NOTE: The original, traditional term, "astral projection," is known to some people today as an "out-of-body experience," or OBE. I shall however, keep with tradition and preserve the traditional terminology of "astral projection" throughout this section.

When we are asleep, we all astral project at times; we are just unaware of it. However, to "willfully and consciously" astral project with pure conscious intention and purpose is quite another matter.

I have "willfully and consciously" astral projected several times. One of my most memorable events was my first "willful and conscious" experience.

I was renting a mountain cabin, perched on a cliff 3,000 feet above Santa Barbara. It was a time in my life when I had the time and place to learn and experiment in occult matters. One night, while laying on my bed, I left my body. I felt a thousand tingling sensations everywhere. The air was a fine, gray, misty, ether-like substance. It seemed like I could actually see the molecules in the air. I felt the sensation that everything was in fast motion. Although I suspected I was out of my body, I was unsure. I didn't look back at my body because I never thought to do that; instead, I thought I would put this experience (experiment?) to a test.

I will never forget the emotional feeling I felt when I put my hand through the door of the cabin. Then, with great excitement, I stepped though the door and onto the deck. I stood there and looked down at the city lights off in the distance, three thousand feet below. I thought, 'Now comes the real test.' In a leap of faith, literally, I closed my eyes and leaped off the end of the deck like Superman. With outstretched arms, I felt myself soaring up into the sky. A few seconds later, I opened my eyes and saw myself high above the mountain canyon. 'Wow! It really is true!' I thought, excitedly.

I stopped ascending and hovered in the air for a moment, looking down at the tiny lights of the city, wondering, 'What should I do now?' Then I looked up and saw the moon above me and thought, 'I will fly to the moon.'

Up I soared, but as I flew higher and higher, I started feeling a little apprehensive. High in the atmosphere, I entered some clouds, became disoriented, then somewhat scared. It was at that very moment when I felt scared that I returned to my body. What seemed like a split second later, I awoke with a start. For the next hour or so, I laid on my bed in wonderment and tried to process in my mind what I had just experienced.

Several days later, I was able to "willfully and consciously" leave my body again. This time,'I will visit somebody — I will visit my Mother,' I thought, 'then I will call her afterwards and describe what she was doing and wearing to prove I had visited her.' What a great idea! I thought. So off I flew, again, like Superman.

I headed east, traveling at a leisurely pace about 50 feet off the ground. I remember looking down at the ground below, passing over some agricultural fields. The people (Mexican migrant workers?) working in the fields below looking up at me as I flew overhead.

I soon realized I would never reach my (Indiana) destination traveling at the speed I was currently traveling, so I "thought" to myself to speed up and instantly my speed picked up dramatically.

A few moments later (about half way to my destination?) I heard a noise in the far distance. My pace slowed. As I started paying more attention to this continuous noise, I wondered,'What is that noise?' Suddenly, I came to a stop. Now the noise was in my ears. What was it? I wondered. Then, what seemed like a split second, I zoomed way back into my body.

I awoke with a great start and a jolt! My alarm clock was ringing on the table next to my pillow and it was loud. It was 6:00am. I immediately reached over and turned the alarm off and then laid there in total shock and amazement for the next several minutes. As I laid there, I reflected on where I had just been, what I had seen, and what I was attempting to do. I felt a great disappointment that my experience had been interrupted because of my stupid alarm clock.

"Why feel disappointed?" you may ask. "You succeeded in astral projecting."

Yes, that's true, but it's not easy to "willfully and consciously" astral project like I had just experienced. It's quite a difficult task to accomplish correctly; in fact, all of my previous attempts (with one exception) had resulted in failure.

Anyway, those were two, happy, good "conscious" Astral Projection experiences. I had several more after that, but the first ones are always the most memorable.

Now I want to tell you about the one astral projection experience that changed my opinion of Astral Projection and the Astral Plane forever.

UPDATE: 19 JULY 2008. I found my actual written account of my next astral projection experience below.

20 June 1983, 1:15am.

About a year later, I had left my mountain cabin and I was living in the city of Santa Barbara. I was reading Edgar Cayce on Atlantis before retiring for the night. I laid in my bed and closed my eyes. A few relaxing minutes later I drifted into that space between consciousness and sleep. My body was completely relaxed; it felt very light. I floated (rolled) towards the side of the bed in hopes of rolling off the bed (this was my technique to get out of my body) but instead I floated upwards.

My body was vibrating and tingling. I opened my eyes and found myself sitting up in my bed. It was difficult at first but I managed to pull myself out of the bed and stand up. My body was vibrating very heavily as I left the bed. At that moment I knew I was in the astral. The room was brighter than normal and the air was ether-like. I turned to look at my body laying in my bed and saw a lumpy object under the covers. Instead of confirming my body's presence in my bed, I decided to walk through the bedroom wall; that would confirm everything, like it had that memorable night at my mountain cabin.

I succeeded in placing my hands through the wall so now I was sure I had "willfully and consciously" successfully astral projected. I thought I would visit the people in the house and tell them what they were doing so I could prove that I had astral projected. Then, just as I was about to walk through the door, someone or something grabbed my neck from behind. Something was holding me back. Whoever or whatever it was, had me by my throat, as if trying to strangle me.

I turned and fell to the floor. I tried to get up but all my efforts were in vain. Suddenly, I couldn't breath. I started making sounds as if I was choking, albeit I felt no pain or suffering. 'Something is very wrong,' I thought, scared. I turned and tried to crawl back to my bed but I still could not move; The only thing I could manage to do was turn my head and see the foot of my bed.

I intuitively felt whoever or whatever was holding me down was trying to "KILL" me, or something must be wrong with my physical body. I was scared, very scared. I wanted to return to my physical body. But I couldn't move.

After struggling with this strange paralysis and choke hold for what seemed like about 10 seconds, I finally decided to just completely relax and "will" myself back to my body. A few seconds later, I felt the weight of my physical body. I woke up and immediately felt my face. I remember recalling my name to be sure it was still me inside my body. It was.

Never had such a heavy, solid matter (my body) felt so good. I awoke scared and relieved at the same time. Although it is said that there is a thin, silky thread that connects our astral body to our physical body, I have never seen it, so I have my doubts as to its existence, but nevertheless, had my astral body been severed (somehow someway) from my physical body, that would have been the end of my life on this physical plane; my physical body would have died. People would have said I mysteriously died in my sleep.

I never "willfully and consciously" astral projected again.

Lesson: To "willfully and consciously" astral project is dangerous. When we "unconsciously" astral project, which we do all the time when we are asleep, unbeknownst to us, we have with us (for lack of a better word) "spirit guide(s)." These guides are with us to protect us during our adventures. However, when you "willfully and consciously" leave your body, these (your?) spirit guide(s) are not necessarily around to protect you, hence, you expose yourself to the dangers that inhabit the astral plane, and there are a lot of bad/evil- minded entities on the other side (more on that later.)

I think what may have happened to me was that some astral entity was trying to take over or possess my physical body. Could this be how someone can become "possessed?" Maybe this idea of being "possessed" is a real possibility after all. Imagine, all of a sudden your personality changes for no apparent physical reason (auto accident, etc.) How could someone explain it? Drugs? Alcholism? Bi-polarism? Satan? Possession?

In any case, I learned afterwards that before you attempt to astral project, you should always ask for protection. Good advice. Perhaps this is an example of why you should learn these occult mysteries with a Master and not by yourself, or on your own.

My advice to you: Be careful; Astral Projection is serious business. It is not a game or something to play around with.

NOTE: The information on the following pages will reveal descriptions of the various Astral Planes, which have been collected from a variety of sources over many years of my life. I cannot attest to the accuracy of the information but from what I have learned/read, the information probably paints a fairly good picture of the various activities on the various planes. In any event, I suggest that you try not to take everything in print as "literal fact" but rather see/read between the lines and try to grasp the conceptual idea.

And remember, that at the end of my Astral World Tour, it is said that there are still higher planes of existence beyond the Astral: the Mental Plane and three (3) Higher Planes beyond that. So it appears the Astral World is not our final destination in the great cosmic scheme of life/existence.

Most of the detailed descriptive information of the Seven Astral Planes was gathered from the book: The Astral World by Swami Pachhadasi

Enjoy the tour.

NOTE: The difficulty here is for you not only to believe, but for you to "understand and comprehend" that there is another, unseen state of existence beyond our physical world that mirrors our physical world, a state of existence that exist simultaneously and shares the same point in space with our physical world, a state of existence that we enter after physical death that is known as the Astral World, and that this Astral World (Plane) is just as REAL as the physical world we are living in right now.

If you make it all the way through to the end of this section, and I hope you do, I hope you will have:

(1) gained reassurance that there IS a state of existence that you have already heard, read or known, and maybe learned something new along the way

(2) opened your mind/eyes to the reality that the Astral World/Plane is very Real and worthy of further research/investigation

(3) learned something about Life and Death that the mainstream religions either don't know about or don't want you to know about, and/or

(4) gained a new perspective into what many believe really happens when we leave this physical world, and the wisdom to prepare for it while still dwelling here on the Material Plane.

