Arvindus

Ageless Wisdom

The Seven Rays (Summarized)

  • Title: Ageless Wisdom, The Seven Rays (Summarized).
  • Author: Arvindus.
  • Publisher: Arvindus.
  • Copyright: Arvindus, 2023, all rights reserved.
  • Index: 202308011.
  • Edition: html, second edition.

Content

The Seven Rays in General

In the ageless wisdom of especially the Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul through Alice Bailey the concept of the seven rays plays an important role. Five books of the 'twenty-four books of esoteric philosophy' regard volumes with the subtitle A Treatise on the Seven Rays, but also in the other books the seven rays are thematized a lot. As concepts they are basically used to categorize, and through it understand, phenomena of all possible kinds.

Now to categorize means to generalize, and generalities are abstracts. And the seven rays can be understood as such. They are basically abstracts, or archetypes, that qualify and characterize concretes. All phenomena within our solar system, and beyond, from atoms to men to planets and from personalities to souls to monads, are qualified by the seven rays.1 When the seven rays that are active within our solar system are mentioned it must be kept in mind that these are only seven sub-rays of one of the seven greater rays qualifying our solar system.2 Here we follow Bailey in naming our solar systemic sub-rays 'rays'.

Now these (sub-)rays of our solar system emanate from the seven stars, or 'rishis', as they are called, of the Great Bear and are brought into our solar system through the mediation of the twelve constellations and the seven planetary logoi3 of the seven sacred planets.4 Thus these seven planetary logoi are sometimes also called 'lords of the rays', and they are also known as 'the seven spirits before the throne of God'.5

More specifically these seven rays are mentioned under assigned numbers and descriptive names. Ray 1 is the ray of power, will or purpose, ray 2 of love-wisdom, ray 3 of active creative intelligence, ray 4 of harmony through conflict, ray 5 of concrete science or knowledge, ray 6 of idealism or devotion and ray 7 of order or ceremonial magic.6

Of these seven rays the first three regard so called 'rays of aspect' and the latter four 'rays of attribute'.7 These three rays of aspect may also be called 'major rays' and the four rays of attribute 'minor rays', for the latter in the end find their synthesis in the third ray.8, 9, 10

Herewith the basic framework for interpretation of all possible phenomena has actually already been erected. Such an interpretation is however not always equally simple. Sometimes more rays govern a phenomenon and sometimes the governing rays are dependent upon cycles.

Here it is not possible to go into detail about all the complexities of ray relations that are treated in Bailey's oeuvre. However despite particular complexities it is often possible to give some general relations. And we see this done in the tabulation below.

  Constellations11 Planets, sacred and non-sacred12 Planes13, 14 Kingdoms15 Root races16, 17 Centres18, 19 Qualities20
1: Power, will or purpose Aries, Leo, Capricorn Vulcan, Pluto Divine Solar lives 7th Head (sahasrara) The divine will
2: Love-wisdom Gemini, Virgo, Pisces Jupiter, Sun (veiling a hidden planet) Monadic Planetary lives 6th Heart (anahata) Love-wisdom, group love
3: Active creative intelligence Cancer, Libra, Capricorn Saturn, Earth Atmic Souls 5th (Aryan) Sacral (svadhisthana) Reproduction
4: Harmony through conflict Taurus, Scorpio, Sagittarius Mercury, Moon (veiling a hidden planet) Buddhic Men 4th (Atlantean) Base (muladhara) Harmony, union through conflict
5: Concrete science or knowledge Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius Venus Mental Animals 3rd (Lemurian) Throat (vishuddha) Creativity
6: Idealism or devotion Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces Neptune, Mars Astral Plants 2nd (Hyperborean) Solar plexus (manipura) Emotion, desire
7: Order or ceremonial magic Aries, Cancer, Capricorn Uranus Physical Minerals 1st Ajna (ajna) Organisation, direction

Figure 1.

The Seven Rays in Man

In the previous paragraph some general information about the seven rays was given. In this paragraph, to make the presence of the seven rays a bit more 'tangible', more specific information shall be given about how they work or are present in individual man.

