~ MAY 16th-31st, 2007 ~

(the latest entries are always added to the top)

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. - AL I:40

Thursday May 31th 2007 - 10:45am I have students who really ask great questions which I know, along with my answers, could help if not amuse others on the path. For instance, one student recently asked, “It occurs to me today during mid-day Resh that (i know it's obvious) if the angel is elemental then Resh is not just about opening doors and atuning myself to the solar tides but it can also be seen as me directly communing with my angel and understanding or defining how that manifests on this plane through the solar tides.” ... Answer: Very good. Crowley gives a brief breakdown of the most obvious layers to this ritual when he writes: "Here are given the four Adorations to the sun, to be said daily at dawn, noon, sunset and midnight. The Object of this practice is firstly to remind the aspirant at regular intervals of the Great Work; secondly, to bring him into conscious personal relation with the centre of our system; and thirdly; for advanced students, to make actual magical contact with the spiritual energy of the sun and thus draw actual force for him." (Confessions pg 674) ... His second comment worth noting: “So then the question is could the individual chapters of liber 65 be seen to have a direct correlation to the quarters of RESH?”  ... Answer: Here is the breakdown of the five chapters in Liber 65: the First Chapter = Earth; the Second = Air, the Third = Water, the Fourth = Fire and the Fifth Chapter = Spirit. ... I’m not sure why Crowley attributed the Chapters in this fashion and not in their proper elemental order: Earth/Prithivi, Water/Apas, Fire/Tejas, Air/Vayu and Spirit/Akasha. ... Be that as it may, re-read Chapter Two of my HGA series. Prana is more so our daimon, Akasha is our own personal Soul (and Spirit). Once through the Sun both Akasha and Prana become webbed together and cannot be divided so how can the 5th Chapter NOT be connected to the other four? ...  Remember, the word Augoeides is a confusing term if not misleading. It is a combination of two Greek words; auge, meaning a bright light and eidos, which implies that the light has taken form or shape. Again, these two qualities of Akasha and Prana are inseparable once through the Sun. Yes, to some the Augoeides implies a separate entity that takes on the perfect form of its host but the real argument is whether or not its host is ‘Akasha’ or the human body. I never made this clear or brought up this discussion in the early chapters of my HGA series but I should have. Instead I hedge toward the standard belief that its host is the body and that the Augoeides is a single entity. In truth, I was not lying; our daimon and Soul are inseparable. This is the Augoeides. ... And then he asked, “... and the big question... does the 5th chapter dealing with Spirit have any connection to the Higher Angel?” ... Answer: No and yes, it is a question that I have actually tried to avoid answering. Although; if I had to give a hint; what do you think you Spirit is? You do seem to be trying to haggle out an understanding of Akasha as Spirit as if it were a ‘separate’ entity from your own Spirit.  First off, Akasha is two-fold what many refer to as the Universal Soul and our personal Soul. In simpler terms this is actually our Spirit and our Soul. Remember what I wrote in Chapter One of my HGA lectures: “If we take away all the religious clutter of centuries the Soul becomes relatively easy to understand. It is simply the lowest quality tethered to our human body of the divine spark or spiritual essence known as our ‘Spirit.’ In other words, both are rooted deep within; they are one and the same and inseparable. However, they function differently. The word Spirit come from the Latin word spīritus with means breath, symbolic of the vital principle within living beings. It is beyond definition. The Soul, on the other hand, is not only the conscious or animating force of our Divine Spirit which utilizes the human body in order to gain an experience through incarnation but it is also our unconsciousness, our dream world and all other areas where the fine line of reality is not so clearly defined. In many respects we can say that our Soul is the ‘point-of-view’ of our Spirit rather than an actually independent quality. In other words, it is the tool of ‘perception’ which allows the Spirit to be reflective of its surroundings in order to function within everything that happens in our personal universe.” ... So the ‘real’ greater question is whether or not our macrocosmic Angel is simply our Universal Soul or Spirit? Or have I said too much? ... And finally he wrote, “... that is the Elemental aspects of the Daimon or angle can not go above lower Tiphareth because they are carried on the solar tides but what about spirit ... could this be attributed to the angel working off higher Tiphareth. If we have an aspect of ourself that is above Tiphareth then so must the Angel.” ... Answer: Ah grasshopper, you’re thinking too much ... which is a good thing. Turn the Tree of Life on its side and look at it. You have a scan of this image from black & red drawings found in my 1974 notebooks. The planets are seen circling around a central Sun. This gives you a better idea that the Elemental tides flow through the Sun and animate our entire Universe. The old upright Tree image implies that they flow and descend downward to just Malkuth. This perception is technically magicians’ fault on how we describe things. Since we are ‘on’ Malkuth we tend to place the tide’s animating factor of importance on our feeble little rock called Earth but the tides create everything. However, it is important to remember, that how we utilize the elemental tides (i.e. daimon) shifts in Tiphereth with the duality of the Lower and Higher Self.

