Post by Pathfinder on Oct 26, 2022 22:23:57 GMT
THE SEVEN PLANES OF EXISTENCE
In some esoteric lore, the universe is divided into seven planes of existence (figure 13). Much like the
Qabalah, the higher we go up the ladder, the further away we move from human experience through
the subtle layers of reality, until we reach the divine source from which the planes emanate. These
planes are also said to relate to our own personal subtle anatomy, as we have a “body” on each of these
planes of existence.
Physical Plane
The first plane is not a subtle plane at all, but is physical, dense and solid. It is the material world and
all things measured by the material senses. It is the place of space and time, solid form and function.
It is the Middle World of the shamans and the sephira of Malkuth in the Qabalah.
Etheric Plane
The etheric plane closely resembles the physical plane, providing an energetic spiritual template upon
which the physical world is based. The etheric realm is considered the blueprint, or working model,
for the physical world.
Figure 13: Seven Planes of Existence
Astral Plane
The astral plane is the realm of idealized form. While the etheric plane is the template for the physical
plane, the astral plane is the idealized template for the etheric plane. Sometimes the etheric body, the
template of what is, doesn’t match the astral body, the idealized form. On the astral plane is your selfimage, which can be very different from your physical body. Everything physical has an astral form,
but not all things astral have a physical form. Astral forms are affected by energy, intention, and
emotions, whether directed at them consciously or unconsciously. The astral correspondence of a
place of war or violence can still be scarred energetically even if it has been cleaned up on the
physical plane. Other places don’t look special on the physical plane, but their astral energies, unseen,
can be felt and create a sense of harmony or peace. The astral plane is the first realm of spirits, from
beneficent spirit guides to ghosts. It is related to the dream plane and the collective consciousness.
The astral plane responds to strong emotions, as the emotions influence the shape and form of astral
energy.
Emotional Plane
The emotional plane is sometimes called the higher astral plane. It is part of the astral, but is
responsive to our highest and best emotions, including love. Here we move beyond the lower astral
forms, of unwanted entities and ghosts, and have greater contact with the more compassionate guides,
including the ascended masters, who can aid our spiritual evolution.
Mental Plane
The mental plane is the realm of ideas and concepts. To create something, one must first have an idea
and then give it emotional energy to manifest a form on the astral, etheric, and eventually physical
levels. The mental plane is the realm of information, abstract concepts, and communication.
Psychic Plane
The psychic plane contains the divine vision—of where you are, where you were, and where you wish
to be. Here is the connective plane where seers and psychics have visions to understand the past and to
plan the future. Everyone can operate on the psychic plane. When you remember something, or when
you project an image, from a wish to a fear, into the future, you are working on the psychic plane.
Divine Plane
The divine plane is the Divine Mind, the field of energy that surrounds and interpenetrates the other
six planes. It is the container and source of all creation. The divine plane is where our highest self
resides.
Mystic traditions use a variety of names for the seven planes. Some traditions describe them using the
terms physical, astral, mental, buddhic, atmic, monadic, and logoic. Another version is physical,
elemental, emotional, mental, spiritual, divine, and ultimate. Yet another variation is physical, etheric,
emotional, mental, Christ, causal, and divine. Each of these systems uses terms for the seven planes
that correspond to the seven bodies in our spiritual anatomy.
Each of the seven planes can be subdivided into seven dimensions. Each plane has a denser aspect
that corresponds to the physical, plus an etheric aspect, an astral aspect, and so on. Together, they
create forty-nine planes of existence (figure 14), though for all practical purposes, esotericists use
only the seven main ones.
Figure 14: Forty-Nine Planes of Existence
Some simplify the system, and rather than divide creation into seven planes, they use only four,
based on the four elements and the four-body system of our spiritual anatomy. The earth element is
the densest level and encompasses what we previously have called the physical and etheric planes. The
water element contains the astral and emotional planes. The air element corresponds to the mental
plane, and the fire element embodies the psychic and divine planes.