That said, what follows is my Reader's Digest account of the Astral World.

The Greeks described the Astral World as the "heavens of the Greeks and the abode of their gods." In time, the concept of the Astral World expanded to describe what the ancients described as a realm inhabited by etheric entities, disembodied spirits and highly developed angelic beings.

The Astral World is invisible to our five physical senses because it vibrates at a higher rate than the energy that comprises the physical, material world. However, clairvoyants and well-trained occultists can perceive this invisible world via astral projection, and with proper training, so can you.

The "Astral World" is often synonymous with the the term "Astral Plane" because it replicates the physical world. This world, or plane, is between the elemental realm and the mental realm.

According to Theosophy, the astral world is a realm into which we pass at physical death and where we spend a period of time before moving on to a higher sphere. It is also believed to inhabit not just disembodied souls but also inhabitants of a non-human nature, such as the lower orders of the devas or angels, and nature-spirits or elementals (good and bad) such as fairies, which are just beyond the powers of human vision.

First, let's take a BRIEF moment to examine "matter." Matter is composed of an aggregation of an infinite number of molecules and atoms. Every ion, atom and molecule is in constant and intense motion. Now pay attention to this next sentence. The space between the ions of the material atom is as comparatively great as the space between the planets of our solar system. Repeat, the SPACE BETWEEN the ions of the material atom is COMPARATIVELY AS GREAT AS the SPACE BETWEEN the planets of our solar system.

What?

Under extreme magnification (of the ion, atom, molecular world) it would appear that there is nothing solid in the material world.

Repeat: Under extreme magnification (of the ion, atom, molecular world) it would appear that NOTHING IS SOLID in the material world. In essence, the SOLIDITY OF THINGS (matter) is merely relative and comparative. Get it?

The VIBRATION OF SUBSTANCE on the Astral is HIGHER than that on the Material Plane, but SLOWER than that on the next higher plane, and so on. Now here's an interesting aspect: Everything on the Astral seems as solid as it would if it was seen with our physical eyes on the Material Plane. See, (pun intended) the Astral World is just as real as the Material World.

The Forces of Nature are not perceptible to the physical eye, yet we know they exist. "Electricity," for example, cannot be seen but it can be felt, so we know it exist by our physical sensory touch / interaction with it. More on this later. The same can be said of gravity. "Gravity" cannot be seen but we know it exist when you trip on a curb and fall on your face. More on this later.

The Astral World has scenery, geography, and "things," just as the Material World. These places and things are just as real as England, Rome, the Washington Monument, Hollywood, the Alps, and the Grand Canyon, etc., etc. And the inhabitants are just as real as any people living in any country on the Material Plane.

The law of constant change works on the astral planes just as it does on the material plane. Things come and go. Think for a moment, what is the difference between the color red and blue?

Answer: The rate of vibration = wavelength / frequency. The same principle applies to the difference between steel and hydrogen gas and magnetism and heat and electricity and light, etc. The difference is in the vibration of the substance (frequency / wavelength.) More on this later.

Whether you realize it or not, your physical body has a spiritual, ether-like counterpart. This ether-like (astral) material is an exact energy duplicate of the physical form it encompasses. Accompanied by the mind, this astral body is capable of traveling while the physical body sleeps. This is known as "astral projection." This energy body is attached to the physical body, usually at the navel, by a silver-like cord. More on that later.

There are several kinds of projection, mainly:
• Etheric
• Mental
• Soul

All of these are on different vibratory levels. While some are consciously controlled, others are not. To project consciously is to project at "will." In this section I will be primarily discussing the act of "astral" or "etheric" projection.

Etheric or Astral Projection is the act of your astral body leaving your physical body. When your astral body leaves your physical body, it (you) take all of your physical sensory equipment (sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell) as well as your consciousness with you. Meanwhile, your body lies as if in a coma or deep sleep, completely unaware of anything until you return to it.

When you first succeed in "willful" astral projection, you will no doubt be startled, shocked, surprised and/or frightened to realize yourself separated into two parts and that you still possess of all your faculties. Your initial reaction to this experience will most likely be one that (unless you are prepared for it) causes your "instant" return (a snap back) to your physical body.

The experience of finding yourself separated from your physical body will probably be unlike anything you may have anticipated. You will be able to see and hear, but until you adjust yourself to this new environment/condition, you will not be able to touch anything; Your hand will go right through everything. Walls and doors will be no obstacle to your passage, nor will distance.

When your astral body first leaves your physical body/shell/container, you will have entered one of the lowest levels or planes of the astral world. With knowledge, training and experience, you will come to realize that there are different vibratory levels or planes in the astral world and that you can move (travel) from one to the other by raising or lowering the vibratory rate of your etheric vehicle.

With practice, it is possible to lower the vibratory rate of the etheric vehicle to the point where it is nearly that of the physical plane, yet high enough to prevent returning to the physical body. In this case, solid objects do present a barrier and the etheric form is faintly visible to ordinary physical sight. Sightings such as these can be seen or referred to as "ghosts," but they are not ghost in the true sense of the word because they are not physically dead.

While in this lower vibratory state, it is also possible to move small and light physical objects, and with the help of the presence of some people (in their physical bodies) who are willing to lend their energies (consciously or not) it is possible to move heavier objects. This is one method of how the "poltergeists phenomena" is performed: Using (tapping) the energies from others to move physical objects about and demonstrate seemingly miraculous manifestations. Since these performances are largely mischievous and childish, they may be the result of activity by discarnate childish spirits, who usually use (tap) the energies of living children who are present at the time.

It should be noted however, that lowering the vibratory rate to this lowly level is extremely difficult to control. When the astral body lowers to a certain point, it automatically snaps back to the physical vehicle.

The opposite of lowering the vibratory rate is the raising of the vibratory rate up to almost sublime heights. As your vibratory rate increases, the atmosphere (so to speak) becomes finer and finer. The higher the vibratory rate, the more we rid ourselves of sensual interests and satisfactions. The feeling of well-being increases and the discomfort of the physical state no longer exists.

When you first free yourself from your physical body and you're moving about in your bedroom or other rooms in your house or apartment, you will notice very little difference. You will walk about as before. But what do you do if you want to travel to a distant location? The well-trained and experienced can accomplish this by using the technique of "mentally" placing themselves where they wish to be. For the rest however, the simplest and fastest way to travel is to literally fly in the air, like a bird, or like a plane, or like Superman, seriously, because to walk would take too long.

Sound interesting and fascinating?

Read on and we will explore the Astral World, its inhabitants and the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all.

The Astral World encompasses seven dimensions, or planes, which correspond to the seven divisions of matter: solid, liquid, gaseous, ether, super-etheric, subatomic, and atomic. These are thought to play an important part in the immediate destiny of humans. ????? — If the human permits the rearrangement of the matter of the astral body into sheaths, s/he is only cognizant of only a part of his/her surroundings at a time, and it is not until AFTER the experience (of that part) can the person move on and enjoy the bliss that the higher dimensions of the astral world possess. This may not make sense to you now, but hopefully, at the end of my Astral World section, you will reread this paragraph and understand what is being said here.

Think of each astral plane NOT as a level or layer, but as a "Plane of Being."

Each plane has seven sub-planes, and each sub-plane has seven subdivisions, and each subdivision has seven subdivisions. So you see there are MANY DEGREES.

Each plane is a vibration of energy. Matter is the lowest degree of vibration of energy — repeat, matter is the lowest degree of vibration.

You must understand, these Astral Planes are NOT layers on top of each other, nor a series of straight layers as one part of a great strata, nor grades of matter; These Astral Planes are grades of VIBRATION. And they ALL interpenetrate each other in the same point of space.

It is equally important to understand that these "Planes of Being" are NOT a PLACE, but "STATES of BEING." You must understand and comprehend this fact in order to understand what the Astral World is all about.

Perhaps the simplest way to convey/portray the concept that all these astral planes share the same point in space at the same time is to examine the notes on a musical staff.

Each note is audible on a frequency that distinguishes its own individual unique tone.

Below are the frequencies of each note on the musical scale.

NOTES FREQUENCY (Hz)
C 262
C# 277
D 294
D# 311
E 330
F 349
F# 370
G 392
G# 415
A 440
A# 466
B 494
C 523

When one note is played, your ears hear it as a stand alone note. When two or more notes are played simultaneously, the notes resonate at the same time while occupying the same point of space, yet they occupy different frequencies.

Different frequencies can share the same point in space at the same time. The fact that you can hear the notes is simply because your human faculty of hearing is capable of hearing those frequencies.

Now imagine various dimensions in space, each vibrating at a different frequency, existing simultaneously and occupying the same point of space, but each one is beyond the human, physical faculty of detection... Can you imagine that? — It's important for you to understand that just because we canNOT see or hear or touch or smell or taste these different frequencies in space does not mean they do not exist.

