Welcome to this month’s Newsletter, where we continue our journey into the intersections of science, metaphysics, and the mysteries of existence. In this issue, we’re excited to present essays, crafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence, exploring the fascinating parallels between the autonomic nervous system and the esoteric concept of the etheric body. This AI-generated format allows us to delve deeply into complex topics with clarity and precision, and we hope it sparks your curiosity and inspires further inquiry.
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“The etheric body connects the physical with subtle worlds (Tansley, 1972. Pg 20). Its function is to vitalize and energize the physical body by communicating information from the higher bodies. It does not originate but simply reflects the condition of the higher bodies. Thus, “It acts as a receiver of energies, an assimilator of energies and as a transmitter of energies.” (Tansley, 1972, Pg 20. Or “The physical body is conditioned and does not condition” (Bailey, 1953,pg 190) Congestion in the etheric body over time is a major cause of disease.”
-The Subtle Anatomy, Andrew Keene, Radionic Journal May 2025
The Autonomic Nervous System and the Etheric Body: A Borderland Inquiry into the Mysteries of Energy and Life
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a cornerstone of human physiology, orchestrating vital functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration without conscious effort. Its mechanisms, rooted in chemical-electric signaling, are well-documented in modern science.
Yet, despite significant advances in neuroscience, the ANS harbors mysteries that challenge our understanding of life’s deeper processes. For Borderland Scientists—those who explore the intersections of science, metaphysics, and esoteric traditions—the parallels between the ANS and the esoteric concept of the etheric body raise profound questions. Described by David Tansley (1972) as a “receiver of energies, an assimilator of energies, and a transmitter of energies,” the etheric body offers a metaphysical framework that resonates with the ANS’s role in the physical body. This essay examines the known processes of the ANS, the enigmas that persist, and why the parallels to the etheric body remain a compelling area of inquiry for those on the frontiers of science and spirituality.
The Known Processes of the Autonomic Nervous System
The ANS is a complex network within the peripheral nervous system, divided into the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric divisions. It regulates involuntary bodily functions, maintaining homeostasis through a sophisticated interplay of neural and chemical signals. The primary mechanism of the ANS is the action potential, a rapid change in the electrical potential across neuronal membranes driven by the movement of ions such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. This chemical-electric process allows the ANS to:
Receive signals: Sensory neurons detect internal and external stimuli, such as changes in blood pressure or environmental stress, relaying this information to the central nervous system.
Assimilate signals: The ANS integrates these inputs, coordinating responses via neural networks and neurotransmitter release to balance bodily functions.
Transmit signals: Nerve impulses propagate commands to organs and tissues, modulating processes like heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rhythm.
For example, the sympathetic nervous system activates the “fight or flight” response by releasing norepinephrine, while the parasympathetic system promotes “rest and digest” through acetylcholine. These processes are measurable, reproducible, and grounded in empirical science, forming the backbone of our understanding of how the ANS sustains life.
Mysteries Within the Autonomic Nervous System
Despite this detailed knowledge, the ANS remains shrouded in mysteries that defy complete explanation. One of the most profound enigmas is the integration of signals into consciousness.
While we can map the electrochemical pathways of the ANS, we do not fully understand how these signals contribute to the subjective experience of being. The “hard problem of consciousness”—the question of how physical processes give rise to qualitative experiences—remains unanswered. For instance, how does the ANS’s regulation of heart rate translate into the felt sense of fear or calm?
This gap between mechanism and experience suggests a deeper layer of complexity.Another mystery lies in the potential role of quantum processes in neural signaling. Some researchers, such as Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff, propose that quantum effects, like coherence in microtubules within neurons, might influence neural activity or consciousness.
While speculative, these theories hint at mechanisms beyond classical electrochemistry, potentially involving subtle energy interactions that science has yet to quantify. Similarly, the bioelectric fields generated by the ANS extend beyond individual neurons, influencing cellular behavior in ways that are only beginning to be explored. Studies in bioelectricity, such as those by Michael Levin, suggest that these fields may guide processes like tissue regeneration or morphogenesis, but the full scope of their influence remains unclear.The efficiency of the ANS also raises questions. The speed and precision with which it coordinates millions of signals across the body suggest an almost instantaneous communication network.
While ion channels and synaptic transmission account for much of this, some Borderland Scientists speculate that additional, non-physical energies might enhance this efficiency, echoing esoteric descriptions of subtle energies.
