Hermeticism

Today, I present an article by Nina Rudnikova titled "Transfiguration of Evil". It was written closer to the end of her life and is one of her more mature works. In it, Nina Rudnikova talks about the necessity of inner transformation for spiritual development. I find it interesting that she used the word "transfiguration", rather than "transformation" or "transmutation", which she knew as she used it in her other works.

To overcome earthly chaos and pave the way for a new era of cosmic cooperation, the convergence of worlds, and the refinement of heavy earthly materiality, human consciousness, and creativity must now rise to the challenge. To overcome earthly chaos is to solve the problem of earthly evil and stop the latter’s existence, or, as figuratively expressed in the Bible, to "crush the serpent’s head".

Transfiguration by Alexander Ivanov, 1824

What is the cause of the earthly chaos, and where did the earthly evil come from? The reason for objective chaos is the subjective chaos of our consciousness, and man himself caused the earthly evil to exist.

The task set before mankind is to transform the material of the earth through cultural construction into the highest state of spirituality, which corresponds to the place occupied by the planet in the general cosmic chain, to establish the Kingdom of God, to realize the spiritual capabilities of the Universal Good – this is the creative joy of humanity. But attachment to earthly things darkened human consciousness. Instead of the creative joy of their transformation, it reached out for the "happiness" of their possession - and creative will turned into desires ... Buddha said that desire is the cause of all suffering (earthly evil).

The desire for abstract or specific possessions is the poison that, during evolution, corroded human consciousness and, historically, unfolded into a long scroll of human crimes, vices, falls, and misfortunes which we collectively call the earthly evil. This evil created the earthly chaos, in which we are now suffocating. The wrong orientation of the human will, which chose slavish "happiness" of possessing earthly things (parts of public material entrusted to humanity by the cosmic hierarchy) to the free creative joy of labor for the Universal Good, gave rise to evil on earth and corrupted our personalities which are tools of conducting spiritual creative impulse.

Therefore, the root of evil is in ourselves and, indeed, the head of the serpent seducing Eve, i.e., The perceiving part of human consciousness rests within our consciousness of each of us, and we are all responsible for the evil of the world. Earthly evil - personified or not - is a conglomerate of the consequences and the result of countless accumulated mistakes of mankind that arose from the darkening of consciousness through self-inflicted wounds and false ideas, false worldviews, vices, and passions. The repeatability of the main features created their overall image. And since each of us hourly populates the cellars of the Subtle World with new residents, we can only transfigure evil in ourselves to overcome the earthly chaos that is the objective accumulation of karmic human evil.

All religions teach selflessness, for it tears the root of evil from the human heart and dissolves the objective accumulation of evil in the mental atmosphere of the Earth.

However, the principle of selflessness is difficult to understand and even harder to implement. Many think they act selflessly only to increase chaos with earthly fanaticism, imposing one-sided truths, resentment, and absurd claims. Many want to fix the world, but few wish to fix themselves for the Universal Good.

The question of the struggle against evil arises before every profoundly thinking consciousness. But, of course, at first, it is necessary to struggle with subjective evil in the form of negative personality properties, for pure work should be done with clean hands. But, while the hands are dirty, they cannot be used for objective construction because they will stain the stones.

The subjective struggle against evil is the largest, hardest, and most incredible feat, and to truly implement it and transfigure your consciousness – you must be able to take it. Many failures and disappointments are not due to a lack of desire or volitional tension – a lack of strength – but due to misunderstanding the problem and ways to resolve it.

Many think they are fighting evil by suppressing the manifestation of their bad qualities, but since every quality is power, the suppressed force accumulates its tension in the subconscious. Sooner or later, it will break through and flood consciousness like a wave, destroying the dams of good intentions. Therefore, suppression of one’s bad qualities is permissible only as the first stage of the fight against evil, which does not solve the problem or lead to the transformation of the personality. This is only the prevention of the manifestation of evil. But it potentially remains, as the negative qualities of consciousness, which, invisibly accumulating, can explode under suitable conditions.

The second stage, often considered the final approach to overcoming evil in oneself, involves purposefully developing good qualities to counteract the evil ones. For instance, a person with a bad temper works on becoming non-aggressive, and a miser learns to be charitable. However, according to the basic law of mechanics, neutralizing opposing forces can diminish the overall dynamism of one's personality when using only this method to combat evil.

This happens because a part of its volitional force goes to suppress the evil qualities, using one power to cancel out the other. But this method is necessary as the second stage of the problem. As a result, the personality is enriched through the acquisition and development of positive qualities that have been dormant in it. Nonetheless, it brings a departure from the world’s evil, the forces raging around us, and a partial loss of internal contact with others.

Although this method creates light and benign personalities, it cannot be considered exhaustive for the task. Each personality quality is primarily a power, an ability that exists in the consciousness for its creative manifestation. Therefore, each negative quality is a power or possibility falsely directed at wrong goals with incorrect motivations in the narrow framework of a low plane of consciousness. Therefore, each negative quality has a basis in positive, creative power.

Therefore, we should not suppress these powers, not throw away the possibilities like garbage, but transfigure them by giving them to the service of the Universal Good. We must transform the motives of all our activities and actions from narrow and selfish to a broad and selfless creative impulse for the construction of culture. The general spiritualization of consciousness will transform the qualities of our personality into positive, creative powers. If we throw them out only because of their incorrect use, we risk impoverishing and exhausting our personalities. Even vices indicate a wealth of personality, and if sublimated (or spiritualized) and correctly applied, they turn into virtues.

Only after consciously purifying and spiritualizing our consciousness with a voluntary dedication to serve an ideal can we proceed with the sublimation of individual qualities, viewing them as abilities and powers subject to transformation. Thus, mental vices are transformed, sublimating from touching to the spiritual ideal: doubt turns into a conscientious review of ideas and benign analysis of their mental energies; conceit - into an adamant faith in oneself, necessary for every builder; a tendency to speculation - into the flexibility of intelligence to find new combinations necessary in construction; cunning - into resourcefulness; tendency to lie – into imagination; frivolity - into the plasticity of consciousness and readiness to change the forms of labor easily; lying - into adaptability and the capability to shift consciousness into the psyche of its neighbor, and so on.

