Seven rays
The seven rays is a concept that has appeared in several religions and
In occidental culture, it can be seen in early
Beginning in the late 19th century, the seven rays appeared in a modified and elaborated form in the teachings of
As the
In Antiquity
In ancient
The
In Catholicism
In early Christian iconography, the dove of the Holy Ghost is often shown with an emanation of seven rays, as is the image of the Madonna, often in conjunction with a dove or doves.
During the 12th century,
The Italian
In Hindu scripture
The Vishnu Purana, a post-Vedic scripture, describes how Vishnu "enters into the seven solar rays which dilate into seven suns." These are the "seven principal solar rays," the source of heat even to the planet Jupiter, and the "seven suns into which the seven solar rays dilate at the consummation of all things...."[6]
The 20th-century Hindu scholar, poet and mystic Sri Aurobindo described the Vedic seven rays of knowledge, or Agni, as "the seven forms of the Thought-principle" and wrote that "the seven brilliant horses of the sun and their full union constitutes the seven-headed Thought of Ayasya by which the lost sun of Truth is recovered. That thought is again established in the seven rivers, the seven principles of being divine and human, the totality of which founds the perfect spiritual existence."[7]
Syncretistic interpretations
Spiritualist Gerald Massey wrote in 1881 of what he described as connections between Vedic scripture, ancient Egyptian mythology and the Gospel stories.[26] He theorized that the Archon Iao, the "Seven-rayed Sun-God of the Gnostic-stones" was also the "Serpent Chnubis," and "the Second Beast in the Book of Revelation."[27] In 1900, he elaborated further, describing the unity of "the seven souls of the Pharaoh," "the seven arms of the Hindu god Agni," "the seven stars in the hand of the Christ in Revelation," and "the seven rays of the Chaldean god Heptaktis, or Iao, on the Gnostic stones."[28]
Samuel Fales Dunlap, wrote in 1894:
Moses was of the race of the Chaldeans. The Chaldean Mithra had his Seven Rays, and Moses his Seven Days. The other planets which circling around the sun lead the dance as round the King of heaven receive from him with the light also their powers; while as the light comes to them from the sun so from him they receive their powers that he pours out into the Seven Spheres of the Seven Planets of which the sun is the centre.
Dunlap wrote that the idea of spirit as the ultimate cause is present in all of the great religions of the East (which in the terminology of his time included the area now known as the Near East or Middle East), and that this idea can be found in "the Seven Rays of the Chaldaean
Dunlap compared the
In the late 1940s, art historian and writer
In Theosophy
Part of a series on |
Theosophy |
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Syncretism is one of the core principles of
Blavatsky wrote in the first book of
In the second volume of the Secret Doctrine, Blavatsky discusses the "seven nervous plexuses of the body" and the seven rays they radiate, stating that this principle is found in the
Blavatsky summarizes the syncretistic principle of her doctrine as it relates to the seven rays:
"...a key which reveals to us on indisputable grounds of comparative analogy... the Indian phœnix, the emblem of cyclic and periodical time, the "man-lion" Singha, of whose representations the so-called "gnostic gems" are so full. Over the seven rays of the lion's crown, and corresponding to their points, stand, in many cases, the seven vowels of the Greek alphabet AEHIOYW, testifying to the Seven Heavens. This is the Solar lion and the emblem of the Solar cycle, as Garuda is that of the great cycle, the "Maha-Kalpa" co-eternal with Vishnu, and also, of course, the emblem of the Sun, and Solar cycle. ... As well remarked by C. W. King: — "Whatever the primary meaning (of the gem with the solar lion and vowels) it was probably imported in its present shape from India, that true fountain head of gnostic iconography." (Gnostics, p. 218)[34]
In the third volume of the Secret Doctrine, published posthumously, Blavatsky described the "Seven Primeval Rays" as a group of celestial beings also known as "Gods" or "Angels" or "Powers". She stated that this symbolism was "adopted later on by the Christian Religion as the 'Seven Angels of the Presence.'"[35]
In Theosophy, the seven rays are said to be seven major types of Light-Substance (spirit/matter) (waves/particles) that compose the created universes. These are also believed to convey "Divine Qualities".[36]
C.W. Leadbeater
- First ray: Magic of magician
- Second ray: Magic of Raja Yoga(Development of Mind)
- Third ray: Magic of Astrology (Natural Magnetic Forces)
- Fourth ray: Magic of Hatha Yoga (physical development)
- Fifth ray: Magic of Alchemy (Manipulation of Material Substances)
- Sixth ray: Magic of Bhakti Yoga (Selfless Service and Altruistic Love; agape)
- Seventh ray: Ceremonial magic (Invocation of Elementals, and Devas)
New Age teachings
According to
Bailey stated that the seven rays that reach us on
On the local planetary level, it is believed that the seven rays are transmitted from the Solar Logos through the God of our planet, Sanat Kumara, then through the spiritual hierarchy of our planet which includes the "Masters of Wisdom" [38](Some writings term them the Ascended Masters or the Great White Brotherhood).
