The Untold Secrets of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
Light…
It's been with us since the beginning. In fact, one might even consider that it was the Beginning! From the moment of creation, light has been part of our existence, accompanying humanity through the discovery of fire, electricity, the light bulb, and fiber optics to name just a few.
Lamps, lanterns, and torches also have an important place in this story. They serve as vessels through which light is carried and conveyed. Throughout history, they have played a significant role in religious, spiritual, moral, and cultural traditions throughout the world. They have also been there during times of triumph, enlightenment, the quest for freedom and other advances by humanity.
Here are just a few examples:
The Olympic flame conveys the idea of fire as a sacred, transformative force. It is ignited solely by concentrating the sun’s rays with a parabolic mirror, matches or artificial sources are not used, so the flame is considered pure.
Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, often walked the hospital wards at night with a lamp to check on wounded soldiers. Today, she is known as “the Lady with the Lamp.”
Obon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of deceased ancestors. Traditions around Obon feature floating or guiding lanterns which are believed to help ancestral spirits or wandering souls find their way home.
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, hope, and opportunity. It embodies liberty, equality, and the promise of a brighter future. The New Colossus, a poem by Emma Lazarus is etched on a plaque at its base. An excerpt reads: “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Diogenes famously walked the streets of ancient Athens in broad daylight carrying a lit lantern, declaring that he was “searching for an honest man.” His search for truth is a timeless reminder of the importance of qualities such as virtue, character and integrity.
Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is a joyful celebration symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Small clay oil lamps called Diyas with glowing flames are arranged in rows around homes and temples. A glowing Diya reminds us that a small light can overcome great darkness.
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
This brings us to the story of one of the most famous lamps in literary history – the story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.
Today, the story of Aladdin can be found in The Arabian Nights (also called The Thousand and One Nights), a collection of stories that have captivated readers for generations.
The story takes place in China, yet is distinctly Middle Eastern in its characters, customs, and atmosphere. Its precise origins remain uncertain and may reflect a cultural blending associated with the Silk Roads – routes from Europe through the Middle East and Central Asia to China where merchants, travelers and storytellers (including Marco Polo centuries earlier) carried ideas and traditions between East and West.
A Summary of the Story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
In a city of China lived a poor tailor and his son Aladdin, a lazy, idle boy who refused to learn any trade. After his father’s death, Aladdin’s mother supported them both by spinning cotton.
One day an African magician, pretending to be Aladdin’s long-lost uncle, gained the family’s trust and led the boy to a remote valley. There he caused the earth to open, revealing a stone with a brass ring. He gave Aladdin a protective ring and told him that only he could claim the treasure below: he must descend through three halls without touching anything, cross an underground garden of jewel-bearing trees, and bring back a lighted lamp from a niche after pouring out its oil.
Aladdin obeyed, collected jewels from the trees, and retrieved the lamp. At the cave mouth he refused to hand the lamp up until he was safely out. Enraged, the magician sealed the cave and abandoned him—revealing that he was no uncle but a sorcerer who needed another’s hand to obtain the lamp.
Trapped in darkness, Aladdin accidentally rubbed the ring. The genie of the ring appeared and freed him. Aladdin returned home with the lamp and the jewels (which his mother mistook for ordinary fruit). When she tried to clean the dirty lamp, she summoned the genie of the lamp, who brought them a rich feast. From then on Aladdin used the lamp’s power to provide food and silver plates, which he sold as needed, and they lived comfortably. He always kept the ring on his finger.
Years later Aladdin fell in love with the Sultan’s daughter. He sent his mother to the Sultan with a napkin full of the sparkling jewels from the underground garden. The Sultan was astonished and agreed to the match, but delayed it. After further trials and the fulfillment of an extravagant bride-price (again produced by the lamp), the wedding took place. Aladdin had a magnificent palace built overnight and lived happily with the Princess for several years, serving the Sultan as a captain of the armies.
Far away, the African magician learned through his arts that Aladdin still lived in wealth and power because of the lamp. He traveled to China, discovered Aladdin was away, and posed as a peddler crying “New lamps for old!” The Princess, unaware of the lamp’s power, exchanged the old lamp for a new one. That night the magician summoned the genie, who transported the palace and the Princess to a remote place in Africa.
