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III. RESULTS OF ITS ACTIVITY. - Part 1

These results can be studied in four ways, considering each as a subsidiary Law of the basic Law of Attraction and Repulsion.  All motion is the result literally of the impact, or intercourse, between atoms, and there is no atom anywhere which escapes this force.  In the case of rotary motion, which governs the activity of the atom of substance, the impulse emanates from within the ring-pass-not, and is produced by the impact of the positive charge upon the negative charges.  This is true of all atoms, cosmic, solar, individual, chemical, and so forth.

When, however, the effect of the rotation of the atom is so strong that it begins to affect other atoms outside its individual ring-pass-not, another influence begins to make itself felt, which draws together, or dissipates, those contacting coalescing atoms.  Thus forms are built under the impulse of aggregated forces of some one kind, and these forms in turn produce effects on other cohering atomic forms, until the rhythm is built up, and a vibration [1040] instigated which is a continuation of the rotary motion of the individual atoms, and the modification produced on them by their group activity.  This causes progression and simultaneous rotation.  The movement forward is modified considerably by the internal atomic activity, and this it is which causes that motion we call spiral cyclic.  It demonstrates in all forms as a tendency to repeat, owing to the backward pull of the rotating atoms, and yet is offset by the strong progressive impulse of the form activity.  Students can work this out in connection with:

The planetary Logos, as He manifests through the rounds, each one of which, in its earlier stages, recapitulates all that has previously occurred.

Man, in the ante-natal period, in which he runs through the various stages of development.

Spiritual man, as he creates that which will destroy the "Dweller on the Threshold."

This spiral-cyclic activity, which is distinctive of all forms, can perhaps be comprehended more practically if we study it as an expression of four laws, taking each one briefly in turn:

1. The Law of Expansion.

This law of a gradual evolutionary expansion of the consciousness indwelling every form is the cause of the spheroidal form of every life in the entire solar system.  It is a fact in nature that all that is in existence dwells within a sphere. [ccciv]6  The chemical atom is spheroidal; man [1041] dwells within a sphere, as does the planetary Logos and the solar Logos, this sphere being the form matter takes when its own internal activity, and the activity of the form are working in unison.  It requires the two types of force—rotary and spiral-cyclic—to produce this.  Scientists are beginning to recognise this more or less, and to realise that it is the Law of Relativity, or the relation between all atoms, which produces that which is called Light, and which, in its aggregated phenomena, forms that composite sphere, a solar system.  The motion of the constellations external to the solar sphere is responsible for its form in conjunction with its own rotary motion in space.  As the wave lengths of the light from the constellations, and their relation to the sun are better understood, and as the effect of those wave lengths or light vibrations (which are either attractive to, or repulsive to, the sun) are understood, much will be revealed.  Little has as yet been grasped as to the effect [1042] those constellations in the heavens (which are antagonistic to the solar system), have upon it, and whose wave lengths it will not transmit, whose rays of light do not pierce (if it might be expressed in so unscientific a manner) through the solar periphery.

We are told in the Secret Doctrine that "the seven solar Rays dilate to seven suns and set fire to the whole cosmos." [cccv]7  This it is which produces that final burning which ushers in the great pralaya, and brings to an end the logoic incarnation.  It is produced under this Law of Expansion, and causes that eventual merging and blending of the seven sacred planetary schemes which marks the achievement of the goal, and their eventual perfection.

In occult literature this term "Law of Expansion" is limited to the discussion of the seven Rays, and to the subject of the planetary initiations.  When dealing with the expansions of consciousness of the human being, and his initiations, we group them under the second "Law of Monadic Return."

Students should here remember that we are dealing with the expansions of consciousness of a planetary Logos through the medium of:

a. The chains.

b. The rounds.

c. The kingdoms of nature.

d. The root races.

It should be remembered that the consciousness He is in process of developing is that of the absolute will and purpose of the solar Logos, as it is the expression of the desire of the cosmic Logos. [cccvi]8  Therefore, the expansions might be grouped as follows:

[1043]

1. The solar Logos expands His consciousness to include the desire of the cosmic Logos.

2. The planetary Logos expands His consciousness to measure up to the will and purpose of the Solar Logos.

3. The Lords of the Chains are working at the desire consciousness (the love nature) of the planetary Logos.

4. The informing Lives of the globe in the chain are working at the intelligent consciousness of the planetary Logos.

This can be worked out in connection with a globe in a chain (such as our earth-chain) in the following manner.

