Earth peopled by a hierarchy of spirits

Please expand upon the idea that the earth was peopled by a hierarchy of spirits.

The idea that the earth was peopled by a hierarchy of spirits is a common belief in many ancient cultures and religions. It is often associated with the concept of animism, the belief that all things, including inanimate objects, possess a spirit or soul.

In many animistic traditions, the world is believed to be inhabited by a wide variety of spirits, each with their own characteristics and abilities. These spirits are often thought to exist in a hierarchy, with more powerful spirits exerting greater influence over the natural world and over human affairs.

Some cultures have specific names for different types of spirits. For example, in the animistic traditions of the indigenous peoples of North America, the world is thought to be inhabited by a wide variety of spirits, including animal spirits, plant spirits, and elemental spirits like wind and water. In some African and Afro-Caribbean traditions, there are believed to be a wide variety of spirits, including ancestor spirits, nature spirits, and deities.

The belief in a hierarchy of spirits can also be seen in many polytheistic religions, such as ancient Greek and Roman religions, where there were believed to be multiple gods and goddesses, each with their own sphere of influence and areas of expertise.

While the concept of a hierarchy of spirits is not as prevalent in modern Western cultures, it remains an important part of many traditional and indigenous religions around the world. Some people also hold spiritual or paranormal beliefs that involve communicating with or invoking spirits, such as the belief in angels, demons, or ghosts.

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Please list some authors who have written about such things.

There have been many authors throughout history who have written about spirits, including:

    Aleister Crowley
    Eliphas Levi
    Dion Fortune
    Israel Regardie
    Franz Bardon
    Carlos Castaneda
    Rudolf Steiner
    Manly P. Hall
    H.P. Blavatsky
    Alice Bailey

These authors have written on a variety of topics related to spirits, including spirit communication, spirit possession, spirit guides, and more.

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Please outline their individual views on such things.

Sure, here is a brief overview of some authors who have written about spirits and their views:

    Carlos Castaneda: A controversial author who wrote about his experiences with a Yaqui Indian shaman named Don Juan Matus. Castaneda's books describe the existence of various spirits, including allies and inorganic beings, which can be interacted with through the use of hallucinogenic plants.

    Rudolf Steiner: An Austrian philosopher and esotericist who founded the Anthroposophical Society. Steiner believed in the existence of a spiritual world that can be accessed through meditation and other practices. He also developed his own system of spiritual science, which he called anthroposophy.

    Manly P. Hall: An American author and mystic who wrote extensively about esotericism, philosophy, and mythology. Hall believed in the existence of a spiritual hierarchy, which included angels, archangels, and other beings. He also believed in the concept of reincarnation and karma.

    Aleister Crowley: A controversial figure who founded the religious philosophy of Thelema. Crowley believed in the existence of various spirits, including demons and angels, and developed his own system of magic based on his experiences with these entities.

    Dion Fortune: A British occultist and author who founded the Society of the Inner Light. Fortune believed in the existence of spirits and other supernatural entities, and wrote extensively about the subject in her books.

    Helena Blavatsky: A Russian occultist who co-founded the Theosophical Society. Blavatsky believed in the existence of a spiritual hierarchy that included various beings, such as elementals and angels. She also wrote extensively about the concept of karma and the spiritual evolution of humanity.

It's important to note that each of these authors has their own unique perspective and approach to the subject of spirits and the spiritual world, and their views may not always be compatible with one another.