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Spiritual Meditations and Exercises Brotherhood of Light Lessons: Course Books on Astrology, Alchemy and Tarot Member Forum - Connecting with Members of Our Community
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The Brotherhood of Light Teachings Come to EarthA tribute to Elbert Benjamine’s extraordinary achievementby DW SuttonPart Two: Books and Chapters in DetailThe Books & Chapters: Outline of Initiation CS1: Laws of Occultism CS2: Astrological Signatures CS3: Spiritual Alchemy CS4: Ancient Masonry CS5: Esoteric Psychology CS6: The Sacred Tarot CS7: Spiritual Astrology CS8: Horary Astrology CS9: Mental Alchemy CS10-1: Delineating the Horoscope and CS10-2: Progressing the Horoscope CS11: Divination and Character Analysis CS12-1: Evolution of Life and CS12-2: Evolution of Religion CS13: Mundane Astrology CS14: Occultism Applied to Daily Life CS15: Weather Predicting CS16: Stellar Diagnosis and Stellar Healing CS17: Cosmic Alchemy CS18: Imponderable Forces CS19: Organic Alchemy CS20: The Next Life CS21: Personal Alchemy The Not-Sold Award Manuscripts CS22: Index to The Brotherhood of Light lessons In 1909 a group of progressive thinkers – The Brotherhood of Light – were trying to form a corporation as a means to getting the great cause in which they believed established on the Earth. The organization’s Articles of Incorporation included a seemingly impossible aim: To place intelligently before the world the philosophy of planetary influences, to teach those who desire to learn the philosophy, to publish books as pertain to astrology and various occult subjects, to establish a Church and College of Astrologers, and to diligently search for Truth.’ And in the spring of 1910 Elbert Benjamine promised to fulfill the organization’s aims and in particular write a series of courses of lessons on each of the 21 occult sciences: 21 separate courses to be ultimately published as 21 separate books. Then, after a four year preparation, on March 21, 1914, when the Sun on its annual journey around the zodiac entered Aries Elbert commenced writing The Brotherhood of Light lessons. In a Brotherhood of Light promotion issued in 1931 Elbert Benjamine explained: The Brotherhood of Light is custodian of knowledge concerning every branch of Occult Science. In every lesson it issues will be found information of value not to be found elsewhere. These lessons, in the order they are listed, lead by easy steps from first principles to complete mastery of the most difficult occult subject. The most advanced student, as well as beginners, will receive new light from every lesson. They are issued with the definite purpose of reviving The Religion of the Stars – which is a Religion of Natural Law – as understood and taught by the Hermetic Initiates of ancient Egypt and Chaldea. The world has outgrown the dogmas of the Piscean Age. The Religion of the Stars is the Religion of the Aquarian Age. Any person may buy one or all of these lessons, except the Degree MSS. The Degree MSS. are sold to no one, and can only be procured by members who pass the degrees to which they pertain. They are given without charge as a reward for Occult Advancement. Promotional material issued by The Church of Light always states: Brotherhood of Light Lessons – Standard the World Over – 21 Courses – 210 lessons. Course 10 and Course 12, due to their size, consist of 2 volumes – parts 1 and 2. If you go by the numbers Elbert wrote 232 Brotherhood of Light lessons. Lesson No. 1 is Ritual of Initiation and Lesson No. 232 is not-sold award How to control inner plane activities. There are 21 not-sold award lessons so that makes 211 regular lessons (232 less 21) but as there is no lesson No. 102 there are 210 regular Brotherhood of Light lessons. Lesson No. 1 was probably completed soon after he commenced writing on March 21, 1914 and the final revisions were made to Course 15 – the last course to be revised – in the summer of 1949. But documenting an accurate time sequence for the writing and revision of each lesson is nigh on impossible. The copyright dates given in the book or e-book versions of each Brotherhood of Light lesson are unreliable. Serial 40, for example, in Course 1 has a 1926 copyright yet it was completely re-written in 1948. In fact most of its information content was unknown in 1926. And lesson No. 86, which explains How to Erect a Horoscope, was issued in 1921 and Course 10-1 was issued in 1922 but in May 1915 Elbert had commenced teaching an astrology class and in December 1918 – on a Tuesday night – Fred Skinner commenced teaching a chart construction class and there were versions of both Course 8 and Course 10 available to students before 1920. ******************* In January 1920 Elbert Benjamine published the first Brotherhood of Light Annual. It consisted of a six page manuscript entitled Clouds Dispelled from Popular Customs and in it he explained The Brotherhood of Light’s information product. He wrote: The lessons issued by The Brotherhood of Light are for the express purpose of providing those who wish to know more about nature’s laws and less about isms and cults with reliable information. We teach the student to investigate and demonstrate for himself, rather than merely rely upon the authority of others. Blind belief and acceptance of statements upon authority without demonstration has been the curse of the world. Sooner or later each individual must work out his own destiny. Our lessons point the road to Self-Conscious-Immortality. He then explained: Suffice to say that present-day religions borrowed their symbolism and customs, without exception, from still older religions; and these from those that went before; until we find at their source the spiritual conceptions of an Astronomical Religion, a religion of natural law, which is destined to be the Religion of the Aquarian Age – The Religion of the Stars. And that those who scoff at astrology are almost without exception those who have never studied the subject and have never put it to the test. Astrology may be proven experimentally by any person of average intelligence who will devote a little time to the study of Courses 8 and 10. Elbert then set the record straight. Astrological influences only affect man through environment, physical or astral…So, by knowing what forces will be brought to bear upon him he can shape his environment to take advantage of conditions. The mechanical details of how planetary influences reach man and influence him are fully explained in Course 1. And It is impossible to understand many of our popular sayings without some knowledge of astrology. Thus it is said of March: “If it comes in like a Lion it goes out like a Lamb, but if it comes in like a Lamb it goes out like a Lion.” The student is referred to Course 2 for a more detailed explanation of signs, houses, planets etc. Then, in keeping with the article’s title, Elbert dispelled the clouds from some popular customs. The serpent’ he wrote ‘is, and ever has been the symbol of wisdom. It tempted Adam and Eve to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Before the advent of Christianity the inhabitants of Ireland understood astrology, as is recorded by the Roman conquerors, and commonly conversed with those who had passed to the next world. But St. Patrick drove the serpents, or true knowledge of natural law, from Ireland; though he was never able to eradicate its symbolism. This symbolism together with that of Masonry is explained in detail in Course 4.’ And ‘Maunday Thursday is the day before Good Friday. On this Thursday it is the custom of those in high office to wash the feet of the poor, similar to the practice of the Love Feats of certain sects. The feet symbolize understanding, and the ceremony really signifies the understanding of the law of sacrifice or personal pride for universal good. Pisces is the sign of expiation, as is fully explained, with a vast amount of other occult information, in Course 6. Then, In Course 7 I have already explained the origin and significance of the Jewish Passover and its ceremonies – fasting, eating bitter roots and unleavened bread, and daubing door-posts with blood – also the significance of circumcision. Therefore I shall dismiss Easter with mentioning the custom in Ireland on midnight before Easter of clapping hands and shouting, ‘Out with Lent’, and rising before the Sun on Easter morning to ‘See the Sun dance in honor of the resurrection.’ Just what this resurrection signifies in soul-development is fully explained in Course 3.’ And ‘Whit Sunday is said to be kept in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Ghost. It is really a festival held in honor of the passing of the Sun from the sign of greatest fertility, the Bull, to the sign of the greatest mental activity, Gemini. The descent of holy power, therefore, in individual cases must follow the use of the fecundity of Taurus for mental and moral unfoldment. These methods are fully explained in Esoteric Psychology, Course 5. Elbert then explained: The meaning of Halloween can only be fully comprehended by knowledge of astrological cycles that occur approximately every 13,000 years, bringing catastrophe by fire or flood. The details governing cataclysmic occurrences are found in Course 7’; and ‘The psychic laws and principles governing the relation of the dead to the living are fully explained in Course 1. This promotion of The Brotherhood of Light’s information product reveals that Courses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were all available in January 1920. And that ‘Each regular lesson of Brotherhood of Light consists of 9 or 10 pages – about 6,400 words – of condensed information, bound neatly with frontispiece in a MS. Cover. Each lesson, postpaid, 25 cents.’ So there were early versions of some courses available before their known issue dates, and never one to let useful information go to waste much of what Elbert wrote in Clouds Dispelled by Popular Customs later appeared in Chapter 7 – “Astrological Significance of Holidays” of Astrological Lore of all Ages published in 1944. Outline of Initiation
This manuscript is issued to all members of The Church of Light. It was first issued in May 1915 but was written before its issue date and since then has undergone considerable revision. The current version lists the 21 Brotherhood of Light Courses and the 21 Award manuscripts that were completed in 1940. It also contains articles written by Elbert that first appeared in The Rising Star during the 1940s and a commentary on the lessons that he wrote in August 1951. It was last revised in 1981. There is an Outline of Initiation Part 2, but it has no author or issue date. Course 1: Laws of Occultism
Course 1 examines and explains the various types of psychic phenomena, the nature of the inner-plane, and how it affects human life. All phenomena arising from the properties and energies of the inner-plane – clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy, psychometry and precognition – are identified as psi phenomena. Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity indicates how inner-plane energies operate and how they can be brought under personal control and used to personal advantage. In 1931 Elbert wrote: This Course of 7 lessons embraces more than its title implies. It explains not only the mechanical details and psychological processes of all psychic and spiritualistic phenomena, but also the mechanical details of planetary influence, and elucidates the fundamental principles upon which all occult science rests. This course is essential to all students of the occult, and advanced students should not make the mistake of skipping it. Occult science in any of its branches can only be thoroughly understood with a knowledge of the facts presented in this Course, and which, in so far as we are aware, cannot be obtained elsewhere. Course 1 was originally titled The Laws of Mediumship and Spiritism and in 1931 it was available in both manuscript and book form. The book contained a portrait of its author and each lesson commenced with two birthcharts. Then in the March 1940 issue of The Church of Light Quarterly Elbert announced: Course 1 of Brotherhood of Light lessons explains the interrelation between the inner-plane and the outer-plane, and how it operates not merely in the production of psychic phenomena of all kinds, and how it makes ESP possible, but also as permitting astrological forces to influence human life and destiny, and as responsible for everything occult. To better denote what it really embraces, and to indicate its paramount importance as a basis for the understanding of any branch of occult science, we have changed the title Laws of Mediumship to Laws of Occultism. In 1948 Course 1 – Laws of Occultism – was revised so some lessons have a misleading copyright date. The birthcharts of popular movie stars may have replaced less well known personalities and Montgomery Clift’s chart in Lesson 43 is a late entry – post 1951. Lesson 39 – Occult Data – was first issued in manuscript form in January 1919. It was rewritten in January 1921 and issued in booklet form in May 1926. The Prefatory Note states: This lesson in manuscript form was issued to members of The Brotherhood of Light in January 1919, and since that date has been constantly used in the various chapters of the fraternity. In January, 1921, it was rewritten and issued in its present form. Now, after five years, I find no necessity for changing it in any way even though it is my intention to keep all The Brotherhood of Light lessons revised up to the latest discoveries in both occult and physical science. No changes were made to this lesson in 1948 when Course 1 was revised. Lesson 40 – Astral Substance – was issued in manuscript form in February 1919. It was rewritten in February 1921 and issued as a booklet in January 1926. The Prefatory Note in the booklet states: Now, after a lapse of five years I find no necessity for changing this lesson in any way beyond the addition of two paragraphs relating to a discovery made in 1925. This lesson was completely rewritten in 1948 so the 1926 copyright is misleading. Lesson 41 – Astral Vibration – was issued in manuscript form in February 1919. It was completely rewritten in September 1923 and issued as a booklet. In the Prefatory Note Elbert wrote: I have now entirely rewritten this lesson with the objects in view of including in it the latest discoveries of science relative to its subject matter and presenting the whole in a more readable style. This lesson was revised and rewritten in 1948 – the comments on Pluto and the signs, houses and aspects were all added – so the 1923 copyright is misleading. Lesson 42 – The Doctrine of Nativities – was issued as a manuscript in February 1919. It was rewritten and issued in booklet form in February 1924. The Prefatory Note Elbert states: I have now entirely rewritten this lesson with the objects in view of including in it the latest discoveries of science relative to its subject matters, and presenting the whole in a more readable style. This lesson was revised and rewritten in 1948 so the 1924 copyright is misleading. (In 1924 there were 110 million people in the USA. In 1948 there were 180 million. Now in 2014 there are 316 million.) Lesson 43 – Doctrine of Mediumship – was issued in manuscript form in February 1919. It was rewritten and issued as a booklet in November 1924. In the Prefatory Note Elbert wrote: I have now entirely rewritten this lesson with the objects in view of including in it the latest discoveries of science relative to its subject matters, and presenting the whole, I trust, in a somewhat more readable style. No changes were made when Course 1 was revised in 1948. Lesson 44 – Spiritism – was issued as a manuscript in February 1919. It was rewritten and issued in booklet form in December 1924. Subheadings were inserted. In the Prefatory Note Elbert states: I have now entirely rewritten this lesson with the objects in view of including in it the latest discoveries of science relative to its subject matter, and presenting the whole, I trust, in a somewhat more readable style. No changes were made in 1948 when Course 1 was revised. Lesson 45 – Phenomenal Spiritism – was issued in manuscript form in February 1919. It was rewritten and issued as a booklet in January 1925 when subheadings were inserted. No changes were made to this lesson when Course 1 was revised in 1948. Course 2: Astrological Signatures
