Magic Monday

[ecosophia]

It's getting on for midnight, so we can proceed with a new Magic Monday. Ask me anything about occultism and I'll do my best to answer it. Any question received by midnight Monday Eastern time will get an answer. (Any question received after then will not get an answer, and will likely just be deleted.) If you're in a hurry, or suspect you may be the 143,916th person to ask a question, please check out the very rough version 1.0 of The Magic Monday FAQ here.

The image on the left?  One of the alphabetic wheels from Giordano Bruno's On the Shadows of the Ideas, showing the thirty letters he uses for his system of mnemonics and conceptual algebra.

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With that said, have at it! 

***This Magic Monday is now closed. See you next week!***

Comments

Magic Monday question

[lbach]

On your other blog, you mentioned your belief that May 2022 will be a significant time, presumably astrologically. Would you please elaborate? Significant in what way and why?

Thank you.

Re: Magic Monday question

[ecosophia]

Nah, you misread what I wrote. I simply noted that a clairvoyant I know believes that by May of next year, problems with the currently available coronavirus vaccines will have become impossible to ignore, and there will be a great deal of social tumult as a result. Is he right? We'll have to wait and see.

[(Anonymous)]

This doesn’t initially appear to be magic-related, until you read the article closely, and realize that it is entirely based on Transcendental Meditation.

https://southfront.org/preventive-defense-as-the-ultimate-game-changer/

I’m interested in the reaction you or your commentariat might have regarding this (and I’m rather expecting it is worthy of a nice shredding).

- Roy Smith

[ecosophia]

Too funny. The TM franchise has been trying to push their system using various gimmicks like this for decades now.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

Thanks for hosting the Magic Monday posts here.

A few days ago, parts of the northeast were hit with storms and flooding. I live in an area where there was a lot of damage and a few casualties.

I’ve been doing the SOP for about half a year now with the help of your series of posts. The day after the flooding an odd thing happened as I was doing the SOP. I was at the the Calling of Water, specifically, at the banishing portion and visualizing what I usually imagine when, suddenly, I had an in image of the floods from the night before. That’s the first time an unexpected image appeared for me.

Since then I’ve been meditating about the image of the flooding and why it happened. I certainly don’t believe I personally caused it. Just wondering if, perhaps, it was Mother Nature’s version of banishing as many things got swept away that night. Not sure if maybe that was a preview of things to come.

I also thought maybe this was just a glimpse of how little control we have over such things and as you’ve said, the universe isn’t particularly interested in doing what we want.

My questions:

1. Is it common for unexpected images to appear while doing the SOP?
2. I continued until I was done. Should I have stopped and started over?
3. What is your take on the significance of the specific image appearing as it did?

[ecosophia]

1) Depends on individual factors, but for some people it can be.

2) Always finish the ritual!

3) Having meditated on it, you have a much better chance of figuring that out than I do, as I have no way of knowing what the imagery means to you. Meditating on it was a good move, btw.

[reid_pnw]

JMG,

Mixed bag of questions for you this week.

1. Could you point me towards any writing that speaks about what life looks like for someone in their last human incarnation? I’ve been reading the Handbook casually and it’s I’ve been curious about.

2. Given that I’ve started doing the Rose Cross weekly, what would be a good timeframe for adding the LBRH to my practice?

3. I had my psychedelics phase a few years ago and I largely think that they (and most of the people who use them regularly) are quite boring now. I haven’t touched them since I started practicing magic. That being said, someone level-headed offered to have me partake in an ayahuasca ceremony they’re doing, and having never done anything like that my Sadge stellium self is somewhat interested.

Do you think that would be inadvisable? I realized this week that I’ve thoroughly cracked the egg now, and I have no idea how something like that would interact with my day to day magical life. (I would of course do a divination before committing to anything).

Unrelated: I just finished reading one of your common book recommendations last night, and then ended up having a very nice used copy of Gareth Knight’s How to Read The Aura fall into in my hands first thing this morning. A small oddity.

Cheers,
Reid

[ecosophia]

1) Nobody who knows will write that down. The last thing we need is scores of posers modeling their behavior on a template like that! (Not that I'm suggesting you're anything of the kind, but they're out there.)

