Color

Color

keynote quotes:

Does it mean anything to you when I say that the ceremonial ritual of the daily life of Sanat Kumara, implemented by music and sound and carried on the waves of color which break upon the shores of the three worlds of human evolution, reveal - in the clearest notes and tones and shades - the deepest secret behind His purpose? (DK)

The science of numbers, being in reality the science of color and sound, will also somewhat change its phraseology and colors will eventually supersede figures.(DK)

* The following five statements are basic

1. Each of the Primordial Seven, the first seven rays, forming the manifesting logos, is again sevenfold.

2. As the seven colors of the solar spectrum correspond to the seven rays or Hierarchies so each of these is subdivided into seven.

3. Each of these Hierarchies furnishes the essence (the soul) and is the builder of one of the seven kingdoms in nature - the three elemental kingdoms, the mineral, vegetable, animal and kingdom of spiritual man. [638]

4. Each Hierarchy furnishes the aura of one of the seven principles in man with its specific color.

5. Each of these Hierarchies is the ruler of one of the sacred planets.

Thus astrology came into existence and has a strictly scientific basis. (S.D. Vol. III, 482)

I seek to call your attention here to the fact that it is not yet permissible to give out the esoteric significance of [213] these colors, nor exact information as to their order and application. The dangers are too great, for in the right understanding of the laws of color and in the knowledge (for instance) of which color stands for a particular ray lies the power the adept wields.(DK)

1. Knowledge of the cycles involves knowledge of number, sound and color.

2. Full knowledge of the mystery of the cycles is the possession only of the perfected adept.[TCF7]

Only in the Hall of Wisdom can the esoteric interpretation of the colors be truly known. (DK)

Certain problems of real interest are prone to enter our minds, but they serve only to develop abstract thought [354] and to expand the consciousness, for they are as yet insoluble and will remain so. Some of them might be enumerated as follows:

1. Who is the cosmic Entity in Whose scheme our Logos plays his little part?

2. What is the nature of the great purpose He is working out?

3. Which center in His body is represented by our solar system?

4. What is the nature of the incarnation He is now undergoing?

5. What are the ten systems - the three and the seven - of which our solar system is one? Must we look for the major three within the seven, or extraneously?

6. What is the coloring or basic quality of this cosmic Entity?

7. Is the coloring of the fourth cosmic ether (the buddhic plane), blue, or is it violet to correspond with our fourth physical ether? Why is buddhi exoterically regarded as yellow in color?

8. Which are the primary three centers in the body of our solar Logos and which the minor four?

9. What is the karma of the different schemes?

10. What is the over-balancing karma of the Logos Himself as it affects the ten schemes within His system?

All these questions, and numbers of others, will arise in the mind of the interested student, but beyond the formulation of them he may not as yet go, though the fifth round will see the realization, by men, of the nature of the karma of the Logos of our chain. Words, as we have been told, blind and stultify.

YOGA SUTRA

50. Right control of prana (or the life currents) is external, internal or motionless; it is subject to place, time and number and is also protracted or brief.

The astrological significance is also hinted at here in the three words, "place, time, and number." In these words the universal triplicities must be recognized, and right control of the life currents must be seen to be related to karma, opportunity and form; there are certain words which when rightly understood give the key to all practical occultism and make the yogi a master of life. They are:

Sound ....Word

Number...Life

Color ......Light

Form.......Body

and these are recognized as subject to the space-idea and the time-element. It should be borne in mind, in this connection, that "space is the first entity" (Secret Doctrine I, 583.) and that cyclic manifestation is the law of life. [YSP225]

Stanza VIII

The Lord of Blue, Who gathereth all within the arc of Buddhi, soundeth His note. To Their source return the other six, blending Their color diverse within Their Primary.

Blue to the green is added and completion quick is seen. The vibration of the third is added to the one. Blue to the orange blends, and in their wise admixture is seen the stable scheme. To the yellow and the red, to the purple and the ultimate is the vibration of the seventh adjusted as the Primary.[EARTH Scheme]

TECHNCAL REFERENCES:

The three forms of every color:

It may interest students to know that there are certain colors, veiling these groups of non-incarnating Monads, at present totally unknown to humanity. These will sweep into the consciousness of the human being in another solar system, or after the taking of the sixth Initiation. All that we have on earth are reflections of the true colors, and likewise the reflection of the lowest aspect.

Every color in the cosmos exists in three forms

1. The true color.

2. The illusory appearance of the color.

3. Its reflection.

The reflection is that with which we are familiar; the appearance, or that which veils the reality, is contacted and known when we see with the eye of the soul, the Eye of Shiva, and the true color 14 is contacted after the fifth kingdom has been passed through, and group consciousness is merging in that of the divine. Students will, therefore, note that the monadic cosmic wheel can be [1092] visioned in terms of "true color," and is seen by the illumined seer as the combined blending of the primary colors of the three solar systems.

Comments on the Colors

Certain colors are known and it might be well if we here enumerated them. The synthetic ray is indigo, or a deep blue. It is the Ray of Love and Wisdom, the great fundamental ray of this present solar system, and is one of the cosmic rays. This cosmic ray divides itself, for purposes of manifestation, into seven subrays, as follows:

1. Indigo... and a color not disclosed.

2. Indigo-indigo... The second subray of Love and Wisdom. It finds its great expression on the second monadic plane, and its major manifestation in the monads of love.

