Flying Roll No.
XI
Clairvoyance
By
G. H. Frater D.D.C.F. (S.L. MacGregor Mathers)
In order to obtain a clear idea of the relation of Man to the Universe,
and to the spiritual planes, it is necessary to understand and perceive
that the scheme of the Ten Sephiroth, and their symbolic representation as
the Tree of Life is to be applied both to the Macrocosm and to the
Microcosm; to the Celestial Heavens to Stars, Planets, the World, and to
Man. One aspect of this assertion that has been recently pointed out to
you, and has been demonstrated to you on the globe, is in reference to the
scheme of Divination; you must further extend this idea when considering
the rationale of Clairvoyance and must recognise a Sephirotic arrangement
in the constitution of every Star, and of every atom, of Man and his
principles.
We look above us into heaven, and see the Stars, and it is commonly
supposed that we see the material globes, their Malkuth, but they are
complex in constitution and we see but their luminous aura or atmospheres,
containing the rest of the Sephiroth, etc., or a reflection of them.
Then as to ourselves, we must never forget our own complex Sephirotic
symbolism, and that our bodies that we feed and clothe are but our Malkuth
on its lowest plane, and that the higher nine Sephiroth hover around us in
our auras, or atmosphere.
We pass through life affecting others, and being affected by others
through these akashic envelopes that closely surround us—so that when we
close the eyes of the body and senses upon the material world, we first
apprehend by interior vision the essences of our own and contiguous
natures. This perception of our own environment is a source of error to
the beginner in Clairvoyance; for he believes himself to have gone away
and to see elsewhere, and may be but among the confused images of his own
aura.
An old name of Clairvoyance, in our ancient MSS was 'Skrying in the
Spirit Vision'; becoming a 'Skryer' was not simply becoming a Seer, but
one who descries what he seeks, not only the impassive receiver of
visions beyond control or definition.
When one stands in common life in the kingdom of Malkuth, there is but
little confusion of sight, but when one voluntarily leaves the dead level
of materialism and passes up the Path of Tau towards Yesod, then there is
a confusion of lights; one comes within the scope of the crossing, and
reflected, and coloured, rays of the Qesheth, the Rainbow of colours
spread over the earth, and here then we require instruction and guidance
to avoid confusion and folly. And yet this stage must be passed
through—to go higher.
Beyond Yesod you enter the path of Samekh, the strait and narrow path
which leads to truly spiritual regions of perception, this is attained by
the process called Rising in the Planes.
Our subject falls most conveniently into three heads, which are
however, closely related, and the three forms or stages pass one into the
other.
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Clairvoyance. Descrying in the Spirit Vision.
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Astral projection. Travelling in the Spirit Vision.
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Rinsing in the Planes.
Begin with simple Clairvoyance, and then pass to the other states.
It is well to commence this form of practical occultism by means of a
Symbol, such as a drawing, or coloured diagram, related in design, form
and colour to the subject chosen for study. The simple and compound Tattva
emblems are suitable for this process. It is better for them not to be in
the complementary 'flashing' colours for this purpose as though more
powerful, they are also more exhausting to the student. The Symbol should
be of convenient size, for the eye to take it in at a glance, and large
enough no to require too close an application of sight to realise the
details.
There are several scales of colour, but for our present purpose we need
only note two. Firstly, the scale of the King, that of the G.D.; and that
of the Adept Minor. Scarlet is Fire, Yellow is Air, Blue is Water, Four
dull colours are Earth and White is Spirit. Secondly, the Tattva scheme,
which is nearly the same as our scale of the Queen, which is applied also
to the Sephirotic colours in the Minutum Mundum Diagram. Red is Fire,
greyish White is Water, Golden Yellow is Earth, Blue (greenish) is Air,
Violet Black is Akasha or Spirit.
Tablets and Telesmas are described as being made in Flashing Colours,
when in one tablet, a certain colour and its direct complementary are
shown in opposition and shine by contrast. In such tablets do the
elemental forces manifest most readily, and most students can perceive
their flashes of radiance, which are, however, partly subjective and
partly objective. They attract and reflect the rays of light from the
akashic plane enveloping them.
