~ December 1st - 12th 2009 ~
Saturday December 12th 2009 – 4:50pm Earlier today I wrote to an A.'.A.'. initiate back on the East Coast - "I can say this regarding the Practicus, his story contains lessons for all would be magicians to learn. And if his failure can guide a single initiate so that they do not stumble where he fell, then he has achieved greatness. Then, even if only unconsciously, he is fulfilling the over-all goal of A.'.A.'..
Yes, his discourse from day one has been a roller coaster of contradictions and fallacies; he sees what he wants and forgets what he's written more than anyone whom I have ever known. I doubt that the Practicus has kept an on-going magickal log, so he’s shit out of luck trying to figure out or remember what he really said. He is simply trying to dance the best he can with each new email that I send. This has been very obvious since day one. ... In fact; the epistle that I posted on his 'taking the Oath of the Abyss' begins with events on August 16th ... but the meltdown actually began on July 21st, almost a month earlier. And my page count of entries regarding just this mess between these two dates is 106 pages! ... Had he read all of these early files he would never had made such a silly statement claiming that it was ‘I’ who misunderstood him. But it wasn't just me, everyone in our lineage who was privy to the full info came up with the same conclusion about the Practicus so I guess we are ALL wrong ... however, you know what a shrink would say about that attitude? Anyway, I would much rather have liked the Practicus to say something like "I guess I never made myself clear" rather than blaming me for not understanding him. ... But it does expose the root of the problem. ... Hasn't the consistent theme throughout his correspondence always been 'me, me, me' ... him above everyone else; including the Gods. And I agree with you; his behavior is obviously not of an A.'.A.'. quality, it is more like something to be expected in a horizontal group. The goal of A.'.A.'. is not about us 'obtaining the Oath of the Abyss' for our sake, its about us becoming humble enough, with ego under control, to inevitably become vehicles for the New Aeon in that we might guide humanity forward. We are the 'teachers' ... and this Practicus has openly acknowledged that he doesn't care if he ever teaches, his quest up the Tree toward the Abyss is a selfish one, its all about him and what 'he' wants to obtain. ... Does not the Hermit stands on the Mountain top in Silence holding his light to guide those from below upward ... 75% of the Practicus' emails from day one only go to prove that with his present attitude he'll never reside much higher. He is stuck in Hod where he can 'Intellectualize' and spin the facts so that everyone else is wrong, he's right and, despite what all the Hermits above him on the Tree are saying; he is great! Isn't his new story, that he merely took 'an' Oath to tell the Gods that someday he'll take 'the' Oath of the Abyss, be cast in and become a Magister Templi kinda egotistical and evidence beyond a shred of a doubt that he is setting himself up for failure? Its Magick 101! Grady, like Regardie, always warned never, I repeat, never take an Oath acknowledging anything that you want to obtain in the future or beyond the present path where you are standing. In time, if the goal you seek is meant to be, you'll achieve it but to magickally acknowledge seeking something 'far beyond' your scope only sets things into motion that "seeking" is the priority and thus "goals will never be achieved" because it will violate your original magickal affirmation that you've set in motion. The first step of any Intent must have 'closure' otherwise it becomes open ended and if the 'goal' is far off in the future, the first step becomes all important. His first step is the quest to 'seek' the Abyss and thus he must 'always' seek. ... Its called a magickal 'dah.' ... Grady always said that you can set goals far off in horizontal groups, never in vertical ... this is also due to the implications of an ego 'being forewarned' and thus given many opportunities to short circuit your quest if it is not under control, i.e. by using of the Kundry. Equally important; all 'Intents' must be carefully worded because if you seek 'money' you could easily find a penny and, as I see it, the Practicus' 'Intent' has too many loop-holes. Just remember, in all magickal fraternities where initiates are told that they must slay their ego, or destroy it ... this Practicus will be a text book case as to why it must be so when initiates move into the Ruach. Ego corrupts. It makes you do stupid things ... You also asked if there is hope for him? Of course there is, otherwise I would have thrown him by the wayside long ago. Haven’t we always said that these postings on our blog are to help all our students get insights into how to properly 'think' magickally, to guide them from afar and is not this Practicus one of our initiates whom we are trying to guide? He's slowly listening so I guess we are doing some good, no? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6:50am Regarding this magickal episode with the Practicus that has been drawn out for almost five months on this blog; my 10:35am posting yesterday ended with me posting my last email to him and then asking - "And his reply?" .. followed by a "to be continued" ... and well, here is his reply, pay attention and remember the Laws which dictate by their 'Words you shall know them." He writes:93 Jerry...
here goes...As far as my position on the Abyss and my Oath...they have always been the same. You always misunderstood my intentions and because of 'matters' I didn't care. I took the Oath at a time when I thought it best for me to move on...in doing so I was not going to give up my quest to climb the Tree...but instead simply do it from guidance from within and no where-else...this will all lead to me truly casting myself into the Abyss when I am at that point of be 'pre-pared' when that moment actually is...is unknown. So yes this is a life long quest and this is the Oath I swore. This path is my own to take and this Oath I cannot break...So to me this Oath takes on much meaning on may levels and does conclude with me assailing the Abyss but no it was never I am now cast in the Abyss. In fact many close to me, and some to you, can attest to this fact because we spoke of it... So it isn't a new position I am taking this is how I have always felt....and no I cant show you in any book where it says I can do this with the Oath... I just did it of my own volition as I have always been very comfortable in my magick boots...this Oath is of my own making and a life long path.Also I never thought that taking the Oath meant I was past you or had no superiors or anything like that...My Oath is separate from all that...I felt I was moving past you in these regards simply because I thought I was no longer going to be working with you and nothing more.But now looking forward, I hope... you wroteanyway, if you are not 100% willing to get back with the program then the only road for you to take is to realize that the A.’.A.’. will never acknowledge you above HOD I am good with this... You ask me my next move... i have none...im content to just put all this behind me and be acknowledged in Hod.93 93/93-----------------
Reply: And so, it ends ... we are back at ground zero. The Practicus is, of course, blowing it out his ass with utter distortions but at least he now admits what I’ve been telling him since day one; he’s not in Abyss, he’s still in Hod. Good. But think of all the trouble he could have saved himself if he just agreed with me months ago? Still, there was a bad taste in my mouth after I had read his email. In fact, one of the other Hermits in our lineage, after reading the Practicus' reply, said it best when he wrote to me saying - “93. This is the nicest, most thoughtful, kindest, well thought out 'fuck you' I have ever had the pleasure to read. 93.”I replied - "I agree. I was furious when I read it. Again, it was ‘I’ who misunderstood him! Its all ‘my’ fault! What bullshit. Does he not realize that I keep a log of all incoming/outgoing emails and I carefully reply only after reviewing the ‘past’ ... he clearly, from day one, claimed to have taken ‘the’ Oath of the Abyss; and now, when he realized what a fool he has been, the story mutates so that he can save face ... by hanging me out to dry! He has yet to take responsibility for the Hell he’s caused in our lineage."The bottom line ... and a warning to all future A.'.A.'. initiates, take heed - the rule of thumb on every plane and in every circumstance is that when you fuck up : you don’t shift the blame to your wife, girlfriend, friends, your boss, those above you, your professors and teachers,... and most of all, your Superior in the A.’.A.’.. This only gets you nowhere. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6:48am Here is a great quote from Arthur C. Clarke - “I don't believe in astrology; I'm a Sagittarius and we're skeptical.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6:45am For the history buffs: Jean Baptiste Alliette, more commonly known as Etteilla, died in France on this date at the age of 53 in 1791. Some claim that Etteilla is the man directly responsible for making the Tarot and the Qabalah household words. He adopted the reverse spelling of his real name, Alliette, because it sounded more ‘mysterious.’ However, others have claimed the change was because his past was less than favorable and he didn’t want old ‘dirt to resurface’ which would have jeapordize him earning a living from astrology, Tarot and other occult sciences. In 1788 Etteilla published the first Tarot Deck designed specifically for esoteric reasons, which was made up of 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. He also founded the Society of Interpreters of the book of Thoth in 1788, which was the very first organization known to be devoted exclusively to the study of Tarot. Etteilla’s legacy is a mixed one, many of the symbols he used between Tarot, astrology and elements on the cards have become unpopular in occult teachings and have been abandoned. Still, Etteilla was the first person to publish a book with a grammar and methodology for Tarot, titled Tarot Book of Thoth which sparked the popularization and the further study of the Tarot by other occultists. In the end, whether you agree with his teachings or not, he was still truly a pioneer in occult teachings and practices. .............. and Benjamin P. Williams was born on this date in Des Moines, Iowa in 1882. He later changed his name to Elbert Benjamine and then changed it again to C.C. Zain. Under this name he began publishing such books as The Sacred Tarot. His quest of the occult began in his youth when, at the age of 18, he found his way to The Brotherhood of Light where he studied a wide range of spiritual topics before becoming one of the organization’s leaders. In 1915 he moved to Los Angeles and began teaching a variety of subjects; ultimately incorporating such into the organization that he founded called The Church of Light. He was one of the foremost astrologers of his time. He died in his late sixties on July 2, 1951. .............. and finally, on December 12, 1937 Aleister Crowley did a ritual at Cleopatra’s Needle. The Daily Express of Thursday December 23, 1937 ran an article; “These Names Make News, Mixed Bag of Early Birds” by William Hickey, which is merely an alias used by the noted author Thomas Driberg. The article began; “An Englishman, a Jew, an Indian, a Negro, a Malayan - no, it’s not one of those saloon-bar jokes.” The article is about Crowley assembling a ‘mixed bag’ of people before Cleopatra’s Needle to announce the publication of his book, The Equinox of the Gods. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday December 11th 2009 – Yes, I am having an 'Open House' tonight at Love's Sake Clerk House which is here in Berkeley starting at 6:30pm. Being near supper, feel free to bring something to eat and drink and don't feel obligated to bring enough for anyone other than youself. Although, extra beer is always appreciated.
