What we are dealing with here (taking these three factors in their order), is the fire of mind in connection with a solar Logos. It has been earlier pointed out that mind has already been developed in a Heavenly Man, and therefore we must equally predicate anent a solar Logos that cosmic mind, or the fifth Principle, is His prime characteristic, and was perfected by Him in an earlier system. We might now consider our first subdivision:

Whence comes this fire? Where originates this vital heat, or vibratory activity, which is predominantly a feature of all conceivable Beings? How far back is it possible for us to go? Can we conceive of its origin? What is this downpouring fire that animates the darkness of matter?

Perhaps it may help somewhat if we here consider the question of INDIVIDUALIZATION, or the process of intelligent self-realization [345] which so strikingly differentiates men from the animals. At individualization the two poles are approximated, and at their meeting light streams forth, irradiating the cave of matter, and lighting the pathway that must be trodden by the Pilgrim on his way back to his source. This irradiation brings about, in connection with man,

• Self-realization.
• Purpose.
• Separation from all other individualized selves, or spheres.
• Consciousness, above all.
• Ability to evolve.
• Capacity to "shine ever more and more unto the perfect day."

This is equally true of a solar Logos, and of a Heavenly Man.

Individualization is literally the coming together (out of the darkness of abstraction), of the two factors of Spirit and matter by means of a third factor, the intelligent will, purpose and action of an Entity. By the approximation of these two poles light is produced, a flame shines forth, a sphere of radiant glory is seen which gradually increases the intensity of its light, its heat and its radiance until capacity is reached, or that which we call perfection. We should note and distinguish the words light, heat and radiance, which are the distinctive features of all individualized entities from Gods to men.

Man is beginning to arrive partially at the secret of this phenomenon through his ability to produce through scientific knowledge, that which is called electric light and which is used by man for illumination, heat and healing. As more anent this matter is discovered by physical plane students, the whole question of existence and of creative activity will become clearer.

As regards the origin of the fire of mind something [346] more may be learned through studying the various methods of individualization. In connection with man these methods are three in number as far as we can tell, though the probability of there being several other methods which are inconceivable to man's finite comprehension, is quite possible. These methods are:

First, the method pursued on the moon-chain (the planetary manifestation previous to ours), when, through innate force and energy, the conjunction of the three fires was brought about and the fire of matter contacted the fire of Spirit through the latent presence of the fiery spark of mind. This spark of mind, working through the instinct, drove the material form or substance, into such activity that it was enabled to reach up to heights where its opposite pole could be contacted. Animal-man aspired; Spirit answered; the vibration of the germ of mentality had permeated the substance like yeast. Thus was consciousness awakened. In the previous solar system, in connection with the Heavenly Men, this was the method pursued by Them, and These advanced cosmic Beings entered into consciousness and mastered the three lower planes of the cosmic physical, – the planes which man is endeavoring to master now. They individualized as the result of work accomplished during incomprehensible aeons of endeavor.¹²⁸ The earlier solar system was much longer in duration than this one will be, and force in matter was generated by the progression of the ages. It was the period of the vitalization of the spirillae in the physical permanent atom of the Logos.

In this method of individualization, the emphasis is laid on the fact that the principle of manas is a part of the logoic character, and is part of His very nature. It, therefore, has its origin in His Being or Self; it is [347] part of the content of the logoic Causal Body, and therefore permeates all manifestation which originates with Him. Hence the accuracy of the statement that cosmic manas originates on the cosmic mental plane, and is a portion of the fire that animates that plane.

Second, in the second solar system, and in connection with the method employed therein, another point merits attention. This fire of mind has its source in a constellation until recently unrecognized by exoteric science as having any relation of an intimate nature to our solar system, owing to its tremendous distance away. The sun "Sirius" is the source of logoic manas in the same sense as the Pleiades are connected with the evolution of manas in the seven Heavenly Men, and Venus was responsible for the coming in of mind in the Earth chain. Each was primary to the other, or was the agent which produced the first flicker of consciousness in the particular groups involved. In every case the method was that of a slow evolutionary growth till the consciousness suddenly blazed forth owing to the interposition of force, apparently from an extraneous source,

1. The Logos – Solar System – Sirius.
2. Seven Heavenly Men – Planetary scheme – Pleiades.
3. Heavenly Man – Earth chain – Venus.

This second method therefore is that which is brought about by the hastening of the evolutionary process through influences from outside; these tend to awaken consciousness, and to bring about the merging of the poles. The first method touched upon was that of the earlier solar system. The method we are now considering is the distinctive one of this solar system and will persist till the end of the mahamanvantara.

That the earlier method was seen in the moon-chain is only evidence of the steadfastness of the Law of Repetition by which every large cycle includes, in its earlier [348] stages, all the lesser, and repeats the earlier procedure. This is a recognized fact, for instance, in the building of man's physical body, for the fetus reproduces all earlier stages and forms till the human is achieved; again, as we know, the fourth round reproduces briefly the earlier three but has its own distinctive quality.

In this second method the "Rods of Initiation" are used to effect certain results. These rods are of four kinds:

1. Cosmic, used by a cosmic Logos in the initiations of a solar Logos, and of the three major planetary Logoi.
2. Systemic, used by a solar Logos in the initiations of a planetary Logos.
3. Planetary, used by a planetary Logos for initiatory purposes, and for the third, the fourth, and fifth major initiations, with the two higher.
4. Hierarchical, used by an occult Hierarchy for minor Initiations, and for the first two initiations of manas by the Bodhisattva.¹²⁹

When man individualized in Lemurian days (about eighteen million years ago), it was the application of the Rod of Initiation to the Logos of our Earth chain which brought about the event and touched into activity certain centers in His body with their corresponding groups. This application, bringing about consciousness on some plane, may be regarded as literally the awakening of the lives concerned to participate in intelligent work on the mental plane. Animal man was conscious on the physical, and on the astral planes. By the stimulation effected by the electric rod this animal man awoke to consciousness on the mental. Thus the three bodies were coordinated, and the Thinker enabled to function in them. [349]

All Rods of Initiation cause certain effects:

1. Stimulation of the latent fires till they blaze.
2. Synthesis of the fires through an occult activity that brings them within the radius of each other.
3. Increase of the vibratory activity of some center, whether in man, a Heavenly Man, or a solar Logos.
4. Expansion of all the bodies, but primarily of the causal, – this also in speaking of all the three types of Entities.

All these results were seen when the Heavenly Man of our scheme took initiation eighteen million years ago. This initiation was brought about – as earlier pointed out – by a peculiar juxtaposition of chains, globes and schemes, and caused such a stimulation of all the latent manasic units within His body that a downflow of pure manas from the planetary manasic permanent atom was possible along the path of the planetary antahkarana – a channel which exists in the case of the planetary Logos, and which has not to be built as in the case of man. Along with this juxtaposition came a similar alignment with one of the Pleiades, permitting of manasic influence from that source.^{130, 131}

Third, the third method of individualization is the one to be followed in the next solar system, though it will have its faint beginnings in this one. It is not based on latent activity as in the first case, nor in electrical polarity as in the second, but in a peculiar process of "occult abstraction" (using the word "abstraction" in its basic sense as "the drawing out" of essence). This occult abstraction is brought about by an effort of the will at present incomprehensible. The first method of individualization [350] is that of the third aspect, or latent activity, and follows the line of least resistance under the Law of Economy; the second method is the purely electrical one, and works under the Law of Attraction; whilst the third method lies hidden in dynamic will and is as yet to us impossible and incomprehensible.

We sought in the foregoing, to understand somewhat the origin of manas – whether cosmic, or otherwise – through the consideration of human individualization and the method thereof. We saw that individualization is the conscious apprehension of the Self of its relation to all that constitutes the Not-Self, and that it is evoked in three ways, of which only two as yet are even dimly comprehensible. In each case this awakening of consciousness is preceded by a period of gradual development, is instantaneous at the moment of Self-Realization for the first time, and is succeeded by another period of gradual evolution. This period of gradual evolution leads up to another crisis which we call initiation. In one we have initiation into conscious existence, in the other initiation into spiritual existence or group identification.

For a solar Logos individualization dates back to stages far anterior to the triplicity of solar systems which constitutes for Him the Eternal Now, but which from man's point of view embody the past, the present, and the future. A planetary Logos individualized in a previous system; a man individualizes in this; the planetary entities, now involutionary, will individualize in the next.

From the wider point of view the terms initiation and individualization are synonymous; they both express the idea of an expansion of consciousness, or of entrance into a new kingdom of nature. The faculty of acquiring knowledge [351] must be realized as paralleling the development of the sense of sight, or vision, as earlier pointed out. The fire of mind shone forth and illuminated animal man in Lemurian days, during that vast cycle wherein sight opened up for him the physical plane. The relationship between sight and mind is a very close one, and must not be lost from sight. In the first round, and in the first root-race of this round, hearing was the sense developed. In the second round and the second root-race touch was evolved. In the third round and corresponding root-race sight was added to the other two, and the Self which hears, and the Not-self which is touched, or apprehended as tangible, are related and connected by sight, – the correspondence to the intelligence that links. Thus is brought about the blending of the three fires, and illumination is present. But through all this evolutionary development the ONE Who hears, touches, and sees, persists and interprets according to the stage of the development of the manasic principle within Him. This basic Interpreter is the Entity Who is independent of an existence which ever necessitates a form. His is the life that causes matter to vibrate and He is therefore "fire by friction"; His is the life of pure Spirit which wills to be, and which utilizes form, and is therefore electrical impulse on the cosmic physical plane or "electric fire"; His is the life that not only animates the atoms and electrifies them by His Own nature, but likewise knows itself to be one with all yet apart from all, – the thinking, discriminating, Self-realizing something that we call MIND or Solar Fire. Universal mind or manas permeates all, and is equally that Self-knowing, individualized Entity Whose body contains our solar Logos as well as certain other solar Logoi; Whose fire, heat and radiation embrace certain other solar systems and unify them with our own system so that one complete vital body forms the manifestation of this mighty cosmic Being. [352] Vortices of force on the cosmic etheric plane form the etheric framework of seven solar systems in the same way that the bodies of the seven Heavenly Men are the etheric centers for a solar Logos, and as the seven centers in man (existing in etheric matter), are the animating electrical impulse of his life.

To express the origin of manas apart from manifestation through a congery of systems, a solar system, or a man is for us impossible. Only as one grasps the fact that each planetary scheme, for instance, serves as the body of a Heavenly Man Who is the directing Mind in that scheme, and the animating principle of manas or the active discriminating faculty which every atom in that scheme evinces; only when it is realized that a solar Logos is similarly the manasic principle of those large atoms we call schemes in their totality; only when it is apprehended that a cosmic Logos is again the instigating mind of the still vaster atoms we call systems; only when it is admitted that man is the animating discriminative faculty of the tiny spheres which form his body of manifestation; and finally, only when all this is meditated upon, and its truth accepted, will this question of the origin of manas assume a less abstruse character, and the difficulty of its comprehension be less appalling.

• Man, the Thinker, the Knower, the manasic principle in the center of the many spheres which form his bodies, manipulates electrical force in three departments (the physical, astral and mental bodies) through seven centers which are the focal points of force, and of its intelligent dispersal throughout his little system to the myriads of lesser atoms, which are the cells in these spheres.
• A Heavenly Man equally, and in a wider sense, the Thinker and Knower, the manasic or mind principle plus the buddhic or Christ principle, manipulates electrical force through three principal vehicles or globes in atmic, buddhic, and manasic matter, dispersing it from thence [353] to the myriads of cells which correspond to the deva and human units.
• A solar Logos in a still wider sense is the permeating universal Mind, the manasic principle, plus the buddhic and the will principle, working in three major schemes, by means of seven centers of force, and through the myriads of groups which are the cells in His body, in the same way as human beings are the cells in the body of a Heavenly Man.
• The cosmic Logos of our system works similarly through three major systems (of which ours is not one), utilizing seven solar systems (of which ours is one), for the distribution of His force and having myriads of sevenfold groups as the cells of His body.

Thus all that we can really predicate anent the origin of manas is that it is the unified will-activity, or the purposeful expression of the realized Identity of some great Self which colors the life and swings into intelligent cooperation all the lesser units included in its sphere of influence. Each of us, in illustration, is the thinking purposeful Entity who acts as the manasic principle, and the spring of action, to all the units included in our three bodies. Each of us sways them to our will; we act, and by acting, force cooperation as we see fit. The Logos does the same on a larger scale. In this thought lies light on the question of karma, of free-will and of responsibility. Manas is, really WILL working itself out on the physical plane, and the truth of this will be seen when it is realized that all our planes form the cosmic physical plane, whereon an Entity, inconceivably greater than our Logos, is working out a set purpose through the Logos, through us, through all Spirit-substance that is included within His sphere of radiatory activity.

Certain problems of real interest are prone to enter our minds, but they serve only to develop abstract thought [354] and to expand the consciousness, for they are as yet insoluble and will remain so. Some of them might be enumerated as follows:

1. Who is the cosmic Entity in Whose scheme our Logos plays his little part?
2. What is the nature of the great purpose He is working out?
3. Which center in His body is represented by our solar system?
4. What is the nature of the incarnation He is now undergoing?
5. What are the ten systems – the three and the seven – of which our solar system is one? Must we look for the major three within the seven, or extraneously?
6. What is the coloring or basic quality of this cosmic Entity?
7. Is the coloring of the fourth cosmic ether (the buddhic plane), blue, or is it violet to correspond with our fourth physical ether? Why is buddhi exoterically regarded as yellow in color?
8. Which are the primary three centers in the body of our solar Logos and which the minor four?
9. What is the karma of the different schemes?
10. What is the over-balancing karma of the Logos Himself as it affects the ten schemes within His system?

All these questions, and numbers of others, will arise in the mind of the interested student, but beyond the formulation of them he may not as yet go, though the fifth round will see the realization, by men, of the nature of the karma of the Logos of our chain. Words, as we have been told, blind and stultify.

In summing up, this quality of manas may be somewhat apprehended if the student regards it as the intelligent [355] will, the active purpose, and the fixed idea of some Entity which brings about existence, utilizes form, and works out effects from causes through discrimination in matter, separation into form, and the driving of all units within His sphere of influence to the fulfilment of that set purpose. Man is the originating source of mind as regards the matter of his vehicles, and their latent manasic impulse. So again with a Heavenly Man and His larger sphere of influence, and so with the solar Logos. Each discriminated, and thus formed His ring-pass-not; each has a purpose in view for every incarnation; each is actively following and intelligently working to effect certain ends, and thus each is the originator of manas to His scheme; each is the animating fire of intelligence to his system; each, through this very manasic principle individualizes, expands gradually this self-realization till it includes the ring-pass-not of the Entity through Whom the fifth principle comes to him; and each attains initiation, and eventually escapes from form.

We are now to consider primarily man and the manasic principle, its development in the fourth Creative Hierarchy, the human Monads, with special reference to our Earth chain.

We have seen that, to all intents and purposes, manas is the active will of an Entity working itself out through all the lesser lives who go to the content of the ring-pass-not or sphere of influence of the indwelling Existence. Therefore – as concerning man on this chain – he is but expressing the purpose and the will in action of the planetary Logos in Whose body he is a cell or lesser life.

Certain mysteries arise consequently for our consideration which are connected with the life cycles of the Heavenly Man of our scheme, and particularly in relation to that special incarnation of His which we call the cycle [356] of manifestation on the dense physical globe, the earth. He wears the planetary body as man wears the robe of the physical body, and by means of this objective form He works His purposes out on the physical plane, through the factor of mind achieving certain goals. Incidentally, the cells in His body conform to that Mind which plays upon them, just as man, the intelligent principle of incarnation on the physical plane, brings into conformity with his purpose the atoms of his body, and stimulates ever more and more the spirillae of those atoms by the force of his mind playing upon them.

Here comes the opportunity to make clear something that is oft lost sight of in the general fog surrounding this subject. The human and deva units on the upward arc, who are the cells in His body, go to the formation of the centers, and not to the remainder of the cellular vital substance of His vehicles. Man has a body made up of matter which is applied to different uses, yet which forms a unit. In this unit there are certain areas of more vital importance than other areas from the standpoint of energizing force. Such an area as the heart may, in this connection, be considered and compared (as regards force value) with such an area as the calf of the leg. The entity, man, utilizes both, but the heart center is of paramount importance. Thus is it also with a Heavenly Man. The two great Hierarchies – deva and human – are force centers in the body of a planetary Logos; the other evolutions of an involutionary nature extant within the scheme, and the remainder of the active substance of the globes, and all contained therein, go to the content of the remainder of His body.

With the deva evolution at this point we have nought to do. I seek to concentrate attention on man, as he functions on earth. In order to clarify the idea of manas and its relation to a human being it is necessary to point out certain things [357] in connection with a Heavenly Man which must be borne in mind.

First, that each Heavenly Man holds the position of a center in the body of a solar Logos; therefore, the Logos of a scheme will embody some outstanding characteristic. The ten schemes are the seven, and the synthesizing three – not the seven and a lower three. The lower centers were vital in the last solar system (from the esoteric standpoint), and are not counted in this; they were synthesized and absorbed during the obscuration process of System I.

Secondly, each Heavenly Man is consequently the embodiment of a particular kind of electrical force which flows through His scheme as man's force flows through some one of the etheric centers in his body. Each scheme, as each human center, will

1. Vibrate to some one key.
2. Have its own coloring.
3. Resemble, when seen from the higher planes, a vast lotus.
4. Possess, according to its vibratory capacity, a definite number of petals.
5. Be connected in geometrical formation with certain other centers of Heavenly Men, making systemic triangles.¹³²
6. Be characterized by different stages of activity according to the initiation towards which the Logos may be working. Thus, at one period one center or Heavenly Man may be the subject of logoic attention, and of specialized stimulation, and at another period a totally different scheme may be the object of vitalization. For some time the Logos has turned His attention to the Earth Scheme and to Saturn, whilst Uranus is receiving [358] stimulation. Much is therefore accentuated, and increased evolutionary development is the consequence of this divine attention.

When these facts are borne in mind it will be seen that the interaction, and the complexity, is of vast proportions, and man can do no more than accept the fact, and leave the explanation until his consciousness is of greater scope.

Third, one of the mysteries revealed at initiation is that of the logoic center which our scheme represents, and the type of electrical fire which is flowing through it. The "Seven Brothers," or the seven types of fohatic force, express Themselves through the seven centers, and the One Who is animating our scheme stands revealed at the third Initiation. It is by knowledge of the nature and quality of the electrical force of our center, and by realization of the place our center holds in the body logoic, that the Hierarchy achieves the aims of evolution. It will be obvious that the Heavenly Man Who stands for the kundalini center, for instance, will work differently, and have a different purpose and method, from His Brother Who stands for the heart center in the body logoic, or to the Heavenly Man Who embodies the logoic solar plexus. From this it is apparent that:

1. The type of electrical force
2. The vibratory action
3. The purpose
4. The evolutionary development
5. The dual and triangular interaction

of all the Heavenly Men will differ, and so will the evolutions that form the cells in Their Bodies differ likewise. Little has as yet been revealed anent the types of evolutions which are to be found in the other schemes of our system. Suffice it to say that in all the schemes, on some [359] globe in the scheme, human beings or self-conscious units, are to be found. Conditions of life, environment and form may differ, but the human Hierarchy works in all schemes.

It must also be borne in mind that just as all seven Heavenly Men are found in the body logoic, and are Themselves under the influence of seven solar Logoi (using the word "influence" in its astrological sense), so in a planetary scheme with its seven globes each is astrologically under the influence of all the seven Heavenly Men. A scheme is but a replica of a system. Each of the Heavenly Men pours forth His radiation or influence, and stimulates in some way some other center or globe. To word it otherwise, His magnetism is felt by His Brothers in a greater or less degree according to the work being undertaken at any one time. At present the Heavenly Men, representing centers at different stages of stimulation, being not all equally developed and being not as yet psychically unified, this magnetic interplay is little realized, and the psychic flow from one scheme to another is little utilized or comprehended. As time elapses this interplay of force will become more evident and the force will be consciously employed. When men, for instance, know

• The quality of the force flowing through their particular scheme;
• The purpose and name of the center they stand within;
• The center or Heavenly Man with Whom the Logos of their scheme is allied;
• Which two schemes form, with their own, a triangle for logoic force at a certain stage of evolutionary development;
• The secret of the cycles, or the periods of stimulation or obscuration;

then will the body logoic begin to achieve its purpose; [360] then will the Logos of our system begin to blend and merge and coordinate all His vehicles; then will the force flow through all the centers unimpeded; and then will the glory shine out, and each cell in every body – logoic, planetary, deva and human, blaze forth with perfected glory, vibrate with adjusted accuracy, and a major cosmic initiation be taken.

The Heavenly Man or planetary Logos of the Earth scheme can be considered in various ways, and as is our custom we will simply tabulate the statements anent Him which, when considered at length by the individual student, should serve to make the FACT of the essential Personality of this great Entity, the work that He is endeavoring to accomplish, and the relationship of the human Hierarchy to Him, a greater reality. We must bear in mind in studying this matter that it will not be possible to reveal for general publication details as to His specific Identity, His number and His scope of conscious development. Such mysteries, as earlier pointed out, are reserved for those who are pledged to keep silent. But some general idea may be conveyed before we take up specifically this chain and round.

It might be asked wherein all this information is of use, and what purpose it serves in this hour of the world's need. Apart from the fact that the cyclic giving out of the truth works under the law, and may not be gainsaid, it is suggested for consideration that much advantage will be felt when men in large numbers conceive of the purpose of specific manifestations, when they realize that all forms are but the modes of expression of certain Entities or Beings, Who occupy them for cycles of definite duration in order to attain a purpose, and that each life – great or small – serves its own ends, yet subserves the greater ends of the Being in Whose body it is a corporate part. The details of the plan may not be given. [361] The general outline – solar, planetary, and hierarchical – may be suggested, and by the very suggestion, bring order into the thoughts of men as they view the apparent chaos of the moment. Let us not forget, that when order is brought about, and united thought produced on the mental plane, then order transpires eventually on the physical plane.

The planetary Logos of this scheme is one of the four minor Logoi, or Lords of the Rays, and is specially concerned therefore with the development of one attribute of manas. Each of the four minor Rays is, as we know, eventually synthesized, or absorbed into that Ray which is represented on our earth by the Mahachohan. He is the Lord of the third major Ray or Aspect, and synthesizes the four. These four Rays with their synthesizing Ray make the five rays of Manas or Mind. We can consider them as:

1. The fivefold Brahma Aspect.
2. They were the five Rays of prime importance in the first solar system, and were the five individualized Heavenly Men, called the Mind-born Sons of Brahma. Through the individualization of the four in that system the individualization of the great cosmic Entity we call Brahma was brought about. He individualized and the four go to the content of His body.
3. They are represented on our earth by the five Kumaras Who obeyed the Law, and took human form, as H. P. B. hints in several passages in the Secret Doctrine. (S. D., I, 493.)

This scheme is considered as the fourth and the one of the most importance in the system during this particular cycle for the following reasons:

• Our solar system, being considered as of the fourth [362] order, and our scheme being the fourth in order, there is consequently a moment of special opportunity afforded our planetary Logos through the alignment brought about. It eventuates in the turning of the attention of the logoic kundalini fire towards this center, our scheme, and the subsequent results are in process of working out.
• Within the scheme the chain that concerns us the most, and which is temporarily of the most vital importance to the planetary Logos, is the Earth chain, the fourth in order again, thus bringing about another alignment of very grave moment. This carries with it special opportunity, and permits of the entry of force from the cosmos itself, or of extra-systemic electrical vitality. This super-stimulation results in what looks to us like cataclysms, and a stupendous shattering of forms, but it is simply the necessary sequence to the vitalization of the life within the form, and the breaking of the limiting form unable to bear the cosmic action.
• Again within the chain, the globe at present receiving planetary polarization, or at present embodying in a special sense the life of the planetary Logos is the Earth, the fourth in order. This brings about a still further alignment.
• Add to the above facts the accepted knowledge that this is the fourth round and we have a fivefold alignment which is of paramount significance to us all, though it had even greater significance and force in the fourth root-race, and brought about that stupendous psychic event – the opening of the door of Initiation to the human Hierarchy.

These very important facts merit close attention, and the consideration of all occult students. They hold the key whereby some comprehension of manas and of planetary evolution may come about. What have we, therefore, in this special cyclic alignment? [363]

1. A solar system of the fourth order.
2. The fourth scheme in the system.
3. The fourth chain in the scheme.
4. The fourth globe in the chain.
5. The fourth round¹³⁴.

All these are found active within the same cycle, and all therefore bring about a simultaneous alignment which results in the clearing of a channel direct from the heart of our scheme through every ring-pass-not to the cosmic correspondence, found outside the solar sphere.

