Occult Mysteries FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Occult, Magic, Mysticism and Religion answered

The following questions have all been put to us at various times by our readers. We have tried to answer them simply, clearly and sincerely. Longer answers to some questions can be found in the sidebar, or by using our SEARCH PAGE.

To read what our readers themselves think about our many articles about the Occult, see our Readers' Comments page.

General questions about the Occult

Occult teachers and teaching

Conspiracy theories, Aliens and 'Ascension'

Karma, reincarnation and the astral world

Magic, alchemy, etc.

Health, drugs and dreams

General questions about the Occult

What is the occult?

Hidden knowledge. You can read what the occult is and what it is NOT in the sidebar on your right, in the many articles listed on our Homepage, as well as in Masters of Mischief—a humorous story with a serious message about two typical occult students in search of occult mysteries and 'masters.'

Can I get rich through the occult?

It needs no wisdom to become rich . . . only shrewdness, aided by Destiny; but only a wise man knows how to control riches rightly. They have value only when applied to relieve the distress of the deserving. Otherwise, riches are useless and a curse instead of a blessing. J Michaud PhD — 'The Quest of Ruru'

Yes, very easily. All you need to do is to convince a large enough number of people to give YOU their money by promising to make THEM rich. Simple, isn't it? And we haven't charged you a penny for this priceless advice! We would add that the kind of person who hopes to get rich quick through the occult invariably lacks the will-power, concentration and self-discipline to achieve anything in life.

Having said that, many proponents of the so-called 'Law of Attraction' which we discuss in one of our articles, are firmly convinced that 'positive thinking' alone can make you rich. All we can say is that we have met quite a lot of these optimistic individuals over the years and they were all as poor as church mice. Then there are certain occult methods by which our material conditions may be improved in a sensible manner, provided that we do so for the benefit of others as well as ourselves. Apart from such popular magical methods as sigils and servitors (which fail as often as they succeed) there are special techniques taught in some occult orders to their members. But these techniques are secret. You won't find them on social media or in any books. What you will find on Tumblr, Reddit and others social media sites are a host of completely useless and nonsensical rituals which promise to make you rich. But. . .as we said earlier. . . such methods invariably make their authors rich at YOUR expense!

Can I get power through the occult?

Yes, see above question. Simply substitute the word 'power' for 'rich' and you'll have your answer. If, on the other hand you wish to acquire real power; that is, the power to change yourself and the world around you for the better through learning the true occult sciences, then you can expect a very long and difficult journey with no reward except the knowledge that every selfless act you perform brings you closer to the only power worth having; the power to serve, bless and save mankind.

If you have stumbled on this page because you believe or have been told that it is possible to gain all sorts of 'occultic powers' by using the rituals and spells to be found in the many 'magical' books and 'grimoires' then we must disappoint you. All you will gain (assuming you do not give up after a few half-hearted attempts), is contact with evil men and women who will use YOU until you are of no further use to them. See Chapter 4—on Witchcraft—in The Golden Star.

Is it possible to predict the future by occult means?

Yes, but it may not always be wise to do so. You can read more about such occult arts as the tarot, numerology and astrology in our article about Divination.

Is the occult evil?

No, although like everything in this world, it can be put to evil uses. Shakespeare said that "nothing is good or evil but that thinking makes it so". We agree. It is the intention and the intention alone that makes any occult activity good or evil. We are aware that many religious persons are told, or believe that the occult is 'evil', but we are afraid that this simply demonstrates their lack of knowledge. You can read what the occult is and what it isn't in the column on your right.

Can you be Christian and an occultist?

Why not? There is nothing in the teachings of Jesus that is incompatible with the study and practice of occultism. 'Occult', as we explain above, simply means 'hidden'. Jesus himself withheld 'hidden' or occult knowledge from the multitudes, as anyone can read in the Bible.

From this it should be clear that both Jesus and St Paul were occultists. That is, if by 'occultist' we mean one who is instructed in the occult, or hidden knowledge. We would add that there have been (and are) many devout Christians who have been occultists. Among them we would mention Sir Isaac Newton, and, in more recent times, the Christian Mystic, Anna Kingsford, and the Theosophical writer, Geoffrey Hodson. See also our answer to the next question below.

What is sin?

Occult science does not acknowledge the dogma of sin as it is commonly understood, or as it is taught by most organised religions. The only 'sin' Occult Science acknowledges is that of ignorance. All other human behaviour comes under the category of right and wrong thinking and action, which is either rewarded or punished. But that punishment is inflicted by ourselves, not by any supernatural agency. See our occult studies course article on Karma, The Teachings of Li Wang Ho and John Temple's investigation of this subject for more information about sin.

Is it wrong to commit suicide?

Yes. Occult Science teaches that suicide solves nothing. All that happens is that after death we find ourselves on some part of the astral plane where the identical problems will have to be faced all over again, and be worked out, often under much worse conditions than we tried to escape from on earth.

Madame Blavatsky says regarding suicide: "whenever the Ego gets consciously and deliberately rid of its body before the hour marked, then must it still live, even as a disembodied suffering soul. The Ego (Higher Self in our terminology) having learned nothing...and in its mental torture lost the remembrance of the little it knew on earth, is violently ejected out of the earth's atmosphere and carried adrift, a prey to the blind current which forces it into some new incarnation which the soul itself is unable to select as it otherwise might with the help of its good actions." You can read more about the evils of suicide in Eve Bennett's eloquent account of her personal encounters with those who have taken their own lives.

What is the death of the soul and can the soul die?

Occult Science differentiates between the spiritual Soul which never incarnates in a body — called 'Atma' in Indian teachings — and the partly material human soul which does reincarnate in a body, which we refer to as the Higher Self or Mind throughout this website.

The spiritual soul cannot die, but the human soul can, as you can read in the final chapter of Symphonie Fantastique. However, even the most wicked of 'sinners' may draw comfort from the fact that it takes many hundreds of lifetimes (or more) devoted to pure evil to suffer such a fate. Even then, as you may read in the aforementioned book, there is hope of resurrection.

If God is good why does he allow evil?

The Church cannot answer these questions. Nor can material science, much less 'humanism' and the other pseudo-sciences which have replaced true religion in the hearts and minds of mankind. But Occult Science can! Read more in our investigation of the problem of Good and Evil.

Can I find the meaning of life in the occult?

Yes, if you are sincere and learn to discern the difference between truth and falsehood, half-truths and downright lies. We suggest you have a look at the list of Occult Studies articles, one or more of which may appeal to you.

How do I learn the occult?

Through consistent study and hard work. We have published a FREE online occult studies course to introduce all sincere seekers after Truth to the Sublime Occult Mysteries. Much of the material in our course is not available anywhere else, or in any books. We also suggest that you read and study the many occult and philosophical books we recommend. An open mind is also essential. A closed mind is a narrow mind that will not admit the smallest particle of Truth, lest it upset the apple cart of preconceptions and prejudices narrow minds cling to with blind tenacity. Humility is necessary too, for the person who thinks he has nothing to learn has learned nothing. Finally, we would also add sincerity, patience and perseverance to the list, for those who are insincere in their search, or who imagine they can master Occult Science in a few months with no effort, will waste their time and energy.

What are the best occult books to read?

The ones that teach you the most! To expand on that, there are countless books on the occult to suit all tastes and pockets. Which ones are best is something only you can decide. We have published electronic editions of five rare occult books which you can read here. In addition, we review and recommend a number of classic occult books on this website.

Can occult books harm me?

We are not sure what is meant by this question, but as several visitors have asked it, we shall try to answer it. Firstly, the only way in which any book might harm you is if you believe it can. Secondly, the mere reading of an occult book (which is what we think our questioners meant) cannot possibly harm you in any way. If, on the other hand, such a book contains magical rituals, so-called 'words of power', occult breathing exercises and similar practises, then, trying them out indiscriminately MAY well harm you, both physically and mentally. See the fourth of our Astral Conversations articles for more information about the dangers of so-called occult breathing.

How do I learn how to read occult writings and understand mystic symbols?

The same way you learned to read your native or any other language; by consistent study and practise over several years. This may come as a shock to those who imagine there is a secret 'Da Vinci' code which at a stroke will magically 'unlock' the obscure allegories, arcane symbolism and archaic language used by occultists. We're afraid that no such 'code' exists, has existed, or ever will exist, except in the minds of novelists and conspiracy theorists. What does exist are certain KEYS, such as allegory, symbolism, geometry and astronomy. It is through the use of these keys that we can discover the hidden meaning in occult writings. See our articles on occult symbolism, the Mystery Language, and the hidden meaning in the Bible.

Instructions on how to use these keys are few and far between. There are many reasons for this, one of which is that there are some truths which cannot be revealed, either because they appertain to the secrets of Initiation, or because they might place dangerous knowledge into the hands of those who would misuse it. Having said that, we know of a few books in which correct explanations of some of these keys are given, together with instructions in their use. These include H. P. Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine and Isis Unveiled, Gerald Massey's Ancient Egypt: The Light of the World, and the books of J. Michaud PhD, especially The Golden Star.

Did Atlantis exist and where can I find out more about it?

Yes, we have no doubt whatsoever that it DID exist. We say this after a lifetime of study of the best scientific books on the subject. You can read more about Atlantis and find a list of recommended books for further study in our article on the Facts and Fancies of Atlantis. We also explore the subject of Atlantis and its history further in our investigation of Plato's account of the lost continent, as well as in our three-part series on the legacy of Atlantis: an investigation of the migrations of the Atlanteans and the colonies they founded around the world.

Occult teachers and teaching

Are occult Teachings dangerous?

Some are. Especially those that teach various 'occult' breathing exercises, or offer to 'develop' the chakras, or sacred centres of the astral body in a few weeks or months. Unless you are under the PERSONAL supervision of a GENUINE teacher these things are best left well alone. Wrong breathing in particular can do you very great harm, spiritually, mentally and physically. Many teachings and teachers mean well, but only succeed in leading their disciples into deeper confusion. If you read the TRUE STORY we have published, you will find a very good description of the dangers of some occult teachings and the tricks used by false teachers to trap and manipulate the unwary and uninstructed seeker.

How do I tell the difference between good and bad teachers?

By their FRUITS! Study them and their teachings. Are they men and women you would admire, who possess the qualities of compassion, tolerance, humility, kindness, patience, generosity, decency and service to others without thought of reward? Or do they display the opposite of these virtues? Do their teachings provide clear answers to the great questions of Life? Or do they consist of vague statements, pious platitudes and incomprehensible psycho-babble? Only YOU can judge!

