The Astral World Part 2: Inhabitants and Entities
The astral plane teems with a remarkable diversity of inhabitants—a veritable ecosystem of consciousness extending far beyond the limited types of beings we encounter in physical reality.
From disembodied human souls at various stages of their after-death journey to thought-forms created by concentrated human emotion, from nature spirits tied to elemental forces to artificial entities generated through ceremonial magic—the population of the astral realm offers a fascinating study in the varieties of consciousness.
In Swami Panchadasi's remarkable 1916 work "The Astral World," we find what may be the most systematic classification of these astral inhabitants ever recorded—a detailed taxonomy that brings order to what otherwise might seem a chaotic and intimidating domain.
For those who've experienced unexplained encounters during meditation, dreams, or spontaneous visions, this exploration provides context that transforms confusion into understanding and fear into recognition.
Astral Inhabitants at a Glance
Before diving deeper, here's what you'll discover in this exploration:
- The four major categories of astral inhabitants and how to distinguish between them
- What happens to the human soul after death and during its journey through the astral realms
- How to identify authentic communication from disembodied souls versus empty "astral shells"
- The fascinating world of nature spirits and how they interact with the human realm
- How thought-forms are created and why they sometimes persist for centuries
- The truth about "spirit guides," "guardian angels," and other non-human helpers
- Practical techniques for safe interactions with various astral entities
What Are The Four Major Categories of Astral Inhabitants?
To navigate the astral realm safely and intelligently, we must first understand the main categories of entities we might encounter there.
Panchadasi provides a remarkably clear classification system that helps distinguish between fundamentally different types of astral inhabitants—a system I've found invaluable in my own explorations and teaching.
"The advanced occultist divides the astral entities, or dwellers on the astral plane, into the following general classes: (1) Disembodied Human Souls; (2) Astral Shells, and other Astral Remains of Human Beings; (3) Nature Spirits of Various Kinds; (4) Artificial Entities, or Thought-Forms."
This classification isn't arbitrary but reflects genuine differences in the origin, nature, consciousness, and behavior of these entities.
Understanding these distinctions helps the astral explorer avoid confusion and potential pitfalls—particularly the common mistake of misidentifying one type of entity as another.
Each of these categories represents a different origin and level of consciousness, which directly affects how they behave and interact with explorers of the astral plane.
Learning to recognize the key characteristics of each type provides essential knowledge for safely navigating astral experiences, whether they occur during meditation, dreams, or formal astral projection.
| Category | Origin | Level of Consciousness | Typical Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disembodied Human Souls | Formerly incarnated humans who have died and are transitioning through the astral plane | Full human consciousness, though sometimes in a dreamlike or transitional state | Individual personality, coherent communication, personal memories, emotional responses |
| Astral Shells & Remains | Discarded astral bodies or fragmentary remains left behind by souls that have moved on | No genuine consciousness; may contain memory impressions or be animated by external forces | Repetitive behaviors, limited responses, incoherent communication, lack of genuine emotion |
| Nature Spirits | Indigenous non-human inhabitants of the astral connected to natural forces | Varies widely; many possess intelligence different from but comparable to human consciousness | Element-specific behaviors, non-human appearance, specialized knowledge about their domain |
| Artificial Entities | Created through concentrated human thought, emotion, or ceremonial practice | Limited consciousness based on their specific programming; some may develop semi-autonomy | Purpose-oriented behavior, limited range of expression, tied to specific locations or people |
Panchadasi emphasizes that confusion between these categories accounts for many of the contradictions and misunderstandings in psychic research and spiritual practice.
For example, mistaking an astral shell for a genuine disembodied human soul can lead to misleading "communications," while failing to recognize an artificial thought-form might cause unnecessary fear of seemingly powerful entities that actually have limited consciousness.
Let's explore each of these categories in greater detail to develop a nuanced understanding of the astral population.
What Happens To Human Souls After Death?
The most significant inhabitants of the astral plane for human explorers are, unsurprisingly, other humans—specifically, those who have passed from physical life and are navigating the after-death states.
Panchadasi provides remarkable detail about this journey through the astral realms, describing stages that align with many religious and spiritual traditions while offering greater specificity about the mechanics of the process.