Each of the seven rays is believed to be associated with a different kind of
Qualities of the seven rays
The seven rays are listed below:
According to Alice A. Bailey the Masters live in immortal bodies at a residence on the
According to the Church Universal and Triumphant, and other
The "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" of the Church Universal and Triumphant for each ray are shown. For both Alice A. Bailey and the Church Universal and Triumphant, each ray has a jewel which is believed to focus the energy of that ray, which is indicated.
Alice A. Bailey
Ray | Concept | "Expression" | Colours[40] | Astrological planets[41] | Astrological signs[41] | Wisdom Masters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First | "Will or Power"[42][43] | "The basic Reservoir of Power"[42] | Red | Vulcan and Pluto | Taurus and Pisces | Manu, Morya[43] |
Second | "Love-wisdom"[43][44] | "Magnetism"[44] | Blue | Sun and Jupiter | Leo and Virgo | Christ,[43] Koot Humi, and Djwhal Khul[45] |
Third | "Adaptability"[46] or "Active Intelligence"[43] | "Instinct"[46] | Green | Earth and Saturn | Gemini and Libra | Mahachohan[43] |
Fourth | Beauty or Harmony[44][47] or "Harmony through Conflict"[48] | "Uniformity of Colour"[44] or "Experience. Growth."[48] | Yellow
|
Mercury and Moon | Scorpio and Aquarius | Serapis[49] |
Fifth | Concrete Knowledge or Science[47][48][50] | "Intellect"[48] | Orange | Venus | Capricorn | Paul of Tarsus (158)[49]
|
Sixth | "Devotion"[44][46][47] or "Abstract Idealism"[50] | "Intellect"[48] | Violet | Neptune and Mars | Cancer and Sagittarius | Master Jesus[50] |
Seventh | "Organisation and Ritual"[47] or "Ceremonial organization"[42] or "Ceremonial Magic or Order"[50] | "Radioactivity"[42] | Indigo | Uranus | Aries | Master Rakoczi[50]
|
The Summit Lighthouse
Lords of the ″Seven Rays″ according to
Ray | Colour | Wisdom Master | Retreat | Quality | Chakra | Day | Gift of the Holy Spirit | Jewel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st ray | Power of God | Blue | Master El Morya | Darjeeling, India | Strength
Balance Will |
Throat (5th) | Tuesday | Faith in God's will
Protection |
Diamond
Lapis Lazuli
|
2nd ray | Wisdom of God | Yellow | Kuthumi
|
Grand Teton, Wyoming, United States | Wisdom
Understanding Illumination |
Crown (7th) | Sunday | Intelligence
Knowledge |
Yellow Diamond
Yellow Sapphire Topaz |
3rd ray | Love of God | Pink | Paul the Venetian | Château de Liberté, S. France
Temple of the Sun, New York |
Goodness
Compromise Beauty |
Heart (4th) | Monday | Discerning of spirits
Creativity |
Ruby |
4th ray | Purity of God | White
Crystal |
Serapis Bey | Luxor, Egypt | Purity
Resurrection Joy |
Base of the Spine (1st) | Friday | Working of miracles | Diamond
Quartz crystal
|
5th ray | Truth of God | Green | Hilarion | Crete, Greece | Health
Consecration Focus |
Third Eye (6th) | Wednesday | Healing | Emerald
Quartz crystal
|
6th ray | Peace of God | Purple
|
Lady Master Nada | Arabian Peninsula | Peace
Service Brotherhood |
Solar Plexus (3rd) | Thursday | Diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation | Ruby |
7th ray | Freedom of God | Violet | Saint Germain | Transylvania, Romania
Table Mountain, Wyoming, United States |
Freedom
Mercy Compassion |
Seat of the Soul (2nd) | Saturday | Prophecy
Working of Miracles |
Amethyst |
In the mid-to-late 20th century, as the New Age movement gained in popularity, the concept and imagery of the seven rays appeared in a variety of settings.