3. Indigo-green... The third subray, the third major Ray of Activity or Adaptability. It is the basic ray of the second system. It is the great ray for the deva evolution.

4. Indigo-yellow... The Harmony-Ray.

5. Indigo-orange... The Ray of Concrete Knowledge.

6. Indigo... and a color not disclosed. The Ray of Devotion.

7. Indigo-violet... The Ray of Ceremonial Order.

Now you will note that I do not name the two colors, indigo-red and indigo-blue, nor do I apportion them to [214] certain rays or planes. It is not that it is not possible to do so, but it is the withholding of this information that creates the puzzle. Certain things you must always remember in dealing with these colors:

* That I have given their exoteric names and application, and that of all I have given only two correspond with their esoteric application, - indigo and green. The Synthetic Ray and the Activity Ray are at this stage the only two of which you can be absolutely assured. One is the goal of endeavor, and the other is the foundation color of Nature.

* That the other five colors with which our fivefold evolution is concerned, change, intermingle, blend, and are not esoterically understood in the same sense as you might imagine from the use of the words, red, yellow, orange, blue and violet. Esoterically they scarcely resemble their names, and the names themselves are intended to blind and mislead.

* That each of these three colors and the other two are only understood as yet through four of their lesser subrays. This is the fourth round and only four subrays of these colors have as yet been glimpsed. By remembering these three points undue emphasis will not be laid upon apparent information, and the student will wisely reserve his opinion.

* Yellow is another of the colors that have come to us from system 1. The blending of blue and of yellow in that system had much to do with the production of activity. Yellow harmonizes, it marks completion and fruition. Note how in autumn, when the processes of Nature have run their course and the cycle is complete, the yellow of the autumn is spread upon the landscape. Note also that when the sun pours unimpeded down the yellow of the harvest is also to be seen. So it is in the [215] life of the spirit. When the fourth plane of harmony or of buddhi is achieved, then is consummation. When the work of the personality is completed, and when the sun of the microcosm, the Ego, pours unimpeded down into the personal life, then comes fruition and harvest. The at-one-ment, or the harmonizing has been made, and the goal has been reached. Blue and yellow blended result in green, and the synthetic blue or indigo (the love and wisdom aspect) dominates when the plane of harmony is reached. It leads then to the third plane of atma whereon the green of activity predominates...

The point I seek specially to emphasize is the life side and not the form side of color. As I wrote earlier, color is but the form assumed by force, of some kind, when that force is moving at a certain measure, and when its action and movement is impeded or unimpeded by the material through which it plays. In this sentence lies the key to the solution of the problem as to the color differences on the higher planes and on the lower. The resistance of matter to the downflow of force or life, and its relative density or rarity accounts for much of the color distinction. One of the distinctions has, necessarily, a cosmic basis and is consequently difficult of apprehension by three-dimensional man in this, the fourth round. But the basic reason of the difference can be apprehended sufficiently to permit the pupil to realize the absolute necessity of steadily refining his vehicles so that the force may radiate through with greater facility. It is therefore on the three lower planes a question of practical living and a bringing of all the three bodies under definite rules of refinement. (DK)

All colors emanate from one source or one primary color - in this solar system the cosmic ray of indigo veiling cosmic love or wisdom, - and then split into three major colors and thence into the four minor, making the seven colors of the spectrum. You will expect to see the same effect in the life of the individual, for always the macrocosm affects the microcosm. His primary color will be his monadic ray, manifesting next in the three colors of the Triad and in the four colors of the Quaternary. These colors on the path of return are resolved into the three and thence again into the one. (DK)

Color. - Originally meant a "covering." From root "celare" to cover or hide. Also Occultare, to hide.

Symbology of colors. The language of the prism, of which "the seven mother colors have each seven sons," that is to say, forty-nine shades or "sons" between the seven, which graduated tints are so many letters or alphabetical characters. The language of colors has, therefore, fifty-six letters for the initiate. Of these letters each septenary is absorbed by the mother color, as each of the seven mother colors is absorbed finally in the white ray, Divine Unity symbolized by these colors.

It might here be asked why color primarily is spoken of as the buddhic manifestation of electricity. We are employing the word "color" here in its original and basic sense as "that which veils." Color veils the sevenfold differentiation of logoic manifestation and, from the angle of vision of man in the three worlds, can be seen only in its full significance on the buddhic plane. All fire and electrical display will be seen to embody the seven colors.

On the fourth plane this electrical force shows itself as color. In these four we have the fundamental concepts of all manifestation; all four have an electrical dynamic origin; all are basically a differentiation or effect of impulse, emanating from the cosmic mental plane and taking form (with intelligent purpose in view) on the cosmic physical. Man repeats the process on his tiny scale, dealing only with three planes, and flashing into objectivity on the solar physical. It will be demonstrated later as science attains more and more of the truth that

1. All physical phenomena as we understand the term have an electrical origin, and an initial vibration on the first subplane of the physical plane. [320]

2. That Light, physical plane light, has a close connection with, and uses, as a medium, the second ether.

3. That sound functions through the third ether.

4. That color in a peculiar sense is allied to the fourth ether.

We must note here that in the development of the senses, hearing preceded sight, as sound precedes color.

