cosmology
Invisible World
A non-physical dimension of reality, interpenetrating the physical world, populated by forces, beings, and forms ordinarily imperceptible to physical senses and instruments, that can affect embodied life without being seen — Dion Fortune's 'mind-side of nature,' the astral plane of Western esotericism broadly construed. Distinct from astral_light (a specific transmitting medium or fluid operating within this realm, not the realm itself), pleroma (the divine fullness at the summit of a cosmic hierarchy, not a parallel plane coextensive with ordinary life), and animism (particular indwelling spirits bound to specific natural objects, not the general unseen dimension itself).
275 passages · 12 traditions
theosophy159
The Secret Doctrine | Page 2 (part 2)
“"When Buddhi absorbs our E GOtism (destroys it) with all its Vikaras, Avalokiteshvara becomes manifested to us, and Nirvana, or Mukti, is reached," "Mukti" being the same as Nirvana, i.e.
, freedom from the trammels of "Maya" or illusion.…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 2 (part 8)
“This statement is rendered more credible by a consideration of the following facts: the tradition of the thousands of ancient parchments saved when the Alexandrian library was destroyed; the thousands of Sanskrit works which disappeared in…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 5)
“But this view does not prevent him from believing in its existence so long as it lasts, to wit, for one Mahamanvantara; nor from applying Akasa, the radiation of Mulaprakriti,* to practical purposes, connected as the World-Soul is with all…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 6)
“." For clearer understanding on the part of the general reader, it must be stated that Occult Science recognises Seven Cosmical Elements -- four entirely physical, and the fifth (Ether) semi-material, as it will become visible in the air to…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 7)
“Herbert Spencer has of late so far modified his Agnosticism, as to assert that the nature of the "First Cause,"* which the Occultist more logically derives from the "Causeless Cause," the "Eternal," and the "Unknowable," may be essentially…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 8)
“Moreover, the Secret Doctrine teaches: -- ( c ) The fundamental identity of all Souls with the Universal Over-Soul, the latter being itself an aspect of the Unknown Root; and the obligatory pilgrimage for every Soul -- a spark of the former…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 3 (part 9)
“As may be judged, however, from the most important, as the best known of the Rosicrucians' symbols, there is one which has never been hitherto understood even by modern mystics.
It is that of the "Pelican" tearing open its breast to feed i…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 4 (part 1)
“The Secret Doctrine by H.
P.
Blavatsky -- Vol.
1 [[Vol.
1, Page 25]] PART I .
COSMIC EVOLUTION.
--------------------- SEVEN STANZAS TRANSLATED WITH COMMENTARIES FROM THE SECRET BOOK OF DZYAN.
[[Vol.
1, Page 26]] Nor Aught nor Nought…”
Show all 159 →neoplatonism34
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XI-a
““ How therefore ,” you ask, “ are many things performed to them in sacred operations, as if they were passive?
” I reply, that this is asserted through an ignorance of sacerdotal mysticism.
For of the things which are perpetually effected…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIII
“Moreover, “ the pacifications of anger ” will become manifest, if we understand what the anger of the Gods is. This, therefore, is not, as it appears to be to some, a certain ancient and inveterate rage, but an abandonment of the beneficent…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIX-a
“In the next place, therefore, we shall answer your question, “ What it is which conjoins the Gods that have a body in the heavens with the incorporeal Gods.
” What this is, therefore, is evident from what has been before said.
For 72 if t…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter V
“Moreover, that which purifies souls is perfect in the Gods; but in archangels it is anagogic. Angels alone dissolve the bond of generation. Dæmons draw souls down into nature; but heroes lead them to a providential attention to sensible wor…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VI
“Moreover, the gifts arising from the manifestations are not all of them equal, nor have the same fruits. But the presence of the Gods, indeed, imparts to us health of body, virtue of soul, purity of intellect, and in one word elevates every…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VII
“Moreover, in the manifestations there is an indication of the order which the powers that are seen possess. For the Gods are surrounded by either Gods or angels; but archangels have angels either preceding or coarranged with them, or follow…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XI-a
“Another species of divine divination which is much celebrated, most manifest and manifold, is that of oracles, about which you say as follows: “ There are some who drink water, as the priest of Clarius, in Colophon; but others are seated at…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XII
“It appears, therefore, that the divination of oracles accords with all the hypotheses which we have before adduced concerning prediction. For if a power of this kind was inseparable from the nature of places, and of the bodies which are the…”
Show all 34 →biblical27
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 28:4-28:22
“[28:4] and give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land of thy sojournings, which God gave unto Abraham.