In
According to psychic counselor Samantha Stevens, an individual can use affirmations, candles, color therapy, vibrational medicines and other methods to contact "archangels," which she defines as the "seven rays," based on Buddhist and Christian theories: "The Rays or Divine Flames (as they are sometimes called) represent elements in the perfectly integrated human being - one whose heart is aligned with their will and inspired by the Divine Imagination."[54]
Light therapist and Radionics Practitioner Primrose Cooper writes that in using light as a healing modality, she finds it helpful to use the seven rays as defined in Theosophy to assist her clients in finding "psychological insight into their soul's purpose."[15]
In recent years, there was the creation of a secretive group named "The Keepers of the Seven Rays". Their philosophy is the human being has seven emanations in which it finds itself, or connects with the Higher Self. These emanations are extensions of the Higher Self or otherwise called the Higher Will. These emanations reach out like arms and grasp onto the knowledge(of all types) needed for the full development of the individual into his/her Higher Potential. All a human has to do to use these emanations is to know basic moral law, what their body and/or psyche can and cannot handle, and listen.
Metaphysical philosopher Gurdjieff writes frequently of his "Seven Rays of Creation". According to Gurdjieff, the Seven Rays of Creation are the seven manifestations of Energy in our Universe. The first Ray contains all things (THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE) and all things obey the laws inherent in the First Ray. The First Ray then manifests itself in the 2nd Realm, the realm of Galaxies. From Galaxies to Solar Systems, Solar Systems to Planets. From Planets to Organisms on the planets, etc.[55]
In popular culture
- Music
- The Utopiaperformed a song entitled The Seven Rays. The song was written by bassist, John Siegler and band leader, Todd Rundgren. Todd Rundgren explained in live performances that The Seven Rays of the song's lyrics are a metaphor for the human essential for cooperation between different people with different strengths (rays) to achieve their goals; the potential to achieve those goals being metaphorically The Seven Rays recombined as white light. The point being people need other people and are stronger together.
- Another progressive rock band, Hawkwind, have a song about the seven rays titled Seven by Seven.
- Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues refers heavily to the "seven rays" and the "Light of Seven" in his solo album "The Promise".
- The pop band Erasure refers to the Violet Flame through the title of their 2014 album, The Violet Flame.
- Literature
- S.M. Stirling's fictionalized and changed Church Universal and Triumphant believes that the "Light of the Seven Rays" has become stronger since The Change.[56] The Sword of the Lady mentions the Fourth Ray.[57]
Further reading
- Abraham, Kurt. "Great Souls: The Seven Rays at the Soul Level" School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press, 2002.
- Abraham, Kurt. "Techniques of Soul Alignment: The Rays, the Subtle Bodies, and the Use of Keywords." School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press: 1997.
- Abraham, Kurt. "Balancing the Pairs of Opposites; The Seven Rays and Education, and Other Essays in Esoteric Psychology." School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press, 1993.
- Abraham, Kurt. "The Seven Rays and Nations: France and the United States Compared." School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press, 1987.
- Abraham, Kurt. "Introduction to the Seven Rays" School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press: 1986.
- Abraham, Kurt. "Threefold Method for Understanding the Seven Rays." School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press, 1984.
