Theurgy,Theophany,andtheMundusImaginalis:

CarlosSchwabe,LeDestin,1897.

The manifested dynamic cosmos, populated with myriads of occult correspondences, mythic realities,

and host of nonmaterial beings, exists on various levels of perception, with the senses perceiving the

world, the active imagination the soul, and the daimonic consciousness through the intellect.[1]As the

active imagination conveys events of the dynamic cosmos through images, the very act of imagining is

in a sense an act of theurgic union, if one is to treat the dynamic cosmos as divine. Yet, it must be

clarified in the most vehement manner that this sense of active imagination is very different from the

modern view of reality where imagination is merely a mode of separating ones state of mind from

everyday mental perceptions and processes. In a state of active imagination, corporeal reality, which

we conceive as being real, is in fact enveloped and consumed by the reality of the pure forces of the

cosmos, and is determined by it. To quote Tom Cheetham,it is the mode of being, the mode of

Presence,ofthehumanpersonthatdeterminesthenatureoftime,nottheotherwayround.[2]

According to Henry Corbin, the active imagination partakes, dwells, and embodies the mundus

imaginalis, which is the mesocosm of visionary revelation and events that experienced more vividly real that mundane reality. This is a place of constant metaphysical experience, theophanic visions,

meditative consciousness, ritual gesture, contemplative prayer, artistic inspiration, and the sensations of

eros. The function of the active imagination transmutes sensible forms into living symbols, and as

Corbinwrites,

The active imagination guides, anticipates, molds sense perception, that is why it transmutes sensory data into

symbols. The Burning Bush is only a brushwood fire if it is merely perceived by the sensory organs. In order

that Moses may perceive the Burning Bush and hear the Voice calling him an organ of transsensory

perception is needed...[3] So that the intelligible realities perceived on the imaginal level may be reflected in the mirror of the senses and be translated into visionary perception the vision of the angel does not emerge from

thenegativityofanunconscious,butdescendsfromalevelofapositivelydifferentiatedsuperconscious.[4]

This is the theurgic endeavour of purification and liberation, the attempt to perceive traces of divine meaning

behindappearancesperceivedbythesenses.

The intensity of the active imagination that resonates throughout the mesocosm can create changes in the world,

initiated through the occult correspondences of Indras net, transforming the possessor of such an active

imagination into a divine creator who established the patterns from which material forms evolve. And as Angela

Voss concludes, what we call a miracle is the result of such a capacity to bring spiritual power to bear on matter

andcutthroughtheliteraldimensionofcauseandeffect.[5]