I can hardly give you a better idea of the course of our journey than by asking you to imagine a vast spiral or corkscrew winding upwards and downwards in circling rings. A tiny speck no bigger than a pin's head in the middle of a large cart-wheel might represent the earth in the centre of these circling rings, an equal number of which are above and below the earth, all winding in a connected series from the lowest to the highest around this speck, and the head of the spiral pointing towards our central sun--this being regarded as the highest point of the most advanced sphere.
Imagine our journey as a massive spiral, like a corkscrew, winding both up and down in circular rings. Picture the Earth as a tiny dot, no larger than a pinhead, at the center of a giant wheel. These rings, equal in number above and below the Earth, form a continuous series from the lowest to the highest. They all coil around this central point, with the spiral's tip aimed at our sun—considered the peak of the most advanced sphere.
This will give you a faint idea of the earth and its attendant spirit spheres, and help you to understand how in our journey we passed from the second into the lowest sphere, and in doing so passed through the earth plane. As we entered it I perceived many spirits of mortals hurrying to and fro just as I had been wont to see them, but now for the first time I also saw that mingling with them were many floating spectral shapes similar to those wraiths I had seen haunting the spirit in the icy cage in the Frozen Land. These wraiths seemed to be floating to and fro like driftweed upon a seashore, borne here and there by the different astral currents which revolve and circle round the earth.
This will give you a basic understanding of Earth and its surrounding spirit spheres, and explain how we moved from the second sphere into the lowest one, passing through the Earth plane in the process. As we entered, I noticed many spirits of mortals rushing about, just as I had seen before. However, for the first time, I also observed numerous floating spectral shapes mixed among them, similar to the wraiths I had seen haunting the spirit in the icy cage in the Frozen Land. These wraiths appeared to drift back and forth like seaweed on a shore, carried by the various astral currents that swirl around the Earth.
Some were very distinct and life-like till a closer inspection revealed to me that the light of intelligence was wanting in their eyes and expressions, and there was a helpless collapsed look about them like wax dolls from which the stuffing has run out. For the life of me I can think of nothing that will so well express their appearance.
Some figures looked incredibly lifelike at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed their eyes lacked intelligence and their expressions seemed vacant. They had a deflated, lifeless quality, reminiscent of wax dolls that had lost their stuffing. I can't think of a better way to describe their appearance.
In my former wanderings through the earth plane I had not been conscious of any of these beings, and on asking Hassein the reason of this he answered: "First, because you were so much absorbed in your work, and secondly, your powers of sight were not sufficiently developed. Now look," he added, pointing to a strange little group of beings like elves which were approaching us hand in hand, gamboling like children. "Look at those; they are the mental and bodily emanations cast off from the minds and bodies of children which consolidate into these queer, harmless little elementals when brought into contact with any of the great life currents that circle around the earth, and which bear upon their waves the living emanations cast off from men, women and children. These curious little beings have no real separate intelligent life such as a soul would give, and they are so evanescent and ethereal that they take their shapes and change them, as you will observe, like the clouds on a summer sky. See how they are all dissolving and forming again afresh."
In my previous explorations of the earthly realm, I hadn't noticed these beings. When I asked Hassein why, he explained, "First, you were too focused on your work, and second, your ability to see them wasn't developed enough. Look there," he said, pointing to a strange group of elf-like creatures approaching us hand in hand, playing like children. "Those are the mental and physical emissions from children's minds and bodies. They solidify into these odd, harmless little elementals when they encounter the great life currents circling the Earth. These currents carry the living emissions from men, women, and children. These curious little beings don't have true independent intelligent life like a soul would provide. They're so fleeting and ethereal that they constantly change shape, like clouds in a summer sky. Watch how they dissolve and reform anew."
As I looked I saw the whole little cloud of figures shift into a new form of grotesque likeness, and whereas they had looked like tiny fairies in caps and gowns made from flowers, they now took wings, becoming like a species of half butterflies, half imps, with human bodies, animal's heads, and butterflies' wings. Then as a fresh strong wave of magnetism swept over them, lo! they were all broken up and carried away to form fresh groups elsewhere with other particles.
As I watched, the entire cluster of tiny figures morphed into a new, bizarre shape. Where they had once resembled miniature fairies dressed in flower-petal outfits, they now sprouted wings. They transformed into a hybrid creature - part butterfly, part imp - with human bodies, animal heads, and butterfly wings. Suddenly, a powerful wave of energy washed over them, scattering the group. They dispersed, their particles reforming into new clusters elsewhere.
I was so astonished at this, the real living appearance and the unreal disappearance, that I suppose Hassein read my puzzled state of mind, for he said, "What you have now beheld is only an ethereal form of elemental life, which is not material enough for a long continued existence on the earth plane, and is like the foam of the sea thrown up by the wave motions of pure earthly lives and thoughts. See now how much stronger on the astral plan can be the consistency of that which is not pure."
I was amazed by this apparition—its lifelike appearance and sudden vanishing. Hassein must have sensed my confusion, as he explained, "What you've just witnessed is a fleeting form of elemental life. It's too insubstantial to exist long in our physical world, much like sea foam created by the churning of earthly lives and thoughts. Now, observe how much more enduring impure entities can be in the astral realm."
I beheld approaching us a great mass of aerial forms, dark, misshapen, human, yet inhuman, in appearance. "These," said he, "are the beings which haunt the delirium of the drunkard, which gather round him, drawn by his corrupted magnetism and unable to be repelled by one who has lost the will-force needful to protect him from such creatures which cling like barnacles to him, and like leeches suck his animal vitality with a strange ghoulish intelligence akin to that of some noisome plant which has fastened itself upon a tree. For such a one as the unfortunate drunkard the best help which can be given is by obtaining some one upon the earth side of life who possesses a strong will and mesmeric powers, and let him place the drunkard under the protection of his will and the strong influence of his magnetism, till the last of these phantoms drops off from inability to hold on longer under the stream of healthy magnetism poured upon them and the unlucky man upon whom they have fastened. The healthy magnetism acts like a poison upon these creatures, and kills them so that they drop off, and their bodies, unable to hold together, decay into immaterial dust. Should these beings, however, not encounter such a strong dose of healthy magnetism they will go on for years floating about and drawing away the animal vitality of one human being after another, till at last they become endowed with a certain amount of independent animal life of their own. At this stage they can be used by higher, more intelligent beings to carry out such work as their peculiar organizations fit them for, and it is these soulless creatures, though created and earth-nourished, whom a certain class of practitioners of the so-called black magic made use of in some of their experiments, as well as for carrying out their evil designs against any one who had offended them. But like deadly weeds at the bottom of a dark pool, these astrals draw down and destroy in their soulless clutches those who venture to meddle with them unprotected by the higher powers."
