XVII. The Cycles of Reincarnation 237

The Law of Periodicity V
"There is a tide in the afairs of men, which, ta\en at the flood, leads on to fortune."
— Shakespeare.
"To everything there is a reason, and a time to every purpose under the heavens; a time to be horn, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluc\ up that ivhich is planted."
— King Solomon.
V V V
A Recommendation to the Reader
To fully understand the system presented herein, it is absolutely necessary to read all of the early chapters, beginning, in fact, with the introduction.
INTRODUCTION
It is a pleasiare to say a few words to the readers of this book and perhaps prepare them for the great treat that is in store for them.
The system presented in the following pages is so unique, so startling, and yet so surprisingly useful in a very dependable way that I feel that each reader will want to know a little about the origin of the system and its past use.
Those who have read the author's other book, entitled, "Rosicrucian Principles for Home and Business," will recall that practically every page of that book identified Dr. Lewis with the intimate, inner activities of many large corporations and business organi2;ations. In fact, that book revealed the secret of the former life work of Dr. Lewis before he left the business field and devoted himself almost exclusively to the direction of the affairs of the Rosicrucian Order in North America. Those of us who have been acquainted with him and who are familiar with his past life readily understand what was meant when Arthur Stillwell, the former
19-]
SELF MASTERY AJiD FATE
president of many financial institutions and one of the foremost builders of railroads in America said : "H. Spencer Lewis has been the real 'silent part' ner' and secret adviser in more big business propo' sitions in America than any other living man." Even to this very day with his many activities in connection with the Rosicrucian Order, he is con' suited by long distance 'phone from all parts of America and by telegrams and letters from boards of directors and presidents of corporations asking for one of his strange and always dependable de' cisions in regard to some contemplated action or some problem that presents two phases, two solu' tions, or two possible lines of action.
For over twenty years the question has been asked thousands of times by as many business men, "What peculiar system or method does this man use which enables him to tell us what we should do or what we should not do, and when and how we should proceed in our business affairs?" It was not a purely selfish motive that caused Dr. Lewis to keep to himself, in this country, the secret of his system and use it to help those who consulted him. While large fees have been paid to him for
[10]
THE CYCLES OF LIFE
his services, and even today he is the recipient of shares of interest unanimously voted to him by corporations, boards of directors, and individuals as a result of his definite assistance in crucial times, I have known of hundreds of instances wherein he has gladly and whole-heartedly given his advice and help without any fee, and without any pros- pect of remuneration of any kind. But the use of this system was his business and he had neither the time nor the inchnation to establish a school or private class for the teachings and impartation of his system to others.
The time has come, however, when he feels that his services to the organiziation should occupy most of his time, and that his interest in other big busi- ness propositions are sufficiently varied and suc- cessful to require no additions thereto. Therefore, he decided that he relinquish his system and give it to the world in such form that every man and woman, young or old, in business or out of busi- ness, may use some part of it to bring greater success, prosperity, and happiness into his life.
And so the system has been reduced to words, charts, and diagrams. I marvelled at the funda-
[11]
SELF MASTERT A^D FATE
mental explanations contained in the first few chapters of his manuscript. What a world of sim' plicity is revealed in the Cosmic laws manifesting through the strange cycles of vibrations! Those first few chapters are worthy of a book printed in gold and bound in rarest metals. These alone would bring to any business man or woman the necessary \ey for the understanding of the pecuHar fluctuations, changes, and unexpected occurrences that arise in all personal and business affairs, and that bring problems, trials, and tribulations of grave concern. To know why these things occur, and that there is a periodicity to them and that they are not by mere chance or coincidence, is to remove them from the category of the un\now' able which torments the Hfe and soul of every business man and woman.
The chapters which follow and which reveal the fact that man as a free agent can become the master of his fate and the director of his destiny are chapters that will become a monument to the many marvelous contributions this author has made to human welfare. The words in those chap' ters will become the agency for the breaking of
[12]
THE CrCLES OF LIFE
the chains and fetters which have enslaved thou' sands of persons and held them in the bondage of miscomprehension regarding the events of their lives and the possibilities that He dormant within their own beings.
To have all of this followed by the many chap' ters that explain in detail the various cycles and periods of conditions which affect our personal and business affairs, our health, our pleasures, our hopes, and ambitions, is to have added to the priceless treasury of the early chapters a veritable casket of rare jewels. As I tested the cycles and the periodical effects in a review of my own life for the past ten years, I saw before me a map of all that I had passed through and a well' charted survey of what I might have accomplished, what I might have attained, and what I might have brought into my own life if I had used this system years ago. I saw, too, in the charts that I had made roughly with no difficulty and with intense pleasure, a complete outline of what I can accomplish next month, next year, and for many years in the future; and I saw my course through life charted now as clearly as a ship charts its
[13]
SELF MASTERY AXD FATE
course across the sea when it proceeds from the shores and heads its bow toward the seemingly unknown space beyond.
One word of warning would I give to every reader of this book: Read carefully every word of the first chapters of this book, digesting every thought and principle and become well acquainted with each idea that is successively presented in the paragraphs that fill its chapters. It is only through understanding the principles before ap- plying the cycles to our own intimate affairs that anyone can reap the greatest good out of this remarkable manuscript.
The years will come and go, and many more unusual, fascinating, and helpful contributions will be made to the mystical, metaphysical, and psy- chological literature of America, but there never will be another book or another manuscript that will prove as revolutionary, as astounding, and as unique in its practical information as this book now before you. It will do more to rob super- stitious beliefs regarding Cosmic influences of their enslaving hold on the minds of many and to bring to man a reahziation of his greatest assets and
[14]
THE CYCLES OF UFE
powers than anything that has been published since the dawn of civili2;ation. It will become a high testimonial to the rare knowledge possessed by a Rosicrucian and to the high character, high motives and ideals, and activities of those who are devoting their lives unselfishly through the Rosi- crucian Order to the benefit of all mankind.
E. V. R.
V V V
{15}