The Lord of the world, the planetary Logos, in physical incarnation, works at His own peculiar problem, the bringing through (into physical manifestation upon the planet) of the purpose or will of the solar Logos in any particular scheme.  This He does through meditation.

The totality of Dhyan Chohans of the fifth or spiritual kingdom are occupied with the working out into active manifestation of the will and purpose of the planetary Logos.

The human family, or the fourth kingdom, is seeking to make manifest the desire, or love nature, of the planetary Logos.

The three subhuman kingdoms have for objective the [1044] manifesting of the intelligent nature of the planetary Logos.

All this done under the Law of Expansion, by the method of spiralling progression, cyclic growth, rotary repetition, and the summation of each greater spiral is the expansion of the consciousness into that of the sphere which enclosed the lesser ovoid, and the escape of the life imprisoned in the sphere.  It is merged in its greater whole.  As the fires of the sphere concerned blaze up, the "fire by friction" which produces rotary motion, and "solar fire," which is the basis of the spiral-cyclic activity, blend and merge.  The ring-pass-not of the confining spheroidal wall is negated, and a blaze results.

The old Commentary expressed this as follows in connection with the planets, and it is equally, though relatively, true, of the atom of substance, or the solar atom:

1. "The life pulsates, and the pole performs its function.  The sphere revolves in many cycles.  As it revolves it senses other spheres, and seeks to know their secret.

2. They meet each other.  They seek a greater intimacy or reject with hatred any more approach.  Some pass away; others return and marry.  They know each other.  They spiral through their courses hand in hand.  Through union the fires blaze up, the two become the one, and live again in their Son, who is the Third."

Through the study of these significant words students may learn somewhat concerning "polar affinity," the "Marriage in the Heavens," the transference of the germs of life from the male attractive planet to the negative and receptive one, and finally, at a later period, the absorption of the life of the two planets by a third planet, who is called occultly "the Son."  This refers to the synthesising planet which forms the apex of the solar triangle.

In summing up the effect of the union of individual atomic rotary motion and the spiral cyclic activity of all [1045] atomic groups, it is necessary to point out, therefore, that the following units are affected.

The essential individual atom.  Its evolutionary progress towards self-determination is brought about by the effect of its group activity, or the motion of the form modifying its own inherent action.

The atomic form, likewise an atomic unit, rotating on its own axis and influenced and driven towards the centre of force of a higher macrocosm by the activity of its embracing kingdom.

The human atom, self-determined and individual, yet driven progressively forward by the influence of its group, or the potent activity of the Heavenly Man in Whose body it is the cell.

The planetary atom, equally self-determined, a composite of all planetary groups, rotating on its own axis, yet conforming to the cyclic-spiralling action, induced by the activity of the greater sphere in which it finds its place.

The solar Atom, also an individualised Life, the Son in incarnation, through the medium of the Sun, pursuing its own inherent cycle, yet spiralling in cyclic fashion through the heavens, and therefore, progressing through the effect of the extra-cosmic active Lives who either attract or repulse it.

These are the main sets of atomic groups, but there are many intermediate forms upon which it is not possible as yet to touch.  All in nature affects that which it contacts, and these effects work either as

a. Attractive or repulsive impulses.

b. Retarding or accelerating impulses.

c. Destructive or constructive impulses.

d. Devitalising or stimulating impulses.

e. Energising or disintegrating impulses.

Yet all can be expressed in terms of negative and positive [1046] force, manifesting as rotary or spiral activity.  The lesser cycle can, from certain angles of vision, be regarded as appertaining to the rotary activity of certain atomic forms, and the greater cycles, which are so much more difficult for man to follow, as relating to the spiral action of the enclosing Life of the greater sphere.  Every atom is part of a greater whole, even the solar atom is not a separated Life but a fragment of an immensity of Existence beyond the ken of man, and which is but dimly cognised by the most advanced Dhyan Chohan.

2. The Law of Monadic Return.

Here it is possible to study the Monad from the cyclic and energetic standpoint, and divorce our minds temporarily from that aspect of manifestation we call the human, or man.

