Section 4

Now what is a medium ? The term med¬ ium, when not applied simply to things and objects, is supposed to be a person through whom the action of another person or being is either manifested or transmitted. Spirit-
PSYCHIC AND NOETIC ACTION 165
ualists believing in communications with disembodied spirits, and that these can manifest through, or impress sensitives to transmit “ messages ” from them, regard mediumship as a blessing and a great privi¬ lege. We Theosophists, on the other hand, who do not believe in the “communion of spirits ” as Spiritualists do, regard the gift as one of the most dangerous of abnormal nervous diseases. A medium is simply one in whose personal Ego, or terrestrial mind ( jpsuche ), the percentage of “ astral ” light so preponderates as to impregnate with it his whole physical constitution. Every organ and cell thereby is attuned, so to speak, and subjected to an enormous and ab¬ normal tension. The mind is ever on the plane of, and quite immersed in, that de¬ ceptive light whose soul is divine, but whose body — the light waves on the lower planes — infernal ; for they are but the black and disfigured reflections of the earth’s memo¬ ries. The untrained eye of the poor sensi¬ tive cannot pierce the dark mist, the dense fog of the terrestrial emanations, to see beyond in the radiant field of the eternal
166
STUDIES IX OCCULTISM
truths. His vision is out of focus. His senses, accustomed from his birth, like those of a native of the London slums, to stench and filth, to the unnatural distortions of sights and images tossed on the kaleido¬ scopic waves of the astral plane — are un¬ able to discern the true from the false. And thus, the pale, soulless corpses moving in the trackless fields of “ Kama Loka ”, ap¬ pear to him the living images of the “ dear departed ” ones ; the broken echoes of once human voices, passing through his mind, suggest to him well co-ordinated phrases, which he repeats, in ignorance that their final form and polish were received in the innermost depths of his own brain factory. And hence the sight and the hearing of that which if seen in its true nature would have struck the medium’s heart cold with horror, now fills him with a sense of beatitude and confidence. He really believes that the im¬ measurable vistas displayed before him are the real spiritual world, the abode of the blessed disembodied angels.
We describe the broad main features and facts of mediumship, there being no room
PSYCHIC AND NOETIC ACTION 167
in such an article for exceptional cases. We maintain — having unfortunately passed at one period of life personally through such experiences — that on the whole, medium- ship is most dangerous ; and psychic experi¬ ences, when accepted indiscriminately, lead only to honestly deceiving others, because the medium is the first self-deceived victim. Moreover, a too close association with the “ Old Terrestrial Serpent ” is infectious. The odic and magnetic currents of the As¬ tral Light often incite to murder, drunk¬ enness, immorality, and, as Eliphas Levi expresses it, the not altogether pure natures “ can be driven headlong by the blind forces set in motion in the Light ” — by the errors and sins imposed on its waves.
And this is how the great Mage of the XIXth century corroborates the foregoing when speaking of the Astral Light : —
“We have said that to acquire magical power, two things are necessary ; to disengage the will from all servitude, and to exercise it in control.
“The sovereign will (of the adept) is repre¬ sented in our symbols by the woman who crushes the serpent’s head, and by the resplendent angel who represses the dragon and holds him under
168
STUDIES IX OCCULTISM
his foot and spear ; the great magical agent, the dual current of light, the living and astral fire of the earth, has been represented in the ancient theogonies by the serpent with the head of a bull, a ram, or a dog. It is the double serpent of the caduceus , it is the Old Serpent of Genesis , but it is also the brazen serpent of Moses entwined around the tau , that is to say, the generative lingha. It is also the goat of the witch-sabbath, and the Baphomet of the Templars; it is the Hyle of the Gnostics ; it is the double-tailed ser¬ pent which forms the legs of the solar clock of the Abraxas ; finally it is the Devil of M. Eudel de Mirville. But in very fact it is the blind force which souls (i.e., the lower Manas or Nephesh) have to conquer to liberate themselves from the bonds of the earth ; for if their will does not free * them from this fatal attraction, they will be ab¬ sorbed in the current by the force which has produced them, and will return to the central and eternal fire V’ *
The “ central and eternal fire ” is that disintegrating Force, that gradually con¬ sumes and burns out the Kama Rapa, or “ personality ”, in the Kama Loka, whither it goes after death. And verily, the Med¬ iums are attracted by the Astral Light, it is
*Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie , quoted in Isis Unveiled.
PSYCHIC AND NOETIC ACTION 169
the direct cause of their personal u souls ” being absorbed “by the force which has produced ” their terrestrial elements. And, therefore, as the same Occultist tells us : —
“All the magical operations consist in freeing one’s self from the coils of the Ancient Serpent; then to place the foot on its head, and lead it according to the operator’s will. 4 I will give unto thee’, says the Serpent, in the Gospel myth, 4 all the kingdoms of the earth, if thou wilt fall down and worship me’. The initiated should reply to him, 4 1 will not fall down, but thou shalt crouch at my feet; thou wilt give me nothing, but I will make use of thee and take whatever I wish. For I am thy Lord and Master! ’ ”
And as such, the Personal JSffo, becoming at one with its divine parent, shares in the immortality of the latter. Otherwise ....
