Rules for Magic

A Treatise on Cosmic Fire (Section 2, Division D, IV-3) considers fifteen rules for (white) magic, beginning with six (occult) rules (aphorisms) for the mental plane, relating to the proper manipulation of solar energy, the preparation and qualification of the intended thought-form, and the sending forth of that thought-form (creative qualification) onto the astral plane.

(1) “The solar angel collects himself, scatters not his force, but in meditation deep communicates with his reflection.” The solar angel is the soul, who remains in deep meditation (internal recollectedness) throughout one’s

incarnation. The reflection (shadow) is the human personality which must be intelligently receptive and responsive to the qualification of the soul in order to be effective in the lower worlds. The bridge between the two is the sutratma. (2) “When the shadow has responded, in meditation deep the work proceeds. The lower light is thrown upward, the greater light illuminates the three, and the work of the four proceeds.” Man becomes a conscious creator only where there is both a “downward” flow from the soul and an “upwelling” of qualified lower consciousness, i.e., in meditation the integrated and refined personality learns to align itself with the soul (and with the will, plans, and purposes of that soul).

(3) “The energy circulates. The point of light, the product of the labors of the four, waxes and grows. The myriads gather round its glowing warmth until its light recedes. Its fire grows dim. Then shall the second sound go forth.” The alignment of personality and soul must be strengthened as the primary note (of the soul) and the secondary note (of the integrated personality) are blended and balanced (and coherence (rapport) is achieved). (4) “Sound, light, vibration, and the form blend and merge, and thus the work is one. It proceeds under the law, and naught can hinder now the work from going forward. The man breathes deeply. He concentrates his forces, and drives the thought-form from him.” The intended form must first be built upon the mental plane and then properly and effectively sent forth, utilizing the aspect of will. Most “workers” are unable to do this, by virtue of lack of qualification, training, and realization. Therein lies a major safeguard in this creative process.

(5) Three things engage the solar angel before the sheath created passes

downward: the condition of the waters, the safety of the one who thus creates, and steady contemplation. “Thus are the heart, the throat, and the eye, allied for triple service.” A vibration induced on one level and intended to be sent forth on the next will induce a responding vibration on that intended level. That which is sent forth must be wholly qualified by the soul’s intention, effectively vitalized (and sustained), and in full consideration of the relative quality of the lower vehicles. Only where the physical, etheric, and astral bodies are properly refined, coherent, and responsive, is it “safe” to proceed in this creative endeavor. The unqualified (and independent) personality has its own purposes which are inconsistent with those of the soul. The qualified and aligned personality affords considerable protection from distraction and

disturbance. The heart, throat, and ajna centers, properly functioning and wholly qualified for service, are involved in controlling and manifesting the intended thought-form.

(6) “The devas of the lower four feel the force when the eye opens; they are driven forth and lose their master.” The form is next clothed in astral matter, for effective vitalization and subsequent manifestation and fulfillment. The ajna center (third eye) is utilized as a controller and focusing agent.

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Rules for Magic 2

A Treatise on Cosmic Fire (Section 2, Division D, IV-3) continues consideration of fifteen rules for (white) magic, with five (occult) rules

(aphorisms) for the astral plane, relating to vitalization and the balancing of the pairs of opposites. The key to this process is the proper development and

qualification of the third eye (ajna center) (eye of Shiva) (vortex), which is the instrument of wisdom, the instrument of focusing and directing of energy and force, and the instrument of manifested connectivity and relatedness. The third eye is induced and developed as a consequence of proper reciprocal vibration.

In one sense these fifteen rules refer to the process of building and manifesting the thought-form that is the human personality. In another, more general sense, they refer to building and manifesting various purposive thought-forms that are manifested on one level or another. In some cases forms are limited to manas and function only on mental levels. In some cases forms are vitalized through kama-manas and function on astral levels. In some cases forms are further embodied and function on etheric levels. And in some cases forms are actually evoked onto dense physical levels.

(7) “The dual forces on the plane whereon the vital power must be sought, are seen; the two paths face the solar angel; the poles vibrate. A choice confronts the one who meditates.” Equilibrating force is evoked to gather the needed astral materials (matter) and energy (qualification) (vitalization). (8) “The Agnisuryans respond to the sound. The waters ebb and flow. Let the magician guard himself from drowning at the point where land and water meet. The midway spot which is neither dry nor wet must provide the standing place whereon his feet are set. When water, land, and air meet there is the place for magic to be wrought.” The magician must avoid coming under the influence of the astral elementals. Various formulae are utilized in this endeavor, as the creative effort must necessarily balance the positive force of spirit (the soul) (consciousness) and the negative force of matter (deva substance).

