The seven rays is a concept that Theosophists claim has appeared in several religions and esoteric philosophies in both Western culture and in India.
In various contemporary perennialist traditions it is claimed that the rays can be seen throughout occidental culture, such as in early Western mystery traditions, such as Gnosticism and Mithraism, and in texts and iconic art of the Catholic Church as early as the Byzantine Empire.
The seven rays concept was a novel perennialist reading of world religions and spirituality introduced in the teachings of Theosophy, first presented by Helena Blavatsky. The Theosophical concept of the seven rays was further developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the writings of Theosophist Charles Webster Leadbeater, and by other authors such as Alice Bailey, Manly P. Hall, and others.
As the New Age movement of the mid-to-late 20th century developed, the seven rays concept appeared as an element of metaphysical healing methods, such as Reiki and other modalities, and in esoteric astrology.
In Theosophy
Syncretism is one of the core principles of Theosophy, a religious philosophy originating with Helena Petrovna Blavatsky from the 1870s, and the seven rays appear repeatedly in the related writings. Theosophy holds that all religions are attempts by the "Spiritual Hierarchy" to help humanity in evolving to greater perfection, and that each religion therefore has a portion of the truth.
Blavatsky wrote in the first book of The Secret Doctrine of an "analogy between the Aryan or Brahmanical and the Egyptian esotericism" and that the "seven rays of the Chaldean Heptakis or Iao, on the Gnostic stones" represent the seven large stars of the Egyptian "Great Bear" constellation, the seven elemental powers, and the Hindu "seven Rishis." She stated that the seven rays of the Vedic sun deity Vishnu represent the same concept as the "astral fluid or 'Light' of the Kabalists," and that the seven emanations of the lower seven sephiroth are the "primeval seven rays," and "will be found and recognized in every religion."
In the second volume of the Secret Doctrine, Blavatsky discusses the "seven nervous plexuses of the body" and the seven rays they radiate, stating that this principle is found in the Rig Veda, in the mythology of Ahura Mazda, in the beliefs of the Incas, the Chinese Yao, and the Egyptian Osiris, who "when he enters the ark, or solar boat, takes seven Rays with him." She describes the "seven wise ones" of the Veda as "the seven Rays which fall free from the macrocosmic centre".
Blavatsky summarizes the syncretistic principle of her doctrine as it relates to the seven rays:
"...a key which reveals to us on indisputable grounds of comparative analogy... the Indian phœnix, the emblem of cyclic and periodical time, the "man-lion" Singha, of whose representations the so-called "gnostic gems" are so full. Over the seven rays of the lion's crown, and corresponding to their points, stand, in many cases, the seven vowels of the Greek alphabet AEHIOYW, testifying to the Seven Heavens. This is the Solar lion and the emblem of the Solar cycle, as Garuda is that of the great cycle, the "Maha-Kalpa" co-eternal with Vishnu, and also, of course, the emblem of the Sun, and Solar cycle. ... As well remarked by C. W. King: — "Whatever the primary meaning (of the gem with the solar lion and vowels) it was probably imported in its present shape from India, that true fountain head of gnostic iconography." (Gnostics, p. 218)
In the third volume of the Secret Doctrine, published posthumously, Blavatsky described the "Seven Primeval Rays" as a group of celestial beings also known as "Gods" or "Angels" or "Powers". She stated that this symbolism was "adopted later on by the Christian Religion as the 'Seven Angels of the Presence.'"
In Theosophy, the seven rays are said to be seven major types of Light-Substance (spirit/matter) (waves/particles) that compose the created universes. These are also believed to convey "Divine Qualities".Carson, Reed. Blavatsky' Foreknowledge of The Wave/Particle Duality of Light 1997. "It would also be incorrect to claim light is fully explained as a particle. Rather it has a dual nature possessing the properties of both wave and particle. In general, electromagnetic radiation acts more like waves in the radio wave end of the spectrum, more like particles in the x-ray end of the spectrum, and usually (but not always) like a wave in the "middle" light area of the spectrum in our everyday experience. Her ambiguity, then, reflects a fact in nature, the wave/particle duality of nature."
C.W. Leadbeater
C.W. Leadbeater gave a list showing the characteristic type of magic for each ray. This list indicates what he regarded as the most compatible type of magic to be performed by persons on each ray (although anyone of any ray can do any of these various types of magic).Leadbetter, C.W. The Masters and the Path Adyar, Madras, India: 1925--The Theosophical Publishing House. Chart on P. 229 lists Characteristic Magic of each Ray.
First ray: Magic of Will of magician Second ray: Magic of Raja Yoga (Development of Mind) Third ray: Magic of Astrology (Natural Magnetic Forces) Fourth ray: Magic of Hatha Yoga (physical development) Fifth ray: Magic of Alchemy (Manipulation of Material Substances) Sixth ray: Magic of Bhakti Yoga (Selfless Service and Altruistic Love; agape) Seventh ray: Ceremonial magic (Invocation of Elementals, and Devas)
New Age teachings
According to Alice A. Bailey, each person has a soul ray that remains the same through all their incarnations, and a personality ray that is different for each incarnation. Each ray is also correspondent with certain Masters of Wisdom, and with particular planets, cycles, nations, etc. The seven rays are the basis for what Alice A. Bailey called New Age Psychology—she divides everyone in the human race into these seven psychological types.Bailey, Alice A. The Seven Rays of Life New York: 1995—Lucis Publishing Co. Compilation from all the Alice A. Bailey books of material about the seven rays.