In considering the "Divine Pilgrim" we can study him as demonstrating in the form of:

a. Three focal points of energy or force.

b. Three fires, each producing a definite effect, and each in turn producing effects upon each other.

In relation to a solar system, these three fires on the cosmic planes are called: [cccvii]9

[1047]

1. The central spiritual sun (essential).

2. The sun (subjective), called 'the heart of the sun.'

3. The physical sun (objective).

and the same thought can be carried through the monadic manifestation.  The three monadic centres are distinguished by different types of energy:

1. Monadic—dynamic energy . . . electric impulse . . . pure fire.

2. Egoic—magnetic energy . . . radiatory impulse . . . solar fire.

3. Personal—individual energy . . . rotary impulse . . . fire by friction.

The first produces light, the second heat, and the third moisture or concretion.

By the interplay of the three types of force which constitute the three monadic aspects, a rhythm is set up which eventuates in the formation of:

A ring-pass-not, or ovoidal sphere, wherein the pilgrim is confined, and which contains within itself three major centres of force, corresponding to

a. The three major logoic centres when the subjective or force side of existence is contemplated.

b. The three permanent atoms if the purely objective side is in question.

A cyclic pulsation, which is the cause of every evolutionary impulse.

[1048]

These evolutionary impulses may be regarded as three in number for a solar system, or for a Monad:

There is the impulse which drives every atom to self-determination, and is the secret of the phenomenon called individualisation.  It is largely the force called Brahma.

There is the impulse which forces the individual atom towards group determination, and is the secret of the phenomenon termed "Initiation," or the process of passing out of the human or self-determined individualised Life into the higher kingdom.  It is the sum total of the force of Vishnu, the second aspect, and produces the higher states of consciousness.

There is finally the impulse which forces the planetary groups, the sum total of all atoms and forms, to a conscious realisation of the nature of the all-enclosing group, the solar atom.

The Monad, acted upon by the Heavenly Man, intelligently forms his ring-pass-not.  There his work ceases from the purely monadic standpoint; the inherent life of the atomic matter thus constituted produces the later phenomena.  The rotary life of the atoms, and their interplay, modified by the Life of the planetary group, or Heavenly Man, pursued through long aeons, causes the phenomena of the various involutionary stages up to the point where certain of the atoms have evolved to the consciousness of animal-man.  All through this inconceivable period (that is, in connection with our earth sphere) the milliards of atomic lives have pursued their courses, energised by the Life of the Monad, as it pulsates through the medium of the monadic heart on the spiritual plane; and equally they have responded to the larger rhythm of the Heavenly Man.  This it is which has produced graded concretion, and brought animal-man to the stage where the upward pull of the Monad itself began to be felt.  At the same time, the Monad on its [1049] own plane began to respond to the self-engendered energy of the lower form, the two rhythms contacted, individualisation occurred and the pilgrim manifested in his true nature.

Then—as far as concerns the Monad—progressive life forward begins.  It is truly cyclic, repetitive and spiralling.  At first the action, or the interplay between the rotary lower atomic form, and the influence of the Monad, is lethargic, slow and heavy, and the form retards the action of the Monad, and its heavy vibration tends to offset the higher.  Gradually, as the sweeping spirals play their part, the higher vibration makes itself felt, and the activity, or motion, is more balanced, but lighter.  Thus the cycles run until the higher rhythm or vibration is so dominant that the influence of the form is negated, and leads to its eventual discarding.  Simultaneously with this, the highest rhythm of all makes itself felt, leading to increased activity upon the highest planes, and producing in time a negation of the sheath life of the Ego.  As the old Commentary again says:

"The drops of moisture grow heavier.  They break as rain upon the lowest plane.  They sink into the clay and cause it to blossom.  Thus do the waters cover the earth and all the cycles.

Two are the objectives of the fathering drops, and each attained in vastly separated cycles; one is to sink and lose itself in the dark soil of earth; the other to rise and merge itself in the clear air of heaven.

Between the two vast periods the heat doth play its part.

But when the heat grows fierce, and the fires within the earth and beneath the waters burn hot and flow, the nature of the many drops is seen to undergo a change.  They dissipate in steam.  Thus doth the heat perform its part.

Later again the fire electric flashes forth, and turns the steam to that which will permit its passage through the air."

