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THE LIV^G FIRE^ 3 ? 
 
 The Soul Power of the Universe 
 
 JESSIE ROGERS 
 
 Deep down in our natures speaks the voice of our God 
 
 "Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs. 
 And the thoughts of men are widened with the ])rocess of the suns." 
 
 — TENNYSON 
 
 Second and Enlarged Edition 
 
 BATTLE CREEK, MICH. 
 OCCULT PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 
 1908 
 

 ao 
 
 LIBRARY of CONFESS 
 1 wo ooDies oeceivtft; 
 
 JUN 26 1908 
 
 0LAS9 /4 AXc. Nu 
 
 i 22EL. a. ^ 
 
 COPYRIGHTED t908 
 BY THE AVTlIol! 
 
 m 
 
^ 
 
 DEDICATION 
 
 To my dear friend, Jerome C. Ry- 
 an, who has been my faithful cham- 
 pion and assisted me both financially 
 and otherwise, to my beloved mother 
 whose loving counsel I have so sadly 
 missed, and to those other friends 
 who have been faithful and true, 
 this book is lovingly dedicated by 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 Prom times ancient beyond conjecture the 
 restless spirit of man has been seeking to 
 discover, if possible, the real source of being 
 — the how and the why, the whence and the 
 whither of existence, but it is a problem that 
 has been ever elusive to his finite understand- 
 ing, for the finite cannot grasp the infinite. 
 
 The great majority of the human race are 
 so occupied with the outer and meaningless 
 forms, so prone to follow after the material 
 and fleeting pleasures of life that they fail to 
 come in touch with the inner sense of things 
 and seldom catch even a gleam of that "inner^ 
 most light" which illuminates the darkness 
 that envelops them. Yet in all ages, and in 
 every nation and clime there have always lived 
 a few gifted souls who were able to peer be- 
 neath the material envelope, there to unveil 
 the mysteries of Nature and behold the glories 
 of the Divine. These inspired ones have given 
 expressions to the wonders they have discov- 
 ered in language so sublime that we are hushed 
 
6 FOREWORD 
 
 almost into silence by reverence and awe. 
 Students of the present age can find no more 
 interesting study than the works of these 
 grand "Old Masters," who have left behind 
 them, hidden from the profane under mystic 
 symbols and allegories and revealed only to 
 the Initiate, a heritage richer than the " mines 
 of King Solomon " and more valuable than the 
 "gold of Ophir. " 
 
 For many centuries this knowledge was sup- 
 posed to have been lost, but, in reality, it was 
 only hidden, or lost sight of by an ignorant 
 people of a materialistic age, who knew not its 
 value nor how to use it. It was kept sacred 
 by those who possessed it, hidden in secret 
 crypts of occult Fraternities, until the time 
 should come for it to be brought forth to lead 
 mankind back to a realization of his own God- 
 hood. 
 
 All human progress runs in cycles. We 
 have just emerged from the age of material 
 darkness and entered a cycle of spiritual light. 
 Our earth having passed from the sign of the 
 Fishes (Pisces) typical of materiality, into the 
 sign of Aquarius, enlightenment, human prog- 
 
 
FOREWORD 7 
 
 ress has received a new impetus, and in this 
 age of spiritual unfoldment the doors of the 
 temples are being opened to those who are able 
 to understand, the work is being aided by 
 those who know, and the old "Wisdom Relig- 
 ion" is destined to again illumine the world. 
 The Living Fire (life) has forever been burn- 
 ing, though the true interpretation of it has 
 been lost, and the bush (flesh) where God (the 
 Self) dwells, burns, but is not consumed. 
 
 Standing upon the sublime heights of spir- 
 itual attainment to which their progress 
 through ages has elevated them, pointing the 
 way to Deity, whom they teach, "dwells with- 
 in the Shadow, behind the everlasting flame " 
 claiming that "God is not the Light, but the 
 unfathomable shadow, the unreachable 
 Centre, the impenetrable,- the unimagina- 
 ble majeste, utterly past discovery, — and 
 who as we approach, ever recedes, luring us 
 through illimitable ages and epochs, up the 
 steep mountains of Achievement — the whole 
 end of man's being." 
 
 These Adepts and Perfect Masters stand as 
 beacon lights to lead us onward through the 
 
8 FOREWORD 
 
 foglands of ignorance, superstitition and unbe- 
 lief, into the radiant light of Truth and Knowl- 
 edge, and it is to acquaint the student with 
 these teachings and help him onward in the 
 Path of discovery that this book is written. 
 
 The Author. 
 
The Mystery of Fire 
 
 TF the mystery of self-knowledge is ever to 
 * be solved and the answer rendered to the 
 I am of mortal existence, the solution must 
 come from the realm of true knowledge, from 
 the very innermost recesses of the soul. We 
 must look beneath the physical into the meta- 
 physical causes which produce all physical 
 effects and are the controlling forces of all ex- 
 istences. Physical science may enumerate 
 and name the bones, describe the forms and 
 functions of the various organs, dissect and 
 analyze the minutest portions of the human 
 body, but it car tell us nothing of the life that 
 animates it, of the wonderful being who inhab- 
 its the physical structure. 
 
 Investigation conducted along any one line 
 or by one method alone must fail. In order 
 to apprehend the whole truth we must study 
 the past, the present and the future, also that 
 which acts and that which is acted upon. We 
 must study both spirit and matter, both the 
 invisible and the visible: the one by the inves- 
 2 9 
 
10 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 titrations of physical science, the other by the 
 light and illumination of the Soul. In order 
 to conduct our investigations, successfully we 
 must deal with both theory and facts. Theory 
 must lead us on to discover new facts and 
 facts will ever cause us to evolve new theories, 
 intuition will guide us and phenomena will 
 spur us on to renewed effort until, having trav- 
 ersed every avenue of knowledge, having ex- 
 hausted every method, we will be able to ex- 
 claim "Eureka." But every individual must 
 travel the Path for himself, he must arrive at 
 his own conclusions, he must work out his own 
 salvation. 
 
 THE SOLAR UNIVERSE 
 
 As in all nature we find the trinity, so 
 in this great Solar Universe of which the 
 earth is a part we find three elements, viz: 
 Matter, Force Spirit. It is not within the 
 scope of this work to go into any explanation 
 of the properties of matter, for everybody is 
 more or less famil ia r with the scientific investi- 
 gations along that line. It is our purpose to 
 investigate and understand, as well as we may, 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 11 
 
 the unseen, silent, spiritual forces which act 
 upon and move matter and imbue it with life 
 and intelligence. We have had numberless 
 physical scientists and chemists to study and 
 explain matter, 'most of whom have been con- 
 tent to study effects rather than seek for 
 causes, and only an occasional one to catch a 
 glimpse of the deep underlying principle which 
 is the cause of all manifestation. Under cover 
 of a pretended search for the "art of making 
 gold" the old Alchemists of the middle ages 
 were really students of the chemistry of spirit, 
 for alchemy is the soul of chemistry as astrol- 
 ogy is the soul of astronomy. Such expressions 
 as the "Philosopher's Stone," "Elixir Vitae," 
 "Universal Solvent," "transmutation of met- 
 als " have a spiritual significance entirely un- 
 known to the modern material scientist. They 
 then meant and still mean vastly more than 
 appears on the surface, for they relate to the 
 innermost essense, the very "soul of things" 
 rather than to the material elements. The 
 "Philosopher's Stone " and the mystic "Elixir 
 Vitas" have a real existence and may be dis- 
 covered by those who diligently search. 
 
12 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 There are spirits of light who point out the 
 way along which humanity must travel. Such 
 were the Alchemists and Philosophers. There 
 aie souls of fire, cloud enveloped, from whom 
 the lightning flashes of genius burst forth in 
 luminous rays to light humanity along its 
 pathway. Such an one was Paracelsus, one 
 of the greatest of all the Alchemists. A single 
 extract from his writings is sufficient to show 
 the real object of their researches. 
 
 "Away with these false disciples who hold 
 that this divine science, which they dishonor 
 and prostitute, has no other end than that of 
 making gold and silver. True Alchemy has 
 but one aim and object, to extract the quint- 
 essence of things, to separate the active por- 
 tion (the spirit) from the passive; this is the 
 true province of Alchemy." 
 
 There is a spirit at work beneath the out- 
 side shell. What is written on this shell no 
 one but the Initiate who has learned to sepa- 
 rate the real from the apparent can read. 
 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 13 
 
 FORCE 
 
 This spirit is the element we have designat- 
 ed as Force. It is the lire or life principle of 
 being. It is the hidden living lire which per- 
 meates all space and charges every atom of 
 matter with its own unresting and resistless 
 energy. It is not matter but the principal or 
 force which moves matter. It is electricity 
 in the air; magnetism in the earth; galvanism 
 between different metallic particles ; it is life 
 in plants, animals and human beings and forms 
 the astral bodies of spirits. It is Siva, the 
 Destroyer or Transformer of the Hindu 
 Trinity. 
 
 Force has two attributes, attraction and .re- 
 pulsion, which constitute the positive and neg- 
 ative principles of nature. Of this force the 
 Hindu Philosopher speaks thus : 
 
 "There exists in the Universe, a pure, all- 
 pervading fluid, invisible, fiery, radiant, wholly 
 divine, free from the taint of matter, purer 
 than ether, stronger than the loadstone, might- 
 ier than the thunderbolt, swifter than the 
 winged lightning. It is heat, light, motion, 
 
14 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 force; the Soul principle of Being — not Soul, 
 but its power of life, being and motion. It 
 connects Gods and Men, Heaven and Earth. 
 It is the strength, that is, cohesive element, 
 in minerals; the growing power of plants; the 
 life of men and animals — it is the Astral Fluid, 
 which in nature is the Astral Light, in anima 
 ted bodies the Astral Spirit, in substance the 
 Astral fluid. It is the last end of the staff by 
 which the divine hand of spirit touches earth. " 
 
 The Living Fire is one of the occult sciences 
 which for thousands of years was known only 
 to the priestly class and it was into this secret 
 that Moses was initiated at Heliopolis where 
 he was educated, and Jesus, the Christ, among 
 the Essenian priests at Jerusalem. That this 
 knowledge was highly prized is revealed in 
 the following glowing terms by one of it vot- 
 aries. 
 
 "The knowledge of this magnetic fluid is the 
 most precious gift of Divine Providence. It 
 is the mysterious key that opens to our dazzled 
 intelligence the world of truth and light and 
 joins the finite to the infinite. It is the chain 
 of gold so often chanted by the poet, the basis 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 15 
 
 of that secret philosophy that Democritus, 
 Plato and Pythagoras traveled to Egypt to de- 
 mand of the Hierophants of Memphis and the 
 Gymnosophists of India. Invisible to the 
 eyes of the senses it must be studied by the 
 vision of the soul as seen in the rapt gaze of 
 the somnambulist. In other days the truth 
 was heard proceeding from the lips of the ini- 
 tiating priest; today we see it in the eyes of 
 the clairvoyant. A magnetic fluid, very subtle, 
 placed in the human race between the soul and 
 the body, it circulates in all the nerves ; and is 
 particularly abundant in the great sympa- 
 thetic of the healthy subject, it constitutes the 
 spirit of the living being. Its color, that of 
 fire, or the electric spark, induced the name 
 of living lire given to it in the works of the 
 Magicians of Persia, and of intimate star in 
 those of the Alchemists and Astrologers of the 
 middle ages. One .of its principle virtues is 
 its generative power, hence the sacred book 
 gives it the name regenerating fire. Soul of the 
 world, universal spirit permeating all nature, 
 it is the essence and vital spark of all it ani- 
 mates, of all orders of beings, classes and 
 
16 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 races in which it is incarnated and is pro- 
 foundly modified by all through which it 
 passes." 
 
 It is a science that an illustrious Doninican 
 calls ''a piece broken from a grand palace, a 
 ray from the Adamic power, destined to con- 
 found human reason and humiliate it before 
 God, a phenomenon belonging to the prophetic 
 order." 
 
 The fire element is an imponderable vital 
 essence, prevading all space and filling all mat- 
 ter with its living power. " It is so light that 
 it weighs nothing ; so expansive that it reaches 
 everywhere; travels so fast that it consumes 
 no time; goes so far that it overcomes all dis- 
 tance; continues so long that it lasts forever 
 and is so full of life that it never dies. Being 
 in everything it manifests accordingly. We 
 see it manifesting in the magnetic iron, in the 
 effervescing chemical; in the stimulating vege- 
 table; in the magnetic bush; in the electric 
 eel; in the charming- serpent; in the fascinat- 
 ing woman; and in the magnetic man. It 
 Hashes in the air, sparkles in the mineral, 
 blooms in the vegetable, feels in the worm, 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 17 
 
 thinks in the animal, reasons in the human, 
 and shines resplendent in the soul, full of love 
 and wisdom, radiant with immortality and 
 eternal life." 
 
 As there are many different grades of mat- 
 ter from the atom, rock, tree, animal and hu- 
 man, up to perfected matter, so the element 
 of Fire has many grades and degrees of mani- 
 festation, from the primary spark to heat, 
 light, electricity and magnetism up to the fin- 
 est and most sublime manifestations of Spirit. 
 
 Fire is modified by all matter through 
 which it passes. As it is condensed in the 
 human body it is transformed to the uses of 
 the individual and then becomes an intelligent 
 individualized entity and when united to the 
 Deity becomes immortal. 
 
 Spirit, Matter and Force are so closely con- 
 nected and interwoven throughout all nature 
 that they cannot be separated, yet each has 
 its attributes which we may know and under-, 
 stand, at least to a certain extent. 
 
 SPIRIT 
 
 "Spirit is the one primordial, uncreated, 
 3 
 
18 ' THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 eternal, infinite Alpha and Omega of Being". 
 It may have subsisted independent of Force 
 and Matter, evolving both from its own incom- 
 prehensible but illimitable perfection; but 
 Force and Matter could never have originated 
 Spirit, as its one sole attribute comprehends 
 and embraces all others, must antedate, gov- 
 ern, and surpass all others, and is itself the 
 cause of all effects. That attribute is Will. 
 
 Spirit is the First Great Cause. It is the 
 first and only element of Being and its exist- 
 ence is infinite and eternal. It contains with- 
 in itself all the elements of creation and 
 through its inherent desire to create and by 
 its power of Will it divided itself and these 
 particles are ever and anon seeking each other, 
 and thus was the element of Force evolved. 
 Then came matter and by the action of Force 
 on Matter the Uncreated Soul evolved form 
 and order. 
 
 In Matter, Force and Spirit we have that 
 grand Trinity of Being, which constitutes the 
 great Solar Universe and all it contains, and 
 which, taken as a whole, forms the Ego we 
 vaguely call God, the separated units of which 
 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 19 
 
 include systems, suns, worlds, spirits, men, 
 and animate and inanimate things. 
 
 While Force has two attributes, attraction 
 and repulsion, Spirit has only o_ne, namely, 
 Will, but there are many emanations of Will, 
 the most important of which are Love, Wis- 
 dom and Power; Creation, Preservation and 
 Progress; Life, Death and Regeneration. 
 These are the ten emanations which form the* 
 archetypal Man.* 
 
 All existence originates in Spirit. Matter 
 creates nothing. It is only the mold which 
 Spirit uses on which to engrave its Divine 
 ideals and Fire is its instrument. 
 
 Spirit is a form of Fire but it is a fire with- 
 out heat. In some of the ancient writings it is 
 termed the "Celestial Fire. " "It is the true 
 Spirit Light, which invests itself in Fire as a 
 mask, in which alone it can possibly act on 
 matter." This Fire which Spirit uses as a 
 mask is the Astral Light and the union of the 
 Celestial Fire and the Astral Light constitutes 
 the Soul of the Universe. 
 
 *See " Kabbalistic Key " by same author. 
 
20 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 THE CENTRAL SUN OF BEING 
 
 The Solar System of which our earth is a 
 part, moves around the physical sun as a cen- 
 ter of light, heat and attraction. 
 
 By well-defined astronomical law we know 
 that this Solar System forms only a part of a 
 larger and grander aggregation of starry 
 worlds, called the Astral System. 
 
 We are not able to arrive at the center of 
 this system, yet astronomical observations 
 point toward such a centre, and the known 
 laws of Science demonstrate that in the visible 
 universe, all motion proceeds in a circle, and 
 is sustained by action and reaction, or the cen- 
 trifugal and centripetal force. It is conceded 
 that all the planets, stars, and worlds that 
 have yet been discovered are only a part of a 
 vast array of systems which occupy the spaces 
 of the sidereal heavens, yet beyond, far beyond 
 that unknown center are still more boundless 
 realms, where the glass of the astronomer 
 cannot penetrate, and where the human mind 
 becomes lost in the contemplation of the vast- 
 ness of Infinity. 
 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 21 
 
 "The law which rounds a dewdrop shapes a 
 world" and the same fixed and unchangeable 
 principle prevails throughout space. Physi- 
 cal science cannot pierce into the Astral Cen- 
 tre, yet we know by analogy and by spiritual 
 revelation that that centre exists, and it is shut 
 out from human discovery only by human 
 ignorance and incapacity. This grand Cen- 
 tral Sun is God. 
 
 "God is Spirit and the eternal, uncreated, 
 self existent, and infinite realm of Spirit is 
 God. God is the dispenser of heat and light, 
 the two elements in being which account for 
 generation and revelation, love and wisdom, 
 life and sense. This Spiritual Sun throws off 
 from the centre the elements of new-created 
 worlds by centrifugal force, and draws them 
 back and keeps them in determinate orbits 
 by centripetal force. Its nature is Spirit; its 
 attribute, Will; its manifestations, Love, Wis- 
 dom, Power. This is God." 
 
 It was maintained by the Mystics of old 
 that "the last analysis of the Supreme Being 
 would fail to discover any other existence than 
 that of a Central Spiritual Sun — an Infinite, 
 
22 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 Eternal, uncreated and incomprehensible One 
 alone, whose attributes were light and heat, 
 whose manifestation was the Universe, re- 
 vealed by light, energized into forms, suns, 
 systems, worlds, men and things, by that 
 spiritual heat whose last gross external exhi- 
 bition is tire." 
 
 "The ancient people considered that they 
 saw God, that is, with all their innermost pos- 
 sibility of thought, in the Fire — which Fire is 
 not our vulgar, gross Fire, neither is it even 
 the purest material or electric fire, which still 
 has something of the base bright light of the 
 world about it ; but it is the occult, mysterious, 
 supernatural Fire — not magnetic — and yet 
 a real, sensible mind. It is the inner Light, 
 the God, containing all things, into whose in- 
 expressibly intense, all-consuming, all-creat- 
 ing-divine, though fiery essence, all the worlds 
 in succession will fall; back into whose arms 
 of Immortal Light on the other side, as again 
 receiving them, the worlds driven off into 
 space and being heretofore, by the Divine 
 energy will again rush back to Him." 
 
 Celestial Fire is Light without heat. Phah 
 
 
THE MYSTERY OFFIRE . 23 
 
 lie or terrestrial fire is heat without light. The 
 Phallic fire is the shadow of the true Spiritual 
 Light. 
 
 "It is with the terrestrial fire that the Al- 
 chemist breaks asunder the atomic thickness 
 of visible nature, which yielding up its secret 
 destiny, of unlimited progress, sinks into the 
 fiery furnace, in its basest proportions, to 
 arise thrice purified, and forced upwards on 
 the pathway of a higher round of the ladder. 
 
 "It is with the Celestial Fire that the Rosi- 
 crucian bursts asunder the bonds of error 
 and darkness that holds the soul in a material 
 prison-house. He becomes the Pontifex 
 (bridge-maker), which conducts- the soul 
 across the dark waters of ignorance from the 
 realms of the known to the unknown, from the 
 gates of matter to the bright roads of Spirit; 
 from earthly blackness to celestial light, from 
 the visible fires of purgation to the invisible 
 soul light of eternity. " ,f 
 
 Such is the language of the ancient philoso- 
 phers, and all religions of the past and the 
 present "transcend up into this spiritual Fire- 
 floor, on which, so to speak, the phases of 
 time were laid. " 
 
24 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 By a study of comparative religions it is 
 easy to trace them all back to the same source, 
 — the ancient fire faith. 
 
 In our own Bible we find many references 
 to the lire and if we would read it understand- 
 ing^ we must extract from it the deep, hid- 
 den spiritual meaning, else it becomes but a 
 jumble of meaningless words to us. 
 
 THE MICROCOSM 
 
 As the Universe is the Macrocosm or big 
 world, so man is the Microcosm or little world, 
 and as such he is the conservator of all forces, 
 the image of all objective forms, the embodi- 
 ment of all subjective ideas, and the connect- 
 ing link between all existences, higher and 
 lower than himself. 
 
 In man we again find the trinity of elements, 
 namely: Body, Spirit-and Soul. 
 
 "His body is a conservator of all the powers 
 and functions of matter; his spirit, the ani- 
 mating principle, is made up of all the forces 
 we call life; his soul is the pure Deific ray, a 
 spark from the immortal essence whose attri- 
 bute is Will or Intelligence." The attempt 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 25 
 
 to analyze these three elements, which has 
 formed a groundwork of -philosophy, and a 
 theme of learned speculation, for thousands 
 of years." 
 
 "The soul is like its source — the Central 
 Sun of Being — in its nature and essence pure, 
 unalloyed Spiritual Light. It is the invisible 
 and inlinitely sublimated Spirit of Fire — not 
 the gross visible element that can be seen, 
 felt, and apprehended by the senses — but that 
 wonderful innermost light, which, whilst it 
 reveals and proves all things in its own mani- 
 festation, is itself invisible, unknown, and un- 
 comprehended." 
 
 "It is this essential, innermost and divine 
 principle of soul which survives all change, 
 which is neither subject to decay or disinte- 
 gration; which is the spark derived from 
 Deity — the Alpha and Omega of being — and 
 the link which unites the Creature to the 
 Creator." 
 
 "Surrounding this divine essence of soul, 
 
 and clothing it as a spiritual body is that 
 
 subtle and refined element, which, in its effects 
 
 is force; in its action through organic bodies, 
 
 4 
 
26 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 is life; and in its all : pervading influence 
 throughout the realms of space is termed 
 Magnetism or electricity." 
 
 It is the second of that grand trinity of 
 principle* whose union constitutes man a liv- 
 ing being. It is the element of force or fire, 
 whose attributes are attraction and repulsion, 
 or the centrifugal and centripetal force. 
 
 While the soul or innermost part of man is 
 derived from Deity, the body or outermost 
 part is made up of material atoms from the 
 world of matter, vitalized by the Astral Spirit 
 which is the life principle of the body and the 
 Spiritual body of the Soul. As Paul said : 
 There is a natural body and a spiritual body. 
 The Astral Spirit forms the connecting link 
 between the soul and the body. It is that 
 "subtle fluid which is placed between the soul 
 and the body and circulates in all the nerves." 
 At death the Astral Spirit unites with the 
 Soul and this union forms the Spirit. 
 
 "It is in this luminous Astral Spirit, an im- 
 ponderable vital essence, this concentration 
 of heat, life, motion, force, this invincible, 
 supernatural fire that the power resides to 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 27 
 
 make spirits visible to mortal eyes. The heat 
 generated in the Astral Spirit gives life and 
 motion to the body; the light which is its sub- 
 stance, colors the various tissues and fluids, 
 and causes them to reflect the grosser rays 
 of light in the atmosphere, so that they can 
 become visible." 
 
 The Astral Spirit which is the life of the 
 body corresponds to the Astral Light in the 
 realms of space which is the life of the Uni- 
 verse. It is the spiritual principle of the 
 earth, and penetrates throughout its rocks, 
 minerals, and gases. It is the "restless, 
 ethereal fire that forces asunder the most 
 mobile particles of fluid, and disperses them 
 into gases; it separates the still finer particles 
 of gases, and distributes matter into ether. 
 It is not ether, but the principle of motion or 
 tire, which rolls oceans of ether into undula- 
 tory waves, and causes it to become the car- 
 rier of light and heat. " 
 
 As the Astral Light of the Universe, in its 
 primal condition, is inscrutable and unknown, 
 so is the Spiritual body of man, invisible, lat- 
 ent and hidden, an(J known only by its life- 
 giving effects. 
 
28 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 The Astral Light is a "consuming Fire" 
 which will render all things back into their 
 original essence; it is the Alpha and Omega, 
 the first and the last; Deity. 
 
 Unlike the Soul which is a pure Deific ray, 
 the Astral Spirit in man is not a single ele- 
 ment, but it is made up of all the impondera- 
 bles of the Universe. It was originally de- 
 rived from the planetary system. 
 
 Earth with its freight of teeming life, air, 
 atmosphere, all send off emanations which com- 
 bine to form the Astral Spirit. It is a mirror 
 upon which is pictured all the peculiarities of 
 character, every motive, power, function, vice, 
 virtue, hope and memory which the human 
 soul has experienced in its material environ- 
 ment; it is as clear a reflection of the individ- 
 ual's mind within, as of the visible and invisi- 
 ble Universe without. Every deed, word and 
 thought is indelibly photographed upon the 
 Spiritual body. It is the '' Recording Angel " 
 which keeps a faithful record of every thought 
 and action and pronounces a sure and just 
 judgment upon human life and conduct accord- 
 ing to the deeds done in the body. This being 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 29 
 
 true then every individual must be his own 
 savior, he must work out his own salvation. 
 
