August 14th, 1920

In taking up the two points that you have enumerated six and seven, we shall be able to deal with them as one, for the mantrams and forms used in contacting the devas, angels or builders, and in calling the elementals or subhuman forms of existence, are practically the same, and should in these letters be counted as such.

As a preliminary step let us be quite clear wherein lies the distinction between these two groups.

The elementals are, in their essential essence, subhuman. The fact that they can be contacted on the emotional plane is no guarantee that they are on the evolutionary [174] path. On the contrary, they are on the path of involution, on the downward arc. They are to be found on all planes, and the etheric elemental forms - such as the brownies, gnomes and pixies - are well known. They can be roughly divided into four groups:

1. The elementals of earth.
2. The elementals of water.
3. The elementals of air.
4. The elementals of fire.

They are the essence of things, if you could but realize it. They are the elemental things of the solar system in their four grades as we know them in this fourth cycle on the fourth or earth planet.

The devas are on the evolutionary path, on the upward way. They are, as you know, the Builders of the system, working in graded and serried ranks. Devas are to be found of the same rank as the Planetary Logoi, and the Rulers of the five planes of human evolution hold rank equal to that of a Master of the seventh Initiation. Others are equal in development (along their own line) to a Master of the fifth Initiation, and they work consciously and willingly with the Masters of the Occult Hierarchy. They can be found on all the lesser grades down to the little building devas who work practically unconsciously in their groups, building the many forms necessitated by the evolving life.

Earlier - prior to my dictating these letters to you - you received one communication. along the line of the mantric invocation of the elementals and the devas. The information given was correct, as far as it went, and you may if you wish incorporate it here.

"Force in evolution and force in involution are two different things. That is a preliminary statement. [175] In the one you have destruction, violence, blind elementary powers at work. In involution it is the elementals who do most of the work, working blindly along as controlled by the Builders. The work is constructive, cohesive, a gradual growing together, harmony out of discord, beauty out of chaos. The lower kingdoms of the devas work, guided by the great Building Devas, and all move upward in ordered beauty from plane to plane, from system to system, universe to universe. Therefore in studying occult lore you need to remember two things:

1. You control elemental forces.
2. You cooperate with the devas.

In one you dominate, in the other case you endeavor to work with. You control through the activity aspect, by the definite doing of certain things, by the preparation of certain ceremonies, for instance, through which certain forces can play. It is a replica on a tiny miniature scale of what the third Logos did in world making. Certain activities had certain results. Later on, revelations can be made as to the rites and ceremonies through which you can get in touch with the various elementals, and control them. The Ceremonial Ray - by coming into incarnation at this time, is making things much easier along this particular line.

Fire elementals, water sprites, and the lower elementals can all be harnessed by rites. The rites are of three kinds:

1. Protective rites, which concern your own protection.
2. Rites of appeal, which call and reveal the elementals. [176]
3. Rites that control and direct them when summoned.

In working with the devas you use the wisdom or love aspect, the second aspect of the Logos, the building aspect. Through love and longing you reach them and your first step (as you are on the path of evolution, as they are) is to get in touch with them, for together you must work in the future for the guidance of the elemental forces and the helping of humanity. It is not safe for human beings, poor foolish things, to tamper with the forces of involution until they themselves are linked with the devas through purity of character and nobility of soul.

Through rites and ceremonies you can sense the devas and reach them, but not in the same manner nor for the same reason that you can the elementals. The devas attend ceremonies freely and are not summoned; they come, as you do, to tap the power. When your vibrations are pure enough the ceremonies serve as a common meeting-ground.

...I want to say in closing that when you have learned to use the activity aspect in work with the involutionary powers, and the wisdom aspect in cooperating with the devas, you will then untidily pass on to use the first aspect, that of will or power."