To the above realization, we must add yet the further fact that the fourth Creative Hierarchy is the one whose evolution we are considering, and it will be apparent to the most superficial student that in these thoughts lies hidden the clue, not only to man but to the entire cyclic evolution in which he is taking part. The fourth [134] Creative Hierarchy is essentially the Hierarchy of manas. This is no play on words, but a statement of deep occult significance. The statement has been made with entire accuracy that five Hierarchies out of the twelve have passed out and that seven remain. Of these seven, our human Hierarchy is the fourth, making it literally the ninth when counting the entire twelve. In this connection it would be well to link up the statements that have been made to the effect that the five Kumaras or Heavenly Men Who definitely embody the manasic principle (or the five Rays over which the systemic correspondence to the Mahachohan presides) [364] developed manas in an earlier system; They passed out of the wave of manasic influence as far as Their own Nature is concerned.

We must remember also that nine is the number of Initiation, or of the major Initiations of Manas, wherein man becomes a perfect Nine, or literally is the number of his Hierarchy. This is from the standpoint of the three systems, though his present systemic number may be four.

In occupying ourselves with these various statements anent our scheme and its Ruler we have seen that this particular cycle, or incarnation of His, is one of great importance, not only to Himself but to the entire system. The planetary Logos of this scheme is primarily occupied with a particular group of units, or with those Monads who vibrate to His key, are colored by the same color as Himself, answer to the same number, and are esoterically known by the same Name. One point here needs emphasis: all Monads pass at different times under the influence of the different planetary Logoi, and all are found at some time in each scheme. This does not mean that every human unit passes a period of incarnation in each scheme. It means that on some one globe in every scheme, human units will be found either prior to physical incarnation, between different egoic cycles (a totally different thing to periods between physical lives), between different rounds or manvantaras, or between the various root-races and subraces. As stated in various occult books, many of the present advanced humanity individualized on the moon chain, and only took physical bodies in the earth chain during the fourth root-race, thus escaping incarnation during the first three rounds, and the first two races of the fourth round. In the interim, they came under the planetary influence of another Logos of a scheme, and were occupied during that immense period of time in fanning the manasic flame, and developing [365] the attributes of manas, so that the Atlantean root-race found them adequately equipped to cope with life conditions.

This participation in the life and influence of the different schemes is effected in four different ways:

First, through passing the interim between egoic cycles of physical incarnation on the particular globe of their scheme, which numerically coincides with the particular other scheme whose influence is desired, either from deliberate choice or karmatically necessitated. Each globe in a chain is occultly linked with the chain of its own number, and with the scheme of a similar number. For instance: Globe 2, Chain 2, and scheme 2 during round 2 are specially linked and vitalized, and are the focal point of peculiar attention on the part of the Logos of that scheme. Similarly (again in illustration) globe 2, chain 2 during round 2 in any scheme such as the fifth, for instance, are aligned or connected esoterically with the second scheme. This gives opportunity for the units in the body of any Logos to come under the influence of another Logos, and within his vibratory radiation.

Second, through a direct transference of the units in incarnation in any scheme (during an interlude) to some globe in another scheme where they are subjected to the stimulation and vibration peculiar to that scheme. These two methods are the most usual. This transference will seem mysteriously impossible unless the student is careful to realize that it is the transference of the individualized lives and not the transference of the forms which they occupy. The whole matter is psychic, and based on the unity of the anima mundi. It is only possible at those periods when two Heavenly Men are mutually finding each other – under the Law of Attraction – and thus swinging into the magnetic radius of each other.

Third, through a conscious passage of the initiate, [366] through initiation, from one scheme to another. This is frequently done, and hints of it have been given by different writers and thinkers, though several have confused the globes of their own chain with the scheme of the same number, or have mistaken another chain within the scheme for another scheme.

Fourth, the fourth method of transference of consciousness, and the bringing of the life units under the focal power of a Lord of a Ray, can be brought about through knowledge of certain mantrams and formulae. On this we may not enlarge as these mantrams are esoteric and the use of them is fraught with much danger to the uninitiated.

The planetary Logos of this scheme is called "the First Kumara," the One Initiator, and the statement is made that He came to this planet from Venus, Venus being "the Earth's primary." This needs elucidation somewhat, though it may not be permitted to do more than convey a few hints as to the truth. The fact is one of the most mysterious in the development of our scheme, and in it lies hidden the secret of this world cycle. It is not easy to convey the truth and words but seem to veil and cloak.

Perhaps a hint may be given in pointing out that there is an analogy between the coming in of the Ego in full sway and its taking hold at certain periods in the life of a human being. At seven years we are told the Ego "takes hold," and again at adolescence; at twenty-one that hold may be made still firmer. Again, as lives are passed, the Ego (in connection with a human being) grips its vehicles and so sways them to his purpose with more effect and fullness. The same procedure can be seen in relation to a Heavenly Man and His body of manifestation, a scheme. It must be remembered that every scheme has seven chains; that each chain has seven globes, making a totality of forty-nine globes; [367] that each globe is again in turn occupied, by the life of the Logos during what we call seven rounds, making literally three hundred and forty-three incarnations, or fresh impulses to manifest. We must add to these major manifestations such lesser ones as those named by us root-races, and subraces, also branch races, and thus we are faced with a complexity that is enough to stagger the average student. The planetary wheel of life turns on its lesser scale the wheel of life of the little pilgrim we call man; as it turns, it sweeps the life of the evolving planetary Logos into ever new forms and experiences until the fire of Spirit burns up all lesser fires.

As earlier pointed out, each Heavenly Man is linked with one of His Brothers under the Law of Mutual Attraction, which manifests so degradingly as yet upon the physical plane, through the life of the human unit, imprisoned in physical form. Psychically the link is of a different nature, and such a link is found between the planetary Logos of the scheme we call Venus, and the Logos of our scheme. This psychic interaction has its cyclic ebb and flow, as ebbs and flows all life force. In Lemurian days came a period of close interaction which brought about an incarnation on the physical planet of the Logos of our scheme, the Head of the Hierarchy, and the One Initiator. This could not have been effected had not the planetary Logos of the Venus scheme been in a position to link up closely with ours.

This question of the coming of the Lords of Flame to the planet Earth is deeply involved (as stated above) in the relationship existing between the Heavenly Man of the Earth scheme and the Lord of the Venus scheme. Until more detailed information is permitted publication anent these two great Entities, little more can be done beyond indicating some probabilities, and pointing out certain factors which students should carefully bear in mind. The statement [368] has been made that (owing to the Venusian scheme being in its fifth round) its humanity is consequently further advanced than ours, and can help us, and that this help came in Lemurian days. This is an instance of a partial truth and its misinterpretation. The Venusian scheme is – as stated in the Secret Doctrine (S.D., I. 187. II, 33-36, 626.) – in its fifth and last round; its humanity is very far ahead of ours in certain particulars, but the momentous occurrence in the third root-race was due to the following causes, and not to the factor of the greater advancement of a certain group of human beings:

First, the Venus Scheme, viewed as a logoic center, is more active than ours, and therefore its radiatory magnetism is far more widely spread. Its radiation is such that on the buddhic plane it swept within its magnetic radius that chain in our scheme which is composed predominantly of buddhic matter. Then, via that chain, it magnetized the corresponding globe in our chain, and this resulted in a specific vitalization in the dense planet itself.

Second, just as in the case of man, certain triangles of force are found at different stages of evolution, or (to word it otherwise) different centers become geometrically linked, such as the

1. Base of the spine,
2. Solar plexus,
3. Heart;

or again,

1. Solar Plexus,
2. Heart,
3. Throat,

so, in the case of a Heavenly Man, or of a solar Logos, a similar event occurs. Such an event transpired in this round in relation to the center which our planetary Logos [369] embodies. It became geometrically linked with two other centers, of which Venus was one, and logoic Kundalini – circulating with tremendous force through this adjusted Triangle – brought about that intensification of vibration in the human family which resulted in individualization. We might here enumerate the schemes as a basis for our further work:

The seven planets, centers, or schemes:

1. Vulcan (the sun, exoterically considered).
2. Venus.
3. Mars.
4. Earth.
5. Mercury.
6. Jupiter.
7. Saturn.

The three synthesizing planets:

1. Uranus.
2. Neptune.
3. Saturn.

The One Resolver – The SUN.

I would caution you here against attaching any importance to the sequence followed in numbering these seven schemes, either in connection with their order of development or importance, or their position in relation to the central planet, the sun, or to each other. Only two are to be considered numerically accurate at this stage and in this round, i.e., our Earth, the fourth scheme, and Venus, the second. Venus is either the second or the sixth scheme, according to whether the schemes are counted mystically or occultly. Inversely, Jupiter will be either the second or the sixth, and it must be remembered that: [370]

1. The planets Venus and Jupiter are exceedingly closely connected with the Earth, and form eventually an esoteric triangle.
2. Saturn is the synthesizing scheme for the four planets which embody manas purely and simply, or is the major resolution of the minor four, and eventually for all the seven.
3. Mercury, the star of the intuition, or of transmuted manas, is, at this stage, considered as the fifth scheme.

Therefore, the Heavenly Men of Venus and Jupiter are magnetically linked with the Heavenly Man of our scheme. The relationship of the Logos of Jupiter and His influence will not be realized nor felt until the sixth [371] round is in full force, though during the sixth root-race His vibration will be acknowledged and sensed; in the middle of the fifth round the Logos of Mercury will, with the Logos of the Venus scheme, and of our Earth, form a temporary triangle of force. We have here information given that has only been hinted at hitherto but for which, in this fifth subrace and in this fourth round, the world is now ready; it holds the solution of the mystery of this round. Third, the statement that the great Kumara or the One Initiator came to this planet from Venus is true in so far as it embodies the fact that He came to this dense planet (the fourth) in the fourth chain from that chain in our scheme which is called the "Venus" chain, and which is the second chain. He came via the second globe in our chain; His scarcely felt vibration was sensed (occultly) in the second round, but only in the third root-race of the fourth round did conditions permit of His physical incarnation and of His coming as the Avatar. Very reverently might it be said that the first three rounds and the two succeeding root-races in this chain correspond to the period prior to birth; and that His coming in the fourth round with the subsequent awakening of manas in the human units find their analogy in the awakening of the life principle in the unborn infant at the fourth month.

The analogy holds good, for a Heavenly Man at the end of the seventh round reaches full maturity, but requires the final process of rounding out and perfecting which He attains during the two final periods

1. Of synthesis into the major three schemes.
2. Of resolution into the final one;

making again – with reverence may it be said – the nine cycles which cover the gestation of a Heavenly Man, and which precede His birth into yet higher worlds. In this lies much food for thought, and much of moment [372] for the profound student. We might couple with these suggestions the recollection that we are speaking here only of the Logos of our own scheme, and must carefully differentiate other cycles for the other Logoi – a thing as yet impossible for us. As this is meditated upon and studied, the wonder and beauty of the plan will become apparent.

A clue to the idea of the final Avatar is likewise to be seen here. Many temporary incarnations precede this consummating one, which will be the incarnation wherein the Heavenly Man, in the full beauty of His completed seven cycles, and prior to His merging into His synthesizing goal, will demonstrate as the embodiment of that perfected quality, or logoic aspect, for which He primarily stands. As a center in the body logoic, He will be fully vitalized, and the logoic kundalini will have stimulated, and aroused to perfection His systemic Lotus. For a brief period He will shine forth radiant as the Sun in His glory; then the kundalinic fire will pass in higher progressive spirals, and He will gradually become centered in the corresponding logoic head center, the higher triangle or the major three schemes. To illustrate by means of a human being, the microcosm: Man attains a period of high development wherein his heart and throat center are perfected and vitalized; they become radiant whorls of fire, fourth dimensional in action, and allied with each other and with some other center; they become likewise the object of the attention of human kundalini. This is a period of great activity and magnetic usefulness. It is succeeded by still another, wherein the three head centers are synthesizing their seven minor correspondences, and the force of kundalini passes there. As above, so below.

I have especially mentioned these two centers in the microcosm as they are closely concerned (on a larger scale) with the particular cycles through which our [374] planetary Logos passes, and because they represent the third and second aspects.

We need to bear in mind that the stimulation of the centers is of three kinds, and the distinction between the three must be kept clear.

• First, the vitalization of the logoic centers, or the pouring through the seven schemes, during stupendous cycles, of logoic kundalini.
• Next, the vitalization of the planetary centers, or the pouring through the seven chains of a scheme, of planetary kundalini.
• Finally, the vitalization of the centers of a planetary Logos during some particular major incarnation, or the pouring through the seven globes of a chain, of kundalini.

The Divine The Divine Septenary hanging from the Triad thus forming the Decad and its permutations 7, 5, 4, 3. (S.D. Vol. I, pp. 259)

Solar Septenary Chart – From the middle of the Third Root Race, at the Fourth Round to "The Judgment Day" in the middle of the Fifth Round

THE DENSE PHYSICAL PLANETS

• Earth – 4th Chain – 4th Globe
• Jupiter – 3rd Chain 4th Globe
• Saturn – 3rd Chain – 4th Globe
• Mars – 4th Chain – 4th Globe
• Vulcan – 3rd Chain – 4th Globe
• Venus – 5th Chain – 5th Globe
• Mercury – 4th Chain – 5th Globe

It should be stated here that: A major incarnation is one in which a planetary Logos takes some initiation. He may, and does, pass through many incarnations without taking initiation. When He does take initiation, it is interesting to note thatHe does so during some incarnation in which He takes a vehicle of etheric matter as is the case at this time.

• The Logos of our scheme is preparing for initiation and hence the terrific tests and trials, incident to life on our planet during this cycle, are easily accounted for.
• The Logos of our scheme, Sanat Kumara, will take a major initiation in the middle of the fifth round, but is preparing for a minor one at this time.
• The Logos of our scheme has been in physical incarnation (having a body of etheric matter) since the middle of the Lemurian root-race, and will remain with us until what is called "the judgment day" in the next round. At that point in His career He will have achieved the necessary vitalization of the particular center which is occupying His attention, will have "seen of the travail of His Soul" in connection with the units of the human [375] Hierarchy who go to the composition of this center, and will drop His present form, will turn His attention to another and higher center, and give of His force to the units of a different caliber, from another branch of the human Hierarchy, who respond to the vibration of that center.

It would be well to enlarge here a little on the connection between Venus and the Earth, which is hinted at in some of the occult books, and is somewhat touched upon in this. I have stated that the interaction between the two schemes is due largely to their positive and negative polarity, and I pointed out that a similar relation underlies the relation of the Pleiades and the seven schemes of our solar system, and also the relation of Sirius and the system itself. This, therefore, sweeps into close interaction three great systems:

1. The system of Sirius,
2. The system of the Pleiades,
3. The system of which our sun is the focal point,

making, as we will have noted, a cosmic triangle. Within our system there are several such triangles, varying at different stages; according to their relation to each other, the differentiated force of the different schemes can pass from scheme to scheme, and thus the units of life on the different rays or streams of force become temporarily intermingled. In all these triangles (cosmic, systemic, planetary, and human) two points of the triangle represent each a different polarity, and one point represents the point of equilibrium, of synthesis or merging. This should be borne in mind in studying both the macrocosmic and the microcosmic centers, for it accounts for diversity in manifestation, in forms and in quality.

A correspondence might here also be pointed out which [376] may serve to convey light to those who have eyes to see:

The Venus scheme, being in the fifth round, had the fifth principle of manas coordinated and developed, the minor four manasic aspects had been synthesized, and the buddhic aspect was being provided with a means of expression through the medium of the perfected fifth. Our Heavenly Man, in the fifth round, will have attained a paralleling point in evolution, and the fifth principle will, as stated, be no longer the object of His attention as regards the human units.

Five stages of activity mark the development and utilization of the mind principle; there are three stages of acquisition, and two wherein that which has been acquired is used. This is too intricate a calculation for us to enter into it here, and it cannot be undertaken except by an initiate, for it involves ability to study the cycles of the earlier solar system, but it might be noted that (judging from the microcosm on the earth planet) this is just what might be expected. Man developed manas in this round during the third, fourth and fifth root-races, and utilizes it for the development of the intuition and of the higher consciousness during the sixth and seventh. During an incarnation by a planetary Logos in a chain, during one round He demonstrates through His seven centers or globes manas on three globes, and utilizes it for specific purposes on the final two. This is a lesser cycle to that in which we view the seven chains as His seven centers. These words are chosen with care; I say not "acquires manas"; He but produces that which is inherent. It must be remembered that just as the planes of a solar system stand for a different purpose, vibrate to a different key, and serve their own specific ends, so do the globes serve an analogous function.

1. Globe 1, is that of ultimate abstraction, and of origination. It is the initial globe of manifestation [377]
2. Globe 2, is the first sheath in which a Heavenly Man embodies Himself.
3. Globes 3, 4, 5, are those through which He demonstrates the possession of the manasic principle.
4. Globes 6 and 7, are the ones through which He manifests buddhi, through forms built by means of the manasic principle.

This can be equally predicated on a larger scale of a chain. An interesting correspondence of a very occult nature can be worked out by the advanced student in connection also with the seven schemes. There are two which may be considered primarily archetypal, causal, or involving abstraction; three in which manas is manifested, and two in which already buddhi is manasically demonstrating. Of these two, Venus is one and thus we have the three and the two which make the five schemes of the five Kumaras, Who are Brahma.¹³⁶

Just as Venus is negatively polarized to our Earth scheme, so the seven stars of the Pleiades are negatively polarized to our seven schemes.

A very pertinent question might here be asked. We might justly enquire (in connection with the point that Venus is negatively polarized, and also that the Pleiades are equally so) why they should be termed negative if they are the donors and not the receivers, for to be negative is surely to be receptive. This is indeed so, but the question arises in our minds, owing to lack of information, and consequent misapprehension. Venus may have had much to do with the impartation of the stimulation which resulted in great events on Earth via the Venus chain of our scheme, but our scheme gave, in a mysterious manner, more than was received, though the [378] gift was not of the same nature. The coming in of the Venusian influence to our chain, and to our planet, with the subsequent stimulation of certain groups in the fourth Creative Hierarchy, the human, caused a paralleling event of even greater magnitude in the Venus scheme. This affected the sixth Hierarchy, one of the deva Hierarchies, dwelling in the Venus scheme. This stimulation emanated via our sixth chain (or the second according to the angle of vision) and affected a corresponding chain in the Venus scheme. The magnitude of the difference may be seen in the fact that in our case one globe alone was affected, whereas the influence of our scheme on the Venusian was such that an entire chain was stimulated. This was brought about through the positive polarity of the Heavenly Man of the Earth scheme.

Therefore, enlarging the concept, we can note the fact that our Heavenly Men are the transmitters, via their seven schemes, to the seven stars of the Pleiades. Our solar system is negatively polarized as regards the sun Sirius, which influences our entire system psychically via the three synthesizing schemes – Uranus, Neptune, Saturn – the latter, Saturn, being the focal point for the transmission of cosmic manas to the entire seven schemes.

We have brought our consideration of our first point, the origin of cosmic and systemic manas, down to certain facts concerning our chain, and have (with the utmost brevity) passed in review the larger aspect of the question. We touched first of all upon the subject of cosmic manas, as it concerned our Logos and the Heavenly Men. Then we considered it more specifically in its relation to the individual Heavenly Men, and finally brought it down to that which more nearly concerns ourselves – [379] manas and the Heavenly Man of our scheme. Having proceeded thus far, we considered the stimulation of manas in our own chain, and saw that, in connection with our Earth, it came:

• Via the Venus chain of our scheme.
• As the result of a stimulation, originating in the Venus scheme.
• Because logoic kundalini had vitalized one of the systemic triangles of force, of which (temporarily) Venus and the Earth formed two points of the triangle.
• This produced the individualization of those, particularly in the human Hierarchy, who form a particular center in the body of the planetary Logos.

We have reached, therefore, a point wherein (having cursorily dealt above with the origin of cosmic, systemic, and planetary manas), it is now possible for us to come definitely down to the consideration of our Earth chain within the Earth scheme, and see something of the origin of the manasic principle in the present group of incarnating egos, units of the fourth Creative Hierarchy. It is necessary here for students to remember that only one group in the fourth Hierarchy was affected by the coming in of manas in the third root-race, and that therefore in incarnation on the planet at this time are component parts of the two groups: one group, which received the manasic stimulation during this world period, and another group which received the stimulation during the previous chain. The last named group can be seen incarnating in all those who tread the Probationary Path, who are counted as the advanced units of the race, and considered as the notables among men. Owing to the difference between the two groups may be traced much of the world unrest. This difference lies in the following [380] factors, which, for purposes of clarity, it might be well to enumerate:

• The fact that each group forms a different center in the body of a Heavenly Man.
• The difference in the method of individualization.
• The different rate of vibration of the two centers.
• The fact, therefore, that in each chain the planetary Logos takes a different initiation, affecting different centers; and so bringing into manifestation different lesser entities.

Students, when considering these things, need to view the matter from the following angles – some quite possible lines of approach for us, others which we are only capable as yet of dimly anticipating. The occult fact, as stated by the English poet Pope, "The proper study of mankind, is man," is embodied in the investigation of all these vast cycles.

The cosmic angle. This involves the study of the place of the solar Logos within His greater sphere, the study of extra-systemic psychology and astronomy, and the consideration of the relation existing between our system and other constellations, and of our path in the vast arc of the heavens. It bears on the relation of the various suns with their circulating attendants, and of the planets with each other; it concerns the study of their individual polarization, and their interaction with their polar opposites. It will lead the student into regions of logical speculation, into the study of cosmic electricity, and the universal Law of attraction, and is as yet much beyond the comprehension of even the most advanced students at this time, and will only become a science (reduced to form and textbook if I might so express it) during the final part of the next round.

The systemic angle. This deals with the place of the Heavenly Men within the body logoic, Their mutual [381] interplay, and Their rational interdependence, and with the cycles wherein each in turn, or in dual formation, is the recipient of logoic force. It necessitates the study of the solar system as a unit, of the astronomical and orbital relation of the Sun to the planets. The systemic triangles will eventually become a subject of popular speculation, then of investigation, of scientific demonstration, and finally be known to be proved and authenticated fact, – but the time is not yet. The different polarities of the schemes will be studied, and information, that is now imparted only to initiates of the third Initiation, will eventually become exoteric. In due course of time systemic information along the lines of:

1. The vitalization of the schemes
2. Interaction between two schemes
3. The periods of incarnation of a planetary Logos on the physical plane
4. The initiation of the planetary Logos,

will be reduced to law and order. As yet but dim speculations and hints that appeal only to the spiritual and the intuitive are in any way possible. The early part of the next round will see more widespread knowledge and interest in this matter.

The planetary angle. This point of view concerns itself with the history of the individual scheme, and with the consciousness, and evolution of some particular Heavenly Man. The student in studying along these lines must endeavor to get some grasp of the scheme as a unit, as a body corporate with its seven centers and forty-nine globes, and with the triangle formed between them. Separate chains are either

• The object of planetary stimulation,
• The sphere of the incarnation of a planetary Logos,
• Emerging into objectivity, [382]
• Manifesting,
• Gradually entering into obscurity.

This point of view is as yet impossible for the average thinker, for it involves an expansion of consciousness unattainable by man. Nevertheless the endeavor to comprehend serves a useful purpose, for it sets a goal for man and enables him to enlarge his present concept.

The chain angle. This brings the whole idea more within the range of possibility, and has already been indicated to students in Volume II, of the Secret Doctrine. The student is narrowed down to the contemplation of the seven globes of the chain of which he is a component, though microscopic, part. He has for investigation the globes as seen in time, with their mutual interplay; he has for study the part each one may be playing in the great cycle of a Heavenly Man. For instance, in the present Earth chain which concerns us the most nearly, the fourth globe is of paramount interest, inasmuch as it is the physical plane vehicle for a Heavenly Man in dense objective incarnation. Yet it must not be forgotten that, though manifesting thus objectively, He embodies in totality the chain and the scheme. The idea may be clarified for the student if it is stated that:

• A scheme, in its totality, corresponds to the Monad, or to the monadic auric egg, in connection with a human being and his forty-nine cycles.
• A chain,¹³⁷ in its totality corresponds to the body egoic of a human being, to the causal body with its seven great [383] cycles mentioned elsewhere in these pages, and hinted at in certain occult books.
• A globe, with its seven races corresponds to a particular series of incarnations in connection with a man, incarnate or discarnate, for all globes are not on physical levels.
• A physical globe, in a chain corresponds to a particular physical incarnation of a man. The planetary Logos takes physical form in His planet and is its life and works out His purposes.
• A root-race, simply is analogous to the "seven parts" (as Shakespeare phrases it) as played by the midget, man. In a root-race a Heavenly Man is simply living out His life, working through some experience in the great work of developing buddhi or corporate action, (for buddhi is the unifying principle of groups) and, in the process of experiencing and developing, He sweeps into His vibratory capacity all the cells in His body. In the case of a human being the cells in his body (the material cells) are involutionary lives, animated by the third Logos, cooperating with the second Logos. In the case of a planetary Logos, the cells in His body are evolutionary lives (deva and human units) animated by the life of the second Logos, cooperating with the first Logos, and utilizing the activities of the third Logos for purposes of manifesting.

Having pointed out these things, the place the Earth chain and globe play in the evolution of the planetary Logos of the Earth scheme should be clearer to the student.

