THE KYBALION --- 08 CHAPTER 8. PLANES OF CORRESPONDENCE

CHAPTER 8. PLANES OF CORRESPONDENCE

"As above, so below; as below, so above."--The Kybalion.
The great Second Hermetic Principle embodies the truth that there is a
harmony, agreement, and correspondence between the several planes of
Manifestation, Life and Being. This truth is a truth because all that is
included in the Universe emanates from the same source, and the same
laws, principles, and characteristics apply to each unit, or combination of
units, of activity, as each manifests its own phenomena upon its own
plane.
For the purpose of convenience of thought and study, the Hermetic
Philosophy considers that the Universe may be divided into three great
classes of phenomena, known as the Three Great Planes, namely:
1. The Great Physical Plane.
2. The Great Mental Plane.
3. The Great Spiritual Plane.
These divisions are more or less artificial and arbitrary, for the truth is
that all of the three divisions are but ascending degrees of the great scale
of Life, the lowest point of which is undifferentiated Matter, and the
highest point that of Spirit. And, moreover, the different Planes shade
into each other, so that no hard and fast division may be made between
the higher phenomena of the Physical and the lower of the Mental; or
between the higher of the Mental and the lower of the Physical.
In short, the Three Great Planes may be regarded as three great groups
of degrees of Life Manifestation. While the purposes of this little book do
not allow us to enter into an extended discussion of, or explanation of,
the subject of these different planes, still we think it well to give a general
description of the same at this point.
At the beginning we may as well consider the question so often asked by
the neophyte, who desires to be informed regarding the meaning of the
word "Plane", which term has been very freely used, and very poorly
explained, in many recent works upon the subject of occultism. The
question is generally about as follows: "Is a Plane a place having
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dimensions, or is it merely a condition or state?" We answer: "No, not a
place, nor ordinary dimension of space; and yet more than a state or
condition. It may be considered as a state or condition, and yet the state
or condition is a degree of dimension, in a scale subject to
measurement." Somewhat paradoxical, is it not? But let us examine the
matter. A "dimension," you know, is "a measure in a straight line,
relating to measure," etc. The ordinary dimensions of space are length,
breadth, and height, or perhaps length, breadth, height, thickness or
circumference. But there is another dimension of "created things" or
"measure in a straight line," known to occultists, and to scientists as well,
although the latter have not as yet applied the term "dimension" to it--
and this new dimension, which, by the way, is the much speculated -
about "Fourth Dimension," is the standard used in determining the
degrees or "planes."
This Fourth Dimension may be called "The Dimension of Vibration" It is
a fact well known to modern science, as well as to the Hermetists who
have embodied the truth in their "Third Hermetic Principle," that
"everything is in motion; everything vibrates; nothing is at rest." From
the highest manifestation, to the lowest, everything and all things
Vibrate. Not only do they vibrate at different rates of motion, but as in
different directions and in a different manner. The degrees of the rate of
vibrations constitute the degrees of measurement on the Scale of
Vibrations--in other words the degrees of the Fourth Dimension. And
these degrees form what occultists call "Planes" The higher the degree of
rate of vibration, the higher the plane, and the higher the manifestation
of Life occupying that plane. So that while a plane is not "a place," nor
yet "a state or condition," yet it possesses qualities common to both. We
shall have more to say regarding the subject of the scale of Vibrations in
our next lessons, in which we shall consider the Hermetic Principle of
Vibration.
You will kindly remember, however, that the Three Great Planes are not
actual divisions of the phenomena of the Universe, but merely arbitrary
terms used by the Hermetists in order to aid in the thought and study of
the various degrees and Forms of universal activity and life. The atom of
matter, the unit of force, the mind of man, and the being of the arch -
angel are all but degrees in one scale, and all fundamentally the same,
the difference between solely a matter of degree, and rate of vibration--
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all are creations of THE ALL, and have their existence solely within the
Infinite Mind of THE ALL.
The Hermetists sub-divide each of the Three Great Planes into Seven
Minor Planes, and each of these latter are also sub-divided into seven
sub-planes, all divisions being more or less arbitrary, shading into each
other, and adopted merely for convenience of scientific study and
thought.
The Great Physical Plane, and its Seven Minor Planes, is that division of
the phenomena of the Universe which includes all that relates to physics,
or material things, forces, and manifestations. It includes all forms of
that which we call Matter, and all forms of that which we call Energy or
Force. But you must remember that the Hermetic Philosophy does not
recognize Matter as a thing in itself, or as having a separate existence
even in the Mind of THE ALL. The Teachings are that Matter is but a
form of Energy--.that is, Energy at a low rate of vibrations of a certain
kind. And accordingly the Hermetists classify Matter under the head of
Energy, and give to it three of the Seven Minor Planes of the Great
Physical Plane.
