The Seven Rays

Seven great energies or streams of force demonstrate the qualities of Deity. The Wisdom Teachings speak of them as the Seven Rays and they are dominant conditioning and qualifying factors in our lives. But not only this; they are, we understand, cosmic elements, reaching us from the unknown spheres of other systems, and no part of the life of our planet is unaffected by them.

In the same way as the seven colours are parts of the spectrum and the seven notes are tones of the octave, so these Rays are differentiations or qualities of the one divine Emanation. In some of the eastern teachings they are called the seven breaths giving life to all forms, and they have been referred to in various ways in different philosophies. It is these great "Energies" that St John called symbolically "the Seven Spirits before the throne of God."

The Seven Rays, each carrying particular qualities and tendencies, are responsible for the different psychological types. Several Rays will probably influence us, but one usually predominates and gives the main colouring to our character. There is a connection here with astrology ... the astrological influences carry these same streams of energy and our alignment with particular Signs puts us more directly in touch with these qualities.

The following summary only gives a very brief idea of each Ray, but serves to indicate their different types of influence.

Clicking on the header name for each Ray will bring up a chart
of information about that Ray, compiled from the Alice Bailey books.

First Ray: Will or Power

Purpose, positivity and leadership are the outstanding qualities of this Ray. It carries great strength and driving force, in fact it is sometimes called the Destroyer. It is the Ray of the ruler and is particularly related to the field of Government. Those who initiate undertakings and are found in positions of power are especially aligned with this type of energy.

Second Ray: Love-Wisdom

This Ray embodies the building and relating qualities and is the blending and inclusive energy that leads to true understanding. Its strength is through persistence and it radiates the spirit of relationship and the attractive quality of Love. On this Ray are found the lovers of Truth and those who seek the path of Wisdom; the Teachers, Healers and Philosophers are the exponents of its magnetic energy.

Third Ray: Active Intelligence

This energy carries an underlying impulse towards both mental and physical activity. A clear intellect and an ability to plan are its characteristics and a capacity for abstract thinking and intelligent organising are this Ray's especial gifts. Its influence works particularly through economics and industry.

Fourth Ray: Harmony through Conflict

This is the Ray of beauty, art, and creative expression in all forms. It is the energy which, through conflict, brings order out of confusion, harmony out of discord, unity out of diversity. It finds its expression particularly in the cultural field, but it also has great influence upon humanity as a whole, and brings about the achievement through struggle by which we evolve.

Fifth Ray: Concrete Knowledge and Science

This Ray is pre-eminently that of mind, critical ability and research. It is the Ray of the keen and enquiring intellect that demands great accuracy and gives much attention to detail. Within this stream are found those working in all the different branches of science.

Sixth Ray: Devotion and Idealism

Dedication and fanatical altruism are the main impulses of this Ray. It carries a militant one-pointedness and intensity, and further characteristics are devotion and a spirit of service. It is the Ray of the crusader and the idealist and is the great force within Religion.

Seventh Ray: Ceremonial Order and Ritual

This is the Ray which links spirit and matter and it works through law, organisation ane ritual. Those under its impulse delight in order and perfection of form. Since it is concerned with the concretising of energy, finance comes within its province, as well as all ceremonial activity.

This gives the general picture of the Rays, but they are many-sided and too complex to be fully portrayed in a short summary. It must be added, however, that their energies can work out as detrimental tendencies as well as valuable qualities. For example, First Ray energy may activate the strong, courageous leader, but may equally well stimulate adversely the ambitious, arrogant dictator. Upon our response to these great forces and our handling of them depends how they manifest.

There are many interesting relationships and correspondences which can be followed up in connection with the Seven Rays. Their influence is felt in all kingdoms of nature and recognition of their conditioning energies gives us new insight into our fellow humans as well as ourselves. Study of them will be at the roots of New Age psychology, for understanding of the Rays that influence us individually will reveal both the bases of our problems and our lines of potentiality, and will help us to meet the ancient Greek, yet ever current, demand—"Know thyself."

- M. J. Eascott and N. Magor

Excerpted from
The Plan and The Path,
Eastcott and Magor, 1964
Sundial House, Kent, England

Magnetic Fields Forever
Cosmic Synthetic Reflections
Keys of the Zodiac
Our Zodiacal Deities
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The Night Sky
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Mysteries of the Universe
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A World Religion
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