Bailey stated that the seven rays that reach us on Earth locally originate within the "Solar Logos," i.e., the consciousness of the "Divine Being" of the Sun. According to Alice A. Bailey and Benjamin Creme, the seven rays are focused to the Solar Logos, through Sirius, the seven stars of the Big Dipper in the Great Bear, and the seven major stars of the Pleiades form the "Galactic Logos," (the consciousness of the "Divine Being" of the Milky Way Galaxy), and have their ultimate origin within the mind of God.
On the local planetary level, it is believed that the seven rays are transmitted from the Solar Logos through the God of our planet, Sanat Kumara, then through the spiritual hierarchy of our planet which includes the "Masters of Wisdom" (Some writings term them the Ascended Masters or the Great White Brotherhood).
Each of the seven rays is believed to be associated with a different kind of occult energy, and a different color.
Qualities of the seven rays The seven rays are listed below:
Alice A. Bailey and the Church Universal and Triumphant assign different colors and in some cases different Masters to each of the seven rays. In Letters on Occult Meditation, Alice Bailey indicates that there is no simple correspondence between the rays and these colors. The colors, Masters, and Retreats indicated here are those indicated by both Alice Bailey and the Church Universal and Triumphant.
According to Alice A. Bailey the Masters live in immortal bodies at a residence on the physical plane at the indicated location (although a given Master may physically travel extensively incognito to various locations, become invisible, teleport to various locations, and walk through walls, as well as influence humans telepathically and travel on the inner planes, as required by the demands of his spiritual work).
According to the Church Universal and Triumphant, and other Ascended Master Activities, each Master is believed to serve at a Retreat on the physical or etheric plane at the geographical location shown after their name.Prophet, Mark L. and Prophet, Elizabeth Clare (Compiled and edited by Annice Booth) The Masters and Their Retreats Corwin Springs, Montana: 2003 Summit University Press "The Retreats of the Ascended Masters" Pages 395-492
The "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" of the Church Universal and Triumphant for each ray are shown. For both Alice A. Bailey and the Church Universal and Triumphant, each ray has a jewel which is believed to focus the energy of that ray, which is indicated.
Alice A. Bailey
Ray Concept "Expression" ColoursBailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 59 Astrological planetsBailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 81 Astrological signs Wisdom Masters First "Will or Power"Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 140Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 155 "The basic Reservoir of Power" Red Vulcan and Pluto Taurus and Pisces Manu, Morya Second "Love-wisdom"Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 144 "Magnetism" Blue Sun and Jupiter Leo and Virgo Christ, Koot Humi, and Djwhal KhulBailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 156 Third "Adaptability"Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 145 or "Active Intelligence" "Instinct" Green Earth and Saturn Gemini and Libra Mahachohan Fourth Beauty or HarmonyBailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 139 or "Harmony through Conflict"Bailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 147 "Uniformity of Colour" or "Experience. Growth." Yellow Mercury and Moon Scorpio and Aquarius SerapisBailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 158 Fifth Concrete Knowledge or ScienceBailey, The Seven Rays of Life, p. 159 "Intellect" Orange Venus Capricorn Master Hilarion, Paul of Tarsus (158) Sixth "Devotion" or "Abstract Idealism" "Intellect" Violet Neptune and Mars Cancer and Sagittarius Master Jesus Seventh "Organisation and Ritual" or "Ceremonial organization" or "Ceremonial Magic or Order" "Radioactivity" Indigo Uranus Aries Master Rakoczi
The Summit Lighthouse Lords of the "Seven Rays" according to Ascended master teachings:Prophet, Mark, Prophet, Elizabeth Clare, Lords of the Seven Rays Livingston, Montana: 1986 - Summit University Press, Chart on page 11 of the lords of the seven rays and their retreats. Seven Sacred Rays of the Ascended Masters.
Ray Colour Wisdom Master Retreat Quality Chakra Day Gift of the Holy Spirit Jewel 1st ray Power of God Blue Cyan Master El Morya Darjeeling, India Strength Balance
Will Throat (5th) Tuesday Faith in God's will Protection Diamond Sapphire
Star Sapphire
Lapis Lazuli 2nd ray Wisdom of God Yellow Gold Kuthumi Grand Teton, Wyoming, United States Wisdom Understanding
Illumination Crown (7th) Sunday Intelligence Knowledge Yellow Diamond Yellow Sapphire
Topaz 3rd ray Love of God Pink Rose Paul the Venetian Château de Liberté, S. France Temple of the Sun, New York Goodness
Compromise
Beauty Heart (4th) Monday Discerning of spirits Creativity Ruby Diamond
Garnet
Rose quartz
Pink Beryl 4th ray Purity of God White Crystal Serapis Bey Luxor, Egypt Purity Resurrection
Joy Base of the Spine (1st) Friday Working of miracles Diamond Pearl
Zircon
Quartz crystal 5th ray Truth of God Green Gold Hilarion Crete, Greece Health Consecration
Focus Third Eye (6th) Wednesday Healing Emerald Diamond
Jade
Quartz crystal 6th ray Peace of God Purple Gold Ruby Lady Master Nada Arabian Peninsula Peace
Service
Brotherhood Solar Plexus (3rd) Thursday Diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation Ruby Topaz
Alexandrite
Diamond with pearl 7th ray Freedom of God Violet Amethyst Saint Germain Transylvania, Romania Table Mountain, Wyoming, United States Freedom Mercy
Compassion Seat of the Soul (2nd) Saturday Prophecy Working of Miracles Amethyst Diamond
Aquamarine
In the mid-to-late 20th century, as the New Age movement gained in popularity, the concept and imagery of the seven rays appeared in a variety of settings.