Hi Chas,
The earliest approximate usage that I'm familiar with is from Isis Unveiled (1877), which mentions "projection of the astral entity" (p. 619, from the sixth edition). The earliest precise usage I'm familiar with is by Hereward Carrington, who wrote on the topic of astral projection, using that precise term, in Modern Psychical Phenomena (1919). He attributes the concept to Lancelin, and it seems likely to me that the term was used by English-speaking psychical researchers before this. Hopefully someone with greater expertise can clarify.
It's possible Leadbeater may have at some point used the term "astral projection" -- for example, The Astral Plane (1895) refers to "knowledge of magical arts – sufficient at any rate to be able to project the astral body." (Page 43, from the original Theosophical Manuals printing.) I don't recall him using the term precisely, however, but it still might be worth looking into. There may be usages in early Spiritualist literature as well: again, hopefully someone with greater expertise will be able to confirm!
All the best with your search,
Ben
On 18/07/2012 6:53 PM, Chas Clifton wrote:
> Could anyone tell me who was the first writer to use
> the term "astral projection" in English-language work?
> thanks,
> Chas Clifton
>
>
> Letter from Hardscrabble Creek: A Pagan Writer's Blog
> http://blog.chasclifton.com
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