Let's briefly examine the Electromagnetic Spectrum — EMS. Electromagnetic waves are formed when an electric field couples with a magnetic field. Earth, and everyone and everything on Earth experiences electromagnetic radiation/waves. You use electromagnetic waves when you watch (UHF) television, listen to the AM/FM radio, and cook food in your microwave oven. The difference between these different forms of energy (waves) is their wavelength. Wavelength is the distance between one wave crest to the next wave crest.

Waves in the electromagnetic spectrum vary in size from very LONG (size of buildings) to very SMALL (size of an atomic nuclei.) As a result, electromagnetic waves can be described by their waveLENGTH, their FREQUENCY, and Energy (ie. X-ray) even if they are invisible to us.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) involves many different elements or energies, each with their own specific identity based on their own specific wavelength/frequency.

Radio Waves

Radio waves are signals for television and cell phones. Radio telescopes/dishes collect very large light wavelengths — some so large they belong to the radio region of the electrospectrum. These wavelengths are then converted to signals we can see and hear with our human faculties of sight and hearing (television and radio.) Albeit we cannot see, feel, hear, smell or taste Radio Waves, they exist.

Microwaves

Microwaves are used to heat and transmit information, depending on the size of the wavelength. Doppler Radar, used to detect weather conditions, use microwave energy. Microwaves: Albeit we cannot see, feel, hear, smell or taste Microwaves, they exist.

Infrared

Infrared energy with long wavelengths can be felt in the form of heat (ie. from the Sun, heat lamps in restaurants to keep foods warm). The warmer the object, the more infrared radiation emitted. With special infrared cameras and film, we can see (detect) the temperature variations of an object, which assigns different brightness and colors.

On the opposite extreme, Infrared energy with short wavelengths cannot be seen or felt, yet we use them on a daily basis. They are used in our remote controls to control our televisions, cable, CD and DVD players, etc. Albeit we cannot see, feel, hear, or taste (the short wavelengths), infrared energy exist. Infrared radiation: Albeit we (humans) cannot see, feel, hear, smell or taste Infrared light, it exist.

Visible Light

Ah, light! Yes, we can see light, but only the White Light. Only when this white light shines through a prism (or water vapor = rainbow) which breaks the light apart, can we see the colors of the visible light spectrum. Each color has their own vibration and occupies the same point in space, yet none of them interfere with the other.

The human eye can see (visible) wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm (nanometers) — for those who are interested, one (1) nanometer is equivalent to about 10 atoms lined up in a row. This portion of the EMS (400 to ~700 nm) is the only portion of the EMS that is visible to the human eye.

We can see "white light," but we cannot see the different individual colors (wavelengths) that make up the white light without the aid of a prismatic source (ie. glass prism or water vapor.) So in essence, albeit we cannot see, feel, hear, smell or taste the colorful spectrum of light, it exist.

Ultraviolet (UV) Light

Humans cannot see Ultraviolet light, but some insects can (ie. bumblebees)! The sun's UV radiation is responsible for our sunburns. We study the stars and galaxies by examining the UV light they emit. Albeit we cannot see, feel (at the moment), hear, smell or taste UV light/radiation, it exist.

X-Rays

X-Ray light acts more like a particle than a wave. We can see X-ray light on X-ray film. Simply put, X-ray particles travel through clothing and skin but are absorbed by bones and metal objects, leaving a silhouette (shadow) of the objects the X-ray particles do not pass through. These silhouettes are recorded on X-ray film. Albeit we cannot see, feel, hear, smell or taste X-ray radiation, it exist.

Gamma Rays

A gamma ray is a packet of electromagnetic energy—a photon. Gamma photons are the most energetic photons in the electromagnetic spectrum. Gamma rays are generated (emitted) by radioactive atoms in nuclear explosions. These rays travel vast distances across the universe to reach us here on Earth. (Fortunately, they are absorbed by the earth's atmosphere.) Gamma rays are produced by violent events like, supernova explosions and the destruction of atoms, and also by less dramatic events like, the decay of radioactive material in space. Albeit we cannot see, feel, hear, smell or taste Gamma rays, they exist.

Magnetism

Like the EMS (with the exception of 400-700 nm) magnetism is invisible to the human eye, yet we all know it exist. The simple visual demonstration below proves that magnetic forces/fields exist. The iron fillings are drawn from the North pole to the South pole, outlining the magnetic lines of force of the dipole magnet. Albeit we cannot see, hear, feel, smell or taste magnetic forces, they exist.

Electricity

In general, we cannot see, hear, feel, smell or taste electricity, but we can feel its shocking existence. Yes, we can see lightning and static electricity in the form of a hair -raising experiment and sparks when the electrically charged is suddenly grounded, but the electrons that are responsible for the flow of the electrical current are beyond our human vision. Without physical interaction with electricity, we cannot see, feel, hear, smell or taste electricity, yet electricity exist.

My point is simple: There are many elements / forces of Nature that are INVISIBLE to our physical sensory faculties, yet they exist nonetheless, and they are just as real as anything we can sense in our physical, material world. All these elements I describe above can occupy the same point in space simultaneously, yet none of them interfere with the other.

Do you Understand?

Q: What does all this have to do with the Astral World?

A: Each Astral Plane and its corresponding sub-planes and subdivisions exist on a different (vibratory) frequency, which occupy the same point in space simultaneously, yet are invisible to each other and do not interfere with each other. AND, like the Electromagnetic Spectrum, all of them lie beyond our physical, sensory faculties, which is why we cannot see, hear, feel, smell or taste them.

Q: Okay, so how can I see and access these Astral Planes if their frequencies are beyond our physical faculties?

A: There are three methods that will enable you to see/access the Astral Plane:
(1) employment of your astral senses / astral vision — clairvoyance
(2) leave your physical body with your astral body — astral projection
(3) your physical body dies — death

Before I proceed to explain the mysteries of the Astral Planes and astral projection, do you understand, and can you comprehend the Truth / Fact that there are many elements / forces of Nature that exist beyond our five physical sensory faculties?

If you canNOT grasp this Truth, then you might as well leave this section right now because what I am about to reveal will be impossible for you to understand and comprehend.

That said, shall we proceed?

There are seven Planes of Being. This section of my website, Explore the Astral World, is only about the Astral Plane.

The seven Planes of Being are (from lowest to highest vibratory frequency):
7 — Material Plane = the lowest vibratory plane (where you and I are living now)
6 — Plane of Forces (etheric)
5 — Astral Plane (7 sub divisions)
4 — Mental Plane
3 — unexplainable to anyone on the lower planes ? TBD
2 — unexplainable to anyone on the lower planes ? TBD
1 — unexplainable to anyone on the lower planes ? TBD

This is the plane on which we currently inhabit. The Material Plane consists of seven (7) divisions: the solid, liquid, gaseous, etheric, super-etheric, subatomic, and atomic. In addition, each division has a sub-plane, and each sub-plane has a subdivision, and so on to the seventh degree of subdivision. So you see, there is a minute classification.

Put simply, there are forms and kinds of matter that are lower in vibrations than the densest forms of matter know to us. And there are forms and kinds of matter as much higher than the highest forms of ultra-gaseous matter known to us. In other words, THERE ARE MANY DEGREES.

This is where "prana" or "vital force" resides — I explain this "force" in detail in my Chakra section. Modern science research into radioactivity is heading into further knowledge of this plane of manifestation.

This is the subject of this section/site. As I said in my brief introduction, according to esoteric occult philosophy (known as Theosophy) the astral world is a realm into which we pass at physical death and where we spend a period of time before moving on to a higher sphere. It is also believed to inhabit not just disembodied souls but also inhabitants of a non-human nature, such as the lower orders of the devas or angels, and nature-spirits or elementals (good and bad) such as fairies, which are just beyond the powers of human vision.

There are REGIONS, points of space, places, kingdoms, countries, a vast variety of inhabitants and things on the Astral. Sometimes they have a direct connection to the material plane and other times not.

When the soul has finally completed his/her "work" on the Astral, the soul sinks into an astral slumber. When they awake, they find themselves on the next subdivision of the highest plane above the Astral. Their time here can be as long as a moment or as long as many centuries (to use an earth time relationship.) During the soul's time on these higher planes, the soul communes with its "Higher Self." More on this later.

These planes have no names that I am aware of that can be understood by those of us dwelling on the lower planes, and their existence seems to be incapable of explanation to those of us dwelling on the lower planes. But I am still researching the subject so perhaps I will offer some explanatory glimpses of them — as best as the human language can explain? — at the end of my Explore the Astral World section. Maybe.

The Astral World consist of seven (7) dimensions, which correspond to the seven divisions of "matter," namely: the solid, liquid, gaseous, etheric, super-etheric, subatomic, and atomic. These are believed to play an important part in the immediate destiny of humans, meaning, if through ignorance one has permitted the rearrangement of the matter of the astral body into sheaths, one will be only cognizant of only that part of his/her surroundings at a time, and only AFTER the experience of that part is complete can one move on and enjoy the bliss that the higher dimensions of the astral world possess.

Note: I will occasionally and INTENTIONALLY repeat some information throughout this section because, as an old teacher once told me, "repetition is the moral of study."