[28:5] And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Paddan-aram unto Laban, s…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 30:35-31:11
“[30:35] And he removed that day the he-goats that were ringstreaked and spotted, and all the she-goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of hi…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 31:12-31:32
“[31:12] And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see: all the he-goats which leap upon the flock are ringstreaked, speckled, and grizzled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.
[31:13] I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointed…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 34:29-35:18
“[34:29] and all their wealth, and all their little ones and their wives, took they captive and made a prey, even all that was in the house.
[34:30] And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitant…”
Genesis (American Standard Version, 1901) | 46:1-46:21
“[46:1] And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
[46:2] And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, He…”
The Gospel According to John (American Standard Version, 1901) | 14:12-15:3
“[14:12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.
[14:13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,…”
The Gospel According to John (American Standard Version, 1901) | 16:1-16:22
“[16:1] These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.
[16:2] They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
[16:3] A…”
The Gospel According to John (American Standard Version, 1901) | 19:36-20:16
“[19:36] For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
[19:37] And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
[19:38] And after these things Joseph of…”
Show all 27 →christian_mysticism24
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 4, Section 1a
“CHAPTER IV Concerning ” Good ,” ” Light ,” ” Beautiful ,” “ Desire ,” ” Ecstasy ,” “ Jealousy .” Also that Evil is neither existent nor Sprung from anything existent nor inherent in existent things .
1.
Now let us consider the name of “Go…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 3 (part 7)
“171.) When the power of the light becomes revealed it manifests its activity first of all in the Fifth Quality , which is evolved by means of the preceding four as sweet love, or a luminous water-spirit.
"The first three principles are mer…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 3 (part 8)
“Without it the form of the spirit would not be knowable; it is the corporeity of the spirit.
To be sure, it is not a bodily, tangible substance, like the bodies of men, but has nevertheless substantial and visible qualities which the spiri…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 3 (part 9)
“"The eternal will, the Father, conducts His heart, His eternal Son, by means of the fire into great triumph, into His kingdom of joy." ( Grace , ii.
21.) "When the Father speaks His Word—that is to say, when He generates His Son—which is d…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 5 (part 2)
“It ought to be kept in mind that "myths" are not "fables." Myths are representations of actualities clothed in a fabulous form.
Their kernel is true, even if the shell in which it is clothed is an illusion.
"There are seven principal qual…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 5 (part 4)
“107 The realm which formerly was governed by Lucifer embraced our earth and the whole depth of the starry sky.
The realms of Michael and Uriel are equal in extent to the former, and exist beyond the starry sky.
"What Boehme says about the…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 5 (part 9)
“1.) "Lucifer having left the harmony of God, the holy name of God separated from him and remained in its own unity; but Lucifer remained in the qualities of the central fire which he had awakened within himself." ( Theosophical Questions ,…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 6 (part 1)
“p.
122 CHAPTER VI.
THE RESTORATION OF NATURE AND THE GENERATION OF MAN.
" If we speak about heaven and the birth of the elements, we are then not telling of things that are far away or foreign to us, but of that which is taking place wit…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 6 (part 7)
“That which Sol (the sun) is spiritually becomes corporeal in Luna (the moon)." ( Signature , ix.
24.) After the world of stars had begun to exist, the sidereal life appeared by the power of the former—that is to say, that living organisms…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 6 (part 9)
“Thus he was in possession of divine and terrestrial essentiality; but the terrestrial one was in the divine one like consumed or impotent (latent).
