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

more on this later.

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

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