These Seven Minor Physical Planes are as follows:
1. The Plane of Matter (A)
2. The Plane of Matter (B)
3. The Plane of Matter (C)
4. The Plane of Ethereal Substance
5. The Plane of Energy (A)
6. The Plane of Energy (B)
7. The Plane of Energy (C)
The Plane of Matter (A) comprises the forms of Matter in its form of
solids, liquids, and gases, as generally recognized by the text-books on
physics. The Plane of Matter (B) comprises certain higher and more
subtle forms of Matter of the existence of which modern science is but
now recognizing, the phenomena of Radiant Matter, in its phases of
radium, etc., belonging to the lower sub-division of this Minor Plane.
The Plane of Matter (C) comprises forms of the most subtle and tenuous
Matter, the existence of which is not suspected by ordinary scientists.
The Plane of Ethereal Substance comprises that which science speaks of
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as "The Ether", a substance of extreme tenuity and elasticity, pervading
all Universal Space, and acting as a medium for the transmission of
waves of energy, such as light, heat, electricity, etc. This Ethereal
Substance forms a connecting link between Matter (so-called) and
Energy, and partakes of the nature of each. The Hermetic Teachings,
however, instruct that this plane has seven sub-divisions (as have all of
the Minor Planes), and that in fact there are seven ethers, instead of but
one.
Next above the Plane of Ethereal Substance comes the Plane of Energy
(A), which comprises the ordinary forms of Energy known to science, its
seven sub-planes being, respectively, Heat; Light; Magnetism;
Electricity, and Attraction (including Gravitation, Cohesion, Chemical
Affinity, etc.) and several other forms of energy indicated by scientific
experiments but not as yet named or classified. The Plane of Energy (B)
comprises seven subplanes of higher forms of energy not as yet
discovered by science, but which have been called "Nature's Finer
Forces" and which are called into operation in manifestations of certain
forms of mental phenomena, and by which such phenomena becomes
possible. The Plane of Energy (C) comprises seven sub-planes of energy
so highly organized that it bears many of the characteristics of "life," but
which is not recognized by the minds of men on the ordinary plane of
development, being available for the use on beings of the Spiritual Plane
alone--such energy is unthinkable to ordinary man, and may be
considered almost as "the divine power." The beings employing the same
are as "gods" compared even to the highest human types known to us.
The Great Mental Plane comprises those forms of "living things" known
to us in ordinary life, as well as certain other forms not so well known
except to the occultist. The classification of the Seven Minor Mental
Planes is more or less satisfactory and arbitrary (unless accompanied by
elaborate explanations which are foreign to the purpose of this particular
work), but we may as well mention them. They are as follows:
1. The Plane of Mineral Mind
2. The Plane of Elemental Mind (A)
3. The Plane of Plant Mind
4. The Plane of Elemental Mind (B)
5. The Plane of Animal Mind
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6. The Plane of Elemental Mind (C)
7. The Plane of Human Mind
The Plane of Mineral Mind comprises the "states or conditions" of the
units or entities, or groups and combinations of the same, which animate
the forms known to us as "minerals, chemicals, etc." These entities must
not be confounded with the molecules, atoms and corpuscles themselves,
the latter being merely the material bodies or forms of these entities, just
as a man's body is but his material form and not "himself." These entities
may be called "souls" in one sense, and are living beings of a low degree
of development, life, and mind--just a little more than the units of "living
energy" which comprise the higher sub-divisions of the highest Physical
Plane. The average mind does not generally attribute the possession of
mind, soul, or life, to the mineral kingdom, but all occultists recognize
the existence of the same, and modern science is rapidly moving forward
to the point-of-view of the Hermetic, in this respect. The molecules,
atoms and corpuscles have their "loves and hates"; "likes and dislikes";
"attractions and repulsions". "affinities and non-affinities," etc., and
some of the more daring of modern scientific minds have expressed the
opinion that the desire and will, emotions and feelings, of the atoms
differ only in degree from those of men. We have no time or space to
argue this matter here. All occultists know it to be a fact, and others are
referred to some of the more recent scientific works for outside
corroboration. There are the usual seven sub-divisions to this plane.
The Plane of Elemental Mind (A) comprises the state or condition, and
degree of mental and vital development of a class of entities unknown to
the average man, but recognized to occultists. They are invisible to the
ordinary senses of man, but, nevertheless, exist and play their part of the
Drama of the Universe. Their degree of intelligence is between that of the
mineral and chemical entities on the one hand, and of the entities of the
plant kingdom on the other. There are seven subdivisions to this plane,
also.