The wheel turns, and in its turning sweeps into objectivity one of its seven globes, or brings into manifestation on the physical plane that great Entity Whose life animates the whole scheme. It must be borne in mind that just as man is handicapped by his physical body, [384] and finds himself unable to express through it the entire content of his egoic consciousness, so a Heavenly Man, when taking to Himself a dense physical vehicle in any particular chain, is also handicapped, and is unable to express in perfection on the globe the full beauty of His Life or the splendor of His manifesting Consciousness.

It might here be stated in connection with the planetary Logos of our scheme that:

1. He is in physical incarnation.
2. He is midway through His career upon the cosmic Path of Initiation, and consequently is to take the fourth Initiation in this chain. Well may this globe, therefore, be considered the globe of sorrow and of pain, for through it our planetary Logos is undergoing that which the mystic calls "the Crucifixion."
3. The cells in His body – those cells through which He feels, and senses, and experiences, – are, in this world period, rent by pain and suffering, for His is the consciousness at the center of the Body, and theirs is the capacity to suffer, so that by means of them He may learn the meaning of systemic dispassion, be dissociated from all forms and material substance, and upon the cross of matter eventually find liberation and the freedom of the Spirit.

The same equally can be predicated of a solar Logos with the following interesting sequence carefully borne in mind:

• The solar Logos has for objective nine initiations, the third cosmic Initiation being His goal.
• Our planetary Logos has for objective seven initiations, the second cosmic Initiation being His goal.
• Man has for objective five initiations, the first cosmic Initiation being his goal. [386] If we link this up with that earlier imparted concerning initiation and the sun Sirius, we will have a clue to the triple cosmic Path.

Detail of Earth Scheme as shown on Solar Septenary Chart

Certain facts have already been grasped and realized by the average occult student who has been pondering this teaching with care. He is aware that the juncture of Spirit-matter and mind, or manas, was effected during the third root-race, and that the definitely human family became present upon earth from that date. He knows that this was brought about by the coming, in bodily Presence, of certain great Entities, and he has learned that these Entities came from the Venusian chain, that They achieved the necessary juncture, undertook the government of the planet, founded the occult Hierarchy, and that – though some remain with the chain – the remainder have returned to Their originating source. This in many ways sums up the totality of the present knowledge. Let us briefly enlarge upon it, correct certain erroneous interpretations, and ascertain one or two new facts. We might tabulate these as follows:

First, it should be borne in mind by the occult student that:

1. This advent signalized the taking of a physical vehicle by the planetary Logos, and was literally the coming of the Avatar.
2. That this advent was brought about by a definite systemic alignment which involved:
   • The Venus scheme of the system.
   • The Venus chain of the Earth scheme.
   • The Venus globe of the Earth chain.
3. That the planetary Logos did not come from the Venus scheme but from the Venus chain of His own scheme, the Earth scheme. Owing to systemic [387] alignment logoic kundalini could flow through a certain triangle of which two points were Venus and the Earth. This caused an acceleration of vibration, and enabled the Heavenly Man of our scheme to take a minor initiation, and to set about His preparations for a major initiation.

Next, it should also be remembered that in considering this matter we must be careful to view it not only as it affects our own globe and its present humanity, but from the systemic and cosmic point of view, or from the angle of its importance to a planetary Logos and a solar Logos. Hence it is a fact that this event was not only the result of the taking of a minor initiation by our Earth Logos, but in the Venus scheme it was signalized by the taking of a major initiation by the Venusian planetary Logos on His fifth chain. In connection with a solar Logos it followed upon the stimulation of one of His centers and from the geometrical progression of the fire through the earlier mentioned Triangle.

It has been stated that one hundred and four Kumaras came from Venus to the Earth; literally the figure is one hundred and five, when the synthesizing Unit, the Lord of the World Himself, is counted as one. There remain still with Him the three Buddhas of Activity. I would call attention to the dual significance of that name, "Buddha of Activity," bearing out, as it does, the reality of the fact that Entities at Their stage of evolution are active love-wisdom and embody in Themselves the two aspects. The three Buddhas of activity have a correspondence to the three persons of the Trinity.

These Entities are divided into three groups of thirty-five each, and in Themselves embody the three major centers of the planetary Logos, those three groups which we know as the "three departments," for it should be emphasized that each department forms a center: [388]

1. The Head center – The Ruling Department
2. The Heart center – The Teaching Department
3. The Throat center – The Mahachohan's Department. This center synthesizes the lesser four, just as. the third Ray synthesizes the minor four.

These Kumaras (or Their present substitutes) can also be divided into the seven groups which correspond to the seven Rays, and are in Themselves the life of the center for which They stand. Fifteen, therefore, of these Entities (again the ten and the five) form a center in the body of the planetary Logos, and the three Kumaras about Whom we are told (Who in Themselves are fivefold, making the fifteen) are the entifying Lives of the particular center which is involved in the coming Initiation of the Heavenly Man, and to which the human units at this time, and during this greater cycle, belong.

Another fact that should be noted about these great Beings is, that when viewed in Their seven groups, They form:

1. Focal points for the force or influence emanating from the other solar centers or schemes.
2. The seven divisions of the occult Hierarchy.

They exist, as does the Heavenly Man Himself, in etheric matter, and are literally great Wheels, or centers of living Fire, manasic and electric fire; They vitalize the body of the Heavenly Man and hold all together as an objective whole. They make a planetary triangle within the chain, and each of Them vitalizes one globe.

It is not permitted at this stage to state, for exoteric publication:

• Which Ray, or logoic emanation is embodied by our planetary Logos. [389]
• Which center in the solar system is called the Earth scheme.
• Which scheme is our polar opposite, or which Heavenly Man is most closely allied to ours.
• Which particular center in the body of the planetary Logos He is at present endeavoring to vitalize.

These points are, as may be inferred, too dangerous to impart, and those students whose intuition suffices to attain the information will see for themselves the necessity for silence.

We might now, prior to continuing with our subject, name the different chains of the Earth scheme. We must bear carefully in mind the fact that these are simply names, affixed to the chains and globes for the sake of clarity. As this subject is more widely studied it will inevitably be found advisable to call the chains by their numbers, and to drop the names as at present used:

1. Neptune.
2. Venus.
3. Saturn.
4. Earth.
5. Mercury.
6. Mars.
7. Jupiter.

It is necessary here to take the opportunity to sound a note of warning to students in connection with the charts which have been inserted in the Treatise.

They depict only one cycle in logoic evolution, and cover only the present greater period in the working out of which we are engaged. They might be roughly described as embracing that period in the system which began for us in the middle of the third root-race of this round and continues until the period called "the Judgment" [390] in the coming fifth round. When that time comes our planetary Logos will have attained the initiation which is His present goal; the fifth round of the Venusian scheme will be closing, and the Venus scheme will begin to pass into obscuration, preparatory to transferring her life to the synthesizing planet with which she is connected; Mercury will be reaching the apotheosis of achievement, and with Mars and the Earth, will form a systemic triangle. We are speaking here of schemes, and not of chains.

We must recognize another triangle within the Earth scheme, of the chains called "the Earth chain," the Venus chain, and the Mercurian chain, but this triangle entirely concerns the centers of the planetary Logos of our scheme. A systemic formation of great importance in the next round should be pointed out which will bring three schemes:

• The Earth scheme,
• Mars,
• Mercury,

into such a position in relation to each other that the following results will eventuate:

1. A systemic triangle will be formed.
2. Logoic kundalini will circulate freely between these three points.
3. A certain great logoic center will be vitalized and the attention of logoic kundalini will pass from the present triangle in process of forming (the Earth, Venus, and a scheme whose name it is advisable to withhold) to the other.
4. An entirely new group of human beings will sweep into incarnation in our Earth scheme. Three fifths of the present humanity, being on the Probationary Path, or the Path of Initiation, at that time, will have their center of consciousness definitely on the mental plane, [391] whilst two fifths will remain focused on the astral. There two fifths will pass into temporary pralaya, preparatory to their transference to another scheme, as the Earth scheme will no longer provide for them an adequate place of nurture.
5. Entities will come in from Mars to the Earth scheme, and will there find their necessary field of endeavor.
6. Mercurian life will begin to synthesize, and to be transferred to its synthesizing planet. In the case of Mercury this synthesizing planet is not Saturn, but one of the other two higher major centers.
7. The "Judgment Day" in the fifth round, or the point of attainment of our Heavenly Man, will see a period of planetary strife on mental levels which will cause the present world unrest to seem as nothing. As pointed out earlier, this present struggle has been to test the ability of the entities within the present human forms to appreciate their mental forces, and through the power of MIND to transcend feeling, or pain. The struggle in the fifth round will be between higher and lower mind, and the battle ground will be the causal body.¹³⁸ [392] The struggle now being waged on the planet is between a few Egos (or the leaders of the many races who are necessarily in place and position owing to their egoic polarization) and many personalities, who are swept into the vortex through group association; it is necessarily terrific, and forces the destruction of the form. The struggle in the fifth round, being on mental levels, will be between Egos and egoic groups, each working consciously, and with intellectual application, to bring about certain group results. It will result in the triumph (the ultimate triumph) of Spirit over matter, in the driving out of certain groups as yet unable to shake themselves free from the trammels of matter, and who prefer captivity to the life of the Spirit; it will mark the beginning of the obscuration of our scheme, and the gradual passing into pralaya, during the remaining two and a half rounds of our entire seven chains. It is an interesting occult fact that our Earth should now be in her fifth round, and paralleling the Venusian scheme, but the moon chain of our scheme saw a period of temporary retardation of the evolutionary process of our Heavenly Man; it resulted in a temporary slowing down of His activities, and caused "lost time," if such an expression might reverently be permitted. The Lords of the Dark Face, or the inherent forces of matter for a time achieved success, and only the fifth round of our chain will see their ultimate defeat. The Venusian scheme also had its battleground, but the planetary Logos of that scheme overcame the antagonistic forces, triumphed over material forms, and was consequently in a position – when the right time came – to apply the needed stimulation or an [393] increased fiery vibration to our Earth scheme. The fact that outside aid was called in during the third root-race of this chain, and that the evolution of manas brought about the individualization, in physical form, of the Avatar, needs to be pondered on. The Divine Manasaputra, the Lord of the World, took form Himself through the driving impulse of manas, inherent in His nature, and in some mysterious way this was aided by another Heavenly Man of another scheme. His cooperation was required.

We have been studying the origin of manas, and we saw first, that it is the active will, intelligently applied, of an Entity, and then that this active intelligent will affects all lesser lives in cyclic evolution within the Body of that particular actively willing Existence. This is true of all Beings from the Logos downwards. Perhaps in summing up it might be expressed thus:

The originating source of manasic activity in a solar system is that great cosmic Entity Who embodies our solar Logos as a center in His Body along with six other solar Logoi Who are, in Their totality, His seven centers.

The originating source of manasic activity in the planetary schemes is that cosmic Entity we call the solar Logos. He is the active, directing Intelligence Who is working with definite purpose through His seven centers.

The originating source of the manasic principle in a planetary scheme is that lesser cosmic Entity Whom we call a planetary Logos. He works through His seven chains as does the Logos through His seven planetary centers. It is interesting here to note that when the solar Logos is being manasically impelled to work out some purpose of His greater Source (THE ONE ABOUT WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID) He may cause a vivification in one or other of His centers according to the purpose in view. This occurred in the forming of the triangle of which Earth and Venus are two points, and (affecting [394] the Heavenly Men of these two schemes) stimulated Them to take initiation, and led the planetary Logos of our scheme to form a lesser triangle within His sphere of activity, which triangle eventuated in His taking a lesser initiation, and in the manasic impregnation of animal man. Thus were swept into objective activity that group of monads who go to the composition of a particular center.

Similarly, and microcosmically, a human being is the manasic incentive and the origin of active, intelligent will to all the cells within his threefold body, – astral, mental and physical. His is the directing intelligence, and his the source of all action and endeavor within his periphery, and, like his greater corresponding spheres, a solar Logos and a planetary Logos, he works through seven centers.

Thus we have traced the origin of manas as far as it is possible to do at this time. The mystery of manas is hidden in existence itself, and holds the secret of life and conceals and veils those Entities Whose outstanding quality and characteristic it is. To the life of that little entity we call an atom in the physical body of a man, the Thinker in the causal body, his greater directing intelligence, is as obscure and unknown as the Logos is to the Thinker, Man, himself. The analogy is nevertheless accurate.¹³⁹ Man's physical body, for instance, considering it [395] as a corporate whole composed of many lesser lives, suffers or prospers as its directing Intelligence acts with wisdom-love or otherwise. The manasic principle actuates all that occurs within the man's aura, and he suffers, or he makes progress, according to the application of that principle.

So, reverently may the same be said of the body of the solar Logos, a system, and so may it be said of the planetary Logos and His scheme.

Having seen that manas is the intelligent purpose of some Being, working out in active objectivity, and having touched upon the interrelation existing between certain of these Entities, it may now be possible to vision – even if somewhat cursorily and dimly – the true position of the manasic principle in all three cases. The whole mystery of this principle is hidden in two fundamentals:

• The mystery of the resolution of the six-pointed star, into the five-pointed star.^{140, 141}
• The mystery of the Lords of Karma, Who are, in themselves, the sole recipients of the Mind purposes [396] of that cosmic ENTITY Who enfolds our solar Logos within His consciousness.

When, therefore, the esoteric side of astrology, and of mystical geometry, has been studied, and alliance has been made between these two sciences, a flood of light will be thrown upon this matter of the intelligent principle; when the inner workings of the Law of Cause and Effect (the law whereby the Lipika Lords govern all Their action) is better comprehended, then – and then only – will the sons of men be able to study with profit the place of manas in the evolutionary scheme. At the present time it is not possible to do more than point out the direction of the path which must be trodden before this [397] abstruse matter can be made clear, and to indicate certain lines of investigation which might (if strenuously and scientifically followed) yield to the student a rich reward of knowledge. Until the intuition is better developed in the average man, the very principle of manas itself forms a barrier to its due understanding.

If it is realized by the student that manas and intelligent purpose are practically synonymous terms, it will be immediately apparent that karma, and the activities of the Lipika Lords, will be involved in the matter. It will also be apparent that only as the lower mind is transmuted into the abstract or higher mind and from thence into the intuition, will man be able to understand the significance of manas. We may perhaps ask why this must be so. Surely it is because the abstract mind is the agent on cosmic levels whereby the Entity concerned formulates His plans and purposes. These plans and purposes (conceived of in the abstract mind) in due course of evolution crystallize into concrete form by means of the concrete mind. What we call the archetypal plane in connection with the Logos (the plane whereon He forms His ideals, His aspirations and His abstract conceptions) is the logoic correspondence to the atomic abstract levels of the mental plane, from whence are initiated the impulses and purposes of the Spirit in man, – those purposes which eventually force him into an objective form, thus paralleling logoic manifestation. First the abstract concept, then the medium provided for manifestation in form, and, finally, that form itself. Such is the process for Gods and for men, and in it is hidden the mystery of mind and of its place in evolution.

For the sake of clarity, let us take the microcosm for momentary study. It should be realized by all students that man is Spirit or the Self, working through matter or [398] the Not-Self, by means of the intelligence or manas, and it should also be realized that the statement of this fact (which is equally true of a solar Logos, a Heavenly Man, and a human being) involves the admission of certain deductions based on manifestation itself. One of these deductions is that by means of this principle of manas form is built. Therefore, the whole subject of the Builders has to be studied – those entities who are the embodiment of Universal Mind, who are the animating lives within the form, and who are the Divine Manasaputras in their comprehensive totality. In the occult realization of this lies hid the secret of the close relationship between man and the deva evolution, man being the repository (through the Heavenly Man of Whose body he forms a part) of the purpose of the Logos, and the devas in all their higher grades being the cohesive attractive factor which manipulates matter, and which moulds it into shape. The two are partners, indispensable to each other, and without the two working in close cooperation this objective solar system would immediately disintegrate, just as man's dense and etheric bodies disintegrate when the Spirit withdraws, and the Builders cease their work.

Three hierarchies in particular are concerned with objective manifestation in etheric matter, the fourth, or strictly human hierarchy, and the fifth and sixth or the deva hierarchies. The other hierarchies fulfil other purposes connected with the life of the Spirit in the higher forms in the cosmic ethers, but in connection with our present subject these three hierarchies work on the lower levels of the cosmic physical plane the subplanes of which we call the mental, astral, and physical planes. When the five and the four are perfectly blended, we shall have achieved the nine of a major initiation, and when the six is added we shall have the resolution into one of the groups embodied by a Kumara, as has been hinted earlier. [399] This marks the resolution of the six-pointed star finally into the five-pointed star; this is a great mystery, and concerns primarily the Heavenly Man of our scheme, and only incidentally the groups within His body of etheric manifestation.

It will, therefore, be apparent that if all manifestation is the embodiment in form of a cosmic conception, and the working out of it in concrete shape, manas or intelligence is a basic factor of the process and the means whereby the link is made between the abstract and the concrete. This is already realized to be true in connection with man, and it is equally true of cosmic entities. As man progresses towards the heart of the mystery he awakens to a realization that the aim of evolution for him is to build consciously the channel between the levels which are to him the planes of the abstract or of the ideal, and the concrete ones whereon he normally functions. This connecting channel has been inadequately called, and is literally "THE PATH" itself. He builds it:

• By means of the manasic principle consciously applied.
• By the process of transcending the karmic limitations of the three lower planes.
• Through the method of dominating matter, or the Personality, considering it as the Not-Self.
• Through the expansion of his consciousness through graded steps until it includes the planes he seeks to reach, and thereby demonstrating the truth of the statement that in order to tread the Path he must become that Path itself, and the accuracy of the occult truth that the antahkarana is itself but illusion. Ponder on this, for it carries illumination for those who have eyes to see.

In the process of treading that Path and of achieving the goal, man is resolved into the five-pointed star, finally into the triangle of Spirit. Between these two stages is [400] a mysterious esoteric stage wherein he is resolved into the four, – not this time the four of the lower quaternary, but a higher four. He becomes part of the consciousness of that occult group hinted at in various places which stands next to the three Logoi, the four great Maharajahs, the dispensers of karma, the repositories of cosmic purpose, who are reflected (but only reflected) in the logoic Quaternary, or in those four Heavenly Men Who embody (with their synthesizing third) logoic manas. These four with the synthesizing one are in Themselves the sumtotal of manas, the Brahma aspect, or Intelligence in activity. Karma works through manas, and only as the six-pointed star (or the sumtotal of concrete mind in its various divisions) becomes the five-pointed star, or the synthesis of the lower into the abstract or higher, is the transmutation into the three, or the Spiritual Triad, made possible via the four, or the formless repositories of karmic purpose; thus is liberation achieved, thus is man set free, and the microcosm attains BEING without the necessity of form-taking. A hint here in connection with the microcosm may help: When the microcosm has transcended the three worlds of matter and has become the five pointed star, he passes into the consciousness of the Monad, or pure Spirit, via the fourth plane of buddhi. For him the buddhic plane is the plane of karmic correspondence. On it he enters into the sphere of conscious cooperation in the working out of karma for a Heavenly Man, having completely worked out his personal karma in the lower three spheres. The student whose intuition suffices can work out the planes which correspond to the buddhic plane, for a Heavenly Man and for a solar Logos. This will only be possible if the concept is extended to cosmic levels and beyond the systemic.

Through the ideas here imparted it may be possible for the student to think out, for himself, some aspects of the [401] place of manas in cosmic evolution. It necessitates a somewhat synthetic viewpoint, and the steady holding of the thought of PURPOSE in all activity, whether cosmic, systemic, planetary, or microcosmic. It is the fire of divine impulse permeating all forms and driving those forms to certain action and achievement.

The fire of matter earlier dealt with is the dynamic fire of motion, which keeps in activity each atom of matter. The fire of mind is the coherent impulse and purpose, driving the forms (built up of active matter) in a specific direction, and along certain destined paths. It is consequently karmic impulse, originating cause, and operating will. It is likewise the result or the effect of this action in time, and only as the Triad comes into play, via the esoteric four, are the fires of both mind and matter burnt out and the fire of Spirit set free.

Literally, should we paraphrase this sentence, we might express it in the form of an enquiry as to the point attained in the active working out of the purposes of the great Entities involved in cosmic and systemic manifestation; we might also enquire if the intelligent will of the cosmic Logos and of the solar Logos and equally (within the system) of the different planetary Logoi, proceeded satisfactorily to a stage where it can be both appreciated and somewhat comprehended. These thoughts are involved in the consideration of this point, and open up for us much of very real interest. It should here be pointed out that the manasic principle (whether cosmic, systemic, or human) manifests in five ways, is transmuted into wisdom after its fivefold manifestation, and eventually is resolved into pure will or power. Herein lies the clue; all the objective display we see around us in connection with the Heavenly Men, and with the cells of Their bodies, [402] lies hidden in this. Herein may be found the mystery of the five Kumaras, Who are awaiting the final resolution, and herein is secreted the knowledge of divine alchemy, which is based on the five elements, and is concerned with their transformation into a primal element through the medium of an intermediate stage.

Occult students need, in considering these points, to remember very clearly the distinction between transmutation and the final resolution; between the process of transforming the five elements, esoterically understood, and the final resolution of the transmuted essences into their synthesis. This has a vital bearing upon our subject, for resolution is as yet by no means possible, and the process of transmutation is only just beginning in the majority of cases. In studying these subjects we have necessarily to confine ourselves to the Heavenly Men, for the human units – as cells in Their body – are of course included in all that is posited about Them, and until it is known which cosmic Logos recognizes our solar Logos as a center in His body, and which six other systems are affiliated with ours, it will not be possible to touch upon the systemic stage of manasic development. But in connection with the Heavenly Men certain facts are possible of theoretical comprehension, even though not as yet demonstrable to the scientific mind. We will, as usual, tabulate our premises, and thus keep clearly in mind, and visualized, the points under investigation:

First. It might first be said that the third aspect, combined with the second, or Brahma and Vishnu allied, go to the totality of the Divine Manasaputras. They are Will utilizing matter, or active intelligent substance, in order to demonstrate Love-Wisdom; all this is based on purpose, and has causation as a fundamental. This [403] Brahma aspect is fivefold and, with the Vishnu aspect, makes the six, or the pentagon, having Mahadeva or Will in the center of all manifestation.

Second. This fivefold Brahma aspect or the five Kumaras, are in full manifestation, and, with the reflection of the other two aspects, make the seven of our manifested system.

Third. Mercury and Venus are in process of transmutation, and the manasic principle in both these schemes, having reached a high stage of development, is being transmuted into Love-Wisdom. When three fifths of the units (deva and human) that go to the composition of the vehicles of any planetary Logos are entering upon the Path, then the process of transmutation is entered upon. The faculty of MIND is then an instrument for creative use, and not the "slayer of the real," and a barrier to the free life of the Spirit.

Again, it must be noted that Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Vulcan are as yet developing manas, and the stage achieved in each varies, and is not for exoteric publication. The Heavenly Men of these schemes have not yet succeeded in bringing Their bodies to the stage where transmutation on a large scale is possible. They are approaching it, and when the necessary three fifths is reached, then They will begin to transmute on a larger scale. The Earth scheme has about one fifth in process of transmutation in one or other of the globes at this time and Vulcan has very nearly two fifths.

We might here point out that though we are concerned primarily with manas in the human cells in the body of a planetary Logos, yet we must remember that the deva units in some schemes preponderate. Although from the standpoint of a human being the devas are in no way considered as coming under the influence of manas, as we understand it, yet from another angle they are manas itself, the active creative force, the fifth and the sixth [404] Hierarchies in full display. We should ponder upon the relationship (a necessarily close relationship) between the fifth deva Hierarchy and the fifth logoic principle, and we should also bear in mind that – viewing the whole matter from the angle of vision of a Heavenly Man – the devas are a corporate part of His nature, and He is a Manasaputra, a creative Builder, and the fivefold aspect of Brahma. The sumtotal of manas is pure deva essence, and it is only as union is made between this fivefold third aspect and the other two aspects that what we understand as MAN – whether Heavenly Man or human – comes into being. The devas are united with these other two factors and the result is:

1. A solar Logos.
2. A Heavenly Man.
3. A human being.

This is a great mystery and is allied to the mystery of electricity (or of fohatic life) which H. P. B. (S. D., I, 107) refers to. The Messengers, the Builders, the devas, are flaming fire, radiant electric matter, and only in time and space, only during manifestation and only through the cycles of objectivity, is such an entity as man possible, or can a Heavenly Man come into existence. Outside a solar ring-pass-not, for instance, and as far as our evolution is concerned, we have radiant electric substance, active, intelligent ether, ensouled by the deva evolution.¹⁴³ These [405] work blindly and under the laws of cosmic electricity. (We must differentiate with care between cosmic electricity, and the electrical akasha of the system, which is electrical substance confined and brought under another set of laws through the instrumentality of another factor, that of pure Spirit.) Outside the ring-pass-not, we have that abstraction which we call pure Spirit. This "pure Spirit," or abstract, conscious Being, through conscious karma periodically seeks to manifest, and wills to work out a purpose under the laws of its Own being, and is thus impelled by the attractive quality of its opposite pole, intelligent substance, to blend with it. The meeting of these two polarities, and their point of merging, causes that flash in the cosmic universe which we call a sun, and results in light or objectivity. Within the ring-pass-not, therefore, the electric fire of pure Spirit can only manifest through merging or union with electrical substance, and is, therefore, during evolution and for the major portion of the process, limited by it. In fact, little as it is realized, the deva evolution controls for the greater portion of manifestation up to the beginning of the transmutative process. They build incessantly the confining form.