Enough, however. Blessed is he who has acquainted himself with the dual powers at work in the Astral Light; thrice blessed he who has learned to discern the Noetic from the Psychic action of the “Double- Faced ” God in him, and who knows the potency of his own Spirit — or “Soul Dynamics ”.
THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN AMERICA.
INFORMATION FOR ENQUIRERS.
The principal aim and object of this Society is to form a nucleus of Universal Brotherhood without any distinction whatever. The subsid¬ iary objects are ; the study of ancient and mod¬ ern Religions, Philosophies, and Sciences, and the demonstration of the importance of such study ; and the investigation of the unexplained laws of nature and the psychical powers latent in man.
This Society is an integral part of the inter¬ national Theosophical Movement which began at New York in the year 1875.
Any person declaring sympathy with the first object of the Society may be admitted to mem¬ bership, as provided in the By-laws.
2
STUDIES IN OCCULTISM
Every member lias tlie right to believe or dis¬ believe in any religious system or philosophy, and to declare such belief or disbelief, without affecting his standing as a member of the Soci¬ ety, each being required to show that tolerance of the opinions of others which he expects for his own.
Five or more persons applying in writing to the President, and complying with conditions of membership, or who are already members, may receive a Charter to form a Branch, with con¬ sent of the Executive Committee ; and the num¬ ber of Branches which may be formed at any place is not limited.
Members not belonging to Branches are known as Members-at-large.
Each Branch may make its own By-laws and manage its own local affairs in any manner con¬ sistent with the provisions of the Constitution.
The Society does not pretend to be able to establish at once a universal brotherhood among men, but only strives to create a nucleus for such a body, and believes that a careful study of the religions and philosophies of the past as well as of the present day will reveal the common basis upon which all rest, and there¬ fore the truth underlying them all. The or¬ ganization is, therefore, wholly unsectarian, with no creed or dogma to enforce or impose.
Hence in its ranks, and co-operating in its work, are to be found professors of every faith,
APPENDIX
3
as well as those who have none whatever. No restriction is placed on its members save that of loyalty to its one fundamental principle — Universal Brotherhood. Nor is it, as a Soci¬ ety, to be held responsible for the opinions of its members, who all have a right to hold their own views and to receive for them, from their fellow-members, the respect which they in turn should show for the views of others. This toleration and respect is asked from all members as a duty, since it is believed that dogmatism and intolerance have always been the greatest foes to human progress. The So¬ ciety therefore represents all creeds and all branches of science, opposing bigotry, super¬ stition, credulity, and dogmatism wherever found, and by whomsoever taught. It asks of its members an unflinching condemnation of vice in every form, and of all that tends to feed or propagate it, and expects every one who joins its ranks to avoid doing what will be likely to throw discredit upon the Society or dishonor upon his fellow-members.
4
STUDIES IN OCCULTISM
THEOSOPHY .
The mystical system which gives its name to the Society, and is vaguely known under the general title “Theosophy”, is put forward by certain members as at once the result of, and an incentive to that particular line of study described in the “subsidiary objects”. They believe that the doctrines, or leading ideas of Theosophy, both Eastern and Western, are es¬ pecially worthy of attention at the present time, as suggesting the probable solution of many of the most vexed religious, social, and scientific questions of the day. An extensive literature has sprung up in connection with the Theosoph- ical Movement, in which many of these ideas are explained and discussed.
It must be borne in mind, however, that these doctrines * are not advanced as dogmas, but merely as reasonable hypotheses, throwing light upon many phases and conditions of life which otherwise appear incomprehensible or inconsistent. The Theosophical Society aims at assisting its members by the spread of lit¬ erature and by all other methods within its power, in their searchings after truth, and, as above said, it places no restrictions upon its members beyond that of loyalty to its one fundamental principle of thought and action —
APPENDIX
5
Universal Brotherhood. It may, however, be stated that the majority of the members, as individuals, believe that the realization of this first object of the Theosophical Society can best be attained by a thorough grasp of the principles of Theosophy, which, in their opinion, place universal brotherhood on a scientific and logical basis.
Further information may be had on applica¬ tion to William Q. Judge, President of the Theosophical Society in America, 144 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y., or N. E. Theosophical Corporation, 24 Mt. Yernon St., Boston, Mass.
LIST OF BOOKS,
Which may be obtained post-paid from the New England Theosophical Corporation, 24 Mt. Yernon St., Boston, Mass.
Experience indicates the following as a good series of books in a preliminary course: 1st, Wilkesbarre Letters on Theosophy; 2d, Simple Theosophy; 3d, Modern Theosophy ; 4th, Ocean of Theosophy; 5th, Occult World; 6th, Echoes from the Orient ; 7th, Esoteric Buddhism; 8th,
0
STUDIES IN OCCULTISM
Seven Principles of Man, Besant ; 9th, Reincar¬ nation, Besant ; 10th, Death — and After, Besant; 11th, Key to Theosophy ; 12th, Letters that have Helped Me.