Are there serious consequences if you leave an occult order or cult?

No. Many people who regret joining an occult order or cult are afraid to leave because of the terrifying oaths they've been made to swear. We wish to state emphatically that this sort of mental slavery is against all Occult or Natural Laws. There is no person in the world or outside it who can enforce such oaths upon another person, no matter what they've been made to swear. The only thing that may happen is that the poor abused seeker is so terrified by the oaths they've been made to swear or the rituals they've taken part in, that in their mind they believe they are in the power of these wicked and unscrupulous persons, and will be punished by them in some 'occult' way. We repeat that this is quite impossible in actuality.

Is it wrong to charge for occult teaching?

No. Does not the Bible say that 'the workman is worthy of his hire?' What greater service can anyone render than to lead others to the Light? Should we expect such men and women to live on bread and water and dress in sackcloth and ashes? To expand on this, books cost money, ink and paper cost money, tuition, whether face-to-face or through correspondence, costs money. Unless a teacher is fortunate enough to be independently wealthy (and by their very nature, GENUINE teachers have little interest in material things), they need money just like the rest of us.

How do I find a true Teacher?

See the above answer. To enlarge on this, true Teachers and Masters still exist today, have always existed, and will exist so long as there is one sincere seeker who longs for Truth and enlightenment. How then, may such teachers be found? They do not advertise themselves in the pages of New Age magazines, YouTube videos, or social media websites. Nor are they to be found within the lesser occult orders or groups, though they may keep a watchful eye on such organisations in order to help a promising and deserving seeker take a few steps further on the path to the Light. This is one meaning of the occult aphorism that "when the pupil is ready, the master appears."

In other words, if you sincerely and selflessly desire to learn the great Truths, the true Teacher will appear. This may come about in any number of different ways. You may find a book, or books that open your mind and heart to Truth. You may encounter a website like this one, or a kind friend may point you in the right direction, as was the case with the author of The White Brother, reviewed on our books page. In this and similar ways the true Teacher can be found. You can read more about Masters in our article about initiates and initiation and in our article about Tibetan Lamas: the cult of the masters.

Why don't you say anything about Aleister Crowley?

Actually, we refer to this 20th century occultist in several articles, most notably in part two of our occult studies course. The reason we say so little about him is that the very few nuggets of Truth in his many books can easily be found more clearly and simply expressed elsewhere, and these are vastly outweighed by the mountain of misinformation Crowley wrote, much of which is highly dangerous. Moreover, if we study Crowley's life we find that his influence was mostly destructive and evil. During his short career he abandoned his wives, children, wrecked the lives, and in some cases sanity, of his disciples and exploited his friends and enemies alike for his own personal gain and self aggrandisement. Crowley is perhaps the best or worst example—depending on one's point of view—of where the selfish pursuit of fame, money, material power and sex ultimately leads.

Whilst he had plenty of sex during his lifetime and became more famous after death than he ever was in life, Crowley ended his days as a broken-down drug-addict in a seedy boarding house, alone and penniless. The fact that so many people interested in the occult follow his so-called 'teachings' and revere him as the greatest of 'magicians' only goes to show the fatal fascination black magic holds for all too many seekers. This is not to say that Crowley started out as an evil man though he undoubtedly became so in the end. But you won't find the reasons for this change in character in any of his books or the biographies about him.

Crowley was undoubtedly a gifted writer and excellent scholar with a wide knowledge of sorcery and black magic. But he knew nothing whatsoever about white magic, the true occult constitution of man, the real nature of the Astral World, or the occult laws that govern the Universe. His literary accomplishments, such as they are, were vastly overshadowed by his addiction to drugs and black magic. For that reason alone we neither review nor recommend his books, and regard his so-called 'teachings' as exceedingly dangerous to body, mind and spirit.

What do you think of Franz Bardon?

We believe his teachings are misleading and dangerous. Let us explain why. In largely omitting and ignoring the spiritual dimension and concentrating instead on the development of material, psychic powers, Bardon followed the same dark path as Aleister Crowley. Though he never acquired the notoriety of the self-styled 'Great Beast,' Bardon nonetheless advocated commerce with material spirits which if not actually evil, are certainly not angels either.

His many fans have hailed Franz Bardon as "the greatest and most important Hermetic adept of the 20th century." He has also been praised for the simplicity and accessibility of his writing, the practical nature of his teachings, and the revelation of occult 'secrets', one of which is the supposed meaning hidden in the first three tarot cards of the Major Arcana: namely, the 'Magician', the 'High Priestess' and 'The Empress.' None of these claims is true, as we discuss in our detailed review of Franz Bardon's books and his occult career elsewhere on our website.

Much of Bardon's appeal for the modern occultist is that he comes across as a much nicer, more 'respectable' role model than Crowley. This is further enhanced by the frequent references to 'Divine Providence' (Göttliche Vorsehung in German), in his books, a phrase that Crowley never used and would most likely have sneeringly dismissed as 'religious claptrap.' The irony is that there is nothing remotely spiritual, never mind religious, in this term, which frankly, may mean anything or nothing in the sense Bardon uses it. He also mentions God a good deal in his books, especially in the first of them—Initiation into Hermetics—but in none of them does he provide the reader with the transcendental depictions of the Supreme we find in the books of J Michaud, PhD, such as The Golden Star.

So why mention 'Divine Providence' or God? The reason is simple and therefore not obvious to the devout followers of this Czech occultist. Bardon's occult teachings are not concerned with the spiritual emancipation of man from the bonds of the flesh. They do not provide the keys to the mysteries of Man and the Universe; of Life and Death, as he claims. Nothing in Bardon's teachings ever soars above the mundane world of spirits and material, as opposed to spiritual power. The Great Light of the spiritual realms which has ever been the goal of all sincere seekers after Truth and Wisdom is entirely absent from them. And this is the reason we believe his teachings are so very misleading and dangerous, especially for the inexperienced and uninstructed occult student.

What do you think of Samael Aun Weor?

As little as possible! For a variety of reasons we have no liking for 'knocking' specific authors. Nor is it within our purview to discuss the merits or demerits of particular occultists unless there is some compelling reason to do so, such as in the case of Franz Bardon, whom we mentioned above. But as several readers have asked us to say something about Samael Aun Weor, we will do our best to satisfy them, though frankly the answer lies in the man's name!

Now, although one might be forgiven for not wishing to go by one's given name when it is 'Victor Manuel Gómez Rodríguez' (his real name), he could simply have opted for Victor Rodríguez, or even 'Vic Rogers' if he wished for a shorter, American-friendly name. But, no, like so many of his egocentric ilk, he had to have something that sounded grand, 'mystical' and important, the better to impress his UNthinking followers, though we think that 'Samael' rather gives the game away, for the name is that of the Angel of Death in the Jewish Zohar and Kabbalah!

Samael Aun Weor's so-called 'teachings' are a very mixed bag of Gnosticism, Catholicism, Theosophy, Anthroposophy, Tibetan Tantricism, shamanism, transpersonal psychology, necromancy, extraterrestrial moonshine and 'New Age' mysticism laced with a heady cocktail of sex-magic (always a popular ingredient to attract the thrill-seeker). We are sorely tempted to insert a 'yawn' here, for this list of ingredients is exactly the same as the 'teachings' of a hundred other would-be 'adepts', 'masters' and other colourful charlatans who prey on the inexperience and gullibility of seekers the world over. As soon as one of these 'great adepts' dies, a dozen others pop out of the woodwork to replace him (or her) and always will do so long as people prefer fantasy and thrills to the simplicity of the plain, unvarnished Truth we TRY to disseminate. . . though mostly it feels like pushing water uphill with a rake. . .

Was H. P. Blavatsky a Fraud?

The short answer is an emphatic 'NO'. This question is invariably asked by those who approach the occult sciences from either a rigid scientific or orthodox religious background and have not bothered to do their own research, preferring as all too many seekers do, to obtain their information at second-hand from third-rate writers who often have a hidden agenda for their attacks against Blavatsky.

Those who doubt the motives, sincerity and probity of H. P. Blavatsky and her teachings may find much to enlighten them in our article about the accusations made against her, as well as in the following resources: The teachings of H. P. Blavatsky and the occult books of H. P. Blavatsky. In addition, we suggest interested readers obtain a copy of either of the following biographies of Blavatsky's life and teachings: The Esoteric World of Madame Blavatsky by Daniel H Caldwell and Extraordinary Life of Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky by Sylvia Cranston.

Why don't you mention Alice Bailey?

For two main reasons. Firstly because her books are of little or no value to the general seeker, dealing as they do with advanced occult teachings which Bailey herself frequently states cannot be revealed. This begs the question of why she, or her teacher—the so-called 'Tibetan'—chose to reveal the little she did in such books as A treatise on Cosmic Fire and Initiation, Human and Solar. As we say in several of our articles, a partial truth is far more misleading than a downright lie. Our second reason is given by the Tibetan himself in the Statement included in all the early editions of Bailey's books. We quote: "The books that I have written are sent out with no claim for their acceptance. They may, or may not, be correct, true and useful." Frankly, any teacher of the occult sciences who makes such a statement is not a guide we would wish to follow. Can you imagine Jesus making such a statement or Gautama Buddha, or even Madame Blavatsky? The latter, for all her modesty, taught the truth and nothing but the truth, taking for her maxim Satyat Nasti Paro Dharma—'There is no religion higher than Truth—which later became the motto of the Theosophical Society she helped to found.

This is not to say that Alice Bailey's books and teachings are without merit. J Michaud PhD quotes selectively from A treatise on Cosmic Fire in The Golden Star and the seer Geoffrey Hodson whose books we review elsewhere on our website, thought highly of her. The Tibetan whose Statement we quoted earlier, adds "It is for you to ascertain their [the books] truth by right practice and by the exercise of the intuition." This is all very well, but how is the beginner in occult studies or general seeker to know what is 'right practice', never mind how to correctly 'exercise' their intuition? For these and other reasons we regret that we cannot recommend Bailey's books to anyone other than advanced occultists, and as the latter are rarer than hen's teeth, we have decided not to review any of her books.

Why was Socrates not initiated into the Mysteries?