Today our subject is the second one in our letter on the use of color and deals with the law of correspondences [224] and of color... The esoteric meaning of the exoteric colors is not yet wholly imparted, as I have already told you. Some of these meanings have been given out by H.P.B. but their significance has not been sufficiently apprehended. One hint I give for your wise consideration. Some of the information given in The Secret Doctrine anent color and sound concerns the first solar system and some concerns a portion of the second solar system. The distinction has naturally not been apprehended, but as a key fact for studying in the newer school, the revelation will be great. In this statement as to the esoteric significance of the colors I would have you now tabulate (even though it can be found in The Secret Doctrine), in order to form the basis of such later communications as I may seek to impart.

Exoteric Esoteric

Purple Blue

Yellow Indigo

Cream Yellow

White Violet

Only four as yet can be communicated, but if rightly understood they hold the key to the present fourth round, and to its history. This being the fourth chain and the fourth round you will note therefore how in the number four lies the history of the present. Especially would I urge you who are the teachers and students of the coming generation to ponder upon the significance of white being esoterically violet. It has special application now in the coming in of the violet ray, the seventh ray being one of the three major rays in this round; it wields power in ratio to the four, on the four and under the four.

The esoteric colors of the exoteric red, green and orange may not yet be imparted to the general public, [225] though students and accepted chelas, whose discrimination can be trusted, can attain the necessary knowledge with effort.

I would here like to point out certain other considerations which can be best dealt with by a brief consideration of the law of analogy and correspondence. We might therefore consider the following points:

1. Wherein the microcosm and the macrocosm correspond.

2. The basic correspondences.

3. Color in the microcosm and in the macrocosm.

Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Correspondence

The relationship between the microcosm and the macrocosm is accurate, and exists not only broadly but likewise in detail. This is a fact to be grasped and worked out. As knowledge increases and progress is made, and as the ability to meditate results in the faculty of transmitting from the higher Triad to the Personality, via the causal, then these facts will be ever more clearly demonstrated in detail, and perfect comprehension will ensue. "As above, so below" is a truism glibly repeated but little realized. What is found above and what will consequently be developing below?

Above will be found Will, Love and Activity, or Power, Wisdom and Intelligence, the terms that we apply to the three aspects of divine manifestation. Below will be found these three in process of appearing:

1. The Personality expresses active intelligence. [226]

2. The Ego expresses love or wisdom.

3. The Monad expresses power or will.

You have in the three worlds of the Personality:

1. The physical, expressing a reflection of the activity aspect.

2. The astral, expressing a reflection of the love or wisdom aspect.

3. The mental, expressing a reflection of the will or power aspect.

What have you for the colors of those three bodies, exoterically described?

1. The violet of the physical as expressed by the etheric.

2. The rose or red of the astral.

3. The orange of the mental.

What have you in the Triad, or the world of the threefold Ego?

1. Higher manas, expressing the activity or intelligence aspect.

2. Buddhi, expressing the love or wisdom aspect.

3. Atma, expressing the will or power aspect.

What again are the colors of those bodies exoterically described?

1. The blue of the higher manasic levels.

2. The yellow of the buddhic level.

3. The green of the atmic level.

They are in the process of transmutation. You have to effect the corresponding change of color from the lower to the higher. Couple up this information that I have here imparted with that given in an earlier letter on the transference of polarization.

There is a direct correspondence between:

1. The violet of the etheric level and the blue of the higher mental. [227]

2. The rose of the astral and the yellow of the buddhic.

3. The orange of the mental and the green of the atmic.

The secret of it all is to be found in the application of the occult laws of meditation.

Again you can shift the whole range of color higher, and in the Monad work out the correspondence.

1. The green of the third aspect.

2. The synthetic blue or indigo of the second aspect.

3. The red of the first aspect.

I would point out here that as you return to the center of systemic evolution the nomenclature of these colors is most misleading. The red, for instance, has no resemblance to that termed red or rose on the lower plane. The red, the green and the indigo of these high levels are to all intents and purposes new colors of a beauty and translucence inconceivable. If justly interpreted, you have here a hint of the correspondence between the microcosm and the macrocosm.

The colors exoterically have to do with the form. The forces or qualities which those colors conceal and hide have to do with the life, evolving within those forms. By the use of meditation the bridge is formed which connects these two. Meditation is the expression of the intelligence that links life and form, the self and the not-self, and in time and in the three worlds the process of this connection eventuates on the plane of mind which links the higher and the lower. The correspondence will always be found perfect. Therefore through meditation will come that knowledge which will effect three things:

1. Give the inner significance of the exoteric color.

2. Build in the qualities that those colors veil. [228]

3. Effect the necessary transmutation of the colors from the Personality to the Triad, and later from the Triad to the Monad.

