Thelemic Fundamentalism?

This article caught my attention on the Thelema FB group.

There will always be sheep that need a Shepherd, be that Jesus, Osho, Sai Baba, Buddha, Holy Bible, Liber AL, or Crowley. It is just a phase in growing up, in my opinion.

It is interesting, though, how long this phase seems to last. Decades can go by without any real, deep, and thorough progress simply because a "fateful true believer" donates his life energy to the Shepherd (head of the Order, Sacred Books, Prophets, etc.) instead of, well, doing his darn Will.

Anyway...

Thelemic Fundamentalism?

There are many Thelemites who try to achieve the same results as Crowley, which is what we should all be doing. Not, however, at the expense of accepting the results of our own work. Scientific bias comes to mind. Some Thelemites attempt to validate their own work only by accepting the results Crowley experienced doing the same work.

For Thelemic fundamentalists (I can’t believe I just wrote that), arguments are always self-referential: No results of the work that contradicts Crowley is even considered. Note how quick Thelemites are to cast stones at Christians while doing the same exact thing when there is nothing to support their arguments but the Bible. People have adopted, and proudly proclaimed the following mantra: “Crowley said it, I believe it, that settles it.” They act that way even when you quote Crowley to contradict them. Only their opinions count. Everyone else is wrong, stupid, doesn’t get it, or isn’t committed enough.

Any source material opposing Crowley’s position is disdained, and writers contradicting Crowley (or the huge list of writers and saints Crowley used to justify his position) are considered morons.

Attempts to challenge Crowley’s ideas are treated as antagonistic and followed by ad hominem attacks and huge assumptions to make you look bad in the face of their peers: “you think you know more than Crowley,” “you can’t accept his position due to your Christian values,” etc… even when those ideas are outdated and no longer applicable to our Work.

This is a great disservice to Thelema, since ignoring facts, whether natural, scientific, or psychological, can only serve to turn Thelema into a personality cult or superstitious mumbo-jumbo.

There is a lot of talk about free will and True Will, but apparently man is doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again, and this is nonnegotiable because, well, Crowley said so. This is disappointing for people who are more interested in using Thelema, its Magick, and the Holy Books of Thelema as a tool of discovery, rather than a history lesson on Crowley’s life.

To quote David Hume: “If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.”

Perhaps those people should have destroyed The Book of the Law after reading, for we are told by the Master himself:

“The study of this Book is forbidden. It is wise to destroy this copy after the first reading. Whosoever disregards this does so at his own risk and peril. These are most dire. Those who discuss the contents of this Book are to be shunned by all, as centres of pestilence. All questions of the Law are to be decided only by appeal to my writings, each for himself.”

Pax Profunda"

Full article >>

Joy of the unknown

Looking back, it was always my attachment to already attained insights

and knowledge that de facto kept me from moving onto deeper Reality.

And so, I second J. Krishnamurti's words:

"One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end."

Do what thou wilt?

Although my inner psychological climate is very much in line with the powerful words of Ra-Hoor-Khuit ("...Success is your proof; courage is your armour; go on, go on, in my strength; & ye shall turn not back for any!..." - Liber AL III: 46), integrity and respect still is and always will be, important to me.

Each Star (meaning each human being) traveles along the unique path, and thats ok with me. My Will stops where your Will begins.

And speaking of which, my Will or in other words, what is currently very much alive in me is an inspiration to share my experiences and thoughts on the all important topic: the Will.

After all, the Ra-Hoor-Khuit Himself says in the Liber AL that "There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt." (Liber AL, III:60).

To those who have integrated these words into spiritual and everyday lives, this one single line from the Book of the Law seems to be the cornerstone of all dimensions of the enigma called existence.

What does that mean?
How to get to know the Will?
Is the Will even attainable in day-to-day life?
Are everyday duties an obsticle to "doing the Will"?
Is there such thing as wrong Will?
Where my Will stops and where begins the Will of my God/Goddess?
Etc.

I will elaborate on the subject of Will from two empirical standpoints:
- everyday or personal and
- spiritual or transpersonal.

So, here we go:

In the life of every man, woman, aspirant and adept there are two parallel processes going on and on, supporting and nurishing each other: growing up (personal development) and waking up (transpersonal progress).

There is one situation I am keep seeing in my work with people for the last 20+ years: most of individuals I meet neglect, push aside, supress and deny the personal issues. All in the name of spiritual progress, of course.

