2PAC THE MYSTIC is an original Project Astral series that investigates Tupac’s connection to the mystic realm.

The aura that surrounds Tupac Shakur’s life and death grows stronger with each passing year. New theories and old theories of him faking his death continue to be supported while 2017 marked his induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Tupac’s posthumously legacy shows no signs of slowing down. Although much is known about his public life through videos, interviews, and music; his interest in the occult and the astral realm is a little-known fact of history.

Incarcerated from February 14, 1995, until October 12, 1995, Tupac engulfed himself into a literary retreat of the senses. A list of the books he read at the Clinton Correctional Facility famously made it’s way around the internet in the early 2000’s. We’ve researched nine books that led Tupac into the white light and influenced quotes such as “Only fear of death is comin’ back reincarnated” and “Let’s go inside my astral plane.”



BOOKS

“Initiation” by Elisabeth Haich was probably one of the first books Tupac read on the occult. Initiation is a mystical-telling of Haich’s former lives, including her incarnation into the daughter of Pharaoh Athois. It details how the future is relayed via consciousness as dreams; this is a beginning stage of controlling/altering your fate. The book will open your eyes into the depths of reincarnation.

“Ponder on This” is a compilation of Alice Bailey’s teachings; it acts as an encyclopedia of mystical tools and prepares you for “Initiation,” a spiritual development that you enter upon birth. Astral Projection is mentioned as a concept that is vital for Initiation; one must learn to see through the fog and illusion, stabilizing their etheric bodies with the vibrations on the plane.

“The Destiny of the Nations” is another piece of Alice Bailey’s work. World dominions are at an ever-changing realm; this and the fate of each nation relies on energy masses and consciousness of its people. This book examines the inner-depths of social interaction.



“Serving Humanity” is Alice Bailey’s concept within “soul contact” and the utilization of the personality on the physical plane of existence. Telepathy, Illumination, and Control of Speech are a few of the topics covered in the literature.



“Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle” is the last book of Alice Bailey’s that appears on the list. The essence of mental energy and communication is the key dynamic to the book. A “flow” of energy is discussed and correlates with connecting to the overall system of energy fields for the world.





“The Meaning of Masonry” by W.L. Wilmshurst describes the inner workings of Free Masonry and the symbolism that incorporates the ancient mysteries of Egypt. The book opens in one passage with this line “The papers here collected are written solely for members of the Masonic Order.”



Gershom Scholem’s book “Kabbalah” is considered one of the blueprints of Jewish mysticism. The Torah and the hidden symbology within the text are interpreted and projected into a higher understanding of GOD.



“Mysticism” written by Evelyn Underhill acts as an introduction into the manifestation of energy as it pertains to the mystic arts. This would’ve been the centerpiece for Tupac in regards to magic.

“The Tibetan Book of the Dead” is what more than likely influenced Tupac’s belief in “Only fear of death is comin’ back reincarnated” as it deals with life-after-death scenario and how we perceive this experience. The line was first used by Evil Mind Gangstas on their 1993 song “Livin On The Edge” and also featured on the OG recording “Reincarnation” along with Hussein Fatal and other Outlawz members. The quote gained mainstream status with the release of “Only Fear of Death” on the 1997 album “R U Still Down? (Remember Me)”. The three Bardo realms of the afterlife are “Bardo of Death,” “Bardo of reality,” and, the “Bardo of rebirth.”

Symbolism

The majority of the books listed are written by New Age writer Alice Bailey and were transmitted to her by the Tibetan Ascended Master Djwal Khul. This is significant for many reasons. Bailey’s work correlates along the line of the white magic (right-hand) path; most of her teachings deal with the evolution of karma and the final mastering of the astral plane. To master or achieve a “higher” realm you need to have an understanding of the “lower” realms and when to embrace it and when to look beyond the vibrations that you’ll encounter.

Alice Bailey’s teachings are on Theosophy (mystical and occult texts) and embrace a path to enlightenment. As you can see from the list of books Tupac read, he had no literature on Aleister Crowley and the new age religion “Thelema.” Thelema is based on “The Book of the Law,” the law is “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.” This focuses more on the individual spiritual path and the use of magick in different forms.



Spirituality captures the imagination of not only your inner-self but the self that surrounds you. There exists techniques that many consider controversial or even witchcraft… the left-handed path & the right-handed path depending on usage. Two examples of this would be Madame Blavatsky’s “The Secret Doctrine” as it holds a right-hand atmosphere to the readers. The opposite of this would be Aleister Crowley’s “The Book of the Law” which deals with the aspect of the left-hand. In reality, how you perform the white or black magic and for what use determines the Good or Evil concept.



The Right-Hand Path deals with concepts of the body, spirit & mind. Karma is also present. This would be associated with ‘finding yourself’ through meditation and white light.

Tupac and Alice Bailey’s spiritual guide Master DK.



The Left-Hand Path dives into the use of Satanic imagery, sex magic & other taboo methods of rituals. Many musicians and artists have adapted to this path as it symbolizes and showcases the use of magic (in the open).

Pictured below is Jay Z with Crowley’s law “Do What Thou Wilt” next to a picture of Crowley.



Here is the famous Beatles cover “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. Crowley is included.



According to Alice Bailey: The White Magician has the motivation that will benefit the group he surrounds himself with/has contact with. The Black Magician works alone, and if he works within a group, his/her purpose is shrouded with a selfish ego. The White Magician works for the balance of the universe. The Black Magician works for no one and represents no unity. The Left-hand path will always assume supreme power on the physical and astral realms; this is because Black Magicians crave exposure within their rituals of magick. The Right-hand path evolves, it does not believe in using magick for ‘selfish’ reasons as induced by the Left.



Papa Legba is a spirit in Haitian Vodou whose job is to act as a “channel” between the living and the dead. In folklore, he’s presented as an old man with a cane. Updated versions depict him as young and energetic. The cane represents the connection to the fertility of the earth. To salute Papa Legba, a follower will present three knocks to ask him to open the door of the unknown. The colors he wears are red and black or white and black. In Tupac’s music video “Made Ni**az” Papa Legba makes multiple appearances. Below is a scene that symbolizes Papa Legba.



Red/White and Black are presented on his jacket. Three knocks close the ceremony of the music video.



The same footage can be seen in the “Hit ‘Em Up” music video.



Also, the “I Wonder if Heaven Got A Ghetto” video was specifically designed by the director Lionel C. Martin to leave the door open to theories revolving around if Tupac was still alive. Tupac arrives at RUKAHS, New Mexico on a helicopter where nuns take care of him. There’s a scene where Tupac gets on a bus, and along the ride, different musicians and revolutionaries get on such as… Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, Huey Newton, Martin Luther King, but who is the mysterious guy in the very back?

This looks identical to the mystic Grigori Rasputin. He is widely known for the various assassination attempts on his life, most of these attempts all took place in a period of one night in December of 1916. He was poisoned, shot, beaten, strangled and survived each encounter but finally, his conspirators tied him in a rug and tossed him into an icy river. Rasputin broke out of the bondage and attempted to swim until he succumbed to the cold.



If you look hard enough, mysticism is a foundation of Tupac’s work. And Tupac wasn’t the only Outlaw to make a song about astral projection.



“No More Pain”



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PART II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

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– Color Pessoa