Man basically consists of a monad, a soul and a personality, whereby that personality consists of a mental body, an emotion body and a physical body (whereby the latter in its turn consists of a subtle and a gross physical body).21 All of the aforementioned elements constituting man are qualified by specific rays (and sub-rays).22, 23 Besides that, man is also part of the fifth root race, which is governed by the third ray, the kingdom of humanity, which is governed by the fourth ray, the planet Earth, which is governed by the third ray, and the solar system, which is governed by the second ray (the cosmic ray of which our seven rays are sub-rays),24, 25 and these too qualify man. In this paragraph we shall however focus on man's individual qualifying rays.

Individually man is qualified by the rays of his monad, soul, personality, mental body, emotion body and physical body. The rays of his monad and soul stay the same in his different incarnations, however the other rays may vary per lifetime.26 Which rays are dominant in an incarnation will depend upon man's point in evolution or polarization and the main body through which the soul chooses to work during that regarded incarnation.27 In average humans the personality ray and the ray of one or more bodies will be dominant, however in those that have developed into the stage of the aspirant or disciple the soul ray will become increasingly dominant.28, 29 With initiates the monadic ray comes into play.30 This monadic ray is always a ray of aspect (for the third ray absorbs the four rays of attribute, as was indicated in the previous paragraph).31

So all of the above mentioned rays can be in play in a man. And with one ray working upon, influencing and qualifying another there are lines of lesser and of greater resistance. The uneven (extravert) rays (1, 3, 5 and 7) align more easily among each other than with the even (introvert) rays (2, 4 and 6) and vice versa.32 Summarized: man is a composite of elements and factors.33 However to recognize these elements and their interplay one needs to know their basic qualities. And one or the other will probably stand out. In the tabulation below an overview shall be given of the qualities of the rays as they may express themselves through man's (psychological) make-up.

  Virtues34 Vices35 Aims36 Healing37 The path38 Discipleship39
1: Power, will or purpose Strength, courage, steadfastness, truthfulness arising from absolute fearlessness, power of ruling, capacity to grasp great questions in a large-minded way, and of handling men and measures Pride, ambition, wilfulness, hardness, arrogance, desire to control others, obstinacy, anger Tenderness, humility, sympathy, tolerance, patience By will drawing and pouring from the universal life health and strength Sheer force of will Force, energy, action, the occultist
2: Love-wisdom Calm, strength, patience and endurance, love of truth, faithfulness, intuition, clear intelligence, and serene temper Over-absorption in study, coldness, indifference to others, contempt of mental limitations in others Love, compassion, unselfishness, energy Inquiry into the patient and the disease, using then will power Close and earnest study of the teachings Consciousness, expansion, initiation, the true psychic.
3: Active creative intelligence Wide views on all abstract questions, sincerity of purpose, clear intellect, capacity for concentration on philosophic studies, patience, caution, absence of the tendency to worry himself or others over trifles Intellectual pride, coldness, isolation, inaccuracy in details, absent-mindedness, obstinacy, selfishness, overmuch criticism of others Sympathy, tolerance, devotion, accuracy, energy and common-sense Usage of herbal or mineral drugs Deep thinking on philosophic or metaphysical lines Adaptation, development, evolution, the magician.
4: Harmony through conflict Strong affections, sympathy, physical courage, generosity, devotion, quickness of intellect and perception Self-centredness, worrying, inaccuracy, lack of moral courage, strong passions, indolence, extravagance Serenity, confidence, self-control, purity, unselfishness, accuracy, mental and moral balance Massage and magnetism Self-control Vibration, response, expression, the artist.
5: Concrete science or knowledge Strictly accurate statements, justice (without mercy), perseverance, common-sense, uprightness, independence, keen intellect Harsh criticism, narrowness, arrogance, unforgiving temper, lack of sympathy and reverence, prejudice Reverence, devotion, sympathy, love, wide-mindedness Surgery and electricity Scientific research Mentation, knowledge, science, the scientist.
6: Idealism or devotion Devotion, single-mindedness, love, tenderness, intuition, loyalty, reverence Selfish and jealous love, over-leaning on others, partiality, self-deception, sectarianism, superstition, prejudice, over-rapid conclusions, fiery anger Strength, self-sacrifice, purity, truth, tolerance, serenity, balance and common sense Faith and prayer Prayer and meditation, aiming at union with God Devotion, abstraction, idealism, the devotee.
7: Order or ceremonial magic Strength, perseverance, courage, courtesy, extreme care in details, self-reliance. Formalism, bigotry, pride, narrowness, superficial judgments, self-opinion over-indulged. Realisation of unity, wide-mindedness, tolerance, humility, gentleness and love. Extreme exactness in orthodox treatment Observance of rules of practice and ritual and evocation of elemental forces Incantation, magic, ritual, the ritualist.