I saw a large mass of aerial forms approaching us. They were dark, misshapen, and had an inhuman yet human-like appearance. My guide explained, "These are the entities that haunt a drunkard's delirium. They're drawn by his corrupted energy and can't be repelled by someone who's lost the willpower to protect himself. They cling to him like barnacles, sucking his vitality with an eerie intelligence similar to a parasitic plant. "The best help for such a person is to find someone on Earth with a strong will and mesmerizing abilities. This person can shield the drunkard with their protective energy, driving away these phantoms as they become unable to withstand the flood of healthy energy. This acts like poison to these creatures, causing them to die off and disintegrate. "If these entities don't encounter such strong, healthy energy, they can persist for years, draining the vitality of one person after another. Eventually, they develop a kind of independent life of their own. At this stage, more intelligent beings can use them for tasks suited to their unique nature. "Some practitioners of black magic have used these soulless, Earth-nourished creatures in their experiments and to carry out malicious plans against their enemies. But like deadly weeds at the bottom of a dark pond, these astral beings drag down and destroy those who dare to interact with them without protection from higher powers."
"And now tell me, friend Hassein," said I, "if these astrals, when they fasten upon a drunkard, can or do influence him to drink more, as is the case when the earth-bound spirit of a departed drunkard controls one still in the flesh."
"Now, tell me, Hassein," I said, "can these astral entities, when they latch onto an alcoholic, actually influence them to drink more? Is it similar to how the earthbound spirit of a deceased alcoholic might control someone who's still alive?"
"No! These beings do not derive any pleasure from the drink a man swallows, except in so far as by corrupting his magnetism it makes him such that they can more readily feed upon him. It is his animal or earthly life-force they desire. It means existence for them and is much the same as water to a plant, and beyond the fact that by draining the victim of his vitality they cause a sense of exhaustion which makes him fly to stimulants for relief, they do not affect the question of his continuing to drink. They are mere parasites, and possess no intelligence of their own except of so rudimentary a character that we can scarcely give it that name.
"No! These entities don't enjoy the alcohol a person drinks. They only benefit when it weakens the person's energy field, making them easier prey. What these beings truly crave is human life force. It's essential for their survival, much like water for a plant. By draining their victims' vitality, they cause exhaustion, which drives people to seek relief through stimulants. But they don't directly influence whether someone keeps drinking. These creatures are simply parasites with such basic intelligence that it's barely worthy of the term."
"To originate a thought or to impress your thoughts upon another requires the possession of an intelligent soul germ or spark of the divine essence, and once this has been given the being becomes possessed of an independent individuality it can never again lose. It may cast off envelope after envelope, or it may sink into grosser and still grosser forms of matter, but once endowed with soul-life it can never cease to exist, and in existing must retain the individuality of its nature and the responsibility of its actions. This is alike true of the human soul and the intelligent soul-principle as manifested in the animals or lower types of soul existence. Whenever you see the power to reason and to act upon such reasoning manifested either in man, the highest type, or in animals, the lower type, you may know that a soul exists, and it is only a question of degree of purity of soul essence. We see in man and in the brute creation alike a power of reasoning intelligence differing only in degree, and from this fact the school of thought to which I belong draws the inference that both alike have a conscious individual immortality, differing, however, in the type and degree of soul essence, animals as well as men having an immortal future for development before them. What are the limits of the action of this law we cannot pretend to say, but we draw our conclusions from the existence in the spirit world of animals as well as men who have alike lived on earth, and both of whom are found in a more advanced state of development than they were in their earth existences.
To create an original thought or impress your thoughts on another requires an intelligent soul - a spark of divine essence. Once given, this spark creates an independent individuality that can never be lost. The being may shed many physical forms or descend into increasingly dense states of matter, but once endowed with soul-life, it will always exist, retaining its unique nature and responsibility for its actions. This principle applies equally to human souls and the intelligent soul essence found in animals or lower forms of soul existence. Whenever you observe the ability to reason and act on that reasoning, whether in humans or animals, you can be certain a soul is present. The difference lies only in the degree of soul essence purity. We see reasoning intelligence in both humans and animals, varying only in degree. From this, our school of thought concludes that both possess a conscious individual immortality. The difference lies in the type and degree of soul essence, with animals, like humans, having an immortal future for development ahead of them. We cannot define the limits of this law's action, but we draw our conclusions from the presence of both animals and humans in the spirit world. Both have lived on earth and are found in more advanced states of development in the afterlife than during their earthly existence.
"It is impossible for the soulless parasite to influence the mind of any mortal; and it is therefore undoubtedly the souls which have been incarnated in earthly bodies and have so indulged their lower passions in that state that they are not able to free themselves from the fetters of their astral envelopes, that haunt the earth and incite those yet in the flesh to indulgence in drink and similar vices. They, as you know, can control man in many ways, either partially or completely, and the most common way is for the spirit to partly envelop the man he controls with his spirit body until a link has been formed between them, somewhat after the nature of that uniting some twin children who possess distinct bodies, but are so joined to each other and interblended that all which one feels is felt by the other. In this fashion what is swallowed by the mortal is enjoyed by the spirit who controls the unfortunate man, and who urges him to drink as much as possible, and when he can no longer do so the spirit will then try to free himself and go elsewhere in search of some other weak-willed man or woman of depraved tastes. Not always, however, can either the spirit or the mortal free themselves from the strange link woven between them by the indulgence of their joint desires. After a long-continued connection of this sort it becomes very difficult for them to separate, and the spirit and the man may go on for years sick of each other yet unable to break the tie without help from the higher powers, who are always ready to assist those who call upon their aid. Should a spirit continue to control men for the purpose of self-gratification as I have described, he sinks lower and lower, and drags his victims down with him into the depths of hell itself, from which they will both have a bitter and weary task to climb when at last the desire for better things shall awaken. To a soul alone belongs the power to think and to will, and those other soulless creatures but obey the laws of attraction and repulsion, which are felt likewise by all the material atoms of which the universe is composed, and even when these astral parasites have, by long feeding upon the vital force of men or women, attained to a certain amount of independent life, they have no intelligence to direct their own or others' movements; they float about like fever germs generated in a foul atmosphere, attracted to one person more readily than to another, and like such germs may be said to possess a very low form of life.
