Written by:
David Randel
The Sanctuary BBS
(608)629-5027 Chapter 1.
SW Wisconsin Occult Studies
Part 1.
All sciences are systems of observation and classification
which seek to establish verifiable laws. The Occult is 'a hidden
science'. The concepts established within the occult field are
practical idealologies used to classify mystic experiences and
metaphysical phenomena. The study of the occult requires an open
mind and a lot of work.
The field of the occult is unique in a strange way,
traditionally occult studies have been carried out in a cladestine
manner. Thus, most of the research material surviving from the past
has been encoded or obscured. The greater part of occult literature
is a second hand interpretation of an experimenters work. Therefore,
a considered understanding of the occult is important. To take the
views of the barely interested as gospel truth can leave one with a
vague or awful impression.
What the occult is not has filled volumes from people
who are afraid or are of mercenary motives. To start with,the
occult is not devil worship. Although its techniques can be
very powerful in uncovering base realities which may be Evil,
it is not evil in its own right. Like the formal system of
logic,that does not define truth; the occult does not attempt
to define good and evil. But rather to un-cover that which is
reality,yet unseen or hidden. Pure Occultism is a study,not
a practice.
The occult is not anti-religion. Although many occultists
have begun their journeys bitter with the church and somewhat
anti-religious. But after years of study or personal mysticism gain
respect and understanding of the place of the church in a
universal prospective. This gain in prospective itself can
make years of dedication worthwhile.
The occult deals with what is unseen. It does not
attempt to classify that which does not exist, other than to
recognize non-existence as a logical class in its own right.
Some things have been first perceived through their general effect.
The thing itself is not apprehended,but its presence is known by
how its environment responds. Gravity might serve as an example.
Whereas, the mechanical cause has not been discovered,the effects
can not be denied. Yet we are still able to symbolically formulate
gravity and study its unseen source.
The field of the occult also concerns itself with that
which has been hidden or obscured. During the middle years of our
history,in a time of uncertainty,many things that where known
but remained controversial, where put into code and symbol.
The occult library contains some of the most obscure documents to
be found. In some cases this obscurity is all that preserved these
records into our time,for centuries of work accomplished by many
dedicated occultists,who pieced together the puzzle of reality into
a working system,was shattered by the fears of the masses.
The focus of occult studies have varied. As new discoveries
have shaped our environment, the needs of the individual man and
society have changed. What began in the shadows of occult
speculation have emerged as our arts and sciences used today in
the daylight of understanding. The goal of the occult is not to
wallow in the depths of the unknown, but to enter the unknown and
return with the gems of truth.
At one time, all sciences,philosophies and religions were
bound together into systems similar to the Hermetic mystic schools
of the Egyptians. What we recognize as religion and science today
was once the realm of the occult and to gain access,one had to be
initiated for the journey into the unknown or mysterious can be
deceiving and dangerous to some who are unprepared or misrepresentitive.
Mystery schools have always had a place in history and
in the human heart. As the veils of superstition have been rent
in the path of discovery,so Mankind has become secure in their everyday
lives. Each decade brings a greater life expectancy as the science of our bodies improve. But our hearts still sense more. We can
explain things in our bodies up to a certain point and then all
explanation fails. Some people yield to this as an acceptable
boundary. They resolve that it is not possible to know all of the
infinite, that their minds are not capable of comprehending the mind
of God. While other people seek to discover and chart the depths
of an infinite God that continues to unfold revealing new vistas of
consciousness, being,and tangible reality. As these explorers reach
out,they discover the rich heritage of their fathers. The most
ancient of which belonged to the mystery schools.
These schools have at times been small gatherings of
friends or social circles. Sometimes they have been state supported.
The great schools have been in conjunction with the state,but this
greatness has not guaranteed their attunement with either the Truth
or the best interests of their students. The truly effective schools
like those of Pythagoras,combined mysticism with a dogmatic discipline
orientated towards the practical.
As concrete sciences where distilled from the waters of
superstition,so rose the fine ethers of mystic knowledge. Those
who where subtle enough to see these wisps of rarefied reality,
chose analogy and parables to explain what they saw. Mythology has
always served as a vehicle to enlighten those who look deeper and
correlate the hidden meanings. To the left went mathematics, to
the right went metaphysics. Mathematics to measure that which
appeared to be tangible,metaphysics to measure the seeming intangible,
or base causes of phenomena. In the center remained the occult,
ever advancing in step with humanity,as the science of veils. An art
sculpting forms of thought out of the void,to be tested in the
forge of man's reason.
Many disciplines fall under the umbrella of the occult and
the occult systems of analysis can become tools for other fields of
study. For example,Magic,Mysticism,Alchemy,Spiritualism and all
forms of divination belong to the field of the occult. Where as,
religion,Psychology,Metaphysics and Philosophy all have their
genesis in the occult. And all benefit when occult tools and systems
are used to clarify inner relationships. In Psychology,Carl Jung
used alchemy and mysticism extensively to demonstrate the hidden
workings of the human mind. The backbone of religious discovery
is absolutely Mystic,as the unveiling of divine truths and experiences.
The metaphysical scientist reaches into the farthest frontiers of
reality,creating new pathways for thought,new modules of conception,
while never losing sight of the truths in established reality. The
metaphysicians mind travels beyond the stars,but his feet are
grounded in the Laws of Physics. Einstien's "Gerdunkin experiments"
or thought experiments were fine applications of metaphysical thought.
Einstien's successes in the ethereal have brought home new definitions
of reality and new pathways for the study of physics and mathematics.
Of course,like any tool,the occult sciences and arts
have fallen into abuse. There are unscrupulous or undisciplined
people who have taken the knowledge or prestige of the occult
and used it to control other people,students or themselves for
pleasure and profit. The old story of the priests in the temple
who accepted the food and money gifts in the name of their God,
and would sneak in at night and consume all,is a common and
recurring story. In the realm of the unseen,there are many
beings who creep and crawl,usually it's some corrupt medium or
spiritualist or even a priest or two. They probe the weaknesses
of others with their occult knowledge and then prey upon them,
usually only for sensual or monetary gain.
Some of the techniques utilized in magic are very personal
between the Master magician and his apprentice. At times,the path
necessary to mind,body and spirit calls for close intimate contact.
New definitions of mentalism and spirituality may at times call for
new definitions of intra-body communication. Whether hetrosexual,
homosexual or omnisexual,these techniques are the most commonly abused.
Whereas the student should be warned to closely examine the motives of
their teacher before any commitment,he should be reminded that after
commitment,they should follow their instructions explicitly. For the nature of a pure commitment would exclude the harm or abuse of one to
the other.
In its place,sexuality is the fastest way to communicate
magical knowledge. The difference between a magical sexuality and
gross sexuality is vast. Without an understanding of this
difference,many students have abandoned their magical pursuits in
disgust and mistrust. A magical sexuality leads to a freedom from
the illusions of desire,an uncontrolled sexuality leads to a perpetuation
of desire.
The natural and traditional gravitation of an adept and
student has been man to man and women to women,therefore a
homosexual rapport is most predominant among the higher echelon
of magicians. For some who find this repulsive,a study or meditation
is suggested to distinguish the motives and essences of the
sexual act itself. If you are still repulsed,then perhaps you have not
reached a point in your training where such intensive acceleration
is possible or necessary. In a man to woman magical relationship,
extreme care is necessary so as not to nullify each others force,thus
creating a bond destined for stagnation.
Ultimately,there are those who would abuse the rights and
responsibilities of being either teacher of apprentice. How difficult
it is for even the pure of heart to fend off temptations brought
to them by knowledge and power.
But,there exists another brand of villain who is truly
dangerous,who is absolutely dedicated to evil. Usually these
people or beings are deluded as to their own grandeur. Sometimes
they feel rejected by society and therefore are compelled by waves
of uncontrolled hate. But by far the most dangerous are those
who having been hardened and devoided of natural human emotions
and Love, and have systemized their hate into an occult or magical
war. They are dedicated to conquest for the sake of domination
and power. Sadism and domination,satanism and black sorcery
are a few traits and practices that manifest in an individual
personality who has accepted evil as an acceptable path to fulfillment.
