19. Methods Of Defence III-f
Astral Lightcosmology
The universal fluid or medium of occult philosophy — Lévi's Great Magical Agent — that transmits will, thought, and magical influence between minds and matter, and preserves the impress of all forms and actions as a book of consciences; cognate with akasha and the anima mundi. Distinct from cosmic_sympathy (a doctrine of hidden affinity) in being a substantival medium that can be charged, directed, and abused.
The passage describes a 'magnetic link' and the transmission of disruptive suggestions from the subconscious or external orders affecting the physical body, which aligns with the function of the Astral Light as a medium for occult influence.
All passages →Psychic Attackpraxis
The doctrine and practice of one person deliberately inflicting harm on another through trained will, mind-power, or occult technique alone, without physical contact — producing exhaustion, illness, breakdown, or death in the victim; recognised cross-culturally as witchcraft, hexing, or the evil eye, and treated in Western esotericism as a genuine occult hazard requiring diagnosis and defence rather than dismissed as superstition. Distinct from magical_will (the general doctrine that trained volition has causal power, of which this is one malevolent application) and from spirit_conjuration (which subordinates an already-existing summoned spirit, rather than directing the operator's own power at a person).
The passage details a case of psychic affliction (exhaustion, grey-faced) caused by occult contacts and the subsequent defence/healing to break the link, which is the central theme of the book and this specific narrative.
All passages →Secret Societiessoteriology
Organized, persisting groups — fraternities, orders, lodges — that maintain esoteric knowledge or practices as an institution distinct from public religion or mainstream society, holding 'the keys' collectively rather than through any one master-disciple pair. Distinct from esoteric_lineage (a genealogical chain of individual transmission, not an institution) and hidden_sayings (the concealment of a teaching's meaning, independent of whether any organized body holds it).
The text explicitly references an 'old Order' and a 'Thibetan Brotherhood' as organized groups maintaining esoteric knowledge or practices that can form magnetic links with individuals.
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