The soulless parasite cannot influence a mortal's mind. Instead, it's the souls that have been in earthly bodies and indulged their base desires to the point where they can't free themselves from their astral forms. These souls haunt the earth and tempt the living to indulge in vices like drinking. These spirits can control people in various ways, either partially or completely. The most common method is for the spirit to partially envelop the person, creating a link between them. This connection is similar to that of conjoined twins, where what one experiences, the other feels. In this way, when the living person drinks, the controlling spirit also enjoys it. The spirit urges the person to drink as much as possible. When the person can no longer drink, the spirit may try to leave and find another weak-willed individual with similar tendencies. However, both the spirit and the person may find it difficult to break this connection, especially after a long period. They might continue for years, tired of each other but unable to separate without help from higher powers, who are always willing to assist those who ask. If a spirit continues to control people for self-gratification, it sinks lower, dragging its victims down into the depths of hell. Both will face a difficult journey to climb out when they finally desire better things. Only a soul has the power to think and will. Soulless creatures merely obey the laws of attraction and repulsion, like all material atoms in the universe. Even when these astral parasites gain some independent life by feeding on people's vital force, they lack intelligence to direct their own or others' movements. They float around like disease germs in a contaminated environment, more readily attracted to some people than others, and can be said to possess a very basic form of life.
"Another class of elemental astrals are those of the earth, air, fire, and water, whose bodies are formed from the material life germs in each element. Some are in appearance like the gnomes and elves who are said to inhabit mines and mountain caverns which have never been exposed to the light of day. Such, too, are the fairies whom men have seen in lonely and secluded places amongst primitive races of men. Such, with the variations caused by the different natures of the elements from which they are formed, are the water sprites and the mermaids of ancient fable, and the spirits of the fire and the spirits of the air.
Another group of elemental spirits includes those of earth, air, fire, and water, whose bodies are made from the basic life energy of each element. Some look like gnomes and elves, said to live in mines and mountain caves that have never seen daylight. These are also the fairies that people from ancient cultures have spotted in remote, isolated areas. Similarly, but with variations due to their different elemental origins, there are the water sprites and mermaids of old legends, as well as the spirits of fire and air.
"All these beings possess life, but as yet no souls, for their lives are drawn from and sustained by the lives of earthly men and women, and they are but reflections of the men amongst whom they dwell. Some of these beings are of a very low order of life, almost like the higher orders of plants, except that they possess an independent power of motion. Others are very lively and full of grotesque unmeaning tricks, with the power of very rapid flight from place to place. Some are perfectly harmless, while others again are more malignant in their instincts as the human beings from whom their life is drawn are of a more savage race. These curious earth elementals cannot exist long amongst nations where the more intellectual stage of development has been reached, because then the life germs thrown off by man contain too little of the lower or animal life to sustain them, and they die and their bodies decay into the atmosphere. Thus as nations advance and grow more spiritual, these lower forms of life die out from the astral plane of that earth's sphere, and succeeding generations begin at first to doubt and then to deny that they ever had an existence. Only amongst those ancient religions of the East who have kept still unbroken the threads of record, are there to be found accounts of these intermediate dependent races of beings and the causes of their existence.
These entities possess life but lack souls, drawing their existence from the life force of humans and mirroring the people among whom they dwell. Some are primitive, barely more advanced than plants, yet capable of independent movement. Others are animated and mischievous, with the ability to fly swiftly. While many are harmless, some exhibit malevolent tendencies, reflecting the savagery of their human sources. These peculiar earth elementals struggle to survive in more intellectually advanced societies. This is because the life energy emanated by humans in these cultures contains insufficient animal essence to sustain them, leading to their demise and dissipation into the atmosphere. As civilizations progress spiritually, these lower life forms vanish from the astral plane, causing subsequent generations to first doubt, then deny their existence. Only in ancient Eastern religions, where historical records remain unbroken, can one find accounts of these interdependent beings and the reasons behind their existence.
"These soulless elementals of earth, air, fire and water, are a class distinct from those others which I have drawn you as emanating from the debased intelligence of man's mind and the evil actions of his body. Behold now, oh! man of a Western nation, the knowledge which your philosophers and learned men have shut out and locked away as being harmful fables, till man, shut into the narrow bounds of what he can with his physical senses alone see, hear, and feel, has begun to doubt if he has any soul at all; any higher, purer, nobler self than is sustained by the sordid life of earth. See now the multitudinous beings that surround man on every side, and ask yourself if it would not be well that he should have the knowledge which could help to keep him safe from the many pitfalls over which he walks in blind ignorance and unconsciousness of his danger. In the primitive ages of the earth man was content to look like a child for help and succor to his Heavenly Father, and God sent his angels and ministering spirits to protect his earthly children. In these latter ages man, like a full-grown troublesome youth, seeks in his self-conceit no higher help than his own, and rushes into danger with his eyes bandaged by his pride and ignorance. He scoffs at those things which he is too limited in his powers to understand, and turns aside from those who would instruct him. Because he cannot see his soul, cannot weigh it and analyze it, he says, forsooth, that man has no soul and had better enjoy this earthly life as one who shall some day die and turn to dust again, consciousness, individuality, all forever blotted out.
These ethereal beings of earth, air, fire, and water are distinct from those born of human vices and misdeeds. Consider, Westerner, the knowledge your scholars have dismissed as mere fables. Confined to what can be physically perceived, modern man now doubts his own soul and higher nature beyond earthly existence. Observe the countless entities surrounding us and ask yourself: Wouldn't it be wise to understand them, to avoid the hidden dangers we blindly face? In ancient times, humans sought divine protection like children. Today, we arrogantly reject higher guidance, rushing headlong into peril, blinded by pride and ignorance. We mock what we cannot comprehend and dismiss those who would teach us. Unable to measure or analyze the soul, some declare it nonexistent, advocating a life of fleeting pleasures before consciousness fades to dust. They believe our individuality will be erased, leaving nothing behind.