Aladdin, given a short time to restore the Princess or lose his head, rubbed the ring by chance. The genie of the ring could not move the palace but carried Aladdin to Africa beneath the Princess’s window. Reunited, they learned the magician kept the lamp on his person. With the Princess’s help, Aladdin caused the magician to drink poison. He recovered the lamp and ordered the genie to return the palace and all within it to China.
Soon thereafter, Aladdin and the Princess lived happily ever after and in peace. Upon the Sultan’s death Aladdin succeeded him and reigned for many years, founding a long line of kings.
Beyond the Story: The Deeper Meaning of Aladdin
We should not take the stories found in The Arabian Nights lightly. Indeed, they express deep truths and offer profound teaching.
In the esoteric classic book The Magic Presence [1], Saint Germain reveals:
“The Tales of the Arabian Nights, My Brother, are only too true, for when really understood, they are Revelations of Divine Law instead of the silly, literal interpretation the outer world in its smug ignorance has chosen to place upon them. They are not folklore for children, but Inner Intimation of accomplishments that are perfectly possible when the student is sincere, worthy, and humble enough to be trusted with the Power and Truth they reveal.”
Lessons Learned from Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
Following are lessons drawn from the story itself—some are clear, surface-level ones while others are more symbolic and have deeper meanings.
Change is possible. Aladdin begins as a lazy, disobedient boy whose ways indirectly helped cause his father’s death and leave his mother struggling. Yet once given opportunity and responsibility, Aladdin becomes resourceful, generous, and capable of ruling.
Deception eventually unravels. The African magician pretends to be Aladdin’s uncle, gains trust, then abandons him. The story repeatedly shows that lies and manipulation create their own downfall.
Appearances can be misleading. The dirty old lamp looks worthless but contains great power, the “fruits” from the underground garden look ordinary to Aladdin’s mother but are priceless jewels, and the magician appears kind but is ruthless. The story warns against judging by outer looks.
The Wolf in sheep's clothing. This magician acted like a benevolent guide or sacred figure when in truth he was only seeking to exploit or destroy. Symbolically, this warns against those who flatter, create dependence, or demand that one surrender one’s own source of power (i.e. the lamp).
Power requires wisdom and restraint. Aladdin gains immense power through the lamp, but he uses it mainly to fulfill a promise, protect the Princess, and serve the Sultan rather than for self-indulgence.
Promises and integrity matter. The Sultan’s broken promise (delaying the marriage under the Vizier’s influence) leads to chaos. Aladdin’s fulfillment of the extravagant demand restores the agreement. The story shows us that keeping one’s word is foundational.
The lamp as hidden inner potential. The lamp is buried, overlooked, and appears ordinary. Only when it is rubbed (i.e. activated through attention or effort) does its power appear. Symbolically, this suggests that great capability often lies dormant and unrecognized until discovered and put to use. In addition, the loss of the lamp reveals how easily we can lose touch with the very source that gives us strength.
The journey into the cave. Aladdin must descend alone into darkness, pass through halls without touching forbidden things, and retrieve something of true value. This is a classic initiation - the descent into the unknown, the need for obedience and focus, and the return with a transformative gift.
The two genies have different levels of authority. The ring’s genie is limited; nonetheless, he helps save Aladdin when all seems lost. The lamp’s genie is far more powerful. Together they suggest that help comes in degrees and that "lesser" resources can sustain us until we develop or warrant greater ones. To me, this indicates the existence of a celestial order or hierarchy. Indeed, the renowned scholar and theologian Origen of Alexandria taught that souls are assigned to their respective offices and duties based on previous actions and merits, and that each one has the opportunity to ascend or descend in rank.
There are many elements of the Hero’s Journey [2] found in Aladdin’s adventure including:
Begins as an immature young man.
Encounters a mysterious guide who tests and deceives him.
Descends into a dangerous, unfamiliar world.
Discovers an extraordinary source of power.
Experiences success, love, and transformation.
Loses what he has gained.
Faces further trials.
Recovers what was lost.
Eventually assumes a position of leadership.
New Lamps for Old!
I have always thought that the best stories, movies, and books are those that contain multiple layers of meaning and insight. They allow readers and viewers to draw their own understanding based on their own experiences and quest for wisdom. What better place to begin uncovering great mystery than with the “greatest story ever told”—the Bible?
One of my favorite parables in the Bible is the one about the Ten Virgins [3]. It describes five wise and five foolish virgins who await the bridegroom with lamps. The wise ones bring extra oil so their lamps stay burning; the foolish ones’ lights go out and later they want light from the others.
