The Starnos Compendium

 birthplace of Andrew Jackson Davis (1826-1910) from The Magic Staff

  
  
Andrew Jackson Davis is one of the famous 'paranormal people' whose lives have been chronicled during previous centuries.  There is an extensive collection of documentation available for the attention of people living today; however, there must be some compelling personal reason for someone to desire examining the assortment of materials concerning any particular person.  The Andrew Jackson Davis published works have been identified as consisting of 33 books, including memoirs and compilations of transcendental communication transcripts.  Della E. Davis, M.D. was a reader of this oeuvre and in 1891 published a book of quotations from these "inspired writings" by the "Seer of the Harmonial Philosophy."  She entitled her book "Starnos" (Internet Edition) using the name found in passages of Andrew's 1868 book The Penetralia.  (see page 168)  This blog article presents some examples of these quotations, reminding longtime blog readers of the linking consistencies that may be found among transcripts from diverse documented cases of transcendental communication.

Reading the Starnos quotations, it is noticeable that some passages are taken not from the 'illuminated' words transcendentally communicated but instead are of a theoretical nature reflecting possibilities considered and articulated by Andrew.  This blogger has set aside from inclusion in this article the passages relating to the 'Diakka' from Andrew's theoretical book The Diakka, and Their Earthly Victims; Being an Exploration of Much That Is False and Repulsive in Spiritualism (1880).  Andrew commented: ". . . the Diakka are continually victimizing sensitive persons, making sport of them, and having a jolly laughing 'time' at the expense of really honest and sincere people, including mediums . . ."  This blogger can only state that in all of my reading about transcendental communication cases, I don't recall any particular one where such a generalization would seem to be supportable while keeping in mind the nature of the interacting 'innate Oneness with the Source of all Life.'  

The Introduction to Andrew's channeled work (to use a contemporary expression concerning his mediumship) The Principles of Nature . . . (1847) was contributed by his 'scribe' William Fishbough and included a description of the 'phenomena connected with the process of the production of this book.'  Such a process has been documented in video footage for the variety of channeling cases.  William Fishbough wrote: ". . . it is known to an absolute moral certainty to Mr. Davis's most intimate acquaintances, that he was, while in his normal state, totally uninformed on all the great leading subjects treated in his book, until he perused the manuscripts of his own lectures."

The following 33 passages are from Starnos: Quotations from the Inspired Writings of Andrew Jackson Davis, Seer of the Harmonial Philosophy.  A listing of the titles of Andrew Jackson Davis's books are presented at the conclusion of the preceding blog article.

Argument is the kitchen work of the mind.  Wisdom never argues; it states principles, and gives methods.  It believes that nothing can be taught; everything can be developed. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 4, p. 38.


Every private affection throws out an atmosphere.  Whatever your predominating love may be, it emits an atmosphere which winds itself about your person. — Death and After Life, p. 134.


Any belief that has a tendency to destroy the natural benevolence of a noble mind, or to restrict its movements and circumscribe its sympathies and affections, . . . is indeed not worthy of the most contracted place in the human affections, or among the approved tenets of the judgment. — Nat. Div. Rev., p. 491.


The Kingdom of Heaven is within you, and Conscience is the Divinity that rules therein. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 1, p. 156.


If you wish to be truly and steadfastly loved, see to it that you do not deform your spiritual nature. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 4, p. 222. 


True and lasting consolation — also true and abiding happiness — comes from the daily doing of right, which is your duty.  This is the everlasting guide to peace. — Beyond the Valley, p. 391.


It is good to feel that every soul contains the same elements of energy and intellect.  Such a conviction will inspire us with a philosophical compassion for every individual whose mind is unfortunately developed. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 3, p. 71.


If charity is properly directed, and unrestrained while walking in the holy avenues of Wisdom, her deeds will unfold like heavenly violets in the garden of the Soul, and spread the fragrance of happiness wherever she treads. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 2, p. 105


Give a man confidence in himself that he hath an inward character, and he will forthwith commence the work of reform and self-purification. — Penetralia, p. 443.


