IX. That the Astral body of the medium, partaking of the nature of

the Astral substance, may be extended from the physical body, may act outside of the latter, and may also extrude at times any portion of itself such as hand, arm, or leg and thereby move objects, indite letters, produce touches on the body, and so on _ad infinitum_. And that the Astral body of any person may be made to feel sensation, which, being transmitted to the brain, causes the person to think he is touched on the outside or has heard a sound. Mediumship is full of dangers because the Astral part of the man is now only normal in action when joined to the body; in distant years it will normally act without a body as it has in the far past. To become a medium means that you have to become disorganized physiologically and in the nervous system, because through the latter is the connection between the two worlds. The moment the door is opened all the unknown forces rush in, and as the grosser part of nature is nearest to us it is that part which affects us most; the lower nature is also first affected and inflamed because the forces used are from that part of us. We are then at the mercy of the vile thoughts of all men, and subject to the influence of the shells in _Kama Loka_. If to this be added the taking of money for the practice of mediumship, an additional danger is at hand, for the things of the spirit and those relating to the Astral world must not be sold. This is the great disease of American spiritualism which has debased and degraded its whole history; until it is eliminated no good will come from the practice; those who wish to hear truth from the other world must devote themselves to truth and leave all considerations of money out of sight. To attempt to acquire the use of the psychic powers for mere curiosity or for selfish ends is also dangerous for the same reasons as in the case of mediumship. As the civilization of the present day is selfish to the last degree and built on the personal element, the rules for the development of these powers in the right way have not been given out, but the Masters of Wisdom have said that philosophy and ethics must first be learned and practised before any development of the other department is to be indulged in; and their condemnation of the wholesale development of mediums is supported by the history of spiritualism, which is one long story of the ruin of mediums in every direction. Equally improper is the manner of the scientific schools which without a thought for the true nature of man indulge in experiments in hypnotism in which the subjects are injured for life, put into disgraceful attitudes, and made to do things for the satisfaction of the investigators which would never be done by men and women in their normal state. The Lodge of the Masters does not care for Science unless it aims to better man’s state morally as well as physically, and no aid will be given to Science until she looks at man and life from the moral and spiritual side. For this reason those who know all about the psychical world, its denizens and laws, are proceeding with a reform in morals and philosophy before any great attention will be accorded to the strange and seductive phenomena possible for the inner powers of man. And at the present time the cycle has almost run its course for this century. Now, as a century ago, the forces are slackening; for that reason the phenomena of spiritualism are lessening in number and volume; the Lodge hopes by the time the next tide begins to rise that the West will have gained some right knowledge of the true philosophy of Man and Nature, and be then ready to bear the lifting of the veil a little more. To help on the progress of the race in this direction is the object of this book, and with that it is submitted to its readers in every part of the world. * * * * * The United Lodge of Theosophists DECLARATION. The policy of this Lodge is independent devotion to the cause of Theosophy, without professing attachment to any Theosophical organization. It is loyal to the great Founders of the Theosophical Movement, but does not concern itself with dissensions or differences of individual opinion. The work it has on hand and the end it keeps in view are too absorbing and too lofty to leave it the time or inclination to take part in side issues. That work and that end is the dissemination of the Fundamental Principles of the philosophy of Theosophy, and the exemplification in practice of those principles, through a truer realization of the SELF; a profounder conviction of Universal Brotherhood. It holds that the unassailable _Basis for Union_ among Theosophists, wherever and however situated, is “_similarity of aim, purpose and teaching_,” and therefore has neither Constitution, By-Laws nor Officers, the sole bond between its associates being that _basis_. And it aims to disseminate this idea among Theosophists in the furtherance of Unity. It regards as Theosophists all who are engaged in the true service of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, condition