5:25am A student wrote a great question: “You've mentioned the principle of threes that repeats itself in the patterns of Liber AL, starting with the three grades within Thelema. In the chapter III:62-69 there's a description of four ordeals.” ... Answer: Yes, there are many three-fold aspects in Liber AL vel Legis but you are right; III: 64-67 mentions ‘four’ ordeals. The verses do appear to be alchemical in thought and moving up the ‘Middle Pillar’ of the Tree. For instance: we could easily see and agree with some of Aleister Crowley’s views that the first [64: Let him come through the first ordeal, & it will be to him as silver.] refers to the initiate reaching upward into Yesed-9 since the Luna metal is Silver. This could be connected to the man of Earth grade. ... The next verse [65. Through the second, gold.] Crowley writes that it is obviously and ordeal centering in Tiphereth-6 since the metal of the Sun in Gold. This could be connected to the Lover grade. ...The third ordeal [66. Through the third, stones of precious water.] appears to be, according to Crowley, a reference to the path of The High Priestess (Watery in nature) leading us through the Abyss upward and into Kether.  Also, consider the fact that the sphere of Kether is correctly ruled by Neptune [not Pluto as some claim] and that Neptune is a God of ‘water.’ This could be connected to the Hermit grade. ... The fourth ordeal [67. Through the fourth, ultimate sparks of the intimate fire.], according to Crowley, could easily be seen as a reference beyond Kether. The ‘sparks of the intimate fire’ being a reference to the Stars in the body of Nuit.  But what grade? ... But all this is mere speculation because note I:34 where Nuit states, “... the ordeals I write not: the rituals shall be half known and half concealed: the Law is for all.”  So why are the Ordeals discussed in the Third Chapter?  Anyway, the three-fold aspect of I:34 seems to include the four-fold nature mentioned in III:62-69 under ‘ordeals.’  There may well be a further breakdown of each of the three ?  What do you think?

5:10am ... the most important person whom we should all remember and light a candle for today is Phyllis Seckler. She celebrated her Greater Feast on this date in 2004 in Oroville, California. She was one of the most remarkable women in the history of Thelema, known as Soror Meral. She took Minerval Degree into Aleister Crowley’s Ordo Templi Orientis at Agape Lodge back on August 26th in 1939. By the late-sixties Crowley’s organization seemed destined for obscurity but, out of the ashes, arose Phyllis Seckler and Grady McMurtry. Together, these two people became the primary figures responsible for bringing the Order from its near death to the world wide organization that it is today. It is safe to say that without Soror Meral the OTO would probably have died. For this we all owe her our deepest gratitude. In 1979 Soror Meral was Chartered to run her own OTO Lodge, known as 418 Lodge, and she remained in charge of it until her death. Besides founding the well-known College of Thelema, as well as the Temple of Thelema, she was editor and publisher of the serial magazine known as In The Continuum. Soror Meral had spent most of her lifetime in the service of both the AA and OTO - bringing the knowledge of the Thelema to the forefront of occult studies. I had the honor of calling her a friend.