(9) “Condensation next ensues. The fire and waters meet, the form swells and grows. Let the magician set his form upon the proper path.” In purity of mind and heart is sufficient protection from the attractiveness of the left-hand path. The quality and character of the thought-form is a reflection of the quality and character of the thinker. If the form is sufficiently qualified, it cannot be

appropriated by others (i.e., black magicians) for other (left-handed) purposes. (10) “As the waters bathe the form created, they are absorbed and used. The form increases in its strength; let the magician thus continue until the work suffices. Let the outer builders cease their labors then, and let the inner workers enter on their cycle.” Each phase of form-building activity and manifestation involves different groups of builders (devas and elementals). The astral is a particularly chaotic plane, so the magician requires strength and coherence in himself (his aura) and in his thought-form on this level.

(11) “Three things the worker with the law must now accomplish. First, ascertain the formula which will confine the lives within the ensphering wall; next, pronounce the words which will tell them what to do and where to carry that which will have been made; and finally, to utter forth the mystic phrase which will save him from their work.” More formulae are required in order to sustain the form and impart to it sufficient momentum for its fulfillment (and for the magician to be sufficiently detached from his creation) (those who create unconsciously (as most people do) are often haunted by their own (careless) creations, either directly or indirectly (karmically)).

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Rules for Magic 3

A Treatise on Cosmic Fire (Section 2, Division D, IV-3) continues consideration of fifteen rules for (white) magic, with four (occult) rules

(aphorisms) for the physical plane, relating to the proper transmission of force. In this sense, the physical plane refers as much to the etheric levels as to the dense physical.

(12) “The web pulsates. It contracts and expands. Let the magician seize the midway point and thus release those prisoners of the planet whose note is right and justly tuned to that which must be made.” These refer to the planetary etheric web and pranic forces and the associated deva lives. The magician (occult worker) must be free to work consciously and directly in etheric matter. (13) “The magician must recognize the four; note in his work the shade of violet which they evidence, and thus construct the shadow. When this is so, the shadow clothes itself, and the four become the seven.” The occult worker understands the four ethers and their nature and character, their purposes and functions, their embodied lives, and their relationships to other levels and other forces.

(14) “The sound swells out. The hour of danger to the soul draws near. The waters have not hurt the white creator and naught could drown nor drench him. Danger from fire and flame menaces now, and dimly yet the rising smoke is seen. Let him again, after the cycle of peace, call on the solar angel.” The fires

of the physical (etheric) plane must be dealt with effectively, else the creation may turn destructive. Continued or renewed contact with the soul is essential, as solar fire is evoked to balance the fires of matter. Without the higher

qualification, the occult worker risks destruction or impairment as a result of entanglement in the lives of the astral plane (waters) (desire nature) and the lives of the etheric levels (fires) of the physical world. (15) “The fires approach the shadow, yet burn it not. The fire sheath is completed. Let the magician chant the words that blend the fire and water.” The occult worker must also understand the karmic balance that exists on these levels between the various deva lives. The occult worker is fire and works with fire, but must still be careful.

These fifteen rules for magic merely hint (occultly) at the processes and procedures involved. The effective occultist is one who is properly qualified (purified) and properly trained in all of the arts and sciences of occult (creative) work (service). The requisite knowledge, understanding, and wisdom comes to the spiritual student who properly prepares himself for this work (i.e., through purification, study, meditation, and service). Although there are safeguards at each level, the willfulness of an unprepared student can lead to self-destruction or serious impairment of the faculties. The real keys to success are the

overcoming of the separativeness and egoism of the lower self. For as long as and to the extent that the soul is involved in the process (through qualification by the soul and the effective responsiveness of the purified, integrated, and aligned personality), success is assured.

These fifteen rules of magic serve to stimulate the unqualified to become

qualified, to caution the unwary to become wary, and to convey certain formulae to those (properly prepared) who can perceive the significance. But these rules do not convey any literal understanding of the processes involved nor do they imply that the occult worker must be fully conscious of the details of these

processes. They do imply, however, that the occult worker who is fully qualified and trained in these matters will have the requisite understanding.

Section 7.719