Fascism and nazism are examples of systemized hatred in the open
world. But,this is only the objective manifestation of an inner
conflict of forces.
These forces have a deeper occulted source. A source
that is not evil or chaotic,but can be easily misinterpreted or
distorted by those whose motives are not so pure. This source is
so subtle that even those who have dedicated themselves with a
positive motive have difficulty staying on the path. This source
is Reality itself. But man's conception of reality is not always
in parallel with Reality. These aberrations are the veils to be
penetrated by occult and mystic studies. If a man penetrates
veils that are impervious to many and then uses this new point
of view against his brothers,then this proposes a very dangerous
situation. On the other hand,if a man crosses to new views or
perspectives of reality and assists or instructs his brothers
and sisters,then the effort is beneficial and akin to divinity.
The occult studies seek first to prepare the individual
for intensive involvement with the unknown. Then to open the mind
to the infinite,projecting into it. To break continuity of
concept and yet not to lose sight of a point of reference,and
finally to change that point of reference to another,thereby
creating expansion of concept,prospective and perception. Growth.
The hardest part for the new student is to find a true
Master. Because of the nature of discovery and interaction beyond
the veils,a real adept may have little incentive to teach.
Those who have gone beyond,like the dead,find little satisfaction
in returning for the simple sake of returning. Those who live
their lives out after psychic illumination,do so in conjunction
with their new prospective and they are generally caught up in
a stream of positive existence. Usually there must be some
reason for an adept to get involved with teaching occult arts
to anyone. There is no benefit in the actual instruction for
the adept. There is no new or fundamental knowledge that will
be brought to light for the Adept,if he really is adept.
How many teachers there are that are not adepts or true
Masters. Perhaps,if there was love between the master and student,
then this would facilitate a desire on the Masters part to teach his
own extension how to drink from the cup of Life. Another reason
for beings to come together might be energy. The give and take of
power between dynamic individuals. The Spirit may also lead two beings
together. This would be recognized by the adept in his capacity as a
seer,and responded to accordingly,with impeccability.
The preparation of an occult student can be quite tedious
both to the student and the master. At times years of study
and preparation go by with no results. At other times,the effects
of instilling only a little knowledge is astounding. Most of the
work resembles swimming across a stream of water,the rising and
falling of emotions,the hang-ups of intellectual surety(righteousness),
the whirl-pools of desire,all create a unique and dynamic back-drop
where a student must overcome his own forces before he can begin the
journey into the infinite.
A systematic study of the occult is mostly concerned with
the uncovering and organization of concepts and facts that might be
useful to the further uncovering of truths. It is a SYSTEM of
discovery. The study of magic is concerned with mechanics of
PRACTICE that relate to the mystic point of view. The study of
mysticism relates to a direct EXPERIENCE with the conventionally
unseen. Therefore,the occult,magical and mystical studies have
always been interrelated.
Sometimes a student comes along who demonstrates proficiency
in either magic or mysticism,but has very little knowledge of
practical application or traditional systems. They may be unaware
of the dangers and pitfalls that accompany such an accelerated
existence. This is the optimum scenario for occult studies.
Another scenario might include an individual who is a student of
the "objective" sciences like mathematics,biology,astronomy,
physics or psychology who desires to implement systems of conceptual
block-busting.
It's important to distinguish pure occult from the systems
of magic and mysticism. And especially from Satanism. In other
discussions it is important to further distinguish Satanism from
magic and mysticism. Satanism is in a class of its own. In Satanism
definitive decisions have been made and a direct path has been chosen.
In the occult,the end is unseen and the path is only illuminated where
one stands. The occult is not good or evil anymore than Logic is right or wrong.
The concepts of good and evil can be confusing when one
enters into occult studies. The first impression of the occult
might be that many things that are commonly considered evil are
being dealt with. But most of this is simply an acknowledgment
of the existence of Evil,as one might be warned of pitfalls on a
journey. If one denies the existence of these forces,then one can
not hope to be free from them. Further confusion springs forth during
discussions with students in the attempt to do away with labeling
objects,other beings and actions as good or evil. One technique of
dealing with this is to use the terms "Order and Chaos". In this way
some events which are destructive by nature are not confused with
being evil,when in fact they fit into meta-patterns of order.
Many of the acts that a person performs in a lifetime
make no sense at all. Imperfect thought patterns,negative
influences,poorly considered data,fear,hostility and deceit
all contribute to improper prospective,negative perceptions,
and isolation of being. Ineffective character traits like
lazyness,self-indulgence,self-pity or an undisciplined frame
of mind further confound a relationship with reality. Every
serious student of the occult must come to terms with their
personal behavior patterns. There are some systems that suggest
or demand a very harsh asceticism. Abstaining from all but
the goal at hand. For some this is necessary,for others
this harshness would be chaotic.
A long term goal on the mystic path is freedom. Freedom
of thought,word and deed. One of the short term goals is clarity.
These steps on the mystic path are also the first steps for
an occultist. To gain freedom in action and clarity of vision,
one must rid oneself of the vices that cause a lose of control.
This is the only kind of self-discipline necessary,in contrast
to untold batteries of self-flagellation proposed by some religions
in the middle-east. But don't be fooled by a sense of easy,the
control of a single vice can tap ones energy to the point of
exhaustion. Again the goal is not to wrap oneself with bonds of
discipline as in some kind of karma punishment;nor as if the act
itself had merit,but only enough discipline to set yourself free from
illusion. If bondage itself brought order to some poor being long
enough to free its soul,then bondage is the proscription. But similarly, if total hedonism is the ticket to an ordered existence,then do
what is necessary.
Clarity comes with time by practice and patience. It is
possible to accelerate the process by altering the perception.
This alteration can be caused by changing your state of being,
or changing your position in the environment. Meditation,psychotrophic
drugs,accident or injury,insanity,shock,stress,depression all
can alter ones state of being enough to shift the perception.
Another way is to be in the vicinity of an enlightened being
or person whose very presence invokes a movement of ones
continuity or focus. Softer methods like meditation are suggested
to beginners and even more experienced practitioners. As clarity
improves,deeper trance states are possible. Meditation
techniques afford the greatest control over perceptual alteration,
only surpassed by the practice of Alchemy.
Now many questions can be asked about which system is best
for you individually. What is the reasoning behind various techniques?
Who are the best teachers? Mystics? Magicians? What are the major
traditions? These are are questions belonging to the field of the
occult. And are necessary questions to any student of magic as well.
It is proper for a serious seeker of mystic truths to consider themselves
as an occult student. In this way,they may approach the subject matter
with the most inclusive and yet clarified of attitudes.
Part 2.
The first responsibility of the new occultist is to
develope a broad base education. Obviously, If you can not
read you will not be able to absorb the rich history, nor
understand the power of words. This doesn't mean the simple
reading adequate for enjoyment on a summer afternoon, but rather
with skill, able to differentiate allusion from illusion.
One reason good reading skills are so important is that
most of the books available to the average student on the occult
are ninety percent irrelevant or redundant. Knowledge is all
around us if we want it. And ten percent of personally
relative material can be found in any book (technique used by
author, not meant as an absolute statement). Almost any book
can provide insight either directly or indirectly into the unseen
side of man and the workings of the universe. Even fiction can give
powerful visions of the mechanical universe. Sometimes fiction
offers the only medium for an author to express previously
unexplainable insights or perceptions. Against this,compare
the bulk of material churned out by authors who find the subject
of occult fascinating and have spent lots of library time developing
an excellently prepared manifesto explaining things that have
been written and rewritten for centuries. It has been said that
'good magicians make poor writers and good writers make poor
magicians'. The works of many great masters are lost for lack of
documentation. This is the place of scribes.
Another reason for developing word power is to raise the
likelihood of common understanding or similar metapatterns of thought.