The Plane of Plant Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises the states
or conditions of the entities comprising the kingdoms of the Plant World,
the vital and mental phenomena of which is fairly well understood by the
average intelligent person, many new and interesting scientific works
regarding "Mind and Life in Plants" having been published during the
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last decade. Plants have life, mind and "souls," as well as have the
animals, man, and super-man.
The Plane of Elemental Mind (B), in its seven sub-divisions, comprises
the states and conditions of a higher form of "elemental" or unseen
entities, playing their part in the general work of the Universe, the mind
and life of which form a part of the scale between the Plane of Plant
Mind and the Plane of Animal Mind, the entities partaking of the nature
of both.
The Plane of Animal Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises the
states and conditions of the entities, beings, or souls, animating the
animal forms of life, familiar to us all. It is not necessary to go into
details regarding this kingdom or plane of life, for the animal world is as
familiar to us as is our own.
The Plane of Elemental Mind (C), in its seven sub-divisions, comprises
those entities or beings, invisible as are all such elemental forms, which
partake of the nature of both animal and human life in a degree and in
certain combinations. The highest forms are semi-human in intelligence.
The Plane of Human Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises those
manifestations of life and mentality which are common to Man, in his
various grades, degrees, and divisions. In this connection, we wish to
point out the fact that the average man of today occupies but the fourth
sub-division of the Plane of Human Mind, and only the most intelligent
have crossed the borders of the Fifth Sub-Division. It has taken the race
millions of years to reach this stage, and it will take many more years for
the race to move on to the sixth and seventh sub-divisions, and beyond.
But, remember, that there have been races before us which have passed
through these degrees, and then on to higher planes. Our own race is the
fifth (with stragglers from the fourth) which has set foot upon The Path.
And, then there are a few advanced souls of our own race who have
outstripped the masses, and who have passed on to the sixth and seventh
sub-division, and some few being still further on. The man of the Sixth
Sub-Division will be "The Super-Man"; he of the Seventh will be "The
Over-Man."
In our consideration of the Seven Minor Mental Planes, we have merely
referred to the Three Elementary Planes in a general way. We do not
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wish to go into this subject in detail in this work, for it does not belong to
this part of the general philosophy and teachings. But we may say this
much, in order to give you a little clearer idea, of the relations of these
planes to the more familiar ones--the Elementary Planes bear the same
relation to the Planes of Mineral, Plant, Animal and Human Mentality
and Life, that the black keys on the piano do to the white keys. The white
keys are sufficient to produce music, but there are certain scales,
melodies, and harmonies, in which the black keys play their part, and in
which their presence is necessary. They are also necessary as "connecting
links" of soul-condition; entity states, etc., between the several other
planes, certain forms of development being attained therein--this last
fact giving to the reader who can "read between the lines" a new light
upon the processes of Evolution, and a new key to the secret door of the
"leaps of life" between kingdom and kingdom. The great kingdoms of
Elementals are fully recognized by all occultists, and the esoteric writings
are full of mention of them. The readers of Bulwer's "Sanoni" and similar
tales will recognize the entities inhabiting these planes of life.
Passing on from the Great Mental Plane to the Great Spiritual Plane,
what shall we say? How can we explain these higher states of Being, Life
and Mind, to minds as yet unable to grasp and understand the higher
subdivisions of the Plane of Human Mind? The task is impossible. We
can speak only in the most general terms. How may Light be described to
a man born blind--how sugar, to a man who has never tasted anything
sweet--how harmony, to one born deaf?
All that we can say is that the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Spiritual
Plane (each Minor Plane having its seven sub-divisions) comprise Beings
possessing Life, Mind and Form as far above that of Man of to-day as the
latter is above the earth-worm, mineral or even certain forms of Energy
or Matter. The Life of these Beings so far transcends ours, that we cannot
even think of the details of the same; their minds so far transcend ours,
that to them we scarcely seem to "think," and our mental processes seem
almost akin to material processes; the Matter of which their forms are
composed is of the highest Planes of Matter, nay, some are even said to
be "clothed in Pure Energy." What may be said of such Beings?
On the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Spiritual Plane exist Beings of
whom we may speak as Angels; Archangels; Demi-Gods. On the lower
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Minor Planes dwell those great souls whom we call Masters and Adepts.