The substance or the matter from which the body was made or created contained itself also t…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 7 (part 1)
“p.
140 CHAPTER VII.
MAN.
"God created man in His own image.
Male and female ( in one ) created He them." Man in his cosmic aspect is a being very superior to that which is commonly looked upon as a "man," and which is described in books…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 8 (part 1)
“p.
164 CHAPTER VIII.
NATURE, OR THE THIRD PRINCIPLE.
"The godless seeks for God outside of his own self, and the Christless sectarians seek for a personal Christ in history; but the man of God and the true Christian know God and Christ w…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 8 (part 4)
“But the constellation has still another woman, wherein it breeds out its substance, namely, the moon, she being the wife of all the planets, but especially of the sun." 3 ( Mysterium , xi.
31.) p.
171 "As the stars, full of desire, draw u…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 8 (part 8)
“For the internal being is continually labouring to manifest itself outwardly.
Thus everything has its own mouth for the purpose of revealing itself, and therein is based the language of nature, by means of which each thing speaks out of it…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 9 (part 3)
“2.) "Many a soul in her malignity would become a devil within one hour if the external life did not prevent it, so that her complete ignition cannot take place." ( Forty Questions , xvi.
12.) "In examining our own selves we find that, on t…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 9 (part 8)
“402.) During the connubial act a divine interaction takes place; but there are also influences coming from the terrestrial and the satanic worlds.
More especially is the nature of the child dependent on the quality of its parents.
2 p.
1…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 9 (part 10)
“The conditions of these animal elementals in the constitution of man are some of those causes of his bodily ills of which modern medical science is entirely ignorant.
191:1 This is the way in which the "personalities" mentioned in the Book…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 10 (part 5)
“The wrath must kill and consume the external image that has grown in the wrath, but from its death springs forth the eternal life." ( Mysterium , xxviii.
14.) "Abel, representing an antitype of Christ, who was to suffer death for humanity,…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 10 (part 7)
“It is not shown that Esau became subject to Jacob, but the story represents to us a spiritual symbol, showing how the kingdom of nature in man was to become subjected and to be made to submit in humility to the kingdom p.
214 of grace; how…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 10 (part 15)
“"The Spirit of Christ in His children is not bound to a certain form, so that He could say nothing but what is found in the writings of the apostles; but as the Spirit was free in the apostles, and as they did not all use the same expressio…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 11 (part 1)
“p.
224 CHAPTER XI.
INCARNATION—THE CELESTIAL VIRGIN.
The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ, or, to express it in other words, of the awakening of the germ of divine self-knowledge in man, is so grand, that it is impossible to form a…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 12 (part 10)
“Every object or person we see in the world is nothing but a symbol of existing ideas; every event taking place in external life is the outcome of invisibly acting forces.
The historical correctness of the occurrences described in the Bible…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 14 (part 1)
“p.
289 CHAPTER XIV.
DEATH AND ETERNAL LIFE.
"The mystic death is the beginning of eternal life." Man is a product of three worlds His spirit is of God, his soul from the constellation of the astral elements, his body from the elements of…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 14 (part 8)
“, in the heavenly essentiality (Devachan)—cannot be disturbed by anybody, unless they should wish it themselves, in case that they were very favourably inclined towards some particular soul in harmony with their own.
They do not trouble th…”
← Collapserenaissance_hermeticism10
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter II — What Magic Is, What Are the Parts Thereof, and How the Professors Thereof Must Be Qualified | Chapter II, Section 1b
“It instructs us also concerning Faith, Miracles, the virtues of Words and Figures , the secret operations and mysteries of Seals; and, as Apuleius saith, it teacheth us rightly to understand and to be skilled in the Ceremonial Laws, the equ…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter V — Of the Wonderful Natures of Fire and Earth | Chapter V, Section 1b
“Hence it was that the first and most wise institutors of religions and ceremonies ordained that prayers, singings and all manner of divine worships whatsoever should not be performed without lighted candles or torches (hence, also, was that…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter VIII — How the Elements Are in the Heavens, in Stars, in Devils, in Angels, and lastly in God Himself | Chapter VIII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER VIII.
