LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. a GIFT OF Class APR 3 1911 Life in the Great Beyond or 5 ^ The Law of Life and Death By . Victor Segno PRESENTATION EDITION No._ "Is there a blessing known? Pass it on. Let it travel down the years, Let it dry another's tears, 'Till in Heaven the deed appears, Pass it on" Life in the Great Beyond or the Law of Life and Death A. Victor Segno Lps Angeles,' California The Se^nogrSjNi- F*pos>,, 1911*- ' ' Copyright 1911 By A. Victor Segno Life in the Great Beyond as told by one now over there THE COMPACT r N giving the following record of life beyond the grave, I shall endeavor to give it exactly as it was revealed to me by one who passed beyond this vale of tears several years ago. The person referred to was, for many years before his release from this earth, in close com- munion with me and we were in perfect har- mony of both mind and spirit. So closely did our minds accord that either had but to think and mentally express a wish and the other recognized it and responded. We both felt satisfied that the truth regard- ing the after life had never been told, that it is barely imagined by the few and that the vast multitude are in absolute ignorance of what awaits them beyond the border. It is true that what we call instinct constantly 218490 Life in the Great Beyond urges us to expect a future life, but of what character or where, that has been the un- answerable question. Much did my companion and I dwell upon this subject, with little result except to con- firm our belief in a definite place to which we would go when we stepped out of this house of flesh. Believing it just as reasonable for two souls in harmony to communicate with each other after death as on the earth plane, we formed a compact, agreeing that the one who passed out of the material body first, should at the first opportunity communicate with the other and reveal to him what he had learned of the after life. My companion passed from this life peace- fully and without regret, assuring me that he would keep his promise. His passing brought me not a moment of sorrow, so confident was I that it was not a permanent separation, but only a spiritual transformation. While from time to time I have had, to me, satisfactory evidence of his continued harmony and closeness to me, it was ten years before a communication came sufficiently strong for me to take it down in detail. In the many soul- Life in the Great Beyond talks between us during the past year he trans- mitted to me the information I am now writ- ing. Careful note was made of each com- munication and on comparing them I find no contradiction of any previous statement; each rather served to strengthen and prove the truth of the others. I recorded this information exactly as it was given to me and I am giving it to the public because I believe it solves humanity's greatest question. Because I think it will make clear to us our duty to self and to others. Because it will serve to make each man and woman who reads it a better being. Because it points out the way to the greatest happiness thro' a certainty of a future and greater life to come. Because it teaches us that we are the makers of our own destiny, here and hereafter; that we can be what we really desire to be. Life in the Great Beyond FROM BEYOND THE BORDER Man is not dust, man is not dust, I say! A lightning substance through his being runs; A flame he knows not of illumes his clay The cosmic fire that feeds the swarming suns. As giant worlds, sent spinning into space, Hold in their center still the parent flame; So man, within that undiscovered place His center stores the light from which he came. While we were companions on the earth I promised you that if there was for me a life in the great beyond, I would, if possible, make it known to you, that you might enlighten other men. When I made that promise, I had no idea how it would be kept, nor that so much time would elapse before I could clearly con- vey to you the desired information. While the time has been long to you, yet the desire and determination have never left me, even though I soon learned that ahead of me lay a very difficult task. Things are so different here to what you of the earth picture them to be, so different from what I had expected to find. Life in the Great Beyond I have so much to tell, and, that nothing of importance may be omitted, it will be best for me to go back and begin from the moment I left my body. The night I departed from my earthly home, it was, I believe, about the midnight hour. I ascended straight up through the building into the atmosphere above and with the eyes of my soul beheld my first sur- prise. I found myself among a multitude of people moving in all directions. I was not more than three hundred feet above the earth, and the town was clearly visible to me. But these people, where had they come from? Had they all died, too? Surely that could not be, for I recognized among them many of my friends and acquaintances whom I knew were alive but a short time before. So I approached one whom I knew well and questioned, "Are you dead, too?" "Why, no," he replied; "I am taking a few hours of freedom while my body lies wrapped in sleep." Then the light came to me and I understood. I remembered that I had always taken these hours of release while my body slept, for acquiring knowledge and strength. The ideas which I acquired were used as far as the limitations of the bodily 10 Life in the Great Beyond functions would permit to advance my earthly progress. Those that made a deep impression were next day referred to by my physical and mental consciousness as a dream, an impres- sion, or a new idea. So I discovered that what humanity calls dreams are the records of those impressions brought back to the body after an excursion made by the soul. I soon learned also that the imprisoned soul may travel to any part of the earth, but it cannot leave it. The reason for this I will explain later. Sleep and death are almost identical, and one might honestly say he dies every night, if there were such a thing as death, but I have learned that there is not. After the death of sleep the soul returns to the body because that is its home and it cannot give expression on a phy- sical plane without the organism of a physical body to act through, and as the particular body it inhabits was built to fit its wants and needs it would be inconvenienced and uncomfortable and therefore unable to give full expression in any other body, tho' I learned that there are instances where souls have exchanged bodies by mutual agreement and occasionally one has stolen a body from another only to be later 11 Life in the Great 'Beyond ousted by the real owner. Such exchanges always cause great suffering to the body and sometimes destroy it. The wrong soul in the wrong body is the cause of so-called insanity. The soul and physical organism are not suited to each other and the expression is imperfect and you call it insanity. Temporary insanity followed by days of lucidity results from souls exchanging bodies. When the right soul is at home the body expresses correctly; when a foreign soul is in the body it is unable to ex- press sanely. There are cases where two small souls in- habit one body. This can be easily detected by the two natures exhibiting themselves through the one body. The pair of souls are usually male and female and generally get along very well together, having selected a single body as