or organization, and It welcomes to its association all those who are in accord with its declared purposes and who desire to fit themselves, by study and otherwise, to be the better able to help and teach others. “_The true Theosophist belongs to no cult or sect, yet belongs to each and all._” Being in sympathy with the purposes of this Lodge, as set forth in its “Declaration”, I hereby record my desire to be enrolled as an Associate; it being understood that such association calls for no obligation on my part other than that which I, myself, determine. The foregoing is the Form signed by Associates of The United Lodge of Theosophists. Inquiries are invited from all persons to whom this Movement may appeal. Cards for signature will be sent upon request, and every possible assistance furnished Associates in their studies and in efforts to form local Lodges. There are no dues of any kind, and no formalities to be complied with. Correspondence should be addressed to GENERAL REGISTRAR, _United Lodge of Theosophists_, Los Angeles, California. Metropolitan Building, Broadway at Fifth St. THEOSOPHY A Magazine Devoted to The Theosophical Movement, The Brotherhood of Humanity, The Study of Occult Science and Philosophy, and Aryan Literature. “THEOSOPHY” is published by The United Lodge of Theosophists. Like the Association of Free and Independent Theosophists which has sponsored it, this monthly magazine is devoted to the promulgation of Theosophy as it was given by Those who brought it. Theosophy is reprinting in every issue the wonderful magazine articles of H. P. Blavatsky, and Wm. Q. Judge, first printed in _Lucifer_, _The Theosophist_ and _The Path_ by these writers, many years ago. Old workers for Theosophy have for the most part quite forgotten these articles, which are of inestimable value to the sincere student. To most Theosophists of later years they are quite unknown. Other articles concerning the history of the Theosophical Movement and related subjects appear monthly; but the writers for and editors of the magazine remain anonymous, as it is the desire of the publishers of “THEOSOPHY” that its readers should judge the value of its original matter from the inherent quality perceived in the articles themselves, and not from the names signed to them. * * * * * Subscription price, $2.00 yearly. Single copies 25 cents. Sample copy (back number) will be sent for a limited time upon receipt of ten cents in stamps. * * * * * ——_ADDRESS_—— METROPOLITAN BLDG. THEOSOPHY LOS ANGELES, CALIF. Students interested in obtaining a clear and correct understanding of the actual Teachings known under the name of THEOSOPHY should have the following books. They can be ordered of any local bookseller, or orders may be sent direct to The United Lodge of Theosophists. The prices given include postage. OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY $.75 A succinct presentation of the Teachings, by W. Q. Judge. KEY TO THEOSOPHY 2.00 A complete outline of the philosophy in the form of questions and answers, by H. P. Blavatsky. CONVERSATIONS ON THEOSOPHY .10 A brief but clear statement of principles, in question and answer; pp. 16. In quantities for propaganda, 50 copies for $1.00. ISIS UNVEILED (2 Volumes) 6.50 A Master Key to Science and Theology, the work that “broke the moulds of men’s minds”. By H. P. Blavatsky. THE SECRET DOCTRINE (2 Volumes and Index) 12.50 The Synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy containing “all that can be given out in this century”. By H. P. Blavatsky. “THEOSOPHY” (Per Volume) 4.00 Back Volumes, bound in half leather, 576 pages each, filled with reprints of invaluable writings of H. P. B. and W. Q. J. hitherto out of print, and containing also many excellent original articles. * * * * * Those who find the Teachings of Theosophy expressive of their highest ideals and conformable to reason and experience, and who are desirous of entering the _PATH_, are urged to read, ponder and assimilate to the utmost possible extent: THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE $.75 Chosen Fragments from the Book of Golden Precepts. By H. P. Blavatsky. THE BHAGAVAD-GITA .75 The Book of Devotion, rendered by W. Q. Judge. LIGHT ON THE PATH .75 Rules for Disciples, with Comments, and the Treatise on Karma, written down by M. C. LETTERS THAT HAVE HELPED ME Volume 1 .50 Volume 2 .75 Letters written by “Z. L. Z.”, “Greatest of the Exiles”, to Jasper Niemand and others. By W. Q. Judge. YOGA APHORISMS OF PATANJALI .75 Rendered into English, with an Introduction and Notes. By W. Q. Judge. THEOSOPHY AND THE MOVEMENT .25 Extracts from the writings of H. P. B. and W. Q. J., including the Epitome of Theosophy. * * * * * Orders should be addressed and all remittances made payable to The United Lodge of Theosophists, Metropolitan Building, Broadway at Fifth St., Los Angeles, California. * * * * * Transcriber's Notes Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations in hyphenation, spelling, accents and punctuation remain unchanged. Italics are represented thus _italic_.