Figure 2.

This will suffice for now. In the first paragraph some generalities anent the seven rays were brought to the fore and in the second paragraph they were pointed out in their activity in man. This may be useful in building some general understanding and also as possible reference for future publications.

Notes
  1. Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume I, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001, p. 163. "These seven rays may be described as the seven channels through which all being in His solar system flows, the seven predominant characteristics or modifications of life, for it is not to humanity only that these rays apply, but to the seven kingdoms as well. In fact there is nothing in the whole solar system, at whatever stage of evolution it may stand, which does not belong and has not always belonged to one or other of the seven rays."
  2. Ibidem. "We are told that seven great rays exist in the cosmos. In our solar system only one of these seven great rays is in operation. The seven sub-divisions constitute the "seven rays" which, wielded by our solar Logos, form the basis of endless variations in His system of worlds."
  3. 'Ageless Wisdom, Logoi', Index: 202304272.
  4. Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume III, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001, p. 422. "NOTE: The seven stars of the Great Bear are the originating sources of the seven rays of our solar system. The seven Rishis (as They are called) of the Great Bear express Themselves through the medium of the seven planetary Logoi Who are Their Representatives and to Whom They stand in the relation of cosmic Prototype. The seven planetary Gods manifest through the medium of the seven sacred planets. Each of these seven rays is transmitted into our solar system through the medium of three constellations and their ruling planets."
  5. Alice A. Bailey, The Light of the Soul, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001, p. 267-268. "The stage of development of the seven Lords of the Rays is not equal. The unfoldment of the life of the various planetary Logoi, or of the seven Spirits before the Throne of God, is not uniform and the atoms in Their bodies, or the monads who constitute Their vehicles are therefore not uniform in unfoldment.
    This is a vast subject and cannot be more than touched upon here. Students will find it of interest to search for information given in the different presentations of the one truth anent the great Lives in whom we "live, and move and have our being." They can be studied under the following names:
    1. The seven Rays,
    2. The seven Spirits before the Throne,
    3. The seven planetary Logoi,
    4. The seven great Lords,
    5. The seven Aeons,
    6. The seven Emanations,
    7. The seven Prajapatis,
    and other less known terms, and much light will be forthcoming."
  6. Alice A. Bailey, The Rays and the Initiations, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume V, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001, p. 558.
    "Rays of Aspect:
    1. The Ray of Power, Will or Purpose
    2. The Ray of Love-Wisdom
    3. The Ray of Active Creative Intelligence
    Rays of Attribute:
    4. The Ray of Harmony through Conflict
    5. The Ray of Concrete Science or Knowledge
    6. The Ray of Idealism or Devotion
    7. The Ray of Order or Ceremonial Magic"
  7. Ibidem.
  8. Alice A. Bailey, A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001, p. 830. "c. The third major Ray of the solar system blends the minor four."
  9. Esoteric Astrology, p. 37. "7. These are, therefore, related to the four rays which work as minor rays of Attribute under the great major third Ray of Active Intelligence."
  10. Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, p. 421. "The four rays of attribute, which find their synthesis in the third ray of aspect, produce the varying qualities in greater detail than do the rays of aspect."
  11. Esoteric Astrology, p. 489. "The Rays pour through, are expressed by and are transmitted through the following constellations:
    Ray I Aries Leo Capricorn
    "Ray II Gemini Virgo Pisces
    "Ray III Cancer Libra Capricorn