The subject matter of this course is the soul and the astrological environment that influences its destiny. It explains why the soul was brought into existence, why physical life provides it with the necessary developmental experiences, why it will always occupy a form, the manner in which it makes progress and the significance of each planet, sign, aspect and house in astrology. It explains how self-conscious immortality is attained and the symbolical significance of the ancient Egyptian initiation. In 1931 Elbert wrote: This course is embraced in nine lessons, which explain the Hermetic Philosophy of the origin, nature and destiny of the soul. It reveals the purpose of human life, the steps leading up to it, the various forces that influence the soul, and the method by which the soul can solve all problems with certainty. Course 2 was originally titled Laws of Astrological Signatures. Lesson 2 – The Two Keys – was issued in May 1916; Lessons 46 and 47 were issued in March 1919; Lesson 4 was issued in July 1916; Lesson 3 was issued in June 1916; Lesson 5 was issued in August 1916; Lessons 20 and 21 were issued in November and December 1917; and Lesson 1 – The Ritual of Egyptian Initiation – was issued in April 1916. Lesson 46 was originally titled – First Principles – The Zodiac – and Lesson 47 – First Principles – The Houses. Each serial was originally sold as an individual lesson and in 1918 they were combined into Brotherhood of Light Course 2 – Laws of Astrological Signatures – in an order that favored the logical sequencing of the information. Then in 1925 Lesson 2 – The Two Keys – was rewritten. In 1926 Lesson 46 was rewritten and re-titled – The Zodiac. In 1927 Lesson 47 was rewritten and re-titled – Mundane Houses; but all the references to Pluto are post 1932. In 1927 Lesson 4 – The Mission of the Soul, Lesson 3 – Physiology and Correspondences, and Lesson 5 – Doctrine of Signatures – were rewritten. The comments at the end of Serial 3 explaining the relationship of the nine-point plan to the gestation of a healthy child were the known facts in 1927, but they’re incorrect and awaiting revision. In 1928 Lessons 1, 20 and 21 were rewritten. In 1931 The Laws of Astrological Signatures was available as a cloth-bound book and in 1932 its title was changed to Astrological Signatures. Course 3: Spiritual Alchemy
The experiences of life are symbolized by the metals of alchemy and this course explains how your character is built by the events and conditions you experience. It explains why the right mental attitude is the crucial factor when it comes to building your character and a truly spiritual body. In 1931 Elbert wrote: This course is explained in 5 lessons which fully explain the teachings of ancient and medieval alchemists in regard to spiritual matters. This is the first time the true meaning of the metals and the true nature of alchemical terms and processes have been rendered into common language. There are no blinds in these lessons and every process in the work is clearly and fully explained. Course 3 is intensely practical, and of utmost value to any person in solving the difficulties of everyday life. Lessons 49 to 53 – the five lessons that comprise Course 3 – Spiritual Alchemy – were written and made available to Brotherhood of Light members in April and May 1919. It was revised and rewritten in 1931. The indications are that only minor revisions occurred after that date. Course 4: Ancient Masonry
Elbert Benjamine’s writing and revising of Course 4 – Ancient Masonry – was a spectacular achievement. It’s a storehouse of occult wisdom. Breathtaking information lifts and leaves the reader spellbound. The subject matter is the ancient secret doctrine that has been bequeathed to us by spiritual masters of the ancient past. The important truths their doctrines impart, which embrace the soul’s proper relationship to the universe and God, are written in the language of universal symbolism. In 1931 Elbert explained: This course is embraced in 13 lessons on Ancient Masonry. In this treatise the threefold interpretation of every ritual and symbol of Masonry is fully explained. The astrological meaning and derivation of each symbol and its meaning as applied to the individual and to mankind as a whole is given, and the principle it contains as used in the unfoldment of the powers of the soul is elucidated. Every degree is given in detail. Few people realize what a fund of information regarding Occult Law lies concealed beneath the rites and symbols of the Ancient Masons, who were the original magi. This wisdom is now, for the first time, made accessible to the reading public. The 13 lessons that comprise Course 4 were written and issued from September 1916 to September 1917. They were revised in 1926-1927 and in 1938-39. Their final revision saw subheadings inserted and examination questions changed and reduced from 27 to 25. Throughout The Brotherhood of Light lessons Elbert regularly opposed the idea that a particular lesson contained the last word on its subject matter. And in August 1951 he wrote: This writer is not so foolish to believe that what has already been published in the 210 Brotherhood of Light lessons is the last word, or that no errors have been made in them, or that new demonstrated facts may not make necessary some revision of the ideas there presented. And throughout the revisions of the lessons he practiced what he preached. All the astrology lessons written before 1930 contained no references to Pluto and Pluto’s discovery necessitated their complete revision. And some astrological comment that was refuted by new evidence was later discarded. Lesson 6 – Ancient Masonry Introduction – was written and issued in September 1916. It was revised in 1938 when the comments under the subheading – Where the Ritual Places Emphasis – were added. Lesson 7 – Entered Apprentice – was written and issued in October 1916. It was revised in May 1926 and in 1938 was rewritten and restructured. Its title was changed to Entered Apprentice and the Planets. In 1916 Elbert wrote: Perhaps, also, beyond the orbit of Neptune, which marks the present day frontier, lie other yet to be discovered orbs. With these we need not be concerned; for our observation of newly discovered planets in the past implies that man is not yet refined enough to respond to their influence. They will only have a meaning to human life when man is further evolved and when one or more of the planets in the present chain of ten becomes dormant in its influences over human life. Then, according to the teachings of the Ancient Masons, will the effect of ultra-Neptune planets become important. But in 1938 these comments were discarded. The comments under the subheading – New Planets Usher in New Periods in World Affairs – were based on new research and Elbert wrote: …the work of the Church of Light Research Department on the charts of those who lived before the Periods of each of the super-octave planets began, shows conclusively that, despite astrological ignorance of their existence, these planets were then profoundly affecting people’s lives through such conditions as were already at hand. He concluded: Astrologers are not omniscient, no more so than chemists. At the turn of this century chemistry had only atoms and molecules. Then it found within the atom the electron and the proton, and became satisfied it had all the building blocks. But this family of two expanded by 1938 to embrace no less than six fundamental particles within the atom. Yet the world would have been vastly poorer had it been without chemists in 1900. Astrology, like chemistry, is a progressive science; and it is foolish for astrologers now to claim they know all there is about astrology, as it would for chemists to insist there is no more to learn about chemistry. Nevertheless, both even in their present state are practical and highly useful sciences. Lesson 8 – Entered Apprentice continued – was written and issued in November 1916. It was first revised in November 1926 and in 1938 the comments under the subheading Contrast of Ancient Masonry Teachings with those of Present Day Orient were added. Lesson 9 – Opening the Lodge – was written and issued in December 1916. It was first revised in July 1926 and in 1938 had its title changed to Numbers and Opening the Lodge. The comments relating to thought-cells and training the brain to control the thoughts under the subheading – The Important Duty of the Tyler – were