142 PARACELSUS 



similar relation to each other, as physical bodies to other 

 physical bodies. Spirits speak with each other through 

 spirit, but not by means of audible speech. While the 

 body is asleep, the soul may go to a distant place, and act 

 intelligently at such place.^ If it meets another spirit, 

 whether it be an incarnated or a disincarnated one, they 

 will act in regard to each other as two human beings 

 act, if they meet. One man communicates his thoughts 

 to another with whom he is in sympathy, at any distance, 

 however great it may be,^ or he may act upon the spirit 

 of another person in such a manner as to influence his 

 actions after the body of the latter awakens from his 

 sleep.^ In this way he can even injure the health of 

 that person, and upon this law of Nature is based the 

 possibility of witchcraft and sorcery." 



"The exercise of true magic does not require any 

 ceremonies or conjurations, or the making of circles or 

 signs ; it requires neither benedictions nor maledictions 

 in words, neither verbal blessings nor curses; it only 

 requires a strong faith in the omnipotent power of all 

 good, that can accomplish everything if it acts through a 



^ It may happen that the spirit of a person will go to a distant place 

 while the body is asleep, and act intelligently there, and that the man, 

 after awakening from his sleep, remembers nothing about it. But an 

 adept, in whom spiritual consciousness is his normal state, can do so 

 knowingly and consciously, and remember all about it after his spirit 

 (Majavi-Rupa) returns to his body. 



^ Any one may make successful scientific experiments with thought- 

 transference. Similar scientific experiments for long distances will be 

 more diflBcult, on account of the differences of time, place, and conditions, 

 and because spiritually enlightened persons, possessing great power of 

 impressing their thoughts at great distances, are at present not easily 

 found. 



* It has been proved by many experiments that a person thrown into 

 a mesmeric sleep by a mesmeriser may be requested to do certain things 

 after he awakens from his sleep, and that after he awakens he will per- 

 form such actions, although he will not remember what has taken place 

 during his sleep. It is therefore very fortunate that, in the present state 

 of morality of our modem civilisation, such powers are not generally 

 known, and that they are not often in the possession of those who wish 

 to abuse them. 