THE DIMENSIONS OF LIGHT
In some esoteric lore, the universe is divided into seven planes of existence (figure 13). Much like the
Qabalah, the higher we go up the ladder, the further away we move from human experience through
the subtle layers of reality, until we reach the divine source from which the planes emanate. These
planes are also said to relate to our own personal subtle anatomy, as we have a “body” on each of these
planes of existence.
Physical Plane
The first plane is not a subtle plane at all, but is physical, dense and solid. It is the material world and
all things measured by the material senses. It is the place of space and time, solid form and function.
It is the Middle World of the shamans and the sephira of Malkuth in the Qabalah.
Etheric Plane
The etheric plane closely resembles the physical plane, providing an energetic spiritual template upon
which the physical world is based. The etheric realm is considered the blueprint, or working model,
for the physical world.
Figure 13: Seven Planes of Existence
Astral Plane
The astral plane is the realm of idealized form. While the etheric plane is the template for the physical
plane, the astral plane is the idealized template for the etheric plane. Sometimes the etheric body, the
template of what is, doesn’t match the astral body, the idealized form. On the astral plane is your selfimage, which can be very different from your physical body. Everything physical has an astral form,
but not all things astral have a physical form. Astral forms are affected by energy, intention, and
emotions, whether directed at them consciously or unconsciously. The astral correspondence of a
place of war or violence can still be scarred energetically even if it has been cleaned up on the
physical plane. Other places don’t look special on the physical plane, but their astral energies, unseen,
can be felt and create a sense of harmony or peace. The astral plane is the first realm of spirits, from
beneficent spirit guides to ghosts. It is related to the dream plane and the collective consciousness.
The astral plane responds to strong emotions, as the emotions influence the shape and form of astral
energy.
Emotional Plane
The emotional plane is sometimes called the higher astral plane. It is part of the astral, but is
responsive to our highest and best emotions, including love. Here we move beyond the lower astral
forms, of unwanted entities and ghosts, and have greater contact with the more compassionate guides,
including the ascended masters, who can aid our spiritual evolution.
Mental Plane
The mental plane is the realm of ideas and concepts. To create something, one must first have an idea
and then give it emotional energy to manifest a form on the astral, etheric, and eventually physical
levels. The mental plane is the realm of information, abstract concepts, and communication.
Psychic Plane
The psychic plane contains the divine vision—of where you are, where you were, and where you wish
to be. Here is the connective plane where seers and psychics have visions to understand the past and to
plan the future. Everyone can operate on the psychic plane. When you remember something, or when
you project an image, from a wish to a fear, into the future, you are working on the psychic plane.
Divine Plane
The divine plane is the Divine Mind, the field of energy that surrounds and interpenetrates the other
six planes. It is the container and source of all creation. The divine plane is where our highest self
resides.
Mystic traditions use a variety of names for the seven planes. Some traditions describe them using the
terms physical, astral, mental, buddhic, atmic, monadic, and logoic. Another version is physical,
elemental, emotional, mental, spiritual, divine, and ultimate. Yet another variation is physical, etheric,
emotional, mental, Christ, causal, and divine. Each of these systems uses terms for the seven planes
that correspond to the seven bodies in our spiritual anatomy.
Each of the seven planes can be subdivided into seven dimensions. Each plane has a denser aspect
that corresponds to the physical, plus an etheric aspect, an astral aspect, and so on. Together, they
create forty-nine planes of existence (figure 14), though for all practical purposes, esotericists use
only the seven main ones.
Figure 14: Forty-Nine Planes of Existence
Some simplify the system, and rather than divide creation into seven planes, they use only four,
based on the four elements and the four-body system of our spiritual anatomy. The earth element is
the densest level and encompasses what we previously have called the physical and etheric planes. The
water element contains the astral and emotional planes. The air element corresponds to the mental
plane, and the fire element embodies the psychic and divine planes.
THE DIMENSIONS OF LIGHT