 There are many rings or layers of this spir- 
 itual body. These rings, taken together are 
 termed the Astral Spirit, because the element 
 itself is derived, like the pure essence of the 
 Soul, from the great Spiritual Sun of the Uni- 
 verse, from whom emanate and to whom re- 
 turn all rays of light, heat, motion, force and 
 power. In the individual it is called the "As- 
 tral Spirit;" in the Universe the "Astral 
 Light." To each it is the life or animating 
 principle. This Astral Spirit or Spiritual 
 body is that which in the Bible is termed the 
 "fiery body of the Holy Ghost." 
 
 The layers or rings of Spirit which are near- 
 est the body are the life spheres, and change 
 with the body's changes, and at death they 
 recede and become the clothing of the Soul. 
 Those spheres which are the most interior to 
 the body and nearest the Soul are called the 
 Sun Spheres and connect the Soul with the 
 Solar and Astral influences, under which the 
 individual was born. 
 
 These innermost or Sun spheres are affected 
 
30 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 by the Solar and planetary influences and: 
 change with them, and in this manner they 
 affect the mind, influence the character, and 
 form the magnetic connection by which the 
 Stars act upon the individual's destiny. As 
 the Astral Spirit of man is made up of all the 
 forces of the Universe, it is subject to the in- 
 fluence of changes occuring in every depart- 
 ment of Nature This is the secret of Astro- 
 logical influence. This is the reason why as 
 Shakespeare truthfully says: 
 
 " There is a destiny that shapes our ends. 
 Rough hew them how we will." 
 
 The Universe — Macrocosm — big world. Man 
 — Microcosm — little world. One the epitome 
 and likeness of the other. "As above so be- 
 low." Of what great importance is a deep 
 study of the vast and almost incomprehensible 
 truths of Nature. Perceiving then this im- 
 mutable law of universal correspondence, can 
 we not easily understand how man, the little 
 world, must necessarily be influenced by and 
 partake of the infinite variousness of the ma 
 crocosm manifested in the skies, how a single 
 blazing star revolving through space, can 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 31 
 
 affect the character and destiny of an indivi- 
 dual millions of miles away, and how every 
 thing in nature, animate and inanimate, is 
 swept along in one universal bond of sympa- 
 thy, from the least into the greatest. 
 
 It has been said that the embryonic being, 
 ere it sees the light, takes on all the various 
 forms through which the race has passed in 
 its different stages of development. Upon it 
 is impressed the peculiar characteristics of 
 mind, body and spirit, of the parents, accord- 
 ing to the law of heredity, and it is even in- 
 fluenced by the physical sustenance, the men- 
 tal temperament and the very habits and 
 thoughts of the mother. The state of the 
 earth, atmosphere, and the aromal emanations 
 given off in the different seasons of the year — 
 all these with their changing influences, con- 
 tribute to form its very essence; but above all, 
 the planetary system, the conjunction of each 
 star with the Sun, next with the earth and 
 with each other at the moment of birth will 
 determine the nature and influence the char- 
 acter of the new-born being. 
 
 There cannot be two planetary conjunctions 
 
32 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 which are exactly alike, and that is why those 
 creatures, born under the influence of ever- 
 varying Astral changes, are so widely differ- 
 ent in their physical, mental and spiritual 
 states. No two persons can be exactly alike, 
 although as the planets seem to return again 
 and again to certain points, there are recur- 
 rences of certain types of character. Every- 
 thing moves, and all growth continues in a 
 spiral, thus while the same types recur under 
 similar planetary conditions yet the tendency 
 is always upward to a more perfected condi- 
 tion. 
 
 Since the Spiritual body of man has its ori- 
 gin in the Solar System and his soul is a spark 
 from the grand Central sun of Being, it is easy 
 to perceive the close connection existing be- 
 tween them and the planetary influences 
 which prevail at the time of their birth into 
 the physical body; not only the influences 
 existing at the time of birth, but all through 
 the period of embryonic life, and even during 
 the span of this mortal existence. 
 
 Our earth is governed by the fixed and un- 
 changeable principles of the Solar system. It 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 33 
 
 has no life of its own, but is permeated and 
 saturated with that surging, throbbing, burn- 
 ing, blazing, unceasing energy of life, or fire, 
 that is "Only constant in eternal unrest," 
 which is never absent, even from the grossest 
 atom, and which ever tends to "purify, refine 
 and elevate, transmute base things into tine, 
 gross matter into ethereal, and the earth itself 
 into a radiant and gloriously spiritualized 
 planet." 
 
 This eager, imprisoned fire saturates all 
 matter, and is present even in the smallest 
 and coarsest atom of rock and mineral, and is 
 that which gives sparkle to the diamond as 
 well as life to the human. This restless fire 
 is modified by all matter through which it 
 passes and takes on the form of every atom or 
 material body in which it is confined. Min- 
 erals have rudimentary possibilities of plants ; 
 and plants have rudimentary sensibilities, 
 which might in distant ages evolve them into 
 locomotive creatures, and thence through ages 
 of progression into the highest form of man, 
 for it is but a single step from the highest 
 form of vegetable to the lowest form of animal 
 life. 
 
 5 
 
34 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 This divine, eternal, unquenchable fire has 
 existed from the beginning of time and will 
 still continue to hurl into existence suns and 
 systems, planets and worlds, throughout the 
 vast epochs of eternity. 
 
 This truth was enunciated by Andrew Jack- 
 son Davis, called the "Poughkeepsie Seer," 
 the most inspired prophet and wonderful 
 illuminator of modern times, who stands sec- 
 ond to none as a religious teacher, reformer 
 and writer, on the pages of history, while a 
 a mere lad, in a moment of illumination. He 
 says: 
 
 "As it was in the beginnig, so the vast and 
 boundless Univercoelum, the great sun and 
 centre from which all these worlds emanated, 
 is still an exhaustless fountain of chaotic ma- 
 terials and living inherent energy to drive in- 
 to existence billions and millions of billions of 
 suns, with all their appendages more than 
 have yet been produced! For it has eternal 
 motion and contains the forms that all forms 
 subsequently assume; and it contains laws 
 that are displayed in its geometrical and me- 
 chanical structure, combinations, laws, forces, 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 35 
 
 forms and motions that have produced, and 
 will still produce, an infinitude of systems, 
 and systems of systems, whose concentric- 
 circles are but an expanse from the great 
 germ of all existence, and are incessantly act- 
 ing and re-acting, changing, harmonizing, or- 
 ganizing, and etherealizing every particle of 
 chaotic and undeveloped matter that exists in 
 the vortex. " 
 
 And again : 
 
 "The great original, ever-existing, omnis- 
 cient, omnipotent and omnipresent productive 
 power, the Soul of all existence, is throned in 
 a central sphere, the circumference of which 
 is the boundless universe, and around which 
 solar, sideral and stellar systems, revolve in 
 silent, majestic sublimity and harmony ! This 
 power is what mankind call Deity, whose attri- 
 butes are love and wisdom, corresponding 
 with the principles of male and female, posi- 
 tive and negative, sustaining and creative." 
 
 The unfathomable extent of the sidereal uni- 
 verse cannot be conceived by the human brain. 
 Astronomers tell us that there are whole myri- 
 ads of suns, which are condensed, piled in, 
 
36 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 and crowded together in such colossal heaps 
 and depths that there is hardly room on the 
 graphic plates to picture them, and that still 
 the distances between them are many trillions 
 of miles. They also say that if our sun and 
 all the planets should be destroyed in one sec- 
 ond there would be no change' in the sidereal 
 structure and that it would not be missed, un- 
 less possibly by some astronomer on some 
 planet in the system of the nearest sun, and 
 that if our earth and all its inhabitants should 
 be instantly annihilated, the event would be 
 unknown to space and only a very slight dis- 
 turbance would be created in our own solar 
 system. 
 
 The period of time which it takes our sun 
 with all its system of revolving planets and 
 satellites to pass through one sign of the 
 Sun's Zodiac constitutes a "cycle," and con- 
 sists of about 2170 years. It would then take 
 more than 26,000 years to complete a single 
 revolution of the Zodiacal belt. This consti- 
 tutes a period, an epoch or an eon of time. 
 
 Our earth has perhaps occupied millions of 
 years in its formation and development up to 
 
THE MYSTERY OP FIRE 37 
 
 its present state. In its primitive state hu 
 man life could not be sustained upon it and 
 therefore ages of growth were necessary to 
 fit it for man 's reception. Matter had to be re- 
 fined by the birth and destruction of millions 
 of generations of creatures in the vegetable 
 and animal kingdoms, and still creation was 
 not complete, for as yet no immortal being 
 had arrived to cap the climax; the highest 
 ideal of the Divine Architect had not yet been 
 sculptured. There was no being which had 
 yet been imbued with the highest attribute of 
 Spirit — Will. When earth was ready for man 
 he came. But before being born into matter he 
 was a spirit, not a self-conscious individualized 
 entity, but a bright luminous emanation of 
 Deity. He was an angelic essence, a spiritual 
 substance, and lived in paradise, but lacking 
 in those elements of love, wisdom and power 
 which can be attained only by the birth into 
 a mortal existence and progression through 
 many states. He was the Divine idea in the 
 shape of the man that was to be. 
 
 All existence originates in Spirit. Every 
 mechanical construction, everv human inven- 
 
38 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 tion, ihe mechanism of every organized form 
 must have existed in mind before they could 
 be reduced to a material expression. Mind 
 being an attribute of Will, and as Will is Spirit, 
 then the creation of the physical universe is 
 but the expression of a spiritual idea, and the 
 creation of a physical man is no more, no less. 
 Every invention or material creation of man 
 must exist in mind before they are modeled 
 out in matter, and are therefore creations of the 
 soul, and must ever remain as spiritual enti- 
 ties, even though they never materialize into 
 an objective form. Everything that ever has 
 existed or that ever will exist, exists now in 
 Spirit and will continue to exist as long as 
 time shall endure. This principle is beauti- 
 fully expressed in Eccl. 1, 9: 
 
 ' k The thing that hath been is that which 
 shall be; and that which is done is that which 
 shall be done : and there is no new thing under 
 the sun." 
 
 The Ancient Mysteries were founded on the 
 belief that the Soul originally existed in a state 
 of purity and innocence, that it fell or des- 
 cended into matter for the purpose of gaining 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 39 
 
 experience, and its chief end and aim of the 
 earthly life was to conduct the soul through 
 its many stages of growth and development, 
 back to an alliance with Deity, not, however, 
 as an original essence, but as an intelligent, 
 individualized, immortal soul. 
 
 The life of the spiritual emanation, previous 
 to its birth into matter, is said to be a life of 
 nothingness, of happiness, of bliss, which can- 
 not be comprehended, because it is devoid of 
 sensation. These spirits of fire, living in |their 
 distant Edens, are stirred by the whisperings 
 of the serpent, the animal principle, and long 
 for change, for knowledge, for power ; for the 
 knowledge of good and evil and this yearning- 
 leads them on into the realms of matter, to 
 undergo successive generations of births and 
 deaths until they become self-conscious 
 entities. 
 
 When these spirits lived in Paradise they 
 knew no sex. When they descended into mat- 
 ter to dwell on earth they became what the 
 earth compelled them to be. In the early 
 ages of the earth the conditions of life were 
 very crude and the living creatures partook 
 
40 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 of its nature, because spirit must manifest 
 itself according to the quality of the matter 
 in which it is confined. In order to continue 
 the race man must reproduce his kind, hence 
 sex and generation. Everything in matter is i 
 male and female, even minerals and plants. 
 All vegetable life is reproduced through the 
 law of sex and generation. Spirit, the crea- 
 tive energy, is the masculine principle ; matter 
 the passive recipient, the female principle, is 
 that which germinates, hence creation. Man 
 must obey the law; hence sex and generation. 
 
 Man lives many lives before he reaches the 
 estate of manhood. The soul performs many 
 pilgrimages in its rudimental state, exists in 
 many forms, which are but fleeting, tempor- 
 ary shapes, a creature in which only a part of 
 the imprisoned soul shines forth; it is like a 
 butterfly springing up from its chrysolitic 
 shell, but tending ever onward and upward, 
 through new births, new deaths and new in- 
 carnations, until it awakens into self -conscious- 
 ness, an immortal being — man. 
 
 As it is born into humanity it attains self- 
 consciousness, a knowledge of its own individ- 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 41 
 
 uality, and retains a grim memory of its num- 
 erous migrations through the various transi- 
 tional stages of being. Each time the transi- 
 tion from one form of life to another is affected 
 in a manner similar to human death or transi- 
 tion, and during the interval between its death 
 and rebirth into another material form, the 
 Spirit clothed with its aural body which binds 
 it to the realms of matter, exists as an "Ele- 
 mentary Spirit." 
 
 W hen the soul is born into man and becomes 
 an individualized, self-conscious Ego, it also 
 becomes immortal and needs no further re-in- 
 carnation in the realms of matter on this 
 earth. If it is ever born again into matter it 
 must be on some higher plane or more spirit- 
 ualized planet. But it must continue on and 
 forever on in its progressive unfoldment of the 
 Divine purpose until it reaches the highest, 
 until it becomes an Angel in Heaven, full of 
 power, wisdom, strength and Love, a world- 
 builder, a glorious sun-bright soul. Spirits, 
 dwelling in Eden, are but the breath, the 
 spark, the shadow of God ; Angels are Gods 
 in person. 
 6 
 
42 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 To the fable of the Garden of Eden, and the 
 temptation and fall of man, is attached a deep 
 spiritual significance. The Soul, dwelling in 
 a state of sinless, spiritual existence, is tempt- 
 ed by the desire for knowledge and is attract- 
 ed to earth, where it is incarnated in matter, 
 hence the "fall of spirit into matter." In tak- 
 ing on a material existence, the first principle 
 of life to be evolved must needs be the means 
 to produce and reproduce itself. When the 
 Soul descended into physical life, man became 
 dual, male and female, and could become in- 
 carnate only through the process of physical 
 generation. In the primal spirit essence 
 there is neither sex, age nor sin. 
 
 As the function of creation is the highest 
 and most wonderful power of Deity, so the 
 imitative law, the law of generation, must be- 
 come the noblest and most sacred function of 
 God's creatures. It is just as sacred a theme 
 as the formation of worlds, and the birth of 
 suns and systems. 
 
 With the birth into physical life the Soul 
 undergoes a wonderful transformation. Its 
 faculty of love is changed into passion, intui- 
 
THE MYSTERY OF FIRE 43 
 
 tion into reason, perception into memory, and 
 from a creature without parts it is changed 
 into one all organs, capable of experiencing 
 every emotion, from the depths of vice to the 
 heights of virtue, and the aim and object of 
 its material existence on earth and its pilgrim- 
 age through spheres of trial, discipline and 
 purification, is to gain knowledge and experi- 
 ence, and to learn to transmute the Soul's 
 faculties into a higher state of love and wis- 
 dom. Every trial and suffering has its mean- 
 ing and is a lesson that must be learned. To 
 become an Angel the original spirit-dweller, 
 expelled from its Eden of ignorance and inno- 
 cence, must first be a man, then a Spirit, 
 passing from one stage of development to an- 
 other, until it will regain its Eden, with 
 strength, wisdom and power which alone can 
 constitute an Angel of God. The Soul is first 
 an embryonic seed, a spirit germ, which con- 
 tains within itself all the possibilities of the 
 perfected Angel, as the acorn contains in germ 
 the noble proportions of the mighty oak. 
 
 "Soul and spiritual essence is the God and 
 the procedure, the Creator and the creature." 
 
44 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 k 'His strength is ours, and in that strength 
 we can afford to stand by and watch the wreck 
 of empires and dynasties, ecclesiastical faiths 
 and man-made dogmas." 
 
 "We are immortal parts of the immortal 
 Soul of the Universe, and we can never be lost, 
 or perish out of his hand. " 
 
 
Antiquity of Man 
 
 l^TOT only do all the writings and theories 
 ■ handed down to us from the earliest re- 
 
 corded history of mankind point to the great 
 antiquity of this earth and its inhabitants, but 
 the scientific researches of modern times, 
 prove conclusively that our earth is millions 
 of years old, and that man has existed on it, 
 in a greater or lesser degree of civilization, for 
 many thousands of years. The formation of 
 the earth's surface, the various strata of soil 
 and rock, the fossiliferous incrustations of 
 plant, animal, and even human remains which 
 have been found ina bedded in the solid rock, 
 all conduce to the opinion that the earth has 
 occupied millions of years in its formation and 
 that man made his debut on the stage of earthly 
 existence no less than fifty thousand years 
 ago, and that he has lived, worked, toiled 
 struggled, flourished and died to give place 
 successively to other and higher types. 
 
 Says Louis Agassiz, the eminent naturalist, 
 in speaking of geological time: 
 
 45 
 
46 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 "Among the astounding discoveries of mod- 
 ern science is that of the immense periods 
 that have passed in the gradual formation of 
 the earth. So vast were the cycles of the time 
 preceding even the appearance of man on the 
 surface of our globe, that our own period 
 seems as yesterday when compared with the 
 epochs gone before it. Had we only the evi- 
 dence of the deposits of rocks heaped above 
 each other in regular strata by the slow 
 accumulation of materials, they alone would 
 convince us of the long and slow maturing of 
 God's work on earth; but when we add to 
 these successive populations of whose life this 
 world has been the theatre, and whose re- 
 mains are hidden in the rocks into which the 
 mud of sand or soil of whatever kind on which 
 they lived has hardened in the course of time 
 — or the enormous chains of mountains whose 
 upheaval divided these periods of quiet accum- 
 ulation by great convulsions — or the changes 
 of a different nature in the configuration of 
 our glohe, as the sinking of lands beneath the 
 ocean, or the gradual rising of continents and 
 islands above; or the slow growth of the coral 
 
ANTIQUITY OP MAN 47 
 
 reefs, those wonderful sea-walks, raised by 
 the little ocean architects whose own bodies 
 furnish both the building stone and cement 
 that binds them together, and who have 
 worked so busily during the long centuries, 
 that there are extensive countries, mountain 
 chains, islands, and long lines of coast, consist- 
 ing solely of their remains— or the countless 
 forests that have grown up, nourished, died 
 and decayed, to fill the storehouses of coal 
 that feed the fires of the human race — if we 
 consider all these records of the past, the in- 
 tellect fails to grasp a chronology of which 
 our experience furnishes no data, and time 
 that flies behind us seems as much an eternity 
 to our conception as the future that stretches 
 indefinitely before us." 
 
 While the foregoing may not be considered 
 strictly a part of the subject matter of this 
 work, yet science and philosophy must walk 
 hand in hand in the attempt to solve the gi- 
 gantic problems of creation. Science is the 
 materialistic research and philosophy the 
 spiritual insight which must unite to elucidate 
 the mysteries of the unknown. The cold 
 
48 THE LIVIN,G FIRE 
 
 facts of science must ever be illuminated by 
 the light of intuition and inspiration, ere we 
 can comprehend the unerring exactness, the 
 eternal purpose, and the Divine harmony of 
 the vast scheme of the Universe. 
 
 Modern science has done no more than to 
 prove the truth of the theories held and taught 
 by the philosophers in the burning lands of 
 the Orient centuries ago. From them we 
 gather the idea that "this earth has, for mil- 
 lions of years, been the scene of human activi- 
 ties; that time moves in cycles, and that each 
 has its peculiar order of intelligent beings, 
 both like and unlike the present race of men. 
 By and bye these last will disappear, as others 
 have before them, and be superceded by a 
 loftier race of immortal beings. We are but 
 initial types of glorious races to come after 
 we are gone to act our part in another drama, 
 
 in another stage of being! Men, nations, 
 
 civilizations, all, like the seasons, move in cy- 
 cles, and each round of ages is but a varied 
 repetition, on a larger or smaller scale, upon 
 the same general theatre, of events that have, 
 time and again, been enacted and observed. 
 
ANTIQUITY OF MAN 49 
 
 Earth, and man, and nations, and civili- 
 zations, and historical and unhistorical epochs 
 and eras, all rise, grow, reach a perihelion 
 splendor, and then a night, and then again a 
 new day." 
 
 Modern researches are continually bringing 
 to light fresh evidence of the learning and cul- 
 ture to which some of the nations of the 
 Orient had attained long before the beginnings 
 of authentic history. We are accustomed to 
 regard Judea as an ancient country, but com- 
 pared with Egypt, Chaldea and India it was 
 but a modern nation and probably never at- 
 tained the heights of learning in science and 
 art as the older countries. Before the Jews 
 had made a mark on the pages of history 
 Egypt was an ancient nation, and India had 
 recorded cycles of time and was hoary with 
 age when Egypt was still in its infancy. The 
 Chinese claim to have authentic records for 
 twelve thousand years back. "Maps of the 
 heavens, and perfected charts of astral mo- 
 tions, involving intricate calculations, which 
 must have required thousands of years to 
 arrive at, were all handed down from pre-his- 
 7 
 
50 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 toric to the commencement of historic times, 
 and that with a completeness which fully sus- 
 tains the enormous claims of the Hindoos for 
 the existence of their dynasty during cycles 
 of time which baffle the human mind to con- 
 ceive of." 
 
 "How many times have the silent but most 
 eloquent catacombs of old earth, in the form 
 of upturned plains, the beds of rivers, the 
 depths of artesian wells, and the recesses of 
 newly discovered caverns, brought to light 
 conclusive testimony that man lived, labored, 
 wrought in clay, stone, pottery and metals, 
 tens of thousands of years ago on the face of 
 the earth ! ' ' 
 
 "The remains of tropical plants now found 
 amid the awful desolation of the Arctic and 
 Antarctic regions — the constant stream of 
 revelation silently but surely upheaving its 
 mystic writings from the superincumbent 
 debris under which the earth of a million 
 years ago lies buried — the strong voices that 
 thunder through the colossal remains of 
 ruined cities, and the swift but immutable 
 footprints of the fiery squadrons whose march 
 
ANTIQUITY OF MAN 51 
 
 through the skies, the mind of man has fol- 
 lowed up through ages of unrecorded time, 
 all proclaim that the movements of the Uni- 
 verse transpire in^ spiral and ever-revolving 
 cycles." 
 
 " Like the path of the sun on the Eclyptic, 
 now ascending on the royal arch of the north- 
 ern hemisphere, now descending into the 
 southern bow, but ever moving in gyrating 
 circles upward, typifying the march of plan- 
 ets, nations, ages of time and human souls, 
 so that those who study the parts may com- 
 prehend the whole, aU these stupendous wit- 
 nesses figure out the law by which cycles of 
 civilization are born, grow, ascend to their 
 culminating point of splendor, then turn the 
 hill of time, descend lower and lower into en- 
 gulfing depths, lower and lower into corrup- 
 tion, degration, death ! And yet they rise 
 again, and, Phoenix like, spring from the fun- 
 eral ashes of their pyre, to be reborn in no- 
 bler, higher forms of younger civilizations." 
 
 And thus it has been with man and his re- 
 ligions. But the real spiritual truths have 
 never died; they have on]y been obscured by 
 
52 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 the night of corruption which even now is be- 
 ginning to vanish into a new day of true spir- 
 itual awakening, when the soul of the Uni- 
 verse shall be known and j'elt in the Soul of 
 his creatures, and shall witness in itself an 
 external expression of the sublime and har- 
 monious order of the Universe. 
 
 "God is Spirit, and they who worship Him, 
 must worship Him in spirit and in truth." 
 
 Nature has no secrets from her votaries, 
 but she refuses to render up any knowledge 
 beyond the plane from which the inquiry 
 originates. Physical scientists make new dis- 
 coveries only in the realms of matter, while 
 the occult side of Nature is an unexplored 
 realm to them, hence they can throw no light 
 upon those grand truths which lie beyond the 
 ken of physical science. To gain spiritual 
 knowledge we must study the whole Universe, 
 not only in the realm of soul and spirit, but 
 also in body and function. It is thus alone 
 that the Universe has ever yielded an answer 
 to the soul's urgent questioning; thus alone 
 can man ever solve the mystery of his being, 
 and that of his planet. 
 
ANTIQUITY OF MAN 53 
 
 "He who would eat of the fruit of the tree 
 of occult knowledge must plant it with his own 
 hands, tend and culture it with a philosopher's 
 patience, and then, and then alone, will it 
 yield to his taste the true knowledge of good 
 and evil, then only will he eat for himself, and 
 not through the senses of another." 
 
Training in Occultism 
 
 IT AVING considered man in his relation to 
 * * the universe we will now study him in 
 relation to himself, his environments and his 
 fellow man. In order to do this intelligently 
 we must study him as a triune being, made 
 up of three parts, — body, spirit and soul, and 
 thus prepared to act on three planes of exist- 
 ence, namely, the physical, astral and divine. 
 