It was a fixed rule of the Eleusinian Mysteries that all those with innate—as opposed to acquired through disciplined occult training—psychic abilities, were not admitted to the Mysteries. As Socrates was a natural-born psychic who was not in conscious control of his supernormal abilities at all times he was liable to unconsciously reveal one or more of the secrets of the Mysteries while in a trance. Hence he was not, and could not be initiated. You can read more about the difference between the psychic and the spiritual and the dangers of psychic powers elsewhere on our website

The Comte de Saint Germain

As more than one reader has asked us about the mysterious Comte de Saint Germain, we have decided to say a few words about this 'occult' luminary of the past who flourished in the mid 18th century.

Also known as Prince Racoczy or Rákóczi of Transylvania, this celebrated 'wonderman' as Voltaire sarcastically dubbed him was born around 1710 in Germany. If we are to believe all the tall tales told about him by various writers he was a virtuoso violinist who seems to have combined the philosophical genius of Plato, the magical abilities of Apollonius, the talents of half-a-dozen gifted alchemists, and the smooth-tongued charm of a second-hand car salesman.

He was seen and known for well over a century in many places all over the continent. In 1822 he is said to have left for India, probably to join the rest of the 'great ones' in Tibet or the Himalayas, where he still reigns in majesty over his adoring disciples. What utter nonsense all this is. What does anyone actually know about this mysterious 'count'? Nothing; nothing at all! Some say that he was the famous 'Comte de Gabalis' who authored the book of the same name. Others claim (founded on what?), that he passed through 'philosophical death', like Francis Bacon and others are supposed to have done at some time or other. Meaning that he never died at all, but enjoys eternal life on earth. If so, he's welcome to it!

Andrew Lang, the fairy tale expert, asked: "Did Saint-Germain really die in the palace of Prince Charles of Hesse about 1780-85? Did he, on the other hand, escape from the French prison where Grosley thought he saw him, during the French Revolution? Was he known to Bulwer-Lytton about 1860? Is he the mysterious Muscovite adviser of the Dalai Lama? Who knows? He is a will-o'-the-wisp of the memoir writers of the eighteenth century."

Exactly! A very useful wisp indeed when a writer runs short of material with which to beguile and bamboozle his gullible readers, hungry for thrills and mystery. If you have formed the opinion that we do not think much of this occult 'wonderman' and place small credence on the tall tales told about him, you would be right.

We would go further, and write him off as an 'adept' in anything, except perhaps the art of fooling almost all the people all of the time. So, I'm afraid we must discard him, along with the rest of the colourful gang now known as the Master Morya, a Rajput Prince, once the veritable Akbar, now living at Shigatse in Tibet, and Koot Hoomi previously Pythagoras, also living at Shigatse at this very moment, Hilarion, who once went about as Saint Paul, now a Cretan, spending much of his leisure moments in Egypt, and Serapis, Greek by birth, who works with the 'Deva Evolution', whatever is meant by that. And let us not forget the great 'Venetian Master', once Paul Veronese, and any others of the same ilk.

All these occult luminaries are the figments of the unruly imagination of thrill seekers and mystery-mongers. To some extent, though not altogether, we blame Madame Blavatsky for starting this ramp about 'Ascended Masters'. Today we see crowds of silly women running after the same sort of mystical masters from the East, where they always seem to come from, sitting at their unwashed feet and imbibing flattery from those oily 'saints'. For flattery is their principal weapon of attack on the vapid minds of such easily led females, flattery in large doses, frequently repeated, and then plenty more, though there are plenty of empty-headed men too that fall for the same sort of thing.

Do we really need to mention the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the giggling 'guru' of 'transcendental Meditation' who had an immense following of young people in the West during the 1960's, or Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, since called 'Osho', who, after his death in 1990, is regarded by his 45,000 'initiates' as the 'greatest spiritual teacher' of the 20th Century? Still—we suppose there is a lesson in all these things, if only the mind can eventually learn and understand it, turning from the false to the true. Let us hope that this is so, and let us be thankful that some of our readers at least, can see through all this trickery and know better.

How does Occult Science regard the psychology of Carl Jung?

Occult science regards Jung as a partially enlightened man, but in attempting to fit occult principles into his own personal psychological paradigm he only succeeded in adding to the confusion that surrounds the subject of consciousness. We discuss the nature of consciousness and dreams in several of our articles.

Is there any value in modern psychology?

Frankly, very little. The main reason for this is that psychologists do not know that there are two minds in man which we call the Higher and lower selves. Ignorance of this fact means that whilst psychology can tell us something of the functions of the body and lower self it knows very little about the actor behind the mask—the real, permanent spiritual Ego that Occult Science calls the Higher Self or mind. Nor does it know anything whatsoever about the Occult Laws of reincarnation and evolution.

Is there any truth in the Law of Attraction?

Frankly, not much, and what little there is has been grossly misinterpreted and misapplied. Occult Science has known and taught for thousands of years that the universe arose out of Mind and not matter, as modern science believes. It further affirms that all that we are and all that we experience by means of our physical senses is the result of the operation of mental forces. These forces and the occult Laws which govern them formed a large part of the secret teachings of the ancient Mystery Schools, which, in turn, were partially inherited by the early Freemasons, Rosicrucians and the various occult orders descended from them.

In the early twentieth century the remnants of those occult teachings which had entered the public domain were misappropriated and indiscriminately mixed up with various 'New Age' concepts to concoct the so-called 'law' of attraction popularized in such books as Prosperity Through Thought Force by Bruce MacLelland, published in 1907. This was the first of many more books, all capitalizing on a complete misunderstanding of the Hermetic Law of Mentalism.

So we arrive at the 21st century, when the film The Secret (2006) and its companion book written by Rhonda Byrne brought the 'law of attraction' to the attention of millions. This was quickly followed by Esther and Jerry Hicks' Money and the Law of Attraction (2008), which has since spawned countless similar books, all promising happiness, success, weight loss, and fame and fortune! We discuss the mechanics of this so-called 'law' and it's use and abuse elsewhere on our website.

Is there any truth in Freemasonry?

Yes and no. Freemasonry is the illegitimate child of the remnants of the Mystery Schools of Greece and Egypt, and as such preserved some of the teachings of these schools in the past. But in adapting itself to modern conditions, Freemasonry has lost much, if not all of this esoteric knowledge. Many Masonic Lodges are now little more than social clubs concerned with networking and charitable activities, much like the Rotary Club. You can read more about the institution of the Mysteries in our article about Initiates and Initiation.

Conspiracy theories, Aliens and 'Ascension'

Is the world really controlled by the Illuminati Conspiracy?

No. The theory that a super-secret society has infiltrated every conceivable area of government, finance, science, business (and the local Womens' Institute!) is complete and utter nonsense. We say this not only from our personal knowledge of 'secret' societies of all kinds but from a lifetime's study of the true laws of Occult Science; laws which prove that no assembly of human beings, however 'clever', 'devious' or powerful can control the 'world', for that is the prerogative of the spiritual powers under the direct guidance of the Supreme Ruler, or Architect of the Universe.

This does not mean that we deny the existence of smaller or larger groups of individuals which seek to manipulate and exploit their fellowmen and women for their own, questionable ends. Why is this news? By their very nature such agglomerations of power-hungry, selfish men and women have always been in acrimonious competition with other groups seeking a slice of the same pie, whether the cake be financial, political, scientific or any other flavour. This must be self-evident to all thinking minds. This being so, the utter impossibility of such suspicious and mendacious individuals or groups collaborating together for hundreds of years in mutual pursuit of the goal of universal domination, is simply laughable. Even the average business can't manage to pursue a common goal for more than a few months without something (or someone) screwing up. Quite why the so-called 'illuminati' are immune to these human failings only the conspiracy theorists who dreamed them up, know.

You can read more about the REAL Illuminati in John Temple's excellent article on this subject.

What is the New World Order?

Another colourful figment of the overheated imaginations of conspiracy theorists. We are sorry to pour cold water on the myths and speculations surrounding the existence of the 'New World Order', but we speak the truth. See our answer to the previous question. We feel compelled to add that any serious seeker after Truth should take all conspiracy theories with a very LARGE pinch of salt. Whilst there may be something in some of these theories, none of them can tell us anything worthwhile about the things that truly matter on the path to the Light. You can read more about the most popular conspiracy theories in our article of the same name.

Do we live on some kind of prison planet which is covertly controlled by aliens and/or an elite group of devil-worshippers?

No. Nor are aliens abducting human beings. Neither is there a secret worldwide cabal that practices satanic worship and blood sacrifices hell-bent on killing off 90% of the world's population and sparing the rest to serve the needs of their sadistic masters. Such popular conspiracy theories defy all reason and commonsense as we explain in several of our articles, notably The Illuminati and Cosmic conspiracies. This is not to say that evil men and women do not exist who follow all kinds of devilish agendas, some of whom may well practise black magic, including human sacrifice. But this is nothing new. Such misguided souls existed in the past too, and will always exist so long as greed, selfishness and the lust for material wealth and power motivate some human beings to commit evil acts of all kinds.

But it is also true that the suspicious, envious and arrogant nature of such individuals makes it quite impossible for them to cooperate on a sufficiently large scale to bring about the so-called 'New World Order' and global domination discussed in our answers to the previous two questions. This is simply commonsense, or we hope it is!

Are evil ET's occupying this planet?

No. Any race that possessed the technology to travel the immense distances which separate our tiny, insignificant little planet from the nearest potentially habitable world, would surely also have the ability to wipe out the entire population of earth without harming the planet in any way. So why go to the bother of controlling mankind 'covertly'? It simply defies all reason, a quality sadly lacking in those who come up with these fantasies and those who swallow them without a second, or even any, thought. Probably because it is so much easier to lay the blame for all the evils that beset mankind at the door of a scapegoat—in this case, aliens—rather than ourselves!

Is a planetary Ascension taking place right now?

No. Benevolent aliens are emphatically not going to rescue us from the results of our own stupidity, greed, cruelty and selfishness and miraculously create some kind of New Age paradise on earth with the aid of their advanced technology. Mankind has had every opportunity to create its own paradise but has chosen instead to turn this earth into a living hell for millions. What man has corrupted and despoiled only man can heal and repair. To argue otherwise is to regard humanity as mere robots with no minds or free-will of their own, who must be 'rescued' like irresponsible little children who cannot be trusted to manage their own affairs in an intelligent and constructive manner. To believe in such mad fantasies is to 'ascend' into complete imbecility.

Is the Earth flat?