their home because of an in- tense desire to be together. Such bodies are often credited with having talent and genius. A soul is at all times conscious of its acts, both in and out of the body, but the body or brain is only conscious of the acts of the soul, while in the body; hence, all knowledge of the soul life is lost to the body from the time the 12 Life m the Great Beyond soul leaves until it returns. That is the one obstacle that has stood in the way and pre- vented humanity knowing to a certainty the nature of the spiritual life. That is both logi- cal and reasonable, for the body, of itself, has no means of obtaining knowledge, and has no element in its construction that is immortal. From and of the earth it came and unto the earth it returns again. Bear this one fact in mind, that, while in the body, the soul is a prisoner and can express itself only as the condition or construction of the body will permit. When it is out of the body it can grow and develop, but during that time there remains no spiritual connection be- tween the soul and the body, for the body is wholly material. It would be as reasonable to take the steam out of an engine and expect it to go on working, or the fire out of a furnace and expect it to go on heating, as to expect the body to go on recording the soul life while the soul is absent. While I knew these things when I was away from my body, yet I was never able to remember them when back in the body, and all that remained of my knowl- edge was a faint instinct or assurance that 13 Life in the Great Beyond there was another life somewhere and that I was immortal. The night of my departure from the earth I saw and realized this so clearly that I knew I could in time communicate it to you. I also knew that before starting on my long journey I could, if I so wished, make myself visible to you, or to any one for whom I had a strong attachment, but I refrained for fear of alarming you. 14 Life in the Great Beyond THE JOURNEY I felt so free and strong that I would gladly have spent some time with the souls that were enjoying their temporary freedom, but I be- came possessed of an irresistible impulse that drew me upward and onward. As to where I was going I knew not; I was merely follow- ing an unexplained feeling that I was fulfilling a part of my destiny. I did not fly, neither did I make any effort to propel myself; I just glided through space. It seemed as though I was being drawn toward a new sphere as by some mighty magnet. I knew not how fast I was traveling or for how long ; I had no rec- ord of time. It might have been several days ; I cannot say. On the journey, I met other souls going in the opposite direction, but none over- took me going my way. I traveled entirely alone. This gave me much time for reflec- tion on the wonderfulness of the laws that so carefully regulated the affairs of the universe that plans were made and executed for the benefit of a single soul like myself. I was con- 15 Life in the Great jBeyona scious that I was obeying some divine law and that I was being considered and provided for. I thought much of you and of the millions of souls back on the earth, held prisoners there, and wondered why they were left and I was chosen. When later this question was an- swered for me, I was indeed filled with sur- prise. In fact, my life since I left the earth has been one continuous flow of revelations. After traveling for what seemed a long time I realized that I was approaching another earth or planet. Nearer and nearer I came. I felt no apprehensions. It seemed perfectly natural, as though I had done the same thing before. I soon saw that the planet I was approaching was very much larger than the earth I had left, and as I was on the daylight side and the sun was shining down on it, I soon saw that it was a very beautiful world. Flowers, trees and lakes were everywhere, and such magnifi- cent, artistic buildings. One could see that it was the product of a higher intelligence than that exhibited on our earth. The people I beheld were so stately and wonderfully formed. For several hours I floated around and over this world as though waiting for more instruc- 16 Life in the Great Beyond tion or some power to guide me to my new home, for I now felt certain that this lovely world was to be my home, at least for a time. From the time the sun went down until late in the night, I traveled in gradually narrowing circles over a large city which later I learned was called "Alpha" or "The First," it being the oldest and largest on the planet. An im- pulse came to me to descend. I did so and en- tered a house, and then I understood. Destiny had prepared a new physical house for me a beautiful new young body was mine, and I was born again. 17 Life in the Great Beyond WHY WE INHABIT THE EARTH For the first three years, owing to the ex- treme youth of my new body, I was unable to express much of my individuality, but neverthe- less I thought of you often and felt at times that you received my thoughts and knew that I would keep my promise. Of later years, my advancement has been more rapid and I have learned much for one seemingly so young, but here I find knowledge to be easily acquired; my case being no exception to the rule. Many of the things I have learned could be of no benefit to you while you remain on the earth, so I will confine myself to telling you only those things which will be useful to you and to your fellow men. First, I must tell you what your earth is, and why and how it is populated and from where the souls come that inhabit it. This statement may puzzle you, but if you will follow me closely I will make it clear to you. The earth is an outcast and differs from all 19 Life in the Great Beyond other planets in that it is dominated by the conflicting influences from many other planets. Each of the other planets, as far as I have been able to ascertain, has a distinct class of in- habitants people that are characteristic of that particular planet. The earth has twelve distinct classes, which you have heard of as the twelve tribes of Israel, and thousands of varia- tions which have been produced by the inter- marriage of one class with another, thus forming a conglomerate mass of tongues and natures and religions. The varied and conflict- ing ideas and emotions of these different classes of souls keep the people in a constant turmoil; each instinctively distrusting or hating the others and ever watching for the chance to take advantage of them. As a result, real hap- piness is a very brief and temporary condition on the earth. Among the earth's inhabitants there exists an abnormal desire for those things which when attained bring about the person's destruction. That which is harmful to possess immediately becomes attractive and develops into a consuming passion for its attainment. That which is beneficial and for the good of the person is usually distasteful and is avoided 20 Life in the Great Beyond at any cost. ^An unconscious desire for self- destruction thus underlies all other desires and the disastrous experience of one is no guide or warning to another.) Under these conditions it becomes impossible for the inhabitants of the earth to accomplish much of value because their emotions and misguided desires soon destroy them. Yet the law of the earth makes it so. The earth is the battle ground on which each soul must rise or fall in his fight between the good and the evil. These desires are made to test his strength of