The 7th Division or Plane is the "lowest dimension" of the astral world. This Plane is known as Avichi. Here, is where the lowest, and the gross and unrestrained passions exist, and the astral material of the astral body is comprised of much the same dense matter, too. This plane is hell to the inhabitants who dwell here, and if there is such a place as Hell, this would be it. Why?

Because this is a place where the inhabitant's desires cannot be satisfied because they do not have a physical body to satisfy them. They can see but they can't touch! Thus, their inability to satisfy their desires is torturous. Perhaps this is the hell-fire Hell Christianity preaches about? In any event, unlike the Christian belief, according to Theosophy, the tortures of Avichi are NOT eternal but eventually dissipate as the desires (through prolong striving without fulfillment) gradually die away. Perhaps this place can better be described as a Purgatory state? More on this later.

Note: When we (our physical bodies) die, usually, most ordinary individuals do NOT wake up on this (7th) plane, but on one of the three higher planes — 6th, 5th or 4th plane.

On the sixth plane, there is very little difference between the LOWER subdivision of the LOWER sub-plane and physical existence. For the individuals who wake up on this subdivision/sub-plane, they find themselves in somewhat familiar surroundings, with former family and friends, who often, like the individuals themselves, do not realize they are dead — or perhaps they refuse to, or are not ready to, accept the fact they are dead? Remember the movie, The Sixth Sense?

On the HIGHER sub-planes of the 6th plane, inhabitants reside in a world of their own creation, formed through the influence of their own thoughts. Everything — scenery, cities, buildings, furniture, etc. — known in earth life are built here from the astral substance by the imaginative minds of the inhabitants. More on this later.

The dwellers on the 5th astral plane are busy working out their intellectual desires and ordinary tendencies, tastes, likes and aspirations that they were unable to manifest fully in earth life.

More on this later.

On the fourth plane you can see inhabitants and scenes of the old races of people acting out and enjoying their lives that they once enjoyed in earth life. Again, it is important to understand that all this scenery and things (including animals) are artificially created by their imagination.

American Indians might be seen hunting buffalo, enjoying the life of a time long ago. Valhalla is here, too. Valhalla was/is the great hall of the Einherjar - the heroic dead (Norse mythology). Warriors who died in glorious battle were chosen by Odin to wait in Valhalla until Ragnarok. The large structure had over 500 doors, each large enough for eight hundred warriors to march out of at the time of Ragnarok so that they could fight the futile battle with the gods...

You get the idea. More on this later.

Dwellers who reside on the third plane are engaged in "useful work," to use earthly terminology. All work done being done here is of an inventive and constructive nature. Men and women are perfecting what their interest was while in earth life. Artist, musicians, architects, etc. are busy creating their masterpieces. More on this later.

A great religious atmosphere permeates the second plane. Inhabitants of all races, creeds, and beliefs dwell here. This is not a PLACE but a REGION. Here, all religions find their ideals; in other words, their Heaven as they previously conceived it. Here is where the religious aspirations and emotions find their full power of expression. All the Heavens that theology has dreamed of or taught in churches are here.

Each great religion has their own particular REGION. Like the other astral planes, all this scenery has been build up from the astral substance by the imaginative power of the minds of those congregating there. The deeply religious souls find just what they expected and hoped to find. While some remain content here, others realize there is something amiss and drift toward a sub-Region, or a group of souls whom are closer to their newly awakened conception of Truth.

More on this later.

The highest sub-planes of the Astral are inhabited by the great philosophers, scientists and metaphysicians. There are many schools of metaphysics here, as there are religious sects on the 2nd astral plane. There are many glorious forms on these Regions. They were once highly evolved beings — once human beings like ourselves — who have volunteered from the higher spheres (above the Astral) to teach those here on the highest Astral Plane.

More on this later.

In addition to the five physical senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste) the human being has two extra physical senses that are NOT sufficiently developed for use in the average person. These two extra physical senses are:
• the astral body
• astral vision — clairvoyance

The Astral Body is composed of an ethereal substance of a very high degree of vibration — resembling a fine matter, but more tenuous than anything that is known as matter. It is an exact energy duplication of the physical form (body) it encompasses. It is the link between the nervous system and the cosmic reservoir. It is the instrument of passions, emotions, and desires.

Normally, the astral body can only be sensed by astral vision, but under certain conditions, it takes on a vapor form of matter perceived as a "ghost" or "apparition" to the ordinary physical senses.

The astral body is an exact counterpart of the physical body. It is NOT immortal but will eventually disintegrate and resolve into an original element, just as the physical body will upon death.

When your astral body separates from your physical body during sleep, a state of trance, or by influence of drugs, or in a case by accident, it takes with it the capacity of sensation, and only upon returning to the physical body can pain be felt. The act of your astral body separated from your physical body and traveling on the Astral Plane is called "astral projection," also known as OBE, or Out of Body Experience.

While your astral body is separated from your physical body, it is connected to your physical body by a tiny, thin, shiny, tenuous cobweb-like silk filament of ethereal substance (like a rope). IMPORTANT: If this filament is broken by an accident on the Astral Plane, his/her physical body will "die" and your astral body will never be able to return to it. So this is serious business and nothing to play around with.

Many people are able to travel in the astral body during ordinary sleep, but they usually never have any recollection of it upon reawakening. On the other hand, the trained person will travel consciously, and with a purpose, and will always be wide awake on such journeys. For them, the Astral Plane is as much a home as the Physical Plane.

During these periods of separation, your astral body is extremely sensitive to thought. You will feel light as a feather. You will be able to walk through doors and walls as if they were made of fog. You will walk around as a "ghost." People on the Material Plane will not be able to see you, but animals (dogs) may sense your presence.

As an astral visitor/observer, you will notice that people have auras extending out from their bodies on all sides in different colors and shades. You will see clouds of semi- luminous substance floating along with people; these colors are clouds of thought vibration. More on this below.

According to Theosophical teachings, the astral body is composed of definite forms, the shape of which depends on the quality of thought, which causes vibrations, which are seen as colors. Therefore, by the appearance of the person's astral body, a clairvoyant may be able to determine the state of his/her development.

From the clairvoyant's perspective, the nebulous appearance indicates an imperfect development, whereas an ovoid (egg-shaped?) appearance is an indication of a more perfect development.

Colors seen inside the astral body can also be indicative of the person's thoughts, which can be seen as an indicator of the person's character. An astral body with inferior thoughts (rage, for example) will have an appearance of red, while an astral body with higher thoughts (love, for example) will have an appearance of delicate colors, such as shades of blue.

It should be noted and understood however, that the colorization of the astral body is usually associated with those on the Material Plane (via clairvoyance.) Inhabitants on the Astral Plane usually are not acquainted with the bodies higher than their own astral bodies—so they wouldn't see their colorful auras?

Remember that first paragraph on page two under the title, Astral Planes, where I briefly mention the rearrangement of the matter of the astral body? ...hmmm, forgot? No problem. I will repeat it below, with (hopefully) a comprehensible explanation. Read the paragraphs carefully, and multiple times if necessary.

First of all, think of your body as composed of two parts: an astral body and a physical body. According to Theosophical theory, the matter that composes the astral body does not possess intelligent life but a kind of life that enables it to convey an understanding of its own existence and desires. (Is this consciousness?) This is in a descent stage of evolution because the turning point has yet to be made as far as the astral body is concerned. Opposite this is the possessor of the attached physical body, whom is on a mission of ascent. Do you understand this theory so far? ... There is an opposition between the astral and physical bodies. The difference is within the opposition between the grosser and finer thoughts, or matter, that eventually reside within the astral body. Thus, the composition of the astral matter is altered; the grosser thoughts demanding their medium gross astral matter while the purer thoughts demand the fine astral matter.

Again, think of your body as composed of two parts: an astral body and a physical body. The astral body consists of seven concentric sheaths, the most dense material on the outside and the finest material on the inside. In life, at periods, one type of matter may get the upper hand — the stronger matter may diminish the weaker matter altogether. During physical life, the different kinds of matter in the astral body (gross and fine) intermingle, but at physical death, survival of the fittest prevails; thus, a rearrangement of the matter of the astral body ensues into a series of seven concentric sheaths — the densest matter being on the outside and the finest matter being on the inside.

The state the new inhabitant finds himself in on the Astral (his astral body matter has been rearranged into a series of sheaths) is not eternal. The gross outer sheath gradually wears away, leaving the individual clothed in the six lesser gross sheaths. Slowly, over the passage of time, the sheaths gradually dissipate, each one resolves into their compound elements. When the final, finest matter sheath disintegrates, the individual departs the Astral World and enters the Mental Plane.

Rearrangement of the astral body is not inevitable however, and those who have learned and know, are capable of preventing this rearrangement at physical death.

Astral Vision is the perception through astral light. Clairvoyance. Those who have developed or have an innate ability of clairvoyance can sense the Astral Plane naturally. For the rest, it is possible to learn, but only through proper training.