The causal body acts as a synthesis of these colors in the life of the reincarnating Ego, just as the synthetic ray blends all the colors in logoic manifestation. Endeavor to keep clear in your own mind... that colors are the expressions of force or quality. They hide or veil the abstract qualities of the Logos, which qualities are reflected in the microcosm in the three worlds as virtues or faculties. Therefore, just as the seven colors hide qualities in the Logos, so these virtues demonstrate in the life of the personality and are brought forward objectively through the practice of meditation; thus each life will be seen as corresponding to a color. Ponder on this.

The Basic Correspondences

It is in the study of these correspondences in the different departments of the manifested universe, and the application of these colors to their adjusted portion that the beauty of the synthetic whole and the illuminating of the microcosmic life ensues. Let us enumerate or tabulate in broad general fashion, leaving the detailed working out to the student of meditation. More at this juncture is not possible.

1. The threefold solar system.

The threefold evolving jiva.

The three aspects of the Logos.

The threefold Monad.

The spiritual Triad, the Ego.

The threefold Personality.

The three worlds of human evolution.

The three persons of the Deity. [229]

2. The four Lipika Lords.

The four Maharajahs.

The fourfold lower man, the quaternary.

3. The five planes of human evolution.

The five senses.

The fivefold department of the Mahachohan.

The fifth principle of manas.

The five kingdoms of nature.

1. The mineral kingdom.

2. The vegetable kingdom.

3. The animal kingdom.

4. The human kingdom.

5. The spiritual or superhuman kingdom.

4. The seven rays or hierarchies.

The seven colors.

The seven planes of manifestation.

The seven Kumaras.

The seven principles of man.

The seven centers.

The seven sacred planets.

The seven chains.

The seven globes.

The seven rounds.

The seven root-races and subraces.

The seven initiations.

What I seek to emphasize in the above table is that to the adept the correspondence of all these is perfectly known and exists in terms of consciousness, in terms of form, and in terms of intelligence. He knows it, - if I may so express it, - in terms of color when dealing with form; in terms of sound when dealing with the life side, and in terms of vitality when dealing with intelligence, or the activity aspect. The above statement will repay much [230] earnest thought; it contains a statement of occult fact. According to the three lines of approach as dealt with in our preceding letter, will be the use of the terms as above described.

I have sought in the above remarks solely to indicate lines of thought which, if followed closely, may lead to surprising results. By the study of colors and the planes, by the study of color and its effect and relationship to the life side, and by the study of the form side of the mind, will come much of value to the student of meditation, provided always he does three things:

1. That he seeks to find the esoteric colors and their right application to the planes and centers, to the bodies through which he manifests, and to the bodies through which the Logos manifests (the seven sacred planets); to the rounds and to the races, and to the cycles of his own individual life. When he can do this he holds in his hands the key to all knowledge.

2. That he endeavors to make practical application of all indicated truth to his personal life of service in the three worlds, and that he tries to conform in his methods of work to the methods demonstrated by the Logos through the seven rays or influences. By this I mean that, through meditation, he brings his life systematically and in ordered occult cycles under those seven great influences, and so produces an ordered beauty in his manifestation of the Ego.

3. That he remembers ever that perfection, as we know it, is only partial and not real, and that even perfection itself - as grasped by the mind of man, is but illusion, and that only the next logoic manifestation will reveal the ultimate glory in view. As long as there is differentiated color there is imperfection. Remember, color as we know it is the realization by the man using a fifth root-race body in the fourth round on the fourth chain, of a vibration that contacts the human eye. What then will [223] color be as visioned by a man of the seventh round in a seventh root-race body? Even then a whole range of colors of wondrous beauty will be outside and beyond his comprehension. The reason being that only two great aspects of logoic life are being thoroughly demonstrated and the third will be but partially revealed, waiting for the still greater "Day be with us" to flash forth in perfect radiance. This word "radiance" has an occult meaning worthy of your consideration.

THE GREAT COSMIC WORD

When the Logos uttered the great cosmic Word for this solar system, three major streams of color issued forth, breaking almost simultaneously into another four, so giving us the seven streams of color by which manifestation becomes possible. These colors are:

1. Blue.

2. Indigo.

3. Green.

4. Yellow.

5. Orange.

6. Red.

7. Violet. [206]

Not unwittingly have I placed them in this order but the exact significance is left for you to discover.

I want to emphasize a second thought: These seven streams of color were the product of logoic meditation. The Logos meditated, brooded, conceived mentally, formed an ideal world, and built it up in thought matter. Then our objective universe flashed into being, radiant with the seven colors, with the deep blue or indigo for synthetic undertone. Therefore certain things can be posited about color:

1. It has to do with objective meditation, therefore it has to do with form.

2. It is the result of sound uttered as the culmination of meditation.

3. In these seven colors, and their wise comprehension, lies the capacity of man to do as does the Logos and build.

4. Colors have certain effects on the different vehicles, and on the planes on which those vehicles function. When it is known by the occultist which color is applicable to which plane, and which color therefore is the basic hue for that plane, he has grasped the fundamental secret of microcosmic development, and can build his body of manifestation by means of the same laws that that Logos employed in building His objective solar system. This is the secret that ray meditation will eventually yield up to the wise student. These four points lay the foundation for all that follows.

