The Light Ether
To gain an initial understanding of etheric forces in general, I refer to the introduction in the article on the warmth ether. The introductory section there offers a detailed depiction of etheric forces as living forces. In this present article, I would like to describe the light ether with the intention that the reader may form a vivid picture and a clear imagination of this fascinating etheric force.
Etheric forces do not arise from matter and are not subject to physical laws such as gravity. According to statements by Heinz Grill, etheric forces are energies that originate from the cosmos1. Thus, the light ether—just like the warmth ether—permeates the entire cosmos and works from above downward upon the Earth and upon objects. The light ether acts centripetally; its luminous movement comes from the outside.
How does the light ether affect the atmosphere, plants, and human beings?
When the light ether is active in the atmosphere, nature appears in a clear and lively interplay of light and shadow. This light affects the observer, as though space itself were opening, making the atmosphere appear wide and transparent. The sensory impression unfolds a fine and vibrant feeling that allows the space to become open and expansive.
One may imagine, by contrast, a gloomy November day that invites one to withdraw inward and hardly motivates one to leave the house. A day in which the light ether is effective appears entirely different. The atmosphere works upon the human being in a widening, opening way—alive and sun-filled.
The light ether is sun-like. It penetrates less deeply into matter than the warmth ether and tends to work at the periphery of objects or plants. It differentiates and structures plants, and it also has a differentiating effect on the human physiognomy.
When the light ether is active in the atmosphere, the contours of plants can be perceived very clearly. Even when observing plants from a certain distance, their outlines appear fine, distinct, and sharply defined. The light ether limits the plant on the one hand, yet this limitation is also of great importance for the plant’s growth. Through its delicate touch and boundary setting, it creates crystal-clear structures that enable new growth2. As described in the introductory text on etheric forces (warmth ether), two mutually opposing movements are at work here as well: growth and limitation.
When a plant grows in darkness, it sprouts without uniform structure, is too weak, and not upright. If one places it in the light after some time, it becomes easy to observe how it grows stronger and strives toward the sun: the plant develops a balanced and structured form, and the edges of the leaves gain sharper contours. Light acts as a form-giver.
The lines express lightness – rhythm – elegance3
The etheric forces appear to the clairvoyant eye like colors. The light ether is described as a golden hue, a golden tone, or sometimes also as light blue or in shades of blue.
This bread shows a beautiful color. The color alone, however, is
not sufficient to determine any etheric force.
Plants influence the human soul through their radiance. To explore the light ether, one may ask a simple question when observing the bread: How does the bread affect the observer? Does it appear luminous and welcoming, or does it seem rather as though it “swallows” the light and behaves in a shielding manner?
What is decisive is the inner sensation that arises. For this exercise, one should observe the object in a completely objective way, without mixing in personal emotions or moods. Even sympathy or antipathy, should they arise, are merely noticed but not evaluated.
One observes the object carefully, even describes it, then looks away and allows the image to reappear inwardly in one’s imagination. Yet it is not the image itself that should occupy the consciousness, but the sensory impression that has been gained4. Etheric forces cannot be read from the material form; they reveal themselves only in the reawakened inner picture.
One may compare the two images of the potato and the bread using the questions mentioned above.
The light ether also works within the human being. When someone is engaged with a very interesting subject, the spine receives a subtle etheric tension — a gentle, inwardly arising uprightness. Attention becomes awake, directed upward; thinking becomes mobile and filled with light.
When two people meet and enter into a lively and meaningful exchange, the spine naturally straightens here as well, appearing uplifted and lightly supported. Consciousness is present and oriented outward. If one gives the other person space and creates an open atmosphere in which something new may arise, then light ether can emerge.
Sketch from the book: Exercises for the Soul5
Light Ether in Grains
Above the grains, says Heinz Grill, shines a living spiritual dimension that bestows various spiritual qualities upon the human being. These qualities are in harmony with the substances of matter, yet they do not arise from them. In barley, light is alive. Light is given to the human being through barley6. At first glance, this statement may not seem immediately comprehensible, yet it is essential to recognize it as the expression of a spiritual teacher and not to evaluate it too quickly through our individual rationality and intellectuality.
Through a longer engagement with the grains, one gradually develops a subtle sense, an inner feeling for the truth of this.
Barley and potatoes can be explored with the same questions as above. With some practice, a delicate inner sensation will soon arise.
How can the human being create light ether?
According to statements by clairvoyant individuals, and as described above, light ether can indeed be created by the human being. To generate light ether, certain inner prerequisites are needed: freedom toward the object or the person, openness, interest, and the willingness to grant the other space for development. Through this inner attitude, we manifest a principle that creates space. “The light ether allows the human being to become more unburdened, lighter, and a differentiating formative influence can begin to work.”7
How can light ether be created in the art of cooking?
If one wishes to prepare food in a way that enlightens and strengthens those who will eat it, one should avoid cooking out of routine or habit, or cooking that rigidly follows recipes. The qualities mentioned above, together with attentive observation of the cooking processes — the perception of the changing forms, colors, and consistencies of the food — create good conditions for the emergence of light ether.
Prerequisites for perceiving etheric forces
For those interested: Heinz Grill describes the various etheric forces in many of his books. My presentation has been developed through the study of diverse textual sources. It may therefore be understood as a concentration of these materials, with the intention of creating a picture of the light ether.
1 Die vier Äther im Brot (only German)
2 Ernährung und die gebende Kraft des Menschen (only German)
3 Ernährung und die gebende Kraft des Menschen (only German)
4 Die vier Äther im Brot (only German)
5 Exercises for the soul, Heinz Grill (only German)
6 Ernährung und die gebende Kraft des Menschen (only German)
7 Licht- und Wärmekräfte in Mensch und Natur, Lecture by Heinz Grill (only German)