- Abraham, Kurt. "Psychological Types and the Seven Rays." School for the Study of the Seven Rays, Lampus Press: 1983.
- Bailey, Alice A. The Seven Rays of Life New York: 1995—Lucis Publishing Co. Compilation from all the Alice A. Baileybooks of material about the seven rays.
- Baker, Douglas The Seven Rays: Key to the Mysteries Essendon, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom:1977 Baker Publications
- Creme, Benjamin Maitreya's Mission Amsterdam: 1986 – Share International Foundation.
- Hodson, Geoffrey The Seven Human Temperaments Adyar, Madras, India: 1952—The Theosophical Publishing House.
- Hone, Mo. "The Seven Rays Today" A New Appreciation of the Ageless Wisdom and Esoteric Astrology. Pluto Network (UK) 2006
- Leadbetter, C.W. The Masters and the Path Adyar, Madras, India: 1925—The Theosophical Publishing House.
- Prophet, Mark Studies of the Human Aura Colorado Springs, Colorado: 1975 – Summit University Press (Claimed to have been dictated from "The Summit Lighthouse.
- Wood, Ernest The Seven Rays Wheaton, Illinois, U.S.A.: 1925—Theosophical Publishing House
References
- ^ ISBN 0-06-250925-X.
- ^ a b Daniello Bartoli (1855). History of the Life and Institute of St. Ignatius de Loyola: Founder of the Society of Jesus (Original from the New York Public Library, 2006 ed.). E. Dunigan. p. 324.
God has sometimes announced beforehand the rise, works, and merits, whether of certain Orders whom He has sent to the assistance of His Church or of their founders. We find examples of this in the dream He made known ... in the seven rays of light which appeared to St. Norbert, surrounding the head of the crucified Redeemer, and the pilgrims who came to him from the uttermost extremities of the earth...
- ^ ISBN 0-8369-1347-7.
- ^ ISBN 0-8146-5954-3.
- ^ Colebrooke, Henry Thomas (1858). Essays on the Religion and Philosophy of the Hindus. Williams and Norgate. pp. 79, 83, 119.
Reprinted from 'Asiatic researches' and from the 'Transactions of the Royal Asiatic society.' Original from Harvard University.
- ^ a b Garrett, John (1871). A Classical Dictionary of India: Illustrative of the Mythology, Philosophy, Literature, Antiquities, Arts, Manners, Customs, &c. of the Hindus. Higginbotham and Co. pp. 41, 48, 99, 203, 216, 242, 314, 452, 621, 627.
Director of Public Instruction, Mysore, India; Original from Oxford University
- ^ ISBN 81-7058-581-3.
- ^ ISBN 0-9745866-1-7.
- ^ Creme, Benjamin. The Ageless Wisdom Teaching Share International Foundation 1996. This book presents an introduction to that great body of wisdom underlying the spiritual teachings of all groups throughout the ages
- ^ The Teachings of the Temple (Halcyon, California: The Temple of the People, 1948) Volume I, Lesson 45, "The Seven Rays of Evolution."
- ^ Saint Germain Foundation. The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation. Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 2003
- ^ Lewis, James R. Church Universal and Triumphant in Scholarly Perspective Center For Academic Publication 1994
- ^ White Paper - Wesak World Congress 2002. Acropolis Sophia Books & Works 2003.
- ^ ISBN 0-9745866-1-7.
- ^ ISBN 1-57863-231-5.
- ^ ISBN 0-89281-181-1.
- ^ Ovid, Fasti, v.164.
- ^ "The Chaldean oracles: text, translation, and commentary" by Julianus (the Theurgist.), Ruth Dorothy Majercik, ed., p.38
- ISBN 0-231-08794-2.
- ^ "Part III. Abraxas, Abraxaster, and Abraxoid Gems." The Gnostics and Their Remains, by Charles William King, (1887), page 218
- ISBN 90-04-10675-8.
- ^ "Jan van Eyck, Netherlandish, c. 1390 - 1441, The Annunciation, c. 1434/1436". National Gallery of Art.
The Holy Spirit descends to her on seven rays of light. This is the moment God's plan for salvation is set in motion. Through Christ's human incarnation the old era of the Law is transformed into a new era of Grace.