We will now sum up briefly the various vibratory impulses which have a definite effect upon the Monad, and which must be borne in mind as we consider the evolution [1050] of the Divine Pilgrim.  It is not the purpose of this Treatise to enlarge upon each distinctive impulse.  It but seeks to indicate, leaving to later individual students the expansion of the imparted ideas.

1. Three impulses inherent in the three periodical vehicles, as H. P. B. terms the three main centres of energy through which the Monad manifests:

a. The energy of the monadic ring-pass-not, viewing it as a unit.

b. The energy of the causal body, within the monadic periphery.

c. The energy of the physical body, the synthesis upon the physical plane of the force pouring through into manifestation through the three permanent atoms.

2. The activity set up in the seven etheric centres of force, the result of the activity of the seven principles:

a. The head centre— an esoteric seven with an exoteric three.

b. The throat centre.

c. The heart centre—an esoteric three and exoteric seven.

d. The solar plexus—an esoteric three and exoteric four.

e. The organs of generation—an esoteric two.

f. The base of the spine—an esoteric unity.

3. The inherent activity of every atom in every sheath, which produces the rhythm of the sheath.

4. The unified activity of every sheath or form which the divine Pilgrim uses.

5. The united active motion produced by the unification of the three vehicles, the seven sheaths, the force centres, and the atomic substance.

6. The effect produced by the action of the groups karmically allied with the Pilgrim.  They are:

[1051]

a. His Ray vibration, his monadic group.

b. His subray vibration, or the vibration of the egoic group.

c. His personality affiliations, such as his family, racial, and national energy.  All of these play upon the sensitive atoms in the various bodies and produce specific effects.

7. The activity or motion initiated and stimulated by the life of any of the three lower kingdoms in nature,—all of which produce definite results.

8. The vibration of the particular planet upon which the monad may be seeking expression and experience.

9. The effect produced in the substance of the sheaths by the influences, or vibrations, of the various planets.  This, esoterically understood, is the influence of some one or other of the solar centres, as the forces emanating from them play upon the planetary centres and thereby affect the involved monadic units.  This is hidden in the karma of the Heavenly Man, and when true esoteric astrology comes into being then more anent this will be given out.  Astrology as now studied and taught misleads more than it helps, and astrological students are as yet learning but the a-b-c of this stupendous subject, and are occupied with the exoteric fringes of that great veil which has been wisely thrown over all planetary lore.

10. Another form of energy which must ever be considered is that of the planetary Logos, as He pours His force through some one chain or some one globe upon the groups of evolving human units.  This—from the human standpoint—cannot as yet be calculated, as it is dependent upon the occult "turning of the attention" by the planetary Logos in meditation upon any centre in His body corporate.  It is, of course, all under cosmic law, but beyond the realisation of man.  It involves cognisance [1052] of the planetary individual purpose, which is not revealed until the later initiations.

11. The inherent energy of the solar atom itself has likewise a rhythmic effect upon the individual Monad, and though it only reaches the monad via the greater centres of Existence yet it has its effect upon one and all.  This is another factor not sufficiently recognised.

12. Finally, the energy of the greater life (in which our solar system but forms a part) has to be reckoned with, and the impulses emanating from the cosmic Logos, the ONE ABOUT WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID reach the monadic lives and produce stimulation or retardation according to the nature of the cosmic ideation.  These are necessarily entirely outside the ken of average man and are only touched upon as no tabulation would be complete without them.

13. There is also to be borne in mind the play of energy which emanates from any one of those "Twelve signs of the Zodiac" with which astrology concerns itself.  This type of force is primarily concerned with planetary stimulation, with the planetary Logoi, and is hidden in Their cyclic karma,—a karma which of course will incidentally involve those monads and devas which form Their bodies and centres.

14. We must not ignore the three great waves of energy which sweep cyclically through the entire solar system from:

a. The seven stars of the Great Bear.  The strength of these vibrations depends upon the closeness of the connection and the accuracy of the alignment between any particular Heavenly Man and His Prototype.  The mystery here is profound; it is connected with the stage in evolution of the "imperfect gods" and the objective of the planetary deities.

[1053]

b. The Seven Sisters, or the Pleiades, and from that one in particular who is occultly termed "the wife" of the planetary Logos whose scheme will eventually receive the seeds of life from our planet, which is not considered a sacred planet, as has before been stated.

c. The sun Sirius.