Parallels to the Etheric Body
The etheric body, as described by Tansley (1972), is a subtle energy field that connects the physical body to higher metaphysical planes, vitalizing and energizing the physical form. Its role as a “receiver, assimilator, and transmitter of energies” bears striking parallels to the ANS. Like the etheric body, the ANS receives stimuli (energies), processes them to maintain bodily harmony, and transmits signals to effect physiological change. Tansley’s assertion that the etheric body “reflects the condition of the higher bodies” aligns with the ANS’s responsiveness to emotional and psychological states, such as how stress (a higher-order phenomenon) triggers sympathetic activation.Moreover, Tansley’s claim that “congestion in the etheric body over time is a major cause of disease” (Keene, 2025) finds a parallel in the ANS’s role in chronic conditions. Dysregulation of the ANS, such as prolonged sympathetic overactivity, is linked to diseases like hypertension, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune disorders.
This suggests a functional analogy: just as etheric congestion disrupts vitality, ANS imbalance disrupts physical health. The esoteric view that the etheric body does not originate but reflects higher energies also mirrors the ANS’s role as a mediator, conditioned by inputs from the brain and environment rather than independently initiating action, as noted in Bailey’s (1953) statement, “The physical body is conditioned and does not condition.”
Why This Matters to Borderland Scientists
For Borderland Scientists, who bridge empirical science and esoteric traditions, the parallels between the ANS and the etheric body are not mere coincidence but a call to explore the boundaries of human understanding. The mysteries of the ANS—its role in consciousness, potential quantum mechanisms, and bioelectric influences—suggest that science may be approaching the limits of materialist paradigms. The etheric body, as a concept, offers a framework to hypothesize about non-physical energies that might interact with or underpin the ANS’s functions. For example, could the bioelectric fields of the ANS be a physical manifestation of the etheric body’s energy flow?
Could quantum processes hint at the “subtle worlds” Tansley describes?
These questions are vital because they challenge reductionist views of biology, inviting a holistic perspective that integrates mind, body, and spirit. Borderland Scientists, inspired by figures like Wilhelm Reich or Rupert Sheldrake, explore such ideas through concepts like orgone energy or morphic fields, which propose that life involves dynamic, non-material forces. The etheric body, as a receiver and transmitter of energies, provides a lens to investigate whether the ANS’s efficiency or its role in health and disease might involve energies beyond current scientific measurement.
The autonomic nervous system, while well-studied, remains a frontier of mystery, particularly in its contributions to consciousness, potential quantum mechanisms, and bioelectric influences. Its functional parallels to the etheric body—as a receiver, assimilator, and transmitter of energies—offer a provocative intersection for Borderland Scientists. By exploring these parallels, they seek to bridge the gap between the measurable and the metaphysical, asking whether the ANS’s mysteries hint at a deeper, subtle anatomy of life. As science advances, the question of whether the etheric body and the ANS are two sides of the same coin remains a vital inquiry, urging us to reconsider the nature of energy, vitality, and human existence.
References Bailey, A. A. (1953). Esoteric Healing. Lucis Publishing Company.
Keene, A. (2025). The Subtle Anatomy. Radionic Journal, May 2025.
Tansley, D. V. (1972). Radionics and the Subtle Anatomy of Man. C.W. Daniel Company.
34. The imperfect functioning of all the vital organs results in imperfect assimilation of the necessary elements for the repairing and rebuilding the body and in imperfect elimination of waste matter from the system.
36. Therefore, a proper balancing of the etheric currents energized by the solar rays and the the etheric currents energized by the Lunar rays, or polarized light from the sun, could retard signs of old age and decay, provided the person tries to preclude all that tends to dissipate energy and lived a life of purity and chastity.
The Amazing Secrets of the Far East, Victor Simon Perara
Balancing Solar and Lunar Currents: A Modern Interpretation of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
The Amazing Secrets excerpt, “Therefore, a proper balancing of the etheric currents energized by the solar rays and the etheric currents energized by the Lunar rays, or polarized light from the sun, could retard signs of old age and decay, provided the person tries to preclude all that tends to dissipate energy and lived a life of purity and chastity,” articulates a profound truth regarding the interplay between cosmic energies and human vitality, a concept often interwoven with the breath cycle in diverse spiritual traditions.
This discourse ventures to interpret the verse’s “solar” and “lunar” currents as metaphorical representations of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), respectively. Our exploration will leverage contemporary research on the physiological ramifications of nostril breathing and briefly consider the influence of solar activity and lunar phases on the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
Within the arcane landscape of yogic philosophy, solar and lunar currents are inextricably linked to the pingala (right nostril, solar) and ida (left nostril, lunar) nadis—etheric channels believed to govern vital energy through the breath. The pingala is characterized by its activating and energizing qualities, mirroring the SNS, which orchestrates the “fight or flight” response, escalating heart rate, blood pressure, and energy mobilization in times of stress or activity. Conversely, the ida embodies calming and restorative principles, reflecting the PNS, which presides over “rest and digest” functions, fostering relaxation and recuperation. The verse’s imperative to harmonize these currents resonates with the scientific understanding that optimal health necessitates equilibrium between SNS and PNS activity to avert chronic stress, inflammation, and accelerated senescence.
Modern scientific inquiry corroborates the physiological impact of nostril breathing, particularly the practice of alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana), which the verse implicitly references through its association with the breath cycle. Studies demonstrate that right-nostril breathing enhances sympathetic tone, leading to elevated heart rate and oxygen consumption, consistent with the solar, activating energy of pingala. For instance, a 2013 study published in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology reported that unilateral right-nostril breathing significantly augmented cardiovascular parameters, indicative of SNS activation. Conversely, left-nostril breathing augments parasympathetic activity, decelerating heart rate and fostering relaxation, as evidenced by a 2017 study in Frontiers in Physiology, which noted improved heart rate variability (HRV) with left-nostril breathing. HRV, a metric of ANS balance, serves as a crucial indicator of health and resilience against aging, as elevated HRV correlates with diminished stress and superior cardiovascular outcomes. Through the disciplined practice of alternating nostril breathing, adepts can modulate SNS and PNS activity, thereby lending credence to the verse’s assertion that balancing these “currents” could impede aging by mitigating the energy dissipation wrought by chronic sympathetic overdrive.
The verse’s allusion to solar and lunar rays compels a deeper consideration of environmental influences on the ANS. Solar activity, encompassing solar flares and geomagnetic storms, impacts human physiology by disrupting circadian rhythms and melatonin production, both regulated by the ANS. A 2020 study in Scientific Reports indicated that increased solar radio flux augments parasympathetic activity, while geomagnetic disturbances may intensify sympathetic tone, potentially elevating cardiovascular risk. These findings suggest that solar activity could amplify SNS-like “solar currents,” thereby disrupting the delicate balance. Similarly, lunar phases may subtly influence the ANS through their gravitational effects on biological rhythms. A 2011 study in Sleep Medicine observed correlations between full moon phases and diminished sleep quality, potentially linked to PNS suppression. While these effects are modest, they lend empirical support to the verse’s notion that cosmic forces exert an influence on physiological balance, with profound implications for the aging process.
The verse’s emphasis on a life of “purity and chastity” to avert energy dissipation further aligns with contemporary scientific understanding. Chronic stress, primarily driven by excessive SNS activity, accelerates aging through mechanisms of oxidative stress and inflammation. Practices such as controlled breathing, meditation, and disciplined living—perhaps akin to the “purity” alluded to—enhance PNS activity, diminishing cortisol levels and supporting longevity. For example, a 2018 study in Psychoneuroendocrinology demonstrated that yogic breathing reduces cortisol levels, thereby mitigating age-related decline.
In summation, the esoteric framework of the ancient verse finds profound resonance in modern occult science by mapping solar and lunar currents to the SNS and PNS, respectively. Nostril breathing’s capacity to modulate these systems, substantiated by research on HRV and cardiovascular effects, furnishes a physiological bedrock for the verse’s assertion that the harmonious balancing of these energies retards aging. Furthermore, the subtle yet discernible influences of solar and lunar phenomena on the ANS suggest a cosmic nexus to physiological balance. By integrating disciplined living and breath practices, individuals may attain the harmonious balance of “solar” and “lunar” currents, thereby cultivating vitality and longevity as envisioned by the ancient wisdom.
“The theory of ether [warmth ether] now enables us to understand how man, by means of his etheric forces, carries within himself, in his blood currents and in his breathing, the processes of combustion and of that peculiarly labile transformation of oxygen. (See Chap. XII, p.220)”
“In man also there is active something of the nature of the flame coming into existence under certain conditions and then dying out, something of the polarity of “heat-light” and “pure light.” Man bears within himself the secret being of the “flame” of fire, of which the myth of Prometheus speaks.”