Tuesday May 29th, 2007 – 10:35am I received an interesting email yesterday from the Ukraine. It began, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Dear Sir/Mme, I am really sorry for disturbing you, I am preparing myself to enter to the High Order of A.A. And I would be really pleased if you could answer me to my question. What is the difference between your Order www.cornelius93.com and this one - www.outercol.org ? Is there any central or basic department of A.A., I mean that was created personally by Aleister Crowley? And what is the nature of relationship between different branches? Are you the parts of the same organization (like it is in case of OTO), or different branches of A.A. are just created by different advanced Adepts when they do want it, without an exact link between them? Thanks in advance." .... Answer: The AA ‘branch’ to which you refer belongs to Kenneth Grant’s Order [see correction below] ; mine branch is through Grady Louis McMurtry; there are also a few Motta branches and another through the late Phyllis Seckler; to mention but a few. How the Order came about with such diverse branches is rooted in the early history of the Order after the death of our beloved prophet Aleister Crowley (1875-1947). It is no secret that Crowley left no provisions in his Last Will and Testament regarding what should happen to the AA after his death. Karl Germer assumed the Head of the Order but as fate would have it, when he died he left no provision for anyone else to assume leadership. Over the next twenty years many of the students continued on despite having no obvious leader. Still, we should not fret over the actions of our Secret Chiefs and never try to second guess their motives. For all practical purposes the AA simply mutated into a more Thelemic organization by offering diversity of thought rather than the rigidity of only one way. My own superior, the late Grady Louis McMurtry, was living in Washington D.C. at the time of Germer’s death. He often used the analogy of a Tree for the AA, the roots of which are well founded in Crowley but whose branches began growing in different directions, the fruits of which are very distinct if you know the leadership of each branch or lineage. This was his way of explaining how others could be in the same Order but not directly connected to himself or his lineage. To me this is the beauty of our Order, never cornering the market on Truth while being so eclectic in its labors that it aids the diversity of humanity rather than the Egotistical Wills of a select few. In this light, there is no "central or basic department of AA," just branches off the trunk of a tree. And if anyone argues to you otherwise then you should turn and run from the monster before falling prey to its illusions. As for Kenneth Grant’s AA, if you are applying to his you are obviously entering a well established and noble branch. Good luck.

[Correction 6/1/2007 -  www.outercol.org turns out to be a website registered by Martin P. Starr which means it is not Kenneth Grant's AA but Marcelo Motta's lineage of the AA run by Frater Hymenaeus' Beta's OTO in England.]

9:20am I received a very nice email that I would like to share with my readers which begins: ... "TELEMA (sorry for my bad English.) I hope you get well soon. I’ve been on your site, read a little think a little, then read a little… and yea, sometimes you write too much, but I think that your writing is very, very well spent time among us. I’m from Balkans (Croatia, Zagreb), O.T.O member for some decade and half, (still ignorant of higher, but very busy in lower, so still…… for many people, many different things); I must say, many younger members of my Lodge know your writings and speak about them in very good way, and that’s great in situation in which we are in a lack of good, or let say writers who are interesting to those clever young people. From them I get information about you, and even this information about your illness. So brother, get well soon, because even in Balkans you are loved by very strange people – you now, those people that spreading Telema across the globe in many strange ways – that boys and girls who want to read you '...and love you more, and more, again' AGAPE." ... My reply; your email brought great smiles. I do appreciate your concern over my health and I am always happy to hear that my writings inspire thought and yes, some argue that I write too much. As for my health since my heart attack; I am getting better. I am starting to walk again, if only five or six blocks at most. My left arm still has no strength and my left hand cannot close due to the pain in the joints but, regardless, I feel like I am slowly getting back to normal. Luckily I never learned to type and I type with just one finger on my right hand so my left hand being disabled has not stopped my productivity nor lifting my beer mug at the local bar.  Thanks again for your kind email and give my love to the other Thelemites in your area.

8:45am Initially I quoted Aleister Crowley’s The Vision & The Voice in a piece to one of my students or the part which read: “For below the Abyss contradiction is division. Above the Abyss contradiction is unity.” And he asked a good question, “How can we contradict above the Abyss?” ... Answer: In theory, you cannot ‘contradict above the Abyss’ because above the Abyss we see opposites or contradictions for what they really are. All things are needed and required in nature and every ‘point-of-view’ is correct from where ever you stand and opposites are seen simply as being a necessary half of every equation involving the ‘pain of division.’ This means that above the Abyss we understand that all things must contain an opposite and all things are interchangeable because of such and thus we seem both halves as a ‘Unity.’ Can there be heads on a coin without tails?  Are they not really one and same thing containing opposites? ... He also asked, “Is the unity above unmanifest?” ... Answer: In Qabalah we learn that above the Abyss nothing exists. People who reside below the Abyss have difficulty fathoming this abstract thought of ‘nothingness’ so Qabalists over the centuries created ‘three spheres’ called Kether, Chockmah and Binah to portray the principles but in truth, these spheres only exist from the point-of-view as understood from below the Abyss. Remember, all symbols and images that a magician views relating to the Abyss and beyond are simply his understanding of such as it relates to his spirituality and incarnation. We must never forget that Crowley’s The Vision & The Voice is his visions, not yours, not mine. The truth behind why his writings are so important to Thelemites is that his vehicle [i.e. body] was perfectly attuned to receive things which most of humanity cannot. Still, regardless how perfect his Temple [i.e.body] is created, ALL his visions still had to filter through Crowley the man.  ... Crowley created Class A documents in our noble Order to represent ‘pure reception’ and as such we can not change so much as the style of a letter. However, The Vision & The Voice is Class AB which means it is NOT perfect and therefore it can be edited, which Crowley did when he first published it. ... And finally my student asked, "... knowing that life or manifestation on the physical plane is a lie, the world is ignorance, etc, am I right about facing my opposition but always keeping the mind on the positive, accepting the negative always?” ... Answer: Bingo! You’re catching on. Below the Abyss all change is seen as stability. To take one side over the other is seen as folly but to ignore and not face the opposite head on is equally folly. In some ways its like astrologers who argue that ‘squares’ are purely unfavorable and negative occurrences without realizing that a ‘square’ is actually an important struggle between opposites which can inspire growth depending upon the two poles; or houses & planets in play. Usually, if you take one side of the square over the other, what happens? This produces Chaos and turns things unfavorable. However, as an astrologer you know that if you view both sides while trying to understand each from its own point-of-view you can turn a square into positive growth in the middle.

