The Four Elements and the Four Planes

The four elements together with the four planes are an excellent framework within which we can order the vast amount of phenomena in the magical universe. This framework allows us to access any type of HOE we want to access. The model that we are about to describe is useful and comprehensive. But again I want to point out that we can make an infinite amount of other models that are equally valid.

Before I am going to describe the four planes I give you a brief description of the four elements. As you know, the metaphysical elements have little to do with the chemical elements. These elements viewed as basic qualities rather than basic substances, the latter being the characteristic of the chemical elements. The basic qualities of the metaphysical elements relate to our sensory experience and they are a projection of this sensory experience into the realms of finer density. Once we experience these realms of finer density, we are aware that the concepts of elements are generalizations that are convenient for our work.

The four sensory experiences that are at the root of the concept of the four elements are: hot and cold, dry and humid. The pair, hot and cold, we refer to as positive and negative. Dry and Humid we refer to as electric and magnetic. It is very important that you learn the following table:

Fire		volatile light	etheric electro- magnetism	hot and dry	positive electric
Water		condensed life energy	structured orgone (prana, chi)	cold and humid	negative magnetic
Air		volatile life energy	etheric orgone (prana, chi)	hot and humid	positive magnetic
Earth		dense ("frozen") light	structured electro- magnetism	cold and dry	negative electric

Fire and Water are the two primary elements, opposite polarities, so to say. Air and Earth are considered to be secondary, or mixtures of the first two. This is a manner of viewing it.

Some researchers see air as an interaction between the two basic principles of fire and water. They consider earth to be the synthesis of the three. The originally pagan symbolism of Divine trinities "above" the worlds of manifestation somewhat reflects this view. You find this symbolism in many pagan religions as well as in the Christian religion which is in principle a paganized Jewish religion. The introduction of this trinity instead of one God to the mainstream Christian religion (obviously they "adjusted" to the then more popular pagan religions) was in the main the result of pragmatic politics of the Roman emperor Constantinus.

Electric and Magnetic relate to the phenomena of electromagnetic energy and life energy. The fire element is electric-positive. On the material plane it is energy, or light, in its conventional meaning. The earth element is electric-negative. It is structured light, or "frozen light" as some researchers say. Modern physics somewhat supports this theory.

The air element is magnetic-positive. On the material plane it is active life energy, or free life energy. The water element is magnetic-negative, or structured life.

If we relate the four elements to the material plane, we can easily order the four elements. Earth and Water belong to the dense material plane while air and fire are part of the etheric plane. The labels "positive" and "negative" are references to density. The elemental references as being "fire, air," etc., are pictures to make us understand easier the basic qualities. The references to electromagnetism and life energy, dense (structured) and volatile (etheric, non-structured) conform more with the realities of modern physics and magic of the future than would do the partition into five elements that includes the "akasha element" in leaning on Hindoo philosophy. The four elements are a good representation of the physical realities of light energy (electromagnetic energy) and life energy.

Let's repeat here:

Fire - volatile light - etheric electromagnetism - hot and dry - positive electric

Water - condensed life energy - structured orgone (prana, chi) - cold and humid - negative magnetic

Air - volatile life energy - etheric orgone (prana, chi) - hot and humid - positive magnetic

Earth - dense ("frozen") light - structured electromagnetism - cold and dry - negative electric

The four elements supply us with an excellent model for the planes of existence and in correlation with it planes of experience within ourselves. The earth element refers to that which is conscious, or the material planes. The water element refers to the human emotions and to the astral plane. The air element refers to the human mind and the mental plane, while the fire element refers to the human will and the causal plane.

Magicians see some "entities" or energies of a higher order that correlate to the four elements. These traditional elementals are the salamanders for the fire element, the sylphs are spirits of the air element, the undines are spirits of the water element, and the gnomes are spirits of the earth element.

In a technological sense we may view spirits as energies of a higher order that are made to manifest (personify) in the etheric plane.

How the Planes Relate to Us

The planes are a model that we have established to describe the energies of the universe as we perceive them and as we interact with them. Manifestation itself you find in the material plane, while trends are part of the planes that are beyond the material one. The causal plane sets an idea in motion, the mental plane gives it its shape, the astral plane desire, and the material plane allows manifestation. When we send magical action or trends to a target we use energies of a higher order (not manifested energies that are part of the astral and mental planes) and cause them to manifest at the target.

An Astrological Map of the Universe

That there is a correlation between astrological positions and trends on our planet has been established long ago. From empirical observations of ancient magicians gradually a science evolved that correlates the destiny and general trends of every individual on this planet with the position of the stars at this individual's birth. More specific trends that are valid for an individual can be found in an analysis of the movements of the planets and stars after its birth. The position of the heavenly bodies in relation to a location compares well to the setting of a radionics device.

A closer analysis of the planets, stars, etc., in the sky and their movements yields some very interesting results: they follow interesting numerical correlations. Bode's law expresses these correlations.