added. Lesson 10 was written and issued in January 1917. It was first revised in January 1927 and in its final revision in 1938 the comments under the subheading – Jachin and Boaz are United by Electromagnetic Boundary Line Energy – were added. Elbert coined the terms Boundary Line region and Boundary Line substance in 1937. Lesson 11 was written and issued in February 1917. It was first revised in September 1926 and in 1939 some comment was discarded and those under the subheading – The River Jordan is the Dense Etheric-Astral Belt Separating the Physical from the Upper Astral – were added. Lesson 12 was written and issued in March 1917. It was first revised in November 1927 and in 1939 got a new introduction. Lesson 13 was written and issued in April 1917. It was first revised in September 1928 and in the final revision in 1939 the comments relating to velocities under the subheading – How the Five Points of Fellowship Do Their Work – were added. Lesson 14 – Mark Master, Etc. – was written and issued in May 1917. It was revised in April 1927 and in 1939 had its title changed to Mark Master Mason. Some comments were discarded and the comments under the subheadings – The Keystone of Psychic Development is proper Electrification and The Keystone as Applied to Natal Astrology – were added. The comments on Select Master Degree, Super Excellent Master Mason Degree and Heroine of Jerico were moved to Lesson 15 and the comments on Secret Monitor were moved to Lesson 16. Lesson 15 was written and issued in June 1917. It was revised in May 1927 and in 1939 some comment was discarded and the end comments were rewritten and moved to the start of Lesson 17. Lesson 16 was written and issued in July 1917. It was revised in July 1927 and in 1939 the introductory comments were moved to the start of Lesson 18. The comments under the subheadings – Time on the Inner-Plane, Distance on the Inner-Plane and Gravitation on the Inner Plane – were added. Under the subheading Order of Knights Templar the reference to ‘Pluto, ruler of the sign of death’ replaced the original reference to ‘the lost orb of heaven.’ Lesson 17 was written and issued in August 1917. It was revised in August 1927 and in 1939 the introductory comments were moved to the start of Lesson 18. The comments under the subheading – That Which Determines Control – and the references to Upper-Pluto – were added. Lesson 18 was written and issued in September 1917. It was revised in September 1927 and in 1939 the comments under the subheadings – Three Methods of Acquiring Information from the Inner Plane, Mediumship, Two Methods of Independent Psychic Work, Feeling ESP and Intellectual ESP – were added. Course 5: Esoteric Psychology
Course 5 explains how the mind is formed, the laws that govern its development and functionality, the value of dreams, what desire is, the role of strong desire in accomplishment, how you can cultivate constructive thinking and creative imagination, and how you can rule your stars and use your mind to maximize your self-development and reach your highest potential. In 1931 Elbert wrote: These 12 lessons trace the expanding consciousness from its first dim inception through the various stages of its development. The mechanical details of reason, morality, intuition, suggestion, affirmation, dreams, creative imagination etc. are fully explained with valuable instructions how this knowledge should be used as a constructive agent in demonstrating success. Course 5 is clear, comprehensive, and unlike any other treatise in print. Course 5 – Esoteric Psychology – comprises lessons 56 to 67. Lessons 56 to 59 were issued in June 1919; Lessons 60 to 63 were issued in July 1919; and lessons 64 to 67 were issued in August 1919. Lessons 56 to 59 were revised in 1936; and Lessons 60 to 67 were revised in 1937. The revision involved the extensive use of the term ‘thought-cells’ which was coined and first used in 1934. Esoteric Psychology was available in book form in 1938. Course 6: The Sacred Tarot
This course explains the science of numbers, the science of vibration and the universal symbolism and use of the Tarot cards. These cards are the best means for facilitating the extension of consciousness (ESP). They were developed to help you extend your own consciousness to specific inner-plane information and to make correct observations. In 1931 Elbert wrote: The 13 lessons of this course explain all the important ideas of the Jewish and other Kabbalistical works by means of the Silver Key to all mysteries, the most ancient book in the world, The Egyptian Tarot. These lessons are an authentic exposition of The Sacred Tarot and Hermetic System of Names and Numbers. There are no subterfuges in this work and the symbolism of the Tarot is fully explained. Detailed information is given on the significance of Names, Numbers, Colors, Tones, Herbs, Gems, Metals and Stones; and their specific effect upon an individual associated with them. Each lesson explains a different method of Reading the Tarot Cards. The lessons (serials) that comprise The Sacred Tarot were written during 1918 – one lesson per month. They didn’t have titles and each was identified as a lesson – Serial 22 as Lesson 1, Serial 23 as lesson 2 etc. Each lesson consisted of ten typed pages bound by an aqua blue (Aquarius) cover. And as soon as each lesson was written it was mimeographed and made available to students. There were no illustrations. In the Church of Light Quarterly Course 6 was always publicized as Tarot and Numerology. The revision and rewriting of Course 6 in 1936 was a massive task that involved the deletion and revision of some comments, the insertion of new comments and the processing of sentences and paragraphs. Elbert’s comprehension of the subject matter was constantly expanding and The Sacred Tarot you study today is a superior version to the original 1918 version. To enhance the quality of the presentation sub-headings were inserted. The examination questions were changed and the number reduced from 27 to 25. The new questions may have been developed by Fred Skinner who was in charge of The Tarot Education Department in 1936. And references to the astrodynes and Astrological Lore of All Ages represent last minute revisions made in 1947-48. The publishing of The Sacred Tarot in book form in 1936 was an important event for Elbert and The Church of Light. And to coincide with its publication the Church produced its own deck of Tarot cards. To promote the book and the cards Elbert presented an illustration of each Tarot card on the lead page of The Church of Light Quarterly. Six cards were presented in each edition starting with September 1934. The illustrations on the cards were done by Gloria Beresford. Gloria lived in Tujunga (Los Angeles) and was an ordained Church of Light minister. Lesson 48 – Doctrine of Kabbalism – was not included in the original Course 6. It was written and issued in 1919 and then, due to its subject matter, located as the first lesson in The Sacred Tarot. It was revised in 1936. Lesson 22 was written and issued in January 1918. Its subject matter included an introduction to the Silver Key of Nature’s Sanctuary, ‘The Aphoresmata of The Logos’, and a history of the Tarot and Tarot cards. But as The Brotherhood of Light did not have its own Tarot card deck Elbert explained: Eliphas Levi expresses great surprise that he should find…a set of the Tarot cards that had undergone scarcely any alteration from their primitive form. But altho he gives the data for the construction of better cards than those prevalent we are not aware that he indicated where the primitive set could be found, and the ones designed from his advice leave much to be desired. We, also, have discovered a copy of the original Egyptian Tarot in a most unexpected place, easily accessible to all. They constitute the most important part of a book misnamed "Practical Astrology" by Comte de St. Germain. The book really treats of Kabbalistical Astrology applied to divination, and gives little light upon true Scientific Astrology. This book may be purchased at most book-stores in paper for 50 cents and no better cards can be had than those made by cutting out the pictures of the Arcana there given and pasting on suitable cards. At the bottom of each Major Arcanum is its proper Egyptian letter whose name we give