This is called raising the epistemic probability. This is a measurement
of the potential of two or more people to use the same words to express
the same thought. Each person utilizing the same pattern of words not
by wrote, but by independent assimilation. Not only does a new terminology
have to be developed by the student, but also a new point of view.
To understand the magicians prospective on the universe,
the "Sorcerers Explanation" (Jaunist term) must be absorbed. This
technique is not verbal in the mundane sense. But is a direct
transference of knowledge from the Spirit within the master, To the
Spirit within the student. To an unprepared person, this would propose
dangerous potentials for insanity or maybe worse, indifference to the
presence of the Spirit,for lack of an ability to comprehend. As a
student develops their ability to comprehend in a dynamic way, so do they
increase their capacity to incarnate what they have absorbed.
One of the best ways to develop a broad base of knowledge
is the study of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences. This includes,
Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy.
These are the classical subjects for study and upon these the
base of civilization has been built. Of course there are many
other fields of knowledge to study, each offering a contribution
to the collective conscience of humanity. But these seven offer a
particular set of tools for unlocking a special point of view of reality.
The study of the occult requires a firm constitution
of Spirit, Mind and Body. All three aspects of being are interrelated.
At some levels they are interdependent and at other levels
they are not. Sometimes special effort is nescessary to bring together
a constructive harmony between body, mind and Spirit. Some people prefer
to remain at levels where the perfection of inter-connection is seemingly
less inportant to their daily lives. They do not spent any time to
understand the workings or needs of the different parts of their being.
But this understanding is crucial to the mystic, occultist or magician.
If a mystic attempted to transcend his body and his body
was in poor health. The unbalance could cause the death of
his body. At least, his Psyche would sense the unbalance and
not allow the transcendence to take place. The strain could cause
all kinds of aborations and resulting confusion.
If a magician attempted to project his forces without
mental discipline, all kinds of autonamous creations could result.
Likewise, if a spiritual disharmony exists, how could the magician
expect to control of his forces? And further, if weak in body, how
could he protect his point of reference?
And if the occultist does not develop the faculties
of discernment, he will be at the mercy of superstition, illusion
and fraud. If he does not keep good health, the mental energies
will be low. If the occultist has no Spiritual awareness, then why
is he involved in this pursuit and to what ends will the gathering
of occult knowledge be used?
For the occultist, the mind is the focus point, but he
studies the mystic and magical arts. For the mystic, the Spirit is
the central guide and Love, but the occult sciences and magical
arts are crucial for the mystics comprehension and duty.
The magician may develop natural abilities, but these are usually
spasmodic until he learns to control the natural desires of his body.
Therefore the universe within the Temple of his body are of
primary interest to the magician.
All three aspects of being and these three corresponding
uses are very interrelated at the higher levels of being. By
higher, I mean closer to the source of being. Respectively,
lower refers to farther from the source. By source, I mean
the source of Life. At the lower or farther levels, the harmony
and correlation of these aspects of Life breakdown. At a certain
distance they cease to be relative to each other and become either
inactive (functionally dead); or active, but autonomous; or dependent
upon other polarizing agents (aspects of other beings).
To reach into the source of Life, is to become an agent
in the creation processes. To live at all, is to be a vital
and inescapable part of creation. With this life comes a basic
responsibility to oneself, to the source of life and to all within
the realm of ones shadow. This is the basic responsibility of moral,
ethical, material and eternal survival. But with the assumption
of a magical existence, the requirements become more complex as
the involvement increases. To become an active magician (redundant)
is to utilize what one has learned and to take control and
responsibility for all that one manifests. To assume the life
of a mystic is to perceive not only the universal manifestations,but
also the manifestations as the result of oneself. To be an occultist
is to be a full-time student who learns what is possible and what is
true from false in the realm of knowledge.
An occultists responsibility is, to maintain integrity in
their work, while transferring a factual account of discovery. Therefore,
the occultist must know his true self, using the technique of the mystic,
while optimizing impeccability in the way of the magician.
In many ways, the occultist is the historian, scribe and
assistant to the mystic and magician. When the students goal is
to become a mystic or magician, then the study of occult becomes
fundamental. It is possible to remain an occultist, enjoying the
rich literature, history, art and poetry of the mystic world, but
never practicing magic. It is also possible to become a mystic
without studying the occult literature, but expression of the
experience would be difficult. And needless time and energy would
be wasted on many dead end paths that could have been avoided if
the expiriences of others would have been observed. It is also
possible to become a mystic without the practice of magic, but
There are aspects of this world that have become ingrained
into our society. Some of these aspects are not normally observed
by the average person. Special interest, time and labor would have
to be spent trying to obsurve things that are concidered unusual or
abnormal. Most people who get involved in the occult are young
people who are experimenting with lifestyles. That is when some of
the stranger aspects of society may surface in their lives and demand
attention or expression. Once these people have found a balanced way to
express themselves, they usually move on to what most would consider
normal lives.
If close attention is paid to someone who passes though
an occult phase in their development, one may observe a sequence
of events involving personal growth.
Lets take a hypothetical case of a youth who passes through
a stage of vampire affinity. Don't be confuses that I'm saying
that the occult is vampirism or that vampirism exists in the
movie sense, but only that the phychological affinity is real and that
the study of vampirism belongs under the umbrella of the occult.
It may occur that this person is naturally introverted.
They may have observed things is the world or society that may
have appeared particularly brutal or macabre, but that was accepted
by society or those whom they loved or respected. This would send
confusing signals into their psyche's. At first, they may deny
that such brutality exists. But soon internal images may began
to surface as the mind wrestles to sort difficult concepts.
Lets say that at a second stage they see a vampire movie
or read a book on black sorcery, they might identify with many
of the characteristic personality stereotypes of the vampire scenario:
the desire for dramatic expirience, the ability to conquer death,
a dynamic strength in will, A few powers and in general,an ability
to survive if even as an outcast. These are all desirable characteristics
except for the small matter of survival by the consumption of life
and the usually brutal method of accomplishing this terrible task.
But to the young and sensitive mind of our hypothetical
subject, they have already found themselves in a brutal world
where survival depends upon the taking of life, where the art
of seduction is taught to most daughters and the art of war to
most sons. They already may feel like an outcast and loneliness
itself is a compulsion to exploration. What a small distance it
is to make the jump from the ordinary to the supernatural when
alone and conceptually confused.
As they assume the role model of a vampire or black sorcerer,
they first begin with mannerisms that have been heretofore inaccessible
to motor control. They become more aggressive as they fully assume
the role, they reflect it into their cloths and general appearance.
Soon they are in black all the time, their social associations also
reflect people whom they can play act their new persona.
For some, as the persona becomes stronger and rehearsed,
the worst may happen, the persona may become autonomous. If this
happens then there may be a struggle for dominance between the
weaker introverted personality and the tailor made entity designed
to interact with what was originally conceived as a brutal and
hostile world. The weapons and defenses of the new personality
may therefore reflect a more brutal and hostile nature.
This Jungarian example, although extreme, is not at all
uncommon. The image of the vampire was used by the subconscious
for a number of reasons. First, because it was a frightening image.
These images are used to bluff enemies and to fortify themselves
against a perceived hostile environment. It protects the inner- self
from destructive images and vibrations coming in upon metapatterns of other life forces.
Lets go into an example of the correct use of an occult
explanation to decipher a phenomena. First, notice that in our
hypothetical situation that the subject was first found having
a weak personality and character and secondly subjected to a
battery of negative supernatural images. In our analysis, we
are best prepared to examine the situation because of our additional
mystic prospective offers a special empathy from which to draw
facts from.
The psyche and the mind interact with the environment to
create a tangible inner reality. This reality is a buffer between the
soul and the rest of existence. Perceptions filter into a being,
and force flows out of a being. This buffer zone can filter
the direct communication of impulses, sympathetically and autonomouslly
interacting with the environment. Consciousness forms upon the
same medium as this inner reality. This medium is the shielding
of the inner-self. This is the place where defence mechanisms
and demons are born. At the same time, (or space), this is the
breast of industry and civilization.