"Or, again, in abject fear of the unknown fate before him, man takes refuge in the vague superstitions, the shadowy creeds of those who profess to act as guides upon the pathway to the Unknown Land, with little more certain knowledge than man has himself.
Paralyzed by dread of an uncertain future, people often seek comfort in hazy spiritual beliefs. They turn to self-proclaimed spiritual guides who claim to illuminate the path to the afterlife, despite possessing little more insight than the seekers themselves.
"Thus, then, it is in pity to his wandering, struggling children that God has in these later days opened once more--and wider than ever before--the doors of communion between the two worlds. He is sending out again messengers to warn man, ambassadors, to tell him of the better way, the truer path to the happiness of a higher life, and to show him that knowledge and that power which shall yet be of right his inheritance. As the prophets of old spake, so speak these messengers now, and if they speak with clearer voice, with less veiled metaphor, it is because man is no longer in his infancy and needs now that he should be shown the reason and the science upon which his beliefs and hopes must be founded.
In these modern times, God has once again opened the lines of communication between our world and the next, wider than ever before, out of compassion for his struggling children. He sends messengers to warn and guide humanity, showing us a better path to the fulfillment of a higher existence. These ambassadors reveal the knowledge and power that will one day become our rightful inheritance. Like the prophets of old, these messengers speak to us now, but with greater clarity and less obscure language. This is because humanity has matured, and we now require a foundation of reason and science upon which to build our beliefs and hopes.
"Listen, then, unto this voice that calls, oh! ye toilers of the earth!" cried Hassein, turning and stretching out his hands towards a small dark ball that seemed to float far away on the horizon of our sight--a small dark globe that we knew to be the sorrowful planet called Earth. "Listen to the voices that call to you and turn not a deaf ear, and realize ere it be too late that God is not a God of the dead but of the living, for all things are alive for evermore. Life is everywhere and in everything; even the dull earth and the hard rocks are composed of living germs, each living according to its own degree. The very air we breathe and the boundless ether of universal space are full of life, and there is not one thought we think but lives for good or ill, not one act whose image shall not live to torture or to solace the soul in the days of its release from its incarnation in an earthly form. Life is in all things, and God is the central Life of All."
"Listen to this call, you who toil on Earth!" Hassein exclaimed, reaching out towards a small, dark globe floating far away—the sorrowful planet we know as Earth. "Hear these voices and don't ignore them. Understand, before it's too late, that God is not a god of the dead, but of the living, for all things are eternally alive. Life is everywhere and in everything; even the dull earth and hard rocks contain living germs, each existing in its own way. The air we breathe and the vast ether of space teem with life. Every thought we have lives on, for good or ill. Every action we take will remain, either tormenting or comforting our soul once it's freed from its earthly body. Life exists in all things, and God is the central Life of All."
Hassein paused, then in a calmer voice he said to me: "Look yonder! What would you say those things were?"
Hassein took a moment to compose himself, then spoke to me in a more collected tone. "Look over there! What do you think those objects are?"
He pointed to what seemed to me at first a mass of spirit forms which came sweeping towards us as though blown by a strong wind. As they came near I saw they were evidently soulless astral envelopes, but unlike those floating wraiths I had seen haunting the man in the icy cage, these were solid, and to my spiritual sight life-like and full of animal vigor; yet they were like automatons and did not seem to possess any intelligence. They were drifting and bobbing about like buoys at sea to which boats are anchored. As they drifted close to us my friend put forth his will-force and captured one, which then remained floating in mid air.
He gestured towards what initially appeared to be a swarm of ghostly figures, rushing towards us as if carried by a strong gust. As they drew closer, I realized they were actually empty astral shells, lacking souls. Unlike the ethereal wraiths I had seen haunting the man in the icy prison, these were solid and, to my spiritual perception, lifelike and brimming with animal energy. However, they behaved like automatons, seemingly devoid of intelligence. They bobbed and drifted aimlessly, reminiscent of anchored buoys at sea. As they floated near us, my companion exerted his willpower to capture one, which then hung suspended in mid-air.
"Now look," said he, "you will observe this is somewhat like a great living doll. It is the result of countless little living germs which man is continually throwing off from his earthly body, emanations solely of his animal or lower life, material enough when brought into contact with the magnetic forces of the astral plane, to form into these imitations of earthly men and women, and immaterial enough to be invisible to man's purely material sight, although a very small degree of clairvoyant power would enable him to see them. A stronger and higher degree of clairvoyant power would enable him to see, as you do, that this is not a true spirit envelope, since the soul principle is wanting; and a yet higher degree of clairvoyant power would show that a soul has never been in this form, and that it has never had a conscious existence as a soul's astral envelope.
"Look," he said, "this is essentially a large, living doll. It's made up of countless tiny living particles that humans constantly shed from their physical bodies. These are purely emissions from our baser, animal nature. When they interact with the astral plane's magnetic forces, they're substantial enough to form these imitations of people. Yet they're also intangible enough to be invisible to normal human sight. Even a slight clairvoyant ability would allow someone to see them. A stronger clairvoyant power would reveal, as you can see, that this isn't a true spirit form, since it lacks a soul. An even higher level of clairvoyance would show that a soul has never inhabited this form, and it has never existed as a conscious astral body."
"Amongst ordinary clairvoyants the subject of astral spirits is not studied sufficiently to develop these degrees of soul-sight, therefore few clairvoyants in your earthly country could tell you whether this was a true soul-enveloping astral form or one from which the soul had departed, or yet again one in which the soul had never been present at all. Presently I shall show you an experiment with this astral form, but first observe that being such as it is, it is fresh and full of the animal life of the earth plane, and has not the collapsed appearance of those you saw before, which had once contained a soul and which were there in a state of rapid decay yet. And mark this carefully: this fresh looking astral will decay far faster than the others, for it has none of the higher principle of life clinging to it, which, in the case of an astral that has once contained a soul, often remains for a long time animating and keeping it from perfect decay. Astral forms must draw their life from a higher source (from soul germs in fact), or they soon cease to exist and crumble away."