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11:20am Ken writes - "Hi Jerry 93. Been loving the blog. I have been following the story of the Practicus since day one. Great theories. You guys rock. Can't find this sort of stuff anywhere else on the internet. I want to write to give my two cents. Does this Practicus think we are all stupid? I re-read his earlier postings and it seems to me that he adamantly said he was in the Abyss. And didn't he defend taking the real 'Oath' and that you were wrong, and that he wasn't in Hod? Now it seems like he's back tracking, trying to save face? Doesn't he see it? ... Hope your health is OK, have fun tonight. It is cold here in old New England. 93 93/93 Kenneth." ... Reply: Its cold here too. And yes, the Qliphoth of any sphere bathes the lost in a delightful ball of contradiction in defense of their ego. All of these posting only serve as a great learning tool for other A.'.A.'. initiates trying to work the lower Ruach because the Practicus' story is not really about taking the Oath of the Abyss as much as it is about the 'Intellect' (i.e. Hod) being driven by an overzealous ego to the point of madness. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10:35am On Wednesday December 9th at 10:00am I mentioned how I was getting a lot of emails regarding how the episode with the Practicus, who took the Oath of the Abyss, will end and many were inquiring as to what we might have been doing behind the scenes to help him. However, after I posted the previous email between myself and the Practicus to explain, I received a few incoming emails curious about us 'airing dirty laundry' ... in the future, these type of inquiries will simply be deleted. I don't address stupidity. ... For the record; we are not 'airing dirty laundry' ... we are magician, scientists and we use each other as a learning experience; we study each other's lives as if they were maps to our own consciousness. The Internet has given us all a valuable tool to read first hand about magickal theories and ideas. Should we hide this knowledge behind closed doors? ... No. ... Grady McMurtry's A.'.A.'. has never believed in Mysteries. These are the enemy of Truth. If others in our lineage (and beyond) can get glimmerings of Truth from what we post - then this recent magickal meltdown is a valuable learning experience for All. That is why we are posting these emails between a Teacher and a student. But if you see no higher than 'dirty laundry' ... it kinda says it all, no?Be that as it may; I went on to mention in my previous posting how "we try very hard never to simply throw an Adept to the wind who has become seemingly lost. The reason we get involved in vertical schools is not just for guidance but also to have someone there in case we trip on the path; to pick us up, dust us off and point us in the right direction. It would be hypocritical of us in the A.'.A.'., when this Adept stumbled for the first time, that we would simply turn our back on him. We must exhaust every possibility to keep him from falling off the Tree of Life ... for once a fruit falls, it never re-attaches itself" ... I then mentioned that after much haggling, in early November, the reality was slowly sinking in with this Practicus and he asked for help. ... and so, on November 15th, I sent him a tome, a copy of which I posted on the blog on December 9th. ... He actually replied to it on November 25th. The very next day I sent him my reply, informing him that his original email [posted below] is in RED, my comments are inWHITE. ------------------------------------------
You asked me to answer your questions… so hear goes… [Well, for the record, you answered almost none of my questions. I don’t think you follow directions well. This may be the root of your problem.] clearly from your position we are left with but a few options…either I am to become a Black Brother, cast from the Abyss… or I must face all the phantoms within the lower Ruach beginning in Hod… of course I would prefer the later. [I too would prefer the latter.]For the record I never stopped listening to you or Crowley or considering your position etc… Your theories remain sound. [Sound? ... but you constantly twist them to fit your WANTS?] But in some ways you have misunderstood me. When I took the Oath I never intended to skip any Spheres, nor do I deny that if you truly leapt into the Abyss from any position below Tiphereth; chances are your on your way to becoming a Black Brother… but I wasn’t casting myself into the Abyss like that… that was never my intention. I was initiating a life long path leading to the Crossing of the Abyss not casting myself in at that moment from where-ever I stood. [What? Not casting yourself in? So let me get this straight; your ‘new’ view about what occurred when you took the Oath of the Abyss is that you ‘initiated’ a life long path’ to cross the Abyss and that you did not actually ‘cast’ yourself into the Abyss, but are simply fulfilling the spheres one by one upward until the day you’re ‘actually’ cast in, right? ... Besides being contradictory to many of your previous emails, this is utterly crazy. ... All magickal books clearly state that you take the Oath of the Abyss and you’re either cast in or you’re not. End of subject. Show me one magickal book which acknowledges your views as being correct or anything other than what you WANT the Oath to entail?] Due to the extenuating circumstances at the time I thought I had to approach the work of initiating myself up the Tree alone from there on out. [I will not go into the “extenuating circumstances”, it’s a sore spot of contention. ...... However, I will say this; as long as you’re in A.’.A.’. you have a Superior, end of subject. Taking an Oath doesn’t negate that. This is obviously another example of misunderstanding of what occurs when taking the Oath of the Abyss. You have been ignorant of the facts since day one. When I took the Oath it did not mean that I no longer had to listen to Grady. The only time you ‘lose’ your Superior is if you are thrown out of A.’.A.’. or you quit.] My plan was to simply Snake myself up the Tree as best I could culminating in my attempt across the Abyss… I have no idea how many years it would take me to get to the place where I would truly be cast into the Abyss [Again, rewriting magickal theory: you were either cast into the Abyss ‘immediately’ when you took the Oath; or you failed to make the proper leap and you were thrown out. You don’t “take the Oath” and then seek a place on the Tree where you can “truly be cast into the Abyss.” That is utter nonsense and bullshit. It doesn’t happen that way. Where in any magickal book is this defined as the process? Or is it again what you WANT it to be?] or even if I would succeed etc… in other words I also knew I had to fulfill each Sphere and obligation all the way up. The only real difference I see is that you had me in Hod while I would of just worked from Netzach on up…I see the Oath as a daily reminder of the Path I have initiated and nothing will sway me from… no more, no less. This doesn’t imply just forgetting everything else? [For the record; when we moved you into Netzach you almost immediately melted down. That is a fact. If you remember, as your teacher, I quickly moved you back into Hod and requested diaries in an attempt to figure out why the stumbling block so that we could pick you up, dust you off and move you forward. You failed again, obviously showing your limitations. So, for the record, you’re not in Netzach, your still a Practicus and you’ll remain a Practicus until I, your Teacher and Superior, are assured that you have accomplished this sphere. ... HOD is the realm of the Intellect seeking either Truth or Fantasies and to accomplish this Sphere you must shed child-like man of Earth views which are not based in Truths but earthly WANTS. It is the sphere where you supposedly obtain you’re “Bullshit Meter.” ... As I see it, by constantly rewriting magickal theory and playing ‘semantics’ you are looking for a loophole to fit personal WANTS. That is dangerous magick on the Tree of Life; fun head games to banter about with friends while drinking and doing drugs but I warned you long ago, as I do with all students moving out of the man of Earth, the time to play is over. Learn the Laws, live them or you’ll be thrown out of the Tree. ... Netzach is the first sphere where the the Goddess of ‘Truth’ is manifesting ... and didn’t she throw you out? That should have been a wake-up call that somehow your ‘Intellectual’ views are way out of whack. ... So, as I still see it, we need to work things out in HOD otherwise you’ll forever be speaking from the Qliphoth of this sphere.] To be quite honest I don’t believe any series of words automatically cast you into the Abyss, it isn’t that simple; only when I am at the proper moment, being truly prepared will this happen…yet an Oath is an Oath and can never be broken. So I have begun something and I‘m not recanting on the Oath I did take nor in my goal of assailing the Abyss…but the when??? [I agree with what you begin saying because the Truth has finally come out in this email. ... On the one hand you claim an Oath is an Oath and cannot be broken but on the other hand you took an Oath that has been previously been well define ... extremely well defined. ... However, this email clearly shows that since the very beginning when you took ‘an’ Oath of the Abyss, by your own admission, you had ‘rewritten’ its ‘Intent’ which clearly informs me that you didn’t take ‘THE’ Oath of the Abyss that Crowley, Grady, Luis, myself and others have taken, you simply took ‘something’ and then named it the same name as the true Oath. ... and so, you’re NOT in the ‘actual’ Abyss proper. End of Subject. You’re still, as I’ve told you since the very beginning, in HOD ... simply intellectualizing and redefining its Laws as you ‘WANT’ them to be. But this is 100% unacceptable in A.’.A.’.. Do you want to get with the program or not?]In either case you wrote that if I had informed you of my intention to leap you would of quickly moved me onto the Middle Pillar in Tiphereth where I would have the stability to leap from as you did…so where do we go from here? Well my intentions are clear enough now so why not as you suggested, quickly take me from Hod up into Tiphereth? [For the record; my ‘suggestion’ was in regards to an honest, upfront student who had approached me before hand ... you, on the other hand, have created more baggage, crap and phantoms than I care to take on. If I were to quickly move you up into Tiphereth, in order for you to leap ‘correctly’, I would now have to be 100% sure that you have completed the earlier spheres otherwise I’d be taking on part of your Karmic load that you have created. I hope you understand? ... I should also point out that you are clearly acknowledging an intent to ‘leap’ from Tiphereth into the Abyss if I bring you up to this sphere ... To seek something is an admittance you’re not it; magickal rule no.1 ... so, as I see it, you are also clearly acknowledging that you presently don’t believe that you are in the Abyss. ... so I am completely confused.] As far as the “time frames”… it doesn’t say that you must fulfill the 11 years only that there will be a price exacted by the Gods in one way or another if not… however when all is said and done I may have fulfilled this requirement as well and only time will tell. [Again you play semantics and are looking for loop-holes. ... but since you are not in the Abyss proper, you are required 11 years service. End of subject. It is a ‘Ruach thing’. ] None the less the danger still remains that I may become a Black Brother; of this fact I am fully aware and again time will reveal much. If you consider me a Black Brother now then state so, expel me and be done with it. If not and you care to offer your assistance then please teach me all that you know in these regards and if NO… then I shall do the best I can on my own. [You can’t be a Black Brother if you are not in the Abyss so I won’t label you such. OK? ... But for the record, if I, as a Magister Templi, acknowledges you having been in the Abyss, and then come out publicly proclaiming you by name as a Black Brother ... This will dog you for the rest of your life as if it were a Magickal Curse evoking only the dark side of your Spirituality. There is ‘NO’ climbing out of that pit. As with Charles Stansfeld Jones, the mere mention of your name will forever become synonymous with someone who twisted magickal theory in order to fit their insanity and ‘WANTS’ ... and whenever your name is mentioned, along with any and all future magickal claims or writings that you release, that image will immediately pop into the minds of everyone. That is the curse of being ‘called’ a Black Brother. ... and the greatest tragedy is that to be strapped with this title “shuts down any and all further quests upward into the Tree of Life” ... I don’t think you want to go down that road. There is still hope for you to walk yourself out of this mess.]Still if we are to truly move forward then let me state clearly and for the record that I only promise not to sleep with my own students… all else is fair game in my book and the reasons for such are numerous. If this position is unacceptable in your lineage then I chose the wrong one so expel me, move on and be done with it… but I meant well… [You’re giving me stipulates? I don’t think so. Students don’t demand ‘blind check’ stipulates that their teachers must accept. That is not how the A.’.A.’. works. The A.’.A.’