There is something important to consider here, that there
are a great number of people in pain and conflict. Much of this
is due to their own doings, mostly from confusion. But none the
less, they are still in pain; deep within a psycho-physiological
level. This pain and confusion is the result of millions of beings
existing through eons of generations, living and dieing, loving and
warring. And unless your from another planet, you can not escape
psychic influence here unless you are in sanctuary. (This sanctuary
is usually a place that has been cleared by a magician or priest or
a person of strong conviction interacting with the Spirit.)
Outside of a sanctuary, one is in a jungle of chaotic forces.
Unorganized emanations coming out of everyone from the baker to
the butcher. Written upon these emanations are traces of vibration
reflecting the metapatterns of the source being. Add to this
system the genetic archetype images that have been passed down
through he generations from seed to seed; psyche to psyche. Put it all
together and you have an archetypical and dynamic language of intellect,
emotion and form.
Different aspects of ones being interact at different levels
of existence. If an autonomous force is personified into a being,
then it is possible for that being to interact with other beings
of the same material density. If things are viewed in this way,
then further observations will reveal multiple beings emanating
from the same source manifesting autonomouslly one from the other.
Although sovereign each to its realm, and individual in reality,
they are not incommunicado from each other. Ones higher and lower
consciousness can be perceived.
In the lower realm, form itself breaks down and the force
of order diffuses into chaos. Here are the last outposts of existence
surviving against the attack of the course environment. Here the
only forms available to act as a vehicles for existence are symbolic
fragments of the mind that have been projected from a living being
into the void. You are simultaneously the result of beings and
the cause of the existence of beings beyond your own reality.
Any of these beings who do not realize their source, are
in darkness and are subject to misconception. Self-realization
is paramount to a proper interface with the environment. The
resulting confusion of a being existing is darkness with a life
expectancy of a century and a problem of survival can be overwhelming.
One can become desperate and choose to trespass or loot. Perhaps
even go to war against imagined enemies where survival goes to the
most powerful. These are all imaginings of a being who is paranoid
and desperate. But just because they are paranoid and desperate
doesn't mean that they don't have reason to be. Perhaps their
survival does depend upon cunning and power, we can not judge anyone
(or any being) for why they do something; we can only protect ourselves
from the onslaught of misconception and then channel the misguided
forces.
In the same way that our misguided hypothetical subject
created the persona of a vampire, we can create a persona for many
useful purposes. To heal or teach, to comfort or even to reach
new worlds as vehicals for our consciousness. The study of occult
literature will reveal many techniques for the development of
mentalism and psychic abilities, but only a practicing mystic can
interact effectivly on different levels of being.
The system of Freemasonry offers one of the most disciplined
courses of mentalism in the world. It is simplistic in form but
dynamic in symbolism. Its value may be measured in its effectiveness
to offer sanctuary to its workers and apprentices. Here the veil
of secrecy hides only love and innocence which has become one of
the strongest influences known in the mystic realms.
A study of jungarian psychology may enlighten ones view
of the inner world. A study of alchemy would offer instructions
for the development of ones multifold existence into a cohesive
force. Zen offers a way to clear away the webs of illusion.
Buddha shows the way to self existence and perfection through inner
realization. And Christ shows the way to divinity through the act of
self-sacrifice and faith. In these few examples we find rich role
models, strong archetypes and clear images. How far this is from
the Vampire.
In the study of the occult, one uses many systems to analyze
a phenomenon. But in all cases, it remains only an attempt to
put the experience into words for the study of another. What
I have attempted to do in the above example is to demonstrate how
many perspectives and terminologies blend into an occult explanation.
The explanation is my own and is a composit of my systems. Psychology,
philosophy, metaphysics, mysticism and religion have all been utilized
to offer an explanation of the personality manifestation phenomenon.
Because the subject matter of the negative role model was evil and in
fact supernatural, what objective science alone could offer would be
insufficiant without the prospective offered by the mystic of religious
experience.
Because there is no objective proof that the soul exists or life
after death, any explanation that includes these concepts remains
occult. At most it becomes reachable by the field of metaphysics and in
rare situations, when real genius applies its self, some concepts
are discerned and organized into ideas useful to the philosopher.
Thus, the role of the occultist is to conceive. To explore
and study existence is all its forms. An occultist is at first a
student for even in the practice of magic one must first have been a
student. But whereas some systems evolve into the practice of new
skills outside of the mother system, occultism remains an educational
system dedicated to discovery.
Part 3.
MYSTICISM
Mysticism is a way of life. Although here we will examine
the realm of the mystic, mysticism is not a course in intellectual
speculation. It is not a philosophy, although mysticism has been
called "the absolute of philosophy". The mystic path is the path
of Life. Life itself is a mystic event. To gain full consciousness
of ones own inner life is to journey to the cause of life itself in
all its splendor.
Mysticism and religion go hand in hand. From the newest
initiate of the Shamanistic mysteries to the highest order of
Greek Orthodox clergy: all seek a mystic union with with some aspect
of God. And the Great Spirit in its many forms is ever present
in all of this worlds religions. All beings seek the Truth, each
in their own way. Truth is Reality. But as reality 'appears' different,
to different consciousness',so there appear to be different truths.
Yet there remains only one Reality/Truth based upon that which exists.
Thus, many religions. Each representing a point of view of reality,
each based upon a great oneness that unifies all. A mystic prospective
recognizes the oneness of the Spirit in all these diverging religions.
The One True Church; 'not built with human hands'.
Some believe that mysticism is an off-shoot of the occult.
But the reverse is true, it is the occult sciences that have
intellectually labored to understand the mystic. For mysticism
is the highest form of constructive consciousness. And the occult
field examines all systems of controlled consciousness. Including
contemporary theories of psychology and hypnotism in its effort to
accumulate the facts relating to Spiritual phenomena and paradox.
Some confuse mysticism with magic. While there are some
mystics who have accepted the responsibilities of the magician,
most remain contemplative, searching for or experiencing higher and
higher levels of spiritual existence. Some of these contemplatives
have left the veiled folds of Gods universal garment and returned
to the mundane world;not only to teach and heal, but also to
enjoy this planet to its fullest, experiencing the Divine presence
in every face, plant and rock.
These true adepts have made contact with Divine consciousness
through the medium of the Spirit. They have a vision and the second
sight; a new prospective and the power of impeccable living. With
these powers they assist those they love though manifestations of
the Spirit and they enrich the Spirit with these acts of love.
To do this they use leverage. This leverage is brought about through
ritual. In ritual are found the tools and 'Laws of Magic'. To use
these tools is to put on the robe of a magician, but the person remains
a mystic. A mystic in the robes of a magician. A very important
distinction. Anyone can open a ritual book and go through the motions
of a ceremony,but without the Spirit, 'their voices be as the tinkling
of little bells'.
If we first define mysticism as a way of life, it seems
natural then to ask, 'how does one live mystically?' There are
many mystic paths that all lead to the same court yard. But they
all have one thing in common, intimate contact with the Spirit. There
have always been men who are ready to teach anything for a price.
But only the truest teachers have taught that the path is within
and have only endeavored to prepare the student with tools for the
journey.
The first steps of a mystic journey include finding inner
balance. There are many aspects to ones balance. Security is a large
factor in many lives. If ones attention is gathered about stratagies
of mundane survival, then this distracts time and energy from the
thrust of ones mystic endeavor. This is part of the Great Work of
those Masters and Adepts who establish places of sanctuary for those
who seek light. They realize the importance of prosperity in freeing
up the mind,body and spirit from the ravages of hunger. How can
any student maintain inner balance when worrying about their next meal.
Many eastern mystic paths have included how to deal with
bodily survival as an actual part of their teaching. Most of the
ancient martial arts schools where monasteries of the highest
mystic orders. The alignment of mind,body and spirit are crucial
in combat. A dynamic spirit manifests a dynamic body. A well
trained body is obedient to the Spirit. An uncluttered mind does
not interfere with the union of the Spirit and body.