How the Elements Are in the Heavens, in Stars, in Devils, in Angels, and lastly in God Himself .
It is the unanimous consent of all Platonists, that as in the original and exemplary World, all things are in all; so also in t…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XV — How We Must Find Out and Examine the Virtues of Things by Way of Similitude | Chapter XV, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XV.
How We Must Find Out and Examine the Virtues of Things by Way of Similitude .
It is now manifest that the occult properties in things are not from the nature of the Elements, but infused from above, hid from our senses, and sc…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXVII — How, By Some Certain Natural and Artificial Preparations, We May Attract Certain Celestial and Vital Gifts | Chapter XXXVII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XXXVII.
How, By Some Certain Natural and Artificial Preparations, We May Attract Certain Celestial and Vital Gifts .
Platonists , together with Hermes, say, and Jarchus Brachmanus and the Mecubals of the Hebrews confess, that all…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXVIII — How We May Draw Not Only Celestial and Vital, but Also Certain Intellectual and Divine Gifts From Above | Chapter XXXVIII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XXXVIII.
How We May Draw Not Only Celestial and Vital, but Also Certain Intellectual and Divine Gifts From Above .
Magicians teach that celestial gifts may, through inferiors being conformable to superiors, be drawn down by opport…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XLV — Of Collyries, Unctions, Love-Medicines, and Their Virtues | Chapter XLV, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XLV.
Of Collyries, Unctions, Love-Medicines, and Their Virtues .
Moreover , collyries and unguents, conveying the virtues of things natural and celestial to our spirit, can multiply, transmute, transfigure, and transform it accord…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LVI — Of the Soothsayings of Flashes and Lightnings, and how Monstrous and Prodigious Things are to be Interpreted | Chapter LVI, Section 1a
“CHAPTER LVI.
Of the Soothsayings of Flashes and Lightnings, and how Monstrous and Prodigious Things are to be Interpreted .
Now, the soothsayings of flashes and lightnings, and of wonders, and how monstrous and prodigious things are to be…”
Show all 10 →egyptian8
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 22 (part 1)
“PLATE XIV.
§F.
Vignette: The gods Osiris, Isis, and Ap-uat, and the TET.
Text [CHAPTER XVIII.]: (1) The great godlike rulers who are in Abtu are Osiris, Isis, and Ap-uat.
"Hail, Thoth, who madest Osiris victorious (2) over his enemies,…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 32 (part 1)
“PLATE XXV.
Vignette: A swallow perched on a conical object painted red and green.
Text [CHAPTER LXXXVI.]: (I) HERE BEGIN THE CHAPTERS OF MAKING TRANSFORMATIONS.
THE CHANGING INTO A SWALLOW.
(2) Saith Osiris Ani, triumphant: "I am the sw…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 2 (part 2)
“PER-EM-HRU, or, "[The Book] of the Coming Forth by Day." 2.
SHAT ENT AM TUAT, or, "The Book of that which is in the Tuat." 3.
The composition to which the name "Book of Gates" has been given.
Now the first of these, which is commonly kno…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 10 (part 1)
“SECOND DIVISION OF THE TUAT.
II.
THE KINGDOM OF KHENTI-AMENTI-OSIRIS ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF GATES.
To advance into this Division the Boat of AFU-RA must first pass through the Gate which is guarded by the huge serpent SAA-SET, and this…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 11 (part 2)
“The realm of Osiris had to be cleared of such beings, and the gods whose duty it was to protect him destroyed them with fire.
We may note, too, that in this Division the shadows and souls of the dead were supposed to wander about, and thou…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 12 (part 1)
“THIRD DIVISION OF THE TUAT.
II.
THE KINGDOM OF KHENTI-AMENTI-OSIRIS ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF GATES.
Before AFU-RA can pass into the THIRD DIVISION it is necessary for him to pass through a Gate which is protected by two strong walls, wit…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 14 (part 1)
“FIFTH DIVISION OF THE TUAT.