. is a chain system not dictated from below to above. I do not accept your ‘fair game’ proposal. ... and as for making ‘promises’ ... all I ask of my students is that whenever they make a promise - they keep it ... it was your Word that was at issue, not the content. If in the future you make any promises with me, I expect them to be kept. If all this is “unacceptable” to you, then quit. And for the record, I will NEVER expel you. That is too easy. That would free you up to go off and do what ever you WANT. I am going to keep you in the lineage and under my thumb until you get it right. And if you decide to baulk at your teacher’s guidance and ignore me, as you have been, then you’ll simply be forever known, as you are presently known, as the crazed Practicus who twists the Law of Magick to fit his earthly Wants; or the Fool in the corner. But we can ‘change’ this image, we’re magicians no? ... The bottom line; as a person guiding humanity, I cannot unleash you upon unsuspecting students in your present condition. It would be my karma. And it is not ‘my’ lineage ... it’s yours too. It is your Foundation Stone. It is part of the ‘Outer’ extension of your Temple (body) ... so don’t be so quick to kick it out from under yourself. Finally, a true A.'.A.'. initiate working out of the R.C. seeks to slay the ‘I’ and their entire Life becomes dedicated to becoming a vehicle for SHE; the first inkling of such being felt in Netzach which you couldn’t handle. ... Within A.’.A.’. Netzach is the sphere of Bahkti yoga. The giving up of ‘self’ to the Teacher and Above. But you’re present email, as with all your previous emails, reeks of “Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, My views, Me, Me, Me, Me, My Terms, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me.” ... do you not see that? Inevitably, if the A.’.A.’. ever does proclaim you ‘fallen’ it will not be because we want it to be such, it’ll be through the Law which denounces all Adepts or – by his Words you shall know him. ... Words are Intellectual manifestations of our Spirit. You cannot claim to be seeking spirituality or Oneness with the Universe in the branches of the Tree of Life while vomiting such ‘MEism. You must learn to get with the program. All of your emails to date only prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are no higher than HOD where the importance of ‘ME’ rules strongest when an initiate is in its Qliphoth. There is a reason why most Adepts fail in the lower Ruach; they approach this area of the Lover with too many cling-ons or man of Earth ideas rather than learning the proper way from the point-of-view of HOD and Above. This will be your doom. You continually and intellectually twist magickal theory, play semantics, back-peddle and try to side step the obvious in an attempt to save face while never once having to admit you might have been wrong. This is unacceptable ego behavior and will no longer be tolerated. You must face your phantoms and vanquish your ego. Anyway, I want to be there for you, to help you. I have always, and still, consider you a good friend ... but first, we need to get you back into the A.’.A.’. program proper ... that is, if you are 100% willing. But I am a hard teacher and you know that. I will not pull punches nor will I acknowledge bogus magickal theories that simply patronize a fragile ego. You’re in an Alchemical furnace and if you cannot stand the heat, well ... anyway, if you are not 100% willing to get back with the program then the only road for you to take is to realize that the A.’.A.’. will never acknowledge you above HOD until you’ve accomplished this sphere correctly. You ARE in HOD, end of subject and the discretion to move forward is not yours. . ... if that is not to your satisfaction, you can simply quit; leaving the A.’.A.’. 100% behind and then wallow on Malkuth “no higher.” So, since this is not about me but you, what is your next move? The time to drag this on is at an end. You clearly know my views and I am getting weary of this whole mess. ------------------------------------------
And his reply? ... to be continued ... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4:45am For the history buffs: Sir Francis Dashwood, having been in ill health for some time, died on this date in 1781. He was buried beside his wife and parents in the family vault in St Lawrence’s church. His life has come down through the ages shrouded in controversy; bathed in half-truths and even more legends, making it now difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. He was an unashamed libertine, a gallant who reveled in every type of indulgence possible while dedicating his life to the worship of the old gods personified in Bacchus and Ariadne. He was the founder of the infamous Hell Fire Club which met at night in his abbey for orgies, while mocking both the Christian church and the Devil. Their meetings were a celebration of life and all its indulgences, which they lived as the motto of the abbey dictated: “Do What You Will.” Sir Francis maintained this dictum right up to the end and never lost sight of his zest for life.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday December 10th 2009 – 4:30pm Paul Hohlt writes - "93. From Camille Paglia's Sexual Personae page 206: (G. Wilson) Knight writes brilliantly about erotic idealism, which transforms libidinal energy into aesthetic vision, "a flooded consciousness": "You must have a maximum of ardour with a minimum of possible accomplishment, so that desire is forced into eye and mind to create."
and from Sexual Personae page 260: Goethe said: "Geniuses experience a second adolescence, whereas other people are only young once."and Crowley said that the world moves by the light of Genius not the whim of the masses.Blog is great as usual, see ya tomorrowlove p 93 93/93Reply: Nice. Thanks.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4:20pm In responce to today's postings; Jerri writes - "93 Jerry, So, you said on the blog to Andy that Her Love is not to be experienced on this plane. This brings me back to an email that I sent to you a couple of months ago. "I can't help but feel that the most obviously missing point during our VII degree discussion was the Daimon. The subject was markedly absent, and somehow it seems to me (now) the most glaringly obvious point to discuss! Duh, what a marroon! It makes sense that our Daimon comes to us (in the beginning perhaps?) in the form of all of our fears (awe is fear too)...that too is our opposite. It is what we most violently and aggressively push away. Perhaps then, the secret of Chasity in this light is a pointed focus upon our Angel as our opposite? Our devotional focus upon "him" or "her" first and foremost, as our most cherished love? All outward love is a reflection of that most perfect love that could ever be experienced within." ... I can't help but feel this is where you are going (ultimately)...this is the point that you are trying to make (with me). The imaginal, astral (Yesod) libidinal force is to be focused above (within), not below (without). One does this by focusing our attention, focus, love and devotion upon our Daimon. This does not 'negate' the outward expression of Love...only puts it in the proper perspective. The manifestation of Love on this plane is a reflection of THAT Love. That is Chastity? That's what makes sense to me, anyway.93 93/93 Jerri."Reply: Very good ... always remember; the HGA or daimon is clothed in the image of our desire ... i.e. 'desire' being rooted in the Moon-9; the focus is taught in Mercury-8. ... Idiots who think no higher than what throbs or twitches between their legs assume that their libido is a clue to real love. Mistaking Love, they fail to realize that ALL love rooted in the flesh (Malkuth-10) is fleeting and it has to follow the course of the Sun; being born (East), living its life (South) and inevitably dying (West). It is during this cycle, for both men and women, that they droop down their 'head.' (AL II:26) ... Is the 'Head' solely a reference to the Penis? Silly Rabbits, if you think only of the flesh, you'll rise no higher ... what is the meaning of the Hebrew letter RESH which rules the card of The Sun? Fail to Understand this and you (Star) and the Earth become one as you leave the realms of the North in order to become a new Sun reborn in the East. Thus, you've failed, the cycle continues ...and maybe you'll get it right sooner of later. But what about the North? Only in the underworld is true Love beheld. The North is Nuit. The Goddess. It is here where you’ll find your Star floating in the entity of Space. And is not your Star, Tiphereth, the seat of the HGA? ... What is difficult to teach, is how to use your 'imagination' [Being the 'Key Word' for the tarot card of The High Priestess - i.e. Moon] in a proper manner without wanting to earth it out in the Light of Day. There are Tantric teachings of 'nightly visitations' of one's desire regarding the Left Handed Path which, if Understood, teach us how to focus properly. Sexuality is our greatest ally but it is also the quickest way to Hell. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12:50pm In responce to my 9:15am posting, along with my p.s. where I joked - "stop worrying so much about what a Magister Templi does or doesn't do, it scares me ... I feel like another Sacto initiate is preparing to take the Oath of the Abyss behind my back" ... Andy replied - “Jerry 93! No worries about me trying to cross the Abyss until I'm cleared and vetted, Pilot Inspektor Cornelius. I'm not THAT thick. I'm pretty good at "monkey-see-monkey-fall-off-the-cliff-monkey-don't-do". I was trying to say that the reversing of the aging process and getting into that childlike mental state were the same thing but I think it was clear in my mind but not on the page. What you wrote has got me thinking about the Path of Pe and Netzach from our Book of Lies discussion again. I was working on some ideas then akin to what I think you mean by practicing HER love but I'd rather be clear. How does one practice HER love? 93, 93/93 –Andy.” ....... Reply: Not on this plane :) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9:15am I want to re-post something that I wrote on this blog last month on the 15th. It is : "To Mr. 'I want to remain Anonymous' ... yes, we talked alot about Chastity in the past on this blog but it was primarily 'theory' as in the case of VIIth Degree OTO, it was not practice. But consider this that was written by Paul to the Romans:Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey thelusts thereof: neither present your members unto sin as instruments ofunrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, andyour members as instruments of righteousness unto God. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: foras ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity untoiniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness untosanctification. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard ofrighteousness. What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye arenow ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made freefrom sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification,and the end eternal life. Romans VI, 12-13 and 19-22Anybody out there want to take a crack at where I'm going with this? If so, send me your email with your thoughts on what these verses imply."---------end------------
This morning I received the following email from Andy West. He writes - "Your quote from Roman's a few weeks back brought up some interesting thoughts. I read the Book of Matthew a few weeks prior after reading Liber Had. With Liber Had in mind I actually got a lot out of it. More than any prior reading actually as it contextualized it in a way that meant more to me from a Thelemic perspective. The main thing I noticed was the constant references to focusing on God within and not without. With that conception of the New Testament Deity in mind it seems these quotes recommend focusing the libido within, or up and in towards God rather than down and out towards an exterior idol. The libido directed this way would energize the interior archetypal contents of the mind more it seems. It brought to mind the line from Matthew "Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." The libido has yet to be genitally focused when one is a child which seems to explain why children's imaginations and visionary capability are so much greater than most adults-the libido has nowhere else to go. Being able to control the libido as an adult and channel the greater amount of libido one has then inward would seem to do something similar and charge the psyche and it's internal archetypal contents. Crowley says in the Book of Lies that semen is a disease of mind and that seems to back this up. Chastity would perpetuate this dis-ease or increase the activity of the mind. The word dis-ease seems to indicate what a delicate and serious process this is too. You're basically boiling the contents of your psyche with electricity and separating out the constituent parts to make some mad new elixir. If you make it right it's medicine, if you make it wrong it's poison. Back to the idea of this sublimation of libido into mental activity as being akin to childhood and it's necessity for entering the archetypal "kingdom of heaven". It seems the similarity between this and childhood might be why it's said that the dewdrops, if caught before being consumed by the Mulhadara, can stop or even reverse aging. In Romans the fruit seems to play the same role as the dewdrops as it says,"now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification,and the end eternal life."
