In previous "Notes" I have touched upon the serpent symbol and the eye as a transmitter of consciousness (see THE PATH, June, 1894). The nature of monadic and of point consciousness was next touched upon (PATH, Sept., 1894), and multiple point consciousness shown to be the basis of the picture making faculty, of the sense of separateness, and of the relation of the microcosm to the macrocosm. This was illustrated by the mathematical methods of a survey. In the following paper (PATH, May, 1895), the dual aspects of space were considered, and point action again discussed from a different standpoint, under the title of "Life Centres." Under the heading of "The Tree," the coordinate action of various groups or classes of life centres, was illustrated.
We must continue our meditations in this line, if we would know more of the Tree of Life and of the Fiery Serpent which dwells therein. (1)
THE CREATURE FULL OF EYES
The universe is balanced on points. Each particle of everything which has weight, radiates a pulling force in every direction; and this force we call "gravity." More penetrating than the "X Ray," these radiant lines of force pass through all substances without hindrance or deflection: gravity cannot be screened off in any way.
Imagine a physical atom endowed with consciousness, and that it sees with gravity rays; we can then understand that each ponderable atom may be a mirror of the ponderable universe, just as a quicksilver globule mirrors the landscape in all directions.
There would be this difference, however; the quicksilver globule is a balancing point for the light which we perceive, and hence for such a landscape as that which meets the human eye. A "gravity landscape," if I may use that phrase, would comprise the inside and outside of everything; would show the currents of invisible and colorless gases and the structure of the most opaque material. Such a landscape would also be in only one kind of light, which would vary in intensity according to the specific gravity of various particles. It would be a gravity monochrome; dense objects shining brightly, while those of opposite quality would have a fainter radiance. Distance would also be expressed, for Newton's law of inverse squares is but the mathematical formula of gravity perspective.
As the quicksilver globule has weight, that is, is pulled upon from all sides and from all distances by all particles which compose all ponderable objects, we might conceive it endowed with a gravity consciousness, as well as that which corresponds to ordinary light. If used as an instrument by a being of superior intelligence, who would identify his consciousness with that of this elemental point, he would look through it by feeling with it and it would reveal to him the qualities of natural objects, either by sunlight or by gravity light, according to the will of the user. (2)
We might call these, if we choose, two different planes of material consciousness; or, if material consciousness is considered, broadly speaking, as a "plane," these would be sub-planes.
But we need not stop here: as the astronomer deals, in his calculations, with the all pervading sweep of gravity rays, so the electrician deals with other lines of force, generated according to kindred and harmonious, but different, formulas. These would represent other qualities or "planes" of material consciousness, each with a picture world of its own, differing from, yet interblended and harmonious with the others.
Thus: the lines of electric and magnetic "potential" assume strange and complex curved forms, and a magnetic or electric eye, or eye point, would see a different aspect of physical being. It would see around corners, would perceive a translucent world, in which the solid earth would be more like free space, and that which to us is free space, would be a glassy solid, cracked at times by the lightning flash, but healing itself in the wake of the spark. Such an eye would look out into a solid heaven, in which magnetic pulsations would appear as waves of coruscating light, according to the rates of vibration. It would be a veritable "sea of glass, mingled with fire." (3)
These illustrations of material consciousness, translated into terms of human consciousness, might be greatly amplified; but the broad principle to be realized is, that these aspects of natural energies are but different grades of nature's life and consciousness, each constituting a world of its own (or globe if you choose), if considered in a limited way, each world interpenetrating and blending with all the others, and yet, in a truer sense, all taken together constitute but one.
With a special eye for each grade of Nature's being, each of these eyes would identify its user with an apparently separate world. If one only was opened at a time, he would know no other world, and, if memory was obliterated, dream of no other. Each would be a special sight-sense, or window, each looking into a different sphere, or quality, or "plane," of being; each alone would be illusory, and it is only by the intelligent coordinated use of all that the seer would obtain complete knowledge.
Returning to our illustrations: as the mercury globule mirrors the whole landscape, and we perceive this fact because the human eye responds to the same rays, so, the globule being heavy, it mirrors the gravity landscape, but we do not perceive this because we do not have a gravity eye. In like manner it has electrical conductivity and potentiality, which relates it to the world of electrical energies which surrounds it. It has chemical affinities, etc., and all these things bind it to corresponding qualities in every particle of so-called matter.
We must not think of any particle of any given element or substance, as possessing but a single quality; for that would be untrue; but, some one quality must predominate, differentiating it from others. Thus: mercury reflects with brilliancy; (4) lead is heavy; copper is specially conductive of heat and electricity; iron is magnetic, etc. These elements may therefore be taken as illustrations, or manifestations, of different qualities, or aspects, of the consciousness of Nature; threads from the many hued, intricate, veil of Isis.
But Isis is the mother of the Divine-Human: we are born of her life; clothed with her garments; limited with her qualities, and it is with these that we must perceive, think, and act.
Every particle of matter has some predominant quality. If this particle is used as a window, through which Intelligence looks out into the plane to which the particle belongs, it will be as a colored glass responding to, and transmitting some rays while insensible to others, so that the picture revealed will correspond to its nature.
To use the particle as a window, its consciousness must be identified with that of the higher intelligence, as that of the cells of the eye and their synthetic consciousness, is used by that which looks through the living instrument.
Metals have been selected as elementary examples of the mineral consciousness, because the qualities of their consciousness are at least partially known to us, and this knowledge is written out for us in books of physics. Similar aspects of the consciousness of vegetable or animal cells, are but dimly known to us. Yet each cell or life centre is an eye spot, a cranny in the wall, through which we might look, if we but knew it, into that to which its life corresponds, into an aspect of space, or globe, or plane, or whatever we choose to call it.
As these cells are of different qualities, they are selective in their transmissions, like colored windows, to the elements of white light. These windows need not be in the outer wall, for there are "X-Rays" of many, many kinds; but each is a window in the Ark of Life, "self shining within."
We may divide and classify these qualities in various ways; into twelve groups, if you please, and these may be symbolized by shining and translucent objects, such as precious stones, forming the structure of a City of Life. (5)
FOOTNOTES:
1. The writer does not claim for these papers anything more than the title would imply. Certificates of truth must come from within. (return to text)
2. In this article, the idea of a ray is used broadly in the sense of a line or direction of force, which may be either static or dynamic, and is not limited to a vibration. (return to text)
3. That, given an "electric" eye, these statements would be simple facts and not fancies, will be conceded by anyone who has followed, even in an elementary way, the mathematical side of electrical science. (return to text)
4. Is also highly mobile. (return to text)
5. The student will easily understand the symbol of the Peacock, and why it should have been called the Bird of Wisdom and of occult knowledge, although in reality a vain and dull witted creature. See also the Secret Doctrine II., p. 619, old ed,, 655 new. (return to text)