We have avoided answering this question for several years in the hope that those who ask it might relinquish this fantasy by using their own common sense. But as some visitors continue to email us about it we have decided to say a few words here. Frankly, we ought to be astonished that millions appear to believe the Earth is flat, but we are not, for there is no end to the gullibility of human beings when it comes to conspiracy theories. Why is this? We can think of only one reason. The belief in a massive 'cover up' perpetrated by NASA, the 'Illuminati' or shape-shifting alien lizards; take your pick. If this were remotely true thousands of eminent thinkers from the earliest times such as Plato, Socrates and Euclid must have been in on the conspiracy too. Not to mention the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Maya and Babylonians, all of whom knew the Earth was round.

One has only to look up at the night sky through a telescope to see that our insignificant little corner of the universe is populated with many spherical objects in the form of stars, planets and moons. There is not a flat, disc-shaped object among them. All are round, just like the globe we are living on. Unless, of course, you prefer to believe that the Good Lord, Aliens, Big Bangs, or whatever you think was responsible for creating the Universe, decided, for reasons known only to itself, to break the mould and make just one, single solitary speck of dust flat. We could easily write an entire book, listing all the reasons why a flat earth is about as plausible as hens queuing for the dentist, but frankly we can't be bothered to waste our time on such inane fantasies. Two occult students familiar to our regular readers have wasted their time answering this question in a short article entitled 'Is the Earth Flat?' So if you remain unconvinced we suggest you read it!

Karma, reincarnation and the astral world

What is Karma?

A figment of the imagination of those who do not know the true hidden laws of Nature. We hope that we shall thoroughly shock you when we say that there is no such thing as Karma. We do not believe in it, any more than we believe in the dogma of sin and punishment, as such. See our article on Karma for more information.

If reincarnation is true why is the world population increasing?

Many people believe that as all souls are eternal and no new souls are ever created, the increase in world population means that the number of human bodies will eventually exceed the number of reincarnating souls. These and similar objections to the truth of reincarnation depend on three assumptions. Firstly, that population is always increasing. Secondly that the number of human souls is finite, and thirdly that the period of rest between two incarnations is fixed and has remained constant throughout human history. All three assumptions are false.

Occult science affirms that there have been times when the world population was even greater than it is now and there will be times in the future when it is very much smaller. Even within continental Europe some countries such as Norway have an extremely low population density, while large parts of eastern Russia (which is larger than north and south America combined), are almost uninhabited.

Occult science also affirms that 'new' souls are constantly coming into incarnation to replace those who have completed their cycle of earthly incarnations and evolved to higher dimensions. Finally, although the time of rest between incarnations is generally said to be about 144 years, there always have been, are, and will be, exceptions to this rule, such as the untimely death of infants, who often reincarnate almost immediately. See our occult studies course articles on Reincarnation and Evolution for more information.

What is the best way to meditate?

The advice we were given many years ago was "Do it thoroughly!" There is much truth in this. Half-hearted and irregular efforts can only bring mediocre results, if any at all. The first and most important step to successful meditation is complete relaxation of body and mind. Unless we do relax body and mind completely, we may be 'day dreaming' but we are emphatically not meditating. We give a safe, simple spiritual meditation exercise all may benefit from in the afterword to our article on occult studies and meditation. We discuss meditation further and in more depth in our article: The Occult Student, whilst our short story Meditation: or the Way of Escape also provides additional hints and tips about the right conditions for productive meditation.

What is Cosmic Consciousness and how can I attain it?

It may refer to the Consciousness of the Kosmos Itself, which is God, or to the human consciousness of Cosmic Truth—which is also God, as you can read in our article about consciousness after death. This realisation can only be attained by contemplation and meditation; withdrawing from the outer world and focusing our inner sight upon the Light.

What is an Initiate and how do I become one?

There are many grades of Initiates. Many know little or nothing of the occult sciences. There are others who are complete charlatans. To become one of these is easy. Anyone can call themselves an 'initiate' and wait for admiration (and perhaps money) to descend upon them. A genuine initiate of the Mysteries, however, is something quite different, as you can read in our article about Initiates and initiation.

Does Hell exist?

The short answer is 'yes'. You can read more about this in the section on 'Heaven and Hell' in our article on Life after Death, as well as in the sidebar at right.

Is there life after death and what happens when we die?

Yes there is. Recent scientific studies of near-death experiences (NDEs) have shown quite conclusively that consciousness persists after the death of the physical body. You can read more about this in the sidebar at right and in our articles about Life after Death and consciousness after death.

Do our loved ones watch over us after they have died? Do they know about us and our lives? If they do, why don't they make themselves known to us?

Before we can answer these questions we need to ask ourselves what we mean by 'loved ones'? Do we mean those whom we love, or those who love us? The two do not necessarily go together or there would not be so many unhappy marriages, divided families and acrimonious relationships. Moreover, many of us know from bitter experience that 'loved ones' are often the first to desert us in our time of genuine need. The truth is that few human beings truly love one another and even fewer are constant in their love. From this it follows that unless the bond between two people is a spiritual one it will not persist after the death of the material body, for what drew them together was only a temporary connection, whether of the body or personality.

If the bond is a spiritual one and especially if it has endured through many incarnations, then and only then, is there any possibility of continued contact between loved ones. In such cases the departed may well watch over the loved ones they left behind on earth and be fully aware of their circumstances. Such contacts generally manifest as sudden moments of great joy, inspirational thoughts or simply an overwhelming feeling of being loved and cared for. In very rare cases we may even see and hear the departed loved one, but NOT via séances, 'channeled' messages and the similar charades believed in by some people. But such contact is only possible if the departed one was trained in the Occult Sciences while still on Earth, or underwent such training in previous incarnations.

In this and similar ways can our loved ones make themselves known to us and even help us, if we are worthy of such help and do not shut ourselves out from contact by excessive grieving. By dwelling in sorrow on the absence of a loved one, we erect a prison around us which our departed loved ones cannot penetrate. There is another possibility too, and that is when we reach out in thought to a loved one who has passed away. If we do this peacefully, powerfully and positively, our thoughts will reach them, and if they are able, they will respond in the ways we mentioned above. For there is no barrier to the power of real Love, as you may read in The Quest of Ruru.

What is the astral world or plane?

A world of lesser or greater density than the physical, material one we dwell in. 'World' should be interpreted both as a state of consciousness and an actual place. Occult Science teaches that there are many 'worlds' surrounding the earth, each of which is an 'astral world', plane or realm invisible to our physical senses. Read our occult studies course and also The True Gospel of Chrishna-Jeseus, Chapter 22 for more information.

How do I explore the astral world?

Through clairvoyance, clairaudience, psychometry, so-called 'astral travelling' etc., which are natural abilities we all possess—though dormant in most persons. But like any ability, these must be developed through proper training under guidance from a qualified instructor. Frankly, we know of no such instructors outside the genuine Occult Orders. Any attempt to contact the astral world without such instruction and guidance is foolhardy and can be dangerous. See our occult studies course article on the astral world for more information.

Where can I find a description of the astral world?

In our Occult studies course article of the same name. You can also find further descriptions of the conditions in, and the inhabitants of, the astral world in The Golden Star and in The Gospel of Chrishna-Jeseus, both written by J Michaud PhD. Parts of the astral world are so much like conditions on earth that those who penetrate into these regions would not notice any difference at all. There are other regions of great beauty, tranquility and happiness and regions of unbelievable ugliness, squalor, disorder and misery, just as we find on earth. The astral world is many times LARGER than the physical world we know on earth.

Consequently, it is quite impossible to even attempt to give a comprehensive description of it, since the conditions in its various regions or sections (each as large as our world, or larger), vary enormously. You can find further descriptions of parts of the astral world in the books of Emanuel Swedenborg (see answer below) and in many other books written by genuine seers. We emphasise the word 'genuine' as there are now many more modern books that purport to describe the astral world which are simply the figments of their authors' overheated imaginations.

Are the descriptions of heaven by Swedenborg true?

Yes and no. They are true inasmuch as Immanuel Swedenborg was a genuine seer who was able to behold the invisible planes of the astral world and record what he saw and experienced there in his books. They are false because, like other clairvoyants who are not trained occult scientists, he did not know the various divisions of the astral world and the occult laws that govern the appearance of the scenes, beings and conditions he saw in his glorious visions.

To him they were all 'Heaven' and every inhabitant was an 'Angel'. For this reason many of his descriptions have been challenged by other seers (who did not know the real differences or laws either). The untrained clairvoyant who is ignorant of the laws of Occult Science cannot help but mistake the denizens of one astral plane for another. Some clairvoyants have seen some of the great spiritual Masters who dwell in the higher astral planes and mistaken them for God and his Archangels, as Swedenborg did. In short, the number of wrong interpretations and errors the untrained seer can make in his explorations of the astral world are legion, and therefore all the more misleading to those who read such accounts.

The only true description Swedenborg gives of a higher astral plane can be found in his book Heaven and Hell, in which he writes: "I have seen palaces in heaven of such magnificence as cannot be described. Above they glittered as if made of pure gold, and below as if made of precious stones, some more splendid than others. It was the same within. Both words and knowledge are inadequate to describe the decorations that adorned the rooms. On the side looking to the south there were parks, where, too, everything shone, in some places the leaves glistening as if made of silver, and fruit as if made of gold; while the flowers in their beds formed rainbows with their colours." Here, Swedenborg glimpses the plane which forms the subject of Vision 6 of The Golden Star by J Michaud PhD, in which chapter you can find a full description of this glorious realm, which we may rightly call 'Heaven'.

What are elementals?

Beings that belong to one of the four occult elements of Fire, Air, Water and Earth. They exist in the non-physical dimensions, or astral world and can only be seen by clairvoyant vision, not by physical eyes. You can find accurate descriptions of elementals in Vision 3 of The Golden Star by J Michaud PhD, as well as several of the books we review and recommend on our website. See also our answer below. Note that elementals should not be confused with ELEMENTARIES, which are the astral shells of the personalities of departed human beings. No good can come of contact with these beings. See our article on channeling for more information about elementaries.

What are elves?

