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But even that is by no means all that this power bestows upon its bearer. He sees not only the inside as well as the outside of every object, but also its astral reflection. Every atom and molecule of physical matter has its corresponding astral atoms and molecules, and the mass built from them is clearly visible to our clairvoyant. Usually, the astral body of an object projects slightly beyond the physical part of it, and thus one sees metals, stones, and other things surrounded by an astral aura.

One can see from this that even in the study of inorganic matter, one gains infinitely through the possession of this sight. One sees not only the astral part of the object under consideration, which was previously quite hidden; one sees not only much more of its physical form than before, but even that which was previously visible is now seen much more clearly and truly. A brief reflection on this will prove that this new sight comes much closer to a true representation than physical sight. If one looks at a glass cube astrally, then all sides of it will appear equal, as they actually are, whereas on the physical plane one sees the distant side in perspective; that is, it appears smaller than the side lying closer, which is of course only an illusion resulting from physical limitations.

When we now see how much easier the observation of living beings becomes, we recognize perhaps even more clearly the advantages of astral sight. It shows the clairvoyant the aura of plants and animals, and the desires and sensations as well as the thoughts of the latter lie clearly before his eyes.

But in interaction with humans, the value of this power will probably be appreciated most, for the clairvoyant will often be able to help them far better when he allows himself to be guided by the information he receives through the gift of higher sight.

He will be able to see the aura as far as the astral body reaches, and although the higher bodies of man

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are still hidden from his sight, he will nevertheless make it possible through careful observation to learn many things about these higher bodies from what lies within his range. His ability to observe the Ätherkörper etheric body will be very helpful to him in recognizing the faults and diseases of the nervous system, while from the appearance of the Astralkörper astral body he immediately perceives all the sensations, passions, desires, and inclinations of the person before him, as well as many of his thoughts.

When he looks at someone, he will see them surrounded by the luminous mist of their astral aura, which is flashed through by all kinds of brilliant colors, and which constantly changes in coloration and radiance with every newly emerging thought or feeling. He will see this aura flooded by the beautiful rose of pure love, the rich blue of devotion, the hard, dull brown of selfishness, the deep scarlet of anger, the hideous, pale red of sensuality, the pale grey of fear, the black clouds of hatred and malice, or by any of the hundredfold signs that a trained eye learns to read so easily, and so no one will be able to hide their true feelings about any subject from one who sees in this way.

These various indications regarding the aura are in and of themselves a study of the highest interest, but there is a lack of space here to speak about them in detail. In my work Man Visible and Invisible Original title: "Der Sichtbare und der Unsichtbare Mensch" one can find detailed information about the aura along with a large number of colored illustrations. Original footnote: Obtainable as "The Visible and the Invisible Man." A representation of different human types as the trained clairvoyant perceives them, by C. W. Leadbeater. Authorized translation from English by A. von Ulrich. With a frontispiece, 3 diagrams, and 22 color plates. Leipzig, Theosophical Publishing House.

The astral aura shows the clairvoyant not only the temporary effect of the sensation passing through it at the moment, but it also gives him, through the arrangement