I would here seek to put your mind at rest on the point as to whether the colors enumerated by me conflict with those enumerated by H. P. B. You will not find they [207] do, but both of us use blinds, and both of us use the same blinds as those who have eyes can see. A blind is not a blind when recognized, and I offer not the key. One or two hints however I may give:

* Complementary colors may be spoken of in occult books in terms of each other. Red may be called green and orange may be called blue. The key to the accurate interpretation of the term employed lies in the point of attainment of the unit under discussion. If speaking of the Ego one term may be used; if of the Personality, another; whilst the Monad or higher auric sphere may be described synthetically or in terms of the monadic ray.

* The colors of higher or lower mind are at times spoken of in terms of the plane and not in terms of the ray involved.

Blue-indigo, being cosmically related, and not simply analogous, may be used interchangeably for purposes of blinding. Let me illustrate:

The Lords of the Flame, in their work in connection with this planet, may be spoken of in terms of four colors:

1. Indigo, as They are in the line of the Bodhisattva in connection with the Love or Wisdom Ray. The Lord of the World is a direct reflection of the second Aspect.

2. Blue, because of its alliance with indigo and its relationship to the auric egg; just as the Solar Logos is spoken of as the "Blue Logos" (literally indigo), so the color of the perfected man, and of the auric envelope through which he manifests, will be predominantly blue.

3. Orange, which is the complementary to blue and which has direct connection with man as an intelligence. He is the custodian of the fifth principle [208] of manas in its relation to the totality of the personality.

4. Yellow, being the complement of indigo, and also the color of buddhi, and on the direct line of the second Aspect.

Every Word sounded is distinguished by:

1. A specific color.

2. A particular tone.

3. A special form.

4. A degree of energy or activity.

5. The nature of the ensouling life, self-conscious, conscious, or unconscious, God, man, or deva.

The student, again, will find this equally true of a solar system, of a planetary scheme, of a human being, of a thought form ensouled by an elemental life, and of the atom of the physicist or chemist. In the knowledge of these facts, [160] and in their conscious realization, may be known the true occultist. The Solar Logos sounded forth a Word, the form of our solar system came into being, its color being blue and its note a particular cosmic musical tone. Its degree of activity is of a specific mathematical notation beyond the grasp of the human mind at this stage of development; and the nature of its great ensouling Life, that of the triple Logos, is active, intelligent Love.

9. The Great Word of our solar system keys in, if it might be so expressed, with other Words, and is but one Word of the sevenfold Word, known to that great Existence who stands in the same relation to the Solar Logos as the latter does to the Planetary Logos. The sacred Words of seven solar systems (of which ours is but one) make up this septenary sound, which vibrates at this time in the cosmic spheres.

Color in the Microcosm and in the Macrocosm

Here lies much of difficulty owing to the process of constant mutation. Color in the microcosm is subject to the following factors:

1. The factor of the ray of the Ego.

2. The factor of the ray of the Personality.

3. The factor of the point in evolution.

One hint may here be given. At a low point in evolution the colors are largely based on the activity aspect. Later comes the working in the love, or wisdom aspect, which has three effects:

1. The dropping out of colors from the lower sheaths which are the left-overs from a previous system. It involves the elimination of such hues as brown and gray.

2. The transmutation of certain colors into those of higher tone.

3. An effect of translucence, or an underlying radiance or brilliance, which is the result of the greater purity of the bodies and the dimensions of the ever-growing inner flame.

4. The factor of the ray, or rays, that are manifested passing out of manifestation or coming into manifestation. These rays necessarily affect the egos in incarnation; they cause a change of vibration somewhat or a consequent change of coloring or of quality. If a man, for instance, is on the Ray of Science, and comes under the influence of the incoming Ray of Harmony, the effect on his trend of thought, and consequently on the color he [231] will be demonstrating, will be quite noticeable. All these factors cause the blending and merging and mixing that is practically inextricably confusing to the man from the standpoint of the three worlds.

...I appreciate your feeling that even these hints but lead apparently to greater confusion. But by constant application to the subject in hand, by frequent brooding and meditation on the colors, and by an endeavor to attain their esoteric significance, and their microcosmic application, will gradually appear the thread that will lead the student out of his confusion into the clear light of perfect knowledge. Have, therefore, courage, a broad elasticity of view, and an ability to reserve opinion until further facts are demonstrated, and also an avoidance of dogmatic assertion. These will be your best guides in the early days of your search. Many have, through meditation and a receptiveness to the higher teaching, found their way out of the Hall of Learning into the Hall of Wisdom. Only in the Hall of Wisdom can the esoteric interpretation of the colors be truly known. That Hall is entered through the meditation which prepares the student for that initiation which opens to him the door. Therefore, hold fast to meditation and falter not in purpose

References to the Secret Doctrine

Ray I - Will or Power

* Planet:

Sun, substituting for the veiled planet Vulcan.

* Day:

Sunday.

* Exoteric Color:

Orange. S.D., III. p. 478.

* Esoteric Color:

Red.

* Human Principle:

Prana or life-vitality.

* Divine Principle:

The One Life. Spirit. This is regarded as a principle only when our seven planes are seen as the seven subplanes of the cosmic physical plane.