The word may mean several different things. Elf or elves can refer to the fictional characters invented by J. R. R. Tolkien in his mythology which underpins the Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion. It can refer to the elemental beings that belong to the occult element of Earth, as described in our article about Nature Spirits and Fairies. Or it can refer to so-called 'machine elves', also known as 'fractal elves' and 'self-transforming elf machines', first popularised by Terence McKenna, an author and advocate of the use of psychedelic drugs to expand consciousness. In this case, they are either the hallucinatory figments of the imagination of drug takers or elementary entities dwelling in the astral world. If the former, they are mental illusions and nothing more, like the 'pink elephants' supposed to be seen by alcoholics. If the latter, they are what our ancestors rightly referred to as 'demons'—low grade spirits bent on mischief and evil. You can read about these entities in our occult studies course article about the Astral World, as well as in our Astral Conversations articles on Shamanism and Channeling.

What are Nature spirits and Fairies?

Elemental beings which dwell in the astral world. There are many different classes of nature spirits, ranging from the semi-conscious agents of universal laws, through fairies, gnomes, mermaids etc., to the great Devas, or angels who rule over the four occult elements of Fire, Air, Water and Earth. See our article on Fairies and Nature spirits for more information.

Are there such beings as devils and demons?

Yes. Some are the elementaries referred to above, others are evil beings of all kinds and classes who either have been human beings or will become so at some point in their evolution. You can find accurate descriptions of devils and demons in Symphonie Fantastique by J Michaud PhD.

Magic, alchemy, etc.

What is Magic?

The exercise of the will and imagination in the employment of natural laws. Perhaps you hoped for a more colourful answer, such as "the casting of spells" or burning candles, chanting mantras, or invoking demons? Whilst some of these things may come under the broad heading of the 'magical arts' we are afraid that they are as far removed from real Magic as the Sun is removed from a dirty candle in a dark cellar filled with bats. For more information read and study our occult studies course.

What is Black Magic and the LHP?

The misuse of ANY knowledge or power for selfish purposes. You can find a fuller answer to this question in the sidebar on your right.

How do I protect myself from black magicians?

By having nothing to do with them! To enlarge on this, it must be clear to you that like attracts like. If we experiment with dubious magical practises with selfish aims in view, especially if such practises involve the shedding of blood, communication with so-called 'spirits' or harm to ourselves or others, we will draw evil conditions and evil men and women towards us. See also our answer in the sidebar about black magic for further information.

What is Alchemy?

The science of transmutation, whether we regard this from a philosophical, spiritual or physical point of view. This is based on the Occult scientific law that all matter is of one and the same basic origin and that all forms of matter contain the same spiritual principle which is permanent, although the body or outer form is transitory.

Is Alchemy black magic?

No. As we explain above (see 'What is black magic?'), it is always the intention which makes any act of so-called 'magic' black or white, and this applies to any act, 'magical' or not. Thus we may say that a chemist who brews poison in his laboratory with the intention of taking human life, or a nuclear physicist who develops a more 'efficient' hydrogen bomb, are black magicians whether they realise it or not.

Where can I find books in which the secrets of magic are revealed?

These secrets cannot be found in ANY books. As you can read in The Golden Star: "they were never put in plain words, but always written in such a way that only with the help of the real Adept, or Master, can one apply the key that opens the door to the secret occult knowledge. Such knowledge is a double-edged Weapon and unfit for the ignorant or the selfish." This is true, for those who want power, fame, glory and riches will never discover the real secrets of magic, no matter how many occult books they read or how many so-called 'magic spells' and rituals they employ.

Is spiritualism dangerous?

It can be. The average spiritualist séance is generally quite harmless. The weak mentality, low psychic development and poor physical vibrations of the participants mean there is very little real power available for the elementals. However, when a genuine medium has the ability (inherent or acquired through so-called 'development') to get en rapport with the entities and conditions in the astral world, there is the possibility that these may cause real harm, both to the medium and the sitters. You can read more about Spiritualism and its dangers in The Golden Star, chapter 5.

Is New Age Shamanism dangerous?

Yes, we believe it is. You can read more about the dangers of New Age Shamanism and the drug culture associated with it in two articles we have published: Tripping out with Shamans, part six of a series of occult investigations conducted by two occult students, and Shamanic Medicine — a very personal account of taking Ayahuasca and a critique of Shamanism by a seeker who immersed herself deeply in the practise over several years.

Is channeling dangerous?

Channeling is simply a new word for Spiritualism—see answer to the previous question—and can be just as dangerous. The messages that are received by channelers range from the nonsensical through the blindingly obvious to the almost wise. The latter are the most dangerous of all, for in mixing up a few basic occult truths with fantasies, the seeker is more completely deceived than if they were the victim of downright lies. You can read more about channeling and its dangers in our article of the same name.

Is Tibetan Buddhism dangerous?

The short answer is yes, it can be, particularly if you involve yourself in what is known as the Vajrayana school of Tibetan Tantra, wrongly called 'Buddhism' by those who know no better. You can read more about Tibetan Buddhism and its dangers in our three-part in-depth investigation of this subject.

Is the Tibetan Book of the Dead true?

No. Frankly, the whole of the Book, which purports to be a 'guide' for the dead in the so-called 'Bardo', or astral world, is a muddled tissue of lies in almost every way, with an occasional glimpse of a true occult fact or law, which, however, is straightaway contradicted or negatived in some way or another, thus destroying any value it might have had.

We discussed the few truths the Book does contain in the second of our three articles on Tibetan Buddhism. To say any more would take not one, but several articles, and ten to one, the average reader would be none the wiser. For the Book is written in such an authoritative and pompous manner, and seems so very plausible to those reared on tall tales about 'Tibetan masters' and their incomparable 'wisdom', that is all but impossible for us to say anything to counter the fatal attraction the Book holds for such uninstructed and gullible seekers.

What are 'Sigils and Servitors' and how do they work?

A sigil is a sign or image believed to possess magical power whereas a Servitor is an artificial magical entity created by a magician to perform some task or service. You can read more about Sigils and Servitors and the differences between them in a special investigation we published in 2022.

What are the 'Akashic Records' and how do I read them?

'Akashic Records' is an occult term invented during the late 19th century to describe the impressions left in the Astral Light of all the thoughts and deeds of mankind; a kind of eternal, etheric astral library. You can read more about this subject in The Akashic Records, an in-depth investigation by two occult students.

Are you against New Age teachings?

No. Some contain much that is of value. But there is very much more that is both wrong and dangerous. Moreover, in indiscriminately mixing up so many 'isms', 'ologies' and 'osophies' without a clear understanding of any of them, New Age teachings lead to greater confusion and can do much harm, both to the mind and the body, as you can read in Astral Conversations series of articles. You can find further information about the differences between New Age thought and Occult Science in many more articles, notably Losing your way, Searching for Truth, and in the commentary to our Occult Studies Course article on the Astral World.

Health, drugs and dreams

Is vegetarianism necessary for spiritual progress?

No. We know that we go against a host of 'occult' teachings from so-called 'authorities' when we say this, but nevertheless we speak the truth. We say this not only from our own, personal experience, but also because all the great Messengers and Teachers of the past have said the same. Need we quote the Bible here? "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man" (Matthew 15:11). In other words spiritual progress is gained within through the purity and goodness of our thoughts, words and deeds, not in externals. You can find fuller answers to this question in our article on vegetarianism and spirituality.

Is fasting necessary for spiritual progress?

No. Moreover, fasting does not mean refraining from food entirely, but moderation in eating and drinking. This is the original meaning taught to the students of the Mystery Schools of ancient Greece and Egypt, since distorted into complete abstention. Fasting, for medical reasons, is a different matter, but even this should only be undertaken under the supervision of a qualified doctor or nutritionist. See also the answers below.

Are sexual abstinence and asceticism necessary for spiritual progress?

No. See answer to the above question. Sexual abstinence and asceticism are often the cloak of the worst kind of bigot and religious fanatic. No true Teacher, much less a GENUINE Master of the Holy Mysteries, such as Jesus was, would ever tell their disciples to refrain from purely natural functions, such as sex, provided they are natural and exercised in moderation. Sexual abstinence and asceticism do not develop so-called 'occult powers', much less lead to spiritual enlightenment.

Nor is it the slightest use to attempt to starve, torture or beat the body in order to kill out physical desires. Such misguided practises may suppress desires for a time, but do not eliminate them, and often lead to bodily and mental disease. We can only obtain control over the body and its turbulent desires by the rigorous control of our thoughts. See our article on Inner Peace through applied Wisdom.

Is homosexuality wrong?

This is a question only YOU can answer. Moreover, sex is a thing of bodies, not of souls, as Hermes Trismegistus taught. Sexual desire is of little importance to the genuine mystic and occultist provided it does not interfere with, or retard, our spiritual progress and enlightenment. Sex, regarded from the point of view of the Hermetic Laws of Polarity and Gender, is another matter, as you can read in our article on Hermes and his teachings. That is all we have to say on the subject.

Are recreational and psychoactive drugs harmful?

They can be, particularly if they are used indiscriminately and regularly, as they are among recreational drug users in the West. No genuine spiritual teacher has ever countenanced the use of cannabis or psychoactive drugs such Ayahuasca, DMT or MDMA to develop psychic abilities or 'expand' consciousness. Our advice is avoid the use of any drugs unless they have been prescribed for a specific medical condition by a qualified physician. You can read more about the damage cannabis and other drugs can cause to the delicate mechanism of consciousness in the brain in the afterword to our article about New Age Shamanism.

Are prescription drugs harmful?

Some are, especially the many powerful anti-depressants used to treat various psychological conditions and disorders. Recent reports have shown that prescription drugs were linked to over 200,000 adverse reactions from 2000 to 2011 which resulted in 12,000 deaths in the UK alone. You can read more about the dangers of prescription drugs in our article on Health and the occult student.

Is it wrong to have fun?

Some so-called occult and spiritual teachers seem to think so, but they are completely wrong. The person who is always serious is thoroughly unbalanced. Amusement and fun counterbalance serious thought and study, and the person who spends a certain amount of time in having fun is more ready for the deeper aspects of life than the one who is always gloomy.

Good wholesome fun, as you may read in the wise Teachings of Li Wang Ho, "keeps young the heart and mind, is like true virtue: we cannot do without it, and it will keep people away from vice."

Is it wrong to get drunk?

There are very few persons who have not got drunk at some time, both today and throughout recorded history. Having said that, it should be obvious to all that EXCESS in any form is bad for us, and this applies to drinking as well as any other habit. Alcohol has a direct and often harmful influence on man's psychic nature. We see this in the crime and violence which often result from 'binge drinking' in our major cities. It is also true that excessive alcohol consumption damages both the body and the mind and is destructive to the development of the higher powers in man.

What are Dreams?