In the west, perhaps Templarism serves as a shining example
of the use of the 'discipline's of combat' to prepare for the inner
conflicts sometimes engaged by those on the paths of Truth. The
Templar path teaches temperance & fortitude,camaraderie & charity. The knight is sworn to protect the Temple,his point of reference
is within sanctuary. The true path of a Knights Templar is a spiritual
one. It is a spiritual commitment from one knight to another and a
commitment to those who are poor in spirit,mind and body. The rest
is preparedness in an effort to perfect oneself for that journey
through the dark valley of the shadow of death, only the beginning
of a greater mystic journey.
There are those who have chosen the road of the ascetic.
This is the way of hard discipline, self denial and deep constant meditation. For some this is necessary. For others, it isn't.
The best path is one up the middle. 'The Middle Path';neither
too hard for the sake of being harsh, nor to soft for reasons of
indulgence. For just as there are those who believe that the
path to Truth is a hard road, there are those who believe that
the path of Truth is a joyous event. Some are inclined to believe
that wanton hedonism, as in the feast of Bacchus, is the only
way to liberate the true inner self. Although both asceticism
and hedonism contain jewels of exotic splendor, the Middle-Path
is the most practical for the greatest number of beings. It is
humane. Thus, 'to thy own self be true'.
One of the more developed systems of mysticism is the
QABALA (QBL).(equivalent spellings- Kaballa,Qabalah,Quabala,etc)
It is considered by many to be of great antiquity and to be the
key to understanding the hebrew texts. While these claims are
controversial, much of modern western mysticism leans upon this
hebraic system. The keystone to the Qabbalistic study is a glyph
known as "The Tree of Life". This diagram shows the relationships
of ten spheres of Divine manifestation, one to another and then
back to God, The mundane world as the tenth sphere.
The arrangement of the spheres into triads and the further
arrangement of these triads into columns give rise to three columns
or paths. The center column is called "The Middle Path". This
is an example of an organized approach to mysticism. But
this is only a system,and not the only one. If one follows the
example of the middle path and does not become all-inclusive nor
all-exclusive of any system,then this open mindedness will lead
to the best of many systems and the opportunity to experience
the widest spectrum of humanity.
Many of the great systems of mysticism are interconnected.
Some have arisen in an orderly manner, through Divine revelation
or the natural organization of tribe and society. Other systems
have manifested out of antagonism,anti-religious or political
motivations. For example,Satanism was born in opposition to
Christianity. But mystic truths transcend the systems which born
them, for mystic truths are universal and absolute.
There are some truths which do not die out and are so inspiring
that great people go to extremes to preserve and pass them on.
Those who come into intimate contact with the Spirit of Truth
understand its immortality and Divine nature. It can be
seen how Truth itself can transcend the vehicle of its deliverance.
By Truth, I mean the absolute manifestation of reality within
consciousness of Life. For while there are many consciousness's,
there is only one reality. Something either exists or it doesn't.
The idea taught by all of the greatest teachers is that a path
is available to all. They themselves have served as the proof and
example that there is a way of life that leads to peace and perfection,
or oneness with God; which is reality. This is the path of Truth.
By word of mouth, scroll or book, myths and legends
that attempt to point at a better way of being have been passed down
threw the generations. Fathers handing down wisdom to their sons, mothers
teaching understanding to their daughters. Sometimes informally,
as in the telling of a simple tale around the home fire,but also
through highly complex colleges of thought that seek to articulate
the sum of knowledge of the world to devoted scholars.
Some of the oriental schools have existed for hundreds of years,
disseminating knowledge that has existed for thousands of years.
Other schools have been as simple as a child's Sunday school class.
But all of these systems of schools have one thing in common, person
to person contact. For the great bodies of written literature serve
only to prepare a student for the journey.
It's direct contact that causes assimilation of Wisdom.
Knowledge can be second hand, derived from books or through
logical reasoning. But Wisdom must be given and received through
the Spirit. All Wisdom is divine in nature. The path of
the wise is a divine path. The path to God is a mystic path.
Divine knowledge is mystic or hidden knowledge. The mystic believes
that divine knowledge, as the result of a divine experience, is
attainable.
Only by one person to another or through the direct
intervention of the Spirit can Wisdom and power be transmitted.
In all cases including from one person to another, it is the Spirit
of the creator that permeates into the fabric of a beings core and
enlightens them with love and understanding. Then, the universe is
perceived in a complete way. A continuity of parts within the whole.
The underlying structure of reality is directly perceived and
the synthesis of a new consciousness based upon an infinite
metapattern develops. Mind, body and soul become imprinted
with an infinite alphabet capable of communicating in a pristine
language, designs for the order of existence.
Then it is realized how the absolute, the infinite and
the abstract are organized into what we call objective reality.
When the tangible material world is viewed by this light, what
was once considered subjective and secondary is put into its
proper place. The foundation and source of all things is common
to all things. Being, is recognized as functional to the
existence of life and life as necessary to the order of matter.
Wisdom instructs in a direct non-sylogistic manner and informs
the mystic of the absolute and subtle relationships between
being and matter.
For the mystic, the oneness of all things reveals the
life in all things. The self is the all and all is the self,
therefore such distinctions are not necessary. This is confusing
to the non-mystic who organizes their thought into polarizations
which include "I" and "NOT-I". The non-mystic who observes the
world in this manner would experience illusory gains and losses
while attempting a life journey. The non-mystic who has not been
blessed by the realization of love in the Spirit experiences an
incompleteness in thought, word and action that usually they try
to fulfill with the introduction of material taken from other
beings or manifestations.
This results in the deeper separation of themselves from their
original source and a dependence upon the artificial securities and
stimulations afforded to them by the opportunities offered on this
planet by the cooperation of other beings. The mystic steps out
of this cycle of self-destruction and recognizes the values of
harmonic progress into expanding unity. To a non-mystic this
is meaningless.
A mystic seeks to be in step with the creator. To be
like God, not to be a God. But even this distinction fails, for
the realization of the divine nature transcends the great and
small type of comparison. For, is the drop of water that merges
with the river smaller than the river? The total energy propels
the drop and the drop adds to the whole. The drop that flows
into the ocean has changed from the drop that entered into the
river, but it is the same drop of water. How many other changes
happen that evolve and pass a particle from one side of the universe
to the other, at one time a drop of water may have been at the core
of some comet and at another the tear in your eye, tomorrow it
becomes the keystone to another lifeform. Where is the "I" of
the non-mystic. Is it where he thinks it is? Perhaps he may
find that it is possible to share a single individuality, and
then to what extent.
How can these things be explained? They can only be
pointed at with discussion. The mind that has not experienced
some kind of contact with the Spirit will have difficulty
comprehending a mystic discussion. Not for lack of intelligence,
but for lack of examples to draw from. How much easier it is
to explain a car to someone who has seen a water-pump, than to
someone like a Bushman who may never have seen a piece of molded
metal. Likewise, how can one explain the connections of mind
and Spirit without sounding like a non-materialist? Or, how can
one explain the power of creativity unique to the male species
without sounding like a male chovenest? Again, how can the
mysteries of sexuality be shown without sexual contact, certainly
not by reading. But there are ways other than beings jumping
into the sack together. And then will sexual knowledge bring more
or less confusion to a student who is less a mystic and more of
an idealist or scholar.
This is why direct spiritual contact is paramount to the
mystic and why a spiritual teacher is so important. The journey
can be long and dangerous. The illusion of a fundamental separation
from the creator is very strong. Many things come between an
experience and the proper assimilation of that experience.
The beginning mystic who tries to find his own way alone, while
it is not impossible to discover the way, usually ends up upon
the rocks of despair or lost in the clouds of illusion.
At first, the impressions come slow for the average searcher,
and this is where one who has gone on before can assist. We each
must support one another, as the master helps the student, so
in time the student helps the master by reflecting and blossoming
into the ever expanding being of God. Thus, we all help each other
out of the cave of darkness and into the light of truth. Like cups
flowing from one to the other, as one fills to the brim and overflows
so the excess is taken up by another that is lacking, then on and on
to the rest of creation. This is the mystic way.