The following are for deeper study : 1st, Patan- jali’s Yoga Aphorisms; 2d, Magic, White and Black; 3d, Isis Unveiled; 4tli, The Secret Doctrine.
Of devotional works : 1st, Voice of the Silence; 2d, Bhagavad-Gita ; 3d, Light on the Path.
Bhagavad-Gita, American Edition. Judge 1.00
“ “ Mohini’s translation and
notes . 2.00
Bhagavad-Gita, Discourses on the. Subba
Row . 75
Blavatsky, Madame, Incidents in the life
of. Sinnett . 3.00
Blavatsky, Madame, Memorial Articles on .35
Compendium of Raja-Yoga Philosophy - 1.25
Death — and After ? Theosophical Manual
No. 3. Besant . 35
Discourses on the Bhagavad-Gita. Subba
Row . 75
Echoes From the Orient. Judge . 50
Esoteric Buddhism. Sinnett. . . .paper 50c.
“ “ “ cloth 1.25
Esoteric Basis of Christianity. Kingsland.
Parti, .10; Part 2 . 10
APPENDIX
7
Evolution According to Theosophy. Hil¬ lard . 10
Exposition of Theosophy. Besant . 10
Five Years of Theosophy . 3.25
Gems from the East; a Birtli-day Book.
Blavatsky . 1.00
Glossary, Theosophical. Blavatsky . 3.50
Glossary, Working, for Theosophical Stu¬ dents . cloth .50
Guide to Theosophy. (Printed in India.). . 1.50
Hints on Esoteric Theosophy, and Idyll of
the White Lotus, paper, 50c; cloth... 1.25
Idea of Rebirth. Arundale . 1.25
Idyll of the White Lotus, and Hints on Es¬ oteric Theosophy; paper, 50; cloth . 1.25
Indianapolis Letters on Theosophy. Ful¬ lerton . 10
In Defense of Theosophy. Besant . 08
Isis Unveiled. Blavatsky . 7.50
Karma. Sinnett; cloth . 75
Key to Theosophy. Blavatsky . 1.50
Letters that have Helped Me . 50
Light on the Path, with Comments from
Lucifer, paper, .25 ; cloth . 40
Magic, White and Black. Hartmann .
paper, 50c; cloth . 1.25
Man; Fragments of Forgotten History . 1.25
Modern Theosophy, Outline of the Prin¬ ciples of. Claude Falls Wright .
paper, 50c; cloth . 1.00
My Books. Blavatsky . 05
8
STUDIES IN OCCULTISM
Mystic Quest. Kingsland . 1.00
Nature and Aim of Theosophy. Buck . 75
Nature’s Finer Forces. Kama Prasad . 1.50
Neila Sen, and My Casual Death, Connelly
paper, 50c; cloth . 1.25
Nightmare Tales. Blavatsky .
paper, 35c; cloth . 75
Ocean of Theosophy. Judge; paper, 50c;
cloth . 1.00
Occult World. Sinnett; paper 50c; cloth.. 1.25 Patanjali’s Yoga Aphorisms. (American
ed.) red leather, 75c; morocco . 1.00
Place of Peace, The. Besant . 15
Purpose of Theosophy. Mrs. Sinnett. paper .15 Kaja Yoga Philosophy, Compendium of . . . 1.25
Reincarnation. Anderson, paper, 50c ; cloth 1.00 Reincarnation. Theosophical Manual No. 2.
Besant . 35
Reincarnation. E. D. Walker .
paper, 50c; cloth . 1.25
Reminiscences of H. P. B. and the Secret
Doctrine. Countess Wachtmeister -
paper, 50; cloth . 75
Rough Outline of Theosophy. Besant . 10
Sankhya Karika, (with commentary) . 1.25
Secret Doctrine. Blavatsky . 12.50
Seven Principles of Man. Theosophical
Manual No. 1. Besant . 35
Simon Magus. Mead. . .paper, $1.75; cloth 2.25
Simple Theosophy. Barnett; paper . 15
Songs of the Lotus Circle . 05
APPENDIX
9
Sphinx of Theosophy. Besant . 10
Study of Man. Buck . 2.50
Theosophical Glossary. Blavatsky . 3.50
Theosophical Society and H. P. B. Besant
and Patterson . 07
Theosophy, or Psychological Religion. Max
Muller . 3.00
Theosophy, Religion, and Occult Science.
Olcott . 2.50
Theosophy and its Evidences. Besant . 10
Theosophy Simply Put; paper . 10
Topics in Karma. Fullerton . 15
Topics in Reincarnation. Fullerton . . .10
Transactions Blavatsky Lodge .
paper, No. 1, 50c; No. 2 . 35
Transactions London Lodge, No. 17. .paper .35 Voice of the Silence. Blavatsky; red
leather, .75; morocco . 1.00
Why I became a Theosophist. Besant . 10
Wilkesbarre Letters on Theosophy. Ful¬ lerton . 10
Wonder-Light, and Other Tales for Chil¬ dren. Ver Plank . 50
Working Glossary for Theosophical Stu¬ dents; cloth . 50
Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali (American
edition) red leather, .75; morocco.... 1.00 Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. Dvivedi. .boards 1.00
j