 Man being the highest form of existence, it 
 is his province to control all forms of existence 
 lower than himself. He may also subjugate 
 to his Will the occult forces of nature and 
 force them to do his bidding. But, as yet, he 
 is only in his infancy, and, like the new born 
 babe, must learn to use the forces at his com- 
 mand. 
 
 There are latent powers and almost infinite 
 capabilities in man the meaning of which he 
 has hardly dreamed of possessing, but mere 
 intellectual cultivation will never reveal or de- 
 velop these powers. It is only through a com- 
 plete philosophy of the entire nature of man, 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 55 
 
 physical, mental and moral, and the capacities 
 and destinies of the human soul, and the appli- 
 cation of such knowledge, that man will event- 
 ually come into possession of his own. 
 
 The knowledge of the soul, of its origin, na- 
 ture, powers and the laws that govern its evo- 
 lution is precisely the knowledge that is need- 
 ed to lift mankind from the depths of ignor- 
 ance into the realms of light, and all knowl- 
 edge that does not tend in that direction is in- 
 complete and necessarily a failure. It is this 
 knowledge that religion has tried to teach us 
 but she herself has shut off the fountain head 
 of her own illumination. She accepts the 
 theory but rejects the facts and has degener- 
 ated into a thing of dust and ashes, forms and 
 ceremonies, and lifeless bodies of ancient 
 faiths from which the soul has long since fled. 
 
 The grandest achievements in spiritual 
 knowledge ever gained by man were originally 
 celebrated in the ancient mysteries. All pre- 
 liminary training and study led up to this — 
 "The real measure of a man." Just as all life 
 is an evolution so is all real knowledge an init- 
 iation, and it proceeds in a natural order and 
 advances by specific "degrees." 
 
56 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 To revive the ancient wisdom is to recover 
 the lost Word. This Word concerns the sci- 
 ence of rythmic vibrations and is the key to 
 the equilibrium of all forces and the harmony 
 of Eternal Nature. 
 
 But these secrets must be sought by the 
 individual himself ; every man must work out 
 his own salvation (save himself from the hell 
 of ignorance). There is a grand science known 
 as Magic. It contemplates that all-round 
 development which liberates the intellect from 
 the dominion of the senses and illuminates the 
 spiritual perceptions. All genuine initiation, 
 like evolution and regeneration, is frorn within 
 and consists in an orderly unfoldment of the 
 natural powers of the Neophyte so that he 
 shall become the very thing he desires to pos- 
 sess. In seeking Magic he finally becomes 
 the Magus. The Christ life and the power 
 that made Jesus to be Christos, Master, 
 whereby he healed the sick, cast out devils, 
 and foretold future events, is the same life 
 revealed by initiation into the Greater Myster- 
 ies of Antiquity. The Lost Word of the Mas- 
 ter is the key to all the Science of Magic, back 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 57 
 
 of which lies a "philosophy as boundless as 
 Cosmos, as inexhaustible as Time, and as be- 
 neficent as the "Father in Heaven." 
 
 We must not trust to the possibilities of 
 miraculous changes in our natures, but work 
 for them, and scientifically and patiently pave 
 the way for their achievement. In this work 
 I shall treat only of natural Magic, or the cul- 
 tivation of the powers of the soul. The unfold- 
 ment of these must be conducted by a regular 
 series of physical and mental processes which 
 will involve physiological and psychological 
 changes, all tending to the subjugation of the 
 physical senses and the exaltation of the spir- 
 itual. 
 
 "Every feat of Magic is a triumph of spirit 
 over matter. The forces of spirit are de- 
 signed for good and use, or they could not be 
 accessible to man. In ages yet to come, when 
 the earth and its living freight are all spirit- 
 ualized, that which is magic now will be ordi- 
 nary practice then. The heavens will kiss the 
 earth, and the thin veil which divides the in- 
 habitants of either realm will become so trans- 
 parent that every eye will pierce its mystery 
 8 
 
58 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 and rejoice in its holy revealments. Untjl 
 then ''knowledge is power;" and all men by 
 knowledge may achieve the power of practic- 
 ing Magic, the glorious white Magic of the hu- 
 man Soul. 
 
 We have explained the ancient theories Jof 
 the order of being, the elements of liffe, power 
 and motion, by which being itself becomes 
 operative. These principles should be thor- 
 oughly digested, as well as other principles 
 and laws of nature which will hereafter be 
 given. The reader [must apprehend what na- 
 ture is, must comprehend the structure of 
 man in his threefold character as a material, 
 magical and divine being; he must know the 
 nature of the Astral fluid which vitalizes all 
 things in nature, and the Astral Spirit, which 
 constitutes the spiritual body of man, as it is 
 in the realm of the .astral that all occult phe- 
 nomena has its origin. 
 
 THE LAW OP VIBRATION 
 
 The two attributes of that element described 
 as Force have already been mentioned as at- 
 traction and repulsion. The one is a positive 
 
 
tt 
 
 TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 59 
 
 quality which repels and the other is negative 
 and attracts. These two great opposites are 
 constantly acting to and fro in space produc- 
 ing vibration. All things in the Universe are 
 the result of this vibration. 
 
 In the beginning existed the Eternal One 
 and in order to create it divided itself into posi- 
 tive and negative, or male and female, and 
 these two opposites are eternally seeking each 
 other, hence Creation. 
 
 As we have said before the inner jewel of 
 light is never absent, even from the smallest 
 and grossest atom of mineral or rock, that is 
 to say, every atom of matter in its primordial 
 condition, possesses its inherent portion of 
 Force or Fire which cannot be separated from 
 it. This primal fire is that which gives it its 
 power of evolution from a low to a higher 
 state. - 
 
 Each atom of matter is polarized, that is, has 
 
 two poles, the one positive, the other negative. 
 
 The positive represents its potential energy ; 
 
 the negative its absence. 
 
 \a There must always exist duality in manifes- 
 
 | tation, otherwise everything would be at rest, 
 
/ 
 
 60 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 hence inertia or death. Everything in the 
 universe is constantly in motion. Nothing 
 
 j^~ can exist without having an opposite. If 
 there is heat there must be cold. If there is 
 light there must be darkness. If there is one 
 side there must be another side. Duality 
 always implies separation and separation is 
 the beginning of opposing force and limitation. 
 This law resolves itself into the condition of 
 polarity or the manifestation of the one and 
 its negative, or non-existence, thus making 
 existence by its very law of being, positive. 
 The positive attracts the negative and the 
 negative the positive because they are the two 
 halves of the one, and once separated are con- 
 stantly seeking reunion, and when united in- 
 stantly repel each other. This is due to the 
 fact that they both become either positive or 
 negative, their polarization is changed and 
 1 they instantly repel each other again. 
 
 Throughout the universe all segregations 
 and individualizations depend for thei r eform 
 
 V and constitution upon the form and constitu- 
 tion of their atoms. If there were no atoms 
 there could be no forms and if the atoms had 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 61 
 
 no attributes th'e forms could have none. 
 Whatever properties the whole mass posses- 
 ses t he atom must also possess in proportion 
 to its size. 
 
 Primal invisible substance fills all space. It 
 is condensed into visible forms by Force which 
 binds it together, by the action and reaction of 
 its two attributes. 
 
 The natural form of the atom in its primal 
 condition is that of a perfect sphere. In this 
 condition it is either negative at the centre 
 and positive on the outside or vice versa. It 
 contains within itself the primal power of mo- 
 tion necessary for perception by personal 
 sense. Without this power of motion it would X 
 remain imperceptible. If one could by the 
 power of Will, control the vibrations of his 
 body, he might make himself invisible on the • 
 physical plane. 
 
 We can perceive with our material senses 
 only those things whose rate of vibration is on 
 the same plane as our own. Colors are only 
 different vibrations of light. We can perceive 
 only a certain number whose vibrations come 
 with our range of vision on the physical plane, 
 
62 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 but we know there must be many other rates 
 of vibration of light producing an infinite num- 
 ber of varied and beautiful colors w T hich we 
 cannot perceive,- because their rate of vibra- 
 tion is so rapid it cannot be focused on the 
 retina of the eye. There may also be other 
 colors, and doubtless are, whose rates of vi- 
 bration are too slow for them to be perceived 
 by us. Red has the slowest rate of vibration 
 of all the colors that we are able to perceive 
 and violet the swiftest. Our range of vision 
 includes all the varying shades of color whose 
 rates of vibration are between these two. Be- 
 yond these we cannot go with the physical 
 sense. The seven primary colors represent 
 seven different rates of vibration of the pure 
 white light. All other colors are the result 
 of the union of the vibrations of light with the 
 atonic vibration of the substance through 
 which they manifest, and' which gives to each 
 substance its own peculiar color. 
 
 And thus it is with sound. Sound is a rate 
 of vibration and we can perceive only a certain 
 number of octaves with our physical sense. 
 But nigher and beyond this reverberates the 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 63 
 
 music of the universe which we can only per- 
 ceive as we raise our own rate of vibration to 
 a higher plane and thus get "in tune with the 
 intinite. " And in like manner, if we were able 
 to raise our rate of vibration to a higher plane 
 by the power of Will, we would also become 
 invisible to those whose vision was limited to 
 the vibrations on this physical plane; for vi- 
 bration constitutes the barrier between the 
 visible and the invisible. What to us is the 
 invisible world of spirit is only spiritualized 
 matter in a much finer higher rate of vibra- 
 tion than we can perceive with only our five 
 physical senses. 
 
 The form of atoms is determined by the 
 varying conditions of spirit, fire and matter. 
 If the pressure on all sides were equal the 
 atom would be a cube; if there was a pressure 
 on two sides only it would be in shape of a flat 
 disc. If the pressure was equal on four sides 
 and greater on two then the atom would be in 
 the form of a square. Or the atom may be a 
 combination of any or all of these forms. All 
 forms of crystallization are determined by the 
 form of their atoms. 
 
64 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 No two atoms in any form or segregation 
 whatever ever touch each other. There is, 
 perhaps, as much space between them accord- 
 cording to their size and the size of the forms 
 in which they adhere as there is between the 
 planets in our solar system. There is, at least, 
 sufficient room for the free motion or vibration 
 of each without being impeded by contact with 
 any other atom. 
 
 Sickness or disease is a result of the inhar- 
 monious vibrations of the the atoms of the 
 body and mind. They are thrown out of bal- 
 ance from one cause or another and until they 
 get in harmony again disease is the result. 
 
 Every thing is the result of vibration. It is con- 
 stantly being repeated throughout all the 
 manifested. Upon this alone rests all the un- 
 unfolding of the boundless. When polarity 
 shall cease and vibration disappear all things 
 will fade away into everlasting night. 
 
 No two persons have exactly the same rate 
 of vibration but each is attuned to a certain 
 pitch, just as the strings of a piano are attuned 
 to a certain tone. Two persons whose vibra- 
 tions were concordant would be harmonious 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 65 
 
 while a third person whose vibrations were 
 discordant would be inharmonious, just the 
 same as a discordant note in music. But two 
 persons if not too entirely out of harmony 
 may become harmonious by changing their 
 rate of vibration by right thinking. If the 
 respective rates of vibration of two persons 
 are entirely out of harmony they will repel 
 each other; if their rates of vibration harmon- 
 ize they will attract each other. 
 
 Everything in nature has its keynote or soul 
 sound. Every mass of rock, every blade of 
 grass, and every structure reared by man has 
 a sound or tone of motion. This represents 
 its rate of vibration. This is also true of the 
 human being. Strike that same note and the 
 atoms will respond and, if continued, will rack 
 the structure to pieces. 
 
 In some instances this principle stands forth 
 so prominent in physical manifestation that it 
 has become a recognized fact in ordinary life, 
 yet few understand that the same law exists 
 in all manifestation on the physical plane, yet 
 is unknown because not sufficiently promi- 
 nent to attract special attention. 
 9 
 
66 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 When a large army of soldiers march across 
 a bridge they break step, because if they 
 march in uniform it will cause the bridge to 
 vibrate and, if long continued, would rock it 
 to pieces. A certain dance has also been for- 
 bidden by the authorities because the pecul- 
 iar step, when danced in unison by a large 
 number, causes the building to vibrate and 
 therefore likely to collapse. 
 
 According to the Bible the ancient priests 
 were familiar with the law of vibration, for it 
 was by the operation of this very law that 
 the walls of Jericho were shouted down by 
 the shouts of the multitude and the blowing 
 of trumpets. Every so-called miracle is but 
 the operation of natural law the result of 
 which constitutes a miracle in the minds of 
 those ignorant or unfamiliar with the cause. 
 
 If a person having a low rate of vibration is 
 attracted toward another with a higher rate 
 or more rapid vibration, the higher rate may 
 accelerate the lower rate and bring it to its 
 own level. Thus if a rather coarse person 
 lives constantly in refined society he will be- 
 come more refined. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 67 
 
 Polarity is the tendency to seek the centre. 
 It is not the movement itself but the particu- 
 lar att racting forc e which causes the movement. 
 There is but one law, and that is the law of 
 polarity. The law of polarity is the same in 
 both the spiritual and the physical. Each at- 
 tracts its opposite and repels its similar. 
 That which is attracted to the spiritual must 
 become positive, because the spirit is positive; 
 while that which is attracted by the physical 
 must become inert and negative. The posi- 
 tive force is life, the negative death. 
 
 There are four varying- conditions of the 
 manifest effects of vibration. They are termed 
 the magnetic, electric, etheric, and auraic. 
 They correspond with the essences or spirits 
 of earth, air, water and fire. 
 
 The magnetic current is the lowest form of 
 vibration which we can sense and it operates 
 close to the dividing line between the physi- 
 cal and spiritual. It separates the gross, 
 inert material from the inspiration of the 
 higher essences, and slowly spiritualizes and 
 refines all crudities with which it comes in 
 contact. It is that "subtle fluid placed be- 
 
68 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 tween the soul and the body which circulates 
 in all the nerves." It might be termed the 
 atmosphere of the atoms, for the atoms of the 
 body are whirling in space just as the earth 
 is revolving on its axis in the plane of its orbit. 
 
 Above the magnetic current, or in superior 
 conjunction with it in the sense that the finer 
 and converging vibrations give higher tones 
 in music, we find the electric currents. Of 
 these two currents we have knowledge of 
 their affects on the physical plane. The elec- 
 tric are more intense in their action and more 
 subtle in their influence. 
 
 Still higher we have the etheric vibration 
 which represent primary thought force, mov- 
 ing constantly by its own innate volition. 
 
 Above all, deep and unfathomed, works the 
 auraic current. This is the vibration of 
 thought permeated by the potency of the Will. 
 The difference between these four currents 
 is due to the difference between the rapidity 
 and intensity of their rate of vibration. The 
 higher can at all times govern the lower and 
 it is the aim of the initiate to raise the lower 
 vibrations to a higher and this is transmu- 
 tation. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 69 
 
 The auraic conditions of the One are mani- 
 fest throughout the universe, which is its en- 
 vironment. In the same manner the auraic 
 condition of the individual is manifest by the 
 environment with which he has surrounded 
 himself as the boundary of his desires, aspira- 
 tions, hopes and all his relations to the outer 
 world. This subject will be taken up again 
 farther on in this work. 
 
 MAGNE 1TSM 
 
 Primitive spirit is primary invisible essence; 
 primitive matter is primary invisible sub- 
 stance. 
 
 Spirit concentrated into spheres forms 
 suns; matter concentrated into spheres forms 
 worlds. Spirit, matter and force are one and 
 inseparable. They form the trinity of the 
 macrocosm, the one in three and the three in 
 one. The realms of space are filled with mat- 
 ter so fine that it is invisible to the human 
 senses, and it is penetrated by force and inter- 
 penetrated by spirit. 
 
 This earth receives life and light from the 
 sun of our planetary system, which in turn 
 
70 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 receives its heat and life from the Great Spir- 
 itual Sun of the Universe. 
 
 The electric fire from the Sun flows out in- 
 to space and comes into contact with the earth 
 and acts upon it, producing heat, light and 
 electricity. It is concentrated most at the 
 equator where its contact with -the earth pro- 
 duces eleclro-magnetism, which spreads and 
 flows towards the poles, magnetising the 
 earth as it passes, gradually changing from 
 electricity to Magnetism as it passes from the 
 equator to the poles, and finally passes oft' 
 from the earth at the poles as pure magnetism , 
 which has become negative in character, hav- 
 ing imparted its positive or life-giving quali- 
 ties to the earth (which is negative) and again 
 returning to the sun to be revitalized, thus 
 constantly going the rounds from sun to earth 
 and from earth back to sun. Thus nature's 
 constant process is ever going on, and always 
 keeping up its supply of life-giving spirit, and 
 its own inexhaustible power; hence is eternal. 
 
 The earth, in turn, imparts this vital force 
 to everything it produces upon it. 
 
 The sun's rays concentrating upon the 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 71 
 
 earth magnetise it and everything upon it, 
 producing attraction and repulsion, because 
 matter, being negative, still retains that 
 quality, while spirit, being positive, gives the 
 positive force. 
 
 Magnetism is the return electrical current 
 and the name is derived from Magic — to charm. 
 Magnetism, like electricity, is either positive 
 or negative in its action according to how it 
 is used by the operator. Electricity is the 
 most positive form or manifestation of Spirit 
 and magnetism is the most negative form; but 
 while magnetism is negative to electricity it is 
 still positive to matter. 
 
 The art of the Magician rests entirely upon 
 the principle of magnetism, as surely as the 
 principles of astrology are derived from the 
 science of astronomy. 
 
 The invisible world interpenetrates the visi 
 ble world and the relations .which exist be- 
 tween the two are made known only through 
 the occult forces. Whether we call this all- 
 pervading motor of being "divine fire, astral 
 light or magnetism," it is the eternal, inde- 
 structible, universal and infinite element of 
 force. 
 
72 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 "Magic, Deific relations, Angelic ministry, 
 and spirit communion, are but applications of 
 this force, operating upon man, and the vis- 
 ible Universe is only a magnificent chess- 
 board, on which Force is playing the eternal 
 game of creation and destruction, with Suns 
 and Satellites for its chessmen. Whilst it be- 
 comes evident that the ancients obtained a 
 wide control over this stupendous motor pow- 
 ers by long study and painful initiations, the 
 men of the middle ages in a great measure 
 lost the clue to its guidance, and the appari- 
 tional demonstrations of its eternal activity, 
 revealed by glimpses from the worlds of invis- 
 ible being, only served to startle them into 
 superstitious terror, without instructing them 
 concerning the potential agency at work. 
 
 "Slowly but surely the veil of mystery is 
 again lifting, and again men are the cy clops 
 at work forging hemispheres and earths, An- 
 gels and men, out of matter and spirit by the 
 motor power of this self-same lightning. The 
 revelation now so slowly yet surely stealing 
 in upon human consciousness, has not been 
 heralded by the roar of the tempest, the boom 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 73 
 
 of the thunder, or the throes of the quaking* 
 earth." 
 
 "Like the still small voice that spoke to the 
 Prophet Elijah when the Lord passed by — it 
 has come in the low whispers of two new sci- 
 ences — the science of Life or magnetism, and 
 the science of Soul or Psychology. Only the 
 very first elements of these two magical rela- 
 tions have as yet dawned upon our age, but 
 they have shown us enough to be assured that 
 when they are fully understood and scientifi- 
 cally applied, they will afford a clue to all the 
 mysteries of the past, and enable man to 
 achieve by natural law, all those phenomenal 
 demonstrations which in ancient times were 
 termed miracles." 
 
 We must give to Paracelsus the honor of 
 having ?*ediscovered the powers of the magnet 
 and restoring to life the almost lost science of 
 magnetism, and to the noble and illuminated 
 Swedenburg, that of having presented that 
 glorious element of Psychological science 
 which completely supplemented the opinions 
 of Paracelsus concerning magnetism. But it 
 remained for Anton Mesmer to combine these 
 10 
 
74 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 two supreme soul forces into their correlative 
 relations, and demonstrate by the practical 
 application of magnetism, the possibility of 
 emulating the natural endowments of Seer- 
 ship, through the revelations of the magnetic 
 sleep. 
 
 We cannot attribute to either Paracelsus, 
 Swedenburg or Mesmer any new discoveries 
 in nature. They only rekindled the lights of 
 divine science which had been nearly extin- 
 guished in an age of ignorance and supersti- 
 tion. 
 
 "Magnetism the life principle and Psychol- 
 ogy the soul power of the Universe, had been 
 the motors of all magical operations, and 
 the knowledge of this fact and an understand- 
 ing of how to apply these sublime forces, con- 
 stituted the wisdom of the Ancients and 
 the arcanum of all their mysteries. But the 
 master spirit of antiquity had been slain by 
 the destroying domons of time, change and 
 revolution. Truth, which is the Master's 
 word, had been lost, and for ages the build- 
 ing of the grand Temple of Spiritual Science 
 waited for the key-stone necessary to com- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 75 
 
 plete the arch of the entrance gate. The Al- 
 chemists of the twelfth and thirteenth cen- 
 turies perceived the existence of the "philos- 
 opher's stone; but dared not declare that it 
 was to be found only in the universal life force 
 of Magnetism. The Rosicrucians of two cen- 
 turies later realized the true nature of the 
 "Elixir Vitae" in the imperishable quality of 
 Soul essence, but how could they venture to 
 reveal to a scoffing, yet superstitious age, the 
 stupendous fact that this Soul essence could 
 be controlled, imparted and utilized even with- 
 out the agency of death to liberate it from the 
 body? It was because Paracelsus bravely 
 arfd openly taught of this philosopher's stone, 
 giving its true name as Magnetism, and 
 Swedenburg as fearlessly displayed the lat- 
 ent possibilities of spiritual communion and 
 seership in the human Soul, that these noble 
 philosophers stand confessed as the Fathers 
 of the New Dispensation." 
 
 The momentous revolution which Mesmer 
 effected in spiritual Science appoints him to a 
 no less triumphant position. 
 
 The "Fire Philosophers " of the middle ages 
 
76 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 argued that matter might be resolved back 
 into its primordial condition. That every 
 variety of material form and substance was 
 produced by certain combinations of the orig- 
 inal elements and that gold was simply a re- 
 sult of the highest combination of these ele- 
 ments. 
 
 If, then, they could reduce matter back to 
 its primitive condition and recombine only the 
 
 only the \y 
 sidence, \ 
 
 liner particles, leaving out the subsi 
 they might make gold at will, and that from 
 the very same substances that went into the 
 composition of iron, lead and the baser met- 
 als, which they contended were really goldjrj. 
 embryonic condition. 
 
 The great universal agent which would re- 
 duce organized forms into chaos was the same 
 force by which the natural transmutations 
 proceeded in the bowels of the earth, and this 
 force they perceived to be that latent, restless, 
 invisible fire, which, as we have said before, 
 permeates every portion of matter, and which 
 gives virtue to certain stones, crystals, min- 
 erals, drugs, herbs, plants ; which is the cause 
 of astral and solar influences, and which im- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 77 
 
 parts a special potency to the touch of the hu- 
 man hand, the sound of the voice, the glance 
 of the eye and even to objects which have been 
 worn by a human being. 
 
 Having discovered the universal correspond- 
 ence between the realms of nature and the 
 sidereal heavens, and the mysterious powers 
 of the loadstone they were convinced that the 
 great hidden virtue, the motor power of being, 
 was the all-pervading fire, which the earth 
 transforms into magnetism, which produces 
 attraction and repulsion in the mineral, which 
 is electricity in the clouds, life in animated 
 bodies and force throughout the Universe of 
 moving powers. 
 
 "They denominated this Universal Force as 
 "the Philosopher's Stone," which applied to 
 chemical lore could make and unmake worlds 
 — dissolve all bodies and recombine them in 
 whatever proportions the accomplished chem- 
 ist desired, or if expressed into juices and 
 mixed in such degree as would preserve the 
 largest amount of this force, in a liquid form, 
 it would be the 'Elixir Vitse ' of which those 
 who partook, drinking in the true element of 
 
78 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 life, might prolong it at will, or if applied with 
 a sufficient quantity from time to time, live 
 forever." 
 
 And these were no idle dreams as the sci- 
 ences which have developed from them amply 
 prove. Today we see an electric current re- 
 duce to ashes huge bars of metal with a sin- 
 gle lightning flash; we observe the most won- 
 derful transformation, transmutation and 
 chemical change wrought by the all-potential 
 magician electricity. We avail ourselves of the 
 no less marvellous potency of vital magnetism 
 as a restorative of health, and see our modern 
 magnetisers administering draughts of the 
 Elixir Vitae with every wave of their life-bring- 
 ing hands. 
 
 Magnetism is to vibration what vibration is 
 to motion. Motion from a center produces a 
 force called Vibration. Vibration produces 
 something finer and more subtle which is 
 wonderfully potent with power and life. This 
 is Magnetism. 
 
 Magnetism is life without apparent motion. 
 It is quiet, peace, life, warmth, healing and 
 everything that is desirable. Electricity is 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 79 
 
 the positive masculine element; magnetism is 
 the negative feminine element. Electricity is 
 not healing but will clean out and clear the 
 way for magnetism to rebuild and restore. 
 