Among everyday psychics, the subject of astral spirits isn't studied enough to develop advanced levels of spiritual perception. As a result, few psychics in your country could tell you whether this was a genuine soul-encompassing astral form, one that a soul had left, or one that never contained a soul at all. Soon, I'll demonstrate an experiment with this astral form, but first, notice that it's fresh and full of earthly animal life. It doesn't have the collapsed appearance of the ones you saw earlier, which once held souls and were rapidly decaying. Pay close attention to this: this fresh-looking astral will decay much faster than the others because it lacks the higher life principle. In astrals that once contained a soul, this principle often remains for a long time, animating and preserving them. Astral forms must draw their life from a higher source (specifically, from soul germs), or they quickly cease to exist and disintegrate.
"But," I asked, "how do they assume the shapes of men and women?"
"But how do they take on human form?" I asked.
"By the action of the spiritualized magnetic currents which flow through all the ether space continually, as the currents flow in the ocean. These magnetic life currents are of a more etherealized degree than those known to scientific mortals, being in fact their spiritual counterpart, and as such they act upon these cloud masses of human atoms in the same way that electricity acts upon the freezing moisture upon a window pane, forming them into the semblance of men and women as the electricity forms the freezing moisture into a likeness of trees, plants, etc.
Through the influence of spiritual magnetic currents that constantly flow through the ether, much like ocean currents, these life-giving forces shape our world. These magnetic currents are more refined than those known to science, essentially serving as their spiritual counterparts. They interact with clouds of human atoms similarly to how electricity affects condensation on a windowpane, forming shapes resembling men and women, just as electricity creates patterns that look like trees and plants in frost.
"It is an acknowledged fact that electricity is an active agent in the formation of the shapes of leaves and trees, etc., in vegetable life, but few know that this refined form of magnetism has a similar share in the formation of human forms and animal life. I say animal life as applied to those types which are lower than man."
Electricity is known to play a key role in shaping leaves, trees, and other plant life. However, few realize that this subtle form of magnetism also influences the development of human and animal forms. When I mention animal life here, I'm referring to species less advanced than humans.
"Are there, then, also the astral forms of animals?"
"Do animals also have astral bodies?"
"Certainly, and very queer, grotesque combinations some of them are. I cannot show them to you now, because your powers of sight are not yet fully developed, and also because we are traveling too rapidly to enable me to develop them for you, but some day I shall show you these, as well as many other curious things relating to the astral plane. I may tell you that atoms may be classed under different heads, and that each class will have a special attraction for others of its own kind; thus vegetable atoms will be attracted together to form astral trees and plants, while animal atoms will form into the semblance of beasts, birds, etc., and human atoms into men and women's forms. In some cases, where the human beings from whom the atoms come are very low in the scale of humanity and nearly akin to animals, their atoms will blend with those of the lower forms of life and create grotesque horrible creatures which resemble at once animals and men, and having been seen by clairvoyants in a semi-trance condition are described as nightmare visions. In the earth spheres an immense amount of these living atoms are thrown off continually from man's lower or animal life, and these sustain and renew the astral forms, but were we to transport one of these shells to a planet whose spheres had been spiritualized beyond the stage of material life, or in other words freed from all these lower germs, the astrals could not exist, they would become like a noxious vapor and be blown away. These astrals being, as I have said, created from the cloud masses of human atoms, and never having been the envelope of any soul, are very little more permanent in their nature than the frost flowers on a window pane, unless the power of some higher intelligence acts upon them to intensify their vitality and prolong their existence. They are, as you will see, expressionless and like wax dolls in appearance, and readily lend themselves to receive any individuality stamped upon them, hence their use in ancient times by magicians and others. Astral atoms, whether of trees, plants, animals, or human beings, must not be confounded with the true spirit or soul-clothing atoms which constitute the real spirit world and its inhabitants. Astrals of every kind are the intermediate degree of materiality between the gross matter of earth and the more etherealized matter of the spirit world, and we talk of a soul clothed in its astral envelope to express that earth-bound condition in which it is too refined or immaterial for earth existence, and too grossly clad to ascend into the spirit world of the higher spheres, or to descend to those of the lower."
Certainly, atoms can form strange and grotesque combinations. While I can't show them to you now due to your limited sight and our rapid travel, I'll demonstrate these and other astral plane curiosities in the future. Atoms can be categorized, with each type attracting similar ones. Vegetable atoms form astral plants, animal atoms create beast-like forms, and human atoms shape into human figures. In some cases, atoms from primitive humans blend with animal atoms, resulting in grotesque hybrid creatures that clairvoyants sometimes describe as nightmares. Earth's spheres constantly emit atoms from man's lower nature, sustaining astral forms. However, these forms couldn't exist on a highly spiritualized planet, as they'd dissipate like noxious vapor. These astrals, created from human atom clouds and never housing a soul, are nearly as temporary as frost on windows. They can be prolonged by higher intelligences and are blank slates, easily imprinted with any personality. This made them useful to ancient magicians. It's important to distinguish astral atoms (of plants, animals, or humans) from true spirit or soul-clothing atoms of the real spirit world. Astrals occupy a middle ground between physical matter and spirit world material. We describe a soul in its astral envelope as being too refined for earth but too dense for higher spirit realms.
"Then you mean that a spirit even in the lowest sphere is more spiritualized as regards its body than an earth-bound spirit?"
"So you're saying that even a spirit in the lowest realm has a more ethereal body than a spirit still tied to Earth?"
"Certainly I do. The astral plane extends like a belt around each planet and is, as I said, formed of the matter which is too fine for reabsorption by the planet, and too coarse to escape from the attraction of the planet's mass and pass into the spheres of the spirit world to form either matter in the course of disintegration or change from one form to another, and it is only the vitalizing power of such soul magnetism as it retains which enables it to cling together in any shape at all.
"Of course. The astral plane is like a belt surrounding each planet. It's made up of matter that's too fine to be reabsorbed by the planet, but too dense to break free from its gravitational pull and enter the spirit world's spheres. This matter is in a state of flux, either breaking down or changing form. It's only held together in any shape by the residual energy of soul magnetism it still possesses."
"In the case of human astral forms which have possessed individualized life as a soul's envelope, the astral atoms have absorbed a greater or less degree of the soul's magnetism, or true life essence, according as the earthly existence of the soul has been good or evil, elevated or degraded, and this soul magnetism animates it for a longer or shorter period, and forms a link between it and the soul which has animated it. In the case of a soul whose desires are all for higher things, the link is soon severed and the astral envelope soon decays, while with a soul of evil desires the tie may last for centuries and chain the soul to earth, making it in fact earth-bound. In some cases the astral of a soul of very evil life will have absorbed the lower or higher spheres. Astral matter is practically so much of the soul's vitality that after the soul itself has sunk into the lowest sphere of all, the empty shell will still float about the earth like a fading image of its departed owner. Such are sometimes seen by clairvoyants hanging about the places where they once lived, and are truly 'spooks.' They have no intelligence of their own, since the soul has fled, and they can neither influence mediums nor move tables, nor do any other thing except as mechanical agents of some higher intelligence, whether that intelligence be good or evil.