purpose and his right to advance to more ideal conditions. The earth is known to us and to the in- habitants of the other planets as the place of eternal torment, where sinners from all the other worlds are sent as in exile to expiate their transgressions of the divine law. The earth is that place your many religious sects designate as "Hell," and as such it is recog- nized on all the planets. The universe is divided into twelve divisions. The planets located in each of these divisions is inhabited by a particular type of people. Distinct in the degree of intelligence and ad- 21 Life in the Great j&eyond vancement from all other divisions. Beginning with the first division and advancing to the twelfth, each division represents a distinct character of intelligence, each being necessary to the complete or perfect intelligence. Each of the divisions is ruled by a Division Ruler, who is responsible to the Mighty Ruler over all, located in the Celestial Heaven. The twelve divisions of the universe have names which correspond to the following: Ahbo, Ahco, Ahdo, Ahfo, Ahgo, Ahko, Ahlo, Ahmo, Ahno, Ahpo, Ahro and Ahso. On each of the planets in these divisions there is a judg- ment time every year when all the souls thereon who have gained a sufficient degree of development and perfection are liberated from their bodies and sent on a journey to their new and fairer home in another division. Those who have not lived according to the laws of the planet on which they reside, and have shown a disregard for the Creator's wishes and their own advancement, are sent in exile to the land of torment (the earth) until such time as they shall see the error of their ways and show an honest desire to pro- 22 Life m the Great Beyond ceed with the work of physical and soul per- fecting. This judgment period lasts for about one month on the planets in each division. Following the judgment month in Ahbo comes the judgment of Ahco and so on forever without omission. Those who are exiled soon throw off their material bodies and depart for the earth, there to take up their abode in a newly-born phy- sical body where they remain until they have made themselves worthy to be again accepted in the society of the planet from which they were exiled. There is a law that determines the character of the bodies these recreant souls shall occupy while on the earth. That is, unto whom they shall be born as children and who shall be called upon to assume the responsi- bility of their education and development. This selection is made as much with a view to developing and advancing the parents as of the newcomer. It is well known on the earth that children born in different months have different quali- fications and characteristics. This results 23 Life in the Great Beyond from the influx of exiled souls from the twelve different divisions of the universe. Those who are exiled during January reach the earth dur- ing the last half of the month and the first half of February. They come from the divi- sion called Ahbo and you can recognize them by certain marked characteristics. 24 Life in the Great Beyond THE DIVISIONS Ahbo The souls that come from Ahbo are recog- nized by the following characteristics : A quick, receptive mind, a noble progressive nature with a touch of originality and possessing a taste for the fine arts and the occult, and sometimes the ability to express themselves in either music, poetry, literature or painting. They dream many brilliant pictures which the limiting conditions of the earth will not permit them to execute. On their own planet they are a highly educated, cultured people, with much inspiration, and they create very beautiful ele- vating things. Even on the earth they are the students, thinkers and reformers who support and advance any and all innovations that tend toward the higher development of mankind. If the earth is ever raised in its moral and religious tone, it will be largely as a result of the efforts of these people from Ahbo. They are optimistic and buoy up their associates and find in others the undeveloped good and bring 25 Life in the Great Beyond it into action. They are generous and over- look the errors of others. They are sensitive and submissive rather than aggressive in man- ner, but yet rather radical and determined at heart. Their inherent dignity and excellent reason impel them to push their reforms in a quiet, persistent, logical manner, reaching the hearts of men by means of the pen. While modest and retiring in demeanor they are not weak or faint-hearted. They are valiant and strong and pass through bitter trials with a sublimity and nobleness that knows no fear. They have been purified and ennobled by their experiences in working their way through the eleven divisions and into the twelfth. These are the people who are acquiring the last de- tails of perfection before passing into the Celestial Heaven. Their acquaintance should be cultivated by all mankind, for they possess the power to assist others to more quickly overcome the errors which hold them to the earth. The people from the other divisions often become jealous of these more ideal brothers and try to do them harm by placing them in a false light before the eyes of others, not realizing that by such action they delay 26 Life in the Great Beyond, their own progress toward more favored spheres. Bear this in mind, that all men err and that all are punished for and by their errors and that none can err and escape the corresponding punishment. Although these men from Ahbo are passing a period on the earth to expiate some error, yet they will on their return be but a short period from the Heaven all men are aspiring to reach. Again I say, seek out these people and cultivate their acquaintance, for you can learn much from them that will help you to the sooner reach the goal of your desire. Ahco The souls that reach the earth during the last half of February and the first half of March come from Ahco, the eleventh division, and are in development just one degree removed from the people from Ahbo. In some respects, they are alike, especially in their love of nature, the occult, art and literature, and in the sacrifice of self in the effort to buoy up others who do not appreciate their good intentions. They are liwewise modest and generous and, being re- 27 Life in the Great Beyond liable themselves, put trust in other men only to suffer severe disappointments. They differ from the people of Ahbo in that they easily become discouraged and do not possess that degree of fortitude and courage necessary to carry them safely over severe disappointments. They have that quality yet to acquire before they can progress to the twelfth division. The people of Ahco are extravagant in the use of their emotions and they wear out their strength in emotional action. They lack that quiet subtle control which would, if possessed, conserve their forces. With them it is more blessed to give than to receive, and none ask of them in vain. They are too generous for their personal good. They succeed best in pro- fessional careers where they can express them- selves through their emotions and by appeal- ing to the emotions of others. Morbidness, induced through fancied wrong, where usually none exists, often inclines them toward bodily destruction when they are in exile to the earth. On their own planet they are not so inclined, but the consciousness that their sojourn on the earth is a punishment makes them extremely sensitive. 