5:00am I received a lengthy email which had this question: “A friend sent me part of a book which has a story about Aleister Crowley but he doesn’t know the title. Can you identify the scanned pages that I have attached and, if so, how historically accurate do you think this is?” ... Answer: Yes, the scans are from a book titled THE DEMON LOVERS, A Psychosexual Study of Witchcraft and Demonology by Joseph R. Rosenberger, Ph.D (Atlanta, Georgia: Pendulum Books Inc., 1969). This book purports to be a serious study but it is merely a pornographic volume surrounding pseudo-historical facts. The lengthy 44 page chapter titled THE GREAT BEAST is priceless in that the ‘sexual exploits’ of the Beast are graphically described.  How ‘real’ is the book you asked?  Consider the page you sent where Bennett cries out  “I – ohhhhh! UH!”  followed by “He gasped again as he felt Crowley’s big red head part the anal muscle” and do I really need to answer whether or not it is historically accurate? Anyway, it is a real fun read if you can find a copy but this book is definitely not for the squeamish.

4:50am Question, “Do you have any idea where Crowley’s poem to Rudolf Steiner is published and its title?” ... Answer: It is called The Secret and it apperars in OLLA pg. 113.

Saturday May 26, 2007 – 6:30am Yes, John, I have enjoyed our ‘religious’ babblings. But I am inspired to answer one of your other questions from Thursday due to last nights social at my apartment. At this weeks gathering we discussed many religions, you should have been here. Anyway, you asked, “Do you really think Shinto is a great foundation for Abramelin?” To which I can only answer, yes, but you must never forget that it is a ‘religion’ and as such, restrictive in some ways. There are many theories as to the origins of the Shinto religion but most scholars agree that it is simply as old as Japan itself, although some are quick to point out that the word ‘shinto’ is of Chinese in origin and is created by combining ‘shin’ which means gods or spirits with ‘to’ which indicates a philosophical way or path. As such Shinto commonly translates as ‘The Way of the Gods.’ This has given rise to the fact that ancient Chinese Taoism may in fact have been rooted in Japan at some time in its early history which inspired Shintoism. Anyway, what is unique about Shinto is that it has no absolute commandments for its adherents outside of living “a simple and harmonious life with nature and people” and there are said to be only “Four Affirmations” of the Shinto spirit. The first is tradition and family which is number one in Shinto and seen as the main mechanism by which traditions is preserved. The second affirmation is toward Nature and all sacred Natural objects are worshipped as containing sacred spirits, or Kami; what we as magicians would call elementals. (see CORNELIA No.2 In Quest of the Holy Guardian Angel, Part Two: THE AUGOEIDES AND THE ELEMENTAL) The third affirmation is physical cleanliness [similar to Abramelin's commandment] and final the fourth affirmation is to celebrate festivals which are dedicated to remembering and paying respect to the Nature Kami (elementals or spirits) which are all around you. ... In many respects, I highly recommend studying Shinto because it not only mimics 'religiously' how magicians should look at elementals in Nature but it also teaches us about the 'First Gift' that was given to us by the Gods according to the ancient Greeks which, as you know, is one of the first major stumbling blocks in the Abramelin system. We often ignore the 'family foundation' that we've chosen for our incarnation and simply push parents and ancestors aside as being un-important in our life. To sum up what I have said, study Shinto and you'll be richly rewarded and remember the words of Confucius, "You cannot open a book without learning something."