2) You don't do the LBRH as a daily practice. It's done in ritual workings solely, when you want to invoke planetary energies. If you've got the R+C ritual down, start doing a weekly temple working, using some appropriate opening and closing ritual -- start just getting that down, and then each time invoke and banish an elemental, planetary, or sephirothic energy until you're good at it. Then you can start in on serious practical and self-initiatory magic, and the fun begins.

3) I wouldn't recommend it, but by all means divine.

4) Hmm! I wasn't aware that Knight had written a book on that subject; the one I know is by W.E. Butler.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG

I've heard people say before that there can be negative consequences to stopping spiritual practices. Do you know if this is true? My current spiritual practices consist of doing the LBRP and the LSRP on alternating days. If I were to stop doing this would there be any major consequences that I should know about?

[ecosophia]

The difficulty is that if you stop now you're going to be open to the spiritual realms, but without the protective effects of the daily ritual practices. That can result in various unpleasant consequences. Why not just keep doing the work, and benefiting from it?

[gullindagan]

Back again, and thank you again for your generosity in hosting this forum.

1. I'd like to announce to the general readership that I'm doing weekly Rune Readings on my dreamwidth. You can click on my name to find the post.

2. In the Saxon MP, am I right in changing the runes for each sphere to go with the divine names? (Tyr for Keter, Os for Da'ath, etc)

3. I am still trying to figure out how to fit astrology in here. There are books by Nigel Pennick and Donald Tyson, but they haven't really caught on. It seems like the Northern and the Western tradition are very different (this project may in fact anger quite a few people, but omelettes and eggs and all that) I think I can do something with fixed stars and 24 runes into 12 signs and such, but it's not coming easily. I'm thinking of just really using Nigel and Donald and Picatrix as inspiration and figuring out something of my own, IF astrology can even really fit in. But we'll see. Any advice? Oh, also,

4. Rick Levine was on the Astrology Podcast and made a few interesting comments. Like between the end of Sept and early Oct there might be things coming to light that we didn't expect... also, he said that the chart for the '22 election looks REALLY interesting. Have you looked at it yet?

[ecosophia]

1) Glad to hear it.

2) Yes, very much so.

3) As there doesn't seem to be a native tradition of astrology as such -- as distinct from mythic starlore, which is quite another matter -- I'd leave it out.

4) Nope -- I've just finished the 2021 Libra ingress chart for Britain, and am gearing up for the next lunar eclipse!

[(Anonymous)]

I offered my opinion and got the feeling a acquaintance was offended. She misunderstood completely. I've had the feeling she's bad news for a while but still hang around anyway. I decided to do a divination and didn't know exactly how to word it but eventually I settled on "What do I need to know about X?"

1M Puer
2M Amissio
3M Puella
4M Via
1D Via
2D Carcer
3D Caput D
4D Puella
1N Caput D
2N Rubeus
3N Conjunctio
4N Fortuna Minor
RW Fortuna Major
LW Amissio
J Carcer

Carcer as Judge I read as I should stay away from her. Fortuna Major RW as I was right about her being bad news. I can't help but feel the Carcer here relates to the monthly chart I did where I got Carcer in the 12th house but I may be reading too much into it. Would you agree or am I letting my bias get in the way?

[ecosophia]

This is definitely saying "walk away.' I'm not sure exactly how you see Fortuna Major as telling you that she's bad news, but certainly that indicates that you were in the right, and Amissio says let it go.

[(Anonymous)]

What do you make of the fact that for quite a while there were 666 comments on your virus/vaccine crisis post, and that the comment which was 666 had a get in it? Do you think this is a sign from Kek?

https://ecosophia.dreamwidth.org/145097.html?thread=18232777#cmt18232777

[ecosophia]

There's a useful saying I learned from a Vietnam vet: "Once is chance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action." Let's see if it happens repeatedly.

Catching Up

[goatgodschild]

Mr. Greer --

As always, thanks for your offering these. They are always appreciated.
Over here, what a busy couple of weeks this has been. It has been about 1-2 difficulties, from injuries to arguments to paperwork mixups and insect infestations. I am wondering if this might be because I am beginning to do more meditation and I'm having to work through things built up in past lives, or if it's more likely a run of incidental bad events?