“Professor K.A. Hofmann refers to the unusually early dying out of the flame in a closed space, and points out the following important fact (loc,cit, p.321) : “If, for example, a wax candle burns in an enclosed space of air until is spontaneously goes out, the gas… shows almost the same composition as that exhaled by man.”(F.C.G. Miller)”
“This process of metamorphosis in the air surrounding the candle is naturally highly unstable. Ozone exists, as it were only in a nascent state. We shall call attention to the same unstable process of metamorphosis of oxygen in human blood. The metamorphosis in the case of a candle occurs in such a way that usually, after the extinguishing of the candle, the general laws of the environment again instantly cause the reverse metamorphosis in the force-relationship of two-part oxygen. We are dealing here, as it were, with a continual conflict between forces which tend to form twofold oxygen and others which would form threefold. So long as the former forces are victorious the flame burns; but, when the second forces conqueror, the flame goes out, it dies; whereupon the former forces again conqueror and form the twofold oxygen, which corresponds with the laws of the lowest atmosphere. This polarity of action of forces which manifest themselves here in the earth organism in the burning and the dying of a flame, we shall find again in the organism of man.”
“In this phenomenon we are face to face with one of the most significant phenomena in cosmos, earth, and man.”
“One can look into the workshop of earthly Promethean fire and see its opposition to pure cosmic light.”
-Etheric Formative Forces, Wachmusth
The Workshop of Earthly Promethean Fire: Contrasting Wachsmuth’s Metaphorical Vision with Scientific Reality
Wachsmuth’s evocative excerpt describes a “continual conflict between forces” in the context of a candle flame and human physiology. He portrays the burning of a candle as a dynamic interplay where “twofold oxygen” (O₂) sustains the flame, while forces favoring “threefold oxygen” (O₃) lead to its extinction, followed by the restoration of O₂ by atmospheric laws. Wachsmuth extends this metaphor to the “organism of man,” suggesting an analogous “unstable process of metamorphosis” in human blood.
While poetically compelling, this depiction diverges from modern scientific understanding of atmospheric chemistry and human biology.
By contrasting Wachsmuth’s ideas with established science and exploring two interpretive paths—one linking O₂ and CO₂ in combustion and respiration, and another connecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) to the body’s dynamic balance—we can clarify his metaphor while grounding it in empirical reality.
Through this analytical process, we have been able to offer a possible interpretation of these challenging paragraphs, clarifying how Wachsmuth’s metaphorical framework, while scientifically imprecise, can be reinterpreted through established chemical and biological principles.
Furthermore, our exploration has uncovered two distinct paths—the O₂-CO₂ polarity and the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) cycle—that appear to relate to the text’s underlying themes of life-sustaining versus life-depleting forces and dynamic equilibrium.
A Metaphorical Framework
Wachsmuth’s text frames the candle flame as a battleground where “twofold oxygen” (O₂) supports combustion, while “threefold oxygen” (O₃), in a “nascent state,” opposes it, causing the flame to “die” when O₃-forming forces prevail. After extinction, he claims, environmental laws “instantly cause the reverse metamorphosis” to restore O₂, aligning with the “lowest atmosphere.”
This process, Wachsmuth argues, mirrors a similar transformation in human blood, reflecting a universal polarity between life-sustaining and life-depleting forces. Written in an early 20th-century esoteric context, the quote blends observation with spiritual symbolism, using “metamorphosis” and “nascent state” to evoke an alchemical transformation where O₃ represents reactivity and instability, contrasting with stable O₂.
Scientifically, however, Wachsmuth’s framework is inaccurate.
A candle flame consumes O₂ to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water, not O₃, which is not significantly formed during combustion:
CnH2n+2+O2→CO2+H2O
The flame extinguishes due to O₂ depletion or physical disruption, not O₃ formation. Similarly, the notion of O₃ in human blood lacks biological basis, as ozone is toxic and absent from natural physiological processes. Wachsmuth’s “conflict” likely symbolizes a broader tension between stability and reactivity, but it misaligns with the chemical realities of combustion and human physiology.
Scientific Insights: The Ozone-Oxygen Cycle and Combustion
Modern atmospheric chemistry clarifies the interplay between O₂ and O₃ in the stratosphere’s ozone-oxygen cycle.
Ultraviolet (UV) light splits O₂ into two oxygen atoms:
O2+UV→2O
Each atom can combine with another O₂ molecule to form O₃:
O+O2+M→O3+M
Ozone then absorbs UV light, decomposing back to O₂:
O3+UV→O2+O
This cycle maintains the ozone layer, protecting Earth from harmful UV radiation, but it occurs high in the atmosphere, not near a candle.
