THEOSOPHY - THOUGHT-FORMS - ASTRAL PLANE Thought forms, seen by trained clairvoyants, on the astral plane, in a gambling establishment at Monte Carlo The lower form evinces the scarlet ring of deep hanger, and resentment at unkind fate, while the black circle represents the hatred felt to those who had won, at his loss. The upper form, with its quadruple beaks represents the state of mind of the successful gambler, gloating over his winnings. Paintings of thought-forms were originated by a group of Theosophists, towards the end of the nineteenth century. The paintings were done, following the occult observations of such 'thoughts' or 'visions' on the astral plane, by Charles Leadbeater (Besant claimed such an astral vision, but it is unlikely that this was genuine), by John Varley (a descendant of the John Varley who taught William Blake astrology), Mr. Prince and Miss Macfarlane, all three of whom painted 'in earth's dull colours the forms clothed in the living light of other worlds'. The paintings were reproduced, and discussed, in Annie Besant and C.W. Leadbeater, Thought-Forms, 1901 edn, from which these plates are photographed.