While physical vision depends on the eyes, astral vision depends on the various kinds of astral matter being in a condition of receptiveness to different forms/appearances. Because of the rearrangement of the astral body's astral matter, only the grossest matter of the astral body is visible, since it is the kind of matter that the thick outer sheath is composed of. Under these circumstances, the new inhabitant of the astral world sees only the worst of it, and many times so does the clairvoyant. More on this later.

Achieving Astral Vision is a slow and gradual development process in most cases. Most of us possess it to some faint degree but fail to develop it further (because of lack of interest or proper instruction.) Some people have occasional flashes; many "feel" the astral vibrations rather than seeing with astral vision; and others gain some degree of Astral Vision by crystal (ball) gazing, etc.

Most seances are not what you think or believe. Psychic or occult phenomena is often misinterpreted. When a soul moves on and departs his astral body, s/he leaves behind what is known as an "astral shell." These shells have left in them former thought and will vibrations of their former owners. This gives them semblance of life and power. Although this power gradually wears away, it dwells on the plane in the meantime. Only the souls who retain strong material thoughts and desires (lower mental vibrations) persist in the deserted astral form, which gives it the semblance of life and activity. These astral bodies are known as counterfeits, or spectral forms.

Seances and psychic connections to the Astral are many times (most?) NOT communicating with the deceased but with these spectral forms. The psychic power of the medium, and/or those composing the circle, gives the spectra seemingly life. The sceptra will strive to manifest itself by speech, automatic writing, knocks on wood, etc. In some cases, old memories will survive in the spectra form, too, which will enable it to answer questions fairly well, even alluding to past experiences.

Although there are many forms of "spirits return," much of what passes for real phenomena is really the manifestation of the presence of these spectra forms.

Additionally, it should be pointed out that these spectra forms steal ideas and impressions from the minds of the medium and/or persons in the circle. So beware.

It's a pathetic shame that these counterfeit spectra forms are accepted to be the departed soul of the individual who was loved so much on earth, when in reality they are nothing more than a galvanized physical corpse of the individual who once inhabited it. Although the current of energy may cause the spectra form to move, it is nevertheless nothing more than a corpse and discarded shell.

Now you have good reason to be skeptical.

One can travel from one Region to another by an act of will without moving in a single point in space. One may travel in space from one point to another in cases where these points have some relation to points on the material plane. For instance, you can travel from Berlin to Bombay in the twinkle of an eye by merely wishing or willing it.

Time and Space has its manifestation in the Astral. Imagine that you can traverse all the sub-planes, one after the other, see their scenery, inhabitants, phenomena and activity in a moment of time, then return to the material plane, all without leaving your seat, or bed.

Astral manifestations on its 7x7 sub-planes can be and likely are, present on the exact point of space that you are occupying at this very moment of time on the material plane. Again, imagine listening to ALL the notes on the musical scale (different frequencies) at the same time. Each note (major and sharp and every tone in between) occupies a different frequency, yet they can all share the same point in space in your ears — as noise :-)

While traveling on the Astral, you will meet many strange inhabitants, some pleasant and some unpleasant. Some of the inhabitants have passed on from the Material Plane, while others have never dwelt on the Material Plane. Those who have never dwelt on the Material Plane are "forms" native to the Astral and are very strange in themselves.

The Astral World is a very strange and interesting place indeed.

And so this concludes my general, basic, OVERVIEW of the Astral World.

The information I reveal here in this section should give you a general glimpse/idea of the many scenes that exist on the Astral Plane. The Astral scenes depicted within this section are typical of those witnessed by any advanced occultist who is able to travel on those planes.

The startling and sensational Astral scenes have been omitted because, as the author puts it, "I have no desire to attract or cater to those seeking sensation—"

Now let's take a tour of the Astral World. But before we begin, I want you to know I have decided NOT to give any instructions on how to astral project. There are a variety of techniques. My methodology is my own, and any hints of the matter may lead to experimentation, and experimentation can lead to undesirable results.

I will however, tell you this, which is not a technique but a factual observation: There is a state of being between sleep and non-sleep, when it is possible for you to manipulate your astral body out of your physical body.

If you have ever laid in bed, your eyes closed, falling asleep, and then all of a sudden you can SEE the room around you as if your eyes were completely open ... and all the while you know you are NOT dreaming, but you are completely AWAKE ... then you sit up ... and suddenly ...

You are now on the Astral Plane. The room looks exactly as it does in the material world, but the air is like ether. Your vibratory rate is such that you are above the lowest astral sub-planes but for our purpose here, you will intentionally lower your vibratory rate so that you may "see" what lies on the lowest sub-planes. Remember, the Astral World is comprised of a series of Planes — States of Being — and each Plane has many Sub-Planes, and each Sub-Plane has many Sub-Divisions, which all exist at the same time in the same point of space.

SPECIAL NOTE: On the lowest sub-planes you will witness many unpleasant sights. Danger will lurk everywhere. But as long as you are protected by the higher knowledge of self- protection, you will be safe (something I did not have when I dabbled in this realm, whatever it is.) And I have also learned that even if you do not have this higher knowledge of self-protection, as long as you hold a strong positive mental state/attitude, you can deny the Astral inhabitants' power to harm you. (I wish someone had told me about this earlier.)

Now as your astral vibratory rate lowers, you will see a kind of semi-transparent veil between you and the physical, material plane (we will return to this sub-plane/division later). Meanwhile, your vibratory rate continues to lower until you find yourself on the lowest subdivision of the lowest sub-plane, which the old occultist called, the "Astral Cemetery."

Here, a ghastly sight of disintegrating "astral forms" — also known as "astral shells" and "astral corpses" — of human beings and some animals are floating in space. This plane is akin to a grave or cemetery where our physical, material corpses are laid to rest.

Disembodied souls eventually leave the Astral — move on, so to speak — and when they do, they leave behind its astral body (form), which it inhabited while on the Astral. This astral body (form) eventually disintegrates and disappears all together. In the meantime however, the discarded astral body dwells on this lower subdivision of the Lowest Astral Sub-Plane. There is no other purpose on this plane.

"Astral Shells" vary from person to person. The ones with high spirituality and ideals disintegrate rapidly, because its atoms have little or no cohesive attraction. The ones with earthly ideals and material tendencies however, hold together for a long time because of their strong attractive force to those earthly matters.

It should be understood that these astral bodies (shells) are "dead." They have no consciousness or intelligence. They act like shadowy human beings walking about in a dreamlike state (ie. Zombies?) Simply put, they are empty "astral shells" which the souls have departed.

When the souls left them, they left them with enough power from the forms' thought and will vibrations to give them semblance of life and action. But eventually, the power gradually wears away and the shell sinks to the lower subdivision.

Opposite this is the soul with the higher ideals and spiritual aspirations. There is no particular thought vibrations remaining to adhere to the astral body after the soul has left, or withdrawn itself; its higher nature has neutralized these lower vibrations.

Astral Shells are often mistaken for departed loved ones. Many (seemingly real) "spirit forms" are nothing more or less than semi-vitalized thought-forms or Artificial Astral Entities (More on this later.)

Many mediums are clairvoyant and unconsciously draw (to some extent) upon the Great Akashic (Astral) Records, for their information, instead of receiving the information by communicating with the disembodied souls.

On the lowest subdivision, you are surrounded by a thick, sticky, foggy atmosphere. You have an unpleasant feeling about this region. Amidst this dimly lit region, you perceive countless human forms of the most repulsive appearance. They are the disembodied souls in the astral body, living on the low plane they descended AFTER they awoke from their very brief astral sleep.

Through the enveloping fog, you become conscious of the physical, material world, which appears like a backdrop. Although it appears detached and removed in space, to these lowly creatures, the two planes seem blended together, in fact, they appear to be living amongst the people of the lowest phases of earthly life.

But these poor souls can only see, or watch these low earth scenes; they cannot participate, nor make their presence felt. The very sights they enjoyed so much while in the flesh (glutinous eating, drunkenness, obsessive gambling, debauchery and brutality, etc.) is now merely lust to their eye and a thorn in their flesh. This is their HELL. The lack of a physical body to enjoy these physical pleasures is torturous hell to them.

In some cases, the poor soul on this lowly astral sub-plane has such a strong desire for rebirth in the flesh among these similar scenes, they press forward toward reincarnation on a similar low plane. More on this later.

On the other hand, the scenes can disgust the soul to such an extent, its desires gravitates it in the opposite direction, and in so doing, opportunities arise toward better tendencies that offer a better rebirth opportunity in the future for them.

It should be noted that in nearly all cases, "living-out" results in "out-living." Get it?

So even the lowest rise in time...generally speaking that is.

A few however, sink so low they are incapable of rising out of the mud and they eventually meet their fate of annihilation. These degraded souls are "punished NOT FOR their sins, BUT BY their sins."

There are other scenes on this sub-plane of the Astral, as there are 1000s of similar regions on the lower Astral. Some are higher than the one described above, so please don't get the impression that what is written above is the only scene that represents this sub- plane.

All of them serve as a kind of Purgatory where their lowly desires are burned-out = NOT a burning of material by heat and flame, BUT "BY the FIRE OF DESIRE itself." Get it?