When one has received a portion of love and light and has
assimilated it into their personal metapattern, they continue on
with their life. Not as if nothing has happened, but not as though
something did either. The wisdom that at first may have been
internalized while sorting things out, begins to shine. For
some a direct contact with the Spirit may have been frightening.
For others, it may have been expected or even sought out. A
persons reaction is as varied as there are people and realized
to as many levels as they may have been prepared. This is the
place for occult or religious training, to prepare for the unexpected
by regulating the expected.
For most, of the few, who have attained a higher spirituality,
there is no reason to display said fact. And other than their
telling you, one can only tell by their impeccable behavior.
Some even hide the fact only revealing their true selves to their
students or loved ones. Others can only be "found out" by another
'seer' who with spirit eyes can see the light of their aura, or the
"shine in their eyes". There is a reason for this traditional cloak
and dagger routine. For there are those who can and do spiritually
trespass to feed upon the source of life. Disconnected from their
own life source, they feed upon others who they find chasing after
shadows of self-created illusions of imaginary gains and losses.
These lost souls become increasingly weak and easy pray to those
who know how to extract vital essense without care for their victims.
There is a story that idealizes beings into groups of
a kind: There are some who have chosen to race through reality alone,
blazing as a comet, consuming themselves and those around them
until they accumulate so much mass, they fall into the darkness,
as if burned out, overcome by the weight of their own materialism. There is another kind of being who joins with others of their kind,
who form colonies and societies, all facing inward to each other.
In their midst, they create their own version of reality like a
new garden of Eden, with their backs to the rest of true reality.
As their fictitious reality becomes more real, it permeates the
very fabric of their beings until they become puppets to the
sectors of their manufactured illusion.
There are others who neither have the energy to expend into
materialism nor can gain access into the closed societies, they
are the children of despair who are cast about by the winds of
time and dashed upon the rocks of despair. They are the hungry
and the hopeless.
Then there is another kind of being who realizes the condition
of reality and accepts it. Evolving to meet his creator. Transcending
and absorbing chaos, then rechanneling the liberated energy into order,
following the plan of the Grand Architect of the Universe.
The spiritualization of matter, the materilization of the Spirit.
Part 4.
ALCHEMY
A great key to understanding Magic is to first understand
the goals and symbolic systems of the ancient Alchemists. But
this can be very difficult, for one of the least understood subjects
is that of Alchemy. This is due in part to the success of the
alchemist who wished to veil his work from the profane, and to
protect himself from the authorities who at that time took a dim
view of any type of practice outside of the church. What has trickled
down to the latter generations are garbled scribbles and symbols that
have been loosely interpreted as instructions on how to turn lead in
to gold. This is the trap for the profane. Most people are taught
only that alchemy was the forerunner of chemistry. But, armed with an
understanding of the true goals of alchemy, one may find a different
version to the tale.
The impact of alchemy upon the knowledge systems of today
can not be underscored enough. After the published claims of
some of the more unscrupulous practitioners of alchemy: that it
was possible to turn base metals into gold, there was a virtual
gold rush of every fathers son to find the missing element or
catalyst to do the work. Fortunes and lifetimes were spent on
apparatuses and research into the material world looking for
the key to unlimited wealth.
Many exotic systems were developed, most were created
through attempts to decipher the symbolic formulas left by their
predecessors. These new systems had the symbolism, but the new
interpretations were far from the original meanings of the first
masters of alchemy. The random techniques of these new explorers
began to evolve. As some of the works were published, repetition
of the same unsuccessful experiments no longer wasted the time of
newer practitioners. The original symbolism was used to communicate
formulas of material phenomena at a faster rate. Mundane phenomena
became symbolized and categorized. As random experiment became
regimented into organized systems, a new system of material analysis
emerged; this was the foundation of chemistry. But again this was
not the goal of the first fathers who were mystics.
Those who understood the intention and meaning of the
old alchemical symbols were able to decipher the finest written
system of pure western mysticism. The intention was to communicate
a technique for personal spiritual perfection. The symbols were
glyphs referring to spiritual phenomena that extended through and
beyond the world of material phenomena. With these keys to ethereal
manifestation, one could perfect personal imperfections, thereby
transmuting the gross into PRIMA MATERIA (First Matter).
Upon the path of perfection the practitioner met with
many disasters and dead ends as he attempted to process the contents
of his vessel. His vessel of course was himself. Different portions
of his being were accessed, labeled and utilized to dissolve, move or
change other portions. As personal experiments progressed, so
progressed the being up the evolutionary scale to their full and
original potential. As experiments failed, techniques were
examined and perfected until every element of being found its place
and a maximum force which was necessary to the operation could be used
without breaking the fragile vessel.
The highest attainment for the alchemist was acquisition
of "The Philosophers Stone". This was at once the desired product
of the alchemical process and the crucial ingredient. With the
philosophers stone one could make the "Elixir of Life" thereby
establishing immortality. With this Elixir of Life, one could cure
disease, cause wisdom to be bestowed, transmute sin and cause
immortality.
The first record of the system of Alchemy was said to have
been sculpted upon the fabled emerald tablets of Hermes Trimegistus.
An extraction from these tablets of the operation of "The Magnum Opus"
reads thus:
"Thou shalt separate the earth from the fire,
the ethereal from the gross, gently, but with
great industry.
"It ascends from Earth to Heaven, and again it
comes down from Heaven to Earth, and it is
invested with the potency of superior and
inferior things.
"Thou wilt posses by this means the glory of
the whole world, and all darkness will depart
from thee.
"It is the strong power of every power, for it
will overcome all things subtle and penetrate
all things solid.
"It is thus that the world was created."
The science of hermes was a divine science in that it
sought to establish the divine principles of creation for mankind.
According to the principles of Hermetic Philosophy, mankind is
created pure, but through negligence and abuse destroys his own
faculties. New faculties can be created by good use of personal
resources. These resources are at once spiritual, intellectual
and material. The key to understanding Alchemy is to comprehend
the fact that all things emanate from one God or source.
True Alchemy, reflects into the deepest foundations of
western Christianity and eastern Buddhism. The examples of both
Christ and Buddah are founded upon the principle that mankind can
perfect himself and the world around him. Each taught that a
way was possible, Christ taught exvocation (the power comes from
outside of ones being), Buddah taught invocation (the power comes
from within). There are direct historical connections between the
Egyptian hermetic priests who where the first alchemists and the
Taoist magicians of the orient.
The original truths discovered by the Akhenatenite Egyptians
were pasted on to the Mosaic Hebrews and to their children the
messiahic Jews. The same alchemical symbols and principles of old
were possessed in the language of the Christ. And the same knowledge
of old was passed onto the systems of the east (Taoism, Buddhism
and Mohammedism). Each of these systems evolved and compounded the
old discoveries with their own experiences and interpretations, thus
synthesizing new symbols to explain the same truths.
Today we have a valuable prospective from which to assimilate
the system of Alchemy, we can incorporate centuries of symbolic
synthesis from around the world to labor upon the same goal as
our ancient fathers. The path of perfection is truly narrow, but
the view is ever widening. To better understand the abstract
cores of Hermetic Alchemy, we can now draw upon the jewels from
the Egyptian Taro, the Jewish Qabala, European astrology, ancient
Christianity, the Chinese "I Ching" and Taoism, and all the fundamentals
of the modern physical sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Natural
Philosophy). All these systems and sciences have originally
benefited from the "First Principles" of Alchemy and now the modern
Alchemist can benefit from the fruits of multifold branches of study.
The terminology of the alchemical operation is symbolic
and abstract. If the key principal is understood, (that all things
emanate from one source and that this source is God), then the
abstract terminology will be understood, absorbed and utilized.
A study of the Qabala will reveal a glyph representing the
manifestation of God through ten spheres called Sephiroth. We
will not go into the nature of these spheres at this time, but
only acknowledge that: a single emanation can become multiple
manifestations of separate phenomena at different levels of
reality in the same world.
