The Crystal Tree System Shjonarra The Crystal Tree is a magical system designed specifically for Elf-flight. The only prominent author who has described Elf-flight in detail (though he did not address it as such) is Raymond E. Fiest. Elf-flight is interdimensional travel using both the spirit and the body. This body may be the original body of the practitioner's aspect [person/personality/being], the body of another aspect, or a highly concentrated astral body. It is important to keep a balance of spirit and body. Using these faculties together is a very powerful learning tool. Using the original body of the aspect in question is the most difficult method of the three. This requires direct manipulation of the body by the spirit, a form of alchemy. This is done on a molecular/essence level while using detailed imagery of the desired result. This is necessary in order to adapt the body to the environment of the target dimension. This is also the key to any type of shape shifting in this world, although it is usually in a trance state or on a subconscious level. With Elf-flight, it is essential to be fully aware and in control of any transformation occurring. After a much practice, the body will be able to tune into what the mind knows is necessary to transform and will just automatically adapt (as faeries do). This is advanced. Another method is to use the body of another aspect. This is best when working with a dimension of space/time in which you have incarnated at some point. However, the mind and emotions of that aspect may not be aware of what you as the overall being are up to. Be careful, or you may cause one of your aspects to go insane and you will suffer the karmic effects. The ideal is to concentrate the astral body. People have various experiences with this. Some people start off with an astral body that looks like the original body of that aspect (in other words, it looks like you). Others have a formless cloud for an astral body and must mentally shape it to look like the original body of that aspect. If you do this, then you can mentally shape it into whatever you need or want. Often it is best to project to the target dimension, then mentally shape your astral body according to the immediate environment you perceive. However, in order to make this astral body a physical body, you must concentrate it, make it dense. The energy particles of the astral body must be pulled together to transform from gas to solid. This can be done with mental imagery and energy injection. Create a mental picture of the result, then direct the energy inward. As the energy mass becomes denser, physical senses will awaken. To dispose of this body after you finish your travels, simply project the energy out of the body and the physical body will disperse, returning to astral form. Again, this is the most ideal method by far. The purpose of the Crystal Tree System is to overcome interdimensional communication barriers. It is based on telepathic images, music and gesture. Each symbol herein represents all these. The symbols can be drawn, but not spoken. Verbal languages are flawed with all kinds of concept barriers in this dimension alone—never mind in other dimensions! Therefore, the Crystal Tree does not use a verbal mode. Instead, it relies on art, music and dance—all renown forms used in interdimensional communication. Aside from the aesthetic value of this mode, it is also diplomatic. It is self-defeating to stick to the unyielding, often prejudiced concepts which most verbal languages use. Telepathic imagery is far more flexible and comprehensive. Music and gesture add beauty and should be used whenever practical. The Crystal Tree System has two parts. The first part consists of the six outer points and one central point of crystal structure. Each point relates to a Gate/Wheel/Chakrum and a musical note. The second part consists of eighteen veins or paths that connect those points. In the act of communicating, you would use the appropriate point from which you could branch out on the vein(s) desired for the expression, then close with the connecting point(s). For example, if you wanted to express personal interest in someone, you would use Point Female Vein Attraction Point Male (or vise versa), or perhaps Point Female Vein Love Point Balance. This would not be difficult to express with telepathic imagery. When using music, simply carry the note of the first point until you reach midway on the vein imagery, then finish with the note of the closing point. In the meantime, the Gates/Wheels/Chakra for both points should be active. One can express the musical notes by telepathy, an instrument, or vocally (without words). The last is Elf-song. Elf-song can combine with dance gestures that form the basic shapes of the symbols being used (point vein point). The symbols can also be drawn in sequence. Keep them aligned with the angle they are on within the Crystal Tree. The above examples would be at 180 and 60 (consult diagram). Though such techniques are optional, telepathic imagery is not. The points and veins of the Crystal Tree can be used as the Tarot. The veins make eighteen Major Arcana. The points repeated with each of the four Elements make twenty-eight Minor Arcana. The four Elements are reflections of the Light that is focused and directed in the Crystal Tree. The expression of divination is Point Female, Vein Divination, Point Chaos. The Crystal Tree Tarot System has all the divinatory and casting functions of any other Tarot system. The Points These are the points on the Crystal Tree (as well as Gates, Wheels, Chakra, and notes on the music scale). #Symbol Note Point Meaning
