Healing the Astral Body and Understanding the Astral Plane

Exploring the Ideas and Themes of Two Books on Spirituality and Energy Healing

I have been reading a fascinating book called The Astral Body and Other Astral Phenomena by A.E. Powell, originally published in 1927. The book itself was written based on the author's research of previously published work by H.P. Blavatsky and C.W. Leadbeater who were members of the Theosophical Society in the late 19th century. The book outlines and explains observational research of the astral plane, our relationship to it as well as the beings (human or otherwise) which inhabit it. The observations were made by these researchers through first hand experience while

developing their clairvoyant and other psychic abilities. Powell gives definitions and discusses some spiritual meaning in his research and also adds some cautionary advice about these phenomena as well as some of his personal views on vegetarianism and avoiding certain substances to maximize development in the ability to consciously access the astral plane and using psychic ability.

Image found on newsinstact.com; The physical body attached to the astral body by the silver cord

Understanding the Astral Plane

The astral plane, Powell explains in his book is also known as the fourth dimension, or sometimes referred to as purgatory. It is also the place we go when we dream, some of us have become familiar with terms like astral projection, or astral dreams.

The astral plane is not in another physical place, it is in the same place where all creation exists. Since the astral plane is a different frequency vibration, it is not apparent to the five senses. However, if you have developed your psychic senses, or are gifted as a psychic medium (someone who relays messages from this "spirit world"), you may have had direct interactions with the astral plane. Clairvoyance, or psychic sight, can manifest in your dreams and your dreams may be vivid and convey visions or direct messages from the divine.

What is the astral plane exactly?

On the astral level, reality is experienced differently. Objects are more fluid, light is emitted from objects rather than reflected off of them. Concentration is crucial to focusing on the direction of movement as well. According to the research it is the plane which our astral body visits in our dreams, or when we shed our physical body. We either have developed the ability to consciously leave the physical body through meditative practice, do it subconsciously in our dreams or through death when we leave our physical body completely. For a time after we die, we occupy this astral plane theoretically until we move on to the next higher frequency plane. Death is not the immediate end of our soul's journey.

Personally, I found it fascinating to read about this because I have experienced death in my family and close friends and to learn more about how their experience has potentially continued is comforting in a way. Powell goes into great detail about the nature of an individual's death, how the person existed in life and how that has it's own set of circumstances for the process of going into the astral plane at that point. I would highly recommend reading his book for those who are interested in learning more about it.

Healing the Astral Body

The astral body is one layer of our human energy field. I began learning more deeply about the human energy field through the book Hands of Light: A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field by Barbara Ann Brennan. The book is thorough and really helped me develop more as a healer after becoming certified in Reiki techniques. Originally, I borrowed a copy from the library, but found it so helpful and so full of valuable information and guidance that I purchased my own copy. Unfortunately, I found this book just about the time that the author Barbara Ann Brennan passed away in October 2022, and her School of Healing has been closed for some time. It is through her book that I found the source reference for A.E. Powell's book discussed above.

In the image below you can see an illustration from the book Hands of Light that shows the seven layer model of the human energy field that Brennan used for her healing practice. The astral body, in the middle of the three physical layers including the etheric, emotional, and mental bodies and the spiritual layers of the etheric template, celestial body and the ketheric template. In her book she explains in great detail about these layers, where precisely they are in relation to the physical body and how each layer relates to our health and healing. Brennan used and taught a technique called "full spectrum healing," where healing each layer of the energy field is performed.

Brennan described the astral plane as the connection between the physical plane and the spiritual plane. Healing the astral body is an important part of connecting the physical and spiritual parts of ourselves. The astral body is a lot like the emotional body, but more intense because stronger emotions are ingrained here, they go beyond the self. The astral body is described as relating directly to the solar plexus chakra and having a healthy functioning solar plexus means having a healthy emotional life.

Image found on bigpicturequestions.com; Image source: "Hands of Light" by Barbara Ann Brennan

As an energy healer, I always envision the best results for the client and how to best assist them on that path. Personally, I continue to rely on mostly Reiki techniques but the knowledge I have gained through her work has been tremendously helpful in developing my healing skills and abilities. As I integrate her teaching and guidance I see her work as a next step in learning more about this energy healing process. Since learning her methods I have been intuitively utilizing the methods that are best suited to the client.

When you consider that having a healthy emotional life ties into the health of your solar plexus and also to connecting your physical self to your spiritual self it makes a lot of sense that healing the astral body is an important part of the energy healing process. Brennan takes it even further by having taught the full-spectrum healing model.

I can only imagine the implication of all humans walking around as fully healed beings on every level of their physical, astral and spiritual selves. Can you?