In the case of human astral forms that have developed an individualized life as a soul's envelope, the astral atoms have absorbed varying degrees of the soul's magnetism or true life essence. This absorption depends on whether the soul's earthly existence was good or evil, elevated or degraded. This soul magnetism animates the astral form for a period and creates a link between it and the soul that once inhabited it. For a soul focused on higher pursuits, this link is quickly severed, and the astral envelope decays rapidly. However, for a soul with evil desires, the connection may last for centuries, effectively binding the soul to Earth. In extreme cases, the astral form of a particularly evil soul may have absorbed so much of the soul's vitality that even after the soul has descended to the lowest sphere, the empty shell continues to drift around Earth like a fading image of its former owner. Clairvoyants sometimes observe these entities, often called "spooks," lingering in places they once inhabited. These astral remnants lack their own intelligence, as the soul has departed. They cannot influence mediums, move objects, or perform any actions independently. They can only function as mechanical agents controlled by higher intelligences, whether good or evil.
"The astral before us now has no soul magnetism in it; it never possessed any, therefore it will soon decay and its atoms be absorbed by others. But see to what use it can be turned when acted upon by my will power and animated for the time being by my individuality."
"This astral form before us lacks any spiritual energy; it never had any to begin with, so it will soon break down and its components will be absorbed by other entities. However, observe how it can be utilized when influenced by my willpower and temporarily brought to life by my own personality."
I looked as he spoke and saw the astral doll become suddenly animated and intelligent, and then glide to one of the Brotherhood whom Hassein had selected and touch him upon the shoulder, seeming to say, "Friend, Hassein Bey salutes you." Then bowing to the amused and wondering brother, it glided back to us as though Hassein had held it by a string like a performing monkey.
As he spoke, I watched the astral doll suddenly come to life, moving with purpose. It glided towards one of the Brotherhood members Hassein had chosen, tapping him on the shoulder as if to say, "Greetings from Hassein Bey, my friend." The doll then bowed to the amused and puzzled brother before smoothly returning to us, as though Hassein controlled it like a puppet on invisible strings.
"Now you see," he said, "how if I chose I might use this astral as a messenger to execute some work I wished done at a distance from myself, and you will understand one of the means made use of by the old magicians to carry out some work at a great distance from themselves and without their appearing to take any share in it. These astrals, however, are only capable of being made use of upon the astral plane. They could not move any material object, although they would be visible to material sight at the will of the mortal using them. There are other astrals more material in substance who could be used to penetrate into the earth itself and to bring forth its hidden treasures, the precious metals and the gems deeply buried from the eyes of men. It would not, however, be lawful or right for me to explain to you the power by which this could be done, and those magicians who have discovered and made use of such powers have sooner or later fallen victims to those powers they could summon to their aid but rarely continue to control."
"Now you see," he said, "how I could use this astral as a messenger to carry out tasks far from me. This explains one method ancient magicians used to perform distant work without seeming involved. However, these astrals can only operate on the astral plane. They can't move physical objects, though they can be made visible to human eyes at the user's will. There are other, more material astrals that could dig into the earth and unearth hidden treasures like precious metals and gems. But it would be wrong for me to explain how to do this. Magicians who have discovered and used such powers have eventually fallen victim to the forces they could summon but rarely control long-term."
"Then were this astral to become animated by an evil intelligence it would be an actual danger to man?" I said.
"So if this astral form were to be possessed by an evil spirit, would it pose a real threat to humans?" I asked.
"Yes, without doubt it might; and you will also observe that although I should not care to descend to clothe myself in this astral form, yet a spirit more ignorant than myself could easily do so in order to make himself felt and seen upon the earth in a more palpable form than possible to any spirit who has left the earth plane; but in doing so he would run a danger of creating a link between himself and the astral envelope not easily broken, and which might thus tie him to the astral plane for a considerable time. You will, therefore, see how the idea has arisen that men on earth, in seeking to see their departed friends, draw the spirits back into earthly conditions and do them harm. Many an ignorant spirit who is good and pure himself, has committed the mistake of reclothing himself in one of these fresh astral shells when he would have turned away from those which he knew to have been left by another spirit, and has found to his cost that he has thereby made of himself a prisoner upon the earth plane, till a higher intelligence comes to his aid and releases him.
Yes, it's certainly possible. Keep in mind that while I wouldn't choose to clothe myself in this astral form, a less knowledgeable spirit could easily do so to make themselves visible and tangible on Earth. However, this action risks creating a strong connection between the spirit and the astral shell, potentially binding them to the astral plane for a long time. This explains the belief that when people on Earth try to contact their deceased loved ones, they may inadvertently harm them by pulling them back into earthly conditions. Many well-intentioned but uninformed spirits have made the mistake of using these new astral shells, even though they would have avoided those left behind by other spirits. As a result, they've found themselves trapped on the Earth plane until a more advanced being comes to their rescue.
"In a like manner spirits of a low type can clothe themselves in these empty astral garments, but in their case the very grossness of the spirit (or soul) prevents them from retaining possession long, the dense magnetism of the low spirit's own body acting as a strong noxious vapor or gas would do upon a covering made, say, of a spider's web of fine gossamer, and rending it into a thousand pieces. To a spirit above the astral plane an astral envelope appears almost as solid as iron, but to one below it these fragile shells are like a cloud or vapor. The lower the soul the stronger is its envelope and the more firmly does it hold the soul, limiting its powers and preventing it from rising into a more advanced sphere."
In a similar way, lower-level spirits can inhabit these vacant astral forms. However, due to their coarse nature, these spirits struggle to maintain possession for long. The dense energy of their own bodies acts like a corrosive gas on a delicate cobweb, tearing it apart. To a spirit above the astral plane, an astral covering seems as solid as iron, but to those below, these fragile shells appear as insubstantial as mist. The lower the soul, the stronger its envelope becomes, firmly restricting the soul and preventing its ascension to a higher realm.