When the process of transmutation is effected by the five Heavenly Men, then the whole system is reaching a very high stage of evolution, and with the two schemes which will be entering into the stage of obscuration, the resolving process will commence. The plan, viewed largely, will be as follows: The four schemes which form the logoic Quaternary [406] will merge into their synthesizing scheme, that of Saturn, while Venus and Mercury will merge into Uranus and Neptune. No importance need be attached to the sequence of these names. The dual fact is all that is necessary to grasp.

Neptune, Uranus and Saturn will, therefore, have absorbed the essence of manifestation and (in connection with the solar Logos) they correspond to the three permanent atoms in the causal body of a man. We say "correspond" for the analogy is not in detail. Uranus and Neptune are reflections of the logoic astral and mental permanent atoms. Saturn is in fact the correspondence to the logoic physical permanent atom. This is an occult mystery and must not be separated from its allied truth in the cosmic scheme.

Viewing manas as the vibratory activity of all atoms and narrowing our concept down to our own scheme it is interesting to note that some correspondences can be traced as we study this fifth principle during the present round, the fourth. The manasic principle is the basis of the coming into activity and the mental recognition of the following facts in nature.

The fifth spirilla within the atom of matter will become active. This fifth spirilla is beginning faintly to vibrate, while the fourth spirilla, in this fourth round is assuming a vibration that will cause the intense vitalization of the vehicles, and eventually bring about the shattering of the form, and the subsequent escape of the Spirit into a form composed of matter which responds to the vibration of the fifth spirilla.

The fourth ether is coming into recognition, and along with it will come the knowledge of the lives which it embodies. Hence the success of spiritualistic endeavor, for the larger number of the average discarnate entities at this stage who are willing to make contact with the physical plane are clothed in matter of this ether. The devas [407] of this ether will also come to be known before the end of this round, and alliance will be made between the fourth Creative Hierarchy of men, and the devas of the fourth ether.

The fourth plane, the buddhic, by the aid of manas, will gradually be realized. This will be done as manas is transmuted into wisdom. By a few in this round the fifth principle will be superseded by the principle of buddhi. Right on from now till the middle of the next round there will be an overlapping of the four and the five – manas and the buddhic principle – thus making the nine, or perfected man, the initiate.

It might also be remarked that more and more will the control of the fourth Kumara be evidenced and felt. On this I cannot enlarge, being only permitted to make the statement.

The consciousness of the mass of the human family will gradually pass on to the fourth subplane of the mental plane, and be more and more controlled by purely concrete mind. Unless this is paralleled by a steady influx of egos on to the buddhic plane in conscious activity, and thus out of the control of manas pure and simple, a very serious condition will have to be handled by the Hierarchy.

The work of the four Maharajahs who apportion karma within the ring-pass-not will reach its culminating point during the fourth round. In the next round, the work of the Lipikas who handle affairs in connection with our system outside the ring-pass-not will become more prominent. This is necessarily so, as the Lipika Lords dispense the law to those who have merged themselves with their divine principle, and are no longer held by the material forms of the three worlds. The Lords of Karma, or the Maharajahs, work with the sons of men in the three worlds, and through manasic principle. [408]

We have now for consideration some further points on the subject of manasic development within the system and then we can proceed to discuss the future of manas, our final subheading.

It will be apparent to all of us that the vastness of the subject and the enormous cycles of time involved tend to obscurity and lack of definiteness. Only the high lights stand out, and only broad general concepts, and the impartation of fundamental facts (to the exclusion of detail) are in any way possible in this treatise. Certain ideas stand out clearly against the background of intricate plans, against the apparent confusion caused by the overlapping of cycles, both great and lesser, and against accumulation of chaotic detail. This apparent chaos, and even seeming contradiction, is the result of our imperfect evolution, the result of our entire lack of perspective incident upon our place in the planetary scheme, and the result of the shortness of our vision. Broad outstanding generalizations are all that we can appreciate at our present stage, and they might be summed up as three in number:

Position or the place of the system within its greater whole, and the corporate nature of all manifestation. This involves the concept of:

• A cosmic system, involving lesser systems and holding them together by the power of a unified life¹⁴⁴.
• A solar system, a portion of that greater system of [409] manifestation, equally involving lesser forms of objectivity, and holding them likewise unified by the power of its own life.
• A planetary scheme, or subdivision of that solar system. This likewise persists as a unit by itself, yet has no existence apart from other units.
• Groups or unified bodies within the scheme. These are again individualized, yet at the same time are a part of the greater whole.
• Congeries or aggregations of cells, the subdivisions of groups. These must be similarly interpreted.
• The cells, or the individualized units, within the groups. Each of these is a conscious entity, yet each has no existence apart from its groups.

Each of these divisions is characterized by:

An ensouling life, which – as far as we are concerned, emanates from the ONE ABOUT WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID, Who ensouls the seven solar systems, down through the Lord of a solar system, through the cosmic Entities we call the Heavenly Men, and the solar Entities ensouling groups and through that peculiar central manifestation we call a human being to the little cell within the body of that human being, and the atom which is the basic material whereof all forms in all the kingdoms of nature are made.

Intelligent activity, or the display of purpose or manas, the fifth principle in every type of manifestation. This, as earlier pointed out, is the intelligent plan of the Entity concerned working out in time and space.

Power to evolve or progress. This is literally the distinctive ability of the ensouling life within the form to progress intelligently from lower to higher forms of manifestation. This is above all the peculiar and perfected attribute of the fifth principle.

Capacity to cohere. This is the ability of all intelligent, active Lives during evolution to conform to the Law of Attraction and Repulsion, and thus form a conscious, intelligent part of a greater life. It is literally [410] the transmutation of manas into wisdom. Though all that IS exists in form yet little is as yet brought under the intelligent control of the entity within the form. Only the Heavenly Men and Their superior embracing lives are consciously and intelligently working through and dominating the form, for only They, as yet, are perfected manas. Beneath them come many grades of consciousness. Man is gradually achieving that conscious control over matter in the three worlds which his divine Prototypes, the Heavenly Men, have already achieved. They are attaining a similar control on higher levels. Below man come many lives who are blind and unconscious of the congery or subdivision of which they form part. Thus can be seen, in general outline, the place of manas at the present stage.

Relation. Another outstanding feature that is the result of our studies is that of relation. The realization of this in future years will lead to the study of the different polarities of the different spheres (from a planetary scheme to an atom) within the solar ring-pass-not, and of the relation existing between:

1. A scheme and the totality of schemes.
2. Scheme and scheme.
3. Chain and chain.
4. Globe and globe.
5. Group and group.
6. Subdivision and subdivision.
7. Unit and unit.¹⁴⁵
8. Cell and cell.

The interrelation of all these factors and their profound interdependence is one of the most important points for us to grasp; though this whole relation is governed by the law of Attraction and Repulsion, and [411] therefore comes more under what we call the second aspect, yet self consciousness itself is the result of the manasic principle, and the close cooperation between these two factors of mind and love-wisdom, or the two laws of Attraction and Synthesis, must ever be carefully remembered.

Limitation. This is a prime factor to be borne in mind in considering a cosmos, a system, a scheme, a chain, or any form of limiting sphere down through them all to the physical atom of the scientist. It presupposes:

1. Capacity beyond that manifested.
2. Duality, or that which is limited and the limiting substance.
3. Purpose, for in an ordered scheme of existence, the limitation persists just as long as it is required in order to attain certain ends. It is succeeded by "abstraction" occultly understood, and in its literal sense.

When these three factors:

• Position,
• Relation,
• Limitation,

are studied within the system, the close connection of all the groups within the whole will be evidenced, and the need of each part for all other parts will be brought out.

As regards cosmic position, relation and limitation, little can be said, as e'en to the Heavenly Men Themselves the matter is obscure. That this is necessarily so must be apparent when Their place in the scheme of things is realized and Their relative unimportance is considered. Therefore, we can do no more than accept the fact of the inconceivable magnitude of that EXISTENCE which is manifesting through seven solar systems, and the extension of this concept of Being to [412] embrace the entire vault of the Heavens. It is interesting to bear in mind in this connection that all that is seen, being objective forms or Beings in manifestation through certain spheres of light, may not be all that IS, but that there may lie back of everything visible a vast realm or realms of Existences. The very brain of man reels in contemplation of such a concept. Yet just as there are tens of millions of human beings out of objective manifestation, or discarnate, on the subtler planes of the solar system, so there may be cosmic entities, in rank equal to the ONE ABOUT WHOM NAUGHT MAY BE SAID, Who are in a similar sense discarnate, and found in realms subtler than that of the manifestation of light.

We might now consider briefly the subject of the five Kumaras, Who are the sum total of manas on the Earth. I have stated that the Lord of the World, the first Kumara, is the planetary Logos of our scheme in physical incarnation, but nowhere has the impression been conveyed that the three Kumaras, associated with Him, are three other planetary Logoi. This is in no way the case. These three, called the "Buddha's of Activity," are but the vicegerents upon our planet of those three planetary Logoi, Who, with our planetary Logos, make the sum total of the logoic Quaternary. Associated with them are the three esoteric Kumaras, mentioned in the Secret Doctrine, (S. D., I, 493) Who represent the three other Logoi, and so make focal points for all the logoic forces within our chain. In each chain such representatives are found, six focal points embraced by the seventh, the planetary Logos of the scheme, Who holds them all within His aura. [413]

Their work is threefold:

First. They are the centers in the body of the planetary Logos. Each chain corresponds to one center, and the globes are but the lesser wheels within any particular center. The life of the Logos in this incarnation on the Earth is flowing through three centers and beginning to stimulate a fourth, hence four globes are involved and the three Kumaras (so called for lack of a better term) are vitally intelligently active; three are in abeyance and one is beginning to function. The globes correspond to the chains. This fourth Kumara is as yet practically unrealized, but as hinted at earlier His day is about to dawn.

Second. They act as transmitters of a particular type of force to those units who go to the content of any particular center. They are, in fact, the agents for the Lords of the Rays to the Monads of any ray in incarnation in any particular chain and on any particular globe.

Third. They are the agents for:

1. The Lord of a Ray as stated above.
2. The four Maharajahs.
3. The planetary Logos of Their own scheme.
4. The great Deva of the Earth planet.

They work with the law; They are the cognizers of the intelligent purpose of the planetary Logos, and know His plans; They are the vital activity of the planet, and in a subtle sense they are not only the Ray representatives but likewise the link between the chain and the scheme.

It might here be stated that the relative failure that was the fate of the Moon chain in our scheme has greatly handicapped Their work, and made it imperative for Them to employ drastic measures in order to offset that failure. Herein lies another clue to the world turmoil. [414]

It might be of interest here, if, before passing on to other matters, we took up the very difficult subject of the moon chain and answer certain pertinent questions that may have arisen in the minds of students.

The enumeration of the chains and of the schemes as given in the two charts is entirely for the present, and covers a period comparatively recent, carrying forward the history of evolution to the middle of the next round in our chain. Had we been given the charts embracing pre-Lemurian days, and extending back a distance into the (humanly speaking) unfathomable past, we would have seen the moon chain portrayed with the Neptune chain omitted. In the chart as given two chains are apparently lacking, the moon chain and the Uranus chain. The reasons are abstruse, but something may be hinted at as follows:

The Moon chain with the Earth chain formed two units, or two polarities, negative and positive. The point of merging was reached, and the Earth chain absorbed or synthesized the moon chain in the same sense as certain of the schemes will merge until only three will apparently be left. Therefore the Earth chain is essentially dual in its nature, being the sumtotal of a male and a female chain. This is a mystery impossible to elucidate further, but it is dealt with in certain occult books, and hinted at by H. P. B. (S. D., I, Section IX, Vol. I, 176-200)

In due course of time another merging in the scheme will eventuate and then Uranus (the chain of that name in our scheme) will flash into objectivity. Forget not that the schemes manifest as seven, as ten, as three from the angle of the Eternal Now, or – from the point of view of a Heavenly Man – the manifestation may be written as . In time and space the order might be stated to be 7-3-10, and at certain stages 10-7-3. As [415] the opposites merge the ten become the seven and the three, and it is during this process that entire chains and globes, and eventually schemes, will apparently vanish from objectivity, and drop out of sight. They will be simply absorbed. During the twofold process of evolution, it might be numerically expressed as:

• During involution the sequence is seen as three, then seven and finally ten.
• During evolution the sequence is ten, then seven and finally three.

The involutionary process is over practically and the evolutionary is approximately midway through. This will be marked by the disappearance or absorption of certain chains as they find their polar opposites, and a simultaneous appearance of the more subtle chains or globes as the manasic principle enables man to see them. The moon chain is in process of disappearance, and only a decaying body is left; the life of the second and the first Logos has been withdrawn from it, and only the latent life of matter itself remains. Simultaneously Neptune arose over the horizon, and took its place as one of the seven manifesting chains of the planetary Logos. We are here dealing with the Neptune chain of the earth scheme.

The Moon chain has in itself a curious occult history, not yet to be disclosed. This differentiates it from the other chains in the scheme and even from any other chain in any scheme. An analogous situation or correspondence will be found in another planetary scheme within the solar system. All this is hidden in the history of one of the solar systems which is united to ours within a cosmic ring-pass-not. Hence the impossibility of yet enlarging upon it. Each Heavenly Man of a scheme is a focal point for the force and power and vibratory life of seven stupendous ENTITIES in exactly the same sense [416] as the seven centers in a human being are the focal points for the influence of a corresponding heavenly Prototype. Our Heavenly Man, therefore, is esoterically allied to one of the seven solar systems, and in this mysterious alliance is hidden the mystery of the moon chain.

Certain brief hints may be given for the due consideration of students:

• The Moon chain was a chain wherein a systemic failure was to be seen.
• It is connected with the lower principles, which H.P.B. has stated are now superseded.
• The sexual misery of this planet finds its origin in the moon failure.
• The progress of evolution on the moon was abruptly disturbed and arrested by the timely interference of the solar Logos. The secret of the suffering in the Earth chain, which makes it merit the name of the Sphere of Suffering, and the mystery of the long and painful watch kept by the SILENT WATCHER,¹⁴⁸ has its origin in the events which brought the moon chain to a terrific culmination. Conditions of agony and of distress such as are found on our planet are found in no such degree in any other scheme. [417]
• The misuse of the vibratory power of a certain center, and the perversion, or distortion of force to certain erroneous ends, not along the line of evolution, account for much of the moon mystery.
• Certain results, such as the finding of its polar opposite, were hastened unduly on the moon chain, and the consequence was an uneven development and a retardation of the evolution of a certain number of deva and human groups.
• The origin of the feud between the Lords of the Dark Face and the Brotherhood of Light, which found scope for activity in Atlantean days, and during the present root race, can be traced back to the moon chain.

We have here all that it is possible to give out at this time, and much that has hitherto not been permitted publication. It is necessary again to emphasize the need of attaching no importance to the names of the chains and globes, and the necessity of a numerical enumeration; at the same time should the student decide to number the chains, and globes, he must carefully bear in mind that the sequence of numbers has no reference or relation to place or time, nor to sequence of appearance, or order of manifestation.

It is only intended to handle this immense subject primarily in its relation to MAN, leaving the student to work out for himself much of what might be said, and to expand the concept from the unit to the group, and from the group to the totality of groups within the solar system. We will only touch upon the development of the mind in man and hint at some probable developments; we shall endeavor to show that manas, as it evolves, leads to certain distinct characteristics, which [418] distinguish it from other developments which may be seen. The subject therefore will be discussed under the following subheadings:

1. The characteristics of manas.
2. Probable developments of the human mind.
3. Manas in the final rounds.

In studying all these points the emphasis is, of course, to be laid upon the future, and I enlarge not upon that which is already developed.

The main characteristics of manas might be summed up under three heads:

1. Discrimination.
2. Ordered activity.
3. Adaptability.

Let us study these a little and note wherein in days and cycles to come they will be seen working out.

This is necessarily almost the statement of a platitude. All students recognize the discriminative quality of manas and its selective capacity; all recognize the faculty in man which enables him to distinguish intelligently between the Self and the Not-Self. What we are apt to forget is that this faculty persists on all planes, and is threefold in manifestation:

First. Discrimination between the I-consciousness, and that which is cognized in the external world. This is the ability to distinguish between oneself and all other forms extant. It is universally developed and has reached a fairly high stage of evolution.

Second. Discrimination between the Ego and the Personality. This narrows the concept down to the sphere of a man's own consciousness, and enables him to differentiate between his subjective self or soul, and the bodies which hold that soul enshrined. This is not [419] by any means so universally developed. Most men do not as yet distinguish with accuracy between themselves as the THINKER, persistent in time and space, and the vehicle through which they think, which is ephemeral and transient. The real recognition of this essential duality, and the scientific appreciation of it is to be seen in the mystics, the advanced thinkers of the race, the conscious aspirants, and those nearing the Portal of Initiation.

Third. Discrimination between soul and Spirit, or the realization by the man that not only can he say, "I am"; not only can he realize that "I am That"; but that he can advance to a still further realization, and say,"I am That I am."

In all these expansions and appreciations the discriminative faculty of manas is utilized.

Therefore, we can see for ourselves the future development, and whereto it will lead mankind. Man now knows himself as a separated unit of consciousness; he now distinguishes between himself and all other materialized selves; he now realizes himself as distinct from every other functioning sphere of matter from the materialized Logos to the cell in his own physical body, and the cell in all bodies on the physical plane. This separate instinct, this distinguishing self-centeredness has been the nursery wherein the infant, man, has segregated himself until he is of full strength, and able to take his share in the work of his group. Only the voluntary merging of interest and of aim is of value, and only that is seen in man as he nears the final part of the path of evolution. It is incident upon an earlier stage of intense self-assertion and intense self-realization. This stage is with us now; it marks all manifestation, and is the basis of the preservation of identity. It distinguishes: [420]

• The Logos and all forms within His body.
• The planetary Logoi and all forms within Their bodies.
• Man and all forms within his body.

That which must be emphasized is the little realized concept that this assertion of "I am" distinguishes not only man, but is the mantric word which preserves the integrity of all groups likewise. When man can say "I am That" he is beginning to sense his oneness with his group. When groups make a similar assertion they are beginning to realize their identity with all other groups. When a planetary Logos echoes the words "I am That" He is approaching the hour of synthesis, or of absorption. When a solar Logos utters the words, a year of Brahma will be drawing to a close, and the hour of conscious merging with His greater group will be approaching. Broadly (in relation to man) it might be stated that:

• "I am" refers to the personality consciousness on three lower planes, or to all that is considered as inferior to the causal body. It concerns a man's realization of his place upon the globe within a chain.
• "I am That" refers to his egoic consciousness, and to the planes of the Triad. It concerns a man's realization of his place within the chain and his relationship to the group of which he forms a part.
• "I am That I am" refers to a man's monadic consciousness, and his relationship to the planes of abstraction. It concerns his realization of his position in thescheme.

When the initiate can say "I am That I am," then he has merged himself with his divine essence, and is freed from form. The first occult assertion marks his emancipation from the three lower kingdoms, and his conscious [421] functioning in the three worlds. This occurred at individualization through the instrumentality of manas. The second occult assertion marks the gradual emancipation of man from the lower three kingdoms, and his complete freeing from lower form domination at the fifth initiation. At the final assertion, the initiate not only distinguishes between the Self, and all other forms of manifestation; he not only distinguishes between his own identity and the soul, as well as matter in form, but he can discriminate between the three – Spirit, Soul, and Matter – and with this realization he is entirely liberated from manifestation for this greater cycle. This inherent discriminative faculty of manas, displayed on ever higher spirals leads a man

• Into matter and form,
• Through all forms of matter on all planes and
• Finally brings about his eventual abstraction from all forms and matter, plus the aggregate of transmuted knowledge which the evolutionary process has procured for him.

Here comes in the concept of intelligent purpose, pursuing a fixed and settled plan, and working out a preconceived ideal in time and space. The Microcosm comes into incarnation through impulse based on intelligent purpose originating in his case on the mental plane – the plane of the manasic principle. An interesting point might here be indicated. The fifth plane, the mental, may be considered on a large scale as holding, in the case of a Heavenly Man, a position symbolically analogous to that held by the causal bodies of the units on His Ray. Some causal bodies are on the third and some on the second subplanes, and the intricacy is excessive and various, producing geometrical forms allied somewhat to those portrayed upon the charts. All is ordered activity of the units (each [422] pursuing his own self-centered purpose and following the inclination of the lower self, whose slogan is "I am"). This will gradually give place to the ordered activity of the groups in which the units recognize the oneness of their self-interest, and therefore intelligently, actively, and with conscious purpose work for the good of the body corporate. The vibration which occultly accompanies the sounding of the words "I am That" by the units on the physical plane is only very faintly beginning to make itself felt. Units here and there are sounding it forth by their lives, and are thus passing on the vibration, and setting it in motion against the cruder, coarser one of "I am."

The time for the sounding of the final mantric phrase by ordered active groups lies ahead in the sixth and seventh rounds, and will not reach its full vibration in this solar system at all. "I am That" will peal forth fully consummated in this system of duality, for the third initiation sees the initiate comprehending its mantric force. Nevertheless, initiates of the sixth and seventh Initiations will not preponderate in this system. After the fifth round and the passing into temporary obscuration of two fifths of the human family, the remaining units will achieve an approximate standing as follows:

• One fifth will mantrically sound the words "I am That I am."
• Two fifths will achieve the fifth Initiation and will know themselves as "I am That." They will also be cultivating response to the higher note.
• One fifth and a half will attain the third Initiation, and will know themselves as "I am That" in full consciousness.

The remaining units will be those who are treading the Path, and beginning to know themselves as the group. [423] In reference to what has been said anent the second characteristic of manas, a very interesting development may be looked for during the coming century. This is the intensification of business organization, and the bringing (under law and order), of the entire life of:

• Families and groups of families,
• Cities and groups of cities,
• Nations and groups of nations,

until the human race in every department of its exoteric life will conform to rule – this voluntarily, and with manasic realization of group need. The whole trend of mental effort during the next subraces will be towards the synthesis of endeavor, thus ensuring the good of the corporate body involved. Many interesting events will occur and many experiments will necessarily be made (some to prove successful and some failures), before manas, or purposeful, ordered, intelligent activity, will control in the life of the peoples of this world. It is not possible to enter into this in greater detail, as the subject is too vast.

Let us now take the third attribute of manas and its future demonstration.

This is, as we know, the prime attribute ascribed to the third Ray, or the Brahma aspect. Therefore, fundamentally it may be considered as the attribute of intelligence which adapts the matter aspect to the Spirit aspect, and is a characteristic inherent in matter itself. It works under the two laws of Economy, and of Attraction and Repulsion; the work of the Mahachohan being primarily along this line. Consequently the four lesser Rays of Attribute which are synthesized into the third Ray of Aspect, Adaptability, or Active Intelligence, are fundamentally concerned, and the future of manas is therefore involved in the growing influence of these four Rays: [424]

1. Harmony, Beauty, Art or Unity.
2. Concrete Science or Knowledge.
3. Abstract Idealism.
4. Ceremonial Magic.

When the future results brought about by the four types of force mentioned above are somewhat realized, and their relationship to the adaptation of matter to Spirit (through the building into form), is studied, much of profound significance will be sensed by the student. In the foretelling of mental developments along these four lines and the prophesying of definite achievement, indications may be given of the path which concrete science may follow. Let us, therefore, take these four types of force, or these four planetary influences, and study them separately, bearing ever in mind that:

1. Each of them has swung into power during earlier world cycles.
2. One of them, being the influence of our own planetary Logos, is ever present with us, and is the major influence or vibration on the planet.
3. Certain of them are passing out of power at this present time, and others are coming in.
4. During the remainder of this round and the entire fifth round these four rays of attribute will circulate into and out of power ceaselessly; towards the end of the fifth round the third Ray of Aspect will predominate, having begun its work of synthesizing and its influence will be paralleled in the sixth round by the gradually growing power of the second Ray of Aspect, – the two types of influence overlapping. In the seventh round, the power of the second Ray will predominate and the influence of the third will weaken. The first Ray will make itself felt. The first Ray, that of [425] Mahadeva¹⁴⁹ or the Destroyer, will set its second great impulse upon our planetary evolution by the obscuration of two fifths of the human family. The impress to be set by the first Ray upon our human family on this globe might be considered as threefold:

First. At human individualization in the middle of the third root-race. This was produced by a vast destruction of the forms we call animal-man. This point has seldom been brought out in teaching. The advent of the Lords of the Flame, the electrical storm which ushered in the period of man, was distinguished by disaster, chaos, and the destruction of many in the third kingdom of nature. The spark of mind was implanted and the strength of its vibration, and the immediate effect of its presence caused the death of the animal form, thus producing the immediate possibility of the newly vitalized causal bodies vibrating to such purpose that new physical vehicles were taken. That was the Will aspect manifesting in the fourth round in connection with the human family.

