Astral Body
/ˈæs.trəl ˈbɒd.i/noun
A supposed nonphysical counterpart of the human body, especially in occult and esoteric traditions.
Did you know?Although journeys of the soul appear in ancient religions, the specific expression “astral body” became prominent in nineteenth-century occultism and Theosophy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ster-
“Star; a celestial object visible in the night sky”
Ancient Greek
Greek
astḗr
“Star; a heavenly light”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ástron
“Star or constellation; the source of words connected with astrology and astronomy”
Classical Latin
Latin
astrālis
“Of or belonging to the stars”
Old English
English
bodig
“Body; the physical trunk or material form”
19th Century
English
astral body
“In occult and Theosophical writing, a subtle or nonphysical body associated with consciousness and out-of-body travel”
Modern English
English
astral body
“An alleged spiritual counterpart of the physical body”