5. Self-expression, 6. Self-reflection, 7. Self-knowledge
K. Western Spirituality: Alchemists believed that life energy is closely related to the ‘light of the seven planets.’ They proclaimed that everything on earth emerges from the rays or energies of these planets. Like a prisma, the planets divide the divine ‘light of creation’ into seven qualities related to the seven chakras to promote inner maturity, the development of consciousness, and spiritual healing. The most famous alchemical illustration of chakras and their planetary influences was conceived by Johann Georg Gichtel (1638 0 1710). In his illustration Gichtel arranged the seven classical planets on the human body and assigned each of them to one of the seven vices or deadly sins, such as pride, stinginess and jealousy (below) to compare them with the Seven Virtues for spiritual transformation.
Sins: 1. Lust, 2. Gluttony, 3. Laziness, 4. Envy, 5. Greed, 6. Anger, 7. Pride
Virtues: 1. Purity, 2. Temperance, 3. Diligence, 4. Kindness, 5. Charity, 6. Patience, 7. Humility
L. World Religions: According to David Barrett et al, editors of the “World Christian Encyclopedia: A
comparative survey of churches and religions – AD 30 to 2200,” there are 19 major world religions. In the year 2000, eight of these major religions had approximately 80% of the world’s population adhering to their beliefs. Agnostics and atheists account for approximately 19% of the world’s population and the rest of the world’s religions including Judaism make up the last 1%.
Most of the worlds’ religions do not fit neatly into little boxes, however, if we count the atheist and agnostic groups – they can be theoretically divided into Seven categories:
1.