Where Chastity is taught in the AA grades seems very significant too. Chastity, I understand, is first taught in the 3=8 grade and then completely disclosed in 7=4. As the Lovers grade is opened and closed with these teachings it seems to imply, to me, that in the Man of Earth grades, below 3=8, the archetypes are still calling the shots and being unconsciously projected outwards onto the world. Not until after putting the animal soul of Nephesh in Yesod (also the genital center) under the control of (dedicating it to) Chockma or the Word of one's God in the 2=9 can one move into the Lovers grade. In the Lovers grades the attention now able to be truly focused inward seems to activate and allow one to work with the archetypes internally on their own plane without confusing them with the things they resemble in the outside world. Interestingly, the first spheres of the Lovers grade, Mercury and Venus, share similar attributes to the Animus and Anima, the two most projected parts of the psyche as we often project them onto our sexual partners and love interests. A Master of the Temple (a Hermit) then as master of both magick and mysticism would probably finally be able to project and dispel the archetypes at will (or maybe even create them as the IX seems to apply). This would explain why a VIII/8=3 can break with magickal Chastity and combine sex (the exterior) with the archetypal work of magick (the interior) without fear of being dragged back down to the realm of the uncontrolled archetypal projections of the Man of Earth. You've already boiled and separated your psyche so now (and only now) it's time to mix and make elixir. Your members then are "instruments of righteousness" rather than "instruments of sin" (the restriction of enslavement to unconscious projections).
That's where my mind went with it anyway. Hope it's of some use to you and others.
93, 93/93 -AndyReply - Interesting but remember, people of Malkuth who fear death think that the Alchemical process of reversing the aging process is a physical thing. It's not. It's a mental thing. Remember, it has been wisely said that unless you become like a child you'll never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In other words, youth begins in the mind. ... also, consider this that you wrote "... it seems these quotes recommend focusing the libido within, or up and in towards God rather than down and out towards an exterior idol." .... Very good, now consider this quote : "Invoke me under my stars! Love is the law, love under will. Nor let the fools mistake love; for there are love and love. There is the dove, and there is the serpent. Choose ye well! He, my prophet, hath chosen, knowing the law of the fortress, and the great mystery of the House of God. All these old letters of my Book are aright; but (tzaddi) is not the Star. This also is secret: my prophet shall reveal it to the wise." - Liber AL vel Legis I:57 ..... The Serpent is rooted in the Mercurial sphere of Hod which is the base of the Descending Pillar. This pillar draws currents downward toward Malkuth; or Had. ... The Dove is the symbol of Venus, rooted in Netzach, the base of the Ascending Pillar which draws currents upward toward Kether; Nuit. ... Mistake 'Love' and you'll make a great miss ... Netzach especially is a hard task master. If you don't practice 'her' Love she'll throw you out of the sphere in a heart beat and disrupt your Tree all the way down into Malkuth or into 'love' as it is manifesting in your reality. Hence, a magickal blow-out. p.s. stop worrying so much about what a Magister Templi does or doesn't do, it scares me ... I feel like another Sacto initiate is preparing to take the Oath of the Abyss behind my back. :/
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7:50am For the history buffs: Gerald Joseph Yorke was born on this date in Forthampton Court, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire in 1901. He met Aleister Crowley in 1927 at the tender age of 26. Shortly afterwards they ‘parted ways’ but remained close friends for life. As to this apparent contradiction, Grady Louis McMurtry tried to explain it to Phyllis Seckler in a letter dated March 21 1969. He told her that Yorke was “a famous/notorious homosexual, big scandal with him & A.C. in '20's, family threatened to disinherit him [if] he didn't break off with A.C., Yorke being one of [the] Royal Houses of England & so he did, but fortunately, kept up interest & collection of library materials.” In fact he became an avid collector and later in life he deposited his Crowley collection at the Warburg Institute. It is said to have been over two hundred volumes of printed books and hundreds of folders of manuscripts. He died in his sleep on April 29, 1983. .............. also, Francis Heindswatzer Pencovic died on this date in 1948. Earlier in this very year he founded The Fountain of the World at 585 Box Canyon Road in Canoga Park, California. It was also known as the WKFL Foundation which stood for ‘Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, and Love.’ He also changed his name to Krishna Venta. He even gave up his life of crime, which included everything from burglary, larceny and sending threatening letters to everyone who annoyed him from President Roosevelt on down, which ended him up in a mental hospital. Within his ‘new cult’ Krishna Venta claimed to be 244,000 years old, that he had arrived on Earth, supposedly, in 1932 at Mount Everest and further added that he would never die. Be that as it may, on this very date, of December 10, 1958, former members of his cult, Ralph Muller and Peter Kamenoff, set off explosives killing themselves, Pencovic and several others at his compound. Krishna Venta is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park in Burbank, California. His grave is unmarked but near that of Oliver Hardy, of Laurel and Hardy fame. ................... and finally, the world’s youngest ‘Perfect Master’ was born on this date in Hardwar, India in 1957. His name was Guru Maharaj Ji. He would inevitably inherit the leadership of his father’s organization, The Divine Light Mission, which had been founded in 1960. His followers numbered so many that in 1973 they were able to rent the Houston Astrodome for a three day festival. However, charges of fraud and trickery plagued the organization. One individual named Pat Halley, who thought the guru was nothing more than a fraud, threw a shaving cream pie in Maharaj Ji’s face on August 7, 1973 during a Detroit gathering. Upon asking why he did it, Halley smiled and replied, “I always wanted to throw a pie in God’s face.” Later Richard Flectcher, one of Maharaj Ji’s first American converts, and Mahatma Fakiranand, who had been personally authorized by Maharaj Ji to be a giver of “Knowledge,” visited Halley at his apartment. Upon entering these two spiritually enlightened persons beat and bludgeoned Halley so badly that he only survived by having a plastic plate put in his skull. In the end Maharaj Ji ran off and married his twenty-four year old secretary, Marilyn Lois Johnson, and was cast out of The Divine Light Mission, which his mother then took control.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday December 9th 2009 – 8:40pm I received a great book today titled Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune. It is truly an awesome gift from the noted author and friend Alan Richardson. ... I cannot wait to jump into reading this comparative biography of the 20th Century's two most influential magicians; Aleister Crowley, the Logos of the Aeon and Dion Fortune the Shakti of the age. ... When I finish the book I'll post a review but my first impression after flipping through it ... it looks like a must read! Wow! ..... It is published out of Llewellyn.
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7:45pm "There was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." (2 Cor 12)BOOK REVIEW for
THORN IN THE FLESH, A Grim-Memoire
by Rosaleen Norton, with an Introduction by Keith Richmond
(The Teitan Press 2009)
Well, I just finished the book today, so let me tell you about it. For those of you whom are mesmerized by the art of Aleister Crowley or Austin Osman Spare, if you take no notice of Rosaleen Miriam Norton, you’ll miss out on one of the most unique magicians and artists in the occult world. This woman is phenomenal in the way she blends her religious views into her artwork; she is a true lover of the god Pan. She was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on October 2nd, 1917. ... It is written that “Rosaleen Norton was a natural rebel whose bohemian lifestyle, outspoken occultism, and unusual and often sexually-charged artwork attracted widespread condemnation from the conservative establishment.” Sadly, she died on December 5th 1979 of colon cancer. Shortly before dying it is reported that she said: "I came into the world bravely; I'll go out bravely." ... For those of you who don’t know who Norton is, nor understand her magick, this book is a must in your collection. I could not put it down and I found myself re-reading chapter upon chapter simply because of this woman’s views on the Universe, on Qabalah and women’s magick; all of which are truly gems. We don’t have many dynamic female magicians writing from the depths of their soul as Norton and it would be a shame for anyone to miss out on this exceptionally talented artist and remarkable occultist who was also known as “the witch of Kings Cross.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10:00am I am getting a lot of emails regarding how the episode with the Practicus, who took the Oath of the Abyss, will end and inquiring as to what we might have been doing behind the scenes to help him. ... Well, for starters, we try very hard never to simply throw an Adept to the wind who has become seemingly lost. The reason we get involved in vertical schools is not just for guidance but also to have someone there in case we trip on the path; to pick us up, dust us off and point us in the right direction. It would be hypocritical of us in the A.'.A.'., when this Adept stumbled for the first time, that we would simply turn our back on him. We must exhaust every possibility to keep him from falling off the Tree of Life ... for once a fruit falls, it never re-attaches itself.After much haggling, in early November, the reality was slowly sinking in with this Practicus and he asked for help. On November 15th I sent him this tome:--------------
93You wrote on Sunday November 8th – “93 all... I'm not sure what else to say... In todays blog you wrote, and I quote " But until he addresses what he has done to me, his immediate Superior"... So lets start here??? How can I address this and what in particular are you speaking of?” Well, this is the first indication of a positive step forward. I am pleased. What you did to me was first to acknowledge how great my teachings and guidance has been over the years which enabled you to work the Tree of Life up to a certain stage ... then, you take the Oath of the Abyss ... and you begin ignoring my teachings as well as everyone from Aleister Crowley to Grady, of magickal theories in general and the Laws of Tree of Life ... as to what the Oath of the Abyss is all about and why you are exempt from following all the proper procedures for success. ... It is here where we start; trying to rectify this in order for you to move forward. Are you willing?Remember, in the Ruach everything is Balanced in its opposite; Ying and Yang; a Lower and Outer Adept, etc & etc. ... Have you not fully grasped why the numbers reverse in the Circle & Square in our Magickal Degrees above Tiphereth and what this means, if so, please explain? You threw yourself into a realm where this Law is required to be ‘Understood.’ Had you told me of your plans in advance to take the Oath I would have immediately told you that while in the MOE, or central Pillar, it is easy to jump. All Power is given to the MOE similar to the Minerval in the OTO ... but I would have advised you that as an Adept you should NEVER jump from the lower Ruach [Outer Adept]; its an unbalanced area bathed in both our outer Ego and pure Chaos struggling to force the magician back to Malkuth. It is where Nature tries to ‘right the wrong’ since it is believed that we have no right to climb in the Tree of Knowledge; where you as an Adept had apparently climbed. ... This single area is controlled more by the ‘square’ than any other on the entire Tree which means a person automatically struggles within the Qliphoth of these spheres; not on the front side of the Tree. If these three spheres of Hod, Netzach and Tiphereth are not completely achieved it can reek of failure for an Adept and in fact this is the one area where most A.’