 Magnetism is a master while electricity is 
 a slave, and can be commanded and harnessed 
 for mechanical uses. Electricity is the de- 
 stroyer, and magnetism the builder. Elec- 
 tricity is always projected outward while mag- 
 netism is the drawing power. 
 
 There are three kinds of magnetism, terres- 
 trial, animal and spiritual magnetism. 
 
 Terrestrial magnetism is that caused by 
 the earth whirling through space and creating 
 an atmosphere, also by the action of the sun's 
 rays upon the earth and being transformed 
 by the earth from electricity into magnetism. 
 
 Animal magnetism is the magnetism pro- 
 duced by animated life. It is the magnetism 
 derived from the earth and air and trans- 
 formed to the uses of the individual. It may 
 be either good or bad according to the envi- 
 ronment, habits and condition of the person. 
 
 Spiritual magnetism is that generated by 
 the intense action of concentrated purpose 
 
80 THJi LIVING FIRE 
 
 and purity of thought. It is this magnetism 
 that attracts higher intelligences either in or 
 out of the body. Spiritual magnetism is what 
 gave Jesus the power to heal by the touch of 
 his hand, the glance of his eye and the sound 
 of his voice. You can never give this magne- 
 tism but yon can allow people to take it from 
 you. It is the reservoir of life, of healing, of 
 peace, of power. 
 
 Magnetism will draw and hold and if you 
 cannot keep your loved ones it is because you 
 lack magnetism. There is but one way to 
 increase your spiritual magnetism and that is 
 to increase your universal love. It is the 
 great key to all occult phenomena. 
 
 Electricity is the head and magnetism is the 
 heart of the world. Its secret is love. Elec- 
 tricity repels and magnetism attracts. It 
 must be produced by conditions in yourself. 
 If you worry and fret you will never be mag- 
 netic. It is the vehicle of ideas and will. In 
 operating it you enter into the temple. Those 
 who have learned its power, of extracting it 
 from the great reservoir, have already entered 
 into the temple and no power can keep them 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 81 
 
 out. Spiritual magnetism can be increased 
 by contemplation and meditation. It comes 
 from the Infinite Source of Lo\e, Life and 
 Light. 
 
 Animal magnetism is capable of being trans- 
 mitted through the pores of the skin by 
 thought and by touch. Magnetism and elec- 
 tricity are different motions of the same fluid. 
 As applied to persons it is either electric or 
 magnetic which brings us to the 
 
 TWO TYPES OF MANKIND. 
 
 There are twojtypes of organism which are 
 common to mankind in which there circulates 
 an excess of the Astral fluid thus bestowing 
 on them natural spiritual endowments. 
 
 The first of these is an individual having a 
 compact, well-knit frame, inclined to the nu- 
 tritive temperament and rather fleshy. These 
 individuals are generally straightforward, 
 somewhat authoritive, occasionally egotistic 
 and fond of display; they are also kind-hearted, 
 benevolent, and especially attracted to sick 
 persons. They generally have a clear eye. 
 direct glance and sometimes, piercing eye. 
 11 
 
82 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 In this type there exists an excess of Astral 
 fluid endowing the individual with good health, 
 a vigorous frame, a moderately active mind, 
 and a general tendency toward social life and 
 material enjoyment. 
 
 These persons are almost always "good mag- 
 netizers," and the excess of the Astral fluid 
 in their organism makes them wish to use 
 their gift, and impels them to magnetize sick 
 people. It was from this class that the an- 
 cients selected their Therapeutic healers and 
 the Priests who were employed in the mag- 
 netic healing rites of the Temple service. The 
 eye as the window of the Soul, and the hand 
 as the prime conductor of the Astral fluid, 
 are always well deveveloped in these natural 
 mesmerizers. 
 
 When the eye is clear, full, and luminous, 
 and the hand soft and warm, the Astral fluid 
 is of healthful character. 
 
 If the eye is piercing, brilliant or almond- 
 shaped, and the hand is damp and moist, or 
 hard and dry, the man of this type will produce 
 a stronger mental impression than physical, 
 but they are nearly always good mesmerizers 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 83 
 
 and the larger the front brain, the better will 
 be the effect and the more healthful the power 
 produced. But always a well-informed mind, 
 and a concentrated will is required to render 
 them servicable; with the proper mental at- 
 tributes to guide their powers and direct the 
 projection of the Astral fluid they will be ad- 
 mirable healers of the sick. 
 
 The individual of the second type which we 
 will now describe is more concentrated and 
 energetic, and one in whom the intellectual 
 temperament prevails over the nutritive or 
 social. 
 
 In this type there is a great excess of the 
 Astral fluid but it centers chiefly about the 
 cerebrum. The brain and nervous system ab- 
 sorb the excess of Astral fluid, instead of the 
 fibrous and muscular tissues as in the other 
 type. These persons generally have a large 
 and finely developed head. They become fine 
 psychologists and in ancient times formed the 
 class of Adepts, Master Spirits or Priestly 
 Hierophants. 
 
 In the first type the excess of Astral fluid 
 generally clusters around the stomach and 
 
84 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 heart and Is more generally diffused through- 
 out the whole system, rendering the person 
 magnetic and a powerful healer, but without 
 any marked intellectual ability. 
 
 In the second type the Astral fluid inheres 
 more closely to the soul than to the body j 
 exalts the top of the head rather than the 
 front; compels a predominence of the organs 
 of command and ideality, giving great intellect- 
 ual power. 
 
 Both of these types inherit an excess of the 
 Astral fluid through solar and planetary in 7 
 fluence at time of birth and during their em- 
 bryonic life. It is the distribution of this As- 
 tral fluid throughout the body of the one and 
 its centering around the brain of the other 
 which constitutes the difference between the 
 mere magnetic healer and the psychologist. 
 The healer will always bring a powerful and 
 soothing influence to the sick, and the other 
 will be a leader in whatever sphere of life he 
 may be placed. These two types are natural 
 magicians, and, if they understand their own 
 powers, they will know that by bringing the 
 excess of Astral fluid in their bodies under the 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 85 
 
 control of the Will they can induce a self-mag- 
 netized condition whereby they can project 
 their Astral Spirit out into space, and go 
 where they will, and even make themselves 
 known and seen and heard and gain much 
 knowledge in that way. They can also induce 
 these powers in others by magnetic and psy- 
 chologic contact. 
 
 A "sensitive" is a person in whom, from 
 inherited causes and Astral influences pre* 
 vailing at birth, an immense amount of the 
 Astral fluid exists but is given off too rapidly, 
 owing to the peculiar conformation of the tis? 
 sues which form the physical body. In the 
 two types first described, the Astral fluid is 
 concentrated, the tissues of the body are firm 
 and compact, and the magnetic power is due 
 only to its super-abundance. The sensitive 
 has this same abundance of magnetic force, 
 but is totally lacking in the concentration and 
 solidarity which distinguishes the first and 
 second types, and for this reason is unable to 
 retain his magnetism. Both the first and sec- 
 ond types are positive, physically and men- 
 tally while the "sensitive" is entirely nega* 
 

 86 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 tive. They represent the operator and sub- 
 ject. 
 
 The magnetizer imparts strength from his 
 strength. The medium, or Sensitive, gives 
 up the life principle and becomes depleted, 
 then insensibly draws upon the forces of oth- 
 ers. Every nerve is laid bare, every pore is a 
 conductor of the too rapidly ebbing life fluid. 
 They are in consequence exceedingly sensitive, 
 restless, nervous, and susceptible to every 
 influence with which they come in contact. The 
 life principle flows off too rapidly through 
 their tissues leaving them irritable, weak and 
 despoiled. 
 
 These three types of persons who are nat- 
 urally endowed with an excess of magnetism 
 make the best magical operators, but those 
 who are not so endowed may acquire an ex- 
 cess of the Astral fluid by breathing it in from 
 the atmosphere. 
 
 Breathing is the most important act of our 
 lives for it is by breathing in the pure vital 
 spirit, or positive sun energy , that we live. Life 
 surrounds us on every side. Everything 
 teems with life everywhere and yet people 
 

 TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 87 
 
 who live in the midst of life sicken and die be- 
 cause they do not appropriate enough of the 
 
 universal life to supply their needs. It is the 
 
 ,vh v ■ ■ ■ • ' • I 11 
 
 pure spirit we breathe into our lungs that 
 
 purifies the blood. It is spirit^ the living firej 
 that furnishes the life giving quality of the 
 air. As long as we continue to breathe and 
 take in spirit we will live, whether it be in this 
 world or some other. We build up the physi- 
 cal body by the food we eat, the Astral body- 
 by breathing and the soul by meditation. By 
 
 v ! .1 S " ————— ■ - ^ 
 
 breathing we take in vital spirit which diffuses 
 itself throughout the body causing it to pul- 
 sate with life and health. In addition to the 
 usual constant breathing we should take reg- 
 ular meals of air at least as many times a day 
 as we eat food. 
 
 Human or animal magnetism is generated 
 in the body by breathing in the spirit or liv- 
 ing fire from the atmosphere. The spirit, be- 
 ing inhaled, passes quickly into the blood and 
 with it to the brain, and acting on the brain 
 as the solution in a galvanic battery acts on 
 the carbon of the battery, so does the vitalized 
 blood act upon the phosphorus (carbon) of the 
 
 x 
 
88 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 brain, producing electricity, which goes out 
 from the brain around the nerves, using them 
 as a coil or helix, thus changing the electricity 
 from the brain into magnetism, which mag- 
 netises the whole body, making it a living hur 
 man magnet. 
 
 The quality and quantity of magnetism will 
 be in proportion to the amount of spirit 
 breathed into the blood, and in proportion to 
 the quality and quantity of blood and its rate 
 of circulation, and its proportion to the qual- 
 ity and quantity of the brain and its powers 
 of action; large lungs, pure blood and well- 
 developed brain are necessary to produce 
 magnetic power. 
 
 The brain is a galvanic battery and the 
 spinal cord, with all the nerves, is a conductor 
 to conduct electricity to every part of the body, 
 giving, vitality and life to every organ, and 
 man, as a supreme magnet, can, like other 
 magnets, throw his magnetism from every 
 part of his body, and especially from his eyes 
 and hands, which are the best conductors, and 
 through them he can impart his magnetism 
 to other persons. It is only necesasry to 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 89 
 
 make the connection through the eyes or 
 hands for the subject to be operated upon. 
 
 In some persons the electricity passes 
 from the brain along the nerves and nearly out 
 of the body before it changes to magnetism, 
 thus making the persons power very electric 
 or positive; such persons can ignite a gas jet 
 with the end of their finger and produce 
 shocks, affecting their patients in the manner 
 of an electric battery. Other persons are 
 very magnetic in their influence, because the 
 electricity from the brain changes rapidly in- 
 to magnetism, — such operators do not shock 
 their patients but produce a mild soothing ef- 
 fect, and induce sleep in susceptible persons. 
 These persons are true magnetic healers. 
 
 In positive, hot-blooded persons, the mag- 
 netism is positive and hot and can be used to 
 best advantage in curing persons of a negative 
 temperament and negative diseases. In the 
 negative temperament the magnetism is neg- 
 ative and cooling and such persons will be 
 most suited to treat positive diseases and hot- 
 blooded persons. There should be a suitable 
 adaptation in everything and especially in one 
 12 
 
90 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 person treating another; and all companions 
 and associations should be selected on this 
 principle. The quality of animal magnetism 
 depends on the condition, health and power 
 of the operator — we give such as we have. 
 The operator must himself be pure and heal- 
 thy before he can make others so. 
 
 Magnetism is a wonderful power and wor- 
 thy of our greatest labors and highest hopes. 
 By its use we may heal the sick save life and 
 fill the world with health and happiness. 
 
 Moses used this power in the wilderness to 
 heal the sick, to make Joshua a seer and a 
 prophet, and a fit leader for the hosts of Israel, 
 by laying his hands on him, thus conveying 
 the magnetic power and filling him full of the 
 life-giving spirit. All the prophets used it 
 and Elijah conveyed it on Elisha through his 
 mantle as a conductor of magnetism. Elisha 
 afterwards conveyed it through his hands to 
 the head of his servant and made him clair- 
 voyant ; and with the same power Elisha healed 
 the sick and raised the dead as Elijah his tut- 
 or had done. Jesus used this power through 
 water, clay, through garments and through 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 91 
 
 the laying on of hands and taught his dis- 
 ciples to do the same and it has been done by 
 the faithful ever since and is being done by 
 them now. He taught his disciples and sent 
 them out to preach and heal, promising that 
 the good work should continue throughout all 
 time, and that he would be present always. 
 In another place we will give the directions for 
 acquiring magnetism. 
 
 HUMAN TEMPERAMENTS 
 
 In the study of man as a composite being 
 it is quite an aid to have an understanding of 
 the several different types or temperaments 
 and I therefore give them here. I follow the 
 classification made and given by Dr. J. B. 
 Campbell, of Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 In studying the human being, the most im- 
 portant part is his temperament or conditions 
 and development of brain, and general shape 
 and structure. And as man is a dual being, 
 both matter and spirit, both body and soul— 
 we must study his temperamental condition 
 in relation to both, and to do so properly we 
 will commence with the 
 
92 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 PHYSICAL TEMPERAMENTS. 
 
 There are two physical temperaments, the 
 positive and the negative. As there is heat 
 and cold, light and darkness, day and night, 
 spirit and matter, male and female so there is 
 positive and negative in everything. So in 
 man's physical nature there is his positive and 
 negative condition to determine and under- 
 stand. And this knowledge is of great im- 
 portance and use in reading man's character, 
 condition and health, and especially to read 
 and understand his natural diseases and physi- 
 cal condition, and pointing out the proper 
 remedy and treatment for disease, according 
 to temperamental condition. 
 
 Temperament relates to shape, and condi- 
 tion and characteristics, but not color of hair 
 or complexion; temperament is shape, forma- 
 tion and size, not color. 
 
 INDICES OF TEMPERAMENT 
 
 The positive physical temperament is known 
 by its large base of brain ; large, full and broad 
 lower forehead ; wide across the eyes ; broad 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 93 
 
 head; wide between the ears; large, deep and 
 broad back head and lower part of brain; big 
 neck ; wide face : projecting cheek bones ; broad 
 shoulders; deep chest, and large stomach. 
 The larger these conditions as described, the 
 more positive the temperament; and the less 
 these conditions are, of course the less posi- 
 tive the temperament of the person will be ; 
 and some persons may be less and less in posi- 
 tive condition, until the smallest or most ex- 
 treme opposite condition may be reached, then 
 the temperament becomes, or is, negative, in 
 proportion to its opposite conditions, as de- 
 scribed, as belonging to the positive tempera- 
 ment. There are extreme positive and ex- 
 treme negative temperaments, with all the 
 grades filling up between (and the middle be- 
 tween would be a balanced condition). 
 
 CLASSIFICATION OF THE PHYSICAL TEMPERA- 
 MENTS 
 
 There are two divisions of the positive tem- 
 perament, the bilious-positive and the san- 
 guine positive, with their shades, grades, de- 
 grees and varieties. 
 
94 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 The positive-bilious temperament is known 
 by its 
 
 BILIOUS COMPLEXION. 
 
 Black or brown or sallow hair, and bilious, 
 sallow skin. While the color of the hair does 
 not control the temperament, it does control 
 complexion, shows condition and gives char- 
 acter to disease. 
 
 The sanguine-positive temperament is known 
 by its 
 
 SANGUINE COMPLEXION. 
 
 Red, auburn or golden hair, and florid skin, 
 showing the sanguine or inflammatory condi- 
 tion, which gives character to disease in pro- 
 portion to the degree and intensity of the gov- 
 erning temperament. 
 
 (Temperaments are indicated by size, shape 
 and formation, not by color of hair or skin). 
 
 There are two divisions of the negative tem- 
 perament, the nervous-negative and the lym- 
 phatic-negative, with their shades, grades, de- 
 grees and varieties. 
 
 The nervous-negative temperament is known 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 9-") 
 
 by its narrow head ; long neck; thin chest ; long 
 arms and slim fingers; small body and thin, 
 slim legs. A person having this shape will be 
 nervous-negative in temperament no matter 
 what the color of the hair or skin may be. 
 
 Persons of this temperament are weak and 
 negative in proportion to the extent of this 
 nervous temperament, which is known by size 
 and shape, and will be nervous and weakly in 
 proportion to the extent of diseased conditions. 
 
 Persons of this temperament, though not 
 stout or robust, yet in health are very active, 
 and endure a great deal, and can do a great 
 deal of light, active work, and much mental 
 labor. They are our thinkers, and are the 
 most sensitive and most loving, though they, 
 may be Platonic. 
 
 The lymphatic negative temperament is 
 known by its round head; full face; large, 
 round body; large neck ; large breasts; large 
 arms ; large abdomen and large legs ; with soft, 
 moist, cold skin, and general dropsical condi- 
 tion. This is the weakest of all temperaments, 
 often prostrating the patient and rendering 
 them helpless. Though being fleshy they gen- 
 
96 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 erally look well, while they are indeed feeling 
 bad, and get little or no sympathy, when they 
 really need the. most. The color of the hair 
 and skin does not regulate or control this tem- 
 perament (as color does not control any tem- 
 perament), yet light haired and fair skinned 
 people are most liable to be lymphatic, and 
 generally females are more liable than males. 
 This is the dropsical or water temperament, 
 and is therefore the most negative; while the 
 hot dry sanguine temperament is the most 
 positive of all. 
 
 The bilious temperament is shown by com- 
 plexion, and gives bilious character to disease 
 in proportion to the positiveness of the tem- 
 perament. The sanguine temperament is 
 shown by complexion, and gives inflammatory 
 character to disease in proportion to the posi- 
 tiveness of the temperament. 
 
 The nervous temperament is shown by 
 shape and condition, and gives nervous char- 
 acter to disease in proportion to the negative- 
 ness of the temperament. The lymphatic is 
 shown by shape and condition, and gives char- 
 acter to the disease in proportion to the lym- 
 phatic negativeness of the temperament. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 97 
 
 COMPLEXION 
 
 Shows the condition, no matter what the 
 temperament may be. Any temperament 
 may be bilious or sanguine in some of its 
 shades and varieties, and governs disease ac- 
 cordingly, and requires proper treatment in 
 accordance to the degree of temperament and 
 shade of complexion. Temperament, com 
 plexion, sex and age are all employed in the 
 diagnosis of disease. 
 
 COMPATIBILITY 
 
 Compatibility of temperaments in couples 
 who have to live together is of great import- 
 ance in regulating their health and happiness, 
 and that of their offspring, and in all business 
 and all associations of life. All people, and 
 especially the young, should study and un- 
 derstand temperament, and form their associ- 
 ations accordingly. I repeat, this is of the ut- 
 most importance to all. 
 
 Men are, or should be, positives, but some 
 are very negative — real feminine (she) men. 
 
 Women are, or should be, negatives, but 
 13 
 
98 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 some are very positive — real masculine (he) 
 women. 
 
 But whatever man is, his mate should be 
 opposite in temperament to him. 
 
 And whatever a woman is, her mate should 
 be opposite in temperament to her. And it 
 is better for the doctor and nurse to be oppo- 
 site in temperament (and sex) to the patient. 
 
 THE TEMPERAMENT GIVES CHARACTER TO THE 
 DISEASE THAT THE PERSON MAY HAVE 
 
 The sanguine form of the positive tempera- 
 ment gives inflammatory and scrofulous dis- 
 eases. 
 
 The bilious form of the positive tempera- 
 ment gives liver complaint, fever and con- 
 sumption. 
 
 The encephalic form of the negative tem- 
 perament gives brain, nerve and mental dis- 
 eases. 
 
 The lymphatic form of the negative tem- 
 perament gives dropsical and glandular dis- 
 eases. 
 
 SELECTION OF PARENTS 
 
 A person who is all positive or nearly so, 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 99 
 
 should select a partner that is half or a little 
 more than half, negative, then they will be 
 happy and their children healthy. 
 
 A person who is mostly negative, should se- 
 lect a partner that is all positive, then all will 
 be well. 
 
 ASCERTAINING THE TEMPERAMENTS FURTHER 
 BY THE FEELING OF THE HAND 
 
 In the sanguine-positive the hand is warm 
 and dry. 
 
 In the bilious-positive the hand is hard and 
 rough. 
 
 In the encephalic-negative the hand is 
 smooth, slim and weak. 
 
 In the lymphatic-negative the hand is cold, 
 moist and plump. 
 
 THE PULSE IN TEMPERAMENTS 
 
 In the sanguine-positive the pulse is quick 
 and strong. 
 
 In the bilious-positive the pulse is slow and 
 full. 
 
 In the encephalic-negative the pulse is slow 
 and easy. 
 
100 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 With these plain directions any person can 
 read temperament, and be guided aright in 
 selecting compatible companions for life, and 
 understand and distinguish diseases. 
 
 BAD RESULTS OF THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF 
 PARENTS 
 
 A marriage with a person of the same tem- 
 perament as yourself no children would re- 
 sult. 
 
 If both parties are all of the positive tem- 
 perament, there could be no offspring. 
 
 If both parties are principally of the nega- 
 tive temperament, their children will be dead- 
 born. 
 
 If the parties differ but little in tempera- 
 ment, then their children will be few, sickly 
 and short-lived. 
 
 If the sanguine-positive is overpowered by 
 the encephalic or nervous negative in both par- 
 ents, their children will die in infancy with 
 dropsy of the brain, or scrofulous inflamma- 
 tion of its membranes. 
 
 If the bilious-positive is overcome by the en- 
 cephalic-negative in both parents, their child- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 101 
 
 ren will be rickety, idiotic and imbecile, or die 
 in infancy with brain fever. 
 
 If the sanguine-positive is overcome by the 
 lymphatic- negative in both parents, their 
 children will die young of some scrofulous 
 forms of disease. (N. B. — This is the condi- 
 tion that produces scrofula.) 
 
 If the bilious-positive is overcome by the 
 lymphatic-negativein both parents, their child- 
 ren will die young with consumption of the 
 brain, lungs, or abdominal glands. (N. B.— 
 This is the condition that produces consump- 
 tion, that scourge of our race.) 
 
 Incompatibility of parents is the MAIN 
 cause of weakly, sickly and dying children, 
 and is the first cause of most of the sickness 
 of matured life. 
 
 And these causes are increasing to an alarm- 
 ing extent overwhelming our land in sickness, 
 gloom and death. 
 
 Every person should make it the great aim 
 of life to select a proper conjugal mate, their 
 true opposite : then they themselves would be 
 happy, and their children healthy and long 
 lived. And this can be done by a knowledge 
 
102 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 of this science. Those who are incompatibly 
 married, can be benefited by the proper treat- 
 ment, and thus all can be happy and healthy. 
 
 SPIRITUAL TEMPERAMENTS 
 
 In addition to the physical temperaments, 
 as previously described, there are spiritual 
 temperaments, and" degrees of spiritual con- 
 struction and organization. As man is a dual 
 being, composed of both matter and spirit, 
 he must have temperamental correlations of 
 both, and both (principally) represented by 
 the shape of the brain, and as the material 
 temperament is represented or shown by the 
 base or lower sides of the brain, so the spirit- 
 ual must be shown by the upper sides of the 
 brain; and the temperament is spiritually 
 positive or negative in proportion and in ac- 
 cordance with the size of the upper sides and 
 top brain. 
 
 The very spiritual positive temperament is 
 known by long and wide brain at its upper 
 sides and top. The upper front brain is large 
 and projecting at the upper part of the fore- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 103 
 
 head, and at the upper part of the sides and 
 back of the head — giving large causalty, hu- 
 manity, benevolence, imitation, ideality, spirit- * 
 uality, sublimity, hope, approbativeness, self- 
 esteem, and continuity. 
 
 A deficiency of any part of the upper brain 
 would show a corresponding deficiency in 
 positiveness and spiritual power of that part, 
 or of the brain or faculty represented by that 
 part, and would be spiritually negative in pro- 
 portion to the smallness of this part of the 
 brain. 
 
 Persons differ very widely in these respects, 
 and this difference is always shown by the 
 shape of the head. 
 
 Some persons may be both spiritually and 
 physically positive; then they are powerful in- 
 deed. This double positive temperament and 
 sanguine complexion is the most vital. Others 
 may be both spiritually and physically nega- 
 tive, and then they are negative indeed — es- 
 pecially if the physical negative is of the lym- 
 phatic or watery character; then they may be 
 said to be as weak as water. The lymphatic 
 is the weakest of all negatives, though persons 
 
1C4 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 of this temperament generally look fleshy and 
 stout; and they get no sympathy in their sick- 
 * ness, when really they deserve the most. 
 
 But, happily, persons are not generally all 
 negative. Most persons who are spiritually 
 positive are generally physically negative, and 
 most who are physically positive are spirit- 
 ually negative — both positives rarely ever, 
 and both negatives perhaps never, coming to- 
 gether in the same person. 
 
