Earlier, we read of Masonry's true "work" as being witchcraft and magic. Foster Bailey also discusses this aspect of Masonry in his book The spirit of Masonry.
He says that "even the most advanced esotericists in the fraternity" are even yet only dimly aware of the true "creative" nature of the Masonic work. He likens this creative work to that which God did when he spoke into existence the worlds through "the Word as a creating factor." He says:
"The Hindu expresses it thus: `God thought. God visualized. God spoke.
The worlds came into being.' Behind the constitution of a Lodge lies this basic truth, and the work of a Lodge, through its rituals and ceremonies, is intended to be a training school for creative work." [F. Bailey, pp. 9596].
This creative work is accomplished when "a Lodge of Masons" becomes unified and is enabled "to work together as one functioning coherent body." The Masons learn by "participating in such a ritual, to work, say and think the same thing simultaneously." [F. Bailey, p. 96].
We've already quoted parts of this earlier, in another context. But here let us point out that anyone the least bit familiar with magic and witchcraft will recognize this as a description of a witches' coven carrying out their "work"
which is called "creative work."
Bailey emphasizes the need for "a formulated uniformity of thought" so that every move, every action "may have behind it, and underlying it, the
concentrated attention and thought power of the assembled Masons." The power of this united thought "would be hypnotic in its potency... Masonry in its true and highest sense is magical work." [F. Bailey, p. 97].
On the next page, he amplifies this "magical work." He says a Lodge of Masons will then "work" as a group for Humanity as a whole:
"They will create a focal point for spiritual light, and will organize
themselves into a body of conscious custodians of the mysteries, acting as a distributing agency for knowledge... The effectiveness of this possible work will be paralleled by the increasing sensitivity of the race to
telepathic impression...They will consciously cooperate with the Lodge on High...They will act as a dedicated lens through which the light can shine in the darkness...and the mysteries of initiation will no longer be only symbolic, but will constitute a definite form of activity, carried forward upon earth." [F. Bailey, p. 98].
Bailey states that this cooperation with the lodge on High "will blend the minds of many into one directed purpose" and will help empower the candidates for initiation to meet the tests of that initiation. Then he states:
"Behind the magical work of the rituals must be the influence of the established rhythm...The materializing upon earth of the mystical
vision...must be brought about by the wise working of this law of rhythm and of ritual." [F. Bailey, p. 99].
Alice A. Bailey's many New Age books also give us a key to understanding more about this group work, which is directed by the demons in the heavenlies
pretending to be "Masters of Wisdom" on Shambala. In THE RAYS AND THE INITIATIONS, she states:
"The group can be, and frequently is, responsive to the `bright centre', Shambala... Here is the clue to the significance of group work. One of its major functions, esoterically speaking, is to absorb, share, circulate, and then distribute energy." [A. Bailey, Rays, p.68; quoted in SERVING HUMANITY, a compilation of selections from the works of Alice A. Bailey, p. 473; Lucis Publishing Co., New York; 1977].
She also discusses the "need for telepathic sensitivity in every group composed of disciples... The cultivation of an interrelation of a telepathic nature upon the mental plane is essential." [A. Bailey, DISCIPLESHIP2, p. 63; SH, p. 467].
The demon spirit calling himself the Tibetan, Djwhal Khul, speaking through her, emphasizes the importance of this witchcraft, or group work, in "thought formulation and thoughtform creation." He says:
"Then a clear thoughtform can be constructed with definiteness and it can be positively directed...working on mental levels with your group brothers so that your thoughtform is a part of their thoughtform and you can, therefore, unitedly produce a living, embodied form which can be directed as I may determine." [A. Bailey, p. 65, DISCIPLESHIP IN THE NEW AGE, VOL. I, Lucis Pub. Co., New York; 1944; SH p. 469].
The capability for this group work is not yet here, at least back when these words were written, but it will become available to the Hierarchy, we are promised, when the brothers have been better prepared for it's rigors of concentrated, purposeful thought and visualization. In the meantime, we are told,
"The spiritual thought, resulting in magical work of one brother of pure intent, is of far greater potency than that of many brothers who follow the tendencies of the personality." [A. Bailey, A TREATISE ON WHITE MAGIC, p.
260, Lucis Pub. Co., New York, 1967; SH p.460].
And what are the requirements for a brother to be able to take part in this witchcraft? Bailey says,
"The white magician is he who utilizes all power and knowledge in the service of the race... the technique of the Great Work... The white magician works with the forces of nature and swings them back into control of advanced humanity." [A. Bailey, p. 359, Esoteric Psychology I, Lucis Pub.
Co., New York, 1967; SH p 501].
The goal of this group work is to hasten the materializing on earth of the Hierarchy, heralded by the return of "The Christ."