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HERMES OR HUXLEY 685
have separated from their compound forms and bodies—when Pralaya
sets in. Reverse the case, and imagine the dawn of a new Manvantara.
The pure "silver" of the absorbed material will once more separate
into Substance, which will
generate "Divine Essences" whose "Principles"*
are the Primary Elements, the Sub-elements, the Physical
Energies, and subjective and objective Matter; or, as these are epitomized
Gods, Monads, and Atoms. If leaving for one moment the
metaphysical or transcendental side of the question—dropping out of
the present consideration the supersensuous and intelligent Beings
and Entities believed in by the Kabalists and Christians—we turn to
the theory of atomic evolution, the Occult Teachings are still found
corroborated by exact Science and its confessions, so far, at least, as
regards the supposed "simple" Elements, now suddenly degraded into
poor and distant relatives, not even second cousins to the latter. For
we are told by Mr. Crookes that
Hitherto, it has been considered that if the atomic weight of a metal, determined
by different observers, setting out from different compounds, was always found to
be constant . . . then such metal must rightly take rank among the simple or
elementary bodies. We learn . . . that this is no longer the case. Again, we
have liere wheels within wheels. Gadolinium is not an element but a compound.
. . . We have shown that yttrium is a complex of five or more new constituents.
And who shall venture to gainsay that each of these constituents, if attacked in
some different manner, and if the result were submitted to a test more delicate and
searching than the radiant-matter test, might not be still further divisible.' Where,
then, is the actual ultimate element As we advance it recedes like the tantalizing
mirage lakes and groves seen by the tired and thirsty traveller in the desert.
we in our quest for truth to be thus deluded and baulked.' The very idea of an
element, as something absolutely primary and ultimate, seems to be growing less
and less distinct.t
In Isis
Unveiled, we said:
This mystery of first creation, which was ever the despair of Science, is unfathomable
unless we accept the doctrine of Hermes. Could he [Darwin] remove
his quest from the visible universe into the invisible, he might find himself on the
right path.
But then, he would be following in the footsteps of the Hermetists.J
Our prophecy begins to assert itself.
But between Hermes and Huxley there is a middle course and
point. Let the men of Science only throw a bridge half-way, and
think seriously over the theories of Leibnitz. We have shown our
Are
• Corresponding on the cosmic scale with the Spirit, Soul, Mind, Life, and the three Vehicles
Astral, the Mayavie and the Physical Bodies (of mankind), whatever division is made,
t Ibid., p. 16.
t Vol. I, p. 429.
the