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THEOSOPHY

CARDIFF

Cardiff Theosophical Society

206 Newport Road,

Cardiff, Wales, UK, CF24 -1DL

Theosophy

the Number Seven

A selection of articles relating to the esoteric

significance of the Number 7 in Theosophy

On The Septenary Constitution

of Our Planet

An Extract from The Key To Theosophy

H P Blavatsky

Number 7 Index

Q. I understand that you describe our earth as forming part of a chain of earths?

A. We do. But the other six "earths" or globes, are not on the same plane of objectivity as our earth is; therefore we cannot see them.

Q. Is that on account of the great distance?

A. Not at all, for we see with our naked eye planets and even stars at immeasurably greater distances; but it is owing to those six globes being outside our physical means of perception, or plane of being. It is not only that their material density, weight, or fabric are entirely different from those of our earth and the other known planets; but they are (to us) on an entirely different layer of space, so to speak; a layer not to be perceived or felt by our physical senses. And when I say "layer," please do not allow your fancy to suggest to you layers like strata or beds laid one over the other, for this would only lead to another absurd misconception. What I mean by "layer" is that plane of infinite space which by its nature cannot fall under our ordinary waking perceptions, whether mental or physical; but which exists in nature outside of our normal mentality or consciousness, outside of our three-dimensional space, and outside of our division of time. Each of the seven fundamental planes (or layers) in space-of course as a whole, as the pure space of Locke's definition, not as our finite space-has its own objectivity and subjectivity, its own space and time, its own consciousness and set of senses. But all this will be hardly comprehensible to one trained in the modern ways of thought.

Q. What do you mean by a different set of senses? Is there anything on our human plane that you could bring as an illustration of what you say, just to give a clearer idea of what you may mean by this variety of senses, spaces, and

respective perceptions?

A. None; except, perhaps, that which for Science would be rather a handy peg on which to hang a counter argument. We have a different set of senses in

dreamlife, have we not? We feel, talk, hear, see, taste and function in general

on a different plane; the change of state of our consciousness being evidenced

by the fact that a series of acts and events embracing years, as we think, pass

ideally through our mind in one instant. Well, that extreme rapidity of our

mental operations in dreams, and the perfect naturalness, for the time being, of

all the other functions, show us that we are on quite another plane. Our

philosophy teaches us that, as there are seven fundamental forces in nature, and

seven planes of being, so there are seven states of consciousness in which man

can live, think, remember and have his being. To enumerate these here is

impossible, and for this one has to turn to the study of Eastern metaphysics.

But in these two states-the waking and the dreaming-every ordinary mortal, from

a learned philosopher down to a poor untutored savage, has a good proof that

such states differ.

Q. You do not accept, then, the well-known explanations of biology and

physiology to account for the dream state?

A. We do not. We reject even the hypotheses of your psychologists, preferring

the teachings of Eastern Wisdom. Believing in seven planes of Kosmic being and states of Consciousness, with regard to the Universe or the Macrocosm, we stop at the fourth plane, finding it impossible to go with any degree of certainty

beyond. But with respect to the Microcosm, or man, we speculate freely on his

seven states and principles.

Q. How do you explain these?

A. We find, first of all, two distinct beings in man; the spiritual and the

physical, the man who thinks, and the man who records as much of these thoughts as he is able to assimilate. Therefore we divide him into two distinct natures; the upper or the spiritual being, composed of three principles or aspects; and the lower or the physical quaternary, composed of four-in all seven.

Number 7 Index

Cardiff Theosophical Society

206 Newport Road,

Cardiff, Wales, UK, CF24 -1DL