1 B Chaos knowledge to be
rediscovered
2 A Balance the order of what is
known
3 G Cycle the Journey, life order
4 F Creation shaping, projecting
5 E Destruction breaking down, analysis
6 D Female creation/cycle
combination
7 C Male destruction/cycle
combination The Veins These are the veins that connect the points on the Crystal Tree, also called paths. # Symbol Vein Meaning
8 wisdom using knowledge on
journey
9 transformation manifestation of
knowledge
10 strength foundation of learning
11 challenge learning experience
12 healing using knowledge to
correct and plan
13 beauty appreciation, pleasure
in knowledge
14 attraction desire to unite to learn
15 love union to apply know-
ledge on journey
16 knowledge power, awareness,
faculties, tools
17 pattern union of all knowledge
18 insanity knowledge without
pattern
19 passion drive to learn, courage,
determination
20 art form knowledge
manifests in
21 gateway allowing knowledge to
manifest on journey
22 divination rediscovering
knowledge
23 shadow challenges within self
to keep balance
24 sacrifice efficiency with use of
knowledge
25 battle the learning process The Points and Elements point gas/mind liquid/heart
solid/body plasma/spirit
Chaos memory emotion
static marrow
Balance logic temperance
metabolism regulation
Cycle process appreciate
manufacture circulate
Creation synthesis express
reproduce transport
Destruction analysis control
decay protection
Female originality design
breakthrough channel
Male supervise bargain
efficiency force Though these are useful in divination, their main value lies in Elf-flight. In order to understand and learn from dimensional exploration, you must be able to adapt your mode of consciousness to that of the being(s) encountered. The above is a categorization of relative modes of function that can serve as a foundation for adaptation: How does this being think logically? How does this being design or manipulate emotion and so on. Once you have determined the fundamentals of how a being functions, you can alter the ways you function, including some reshaping of your concentrated astral body if necessary. Then you are ready to learn anything made available. The methods for using this system to discover their ways of functioning are varied, the two most common are probing or scanning, and introduction using telepathic imagery. In this system, the latter would be the more appropriate of the two.
THE CRYSTAL TREE
The Elemental Wheel that
Reflects off the Crystal Tree. (Lower Four Points) Energy is focused and projected through the Crystal Tree to manifest in the four Elemental forms. Energy itself does not have a sign or gesture (see Chaos) when placed above the Elements on the Five-Petaled Life Flower. The Cosmos The Crystal Tree Cosmos has two polarities and a link factor like any other magick system. Female Polarity Balance,
the Order of Knowledge
Male Polarity Chaos,
the Undiscovered, Life Force
Link Factor Cycle,
the Order of Life (Crystal Tree) The Crystal Tree also has a symbol system and related methods of communication and divination as discussed before. The Crystal Tree does not have a traditional pantheon. In other words, it does not have a system of deities representing natural forces. However, there are natural spirit forces in a daemonic sense. This is because the Crystal Tree System is intended for use in Elf-flight. It is not fixed to one world or mode of thinking; thus, there must be room for a great variety in beings as well. The closest you can come in this system to deities are the two polarities and link factor that make up the cosmos. The pantheon is truly an unlimited account of beings encountered while in Elf-flight. All beings have the forces of nature within. Knowledge can be shared in various degrees with all beings. That is the purpose of Elf-flight and understanding the Crystal Tree. It is essential to keep a record of your Elf-flight encounters in order to review information and relocate people, places and things. (For obvious reasons, this record would have to be in a language, using references only to the Crystal Tree symbols therein.) Describe all encounters in detail; note discoveries in language/symbol, magick, cultural systems, and atmospheric keys for use in the art of ceremony. It should develop into a sort of interdimensional encyclopedia. | 
