functioning properly, we proceed to
start up the activities of the astral counterpart of that organ, to the
end that the physical organ may be re-energized, and recreated in a
measure. All true psychic healing work is performed on the astral plane,
before it manifests on the physical.

At this point, I should also call your attention to the effect of "prana,"
or life energy, in some cases of healing. This prana is what Western
healers mean when they speak of "human magnetism" in their healing work.
So far from being an imaginary force, as claimed by the physical
scientists and materialists, it is known to all occultists as an active
principle of the human body, and as of great efficacy in the psychic
treatment of disease. I shall mention the details of this form of
treatment as we proceed--I mention it at this place merely to call your
attention to the fact of its existence.

Before passing on to the consideration of other phases of the subject
before us, I would like to call your attention to the fact that from the
earliest days of history there have been recorded instances of some form
of psychic healing. In the earlier days the psychic healing work was left
entirely in the hands of the priesthood of the various religions
prevailing in the several counties of the world. Claiming to have an
exclusive divine sanction to perform healing work, these priests used
various ceremonies, rites, incantations, etc., in order to obtain their
results. In many cases these priests were ignorant of the real psychic
forces invoked and set into operation; they merely practiced methods which
had been found to work out effectively, and which had been handed down to
them by their predecessors. In other cases, however, the priests
undoubtedly were skilled occultists, and had a very full knowledge of the
forces they were using; though, as the masses of the people were very
ignorant it was impossible to acquaint them with these things so far above
their understanding; and, consequently, the priests applied the healing
forces under the disguise of their religious ceremonies and rites.

From time to time, however, as civilization progressed, there came into
prominence persons who worked cures of physical ills by means of magical
ceremonies and other similar methods, but who were outside of the
priesthood. Some of these men undoubtedly had a very fair knowledge of the
real secret of their cures, though they disguised them to suit the mental
c