This idea of burning, or purging of the low desires, permeates nearly all religions. This is where the Christian Hell of Fire originated, which is, IMO, an ancient, esoteric truth that has been redefined, rewritten and reintroduced in a manner in which the general (uneducated/less informed?) masses could understand.

Now let's move on.

As your vibrations elevate, you leave the seventh (7th) Astral Sub-Plane and rise to a higher Astral sub-plane. We will call this new sub-plane, Sub-Plane #6. (Remember, there are seven Astral Sub-Planes.)

Various scenery passes by. This scenery is known as "Astral Scenery." The people on these scenes act like the scenery is natural and real, but they are creations of their own minds and those who have preceded them on that plane.

You see beautiful mountains and valleys, rivers and lakes, cities, towns, villages and countryside, buildings, furniture and even household things. Everything looks just like earth life.

In fact, everything known in earth life are built here from the astral substance by the means of the imaginative minds of those who dwell here.

Yes, it is possible for the mind to design, build, and manufacture scenery from astral substances — a subject only the advanced student is capable of studying. To the astral "traveler," all these things are unreal and transparent, but to the dwellers, they are as solid and real as their material counterparts.

The substance by which the astral scenery is composed is just as real as the substance of which the material world is composed.

The difference is that one is manufactured as "matter" material (on the Material Plane) and the other is manifested in a finer, ethereal form of "stuff" material (on the Astral Plane.)

On the Material Plane, matter is shaped by the physical forces of Nature, or by the minds and hands of humans to build structures, forms, etc.

On the Astral Plane, the astral material is shaped and formed by the thought and imaginative power of the minds of those who inhabit that plane.

Interestingly enough, these things do not exist merely in the minds of the astral dwellers; They have an independent existence of their own.

Let's move on, shall we?

As you pass through the various sub-planes, you notice the people (astral dwellers) are very preoccupied with what they are doing. They are oblivious to your presence and passage. Everyone appears to be very busy, totally engaged in their work.

Why?

The principle of the life of the soul on the comparatively higher divisions of the Astral consists of a "working-out" of intellectual desires, ordinary tendencies, tastes, likes, and aspirations that they were unable to manifest fully in earth life — the ambitions and similar forms of desires or inclinations, NOT the low sensual desires or animal tastes. Although most are creditable and praiseworthy, they are nevertheless concerned with physical manifestations and NOT spiritual unfoldment and evolution.

The higher planes are where the spiritual forces bloom and bear fruit. The Astral (even on the higher planes) is where the "living-out" and "working-out" of earthly intellectual and similar ambitions and aspirations take place.

And so, as your vibratory rate increases and you ascend to the higher planes in the Astral World, the less the old earth scenes are seen. As you pass through the 4th Sub-Plane, these old earth scenes are now almost entirely out of sight...

Let's move on, shall we?

As your vibrations continue to rise, you now find yourself on an even higher plane. Here is where people are engaged in "useful" work (to use earthly terminology.) All the work being done here is of an inventive and constructive nature. The men and women are perfecting what their interest was while on the earth life; they are improving their work; and they are filled with the joy of creation.

For example, an artist is busy creating wondrous masterpieces; musicians are creating great compositions; an architect is building great structures... Everyone is filled with the joy of work and ecstatic with their creative imagination.

But their work is NOT play or a form of reward for good behavior for earthly, worldly work. Although these actions play their part in the general working of the Law, the main thing to remember here is that this work on the Astral results in an actual mental advance and progress.

Moreover, in many cases, these works (being done on the Astral) are building the models of great inventive and creative achievements on the Material Plane in future incarnations of these souls.

Interesting, yes?

Therefore, in these cases, the Astral can be looked upon as the great pattern shop of the world. When the soul returns/revisits the earth, its patterns are reproduced in matter. This is why some great performers of great creations feel their work is but a completion of something they had previously thought or rediscovered.

Life on the Astral is very earnest and intense (the vibrations are much higher than on the Material Plane.) The soul is always at work on the Astral. In this way real progress is made. Even on earth life we engage in a "living-out" and "out-living" work, ascending higher on the steps of each mistake and failure.

All old ideas, old longings, old ambitions are worked out, discarded, exhausted and left behind on the trail in the Astral. The Astral is where the "burning up" and "burning out" of old mental material takes place in order to make room for the New and Better material in the NEW earth life.

In the School of Life, think of the Astral as a series of school rooms. Each room has its meaning and purpose. As a whole, the Astral is one of the great, real workshops and laboratories of the soul. Its place in the work of spiritual development and evolution is very distinct indeed.

Let's visit the next higher Sub-Plane.

Raising your vibrations higher, you find yourself upon the great 2nd Sub-Plane. A great religious atmosphere permeates this Region. Here is where the religious aspirations and emotions find their full power of expression. Those who dwell here have spent some time on other Astral sub-planes, doing their work there before passing on to this plane.

On the 2nd Astral Sub-Plane, there are a multitude of souls who are endeavored to manifest and express their own shade of religious conception. Here, all the heavens that have ever been dreamed of in theology and taught in churches exist, along with the devotees of the various creeds.

It should be understood that there is a difference between "spirituality" and "religion."

"Spirituality" is the recognition of the divine spark within the soul and the unfoldment of this spark into consciousness.

"Religion," on the other hand, is the observance of certain forms of worship, rites, ceremonies, etc. — the holding to certain forms of theology.

Although religion may be considered the "stepping stones" to true spirituality, it is not spirituality itself. In its higher forms, it is a beautiful thing, but in its lower forms, it leads to narrow-mindedness and bigotry, and sometimes even murder.

Each great religion has their own particular Region, and this is where their disciples gather and worship and rejoice.

Each Region has their own particular environment, which is in exact accordance with the beliefs of the people who are inhabiting it. From the humble, old-fashion meeting houses to gigantic cathedrals filled with majestic decor and the souls of glorious, ritualistic forms of worship; it's all here.

Here, the deeply religious soul finds just what they expected and hoped to find. Heaven and Hell can be seen here, too, exactly as the religious devotees envisioned it. Whatever conception your religion has of "Heaven" and "Hell" can be found here on this sub-plane. But the "heavenly worlds" are ABOVE the Astral Plane! (more on that later.) And as far as Hell is concerned, well ... more on that later, too.

And so, while some remain content, others realize there is something amiss about what is going on here and drift toward a different Sub-Region, or to a group of souls who are more closer to their newly awakened conception of the Truth.

It is important for you to know that all the scenery here has been built up from the astral substance by the imaginative powers of the minds of those congregating there. Yes, the heavenly golden crowns, harps, haloes, garden-paradises, and in some places, even the sounds and chants of eternal praise can be seen/found here. Imagine, all forms of religions, high and low, oriental and occidental, ancient and modern "represented" on this sub-plane.

But not is all wonderful and glorious here.

In the Regions where the LOWER FORMS OF RELIGION are, in the background are scenes of a burning HELL and other horrific scenes. Whatever religion you "practice," you know what your conception of Hell is; therefore, I am NOT going to repeat every religion's conception of Hell. In lieu of all the traditional religious beliefs, I am going to reveal "What they DO NOT teach you in Sunday School or Bible Study."

In these Regions, the devotees of these lower forms of religion gaze with great satisfaction at the sight of the suffering souls in their vision of Hell. BUT, their perversion is but a fictitious scene, for ALL of this Hell and suffering stuff is nothing more than the creation of their own demented imagination! created from the astral substance. Yes, Dante's Infernos are real, but only in the imaginative minds of the demented religious souls who want to believe they are real.

So if there is such a "place" as a HELL, maybe this is where it is, or where it can be SEEN anyway — but only by the faithful followers of that particular religion — or belief.

Perhaps to the astral traveler, all this scenery would seem like a museum tour of all the religions of the world ? ... :-)

Let's move on. Unfortunately, it gets uglier.

You see a congregation with hard, stern faces gazing down at the top of a smoking, bottomless pit. Rising out of the pit is a very large chain with a sharp hook attached to each link upon which a doomed soul is impaled. Supposedly, the soul rises to the top of the pit once every thousand years, hoping to be forgiven? only to be told his or her punishment/torture is to last "Forever!"

This congregation is apparently dwindling though. Many of the congregation have advanced to higher conceptions and new recruits arriving from the earth-plane to fill the depleting ranks are nearly nonexistent. In time, this ghastly scene will gradually dissolve into astral dust and disappear entirely. Such is the advancement of human spiritual evolution.

The thing to learn here is that although there are marvelous and inspiring scenes on this plane, with beautiful characters and advanced souls, there are also repulsive characters and scenes as well. It is remarkable to realize how many forms of religion and theology that have taken place in its evolution. Amazing.

Every form of deity (religion) has its own Region and its worshippers. The diagram to the right list the major religions of the world today that have managed to survive. You may recognize some of them. My guess is that the majority of you can't recognize more than a few, yet all these religions exist on this sub-plane, and each worshipper may profess or believe that their religion is the one and only true religion with the one and only true God. Well if that is the case, what does that say about the other religions?

Can every Religion be Right, if every Religion is Wrong?

... (sigh) such is this business of Religion...

