2,000 Greater & Lesser Mysteries

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ 2,000 Greater & Lesser Mysteries / 2,000 Greater and Lesser Mysteries.iso / oto / mys01555.txt < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1994-06-10 | 29.8 KB | 671 lines

* Ouroboros News ****** The electronic Newsletter of Ouroboros Camp O.T.O. ****** Editor : Soror Nuntias Ouroboros News is published in cooperation with Modem Magick BBS & Ouroboros Camp, O.T.O. Copyright 1991 @ Ouroboros Camp. All rights reserved. Please feel free to pass this Newsletter to other BBS's. The contents of the articles contained here are not always the opinion of the editor or anyone affiliated with Ouroboros Camp, Modem Magick or the O.T.O. No one agrees all the time! You are encouraged to submit articles, letters, opinions, etc.. to FidoNet Node 1:202/311 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1 2. BBS NEWS ................................................. 9 3. WORD SCRAMBLE PUZZLE ..................................... 10 4. ADS ...................................................... 11 5. CAMP NEWS ................................................ 12 OURNEWS 1-02 Page 1 8 Jul 1991 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= An IIIxxi e.n. July 5, 1991 e.v. Sol in Cancer Luna in Aries We have three very interesting articles lined up for this issue of the OCN, so let's get on with it! * * * * * * * * * * * WHAT IS MAGICK? Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Perhaps the easiest way to answer the question above is by asking: "what ISN'T Magick?". The following is a VERY incomplete explanation of the many facets of the wonderfully complex concept which was the prototype for science and the forerunner of astronomy. Aleister Crowley has written such a thorough essay on this subject that I find myself incapable of adding anything which does not echo his definition. Read the introduction of his opus "MAGICK IN THEORY AND PRACTICE". One must keep in mind that Magick demands repetitious study. It is foolish to assume you have understood something unless you have read it several times and have been able to achieve the same results every time. One must approach Magick the same way a scientist attacks his experiments in the laboratory; by keeping notes. KEEP A DIARY! Ask anybody what Magick is and the first answer you will get will have to do with either the superstitious mumblings of the Fanatical Fundamentalist or the ridiculing rhetoric of the Senseless Skeptic. This Skeptic fellow has got one up on our Fundamentalist friend in that he can still control some of the activity in his brain. There is hope for this one. Aleister Crowley defines Magick as "The Science and Art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will". Ambrose Bierce defines Magic as "An art of converting superstition into coin". Notice the difference in the spelling. To distinguish illusionary Magic from real Magick, Crowley chose the Elizabethan variation by using the K at the end of the name. This changes the numerical value of the word and should be studied. OURNEWS 1-02 Page 2 8 Jul 1991 Magick is the method by which all things (be it conscious or not) exist and live their lives. Magick will not transform one into something which they are incapable of being. Magick will, however, allow you to recognize who and what you are so that your full potential may be realized. So much beauty and mystery is found in the surviving literature of those who practiced the Art that many artists are instinctively drawn to Magick by verse and song. Ceremonial Magick is the physical expression of the great struggle of evolution put into mystical dance, it is the essence of what we have been, what we are now, and the attempt to assist Nature, Our Great Mother, in what we are to become by self-discovery and by assisting in our further development. In order to understand how Magick works, a few things must be said about the mind. The brain doesn't just store memory; it is also capable of behaving as a receiver. It registers memory and then executes the appropriate response. Thought & information is maintained within our cells. The DNA of which we are composed carries within it not only genetic information, but specific experiences, thoughts, and patterns of personality from our parents. This is often what a person experiences in "past life" episodes. Energy (memory) is released by the cell and the brain picks up and processes the genetic information retained within the cell. The brain does all this in its efforts to answer those haunting questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? Each cell is a separate, living, conscious, life form. Just as we are. The problem is that we are not, as a rule, consciously capable of releasing the data within these cells. For the most part we are created, and shaped according to other people's fancies. It begins very early in childhood when parents, (being ignorant of their own wills) impose certain things on the child which may be at odds with, could be in alliance with, or may not have anything to do with the child's True Self. As a result people live their lives to please those around them instead of recognizing who they truly are. The longer we are forced to do this, the deeper we hide ourselves, the harder it is for us to find who we truly are. There are two manuscripts which intermingled, have become the source of knowledge for the modern-day Magician. The first is called "The Book of Solomon". It is believed to have been written between 100 and 400 A.D. It is based on the myths found in the Old Testament, the Talmud, and the Koran revolving around Solomon the King; the author of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs and Wisdom. With the assistance of Demons subdued by a ring given to him by the angel Raphael, Solomon built a Temple dedicated to the evocation, prosecution, classification and identification of OURNEWS 1-02 Page 3 8 Jul 1991 malignant spirits. This manuscript includes information as to what names were used to call them and constrain them, as well as an elaborate hierarchy based on their power and abilities. He forced demon after demon to concede their name, power, and the name of the angel who could be called to control them. This work has been looked upon as the greatest contribution to Ceremonial Magick by those who practice it, as it is a very complete genealogical tree drawing from Persian, Greek, Jewish, and Christian mythology. The second is a series of elusive writings received during several crystal gazing sessions by two Elizabethan magicians named John Dee and Edward Kelley, from 1582 to 1587. Dr Dee anticipated that one could better communicate with the angels of God if he could speak in their tongue. He thus hired the assistance of Edward Kelley, a medium, to communicate with the angels who would eventually divulge the language of the angels called: Enochian. This strange speech was believed to be the language which Adam used to communicate to the angels before the Great Fall. With the help of several angels Dee and Kelley were able to compose four elemental tablets containing a hierarchy of specialized angels which could be summoned to the service of the magician. The names written on these tablets were believed to be so powerful that they were given to Kelley in reverse, for it was believed that the angels could be accidentally invoked by concentrating on the strange characters which composed their names. Even today experienced magicians heed to this warning, and dabblers are discouraged from the use of Enochian Magick for their own safety. There appears to be a tradition of burning one's works at the time of one's death. Both Solomon and Dee are rumored to have burnt their memoirs. If this is in fact true, then one would think that what we possess of these great men and women is very little in comparison with what must have perished by fire. For one reason or another; on April 10 1586, Dr. Dee burnt all of his works. However, concurrent to the chronicles left behind; on April 30th, while strolling through a garden in the castle of Trebona, Dee found the books he had deliberately burnt on the 10th. Magick is ancient psychoanalysis. It is often used as a means to free the Real Self from the self which has been created by others. The Magician takes a hidden and sometimes hideous part of consciousness (as in Goetic work, the evocation of Demons) and externalizes it to better deal with it. Through Magick we make the necessary adjustments to achieve a healthy and well balanced individual. Magick is the way by which one can come to consciousness of the activity and Infinite Wisdom within us all. And by doing so Magick will have helped us to see ourselves as we truly are so that we may plot our course accordingly. OURNEWS 1-02 Page 4 8 Jul 1991 As soon as we recognize the Deity within we will find that we have been in control the whole time but have not responded well because of our lack of Understanding. It is like driving with a blindfold. The strength of your Will is measured by your ability to respond (rather than react) to your environment. When you embrace Life, and when you can willingly experience it as it is, then you will have embraced with Nuit. Love is the law, love under will. Secundus Kerub - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - The Great Work of Insect Metamorphosis by Rebis "Look to the ant, thou sluggard, and be wise." ------------------------------------------------------- Death Magick Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Subphylum Mandibulata, Class Insecta. Members of this most ancient and primitive race have always been familiar to us; as competitors, combatants, curiosities, and occasionally, co-conspirators. From the Luna Moth to the Cockroach, we regard them with a mixture of repulsion and fascination. The repulsion is perhaps a result of our often competitive roles, the fascination a result of their strange beauty; but in addition, there seems to be something familiar about them. Perhaps they stir ancient memories, causing them to rise from genetic history into our subconscious minds; or perhaps we project our own deep reflections upon them like Rorschach Blots -- but then who designed the "random" swirls of the Rorschach Blot if not She who designed us? Each species of insect belongs to an Order. There is the Order of the Straight Wings (Orthoptera) which plagued Egypt, the Order of the Sheathed Wings (Coleoptera) ruled by Khephra, the Order of the Dual Wings (Diptera) ruled by Beelzebub, the Order of the Wedded Wings (Hymenoptera) with its complex hierarchies, the Order of the Scaled Wings (Lepidoptera) ruled by Chuang Tzu, and many others, each with its own regalia, rites, and modes of recognition. Like us, insects undergo embryonic as well as post-embryonic development. Unlike most of us, the post-embryonic development of most insects involves rather drastic changes in appearance and occurs in distinct stages. This post-embryonic development is OURNEWS 1-02 Page 5 8 Jul 1991 known as metamorphosis. There are several types of insect metamorphosis, we will focus on "complete" metamorphosis, the system promulgated by the Order of the Scaled Wings (butterflies and moths) and certain others. In complete metamorphosis, the insect undergoes 4 stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa and Adult. We will begin our examination with the Larval stage. The Larva Larva is a Latin word meaning "ghost". The Larval or Instar stage may be regarded as the "student", "neophyte" or "Man of Earth" grade. The task of the Larva is to get bigger; to consume enough nourishment to progress to the next stage, or to serve as a juicy morsel for a predator. The Larva is usually blind, has very restricted mobility, and is unconcerned with anything it is not directly touching. The Pupa Pupa is a Latin word meaning "doll" or "puppet". The task of the Pupa is to refrain from activity (enter into a Magical Retirement) while Transformation takes place. The Pupal stage corresponds to the "portal" or "K.E.W.", the bridge between the Man of Earth and the Lover. The Transformation to Adult, or Imago, which takes place within the Pupal case occurs as follows. The Instar contains seed cells within its body, called Imaginal Buds. During the Pupation period, the imaginal buds secrete chemicals which lyse or destroy the surrounding cells. Meanwhile, the buds themselves grow and divide to replace the destroyed cells. Eventually, all the cells of the Instar are destroyed and replaced by cells of the Imago. This process, the Instar transforming itself into the Imago, is referred to as Imagination. The Adult The Adult insect or Imago, corresponding to the Adept or Grade of Lover, emerges from the Pupal case (pastos or tomb), expands its wings by pumping fluid into them, and flies away to find a mate or engage in other social activities. In addition to the power of flight, the Imago has other "miraculous" abilities, in part due to its well developed sensory organs. Bees can see ultraviolet light, ants can communicate complex messages via the sense of smell, and the males of some species of moths can sense a female over a mile away. As most of us know, many insects also have the power of invisibility; most insects are quite familiar with the virtues of herbs and plants, and some insects are definitely capable of causing illness in our neighbor's cattle. It is alleged that some insects can predict the weather, but it is not known whether they can predict the future. Through the process of sexual reproduction, the Imago may achieve "genetic samadhi" by unifying its genetic will with a separate genetic will, and then dying. Both are simultaneously preserved and destroyed through the formula of Tetragrammaton. That is, OURNEWS 1-02 Page 6 8 Jul 1991 genetic will "I" unites with genetic will "H". The Union of genetic wills "V" results in the genetic will "H2", which is neither "I" nor "H" but contains both in their entirety. The Egg The apparent loss of the individuality through combination and death is analogous to crossing the Abyss (Note - Da'ath = Knowledge = Gnosis = Union). The individual is dead and gone, yet there is that which remains - in combined form as the Child; which is in this case the egg. The Imago (Lover) is therefore concerned with the evolution of the species by its choice whether or not to reproduce, whereas the Instar (Man of Earth) is concerned with its own personal evolution. What is the formula of the Lover? Union. Love (13 ) is Union (13). The egg in this system therefore corresponds to the grade of Hermit, the Master, the dweller in the City of the Pyramids (have you ever seen a cluster of moth or ladybug eggs?) withdrawn from society, consciousness and duality. The task of the Master in the City of the Pyramids (Binah), is to wait for the refining fire to burn it into a white ash or pure will (Chokhmah), which is further reduced to a grain of dust (Kether) which is carried either into nothingness (the dissolution, Nirvana) or into the Kingdom (as a Boddhisattva). The egg either dies or hatches. If it hatches a new cycle begins, and the Great Spinner of the Web of the Universe will smile and ask, "Whom have you there?" - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - A FEW SPECULATIONS REGARDING GESTURES IN THE RITUAL OF THE PENTAGRAM Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Here at Ouroboros Camp, no two magicians do the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP) in quite the same fashion. Some of this difference results from the brush strokes of personal style, while others revolve around a minor outlook difference in the approach to the magical universe. Vibration can vary between one set of vocal chords and another: the good crystal get's shaken or it seems that the scene has been shifted to a synagog. This is also affected by past magical or dramatic training, a heavy grounding in verbal poetics, singing lessons, all of these, none of these, or the sundry permutations born of their combinations. OURNEWS 1-02 Page 7 8 Jul 1991 There is one point, though, that separates magicians as they draw their pentagrams and invoke or banish in the quarter: The use of a stabbing gesture, or the Sign of Horus to charge the pentagrams. This difference of approach is partly due to tradition. Yet, at a basic level, sits a fundamental difference in viewing the relation of the magician and the universe. Alpha). Tradition. In thelemic orbits, it is customary to utilize the Sign of the Enterer when charging the pentagrams in the LBRP. This practice originates in Liber XXV, THE STAR RUBY, first introduced in THE BOOK OF LIES as an updated and "Thelemic" LBRP. The LBRP, as taught to Crowley by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, involved a bit of Dagger and Air play, and a stabbing motion with the dagger into the heart of the pentagram at the vibration of the God name. Why a break in tradition? The clues to this can be found in LIber AL I, 37 & 49 (A tip from your friendly, neighborhood center of pestilence). This break in tradition, though, conceals two slightly different view points: 1. As a above, so below; 2. There is no god but man. Beta). As above, so below. The magical outlook imbedded in the use of a stabbing gesture in the LBRP is pure, uncut hermeticism. It is a function of the Hermetic dictum: As above, so below; in less poetic, yet equally mystical terms, the macrocosm is in the microcosm and the microcosm is in the macrocosm. Yet what does this mean for the magician in the temple, preparing to charge a circle? Simply that there are certain shared characteristics between the magician and the external universe, various innate structures that can be utilized for the accomplishment of various ends. The objective reality of gods, demons, jazz musicians, and insurance agents will not be worried about at this point. Nor should one worry, as Crowley pointed out in the beginning of Liber O "By doing certain things certain results follow; students are most earnestly warned against attributing objective reality or philosophical validity to any of them." Gamma). There is no god but man. Crowley spent a few years traveling in India, Nepal, China, and sundry other points commonly referred to as "The East" during the latter days of the British Empire. Like Richard Burton before him, Crowley was quite able to mix with the OURNEWS 1-02 Page 8 8 Jul 1991 natives where ever he went, and where Burton made inroads to Islam that no infidel had dared before, Crowley similarly charmed his way into Hindu temples. No where in his CONFESSIONS does he state that he received initiation from any Tantric Orders while in India, yet he does drop mild hints, and mentions making a sacrifice to Kali. From these adventures, Crowley brought back a working knowledge of Yoga, Chakras, and Eastern Mysticism. He also brought back the central modus of both Hinduism and Buddhism: All existence is illusion. The use of the Sign of the Enterer expresses this view of the universe. Energy is being focused at the Ajna chakra, and hurled into the pentagram during the vibration of the god name. With practice, and a constant use of yoga, the energy of all the lower chakras could probably be focused this way, and hurled from Ajna into the pentagrams, or whatever eidolon the magician might create. By doing this, the magician is tapping into the locally available energy of the chakras. Instead of tapping into a static and pre-existing holographic matrix of form and energy, the magician has opened a valve here, spun a wheel there, and powered up with the one local utilities. It is up to the individual magician as to which methods to use, which way to see the world. Love is the law, love under will. Frater Hoath Iaida - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - ----------------------------------------------------------------- OURNEWS 1-02 Page 9 8 Jul 1991 ================================================================= BBS NEWS ================================================================= * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Modem Magick Conference Schedule Modem Magick hosts several on-line real-time conferences a week. Load up your favorite terminal program, set your parameters to 8/N/1 and dial (619) 447-5010. Spring Conference schedule......... Monday There is a Wicca discussion group in the Crystal Cauldron Conf room....at 7:30. Sunshine is our moderator. Tuesday Thelemic discussion group... 2nd Aethyr Conference room, located in the Ouroboros Sig. 8:00 Thursday Thelemic bumping in the 2nd Aethyr at 7:00 Sunday An open free for all chit-chat. No moderator, 8:00 in the Oasis. BYOL. All times are Pacific. Anyone who would like to host a conference or has suggestions for new conferences, is encouraged to submit ideas to FidoNet Node 1:202/311 ------------------------------ THE BBS LIST These boards are members of 93Net. All of them are operational 24 hours. Entries marked with a '*' are boards that are reachable via PC Pursuit. * BaphoNet Brooklyn, NY 1-718-499-9277 * HaditNet Memphis TN 1-901-373-4188 * Modem Magick El Cajon, CA 1-619-447-5010 Nu Net Victoria, BC 1-604-383-9376 * Tahuti Net Eagle Rock, CA 1-213-258-5724 * ThelemaNet San Francisco, CA 1-415-751-9308 Tower of BABALON Lansing, MI 1-517-487-9393 Note that the number for Tower of BABALON has changed. Hawkwind will be down for the summer because of the heat in the valley where it originates. Happy modeming! Love is the law, love under will. ----------------------------------------------------------------- OURNEWS 1-02 Page 10 8 Jul 1991 ================================================================= WORD SCRAMBLE PUZZLE ================================================================= Theme: Egyptian Unscramble the words below and enter your answers in the spaces provided, the answer to this issues puzzle will be published in the next issue of the Ouroboros Camp Newsletter. 1. IBNAUS 8. AHTRHO 2. NHKA 9. ETS 3. HNPYTSEH 10. TUMRISS 4. RSOISI 11. EESLT 5. RHUOS 12. PXINSH 6. TEMSYI 13. TABS 7. SIIS 14. PRYSUPA ------------------------------------------------------ 1. 8. 2. 9. 3. 10. 4. 11. 5. 12. 6. 13. 7. 14. Answers to the last issues puzzle: 1.CROWLEY 2.TEMPLE 3.MASS 4.ELEMENT 5.TAROT 6.DAGGER 7.ALTAR 8.AETHYR 9.EQUINOX 10.MOONCHILD 11.BAPHOMET 12.DIARY 13.BABALON 14.BEAST ----------------------------------------------------------------- OURNEWS 1-02 Page 11 8 Jul 1991 ================================================================= ADS ================================================================= * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Solitaires Circle * * Books - Curios - Hermetic Supplies * * 328 Avocado Ave, El Cajon, CA. 92020 * * Voice (619) 588-5689 Modem (619) 447-5010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ouroboros Camp is selling O.T.O. baseball caps, they are * * black with a white Lamen. Half of the profit goes to * * the Order. Hats are 11 dollars, plus 4 bucks postage, * * Make check payable to Ouroboros Camp, and mail to * * Ouroboros Camp, PO Box 12706, El Cajon, CA. 92022 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Please help to support the O.T.O. legal fund. Donations * * are tax deductable. Send your check or money order * * today!!! Address to... GTG Bill Heidrick O.T.O. * * Box 430 * * Fairfax, CA. 94978 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ----------------------------------------------------------------- OURNEWS 1-02 Page 12 8 Jul 1991 ================================================================= CAMP NEWS ================================================================= Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Things have been fairly quite around the Campsite the last few months. Frater YV and Soror Helena visited us last weekend and did a great ritual workshop with us. If we are lucky and they have time and if Gruff gets our Mass temple together, (that is alot of if's!) we may be having Mass here once a month! We are definitely looking forward to it! Guess that is about it for another Newsletter, hope you enjoyed it, if you have any suggestions, articles, letters, etc that you would like to see posted in the OCN, feel free to either send them to Fido node 1:202/311 or write to... Ouroboros Camp, O.T.O. PO Box 12706 El Cajon, CA. 92020 Love is the law, love under will. Fraternally, -- Soror N Ouroboros Camp Mistress -----------------------------------------------------------------