“(8) Two principal classes of vision will present themselves to the sitter—­(a) the Symbolic, indicated by the appearance of symbols such as a flag, boat, knife, gold, etc., and (b) Actual Scenes and Personages, in action or otherwise.  Persons of a positive type of organization, the more active, excitable, yet decided type, are most likely to perceive symbolically, or allegorically; while those of a passive nature usually receive direct or literal revelations.  Both classes will find it necessary to carefully cultivate truthfulness, unselfishness, gratitude for what is shown, and absolute confidence in the love, wisdom, and guidance of God Himself.”

As the student proceeds with the study of these lessons, he will become acquainted with various details and methods concerned with the various phases of clairvoyance, which knowledge he may then combine with the above, the whole aiding him in the successful manifestation of the psychic phenomena of crystal-gazing, which, as I have said, is merely one phase of clairvoyance and under the same general laws and rules of manifestation.  Remember that present, past and future clairvoyance all is possible to the highly developed crystal gazer.

The astral tube.  Closely allied with the phenomena of crystal-gazing, and that of psychometry, is that which occultists know as “the astral tube,” although this psychic channel may be developed in ordinary clairvoyance by means of the power of concentrated attention, etc.  I shall not enter into a detailed or technical discussion of the astral tube, at this place, but I wish to give you a general and comprehensive view of it and its workings.

In case of the strong concentration of the mind, in cases of psychometry or crystal-gazing, a channel or “line of force” is set up in the astral substance which composes the basis of the astral plane.  This is like the wake of a ship made on the surface of the water through which the ship has passed.  Or it is like a current of magnetic force in the ether.  It is caused by a polarization of the particles composing the astral substance, which manifest in a current of intense vibrations in the astral substance, which thus serve as a ready channel for the transmission of psychic force or astral energy.

The astral tube serves as a ready conductor of the vibrations, currents and waves of energy on the astral plane which carry to the astral senses of the person the perception of the things, objects and scenes far removed from him in space and time.  How these things far removed in space and time are perceived by the astral seer is explained in subsequent lessons of this course.  At this place we are concerned merely with the “channel” through which the currents of energy flow, and which has been called the astral tube.