The Seven Rays

What is meant by the word “ray?” “A ray is but a name for a particular force or type of energy, with the emphasis upon the quality which that force exhibits and not upon the form aspect which it creates.” The seven primordial energies are beyond complete, exact depiction in words, or even in thoughts on the planes of this world. They are too essential and encompassing to be wholly contained or isolated within our narrow band of the Greater Spectrum. This is a list of some of the more common synonyms:

The ray teaching gives us an energy picture of creation and of life at all levels of being. It provides a means of explaining the intricate interrelationships of all things, spiritual and material; and it proclaims their oneness and interconnectedness. As part of this energy picture of the cosmos, human beings are, of course, themselves composed of ray energies. The various bodies or vehicles of incarnation of the individual human being—the personality, the mind, the soul, etc.—are said to issue forth on one or other of the rays.

The psychological application of the ray hypothesis is of particular interest because it provides a practical energy framework for understanding the make-up of individuals and groups. The rays of a person, when determined, studied and understood, will enable that individual, or his counselors or therapists, to “go to the source.” Knowledge of ones’ energy-essence and underlying vital composition can be invaluable in developing a balanced program for life.

Djwhal Khul has been our primary source of information on the seven rays for the past 80 years. There have long been hints of this doctrine concealed within the teachings of all great philosophies and religions, but it has not been systematically presented. Astrology, since ancient times, has been divided into exoteric and esoteric branches. The ray teaching, however, has remained esoteric and largely hidden from the world.

The reason for the new emergence of this ancient knowledge at this time seems quite simple. Humanity, the world disciple, is apparently now ready, and stands on the threshold of a great awakening. New responsibilities, new opportunities and new light are being urged upon us by the teachers of the race. Concurrent with this expansion is the need for a deeper, conscious penetration by the human race into the essential nature of reality. What was once occult mystery is now rapidly becoming practical science.

Modern physics has concluded that all is energy, that within every form lies an essential network and pattern of energy. The seven ray teaching, in scientific terms, is a hypothesis that asserts the following: All energy within form is fundamentally septenate in character. The energy, as well as the forms derived from it, can be described through seven discrete and archetypal streams.

The seven streams of energy, it is said, are the very vibrations within matter, space and form which define and infuse all objects, all beings, and all events in manifestation. They combine and interweave to create all the complex systems known as reality, from the grandest interstellar spectacle to the smallest mundane occurrence of daily life. As concepts they will be found to be familiar, simple and direct of apprehension. They strike a chord in our consciousness and are, quite literally, closer to us than breath.

In order to understand the “seven streams of force,” we are constrained to use verbal and numerical descriptions. But bear in mind that any words we may use are mainly attempts to translate a quality into a form. And, in translations of any kind, something of the original is always lost.

The Great Bear

Seven Rishis of the Great Bear as Sources of the Seven Rays: Seven stars of the Great Bear are the originating Sources of the seven rays of our solar system. The seven Rishis (as They are called) of the Great Bear express Themselves through the medium of the seven planetary Logoi Who are Their Representatives and to Whom They stand in the relation of prototype. The seven Planetary Spirits manifest through the medium of the seven sacred planets.

Each of these seven rays, coming from the Great Bear, are transmitted into our solar system through the medium of three constellations and their ruling planets.

In a manner inconceivable to us the first Logos brings in the influence of other constellations. The seven stars of the Great Bear are the Seven Head Centers in the One About Whom Naught May Be Said, that Great Being, greater than our Logos. The Origin of the Seven Splendid Lights: "When the heavenly Man (or Logos) first assumed the form of the Crown [Kether] and identified himself with Sephira, he caused seven splendid Lights to emanate from it [the Crown]" Prajapatis-Cosmically the Seven Rishis: Prajapatis. The Progenitors; the givers of life to all on this earth. They are seven and then ten corresponding to the seven and ten Sephiroth. Cosmically, they are the seven Rishis of the Great Bear; systemically they are the seven planetary Logoi, and from the standpoint of our planet they are the seven Kumaras. The Relationship between the Seven Rishis and the Planetary Logoi: "I would here point out to you the close connection existing between the seven Rishis of the Great Bear and the seven Heavenly Men. The seven Rishis of the Great Bear are to Them what the Monad is to the evolving human unit. The Connection between the Seven Rishis of the Great Bear and the Cosmic Buddhi Plane: The seven Heavenly Men are in the line of force from: The cosmic buddhic plane (the seven Rishis of the Great Bear)."

Ray One – The Ray of Will and Power

This energy is the beginning and the final synthesis - the source of all other energies. It is the essence of power and energy itself. The first ray is the force of purpose, direction, centralization and one-ness, of which the will is the keynote. It is characterized by the qualities of intensity, dynamism, quickness, and dominance. It often results in detachment, isolation and crystallization. And out of its force and directness is conceived the power of creative destruction.

Ray Two – The Ray of Love and Wisdom

Consciousness is born of the second energy, in the union of duality, spirit and matter. This is the source and blending of light and love, magnetism and relationship, inclusiveness and coherence. It is the ray of wisdom, sensitivity and intuition, as well as clarity and attention to detail. This energy is a qualifying, teaching and healing force. It often results in attachment and attraction, and, curiously, establishes our awareness of fear, the antithesis of love and relationship. The second ray is the energy of the entire solar system and hence is also a ray of profound synthesis.

Ray Three - The Ray of Abstract Intelligence and Adaptability

Activity and intelligence work out from this source, a result of purpose and wisdom. It is the energy of full and great manipulations, creativity and adaptability. Needs are recognized through this force, plans are formulated, material is selected and business is undertaken. The third ray is clear, inherent mental and intellectual ideation in pursuit of truth, with the objective of manifesting in matter and substance. It is the power which evokes form.

Ray Four – The Ray of Harmony through Conflict

This energy stands symbolically in the center of the seven and is the magnetic relation of opposites, the point of harmony, bridging and mediation amidst conflict, pain and struggle - in a sense, the fruition of the duality rooted in the second ray. It stimulates creativity, art and beauty and is characterized by sensitivity to color and sound. Discrimination, quickness and a searching for perfection reside here. The intuitive, relational force is strong in this ray, which evokes life, love and understanding.

Ray Five - The Ray of Concrete Knowledge of Science

This is the energy of concretion into substance, of knowledge and science, and of stimulation in the three worlds. It leads to the searching, analysis and development of ideas, which in the end produces light and wisdom. It is the energy of differentiation and investigation which can lead to separativeness, cleavage and crystallization. But the thoroughness and discrimination with which the fifth force works in the mind and the intellect, leads the way ultimately to understanding and to the revelation of truth.

Ray 6 – The Ray of Devotion and Abstract Idealism

The seeds of all devotion and desire pour forth through this energy. It generates adherence, intensity and persistence. The determination resident in this ray is a fiery essence, sometimes full of force, fury and even fanatical display and militant violence. Abstraction and aspiration characterize the sixth force, in the sense of an idealistic nature, loyally oriented toward the causal levels of being. The sixth ray is the power to recognize what is right and righteous, the upward tendency and the capacity to see the light.

Ray 7 – The Ray of Organization and Ritual

This last of the seven is the most tangibly expressive on the outer planes. It is the quality of relationship between spirit and matter and is thus magical. It is rhythm which builds, integrates, circulates and manifests. It is the bringer and producer of newness in form. The relational power of this ray motivates law and order, rule and ritual, organization and group consciousness. It is practical understanding and vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.