"You mean, then, that spirits sometimes use these astral shells as they do earthly mediums, and either control them independently or actually enter into the form?"
"Are you saying that spirits sometimes use these astral bodies like they use living mediums? Do they either control them from afar or actually inhabit them?"
"Yes, certainly. A spirit above the earth plane, anxious to show himself to a clairvoyant of the lowest or first degree of power, will sometimes enter one of these shells which he at once stamps with his identity, and in that way the clairvoyant will truly see and describe him. The danger lies in the fact that when the good spirit of limited knowledge seeks to leave again the astral shell, he finds he cannot do so; he has animated it and its strong life holds him prisoner, and it is often difficult to release him. In similar manner the too complete, too long continued control of an earthly medium by a spirit, has been found to create a link between them which becomes at last a chain. To a spirit of the lowest spheres an astral envelope is but a convenient, all too evanescent cloak with which to hide his own degraded spirit body, and thus impose upon clairvoyants unable to see the vile spirit underneath; but to a good and pure spirit the astral envelope is as a suit of iron capable of imprisoning him."
Yes, a spirit from beyond our physical realm, eager to reveal itself to a novice clairvoyant, may inhabit one of these astral shells. In doing so, the spirit imprints its identity, allowing the clairvoyant to accurately perceive and describe it. However, this practice carries risks. The well-intentioned but inexperienced spirit may find itself trapped, unable to leave the shell it has brought to life. The shell's strong energy holds the spirit captive, often making it challenging to free them. Similarly, when a spirit exerts too much control over an earthly medium for an extended period, it can create a bond that eventually becomes restrictive. For spirits from the lowest realms, an astral shell serves as a convenient, albeit temporary, disguise to conceal their true, degraded form and deceive less discerning clairvoyants. In contrast, for a benevolent and pure spirit, the astral shell can become a prison, much like a suit of iron, capable of confining them.
"Then in the case of what are called personations by one spirit of another at seances upon earth, are these astrals made use of?"
"What about the so-called impersonations at séances, where one spirit claims to be another? Are these astral forms being used in those cases?"
"Very often they are, where the mischief-making spirit is of too low a type himself to come into direct contact with the medium. You must know by this time how wonderfully the thoughts of mortal men and women are mirrored upon the atmosphere of the astral plane, and as pictures they can be read and answered by spirits possessing the knowledge of how to read them. All spirits have not the power, just as all men and women on earth are not able to read a newspaper or a letter. It requires intellect and education with us as with those on earth. The spirits, then, of which men should most beware are not so much the poor ignorant half developed spirits of the earth plane and lower spheres, whose degraded lives have made them what they are and who are often glad of a helping hand to raise them, but it is of the intellectually evil, those who have great powers alike of mind and body and who have only used them for wrong purposes. These are the real dangers to guard against, and it is only by the increase of knowledge amongst the mediums incarnated in the earthly body that it will be successfully done, for then mortals and spirit workers will labor in unison, and mutually protect the spiritual movement from fraud and from the mistakes of the well meaning but half-ignorant spirits and mortals who are doing good work in directing the attention of mankind to the matter, but who often do harm both to themselves and others. They are like ignorant chemists and liable to bring destruction and harm upon others as well as on themselves in their experiments in search of knowledge."
Often, spirits causing mischief are too low-level to interact directly with mediums. The thoughts of humans are reflected in the astral plane as images, which certain spirits can read and respond to. Not all spirits have this ability, just as not all humans can read. It requires intellect and education in the spirit world, much like on Earth. The spirits humans should be most wary of aren't the ignorant, underdeveloped ones from the earth plane and lower spheres. These spirits, whose degraded lives shaped them, are often grateful for help. Instead, the real danger comes from the intellectually evil spirits who have great mental and physical powers but use them for wrong. Protection against these dangerous spirits will come through increased knowledge among earthly mediums. This will allow mortals and spirit workers to collaborate and safeguard the spiritual movement from fraud and mistakes. Well-meaning but inexperienced spirits and humans are raising awareness about these matters, but they can harm themselves and others. They're like untrained chemists, risking destruction in their pursuit of knowledge.
"You do not think, then, that the purity of their motives will suffice to protect them?"
"So you don't believe their good intentions will be enough to keep them safe?"
"Would purity of motive save a child from being burnt if it thrust its hands into a blazing furnace? No! then the only way is to keep the child as far from the fire as possible. This good and wise spirit guardians do in a great measure, but if the children are continually hovering near the danger, and try at all sorts of odd times and fashions to get just another peep at the dangerous thing, it is impossible but that some of them will get scorched."
Good intentions won't protect a child from being burned if they put their hands in a fire. The only effective approach is to keep children far away from danger. While responsible adults do their best to safeguard kids, if children constantly linger near hazards and repeatedly try to sneak a look at dangerous things, it's inevitable that some will get hurt.
"Then you would not advise the indiscriminate cultivation of mediumistic powers by all mortals?"
"So you don't think everyone should try to develop psychic abilities?"
"Certainly not. I would have all men use the powers of those who have been carefully developed under wise guardians, and I would have all assisted to cultivate them who are truly anxious to develop their powers as a means of doing good to others. But when you consider how manifold and how selfish may be the motives of those mediumistically endowed, you will see how exceedingly difficult it would be to protect them. Perhaps my ideas are colored by the circumstances of race and my earthly education, but I confess I should wish to limit the practice of mediumship to those who have proved their readiness to give up more material advantages for its sake. I would, in fact, rather see them set apart as a body who have no share in the ambitions of mankind. But enough of our discussion. I am now about to let this astral shell go and draw your attention to another type of the same class."
Certainly not. I believe only those who have been carefully trained under wise guidance should use these abilities. I'd support anyone genuinely wanting to develop their skills to help others. However, when you consider the many selfish motives mediums might have, you'll see how challenging it would be to protect them. My views may be influenced by my background and upbringing, but I'd prefer to limit mediumship to those who've proven they're willing to sacrifice material gains for it. In fact, I'd rather see them set apart as a group separate from ordinary human ambitions. But let's move on from this discussion. I'm now going to release this astral shell and show you another example of the same type.