In combustion, a candle flame relies on O₂ to oxidize hydrocarbons, producing CO₂ and water. Extinction occurs when O₂ is depleted, and atmospheric diffusion passively replenishes O₂, not through a “reverse metamorphosis” involving O₃.
Wachsmuth’s reference to O₃ in the flame likely stems from early misunderstandings of ozone’s reactivity or its symbolic use as a transient, unstable state.
One path to clarify Wachsmuth’s metaphor focuses on the polarity between O₂ and CO₂, which better reflects the chemical dynamics of a candle flame and human physiology.
In combustion, the flame consumes O₂ to produce CO₂, marking a state of transformation and depletion:
CnH2n+2+O2→CO2+H2O
When O₂ is scarce, the flame “dies,” mirroring Wachsmuth’s narrative of extinction. Atmospheric diffusion then restores O₂, sustaining the potential for future combustion, akin to the “forces” Wachsmuth describes as favoring “twofold oxygen.”This dynamic finds a parallel in human respiration, where O₂ is used to oxidize glucose, producing energy, CO₂, and water:
C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+energy
CO₂, exhaled as a waste product, represents the “consumed” state, contrasting with O₂’s life-sustaining role. When O₂ is depleted (e.g., in hypoxia), cellular processes falter, resembling the flame’s “dying.” Breathing restores O₂, paralleling the atmospheric replenishment after a flame’s extinction. This O₂-CO₂ polarity captures Wachsmuth’s notion of a “continual conflict” between forces of vitality (O₂) and depletion (CO₂), offering a scientifically grounded analogy that aligns with his metaphorical intent without invoking O₃.
A second path extends Wachsmuth’s analogy to the human organism by interpreting the “unstable process of metamorphosis of oxygen in human blood” through the lens of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) cycle. In the body, cellular metabolism, particularly in mitochondria, generates ROS such as superoxide (O₂⁻), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydroxyl radicals (OH·).
These highly reactive molecules, formed during processes like oxidative phosphorylation or UV-induced photooxidation in the skin, resemble Wachsmuth’s “threefold oxygen” in their transient, unstable nature. Just as Wachsmuth’s O₃ exists in a “nascent state” that disrupts the flame, ROS represent a reactive state of oxygen that can damage cellular components if unchecked.The body maintains a dynamic balance, or “continual conflict,” between ROS production and neutralization. Antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin C, along with enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, mitigate ROS, converting them into stable O₂ or water:
2O2−+2H+→SODH2O2+O2
2H2O2→Catalase2H2O+O2
Glutathione donates electrons to neutralize ROS, becoming oxidized (GSSG) and later regenerated by glutathione reductase:
GSH+ROS→GSSG+H2O
This mirrors the atmospheric cycle where O₃ decomposes to O₂, maintaining equilibrium. In the body, when ROS production overwhelms antioxidant defenses, oxidative stress occurs, damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids, akin to the flame’s “dying” when reactive forces dominate.
Conversely, effective ROS neutralization sustains cellular life, paralleling the restoration of O₂ in Wachsmuth’s narrative.This ROS cycle offers a compelling biological parallel to Wachsmuth’s metaphor. While O₃ itself is not present in the body (and is toxic if inhaled), ROS serve as the reactive, unstable counterparts to stable O₂, embodying the “threefold” oxygen’s disruptive potential. The body’s constant management of ROS reflects the “polarity of action” Wachsmuth describes, where forces promoting stability (antioxidants, O₂) vie with those causing disruption (ROS), determining cellular health or decline
The second path (ROS cycle) reinterprets Wachsmuth’s O₃ as ROS, reflecting a biological conflict between reactive and stable oxygen states. Both paths preserve Wachsmuth’s theme of polarity—vitality versus depletion—while correcting his chemical misconceptions.
By reframing Wachsmuth’s “continual conflict,” we illuminate two paths that bridge his esoteric vision of warmth ether with scientific reality. The O₂-CO₂ polarity links the candle’s burning and dying to human respiration, where O₂ sustains life and CO₂ marks its consumption, with natural processes restoring balance. The ROS cycle extends this to the cellular level, where reactive oxygen species, akin to Wachsmuth’s “threefold oxygen,” challenge stability, countered by antioxidants to maintain life. These parallels highlight a universal dance of transformation and renewal, where forces of stability and reactivity shape both flame and human organism. Wachsmuth’s poetic lens, though scientifically imprecise, invites us to see the profound interplay of forces animating nature and humanity, a vision enriched by grounding it in the dynamic cycles of oxygen, CO₂, and ROS.