Although astrology has served mankind well, most astrologers were at a loss when they tried to explain why the whole thing worked. The old assumption that the heavenly bodies were gods was somewhat valid. It even helped develop magical systems that had the goal of establishing trends other than what the stars promised by placating these gods. This animistic approach came closer to the reality of astrological energies being HOE's that the ludicrous astrological theories of our days. The lack of true scientific training of most modern day astrologers finds its expression in the theories that they formulate. While the animistic approach of the astrologers of ancient times gave at least rise to a technology of generating trends, the pop-scientific approach of their modern day counterparts brings nothing of that kind. Astrology has totally degenerated into a science that just interprets trends. Modern astrologers are nothing but a bunch of counselors who have the advantage of being capable of predicting future trends.

Perhaps the best explanation of why astrology works is the structural approach. With this we mean that the planetary system acts like a large radionics device. The nice thing about this radionics device of cosmic proportions is that the positions of its "dials" can be calculated in advance. This allows us to determine astrological trends in advance.

 

We can observe a specific function of a biological, physiological, psychological, etc., nature in connection with each planet. Furthermore, the position of a planet within the zodiac modifies its function and the distances of each planet to any other (aspects) will increase or decrease the interaction of their respective functions. I suggest that you get a good introduction into astrology to know the function of the planets and the zodiacal signs. In the following I am going to elaborate the connection of the solar system to the cabalistic system. From there we are going on to an approach that decribes a vast amount of specific entities (HOE's) that connect with the astrological system. Such an approach you find in Franz Bardon's book "The practice of magical evocation." Each entity that Bardon mentions in his book has a specific sphere of influence. To use this entity you need to link up with it by means of its sigil. Then you can connect it with the psychic link of your target.

There is a great advantage to knowing that the planetary system acts upon us like a large radionics device. We can develop equivalent structures to the HOE's of the zodiacal factors. When we energize these HOE's with life energy, we create our own trends. This gives us back the power of the wise of ancient times who ruled the stars. The fact that our approach is not animistic gives us the added advantage of much greater flexibility.

The Magical Squares of the Planets

The planetary energies are an excellent system that we can use to establish trends. If the astrological system determines trends that are in effect for individuals, groups, and events, then the following lends itself to us: We can structurally connect with the factors that are determining the astrological trends and generate our own trends. This compares to establishing a greenhouse of astrological energies which we can then use at our liking.

Structural connections with planetary energies are ancient knowledge. One of the best ways to draw planetary energies are the magical squares of the planets. These squares are special numeric arrangements that establish such a connection. We know seven squares that are valid for the "classical" planets. In the sixth lesson you will find a brief description of the planetary functions and of the meaning of the astrological signs. Then you will find the planetary squares and a set of symbols that represent the signs of the Zodiac.

Practice #30: From the second part of the sixth lesson copy the magical squares of the planets. Take the squares one by one and charge them. Observe, feel, or meditatively tune into the energies. If you have a Welz generator put the magical square of the planet between the output of the generator and the structural link. Compare the feelings that you get. Make notes in your diary, if you have one.

Practice #31: Put a planet in a sign and use that as a filter for your Welz Generator. Alternately you may put it inside a triangle and draw the planetary energy by projecting life energy onto it.

The Tarot

The system of the Tarot is a set of archetypal representations of fields of life experience. It has a link with the zodiac and its energies. Each card represents a specific energy of a higher order. It would go too far to give you here an introduction in the tarot and into astrology. I recommend that you purchase the appropriate books and learn these systems.

Practice #32: Tune into the energies of Tarot cards using a Welz Generator or projecting life energy into the cards.

Practice #33: Put a planetary square into the radionics device. Energize the device with life energy. Then put a transfer diagram onto the stick-pad and feel the planetary energies on the second transfer diagram.

Practice #34: Do the same with cards of the Tarot. In each case it will be useful if you keep record of the radionic rates (the settings) so that you can use them in the future.

A List of Equivalent Structures

What follows is a list of some of the systems of structural links with entities that we know of. The classification into "natural" and "artificial" is somewhat arbitrary. Most artificial systems of equivalent structures have a natural basis.

The fact that equivalent structures work gives rise to many magical methods. When we think of structure, we usually think of a graphic outline. We disregard the fact that there are many more possibilities of structural linkage than alphabets and graphical sigils. We can use shapes in any sensory experience as equivalent structures. In the following you will see a list of equivalent structures, natural and artificial ones, that have proven to be useful for the establishing of structural links to persons (targets) and specific energies (trends). It will be good if you get acquainted with some of them.

Methods to Express and Establish Equivalent Structures

Conclusion

For the magician of the future it is important to choose a valid set of a magical hierarchy. Such choice needs not to be a one time commitment as demanded by religious systems. Quite to the contrary, the magician of the future knows well that a specific magical hierarchy is but one way of classifying the energies of the universe. Therefore it is useful for the magician of the future to acquaint him/herself with as many sets of equivalent structures as possible. This will give the magician a wide variety of choices of access to the energies of the universe.

Practice #35: Using the radionics device and a photograph of your room (Polaroid) develop the "mantra" to access a specific point of your choice. Then, with the same method, establish the mantra that connects with energies of the Sun. Then go ahead and chant both mantras while your partner checks the are in the room for energy.

Practice #36: Using a synthesizer and the stick pad of a radionics device to establish the sound pitch or chord first of a location or target and then of an energy. Do the same thing as described in practice #35, but have the synthesizer play the sounds.

Practice #37: Get a structural link with a location or target with the synthesizer, then use a magical square to represent a planetary energy that you send to the location or target.