Friday May 25, 2007 - 3:00pm The head of the Queen of Heaven Clerk House in New Mexico just sent me an email which I'd like to share in part. He writes, "Needless to say, on a fine day like this, I wish I was sharing some time with you at Raleigh’s sipping some suds and listening to the history of our lineage and the words of wisdom that issueth forth from the mouth of Frater Achad Osher.  [Note: Raleigh's is a local bar near Cornelius' apartment] Thankfully there is your blog which adds a daily level of connectedness that I so deeply enjoy. I am really thrilled that you decided to do this and offer your thoughts and ideas on such a public forum. In fact, I was speaking to a brother mason and friend. He just visited your site two days ago and was very impressed and happy by what he read, notably that the Grady McMurtry lineage was not trapped in the same dogmatic approach of so many other A.’.A.’. Lineages he has encountered. ... On the note of Kali in your recent journal entry, I was wondering if I ever sent you a copy of the image I had commissioned last year from a very gifted friend, Lorraine Leslie.  It is of Kali and expresses the attributes so well of one of my favorite Maha devis. I especially like the symbolism of her hair indicating a yoni from which she is stepping out of and into the world of manifestation.  Let me know what you think."  - I think its GREAT!  - I immediately asked, and he said I could share it with our readers.  Click HERE.

12:00pm Yes Mary, like Crowley, I too appreciate KALI. She is one of my favorite goddesses with a long and complex history. I have a beautiful Tibetan tapestry or thanka on my wall of the goddess standing naked upon two people with a long necklace of small human skulls hanging around her neck as she drinks brains from a half severved skull. Whenever I get the urge to look for a new girlfriend I meditate upon this tapestry or watch Takashi Miike's film AUDITION in order to bathe my soul in a reality check. - I am still single. - Anyway, and sadly, there is not a lot of info about Aleister Crowley's views on her but I would suggest reading his poem KALI from his book Gargoyles. In his Confessions he wrote, "One day I went over to Kalighat and sacrificed a goat to a goddess. That night I was sitting alone reading. She appeared to me and inspired me to write a poem to her." However, to me, this poem is not 'traditional' KALI in thought. It reads more like Swinburne meets KALI intellectually over a glass of wine at a cafe on a bright sunny day while trying to appreciate her darker side.

8:30am I received this question last night from one of my students. He writes, “Though admittedly it's been the principle occupation of my inner work for decades now, I do have to ask...don't you ever just get sick and tired of doing "shadow" work? Don't you ever dream of sandy beaches, Mai-tais by the bathing pool under the dazzling light of the central sun???” My answer: I grew up in Florida right on the beach in the early 1950s; long before development and long before the mass migration of old wrinkly people from the north. It was a time in my life when I had yet to gain the knowledge of pastrami & rye with mustard. I’ve had my fill of Sun, sand in my shorts and I think I got it out of my system. Right now, I love the hustle and bustle of the city around me but must admit that it is ‘reality’ or the daily drudgery simply to exist which is the most annoying if not the tiring part of my quest. In an odd twisted way my Shadow work is my point of sanity in a world gone mad and living here in Bezerkeley reminds me of this insanity every day. Be this as it may, I am not sure that you and I are on the same page with the term, ‘Shadow.’ There are many modern day usages of this word referring simply to inner workings in general but I tend to agree with James Hillman. In The Soul’s Code he wrote: “Apart from biological and environmental factors, the psychological propensity to destroy exists within all humans being. Violence, crime, murder, and cruelty belong to the human soul as its shadow.” However, he then adds, “If the human soul had no shadow, who’d need lawyers, criminologists, or confessors?” And therefore, rather trying to escape from my moral evil rooted in ego I enjoy peeling it away like layers of an onion. Yes, it makes me cry but inevitably to chop it up makes my tuna fish taste better. I like to think that no matter where I live and breathe, Mai-tais taste as good there as anywhere!   

Thursday May 24, 2007 – 10:30am I received a nice email yesterday from Christian Fitzharris  which I'd like to share with my readers. He writes, "I have recently been reading your writings and interviews on Grady Louis McMurtry and I just wanted to write you and personally tell you how inspiring it is to me, to be able to hear Grady's words on Aleister Crowley. His words are very warm and telling of the relationship they must've had together. In this time when so many so called Thelemic authors are trying to negate Crowley's influence and contribution it is truly refreshing to read quotes and information regarding Grady.  I have been so surprised to find that other than your writings, information on Grady is really lacking, apart from a general summary. I just wanted to thank you for your studious-easy to read -non condescending documentation of Thelemic themes of interest." ... Thanks for the kind words! ... Of note, Christian writes and perform Thelemic hip hop music under the name of 'Scholar.'  I have heard his stuff, not bad!