28 Life in the Great Beyond These people like change of scene and travel and a certain amount of it is absolutely neces- sary to their mental and physical well-being and soul development. They are true of heart, unselfish in devotion and possess minds rich in knowledge and make desirable companions. They possess a faculty of being able to bring success out of the half-formed or the badly executed plans of others, and their greatest achievements are accomplished in partnership with a less executive person. Theirs is the power of co-operation and far-reaching sym- pathy. Take no undue advantage of their generosity and confidence, and make an effort to enthuse them with a brighter hope and a more permanent courage, and you will be doing a good work for the Master, for has he not said that "As ye do it unto the least of them ye do it unto me"? The higher we climb the more difficult it be- comes to hold on, and thus it is that there is great danger for those in the higher spheres. They sometimes become blinded and confused by the great illuminated truths of their sur- roundings, and let go and fall back to a degree from which they have to work up again. Thus 29 Life in the Great Beyond it is that we find subjects from the eleventh and twelfth divisions on the earth. They became timid at a critical moment and failed. The next time they will probably do better. The fol- lowing ten divisions are not given in the con- secutive order of their spiritual advancement. Ahdo Those souls that reach the earth during the last half of March and the first half of April come from Ahdo. They are a martial people with a spirit of determination that forces them to victory or death. Often undecided as to a career to follow, but once this indecision is ovrcome and they see their duty, they are con- tent to follow it at any cost. Naturally strong and full of power they become leaders of the other tribes they find on the earth. Being strong and resourceful themselves they have little sympathy with weakness in others. They are most often conquered by their own pas- sions, for being egotistical they deliberately ignore the frailties of those they love and thus lay themselves at the feet of deception. They are extravagant in the use of the goods of the earth, and the women, though natural leaders, 30 ,ife in Great Beyond fritter away money with an obstinate deter- mination that brooks no restraint. They de- mand independence and become irritated at the slightest intimation of disapproval or restric- tion. They love adventure and intrigue. The men find their greatest expression in politics and war. They are careless of their physical body, subjecting it to unnecessary danger, for which indifference they must pay to nature her price. Theirs is a life of emo- tions and sensations joy or sorrow and they depend more upon what they feel than upon what they know. The curiosity to peep behind the scenes of life takes them into strange places and they evolve unique theories respecting the future after death. Their life on the earth is not a smooth one, for they would not have it so. Better suffering than no sensations at all. They are highly strung and the strings of their nature must be kept vibrating, hence they indulge in the bad as well as the good, for the experience it gives them. Action, action, action, seems to be their keynote. They are ever trying for that which seems out of their reach. Love in its true sense is more or less of a stranger to 31 Life in the Great 'Beyond them. They are more fiery, passionate and demonstrative than affectionate and are not suited for the responsibilities of married life. These people are much misunderstood by the other tribes and are more to be pitied than cen- sured because of their nature. This, however, will be toned and refined in the fire of their own passions in the passing through the calmer spheres. Ahfo The souls which reach the earth between the middle of April and the middle of May come from the planets located in the division called Ahfo. These people represent light and strength. They desire to grow and expand and fulfill the wishes of their Creator in carrying out their destiny. They possess physical vigor, moral strength and mental activity. They do things and seem capable of under- standing the most visionary plans of others and carrying them to completion. They are the most practical, useful, dependable people that come to the earth. Self-reliance, internal courage and the intuitive ability of divining public sentiment, render them capable of be- 32 Life in the Great Beyond coming successful in finance and politics. Their buoyancy of spirit often compels success where a weaker heart would have failed. To them are often given positions of trust in pub- lic affairs, but they must be allowed to carry out their plans in their own way and at their own time. Steady persistence and unbiased judgment win for them a firm footing in finan- cial affairs and as bankers they never betray the trust of the people. They make many friends and adapt themselves to their environ- ments. They are seldom talkative or highly imaginative for their knowledge lies deep. The women of this tribe are faithful and un- wavering in their devotion and by their in- herent dignity and pride demand the same degree of honor and fidelity from their mate. The homes of these people are "Havens of Rest." Love of order, elegance and space in- clines them to build their homes on a large and expensive scale and surround them with grounds and parks. Home comes first in their estimation and fame must take the second place. 33 Life in the Great Beyond, Ahgo The souls that arrive on the earth during the latter half of May and the first half of June come from within the division of Ahgo. Of all the tribes these people are the most scin- tillating and changeable. Theirs is a nature as variable as the winds. They are an inter- esting combination of seeming contradictions. Resulting from the fact that they possess no defined lines of thought, but act as the re- ceivers of impressions, vibrations and impulses from others. These they express as their own and for them receive the corresponding praise or censure. They understand themselves no better than others understand them. All actions and emotions are spasmodic. They love one moment and may not the next. They plan to do one thing and as likely do the op- posite. They can give no reason for theid acts and changes. They are a mystery even to themselves. These wavering spirits are not bad naturally, but rather incline to progress upward than downward. Much, however, de- pends upon their environments and direct associates. As entertainers they gain their greatest success. Their scintillating wit inter- 34 Life in the Great Beyond spersed with occasional inspirational flashes of genius make them intensely interesting. They like to entertain and be entertained, and the rounds of domestic and business life is a burden to them. Their restless spirit reaches forth unceasingly toward changes of thought, scene and condition. They possess a strong love of the sea and much of their romance and happiness is connected with the water. They are not very successful in a commercial way for they are too generous, extravagant and unselfish to make gain from another's loss. Ahko Those exiled souls who travel to the earth during the last half of June and the first half of July are from the division of Ahko. These people are distinguished by two very marked characteristics ; sensitiveness regarding self and gloomy forebodings. Though gifted in many ways, it is difficult to define their exact qualifications, for they are unstable and changeable. They undertake a course and then some fancied slight from one whom they care for brings on a period of discouragement and they give up their plans. 