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Preface
5 Planes of Existence
Introduction
Five Planes of Manifestation
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SERPENT
A symbol of the inner forces of the
relative existence, which appear and again disappear, by which the
growth of the soul is accomplished. These forces are dual, and of
the higher and lower natures. They act reciprocally although in
opposition. The higher serpent is atma-buddhic, the lower serpent
kama-manasic. The first is of the Wisdom-nature and the second of
the Desire-nature, and each is active through the mind.
"Heaven was not, earth was not, the good and evil serpents did not
exist " (Rhind Papyrus). - SAYCE, Gifford Lectures, p. 239.
This signifies the state of being prior to manifestation, when
Spirit (heaven) and Matter (earth) were latent in the Divine Monad.
There was no relativity, and the higher and lower forces of the
World-soul were not present.
“Homage be to the serpents, which ever are on earth, and they that
are in the air, and they that are in the sky, to those serpents be
homage! Whatever serpents there are in these three worlds, to them
the Sacrificer thereby does homage." - Sata. Bráh. VII. 4, 1, 28.
“Here the "serpents are designated as of three orders, kamic
(earth), manasic (air) and buddhic (sky). As these forces on the
three planes (worlds) exist for the express purpose of
soul-development, the ego (sacrificer) acclaims the wisdom and love
of the Supreme.
"In ancient mythology the serpent is sometimes used as an emblem of
the intelligence of God, and at other times of the subtlety of the
evil one (Serpent-worship). - GARDNER, Faiths of the World. 23
"The serpent has had a good meaning given to it, and a very bad one.
It has been an emblem of wisdom, and par excellence, the symbol of
sin. With a pair of wings it became the Seraph. Curled up in a
circle it has stood for time without end." - BARLOW, Essays on
Symbolism, P. 37.
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See Also
AIDONEUS (Hades)
BOAT (serpent)
CADUCEUS
DRAGON
NAASENE
OPHIONEUS
SCORPION
SEKER
VITAL AIrs
Vritra
WISDOM
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