Tuesday May 22nd 2007 - 12:15pm I just got back from the Post Office Box where I found a nice surprise from Clive Harper. In response to my May 4th posting Clive sent an interesting photocopy of Timothy d’Arch Smith’s book The Times Deceased (2003). In this book Smith makes mention of a brothel “maintaining a small library for the arousal of clients.” More interesting is the comment that, “among a shelf or two of books was one by Aleister Crowley, The Purple Dwarf.” Ah, is this a lead to Crowley’s elusive work? But I was dashed by Smith’s very next comment, “No copy has ever shown up.” With pout and a tear running down my cheek I mumbled, “Perhaps someday the Dwarf will surface.”

7:30am One of the people ‘involved’ in the keystone episodes being discussed in The Memoirs of An OTO Initiate being serialized in CORNELIA asked, “I guess knowing you that its all carefully documented but how much are you not telling? I mean the sex, drugs and other things were everywhere, and do you tell all and name names?”  ... Answer: You can wipe the guilt off your brow, no I do not tell all. I wanted to but I didn't. In fact, the majority of real damaging dirt I have deliberately omitted. I do mention drugs where drugs played a critical role but everyday casual use is no one’s business. And yes, I have carefully documented everything in this series. I wanted to leave no room for error. I have fourteen file boxes filled with legal documents, files and notes from the period of the Police Raid circa 1989-93. It is an amazing amount of data. Most revealing are all the depositions because, under oath, so many Bay Area members spilled their guts and inevitably lead us to realize what had really happened behind the scenes leading up to the Police Raid. However, there are two major pitfalls that I had to consider. The first is the amount of drugs done by many of the actual participants while the events were unfolding which leaves their memories ‘hazy or faulty’, if I could be so kind. The second problem is the utter lack of keeping adequate diaries and without ‘reflection’ upon the facts the local insipid population often re-invents itself over these last eighteen years in order to smell like roses. [Was it really that long ago?] This is and always has been a problem. Both issues will prompt some in the Bay Area to debate the facts but there is nothing I cannot prove. Finally, I agree when you wrote: “you like to quote people on the streets all seeing different things.” The actual scenario that I often use: ‘Try to get twelve people to walk down a street and have them write what they see and you will find that no two people will ever write about the same thing.’ This is because we all have different points of view and priorities. This does not negate the facts. Just because a person may write about a particular incident ‘on the street’ that others might remember differently does not mean it didn’t happen as it was written. All in all, what is important about this series is that it thrashes out the details in regards to a major event in the history of modern OTO that was spawned out of the Satanic scare of the late 1980s. I wanted to be sure to vigilantly document the event because when so many occult groups and wiccans were running white-light scared, hiding and merely talking about the modern Christian persecution against the occult; it was OTO and the OTO alone which dug its feet in and stood against the Christian right wing here in Berkeley.

Monday May 21st 2007 – 1:30pm I received this comment and question earlier today: “Once again a pause in our communications. First I wish to thanks you for your response to my inquiry concerning 'dryness.' A sudden chain of events similar to those that provoked me to take an Oath to pursue the great work on Liberty Island arose and called my attention. As I plateau in that experience, I wonder of your views on synchronicites and visions. Their place in the K&C?”  ... Answer: In regards to synchronicity, or coincidence; there is a great quote by the FBI profiler Ed Sulzbach regarding this subject. He writes, “There really aren’t many coincidences in life. And to call coincidence after coincidence after coincidence a coincidence is just plain stupid.” How true; magicians have long known that in order to understand ourselves we must reflect upon the numerous “coincidences” throughout our life as being the guidance of our Holy Guardian Angel. If you had been keeping diaries, as magically required, and writing your autobiography of childhood memories, you will be able to see patterns, synchronicities in dates and times and quirks in your ‘dreams’ which make you different. You’ll begin to recognize one perplexing instance after another where you felt that something has been guiding you throughout the good times and the bad. The internal faculty of hunches and a nagging conscience is now seen as something far more than mere mind ramblings of parental childhood lessons resurfacing from your subconscious. You will also begin to see how countless people have already known the methods of their Angel’s guidance, most without realizing it by any specific name. Most simply act upon impulse of what they feel are ‘right’ for them to do. In other words, “If it works’, they unconsciously repeat the Skinner experiment without questioning who had been pulling the strings. Others simply make jokes about the ‘little voice’ in their head which tells them “No” or “Yes” when they’re going to do something wrong or right. It sounds like you are becoming aware that something has been happening to you throughout your life which you cannot quite explain or write off as mere coincidence. Just remember; in magick there is absolutely no such thing as ‘coincidence.’