* Element:

The Akasha. "It is written."

* Instrument of Sensation:

The Light of Kundalini.

* Bodily location:

Vital airs in the skull.

* Plane governed:

The logoic plane. Divine Purpose or Will.

* Metal:

Gold.

* Sense:

A synthetic sense, embracing all.

Esoterically, this power is viewed as the life principle seated in the heart.

Ray II - Love-Wisdom

* Planet:

Jupiter.

* Day:

Thursday.

* Exoteric Color:

Indigo with a tinge of purple.

* Esoteric Color:

Light blue. S.D., III. p. 461.

* Human Principle:

The auric envelope.

* Divine Principle:

Love.

* Element:

Ether. "It is spoken." The Word.

* Instrument of Sensation:

Ears. Speech. The Word.

* Bodily location:

The heart.

* Plane:

The Monadic.

* Sense:

Hearing.

Esoterically, this power is the consciousness or soul principle, seated in the head. [419]

Ray III - Active Intelligence or Adaptability

* Planet:

Saturn.

* Day:

Saturday.

* Exoteric Color:

Black.

* Esoteric Color:

Green.

* Human Principle:

Lower mind.

* Divine Principle:

Universal mind.

* Element:

Fire. "Fire by friction."

* Sensation:

Nervous system. "It is known."

* Bodily location:

Centers up spine.

* Plane:

The atmic, or plane of spiritual will.

* Sense:

Touch.

Esoterically, this principle of creative mind is seen as seated in the throat.

Ray IV - Intuition, Harmony, Beauty, Art

* Planet:

Mercury.

* Day:

Wednesday.

* Exoteric Color:

Cream.

* Esoteric Color:

Yellow.

* Divine Principle:

Buddhi. Intuition. Pure reason.

* Human Principle:

Understanding. Vision. Spiritual perception.

* Element: Air. "Thus is Unity produced."

* Instrument of Sensation:

Eyes. Right eye particularly.

* Plane:

The Buddhic or Intuitional plane.

* Sense:

Sight.

Esoterically, this is the pure reason, seated in the ajna center, between the eyes. Functioning when the personality reaches a high stage of coordination.

Ray V - Concrete Knowledge or Science

* Planet:

Venus. The Lords of mind came from Venus.

* Day:

Friday.

* Exoteric Color:

Yellow.

* Esoteric Color:

Indigo.

* Human Principle:

Higher mind.

* Divine Principle:

Higher knowledge. "God saw that it was good." [420]

* Element:

Flame.

* Instrument of Sensation:

Astral body.

* Plane:

Lower mental plane.

* Sense:

Consciousness as response to knowledge.

* Bodily location:

Brain.

Esoterically, this principle of sentiency is seated in the solar plexus.

Ray VI - Abstract Idealism, Devotion

* Planet:

Mars.

* Day:

Tuesday.

* Exoteric Color:

Red.

* Esoteric Color:

Silvery Rose.

* Human Principle:

Kama-manas. Desire.

* Divine Principle:

Desire for form.

* Element:

Water. "I long for habitation."

* Instrument of Sensation:

Tongue. Organs of speech.

* Plane:

Astral or emotional Plane. Desire plane.

* Sense:

Taste.

Esoterically, this principle of desire is seated in the sacral center, with a higher reflection in the throat.

Ray VII - Ceremonial Order or Magic

* Planet:

The Moon. She is the mother of form.

* Day:

Monday.

* Exoteric Color:

White.

* Esoteric Color:

Violet.

* Human Principle:

Etheric force or prana.

* Divine Principle:

Energy.

* Element:

Earth. "I manifest."

* Instrument of Sensation:

Nose.

* Plane:

Physical plane, etheric levels.

* Sense:

Smell.

Esoterically, this principle of vitality or prana is seated in the center at the base of the spine.

Note: Esoterically speaking, the planets which are the expression of the three major rays are: [421]

* Ray I - Uranus.

* Ray II - Neptune.

* Ray III - Saturn.

A study of this will make it apparent why Saturn is ever the stabilizer. In this present cycle, the two rays of Power and Love are directing their energies to Vulcan and Jupiter, whilst Saturn's attention is turned towards our planet, the Earth.

Thus we have the ten rays of perfection, the vehicles of manifestation of what H.P.B. calls, "the imperfect Gods," the planetary Logoi. See A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, where this is elaborated. Use the Index.

The very use of the word "color" shews the intention, for, as you know, the definition of the word conveys the idea of concealment. Color is therefore "that which does conceal." It is simply the objective medium by means of which the inner force transmits itself; it is the reflection upon matter of the type of influence that is emanating from the Logos, and which has penetrated to the densest part of His solar system. We recognize it as color. The adept knows it as differentiated force, and the initiate of the higher degrees knows it as ultimate light, undifferentiated and undivided.

