We are told that there are seven great rays in the cosmos. In our solar system only one of them is active, and its seven subdivisions form the "seven rays" used by the solar Logos. In the whole solar system, at whatever stage of evolution, there is nothing that does not belong to one or other of these seven rays.
A definition
A ray is a name for a particular force or type of energy, with the emphasis upon the quality which that force exhibits and not upon the form aspect which it creates.Esoteric Psychology I (EP I), p. 316
The seven rays are the first differentiation of the divine trinity of Spirit, Consciousness and Form. Just as light passing through a prism splits into seven colours, the one life appears as seven qualities. The prism is one: all the rays are sub-rays of the second ray of Love-Wisdom, the basic energy of our solar system.
Three rays of aspect, four rays of attribute
| Ray | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Will or Power | Ray of aspect |
| 2 | Love-Wisdom | Ray of aspect |
| 3 | Active Intelligence | Ray of aspect |
| 4 | Harmony through Conflict, Beauty, Art | Ray of attribute |
| 5 | Concrete Knowledge or Science | Ray of attribute |
| 6 | Devotion and Abstract Idealism | Ray of attribute |
| 7 | Ceremonial Order or Magic | Ray of attribute |
Which rays condition a person?
The first thing to grasp in studying a human being is how many ray influences form and animate him. The Tibetan lists them: the ray of the solar system, the ray of our planetary Logos, the ray of the human kingdom, the racial ray, the rays governing cycles, the national ray, the ray of the soul, the ray of the personality, and finally the rays governing the mental, emotional and physical bodies.
A person's soul may be on one ray, the personality on another and the bodies on others again. As a general rule the mental body is on the 1st, 4th or 5th ray, the emotional body on the 2nd or 6th, and the physical body on the 3rd or 7th. How this structure is read and verified is a skill learned with patience.
Why study the rays?
Knowledge of the rays gives us both the inner side of history and a practical way to know ourselves. When we know that our soul ray is Will and our personality ray Devotion, we measure our opportunities, capacities and limits more accurately. We assess our vocation and service, our strengths and weaknesses more fairly, and relate more wisely to our children, friends and colleagues.
According to the Tibetan, the psychology of the future will first seek the two rays governing soul and personality, and then the rays of the bodies. When the teaching on the seven rays is generally accepted, nations and world religions will also reach mutual understanding.