And so we can observe a certain pattern emerging in spiritual circles; yes, in our Orders as well: aspirants or adepts performing perscribed rituals each and every day, meditating, learning Libers by heart, consoulting Thoth tarot at least 11 times a day, wearing robes, experiencing LVX etc. AND still living with parents, with no job or doing a dead end job, with around 14,8 EUR or 15,6 USD in their pocket (no bank account, of course), living out of parents' fridge, having occasional "tantric" sex with no commitment whatsoever etc. - trying to spiritually advance while their life here on Earth is, well, non-existent.

Sounds familiar?

There is a huge difference between having a life here on Earth by walking the "Wilt" talk and avoiding personal issues by thinking that "Wilt" has got nothing to do with our lives here and now.

Having experienced what I share on this Blog and reflecting on my own past fuck-ups on the Path, I wish someone would have spoken to me about these things some 15 or 20 years ago. You see, I have always believed that spiritual path is the answer to everything.

Well, it is not.

There are certain things that meditation and Star Ruby rituals simply cant handle. Transpersonal things cannot handle the personal issues much like personal effort alone yields no transpersonal progress.

Exactly the same things I was running from in my daily life turned out to be serious obsticles to both K&C of HGA and Crossing the Abyss.

Was it my Will to run away from those negative components of my inner life? Nope. I was just under false impression that I am doing the Will. In reality I was just trying to get out of the shit I saw all around me. I wish I had been able to see my own shit and deal with it.

The Will is so much more, however. It is boundless source of inspiration, creativity and strong support at the same time. It is strenght and beauty integrated when expressed through constructive action here on Earth.

It is well beyond emotional drama and even further apart from even the most sophisticated dogs of reason.

The Will is.

Lets actualize it now, here on Earth, especially through growing up in our daily lives, if we, well, Will.

You might also want to check the blog The Will, old and new >>

Liber Stellæ Rubeæ

Liber Stellæ Rubeæ sub figura LXVI

A secret ritual of Apep, the Heart of IAO-OAI, delivered unto V.V.V.V.V. for his use in a certain matter of Liber Legis, and written down under the figure LXV

A∴A∴

Publication in Class A.

1. Apep deifieth Asar.

2. Let excellent virgins evoke rejoicing, son of Night!

3. This is the book of the most secret cult of the Ruby Star. It shall be given to none, save to the shameless in deed as in word.

4. No man shall understand this writing—it is too subtle for the sons of men.

5. If the Ruby Star have shed its blood upon thee; if in the season of the moon thou hast invoked by the Iod and the Pe, then mayest thou partake of this most secret sacrament.

6. One shall instruct another, with no care for the matters of men’s thought.

7. There shall be a fair altar in the midst, extended upon a black stone.

8. At the head of the altar gold, and twin images in green of the Master.

9. In the midst a cup of green wine.

10. At the foot the Star of Ruby.

11. The altar shall be entirely bare.

12. First, the ritual of the Flaming Star.

13. Next, the ritual of the Seal.

14. Next, the infernal adorations of OAI.

Mu pa telai,
Tu wa melai
ā, ā, ā.
Tu fu tulu!
Tu fu tulu
Pa, Sa, Ga.

Qwi Mu telai
Ya Pu melai;
ū, ū, ū.
’Se gu malai;
Pe fu telai,
Fu tu lu.

O chi balae
Wa pa malae:—
Ūt! Ūt! Ūt!
Ge; fu latrai,
Le fu malai
Kūt! Hūt! Nūt!

Al ŌĀĪ
Rel moai
Ti—Ti—Ti!
Wa la pelai
Tu fu latai
Wi, Ni, Bi.

15. Also thou shalt excite the wheels with the five wounds and the five wounds.

16. Then thou shalt excite the wheels with the two and the third in the midst; even ♄ and ♃, ☉ and ☽, ♂ and ♀, and ☿.

17. Then the five—and the sixth.

18. Also the altar shall fume before the master with incense that hath no smoke.

19. That which is to be denied shall be denied; that which is to be trampled shall be trampled; that which is to be spat upon shall be spat upon.

20. These things shall be burnt in the outer fire.

21. Then again the master shall speak as he will soft words, and with music and what else he will bring forward the Victim.

22. Also he shall slay a young child upon the altar, and the blood shall cover the altar with perfume as of roses.

23. Then shall the master appear as He should appear—in His glory.

24. He shall stretch himself upon the altar, and awake it into life, and into death.

25. (For so we conceal that life which is beyond.)