.A.’. initiates have tragic magickal failures, and in all lineages. Consider this:(a. The Outer Adept automatically works through the Square (i.e. Qliphoth) in our Magickal Degree and they must learn to focus on the Circle. The demon rules in this area which is known as our Lower Ruach (Hod/Netzach/Tiphereth) which is often referred to as a MOE crossing the lower Abyss or Portal on the Tree of Life. This area is designed to force a magician ‘consciously’ to face his outer personality or their Sun’s (Tiphereth) Light facing downward as others see it and especially how they projects it; both regarding its positive qualities and negative. This is where we must put our ego under control but you simply decided to ‘jump’ beyond these requirements as if they were not important. Magick 101 tells us that it is virtually impossible to complete this obligation while in the Abyss. Can you find me one reference in any magickal book which informs us that controlling our ego before we enter the Abyss is not important? I didn’t make up this rule, so where does this leave us? (b. The Inner Adept automatically works through the Circle (Spirit) and easily controls the Square. Once within Tiphereth/Geburah/Chesed the Adept will begin manifesting ‘unconscious’ workings, very archetypal thoughts out of the Anahata Chakra. Hence Crowley had his poetry as a ‘geyser of his unconsciousness’ as did Grady, others like myself and Luis have our art and you ... what about your Thesis? Had you not skipped the Higher Ruach it would have been unfolding to you. So, what gushes from your unconsciousness that dictates the Laws of your incarnation? You cannot fully enter the City of the Pyramids without your Thesis; it is officially your ‘ticket’ to the Ferryman So again, what is your Thesis? Don’t confuse the Thesis with a Magickal Record, or Diary as you had previously implied; they are not the same.Had you approached me with your ambitions to take the Oath of the Abyss, I would have advised you against it but had you insisted I could have quickly moved you, step by step, up into Tiphereth within a real short period of time so that we could bring you to a Balanced place in order for you to jump safely but now it is too late. So where does this leave us?Also, the grade of the Lover, according to Aleister Crowley, demands upon us “inner, intellectual tests” [The Equinox Vol.I No.7 p.392]; also note AL I:50, ... and I should point out; you also leaped from within the Qliphoth of Hod; a sphere ruled by the ‘Intellect’ both good and bad. ... Do you consider the disregarding of A.’.A.’. teachings to be the achievement of your ‘Intellectual’ tests?Failure to even consider what I’ve been saying since day one clearly shows that you are automatically dragging ‘intellectual’ phantoms and baggage with you of denial and unless addressed; you’ll remain forever tethered into the Qliphoth of Hod ... which will be a hint as to where you’ll fall if you become a Black Brother. The fallen within this sphere inevitably babble ‘intellectual’ evidence as to why they, and they alone, have always been correct in their beliefs and how everyone else is wrong. We see these types of individuals working out of Hod in magick all the time. But is this behavior not ego unchained? Remember; all people working out of the Lower Ruach naturally work out of the Qliphoth in these spheres in order to put their ego [i.e. their demon-square] under control; you were not exempt from this Law; nor had you risen up to be an Adeptus Exemptus when you jumped which would have made it easy. So, how do you think we rectify this problem ?Furthermore, the reason why you MUST go back and attempt to fulfill all its Obligations and face its phantoms within the sphere of Hod is because a true Magister Templi holds the degree of 8=3. ... The ‘Circle’ being 8-Hod and the ‘Square’ being 3-Binah. What does this imply? Remember, no one can stay ‘Above’ the Abyss; to claim to be a Magister Templi working out of 3-Binah means that an individual puts their ‘point of view’ back into the sphere of 8-Hod and uses it as the receiver of Gnosis [via the descending Left Hand Pillar of 418) ... but this is a sphere in which you had failed to fully bring under control. Hence, the danger of instantly becoming a Black Brother the second, no matter how many years from now, that you claim in the Light of Day to be a Magister Templi. How do we rectify this? Also, Grady told me that because I leaped from the Ruach I could never ‘openly’ proclaim to be a Magister Templi until I had fulfilled those sphere in which I jumped; these being Geburah and Chesed. I took the Oath of the Abyss back in 1984; it took me five years to fulfill just two degrees of 6=5 and 7=4 ... You failed to complete five spheres in the Ruach. ... How do we rectify this?Even more dangerous; according to Aleister Crowley a major requirement for the Ruach is, and I quote him - “Eleven years of service as an Adeptus” before one is admitted into the next Grade, or that of the Hermit. “It is written that beware less this is not fulfilled for the Gods exact the price one way or the other.” ... Had you jumped as an Inner Adept from within the Ruach it would have been easy because in theory, once within Tiphereth, you are working out of the Anahata Chakra which rules the three sphere of Tiphereth/Geburah/Chesed [a hint as to how the Circle/Squared works above Tiphereth] but you are still not exempt from the 11 years of service; its just easier to apply them. ... Also, other individuals like Fraters Achad and Grady, jumped while still working out of the MOE. Had you remained a ‘Parzival’ in the MOE this would have been a different story; innocence has its benefits. ... But you entered the Lover Grade in October 2007. Why do you think you don’t have to fulfill this time requirement? If you do feel that you’re still going to fulfill it, how do you plan on fulfilling it while having a limited time within the Abyss to achieve or be thrown out? Now do you see another reason why it is dangerous to jump from the lower Ruach?The next problem: you cannot take magickal Oaths and affirmations to create a Clerk House (i.e. establishing your body ‘as’ a Temple of God) and then decide to change the rules later just because you’re nearing ‘forty’ ... you have NOT finished your Temple ... for you, it is virtually impossible to entered the City of the Pyramids because you still owe over eight years of service which is not just an idle rambling of time but it is the time frame that most Adepts agree that it will take to establish the wires for the Kundalini to be worked properly into the upper spheres on the Tree of Life. Although we often mention establishing the ‘wires’ over a four year period while in the Abyss this concept is very misleading ... it is while ‘in the Ruach’ that you actually begin forming the ‘wires’. ... Remember, the Kundalini sleeps in Yesod (MOE) and when awakened it slowly rises upward. If you had completed and ‘worked’ the sphere of Hod then the ‘psychic wires’ in this area would have been put into place or ‘opened’ permanently. Then you’d be able to move Kundalini up into Netzach to establish the new ‘wires’, then Tiphereth and etc & etc. ... The four year ‘time frame’ often mentioned while in the Abyss is actually the time it takes to learn how to use what you had previously established - properly. ... Be that as it may, you cannot claim to use ‘wires’ in a Temple when neither exists. Duh! Had you jumped when a MOE you are exempt from this Law. [Secret, O Man!] Again, I didn’t make up that rules ... now do you see part of the problem, how can we rectify this?Finally; the secret of the Oath of the Abyss lies in the fact that Above the Abyss we are ‘One’ which implies that Magister Templi, Magus and Ipsissimus are in fact three stages of the same manifestation. Read John St John (Eq I:1 pg.10-11) what is the actual Oath of the VIIIth Degree? This is what you’ll be held accountable to in reference to interpreting every phenomenon as a particular dealing of God with you soul. The Magister Templi like First Degree and VIIIth degree OTO all work out of Binah. ... Of note: Aleitheia (αληθεια) is the Greek Goddess of Truth; the daughter of Zeus (Jupiter). Etymologically Aletheia’s name is derived from the Greek word alethus which means ‘true’ or ‘not concealing.’ The name Aletheia signifies many things. For instance, the letter ‘A’ when added in front of a Greek word as a prefix can denote ‘not’ or ‘non’ while the next five letters of her name spell out Lethe (λήθη); Lethe being the name of the mythological River of Forgetfulness. Greek scholars have always acknowledged that Aletheia is the Goddess who helps us undo ‘forgetfulness’ which is why her name is often translates simply as “remembering.” She is often depicted as a beautiful young virgin dressed in white but the ancients also acknowledged that Truth can be very elusive. She is said to be found hiding at the bottom of a Sacred Well (i.e. as used in First Degree OTO). ... I am to remind you ... she is the Goddess of TRUTH. ... This is what must be adhered to in order to enter the City of the Pyramids. Every phantom created below the Abyss patronize one’s ‘I’ (ego) and it is like blood being withheld from the Chalice of Babalon (Binah) of which you are seeking in the City of the Pyramids. So, it is not going to be easy but if you’re willing to walk yourself out of a bad intellectual head space you’ll be one of our better teachers because you can teach from first hand experience. Remember, its easy to make mistakes, we have all done something similar within magickal schools but its harder to admit to our folly and move on. So, where do you think we go from here? Please answer all my questions carefully.93 93/93 Frater Ached Osher 583-----------------------------------------------
I am releasing the above email because it has much information that may, or may not be of help to others along the path. Traversing the Tree of Life above Yesod is a complicated, if not a dangerous game. Too many people think that all they have to do is take an Oath, claim a degree and then tell everyone that they are in such and such Sphere on the Tree of Life without the slightest bit of magickal theory or training as to what it all entails. In Grady's A.'.A.'., theory is EVERYTHING. We are scientists. ... I wrote to another student just yesterday - "When we work in the depths of our mind were sanity and insanity are occasionally blurred, we need outside intervention with someone watching out backs." - "Magick is a serious pursuit and when we talk about ‘blow-outs’ reigning down into Malkuth ... they’re real." ... So, if this blog does little else, if we can drive home the fact that magick is not some simple child's game, then we have succeeded where so many others have failed.More to come ...--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7:30am From the history buffs: Margaret Hamilton, the actress who played the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz, was born on this date in Cleveland, Ohio in 1902. ............. and Cecil Williamson died on this date in 1999. He was ninety years old. He had opened the first museum of ‘Witchcraft’ on the Isle of Man in 1951 and employed Gerald Gardner as resident witch. However, the friendship between Gerald and Cecil didn’t last, and after a few years Cecil moved his museum to Windsor, England, selling the ‘Witches Mill’ building to Gardner.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday December 8th 2009 – 5:45pm I just watched the news where people on a second level balcony in the great Mall of America in Minnesota helped police apprehend a man accused of throwing a tomato at the former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin during her book signing. It seems the tomato didn't even come close to hitting her but it did hit a cop squarely in face. How funny. The guy thought he'd make a political statement but he ended up being booked for assaulting a cop.