    "Ray IV Taurus Scorpio Sagittarius
    "Ray V Leo Sagittarius Aquarius
    "Ray VI Virgo Sagittarius Pisces
    "Ray VII Aries Cancer Capricorn"
  12. Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, p. 335. "THE PLANETS AND RAYS
    Sacred Ray Non-sacred Ray
    1. Vulcan 1st ray. 1. Mars 6th ray.
    2. Mercury 4th ray. 2. Earth 3rd ray.
    3. Venus 5th ray. 3. Pluto 1st ray.
    4. Jupiter 2nd ray. 4. Moon 4th ray.
    5. Saturn 3rd ray. veiling a hidden planet.
    6. Neptune 6th ray. 5. Sun 2nd ray.
    7. Uranus 7th ray. veiling a hidden planet."
  13. 'Ageless Wisdom, Man on the Planes', Index: 201212031.
  14. Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, p. 51. "The planes or manifested spheres of expression are influenced in manifestation in a numerical order:
    Ray I Will or Power Plane of divinity
    "Ray II Love-Wisdom Plane of the monad
    "Ray III Active Intelligence Plane of spirit, atma
    "Ray IV Harmony Plane of the intuition
    "Ray V Concrete Knowledge Mental Plane
    "Ray VI Devotion, Idealism Astral Plane
    "Ray VII Ceremonial Order Physical Plane"
  15. Ibidem, p. 215. "The kingdoms which we shall consider in connection with the rays may be enumerated under the following terms:
    1. The Mineral Kingdom VII
    2. The Vegetable Kingdom VI
    3. The Animal Kingdom V
    4. The Kingdom of Men IV
    5. The Kingdom of Souls III
    6. The Kingdom of Planetary Lives II
    7. The Kingdom of Solar Lives" I"
  16. 'Ageless Wisdom, The Root Races', Index: 202008161.
  17. Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, p. 316.
    "Ray Full expression Major influence
    Ray I. Will. In the 7th rootrace. 1st and 7th subraces.
    1st ray souls. Perfection of Plan.  
    Ray II. Love-Wisdom. In the 6th rootrace. 2nd and 6th subraces.
    2nd ray souls. Perfected Intuition.  
    Ray III. Intelligence. In the 5th rootrace. 3rd and 5th subraces.
    3rd ray souls. Aryan race. Perfected Intellect.  
    Ray IV. Harmony. In the 4th rootrace. 4th and 6th subraces.
    4th ray souls. Atlantean race. Perfected astralism. Perfected emotion.  
    Ray V. knowledge. In the 3rd rootrace. 5th and 3rd subraces.
    5th ray souls. Lemurian. Perfected physical.  
    Ray VI. Devotion. In the 2nd rootrace. 6th and 2nd subraces.
    6th ray souls.    
    Ray VII. Ceremonial Magic. In the 1st rootrace. 7th and 1st subraces.
    7th ray souls."    
  18. 'Ageless Wisdom, The (Human) Centres', Index: 201909091.
  19. Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Healing, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume IV, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001, p. 49-50. "Let me first of all make clear which centres express these seven ray types:
    Centre Ray Quality Origin
    1. Head Centre 1st Divine Will. Monadic
    2. Ajna Centre 7th Organisation. Direction. Atmic
    3. Heart Centre 2nd Love-Wisdom. Group love. Buddhic
    4. Throat Centre 5th Creativity. Mental
    5. Solar Plexus 6th Emotion. Desire. Astral
    6. Sacral Centre 3rd Reproduction. Etheric
    7. Base of Spine 4th Harmony. Union through conflict. Physical"
  20. Ibidem
  21. 'Ageless Wisdom, Triplicities in Man', Index: 201308292.
  22. Esoteric Healing, p. 590. "You have therefore:
    1. The monadic ray.
    2. The soul ray.
    3. Ray of the mind.
    4. Ray of the emotions.
    5. Ray of the physical body.
    6. Ray of the personality.
    7. The planetary ray."
  23. Benjamin Creme, Maitreya's Mission, Volume Two, Share International, Foundation, London, p. 669. "Most people have a mixture of rays, and subrays which qualify the major rays."
  24. Figure 1.
  25. Esoteric Healing, p. 695. "2. These seven ray energies are the seven forces which unitedly compose the primary Ray of Love-Wisdom. This is the second ray of our solar system and the dominating ray in every planetary expression within the solar system. The seven rays are, all of them, subsidiary rays of this great cosmic ray."
  26. Maitreya's Mission, Volume Two, p. 327. "The soul ray is always the same for a world cycle, but the personality ray and the mental, astral and physical-body rays may change over and over again during that time."