35 Life in the Great Beyond In matters that do not touch their personal- ity they are stubborn and unyielding, but personal sensitiveness is ever their undoing. They demand appreciation, homage and even flattery and are not comfortable without them. They are fond of talking of their real or sup- posed ailments, to gain sympathy. They like to travel and the gratification of that desire is only limited by the amount of money they can secure for the purpose. They like display and often rob the mind and stomach to clothe the body. Their self interest precludes them becoming greatly interested in the lives of others. Consequently they fail to make due allowance for the inherent weakness of other people. While domestically inclined they chafe and fret under home restraint. A noticeable characteristic of these people is the difference in their views on the same subject during the light and the dark of the day. What appears as truth to them at night may appear as false in the daylight. They are never prodigal in their generosity. They hoard rather than give, for they have an ever increasing fear of poverty in old age. Many of these people, both men and women, become 36 Life in the Great Beyond successful public speakers, as their minds are active and the elocutionary powers strong. They are also, fortunate as manufacturers, for they have a genius for working out new prin- ciples and improving upon mechanical devices. When forced to it they make a very fair suc- cess of business. Ahlo Those souls that reach the earth during the latter half of July and the first half of August come from the region of Ahlo. These people are generous, sympathetic, kind hearted and impulsive to a dangerous degree. They are courageous and determined, and act from the heart and not from the head, and are managed only through love and sympathy. They are builders and worshipers of the ideal as against the realities of life. They are naturally filled with emotions of love and cannot live without sympathy and affection. They seek for it and they find it, and if necessary will die for it, and are not always particular as to the source from which it comes. Their choice of companions is often criticised. They are also lovers of amusement, and it is 37 Life in the Great usually the dreamy, sensuous diversions that appeal to them, for they dislike physical exer- tion, and mental effort is equally distasteful. They prefer to make use of the thoughts which they attract to them from other brains. They are inspirational, intuitional and spontaneous and spend no time in philosophizing on life or studying its intricacies. They possess a personal magnetism that sways and inspires and compels support from all ranks of men. These people attain success in the theatrical world when they are willing to give time to the work. Even then they act largely from intuition, as they dislike study. In music they can also do well. As most of these people inherit a goodly share of physical beauty of face and form and retain their youthful ap- pearance and exuberance of spirit beyond the average age, they find the best opportunities for the display of their charms and talents in the theater, the pulpit, the courts, and places of public amusement. Ahmo The souls that take up a residence on the earth during the latter part of August and the 38 Life in the Great Beyond first three weeks of September come from the planets in the division of Ahmo. These people possess a materialistic, matter-of-fact turn of mind; a keen insight into human nature and a cold, calculating estimate of life. They are qualified for success as lawyers, chemists, de- signers, scholars, philosophers, journalists, novelists or politicians. They are daring, cunning and resourceful. Their investigative turn of mind often leads them into trouble; especially is this true when it leads them to pry into the personal affairs of their friends and make use of the information so obtained. An inconsistency in the lives of these people is their inability to cope with their family troubles and misunderstandings which they themselves may have created. Domestic strife seems to paralyze them and make them men- tally and physically ill. An unfortunate matrimonial alliance will do more to wreck the career of one of these people than any other one thing. In their home relations they are not tender and demonstrative, but rather main- tain a respectful formality. They are more interested in match making for their friends than for themselves. With them sympathy 39 Life in the Great Beyond once lost is slow to recover. While practical and indomitable in most matters, yet they crave appreciation of their intellectual au- thority. This they generally receive, for they are persistent readers and acquire and retain much knowledge, and they are particularly clever in the use of the acquired wisdom. They are, however, unjust, in that they criti- cise the work of those younger or less ex- perienced, forgetting that the great should be just, if not generous. The women of this tribe are especially fond of finery and of social leadership, and will go to dangerous extremes to procure them if need be. They can detect an advantage in a busi- ness transaction where others could not see it. Neither the men nor the women let many opportunities escape. Though frail and delicate in outward ap- pearance, these people possess remarkable vitality and recuperative powers that defy the ravages of disease and age. Few of them are financially poor, for their practical utili- tarian estimate of life is a promise of at least moderate success. They do not travel much, but drift instinctively toward shops, schools, 40 Life in the Great Beyond and cities where they can study the thought movements and motives of other men. Ahno Those souls reaching the earth during the last week of September and the first three weeks of October come from the region of Ahno. These people possess rare good judgment, liberality of thought and impartial justice, and are qualified to fill high positions by the sheer force of right. Born leaders, these people are poor followers. Their minds are too origi- native and their ideas too advanced to per- mit of them fitting into the prearranged plans of other men. Theirs is the magnetic power that enables physicians to lead their patients to recover; ministers their followers to glory; women their favorites to destruction and gen- erals their men to victory. Beneath an ex- terior of calm implacability they conceal a wealth of sympathy and understanding, and they are lenient to the frailties of other men. They persistently refuse to see the evil where its existence is quite apparent to others. They 41 Life in the Great ^Beyond are looking only for the good and they find much that others overlook. The physique of these people is less robust than the brain, and if they are placed among people or conditions that prey upon their sympathies, they become physically ill and lose health, youth and vitality. Beneath the broad public spirit of these people, there lies a love of home and closer associations. They crave the sympathy and understanding of domestic companionship and their worldly suc- cess usually comes