 With a little study and some observation 
 intelligent persons can soon learn to read tem- 
 perament correctly; any observing person 
 can plainly see the difference in persons' 
 heads, and can classify their temperament 
 accordingly. These conditions also show 
 plainly in animals, the strong, robust, fero- 
 cious lion, tiger, hyena, wolf, panther, bull- 
 dog, wild cat, eagle, hawk, etc., all have wide 
 heads between the ears, are broad across the 
 eyes, and are known to be physically positive; 
 while deer, sheep, and other narrow-headed 
 animals are known to be physically negative- 
 timid and weak." And so with the human ani- 
 mal; they are in temperament and character 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 105 
 
 in accordance with the shape of their heads 
 as described above; and their diseases will be 
 ferocious or mild in character in proportion to 
 the person'spositive or negative temperament, 
 complexion, and condition (and the power and 
 strength and nature of the remedy must be in 
 proportion to condition). 
 
 In reading human temperaments in full, we 
 generally take into consideration the shape of 
 the head, face, neck, shoulders, chest, and 
 body. But we want it expressly understood 
 that the lymphatic, watery, dropsical condi- 
 tion, though looking very big and apparently 
 stout, is really very weak; and this condition 
 will make the otherwise positive person very 
 negative, and will require positive treatment to 
 correct (but will need negative treatment at 
 first to carry off the water). 
 
 Elisha, the prophet, understood this law of 
 duality. He, being of the sanguine-positive 
 temperament, knew that his hot magnetism 
 would not benefit the hot positive disease of 
 Naaman, the leper, who was also of the posi- 
 tive temperament, so he did not lay his hands 
 on him to cure him but sent him to the river 
 14 
 
106 
 
 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 Jordan to bathe. He well knew that the hot, 
 positive disease of leprosy could be cured only 
 by the cold, cooling, negative water. Being a 
 physician of good judgment he concluded that 
 seven baths would cure him so he prescribed 
 accordingly. Hydrophobia and all diseases of 
 like nature may be cured by immersion in 
 water. 
 
 DEVELOPMENT OP THE ASTRAL 
 
 As has heretofore been stated man is a tri- 
 une being composed of body, spirit and soul 
 and is therefore capable of manifesting on 
 three planes, viz: the physical, Astral and Di- 
 vine, which represent the material, intellec- 
 tual and moral natures. It is all a matter of 
 the varying rates of vibration. The magnetic 
 and electric currents (currents are the result 
 of vibrations caused by changes of polariza- 
 tion of the atoms) operate close to the physi- 
 cal plane and we have knowledge of their ef- 
 fects on that plane. 
 
 The Etheric current which is a more intense 
 rate of vibration, operates upon the Astral 
 plane and is a type of primary thought force, 
 moving by its own volition. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 107 
 
 It is this current which acts through the 
 subconscious mind and controls the action of 
 the involuntary muscles of the body, and that 
 develops the latent life within the seed. 
 
 Above the others and still more intense 
 works the Auraic current, which is the vibra- 
 tion of thought permeated by the potency of 
 the Will. Or, in other words, it is primary 
 thought force rendered more intense by the 
 action of the Will, as when a rising tide is 
 swept along by a strong wind. Each of these 
 cuirrents can be controlled on its own plain 
 by the spirit energy of the Higher Self. Each 
 of the superior can control each or all of the in- 
 ferior. Each of these currents emanate* 
 from the One source and differ only in inten- 
 sity caused by their contact with the lower. 
 The magnetic current slowly ripens and re- 
 fines the crudities of matter with which it 
 comes in contact. The electric are still more 
 intense. The invisible effects of these two cur- 
 rents are fully as deep and lasting, but not so 
 easily comprehended by the personal sense 
 as the visible. 
 
 We must not suppose that there is any di- 
 
108 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 viding line in the action of these various cur- 
 rents but we must perceive them as penetrat- 
 ing and interpenetrating each other, acting in, 
 through and against each other and the 
 stronger will control. 
 
 It is but a step from the inorganic to the 
 organic and that difference we call vitality. 
 This is the power of retaining heat saturated 
 with light for an indefinite period. This is 
 due to the currents emanating from the spir- 
 itual force which are modified by the slow r er 
 vibrations of the environment. The physical 
 body is the environment of the astral or life 
 forces and hold them condensed within it, 
 causing an individualized entity. 
 
 Desire is the mainspring of life and when it 
 ceases death ensues, whether it be the death 
 of the body or the death of a cherished am- 
 bition. Without the desire to create and con- 
 tinue its existence it ceases to be. 
 
 The power of sustaining organic life comes 
 from desire. Desire is caused by the spirit 
 force emanating from the Ego, coming in con- 
 tact with the resistance of the environment 
 and being reflected back. That is, the lower 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 109 
 
 or outer vibrations raove ruore slowly than the 
 upper or inner vibrations. The slower impede 
 the faster which turns them back upon them- 
 selves. This backward movement would cause 
 a certain amount of resistance, and this force, 
 so sent out and so returning, modified by its 
 point of contact, becomes desire. 
 
 This force dues not act directly upon the 
 physical but through the lower consciousness. 
 The strength of the emotion depends on the 
 intensity of the desire, and the desire, in turn 
 depends upon the intensity of the vibrations 
 emanating from the Ego and the resistance 
 of the environment. The stronger the emo- 
 tion the more it will overwhelm and be recog- 
 nized by a whirling about the head, and a^seju- 
 sation of heat from head to foot. The emo- 
 tion of desire ranges from the ordinary wish, 
 without any expectation of accomplishment, 
 to the overpowering desire to will and obtain. 
 
 In the organism of man are many different 
 rates of vibration belonging to the different 
 parts of the whole, and all these different vi- 
 brations must be harmonized, and the lower 
 brought under the control of the higher, be^ 
 
110 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 fore one can become potent with power. You 
 must bring all the forces of your individual 
 being into harmony with each other and place 
 them under the control of the Will, that is, be- 
 come self-centred, and you will then find that 
 you are in harmony with the Universe, and 
 able to utilize its laws and play upon its forces. 
 You will then have attained the At-one-ment, 
 when your intense thought concentrated on 
 the ONE can receive from the ALL, the force 
 and energy, which renders the manifestation 
 of your own potency possible. It is only 
 through such attainment that you will be able 
 to attain the Power to swing open the gates of 
 life, make earth a paradise, annihilate disease, 
 banish wrong, perfect your manhood or wo- 
 manhood, triumph over death, gain immor- 
 tality and live forever. 
 
 In order to harmonize the vibrations we 
 must commence with the lower and raise them 
 to the next higher plane. This may be done 
 by breathing which extracts the living lire 
 from the great universal sea of life and light 
 that surrounds us on every side, thereby giv- 
 ing health and strength to the body, and raises 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 111 
 
 the vibrations to the Astral plane. It devel- 
 ops an excess of Astral fluid within the body 
 which is the instrument of power. The first 
 exercise to be taken up is the 
 
 PRANAYAMA BREArH 
 
 The Pranayama breath should be practiced 
 for the first four weeks by the Neophyte or 
 the person who is just starting out upon the 
 Path. The Chela or advanced student should 
 take the Pranayama breath (exercise given 
 for fourth week) once or twice a week. 
 
 Breath has three stages : inhaling, exhaling 
 and restraining. The time for restraining 
 should be double the time for inhaling. 
 
 First Week. — Stand erect, shoulders well 
 back, abdomen in, heels together, toes 
 pointing outward, limbs rigid and arms at 
 sides, close the right nostril with the fore- 
 finger, inhale steadily through the left nostril 
 four seconds or while counting four, then 
 close the left nostril and exhale slowly and 
 steadily through the left while counting eight ; 
 then with the left nostril still closed inhale 
 through the right four seconds, then again 
 
112 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 close the right and exhale through the left in 
 eight seconds. Continue these alternate in- 
 halations and exhalations for ten minutes, 
 then sit for three minutes and practice taking 
 short rapid breaths. By this ''panting" 
 breath one is able to take into the system 
 more of the electrical force from the atmos- 
 phere than would otherwise be possible. It 
 is a well-known fact that when any' form of 
 animal life becomes exausted it resorts to 
 these short rapid breaths to more quickly re- 
 store equilibrium again. The slow and even 
 inhalations and exhalations are for the pur- 
 pose of bringing the breathing under the con- 
 trol of the Will, and obtaining control of the 
 nervous system. 
 
 Second Week. — Assume the same position 
 as before, but before beginning the exercise 
 hold in your mind this thought: "Let all be- 
 ings be peaceful, let all mankind be happy, let 
 all beings be blissful." Now close the right 
 nostril, inhale through the left six seconds, 
 retain the breath in the lungs sixteen seconds, 
 holding both nostrils closed during this time, 
 then exhale through the right in eight sec- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 113 
 
 oriels ; keep the left nostril closed and inhale 
 through the right in six seconds, again re- 
 strain sixteen seconds, and exhale through 
 the left nostril in eight seconds. Continue 
 these alternate breathings for ten minutes, 
 holding the breath in the lungs sixteen sec- 
 onds after each inhalation. During the sec- 
 ond week you must strongly will that with 
 each inhalation you send the current down to 
 the triangle at the base of the spinal column 
 wherein is located the latent or stored up 
 energy, and with each exhalation you must 
 will to force the current upward through the 
 Ida and Pingala to the brain. 
 
 Third Week. — Assume the same position 
 as in first two exercises, inhale in six seconds 
 through the left nostril, exhale in eight sec- 
 onds' through the right, now hold out sixteen 
 seconds, then inhale through the right, exhale 
 through the left and again hold out sixteen 
 seconds. Continue for ten minutes after 
 which take the short rapid breaths for three 
 minutes as in the other two weeks. 
 
 Fourth Week. — Close the right nostril, 
 inhale in eight seconds through the left, re- 
 15 
 
 k/ 
 
114 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 strain or hold in sixteen seconds, exhale 
 through the right in eight seconds, hold out 
 sixteen seconds, inhale again through the 
 right, hold in, exhale through the left, hold 
 out, and so on for ten minutes. : Then take the 
 rapid breaths as before. 
 
 The length of time for development varies 
 in different persons, being dependent upon 
 sincerity and strength of purpose, tempera- 
 ment and method of life. Some may begin to 
 perceive phenomena after the second week 
 and others perhaps not until after long train- 
 ing. The phenomena will appear first in the 
 circular form. You may receive impressions 
 of friends a short time before meeting or 
 hearing from them, or perceive strains of 
 music or perfumes of flowers without any ap- 
 parent cause. Your perceptions will be 
 quickened and if you observe closely you will 
 note the improvement in many ways. 
 
 The short rapid breaths charge the body 
 with electricity which changes into magne- 
 tism and is stored away for future use. The 
 cross breathings change the texture of the 
 gray matter of the brain and spinal cord by 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 115 
 
 making it lighter and more sensitive. It is 
 the medium through which the spirit or inner 
 mind communicates with the outer or objec- 
 tive mind, and vice versa. When the breath 
 comes in at the right nostril it is electric and 
 positive; when it comes in at the left nostril it 
 is magnetic and negative. The two must be 
 in equilibrium and when one is in ill health 
 these breathings are not equal. By equaliz- 
 ing the breathing health may be restored. 
 
 The center of the stored- up energy of the 
 body which places one in immediate relation 
 with the higher vibratory forces, or that 
 which elevates to the Astral plane, is situated 
 at the base of the spinal column in the shape 
 of a, triangle. This latent force exists in every 
 human being and by the ancient Hindus was 
 termed the Ojas. It is connected with the 
 brain by two small nerve tracts. One is situ- 
 ated at the left of the spinal column and is 
 called the Ida, and the other one on the right 
 is called the Pingala. By practicing the Pran- 
 ayama breath the vibration is accelerated and 
 the Ojas forced to travel the Ida and Pingala 
 upward to the brain. When this is accoin- 
 
116 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 plished the Neophyte has harmonized his vi- 
 brations and raised them to the Astral plane, 
 thus bringing him in touch with the great in- 
 visible world of force and entities which exist 
 in direct proportion to the visible. 
 
 Another curious little structure is located 
 at the base of the brain, deep down within the 
 skull, and is called the "Pineal Gland." This 
 gland was known to the ancients and was 
 called by them the "All-Seeing Eye " or the 
 eye of the Soul. The Hindus called it the 
 "Eye of Siva," who was the third person of 
 the Hindu Trinity, and was the Regenerator 
 and Transformer as well as the Destroyer. 
 
 This gland is the center of intuition and in- 
 spiration in the brain, and its function is to 
 receive these delicate impressions and regis- 
 ter them in our consciousness so that we may 
 make use of them. 
 
 DAILY DRILL 
 
 After completing the breathing exercises 
 given for the fourth week the following exer- 
 cises may be taken up. For all breaths except 
 the concentration breath the position should 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 117 
 
 be as given for the Pranayama Breath. Al- 
 ways inhale through the nostrils, mouth closed, 
 until the abdomen is well extended, and the 
 lungs are filled to their fullest capacity, hold 
 the breath double the time it took for inhaling, 
 then exhale slowly and evenly, drawing the 
 abdomen in well towards the spine. Always 
 when inhaling hold to the thought that you 
 are receiving Divine Will, Peace, Power, life, 
 Knowledge, Health and Wisdom, while re- 
 straining hold to the thought that all these are 
 yours, and while exhaling, think that all hu- 
 man frailty, error, ignorance, weakness, dis- 
 ease and misery are going from you. When 
 inhaling always fill the lungs as full as pos- 
 sible and when exhaling always expel the 
 breath as completely as possible. 
 
 MORNING BREATHS 
 
 First Magnetic. — These morning breaths 
 are best taken just before breakfast. Stand 
 facing the East, chest bare, at an open win- 
 dow in the usual position. As you inhale raise 
 the arms until they are horizontal with the 
 shoulders, keeping the fingers rigid and apart. 
 
118 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 Now raise on the balls of the feet, taking in a 
 little more breath, holding the thought of Will 
 and increasing power from the beginning to 
 inhale, through the time of restraining, until 
 the moment you begin to exhale, then quickly 
 change to "Let all weakness go from me." 
 
 Second Magnetic or Pack Breath.— 
 Same as the preceding breath except that 
 when raised on the balls of the feet turn your 
 hands over quickly, palms upward, asking 
 mentally for more Will; then as you raise on 
 the toes, bring the arms forward until extend- 
 ed straight in front of you, asking for more 
 Will. Now close the hands slowly, as if draw- 
 ing or holding the thought. Bring them to 
 the chest, and after restraining the proper 
 time, exhale slowly, bring the arms back to 
 their first position and change the thought as 
 in previous breath. 
 
 Expansion Breath. — Stand as in First 
 Magnetic, except with the palms forward. 
 Inhale with a rush, raising the arms straight 
 lor- ward, then raise on balls of feet, then on 
 toes, asking for more Will, etc., and raising 
 the arms higher each time; restrain, then 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 119 
 
 change the thought and exhale, bringing 
 hands down to toes if possible, keeping the 
 limbs and knees rigid. 
 
 Breath for Balancing the Astral 
 Body. — Stand with the right foot in front of 
 the left as far as you comfortably can; hold 
 the thought to Universal Life. Sway forward, 
 bending the left foot until you rest on its toes, 
 inhaling; then backward, until the left foot 
 rests flat on the floor, bending the right foot 
 to the heel, exhaling. When you have gained 
 a steady movement begin by lifting the right 
 arm straight above the head, holding the hand 
 like a cup, droping the arm to the side as you 
 swing backward. Repeat this motion several 
 times, then go through the exercise using both 
 arms the same way, breathing in as you move 
 forward and out as you move backward. Then 
 reverse the movement, standing with the left 
 foot in front of the right and swinging the left 
 arm up and down, then both arms. 
 
 Second Movement. — Steady the body as 
 above, then with the forward swing bring 
 both arms up above the head, palms turned 
 in;" now drop the hands, touching the shoul- 
 
120 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 ders with the tips of the fingers, sweeping 
 downward, turning the palms back as they 
 fall to the side. 
 
 Third Movement. — Steady the body as at 
 first, then with the forward swing lift both 
 arms above the head, palms toward each other, 
 drop them until the fingers touch the head, 
 then drop the arms down and outward to the 
 side. 
 
 Balancing the Astral. No. 2.— Get the 
 rythmic swing of the body as in No. one; 
 stand with the right foot in advance of the left. 
 Hold the right hand straight in front of the 
 body, keeping the eyes fixed on the finger 
 nails. Begin to move forward, resting the 
 weight of the body more and more on the 
 right foot as you raise the left foot from the 
 floor, pushing the right hand farther and far- 
 ther forward, and bending the body forward 
 until you have perfectly balanced it, bringing 
 the right arm and left foot in line. Then re- 
 verse, using the left hand and right foot as 
 above, at the same time breathing in, restrain- 
 ing, and breathing out properly. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 121 
 
 NOON BkEATHS 
 
 Cane Drill. — Take usual position, except 
 put thumbs down at waist line, forefingers 
 down toward hips, palms backward. Inhale, 
 thinking of Will, and while restraining rise on 
 balls of feet and down live times before exhal- 
 ing, then change thought and- exhale.. 
 
 Cone Breath. — Same as above, except in-, 
 stead of rising on balls of feet, stand firmly 
 and while restraining breath bend the body 
 from waist line first to the right, then forward, 
 then to the left, then backward, five times 
 before exhaling. 
 
 Purification Breath. — For purifying the 
 thoughts. Cross the hands on the chest, 
 right hand over the left, thumbs meeting on 
 the collar bone. Inhale, and while inhaling 
 and restraining repeat mentally: '"0, breathe 
 on me. Inspiring Spirit Breath : give to my 
 soul revivifying power: quicken this fading 
 form that droops and dies, and lift my soul up 
 to its heavenly rest. " Exhale, drawing hands 
 down, separating them over the abdomen like 
 the figure eight, carrying them down as 
 though brushing away impurities. 
 16 
 
122 THh. LIVING FIRE 
 
 EVENING BREATHS 
 
 Concentration Breath. — Before com- 
 mencing this breath, affirm : "I am master of 
 my being and I will not give up its su- 
 premacy." 
 
 Sit down facing the East in a straight 
 backed chair, feet firmly on the floor, hands 
 over the knees and back erect, not touching 
 the chair. Fix your eyes on some light object, 
 then inhaie through the nose with the mouth 
 closed until the abdomen is well extended, 
 hold the breath twice as long as it took to in- 
 hale, then exhale slowly and evenly. To make 
 the method plainer, inhale while you count 
 eight, hold breath while you count sixteen, 
 then exhale while you count eight. While in- 
 haling always hold the thought that you are 
 breathing in life, health, success and knowl- 
 edge, that you are becoming atone with the 
 Divine, and while exhaling hold the thought 
 that you are breathing out disease, inharmony 
 and failure. Repeat this breathing for about 
 ten minutes, then cross your right hand over 
 the left on the abdomen, close the eyes, drop 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 123 
 
 the head, and sit motionless. Banish every 
 thought from the mind and sit in this way as 
 long as possible, but not less than twenty 
 minutes. If you feel sleepy, stop at once. 
 Practice this exercise at the same time every 
 day. Another good time to practice this exer- 
 cise is in the forenoon between ten and eleven 
 o'clock. 
 
 Ketiring Breath. — This is to be taken 
 the last thing before retiring at night. It is 
 based on the principle that the earth is mov- 
 ing about on its axis so rapidly that it creates 
 a magnetic atmosphere. It is a cobweb, the 
 terrestrial magnetism of the earth. Being on 
 the outside of the earth we are caught in the 
 whirl and wrapped in the cobweb. We want 
 to get rid of it before we sleep. We also come 
 in contact with people all day whose atmos- 
 phere we are apt to take on if we are negative. 
 We want to get rid of all this at night. We 
 take on the magnetism of everyone and every- 
 thing with which we come in contact during 
 the day, even from a letter. The motion of 
 the earth is always toward the right and to 
 unwind the cobweb we must move in the op- 
 
124 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 posite direction. After we are free from it we 
 can then draw the Spiritual'atmosphere from 
 the universe. After taking this breath, lie 
 down and do not speak another word before 
 going to sleep. 
 
 Stand facing the north ; throw off magnetism 
 from the shoulder, vigorously with both 
 hands at each point of the compass, turning 
 to the left, until you have turned completely 
 around three and one-half times, leaving off 
 at the South. 
 
 Stand on the balls of your feet, heels touch- 
 ing, hands in front of you, open with palms 
 down, until five breaths have been taken in the 
 usual manner (that i*, by inhaling, restrain- 
 ing, and exhaling); close hands, turn to the 
 right, back facing the North again, raise the 
 arms over the head, palms upward, cup shape, 
 and repeat: 
 
 "Oh, Thou most merciful and ever blessed 
 Providence, in whom I live, and move, and 
 have my being, grant that at this time all holy 
 and healing influences may descend, upon and 
 abide with me forevermore. " 
 
 Beginning at the North throw over your- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 125 
 
 self a magnetic current from above, from each 
 point of the compass, turning to the right 
 say :"Thou All-Life God;"second time around, 
 say: 'Oh, Thou, the Love Supreme;" third 
 time around at the North, say: "Illuminate 
 me with Thy Wisdom;" at the East, "Vivify 
 me with Thy Life;" at the South, "Purify me 
 with Thy Love;" at the West, "And grant 
 that in all I think and say" (at the North) 
 "and do "(at the east) "I may more and more 
 resemble Thee, the Divine." Stop at the 
 South. 
 
 Before going to sleep hold in your mind the 
 following beautiful Egyptian prayer : 
 
 "O Fatherhood, O Motherhood, thou blessed 
 Two in One, absorb me in the quenchless 
 glory of Thine Immortality, and let me ever- 
 more abide in Thee, and find my Soul's com- 
 pleteness, Amen!" 
 
 OTHER EXERCISES 
 
 Rest Breath. — Lie on your back, flat on 
 the floor, swing the right arm high above the 
 head, palm facing upward, fingers separated, 
 arm, hand, and fingers tense and rigid. Keep 
 
126 THE LIVING PIKE 
 
 this position two or three minutes, then relax 
 the arm and let it drop to the floor quickly. 
 Repeat three times, same with the left and 
 then both arms together, every time drawing 
 in the breath and keeping the mind steady on 
 a thought or principle. If you are very tired 
 after being up all night do the same with the 
 feet. This exercise is to be taken whenever 
 required. 
 
 Forest or Mercury Breath.— To be 
 taken in the open air at any time. Stand with 
 the hands at the side, step off with the right 
 foot, raise the right hand high over the head, 
 balancing on the ball of the right foot and toe 
 of the left, in the attitude of the Winged Mer- 
 cury, breathing in when raising the hand; 
 restrain, then drop the hand to the side while 
 exhaling; then raise hand and inhale again, 
 restrain, then drop hand and exhale. Repeat 
 twice. Repeat same with left hand and foot 
 twice. 
 
 Windmill Breath. — Can be taken any 
 time through the day. Stand in same posi- 
 tion as described above, with palms out. 
 Raise the right arm windmill or circular fash- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 127 
 
 ion, keeping palm out until high above the 
 head, inhaling breath and gradually raising 
 to toes. Hold breath, then gradually let arm 
 and foot down while exhaling. Keep logos or 
 thought steady in mind as in all breaths. Re- 
 peat with left arm and so alternating two or 
 three times. 
 
 Walking Breath. — In walking stand with 
 heels together, draw in a deep abdominal 
 breath, start with right foot and take seven 
 steps, breathing in and out with each step. 
 At the seventh step stand still and hold breath 
 while you count twelve; then go on, beginning 
 with the left foot, and so on indefinitely, al- 
 ways, in all breaths, holding to the thought of 
 Will. 
 
 Memory Breath. — Lie flat on back on the 
 floor, hold arms up over head, making hands 
 cup shape, with fingers tense and separated, 
 and try to feel the Astral Fluid flowing down 
 the fingers, thinking of nothing else. Keep 
 this position as long as you comfortably can 
 then let arms drop to side. While going 
 through with this, breathe in,, restrain, and 
 breathe out, as in all other exercises. This 
 
128 THE LIVING PIKE 
 
 will help to strengthen your memory and help 
 you to recall anything you have forgotten. 
 
 BREATH lO CURE NERVOUS PROSTRATION 
 
 Stand level on the feet, taking a deep full 
 inspiration, fuller and fuller, all the time mov- 
 ing the arms up and down, from the side to 
 right angles with the body. Continue the mo- 
 tion as long as you can hold the breath, then 
 exhale. 
 
 The foregoing exercises are important and 
 should be x^racticed thoroughly. They are 
 an excellent training for both body and mind, 
 as they strengthen the body and develop the 
 Will. No training is complete that does not 
 develop every part of the human being. The 
 body is the temple of the living god and must 
 be brought into harmony. 
 
 In training the Will you must practice hold- 
 ing thoughts. The breathing exercises then 
 have a three-fold object, viz: the strengthen- 
 ing of the body, developing the Astral and 
 training the Will. 
 
 DUALITY OP MIND 
 
 As we find duality existing throughout all 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 129 
 
 nature so we find the Ego manifesting through 
 two centers, called the active and the passive 
 mind. 
 
