The text of this little book is the joint work of Mr Leadbeater and myself; some of it has already appeared as an article in Lucifer (now the Theosophical Review), but the greater part of it is new. The drawing and painting of the Thought-Forms observed by Mr Leadbeater or by myself, or by both of us together, has been done by three friends Mr John Varley, Mr Prince, and Miss Macfarlane, to each of whom we tender our cordial thanks. To paint in earth's dull colours the forms clothed in the living light of other worlds is a hard and thankless task; so much the more gratitude is due to those who have attempted it. They needed coloured fire, and had only ground earths. We have also to thank Mr F. Bligh Bond for allowing us to use his essay on Vibration Figures, and some of his exquisite drawings. Another friend, who sent us some notes and a few drawings, insists on remaining anonymous, so we can only send our thanks to him with similar anonymity. It is our earnest hope as it is our belief that this little book will serve as a striking moral lesson to every reader, making him realise the nature and power of his thoughts, acting as a stimulus to the noble, a curb on the base. With this belief and hope we send it on its way. -Annie Besant
Thought-Forms is an influential 1901 Theosophist book that works from this premise that "thoughts are things." The authors propose that the production of "thought-forms" is guided by the following principles:
1. Quality of thought determines color.
2. Nature of thought determines form.
3. Definiteness of thought determines clearness of outline.
The text details the meaning of the colors and shapes evoked by various emotions and states. A classic in Victorian occult literature, "Thought-Forms" is a fascinating reference book; a visionary study on the nature and power of thoughts and the cosmic spectrum of the non physical world.
CONTENTS:
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
THE DIFFICULTY OF REPRESENTATION
THE TWO EFFECTS OF THOUGHT
HOW THE VIBRATION ACTS
THE FORM AND ITS EFFECT
THE MEANING OF THE COLOURS
THREE CLASSES OF THOUGHT-FORMS
ILLUSTRATIVE THOUGHT-FORMS
AFFECTION
DEVOTION
INTELLECT
AMBITION
ANGER
SYMPATHY
FEAR
GREED VARIOUS EMOTIONS
SHIPWRECK
ON THE FIRST NIGHT
THE GAMBLERS
AT A STREET ACCIDENT
AT A FUNERAL
ON MEETING A FRIEND
APPRECIATION OF A PICTURE
FORMS SEEN IN MEDITATION
SYMPATHY AND LOVE FOR ALL
AN ASPIRATION TO ENFOLD ALL
IN THE SIX DIRECTIONS
COSMIC ORDER
THE LOGOS AS MANIFESTED IN MAN
THE LOGOS PERVADING ALL
ANOTHER CONCEPTION
THE THREEFOLD MANIFESTATION
THE SEVENFOLD MANIFESTATION
INTELLECTUAL ASPIRATION
HELPFUL THOUGHTS
FORMS BUILT BY MUSIC
MENDELSSOHN
GOUNOD
WAGNER