"It is a common teaching of many religions that the disembodied soul enters at once upon its heaven or hell. The Roman Catholic Church, and some branches of Buddhism, however, teach of an intermediate state called Purgatory, or a similar name. Some denominations of the Christian Church hold that all souls slumber in unconsciousness, until the call of the great trumpet of Judgment Day, when all awaken from their long sleep and are judged and sent to the place of reward or punishment, as their cases may deserve."
What makes Panchadasi's description particularly valuable is how he synthesizes these various religious perspectives, showing how each contains partial truths that reflect different aspects or stages of the complete process.
According to his detailed observations, the typical journey of the soul after death follows several distinct phases:
Immediately after physical death, most souls enter a period of restful sleep on a sacred region of the astral plane, protected by spiritual guardians. This sleep serves a transformative function similar to the cocoon stage of a butterfly—a period when the consciousness integrates the experiences of the past life and prepares for the next phase.
The duration of this sleep varies based on the soul's development: highly evolved souls awaken quickly, average souls may sleep for years, and materially-focused souls also awaken relatively quickly but to lower astral regions.
Many souls, particularly those with strong material desires or unresolved emotional attachments, awaken to regions of the astral that correspond to their dominant thoughts and feelings from physical life. These regions serve as a kind of purgatory where unfulfilled desires and unprocessed emotions are worked through.
While occasionally challenging, these experiences aren't punishments but natural processes of resolution—souls are "punished by their sins, not for them" as they outgrow limiting patterns through direct experience.
As souls process their earthly attachments, they naturally rise to more refined astral regions where they continue their development through creative work, learning, and service activities aligned with their genuine interests and skills from earth life.
These higher astral regions contain communities, workshops, laboratories, and teaching centers where souls pursue activities that bring them joy and contribute to their growth.
Eventually, all souls complete their work on the astral plane and transition to the mental plane (sometimes called the "heaven world" or devachanic plane). This transition involves shedding the astral body, which is left behind as an "astral shell" that gradually disintegrates.
The duration of both astral and mental plane experiences varies greatly according to the soul's evolutionary development, with more advanced souls spending longer periods in the higher realms before reincarnating.
This understanding of the soul's journey transforms our approach to both death and astral exploration.
Rather than seeing death as an endpoint or a judgment, it becomes clear that it's a transitional process with purpose and structure—a continuation of the soul's evolutionary journey through increasingly refined states of consciousness.
"In the majority of cases, the mind of the dying person sinks into the slumber of so-called death, and awakens only after a period of restful, transforming slumber upon the Astral, in the region we have just seen. In some cases, however, there is a brief waking, like a semi-awakening from a dream, shortly after the departure from the physical body..."
For astral explorers, this knowledge provides crucial context for understanding encounters with other human consciousnesses on the astral plane.
It explains why some recently deceased individuals may appear confused or dreamlike, while others seem fully aware and purposeful—they're simply at different stages in their post-death journey.
It also clarifies why communication with the deceased can be challenging—many are engaged in their own developmental processes and may not be easily accessible or interested in maintaining communication with the physical world.
How Do You Distinguish Authentic Souls From Empty Astral Shells?
One of the most valuable aspects of Panchadasi's teaching is his detailed explanation of astral shells and remains—discarded vehicles that can be mistaken for genuine human souls.
This distinction is critically important for anyone engaging in mediumship, channeling, or astral exploration, as it helps prevent the common error of attributing significance to what are essentially empty forms.
"These spectres are no more 'departed souls' or 'spirits' than a galvanized physical corpse is the individual which once inhabited it, though the current may cause it to move its muscles and go through the motions of life. It remains a corpse and discarded shell—and that is just what the spectral form is, plus the remaining vibratory echoes of its old mental life."
Panchadasi explains that when a soul completes its work on the astral plane and transitions to the higher mental plane, it sheds its astral body much as it previously shed its physical body at death.
This discarded astral form does not immediately disappear but gradually disintegrates over time in what he describes as the "astral cemetery"—a specific region of the lower astral plane.