 The brain is the seat of the active mind, and 
 the Solar Plexus, a nerve center situated back 
 of and under the stomach, is the seat of the 
 passive mind. These two minds are also 
 called the positive and negative, the objective 
 and the subjective, and the conscious and sub- 
 conscious minds. 
 
 The action of the objective mind is in the ob- 
 jective world, the realm of sense. It obtains 
 all knowledge through the five physical senses, 
 but can be taught to receive impressions 
 through the sixth and seventh senses of intui- 
 tion and inspiration. It is called the con- 
 scious mind because through it we become 
 conscious of our individuality. It is the indi- 
 vidual mind while the sub-conscious is, or 
 connects directly with, the universal mind. 
 The sub-conscious mind receives knowledge 
 from the universal mind and the conscious 
 mind makes it our own and utilizes it. 
 
 The subconscious mind controls the action 
 of the involuntary organs of the body, and all 
 17 
 
130 THE LIVING F1KE 
 
 involuntary movements, while the conscious 
 mind controls the voluntary acts. The sub- 
 conscious mind is the seat of intuition; the 
 conscious mind the seat of reason, but the 
 intuitions of the subconscious must be regis- 
 tered in the conscious before we can recognize 
 or make use of them. 
 
 The subjective mind is always ready to act 
 upon any suggestion given to it by the objec- 
 tive mind and for this reason a sudden shock 
 will sometimes cause death. One can heal 
 himself of disease by making auto or self-sug- 
 gestions to the passive mind. A suggestion 
 repeated often and with sufficient force will 
 produce an effect. The active mind should 
 always control the subjective mind and does 
 in a well balanced person. 
 
 It is this tendency of the subjective mind 
 to respond to suggestion that causes us to 
 form habits. Habit is said to be "second na- 
 ture, "and this is very nearly true because the 
 subjective mind will continue doing the same 
 thing forever unless stopped by an action of 
 the Will. Stop and think how easy it is to 
 fall into a habit. Perform an act once or twice 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 131 
 
 and the habit is already formed, and the lon- 
 ger it continues the more fixed it becomes. 
 So we should be very careful to form good 
 habits instead of bad ones. We can educate 
 this passive mind in the right direction and 
 make it a wonderful power, for you can cause 
 it to do anything you will it to do, but many 
 persons have a weak Will and are governed 
 almost entirely by the subjective mind which 
 is the seat of the emotions. Such persons are 
 what we call emotional because they act upon 
 every impulse conveyed to the passive mind 
 without being governed by the reasoning fac- 
 ulty of the Will. Such persons are always 
 easily influenced by outside suggestions be- 
 cause they seldom stop to question the truth 
 or falsity of the suggestion but act upon it at 
 once. 
 
 The subjective mind is the creator. It is 
 through the action of this mind that the eth- 
 eric current evolves life from the germ and 
 causes the growth and development of the hu- 
 man being. 
 
 The Solar Plexus has been styled the "ab 
 dominal brain" and is the sun of the body. 
 
132 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 As the sun of the solar system gives life and 
 light to the Universe, so the Solar Plexus, or 
 inner sun, gives life to every part of the body. 
 It is a weakness of this organ that causes fear, 
 worry, premonition of evil, lack of confidence, 
 etc. The following breathing .exercise will be 
 found excellent for strengthening the Solar 
 Plexus and, therefore, giving more power and 
 strength to both body and mind. It is called 
 the 
 
 SOLAR PLEXUS METHOD. 
 
 Fill the lungs to their fullest capacity with 
 the chest expanded, then contract the chest 
 and force the air down into the abdomen, then 
 contract or draw in the abdomen and force the 
 air back into the lungs again. Alternate in 
 this manner several times before exhaling the 
 air. This exercise may be practiced several 
 times a day and especially when you are about 
 to give way to excitement, anger or any other 
 emotion. By the practice of this exercise 
 and training the Will you will soon be able to 
 control yourself under all circumstances. 
 
 TRAINING THE WILL 
 
 Magnetism, the living fire of the body, and 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 1.33 
 
 the Astral Fluid, the lire of the Universe, is 
 the instrument by which all phenomena is 
 produced, but Will is the power of Deity be- 
 hind the flame that uses and directs it. 
 
 In a treatise on Magic I find it written: 
 
 ""Will is the purpose of the Eternal One, 
 outwrought in existence, and its operations in 
 the outgrowth of more fully perfected mind 
 ages, will elevate mankind to the functions of 
 Deity by its triumphs." 
 
 "The power of faith is the power of Will, 
 the essence of Soul, and Soul's action in pro- 
 ducing forms and emulating the creative func- 
 tions of the Divine Will." 
 
 "Every Mystic, Sage, Magician and Psy- 
 chologist, every student, ancient or modern, 
 ranges the power of the Human Will in the 
 category of all Supreme Intelligence, and at- 
 tributes to its exercises the highest achieve- 
 ments of the true Magician." 
 
 "It is the Alpha and Omega of this mortal 
 life, as the Divine Will is the Alpha and Omega 
 of Being. It is the royal power by which mat- 
 ter bends before Spirit as the leaf bends and 
 sways in the rushing storm. " Another writer 
 says: 
 
134 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 "A life ungoverned by a developed Will 
 may be like the meteor, brilliant and interest- 
 ing for a time, but, like the meteor, its course 
 will be erratic, and its usual tendency down- 
 ward ; while the well-governed life is kept in 
 its orbit among the grand spaces, along a 
 purposeful, upward way. Man's Will is his 
 individualized God-power, and when conjoined 
 to the great ocean of force and intelligence in 
 which he, consciously or unconsciously, has 
 his being, his word becomes God's word, his 
 concentrated and projected thought the very 
 power of God in operation." 
 
 The true value of Will power, or Thought- 
 force is little recognized in this day and age 
 of the world. This power exists in embryo 
 in every human being and each individual may 
 develop it to such an extent that comparatively 
 few things will be impossible for his accom- 
 plishment. 
 
 The purpose of initiation or training in oc- 
 cultism, is to place the operations of the body 
 under the control of the Will: In freeing the 
 Ego from the dominion of the appetites, pas- 
 sions and whole lower nature. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 135 
 
 The first step to be taken then in the devel- 
 opment of soul power is the training of the 
 Will. Rites and ceremonies can only help to 
 accomplish this. There is no magic word by 
 which all things can be accomplished and it is 
 only by long training and practice and pains- 
 taking effort that the goal can be reached. 
 
 Every effort of the Will towards purification 
 and unity with the Higher Self breaks one of 
 the lower rays that would draw the Soul down 
 into darkness. 
 
 To attain success it is necessary to attain 
 independence of all those forces which by 
 their fatal and inevitable movement produce 
 failure. You must either command or obey. 
 The Will, when properly cultivated, acts with- 
 out fear and without desire, .self-possessed and 
 determined. To do this it must be free; it 
 must be omnipotent and omniscient. 
 
 To train the Will two things are necessary 
 to be done: 1st. To free the Will from servi- 
 tude; 2nd. After it is made free to exercise 
 it in control. It must first be freed from the 
 desires, appetites and passions of the lower 
 nature and made to control them. When the 
 
136 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 Will has gained control of all the forces of the 
 body it can then control outside forces. 
 
 The Will is developed and strengthened by 
 concentration, the Soul by meditation. 
 
 Concentration is the drawing in of the rays 
 of the mind from the exterior to the interior, 
 and holding it there. It is becoming self -cen- 
 tered, self-poised. When one can do this he 
 can do anything in the world. It is the secret 
 of power. It is the first thing to be learned in 
 occult training. 
 
 After you have learned to concentrate or 
 gather in all the forces of nature and hold 
 them, you will then be able to send them out 
 again by force of your Will. The difference 
 between sending out a thought from a trained 
 Will and sending out one from an untrained 
 Will may be illustrated by the blacksmith and 
 his hammer. If he should let the hammer 
 fall merely by its own weight he would accom- 
 plish nothing. But when he uses all the force 
 at his command he is able to strike a strong 
 blow, and the more the muscles of his arms 
 become developed the more his power in 
 creases. It is just the same in the develop- 
 ment of the Will. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 137 
 
 The mind is of no use until it can be held to 
 a point. When one can do that the Soul is 
 Master and then it begins to find its way in- 
 to the Self. 
 
 Meditation will purify the mind, cleansing 
 it of all impurities; it will strengthen and re- 
 new the memory; it brings the Soul into a 
 higher state of vibration where it can com- 
 municate with the Self. Every soul must 
 sometime attain its Divine end. 
 
 When you begin to meditate and force your 
 mind to work, your first inclination will be to 
 go to sleep. Therefore practice concentration 
 in the morning and in the evening after you 
 have rested and been refreshed. All your pro- 
 gress, and all the result you will gain from 
 your study, will be limited by your power of 
 concentration. 
 
 One of the most important phases of Concen- 
 tration, and one that must not be neglected, is 
 the practice of devoting a certain time each 
 day to a given exercise. The central idea is 
 that circumstances must be made to yield to 
 us, so we may conquer our environment in- 
 stead of being controlled by it. It is an easy 
 18 
 
138 THE LIVING PIKE 
 
 matter to control and open a way in your en- 
 vironments if you so will it. 
 
 Prepare a place in your own room, free 
 from all other personal influences; a whole 
 room, if possible; if not possible, partition off 
 a corner by hanging a curtain or arranging a 
 screen to form a small inclosure. Keep this 
 inclosure sacred to yourself. Spend one hour 
 each day if possible in this chamber to read, 
 study and concentrate. If you cannot spare 
 an hour, take fifteen minutes or thirty min- 
 utes at the same hour each day. 
 
 In concentration there are two enemies to 
 be overcome. These are thought and sleep. 
 You must gain control of your thoughts and 
 be able to center them on one thing, and you 
 must be able to concentrate thought without 
 going to sleep. 
 
 Holding the mind to a point is concentration. 
 You will have to fight the battle over and over 
 again. Never be discouraged but determine 
 that you will succeed. 
 
 Pew persons recognize the great waste of 
 mental power going on within them. In the 
 brain are many parts, each being a centre for 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 139 
 
 a certain operation of the mind, and each part 
 performing its own special function, an^l un- 
 less they are all made to act in unison by a 
 well- trained Will, they are like an army with- 
 out a leader, each man acting independently 
 of all the others, thereby causing confusion. 
 So when our thoughts are not in unison our 
 forces are scattered and we are unable to get 
 the desired results. In order to obtain power 
 each part of the brain must be brought into 
 line and compelled to act in unison with every 
 other part so that all may work together in 
 harmony and with a single purpose in view. 
 The thoughts must be concentrated or centered on 
 one thing. The mind must be trained so as to 
 center it on a single thought and hold it there 
 as long as desired. 
 
 The first efforts to center the mind on one 
 thing to the exclusion of all others will prob- 
 ably result in failure. It is necessary to do 
 this howe\er, and not only for five minutes 
 but for an hour if necessary until you become 
 so engrossed in thought as to be unconscious 
 of your surroundings. But still this is not 
 sufficient for you must go still further and be 
 
140 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 able to stop thinking when you wish. When 
 you can do this, and you can do it, the rest 
 will become easy. You will then be able to 
 direct the life currents and control the living 
 \flre. You can become popular; you can win 
 the love of others ; you can obtain happiness 
 and riches; you can build you a new body and 
 obtain that great blessing — health; you can 
 then "mount the steep heights of Achieve- 
 ment — the whole end of man's being." 
 
 The development of Will-power begins with 
 the simplest control of the muscular move- 
 ments of the body and develops into the con- 
 scious control of sensation, and conscious pro- 
 jection of Thought and Energy. 
 
 Concentration is the art of controlling both 
 the Mind and the Body by the will, and can be 
 attained only by a series of exercises which 
 develp the Will and schools the body to obey. 
 After gaining control of the body the Will can 
 then begin to discipline the mind, so that ap- 
 petite, desire, inattention, dissatisfaction, etc. 
 are brought into line and subjected to the con- 
 trol of the Will. When this has been accom- 
 plished, the Will can, with the assistance of 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 141 
 
 its allies, the mental forces, which had previ- 
 ously been unruly subjects, exercise its pow- 
 ers independently in many ways, such as in- 
 fluencing others, etc. But before the Will 
 can exercise its force upon another it must 
 dominate and control all the forces of its own 
 mind and body and it is only by a combination 
 of the forces of body and mind that the Will 
 can become independent and exercise the 
 functions that belong to it. 
 
 The only way to develop Will-power is to act, 
 and each act creates a new impulse, or more 
 Will-power. The Will that rules must be 
 drilled and trained and held to its object. The 
 law of use is the highest law of attainment. 
 The Will must be strengthened by use. 
 
 METHOD OF DEVELOPING WILL-POWER 
 
 The first form of exercise is to practice the 
 art of sitting still for at least tire minutes at a ti)ne. 
 This must be mastered alone, and when once 
 thoroughly attained, the practice may be com- 
 bined with the further exercises in concen- 
 tration. This is the^basic principle of all exer- 
 cises; that the body shall be brought under 
 
142 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 the control and observation of the Will, so that 
 all involuntary movements may be checked. 
 You will be surprised to note how many in- 
 voluntary movements you naturally perform 
 in five minutes. This exercise is for the pur- 
 pose of checking all movements not directed 
 by the Will. 
 
 The second form of exercise is to bring the 
 muscular movements of the body under the control 
 of the Will. Practice bringing the Will into 
 operation by performing exercises under its 
 direction. This is to bring the attention un- 
 der the control of the Will. Sit in a chair with 
 the hands lying palms upward, in the lap. 
 Bend each finger and thumb slowly one by 
 one of each hand until the hand is closed; then 
 open each one separately until each hand lies 
 open upon the lap. Continue this exercise 
 for five minutes and notice how much it will 
 tire you to keep your attention wholly fixed 
 upon the action. 
 
 Next sit in a chair and raise the left arm 
 slowly in a curve and let it rest lightly against 
 the back of the neck. Watch for trembling 
 of the nerves while you slowly perform this 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 143 
 
 exercise. Count five then slowly bring each 
 arm back to its previous position with the 
 hand resting upon your lap. Practice for five 
 minutes. 
 
 Now stand upon your feet with your right 
 arm extended on a level with your shoulder, 
 walk across the floor and touch a mark upon 
 the wall opposite you. Turn around and use 
 the left arm in same manner and touch a mark 
 on the opposite wall. Walk straight and touvh 
 the mark. Practice until perfect. 
 
 Now walk on tiptoe, the balls of the feet 
 touching the floor, and practice the last exer- 
 cise. Walk straight and touch the mark. 
 Practice until perfect. You can introduce as 
 many exercises as you desire bearing upon 
 the control of the muscular action by the Will, 
 but the above will give yon the needed train- 
 ing. 
 
 The third form of exercise is the control of the 
 breathing, or breathing under the direction of 
 the Will, which can be mastered by practicing 
 the breathing exescises already given. 
 
 In nothing more than in the act of breath- 
 ing is the involuntary action shown forth. 
 
144 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 Until this training is mastered you do not 
 breathe as you will to breathe but as you think 
 you are compelled to breathe. You breathe 
 spasmodically asd especially you exhale with 
 a rush. Practice control of the breathing up- 
 on all occasions and all your life. The breath- 
 ing exercises are not for a week or a month 
 or a year, then to be laid aside. It is for your 
 whole life, extending the number of seconds 
 in inhaling, holding, and exhaling the breath 
 according to your development of lung capac- 
 ity. The lungs are the gateway of life. 
 
 In the fourth form of exercise we advance 
 from the control of the physical to a control of the 
 mental functions. 
 
 Sit in a chair with your hands resting on 
 your lap. Practice looking at an object stead- 
 ily for one minute without winking, putting 
 your whole attention upon it and thinking of 
 nothing else. When the minute is up take 
 another object and do the same thing, all the 
 time keeping your attention firmly fixed upon 
 it. Practice until perfect. 
 
 Next sit in a chair with your muscles re- 
 laxed, hold some small object in your hand 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 145 
 
 and center your attention upon it. Keep your 
 thoughts upon it and do not let them wander. 
 Make yourself become unconscious of all else 
 except the object in your hand. When you 
 can do this you are controlling the wandering 
 thoughts of your intellect, and making the at- 
 tention the servant of the Will. Do not allow 
 yourself to become drowsy. You must re- 
 main awake. Choose simple objects and prac- 
 tice five minutes at a time. Gradually increase 
 the time until you are able to fix your atten- 
 tion upon one object for ten or fifteen minutes 
 at a time. 
 
 The next exercise is more difficult but more 
 interesting. Seat yourself in a chair and re- 
 lax your muscles. Call up in your memory 
 the face of someone you know. Close your 
 eyes and proceed to reconstruct the face of 
 your friend. Put in every f eatn re separately ; 
 eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, cheek, chin, hair 
 and shape of face. Don't hurry. At first 
 each feature as soon as you have recalled it 
 will slip back into obscurity; your work is to 
 make this face grow feature by feature until 
 you have it perfectly pictured on your mind's 
 19 
 
146 THE LIVING PIKE 
 
 canvas. Practice until perfect. Practice 
 with a different person for a model every day. 
 When you become perfect, the face will appear 
 and disappear at your pleasure or command. 
 YOutjan vary this exercise by painting a land- 
 scape instead of a face in your mind, or you 
 can cause a flower to grow. Choose only 
 scenes which have once made a deep impres- 
 sion upon your memory. 
 
 Now while seated in your chair with mus- 
 cles relaxed, take in your hand a picture of a 
 landscape or a portrait wh'kSh you have not 
 seen before. Look at it intently for a moment, 
 then close your eyes and 'reconstruct the pic- 
 ture in your mind. Practice this until perfect. 
 It is for the purpose of developing retentive- 
 ness. 
 
 The next exercise is an important one and 
 when you can succeed in it you have made a 
 great stride toward the goal. Be seated in a 
 chair with muscles relaxed, fix your attention 
 upon one hand, and hold in your mind the sen- 
 sation of heat. Concentrate the feeling of 
 heat upon the hand by a strong and steady 
 effort of Will. In a little while it will begin to 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 147 
 
 feel warm, will look heated and the veins will 
 become distended. You have performed a 
 seeming miracle. By your concentrated Will 
 you have directed the blood to your hand. It 
 is your first successful feat in influencing the 
 matter of your body by your Will. 
 
 Now you must reverse the experiment 
 which will be still more difficult, as it will be 
 the tendency of the mind to repeat its triumph 
 and send the blood to the hand, but this you 
 must not allow. You must make the hand 
 cold and numb. U'nder the direction of your 
 Will the blood will recede from the extremi- 
 ties, leaving them cold and bloodless. 
 
 Now while seated in a chair with the mus- 
 cles relaxed create the sensation of pain in your 
 temples. Concentrate upon this until the 
 temples throb and ache in response to the 
 pressure of blood upon the nerves. Practice 
 this at every sitting until you succeed. 
 
 Now reverse the experiment, directing the 
 blood away from the extremities. The fore- 
 head will become cool and the throbbing cease. 
 
 When you have perfected the foregoing con- 
 centrate your attention upon sleep. Seat 
 
148 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 yourself in a chair with your muscles relaxed. 
 Direct the blood to leave the head; direct the 
 breathing to become easy and without effort; 
 direct yourself to become drowsy and the eye- 
 lids heavy; direct the thoughts to be of ease, 
 weariness and forgetl'ulness. • Direct yourself 
 to sleep. This sleep induced by your Will is 
 the true sleep and, when once mastered, will 
 be an invaluable ally. If you have carefully 
 and persistently followed the training it will 
 not be difficult to attain. 
 
 When you have mastered the act of sleeping 
 at will, direct how long you shall sleep, 
 whether five minutes or five hours. When 
 the Will thus impresses a command upon the 
 subconscious mind, the latter must obey. 
 Direct that you shall sleep for five minutes, 
 then awaken. Then direct that you shall sleep 
 ten minutes then awaken. You can make 
 good use of this exercise by directing with a 
 .strong determined Will before going to sleep 
 at night that you shall awaken at a certain 
 time in the morning. If you do this a few 
 times you will soon need no alarm clock to 
 awaken you in the morning. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 149 
 
 You have now become able to govern the 
 functions of both mind and body in some of 
 their manifestations but you must go still fur- 
 ther and learn to govern them in all. 
 
 Now while seated in a chair recall to your 
 mind some distressing circumstance that has 
 troubled you a great deal. Go over its details 
 in your mind, then by a powerful effort of 
 Will dismiss it from your mind entirely. Com- 
 mand pleasant thoughts to appear in place of 
 the unpleasant ones, and direct your mind to 
 become tranquil. If you have persevered in 
 your training you can do it. Your training 1 
 has made it possible. You can shut out disa- 
 agreeable things at will. It is not that you 
 feel less but your Will has become Master. 
 When you can do this with recollections you 
 can do it with actual occurrences and be al- 
 ways able to master yourself under the most 
 distressing circumstances. 
 
 Now rid yourself of all undesirable habits. 
 During the day while at work think of them 
 one by one and put the ban of your Will upon 
 them. The depraved appetite is a creature of 
 the mind and is always Under the control of 
 
150 THL LIVING FIRE 
 
 the Will if you have trained the Will to assert 
 itself. Away with then all. Do not seek Pity, 
 Sympathy, Forgiveness or Excuse for your 
 indulgence. These are not for you as Master 
 of your Sensations, Appetites and Passions. 
 You are Master of your own Eate. Let noth- 
 ing" stand between you and the exercise of 
 your authority. Break all these habits. You 
 can do it. You must do it before you can exer- 
 cise the independent functions of the Will. 
 
 When you have reached this stage of devel- 
 opment you can relieve any pain in yourself, 
 no matter where it may appear. Then, by 
 your concentrated effort, repair the disorder 
 in the system and restore harmony to the 
 nerves. All functional derangements are 
 amenable to the control of the Will. Thus the 
 Will governs the Mind, and the Mind governs 
 the Body. 
 
 When you have perfected this dominion of 
 Will in yourself and for your own use, you 
 will then be able to use it upon others. But 
 do not expect to be able to direct it outside of 
 yourself until you have tirst established its 
 supremacy within. 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 151 
 
 The Will has grown strong and powerful by 
 exercise and now you must conserve and pre- 
 serve that power. You must do this by being 
 temperate in all things. Curb your wander- 
 ing desires and bring them under the control 
 of the Will and keep them there. 
 
 PERSONAL MAGNETISM 
 
 Personal Magnetism is that quality in a per- 
 son which consciously or unconsciously influ- 
 ences others. It is the power by which one 
 person may enforce his opinions or ideas upon 
 another so that they are accepted. It is that 
 quality of attractiveness which radiates out- 
 ward from the individual, and has the effect of 
 a magnetic or drawing power. It is two fold 
 in its nature, having both the electric or posi- 
 tive quality, which impels and repels, and the 
 magnetic or negative quality which attracts. 
 It is capable of being directed by the Will, or 
 it may be projected unconsciously through 
 the subconscious mind. When the aim of the 
 individual is high and spiritual this force 
 unites with the Divine Spirit and becomes 
 Spiritual Magnetism and is a very desirable 
 
152 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 quality; when its aim is material and evil it 
 works independently and of itself. 
 
 Spiritual Personal Magnetism is a very de- 
 sirable quality and may be acquired by all 
 who really desire it. It is neither more nor 
 less than a pleasing individuality. Any per- 
 son who possesses the charm of pleasing, who 
 has the happy faculty of attracting and hold- 
 ing others, are what we call magnetic. The 
 orator who holds his audience spell-bound does 
 so through his Personal Magnetism. 
 
 Personal magnetism consists of those quali- 
 ties which we admire and which make the 
 possesser very attractive. It is really a let- 
 ting of the soul shine through and the secret 
 is love. 
 
 Persons may attract us on account of beauty 
 appealing to our sense of the beautiful; they 
 may be highly educated and dazzle us with 
 their intellectual powers, they may be good 
 listeners as well as good talkers, or they may 
 sympathize with us and find a place in our 
 hearts. 
 
 In order to become magnetic one must 
 either be good or appear to be so. He must 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 153 
 
 take an interest in those about him, must 
 study character and human nature, and strive 
 to please, but without losing any of his own 
 individuality in any way. He must be self- 
 poised. 
 
 Study the characteristics of the people 
 whom you meet, study their likes and dislikes, 
 and converse on topics that will interest them. 
 Learn to be a good listener which is as great 
 an art as to be a good talker and one to which 
 comparatively few people attain. 
 
 Never argue with a person whom you wish 
 to influence in your favor, for argument will 
 immediately put them on the defensive and 
 render them positive and an antipathy, how- 
 ever slight, is created. They must be in a 
 negative or receptive condition to be influ- 
 enced. Use what is commonly called " tact. " 
 Have an object in view and continually keep 
 that object in mind. Center your full thought 
 upon it. Always be self-possessed, and study 
 grace in your manner and dress. All these 
 points are acted suggestions. 
 
