Astral body

What it is

The astral body is a conceptual entity described as a subtle material form that exists between the physical body and the rational soul. It serves as a vehicle for emotions, desires, and dreams. In many esoteric frameworks, it allows the spirit to traverse realms beyond the physical world during sleep, trance, or after death. This concept appears across various cultures, often linked to astrological spheres and the journey of the soul through different planes of existence.

Where it comes from

The idea has roots in ancient philosophy, particularly Neoplatonism, which debated the nature of the soul's immortality. Plato’s influence is evident, though similar concepts existed globally before him. The term was later adopted by nineteenth-century Theosophists and neo-Rosicrucians. Medieval alchemists and Renaissance figures like Paracelsus also explored related ideas of subtle bodies and magnetic fluids, bridging early science and mysticism.

How it is done

Practitioners describe experiencing the astral body through out-of-body sensations or vivid dreaming. It is said to manifest as an aura of swirling colors or an ovoid cloud surrounding the physical form. During sleep, the physical body rests while this subtle form navigates emotional landscapes and archetypal symbols. Some traditions view it as a mechanism for psychoanalytic phenomena, where feelings and desires are processed outside conscious awareness.

Tools and materials

No physical tools are required. The concept relies on internal perception and spiritual sight. Descriptions include visualizations of vortices or chakras within the subtle form. It is sometimes associated with specific planetary influences or astrological zones, acting as a medium for energy and movement rather than a tangible object.

What it is for

It is believed to facilitate the soul's journey after death and provide insight into the emotional self during life. Followers use the concept to explain dreams, hallucinations, and near-death experiences. It serves as a bridge between animal instincts and higher spiritual reasoning, helping individuals understand their psychological makeup and potential for spiritual evolution.

Who does it

Scholars of esoteric history and philosophers analyze these texts. Theosophists like Helena Blavatsky and C.W. Leadbeater systematized the idea, equating it with the 'desire principle.' Gurdjieff referred to it as the 'body-Kesdjan,' viewing it as a vessel that must be consciously developed to achieve true individuality. Without this development, one remains merely a biological entity without a distinct soul.

Peoples and places

The concept appears in Indian philosophy as 'linga sharira' and in Western occultism through Theosophy. Neoplatonists like Proclus distinguished between immortal and mortal subtle vehicles. Modern interpretations vary, with some linking it to kabbalistic sephiroth or Rosicrucian alchemy. Different cultures adapt the idea to fit their own cosmologies of the afterlife and inner self.

What people believe

It is viewed as a real but subtle component of human constitution, composed of finer matter than the physical body. It interacts with planetary forces and holds the capacity for desire and emotion. Some believe it persists after death, while others see it as a temporary construct of the mind. The astral plane is considered a realm of symbolic reality, distinct from the physical world yet connected to it.

When it is done

Experiences are often reported during sleep, deep meditation, or near-death states. No specific calendar festivals are tied to its practice. It is an ongoing aspect of inner life rather than a periodic ritual event.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Scientific observers attribute beliefs in the astral body to delusions, hallucinations, or hysteria. Psychologists may interpret it as a metaphor for the subconscious or dream state. Historians trace its evolution from ancient philosophy through medieval medicine to modern occultism. Skeptics argue there is no empirical evidence for its existence as a physical or energetic entity.

Compare and confuse

It is often confused with the etheric body, which deals more with vitality and life force. In Hinduism, it relates to the linga sharira, while in Western esotericism, it aligns with the desire body. Similar concepts appear in shamanic journeys and near-death narratives worldwide, though names and details differ significantly across traditions.

Questions people ask about Astral body

Good reading and sources

• Astral body on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data