Key Characteristics of Astral Shells
- Lack of Genuine Consciousness - The soul that animated them has moved on to higher planes, leaving only an empty vehicle
- Memory Impressions - May contain residual memory patterns from the former occupant, creating the illusion of personality
- Potential for Animation - Can be temporarily "galvanized" by external psychic energy, particularly from mediumistic circles
- Limited Response Range - Can only respond with information already contained in their memory impressions
- Gradual Disintegration - Eventually break down and dissolve back into astral substance
What makes these astral shells potentially confusing is that they can sometimes be temporarily animated by the psychic energy generated in mediumistic circles, séances, or similar settings.
When this happens, they may produce communications that seem to come from the deceased person—accessing the memory patterns stored in the shell and responding to questions in ways that can seem convincingly personal.
"In such a case, the spectre, reanimated and 'galvanized' into seeming life by means of the psychic power of the medium, or those composing the psychic circle, will strive to manifest itself by speech, automatic writing, raps, or otherwise. But, at the best, its efforts will be feeble and faulty, and the persons witnessing the phenomena will always remember the same with the dim idea that 'there was something wrong about it'—something was found to be lacking."
In my work with students of mediumship and astral exploration, I've found that learning to distinguish between genuine disembodied souls and animated astral shells is one of the most valuable skills to develop.
| Characteristic | Genuine Disembodied Soul | Animated Astral Shell |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness | Responds thoughtfully to new information; can learn and adapt | Responds mechanically; cannot process genuinely new information |
| Communication Quality | Coherent, progressive conversations that build meaningfully | Repetitive, circular, or fragmentary; often feels "off" in subtle ways |
| Emotional Presence | Displays appropriate, nuanced emotional responses | Emotional responses feel flat, exaggerated, or inconsistent |
| Knowledge | Can provide information unknown to any participant | Limited to information contained in its memory patterns or available to participants |
| Purpose | Usually has specific purpose or message for communication | Tends to continue indefinitely without clear purpose |
Understanding this distinction helps explain many inconsistencies in reported spirit communications throughout history.
It also provides a practical framework for evaluating the authenticity and value of communications received through mediumship, channeling, or astral encounters.
Rather than dismissing all such communications as delusional or accepting all as authentic, this knowledge allows for nuanced discernment based on observable characteristics.
What Are Nature Spirits And How Do They Interact With Humans?
Perhaps the most enchanting and diverse category of astral inhabitants are the nature spirits—non-human entities that have never been incarnated in physical human form and are indigenous to the astral plane itself.
These beings, which appear in the folklore and mythology of virtually every culture on earth, represent one of the most fascinating aspects of astral exploration.
"Without intending to go deeply into this subject—for the same is reserved for the sole teaching of the advanced pupil, and must not be carelessly spread before others—I think it well to call your attention to the fact that on certain planes of the Astral, there exist certain entities, or living beings, which never were human, and never will be, for they belong to an entirely different order of nature."
Panchadasi explains that these nature spirits are normally invisible to human perception but can occasionally be sensed by those with heightened psychic sensitivity or during temporary shifts in consciousness.
The ancient occultists classified these beings according to the elements with which they're associated:
Associated with the solid element, these beings dwell in rocks, mountains, caves, and underground places. In folklore, they appear as dwarves, goblins, brownies, or similar earth-dwelling entities.
They tend to be practical, materially-oriented, and sometimes possessive of treasures or territories. Some varieties are known to assist humans with practical matters when properly approached.
Connected to the liquid element, these beings inhabit oceans, lakes, rivers, and all water bodies. Folklore depicts them as mermaids, nymphs, water sprites, and similar forms.
Their consciousness tends to be flowing, emotional, adaptable, and intuitive. They're often sensitive to emotional states and can be helpful in healing work that involves emotional processing.
Linked to the gaseous element, these beings move through the atmosphere and are associated with winds, clouds, and air currents. In folklore, they appear as fairies, elves, devas, and similar light, airy forms.
Their consciousness tends to be intellectual, communicative, and changeable. They're sometimes involved in inspiration and the transmission of ideas or creative impulses.
Connected to the principle of energy and transformation, these beings are associated with fire, electricity, and other forms of radiant energy. In folklore, they appear less frequently but may be represented as dragons, phoenix-like beings, or spirits of flame.