 A very important requisite for the acquire- 
 ment of Personal Magnetism is good health. 
 20 
 
154 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 A body drained of nervous energy is a body 
 without Magnetism. Magnetism is generated 
 in the body and directed by the Will and thus 
 Personal Magnetism ' . attribute both of 
 body and mind, and is stored up as a force in 
 the nervous system. A person in ill health 
 keeps the supply constantly used up and con- 
 sequently cannot be very magnetic. But 
 with a well-balanced physical constitution, a 
 positive, energetic nature, a thoroughly 
 trained Will, the development o. .e eyes and 
 voice and the confidence in your ability ac- 
 quired by experience and practice you are 
 equipped to undertake almost any task with 
 every assurance of success. 
 
 TRAINING THE EYES 
 
 The two great factors in the cultivation of 
 Personal Magnetism are the training of the 
 eyes and the voice. 
 
 In order to develop the fascinating, or stead- 
 fast gaze, you must look straight into the eyes 
 of the one you want to influence, and direct 
 the gaze of each of your eyes into the eye 
 directly opposite, that is, your right eye 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 155 
 
 should look straight into his left, and your 
 left into his right. 
 
 To do this you must apparently look through 
 the eyes as if look:~^ at; .something far beyond, 
 or as if the other person's eyes were a pair of 
 opera glasses and you were looking through 
 them and not at them. Do not look with a va- 
 cant stare, but intently and with your mind 
 cencentratedupon the suggestion you are giv- 
 ing. You can practice by taking a photograph 
 and gazing ' jit steadily, eye looking into eye, 
 for a minute at a time without winking but not 
 long enough to strain the eyes. It will require 
 considerable practice before you are able to 
 accomplish this, as it is the tendency of the 
 eyes to both look at the same object, and the 
 attempt to see clearly, involuntarily turns 
 both eyes to the same point and you lose the 
 direct gaze. When you have acquired the di- 
 rect gaze, the muscles of the eyeballs are at 
 rest, the eyes are looking straight forward, 
 and relaxed, there is no strain upon the eyes 
 anc 1 they can be held in this position a long 
 time without winking. With this fascinating 
 or fixed gaze, the whole expression of the eyes 
 
156 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 is different, and take on a stern impressive 
 appearance without looking fierce or cross. 
 It is this steady piercing gaze that fascinates 
 or overcomes, in the same manner that cer- 
 tain animals fascinate people or other animals, 
 and a serpent charms a bird. This acquire- 
 ment is of great value and warrants persist- 
 ent effort and repeated trials until you are 
 able to gain this control of your eyes. Re- 
 member that when your eyes are set in this 
 manner, they are relaxed, the pupils are di- 
 lated, and you cannot see distinctly the eyes 
 of your subject, because your eyes are focused 
 way beyond, but to the one you are looking 
 at they have a very powerful expression. 
 
 The direct gaze has a two-fold value: the 
 power to influence others, and the power to 
 prevent being influenced by them, the latter* 
 for the reason that you are not really looking 
 into their eyes, but through them, and cannot 
 see them distinctly and therefore cannot be 
 influenced by their expression. 
 
 HARMONIZING THE VOICE 
 
 The tones of the voice must be harmonized 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 157 
 
 so they may be neither shrill, coarse nor harsh, 
 but sweetly musical. Not only this but to in- 
 fluence others you must understand your voice 
 and know how to use it. Many people are able 
 to influence those with whom they come in 
 contact to a wonderful degree simply by their 
 voice. In giving oral suggestions there is no 
 greater or more influential agent than the in- 
 flection of the human voice. Cultivate a me- 
 lodius, rich, and above all, a harmonious voice, 
 and then learn to give it the proper inflection 
 and emphasis and you will find it a wonderful 
 aid in securing to you the affection and good- 
 will of others and its cultivation adds greatly 
 to your Personal Magnetism. 
 
 The human voice is the expression of a musi- 
 cal instrument more wonderful than any ever 
 yet invented, and in its tones lurk the harmon- 
 ies which will lead men's souls to the heights 
 of heaven, or lure them on to the depths of 
 hell. 
 
 TO PROJECT PERSONAL MAGNETISM 
 
 In Personal Magnetism we again observe 
 the dual forces, namely, the positive, or con- 
 
158 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 trolling force, the negative or attracting force, 
 and the union of both which is equilibrium, 
 thus forming the trinity. 
 
 By the exercise of the positive force you 
 project your magnetism upon others by the 
 power of your Will and thus cause them to do 
 your bidding, just as in your battle with the 
 faculties of your mind and the organs of your 
 body, you bring them all under the control of 
 your Will. 
 
 By the exercise of the negative, or attract- 
 ing quality, you draw to yourself, the esteem, 
 respect and love of your associates. 
 
 The positive is valuable in controlling; the 
 negative is valuable in attracting, and, by unit- 
 ing the two forces you can both attract and 
 control. 
 
 A good experiment to test your power on 
 another is to fasten your attention upon some- 
 one walking in front of you on the street, or 
 sitting in front of you upon a car. While gaz- 
 ing fixedly at the person, concentrate the 
 whole force of your Will upon him, holding in 
 your mind the thought: "I will you to turn 
 around and look at me." If you do not sue- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 159 
 
 ceed at the first trial, keep trying until you 
 do succeed. Practice is necessary to make 
 your work effective and if you have developed 
 your will-power sufficiently you will succeed. 
 
 For a second experiment, take someone who 
 has shown a dislike to you. In this experi- 
 ment you must exercise both positive and neg- 
 ative qualities of your Magnetism. Meet the 
 person face to face, if possible, and speak 
 pleasantly to him for a few moments, then 
 concentrate forcibly upon this thought: "I 
 will you to feel my influence, I will you to be 
 attracted to me, and that you will feel my in- 
 fluence continually, you will think of me, and 
 you cannot resist being drawn to me." Your 
 thought will be impressed upon the other per- 
 son's subconscious mind and he will act upon 
 it unconsciously to himself. 
 
 As a test of your power to influence others 
 at a distance by an effort of your Will try the 
 following : 
 
 Select any person you may choose and say 
 to yourself: "I will that this person, calling 
 him by name, to feel my influence, I will him 
 to sit down and write to me." If the person 
 
160 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 is receptive he will receive the thought and 
 often act upon it. 
 
 All the powers of man are developed and 
 mature slowly by use. They do not come to 
 us full-grown. The same law of development 
 must be followed in the mental as in the physi- 
 cal sphere. As the muscles developed by 
 exercise have strength to endure fatigue so 
 the mental faculties and nerve force developed 
 by use has strength to endure and it accumu- 
 lates with use. 
 
 A FEW RULES TO BE OBSERVED 
 
 1. Do not hurry through the experiments. 
 Haste delays development. Above all things 
 you must be patient. "Patience is the highest 
 Nirvana," says the Hindu. In the slow, calm, 
 deliberate and determined mastery of every 
 step lies the secret of success. 
 
 2. Always appear calm and self-possessed. 
 In performing any act always do so with the 
 consciousness that you are using only a part 
 of your magnetic force — that you have a tre- 
 mendous force in reserve. 
 
 3. Avoid making nervous or jerky move- 
 
TRAINING IN OCCULTISM 161 
 
 merits. Quick jerky movements cause you to 
 lose magnetism. A quick jerk of the hand 
 throws off magnetism as it does water when 
 the hand is wet. Those persons who move in 
 easy sweeping curves are generally well- 
 rounded out in their physical make-up, while 
 those who make quick jerky movements are 
 lean and scrawny in consequence because so 
 much of their magnetism is thrown off. 
 
 4. Do not be conceited or vain. Value 
 yourself for just what you are worth, no 
 more, no less, but believe in yourself thor- 
 oughly. Follow your experiments persist- 
 ently and know that you have in yourself all the 
 power you need to develop. All power is 
 within. 
 
 5. Observe the manners of refined society. 
 Never speak of yourself or your powers unless 
 forced to do so. Do not seek the approbation 
 of others as that is weakness. As soon as 
 you learn to take it at its true worth it will be 
 lavished upon you. Your consciousness of 
 power is all the approbation you need. 
 
 6. Above all, be silent, Do not tell your 
 secrets to others. Do not boast of your knowl- 
 
 21 
 
162 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 edge. Great men are always reserved and 
 self-reliant. "Still waters run deepest." 
 The shallow brook rolls noisily along, but the 
 deep river is silent in its flow. By reserving 
 your knowledge you increase your capacity 
 to receive more and to reserve what you have. 
 When you have once told your secret it is 
 yours no longer. To babble of what you 
 know is a sign of weakness. The gaeatest 
 forces of nature are silent forces. Be ye like 
 them. Learn to Know, Will, Dare and be 
 Silent. 
 
The Latent Powers 
 
 1 JERETOFORE we have given our attention 
 * * to the development of the Will, or Soul 
 Power, which is one of the chief aims of na- 
 ture. Therein lies the great secrets of the 
 teachings of Magic. When the Will is prop- 
 erly developed one can, at pleasure, raise him- 
 self above the ordinary conditions of life. He 
 can leave the scene of grief and misery and 
 ascend into the pure soul sphere, and upon 
 entering this sphere his whole being will thrill 
 with an indescribable happiness. 
 
 After the student has developed his will ac- 
 cording to the instructions given in the last 
 chapter he is in a position to direct it to pro- 
 duce various phases of phenomena and use it 
 in his daily life with great benefit to himself 
 and others. One of the most useful phases of 
 soul power is 
 
 TELEPATHY OR; THOUGHT TRANSFERANCE 
 
 To be able to project the thought out into 
 space by concentration of the mind that it is 
 
 363 
 
164 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 received by the subconscious mind of another, 
 there transmitted to the brain, or conscious 
 mind, of that person, causing him to act in ac- 
 cordance therewith is indeed a wonderful 
 power. 
 
 I will record here one single instance in my 
 own experience, of actual thought transfer- 
 ence, which shows conclusively that the power 
 exists and can be further developed to a won- 
 derful degree. 
 
 Some years ago while at work in a manu- 
 facturing establishment where many others 
 were employed, and-being somewhat inexperi- 
 enced in that line of work, it became quite 
 necessary that I obtain certain information 
 regarding it, and I was minded to inquire of 
 the lady next to m e who was more experienced, 
 but being rather timid, hesitated to do so. 
 So intense was my desire to ask the question 
 and obtain the desired information that this 
 thought dominated my mind to the exclusion 
 of all others. As my desire for the knowl- 
 edge increased my timidity increased also, 
 and, after arguing the question in my mind 
 for some minutes I had finally decided not to 
 
THE LATENT POWERS 165 
 
 ask the question and to perform the work to 
 the best of my ability and let it go at that. 
 
 At this juncture the lady next to me of 
 whom I desired to obtain the knowledge sud- 
 denly addressed me, asking if I knew such 
 and such things about the work, which were 
 the very things I had been desiring to ask 
 her. Upon my reply in the negative she then 
 gave me the desired information without any 
 request upon my part. 
 
 I then said to her, "Anna, how did you hap- 
 pen to tell me this just now when you had 
 never spoken of it before?" She replied, "I 
 don't know. I just happened to think of it 
 and thought I would tell you." But I knew 
 that the thought wave sent out from my mind 
 by intense concentration had been received by 
 her subconscious mind, transmitted to her 
 conscious mind, and caused her to respond to 
 my desire, although she was entirely uncon- 
 scious of the cause, neither had I made any 
 effort to influence her. 
 
 But thought may be transfered consciously 
 to both the sender and the recipient. 
 
 Telepathy is more easily established be- 
 
166 TRE LIVING FIRE 
 
 tween persons having a warm magnetic at- 
 traction for each other. In order to practice 
 telepathy you should first become en rapport 
 with the person with whom you wish to com- 
 municate. Do this by breathing together un- 
 til you naturally fall into the' same rythm of 
 breathing. In this way establish your tele- 
 graph wire and then wherever you go you will 
 extend that wire between you. 
 
 Telepathy brings into action both the posi- 
 tive and negative powers of the Soul, the posi- 
 tive on the part of the one sending the mes- 
 sage, and thp negative or receptive power on 
 the part of the one receiving it, and if the ex- 
 periment is not a success it may be the fault 
 of either the sender or the receiver, and, for 
 this reason, both should have been through a 
 thorough training in occultism. The one who 
 sends the message should have a thoroughly 
 trained will so he may be able to concentrate 
 sufficiently to project his thought upon the 
 consciousness of his friend, and the one who 
 is to receive the message must be able to put 
 himself in a receptive condition. 
 
 Having perfected the conditions decide upon 
 
THE LATENT POWERS 167 
 
 the hour when your friend will listen for the 
 message. Sit down at that hour and concen- 
 trate your Will powerfully upon . any thought 
 you desire to send. Use only a single thought 
 at first to avoid confusion. Your friend may 
 get it as a verbal message but more often it 
 will come as an impression. Have your friend 
 write down what he gets and see if it is cor- 
 rect. Also have your friend project his own 
 thought in the same manner and you try to 
 catch it. By practice you will get so you can 
 send and receive at the same time. 
 
 TO PROJECT THE ASTRAL BODY 
 
 When you retire at night lay upon your 
 back, close your eyes and with the lids still 
 closed roll your eyeballs toward the nose and 
 slightly downward, as if trying to see your 
 breath escaping from the nostrils. First give 
 yourself a suitable suggestion as to the time 
 you wish to awake, concentrate very strongly 
 upon some friend whom you wish to visit and 
 will that you shall appear to that friend. Keep 
 your mind thus concentrated for several min- 
 utes. Then imagine that you see your breath 
 
168 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 emanating from your nostrils as a white vapor. 
 Continue this until you pass into the trance 
 sleep, which greatly resembles natural sleep. 
 If you have developed sufficient strength of 
 will and are able to concentrate strongly 
 enough you can make your presence known 
 to your friend. 
 
 Do not at first indulge this power too often. 
 It is a strange power and proves the independ- 
 ent action of the Soul. 
 
 STATUVOLENCE, OR SOUL CONTROL 
 
 The Soul is the real master of the body and 
 should control it in every respect, and can do 
 so by its one attribute of Will, if it is made 
 strong by deep breathing and development; 
 but it has to be taught to use its wonderful 
 powers. The human Soul has invincible 
 powers and is kept from using them only by 
 ignorance. The Soul must learn to know and 
 use its powers to do whatever it will, without 
 physical instruments, with or without the 
 material body. It must realize that it is a 
 personal entity, a real and distinct being, and 
 capable of acting independently of the body 
 
THE LATENT POWERS 169 
 
 which it uses only as an instrument to express 
 its Will. 
 
 Statuvolence is a condition of the Soul con- 
 trolling the body. This is done by making 
 the body passive and the Soul active, or posi- 
 tive, and is accomplished by concentration. 
 The following is a good method: 
 
 Relax the body and make it as passive as 
 possible and the Soul calm and strong by its 
 own Will-power. Then sit down in a quiet 
 place, put the feet separate upon the floor 
 with one hand upon each knee. Close the eyes 
 and think of some distant object or place up- 
 on the earth, or think of the moon, or some 
 distant planet, and continue thinking of it and 
 going towards it in your imagination until you 
 can see it plainly. You must not remove your 
 thoughts-from that place or thing but must 
 think of that and nothing else until you forget 
 all about the body, and are not conscious of 
 any hurt or injury done to the body. 
 
 By this process the Soul may leave the body 
 in a healthy, passive condition, and soar away 
 without it and go where it desires, by concen- 
 trating its thought on that place and willing 
 22 
 
170 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 to go there, and may see and describe persons 
 and things and make such wonderful revela- 
 tions as only a human soul can make. 
 
 This is, without doubt, the condition of John, 
 on the Isle of Patmos, when he was carried 
 away in the Spirit. 
 
 In this condition the Soul can leave the body, 
 go and treat others by the power of Will. To 
 do this the operator should first become stat- 
 uvolent, all the time concentrating his will 
 upon what he desires to do, and strongly will 
 that he will do so and he will be able to do it. 
 
 It is wonderful what the Soul can do, and 
 see, and Know, while yet inhabiting and con- 
 trolling the human body, and we know not 
 how much more it may be able to do when 
 free from its tenement of clay. None can 
 limit the powers and capacities of the human 
 Soul. 
 
 THE PASSIVE POWERS OF THE SOUL 
 
 The powers of the Soul are divided into two 
 classes, the positive or active powers and the 
 negative or passive powers. Heretofore we 
 have given attention to the development of the 
 
 
THE LATENT POWERS 171 
 
 positive powers, such as the development of 
 the Will, Personal Magnetism, Telepathy, Pro- 
 jection of the Astral Spirit, etc., but now we 
 will take up the study of the passive powers 
 and learn how to develop them. The passive 
 powers are Psychometry, Clairvoyance, Clair- 
 audience, Somnambulism, Intuition, Illumina- 
 tion, etc., and may be developed after the 
 student has perfected concentration. 
 
 They are passive phenomena, introduced 
 into the subconscious mind, and are not evoked 
 by exercise of the Will. When the student is 
 able to concentrate perfectly he will be able 
 to become absolutely passive or receptive at 
 Will, and then the phenomena of psychometry, 
 clairvoyance, etc., will manifest itself to him 
 if he so desires. ; 
 
 PSYCHOMETRY, OR SOUL MEASURING 
 
 In esoteric lore Psychometry is a new name 
 for an old Science. It is the science of clear 
 feeling. It is a wonderful faculty of the hu- 
 man Soul and may developed in most persons 
 by the proper training. 
 
 The following is a good method for develop- 
 ing this faculty : 
 
172 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 If the person to be read is present you 
 should take his positive right hand in your 
 negative left hand, because he gives off with 
 his right hand, and you take on with your left 
 hand; let both breathe together for a minute 
 or so until both get into a passive condition with 
 the current flowing from him to you. You 
 will soon begin to feel mentally his condition, 
 character and disease. Do not form any opin- 
 ions of your own but just tell what you feel 
 about his character, condition, or disease, his 
 business or family. Simply tell what comes 
 to you. A little practice in this way will soon 
 perfect the psychometric powers of those who 
 have any talent at all in this direction. All 
 persons with large perception, intuition and 
 passivity have the proper psychometric fac 
 ulties. 
 
 If the person is not present you must have 
 some article recently handled by him and not 
 touched by others, or a lock of hair. 
 
 Whatever object you may be reading from 
 always hold it in your left hand and sit passive 
 as before described and speak or write down 
 with your right hand whatever comes. 
 
THE LATENT POWERS 173 
 
 CLAIRVOYANCE 
 
 or clear seeing, or clear voyage, is the seeing 
 of things near or distant, physical or spiritual, 
 and is natural to some persons. Other per- 
 sons may be made clairvoyant by the proper 
 mesmeric treatment. It is one stage of mes- 
 merism, but is more difficult to attain than 
 the other stages. With some persons it re- 
 quires great effort and unceasing trials. 
 Many fail because they are easily discouraged 
 by the first results or lack of results. In 
 many cases it requires great perseverence 
 and a resort to numerous agencies. 
 
 Any person who wishes to become -clairvoy- 
 ant should follow the instructions given for 
 statuvolence. all the while earnestly desiring 
 and directing his thoughts to that end. To be 
 mesmerized by a good operator will often 
 greatly aid in developing clairvoyance. It 
 should be remembered that fear, doubt, ner- 
 vous agitation, coarse habits, bad intent, and 
 similar influences, will retard the student's 
 progress, or render his efforts entirely worth- 
 less. 
 
174 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 To develop clairvoyance, psychometry or 
 any of the Soul's spiritual powers regularity 
 in the sittings must be observed. You must 
 sit as nearly as possible at the same hour every 
 day, practice concentration ,to get into the 
 proper receptive state and then take note of 
 what you see or feel. 
 
 CL AIRAUDIE NCE 
 
 or clear hearing may be developed in the same 
 way, only you seem to hear, not* a physical 
 sound, but the voice of the spirit speaking 
 within you. Clairaudience can be developed 
 by practice the same as the other soul powers. 
 
 INTUITION 
 
 Intuition is the delicate appreciation of im- 
 pressions received through the medium of the 
 subtle or universal fluid acting upon the spirit 
 of a human being. 
 
 It is the soul's method of obtaining knowl- 
 edge, and may relate to either the past, pres- 
 ent or future. It is a knowing without the 
 process of reasoning. 
 
 It will be greatly developed by meditation 
 
THE LATENT POWERS 175 
 
 and listening to the impressions received, and 
 acting upon them. By observation and prac- 
 tice you will soon get so you can depend upon 
 your intuition to guide and direct you aright. 
 Always if you wish information upon any sub- 
 ject, concentrate strongly upon it at night be- 
 fore going to sleep, and follow the impression 
 received in the morning in regard to it. 
 
Healing 
 
 •^pHERE exists in nature a universal and 
 ^ imperishable element which is not only 
 the Creative Force, but also the Life Princi- 
 ple and healing agent of the Universe. It is 
 the infinite and eternal Spirit of Life, the liv- 
 ing fire, which has been described in another 
 chapter of this book. It is the "Elixir Vitse" 
 of the Alchemists, the " Stone " of the Philoso- 
 phers, and the Universal Medicine of the Oc- 
 cultists. It is by means of this force that all 
 healing is accomplished. No matter what the 
 method of healing may be it is always by the 
 use of this force that the work is done. There 
 are many methods of administering this force, 
 but it is within the scope of this work to con- 
 sider only those which have to do with the 
 
 9 
 
 potency of Will and Magnetism. 
 
 When you have developed your Will to a 
 point where you can reconstruct the face of a 
 friend perfectly, or cause a flower to grow in 
 your mind, and can relieve pain in yourself 
 you are then prepared to treat others. 
 J 76 
 
HEALING 177 
 
 Before giving a mental treatment either to 
 yourself or to another always take the follow- 
 ing exercises : 
 
 1. Breathing on Full Lungs. — Take a 
 long deep breath filling the lungs to the full- 
 est capacity, then exhale just a little of the 
 air, then inhale again as much as possible; re- 
 peat several times before letting out the 
 breath. This is for the purpose of taking on 
 vital magnetism from the atmosphere. 
 
 2. Extend either arm out in front, draw 
 it slowly toward you tightening the -fingers 
 and muscles slowly as you do so until the 
 muscles become hard and rigid. Repeat sev- 
 eral times, then repeat the operation with the 
 other arm. Relax the muscles slowly. Then 
 harden all the muscles in the body. This is 
 for the purpose of freeing the magnetism. 
 After practicing this for awhile you can feel 
 the magnetic current moving through your 
 body, and by an effort of the Will, you can 
 send it to any part of the body, or you can pro- 
 ject it from your eyes and fingers tips to 
 others. You can then send streams of mag- 
 netism into the body of your patient and heal 
 him by a seeming miracle. 
 
 23 
 
178 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 Shuffling over a carpet with the bare feet 
 will also help to free the magnetism. When 
 breathing you should think about it and see 
 and feel the enrapturing power of Spirit fill- 
 ing you to overflowing. As the magnet is in- 
 creased in power by daily applications of elec- 
 tricity so is the human being increased in 
 power by breathing in the vital element of the 
 Universe. 
 
 To treat yourself, first place yourself in a 
 Statuvolent condition and then make the prop- 
 er auto-suggestions. The universal and all- 
 pervading Spirit or Life principle is the real 
 vitalizing and healing force, and the Will is the 
 agent that directs its action through the sub- 
 conscious mind. 
 
 In healing yourself you must center the full 
 force of your mind on health. Hold an image 
 of yourself in your mind as a perfect expres- 
 sion of God and never allow any thought of 
 disease to enter. 
 
 Eat your meals at a regular hour, retire to 
 rest at a regular hour and when you retire 
 place yourself in as comfortable a position as 
 possible, relax all the muscles, make yourself 
 
HEALING 179 
 
 feel as though you had not sufficient energy 
 to move a muscle, close the eyes and fill the 
 lungs as full of air as possible and hold your 
 breath as long as you can. Do this a few 
 times and you will soon begin to lose con- 
 sciousness, will be going to sleep, and while 
 in this semi-conscious state think intently 
 that you will feel strong and invigorated when 
 you awaken in the morning. Then during 
 the day whenever your thoughts are not cen- 
 tered upon you work center them on health, 
 be cheerful and joyous, let the influx of Divine 
 love flow into your heart and awaken your sonl 
 to a consciousness of itself, of its Divine and 
 Supreme power, PEEL that you are one with 
 God, the Eternal Divine Essence, and that sin 
 and disease shall be yours no more. 
 
 HOW TO TREAT OTHERS 
 
 To treat successfully by purely mental 
 means you must first make your mind blank 
 and then center your whole thought upon the 
 patient, seeing him in your minds eye in a 
 perfectly well and healthy condition. The 
 mental healer raises his thought to the realm 
 
180 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 of perfection and heals by holding the patient 
 in his thought as being absolutely perfect, 
 and by so doing transmutes to him by virtue 
 of his "Will, the vital force which is absorbed 
 by the patient's subconscious mind and dis- 
 tributed throughout the body for its rejuve- 
 nation. The process is the same in either per- 
 sonal or absent treatment. 
 