There are many sorts of dreams, from the muddled and confusing experiences we are all familiar with that appear to make no sense to our waking consciousness, to clear, lucid dreams, such as those which warn us of dangers. You can read more about dreams in our article on occult studies and meditation as well as in the 9th part of Astral Conversations investigations.

What about dream interpretation?

You may be surprised to learn that no one can possibly interpret your dreams for you. The simple reason for this is that we each have our own inner life which no one else can share, much less interpret, and those who claim to do so are imposters and charlatans, whether they realise it or not, or mean well or not.

We know we go against the accepted 'wisdom' when we say this—nonetheless we speak the truth. Another reason why dream interpretations are invariably wrong is that no two human beings think exactly alike, or are alike, physically, mentally or spiritually. This is only common sense. Consequently, only YOU can discover what (if anything) your dreams may mean.

Search our website

How do I navigate this website?

As some readers have complained that our website is a labyrinth without a map we thought a few words on how to get the best from it would be helpful. The 'map' can be found on our HOMEPAGE. This lists and describes every single article we have published grouped into subjects of related interest.

If you have previously studied occultism, mysticism, theology, religion, and related subjects, we suggest you begin by working your way through the twelve parts of our Occult Studies Course. Then read John Temple's series of twelve articles on The Search for Truth. Those readers who have made a serious study of hermeticism and philosophy may find much to interest them in our series of articles on the teachings of Hermes—Spiritus Hermeticum. All these articles contain copious links to related articles and books for further reading and study.

If you know little or nothing about the Occult, we suggest you enter the 'labyrinth' by carefully reading 'Reading tips for Beginners' and then read and study the articles suggested under this heading. Finally, we would add that there is nothing arbitrary or accidental in the arrangement of our content. We have followed exactly the same system as that adopted by H. P. Blavatsky and J Michaud PhD, upon whose writings most of our content is based.

What is the Occult?

The difference between the Occult, Occult Science and Magic explained.

Adapted from an article by
H. P. Blavatsky

The misconceptions surrounding the occult are as varied as they are fanciful. This is especially true of those who have been led to believe that the 'occult' is synonymous with witchcraft, black magic and everything evil. This assumption is false. There have been and are, many devout Christians, such as Sir Isaac Newton, who have studied the occult sciences. Nor is it generally known that Albert Einstein was not only a firm believer in God, but drew on the occult scientific teachings of H. P. Blavatsky for many of his ideas. Mahatma Gandhi was another deeply religious man whose study of Hinduism was first awakened after reading Madame Blavatsky's Key to Theosophy.

Unfortunately, many who say they are 'occultists' and 'magicians' have no clear idea what they are involved with, and confuse 'magic' with Occult Science. Such are those who imagine that a few 'magic spells' and incantations are all that is needed to become a full-blown 'adept' like Bulwer-Lytton's Zanoni.

Others believe that one has only to travel to India, or Tibet and sit at the feet of some unwashed 'guru' for a few months to acquire the wisdom of the ages. Yet others put their faith in Ceremonial Magic, and employing the instructions given in various grimoires, both old and new, regard the occult as nothing more than a means of satisfying their own selfish desires. In short, the lenses through which most seekers view the occult are as multicoloured and varied as human fancy can make them.

We hope we will thoroughly shock you when we say that those who have even an approximately correct idea of the real nature of the occult and its relationship to Occult Science and the magical arts can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Let them first learn the true relation in which the 'occult' stands to Occult Science, and the difference between the two, and then feel aggrieved if they still think themselves right. Meanwhile, let them learn that occultism differs from magic as the glorious sun does from a candle, as the immutable and immortal Soul of Man differs from the human personality and physical body.

In adapting themselves to the empty scientific materialism of the modern world, our Western languages have lost even the little capability they once had to express the grand metaphysical truths of Life. Thus 'magic' has become a synonym for sleight-of-hand, 'sorcery' a byword for Harry Potter wizardry, and 'occultism', superstitious nonsense long since debunked by science.

These are all terms of contempt, generally only employed in reference to the superstitious residue of the dark ages and its preceding aeons of paganism. We simply do not have any words in the English language to define the supernormal occult powers, or the sciences that lead to the acquisition of them. What does the word 'miracle' (which expresses the idea of producing wonderful things by breaking the laws of nature as explained by science) convey to us nowadays?

The dogmatic Christian gets over the difficulty by attributing 'miracles' to the supernatural agency of God or the devil. It is the latter which many Christians associate with the occult, conveniently forgetting that the miracles of Moses were the direct result of his being 'learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians'; 'wisdom', even in those days, being a well-known synonym for OCCULT SCIENCE. Material science, which laughs at Moses, magic and occultists, simply dismisses all such 'superstitions' without a second thought. This is because there are no English terms to show the difference; no words to express the lights and shadows and draw the line of demarcation between the sublime and the true, the absurd and the ridiculous.

Does that mean we are either compelled to regard 'miracles' as a scientific absurdity, which break all the laws of nature, or supernatural acts which defy all explanation and must be accepted on blind 'faith'? Occult Science teaches that the 'miracles' of Moses were nothing more nor less than the application of natural laws, learned in the Temples of ancient Egypt, which were the scientific academies of those days in which were taught the Occult Sciences—which simply meant and means 'Secret Knowledge'. But knowledge of what? The ancient Sanskrit language may provide some answers.

There are four primary kinds of Secret Knowledge given in the Indian Puranas. These are (1) Yajna-Vidya, or knowledge of the occult powers awakened in Nature by the performance of certain religious ceremonies and rites. (2) Maha-vidya, the 'great knowledge,' equivalent to the Western magical tradition, often black magic of the worst description. (3) Guhya-Vidya, knowledge of the mystic powers residing in Sound; and (4) ATMA-VIDYA, a term which is translated simply as "knowledge of the Soul," or true Wisdom, but which means far more.

ATMA-VIDYA is the only kind of Occultism that any seeker on the path to the Light, and who would be wise and unselfish, ought to strive after. All the rest is some branch of the 'Occult' i.e., magical arts based on the knowledge of the ultimate essence of all things in the Kingdoms of Nature, such as minerals, plants and animals; hence of things pertaining to MATTER, however sublimated that matter may be, or how much its ultimate constitution may still elude the grasp of modern scientific research.

Alchemy, astrology, hypnosis and suggestion, clairvoyance and clairaudience, divination, and similar arts all fall under this heading, but Atma-Vidya, or True WISDOM sets small store by them. It includes them all and may even use them occasionally, but it does so after purifying them of their dross, for beneficent purposes only, and taking care to deprive them of every element of selfishness.

Let us explain: Any man or woman may study one or all of the aforementioned 'occult arts' without any great previous preparation. One could even dispense with morality and decency. In the last case, of course, ten to one the student would blossom into a very decent kind of sorcerer, and tumble down headlong into black magic. Sadly, very few of those who are attracted to the 'Occult' realise the real nature of what they aspire to nor are their motives truly unselfish.

The fact of the matter is that spiritual laws CANNOT be used for material purposes, whatever you may have read or heard to the contrary. The spiritual and the material have each their separate laws (few of which are known to science and even less to the average would-be 'occultist' or practitioner of so-called 'magick'), and these cannot be mixed up in such a way as to obtain wealth and material power, command 'demons', summon astral 'lovers' or the similar selfish desires of the inept and misguided dabbler in the occult.

Those who attempt to do these and other similarly foolish things inevitably find that their problems increase and their personal circumstances worsen in direct proportion to the amount of effort they expend in such useless pseudo-occult practises. You only have to read the forums and websites devoted to the 'occult' to see the mess these misguided and inexperienced dabblers get themselves into to know that we speak the truth. There is not one among such self-appointed 'occult' luminaries who possesses any 'magical' powers whatsoever, other than the power to wreck their health, personal relationships and lives in the pursuit of such vain fantasies.

What about those, you may ask, who are torn by conflicting desires? For, as you may read in our 'Letter from a Master to his pupil', once the desire for Occultism has really awakened in the seeker's mind, there remains no hope of peace for him, no place of rest and comfort in all the world. He or she is driven out into the wild and desolate spaces of life by an insistent unrest they cannot quell. If their heart is too full of passion and selfish desire to permit them to tread the path to the Light; they cannot find rest or peace in ordinary life.

Must they then inevitably fall into black magic? Is there no other road for them? Indeed there is, we answer. Let them aspire to no higher than they feel able to accomplish. Let them not take up a burden too heavy to carry. Without ever becoming an Adept or a Magician, let them study true Occult Science as found in such books as The Golden Star and The Secret Doctrine and become one of the modest benefactors of humanity, without any superhuman powers.

In this way they will at least save their own soul (Higher Self in our terminology) which they will almost certainly otherwise lose, if they persist in misusing the powers innate in all of us for their own selfish purposes.

The study of Occult Science can be of enormous benefit to you if you wish to sincerely enlarge your understanding of yourself and the material and spiritual dimensions of Life. And not only will such study benefit YOU, but your near and dear ones too, and help mankind in general along its path of more or less blind existence.

What is the difference between Wicca, Witchcraft, and the Occult?

The simple answer is very little, if anything. All three come under the broad umbrella of the occult arts.

That is, practises which employ the hidden forces of nature for good or ill. They differ from the occult SCIENCES as a candle in a dark cellar differs from the Sun (see 'what is the occult' above). Whilst there is no harm in studying any of the various occult arts to enlarge your knowledge in a general way, we would caution you against experimenting with any spells or rituals you may read about in books or find on the Internet, as these can do real harm to both mind and body.

Witchcraft, as you can read in our occult studies course article on Magic, is simply another form of magic. The casting of spells or working of rituals which are intended to harm others are black magic, no matter how such practises are dressed up. Or, to put it another way, it is the intention and intention alone which makes any magical act good or evil. This should be obvious to any right-thinking person, whether they are a Wiccan or not. See our next answer below on Black Magic for more information.

We would add that spells, sand, salt, candles, athames, wands and all the other paraphernalia of modern witchcraft are simply theatrical props; a means to concentrate and focus the mind. Such objects have no power or 'magic' in themselves, though there are rare exceptions to this. We say this because it is possible to charge any object with a greater or lesser amount of occult power for good or evil, and such objects undoubtedly work in the hands of those who know how to use them.

But the number of people who really know how to do this in the West are so few that you may safely dismiss the claims made for 'wonder-working' wands, athames, amulets, and other 'magical' objects as nothing more than idle boasts or slick advertising. The genuine Adept or Initiate neither needs nor uses such props. His or her trained will, concentration and imagination are sufficient to achieve what the ignorant call 'miracles' without any additional aids, as you can read in the New Testament, for Jesus was an Adept in the Occult Sciences.