Second. In the fifth round, at the so-called Judgment. This will bring about the apparent destruction of two-fifths of the human family, and the translation of the indwelling units of consciousness to other spheres, more [426] suited to their stage of evolution. This event will be regarded at the time as a catastrophe, but the Knowers will see and know, and three fifths of the human family will understand the reason.

Third. At the final reabsorption of the perfected monads into their emanating source in the seventh round. This will be marked by obscuration and the destruction of the form. Suffering will be practically nil, as the human units involved will have reached a stage where they can consciously cooperate in the process of abstraction. It is evident therefore that as regards the human family (the manasaputras in incarnation), the fourth, fifth, and seventh rounds hold hid the key to the first aspect. For the devas it is the first, second and sixth. For the involutionary entity, whom we call the "spirit of the planet" it is simply the third.

The third Ray holds sway all the time, for the second Ray only came into power in the second round. It holds sway simultaneously with the second Ray until the end of the age, when it begins gradually to obscure as the first Ray swings into influence again. Remember, nevertheless, that all three are at all times present. It is simply a question of degree and of cyclic evolution.

We might now take the four minor Rays, which, with the third, make the sumtotal of manas, and see wherein their influence may be expected. The subject is so stupendous that we cannot possibly do more than touch upon certain points, nor can we enlarge along the line of the mechanistic development of forms to utilize the force. This is all hidden in the science of electricity, and as exoteric science discovers how:

• To utilize the power in the air, or to reduce electrical phenomena to the uses of man;
• To build forms, and create machines to contain and distribute the electrical forces of the atmosphere; [427]
• To harness the activity of matter, and to drive it towards certain ends;
• To employ the electrical force in the air to vitalize, rebuild, and heal the physical body;

then the phenomena of the Rays, working in cycles, will be comprehended, and vast opportunities will be seized by man to bring about specific ends during specific cycles.

or the second manasic aspect (adaptability being the third) will work out in the following ways:

• In the development of the intuition by the means of the knowledge of sound vibration, and the higher mathematics. This is being already touched upon exoterically.
• Music, as a means to be employed in building and destroying, will be recognized, and the laws of levitation and of rhythmic movement in all forms, from an atom to a solar system, will be studied. The manipulation of matter of all kinds by the means of sound will be practiced on the two lower planes, and when the synthesis of the four rays into the third is in process of accomplishment, then a similar knowledge will be displayed on the mental plane.
• The laws of fire will be gradually permitted exoteric publication; there are twenty-seven occult laws which are only revealed after initiation at this stage of evolution. In them are summed up the basic laws of color and of music and rhythm. When music produces warmth or stimulation, and when pictures, for instance, glow or reveal the subjective within the objective, then will this fourth Ray of Harmony be coming to fruition.

Let us keep the numbering of the Rays clearly in mind. The numbers preceding the names have to do with the sevenfold manifestation, and the numbers succeeding the names concern the fivefold manifestation of Brahma. [428]

Rays of Aspect:	1. Will or Power.
	2. Love or Wisdom.
	3. Adaptability or active intelligence	1.
Rays of Attribute:	4. Harmony, Beauty or Art	2.
	5. Concrete Knowledge or Science	3.
	6. Abstract Idealism	4.
	7. Ceremonial Magic	5.

We must now continue, with our consideration of the four types of force, emanating from certain great Entities, and the future results that may be expected from their effect upon man, remembering ever that these four influences (with their synthesis, the third Ray of Aspect) sum up, in themselves, the fifth logoic principle of manas. They are, literally, the radiatory effects of the Divine Manasaputras. We are concerned primarily with the results to be brought about in the units in Their bodies.

The coming into power of this fourth Ray at any time (and such an advent may be looked for towards the close of this lesser cycle, which ended in 1924) will produce a corresponding activity in connection with the fourth subplane in each plane, beginning with the fourth physical ether; this will result in the following effects:

First, physical plane scientists will be able to speak with authority anent the fourth ether, even though they may not recognize it as the lowest of the four etheric grades of substance: its sphere of influence and its utilization will be comprehended, and "force" as a factor in matter, or the electrical manifestation of energy within definite limits, will be as well understood as is hydrogen at this time. Indications of this can already be seen in the discovery of radium, and the study of radioactive substances and of electronic demonstration. This knowledge will revolutionize the life of man; it will put into his hands that which occultists call "power of the fourth order" (on the physical plane). It will enable him to [429] utilize electrical energy for the regulation of his everyday life in a way as yet incomprehensible; it will produce new methods of illuminating, and of heating the world at a small cost and with practically no initial outlay. The fact of the existence of the etheric body will be established, and the healing of the dense physical body, via the etheric body, by force utilization and solar radiation, will take the place of the present methods. Healing will then fall practically into two departments:

1. Vitalization, by means of:
   1. Electricity.
   2. Solar and planetary radiation.
2. Definite curative processes, through the occult knowledge of:
   1. The force centers.
   2. The work of the devas of the fourth ether.

Transportation on sea and land will be largely superseded by the utilization of air routes and the transit of large bodies through the air, by means of the instantaneous use of the force or energy inherent in the ether itself, will take the place of the present methods.

Religious students will study the side of manifestation we call the "life side" just as the scientist studies that called "matter," and both will come to a realization of the close relation existing between the two, and thus the old gap and the ancient warfare between science and religion will be in temporary abeyance. Definite methods of demonstrating the fact that life persists after the death of the physical body will be followed, and the etheric web will be recognized as a factor in the case. The connection between the different planes will be sought, and the analogy between the fourth etheric subplane and the fourth or buddhic plane (the fourth cosmic ether) will be studied, for it will be realized that the life of those Entities, Whom we recognize as the planetary Logoi, pours [430] through our scheme from the fourth cosmic plane, the cosmic buddhic, and thus in a very special sense through all lesser correspondences. The alignment will be as follows:

1. The fourth cosmic plane, the cosmic buddhic.
2. The fourth cosmic ether, the fourth plane of the system, the buddhic.
3. The fourth etheric subplane of our physical plane.

There is thus a line of least resistance from the planes of the cosmos, producing a special activity in connection with the Heavenly Men, demonstrating on Their Own plane, and sequentially in connection with the units in Their bodies on lower levels. Lines of force, extending from our scheme extra-systemically, will be a recognized fact, and will be interpreted by scientists in terms of electrical phenomena, and by the religious man in terms of life, – the life force of certain Entities.

Philosophic students will endeavor simultaneously to link these two schools of thought, and to demonstrate the factor of the intelligent adaptation of the electrical phenomena which we call matter, – of that energized active material we call substance, – to the life purpose of a cosmic Being. In these three lines of thought, therefore, – scientific, religious, and philosophic, – we have the beginning of the conscious building, or construction of the antahkarana of that group which we call the fifth root-race.

On the fourth subplane of the astral plane, a similar activity will be noted as in process. The inflowing force will cause an astral stimulation in the bodies of many of the human family who are still on that subplane, and will bring about an awakening of the desire for harmony in a new manner. This will work out relatively well in the sixth subrace. It should be remembered that numbers of the old Atlanteans (fourth root-race men) will respond to [431] the stimulation and will find their way into incarnation at that time, for the four and the six are always closely allied. We have another suggestive analogy in the fact that the devas of the fourth ether will be soon swinging into recognized utility and that in the sixth subrace the deva evolution will be exceedingly prominent. The fourth plane is the plane of at-one-ment for certain deva and human units, and certain groups (the fourth Creative Hierarchy and the sixth Deva Hierarchy) have a pronounced karma to work out together. One can now see the supreme importance of the human Hierarchy, the fourth in this sequence of planes and ideas.

• Second Cosmic Plane – Seven Cosmic Logoi.
• Fourth Cosmic Plane – Seven Rishis of the Great Bear.
• Second Solar Plane – Seven Heavenly Men.
• Fourth Solar Plane – Seven centers of the seven Heavenly Men in the fourth cosmic ether.
• Fourth subplane of the solar physical – Seven centers of the human unit in ether of the fourth order.

The beauty of the interlocking system will be apparent, even though it may not be so immediately understandable wherein lies the relation between these complexities of entities. We must ever remember that we are considering the force or life-energy of these entities as it pours into, and works through definite, material, substantial forms.

On the fourth subplane of the mental plane there will be, in the immediate future, a period of intensified evolution for the units of the fifth root-race, prior to their passing out of and into another race, globe, chain, or scheme. We have on the fourth subplane of the fifth plane the center of interest for the present race and the day of its opportunity. Here can be seen the awakening of the higher consciousness, and the first ripple of perception of, and vibratory response to, the causal body. In this [432] connection, we must ever remember that the periphery of the causal body encloses the permanent atoms. It is the plane of testing, of the major initiations of the Threshold; it is the battleground in man, and from this plane he must secure the right to enter the Path, and procure that control over his lower bodies which will make him a master, and not a slave.

Thus one could progress the idea and fill many books with suggestions as to that which may be expected during the next few centuries but it does not serve any useful purpose to enlarge further. I might, in summing up these ideas, point out that the immediate future achievement consists in the utilization of force and of electrical energy for the more harmonious adjustment of the life of man.

One or two more suggestions might be made anent the influence of this fourth Ray of mind, and primarily it might be pointed out that more time has been given to the consideration of this Ray than will be possible with most of the others on account of its holding a place of such importance in this fourth chain of the earth scheme, and on the fourth globe, our earthly planet. Each planetary Logos pours forth His influence in different rounds, planes, chains, globes, races, and subraces according to their numerical relationship to the scheme of which He is the vitalizing Life. Temporarily, and as the cycle progresses, these forms become receptive and negative and are thus responsive to the positive influence of the planetary Logos.

One further point I would make, and as it is of an esoteric and occult nature, it can be but hinted at. At the fourth Initiation, the force of the Logos of the fourth Ray is a vital factor in the initiation. It is through the application of the Rod of Initiation that His Life energy is applied to the initiate, or the electrical force that emanates from Him is geometrically circulated through [433] certain centers, producing the necessitated stimulation. At the fifth Initiation similarly the force of the third Logos may be felt, and at the sixth that of the second Logos, while at the seventh the dynamic fire of the first Logos circulates through the body of the Chohan. It might be tabulated thus:

1. The magical force of the seventh Logos is felt at the first Initiation.
2. The aggressive fire of the sixth Logos is felt at the second Initiation.
3. The illuminating light of the fifth Logos is felt at the third Initiation.
4. The harmonizing life of the fourth Logos is felt at the fourth Initiation.
5. The blending power of the third Logos is felt at the fifth Initiation.
6. The unifying heat of the second Logos is felt at the sixth Initiation.
7. The dynamic electricity of the first Logos is felt at the seventh Initiation.

Let us now pass on to the brief consideration of the future influence of the third manasic ray of "Concrete Knowledge or Science." As I have elsewhere pointed out this ray concerns itself with the building of form, with the utilization of matter, with the embodying of ideas, or of entities, whether cosmic, systemic, lunar, or subhuman. The planetary Logos of this fifth systemic Ray holds a peculiar position in the scheme of things. He is the embodiment of the fifth logoic principle of manas. His is the synthesizing scheme for the five schemes of the five Kumaras Who are Brahma, when viewed as the sum total of the third logoic aspect, though He is not the synthesizing factor for the seven schemes which are the sum total of logoic manifestation considered as the union of the second and third aspects. This is a point of prime importance to bear in mind. His is the influence that leads to the scientific adaptation of matter to form, [434] and His is the life that unifies ever the three and the five. Let us see if, by illustration, we can make this idea more simple. He is, as we know, the embodiment of the fifth principle. His influence, therefore, may ever be felt in His numerical correspondences, for He is the Lord of the fifth Ray in the system, and Ruler of the third Manasic Ray when considering only the third aspect. At individualization, or at the coming into incarnation of the self-conscious units, the fifth principle linked the higher three and the lower four. This took place in the third root-race and produced a form wherein dwelt Spirit on the third subplane of the fifth plane. All these analogies will bear pondering upon and the numerical relationship is not by chance. His was the power that acted via certain schemes, chains, and globes, and produced results in the cells and groups of cells in the body of our particular planetary Logos. This is given by way of elucidation, and by ray of indicating the relative importance of the influence of a planetary Logos upon another planetary Logos during different stages of evolution.

This influence has waxed and waned since that time, dying down during the fourth root-race, and waxing steadily greater during this fifth or Aryan. The planetary Logos Whose influence it is has not yet reached the zenith of His power, in this race. For a period immediately ahead His electrical energizing force will pour on to our planet, and will bring about fresh discoveries anent matter and form, and fresh revelations concerning energy in matter.

During the coming subraces His cycle will begin to pass out, and the influence of His Brother, the fourth Logos of Harmony, will reach its zenith for this round. During the fifth round the power or electrical radiation of the fifth Logos will again be strongly felt, for it is His round, and just as He was largely responsible for the manasic stimulation of animal man in the third root-race, so in [435] the fifth round will he be instrumental in causing that great separation which we call the "Judgment." Remember in this connection that these Logoi – when pouring Their influence through a scheme or other septenary – work through Their numerical correspondence in the chains and globes. In the fifth round, for instance, the fifth chain (a center in the body of the Heavenly Man) will be the recipient of this fifth type of force and will transmit and circulate it to the other chains via their fifth globe. Until the race has further evolved the mystery lies securely hid, and the inability of man to find out the enumeration of the schemes, chains, and globes, or to discover whether they are counted from within outwards, or vice versa, conceals that which must be bid.

The influence of this fifth Logos will be felt very considerably now on the fifth subplane of all the planes, specially in the three worlds of human endeavor, and as we are here dealing with man we can count from what is erroneously termed "the bottom up." Therefore, the mental unit of men in this fifth subrace will receive increased stimulation, enabling man to vibrate on the fifth subplane which literally is the third subplane on the abstract level of the mental plane, on which the causal body is found. The fifth spirilla will, consequently, become active and the electrical force, or the fohatic current, will pour through it, and enable those men who are at the right stage to utilize this force in order to take the first initiation.

As this fifth influence becomes more and more felt, its effects will be seen on the astral plane in an intelligent conscious control which will be based not so much on the desire for harmony as on a desire for a scientific, intelligent manipulation of astral matter. When this is the case, the higher psychism will begin to make itself felt. On the physical plane a great deal of interesting electrical phenomena will be seen, and the opportunity of the [436] Manu to separate races, to segregate types, and to submerge and detach continents will be great. This is the ray of separative force, and its place, as a factor in the erection and destruction of forms, is very interesting.

It may be asked wherein this can all be interpreted in terms of fire, and thus the integrity of the thought-form of this book be preserved. Whenever the words influence, radiation, or the power of a ray, are used, we are dealing inferentially with electrical phenomena, or with energy of some kind. This energy, or electrical manifestation, this "mystery of electricity" to which H. P. B. refers, (S. D., I, 107) is the foundation of all manifestations, and lies back of all evolution. It produces light in ever-growing brilliancy; it builds and moulds the form to the need of the indwelling Entity; it brings about coherence and group activity; it is the warmth that causes all growth, and that fosters not only the manifestations of the vegetable and animal kingdoms but induces interaction between the human units, and lies behind all human relationships. It is magnetism, radiation, attraction and repulsion, life, death, and all things; it is conscious purpose and essential will in objective manifestation, and he who has solved what lies back of electrical phenomena has solved not only the secret of his own Being, but knows his place within his greater sphere, a planetary Logos, is conscious of the Identity of that cosmic Existence we call a solar Logos, and realizes somewhat the place of our system and its electrical relationship with the seven constellations.

We have now to deal with the influence of a force that is waning and passing out of dominance, that of the sixth Ray of Devotion or Idealism. It will not be possible to predicate much anent it, beyond pointing out certain general ideas which may be of value in the contemplation of Ray cycles in general. [437]

These Ray influences work through their focal points in all cases (macrocosmic and microcosmic) and these are the etheric centers. The centers, in the case of all Beings, are ever seven in number, and are composed of deva and human units in group activity, or of force vortices which contain in latency, and hold in ordered activity, cells with the potentiality of human manifestation. Forget not the occult truism that all forms of existence pass at one stage of their career through the human kingdom.

Cosmic, or extra-systemic rays, impinge upon or circulate via centers found on the second cosmic ether, but which, at the present stage of objectivity, become systemically visible in the fourth cosmic ether, the buddhic.

One permanent cosmic Ray is the ray of our Logos Himself, and the subrays of this ray permeate His entire system. Six other cosmic Rays, animating other systems, influence ours, finding their reflections in the subrays of our logoic Ray. To these six cosmic influences our Heavenly Men respond. They absorb the influence, being centers in the body logoic, pass it through Their schemes, circulate it through Their own centers (chains), and transmit it on to other schemes, coloring it with Their Own peculiar shade and qualifying it by Their own peculiar tone or note. The whole system of ray influence, or radiatory warmth, considered both physically and psychically, is one of an intricate circulation and interaction. The radiation or vibration passes in ordered cycles from its originating source, the One Ray, or systemic Logos, to the different centers in His body. Viewed from the physical standpoint this ray force is the energizing factor in matter. Viewed from the psychical point of view it is the qualitative faculty. From scheme to scheme, from chain to chain, and from globe to globe, this force or quality passes and circulates, both adding, and at the same time abstracting, and returns to its focal point with two noticeable differences: [438]

1. The radiatory heat is intensified.
2. The qualitative character or color is increased.

The effect on the form side is equally noticeable, and the warmth or quality of a Ray not only affects the psyche of a man, a planetary Logos, and a solar Logos, but has a definite effect on material substance itself.

Ray influences work equally on the deva and human Hierarchies, as they function in a planetary or logoic body. Clarity of thought might eventuate if we ever bear in mind that all forms are dual, both in evolution and in essential nature. They are the product of the work of the Builders (deva forces) and of active intelligence (the human units) and the two are indivisible in the Divine Hermaphrodite, or Heavenly Man. They are stimulated in both aspects of their Being by the ray influence.

Entity	Force Centers	Psychical Manifestation	Physical Manifestation
1. Solar Logos	Heavenly Men.	Deva Builders	A solar system.
	They energize and are active life.	They work in matter and hold the life.
2. Planetary Logos	Human group units.	Deva Builders.	A scheme.
3. A Man	Seven etheric centers.	Elemental builders.	Bodies.

Each of these divisions can be studied separately and in due course of time (when it may be safe to transmit information more freely anent the devas) it will be seen that a deva Lord of a plane, for instance, works through force centers, manifests objectively through the color which is His psychical display, and ensouls the matter of [439] a plane just as a Heavenly Man ensouls His scheme. The idea can be extended likewise to chains, globes, races, and rounds. Duality always will be seen, – human and deva manifestation forming the sumtotal, and always will energy and quality progress in parallel lines.

As the ray influence passes away from a race or a planet, a scheme or a solar system, it must not be supposed that it is completely abrogated; it has simply passed beyond the periphery of whatever ring-pass-not it was energizing, and the force of its influence is being focused elsewhere. The original recipient becomes a channel, or transmitting agent, and not so much an absorber or container. Words again are handicapping us, and proving their inadequacy to express an idea. What the student should recognize is that during a cycle of ray influence, the object of its immediate attention receives and absorbs it, and transmutes it according to its need, and not so much therefore is available for transmission. When the cycle is drawing to a close more and more of the ray influence or magnetism will be felt elsewhere, until practically all of it will be passed on unabsorbed.

This is what is beginning to happen in relation to this sixth Ray of Devotion. Egos who are on that particular Ray will take form elsewhere on other globes, and in other chains, and not so much on our planet. The vibrations of that Ray will quiet down as far as we are concerned, and find increased activity elsewhere. To phrase it otherwise, our planet and all thereon will become positive and non-receptive, and will temporarily repulse this particular type of force. A psychical manifestation of this can be seen in the dying down of what is called Christian enthusiasm. This Ray, on which the Chohan Jesus may be found, will no longer pour its force to the same extent into the form He built, and it will necessarily slowly but surely disintegrate, having served its purpose [440] for close on two thousand years. Later again the same force will be felt returning, and a new form will be found slowly coming into being, but along more adequate lines.

It will consequently be apparent how the knowledge of these cycles, and of the force manifestation or obscuration of a Ray will eventually lead to a working with the Law, and to an intelligent cooperation with the plan of evolution. It might here be stated that the seven Kumaras, (the four exoteric and the three esoteric) cooperate with this Law, and work exoterically, or esoterically according to the Ray in power, with the exception of the first Kumara, the Logos of our scheme, Who – being the synthesizing point for all – remains ever in objective activity.

It is this Ray activity which governs the obscuration or manifestation of a system, and a scheme with all that is included in these manifestations. Hence the emphasis laid in all occult books on the study of cycles, and on the differentiation of the one hundred years of Brahma into its component parts. In this knowledge lies hid the mystery of Being itself, of electrical force, and of fohatic synthesis.

I will make no more comments on the future effects of the Ray which is passing into temporary obscuration as far as we are concerned. We shall later take up at greater length than has been possible with the other Rays, the subject of the seventh type of force now coming into power, and which is therefore a vital factor in the immediate evolution of man.

The fifth principle of manas, is at this time beginning to demonstrate mainly through the seventh type of force (or the fifth when considering only the Brahma aspect of manifestation). It will be immediately apparent, therefore, that this incoming Ray is peculiarly situated at this time, and that its influence will be manifested under very favorable conditions. It is pouring its force out upon the [441] seventh plane, the physical, during the fifth root-race and the fifth subrace, and consequently the opportunity is great. In all that has been said anent the Rays it will be apparent that from the present standpoint two are paramountly concerned with the evolution of man: the fourth Ray of Harmony, which is the dominant ray of the greater cycle which includes the fourth round and globe, and the seventh Ray of Ceremonial Magic, which is one of the foremost influences concerned in all objective manifestations. These two Rays, or the force of these two planetary Logoi, are largely instrumental in bringing about coherency in our chain, the fourth of the fourth scheme, and on our physical globe, the Earth. The fourth and the seventh interact, one acting temporarily as a negative force and the other as a positive.

The fifth Kumara, the Lord of the seventh Ray (for it is necessary to keep in mind His dual position as one of the points of the five-pointed Star of Brahma, and as one of the Triangles in the sevenfold logoic body) has a unique position as the "Ruler of the Building Devas" of the physical plane, the devas of the ethers, in cooperation with their Deva Lord. He guides and directs the production of the form by means of certain occult words. He works, therefore, through the etheric body of all forms and it is through His inflowing force that we may look for that increased stimulation of the matter of the etheric brain which will make the physical brain receptive to the higher revealing truth, and will put into the hands of scientists the secrets of the fourth and third ethers. The development of the matter of the brain parallels the stage of development of its atomic correspondence, and in the vitalization of the fifth spirilla and the consequent reflex action of the seventh, we may look to see the mind of man assume proportions, and attain achievement, as yet untaught, and undreamed. [442]

We might consider the effect of this incoming force along three lines:

• First. The type of force, or the logoic quality, with its function and aim.
• Second. Its work in relation to:
  1. The animal kingdom.
  2. The human kingdom.
  3. The deva kingdom.
• Third. The results to be looked for during the coming centuries.

The type of force, or the nature of the Heavenly Man of the seventh Ray, is fundamentally constructive. It will be necessary here to touch somewhat upon His character and His place in the logoic scheme, calling attention to the need of refraining from personalization and externalization. The Heavenly Man of the scheme in which the Ray of Ceremonial Magic is embodied is one of the main transmitters of radiation from the Sun to the system and has a close connection with logoic kundalini. Herein lies a hint. The Raja-Lord of the etheric levels of the physical plane works in close alliance with Him and this will be apparent if we bear in mind that the Lord of a plane is its embodied activity. He is the energizing force that expresses itself as a unified Identity in the matter of a plane, and we might therefore get some idea of the coherency of Their mutual work if we bear in mind that

• The Raja-Lord of a plane is the sum total of the substance of that plane.
• The planetary Logos Who is most closely connected with any particular plane is its quality and coloring.

By the united action and work of these two Entities all is accomplished – the Lord of the Builders constructing [443] the forms which the Lord of Life utilizes to develop consciousness within.

The force or vibration of any Ray might be summed up as:

1. The intelligent purpose of an Entity, a planetary Logos.
2. His life energy working in, through, and upon His body of manifestation.
3. His magnetic radiation as it affects (though in lesser degree) His Brothers in manifestation.
4. His peculiar coloring or quality, His main psychological aspect, demonstrating through His own activities within His own scheme.
5. The effect of the same as it influences His Brothers within the body corporate of the solar Logos.
6. His life force as it radiates beyond His own periphery as active energy and stimulating activity – being literally one of the aspects of Fohat. The activity aspect of a Heavenly Man is as much an aspect of Fohat as Brahma is the sumtotal of Fohat. The Heavenly Men are, by virtue of physical manifestation, Fohat and His Brothers.

