The fundamental law and master-key of practical Theurgy, in its chief applications to the serious study of cosmic and sidereal, of psychic and spiritual, mysteries was, and still is, that which was called by the Greek Neo-Platonists “Theophania.” In its generally-accepted meaning this is “communication between the Gods (or God) and those initiated mortals who are spiritually fit to enjoy such an intercourse.”

Esoterically, however, it signifies more than this. For it is not only the presence of a God, but an actual — howbeit temporary — incarnation, the blending, so to say, of the personal Deity, the Higher Self, with man — its representative or agent on earth. As a general law, the Highest God, the Over-soul of the human being (Ātma-Buddhi), only over-shadows the individual during his life, for purposes of instruction and revelation; or as Roman Catholics — who erroneously call that Over-soul the “Guardian Angel” — would say, “It stands outside and watches.”

But in the case of the theophanic mystery, it incarnates itself in the Theurgist for purposes of revelation.