Tattva vision is a basic exercise of "scrying in the spirit
vision" used in the Golden Dawn system. The use of tattva vision
should not be limited to students of the Golden Dawn and allied
systems because it, as well as other methods of developing the
range of consciousness, is useful to treaders of all paths. Prior
to beginning the tattva vision exercise you should use some means
of cleansing the area in which you will work. This may be any
method of cleansing or banishing, preferably one from your own
discipline, and one with which you are comfortable. In the
Golden Dawn we use the lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram.
The tattvas represent the elements as principles upon which we
may perceive the structure of the universe. They should not be
seen as absolutes, but rather as constructs we use to approach an
understanding of the nature of reality. The tattvas, in spite of
their hindu origin, have become imbedded in our culture, and
relate to existing elements (no pun!) of the western esoteric
tradition. They relate to the alchemical elements, to shapes and
to colors as follows:
tattva element shape color
---------------------------------------------
akasa ether oval black
(indigo)
vayu air circle blue
tejas fire triangle red
apas water crescent silver
(concave up)
prithivi earth square yellow
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now, to begin experimenting with tattva vision, you will need a
set of five pieces of white cardboard about four inchees square.
This should be white on both sides. On each of the cardboard
squares draw one of the figures as accurately as you can and
color it appropriately. The colors should be as strong and as
brilliant as possible. Poster paints are suitable although not
ideal. Some students use brilliantly colored paper cut to shape
and pasted to the figure. At any rate, you can heighten the
effect of the colors by covering the figures with clear acetate
or other suitable material. To begin the exercise itself, seat
yourself comfortably, relax, and center yourself. You will need
a strong light nearby that you can turn off easily. With the
light on stare at the figure for about half a minute, until you
see a sort of halo around the figure. This is a normal, physical
phenomenon. At this point, turn the card over and stare at the
blank side. You will see an image of the figure on the card in
the complementary color of the original figure. This is, again,
a natural phenomenon. As soon as you see this figure close your
eyes and turn off the light. Now, picture this complementary
figure before you and mentally enlarge it. You may find it
easier to imagine yourself shrinking. Whatever, you will
now have to imagine the figure before you as a doorway to the
astral plane, and will yourself to pass through the doorway. You
may wish to try the Zelator sign as taught in the Golden Dawn
-- stand straight and extend the right arm in something like a
Nazi salute. This is a "projecting" gesture and may help you move
through the doorway. It is important not to simply say to
yourself, "now i am going through the doorway," or to imagine a
figure of yourself at a distance going through, but to imagine
yourself, your here-and-now self passing through the portal.
Once you have succeeded in making the passage (it will probably
take several attempts), it is important to imagine very strongly
the doorway behind you and to fix in your mind its location in
relation to the features of the astral landscape around you.
This is your way back! make your first experiments short ones.
You may extend them as you gain experience. You may enhance the
experience by meditating on the element before you try the
experiment, and by surrounding yourself with materials related to
that element. Use appropriate incense, etc. This little exercise
may be extended to tarot cards, hexagrams, etc. It would be wise
to gain complete control of the present exercise before
attempting the others.
Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):
Andrew Lang - Myth Ritual And ReligionJaroslav Nemec - Witchcraft And Medicine
Aleister Crowley - International
Michael Majerus - Atalanta Fugiens
Aleister Crowley - Ritual Viii