with its equivalent in Hebrew and English. The astrological characters on the pictures belong to the decanate system of Kabbalistical reading and should be ignored. We will supply the correct astrological correspondence of each. In 1936 Lesson 22 was rewritten, revised and given the title: Foundation of the Science. There was considerable change. Paragraphs were deleted, information was re-sequenced and subheadings inserted. Lesson 23 was written and issued in manuscript form in February 1918. The occult science allocated to Major Arcanum 1 was Psychology; and Signatures was allocated to Major Arcanum 2. It was rewritten and revised in 1936 and given the title: Scope and Use of the Tarot. The occult science relating to Major Arcana 1 and 2 was specified as Esoteric Psychology and Astrological Signatures respectively, but in both instances the information content stayed the same. Lesson 24 was written and issued in March 1918. Major Arcanum 3 was allocated the science of cycles – Periodicity; and Major Arcanum 4 was allocated the science of transmuting the procreative fluids – Physical Alchemy. In 1936 it was rewritten, revised and given the title: Involution and Evolution of Numbers. Comments were rewritten, words were changed and sentences were reconstructed and relocated. Elbert was word processing – cut and pasting – without a computer. The subject matter was very abstruse and he was striving to present complex thoughts and ideas in easy to understand words and sentences. The occult sciences relating to Major Arcana 3 and 4 were changed to Spiritual Alchemy and Imponderable Forces. Lesson 25 was written and issued in April 1918. The occult sciences allocated to Major Arcana 5 and 6 were Spiritual Astrology and Natural Alchemy respectively. It was revised in 1936 and given the title: Reading the Meaning of Numbers. The start comments were rewritten and many comments were deleted or processed to improve their readability. The occult sciences allocated to Major Arcana 5 and 6 were changed to Masonry and Kabalism respectively. The reference to the great Caruso was added. Enrico Caruso (1873-1921) was an Italian operatic tenor. His voice had a remarkable dynamic range and in Lessons 22 and 25 Elbert comments on his apparent ability to shatter a wine glass by singing its tone with his powerful voice. But no evidence exists to corroborate Caruso’s claim and his wife is reported to have denied he did it. So no one knows if he really did it, although it is considered possible. Lesson 26 was written and issued in manuscript form in May 1918. The undiscovered planet, Pluto, was identified as The Dark Satellite. The occult science allocated to Major Arcanum 7 was Masonry – the science of symbolism and rituals; and Major Arcanum 8 was allocated Mundane Astrology. In 1936 it was revised and given the title: Making an Astrological Chart of a Name. In the interim a revolution in the understanding of the birthchart had occurred. The example name readings – Jesus, Ra, Aum, Buddha etc – were added and The Dark Satellite became Pluto. The occult sciences pertaining to Major Arcana 7 and 8 were changed to Spiritual Astrology and Horary Astrology respectively. Lesson 27 was written and issued in June 1918. When referring to the 10 Emanations of the Sephiroth Elbert wrote: ‘Above all is the Limitless Light – Ain-Soph-Aur (1) – The Unknown Planet, Kabalistically, Kether or Crown.’ Fauns, Elves, Nymphs and Fairies were classed as cosmic elementals. The occult science Mental Alchemy was allocated to Major Arcanum 9 and Kabalism was allocated to Major Arcanum 10. When it was revised in 1936 it was given the title: Influence of Changing the Name. The start comments, including the detailed reading of the name – CC Zain, were rewritten. Fauns, Elves, Nymphs and Fairies were classed as magnetic elementals and The Unknown Planet became Pluto. Mental Alchemy stayed with Major Arcanum 9, but Natal Astrology was allocated to Major Arcanum 10. Lesson 28 was written and issued in manuscript form in July 1918. The start comments were entirely devoted to reading the name, Abraham Lincoln. Imponderable Forces was the occult science allocated to Major Arcanum 11; and Organic Alchemy was allocated to Major Arcanum 12. In 1936 it was rewritten, revised and given the title: Reading Names in Detail. The George Washington comments were added. The occult sciences pertaining to Major Arcana 11 and 12 were changed to Divination and Character Reading and Natural Alchemy respectively. Lesson 29 was written and issued in August 1918. The occult science allocated to Major Arcanum 13 was Horary Astrology; and Major Arcanum 14 was allocated Medical Alchemy. In 1936 it was revised and given the title: The Color of a Name. The start comments were rewritten, sentences were reworded and paragraphs restructured. The section related to Magic was rewritten. As Elbert’s discrimination skills developed he knew exactly what was needed to explain a particular issue and the not needed comment was discarded. The occult sciences pertaining to Major Arcana 13 and 14 were changed to Mundane Astrology and Occultism Applied to Daily Life respectively. Lesson 30 was written and issued in manuscript form in September 1918. The occult science allocated to Major Arcanum 15 was ceremonial magic. (Satan in sacred writings is Saturn.) And Astro-Meteorology was allocated to Major Arcanum 16. It was revised in 1936 and given the title: Talismans and Charms. The start comments were rewritten. Comments were deleted and new comments added. Sentences and paragraphs were restructured. The rewriting had one objective – to provide a better, improved explanation. Major Arcanum 15 was allocated the occult science Weather Predicting; and Major Arcanum 16 was allocated Stellar Diagnosis and Stellar Healing. Lesson 31 was written and issued in October 1918. The Horseman cards were identified as Warriors – The warrior of Scepters; the warrior of Cups etc. The occult science allocated to Major Arcanum 17 was Genethical (Natal) Astrology; and Major Arcanum 18 was allocated Mediumship. In 1936 it was rewritten, revised and given the title: Chronology of the Tarot. Explanations were expanded and sentences were deleted or restructured. Very long paragraphs were broken up into 3, maybe 4, shorter paragraphs. The Warriors became Horsemen. Major Arcanum 17 was allocated the occult science Cosmic Alchemy, but Mediumship (Course 1) stayed with Major Arcanum 18. Lesson 32 was written and issued in manuscript form in November 1918. The data for Elbert’s Aquarian age chart was given for the first time. The occult science allocated to Major Arcanum 19 was Inorganic Alchemy; and Major Arcanum 20 was allocated Spiritual Astrology. It was revised in 1936 and given the title: The Solution of Ancient Cycles. Sections were rewritten. Long paragraphs were broken up into shorter paragraphs and sub-headings were inserted. The occult sciences pertaining to Major Arcana 19 and 20 were changed to Organic Alchemy and The Next Life respectively. Lesson 33 was written and issued in December 1918. Divination – the science of foretelling the future or revealing secrets by the aid of various instruments, such as the magic mirror, crystal, tea and coffee grounds, etc – was allocated to Major Arcanum 21. There was no Major Arcanum 22 and Major Arcanum 0 was astrologically identified with the Earth. It was given the color black, the tone silence and allocated the occult science materialism or spirituality. In 1936 Lesson 33 was given the title: How to read the Tarot. The start text was rewritten and reformatted. The occult science pertaining to Major Arcanum 21 was changed to Personal Alchemy. With the discovery of Pluto in 1930 the section relating to MA 0 had to be rewritten to include Major Arcanum 22. All the comments relating to Major Arcanum 22 were added and Major Arcanum 22 or 0 was allocated Pluto. Its color was changed to ultra-violent and infra-red or black and its tone changed to harmony or inharmony. Major Arcanum 22 was allocated the occult science Materialism – the soul-annihilating dogmas of materialism; and MA 0 was allocated Spirituality – the soul uplifting teachings of The Religion of the Stars. Course 7: Spiritual Astrology
