Lacking the “associated object,” the clairvoyant may obtain the link by bringing into the imagination some associated scene of that time—­something else that happened about the same time.  All that is needed is to get hold of something associated in space or in time with the sought for scene.  All that is needed is the “loose end” of association.  Sometimes the clairvoyant senses some past-time experience, the place and time of which is unknown to him.  In such cases, it is necessary for him to get hold of some “loose end” by which he may work out the solution.  For instance, the picture of a certain building or personage, or historical happening, may give the key to the mystery.

In very high forms of past-time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant is able not only to perceive the actual happenings of the past, but also to actually sense the thought and feelings of the actors therein—­for these, too, are recorded on the astral plane.  In other cases, the clairvoyant person is able to picture scenes and happenings relating to his past incarnations, even though he is not able to sense other past-time events and scenes.  But, here again, many good past-time clairvoyants are not able to catch these glimpses of their own past lives, though able to perceive those of other persons.  All these variations are due to certain technical differences into which I cannot go into detail at this place.  Again some persons are able to perceive events that have happened to persons present before them, but are not able to contact past-time events in the ordinary way.  There are a thousand-and-one variations in clairvoyant work.  Only the highly advanced occultist is master of all of them.  But, still every one may develop himself or herself, from humble beginnings.

In concluding this lesson, I wish to call your attention to the following advice from a man well advanced in the knowledge of the astral plane.  He says:  “It would be well for all students to bear in mind that occultism is the apotheosis of common-sense, and that every vision that comes to them is not necessarily a picture from the Akashic Records, nor every experience a revelation from on high.  It is far better to err on the side of healthy skepticism, than of over-credulity, and it is an admirable rule never to hunt about for an occult explanation of anything when a plain and obvious physical one is available.  Our duty is to endeaveor to keep our balance always, and never to lose our self-control, but to take a reasonable, common-sense view of whatever may happen to us, so that we may be wiser occultists, and more useful helpers than we have ever been before.