As mentioned above, the operations of Hermetic Alchemy
involve the spiritual, intellectual and material worlds. These
worlds are not really different worlds, but different levels of
relative reality. An emanation of God upon the spiritual
plane will ultimately manifest upon the intellectual plane, but
the manifestations will certainly be different. It may be easier
to understand the fulcrum of this idea with a comparison of the
intellectual with the material. The objective existence of an
idea occurs within the intellectual sphere exclusively. Further
objectification of that idea into the body as action is exclusively
within the realm of the material sphere. The spirit, the mind
and the body are co-existent with each other in terms of three
dimensional survival, but each perceives and acts autonomously.
The operations of Alchemy are at first spiritual, the
affects are precipitant into the other levels of existence.
Once the "Great Work" has begun and after the first pristine
ingredient has been distilled, the operation continues upon
and within the lower levels. If on the other hand the operations
are worked in reverse or with disregard to the natural order
and the emphasis is placed upon material goods without spiritual
objectification, then the most dangerous situation that man can
encounter is at hand.
To separate the ethereal from the gross, is to emancipate
the soul from illusion and vice. This is accomplished by application
of the theory of transmutation. According to this theory, which
again states the key, that all things being of the same created
FIRST MATERIAL, can be reduced to a COMMON basis. Spoken of
in profane terms, both lead and gold share a common source and
one can be reduced and changed into the other. Spoken in
spiritual/physical terms, it is possible to reduce aspects of the
physical body into its first, finest and purest elements.
In the following alchemical proscription, the first step
called for is an "EXTRACTION". This calls for the extraction of
the First Matter and the projection of it into another body or vessel.
The preparation of the receptive vessel is equally as important as
the extraction. This vessel has been called "The Philosophic Egg"
and is simply another description of the self. Therefore, it
is an extraction of one part of the self to another.
The manifestation that occurs between the extraction and the
vessel is what I have termed, the "Gentrix-Matrix" phenomena.
If we use an example of a balloon, then the Gentrix is that which
inflates, the Matrix is that which is inflated. The difference
between the balloon-air phenomena and a Gentrix-Matrix phenomena is
that the latter phenomena forms a single object. The inverse also
is true, that any single object contains the elements of a
Gentrix-Matrix relationship, perhaps at many phenomenal levels.
In our usage here as an alchemical principle, it should noted that
the Gentrix existing alone is singular, infinite and contains the
properties both of its generative self and the totality of all
possible matrix manifestations. Whereas, the matrix does not exist
until it is made manifest by a gentrix projection, it does exist
in potential.
This matrix potential is made manifest into forms that correspond
to both the aspects of the Gentrix and the Matrix. The Matrix can
then be seen as infinitely multiple in its finite cellular manifestations.
Each cell containing the original infinite germ of the Gentrix, but
limited in its form by its Matrix Potential.
The application of a Gentrix-Matrix relationship principle is not
restricted to this step in this process nor to the field of Alchemy.
This is the same Masculine-Feminine relationship that is responsible
for life as we commonly perceive it in all of its polarized forms.
Using alchemical symbolism, the Gentrix or masculine (yang) element
is symbolized by the Sun and the Matrix or feminine (yin) element by
that of the Moon.
The Gentrix-Matrix mixture is allowed to die. This step
is known as the process of "PUTRIFICATION". During this stage,
the two opposite elements "COMBINE" into one. This "BLACKE" substance
is dead and lifeless. Called by different names, it has been
referred to as "Nigredo" or "The Ethiopian" or "The Black Man".
It's symbol is the crow. During this time the psychological
condition of the operator undergoes a self assault. Self- analysis
reduces the effectiveness of the false inner light to nothing.
Few can accomplish such a task. This is the place for a "Master"
to assist and instruct the student who is the vessel. All self- ness
must be eliminated. If even a portion of impurity remains, it will
manifest as an imbalance during the next step causing an explosion.
During this dark time, the old chemical adage comes into
play, "Like dissolves Like". Illusion is nothingness, nothingness
dissolves illusion. Ambition, deceit, illusion and self- centeredness
are killed out. From death comes life, and this is a divine
process. A new force is brought upon the vessel, a spiritual fire.
The spiritual fire is slowly introduced to the vessel.
This is actual divine presence, via the Spirit. Empty of worldly
concerns, the operator is brought to a state of meditation and prayer.
This is were the operation usually fails. At best, the failure takes
the nature of wondering interest and the operator gives up to
pursue that tiny portion of ambition that survived the alchemical
death. Like a genie leaving the bottle, the divine heat "creates"
a spirit that takes control of the vessel, autonomously destroying
any further interest in the act of self-perfection. At worst,
terrible explosions of emotion, intellectual imbalance and even
disease and death are all possible as imperfections are creatively
magnified and become multifold beings of differing incentives
for survival.
When and if all is correct and the process of heating the
vessel proceeds gently but firmly, then the greatest miracle
occurs. The Red Phoenix slowly rises out of the ash. This is
a new life. Self regeneration. Within this Red Phoenix is the
white Stone of genesis. This red stage is the new garment of
the integrated being. He is now a spiritual warrior who protects
the divine Stone. From this state of being both the gross and
ethereal natures can be accessed and process of self-regeneration
and self-perfection continues.
The red being works upon the gross nature of the black
substance refining it into the smallest portion of a pure white
Stone. This activity has been symbolized by the Dragon with its
tail in its mouth. Because of the infinite nature of the white
and pristine element (which is the divine part of man and therefore
a part of God), the symbolic Nimbus, (the shape of a mohbis strip),
which stands for infinity and is placed over the head of an adept
who has attained to the divine nature.
The nature of this white substance is like that of the
original, first and divine matter before commingling with the void.
The white "ARGENT VIVE" is the true gentrix. The agent of Genesis.
The cause of all things, the root of matter and a ray from the being
of God. While it is true that an actual substance has formed,
it is also true that this objectification is but part of the whole,
as a doorway is but part of the house. The white substance has the
nature of being able to be projected. It has an ethereal projective
state and a solid collective state. The collective state is what
has been called "The Philosophers Stone". This Stone is the hardest
most tangible thing in the universe. The substance of reality
flows from this Stone.
From the Philosophers Stone flows all that is light and
creative is the universe. The affects of the Stone upon soul matter
is that of stimulation to life. The absence of spiritual contact
with the divine substance of the Stone is the same as death.
One could pose the question of whether there are many
stones or only one? This could be simply a matter of prospective.
The science of Alchemy concerns itself with turning the gross into
the ethereal and from the ethereal to the most tangible. It appears
to be concerned with the "Production" of the philosophers Stone, but
an analysis of the process will demonstrate that instead of bringing
new products into the factory for recomposition,it will be seen that
the factory was broken down, reorganized, moved and then reconstructed
around an element that was already present. The nature of the
element is that of being infinite. Being infinite, it is in all
places at all times: even during the time of death and putrification.
The time of death then, which resembles an absence of the
"Argent Vive" (Agent of Life, the Stone), was indeed an illusion.
If truly there is a divine presence at all times, then
at all times there is an opportunity to access "The Stone", except
for times of illusion, which create illusionary walls. The dissolving
of illusion which is crucial to the operation resembles more the
opening of a gateway. Given that this is true, then there is
but one Stone in a chamber of many gateways. Each path reaching
to a point upon the Stone. Because of the many active processes
occurring simultaneously by many (seemingly) different individuals,
there will appear that there are many stones. When organized into
the collective unit that we really are, the many personal stones
are formed into one spiritual building. This is Masonry.
The one Stone has always remained the template for the
many. As the illusory walls of selfness are stripped away, then
the realization of ones place in the construct of the universe
will be perceived. The necessity of personal alchemy will not
end upon the threshold of self-dis-covery, for the process
of personal perfection will continue as one aligns with the divine
template. And when one has truly become one of the illuminiae, the
journey continues. A new Gentrix-Matrix relationship develops
and one becomes the vehicle of projection to others. This
is Magic.
