A Treatise on White Magic
Encyclopedia
A Treatise on White Magic is a book by Alice Bailey
. It is considered to be among the most important by students of her writings, as it is less abstract than most, and deals with many important subjects of her works in an introductory, even programmatic fashion. It was first published in 1934 with the subtitle 'The Way of the Disciple'. She promulgated White Magic
as a discipline to serve humanity.
It is a fun esoteric text, which Bailey said was dictated telepathically by the Tibet
an Master, Djwal Khul
. It is offered as a "basic textbook" for the Western aspirant to initiation, and is divided into fifteen rules of magic
, each one taking the reader further into the mysteries of spirituality
.
Topics discussed include: how an aspirant can best prepare himself for service, the various ray
types of their influences, the relationship between the macrocosm and microcosm
, the spiritual, causal, astral
and physical realms and their interactions, the spiritual psychology of man (although this is dealt with much more fully in the Esoteric Psychology volumes), The Hierarchy of Masters, esoteric groups and schools, the spiritual centres (or chakra
s), the occult concept of the Seven Rays
, meditation
work and much more. One of the main themes is that of soul control.
believe that the ultimate purpose of White Magic is furtherance of the spiritual and material evolution of humanity. Specifically, this evolution is conceived in terms of the increased benevolent manifestation of seven spiritual energies or Seven Rays. It is further believed that adept practitioners of White Magic
, wielding the power of the Seven Rays, can contribute to this evolution.
The seven rays antific, philosophical, or practical. Students of these schools of thought think that the primary purpose of White Magic is the evolution of culture through the energy of Love-Wisdom (The second ray--the primary ray of which the other six rays are secondary expressions, because the second ray of Love-Wisdom is the ray of the Solar Logos, the governing deity of the Solar System
.)
In the Theosophical Movement FAQ http://www.katinkahesselink.net/faq/tm_faq.htm, Katinka Hesselink says of the founder of Theosophy [H. P. Blavatsky] that "She considered there to be two kinds of magic: black and white. White magic could only be performed by those pure of heart, mind and body - anything else was by definition black, because tinged with selfishness."
Alice Bailey
Alice Ann Bailey , known as Alice A. Bailey or AAB to her followers, was an influential writer and theosophist in what she termed "Ageless Wisdom". This included occult teachings, "esoteric" psychology and healing, astrological and other philosophic and religious themes...
. It is considered to be among the most important by students of her writings, as it is less abstract than most, and deals with many important subjects of her works in an introductory, even programmatic fashion. It was first published in 1934 with the subtitle 'The Way of the Disciple'. She promulgated White Magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
as a discipline to serve humanity.
It is a fun esoteric text, which Bailey said was dictated telepathically by the Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
an Master, Djwal Khul
Djwal Khul
Djwal Khul , is believed by some Theosophists and others to be a Tibetan disciple in the tradition of ancient esoteric spirituality known as The Ageless Wisdom tradition...
. It is offered as a "basic textbook" for the Western aspirant to initiation, and is divided into fifteen rules of magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
, each one taking the reader further into the mysteries of spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
.
Topics discussed include: how an aspirant can best prepare himself for service, the various ray
Seven Rays
The seven rays is an occult concept that has appeared in several religions and esoteric philosophies, since at least the 6th century BCE, of the Aryan peoples in both Western culture and in India...
types of their influences, the relationship between the macrocosm and microcosm
Macrocosm and microcosm
Macrocosm and microcosm is an ancient Greek Neo-Platonic schema of seeing the same patterns reproduced in all levels of the cosmos, from the largest scale all the way down to the smallest scale...
, the spiritual, causal, astral
Astral
-Concepts of the non-physical:* Astral body, a subtle body posited by many religious philosophers* Astral journey , the same as having an out-of-body experience...
and physical realms and their interactions, the spiritual psychology of man (although this is dealt with much more fully in the Esoteric Psychology volumes), The Hierarchy of Masters, esoteric groups and schools, the spiritual centres (or chakra
Chakra
Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...
s), the occult concept of the Seven Rays
Seven Rays
The seven rays is an occult concept that has appeared in several religions and esoteric philosophies, since at least the 6th century BCE, of the Aryan peoples in both Western culture and in India...
, meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
work and much more. One of the main themes is that of soul control.
Ultimate purpose of White Magic
Students of the works of Alice A. Bailey and TheosophyTheosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
believe that the ultimate purpose of White Magic is furtherance of the spiritual and material evolution of humanity. Specifically, this evolution is conceived in terms of the increased benevolent manifestation of seven spiritual energies or Seven Rays. It is further believed that adept practitioners of White Magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
, wielding the power of the Seven Rays, can contribute to this evolution.
The seven rays antific, philosophical, or practical. Students of these schools of thought think that the primary purpose of White Magic is the evolution of culture through the energy of Love-Wisdom (The second ray--the primary ray of which the other six rays are secondary expressions, because the second ray of Love-Wisdom is the ray of the Solar Logos, the governing deity of the Solar System
Solar System
The Solar System consists of the Sun and the astronomical objects gravitationally bound in orbit around it, all of which formed from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago. The vast majority of the system's mass is in the Sun...
.)
In the Theosophical Movement FAQ http://www.katinkahesselink.net/faq/tm_faq.htm, Katinka Hesselink says of the founder of Theosophy [H. P. Blavatsky] that "She considered there to be two kinds of magic: black and white. White magic could only be performed by those pure of heart, mind and body - anything else was by definition black, because tinged with selfishness."
Further reading
- Bailey, Alice A. A Treatise on White Magic New York: 1934--Lucis Publishing Co.
- Leadbeater, C.W. The Masters and the Path Adyar, Madras, India: 1925--The Theosophical Publishing House.