When this is borne in mind it will be seen that each of the planetary Logoi, equally with a solar Logos, and with Their reflections, human beings, demonstrate through the aspects.

In their totality all these are the expression of the incarnating Logos; in the one case His fohatic energy builds the kingdoms of nature, giving them Body; in the other He gives them their psychical value, and finally through them all He demonstrates as Existence or Being.

Similar tables can be worked out for a Heavenly Man and a human being, laying the emphasis always upon the development of the middle or psychic aspect. [444]

Aspect	Manifestation	Objectiviely	Subjectively	Evolutionary Aspect
Activity	The seven brothers.	Seven etheric centers.	Seven types of force.	Involution and evolution of the kingdoms of nature.
	Sumtotal:	Fire by friction. The mother.	The Brahma or matter aspect.
Love-Wisdom Dragon of Wisdom	Seven Heavenly Men.	Seven schemes.	Seven rays.	Seven types of deva and human monads.
	Sumtotal:	Solar fire. Vishnu aspect.	Subjectivity or the psyche. The Son in manifestation.
Will	Seven Cosmic Entities.	Seven heavenly men.	Seven qualities.	Seven hierarchies.
	Sumtotal:	Electric Fire, the one Life.	Mahadeva. Spirit.

With these thoughts in mind it should be possible to [445] see more clearly what the coming in of a Ray, such as the present one, or its passing out, may involve. In the particular case under discussion, we have the coming in of a Ray that is intimately connected with the plane of manifestation, the physical plane, which is (within the greater cycle) responsible for man's very existence, and the source of his future hope.

This seventh Ray (fifth) ever manifests in a period of transition from one kingdom to another, and this holds hid the mystery of the particular form of service of its planetary Logos. He governs the processes of:

• Transmutation
• Incarnation
• Transference.

In these three words His life-work is summed up; in these three words is embodied the nature of this great Entity, Who presides over the processes of blending and merging and adaptation; Who, through His knowledge of cosmic Sound, guides the life forces of certain solar and lunar entities from form to form, and is the link between the soul awaiting incarnation, and its body of manifestation. This is equally true whether we are considering the incarnation of a man, of a group, of an idea, or of all entities of lesser grade to the solar Being Who manifests through a globe, or the regent of the globe under the planetary Logos. All entities of higher rank than this great evolutionary Being come into incarnation through the linking work of an extra-systemic Being. In all periods of the transference of the life from

• System to system,
• Scheme to scheme,
• Chain to chain,

this cosmic Deity pours forth His power and influence. In all periods of lesser transition of the life from [446]

• Globe to globe,
• Plane to plane,
• Kingdom of nature to another kingdom,

the Lord of the seventh Ray plays a similar part.

Herein lies the reason for His inflowing force at this time, for a profound movement is in order of accomplishment, and a transference is in progress which calls for His particular type of energy. A transference is being effected of certain groups of human and deva Monads out of the human kingdom into the fifth or spiritual kingdom. During His cycle of close on two thousand five hundred years, a specific number of men will pass on to the Path of Initiation, and take at least the first Initiation, thus transferring their centers of consciousness out of the purely human into the early stages of the spiritual.

During this same cycle, a transference of units from out of the animal kingdom into the human will proceed in the fifth chain and from thence on to another chain, thus producing a period of even greater activity than on our own globe. Similarly I may point out (even though it is not possible to give more than a hint) that the force of the cosmic Transferrer is being called into activity by the transference during this cycle of a special group of highly advanced units of the human and deva kingdoms (members of the occult Hierarchy) to another scheme altogether. Certain units also – from among the Lipika Lords – are taking advantage of this cosmic influence to transfer their activity to another system, giving place to others Who will work out the karma of the new age. The power of these agencies permeates the entire globe and extends throughout the chains and schemes which lie in the line of its path. It will fundamentally affect the vegetable kingdom, obscuring old types and bringing in new; it will work in the mineral kingdom and give a new impetus to the chemical processes, causing incidentally [447] a setting loose of radioactive units, and a consequent accretion of knowledge by the scientist. In the elemental kingdoms and the group souls found therein, it produces facility in the transference of atoms.

So far-reaching are the effects of this Ray, both on the deva and human units in their different kingdoms that entirely new environments will evolve for the utilization of the new types and entirely new characteristics will be found emerging in the race of men.

We have somewhat considered the type of force which expresses itself by means of the seventh Ray and have seen that it is the great transmuting, and transferring agent of the Logos. We have seen that it has a powerful effect both on deva and human units; we have found that the prime function of the Logos of the seventh Ray is beyond all else, that of adaptation, or the molding of the form and the rendering of it suitable to the needs of any particular Entity. In all the constructive work of form-building, certain factors enter in which must here be enumerated as they concern vitally this particular Heavenly Man, and the particular plane, the physical, on which we undergo experience. These are:

• First. The will or the one-pointed purpose of some entity.
• Second. The material through which the life proposes to manifest. This material, as we know, is found within the ring-pass-not in seven grades, and in forty-nine subgrades.
• Third. The Builders who are the vehicle for the divine purpose, and who mould matter upon a particular plan. These Builders evolve the forms out of their own nature and substance.
• Fourth. A plan by which the work is carried out and which is imparted to the Builders, being latent in their consciousness. They evolve the form of the Grand Heavenly Man, of the Heavenly Men, of the human units, [448] and of all forms from within outwards, and produce the self-identified Existences as a mother builds and produces a conscious Son out of the matter of her own body, carrying certain racial earmarks yet independent, self-conscious, self-willed and threefold in manifestation. The fact of the identity of the deva evolution with the essence they manipulate must ever be borne in mind.
• Finally. Certain Words or Mantric Sounds,¹⁵¹ which – [449] uttered by a greater Life – can ever drive the lesser lives to the fulfilment of constructive purpose. These Words are uttered by
  • A solar Logos. The threefold Word gives rise to a sevenfold vibration.
  • A Heavenly Man, Who – through utterance – sweeps into evolutionary objectivity His scheme and all that is therein.
  • The Monad, whose threefold word gives rise to a sevenfold vibration.
  • The Ego, who – through sonorous utterance – produces a human being in the three worlds.
  The analogy existing between these four should be carefully noted.

Certain Words belong to the different aspects, and the Words of the first aspect set in vibration the matter that evolves through the seven cycles of solar systems. Their relation to the Words of the present solar system is analogous to the primordial substance which lies back of our present creation. The Words of the second aspect concern us closely, but the Words of Brahma are at the present stage more closely connected with our work upon the physical plane. These Words, where the three worlds are concerned, very largely fall into a group of mantrams, hidden in the consciousness of the Lords of the fifth and seventh Rays; by their intelligent utterance the third aspect (the Brahma or manasic aspect) is brought into contact with the first aspect and produces that which we call the "Conscious Son" or Sun. Upon the mental plane they are sounded by the Lord of the fifth Ray, causing a vibration not only in what we might call "the lower levels" but producing response on the first or archetypal [450] plane and on the cosmic mental plane likewise. On the physical plane the words, uttered by the seventh Logos, produce the following results:

• First. The anchoring of the permanent atoms within their group soul, or the union of matter and consciousness.
• Second. The guidance of the stream of life into any particular kingdom, or the blending of form and consciousness.
• Third. The transference of the conscious, sentient life from form to form, from group to group, from kingdom to kingdom within the hierarchies.

In connection with the human kingdom, the fifth Ray had to function or pour forth its influence in order to produce self-consciousness within the conscious form. It will consequently be seen that the utterance of sound along the line of force by the trained adept can both utilize deva activity to effect certain results in connection with the form side of manifestation, and can drive the life within to definite action. Hence the extreme danger – as has been frequently pointed out – of the knowledge of these mantrams and the need to safeguard them from interference and misuse. Power over form and over force lies always ready in the hand of those who have done three things:

• First. Developed the consciousness of the group in which they themselves find place.
• Second. Learned the secret of the notes and tones to which that group responds.
• Third. Apprehended certain set words and phrases and the due method of chanting and intonation.

They cannot bring about results outside the periphery of the group whose consciousness is theirs. For instance, an adept can work with forms and force within [451] the ring-pass-not of his own planetary Logos within the three worlds, within the ring-pass-not of the polar opposite of his Logos, or within the ring-pass-not of three planetary Logoi who form a systemic triangle. He cannot exhibit this power in the higher planes nor within the spheres of the synthesizing and neutral schemes. After the sixth Initiation his power extends to the two planes beyond the three worlds, the buddhic and the atmic, and within the spheres of the entire Brahma aspect as we visualize it as the totality of the schemes of the five Kumaras who are Brahma. At the seventh Initiation he has power on all the seven planes and within the entire number of schemes; all the Sacred Words are then his and he can work in matter of all grades, sound all notes, and control all types of force. He stands ready then to guide the life to regions outside the solar sphere of influence. But on the physical plane he works primarily with the Words of the seventh Logos, which fall naturally into five groups:

1. Mantrams which deal with etheric matter, and control the devas of the ethers.
2. Mantrams which deal with dense physical matter and control the subhuman evolution through certain groups of devas.
3. Words specifically connected with the human Hierarchy, and which are very carefully guarded from the knowledge of man himself.
4. Words concerning the deva evolution which control, and bring different groups of devas into the line of the will of the utterer. These are in many ways the most dangerous and all knowledge of them is withheld from men below the rank of initiates of the third order.
5. Words which affect the life side of manifestation and which drive it into, or out of, form. [452]

There is a sixth group intimately connected with electrical manifestation, which is beginning to work out in the formula of scientists, and students of radioactivity and electrical phenomena, but fortunately for themselves they remain formulas on paper and are not as yet embodied in sound.

In dealing very briefly with the question of mantrams, it is to be recognized that "The time is not yet" for their general publication. No purpose would be immediately served by the impartation of mantric forms. Inevitably the time will come when they will be known, but at this time no one would be benefited by the knowledge of them for the following reasons:

• Knowledge of things occult does not suffice for their wisp utilization.
• The development of the intuition by means of aspiration, endeavor, failure, and renewed effort ending in success is of far more profit to the Ego than the quick results brought about by the use of sound.
• The "Words" are used for the manipulation of matter and its bending into form along the line of evolution. Until the inner faculty of clairvoyance is somewhat developed, this knowledge of mantrams remains practically useless and may be even a menace. When a man can see a need for correction and for adjustment in a brother's vehicle, and can awaken in his brother a desire to adjust that which is amiss, wise assistance can be given by the one who sees and sounds. Think this out, for it holds the key to the reason for the safeguarding of the words.
• Selflessness, sight, and sincerity of purpose must all three exist before the sounds can be imparted. Selflessness and sincerity are sometimes found but the occult use of the inner vision is still rare.

We must keep closely in mind (as we take up this matter of the incoming Ray and the effects to be looked for from its influence) that We are only considering the mind [453] aspect in the three evolutions. I do not purpose to say much anent human development as much has been already hinted at in the preceding pages, and a hint suffices for the true student, but it may be possible to state in broad outline the coming developments and to tabulate the results to be expected. Suggestions only are possible.

Development of etheric vision universally. This will be due to two causes:

• First, the scientific recognition of the existence of the etheric levels, thereby freeing people from the onus of adverse public opinion, and enabling them to reveal what they have individually long realized. Etheric vision is comparatively common even now. But comment concerning it is rare, owing to the fear of criticism.
• Secondly, the increased activity of the devas of the ethers, which throws the matter of the etheric levels into more active vibration, with consequent reflex action on the eye of man.

Increased mental activity and the spread of education (of the concrete mental kind) everywhere. This will result in:

• Increased competition between units and between groups.
• The organization of business on lines hitherto undreamt of.
• The foundation of groups and aggregations of groups whose sole purpose will be to synthesize all the lines of human endeavor, and thus bring about unification of effort, and economy of force in the scientific, business, philosophic, educational, and religious worlds.
• The foundation of schools of medicine along new lines, whose purpose will be to study the etheric body, its relation to the dense physical body, and its function [454] as the receiver, storer, and transmitter of the vital fluids of the system.

The foundation of the new Church, which will be no longer along devotional and idealistic lines but which will be an outgrowth of the old idealism, demonstrating through mental forms. It will have for its basis the scientific recognition of the unseen world and its due appreciation and apprehension by means of accurate scientific ceremonial. This ceremonial of the universal church – being founded on the mental unity of all peoples – will not be ceremonial as it is now understood, as it will be the guarded, guided, scientific utilization of sound and color to bring about certain desired ends, such as

• The aligning of the Ego,
• The influencing of groups,
• The making of contact with the Occult Hierarchy,
• The cooperation with the devas in order to further the constructive ends of evolution,

and many other objects which will grow out of the scientific comprehension of the constitution of man, the nature of vibration or radioactivity, and the demonstrated reality of the hitherto metaphysical hypothesis and religious dogma of the unseen world of thought and of spiritual existence.

Increased facility in approaching the Path. This will be based on the fact that so many of the then existent humanity will have personal knowledge of the ruling powers and forces, will perhaps be on the Probationary Path, or will be initiates of the first degree. Thus the present skepticism will become non-existent. The dangers then will be along other lines, – those incident to the very influence of this ray itself: the dangers of crystallization into form so that the true spiritual devotee may become rare, and the scientific aspirant will take his place. [455]

The true occultist is a scientist and a devotee, and where these two are not merged, we have the mystic and the man in danger of black magic, being governed by the intellect and not by selflessness; there are dangers incident also upon contact with the deva evolution and the knowledge of the powers and forces made available through their agency.

The coming into incarnation of numbers of old magicians and occultists, and the rapid growth therefore of recognized psychic powers among the people. This psychism, being tinged with mentality and not being of a purely astral quality, will be even more dangerous than in Atlantean days, for back of it will be some degree of will, conscious purpose, and intellectual apprehension, and unless this is paralleled by the growth of spiritual realization, and by the steady grip of the Ego upon the lower personality, a period of real danger may ensue. Hence the need of pointing out and of realizing the menace, so that the truth of the inner life and the need of serving the race as an essential to advancement may be proclaimed far and wide.

Paralleling the incoming of this large band of seventh Ray magicians (some linked to the Brotherhood and some to the purely manasic groups) is the proposed advent of certain members of the Hierarchy (initiates below the fourth Initiation) and of certain disciples and probationers, all on this Ray and all true psychics, who hope through their endeavors to offset the vibrations, and ward off the menace incident to the advent of the other group. The arranging of this and the preparing of the way for them in the different countries, specially in Europe and North America, is occupying the attention at this time of the Master R – and the Master H.¹⁵²

A group of scientists will come into incarnation on the [456] physical plane during the next seventy-five years who will be the medium for the revelation of the next three truths concerning electrical phenomena. A formula of truth concerning this aspect of manifestation was prepared by initiates on the fifth Ray at the close of the last century, being part of the usual attempt of the Hierarchy to promote evolutionary development at the close of every cycle of one hundred years. Certain parts (two fifths) of that formula have worked out through the achievements of such men as Edison and those who participate in his type of endeavor, and through the work of those who have dealt with the subject of radium and radioactivity. Three more parts of the same formula have still to come, and will embody all that it is possible or safe for man to know anent the physical plane manifestation of electricity during the fifth subrace.

All that we have here considered covers the time till the coming in of the new subrace. This race will summarize and carry to a temporary conclusion the manasic effort of the fifth root-race of mental growth, and will cause results of stupendous import. During the sixth subrace, the emphasis will not be so much on the development of mind, as it will be on the utilization of the concrete mind, and its acquired faculty, for the development of the powers of abstract thought. Perhaps too much importance has been attached to the statement of some occult writers that the sixth subrace will be intuitive. The intuition will be awakening, and will be more prominent than now, but the outstanding characteristic will be the ability of the units of the sixth subrace to think in abstract terms, and to use the abstract mind. Their function will be to perfect (as far as may be in this round) [457] the group antahkarana,¹⁵³ or the link between the mental and the buddhic. This bridge will be of a usable nature during the sixth root-race in which the intuition will show real and general signs of existing. In this root-race, units only show signs here and there of real intuition, having built the necessary bridge in their individual selves. In the sixth root-race small groups will be intuitive. It is needless to say more here anent the influence of the seventh Ray upon the sons of men. More later may be available but enough has been suggested to form the basis of useful speculation.

We will now take up two points and study the effect of the incoming force on the human and animal kingdoms.

These points are of profound interest to the occult student for two reasons. The topic we have now to consider is the effect of the incoming seventh Ray during the coming centuries upon the animal kingdom and the deva evolution. The profundity of the interest lies in the fact that in the one case we are dealing with the evolution immediately behind the human and from which man is not as yet wholly emancipated, and in the other we are concerning ourselves with a paralleling evolution, and one that is of vast importance in the scheme of things. Let us take up first this seventh Ray and its effect upon the animal kingdom.

Practically little is known to man concerning this kingdom of nature, save what science has vouchsafed anent the physical organisms, and a few occult statements which have been given out at various times; the development of the animal consciousness and its immediate future is as yet but little understood.

The most important of the occult facts concerning this [458] third kingdom as they relate to our present subject, may be enumerated as follows:

1. The animal kingdom holds the same relation to the human kingdom as the dense physical body does to the seven principles and still finds its connecting link with man through the close correspondence between their bodies of objectivity.
2. The animal kingdom is the third of the kingdoms and is (from the esoteric point of view and as regards its relation to mankind) the mother aspect, prior to the over-shadowing by the Holy Spirit, the manas aspect. Think out this resemblance, and trace the analogy between the cosmic mother, the systemic mother, and the same mother aspect as seen in the animal kingdom as a basis for the evolution of man.
   
   Each of the kingdoms of nature acts as the mother to the succeeding one in the evolutionary process. Any group, which may be under consideration, should in due course of evolution give birth to offspring, who will – in themselves – embody some ideal, and who receive their objective forms on some plane from the earlier group. From the third kingdom springs the fourth, and from this fourth will emerge the fifth, each receiving
   1. Germ protection,
   2. Form,
   3. Gradual development,
   4. Nourishment,
   until in each case the human child, or the Christ child, is brought to the birth. This is a very occult truth, and though the facts have been recognized and taught anent the fourth and fifth kingdoms, the work and place of the animal has not received its due recognition.
3. During the third root-race, animal individualization took place, and the self-conscious unit, called Man, came into being. I have somewhat dealt with the question of [459] individualization elsewhere and seek not here to enlarge upon it. I would only point out a correspondence that holds hid the key to the mystery of individualization.
   
   In this chain, individualization took place during the third root-race and in the fourth round, speaking in this connection of a round through a chain of globes, and not the life force of a planetary Logos circulating through the seven chains in a scheme. It is of peculiar interest at this time that we are in the fourth round in a chain as well as in the fourth round as regards the scheme of seven chains. It has led to evolutionary possibilities of great import. On the moon chain individualization took place during the fifth race of the third round, and in the next chain to ours on the evolutionary arc individualization will take place during the sixth race of the second round, – in each case this refers to a planetary round through a chain of globes.
4. In the fourth root-race the "door" (as it is called) between the two kingdoms became closed, and no more of the animal kingdom passed into the human. Their cycle temporarily ended and – to express it in terms of fire or of electrical phenomena – the animal kingdom and the human became positive to each other, and repulsion instead of attraction supervened. All this was brought about by the swinging into power of a profoundly long cycle of the fifth Ray. This was necessitated by the need of man to develop along the manasic line, and resulted in a period of repulsion of the animal units, leaving their consciousness to be stimulated on astral lines.

Owing to this repulsion, we have one reason (and one of the least fundamental) for the destructive war and the long cycle of cruelty that has been waged between man and the animals. It can be evidenced in the terror of man in connection with wild animals of the jungles and the deserts, and in the terrible toll of life that such animals have exacted during the centuries. This must not [460] be forgotten. For thousands of years, wild animals have – specially before the coming in of firearms – destroyed the defenseless, and during those years, had statistics been taken, the numbers of human beings killed would reach a stupendous figure. Now, in this age, the balancing is taking place and in the slaughter of animals equilibrium is being reached. I do not refer to the wanton cruelties practiced under the name of science, nor to certain practices which take place under religious guise in different lands. The source of these enormities must be sought for elsewhere. It is hidden in the karma of that Being, Who for a period – during the moon chain – held office as the Entity Who is the informing evolutionary Life of the animal kingdom. This is a point of view needing careful pondering. Each of the kingdoms of nature is the expression of a Life or Being; man, for instance, being the expression of one or other of the Heavenly Men; the sumtotal of humanity (the fourth Hierarchy) being found, with the deva evolution, as the centers of the solar Logos. The animal kingdom likewise is the expression of the life of a Being Who is a part of the body of the Logos or of the planetary Logos, but not a center of conscious energy. (A correspondence is found in the human body, which has its seven centers of force or energy, but also other organs upon which objective manifestation depends in lesser degree.) Such an Entity finds expression through the animal kingdom, of which He is the informing Soul, and He has definite place in the planetary or logoic body. This is a hint which has hitherto not been exoteric and is to be commended to the consideration of students. I would add that some of the tragedies underlying existence at this time are karmically incident upon temporarily faulty relations between an entity who dominated at one period of the third or moon chain, and the one holding analogous position in this the fourth or earth chain. This latter is the sumtotal of the [461] lowest human principle, if we count the dense physical or animal body of man as a principle. In their lack of agreement lies the clue to the cruelties practiced on animals by man.

We have enumerated six occult statements anent the animal kingdom, the third kingdom of nature. They related to the past, and we will now add one further statement to them and then proceed to consider the present and to foretell certain eventualities that may be looked for in the future.

As we have seen, during the third root-race, opportunity for the animal kingdom occurred and many individualized. In the fourth root-race this cycle of opportunity ceased temporarily, and something happened which is analogous to what will occur in the fifth root-race in connection with man, at the so-called "Judgment Day." In Atlantean days the lives which composed the third kingdom of nature were divided into two groups:

• A number of these lives were "passed," and the tide of life sweeps through them, permitting of their incarnating in animal form on earth, and their gradual evolution.
• The remainder were rejected, and as a group they became temporarily quiescent, and will not manifest in physical form until the next round.

In the fifth round, a corresponding division will take place in the fourth kingdom, and the lives in that kingdom will be subjected to an analogous test; some will be passed and will continue their evolution on this planet, while others will be rejected, and will go into temporary pralaya.

After the rejection in the fourth root-race of three-fourths of the animal units, the remaining triads (or one-fourth) proceeded on their way holding the promise of opportunity for all in time, and the guarantee of their [462] own attainment in the next round. Just as the human Monads, who are passed in the fifth round, will enter into the fifth kingdom, or respond to its vibration before the climax of the seventh, so the animal monads (if I may employ such a term) who were passed in this round will achieve individualization during the fifth and enter the fourth kingdom. This will be brought about by the strong manasic impulse which will characterize the whole cycle of the fifth round, and will thus be effected normally and as the result of due evolutionary growth. An electrical stimulation of the nature of the occurrence in Lemurian days will not be required.

Since the great division in the fourth root-race, the animal kingdom has been primarily occupied with the stimulation and development of kama. This is the basis of the endeavor being made by the Brotherhood by the aid of man to fan the emotional instinct (or the embryo love aspect) through the segregating of the domestic animals, and the consequent play made upon the third spirilla in the animal atoms by human magnetism or radiatory energy. The sumtotal of the domestic animals – the animal units brought into closest connection with man – form the heart center in the body of that great Entity Who is the life of the animal kingdom. From the heart flow all the influences which will eventually permeate the entire body. These units are those which will be finally separated from the group soul at the reopening of the door into the human kingdom in the next round.

Let us now consider the immediate present, and the advent of this seventh ray of ceremonial magic. The effect upon the animal kingdom of the force of this ray will be far less than upon the human, for it is not yet ready to respond to the vibration of this planetary Logos, and will not be until the sixth round when His influence will bring about great events. Nevertheless, certain effects might here be noticed. [463]

Owing to the increased activity of the deva evolution, and specially of the devas of the ethers, the lesser builders will be stimulated to build, with greater facility, bodies of a more responsive nature, and the etheric bodies of both men and animals and also their responsiveness to force or prana will be more adequate. During the sixth subrace, disease as we know it in both kingdoms will be materially lessened owing to the pranic response of the etheric bodies. This will likewise bring about changes in the dense physical body and the bodies of both men and animals will be smaller, more refined, more finely attuned to vibration, and consequently more fitted to express essential purpose.