  27. Benjamin Creme, Maitreya's Mission, Volume I, Share International Foundation, London, 2010, p. 242. "The focus of consciousness thus shifts upwards as evolution proceeds. […]. By 'soul focus' in connection with the ray-structure is meant the body or vehicle – personality, mental, astral or physical – through which the soul is focusing its major stimulus in any particular life. This focus can and does change from life to life as the soul – for its own purposes – gives special stimulus to a particular ray governing a particular vehicle. The shift in polarization, on the other hand, takes place slowly, over many or several lives."
  28. 'Ageless Wisdom, Classifications of Humanity, Index: 201404081.
  29. Esoteric Healing, p. 513. "3. When the personality becomes dominant, the soul introduces a new factor into the life of its reflection, the incarnating soul. It mobilises and focusses the energy of the soul ray, and by an act of the will brings it into direct contact with the ray of the personality."
  30. Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, p. xxiv. "As I have oft told you, it is only the initiate of the third initiation who can come in touch with his monadic ray, or his highest life aspect, and the humble aspirant cannot as yet ascertain whether he is a monad of Power, of Love or of Intelligent Activity."
  31. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 310. "Every spiritual man is upon one or another of the three major rays, for the minor four rays of attribute are all eventually absorbed into the third Ray of Active Intelligence."
  32. Maitreya's Mission, Volume I, p. 239. "The line 1-3-5-7 deals with the form, the concrete world, with the function of matter, so that those on that line tend to be extroverted to the outer, formal aspect of life. The 2-4-6 rays are connected with the inner, spiritual life, with expression through the medium of form, with quality, and those on this line are therefore more drawn to the inner soul quality through introversion."
  33. Esoteric Astrology, p. 57. "To sum up: Man will, therefore, have to be studied as a threefold entity, a composite individual, […]."
  34. Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, p. 210-212.
  35. Ibidem.
  36. Ibidem.
  37. Ibidem.
  38. Ibidem.
  39. Alice A. Bailey, The Destiny of the Nations, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001, p. 145.
    "Ray I — Force — Energy — Action — The Occultist.
    Ray II — Consciousness — Expansion — Initiation — The true Psychic.
    Ray III — Adaptation — Development — Evolution — The Magician.
    Ray IV — Vibration — Response — Expression — The Artist.
    Ray V — Mentation — Knowledge — Science — The Scientist.
    Ray VI — Devotion — Abstraction — Idealism — The Devotee.
    Ray VII — Incantation — Magic — Ritual — The Ritualist."
Bibliography
  • 'Ageless Wisdom, Classifications of Humanity, Index: 201404081.
  • 'Ageless Wisdom, Logoi', Index: 202304272.
  • 'Ageless Wisdom, Man on the Planes', Index: 201212031.
  • 'Ageless Wisdom, The (Human) Centres', Index: 201909091.
  • 'Ageless Wisdom, Triplicities in Man', Index: 201308292.
  • Alice A. Bailey, A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Alice A. Bailey, Discipleship in the New Age, Volume I, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume III, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Psychology, Volume I, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume I, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Healing, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume IV, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Alice A. Bailey, The Destiny of the Nations, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Alice A. Bailey, The Light of the Soul, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Alice A. Bailey, The Rays and the Initiations, A Treatise on the Seven Rays, Volume V, in: Twenty-Four Books of Esoteric Philosophy, (CD-ROM, Release 3), Lucis Trust, London / New York, 2001.
  • Benjamin Creme, Maitreya's Mission, Volume I, Share International Foundation, London, 2010.
  • Benjamin Creme, Maitreya's Mission, Volume Two, Share International, Foundation, London.