These tablets when formed by an Adept of high spiritual attainments
receive from him a charge of akashic force of a magnetic character; as
line by line and colour by colour is added, the Telesma grows in virtue as
well as progresses to completion. But the beginner fails, thus, to
impregnate his work with his vital astral force and his finished Telesma
needs a ceremony of consecration, after which the figure should remain
sacred to his touch alone. All Telesma, however, are better consecrated
ceremonially, for they then hold more firmly the 'charge' of force, and if
carefully preserved, apart from contamination, and from influence by other
Telesma, will retain force for an indefinite period. All powerful Occult
work, such as this, exhausts the Vital force, especially from beginners,
and you will feel at first distinct exhaustion from loss of akasha, which
however is not lost but transferred to the symbol and there preserved,
fading away from thence, only slowly into the ocean of energies.
To use the Symbol for Clairvoyance, place it before you, as on a table,
place the hands beside it, or hold it up with both hands, then, with the
utmost concentration, gaze at it, comprehend it, formulate its meaning and
relations. When the mind is steady upon it: close the eyes and continue
the meditation, and let the conception still remain before you, keep up
the design, form, and colour in the akashic aura, as clearly as they
appeared in material form to the outward seeing. Transfer the Vital effort
from the optic nerve to the mental perception, or thought seeing as
distinct from seeing with the eye; let one form of apprehension glide on
with the other—produce the reality of the dream vision, by positive will
in the waking state. All this will be only possible if the mind is steady,
clear and undisturbed and the will powerful. It cannot lead to success if
you are in an unsuitable state of anxiety, fear, indignation, trouble or
anticipation. You must produce peace, solitude and leisure and you must
banish all disturbing influences.
But, above all, never attempt these Magic Arts if there be any
resentment in the mind, anger , or any evil passion; for if you do, the
more you succeed, the greater will be the evil that will follow—for
yourself.
With the condition favourable, the process may be continued, and this,
by means of introducing into the Consciousness and by formulating into
sound, the highest Divine Names connected therewith; this invocation
produces and harmonises currents of spiritual force in sympathy with your
object. Then follow with the sacred names of Archangelic and Angelic
import, producing them mentally, visually and by voice.
Then, maintaining your abstraction from your surroundings, and still
concentrating upon the symbol and its correlated ideas, you are to seek a
perception of a scene, panorama, or view of a place. This may also be
brought on by a sense of tearing open, as a curtain is drawn aside and
seeing the 'within' of the symbol before you. As the scene dawns upon you,
particularise the details, and seek around for objects, and then for
beings, entities and persons—attract their attention, call mentally to
them by suitable titles and courtesies, and by proper and appropriate
signs and symbols, such as the signs of the Grades, Pentagrams, etc. Test
them by divine and angelic names, observing their attitude and responses
thereto. Thus losing sight of the symbol, you see its inwardness, perceive
things as in a mirror by Reflection. In this form of Descrying, note, that
you see objects reversed, as to right and left, for which suitable
allowance must be made. You project, in this process, part of your own
nerve and spirit force upon the symbol, and by this you attract and attach
to it more akashic force from the environment, hence the results obtained.
If, instead of this Simple Spirit Vision, a ray of yourself is sent and
actually goes to a place (astral projection) there is not necessarily the
sense of reversal of objects.
In using Symbols it is necessary to avoid Self hypnotisation, for this
occurrence would dispose you to mediumship, and to be the playground of
forces you must control, and not permit to control you. For this reason,
partly, it is well not to have the Symbol too small. It is of advantage to
pursue these researches with the aid of the presence before you of the
four Magical Implements, and even to hold the one suitable to the
investigation. If you enter upon the Spirit Vision without a Symbol you
proceed by a mental symbol, imagined in the Astral Light: this is not a
wise proceeding for learners because it opens the door to other Astral
effects; you create a vortex, into which other astral influences are drawn
and hence confusion and mischief may result.
The process of working by a small symbol placed upon the forehead, or
elsewhere, is not wholly good; it is more liable to derange the Brain
circulation and cause mental illusion and disturbance, headache, and
nervous exhaustion than the first method.