Owing to the recognition by man of the value of mantrams, and his gradual comprehension of the true ceremonial of evolution, coupled with the use of sound and color, the animal kingdom will be better understood, and better trained, considered and utilized. Indications of this already can be seen; for instance, in all our current magazines at this time, stories which deal with the psychology of animals, and with their mental attitude to man, are constantly appearing, and by the means of these and through the force of the incoming Ray, man may (if he cares to do so) come to a much wider sympathy with his brothers of less degree. Thus by the turning by man of his thought force upon the animals, stimulation of their latent mentality will ensue, leading in due course of time to the crisis in the next round. More attention should be paid by occult students to the effect of the consciousness of one group upon another group, and the advancement of the lesser, by the means of the stimulating power of the greater, should be studied. The following facts should be realized:

1. The powerful vibration of the Lords of the three Rays, and of Their radiation, stimulates the four Heavenly [464] Men and develops Their apprehension, enabling Them to expand Their consciousness.
2. The consciousness of the Heavenly Men stimulates all the units in Their bodies, but causes specialized response from those who are actively and intelligently working at the development of group consciousness. The vibration, for instance, of a planetary Logos has a peculiar effect upon all those who are initiates, adepts and chohans, and brings their three major spirillae to the necessitated vibration. This work is begun when the sixth spirilla (in the minor group of seven) is active.
3. The consciousness of man is stimulated and developed when – at a certain stage – he can respond to the vibration of members of the Occult Hierarchy, and is thus nearing the portal into the fifth kingdom. This coincides with the vibratory activity of the fifth spirilla.
4. In like manner, the less evolved units of the race, who are scarcely more than animals, are brought to the necessary stage of vibration by the play upon their mental bodies of the combined vibrations of men, whose fourth spirilla is functioning adequately. In these last two cases we are dealing with the spirillae of the mental permanent atom. In the other two we are dealing with occult mysteries, bound up in the vivification of solar and not human permanent atoms.
5. The fourth Creative Hierarchy, viewed as a unit functioning on this planet (and leaving out of consideration its manifestation in other schemes) works in a magnetic manner, and in a stimulative capacity upon the animal kingdom, the force of its vibration pouring on to the astral bodies of the animals, and producing response. This awakens to a more effective apprehension all the units of the animal kingdom. Hence it can be seen how close is the interplay, and the interdependence, and how closely united all these greater and lesser lives are with each other. Growth and development in one part of the [465] body logoic produces a corresponding advance in the whole. No man, for instance, can make definite and specialized progress without his brother benefiting, – this benefiting taking the form of:
   • The increase of the total consciousness of the group.
   • The stimulation of units in the group.
   • The group magnetism producing increased healing or blending effects upon allied groups.
   In this thought lies, for the servant of the Master, incentive to effort; no man who strives for mastery, who struggles to attain, and who aims at expansion of consciousness but is having some effect – in ever widening spirals – upon all whom he contacts, devas, men, and animals. That he knows it not, and that he may be totally unaware of the subtle stimulating emanation which proceeds from him may be true, but nevertheless the law works.

The third effect of the coming in of this ray is one that may at first repel – it will cause a great destruction in the animal kingdom. During the next few hundred years many of the old animal forms will die out and become extinct. To supply the wants of man, through disease, and through causes latent in the animal kingdom itself, much destruction will be brought about. It must ever be borne in mind that a building force is likewise a destroying one, and new forms for the animal evolution are, at this time, one of the recognized needs. The immense slaughter in America is part of the working out of the plan. The inner life or fire which animates the animal groups, and which is the life expression of an Entity, will, under this seventh influence, blaze up and burn out the old, and permit the escape of the life, to newer and better forms.

Our subject for immediate consideration concerns the [466] deva evolution, and the effect of the incoming ray upon them.

The first point to be noted is that this influence at this time affects primarily the devas of the physical plane, the devas of the ethers, or of the shadows, as they are sometimes called, and not, to the same extent, the devas of the astral or mental planes. Every Ray affects in more or less degree the plane or subplane which is its numerical correspondence; the student should bear this in mind, and should therefore recollect that for all purposes of investigation at this time the seventh Ray of Ceremonial Magic will have a powerful influence:

• On the seventh or physical plane, regarding it as a unit.
• On the seventh subplane or the lowest subplane on the physical, the astral and the mental planes.
• On the seventh or lowest human principle: prana in the etheric body.
• On all Monads in incarnation who are seventh Ray Monads.
• On a peculiar group of devas who are the agents, or "mediates" between magicians (either white or black) and the elemental forces. This group is occultly known as "The Mediator Seventh," and is divided into two divisions:
  1. Those working with evolutionary forces.
  2. Those working with involutionary forces.

One group is the agent of constructive purpose, and the other of destructive. More need not be submitted anent this group as they are not easily contacted, fortunately for man, and can as yet only be reached by a particular group ritual accurately performed, – a thing as yet practically unknown. The Masons eventually will be one of the chief agents of contact, and as men are as yet not ready for such power as this will put into their hands, [467] true masonry will develop but slowly. Nevertheless, under the magnetic force of this seventh Ray, the growth of masonry is inevitably sure.

This Ray of Ceremonial Magic will consequently have a very profound effect upon the physical plane, for not only is this plane coming under its cyclic force but at all times its planetary Logos has a special effect upon it; the Raja-Lord of this plane is what is occultly termed the "Reflection in the Water of Chaos" of the planetary Logos. Hence in the matter of this plane (which is the body of the Raja-Lord) certain very definite events are occurring which – though invisible to the ordinary man – are apparent to the eye of the spiritual man or adept.

The matter of the plane becomes receptive to positive force for the feminine or deva aspect, being negative, becomes responsive to the positive energy of the Heavenly Man. This energy, finding the line of least resistance, pours into the substance of the plane, or the substantial body of the Deva Lords. Owing to the receptive condition of this body it follows certain lines and produces definitely constructive results.

Constructive results transpire in the negative etheric matter of the plane and on the four higher subplanes. On the lower three a contrary effect is produced, and the energy of the Heavenly Man will lead to the destruction of form, preparatory to the building work. The building ever originates on, and proceeds from, etheric levels. Cataclysms of a world wide nature will occur during the next one thousand years; continents will be shaken; lands will be raised and submerged, culminating in the profound material disaster which will overtake the world towards the close of the fourth branch race of the sixth subrace. This will usher in the infant sixth root-race.

The devas of the ethers, with which we are most concerned, [468] will be affected in several ways, and the results upon the other evolutions will be far-reaching. We must remember always that the devas are the qualities and attributes of matter, the active builders, who work consciously or unconsciously upon the plane. Here I would point out that all the devas of the higher levels of the mental plane, for instance, and of the systemic planes from there on to the center (the divine plane, the plane of the Logos, sometimes called Adi) cooperate consciously, and are of high rank in the system, and of position equal to all the ranks and grades of the Hierarchy from a first degree initiate up to, but not including, the Lord of the World Himself. Below these higher levels, where the concrete is touched, we have lesser grades of devas who work unconsciously, with the following exceptions, who are conscious forces and entities and of high position:

1. The Raja-lord of a plane.
2. Seven devas who work under Him, and are the entities who inform the matter of the seven subplanes.
3. Fourteen representatives of the Rays, Who cycle into and out of power, according to the Ray, waxing or waning.
4. Four devas who are the plane representatives of the four Maharajahs (the Lords of Karma) and are the focal points for karmic influence in connection with man. The four Maharajahs are the dispensers of karma to the Heavenly Men, and thus to the cells, centers, and organs of His body necessarily; but the whole system works through graded representatives; the same laws govern these agents of plane karma as govern the systemic and cosmic, and during plane manifestation they are, for instance, the only unit in form [469] permitted to pass beyond the plane ring-pass-not. All other units in manifestation on a plane have to discard the vehicle through which they function before they can pass on to subtler levels.

B.IV.2.c. Types of Karma

We might here enumerate the different types of KARMA, even though we have not the time to enlarge upon the subject. A book by itself of vast proportions could not contain all that might be said. We should bear in mind that Karma is imposed upon the ensouling entity through the medium of matter or of substance itself (which is colored by it) and that this matter or substance is intelligent material composed of deva essence.

• Cosmic Karma - Imposed upon the solar Logos from outside of the system.
• Systemic Karma – The working out by the Logos of effects set in motion in previous Kalpas, and which influence His present type of Body.
• Planetary Karma – The individual karma of a Heavenly Man, which is just as different from that of another Heavenly Man, as is the karma of the different members of the human family.
• The Karma of a chain, which is bound up in the life experience of that entity who ensouls a chain, and is a center in the body of a Heavenly Man, in the same sense as a Heavenly Man within His scheme is a center in the body of the solar Logos.
• Globe Karma – The individual destiny of the entity who is a center in the body of the ensouling Life of a chain.

These five existences above enumerated, who are worked upon by karma, are all cosmic and solar Lords of Light, Who achieved intelligence, and passed through the human kingdom many kalpas ago.

• Plane Karma – This is inextricably mixed up with the [470] karma of the planetary Logos and of the Raja-Lord, and is dependent upon the interplay between these two opposite poles, – the masculine and feminine aspect of the Divine Hermaphrodite.
• The Karma of a subplane, or the destiny of certain lesser entities who manifest through these planes.

In these two types of karma, we have what one might term the "Karma of the Hierarchies" as it has been brought about since the manifesting of the solar system. It is the result of the past of this system, and not so much the working out of effects originating in previous solar systems.

• The Karma of the kingdoms of nature as we know them on our planet:
  1. The mineral kingdom.
  2. The vegetable kingdom.
  3. The animal kingdom.

This is necessarily the karma of the different lunar Lords who ensoul these kingdoms, and who are working out their purposes through them. We must note that we have touched therefore upon cosmic, solar, and lunar karma. In the latter is hid the great mystery of the Moon, and her place in the planetary scheme.

• The Karma of the Human Hierarchy^{154, 155, 156} in its seven groups, and of the individual Monads. This in itself is a vast and intricate subject and – during the particular cycle of the Earth globe – can be divided into: [471]
  1. World karma. (The seven root-races.)
  2. Racial karma, or the destiny and purpose of each root-race.
  3. Subrace karma, for each subrace has its own destiny to work out.
  4. National karma.
  5. Family karma.
  6. Individual karma.

All these different types of karma are intermingled and bound up in a manner inconceivable and inextricable [472] to man; even the adepts cannot untangle the mystery beyond that of the groups affiliated with them, while the Chohans of the higher degrees work with the karma of the larger groups (which are the aggregates of the lesser groups).

All the lesser grades of devas, "The Army of the Voice," on each plane, the lesser builders and elementals in their myriads, work unconsciously, being guided and directed by words and sound. In this way vibrations are set up in the essence of the planes by the conscious Builders.

There is not much to be added at this point anent the deva evolution; much that might be imparted is perforce withheld owing to the danger arising from superficial knowledge, unaccompanied by wisdom and the inner vision. There are three more points to add to the four already given, concerning primarily the relationship of the devas to man in the future, and their closer approximation to him through the incoming type of force. This approximation, though inevitable, will not have for the human hierarchy results entirely beneficent, and before the true method of contact is comprehended, and the consequent association wisely utilized, much suffering will eventuate and much bitter experience will be undergone. When it is remembered that the devas are, in their totality, the mother aspect, the great builders of form, and the nourishers of that which is as yet unable to guard itself, any return of man to a closer dependence upon the devas is as if a full grown man returned to the care of his mother, offering up his self-reliance in exchange for material benefit. The devas are the mother of the form, but the self-conscious unit, MAN, should realize his independence of the form, and should follow the path of Self-expression. This should be pondered on, for in days to come (when units here and there contact the devas, and inevitably pay the penalty) it may be helpful [473] if the reason is understood, and man realizes his necessary separation from these Essences in the three worlds. Approach between the two lines of evolution becomes possible on the plane of buddhi, but then it is an approach of two essences, and not an approach of the concrete to the essence. Man, while functioning in material, substantial forms in the three worlds, may not trespass across the separating line between the two evolutions. Only on the planes of solar fire or on the cosmic etheric levels may contact be permitted; on the planes of the cosmic dense physical plane (our mental, astral and physical planes) disaster only results from contact. I have dwelt on this point, for the danger is real, and near at hand.

The deva evolution will, through this seventh Ray force have much to do with the transmission of prana to units of the three higher kingdoms of nature, and this easier transmission (from the etheric levels of the physical plane) will parallel a correspondingly easier transmission of spiritual or psychical force from the fourth cosmic ether, the buddhic plane. The results of this pranic transmission will be more healthy physical bodies among the sons of men. This need not be looked for at this time, and will only begin to be noticeable about three hundred years hence, when the incoming seventh Ray Egos will be numerically strong enough to be recognized as the prevailing type for a certain period. Their physical bodies, owing to their being built for seventh Ray force will respond more readily than the others, though first Ray egos and fifth Ray Egos will benefit enormously from this influence. The etheric devas will build during a peculiarly favorable period, and the physical bodies then constructed will be distinguished by:

1. Resilience,
2. Enormous physical magnetism, [474]
3. Ability to reject false magnetism,
4. Capacity to absorb solar rays,
5. Great strength and resistance,
6. A delicacy and refinement in appearance as yet unknown.

The etheric levels of the plane will be full of an increased activity, and slowly but surely, as the decades slip away, man will become conscious of these levels, and aware of their inhabitants. The immediate effect of this greater etheric energy will be that a numerically larger number of people will possess etheric vision, and will be able normally and naturally to live consciously on etheric levels. The majority of men only function consciously on the three lower levels of the physical – the gaseous, the liquid, and the dense – and the etheric levels are as sealed to them as are the astral. In the coming centuries, man's normal habitat will be the entire physical plane up to, though not including, the second subplane. The fourth and third etheric levels will be as familiar to him as the usual physical landscape to which he is now accustomed. The center of attention of medical and scientific students will be focused on the etheric body, and the dependence of the physical body upon the etheric body will be recognized. This will change the attitude of the medical profession, and magnetic healing and vibratory stimulation will supersede the present methods of surgery and drug assimilation. Man's vision being then normally etheric, will have the effect of forcing him to recognize that which is now called the "unseen world," or the super-physical. Men in their etheric bodies will be noted, and communicated with, and the devas and elementals of the ethers will be studied and recognized. When this is so, then the true use of ceremonial ritual as a protection and safeguard to man will assume its right place. [475] The work of the devas in connection with the animal and the vegetable kingdoms will be likewise recognized, and much that is now possible through ignorance will become impossible and obsolete. The time will come, when the attitude of man to the animal kingdom will be revolutionized, and the slaughter, ill-treatment, and that form of cruelty called "sport," will be done away with. A mysterious change in the attitude of men and women to the sex question, marriage and the work of procreation will result from the development of etheric vision, and the consequent recognition of the devas. This change will be based on the realization of the true nature of matter, or of the mother aspect, and of the effect of the Sun upon substance. The unity of life will be a known and scientific fact, and life in matter will no longer be a theory but a fundamental of science. This cannot be enlarged upon here.

B.IV.3. Manas in the Final Rounds

B.IV.3.a. The Transmutative Process

Transmutation is a subject that from the earliest ages has occupied the attention of students, scientists and alchemists. The power to change, through the application of heat, is of course universally recognized, but the key to the mystery, or the secret of the systemic formula is advisedly guarded from all searchers, and is only gradually revealed after the second Initiation. The subject is so tremendous that it is only possible to indicate in broad general outlines how it may be approached. The mind of the public turns naturally to the transmutation of metals into gold with the aim in view of the alleviation of poverty. The mind of the scientist seeks the universal solvent which will reduce matter to its primordial substance, release energy, and thus reveal the processes of evolution, and enable the seeker to build for himself (from the primordial base) the desired forms. The mind of the alchemist [476] searches for the Philosopher's Stone, that effective transmuting agent which will bring about revelation, and the power to impose the will of the chemist upon the elemental forces, which work in, by, and through matter. The religious man, especially the Christian, recognizes the psychic quality of this transmutative power, and frequently speaks in the sacred books, of the soul being tried or tested seven times in the fire. All these students and investigators are recognizing one great truth from their own constricted angle, and the whole lies not with one or another, but in the aggregate.

In defining transmutation as it is occultly understood, we might express it thus: Transmutation is the passage across from one state of being to another through the agency of fire. The due comprehension of this is based on certain postulates, mainly four in number. These postulates must be expressed in terms of the Old Commentary, which is so worded that it reveals to those who have eyes to see, but remains enigmatic to those who are not ready, or who would misuse the knowledge gained for selfish ends. The phrases are as follows:

1. He who transfers the Father's life to the lower three seeketh the agency of fire, hid in the heart of Mother. He worketh with the Agnichaitans, that hide, that burn, and thus produce the needed moisture.
2. He who transfers the life from out the lower three into the ready fourth seeketh the agency of fire hid in the heart of Brahma. He worketh with the forces of the Agnishvattas, that emanate, that blend, and thus produce the needed warmth.
3. He who transfers the life into the gathering fifth seeketh the agency of fire hid in the heart of Vishnu. He worketh with the forces of the Agnisuryans, that blaze, that liberate the essence, and thus produce the needed radiance.
4. First moisture, slow and all enveloping; then heat with ever-growing warmth and fierce intensity; then force that presses, drives and concentrates. Thus is radiance [477] produced; thus the exudation; thus mutation; thus change of form. Finally liberation, escape of the volatile essence, and the gathering of the residue back to primordial stuff.

He who ponders these formulas and who meditates upon the method and suggested process will receive a general idea of the evolutionary process of transmutation which will be of more value to him than the formulas whereby the devas transmute the various minerals.

Transmutation concerns the life of the atom, and is hidden in a knowledge of the laws governing radioactivity. It is interesting to note how in the scientific expression 'radioactivity', we have the eastern conception of Vishnu-Brahma, or the Rays of Light vibrating through matter. Hence the usually accepted interpretation of the term 'atom' must be extended from that of the atom of chemistry to include:

1. All atoms or spheres upon the physical plane.
2. All atoms or spheres upon the astral and mental planes.
3. The human being in physical incarnation.
4. The causal body of man on its own plane.
5. All planes as entified spheres.
6. All planets, chains and globes within the solar system.
7. All monads on their own plane, whether human monads or Heavenly Men.
8. The solar Ring-Pass-Not, the aggregate of all lesser atoms.

In all these atoms, stupendous or minute, microcosmic or macrocosmic, the central life corresponds to the positive charge of electrical force predicated by science, whether it is the life of a cosmic Entity such as a solar Logos, or the tiny elemental life within a physical atom. The lesser atoms which revolve round their positive center, and which are at present termed electrons by science, are the negative aspect, and this is true not only of the atom on the physical plane, but of the human atoms, held to their central attractive point, a Heavenly Man, or the [478] atomic forms which in their aggregate form the recognized solar system. All forms are built up in an analogous manner and the only difference consists – as the textbooks teach – in the arrangement and the number of the electrons.¹⁵⁷ The electron itself will eventually be found to be an elemental, tiny life.

The second point I seek to make now is: Radiation is transmutation in process of accomplishment. Transmutation being the liberation of the essence in order that it may seek a new center, the process may be recognized as radioactivity technically understood and applied to all atomic bodies without exception. That science has but recently become aware of radium (an example of the process of transmutation) is but the fault of science. As this is more comprehended it will be found that all radiations, such as magnetism or psychic exhalation, are but the transmuting process proceeding on a large scale. The point to be grasped here is that the transmuting process, when effective, is superficially the result of outside factors. Basically it is the result of the inner positive nucleus of force or life reaching such a terrific rate of vibration, that it eventually scatters the electrons or negative points which compose its sphere of influence, and scatters them to such a distance that the Law of Repulsion dominates. They are then no more attracted to their original center but seek another. The atomic sphere, if I might so express it, dissipates, the electrons come under the Law of Repulsion, and the central essence escapes and seeks a new sphere, occultly understood.

We must remember always that all within the solar system is dual, and is in itself both negative and positive: positive as regards its own form, but negative as regards its greater sphere. Every atom therefore is [479] both positive and negative, – it is an electron as well as an atom.

Therefore, the process of transmutation is dual and necessitates a preliminary stage of application of external factors, a fanning and care and development of the inner positive nucleus, a period of incubation or of the systematic feeding of the inner flame, and an increase of voltage. There is next a secondary stage wherein the external factors do not count so much, and wherein the inner center of energy in the atom may be left to do its own work. These factors may be applied equally to all atoms; to the mineral atoms which have occupied the attention of alchemists so much, to the atom, called man who pursues the same general procedure being governed by the same laws; and to all greater atoms, such as a Heavenly Man or a solar Logos.

The process might be tabulated as follows:

1. The life takes primitive form.
2. The form is subjected to outer heat.
3. Heat, playing on the form, produces exudation and the factor of moisture supervenes.
4. Moisture and heat perform their function in unison.
5. Elemental lives tend all lesser lives.
6. The devas cooperate under rule, order and sound.
7. The internal heat of the atom increases.
8. The heat of the atom mounts rapidly and surpasses the external heat of its environing.
9. The atom radiates.
10. The spheroidal wall of the atom is eventually broken down.
11. The electrons or negative units seek a new center.
12. The central life escapes to merge with its polar opposite becoming itself negative and seeking the positive.
13. This is occultly obscuration, the going-out of the light temporarily, until it again emerges and blazes forth.

More detailed elucidation will not be possible here nor advisable:

It will be apparent, therefore, that it should be possible, [480] from the standpoint of each kingdom of nature, to aid the transmuting process of all lesser atoms. This is so, even though it is not recognized; it is only when the human kingdom is reached that it is possible for an entity consciously and intelligently to do two things:

• First: aid in the transmutation of his own positive atomic center from the human into the spiritual.
• Second: assist at the transmutation
  1. From the lower mineral forms into the higher forms.
  2. From the mineral forms into the vegetable.
  3. From vegetable forms into the animal forms.
  4. From animal forms into the human or consciously and definitely to bring about individualization.

That it is not done as yet is due to the danger of imparting the necessary knowledge. The adepts understand the transmuting process in the three worlds, and in the four kingdoms of nature, which make them a temporary esoteric three and exoteric four.

Man will eventually work with the three kingdoms but only when brotherhood is a practice and not a concept.

Three points must now be considered in this connection:

• Conscious manipulation of the fires.
• Devas and transmutation.
• Sound and color in transmutation.

It is necessary here to point out, as I have done in other matters under consideration, that only certain facts can be imparted, whilst the detailed work concerning process may not be dealt with owing to the inability of the race as yet to act altruistically. Much misapprehension crept in, owing to this very thing, in the early days of hierarchical effort to give out some of the Wisdom fundamentals in book form, and this is bravely dealt [481] with by H. P. B.^{158, 159} The danger still persists, and greatly handicaps the efforts of Those, Who – working on the inner side – feel that the thoughts of men should be lifted from the study of the ways of physical existence to broader concepts, wider vision, and synthetic comprehension. Indication only is possible; it is not permissible here to give out the transmutative formulas, or the mantrams that manipulate the matter of space. Only the way can be pointed to those who are ready, or who are [482] recovering old knowledge (gained through approach to the Path, or latent through experience undergone in Atlantean days) and the landmarks indicated hold sufficient guidance to enable them to penetrate deeper into the arcana of knowledge. The danger consists in the very fact that the whole matter of transmutation concerns the material form, and deva substance. Man, being not yet master even of the substance of his own sheaths, nor in vibratory control of his third aspect, incurs risk when he concentrates his attention on the Not-Self. It can only be safely done when the magician knows five things.

1. The nature of the atom.
2. The keynote of the planes.
3. The method of working from the egoic level through conscious control, knowledge of the protective sounds and formulas, and pure altruistic endeavor.
4. The interaction of the three fires, the lunar words, the solar words, and later a cosmic word.
5. The secret of electrical vibration, which is only realized in an elementary way when a man knows the keynote of his own planetary Logos.

All this knowledge as it concerns the three worlds is in the hands of the Masters of the Wisdom, and enables Them to work along the lines of energy or force, and not with what is usually understood when the word 'substance' is used. They work with electrical energy, concerning Themselves with positive electricity, or with the energy of the positive nucleus of force within the atom, whether it is the atom of chemistry, for instance, or the human atom. They deal with the soul of things. The black magician works with the negative aspect, with the electrons, if I might so term it, with the sheath, and not with the soul. This distinction must be clearly borne in mind. It holds the clue to the non-interference of the [483] whole Brotherhood in material matters and affairs, and Their concentration upon the force aspect, upon the centers of energy. They reach the whole through the agency of the few centers in a form.

With this preamble we will now take up the consideration of the

Conscious Manipulation of the Fires

It will now be apparent that the whole process of transmutation, as we can deal with it at present, concerns itself with the two fires which reached a high stage of perfection in a past solar system:

1. The fire of an atom in its twofold aspect – internal and radiatory.
2. The fires of mind.

It is with these that transmutation concerns itself from the human standpoint, and the third fire of Spirit is not at this stage to be considered.

This conscious manipulation of the fires is the prerogative of man when he has reached a certain point in his evolution; the unconscious realization of this has led naturally to the attempts of the alchemist to transmute in the mineral kingdom. A few of the older students right through the ages have comprehended the vastness of the endeavor of which the transmutation of the baser metals into gold was but preliminary and a symbol, a pictorial, allegorical, concrete step. The whole subject of transmutation is covered by the work of the Hierarchy in all its three departments on this planet, and we might get some idea of the matters involved if we studied this vast hierarchical standpoint, getting thereby a concept of the work done in aiding the evolutionary process. It is the work of transferring the life from one stage of atomic existence to another, and it involves three distinct steps, which can be seen and traced by means of the higher clairvoyance, and from the higher planes. These steps or stages are: [484]

• The fiery stage – the blending, fusing, burning period, through which all atoms pass during the disintegration of form.
• The solvent stage, in which the form is dissipated and substance is held in solution, the atom being resolved into its essential duality.
• The volatile stage, which concerns primarily the essential quality of the atom, and the escape of this essence, later to take a new form.

