
some astrological data (or anything else you think may have a
relationship to what you are doing). This is also a good time
to begin recording your dreams -- at least the important ones
-- in a dream diary. Your dreams can tell you a great deal about
yourself, and may sometimes reveal premonitions. Dreams are personal.
Don't fall for the commercial 'dream book' gimmick. AFFIRMATIONS
The mind is always open to suggestion -- especially the subconscious.
Most of the time we censor any suggestions according to the model;
but one way to break through the censor is with repetition. An
affirmation does this exactly. By suggestion, we mean any statement
which is capable of affecting your model. Usually suggestion
is in the form of a positive statement (such as the hypnotist's
patter -- " You are becomming sleepy"). An affirmation
is the same kind of thing -- a positive suggestion, which you
repeat (affirm) to yourself aloud or silently (for example, "I
remember my dreams"). If there is some quality you wish
to change or develope within yourself, an affirmation is ideal.
Repeat it several times every day at several different times
throughout the day, expecially when you go to bed. Affirmations
are subtle and may require a few months to work. Use them for
changes, not miracles. SIMPLE BANISHING TECHNIQUE Visualization
is another important method we use to influence the subconscious.
A good example of this is the simple banishing technique which
follows. Banishing is used in magick to 'clear the air' of negative
'vibes' and interference... Visualize a strong white light flowing
out the top of your head, flowing down around you and covering
you. At the same time imagine you are throwing away any 'problem'
vibes. Maintain the visualization for a half a minute or longer.
Good way to help you handle your emotions, and to control worry
or anger. REVIEW QUESTIONS 1) What is a microcosm? 2) List the
four worlds. Explain. 3) What is an affirmation? Give an example.
BOOK LIST Geoffry Hodson, Theosophy Answers Some Problems of
Life. Marc Edmund Jones, Key Truths of Occult Philosophy. Marion
Weinstein, Positive Magic. Nelson & Ann White, The Wizard's Apprentice.
Beatrice Bruteau, The Psychic Grid. ======== Phil Hansford, 4/88
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