In using symbols, placed before you—it is a useful addition to
provide a large circular (or square) tablet, around which are placed
Divine Names etc. related to the Elements, and to the cardinal points;
then after arranging this duly, with respect to the compass, place your
symbol upon and within this frame.
Astral Projection, although from one point of thought a development of
Clairvoyance, yet is from another distinct: in Astral Projection, the
Adept emits from his Ego a perceptible ray of his identity, and by
cultured and instructed Will, sends it to travel to the place desired,
focuses it there, sees there—directly and not by reflection—perceives
its bodily home, and re-enters it.
In this Travelling of the Spirit the process may be caused to start
also by the Symbol, as before, or by Will alone; but anyway the Divine
names should be used and relied upon. If the ray be emitted, and you
succeed in this travelling to the place—you perceive a different result
to that of the clairvoyant, mirror-like vision—scenes and things instead
of being like a picture, have the third dimension, solidity, they stand
out first like bas relief, then you see as from a Balloon, as it is said,
by a bird's eye view. You feel free to go to the place, to descend upon
it, to step out upon the scene, and to be an actor there.
Having attained success in projection you should practice the method
when opportunity offers, and having passed to any place, should make
efforts—and if you Will—success will follow—to pass through all
elements, Water and Earth as well as through Air—practise will enable
you to fly through air either quickly or slowly as willed, and to swim
through water, or pass through earth and through fire fearlessly with the
aid of the Divine Names, in this Astral Projection.
Seek then the forms and persons of the place or of the Plane you reach
to, seek converse with them, by voice, word, letter and symbol and claim
admission etc. by signs, and by invocation. Every figure is to be tried
and tested, whether he be as he appears or whether a delusive and deluding
embodied power. It may be, too, that your travel is not real, and that you
are wandering in your own environment, and are misled by memory etc.;
hence you might be self-deceiving by your own reminiscences.
Try all beings, and if offered favours or initiation by any, try and
test them by Divine names and forces; and ever remember your own Adept
Obligation and your allegiance to it, to your own Higher Self, and to the
Great Angel HVA, before whom you stood fastened to the Cross of Suffering,
and to whom you pledged your obedience.
This old Proverb enshrines a great truth, as many of them do: 'Believe
thyself there and thou art there.'
Rising in the Planes is a spiritual process after spiritual
conceptions, and higher aims; by concentration and contemplation of the
Divine, you formulate a Tree of Life passing from you the spiritual realms
above and beyond you. Picture to yourself that you stand in Malkuth—then
by the use of the Divine Names and aspirations you strive upward by the
Path of Tau toward Yesod, neglecting the crossing rays which attract you
as you pass up. Look upwards to the Divine Light shining down from Kether
upon you. From Yesod leads up the Path of Temperance, Samekh, the arrow
cleaving upward leads the way to Tiphereth, the Great central Sun of
Sacred Power.
Invoke the Great Angel HUA, and conceive of yourself as standing
fastened to the Cross of Suffering, carefully vibrating the Holy Names
allied to your position, and so may the mental vision attain unto Higher
Planes.
There are three special tendencies to error and illusion which assail
the Adept in these studies. They are, Memory, Imagination and actual
Sight. These elements of doubt are to be avoided, by the Vibration of
Divine Names, and by the Letters and Titles of the 'Lords Who
Wander'—the Planetary Forces, represented by the Seven double letters of
the Hebrew alphabet.
If the Memory entice thee astray, apply for help to Saturn whose Tarot
Title is the 'Great One of the Night of Time'.
Formulate the Hebrew letter Tau in Whiteness.
If the vision change or disappear, your memory has falsified your
efforts. If Imagination cheat thee, use the Hebrew letter Kaph for the
Forces of Jupiter, named 'Lord of the Forces of Life'. If the Deception be
of Lying—intellectual untruth, appeal to the Force of Mercury by the
Hebrew letter Beth. If the trouble be of Wavering of Mind, us the Hebrew
letter Gimel for the Moon. If the enticement of pleasure be the error,
then use the Hebrew letter Daleth as an aid.1
Never attempt any of these Divine processes when at al influence by
Passion or Anger of Fear—leave off if desire of sleep approach, never
force a mind disinclined. Balance the Mem and the Shin of your nature and
mind, so as to leave Aleph like a gentle flame rising softly between them.