26. The temple shall be darkened, save for the fire and the lamp of the altar.

27. There shall he kindle a great fire and a devouring.

28. Also he shall smite the altar with his scourge, and blood shall flow therefrom.

29. Also he shall have made roses bloom thereon.

30. In the end he shall offer up the Vast Sacrifice, at the moment when the God licks up the flame upon the altar.

31. All these things shalt thou perform strictly, observing the time.

32. And the Beloved shall abide with Thee.

33. Thou shalt not disclose the interior world of this rite unto any one: therefore have I written it in symbols that cannot be understood.

34. I who reveal the ritual am IAO and OAI; the Right and the Averse.

35. These are alike unto me.

36. Now the Veil of this operation is called Shame, and the Glory abideth within.

37. Thou shalt comfort the heart of the secret stone with the warm blood. Thou shalt make a subtle decoction of delight, and the Watchers shall drink thereof.

38. I, Apep the Serpent, am the heart of IAO. Isis shall await Asar, and I in the midst.

39. Also the Priestess shall seek another altar, and perform my ceremonies thereon.

40. There shall be no hymn nor dithyramb in my praise and the praise of the rite, seeing that it is utterly beyond.

41. Thou shalt assure thyself of the stability of the altar.

42. In this rite thou shalt be alone.

43. I will give thee another ceremony whereby many shall rejoice.

44. Before all let the Oath be taken firmly as thou raisest up the altar from the black earth.

45. In the words that Thou knowest.

46. For I also swear unto thee by my body and soul that shall never be parted in sunder that I dwell within thee coiled and ready to spring.

47. I will give thee the kingdoms of the earth, O thou Who hast mastered the kingdoms of the East and of the West.

48. I am Apep, O thou slain One. Thou shalt slay thyself upon mine altar: I will have thy blood to drink.

49. For I am a mighty vampire, and my children shall suck up the wine of the earth which is blood.

50. Thou shalt replenish thy veins from the chalice of heaven.

51. Thou shalt be secret, a fear to the world.

52. Thou shalt be exalted, and none shall see thee; exalted, and none shall suspect thee.

53. For there are two glories diverse, and thou who hast won the first shalt enjoy the second.

54. I leap with joy within thee; my head is arisen to strike.

55. O the lust, the sheer rapture, of the life of the snake in the spine!

56. Mightier than God or man, I am in them, and pervade them.

57. Follow out these my words.

58. Fear nothing.
Fear nothing.
Fear nothing.

59. For I am nothing, and me thou shalt fear, O my virgin, my prophet within whose bowels I rejoice.

60.Thou shalt fear with the fear of love: I will overcome thee.

61. Thou shalt be very nigh to death.

62. But I will overcome thee; the New Life shall illumine thee with the Light that is beyond the Stars.

63. Thinkest thou? I, the force that have created all, am not to be despised.

64. And I will slay thee in my lust.

65. Thou shalt scream with the joy and the pain and the fear and the love—so that the ΛΟΓΟΣ of a new God leaps out among the Stars.

66. There shall be no sound heard but this thy lion-roar of rapture; yea, this thy lion-roar of rapture.

Goetia evocation: be careful

Goetia evocations and work with Goetia spirits (Paimon, Dantalion, Sair, Sitri, etc.) have served me on many levels.

During most of these operations, I was stabilizing the awareness at Geburah, dealing with a broad spectrum of previously unknown pieces of "shadow" (if I use the Jungian term).

The "Qliphoth" or the "dark side" of stages on the Tree of Life had to be faced, felt, and released.

And Goetia spirits lent their hands big time. The learning was intense and yet rewarding.

The Luciferian Goetia (p. 9) shares:
"The Goetia as it is a tool of  darkness; it is also a tool of strengthening the self – one of fiery light."

A warning

It may seem easy when you read reports on these operations, but that might not be the case.

You have to be careful when dealing with the Goetia spirits. Of course, if your initiation level is above Tiphareth (i.e., 5=6 in A.’.A.’. or higher), things get easier. If not, do get ready before you evoke Sitri to get that sexy girl laid.

You might not be ready when:
* You still ask what are the basic magic rituals.
* You question the strength of your circle.
* You cannot sense your circle or communicate with the entities.
* You are afraid of darkness and demons.
* You have little to no idea on how to astrally protect yourself.
*You have yet to achieve Deity assumption or Knowledge and Conversation of HGA (or mantra siddhi in Tantric terminology); that will help you considerably, especially concerning Goetic evocation or any other evocation of what could be called demons.