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1:40pm One of the Hermits in our lineage wrote to me this morning after I had sent him copies of an email correspondence between myself and a distraught female student. I see her as being lost in the Chaos of another. I wanted to see his opinion and he simply wrote me back saying -"You have the patience of a saint" ... another wrote stating - " ... and you're putting up with all this why?" ... a third had no comment. ... and another Adept added – “I had read this earlier, but it seems applicable here. "We suffer when our illusions make inharmonious contacts with other illusions, because we sometimes (too often!) forget their nature and our own." [A. Crowley, On Sexual Freedom, The Magickal Revival, p. 133.].” ... and my two cents? I wish this female student would replace her Bull-Shit Meter; it seems to be broken ... I'm with waning patience.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8:00am For the history buffs: George Norman Douglas was born in Thurigen, Austria on this date on 1868. He received part of his school education at Karlsruhe in Germany, and in 1894 he entered the Foreign Office as a diplomat, serving in St. Petersburg Russia before taking early retirement to live on the island of Capri. He was a prolific author and a close friend of Nancy Cunard. In 1929 she witnessed Norman talking to Aleister Crowley on the phone. It seems Norman had just called the Beast and had begun his conversation, “Hullo you old b.....” - “Haven’t seen you for a long time. How about a drink?” According to Nancy they both talked for quite awhile and Crowley’s comments “evoked a good deal of chuckling” on Norman’s part. She also remarked how she immediately beseeched Norman, “Get me the old rascal. What’s he up to now? Does he still wear that rediculous kilt?” It seems, according to Nancy that she had seen him dressed in a kilt at a Montmartre night-club at 2 a.m. “And there was that story about him ... Oh!*just two little kittens that had got under his kilt and were playing some mysterious kind of pat-ball there ...” As to when Norman and Crowley had first met has always been a mystery but the “Italian years” which are always implied refer to Crowley’s days at Abbey at Cefalu and in reviewing Crowley’s diaries of this period there is a brief mention of Norman as being “a charming & plucky man.” Norman died on 9 February 1952. .............. also, Charles Henry Allan Bennett was born in London into poverty on this date in 1872. He was orphaned at an early age and was always racked by illness. He was educated at Holloway College, and at Bath, England. He was also initiated into The Hermetic Order of Golden Dawn where he became known as Frater Iehi Aour - “Let there be light.” He always had a strong fascination for Buddhism and at the age of 28, in 1900, he decided to travel to Ceylon to further his studies and to relieve the asthma from which he had suffered for years. Later, while in Burma, he officially became a Buddhist monk, taking the name of Ananda Metteya (“bliss of loving kindness”). He founded the International Buddhist Society in 1903. With health failing, his doctors suggested that he move to the warm climate of California. In route he stopped in England where his health and the events of World War I, forced him to stay. He never reached California. While in London he was befriended by playwright Clifford Bax who helped him published The Buddhist Review to propagate the cause of Buddhism in Britain. He died on March 9th in 1923. He was only fifty years old. ............. and finally, Sammy Davis, Jr. was born on this date in Harlem, New York in 1925. Although he converted to Judaism, he had also been a member of Anton Lacey’s First Church of Satan.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday December 7th 2009 – 8:10am After reading yesterdays 9:40am posting, Mike wants to know how I plan to "wrap things up soon or within a week or so" in regards to the Practicus who went mad after taking the Oath of the Abyss. .... Reply: Well, it is complicated but I do not like leaving things unfinished from one year to the next. I like to begin each new year with a clean magickal slate so that I might take my own incarnation to its next stage. I begin each year through birth, I live my life to the fullest, and inevitably I leave no phantoms buried in the shadows so I evoke the Laws of Death that I might be reborn into a new year with a clean slate. How do I do this? As an example: I have been unbelievably tolerant with the Practicus over the last five months when others simply said cut him loose ... but now the time draws close where I must move on. This 'entire' mess must be brought into the Light of Day so that it can follow the course of the Sun. As long as I am focused inward on helping pull the Practicus' head out of the Chaos of Hod, I am tied to his lunacy and I will drag it with me. We are all hoping that the Practicus finally gets what we've been saying and brings the conclusion out into the Light of Day himself, or a conclusion that best benefits him in the Order.
The conclusion that I will bring out into the open may not be to his best liking but I must think of the Order above him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7:30am For the history buff: After the death of Eugene Vintras on this date in Lyons in 1975, Abbe Boullan, who was an unfrocked priest who had been imprisoned in Rome for heresy and in France for fraud, proclaimed himself the new Supreme Pontiff and the reincarnation of John the Baptist which he felt gave him the right to take over Vintras’ Church of Carmel. A schism soon ensued and Boullan, along with a few of his supporters, moved their Order from Paris to Lyons, a city that had retained some reputation for heretical sects going back to the days of Irenaeus. ............. Kenneth Hopkins was born in Bournemouth England on this date in 1914. In the late nineteen-forties he was known for wearing his hair extremely long for the period. He wrote that, “at least my moustache saves me from being called Madam by bus conductors,” which he states occasionally happened before he grew it. When Aleister Crowley died in 1947, Hopkins was one of the “long-haired devotees” described by the press present at his funeral. John Symonds has written that “he {Hopkins} had never met Crowley but he was an old friend of Louis Wilkinson.” Hopkins’ further supports this when he writes, “I wasn’t technically a devotee. I simply wanted to hear Louis Marlow read Crowley’s Hymn to Pan, which he did superbly. The wild and barbaric words echoed round the Crematorium, ‘Io. Pan! Pan!’ until I for one expected that ancient God to rise up through the floor.” Louis Wilkinson (alias Marlow) was a very good friend of Kenneth Hopkins, having met him in 1939 through a mutual friend named John Cowper Powys. Immediately after the funeral ceremony of Aleister Crowley at Brighton, Hopkins was walking back to town with Gerald Yorke when a reporter came up and asked a simple question. “Mr. Yorke, did you ever actually see Mr. Crowley perform magic?” Yorke replied “Oh, yes, countless times!” The reporter questioned, “What did he do?” With this, Yorke who was always fond of pulling reporters’ legs simply replied, “Oh, well, he was very fond of turning himself into a pillar of salt.” Also well worth repeating is Hopkin’s later account which shows his fear of Aleister Crowley even after death. He wrote that “one of the first things I do at night when I get home is take off my tie which (it seems) I then let fall wherever I chance to be. So the house is littered with ties, for I wear a different one most days. Some of these ties formerly belonged to Aleister Crowley, including one which in the end I gave to Ronnie Laws. This specimen was covered with magical symbols and I was afraid to wear it lest it strangled me.” ............. and finally, on this date in 1995 near Guanica, Puerto Rico there was an unusual bloodless death of chickens and cows attributed by the Chupacabra, or “goat sucker.”--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday December 6th 2009 – 9:40am An A.'A.'. initiate from afar wants to know if there are "any new developments with the Practicus who went mad" and who took "the Oath of the Abyss in a foolish manner." ... He further points out that he's been following the blog every day and "we haven't published anything since last month on the 15th. Any new developments? I am finding this the most intense magickal theory thread anywhere, I'm learning a lot and I was wanting to know how it turns out. I feel like I am left hanging." ..... Reply: Good point. We've all been left hanging but there has been a lot going on behind the scenes over the last month. My goal is to wrap things up soon or within a week or so. I'll post a conclusion but as to how it plays out for better or worse is in the Practicus' hands; it is his karma. He has Free Will to determine its outcome. Right now the Practicus has walked himself up to a soaring cliff and is on the verge of jumping where he'll plummet downward to his doom, like a fruit falling off the Tree of Life ... but before he leaps he still has free choice to make the right decision. This is what we are all hoping will happen. However, if he jumps we can assume it to be his Fate; or as Manly Palmer Hall puts it – “Free-will leaves off where foolishness begins.”
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7:45am For the history buffs: Jacob Sprenger, co-author of the Malleus Malificarum, died on this date in 1495. ................ and Violet Mary Firth, also known as Dion Fortune, was born on this date in Llandudno, England in 1890. Her interest in occultism was sparked when she was working as a psychotherapist around the time of the First World War. Her first esoteric teacher was Dr. Moriarty who specialized in astro-etheric psychological conditions and who later provided the inspiration for her book The Secret of Doctor Taverner. Having found her ‘path’ in the Western Mystery Tradition in 1919 she joined the Alpha and Omega Lodge of Stella Matutina of The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. She derived the name Dion Fortune from the magical motto which she adopted when joining which was “Deo Non Fortuna,” which means “by God, not chance.” In 1929 she left the Order and founded a Community (later called Fraternity) of the Inner Light. She wrote numerous books throughout her life. Such as, The Secrets of Dr. Taverner (1926), The Demon Lover (1927), Sane Occultism (1929); The Training and Work of an Initiate (1930), Psychic Self-Defense (1930), Through the Gates of Death (1932), The Mystical Qabalah (1936), The Goat-Foot God (1936), The Winged Bull (1936), and The Sea-Priestess (1938) to name only a few. When Aleister Crowley published The Book of Thoth he sent her a copy inscribed to the “Priestess of Selene.” She died of acute myeloid Leukaemia on January 8, 1946 at the age of 55 on this date. ............ and I should mention that on December 6, 1909 Aleister Crowley and Victor ‘Vickybird’ Neuburg went a few miles outside the town of Marrakhesh into the desert and, as Neuburg later wrote, “we did not draw a circle, but a pentacle” to evoke Choronzon & the 10th Aethyr. It is well documented but the part of how the ritual ended borders on pure myth. The intent of this ritual was to hold a serious business conversation, but toward the end it seems Neuburg kept chirping in with questions of “a purely ostrobogulos nature” until Crowley became so enraged that he turned him into a zebra, rode him into Alexandria and sold him to the zoo, where he remained for two years before regaining human shape. As far as the demon Choronzon goes; within the original writings of John Dee this entity merely implies the serpent in the ‘Garden of Eden’ but when Aleister Crowley popularized this entity it became synonymous with the final evil dark obstacle of the Abyss, which separates the Second School from the Third on the Tree of Life. In an odd way the interpretations couldn’t be farther apart. If one believes in the Gnostic concept that the Serpent is, in truth, our true savior then one should embrace Choronzon as being good, while the other end of the spectrum Choronzon according to Crowley implies that the Serpent is the antipathy of Christian good, or baneful. It all depends upon how you see the ‘Serpent’ in the Garden. ..................... also, on December 6, 1932 the movie, based on a Sax Rohmer story, titled The Mask of Fu Manchu opened in theaters. Its plot is simple; somewhere in the East lies the grave of Ghengis Khan and buried with him is his powerful sword and mask which have the ability to let the East rule over the world. A group of British scientists have found the grave and are taking the treasures to the British museum but Fu Manchu and his diabolical daughter, Fah Lo See, are watching them. They want the items in order to rule the world. .............. and finally, on December 6, 1950 a UFO crashes outside El Indio-Guerrero area of the Texas-Mexican border. What remained of the object was said to have been almost completely incinerated.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday December 5th 2009 – 1:20pm I received this thought from Jay - "93 Guys, Recent observations and occurrences in my life have really turned my attention to this subject. We've discussed before that there are some of Black Brotherhood who, having attained some degree of understanding (lower case u) and spiritual insight, tend to draw people in to their own ego, ultimately blotting out the Light of these satellites and bidding them not to do their own Will. But a strictly Malkuthian level there are those who are enemies of Thelema simply in that they would impose their own wants on anybody whose Will does not conform to their Malkuthian values. These creatures I find to be very pathetic in that they have none of the beauty and strength to even comprehend that they have their of Will, let alone pursue it or allow others to pursue theirs. "They that see thee shall fear thou art fallen" (II:53) because they are judging others according to their own definitions of "success" or the "good" or the "sensible" or "proper" etc. How much yellow journalism was our Holy Prophet subjected to, all because he pursued his own Will? I find this all very interesting because I feel there are very distinct current here: those that are helping to exalt the spirit of humanity by embracing the laws of the New Aeon and those that aim to hold it back out of fear. Just wanted to know what your thoughts on this matter might be. Love, Jay 93 93/93." .......... Reply: Actually, you said it quite eloquently but I might add that the first victim of the Black Brotherhood is always the individual who recently embraces it and the greatest danger in these individuals is seen in their ability not only to fool those around themselves but themselves too. In other words, those in the Black Brotherhood actually believe that they are doing good for humanity's sake. However, they prey on the weak who do not know better and if they can 'convert' them to their distorted beliefs then it reinforces and strengthens their own 'faith' or ego ... But always remember - by their Words you shall know them. ... and finally, a true Thelermite cannot be fooled, the slaves shall serve.