There are other streams of energetic force which have an effect upon the Pilgrim everywhere, but the above enumeration will serve to show the complexity of the subject and the vastness of the scheme of evolution.  All these vibratory emanations pass through the sphere cyclically; they come and go, and according to their presence or their non presence and according to the stage of evolution of the emanating Existence will depend the phenomenal character of all life, will depend the nature of any specific period, and the quality of the manifesting Monads.  It is the appearance or the disappearance of these waves of life-force (planetary, inter-planetary, systemic, cosmic and inter-cosmic) which sweeps into incarnation the divine pilgrims, and which brings about the cyclic manifestation of such great Lives as the "Silent Watcher" and the "Great Sacrifice"; it is this which causes also the dissolution of a scheme, and its reappearance, and is responsible for the transportation of the life seeds from one scheme to another, or from one solar system to another.

In this great tide of forces, the Monads are swept along; their aggregate is termed the "force of evolution," and the life and persistence of the initiatory Being sets the term for their duration.  Man is but the plaything of the forces which gather him up and carry him on, just as the atom, in the human frame is but the obedient servant of the man's imposing direction; yet within limits man is the controller of his destiny; within [1054] limits he wields forces and energies, he manipulates lesser lives and controls lesser centres of energy, and as time slips away his radius of control becomes ever more extensive.

The atom controls its own central life; man can control the sets of lives who form his three bodies; the initiate and the adept are controlling energies of many kinds in the three worlds, as the Chohan does on the five planes of evolution.  Thus the plan is carried forward until the Army of the Voice become themselves the Sounder of the Words, and the Sounders of the Words become the Word itself.

It will, therefore, be apparent, that the "Law of Monadic Return" which we have just been considering, is the sumtotal of those influences which have a direct bearing upon the monadic atoms, which affect its progress cyclically, and which stimulate it, or retard its activity according to the strength of the initiating life.  It is only after initiation that the human atom reaches a stage in its development where forces and influences begin to be comprehended.  When the methods are understood whereby adjustment is consciously made to extraneous force currents, resistance to retarding forces is initiated consciously and with scientific accuracy, and the man consciously puts himself into line with forces which will swing him along on the path of return.  There is in this thought no undue complexity or cause for discouragement, for ever the potent force of electrical energy will offset the more lethargic vibration of solar fire, and solar fire itself in due time will negate the effects of "fire by friction."

3. The Law of Solar Evolution.

It is, of course, a truism to state that the Law of Solar Evolution is the sum-total of all the lesser activities. [1055] We might consider this point in connection with the planetary atom, and the solar atom.

The planetary atom has, as all else in nature, three main activities:

First.  It rotates upon its own axis, revolves cyclically within its own ring-pass-not, and thus displays its own inherent energy.  What is meant by this phrase?  Surely that the milliards of atoms which compose the planetary body (whether dense or subtle) pursue an orbital course around the central energetic positive unit.  This dynamic force centre must be considered as subsisting naturally in two locations (if such an unsuitable term is permissible) according to the stage, usage, and particular type of the indwelling planetary entity.

a. In what corresponds to the head centre in man, if the planetary Logos is of very advanced development.

b. In the planetary correspondence to the heart centre.

The throat centre is, of course, ever vibrant in all the Logoi, as all are fully intelligent Creators, having perfected this capacity in an earlier solar system.

Students should here bear in mind that these centres of force are to be found depicted in the central Triangles upon the chart on page 373, though no indication is to be found through a study of such triangles as to the relative attainment of the planetary Logos.  Within the chains likewise, will be found corresponding centres of energy, and also within the dense physical body of the Logos of any scheme, the physical planet.

One such centre is to be found at the North Pole, and two more are located within the planetary sphere, and frequently the inflow of force or energy to these internal centres (via the polar centre) results in those disasters we call earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

There is, as we know, a cyclic shifting of polar inclination, [1056] due to the gradually increasing responsiveness of the planetary Logos to His heavenly Prototype, whereby influences from the Great Bear draw, or occultly "attract," the attention of the Logos, and bring Him more into line with a greater impulsive Will.  This shifting causes disruption in His lower manifestation, which is a condition on the cosmic Path of Initiation analogous to that undergone by a disciple.

