Arcane? Anatomy?
Arcane is another word that can be used almost interchangeably with words like 'occult' or 'esoteric'. The definition of the word is: understood by few; mysterious or secret. So what is arcane anatomy then? One would think that human anatomy is rather well understood at this point in history. We have cataloged and scanned every square inch of the material human body. Unfortunately, science has barely began to look into the anatomy of consciousness or our energetic being. This is mostly due to modern science's materialistic view of the world and refusal to accept the possibilities that are only becoming more likely as science progresses. However, the topic has not gone completely without attention as the occultists, esotericists, hermeticists, philosophers, and alchemists of old have been hard at work studying these things for almost all of human history. Of course, their work has yet to be 'validated' to the scientific eye and reliance on their discoveries is a matter of faith and experience. For this reason, none of the information presented on this page should be seen as verified, factual, or concrete. While much of it may very well be truth, it cannot yet be validated as modern science has not yet caught up with ancient wisdom. While we may all hold our own personal beliefs based on faith, subjective experiences, and our own research/experimentation we cannot preach such things as wholly true without objective verification via science. Science and spirituality MUST lean on one another lest we risk blind faith in either.
Why is it relevant to health?
Simply put, if we do have an anatomy besides our physical bodies then it makes sense that this anatomy must be maintained. We try to keep our physical bodies healthy so if we have energetic bodies should they not remain healthy as well? We may try to improve our physical bodies so why not improve our energetic bodies? This precisely the thought that many spiritual teachings hints at. This reasoning has led many to seek to understand their energetic anatomy better so that they can make it better or maintain it better. Obviously, if we do have an energetic 'body' then that body must be incorporeal and it is likely to be more directly connected to our consciousness than our physical bodies. If this is the case then maintaining/improving that energetic body may improve our mental states, or emotional states, and our spiritual experiences.
Biomagnetism
The concepts of biomagnetism have given us the first glimpse at scientific proof of the existence of our energetic bodies. From Wikipedia:
Biomagnetism is the phenomenon of magnetic fields produced by living organisms; it is a subset of bioelectromagnetism. In contrast, organisms' use of magnetism in navigation is magnetoception and the study of the magnetic fields' effects on organisms is magnetobiology. (The word biomagnetism has also been used loosely to include magnetobiology, further encompassing almost any combination of the words magnetism, cosmology, and biology, such as "magnetoastrobiology".)
The origin of the word biomagnetism is unclear, but seems to have appeared several hundred years ago, linked to the expression "animal magnetism." The present scientific definition took form in the 1970s, when an increasing number of researchers began to measure the magnetic fields produced by the human body. The first valid measurement was actually made in 1963,[1] but the field of research began to expand only after a low-noise technique was developed in 1970.[2] Today the community of biomagnetic researchers does not have a formal organization, but international conferences are held every two years, with about 600 attendees. Most conference activity centers on the MEG (magnetoencephalogram), the measurement of the magnetic field of the brain.
Biomagnetism is the phenomenon of magnetic fields produced by living organisms; it is a subset of bioelectromagnetism. In contrast, organisms' use of magnetism in navigation is magnetoception and the study of the magnetic fields' effects on organisms is magnetobiology. (The word biomagnetism has also been used loosely to include magnetobiology, further encompassing almost any combination of the words magnetism, cosmology, and biology, such as "magnetoastrobiology".)
The origin of the word biomagnetism is unclear, but seems to have appeared several hundred years ago, linked to the expression "animal magnetism." The present scientific definition took form in the 1970s, when an increasing number of researchers began to measure the magnetic fields produced by the human body. The first valid measurement was actually made in 1963,[1] but the field of research began to expand only after a low-noise technique was developed in 1970.[2] Today the community of biomagnetic researchers does not have a formal organization, but international conferences are held every two years, with about 600 attendees. Most conference activity centers on the MEG (magnetoencephalogram), the measurement of the magnetic field of the brain.
Every living thing produces a biomagnetic field. This can now be stated scientifically and is verifiable. However, that is almost the extent of solid science on the subject. Mostly, this is due to a lack of research by the scientific community in general but it is also due to current technological limitations. We are rapidly removing those limitations as new tech is being pumped out daily.
The important thing to take from the discovery and verification of biomagnetic fields being produced by living organisms is that real science has proven that humans do have an energetic anatomy and that we are not purely physical beings. To the skeptic and strict materialist scientist this is simply the electrical activity of our cellular structures and is not indicative of much at all. However, to the esoteric eye this is the foreshadow of a whole new world of science. If you are browsing this website, you have likely already accepted that there are many types of energy yet undiscovered by science. Does it not seem at least plausible that we may be emitting other forms of energy as well?
The important thing to take from the discovery and verification of biomagnetic fields being produced by living organisms is that real science has proven that humans do have an energetic anatomy and that we are not purely physical beings. To the skeptic and strict materialist scientist this is simply the electrical activity of our cellular structures and is not indicative of much at all. However, to the esoteric eye this is the foreshadow of a whole new world of science. If you are browsing this website, you have likely already accepted that there are many types of energy yet undiscovered by science. Does it not seem at least plausible that we may be emitting other forms of energy as well?
For a more accurate yet still brief understanding of how biomagnetic fields are created and why, check out this article by Dr. Pawluk. It is important that we state that we are not affiliated with Dr. Pawluk nor do we hold all of his theories, ideas, and assertions as truth. This particular article is simply a good, short look at the topic using valid biological information.
