The capacity to experience massage is given by the astral
body. As it is the feel of a massage which brings the most interesting results
it is of prime importance for the massage therapist to know about the astral
body. An attempt will be made to outline the basic phenomena in this area.
Three layers
The astral body can react in three different ways depending
on the quality and position of a massage movement. It is possible for the
massage therapist to touch three different layers of the astral body with his
massage movements: first a layer very close to the ether body, then the astral
body itself and thirdly a layer which is closer to the I-organization.
Ether body
A massage movement without or with only slight pressure will
engage the astral body to a limited extent. Consequently the intention of the
massage movement transposes directly into the ether body and unfolds from
there. It is the unfolding of a massage movement which is described by Rudolf
Steiner in connection with "mild massage in the region of the
spleen." (2) In order to reach the spleen and its activity, local massage
is applied in the region of this organ.
Astral body
Massage movements with increased pressure will engage the
astral body more strongly, as will massage movements using the qualities of the
planetary sphere. This means that the astral body transforms the massage
movement before it takes effect on the etheric and physical level. Now the pure
astral appears, the astral lemniscate. Rudolf Steiner put it like this:
". . . the further down we go from the center in massage of the trunk the
greater the effect on the upper organs." (3) It is therefore not a local
effect.
The I-organization
With massage movements connected to the planetary sphere we
can, as it were, strike the chords of the astral body. But the decision to what
extent the connection of the astral body should be tightened or loosened at
different points lies with the I-organization, though this is not addressed
directly. It can be addressed with massage movements connected with the zodiac,
engaging the layer of the astral body that is close to the I-organization.
Consequently the massage movement is transformed twice: partly in accord with
the astral body and partly in accord with the I-organization. The result is a
much more complex current than when we address the purely astral.
Overview
The massage therapist has to be completely aware of these
layers and the different qualities of massage movement. Only then can Per
Henrik Ling's vision be realized: to give massage a scientific basis.
English by Ulrike O'Callaghan.
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planetmassage.org 2003