Chapter 1: Introduction to Ashtar

Ashtar, the guiding force behind the Ashtar Command, plays a pivotal role in steering humanity toward spiritual awakening and navigating the forthcoming changes on Earth.

Ashtar is not only a prominent figure in channeling but also a revered spiritual mentor. As the leader of the Ashtar Command, he is recognized for his substantial impact on spiritual guidance. According to Tuella (1989), Lord Michael, Ashtar’s benefactor, designates him as the "Supreme Director overseeing all spiritual initiatives" on Earth. Through his vast starship orbiting our planet, Ashtar communicates with millions of extraterrestrial and interdimensional beings who are committed to human transformation and enlightenment. His mission is to shepherd Earth through a purifying phase, paving the way for a new era of enlightenment.

As a resident of the etheric realm, Ashtar vibrates at a higher frequency. To connect with the physical realm, he must lower his vibration, allowing humans to perceive him. He emphasizes that “the enlightened souls on Earth prioritize universal truths and the welfare of others above their own concerns.” During the anticipated purification period, these individuals will be gathered from the surface of the Earth, as highlighted by Tuella (1989). Ashtar stresses the urgency of this cleansing, declaring that it is closer than midnight.

Chapter 2: The Emergence of Ashtar

Ashtar's journey began on July 18, 1952, when George W. Van Tassel, a notable contactee in Southern California, received a telepathic message from “Portia, 712th projection, 16th wave, realms of Schare.” Portia announced the arrival of a spaceship commanded by Ashtar, who identified himself as the leader of the quadra sector and the patrol division of Schare. The crucial message from Ashtar was a stark warning regarding the hydrogen bomb, urging scientists to halt their research due to its catastrophic potential.

While Van Tassel had numerous extraterrestrial encounters, Ashtar's influence on the contactee community remains unparalleled. Over time, various channelers began to report messages from Ashtar and his associates, including Sananda, Korton, Soltec, and Athena. The volume of channeling material attributed to Ashtar grew so extensive that he was compelled to caution against deceptive astral entities masquerading as him. Additionally, he dispelled rumors of possessing a massive mechanical brain. During this period, some fundamentalist Christians even depicted him as a servant of malevolent forces.

For many contactees, Ashtar is merely a voice without a physical form. Yet some individuals claim to have had direct encounters with him. One notable account comes from Adele Darrah, who recounted a meeting with Ashtar before she had any prior knowledge of him. One evening in the early 1960s, she found herself face-to-face with a striking stranger, who introduced himself as Ashtar and possessed distinct features. According to Tuella (1989), Darrah only recalled the details of this visit after reading about others' experiences with Ashtar.

Chapter 3: Ashtar's Messages and the Concept of Ascension

Many contactees and channelers assert that they have perceived Ashtar through psychic means or during astral travel to his vessel. Descriptions of him vary widely; some depict him as a dark entity, while others describe him as benevolent. There are conflicting reports regarding his height, with some saying he is under six feet, and others claiming he exceeds seven feet.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ashtar's messages became increasingly centered on the theme of "Ascension," which involves the removal of “Lightworkers”—individuals engaged in the Ashtar Command's mission on Earth—prior to the cleansing phase. This cleansing is characterized by natural disasters and other catastrophic events, which may lead to significant loss of life before the arrival of extraterrestrial beings (Tuella, 1989). However, many followers expressed disappointment when the anticipated Ascension did not materialize as predicted.

Ashtar clarified that while Lightworkers had indeed facilitated numerous changes, many of these transformations remain hidden and dormant. He noted that the education and subtle guidance of humanity would persist through dreams, popular culture, and increasingly visible sightings of spacecraft. He warned that negative encounters with extraterrestrials, particularly the grays, could mislead people and unfairly tarnish the reputation of the Ashtar Command.

In 2000, Brianna Wettlaufer, a former member of Van Tassel’s Ministry of Universal Wisdom, sought to differentiate between Ashtar and the Ashtar Command. Wettlaufer argued that Van Tassel channeled only Ashtar, while another contactee, Robert Short, coined the term "Ashtar Command" for mercenary reasons. She emphasized that Ashtar is a real entity, not merely a metaphysical philosopher, and that he cannot be reached through channeling.

Interestingly, the name "Ashtar" may have first appeared in John Ballou Newbrough’s nineteenth-century publication, “Oahspe.” This complex narrative presents "ashes" as guardian angels navigating the cosmos in etheric ships. Oahspe garnered a substantial following among early contactee enthusiasts and likely influenced the emergence of Ashtar as a channeling figure (Tuella, 1989).

Ashtar continues to be celebrated as one of the most renowned and impactful sources of channeling. Despite ongoing controversies and skepticism surrounding his identity and messages, he remains a beacon of hope for those who believe in extraterrestrial connections and spiritual awakening.