Above them come the Great Hierarchies of the Angelic Hosts,
unthinkable to man; and above those come those who may without
irreverence be called "The Gods," so high in the scale of Being are they,
their being, intelligence and power being akin to those attributed by the
races of men to their conceptions of Deity. These Beings are beyond even
the highest flights of the human imagination, the word "Divine" being
the only one applicable to them. Many of these Beings, as well as the
Angelic Host, take the greatest interest in the affairs of the Universe and
play an important part in its affairs. These Unseen Divinities and Angelic
Helpers extend their influence freely and powerfully, in the process of
Evolution, and Cosmic Progress. Their occasional intervention and
assistance in human affairs have led to the many legends, beliefs,
religions and traditions of the race, past and present. They have
superimposed their knowledge and power upon the world, again and
again, all under the Law of THE ALL, of course.
But, yet, even the highest of these advanced Beings exist merely as
creations of, and in, the Mind of THE ALL, and are subject to the Cosmic
Processes and Universal Laws. They are still Mortal. We may call them
"gods" if we like, but still they are but the Elder Brethren of the Race,--
the advanced souls who have outstripped their brethren, and who have
foregone the ecstasy of Absorption by THE ALL, in order to help the race
on its upward journey along The Path. But, they belong to the Universe,
and are subject to its conditions--they are mortal--and their plane is
below that of Absolute Spirit.
Only the most advanced Hermetists are able to grasp the Inner
Teachings regarding the state of existence, and the powers manifested on
the Spiritual Planes. The phenomena is so much higher than that of the
Mental Planes that a confusion of ideas would surely result from an
attempt to describe the same. Only those whose minds have been
carefully trained along the lines of the Hermetic Philosophy for years--
yes, those who have brought with them from other incarnations the
knowledge acquired previously--can comprehend just what is meant by
the Teaching regarding these Spiritual Planes. And much of these Inner
Teachings is held by the Hermetists as being too sacred, important and
even dangerous for general public dissemination. The intelligent student
may recognize what we mean by this when we state that the meaning of
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"Spirit" as used by the Hermetists is akin to "Living Power"; "Animated
Force;" "Inner Essence;" "Essence of Life," etc., which meaning must not
be confounded with that usually and commonly employed in connection
with the term, i.e., "religious; ecclesiastical; spiritual; ethereal; holy,"
etc., etc. To occultists the word "Spirit" is used in the sense of "The
Animating Principle," carrying with it the idea of Power, Living Energy,
Mystic Force, etc. And occultists know that that which is known to them
as "Spiritual Power" may be employed for evil as well as good ends (in
accordance with the Principle of Polarity), a fact which has been
recognized by the majority of religions in their conceptions of Satan,
Beelzebub, the Devil, Lucifer, Fallen Angels, etc. And so the knowledge
regarding these Planes has been kept in the Holy of Holies in all Esoteric
Fraternities and Occult Orders,--in the Secret Chamber of the Temple.
But this may be said here, that those who have attained high spiritual
powers and have misused them, have a terrible fate in store for them,
and the swing of the pendulum of Rhythm will inevitably swing them
back to the furthest extreme of Material existence, from which point they
must retrace their steps Spiritward, along the weary rounds of The Path,
but always with the added torture of having always with them a lingering
memory of the heights from which they fell owing to their evil actions.
The legends of the Fallen Angels have a basis in actual facts, as all
advanced occultists know. The striving for selfish power on the Spiritual
Planes inevitably results in the selfish soul losing its spiritual balance
and falling back as far as it had previously risen. But to even such a soul,
the opportunity of a return is given--and such souls make the return
journey, paying the terrible penalty according to the invariable Law.
In conclusion we would again remind you that according to the Principle
of Correspondence, which embodies the truth: "As Above so Below; as
Below, so Above," all of the Seven Hermetic Principles are in full
operation on all of the many planes, Physical Mental and Spiritual. The
Principle of Mental Substance of course applies to all the planes, for all
are held in the Mind of THE ALL. The Principle of Correspondence
manifests in all, for there is a correspondence, harmony and agreement
between the several planes. The Principle of Vibration manifests on all
planes, in fact the very differences that go to make the "planes" arise
from Vibration, as we have explained. The Principle of Polarity manifests
on each plane, the extremes of the Poles being apparently opposite and
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contradictory. The Principle of Rhythm manifests on each Plane, the
movement of the phenomena having its ebb and flow, rise and flow,
incoming and outgoing. The Principle of Cause and Effect manifests on
each Plane, every Effect having its Cause and every Cause having its
effect. The Principle of Gender manifests on each Plane, the Creative
Energy being always manifest, and operating along the lines of its
Masculine and Feminine Aspects.
"As Above so Below; as Below, so Above." This centuries old Hermetic
axiom embodies one of the great Principles of Universal Phenomena. As
we proceed with our consideration of the remaining Principles, we will
see even more clearly the truth of the universal nature of this great
Principle of Correspondence.