Vices and emotions undergo a transformation: the spirit of contradiction becomes independence; weakness turns into gentleness; apathy evolves into patience and humility; adventurism shifts into spiritual exploration; impudence changes to boldness; stubbornness transforms into determination and persistence toward creative goals; the sense of ownership develops into a sense of responsibility; jealousy converts into attentiveness; recklessness or hooliganism refines into measured courage; cowardice matures into caution; servility progresses into reverence; stinginess adapts into balanced prudence; and wastefulness is replaced by the ease of generosity, among other changes.

Character flaws can be transformed as follows: bad temper becomes righteous anger; irritability shifts into sensitivity; gloominess turns into restraint; sensuality, which reveals an abundance of creative energy wasted on a lower plane, evolves into a fiery creative drive on psychic and mental levels; laziness changes into tranquility; numb indifference develops into the freedom of non-attachment; a tendency for excitement transforms into a productive temperament; the inclination to self-medicate, rooted in dissatisfaction with oneself and others, converts into the ability to explore other worlds through yoga in search of the right paths and connections; and so on. Weakness of will, characterized by being torn between numerous desires, can be transformed into diverse expressions through devotion to an ideal.

Negative personality elements so transformed ascend into the spirit, becoming what they are and should be - the qualities and strengths necessary for cooperation in creating the Universal Good. Thus, service to the ideal defangs evil.

There is no concept of evil for the consciousness transfigured by selfless service; there are lower and higher forces, centrifugal and centripetal energies, coagulating and rarefying energies, and Jacob's Ladder of the universal hierarchy, where everyone fulfills their task in their place. In extreme cases, there are mistakes in applying powers and irregularity in manifesting creative capabilities.

The transfiguration of evil into creative powers and possibilities within one's consciousness is the Great Work of humanity. This is the aim of Ethical Hermeticism, and the teachings of Living Ethics focus on this very issue. By spiritualizing one's consciousness through service to an ideal and converting negative qualities into positive powers, one can experience a "rebirth", "put on a new self", and contribute to the Universal Great Kingdom of God. In Ethical Hermeticism, the phrase "He reigns with the sky and hell serves him" refers to a consciousness that has both begun and completed this transformative work, thereby mastering the powers of both the "above" and the "below".

Only such a consciousness will know how to transfigure the evil of the objective world into powers and opportunities that serve the construction of the Universal Good into that genuine cultural creation that will establish the Kingdom of God on Earth.

I'll be honest. I've been holding this one back because I didn't know how to present it. We're all children of our time, and some ideas prevalent in the early 20th century are much less palatable to us in the early 21st century. So it is with Nina Rudnikova's essay "The Gypsies", which employs some ideas about different human races. It also makes some cultural references I do not understand. Elder Zosima is a Dostoyevsky character, but who are Hoggard and Lorenzo? Please let me know if you understand this reference.

In this work of fiction, Nina Rudnikova takes some creative liberties with historic and mythological figures. So we have Rama, a Celtic chieftain [sic!], meeting a tribe of Gypsies and teaching them his wisdom. Sometimes, I wonder if there's some unpublished work by Rudnikova where we can find a Scottish Hermes Trismegistus wearing a kilt.

The Gypsies by William Simpson (1823–1899)

On a more serious note, Rudnikova's works often revolve around the idea of bringing the East and the West together. In her perspective, the East represents spiritual wisdom and morality, while the West is seen as practical, worldly, and corrupt. This view may have been influenced by her personal experiences in Europe, where she may have felt out of place. According to Rudnikova, the unification of these two regions involves people from the East journeying to the West to redeem it by changing their hearts. This theme is especially evident in "The Gypsies".

It was a time unknown to history at the very dawn of the white race.

A wise and powerful chieftain named Rama led the newly born white race from the north of Europe to the East, to Asia, towards the rising Sun, to establish his kingdom there, in blue India, and to light the Sun of divine Wisdom and Revelations still accessible to the spirit of the young humanity…

Once on his journey, Rama encountered a tribe traveling from the East to the West. They were not wise, and their spirits could not hear the voice of Revelations, but their souls were compassionate and free, harboring a dormant, vague intuition of truth deep within. They were the Gypsies, and with innate instinct, they recognized Rama as the Great Chieftain and Teacher and paid him homage. They asked Rama, "O divine Rama, tell us where and why are we going? Driven by our boundless freedom, we cannot stop to set limits. We do not know our path or purpose as we strive further. Great and wise one, give us a task within our power!"

The Gypsies sought guidance from Rama to define their path and destiny. The Chieftain replied, "A wandering tribe, free nomads incapable of adhering to the conventions required for a settled life — I will chart your path and determine your destiny. I head east to ignite the unquenchable Sun of Wisdom and Revelations. Accept its beam in my blessing and preserve it within your dark soul. I venture east to kindle the inextinguishable Sun, whose light is unquenchable and whose rays are eternal and unchanging.

You, however, must journey into the dark, enigmatic West, tirelessly traversing the Sunset lands until you reach where the Sun, ignited by me, plunges into the sea of endless darkness and disappears forever into the waves of the dark night. There, your journey will end, and there you will find rest. Go forth, gathering everything dark and sinful along your way and illuminating it within yourselves with the ray of the blessing I have bestowed upon you.

Awaken the slumbering ray of spirit in those you encounter with the miracles of your hidden intuition, prompting their souls to ponder and face the rays of my Sun. Encourage those you meet to head east while you continue further and further west. When you grow weary, and my ray starts to dim within your souls, I will send you a leader, another, and a third. You will always resume your journey and tirelessly head further west until you reach the lands where the Sun, lit by me, sinks forever into the dark waves of the lightless sea."

With these words, the great Rama extended his hands over the Gypsies, blessing them, and then pointed to a star twinkling in the pink dawn sky.

He told them, "Let this star guide you. It has five rays, three pointing upwards and two pointing downwards. The three upper rays represent the light of my blessing for you, while the other two rays symbolize the curse and darkness of the land you are heading to, where the light of truth fades amidst the chaos of the eternal struggle between dual forces. This star is called Luminiferous; let the light triumph over darkness. Follow this star, free wanderers of the Earth, and remember your purpose."

So said Rama and went to the East, and the Gypsies went to the West.