only after the consumma- tion of that desire. Both the women and men of this tribe are constant and faithful to those they love. Their early years on the earth are usually fraught with vicissitudes and struggles that sometimes tinge their life with a somber shadow. But success in the end is usually their reward and rarely do they serve more than one term on the earth. Ahpo The souls that reach the earth during the latter part of October and the first half of November come from Ahpo. These people are distinguished by their determined, com- 42 Life m the Great Beyond manding nature. They seem so out of their element on the earth that they suffer strange vicissitudes of fortune. They scarcely sur- mount one difficulty or push through one ob- struction before they are confronted by another. Their paths lead into channels of stormy adventure. They are constantly con- ceiving new ideas and advancing new schemes, and the larger the scheme the better they like it and the harder they work for it. They turn toward the fortunes of war and the stock ex- change as naturally as the needle of the compass turns to the North. They are natural gamblers and usually fortunate in all games of chance. Whatever they undertake they must be at the head of it. They must lead in their own way. They do not attempt to force their convictions on others, for they are too busy directing their own course. In a controversy, however, they display a provok- ing tenacity and maintain their point right or wrong. The women have more sensitive do- mestic tendencies than the men and are more constant. Like the men, however, they fret under restraint and harbor an innate aversion to law and conventionality. This intolerance 43 Life in the Great 'Beyond of the tie that binds renders any successful attempt at matrimony almost impossible. There is always a tendency to drift toward places of fire, blood and tragedy and the close of their first period on the earth is likely to be as tragic as the beginning. They often succumb to narcotics and intoxicants. Ahro The souls that arrive on the earth during the latter half of November and the first half of December come from the division called Ahro. These people inherit a frank progres- sive nature, rich in love and hope and an in- exhaustible faith in their fellow-men. They are not satisfied to acquire personal success alone; they want to take their friends with them. This unnecessary activity is be- yond the comprehension of other types of people who see no need for such energy and hustle. Being honest and conscientious themselves, they become imbued with the conviction that they must remind others of their faults. They seldom err except in their over-zealousness to put down men or institutions that they con- 44 Life in the Great Beyond sider unjust or oppressive. At such times their indignation, while virtuous in its origin, is apt to acquire too much of a personal aversion. Their worthy sympathy for the oppressed is likely to lead them toward a persecution of the successful. In their haste to correct a wrong they are often cruel and unjust. Hav- ing convictions about things, they consider it their duty to proclaim them, even though they are often narrow and incorrect. Combining remarkable energy, keen insight and intuitive knowledge of outcomes, they become excellent financiers and fortunate in any enterprise which involves the handling of money. No matter in what they are engaged, these people will be found to rush, drive and push their affairs in a nerve-destroying fashion that taxes the mental and physical endurance to the utmost. Fortunately they are well endowed with physi- cal force. They usually develop an interest in the occult in their later years on the earth, then with the eye of the soul they seem to catch glimpses of the divine truth of life and this becomes the light that guides them back to their home. They love with their char- acteristic tenacity and are over-zealous for 45 Life in the Great beyond those they love, expecting over much of them. To them marriage is a serious and sacred state and one not to be entered into lightly. Ahso The souls that enter the earth life during the latter part of December and the first half of January are from the division Ahso. These people possess materialistic estimates of life. They are cold, calculating and exclusive; are cautious and inherit a far-seeing instinct that precludes the possibility of impulse ever gain- ing the mastery over their reason. They are brave, self-reliant and convert the obstacles in their path into stepping stones to raise them to their goal. The ambitions of these men vary; some seek distinction and supremacy in the political field and become successful leaders, carrying out stupendous undertakings, but they seldom embark upon an enterprise that does not promise handsome personal prof- its. The more modest among them are content to become speakers, scholars or teachers, that they may indulge their thirst for learning, They place book-knowledge on a pedestal and 46 Life in the Great Beyond bow down to it, overlooking the greater sources of supply. These people follow their ambition with a calm, quiet deliberation that gives them the victory of the tortoise over the hare. They have a lesson to learn in the value of love and loving companionship. The women inherit a more tender impulse than the men, but they are seldom in danger of attempting "Love in a cottage/' for they hold a high regard for titles, pomp and pedigree. They prefer power to love, pretty dresses to pretty speeches and social standing above all things. These women are seldom popular socially, because of their imperious, independent natures. In whatever part of the earth they may be placed they in- variably drift toward its lonely, obscure cor- ners, its ruined abodes, halls of past glory and places of retrospective thought. 47 Life in the Great Beyond THE REASON The souls from each division bring with them to the earth the characteristics they pos- sessed at home, and it is by these individualiz- ing characteristics that they are known and seemingly controlled. In submitting and giv- ing expression to these peculiarities they are but fulfilling the laws of the universe by car- rying out the details of their own destiny. The influence which all souls acknowledge and are subjected to is not planetary, but is the thoughts of their friends on the earth and the planet from which they came and to which they will again return some day. It is the undesirable characteristics ex- pressed by the souls on the earth that caused them to be exiled, and it is only when they have conquered these tendencies that they will be permitted to return, for only the noble characteristics of each tribe are tolerated in the planet from which they came. If parents will refer to the foregoing guide, they can tell from whence the souls of their 49 Life in the Great Beyond children came, and as a result, what they may expect from them as their bodies develop. This fore-knowledge will create a sympathy and understanding between parents and child- ren that will smooth out the rough places and aid each in the great process of progression. The souls that inhabit each division of the universe watch over the souls that were exiled from their particular planet. They extend to them all the encouragement they can and send to them all the ideas, thoughts and suggestions for their unfoldment that they will accept. Curious as it may seem to you, those on the earth have no original thoughts of their own. The thoughts they think are received by them from the inhabitants of other planets. Each soul absorbs most readily the thoughts and ideas from those of his own planet, because his previous development make those ideas most clear to him. Thus, by the thoughts and ideas a person entertains, can you tell to which division of the universe he belongs. The soul that is truly repentant remains not long on the earth, but is soon drawn back to the planet from which it came, and the journey is as easily accomplished as the passage of 50 Life in the Great Beyond a ray of light from the sun to the earth. When the soul is sufficiently purified to return home, it breaks out of the body much as a beautiful flower breaks out of a seed. Some souls re- main upon the earth but a short time, a few weeks or months and they have expiated their transgression. I remember often hearing it said of children "He or she is not long for this life ; he looks so beautiful, peaceful and happy" and "The good die young." Those are the souls that are soon freed from their earthly prison. The good they have done by developing in one or both of the parents a greater sympathy or spirit of kindness, and a better and more generous view of life, is often sufficient to make restitution for such past errors as they may have been guilty of in his planet, and they are quickly released. "Verily the children shall teach them." Some souls do not repent and bring them- selves back to the perfection required of them in the course of one physical life, and as a result are destined to remain in the land of torment for ages and be reborn to the earth time and time again. By the law of a wise 51 Life in the Great Beyond creator, each time they are given a new body they are also given a new opportunity to cor- rect their errors and be called back home. Some in their desparation or indifference de- stroy their body, thinking thus to break the chain that binds them to the earth, but to no avail, for their destiny must be fulfilled. There is one way and only one by which they can be freed, and that is to repent of their past errors and take up again the work of soul de- velopment in a new body and fit themselves to return to the planet from which they were exiled. You will possibly ask what becomes of those souls that are prematurely released by the ac- cidental destruction of the body. What would you do if the residence in which your body now lives should be destroyed? You would find another house. So does the released soul. For on earth it has no means of expression, except through the organism of a physical body. Some apparent accidents to human bodies, however, are in reality an act of des- tiny. It is often the quick release of a soul that it may go back home. In other cases it results from the combined exertion of one's 52 Life in the Great Beyond soul friends to check a career that is leading to further degradation. The release of a soul from a body that was too strongly influenced by environments that were harmful, and its removal to a new body, surrounded by more elevating influences, gives it another chance, and shows to what extent the life of each per- son on the earth is watched and cared for by the friends beyond, whose work it is to reclaim fallen souls from evil and bring them back to the good. What you call intuition is the whispering of your guardian friends from your planet at- tempting to guide and direct you into the right course. They, having the soul-sight, can see the outcome of all things of the earth, and know what its inhabitants should do in each instance. If you follow these silent soul whis- pers to the best of your ability you will ac- quire wisdom and greatly shorten your stay in the land of torment and hasten your return to the life beautiful. If you do not obey these kindly offers you must continue to suffer on for many years. That you are today on the earth is the proof that you fell from grace and indicates one of 53 Life in the Great ^Beyond two things. You are either unprepared to re- turn and fill your previous place among your fellow-men, or you have a mission on the earth yet to perform for the good of its inhabitants, and not until this is performed will you be called back home. 54 Life in the Great Beyond THE SCHEME OF THE UNIVERSE The vastness, the simplicity and the perfect- ness of the great creative scheme of the uni- verse is beyond most souls to comprehend. The people inhabiting the planets in each of of the twelve divisions acquire additional light and knowledge as they progress from one divi- sion to another, until they leave the twelfth and pass into the purely spiritual life of the celestial heaven. There they attain to such glory and happiness as none on the earth can understand until they have experienced it. It is "the peace that passeth all understanding." It is what we are all living, working and striv- ing for. It is the one thing worth while. In the whole scheme of creation, man is the highest product of a master mind. Those seen on the earth are but the imperfect specimens; those that have failed of the Master's desire. On the earth no human is a perfect example of God's handiwork. But as man progresses through the spheres in the course of his des- 55 Life in the Great Beyond, tiny he takes on greater and still greater per- fections of body and mind, each change bring- ing to him greater marks of beauty and youth. For it is known that the soul is born old and grows younger as it follows in the path of its destiny. I have been told by those who have spent much time on this planet that the physical body becomes less material in each of the spheres, as it advances, until the perfect refinement of soul and body are reached in the twelfth division, and, on leav- ing there for the celestial heaven, the soul and body become one perfect whole, possessing powers of life eternal. In the entire progress through the twelve divisions the soul leaves behind it the body used on each planet, and takes a new, more perfect and more suitable one on the next. Sometimes several bodies are occupied on one planet before the soul advances to a higher division. It all depends upon the person. He may advance rapidly or slowly, accordingly as he obeys the laws of the Creator, or at any time he may disobey and be punished by an exile to the planet of darkness the earth. 