This course sets forth valuable astrological information – the spiritual significance of each of the 48 constellations. It indicates the outstanding characteristics of those born when the Sun is in each section of the zodiac and its spiritual text. When taken as a whole these spiritual texts constitute a complete treatise on spirituality. In 1931 Elbert wrote: This Course is embraced in 13 lessons on The Religion of the Stars. Nothing like it has ever been offered before at any time or in any place. This is the most startling and amazing Course of lessons ever offered. It is the Long Lost key for which occult students have vainly searched. It explains The Religion from which all Religions have sprung. By means of the 48 ancient constellations it enables any person of average intelligence to correctly interpret all Scripture of all lands. It explains every important story of the Bible and shows each to be true. Every lesson contains information that will help you every day. Practical! Intensely interesting! Easy to understand! The Religion of the Stars is the religion of the Aquarian Age. Get this course and you will never regret it. It has a vital message for you! Course 7 was originally titled The Religion of the Stars – not Spiritual Astrology. It consisted of 13 lessons that were written from December 1919 to October 1920. The lesson titles and their issue dates were:
In 1922 Course 7, The Religion of the Stars, had its title changed to Spiritual Astrology and in The Brotherhood of Light Annual for 1929 Elbert announced that an important milestone in spiritual astrology had been reached. He wrote: This, the tenth year of issuing the Annual, it gives me great pleasure to present what I believe to be an accurate rendering of the spiritual teaching associated by the ancients with each of the 48 constellations. I have been striving consistently for this end since writing the Course on Spiritual Astrology in 1919-1920. To that Course I must refer those who would have greater detail than here presented; for the space at my disposal permits only the most concise statement of the religious and moral ideas associated with each of the constellations. We have here, then, I believe for the first time, a translation of stellar texts giving the spiritual ideals, the moral conceptions, and the practical religious doctrine of the wise men of old. Lesson 83 was then revised to include these spiritual texts although it retained its original issue date – September-December 1920. When Elbert completed writing the lessons in February 1934 Course 7 – Spiritual Astrology – The Religion of the Stars – was part of The Brotherhood of Light information package. But in 1935 something happened. It’s not correct to say that Course 7 was revised. It wasn’t. It was completely discarded and a new Course 7 – Spiritual Astrology – was written and issued in its place. Chances are the completely new lessons – 71 to 83 – were written over several years although in Lesson 76 Elbert wrote: At the time this is being written (1935)….And in 1936 the new Course 7 was published in book form. Minor revisions occurred after this date. In Lesson 71 there’s a reference to Astrological Lore of All Ages which was published in 1944. And what happened to Spiritual Astrology – The Religion of the Stars? Well the book Elbert described as the ‘most startling and amazing Course of lessons ever offered’ just vanished. And its fate remains a complete mystery. It was never published as an independent book and its contents were never recycled in articles. Course 8: Horary Astrology
This course explains how to calculate and construct a birthchart and sets forth the first seven steps in chart delineation. It then introduces you to Horary Astrology and explains how a horary chart can be used to supplement the information provided by your birthchart and to get the correct answer to any question. It provides specific instructions for starting a venture at the most opportune time and indicates the Moon positions that favor 62 different human activities. In 1931 Elbert wrote: This course is embraced in 7 lessons. The first three are equally essential for the mastery of any branch of astrology, and should be studied by all who expect to take up Natal Astrology. The last lesson of the Course is especially important. It teaches how to select the best time to start anything under the Sun. The success of any venture depends to a great extent upon its being commenced at the proper time. Even though its first issue date is 1921 Course 8 – Horary Astrology – was available to students in 1918 and a version may have been available in May 1915 when Elbert first started teaching astrology. Lessons 86, 87 and 88 have a 1930 copyright but all the references to astrodynes, harmodynes and discordynes were added after 1946. It’s unfortunate that Elbert didn’t revise this course. The development of the astrodynes in 1946 made many of the old rules for judging a birthchart obsolete. Lessons 89, 90, 91 and 92 – the Horary Astrology lessons – were issued in 1921 and their current copyright is 1931. But the comments in Lesson 91 under the subheading Horary Astrology’s Greatest Usefulness were added after 1943. Lesson 36 – Chart Erection Short Cuts and Examples – has a 1948 copyright but it was written in 1921 as a supplement to Lesson 86 – ‘For those who have difficulty with this part of the work.’ In 1932 Horary Astrology was one of the first courses to be published in book form, but the cloth-bound book only contained 7 lessons – there was no Lesson 36. This lesson addressed a major problem for astrology students and eight of the example charts are for 1920, one is for 1941 and one is for 1945. The 1948 copyright is explained by the comments under the subheading – Timing Events Indicated by a Horary Chart – which are the result of research done in 1948. Course 9: Mental Alchemy
This course explains how the thought-cells in your unconscious mind have been formed before your human birth and how they are modified after birth by human-life experiences. They work to attract fortunate or unfortunate events and conditions and the only way you can modify, change and control your astrological destiny is to give these thought-cell groups different desires. In 1931 Elbert wrote: This course is embraced in 7 lessons that show the specific kind of thinking that causes each disease, each variety of failure, and each difficulty in life. It also indicates the particular kind of thinking that should be used to cure any of these conditions, and how and why a specific thought should be used in a given case to produce desired results. The most practical set of instructions ever issued. Course 9 – Mental Alchemy – was written and issued to students from April to October 1921 and in 1936 it was completely revised and rewritten. In the 15 year interim a revolution in knowledge and understanding occurred. It was available in book form in March 1938. Lesson 95 was written and issued in April 1921 and in 1936 was completely revised and rewritten. The start comments were rewritten, the terms thought-cell and thought-element were introduced and subheadings inserted. The references to Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain were expanded and the reference to Billy Sunday was added. But all the comment relating to their birthcharts is doubtful due to wrong or uncertain birth times. Lesson 96 was written and issued in May 1921 and in 1936 most of its commentary ended up on the cutting room floor. In 1921 Elbert used the term ‘elemental urges comprised of elements.’ In 1936 it became thought-elements and thought-cells and the comments on Pluto and the universal welfare thought-elements were added. The comments on the ten compounds corresponding to the aspects in natal astrology were rewritten – complex was used in 1921 – and sub-headings inserted. Lesson 97 was written and issued in June 1921 and in 1936 it was revised and rewritten. In 1921 Mars was given as the antidote for Saturn and Saturn was given as the antidote for Mars and there was no comment on discordant universal welfare urges. In 1936 Moon was the antidote for Mars and Sun and Venus were the antidotes for Saturn. Serial 98 was written and issued in July 1921 and in 1936 it was completely rewritten. In 1921 the terms thought-element and thought compound were used and there was no reference to conversion. The advice was to add safety energy to the aggressive urges and aggressive energy to the safety urges when they were discordant. In 1936 Moon energy became the antidote for discordant aggressive urges and power and social energy became the antidotes for discordant security urges. Serial 99 was written in August 1921 and in 1936 it was completely rewritten. In 1921 there was no reference to rallying forces, harmonious conditioning energy, conversion of thought-elements or reconditioning thought-compounds. The reference to Course 16 and 160 diseases was added in 1947 when Course 16 was revised; and the reference to Course 21 was added in 1949 when Personal Alchemy was revised. Lesson 99 – Just How to Heal Yourself – makes it plain that astrology is a self-science. And you can use the information it provides to heal yourself. Lesson 100 was written and issued in September 1921 and in 1936 it was completely rewritten. The references to free-association and self psychoanalysis were added and the comments on acquiring positiveness and vitality, abundance, good-fortune with the populace and the opposite sex and affectional success were all rewritten. Lesson 101 was written and issued in October 1921 and in 1936 was revised. Some comment stayed the same, some was rearranged and some ended up in the recycle bin. Subheadings were inserted. Course 10-1: Delineating the Horoscope and
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| 1st-Degree: | Lesson 34 – Psychic Unfoldment 1 – issued January 1919 |
| 2nd-Degree: | Lesson 70 – Symbol Reading – issued November 1919 |
| 3rd-Degree: | Lesson 54 – Power of Breath – issued April 1919 |
| 4th-Degree: | Lesson 55 – Great Pyramid Interpreted – issued 1919 |
| 5th-Degree: | Lesson 68 – Habits of Elementals – issued September 1919 |
| 6th-Degree: | Lesson 69 – Soul Mates – issued October 1919 |
| 7th-Degree: | Lesson 84 – How to use Talismans – issued February 1920 |
| 8th-Degree: | Lesson 85 – Value of Totems – issued April 1920 |
| 9th-Degree: | Lesson 35 – Psychic Unfoldment 2 – issued February 1919 |
| 10th-Degree: | Lesson 94 – How to travel on the Astral – issued 1922 |
| 11th-Degree: | Lesson 93 – How to use personal cycles – issued 1922 |
| 12th-Degree: | Lesson 163 – Contacting the Masters – issued April 1931 |
| 13th-Degree: | Lesson 38 – Initiation – issued September 1924 |
| 14th-Degree: | Lesson 37 – The Practice of White Magic – issued October 1924 |
Then in 1939 Elbert announced that 7 new award manuscripts were to be issued, bringing the total to 21. In the September, 1939 Quarterly he explained their purpose and published their issue dates. Under the headline – ‘New Not Sold Brotherhood of Light Lessons’ he wrote:
In the Brotherhood of Light lessons which are sold without restriction to the public it is our purpose to include as complete information as possible on the various occult, spiritual and astrological subjects; and through our research department to progressively acquire still further information to include in these lessons as from time to time they are revised. We expect to keep the information in these Brotherhood of Light lessons up-to-the-minute.
But in addition to people who have only an intellectual interest in things occult, spiritual and astrological, there are many who desire to enter upon a systematic course of occult development and spiritual training, through which to the best advantage they can awaken the latent powers of their souls, live a more spiritual life, and contribute proportionally more to universal welfare.
One who has not familiarized himself with the information contained in the regular Brotherhood of Light lessons lacks the background of knowledge which will enable him to properly grasp the ideas presented in the Not-Sold lessons. Therefore, that those who get these Not-Sold lessons shall not misinterpret and misapply them, we require that those receiving them shall indicate a certain minimum background of necessary knowledge through passing examinations. Members who pass the final examinations on any Brotherhood of Light course of study or on any lucidic or soul degree, prove their comprehension of certain occult, astrological and spiritual matters; and through thus demonstrating their knowledge are entitled to receive an additional Not-Sold lesson.
For some time the extent of the graduate work afforded by these Not-Sold lessons has been limited to 14 of the lessons. But as the result of our researchers over the past few years we now have on hand valuable material for seven more lessons. This material that we are preparing will be available on the dates given below, so that by next spring this graduate course in occult development and spiritual training will embrace 21 Not-Sold lessons.
Elbert then announced the 21 Degree Awards and the new Not-Sold award lessons and their issue dates:
| 1st-Degree: | Lesson 226 – The Safe and Most Effective Method of Psychic Development – ready (and issued) September 1939. |
| 2nd-Degree: | Lesson 227 – How to become Conscious on the Inner-Plane – ready (and issued) October 1939. |
| 3rd-Degree: | Lesson 228 – How to Contact Desired Information on the Inner-Plane - ready (and issued) November 1939. |
| 4th-Degree: | 4th-Degree: Lesson 229 – How to Hold the Consciousness on the Selected Level of the Inner-Plane - ready (and issued) December 1939. |
| 5th-Degree: | Lesson 54 – Breathing to Acquire Adequate Electrification – this lesson was originally titled Power of Breath and first issued in April 1919. It was revised and reissued in September 1940. |
| 6th-Degree: | Lesson 230 – How to become Objectively Aware of Information Acquired from the Inner-Plane – ready (and issued) January 1940. |
| 7th-Degree: | Lesson 231 – How to use the Transition Technique of ESP – ready (and issued) February 1940. |
| 8th-Degree: | Lesson 232 – How to Control Inner-Plane Activities – ready (and issued) March 1940. |
| 9th-Degree: | Lesson 34 – How to Use Crystal and Magic Mirror – originally titled Psychic Unfoldment 1, this lesson was first issued in January 1919. It was revised in 1939 and given the title How to use Crystal and Magic Mirror. Then in September 1941 it was again revised and given a new title – How to Develop Soul Activity. This 1941 revision saw all references to the use of crystals and magic mirrors removed. Here’s why. |
The ‘magic mirror’ information had been around since 1919 when lesson No. 34 was first written and issued, but it was never available as a regular Brotherhood of Light lesson. As the Not-Sold award for Course 1 it was given to students who passed the Course 1 exam and the mirror, along with crystals, was recommended as traditional aids when developing extrasensory perception. Then in 1937 The Brotherhood of Light ESP Research Department got down to the serious business of investigating and testing ESP ability and during 1938-39 the research findings were published in The Church of Light Quarterly. This scientific research resulted in a new and more effective method of acquiring information which Elbert called ‘The Transition Technique’ and in the June 1938 Church of Light Quarterly he wrote:
Many of those who read this will be able to remember a time when to apply suggestion therapeutically it was considered necessary to place the patient in a deep hypnotic trance. But the work of Emile Coué and others demonstrated that the unconscious mind can be reached quite as effectively, not only by another, but by the individual himself, while he is in a near-sleep trance.
The psychologists also thought that to have access to the material within the unconscious mind it was necessary to analyze the dreams. But later they discovered the method of Free-Association, by which the patient sat listlessly and related whatever fleeting thoughts came spontaneously into his mind.
Disintegrative Mediumship, has taught, like the early hypnotists, that to get information from extrasensory sources, it is necessary to be under the control (invisible Pluto dictatorship) of some other intelligence. Yet far from being the most successful way of developing extrasensory perception, recent experiments of The Brotherhood of Light ESP Research Department indicate that ESP and EPP (Extra Physical Power) can be developed more effectively and safely, not only without invisible control, but without the use of Magic Mirrors, Crystals, and any such traditional aids.