Since then, they have traveled relentlessly, never staying in one place for too long, fearing the limitations of a settled lifestyle. Driven by their purpose, they journey through various countries, picking up the vices and darkness of the places they pass through. However, with their sinless freedom, illuminated by Rama's blessing, they purify the world's corruption in their innocent hearts.

They continue their journey, and with the miracles of their vague intuition, they impress the people of the Western countries with their divination and advice, simple yet profound. In these countries, the rays of the great Sun of Wisdom and Revelations, lit by Rama, barely reach. They venture into the pitch darkness of the unbelieving and non-wandering West and point towards the Eastern Sun to the best of their ability.

When they grow weary from their past travels and the burden of the darkness they've absorbed, Rama sends them a leader. Once again, knowing they won't be abandoned, they tirelessly continue west, towards the ever-setting, unquenchable Sun that disappears forever into the waves of darkness. There, they will finally find rest. So says the legend...

We stand at the border between the East and the West. Born in the East, we now venture into the shadows of the Western realm. Scattered across European cities like wandering nomads, we resemble the Gypsies. For years, we have absorbed the positivism and materialistic outlook of the enlightened West, where the Sun's light, ignited in the East and symbolizing mysticism and intuition, is extinguished by waves of desolate realism. Consequently, we have plunged headlong into the chasm of realism and zoologism crafted by the Red Devil.

We brought our Eastern essence to the lands of the setting sun, carrying our profound understanding of life and our quest for indescribable freedom. Our spirit knows no boundaries; we are the Gypsies, nomads of the spirit. The flight of our thought cannot be halted, for it is too free and fearful of the constraints of convention. Soaring ever higher, it seeks the radiant heights or delves into the unfathomable depths of the abyss, heedless of limits or prohibitions. For ages, we have startled Europe with the power of our peaks and valleys and our unending aspirations - a Europe characterized by sedentary, tranquil spirits. We compelled it to gaze eastward.

Our spirit continues to journey further into the shadowy lands of positive theories, where the deep intuitive understanding of life, kindled in the wise East like a ray of sunlight, gradually fades away. We press on, lamenting and groaning in the darkness like Hoggard and Lorenzo while also trembling in anticipation of the joy that stirs within us: "Behold, as the whole world agrees, so will Paradise come." We remember Elder Zosima's testament and follow the star of our enigmatic Slavic inheritance.

When our strength waned and our spirit dimmed under the weight of the unrelenting night, a leader of thought and creativity awakened us, reminding us that we had not been forsaken. Armed with the teachings of our leaders and creators, we resumed our journey as nomads of the spirit, as anarchists who refused to acknowledge barriers and laws in the realm of the spirit, delving further into the darkness of the Western lands.

As representatives of the Russian intelligentsia who are now dispersed across Western countries, we carry within our spirits the testimonies of the East and the boundless freedom that fears nothing. We seem to have reached a critical point where the Sun of Wisdom sets in the inky night of Bolshevism. This has been born from the West's positive theories and our Eastern inclination to go too far. We sense that our respite is near, and in that decisive moment, the entire Sun of the East will ignite within our souls, illuminating the darkness of the positive West.

Today, I want to present my translations of two of Nina Rudnikova's articles: "Cosmic Cooperation" and "Cosmic Worldview". In these articles, Rudnikova elaborates on her ideas of the necessity of consciously participating in the Solar system's life.

Rudnikova says that an overinflated sense of self-importance is one of the main reasons for destruction and destitution. To create a better life for everyone, one must realize oneself as a part of the whole and understand their place in the universe. This would involve a change in one's mental image of the world.

Conscious cosmic cooperation represents the next phase in human evolution. Since its inception, Earth's humanity has played an active role in the world's creative endeavors. However, the outcomes of unconscious activities fall short in power, brilliance, and logic compared to those of conscious actions.

Disharmony, inconsistency, and disproportion stem from unconsciousness. Unconsciousness leads to irresponsibility, substandard quality, and a weakened impact of actions.

To be conscious means understanding the connection between the general and the particular, the whole and its parts, and ultimately, the relationship between the Subject and the Object.

Conscious cosmic cooperation necessitates understanding the following: a) humanity's role and objectives in cosmic creation, b) aligning one's efforts with these goals, and c) ensuring one's aspirations are in harmony with the universal plan of historical development.

Conscious cosmic cooperation relies on a strong sense of responsibility for oneself and the collective to which one belongs. Feeling responsible for one's actions, emotions, and thoughts, as well as their impact on humanity and the Cosmos, signifies awareness of one's manifestations. Finding joy in responsibility means being a creative contributor rather than a mere worker.

Conscious cosmic cooperation is founded on serving the Universal Good within humanity and the entire planet and planetary system, as communication between worlds should promote collaboration, not conflict. Introducing strife into the Cosmos will lead to self-destruction.

Conscious cosmic cooperation involves an expanded synthetic consciousness that transforms an egocentric earthly personality into a creative, proactive individuality.

Conscious cosmic cooperation requires the harmonious development and integration of the Heart, Mind, and Will to safeguard against dangerous disruptions of consciousness.

Conscious cosmic cooperation emphasizes the importance of the Heart, particularly its core qualities: all-embracing and all-affirming synthesis, empathy, and patience, transforming suffering into the joy of creating spiritual values and shifting focus from rigid forms to dynamic energies.

Conscious cosmic cooperation necessitates reevaluating ownership, even in its subtlest forms. Everything belongs to everyone, and the ease of giving ensures the ease of receiving.

Conscious cosmic cooperation acknowledges the boundlessness of evolutionary possibilities and the eagerness to creatively embrace them without limitations or fatigue, finding joy in discovering new opportunities rather than in rest.

Conscious cosmic cooperation involves recognizing the One indivisible Life, consistent across all cosmic transformations. Cooperation is unattainable without acknowledging Unity within Diversity.

Conscious cosmic cooperation entails joining the Hierarchy of coworkers, the Cosmic White Brotherhood. One must unconditionally establish oneself within it, as its members are conduits of the Spirit and maintain the balance between the Above and the Below, the Spirit and its manifestations.

Every individual who values their personal destiny and the future of humanity is now called upon to participate in this significant transformation of consciousness. Humanity is being summoned to undergo this change for the sake of a bright, joyful, and noble future that awaits the collective mind.