The planetary atom revolves upon its axis and comes periodically under influences which produce definite effects.  These influences are, among others, those of the moon, and of the two planets which lie nearest to it on either side—nearer and farther away from the Sun.  The moon's influence is exceedingly strong, and has a curious resemblance (as far as the physical planet is concerned) to the "Dweller on the Threshold," which has such a familiar and potent effect upon the human atom.  The resemblance must not be strained, for it should be borne in mind that the moon has no effect upon the Heavenly Man Himself, as His stage of evolution negates such a thing, but that the influence felt is by the planetary Entity—the sumtotal of the elemental essences of the planet.  Scientific occult students will learn much anent the planetary scheme when they consider the influence of the moon's karmic pull upon the earth, coupled with the effect of the two neighboring planets, occultly understood.

Second, the planetary atom also revolves orbitally around its solar centre.  This is its expression of rotary-spiral-cyclic action, and its recognition of the divine central magnet.  This brings it under the constant impression of other schemes, each of which produces effects upon the planet.  It likewise brings it under the inflowing streams of energy from what are termed the zodiacal constellations which reach the planetary scheme via the great centre, the Sun.  It will be apparent to any student [1057] who has even slightly developed the power of visualisation, and has some realisation of the force currents of the solar system, that all can be regarded as the swirling tide of intermingling currents, with numerous focal points of energy demonstrating here and there, yet in no way static as to location.

The third activity of the planetary atom is that which carries it through space along with the entire solar system, and which embodies its "drift" or inclination towards the systemic orbit in the heavens.

The solar atom must be considered as pursuing analogous lines of activity and as paralleling on a vast scale the evolution of the planetary atom.  The entire solar sphere, the logoic ring-pass-not, rotates upon its axis, and thus all that is included within the sphere is carried in a circular manner through the Heavens.  The exact figures of the cycle which covers the vast rotation must remain as yet esoteric, but it may be stated that it approximates one hundred thousand years, being, as might be supposed, controlled by the energy of the first aspect, and therefore of the first Ray.  This of itself is sufficient to account for varying and diverse influences which may be traced over vast periods by those with the "seeing eye," for it causes a turning of varying parts of the sphere to the differing zodiacal constellations.  This influence (in connection with the planets) is increased or mitigated according to the place of the planets on their various orbital paths.  Hence the immense complexity of the matter and the impossibility for the average astronomical and astrological student to make accurate computations or to draw accurate horoscopes.  Within the Hall of Wisdom, there exists a department of which the modern varying astrological organisations are but the dim and uncertain reflections.  The Adepts connected with it work not with humanity but concern Themselves specifically with "casting the horoscopes" (thus [1058] ascertaining the nature of the work immediately to be done) of the various great lives who inform the globes and kingdoms of nature, with ascertaining the nature of the karmic influences working out in the manifestation of three of the planetary Logoi:

1. Our own planetary Logos.

2. The planetary Logos of our polar opposite.

3. The planetary Logos of the scheme which makes with the two above mentioned a planetary triangle.

Beyond that, They may not go.  They progress these various horoscopes for the next stated cycle, and Their records are of profound and significant interest.  I would conjure students here to refrain from attempting (in years to come) to form cyclic computations of any kind, for as yet the many constellations which exist only in physical matter of an etheric nature are unknown and unseen.  Yet they are potent in influence and until etheric vision is developed, all calculations will be full of error.  It suffices for man as yet to master his own dharma, to fulfil group karma, and to dominate what is called "his stars."

Like the planetary atom, the solar atom not only rotates on its axis but likewise spirals in a cyclic fashion through the Heavens.  This is a different activity to the drift or progressive dynamic motion through the Heavens.  It deals with the revolution of our Sun around a central point and with its relation to the three constellations so oft referred to in this Treatise:

The Great Bear.

The Pleiades.

The Sun Sirius.

These three groups of solar bodies are of paramount influence where the spiral cyclic activity of our system is concerned.  Just as in the human atom the spiral cyclic [1059] activity is egoic and controlled from the egoic body, so in connection with the solar system these three groups are related to the logoic Spiritual Triad, atma-buddhi-manas, and their influence is dominant in connection with solar incarnation, with solar evolution, and with solar progress.