But there is good reason to believe change has begun. Apparently, of all the religions of the world that have existed since humans began to worship something, many have only a handful of worshippers remaining now, and in some cases, the worshippers have disappeared entirely, along with the astral scenery of that (religion) Region. Could this be indicative of the spiritual advancement (evolution) of the soul, an evolution away from the traditional religious beliefs and toward the higher spiritual Truth.

Now let's visit the highest sub-plane

The highest Astral Sub-Plane are inhabited by the philosophers, scientists and metaphysicians. There are many schools of metaphysics here, as there are religious sects on the 2nd Astral Sub-Plane (below.) Some of these schools are weak and childish in their conceptions, while others have advanced to the level that they seem like demi-gods of intellect.

There are glorious forms on these Regions. They were the highly evolved beings (once human beings like ourselves) who have volunteered from higher spheres to teach and instruct along the lines of religion and philosophy (combining the best of both) for those souls who are possibly capable of understanding these Truths...

...The following statement is true on the Astral as it is on the physical, material earthly plane — "when the Student is ready, the Master appears." These higher beings are called, the Elder Brothers of the Race, and their numbers are many.

A point to remember is that there are MILLIONS of scenes on the Astral Plane. So, when a clairvoyant or medium reports on something given by a disembodied soul on the "other side," they are reporting on only ONE aspect/scene among MILLIONS of scenes that exist. So keep that in mind.

A Very Brief Glimpse — or Peek?

When the soul has finally completed its "work" on the Astral Plane that they had inhabited (even the very lowest) they sink into an astral slumber. When they awake, they find themselves on the next subdivision of the next highest plane ABOVE the Astral. They may remain here for only a moment in time, or for many (earthly) centuries. This will depend on the state of their spiritual unfoldment.

During the soul's time on these higher planes, the soul communes with its "Higher Self." During this time, much of the dross is burnt out and dissolved away, leaving the higher part to be nourished and encouraged. The more highly advanced the soul, the longer they remain and thus the more time between incarnations. All the while, the higher portions of the soul are strengthened and developed on the higher planes. Apparently, from what I have read, the joy and happiness and spiritual blessedness of these higher planes are beyond description...

The Planes ABOVE the Astral are the real "heavenly worlds" of occult teachings, which are far different from the highest Astral Planes.

When the soul has completed its commune with its "Higher Self" on these higher planes, the soul will then proceed to its next phase of its development, which may be an opportunity for an earthly incarnation, or an advancement to a higher Astral Plane, or ... ??

I know what you're thinking, 'Nothing here is what I expected.' But you must remember, this section of my website is about the Astral World, and this is what the Astral World seems to be all about. This is, What they don't teach you in Sunday School or Bible Study. If you were expecting to find God with a big, white beard, sitting on a high-back, velvet throne, or Jesus, or St. Peter waiting to greet you at some pearly gates, or ETs from another planet, or 101 virgins waiting to please you, I'm sorry to disappoint you ...

... but if you're still with me, please, keep reading. If you've made it this far, you might as well finish the tour. There is more. For example, I give a snapshot glimpse of Heaven and Hell, the Astral Records, and other Astral life forms.)

So based on what has been presented, when we think of the Astral World, we will naturally want to think of disembodied souls, or, the dead. But Life on the Astral Plane consists of a lot more than just disembodied souls.

Let's examine the other Astral Life.

Keep an open mind.

You may be surprised.

Life without the Disembodied Souls

It is important for you to understand the Astral is NOT just a Plane of Nature, or a temporary dwelling place for the soul to develop once it has departed the physical body, nor a mere stopping place between reincarnations. The Astral World is but one phase of the activities of this great Plane of Nature.

Perhaps a better way to perceive this perspective is to remove all the disembodied souls from the Astral Plane. What would you see? Strange and wonderful phenomena, and living beings (or entities) other than disembodied souls.

These living beings were never human, and never will be. They belong to an entirely different order of Nature. They are invisible to human beings but under certain conditions, visible through "astral vision."

These entities or beings really don't dwell on the Astral per se, meaning as a part of space or a plane, but rather upon the earth. They are called astral entities only because they become visible for the first time to humans when the human is able to see on the Astral, or by other astral senses.

These entities vibrate differently from humans. They are usually of microscopic size, too. But under certain conditions, not only can their vibrations be sensed (ie. astral vision) their forms can be magnified into a perceptible size.

Some of these entities are known as Nature Spirits. They inhabit streams, rocks, mountains, forest (rural nature.) For the fortunate humans with psychic temperament, or whom have achieved a degree of astral vision, these entities have given rise to the legends and folklore of all nations as a strange order of beings — faeries, pixies, elves, brownies, peris, djinns, trolls, satyrs, fauns, kobolds, imps, goblins, little folk, tiny people as well as the mythologies of all people.

These non-human entities/creatures avoid the presence of humans. They prefer to inhabit the solitude of nature far away from large cities and populated areas.

Very briefly, there are some who are known as "good fellows," and once in a while they enjoy helping and aiding human beings to whom they have formed an attachment.

And then there are the childish pranksters who will play little pranks at spiritualistic seances and upon the neophytes in psychic research who seek to penetrate the Astral without proper instruction or precautions.

These pranksters may appear as hideous forms, such as monsters, in an effort to frighten and drive the human away from the plane.

In addition, there are other non-human entities that reside on the Astral, or on the earth plane by means of astral vision; These other non-human entities are known as "artificial entities."

Artificial Astral Entities are the creation of human minds by way of concentrated thought- forms. They are created unconsciously by persons who manifest strong desire-force with definite mental pictures of that which they desire.

They are not really entities in the strict sense of the word because they have no life or vitality, except that which they borrow from or are given to by their creators. Strong wishes/desires/mental pictures (whether good or bad) can and will eventually manifest in form with a semblance of vitality in shape of these artificial entities.

These entities are under the law of thought-attraction, meaning, they go where they are attracted. They can also be neutralized and even destroyed by positive thought properly directed.

There are other Artificial Astral Entities (thought-forms) whose creator creates them unconsciously. For example, a strong religious mother prays for the safety and protection of her children. Her imagination pictures "heavenly angels" by their side.

Unbeknownst to her, what she has created are "thought-forms" of angel guardians around her children; guardian angel(s) who were given a degree of life and mind vibrations from the soul of the mother.

The guardian angel(s) serve to protect and warn her children from danger, evil, temptation, etc.

"Thought-forms" can sustain their existence for a long time, even for generations (ie. historical ghosts walking the halls of old castles on certain anniversaries, or haunted houses where ghosts may be "laid" by anyone familiar with the laws of thought-forms.)

It must be remembered, these "thought-forms" are purely human creations and obtain all their energy (form/shape, mind and action) from their creators. And repeated thought, and repeated belief will serve to keep alive and to strengthen these entities, otherwise they will disappear in time.

THINK ABOUT THIS: Supernatural visitors, saints, religious figures, minor gods of the Orient, semi-divine gods, and even the appearance of the Devil and his evil work (witchcraft, diabolical personages, etc.) have been created/formed by "thought-forms," and in many cases, kept alive by the "faith" of the devotees of the church, chapel or shrine.

Other phenomena that belong to this group include, the effects of sorcery, black magic, voodoo, charms and even "spirits," which sometimes appear at spiritualistic seances. They all arise from this principle of "thought-forms." They are not human beings at all.

An understanding of this "thought-form" creation principle will aid in the interpretation of many puzzling phases of psychic phenomena that is observed today.

Now let's leave the Astral World for just a moment and examine HEAVEN and HELL

All religious teachings seem to talk about a Heaven and a Hell. Christianity teaches of a Judgment Day, which upon the outcome of the soul's trial, the soul is either sent to a place of reward or punishment. Interestingly enough, this idea of a Judgment Day originated from the ancient Egyptian's Judgment of the Dead.

Other religions (and cults) have had a wide variety of visions and philosophies of Heaven and Hell, some wacky, idiotic, and dangerous.

The original, ancient religions apparently knew and had a somewhat complete knowledge of the Astral World, but the "powers-that-be" at that time elected to hand down to their faithful followers only a fragment of the Truth, a fragment they determined the masses could assimilate at that time.

So in a sense, all the theological teachings regarding Life After Death and Heaven and Hell, contained some small truth at one time, but have since drifted far, far, far away from the COMPLETE and REAL TRUTH.

What happens when we die?

Based on my research, this is the way I see it: In general, and I emphasize the word "general," the majority of people sink into the slumber of so-called "death." After a period of restful, transformation slumber, the soul awakens on the (Astral) plane of disembodied souls. Here, their new life begins.

In some cases, there is a brief awakening shortly after departing the physical body and they may appear visibly to a friend or family member or loved one on the physical material plane (as a ghost?) But soon thereafter, the disembodied soul will become drowsy and sink into the preliminary slumber on the Astral "heavenly plane," which exist ABOVE the Astral (as I described on the previous page.)