Read the whole post on the basics of Solomonic evocations at Studio Arcanis Forum, here >> (when the website is up and running).

You might also want to listen to the podcast on Creating Effective Magical Invocation, from Speach in the Silence, here >>


On the other hand...

Of course, things are not so gloomy, far from it.

If your state of consciousness is just "right", even the Goetia or Grimorium Verum spirits are easy to work with.

Good luck with your evocations!
:)

Attaining the K&C of the HGA

In this article, I want to share my observations about the event that is in Western hermetic tradition called attaining the Knowledge & Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel (K&C of the HGA).

I want to address the specific elements of such attainment and some very important moments in the sadhana of an aspirant that may make a huge difference in the process of attainment.

Therefore, I shall avoid rambling on and on about the history and theory behind the K&C of the HGA concepts. A lot of other texts have been dedicated to that; no need to repeat it here. I will also refrain from conveying my thoughts through complicated symbolism, as there is no need for that either. No more secrets. :)

It is my observation that many sincere and dedicated individuals I have met personally might simply be wasting time and energy with things and rituals that are never ever gonna produce the attainment of the K&C of the HGA. That is the main reason for writing about this rather important topic: hearing and following the inspiration of my own HGA.

Having said that, and on a more personal note, this specific process of attainment is by far the most subjective and individual. Therefore, I invite you to view this text as my subjective reality - my aim is to share, not to educate or teach.



Setting the scene

Attainment of  K&C of the HGA in this context means conscious, real, deep, utterly intimate, and clear awareness of the contact with the transpersonal (meaning transcendental, non-material, and non-elemental) being that is separate (possesses separate identity) from the aspirant and is not her higher self or the soul or atma or paramatma or monada or star, etc...

So, in a way, we can write an occasional looking in the mirror and seeing the HGA right off.

The K&C of HGA in this context, therefore, means the complete non-material and trans-personal state of consciousness where the adept leaves behind his/her mundane and relative personal (material) identifications and fully embraces 'new' and eternal Identity through 'melting' his/her innermost being with the HGA (in intimate exchange of Love or on the wings of Wisdom).

Individuality is inherently present in every single unit of consciousness, and each identity is eternal. Maybe qualitatively speaking, we really are all one with all the Gods and Goddesses, but at the identity level, we are separate. Every man and every woman is a star. So, the HGA is different from the aspirant at all levels of existence (this allows HGA to be within or without, that is, to perceive HGA within us or on the outside). And that's a very good thing, for it allows a love exchange, among other things.

Wasted years?

I have a dear friend whom I have known right from childhood. He is a good friend, and I respect him, but on the other hand, for me, he is a fool (and I usually tell him as much, maybe not in those exact words). He is spending all of his time learning scriptures by heart, performing various elemental, zodiac, and other rituals (he is in O.T.O.), happily (and probably unaware) avoiding facing deeper reality in both his personal and magickal/mystical life. And this has been going on for decades now.

Of course, he is, like many others, I assume, only following the prescribed curriculum of his Order, never questioning its true face value, I guess.

When it comes to the attainment of K&C of the HGA,  there are important things to consider, not just a priori following some instructions, in my experience.

The level that HGA dwells on is NOT material or elemental. HGA is a fully transpersonal being, living and breathing in a different reality from ours. And if we are to make contact with Him/Her, we ought to play by His/Her rules, not by material or elemental or zodiac ones.

Magick without tears, p. 496 shares (emphasis mine):

"But you must remember that your Holy Guardian Angel is not only far more fully instructed than yourself on every point that you can conceive, but you may go so far as to say that it is definitely his work, or part of his work; remembering always that he inhabits a sphere or plane which is entirely different from anything of which you are normally aware."

So, taking the above notions into consideration, my point is that executing planetary, elemental, or zodiac rituals with the hope of attaining the K&C of the HGA can fall short.

In my experience, one really has to raise his awareness ABOVE the planetary, elemental, and zodiac levels, for the transpersonal being dwells therein not. How?

What are you focusing on?

This is very important, I feel: investing energy into material (elemental, or zodiac) rituals may be an obstacle in itself. Our focus determines our reality, and focusing on those non-transpersonal levels is really not so efficient a strategy. Such rituals and practices might change planetary, elemental, and zodiac parts of awareness of the individual, BUT they will NOT help in attaining the K&C of the HGA by themselves.