Further, it must be added that the third type of motion to which our system is subjected, that of progress onward, is the result of the united activity of the seven constellations (our solar system forming one of the seven) which form the seven centres of the cosmic Logos.  This united activity produces a uniform and steady push (if it might so be expressed) toward a point in the heavens unknown as yet to even the planetary Logoi.

The confines of the Heavens Themselves are illimitable and utterly unknown.  Naught but the wildest speculation is possible to the tiny finite minds of men and it profits us not to consider the question.  Go out on some clear starlit night and seek to realise that in the many thousands of suns and constellations visible to the unaided eye of man, and in the tens of millions which the modern telescope reveals there is seen the physical manifestation of as many millions of intelligent existences; this infers that what is visible is simply those existences who are in incarnation.  But only one-seventh of the possible appearances are incarnating.  Six-sevenths are out of incarnation, waiting their turn to manifest, and holding back from incarnation until, in the turning of the great wheel, suitable and better conditions may eventuate.

Realise further that the bodies of all these sentient intelligent cosmic, solar and planetary Logoi are constituted of living sentient beings, and the brain reels, and the mind draws back in dismay before such a staggering concept.  Yet so it is, and so all moves forward to some unfathomable and magnificent consummation which will only in part begin to be visioned by us when our consciousness [1060] has expanded beyond the cosmic physical plane, and beyond the cosmic astral until it can "conceive and think" upon the cosmic mental plane.  That supposes a realisation beyond that of the Buddhas who have the consciousness of the cosmic physical plane, and beyond that of the planetary Logoi.  It is the consciousness and knowledge of a solar Logos.

To the occult student, who has developed the power of the inner vision, the vault of Heaven can therefore be seen as a blazing fire of light, and the stars as focal points of flame from which radiate streams of dynamic energy.  Darkness is light to the illumined Seer, and the secret of the Heavens can be read and expressed in terms of force currents, energy centres, and dynamic fiery systemic peripheries.

4. The Law of Radiation.

It will be found that more time will be given to this expression of divine activity than to any other in this section, as it is the one of the most practical utility.  This Law of Radiation is one that is beginning to be recognised by scientists since their acceptation of the radioactivity of certain substances, and when they are willing to approximate the occult conception of the radiatory, or emanatory condition, of all substances at a specific point in evolution, then they will very definitely approach Reality.

Radiation is the outer effect produced by all forms in all kingdoms when their internal activity has reached such a stage of vibratory activity that the confining walls of the form no longer form a prison, but permit of the escape of the subjective essence.  It marks a specific point of attainment in the evolutionary process, and this is equally true of the atom of substance with which the chemist and physicist deal, when working with the elements, as it is of the forms in the vegetable kingdom, the [1061] forms in the animal kingdom, in the human, and, likewise, in the divine.

From some angles of vision, it might be regarded as the "true form" (which is to be understood occultly as the etheric form of energy) making its presence felt in such a way that it becomes apparent even to the scientist.  Students should here remember two things:

First, that in all occult conclusions, it is the body of energy which is dealt with and the subjective life back of the form which is recognised as being of supreme importance.

Second, that the dense objective manifestation, as has been reiterated frequently, is not regarded as a principle at all; the occultist deals with principles alone.

It might be of value here to remind the student also that three things have to be recognised in all manifestation:

First, that the tangible objective exterior, negative, receptive, and occultly unorganised, is without form and usefulness apart from the inner energy.

Second, that the "true form" or the force-vehicle energises and produces the cohesion of that which is unorganised.

Third, that the "volatile essence," or the spiritual essential Life, focuses itself in some one point within the "true form." [cccviii]10

[1062]

In studying the subject of radiatory activity, we are dealing with the effect produced by the inner essence as it makes its presence felt through the form, when the form has been brought to a stage of such refinement that it becomes possible.

When this realisation is applied to all the forms in all the kingdoms, it will be found possible to bridge the gaps existing between the different forms of life, and the "elements" in every kingdom, and those unifying radiating centres will be found.  The word "element" is yet confined to the basic substances in what is called essential matter, and the chemist and physicist are busy with such lives; but their correspondence (in the occult sense of the term) is to be found in every kingdom in nature, and there are forms of life in the vegetable kingdom which are occultly regarded as "radioactive," the eucalyptus tree being one such form.  There are forms of animal life equally at an analogous stage and the human unit (as it approaches "liberation") demonstrates a similar phenomenon.