Energetic Anatomy - Franz Bardon
The link above is an excerpt of Franz Bardon's Initiation into Hermetics. He describes the physical human body piece by piece and the magnetic/electric properties associated with each of those pieces. The description is somewhat vague and up for interpretation.
PEMF - Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
The closest science and medicine have come to treating the energetic body is PEMF. From Wikipedia:
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT), also called pulsed magnetic therapy, pulse magnetotherapy, or PEMF, is a reparative technique most commonly used in the field of orthopedics for the treatment of non-union fractures, failed fusions, congenital pseudarthrosis and depression. In the case of bone healing, PEMF uses directed pulsed magnetic fields through injured tissue to stimulate cellular repair. The FDA has cleared several such stimulation devices.
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT), also called pulsed magnetic therapy, pulse magnetotherapy, or PEMF, is a reparative technique most commonly used in the field of orthopedics for the treatment of non-union fractures, failed fusions, congenital pseudarthrosis and depression. In the case of bone healing, PEMF uses directed pulsed magnetic fields through injured tissue to stimulate cellular repair. The FDA has cleared several such stimulation devices.
Magnetic therapy has been in use since the dawn of electricity and even before. Ancient humans have used magnets and loadstones in an attempt to treat a multitude of illnesses. The Greek philosopher Galen wrote about the cleansing power of magnetism as far back as 200 B.C. and Chinese medicine was using magnetic therapy as far back as 2000 B.C.. It was around the 1940's when Japan began experimenting with electromagnetic wave shapes. In short time, almost all of Europe was developing some kind of magnetic therapy device. For many reasons, Americans are less receptive to the idea than the rest of the world seems to be. However, PEMF therapy has been successful at treating several issues within humans. Most notably PEMF therapy has been used to help heal bone fractures in patients that otherwise had a hard time healing. Another well documented and valid example of the success of PEMF therapy came when it was used by plastic surgeons to treat pain as well as edema in soft tissue. Though the evidence is less significant for many of the other claimed successes of PEMF therapy, the reports are many. For Alzheimer’s disease the therapy is reported to have shown rapid improvement in cognitive function. For those who experience migraines, 76% of those exposed to PEMF therapy experienced very clear relief while only 2.5% of the placebo group reported the same. For Parkinson's disease, it is reported that magnetic therapy produced improvement in motor and cognitive symptoms. For diabetic angiopathy the treatment registered significant improvement of peripheral circulation. For many, many types of pain there is evidence to suggest that PEMF therapy is effective. For patients enduring tinnitus, a one week treatment led to 45% of the patients expressing improvement while only 9% of the placebo group did the same. There are mountains of evidence suggesting the wide range of effectiveness that this PEMF therapy may have.
The main takeaway is that real scientists and real doctors have used and continue to use this therapy to treat very physical issues such as bone fractures with success. That translates to literally treating a physical disorder with a type of energy alone. No surgery. No medicine. No implants or alterations. That alone implies huge things for the future of PEMF therapy and for energy based healing.
Of course, one has to go no farther than the local flea market to find someone trying to sell magnetic therapy devices using bold and even outright outlandish claims. While magnetic therapy has been proven to be successful at treating many things, the claims made by salesmen and gurus can be a bit ridiculous. This is counterproductive and self-damning. Those who partake in that kind of thing are doing humanity a disservice as they effectively invalidate the work of real science. If you ask a person on the street in America about magnetic therapy they will likely think that you are nuts or that you are talking about pseudo-science nonsense. The first thought that comes to mind when this topic is brought up to many is the thought of these gurus and salesmen trying to make a buck selling miracle cures. Such a pity. We as a community should start to challenge these phonies and inflated claims without remorse or hesitation.
The main takeaway is that real scientists and real doctors have used and continue to use this therapy to treat very physical issues such as bone fractures with success. That translates to literally treating a physical disorder with a type of energy alone. No surgery. No medicine. No implants or alterations. That alone implies huge things for the future of PEMF therapy and for energy based healing.
Of course, one has to go no farther than the local flea market to find someone trying to sell magnetic therapy devices using bold and even outright outlandish claims. While magnetic therapy has been proven to be successful at treating many things, the claims made by salesmen and gurus can be a bit ridiculous. This is counterproductive and self-damning. Those who partake in that kind of thing are doing humanity a disservice as they effectively invalidate the work of real science. If you ask a person on the street in America about magnetic therapy they will likely think that you are nuts or that you are talking about pseudo-science nonsense. The first thought that comes to mind when this topic is brought up to many is the thought of these gurus and salesmen trying to make a buck selling miracle cures. Such a pity. We as a community should start to challenge these phonies and inflated claims without remorse or hesitation.
Charts and visual representations of the theorized energetic structures of humans
Again, there can be no scientifically verified assertions made about much of this. We leave the interpretation and understanding of these representations up to the observer. This is merely an attempt to expose this information to those who wish to see it so that they can come to their own conclusions about the topic. While we certainly have our own beliefs about this arcane anatomy, we try to keep things as grounded in verifiable science as possible around here. We are trying to promote a union of science and spirit. This cannot be done through blind faith or refusal to admit that we may be wrong. Even scientifically sound ideas have been exposed as false so it would be foolish to ever try and teach or preach any supposed infallibility especially without proof.