Their consciousness tends to be transformative, passionate, and intensely focused. They can help with transmutation processes and energetic purification.
Beyond these classical elemental categories, Panchadasi notes many other varieties of nature spirits, including those associated with specific plants, animals, or locations:
"Many such cases are related in the folk lore of the older countries, but modern life has driven these friendly helpers from the scene, in most places. In many temples in oriental countries, there have been created, and kept alive for many centuries, the thought-form entities of the minor gods and saints, endowed in thought with great power of response to prayer, offering, and ceremonies."
What I find most significant about Panchadasi's explanation of nature spirits is his emphasis on their intelligence and autonomy—these aren't merely symbolic representations of natural forces but conscious entities with their own purposes and forms of awareness.
Their consciousness, however, operates differently from human awareness, making genuine communication both possible and challenging.
Guidelines for Interaction with Nature Spirits
- Respectful Approach - Nature spirits respond to genuine respect and appreciation; approach them as you would any intelligent being
- Appropriate Settings - Connect with them in their natural domains—forests for woodland spirits, bodies of water for undines, etc.
- Quieting the Mind - Their communication is often subtle and non-verbal; meditation helps attune to their presence
- Suitable Offerings - Small, environmentally appropriate offerings (clear water, organic grains, or flowers) can facilitate connection
- Clear Boundaries - While friendly, some nature spirits have different ethical frameworks; maintain clear intentions and boundaries
- Awareness of Tricksters - Some nature spirits enjoy playful mischief; maintain good humor but don't allow harmful pranks
I've found that people with artistic temperaments often develop particularly strong connections with nature spirits, especially those associated with their creative medium—musicians with sylphs, sculptors with gnomes, dancers with undines, and performers with salamanders.
This connection can become a source of inspiration and energetic support for creative work, with the nature spirits responding to and amplifying the artist's creative energies.
For those who consciously cultivate these relationships, nature spirits can become allies in healing work, environmental restoration, and the development of heightened sensitivity to the natural world.
How Are Thought-Forms and Artificial Entities Created?
The fourth major category of astral inhabitants—artificial entities and thought-forms—represents perhaps the most profound illustration of how consciousness shapes reality on the astral plane.
Unlike the previous categories, these entities don't arise naturally but are created through the concentrated mental and emotional energy of humans or other conscious beings.
"The majority of these artificial entities, or thought-forms, are created unconsciously by persons who manifest strong desire-force, accompanied by definite mental pictures of that which they desire. But many have learned the art of creating them consciously, in an elementary form of magic, white or black."
Panchadasi explains that thought-forms differ from mere imagination in that they take on an objective existence on the astral plane—they become semi-independent entities with their own astral substance and programming, capable of existing independently of their creator.
The process of their formation follows predictable principles that anyone can observe through astral perception:
| Stage | Process | Factors Affecting Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Energetic Formation | Concentrated thought/emotion creates an energetic pattern in the aura | Intensity of emotion, clarity of thought, repetition over time |
| 2. Astral Condensation | The energetic pattern attracts and organizes astral substance | Vitality of creator, correspondence to existing astral patterns |
| 3. Programming | Form receives its "instructions" from creator's intentions | Specificity of purpose, clarity of visualization, strength of will |
| 4. Independence | Form separates from creator's aura and exists semi-autonomously | Creator's skill, amount of energy invested, ongoing attention |
The diversity of artificial thought-forms is virtually limitless, but they generally fall into several broad categories:
Created through strong, repeated emotional states, these forms manifest the quality of the generating emotion. Intense love creates protective, nurturing forms; hatred creates attacking, destructive forms; worry creates clinging, draining forms.
These thought-forms often remain connected to their creator and can significantly impact their emotional well-being through feedback loops. They're the most common type created unconsciously in everyday life.
Generated through concentrated mental activity, these typically take geometric or symbolic shapes corresponding to the ideas they embody. Complex philosophical systems, scientific theories, or artistic conceptions may generate elaborate intellectual thought-forms.
These forms can persist independently for long periods and sometimes influence others working in similar intellectual domains—explaining cases of simultaneous discovery in science and art.