We enumerated the colors yesterday and in a certain order. I seek again to enumerate them thus, only this time reminding you that the one Ray of which all the others are but subrays, might be regarded as a circle of sevenfold light. Too apt is the student to picture seven bands, striking down athwart the five lower planes till they contact the earth plane and are absorbed into dense matter. Not so is it in fact. The seven colors may be regarded as a band of seven colors circling and continuously shifting and moving through the planes back to their originating source... These seven bands of color emanate from the synthetic Ray. The indigo subray of the indigo Ray forms the path of least resistance from the heart of densest matter back again to the source. The bands of color form a circulating ring which, moving at different rates of vibration, passes through all the planes, circling down and up again. What I seek to bring out specially here is that these seven bands do not all move at the same rate, and herein lies hid the key to the complexity of the matter. Some move at a swifter rate of vibration than do some of the others. Hence - as they carry their corresponding monads with them - you have here [212] the answer to the question as to why some egos seem to make more rapid progress than do some others.

These colored rings do not follow a straight unimpeded course, but interweave in a most curious manner, blending with each other, absorbing each other in stated cycles, and grouping themselves in groups of threes or fives, yet ever moving onwards. This is the real foundation to the diamond pattern upon the back of the serpent of wisdom. Three major lines of color should be portrayed as forming the lattice work on the serpent's skin, with the four other colors interweaving. Some day some student of color and of the Divine Wisdom should compile a large chart of the seven planes, and superimposed upon those planes should be placed a seven-colored serpent of wisdom. If correctly drawn to scale some interesting geometrical patterns will be found as the circles cut across the planes, and some impression will be conveyed occularly of the complexity of the matter of the seven rays...

Certain brief statements seem to be in place:

* The true indigo is the blue of the vault of heaven on a moonless night. It is the culmination, and at the attainment by all of synthesis, the solar night will supervene. Hence the color corresponds to what the sky nightly proclaims. Indigo absorbs.

* Green is the basis of the activity of Nature. It was the synthetic color for system 1, and is the foundation for the present manifested system. The note of Nature is green, and each time a man reviews the robe in which the earth is clad he is contacting some of the force that reached its consummation in system 1. Green stimulates and heals.

We dealt in my last letter with the four colors - blue, indigo, green, and yellow, - and in this primary grouping lies much of interest. We now come to a different group of colors, and one that falls naturally together, orange, red, and violet.

Orange. This color is for our purpose the color of the mental plane, the color that marks burning; it is the symbol of flame, and curiously enough the color that epitomize separation. But I would have you note that the occult orange is not exactly the color that you understand by the term. Esoteric orange is a blend of yellow and red; esoteric orange is a purer yellow, and the red scarcely is seen at all. This orange comes in as a vibration set up by a cosmic ray, for you have to remember that this fifth ray (just as the fifth plane and the fifth principle) is closely allied to the cosmic ray of the intelligence, or to that activity aspect that found its great expression in the first solar system. The synthetic ray of that time was the green ray, and it found one of its closest alliances in the ray of orange, or mind or intelligence demonstrating through form. You get a correspondence in this solar system in the synthetic Ray of Love and Wisdom, and its close relationship to the fourth Ray of Harmony. It finds a demonstration in the triangle formed by their interaction, as follows: [217]

FIRST SOLAR SYSTEM

Green Ray

Third Aspect

Activity or Intelligence

Third subray

Activity

Green-green Fifth subray

Manas, mind

Green-orange

SECOND SOLAR SYSTEM

Indigo Ray

Second Aspect

Love and Wisdom

Second subray

Love and Wisdom

Indigo-indigo Fourth subray

Harmony

Indigo-yellow [218] In the activity system you have the third aspect of universal mind or activity, demonstrating through the orange of the concrete subray... adaptability through form - form which perfectly expresses that latent activity. Similarly in the second system of love, you have the love aspect demonstrating through the yellow of the ray of harmony or beauty - love expressing itself perfectly through unity, harmony or beauty. Note here the fact that I again use terms that are dependent for their correctness upon their exoteric or esoteric interpretation.

Therefore to return to what I earlier said, this orange comes in as a vibration set up by the earlier cosmic ray of activity in the earlier solar system; the force of orange (which is scientific apprehension by the intelligence) comes in to perfect the link between spirit and form, between life and the vehicles through which it is seeking expression.

Here I would but add that certain colors have a definite effect, though I can only as yet enumerate three, and them but briefly:

1. Orange stimulates the action of the etheric body; it removes congestion and increases the flow of prana.

2. Rose acts upon the nervous system and tends to vitalization, and to the removal of depression, and [248] symptoms of debilitation; it increases the will to live.

3. Green has a general healing effect, and can be safely used in cases of inflammation and of fever, but it is almost impossible as yet to provide the right conditions for the application of this color, or to arrive at the adequate shade. It is one of the basic colors to be used eventually in the healing of the dense physical body, being the color of the note of Nature.

As you will note from the above, colors will be applied in two ways: [247]

1. On the subtler planes by the power of thought, and

2. By means of colored lights applied to the physical body.

On the physical plane the exoteric color will be applied, whilst on the subtler the esoteric. The work therefore will be (until the esoteric becomes the exoteric) largely in the hands of the occult students of the world, working in organized groups under expert supervision.

