resembles a pine-cone.  Physiologists are at sea regarding the function of this strange organ, and generally content themselves with the statement that “its functions are not understood.”  But occultists know that the pineal gland, with its peculiar arrangement of nerve-cell corpuscles, and its tiny grains of “brain-sand,” is the physical telepathic receiving instrument.  Students of wireless telegraphy have noticed a startling resemblance between the pineal gland and a part of the receiving instrument employed in wireless telegraphy.

The thought vibrations coming in contact with the nervous system of the receiving person, set up a peculiar vibration in the substance of the pineal gland and thus the first step in the transformation of these vibrations into thought-forms in the mind of the person is under way.  The remainder of the process is too technical, both in the physiological as well as in the occult sense, to be taken up in detail at this place.  The student will do well to get the idea of the workings of wireless telegraphy well fixed in his mind, for this will set up the right conception of the working of ordinary telepathy, without the necessity of complicated technical diagrams and descriptions.

And, now then, let us see what results from the sending forth and receiving of these mental and emotional waves of force and energy.  It is a most interesting subject, I assure you.  While the phenomena of the astral plane is probably more fascinating to the average student, I would impress upon you the importance of mastering the occult phenomena of the physical plane, before passing on to that of the higher planes.

In the first place, as all occultists know, each person is constantly surrounded with what has been called an “atmosphere” composed of mental and emotional vibrations which are emanated from his personality.  The atmosphere of each person depends upon the general character of the thoughts and feelings of the person in question.  Consequently, as no two persons are precisely alike in character, it follows that no two personal atmospheres are exactly alike.  Each person has a psychic atmosphere of his or her own.  These atmospheric vibrations do not extend very far from the presence of the person, and, consequently affect only those coming near to him.

In the same way, every group or crowd of persons has its own psychic atmosphere, composed of a blending of the individual psychic atmospheres of the persons composing the crowd, group or assemblage, and representing the general average of the thought and feelings of the crowd.  There are no two group atmospheres exactly alike, for the reason that no two groups of persons, large or small, are exactly alike.  Actors know that each audience which they face has its own psychic atmosphere, and the actors are affected by it.  Preachers, lawyers, and speakers in general are quite aware of this fact, and freely admit it, though they may not be acquainted with the causes or laws governing the phenomena.