Deliberately created protective entities programmed to watch over people, places, or objects. Traditional examples include the "guardian angel" forms created by the concentrated prayer of a loving mother for her child, or the protective entities established in sacred spaces.
These forms can be remarkably effective when properly created and maintained through consistent emotional/mental energy.
Formed by the combined mental/emotional energy of groups, these powerful entities embody collective beliefs, cultural patterns, or shared ideals. National egregores, religious deities, and cultural archetypes often exist as massive thought-forms in the astral.
These entities can persist for centuries or even millennia, influencing successive generations through a continuous feedback cycle.
One of the most important practical applications of this knowledge is understanding how many religious and spiritual entities—"guardian angels," "spirit guides," and even deities—may actually be powerful thought-forms rather than independently existing beings.
"In this way, many 'family ghosts' have been created and kept in being in the same way, by the constantly repeated tale and belief in their reality, on the part of generation after generation. In this class belong the celebrated historic ghosts who warn royal or noble families of approaching death or sorrow."
This doesn't make these entities "unreal" or invalidate their effects—a well-formed thought-form can provide genuine guidance, protection, and assistance.
It does, however, contextualize their nature and helps explain why religious entities often perfectly reflect the beliefs and expectations of their worshippers—they are, in a very real sense, created and sustained by those beliefs.
Understanding the mechanics of thought-form creation also offers practical tools for consciously creating beneficial thought-forms and dissolving harmful ones:
Working Consciously with Thought-Forms
- Creating Beneficial Forms - Focused visualization combined with strong positive emotion can generate thought-forms that support health, creativity, or spiritual development
- Protective Configurations - Deliberately created thought-forms can be established to protect homes, loved ones, or personal energy fields
- Dissolving Negative Forms - Harmful thought-forms can be consciously dissolved through visualization techniques that withdraw their sustaining energy
- Ethical Considerations - Creating thought-forms carries responsibility—they should be programmed with clear limitations and ethical directives
- Maintenance Awareness - All thought-forms require periodic renewal of energy and clear boundaries to prevent unintended consequences
Frequently Asked Questions About Astral Entities
Panchadasi addresses this common concern with remarkable clarity, explaining that while genuinely malevolent independent entities are rare on the astral plane, several types of phenomena can create the appearance of "demonic" encounters:
- Thought-Form Projections - Powerful negative thought-forms created by human fear, hatred, or deliberate black magic practices can appear as threatening entities
- Lower Astral Inhabitants - Some less evolved nature spirits or artificial entities may display seemingly hostile behaviors, though usually from mischief rather than genuine malice
- Psychological Projections - The astral plane's responsive nature means explorers may encounter manifestations of their own unconscious fears
- Cultural Expectations - Those expecting to encounter "demons" often generate experiences that confirm these expectations
The best protection against negative encounters isn't elaborate rituals but cultivating high vibrational states through ethical living, mental clarity, and spiritual development. As Panchadasi notes, "a strong mental attitude, and the assertion of your own immunity will act as a barrier through which these influences cannot penetrate."
Panchadasi explains that communication with deceased loved ones is potentially possible but subject to several important considerations:
- Immediately after death, most souls enter a period of restful sleep and are not available for communication
- Once awakened, souls proceed through various astral regions according to their own developmental needs, which may make them inaccessible
- Advanced souls may move quickly through the astral to higher planes, while those with strong material attachments might remain accessible longer
- What appears to be a deceased loved one could sometimes be an astral shell or thought-form rather than the actual soul
Genuine communication is most likely when: (1) there was a strong spiritual bond in life, (2) the departed soul has a specific reason for communication, and (3) the communication occurs naturally rather than being forced through mediumistic methods.
Respect for the soul's journey is essential—attempting to persistently contact those who have passed on may interfere with their natural progression through the after-death states.
The term "spirit guide" encompasses several different types of astral beings that may provide guidance to humans:
- Advanced Human Souls - Some guides are indeed evolved human souls who have volunteered to assist others from the astral or mental planes
- Thought-Form Constructs - Many guides are actually beneficial thought-forms created through religious or spiritual traditions
- Higher Self Projections - Sometimes what appears as an external guide is actually a projection of one's own higher consciousness
- Evolved Nature Entities - Certain advanced non-human entities occasionally function as guides in specialized areas
Regardless of their exact nature, Panchadasi emphasizes that genuine guides respect free will, encourage independent thinking, and never foster dependency. They typically provide guidance that enhances self-reliance rather than creating reliance on external authority.
