Tattwa Meditation #

Develop Symbolic vision

Overview #

Tattwa Meditation is a classical visualization technique drawn from Tantric and Hermetic traditions, involving focused contemplation on abstract elemental symbols known as tatwas. These symbols represent the five elemental energies: Earth (Prithvi), Water (Apas), Fire (Tejas), Air (Vayu), and Ether (Akasha). Each tatwa has a distinctive geometric shape and color, used as a visual doorway to access altered states of awareness, symbolic perception, and astral projection.

This practice was later adopted by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, who used Tattwas to develop clairvoyant skills and inner vision. Today, Tattwa Meditation remains a powerful technique for training visual imagination, symbolic thinking, and dreamwork.

Step-by-Step Application #

1. Prepare Your Symbols #

• Use printed or hand-drawn tattwas:
  • Akasha (Ether): Black oval/egg ⚫️
  • Tejas (Fire): Red triangle 🔺 
  • Apas (Water): Silver crescent 🌙 
  • Vayu (Air): Blue circle 🔵 
  • Prithvi (Earth): Yellow square 🟨 
• Place the chosen tatwa on a plain background at eye level.

Look them up first, they do not actually look like the emojis above!

2. Enter a Focused State #

• Sit comfortably in a quiet, dimly lit space
• Gaze at the tatwa symbol gently for 1–2 minutes, blinking naturally
• Practice projecting this shape onto a blank wall
• Experiment by making the visulisation smaller and larger
• Once one symbol is stable, try visualising a second.
• Try combining them, e.g. placing the silver crescent within the red triangle.
• This will build your visualistion skills over time, which will improve your success with everything else.

3. Follow the Image (advanced) #

• Close your eyes and observe the afterimage behind your eyelids
• Allow the symbol to stabilize or shift
• If it disappears, re-open your eyes and repeat
• When vivid, mentally step into the image or follow any scenes or sensations that arise

4. Record and Reflect #

• Note colors, feelings, transitions, and any symbolic impressions
• Journal your experiences — recurring imagery can yield insights over time

Expected Outcomes #

Practicing with each tattwa builds a unique inner “library” of symbolic forms and strengthens the ability to enter imaginal states on command.

Risk Considerations #

• Disorientation: Returning to normal awareness may take a moment
• Boredom: This is the most likely risk. Persist anyway.
• Overanalysis: Don’t rush to interpret; let symbols speak over time

Further Exploration #

• Read: The Training & Work of an Initiate by Dion Fortune
• Compare with Kasina and Dreamachine techniques
• Try Tattwa scrying at different times of day to test variation in imagery

Call for Reports #

Have you explored the Tattwas? What visions or symbols emerged? Share your inner experiments: