Book of The Probationer

2011
THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer
The Book of the

Probationer
Containing ten Knowledge Lectures, four Practice

Lectures, and Four Essays, arranged in three sections, to
ease the task of the Probationers advancement
Copyright20102011TheDivineScience|www.thedivinescience.org
2011
PartI
KnowledgeLectures
DefiningMagic
HowtheCandidatetothisScienceshouldGovernHimself
TheElementalKey
TheMagicalEquipoise
TheFiveTheurgicPursuits
TheFiveTheurgicVirtues
MagicandReligion
AnIntroductiontotheArcheusandOccultVirtues
TheCosmicDreamofIllusion
TheurgyastheHeartofHermeticism
2011
LessonOne
DefiningMagic
Youmayalreadyassumeyourselftohavesomemannerofaworkingknowledgeaboutwhat
magicis.Suchanotionmayhavecomefrommanyplaces:youmighthavereadafewbooks,hadafew
conversationswithaprofessedmagician,orsimplyheardafewrumorswhichsparkedyourinterest.
Theprobationertothemysteriesoftheurgyneedstounderstandthathitherto,hehasneverreallybeen
trained.Hehashadnoreliablesourceofinformationinanyway,becausehehasnotenteredintoa
relationshipwithamagicianwillingtoaccepthimasastudent.Hehasbeenthesubjectofmisleading
information,sometimesonpurpose,andwasnevertaughttheblindsthattheinitiateswoulduseto
hidetheirsecretsinplainsight.Therefore,knowingthis,thepersonaspiringtotheTrueInitiationwill
comprehendimmediatelythathehasprobablyreceivedwronginformationfromvarioussources,orat
leastincompleteinformation.Becauseofthishemaydiscoverthatthecontentsofthisclass,andits
principles,differphilosophicallywithhisownideasinsomeplaces.Thereasonforthis,astheastute
studentwilldodoubtperceive,isthathithertohehasnotactuallyreceivedanydegreeofthewisdom
teachings,norhashebeenexposedtothosewhohave.
Thismaysoundcynical,andforsome,theinvokedresponsewillbeaninnerdefense.Yet,there
isreason.Hadyoufoundwhatyouwerereallylookingfor,hadyoubeenexposedtoateacheroradept
whowasreallyenough,youwouldnotbehere.Itcannotbecuriositywhichdrivesyou;thesatisfaction
arousedwhenonereachestheproperroadovercomesallcuriosity.No,thereissomethinggreater,a
magnetismwhichhasbroughtyouhere.Amagnetismwhich,ifouropeningparagraphwasnottrue,
wouldnotexist.
Itisonthesegroundsthatwe,theteachersofthisclass,associatedwithacertaintradition
nobleandillustrious,haveendeavoredtoofferthisclassfreelyandpublicly.Weaskthat,havingallof
thesethoughtsinhisheart,thestudentofthisclasswillkeepanopenmind.Wearenotdemandingof
youanysortoffealty,thereisnooathinvolvedinthegivingofourknowledge,andyouarenotboundor
obligatedtoanythingbybeingapartofthisclass.Wearesimplyaskingthateverystudentkeepsa
peacefulmindandanopenheart,andproceedsthroughthelecturesofthisclassbearinginmindthat
itsteachershaveinsomedegreealreadywrestledthroughtheproblems,questions,anddifficulties
whichinevitablyfaceallnewcomerstothepathofthisholyscience.Ifyoucanmusterupeventhat
muchrespectforus,wewilltreatyouliketheveritablechildoftheLord.Ifnot,thenforthesakeofthe
otherstudents,youwillbeimmediatelyremovedfromtheclass.Ourmissionistoeducate,andwe
cannotallowthosewhowoulddisruptittorobtheirfellowstudentsofthatpossibility.
Returningbacktothesubjectathand,itfallstoustodiscusstheactualnatureofmagic,sincemagic
istheprimarytoolandmethodoftheurgy.Thiswouldofcoursebeaveryvoluminousundertakingif
donethoroughly.Thereforewewillseemorewhatmagicisnot,andproceedfromthere,byseeing
whatotherinitiateshavesaidofit.Thepresentlectureisdesignedtoshowtheaspiringstudentexactly
howourlineofinitiationseesthemagicalarts,andtherefore,inwhatlightwepursueitsstudyand
practice.Tobegin,weshallexaminethequotesofafewfamoushermeticscientists:
MagickistheScienceandArtofcausingChangetooccurinconformitywithWill.
AleisterCrowley,MagickinTheoryandPractice
2011
MagicistheHighest,mostAbsolute,andmostDivineKnowledgeofNaturalPhilosophy,advancedinits
worksandwonderfuloperationsbyarightunderstandingoftheinwardandoccultvirtueofthings;so
thattrueAgentsbeingappliedtoproperPatients,strangeandadmirableeffectswilltherebybe
produced.WhencemagiciansareprofoundanddiligentsearchersintoNature;they,becauseoftheir
skill,knowhowtoanticipateaneffect,thewhichtothevulgarshallseemtobeamiracle.
"TheGoetiaoftheLemegetonofKingSolomon
""SorceryhasbeencalledMagic:butMagicisWisdom,andthereisnowisdominSorcery.
"Paracelsus
Athoroughfamiliaritywiththeoccultfacultiesofeverythingexistinginnature,visibleaswellas
invisible;theirmutualrelations,attractions,andrepulsions;thecauseofthese,tracedtothespiritual
principletomanifestitself,inotherwordsaprofoundandexhaustiveknowledgeofnaturallawthis
wasandisthebasisofmagic.
HelenaBlavatsky,IsisUnveiledVol.I.
Magicistheexactandabsolutescienceofnatureanditslaws.GeneralAlbertPike
Eachoftheseremarksregardingmagicillustratecertainprinciples:thatthewillofthemagician
isthemechanismofmagic,andthatmagicitselfisapathofwisdomwhichpursuesthesublimelawsof
nature,andutilizesthemforspiritualevolution.Nowletusconsiderbrieflyeachofthesequotesin
turn.
Crowley'sdistinctionisthatofthemechanism,andisthemostbrokendown.Theeffectof
magic,notitsprocess,isthatchangeiswroughtinconformitytothewill,topassion,todesire,strung
togetherunderthecontrolledvolitionofthemage.Thisisanamiabledefinition,butisfartoo
general.Bythisdefinitionanywilledactionbecomesanactofmagic.Givingthislecture,forexample,
becomesanactofmagic.Itcomesintolightthenthatthisdefinitionisfartoobroadtodefinemagic
itself,andsoweuseitmerelyasanobservantoftheresult:changeproducedbythewill.Ithasa
philosophicalvalue,butnotapracticalone.
TheexplanationSolomongivesinhisLemegetonisarguablyoneofthemostpassionate
definitionsofmagic,butrightlyso,forifyoushouldpursuethispathlongyoushallseeforyourselfhow
itcanstir,exaltandliftthesoul.Solomonsaysthatmagicistherighteouspursuitofcertaindivine
principles,divineheremeaningthosewhichexceedthephysicalworld,andtheirapplicationstowards
thingswhichtheyareusuallynotdirectedat.Inthispursuitthoseoccultvirtueswhichgoverntheworld
maybediscernedbythescholarlyinitiate,andthattheseonceknownmaybeputintoplaytocreate
"miraculous"effects.Thediscoveryandapplicationoftheseprinciplesisasubjectoflaterstudy,which
byitsownwondrousness,wouldhaveabsolutelynovaluetothebeginner.Thereforethiscourseis
designedtofocusonthereadyingforbattlewhichthewouldbecandidateofthedivinesciencemust
undertake,andthedevelopmentofthatspiritualarmorandweaponrywhichisnecessaryforthe
advancementtowardsthetrueinitiation.
AshorterbutverycorrectdefinitionofmagicisgivenmyParacelsus,whereinheinsteadsays
whatmagicisbysayingwhatitisnot.Magic,simplyput,iswisdom;aperfectwisdomofcertainvirtues
whichexceedtheunderstandingoftheuninitiated,andoftencrossoutsidethesmallcircleoflight
createdbyphysicalsciences.Withoutwisdom,magicismerelysorcery:itistheapplicationofbasic
rulestowardsagrossprinciple,makingthevehicleoftheirusegrossitself.Forthisreasonthemagician
2011
hasalwaysbeenseenfirstasawiseman,holdingtruetotheverydefinitionofitsoriginaluses.Bythis
verymeansSolomonbecamewise,andnotmerelywiseinthewaysofmagic,butwiseintheartsofthe
worldentirely.Thereisnosituationwhichthemagiciancannotpenetratetothecoreof,and
understandfromtheveryoriginofthecircumstance.Thedivinescienceproducesonlythoseadepts
whichcantrulybecalledwisemen.TheyarethewyzardoftheDruids,theadeptiofthecollegium,
themagiofPersia,andtheygoforthandconquerintheirunderstanding.
ThelastthreequotesmerelyexhibitagainthetraitsexpressedbythewordsofSolomonand
Paracelsus.Insum,thatthemagicianisastudentofnature,andofthedivineprincipleswhichgovernit
fromtheverycore.Tothisend,hestudiestherelationsamongsttheseprinciplesandqualities,how
theyactupononeanother,andhowthesebasicideasmaybeappliedtowardsotheraccomplishments.
ThereisacertainsimplicitywhichshouldbeadmiredaboutourGreatlyHonoredGeneralPikes
definitionofmagic.Itisstraightforward,andunromantic.Itisthelevelheadeddeclarationof
someonewhohasseensomethingthathecannotexplaininanyotherway.EvenPikesdefinition,
though,appliesonlytotheprobationerofthedivinescience,andnottothosewhohavepassedthrough
thefirstcolumnofinitiation,whichthatwonderfulMasterArioncalledTheFirstTarot.Initiationeven
thatfarisbeyondthescopeofthiscourse.Itwouldbearesoundingsuccessifwecouldaccomplishthe
taskofgettingeveryonestarted,andensuringthattheircompasseswerepointingtotruenorth.
Magicistheunderstandingofthosehiddenthingsintheuniverse,theknowledgeofwhichcan
beappliedinanatural(notsupernatural)waytoproducesuchthingsthattheuninitiatedwouldcall
miracles,andwhichcouldbecomparabletothemiraclesofauthorizedreligions.Themagicians
understands,however,thattheworkingsofsuchfeats,whicharecollectivelyreferredtoas
thaumaturgy,issimplyanexerciseoftheknowledgeandwisdomwhichmagicis.Itisanatural
byproductofmagicaltraining,andthewiseunderstandthatsuchthaumaturgicpowersshouldnotbe
soughtoftheirownaccord,andwhenhad,shouldonlybeusedforthemostnobleofreasons.Because
ofthecharlantryandthemediaimageofmagicwhichissocommontoday,manypeopleenterintoits
practicebelievingthattheyshallobtainepicmagicalpowersandspendtheirdaysbattlingothergreat
magiamidstwartorncountrieswithfireballsandlightningbolts;thisissimplynotthecase.Magicisthe
wisdomwhichallowsyoutoascendonhigh;nottheknowledgethatallowsyoutoplaywithfire.
Soitisthatwhatyoushalllearnisnotsomuchhowtobringintoeffectthosethingswhichsome
wouldcallmiraclesofGod,butinsteadyoushallbeshowhowtogoaboutreceivingthatknowledge
whichhasbeengivenfrommastertostudentforgenerationsregardingthenobleartoftheurgy.The
goalofthesestudiesistobringaboutwithinyouanexpansionofconsciousnessandagrowthinwisdom
andunderstandingthatshallprovidethefoundationrequiredforyoutoproperlypursuetheurgy.Once
suchiscompleted,youtooshallbegintoascertainbyrevelationthatwisdomwhichisconcealedwithin
thedepthsofyoursoul,andshallbebroughtaboutintoyourmindbythatwhichSt.Augustinecalled
theIlluminatingLight,sothatnolongershallyouneedtoreadbookstolearnmore,butshallknow
howtoturninwards,andinturnupwards,forallanswersyoushalleverneed.Youwillgraduallylearn
howtomakethestepfrommentalperceptiontointuitiveawareness(callednoesis),andwillbeable
toexistinastateofconsciousnessbeyondtheconfinesofyourmindprocesses.
Youareconnectedtoallthingsintheuniversebyabindingforce,whichcausesallthingstobe
ofadualandnondualnature.Magicistherealizationofthatnaturalconcept,andusethereoftoaffect
thosethingswhichyouareconnectedto.Itisthewisdomwhichturnsyoureyesinwardsinself
contemplation,searchingfortheGodwithinyourself,thatHemayshowyouthatdivinesparkinall
otherthings.ItistheunderstandingthatyouareaSonofGod,thattheangelshavebeencommanded
2011
tokneelatthefeetofthoseofyouwhichhavethatSacredWisdom,whichperhapsdoesnotextend
furtherthantherealizationthatyouaresuchadivinebeing.
Soitis,then,thatmagicismorethananythingtheunderstandingofthevirtuesandordersof
theuniversesactions,howtheyreflectwithinyourselfuntoTheDivine,andtheascensionoftheself
intounionwiththeuniverse,thatyoumaybemadeabettervesselforsuchwisdomwhichSolomon
saysisworthmorethanallthegoldofmen.Thisdoesnotmeanthatpowerisunimportant:themagical
powersyoushallinevitablyobtainifyoupursueascientificpracticeroutinearehighlyvaluable,forthey
reflectyourauthorityinallworlds,andthereforeyourspiritualevolution.Likewise,suchpowersenable
youtobeabetterservantintheworld.
ThoughtheHolySciencehasbeencalledmanythingsinmanycountriesacrossdistantages,we
cangrosslysimplifythecontentsofthiscoursebysayingthattheparadigmisknownasthe
theurgy.OthernamesithasacquiredaretheHermeticArts,Hermeticism,TheGreatWork,Alchemy,
TheHolyScience,andtheSacredDoctrine,etc.Alloftheseareappropriate,andtheywillbeused
interchangeablyaccordingtothenatureofthesubject,butthemostcommonyoushallhearistheurgy,
thetruehermeticscience.
Whyisitcalled"hermeticscience"?Hermeticisawordthatcomesfromtherootname
"Hermes,"theGreekmessengerofthegods.Whenusedinthesenseofhermeticscience,however,itis
referringtoaveryrealperson;notsomepantheonisticgod.ThenameofthemanisHermes
Trismegistus,anamewhichtranslatesroughlyinto"ThriceGreatestHermes,"orrather,"ThriceGreat
MessengeroftheGods."Hermes,whosemagicalpowersresultedinhimbeingrecognizedasagodby
theEgyptians,receivedthishonorarytitleduetohiseffortsininstructingtheholysciences,whichhad
beenrevealedtohimbythegods,tomen.Healsoactedasagreatoracle,andwasbelievedtohave
dailyconversationswithgodsofhisdelight.Thesciencehetaught,whichtoldusthatwearedivine
beingswhomaytakebackourinheritanceasgods,wascalledinhishonor"HermeticScience." This
story,however,ismerelyanallegation.ThatHermesexistedcannotbedoubtedbyanyinitiate,forthey
canatonceconnecttothisloftyBeing,ortraveltothepointintimewhenhelived,andseewhattruths
thereareforhimself.However,oursciencepredatesevenHermes,whohimselfhadhisownteachers,
andtheywiththeirteachers,leadingbackintoperiodsofexistencelongforgotten,andlongerased.So
longashumanityexistedthattheEarthitselfwindsuperasingtheremnantsofourancestors.This
knowledgedoesnotcomefromsomecontemporarysource,butwaspracticedmanytensofthousands
ofyearsago.ThatitmoreorlessreacheditspeakinearlyEgyptwillbeconsideredinourHistory
Lecture,laterintheclass.
Sowhatofthescience?Thehermeticmagiciandoesnotbreaklaws;heintruthrarelyeven
bendsthem.Whathedoesisuseperfectlynaturallawswhichare,tothephysicalsciences,"hidden"at
thispoint,or"occult."Iftheselawsareknownandunderstoodthenproperplayuponthemwill
producethepromisedresulteverytime.Justasinmathematicsweknowthateverytimethenumber
twoisaddedtothenumbertwotheresultwillalwaysbethenumberfour,soaretherelikewiseequally
dependableformulaewithinhermeticscience.Thesethingsmaybetested,andifdoneproperly,shall
alwaysbefoundtrue.
Thisisthekeytotheprogressofhermeticscience.Thehermeticscholardoesnotmerely
believeblindly,asonemightinareligion(fortunatearethosewhoexperiencetheirreligious
convictions,insteadofmerelyholdingtothem).Heinsteadbelievesonlywhatpersistentstudy,
experimentation,trialanderrorhaverevealedthroughouttheages.Ifsomethingwastriedanddidnot
2011
work,itwasdiscarded.Ifsomethingwaspromisedbutborenofruition,thenthespeakertothe
hermeticscholarwasnomorethananignorantfoolatbest,andacompleteliaratworse.Inthisway,
muchastypicallyunderstoodscience,hermeticsciencehasdevelopedandcomeintobeing.
Itmaybedivinedeasilythatallofthemethodsandallofthephilosophiesofhermeticscience
neednotgobackandbesinglytested.Why?Thesamereasonthatachemistdoesnothavetogoback
andtrytodotheworkofconstructingtheperiodtableoftheelementshimself.Ifeverygenerationof
chemistswereforcedtospendtheirentirelives'workfiguringouthowtocorrectlyclassifyalltheknown
elements,therewouldneverbeanyprogresspastthispoint,andsciencewouldexistmerelyasa
stagnantrelic!However,becauseothershavedonethislengthyexperimentationforus,anddevoted
theirlivestounveilingcertainsecrets,chemistrymayadvancethroughtheagesasitalwayshad.
Theexactsameprincipleisatworkinhermeticscience:becausepeoplehavedevotedtheir
entirelivestothecontemplationandexperimentationofcertaindivineprinciples,resultinginthe
creationofcertaindistincthermeticdoctrines,nostudentisrequiredtogobackandfigureitallout
himselfeither.Instead,heisencouragedtotakethesesteppingstonesandprogressthescienceeven
furtherinhisgeneration.
Inclosing,readoverandconsiderthisquotefromFranzBardon:
Evenintheremotesttimesthemagushasbeenregardedasoneofthehighestadeptsanditmight
beofinteresttolearnthat,asamatteroffact,thewordmagicisderivedfromthisword.Thesocalled
sorcerersarebynomeansinitiatesbutonlyimitatorsofthemysteries,whocountingpartlyonthe
ignoranceandpartlyonthecredulityoftheindividualityorawholenation,reachtheirselfishaimsby
liesandfraud.Thetruemagicianwillalwaysdespisesuchpractices.Inreality,magicisasacredscience,
itis,intheverytruesensethesumofallknowledgebecauseitteacheshowtoknowandutilizethe
sovereignrules.Thereisnodifferencebetweenmagicandmysticoranyotherconceptionofthename.
Whereverauthenticinitiationisatstake,onehastoproceedonthesamebasis,accordingtothesame
rules,irrespectiveofthenamegivenbythisorthatcreed.
Putinthesimplestlanguage,theentiregoalofthepresentcourseistogeteverystudenttothe
pointthathecouldhavemadethisstatementhimself,outofhisownunderstandingofwhatmagic
reallyis.
2011
LessonTwo
HowtheCandidateforThisScienceShouldGovernHimself
Aswiththebeginningofanynewpath,subtlebutreallifestyleadjustmentsmustbemadefrom
theverystart.Intime,ofcourse,theseadjustmentswillbecomelesssubtleandmoreprofound,butin
themeantimeweneedmerelyfocusonconsideringthosethingswhichmustbedonetomeetthe
minimalconditionsinwhichthisworkcanbeundertaken.Thus,oneofthefirstchangestheproposed
studentmustmake,inregardstothenewwayinwhichheshouldgovernhimself,istheestablishment
ofaplacetostudyandpractice.

Mostofusarenotblessedwithaquiethousewhereaperiodofcompleteprivacyisgiven
withoutinterference,orwithaplacewhereonecangoentirelyalonetodowhathemustwithout
watchful,curiouseyes.Forthosewhoaresoblessed,theworkyoumustdobothhereandmuchlater
shallbesignificantlyeasier.Forthemajoritywhoarenotsoblessed,necessarychangesmustbemade
soastomeetthegrade.
Thestudentmustseekoutatimeandplaceeachdaywherehecanspendhalfanhourdevoted
incompletesolitudeandprivacytotheinstructionshehasreceivedthatweek.Ifsuchaconditionisnot
readilyavailable,thenhemustmakeitavailablethroughsmallsacrificesthatshallallowit.Thedaily
schedulewillneedtobereworkedsome,andconsiderationforthisnewperiodoftimethatisabsolutely
vitaltoeachandeverydayofyourlifefromthispointforwardmustbeetchedin.Asaverysimpleand
easilymadechange,onecansimplyaddhalfanhourtothedayandgotosleepalittlelaterthanusual.
Thisisnotpreferable,forwhenoneistiredhedoesnotlearnaswellandhiscomprehensionlevelsinks,
aswellashisconcentration.Ifthereisnootherwaythenthisiscertainlybetterthannothing;itisan
adjustmentwhichanymanofanylifestylecaninstitute.Ideally,seekoutaspoteitherinthemorning
afterbeingawakeforaboutanhour(butbeforebreakfast),orintheeveningabouttwohoursafter
dinner(presumingyoudonoteatlate).Fortheindividualwiththetypicalworkday,thelattershouldbe
possible.

Duringthistime,takeamomentfirsttowashyourhandsandface.Sitdowninacomfortable
chair,butnotonewhichforcesbadposture,thencloseyoureyesandspendabouttwominutessimply
takingdeep,fullbreathsaboutfoursecondsinhalingthenfoursecondsexhaling.Duringthistimetry
toclearyourmindoftheeventsoftheday,andinstilltheideathatthisisyourtimeforyourstudyand
spiritualpractice(askesis).Attheendofthosetwominutesnothingexceptyourtheurgyrelatedtasks
forthatdayshouldbeinyourmind;theoutsideworldbecomesnonexistent.Atfirstitwillbehardto
achievethismentalseparation,buteventuallyyouwillbeabletoachieveitfromthemomentyousit
down.

Youshouldbecompletelyaloneinaroomwhereyouknowyouwillnotbedisturbed,andwhich
ifpractical,youcanlock.Investinsomesweetsmellingincensesuchasfrankincenseormyrrhandburn
alittleofitbeforeyoubeginyoursession,sothatthesmellgentlypermeatestheroombutdoesnot
burnthenostrilsoreyes.Youshouldarrangeforsomesoftreadinglight,notbrightenoughtostrongly
affecttheeyes.Thiscaneitherbealampwithalowlightsetting,or,evenmorepreferable,awick
lanternwithodorlessfuel.Becomingaccustomedtoassociatingthismanneroflanternwithmagicshall
helpgreatlyatalatertimeinyourstudies.
2011
Whentheproperatmospherehasbeenset,andyouhavesomepeaceandquietsecuredas
muchaspossible,commenceyourstudiesforthatday.Readorrereadyourlecturefortheweek.Ifyou
haveanyexercisesyouhavebeeninstructedtoperformregularly,dothemnow.Whenyouarefinished
snufftheincenseandturnoutthelight,returningbacktoyourdailyroutines.Onceanumberof
exerciseshavebeenadded,thisperiodoftimewilloftenbereferredtoasyourRoutine.Ifyourteacher
asksyouhowyourRoutineisdoing,heisaskingaboutyourprogressinyourstudiesandpractices.
Anotherwordateacherofourlineagemightuseisaskesis,pronouncedahskaysis,whichdirectly
indicatesspiritualpractice.

Theconditionsforthepursuitofthispatharenotsimplyexternal;internaladjustmentsmustbe
madeaswell.Shouldyoudecidetocontinueinyourtrainingbeyondthisclassyouwillbeintroducedto
newroutinesthatwilllikelychangeyourlifestyle,achangewebelievetobeforthebetter.Youwillbe
introducedtotheideaofanewdiet,toanidealexerciseroutine,tohygienicobservations
complimentarytothepracticeofmagic,andtoseveralotherlifestylechangeswhichareallconduciveto
thepathyouarecommencing.Noneofthemareextreme,andtheydonotinterferewithyourpresent
lifestyle,butinsteadsimplymodifyafewseeminglysmallthingswhichmakealargedifference.The
mostextensivechangesyoushallundergoshallbewhenyoubegintakingpositivestepstobecomethe
idealyou:tobegintostriveforbalanceandloftyvirtues.Thisprocessisdonebyessentiallymapping
outallofthenegativetraitsyoudonotlikeaboutyourcharacter,andthentakingpositivestepstowards
transmutingthemintovirtues;thiswillbeexplainedindetaillater.

Fromtheverybeginningofthispathyoumustbegintowatchhowmuchyouaregivento
emotionalextremes.Ifyouarepredisposedtofitsofanger,haveuncontrollablelusts,violentmood
swings,depressionfits,etc,youmustworkconscientiouslytowardsriddingyourselfofthem.Inallareas
oflifeyoumustbegintoaspiretowardsforgivenessandcompassion,realizingthatweallerr.The
studentisencouragedtobeginconsciouslyworkingtowardsidealsofuniversalloveforhisneighbor,
andtobegintoincorporatetheloftyidealsoftrueserviceintohisdailylife.Learnhowtocontrolyour
emotionalresponsesbitbybit,sothatyoudevelopacharacterofcompassionandharmonyinsteadof
friction.Thisentireprocess,thealignmentofyourwillinordertodevelopastableandharmonious
character,iscalledprohairesisintheurgy.Itisnecessarytocreatetheproperfoundationuponwhich
yourdivineindwellercanbuildtorevealitself.

Beginthisselftransformationfromleadintogoldthisweek.Devoteserioustimeduringyour
studysessiontoconsideringwhatirrationalfearsandhatesyouhave,reallytryingtoviewthemfroman
outsideperspective,andthenworktoovercomethem.Trytorememberwhoyouhavewronged,and
thenimmediatelygotoseektheirforgiveness.Ifthereissomeonenearoraccessibletoyouwhichyou
knowyouhavewronged,quityourStudyPeriodimmediatelyandgotoservethatperson,admityour
error,andseekhisforgiveness.Ifhisforgivenessisnotgiven,thenthefaultnowrestsonhisshoulders,
notonyours.Ifyouhavewrongedapersonwhoyoumaystillseektheforgivenessof,yetchoosenot
to,youcannotbeginthispathonthecorrectfoot.Ifyouhavewrongedapersonyoucannolonger
access,thensimplypraywithearnestintentthattheuniverseforgivesyouofthatwrongdoing.

Youcannotevensomuchasbeginthispathwithhatredinyourheart.Ifyoufindthatyou
completelyhateanotherhumanbeing,thenyoucompletelyhateaveryrealpartofTheAbsolute,and
thereforehateitaswell.Justasyouwouldnotbestowgiftsuponsomeonewhohatesyou,neitherwill
theuniversebestowgiftsonsomeonewhohatesit.Seektodissolvewhatenmityyouhold,andjustas
youhopedthatotherswouldforgiveyouofyoursinsagainstthem,forgivethispersonofhissinsagainst
you.Youcannotbeforgivenifyoudonotknowhowtoforgive.
2011
Doyouhaveirrationalphobias?Thesemustbeconqueredbyridingouttomeetandovercome
them.Howcanthemagicianbeamasteroftheworldwhileworldlyfearsstillmasterhim?Thiscannot
beso,andthestudentwhoaspirestowardsbecomingamagicianmustalsoseektoeliminateany
phobiashemayhave.IfyoucontinuethispathintothehigherdegreesofourOrderandthegreater
workingsofamagician,youwillbeforcedtocomefacetofacewithwhateverirrationalfearsyoumay
haveunderverytryingcircumstances.Itisfarbettertomeetandovercomethemnowwhenyoucan
stillcontrolunderwhattermsyoumustfacethem.

Thesechangesmustbeginnow,thisday,thisverymoment.Seekalwaystobecomeamore
righteouspersonaspiringafterthehighestideals,andyouwillneverbeallowedtogoastray.Foryou
theLightwillalwaysbepresent,andtherewillalwaysbehelpinghandstopickyouupanddustyouoff
shouldyoueverfallalongtheway.Intimeyouwilllearntheabsoluteuniversalvalueofthiswayoflife,
awaywhichyoualreadyinstinctivelyknowistherightone.
HealthandHygiene
Thistraditionholdsfirmtotheideathatthedensebodyisaphenomenallyimportanttooltobe
usedinourlives;werethisnotthecase,wewouldbelivinginanetherealworldwhereonlyourfiner
vehicleswouldsustainus.Instead,however,weareinthisphysicalworldwithaphysicalbody,the
primaryvehicleofouractivitiesonthisplane.Nospiritualpracticeorregimeofanysortsshouldneglect
theimportanceofourphysicalbodies.

Theimportanceputuponthephysicalbodyandthelowerspiritualbodies,allofwhichwillbe
explainedlater,isperhapsoneofthemaindistinctionsbetweenwesternoccultismandeastern
occultism.IntheEast,allattentiontendstobeturnedinwardstothehighestpartsofourselves,and
whilethereisnothingimplicitlywrongwiththisapproachinsofaraseventualspiritualevolutionis
concerned,itleavestheinitiatequiteincapableofaffectingpositivechangeinourpresentworld,andso
thespiritualitybecomessomewhatselfish.Thisofcoursecannotbesaidofalleasternpractices,some
ofwhichyouwillbecomefamiliarwithmuchlater.Themagician,however,adoptsaviewsimilartothat
whichPaulespousesinhislettertotheCorinthians:

KnowyenotthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolyGhostwhichisinyou,whichyehaveof
God,andyearenotyourown?

Ourphysicalbody,denseandgrossasitmightbecomparedtothefineraspectsoftheself,is
stillthetemplewithinwhichthosefineraspectsarehoused.Withoutit,orevenifitfallsintodisrepair,
ourhigherfacultiescannotbeutilizedinthisworld.Evenifthereisnoseriousproblemwhichithas
falleninto,theabilitytoexpresscertainmagicalforcesthroughthebodyisdirectlyproportionaltothe
bodyshealth.Avibrant,healthy,strongindividualwillhaveavibrant,healthy,andstrongflowand
expressionofhisinnerstrength.
Therefore,itwillbeseenasthesacreddutyofeveryaspiranttothesemysteriestokeephis
physicaltempleingoodworkingcondition,freeofdefectordiseasebeyondwhatisinbornand
propelledbytheforceofkarma.
Asyoushouldhavesomenotionofbynow,thetheurgistisaboveallaservant,andthepowershe
obtainsbythispath(orhodos)providehimanewwayofservinghisneighborsinwayswhichwould
10
2011
otherwisebeimpossible,andwiththingswhichwouldotherwisebeunfixable.Bethisasitmay,the
aspirantisencouragedtoseekopportunitiesinservanthoodinallwalksoflife,magicalandmundane,in
whateverwaysheiscapableofrenderingthem.Quiteofteninthisworldaphysicalaidisrequiredfor
physicalhelp;oneisunlikelytobeabletohelpthatoldladywithhergroceriesbymentallyliftingthem
outofhercartandintohercar.Instead,thebestwaytohelpherwouldbetogoovertoherand
physicallyaidher.Ifsomeoneiscarryingaheavyobject,youcannothelpthatpersonunlessyouare
physicallycapableofhelpingliftthatobject.Theexamplesofhowgoodphysicalstaturecanallowone
tobeaservantaretoonumeroustobotherenumeratingmoreof.
Inanotherlight,thephysicalbodyistheprimaryvehicleofexperienceinthisworld,andtowhatextent
youarecapableofexperiencinglifeisdirectlyinfluencedbyhowhealthyandstrongavehicleof
experienceyouhave.Ifyouareinpoorphysicalcondition,withlittlephysicalstrength,poorstamina
andmuscularendurance,andwithatendencytowardsbadhealth,youwillmissmuchofthelifeyou
couldhaveotherwiseenjoyed.Youwillnotfindanillnessdisposedpersonwithbadendurancehikingin
thebeautifulmountainsoftheworld,whereinhewillfindthemostbeautifulscenes.Asforbadhealth,
allreadersshouldknowhowwhenoneissicktheentiredayseemsgloomierandmoredepressing.This
ishardlythewaytolive!
Thestudentofthesemysteriesshouldinvestthetimerequiredtolearnproperwaystokeepagood,
healthybodythroughexercise,diet,hygiene,andallaroundcorrectliving.Youareencouragedtokeep
upwiththeseroutinesforverypracticalreasonswithregardtomagicitself.Oneofthesefallsbackto
theoldadagethatyoumustbeabletorunwiththepack,orelseyouwillfallbehind.Inthemagical
workingsofthistradition,thosestudentswhoarecapableofexpressingavibrantinnerpowerarefar
morelikelytosucceedatagoodpacethanthosewhoarenot.Someoftheexercisesyouwillbe
learningexertaconstantbutsubtlestrainuponthebody,particularlythenervoussystem,andifyouare
notingoodhealthandgoodshape,thisstraincanbecomeevenmoredetrimentaltoyourhealth.
Physicalexerciseispracticallyapanaceaforthebody.Youcan,quiteliterally,workthroughalmostany
illnessorinjury,andforgoodreason:exercisestimulatesthecurrentsofvitallifegivingpowerwithinus
all.Theaspiranttothisscienceshouldaspiretobestrongandhavegoodendurance,whichwillboth
increasethestrainhisbodycanhandleaswellasgivehimamorevibrantinnerpower.Thisdoesnot
meanthatyoushouldbeaworldclassweightlifterandrunner;quitetothecontrary,toomuch
attentiontothephysicalbodyinthismannercanhaveadverseaffectsonthehigherfaculties.In
strength,oneshouldsimplybefit.Inendurance,oneshouldhaveahealthystamina.Towardsthisend,
oneisadvisedtopickupahealthyhobbyrequiringphysicalexertion.Thiscanbebiking,hiking,
mountainclimbing,martialarts,jogging,tennis,anymannerofsport,vinyassayoga(thephysical
asanas),etc.Anythingwhichstimulatesyourphysicalbody,encouragesoverallhealth,andkeepsyou
active.
Inspeakingoftheimportanceofkeepingyourselfphysicallyingoodhealth,weshouldnotomit
ourintellectualtrainingeither.Thoughanoverdevelopedintellectcanbeaviceinsteadofavirtue,a
wellnurturedintellectisveryuseful.Towardsthisend,pickingupsomemannerofintellectualskillis
stronglyadvisedforanyonewhowouldpursuethisscience.Mathematics,chemistry,oranyofthose
noblesciences,areexcellentexamplesofthis.Thiswillmakethemindfitforsomeofthemorecomplex
contemplationsthathewillfacemuchlaterinhiscareer.Wemightalsorecommendthateverystudent
regarditasanimportanttasktoculturehimself.Acursoryknowledgeofhistory,abasicunderstanding
ofthearts,andafamiliaritywiththeclassicsofliteraturehasbeenthemarkofanintelligentindividual
sincetimeimmemorial.Thoughthereisageneraldegradationofcultureinthemodernworldtoday,
11
2011
thestudentofmagicshoulddisconnecthimselfwithsuchcorruption,andshouldapplyhimselfinaway
soastobeagentlemanorlady.Thistraditiondoesnotwant,asitsstudents,vagabondsorfailures.For
ifthisprevailed,thenthesciencewouldbejudgedirrationallybecauseofthosewhosupposedlyapplied
themselvestoit.Others,whosemindsmayhaveotherwisebeenfitforthereceptionoftheDivine
Science,willlookatitsadherentsandscoffattheentireidea.Letus,therefore,notencouragetheir
ignorance,butletallstudentsaspiretobepeopleofarespectablenature.Letallstudentslearnthe
propermannersoftheplacestheyresidein,andexercisethemalwaysconscientiously.Letthemlearn
nottoeattooslowortoofast.Letthemlearnthepropercustomsforgreetingsandfarewells,andall
otherthingsconsiderednecessaryforapersontobeofgoodstandingintheirrespectivecountries.Let
everystudentcultivatefirst,beforeanyotherquality,thequalityofcourtesy.Everypersonwhomeets
theaspiringmagicianshouldleavefeelingthatitwasanenjoyableexperience.Thisallappliestothose
whoarejustbeginningtheirpath,whichyouallare.
Thetruemagician,itshouldthengowithoutsaying,willalwaysbeagentleman.Anyperson
whomeetshimwillregarditnotsimplyasapleasure,butanhonor.Hewillleaveaverydistinct,very
pleasant,andverypenetratingstamponthemindofanypersonhemeets.Hisairofroyaltywillmake
peopledrawntohim,andtheireyeswillbecomefixedonhim.Hisvoicewillbewellgoverned,pleasant,
penetrating,andindeeditshallbeintoxicatingandhypnotizingalso.Hewillnotspeaktooloudly,nor
toolightly,unlessthesituationcallsforit.Byallappearances,lethimbeapersonofgreattastewhois
knowledgeableinthewaysofmenandwomen.Themagicianwillnotbeamazedbytheoppositesex,
norcaughtoffguardbecauseofsomekindofattraction.Hewillalsobeinequalpoise,neithertoo
interestednordisinterested.Hewillhavearangeofknowledge,bymeansunknowntothecommon
person,whichwillmakehimapleasantandappreciatedadditiontoanyconversation.Menof
intelligencewillnotbeabletoplacehim.Menofgreattasteandculturewillbetotallyhypnotizedby
him.Thewittywillnotbeabletooutwithim,northedebatersbeabletodefeathimindiscussion.Thus
theTrueMagician,thatMasteroftheTemple,agenuineadept,shallseemtofitintoeverythingonfirst
glance,butuponasecondlook,willseemtofitnowhere.Indeedthosewhohavetheopportunityto
meethim,uponleavinghispresence,willthinkbackontheordealwonderingifithadperhapsjustbeen
afigmentoftheimagination.Allofthis,ofcourse,doesnotapplytothosebrethrenwhoareindisguise
forsomeexactcause.Theymustlookhowevertheyaretoldtolook,andgovernthemselveshowever
theyhavebeeninstructed,forthesakeofsomegreatergood.RemembertheadviceofDanielthe
Prophet,thatwesometimesentertainangelsunaware.
Service
Wecansayinclosingthisweekslecturethattheprobationerofthisscienceshouldendeavorin
everywaytorenderhimselfasaservant.Oftenweareasked,HowcanIdothis.Thebestwayisto
beginwiththemostimmediateopportunities:friendsandfamily.Ifyourfamilylivesnearby,visitand
cleanalltheirdishes,ormakethemdinner.Takeyourfriendsoutforamealatyourexpense.Keepan
intelligenteyeopentowardsthosearoundyou,andlearnhowtoidentifywhensomeonemayneedhelp
withsomething,iftheydidnotask.Mostespecially,everystudentwillregardtheabilitytoaidhis
fellowstudentsoftheurgyasabsolutelysacred.Thereshouldneverbedisputesorquarrelingamongst
fellowinitiatesofthegenuinedivinemysteries.
Letitnotbesupposed,however,thatoneshouldbesubservient.Toserveyourbrotherandsister
students,ortolendahandtothoseinneed,isnotthesameasbecomingaslave.Slavescannotpractice
theurgy.Itwillutterlyconsumethem,becausetheyarenotstrongenoughtostandinthefire.Itwill
engulfthementirelyiftheytry.Toallowonesselftobewalkedalloverlikeafloormatisanelemental
12
2011
imbalance,andadeficiencythatisclearlyseenintheaurabytheclairvoyanteye.Themagiciansaura
shouldbelikeafortress.Youarenotsomelowlyspirittobeevokedatthewhimofanotherand
orderedtodosomekindofbidding.Youareaspiringtobeakingofthisworld,andwhatmore,theGod
ofAlltheUniverseresidesquietlyandsecretlywithinyou!Nowthisdoesnotmean,ofcourse,thatif
someoneasksyoutodosomethingyoushoulddenyitoutrightfornobetterreasonthantodeny.On
thecontrary,ifsomeoneasksyouforhelp,youhavebeenputinagreatopportunitytopracticeservice
andhumility.Abalancehastobefound,however.Themagicianwillnotallowhimselftobetaken
advantageof,simplybecausehehasmorenobleandimportanttaskstoapplyhismentalandspiritual
energiesto.Soeverystudentmustfindhisownbalanceinthisregard.Thereisverymuchadifference
inthewayaslaveperformsachore,andthewayakindhelperaidsinsomekindofwork.Thisshouldbe
contemplatedbythestudentregularly,untilheintuitivelyfindstheunexplainabledifference,andlearns
howtostandstrongasaservantinsteadofwiththebentbackofaslave.
Toreview,then,thesearethethingswhichyoushouldcontemplatethisweek:
1. Theaspirantshouldstrikeoutofhisheartallinclinationsofhate,fear,slavery,jealousy,
gluttony,unchainedlust,vengeance,andanger.
2. Theaspirantwillendeavortocultivateahealthybodyandasharpmind.
3. Theaspirantwillendeavortoculturehimself,andbecomeapersonworthyofrespect.
4. Theaspirantshouldcreateasolitaryworkingspaceinhishomeforthesakeofstudyand
practice.
Letourstudentsconsiderthesefourimportantpointsnotonlythisweek,buteveryweekthat
heispushingonwardsinthispath.Letthesefourideas,especiallythefirstthree,becomehispersonal
motto.Inthiswayhewillpreparethesoilforaverybountifulharvestlaterinhismagicalcareer,when
itwillmattermost.
13
2011
LessonThree
IntroductiontotheElementalKey
Wesayinourtraditionthattherearefourmainpracticaldivisionsoftheurgy:meditation,
worship,initiation,andhieraticwork.Forthefirstfouryearsoftraining,thediscipleconcernshimself
primarilywiththefirstpart,meditation,calledinourtraditiontheoria.Theoriacoversawidearrayof
differentkindsofexercises,fromthingsassimpleasabstractcontemplationorintrospection,to
practiceseventuallysocomplexandintricatethatonlymentaltrainingwillallowtheimaginationto
performthem.SomeofyouarefamiliarwithFranzBardonsInitiationintoHermetics,andasan
example,everythinginthatbookisconsideredtheoriainourtradition.
Layingbehindthefourpillarsoftheurgy,though,isthefoundationofknowledge.Ourlineage
withinthetraditionoftheurgyisintenselypractical;wewantourstudentstofeeltheenergies,seethe
cosmiclights,experiencetheblissinthebodyandthelightintheskull,tofeeltheelectricityoftheir
ownfieldsofenergy,andallothersortsofthingswhichwillpermanentlyfixtherealityandthe
importanceofthespiritualintheirhearts.Toomanysocalledschoolsoutthere,pretendingtobe
authenticschoolsofinitiation,haveburdenedtheirfollowerswithemptywords,andburiedwouldbe
magiciansbeneathanavalancheofbooks.Thisisnottheoriginalpathofinitiation,butadevelopment
ofadarkererathatstrayedawayfromdirectexperienceanddecidedtorelaxinthearmchairinsteadof
meditateinthesanctum.Standingagainstthefierceriverofmediocrity,whichcondemnsastudenttoa
lifetimeofpracticebeforeanytangibleresultsarenoticed,weimmediatelyimmerseourstudentsinthe
coolstreamofdirectexperience.
Yettheremustbeabalance,thoughourscalesshouldtipconsiderablytowardsthesideof
directinnerexperience(gnosis).Thoughwewishourstudentstostayfocusedonthestraightandpure
pathofaskesis,spiritualpractice,neitherdowewishourstudentstobeblind,orhavenoideawhythey
aredoingwhattheyaredoing.Indeed,thetheurgistshouldpridehimselfinunderstandingverywell
whyhedoeseverythingthathedoes,andourexperienceswithmanystudentshaveprovenbeyonda
doubtthatthepracticesarebetterandmoreintensewhenthepractitionerunderstandsthe
mechanismsinvolved.Thiskindofknowledgeissometimestheology,sometimescosmology,and
sometimesmythology.Itiscalledepisteme,orbookknowledge,asopposedtoknowledgederived
individuallythroughreason,logic,ordirectinnerexperience.Thoughknowledgealonecannotgetyou
toGod,itcanprovideapowerfulfoundationfromwhichyoucanliftoffintothesky.Thisweek,the
epistemewewillconsiderconcernshowtheaspiringstudentshouldclassifythoseveryrealbutsubtle
energieswhichheshalleventuallymakeuseof.
Therearemanywaystoexaminetheuniverseanditsforces,andthewaysinwhichthoseforcesare
classifiedandcategorizedtendtodefinethemajordifferencesbetweenaccuratesystemsofmagic.In
theurgy,orjustthehermeticscienceingeneral,therearethreemainclassifications,calledkeys,which
thestudentcomestolearnandworkthrough.Theyare:
TheZodiacalKey
ThePlanetaryKey
TheElementalKey
Forthefirststageofonestraining,theelementalkeyisbest.Thestudent,whowillhavealot
tolearnasitis,willprogressmorereadilyifhedoesnothavetoworryabout23differentwaysto
14
2011
categorizethings.Thereforeforthedurationofthefirststepstowardsinitiation,hispracticesand
studieswillbeconfinedlargelywithintherealmofthefourelements.
Whytheelements?Thezodiacalandplanetarykeysareperhapsmorespecific,astheyhave
twelveorsevendivisionsrespectivelyasopposedtotheelementalkeysfourclassifications.However,
forreasonsyoushallunderstandmoreclearlylater,theelementalenergiesmustbemasteredlong
beforeanyotherenergiescanbetamperedwith.Inthemeantime,though,wemaygiveanexplanation
whichbynowthestudentshouldbeabletounderstand.
Itgoeswithoutsayingthatwearewithinthephysicalworld,Earth,andheredowehaveour
mainoperations.Thisistruefortheinitiated(telestos)andtheuninitiated(atelestos)alike,and
thereisnoescapingthisfact.Thereareforceswhichexertinfluenceupontheworldfromafar,suchas
thezodiacandtheplanets,butmostimminentlyinfluentialandthereforemoreimportantinthe
beginningaretheelementalenergieswhichaffecttheworldfromwithin.Theenergiesofthefour
elements(fire,air,waterandearth)havemoreimmediateimpactuponthethingsofthisworldthanthe
moredistantastrologicalinfluencesofstars,formationsandplanets.Assuch,ifthemagicianisgoingto
startwiththegrossandworkuptothefine,tostartwiththislevelandworkuptohigherlevels,thenhe
mustfirstmastertheenergiesofthislevelbeforetheywillallowhimtousethemasstepstothenext.If
thentheaspirantistoaimforthemoresubtlespheres,andtogaininfluenceamongstthestarsand
othersuchforces,hemustfirstmastertheoneswhichareimmediatelyathisdisposal.
Theindividualpersontendstobemoredisposedtowardsinfluencesfromtheelements,
particularlyinsofarascharacterisconcerned,thananyotherspiritualforces.Apartfromthisthefour
elementshaveimmediatemanifestationsandrepresentationsinourworld:thesubtleenergieswecall
fire,air,waterandearthhavecorrespondingmanifestationsinthephysicalworldthatbearthesame
names,andwhichwecanandregularlydointeractwith.Thismakesthesubtle,incorporealaspectsof
theelementseasiertounderstandforthestudentinthebeginning,andoncehebecomesmore
advanced,theirreadinesstomanifestallowshimtoproducephenomenawhichcangivehimgreat
boostsinselfconfidenceregardingtheeffectivenessofhistrainingandrateofhisprogress.Consider
foramomentthatyoucanlikelythinkofsomethingfieryveryquickly,butthatyouwouldprobably
havetobealittlemorecreativetothinkofsomethingthatcouldreasonablybecalledSaturninein
nature.
15
2011
Letusconsiderafewofthequalitiesoftheelements,bothphysicallyandmentally:
Element
PhysicalQualities
MentalQualities
Fire
Heat,Dry,Expansion,
Courage,Creativity,
Motion,Brightness,Light
Productivity,Action
Air
Warm,Dry,Light,Motion
Mediation,Intelligence,
Communication
Water
Cold,Wet,Dark,Motion,
Receptive,Emotional,
Heavy
Maternal,Adaptive
Earth
Cool,Moist,Dark,Still,
Confident,Strong,
Heavy
Stubborn,Reliable
Inlaterstudies,alloftheseelementswillbeconsideredratherextensively.Forourpurposes
though,itsufficestounderstandtheirbasicqualitiesandprogressfromthere.
TheFluids
Concealedwithineachofthefourelementsisaparticularkindofcoreenergy,thisenergy
differentiatingbetweeneachone.Thecorefluidisnottheelementitself,butitisthepurestrefinement
ofitsactivequalitiesintheastralworldbeforeemotions,mentalqualitiesandphysicaltraitswere
addedtoittoformtheelementintotal.Thetwoprimarypolaritiesarefoundwithinthefireelement
andthewaterelement.Theelectricfluidisthecoreenergywithinthefireelement,andthemagnetic
fluidisthecoreenergywithinthewaterelement.Eachfluidcanbeseenasthenucleusofitsrespective
element,withthemetaphoricalelectronsbeingthemanyqualitieswhichhavemagnetizedtothefluid
andessentiallycreatedwhatwenowknowtobetheelement.Thoughtheelectricandmagneticfluids
arewithinthefireandwaterelements,theyarenottheelementsthemselves,andthismustbekeptin
mindforthesakeofaccuracyinunderstanding.Theelectricfluidcanbeworkedwithindependently
fromthefireelement,andthemagneticfluidcanbeworkedwithindependentlyfromthewater
element.However,neitherofthoseelementscanbeusedwithouttheinnateandnaturalpresenceof
theirrespectivefluids.
Whatisafluid?Inhermeticscienceafluidisanenergywhichhassubstanceandisconstantlyin
motionontheastrallevel.Eachelementhasitselementalenergyonthespirituallevel,andthisenergy
isnotactuallytheelementwhichitbearsthenameof.Thefireelementalenergyonlybearsthename
firebecausephysicalfireistheclosestthingtoitinourworld,andwhenthatenergycondensesand
manifests,itdoessointheformofphysicalfire.Thesameholdstruetotheotherthreeelemental
energies.Theseelementalenergiesarecalledtheelementalfluids.Firecontainstheelectricfluid,air
containstheelectromagneticfluid,watercontainsthemagneticfluid,andearthcontainsatetrapolar
force.
ThisweekyoushallbegintheconstructionoftheBlackandWhiteSoulMirrors,whichis
essentiallyanelementalbreakdownofwhoyoupresentlyare.Duringthistimeyouwillhavetobe
creativeintryingtofigureoutwhichqualitiesbelongtowhichelements,andthoughyourteacherswill
helpyouwithsomeofthefinerpoints,youareencouragedtodiscoverasmuchasyoucanonyourown.
Usewhathasbeengivenhereasasortofguideline,thenuseyourcreativitytotryandaccuratelypiece
togethertheappropriateelementalassociations.Youaregoingtogetafewofthemwronginthe
beginning,butyourteacherwillcorrectanysuchmistakesheseesalongtheway.Inthemeantimepay
16
2011
moreattentiontowhatseemslikeitwouldbelogicallycorrect,andyouwilllearnwhetherornotyou
arecorrectastimeadvances.
Inthecomingweeksspendtimenotonlytryingtoapplytheelementalkeytoyourpersonality
traits,butalsotothingsthatyouwitnesseveryday.Trytofigureoutwhichelementsomeofyour
friendsaremostdisposedto.Taketimetolookintonatureandfindactionswhichleantowardsone
elementoranother.Considerthemanykindsofanimals,birds,fish,etcintheworldthatyouare
familiarwith,andthinkaboutwhethertheirbehaviormakesthemmoreinclinedtooneelementthan
another.Takenoteofallofthisinyourmagicaljournal,whichyouwereinstructedtocreateandbegin
keepingwhenyoureceivedyoursecondlesson.
Thesubjectofthezodiacalandplanetaryenergiesisnotfitforthepracticalstudyofthetotal
neophyte.Onceonehasmasteredthefourelementsandreadiedhimselffitintheastralrealm,thenhe
advancesastrallytomasterthelightsofthesevenplanets.Inmasteringthese,helearnsoftheir
expressionthroughthetwelvezodiacallights.Thisisahigherlevelofinitiation,andinprogressing
throughthezodiacalandplanetaryenergies,hetakesgreatstepsintheevolutionofhisconsciousness
andthedeificationofhisvehicles.Theelementswillevolveandperfectthelowervehiclesofthe
individual:thephysical,etheric,andastrallevels.Hishigherastralandcausalfaculties,however,will
evolvethemostwhenheadvancestothepointofworkingwiththeplanetaryandzodiacalintelligences,
andlearnstomoveinandmasterthosespheresofoperation.
Beforegettingtothepointwherehegoesastrallytothevariousspheresandworkswith
zodiacalintelligences,andbeforethepracticeoftheirtheurgy,theaspirantofthislineoftrainingshall
havemadehimselffittoworkwiththeseenergiespractically.Havingobtainedacertainmasteryover
theelementsafteralongperiodoftraining,hewillbeinstructedintalismanicmagic,andhowtobring
theenergiesofthespheresdownintopracticalworkinthisworld,aswellashowtoalignhisworkswith
theactionsofthestarsandplanetsinordertoachievemaximumresults.Thetruemagician,ofcourse,
isnotruledbythestarsinanyway,andcanaccomplishanymagicatanytime.Nonethelesshewill
oftenfinditconvenienttolearnthesecretofancientformulae,trustedandempoweredsincethemost
remoteantiquities,inordertoapplymoreenergytohisuse.
Thesethings,though,arealltaughtatmuchlaterlevels.Theyposeagreatdangertothenew
student,notjustbecausehelikelylackstheabilitytocontroltheforceshewouldworkwith.No,the
muchgreaterdangerisdistractionfromthepath.Giventotheneophyte,thesepracticespromiseonly
power,andbecausetheneophyteispowerlessasheis,thatpromiseisempty.Thebeginneronthis
pathiseasilydistracted,andcanbecaughtupintheseeminglyglamorousworldofspells,rituals,magic
words,etc,beingdraggeddownintoanobsessionwithastralphenomenon.Subjectedtothis,the
aspirantloseshissightonGod,andwandersforagreaterlengthoftimeinthemiasmaofthelower
worlds,contentwithpsychicandmagicalphenomena.Someofyouhavewitnessedthisyourselves:
socalledinitiatesofsupposedmagicalorders,workingritualstheydontunderstand,towardsanend
notclearlydefined.Spendinghoursworkingwithplanetaryenergies,theselostindividualswander
throughtheirmagicalpracticesunawareofwhattheoriginalintentionsofthosepracticeswere,namely,
howtheyaretobeusedtogettoGodandenterintoselfrealization.
Instead,thestudentofthispathpersistsinmeditativeaskesisandthetrainingoftheselffora
greatlengthoftime.Spiritualexperienceswhichresultfromthepracticeswillsetthestudentseyes
firmlyinwardstothedivinityofthetruesoulwithin,andthestudentwillnotonlybelievebutwill
experienceforhimselfthatthetransitorynatureofthisworldisessentiallyillusionandsorrow,andthat
17
2011
Godaloneistheendofourjourney.Then,firmlyrootedinthishigherunderstanding,thestudentwill
goontoworkcertainkindsofmagic,butonlywithafullandunwaveringknowledgeoftheirpurposeas
aladdertowardsspiritualevolutionandgnosis.Thisistheurgyproper,theapplicationofmagictowards
selfrealization.
18
2011
LessonFour
TheMagicalEquipoise
Therearenumerous"keys"throughwhichthemagiciancanchoosetoviewtheworld.Thereisno
singleultimatuminthatregards.Youcannotarguethattheworldismadeupoftheenergiesofthe
seventytwonamesofYHVHasopposedtobeingmadeoftheenergiesofthetwelvezodiac,ortwenty
eightmansionsofthemoon,orthethirtysixdecans,orwhateverthecasemightbe.Itcomesdownto
howthemagicianpersonallychoosestoworkwiththeenergiesintheuniverse,andonewayworks,in
general,aswellasanother.Thusyoucouldsaythattheworldisnotmadeupofthefourelements,but
isinsteadmadeupofthesevenplanets,orthetwelvezodiacalenergies,orwhateverthecasemaybe.
Afteratime,however,thingsbecometoocomplicatedtobeusedinwhatcanbeconsideredatimely
andpracticalway.Forexample,todivideallenergiesintheuniverseintothethirtytwostationsofthe
QaballisticTreeofLifecanbeoverlycomplicatedforgeneralmagicalwork,andwouldtakeaverylong
timetopracticallytrainin.
Thereisonemajordownsidewithusingthezodiacalkey,orQaballistickey,orastrologicalkey,or
planetarykey,orwhateverthecasemightbe:therearenophysicalreflectionsofthoseenergies.You
cansaytosomeonethatthepathofTavisSaturnAscendingbetweenMalkuthandYesod,and
representstheEarthelementthereby,inadditiontothebeginningofinitiationandthesleepingstate,
butthatadditionalinformationwouldonlyconfusesomeonewhowantstoknowhowtomanipulatethe
propertiesoftheearthelementdirectly.Likewise,thereisnophysicalSaturnhereinourworldthatthe
studentcanexamineandanalyzeinordertobetterunderstandwhatenergyheisworkingwith.Evenif
heweretositandstareattheHebrewletterTavallday,theshapeofTavwouldnotbetterincreasehis
understandingofwhatTavrepresented.Thus,thetrainingandstudyoftheaspirantbecomesmostly
intellectualinsteadofpractical,andtheabilitytofactuallyimpacthisworldbecomesobscuredby
complications.
Ontheotherhand,letussaythatwewereusingtheelementalkey.Then,ifthesubjectofthe
aspirant'sstudywasthefireelement,hecouldlookatthephysicalfirewehaveinourworld,andstudy
itinordertodrawtheproperanalogiesbetweenfireandtheastralenergywhichcorrespondstoit.He
couldseethatfireradiateslight,thatitgeneratesheat,andthatitisexpansivebynature.Usingthat
simpleunderstanding,hecouldbetterunderstandtheastralenergywhich,whencondensed,becomes
fireinthisworld.Bylookingatphysicalfire,thestudentwillhavediscoveredthattheenergyofTejas,
theastralsubstancewecallthefireelementinelementalmagic,isalsoexpansiveinnature.Hewillhave
realizedthatthefireelementexpandsandconsumes,andgeneratesbothlightandheat.Knowingthen
howfireactsintheworld,hecanevencreateaphysical"habitat"fortheastralenergyoffireby
allowingittotakeonthosequalitiesinourworld,thuscreatingfire.Hecanalsoexaminethegeneral
actionsoffire,andthroughintellect,matchthemtobehaviorinordertofindouthowthefireelement
behavesonthementalplane.Hecoulddiscernthatitflickersandconsumes,butalsomarchesbravely
forth,consumingeverything.Itrunsoutoffueleasilythough,butaslongasithasfuel,itwillquickly
ascendtogreatheights.Justfromthatalone,hecouldrealizethatfire,onamentallevel,correspondsto
bravery,ambition,andpassion,amongstotherthings.
Forthisreason,adeptshaveoftenchosentoworkwiththeelementalkey,viewingtheuniverse,
especiallyintheEarthSphere,fromanelementalperspective.Ithasimmensepracticality.Notonlydo
thosefouressentialenergieshaveparallelsinourphysicalworld,butthoseenergiescanactuallybe
19
2011
condensedtosuchadegreethattheytakeonphysicalform.Nomatterhowmuchyoucondensedthe
Saturnineenergyfromtheexampleabove,itwouldneversuddenlymaterializeasapieceofSaturn,ora
pieceof"slow,"orapieceof"lethargic,"orwhateverelseisattributedtoit.Butifyoucondensethe
earthelementenough,youcaninfactgenerateasolidobject.Thatishowthephenomenonof
materializationisaccomplished.Sofromamagicalstandpoint,itisofthehighestpracticalitytowork
withtheelements.
InHinduism,Brahma,whocreatedthephysical,astral,andmentalworlds,isrepresentedashaving
fourheads.Becauseofreligiousassociation,ithasbeenstatedthathisfourheadscorrespondtothe
fourvedas,butfromthepointofmagicalinsight,hisimage(liketheimagesofmanyHindugods)was
createdbyadeptsofthemysteriesinordertoconveycertainmagicalteachings.Brahma'sfourheads
lookthefourdirectionstothefourelements.Healsohasfourhands,buthasnoweaponsinanyofhis
hands,contrarytoalmostalloftheotherdeities.Instead,hehasitemsdesignatingtheelements.Inone
hand,heholdsaspoonforpouringgheeintothefire,whichrepresentsthefireelement.Inanother,he
hasawaterpot,whichrepresentsthewaterelement.Inhisthirdhand,hehasamalastrand,whichis
traditionallyassociatedwiththeairelement.Inhisfourthhandheholdsalotus,whichrepresentsthe
earthelement.AtonetimeBrahmahadfiveheads,butasthestorygoes,ShivamanifestedasBhairava
(thedestroyer)andcutthefifthhead,whichstoodabovetheothers,offofBrahma.Hedidthisbecause
Brahmawasusingthefifthheadtosexuallylookathisowndaughter,butsexualinclinationbelongsto
theelements,nottheAkasha.SotoshowthattheAkashaisundisturbedbytheelementsinitsessential
nature,Shivacutofftheheadwhichcorrespondedtoit.Fromthatpointforward,onlyShivawas
depictedashavingfiveheads.
Sothecreatoroftheworlds,representedherebyBrahmabutcalledsimplytheDemiurgeinour
tradition,isseenashavingcreatedeverythingusingthefourelements.Shiva,astheAkasha,underlies
everythingandisineverything.Therefore,theelementscanbeseenasthemostbasicbuildingblocks
whichcomposeandarepresentineveryaspectofthecreateduniverse,includingtheastralandmental
realms.Evenindividualenergiessuchastheplanetaryandzodiacalforcescanbeseenascomposedof
variouspartsofdifferentelements.Everythingmartialiscontainedwithinfire,forexample,andsoMars
canjustbeseenasaplanetaryconduitforthefireenergy.Muchlateroninyourtraining,afewyears
fromnow,youwilllearnhowtoworkthespecificenergeticpropertiesofeachplanetviaitsownunique
"light,"butinthemeantime,examiningthemthroughtheelementalkeyishighlypractical.
Withinyou,onthemental,astral,andphysicallevelsofyourbeing,theelementalenergiesareat
constantwork.Forthesakeofconsideringthemagicalequipoise,wehavetounderstandthefunctions
oftheelementsinthevariouslevelsofyourbeing.
TheMentalBody
Inthementalbody,theelementaldispositionscontrolyourentirecharacter,andwhateveryour
personalityappearstobeisonlyaresultofthebehavioroftheelementsinaccordancetotheparticular
natureofyoursoul.Inmostpeople,theactivitiesoftheelementsarecorruptedinthementallevel,
causinganabundanceofvicesduetouncoordinationinhowtheelementsactuponthemind.
Onthislevel,theelementsarealsoanchoredinthefourfundamentalqualitiesofthementalbody:
willpower,intellect,feeling,andego.Willpowerisgovernedbythefireelement,andthestrengthofthe
individual'swillpowerisgoingtobedecidedbythe"health"ofthefireelement'sactivitywithinhis
mentalbody.Animpairedfireelementwillcreateasituationwheretheindividuallacksanyrealforce
20
2011
behindhisthoughtsanddecisions,andanexaggeratedfireelementwillallowthepersontobe
extremelymanipulativeofotherpeople,andcausethemoftentimestochargedirectlyintotheirown
demise,battleflagswavingintheair,sotosay.Suchapersonis"alwaysright,"andissoadamantabout
theirownviewsandbeliefsthatittakesaveryviolentshocktomakethemchangecourse.
Thementalfacultyofintellectcorrespondstotheairelement.Inthementalbody,someonewhois
possessedofclearthinking,goodcriticalanalysisskills,abstractphilosophy,etc,hasapowerfulair
elementdispositioninthementalbody.Ifthispropertyisexaggerated,thentheindividualwillliveina
fantasyworldofhisownmind,andbetrappedbyhisownphilosophiesandopinions.Hewillbeunable
tomakethingscrossoverfromhismindintotherealworld,andsothoughhemaybepossessedof
genius,hewillneverbeabletoexpressit,sincehewillnothavethepracticalityoftheearthelementto
groundhim.Iftheintellectualfacultyofairisimpairedinthementalbody,theindividualwillhaveavery
hardtimefocusingonthings,andhismindwillflickereasilyfromonesubjecttoanother.Hewillnotbe
abletoeasilyunderstandabstractideas,andhigherphilosophicalthinkingmaybeentirelylosttohim.
Suchpeopleareoftenatheists,becauseaparticularlyimpairedairelementpreventsthemfrombeing
abletothinkaboutthingsthatmightbehigherthanjustwhattheycansee,taste,hear,feel,andsmell.
Thefacultyoffeelingbelongstothewaterelement.Thisistheattachmentofthoughttoemotion,
sothatthepersoncanunderstandthatcertainactionsmeritcertainemotionalresponses.Itallowshim
tointeractonameaningfulandemotionallevelwithothersentientbeings.Italsoallowsforempathy,
whichisthesubtleconnectionbetweenallsentientbeingswhohavefeelings,sothatthepersoncan
betterunderstandwhathisfellowhumansaregoingthrough.Ifthewaterelementisimpairedinthe
mentalbody,thepersonwillbegenerallyapathetic.Hewillbeunabletoemotionallyunderstandothers,
andwillrarelyexpressemotions.Whatemotionshedoeshavewillbeeitherselfish,orwithoutany
groundinginthoughts.Hisemotionsmaybespontaneouswithoutanyapparentsource,becausethe
waterelementisnotstrongenoughtoconnectemotionalenergiestothoughtsandmemories.Ifthe
waterelementisexaggerated,thenthepersonwillliveinaprisonofhisownemotions.Hewillbeso
concernedabouteverything,soworriedabouteverything,thathewillnotreallybeabletolivelife.His
empathywithothersmaybesoseverethatheliveslifethroughtheemotionalexperiencesofothers,
andnothisownexperiences.Apersonlikethisisboundtohaveapsychoticnervousbreakdown.
Theearthelementisoftenattributedtothefacultyofconsciousness,butthiscreatessome
confusionamongststudentswhoarealsoexaminingdifferentlevelsofconsciousnessbesidesthatwhich
presidesasaresultofmentalactivities.So,intheseteachings,wehaveresolvedtoattributetheearth
elementtotheegoinstead,sincethismoreaccuratelydescribeswhattheearthelementdoesinthe
mentalbodywithoutcausinganyundueconfusion.Theearthelementhereactsasabindingforce,
bringingtheactivitiesoftheotherthreeelementstogetherandexpressingthemasasingle"character,"
whichisyourego.Iftheearthelementisexaggeratedinthementalbody,theindividualwillbe
extremelyselfishandselfcentered,butalsoverylethargicandlazyinmostareasofhislife.Hisviews
willbealmostimpossibletochange,andhewilloftendevelopaseriesof"rules"whichhemustfollow.
Ahighlyexaggeratedearthelementinthementalbodyisactuallythecauseofmentaldisorderssuchas
obsessivecompulsivedisorder.Iftheearthelementistoogreatlyimpaired,thenthepersonwillhave
toolittlesenseofself,andtheactivitiesoffire,air,andwaterinhismentalbodywillnolongerbe
coordinated.Suchapersonisextremelyunpredictableandspontaneoustoafault.Incertaincases,this
canalsocreatethementalconditionswhichallowschizophrenia,paranoidpsychosis,andmultiple
personalitydisordertomanifest.Awholehostofmentalafflictionsarerootedinanimpairedor
exaggeratedearthelement.
21
2011
TheAstralBody
Intheastralbody,thefunctionsofthefourelementsmanifestinaccordancetocertainoperations
beingperformedwithintheastralbodyandastralmatrix.Atthislevel,therawelementalenergies
actuallycorrespondtocertainpartsofthebody,aswellascertainmagnetisms.Forexample,the
elementswillbearrangedinwayswhichcreateelectricalandmagneticcurrentsthatareabsolutely
requiredforthehealthofthephysicalbody.Theactivitiesoftheelementsintheastralbodyalsogovern
theaura,andtheabilityoftheastralbodytohandlevariousenergiesproperly.
Justashowanimpairmentoranexaggerationofoneoftheelementsinthementalbodycanhavea
directimpactonmentalhealth,anysuchsimilarsituationintheastralbodywillhaveadirectimpacton
bodilyhealth.Unlikethementalbody,theastralbodyisverycloselytiedintomajorcentersinyour
physicalbody.Thus,anydisturbancesintheastralbodyareusuallyreflectedinthephysicalbodyalso.
Thethreeelementsoffire,air,andwatermanifesttoperformoperationspertinenttothefunctioningof
thephysicalbodyintheformsoftheinnerelectricfluid,theinnerelectromagneticfluid,andtheinner
magneticfluid,respectively.Theearthelementdoesnotactasoneofthethreeoperatingforcesinthe
astralbody,butinsteadisthebindingforcethatallowsthemalltoworkinunison,andcontainsthem
withinadesignedfieldandshapesothattheastralbodydoesnotdissolve.
Thefireelementintheastralbodyisresponsibleforexpansionandelectricalmovement.Itgoverns
youroverallhealth,andistheexpressionofthevitalinnermagneticfluid.Itisthefuel,theelectricfluid
withinthebodyisthefire.Thepotentialityforhealthandvigorintheastralbodyisexpressedbythe
electricfluid,andrealizedbyitsnatureasessentialradiation.Itcontainstheelectricalcurrentfully,and
soisthecontaineroftheelectricalfluidthroughouttheastralbody.Itallowstheastralbodytohavean
aura,anoutwardforcewhichkeepstheastralbodyfrombeinginvadedbyforeignenergies.Italso
correspondstodigestion,eyesight,brainactivity,andthefunctionsoftheheartandnervoussystem.
Whenthefireelementisimpairedintheastralbody,thepersonlackslusterandenergy.Hewillbe
vulnerabletodisease,sleepy,andgenerallylethargic.Whenthefireelementisexaggeratedandmade
overactiveintheastralbody,theindividualwillhaveanextremelyhighmetabolism,willhavedifficulties
holdinghisweight,willbesubjecttodehydration,andmayhaveelectricalproblemswithhisnervous
system.Problemswithspontaneousnervefirings,fevers,andseizuresandcausedbyanoveractivefire
elementintheastralbody.Whentheinnerfireelementishealthyandpowerfulitprovidesa
magnificentaura,aforceofprojectiontoonesdoings,andgreatvitality.
Theairelementcorrespondstothedifferentaspectsofthevitalforcepresentedwithintheastral
body.Theinnervitalforcehasthreemajorfunctionswhichallowforthehealthyinteractionofthe
electricandmagneticfluidswithinthebody,andwhichgoverntheentirestateofbodilyhealth.They
areknowninoccultterminologyasthefunctionsoftheChemicalEther,LifeEther,andLightEther,and
willreceivemoreindepthconsiderationinlaterclasses.Sufficetounderstandfornowthatthe
ChemicalEtherisresponsibleforthechemicalandbiologicalprocesseswithinthebody,theLifeEtheris
responsiblefortheanimatingprinciplewithoutwhichhewouldsimplybedeadmolecules,andtheLight
Etheristhebindingethericsubstancewhichconnectsustoeverythingelseonanethericordenseastral
level.Ifeitheroftheseethersareimpaired,thereisgreatharmupontheindividual.Thehealerismost
concerned,however,withtheactivitiesoftheChemicalEther,whichhasfivemajordivisions:
respiration,excretion/elimination,digestion,theregulationofphlegmandfluidswithinthebody,and
theregulationofblood.
Thewaterelementintheastralbodytakesitsmajorfunctionasthe"lifewater"ofthebody,and
representstheentirepotentialityfortotalhealth.Theelectricfluidwithinthedenseastralbodyisonly
22
2011
capableofexpressingwhatthemagneticfluidalreadyhas.Itisthelifesustainingwateroftheastral
body,andisthebasisforastralendurance.Itismostimmediatelymanifestasthesexualenergyofan
individual,whichcanbeharnessedorabusedinmanyways.Itisalsothefinerpsychicreserveofthe
individualthough,whichwilloftenexpressasonesmentalthresholdoftolerance,andhowresilientone
is.Inawayyoucanseetheentireastralbodyasawaterpoweredvehicle.Theengineitselfis
composedofactionsfromtheinternalairandfireelements,butthefuelfortheiractivitiesisthe
internalwaterelement.Whenthisisexaggeratedinapersonitwilllikelybemanifestasanalmost
insuppressiblesexdrive,overproductionofsperminthemalebody,overproductionofcervicalfluidin
thefemalebody,spontaneousorgasms(wetdreamsandthelikes),andrelatedthings.Itwillcausea
certainrestlessness.Ifitisimpaired,thentheindividualwillbelazy,hisimmunesystemwillbeweak,
hissexdrivewillbeverylow,andhewilllackanyrealexpressiveorcreativeenergy.Asonelearns
aboutthemechanicsofhealing,itwillbecomeevidentthatcomplicationsregardingtheinternal
magneticfluidaresomeofthemostcommonproblems.
Theastralbodyhasfourprimaryelementalcorrespondences:radiance,communication,generative
potential,andelasticity.Theactivityofthefireelementdeterminestheradiantpoweroftheastral
body.Theactivityoftheairelementdetermineshowallofthefunctionsoftheastralbodyarecarried
outandbalancedinaccordancetoelectromagnetism.Theactivityofthewaterelementdeterminesthe
reserveofpowerwhichtheastralbodyiscapableofholding,andthereforetheactivepoweritis
capableofgenerating.Theearthelementgovernsalloftheseactionsbroughttogetherandboundto
functionasawhole,whichiscalledelasticity.
ThePhysicalBody
Inthephysicalbody,theassociationsaresimpleenoughfromanoverallstructuralpointofview.
Onceonegetsintotheminutedetailsofhowtheelementsgoverntheorgans,tendons,nerves,muscles,
veins,andarteriesofthephysicalbody,thenthingsbecomecomplicated.Inthemeantime,wecanbe
satisfiedwithunderstandingthefourmajorattributions.Theheadanditsorganscorrespondprimarily
tofire.Thechestanditsorgans(minustheheart)correspondprimarilytoair.Thestomachandits
organs(includingthesexorgans),thebodilyacidsandphlegm,aswellastheveinsandarteries,
correspondprimarilytowater.Theextremities(legs,arms,hands,andfeet)andtheorganswhich
governthewasteprocessesofthebody,alongwiththeskin,bones,andmuscles,correspondprimarily
totheearthelement.ThebloodandsemenprincipallycorrespondtotheAkasha.
Allofthisinformationabouttheactivitiesoftheelementsineachofthebodiesisultimately
wrappedupintowhatmagicianscallthemagicalequipoise.Ineachbody,youwereprovidedbasicideas
andexamplesregardinghowtheelementsimpactwhatcanbecalledthe"totalhealth"ofanindividual
onaphysical,astral,andmentallevel.Wehavealsogiventheprimaryelementalfunctionsoneachof
thoselevels.Sowhatisthemagicalequipoiseinregardstothosethings?
Themagicalequipoiseiswhenalloftheelementsareworkinginharmony.Wheneachelement
supportsandenhancesinapositivewaytheactivitiesoftheelementswhichinteractwithit,then
internalharmonyisachievedoneverylevel.Thecharacterbecomesstabilized,thepersonalitybecomes
refinedandsharpenedtobetterrepresentthesoulconsciousnesswhichlaysbeneathit.Thehealth
becomesperfectandthebodybecomesvibrant.Themindbecomeswellsupported.Alloftheelements
oneverylevelactwithintheboundsofidealharmonyinordertocreateacompletecircuitof
communicationbetweenallthreebodiesoftheindividual.Themagicianbecomesasinglevehiclewith
23
2011
threeintegratedparts,asopposedtothreeseparatevehiclesthatarealllooselycommunicatingwith
oneanother.
Onthementallevelthemagicianwhohasobtainedtheelementalequipoise,alsocalledthestateof
tetrapolarity,hasthebestofallfourfaculties.Hiswillpowerisimpossibletodominate,andnoperson
cangaincontrolofhim.Whateveritishemustaccomplish,hecandevotehisentireconsiderablemental
forcetoachieving.However,itisnotignorant,anditisnotoverbearing.Itissteadiedbythecompassion
andmoretenderunderstandingofthewaterelement,issubjecttotheanalysisoftheairelement,and
groundedbythehealthypracticalityofaproperlybalancedearthelement.Hisintellectissharpandhis
mindisalwayscrystalclear.Hisdecisionsandthoughtsonthings,hisopinions,arenotinfluencedatall
byemotionorpersonalprejudice,thankstoahealthywaterelement.Heiscapableofconsideringthe
mostabstractideasfromapracticalperspectivebecauseofhowhisearthelementworksinharmony
withtheairelement.Hewillnevergetcarriedawaybyfantasyorimagination,andyethispowerof
imaginationwillbeextremelyvividandcreative.Hissenseofempathyandfeelingisalwayspresent,and
heloveshisfellowhumanityashisownfamily,andfeelscompassionuponothers.However,neither
doeshelethimselfbeswayedbyemotions.Astrongfireelementallowshimtoalwayspushtohisgoal
withoutemotionalinterference,astrongairelementallowshimtounderstandthingswithouthavingto
involveemotions,andalsotounderstandbetterhisownemotionsandthoseofothers.Astrongearth
elementkeepshisemotionsgrounded.Hissenseofself,hissenseofego,issublimatedbyspiritual
practice.Heispractical,andunderstandswherehestandsintheworld,butneitherishestubborn,
egotistic,orcloseminded.Becauseofabalancedairelement,hewillalwaysbeopentodiscussion
abouthisphilosophiesinregardstolife.Ofcoursehewillalwaysbasehisviewsoftheuniverseon
personalexperienceasamagician,buthewillnotforcetheresultingopinionsofthoseexperiences
uponothers.Thushebecomesamentalfortress.
Ontheastrallevel,themagicianwhohasobtainedtheelementalequipoisegreatlyincreasesthe
potentialelasticityofhisastralbody.Hecansafelyhandlemanydiverseformsofenergywithoutthose
energiesthrowinghimoffbalance.Hecanaccumulatealargeamountofthefireelement,forexample,
withoutitexaggeratingtheactivityoftheelectricfluidormakinghismindhyperactive.Withthe
tetrapolartensionexertedfromeachelementupontheotherelementintheastralbody,theirforces
willalwaysdrawoneanotherbackintoastateofharmonyandequilibrium.Evenifsomethingcauses
themagiciantostretchtowardsoneelementparticularlyfar,theelasticityofhisastralbodywillallow
himtoquicklyandsmoothlyreturntohisstateofelementalbalanceimmediatelyafterwards.Aperson
whohastheelementaltensionestablishedharmoniouslyintheastralbodyisextremelydifficultto
attackonanastrallevel.Heissafeduringastralprojection,becauseveryfewthingswouldbepowerful
enoughtodisturbhisequilibrium.HecanvisitthespheresoftheUndineswithoutworryingaboutsexual
exploitation,orthespheresoftheGnomeswithoutworryingaboutbeingtrappedundergroundbytricks
ordeception.Hismagicalmaturitygainshimthegreatestrespectineveryspherethatheentersinto,
andheremainsperfectlysafe.
Theattainmentofthemagicalequipoiseisthemostsacredtaskpresentedtothefledglingaspirant
ofthesemysteries.Itishisfirstpriority,thecomingofage,thebaptismintomagic.Beforeonecanpass
throughtheLesserMysteries,theindividualmusthavealreadyachievedthemagicalequipoise.
Otherwisehighermagicallearningispointless.Forthatreasontheimportanceofthesoulmirrorsandof
workingonyourvicesandvirtuescannotbestressedenough.Withoutatleastasteadymental
equilibriumtobuildfrominyourcharacter,asteadyastralequilibriumcannotbehad.
24
2011
LessonFive
TheFiveNoblePursuitsofTheurgy
IfyouhavereadtheLetterofIntroductiononthewebsite,whichdiscussessomebasic
principlesoftheurgyforpeoplenewtotheconcept,thenyouhaveencounteredwhatarecalledtheFive
NoblePursuitsoftheurgy.IntheoldtraditionthesearecalledtheSkopoi,orGoals.Theyarethe
universalgoalstowhichallmysticsaspire,andsoitwasseenasunnecessarytospecifythattheywere
partofthetheurgichodos.Thoughtheyarecategorizeddifferentlyinvarioustraditions,ornumbered
moreorless,thecoreideaalwaysremainsthesame.ThesefiveNoblePursuitsareLove,Light,Liberty,
Truth,andPeace.
Love
Intheesotericpathofmysticoccultism,loveisunderstoodtomeansomethingmuchhigher
thanhowwetypicallythinkofitinthemundaneworld.Intheworldoffateanddestiny,theworldof
men,loveisalowerexpressionoftheessentialuniversalforce;itisthedesiretobeinastateofunion
withsomeone,oratleast,tobeasclosetosomeoneasispossible.Here,thatsomeoneisusuallythe
subjectofattractionstriggeredbypersonalemotiveencounters,associationsofapositivenature,andat
leastsomeelementoflustorhormonedriveninstinct.Itissymbolicofthehigher,magicallove,butcan
onlyeverbeitsshadow.Inthehigherworlds,thisforcedoesnothavetheastralandpsychological
baggagewhichitsimitationshave;insteaditremainsapureforce,ruledbythelawsofanalogy,oflike
anddislike.Thingsarebroughttogetheroutofnecessitybyitsforce.
Thisbindingofouruniverseistheproperexpressionofloveasweareconcernedhere.Bythis
understanding,itistheloveofourplanetsforthesunwhichkeepstheminorbitaroundit.Itisthelove
oftheplantforthegroundwhichkeepsitrooted,allowingittogrowandreceiveitsnutrients.Itisthe
loveoftheatomsforoneanotherwhichformmolecules,andtheloveoftheelectronsforthenucleusof
anatomwhichkeepsittogether.
Knowingthis,anewunderstandingofrealityopensup:atreeisonlyatreebyvirtueofitslove
foritself.Ifitsatomsdidnotlovetheirowncomponentsandthecomponentsofthoseatomswhich
theyinteractwith,thenthetreewouldbreakdownandbecomesomethingelseentirely.Thiskindof
love,intheurgy,iscalledEros.Itistheglueofallexistence.
Sohowdoesthisapplypersonally?ToachieveLoveinthemysticalsenseistotranscendthe
lowerideasofthesubject,andembracetheforceofErosasafundamentallyunitingelement.Itits
mostspiritualpotency,thisresultsinexperiencingtheunifiedfieldofUniversalSoul.Throughit,one
becomesawareofhisconnectiontoallothersentientbeingswithinthescopeofhisreach.Intheego,
themostimmediateresultofthiswillbetheexpressionofagape,theselflessloveandcompassionof
themystic.Thetheurgistwillfeelafamilialbondwithallsentientbeings,firstinamoredistantway,
seeingthemasbrothersandsisters,theninthemoreintimatewayofseeingallpeopleasones
mothers,fathers,andchildren.Finally,thetheurgistrecognizesallpeopletobeemanationsofhisGod,
thatGodHimselfmerelyenjoyingadreamthroughthem.Thisbecomesthehigheststateofagape,and
acatalystfortrueGnosis.
Light
Ourentireuniverse,fromthehighestempyreanrealmsdowntothelowestcrevicesofthe
darkestplains,issomemannerofcongealedlight.Thoughthelighthasdifferingqualitiesfromrealmto
25
2011
realm,itisinessencethesamesubstancethroughout:itisthesolarradiationoftheMonad,theOne
God.OnHigh,lightistheLogositself.Inthementallevelofexistenceitisthetimespaceessenceof
purespirit,calledakashaintheorientaltantras.Intheastrallevelitiscalledsimplytheastrallight,
oftenrepresentedclassicallybyLVX,andinourworldweknowitasthelightofthesunandstars,oras
thatgeneratedbyelectricityandfire.Inallcasesitisthesameessence,andjustasphysicalscienceis
discoveringthatallthingsonaquantumlevelaresimplyhighlycondensedlight,sohasthesamealways
beenknownbytheFirePhilosophersofhistory.
Inapersonalcontext,toachieveLightistounifyyourowninnerlightofthespiritwiththe
cosmicspirituallight.InthebeginningthisiscalledRemovingtheSheaths,theprocessofpurification
wherebywemakeourselvesmorefittingreceptaclesofdivinelightbygettingridofthelayersof
ignoranceandnegativitywhichpreventeasyattunementwithDeity.Purificationasawholeiscalled
katharsisintheurgy,andonecansaythattheattainmentofLightinthetheurgicsenseisthesole
propertyofthepracticeofkatharsis.Thispurificationonalllevelswillbeachievedgraduallythrough
thepracticesthatyouwillreceive,andindeedhasalreadybegunwiththepracticesyouarecurrently
performing.Oncepurificationhasbeenreachedtoasufficientdegree,thentheeyeofconsciousness
willperceivepurespirituallightinthementalbody.Seeingit,theselfwillbecomelostinaseaof
unifyinglight,andthetheurgistwillexperienceitselfasadropofwaterinthevastoceanofGodslight.
Inthebeginningthisoccursasolelymeditativeexperience,butasthetheurgistadvancesandraiseshis
vibrationshigherandhigh,hewillgraduallyexistinawakingstateofdivineradiance.
TheattainmentofLightinourparticularlineagealsoholdsaspecial,moresecretmeaning.In
theancientpractices,masteradeptsknewhowtoconverttheirphysicalbodiesintopurelight,after
havingachievedtheenvelopmentoflightonallhigherlevels.Doingthis,theycouldstepcompletely
intothespiritualworlds,vanishingfromthephysicalworldcompletely,andiftheysodesired,theycould
returnagainatanytimetheymaywish.Thisabilitynotonlygavethesageacompletecontrolofhis
ownlifeanddeath,butalsoallowedhimtoenterintothelevelofpurelightwithinhisownbodyand
changetheagingprocess,orrejuvenatethebodyaswasneeded.Thougharareattainment,ithasbeen
recordedthroughoutthemajorspiritualtraditionsoftheworld.Inhasbeencalledvariouslythroughout
differentculturesthebodyofgold,thebodyofdiamond,thegolddragonbody,andthevehicleof
rainbowlight.InourtraditionitiscalledtheLogosSoma,theBodyofDivineWord.Itisseenasthe
highestachievementoflight.
Liberty
Liberationis,ofcourse,theentiregoalofpropermysticism.Whilethatmannerofliberationis
impliedbytheideaofliberty,therealityisthattrueliberationcanonlybeunderstoodasaresultofthe
achievementofallfiveskopoi.Insteadtheliberationwearespeakingofhereistheliberationofthe
mindfromtheburdeningforcesofthelowersenses.
Muchofyourtraininginthebeginningrevolvesaroundconditioningthemind,retrainingityou
couldsay,sothattheprocessesofthemindbecomeattachedtothehigherpowersofreasoninsteadof
thelowerpowersofsenselustsandbasedesires.Insomeschools,thiscomposestheentiretyofall
mysticaltraining.Intheurgy,though,thisisonlyabasicfoundation.Itspurposeisessentiallypractical,
andisseenasameanstoanend,nottheenditself.Thuswhilesomemysticaltraditionsbelievethatto
beliberatedfromthelowersensesisliberationitself,thepropermysticunderstandsthatthetrue
reasonforovercomingthesensedesiresistofreeupthepotentialpowerofthemind.
26
2011
Typically,thepowersofthemindandtheessenceofourmentalsubstanceisconstantlybeing
divertedbytheactionsofthesenses.Ourmindbecomeslikeadammedlake,withmanysmallrivers
beingforcedfromit,neverabletobuilditsreserveproperly.Theamountofwateroverallisthesame;it
simplynotallinonelocation,andthereforenotpossibletocallupandmakeuseof.Throughthe
meditationsyouwilllearn,youwillgraduallyachievetheabilitytoturnoffyoursenses,allowingyour
mentalandastralbodiestobuildupinternalenergyfortheachievementofhighergoals.Inourcase,
thegoalwillbetousethatextraenergyasaladdertohigherstagesofconsciousnessandself
realization.
Libertyinourtheurgicdefinition,then,isachievedoncecontroloverthesensesbecomesa
constantaspectofoneslife.Whenthehigherreasoningpowersofthesouldirectoneslife,thenthe
individualhastheabilitytoliveintunewiththecosmicforces.Thenoiseofthesensesstopsdisturbing
thelakeofthesoul,andasourinternalwatersbecomesilent,weareabletodetectthefaintripplesof
godhoodwithinourselves.
Truth
Tothetheurgist,truthmeansmanythings.Initsmostsimpleform,truthistheessenceofself
realization.Becausetheuniverseisseenasessentiallynontruthduetoitspromotionoftheideathat
weexistseparatelyfromGod,thefullrealizationofourconnectiontoGodconstitutestheultimateidea
oftruth.Thus,understoodinitshighestlight,theachievementoftruthmeansdirectlytheachievement
ofgnosis.Theverywordgnosisitselfimpliestrueknowledge.
Truthalsomeansorderandstructure,forthoughtheUltimateTruthisformlessand
structureless,itsactionsandresultsareformedandstructured.Thisallowsforeventhelowestlawsof
physicalexistencetostillbeconsideredanextentoftruthbythetheurgist,allowinghimtoevadethe
mysticaltendencyofdenyingthetruthinallthingsbutGod.Instead,thetheurgistrecognizesadegree
oftruthinallofGodsorderedforms.Theyareendsofachainwhich,iffollowedbacktotheirorigin
point,allinevitablyleadbacktotheOneSupreme,theultimateuniversaltruththatisGod.Theyare
clues,cloakingthehigherandmorenobletruthswithinthem.Allsuchtruths,allsuchlawsofthe
physicalandspiritualworlds,aredesignedsingularlytoprovideforusaroadbywhichwecanretrace
ourstepstoenlightenment.
Eveninlowerlevels,theideaoftruthhaspenetratingimplicationsforthetheurgicmagician.It
isthesacreddutyofallstudentsonthispathtoeventuallydevelopwhatwecalltheFacultiesofTruth,
whichareclairvoyance,clairaudience,andclairsentience.Itisnotacoincidencethatthesewordscan
easilybetranslatedtomeantrueseeing,truehearing,andtruefeeling.Toaninitiatewhohas
adequatelycultivatedthesepowers,thelowerlevelsofillusionwillalwaysbepassable.Noonewillever
beabletolietotheinitiate,ormisdirecthim.Instead,theinitiatewillalwaysbeabletoperceivethe
truthofamatter.
Likewise,theinitiatecanpenetratethefalsehoodsofeachlevelofexistence,dependingonthe
degreeofhispowers.Inthebeginningstages,themagiciancanonlypenetratethefalsehoodthatonly
thephysicalworldexists,whichhedoesbylearninghowtoperceivetheethericregions.Thusthe
studentwillexpandfromtheideathatallofexistenceisphysical,andwillexperiencedirectlythat,if
nothingelse,allofexistenceisbothethericandphysical.Then,withtime,hisfacultieswillbeableto
seeevendeeperthantheethericregions,andhewillperceivetheastralsubstancesoftheuniverse,and
evenbeabletolookdirectlyintodifferentastralspheres.Whetherheislookingintoamagicmirror,or
27
2011
standingoutsideandlookinguptothesky,hewillbeabletopenetratethephysicalandethericveils,
andseetheuniverseinitsastralformaswell.Suchaninitiatecannotonlyseetheheavens,butcan
heartheirmusicandfeeltheirvibrations.
Aftermuchpracticeandevolution,theinitiatewillthenadvancetosuchadegreethathe
penetratesthroughthephysical,etheric,andastrallayerswithhisfaculties,andperceivesthedivine
lightsofthementalandarchetypalworlds.Thiscontinuesuntil,havingachievedtotaltruth,the
magicianperceivesGodandthetruenatureoftheuniverseaspureconsciousnessandlight.
Peace
Thefifthandfinalnoblepursuitinoursystemoftheurgyispeace,whichcanalsobeunderstood
inthisinstanceasbliss.Still,wehaveavoidedusingthetermblissonaccountofitsassociationwith
loweremotionallyandphysiologicallyecstaticstates.Thatideaismoreproperlyconveyedbythe
conceptofraptureandecstasy,andsowehavecalledthisfinalachievementthestateofpeace.Total
innertranquility,thepeacewhichpassethallunderstanding.
Thestudentprogressingthroughtheseclasses,ifhedevoteshimselftotheaskesisthathasbeen
provided,willgraduallyfeelanempoweringpeacearisinginternally.Asmayhavealreadybeennoticed
bysome,thestudentwillgaincontrolofanyemotionalswaysandmoodswings,andthuswillhave
emotionalpeace.Withtimethestudentbecomescenteredinthereasoningfacultyofthesoul,notthe
emotiveaspectsoftheanimalnature,andthusbecomesundisturbedbythepushandpullofthe
elementalenergies.Meditationandnoblelivingwillseverthestudentsrelianceonsensegratification,
andsothesensesofthelowervehicleswillnolongercontrolhisthoughtsorhisdesires.Ultimatelythe
highestdesirebecomesunionwithGod,andsotherestoftheworldstormsaroundtheinitiatelikea
hurricaneofdesiresandlusts,whilehehimselfremainsintheeyeofthestorm,sostillthatnotevena
candleflamewillshake.
PeaceistherewardofthemenandwomenwhopursueGodwiththeirhearts.ItisGods
promisetoHisbeloved.Establishedinthedivinityofourownsouls,weareabletoattachourselvesto
thehighestworlds,beyondthechaosofthelowerrealms.Thoughwewillretainabodyandapresence
herebelow,wewillfeelthatweareperceivingitallfromadistantheaven,sittinginpeacefulblisswith
thegods.Indeedweshallfeelthatheavenitselfiswithinus,andwewillresidethere.Thispeace,the
endofallsorrowandsuffering,isthewheelbreaker.Itdestroysthecycleofforcedreincarnation,and
allowsustograduatefromEarthandmoveontohigherspiritualplacestocontinueourpath.
Youmayhavenoticedbynowthatallofthefiveskopoiareinfactreflectionsofoneanother.
Thefullachievementofoneis,byextension,theachievementoftheotherfour.Forexample,ifwe
establishourselvescompletelyintruth,thenbynecessity,wehavealreadyrisenaboveoursenses
(liberty),thehighervehicleshaveallowedindivineessence(light),theorderofthecosmosasbasedon
unifyingforceisperceived(love),andtherealizationoftheultimatetruthhasbroughtuseverlasting
bliss(peace).Notoneofthesefiveessentialachievementscanexistwithouttheotherfour,andsothey
areallpartsofthesameoverallgoalofenlightenment.Still,thestudentmustbeawareofallfive
individually,sincetoseethemasawholedoesnottrulyoccuruntilthatwholeitselfisreachedthrough
gnosis.Inthemeantime,fromtheperspectiveofthegrowingaspirant,theyarestillindividualqualities.
Byknowingthemandmemorizingtheirassociatedconcepts,thestudentofthispathwillalwaysbeable
toidentifywhyheisdoingcertainpractices,andhowthosepracticescontributetoenlightenment.
28
2011
LessonSix
TheFiveNobleVirtues
LastweekwediscussedtheFiveNoblePursuitsoftheurgy,calledtheSkopoi.Allstudentsare
urgedtobecomecompletelyfamiliarwiththeconceptspresentedwithinthatlecture,asan
understandingoflastweeksteachingsisnecessarytotrulyunderstandthisweekslecture.Thesetwo
weeksoflecturesformthebasisofourtheurgicpath,initssimplestform,andinmanywaysseparate
thetheurgicpathfromothermystichodoi(paths).Thoughtheseprinciplesarefoundinalltrueformsof
mysticism,theirdistinctcategorizationisuniquelytheurgic,andisdoneaccordingtolaw,meaning
accordingtothedoctrineoftheelements.
ThisweekweareexaminingtheFiveNobleVirtuesoftheurgy,traditionallycalledTheJewelsof
theSoul.TheyareJustice,Courage,Nobility,Truthfulness,andTemperance.Inadditiontoconsidering
theirindividualqualities,andtheimportanceofeachvirtuetothetheurgicpath,wewillalsotakeabrief
examinationofhoweachofthefivejewelsarerelatedtocorrespondingskopoi.Furtherinsightintothe
individualnaturesofthefivejewels,andtheirinterrelationwiththefivegoals,willbegainednaturally
asthestudentmatures.
Justice(Light/Fire)
Justiceisanabstractconceptforsome,andisoftenmadeunnecessarilycomplicated.In
theurgyitisessentiallytwofold,referringfirstlytotheloveoftruth,andsecondlytothelawsof
harmonyandorder.Henceinthefirstplace,everyhopefulstudentoftheurgymustgraduallycultivate
withinhimselfadefinitiveloveoftruth,andoftheproperorderofthings.
Inthebeginningthisiseasiersaidthandone.Togovernonesselfaccordingtodivinelawisa
trickyundertakingfortheaspirant,whohasonlybeguntobeintroducedtoproperspiritualprinciples.
Thegeneralguidelinesofthisclass,suchashowtheaspirantshouldgovernhimself,willservethe
studentwellinthisregard.Eventhis,though,ismoretherealmofNobilitythanJustice,properly
understood.Justiceitselfwillbegintobeassimilatedbytheessenceofthestudentwhenhemore
thoroughlyunderstandshowhisvehiclesinteractwithoneanother,andthengovernshimselflawfully
throughthatknowledge.
Asgeneralguidelines,justiceshouldbepursuedbyalwaysattachingonesselftotherealityofa
situation.Bylivinginrealityandexpressingaloveofthetruthofallsituations,thestudentisprevented
fromfallingintotheerrorsofprejudiceandfalsejudgment.Thisisthefirststepinlivingaccordingto
law,whichisessentiallywhatjusticeisabout.Inafurthersense,aswasmentionedearlier,todo
somethingaccordingtolawmeanstodoitinaccordancetotheuniversaldoctrineofthefive
elementsinregardstotheevolutionofthesoul.Thustoliveaccordingtojusticereallymeanstolive
accordingtospirituallaw.
This,ofcourse,allreferstothemundaneandpsychicjustice,notthespiritualjustice.Itisthe
justiceofmindandheart,notthejusticeofsoul,whichisamuchhigherachievement.Intheurgy,when
theaspiranthasbecomeaninitiate,andtheinitiatehasadvancedfinallytobecominganadept,an
eventoccursknownastheJustification.Thisisaformofdivinevision,sometimestakingplaceatthe
heightofaritual,sometimestakingplaceinadreamorduringanastralexperience.IntheJustification,
29
2011
thegodwhichmostclearlyrepresentsthesourcepointofthesouloftheadeptappearstotheadept,
andbestowsablessingwhichrecognizestheadeptasjustifiedintheeyesofthatarchetypalgod.This
meansthatthegodrecognizestheadeptashavinglivedlawfully,accordingtothepreceptsofthatgod,
andhasthereforefullyexpressedthedivineprinciplesofthatgodwithinhimself.Anhonoraryepithet
isthenattachedtotheadept,tobeusedduringhisownritualsorduringinitiationsinordertoinvoke
thepowerwhichsucharecognitioninduces.HencesomeonewhoreceivedtheblessingfromRa,for
example,wouldreceivetheadditionaltitleofJustifiedbeforeRa,orsomeonewhowasblessedinthis
waybyBacchuswouldbedubbedJustifiedbeforeBacchus.Thisisthehighestvirtueofjustice.
TheNoblePursuitwhichthisJewelisdelegatedtoistheprincipleofLight.Asonelives
accordingtojustice,onelivesaccordingtothelawsofdivineorder.Thevehicleofdivineorder
throughouttheentirecosmosisspirituallight,andindeedtoberecognizedasfullyJustifiedissimplyto
berecognizedasbeinginfullattunementwiththeparticulardivinelightfromwhichyoursoul
originated.
Courage(Love/Water)
OneofthefourprinciplesintheCodeoftheMagiisToDare.Tobedaring,however,requires
courage.Courageisthereforetheinherentpowertomoveinacertaindirection,ortobemoved,so
thatsomethingmaybeaccomplished.Inthis,thetaskisunitedwiththedoerofthetask,which
representsthecompletionofthetask.Thecourageousaspirantbravelymarchesforwardintothese
spiritualpracticesbecausethereisacompellingforcewhichhiswillhasbecomealignedto,theforceof
Love,towhichcouragecorresponds.Inouraskesis,itistheloveofGodwhichgivesuscourageand
endurance.Likewiseinregularlife,theloveofamanmaygiveawomanthecouragetoapproachhim,
ortheloveofaChristianitymaycompelaChristiantopreachorconvert,soonandsoforth.
WemustthereforeregardCourageastheanimatingprincipleinourspirituallives,ifweareto
makethisJewelactivewithinourselves.Thestudentmustalwaysstrivetobecourageous,orinother
words,toliveinactioninsteadofstagnancy.IflackingthisvitalJeweloftheSoul,thehopefulaspirant
wouldstrayawayfromaskesisandthespirituallife,andwouldpursueaneasierflowinlife.Sucha
studentwouldbesweptawaybythecurrentsoftheillusoryworldofsensedesires,sinceitmerely
requiressubmissiontobecarrieddownriver,butitrequirescouragetoswimagainstthecurrent.
TomanifestcourageinonesliferequiresthattheforceofLovebestrongenoughtocompelthe
studentonwards.Itisanexertionofwillpoweranddevotionsimultaneously,itisbothwaterandfire,
bothactiveandpassive.Thetrulycourageousstudentmarchesonwardsnotonlybecauseheseeks
whatisattheendofthepath,butbecausetheendofthepathitselfdrawshimonwards.Thuslove,the
unitingforceoftheuniverse,willbindthecourageousstudenttohispath,untilheachievesunionwith
hisgoals.Wesee,then,thatinordertocultivatecourage,wemustcultivatelove,similarlytohowin
ordertocultivatejusticewemustbecomealignedwithlight.
Forthecourageousstudent,thespiritualpathwillopenuplikeaflower,andallthefruitscanbe
pluckedfromthetreeandenjoyed.Thecourageburninginhischestwillalwaysallowhimtotrod
onwards,evenwhenthepathbecomesdifficultandtheroadbecomesshroudedindarknessandfog.
Forsuchastudent,progresswillneverstopbutinsteadwillalwaysbeconsistentandreliable.Itis
becauseofthenecessityofcouragethatintheancientpracticestheadeptswerecalledLions.
Therefore,belions!
30
2011
Thisdoesnotmeanthatyoumustbeferociousoraggressive,oranythingofthesorts.No,we
allmanifestourcourageindifferentways.Foronepersontheforceofcouragemaytakeforminpure
willpower,themorefierypath,andthestudentwillmarchonlikeawarrior.Forothers,couragemay
manifestwithunendingloveandcompassion,andthestudentwillbeasunstoppableasthegreatwaves
oftheocean.Allthatmattersisthatwepushonwardswithloveandcourageburninginourhearts.
Inbearsmentioningthatinsofaraspersonalcharacteristicsareconcerned,courageistypically
afieryvirtue.Wehaveallottedittowaterwithintheconfinesspecifictocourageasanattribute
resultingfromlove,andtheevolutionuponthespiritualpath.Thecourageofdailylife,therefore,
shouldstillbeseenasavirtueofthefireelement.
Nobility(Liberty/Spirit)
Mostpeoplelivetheirliveslustingoverthesenses.Indoingso,theyattachthemselvestothe
animalnature,andlivemoreasbeaststhanmen.TothemwasHermeslamentingwhenhesaid,
Oman,whitherareyoubeingsweptaway?Youaredrunken;youhavedrunkupthestrong
drinkofignorance;ithasoverpowered,andnowyouvomititforth.Standfirm,turnsober,andlook
upwardswiththeeyesoftheheart.
ItfallsupontheshouldersoftheaspiranttofollowthecommandofHermesandlook
upwards,meaningthathemustattachhimselftoreasonandintellectratherthansenselustsand
emotionaldesires.Thisisnobility,intheesotericsenseoftheidea.Onlybylivingvirtuouslyisone
considerednoble,butthesensesarefilledwiththecapacityforvice,andcorrupttheactivitiesofthe
elementswithintheindividual.Thereforewemustextricateourselvesfromtherulingpowerofthe
senses,andattachourselvestothespiritualnotionsofreasonandintellect,andbeyondeventhem,to
theintuitiveawarenessofpureconsciousness.
Nobility,tothemindofthetheurgist,isactuallybeyondtheactivityofthefourelements.The
fourelementsthemselveswillstillalwaysexertthepushandpulloftendenciesuponthemind,andwill
alwaysactivatethequalitiesofaction,inertia,orstagnancy.Whileahighdegreeofnobilityisachieved
whenthefourelementsarerectifiedandtemperanceisachieved,thehighestdegreeofnobilityisonly
hadwheneventhesubtletendenciesoftheelementsareovercome,andthepersonissituatedpurelyin
consciousness.Forthisreasonthevirtueofnobilityisrelegatedtothespiritprinciple,beyondthefour
elements,andisconnectedtherebytotrueliberty.
Whentheadeptachievestruenobility,whenthisJewelhasbeenperfectedinthesoul,then
liberationisguaranteed.Suchapersonlivesfarbeyondthereachofthewheelofdesireandlustwhich
causesreincarnation.Hisactionsbecomeentirelyhisown,directedbydivineprincipleinsteadof
elementalorplanetaryinfluences.Insodoing,theadeptlivesmoreasagodthanasaman,perfectly
ennobledandtotallyfree.
Truthfulness(Truth/Air)
Muchwassaidabouttruthinourlastlecture,andsowewillnotdedicateourselvestorepeating
ityetagainhere.InsteadletussimplyobserveinpassingbythisJewelthatthetheurgist,asmentioned
earlier,muchbeanabsoluteloveroftruth.Thesearchforenlightenmentitselfisthesearchforthe
underlyingtruthofthecosmos,sounlesstheaspiranthasaninherentloveofthatwhichistruthful,he
31
2011
willnotbeabletopursuethepathofgnosis.Gnosisitselfis,properlyrendered,trueknowledge.
Thereforethemysticalpathisaboutthevanquishingofnontruth.
Theideaofovercomingnontruth,thestateinwhichthesenseboundpersonexists,iscentral
totheurgy.Eachlevelofbeingissaidtobetruthfultotheextentthatitcanobservethatwhichisata
levelaboveitself,andperceiveagreaterdegreeoftruththerein.Thusbodycanperceivethehigher
truthinsoul,soulcanperceivethehighertruthinpuremind,puremindcanperceivethehighertruth
whichexistsinconsciousness,andconsciousnesscanperceivethegreatertruthwhichexistsbeyond
dualityandbeing.Itisthechainoftruth,then,whichallowsustoascendupwards.
Inestablishingtruthandtheloveoftruthwithinourselves,weovercomewrongthinkingand
falseperception.Sincethesearethesourceofthehumanconditionofsorrowandbondage,theyare
consideredchaoticandabysmal.IntheurgythisisexpressedintheGreekwordfortruth,alethe,
whichliterallymeansnotlethe.Letheisthewordforoblivion,andsotruthisseenasnot
oblivion,theimplicationbeingthatfalsehoodandillusionareoblivion.
Thewaysthatanaspirantcangoaboutcultivatingtruthinhimselfaresimpleenough.Bea
loveroftruthfromthesmallandpersonaltothelargeandimpersonal.Notonlyseekthetruthofthe
universeandofexistence,butseektolivetruthfullyinyourdailylife.Learntocontrolyourtongue,and
practicenevertellingalie.Learntolovethetruthofsomethingforitsownsake,evenifthetruthmay
beinconvenientortroublesometoaccept.Inthatwaytheaspirantwillwaxintruthfulnesseveryday,
andbysopracticingtheactualityoftruthinthepersonallife,theaspirantwillgraduallycomeinto
greaterharmonywithcosmicandspiritualtruths.
Temperance(Peace/Earth)
ThelastofthefiveJewelsoftheSoulisperhapsthemostvital.Aswesawlastweek,thegoalof
peace,towhichtemperanceishereassociated,isthewheelbreaker.Itreleasesthesoulfrom
bondage,sinceinrealitytheentirepathofmysticismcanbeseenasbeingaboutachievingthepeace
whichoccurswhenthesorrowsofthesensesandfalsehoodsareovercome.Tohavethatpeacethough,
onitshighestlevel,wemustfirststartonthegroundlevelwithinourselves.Wemustsilenceourown
innerwaters,whichformanypeopleareaburstingandragingsea,clashingagainstallobstaclesand
throwingourinnerworldintodisarray.
Thisistheforceofourunchecked,unrestrainedemotions.Theyusurptherulingpowerofmind,
andcausethoughttobeattachedtothem,allowingthemtoleadandmanipulatethemindhowever
theywish.Theyplungetheentireselfintochaos,andarealmostsolelyresponsibleforwhymostpeople
havenopeaceintheirlives.Whenwelearnthenatureofthebeast,andthentameit,peaceensues.
Thistamingiscalledtemperance.Temperanceisthecontrolandgradualsilencingofthe
variouspullingpowersoftheemotions.Inthebeginning,thissimplymeanstryingtoconscientiously
utilizedisciplinetograbaholdofouremotionsandcontrolthem.Itmeanswatchingyourtongueand
yourthoughts,soastokeepthemincheck.Itmeanstryingtoruleonasituationwithreason,insteadof
emotion,anditmostdefinitelyalsomeansneverlosingcontroloveryourselfbecauseofthepowerof
emotion.Whentemperanceisachieved,adegreeofpeacecreepsintoourlives.Theseaissilent,and
wecanenjoysailingonitscarefulsurface.
32
2011
Earlyonthetemperancethestudentachieveswillonlybeamask.Itwillbeaconstanteffort,
andwillrequireallduediligence,inordertokeeptheactup.Yousee,theemotionsthemselvesare
merelythepuppetsoftheelementalinfluences.Solongasyouarenotspirituallyresistanttothepush
andpullofthosefourpowers,solongasyouarenotbeyondthesweepingforceoftheirtendencies,
thenyouwillalwaysbestrugglingagainstyourinternalemotions.Anycalmnessortemperance
exhibitedoutwardlywillonlybeapparent,resultingfromyourpurposefuldiscipline.Itisagood
practice,foritbuildsgreatdisciplineandwillpower,andwillsendaclearmessagethatyouarereadyto
beruledbyspiritandnotthelowerpassions.Truetemperance,though,willonlybeachievedoncethe
elementsthemselvesstopwarringwithoneanotheronthebattlegroundofyourbeing.
Lastingtemperanceasapermanentqualityisthereforeperceivedashandinhandwithmagical
equipoise.Whentheelementsstopwarring,thentheirfootsoldiers,theemotions,stopbattlingwithin
you.Thisgiveslastingpeace,andprovidesgoodsoiltocultivateandharvestthefruitsofmysticism.
33
2011
LessonSeven
TheurgyandReligion
Itisthedesireoftheteachersofthislineagethatthestudentsofthisclassdiscardalloftheir
religiousbiases,evenifonlyforthedurationofthisclass.Ifthiscannotbedone,thereisnoreasonfor
youtobehere.Theseteachers,outofanearnestdesiretohelptheirhypnotizedbrothersandsisters,
haveoccasionallyacceptedasstudentscertainpeoplewhowerestillgovernedbyreligiouslyoriented
fear.Ineveryinstancethisprovedtobeafailure;notoncehassomethingproductivecomeofthe
monthsoftoilinvolved.Theywouldpourthemselvesintothesuccessofsuchastudent,onlytobeleft
withcursesandcondemnations.Thereforeitisthepolicyofourlineofteachersnottoprematurely
liberateourbrethren,buttoletthemcometosomedegreeoftheirownawakening,afirmdesireto
seekahighertruth,beforeacceptingthemintoourteachings.
Therelationshipbetweentheurgyandreligionislargelymisunderstood.InthelectureDefiningMagic,
wehavealreadyshowntheprobationerthattheurgyinitstruestandhighestformisinnowayat
conflictwiththemajorityoftheworldsreligions.Ourpathisameansofspiritualattainmentthat
guidesthestudenttowardsagreaterunderstandingoftheUniverse.Itcanactuallycomplementmany
religiousbeliefs,especiallywheresymbolismisinvolved.Ofallthereligionsintheworld,therearea
fewwhichholdatraditionoftherichestsymbolism,andintheirdepthshaveharboredinitiatesofhigh
quality.
Infact,thematurestudentofthesemysterieswillbynomeansabhororbeintolerantof
religion,orofreligiouspeople.Thetruthofthematteristhatitisreligionwhich,duringthedarkestof
times,keptthepathtotrueinitiationalive.Itwasforthisveryreasonthattheinitiatesofvarious
culturescreateddifferentreligionsfordifferentpeoples,veilingthemysteriesinsymbolism,subjecting
themtoastrictcodeofsilence.IfitwerenotforthedescentofCerestorestoreherbeloved
PersephonetotheElysianfields,orforthesacrificeofBacchus,orfortheresurrectionofBaldur,orfor
thedismembermentofDionysus,wereitnotforthetrialsofHerculesandtheeternaltortureof
Prometheus,forthebattleofRamaagainstRavana,forthejourneysofOdysseus,fortheDeathofOsiris
andhisreincarnationasHorus,forOdinsdefeatofGrimnirandthebringingofthecelestialmeadinto
Asgard,fortheslayingofTyphon,verily!WereitnotforthemourningofIsisandthegoldenphallus,or
forthebattlebetweenJasonandAres,ortheplayofRudraandSati,wereitnotforallofthesethings,
themysterieswouldhavelongagovanished.Instead,theyhavehiddeninplainsight!Thisisthe
cunningofthemostadvancedadepts,thattheycreatedreligion,theapparentenemyoftruemysticism,
toconcealtheessenceofmysticismitself.AsBasilValentinedeclares,Nectarishiddeninpoison.
ShivahadtodevourtheoceanofpoisonsothathisYogacouldliveon.ThereforetoBacchus,Dionysus,
Mithras,Serapis,Hercules,JesusChrist,Ceres,Osiris,Horus,Odin,Baldur,Rama,Rudra,Jason,Enoch,
Elijah,andPrometheus,yes,especiallytoPrometheus,lettheaspiringstudentlifthisfinestwineinthe
greatestthanks,andbowhisheadinthedeepestreverence.Theastutestudent,eventhestudentmost
learned,willnotreallyunderstandthesestatements,andtheprofunditiesandabsurditiesoftheinitiatic
religions.Thereforeeverystudent,yearsfromnow,shouldreadthislatterparagraphagaininthelight
ofinitiatedunderstanding.
Shouldyoupassfromthisclassintolater,moreadvancedclasses,therewillbetimeswhenyou
willencounterthenamesofstrangegodsandbeingswhichyoumaynotbefamiliarwith,andthe
mentionofwhichmayeventroubleyou.Whatexactlythesebeingsareisthesubjectoflaterdiscussion,
34
2011
butinthemeantimesufficeittosaythatnoworshipinthecommonsenseoftheideaisutilizedinany
oftheoperationsyouwillbetaught.Thereareoccasionswhereamannerofpraiseandthankfulnessis
giventoforceswhichhelpyou,butalloftheseforcesandintelligencesareofthemostprofoundly
benevolentnature.
Thetruemagicianisnotsotroubledbytheapparentdifferencesinvariousreligions,andis
certainlynotatallimposeduponbyvariousreligiousdogmasandlaws.Atlaterpointsinhistraining,
thestudentwhodesirestoadvanceinthistraditionwillbeinstructedinthetruemeaningofmany
differentreligions,andwillbetaughttheinitiatorysecretsandrespectivesymbolismofthosereligions
whichharboredintheirwombsnotablemysteryschools.Hewillbeconversant,forexample,inthe
mysteriesandmethodsoftheGothi,theFreemasons,theKnightsTemplar,theRosicrucians,theCelts,
theEgyptians,theEssenes,theGnostics,theYogis,theLamas,Taoists,andthespiritualsymbolismof
othertraditions.AsatruhousedtheGothipriests,thosemastersoftherunes,whohadtheirown
systemoftheQabalah(asBardontestifiesto).CatholicismhousedtheGnostics,theFreemasons,the
Knights,andtheouterordersoftheRosicrucians.CeltismhousedtheDruids.Theapparentchaosof
thescatteredEgyptianpantheonwasmerelyaveiloverthehigherinitiatictraditionwhichhousedthe
ancienttheurgicmysteryschools.Hinduismanditsoffshoot,Buddhism,housetheYogisandtheLamas.
JudaismhousedtheQaballists,thosewhoborethetitleofShemTavandTzadekim,andalsothe
Essenes.Thus,thosereligionswhichoriginatedfromtheseersandinitiatesofthepast,alsoconcealthe
secretsofthoseseersandinitiates.Infacteachoftheseapparentlydifferentreligionsisreallyteaching
thesamething,andcontainsthesamesymbolicinitiationsinthemastheotherones,pointingtoa
singularsourceforallofthem.Forthisreason,thoroughstudyofcertainreligionsisapartoflater
training.Inthemeantime,theknowledgethatthisissoshallsuffice.Verily,mysticismistheoldestand
mostuniversalreligion.
Muchlaterinyourtraining,shouldyoucontinueyourpursuitoftruthundertheguidanceofthe
teachersofourhodos,youwillbetaughtthesacredscienceofInvocation.Thusyouwill,bydirect
experience,beabletounderstandthepowerswhichthegodsofallthemanyreligionsoftheworld
represent.IftheHavamalorthePoetticEddaoftheAsatrureligionisobscuretoyou,thenyoushall
invokeOdin.BybecomingtheOneEyedAllfather,thespearbearingrider,youwillknowallthe
mysteriesofthoseholybooks.BydrinkingtheproperlyconsecratedMead,youshalleffectthe
transmutationofregularwineintothedivineintoxicatingnectar.AswithOdin,aswithallthegods.
Andindeedeachgodrepresentsthehighestessenceofaparticularanduniqueforce,exercisedina
specialway.Thereforethemagician,inhisclimbtowardsadepthood,shallmakehimselffamiliarwith
thegodsofmanydiversereligions,underthecriticalwatchofhisTeacher.Indoingthis,hewillattune
himselftothehighestenergiesoftheworld.Hewillbeabletocommandallthespiritsofeveryreligion,
forindeedtherearespiritsparticulartocertainculturesandcertainreligions,andtheydodifferent
things.ThespiritswhichgovernthosesacredglyphscalledtheRunes,forexample,thinkandbehave
differently,andhaveamuchdifferenteffect,thenthosewhichgoverntheIChingorTarot.Theseare
allmuchhighermysteries,andweunderstandthatweareriskingconfusingyoubymentioningthemso
earlyon.However,itisourhopethatindoingso,youwillgainahealthyrespectforreligionby
acknowledgingthehigheraspectofit.Likewise,onceyoucandothis,youcanunderstandeveryreligion
fromitscorepoint,andcanthereforeempathizewiththedevoteesofanyreligion.Noreligionwill
seemstrangetoyou,andyouwillimmediatelybeabletoidentifythoseyoungerreligionswhichhaveno
basisinthemythosofinitiation,andarethereforepureimaginationorfantasy,ormere
misinterpretation.
35
2011
Thewouldbecandidateofthesemysteriesmusthaveabouthimadefiniteairofmaturity.The
spitefilledangstwhichsooftenmarksteenageyouthhasnoplaceatArthurstable.Therefore,againI
saythateverystudentshallstrivetobeacceptingofhisbrethrenwhichareenthralledbyreligion.
Thoughremarkshavebeenmademuchinfavorandingratitudeoftherolewhichreligionhasplayed,
lettheprobationerofthesemysteriesrememberthathehasgonebeyondreligion.Themomentyou
firstthoughtaboutmysticism,yousurpassedtheneedforreligion.Itactsasthefirstgatewayto
suggestingtheexistenceofthingsbeyondwhatwecantouchandfeel.Peoplelingerformanylifetimes
intheschoolofreligion,graduallybecomingmoreandmoremysticallyinclinedbecauseofexposureto
thehigherenergieswhichreligiousceremoniesinvite.Slowlybutsurelythesoulbeginstoletdown
someofitsbarriersandlosesomeofitsmisconceptions.Oneday,perhapsthousandsofyearsafterthe
personsfirstexposuretoreligion,asuddenrayoflightpiercesthedarkness.Somethinghappens,a
changetakesplace,andinthedeepestrecessesofthemind,thesouldarestoutterinaquietwhisperto
itself,Iwishtostudymysticism.
Therefore,letthemlingerinthatschoolforawhile.Tobreaksomeoneofthecycleprematurely
oftenresultsincatastrophe,andisultimatelyaselfishimpulse.Insteadbedetachedabouttheordeal,
andrestassuredintheknowledgethatnottoolongagoyousufferedfromthesamedelusions.You
cannotforceopenthepetalsofarosebeforeitistimetobloom;youwillmerelysucceedindestroying
therose.Neitherdidwe,theteachersofthislineage,northeteachersofanyofthosegreatmystery
schoolsthatareinleaguewiththislineage,gooutandfindyou.Wedidnotconvertyou,ordebatewith
you,nordidwebysomespecialeffortconvinceyouthattheurgywastherightpath.Wemerelyletyou
knowaboutourexistenceandourintentions,andyourowninnerrealizationdidtherest.Offer
everyonethiscourtesy.Themostsurewaytomakeotherpeopletheurgistsistobecometheurgists
yourselves.Betheproofofthewondrousnessofthisscience.
36
2011
LessonEight
IntroductiontotheArcheusandOccultVirtues
Thetheurgist,inhisroleasmagicianiscapableofinfluencingtheworldwithhismind,hissoul,
andwiththeenergieswhichhecommandsbyandthroughthem.Likewiseheiscapableofinfluencing
people,events,places,emotions,thoughts,animalsandallsortsofotherthingsshouldhesodesire,and
presumingthatthereisgoodcausetodoso.Ifthisisthegivenpremise,thenthenecessaryfollowupis
aquestionofhow.Whatexactlyisitabouttheworldthatallowsustoinfluenceeachotherandthe
universesubtlywithoutwhatappearstobedirectcontact?Theanswerisaninvisiblemediumknownto
occultscientistsasthearcheus.
Thoughtotheatelestostheredoesnotappeartobeamechanismofcommunicationbetween
themindsoftwopeople,betweenthemesmeristandhissubject,betweentheseerandthemagic
mirror,themagicianunderstandsperfectlythattheremostcertainlyis.Justasonecanonlyperceive
theinvisiblestrataofelectricwaves,microwaves,wirelessdata,etcwithpreciseinstruments,socan
onlyatrainedinitiateperceiveandworkwithintheinvisiblemediatorofalllife.
Thearcheusisasubtle,invisiblepresencewhichpermeateseverythinginexistence,bothliving
andnonliving,andistheprimarymediumofallinvisibleforces.Ifforexampleonesendsatelepathic
messagewithoutonesownmedium,suchasthevitalforce,thenitisthearcheuswhichpicksupand
carriestheinformation.Evenifonedoesusehisownmedium,somethingyoushalllearntodolaterfor
moreeffectiveandaccuratetransmission,itiswithinthearcheusthatitmoves.Thuswemayaccurately
saythatwhennearlyallthesagesofthedifferentspiritualtraditionshavesaidthatweareall
interconnected,itisthroughthearcheusthatthisistrue.
Thesubstancesofthearcheusareverymalleable,meaningthattheyareeasilyshapedbyother
forces.Oneoftheforceswhichconstantlyandmosteasilyshapesthearcheusisthehumanmindand
itsnaturalinfluenceonenergies.Theabilityofthemindtosummonwillpowerandconcentrationplays
alargeroleinhoweffectivelythisisdone,butonasmalllevelwealldoitmanytimeseachday.
Wheneveryouthinktoyourselfthisfoodisgood,forexample,youareleavinganimpressiononthe
archeuswithinthatfoodwhichmakesyourstatementevenmorereal.
Thefoodisgoodbecomesoneoftheoccultqualitiesofthefoodyouwereeatingwhenyoudo
this.Aqualityisamentaloremotionalassociationassignedtotheactualsubtlefabricofthesubstance
bythearcheus.Sometimestheseassociationsaredesignedsoastofindanexpressioninthephysical
world,andsometimestheysimplyremainmentalimpressionswhichleavetheirinfluencesonthethings
aroundthem.Anemerald,forexample,containsqualitieswhich,whencondensed,renderitthecolor
green,hardinnature,andmakeitakindofrock/mineral.Apartfromthesephysicalqualities,an
emeraldalsocontainsthementalqualitiesoflove,peace,prosperity,andfulfilledpromises.Any
qualitieswhichdonotdirectlymanifest,andarethereforehiddenfromplainsight,arecalledoccult
qualities.Thesequalities,manyofwhichhavebeenknowntomagiciansformillennia,arethe
explanationsforstoriesofmagicalstones,specificcolorsusedforrituals,theuseofvariousherbsand
rootsforthecreationofpotions,etc.
Justasthereisalayerofactivitywithinthearcheusthatallowsformentaloperation,italsohas
layers(calledethers)thatallowforotherkindsofinteraction.Thereisoneforthelifeprocessesofthe
37
2011
world,onefortheregenerativeprocessesinalllife,oneformentalandspiritualvehicles,andonewhich
containsthememoryofnature.Allofthesewillbediscussedingreatdetailinamoreadvancedcourse,
andthestudentwilleventuallylearnhowtoperceiveandactuponeachofthese.
Thisweekwewantyoutopayparticularattentiontotheimpregnationofyourfoodanddrink
withthequalitiesyouaretryingtoattain.Inthisexerciseyouarelearninghowtoenterdirectlyinto
thearcheusandchangetheoccultnatureofanobject:apracticeofimmeasurablebenefitwhichboth
suppliesthefinervehicleswithmorefuelandgivesthestudentpracticeinpracticallyinfluencing
something.Thus,itbecomesthestudentsfirststepintowhatcanreallybecalledpracticalmagic.
Thoughwehavewarnedyoubefore,weemphaticallyaskyoutotakesometimethisweekandconsider
theactualdepthofwhatthismeans.Youaretakingyourfirststepintopracticalmagic:theactualand
tangibleinfluenceofotherthingsviayourwill.Consideryourmorals,andthinkaboutwherethispath
willeventuallytakeyou,foryouarebeginningsomethingwhichhasbeenatleastonelifetimeinthe
making,andwhichwillbemanylifetimesinthepursuit.
Wecanexpandthescopeofthislectureslightlytoconsiderafamoussubjectfromthearchives
ofmagic:talismanicmagic.Usingwhatwehavelearnedabove,wecanunderstandthatcertainthings
doinfacthaveinnateoccultqualities.Itisnotassometheoristshaveimplied,thateverythingonlyhas
thatmeaningwhichisgiventoitbyman.Thisisanegocentricviewoftheuniverse,whichismuch
largerthanmanandallhissupposedoperations.Eventhespirits,theangelsanddaemonsthemselves,
employtheinnatequalitieswhichvariousthingspossessinordertoworktheirownmagic.Thatinitself
isagreatteachingofrelevancetothemagician:thateventhespiritsperformtheiroperationsbya
definitesystemofmagic,whichcanbelearnedbymagicians.
Inpracticaltalismanicmagic,themagicianworkingwiththearcheushastwooptions:either
exaggeratethealreadyexistentqualitiesoftheintendedtalisman,orinvokeintoanidealhostcertain
particularqualitiesthatwerenotnecessarilyalreadythere.Regardless,theactivityofthearcheusupon
theobjectistakenintoconsideration,asthisiswhatispenetratedandactedupon.Inthefirstmanner
oftalismanicmagic,onecansaythattheproperconditionsarecreatedforthealreadyexistentseed
withintheobjecttoblossomforthandmanifest.Inthesecondmanner,onehastogenerateenoughof
adirectedforcetobreakthroughtheusualpropertiesoftheobject,andonceinside,constructthe
desiredproperties.
Thiscarriesoverintoformerconsiderationswehavemaderegardingdiet.Whenweare
consecratingourfoodsanddrinks,somearebetterthanotherforcertainqualities.Ifyouarehaving
problemscontrollingyouranger,forexample,thenredmeat,fungi,andveryspicyfoodswouldnotbe
ideal.Spicyfoods,forexample,wouldbebetterforholdingthequalitiesofaction,activity,initiatingan
ideaorprocess,andothersuchcorrespondingideas.Ifyouneedtomellowoutalittle,trysweetfoods
andfruits,chocolates,andsweetjuices.Intimetheoccultqualitiesofthefoodscanbeeasilyenough
discovered,usuallyjustbyconsideringhowtheyimpactthephysicalnatureofafood.Ifacertainfood
ordrinkisastimulant,itisbecauseithasanaturalinclinationtowardsfieryenergies.
Nowwehaveseenwhatthearcheusdoes.Butwhatisit?Whereisit?Youhaveprobably
inferredfromtheabovethatthearcheusisineverything,everywhere.Itisthebindingforcebetween
lowerandupper,andisthemediumofcommunicationbetweenthetwo.Fromourperspectiveherein
thephysicalworld,weseeitempiricallyastheinterweavingnetworkoflight,sound,andvibration
whichcreatesafieldofconnectionbetweenallthingsinourworld.Itbestowsqualitiestoinanimate
things,andistheseaofenergyinwhichourspiritualvehiclesarecouched.Fromtheperspectiveofthe
38
2011
beingsinhigherworlds,thosewhodirectandcoordinatetheaffairsofthelowerrealms,itisthe
mediumthroughwhichtheyfocustheirenergiesandintentions.Itprovidesthechainsofinfluence
betweencreatedandcreator.
Afittingsymbolismforthearcheusistoimagineitasavastnervoussystem.Withinthephysical
body,theorgansareallseparated,thefootisdistantandunconnectedtothehand,andnoneofthem
haveanythingtodowiththebrain.Thenervoussystem,though,providesaunifyingfieldofactivity
whereintheycanallinteract.Thesamenervoussystemisaspresentinthefingersasinthetoes,inthe
kidneysasintheheart,andsoon.Thisnervoussystemalsoprovidesthedirectlineofcommunication
necessaryforthebraintoissuesuitablecommandstoallpartsofthebody,andforthesubconscious
partofthebraintoregulateeverythingfromtissuegrowthtorespiratoryrate.Again,fromallofthis,
eachindividualandotherwisedistinctpartofthebodyalsogainstheabilitytoknowwhatalltheothers
aredoing,andbedirectlyconnectedtothem,throughthenervoussystem.
Thenervoussystemisthereforeafittingrepresentationonamicrocosmiclevelofthe
macrocosmicarcheus.Itisthegiantnervoussystemwhichispluggedintoallthings,andthroughwhich
weareconnectedtoallthingsontheethericlevel.Theethericbodyisthereforerealizedtobeamere
centralclusteringofnervesinanotherwisevastanddecentralizednervoussystem.Fromthearcheus
theethericbodycame,andtoitthatbodyshallreturn.Itis,inaway,onloanfromthearcheus,which
inclassicaloccultismisalsocalledtheAnimaMundiorWorldSoul.
Occult Virtues
Thismacrocosmicnervoussystemisresponsiblenotonlyforsuperimposingthequalitiesthat
thingspossessontothem,butalsopreservingthem.Thesequalitiesaresometimeslatent,sometimes
expressed,qualitiesattributedtoitintellectually(inmostcases)bysomeformofintelligence.
Occasionallythesourceofthisintelligenceisthegods,sometimesthequalitiescomefrommen,and
quiteoftenthequalitieshaveexistedindefinitelywithintheitemandhavemerelybeendiscoveredby
menthroughalchemyandobservation.Letusconsidereachofthesethreepossibilitiesinturn.
1.)QualitiesimpressedbyGod
Thefirstorderofqualities,beingthemselvesmostexpressedinthephysicalworldthroughthe
item,arethosewhichthecausal/spiritualsphereofexistenceattributestoeachindividualobject.These
characteristicsquiteoftenmanifestthemselves,andactastheblueprintbywhichtheactualphysical
natureoftheitemisdetermined.Touseanexampleweshalllookatthespiritualqualitiesofthefour
elements:
Fire:Brightness,thinnessandmotion
Air:Thinness,motionanddarkness
Water:Darkness,thicknessandmotion
Earth:Darkness,thicknessandstillness
Eachofthesequalitiescanbeseeninthephysicalnaturesoftheirrespectiveelements.Fire
generateslight,andbeingtheonlyofthefourelementswhichdoesso,istheonlyonewhichpossesses
thequalityofbrightness.Inaccordancetoobservationofitsweight,whichismuchtheweightofair,itis
calledthin.Likewisefire,muchlikeairandwater,arefoundtobeinconstantmotion,orifnotin
motionimmediately,subjecttotheslightestdisturbancebeforecomingintomotion(suchasabowlof
waterbeingmerelytapped,causingvibrationstorippleacrossitssurface).WaterandEarthboth
39
2011
maintaininganoticeableweight,theyeachobservethequalityofthickness,andastheycannot
generatelight,andbecausewithoutthepresenceoffiretheyareentirelydark,theyhavethequalityof
darkness.Earthalonepossessesthequalityofstillness,foritisnotsubjecttothedisturbancesofthe
otherthreeelements.
Therearesecondaryqualitieswhichcomefromthisfirstorderofqualities,andtheyarethe
resultsoftheseenergiesactinginthephysicalworld.Forfire,thisisthequalityofheat;forair,the
qualityweightlessness;forwater,thequalityofcoldness;forearth,thequalityofweight.Heatismerely
aproductoffiresbrightness,weightlessnessofairsthinness,coldofwatersdarkness,andweightof
earthsthickness.
Thecelestialqualitieswhichdescendintothespiritprincipleofthearcheustobewoveninto
thefabricofphysicalandethericexistencealsoactastheblueprintswhichdecidetheformsofthings.
Thusethericqualitiesalsocontaincolor,height,lifespan,composition,mannerofcreationandof
destruction,andmanyotherqualitieswhichafewmomentsofpersonalreflectionwillallowonetosee.
Ifyouexamineanytree,forexample,theexactqualitiesofthattreeasyouseethemwereall
determinedprincipallyinthespiritualcreativeworld,thenformulatedintheastralworld,projectedinto
theethericworld,andimprintedupontheproteanseminalsubstanceoftheseedlongbeforeitever
conceivedthetree.Thattreesheight,howmanylimbsithas,themannerinwhichitcontinuestolive,
howmanyleavesaretobeoneverybranchatanygivenmomentofthattreesexistence,howquicklyit
grewandhowquicklyitwilldieareallwovenintoitssubstancebythearcheusinaccordancetothe
impulsesithasreceivedfromthehigherspheres.
Itbearsmentioningthatthetheurgistwhocanmanipulatethisfabric,theArcheusconnectedto
thattree,cancontrolalloftheaforementionedqualitieswithmuchpracticeandpatience.Insucha
manneratreemayberenderedfromaseedtoasaplinginthecourseofseveralhours,whichwould
usuallytakeseveralmonthsifnotatleastayear.Likewisethetreewillassumetheshapeofthe
magicianswill.FranzBardonmakesreferencetothisastheMangoTreeMiracle,andoneofthemost
wellknownincidentsofitsdemonstrationwasbyanAdeptknownasGovindaswamitothejournalist
LouisJacolliotinthelate19thcentury.ItwasthisincidentwhichBardonwaslikelyspeakingofwhenhe
gavetheexampleinhisbook.
2.)Qualitiesimpressedbyhumanity
Thesecondinourorderofqualitiesarethoseoccultqualitieswhichwereimpressedbyman
uponthethingshesaw.Thereisaverydifficultlyperceivedyetdefinedlinebetweenthisandourthird
orderofqualitieswhichweshallshortlydiscuss,asitissometimesimpossibletotellexactlywhichorder
thequalitybelongsto:theybothexistontheastralandintellectualspheres.
Assoonasamanformsanopinionaboutathing,theideabehindthatopinioncomesinto
existenceinassociationwiththeseminalideaofthethingwhichthemansideawasaboutwithinthe
IntellectualSphere.Ifyoulookataparticulartreeandthinktoyourselfthatisamaliciouslookingtree,
thenyouhavegivenbirthtoanassociationinthementalrealmwhichattachesthetreetoyour
associationoflookingmalicious.Onapersonallevelthisresultishardlyrelevant,andtheassociationof
thoseideaswillreadilydissolveinashortamountoftime.Thereisalsothepossibilitythattheideadoes
notdissolve,butthatratheronitsowntheideaissosmallthat,renderedinthepresenceofthe
thousandsofotherideasattachedtothesubject,itsexistenceisentirelyirrelevant.
40
2011
Thatsinglethoughtwillhavelittleimpact.Butwhatifyouarenotthefirsttothinkthisofthat
particularkindoftree?Touseacommonexample,theOsiertreeorWillow,hasacquiredthe
definitiveverbWeepingbeforeitsname,sothatwenowhavetheWeepingWillow,oneofthemost
commonlyknownoftheOsier.Whydowesayitisweeping?Whenwelookatittheleavesand
brancheshanglongandlow,andtheentiretyofthetreeseemstobesulkingoversomething.Thisof
courseisanentirelysubjectiveopinion:thereisnothinginherentlysadaboutthepostureofthetree.
However,withourfondnessofpersonification,mankindhasdecidedthatthistreeappearstobequite
sad,atreeofsorrow,andsoitiscallednowtheWeepingWillow.Ifsuchanassociationhasareflection
eveninthenamethenitmostcertainlyhasitsdominanceinthementalsphere,wherethisemotionor
thoughtisattachedtothesymboloftheWeepingWillow,thesymbolactingasagate,comesdown
throughtheastralandintotheveryarcheus,sothatthisqualityisactuallywovenintothefabricofthe
tree.Nowinsteadofthisassociationbeingpurelymental,ithasbecomeastralandmadeitspresence
knowninthearcheus,whichdecidesthenatureofthattree.Atthispointtheassociationisentirely
workable,andcanberealizedpractically.
3.)Qualitiesshapedaftercertainlaws
Asshouldbewellknownbynowtoallofyou,therearecertainperfectlynaturallawsonall
spheresofexistence,betheymental,physical,astralandevenpurelyspiritual.Theselawsgivecertain
exactthingscertainexactqualitieswhendoneunderproperconditions;inessence,theyarerigid
mathematicalformulaewhich,whenfollowedaccurately,createexactcauses.
Themostwellknownofthesequalitiesarethenaturalqualitiesofgeometricfigures,numbers,
theplanets,andtheconstellationsofthestars.Aftercertainnaturallawseachofthesementioned
thingsacquirecertainqualitieswhichmaybeusedandappliedbythemagicianthroughtheir
expression.Thepentagram,thehexagram,thecircle,thesquare,thetriangle,octagon,thepentagon,
andseveralmoreimportantshapesallhaveexactqualitieswhenusedintheoperationsofmagic.
Likewisethereisacertainoccultsciencetonumbers,theirprogressionsandcombinations,sothat1can
beacertainthing,and11canmeanathingbothcomplimentaryofthevirtuesof1andof2,the
progressionfrom1to2alsohavingitsownsignificance.Knowledgeofcertainnumbercodesplay
infinitelyintoexactoccultoperationswherecertaindelicateforcesarebeingbalancedoutandworked
with,andintimeyoushallcometobothunderstandandapplytheseprinciples.
Theplanetsandtheconstellationsrequirelittleexamination,aswhiletheiroccultqualitiesare
likelynotknowntoyouatthemoment,thefactthattheypossesssuchqualitiesisacommonsuspicion
evenamongstthemasses.TheTailoftheGreatBear,astarknownasAlkaid,issupposedtooverseethe
fallofempires.ThemagicianwillknowhowtoapplythisknowledgethroughtheobservationofAlkaid
tobringdownthefallofsomeonesegointheproperkarmicmanner.Hewillalsoknowthat,beingin
thenineteenthdegreeofVirgo,ithasanearthyqualityandsoinritualworkitsraysmaybefocusedby
creatinganearthyatmosphere,etc.ThosefamiliarwithevocationwillknowthatthePrincipalofAlkaid
isCobel,andthatthisentitymaybeevokedtofurtherfinetunesuchanoperation.Donotthinkonany
ofthisyet,forintimeyouwillcometounderstandthesethings,andeventoapplythem,butforthe
presenttheyarepresentedonlyasexamples.
Throughtheexamplesthathavebeenprovideditshouldnowbequiteevidentthatforaperfect
understandingofthemosteffectivemagicaloperationsatrueandaccurateknowledgeofoccultvirtues
isrequired,andthatbythesemeansaverypreciseandhighlyproficientoperationcanbeworkedwith
nofearoffailurewhatsoever.Whensuchnaturallawsarebroughtintotheplaythroughtheknowledge
ofthevesselsofcertainvirtues,betheyplantsorstars,failurebecomesimpossibleinthesamewaythat
41
2011
ifwedropabrickfromaroof,failinginourgoaltohavethatbricktraveldownwardsisimpossible.
Unless,ofcourse,somegodthwartsourarroganceinsuchasimplesupposition.
Wehavereflectedthisweekonasubjectimminentlymagical.Earlyontherearecomparatively
fewsuchlectures,asanoverinterestinmagicisoftenthedownfallofotherwisehopefulnewaspirants.
Thesubjectisconsideredinourintroductorycoursebecauseaminimalknowledgeofmagicalprinciples
isofgreatimportanceifthestudentistounderstandthehowbehindmanyofhispracticesand
efforts.Aswasseeninourfirstlecture,theurgycanbewellenoughdefinedastheproperandspiritual
applicationofmagic.Whetherweareimpregnatingfoodwithspiritualqualities,accumulatingelements
inordertoachieveliberationfromlowerinfluences,evokingspiritsinordertolearnholymeditations,or
invokinggodsinordertoawakentheGodinourselves,weareusingthetoolsofmagictoachieveour
goal.
Bearingthisinmind,letthestudentalwaystreadcarefullywhenhethinksofmagicasanything
otherthananidealtooltobeusedinthepursuitofenlightenment.Thetheurgistwillalwayshaveathis
commandallthepowersofthegreatestmagician,buttheforemostofmagicianswillnotpossessallof
thepowerswhichthegodattunedtheurgisthas.Thetheurgistconfrontsthepsychicandastralforces,
grabsthemforcefully,andwithgreatcommandhedashesthemtothegroundinordertousethemas
footstepstowardsDeity.Becauseofthis,themagicalpowersandpsychicastralforcesbearthe
theurgistontheirbacktogreatheights.Thesorcerer,however,becomesdistractedbytheapparent
beautyandallureofthesethings,andbelievingtheirfalsepromisesofgloryandpower,quicklyhitsa
ceilinginhispractices.Thegreatestmagician,thetheurgist,istheonewhoconfrontsthegreat
magicianknownasIllusionandBondage,andinmagicalwarfare,defeatshim.Thenthespellof
sufferingandnontruthisbroken,andthetheurgistsoarsfreelytotheheightsofthegreatgods.
Therehavebeennonewexercises,asfornowyouhaveenoughonyourplatesintermsof
practice,andcanfreelybegintoexpandthelengthofthepracticesyouhavebeengiven.Thusyour
practiceassignmentyoucouldsayfortheweekissimplytoincreasethelengthoftimeyoupractice
eachday.However,whilegoingalongthroughyourday,trytomakeapointofidentifyingwhatthe
occultqualitiesofvariousobjectsmightbe.Whatelements,forexample,mightdifferentlanguages
correspondto?Whatelementsandwhatoccultqualitiesmightcertaintrees,rocks,orgemshave,just
baseduponwhatyoucaneasilyobserveaboutthem?Askthesethingstoyourselfthroughouttheday.
Eventrytofigureoutwhichelementalcorrespondencescertainactionsorcircumstancesmighthave.
Themagicianisascientistofspirituality,andsoheshouldexplore.
42
2011
LessonNine
TheCosmicDreamasIllusion
TheconceptofillusioninTheurgyisatonceaffirmativeandnegative.Ontheonehand,our
traditionaffirmsthattheentiretyoftheheimarene(thedominionoffate)issustainedbytheforceof
lethe(oblivion).Ontheother,itvehementlyrejectstheideathattheentireworldshouldbeforsakenin
ordertoreachupwardstoTheOne.Whereasanumberofmystictraditionsencouragetheirstudentsto
viewthecreatedworldwithdisgust,thetheurgistbelievesthatdivinityisinfusedtoeverylevelof
existence,withineverythingatalltimes,nomatterhowfarawayfromDeityitmaybe.Themeditative
aspectofTheurgyexploresthisideainregardstodivinitywithinallthings,butthemagicalaspectof
Theurgygoesfurtherbyactuallyusingthespiritualpowersofworldlythingstoelevatethetheurgist
backtoGod.
TheMysticSeira
TounderstandhowthisprocessworksinTheurgy,wemustexaminethemysticideaoftheseira
thatconnectsallthingsbacktoGod.Inourtradition,allthingsintheuniverseareheldtobe
participatingintheobservationoftheirpredecessor.TheCreatorimbuespartofitselfintothecreated,
andbythismeansthecreatedisabletolooktowardsandcontemplateitsorigin.Thus,thecreatoris
abletobeunderstoodbyitscreations.Oratleast,itscreationsprovideafairstartingplacefor
understandingit.Itisasthoughweareestrangedfromthefather,butthefatherproducedasonwho
partakesofhisqualities,andthatsonisrightinfrontofus.Bygettingtoknowtheson,wecangain
glimpsesofthefather.And,eventually,thesonmayintroduceustohisfather.Theurgicascentis
similartothis.
Inourcosmology,weidentifyidentifyfourmainlevels:TheOne,DivineMind,Soul,andMatter.
Allothervisions,therealmsofastral,mental,andetheric,ordivisionsofconsciousness,intellect,
reason,etc,allfallwithinthesefundamentalfourdivisions.TheradianceofTheOneflowsoutandis
receivedbythedualityofDivineMind,whichisbothConsciousness(Nous)andBeing(Ousia).From
here,DivineMindemanatesoutwardsandcreatesSoul,whichsolidifiesitslowestportionstocreate
Matter.Keepinginmindthenwhatwediscussedjustabove,thismeansthatmatteris,initsupper
regions,alwaysmeditatingonSoul.Soul,astheastralsubstancethatunitesallofcreation,isalways
meditatinguponDivineMind.DivineMind,asallmental,causal,andarchetypalregions,isinitsturn
alwaysmeditatingceaselesslyuponTheOne,whereallsuchactionordistinctionceases.Thischainof
meditationsiscalledthethreehypostases,thethreeunifyingmeditations:mattermeditatingonsoul,
soulmeditatingondivinemind,anddivinemindmeditatingonTheOne.
Seeingthiswecanunderstandwhyeveninaworldmadeoflethe,aworldofillusion,the
theurgistsputimportanceonperceivingthedivinityinallthings.Everythingintheuniverse,eveninour
lowphysicalworld,isseenasasymbolofGod;somethingthatismeanttoremindusthatGodishere.
Inthiswaytheyexplainthatunitingwithanythingintheuniverse,byvirtueofthegoldenchainthat
connectsallthingsbacktodivinity,willallowthemeditatortoenterintodivinetruth.
Thisbecomesthegroundworkfortheideathattheuniverseislethe,theoblivionofanillusion.
Thepowerofletheconvincesusthatallthingsareseparate,andthateverythingisdistinctandcutoff
fromeverythingelse.Thedoctrineoftheurgy,withitsespousalofgnostictruth,oralethe,affirmsthat
theentireuniverseisinterconnectedfromthehighesttothelowest.Thusthetruthofthematteris
43
2011
interconnectedness,whereastheappearanceofthesituationisdisconnectedness.Thereistherefore
whattheuniverseisapparentlytryingtoconvinceusof,versuswhatisactuallythetruth.Sincethe
averagehumanconditionisasubjectoflethe,mankindisputintobondage,andbelievestheliethatthe
createdcosmosappearstobepresenting.Onlymysticspenetratethroughapparentrealityandgetto
theactualtruthofthematter.
TheUniverseasMind
Theancientsagesunanimouslyagreethattheuniverseismind,andthatallismental,insome
senseoranother.Thisaxiomhastwolevelstoit,onelowerandonehigher,andwewillexaminethem
bothinturn.
Inthelowersense,allofcreationisagreatdream,andGodisthecosmicdreamer.Allthings
whichappeartoberealareinfactonlyideationsfromthemindofthecreatorinhisroleasdemiurgos.
InhisinnermostbeingHeconceivesthearchetypalideas,andthenthrowsthemlikelightningboltsinto
thewombofthedivinemother,whichisreallyonlythesubstanceofhisownmind.TheMothergives
themform,andtheydisplaythemselveswithinHisdream.Thewholeofcreationisthereforeperceived
asthecreator,calledthedemiurgos,imaginingallofcreation.Creationisseenashisimagination,
containedinhismind,andisthoughttoallactuallybeexistentwithinhim(thedemiurgosisclassically
referredtoasmasculine,duetohisemanatingnature).
Thementalnatureoftheuniverse,therefore,makesithighlymalleabletothought.Thisisthe
explanationofthemodicumforallinfluencesintheworld.Asthetheurgistevolves,hisindividualmind
becomesmoreandmoreattunedtotheuniversalmind.Thus,thethoughtsoftheinitiatebegintobe
interpretedbythecosmosasthethoughtsofthecreator.Slowlybutsurely,asthetheurgistevolvesto
thepointofagod,heparticipatesinthecreateprocessonthelevelofmind.Likewisewhateverhe
thinksorbelievesmustcomeintobeingasactuality,foramindunifiedwithdivinemindcanonly
manifesttruth.Atsuchalevelthemasteradeptcantravelatthespeedofthought,canknowallthings
inaninstant,andcanperformanymagicalacthemaywish.Thisisanextremeexample,sinceitis
relegatedonlytogreatmasters,butstillservestoillustratethattheworldisessentiallymental.The
adept,therefore,realizeshimselftobeinadream.Thusdoingso,heachievescontroloveradreamthat
heidentifiestobehisowninessence.
Theaspirantwillthereforedevotehimselfaptlytolearninghowtocontrolhisownthoughts.
Thisdoesnotonlyinvolvelearninghowtosilencecertainthoughts,whichisproperlythoughtdiscipline,
butalsoincludeseradicatingcertainkindsofthoughtsfromthemindentirely.Theuniversewillonly
allowyoutoadvancetoacertainpointunlessyoucangainfullcontroloveryourmentalprocesses.For
theadvancedadept,therecanbenoerrantormeaninglessthoughts.Everythoughtwillhave
substance,alifeofitsown.Thisiswhysomuchimportanceisplacedonmentaltraining.
LetheasMother
Thoughtheapparentlydeceitfulnatureofthecreateduniverse,withitsdividingandjudging
powers,mustseembentonourdestructionandruin,aprimaryfunctionofletheandthepoweroffate
istoactasthedivinemother.Inorientalliterature,forexample,theforceofletheiscalledMaya,which
isanameofthedivinefemalegoddess.IntheclassicsofourtraditionletheisrepresentedbyKalypso,
wholovesandcaresforOdysseusafterheisstrandedonherisland.Thosefamiliarwiththestorywill
44
2011
seehowitisindicatedthatOdysseuswouldsurelyhavediedwithoutthehappyfortuneoffinding
Kalypsoandherenclave,whocollectivelynursedhimbacktohealthandstrengthforhisjourneyhome.
Suchisthepoweroffate.Itovertakesus,butforamotherlypurpose.Godknowsthatwemust
sufferandexperiencesorrowinordertogrowtowardsHim.Ifeverythingwereperfecthere,wewould
neverquestionwhywewerealive,butwouldinsteadcontentourselveswithluxury.ThusGodgivesus
overtothedivinemother,whomakesitherresponsibletogrowusupinthewaysoftheworld.Sheis
ourfirstteacher;inthewombofhermaterialcosmosweareborn,andwearenourishedonthemilkof
theethericlifeforcesofthisplanetsothatwewaxstrong.Finally,wearetestedbythevarious
difficultieswhichshe,Lethe,throwsatus.Butshedoesthisoutoflove.Sheknowsthatitisadifficult
andbittermedicine,butalsothatitisthebest.Becauseofthekarmicjusticesshewillexactonus,we
willultimateseekGod.
Lethenursesusourentirespirituallives,knowingasanymotherdoesthattheentirepurposeof
raisingachildissothatitcanonedaybecomeanadultandleaveitshome,leaveitsmother.Nonethe
lesswhenthatdaycomesthemotherisforlornandbesideherself.Often,amotherwillbegher
daughterorsontostayathome,nottoabandonher.HomerdepictsthisperfectlywithKalypso,who
nursesOdysseustohealth,butthenbecomesfranticwhenthetimearrivesforOdysseustocontinuehis
journeyhome(thatis,fortheinitiatetocontinuehisjourneytoGod).Kalypsoisofcourseonlyafemale
renderingofkalupto,meaningtoveil.Sheistheillusion.
Thisisthefemininedynamis,thepowerofillusionandcreation.Godisthedirectorand
architect,whereasLetheisthesubstanceusedtocreate.Itsfemininequalitiesofreceptionand
nurturingholdpowerfullytotheuniversallawsofanalogy,andbecauseofthis,theuniversalforceof
Letheoftenrevealsitselfinfemaleform.Itisnotuncommonforaninitiateapproachinggnosisto
receiveatheophany(divinevision)ofthedivinemotherintheformofabeautifulwoman,orequally
common,asayounggirl.ItissaidthatinthehigheststatesofGnosis,asthethresholdofthepure
nothingnessofGodsconsciousness,themotherappearsinshininglightstosaygoodbyetothemaster.
LetheastheDevil
Inanothersense,theJudeoChristianconceptoftheDevilisanalogoustothedoctrineofLethe.
ThepersonifieddevilcanbeoneofthefaceswhichLethewears,andthoughitisoutofnecessityfrom
herlove,atthetimeitcanappeartobethemaliciousdogfaceddemon.Sothisisoneoftheironiesof
Lethe:itisyourmostlovingmother,andyourmosthatedadversary.Themother'stestsarealsothe
devil'stemptations.AloweraspectofthesideofLethe,thepossessivesideoftheMother,doesnot
wantyoutosucceedinbreakingfreeofthisworld.Itwantsyoutostayhere,andtocomebacktimeand
timeagainforaneternity,neverlettinggo.However,thefatherforesawthesethingsandmadesure
thathisseedwouldnaturallypossessthetoolsneededtoovercomethisadversary.Thereisnoonein
theworldwhoisnotabletoachieveliberation.Therearesimplythosewho,asofyet,havenot
convincedthemselvestopursuethatgoal.Eventually,throughhundredsorthousandsofincarnations,
everysoulwillstartscreamingforGod.
Thetemptationswillgetworsebeforetheywillgetbetter.Sometimes,totheoutermind,God
willseemtoabandonyou.Thisisafutilethought,foryouareGodandGodisyou.Whenyoudiveinto
meditationduringthosehardtimes,youwilldiscoverthatGodisactuallyclosertoyouthanever.Asyou
begintoholdyourkarmasoverthefiresofyouraskesis,theworldwillarrangeforcertainkarmaswhich
cannotbesoeasilydestroyedtoplaythemselvesoutinyourlife.Sometimesthespeedandstrength
45
2011
withwhichmanydifferentkarmascancomeintoyourlifeatthesametimecanbeoverwhelming,butin
thosetimesyoumusttakerefugeinthechurchofyourspiritualpractices,thechurchthatisyourown
mind.
LetheasaReasontoSeekGod
Alifeinfectedbyletheisalifeinfectedbyoldage,decay,frailty,sorrow,suffering,anddeath.It
isalifewhichmustliveamongststarvation,homelessness,war,genocide,andsomanyotherapparent
atrocities.Itisalifedesignedinsuchawaytomakeyoubegintowonderifthatistheonlykindoflife
whichapersonisultimatelydoomedtoexperience.
Andsonowwearegoingtotackleahardquestionthatmanyphilosopherstrytoexplain,but
wewilltrytotellittoyoufromthelensesofexperiences,whichnophilosopherpossesses.Itisasked
oftenwhyitisthatwewerenotsimplybornenlightened.WhydidaGodwhosupposedlylovesusand
desiresustobewithHimalways,castusintothisworldofpainandtorment.Ifwearecreatedwithan
essentiallydivinenature,whyisthatnatureconcealedconsideringthatitsrevealmentwoulddestroy
theevilsoftheworld?Theanswerissimple:sothatwecanappreciateGod.Whenyouhavetotrudge
throughaworldofpainandsuffering,oflossandsorrow,offleetingjoysreplacedbysademptiness,
throughaworldwhereanyjoyisessentiallytemporary,youbegintonaturallydesireamorepermanent
happiness,amorepermanentlove,amorepermanentpossession.Yourdogmightloveyou,butyou'll
buryyourdogeventually,andthenitwon'tloveyouatall.Agirlfriendorboyfriendmightprofesstolove
you,buttheneventuallyyouwilleitherbreakup,thatpersonwillburyyou,oryouwillburythatperson,
andtheendresultisthesame:thelovewillbegone,andyouwillbealoneagain.Youmighthave
friendswhoenjoyyourpresence,butthey'llmoveonordie,orjustcomeupwithsomeexcusenotto
likeyouanymore.Youmighthavegoodhealth,butthenagainthereareprobably100,000thingsinyour
neighborhoodalonewhichcouldkillyouorseverelyinjureyou,andyourhealthreallyisn'tyours.Its
just"onloan"untilyouwindupinasituationwhereitcanbetaken.Evenyourownbodywillbeginto
failyou,theonetrustyfriendyouthoughtyouwouldalwayshave.Andwhatkindofoldpersonwillyou
be?Willyouloseyourmindbeforeyourbody,andbeforcedtositinawheelchairforthelastofyour
days,urinatingintoacathetersothatyoudon'twetyourself?Willyoubeabletochangeyourown
clothes,even?
Thesethingsmakethemindturntomorepermanentsolutions.Yourmaterialitemswillall
disappear,break,etc,sothemindbeginstothinkaboutseekingapossessionthatwillneverbelost.
Yourfriendsandlovedoneswillcomeandgo,andsothemindwillconsiderfindingarelationshipthat
willnevergo,butwillalwaysgetbetterandbetter.Yourbodywillgrowsickanddie,sothemindbegins
toseekameansofimmortality,sothatitcanleavethebodyatwillandcontinueonwardsinitsjourney,
orsothatitcanhaveabodyoflight.
Whenthesoulwhichbeginstounderstandwhereitshouldbedirectingitsdesiresthenbegins
thepath,itisconfrontedwithadifficultpath.Onenoteasilyjourneyed,onethatisintimidating,one
whichscreams"turnbacktotheworldyoualreadyknow."Thesoulisrigorouslytested,toseeifitreally
doesdesireGod,orifitisjusttryingtorunawayfromaworldthatwastoomuchforit.Iftheyearning
forGodisnotsincere,thenthemagnetismwillnotbestrongenoughtopullthesoulupoutofthe
clutchesoflethe.
Allofthisthesoulisputthrough,sothatwhenitfinallyreachestruesalvationandliberation,
thereliefissogreatandtheblisssuchasharpcontrast,thatthesoulwillneveragainbeindangerof
46
2011
fallingawayfromGod.Onlybymakingthepathsodifficultcanitbeensuredthatthesoulwillnotsimply
"relax"backintoitsoldhabits.Onlybyhavingtolivethroughaworldsoterriblecanitbeensuredthat
thesoulwillnotsimply"relax"backintoitsoldhabits.Onlybyhavingtolivethroughaworldsoterrible
canitbeensuredthatoncetrueblissisfound,itwillnotignorantlybegivenup.Thisisnecessary
becauseGodwantedustoevolveofourownfreewill,andindeed,forfreewilltoexistatall.
Thuslethealsoservesasdestiny,theforceofkarma.Manisinherentlygreatanddivine,far
beyondallsufferingandsorrow,butourattractiontoworldlyforcesbindsustotheHeimarene.Inso
doing,webeginspinningthewheeloffateandreincarnation,andbecomesubjecttotheforceof
destiny.ThisistaughtinthefirstbookofHermes,wherewearetaught:
Manisexaltedabovethestructureofheaven;yetheisbornaslaveofdestiny.
Yetthatdestiny,bythenatureofthesufferingitwillinflictuponus,willturnisinwards.Itwill
makeusseekawaytoovercomethebindingforceswhichshackleustomiseryandtorepeatedbirths.
Thisisthebeginningofmansspiritualascent.
47
2011
LessonTen
TheurgyastheHeartofHermeticMagic
AnExegesisupontheCorpusHermetica
Ithasbeentheclaimofthistraditionthattheurgyistheheartoftruehermeticmagic.Wehave
mentionedagainandagainthatthetrueaimofmagicistheselfrealizationthatbestowsliberation.
theurgyistheapplicationofmagictowardsthatend,andisthereforetheinnerandmostspiritual
aspectofmagicitself.Furthermore,asweshalladequatelyproveinthislecture,thegoalsoftheurgy
areattherootoftheteachingsofHermeshimself,astheywerehandeddownamongsttheearlyGreek
andlateEgyptianinitiates.WemaythensafelysaythattheurgyisthesystemwhichHermeshimself
taught,andiswhathermeticismwasintendedtobebeforeitbecamemerephilosophy.Ifthereforeany
systemorgroupclaimstobepracticingthemagicofHermesTrismegistus,itmustadheretothese
principlesofdivineenlightenmentandmysticalascent.
Wewillconsidersomeofthekeycomponentsoforiginalhermeticism,thetheurgyofHermes,
whichconstitutetheessentialdoctrineoftheurgy.
HypostasisastheEntrytoGnosis
Inlastweeksvocabularyweintroducedyoutotheconceptofhypostasis.Inourdoctrinethe
termhastwomeanings,dependingonitssituationaluse.Inbothinstancesitindicatesmeditationon
theunderlyingessenceofsomething,butinonesenseitispersonalandreferstomeditativestatesthat
thestudentmayenterinto,whereasinthesecondsenseitiscosmicandreferstothegodsmeditating
ontheirinnerselves.Forourpurposesitsmorecommonuseisasthesupremestateofmeditation,
wherethemeditatorandthethingmeditateduponceasetodiffer,andbecomeOneinastateofdivine
blissandunity.ItisinthisstatethattheoratorofTheDivinePoimandres,thefirstbookofthe
hermeticscripturalcorpus,findsHermes:
...Andmyconsciousnesshadsouredhighaloft,whilemybodilysenseshadbeenputunder
restraintbysleep,yetnotsuchsleepasthatofmenweigheddownbyfullnessoffoodorbybodily
weariness...
Inthemeditativestateofhypostasis,thephysicalbodyessentiallyshutsdown.Onesintellect
transcendsthestateofmind,soaringonhighsotosay,sothattheIntelligibleGodsmaybemeditated
upon.IntheurgicdoctrinetheupperGods,beingdivinearchetypesandprojectionsofTheOne,aretoo
loftytobemeditateduponwhilethemysticisconfinedtoaphysicalbody.Thusthetheurgist
transcendshisbodythroughthetopofhishead,thecrownorcoronaofhisenergyfield,andrisesabove
hisspiritualvehiclestoreachwhatiscalledtheFloweroftheSoul,theAnthosNou.Whenthishappens
thebodygoesintoadeathlikestate.Breathingstops,andheartbeatwillbecomeundetectable.The
physicalbodywillbegintogrowpale,andwillbecoldtothetouch.Thisisbecausetheentirelife
essenceofthetheurgisthasgonetoflyupamongthegods,andhasleftthebodyasacorpse.Inaway,
itisasortofcontrolledminiaturedeath.Ifforsomereasonthetheurgistdecidedhisearthlystaywas
finished,hecouldsimplychoosenottocomeback.Mostpeoplethough,inordertocontinuetheir
spiritualpathquicklyandefficiently,willreturntothebodywhenthemeditationisfinished.Again
referringtothisdeepstateofmeditation,Hermesemphasizesitsimportanceagain:
48
2011
Mybodilysleephadcometobewakefulnessofsoul;andtheclosingofmyeyes,truevision;and
mysilence,holyvoice.
ItisinthisstateofhypostasisthatwefindHermesatthebeginningofBookOneofthehermetic
corpus.Thustransfixed,withallthepowersusuallybeingspentonlifeinsteadcoiledupinsidehissoul,
thetheurgistcontemplatesthehigherforcesandpenetratesthroughtheseaofdiversityinorderto
perceivethepureunitywhichallthingsactuallyexistin.Thisfirstperceptionistheachievementof
Gnosis,andatfirstwillappeartobeagreatandnearlyblindinglightwhicharisesfromasmallpointin
thedarknessofthemysticsmeditation,untilitexpandstoencompassallthingsinexistence.Thatlight
istheessenceofpureconsciousness,andoncethetheurgisthasexperiencedit,hehasparticipatedof
divinetruth.Henceforththeinitiatewillbeselfrealized,existinginastateofdivinebliss.Itisthestory
ofHermestranscendentrealizationwhichisbeingtoldinthebookofDivinePoimandres,hisfirst
hypostaticunionwithdivinity,toactasanarchetypeforallfuturestudentstolearnwhattheywill
eventuallyexperience,shouldtheycontinuethepath.
ItisbecauseHermeshasenteredintothisgnostichypostasisthatheisabletoperceive
Poimandres,whointhisinstanceisanallegoricalpersonificationofDivineMind.Poimandresspeaks
thuslytoHermesoncehehasperceivedthedivinelightofconsciousnessinhisspiritualeye:
ThatlightisI,evenConsciousness,thefirstGod,whowasbeforethewaterysubstancewhich
appearedoutofdarkness.
Seeingthislight,Hermes,playingtheroleinthisinstanceasthearchetypalmystic,isgiventhe
followinginstructions:
NowfixyourthoughtupontheLight,andlearntoknowit.
TheentirescenewhichtakesplacebetweenHermesandPoimandresisinonesensean
instructionalstorywherePoimandresisthedivineteacher,guidinghisdiscipleHermesthroughthe
processofenlightenment,instructinghiminwhattodoandhowtogetthere.Inamoredirectway,itis
alsoanastoryprovidinginsighttothereaderregardingwhathappensinthehypostaticexperiencethat
triggersgnosis,andguidinghimthroughitbypresentingDivineMindasapersonifiedcharacter,
Poimandres.WearethereforenottothinkthatadragonlikebeingnamedPoimandresappearedtothe
meditatingHermesandtalkedhimthroughgnosis,eventhoughthisseemstobewhatishappening.
Instead,wemustunderstandthatforthesakeofinstructiontheexperiencehasbeenpersonifiedasa
dialogue,wheninrealityHermesisnotbeingtoldthesethings,butisinsteadintuitivelyexperiencing
themhimself.Seenfromthatangle,Poimandrescanalsobeseenasplayingyetathirdrole:theroleof
thestudentsintuitivewisdom.
ViewingthefirstbookoftheCorpusHermeticaasinstructionalscriptureinthetheurgic
tradition,wecanthereforeseethatintheopeningchapteralonethewouldbetheurgististaughtthe
valuablelessonthatdivinetruthandconsciousnessistheexperienceofgnosis,andthatthehypostatic
stateisnecessarytoinitiallyimmerseonesselftherein.Allhermeticschoolsaccepttheauthorityofthe
CorpusHermetica,andtakethenamehermetictodefinethemselves,yetonlyaverysmallminority
sticktothesecoreteachings.Thatminority,properlyunderstoodtoday,istheurgy.
49
2011
SenseDesiresastheDeceitfulForceofLethe

Manissexless,likehisfatherissexless;andsleepless,likehisfatherissleepless;yetheis
masteredbycarnaldesireandbyoblivion(lethe).
Intheabovestatement,spokenbyPoimandres,heisdrawingforHermesadirectlineof
associationbetweencarnaldesireandlethe.Heisthereforeinstructinghiminthedoctrineoflethe,
andinitseffectualrelationshipwithsenselustanddesire.HereagainweseethestoryofHermesasa
paradeigma,whereheisplayingtheroleofthearchetypalstudent.Poimandres,playingthedivine
intuition,hasrevealedtohiminmeditationthatmanissexlessandsleepless,butthatourobsession
withthesenselustspullstheveilofoblivionoveroureyes,preventingusfromperceivingourtrue
nature.Theeffectisquiteakintothatofdrunkenness,andsointheThirdBookofHermesweread:
Omen,whitherareyoubeingsweptaway?Youaredrunken;youhavedrunkupthestrong
drinkofignorance;ithasoverpoweredyou,andnowyouvomititforth.Standfirm,turnsober,look
upwardswiththeeyesoftheheart.
Thesensedesiresarelikestrongwinetothespiritualeye.Theyoverpowerourperception,and
leaveusconfusedanddisoriented.Thisdrunkenness,inourhermetictheurgy,istheconditionofall
peoplewhoarenotliberatedthroughgnosis.Likewise,becausepeopleareobsessedwiththesenses
andcannotunderstandaworldbeyondsuchlusts,theypressurethosearoundthemintosurrendering
totheirsensedesiresalso.HenceHermessaystothem,youvomititforth,foranignorantpersonis
thebreedinggroundofmoreignorantpeople.Theremedyforallofthis?Wearegiventhattoo:Stand
firm,turnsober,lookupwardswiththeeyesoftheheart.ThisreferstothreedistinctlevelsofEgyptian
initiation,andindicateswellenough(inadditiontootherplaces)thattheauthor,thoughnotthe
historicalHermes,wasacquaintedwiththetrueEgyptiantheurgy,andthereforeaspiritualchildof
Hermes.Intimeyouwillcometounderstandmoreaboutthosethreedistinctions,butfornowwecan
clarifythattostandfirmmeanstoachieveelementalequilibrium,andturnsobermeanstodetach
ourselvesfromtheallureofthesenses.Thisresultsinbeingabletousetheeyesoftheheart,with
whichwearetoldtolookupwards,meaningtoturnonesattentiontothespiritualworlds.
Ifourinterpretationofthosethreestagesiscorrect,thenitwouldteachusthatthesenselusts
arethestrongdrinkofignorance,andthatitistheirgreatpoweroveruswhichpreventsusfrom
turningsober.Fortunately,thisisvalidatedsoonthereafterbyanotherteaching:
Forthisbodymakessenselesswhatmendeemtobetheirorgansofsense,stuffingthemup
withthegrossmassofmatter,andcrammingthemwithloathlypleasure,sothatyoumayneitherhear
ofthethingsyououghttohearof,norseethethingsyououghttosee.
Byallofthiswecanseethatakeyprincipleoforiginaltheurgyisthatthesensesfilluswithlusts
forworldlypleasures,andthatourdesiresforthesepleasuresdirtyourspiritualeyes,makingitdifficult
toperceiveanythingspiritual.Thisisacommonnotionthroughouttheentireworldinancientspiritual
traditions,andyet,strangely,thedoctrineisalmostentirelyabsentfrommodernOrders,Mystery
Schools,andbooks,allclaimingtobeteachinghermeticismoreventheurgyspecifically.Thoughthe
practiceofovercomingthesenselustsisofthegreatestimportanceinrisingspirituallythroughthe
spheres,thepleasureobsessedcultureoftheWestasrejectthisintegraldoctrine.Itis,nodoubt,a
primaryreasonwhymodernspiritualschoolsarehavingahardtimeproducinggenuineadepts.Without
50
2011
thisdoctrine,thesystemcannotcallitselfhermetic,andisthereforeanevenfurtherstepawayfrom
beingconsideredtheurgic.ThisiswhyHermessaysoftheadepts,
AndhavingseenTheGood,theydeemtheirsojournhereonEarthathingtobedeplored;and
scorningallthingscorporeal,theypressontoreachthatalonewhichisGood.
GodisaUnifiedExistence,andourgoalistoenterintothatUnity

Yousee,myson,throughhowmanybodilythingsinsuccessionwehavetomakeourway,and
throughhowmanytroopsofdaemonsandcoursesofstars,thatwemaypressontotheOneandOnly
God.
Here(BookIV),HermesisspeakingtohissonTat,instructinghiminthebasicprinciplesof
theurgy.Hehasindicated,incidentally,severalsignificantconceptswhichwecanconsiderimportantto
thehermeticdoctrineoftheurgy:

Peoplereincarnate,andthepurposeofthatreincarnationistounitewithGod.
Peoplehavevariousguardiandaemonsthroughouttheirmanylives,notjustone.
Differentsetsofastrologicalconfigurationsareneededforthesoultoadvanceproperly
throughmultipleincarnations.
Thesecondandthirdpointsherelistedhavegreatimportance,butbeingadvancedandcomplex
subjectsinthemselves,willbeinstructedinlaterclasses.Itisthefirstpointwhichwearehere
concernedwith:thatHermesistellinghissonthatthereasonforreincarnating,andthereforefor
incarnationatall,istopushonwardstowardsGod.Notmagicpowers,notcontroloveryourownlife,
notspecialranks,grades,orhierarchalpositions;justGod.Thisisarguablythemostcentralconceptin
theurgicmysticism,andistheattributewhichdrawsaclearlinebetweentheurgyandmeresorcery.
Beyondthis,though,weareensuredaclearimageofwhatGodis,inhismostgeneralbutmost
mysticalsense.Heiseverything,andpermeatesallexistenceasasublimelysimplebutpresentunity.
ThusHermessays:

Godisinallthings,astheirrootandasthesourceoftheirbeing.
Andagain,inalatermanuscript:
Nay,Iwouldrathersay,notthatGodcontainsallthings,butthat,tospeakthefulltruth,Godis
allthings.
Nearlyendlessreferencescouldbeprovidedfromgenuinehermeticscriptureonthispoint,that
Godisallthings,andallthingsrestinGod.Again,itistothisunitythatmanisurgedtoproceed.
Poimandres,asthespeakeroftheeleventhbookofHermes,remindsusofthis:
IfthenyoudonotmakeyourselflikeGod,youcannotapprehendGod.
Andthisistheheartofalltheurgicwork:thatmanmakeshimselfasmuchagodaspossible.
For,itissaid,thatonlyagodhasthefacultiesnecessarytoperceiveTheOneGod.Therefore,in
51
2011
becomingagod,manisabletoenterintounionwithTheGood.TheGood,intheancientphilosophical
sense,isanappellationforthepureLightofGod,HisinnermostBeing.

Wecanseeagain,bymeansoftheeasewithwhichsomanysuitablequotescanbeprovided,
thatthisideaisabsolutelycentraltoHermeticism.Yet,again,wealsoseehowabsentitisfromthose
whoprofesstoteachtheurgytoday.InabookonsocalledHermeticMagic,oneisfortunatetofind
evenasinglereferencetotheideaofunitingwithGod,andalmostnodiscussionastowhatGodactually
is.Ifitismentionedatall,itsticksoutasasortofrelic,somehowoutofplaceinadoctrinethatshould
beitshome.Theabsenceofthiscentralideahascausedthegradualdestructionofthehermetic
science,anditisourhopethatthroughtheseclasses,andsubsequentlythroughallofyou,suchkey
teachingswillbebroughtback.Weremindyouallthatwehavequotedhereonlythosetextswhich,by
alloftheseselfproclaimedmysteryschoolsorauthors,arerecognizedasbeingauthoritiesandoriginal
textsuponwhichhermeticismisbased.TheyclaimthebooksofHermes,butdontseemtohave
botheredtoreadthem.
Obviouslytherearemanymoreimportantcharacteristicswhichdefinetruehermetictheurgy,
butthesethreethatwehaveprovidedhererepresenttheinnermostheartofourdoctrine.They
representtheabsolutestandardswhichsettheurgyapartfromdegradedsorceryoremptymagic.Ata
latertimewewillconsidermorespecificaspectsoftheurgy,andifyouchoosetocontinuetheseclasses,
youwilllearnagreatdealyourselfaboutwhattheurgyreallyiswithoutushavingtosayitatall.
52
2011
PartII
PracticeLectures
TheMagicJournal,ThoughtObservation,andBodyControl
Introspection,Retrospection,andtheSoulMirrors
ConsciousEating,Breathing,andDrinking
TheVisionoftheAngel
53
2011
TheMagicJournal,ThoughtObservation,andBodyControl
TheMagicJournal
Thisweek'sassignmentofsortsistoprocureforyourselfapersonalnotebook,ofvaryingsize
dependingonyourpreference.Aphysicalnotebookisbyfarthemostadvantageous,asitmaybe
carriedwithyouplaces,takenoutside,andmaybeathandatthesametimeasanimportantexperience
orrevelation.Itdoesnotmatterthematerialofthenotebook.
Thisnotebookshallbeusedonlyforpurposesrelatingtoyourmagicaldevelopment,butnot
exclusivelyforthisclass.Recordinitanyinspirationsyouhave,anyquestionsyouhavethroughoutthe
weekthatyoumaywanttoaskusduringtheQ&A,andevenperhapsapossibleanswertoyourown
questions.Ifyoualreadydocertaindailyroutines,keeptrackoftheminthisjournal.Recordtheday
andtimeofeveryexerciseyoudo,aswellasthesuccessyouhadandtheprogress(orlackthereof)that
youarenoticing.Thiswillbecomeparticularlyimportantstartingthisweek,nowthatyouhavebeen
giventhefirstpartofastringofexercisesthatwillconstituteyourdailyroutineforquitesometimeto
come.
Everysessionofpracticalworkmustbekeptrecordedinthisjournal.Thereshouldnaturallybe
ajournalentryforeveryday,asyouwillhavesomethingsolidtoputintothejournalaftereachsession
ofpractice.Anytimeyouexperienceaparticularstepforward,orbookgoodsuccessinsomethingthat
youwerenotdoingwellin,itshouldberecordedingreatdetailinthejournal.Imightaddthatevery
entryshouldhaveadayandexactdate,andiftherearemultipleentriesinasingleday,thereshouldbe
includedtimesaswell.
Itmustbecomeahabittokeepupwiththisjournal.Inthebeginningtheupkeepingofthis
journalmayseemapunitiveandworthlesstask.Keepwithit,however,andyoushallnodoubtbeginto
seeitsgreateffectsonyourpsyche,yourpracticeandyourunderstanding.
Thereareseveralimportantcomponentstothisentrywhichshouldbepresentinallentries:
Time,dayandmonth
Presentpointsofinterest
Dataregardingthedailyexerciseroutine(ifitwasalldoneornot,andifnot,thenwhy)
Recordofprogress(shouldbeinatleastonejournalentryaweek).
Discreetness
Thelastpointisparticularobservable.Thisprotectstheinformationthereinfromwandering
eyesandpryinghands,inadditiontopersonalizingtheinformationsothatitonlyholdsmeaningtoyou.
Thetendencyoftheadepttoobscurehispersonalnotesinthismannerallowedforthecreationofthe
socalled"barbaricnames"whicharepresentinsomanygrimiorestoday.Withouttheproperkey,
theseapparentlymeaninglesswordshavenouseatall;theyaremerelythepersonalshorthandofa
particularmagus,thepersonalrecordsofwhomsomehowgotintothehandsofacunningcharlatanand
wereeventuallypublished.
YoudonothavetobeknowledgeableintheQaballah,alchemyorsomestrangelanguageto
properlyencrypttheinformationrecordedinyourjournals.Forthatmatter,itdoesnothavetobe
54
2011
encryptedatalltobeginwith:theinformationcantendtobeharmlessenough.If,however,youfind
yourselfspeakingofparticularlyimportantpersonalmattersinregardstomagic,yourpracticesand/or
yourdiscoveriesthereof,itisbestthatyouthinkofafittingkeybywhichmeansyoucanrenderthe
entrymeaninglessinthehandsofanyoneelseotherthanyourself.
ThePractices
Wearestartingrightoffinourpracticesinthisveryfirstweek.Wemust,orelsewewillnotbe
abletoinstructyouineverythingthatwehopeto.Beforegoingtotheexercisesthough,letustakea
momenttoconsiderthemagician'spracticespace.
Thespiritualpracticeoftheinitiate,calledaskesis,ishismostprofoundtimeofreverence.He
shouldapproachthetimeofhisdailyroutineasatimeofthehighestsacredness.Ifhisdayhasbeen
busy,heshouldfirsttakeafewminutestostraightenouthismindandleavethebusinessandaffairsof
worldlylifebehindhimashestepsintohispracticearea.Thementalseparationfromtherestoftheday
shouldbeascompleteaspossiblebeforebeginningpractice.Havingsatdown,heshouldtrytoturnhis
thoughtstowardsGodbyusingashortprayerwhichemphasizeshisdesiretoreachdivinity,andthank
GodforallwhichHehasgiventoaidinthatpath.
Itisofthegreatestbenefittohaveapracticeareathatisapartfromtherestofyourhouse,and
whichyouonlyentertopractice.Ifyouhaveaspareroom,thencreatingameditationroomthatcanbe
yoursanctumduringpracticeisthemostidealoption.Ifyoudonothaveaspareroom,thenapartof
yourroomsectionedoffbyhangingsheetsfromtherestofyourroomwouldbethenextbestthing.If,
finally,youdonothaveeventhatavailabletoyou,thensomepartofyourroomorhousewhichisnot
oftenwalkedthroughandwhichyoucanusewithoutdisturbanceforanextendedperiodoftimewill
suffice.Thedoorshouldbelocked,andyoushouldselectatimewhichwillworkformostdayswhere
youwillnotbedisturbed.Evenifyouhavetowakeupat2:00AMandgobacktosleepimmediately
whenfinished,doitifyoumustifthatisthepriceofprivacy.Manypeoplefindthattheearlymorning
beforethedaystarts,between4:00AMand6:00AM,isanidealtimefortheseholypractices.The
ethersarequiet,andtherumbleofthedayhasnotyetdisturbedtheenergiesoftheair.
Itisgoodtohavesomesortofsmallaltartomeditateinfrontof.Itcanbeassmallasalittle
shelfonawall,oraslargeasahighlydecoratedaltarwallwithmanypicturesandhangingdisplays.
Whateveriscomfortabletoyou.Onthisalteryoucanplacesimplyacandle(ideallywithacandle
holder),andsomethinguponwhichyoucanburnincense.Ifyoucannotburnincensebecauseofsharing
thehousewithotherswhodonotappreciatethesmell,thenyoucanbuyascentedoilthatyoucandab
ontoyourforeheadbeforepractice.Thisisofcoursealloptional,butrecommended.Byhavingasmany
constantsaspossibleduringeverypracticesession,youminimizeworldlydistractionsandtrigger
psychologicalaids.Someverygoodaidsaretousethesameincenseduringallofyourpracticesessions,
tositfacingthesamedirectionduringeachsession,tositinthesamepostureduringeachsession,and
tositinthesameplaceduringeachsession.Ifyoucandoitataconstanttimeoftheday,thiswillalso
helpyoukeepuptheroutineeasierbymakingitafixedhabit.
Particularimportanceshouldbepaidtotheadoptionofaparticularpostureformeditation.This
canbeassimpleassittinginachairwithyourbackstraightandyourhandsinyourlap,tosittingcross
leggedontheground,ortosittinginoneofthemorecomplicateddhyanasanasofyoga,suchas
siddhasana,padmasana,orsukhasana.Whateverpostureyouchoose,thatshouldbethepostureyou
willendeavortomeditateineachtime.Usingthesamehandposturewillalsohelp,suchasrestingyour
55
2011
handsuponyourlap,interlockingyourfingerswiththehandstogether,ordoingwhateverelsemaybe
comfortabletoyou.Afterextendedpractice,youwillbeabletoclearyourmindandreadyyourselffor
yourroutinethemomentyouarefullyinyourposture.Itwillbecomeanautomaticeffectofsittingin
thatway.
IfthereisanimageforyourGod,itwouldbeappropriatetohaveaframedpictureuponyour
altar.Itwouldalsobeintelligenttokeepsomekindofalarmclockortimernexttoyourpracticearea,so
thatyoucantimeyourpracticesandensurethattheminimumlengthsweresatisfied.Itisbestifthe
alarmhasasofttoneandalowvolume,enoughtobringyououtofthemeditation,butnotenoughto
reallydisturbyou.Cellphonesoftenhavegoodsettingsforalarms.
BodyControl
Takeupyourmeditativeposture,closeyoureyes,andturnyourentireattentiontoyour
physicalbody.Trytofeeleveryinchofyourskin,everyhaironyourbody,everysubtlestrainor
pressure.Donotletyourmindwander,butinsteadkeepittotallyfocusedonthesensationsofyour
physicalbody.Youwillbegintonoticethatyourskinwillbegintoitch,ortwitch,orfeelasifyouwere
pokedbyaneedle,andothersuchsensoryproblems.Thesearethefiringsofneuronswhichweusually
ignorebyoccupyingourattentionwithotherthings.Duringthisexerciseitisimportantthatyoufocus
entirelyuponthem,andthatyoudenyeveryurgetomoveevenacentimeterfromyourexactposition.
Donotitch,orsway,orcrunchyourface,orperformanyothermovementwhichmightrelievethe
distraction.Insteadfocusentirelyuponeverysuchdistraction,andthenovercomeitentirely.Dothisfor
fiveminutes.Withpractice,bytheendofthosefiveminutes,yourbodywillbeunderyourcontroland
thoseitches,etc,shallnolongerbepresent.Thepurposeofthisexerciseistoensurethatyourbody
doesnotinterferewithyourmeditation.Traditionallyastudentwasnotconsideredashavingmastered
hismeditativepostureuntilhecouldsitinitundisturbedinthismannerfortwohours,withoutany
desiretogetuporgotoanythingelse,andwithnohintofboredomorothersuchdistractions.Forour
sakeitwillsufficethatyouremaininthispostureduringallyourexercises,andinthiswayyouwill
graduallymasterit.
ThoughtObservation
Thecornerstoneoftheaspirant'sprogressisacontrolledmind,mostespeciallyduringpractice.
Theundisturbedcalmofthemagicianiswhyhewasheraldedasawisemanintimespast,andwhyhis
adviceisalwayssound,andhisintellectsharp.Likewise,tohaveanerrantandwanderingmindduring
certainmagicalpracticescannotonlybedetrimentaltoprogress,butcansometimesactuallybe
dangerous.Thereforeeverylegitimatesystemoftrainingwillbeginfromtheveryonsetwithsomekind
ofmentaldiscipline.
Sittinginyourposture,closeyoureyesandcontrolyourbreathing.Agood,relaxedbreathing
patternisknownasthefourfoldbreath,whereyouinhaleforfoursecondsandexhaleforfourseconds.
Turnyourattentiontotheblacknessofyoureyelidsandtheemptinessofyourmind,andthenpractice
becomingapassiveobserverofyourthoughts.Thetrickhereisnottobecomeinvolvedinthethoughts
whichemerge,butalsotonotinterferewiththemeither.Justletthemcomeandgowithoutbecoming
attachedtothem.Ifyoufindyourselfbeingpulledaway,thenrefocusyourattentiontothebackofyour
eyelidsandbecomeanobserveragain.Practicemakesperfecthere,andatfirstyoumayhaveahard
timebecomingjustanobserver.
Thegoalofthisexerciseistowatchthenumberofthoughtsbegintodwindleintomental
silenceastheminutesgoby.Whenyourmindisactuallypayingattentiontoitself,thethoughts
56
2011
naturallybegintoslow.Bymakingsurethatyoudevelopnointerestinanyofthethoughtswhich
emerge,youdestroytheiressence,andsotheydissolve.Practicethisforfiveminutesatfirst,butevery
dayatoneminute.Whenyougettofifteenminutesyoucanstopaddingtime,andjustfocusonmaking
thattimemorevaluable.Inthebeginningyouwillnotevenbeabletoletyourmindslow,butwith
practiceitwillbegintohappen.Eventhen,onceyouareupto15minutes,itmaytake13minutesto
reachthatstateofmentalcalm.Withmorepractice,youwillbeabletoenterintoitinonlyafew
moments,andultimately,youwillbeabletosilenceyourmindalmostinstantly.Thoughthisshouldbe
donespecificallyasanexerciseduringyourpracticetime,feelfreetousethissametechniqueduringthe
dayalso,especiallywhenyouarecaughtupinemotionsandworries.Thisexerciseisthebeginningof
reclaimingyourselffromtheanimalthatcurrentlyholdsyou.
57
2011
Introspection,Retrospection,andtheSoulMirrors
IntrospectionandRetrospection
Masteryovertheinnerselfisparalleltomasteryoverthegreaterself,whichistheentireuniverse.
Manywouldbemagicianstravelacertaindistance,attainingthisorthatpower,butultimatelyhita
wall.Theyhitthiswallbecausetheyhavenointernalfoundationtobuildupon.Sometimesthisis
becausetheinitiatetrulyfearedwhatwaswaitingwithintherecessesofhismind,butmoreoftenthan
not,thisissimplybecausetheinitiatewasnevertoldthathehadtoconquerhimselfinordertoconquer
thatwhichsurroundedhim.
Thisisreallyoneofthefirstexerciseswhichwillsetthepathofyourtrainingapartfromthepathsof
manyothers.Becauseofthechainofprocessesyouwillstartwiththispracticallecture,youwillbe
workingonsomethingfarmoreadvancedthanmanysocalledadeptsofotherOrderscanclaim.You
willbeovercomingearlyontheobstaclewhichstopssomanywouldbegreatmagicians.Insodoing,
youwillbecomeagreatmagicianyourselfwithmuchmorespeed,andinamorecompletemanner.
Thepersonality,thecharacterofone'sego,canbeimaginedasablackwallwithinwhichareafew
smallholesthatlightescapesthrough.Theblackwallitselfismadeofallthevices,temporaryflaws,and
mortalmisconceptionsentertainedastruebyyourego.Thoseholesthatlightisescapingthroughare
thefewdivinetraitswhichshineforthinyourcurrentpersonality,whicharetracesofyourrealdivine
self.Thelightbehindthewallisthedivineselfproper.Throughrigorousselfscrutinyandmeditation,
theaspirantbeginstoteardownthiswallthathisegopersonalityhasbuilttoprotectitselffromthe
evolutionaryfiresofthesoulpersonality,theindwellingdivineself.
Thishastobeunderstoodverywell,becausemanypeoplethinkthatthecharactertrainingofthis
systemandsystemslikethisonearesimplyameansofbrainwashing.Thiscouldnotbefurtherfromthe
truth,aswillbecomeevidentespeciallyasyouadvance.Whatyouaredoingisnottryingtorecreatea
newpersonalityforyourself,butinsteadtoperfectthatdivinecharacterwhichyoualreadyhave.Thisis
inkeepingwiththeteachingsofJesusChristalso,ashesaid"Noman,whenhehathlightedacandle,
puttethitinasecretplace,neitherunderabushel,butonacandlestick,thattheywhichcomeinmay
seethelight."SoalsoyoushalllearntodowiththelightoftheGodwithinyou.
Theparticularlineofdevelopmentwhichtheinitiatetakeshispersonalitythroughisaimedatthe
achievementofthemagicalequipoise,alsocalledthetetrapolarmagnetism.Thisisaninternal
condition,onewhichatfirstonlyexistsinthementalbody.Thepracticeofthesoulmirrors,whichis
includedinthisweek'spracticallecturesprovidesthemethodofachievingthisbalanceonthesurface
levelofthemind.Ifapersonhasachievedthisbalance,whichwewilldiscussmuchmoreindepthina
laterlecture,hebecomesimpenetrablebymostoffenses,diseases,andinfluences.Moreimportantlyhe
cannotbeinfluencednegativelybyotherspiritsorperhapsevenblackmagicianswherevertheelements
areconcerned,becausethetetrapolarityofhisbeingwillcreateadynamicshieldandnaturalresistance
whichisincrediblyhardtobreakthough.Thetotalachievementofthemagicalequipoiseandthe
tetrapolartensionisultimatelybroughtaboutinsixways:
1. InthePersonality:Thetrainingwhichyouarebeinggiventhisweekwillguideyoutowards
equipoiseinthepersonality,theseatofconsciousnessatthispoint,andthereforewill
58
2011
increasethecommunicationbetweenyourindwellingdivineselfandyourexternal
consciousness.
2. IntheMentalBody:Byestablishingthefinetunedandbalanceddevelopmentofthe
willpower,intelligence,feeling,andconsciousness,inthementalbody.
3. IntheMentalMatrix:ThroughthemanipulationoftheAkashawiththeintentionofmastery
overallthefourelements.
4. IntheAstralBody:ThroughtheElementalAccumulationsandRegionalAccumulations
5. IntheAstralMatrix:Bytheregulationofthedifferentkindsofinternalenergy(called
pneuma)andthecontrolledawakeningoftheinternalgodessencefromthecenterof
poweratthebaseofthespine.
6. InthePhysicalBody:Throughaproperdietfromanelementalperspective,throughthe
healthofthefourregionsofthebody,bythecontroloftheseminalfluid,andthroughthe
useofalchemicaltincturesandthebalancingpowerofthephilosopher'sstone.
Thefinallevelofthemagicalequipoiseintheconsciousnessistheunionofthefourmentalqualities
ofwillpower,intelligence,feeling,andconsciousnesswiththefourdivinequalitiesofGod:
Omnipotence,Omniscience,Omnipresence,andInfinitude.Thisisthemagician'sgnosis.
Inthescopeofthisclass,theonlylayerwewillhavetimetofocusonandpracticallyworkwithison
theleveloftheego.Itisthefirststeponthislongroadofthesublimationofthepersonality,andit
beginswithtwofundamentalpractices:introspectionandretrospection.Thesetwoaresosimplethan
manywouldbeinitiateshavepassedbythemwithoutpayingthemanyattention,totheirdetriment
lateron.
Introspectionis,inthecontextofthisclass,theconsistentinversionofcriticismuponyourself
insteadofuponothers.Theaspirantmustlearntolookinwardsandturnhiseyeuponhisown
personality,hisownbehavior,andhisowntendencies.Everyday,perhapsattheendofyourcurrent
practiceroutine,takeasimplefiveminutestoexamineyourself.Trytoexploreyourpersonality,and
withyournotebooknexttoyou,writedowneveryvirtueorviceyoucanthinkof.Payparticular
attentionheretoyourvices,butdonotneglectyourvirtues,fortheyareimportantalso.Dothisevery
day,andifyouarehonestwithyourself,youwillquicklybegintodevelopalonglistofvices,aswellasa
fewmajorvirtues.Wearenotparticularlyworriedaboutwhatvirtuesyoumayhave,asthosedonot
needtobefixed.Theenemies,whichneedtobefocusedonmostgreatly,areyourvices.Bemercilessto
yourself,andwritedowneverythingthatcomestomind.
Attheendofeveryday,youwillpracticeretrospection.Thisisdifferentfromintrospection,where
youlookintoyourself.Inretrospection,youlookbackuponyourentiredayaswellasyoucan.
Concentratehardtoplaythroughallthemajorpointsinyourday,mostespeciallyanytimeswhereyou
interactedwithothers.Whileyouaredoingthis,withyournotebooktherenexttoyou,writedownany
newviceswhichyourealizeyouhaveasaresultofyouractions.Youmaynothaverealizedthatyouhad
acertainviceduringyourintrospectionexercise,andyetwhenyoulookbackoveryourday,youmight
59
2011
findthatyouactedacertainwaywhichsuggestedyoudidhavethatvice.Dothisattheendofeachday,
inadditiontointrospection.Injustaweekyoushouldhaveafairlydetailedmapofwhoyouare.Thisis
exactlywhatyouwant.Youwanttomapyourselfoutsothatyoucanclearlyidentifywhothedivineyou
is,andwhotheanimalyouis.Intheprocessofgettingtoknowyourself,youwillalsogettoknowyour
enemy.
TheSoulMirrors
Inmagicalparlance,thearrangementofallthevicesandvirtuesintofourquadrantscorresponding
totheelementsarecalledtheBlackandWhiteSoulMirrors.TheBlackSoulMirror,obviously,reflects
thevicesofthepersonbacktothem.TheWhiteSoulMirrorcontainshisvirtues.
Afteryouhavebeguntobuildarepertoireofvirtuesandvicesfromyourintrospectionand
retrospectionexercises,youcanbegintoconstructyoursoulmirrors.Thefirstthingyoushoulddois
attributeacertainlevelofinfluencetoeachofyourvicesandvirtues.Asimplewaytodothisistousea
scaleofonetofive,withtherankof"one"meaningthatthequalityhasverylittleinfluenceoveryoubut
isstillpresent,andwiththerankof"five"meaningthatthequalityisamajorpartofyourpersonality
whichenterseverydayofyourlife.Mostvirtuesandviceswillfallsomewherebetweenthosetwo,and
youwillhavealotofqualities,quitelikely,whichwillberanked"one."Thosewhichareranked"five"
willbeveryfew,butwillbethemajorvirtuesandviceswhichmakeyouwhoyouareatthispointin
time.
Onceyouhavedonethistoallofyourqualities,bothvirtuesandvices,thenitistimetodividethem
upaccordingtothefourelements.Thefourelements,fromthemagicalperspective,arethemost
practicalrepresentationsoftheselfthatcanbeworkedwithbyahumanlevelofconsciousness.Their
influenceisallaroundus,bothimmediatelyonthisplanetandthroughouttheentiretyofthecosmoson
everylevel,andsotheirmasterywithintheselfwillresultintheirmasteryinyourgreaterselfthe
universe.Inparticular,themagicianwhomastersthefourelementsmastersallofmaya,theworldof
liessurroundingus.
Takeapieceofpaperandsplititintofourquadrants.Inthecornerofeachofthefourboxes,write
thenamesofoneofthefourelements:fire,air,water,orearth.Thiswayyouwillhavefourboxes,each
boxrepresentingoneofthefourelements.Itnowfallstoyoutotryandattributeeveryoneofyour
vicesandvirtuestooneofthosefourelements.Towardsthatend,Iwillgivesomesuggestionsregarding
commonqualities.
SoulMirrorofFire:
Positive:Energetic,courageous,creative,valor,loyalty,motion,perceptive,activity,enthusiasm,
eagerness,resolution,productivity.
Negative:Sporadic,breakative,irritable,destructive,intemperance,anger,caughtinillusions,gluttony,
jealousy,passion,easilypersuaded,quicklyputout,easilyletdown.
SoulMirrorofAir:
Positive:Quicktoadapt,avoidsconfrontation,accepting,intelligent,witty,clever,funny,understanding,
hopeful,happy,optimistic,booksmart,freespirited.
Negative:Easilythrownaround,takenadvantageof,inconsistent,unpredictable,wrathfulwhen
60
2011
provoked,instablemoralcode,airheaded,overlyambitious,lowselfesteem,rebelliousagainst
authority,dependentonothers,addictedtosmokeablesubstances,daydreamer.
SoulMirrorofWater:
Positive:Respectability,modesty,compassion,devotion,seriousness,docility,fervor,cordiality,
comprehension,meditation,calmness,quicktogiveonesconfidence,forgiveness,tenderness,mature
love,wisdom,understanding,abilitytolistenwell,keepingentrustedsecrets,adaptation,pacifism,
depth.
Negative:Indifference,depression,apathy,shyness,laziness,overemotional,disintegrating,dissolving,
overlysecretive,nofoundations,ungrounded,forgetful,lustful,clouded,easilyconfused,withdrawn,
introverted,lackofoutput,easilyovercome,drunkenness.
SoulMirrorofEarth:
Positive:Respectability,reputation,endurance,consideration,resolution,firmness,seriousness,
scrupulousness,thoroughness,concentration,sobriety,punctuality,reserve,objectivity,infallibility,
responsibility,reliability,circumspection,resistance,selfassurance.
Negative:Greed,addictions,obsessions,laziness,tired,lackofcontrol,forgetful,anger,slow,insipidity,
unscrupulousness,misanthropy,dullness,unreliability,laconism.
Therearemanyvirtuesandvicesnotincludedintheseexamples.Iwouldrecommendthatyou
attemptcategorizingthemyourselffirst,andthenonceyouarefairlycertainoftheirplacement,
perhapsmakeapostaboutitontheforum.Iencourageeverystudenttoposttheirquestionsaboutthe
placementofcertainvirtuesorvicesontheelementalscheme,becauseeveryotherstudentwillbenefit
fromthatknowledge.Manypeoplehavethesamegeneralgroupofviceswhentheybegin,andsothisis
agoodwayforyoualltohelponeanother.
61
2011
ConsciousEating,Breathing,andDrinking
Theactofconsciousconsumptionofbreath,food,anddrink,isalargepartofamagician's
earliesttraining.Itis,inaway,hisfirstregularactofcontroloverhisworld.Thepracticeissimple
enough,bothforthefoodandthedrink.Extendthedominanthandoverthefoodordrink,andhold
firminyourmindthequalityyoudesiretotakeintoyourself.Ideallyyouwillhavechosenaparticular
vicethatyouwanttogetridof,andsowillbefillingyourfoodanddrinkwiththevirtuewhichdestroys
thatvice.Withthatvirtueinmind,visualizeawhiteglowemanatingfromyourhandandfillingthe
entireitem.Letthefoodordrinkbatheinthislight.Believefirmlythatthislightistheveryembodiment
ofthevirtueyouwanttoacquire,andthatbyfillingthefoodanddrink,itpassesthatqualityontoit.Do
thisforafewseconds,oruntilyouarementallyconvincedthatwhatsitsbeforeyouisnotaplateof
foodoraglassofsomekindofdrink,butthatinsteadwhatisinfrontofyouisaveritablemagical
substanceorpotionwhichwillgiveyouthedesiredvirtue.Whenyoueatanddrinkthosethings,you
shouldnotevenconsiderthatitisregularfoodanddrink.Youshouldhonestlyholdfirmthatthefoodis
actuallythatvirtueinmaterialform,orthatthedrinkisthatvirtueinliquidfirm.Themoreconcretethis
imaginationis,thequickersuccesswillcome.Onceaparticularvicehasbeenchosenfortheseexercises,
youshouldnotpracticeeliminatinganotherviceuntilyouhavesatisfactorilydestroyedthecurrentone.
Inotherwords,advanceoneviceatatime,sothatyoucandevoteallofyourenergysuccessfully.
Forconsciousbreathing,theexerciseisalittledifferent.Sitdowninyourasanaandclearyour
mindforamoment.Next,imaginestronglythattheairaroundyouissaturatedwiththevirtueyou
desiretopossess.Believethattheairisinfactthegaseousmanifestationofthatvirtue.Evenconvince
yourselfthatwhateversmellpermeatestheroomisthesmellofthatvirtue.Inhaleslowlybut
comfortably,andbringthisvirtueinthroughthenoseandintoyourlungs.Asyouinhale,alsoimagine
thatthevirtueisbeingpassedbythelungsthroughosmosisintoyourblood,andthereforeintoyour
wholebeing.Whenyouexhaleslowly,imaginethatyouareexhalingthecorrespondingvicefromevery
partofyou.Bothinhaleandexhalethroughthenose,anddonotholdyourbreathbetweenthe
inhalationandexhalation.Dothissimplytentimesforthefirstfewdays,theneachdaybegintoaddone
fullbreathtoyourpracticeuntilyouaredoingtwentybreaths.Donotworryaboutexceedingthat
number.Endeavortodothisatleastonceaday,andifyoucan,twiceaday.Thereisnoneedtodoit
morethanthat,asforthevastmajorityofbeginningstudentstheastralbodywillbeexhaustedafter
twofullsessions,andsowillnolongerrespondtoexercise.Ifitnolongerrespondstotheexercise,then
ineffectyouarewastingtime.
Inallthreeoftheseconsciousexercises(eating,drinking,andbreathing),youareusingthe
propertiesoftheastralmatrixtofillyourselfwiththedesirevirtue,andridyourselfofthechosenvice.
Bybringingthesubstanceintoyourbody,boththeastralandphysicalsubstanceswillgothroughtheir
correspondingprocesses.Justasyourphysicalbodydigeststhephysicalsubstanceofafood,italso
"digests"thespiritualsubstanceofafood.Itbreaksapartthespiritualatomsandsendsthemthrough
theastralmatrix,thematrixofcondensedenergythatweavestheastralbodyintothephysicalbody.It
travelsthroughthismatrixintotheastralbody,wherejustlikephysicalfoodbecomesapartofyour
physicalself,theastral"food"willbecomeapartofyourastralself.Wewillconsiderthisfactinthelight
ofdietarychoicesinamoment.
62
2011
Diet
Dietisanimportantthingforanaspiranttoconsider.Atlaterstagesitisnotsoimportant,once
onehasgainedthoroughcontrolovereveryaspectofhisbeing.Bythen,however,hewillalready
understandtheadvantagestoagooddietsowellthathewilllikelyonlyrarelygooutsideofit.Nowthe
purposeofthisconsiderationofdietisnottoprescribeaparticulardiettoyou.Everyone'sbodiesare
different,andeveryone'scircumstancesandfinancialfreedomaredifferenttoo.WhatIwilldoinsteadis
enlightenyouinregardstowhatdifferentkindsoffooddotoyou,sothatyoucanmakeaninformed
decision.
Aswasmentionedearlier,whenyoueatsomethingyoualsoconsumeitsastralsubstanceas
well.Thenatureofthatastralsubstancewillvarydependingonwhatitisyouareeating.Animalswith
redblood,atwocyclecirculatorysystemwhichcarriesbloodnotonlyfromtheheartbutthrougha
liver,areinpossessionofloweremotionsandpassions.Unlikeotherlessevolvedcreatures,these
animalsdonotlivetheirlivessolelyaroundinstinct.Theycanfear,hate,feelcompassion,enjoy,dislike,
etc.Inparticular,theyareinpossessionofallthelowertraitsbecausetheydonotpossessalevelof
logicwhich,inhigherspecies,canhelprestrainthem.You,forexample,wouldprobablynotkill
someonewhowalkedacrossyouryard.Manyanimals,however,wouldbeabletothinkofnothingelse
ifthathappened.
Whenananimaldies,itslowestastralsubstancesaturatesandwrapsintothecarcassofthe
animal.Thus,whenthatfleshisconsumed,youareconsumingthelowerastralsubstanceofthatanimal.
Theastralsubstanceishighlyemotionallycharged,andsoitisthebestconveyorandretainerof
emotionsandpassions.Whentakenfromananimal,themeatwillpassthoseloweremotionsand
passionsintoyourownastralbody,wheretheywillbecomewrappedupinyourbeingandbecomea
partofyou.Itdoesnottakeanyreallengthoftimeforthisinterferencetocometopowerfullyinfluence
theemotionsofthepersonwhoisregularlyeatingthemeat.Therearetoomanystudiesprovingthat
peoplewhoregularlyconsumeredmeatarefarmoreeasilyswayedbyemotions,areoftenbipolarto
onedegreeoranother,andinparticularhaveahardertimecontrollinglustfulandterritorialemotions,
tobothercitinganyparticularstudyhere.Ifyoueatanimals,youbegintobecomesomewhatlikethem
yourself.
Creatureswithalowerlevelofsentience,"whitemeat"suchasbirdsandfish,liveprimarilyon
instinctandvery,verybasicandundevelopedemotionalimpulses.Assuch,theydonotleavebehind
muchsubstanceinthemeataftertheydie.Ifthatmeatisconsumedtherewillbesomeinfluence,butit
willbeveryminor,andwillnotbesomuchonanemotionallevelasitwillbeonaninstinctuallevel.
Becausehumanityissofardetachedfromprimitiveinstincts,itwillnotcreateanysignificantdifference
inthenatureofthepersonwhoregularlyconsumesthatkindofmeat.
Fruitsandvegetablesdonotpossessemotionorinstinct,butinsteadpossessqualities.Those
fruitsandvegetableswhichhaveasweetorsmoothtasteareconsideredpure.Theyarethemost
conducivetospiritualpractice,andtocontrollingtheanimalpassions.Pomegranate,bananas,sweet
oranges,apples,grapes,raisins,rice,sugarbasedcandy,dates,almonds,plumes,sugarcane,honey,
milk,andplantains,areallexamplesofpuresubstances.Wheneaten,thestudentdoesnothavetowait
forlongbeforehecanpractice.Ifeatenafterpractice,theywillactuallyhelpsustainthebenefitsofthe
practicealittlelonger.Ingeneral,subscribingtoadietlikethiswillworkquicklytocontrolthelower
animalpassionsandlusts.Ifyouaregoingtohaveadietconsistingoffruitsandvegetables,however,
63
2011
youmustbeintelligentaboutitanddiversifyyourmealseachdaysothatyougetabroadrangeof
differentvitaminsandminerals.Takingasupplementforvitaminsandmineralsisalsogenerallyadvised.
Thereisayogicsaying:
"Aharasuddhasattvasuddhi,sattvasuddhadhruvahsmritti;smrittilambhesarvagranthanam
vipramoksha."
"Thepurityoffoodlendstothepurityoftheinnernature,thepurityoftheinnernatureleadstothe
purityandstrengtheningofthemind.Thuscomesthelooseningofties,bywhichthewisereceive
liberation."
Icanmakesomesimpleadviseonthematterofdiet,however.Ifyouhaveaveryphysicaljob,
orareengagedinsports,ordoanythingelseregularlyofaphysicallydemandingnature,youmust
includeatleastsomechicken,turkey,andfishinyourdiet.Thiswillhelpsustainyoubetter,asasolely
spiritualdietisdesignedforpeoplewhocanspendtheirdaysinmeditation,andnotforthosewhoare
activelyengagedintheworld.Ondaysoff,whereyouwon'tbedisturbedandhavenoother
appointments,endeavortohaveaprimarilyspiritualdiet.Onotherdays,includemoreactivefoodssuch
asgarlic,onion,curry,spices,poultryandfish.
Towardstheeffortofcontrollingdesireforfoodingeneral,whichwillbecomevery
overwhelmingifyouareusetohighlytasteexcitingfoods,atleastonedayoffastingpermonthishighly
recommended.Itshouldbeadaythatyouhaveoff,whereyouwillbeundisturbedbyerrandsor
visitors,andwhichyoucandevotesolelytopracticeandcontemplationofspiritualthings.Maybetake
thatdaytorereadalloftheknowledgeandpracticelecturesfromtheclass,andtrytocatchmeonline
totalkaboutthingsthatareonyourmind.Orperhapsreadsomescripturefromwhicheverreligionyou
prescribeto.
ImustmentioninclosingthatBardonmakesanambiguousstatementinthetheorysectionof
InitiationintoHermeticsthatitisfoolishtobelievewetakeonthequalitiesofanimalsbyeatingthem,
anddisregardsthisasasuperstitiousbelief.Thisstatementisdirectedatthelongheldindigenous
beliefsthatconsumingamonkeywillmakeyoumorelikeamonkey,includinghavingthestrengthof
one,orthateatingmoregoatwillmakeamanmoresexuallypotent,orthateatingacowisgoodfor
fertility,andothersuchideasofthatnature.Thesearesuperstitions,anditistothisthathedirectedhis
comment,notagainstthegoodcommonsenseofaregulateddiet.
64
2011
TheVisionoftheAngel

Thisisasomewhatadvancedmagicalexercise,andrequirescertainpreliminaryremarksbefore
itcanbepracticedwithunderstanding.WehavedecidedtoprovideittopeopleintheIntroductory
class(thisclass)inorderthattheymighthaveasolidmagicalmeditationtoactasacentralspiritual
exercise,andallowforsomeseriousspiritualevolutiontooccurevenatthisbeginninglevelofpractice.
Therearethreedegreesofthisexercise.Thefirstistaughtinthisclass,thesecondistaughtintheLevel
IIclass,andthefullversionistaughtintheLevelIIIclass,asitismuchmorecomplicatedand
demanding.
Ourastralbodiesrespond,principally,tolight,sound,andquality.Withourvisualization,we
introduceformandthereforethelightprinciple.Withourimaginationorverballyweintroducethe
soundprinciple,andwithsensationweintroducetheformprinciple.Alloftheseprinciplescannotbe
introducedarbitrarily,orelsetheyhavenorealmeaning.Ifputtogetherinameaningfulway,sothat
eachoneofthethreeprinciplescontributestoandenhancestheothertwo,thenwehavewhatiscalled
bymagiciansamagicalformula.Thus,certaincolorsofvaryingshadeshavespecificeffects,asdo
certainspokenintonedwordsorsyllables,andalsoasdocertainspecificsensoryqualities.Somecolors,
words,andsensationsbelongtosomespheresofaction,whereasotherprinciplesbelongtoother
spheresofaction.Theabilitytoproperlyconstructtherightformulaforthepropercorresponding
situationisthemarkofaninitiate,oncehehasbeenthoroughlyeducatedinhowtodoso.
Inthismeditation,theprobationer(studentswhohavejustbegunthissystem)usesthelight
principlesoflightandgold,aswellasthemysticalinherentpowerofthehexagram.Heusesthesound
principlesoffourtraditionalWordsofPowerinordertocausecertainformationsandeffectswithinthe
energiesheisworkingwith.Heusesthesensationofexpansionandradiationinordertobetterforce
theilluminatingpowerofhisinnerSun.
LevelI:Probationer
1. Lettheprobationersitinhischosenpostureandclosehiseyes.
2. Aglowingwhitesphereshallbeformulatedsixinchesabovethehead,andtheprobationerwill
knowthatthissphererepresentshishigherself,histruedivinity.
3. Theprobationershallinhaleforacountofsixseconds,visualizingwhitelightpouringforthfrom
thecoronaintohisbeingandfillinghisbodywithwhitelight.
4. Heshallholdhisbreathforacountoftwelveseconds.Hisattentionturnedtothecenterofthe
solarplexus,hisdepthpoint,lethimformulateahexagramglowingwithgoldenlight.Ashe
holdshisbreath,thegoldenlightexpandsslightlyoutwardsfromthehexagram.Knowthis:The
hexagramistheseed,thegoldenlightistheplant,andthedivinewhitelightofthecoronaisthe
lifegivingwaterofbaptism.Watertheseedofthedivineselfwiththiswhitelight,andletthe
goldenlightgrowforthfromthehexagram.
5. Exhaletoacountofsix,releasingallunholyideasandcharacteristics.Releaseeverythingwhich
preventsyoufromglowingintheLightofGod.
65
2011
6. Repeatsteps3through5twentytimes.Eachtimethebreathisheld,letthegoldenlightofthe
hexagramexpandoutwardsalittlemore,sothatattheheightoftwentyrounds,theentirebody
isbathedinasphereofgoldenlight.
7. Whentwentyroundshavebeenperformed,theprobationershallobservehisbodyturninginto
abrightwhitesilhouette.
8. Lettheprobationermeditateforawhileonhisdivinenature,andonthedefeatofdarknessand
thetriumphoflight.Lethim,atthistime,askanyquestionshemayhaveforhishighergenius,
andthensitandwaitforreply.
9. Themeditationcompleted,lethimclosebyintoning"AHIH"inthecorona,intoning"AGLA"in
thebottomofthegoldenspheresurroundinghim,andthenlethimintoneALHIM"inthesolar
plexuswherethehexagramresides.
10. Crossinghisarmsoverhischest,theProbationershallcrosshisarmsoverhischest,touchinghis
leftfingersonhisrightshoulderandhisrightfingersonhisleftshoulder(soastomakeanX
withhisarms),andbowhishead.Lethimcontemplatethisgoldenlightbecomingapermanent
partofhim,anchoredintohisaura.Itisnowapartofhisbeing.
11. Thisideafirminhismind,hisheadstillbowedinreverencetohishigherself,theProbationer
shallvibrate"IAO"inhisentireaura.Thisshallbethesealingandthebalancingoftheenergies
inhisaura.
Pronunciations
AHIH:Ehheeeh
AGLA:Ahgoolah
AHLIM:Elohheem
IAO:eeahoh
66
2011
PartIII
EssayStudies
TheModernCorruptionofMagic
APerspectiveonFranzBardon
TheFundamentalsofMeditation
ABriefHistoryofHermeticism
OurPath,AccordingtoLaw
AppendixA:Vocabulary
67
2011
TheModernCorruptionofMagic
Thepresentdayapproachtomostmagicmustbedoneawaywith.Theinitiatoryprocessofthe
masons,theideaofspiritualadvancementthroughknowledgealone,mustbeleftasarelicofthepast.
AsJnanaYogatestifies,andasFrancisBaconproclaims,thereiscertainlypowerinknowledge.However,
thebestpoweristhatwhichisgainedfrompracticeandconsequentexperience.Apinchofpracticeis
worthmanybooks.Thismustbecometheideaofthecomingageifmankindistorevivethebloodlineof
magiciansintheworld,andredistributethespiritualworkloadwhichatpresentfallsalmostentirely
upontheshouldersoforientaladepts.
Themisunderstandingofthelegitimateuseandmysticalpathoftruemagichascreateda
threateningshortageofilluminatedwesternadepts.Thosemasteradepts,veritablegodmen,ofthepast
arerarelyincarnating.Itseems,then,thataltogethertherearefewgreatmagiciansavailable.Their
numbershavebecomesparse;theirranksthin.Asayoungboy,beforemyownmemoriesreturnedto
me,Isearchedhereandthereforsomesparkofwisdom,studiedmanysystemsofmagicand
shamanism,andintheendfeltasAbrahamtheJewdidafterhisyearsofsearchingfortheDivine
Science,beforebeingblessedbyhishierophantAbramelin.NowheredidIfindanyonewhocouldmerit
thetitleofbeingateacherofthedivinescience.Fraudsandcharlatanswererampant,andpeoplewho
thoughttheyweremagiciansonlybecausetheyhadnevermetatruemagician.Todaythesesame
plaguesstillverymuchinfectthesearchesofaspirantsyoungandoldtheworldover.
Thereareanumberofreasonsforthepresentdroughtofsagesinthewesternocculttradition.I
shallendeavorheretosharewithyousomeofthereasonswhichmyexperienceswithhopeful
aspirants,theteachingsofvariousordersandparadigms,andmytimewiththevictimsofvariousnew
agemovements,haveledmetobelievearethesourcesoftheproblem.Ihavebasedtheseconclusions
onthecriesofhopefulaspirantsseekinginitiation,andonmypersonalencounterswithsomeofthe
proclaimedadeptsofvariousgroupsandorders.Indoingso,Iunderstandfullythattalkingtosome
studentsandahandfulofhighermemberscannevergiveacomprehensiverepresentation.However,I
alsounderstandthatnomatterhowidealtheinternalconditionsofanordermayormaynotbe,they
shouldnotleadtheirouterstudentstoengageintimewastingorinappropriatetraining.
Ihaveidentifiedtenmainproblemsintoday'smagicalendeavors.Thefirstisthatthetraining
proposedbycertainordersinthelast200yearsorsowasincomplete,andbecausetheysetthemold
fortodaysorders,theproblemshavecarriedover.Thesecondisthatthesourcematerialsand
manuscriptsforcertainsystemshavebeenattributedwithmorevaluethantheyfactuallypossess.The
thirdisthatthewesternmindhastransformedmagicintosomethingmeanttofulfillonesearthly
desires.Thefourthreasonforthepresentproblemisthatasourculturefurtherpropagatesindulgingin
laziness,thewesternapproachtomagicbecomeslazierandlazier.Thefifthreasonisthepeculiar
tendencyofthewesternmindtobecomehighlyinvestedinitsownpersonality.Thesixthreasonisthe
destructionofdisciplicsuccession,thecauseofwhichistherootofmanyotherreasons.Theseventh
reason,whichisatruepoisontoevolution,isthepresentmoveinwesternmagictotryandremovethe
essentialideaofGodandthevalueofrighteousnessfrommagic.Theeighthreasonisthegrowing
popularityofcharlatans,andtheirpowerovertheunknowingmasses.Theninthreasonisthetendency
oflegitimatelytrainedmagicianstoremaintothemselves,takeonveryfewstudents,andwritelittleor
nothing.Thetenthandlastwhichweshalldiscussistheattentionpaidinthewesttothedevelopment
68
2011
ofmagicalpowersinsteadofdevelopinghigherstatesofconsciousness.Thesetenprimaryreasonsshall
sufficeforourconsideration,thoughmorereasonscouldbelisted.
TheFirstReason,Inadequatetraininginmodernorders
Betweenabout1850and1920theoccultworldsawtheformationofseveralorderswhichstood
upintheworldlikegloriousaccomplishments.Fromtheirteachingscameforthmanyoftheinfluential
booksthatarenowconsideredoccultclassics,andtowhichmanyhopefulstudentsnowturn.
Unfortunately,theseorderswerenotasidealastheyattemptedtoappear.Themajorityofthemused
outdatedsourcemanuscripts,whichweshallconsidermoreinamoment,andtherestusedmethods
whichreliedentirelyuponintellectualoremotionalstimulation,andverylittleuponthesoul
consciousness.
Thesemisledorderscreatedmanyequallymisled,ifnotmoremisled,initiates.Aconsiderable
numberofthemwentontoreleasebooks,manyofwhicharenowconsideredoccultclassicsinthe
worldofwesternoccultliterature.Insomecasesthesebookshadawealthoftheoreticalinformation,
butmorethannottheyhadhardlyamomentofpracticalinsight.Thehopefulaspirantislefttoshift
throughabookwhichmayspanhundredsofpages,onlytorealizethathehasnotreallytakenanything
awayfromitotherthanphilosophy.Evensocalledtheoryandpracticebooksshouldreallybe
renamedtheoryandpossibleeventualritualapplicationbooks.
Thismayseemlikeaniconoclasticclaim.Itis,andrightlyso,fortheiconologyofmagicisfailing
badly.Therefore,whatdoesnotproduceresultsmustbecastaway.Andnowalsotheaxeislaidunto
therootofthetrees:thereforeeverytreewhichbringethnotforthgoodfruitishewndown,andcast
intothefire.(Mt3:10,KJV)Theseriesofactionswhichwesternmagichasfallenintohavenotbrought
forthmuchfruit.Theyhaveproducedpseudoinitiateswhocanperformparlortrickswhichthey
mistakenlycallmagic.Whilearmchairmagicianshavebeenspendingtheirtimeexercisingtheirminds
withtheoriesandphilosophies,thepracticalworkwhichreallycreatesamagicianhasbeenrotting.Who
canblamethem,wheneverybooktheyreadsaysthattheyneedtoknowthisandthatHebrewwordor
magicsymbolinordertobeeffective?Theseallcomposetheblindsputforwardtotestinitiates,tests
thatthose"authorities"didnotpass.
Onecanmemorizesunsigils,planetarykameas,Solominicsealsandtalismans,andintellectually
understandthemanyprocesseswhichcomposetheUniversalMachinery.Evenstill,hewillnotbea
magicianintheeyesofgenuineinitiates.Ihavemetmanypeoplewhocouldbecalledencyclopediasof
occultphilosophy,andyethavenodailypracticeroutineestablished,andpossessnonotablemagical
facultiesofanysorts.TheyarestuckintheillusionsoftheHeimarene,theWorldofFateandIllusion,
justasmuchastheaveragemanis.Theonlydifferenceisthattheyknowthereisanillusion,whereas
mostneverhaveaclue.Peoplelikethisenjoytotalkoften,becausebyhearingthemselvesrambleon
theytrytosupporttheirapproachtomagicpsychologicallytothemselves.Suchpeoplewillalwayshave
anopinion,willalwaysseemtohaveananswer,andthatmakesthisparticularkindofwouldbeaspirant
particularlydangeroustogenuineseekersoftruth.Youcannotbuildareliablefoundationonwords
alone!Tothetrainedmagician,tothegenuineinitiateandthelivingmastersoftheworld,thosepeople
aremoredeceivedthanthegreenestofbeginnersonthispath.Theirlotistheworst,andunfortunately,
itisnotalwaystheirfault.Forthosepeople,itwilltakeagreatdealofefforttoshutdowntheirminds
andopentheirheartsinordertoreceivepracticalinstruction.Itislargelytoavoidthisdangerthatthe
newaspirantisoftenadvisednottobecomeentangledinbooks,sincetheycanneverhavethebenefit
ofdirectinstruction,andtendtodistractthestudentfromtheteachingsofhisguide.
69
2011
Thisdoesnotmeanthattheoreticalinformationisbad.Asoundknowledgeofoccultphilosophy
isnecessaryinorderforthemagiciantounderstandeverythingwhichhedoes.Heshouldpridehimself
inknowingalltheoperationsatworkwhenhemanipulatesacertainkindofenergy,andwhenamagical
operationmanifests,shouldbeabletoexplainperfectlythemechanismsinvolved.Verily,hemustbea
scientist.However,moreandmorepeoplecontentthemselveswiththeknowledgeofphilosophyand
howtos,withouteverreallyputtinganythingintopractice,andusuallywithouthavinganyrealidea
howto.OnmanyoccasionsIhavehadstudentscometomeandsay,Ihavereadallofthebooksthat
peoplerecommended,buthaveabsolutelynoideahowtoactuallybeginthepath.Thisisbecause
intellectualstimulationalonedoesnotmakeamagician,andontheinside,theintelligentstudentknows
thisintuitively.Themindyearnsforformulaeandsymbols;thesoulyearnsforpracticeandexperience.

Whatgoodisittoknowhowthestarsaffectouractivities,andyetnotbeabletomeditatefor
eventenminutes?WhatgoodisittoknowallofthephilosophiesregardingwhatGodis,withoutever
experiencingGoddirectly?Thesepeopleneverbecomeanythinginreality,butinsteadonlyappeartobe
magicians.YoucannotreachtheKingdombyintellectualinquiryalone.Youmustactuallytravelthere.
ThepointIamtryingtogetacrosshereisnotthatintensestudyoftheBembineTabletofIsis,or
theRoseCrossLamen,orthemagicalDodecahedron,etc,isbad.Iamnotsuggestingthatinvestigation
intotheformulaeoftheEtzChaimandtheGodnamesthereinisuseless.Iamnotsayingthataperson
shouldnotunderstandthemagicalusesofthepentagramandhexagram.Quiteonthecontrary,Iama
strongsupporterofallofthis.However,everythingmustbelearnedinitspropertime!Abudding
aspiranthasnoreasontobestudyingthepentagrams,hexagrams,etc.Heshouldnotbespendinghis
dayspracticingritualmagic.Yes,overtimethiswillgenerateresultsintermsofthegrowthofpower,
butwilldoverylittlefortheconsciousnessandoverallachievementofthemagicianlateroninhis
magicalcareer.Foratleastthefirsttwoorthreeyears,dependingontheaptitudeofthestudent,focus
shouldbeplacedupontrainingthemind,physicalbody,andastralbodyfortheactualperformanceof
magictowardsthegoalofdivineunion.Oncethestudenthasbeenpreparedinthatmanner,andhas
createdanexcellentfoundationinhisconsciousness,thenhecanmoveontounderstandandfully
appreciatethepowerofsuchhigheroccultknowledgeandsymbolism.Thenhecanactuallybegin
magic.
Thereasonthatthoseauthors,thoughunintentional,shroudedthewesternoccultworldin
philosophyisbecausetheyneverreceivedthepropertrainingwhichwouldgivetheirteachingsthe
supportofauthenticspiritualexperience.Theyservedasnothingotherthanencyclopediaswhich
regurgitatedwhattheyhadbeentold.Together,theycreatedthecounterproductiveimagethatdaily
practicewasnotnecessaryinordertobeanadept.Theyreferredtopeoplewhohadnoteven
conqueredtheirprimitiveemotionsanddesiresasadepts!Insodoing,theysetthebarverylowforthe
followinggenerationswhowouldbeforcedtolooktotheirwritingsiftheydesiredtoknowanythingat
allaboutmagic.Nowthatthebarhasbeensetlow,peopleingeneralhavebeenunabletoachieve
spiritualgreatness.Sotakeituponyourshoulders,asanewaspiringstudenttothetheurgicmysteries,
toraisethatbaroncemore.
Whatexactlyweretheseordersdoingwrong?Theirtwomainproblemswerethattheytriedto
teachinitiateshowtorunbeforeshowingthemhowtocrawlandwalk,andthattheydidnotinclude
characterdevelopmentasapartoftheirtraining.Theselfish,gluttonous,shorttemperedaspirant
wouldgointotheorderasaneophyte,andwouldcomeoutagainasanadeptstillcontainingthose
majorcharacterflaws.Theyarecapableofsmallfeatsofmagic,andbecausethebarhasbeensetso
70
2011
low,theythinkthattheyareadepts.
Manytimestheaspirantwouldbeginworkinginaritualsettingwithspiritualforceslongbefore
heeverlearnedhowtosensitizehisastralbodyordevelophismagicalfaculties.Throughcontinuous
repetitionsomeproficiencycouldbeachieved,perhapsafewghostlybangsduringanevocationorthe
likes,buttherestofthemselveswasneverdeveloped.Thepathtoevocationshouldbealongand
fruitfulpath,whichpreparesthestudentinsuchawaythattheveryfirsttimeheperformsaritual,he
receivesthefullexperiencebecauseofhistrainingandthefacultieshehastherebydeveloped.People
whostepintothatritualroomtoevokewithoutsuchtrainingareonlyfoolingthemselves.Theywillof
coursebethefirsttotellyouthattheyaresuccessfulmagicians,andthattheytalkregularlytothisor
thatspirit.Theywillsaythatthey"felt"thisorthat,orreceivedthisorthat"impression,"andtherefore
"knew"thataspiritwaspresent.Letthesepeoplebe,andcontinueoninyourpractices.Perhapsinone
ofouronlinechats,orshouldyouevercometovisitmyselfandVeos,Iwillsharewithyouwhatyoucan
expectfromarealevocation.Not"feeelings"and"impressions,"butveryrealphenomenon!
HowmanylostaspirantsthinkthatperformingtheLesserBanishingRitualofthePentagramone
hundredtimesadaywillleadthemtospiritualheights?Theaspiringmagicianwhomeditatesevenonly
tenminutesadaytofocusandcontrolhismindwillmakeasmuchprogressinoneyearastheformer
studentwillinfifty!Itcanbenoted,though,thatifsucharitualistaughttothatsamemeditating
studentlateron,andattherighttime,thenhewilladvancemuchmoreswiftly.
TheSecondReason,Overvaluedsourcemanuscripts
Anumberofthepopularorderswhichemergedinthe19thcenturystylizedsomeoftheir
practicesandritualsaroundthingswhichdidnottrulycontainasmuchvalueastheyattributedtothem.
Ofthesemanuscriptsperhapstheonethatwasmostused(andabused)wastheEgyptianBookofthe
Dead.Whileabeautifulseriesofritualsandinvocations,thefoundersofanallegedoccultordershould
notbehavingtorelyonancientscrollsandtheinterpretationofhieroglyphicsinordertobeableto
teachmagic!Iftheirsourceformanyoftheirpracticesandphilosophiescomefromsuchathing,thenit
onlyservestodemonstratethattheyhadnorealpracticalexperiencefromwhichtoorganizetheir
teachings,andwerenottrainedbygenuineadeptswhocouldinitiatethemintoalineofdisciplic
succession.SimplyreadingsomethingthatisavailableintheMuseumofEgyptianHistorycanneverbe
allowedtoqualifyonetostartanoccultorder.Ifreadinseasonedtime,withopeneyes,theBookofthe
Deadcontainsmanymeaningfulpractices.Butusedprematurely,itisnothingmorethananexcuseto
glamorizeonesteachingswithvariousEgyptianwordsandgods.
TheEgyptianBookoftheDeadwasnottheonlythingattackedbytheignoranceofself
proclaimedadepts,however.TheirwarpathledthemalsointotheheartofJerusalem,wherethey
unitedwiththeirbutcherknivestoraindownterrorupontheQabalah.Usingtwoorthreepoorly
translatedHebrewtexts,theypresumedthemselvestohavebeforethemenoughQaballistic
informationtohaveagraspoftheentiresystem.Thus,theystoleasmallcornerofthatglorioussystem
ofmysticismandtookitbacktotheirorders,wheretheytriedashardastheycouldtomakeafragment
looklikethewholething.
TodaysmodernwesternQabalah,oftencalledtheRoscicrucianQabalah(wrongly),hassimply
becomealittlebutterspreadthinoverfartoomuchbread.Interpretationafterinterpretationhas
barragedthesystem,andmadeitentirelysubjecttothephilosophicalwhimsofintellectualsand
studentsofsymbolism.Nowadmittedly,thebeautyoftheQabalahisthatitisauniversalsystemthe
71
2011
ideaofwhichcanbeappliedoutsidetheJewishscheme.Howevereverythingmusthaveitsreasonable
limits,andthoselimitswerepassedalongtimeagobymostoftheauthorsregardingthesubject.Ifyou
aregoingtoapplythegodsofotherreligions,theJewishgodnames,plants,animals,actions,planets,
etc,totheschemethenthatisallandwell,butitshouldatleastmakesense!
ThemoreunfortunatedestructiontotheQabalahhasnotoccurredtothesymbolismemployed
ortoitsroleasamethodofconvenientcategorization.Asbadlyasthosetwothingshavegottenoutof
hand,theywerenotthejeweloftheQabalah.Thejewel,thetruetreasure,isitsactualpractical
applicationinthescienceofmagic.ThisjewelhasbeenalmostentirelyforgottenbymodernOrdersand
authors,whoproclaimthatthepracticalapplicationoftheQabalahrestssolelyinknowingwhich
godnamesortarotcardsbelongtowhichpathsandsephiroth.ThisisoneuseoftheQabalah,butisnot
theactualessenceofthepracticalQabalahputintoapplication.Atitscore,onalevelfardeeperthan
anyreligiousassociationsandpredatingallcultures,theQabalahisabeautifulsynthesisofform,sound,
andvirtue.ThiscanbeputanotherwaybysayingthattheQabalahcombinesinapracticalmannerthe
threeprimarypillarsofquantity,vibration,andquality.Thisbecomesappliedtangiblyaslight,sound,
andvibration.Whenthisisunderstoodbytheinitiatethenmanydoorsopenuptohim,andthe
practicaluseoftheQabalahbecomesunderstood.Then,insteadofspendinghoursinaspiritualday
dreamtryingto"pathwork"fromonespheretoanother,hecanpracticallygrasptheauthoritiesand
powersofthatsphereandconquerthemdirectlyinamagicalmanner.Notonlyissuchanapproach
moretimeefficient,butbecauseofthegreaternumberofabilitiesgained,articlesofwisdomthat
becomeunderstood,andbecauseofmorethoroughworkingonallthreerealms,itisaltogetheramore
meaningfulexperience.Spendingtimecontemplatingthesymbolsofaspherecanbeausefulpractice
(wewillevenuseittoadegree),buttomakeitthemaincourseofthemealisanerror.The
consciousnessexpandsmostgreatlywhentheentireselfbecomesimmersedintheenergiesthrough
theiractualuses,notjustthroughtheircontemplation.
TheQabalahanditsproperapplicationmustnecessarilybereservedformuchlaterlectures,but
itisimportantforthehopefulstudentoftoday'smagictounderstandthatoneofthecornerstonesof
modernwesternmagichasbeengreatlycorrupted,andthatallisnotaspeopletrytomakeitseem.Itis
myadvicetotheaspirantthatifheeverdesirestolearntheQabalah,hewaitsuntilasuitableteacheris
acquired.Lettheadvancedstudentcontemplate,inthemeantime,themeaningofPoimandres'wisdom
toHermesTrismegistuswhenhespokesaying,"Lifeistheunionofwordandmind."Thestudentwho
canunderstandthis,mostespeciallyinconnectiontotheAbracadabraformula,shallbegintogetthe
gistofthepracticalQabalah.
Soitwasthatthefoundersofmagicalordersweresimplyscholars.Intheirbeginningstheywere
onlymoreadvancedthanthecommonmanonaccountoftheirsuperiorunderstandingoflinguisticsand
theirwillingnesstooftenvisitmuseums.Onaccountoftheirabilitytosimplytranslate,notoftheir
actualmagicalprowess,suchmenwereregardedasadepts.Thoughtheoccasionalone,suchas
MacGregorMathers,wouldeventuallybecomeanadept,ultimatelymostofthemweresimplyscholars.
Scholarscantrainscholars,buttheyhavenotthefirstclueastohowtocreatemagicians.
TheThirdReason,Thebastardizationofmagicforthefulfillmentofpersonaldesires
Whenonelooksintobooksonspirituality,andevenbookswhichsupposedlyteachspiritual
evolution,onefindsthatthemajorityofspiritualteachingshavebecomegearedtowardsthe
satisfactionofworldlylustsanddesires.Apeculiarironysincetheilluminatedindividualunderstands
thatthosetwoaccomplishmentscannotcomehandinhand,asoneiscounterproductivetothe
72
2011
accomplishmentoftheother.IcannothelpbutlaughoutloudasIreadsuchtitlesasBecomingan
AscendedMaster:HowtoMaterializeAllYourDesires.ItwouldbeakintonamingabookBecoming
Up:HowtobeDown.
Thispollutionofspiritualtechnologywasaninevitabilityoncesomeglimpsesofspirituallaws
werecaughtholdoffbytheundisciplinedmasses.Theusualsorrowstrickenmanseeksaneasywayout,
andhemistakenlybelievesthathehasfoundexactlythatwithinthehallsofspirituality.Really,nothing
couldbefurtherfromthetruth.Thesepeople,yearningforwaystoeasilyachievealltheirworldly
desiresandhavesuccess,glory,honor,riches,etc,latchontothesmallnumberofspirituallawswhich
havebeenpublishedinhopesofusingthemfortheirownselfishends.Theyreadabookthatdiscusses
someofthelessermysteries,andthenbastardizethosekeysforselfishends.Iftheyhavesomemanner
ofsuccess,thentheybecomeoverwhelmedwithexcitementandanxiouslywritebooksorcreate
websiteswhichpreachthegoodwordofselfishness.Thus,inonlyafewdecades,thevastmajorityof
occultbookshavebecomebookswhichpromisetheweak,selfishmananeasywayoutbyusingbasic
occultlawstofueltheiranimalism.Thepearlshavebeencastbeforeswine,andassurelyasthesun
mustriseandthensetagain,sohavetheswinetrampledthosepearlsintothemud.

Muchmoredangerousthantheambitiousbusinessmenlookingforwaystoincreasetheir
portfolio,orthosesufferingpeopledownontheirluckwhoarelookingforaneasyjustaddwaterway
out,arethosewhoseriouslypursuepracticalmagicandstillcorruptitintoaselfishart.Theyignorantly
proclaimMagicisatoolofman,andletmanuseittoaccomplishallthathedesires!Theyshout
proudly,Doasyouwill,allischaosanyways,andtherearenonegativerepercussions.Suchpeople
haveblindedthemselvestoeventhemostbasicofoperationsobservedhereinnatureitself.Soblind
theyare,however,thattheydonotevenrealizethattheiraccomplishmentsarenotreallymagicalat
all.Theyareselfishandegotistic,andreally,theyareonlyparlortricks.Theybecomesowrappedupin
theirillusionsofsuccessbecausetheywereabletogetaraiseatworkorseducesomeperson,thatthey
dontrealizehowinferiorthoselittletricksactuallyare.Whenthosepeople,delusionalastheyare,pass
intothespiritualworldsafterphysicaldeaththeyimmediatelyrealizethetimetheywasted,andafter
servingtheirtime,comebacktotheworldtoleadamorefruitfullife.Becausetheyneversoughtan
immortalaccomplishment,anddidnotbuildtheirtreasureinheaven,theyarenofurtheralonginthe
supremepaththantheaverageman.Thisisanimportantpointthateveryonehereshoulddedicateto
memory:youDONOTcarrymagicalpowerswithyouintoyournextincarnation.Untilyouachieve
henosis,whichisthedeificationandimmortalityoftheconsciousnessaswellasitsvehicles,theonly
thingwhichwillcontinuetogrowandexpandfromlifetolifeisyourconsciousness.Thiswillnaturally
carryoversomepowers,butnotthefruitsofmuchofyourmagicaltraining.Theastralbodydoesgrow
andevolvefromlifetolifeasaresultofmagictraining,andwewilldiscussthismoreinthefuture.
Becauseoftheobsessionoverthelessermysteries,whichcanbelearnedevenbeforeonehas
achievedanilluminatedcharacter,peoplehavebecomesatisfiedwiththeappetizerandforgottenthat
themainentreevenexists.Theresultofthisisthatthetermmagichastakenonanambiguous
meaningwhichitwasneverintendedtohave:onthelefthanditsimplyreferstochangeinconformity
tothewill,andontherighthanditmeansthepursuitofspiritualevolution(theurgy).Weretheworlda
goodplace,thelattermeaningofmagicwouldbethemostwellknown,andallwouldunderstandthatit
isawaytoseekGod.Thisisnotthecase,though,andtheworldisapredominantlyselfishplace.
Therefore,themostcommonunderstandingofwhatmagicmeansisaphenomenallyselfishand
corruptedone.Itislargelyforthisreasonthatwe,intheinstructionofmagictowardsadivineend,were
forcedtoabandonthetermmagicasreferringtoageneralpath,andadoptinsteadthenameof
73
2011
theurgy.Intodaysworld,thismostclearlyarticulatesthegoalsofoursystem,butinancienttimesto
callitsimplymagicwouldhavesufficed.
TheFourthReason,Laziness
Astechnologyadvancesandthematerialworldbecomesmoreapartofeverypersonswhole
being,peoplehavebecomelazierandlazier.Laziness,ofcourse,isaninstinctimmediatelyconnectedto
selfishness,whichaswehaveseenjustaboveisarulingdesireinthewaythatpeopleapproachmagic.
Thereforelazinessalsoisinherentinmostpeoplesapproachtomagic.
Todaypeoplehavebecomeusetoeverythingbeinghandedtothem.Successhasbecome
definedasdoingaslittleaspossibletoachievesomething.Peopleallovertheworldeverydaywould
ratherspendtenminutesscanningtheroomfortheremotecontrolthangetupandturnonoroffthe
televisionthemselvesinjustafewsecondsofphysicaleffort.Theyapproachmagicinthissameway.
Theywanttoknowwheretheremotecontrolisforspiritualevolution,sothattheycanturnonGnosis
whentheyrenottoobusyforGod,andthenturnitbackoffwhentheyhavebetterthingstodo.Just
likelookingfortheremotecontrol,theywillspendanhourinabookstorelookingforabecomea
magicianquickbook,whenspendingeventenminutesofthathourinmeditationwouldhavebeenfar
morebeneficial.
Theinabilitytoinconvenienceonesusualscheduleoflazinessforevenafewminutesforthe
sakeofGodispreciselywhatmanyauthorsandsocalledteacherspreyontoday.Theymakehundreds
ofthousandsofdollarsbywritingbooksspecificallycateredtowardsthosekindsofpeople,sayingto
themItsalrighttobelazy."Intheeyesoftheconartistauthor,ofcourseitsalright.Thosepeopleare
goingtomakehimrich!
Formsofmagicemergingtodayarereflectingthatlaziness.Peoplearetryingtoconvinceothers
thatmagiccanbeajustaddwatersport,andeverythingwillbealright.Whataretheyaccomplishing?
Theyareconvincingpeoplethatmagicisnotreal,becauseaftertryingoutthoselazyapproachesand
notseeinganyresults,theyproclaimthattheyoncetriedoutmagicandfoundoutthatitwasfake.
Neveroncewouldtheyeverthinkthatmaybetheywerejustbeinglazy.Thecommonmanstandsup
proudlyandshouts,Theproblemiscertainlyanythingotherthanmyself!
Donotexpecttohaveafullharvestwithoutfirsttoilinggreatlyoverthesoilandnurturingthe
growingplantscarefully.Donotexpecttohaveafinemealwithoutfirstcookingit.Donotexpecttoget
toadistantplacewithouttravelingthere.Theuniverseisnotevil;itshallnotcatertoyourselfish
lethargy.
TheFifthReason,Egomania
ThefifthreasonIhaveobservedforthesourceoftoday'sproblemsinmagicisthegeneral
egomaniawhichplaguesthewesternmind.Intoday'sworldweareconstantlybeingtoldtobean
individual,thatbeinguniqueisthehumandream,thatyouarespecialanddifferentthananyoneelse,
andthatisallbothfineandtrue.Unfortunatelythelurkerintheshadowsofthoseselfaffirmationsisa
phenomenallyresistantattachmenttothefalseperceptionofwhooneis.Peoplebecomeabsolutely
investedintheiregoshellsthatsurroundtheoutermostpartoftheirpersonality,anddefenditwildly.
74
2011
Oneofthemostcommonfearspeoplehaveregardingspiritualevolutionisthelossofself
identity.Thisfearisbasedupontwoentirelyfalseperceptions:thefalseperceptionofwhatillumination
is,andthefalseperceptionofone'sself.Whenthosetwocometogether,anintrinsicfearemerges
whichputsupwallsbetweenthemindandtheideaofspiritualattainment.Somewherealongtheline
peoplegotintotheirheadsthatthedestructionoftheegoisthedestructionofyourpersonality,ofyour
character,andthatissimplynottrue.Itissimplythepurificationofyourcharactersoastoeliminate
yourmajorvicesandthereforeremovespiritualimbalance.Therealproblememergeswhensomeoneis
sodefensiveoftheirpersonalitythattheywillvigorouslydefendeventheirvices.Theywillsaysuch
thingsas"SureI'machronicliar,butthat'swhoIam,that'showGodmademe."Suchanideaisentirely
baseless.Youarenotachronicliar,becauseinyouractualessence,youareGod.Onlyyouroutermost
egoshellisaliar,anditwasnotbecauseofwhatGoddid,butbecauseoftheactionswhichyouhave
consciouslychosentopursue.Nonetheless,peoplewillhearnothingofit.
Thisagainfallsbacktothefourthproblem,thatoflaziness.Peopledesireeverythingfor
nothing,oriftheyinvesttendollars,theyinstantlywantonethousanddollarsback.Theydonotbelieve
thatarelationshipwithGodisagiveandtakerelationship,butthatitissimplyaonesided"give"
relationshipwhereGoddoesallthegiving,leavingustodoallthetaking.Itdoesnotworkthatway;it
neverhas,itneverwill.Godisabetterfatherthanthat.Unfortunatelypeoplewouldratherclingevento
theirvicesthanofferuptheirnegativeaspectsintothealchemicalfiretobedestroyed.Tosucha
person,"uniqueness"isalwaysmoreimportantthanGodhood.Howistherehopeforsuchaperson?
Youcannothelpsomeonewhowillnothelpthemselves.
Thisunwillingnesstosacrificeone'ssinfulcharacterflawshasresultedinnotonlythefurther
corruptionofmagic,buthasalsocontributedgreatlytothedownfallofanumberofoccultOrders.In
thegeneralfieldofmagic,untrainedauthorswhoarenomorematurefromamagicalperspectivethan
alittlekidarereleasingbooksthatareabsolutelytaintedwiththeirpersonalflaws.Inthefieldofoccult
ordersthe"upperadepts"arestillselfishchildrenwhowillplotvariousdramaswithintheOrder,usually
benttowardsoverthrowingtheGrandmaster'sauthoritysothattheycanvieforpowerthemselves.A
genuineoccultOrderconsistsofadeptswhohavefarsurpassedsuchsimpleconcerns,andwhowill
nevertrytoelevatethemselvesattheharmofanotherpersonorattheriskofdamagingthegreater
good.Whenpeopleareallowedtocarryalloftheirworldlyflawsintoapositionofsupposedlydivine
authority,chaosmustnecessarilyensue.
Wewillbediscussingthenatureofcharactersublimationthroughouttheentiretyofthiscourse,
butitshouldsufficeinthemeantimetoemphasizethataspirantsareneverputthroughsomemanner
ofbrainwashingprogramwhichbringsthemallouttothinkandactacertainway.Thiscouldnotbe
furtherfromthetruth.Everysinglepersonhasanabsolutelyuniquepersonality,andthatpersonalityis
averyrealexpressionofGodHimself.Inawayeveryoneisanavatar,amanifestationofaGod
Personality.Thedifferencebetweenanaveragepersonandarealizedsaint,however,isthatthe
averagepersonhasgreatlydimmedanddirtiedhisdivinepersonalitywithworldlymudwhereasthe
realizedsainthaspolishedhissoulsothathisrealpersonalitycanshinethrough.Youarenotwhoyou
thinkyouare!Peoplebelievethattheyareonlyasoldastheirbodies,butintruthyouaremucholder.
Becausetheonlypersonalityyoucanrememberistheoneofyourpresentbody,whichisonlyahandful
ofyearsold,youthinkthatitisyou.Thetruthisthatyouareauniversalpersonality,averyuniqueone,
beingtheonlytotalexpressionofGodinthatexactform,whohasbeenaroundmuchlongerthanyour
body.Tomoveyourselfidentityfromthefalseperceptionofyourbodyintothesupremeseatofyour
soulisthegoaloftheGreatWork,theTrueAlchemy.Todothis,youmustgraduallyremovethemud
whichhasaccumulatedlikeathickmucusoveryoursoulsothatyoubecometherealyouinsteadofthis
75
2011
temporarymortalyou.Thepersonalityyouhaveatthisverymomenthasallofthepositivevirtuesof
yoursoul,butyouhaveaddedtothemthevariousvicesyouhaveacquiredthroughoutthisandpast
lifetimes.Yourpersonalitycanbeseenasawallwithholesinit.Thelightshiningthroughthoseholesis
yourrealpersonality,whereastherestofthewallisthegrimeandmuckthatyouhavecoveredyourself
with.Thegoalofpersonalsublimationistomakeitsothatyourentireselfisthatpurelight.
Thisis,asmanyoccultsubjectsare,adifficultthingtoexplainusingthehumanlanguage.Even
withtheaboveexplanationitwillbehardforeventhemostintelligentreaderstograspexactlywhatI
amtryingtosay,eveniftheythinkthattheyunderstandit.Itissomethingwhichmustbeexperienced
individuallyinordertoreallyknow,andsoIshallavoidfurthercomprehensivediscussionregardingit,
andshalldevotemyselfinsteadtoteachinghowtoachieveitthroughoutthiscourse.
TheSixthReason,TheDestructionofDisciplicSuccession
Thesixthmajorreasonforthepitiablestateofmodernmagicisthedestructionofalineof
successionbetweenmasteranddisciple,calledtheseiraofthelineage.Asmoreandmoreauthorshave
releasedvariousbookscontainingtheLesserMysteries,peoplehaveslowlybeguntoreplacethemaster
withthebookshelf.Theygetitintotheirheadsthataslongastheycanreadalot,theywillnever
actuallyneedateacher.Needlesstosay,thisapproachrarelymeetswithsuccess.Forreasonsthathave
alreadybeenhighlighted,thevastmajorityoftoday'sbookarealmostentirelyuselesstosomeonewho
islookingforapracticalandefficientmeansofselfadvancement.Theirknowledgemaygrow,buttheir
soulusuallywillnot.
Onereasonforthisreplacementwhichshouldnowbeobvioustothereaderisthefactthat
peopletodaysimplydonotliketheideaofateacher,ahierophant.Amentorissometimeswelcomed,
butonlyunderthepretensethatthementorisnothailedwithtoomuchappreciation,andthathecan
bedoneawaywith.Theegoofmostpeopledrivesthemtohatetheideaofbeingsubservienttoatrue
teacherforevenasmallamountoftimeinordertoensuretheirownspiritualevolution.Thiswould
makethemfeellessholythantheadept,whichintruththeyare,anditwoulddamagetheiregostoo
much.Thus,theywillnotputupwithit.
Thishasallculminatedinmanyoftoday'sauthorshavingneveractuallyreceivedlegitimate
insidetrainingfromaveritableteacher.Theknowledgetheypresentintheirbooksissimplythesame
rehashedinformationthatanyonecouldgatherwithenoughtimeinalibrary,andtheyhavetherefore
becomenobetterthantheirpredecessorssomeonehundredyearsearlier,whothoughtthemselvesto
beadeptssimplybecauseoftheirabilitytocompilealreadyavailableinformation.Suchauthorshavein
turnstartedatrendwhichshalltotallyinfecttomorrow'sauthors,andthereforesolidifythisunfortunate
selfdestructivetrend.Iprayearnestlythatinthefuturemoreadeptswhohavegonethroughreal
schoolingatthehandsofatrainedteachershallstepforthandpassontheirmasters'teachingstothe
world.
Thoughbookknowledgeisgood,thethingthatislostintheprocessiswhatwecallthe
paradosis,thetransmittedtraditionofknowledgethatwasusuallyonlypassedfromthemastertothe
directdisciple.Agrimoirecontainingalongritualforanexactpurposeiswellenoughandentertaining,
butthegrimoirealonewillbemissingtheparadosis,theknowledgemeanttofillthespacebetweenthe
lines.Manybooksandmodernmagicaltraditionsarebasedentirelyuponwhatwasallowedtobe
writtenatsomepointintime.AuthorslikeEliphasLeviandAgrippa,bothofwhomconfessedtoholding
backtheirpensandusinginitiaticblinds,wrotewhatlittleportionoftheirdoctrinetheywereallowedto
76
2011
consigntopaper.Theskeletalstructurewasprovided,butthemeatandbones,themusclesandorgans,
allofthatwasleftoutonpurpose.Suchbookswerenevermeanttoreplaceteachers;thiswasnotthe
intentoftheirauthors.Theyweremeantmerelytoshowtheinterestedpublicthattheauthorsin
questionsweremagicians,andtherebyencouragethemtoseekdirectdiscipleship.
Whycan'tyoudoitonyourown?Whycan'tyoubethat"loneranger"youheardabout?That
toughlonewolfwhoneverneedsanyone'shelp?Youcannotdoitonyourownbecauseyoudonot
evenknowwhattodoorwheretostart,andifyoudid,youwouldnotunderstandhowtodoitatall
anyways.Ifyoucandefeatyouregojustenoughtoadmitthistoyourself,thenyoumayyethavehope
fortheKingdomofGod.Ifnot,thenyouarefarmoreinterestedinyourselfthaninselfrealization.A
bookcansuggeststartingplaces,canprovideformulaeandpracticaltechniques(thoughvery,veryfew
actuallydo),andcanevenprovideacompletetrainingroutine.Evenifyouhadsuchbooksmemorized,
towhowouldyouturnwhenanobstacleemergedthatyoucouldnotintellectuallyorspirituallytackle?
Wheninspiteofrigoroustrainingyoudonotseeanyresults,howwillyoufigureoutwhy?Fromwhere
willyoureceivetheinformationthathasneverbeenwrittendown?Eventhebestofpracticalbooks
cannotbeaskedaquestion.Itcannottakeyoubythehandandpullyouintothespiritualworlds,it
cannotvisityouindreamstogiveyousecretinstructions,itcannottransmititsspiritualenergytoyouin
ordertoaidyourevolutionandworkdirectlyonyourspiritualmiasma.
Apartfromallthis,youwillbeforcedtoacceptthelegitimacyofanytrainingsystemorseriesof
informationbasedentirelyuponbelief.Whenyouhaveagoodteacherwhoisinitiatingyoudirectlyinto
adiscipliclineofgenuinetheurgy,thenyouhavesomeonetolooktoasarolemodelandanexample.
Yougettoseehoweffectivethatapproachtomagiciseverysingletimeyouseeyourteacher.Byhis
actionsyoucandecidewhetherornotthesystemisvalid.Thus,theteacherwilldestroylevelsofdoubt
whichoftenplaguepeoplewhoundergowhatisnowpopularlycalled"selfinitiation."
Itismyconvictionthatonlyonekindofpersoncanactuallygothroughselfinitiationwith
successhavingneverhadateacher.Itmustbeareincarnatedadeptwhoissimplyrecapitulatinghispast
lifemagicaldevelopment.Forsuchaperson,ashelearnsevenjustbasictechniqueshismagical
memorieswillbegintoquietlycomebacktohimintheformofaccurateintuitionregardinghowcertain
thingsshouldbeperformed.Thismagicalintuitionwillguidehisactions,andhissoulwillguidethe
consciousnessintothecorrectavenues.Thispersonalonedoesnotneedateacher.However,atone
timehecertainlyhadone,andwereitnotforthatteacher,hewouldneverhavebecometheadeptthat
hedid.Likewise,evenfortherecapitulatingadept,theaidofateacherwillgreatlyenhancethe
effectivenessoftheprocess,andwillhelpkeeptheadepthumble.
TheSeventhReason,RemovingGodfromthePicture
Astheworldbecomesgraduallymorematerialisticadarknessbeginstoenshroudtheintellect
ofotherwiseintelligentpeople.Itisasortofillnesswhichgivesapersonblindnessandmakeshimdeaf;
infact,itrendershimalmostentirelydesensitizedtoallstimuli.Thenameofthisaffliction,which
paralyzesandrendersdumballthreebodies,iscalledAtheism.Whensomeoneisafflictedbyitthey
makethemselveswhollydefiantagainstallspiritualimpulsessuggestingtheexistenceofGod.
ThereisapeculiarbreedofAtheistwhichismoreentertainingthanalltheothers.Itisa
relativelynewbreed,surfacingonlyinthispastcentury.ThiskindofpersonisanAtheistwhobelieves
thatspiritualphenomenonareactuallyphysicalphenomenononahighlyrefinedlevel,andsotheyseek
physicalexplanationsforspiritualthings.Theywillnotdenythattheenergiesoftheelements,for
77
2011
example,exist.Theywillsimplythinkofsomeabsurdtheoryastohowthoseenergiesaresimply
differentdivisionsofaphysicalbuthighlyrefinedmentalsubstance,andthattheirattributedqualities
aresomemannerofillusion.Theywillsaythatspiritsaretheexternalexpressionsofinternal
subconsciousarchetypesinthepsyche,andsuggestthatwhentheyareconjuredintovisibleappearance
allthatisoccurringisselfhypnotism.Thisstrangespeciesofpersonshalldoallofthisjustforthesakeof
beingabletosuggestthatGoddoesnotexist,thatspiritualworldsarenotreal,thatthereisnosoul,etc,
etc.
Itisobvioustotheinitiatethatanyonewhoundergoesthepropertrainingcanproveto
themselvesbeyondanypossibilityofdoubtthatspiritsarenotpersonalarchetypes,thatspiritualworlds
exist,thattherearedifferentiatedexternalenergies,thatthesoulisrealandimmortal,andthatGodis
aneternaltruth.Anyonewhosuggestsotherwiseisdoingsofromtheviewpointoftheoryand
speculationalone,andhasnopracticalbaseinmagic.Thoughtheinitiateshouldalwaysshowrespect
towardstheotherperson'sopinionsoasnottocauseimmediateconflictanddiscomfort,heshouldnot
allowhimselftobepersuadedbytheirarguments.Oftentimesthesepeoplearegreatatarguingand
debating,butcandoalmostnothingwithactualmagic.Thus,letthemspeaktothemselveswhileyou
quietlyturnyourmindtoholymeditation.
Thisnecessitatesthatweconsideranimportantpoint,though.Onlyyou,intheend,canprove
toyourselftherealityofallofthesethings.Forallourpowerswecannotdoit.Theanimalmindwill
doubtyourchoicetopursuethispathateveryturn,andaboveall,itwilltrytodoubtyourteachersalso,
nomatterwhatwedo.Someexamplescanillustratethispointwell.Twoyearsago,whenIwasliving
withagroupofeightapprentices(withfivemoreregularlyvisiting)onabeautiful5acrelotsheltered
amongsttreesandinvisibletoallneighborsortotheroad,agreatstormcameuponus.Thewindkicked
ferociously,therainstoppedforamoment,andthenintheyardnexttousatornadobegantotouch
down.Everyonewasinafrenzybecauseofit.IntruthIwouldhavebeenscaredtoo,inspiteofmy
confidencetohandlethesituation,hadInotjustopenedmyeyesfromawonderfulhourofdeep
meditationthemomentthatthetornadobegantoemerge.Tomeitwasjustanotherdisplayofnature
tobelovedandrevered.Nonetheless,Ipulledmyselftogetherenoughtoconvincemyselfthatthe
tornadosoclosetothehousewasabadthing.Iapproachedthedirectionofthestorm,withVeosnext
tomeandaiding,andthetwoofuslifteditbackupintotheskyandredirectedthestormawayfromthe
house.Thiswasdonewithallthestudentswatching.Onanotheroccasion,justafewweeksbefore,I
usedasigiltocreateasmallsolidblackflameintheheartofalargeritualfirethateveryonesawand
attestedtotherealityof.Atthatmomentitbegantorain,andbecausethiswasanimportantfireritual,
Icalleduponaspiritwhoservesmetoshieldusfromtherain.Therainstopped,butthestudentssoon
noticedthatitwasrainingeverywhereelseonthepropertyexceptforwherewewere!
Iamrecallingthesethingsnottoglorifymyself,buttohelpillustratethispoint.Inspiteofthose
apparently"marvelous"occurrenceswhere,atnosmallstraintomyself,Iblatantlyexhibitedmagicto
mystudentsasarewardfortheirenduringdevotiontotheseteachings,eventhosethingsdidnot
preventtheirmindsfromsometimesdoubtingthatmagicdidnotevenexist.Hardlyamonthafterthe
incidentwiththetornado,oneofmystudentssomberlycameovertomeandconfessedthathewas
havingtofightdoubtbecausehehadneverreallyseenamagicalpower.Inadifferentonlineclassfive
yearsagoIhadastudentwhoIonedayinstantmessagedandinformedhewasdevelopingasinus
infection.Beingadoubterbynature,hedecidednottotakeanymedicineforit.Fourdayslaterhehada
sinusinfection,andinaninstantIhealedhimofitcompletely.Ihadnotheardfromthisstudent,who
endedthatclassasaverydevotedstudentofmagic,foralongtimeaftertheclassended.Ifoundout
threeyearslaterthatshortlyafterthatclassendedhehaddecidedIwasafraudandaliar,thatIhadno
78
2011
magicalabilityorheightenedconsciousness,andthathewasconvincedthatmagicitselfmaynoteven
bereal.
These,andotherexperienceslikethese,haveconvincedmethatitisnottheteacher'sdutyto
makethestudentbelieveinmagic,andindeed,thattheteacherisultimatelynotabletonomatterwhat
abilitiesmightbedemonstrated.Ultimatelytheonlyconvincingevidencethestudentwilleverbeable
tousetoconquerthedoubtofhislowerselfistheevidencethatemergesfromhisowncontinued
practices,therewardsofhisenduringfaithinhispath.
Butgoingbacktothesubjectathand,itisagreatmisfortunetotheworldofhopefulaspirants
thattheseAtheistsareactuallycomingtogethertoformsystemsof"magic,thoughinrealityitisastral
sorceryatmost.Bydoingso,theyareappealingtotheanimalisticandworldlysidesoftheego
consciousnessthatruleovertheuninitiatedbeforethesoulhasachancetolatchontosomething
meaningful.Becausesuchsystemsofsorceryhavenorealemphasisonmoralsonaccountofthere
beingnoideaofGodorspiritualadvancement,peoplearejoininginordertofindanexcusetopractice
whattheythinkismagicwithouthavingtogiveupanyoftheirsinfulmodesofliving.Suchpeoplelove
toboast,saying"Ifindthatmagicisjustaseffectivewithouttheunnecessaryspiritualcomponent."I
sweartoallofyouuponmyveryloveofthissciencethatinmyyearsofmagicIhaveneveronce,not
once,encounteredastudentofthisschoolofsorcerywhichcouldproduceeventhesimplestofmagical
demonstrations.Ihaveneveroncediscoveredastudentofthatschoolwhopossessedanyofthe
magicalfacultiestoademonstratableorotherwisemeaningfuldegree.Why?Becausetheyare
practicingideas,nottruths.Theyaretryingtomaketheuniversecatertotheirownselfishdesires,
insteadofbeingwillingtosacrificeanythingatallinordertobecomearealmagician.
TheEighthReason,Charlatans
Inlightofalltheaforementionedreasons,itshouldbecomeobviousthatcharlatansandfrauds
wouldnaturallyemerge.Thealmosttotallackofrealinitiatesandadeptsknowntothecommonperson
hasmadeitimpossibletocompareafraudagainsttherealthing.Thefraudsofcourseknowthis,and
theyusethistotheiradvantage.Thefactthattherearesomanysuchdeceiverswhohavebecomevery
successfuldoesnotforamomentsuggestthattheydoactuallyhavesomeskill,butinsteadsimply
showshowmisinformedandmisguidedtheaveragepersonisinthesematters.
Muchastheydidintheearly1900's,mediumshavebeguncomingforthagainandwritingpiles
ofgarbagetolittertheshelvesofmodernbookstores.Thesepeople,whoareusuallyjustasgoodat
trickingthemselvesastheyareatdeceivingothers,releasebookafterbook.Theywritedownhundreds
ofpages,andyetsomehowmanagetonotactuallysayasinglethingamidstallofit.Theycitespiritual
beingsasthesourceoftheirwisdom,orspiritguides,ortotemanimals,orfourleafcloversandother
suchnonsense.ThoughIhavenotyetfoundhim,Iamcertainthatsomewhereoutthereisamedium
whoclaimstoreceivemysticalinstructionsfromhishamsandwich.Itwouldbenomoreabsurdthanthe
previouslystatedclaims.
Ifsuchmediumsareinfactspeakingtospiritualbeings,thenthosespiritsareeithervery
shelteredorverystupid.Iftheyarespeakingtototemanimals,thenthespeciesmustconsistmostlyof
ducks.Iftheyarespeakingtospiritguides,thentheyneedtofiretheirguidesandfindnewones.Inmy
experienceswithspiritualbeings,totemanimals,andspiritguides,noneofthemareasuninformedas
thesemediumsmaketheirsouttobe.Thuswemayconcludethatitisverylikelythattheyarenot
79
2011
speakingtoanyoftheabove,butinsteadthatIhavebeenutterlydeceived,andtheyallareinfact
speakingtohamsandwiches.
Noneofthisimpliesthatallmediumsarefrauds.Itishoweveranunfortunatematteroffact
thatthevastmajorityoffraudsclaimtobemediums,andiftherestofthegoodtodomedium
communitydoesnotwanttobeassociatedwiththesequacksthentheyshouldcomeoutandmakea
standagainstthem.Ihaveknownseveralverygoodmediumsinmytime,someofthemnaturaland
someofthemtrained,andsothesestatementsinnowayapplytothosekindsofpeople.Theobservant
reader,however,shallbeabletotakeonewalkdowntheaisleofaNewAgesectioninapopular
bookstoreandbeabletoseepreciselywhichauthorsIamspeakingof.
Thisimpostormediumgroupisonlyoneofthetwolargestcategoriesoffraudsintheoccult
community.Forthepersongroundedinrationalthinkingandwithatleastsomeeducationinoccult
literature,theimpostormediumsarecomparativelyeasytoseethrough.Eventhoughtheygraba
saddeningnumberofNewAgehopefuls,themoreeruditetendtostayawayfromthem.Itistherefore
myopinionthatthemoredangerousofthetwogroupsisnottheimpostormedium,buttheimpostor
magician.
Theimpostormagicianismuchhardertoseethrough,andonlysomeonewhoisfirmly
groundedinpracticalexperiencecandiscoverthedisguise.Thesearetheauthorswhowritebooksthat
dazzletheirreadersinoccultsymbolism,apparentQaballisticknowledge,afewoccultcorrespondences,
etc,andprovideitallasifsomemannerofexperiencehasleadthemtobelievethesethings.Iamnot
speakinghereofmereoccultists.Anoccultistisaphilosopher,andsoheconcernshimselfwiththe
variousphilosophicalcosmologiesasopposedtoexperiencingthepracticalsideofspirituality.Assuchit
isperfectlyfineforanoccultisttospeakonapurelyintellectuallevel,justasitissoforaphilosopher.
No,Iamreferringnottotheseauthors,buttotheauthorswhocreateaveilofsupposedexperiential
knowledge.Thesepeopleareusuallyindividualswholearnedandsubsequentlypracticedjusttwoor
threebasictechniques,andthenpresumedthemselvestobegrandmagi.Theywritebooksunderthat
pretense,andprescriberidiculoustrainingregimesfortheirreaders.
Thishasallnaturallyresultedinasituationwherepeoplewhowanttolearnaboutmagicgoout
tobyabook,andjustbecauseofprobability,theyarelikelytogrababookwrittenbyafraudulent
author.Seeingashowpeoplewhoarecompletelynewtomagicarenonethewiser,theybelievemuch
ofwhatissaid,andsothecorruptionbegins.Manyofthesehopefulaspirantshavecomeintomy
acquaintanceforashortwhile,andIhavefoundthatafterafewyearsoffillingtheirmindswithsuch
garbagetheyhavebecometoowrappedupinthoseillusoryworldstobesavedbythelightofpractical
experience.Hopefullyintheirnextlivestheirsoulsshallpushtheirmindstoseeksomethinghigher.
TheNinthReason,TheSilenceofAdepts
DuringtheRenaissancePeriod,andforawhileleadinguptoit,therewereanumberofwriting
adepts.TheadventofthepublicRosicrucianappearanceinEuropeforashortwhilegeneratedenough
informationforauthorstopullfromformanyyears.PeoplesuchasParacelsus,Agrippa,andFrancis
BaconsufficientlysuppliedtheLesserMysteriestothepeople.RosicrucianauthorssuchasFrancis
Baconpushedtowardstheintellectualenlightenmentofthepeople,astheRosicrucianOuterOrder
(whicheventuallydevelopedintotheFreemasons)focusedprimarilyonspiritualadvancementthrough
knowledgeandwisdominsteadofpractice.Practiceswerepresent,buttheywereusuallyritualisticand
reservedforspecialdays.Theactualmagicalexerciseswerekeptforthenextlevelofinitiates.
80
2011
Authorsliketheseprovidedbothaboonandadisadvantage.Ontheonehand,peoplewere
engagingtheirmindsforthefirsttimeinsomeofthenutsandboltsinvolvedinmagicaltheory.Instead
ofreadingaboutdemonsandmagicalspellstheycouldlearnaboutspiritualmagnetism,thearcheus,
theethers,thelawofattraction,thelawofthemicrocosm,andsoonandsoforth.Someofthebasic
LesserMysterieshadfinallybecomeavailabletothepeople.Thisallowedreadersofthetimetodouble
checkpeople'swritingsonoccultismagainstknownauthorities.Thoughfraudsandcharlatanswerestill
rampant,theywerenotfocusingasmuchontheliterarycontributionstooccultismandsodidnotleave
aslastinganimpressionuponaspirantsoffuturegenerations.
Ontheotherhand,theexplosionofintellectualinformationwithoutprovidingafoundationin
practicalworkwouldleadfuturegenerationstoengageonlyinphilosophyinsteadofactualmagic.It
wouldallowanyonewhohadreadafewbookstosimplyregurgitatetheinformationintoanewbook
andcallittheirown.Aboveall,itwouldleavemanyquestionsregardingwheretostartandhowto
reallyadvanceinmagicunansweredinthemindsofmanyhopefulaspirants.Thetendencyofsomeof
thegreatermagiciansofthepasttonottakeondirectdisciplesresultedinalackofdisciplicsuccession,
aswasspokenaboutearlier,andnorealmanualsforadvancinginmagicbeingpublishedwouldresultin
authorsreleasingbooksonpurelytheoreticalgroundsasopposedtohavingpracticallyinvestigatedtheir
ideas.
Inthelastfiftyyearstherehavereallybeennowritingadepts,andeventheoneswhichhave
writtensomethingusuallydidnotprovideapracticalfoundationforreaderstopullfrom.Afull
generationhascomeandnearlygonewithouthavingmuchreliableinformationonmagicbeing
published.Ofcoursethisisallaccordingtodivineprovidence,andthereareexactreasonsforthe
historicalperiodsofsilencethatthewritingadeptstake.Nonetheless,itisstillimportanttoconsider
theeffectsoftheseperiods.
Thefewadeptswhicharestillaroundinthewesternhemispherehavebeenremainingquiet,
andperhapsrightlyso,forthegiftofexpressingideasinthewrittenlanguagedoesnotbelongtoevery
person.Itisbecauseoftheadeptsbeingsofewinnumberthat,justbecauseofprobability,thereare
fewauthorsamongthem.Itismyhonesthopethatinthenearfuturethiswillbegintochange.
TheTenthReason,NotExpandingtheConsciousness
TheincompletenatureofmanymodernOrders'trainingroutineshasresultedinthereal
expansionofconsciousnessbeingalmostextinctamongstsocalledinitiates.Theirstudentsaregiven
complicated"pathworking"andvariousinvocationstoperform,butthesearesuchroundaboutwaysof
progressthatanentirelifetimeofpracticewouldyieldlittlesuccess.Unfortunatelythebrainwashingof
mostaspirantstodayhasconvincedthemthatasimpleexperientialknowledgeofthesymbolsofhigher
spheres,andeventheirworkings,istheattainmentofhighermodesofconsciousness.Thissimplyisnot
thecase.Evenifyouengageyourmindregularlyinthecontemplationofrealmswherevibrationsare
muchhigherandpurerthanyours,itwillneverproducethesameresultsasifyouhadactually
systematicallyrisenyourconsciousnesstothatlevel.Itprovidesagoodsupplement,butshouldnotbe
theentireapproach.
Therearetwomainmodesofexpandingtheconsciousness:
81
2011
1. Immersingyourselfintheenergiesofthehigherspheres,sothatyourconsciousnesscan
expandintothosevibrations.
2. Thegradationalascentofthepsychosexualspiritfirefromthebaseofthespineandthesex
organsupintothecerebralcortex.
Neitheroneofthesetwomethodswillnecessarilyresultintheachievementoftheother.The
activationofthesixmajorinternalcentersofconsciousnessinthespinewillnotresultinyourastral
bodyraisingitsvibrationsuptomeetthoseofhigherspheres,andspendingtimeinhighersphereswill
notautomaticallyawakentheShechinahKundaliniandrousethecitadelssothatshemayentertobe
withtheElohimSiva.Inthemagician,bothshouldbeaccomplished.Theformeristhedeificationofself
fromoutsideinwards,andthesecondfrominsideoutwards.
Eventhesystemsoftrainingwhichdoutilizeatleastthefirstmethodofraisingthe
consciousness,beingtheonemostcommoninthewesternworldtoday,donotpayasmuchattention
toitastheyshould.Veryoftentoomuchemphasisisputuponmagicalabilities,eitherbytheteacheror
inthemindofthestudent.Thegoalofmagicbecomespowersinsteadoftheevolutionofpersonal
consciousness.Whennoabilitiesaregained,oroncethescientificcuriosityofthestudentissatisfied,
thenthepathstops.ItisforthisreasonalonethatEasternscripturewarnssofiercelythatmagical
powersmustberejected,andnotbecausethepowersthemselvesareinherentlybad.Theinitiatesof
theOrientsimplyunderstoodthatifthestudentbelievedfromtheveryfirstdayofhistrainingthat
magicalabilitieswerebad,thenhewouldbelesslikelytosacrificehisspiritualevolutionlateron
becauseofthelureofthoseSiddhis.Hewouldnotbedistracted.Inrealityitisperfectlyfineandeven
highlyencouragedtoacquirevariousmagicalabilitiesinordertomoreeffectivelymanifestDivineWill
intotheworld,butitmustbeapproachedverymethodicallyandonlyfromthelongestablished
foundationofhavingthepropermotives.
PathworkinghasunfortunatelybecomethemajorwaythatWesternschoolstrytohavetheir
studentsexpandinconsciousness,buttherearemanydownfallstoit.Thestudentcomestoequatean
intuitiveunderstandingofhighersphereswithactuallyraisinghisvibrationstothemdirectly.Because
hehasaflashandvisionofTzaphqiel,perceivesthesymbolismofLunaandHecate,andunderstandsthe
tridentandthefourindigominotaurswhichsurroundtheTempleoftheThreeFacedGoddessandthe
NakedMan,hebeginstobelievethathehasactuallyraisedhisspiritualstatustothesphereofYesod.
Intellectualilluminationonsomeuniversalsymbolismbecomesmistakenforlegitimatespiritual
attainment.TheresultisthatthefoolwhocanovercometheimagesoftheDogFacedDevilandthe
WineBeareratthethresholdoftheintellectualabyssbelieveshimselftohavefactuallycrossedthat
abyssandemergedontheothersideas"MagisterTempli"orwhateverrankhisfactionmaydesignate
forthatattainment.Theguidanceofsymbolism,andthemind'snaturalabilitytoresorttoproblem
solvingandidentificationwhenconfrontedwithdiversity,hasinthiscasesimplyleadtherationalmind
inaseriesoflinearequationsresultingintheunderstandingofcertainoccultsymbols.Thoughthis
understandingdoeshaveapositiveeffectuponthespirit,itisalmostblasphemoustosaythatthis
intellectualstimulationalonecanbeconsideredcrossingtheAbyss.Whenthebreathceases,whenthe
skingrowscoldandthesuturesbetweentheparietalandoccipitalbonesoftheskullgrowhot,when
visionsofangelsandthepersonificationsofGodappearbeforethemind'seye,whenallscripture
becomesinstantlyunderstood,whentheauraextendstoencompassanentirevalley,whentheword
becomesuniversallycreative,thenknowthattheabysshasbeencrossed.
82
2011
Wewillconsidermoreabouttheevolutionoftheconsciousnesstowardstheendofthiscourse,
afterhavingdiscussedthenecessarytheoryandcoveredtherequiredpractices,andsoletthissuffice
fornow.Thestudentwillnowhaveasolidunderstandingoftheproblemsinherentinthewaymagicis
oftenpracticedtoday,andwiththatknowledge,hemaychoosetobeginhispathtowardsaproper
understandingandtheresultingsalvationofthisbeautifulscience.Ihaveprovidedinthislecturemere
guidelinesbywhichthestudentmaydoublecheckhimselfandthosewhowouldcallthemselvesgurus.
Seekoutthemanwhospeaksfromtheauthorityofexperience,andnottheauthorityofbooks.Anyone
cancopyandpaste.
83
2011
APerspectiveonFranzBardon
WhatfollowsisnotintendedtobeabiographicalstudyoranalysisofthelifeoftheCzechadept
FranzBardon.Ihavenotdoneexhaustivestudyofthesubject,quitesimplybecauseanyexhaustive
studyofthismanisimpossible.FranzBardonisoneofthemostmysteriousmagicalfiguresinrecent
history;thereareasmanyfablesandstoriesabouthimasthereareofAleisterCrowley,andyetaslittle
isobjectivelyknownabouthislifeasisknownofMacGregorMathers.Anyoneclaimingtohavethe
scooponFranzBardonshouldbeabjectlyignored,andanyoneclaimingtobeanauthorityonhislifeis
probablyjustreallygoodatmakingthingsup.Forthepurposeofgainingsomeinsightintothis
extraordinaryman,IwillincludewhatverifiedorwitnessedmaterialIcanthinkof,butIwillalsoinclude
someofthefablesthatmayormaynotbebasedontruth.Ithinkthatbothareimportantifweareto
understandwhoFranzBardonwas.Thisdocumentisnotabiographicalsketch,butmerelythe
perspectiveofastudentofmagicwhohasfollowedthislineofdevelopment,inadditiontoothers,on
thesubjectofthisadept.Itwillnotbeairtight,somenamesmaybemisspelled,orsomeeventsnot
recitedperfectly.I'mnotascholar,and,thankGod,neitheramIahistorian.Iamjustamagician.
FromFranzBardontheboy,totheMasterArion
Tobeginwithanecessarycharacterintroduction,FranzBardonwasborninCzechoslovakia,ina
citycalledOpava,onDecember1st,1909.Thereisvery,verylittleknownabouthischildhood
conditions.ApparentlyMrs.BardonmentionedinalettertoastudentthatBardoncameoutasa
stillbornuponhisbirth,andthataftertwohoursofintensecare,miraculouslycametolife.Heisalso
saidtohavebeentheoldestofasolidfamilyconsistingofthirteenbrothersandsisters,allthechildren
ofadevoutChristianmystic,ViktorBardon.
Atthispoint,whatfewresourcesareavailableonFranzBardonseemtosplitintotwodifferent
views.Thishascausedasortofdivisionincertaingroupsofstudents,eachonebelievingtheyhavethe
correctview.Accordingtolegend,FranzBardonsfatherwasasternlymysticdevoteeofGod.Having
exhaustedallbenefitsofreligion,hewouldprayferventlyforsomethingmore,forGodtoguidehim
ontoafasterpaththanhadbeenmadeavailabletohim.Intheperformanceofwhatexerciseshedid
have,andbecauseofthesensitivitythatanysuchdevotionwillcause,itisrecordedthatViktorhad
achievedaccurateclairvoyanceamongstothermagicalfaculties.Onemorning,herealizedashis
fourteenyearoldsonwalkedintotheroom,thathissonwasnolongerhisson.Clairvoyantly,he
understoodhimselftobelookingatacompletelydifferentperson.
ThisconvictionthatFranzBardonwasnowsomeonetotallydifferentwasonlystrengthenedas
thatweekcontinued.Notonlyishereportedashavingtakenonadifferentwayofspeaking,aswellas
differentmannerismsandgestures,buthisschoollifechangedalso.TheteachersatBardonsschool
contactedViktorandinformedhimthat,allofthesudden,Franzwasdoingunusuallyexcellent,and
demonstratingknowledgeofthescienceswhichshouldhavebeenbeyondhim.Hishandwritinghad
changed,hisknowledgehadsuddenlyincreased,andhisoverallbehaviorwasdifferent.Withinaweeks
time,itbecameobviousthatthiswasnolongerViktorsboy.Unfortunatelythedetailsofthatweek
essentiallyendthere,andweareleftsimplytoassumethatFranzeventuallytoldhisfatherwhohewas
andwhathadhappened.TheremnantofthelegendaspasseddownbysomestudentsofBardon,such
asOtiVotavova,Dr.M.K.,andDietterRuggeberg,statesthatFranzbecameViktorsguru.Theoutcome
ofthisnewrelationshipwasneverrecordedand,tomyknowledge,hasneverbeencommentedonby
anyonewhocouldbeconsideredaviablesourceorwitness.
84
2011
Somepeople,evenstudentswhohavetestedandverifiedtheefficiencyofBardonssystem,
holdtotheviewthatthisdetailofBardonslifewaslikelyafabricationcreatedbytheoverzealousOti
Votavova.Insomeways,itdoesnotreallymatterwhetherthestoryistrueornot.Ontheotherhand,if
wedenythisstoryasfanciful,thenwearealsoclosingourselvesofftooneofthefewpiecesof
informationthatwehaveaboutBardonsmagicalcareer.Likewise,ifwedenythisstory,thenweno
longerhaveaviableexplanationforhowthehellFranzBardonbecamesuchanaccomplishedmagus.As
Illdiscussalittlebitlater,thedepthofmasterywhichBardonmaintainedoverpowerfulspiritsand
potentenergiesseemstoprovideamodernexampleevengreaterthansomeofthemythicalmagicians
andsorcerersoflegendsandfairytales.
Ithasfallenuponthosepeople,then,toprovideanalternativemeansofBardonsmeteoricand
youthfulrisetoamasteryofmagic.Thistheydobytryingtoseekoutanypossiblemeansofmaking
Bardonappeartohavebeenanormalinitiate,whichifanythingelse,hecertainlywasnot.Themost
sureanddirectapproachtothisendeavoristotryandidentifywhoBardonssuperiorsmusthave
been,andthereforewhohemayormaynothavelearnedfrom.TowardsthisendIhavecomeuponand
listenedtosomeofthemostfantasticstories,manyofthemlessbelievablethaneventhoselegendsof
Bardonsownmagicalpowerswhichtheytrytodecry.Accordingtothesepeople,alwayswiththeirown
theories,andrarelywithsomuchasasinglepossibleverification,Bardonwasamemberofvirtually
everyoccultOrderwhichwasoperatinginGermanyatthattime.Someofthemcareabsolutelylittlefor
thefactualdatesofBardonsdevelopment,attributinghismembershiptoOrderswhichdidnoteven
existinGermanyuntillongafterBardonwasalreadyregionallyfamousforhisadepthood.Fromthe
O.T.O,throughtheUniversalisandOrderofSaturn,withconspiracytheoriessuggestinghewasevena
memberoftheF.O.G.C.Lodgethatwasvillainizedinhisattemptedbiography,FrabattotheMagician.
AccordingtothesepeoplehewasaMason,hewasanAntiMason,hewasaRosicrucian,hewasa
Satanist,aPagan,aSexMagicaddict,andohsomuchmore.Tobelievesuchthingswouldbe
counterproductiveeventothemostfetalfacultiesofcommonsense.Hemayhavebeenamemberof
thisorthatOrder,anditisknownthathehadcorrespondenceswithleadingmembersinvariouslodges,
butsodoI!AndIdidnotreceivemyowntrainingfromanyofthem,butamquiteapartfromthem,and
yetmysteriouslyIstillmaintainaworkingrelationshipwithrepresentativeinitiatesoftheAMORC,
BOTA,EOGD,HOGD,SOL,andtheAS,andIhaveanamiablerelationshipandcorrespondencewithmore
thanoneGrandMasterofsuchOrders.ThecontinuingmisinformationknownasHistorywillprobably
record,shouldIeverbeworthmakingrecordof,thatIreceivedmytrainingfromoneifnotallofthe
abovementionedOrders.
TherealityofthematteristhatthetwopeoplemostoftenaccusedofbeingBardonsteachers
mostassuredlycouldnothavebeen.ThesetwopeopleareKarlWeinfurterandRaOmir(Wilhelm)
Quintscher.Intheformercase,bythetimeBardonhadmetWeinfurter,hehadalreadysurpassedhim
andhadnothingtolearn.Inthelattercase,wehaveonlythewordofWilhelmQuintscherJr.,thesonof
theabovementioned,togoon.IncorrespondencewithMrs.Bardon,QuintscherJr.recordsthatFranz
waseighteenyearsoldwhenintroducedtoQuintscherSr.,andthatbythattime,Franzhadalreadyfully
developedhismagicalfaculties.Havingaskedhisfatheraboutthismysteriousmanlaterinhislife,Ra
OmirsaidthathimselfandBardonhadbeenverygoodfriendsformanycenturies,andoftenincarnated
insimilartimeperiodstohelponeanotherout.
Unfortunately,WilhelmQuintscherstillhadsomethingstolearn.WhenBardondemanded
QuintschertoceasetheircorrespondenceduetoincreasingpressurefromNaziauthorities,hedidnot
doso.ThisdisobedienceledtothejointcaptureofbothMr.QuintscherandFranzBardonbytheNazis,
85
2011
wheretheyweretorturedandinterrogatedforthesakeoflearningtheirmagicalabilities,oruntilthey
agreedtousetheirmagictoserveHitler.ItisalsoreportedthatHitlerdesiredtoknowwheretheother
98lodgesofthe99Sataniclodgewere,perhapsbecausehewasunderthemisimpressionthatby
havingpoliticalcontroloverallofthem,hewouldbeabletocommandtheirjointpower.Bardon,weare
told,resistedtheinterrogationsandhandledthetorturingstoically.Quintscher,ontheotherhand,lost
hiscalmduringonsuchinterrogationandutteredaQaballisticformulae,likelyonewhichBardonhad
taughthim,inordertoparalyzetheinterrogators.UnfortunatelyforQuintschertheeffectsofthespell
woreof,andwhentheNazisregaineduseoftheirlimbs,Quintscherwasshot.FranzBardonlivedonto
serveinaconcentrationcamp,andhadbeenscheduledforexecutioninApril.Duringhiswaitingperiod,
heservesDeathDetail,wherehisjobwastopickuptheheadsofthosewhohadbeenexecutedand
collecttheminaburlapsack.Toonceagainresorttolegend(aswemustdosomanytimeswiththis
story),itissaidthatBardonexpressedunusualconfidencethathewasnotgoingtodieonhisexecution
day,sincehehadahighertaskwaitingforhim.Thedaybeforehisexecution,theconcentrationcamp
wasliberatedbyalliedforces,andBardonreturnedhome.
Thoughwehavetakenaslighthistoricaldetour,thisstillleadsusbacktothepointthathehad
nothingtolearnfromWeinfurt,andprobablyplayedmoreofateacherrolethananythingelseto
Quintscher.Thus,ignoringthetheorythatFranzBardonwaswhatiscalledanaveshorspiritual
entry,weareleftwithlittlematerialofvaluetoexplainhismagicalprowess.Thiswasnottheskillofan
averagestudentofmagicwhodedicatedhimselftohisart.Thiswastheskillofsomeonewhohadbeen
perfectinghisartforcenturiesifnotlonger.
Returningbrieflytowhatfewaccountswehaveofhisearlylife,wefindFranzBardonasa
fourteenyearoldmaguswithapparentlyfullydevelopedmagicalfaculties,adifferentdemeanor,anew
styleofhandwriting,achangedpersonality,andunaccountedforknowledge.FranzBardonsownson,
LumirBardon,followstheideathathewasanAveshastheexplanationofthisknowledge,andwe
shouldassumethathissonwasprivytoatleastsomeinformationwhichthemodernresearcherwould
nothaveaccessto.Lumirrecountsthat,growingup,hewastoldabouthowhisfather(Franz),asa
youthofjustfifteenorsixteen,wouldbeusedbythepoliceforlocalinvestigations.Evenbythattimehis
fameasaseerhadalreadygrowntosuchadegreethathewasconsideredaviableauthorityinsolving
crimes.Inparticular,wearetoldthatBardonexcelledinMissingPersonscases.Thepolicewould
givenFranzapictureofamissingperson,andafteramomentofcontemplation,Franzwoulddirect
themcorrectlytothelocationofthemissingpersonwhetherdeadoralive.
WhatisanAvesh?
Comparativelylittleisknownabouttheactofaspiritualentryinthewest,mostlikelyfortwo
reasons:firstly,thewestdoesnotmaintainaculturerevolvingaroundthenecessaryideaof
reincarnation,andsecondly,becauseofthemanysourcetextsoftheOrientwhicharestillnotavailable
totheaverageresearcher.Regardless,eveninthosecultureswhichrecordsuchincidents,agenuine
aveshisararehappening.
Therearemanyreasonsforwhichanaveshmayoccur.Perhapsthemostwellknownreasonis
thataparticularlypowerfulbeingissubjecttothesamelawsofreincarnationaseveryoneelse.Ifanew
bodyistakenbynormalincarnation,thentheastralbodyisreoutfitted,andtheactivitiesofthemental
vehiclearesuppressedandsubjectedtothebrainofthenewbody.Forthisreasonevengreatsouls,
whentheyreincarnate,willstillhavetogothroughthesametrainingaseveryoneelsetogetbackto
theirpreviouslyattainedspiritualstates.Theywill,inmostinstances,bebornwithnosignificant
86
2011
memoriesofpreviouslives.Atmostanadvancedsoulmaybeabletoarrangeforbeingbornwithafew
naturalmagicalfaculties,suchasethericvisionorclairaudience,buteventhatisnotparticularly
common.Suchsoulsdonotusuallyreturntotheirproperstatesuntiltheageofthirtyorso.The
momentumofmanypreviousincarnationsofspiritualpracticepushesthemfurtherandfasterthanthe
averageperson,yes,butthereisstillpushinginvolved.
Thisisnotsointheinstanceofanavesh.Itbecomesacompletereplacementofidentity,a
genuinebodysnatch.ThisiscalledParakayaPraveshSiddhi,thewillfulentryintoabody,whetherthat
bodyisaliveordead,anditssubsequentwilledanimation.Insuchanentry,thesoulisabletokeepthe
dynamicsofitsastralandmentalbodies.Thereforeabodywhichanadepthasenteredinthismanner
willsuddenlypossessmagicalfaculties,andonastralandmentallevels,theadeptwillstillbeableto
performwhatevermagichehasperfectedinpreviousincarnationsasthoughhehadneverdied.Hewill
alsostillmaintaintheknowledge,andthepersonality,whichrepresentshisessentialcharacter.
Ifonefollowstheviewoftheosophy,aswellastheviewofasignificantnumberofYogis,Jesus
Christisanexampleofanaveshperformedforthisreason.Inthisinstance,thevehicleswereproperly
preparedaheadoftime,andahigherbeingintheformofconsciousnessaloneenteredintoJesus,
makinghimTheChrist.Otherexamples,suchasShirdiSaiandChrowranginath,canalsobe
investigatedfruitfully.HelenaBlavatsky,inthesecondvolumeofIsisUnveiled,alsogivesan
interestinginstanceinwhichaBuddhistmonkentersintothebodyofaninfant,andthatinfant
subsequentlystandsupandbeginsrecitingscripture,whereinthispoweriscalledthemysteryofthe
buddha.ItmightalsoberemarkedthatthecrowningachievementoftheadeptioftheRRetRC,
besidesthecreationoftheeverburninglamp,isasortofspiritualavesh:theinvocationoftheHoly
GuardianAngel.
Therefore,thematterofwhetherornotBardonwasanaveshisimportant,becauseifwe
believeit,thenhewasnecessarilyaparticularlyadvancedadept.Ifwedont,thenweareforcedto
simplysaythatsomehow,Bardonmagicallybecameagreatmagicianatanoutrageouslyyouthfulage.
CriticswillproclaimthatanyonewhofindsthenecessitytobelievethelegendofBardonsentryinto
thebodyoftheyoungboyisoverzealousintheirloveofBardon,anddesirestopromoteBardontoa
Jesuslikestatus.Andinthis,therearetwolikelyerrors.Thefirstisthatoneofthebestaccountswe
have,Franzsveryownson,agreeswiththetheoryoftheavesh.Thesecondlikelyerroristhat,dueto
hisreligiousstatus,peopleoverestimatethestatureofJesusChrist.
FranzBardonandtheProblemofKarma
ThemostlogicalargumentagainstthelegendofBardonsspiritualentrywhichIhavecome
acrossisthat,karmically,itdoesnotseemtomakesense.Forifweacceptthistheory,thenwemust
alsoadmitthatBardonchosetoworkoutthekarmaoftheoriginalinhabitantofthatbody.This
indeed,accordingtothosewhowereclosetohim,istheveryreasonwhyFranzwasunabletoheal
himselfofthevariousailmentswhichassailedhim,andunabletoavoidhiseventualpainfuldeath,in
spiteoftheextentofhispower.Thoughthisshouldreallyonlyinspireaweinthecharacterofsucha
selflessservant,itnonethelessprovidesforalegitimatequestion:isthisagainstthelawsofkarma?
Theanswerisno,andthesimplereasonforitisthatkarmareallydoesntgiveadamnwho
worksitout.Thefactthatkarmatendstocomebacktoitscreatorisamereconvenienceofthenature
ofourpsychosomaticchakras,whereinourkarmasbecomeabsorbedandstored.Amagnetic
happening,havingnothingtodowithsomesupposedwillofthekarmaitself,asthoughitwerea
87
2011
sentientforce.Thiskarmabeinglodgedintothenervoussystemofapersonatbirth,andatthattime
imprintedupontheDNAitself,anybodywhichcouldbetakenoverwouldstillbeforcedtoendurethe
karmaswhichit,bythistime,hadbuiltitselfupon.Thepotentialsforsuchthingsassevereillnesses,
personalityshifts,andothermannersofpersonalmalfunctions,areallencodeduponourbodiesat
birth.Werethisnotso,thenprovenmeanssuchaslegitimatepalmistryorastrologywouldnotbe
capableofproducingaccurateinsightsintofutureproblems.
ThoughintheWesttheideaoflivingoutanotherskarmamightseemludicrous,itisafully
functionalaspectofsomeEasterntraditions,suchastheNathAvatarAvadhutparampar,andthe
BodhisattvatraditionoftheBuddhists.Inthesetraditions,itisnotanentirelyuncommonoccurrencefor
amastertochoosetoworkoutthekarmasofcertaindisciplesbysufferingthosekarmashimself,
allowingthemtoadvanceontonewlessons.Eventuallysuchastudentwillstillhavetolearnthelesson
whichthekarmicrepercussionwasintendedtoteach;therearenofreepasses.However,inthemean
timehewillbeabletogrow,andinsomefutureincarnationwhenheisforcedonceagaintoconfront
thatkarma,hewillbestrongerandinabetterpositiontoemergevictorious.Sometimesthiscanbe
donebyaspiritualentry,whichisaccountedforintheyogictraditionwhereadiscarnateyogiwill
temporarilypossessapersontoworkoutcertainkarmas.Othertimesamastercandirectlytakethe
karmauponhimself,volunteeringtosufferimmenselysothattherecipientcanadvancefurtheronhis
spiritualpath.ThesacrificeofJesuscouldbeviewedinthislight,whereinhisimmensetortureand
crucifixionwouldhavebeennaturalbyproductsofallhishealings.Thekarmadidntgoaway:itjustgot
transferred.
ThiscouldbringustoasignificantrealizationinregardstoBardonshealthproblems.Onthe
onehand,itcouldbethathehadchosentoworkoutthekarmaoftheoriginalinhabitantofthebody,
seeingitasafairtradeforbeingabletousethatbodytowritehisbooksandtohelpViktorBardon.On
theotherhanditcouldbethatthebodywouldhavebeenquitefine,andmayhavecontinuedinperfect
health,haditnotbeenforhiscontinuedhealingofothers.Tomymind,itwaslikelyacombinationof
both.Therethencanalsoentertheequationyetanotheroptionwhichcanbeaddedtothepile,which
isthatBardonhadswornanoathnevertousehismagicforhisownbenefit.Thereisevidenceforthis
throughoutBardonslife,wheretherearemanysituationswhichcertainlycouldhavebeenremedied
withtheproperapplicationofenoughforce.Notonlyhispoorhealth,buthisimprisonmentand
eventualdeathcouldalsohavebeenavoided.LikewisewearetoldthatBardonpossessedamanuscript
detailingexactlyhowtocreatethePhilosophersStone,andyetheapparentlydidnotdothiseither,
sincehespenthisentirelifeinpoverty.Thesefacts,then,donotbecometestamentsagainstBardons
magicalskill.Farfromit!Theybecometestamentstohisimmenseselflessnessandhispowerfulsenseof
service.
ThatBardonsufferedonbehalfofhispatientsiswellknowntothosewhoknewhimpersonally.
LumirBardonrecountsanincidentwhereFranzhealedayounggirlofTuberculosis,againsthisbetter
judgment.Inthepursuingweeks,hislifebecamealivinghell.Hebegantobeconfrontedbythekarma
ofthegirlmanifestinginsomanyways,requiringthatitsdebtbepaid,thatBardonfoundhimself
entirelyunabletocontinuewithhisworkings.Inwhatonecouldimaginetohavebeenaheartbreaking
affair,heeventuallywentbacktothegirlandexplainedtoherthathehadtogiveTBbacktoher.After
explainingwhy,sheconsentedandcamedownwiththeillnessoncemore.Bardonwasthenableto
returntohisworkasusual,withouttheaddedobstructionofthatparticularkarmicexchange.
Anotherstorycomesdowntousillustratingtheotherpointalso,thatBardonmusthaveeither
swornnevertousehismagicforhisowngood,ormusthaveatleastagreednottointerferewiththe
88
2011
karmaofthebodyinanyways.Ononeoccasion,aftertheconsistentpleasofhisstudents,Bardon
createdanalchemicalmedicineforhishighbloodpressureissues.Hedrankit,andfromthatpoint
onwards,hadlowbloodpressureproblems.Hesaidtohisstudentsthatitwasduetohisinterference
withthekarmaofhisbody,andassuredthathewouldneverdosuchathingagain.
Thepowerofamagicaloathisnothingtotakelightly.ThoughmoststudentsofBardoncringeat
thename,apertinentexampleofasimilarissueisbroughttomindbyAleisterCrowley.Crowley,after
receivingtheBookoftheLaw,pledgedallofhisaffectionsandemotionstowardsthefulfillmentofwhat
hecalledtheLawofThelema,anditsspreading.HerecordsinhisTheEquinoxoftheGods,VolumeIV:
Magick,thatthoughhehadhealedmanypeople,bothofhismarriagesendedtragicallyordisastrously,
andhewasforcedtowatchhiseightmontholdsonwasteawayintodeath,unabletodoanymannerof
healingonhimnomatterhowmuchhetried.Heattributesthistothebreakingoftheoathwhichhe
hadpreviouslysworntoThelema.
FranzBardontheMagus
ItbehoovesustotakealookatthemagicalcareerofFranzBardon,bygivingafewexamples
whichillustratetousthekindofadeptwhichhewas.Ihaveencounteredanumberofsocalled
adeptsovertheyears,andhavereadaboutcountlessothers,andsomeofthemostremarkable
storiesarenottobepulledoutofmedievaltombs,butoutoftherecollectionsofthissinglemodern
magicianslife.
FranzBardonseemedtoexistinanalmostconstantstateoftrancelikepeace,happiness,and
mostimportantly,attunementtospiritualforces.Onanumberofoccasions,heisrememberedas
havingsimplylookedovertoacupofcoffee(whichhedrankfuriously)andremarked,correctly,on
thingsgoingonelsewhereofwhichhecouldhavehadnopriorknowledgeatthattime.Oneparticular
examplesticksout,drawnfromthechildhoodofLumirBardon.
Onedaywhileinschool,aclassmateofLumirs,ayounggirl,lostherpurse.Ithadsomethings
ofvalueinitapparently,soeveryonewaslookingforittotryandhelpthisfellowclassmate.Lumir,
instantly(andinnocently)thinkingofthemagicalabilityofhisfather,proceededtohoponhisbikeand
ridetoFranzshouseasfastaspossible.Whenhefinallygottothehousehewalkedinandinstantly
heardhisfathersvoiceechodownfromupstairssayingIknowwhyyourehere.Itsalltakencareof,
soyoucanreturntoschool.WhenLumirwentbacktoschool,hewastoldthatthegirlhadfoundher
purse,butnoonecouldreallyrecallhowithadhappened.
Bardonhadapparentlydemonstratedmanytimesthathewaspracticallyomniscientinregards
totheaffairsofhisstudents,orrather,thathecouldinstantlyknowanyaffairorproceedingthathehad
anydesiretoknow.Hissononceaskedthemaidwhyhisfatherwouldgoonthistripstodifferent
countries,butthenrefusetotalkaboutanythingthathadhappenedtherewhenhecameback.
Traditionallythemaidhadalwaysrefused,butonthisoccasionshedecidedtogoaheadandshareat
leastwhatlittlebitsheknew.Almostassoonasshebegan,aboxofmatchesonthetablestoodupon
itsendandbegantodancearoundintheair.Whentheyagreedthattheyshouldnttalkaboutit,dueto
thedisplay,thematchesfellbackdowntothetable.Lumirsawthisashisfatherhavingbeenalerted
abouttheconversation,andusingthematchestoharmlesslyshowthathewaslistening.
Truetothenatureofthemagiciansofold,FranzBardonslivingquartersaredescribedasan
absolutemessofmagicalparaphernalia.Hehadchestsfulloftalismans,shelvesfulloftincturesand
89
2011
elixirs,andakitchenwhichhehadentirelytransmutedintoanalchemylab.Onthewallsofhispersonal
studieshungphotographicpictureshehadtakenofelementals,usingthetechniquehedescribedin
InitiationintoHermetics.Fromthisstorehousehewoulddrawforallofhismedicinesandallofhis
magicaloperations.Itwasaveritablevaultofarcaneknowledge,amagicaltreasury.Inadditiontothe
manyinterestingthingshehadfordirectmagicaluses,heissaidbyhiswifeinacorrespondencewith
anotherstudenttohavehadapersonallibraryof960booksatthetimeofhisdeath.Amongstthem
weremanyarchaicmanuscripts,whichnoonewasquitecertainhowheacquired.
Inregardstohisbusinesswithspirits,somemoreinterestinginformationisavailable.Itissaid
thatalmosteverynightatmidnight,FranzBardonwouldgrabhismagicalregaliaandequipmentfor
evocations,andleavethehousetogotoanundisclosedlocation.Lumirrecountsthat,nodoubtinspite
ofhisefforts,heneverlearnedwherehisfatherlefttoatthathourofthenight.Whathedidknowwas,
moreorless,whathewasdoing:theevocationofspirits.Itisrecountedthathewouldnotreturnuntil
theearlymorninghours,andthatonmanyoccasionsnoonewascertainwhetherornothehadslept.
Indeedifhedidnotatleastgofordaysatatimewithoutsleeping,itwassuggestedbysomethathe
maynothaveevensleptatallbeyondshortnapseverynowandthen.
Thisadepthadsuchafantasticmasteryofthespiritswhichheworkedwiththathewasableto,
atwill,giveaveritabledemonstrationoftheirexistence.ThoughpeoplehavecriticizedhisbookThe
PracticeofMagicalEvocation,callingituseless,Bardoncouldgiveampledemonstrationofthespirits
therein.Accordingtosomestudents,hewouldsitathiskitchentable,usuallyafterdictatingapartof
theaforementionedbook,andwoulddrawasigilfromthebookintheair.Almostinstantlytherewould
beanelectricaldisturbanceinthehouse,andasuddenrushofsoundwouldentertheroom.Itwas
reportedashavingsoundedlikealotofflappingwings,flyingaroundtheroom.Theroomwouldthen
growsilentandBardonwouldgointoatrance,whichaftercomingout,hewouldrelaywhatinformation
thespirithadgiven.
Thisisaparticularlyinterestingpointfromtheeyesofapracticingmagician.Anyonewhohas
everdoneanevocationintothedenseastrallevels,meaningintotheArcheus,isfamiliarwiththat
sound.Itisapeculiardisturbanceoftheetherswhichbeatsthemlikedrums,youcouldsay,causing
theirfluctuationwhensomethingisnearingmaterialization.Itthenfollowsthateverypracticing
magicianwillknowhowutterlydifficultitistoachievesuchamaterializationatwill,duetothelimited
powersofboththespiritandthestudentofmagic.Ittakespowerfulspells,inmostinstances,tocompel
abeingtocometoyouatall!Beyondthat,itrequiresanevengreaterinitiatetobringthatspiritintoa
denseenoughlevelofactivitysoastoallowforclearlyaudiblephenomenon.Everypracticingmagician
knowsthatasheadvances,hecanhavemoreandmoresuccessinthesphereofevocationwith
graduallylessandlessritual.Thelessritualoneuses,themoreonemustbefamiliarwiththespiritbeing
evoked,andthemoremasterfulthemagicianmustbe.Forhim,themagiccircleisnowhisaura,andnot
someexternalrepresentation.Togettoapointwhereonecansummonforthabeing,andcausesuch
auditoryeffectswiththemeretracingofthatbeingssigil,isanincrediblyrareaccomplishment.
ThethingwhichFranzBardonbecamethemostwellknownforinhisregion,though,washis
abilitytohealpeopleofdifficultailmentswithhisalchemicalmedicines.Thissamepractice,whichhe
continuedselflesslythroughhisentirelife,waseventuallytheexcuseusedbytheoppressive
governmenthewasundertoarresthimandseizeallofhissupplies.Accordingtolegend,Bardoncould
healcanceruptothesecondstageofdevelopmentusinghistincturesandmagneticenergies,andwhen
theplaguehithisregion,wasoneoftheonlydoctorsremainingintheareawhowillinglyworkedwith
thevictims.Inspiteofhisservicetoothers,hehimselfhadmanyailments.Hepossesseda
90
2011
malfunctioningthyroidgland,agradualcaseofpancreatitis,andlowbloodpressure,allofwhichadded
uptocreatemetabolicproblemsalso.Theseconditionscontributedtothegradualweightgainwhich
Bardonexperiencedhisentirelife,goingfrompencilthininhisearlyyearstoobeseinhislastyears.
IhavenotgiventheseexamplestoinflatetheimageofFranzBardon.Ihavegiventhemsimply
toserveasanindicationofwhatmannerofadepthewas,andtowhatdegreehehadmasteredthe
systemwhichhetaughttoothers.Heisthebestexampleoftheaccuracyofhisteachings,and
demonstratedmasteryofthefacultiesandskillswhichhissystemisintendedtodevelop.Wemightalso
addacommentinregardstooneofthetruestmarksofgenuineadepthood.Thoughhehadbeen
torturedandputinaconcentrationcampwheresurgerywasperformedonhimwithoutanesthesia,
thoughhesufferedfromtremendoushealthproblemswithnocure,thoughheworkedthroughthe
karmasofhisstudentsandclients,thoughhistotaldevotiontohisworkkepthimawayfromthefamily
heverymuchloved,andthoughhewasconstantlyspendinghisowntimeandenergyforthewellbeing
ofothersandoftenthedestructionofhimself,thoughheknewhowhewoulddie,stillhewasalways
happy.Hissonremarks,Myfatherwasalwaysreadyforsomegoodfun.Hisstudentsandfamily
unanimouslyattesttohisimperviousjoyandsenseofselfpeace,nomatterwhatverygoodreasonshe
musthavehadtohavebeenadepressedorbotheredperson.Wearetoldthathewasseengenuinely
sadbyhisownsonononlyoneoccasion:shortlybeforehisdeath.Thisbringsustothenextsubjectof
ourexamination.
FranzBardonsCaptureandDeath
Wearetoldthatfollowingthatthepublicationofhisbooksin1956,anumberofpeoplecame
fromGermanytovisithim.Apparentlyhewasalreadyunderclosesurveillancebyvariouspolitical
forces,sincethisvisitingiswhatRuggebergattributestotheeventualarrestofFranzBardon.Itissaid
thattheCzechmedicalauthorities,jealousofBardonsgrowingfameasahealer,wenttothe
governmentaccusingBardonofbeingaspyfromtheWest.Duringthistimethecommunistcountries
wereextremelysuspiciousofanypersonwithforeigncontacts,andsoitisreasonabletobelievethat
theybelievedthemselvestobetakingtopropermeasureswhentheyeventuallyarrestedand
imprisonedBardonins1958.
Anotherstorywehave,thatwhichcomestousfromhisson,isthatbothBardonandanother
studentwerearrestedbytheauthoritiesfortheillegalproductionofalcoholwithoutapermit,andusing
medicinesdeemedillegal.Thisisfurtherelaborateduponbysomesources,sayingthattheauthorities
feltthatBardonshouldhavebeenpayingtaxesonhisalcoholproduction,whichobviouslyhewasnot,
sincethealcoholwasproducedbyhomedistillation.
Inprison,FranzBardonrequestedsimplyfromhiswifeapieceofbacontobesenttohim,saying
onlythathehadaneedofit.Andsoshecookedhimupapieceofbaconaccordingtotheusualrecipe,
andsenttotheprisonforhim.Almostinstantlyuponeatingit,Bardonbegantorollinpaininhiscell.
Thiscontinuedforsomehoursignored,becausetheguardsbelievedthathewasfakingthepaininorder
tobegivenrelieftoaclinicorhospitable.Afteritcontinuedonforalongerperiodoftime,hewas
eventuallysenttoahospital:thesamehospitalthatoneofhisstudents,Dr.M.K,wasworkinginatthe
time.NoonewasnotifiedofBardonsremovaltothishospital,andfromthetimehelefthisprisoncell,
nooneeversawhisbodyagain.
Uponhisdeath,oraccordingtosomeauthoritiesuponhiscapture,Bardonshousewasraided
bythepolice.Allofhistalismansandtinctureswereconfiscated,includingallofhisbooks,manuscripts
91
2011
hewasworkingon(includingdraftsforKeytotheTrueQabalahandalargebiographyhewaswriting),
pictureshehad,etc.Allofhismagicringsweretakenintocustodyalso,andfromthatpointforward,no
oneknewanythingaboutwhathappenedtoBardonspossessions.Whatbookswerelostinthatseizure,
Godonlyknows.EventheclothesthatBardonwassupposedlyburiedinwerenotreturnedtohisfamily.
Itwasreportedthathisbodywasdissectednotonce,buttwice,afterhisdeath.Forhisfuneraland
burial,thebodywascarriedinagalvanizedcoffinthatcouldnotbeopened,andnooneeversawhis
body.Itissolelybecauseoftheincidentssurroundinghisarrestthatwehavealmostnoreliable
informationonthelife,oreventhepersonalpractices,ofFranzBardon.Allthatwecansurmiseiswhat
isgainedviahearsayfromthosewhoknewhimpersonally.HediedattheageoffortynineonJuly
10th,1958.
RegardingCertainCriticisms
ThereissomethingaboutBardonthatunsuccessfulmagicians,occultists,andspiritualiststhe
worldoverabsolutelyhate.TheydespiseBardon,andtheycantstandthosewhofollowhissystem.
Theysneerwhenpeoplereporttheirsuccesses,andsomestrangeegophenomenonmakesthem
incapableofappreciatingtheprogressofotherswhenthoseothersarenotusingthesamesystemas
theyare.Feelingthisdiscontent,suchpeoplehavecometogethertotryanddebaseFranzBardon.They
attackhimfromanypossibleopening,nodoubttryingtomakethemselvesfeelbetter,orput
themselvesinapositionwheretheycanlookdownatthosesillyfoolswhofollowBardon.These
peoplearesnakesanddogsinthetruestsenseoftheword,buttheyaresnakeswithoutanyrealvenom,
andtheyaredogswithnorealbite.Theyjusthissandbark.Itisbecausethosehissesandbarkshave
ruffledthefeathersofsomeofthechickenstryingtofollowBardon,orwantingtobelieveinhim,that
thereemergedinmeadesiretowritethisarticle.HopefullyjustwhatIhavewrittenthusfarhas
dispelledanyneedofthissectioninthemindsofmostreaders,butjustincasethereareafew
stragglers,Ishallendeavortoretorttocertaincriticisms.
Oneofthefirst,mostunintelligent,andpurelyfetalinsultsItendtocomeacrossisthatFranz
Bardonwasoverweight,andthereforemustnothavehadthewillpowertobeanadept.Suchpeopleas
this,withtheirhandswillinglyovertheirowneyes,wantnothingtodowiththefactsofthemanthey
pointtheirarrowsat.Theysimplywantanexcuseforsomepersonalreason,thesourceofwhichI
cannotyetdivine.FranzBardonhadaseverethyroidimpairment,andanyonewithevenacursory
knowledgeofthatafflictionknowsthatthetwomostprominentandcommonsymptomsassociated
withitareweightgainandfatigue.Thethyroidalhormonescontrolthemetabolicspeedofthecellsin
ourbody,decidingwhatlevelofenergytheyworkat.Asthesehormonallevelsfallduetoanafflicted
thyroidgland,thenspeedatwhichthecellsaremetabolizingslowsdown,causingfatigue.Becausethey
arenolongerusingasmuchenergy,anincreasingamountoftheenergybroughtintothebodybecomes
storedintheformofbodyfat.Accordingtothosewhoknewhim,Bardonhadaverysparingandstrict
diet.Theonlytimehewouldeatanormalsizedmeal,accordingtohisson,waswhenhewouldgotohis
familyshouseonWednesdayeveningsfordinner.Thushisgradualweightgainthroughouthislifehad
nothingtodowithsomesupposedlackofdiscipline.HestoicallysurvivedNaziinterrogationand
torture!Ithadtodosimplywithaglandularproblemwhich,forreasonsoutlinedpreviously,hewas
unabletotamperwith.Hewasallowed,apparently,tousethemundanemedicinesofhistime,ashe
supposedlytooksomepillsforhisthyroidthatDr.M.K.wouldprescribehim.
Followingtheaccusationofhisobesity,asthoughonitstail,arethetwinaccusationsregarding
hissmokingandcopiousblackcoffeedrinking.Itistrue,accordingtoaccountsofhisfamily,thatFranz
Bardonhadpickedupsmokingsometimeinhismidtwentiesashisthyroidproblemsbegantoincrease.
92
2011
TosomeoneasbusyasFranzBardon,smokingcigaretteswasmerelyanunfortunatemeanstoa
necessaryend.Hecouldnotslackonhiswork,hecouldnotceasethepracticeofmagic,andsohehad
tocombattheafflictionoffatiguevigorously.Thishedidintwoways:nicotinestimulation,andcaffeine.
Theamountofnicotineinacigarettewillincreasebloodpressure(combatingBardonslowblood
pressureproblems),increaseheartratetoencouragefasteroxygenationandthereforeincreasedcell
metabolisminthebody,andsomewhatforceslongerbreaths,whichitselfproducesmoreenergyforthe
body.Unfortunatelytheseeffectslastaboutatotalofthirtyminutesinmostpeople,andforsomeone
asphysicallylargeasBardon,perhapsevenless.Thereforewhatonelacksinquality,heisforcedto
makeupforinquantity.ThisarticleshouldhavealreadyamplydemonstratedthatBardoncaredmuch
lessabouthisownwellbeingthanhedidaboutgettinghisspiritualworkdone.Hefurthersupplemented
thestimulantstohisbodywithlargeamountsofdailycaffeineintheformofpure,strongblackcoffee,
whichheissaidtohavehadacupofseveraltimeseachday.Allofthishedidinordertocombattheno
doubtsuffocatingeffectsoflethargyfromhisincreasingnumberofhealthproblems.Hadhenottaken
suchroutes,thereisreasontobelievewewouldnothavethethreespiritualclassicswhichhegaveus
today.Anydriverwhohashadtoresorttostrangemethodstosqueezetheabsolutelastbreathoflife
outofhisfailingcarcanperhapssympathizeinsomesmallwaywithwhatBardonmusthavefeltin
regardstohisownbody.
Nowtheslightlymoreeducated(andIusethattermloosely)pointoutthattherearesome
apparentdiscrepanciesinBardonsbooks.Thathemadespellingerrorsorplacedthingswrongly.
Somegoasfarastosaythathetriedtocopyfromolderbooks,andmademistakesinthatprocessas
well.Unfortunately,thereislittlethathasbeentranslatedintoEnglishindefenseofthesepoints,andso
theEnglishspeakingcrowdhashadtheirwaywithit.
Forourfirstconsideration,wemustunderstandthatBardonwrotevery,verylittleofhisbooks
withhisownhand.Thethreebookswhichwenowhaveareinfactmoreofasummaryoflecturesand
dictationswhichFranzBardonwouldgivetogroupsofstudents,andwhichMs.Votavovaandanother
studentwouldtakeshorthandnotesof,andlaterattempttoproducetranscriptsof.NodoubtBardon
mayhavepersonallywrittenathingortwo,forwehearthattherewerecertainpageswhichhehad
writtenthatwereintendedtobeincludedinKeytotheTrueQabalah,butwhichwereconfiscated.
However,itisreportedthatthevastmajorityoftypingwasdonebytwoassistantsandhiswife.
Therefore,itisatleastreasonabletoassumethatcertainspellingerrorsweretheirs,andnothis.Or
even,perhaps,thatBardonjustdidntcaretoomuchaboutsuchdetailsaswhereavowelmaybe
placed.Thoughthereiscertainlypowerinaspiritsname,therealthingwhichdesignateswhatspirit
youareworkingwithisitssigil,whichcanbeusedsuccessfullywithoutanymentionofanameatall.
OneproblemwhichmanystudentswillcomeacrossistheapparentdisagreementinKeytothe
TrueQabalahbetweentheattributionstothelettersinStepIofthepractice,andthoseofStepIV.Isay
thatmanystudentswillencounterit,becausemanystudentswillfallaciouslyskipaheadandtry
exercisesthattheyarenotreallyreadyfor,orwillreadaheadtothetheorysectionsofbookstheyhave
notgottentoyet.KeytotheTrueQabalahwillmakenosensetosomeonewhodidnotindustriously
workthroughallofInitiationintoHermetics.Tosomeonewhothenwentontothenextlogicalstepof
practicingsphericalevocation,therewillbenodiscrepancyatall.Notonlywillanydetailsregarding
Bardonsmethodsofevocationbecomeveryclear,butallofhisthirdbookwillmakeperfectsensealso.
ImightaddtothisthatallapparentproblemswiththesigilsandnamesofthespiritsinhisPracticeof
MagicalEvocationwillalsoberesolvedbysimplepractice.Whatevertranscriptionerrorsmighthave
causedconfusioninhissecondandthirdbooks,andwhatevermanuscriptproblemsmayhavebeenhad
intheinitialtranscriptions,willbeironedoutandmadeclearwhenonehasactuallyconscientiously
93
2011
workeduptothatpointinhispractice.Intheabovementionedinstanceoftheapparentdiscrepancyin
attributestothelettersoftheQabalah,thestudentwhohasactuallyworkeduptothatpointwill
immediatelyandwithcompleteeasebyabletoidentifythatonesetofattributescorrespondstoone
realmofexperience,andtheothercorrespondstoanother.Inthisinstance,wearedealingwith
qualitiesastheydifferentiatebetweentheethericregionsofthearcheusandthespiritualregionsofthe
astralrealm.Bardonevenmakesitsimplerforthestudentbystatingclearlythatsomelettershavetwo
ormorepropercorrespondences,dependingonwhichplanetheyareactivein.Theonlyrealdirty
workthestudentwillhavetodoistodiscoverthe12tonevibrationalscalefortheBardonsQabalistic
key,sinceamanuscriptproblemresultedinthefinaleditionofthebookonlyprovidingfortennotes,
leavingoutthenotesofEandAsharp.Forthestudentwhohasmeditatedonthequalitiesoftheletters
forevenafewmonths,thiswillproveaneasyandintuitivetask.
ThediscussionofBardonsthirdbookleadsusintoanotherproblemwhichcomesup.People,in
theirneverendingdesiretomakeBardonappeartobenomorethanacommonmagicianwholearned
thesamewaywealldo,havegonemadintheirsearchforBardonssourcesforhisspiritsandhis
Qaballisticattributions.Ateveryangletheyarebewildered,andeverypersonwhobelieveshehasfound
theansweriscalledaliarbysomeoneelsewhobelievesthathehasfoundtheanswer,sothatnotwo
peopleagreeonanyonesourceitseems.Therearemultiplereasonsforthis,butoneofthemisa
simpleerrorinhumanreasoning.Ifsomethingisolder,itdoesnotmeanthatitwasbetter.Ifabook
written100yearsagoabouthowthehumanearworksseemstobecontradictedbyamodernbook
producedbyfruitfulresearchwrittenonthesamesubject,itdefiescommonsensetoinstantlyassume
thatour1909editionofanatomyismorecorrectthanthe2009edition.Theearitselfworkedexactly
thesamein1909asitdoestoday.Nothing,tomyknowledge,haschangeditsfunctionoritsmechanics.
Ourresearcherstodayaresimplymoreadvanced,andthereforehavetheauthoritytonotonlyrelease
newandhithertounpublishedinformationaboutourears,buteventocorrectorchangeold
assumptions.
Thecurrentauthorunderstandsthatsuchasimpleandstraightforwardreasoningonthe
groundsofcommonsenseisutterlyoffensivetothesensibilitiesofcertaincritics.However,becausehe
doesnotliveinaworldwherefactschangeaccordingtoconvenience,hemustpushoninthislineof
reasoning.IfwearetobelieveevenahumblethirdofanythingwhichIhavespentthistimepresenting
aboutFranzBardonandthestatureofhissoul,thenwecansafelyassumethathewasperfectly
qualifiedtomakecorrectionsorcompletechangestoolddustymanuscriptswrittenbysucharmchair
magiciansasAthanasiusKircher.IndeedwemayevenbelievethatBardon,havingcomeacrossthe
writingsofcertainsocalledmagiciansofthepast(afterall,hehad960books),simplysawitconvenient
tousebasicframeworksandterminologiesthattheyhadalreadyworkedout,butseeingitprudentto
fixanyerrorswhichhisownpracticeindicatedthattheyhadmade.Tosaythathewasinfluenced,
however,wouldberidiculous.Thoughascholarcansometimeslearnathingortwofromanidiot,anda
kingwillsometimesfindthepoliticaladviceofabeggartobequiteprudent,itwouldtakeagenuinely
misguidedworldviewtobeconvincedthateitherthescholarorthekingattainedtotheirstatus
becauseofidiotsandbeggars(speakingcrudelyofcourse,unlessthissentenceisaboutyou).
Continuingon,itbearsamomentalsotoconsiderthesubjectofthecipherwhichFranzBardon
employed.IntheinstancesIhaveseenwhereitismentioned,itiswronglyreferredtoasthecipher
thatEmilStejnardiscovered.InsteadofsayingthatitisthecipherthatStejnardiscovered,itwouldbe
farmoreaccuratetoagreewithStejnarhimself,andrefertoitasthecipherwhichBardonemployed.
Itwasattestedtobyhissecretaryandhiswifethatwhentalkingaboutmagicwithfriends,family,and
acquaintanceswhowerenotinitiates,thesubjectofdifferentspiritssometimesemerged.Bardon,
94
2011
havingahealthyrespectforwhathenodoubtconsideredtobethesacrednessoftheirrealnames,
createdaciphertobeusedwhenhewasspeakingaboutthemtononinitiates.Whythecipherwasnot
broughttolightisuncertain.Likemanymasters,Bardonlikelygavedifferentorseeminglycontradictory
instructionstodifferentstudents,eachaccordingtotheirneeds.Therecanbelittledoubtthathe
instructedcertainstudentsinthedecryptionofthecipher,orsimplyneveremployedsuchathingwhen
hewasspeakingwiththem,removingtheuseofit.Itisalsoperfectlypossiblethatthosewhohetaught
thecipherto,heinstructednottorevealit.Thinkingalongtheselines,Stejnarhimselfwasuncertainas
towhetherheshouldopenlypublishhisfindingsonthecipherandthenatureofthespirits,notcertain
ifitwasquitetimeyet.Afterall,Bardonhadoftencommentedthathisbookswerewrittensixhundred
yearstooearly,andsoStejnarperhapsdoubtedwhetherornotitwouldbeprudenttotakethis
apparentstepforward.FortunatelyafteranappealtoBardon(longafterBardonhaddied,ofcourse),he
receivedaclearmessagefromFranzthatitwashisdesireforStejnartorevealthecipher.Thedetailsof
howtoemployitcanbefoundelsewhere,soIwillnotbotherrepeatingithere.
RegardingFalseMyths
GrantedthatIhavealreadysaidinthissamearticlethatweareoftenforcedtoreverttomyths
andlegendsaboutBardoninordertocatchapossibleglimpseofhisnature,therearesomesuch
legendswhichhavenorealvaluetowardsthatend.TheydolittlemorethantrytomakeBardonlook
evengreaterthanhealreadyindisputablywas,presentinghiminanalmostgodlikevesture.Wehave
alreadyconsideredthatBardonbeinganaveshisnotalegendofthistype,butinsteadservesaveryreal
purposeastheonlyviableexplanationforthelevelofhisnaturalattainment.Whatconcernsushereis
notsuchlegendsaswehavehadtorefertoinordertoexplainthings,butthoselegendswhichseemto
servenorealpurposeotherthantoattributeevenfurthergreatness.
ThegreatestmythsregardingBardonareinrelationtohispastlifepersonalities.Hehasbeen
variouslycalledHermesTrismegistus,LaoTzu,andApolloniusofTyanaamongstotherthings.Inone
instance,certainphotographsarepresentedunderthepretenseofhavingbeenphotographswhich
Bardonhadclairvoyantlymadeaspicturesofhisownpreviousincarnations.Thesephotographshad
nothingtodowithFranzBardon,butweretakendirectlyfromaGermanbookinprintinthe1930s,
calledBookoftheBuddhaoftheWest,whichBardonwasverifiedashavingowned.Infact,Bardon
hadneveroncehimselfimpliedthathewasareincarnationofanyparticularadept,orifhedid,noone
hasevercomeforwardtotalkaboutit.Itwasthesubsequentworkofzealousadmirerswhichcreated
theideathathewasthereincarnationofsuchloftybeingsasHermesTrismegistus,whowasinvariably
Bardonsseniorinthespiritualhierarchy,orwithsuchpeopleasApolloniusofTyana,whocanlikely
safelybecalledjuniortoBardonsownstation.Ofalltheideasofhisincarnations,thatofApolloniusis
atleastthemostlikely,thoughIstilldonotconsiderittobetrue.Atleastinthisinstance,theirgeneral
purposeswerethesame:thereformationofwesternmagicalpracticesandtheintegrationofeastern
practices.Nonethelesstheywerelikelynotthesameperson,astheauthorhasknowledgeofacertain
greatyogiwhowasaliveduringthetimeofFranzBardon,andwhobeinginastateofconstant
NirvikalpaSamadhicouldnotlie,andinsecrethumblyadmittedtosmallgroupsofhisadvanced
studentsthathewasApollonius.AsforLaoTzu,therearenoessentialsimilaritiesbetweentheir
teachingsortheirrespectivelifeworks,andsothisviewseemstotallyunfounded.
Whathascontinuedtoamazemeisthatnoonehaslookedatthefactsofvariousgreat
magicians,andtriedhonestlytopiecetogetherwhoFranzBardonwas,beyondsuchinsanesuggestions
asHermesandLaoTzu,withwholittleisheldincommon.Nooneseemstohavesearchedout
personalityorlifeworkmatchesamongsttheinitiatesofhistory,butinsteadprefertopickrandomly
95
2011
variousgreatnames.AmongstsuchinitiatesasFrancisBaconandAntonMesmer,orinoldertimes,
IamblichusandApollonius,therearecertainlysimilarities.Iamnotatallsuggestingthattheseare
previousincarnationsofFranzBardon,butamsimplypointingoutthatpeoplehavenotbeenlookingin
therightdirectionsforpossibleincarnations,ifsuchthingsareevenconsideredimportant.One
interestingconnectionwhichIhaveneverseenpointedoutisthatFranzBardonsignedhislettersto
advancedstudentsasTheMasterArion,whichcanbefreelytranslatedintothenameHilArion,or
GreatEnchanter.Inthelate1800s,BlavatskyistoldbyKoothumithatamasteradeptnamedHilarion
hadrecentlyattainedtosupremeachievement,andwouldsoonbeascendingtojointhegreatmaster
adeptsofthewhitebrotherhood.Justafewdecadeslater,aspiritualavesh(Bardon)whosignedhimself
asTheMasterArionisrecordedashavingbeenpromotedintheWhiteBrotherhoodtothestationof
thetwelveMasterAdepts.ItisperhapsalsoofinterestthatinBlavatskysaccount,Hilarionhadjust
finishedhistraininginTibet.AccordingtohissonLumir,Bardonoftentalkedabouthisrecenttraining
inTibet,andthechoreshewouldhavetodoforhismastersthere.
Thereisafinalrumor,onewhichanyonewitheventhemostmediocreofeducationonthe
subjectwouldfiercelyrejectanyways,butwhichIwillhandlehereforthosewhomaynothaveknown
anybetter.Ithascometomyattentionthatcertainpeople,outofwhatisdoubtlesslymereinnocent
loveoftheirteacherpreceptorFranzBardon,arespreadingtherumorthatFranzBardonmayhavebeen
theguruofMahavatarBabaji,thebeingmadeknowntotheworldprimarilythroughYoganandas
AutobiographyofaYogi.Theirbasisforthisbeliefaretherantsoftheeccentric,foolish,butwell
meaningpeopleattheBabajisKriyaYogaorganization,andtheirsocalledchanneledwritings.They
saythatthehistoricalBhoganath(ofwhichtheyknownothing,incidentally)ofKashiVaranasi,whois
latersaidtohavetravelledtoChinaandbecomeBoyang,thenLaoTzu,wastheguruofBabaji.Ihave
personallyseentheancientpaintings,keptconcealedinGorakshanathMandirsthroughoutthe
HimalayasandbeyondevenBadrinath,whichclearlyshowBhoganathsittingatthefeetofthedeathless
yogiChristcalledMahavatarBabaji.Therefore,theseideasshouldbedismissedasbeingthecreations
ofrestlessminds.
Ithenbravelyputonefootforwardtoproposeanotheroption,whichIalwayssuggesttomy
personalstudents,buthavehithertonevermentionedopenly.Thoseyogiswhohaveencountered
BabajiintheHimalayanmountains,withoutexception,describehimasagentle,luminescentfigure,
residingintheCaveofBabajiupintheHimalayas.Theysaythatheappearstobeconstantlywet,
drippingwiththeholywateroftheGanga,andlookingasthoughheisdrippinggold,hishairlightly
outlinedbycelestialfire.Thisiswhattheytestifyto.InthebookFrabattotheMagician,whichisat
leastlooselybasedonunfinishedmanuscriptsthatwereintendedforaneventualautobiography,we
findaninterestingaccountofUrgaya:
Urgayasatinfrontofeveryoneinindescribablemagnificence.Hisastralbodywasilluminatedlike
liquidgold,hiseyessparklinglikediamonds.Therewasnoonetherewaswhowaspermeatedwiththe
feelingthatincarnatedivinitywasamongthem.
ThosewhohavereadtheworksofyogisthathavecomeintocontactwithBabajiwill
immediatelyrecognizeinboththeabovequotedinstance,andintheentiredescriptionofUrgayaand
hisstatus,thesamekindofreverenceanddivinitywithwhichtheyogisspeakofBabaji.Perhapsitis
irrelevant,butwhethertrueornot,itisstillaninterestingparallel.ThusitseemstomethatFranz
BardoncouldinnowayhavebeentheguruofBabaji,butthatBabaji,ifhewasindeedUrgaya,would
havebeenBardonshighestcommander.Ithinkthatfurthercontemplationandinvestigationalong
theselineswouldproveinterestingforthosewhoareparticularlyconcernedwiththeidentityofBabaji.
96
2011
TheContinuationofHisMission
FranzBardonsmission,ifweremovethespecifics,wasfairlyclear:encouragethecreationof
magicians,notphilosophers.Inatimewhentheonlyoccultbooksaccessibletomostpeoplearefilled
withwhatcaneffectivelybecalledintellectualmasturbation,thereissomethingbothrefreshingand
reassuringaboutBardonsbookstothestudentwhodesirestobecomeamagicianwithoutacquiringa
brainaneurism.Peoplearerunningaroundwithabsolutelynoqualifications,tryingtoteachmagicnot
tobenefitothers,butinsteadmerelytosetthemselvesupasauthoritiesonthesubject.Theywantto
feelimportantorsomethingofthelikes,andthereisnotanounceofserviceintheirbodies.Itseems
thateveryonewantstomaketheirownsystemofmagic,solelybecausenooneacceptsthattheymight
notknowanythingaboutmagic.Whentheyconfrontasystemwhichdisagreeswiththeirown
unpracticedandinexperiencedopinionsonhowlifeworks,theyimmediatelyassumethattheymustbe
thecorrectones,andthatthesystemsthathavealreadyproventhemselvesmustsomehowchange.
Thisidiocyisleadingtotheunravelingandultimatedestructionofmagicbeforeourveryeyes.Withthe
adventoftheinternet,anyonecansoundlikeanaccomplishedmagician,andtrickothersintofollowing
theirteachings.
Sonowthatmagicalsystemsareadimeadozen,andadeptshavesimultaneouslybecomea
rarercommoditythanever,theworldisingreaterneedofotherwisequietmagicianswhohavehada
successfulmagicalcareertostandupandstartshouting.Theanimalsarerunningthezoo,andthe
peoplewiththepowertoputthembackintheircagesandtrainthemproperlyaremerelysittingway
backinthenosebleedsectionofbleachers,watchingindifferently.Thisinactivitywillmorecertainlybe
thedeathofmagicthantheactionsofanyofthefraudsorcharlatansnowclaimingtobeitsmasters.So
forthosewhowanttocarryonBardonsmission,becomeasuccessfulmagician,andthenstartmaking
somenoise.Leadpeopletopractice,andawayfrommereintellectualspeculation.Ifyoudothat,then
evenifyoudontknowwhoFranzBardonis,orevenifyouwantnothingtodowithhim,youwillstillbe
aidinghismission.
OneofthegreatestadvantagesofFranzBardonssystemisthat,becauseitisbasedonpure
naturalandspirituallawsinsteadofreligionordogma,itcanbeintegratedintoanyotherlawfulsystem.
StudentsofallmagicaltraditionscanfindsomewhereinBardonsteachingssomethingwhichwillaid
themalongtheway.Magicianswhoutilizeritualworkearlieronintheircareers,suchasmembersof
theGoldenDawnandthelikes,haveauniqueopportunitytoenhancetheirownexerciseswithalittle
bitofingenuity,usingBardonsmanualasaguide.Themaximofthemasterisnot,assomesuppose,
Stopwhatyouaredoingandfollowme.Itisinstead,Letmehelpyoudowhatyouaredoing,better.
SoIinviteeverystudentofeverytraditionwhostillhasanopenmind,andhasnotbeenthoroughly
indoctrinatedbyonegrouporanother,togiveBardonsbooksareadanddecideforyourselfwhether
theyareusefultoyouornot.Youwilllikelybepleasantlysurprised.
AndforthosewhofollowBardonstrictly,oratleastconsiderhismanualstobethecoreoftheir
directionaleffortsinmagicaladvancement,Icanonlygivewordsofencouragementonadifficultpath.
Bardonisstillverymuchalive.Thetemporarysheddingofonepairofclothesdoesnotmakeaperson
entirelyinaccessible.Shortlyafterhisdeathheappearedvisiblytohisfamilyandtogroupsofstudents,
togivethemhisfinallecturewithoututteringasingleword:thereisnodeathforthemagician.Andstill
tothisday,forthosewhohavehimintheirheart,hemakesappearancesthatareofsuchafantasticand
phenomenalnaturethattheycannotinanywaybewrittenofftopsychologicaleffects.This,morethan
anythinghedidinlife,isatestamenttothestatureofhissoul.Inlife,hecouldbeinoneplace.Indeath
heisfree,andcanworkonagreaterlevel,alargerscale,andtoamoreprofoundeffect,thanwasever
possibleforhimwhileincarnated.Forthosewhodesirethiskindofmeeting,Icanonlyquotethegreat
97
2011
YoginamedLahiriMahasaya:Thesurestwaytocomeclosetothemasteristopracticethetechniques
givenbythemaster.
98
2011
TheFundamentalsofMeditation
Meditationisperhapsthemostantiqueofallmysticalandmagicalpractices.Itismentionedin
nearlyeveryholybook,practicedbythepriestlyclassofalmostallculturesinoneformoranother,and
hasalwaysbeentheveryfirststepingenuinemysticalormagicaltraining.Whileofitselfitcanbeone
ofthesimplestformsofpractice,itiswithoutadoubtoneofthemostimportant.Theaspirant
meditates,theinitiatemeditates,theadeptmeditates,andthoughtheyallmeditatedifferentlyandfor
differentreasons,theactofmeditationunitesthemonthepracticallevel.

Whatmakesmeditationsoimportant?Itisagiventhatinthisworldourprimaryvehicle
appearstobethebody,butanyextendedthoughtalsorevealsthatthemindiswithoutadoubtthe
mostimportant.Itcontrolsthebodybothconsciouslyandsubconsciously,andtheoccultistknowsthat
itisthemindwhichactsasthematrixofcommunicationbetweenthesoulandthebody,andtherefore
betweenthesoulandtheuniverse.Allactionsyouwilleverperform,withtheexceptionofaverysmall
selectfew,willhaveeitherbeenguidedorcausedbysomeactorexpansionofconsciousnesswithinthe
mind.Thetrainingofthemindisthereforeapparentinitsimportance,andthemagicianunderstands
thisbetterthanmost.Throughthemindwecangainmasteryoftheastralbody,thementalfaculties,
andthephysicalbody.Throughwillpowerwecanoperatemagicandascendthroughthespiritual
worlds.Bymeansofatrained,refinedandaboveallapureconsciousness,wecanseethingswhich
havebeenrevealedtoonlyafew.Theattainmentforallofthishingesuponpropermentaltraining,and
thistrainingfindsitszenithinmeditation.
Thepracticesoftheurgyaredividedintofourmaingroups:meditations,mentalconditioning,
initiations,andtheurgicoperations.Thefirstofthese,meditation,iscalledtheoriaintheurgy.It
involvesallpracticesofameditativenature,somepassiveandsomeactive,somecontemplativeand
someenergetic.Therearemanydifferentmeditationswhichthetheurgistwilllearnthroughouthis
career.Forourpurposes,though,itisnotasofyetsuitabletoenterintoaverycomplexexaminationof
theart.Abasicexaminationofthemechanicsofthispracticewillsufficefortheaspirantin
demonstrating,fromthemagicalpointofview,whatmeditationis.Therearetwoforceswhichare
trainedandexercisedbytheactofmeditation:volitionandconcentration.Letusconsiderfora
momentwhateachoftheseareinthecontextofhermeticscience:
Volition
Volition,orwillpowerasitisoftencalled,isthatpowerofthemindtoforceitselforsomething
elseintodoingsomething.Everyconsciousactthatrequiresadecisiontobemadeisasmallactof
willpower;whenyougotoutofbedthismorning,whenyoudecidedtomakebreakfast(ordecidednot
to),whenyoudecidedtogotoworkorstayathome,thesewereallprecededbytheexertionofyour
willintoasituationforthesakeofadecision.Whatisadecision?Thewayinwhichyourmindcontrols
yourlife.Theaverageindividualafterseveralyearsofliving,evenbytheageoftwelveorthirteen,has
developedthroughaconsistentlineofdecisionscertainlinesofforcewithinhischaracterthatcreate
tendencieswithinthewill.Whereverthesepsychologicallinesarefound,theredoesthewillofthat
personnaturallyflow.Wefindthenthatforsomeonewhogoestoworkeveryday,hasabagelevery
morningbeforeleaving,andwatchessportseveryeveninguponreturning,thatthisisallveryeasyfor
thatpersontodowhetherhelikesdoingitornot.Why?Hehasbuilttheselineswithinhischaracter
thatdirecttheflowofhiswill.Intheaverageindividualthewillisnottrained,butisinsteadmoreakin
99
2011
toabodyofwaterwhichwillflowhowevertheriverbedsareshapedwithoutanyneedforfurther
direction.Topeoplesuchasthistheveryideaofnothavingthatbagelinthemorningisabsurd.
Theinitiateswillpowermaybelikenedtoabodyofwatercontrolledbyapowerdam.He
gathershisforce,hispressureifyouwill,neverwastingitunnecessarilyonthingswhichare
unimportant.Whenthingsoccurwhichrequirebasicexertionsofwill,suchashavingtomakedecisions,
heletslooseasmallportionofthewateroutofthechannelwhichheconsciouslydesiresittoleave
through.Whensomethingoccurswhichrequireslargeamountsofwillpower,heunleashesallthe
damschannelsandletsthefloodgatesopen:justaswhenthisoccursatadamtheresultshapesnature,
sodoesitwhenthisoccursinthemindofatheurgist.
Howdoesthishappen?Howdoesonebuilduppressureinsteadofjustallowingthewilltoflow
howeveralifetimeofpossiblydestructivedecisionshavemadeit?Unfortunatelyyouneedwillpowerto
gatherwillpower,butwiththeaidofconcentration,whichweshalldiscussnext,thisbecomeseasier.
Theaspirantstepsforwardandbeginsrepavingtheflowofthewater.Hedecidestodirectithimself
insteadofallowingroutineoranimalisticinstinctstopavethewayforhim.Bydecidingtodothings
whichheknowsarebeneficialbutwhichhemaynotnecessarilywanttodo,hechannelsthewatersthe
wayhedesirestochannelthemandsendsthemtowardsgreenerpastures.Youwillfindwhenyoufirst
beginmeditation,forexample,thatafteronlysixtysecondsofsittingdownsilentlyyouwillbeginto
fighttheurgetogetupandgodosomethingelse,andquiteofteninthebeginningyouwilllosethat
fight.Graduallythoughyoushallstaylongerandlongerwithoutthatfightoccurring,andyouwillholdit
offmoreandmore,untileventuallytheconflictdisappearsandthewaterflowsthewayyoudesireitto.
Thispower,thepowertochangeyourlifeintosomethingmorepositive,isoneofthemostimplicit
promisesofmeditation.Itdevelopsthewill,whichisthemuscleofthemagician.
Man,therefore,isacreatureofhabit.Hehasverylittlecontrolofhisowndecisions,and
thereforecannotberegardedashavingfreewill.Hispowersofreasonanddiscriminationarefrightfully
impaired,almostblind,andhelivesmerelyasthecircumstancesaroundhimdictateheshould.Hedoes
whateverlittlehabitshehaspickedupthroughouthislife,behavesashisraisingindicatesheshould,
andhasabsolutelynocontroloverhissensesandtheirdesires.Inshort,theanimalshavetakenover
thezoo,andthehumanswhoweresupposetobeoverseeingtheanimalshavebeenlockedinsmall
cages.TheLiberationoftheWillthereforebecomesoneofthemostsacredtasksoftheprobationer.
Concentration
Concentrationandwillpowerareintimatelyinterwoven:youmustconcentratetogatheryour
willpower,andyoumusthavewillpowertofirstforceyourselftoconcentrate.Meditationtherefore
necessarilysculptsbothofthesequalitiestogether,startingwithwillpowerthenmovingonto
concentration,eachsupportingtheotherintheearlystages.
Concentration,inthehermeticparadigm,isthepowertoturnquantityintoqualitybymeansof
directionandrestriction.Letusconsiderrainasanexampleofhowthismayoccur.Ifthereisrain
scatteredoveralargearea,eachplacereceivingsome,asthestormgraduallymovesovermuchspace,
thentherainhasquantitybutnotquality.Noneoftheplaceswhichthestormmovedoverweretruly
watered,becausetheyneverreceivedtherainlongenough;qualitydidnotexist.If,however,therain
hoveredoverasingleplaceforseveralhoursthenitwouldbesaidthattherainwasconcentratedin
thatarea.Theresultisthateventhoughlessplacesreceivedwater,thesingleareawhichdidreceive
wateractuallyreceivedenoughforittomatter.Insteadofrainspreadovermanyplacesthatdid
100
2011
nothing,byignoringalltheothersandconcentratingonasingleareatherainwasactuallyabletomake
adifference.
Thepowerofconcentrationinthementalsenseisthepowertodirectallofyourmentalenergy
intoasinglechannelfortheaccomplishmentofanexactdesire.Theaveragepersonsmindislikethe
rainthatwateredmanyplacesbutwithnorealresults,andanyonewhothinksonthisshallagree.How
manypointlessthoughtsgoracingthroughyourmindeveryday,stealingyourmentalenergy?Theyare
sonumerousthatbytheendofthedayyourmindhardlyhasanypowerleftinit.
Inmeditationonecondensestheareaoftheraintoasingleplaceforanexactpurposetobe
fulfilled.Alloftherandomthoughtswhicharedemandingsomuchofyoursubconsciousattentionare
silenced,andthefocusofyourmindhonesdowninakindofmentaltunnelvisionontotheobjector
subjectofmeditation.Theresultisthatsomethingactuallyhappens,becauseaparticularnotion
receivedenoughmentalforcetocomeintobeing.Thepowertoconcentratementalandspiritual
energiesalikeiskeytoallmagicaloperations.Meditationstrengthensthemagiciansabilitytodothis,
andthereforehismagicalcapacityintotal.Ifvolitionisthemuscle,thenconcentrationisthestamina.
Thesetwofacultiesofwillpowerandconcentrationarethegoverningpowersofmeditation,and
indeed,ofmagicingeneral.Unlessyouhavepoweroveryourself,youcannotexpecttogainanysortof
poweroverotherthingsintheworldaroundyou.
Relaxation
Complimentarytothetwoprimarypowersofvolitionandconcentrationisthefacultyof
relaxation.IfWillpoweristheforceofdirectingthewaterofourmindsubstance,andConcentrationis
theaccumulatingofthatwaterintoasingleplacesothatitcanbebetterappliedbyourWill,then
MentalRelaxationistheincreasingofhowmuchwaterisavailabletous.
ItisthepracticeofmentalRelaxationwhichweconcernedourselveswithinthefirstweeks
PracticalLecture.ThetechniqueweusedwecallThoughtObservation,andthestudentshouldapply
himselftothestudyofthePracticalLecturenotonlytolearnthistechnique,butinordertostudya
morecompletediscoursedevotedtothementalfacultyofRelaxation.
BreathControl
Oneofthemechanismswhichourlineageutilizesinordertocontrolthemindfallsintothe
practiceofbreathcontrol,calledpranayamainIndia.Thatmechanismisthebreath,andtheinternal
vitallifeforcewhichisintricatelyconnectedtothebreath.Thissubjectwillreceivemoreconsideration
laterinthisclass,whenapranayamatechniquewillbegiventoallthestudents.Inthemeantime
though,becauseitissuchanintegralpartofmeditation,weshallgiveitabasicexaminationsothatno
oneisastrangertothetermandwhatitmeans.
ThepremiseofPranayamaisanancientocculttruthknowntoallmagicians:ourbreathisa
manifestationofourinternalenergy,andthereforebycontrollingourbreath,wecandirectlycontrol
thatenergywithinourselves.Thisenergyisthevitallifeforcewhichgivesusbreath,andthereforelife.
Inmostpeoplehowever,aswithmanyofourfaculties,thislifeforceisweakandourinternalenergy
systemitselfiscorruptedandclogged.Desires,anunhealthylifestyle,incorrectthinking,unethical
actions,wrongdiet,andalackofspiritualexercisehascausedourinternalenergysystemtofallinto
101
2011
disrepair.Thereforewearesubjecttodiseaseanddeath,totemperamentsofallsorts,tosensedesires
whichcontrolourminds,andtoallothersortsofmentalandastralafflictionswhichcannotdiscussasof
yet.
Pranayamaprovidesanancientapproachtopurifyingourinternalenergysystem,enlivening
andstrengtheningourvitalforce,andbringtotalnewlifetoourentirebeing.Ourphysical,astral,and
mentalvehiclesbenefitfromitspractice.Diseasefliesaway,andlifebecomesprolongedtolongevity.
Theadept,therefore,isneversickunlessitishisWilltoburnoffcertainkarmasinthatmanner,or
unlessheistakingonsomekindofunfortunatekarmaforsomeoneelsessake.Likewise,theadeptwill
neverbecaughtunawarebydeath.Itshallnotsneakuponhiminthenight,orcatchhimunknowingly.
Hewilldieexactlywhenhedesiresto,inadayandhourofhischoosing.Theseareallthesecretsofour
Breath,whichalltrueinitiatesgivegreatattentionto.Itmightbementionedinpassingthatthe
magiciandoesnotviewbreathcontrolinexactlythesamewayastheyogidoes,nordoeshecloseoff
hispossibilitiesforpurificationandenlightenmenttobreathcontrolalone.That,however,isthesubject
oftheurgy,andthereforeisreservedforlaterconsideration.
102
2011
ABriefHistoryofHermeticism
TheHermeticSciencederivesitsnamefromitssupposedfounder,HermesTrismegistus.Very
littleisknownaboutthispersonage,andwhatevermighthavebeenpreservedabouthimasbecome
suppressedbyagesoflegend,andthetendencytoexaggerateonmankindspart.Thus,inbeginninga
historicalconsiderationofHermetics,itbehoovesustofirstexaminethemythicfiguretowhichtheart
isattributed.
TheKnowledgeGiver
Thattruemagic,beingtheevolutionarypursuitofGodinascientificmanner,isattributedto
Hermesbecomesveryimportantwhenweconsiderthenatureofwhatthatattributionmeans.Hermes
ismerelyoneofmanyfacesinwhatmagiciansoftencalltheKnowledgeGiverTradition.Thecommon
hypothesisofthistraditionisthatatacertaintime,roughly4,500yearsago(thoughperhapsmuch
longer),asingleindividualorpossiblyagroupofindividualswhowerehighinitiatesofanowforgotten
traditionappearedtothebarbaricpeoplesofthisevolutionaryepochinordertoinformthemabout
God,andteachthemethodsbywhichtheycouldascendoutofthestuporandsorrowoftheirmundane
dailylives.
Tothisend,Iwilldivergefromwhathistorysupposedlyhastosayaboutthings,andwillgivean
ideaofwhatthemysterytraditionitselfrecords.Inourtradition,wheneverthereisagreatshiftin
consciousnessoccurringintheworldthereissimultaneouslyatimeofgreatpurging.Often,asis
depictedbyLeviathanintheBookofRevelations,thispurgingiscarriedoutbyagreatflood,thedeluge.
Thisfloodaccomplishestwotasks:itdestroysthebodiesofthevastmajorityofincarnatehumanity,and
rearrangescultureandtraditioninwayswhich,overthenextcenturies,leadtotheproductionofanew
rootrace.Withmostofhumanitydestroyed,buildingswhippedawayintothebottomsoftheOceans
greatdeep,andwiththemassivemovingofsurfacematerialsuchasclayandsoil,almosteverytraceof
thepreviousperiodofmankindiserasedfromtheEarthentirelyorisburieduntilgreatamountsof
sand.Inthelatterinstance,thecitiessitintheircryptsanddecaysilentlyoverthousandsofyears,until
technologyagainallowsmantobegintounveilhispast.
Theforemostknowledgegivers,thefirst,areheldbytheadeptstohavecomefromAtlantis
40,000yearsago.ItissaidthatbythetimeAtlantiswasdestroyed,magichadbeenthoroughly
corrupted,andwasalmostentirelyappliedtomundaneactivitiesorwarfare.IndeedthelastGreatWar
ofAtlantiswasfoughtlargelywithmagic,anditwastheirabuseofthetechnologiesoftheirtimewhich
helpedtriggerthegreatfloodthatdestroyedthem.However,bythetimeoftheirend,mysteryschools
hadformedwithinAtlantisinordertopreservetheoldteachings,andtoofferapathtoGodeveninthe
corruptedtimesofLateAtlantis.Thesewiseprophetsstillspokewiththegods,andstillsawwith
spiritualeyesuntaintedbybiasorgreed.Beforethedestructionoftheirhomeland,thespiritscameto
themandwarnedthemthattheymustleave.
TheseAtlanteanadeptswerechargedwithadifficulttask.Theirspiritualmastersinstructed
themtosailfarawayfromAtlantis,todistantlandswherebarbarouspeopleexisted.Thesepeopledid
notunderstandrealmagic,buthadmerelydevelopedidolatriesofsuperstition.Ouradeptshadbeen
chargedwiththetaskofpreservingtheirgreatmagicalpractices,butcouldnotsimplysitdownwiththe
peopleoftheseneworbarbarouscountriesandbegintheirpreaching.Thus,theycreatedreligions.All
overtheglobe,wherevertheseadeptssetfoot,theycreatedreligions.Byencodingtheirknowledgeof
thedivineintothesymbolismofareligion,suddenlytheknowledgewentfrombeingknownbyjusta
few,tobeingknown(thoughnotunderstood)bylargemasses.Thesereligionsformedtheproto
103
2011
religiousideasofourancestorswhotimeandhistoryhaveforeverforgotten,butinthesamespirit,their
essentialteachingshavebeencarriedon.
Sincethen,atleasttwootherdelugeshaveoccurred,givingtheworldathoroughcleaning.
Witheachdeluge,orequivalentactivity,thenextAryanrootraceisworkeduponorchangedentirely.
Thepresentformofhumanity,withitsgeneralphysicalappearance(whichhasnothingtodowithskin
colorandthelikes),isthefifthAryanrootrace,therehavingbeenfourbeforeus.BeforetheAryans
weretheAtlanteans,whoboreageneralresemblancetous,buthadapaleblueskin,weregenerally
taller,andoftenhadblackhair.BeforetheyweretheLemurians,whoweretallerthantheAtlanteans,
andwhoseskinhadtheappearanceofabluegreenmembranethatwasalmosttransparent.Theyhad
noeyes,butinsteadanenlargedpinealglandwhichprotrudedfromtheirforeheads,withwhichthey
receivedandtransmittedinformation.BeforetheLemurianswerethegiants,theHyperboreans.From
thisthestudentmaybeabletoidentifywhysomegodsaredepictedwithblueskin,somedepictedas
giants,andsomedepictedwiththirdeyeswherethepinealglandis.
Thisofcourseismerelyanoraltraditionwithinthetheurgicstrainofthehermeticscience.
Beliefindistantracesofmaninlongforgottencivilizationsisbynomeansnecessaryforadvancement
alongatheurgicline;itissimplyamythology,whichinitselfcarriescertainocculttruthstobegiven
fromgenerationtogeneration.
HermesTrismegistus
ItissaidbytheancientsthatduringhislifeinEgypt,thisgreatpersonagewroteover40,000
books,whichwerehencecalledthefabledBooksofThoth.Atleast1,000ofthesebooksare
accountedforbytheoldsecretariesoftheSerapium,whichTheodosustheGreatorderedtobeburn
down,butalittlemoreaboutthatinamoment.
ThereisonlyasinglecollectionofwritingswhichcanlikelybedrawnbacktoTrismegistus,and
theyarecollectivelycalledtheCorpusHermetica,orBodyofHermetics.Inthisbook,ourHermesisin
meditationwhenhehasatheophany(apresentationofdeityinform)ofPoimandres,anaspectofthe
DivineMind,thatChristianitywouldcalltheHolySpirit.Afteraverysymbolicexplanationoftheseven
heavenscontainedwithinoursevenimmanentplanets,andhisascentthrougheach,ageneraldiscourse
beginsontheprinciplesofwhatisnowcalledhermetics.Muchofthisoccursintheformofadialogue
betweenhimselfandanother,andthisiswellenoughareflectionofacommonwritingstyleprevalent
duringthetimethatthisbookwaslikelywritten.Infact,thewritingstylesofeachsectionofthebook
changequitedramatically,lendingtotheideathattheCorpusHermeticaisacollectionofvolumes
piecedtogetherintooneplaceoverhundredsofyears.
TheCorpusHermetica,ofcourse,wasnotwrittenbyHermeshimself.Rather,itseemstobea
collectionofcertainoraltraditionsregardingtheteachingsofHermes,passedfromdiscipledownto
disciple,muchlikesomanyothergreatwisdomtraditions.Wecanassume,iftheirtrainingand
disciplinewassufficient,thatevenaftermanycenturiestheinformationthattheycontainedwaslikely
closetowhatmighthavebeenspokenfromthemouthofHermeshimself.Sothenwhatdoesthe
CorpusHermeticateach?Notmagic,incidentally,thoughwearetoldbytraditionthatHermeswasa
mastermagician,fabledtobeabletobeinmanyplacesatonce,toflythroughtheairwithease,to
materializeobjectsathiswill,andtoliveforever.ItisalsoverylikelythatagoodnumberoftheBooks
ofThothwereoccupiedwiththepracticeofmagic.TheCorpusHermetica,however,isnotconcerned
withsuchsuperficialphenomenon;insteaditstrikestotheveryrootandheartoftheurgy.Oneistold
104
2011
thatGodisTheGood,andthatTheGoodisnotsubjecttowhatamanmightthinkisgoodornot.
Insteaditisanobjectivestateofharmony,astateoftotalequilibrium,andthereby,aconditionof
exaltedpeaceandstillness.Heoperatesfromafirstprinciple,whichemanatesasecond,whichbegetsa
third,etc,etc,creatingmanyvehiclesthroughwhichGodisexpressedinactionandinpotential.The
theurgist,whoischargedwithobtainingGodhood,mustlearntheconditionsofTheGood,andseekto
emulatethemwithinhimselfforever.Itisabookontheimportanceofseparatingthesenseoftheself
fromtheoutersenselusts,andattachingyourselfinwardlytothetranscendentDivine.
WhereHermescamefrom,nothingisreallyknown.TheEgyptianssaythathecametothem
fromelsewhere,asdotheGreeks,andthatafterlingeringforsometimehetravelledtonearby
countriestocontinuehisteachings.StatuesarefoundofHermesalloverthemiddleEast,intoGreece,
andsomerumoredtobeeveninIndia(orwereatonetime).ItislikelythereforethatHermesisthe
knowledgegiverofseveraldifferentcountries,mostlikelyundervariousnames,sincehistruenameis
nowlosttoantiquity.ThegeneraltraditionisthatHermeswasimmortal,andmayevenstillexisttoday,
thoughhecouldeasilyhavelefthisbodyatanytimeshouldheeversodesire.Othertraditions,which
aremorelikely,statethathehasreincarnatedasvariouspersonagesthroughouthistorytohelpguide
mankind.
Aswasmentioned,anumberofbookssupposedlywritteninHermesownhandwritingwere
preservedintheSerapeum,theGreatLibraryoftheWorldlongbeforetheVaticanwasevenanideain
someoneshead.In391theSerapeumwasdestroyedduringapushbytheChristianrulerTheodosus
toeliminateheresiesthroughouttheland.Ironicallywhentheycametotheplace,theimageof
SeraphislookedsomuchlikethatofJesusthatmanyofthemenrevoltedagainsttheideaofburningit
down,sayingthatitwasatempletotheirLord.Nonethelessthedeedtookplace,andtheareawaslit
onfire.Fortunately,accordingtoacertainaccountfromvarioustribesthatcantracetheirheritage
thereto,itissaidthatover1,000servantswhoworkedthereraidedthelibraryasitwasburning,and
wereabletosaveseveralthousandbooksfromit.Whateverhappenedtothosebookswillofcourse
foreverremainamystery,buttraditionsaysthatperiodicallytheircontentshavesurfacedthroughout
historyunderthenameofthisorthatbookonspirituality,philosophy,oroccultism.Itisthoughtthat
onesuchbookisthefabledBookMofChristianRosenkreutz,thesemimythologicalfigureattributed
withfoundingtheRosicruciansinthe16thcenturyA.D.
ParasharisregardedbysomesagesasthepreviousincarnationofHermesTrismegistus,or
perhapseventhesameperson.HeisaMaharishi,anddescendantfromthegreatVashista,oneof
BrahmaRishis,orSagesoftheCreator,inHindumythology.Itisthoughtthathespentsometime
meditatinginmoderndayKohlapurofMaharastrainIndia,wherePanhalaFortnoresides,inasacred
cave.
Parasharfallsintotheknowledgegivertraditiononaccountthatmanyoftheancient
scripturesofHinduismandYogaareattributedtothisgreatsage.Parasharhimselfwrotenoneofthem,
butorallydictatedthemtovariousdisciples,includinghisownsonVyasa,wholatercomposedthe
Vedas,theMahabharata,andtheRamayana.
OtherKnowledgeGivers
Hermeswasnottheonlyknowledgegiver,butisoneofthemostfamous,andlikelyhadthe
mostimpactontheworldofoccultism.OthersincludeZoroaster,whodescendedfromamountainthat
waslitonfirebythesheeramountofenergygeneratedfromhismeditations.Hetaughtsolidpantheon
105
2011
withspiritualmeaningtoanArabpeoplewhohadthendegeneratedintobaseidolworship.Thereis
Orpheus,thedarkmanwhofoundedtheancientEleusianschoolofthemysteries,ofwhichsuch
personagesasPythagoras,Plato,Aurelius,Heraclitus,Antonius,Plutarch,andPlotinuswereinitiates,
andindeedtowhomalmostthewholegambitofGreekphilosophersandmagiciansareindebted.There
isBuddha,whoreformedHinduisminatimewhenittoohaddegradedintobaseidolworship,andre
instilledtheirtraditionwithwisdomandtheprinciplesofyoga.Andletusofcoursenotforgetthat
greatbeingindicatedbyFranzBardonunderthenameUrgaya,whoistheSupremeChristtowhomall
adeptsseektoattain,andfromwhomallknowledgegiversnecessarilycome.
TheEgyptianMysteries
Egyptwasonesideofadoublebladedswordinthepreservationandinstructionofthe
mysteries,theothersideofthatSwordofWisdombeingIndia.Thereisnoconfirmeddateamongst
historiansregardingthebeginningofthisancientcivilization,andtoconsideritatallpushesthestrict
boundariesofwhatmainstreamanthropologyandarcheologyarepreparedtoaccept.Archeologyin
facthasbecometheroguescience,andisslowlybreakingoutofthemainstreamdogmasbymeansof
itsperiodicdiscoveries,whichspitinthefaceofacceptedhistory,stretchingorganizedcivilizationat
leastbackto14,000yearsago.Eventhen,however,tofindaburiedcitysomewherethatis14,000
yearsold,meansthatitwasthatlongagothatthecivilizationended.Ittakestimeforanycivilizationto
develop,andthenmoretimeforwealthtogathersothatonecanbuildanempire,andifthat14,000
yearoldcityalreadyhaswoodworking,stoneworking,bronze,iron,andaqueducttechnology,itissafe
toassumethattherewereempiresbeforeitwhichmadethosediscoveries.Thusthefindingsof
archeology,bythosefewbraveexplorerswhohavebeenostracizedfromscienceandshunnedby
governmentsfortheirdiscoveries,aremoreandmoreconfirmingthetraditionoftheadeptsinmans
long,longhistoryonthisplanet.
ThemostliberalestimatesIhavecomeacross,whichbymyunderstandingsareinfactvery
conservative,placethebeginningoftheearliestEgyptiandynastiesabout8,000yearsago.Incidentally
thisisalsotheapproximatedayprovidedforIndia,andSumeria,andmerelyindicatesthatabout8,000
yearsagoisthefurthestbackthatanyanthropologistisbraveenoughtospeculate.Therearenomore
thanhalfwittedattemptsofmanysocalledhistorians,allofthemdisagreeingwitheachother,
regardingwherethecultureofEgyptcamefrom,andfromwhencetheirreligiousandspiritualpractices
originated.TradesupposedlybeganbetweenthepreHinducultureoftheIndusValleyandEgypt
around3,000BC,astheysharedthePersianGulfbetweenthem,andtherewasnodoubtsomemutual
influenceoneupontheother.Nonetheless,thepreservedEgyptianandIndiancustomsandspiritual
practicesarequiteunique,distinct,andvery,verydifferent.
Itseemslogical,then,tosimplybowourheadsinhumilityandadmitthatwedontreallyknow
whereEgyptcamefrom.Eventheestimateof8,000yearsagobeingtheoriginofEgyptisgivenunder
thepretensethatthepeopleweremerelysimplegrainharvesters,hunters,andgatherers,practically
cavemen.NonethelessonlyashortbitawayfromAncientEgypt,therehasrecentlybeendiscovereda
citywhichisbeingdatedas10,000yearsold,andwhichindicatesawelldevelopedreligiouscultureakin
tothatoftheprehistoricnation,showingthat2,000yearsbeforemodernsciencesestimate,there
wasathrivingculturewithtechnologyequal,moreorless,towhatwastobefoundintheArablands
aboutfivehundredyearsago.
TheoriginalEgypt,inallitsglory,isthelandthatsuchpeopleasPythagorasandPlatofellinlove
with.ItcaptivatedthegreatestmindsofancientGreece,andindeedonewashardlyconsidereda
106
2011
philosopherofreputeunlesshehadvisitedthePyramidsofEgypt,andstudiedundertheirhighpriests.
Theunderstandingofmathematics,geometry,astronomy,astrology,medicine,silk,cosmetics,and
indeedreligioningeneral,weregiftsfromthemastersofEgypttothestudentsofGreece.Most
captivating,however,wasthemagicofEgypt,whichconsistedofthreemaindivisions:

1. Theurgy,beingtheinvocationofGodsforthepurificationoftheselftowardspersonalgodhood,
andtheevocationofspiritsresultingfromtheauthorityofonesgodhood.
2. Worship,beingtheritualmeansofofferingoblationstothegodsinordereithertopraisethem,
orencouragethemtoaidyouinsomeway.
3. Alchemy,theworditselfcomingfromtheoriginalnameofEgypt,whichwasKhem.Indeed,
AlKhemimeanssimplyTheArtofKhem,astheEgyptianswereexcellentatmakingtinctures
withwhichtheycouldheal,prolonglife,etc.ThelifespansofmanyEgyptianswerenotseen
againbytheworlduntiltherecentageofadvancedmedicaltechnology.
ThesepracticesweremasteredbyadeptssuchasPlatoandPythagoras,thetwoprincipleGreek
adeptsofhistory.TogotoEgyptwastogotothesource,insteadofhavingtotravelafarthroughout
Biblos,Phoenicia,Akkadia,Chaldea,Babylon,andotherancientcivilizations.Indeedallthemagicofthe
socalledwesternandmiddleeasterntraditionsowestheformulationofitstheoriestoancient
Egypt.Therewasnoothersystemofmagicsowellformulatedintheworld,andIdoubtiftherehas
beenonetomatchitsince.
TherealcenterpieceofEgyptianoccultismwastheinitiaticprocess,whichwhilebeingpresent
alsoinIndia,reacheditszenithinexpression,beauty,andmeaningintheEgyptianTemples.Whereasa
yogicinitiationmaybeassimpleashavingahandlaiduponyourheadandafewmantrasrecited,the
ancientEgyptianritualsweremeanttobesymbolicformulationsoftheentirecorpusofspiritual
evolution.Everyinitiationwasrichwiththesymbolismofthespiritualworldyouwereenteringinto,
andofthebattlesyouwouldhavetofaceinthatrealm.Insidethetemplestherewereroomswhich
wouldhavelookedmuchlikelargetheatrestages,withbackroomsthatwerehiddenfromview.The
neophytewouldwanderintotaldarkness,asheheardstrangesounds,andthoughthesawmotionsin
everydirectionoutofthecornerofhiseye.Hewouldfinallysee,inthedistance,adimlightwhichhe
begantofollow,buthewouldbebesetbyobstacleshecouldnotsee,anditwouldseemasthoughthe
lightwouldgetfurtherwitheachstep.Finally,byperseverance,hewouldcomeintothechamber
wherethelightwasheld,andallmannerofillusionswouldbecastuponhimbytheadeptshidinginthe
shadows.Thenhewouldbeattackedbymendressedinallblack,andtheywouldtrytoholdhimdown,
andwouldthreatentodestroyhimifheproceededtothelight,buttolethimgoifheagreedtoreturn
fromwhenceonecame.This,andsomanyotherthings,constitutedtheearliestritualsofinitiation.
Afterwards,itwasthedutyofthestudenttostudyallofthesymbolismpresentedtohim,andlearn
whatpracticalapplicationssuchwisdomhad.
ItwasthisdramaticinitiationprocessthatwascarriedoverintoGreece,andembellishedeven
furtherbythepoeticnatureoftheGrecianpeople.
TheEleusinianMysteries
Weareforced,inconsideringthehistoryofmagic,tomoveawayfromEgyptandintoGreece,
theheiroftheEgyptianmysteriesbecauseoftheHerculeanexpeditionsofthirstyseekersofwisdom.
107
2011
ThefirstofthenotableschoolstoemergewastheOrphicmysteriesoftheEleusinianschool,which
existedfrom1700B.C.untilalmost500A.D.,makingitoneofthelongestlivingMagicalOrdersin
recordedhistory.

TheschoolwasfoundedbyanAdeptwhosenameisnowplacedhasbeenplacedvariouslyas
EumolposorOrpheus.Orpheus,however,ismerelyanappellationimplyingonewhohasdarkskin,
and/oronewhoisfatherless(orphanisderivedfromthename).Manyoftheancientwritersplace
OrpheusasanimmortalwhocamefromtheEast,mostlikelyindicatingeitherChaldeaorIndia,which
wereboththrivinginthestrengthoftheirspiritualteachingsatthattime.Chaldea,indeed,hadjust
recentlybeenenrichedbythepresenceofZoroaster,andhismagicalandphilosophicalteachings.
Whateverhisorigin,Orpheusclearlyhadagraspofelementalandplanetarymagic,andisalsorecorded
ashavingunderstoodhowtoexpresscertainoccultprinciplesinhismusic.IndeedtheideaofaBard
beingsomeonewhoutilizeshismagicthroughsongsandinstrumentslikelyhasitsorigininthestoriesof
Orpheus,whocomposedmanypoemsinhonorofthediverseforcesheidentifiedintheworldaround
him.
Again,theinitiaticprocessoftheEleusiniansisstronglyEgyptianinitsnature.Theinitiations
arebasedonthedramaofDemeterandPersephone.Persephone,whorepresentsvitality,innocence,
andthevivifyingnatureofthehumansoul,istrickedbyPlutointocomingintoHell.Demeter,her
mother,whorepresentstheHigherSelforCosmicKundalini,thenleavesherdutiesasagoddessto
descendintoHadesandrecoverherdaughter,Persephone.UnfortunatelyPersephoneateofthe
forbiddenfruitwhileinHades,andwhenCerescomestorecoverherfromHades(whichrepresentsthe
physicalworld),sheisencounteredbyPluto,theSatanfigureofthestory.PlutoinformsDemeterthat
becausePersephonehaseatenthefruit,shecannotpermanentlyleaveHades,butthatwhenevershe
leavesshemusteventuallyreturn.ThusPersephoneisstuckinaconstantrevolutionbetweenlifein
Olympus(heaven)andlifeinHades(theworld),whichwasusedtoteachtheaspirantsofthemysteries
thesecretsofreincarnation,andhowbybeingensnaredbyoursenses,wearestuckhere.Theaspirant
wastaughtmeditationsandritualswherebyhecouldsavePersephone,hissoul,fromtherigorous
cyclesofreincarnation,andtherebyascendtojoinDemeter,theHigherSelf,inheavenforever.The
initiationswereheldatfirstindark,subterraneancaves,andasthestudentadvancedfromone
initiationtoanother,thelocationsoftheinitiationsbecamebrighterandbrighter,untilattheclimaxof
thelastinitiationhestepsoutontothesurface,foreverdonewiththedarkHadesofhisillusions.
ThismysteryschoolcaptivatedGreecefor2,000years,andwesafelyassumethateverypieceof
magicalwisdomwhichemergedfromGreecehastheEleusinianmysteriestothank.Eventhosemasters
wholeftGreecetogotothesourcesofthewisdom,andtravelledabroad,werestillthemselvesinitiates
oftheschool,andofthehighestdegree.AslateasthetimeofApolloniusofTyana,inthemiddleofthe
1stcenturyA.D.,weseetheadeptlivingamonasticlifeinoneofthetemplesofEleusis,asoneofthe
stardisciplesoftheteachingswhichbythattimehadbeenheavilyintegratedintothePythagorean
teachings.
ThePythagoreanMysteries
Pythagorasisoneofthemostcelebratedmasteradeptsofalltime,andwasasoulofsuch
statureasisrarelyseenagainintheworldunlessthatparticularsoulitselfreturns.Thecircumstances
surroundinghisbirthareunclearandmythicalatbest,andthemostcommoninterpretationisthathe
wasborninanimmaculateconception,andthatagodappearedtohisfatherMnesarchustoinformhim
thatthecomingchildwerebeagreatbenefittoallofhumanity.TheoracleatDelphipraisedthe
108
2011
comingchildandblessedthemotherandfather,andinhumblethanks,themotherwasrenamedto
PythasinhonorofPythos,thegodwhowasbelievedtosupplytheoracleswiththeirvisions.
Inhisearlyyears,PythagorasisplacedasbeingadiscipleofPherecydesandHermodamas,and
byhisteenswaspraisedforhiswellfoundedphilosophicalideas.Somewhereinhislateteensitis
believedhetookinitiationintotheEleusinianmysteries,andafterwardstravelledtoEgypt.Foryearshe
wasrejectedasastudentbytheEgyptianhighpriests,butwithconsistentapplication,hewasfinally
acceptedintoacultfortheMysteriesofIsisbasedinThebes.Afterstudyingfortwentytwoyearswith
thosemasters,hetravelledacrosstheMiddleEastandabsorbedthewisdomoftheArabs,the
Chaldeans,andtheMagiofBabylon.IntimehecameintoIndia,wherehestudiedunderadiscipleof
theBuddhaforseveralmonths,andinsomeaccounts,hemetBuddhapersonally.
Uponhisreturn,whenhewasaboutsixtyyearsofage,PythagorasfoundedacollegeinCrotona,
inmoderndayItaly.Herehetaught,atfirstbeingregardedasacharlatanandmadman,butovertime
gainingmoreandmoreprestigeandhonorfromthehigherupsofthesurroundingcities.Thenumber
ofhisstudentsgrew,asdidhisownpower,andintimethenewstudentswerenotevenallowedtosee
thefaceofPythagoras,onaccountthatdoingsomightharmthemiftheywerenotprepared.Thename
Pythagorasitselfwas,reportedly,rarelyused,andhewassimplyreferredtoasTheMaster.The
reasonisgivenasbeingthattheorderoflettersinPythagorashadamathematicalqualityofinitiation,
anditisevenrecordedthatPythagorasinitiatedpeopleaccordingtoasecretcontainedinhisname.
ThisgivesriseastothequestionwhetherornotPythagoraswasreallyhisname,ormerelyanamehe
hadtaken,sincebythetimehereturnedtoGreeceitisdoubtfulwhetherornotanyonelivingwould
havebeenabletoidentifyhimfromhischildhood.Itissaidthathedidnotwanewithage,butthat
rathereverydayheseemedalittlemorestrongandfulloflifethanhedidthedaybefore,givingriseto
apopularsayingthatPythagorasisalwaysinhisprime.Heateanddrankverylittleaday,andPlato
markshimashavingpartakenonlyofasingletinctureeachday,saturatedinhoney,whichwasthought
toprolonglife.
Byallaccountshediedataroundtheageof100,whenassassinshiredbyjealous
contemporariesraidedhisschoolandkilledhimamongstmanyotherdisciples.Thefewwhoescaped
devotedlycontinuedtheworkoftheirmaster,spreadinghisteachingsasbesttheycould.
Unfortunately,therewasneverasinglewrittenworkleftbehindbyanyoftheoriginalPythagoreans,
sincesilencewasalwayssuchakeyvirtue,andsowehavenorealevidenceregardingwhatwastaught
besidestheaccountsofothercontemporariesofthetimewhothemselveswerenotinitiates,oratleast
notinitiatesofasignificantdegree.
ItissaidthatoneofPythagorasfavoritesayingswas,Wemustavoidwithourutmost
endeavor,andamputatewithfireandswordandbyallothermeans,fromthebody,sickness;fromthe
soul,ignorance;fromthebelly,luxury;fromacity,sedition;fromafamily,discord;andfromallthings,
excess.InthisregardsPythagorastaughtoneofthehighestprinciplesoftheadepts,stressedupon
greatlybyFranzBardon,whichisthekeymaxim:ExcessisthenameofEvil.Thisislikelyaconviction
hedevelopedfromhisvariousinstructors,butthathereallyimprinteduponhimselfduringhisBuddhist
studies,astheBuddhataughtthatthemiddlepathwasthefastesttoGod,andthatoneshouldnotbe
tooextremeinhisdevotionorasceticism,butneitherbetoosoftonhimself.Forexample,merely
fastingandstarvingyourselfdoesnotmakeyou,byitsownaccord,anyholierthanthepersonenjoying
alightandhealthydiet.Indeedofthetwo,thepersonfastingislikelytohavehealthcomplicationsthat
willinterferewithhispractices,whereastheotherpersonwillhaveahealthybodytosupporthismind.
109
2011
Oneoftheuniqueteachingsofthetimethatseparatedhimfromcontemporarieswashis
emphasisonthewheelofreincarnation,andthenobledutyofallhumanstoliberatethemselvesthere
from.Thisheincludedwithathoroughteachingofthedoctrineoffreewill,andhowitmeshesintoan
understandingoffateanddestiny.ConceptshepickedupfromtheQaballistshehadjourneyedwith
wereincluded,thefreewilldoctrineofZoroasterwasbroughtin,anditwasallencircledbytheideaof
liberationemphasizedinEgyptandIndia.
OfimportancetothetotaldevelopmentofhermeticmagicinGreece,Pythagorasinstitutedthe
importanceoftheologicalarithmetic,anreenforcedtheoldideasthatGodexpressedhimselfin
symbolic,butmathematicallyandlogicallysound,mannersinthelowerworlds.TheEleusinian
mysteries,atthetimeofPythagoras,hadslowlybeguntolosethepotencyofitsteachingsdueto
bringingintoomanyinitiatesandreducingtheirselectionprocesses.Thustherigiddisciplinewith
whichPythagorasencouragedhisstudentstoconductthemysterieswasareinfusionofspiritandlife
intotheGrecianmysticalpractices.Pythagoras,likeBardoninourmodernage,reemphasizedthe
importanceoftrainingthemindandtheemotions,andsublimatingthecharacter,intheearlierstages
ofmagicalpractice.Healsohadanexhaustiveteachingregardingelementalspirits,orsohis
biographerssay,andhowtheyaretobeemployedbythemagician.Importantteachingsofanimal
magnetism,thecontroloftheelectromagneticfluid,werealsoincluded.Itissaidthatusinghisown
energy,hehadtamedalargebearwhichfromthenonwasnotonlyhispersonalpet,butbecame
vegetarian.FromPythagorasonwards,variousphilosophershadtheirrunoftheGreekworldof
thought,butthewiseamongstthembuiltupontheteachingsoftheirforefathersinthemysteries,and
preservedtheteachingswellenough.Duringthenext700years,wesawsuchadeptsasPlato,Plutarch,
andPlotinuscarrythetorchofthewisdomtradition,andwhileallimportantindividuallyforsustaining
themysteriesofGreece,itwasnotuntil245A.D.thatanAssyriannoblewasbornwhowouldbreath
freshlifeonceagainintothetraditionofmagic,andhelpreformitintoafullscalemeansofevolution
andspiritualpractice.HisnamewasIamblichusofChalcis.
IamblichusandPorphyry
IamblichusofChalcislivedroughly250330AD,andwasborninChalcis,CoeleSyria,from
whencehewouldlikelylaterderivesomeofhistheologicalbeliefs.Hewasthedescendantofalongline
ofpriestkings,andwasknownthroughouthislifeasanincrediblywiseyetsaintlyman.Contrarytothe
typicalsainthowever,Iamblichusdidnotlivealifeofpoverty:inhis80orsoyearsoflife,Idoubt
whetherheevertastedpovertyonce,inspiteofhistravelingandschoolingexpenses.Inasaintthis
wouldbeadownfall;amanwhodesirestoholdontohismaterialpossessionsorwealthwouldbe
frowneduponbyChristiancontemporaries.Forourcasehowever,namelythecaseofastudent
magicianandphilosopher,itwasperfect.Why?Hiswealthallowedhimtostudyunbridledbythe
worriesofthecommonfolkorpeasants.Slaves(whomwerealwayssetfreeafteronlyshortintervals)
kepthislodgingforhim,tendingtowhatneedshehad,whilehespentthedaysandnightsstudying
ferventlytheNeoPlatonicphilosophiesandmostintenselythePythagoreanmysteries.Apartfrom
blessinghimwiththetimetocontemplatesuchcomplexphilosophies,hiswealthalsoallowedhimto
studyatthebestacademiesandschoolswhichtheeracouldoffer.
ThefirstteacherofIamblichuswasarenownedphilosopherbythenameofAnatolius.After
hearinghislecturesonNeoPlatonismIamblichuswasalmostcompletelywonovertothePythagorean
andNeoPlatonicschoolsofthinking.Fromherehetraveledtothesourceofthepresentinformation
itself:aremarkableandnowlegendaryscholarbythenameofPorphyry.PorphyryofTyrewasa
Hebrew,bornwiththenameofMalkosin235AD,meaningking,afterhisfather.Inspiteofthis,and
110
2011
thefactthattheHebrewshadanalreadycomplexsystemoftheologyandoccultismwhichheperhaps
neveractuallylearnedof,MalkosalwaysidentifiedhimselfwiththeGreekmethodofthinking,finally
movingtoRomein263ADwhereheacquiredthenicknamePorphyry,whichreferstothepurpleand
goldcolorswhichlacedtheemperorsrobes.
TounderstandIamblichusashortconsiderationofPorphyryisanecessity.Aftermovingto
RomePorphyrybecameadevotedfollowerandfriendofthefamousphilosopherPlotinus.Afterthe
passingofPlotinus,whowasmostnotedforhisadvancesinregardstoTheIneffableorTheOne
Thing,PorphyrypainstakinglyarrangedallofhislecturesintoaseriesentitledTheEnneads.Porphyry
wroteseveralothercompilationsofphilosophy,buthismostvaluablecontributionwaslikelythe
preservationoftheteachingsofPlotinus,whichwewouldnothaveotherwisehad.Wealsohave
PorphyrytothankfortheonlylegitimateandreliableaccountofPlotinus,ashealsowroteTheLifeof
Plotinusshortlyafterthelattersdeath.
ThemostprofoundofPorphyryswritingswereAgainsttheChristians,aratheraggravated
treatiseexplainingcertainlogisticflawsinthephilosophiesandbehaviorsofcontemporaryChristians,
IntroductiontotheCategories,aremarkablecommentarytoAristotlesCategories,andAidstothe
StudyoftheIntelligibles,whichactedasasortofhandbookforunderstandingNeoPlatonic
philosophy.Inhisownaccomplishmentsfortherealmofphilosophy,Porphyryadvancedtheexistence
ofPlatosOneandGoodBeingashavingacounternegativeexistencebeforetherealmofBeingor
Intellect.Thatistosay,heproposedofhisownreasoningandunderstandingofthePythagorean
Mysteriestheconceptofanegativeexistencebeyondallcomprehension,paralleltotheQaballistic
negativeveils.HewasamongthefirstphilosopherstocommonlyusethetermTheIneffableinGreek
PhilosophyinordertorefertothisversionofTheOne.Porphyrylikelyderivedthisfromthe
PythagoreanconceptofAionbeforetheconceptionofKronosandRhea,orassomeoccultistsmay
betterunderstandit,theexistenceofKetherbeforethedivisionintopolarityasthemaleChokmahand
femaleBinah.

DuetothelecturesofPorphyry,Iamblichusdevelopedaninterestalsointheteachingsof
Plotinus,andcameheavilyunderhisinfluencethroughhisanalysisanddissectionofTheEnneads.From
thishedrewmorePythagoreanphilosophiesandshortlydevelopedaverypowerfulinterestinthe
paganspiritualpracticesoftheEgyptians,Chaldeans/Babylonians,Assyrians,andeventheHebrewsto
oneextentoranother.Therearerumorsalsowhichcanneitherbeconfirmedordenied,butforwhich
someevidenceisprovidedinthenatureofhisphilosophies,thatduetohisgeographicallocationand
theareasofhisstudyhemayhavelearnedsomeEasternmysticismintherealmsofYogaaswell.Ifthis
istrue,however,itwasthroughanintermediarysource,asIamblichusonlyspokeGreekandLatin.
ThegreatestEgyptianphilosophythatIamblichusrevivedinancientmagicwastheconceptof
innerdivinityandtheroyaltyofmanasarepresentativeofTheDivine;abeliefwhichweseestrongly
expressedinhiscorrespondencesbyletterwithPorphyryletterswhichwereeventuallybrought
togethertobecomethebookTheEgyptianMysteries,hismosthonoredsurvivingwork.Forwhen
Porphyryasks:
Howcansuperiorbeingsbecommandedasthoughtheywereinferiors?
Iamblichusanswers:Because(a)theentitieswhichareinvokedassuperiorsbutcommandedas
inferiorsareforcesthatthoughtheyaremorepowerfulthanhumanbeingsinspecificfieldsare
111
2011
neverthelessinferiorbecausetheyarelimitedtothosefields(183).(b)Thepractitionerinvokesthemas
ahumanbeing,butcommandsthemasinferiorsbecauseheisinvestedwithDivinepower.
SoalsodowefindinTheOracles:
TheFathercontrolsfromwithinandnotfromwithout;controlsbybeing,bylivingwithin,andnot
byconstraining.
Thelatteriseasilyseenbyastudentofthehermeticsciencesasbeingidentifiablewiththe
principlesofinvocationandnaturaldivinity;asubjectwhichisfoundevenintheChristiantheologies
wherethebodyisthetemplewithinwhichresidesGod.Thisshallallbeelaborateduponinalater
chapter,however,andisbestreservedtobeconsideredatlengthinthatproperplace.
IndefenseofthepaganpracticeswhichhisHermeticismespousedforthepurposeof
evolutionandcompletion,Iamblichuswasforcedtoofferareasonforthepresenceofritualinsteadof
directspiritualandmentalconnectivity.Hisreasoningwasprincipallythatbecausethehuman
specimenisaphysicalone,itrequiresaphysicalarenainorderforaneventtoseemrealtoit.Inaritual
therearethreecomponents:thephysical,mentalandspiritual.Likewiseinmantherearethree
components:thephysical,mentalandspiritual.Inaparallelmanner,aritualinvolvesthehumanbeing
asacompleteunitintheprocesswhichheisundertaking.Thetools,geometricfiguresand
stimulants(incense,fire,etc)provideforasettingwhichmakestheoperationappearveryrealtothe
student.Afterall,whohasnotdoneacompleteauthenticritualandnotfeltintheprocessasifthey
werethereandthenpartofsomethingmythical,magicalandaltogetheroccult?Whentheincenseislit,
thefiresareburning,thecircleisdrawnandthemantrasandinvocationsbegin,onefeels,asRegardie
says:
..lifteduponhistoestowardstheskies,asifhecouldtreadontheveryfirmamentofNuit
himself.
Iamblichusproposedthat,whilenotentirelynecessary,thiswassurelymorehelpfultothe
aspiringmagicianthansimplyworkingwithintangiblefeelingsandabstractstatesofmind.Evenamore
advancedmagiciancouldsuddenlyfeellikeagodwhenputinthatcorrecttheatricalsetting.
Withthetoolsappealingtothephysicalsheatheoftheindividual,themantrasandbarbarous
tonguesofteninvolvedinagivenritualstimulatethementalaspectofthemagician.Theycreateastate
ofmindwhichthephysicalsupplementshavealreadysetinwork,andconcretetheatmosphereofthe
ritualtothementalaspectofthestudent.Thefinalstep,thespiritualstimulation,comesthroughthe
invocationsandevocations,aswellasinteractionwiththeresultantenergies,whichisofcourse
automatic.Thesedynamics,however,shallbeexplainedmoreindepthatalaterpointofthepresent
work.
Iamblichusreferredtoallthenecessarycomponentsofaritualassynthemata,whichwere
symbolicpresenceswhichremindedthesoulandhighermindofthemagicianofhisinnerandtrue
divinity.Theritualtools,then,werematerialsynthemata,witheachofthetoolsrepresentingacertain
partofthathigherbeingwhichthemagicianwasaspiringtobecome.Thewand,forexample,wasa
synthema(singularofthepluralsynthemata)ofthedivinevolition,thattruewillpowerwhichhadthe
divineauthoritytocommandtheforcesofthelowerworld.Wieldingitwithanunderstandingofthis
112
2011
meaningsubtlyremindsthestudentofhisowninnerstrengthandvolition,andthroughtheprogressive
selfhypnotismofthetheatricalritualtheindividualwindsupforgettingentirelyaboutthewandand
directsthishigherwillpowersolelyofhisownaccord.
Higherthanmaterialsynthematawerethemoresubtleandrefinedsynthemata:mentalimages
andsounds.Asmostaspirantsalreadyknowafterevenafewweeksofbasicstudy,thenextstepfrom
theheavyritualpracticeisthemorerefineduseofvisualization,concentrationonmentalimagesof
desiredeffects,andtheuseofsimplesoundstoproduceacertainstateofmind.Forthelatter,a
commonusewithinhermeticismarethenamesofGodhead,allaccepted72ofwhichareprovidedin
theShemhaMephoresh.ThemostcommonoftheseinmeditationareEl,Elohim,YodHeVauHe,
ShaddaiandAdonai.InadditiontotheseGodnamesarealsothemagicformulae,suchasIAOand
LVX,whichareoftenintonedforspecificpurposesinparticularritualsortoinduceastateofmind
alongsidetheinvocationofaspecificenergy.Allofthesementalsynthemataactivateacertainresponse
fromthesoul,andstimulatingit,cansendforthadegreeofforcewhichmayotherwisehaverequired
muchintrospectiontotap.Thisoccursduetoasubtle,oftenunspokenrealizationoftheinnerdivinity
whichisreflectedintheformulaofthesenames,andwhichreverberatestrulywithinthefocused
magician.
Thefinalsynthematawouldbethesubtleshiftofpresenceintoaspecificstateofbeingwhich
engulfstheentireperson.Namely,atrueinvocationinwhichthemagicianfullybringsforthand
activatesapartofhissoul.Fortheinvocationsofthemanyspiritsdonotbringthespiritsthemselves
downintothebeingoftheindividual,butinsteadusethosespiritstodrawouttheanalogousforces
withinthemselves,untillikefaceslike.Theinvocationsservetoremindtheinvokerofthemany
componentsofhisownsoul,andthroughpractice,allowhimtocommandalltheaspectsofhissoul
completely.Thenatureofthisrelationshipbetweentheinternalmanandtheexternalspiritworldwill
bediscussedinalaterchapterexaminingthemicrocosmandmacrocosm.
Inperfectawakening,thereisnolongeraneedforsynthemataofanysort,asbeingthedivine
soulhimself,themagicianneedsnomorereminders.
WhenPorphyrydied,IamblichussecededhimastheheadoftheNeoplatonicSchool,muchlikehow
PorphyryhadsecededhisownteacherPlotinus.Unlikebefore,however,IamblichustookNeoplatonism
intoamajorshiftofpracticalityalongsideintellectuality,asopposedtosimplythelatter.Heestablished
hisownschoolinSyria,andtherehespenthistimefusingtheideasofPlato,Pythagorasand
Hermeticism.UsingthetheurgymentionedintheChaldeanOracles,hetookJuliansteachingsand
craftedthemintoanactualsystemofbeliefsandpracticesusingpaganspiritualpracticesastemplates,
particularlythoseoftheEgyptians.Theresultwasearlytheurgyinitsmostorganizedform.
TheKnightsTemplar
TherehasbeenmuchtosayabouttheKnightTemplarinrecentyears,asitisoneofthefavorite
subjectsofconspiracytheorists,thevastmajorityofwhomareentirelyoffbase.TheKnightswerenot
someevilcommunity,norSatanworshippers,nordidtheycareatallaboutwhowaskingofthisorthat
country,andifanyofthemwerepoliticiansitwasmerelybychancethatoutof26,000members,at
leastoneofthemwouldbeinpolitics.Aquickconsiderationofthisgroup,however,isnecessaryin
ordertoleaduptotheRosicruciansoftheearly17thcentury,whowouldpermanentlyimpacttheway
magicwasviewed.
113
2011
TheKnightsTemplar,fullynamedThePoorFellowSoldiersofChristandoftheTempleof
Solomon,wereinitiallyinstitutedasasortofgovernmenthiredmercenarybandtoprotectpilgrimsin
theirjourneysbetweentheChristiancountriesandtheHolyLandofJerusalem.Initiallytheywerequite
poor,butinshortenoughtimethegroupbegancontractingouttoindividualmerchantsandthelikes,
andratherquicklybegantoamassafortune.Itwasthisfortune,wewillsee,whichlaterleadtotheir
destruction.
AtatimewhentheKnightsTemplarconsistedonlyofninemembers,onanexpeditiontothe
HolyLand,itisheldinthetraditionofthechildrenlineagesofthatOrderthattheycameuponthe
remnantsofSolomonsTemple.Itisknown,andavailableinpublicrecords,thattheydidcomeupon
somemanneroftemple,andwiththeKingsconsentperformedanexcavationthereof.Whetherornot
itwasgenerallyacceptedatthetimethatthetemplewastheTempleofSolomonisunknown,butit
mayhavecontributedtotheirlongofficialnameasbeingsoldiersoftheTempleofSolomon.
Regardlessofwhatthecasemightbe,itisallegedthatcertaintreasureswerediscoveredduringthe
excavation,withwhichtheybolsteredtheirwealth.Thiscouldwellenoughhavesimplybeena
superstitionoftheuneducated,however,astheTemplarseventuallydevelopedintoasortof
multinationalcorporation,buyinguplandandworkingvariousagriculturalprojects,aswellasthe
manufacturingofsilk,wine,andwool,andthiswouldcertainlyhavemadetheOrdermorethanwealthy.
Whatitdoesseematleastsomewhatlikelytheydiscoveredisatombthatisnowattributedto
theEssenes,thedisciplesofEzekiel,whichwassupposedlywrittenonlyashorttimeafterEzekiel
reformedthereligiouspracticesoftheRulersofIsrael,givingtheEgyptianpracticesdifferentnames,
reconductingtheminadifferentlanguage,andchangingthenamesoftheEgyptiangodsintothename
ofEzekielspersonalgod,Yahvah,themountaindwellingthundergodofBabylon.Itisthoughtthat
containedinthebookwerethemysteriesofthesocalledMaasehMerkava,thechariotoffire,
representingtheWayofReturnonaschemecalledTheTreeofLife.ItwasaQaballisticsynopsisof
Egyptianmysticism,andthewayinwhichtheEgyptianshadmappedouttheprocessofreturningto
godhood.Itchartwasmadeofthirtytwosections,consistingoftenprimaryemanationsandtwenty
twoconnectingpaths.InHebrewQabalahthislayoutiscalledTheTreeofLife,thoughitlittle
resemblesanytreeeverseen.Itsshape,intruth,comesfromtheBoatofRaoftheEgyptians,whenthe
tenmajorgodsaretravellingbyboatintheunderworld.
Whetherthisbookwasrealornotisoflittleimportance.Iftheydidnotlearnitfromsome
hiddenbook,theylearneditfromveryrealmysticsintheirjourneysintodarkpartsoftheold
continent.Theknowledgewasreal,nodoubt,regardlessofitssource.Fromthatknowledge,the
Templarsreconstructedhowaproperritualchambershouldappear,andwroteoftheirowngenius
variousritualadaptationsasbesttheycouldfromtheinformationtheyweregiven.Theywerefully
educatedinthetraditionalQaballisticsymbolisms,andasrumorhasit,verygiftedinalchemyand
practicalmagicasawhole.TheyutilizedtheMagicCircleandtheTriangleoftheArtwaswenowsee
theminsocalledGrimoires,whicharelikelythrowbacksfromexTemplarsordescendantsof
Templars.IndeedtheoriginofthefamedKeysofSolomonlikelyhastheTemplarstoblame,beinga
clearlyChristianapproachtoJewishmagicalpractices.
TheKnightsTemplarsufferedtheusualfateofChristianprosecution.Bythebeginningofthe
14thcenturytheywerealargeandwidespreadorganization,withhundredsofTemplarhousesall
overtheChristianworld.ArogueexTemplar,however,haddecidedtospilloutcertaininformations
aboutthepractices,andpainttheminavilemanner.Heproclaimedthathe,asagoodChristian,left
becausetheTemplarsweretramplingonthecross,andbecausetheyworshippedaGoatgodnamed
114
2011
Baphomet(whichhassincebecomeanameofthedeviltoChristians).Healsomadeupvarioustales
regardingchildsacrifice,andalltheusualhocuspocusthattheChristianhierarchywasfondofaccepting
astruthwithoutevidence.Thetramplingonthecross,infact,wastheuseoftheTavCrossinthe
centeroftheMagicCircle.TheTavCross,whichlookslikeagiantT,isdividedintosevensections,each
onerepresentingaplanetaryenergy.Duringtheworking,themagicianstandsonthepartoftheT
whichrepresentstheenergieshewillbeworkingwith.ThesocalledGoatGodBaphometwasnota
godatall,norwasiteverworshipped.Itwasasymbolicimageconstructedbytheancientsto
representstheKundalini.
PopeClementsentwordtotheGrandMasteroftheTemplars,amanbythenameofJacquesde
Malay,toinviteJacquestoameetinginRome,supposedlywiththeGrandMasteroftheHospitallers,
underthepretenseofdiscussingaunionofthetwogroups.Jacquesaccepted,andcamewithanumber
ofTemplarboats.WhenhearrivedinRomehestayedasaguestofthePope,whodiscussedsomeof
theaccusationsagainsttheOrder.ClementsentwordoftheaffairtoKingPhilip,whowasingreat
financialdebttotheTemplars.Philipsawanopportunitytogetawaycleanwiththedebtheowed,and
possiblyevenmakemoney,andinformedClementthattheyshouldcapitalizeontheirsituation.An
orderwasmadeforJacquestobecapturedandimprisonedinthetorturechamber,andabattalionwas
dispatchedtorounduptheTemplarships.BythetimetheycapturedJacques,however,theyfoundthat
allTemplarshipshadleft,andfromthenontheTemplarswereneveragainseenintheworld.\
JacqueswasinterrogatedbyClementwithtwohopes:tolearnthemagicalsecretsofthe
Templars,andtogaintheirtreasuryforKingPhilip(nodoubtwithahandsomesliceforhimself).
Jacques,beingagoodGrandmaster,divulgednosuchinformation.OnFridaythe13th,ofOctoberin
1307,hundredsofknownTemplarswereroundedupandimprisoned,andtortureduntilthey
confessedofsuchsinsaswerementioned.In1310,afterthreeyearsofthoroughtortureand
imprisonment,theywereputtothestakeandburned.JacquesdeMolayarrangedsothatwhenthey
tiedhimup,hishandswouldbetiedinprayer,andthathemightfacetheCathedralofNotreDame
whilehedied.ThefirewaslitandengulfedtheagesGrandmaster,butfromtheflamesofthefirehe
shoutedasinglecurseoutloud:ClementandPhilipyouhavetriedmeinthecourtsofmennow,but
beforetheyearisgone,IshalltryyouinthecourtsofGod.ThirtydayslaterPopeClementdied,and
withintheyearPhilipdiedinahuntingaccident.
WheretheTemplarswhosurvivedwentafterwardsisdifficulttosay,andmanypeoplehaveput
forwardtheoriesconsideringanexodustoScotland,andeventoNorthAmerica,wheretheoldest
standingbuildingisinfactaprecolonialbuildingcontainingstrongsuggestionsofTemplararchitecture.
Bothofthosearelikelytruetosomedegreeoranother.Iputforward,however,athirdadditiontothe
storywhichIfindmorelikelythantheothers,atleastforthebulkofthemembership:theystayedright
wheretheywere.Thisisthereasonwhyinitiatesaredrilledsothoroughlyinpasswords,secret
handshakes,specialphrases,andmottos.IntheeventtheOrdereverbecomesanenemyofthestate,
thevisibleOrdercandisappearovernight,andyetstillremainintactthroughthesecretmeansof
communicationandidentificationalreadythoroughlypresentedtoallofitsmembers.Itseemstome
thatintheearly14thcentury,manyoftheTemplarssimplyremainedinEurope,coveringtheir
associationsandwatchingthelawofsilence,waitingforbettertimes.Nodoubtmanyoftheirmysteries
weretransmittedorallytotheirchildrenandgrandchildren,andtherecanbenodoubtwhatsoeverthat
organizedlodgemeetingsstilloccurredinthehousesofitsmembersinthedarkofnight.This,again,
gaverisetovariousbookspublishedduringthistime,usuallyunderfictitiouspseudonyms,withthe
hopesofpreservingtheknowledge.Thankstotheirefforts,manyofthesebooksexist,evenifonlyin
manuscriptform,today.Leteverystudentbethankfulforthesacrificestheynolongerhavetomake,
115
2011
andtheknowledgelearnedbythebrokenbacksofothers.Andofcourseletallthanksbegiventothe
highestDivineProvidence,whoifHespeaksThesemysterieswillnotbeforgotten,thencertainlythey
nevershall.AndifHeignoresHisinitiatesforevenasecond,certainlyallthemysterieswouldbelost.
Rejoice,therefore,intheclearandplainevidenceofGodslovefortheinitiatesoftheDivineScience.
TheRosicrucians
In1607amovementbeganwhich,by1616,sweptfullyintoEuropeandignitedamysticalcraze
thelikesofwhichhasnotbeenseensince.OvernightthroughoutEurope,asthoughbyinvisible
messengers,smallpamphletswerepostedtothedoorsofnearlyeveryimportantpublicplace.
Churches,Cathedrals,Courts,Forums,Towncenters,andeverythingelseofworthhadasinglepamphlet
nailedtotheirdoors.Itwasadeclaration,statingsomethingtotheextentofTheInvisibleMasterhave,
foratime,descendedintotheVisibleWorldinclothesofLight.Thedeclarationwasthattheycould
notmaketheirlocationsavailable,andtheimplicationwasthattheydidnotevenhaveexact
locations,theyweresimplyasortofomnipresentforceinEuropeandGermany.However,every
sincereseeker,itwaspromised,wouldbemagnetizedtothem,andbroughtsecretlyintotheirfolds.
Andindeedinaveryshorttime,referencestotheRosicruciansbeganpoppingupsubtlyinmanybooks
byprolificauthorsandscientistsofthetime.Somebooks,infact,wereevenpublishedwithletters
supposedlywrittenbytheRosicrucians,inordertoaddresssomemannerofpublicaffairtakingplace.
Otherbooksgavespecialthankstothosedoctorsofthespirit,andsomeoutrightpraisedthem.
Otherbooks,ofcourse,damnedthemorcalledtheentireidearidiculous.Nonethelessthestringof
authorswhomadementionofthemhasresultedinafungameformodernhistoriansoftheincident,
whopointateverypersonandsaythathewasthegrandmaster.
ThetruthisthatnopersonknowswhotheGrandmasteroftheRosicrucianOrderwas,whowas
leadingthem,etc.Certainlooseassociationsareknownasfact,suchastheassociationofFrancisBacon
withthegroup.FrancisBacon,itmightbementioned,hadnoconfirmedbirthorconfirmeddeath.
Hisbirthstoryisrecordedasmerelywhathetoldothers,andindeedevenduringhislifethestoryofhis
birthwasundercarefulcriticism.Asforhisdeath,therewasneveranycertificateofdeathissued,noris
thereagraveorgravestone,oranyregistrationthereof,forwhatatthetimewasperhapsthemost
famousmaninallofEurope.Heissaidtohavediedbyhimself,inanabandonedhouseofsorts,while
attemptinganexperimentateatingachickenwhilestuffingitwithice,fromwhichhecaughtacold
anddied.Nopersonsawhimsick,norathisdeath,thoughanattendantsupposedlytookcareofthe
affair.Suchuntraceableandpeculiarmeansofdeathareverycommonamongstfamousmagicians,who
oftenemploytheageoldtraditionoffakingtheirowndeathsinordertodisappearfromtheworld.
Whywouldtheydoso?Inmostinstances,becausetheyhadachievedextremelongevityand
peoplearoundthemagicianwerebeginningtonoticehewasnotaging.
TheseinvisiblemastersdescendeddownintotheEuropeanworldincloaksofsecrecy.They
weretheAncientMastersaboutwhomitiswritteninancientscripture,Thirtythreeingradedorder,
robedingloriousbodiesoflight,greatbeyondallmansreckoning,andwhoarecalledtheattendants
ofSanataKumara(theeternalyouth),Urgaya.Ofthethirtythreeattendants,theutmosttwelvearethe
rulingmasters,andtheothertwentyoneformtheupperechelon.Indeedtherearemanydivisions
amongstthisGreatBrotherhoodwhichinancienttimeswascalledTheOrderofMelchizedek.The
twelvecontainthenine,andarepartofthethirtythree,whilealsoholdingthehigheremanationsofthe
seven.Fromthetwelveproperlyspringtwentyoneattendantsinsevencolumnsofthree,butfromthe
sevenwithinthetwelvespringfortynine.Thesehelpcomposethe72,whichifwesubtractfromthem
the49attendantsofthe7,weareleftwith23,whoaretheinstructorsoftheouter360,andalsothe
disciplesoftherestofthehigher72.Thisshortexampleisnotgivensimplytoconfuseyou,butis
116
2011
providedsothateverystudentmightunderstandhowcomplexthebrotherhoodis.Imightaddtothis
thatthetermBrotherhoodismerelyathrowbackfromfraternatis,whichdidnotoriginallyspecify
menonly,butmerelycametomeansuchbyassociation.AbetterwordwouldbeSangha,aSanskrit
termreferringtoagatheringofdivinepeople.
ItwasthoughtbytheprofanethattheRosicrucianmastershadcomedowntoteachhumanity
theirsecretwisdoms,butthiswasuntrue.Variouscorrespondences,andletterswrittenbyreputable
representativesoftheRosicruciansintheouterworld,demonstrateclearlythatthisillustriousOrder
merelydesiredtocreateanOuterbranch,asortofProbationarySchoolwherecandidatesseeking
wisdomcouldcometopreparethemselvestolearnthemysteries.Thusvarioussecretsocietieswere
formedatthediscretionanddirectionofthesemasters,andthesesocietieslaterculminatedas
Freemasonry.Thus,thesymbolswithinFreemasonryhadtheiroriginsintheRosicrucianBrotherhood,
wherethisdivinetheologywastaughtasasortofpreschoolforhopefulaspirants.Thewholeof
Masonryconsistsofthirtythreedegrees,inhonorofthethirtythreeattendantsofUrgaya,thoughthis
mysteryhasbeenforgottenbythem.Indeedmanymysterieswouldinshorttimebeforgottenbythem
astheschoolbecametoolarge,andoncetheRosicrucianmasterswithdrewthemselvesfromthefaceof
theEarthoncemore.Theirfinalpublicproclamationstatedsimplythattheywereleaving,thattheyhad
accomplishedwhattheyintended,andthatalladvancedstudentscouldstillseekthemoutintheirastral
bodiesinthehigherspheres,butnolongeramongstmortalmen.
TheteachingsoftheseRosicrucianswasmoreorlesspreservedbytheFreemasons,aChristian
Orderestablishedbythemastersinordertoencodetheancientteachingswithintheframeworkof
Christianity,effectivelycreatingtheChristianmysteries.TherewereGnosticideaswithinthe
teachings,buttheteachingsthemselvesfarpredatedGnosticism,andwerequiteuniqueunto
themselves.Instead,ithasbecomecleartomanymodernresearchesthattheantiquityoftheteachings
isreflectedintheoldesttombsofEgypt,andinwhatlittleweknowofhowtheirritualswerearranged.
Thecolorschemes,setupofthetemple,directionsused,etc,allmatchupwiththescrollsandpapyri
thathavebeenrecoveredfromtheAncientDynasties.TheyincludedinthisarraytheJewishQabalah,
andforthefirsttimestherecouldbefoundpublicationsoftheTreeofLifeinitscurrentmostpopular
form,whichwecallTheRosicrucianSchemeoftheQabalah.Itisaslightlymodifiedversionofthe
originalscheme,modifiedeitherbytimeorbystudentswhofailedtograspcertainteachings,but
certainlynotbythemastersthemselves.
ItseemsclearalsothatsomeofthepeoplechosenbytheMasterstobetheheadsofthisOuter
SchoolinthephysicalworldweremembersofstillexistentoffshootsoftheKnightsTemplar,andtheir
teachings.WefindinMasonryanumberofelementssimilartowhatwearetoldwaspracticedamongst
theTemplars,andmostMasonicbranches,andevenmostEsotericOrders,haveranksandgradeswhich
holdthenameoftheTemplarsandtheHolyKnights.
IwillnothereconsiderthelifeofthesocalledChristianRosenkreutz,beyondsayingthatthe
nameisarank,andnotactuallythenameofahistoricalperson.Theentirestoryofhislifeisinfact
veiledallegoryalludingtothecreationofthephysicalPhilosophersStone.
TheCountSt.Germain
TheCountSt.Germainisoneofthemostintriguingcharactersinmodernhistory.Bymany,
heisnotcountedasbeingofsignificanceinthehistoryofmagic,andsomesocalledauthoritiesinmagic
todaylabelhimasafraudandcharlatan,whereasotherbecomeoverzealousandgivehimpractically
therankofagod.Intruthanyaccountofthehistory,especiallymodernhistory,ofmagicmust
117
2011
necessarilyincludeatleastabriefconsiderationofthisfigure.Hispresencealoneresparkedinterestin
thePhilosophersStoneandtheElixirofLife,whichstillthrivetodaybecauseofhim.Hewasthetutor
ofAntonMesmer,whofirsttriedtointroducetheprinciplesofmagictomodernscience,andwhose
writingsinfluencedalltheoccultauthorsofthe19thcentury.Healsorevitalizedoccultismin18th
centuryFrance,whenithadbeguntocorruptandforgetthemeaningofitssymbols,andestablished
oneoftheonlyknownlodgeswhosepurposewastoencouragecommunicationbetweenthevarious
occultOrdersofEuropeatthetime.
Unfortunately,littleisnowknownaboutthispersonage.NapoleontheThirdwassointrigued
byallaccountsoftheCount,thathecreatedacouncilofsomeseventymemberswhoseonlypurpose
wastoresearchandcollectsourcemanuscriptswhichmentionedSt.Germain,madesomereferenceto
him,orwhichmayhavebeenwrittenbyhim.Agreatdealofthisinformationwasbroughttogetherina
singleplace,agiantlibraryNapoleonhadconstructed,whichonlyshortlyafterwardsburnedentirelyto
thegroundforunknownreasons.Justlikethat,nearlyallmanuscriptswhichevenmentionedtheCount
weregoneforever.Whatfewpiecesofinformationwenowhavearethankstogoodinvestigatorswho
gainedaccesstovariousnoblefamiliesofEurope,whointheirpersonalcollectionspossessedthediaries
oftheirfamilymemberswhowerealiveduringthetimeofSt.Germain,andwhohadmethim
personally.FromtheseaccountsofthearistocracyofEuropewhowerecontemporariesofthegreat
mystic,thefollowinginformationisextracted.
Nearlyeverywrittenaccountofthisadeptbeginswith,LastnightImetamostextraordinary
man.Hewasclothedinthefinestattireoftheday,withthehighestqualitydiamondslininghisbelt
buckle,hisshoebuckles,andthecuffsofhisshirts.Heworeexquisitejewelry,withsomemannerof
preciousmetalimbuedwithsomepreciousstoneoneveryfingerhehad,andwithabeautifulnecklace.
AsdescribedbyoneBaroness,hewasNeithertootallortooshort,toodarkortoopale,toohardor
toosoft,tosternortoorelaxed,tostrongortooweak,tooloudortooquiet,toooutspokenortoo
reserved,hewasineverywayagreeable.Evenhispoliticalenemiesofthetime,ofwhichhehadmany,
alwaysremarkedthathewasaninterestingandenjoyablepersonwhosecompanycouldnotberefuted
orregrettedbyanydecentperson.Thepeoplewhoknewhimattestedtohimbeingabletoperfectly
speakGerman,English,Italian,Portugese,Spanish,FrenchwithaPikaneseaccent,Chinese,Greek,Latin,
Sanskrit,Hindi,andArabic.Thefewpeoplewhotravelledwithhimonrareoccasionremarkedthatin
everystrangecountryandforeigncountryhespokewithanativeaccentandknewallofthenative
traditions,sothathewasperfectlyacceptedeverywherehewentasthoughhehadbeenbornand
raisedthere.Heracewashardtoplace,andneversuccessfullyplacedbyanyone,thoughwearetold
hewasofdarkercomplexionthanmostEuropeans,butnotasdarkasthoseofMiddleEasternorigin.
Hecouldwritewithbothhandssimultaneously,andindifferentlanguages.Whentwopiecesof
paperwereheldovereachotherwhichhehadwrittenwithtwodifferenthands,theywouldoverlap
oneanotherperfectly.Hehadprofoundknowledgeofscriptureswhichatthetimewerehardlyheardof
inEurope,suchastheyogicscriptures,andeventhePopulVuhoftheAztecs.Always,hewasaccounted
ashavingbeenroughlyfortyyearsofage.Ononeaccountheisgivenaslookingalmostseventy,but
whentheCountappearedjustafewyearslatertothatsameperson,isagainremarkedaslookingforty.
Theconsensusofthevastmajoritywasthathehadtheappearanceofbeingfortyyearsofage.
Theundeniablepreservationofhisyouthbyallwhoencounteredhimoverthedecadesislikely
thesourceofwhateventualgrewintohisincrediblefame.Indeedbythelate18thcentury,beforethe
fallofMarieAntoinette,hewaslikelyoneofthemostfamouspeopleinEurope.Localnewspapers
wouldalwaysincludeaheadlineabouttheCountcomingtotown,andifanoccultlodgeknewthathe
118
2011
wasgoingtopayavisittheywouldallbeinafrenzytoensurethateverythingwasperfectforhisarrival.
Bynearlyallmagiciansacrossthecontinent,hewasregardedasbeingpracticallyanembodimentof
magicitself,anditisrumoredthatsomesectsevenworshippedhimasagodinhumanformatthetime,
havingstatuesofhimandthelikes.
Notonlywasheabletopreservehisownyouth,buthewasabletopreservetheyouthofothers
ifhepleasedbygivingthemsmallquantitiesofcertaintinctures.TheCountcouldalsotransmuteall
metalsintogold,andcouldremoveallflawsfromdiamondssothattheybecameperfect.Hemayhave
madesomemoneyfromthis,butingeneralthesourceofhisseeminglyendlesswealthisunknown.In
spiteofbeingadornedwithpreciousmaterialsfromheadtotoe,helivedverymodestly.Noperson
eversawhimeatordrinkathing,andhespentmostofhistimealoneinpersonalquarters.Onone
occasionaservantofthepalacehewasstayinginwalkedintotheCountsroomthinkinghimtobe
gone.Whenhelookedinside,hesawthattheCountlookeddead,wassittinginPadmasana,andhad
hiseyesclosedandbackstraight,whichhewassaidtocarryoutfortwohoursaday,amongstother
moremagicalpractices.
TheCountofSt.GermainwasalsothetutorofAntonMesmer,thepersonwhocoinedtheterm
animalmagnetism,andafterwhommesmerismisnamed,andinfluencedmuchofoccultisminthe
18thcentury.ItissaidthatAntonhadbeenworkingfuriouslywithpracticalexperimentsonpatients,as
wellasmeditationontheconceptshewasapproaching,inordertoproperlyformulatewhathefelthe
haddiscoveredasmagnetichealing.Onefortunatedayhefinallyunderstoodwhathewasworking
with,andproperlyrealizedwhathehadbeendoing.Thenextmorning,therewasanunlabeledletter
waitingforhim,senttohisaddress.Uponopeningit,hereadaletterwhichstatedsimplythatifhe
desiredtofurtherhisunderstandingofhisdiscovery,heshouldgotoacertainparkatthreeinthe
afternoonthatday.Thus,accordingtoMemsersownrecollectionoftheevent,hegatheredhisthings
andheadedoutforthedaytowaitattheparkforthemysteriousmessenger.Ashewaswaiting,alarge
carriagearrived,outofwhichsteppedthefamedCountofSt.Germain,carryingoverhisshouldera
lockedchest.TheCountdirectedAntontoanearbyhut,intowhichtheyentered,anddidnotleavefor
threedays.Aftercomingbackout,theywenttheirdifferentways,andAnton,freshintheknowledgehe
hadreceived,beganhisnowfamouscareerasamagnetichealer.
ThefamousAlessandroCagliostrowasalsoapupilofGermaininalchemy,anendeavorwhich
laterremarksfromtheCountinformushecametoregret.Assometimeshappens,Cagliostroand
Germainwounduponoppositesidesofthepoliticalspectrum,withCagliostrodoingallhecouldtohelp
bringdownMarieAntoinette,andGermaindoingallhecouldtoadviseherandpreventherutterruin.
Nonetheless,CagliostrolearnedenoughformGermaintoperfecthisownelixirofyouthandpreserve
hisownlongevity.CagliostroalsolearnedfromtheCounttheEgyptianoriginsoftheMasonicteachings,
whichhelaterformulated(withnothanks)intohissystemofEgyptianMasonry.Nonetheless,theystill
hadamannerofrelationship,andCagliostroisstillsaidtohavelookeduptotheCount.WhenGermain
createdTheFriendsAssembled,alodgemeanttobringtogethertheprimaryleadersofthevarious
orders,CagliostroandAntonMesmerwereforemostashishelpers.Ifwefollowtheline,Mesmerhada
largeimpactonauthorslikeBlavatskyandEliphasLevi,andCagliostrohadastrongimpactonthewhole
worldofMasonry.MacGregorMatherswasthoroughlyschooledinCagliostrosEgyptianMasonry,and
drewheavilyfromthewritingsof19thcenturyoccultauthors,andtheseteachingswerebrought
togetherwithintheGoldenDawn.TheGoldenDawnisnowwhatpeoplethinkofwhentheythinkof
hermeticmagicandmagicalOrders,andmostmodernOrderscomefromthematerialoftheGolden
Dawn.Hence,throughhispredecessors,Germainhadapowerfulinfluenceonmodernoccultism.
119
2011
Morecouldbesaidaboutthisremarkablefigure,butwehavenowconsideredhisimpactin
magicalhistory.Inclosing,wemightsimplyobservethatTheCountofSt.Germainwasapublicfigure,
activeasanemissaryforvariousdocumentedgovernments,betweenthetimeof1710and1790,andis
saidtohavelastbeenseenbyalongtimeacquaintanceaslateas1825.Duringtheentiretyofthistime
hewasaccountedaslookingfortyyearsofage,andisaccreditedwithnearlyeverymagicalpower
available,fromlevitationtohealingtobeinginmultipleplacesatonceanddisappearinginplainsight.
In1825,inhislastappearance,hesaysthatheistiredfromhisdecadesofpoliticalworkinEurope,and
saysIamreturningtomyhomeintheHimalayanMountains.Ineedtorest,Imustrest.Noonewill
seemeagainforsixtyyears.Sixtyyearslater,HelenaBlavatskymethim,andthroughhim,Theosophy
wasborn.
TheGoldenDawn
IwillnotdwellfortoolongonthehistoryofaverywellknownandeasilyresearchableOrder,as
Ihavepreferredinthisessaytopaymoreattentiontothethingswhichmodernhistoryislessversedin,
orwhichescapeitsreachesaltogether.Nonethelessnoconsiderationofthehistoryofmagicthatis
meanttoleadusuptothemoderndayiscompletewithaclosinglookatTheGoldenDawn,andwhatit
didtotheworldofmagic.
TheGoldenDawnwasformedbythreeadeptsoftheRosicrucianmysteries:WilliamWoodford,
WoodrowWestcott,andSamuelMathers.ThethreeofthemwerethegoverningtriadoftheS.R.I.A.,a
RosicrucianOrderofthetime,aswellashighdegreemembersoftheScottishandEgyptianRitesof
Freemasonry.Thusasfarasoccultistsgoforthatperiodoftime,theywouldhavehadquiteapedigree
byanystandards.ThestorygoesthatWestcottcameintopossessionofcertainCipherManuscripts,
allegedlyaveryoldmanuscriptwhichhadbeenpassedintohiscarebyaMasonicscholarwhowas
unabletocrackthecodesinit,andwhichthatscholarhadinturndugoutofanarchiveofancient
materials.Westcottbegantounderstandthemanuscript,andwhenhewasclosetobreakingthecode,
enlistedtheaidoffellowRosicrucianMacGregorMathers.Matherswasanexpertcodebreakerand
polyglot,andinshorttimethetwobrokethecodecompletely.MathersthenenlistedWoodmantohelp
themformulatetheinformationthereinintoritesandmagicaloperationsforanewmagicalOrder.
ThevastmajorityofmaterialfortheGoldenDawnwaswrittenbyMathers,whoofallofthem,
wasthemostqualifiedforthejob.ItissaidthatMathers,wheninhisearlytwenties,gainedahigh
positionintheEgyptianHistoryMuseumofLondononaccountthatwhenwebeganworkingthere,he
slowlybegantoarrangealloftheartifactsinthemuseum.Whenitwasalldone,variousEgyptologists
tookalookatitandrealizedthatthearrangementbeforeneverreallymadesense,butthatnowthere
wassomehowasenseoforderandharmonyaboutit.OneEgyptologist,famousatthetime,remarked
thattheyoungSamuelMathersexhibitedaknowledgeandunderstandingofEgyptologythatwent
beyondwhatanyavailablewrittenmaterialscouldhaveprovided.Itwaswiththisinherentsenseof
understandingtheEgyptianmysteries,andinrespectofthat,allthemysterieswhichcameforthfromit,
thatMatherswasabletoarrangetheinitiatoryandpracticalritualsoftheGoldenDawn.
In1887,Westcottwrotetoanaddressthathadbeencontainedwithintheciphermanuscript.
HereceivedareplyoffromawomennamedAnneSprengel,whoclaimedtobearepresentativeofthe
TrueRosicrucianOrder,andmostlikelywasamemberoftheGoldUndRosenkreutz,TheGoldand
RoseCross,whichwastheoriginalOrdercontainingtheprincipleGradesthattheGoldenDawnthen
used.Inthereply,Sprengelpraisedthemfortheirunderstandingofthemanuscripts,andconferred
honorarydegreesofAdeptusExemptus,thegradeof7=3.Shealsogavethempermissiontoopenup
120
2011
theirownRosicrucianTemple,andtoinitiateuptothatdegree.Thisthethreeofthemdidin1888,
whichtheopeningoftheIsisUraniaTempleinLondon.
By1897bothWoodfordandWestcotthadlefttheirpositionsasChiefsoftheGoldenDawn.
Woodfordleftbecauseofhealthcomplications,andWestcottleftbecausehisemployerfoundsome
GoldenDawndocumentsinhiscabinetandtoldWestcottthatheeitherhadtoquithispositioninthe
GoldenDawnorleavehisjobasaCoroner.Thus,MathersgainedfullcontroloftheOrder.Thiswas
wellenough,asMathershadgainedcontactwiththeInvisibleMasters,andestablishedtheGolden
DawnasafullycontactedOrderwhichnowhadauthoritytoinitiateevenpastExemptAdept.Mathers
hadwrittenagreatdealofmaterialfortheSecordOrderoftheGoldenDawn,towhichmembers
graduatedaftercompletingagooddealoftraining.Unfortunately,Mathershadaproblemwithturning
peopleaway,andbytheturnofthe19thcentury,hehadletanumberofpeopleintotheSecondOrder
whodidnotdeservetherankbyanystretchoftheimagination,andwhowereovertakenwithambition
andjealousy.
By1900,theadeptsoftheSecondOrderhadbecomeenviousofMathers,andsoughtto
usurphim.MatherswasnowspendingmostofhistimeinParishelpingestablishhisAhathoorlodge
therewithhiswifeMoina,wronglybelievingthathehaddonewellbyleavingtheIsisUranialodgein
thehandsofFlorenceFarr.Farr,amongstothers,sparkedagreatdealofcontroversyagainstMathers.
Overall,theconsensuswastheyshouldhaveallaccesstotheInvisibleMastersalso,notjustMathers,
andthattheyshouldbeentitledtoallthepapersoftheSecondOrderthereby.Alsopressingontheir
emotionswastheverycloserelationshipMathershaddevelopedwiththeyoungAleisterCrowley
(hardlytwentyyearsoldatthetime).ThememberswerejealousofCrowleysmarkedlyswiftrise
throughthegrades,andrebelledagainsttheirinwardunderstandingthatCrowleywasareincarnated
adeptofhighcaliber,whereasnoneofthemwere.Outofspitealone,Crowleysapplicationtobe
initiatedasAdeptusMinorandtherebyintotheSecondOrderwasrejectedbytheofficialsofthe
Londonlodge.Knowingthistobeapersonalwrong,hewenttoParistoreceivethegradeofMathers
directly.Mathersconsentedandperformedtheinitiation,sendingCrowleybacktoLondonwith
permissiontoreceivethegradepaperstowhichhewasnowentitled.Thisinfuriatedthemembersof
theSecondOrder,andbeganthestringsofarevolt.
MacGregorMathers,however,wasnotentirelyunawareofthisrevolt,norwasheignorantof
whyitwasoccurring.Matherswassogreatanadept,thatallofthemembersoftheSecondOrder
possessedasigilofhisnamedrawninaspecificway,whichwouldallowthemtoinvokehispowerand
authorityundercertainsituations.Ononeoccasionthemagicjournalofamemberindicatesthatshe
returnedhometofindherhouseonfireoneevening.ShedrewthesigilofMathersintheair,and
shoutedaloudhismagicalname.Instantly,shereports,allofthefireinthehousevanished.Suchwas
theinherentpowerofMacGregorMathersbythistime.Oneofthebeginningsoftherevoltwasthat,
sometimein1899,thesigilstoppedworkingforthemembers.Theyinterpretedthisasmeaningthat
Matherswasnolongeranadeptofhighdegree,andsawitasanomenthathehadfallenoutoffavor
withtheInvisibleMasters.Ipsofacto,theyallbeganarguingamongstthemselveswhowouldmakean
ideaGrandMasteraftertheinevitableusurpingofMathers.
Nowthetruthofthisisasfollows,andhithertoIhaveneverseenthisinformationwritten
anywhere,butitistheapologiaofMathers.MacGregorMatherswas,inalllikelihood,oneofonlya
verysmallhandfulofadeptsintheallofhistorytofullyandfaithfullygothroughtheentireOperationof
AbramelintheMage,theprocesswhichisnowfamousthroughthepublicationofTheThreeBooksof
theSacredMagicofAbramelintheMage,writtenbyAbrahamtheJew.Inthisoperationoneretires
121
2011
fromtheworldforsixmonths,goingthroughmanyhoursofintenseprayerandritualeveryday,livingin
totalpurityandseclusion,andeatingverylittle.Nocontactismadewithanypersonforthelasttwo
monthsatall,andtheoperatorreliesontheaidofavolunteerservanttostayfedduringthistime.
Thesestrenuousanddemandingsixmonthsclimaxinaboutsixdaysofintensemagicalworkings,
whereinonecomesintocontactwithhisHolyGuardianAngel,permanentlybecomesapartofhim,and
thenreceivestheknowledgedirectlyofhowtoconquerandcommandallthekingsandprincesofthe
infernalpowers.Overthecourseofthreedayseveryrulerofdemonicpowerskneelsbeforethemagus
andswearsandoathofloyaltyandprotection.Itisofsuchincrediblepower,thatwhereverthis
operationisperformedmustbeburnedtothegroundorsomehowdestroyedafterwards,sothatno
onewilleverlivethere.Somuchenergybecomesconcentratedbytheoperation,thatforcenturiesit
woulddriveapersoninsaneifthatpersonwerenotalsoanadept.
Bythismeans,MathersgainedtheuseoftheSquaresofAbramelin,aseriesofpotentmagical
squaresonlyuseablebysomeonewhohasconqueredthedemonswhichoperatetheirpowers.There
aremanyaccountsavailableinwrittenrecordofpeoplewhowitnessedMathersemployingthese
squares,andheevencarriedafewonhimatanytimeforcertaintasks.Hisspiritualstaturewasalso
elevatedtosuchaheightduringtheritualthatmostinherentpsychicandmagicalabilitieswouldhave
becomeavailabletohim,andwhenthiswascombinedwithallofhisothermagicaltraininguptothat
date,itwouldbefairtosaythatoncehehadfinishedtheOperation,hehadmasteredmagicitself.It
wasonthisauthority,andthemasteryofthedemonsthemselves,thatthesigilthatMathersgaveto
Ordermembersworked.
Thereis,however,acurseontheBooksofAbramelintheMage,onewhichMacGregorMathers
wasfullyawareof.Ifanypersonweretogivetheknowledgeinthatbooktomorethantwopeoplein
hisentirelife,thentheaidofallofthedevilsheconqueredtherebywouldleavehim,andthesquares
wouldceasetoworkanylonger.ItwasthiscursewhichMacGregorMatherstookuponhimselfforthe
aidofallfuturemagicianswhomayeverdesiretoundergotheoperation.Knowingfullandwellwhat
wouldhappen,Mathersputpentopaperandbeganpenningwhatforalongtimewastheonlyknown
EnglishtranslationoftheoldestFrenchmanuscript,longingdeeplytomakethisinformationavailable
foreveryoneintheOrder.Thewayhesawit,ifhissinglesacrificewouldbringthewisdominthatbook
tohundredsorthousandsofpeople,hewouldstickouthischestandtakeitjoyfully.Nonetheless,one
mightimaginethatitwasadifficultdecisionstill.Havingwrittenandpublishedthebook,Matherslost
poweroverthemagicsquares,andtherebycontroloveranumberofthephenomenonattributedto
him,thoughhisconsciousnesswasstillasexaltedasever.
Itwasforthisdeeploveofhisstudentsthatthosesamestudentsrebelled,andhisincredible
sacrificesoftimeandeffortinallareasoftheirtrainingwasrepliedtowithastaunchpush,andwith
exile.OnMarch29th,1900,MacGregorMatherswasexpelledfromtheIsisUraniaTemplebytheRuling
Committee,hisowncreation.Fortunately,notallofthebranchesoftheGoldenDawnwereprivytothe
revolt.Infactanumberofthelodgeswhichweretoofarawaygeographicallytohavebeencaughtup
byallthecontroversyrealizedhowridiculousitwas,andbecamefiercelyloyaltoMathers.Withafew
operatinglodgeshereandthere,MathersrenamedallbranchesoftheOrderstillloyaltohimtheOrdo
AlphaetOmega,withtheothersideoftheschismremainingthemselvestotheStellaMatutina.
TheAlphaetOmegacontinuedtogrowunderthedirectionofMathers,withtheAhathoor
TempleofParisactingasacenterfortheactivity.Nonetheless,itnevergrewtobeaslargeasthe
GoldenDawnhadbytheendofthe19thcentury.Headministeredthetempleswiththeaidofhis
devotedwife,MoinaMathers,whobecamealeaderoftheOrderafterthedeathofMathers.Samuel
122
2011
LiddellMacGregorMathersissaidtohavediedonNovember20th,1918.Therearesomepeculiarities
however,whichinlightofearliercommentsmadeinthisessay,mightproveofinterest.Duringthetime
ofhissupposedsickness,notasinglepersonwasallowedtovisithim,nordidhevisitanyoneelse,but
onlyhiswifeMoinawasabletoseehim.OnNovember20th,itwasannouncedbyMoinatotheParis
lodgesthattheirMasterhadpassedaway,andonhisdeathbedhadencouragedthemalltoharmony,
union,andprogresswithoneanother.However,therewasneveranyfuneralforapersonwho,atthe
time,wasquitewellknownthroughoutEurope.ThereisnograveforMathers,noraheadstone,andhis
deathcertificatelistsnocauseofdeath.EvenMoina,whenaskedhowhedied,saidsimplyhewas
usedbytheMasters.ThoughMoinaissaidtohavepossessedadeathcertificate,subsequent
investigationshowsthatMathersdeathwasneverfiledwiththeCourt.And,ofpassinginterest,by
usingaformofnumerologywhichMatherswasfondof,andwhichheoftenusedtocalculatethe
significanceofthebirthordeathofaperson,thenumerologyofthedayofhisowndeathequalthirty
two,thetotalnumberofpathsontheTreeofLife,andreducestofive,theperfectman.
TheBeast666
AleisterCrowleyisofsuchuniversalrecognitionandfame,thateventodayheisconsideredby
thecensusofLondontobeinthelistofthetop100mostfamousEnglishpeopletoeverlive.His
biographiesarerivaledinnumberonlybyhisautobiographies,andheleftbehindhimliterallyhundreds
ofjournals,anumberofwhicharenowpublishedopenlyforanyonetobuyaread.Moreisknown
abouthislifebecauseofthosejournals,andbecauseofhisownautobiographies,thanhaslikelyever
beenknownaboutanyone.Somuchinformationisavailableonthesocalledfactsofhislifethatthere
areevensomewellrespectedUniversitieswhichofferdegreesinthestudyofAleisterCrowleyasan
avenueofsociologyandpsychology.
Thus,withallofthatinformation,wewillavoidrecountingsomanyofthefactswhichcaneasily
belearnedbyanyonewithacomputeroralibrary,andwillinstead,aswehavethusbeendoingsofar,
takealookatsomeofthethingsperhapslesswellknownaboutthisfamouspersonage.
CrowleywasbornasAlexanderEdwardCrowley,andinordertoescapehisChristianname,later
tooktocallinghimselfAleisterCrowley.Incidentallyusingvalidgematria,theentiretyofhisname
reducesto666,asdoestheresidenceatwhichhewasborn,andasdoestheresidenceatwhichhedied.
Whenhewasbornhehadthreetuftsofhairwhichcameoutofasinglespotatthetopofhisforehead,
andwhichallcurledclockwise,producingwhatwouldhavelookedlikethreesixesonhisheadatbirth.
TheSteleofRevealingwhichwouldlaterformthefoundationofThelemawasexhibit666(where
MacGregorMathershadputit).Suchare,asitwere,justafewoftheinterestinganomaliessurrounding
thisperson.This,however,necessitatesaquickconsiderationofthenumber666.
Thethreesixesareknowninnearlyallancientculturesasacompletelysolarnumber,often
representedalongside333and999.333,666,and999allreduceto9whenadded,whichisthenumber
ofthecompletionofacycle.Qabalistically,thesolarsphere,Tiphareth,isthesixthSephirothupwards
fromMalkuth.Addedto666,CrowleysuseofthephraseTheBeastwasmerelyafungameforhim,
asheenjoyedthereactionitgotoutofothers.Hedidnotbelieve,assomescholarshavesaid,thathe
actuallywasTheBeast666.Inspiteofwhathascometobeknownabouthim,Crowleywasextremely
humble,andalwaysreverenttotheforcesabovehim.Inhisownwords,hesimplylovedthegame
whichthepublichadputhimin.Hewas,infact,quiteheartbrokenthefirsttimeherealizedthatthe
publicsawhimasablackmagician,andhisjournalentriesfromthetimerevealthisplainly.Hethen
followsbysimplysayingthatiftheywanttoseehimasablackmagician,theyshall,andheknewthatit
123
2011
wasnotintheirpowertounderstandhim,andthatheowedthemnoexplanation.Inhiseyes,aMagus
couldneverreallybeunderstoodbythemundane,orevenbyotherneophytesofthepath.
WehavealreadytakenashortglimpseatCrowleyintheGoldenDawn,anditisvirtuallypublic
knowledgehowhepublishedtheirpapersandbrokeawayfromthemaftertherevolt,beingentirely
disgustedwithhowbothsideshandledtheaffair.AfterthishewentdowntoMexicoforatime,thenat
thesuggestionofamysteriousindividualhelaterwrotemusthavebeentheemissaryoftheWhite
Brotherhood,hewenttoIndia.TherehestudiedyogaandwasinitiatedasaSwamiofthemonastic
order.AfterachievingSamadhiinafewshortyears,hegrew,inhisownwords,boredoftheordeal,
andwhileheenjoyedtheblissfulpeaceoftheyogi,hemissedthepenetratingconcentrationand
understandingofthemagician.Thushegraduallybegantopickbackuphismagicalpractices.
OnApril8th,1904,CrowleybeganthefamousthreedaysoftheCairoWorking,whereinhe
receivedtheBookoftheLawfromAiwass,amasterofWhiteBrotherhood.TheBookoftheLawwas
presentedasbeingthecanonofThelema,anditsdetailscaneasilybefound.Atthispoint,the
understandingoftheadeptsbeginstosplitawayfromwhatmostpeoplehavecometothinkofthis
matter.Thelema,initspropersense,wasnevermeanttobeareligion.ThenamesofHadit,Nuit,Ra
HoorKhuit,andtheeighteenothergodsmentionedtherein,areEgyptianinnamemerelybecausethat
ishowCrowleysownpastsamskaras,hisownpastlifememoriesandkarmicconnections,identified
them.IfRaHoorKhuithadappearedtosomeoneelse,hemighthavebeentheArchangelMichael,or
someotherforce.Nuit,toayogi,wouldhaveappearedunderthenameofShaktiorJaggatamba.These
celestialpowersappeartousundertheveilsofourownkarmaswiththem,sothatwecanunderstand
thembetter,andknowwhowearedealingwith.TheideathatancientEgyptiangodswerecomingto
usurpmodernChristiangodsandthelikesisfoolish,andthosewhosupportitareneophytesofthe
simplestdegree.
TheentireBookoftheLawreadsnotasacanonicalscripturetoformthebasisofareligion,but
insteadmoreasaninformationalpamphlettoupdatethemagioncurrentcosmicchangesthatare
takingplace.Andthat,webelieve,isallitwasmeanttobe.Thelemaisnotareligion,butasetof
basicinnerprinciples.AThelemiteisnotanadherenttosomescripture,oradevoteeofthisorthat
god,butwasmerelyCrowleyswordforsomeonepursuingthepathofmagic.AThelemite,eveninthe
BookoftheLawitself,isclearlydefinedsimplyassomeonewhounderstandsthatthereisadifference
betweentheirouteregoswill,andthewillanddirectionoftheinnertrueselves.Thosewhodecideto
followthatinnerwillbecomeThelemites,bythisunderstanding,inlightofwhicheveryonereading
thisisaThelemite.Itwasneverintendedtobeareligioussectorgroupingofpeople.
TheexplanationsandinterpretationsoftheBookoftheLawaretooexhaustiveandcomplexto
gointohere,butallstudentswhomakeitapointtovisitusandspendtimearounduswilloccasionally
hereusdiscoursefromit,andprovidetheproperinterpretationsofit.
Followingthoserevelations,thefameandstatureofCrowleygrewswiftly.Throughhis
publicationsoftheEquinox,heensuredthatthebasicsecretsoftheGoldenDawnwouldneverdie,
sinceheknewthattheOrderitselfcouldnotbereliedupontocarrythemon.Throughthose
publications,Crowleyessentiallycreatedthemodernapproachtomagic,andhisdefinitionofmagicas
definedinLiberABAisstillthemostquoteddefinitionusedtoday.Heis,inmanycircles,seenasthe
fatherofmodernmagic,andmanystudentsofmagictodayrefertohimasUncleAl.Sadly,veryfew
peopleknowwhoCrowleyreallywas,andwhattheBookoftheLawwasreallyabout,butthereisa
reasonforthat,andsuchthingscannotbepublished.
124
2011
Conclusion
Itcannotbejustlysaidthateverythingconsideredhereencompassesthewholeofthehistoryof
magic.VerylittlewassaidofsuchpersonagesasPlotinus,Zoroaster,ApolloniusofTyana,EliphasLevi,
MaxHeindel,HelenaBlavatsky,andotherimmenselyimportantfigures.Webelieve,nonetheless,that
wehavecapturedthegistofthemajormovementswithinthishistory,andhaveelucidatedthoroughly
onlesserknownaspectsofitall.Itwasnotourdesiretosimplyregurgitatewellknowninformation,but
insteadtoeducateeveryoneonsomethingsthatarenotgenerallyknownaboutthefiguresofmagical
history.
Overtimeyouwilllearnmoreaboutothersignificantfigures,andeveryoneisofcourse
welcometodotheirownresearchalso.

125
2011
OurPath,AccordingtoLaw
AswelookattheTheurgicSchool,wefindfivemajorcategorizationsbrokendowninfiveprimaryways.
WehavetheElements,theSkopoi,theJewels,thedifferentcommandsoftheMagi,andthemajor
achievementsoftheAspirant(whichthemastershavelistedasthefiveprimaryandnecessarystagesof
spiritualevolution).Eachofthese,asdifferentfacetsofthesamegemoftruth,giveinsightintothe
other.Withsuchaholisticviewofourpath,theaspiranthasaglimpseintohismeansandhismethod.
Heisalsoaffordedtherealizationofauniversalharmony,anditisthroughthisharmonythatwemay
findGod,ascendingbackupwardsthroughthechainofdescent.
Withtheseinmind,thestudentmayalwayskeephismindtrainedforwardsuponhisgoal,
understandingthatitwasbuiltuponascientificformula,knowinghoweachstepshalleventually
manifest.Itissaidthattheaspirantsjobistoacquirehistools,theinitiatesjobistomasterhistools,
andthejoboftheadeptistousethesetoolsforGod.Shallyougobeforethealtarwithnothingto
offer?Thisisselfishness.Sothen,wemakeitourhonesttaskanddearestaimtoonedayhumblywalk
beforeGod,offeringourselvesasservantswhoarenotonlywillingbutalsoreadyandusefulforthe
purposesofDivinity.Followingthesefiveprinciples,thestudentissuretoacquirehisdivinetools.
Thepurposeofthisarticleistodelineatewhatmayhavealreadybeenobvioustothestudiousaspirant,
namelythemeshofunitythatbindsthevariousforcesoffivetogether.Itisthroughthisunitythata
wholeviewisgiven,allowingusamorecompleteunderstanding.TheMagitellustoKnow,toDare,to
Will,andtobeSilent,butwhatdoesthistrulymean?Thisweshallevaluate.
ToKnow
ThePrincipleofKnowingbelongstotheAirElement.Consequently,wemayunderstandthatthisCode
oftheMagimaybeexplainedthroughanunderstandingoftheSkopoiofTruth.Thismatterissimple
enough,fortruthisasimplething.GnosisistheaimoftheAspirant,andwhatisGnosisbutthe
realizationoftheUltimateTruth?Sowearetounderstandthatallofourpractices,allofour
meditations,andallofourthoughtsmustleadtotherealizationofTruth.Ifthisisnotthecase,then
somethinginourlifeshallbefoundwanting.IfourpracticesdonotascendtheChainofTruthcalledthe
Seira,somethinghasgoneamiss.
WemustalsolooktotheJewel,namely,Truthfulness.Truthmustbemadeanintegralpartofourlife;
nay,TruthmustbeourName.ThisJeweldemandsthatweperceivethetruthofeverymatterinevery
light.Itistoclingtotruth,holdingourselvestoit.Neverlie,andneverdeceive.Thereisalsoavery
importantmattertobefoundhere:wemustnotlietoothers,butwealsomustnotlietoourselves(as
somanydo).AswithalloftheJewels,wearetomakealivingmeditationoutofthecorresponding
Skopoi.Ifwecandothis,thenwecanrightlysaythatwepracticetwentyfourhoursaday,sevendaysa
week.
Theaspirantwhoistruthfulwillalwaysbeskeptical,buthewillneverbecynical.Everycommitmenthe
makeswillalwaysbefollowed,andnocommitmentswillbemadethatcannotbefulfilled.Hewillbe
humble,understandinghispositionintheworld.However,hewillnotbefalselyhumble,andwillremain
abletorightlyproclaimwhoheisandwhoheisnot,nevermakinghimselfouttobeanymoreorany
lessthanheactuallyis.Hewillknowhisstrengthsandhisweaknesses,andhewillneverdeludehimself.
126
2011
Truth,inahigherandmorecompletesense,istheunderstandingofthisworldasillusion,theCosmic
DreamofourCreator.Theunderstandingofthisworldasimpermanentwillspurthestudentonwardsin
hispathtowardssomethingRealandPermanent,beingmotivatedbythatsamedisinterestwhichcomes
whenplayingagamefortoolongorthatsamefeelingoffoolishnessthatovertakesyouwhentimeis
spentfrivolouslyonmindlessentertainment.Thesethingsarenotbad,theyarebeautifulcreations,but
theyhavetheirtimeandtheirplace.ThesamecanbesaidofourUniverse.Itisabeautifulcreation
meanttobethefieldofexperienceandhappiness,butthingsgoawrywhentheyareputoutofbalance,
themindbecomingdrunkonsensepleasures,whollyunawareofhigherthings.
Truededicationofbody,heart,andmindeverydaytothispathisessential,notoptional.Herewemight
alsospeakoftwoimportanttraits:discriminationandnonattachment,whichisalsoknownasapatheia
inourSchool.Thesearenecessarytocultivateearlyon,andtheyrepresenttruthfulnessinexpression:
thediscriminationbetweentherealandtheunreal,illusionandtruth,andthestateofdetachmentfrom
theworldwhichautomaticallyensuesthereafter.Ifapatheiaisnotcultivated,itwillbeimpossibleto
enterintothefirstmeditativestate,epistrophe,whereintheenergyiswithdrawnfromthesensesand
placedinthespineforthebeginningoftrueaskesis.
Finally,weunderstandthefifthaspectofthisequation:thecorrespondingachievementoftheaspirant.
Inthiscase,itistheawakeningandtrainingofastralandmentalsenses.ThesearetheFacultiesof
Truth,orprimarily:Clairvoyance,Clairaudience,andClairsentience.Withthis,theaspiranthasthe
potentialtomakehimselfeffectiveintheworld,justastruthallowshimtobeeffectiveinhisownlife.
ExperiencingthetruthofGodsCreation,hewillactivelyperceivethatwhichothersonlyphilosophize.If
thisisdone,theaspirantwillbeaveritablesymbolofTheurgy.Beingtruthfultohimselfeveninsolitude
whileunderstandingthenatureofouruniverseasultimatelynontruth,thehonestaspirantwillalways
upholdhisaskesis.Therefore,theAspirantKnowstoDare.
ToDare
HerewefindourfirstglimpseattheinterdependencywithinalloftheSkopoi,alloftheJewels,andallof
theElements.BoundbyhisKnowing,theaspirantisnowcompelledToDare.BoundbyhisTruthfulness,
heisnowrequiredtobeCourageous.Ifitwasevercurioustothestudentwhythewaterprinciplewas
attributedtotheCodeofDaring,allconfusionmaynowbewipedawaybytheElementalKey.Herewe
seethatwateristhebindingforceofouruniverse,soitisattributedtheSkopoiofLove(thatwhich
bindsonethingtoanother)andtheJewelofCourage(thatwhichbindsustoourpath).Andhere,
CourageissynonymouswithDaring,soitisfoundwithinthegraspofthewaterprinciple.
Soliketheothers,thisCodeoftheMagimaybeexplainedthroughanunderstandingoftheSkopoiof
LoveandtheJewelofCourage.Thoughcourageanddaringareafieryvirtuesinthepersonality,
philosophicallyweunderstandthesethingstobewatery,fortheycompelustowardsourPath.Itis
Truthwhichdemandsaction,butitisCouragewhichprovidesthefuelforsuchaction.Andsothewater
element,thefuelofourastralbody,servesalsoasthefuelforouraskesis.Thecourageousaspirant
caresnotforrecognition;hedoeswhatisnecessaryevenbehindthecloseddoorsofhismeditation
room.Hemaydothisthroughawaterytearfuldevotionorafierysternresolve,butitisdone
nonetheless.
Sowefindanotherparallel,andthatiswiththeelementalfunctioningofourethericandastralbodies.
ByreferringtoLectureFour,whereanexaminationoftheoccultanatomyismade,weseethatthe
waterelementfuelsus,theairelementprovidesthechannelsalongwhichthisfuelmayfunction,and
127
2011
thefireelementexpressesthatwhichthewaterelementprovides.Consequently,itisLoveandCourage
thatprovidesthefuelforouraskesis,Truthwhichprovidesthechannelsalongwhichthisaskesismay
function,andLightwhichservesastheexpressionofwhatourdaringbringsforth.
Theaspirantalsounderstandsthatatreeisonlyatreebecauseitlovesitself.Heunderstandsthatby
turninghislovetotheuniverse,hisegomaymomentarilydisperseintopureconsciousness.Nolonger
heldtogetherbytheloveofegoawareness,hebecomesexpandedintohypostasisbytheloveofAll.
Thisprocessinvolvesthenextprimaryachievementoftheaspirant:Attachmentofthemindtothe
HigherSelf.Butitisnotenoughtobelovinginouraskesisalone,wemustunderstandhowthistoo
becomesalivingmeditation.Thestudent,havingperformedhispracticesdiligentlythroughhisdaring,is
nowcapableofactingonsuchLove.
Selflessserviceisnaughtbutaneffortlessexpressionofhisinternalstate.Havingobtainedthe
attachmentofthemindtotheHigherSelf,heisboundtoservingGod,andthroughsyllogism,hefinds
himselfnowboundtoservingHumanity.Hemaygivewithoutexpectinganythinginreturn.Inserving
ourfellowman,wefindtheeasiestandmostimmediatewaytoservepureconsciousnessasithidesand
danceswithineachandeveryoneofus.Andwhatifsuchkindnessismetwithanger?Pure
consciousnessissimplydancingwithinyourfellowman,testingyoubyallowingangertopassthrough
himsothatyoumightstrengthenyourresolveandfurtherascendinyourlivingaskesis.
ToWill
AndsotheaspirantKnowstoDareandnowDarestoWill.Asmanymighteasilysurmise,thefire
principlecontainswithinittheCodeToWill.ThisiseasilyexplainedthroughtheSkopoiofLightandthe
JewelofJustice.Nowthattheaspiranthasfoundthetruthandhascompelledhimselftoaction,this
actionbegetsdivinelightintotheworld.Thisisourselflessserviceonahigherlevel.Finally,the
correspondingachievementoftheaspirantistheveritablecontrolofmagicalenergies.Itisthroughthe
controlofsuchenergiesthathemayaccomplishallthathisLordmightWill.
ThisfacetofthefivecategoriesteachesthattheUniverseisnaughtbutCongealedLightofthe
OmniscientGod.UnderstandthatitisthroughthechainofTruthandtheLoveofitthatwemayWillthe
LightofGoddownintotheWorld.Therefore,Ihaveacommandforyouall:Practiceconsistently,that
youmightbeaPillar,ahollowtubetobringdownFirefromHeaven.Truthfulnessbegetsthenecessity
ofCourage,andCouragebegetsthenecessityofJustice.SoliveperfectlyJust,accordingtoDivineLaw,
alwaysseekingandobeyingtheWillofyourHigherSelf.Takeyourlowerwill,andthroughconsistent
askesis,sacrificeittoyourinnerDivineWill.TheVisionoftheAngelisclearlythemostimmediate
methodofthis.Attheculminationofthispowerfulmeditationweareledtothecompletionofour
elementalscheme:CompleteSilence.
ToBeSilent
TheMagitellusthefinalstepoftheirCode:ToBeSilent.SotheaspirantKnowstoDare,DarestoWill,
andnowWillstoBeSilent.Butwhatisthissilence?ItistheSilenceofPeaceandTemperance.Itisthe
verystillnessoftheEarthElement,thatbindingandstabilizingforceofCreation.Theaspirantfindshis
mindandemotionsnowstabilizedbytheTetrapolarForce.Inmeditation,hiselementalequilibrium,
whichisthecorrespondingachievementoftheaspirant,createsadynamictensionwhichkeepsawayall
externalforceswhileencouragingtheproperfunctionofhisbodies.Oneofthehighestpossiblemiracles
thatthetheurgistmayperformistheresultofthefinalconsummationofthisachievement:namely,the
128
2011
achievementofGodUnionandImmortality.
However,letuslooktothatwhichismoreimmediatelypracticaltous:ItisthemindfulnessoftheEarth
Element.Itbegetsprayerwithoutceasing,constantpractice.Themindbecomespermanentlystilland
focused.Theemotionsarecalmalso.Theaspirantdoesnotcutouthisthoughtsoremotions.Theearth
elementisnotdominating.Rather,herelegateseverythingtoitsappropriatesphereofactivitysothat
allthingsexistsintheirnaturalandintendedbalance.RatherthanaRagingSeaofPoseidon,hefindsa
still,peaceful,andbeautifulOcean.Happinessisfelt,sadnessisfelt,butneitherofthesethingsgovern
him.Thebuddingstudentfirstbringsthispeacetohimself,andsecondly,hethenradiateittoothers.
Astheculminationofthatwhichcamebefore,thepeaceandtemperanceoftheearthelementalso
begetstheunderstandingofSilenceandSpeech.Namely,whenthosearoundusarenotreadyforthe
pathofmysticism,weunderstandcompleteSilence.ButwhenourLordplacesanhonestseekerinour
lives,webowourheadsinobedienceandunderstandcompleteSpeech.Justasweareboundtokeep
secretourpathfromthosewhoarenotreadytoknowit,wearealsoboundtotellallthosewhoare
readyandearnestforsuchevolution.ThisistheproperunderstandingoftheLawofSilence.
ToLiberate
Withaproperbalanceofthemindandemotionsinplace,aspiritualundercurrentisfound.Through
whateverhappinessandsadnessmaycome,andthroughallthestillnessinbetween,asortofblissful
undercurrentisdiscovered.HerewefindthemissingelementintheMagisCode,whichlacksafifth
command.ThiscodewasgivenduringtheDarkAges,whenMagicwasknowntobeSorcery,butasthe
MastersbreatheSpiritbackintoMagic,letusbringbacktolifethespiritprincipleoftheCode:To
Liberate.
Therefore,theaspirantKnowstoDare,DarestoWill,WillstoBeSilent,andinhisSilenceheisLiberated
andLiberates.Firstheliberateshimself,andthenifhesochooses,hehelpstoliberatehumanity.Asall
oftheelementalforcesandachievementsreachtheirculmination,theyarefullyconsummatedinthe
spiritwhichpresidesoverthemall.Foralthoughtheearthelementbindstheforcesofnatureinplace,
thereisstillroomforcorruption.Forwherethereisnature,wherethereareelementalforcesatwork,
thereisapushandapull,andwherethereisapushandapull,thereistheopportunityforimbalance.
SoitisthroughSpiritthatallistranscended,andwefindtheCrownJewelofNobility,layingclaimtoour
DivineRight.Soourfifthandfinalattributionisthis:Spirit,Liberty,andNobility.Andtheachievementof
theaspirantthatcorresponds?ConsciousLibertyfromthebody.
So,whatisgiventotheaspirantathisorherownlevel?BecomeNoble!Ridyourselfofthecontrolthat
vicehasoveryou,ratherthanfallingpreytothepushesandpullsoftheelementalforces.Bediligentin
yoursoulmirrors,andbeennobledinyouractions.Donotgiveintogluttonyorlust.Donotallow
yourselftobecontrolledbyeverywhimandpassion.LetSpiritgovernallthatliesbelowit.Remember
thatvirtueisfoundinbalance,andastheGreekswouldteach,theNameofSinisExcess.Sofindthe
properapplicationofeachvirtuetoeachsituation,andalwaysapplytheproperdegreeofforce,
rememberingthattoomuchcourageisfoolishnesswhiletoolittlecourageiscowardice.Andthisistrue
foreveryquality.
Itisalsoimportanttounderstandthat,withlibertyasyourhighestgoal,thelibertyofothersshould
alwaysbecherishedaswell.Therefore,seektogiveallsentientbeingstheabilitytoexercisetheirown
uniqueLiberty.FreedomisessentialforEvolution,andeachpersonisentitledtotheirownchoices
129
2011
insofarasthosechoicesdonotinfringeuponthelibertyofothers.TobeNoble,wemustalreadypossess
perfectTruthfulness,Courage,Justice,andTemperance.Whenweact,wemustknowwhen,how,and
towhatdegree.Nobilityisbestdefinedasthis:TheinclinationtowardstheDivine.
Herewefindtheachievementoftheaspirant,whenheunderstandsthisdefinitionoflibertyin
meditation.Thedivineenergiesbuildingupinsidebecomesogreatthathemusttemporarilyleavehis
bodytofurthercontemplatedivinetruths.Thishappensshortlybeforegnosisinastatecalledthe
Charismos,anditistheastralprojectioninmeditationofthemystic.Herewecomefullcircleinour
understandingofthefiveforces,forbyliberatingourselvesfromthisworld,werealizeandKnowthe
UltimateTruth.
Consequently,doastheMagiCommand!:KnowtoDare,DaretoWill,WilltoBeSilent,BeSilentto
Liberate,andLiberatetoKnow.DothisthroughtheSkopoiandJewelsofTruth(Truthfulness),Love
(Courage),Light(Justice),Peace(Temperance),andLiberty(Nobility).Inyouraskesis,realizethis
throughtheawakeningandtrainingofastralandmentalsenses,attachmentofthemindtotheHigher
Self,controlofmagicalenergies,elementalequilibrium,andconsciouslibertyfromthebody.Itisbythis
LawthatyoumaytestyourAskesis.Ifanyoneofyourexercisesdonotdirectlyworktoaccomplishone
ofthesefivefacets,youhavegoneastray.Thisisthelitmustestfortheaspirantwhoaimstoonedaybe
calledTheurgist.Finally,discoverforyourselfhowtoexpresseachandeveryoneofthesethings
immediatelyandintimatelytoyourlives.Wemaystartthisprocessnow,andaswenearits
consummation,wemaywalkbeforethealtarashumbleservantsandusefultoolsfortheMastersand
Divinity.
130
2011
Vocabulary
Agape:Theselflesscompassionofthemysticforallsentientthings.
Alethe:Truth.Literallytranslated,itmeansnotoblivion,andthereforecontainsinitsthetheurgic
perceptionofwhattruthreallyis.
Aletheias:Thosewholovetocontemplatethetruth.AnAletheiaisakintoideaorientalideaofa
rajayogior,evenmorespecifically,ajnanayogi.Itissomeonewhoseprinciplespiritualpathisthe
contemplation,meditation,andconsiderationofspiritualorreligioustruths.AnAletheiawillmeditate
upontheideaoftheHeimareneasanillusion,forexample,asopposedtoperformingmeditationsor
ritualswhichwillforcefullybringaboutthisrealizationthroughexperience.Thefamousphilosophical
debatesbetweenPorphyryandIamblichusareaclassicalexampleofthedifferencesbetweenthe
passiveorcontemplativepath,andtheactiveortheurgicpath.
AnthosNou:TheFloweroftheSoul.Thetranscendentalpointofselfwhereinindividualityblooms
intotheunifiedfieldofconsciousness.
Aponoia:Misuseofthought.Theconditionthattheaveragepersonisin,wherethoughtsare
controlledbythesensoryworldinsteadofthespiritualworld.
Archeus:TheWorldSoul,whichcontainsandcoordinatesthequalitiesofallphysicalthings,
connectingthelowertothehigher.
Askesis:Spiritualpracticeingeneral.
Atelestos:Theuninitiated.
Episteme:Instructionalknowledge,i.e.,bookknowledge.Knowledgederivedfromasourcethat
onehasreasontobelievein,asopposedtoderivingitoneselffromdiscursiveinquiryorreason.Itis
superiortoopinionandoftenbetterthanreasoning,butisalesserformofknowledgethandirectinner
experience.
Gnosis:Gnosisistrueknowledge,thatwhichisgainedthroughdirectinnerexperience.Inour
traditionitusuallyreferstoHeautonGnosis,orSelfRealization,calledEnlightenment.Itcanalsorefer
tothehighestformofspecificknowledgethough,inthewayofdirectinnerexperiencebeingabove
episteme.
Heimarene:WorldofFate.Thistermreferstoourworldofillusion,whichkeepsmankindin
bondagebypresentingthefalsenotionthatweareseparatefromGod,andkeepsthesensesincontrol
ofourminds.
Hodos:Path,orroad.Inthetheurgictradition,anyspiritualpathisahodos.
Hypostasis:Ameditativestateofabsoluteabsorptioninthesubjectofmeditation,sothatall
differenceceases,andunityisachieved.Intheurgytherearethreehypostases.Inthecosmosthey
131
2011
createthechainofcontemplationbacktoTheOne.Intheurgy,theyreflectthedeepmeditativestates
whereinthemysticunifieshimselfwithprogresslevelsofGod.
Nous:Consciousness.Thelevelofdivinemindbeyondthoughtanddifferentiation.Itexistsasa
stateofintuitiveawareness.Thepathoftheurgyislargelyaboutlearninghowtoplaceone'sselfinthe
realmofconsciousness,thusconqueringthelowertrappingsofmind.
Ousia:Being,orEssence.Itisamoresubtleforcethanenergy,whichexistsatthelevelofsoul.
Ousiaisthebeginningofthesenseofsomething,itsessentialandmostfundamentalquality.Itissaid
thatallaspectsofmindandintellectdescendfromNous,andallaspectsofenergy,form,andemotion
descendfromOusia.
Paradeigma:Astory,fable,mythology,orlifethatservesasamodelfortheidealinitiate.The
storiesofDionysus,Horus,andOdinareexamplesofthreemainparadeigmausedlaterinoursystem.
Paradosis:Thetransmissionofteachingsfrommastertodiscipleoverthecourseoftime.
Prohairesis:Theapplicationofwilltowardsthegoalofdevelopingabalancedandvirtuous
character.
Seira:Chain.Theseiraintheurgyreferstothechainoftraditionwhichspirituallylinksallthe
initiatesofacertaintraditiontogether.Inhighertheurgicteachingsitalsoreferstothechainof
commandbetweenagodandEarth,beginningwiththedecreeofthegodandtravelingsuccessively
throughallthespiritsinvolvedinmakingitareality.
Skopoi:Goals.Thoughitrefersgenerallytothegoalsofallmystics,inoursystemoftheurgythey
arenarroweddowntowhatwecalltheFivePursuitslove,light,liberty,truth,andpeace.
Telestos:Aninitiate.
Theophany:Anappearanceofthedivineinaform,eithertothemindseyeorphysically.
Theoria:Meditation
132

Book of The Probationer

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Book of The Probationer

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

2011

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

The Book of the

Containing ten Knowledge Lectures, four Practice

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer

THE DIVINE SCIENCE The Book of the Probationer