Angels and gods

Use in the book

V opens the prospect of beings superior even to familiar conceptions of gods. VIII arranges such beings above masters and adepts, describes their interest in cosmic progress, and presents their intervention as an explanation of religious traditions.

The next block insists that even the highest remain mortal and subject to universal law. Those who postpone absorption are described as elder brethren helping others along the path. The account of fallen angels then connects misuse of spiritual power with a return to lower conditions.

Places to read

1. V The Mental Universe · Block 17… “higher than Man has ever dreamed of the gods' possessing. And yet these beings were once as you, and still lower—and you will be even as they, and still higher, in” …
2. VI The Divine Paradox · Block 12… “may acquire the powers usually attributed to the gods of men; and there are countless ranks of being, in the great hierarchy of life, whose being and power transcends even that” …
3. VIII Planes of Correspondence · Block 27“All that we can say is that the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Spiritual Plane (each Minor Plane having its seven sub-divisions) comprise Beings possessing Life, Mind and Form as” …
4. VIII Planes of Correspondence · Block 28… “exist Beings of whom we may speak as Angels; Archangels; Demi-Gods. On the lower Minor Planes dwell those great souls whom we call Masters and Adepts. Above them come the Great” …
5. VIII Planes of Correspondence · Block 29… “They are still Mortal. We may call them "gods" if we like, but still they are but the Elder Brethren of the Race,—the advanced souls who have outstripped their brethren, and” …
6. VIII Planes of Correspondence · Block 30… “their conceptions of Satan, Beelzebub, the Devil, Lucifer, Fallen Angels, etc. And so the knowledge regarding these Planes has been kept in the Holy of Holies in all Esoteric Fraternities and” …

In this edition

The source's ranks and capitals are preserved. Gods in this hierarchy is distinguished from THE ALL and from the God imagery used for the ultimate source.

Reading the argument

The names come from more than one religious vocabulary. Their placement in one hierarchy is the author's synthesis, not evidence that all traditions used them identically. Detail about their rank does not provide independent evidence of their existence.

Angels

“Angels” — 3 occurrences in 2 text blocks: VIII.28, 30.

Archangels

“Archangels” — 1 occurrence in 1 text block: VIII.28.

Demi-Gods

“Demi-Gods” — 1 occurrence in 1 text block: VIII.28.

Gods

“Gods” — 12 occurrences in 8 text blocks: Intro.3; I.5, 7; V.17; VI.12; VIII.15, 28–29.

Fallen Angels

“Fallen Angels” — 2 occurrences in 1 text block: VIII.30.