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6:55am In regards to yesterday's 8:40am posting on Paroketh, Ben sent me this gem last night. It reveals everything you ever wanted to know and then some. Bravo! Anyway, he writes:Jerry, 93Hope your evening is starting well. I wanted to throw in a few observations on the topic of the Veil of Paroketh. I find the topic interesting (you know me and my Kha-blah-blah). Generally PaRoKeT (“po-reh'-keth,” Strong’s Concordance) is interpreted as “inner veil” and seen to refer to the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Inner Sanctum of both the Temple on Mount Moriah and the earlier Tabernacle. While modern Qabalists place it on the tree below Tiphareth it is not mentioned in the Bahir, nor my abridged copy of the Zohar. The origin of the word is largely acknowledged as unknown, some scholars have suggested it is derived from the verb KPR, “breaks.” As in, a line of demarcation between the inner and outer. I believe it is more likely evolved from the verb PaRaS meaning “to spread.” “To spread” is the same root for the Greek word (katapetasma) used in the New Testament for the inner veil. As in, the the veil was spread across the opening to the Holy of Holies. Essentially it is a Judeo-Christian symbol of what separates the inner and the outer. In the Golden Dawn this would be a convenient symbol to represent the separation of the outer (elemental) First Order from the inner Second Order between Netzach and Tiphareth.Within the A.’.A.’. only Probationer and Neophyte comprise the First Order (c.f. Eshelman, James, Magical and Mystical System of the A.’.A.’., pp. 8,9) this would place the Veil of Paroketh on the path of Tau (interestingly, this is the last letter of PRKT). Most modern Qabalists and Thelemites leave it on the path of Samech. Some have suggested that it more properly lies on the path of Peh indicating the destruction of the Ego that occurs before the initiate can attain to Netzach. While I find this idea appealing the idea of the Veil of Paroketh essentially separates the mundane, or common, areas of the Temple from the inner, or hidden, Sanctum wherein dwells the Shekinah, or Spirit of God. If we acknowledge that the Nephesch (Yesod) animates the body (Malkuth) it would follow that the Veil would be located below the path of Peh on the path of Samech, at the point where the inner star begins to illuminate the individual’s Moon. I sometimes like to think of the Veil of Paroketh as intersecting with Yesod as an indication of the personal unconscious uniting with the collective unconscious. This is not to deny what I stated above, but an occasional, convenient personal symbol.If we look at PRKT as a magickal formula we get 80+200+20+400=700, or Mars (Ra Hoor Khuit) + Sol (HGA) + Jupiter (highest point in the Ruach, or Neshamah) + Saturn (completed in Binah, or the City of Pyramids). 700 may also be seen as Netzach manifesting in the World of Yetsirah (7 x 100 = 700). There are any number of interpretations here.I’ve rambled on enough. Hopefully this is food for thought for someone.93/93Ben--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6:50am For the history buffs: The Papal Bull that was issued by Pope Innocent on this date in 1484, being in need of credibility, inevitably lead to the Malleus Maleficarum (1486) being published which was one of the most widely referenced and infamous books of its time. Throughout the middle Ages and the entire period of the witchcraft hysteria, the Malleus Maleficarum was the most influential how-to guide used for the persecution and torture of witches and heretics. Montague Summers who translated it into English called it: ”One of the most important, wisest and weightiest books in the world.” Due to the rapid spread of the Printing Press revolution in the late 1400’s, generally attributed to Johann Gutenberg, the book became widely available to the masses and for over two centuries was second only in sales to the Holy Bible. ............... and it was on December 5, 1945 that five Avenger torpedo bombers lifted off from the Navel Air Station at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 2:10 in the afternoon. It was a routine practice mission which had the planes fly due east 56 miles to Hens and Chicken Shoals to conduct practice bombing runs. About an hour and a half after the flight had left a radio transmission was received from one of the bombers claiming that their compasses were not working and, although they were they experienced pilots, they believed they were somehow heading in the wrong direction out over the Florida Keys. No matter how hard they tried, ground communications could not get the five Avenger torpedo bombers back on any recognizable course. By 4:45pm it was obvious that the planes were hopelessly lost. As it grew dark, communications with the planes slowly deteriorated. At 6:20 a Dumbo Flying Boat was dispatched to try and find the planes and guide them back. Within the hour two more planes, Martin Mariners, joined the search. The last transmission from the lost planes was heard at 7:04pm. The other planes searched the area throughout the night and into the next few days but no sign of the Avengers, nor was any wreckage ever found. They had vanished in the Bermuda Triangle. ............... In the piece titled What is Scientology? it states, “In 1945, left partially blind with injured optic nerves and lame from hip and back injuries, Mr. Hubbard was hospitalized at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California.” Finally, on this date in 1945, Lieutenant L. Ron Hubbard was mustered out of the Navy from too many undiagnosed pains. It has been written that “the doctors were undecided as to precisely what was wrong with him. He was certainly not blind nor crippled, but seemed to be suffering from endless minor aches and pains.” ............... and finally, on December 5, 1966 the ashes of Dr. J. Irving Bentley, 92, of Coudersport, Pennsylvania, was discovered by a meter reader. Dr. Bentley’s body apparently ignited while he was in the bathroom and burned a 2-1/2-by-3-foot hole through the flooring, with only a portion of one leg remaining intact. Nearby paint was unscorched. This is reported as a classic case of spontaneous human combustion.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday December 4th 2009 – Yes, I am having an 'Open House' tonight at Love's Sake Clerk House which is here in Berkeley starting at 6:30pm. Being near supper, feel free to bring something to eat and drink and don't feel obligated to bring enough for anyone other than youself.
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9:25am Last year when I released Issue No.19 of CORNELIA it contained my humorous version of my ‘sexual’ astrological bantering which I titled ZODIAC SIGNS AND THEIR SEXUAL PROCLIVITIES. Due to popular demand I have now posted this article online so everyone can review what makes their sign tick! If you'd like to read the article about your sign, click HERE ... and enjoy. Comments are always welcomed. If anyone would like to add or amend their sign I am willing to put little addendums to each. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8:40am To address a question; Paroketh is not strictly part of the Tree of Life but is rather a mythical ‘Veil of the Temple’ that everyone encounters while journeying upward on the Tree. Where the veil exactly resides has always been greatly debated but most agree that it is simply a ‘Portal Degree’ or bridge which must be crossed between the First and Second (Inner) Order of most Magickal Fraternities. In The Hermetic Order of The Golden Dawn, as in early AA theory, the veil was placed between the Qabalistic sphere of Netzach-7 and Tiphereth-6 (embracing the degree of Dominus Liminis) but this is not something carved in stone to which all groups must adhere. Many of the early Fraternities simply placed the ‘veil’ here to signify an individual embracing Christ or solar consciousness rather than anything more reasonable. But this division, nor the placement of the Dominus Liminis degree itself, fits logically into the scheme of the Tree of Life. In theory the division between the First and Second Orders should be placed between our Ruach and what is called the Nephesch or our animalistic soul on the Tree of Life.What complicates this for modern magicians is that often Theosophical and Golden Dawn schools state that our ‘animalistic soul’ works out of Malkuth while the Ruach works out of six spheres from Yesod-9 to Chesed-4. However, later Qabalists like Aleister Crowley, Israel Regardie, Dion Fortune, Paul Foster Case and many others have come to believe that this is utterly wrong. The sphere of Yesod, or the Moon, is the real seat of our animal instincts, while the Ruach works out of only five spheres, from Hod to Chesed and not s... Aleister Crowley noted in Little Essays Toward Truth that the “Ruach is a closely-knitted group of Five Moral and Intellectual principles, concentrated on their core, Tiphareth, the Principle of Harmony, the Human Consciousness and Will of which the four other Sephiroth are (so to speak) the feelers.” [Chapter : MAN, section (4) Ruach, pg. 5-6] Israel Regardie explains this same concept further in his book titled The Middle Pillar; that the Ruach rules the five central spheres on the Tree of Life known as Hod-8, Netzach-7, Tiphereth-6, Geburah-6 and Chesed-4. [ pg. 58] The central sphere of this complex being Tiphereth which is your Sun, your inward Star. “Every man and every woman is a star.” (Liber AL vel Legis I:3) If you turn the entire Tree of Life on its side you clearly see a Solar System with the Sun in the center and the planets swirling around it. You must learn the Laws of this Solar System. The Light of this central sphere is what animates us and our Universe. In one respect we need our persona or ego because it is the driving factor defining who we are on Malkuth, or who we are in our incarnation. On another level the ego must be conquered, not destroyed, because if it remains outside our control it corrupts all that lays below on the Tree of Life. With this in mind the Veil of Paroketh should be placed between the the grade of the man of Earth and that of the Lover. (Liber AL vel Legis I:40), or basically, it should reside just above Yesod-9 as if it were a lower Abyss. This should also be the proper location of the Dominus Liminis degree in A.'.A.'. schools which is actually attributed to no sphere on the Tree of Life but is often attributed to the path of Samech between the Sun (Tiphereth) and the Moon (Yesod); which is the path that bridges the two grades of the man of Earth and that of the Lover. The Great Work for the Dominus Liminis is defined as - "to obtain control of the aspirations of my own being." ... which is all about direction, direction, direction ... learning to to put personal ego oriented aspirations aside of man of Earth's 'Wants' for a greater glory of our 'True Will.'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7:20am For the history buffs: Omar Khayyam died on this date in 1131. He was a respected mathematician and astronomer who helped reform the ancient Muslim calendar although he is more fondly remembered as the author of the brief, lyrical poems known collectively as The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. He was born n Nishapur (now in Iran) on May 18th, 1048. .............. and on this date in 1829 Britain abolished ‘suttee’ in India which is where a widow burns herself to death on her husband's funeral pyre. .............. and finally, the ship known as the Marie Celeste, which had recently left New York, was found on this date in 1872 under full sail in the mid-Atlantic. Upon boarding the ship it was discovered that the vessel had plenty of food and water, everything was left perfectly as is. In fact, the galley fire was still burning, half eaten food lay on the table and still fresh. Smoldering pipes lit with tobacco were found, along with numerous other oddities. The cargo-barrels of alcohol were still lashed in place in the hold. But something was missing … the Captain, his wife and children and the entire ten man crew were gone. They had vanished without a trace, or a fight; leaving one of the greatest mysteries of the sea for all to ponder. (some place the date the ship was found as being on the 5th due to the fact that there were no standard times zones established as yet)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday December 3rd 2009 – 5:15am For the history buffs: While skrying into the 14th Aethyr on this date in 1909 and, on an ‘impulse’, Aleister Crowley seized upon the idea of a doing a homosexual ritualistic act upon his scribe Victor Neuburg. This occurred outside Dal’leh Addin and it was dedicated to the great God Pan. Thus, on an erected altar of rough stone, Crowley was said to sacrifice himself, an act which he claimed consumed ‘every particle of his ego.’ Later that very same evening, while skrying further into the same Aethyr, Angels admitted him into the company of the Masters of the Temple. Thus it can be said; with a little buggery and just the proper ‘push’, Aleister Crowley ‘officially’ became a Magister Templi, 8=3, and entered Binah, the third sphere on the Tree of Life. This degree, Crowley had taken back in December of 1906 but never felt ‘comfortable’ with obtaining it until now. Back in 1906 he assumed the motto Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici which means: By the power of Truth, I, in my lifetime, have conquered the Universe. ................. and, equally important, John Michael Osbourne, more commonly known as Ozzy Osbourne, was born on this date in Birminham, England in 1948. He was the lead singer of heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath. Ozzy left the band in 1979. Not only did he have hit records, he was a magnet for controversy; like the time he once bit the head off a bat while on stage, giving himself a rabies scare; or the time he bit the head off a dove in the offices of record executives. He was even sued over his song “Suicide Solution” by the parents of a teenage fan who had killed himself; the case was dismissed. He was arrested in 1982 for urinating on a historical “shrine,” on of all placed - The Alamo. Along the way he toured and released successful albums such as Blizzard of Ozz (1980), Bark at the Moon (1983), Ultimate Sin (1986) and Ozzmosis (1995) but Crowleyites will best remember him for the classic song titled Mr.Crowley, which begins: “Mr. Crowley, what went on in your head, Mr. Crowley, did you talk with the dead, Your life style to me seemed so tragic, With the thrill of it all, You fooled all the people with magic, You waited on Satan’s call.” In 2002 Ozzy and his family made it to MTV in a reality sitcom called The Osbournes, a video journal of their wacky life in the Los Angeles mansion. ............. and Friedrich Bernhard Marby, German occultist and rune scholar, died on this date in 1966. He believed that man was a sensitive receiver of cosmic waves which animate the Universe and he saw the runes not just as letters but as incantations, or even as gymnastic postures and movements. ............. and finally, on December 3, 1967 a 22 year old Police Sergeant named Herbert Shirmer in Ashland, Nebraska, was driving down a desolate road when he reported seeing a bright light in the sky, or a flying disk, which slowly settled on a distant hill. As he got closer to the object his car stopped and his lights went out. Needless-to-say, he was frightened as he watched some figures come out of the object and walk toward him. At what point he passed out he is not sure but, later, he came to in his patrol car, he realized that he had a missing time episode. He wrote in his official police log entry for the day, “Saw a flying saucer.”
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Wednesday December 2nd 2009 – 11:45am Just an added note to my last posting: I have Ceres 1º19’ in my 4th House in Cancer. The best quote I found about Ceres in this house reads - "These people feel nurtured around the home. Hugs definitely can work here. So can housework. They want to be mothered and are good at mothering in turn. The negative side is they may get the "Cancer Crazies" when they feel a need for nurturing, the "Nobody loves me, nobody cares about me, and I'm going to die in the poorhouse" syndrome. In that case, just tease them like crazy. It will shock them out of it." .... Personal, a hug and a beer will do just fine!
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10:30am A question: "In astrology, what is the symbol that looks like Venus with the left side of its head blown off?" ... Reply: It ialso s shown as a moon with an + underneath. Not all programs show this symbol.It represents the largest object in the asteroid belt which exists between Mars and Jupiter. Some astronomers believe that this belt was either a planet which was destroyed, or one that was simply ill-formed. Interestingly, Johann Elert Bode in 1768 predicted that there should be a planet found exactly where we now see the asteroid belt and on January 1st 1801 Giuseppe Piazzi, following Bode's mathematical formula, discovered the largest of all the asteroids which he named Ceres after the Roman Goddess; the great mother of unconditional love and fertility. It is the only official ‘dwarf planet’ in the asteroid belt and it is so large that it contains over a third of the entire belt’s mass. The general consensus is that this particular asteroid describes the development of feminine influences both externally and internally in both men and women. One is reminded of the myths of Ceres; the daughter of Saturn and sister to Jupiter. It was her daughter Persephone who represents the cyclic rhythms of nature and the deeper mysteries of birth, life, death and resurrection. She was abducted by the God Pluto the Lord of the Underworld and Ceres, refusing to give up her daughter, made a deal where half of the year her daughter would spent above the Earth which brought fertility to the land, the other half she would spend in the netherworld which brought winter. Astrologers are quick to point out that the placement of Ceres in one’s birth chart is clearly a harbinger of loss although it always holds out the promise of return, or recovery. Qabalistically, Ceres is a mystery on the Tree of Life simply because it has no representation. If the Law is correct or ‘As Above, So Below’ and that God used the same blueprint to create everything from the most exalted to the infinitesimal and to study any part on one Tree will reveal, simply by analogy, the other ... then where is Ceres located on the Tree of Life? It should naturally lie somewhere between Geburah-5 (Mars) and Chesed-4 (Jupiter) but nothing is there and, if Ceres is an actual dwarf planet, it should be given a Sephiroth. But where is it found on the Tree? I will not be so presumptuous to know the answer to the questions asked in this section, I am simply perplexed as are others and I simply wanted to bring up the anomaly.Does anyone want to throw in their two cents on this subject?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4:30am For the history buffs: The Hollywood actress Jane Wolfe signed the Pledge form for the AA at the Abbey of Thelema on Cefalu on this date in 1920. She later took Probationer’s degree on June 11, 1921. ........ also, Jane Roberts began using an Ouija board on this date in 1963 which inevitably put her into contact with an invisible entity known as Seth, who described himself as “an intelligence residing outside time and space.” She would later tell her story about Seth in such best selling books as The Coming of Seth and The Seth Material. To this day she has a phenomenal following and her books can be found in bookstores across the world. She died in 1984.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday December 1st 2009 – 11:25am Today I gave my official six month notice with my landlord that I'll be moving as of July 1st 2010. Where you might ask? I don't know. My money runs out and it looks like everything will go into storage and I'll be homeless from then on out. I say that with a grin because I know the Gods have always been kind with me and hopefully something will work out. If not, I know the Gods will let me have a shopping cart which I can fill with the books that I'll need for daily research, along with my lap top, a change of clothing and a few personal items, like maybe a potted plant. Anyway, I'll continue writing and posting from free Internet Cafes so hopefully my homelessness won't interfere with my answering emails and posting etc. Life has been, is and will be amusing ... :)-
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6:10am I received an email yesterday from Darko Cajnkar, he writes - "Jerry. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Hope this message finds you very well." He then adds a word file that he entered for an article titled What happened to Aleister Crowley’s ashes?' which first appeared in the O.T.O. Newsletter Vol. I, No.2 written by Frater Hymenaeus Alpha 777 (Grady Louis McMurtry)." Darko added - "If you find adequate you can use this. Best wishes Darko Cajnkar, Love is the law, love under will." ... Reply: We cannot thank him enough for helping us preserve Grady ... and if you'd like to read Grady's article, click HERE.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6:00am For the history buffs: Franz Bardon was born on this date in Troppau (now Opava) in the current Czech Republic in 1909. His father was a student of esoteric Christianity. In 1924, or so the legend goes, a spirit of a high Hermetic adept entered into the body of fourteen-year-old Franz and, being possessed, his personality changed dramatically and with great suddenness. In time he became one of the most remarkable magicians of the 20th century. He wrote such books as Initiations Into Hermetics, The Practice of Magical Evocation and The Key To The True Kabbalah. He died on July 10, 1958, in Brno, also in the Czech. ............... also, Steffi Grant , the noted occultist and visionary artist, wife of Kenneth Grant, was born on this date in England in 1923. ............... also, Aleister Crowley, magician, poet and author, died on this date in Hastings, England of bronchitis and cardiac degeneration in 1947. He was 72 years old. It has long been reported that the last thing which the Great Beast tearfully said just before he died, while his hand was gently being held by his dear friend Frieda Harris, was - “I am perplexed!” But this is not true. Although they might have been the last words that he spoke to her, she was not at his bedside when he died. His real last words, which were spoken to his nurse, were “Sometimes I hate myself.” ............... and also on December 1, 1947 Dr. William Brown Thomson died a few hours after Aleister Crowley. Approximately one week earlier the Beast had place a curse upon him. The author James Laver, who met Aleister Crowley shortly before he died, related this story in his own book, although he’s quick to point out “I do not vouch for it.” According to Laver, when the Doctor told Crowley he was going to cut off his heroin, Crowley replied, “If you do I shall die—and I shall take you with me” and, as already stated, Dr. Thomson did in fact die as Crowley predicted. The first article mentioning Dr. Thomson’s death appeared in The Daily Express on December 4th. It candidly proclaimed, “Magician Put Curse on Him, Crowley’s Doctor Dies.” It went on to say, “Dr. William Brown Thomson, who used to prescribe morphia tablets for Black Magician Aleister Crowley, ‘the wickedest man in Britain,’ has died within 24 hours of his patient, it was disclosed yesterday.” ............... and it is on this date in 1952 that Anodea Judith was born in Elyria, Ohio. She is he President of Church of All Worlds and has written such books as Wheels of Life (1987), The Sevenfold Journey (1993) and Eastern Body, Western Mind (1996) ............... and finally, on December 1, 1962 Gloria Lee (Byrd) died of hunger after claiming that “space people” had told her “to go on the fast.”--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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