Some Wiccans claim to communicate with so-called 'ancestors' and spirits. As you can read in our Astral Conversation article on channeling such practises are fraught with many dangers. With very few exceptions the entities contacted in this or any other way are not one bit wiser or better than you or we. Indeed, most are at best misleading and at worst, downright evil. Which is why the Bible and every genuine spiritual teacher quite rightly condemn communication with spirits. The only way to contact higher-evolved beings is to rise up to their level in thought, not by attempting to drag them down to ours.

Further and fuller information about all these subjects can be found in the following articles:

Finally, you can find much accurate information about Witchcraft in Vision 4 of The Golden Star—Witchcraft.

What is the LHP and Black Magic?

The misuse of ANY knowledge or power for selfish purposes.

Black Magic has been practised at all times in every part of the world and is still practised today by those who seek material power, wealth, fame, revenge, and all the rest of the useless desires of the inept and foolish, who imagine that a few 'sigils', 'servitors' spells and rituals are all that it takes to acquire these things. Nowadays Black Magic is often disguised under the name of the so-called "left-hand path" or "LHP", which it is claimed is a valid magical path to 'godhead'. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The LHP is not a path that any one seeking enlightenment or freedom from reincarnation would wish to travel, for it leads to further servitude on earth and the death of the Soul (Higher Self in our terminology), as every true Teacher from Jesus to the Buddha has stated. In most cases, all that those who follow this path acquire is disappointment, confusion and depression, leading to physical and mental disease, as you can read in The Golden Star.

Magic is a two-fold power; all that is necessary to turn 'white' magic into 'black' is an evil thought or a selfish desire. This is not to say that there is anything wrong in trying to improve our material conditions. Riches can be a great blessing if rightly used for the good of others. Fame too, can allow us to influence the world in positive ways for the greatest good of the most deserving few. But it does not need 'magic'—black or white—to do so. All it takes is determination, hard work, initiative and patience; qualities which those who are fascinated by black magic invariably lack!

Nothing good can come of the modern fascination with the LHP, black magic and witchcraft. Even if the black magician, sorcerer or witch does acquire riches or fame through their commerce with evil conditions or beings, these have to be paid for. The Universe does not operate on the 'free lunch' principle. There is a price to be paid for everything in this world and everything has its price.

The so-called 'spirits' who helped the magician on earth during his or her lifetime will exact FULL payment for their services after his or her death. This is the real meaning of the Faust legend, which despite its fictional elements, is based on true, occult laws. You can read more about the Faust legend in the commentary to our article on Scientific Materialism.

If the debt is an especially heavy one (and we know of such cases from our own personal experience) it may take many lifetimes to repay it. Lifetimes during which the magician will suffer untold woes, too dreadful to contemplate. You can read more about the fate of such black magicians in The Quest of Ruru, published in full on this website as well as in Vision 1 of The Golden Star.

Science can be a form of black magic too, though in most cases the inventors of the devilish methods for destroying life and harming the planet we are all familiar with, are quite unconscious of the evils they cause. Yet, they too will have to pay for their thoughts and deeds, for, as said earlier, everything has its price. If the debt is not paid in this lifetime, then it must be paid in future lifetimes; such is the law which applies to all created beings, be they scientists or worms.

The lowliest being ever known is capable of taking life away from form—though it can never destroy Life itself. It can merely cause suffering and death, the same as the greatest scientist, and in this way scientists and worms are equal. Both can destroy the living body, but neither can create life; a great subject for special meditation! But this is NOT Karma as it is generally misunderstood, simply the working out of the effects of various causes.

You may object that you have no intention of becoming a full-blown black magician or an evil scientist, and that you are only searching for information about black magic to learn something about it, or to while away an idle hour for your own amusement. If that is your desire we have no wish to stop you indulging it, but you won't find the means to learn the practise of black magic on this website.

Or perhaps you wish to protect yourself from black magical practises and practitioners? If that is the case, as we say in our answer to the question "how do I protect myself against black magicians", the best way to do so is by having nothing to do with them. We would add that there is no power on earth or outside it that can possibly harm the real YOU, if you are filled with the love and light of God.

There is no harm in learning about black magic if you wish to enlarge your knowledge in a general way, but our advice is not to try any spells, rites or invocations you may find in books or on the Internet under any circumstances, no matter how tempted you may be to do so. If you do you may place yourself in great danger by invoking these dark powers, or you may draw towards you evil men and women who may influence your life and Higher Self in a most undesirable manner.

You may feel very strong and confident NOW and quite certain of your powers of resistance, but the traps and wiles of these people are so dangerous, and they are so full of malign cunning that it is possible to find yourself in their net before you realise it.

You can read more about magic in our occult studies course article of the same name, and the many misconceptions which surround the subject of the "left-hand path" (LHP) in the afterword to our article about Practical Magic. You can also use our search facility to be found at the top of every page to look up all the additional information we have published about magic and the LHP.

Why is so much occult knowledge kept secret?

The simple answer is to prevent it being misused.

To enlarge on this, knowledge is power, and power, as we all know, is often misused and abused. If this is true of material power, how much more so must it be true of the hidden knowledge behind such occult arts as hypnotism and suggestion, both of which can do great harm in the wrong hands?

It is for this reason that every occult scientist from Pythagoras to Jesus and Gautama Buddha only gave out to the public what they were permitted to reveal, keeping the real secrets for their chosen disciples. Compare and contrast this wise policy to that of modern scientists, who have no compunction in communicating their knowledge to anyone who wishes to profit from it under the disingenuous 'justification' that science is 'impartial' and therefore not responsible for the uses to which its discoveries are put.

Could there be a more Mephistophelean argument for sending us all to the Devil? Clearly, the price of modern scientific 'secrecy' is measured in cash, kudos and complacency. Were it otherwise, we should all have been spared the horrors of mechanized warfare, the atomic bomb, the development and deployment of biological agents, and invisible electromagnetic weapons with the power to send us all stark, staring mad without ever knowing what hit us.

But there are other, equally good reasons for keeping certain occult knowledge secret. Foremost among them is the confusion that is created in the minds of students when occult truths are partially explained. A part is not the whole, and unless the whole is grasped there is every danger of misunderstanding the relationship the part bears to it. An example of this is the widespread belief in 'Karma' among many mystics, pagans and 'New Age' followers. But 'Karma' as it is generally understood is a melting-pot of indiscriminate speculations and misconceptions which do more harm than good. You can read what 'Karma' really is in our occult studies course article on this subject.

Another reason for secrecy is that second-hand knowledge, however sublime and whatever its source, is no substitute for first-hand experience. The greatest spiritual Master who ever lived cannot advance his disciple one step further than the level of consciousness he or she has attained through their own efforts. If every point is explained to the seeker, he does not acquire any merit, and, moreover, he would not be able to understand; no matter how many times his Teachers should patiently unravel the meaning of occult truths by means of words. He who does not know error cannot appreciate Truth.

Having said this, there are some occult secrets that have been withheld for no good reasons. This is now changing, and the information published on this website (much of which has never been revealed before) is an example of that most welcome change. In The Golden Star the author writes: "Although it was necessary to preserve the chief interpretations from the profane and wrap them in the greatest secrecy, yet the more simple laws should never have been hidden; for this has done incalculable harm to humanity. They grope in the dark and make the most appalling errors with the best intentions."

No sincere seeker after Truth would disagree with this sensible statement. Several of the 'simple laws' to which he alludes are revealed and discussed on this website (see full list on our homepage). Among these we would mention the misunderstandings and errors which surround the vexed subject of 'Karma', also the laws governing Reincarnation, Evolution and Intelligence.

None of these occult scientific doctrines should ever have been concealed from humanity. That they were concealed for many ages shows that the ancients were just as prone to error and self-interest as their modern counterparts. Yet they had some justification, for in the times when religious dogmatism held sway in the minds of the majority (not so long ago), those who dared to voice such 'heretical' doctrines faced persecution and death.

Fortunately, we now live in more 'enlightened' times! It is our sincere hope that this Occult FAQ and the rest of the content of our website will help that awakening.

Where do the Dead go?

One of the most common questions asked by many occult students is "where do the dead go?"

If you ask the average Christian this question he will probably quote the Bible to you and leave you none the wiser! New Age mystics and "Pagans" may give you all sorts of answers depending upon their particular beliefs and psychic experiences, which are just as likely to leave you scratching your head in bewilderment.

Let us tell you in one simple sentence where the dead go: a dead person is in his deeds. We repeat: a dead person dwells in their deeds. How can that be, you may ask, and what do you mean by "deeds"?

By deeds we mean attunement. Whatever we attune with we become. The cruel and brutal person will depart, or sink down, to the regions where dwell the tormentors of the lower astral world—the so-called "Hell" described by many religions and confirmed by many modern accounts of Near Death experiences (NDEs), such as that experienced by Howard Storm.

Storm was an avowed atheist hostile to every form of religion and those who practiced it. He used rage to control everyone around him and found no joy in anything. He had no faith in anything higher than the material world in which he lived and moved. He considered all belief systems associated with religion to be fantasies with no basis in reality. Beyond what science said existed, there was nothing else. But one day in June 1985, at the age of 38, Howard Storm had an NDE which changed his life and outlook forever, as you can read in his own account of what happened when he 'died' during an operation.

The utterly selfish or lazy person will be blotted out, or sleep for an eternity. The kind, compassionate and merciful—those who serve their fellowman without thought of reward, as well as the inspired Dreamer of Beauty, the Poet and the Musician, will rise to the regions of the higher astral world.

There the lover will meet the beloved again in golden regions beneath rose and amethystine clouds in azure skies, the landscape full of silver streams delectable, with everlasting flowers in every hue imaginable, and perfumed trees with luscious fruits, with verdant hills and crystal waterfalls and glittering lakes in realms of reverie and happiness such as this earth can never know, away from spying eyes, the two alone in utter ecstasy of perfect union.

The true Mystic and lover of Truth will soar to kingdoms far beyond the ken of lower men, to meet his peers and dwell in wisdom, expanding in ever-widening circles of sublimity—one with the Gods for ever.