The loss of knowledge about true cosmic relationships is at the root of modern spiritual and cultural decline. The absurd disproportionality, overvaluation of oneself as a vital factor, an exaggerated sense of self-worth, and limited range of personal interests are all consequences of human consciousness becoming disconnected from the cosmic chain.

This disconnection has led to a loss of understanding of our true role and significance in universal cooperation. This spiritual collapse is particularly tragic now as humanity is moving beyond the dogmatic boundaries of religious symbolism, which previously held intuitive knowledge of cosmic relationships and shaped human Life in various aspects. However, humanity has not yet reached genuine scientific knowledge and a comprehensive worldview.

Our current scientific knowledge is limited and insufficient to deeply explore and transform Life's complexities. Historical development cannot be reversed or delayed, and we must understand that there is no going back to the opaque religious worldview of the past.

The only option is to progress rapidly towards expanding our scientific understanding and developing a scientific-cosmic worldview that can guide our emotions, thoughts, and actions in a new way, integrating our consciousness into the realm of genuine cosmic cooperation. This does not mean we should abandon religion and dismiss its millennia-long influence on humanity.

Instead, religious syntheses need scientific validation, natural phenomena foundations, and logically coherent formulations. A new culture and stage in human consciousness development will be based on conscious cosmic cooperation and a cosmic worldview. This will start with a synthesis of religion and science, both aiming to discover and realize truth.

It is not the church dogma, which even the most devoted church leaders have lost the key to, but rather a scientifically grounded worldview that will provide humanity with a new key to cosmic correspondences. This will lead us to the One True Religion, which restores the connections between diverse cosmic consciousnesses and draws them toward the Central Source of conscious Life – God.

True knowledge is distinct from theoretical accumulation because it penetrates and transforms consciousness, creating corresponding mental representations and becoming a self-evident worldview. People often crave more scientific information but neglect to digest and apply what they already possess. Consequently, they have plenty of unapplied, easily forgotten information but little genuine knowledge.

Old ideas still strongly influence minds; they hinder the maturation of new concepts, which align with the most advanced knowledge. Modern humans' worldviews and ideas have not significantly progressed from those of their medieval ancestors. They still perceive the Sun as "rising" in the morning and "setting" in the evening and the Earth as the flat center of the universe with stars that "light up" at night.

Not grasping the fundamental principles of the world, people continue to view themselves as masters and the center of the universe. Geocentrism and homocentrism, inherited from deteriorated religious dogma, remain ingrained in the human mind. This mindset fuels an epidemic of self-importance, which stifles humanity's creative Spirit. People's knowledge is limited, and their understanding is inadequately applied in practice.

A cosmic worldview is the key to cosmic citizenship and represents the first step towards conscious cosmic cooperation.

The first step in implementing a cosmic worldview is converting accumulated knowledge into a mental framework, forming and maintaining accurate ideas and images. One recommendation is to focus on the Earth's rotation throughout the day by observing the Sun's apparent position.

Imagine visualizing a portion of the Earth's surface, including the observer, emerging from the darkness and turning towards the Sun as the Sun's rays illuminate it. Now, picture the observer's journey across the Earth's surface in front of the Sun, following its actual daily path from west to east. You can also create similar representations to understand the changes in seasons.

On a clear, moonless night, synchronize your body's rhythm using the fourfold breath and observe your journey from east to west on the Earth's surface as it passes by celestial bodies. Notice the Earth's movement relative to them, their paths in outer space, and focus on the light rays the Earth receives from the cosmos. Try to visualize the vast depths of space and the great distances between celestial objects.

Gradually, your background perception of Life and actions will shift from feeling like you are on a stable, motionless "center of the Universe" to a more accurate understanding of reality: you are on planet Earth, which moves and combines various circular motions within the Cosmos. Learn to work, breathe, and live on the celestial body called Earth as it carries you through infinite space. This shift in perspective will restore the proper balance between humans and the Cosmos, enabling you to perceive the influence of cosmic energies on our planet.

Establish a psychic rhythm using the fourfold breath and focus on a planet within our solar system, allowing its radiations to enter your psychic centers. The light rays carry vibrations of psychic and mental energies. Unusual images, thoughts, sensations, and energy flashes that arise in your mind will indicate the reality of this reception.

Concentrate your thoughts, feelings, and will on a beneficial abstract idea and send it with Earth's rays to the chosen planet. Become accustomed to playing the role of a sender. This will help you understand your responsibility for the quality of your thoughts and feelings, which radiate into space and affect the surrounding vibrations.

What kind of "heaven" are people seeking? They already live on a celestial body — Earth — situated deep within the vastness of space, surrounded by other planets and consciousnesses. Earth is infused with cosmic radiation and interweaves its own luminosity with the Cosmos. The images and forms constituting Earth's nature are infinitely beautiful, crafted by cosmic weavers. The Kingdom of God is truly around us; we only need to discover it within ourselves to see it everywhere.

Only earthly humanity has lost awareness of its role and purpose in the solar system, leading to unconscious self-destruction and damage to the surrounding nature instead of consciously constructing universal good. The new culture will be founded on human cosmic cooperation. A reimagined and revitalized science must underpin a cosmic worldview with a foundation of scientific experience. Atop this foundation, religion, philosophy, ethics, and the future of society will develop.

Russians must internalize the principles of a correct worldview, as Russia is destined to be the cradle of a new era. To best serve our Motherland now, we should abandon all unnecessary disputes over petty objectives and insignificant thoughts and instead support one another in acquiring a new, accurate understanding of cosmic relationships.

Today, I would like to present a centerpiece of Nina Rudnikova's work, an article titled The Solar Way from the Occultism & Yoga journal.

In this article, Rudnikova lays out the core concept of her worldview, which can be summarized as follows: Humanity is unknowingly part of a bigger world populated by numerous spiritual beings far more significant than humans in every regard. Our ultimate objective in life is to acknowledge the fact that we are part of a larger cosmos and work towards developing ourselves to actively participate in its life. This is the fundamental message that all religions have been trying to convey in their own way from ancient times to the present day.

Of course, she does not provide the details of the training required to achieve such a state of consciousness, but she does give hints. Rudnikova writes, "Non-identification with manifestations grants the keys to creative power and direct knowledge of the Sun" and "Such attainment is only possible when one's consciousness is rooted in the unchanging center, the Sun, which encompasses all periphery stages and the entire energy cycle of Life's manifestation in the system." Instead of identifying with manifested things, such as our bodies, Nina Rudnikova proposes identifying with our essence, which is the same as the essence of the Sun.