At this time Elbert also identified a very serious problem: The inability of people to know when they are using their own psychic senses and their own unconscious mental powers and when they are allowing themselves to be dominated by some other intelligence, which completely suppresses their efforts to use their own powers. He wrote:
We have always encouraged our students to develop their own powers, and to use their own intelligence. ESP – not mediumship – is a mental activity of the unconscious mind by which it acquires information from the inner-plane where it functions. Our objection to mediumship is that it prevents the development of individual powers and the use of individual intelligence and delivers that function over to some other dictator entity, who may use it to his own advantage and to the disadvantage of the individual.
And in a Rising Star article that focused on the dangers encountered when using knowledge, Elbert explained that he had never heard of anyone being injured through studying a book, or through possessing knowledge of any subject, but any danger that might arise is the result of what a person tries to do with the knowledge. He wrote:
People who have a mere smattering of information about astrology often jump to erroneous conclusions, not infrequently exaggerating what is to be expected from some aspect, especially the influence of transits. Such conclusions arise, however, because of lack of study of the lessons, not because they have all been studied.
That is why, in the very first course of the B of L lessons, the dangers of disintegrative mediumship are pointed out and subsequently frequently emphasized. Ignorance is no protection from negative psychic forces. Therefore the individual who knows about them, and how they are contacted, is in less danger than one who has made no study of them.
It is true that in the actual development of the psychic senses, if the individual follows the negative line, there is peril. Even those who develop in the positive manner, but too greatly sensitize their nervous systems, have disagreeable experiences because they feel discords so keenly.
The Church of Light ESP Research Department developed the transition technique of exercising the psychic senses, so that not only the danger, but also the disagreeable experiences arising from a too sensitive nervous system, could be entirely avoided by those desirous of developing ability to exercise precognition, clairvoyance, etc.
So in 1938, based on new Aquarian age research, Elbert concluded that the magic mirror, which had been considered an effective traditional aid for the development of extrasensory perception, was unsafe, dangerous and less effective. And in 1941 he identified another problem the magic mirror posed: Too many students were spending too much time gazing into it to the detriment of their intellectual and spiritual development. By then only 65 Church of Light members had attained the degree of Hermetician. So, with the evidence stacking up Elbert concluded that the magic mirror was not in the neophyte’s best interest and all the information pertaining to it was removed from the 9th-Degree Award manuscript. There are references to the magic mirror in Lesson 119 in Course 11.
| 10th-Degree: | Lesson 35 – How to Develop Feeling ESP. Originally titled Psychic Unfoldment 2, this lesson was first issued in February 1919. It was revised in July 1943 and given a new title – How to Direct Soul Activity. |
| 11th-Degree: | Lesson 94 – How to Travel on the Astral. This lesson was revised in April 1942 and given a new title – How to Travel Consciously on the Astral. |
| 12th-Degree: | Lesson 69 – Soul Mates. This lesson was first issued in October 1919 and never revised. |
| 13th-Degree: | Lesson 93 – How to use Personal Cycles for Soul-Unfoldment. This lesson was first issued in 1922 and never revised. |
| 14th-Degree: | Lesson 84 – How to Use Talismans for Special Purposes. This lesson was first issued in February 1920 and never revised. |
| 15th-Degree: | Lesson 68 – Customs and Habits of Elementals. This lesson was first issued in September 1919 and never revised. |
| 16th-Degree: | Lesson 85 – Value of Totems. This lesson was first issued in April 1920 and never revised. |
| 17th-Degree: | Lesson 163 – Contacting the Masters. It was first issued in April 1931 and never revised. |
| 18th-Degree: | Lesson 55 –The Great Pyramid Interpreted. It was first issued in May 1919 and never revised. |
| 19th-Degree: | Lesson 70 – Symbol Reading Made Easy. It was first issued in November 1919 and never revised. |
| 20th-Degree: | Lesson 38 – Initiation. This lesson was first issued in September 1924 and revised in April 1942. |
| 21st-Degree: | Lesson 37 – The Practice of White Magic. It was first issued in October 1924 and never revised. |
Elbert concluded his 1939 announcement by explaining:
It is our belief these Not-Sold lessons are superior to anything ever before available in reference to occult and spiritual training. We feel confident of this because the knowledge of the ancient initiates is now supplemented by scientific information and the practical experience and observation of our research departments. That these Not-Sold lessons shall have a sequence so that beginning with the first one, which is given as a reward for passing the final examination on one course, they will follow each other in the order most suitable to the needs of the neophyte who aspires to develop his occult powers and devote himself to a spiritual life, their order of succession has been rearranged as above indicated.
The material in these 21 Not-Sold lessons embraces all our knowledge and experience, derived from sources of ancient initiation, from our research departments and from 25 years of observing the progress made by aspirants who used different methods, up to the present moment relative to the most safe and effective methods that can be used in occult and spiritual training. Yet we are hard at work striving to acquire still more knowledge relative to such training, and as fast as we get it, it will be included in further Not-Sold lessons.
The information in these Not-Sold lessons constitutes a graduate course in occult development and spiritual training. It is given to members who, by passing the examinations, show they are ready to receive it. With the passing of each final examination a diploma is awarded and when all 21 courses are passed a special diploma is awarded which indicates that the student has been initiated a Master of the Hermetic Sciences, and is entitled to be called a Hermetician. Such a diploma hung in the office of one who practices astrology, alchemy, healing or some other science set forth in the Brotherhood of Light lessons, bears proof that the individual has the educational background for such practice.
Course 22: Index to The Brotherhood of Light lessons
In 1931 it was announced that an index to The Brotherhood of Light lessons was in preparation. But with the lessons in a constant state of revision it was a futile exercise. In fact, an index could only be compiled when Elbert completed his final revisions in 1949. But, due to the enormity of the task, it was not until August 1964 that Course 22 – Index to the 210 Brotherhood of Light Lessons – was compiled, published and made available. Credit goes to Doris Chase Doane and the other Church of Light members who assisted her in its preparation. The forward comments were written by Elbert Benjamine in August 1951 and the dedication was written by Edward Doane – second President of The Church of Light. He wrote:
In the spring of 1910 Elbert Benjamine gave his irrevocable promise to the Brotherhood of Light on the inner-planes to write the Brotherhood of Light Lessons, which constitute the Religion of the Stars and the Religion of the Aquarian Age. He labored ceaselessly in their preparation and in their rewriting until his passing to a higher plane of endeavor in the Fall of 1951.
In recognition of his valuable contribution to Universal Welfare, we, his co-workers and successors dedicate this index, Volume 22 of The Brotherhood of Light lessons, to CC Zain – Elbert Benjamine.
Part One: Part 1, Elbert Benjamine
Part Three: Articles and Books to Supplement the Lessons
Copyright © 2014 by Dennis Sutton
All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN: 1-876517-17-4
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