So all will live, or be, within their deeds...or in their dreams...or nightmares...or cease to BE if it is so decided by the Lords of Light. But to some these deeds or dreams will be an actual AWAKENING to a higher awareness and Cosmic Consciousness, which no words can describe, and for such there is no more return to sleep.

The above has been adapted from The Quest of Ruru by J Michaud PhD. You can read a review of this book on our books page. The complete book can be read in full on this website in HTML format.

You can read more about life after death in our article of the same name. The conditions to be found in the lower astral realms are vividly described in Symphonie Fantastique by J Michaud PhD. Some of these realms are hellish indeed to the poor unfortunates whose thoughts and deeds have led them there, and we pray that you who are reading this, will never visit them.

You can also read about consciousness after death in part four of our Astral Conversations series of articles, in which the nature and survival of consciousness after death is discussed in great depth by two occult students and their teacher.

Is there a right way and a wrong way to pray?

The greatest crime that was ever perpetrated upon mankind was committed on the day when the first priest invented the first prayer with a selfish object in view. A God who may be propitiated by iniquitous prayers to bless the worshipper, and send death and destruction to thousands of his enemies—his brothers and sisters—is not a God, but a devil. It is this idea of God that has fostered selfishness in man, and deprived him of his self-reliance. The Greek philosopher Socrates described the right way to pray more than 2,000 years ago when he said: "Our prayers should be for blessings on all, in general, for the Gods know best what is good for us."

We agree. True prayer is an ennobling action when it is an intense feeling, an ardent and sincere desire rushing forth from our very heart for the good of other people, and when entirely detached from any selfish personal object. Prayer in favour of one nation, or for the benefit of one individual, irrespective of losses to other nations or individuals, is the most ignoble of crimes, besides being an impertinent conceit and a superstition.

We would also add that it is best to pray alone and in silence. In the Bible Jesus tells his disciples: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:6). 'Closet' in this sense simply means a small room, in other words a private place where you will not be disturbed or distracted.

Real prayer is the Key to the Gates of Heaven; and the more powerful and sincere the prayer, the more glorious the Gate that Key will unlock for you. To turn our thoughts heavenwards and away from earth is also prayer. But the pity is that most people only pray when they are in trouble; seldom when all goes well! A pure wish is the desire of the Higher Self for Light and Liberation; prayer the wings that will carry it up to God. As the flower opens its eye to the light of dawn, so should man open his heart to God, that His rays may strengthen the flowering, and the fruit of attainment be his. And remember too when great troubles come upon you, that there is no Gethsemane without an Angel who hovers over it.

But think before sending forth your thoughts or prayers. For a wish or thought or prayer may be either a discord or harmony. The heart which is filled with loving-kindness prays of its own volition; but the empty of heart cannot pray. If your prayer is good, then no matter how often it is repeated, it will throw a radiant beam aloft. Real prayer is like the sweet stroke on a golden bell, the resonance of which is heard in Heaven. But to the man of dull belief and comprehension, God is dumb, and His Angels shall not behold him with compassion.

You can read more about the nature, purpose and power of prayer from an occult perspective in John Temple's detailed investigation of this vital subject.

Do UFOs exist?

Despite the mountain of reports of sightings, abductions, etc., from every corner of the world, together with endless reams of so-called testimonies demonstrating their existence, we cannot personally find one single shred of genuine verifiable proof to substantiate the existence of UFOs or their supposed 'alien' occupants.

There exist countless phenomena in Nature—especially that connected with electro-magnetism and so-called 'psychic forces'—the explanations of which still baffles science. Hence we can think of numerous possible and even probable explanations to account for the now almost universal belief in UFOs and associated phenomena none of which involve the presence or activities of so-called ETs.

But as we do not think UFOs are particularly important, and the explanations highly complex in some instances, we have neither the time nor inclination to write a lengthy article regarding these alternatives. Besides, at best some of these explanations must remain speculative, and as speculations lead us away from Truth into the realm of fantasy, we see no good reason to say anything further on this subject.

As one of our readers said in an article she submitted to us: ". . .I quickly came to the conclusion that it was all mostly nonsense (and even dangerous misinformation) and that even if it was true, it was a waste of my precious life to dwell upon it, and that I had better focus on what truly matters: honouring the Gift of Life bestowed upon me by the Supreme Creator." We couldn't agree more.

You can find more information about this topic and related subjects in the second of our Astral Conversations articles on Cosmic Conspiracies.

Are Tibetan singing bowls dangerous?

They can be. Sound is the most potent of all occult forces which is poorly understood by both scientists and most occultists alike. Sound is vibration, and whilst some vibrations are wholly beneficial or good, others are wholly destructive or bad, while many more are a mixture of good and bad. Singing bowls emit a range of frequencies depending upon the size and shape of bowl, the material of which they are made, how they are struck or rubbed, and whether they are empty or filled with something. To understand this, we need to know a little about musical theory.

The standard western scale of music is comprised of 12 pitches, with a thirteenth note often included. This 13th note is the 'higher octave' of the first note. Each note resonates at a particular frequency. This scale, based on what is called A440 or concert pitch, begins at middle C with a frequency of 256 hertz, and continues to the octave above that called high C, resonating at 512 hertz. This makes high C twice as high, or resonating at twice the frequency, of middle C.

This is true for each octave in the western musical scale. Each octave is also divided into sharps and flats. Sharp means to go up a half step in pitch, while flat means to go down a half step. So a half step simply means the distance between a key (black or white) on a piano keyboard and the key that is next to it. So C to C sharp is a half step. D to D flat is a half step, and so on and so forth. You can read more about the occult side of sound in our article on the Magic of Music.

So you will see that any particular bowl may emit any number of different sounds pitched at different frequencies, not all of which may be harmonious or pleasant to the ear, though personal taste also plays a large part in this too. No one with any spiritual sensitivity would wish to have their ears assaulted by so-called 'heavy metal' or 'rap' music. The effects are not wholesome, either physiologically or spiritually. The reverse applies to listening to inspired music from the great Masters such as Bach, Mozart or Beethoven.

From this it follows that any sound (regardless of its source) which comforts us, calms us, makes us feel peace, laughter and joy cannot be harmful, and the reverse is true of sounds that arouse anger, hatred, unrest, anxiety, fear, depression and sadness. So if a Tibetan 'singing bowl' arouses positive emotions and mental states within us it cannot be dangerous and the opposite applies to any sound that arouses negative emotions and thoughts.

The danger arises when such singing bowls are used indiscriminately by those who know little or nothing about their physiological and psychological effects from an occult point of view. We all know what happens to a bridge when a certain vibration is aroused in the structure, either by the marching feet of soldiers, or some other cause; it collapses.

We also know that opera singers can and have shattered glass through emitting a certain note or notes pitched at a specific vibration. But few know that sound can and does cause significant changes in human behaviour, thinking and well-being. For these reasons the use of singing bowls is fraught with potential dangers in the hands of the inexperienced, especially when they are used for so-called 'healing' purposes.

One might as well swallow a cocktail of drugs from the pharmacy in the vain hope that one or more of them would 'heal' whatever ails us. No sensible person would dream of doing such an irresponsible thing, but thousands are quite happy to make the same experiment with sound without knowing the least thing about the forces they are playing with.

Another danger arises when people use spoken mantras or incantations they have found in books or online. Unless they have been taught the occult laws and properties of Sound it will be obvious that they can do much harm to themselves and others through casual experimentation. It is no different to experimenting with chemicals in a lab, unless we know or have been taught what their specific properties are, both singly and in combination, we run the grave risk of harming ourselves or others. This, in a nutshell, is the reason for our warnings about sound in many of our articles.

You can find more information about Tibet and Tibetan magic in our three-part investigation of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Golden Star

A book for Initiates
by J Michaud PhD

Described as "A BOOK FOR INITIATES", The Golden Star expounds the most ADVANCED OCCULT TEACHINGS, yet in such a fascinating manner as to hold and extend the interest of the novice. The book is written in the form of a story, in which two Egyptian pilgrims, Ma-u and Ma-uti, are conducted through the higher and lower planes by Neteru-Hem, a Messenger from the Divine regions.

During their remarkable journey, the two pilgrims are taught about the real nature of matter and spirit and the ways in which these two entirely opposite principles are interwoven. The many subjects covered include the origins of the universe, witchcraft, magic (both black and white), spiritualism, the inhabitants of the four elemental kingdoms (Gnomes, Sylphs, Undines and Salamanders), psychism, clairvoyance and clairaudience, true, spiritual vision, divine inspiration, the occult constitution of man and how to attain cosmic consciousness and oneness with the Divine.

The Golden Star can be read free-of-charge online, downloaded as a FREE PDF and purchased in a new, smyth-sewn, high-quality hardcover edition direct from the publisher at J. Michaud Archive. This new edition costs just $30 (£21 / €25).

The Teachings of Li Wang Ho

This enchanting book contains the teachings of a forgotten ancient Chinese Philosopher of over 2,000 years ago, rescued from oblivion for the first time in our modern age or at any other period of occult history. This is one of those very rare books in any age that can change your life for the better. You do not need to be an occultist or mystic to benefit from the wise sayings and teachings it contains.

Do you have enemies? Have you been abused or slandered? Do you suffer from anger, envy, grief or depression? Are you experiencing personal or relationship problems? Or do you perhaps long for Light, Beauty, Harmony, Peace and Joy? Then this aptly subtitled 'jewelled casket of everlasting flowers' will fill your heart and mind with the Divine Aroma of the blossoms of the Heavenly Realms.

This book was re-printed in 2022 in a high-quality hardcover edition and can be purchased direct from the publisher or downloaded as FREE PDF.

The Quest of Ruru

A tale of ancient India
by J Michaud PhD

This virtually unknown occult masterpiece is the true story of the search for a real Hidden Master. It begins with the birth and childhood of Ruru—a seeker after mysteries—whom we follow in his journey of discovery through the gorgeous scenery of the India of 2,000 years ago.

We make the acquaintance of many different characters in this book, such as a most lovable Ascetic and an evil Black Dwarf; a learned Brahman Priest and a menacing, wandering monk; a wise and kind old philosopher and the seductive Princess Sulochana and her chattering maid; all drawn with unerring skill by the author.

We witness a terrifying 'black mass' by an evil wizard which actually took place; share the extraordinary tests and trials of Ruru as he is initiated into the Arcane Mysteries; partake in strange adventures; exotic love scenes; meet a Master who surely represents the ideal of every Seeker; and—above all— discover some of the hidden secrets of the Universe, so far as they may be known or disclosed.