Rudnikova continues, "Merging one's consciousness with the Sun's... unlocks the key to dominion and signifies the second stage of the Solar Way." It stands to reason that such unity can be achieved through contemplation and meditation on the Sun. After all, as occultists often say, "What you contemplate, you imitate," or, as Hermeticists put it, "Think of a place, and you're there; think of a thing, and you are it."

Before you read my translation, I want to draw your attention to specific terms. In Rudnikova's works, the term "synthetic" refers to a unifying or integrative quality rather than an artificially created substance or object, as the word is commonly understood today. Additionally, the word "creativity" in her works refers to the process of creation rather than just the quality of being inventive.

"The ways of God are as numerous as the breaths of the sons of men."

The paths of God, the routes to ascend from the shackles of the material world to the liberation of the spirit, are innumerable and deeply personal. There are as many paths as there are unique psychic entities known as personalities. Each path represents a way to approach the grand esoteric journey of subjectively merging with the Essence of the Universe and engaging in cosmic creativity. Ultimately, personality is a bridge between matter and spirit, formed from an amalgamation of diverse vibrations or tones of psychic energy from the environment, which cluster around the nuclei of consciousness.

Despite the infinite permutations of psychic tones, our system contains as many foundational tones as there are resonators that transform the synthetic Solar Energy, that is, as many as there are planetary orbits (plus the Moon for the Earth). In their quests and individual paths to spiritual manifestation, people always group themselves into these sectors; this is the rationale and objective for the existence of various initiatory schools, systems, and cults.

Among these paths, there has always been a synthetic, sector-integrating way of directly utilizing the magnificent Solar Energy in its pure, unaltered form: the Central, Fiery, Swift, and Grand Solar Way. During moments of danger and times of spiritual crises, all that is positive and benevolent has consistently rallied around this path, seeking support and sustenance from it. This is true whether it be the mysteries of Ra in Egypt, Krishna in India, the Delphic temple of Apollo in Greece, or the Pelican of the Rosicrucian brotherhood.

Only the Solar Way, which merges and transmits the direct spiritual influx of the Sun, is truly synthetic. It alone can maintain the planet's psychic equilibrium. It alone reconciles and coordinates all other paths, shielding them from futile differentiation. Only the Solar Way possesses the secret of distributing the solar influx according to its aspects. Only it holds the key to centripetal and centrifugal orientation within our system. Only it directly transmits the divine Love and Wisdom that flows through the prism of the Solar synthetic consciousness.

"Discovering cosmic secrets and correspondences requires effort, exploration, and striving across numerous incarnations. Grasping the synthetic essence of the world at its three stages of manifestation synthesizes and supplants them all." A soul may traverse numerous incarnations from one sector to another, seeking enrichment and establishing balance until it uncovers its singular, universal, fundamental essence. The Solar Way embodies the direct revelation of the nucleus of all formal combinations and tonalities. Its stages correspond to the three steps of the Grand Arcanum of the Universe and the three phases of manifestation of the synthetic Essence of the world. This path is directed by Nature itself, which has set its milestones through the natural symbolism of cosmic phenomena. Its light emanates from the great Sun, the gateway to the realm of divine Life, Wisdom, and Love. It is ever-present with us; we and everything around us are imbued with it; its descending and ascending steps are marked by the signs of the planetary orbits.

All true Teachers of humanity, incarnations of the spiritual current of the luminous Center, spoke of the synthetic Solar Way. This is the Middle Way of the blessed Buddha, the path of Vedanta Advaita that negates all forms while affirming the essence; Moses, proclaiming the Divinity of the eternal Subject (“I am the Lord thy God”) and rejecting objective forms (“do not make for yourself an idol”); and the words of Christ: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all else shall be added unto you.” They declared the resplendent Solar Way of non-identification with manifestations and of creative supremacy, which transcends all other paths.

Yet, people have misinterpreted the meaning of their message. They transformed the regally simple Middle Way into a church filled with absurd superstitions; the spiritual creativity of the Mosaic system degenerated into the wild fanaticism of a materialized religion. Christian churches no longer seek the Kingdom of God but yearn for all else that is added. Master M. spoke of the solar synthesis of religions and systems through H. P. Blavatsky, but the Theosophical Society became a narrow occult sect. Such is the fate of the truths brought to people, akin to the fate of valuable mechanisms falling into children's hands.

The magnificent Sun, the wellspring of consciousness and life, shines brightly in the vastness of space, infusing its love and creative energy into the orbits of the planets. The Solar Way, though natural, straightforward, and clear, often eludes human awareness. It is the path where consciousness dominates forms both within oneself and in the external world. In the fiery crucible of elevated solar consciousness ablaze with creative energy, the great Quarternary Law of differentiation operates, shaping the life of the solar system into what can be termed as the Solar Cross of the Elements. These four elements form the basis of all solar creativity, with their potential combinations being limitless. At their most basic level, they represent the four states of matter, giving rise to diverse physical forms. In the realm of the psyche, these elements manifest as four qualities shaping personality evolution: the courage to seek, the thirst for knowledge, the ability to focus and process, and the fervent pursuit of goals. The balance among these qualities determines an individual's worth and character.

The four mutually polar solar emanations permeate everything, weaving the objective world with their countless combinations. They envelop the subjective psychic cross of the personality from all sides and sweep it along in a stream of constant changes, binding it to the wheel of life with the great power of identifying consciousness with its manifestations. By non-identification of consciousness with these manifestations, one gains control over the four primary aspects. Non-identification of consciousness is attained by anchoring one's spiritual core, the ever self-identical I, the subject of changes, through direct knowledge of one's unchanging and indelible essence and origin in the Spiritual Essence of the Cosmos, the Cosmic Subject, or God. Self-aware consciousness synthesizes the four elements of the psychic cross, thus becoming its master. Self-aware consciousness combines them purposefully, according to its goal, and wrests them from the power of external influences that turn personality into a plaything of causality. This ultimately leads to the liberation of the personality.

