The planes of existence, our human constitution and the nine angelic orders

The physical plane
The physical, material plane is the sole premise or the sole reality (meaning the entire cosmos) where we are able to progress, to put it simply. It is the plane of transubstantiation and human evolution. The cosmos is defined as a macrocosmic ensemble of self-sustainable physical, tangible, as well as intangible, invisible elements which thrive together to make up a coherent, correlative, harmonious system, just as our immaterial energies thrive together to make up our consciousness. We are all aware of the existence of the four elements: fire, water, earth and air. Elementary, nature-based magick borders on the positive and the negative, just as this physical reality.

The physical plane is best understood as the gate between the low astral (levels one to three) and the high astral (levels five to seven). This plane is situated on the fourth level of the astral plane, which is considered to be the neutral level. This plane is where the laws of the book of nature have been established (laws that govern the physical universe), which is very similar to the book of man. Animals exist as a representation of both the negative and positive sides of the human astral plane. Aggression is its negative side, whereas nurture is its positive side.

Light descends on them just as it descends on plants, earth, minerals and on us. Light descends even to depths of the negative plane of the human mind, although the presence of light in the very low regions is infinitesimal. The reason that light reaches even this low is to permit all that is found there to follow the road to the divine. All this light will one day unite (mysticism) and egregores will elevate and dissolve into the human egregore upon complete reintegration. Egregores found in a given plane are living, invisible energies which are constituted of identical thinking or emotive forms and which possess the same vibratory rate. A vibratory rate is to be understood as the degree or depth of light that a being, plane or an egregore possesses. The diverse planes of existence comprise a multitude of egregores that are always in motion and which subtly integrate each other following their vibratory rate.

The astral plane
The astral plane is best understood as the continuously changing, fluctuating level of existence constituted of all clichés and all emotions, be they negative or positive. The astral plane is summarily divided into seven degrees. The highest astral is comprised of high magic, spiritual guides and antecedent masters. The sixth degree incorporates impetuses that induce a person to freely give of oneself through heroism and charity, and around the fifth degree, positive emotions exist such as love, genuine joy and happiness. The high astral is the gateway to a high form of magick: theurgy (the summoning of angels). The low astral is analogous to the high astral plane in that it also comprises the same elements and principles, although in reverse: the lower astral plane goes from a simple sadness to contemptible magick and low emotional states which in turn nourish low behaviours.

Every human being is influenced by the astral plane, and the more transparent a human becomes (when his astral body is purified or cleansed), the more influencial the superior worlds become. The laws of the astral plane govern the physical world as well and the initiate (one that follows the path of reintegration) must detach himself from it. The astral plane is prone to vanish if it does not ascend. It must spiritualize itself by elevating through other egregores.

We are born into a new astral body in each incarnation, but until we are born, we are immersed in that of our mother’s. The moment we physically perish, our astral body evanesces as it is no longer needed. Upon complete reintegration we enter some form of spiritual "ecstasy" that is not to be understood as an emotion, as they are completely gone, but as exaltation and fulfillment. Our vibration is what expresses our luminous state which comes from (when we are incarnated) our aura, as well as our divine spark. However, our divine spark always remains at 500; meaning it is at the utmost level of luminosity.

The human being is constituted in this manner:

physical: corporeal envelope, vessel for the soul/spirit.
ethereal: substance that is neither physical nor spiritual that joins atoms and molecules together.
astral: human aura made up of all emotions - low and high. The aura or the astral body of a human expresses the vibratory rate.
mental: intellect, which we lose upon death (just as the astral).
spiritual: part of the mental that aspires to the divine.
divine: spark that comes from the purest of lights. It is a little flame that becomes the same intensity as God’s.

The mental planes
The mental plane is the plane of the mind and everything that is reasoned, rationalized and intellectualized. There are two mental planes, the positive mental plane and the negative mental plane (the latter is the reverse of the former). Just as the astral plane, the positive mental plane is summarily divided in seven degrees and is constituted of spiritual thinking, positive and constructive intellectualism, positive volition and will guided towards good deeds as well as genuine prayer. It establishes the laws of the book of man (union of the subconscious and the soul). The positive mental plane is also the door that leads to thaumaturgy (domination of the astral plane with the mind). It is best understood as choice; to mentally choose good, whereas in the positive astral plane, it has to do with acting upon a positive emotion. As one takes steps towards light, light takes steps towards that person and reaches his/her level. On the brink of that mental plane is where the Pleroma dwells and where are found the most divine states of consciousness, hierarchized in four levels (the second to the fourth is where the angels dwell). On the very first spiritual level, is where God/Christ and integral as well as reintegrated humans exist.

The first angelic choir receives the most powerful rays of light, which are transmitted to the second choir and then transmitted to the third.
The last choir touches the human mental plane.

the first choir:
seraphim, cherubim, thrones
the second choir:
dominions, virtues, powers
the third choir:
principalities, archangels and angels

Dante's Paradiso, illustration by Gustave Doré

text above copyright © s.undi 2009-2010

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