I believe from an esoteric perspective that the lamps represent more than physical vessels of light. In this context, they represent our own spiritual energy centers – the chakras.
Further consideration of this parable reveals the need for a new level of readiness and preparedness - about having our chakras full of oil or Light so the LORD can find us and we can find him too when the time comes. After all, we are all meant to be the light of the world – a city on a hill that cannot be hid! [5]
The Genie Revealed - Untold Secrets of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
Many of you have either read Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp or seen the movie Aladdin [6].
And you've probably found yourself saying, "That's just what I need — I need a genie!"
If you're a regular visitor to Violet Flame World, however, you may have even stopped and thought, "Wait a minute! I already have a genie!"
Well, Saint Germain is a genie! And you have other Violet Flame genies, too. They are the Ascended Masters — our friends in high places. They hear your call and respond when it is God's will to do so and it aligns with the timetable for a particular event.
But before we get too excited about having a genie at our disposal, there's another important lesson we should consider. We've all heard the expression, "Be careful what you wish for." Sometimes, what we think we want isn't necessarily what is best for us. I remember hearing a story once that illustrates this very point:
There was once a woman who was given three wishes.
First, she wished for a million dollars. Almost at once, a man from the mill where her husband worked arrived with the news that he had been killed in a terrible accident. The insurance policy he carried would pay her a million dollars.
Fortunately, the woman had two wishes still remaining.
Overwhelmed by the tragedy, she used her second wish for her husband to return to life.
Within the hour, she heard his footsteps crossing the porch toward the door. The sound so completely terrified her that she spent her last wish sending him back to where he had returned from.
The lesson is pretty clear. We must be thoughtful about what we ask or pray for, mindful of the consequences, and discerning about what we truly desire. This is why our prayers should always be subject to the Will of God rather than by the desires of our human personality.
Untold Secrets - The Mystery of the Violet Flame
For thousands of years the violet flame was an untold secret, experienced by mystics and known to spiritual teachers East and West who taught it only to their closest disciples. Today, the violet flame is available to all!
You can give violet flame mantras and decrees to multiply everything that is good and beautiful in your life and clean out everything that isn't.
You can also begin to experience the marvelous action of the violet flame coursing through your veins, bloodstream, nervous system, brain and pressing through your chakras. It is awesome to think the violet flame can, electron by electron, set you free from all karmic circumstances - past and present!
Take your Chakras for a Spin with the Violet Flame!
Did you know you can store the violet flame in your chakras? We should value these centers as living "lamps" of violet flame because they are available to us both spiritually and physically whenever we need them.
Following are instructions and steps you can follow for giving the violet flame mantras found at the end of this blog post.
• Give the violet flame through your throat chakra, and let your heart chakra pour love into the flame while also drawing love from it. Use your third eye chakra to apply the violet flame through sustained visualization. This is an excellent way to begin working with each chakra to meditate on the flame and focus its light.
• Visualize the violet flame rising up from beneath your feet, rising and purifying every level of your being. When you feel the concentration is complete in your physical body, let it slowly extend out from you as a beautiful aura of violet flame.
When giving the bija mantras below:
• Give the Heart, Head and Hand decrees first.
• Add an additional visualization of a sphere of blue flame protection around you.
As you give more and more violet flame and come to know the wondrous effects of this miraculous energy, you might just be visited—whether you realize it or not—by the genie of the lamp, the Master Saint Germain!
We are all Aladdin's and all we need to do now is rub the violet flame lamp and see what happens!
Heart, Head, and Hand Decrees
Bija Mantras to the Feminine Deities
Bija Mantras for Chakra Meditation
[insert video here]
Violet Flame Chakra Meditation
May your journey with the violet flame be ever before you. Until next time…
Uphold the Torch!
Footnotes and Other Info
[1] For readers interested in exploring this further, see The Magic Presence by by Godfré Ray King (Guy W. Ballard), originally published in 1935.
[2] For further reading, see Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell).
[3] See Matthew 25:1–13, King James Version (KJV), for the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
[4] Image of the Parable of the Ten Virgins - https://www.gospelimages.com/paintings/92/the-parable-of-the-ten-virgins
[5] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14 (King James Version, KJV).
[6] Disney’s Aladdin (1992).