"Conquer yourself, and you'll conquer the whole world," goes the saying, because a purposefully directed personality, consciously harmonized in its elements, acts as a powerful magnet of influence on its environment. Its initiative center dominates and controls the four elements of objective reality. Mastery over the elements of the world is a stronghold of knowledge, for this domination transforms knowledge into direct understanding, clear insight into things, their internal and external patterns, and their infallible evaluation. The painstaking detours of a speculative mind become unnecessary. Instead, non-identification with manifestations grants the keys to creative power and direct knowledge of the Sun.

Dominion encompasses control over two contrasting processes of solar creativity, which permeate all forms and consciousness. It grants the power to shape these forms and the responsibility for their transformed outcomes. Picture Amon-Ra, soaring amidst boundless space, propelled by the dual energies of two world forces that ignite his creativity. These forces, termed the centrifugal and centripetal forces of Eternal Life, work in harmony to uphold equilibrium. They coil within their potential as agents of creation, differentiating spiritual syntheses to manifest in myriad forms. Ultimately, they converge through the spiritual self-realization of consciousness, culminating in a radiant synthesis of the center.

Imagine two ladders of consciousness, each leading towards opposite directions. One ladder narrows progressively from the center to the periphery, enveloped in layers of form that differentiate and become coarser. Conversely, the other ladder widens from the periphery to the center, refining forms and fostering unity through creativity and the pursuit of deep spiritual harmony.

At the heart of evolution, involution, spiritualization, and materialization lies the solar creativity of the Universal Good. This creativity finds expression within the sphere of influence of its initiative, namely the planetary system. Here, the cooperation of two intersecting triangles of planets materializes and spiritualizes life within our solar world. The six Solar planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — serve as stages in the transmutation of the creativity of the great Solar synthetic consciousness.

Having dominion over the two streams of Life and their seven-fold manifestation, including the radiant center of the system, requires control and the ability to replenish and adjust them with corresponding energy vibrations from the solar environment. This is achieved by maintaining a stance independent of identification with either the centrifugal flow governed by causality or the centripetal flow governed by purpose. Such attainment is only possible when one's consciousness is rooted in the unchanging center, the Sun, which encompasses all periphery stages and the entire energy cycle of Life's manifestation in the system.

Merging one's consciousness with the Sun's synthetic consciousness unlocks the key to dominion and signifies the second stage of the Solar Way. This journey consistently navigates through the centers of planes of consciousness along the ever-present yet elusive World Axis. Gaining dominion over these intersecting paths is facilitated by detachment from the outcomes of one's creativity and actions. Attachment to results, which are subject to the laws of either direction, can draw consciousness into one of the streams, rendering it susceptible to the reverberating impact of consequences on their causes, or the law of Karma.

The negative repercussions are rendered ineffective by embracing non-attachment to outcomes. Consequently, the individual gains mastery over Karma, both within themselves and in the world around them. Their actions shape the environment's Karma, transcending the force of reverse consequences. True creative dominion is reserved for those who embody self-control and self-creation, where the principle of "giving without expecting anything in return" becomes a natural driving force. Such individuals fearlessly radiate with the Sun's light and are untroubled by darkness. In this heightened state of consciousness, evil is perceived as superstition, and enemies cease to exist. Within the expansive framework of the grand creative Solar Way, all possibilities are considered, and all paths are evaluated.

In the realm of Divine Love and the expansive flow of Life that drives cosmic creativity, there's no space for self-centeredness and egotism. Such notions are swiftly consumed, rendered insignificant like moths drawn to the altar flame. The potent currents of Divine Love and Life give rise to centers of consciousness and creativity within the heart of the Universe's Sun. Divine Love fosters an enduring sense of unity among them, while Divine Life imbues them with the dynamic essence of perpetual change in their manifestations.

The elevated consciousnesses, firmly rooted in Divine Unity, harmonize their actions with the ceaseless stream of Mother Life. These Great Solar consciousnesses serve as a magnetic focal point in their surroundings, akin to the Divine Magnet of the universal consciousness at the center of all. They are entrusted with the task of manifesting Love and Life within the sphere of the solar system. Operating as creative prisms, these consciousnesses refract the brilliance of Divine Love and the currents of Cosmic Life in accordance with their individual potentials. The Great Solar consciousnesses harness the flames of divine Love and Life, fashioning them into a diverse array of creative combinations. This process gives birth to a spectrum of forms spanning the planetary orbits, each expression reflecting the unique potential of these elevated consciousnesses residing within the fiery energies of our Center.

The consciousnesses inhabiting the three planets beyond Saturn are collaborators and representatives of this spiritual creation. Each embodies one of the three principles of the spiritual realm: All-Being as its essence, Bliss as the outcome of liberation from reliance on forms, and Creative Omniscience as the foundation for its manifestation. Illuminated Solar Souls communicate with the consciousnesses of their cosmic brethren, exchanging energies and possibilities. They adeptly manage and transmute myriad cosmic radiations and emanations, imprinting their essence onto the forms of our solar-planetary world. Furthermore, they transmit their system's emanations to distant realms in space.

The Solar Way doesn't advocate blindly idolizing these elevated consciousnesses. Instead, it emphasizes respect for ideals as a vital aspect and indicator of expanding consciousness. Its goal is to steer individuals towards achieving a similar unity with the power of the Cosmic Spirit, all while preserving their unique creative potential. Selflessness is key here, enabling individuals to serve as conduits for cosmic energy and transformers of the divine flow of Love and Life. Only through this can one become a great creative Solar spirit, a genuine peer to the Great Teachers who have graced Earth with their wisdom. The synthetic essence of the Solar Way rejects exclusivity. Those who tread this path embrace all cosmic solar workers and creators of Universal Good with equal love and reverence—be they from the past, present, or future, whether known or unknown. They stand before them all, recognizing that one day, they, too, will join their esteemed ranks. Beyond time, the Solar Way unites its followers into a cohesive brotherhood. It transcends space, affirming an unbreakable connection with the radiant Center of consciousness accessible from any point on the periphery.

The Solar Way transcends form, transforming the Universe into the divine flow of the One Life, like foam on the surface of the Spirit's radiant ocean. In its ultimate stage, it releases consciousness from all objective phenomena, immersing it in the depths of the Subjective Spirit, where forms, names, and changes cease to exist. This path requires no specific institution; life itself becomes the school for its adherents, offering natural symbolism. Occult schools represent just one facet of Life's teachings. Like bees, those on the Solar Way gather wisdom from diverse sources, recognizing the value of each encounter.

