The hierarchy works also through the seven major Ashrams and their affiliated Ashrams and these ”seven which are the forty-nine” represent in their totality the seven rays with their subrays and are the custodians, transmitters and distributers of the seven ray energies to the seven planetary centres and – via these seven centres – to those in the fourth kingdom in nature (as they gradually unfold over aeons) and then, via these, to the seven centres of individual man. The seven major centres or ashrams within the hierarchy are each presided over by Masters of Cohan rank; the seven subsidiary centres or Ashrams are presided over by Masters and Adepts (of the fifth and fourth initiations), aided by initiates of the third degree and certain picked and senior disciples. Several of the seven affiliated Ashrams are, as yet incomplete as regards personal, but vacancies are rapidly being filled as the spiritual effects of the world war (1914-1945) make themselves felt. … Before the hierarchy can emerge (as is the intention), the relation between a major Ashram and its subsidiary Ashrams must be firmly established, whilst that between a major Ashram and the other major Ashrams has to be brought more definitely and unquestionably closer to Shamballa and under the influence of the great first ray centre. The energy which will align and adjust the subsidiary forty-nine Ashrams is that of the second ray of Love-Wisdom.