By studying the Buddhist (or Thelema or any other, for that matter) scriptures, one may become a Ph.D. in Buddhist literature (a very learned individual by all known standards), but it will not produce a Buddha, the Awakened One.
Yes?
You don't have to earn a Ph.D. in any tradition to attain permanent and truly transpersonal experiences. Quite the opposite. The more one is attached to the material (elemental, and zodiac)  stuff, the harder the advancement.

Look at and invest in impermanent planetary, elemental, and zodiac parts of awareness, and only that is what will be seen. Dreaming instead of awakening:

“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. 
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” 
- C.G. Jung

Furthermore, I think it was Crowley who said that attaining the K&C of the HGA is the single most important thing in the life of a person. I agree.
So what's the point in focusing on anything else, really?


Think about it, if you will:
The level from which we perceive a problem or a challenge can never be efficiently used to bring forth the solution to that problem/challenge.

So, we can never ever attain something that is beyond our current level of awareness by employing this exact same level of awareness and tools therein.

Granted, the rituals and various methods may help in the process of attaining K&C of the HGA on the intellectual or maybe energy levels, but they WILL NOT produce the attainment itself.
Nothing can.

The attainment of K&C of the HGA is a process that is totally beyond our control. It is quite the same story with intimacy, isn't it? Can you force an orgasm? Can you make it happen using only your effort, your will, right now?

No amount of rituals and any other deeds can ever directly produce such attainment, simply because the attainment of the K&C of the HGA is transpersonal in nature. And that being the case, surrender is needed.

The Being one is trying to attain is beyond elemental, planetary, and zodiac spheres of awareness. S/he is completely and totally transcendental. S/he is trans-personal, above personal. S/he is eternal, whereas all other parts of awareness are impermanent, fleeting, and ever-changing.

And that being the case, the Being that is perfect by itself needs nothing from an aspirant.

The attainment of the K&C of the HGA in hermetic traditions IS the result of unconditional mercy. It is a gift, and it is a huge gift, actually. You can not make it happen. It is impossible to force it. It is the gift of intimate Love.


What then?

So, what to do?
Whatever you want, whatever you like :)

My unsolicited proposition, however, is this:

1. Realize first that your personal efforts alone will produce no real attainment of the K&C of the HGA.

Admit to yourself that you are not at all capable of attaining the K&C of the HGA on your own.
Admit that you actually need help from Above, from the Being you are seeking contact with.

Loosen up the grip upon the material, elemental, and zodiac rituals, let them go. Tune down the (material) efforts a bit, and let go of the control and intellect!

Depend only on the Being you are seeking Union with. Open up and surrender to Him/Her. Forget the darn material rituals and literal knowledge. The intellect can't really help here, not even in a trillion years.


2. Having done the above,
try to notice that there is a need present in you. There is a sort of lacking present in your heart of hearts.

There is a quality present in all of us, some sort of longing, a yearning. Become aware of it. Now, today.
People try to fulfill this inner need by oh so many things on the outside (by magickal rituals, too). Humans have unlimited creativity for distractions, it seems. Waste of time, in my opinion.

Also, try to understand that everything that has been happening in your life (after you have decided to embark on this mystical/magical path, and even before that) is just a way of your HGA trying to bring you closer to Him/Her. So do trust in Him/Her.

This is crucial:
Now open up and set your inner orientation, and your intention to get closer to your HGA. Open your heart and reach out NOT by action but by intention.

Reach out ONLY for the Light, only for Him/Her. Pray to Him/Her, intend for Him/Her to open your eyes and your heart, and bring you closer. Surrender as much as your current state allows you.

Do this frequently.
Realize that everything that is happening in your world is controlled by your HGA. Link every thought you have, every emotion you feel, and every event that occurs in your life to your HGA.

And inflame yourself in setting the intention, inner yearning ONLY for the HGA, ONLY for the Light from WITHIN. In other words, invoke often, not by performing ritualistic drama, but by making a space in your awareness for your HGA, not with some action but with pure Intention.

Do that, and in no time, you shall be brought into direct contact with your HGA. Even combining the above steps with your current practice will yield fast and lasting results.

Intimacy is the key here. Surrendering and opening up to an intimate relationship or love affair with your  HGA is the key.
And that is a gift. It is the one result of a causeless mercy.

To sum up:
"It is the truth that liberates, not your effort to be free."
- J. Krishnamurti