5:25am I received an amusing email; packed with many questions; one of which I hear often: “Does everyone hear voices when they communicate with their Angel?” Answer: Few magicians or spiritualists ever hear voices or arguably audible ramblings. Still, according to psychologist Arthur Hastings who authored a study on 'channeling' entitled With the Tongues of Men and Angels, he claimed that at least fifteen percent of our population sooner or later “hears” an inner voice offering information or guidance, so I guess there is hope! In fact, people like Joan of Arc, George Washington Carver, Gandhi, and even General Patton, as well as the notorious ‘Son of Sam’ all claimed to have been guided by voices. However, I would be very cautions advising anyone to seek such without their Higher Self being fully in play in regards to the manifestation of their True Will. Most HGAs or daimons [like that of Socrates’] simply give a yes/no response. Remember, if you are an ‘imperfect vehicle’ you could wind up with advice like that given Berkowitz which told him to kill people.

Sunday May 20th 2007 – 9:30am I received an interesting question last night: “I have it heard it said that more magicians fail at Tiphereth than any other place, why? I always thought it was taking the Oath of the Abyss” ... Answer : Regardless what you may have heard; understanding the stumbling blocks are simple. There are three in the following order: first is Malkuth, the second Tipihereth and finally there is the Oath of the Abyss. I have pretty much discussed the problems with the Neophyte (Malkuth) throughout my blog but I have yet to really touch upon the Adeptus Minor (Tiphereth) 5=6. The inherent problem in this degree is due to the division of Self. The Lower Self is rooted in the Qabalistic spheres of Hod/Netzach/Tiphereth on the Tree of Life. The Higher Self is found within Tiphereth/Geburah/Chesed. In both cases, Tiphereth is pivotal to Self. The first half of this degree concerns itself with what some term the ‘Adeptus Minor without.’ This implies that the initiate who has entered Tiphereth is still working to have full control over their ‘Personality’ as it relates to their persona or especially their ego in Malkuth. The second half of the degree deals with what is called the ‘Adeptus Minor within’ which involves the initiate attempting to embrace their ‘Higher Self.’ At this point it is important to remember that Tiphereth, although lofty from the point of view of one’s ‘Lower Self’ in Hod-8, is but the starting point in understanding the ‘Higher Self’ which stretches upward into Chesed-4.  More people fail, or stagnate, at this stage simply because they are taught that the Higher Self is obtained when your reach Tiphereth, as if to imply a finality rather than a first step. To fully manifest your Higher Self all three spheres of Tiphereth-6, Geburah-5 and Chesed-4 are required to be balanced in Harmony. Like all systems, there are pitfalls. The first major one for a magician occurs at this stage. First of all; magicians are confronted on almost a daily basis by a thousand and one things that will tempt them away from the path. In the Qabalistic spheres of the Higher Self, a magician must be equally forewarned that if they have not already fallen by the wayside by returning to old haunts then an affliction may occur either in the Earthly realms of one’s body or in the depths of one’s soul. The Abramelin system defines it quite nicely. First, Abramelin informs us that physical illness is the most common occurrence and it is believed to be caused by the unconscious mind trying to create an easy way out in the defense of its lower ego and, armed with this notion of “because”, the magician will convince himself that due to his health he should temporarily stop all practices and return to familiar Earthly surroundings. The other affliction is more internal. This is what the Mystics of all ages have spoken about, or when the mind becomes numb of thought and seemingly becomes a barren wasteland within as it bathes itself in the Dark Night of the Soul. It is a period of ‘feeling lost.’ Throughout your life you have unconsciously been asking your microcosmic (daimon) Holy Guardian Angel questions and getting answers. If you have reached this stage beyond Tiphereth then obviously the dialogue between the two of you, even if not realized, has been effective. However, the lower HGA (daimon) can go NO higher than Tiphereth. Although he is still with you and will be until death, he is unable to assist you in matters beyond this sphere because you have walked into areas on the Tree where he has never tread; this often leaves an emptiness.

Thursday May 17th 2007 – 10:30am It never fails, after sending an email off about my views of Heaven and Hell, in response to an inquiry about reincarnation; I should have included one of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain: “Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” Then again, I’d also follow this with a quote from Confucius: “And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.” And on that note; meditate upon both quotes in regards to the belief in reincarnation and you’ll get my views on the subject in a nutshell.