Eschewing artificial symbols, the Solar Way finds significance in the eternal symbolism of Nature, crafted by the divine. Through the method of analogies, it unveils the hidden secrets of the world. Guided solely by one's inner divine Spirit, the Solar Way acknowledges no external authority. The principle of mutual assistance enriches its followers, ensuring everyone receives visible and invisible support from their surroundings. The Solar Way transcends the confines of organizations and societies, existing beyond all forms and conventions. It is gauged solely by individual consciousness, invisibly binding together all who embrace it into a genuine Brotherhood. Realizing the Solar Way doesn't demand extraordinary conditions; rather, it encompasses all aspects of life, with inner subjective transformation serving as the method of the journey.

This path doesn't mandate altering external circumstances; instead, it catalyzes their transformation. However, it does require continuous inner effort, heightened awareness, reshaping of consciousness, and unwavering self-discipline of both spirit and body. Though followers of the Solar Way may seem solitary outwardly, they are deeply connected to the Source and their spiritual siblings within their hearts, where all distinctions dissolve. This path holds paramount significance for the sisters and brothers of the Solar Way dispersed across space. Isn't it heartening to exchange greetings through this journal, which fosters the Solar synthesis of paths, guided by the editors' synthetic consciousness?

A few years back, I stumbled upon a fascinating aspect of Russian history that had largely been obscured: a vibrant community of hermeticists, occultists, cabalists, and mystics in early 20th-century Russia. Despite being Russian, I had been oblivious to this chapter of our history, which had been all but erased from our collective memory. Many of the names known in the West within these circles have faded into obscurity in Russia. I believe this erasure was partly due to the communist government's efforts to eradicate any ideologies that contradicted its own and partly because society as a whole shifted towards rationalism and scientism, promising a utopian future. However, as it becomes increasingly evident that these promises have not materialized, and as the “clenched first of reason” has loosened, it seems fitting to rediscover this lost occult history.

My journey into this realm was sparked by the name Nina Rudnikova. Who was she, and what role did she play?

Nina Pavlovna Rudnikova was born in 1890 in St. Petersburg, the capital city of the Russian Empire. Details about her upbringing and family background are scarce, but she likely came from a reasonably affluent family, possibly belonging to the lower ranks of the nobility. She attended and successfully graduated from the Bestuzhev Courses, where she obtained a medical degree. From a young age, Nina showed a keen interest in two distinct areas: poetry and occultism. She became associated with Nikolay Gumilev's Guild of Poets around 1911-1912, where she mingled with prominent poets of the time, such as Osip Mandelstam, Mikhail Kuzmin, and Anna Akhmatova. Even in her early poetry, there's a discernible mystical and occult theme, with verses touching upon subjects like Ancient Egyptian priests, rituals, and lotus flowers.

In 1912, Nina Rudnikova attended a series of public lectures titled A Course on the Encyclopedia of Occultism, delivered by Grigori Ottonovich Mebes (often referred to as GOM), a prominent Martinist and Freemason. Mebes would later emerge as a central figure in esoteric education in Russia, influencing several other notable esotericists of the 20th century. However, I'll delve into Mebes's biography separately in a future post on this blog. The lecture series lived up to its title of an encyclopedia, covering numerous topics, including Cabala, Hermetic philosophy, Tarot, Alchemy, ritual magic, Astrology, palmistry, and various other forms of divination. Mebes ingeniously melded the 22 Major Tarot Arcana with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet to provide a comprehensive explanation of the metaphysical laws governing the universe. Later, the lecture materials were compiled into a book.

The Course on the Encylopedia of Occultism

The lectures garnered significant popularity, with Nina Rudnikova among the enthusiastic attendees. The knowledge she gleaned from these sessions profoundly shaped her worldview and significantly influenced her subsequent life. During these lectures, she also encountered her future husband, Gavriil Jellachich, an army officer who shared her passion for esotericism. To cut a long story short, they married and, in 1915, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Nadezhda (Nadia) Jellachich. In the same year, they jointly published a lengthy poem titled Lucifer and the Antichrist. While most people believe that Lucifer and the Antichrist are synonymous or at least aligned, their poem portrayed Lucifer as a benevolent figure representing the forces of evolution, while the Antichrist symbolized their opposite. This portrayal likely aimed to encode arcane knowledge into an enduring poetic form, drawing on Court de Gebelin's then-still popular theory that the Tarot served as a repository of occult wisdom crafted by ancient Egyptian priests.

Lucifer and the Antichrist title page

The tranquility of Nina Rudnikova's family life was shattered as the storm clouds of the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War loomed ever closer. In 1917, when the Russian monarchy fell, Nina's husband, Gavriil Jellachich, served as an officer in the North-Western Army under General Yudenich. By 1918, the relentless advance of the Red Army had pushed them into a hasty retreat. Amidst the chaos, Nina, along with her two young daughters, Nadezhda and Elena, sought sanctuary at their estate near St. Petersburg. Gavriil raced to the estate on horseback but could only take Nina with him. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, they left behind their cherished manuscripts and fled their land. Their children were left under the care of a neighbor, and it would be some time before the family could be reunited in Estonia. The couple embarked on a dangerous journey on horseback to Estonia through Narva. Nowadays, the drive from St. Petersburg to Tallinn takes only five hours, but back then, it must have taken them several days to travel amidst the chaos of war.

These days it only takes 5 hours of driving

After fleeing to Estonia, the Jellachich family found a new home in the country's capital, Tallinn, which was historically known as Revel (or Reval). Nina and Gavriil tried to support themselves by working for Russian émigré newspapers. In their spare moments, they engaged in literary associations and groups. Nina Rudnikova, in particular, was known to be a member of the Revel literary club.

City view of Tallinn (back then known as Revel)

The family faced financial hardships, straining Nina and Gavriil's relationship. In 1921, their marriage came to an end with a divorce. Following their separation, Gavriil Jellachich moved to Belgrade, Yugoslavia, where he reunited with his family while their daughters remained with Nina. Nina Rudnikova entered into a second marriage with Baron Heinrich von Uexküll. Heinrich was not only an esotericist but also a prominent public figure. In this second marriage, Nina Pavlovna gave birth to a son named Kirill Uexküll, who later immigrated to Australia.