The quality of the guidance received is more important than the specific category of entity providing it—beneficial guidance aligns with universal ethical principles and fosters genuine spiritual growth.
Panchadasi outlines several principles for safe astral exploration:
- Vibrational State - Maintaining a high vibrational state through ethical living, positive thoughts, and spiritual practice provides natural protection
- Clear Intention - Beginning any astral work with clear, positive intentions creates a protective field aligned with those intentions
- Protective Visualization - Surrounding yourself with visualized light (particularly white, gold, or blue) creates a boundary that lower entities cannot penetrate
- Mental Authority - Firmly asserting your spiritual authority over your own energy field repels unwanted influences
- Spiritual Connection - Maintaining awareness of your connection to higher spiritual principles provides ongoing protection
I've found that fear creates the greatest vulnerability during astral experiences. A calm, centered approach based on knowledge rather than apprehension establishes natural protection without elaborate rituals or defensive postures.
For beginners, practicing first in locations associated with positive spiritual energies (sacred sites, temples, etc.) provides additional natural protection while developing discernment skills.
Yes, according to Panchadasi, animals do possess astral bodies and continue to exist on the astral plane after physical death, though their experience differs from human consciousness in several ways:
- Higher animals (especially domesticated ones) may maintain individual identity on the astral for some time after death
- The astral forms of beloved pets can sometimes be encountered by their owners during dreams or meditation
- Most animals eventually merge back into group-souls rather than maintaining permanent individual identity
- Certain highly evolved animals (particularly those with close human connections) may be approaching the threshold of individualized consciousness
While Panchadasi doesn't extensively discuss animal consciousness, his framework suggests that all conscious beings have their appropriate expression on the astral plane, with the degree and duration of individual awareness corresponding to their evolutionary development.
This understanding aligns with both ancient wisdom traditions and emerging scientific recognition of animal consciousness and emotional complexity.
Navigating the Astral Ecosystem With Wisdom
As we conclude our exploration of the inhabitants and entities of the astral world, it becomes clear that this dimension contains an extraordinarily diverse ecosystem of consciousness—from human souls at various stages of their evolutionary journey to nature spirits, from empty shells to complex thought-forms.
Understanding this diversity transforms how we approach astral experiences, whether they occur spontaneously in dreams and meditation or through deliberate astral projection.
Rather than viewing astral entities through the simplistic lens of "good versus evil" or "real versus imaginary," Panchadasi's systematic approach allows us to recognize the specific nature, origin, and purpose of different categories of inhabitants.
"The knowledge of these things does not belong to the merely curious, or the dilettante occultist. It forms a necessary part of the knowledge which must come to all who would travel the astral plane, whether in the astral body, or by means of clairvoyant vision."
This knowledge provides practical benefits that extend beyond mere intellectual curiosity:
- It helps distinguish between genuine communication from evolved entities and misleading interactions with shells or thought-forms
- It illuminates the nature of many religious and spiritual experiences that involve interaction with astral beings
- It explains phenomena like hauntings, apparitions, and certain psychic experiences in a coherent framework
- It offers techniques for creating beneficial thought-forms and dissolving harmful ones
- It deepens our understanding of the after-death journey and the continuity of consciousness
Most importantly, this understanding helps demystify the astral realm, transforming it from a potentially frightening unknown into a structured dimension that follows comprehensible principles and patterns.
In our next article in this series, we'll build on this foundation by exploring specific techniques for conscious astral projection—methods for safely and deliberately experiencing the astral plane and interacting with its inhabitants.
We'll examine both traditional approaches from various spiritual traditions and modern adaptations that make these practices accessible to contemporary practitioners.
Until then, I encourage you to observe your dreams and meditation experiences with new awareness, noticing the possible influence of the various astral inhabitants we've discussed.
This increased attention often naturally enhances your perception of subtle dimensions, preparing you for the more deliberate explorations we'll undertake in Part 3.
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