Tattva vision is a basic exercise of "scrying in the spirit
 vision" used in the Golden Dawn system. The use of tattva vision
 should not be limited to students of the Golden Dawn and allied
 systems because it, as well as other methods of developing the
 range of consciousness, is useful to treaders of all paths. Prior
 to beginning the tattva vision exercise you should use some means
 of cleansing the area in which you will work. This may be any
 method of cleansing or banishing, preferably one from your own
 discipline, and one with which you are comfortable. In the
 Golden Dawn we use the lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram.
 The tattvas represent the elements as principles upon which we
 may perceive the structure of the universe. They should not be
 seen as absolutes, but rather as constructs we use to approach an
 understanding of the nature of reality. The tattvas, in spite of
 their hindu origin, have become imbedded in our culture, and
 relate to existing elements (no pun!) of the western esoteric
 tradition. They relate to the alchemical elements, to shapes and
 to colors as follows:
 tattva       element       shape       color
 ---------------------------------------------
 akasa        ether         oval        black
                                       (indigo)

 vayu         air           circle      blue

 tejas        fire          triangle    red

 apas         water         crescent    silver
                          (concave up)

 prithivi     earth         square      yellow

 ---------------------------------------


 now, to begin experimenting with tattva vision, you will need a
 set of five pieces of white cardboard about four inchees square.
 This should be white on both sides. On each of the cardboard
 squares draw one of the figures as accurately as you can and
 color it appropriately. The colors should be as strong and as
 brilliant as possible. Poster paints are suitable although not
 ideal. Some students use brilliantly colored paper cut to shape
 and pasted to the figure. At any rate, you can heighten the
 effect of the colors by covering the figures with clear acetate
 or other suitable material. To begin the exercise itself, seat
 yourself comfortably, relax, and center yourself. You will need
 a strong light nearby that you can turn off easily. With the
 light on stare at the figure for about half a minute, until you
 see a sort of halo around the figure. This is a normal, physical
 phenomenon. At this point, turn the card over and stare at the
 blank side. You will see an image of the figure on the card in
 the complementary color of the original figure. This is, again,
 a natural phenomenon. As soon as you see this figure close your
 eyes and turn off the light. Now, picture this complementary
 figure before you and mentally enlarge it. You may find it
 easier to imagine yourself shrinking. Whatever, you will
 now have to imagine the figure before you as a doorway to the
 astral plane, and will yourself to pass through the doorway. You
 may wish to try the Zelator sign as taught in the Golden Dawn
 -- stand straight and extend the right arm in something like a
 Nazi salute. This is a "projecting" gesture and may help you move
 through the doorway. It is important not to simply say to
 yourself, "now i am going through the doorway," or to imagine a
 figure of yourself at a distance going through, but to imagine
 yourself, your here-and-now self passing through the portal.
 Once you have succeeded in making the passage (it will probably
 take several attempts), it is important to imagine very strongly
 the doorway behind you and to fix in your mind its location in
 relation to the features of the astral landscape around you.
 This is your way back! make your first experiments short ones.
 You may extend them as you gain experience. You may enhance the
 experience by meditating on the element before you try the
 experiment, and by surrounding yourself with materials related to
 that element. Use appropriate incense, etc. This little exercise
 may be extended to tarot cards, hexagrams, etc. It would be wise
 to gain complete control of the present exercise before
 attempting the others.

 cards, hexagrams, etc. It would be wise
 to gain complete con