Nina’s second husband, Baron Heinrich von Uexküll

In Estonia, Nina Pavlovna earned high esteem as a respected esotericist, regarded by numerous occult groups as their spiritual guide. Over the years, she delved into intensive spiritual practices, mentored numerous students, and conducted systematic courses on esotericism at Tallinn's Society for Metapsychic Research, covering theoretical and practical aspects. Her teachings primarily catered to Estonians fluent in Russian. Additionally, she established The Solar Way Society, serving as an inner order for more committed initiates. During this period, Valentin Tomberg was also residing and teaching in Estonia, raising the possibility of their mutual exchange of insights.

Central to Nina Pavlovna's life mission was the ideological fusion of Eastern and Western thought, a theme recurrent in her works. Her literary output was extensive, including a book on the Major Tarot Arcana. She authored numerous remarkable esoteric articles, essays, studies, philosophical dialogues in verse, and a collection of poems exploring themes of solitude. Her poetic repertoire comprised five volumes of shorter poems, and additionally, she ventured into fiction writing. Many of Nina Rudnikova's works were translated into Estonian and featured in the journal “Vaimsuse Ideoloogia” (Ideology of Spirituality).

Nina Pavlovna dedicated a considerable portion of her time to psychic healing. Lacking an Estonian medical diploma, she collaborated with Dr. Lasman, an Estonian physician. Nina even had plans to establish an institute for psychic energy healing in Tallinn. However, this endeavor never materialized as the Estonian government, under pressure from the healthcare industry, began to crackdown on all healers and homeopaths.

During her time in Estonia, Nina Rudnikova forged several significant connections that would play a vital role in preserving her legacy. One such acquaintance was Dr. Alexandr Mikhailovich Aseev, another Russian immigrant. Aleksand Aseev delved deeply into the Agni Yoga teaching of Helena and Nicholas Roerich. By 1933, he decided to share this spiritual wisdom with others. To achieve this, he initiated the publication of the Occultism & Yoga journal in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Through his unwavering commitment of time, talent, and resources, Aleksandr Aseev established a platform for Russian émigré occultists to discuss various esoteric subjects.

Dr. Aleksandr Aseev (he would've been a blogger nowadays)

Since its inaugural issue, Nina Rudnikova emerged as an active contributor to the Occultism & Yoga journal. Even after her passing, Dr. Aseev continued to publish her poems and essays on occult themes as a trove of unpublished writings had accumulated during the Second World War.

Nina Rudnikova also had a chance encounter with Ekaterina Zelentsova (Sreznevskaya). Zelentsova's account of this fortunate meeting was chronicled in the 23rd issue of Occultism & Yoga, published in 1960. Her memoirs provide the only description of Mrs. Rudnikova's physical appearance. Ekaterina describes the encounter, saying, "Our paths first crossed... in Revel, shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War on the North-Western front. At that time, we were forming a study circle focused on Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine. As I entered to discuss circle matters with fellow members, I nearly collided with a woman in the foyer. Her presence immediately captivated me. Petite, with a remarkable tan, and adorned with large dark eyes, she seemed straight out of an Egyptian fresco, embodying an ancient Egyptian archetype..."

Nina Rudnikova’s portrait, an artist’s impression.

At the time, Ekaterina Zeletsova had no inkling of the pivotal role she would play in preserving Nina Rudnikova's legacy. In 1937, amidst the looming specter of war in Europe, Zeletsova made plans to seek refuge in Latin America. Then, Rudnikova approached her again, entrusting Ekaterina with her meticulously compiled notes on the Minor Arcana of the Tarot. Rudnikova shared these materials with the stipulation that Ekaterina would pass on this knowledge to a worthy individual, thereby ensuring the preservation of these teachings. Years later, in Brazil, Zeletsova met Nadezhda Jellachic, Nina's daughter. Soon after, Alexandr Nikitin-Nevelskoy, another follower of Mebes' School, joined them. Zeletsova reminisces, "Thus, a quarter of a century passed; the notebooks lay dormant in my desk... And then, as if by divine intervention, the very individuals who could assist me in safeguarding the Teachings were drawn to collaborate with me."

Nadezhda Jellachic

Pooling their collective notes, they meticulously reconstructed the entirety of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot course. In fulfilling Nina's wish, the study material was not only passed on to a deserving individual but also meticulously organized by a capable hand. Ekaterina reflects in her memoirs, “What I could not achieve alone, we accomplished together, and the Teaching of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot, bestowed by GOM and Nina Rudnikova, now awaits publication in its completed form, which we aspire to realize for a select group of Russian esotericists residing abroad.”

Nina Rudnikova succumbed to liver cancer on July 15, 1940, in Königsberg, Prussia; her husband's passing followed shortly in February 1941. Yet, Nina’s extensive work on the Major Tarot Arcana stood the test of time, finally seeing the light of day in Russia in 1995 under the title The Solar Way: Tarot Arcana. In the words of Ekaterina Zelentsova, the tireless efforts of those who preserve sacred knowledge for future generations serve as the finest laurels for the gravestones of both the persecuted Grigori Mebes and the untimely departed Nina Rudnikova.

This was the remarkable life journey of Nina Rudnikova, a poet and an esotericist whose brilliance and talent were overshadowed by profound tragedies. The upheaval of the Russian Revolution and the ensuing civil war shattered her world, forcing her into exile. Amidst the grief of losing her homeland, she clung to hope. Undeterred by adversity, Rudnikova persisted in her work within esoteric and ideological circles. Despite her tribulations, Nina remained steadfast in her mission to preserve and expand humanity's esoteric legacy. Fearless in the face of her mortality, she proclaimed, "In the Universe of Life, there is no death, much like the Sun never truly sets..."

Through her writings, she became a crucial link in the unbroken chain of tradition, bridging the past with the future. Her courage and commitment rightfully place her among the ranks of heroes, and her name deserves to be forever inscribed in the Book of Life. In an effort to honor her legacy, I plan to publish Nina Rudnikova's writings from the Occultism & Yoga journal, which have never been translated into English, on the pages of this blog. Stay tuned! Next week, we will delve into her prose.