5:25am A young initiate, trying to learn from fellow travelers, sent me an amusing question. She wrote asking, “I’ve heard some pretty crazy stories about you. I never realized that some people in the Bay Area really don’t like you.” She then told a few stories that she heard, all distorted and simply painting the original tellers in good light. Be that as it may, I replied: All my religious and metaphysical ramblings as they may, on a more personal or mundane level, I have always been loved and hated to extremes; that damn duality in play! The loathing against me often originates with low-life’s perception of me doing right and wrong by their standards, not mine. However, the philosophy behind Crowley’s Thelema, or True Will, has taught me that within the confines of history all sense of right and wrong often becomes irrelevant to one’s personal accomplishments. It is said that some people arise destined to shoulder a particular determination for the sake of humanity while usually ignorant as to why their actions are pure providence. In other words; as a magician, I cannot be judged by normal standards, but can only perceive me in relation to my entire incarnation. The philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said it best when he wrote; “World history occupies a higher ground than one on which morality has properly its position, which is personal character and conscience of individuals. Moral claims which are irrelevant must not be brought into collision with world-historic deeds and their accomplishments. The litany of private virtues - modesty, humility, philanthropy and forbearance - must not be raised against them.” Although it is the Bay Area’s nature to hold everyone accountable to the lowest possible standards, those of us who are real Thelemites believe in the manifestation of our True Will. In some ways this exempts us from accountability of morals as dictated by local curb dweller’s beliefs that exist solely in earthly realms clouded in a haze of pot smoke. This is not to say that you should ignore the frailties or foolishness of myself or others. No one is exempt from doing asinine things and I’ve sure as Hell made my fair share of mistakes, many knowingly before I even committed them. Yes, we’re all human and if others want to trash me there is little doubt that I have not done enough half-witted things throughout my life to fan the fires of criticism in my direction. One of my favorite quotations is by Aleister Crowley concerning Arthur Edward Waite’s The Book of Black Magic. Although Waite wrote on the subject about magick and ceremonial magicians he had difficulty comprehending them. He made one excuse after another for what he could not understand and belittled everything else. Crowley, in utter disgust, wrote a profound piece of wisdom that could easily be uttered to many Bay Area locals - “Ah! Mr. Waite, the world of Magic is a mirror, wherein who sees muck is muck!”

5:00am Here is another good question that I recently received: “What are the differences between the traditional Crowley A.’.A.’. stance on members not knowing each other and/or working together within this lineage? I suppose this primarily applies to specific A.’.A’. Tasks.” ... Answer: Even in Crowley’s day this was never enforced. It sounds good on paper but it doesn’t really work. The only major thing that I should point out is that Crowley believed strongly that there should be no group rituals. Initially he designed a few specific AA group rituals but they were never performed and they were abandoned because he came to believe that the spectator’s sport mentality prevalent in mundane fraternities had to be alleviated. This does not mean that AA initiates can not get together; we do it every Friday night here in Berkeley. We’re just careful to insist that no one corners the market on Truth, or the correct way of doing things because to utter such implies that you know what is good for others; meaning that you know their True Will. When we get together we talk, share ideas and the general rule of thumb is Pax Templi. If you are an individual whose sole demeanor reeks of wanting to gossip or carry on with horizontal thought, you are asked not to return.

4:37am Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

Answer: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth in front

of your face? The chicken was going to the "other side." That's why they call it the

"other side. Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you

will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this

abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases

like "the other side." That chicken should not be free to cross the road. It's as plain

and simple as that! - Jerry Falwell

Wednesday May 16th 2007 – 4:45am I received an email this morning from a gentleman who thoroughly enjoyed one of Crowley's Libers by his comments and wanted to ask, "What is your opinion about Liber Tzaddi vel Hamvs Hermeticvs?" ... Answer: I highly recommend that all my students read it. Liber XC - 90, also known as The Book of the Hermetic Fish-Hook, is found in The EquinoxVol.I No.6, pg. 17. Aleister Crowley has stated that this books is "An account of Initiation, and an indication as to those who are suitable for the same."  ... My favorite verse is 41: "But since one is naturally attracted to the Angel, another to the Demon, let the first strengthen the lower link, the last attach more firmly to the higher." Or is it 39: "Beware, beware, I say, lest ye seek after the one and lose the other!" ... For further insight read In The Name of The Beast Vol.II, the biography on the life of Grady Louis McMurtry, pgs 87-88.

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