12 Chapter 12: Astral Forms 

Astral Forms explores the vast "parallel universe" of the astral plane, detailing both the natural devic hierarchies and the psychic entities created by human thought and emotion.

Keynotes

  • The Parallel Universe: Every physical object and kingdom has a "perfect duplicate" in the astral plane made of sensitive or psychic matter .

  • Human-Created Forms: Humans populate the astral plane with "elemental forms" driven by desires:

    • Larvae: Small worm-like concentrations born of base, material desires .

    • Astral Shells (Cascarones): Discarded emotional bodies of the deceased. Mediumship and grief can prevent their natural disintegration, allowing lower devas to inhabit them and "mimic" the dead .

    • Incubi and Succubi: Voluptuous images created by intense sexual lust that can occasionally achieve physical consistency .

    • Lemurs: Ancient, powerful forms of Sexual Desire (giant octopuses), Fear (terror-based), and Selfishness .

  • Disease Entities: Suffering and moral pain (anguish, hatred, envy) create organized astral vortices that serve as "gateways" for physical organic lesions .

  • The Threshold Conflict:

    • Guardian of the Threshold: The total sum of a person’s lower evolution and ignoble desires .

    • Angel of the Presence: The total sum of a person’s noble qualities and "good karma" .

  • Agnisuryas: The specialized devas who construct the human astral body based on the vibrations of the "astral permanent atom" and the Solar Angel .

  • Archangel Varuna: The "Lord of the Waters" and the "Psychic Body of the Solar Logos." He oversees all astral subplanes and relates to the water signs (Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces) .

Comprehensive Summary

The Astral Mirror of Nature
The astral plane is described as a reflection of the physical world, governed by the "Law of Rhythms" . There is a direct correspondence between physical kingdoms and astral subplanes: minerals correlate to the first subplane, vegetables to the second, animals to the third, and humans to the fourth . While the average person experiences this world semiconsciously through dreams, advanced initiates can consciously distinguish between physical and astral forms at will .

Psychic Pollution and Human Creation
A major focus of the chapter is the "psychic atmosphere" created by humanity. Every habit, vice, or virtue eventually constitutes an independent "Psychic Entity" . Negative emotions like fear and selfishness create "Lemurs"—monstrous structures that condition human psychology . The author warns parapsychologists that many "spirit" communications are actually interactions with Astral Shells, which suck psychic energy from the living .

The Battle for Initiation
The spiritual path requires the destruction of the Guardian of the Threshold. At the moment of initiation, the candidate is presented with two entities: the Guardian (embodying vices) and the Angel of the Presence (embodying virtues) . The candidate’s voluntary choice determines whether the "Golden Door" of the Mysteries opens. Choosing the Angel causes the Guardian to lose density and the initiate to be liberated from a portion of their lower karma .

The Hierarchies of Sensitivity
The astral plane is maintained by "Devas of Sensitivity" who assign colors to specific qualities (e.g., Green for Serenity, Indigo for Pure Love) . These devas vivify the emotional vehicles of humans and animals . Above them are the Subplane Regents, each embodying a core quality like Peace, Harmony, or Devotion .

The Majesty of Varuna
The chapter concludes with the Archangel Varuna, the supreme ruler of the astral plane . His mission is to turn all elements within his system "radioactive" or sacred, eventually converting worlds into "Sacred Planets" that reflect divine glory . Contact with Varuna is only possible for those who have reached the Sixth Initiation .