 To successfully treat magnetically the pa- 
 tient must be willing and desirous. Let the 
 patient sit or lie down in a quiet or easy posi- 
 tion becoming receptive. Then the healer 
 should speak kindly and cheerfully and assur- 
 ingly to them, sit down by their side with his 
 right side to their right side, take their left 
 hand in his right and their right hand in his 
 left; look steadily at them and engage their at- 
 tention so they will look at him ; gently press 
 your fingers into the palm of the patient's 
 hand until you can feel the pulse beat; be par- 
 ticular to find this pulse as it connects directly 
 with the sympathetic nerve. Then look stead- 
 ily and earnestly into their eyes, concentrat- 
 ing your mind upon them with all your power 
 of Will and willing them and desiring them to 
 
HEALING 181 
 
 become passive, and desiring to influence 
 them. Hold steady, and gaze intently into 
 their eyes until they feel your influence and 
 lower their gaze or drop their eyelids and 
 yield passively to your control. You should 
 tell them to relax every muscle in their body; 
 to try and feel that they are sinking down, 
 down, down, and that they are going quietly 
 to rest. Hold their hands and thus control 
 them for about five minutes ; then make passes 
 downward for a few minutes, passing off at 
 the feet, and shaking it off the hands with a 
 quick movement, or flip. The patient is now 
 ready for whatever kind of magnetic treat- 
 ment the nature and location of the disease 
 may require. 
 
 After throwing off the unhealthy magnetism 
 by the passes, place your right hand to the 
 weak place or part of the patient's body and 
 the left hand above or opposite; hold your 
 hands still for a few minutes, pressing quite 
 firmly on the place and give mental sugges- 
 tions that a cure will be effected, concentrate 
 all your force of Will power on a cure and you 
 will be successful. Have confidence in your- 
 
182 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 self and you will inspire confidence in your 
 patient. If you have closely followed instruc- 
 tion for preparing yourself to take up this 
 grand work you KNOW that you will succeed. 
 In making an oral or mental suggestion 
 always make all the muscles of your body 
 rigid. This gives force to the suggestion. 
 
 The oral suggestion is not always necessary. 
 The healer must use his own judgment as to 
 when to make oral suggestions. Many claim 
 that all cures are effected by Will power or 
 suggestion thattheie is no such thing as mag- 
 netism, but from my own personal experience 
 in treating disease I know this is not the case. 
 I have successfully treated cases simply by 
 the "laying on of hands " without making any 
 suggestions, either oral or mental, and also 
 when the patient had no faith in the treatment 
 to begin with. But sometimes suggestion is 
 necessary, especially when the disease is in 
 the mind instead of the body. The operator 
 should always bear a kindly feeling toward 
 the patient. I once had the care of a woman 
 for a time who had become mentally deranged 
 from disease and the administration of opiates. 
 
HEALING 183 
 
 She imagined that her arms and hands were 
 full of tacks. She told me that her daughter 
 had put tacks in her arms and that she could 
 not get them out. I told her I would get 
 them out for her, and I took her hands and 
 gently stroked them downward, telling her I 
 was getting them out. After continuing for 
 a few moments I said to her: "See! they are 
 all out now." She ne\er mentioned tacks 
 again except to tell how I had picked them out 
 for her. But I have cured cases of pain with 
 only the passes and without any suggestions 
 of any kind. 
 
 In fevers and general inflammation, you do 
 not need to touch the patient, but continue the 
 the whole treatment by making passes near 
 them from head to feet, and pass off all fever 
 and heat at the feet. In local inflammation, 
 pains, swelling, gatherings, sores, etc, that 
 have just commenced, you can scatter them 
 by hold the right hand on the bare flesh over 
 the place, and your left hand opposite or below, 
 or to their right hand; but in all advanced in- 
 flammations, pains, swellings, gatherings, 
 sores, etc, draw the disease out by holding 
 
184 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 your left hand on the place next to the skin 
 or if the sore is open and running, place a wet 
 cloth over it and place your hand on that, or 
 you may hold your hand close to the skin with- 
 out touching, and your right hand to their left, 
 hold still for about half an hour when a few 
 treatments will cure the disease. 
 
 If you want to pull down, as in fevers, place 
 your left hand below and your right hand 
 above; but if you want to pull up, put your 
 left hand above and your right hand below. 
 
 The right hand is positive and the left nega- 
 tive, except in left handed persons when it is 
 changed right around, the left hand being 
 positive and the right hand negative. 
 
 Persons can treat themselves for many 
 local difficulties by applying their own right 
 hand to a weak place, or their left hand to a 
 swollen or painful place to pull it out, or may 
 apply their right hand to scatter it, and may 
 make general passes down over the place, or 
 may make full-length passes down for fever 
 or inflammation. 
 
 The skilled operator may direct his magne- 
 tism and concentrate it on and into the sub- 
 
HEALING 185 
 
 ject by his own Will power, by looking into the 
 subject's eyes, and by pleasant words directed 
 to the subject with the purpose to influence; 
 and he can do more by mind or thought passes, 
 directed to and down over the subject's head 
 and upper part of his body. These mental 
 passes downward will assist to put power on 
 the subject, and mental passes upward will 
 assist to take the power off. Thus persons 
 can be magnetized and demagnetized as may 
 be necessary. The upward passes should 
 always be made before leaving the patient so 
 that no bad effect will result. 
 
 The power of spirit is a wonderful power 
 and may be used to prevent sickness, cure 
 disease, instruct the intellect, purify the soul, 
 and make perfected man immortal. 
 
 Religion and science united can save soul 
 and body both; but either alone can save 
 neither. 
 
 When a double poiver is needed to heal the 
 sick or control the vicious it may be obtained 
 by connecting your left hand to your right 
 wrist, take full deep breaths, concentrate, 
 hold in, and throw out a double power through 
 24 
 
186 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 your right hand. In this way your power 
 runs around in a circle through the body and 
 brain, until the power becomes so great that 
 you can throw it out with double force through 
 the right hand, making an irresistible and in- 
 vincible power which the subject can feel, and 
 see and hear. They can feel the power so 
 strong that they will know it is something, 
 and will readily believe it is spirit power; and 
 they can see its light so plain that they will 
 readily believe it is spirit light; and they can 
 hear its sound like a rushing wind and will 
 readily believe it is spirit power in motion; 
 and it will really be spirit power, light, and 
 sound, and not a delusion or imagination. 
 There is nothing more real than spirit. 
 
 A double portion of spirit can be applied 
 doubly in the double manner above described, 
 and may be so applied as to correct, and heal, 
 and develop, and exalt both body and soul. 
 
 You can also employ this power to heal per- 
 sons at a distance if you have something from 
 them or they something from you, as a letter 
 or some other article, to establish the spirit 
 connection. This should be done immediately 
 
HEALING 187 
 
 after taking the breathing exercise. Send 
 the spirit power along the spirit telegraph 
 line, and operate on them by spirit power, 
 action and Will, just as if they were present. 
 
 TREATMENT OF DISEASE BY AUTO-SUGGES- 
 TION DURING NATURAL SLEEP 
 
 The treatment of disease during natural 
 sleep is a very easy method as well as an effec- 
 tive one. The first thing to do is to get into 
 communication with the sleeper and when this 
 is done your suggestions will be readily taken. 
 You can suggest that at a certain time next 
 day they will go to sleep (you can utilize that 
 sleep to give another treatment) and they will 
 do so. Or you can give them such suggestions 
 as will cure them of sickness, make them 
 cease the use of tobacco, or cause them to ab- 
 hor intoxicating liquors. In fact you can cure 
 them of bad habits and make them lovable. 
 
 Children can be treated during their natural 
 sleep and made better in every way. They 
 can be broken of all bad habits, can be made 
 to enjoy their studies, and be made industri- 
 ous. If parents would but follow these in- 
 
188 THE LIVING. FIRE 
 
 structions it would seldom, if ever, be neces- 
 sary to punish their children. 
 
 HOW TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION DURING 
 NATURAL SLEEP 
 
 The best person to do this is one who is ac- 
 customed to the sleeper. 
 
 If the subject is a child the mother is 
 usually the proper person, if a wife, the hus- 
 band, and vice versa. 
 
 Go to the sleeper quietly, speak in a low 
 gentle tone for a few seconds so as to accus- 
 tom the sleeper to your voice. If possible, 
 gently stroke the sleeper's head, then talk as 
 follows: "Now do not awaken; you. are sleep- 
 ing nicely; a deep sound sleep and you will 
 not waken up. You will understand all that I 
 say to you and will do just as I tell you." 
 
 Now you will find it well to suggest that 
 they will dream a very pleasant dream and 
 that they will awaken in a few moments and 
 tell you all about it and will then go into a deep 
 sleep again. This is to prove to you that you 
 have established communication, and if they 
 do this you may be sure that all your 
 
HEALING 189 
 
 suggestions will be taken. When they are 
 asleep again give the suggestions you wish; 
 not in a commanding manner but by reason. 
 For example; if a man is addicted to strong 
 drink, say to him : "Now I do not want you 
 to drink strong liquors, naming them, because 
 it will hurt you and ruin you. You know it 
 will ruin you. You will not drink it because 
 you know it is wrong and will ruin you utterly. 
 If you attempt to drink it again it will make 
 you sick and you will despise it." To prove 
 that these suggestions have been taken you 
 can make some suggestion to be carried out 
 the following day. Anything a little out of 
 the ordinary yet that will not excite suspicion, 
 such as; "Wind the clock in the morning," 
 "take a second cup 'of coffee for breakfast." 
 Anything that is out of the ordinary and of so 
 little consequence that attention will not be 
 attracted. 
 
 It is very easy to get into communication 
 with persons who talk in their sleep by talk- 
 ing on the subject of which they speak and by 
 degrees and in a natural way bring the convert 
 sation around to the subject in which you are 
 
190 'THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 interested. With the use of this method wives 
 may often completely cure the bad habits in 
 husbands without their knowledge and there^ 
 by make happy homes. In some cases great 
 patience and perseverence are required, but 
 by persistent effort success will eventually 
 crown your efforts, so do not become dis- 
 couraged. 
 
Magnetic Equilibrium 
 
 ^pHE ASTRAL LIGHT, or fire of the Uni- 
 *- verse, -is the great magical agent or sec- 
 ret of power by means of which everything is 
 accomplished. It is a subtle, ever-attractive 
 agent and a blind force which may be subor- 
 dinated to the human Will, whether for good 
 or evil. It is a fire which will elevate us to 
 heaven or plunge us into hell accordingly as 
 we control it for good or use it for evil and be- 
 come subordinated to it. It is the universal 
 seducer — the generative principle of the body. 
 Sexual love or lust is an intoxication of the 
 Astral Light in the individual and is the ser- 
 pent in the Garden of Eden, which must be 
 conquered by the Will. It is the instrument 
 of initiation, the monster to be overcome, the 
 enemy to subdue. In religious doctrine this 
 torrent of universal life is represented as the 
 "fires of hell." It is the Siva of the Hindus, 
 the Satan or Devil of the Christians, and the 
 Transformer or Regenerator of the Wisdom 
 
 Religion. 
 
 191 
 
192 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 The Astral Light directs the instincts of 
 animals and offers battle to the Will of man, 
 which it strives to pervert by the enticements 
 of its reflections and the illusions of its images. 
 That is, it operates through the lower nature, 
 or desires and passions of man, luring him in- 
 to the world of pleasure and sense. This 
 operation is made still more fatal and calami- 
 tous by the elementary spirits, whose rest- 
 less wills seek out the weaknesses of our na- 
 tures and tempt us, not so much to destroy us 
 as to win friends for themselves. 
 
 Those who delight to pursue the reflections 
 in the Astral Light are subjected to it, and it 
 is by means of these reflections that impure 
 spirits and the elementals can act upon hu- 
 man souls and use them, and even torment 
 their organism by obsession. To overcome 
 these conditions we must set the stamp of the 
 Will upon them. We must isolate ourselves 
 from the fatal currents of the Astral Light by 
 practice of the four cardinal virtues — Tem- 
 perance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. 
 We must impose absolute tranquility on mind 
 and heart, quit the world of passion and ac- 
 
MAGNETIC EQUILIBRIUM 193 
 
 quire an inflexible Will. To direct the Astral 
 Light we must also understand its double vi- 
 bration as well as the balance of forces termed 
 magnetic equilibrium. Magnetic equilibrium 
 is one of the first conditions of success in the 
 operations of occult science. It explains the 
 great and primeval mystery of the existence 
 and relative necessity of evil. There must be 
 the two opposing forces. Equilibrium pro- 
 duces stability and duration. In the Macro- 
 cosm magnetic equilibrium is the Will of God 
 or the Universal Will; in man it is liberty ; in 
 matter it is mathematical equilibrium. In 
 ideas it is reason ; in force it is power. Liberty 
 generates the immortality of man, and the 
 Will of God gives effect to the laws of eternal 
 reason. Equilibrium is exact; it is the bal- 
 ance between cause and effect; fulfill its law 
 and it is there; violate it in the least and it is 
 destroyed. Perfect equilibrium is the exact 
 balancing of the two opposing forces, and is 
 absolute liberty which is omnipotence. 
 
 By the law of analogy we know that what- 
 ever is in the Macrocosm, or great world, is 
 reproduced in the Microcosm, or little world. 
 25 
 
194 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 In the Microcosm, or man, there are three 
 centers of fluidic attraction— the brain, the 
 heart, or the great sympathetic, and the geni- 
 tal organ. Each of these centers has a dual 
 action — that of attraction and repulsion. 
 Here again we also have equilibrium, for each 
 attracts on one side and repels on the other 
 with the point of equilibrium between. It is 
 by means of these organs that we place our- 
 selves in communication with the universal 
 or magnetic fluid transmitted into us by the 
 nervous system. When the Adept is suffi- 
 ciently developed be can communicate and di- 
 rect at will the magnetic vibrations of the As- 
 tral Light. By the aid of these vibrations he 
 can influence the nervous system of persons 
 who become subject to his Will. 
 
 To know how to avail one's self of the magi- 
 cal agent is to become a Magus. To do this 
 two things are necessary — to concentrate and 
 diffuse. To collect and diffuse are the two 
 operations of Nature. Concentration is by 
 isolation and distribution by the Magic Chain. 
 Isolation consists in absolute independence of 
 thought; complete liberty for the heart and 
 
MAGNETIC EQUILIBRIUM 195 
 
 perfect continence for the senses. That is, to 
 free the higher self from the desires and temp- 
 tations of the lower nature. Every man who 
 is possessed by prejudices and fears, every 
 passionate person who is the slave of his pas- 
 sions, is incapable of concentrating the Astral 
 Light or soul of the earth. All true Adepts 
 must be independent even amidst torture — 
 sober and chaste until death. In order to 
 govern or dispose of a force you must not 
 allow yourself to be surprised by it or it may 
 dispose of you. 
 
 The Astral Light, subordinated to a blind 
 mechanism, and proceeding from automatic 
 centres works mathematically, following given 
 impulsions or inevitable laws ; the human light 
 is subject to intelligence, submitted to the im- 
 agination and dependent on the Will. The 
 body absorbs that which surrounds it, and con- 
 stantly radiates by projecting its influence 
 and invisible molecules. The same is true of 
 the spirit. This is why disease is contagious, 
 but health is just as contagious as ■ disease. 
 This is also why crime is so rampant in the 
 great cities and why it seems to sweep over 
 
196 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 the whole country in waves. The circle of 
 attraction and expansion which surrounds the 
 evil-minded is contaminating to all who come 
 within it unless they have attained complete 
 self-mastery. 
 
 The Astral Light is the blind force that each 
 Soul must overcome in order to be free from 
 the chains of earth ; for, unless its Will can de- 
 tach it from this fatal attraction, it will be ab 
 sorbed in the current by the force which pro- 
 duced it and thus return to the central eter- 
 nal fire. To subdue the serpent, or, govern 
 the Astral Light, we must place ourselves 
 outside its currants. To allow ourseves to be 
 drawn down by this whirling stream is to de- 
 scend into hell ; to expel the chaotic darkness 
 and force it to give perfect form to our 
 thoughts is to be a genius; to be victorious 
 over hell. 
 
 THE MAGIC CHAIN 
 
 A great work in practical Magic is the for- 
 mation of the Magic Chain. To form the 
 Magic Chain is to originate a current of ideas 
 which produces faith and draws a large num- 
 
MAGNETIC EQUILIBRIUM 19? 
 
 ber of persons in a given circle of active mani- 
 festation. It is to establish a magnetic cur- 
 rent, which becomes stronger in proportion 
 to the extent of the chain, or the number of 
 persons acting in unison. 
 
 The Magus can, in concurrence with other 
 Wills or Minds acting in unison, act upon the 
 mass of the Astral Light and determine great 
 and irresistible magnetic currents, or chains^ 
 This is the manner in which things or per^ 
 sons become popular or unpopular. 
 
 The Astral "Light also condenses or rarities 
 in proportion as currents accumulate, more 
 or less at certain centers. When it is defi* 
 cient in the energy required for the support 
 of life, diseases, accompanied by sudden de^ 
 composition, are apt to follow. 
 
 Whenever any society practices anything 
 in common which produces enthusiasm, a 
 magic or magnetic chain is formed. The ac- 
 tion of the current is to exalt those persons 
 who possess a sensitive organism. Such per- 
 sons become powerful vehicles of magical 
 force and can project the Astral Light in the 
 direction of the current. Many persons act- 
 
198 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 ing in unison can thus generate a much great- 
 er power than one alone. It will act for good 
 or evil according to the nature of the Wills be- 
 hind it that produce the moving force. 
 
 Magic Circles and magnetic currents often 
 establish themselves and exert an influence 
 upon those who come in contact with them. 
 Every person is drawn within a circle of re- 
 lations which constitutes his world to which 
 he becomes subject. We should aim to estab- 
 lish our own circles instead of being drawn 
 into those established by others and which 
 may be less favorable for us. 
 
 The movement^ of the Astral Light is always 
 double, and this is the law of magnetic 
 currents. Action and reaction are of equal 
 magnitude, and the secret of phenomenal suc- 
 cess, consists in a foreknowledge of reaction. 
 It is folly to oppose alone and single-handed, 
 a strong magnetic current. Wait until it has 
 spent its force then take the lead in the oppo- 
 site direction. Stagnation in the Astral Light 
 would mean death to the human race. This 
 universal agent, or solvent of the universe, is 
 the common medium of all organisms, the ve- 
 
MAGNETIC EQUILIBRIUM 199 
 
 hide of all. sensible vibrations, and is the me- 
 dium of transmission of thought between im 
 pressionable persons. 
 
 The Magic Chain may be established in three 
 ways — by signs, by speech and by contact, 
 
 The first is by adopting some sign to rep- 
 resent a force. Once accepted and propagated^ 
 signs acquire force of. themselves. To ex^ 
 plain by a very simple illustration: 
 
 The skull and cross-bones have been accept^ 
 ed and propagated as the sign of death, and 
 whenever or whereever that sign appears the 
 beholder instantly recognizes it as a danger 
 .signal. 
 
 Again take the sign or emblem of any sec- 
 ret society or fraternal organization and it 
 will be recognized in any part of the world by 
 anyone who is familiar with it, and it will at- 
 tract to itself all those who are in sympathy 
 with the principles it represents. 
 
 The second method is by speech or writing, 
 The ancients typified the magnetic chain of 
 speech by chains of gold. The astral light is 
 projected by glance and by voice. No musical 
 instrument can equal the human voice in en- 
 
200 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 chantment. Eloquence is electrical, arid a 
 single word will often change the fate of a na- 
 tion. Every orator forms a magnetic chain 
 among his hearers which will be large or 
 small according to the amount of energy and 
 magnetic force he puts into his speech. 
 
 In fact all of us are constantly forming mag^ 
 netic currents and drawing others within the 
 radius of our Circle by the unconscious pro* 
 jection of our influence. We are the center 
 of that Circle which is constantly changing, 
 If we do so unconsciously, and without reason, 
 why not form the circle by our conscious acts 
 and with a definite purpose in view for the 
 benefit of ourselves and those who come with- 
 in it? 
 
 Printing is an admirable instrument for the 
 formation of the Magic Chain by the extension 
 of speech. Nothing is lost, and books and 
 writings find their way into the hands of those 
 who need and appreciate them. 
 
 The third and best method of establishing 
 the Magic Chain 'is by contact. The Astral 
 Light is projected by touch. And this was 
 the method by which the highest rites of ini- 
 
MAGNETIC EQUILIBRIUM 201 
 
 tiation into the ancient mysteries were com- 
 pleted. "It is the special virtue by which in 
 both ancient and modern magic the potential 
 powers of the magical element in man is 
 awakened. No methods have ever been found 
 so potent for kindling up the most exalted 
 fires of the soul, or transmuting its latent 
 powers into active operation, as the "laying 
 on of hands," or the magnetic manifestations 
 of powerful, well-intentioned magnetizers, the 
 infusion of the vital forces of a mighty and 
 highly charged adept into the organism of a 
 susceptible and receptive subject. This was 
 the last grand act of initiation in the highest 
 temple rites of old. It is the potent spell by 
 which the Hindu Fakeers obtain from their 
 Master minds the seal upon their magical 
 studies. The Patriarchal act of blessing, the 
 initiatory rites of the Jewish Priesthood, the 
 Apostolic law. of communicating virtue, was 
 all wrought by the "laying on of hands." 
 
Conclusion 
 
 ^PHE aim of every true student of nature's 
 ■* magic is to learn to know himself and 
 by knowing himself to learn to know God. 
 The true God is within the heart of man and 
 he who would find him must seek for him 
 there. He must turn his gaze inward, rise 
 above the atmosphere of Self into the realm 
 of Divine Love and Truth and then he will be 
 able to see the Image of God in his own Soul. 
 The man who is enslaved by his passions 
 or worldly prejudices can never be truly ini- 
 tiated; he must overcome these or he can 
 never attain. Man is what he really wills him- 
 self to be. He becomes king of the brutes 
 only by subduing or training them ; otherwise 
 he will be their victim. Brutes are the types 
 of his passions, the instinctive forces of na- 
 ture. The world is a field of battle where lib- 
 erty struggles with inertja by the opposition 
 of active force. Physical laivs are millstones; 
 you must be either the miller or the grain. You 
 must overcome and control the instinctive 
 202 
 
 r 
 
CONCLUSION 203 
 
 forces of nature or be governed by them. 
 The only way to become the master is by 
 learning to obey. He who obeys the laws of 
 nature and acts as her servant becomes the 
 master of nature and renders her obedient to 
 him. He who obeys the Divine laws of God 
 and is the true servant of God, will come into 
 possession of Divine power and will find the 
 God within himself. 
 
 The law of God is working in you and in 
 everything and all are bound together in one 
 great whole. Your power lies in finding that 
 law, which is finding God. You must find God 
 in finding yourself and find yourself in finding 
 God or your life will be of little value to you. 
 You must find the God within yourself. No 
 one can find Him for you. To learn to conquer 
 self, or to overcome the animal nature, is to 
 learn to live. Man only begins to exist as a 
 spiritual being when his spirit is awakened. 
 
 Natural Magic is the art of exercising that 
 spiritual power within one's self which enables 
 his awakened spirit to control the living ele- 
 ments. This power can be acquired only by 
 self-control and in no other way. 
 
u^ 
 
 204 THE LIVING FIRE 
 
 To call up a devil means to give way to an 
 evil thought; to vanquish him is to success- 
 fully resist a temptation to evil. The contro 
 of the emotions is the difficult struggle which 
 all must undergo. The emotions are the ele- 
 mental forces of nature and must be held in 
 obedience by the Will. 
 
 True illumination comes by rising above the 
 atmosphere of self. The instruction is given 
 to "Sink your thoughts downward into the 
 center of your being and you will find there a 
 germ, which if continually nourished by pure 
 and holy thoughts, will grow into a power that 
 will extend and ramify through all your body. 
 Your hands and feet and your interior organs 
 will become alive; a sun will appear within your 
 heart and illuminate your whole being. In 
 this light you will see the present, the past 
 and the future, and by its aid you will attain 
 the true knowledge of self." 
 
 He who succeeds in merging his own con- 
 sciousness with the Divine consciousness re- 
 ceives the baptism of fire and is ordained a 
 priest and a king. He has transmuted the 
 base metals (lower desires) into pure gold 
 
CONCLUSION 205 
 
 (love). In order to overcome you must learn 
 to live in the world and be not of it. 
 
 To point the way I have written. Let him 
 who would follow the Path learn to use the 
 golden key. It will, if taken in hand, unlock 
 every door. It has three parts, Knowledge, 
 Power, and obedience. The part which turns 
 in the lock is Knowledge, the Stem is Power, 
 the handle Obedience. You must learn to 
 know the law, to attain power by developing 
 the Will and to govern by being obedient. 
 
 He who follows the instructions given in 
 this book has taken only the first steps on the 
 Path to discovery. The discouragements 
 which you will meet are only the first trials of 
 your will power upon the full exercise of 
 which your triumphs depend. Pail in these 
 things and you fail in all; succeed and your 
 reward will be exceedingly great. 
 
H 112 82 
 

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