I was 7-years-old when my grandmother died. One night, several weeks after her passing, while I was laying in bed (awake) I saw her enter my bedroom, walk over and look down at me with a big loving smile on her face. She was wearing light-gray, thin, long flowing evening clothes/robe. Her body had the appearance of a thin, ether substance that was transparent. I was petrified, and I immediately grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my head. Several moments later, I slowly peeled the blanket back and peeked out from under it. My grandmother was gone. Experiences like this stay with you forever...

Our loved ones who have passed on frequently visit us in our dreams (to say good-bye? or to reassure us they are okay?) In any case, we all know how dreams can be—many times strange and without reason. So the next time a loved one of yours who has passed on appears in one of your dreams, try to remember to ask them, "Where are you?" and "What is it like over there?"

Here's another experience: I am 24-years-old. Shortly after my father's death, he appeared in one of my dreams. I was startled to see him and I asked him, "What are you doing here? You're suppose to be dead!"

He smiled at me and replied, "I'm not dead."

"Yes you are!" I returned, scared. Then I turned and ran as fast as I could around the corner of the street and hailed a taxi (to get me out of there!) I never saw him in a dream again.

Unfortunately, in that dream, I was more scared then intrigued. If I could have that experience over again, I would hope I would ask a few smarter questions.

By the way, do you remember the movie The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis? Do you remember when Bruce was telling the young boy ... wondering why his wife was so distant, and the boy replied, "Talk to her in her dreams." ?? Do you remember that scene? Ghost is another memorable movie that comes to mind that deals with this subject matter.

Now some may think what I had experienced above was nothing more than "lucid" dreaming. I cannot dispute such an explanation for my dreams above, but I do know that when we sleep we are sometimes visited by loved ones (family and friends) that have passed over.

There is a great difference in time spent slumbering between souls. Strange as it may seem, the highest and lowest developed souls awaken first, while the average soul slumbers the longest.

The highly spiritual person awakens quickly because they need little transformation for the "higher planes" (the Regions of the Mental Plane, or what occultist refer to as the "heavens") because the soul's transformation work has already been done.

The low, material attached souls awaken very fast and passes at once to the low plane they have an affinity for. These souls are not destined for the higher scenes, in fact, they will never reach them. Instead, they descend to a low plane of the Astral where they will live out their low inclinations and ideals, and here they will stay until they are sick and tired of them. Then, and only then, will they be ready for further transformation.

On the other hand, the average souls require a much greater transformation period than the low developed souls AND the highly developed souls.

All souls however, whether low, average or highly developed, eventually move off the Astral Plane and enter a place or "state of being" on the Mental Plane, or "Heavens," thus leaving their "astral shells" behind.

But keep in mind, all this doesn't happen overnight. The soul's spiritual development involves many lifetimes on this physical, Material Plane, as well as on the Astral Plane, as well as on the Mental Plane, as well as on the planes Above the Astral. Think of this as a spiritual evolutionary process that is eternal. Yes, eternal. We are and always will be, forever. Life doesn't stop or start upon our physical death.

So the simple fact you are reading this and I am writing this probably means we both have a long way to go before our karmic debts? attachments? desires? (whatever you want to call them) to this Material Plane have been fulfilled and we can move on and advance to the higher planes :-| .

While on the "heaven" planes, the highly spiritually-developed souls spend great periods of time enjoying their well-earned bliss, whereas the souls of lower development spend much less time on the "heaven" planes, and the lowest material-bound souls barely have the chance to taste the experience of these higher Regions before descending to the lowly plane they have an affinity for.

As far as Hell is concerned, in my opinion, Hell is not a place, per se. Since the Astral Planes are not (linear/strata) planes but rather "States of Being" (as I have previously explained) Hell — if you want to believe in such a place/thing — is an emotional "State of Being" closely associated with our lower cravings, desires, addictions, etc.

As far as Hell being a place of damnation with eternal pain and suffering, well, that exists, too, but only in the imaginations of the disembodied souls who want to see that kind of thing (as I have previously explained on Astral Sub-Plane 2.) But remember, these poor suffering souls in this Hell are not real people/souls but simply creations of the imaginations of those who want to watch these things.

What happens to the people (souls) who have committed horrific evil crimes?

Excellent question.

I don't know the answer but I have found some hints. Apparently, they sleep in a very deep sleep, for a very, very, very long time in a dark abyss of nothingness, and when they finally awake, their judgment day, so to speak, comes, but not in the way many (most?) of us would probably like or want to see. I don't know exactly what that is but I have learned it has something to do with a black abyss of nothingness. An existence of nothing but loneliness, for a very, very, very long time...

This thought is not exactly the pain and suffering of eternal damnation of pain and suffering in burning flames that is typically associated with Hell, nor something most of us would want to see as punishment for the pain and suffering some of these evil souls had inflicted upon others.

So the question remains: What happens to the evil souls in this black abyss of nothingness?

I'm not going to speculate but I have learned every soul is held accountable for everything they have ever done, even down the minute detail. So I'm sure there is some type of judgmental accountability somehow, some way when they wake up. (I often wonder why some souls are born into starving, disease-ridden families in third-world countries, while others are born to rich, affluent families. Could their incarnation have anything to do with their behavior in a previous life — punishment in the form of an earthly incarnation of physical suffering?

As a general rule, the higher the advanced soul's spiritual development, the greater the time between incarnations, and the lower the soul's spiritual development, the less time between incarnations.

There are special cases however, when the high soul is called to duty, or there is a strong attraction to another soul or souls (family for instance) or others approaching reincarnation (friends/people with a special purpose/cause.) This is called, renunciation.

From the Highest Astral Sub-Plane 1, you raise your vibrations higher still and now find yourself in a strange Region where a peculiar Astral Light pervades the area. Here, there is what can only be described as an immense picture gallery that expands in all directions. The light has a direct relation to every point of space on the surface of the Earth.

This great array of pictures cannot be easily described in terms of ordinary spatial dimension; They are not arranged in sequence one after the other on a flat plane but rather in sequence one after the other in an order akin to the 4th dimension in space.

The pictures are minute, nearly microscopic in size and require the use of a strange magnifying power of astral vision to enlarge them to a recognizable size. This is one of the powerful secrets of Astral Vision — the ability to magnify any object, material or astral, to an enormous degree (ie. atoms and corpuscles of matter) and to perceive many fine vibrations of light that are invisible to ordinary sight.

Putting this power of magnifying into operation, it is possible to see that each of the tiny points and details of the great world picture spread before you in the Astral Light is really a complete scene of a certain place and period in the history of the Earth. Think of each point as a frame on a roll of movie film.

This great array of pictures is called, the "Records of the Astral Light" or the great "Akashic Records." Every single event that has ever occurred in the history of the Earth is recorded just as it happened — recorded like an ultra-photograph, including the smallest detail.

Although it is a fixed point, it is possible to move forward and backwards, along the 4th dimension and obtain a moving picture of the history of any point on the surface of the earth, or combine various points to create a larger moving picture.

It is possible to witness any great historical event or the life of any great person from birth to death or death to birth. For example, you would be able to witness the JFK assassination and see if Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman after all, learn what happened to Emilia Earhart, Flight 19 on December 5, 1945, whether Helen of Troy was real or myth, learn how the ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramid and why, what really happened at Roswell, New Mexico in 1947, and the list goes on and on. Imagine all the unsolved mysteries in the world suddenly solved simply by peering into this Astral Light.

NOTE: It is said that the great Akashic Records exist on a much higher plane than the Astral, and that it takes a high degree of occult development to see even the "reflection" in the Astral Light.

However, an ordinary clairvoyant is often capable of seeing an occasional glimpse of the astral pictures and may therefore describe fairly accurately the events of the past. Think of the television show, Psychic Detectives. Perhaps? This may well explain how the psychometrist, for example, given an object, may be able to give the past history of the object, including the person associated with it.

Okay, at this point we have finally come to the end of the astral road, so to speak, and the end of my tour of the Astral World as I have learned it. I don't know know about you but I'm mentally exhausted.

It's been a long journey. Let's go home.

What a long, strange trip it's been

Now you mentally lower your vibrations and quickly descend—so to speak—back through all the astral planes and sub-planes until you are back inside your bedroom, looking down at your physical body laying there in bed. The air is like ether—a fine, grainy mist. You are on the lowest astral sub-plane; You are as close to the physical plane as you can get. Then all of a sudden, you feel the heavy weight of your physical body envelop you and you open your eyes.

Your first thoughts may be, "Where am I?" "What has just happened?" "Where have I been?" You lay there and immediately try to recall your experiences in the astral world. Hopefully you will be free from exterior interferences so you can spend the next several minutes remembering the various scenes you have seen. If you can, you should jot down notes of your astral experience as fast as you can recall them, because as the minutes go by, the risk of the memories vanishing from your mind increases.

A couple of minutes later, your alarm clock goes off. Your thoughts are interrupted as you turn to look at the clock on the night stand next to your bed. Your clock is telling you it's time to wake up and go to work or school. You reach over and turn the alarm off.

Then for the next several minutes, you just lay there in wonderment.

Welcome back to the physical plane on Earth. :-)

This concludes my Astral World Tour.