As he spoke he made a swift upward motion with his hands over it and uttered some words in an unknown language, whereupon the astral--which had hitherto floated on beside us--stopped and seemed to waver about for a few seconds until an advancing current of magnetism caught it, and it was swept away from us like a piece of driftwood upon the waves. As I turned from watching it I saw a small cluster of dark, weird, horrible looking forms approaching us. These were astral shells which had never known soul life, but, unlike the pleasant waxy looking astral from which we had just parted, these were in all respects repulsive.
He made a quick upward gesture over it while speaking words in a foreign language. The astral, which had been floating beside us, paused and wavered for a moment. Then, a surge of magnetism caught it, sweeping it away like driftwood on waves. As I looked away, I noticed a small group of dark, eerie, and horrifying forms approaching us. These were astral shells that had never experienced soul life. Unlike the pleasant, waxy-looking astral we had just left, these were completely repulsive.
"These," said Hassein, "are the emanations thrown off by men and women of a low intellectual type and evil, sensual lives. They are from the slums of the earth life--not alone the social slums, but also from a higher grade of society where there are moral slums quite as degraded. Such beings as these, when animated by an evil intelligence can be used for the very worst purposes. Being so very material, they can even be used to affect material matter upon earth, and have been so used in the practice of what is known as Black Magic and witchcraft, and they are also (but very rarely) used by higher intelligences to effect physical phenomena at seances. Where wise and good intelligences control them no harm will be done, but under the direction of the evil or ignorant they become a danger beyond my power fully to express. To these astrals, and to those of a similar class in which the soul germ yet lingers as in a prison, are due those rough and dangerous manifestations sometimes seen in spirit circles (seances), where men of bad lives, and others too ignorant to protect themselves, are assembled from motives of curiosity or mere amusement."
"These," said Hassein, "are the energies emitted by people with low intellect and immoral, pleasure-seeking lives. They come from society's underbelly—not just the poor areas, but also from the moral cesspools of higher social classes. When controlled by evil intelligence, these energies can be used for the worst purposes. Being highly physical, they can even affect material objects on Earth and have been used in practices like Black Magic and witchcraft. Rarely, higher intelligences use them for physical phenomena at séances. When wise and good intelligences control them, no harm occurs, but under evil or ignorant direction, they become incredibly dangerous. These astral energies, along with similar types where the soul is trapped as if in prison, are responsible for the rough and dangerous events sometimes seen in spirit circles (séances), where people with evil pasts and others too naive to protect themselves gather out of curiosity or for entertainment."
"And amongst what class of spirits do you place those ghouls and vampires so firmly believed in, in many parts of the world?"
"Where do you think those ghouls and vampires fit in among the types of spirits? They're widely believed in across many cultures."
"Vampire spirits are those who have themselves known earth life, but have so misused it that their souls are still imprisoned in the astral envelope. Their object in sucking away the animal life principle of men and women is in order to retain thereby their hold upon the life of the earth plane, and so save themselves from sinking to far lower spheres. They are anxious to cling to their astral envelope and to prolong its life, just as men of very evil lives upon earth cling to the life of the earthly body because they fear that when they are separated from it they will sink into some unknown depths of darkness and horror. The constant renewal of the animal and astral life often enables these vampire spirits to hang about the earth for centuries."
Vampire spirits are entities who once lived on Earth but misused their lives, trapping their souls in the astral realm. They feed on the life force of humans to maintain their connection to the earthly plane and avoid sinking into lower spiritual dimensions. These spirits desperately cling to their astral forms, much like how deeply corrupt individuals on Earth fear death, dreading the unknown darkness that may await them. By continually replenishing their animal and astral energy, vampire spirits can often linger near Earth for hundreds of years.
"Is it possible for a vampire spirit to possess itself of a sufficient amount of materiality to appear in mortal form and mingle with men as described in many of the tales told of such creatures?"
"Can a vampire spirit gather enough physical matter to appear in human form and interact with people, as depicted in many vampire stories?"
"If you mean to ask if the vampire can make to itself a material body, I say no, but it can and does sometimes take complete possession of one belonging to a mortal, just as other spirits do, and can cause its acquired body to act in accordance with its will. Thus it is quite possible for a vampire spirit clothed in the mortal body of another to so change its expression as to make it bear some resemblance to the vampire's own former earthly appearance, and through the power obtained by the possession of a material body he (or she, for the vampires are of both sexes) might really lead the curious double life ascribed to them in those weird tales current and believed in in many countries. By far the larger number of vampire spirits, however, are not in possession of an earthly body, and they hover about the earth in their own astral envelope, sucking away the earthly life of mediumistic persons whose peculiar organization makes them liable to become the prey of such influences, while they are themselves quite ignorant that such beings as these astrals exist. The poor mortals suffer from a constant sense of exhaustion and languor without suspecting to what it is to be attributed."
Vampires can't create physical bodies for themselves, but they can possess the bodies of living people, much like other spirits. In this way, a vampire spirit can control a mortal's body and even alter its appearance to resemble their former earthly self. This ability could explain the double life described in folklore from various countries. Most vampire spirits, however, don't possess physical bodies. Instead, they float around in their astral form, draining the life energy from psychically sensitive individuals. These victims often feel constantly tired and weak without realizing the true cause of their condition.
"But cannot spirit guardians protect mortals from these beings?"
"But can't spirit guardians protect humans from these creatures?"
"Not always. In a great measure they do protect them, but only as one may protect a person from infectious fevers, by showing them the danger and warning them to avoid spots where, owing to the associations with their earthly lives, the vampire spirits are specially attracted. This the guardian spirit does by instilling into the mind of the mortal an instinctive dread of the places where crimes have been committed, or persons of evil lives have lived. But since man is and must be in all respects a free agent, it is not possible to do more. He cannot be directed in all things like a puppet, and must in a great measure gather his own experience for himself, however bitter may prove its fruits. Knowledge, guidance and help will always be given, but only in such a manner as will not interfere with man's free will, and only such knowledge as he himself desires; nothing will ever be forced upon him by the spirit world."
Not always. Guardian spirits largely protect mortals, but mainly by alerting them to dangers and warning them away from places where vampire spirits, due to their earthly connections, are particularly drawn. They do this by instilling an instinctive fear of locations where crimes occurred or evil people lived. However, since humans must have free will, spirits can't do more. People can't be controlled like puppets and must learn from their own experiences, no matter how painful. The spirit world will always offer knowledge, guidance, and help, but only in ways that don't impede free will and only when requested. They will never force anything upon humans.