Radioactivity, pralayic solution, and essential volatility might express the thought. In every transmuting process without exception these three steps are followed. Occultly expressed in the old Commentary they are thus stated:

"The fiery lives burn within the bosom of Mother. The fiery center extends to the periphery of the circle and dissipation supervenes and pralayic peace. The Son returns to the bosom of Father, and Mother rests quiescent."

The Masters, in concert with the great Devas, concern Themselves with this transmutative process, and each department might be considered as dealing with one of the three stages:

• The Mahachohan's department in its five divisions deals with the burning of the fiery lives.
• The Manu's department concerns itself with the form or the ring-pass-not which encloses the burning lives.
• The Bodhisattva's department deals with the return of the Son to the bosom of the Father.

Within the department of the Mahachohan, a secondary division along these lines might be outlined:

• The seventh and fifth Rays are occupied with the return of the Son to the Father and are largely centered in pouring forth energizing power when it becomes necessary to transfer the life of the Son from an old form into a new, from one kingdom of nature to another on the Path of Return. [485]
• The third and sixth Rays deal with the burning of the fiery lives.
• The fourth blends the two fires within the atomic form.

It will be seen from a close study of these subdivisions, how close is the cooperation between the different groups, and how interrelated are their activities. The work of the Hierarchy can be interpreted always in terms of alchemy, and Their activities deal with a threefold transmutation. This work is carried on by Them consciously, and supervenes upon Their own emancipation.

A Master transmutes in the three worlds and principally concerns Himself with the process upon the eighteen subplanes, the great field of human evolution, and with the passage of the life throughout the dense physical body of the Logos. The Chohans of the sixth Initiation work in the fourth and fifth ethers of the logoic etheric body (the buddhic and atmic planes), and deal with the passage of the life of Spirit from form to form in those worlds, having in view the transmutation of units in the spiritual kingdom into the monadic. Those on still higher levels – the Buddhas and their Confrères of the first and third Rays – deal with the passage of the life into the subatomic, and atomic planes of the cosmic physical. What has been said applies to all hierarchical efforts in all schemes and on all globes, for the unity of effort is universal. In every case, conscious self-induced control, or authority, precedes ability to transmute. Initiates learn to transmute and superintend the passage of the life out of the animal kingdom into the human after the third Initiation, and during the earlier stages of initiation, formulas that control the lesser devas, and which produce results in the merging of the second and third kingdoms are communicated; they work under safeguards and supervision.

Advanced intellectual man should be able to cooperate in the synthesis of the work, and deal with the transmutation [486] of the metals, as the ratio of their intellectual development to that of the mineral elements, and builders whom they would control, is the same as in the above mentioned cases and grades of consciousness, but owing to the disastrous developments in Atlantean days, and the consequent stultification of spiritual evolution for a time until karma has been adjusted, the art has been lost; or rather, the knowledge has been safeguarded until a period is reached in the racial progress wherein the physical body is pure enough to withstand the forces contacted, and to emerge from the process of chemical transmutation enriched, not only in knowledge and experience, but strengthened in its own inner fiber.

As time proceeds, man will gradually do four things:

1. Recover past knowledge and powers developed in Atlantean days.
2. Produce bodies resistant to the fire elementals of the lower kind which work in the mineral kingdom.
3. Comprehend the inner meaning of radioactivity, or the setting loose of the power inherent in all elements and all atoms of chemistry, and in all true minerals.
4. Reduce the formulas of the coming chemists and scientists to SOUND, and not simply formulate through experiment on paper. In this last statement lies (for those who can perceive) the most illuminating hint that it has been possible as yet to impart on this matter.

It may seem that I have not communicated much information anent this conscious manipulation of the fires. That lies in the inability of the student to read the esoteric background of the above communicated statements. Conscious transmutation is possible only when a man has transmuted the elements in his own vehicles; then only can he be trusted with the secrets of divine alchemy. [487]

When through the latent internal fires of the matter of his own sheaths he has transmuted the chemical and mineral atoms of those sheaths, then can he safely – through affinity of substance – aid the work of mineral transmutation of the first order. Only when (through the radiatory fires of the sheaths) he has transmuted the correspondence to the vegetable kingdom within his own organism can he alchemically do work of the second order. Only when the fires of mind in himself dominate, can he work with the transmutative processes of the third order, or with the transference of life into the animal forms. Only when the Self within, or the Ego in the causal body, is in control of his threefold personality can he occultly be permitted to be an alchemist of the fourth order, and work in connection with the transmutation of the animal monad into the human kingdom, with all the vast knowledge that is included in that idea. Much lies ahead to be accomplished, but in the appreciation of the magnitude of the task need be no place for discouragement, for in the wise outlining of the future, in the cautious promulgation of knowledge concerning the necessitated stages, will come strenuous effort and aim on the part of many aspirants, and the evolutionary bringing in of those who can achieve.

The problem of speaking clearly on this subject of transmutation is a very real one, owing to the vastness of the subject and the fact that in the transmutation process the magician or alchemist works with deva essence through the control of the lesser Builders in cooperation with the greater Devas. In order, therefore, to bring about clarity of thought and definiteness of conjecture in this respect, I desire primarily to lay down certain postulates which must be carefully borne in mind when considering this question of transmutation. They are five in number and concern specifically the field wherein the transmuting process is carried on. The student must [488] recollect at this juncture the distinction that is made between the work of the black and the white magician. It might be helpful here before proceeding further to look at these distinctions as far as they concern the matter in hand:

• First. The white Brother deals with positive electrical energy. The dark Brother deals with the negative electrical energy.
• Second. The white Brother occupies himself with the soul of things. The black Magician centers his attention upon the form.
• Third. The white Magician develops the inherent energy of the sphere concerned (whether human, animal, vegetable or mineral) and produces results through the self-induced activities of the central life, subhuman, human or superhuman. The black Magician attains results through the agency of force external to the sphere involved, and produces transmutation through the agency of resolvents (if so I might term it) or through the method of the reduction of the form, rather than through radiation, as does the white Magician.

These differences of method need to be carefully considered and their reaction visualized in connection with different elements, atoms, and forms. To return to our statement of our five postulates anent the transmutation of substance, the resolution of the life, or the transference of energy into different forms.

The five Postulates

Postulate I.   All matter is living matter, or is the vital substance of deva entities. For instance, a plane, and forms built of that particular plane substance, is the material form or sheath of a great deva, who is the essence back of manifestation and the soul of the plane. [489]

Postulate II.   All forms, vibrating to any keynote, are fabricated by the building devas out of the matter of their own bodies. Hence they are called the great Mother aspect, for they produce the form out of their own substance.

Postulate III.   The devas are the life which produces form-cohesion. They are the third and second aspects blended, and might be considered as the life of all forms that are subhuman. A magician, therefore, who transmutes in the mineral kingdom works practically with deva essence in its earliest form on the upward arc of evolution, and has to remember three things:

1. The effect of the backward pull of the involutionary lives which lie back of the mineral, or, in effect, its heredity.
2. The sevenfold nature of the peculiar group of devas which constitute its being in an occult sense.
3. The next transition stage ahead into the vegetable kingdom, or the occult effect of the second kingdom on the first.

Postulate IV.   All deva essences and builders on the physical plane are peculiarly dangerous to man, for they work on the etheric levels and are – as I have earlier pointed out – the transmitters of prana, or the vital, animating substance, and hence they set loose upon the ignorant and the unwary, fiery essence which burns and destroys.

Postulate V.   The devas do not work as individualized conscious units through self-initiating purposes as does a man, a Heavenly Man or a solar Logos (viewed as Egos) but they work in groups subject to:

1. Inherent impulse, or latent active intelligence.
2. Orders issued by the greater Builders.
3. Ritual, or compulsion induced through color and sound. [490]

When these facts are remembered and considered, some comprehension of the place the devas play in transmutation may be achieved. The position that fire occupies in the process is of peculiar interest here, for it brings out clearly the difference of method between the two schools.

In the transmutative process as carried on by the Brotherhood, the inner fire which animates the atom, form or man is stimulated, fanned and strengthened till it (through its own internal potency) burns up its sheaths, and escapes by radiation from within its ring-pass-not. This is seen in an interesting way as occurring during the process of the final initiations when the causal body is destroyed by fire. The fire within burns up all else and the electric fire escapes. The true alchemist therefore in days to come will in every ease seek to stimulate the radioactivity of the element or atom with which he is working and will center his attention upon the positive nucleus. By increasing its vibration, its activity, or its positivity, he will bring about the desired end. The Masters do this in connection with the human spirit and do not concern Themselves at all with his 'deva' aspect. The same basic rule will be found to apply in the case of a mineral as well as of a man.

The process as carried on by the Dark Brotherhood is the reverse of this. They center the attention upon the form, and seek to shatter and break that form, or the combination of atoms, in order to permit the central electric life to escape. They bring about this result through external agencies and by availing themselves of the destructive nature of the substance (deva essence) itself. They burn and destroy the material sheath, seeking to imprison the escaping volatile essence as the form disintegrates. This hinders the evolutionary plan in the case of the life involved, delays the consummation, interferes with the ordered progress of development, and puts all [491] the factors involved in a bad position. The life (or entity) concerned receives a setback, the devas work destructively, and without participation in the purpose of the plan, and the magician is in danger, under the Law of Karma, and through the materializing of his own substance by affinity with the third aspect. Black magic of this nature creeps into all religions along this very line of the destruction of the form through outer agency, and not through the liberation of the life through inner development and preparedness. It produces the evils of Hatha Yoga in India and similar methods as practiced in certain religious and occult orders in the Occident also. Both work with matter on some plane in the three worlds, and do evil that good may come; both control the devas, and attempt to produce specific ends by manipulation of the matter of the form. The Hierarchy works with the soul within the form and produces results that are intelligent, self-induced and permanent. Wherever attention is centered on the form and not on the Spirit, the tendency is to deva worship, deva contact and black magic, for the form is made of deva substance on all planes.

This must be considered well in connection with every form for it holds the key to many mysteries.

We have seen how in this question of the transference of the life from form to form, the work proceeds under rule and order, and is effected through the cooperation of the devas in the first instance, and the application of external agents to the atom or form involved, and in the second place (involving the most important and lengthy stage of the procedure) through the subsequent reaction within the atom itself, which produces an intensification of the positive burning center, and the consequent escape (through radioactivity) of the volatile essence.

At all the different stages, the fire elementals perform their part, aided by the fire devas who are the controlling [492] agents. This is so on all the planes which primarily concern us in the three worlds – different groups of devas coming into action according to the nature of the form concerned, and the plane on which the transmutation is to take place. Electric fire passes from atom to atom according to law, and "fire by friction" responds, being the latent fire of the atom, or its negative aspect; the process is carried on through the medium of solar fire, and herein lies the secret of transmutation and its most mysterious angle. Fire by friction, the negative electricity of substance, has been for some time the subject of the attention of exoteric science, and investigation of the nature of positive electricity has become possible through the discovery of radium.

Keely, as H. P. B. hinted, (S. D., I, 172, 607-611) had gone far along this path, and knew even more than he gave out, and others have approached, or are approaching, the same objective. The next step ahead for science lies in this direction, and should concern the potential force of the atom itself, and its harnessing for the use of man. This will let loose upon earth a stupendous amount of energy. Nevertheless, it is only when the third factor is comprehended, and science admits the agency of mental fire as embodied in certain groups of devas, that the force of energy that is triple, and yet one in the three worlds, will become available for the helping of man. This lies as yet far ahead, and will only become possible towards the end of this round; and these potent forces will not be fully utilized, nor fully known till the middle of the next round. At that time, much energy will become available through the removal of all that obstructs. This is effected, in relation to man, at the Judgment separation, but it will produce results in the other kingdoms of nature also. A portion of the animal kingdom will enter into a temporary obscuration, thus releasing energy for [493] the use of the remaining percentage, and producing results such as are hinted at by the prophet of Israel (Bible, Isaiah 11:6) when he speaks of "the wolf lying down with the lamb"; his comment "a little child shall lead them" is largely the esoteric enunciation of the fact that three fifths of the human family will stand upon the Path, 'a little child' being the name applied to probationers and disciples. In the vegetable and mineral kingdoms a corresponding demonstration will ensue, but of such a nature as to be too obscure for our comprehension.

The central factor of solar fire in the work of transmutation will come to be understood through the study of the fire devas and elementals, who are fire, and who are, in themselves (essentially and through active magnetic radiation), the external heat or vibration which produces:

• The force which plays upon the spheroidal wall of the atom.
• The response within the atom which produces radiation or the escape of volatile essence.

Speaking cosmically, and regarding the solar system as itself a cosmic atom, we would consider that:

• The abstractions or entities who indwell the form are "electric fire."
• The material substance which is enclosed within the ring-pass-not viewing it as a homogeneous whole, is "fire by friction."
• The fire devas from the cosmic mental plane (of whom Agni and Indra are the embodiers along with one whose name is not to be given) are the external agencies who carry on cosmic transmutation.

This triple statement can be applied to a scheme, a chain, or a globe also, remembering ever that in connection [494] with man the fire which is his third aspect emanates from the systemic mental.

We have dealt in broad and general manner with this question of electricity and have seen that fire essence or substance is resolved through internal activity and external heat in such a manner that the electric fire at the center of the atom is liberated and seeks a new form. This is the aim of the transmutative process and the fact that hitherto alchemists working in the mineral kingdom have failed to achieve their objective has been due to three things:

• First. Inability to contact the central electric spark. This is due to ignorance of certain of the laws of electricity, and above all, ignorance of the set formula which covers the range of the electrical influence of that spark.
• Second. Inability to create the necessary channel or "path" along which the escaping life may travel into its new form. Many have succeeded in breaking the form so that the life has escaped but they have not known how to harness or guide it and all their labor has consequently been lost.
• Third. Inability to control the fire elementals who are the external fire which affects that central spark through the medium of its environment. This inability is especially distinctive of the alchemists of the fifth root race who have been practically incapable of this control, having lost the Words, the formulas, and the sounds. This is the consequence of undue success in Atlantean days, when the alchemists of the time, through color and sound so entirely controlled the elementals that they utilized them for their own selfish ends and along lines of endeavors outside their legitimate province. This knowledge of formulas and sounds can be comparatively [495] easily acquired when man has developed the inner spiritual ear. When this is the ease, the transmutative processes of the grosser kind (such as are involved in the manufacture of pure gold) will interest him not at all and only those subtler forms of activity which are connected with the transference of life from graded form to form will occupy his attention.

The following facts might also be pointed out:

First. That every kingdom of nature has its note or tone, and the mantric sounds, which concern any transmutative process within that kingdom, will have that note as the key or base note.

Second. That the note of the mineral kingdom is the basic note of substance itself, and it is largely the sounding of the note combinations, based on this key, which produces the great world cataclysms, wrought through volcanic action. Every volcano is sounding forth this note, and, for those who can see, the sound and color (occultly understood) of a volcano are a truly marvelous thing. Every gradation of that note is to be found in the mineral kingdom which is itself divided into three main kingdoms:

1. The baser metals, such as lead and iron, with all allied minerals.
2. The standard metals, such as gold and silver, which play such a vital part in the life of the race, and are the mineral manifestation of the second aspect.
3. The crystals and precious stones, the first aspect as it works out in the mineral kingdom – the consummation of the work of the mineral devas, and the product of their untiring efforts.

When scientists fully appreciate what it is which causes the difference between the sapphire and the ruby, they will have found out what constitutes one of the stages [496] of the transmutative process, and this they cannot do until the fourth ether is controlled, and its secret discovered. As time progresses, the transmutation, for instance, of coal into diamonds, of lead into silver, or of certain metals into gold, will hold no appeal for man, for it will be recognized that the outcome of such action would cause deterioration of the standard, and result in poverty instead of the acquirement of riches; man will eventually come to the realization that in atomic energy, harnessed to his need, or in the inducing of increased radioactivity, lies for him the path to prosperity and riches. He will, therefore concentrate his attention on this higher form of life transference and

1. Through knowledge of the devas,
2. Through external pressure and vibration,
3. Through internal stimulation,
4. Through color applied in stimulation and vitalization,
5. Through mantric sounds

he will find the secret of atomic energy, latent in the mineral kingdom, and will bend that inconceivable power and force to the solution of the problems of existence. Only when atomic energy is better understood and the nature of the fourth ether somewhat comprehended, shall we see that control of the air which lies inevitably ahead. Third. By the discovery of the note of the vegetable kingdom, by its conjunction with other of nature's notes, and by its due sounding forth in different keys and combinations will come the possibility to produce marvelous results within that kingdom, and to stimulate the activities of those devas who work with flowers, fruits, trees and herbs.

Every root race has its own particular style of vegetation, or certain basic forms and designs which can be traced in all countries where the race locates. These [497] results are brought about by the interaction between the basic note of the vegetable kingdom itself, and the note of the race of men who are evolving simultaneously. The union of these two notes is that which produces distinctive vegetation, though it should be remembered that when the human note dominates too strongly it is apt to drive out the life of the forms of this second kingdom. The devas who work in this kingdom are a special group, and have a closer and more peculiar relation to it than have the builders or devas in any other kingdom. The transmutative process is effected more easily in the vegetable kingdom than in any other owing to this very factor, and also to the incentive given to this second kingdom and its evolutionary process by the coming of the Lords of the Flame from the second or Venus globe – pre-eminently the globe with which this kingdom has a mysterious connection. If I might express it in other words: the cosmic Entity, Who is the life of the second globe and its informing principle, has a close connection with the solar Entity Who is the informing life of the entire vegetable kingdom. This analogy can be worked out in connection with the other kingdoms, globes and other forms and accounts somewhat for the fact that this fourth^{163, 164} globe is above everything else the globe of human evolution in this scheme; it gives also the clue to the mystery of the Presence of the great Kumara Himself upon earth. These thoughts merit close attention. [498]

The note of the human kingdom, sounded in quadruple intensity on this globe, has produced portentous happenings, and I would suggest to all occult investigators the close study and scrutiny of the following manifestations in time and space:

1. The fourth Creative Hierarchy – The human.
2. The fourth scheme – Our earth scheme.
3. The fourth chain – The earth chain.
4. The fourth globe – Our planet.
5. The fourth kingdom – The human.
6. The fourth round – The first strictly human round.
7. The four Kumaras – Embodiers of humanity.
8. The fourth plane – The buddhic, the human goal.
9. The fourth ether – The physical correspondence of the buddhic plane.

One fundamental sound is responded to by all these varied factors; it is the note that is the cause of their existence and the basis of their being. This note, if sought for and found, will bring into close alliance all of these factors till they are blended into a great occult unity; it will bring likewise into cooperation the band of devas who are the essences of the fourth human principle.

B.IV.3.b. Synthesis

We have seen that during the coming races and subraces certain very definite development may be looked for in connection with manasic unfoldment; and it is worth while to note particularly that as far as the evolution of manas in this round is concerned its highest efflorescence may be looked for during the next five hundred years. The coming in of the two final root races marks the point of synthesis, and the gradual utilization of that which has been manasically achieved; this will be brought about by a development of abstract thought, and of intuitive recognition. In other words, manas has (during the past three root races) been principally applied to the understanding of objective existence, to the adaptation of the Dweller in the form to his [499] environment on the physical plane. From now on the trend of activity will be towards the understanding of the subjective side of manifestation, and towards the comprehension of the psyche of the individual life, divine, planetary, or human. In the next round, all the previous stages will be recapitulated, and manas will demonstrate in ways inconceivable as yet to the half awakened consciousness of man. In that round three-fifths of the human family will be fully aware, functioning with uninterrupted continuity of recollection on the physical, astral, and lower mental planes. The emphasis of manasic evolution will be laid upon the achievement of causal consciousness, and upon the scientific construction of the bridge which should unite the causal vehicle and the permanent manasic atom on the abstract levels.

During the sixth and seventh rounds we shall again have the synthesizing process at work in a manner analogous to that which lies ahead in the sixth and seventh root races of this round.

To express the whole matter in larger terms: The Heavenly Man will be achieving the consciousness of his causal body on cosmic levels, with a consequent reaction, repolarization and alignment of His body of manifestation. Under the law this will work out as demonstrated quality, and ordered intelligent purpose in every kingdom of nature, and will produce unifying results within those kingdoms of a kind inexplicable to man at his present stage of manasic development. We need not, therefore, give further time to the consideration of them, for the mental concept of man could not measure up to the magnitude of the theme.

In summing up what I have written anent this matter of the discriminative faculty, the intelligent activity, the adaptability nature, and the transmutative power of manas, I would like to point out that so far-reaching are these developments that every department of nature, [500] macrocosmic and microcosmic, will show forth these aspects, and show them forth in a ninefold manner before the consummation is achieved, and man has found his course.

Let us, therefore, look for a brief moment at the microcosmic manifestation, leaving the student as far as he is able to work out analogous ideas in relation to the Heavenly Man and the solar Logos:

Manasic Characteristics and the Planes

I. On the Physical Plane: Here this quality demonstrates as:

1. The selective power of the atoms of the body.
2. The adaptability of the physical form to its environment and to its circumstances.
3. The ordered purpose of the informing Life, as it affects the physical form and atoms.
4. The transmutative power, inherent in man though as yet unrecognized by him, which has brought him to his present stage of physical existence from that of animal man. It concerns also the transference of the life on to manasic levels.

II. On the Astral Plane:

1. The discriminative power of man to choose between the pairs of opposites.
2. His adaptability to emotional conditions, and his power to attain eventual equilibrium.
3. The power of man, through conscious purpose, to clear his astral body of foreign matter, and to ensure its translucence.
4. The transmutative inherent power which transmutes, or transfers the life into buddhic forms eventually.

III. On the Mental Plane:

1. In the selective power of man to choose the form through which to manifest. [501]
2. His adaptability to mental currents and vibration, and his utilization of them to control the lower forms.
3. The working out of purpose through the medium of the two lower vehicles. Impulse emanates from the mental plane.
4. The transmutative power which transforms the entire lower threefold man into a new form, the causal body. This process of transmutation is carried on through the entire series of incarnations.

IV. On the Abstract Levels of the Mental Plane.

1. The ability of the Ego to discriminate as to time and space in the three worlds.
2. Egoic adaptation of matter and circumstance of time and environment to the specific need under the Law of Karma.
3. The 'Intelligent Purpose', which lies back of all physical objectivity, and which is seen working out in every life.
4. The transmutation or transference into the Triad of the life of the Ego as it functions in the causal body. This results in dissociation from manifestation in the three worlds. To effect this transmutation (which is a point at times overlooked) the Thinker in the causal vehicle has to do three things:
   1. Build and equip the causal body.
   2. Bring about conscious connection or control of the threefold lower nature through the agency of the permanent atoms.
   3. Bridge the interlude between the causal body on its own level, and the manasic permanent atom. [502]

V. On Buddhic Levels:

1. Discriminative power here demonstrates as ability to distinguish between the abstract and the concrete, and to arrive at conclusions apart from the ordinary apparatus – the mental body and the physical brain.
2. Adaptability to Hierarchical enterprise shown by the Initiate or Master, and His receptivity to life impulses and spiritual currents emanating from the planetary Logos of His Ray – a thing at this stage impossible of conscious realization.
3. In the ordered purpose which guides the choice by a Master of one of the seven Paths of endeavor. Thus choice is based on KNOWLEDGE, and not on desire.
4. In the conscious transmutation He undertakes in the work of evolution, and in the gradual transference of His own life, and the life of His group, into the monadic aspect which is reflected in the buddhic.

VI. On Atmic Levels:

1. In the selective work of the adept as it relates to planetary manifestation, and the discriminative power which guides all action relating to His own planet, and the two others associated with the Earth, as a systemic triangle.
2. The adaptation of groups (deva and human) to certain types of influence, and vibration, which emanate extra-systemically, and which from high cosmic levels play upon groups, fostering certain attributes for which we have, as yet, no terminology.
3. The synthesizing work of the Brahma aspect as it works out in the blending of the four minor rays into the third major. [503]
4. The transmutation which results in planetary obscuration in connection with five of the Heavenly Men and which – as in the previous work of synthesis – concerns microcosmic evolution and is participated in by man. I would call attention to an interesting point: as more and more of the Monads are resolved back into their source it produces a gradual obscuration of the particular Heavenly Man in Whose body they are the cells. Though this may look to human vision as extending over a profoundly long period, from the point of view of universal or group consciousness it is occurring NOW. For instance, such an event as the obscuration of the manifestation of the Logos of our Earth scheme is already in process and began in Lemurian days.

VII. As regards monadic discrimination, adaptability, purpose and transmutative power it is needless to enlarge.

All these ideas and concepts are of value only in so far as they produce within the Thinker a more intelligent appreciation of the grandeur of the divine plan, an appropriation of the energy and force which is his by right of participation in the processes of manifestation, and a wise cooperation in the furtherance of the evolutionary plan as it affects him individually and his groups. [504]