PARALLEL REALITIES

In esotericism, the notion of parallel realities is often expressed through the idea of planes or subtle worlds—different “levels” of existence that interpenetrate our own. Here’s a structured overview:

 1. Planes of Existence
Planes (or cosmological realms) are subtle states or levels of being—physical, astral, mental, spiritual—that coexist and interpenetrate rather than stacking spatially.

Think of them as “parallel realities” that vibrate at different densities: the astral plane (spirit realm), the mental plane, the causal plane, and even higher spiritual planes in Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, Hermeticism, Kabbalah, etc.

2. Theosophical & Rosicrucian Models
In Theosophy, conceived by Blavatsky and her followers, humans journey through multiple planes: physical, astral (Summerland), mental (Devachan), causal, Buddhic, and beyond.

The Rosicrucian Cosmo‑Conception describes seven “worlds” within the seven cosmic planes—vibrational realms that are interpenetrating, not spatially separated—and evolving in a spiritual cycle called Involution → Evolution.

3. Mystical & Magical Practices
Hermeticism, Golden Dawn, and Enochian magic emphasize rituals and meditation to contact or travel within these subtle realms. For example, Enochian practitioners use chants and symbols to open gateways to otherworldly planes.

These practices propose that consciousness, not material travel, enables access to parallel realities—suggesting an inner multidimensional universe.

 4. Esoteric vs. Scientific Multiverse
Perspective     Esotericism     Modern Science
Structure of realms     Hierarchies of non-physical planes (astral, mental, causal, etc.).

Many‑Worlds Quantic Mecanic, cosmological bubbles, string landscapes.

Access method   Inner travel (astral projection, meditation, ritual).

Purpose & function      Spiritual evolution, soul learning, magical transformation, Explaining physics, cosmogenesis, randomness
Purpose: Spiritual Evolution.

Planes act as stages for the soul’s development: through multiple incarnations or after death, the soul can operate in less material realms (astral, mental) before ascending or reincarnating.

The Rosicrucian path, for instance, describes souls cycling through worlds to eventually reach divine awareness.

 6. Practical Implications in Esoteric Schools
Astral projection: exploring the astral plane and meeting non-physical entities. Dreamwork, meditation, symbol work: accessing mental or causal realms. Ritual magic: constructing spiritual tools (sigils, circles) to bridge to subtle dimensions.

Parallel realities in esoteric traditions aren’t “other universes” like in sci‑fi—they are distinct fields of reality overlapping our own, inhabited by different forms of consciousness and divine entities.

Accessed internally through spiritual practice, meditation and egregore, they serve as laboratories for magical and mystical transformation. They remain central to Western mystical and occult traditions.