Post on 14-Jan-2016
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Theurgy,Theophany,andtheMundusImaginalis:
CarlosSchwabe,LeDestin,1897.
The manifested dynamic cosmos, populated with myriads of occult correspondences, mythic realities,
and host of nonmaterial beings, exists on various levels of perception, with the senses perceiving the
world, the active imagination the soul, and the daimonic consciousness through the intellect.[1]As the
active imagination conveys events of the dynamic cosmos through images, the very act of imagining is
in a sense an act of theurgic union, if one is to treat the dynamic cosmos as divine. Yet, it must be
clarified in the most vehement manner that this sense of active imagination is very different from the
modern view of reality where imagination is merely a mode of separating ones state of mind from
everyday mental perceptions and processes. In a state of active imagination, corporeal reality, which
we conceive as being real, is in fact enveloped and consumed by the reality of the pure forces of the
cosmos, and is determined by it. To quote Tom Cheetham,it is the mode of being, the mode of
Presence,ofthehumanpersonthatdeterminesthenatureoftime,nottheotherwayround.[2]
According to Henry Corbin, the active imagination partakes, dwells, and embodies the mundus
imaginalis, which is the mesocosm of visionary revelation and events that experienced more vividly real that mundane reality. This is a place of constant metaphysical experience, theophanic visions,
meditative consciousness, ritual gesture, contemplative prayer, artistic inspiration, and the sensations of
eros. The function of the active imagination transmutes sensible forms into living symbols, and as
Corbinwrites,
The active imagination guides, anticipates, molds sense perception, that is why it transmutes sensory data into
symbols. The Burning Bush is only a brushwood fire if it is merely perceived by the sensory organs. In order
that Moses may perceive the Burning Bush and hear the Voice calling him an organ of transsensory
perception is needed...[3] So that the intelligible realities perceived on the imaginal level may be reflected in the mirror of the senses and be translated into visionary perception the vision of the angel does not emerge from
thenegativityofanunconscious,butdescendsfromalevelofapositivelydifferentiatedsuperconscious.[4]
This is the theurgic endeavour of purification and liberation, the attempt to perceive traces of divine meaning
behindappearancesperceivedbythesenses.
The intensity of the active imagination that resonates throughout the mesocosm can create changes in the world,
initiated through the occult correspondences of Indras net, transforming the possessor of such an active
imagination into a divine creator who established the patterns from which material forms evolve. And as Angela
Voss concludes, what we call a miracle is the result of such a capacity to bring spiritual power to bear on matter
andcutthroughtheliteraldimensionofcauseandeffect.[5]