As stated earlier, "Like dissolves Like". While at first
darkness of being was used to dissolve the darkness of illusion,
now the lightness of being is used to dissolve the light of the
Stone. The operator can become the catalyst of creation. The
Stone free of impurities does not suffer decomposition when
dissolved. It is singular in composition and is not subject to
internal strife or irregularity. Given a proper vessel, equal
in perfection to the extraction that it will contain, it is possible
to dissolve a part of the infinite Stone, collect the extraction
into the perfected body of the operator and then re-project it into
the body of another. How few are capable of reaching the "Great
Gathering", even less are those able to act as intermediaries
for others remaining on Earth.
This process of projection is what magic is all about.
If one has simply desired to "become" a magician and begins to
project what little life force they have access to upon bill
collectors and estranged lovers, they will not have the energy
to complete the process of self-perfection that is necessary
to complete the journey to God. Self-destruction is all they
will reap. They will fall into a state of decomposition, death.
then, in time, they will begin anew. This is the natural process
of evolutionary perfection. The system of Alchemy is based upon
the system of nature. Alchemy is not out of step with nature and
strives to enhance the natural process.
The symbolism of Alchemy truly reflects the shape of
nature. The fathers of Alchemy were mystics who sought the true
nature of the universe and where not put off by the sometimes
strange finds. Even if something was not understood, it was not
dismissed as non-existent as is the mode of most common thinkers.
But symbols where employed to act as place holders. While some of
these symbols may seem strange and abstract, they are not out of
order with the systems of human consciousness.
Carl Jung was deeply involved with the study of Alchemy.
His research into the psychology of mankind brought him face to face
with the natural alchemical symbolisms that are found in the
sub-consciousness. Many of his patients produced dreams rich in
the exact same symbols used by Alchemists, though they themselves
knew nothing of alchemy. This led him to formulate his theory of
archtypes, innate images common to all mankind. Jung believes that
symbols are the secret language of the mind that stand for inner
psychological process and that Alchemy was a process of "Individuation"
or the shaping of an "Integrated Personality".
In his work, "Psychology and Alchemy", he explains that
the alchemist was not really exploring the nature of matter, but
that of the unconscious mind. He states:
"The real nature of matter was unknown to
the alchemist: He knew it only in hints.
Inasmuch as he tried to explore it, he
projected the unconscious into the darkness
of matter in order to illuminate it. In
order to explain the mystery of matter he
projected yet another mystery - namely his
own psychic background - into what was to
be explained: OBSCURUM PER OBSCURIUS,
IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS ! This procedure was
not, of course, intentional; it was an
involuntary occurrence.
The latin words are an alchemical maxim meaning that the
obscure is to be explained by the more obscure, the unknown by the
more unknown.
In the above explanation of Alchemy many of the traditional
steps that are found in the archaic manuscripts were intentionally left
out so as not to confuse the student with symbols that are sometimes
personal or timely only to an individual operator. The process of
Alchemy is a universal system when applied with the highest motives.
A clear understanding is necessary in order to achieve success.
Failure goes hand in hand with learning and practical operation.
The first step in beginning Alchemy is to "awaken" the archtypical
symbols. This can be done by reading manuscripts of past
practitioners, the first of which is "The Golden Treatise" by
Hermes Trismegistus. This will give you the basis of terminology
from which to begin. There are many manuscripts and poems by
past adepts that are invaluable. But after reading, the next step
is to develop your own system of symbolic consciousness. This
is what will bring you to the gateway of freedom. Only 'you' should
control the reigns of your being.
If you are truly dedicated, then a master will find you.
This is what makes the difference between years of mistake and
a focused plan. I know this.
Here are some short extracts from some of the ancient
manuscripts on Alchemy. First observe that each step in the
process has been veiled by some imaginary figure, then attempt
to correlate the images with inner aspects of your being. Remember
that as one of the laws of Magic states, that there are beings
within beings and that your being is a composite of inner forces
each capable of being personified.
The first excerpt is from a famous 15th century work by
Thomas Norton of Bristal called "Ordinal of Alchemy". It
admonishes the operators of the great work of the importance
of silence:
This art must ever secret be,
the cause whereof is this, as ye may see;
if one evil man had thereof all his will,
all christian peace he might easily spill,
and with his pride he might pull down
the rightful Kings and Princes of renown.
BOOK 2 : P.51
Belus, in his work "Aristaeus" speaks of the Stone and
uses the traditional symbols of the Red Lion, Sulfur and Mercury.
It is a stone and no stone,
in which the whole art consists;
nature has made it such,
but has not yet brought it to perfection.
You will not find it on Earth, since there it has no growth; it grows only in the caverns of the mountains.
The whole art depends on it;
for he who has the vapor of this thing,
has the gilded splendor of the Red Lyon,
the pure and clear Mercury.
And he who knows the Red Sulfur which it contains,
has within his power the whole foundation.
BOOK 1 : P.88
A general discussion is offered in the work "Lucerna Salis",
again note the use of traditional symbols to describe natural forces
this time the elements are brought to the foreground:
A certain thing is found in the world
which is also in every thing and in every place.
It is not Earth, nor Fire, nor Air, nor Water,
albeit it wants neither of these things,
nay it can become to be Fire, Air, Water AND Earth; For it contains all Nature in itself purely and sincerely; it becomes White and Red, is Hot and Cold,
it is Moist and Dry and is diversifiable every way. The band of sages only have known it,
and they call it their Salt.
It is extracted from their Earth;
and has been the ruin of many a fool;
for the common earth is worth nothing here,
nor the vulgar in any manner,
but rather the Salt of the World,
which contains in itself all Life :
of it is made that medicine which will preserve you from all maladies.
BOOK 1 : P.76
To demonstrate the complexity of some of the treatises
and at the same time, if it can be seen, the beauty of symbolic
language when refined to explain the many steps in the lowest
common denominators. I offer this next lengthy piece. To a
practiced alchemist, this is a formula of wondrous design.
To a novice, it may prove difficult to read even once. This
was the intention. Thus:
The battle's fought, the conquest won,
the Lyon dead revived;
the Eagle's dead which did him slay,
and both of sense deprived.
The showers cease, the dews, which fell
for six weeks, do not rise;
the ugly Toad, that did so swell,
with swelling, bursts and dies.
The "Argent Field" with "Or" is stained,
with violet intermixed;
the sable "Blacke" is not distained
which shows the spirit fixed;
the compound into atoms turned,
the seeds together blended,
the flying soul to th' earth returned,
the soaring bird descended.
The King and Queen contumulate,
and joined as one together,
that which before was two by fate
is tyed, which none can sever.
The King is "Brother" to his "Wife",
and she to him is "Mother";
one Father is to both, whose life
depends upon each other.
The one when dead, the other dies,
and "Both" are laid in the grave;
the "coffins one" in which both lies,
each doth the other save:
yet each the other doth destroy,
and yet both are "amended";
one without th' other hath no joy,
both one, of "one" descended.
Twice forty days do come and go,
to which twice five are added;
these do produce a perfect "Crow",
whose blackness cheers the hearts sadded;
twice fifteen more produce a "Dove",
whose wings are bright and tender;
twice ten more make the "Soul above"
to need no "Fire defender";
For Soul and Body so combine,
"The Spirit interceding",
tinture to give of "Silver" fine,
"The Soul, the Body, inleading".
Also such fixity to add
against the flames prevailing,
which make the "Chymist" make full glad,
the "Sophister" still failing,
who seeks in "fancies" for to find
our art so much concealed,
not duly weighinging his mind
that 't is a fountain sealed,
which "One thing" only can unlock;
this "One thing" learn to know,
lest you the same event should mock,
that these same lines do show.
BOOK 1 : P.406
BOOK 1 - "A Suggestive Inquiry into Hermetic Philosophy"
BY Mary Anne Atwood
BOOK 2 - "Man, Myth and Magic" VOL.1