- ^ Gifford, E. Melanie, The Art Bulletin, March 1999:Van Eyck's Washington 'Annunciation': technical evidence for iconographic development. Page references are to online version. online text
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 169.
- ^ The Book of Hindu Imagery: Gods, Manifestations and Their Meaning By Eva Rudy Jansen p. 64
- ^ Gerald Massey Collection-Upper Norwood Joint Library
- ^ Gerald Massey (1998). The Natural Genesis (from original published circa 1881 ed.). Black Classic Press. pp. 366, 369.
- ^ Gerald Massey (1992). Gerald Massey's Lectures (from original published posthumously circa 1900 ed.). Kessinger Publishing. p. 200.
- ^ Samuel Fales Dunlap (1894). The Ghebers of Hebron: An Introduction to the Gheborim in the Lands of the Sethim, the Mithra mysteries &c (Original from the University of California ed.). G Redway & JW Bouton. pp. reface, iii–vi.
- ^ Samuel Fales Dunlap (1894). The Ghebers of Hebron: An Introduction to the Gheborim in the Lands of the Sethim, the Mithramsyteries &c (Original from the University of California ed.). G. Redway & JW Bouton. pp. 275, 363, 369, 372, 649, 644, 675, 757, 856–7, 958.
- ISBN 0-691-01747-6.)
'Coomaraswamy's essays [give] us a view of his scholarship and brilliant insight'.--Joseph Campbell; 'There are many who consider Coomaraswamy as one of the great seminal minds of this century.... This selection of his papers should go into every library'.--Kathleen Raine, The [London] Times
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link - ^ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1893). The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy (Original from Harvard University (2 volumes) ed.). Theosophical Publishing Society. vol 1, p 129–130, 523, 573–4.
- ^ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1893). The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy (Original from Harvard University (2 volumes) ed.). Theosophical Publishing Society. vol 2, p 143, 191.
- ^ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1893). The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy (Original from Harvard University (2 volumes) ed.). Theosophical Publishing Society. vol 2, p 564–5.
- ISBN 1-4179-1104-2.
- ^ Carson, Reed. Blavatsky' Foreknowledge of The Wave/Particle Duality of Light Archived 2006-09-27 at the Wayback Machine 1997. "It would also be incorrect to claim light is fully explained as a particle. Rather it has a dual nature possessing the properties of both wave and particle. In general, electromagnetic radiation acts more like waves in the radio wave end of the spectrum, more like particles in the x-ray end of the spectrum, and usually (but not always) like a wave in the "middle" light area of the spectrum in our everyday experience. Her ambiguity, then, reflects a fact in nature, the wave/particle duality of nature."
- ^ Leadbetter, C.W. The Masters and the Path Adyar, Madras, India: 1925--The Theosophical Publishing House. Chart on P. 229 lists Characteristic Magic of each Ray.
- ^ Alice A. Baileybooks of material about the seven rays.
- ^ Prophet, Mark L. and Prophet, Elizabeth Clare (Compiled and edited by Annice Booth) The Masters and Their Retreats Corwin Springs, Montana: 2003 Summit University Press "The Retreats of the Ascended Masters" Pages 395-492
- ^ Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 59
- ^ a b Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 81
- ^ a b c d Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 140
- ^ a b c d e f Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 155
- ^ a b c d e Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 144
- ^ Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 156
- ^ a b c Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 145
- ^ a b c d Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 139
- ^ a b c d e Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 147
- ^ a b Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 158
- ^ a b c d e Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 159
- ^ Prophet, Mark, Prophet, Elizabeth Clare, Lords of the Seven Rays Livingston, Montana: 1986 - Summit University Press, Chart on page 11 of the lords of the seven rays and their retreats. Seven Sacred Rays of the Ascended Masters.
- ^ The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai Handbook
- ISBN 1-903816-55-6.
- ISBN 1-894663-49-7.
- ^ Gurdjieff Legacy
- ISBN 9781440638114.
- Stirling, S.M. (2009). "15". The Sword of the Lady. New York, NY: ROC.