Again, as a planetary scheme nears its consummation, it becomes "radioactive," and through radiation transfers its essence to another "absorbent planet," or planets, as is the case with a solar system also.  Its essence, or true Life, is absorbed by a receiving constellation, and the outer "case" returns to its original unorganised condition.

[1063]

Under our consideration of the law of radiation, we will first of all take up the topic of the cause of radiation.

a. The Cause of Radiation.  The student will only be able to get a true view of this matter if he views the subject in a large way.  Two aspects of the matter naturally come before his mental vision, both of which must be dealt with if any adequate concept of this subject is to be reached,—a subject which has engrossed philosophers, scientists and alchemists for hundreds of years consciously or unconsciously.  We must, therefore, consider:

a. That which radiates.

b. That which is the subjective cause of radiation.

It might be very briefly stated that when any form becomes radioactive, certain conditions have been fulfilled and certain results brought about, which conditions and results might be summed up as follows:

The radioactive form is one which has run through its appointed cycles, through its wheel of life, great or small, which has been turned with adequate frequency, so that the volatile life-essence is ready to escape from that form and merge itself in the greater form of which the lesser is but a part.  It must be remembered in this connection that radiation occurs when the etheric or true form becomes responsive to certain types of force.  Radiation, as it is occultly understood, does not concern itself with the escape from the physical or dense form, but with that period in the life of any living entity (atomic, human or divine) wherein the etheric or pranic body is in such a state that it can no longer limit or confine the indwelling life.

Radiation comes about when the internal, self-sufficient life of any atom is offset by a stronger urge, or pull, emanating from the enveloping greater existence of whose body it may form a part.  This is nevertheless only true when it is caused by the pull upon the essential [1064] [1064] life by the essential life of the greater form; it is not due to the attractive power of the form aspect of that greater life.  A very definite distinction must here be made.  It is the failure to recognise this that has led so many alchemical students and scientific investigators to lose their way, and thus negate the conclusions of years of study.  They confuse the impulse of the atom to respond to the vibratory magnetic pull of the more powerful and comprehensive form with the true esoteric attraction which alone produces "occult radiation,"—that of the central essential life of the form in which the element under consideration may have place.  It is very necessary to make this clear from the start.  Perhaps the whole subject may be clearer if we consider it in the following way.

The atom in a form revolves upon its own axis, follows its own revolution, and lives its own internal life.  This concerns its primary awareness.  As time progresses it becomes magnetically aware of the attractive nature of that which envelops it on all sides, and becomes conscious of the form which surrounds it.  This is its secondary awareness but it still concerns what we might, for lack of a better term, call matter.  The atom, therefore, has an interplay with other atoms.

Later, the atom in a form becomes aware that it not only revolves upon its axis, but that it also follows an orbit around a greater centre of force within a greater form.  This is tertiary awareness, and is caused by the magnetic pull of the greater centre being felt, thus causing an urge within the atom which impels it to move within certain specific cycles.  This awareness, esoterically understood, concerns itself with substance or with the true form within the objective form.

Finally, the attractive pull of the greater centre becomes so powerful that the positive life within the atom (whatever type of atom it may be and in whatever kingdom) feels the force of the central energy which holds it, [1065] along with other atoms, coherently fulfilling their function.  This energy penetrates through the ring-pass-not, evokes no response from what might be called the electronic or negative lives within the atomic periphery, but does evoke a response from the essential, positive nucleus of the atom.  This is due to the fact that the essential life of any atom, its highest positive aspect, is ever of the same nature as that of the greater life which is drawing it to itself.  When this is felt sufficiently strongly, the atomic cycle is completed, the dense form is dispelled, the true form is dissipated, and the central life escapes to find its greater magnetic focal point.

Through this process (which is found throughout the solar system in all its departments) every atom in turn becomes an electron.  The positive life of any atom in due course of evolution becomes negative to a greater life toward which it is impelled or drawn, and thus the process of evolution carries every life invariably through the four stages enumerated above.  Within the three lower kingdoms of nature, the process is undergone unconsciously, according to the human connotation of that term; it is consciously passed through in the human kingdom, and in the higher spheres of existence, with an enveloping consciousness which can only be hinted at in the ambiguous term "self-conscious group realisation."