So far we have explored the unique properties of the Ankh as a physical device and how it seems the symbol was central to the relationship between the Egyptians and their Gods.

I now want to reveal some of its attributes purely as a symbol or glyph and to explore its mysteries from a psycho-spiritual viewpoint. That is to say I want to start revealing some of the practical ways in which symbol can be used most effectively in meditations, visualisations, practical Magick and dream work.

The fundamental premise to all occult practice is that the physical world we inhabit is merely an outer manifestation of energy on a higher plane or level of experience. In the most general sense this other dimension can be best described as being 'mental' or comprised essentially of 'thought forms'.

Thus it follows that the Ankh, as a physical object, has a primary existence as a mental image. This means that there is a Universal Ankh - a single image of the symbol that exists in a world outside of normal time and space.

As conscious beings we have the capability to tap into the symbol at this higher level and in doing so can replicate many of the same functions that all physical Ankhs display. We can resonate with this primary icon and use its life-enhancing powers to great effect.

To understand how this works I firstly want to strip the symbol down to its most basic and essential elements and to reveal the metaphysical theory upon which we will later base our practical work.

Most esoteric disciplines separate their metaphysical understanding of the universe into two distinct key elements. Firstly there is an 'upper' firmament, or 'heaven', and secondly a lower earthly or physical dimension known as 'earth'.

There is always a keen separation in the ideas associated with heaven and earth - the former being the abode of the God/Gods/Goddesses etc. and the latter is the domain of man, animals and the natural world.

i) As a circle the loop of the Ankh represents the totality of All. It personifies the concept that everything is created from a single point and as such is often used to represent a Godhead, Supreme Creative Power or Universal Energy.

ii) The lower triple-armed cross upon which the circle surmounts represents the three-dimensioned existence of mundane human experience. It is also the realm through which the mind of the All, or Creator, can be experienced, demonstrated and comprehended.

As well we all know there is and always has been a very defined separation between Man and the Godhead - the spiritual and physical worlds. The wide gulf that exists between the two poles is only bridged through faith in religion and through direct comprehension in the case of esoteric Gnostic practices.

Throughout history some mystics, seers, and spiritualists have bridged the gap between the two worlds and as a result described the wonderful land of the spiritual world. Many have then gone on to define new metaphysical concepts based upon their experiences - though to most individuals their interpretation of the concepts involved are too complex to understand and have little true meaning without first hand experience of the spiritual planes.

Nevertheless an even larger number of individuals have experienced the upper world in a different way. These are the musicians, writers, inventors and painters who have directly drawn inspiration for their work from a source within the spiritual realms.

It is a widely established premise that the spiritual worlds hold the pre-formed pattern of an infinite number of thoughts, ideas and concepts - any or all of which can be downloaded or brought into physical manifestation through the use of human mind.

History records accounts from a large number of individuals who have maintained that the raw material for their work is inexplicably drawn from an unseen dimension. Some individuals have trained themselves to tap into this source whilst others appear to do it almost accidentally.

The magnificent musical works of Mozart, the inspiring poems of Blake and the advanced drawings of Da Vinci are all prime examples of how the mind of an artist can be projected into the universal ethers, then drawn down into physical manifestation. Invariably this process results in the formulation of new and exciting - some of which are years ahead of their time and require many years before their concepts are absorbed into the general cultural consciousness.

The ability of the human mind to tap into the unseen ethers and from it draw creative inspiration is highly significant for it demonstrates that despite the two quite separate characteristics of the two worlds there are points at which they meet.

Take another look at the symbol of the Ankh. Whilst the loop signifies the upper spiritual realms and the T-cross denotes the mundane physical reality the two are in fact connected. It is not as if the loop lies above the T-cross or even to the bottom or side. It actually connects up to create a unified symbol.

So then what do we deduce from this? Well, if our interpretation of the symbol is correct it starts to become evident that the secrets held within the Ankh are those expressed in Egyptian art and word. The idea that the Ankh somehow opens up, channels and focuses power from an ethereal realm is becoming increasingly verifiable.

So then lets pause for a moment and take stock of what we have learnt so far. Firstly, the Ankh is an ancient occult symbol that many people believe to hold magickal properties. Evidence from over 6,000 years ago suggests that this symbol was used by a select few initiated individuals to channel power from a stellar source down and into human experience. This power was understood to bring about wealth, power and riches but was also responsible for good health, protection and well-being.

Secondly, we now also know that the glyph does indeed operate as a 'Key to Heaven', as the early Christian mystics called it, and that through it an initiate has the unique capability to tap into limitless but unseen realm of ideas and concepts.

And thirdly there is an ability for the mind to open up this 'stargate' and through it draw a power that can be used for a wide range of differing disciplines ranging from healing through to art, music and writing.

So then how can the Ankh play an important part in this creative process? Whilst the Ankh can be used in various ways it is important to remember that at a deep unconscious level the racial collective has a unified understanding of the meaning and significance of the Ankh glyph.

This means that despite whatever personal interpretation we place upon the symbol we all have at a core point the same understanding of its meaning. That interpretation is simply the same as we revealed earlier in this section - namely that the symbol is a 'stargate' - it opens up a connection between the spiritual and mundane worlds at a deep level of consciousness. When we use the symbol at a conscious level - either as a physical object or by creating an image of it in our minds, we automatically give ourselves the ability to open the doorway to deeper levels of consciousness and through doing so connect to the Universal Mind.

In the final section I want to show you some of the ways that you can do this and how the Ankh can be used as a personal key to an infinite source of creative power.