Magic and the Metaphysical Structure of the Universe

Have you ever wondered how magic works?

‘Magic’ can be broadly defined as the conscious direction of non-physical energy towards the manifestation of a desired outcome in the physical world.

A magician enters an intense state of concentration as he performs operations at levels beyond ordinary human perception, and this work creates changes on the physical plane in accordance with his will.

In traditional schools of magic, students spend many years studying the metaphysical laws of the universe, gaining insight into the connection between an individual’s psyche and the cosmos as a whole. What we in modern times call ‘manifestation’ or deliberate creation are remnants of these older magical rituals, stripped of certain ceremonial elements, and they operate according to the same laws whether the practitioner is aware of them or not.

Outside of the occult niche, many therapists, neurologists, scientists and coaches are aware of the ways in which your way of thinking actually shapes and changes your reality. There is clearly a connection between the inner realms of the psyche and the outer realms of the universe, but… what exactly is that?

Let’s look at the metaphysical structure of our universe, and explore how magic, manifestation, ritual, and positive focus actually work.

The Four Worlds

There are four worlds (or realms) of being:

• Spiritual

• Spiritual

• Astral

• Physically

These four levels exist within an individual, and also in the universe as a whole. These are the four areas that encompass all life in our universe. Each level within an individual interacts with the corresponding level in the external universe. Each world involves different kinds of experiences, and we have different perceptual abilities for different kinds of data.

Spiritual world

All life begins on the spiritual plane and proceeds from there. This is the realm of pure vibration or “Source” energy – what some may call God or Universal Consciousness – where all beings are One.

Human consciousness is unable to directly experience or understand the spiritual plane, except for rare and fleeting flashes in those with exceptionally developed spiritual abilities.

The spiritual world is the least physical of the four worlds, but it is the world from which all life grows. This realm is associated with the element FIRE.

Within the individual, the spiritual plane corresponds to the higher self or intuitive abilities. This is your ‘divine spark’ or purely spiritual nature and would correspond to the eternal soul that goes through many incarnations. In most cases the individual is largely unaware of this spiritual aspect of his personality, yet there is an ongoing interaction and communication between the individual’s mind and the forces on the spiritual plane.

Mental world

All life begins as the Oneness of pure consciousness on the spiritual plane. In order to manifest physically, some parts of this consciousness must individualize.

The mental plane is quite far above the bondage of space and time that belongs to the physical world. In the realm of the mind we can be, do, say, create, explore and invent anything. We can mentally place ourselves in the present, the future, the past, or be completely outside of time.

The limitation that distinguishes the mental plane from the infinite freedom of the spiritual plane is that it operates within the framework of language- whether it is verbal, pictorial, musical or any other type of symbol. The mental plane consists of consciousness represented in symbolic form.

Once a spark of the divine flame ‘separates’ from Oneness, it acquires an identity and is thus manifested in the realm of Spirit. On the mental plane spiritual emanations are called. Aspects of the Oneness are translated into concepts, ideas, systems and symbolic forms.

This is the domain of reason and language, and it is related to the element AIR.

For the individual, the mental plane is the realm of rational consciousness. This rational consciousness is responsive to the Higher Self and responsible for managing the ‘lower self’ of the levels below. We communicate with the mental world through the infinite variety of our thoughts and ideas.

Astral world

The astral plane is also called the astral plane ethereal aeroplane; this is the energetic plane on which we see auras and other paranormal phenomena. The astral plane is the energetic imprint of the physical plane.

When we talk about the ‘mood’ of a room or the ‘vibe’ of a person, we are picking up on something on the astral plane. Sometimes we walk into a messy house and immediately feel nervous, as if the house is ‘haunted’. Other times we walk into a messy house and immediately feel the warm welcome of a loved home. Sometimes we can sense the remnants of previous events in the environment “for no good reason,” or we sense that something is “off” about the person smiling and nodding so happily at us. Without being aware of it, you are constantly making decisions in your daily life based on the information you pick up from the astral plane.

In the individual, the astral plane corresponds to the emotions, instincts and the unconscious. This is the level of our ‘moods’, both in a daily way and in terms of the ‘mood’ of the ‘climate’ of our general character. This plane correlates with the element WATER. We interact with the astral world through our etheric body; we experience emotions, moods, instincts, dreams, impressions and many other mysteries that unfold from the unconscious mind.

Physical world

The physical world is the world of sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch that we all know and live in every day. The physical aspect of your being is of course your physical body. This plane is associated with the element EARTH. We interact with the physical world with our physical bodies; we experience the constant flow of sensory data through the apparatus of our five senses.

The Chakra system is a series of seven energy centers that fall across the central column of the body. Each center represents a consciousness or psychological function in the individual. The four levels fall successively through the chakra system, from the root (physical) through emotional and mental to spiritual (crown). Each chakra center represents a consciousness of one of the four worlds. The alignment of these centers greatly aids in the work of magic and manifestation.

Magic and the Four Worlds

Manifestation happens when it does alignment of the four planes. This is the basic principle by which magic, manifestation and rituals work.

When there is harmony and unity between our words, emotions, actions and thought patterns, we allow the energy to flow freely from the spiritual plane all the way down to the physical, into form.

You can imagine a plumbing system in a four-story building. Energetically, you want to ensure that the energy flows freely and quickly ‘through the pipes’, from the spiritual to the mental, to the emotional and finally to the physical. The natural tendency of this spiritual source energy is to flow into the physical being, so your main task is to ensure that your “pipes” are open and aligned.

There are many techniques to achieve this harmony between the planes of existence, and to direct the energy with great force and speed, so that you achieve certain desired results on the physical plane. There are exercises you can do on the physical, astral and mental planes that will help facilitate the flow of this energy. These can be found in various Magical or Manifestation teachings. For example, working with the body’s energy field, including the chakra system, can greatly help promote alignment at the four levels of the body.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the structure by which these teachings function, you will be a much more powerful Creator! There are many techniques and schools of influencing the external world from the internal world, but they are all based on this fundamental structure. Lock in the power of this understanding and enjoy creating!