Doubt, which means uncertainty, is the mind's prime incentive to activity. — Heavenly Home, p. 39.


Every good deed dropped into the ocean of human life makes that ocean better. . . . A single benevolent act may eventually save a nation. . . . Act well your part — "the world will be the better for it." — Answers to Questions, p. 202.


Errors, however beautiful and gold-enameled by time, must be extracted from the human mind by the archangel of eternal truth. — Death and After Life, p. 175.


Experience is the book of life.  And he is a good student who knows how to read its doctrines; and he who practically acts upon them is educated in the school of God. — Inner Life, p. 392.


Eternity is an infinite ocean, and this life is but a single drop of its everlasting waters. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 2, p. 365.


Error is the misapprehension of Truth.  Evil consists in knowingly advocating what is misapprehended. . . . Truth and goodness, on the other hand, are the sovereign principles of existence, and in their boundless flight there is unutterable freedom. — Answers to Questions, p. 151.


When the sky pours out its tears, when the tempest strikes the sea, when nature portends her elemental strifes, and the thunders leap down the wild mountains, rushing with all the wildness and power of the cataract; then — then be calm and believing; for when the shower is past, when the clouds pass away, when the sun shines out again over the green fields, over the green lawns and variegated meadows, then the good of the whole is revealed, and a million birds will join numberless flowers in a hymn of gratitude for all that is passed. — Inner Life, p. 108.


God is an Eternal Magnet of concentrated goodness. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 2, p. 349.


Unmask thyself, and wear no garb but what Nature gave.  Appear as thou art, — the eternal child of an Eternal Father! — Gt. Har.  Vol. 2, p. 70.


The secret of happiness consists in removing unnecessary friction in one's own pathway, and in assisting to remove it from the pathway of others. — Thoughts on Religion, p. 170.


Intuition tells you that you are related to an inner universe. — Beyond the Valley, p. 389.


Every person's Ideal is modified by the force and flow and shape of circumstances. — Free Thoughts, p. 154.


Good communications depend upon good states of mind.  If you would have true impressions, live true lives. — Inner Life, p. 368.


Love is the primary cause of all phenomena in physical creation.  Love is the Soul of the Deity. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 2, p. 136.


We are just as much in Eternity now — this very moment — as we ever will be.  The infinite and eternal now is all we have to call our own. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 3, p. 362.


The divine essence is everywhere and in all things. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 1, p. 263.


The Cause of phenomena is self-intelligent, self-loving, self-rewarded, absolute, unchangeable. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 5, p. 85.


The only true Religion is that which embraces the universe, reveals perfect justice, breathes boundless goodness, fills the reason with light, the affections with love, the sorrowing with consolation, the down-trodden with courage, and the despairing with the golden beams of eternal hope. — Heavenly Home, p. 205.


In the harmonial age, true religion is universal justice.  Everything will be attuned to the laws of equity and reciprocation. — Hist. and Phil. of Evil, p. 68.


Sleep is only a mode by which the fatigued soul partially withdraws itself from the physical structure, and gathers inwardly for the purpose of self-recuperation. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 1, p. 151.


It is with you and your convictions to decide whether a sectarian bondage shall oppress the free-born mind, or whether knowledge and universal happiness shall bless the earth. — Nat. Div. Rev., p. 707.


Nothing is useless; for that which appears gross and imperfect is in reality the only substantial source of subsequent unfoldings. — Nat. Div. Rev., p. 324.


Human minds, like trees, grow large and beautiful; or, like trees, sometimes remain small and deformed; strictly in accordance with their origin and subsequent situation. — Gt. Har.  Vol. 4, p. 54.


Be natural, thoroughly honest, and full of integrity; then virtue's influence will always flow out from you, healing the spirits of those who are crushed by misfortune and sorrow. — Hist. and Phil. of Evil, p. 234.