QUALIFICATIONS
There are in existence certain magical works, such as those of
Trithemius and Barrett, wherein the use of the Crystal is
accompanied by certain rites and invocations. This ceremonial
magic we are disposed to repudiate as highly dangerous. It brings
into play a number of forces which may well prove disastrous in
inexperienced hands. All action and reaction are equal and
opposite. A child might easily fire a cannon, but could not
possibly withstand its recoil. So in the education of the spiritual
faculties, it is better to encourage their natural development by
legitimate exercise than to invoke the action of stimulants which
we may not afterwards be able to control. The continual fretting of
the water will wear away a rock, though none doubts the water is
softer than the rock. If the barrier between this and the soul-world
be like granite, yet the patient and persistent action of a
determined mind will sooner or later wear it away, the last layer
will break down, and the light will stream through, dazzling the
unaccustomed eyes with its effulgence.
It is our desire to indicate by what means and by what persons the
natural development of the clairvoyant faculty may be achieved.
First, in regard to the subject, medium or seer. There are two
distinct temperament in which the faculty is likely to be dominant,
and capable of high and rapid culture. There is the nervous
temperament associated, with a high muscular development,
classified as the "mental-motive" temperament. It is characterized
by extreme activity of body and mind, a certain nervous
excitability, prominent features, full osseous development,
prominent brows, intent gaze, and generally a swarthy complexion.
This type represents the _positive_ seers, in whom the mind
goes out towards the images of the soul. The other, in whom
the _passive_ temperament is present, and to whom the soul-images
come by passive reflection, as things mirrored in a moveless
lake, are known by the following characteristics: Full and
lymphatic habit, pale or delicate complexion, generally blue
eyes, straight fine hair; small, plump, and cold hands; a high,
piping or feeble voice, and languid disposition.
These two types--of which there are many varieties--achieve their
psychic development by quite opposite means. The positive seer
works with effort, throwing out the soul-images by the power of
his will, perceiving them with more or less accuracy, and
thereafter turning them over in the mind, reasoning and
questioning concerning their import and meaning. The passive
seer, on the contrary, works not at all and makes no effort, the
visions coming slowly, almost imperceptibly, and in most cases
having a literal interpretation. The visions in this case are not
allegorical, emblematic, or symbolic, as in the case of the positive
seer, but are actual visions of facts just as they have happened, or
will transpire in the future. Of the two orders, the passive is the
more serviceable because the more perspicuous, but it has the
disadvantage of being largely under the control of external
influences, and hence is frequently incapable of "seeing" anything
whatever.
The positive type of seer exercises an introspective vision,
searching inwardly towards the soul-world whence the revelations
proceed. Of what nature these revelations are will appear in the
following pages. The passive type of seer, on the contrary, remains
_in statu quo_, open to impressions coming inwards towards the
perceptive faculty, but making no effort towards either outward
or inward searching. The success of each depends upon the
observance of that method which is agreeable to their respective
temperaments.
In regard to the qualifications which should supplement and
sustain the natural aptitude of the seer or seeress, the following
remarks may be of general service.
Self-possession and confidence in one's own soul-faculties must
be the firm rock upon which all revelations should rest. The purer
the intention and motive of the seer, the more lucid will be the
visions accorded. No reliable vision can be obtained by one whose
nature is not inherently truthful. Any selfish desire dominanting
the mind in regard to any thing or person will distort the visions
and render them misleading, while a persistent self-seeking spirit
will effectually shut the doors upon all visions whatsoever.
Therefore, above all things it is essential for the investigator to
have an unflinching love of truth, to be resigned to the will of
Heaven, to accept the revelations accorded in a spirit of grateful
confidence, and finally to dispel all doubt and controversy
by appeal to the eyes of one's own immortal soul. These are
qualifications with which the seer or seeress should be invested,
and if with these the quest is unsuccessful after a period of earnest
trial, it must be taken as sufficient warrant that the faculty is not
in the category of one's individual powers. Haply, the same
qualifications brought to bear upon some other psychic faculty
will result in a rich recompense.