The Causal Body and the Ego - Canadian Theosophical Association

The Causal Body and the Ego by Arthur E. Powell
in this way men can be distinguished as primarily belonging to one or other of the seven Rays or Logoi.
Whilst the ordinary rule is that a Monad remains on the same Ray throughout the whole of his evolution,
so that he eventually returns through the same Planetary Angel as that through which he first came forth,
yet there are comparatively, rare exceptions. For it is possible for a Monad to change his Ray so that he
will return through a Planetary Angel other than that through which he first emerged. Such transfers are
usually to the First and Second Rays there being relatively few persons on those two Rays at the lower
levels of evolution.
Before we can proceed to describe the method by which the atoms are attached, to the Monads, there is
still another factor with which we must first deal.
The Second Outpouring , in addition to its work of forming the Elemental and other Kingdoms, also brings
with it evolved beings, at various stages of development, who form the normal and typical inhabitants of
the Three Elemental Kingdoms. These beings have been brought over by the Logos from a preceding
evolution. They are now sent forth to inhabit the plane for which their development fits them; they cooperate
with the work of the Logos, and later with man, in the general scheme of evolution. From them,
man derives his perishable bodies.
They are known in some religions as Angels, to Hindus as Devas—meaning literally, Shining Ones. Plato
speaks of them as "Minor Gods". It is the translation of the word "Deva" as "Gods" which has led to much
misapprehension of Eastern thought. The "thirty-three crores [330 millions] of Gods", are not Gods in the
Western sense of the term, but are Devas or Shining Ones.
Of these there are many grades, including representatives on each of the five lower planes, i.e.., those of
Atma, Buddhi, Manas, Kama, and the etheric part of the physical plane.
Their bodies are formed of the Elemental Essence of the Kingdom to which they belong, and are flashing
and many-hued, changing form at the will of the entity Himself. They form a vast host, ever actively at
work, labouring at the Elemental Essence to improve its quality, taking it to form their own bodies,
throwing it off again and taking other portions, so as to render it more sensitive.
In the First Elemental Kingdom, on the higher mental or causal plane, they make materials ready to
clothe abstract thoughts. In the Second Elemental Kingdom, on the lower mental plane, they make
materials ready to clothe concrete thoughts. In the Third Elemental Kingdom, on the astral plane, they
prepare materials for the clothing of desires.
At the stage which we are now considering, this work of improving the Elemental Essence, is the only
work there is for them to do. Later on, they are also constantly busied in the shaping of forms, in aiding
human egos on the way to incarnation in building their new bodies, bringing materials of the kind required
and helping in its arrangements. The less advanced the ego, the greater the directive work of the Devas.
With animals they do almost all the work, and practically all with the vegetables and minerals. They are
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