You must do all these things by yourself alone. No one can make you nor
take you. Do not try to make, or take others. You may only point out the
Path, and guide but must not help others.
A strong person can galvanise a weak one, but its effect is only a
temporary folly, doing good neither to the strong nor to the weak. Only
offer guidance to those who are making necessary efforts of themselves;
don't assist a negligent pupil, nor encourage one whose desire is not in
the work.
This rule is open to some alteration when, passing from our Mystic
studies, you refer to the worldly guidance of childhood—a parent is in a
special position, and has a natural duty incumbent upon him or her to
train, guide, and protect a child.
Still, even here, do protect and lead, but don't 'obsess' a child,
don't override by your peculiar personal predilections all the personal
aims of the offspring. A man's ideal of true propriety is often himself,
and his idea of doing good to a child is to make it like himself. Now,
although this father may be a good man, his form of goodness is not to be
made a universal type, and there are many other forms equally existing,
and equally fit to exist, and any attempt to dictate too closely a child's
'though life' may, while failing of success, yet warp aside from the truth
what would otherwise pass into a Good Path, through its own peculiar
avenue.
It is well to make all symbols for Clairvoyant use yourself, otherwise,
to obtain a purely individual result, you have to banish the influence of
him who made them.
It is best to do high Clairvoyance alone, or only with others of the
utmost purity, and in whom you have the utmost confidence.
If more than one is attempting in concert the same process, there is
the source of error that there becomes formed in the Astral Light a
complex symbol, and a struggle ensues as to who shall lead the direction
of the currents. When two sit together, as in the Vault, they should be
balanced: and so with three. For two; one each side of Pastos or one at
each end; for three assume the position of the angles of a triangle, say
one at head of Pastos, one at the Right and at the Left hand of the form
of Christian Rosycross.
Example
The V.H. Soror V.N.R. 6°=5º, sat at a table, robed, and took a Tattva
card coloured symbol (Tejas—akasha) —an erect red triangle, upon which
is a dark violet black egg shaped centre. She placed her hands beside her
side, or held it in turns before the eyes (held the Magic Fire Wand).
Gazed and contemplated and considered as the Symbol grew before her, so
enlarged and filled the place, that she seemed to pass into it, or into a
vast triangle of flame. She realises that she is in the presence of a
desert of sand, harsh, dry and hot.
Thinks of and vibrates—Elohim. Action seems set up, increase of heat
and light. Passing through the symbol and scene: seems to arrive and
descend there, feels the hot dry sand—perceives a small pyramid in the
distance—Wills to rise up and fly through air to it, descends beside it,
passes around, sees a small square door on each side. Vibrates—'Elohim—Michael—Erel—Seraph,
Darom. Ash.'
Stamps five times—figure appears at an entrance, stamps again five
times and vibrates Seraphiel. A Warrior figure leads out a procession of
Guards, she asks for his Seal—he shows a complex Symbol of four
triangles around a central emblem—? deceptive. Draw Beth before him—he
appears terrified. Withdraw Symbol—he is courteous—ask him about
pyramid; he says they conduct ceremonies there—she seeks
admission—gives sign of 0°=0º—there is a sense of opposition—gives
sign 1°=10º, this appears to suffice—But he gives signs of Adeptship—Guards
kneel before her and she passes in—dazzling light, as in a Temple. An
Altar in the midst—kneeling figures surround it, there is a dais beyond,
and many figures upon it—they seem to be Elementals of Fiery
nature—she sees a Pentagram, puts a Leo into it, thanks the figure who
conducts her—Wills to pass through the pyramid, finds herself out amid
the sand. Wills her return—returns—perceiving her body in Robes seated
in the Second Order Hall.
1Use the Hebrew letter Peh for mars to coerce
sense of anger and violence. Use the Hebrew letter Resh for the Sun to
coerce sense of haughtiness, vanity.
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