The Application of Color

1. In meditation.

2. In healing.

3. In constructive work. [238]

Color may be used in many ways, and the above three ways do not cover the subject. They but indicate three ways that are of immediate and practical use to the student. Color may be employed in contacting other evolutions, subhuman or superhuman; in definite work of destruction or of shattering; it may be used in conjunction with other methods such as music or movement, or in connection with stated mantrams, thereby bringing about certain results, but with all these we need not, in this series of letters, concern ourselves. The growth of the individual and his increased capacity to be of service are all brought about by the wise use of occult meditation.

The Growth and Development of the Centers

We will now enumerate the centers again, this time considering their psychic correspondences and will note the colors and the number of the petals.

1. The base of the spine. Four petals. These petals are in the shape of a cross, and radiate with orange fire. [78]

2. The solar plexus. Ten petals. The color rosy, with an admixture of green.

3. The heart center. Twelve petals. Color glowing golden.

4. The throat center. Sixteen petals. Color silvery blue, the blue predominating.

5. The head centers. These are in a twofold division:

1. Between the eyebrows. Ninety-six petals. Color, one-half of the lotus is rose and yellow, and the other half is blue and purple.

2. The top of the head. There are twelve major petals of white and gold, and 960 secondary petals are arranged around the central twelve. This makes a total of 1068 petals in the two head centers, or 356 triplicities. All these figures have an occult significance.

assorted references:

* The use of colored lights. These lights are played on the body of the disciple and effect a shaking-out process and a simultaneous stimulation of the atoms. This cannot be done till further information is given anent the Rays; when a man's ray is known, stimulation will come from the use of his own color, a building-in will be brought about by the use of his complementary color, and disintegration of unwanted matter will be brought about by the use of an antagonistic color. This knowledge will later on be communicated to the great bodies that hold [336] custody of the Mysteries, the Church and the Masons. Wait, for the time is not yet. When the Mysteries are restored some of this information will be in the hands of the two bodies I refer to.

The blue ray of devotion passes now into the violet of what we term the ceremonial ray. What do these words mean? Simply that the great Musician of the universe is moving the [122] keys, is sounding another note and thus bringing in another turn of the wheel, and swinging into the arc of manifestation the ray of violet, the great note G. These rays bring with them - in every kingdom in nature - all that is attuned to them: Human beings, devas of order high or low, elementals of a desirable or undesirable nature, flowers, fruits, and vegetable life of a certain kind, and animals and forms of varying species. It is the passing out of a ray that signals the ultimate extinction of some particular form, some type of animal life, and leads to some vegetable aspect coming to an end. Hence the confusion among the scientists at this time. The process of coming in is slow, as is all work in nature, and as is the process of passing out. Simultaneously with the cyclic birth and emergence of a new ray is the slow return to its source of the prevailing ray, present at the advent of the new.

At this time the sixth ray is passing out and is taking with it all those forms whose keynote is blue - those people, for instance, who with devotion (misplaced or not) followed some particular object, person or idea. With it passes, therefore, those whom we term fanatics, those who with one-pointed zeal work towards some sensed objective. Many of the flowers in which you now rejoice are passing out, the bluebell, the hyacinth and the olive for example; the sapphire will become scarce and the turquoise will lose its hue. Flowers of violet color, of lavender and of purple will come into favor. Behind all this lies a purpose profound.

The greater free will of the cosmic system is under limitation, just as is the free will of the system of which we are a part, and the free will of man himself. [IHS186]

In the basic color, green, we have the indication of the potency of Saturn.[EPI246]

Every volcano is sounding forth this note, and, for those who can see, the sound and color (occultly understood) of a volcano are a truly marvelous thing. [TCF495]

The planetary Logos of this scheme is primarily occupied with a particular group of units, or with those Monads who vibrate to His key, are colored by the same color as Himself, answer to the same number, and are esoterically known by the same Name. [TCF364]

We have consequently the following stages in the analysis of a symbol:

1. Its exoteric consideration: line, form and color.[GWP10]

Modern astrologers do not give the correspondences of the days and planets and colors correctly.[HPB]

The bridge to be built is called frequently the "rainbow bridge" because it is constituted of all the colors of the seven rays. Speaking specifically and from the angle of the disciple, the bridge which he builds between the personality and the Spiritual Triad is composed of seven strands of energy, or seven streams of force; he uses all the seven rays, having gained facility in so doing because again and again his personality has (in the long cycle of incarnations) been on all the seven rays many times. But his soul ray dominates eventually, and in the rainbow bridge the "colors of his rays are heard vibrating; the note of his ray is seen." The bridge built by humanity as a whole is one bridge composed of the multiplicity of individual bridges, built by the many disciples. It is therefore formed eventually of seven strands or streams of energy coming from the seven egoic groups (one group of each ray type). To this bridge the creative work of all human beings who reach the stage of soul contact contributes. Their dominant strands of light fuse into one whole and their lesser strands are lost to sight in the radiant light of the sevenfold bridge which humanity will eventually complete.

Even in this finally completed bridge - at the end of the world cycle - one ray light and color will predominate, the second ray, with the fourth ray as the subsidiary ray. The fourth ray might be symbolically called "the main cable" for humanity, because it is the dominant note of the Fourth Creative Hierarchy. Now let us take up the seven ray methods, one by one.

[R&I506]