I.
THE KINGDOM OF SEKER ACCORDING TO THE BOOK AM-TUAT.
This DIVISION, or HOUR, or CIRCLE, as it is described in the text, is called AMENT, and it contains the secret ways, and the doors of the hidden chamber o…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 28 (part 1)
“ELEVENTH DIVISION OF THE TUAT.
II.
KINGDOM OF TEMU-KHEPERA-RA ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF GATES.
The gate which leads into the ELEVENTH DIVISION, or HOUR, is called SHETAT-BESU, and the name of the p.
189 monster serpent which guards it is…”
native_american4
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter III-e
“The sacred beast, bird, or reptile, represented by its stuffed skin, or by a rude painting, was treated with reverence and carried into battle to insure the guardianship of the spirits.
The symbolic attribute of beaver, bear, or tortoise,…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 4a
“ORIGIN OF DISEASE AND MEDICINE In the old days the beasts, birds, fishes, insects, and plants could all talk, and they and the people lived together in peace and friendship.
But as time went on the people increased so rapidly that their se…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15c
“e., if the hunter has asked pardon for the life that he has taken.
If the formulistic prayer has been made, all is well, because the necessary sacrifice has been atoned for; but if otherwise, the Little Deer tracks the hunter to his house…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 59c
“A mother whose grown son had been thus treated when an infant claimed that he could hold anything with his thumb and finger.
It is said, however, to render the child quarrelsome and disposed to bite.
Of insects there is more to be said.…”
hinduism3
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book III | Sutra 29
“Perfectly concentrated Meditation on the centre of force in the lower trunk brings an understanding of the order of the bodily powers. We are coming to a vitally important part of the teaching of Yoga: namely, the spiritual man's attainment…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book III | Sutra 51
“There should be complete overcoming of allurement or pride in the invitations of the different realms of life, lest attachment to things evil arise once more. The commentator tells us that disciples, seekers for union, are of four degrees:…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book IV | Sutra 1
“Psychic and spiritual powers may be inborn, or they may be gained by the use of drugs, or by incantations, or by fervour, or by Meditation. Spiritual powers have been enumerated and described in the preceding sections. They are the normal p…”
jewish_mysticism3
The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1f
“[The letters of the Hebrew alphabet are divided into three classes, the three mothers as they are called, AMSh; the seven duplex letters, BGDKPRTh, so called because they are sometimes tenues and sometimes aspirates, according to whether th…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XXII (part 1)
“XXII.
Sheol, or the Underworld .
CHAPTER XXII.
1.
And thence I went to another place, and he showed me in the west ⌈ another ⌉ great and high mountain [ and ] of hard rock.
E 2 And there was in it †four† hollow places, deep and wide an…”
The Lesser Holy Assembly (Idra Zuta Qadisha) | Idra Zuta, Chapter 1 (part 1)
“CHAPTER VIII.
CONCERNING THE FOREHEAD OF MACROPROSOPUS.
87.
THE forehead of His skull is the acceptation of acceptations, whereunto is opposed the acceptation of Microprosopus, like as it is written, Exod.
xxviii.
38: "And it shall be…”
hermeticism1
Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres | Section 1b
“But when He raised His head, I see in Mind the Light, [but] now in Powers no man could number, and Cosmos grown beyond all bounds, and that the Fire was compassed round about by a most mighty Power, and [now] subdued had come unto a stand.…”
mesopotamian1
The Descent of the Goddess Ishtar into the Lower World | Section 1b
“"Why, O gatekeeper, dost thou remove the girdle of my body, studded with birth-stones?" "Enter, O lady, for such are the decrees of Ereshkigal." The sixth gate, he bade her enter, opened it wide, and removed the spangles off her hands and f…”
western_esoteric1
Psychic Self-Defence (Dion Fortune) | 1. Signs Of Psychic Attack-a
“IF we look at the universe around us we cannot fail to realise that there must be some overruling plan co-ordinating its infinite complexity.
If we take into our hands and examine minutely any living thing, however simple, equally must we…”