56 Life in the Great Beyond In all men at all times lies the germ of greater possibilities, just as the great oak lies resting in the little acorn awaiting to be called forth. It is this divine, never-ending source of power and life that attracts him ever for- ward and onward to greater development. On the earth man is largely a creature of destiny, tied down and made to suffer for his own mis- deeds. Man on the other planets is a creator of knowledge, a power which increases as he advances. He is thus enabled to make his life more ideal. On the planet which I inhabit we are able, by the exercise of our mental forces, to attract at will the vibrations from the air necessary to produce visible pictures of persons, places or subjects on any part of our planet. We can produce the most beautiful music by the har- monizing of these vibrations. Music here can be seen in beautiful colors as well as heard. We can also communicate with each other by a concentration and projection of our thought. We can build up pictures and designs in the brain and reproduce them in detail and color- ing on a sensitized plate. This is a great ad- 57 Life in the Great Beyond vantage to architects, landscape gardeners and designers of fabrics, machinery, etc., for they can see in advance what the completed article will be like. What you of the earth know of these things is just the faint impressions that some way- ward soul down there gets from some friend up here. The inventions made on the earth were first created on some other planet and transmitted by a friendly soul anxious to im- prove the conditions of those on the earth. We are also able to see to the earth, if we have any friends in exile there, and if we have we try to keep up communication with them and render them all possible advice and sugges- tions until they are reclaimed. We do not visit the earth in search of lost souls, as you of the earth suppose, but during the sleep of your body, while you are free, we establish such communication with you, for your good, as you will permit, but we do not leave our planet. The only souls that actually appear to each other on the earth plane are those who own bodies there or those who are 58 Life in the Great Beyond just leaving the earth to return home and wish before leaving to bid farewell to one to whom they have become attached. Once a soul is fully released from the body, it cannot linger long on the earth, for there is that irresistible influence of its destiny that draws it away. We live on this planet much as you do on the earth, except under more favorable con- ditions. We eat, drink and sleep, work, study and spend much time in perfecting the mind and body. This in turn acts upon the develop- ment of the real being of the soul. We have not the wickedness to contend with that you have, but still we have temptations to try us and test us. We marry and give birth to physical bodies, which are taken and occupied by the souls that have earned the right to progress from their planet to ours, here to again become little children and be taught our ways and receive our guidance and instruction. We realize the responsibility of this trust and the children receive the greatest consideration in the land. For we know that what we teach them by word or example that they will be- come in the future. Therefore if through our 59 Life in the Great Beyond neglect or wrong teaching they should go wrong, we would be exiled and would have our work to do over again. By the law of the universe none can shirk his duty, and in this respect our duty is clear and we try to obey it. Here we have no conflicting religious views such as serve to torment the people of the earth. Our eyes are open to the truth. We know the law of life and progression and our efforts will ultimately make of each of us a perfect glorified spiritual being. We have our work to do and it becomes a pleasure to do it. We take instruction from those above us in knowledge and teach those below us, and thus the work of progression goes on. We have a physical voice for speaking, but we use it very little, as thought projection take its place almost entirely. We use very little in the way of books or illustrations in teaching, except the records of science and history. The eye of the soul is used to search out the thing that is needed, and by these object lessons one learns quickly. We know that each soul is a son of the Great Soul of the Universe and is therefore 60 Life in the Great Beyond sacred. We know also that each life fills a place in the great plan and is necessary to its completion, just as each grain of sand is neces- sary in the making of an earth and each drop of water in the making of an ocean. The great could not exist without the small. Singly we may not seem to be very important, but to gether, fulfilling our destiny, we are the divine expression of the force that shapes the uni- verse. The children born on each planet are created for the express purpose of furnishing dwell- ings for the souls that are sent from other planets. During the month of judgment in each division, some are promoted and advanced another degree, or fraction of a degree, in keep- ing with their development and obeyance of the laws, while others are moved down the scale because they have not shown the ability and strength to live up to the requirements of their surroundings, while others, who have willfully or carelessly disobeyed the law or injured any of their beings are exiled to the earth, there to remain until they have fully atoned for the wrong done and are again fitted 61 Life in the Great Beyond to associate with the people of their planet. By the system of the judgment seat progress- ing each month to the next division, it equal- izes the supply of births and deaths on every planet and keeps a well regulated birth rate on the earth. Whether new souls are created at any time or in any number, or whether it is just the interchange of souls from planet to planet in the progression of humanity, I do not know, and that question is probably only solved by those who pass into the celestial heaven. It is a grand, glorious and just system, based wholly upon merit, by which those who try re- ceive their reward in promotion to more glori- ous realms of knowledge, beauty and more ideal conditions of life, and those who neglect their duty to their Creator and their fellow-men, bring punishment and suffering upon themselves. Each has himself to thank or to blame, each is the maker of his own destiny. And above all we have our Creator to thank for giving us the opportunity to try, and, when we fail, another chance to try again. There is an inspiration in it all. There are so many possi- 62 Life in the Great Beyond bilities to work for and such great pleasure, as our reward for success. The person who tries to deceive himself into the belief that the death of the body ends all, is doing himself a great injury by bringing more earthly suffering to his share and by delaying his chances of leaving the earth for realms of power and glory where pleasure and happiness await his arrival. As ye give so shall ye re- ceive and as ye try so shall ye be rewarded. The balance of justice is so fine that rewards and punishments are automatic, self-acting and prompt. ; The things I have told you of the earth and of the planet I am now living on I know to be a fact from personal experience. What I have told you of the system of progress beyond this I have learned from those who have received the information much as you are receiving this by a connecting link between a soul here and one gone forward to the next division. I learned that it is only in rare cases that such harmony is established between souls of a different sphere, but that it has occurred a sufficient number of times on record to leave 63 Life in the Great Beyond us a reliable knowledge of the law of progres- sion, therefore we do not work in the dark as you do of the earth. It is recorded that many attempts have been made to convey to some soul on the earth the knowledge I am giving to you, but without a definite result. The information has always been misconstrued and misapplied. May you use it wisely and make it known to all who are ready to learn the truth. This has been written as it was revealed to me. I submit it for your consideration. A. VICTOR SEGNO. 64 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW AN INITIAL FINE OP 25 CENTS WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY WILL INCREASE TO 5O CENTS ON THE FOURTH DAY AND TO $1.OO ON THE SEVENTH DAY OVERDUE. MAY 23 1944 LD 21-10m-5,'43 (6061s) 218490