Re: Catching Up

[ecosophia]

Hard to tell with just a couple of problems. If it continues, you may be getting a dose of karmic cumulation.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi John
Did you happen to see David Marshall’s mostly brainy comment on C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy (Cosmic Trilogy, if you prefer) in “Brave New World? 1984? No, C. S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength is the Novel That Best Predicted Today’s World” over at The Stream? (That’s stream.org for those unfamiliar with Christian apologetics.)
My usual criticism of the Christian habit of jamming everything into prefab Dark Days or End Times homilies stands.
However… the article, and the Space Trilogy offer the Green Wizard the opportunity to apply Lesson 36 from Green Wizardry and suggest good living is possible in bad times…
Since there is a certain functional overlap between the Haliverse and the Space Trilogy, Narnia, and a few other Lewis titles, might you be persuaded to suggest paths of discussion that could draw Lewis-friendly people from the “future = horrible” outlook and to the “future = a challenge” view?
Without causing them to gibber in horror?
Many thanks.
Rhydlyd
Note to self: Sneak a “36” into the heraldry of the Green Wizards’ Benevolent and Protective Association.

[ecosophia]

No, I didn't see that! He's right, of course -- I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn that Pfizer got its vaccine patents from N.I.C.E. As for talking to Lewis readers, well, ask them how things would have turned out in That Hideous Strength if the people at St. Anne's had decided the world was too far gone to save and hidden under their beds waiting for things to get worse...

Tarot

[(Anonymous)]

My brother-by-choice has training in 'energy work', or magic by another name. Translation gets fun. He comes from a background where magic equals demonalotry, so the alternate terms are very necessary for him, and the first few conversations we had were a large stretch in comfort levels for both of us. Me to talk about it with someone face to face, him to confront that background.


He tells me that one cannot buy tarot cards for one's own usage, but must be gifted them. Also, that if one reads tarot for others, one must use a different deck than for one's own readings, and if anyone else touches one's personal deck, one can no longer use it for oneself.

Is this specific to his tradition or is this more universal? I would think sellers of tarot would note that one can't use purchased tarot for oneself if that were universally true! An advertising point if nothing else: buy for all your friends since they can't buy their own.

BoysMom

Re: Tarot

[ecosophia]

That's part of his tradition. It's not a universal rule, though there are a fair number of traditions where that's standard and he should follow them if that's what he's been taught.

[open_space]

Good evening, JMG!

Often times, I have a set of ideas that do not come to me unless under specific circumstances. I noticed something today with my mind and how ideas come to it. For example, if I am in the forest, a particular set of feelings, sensations and ideas flow through my mind which is very distinct from the set of the same things that I feel when I am in a library for example or from a joyful memory of some time in my life. With this in mind would it be any trouble with making a set of mental rooms were I go an revisit and construct those mindstates as sources of inspiration for example? Say, creating a scene in the far mountains of a distant forest when I want tranquility or a jazz room when I want crazy and bouncy ideas.

Many of the occult courses and orders of the past years are Judeo-Christian or use its symbolism in one way or another. As a beginner polytheist myself and given that you've studied and practiced several of such courses and are also a polytheist, how do you work with the systems of training that, at least to my understanding, claim to have the one and only true God? Or is that just a cultural thing and it posses no difficulties in the actual system of training?

[ecosophia]

1) That used to be quite a common practice, and some occult schools still use some form of it. By all means do so if you like.

2) Not all notionally monotheist systems are exclusive. The Golden Dawn, for example, uses Christian symbolism but makes a specific point of teaching that all religions are valid. I have also found very consistently that Jesus is a lot more tolerant than many of his followers seem to think...

[(Anonymous)]

When banishing I routinely get inappropriate thoughts and I then get worried which is the unconscious or even the external force's goal. The question is if these intrusive thoughts are a problem when banishing?

[ecosophia]

It's quite common, and very often it's simply your subconscious pushing back. Ignore it and keep doing the practice.

[(Anonymous)]

JMG,

I had a dire phase a couple months ago which lead me to earnestly praying to ‘non-denominational’ God for the first time to ask for help with something. I also asked for a sign that my prayer was heard. I got my sign the next morning, and a week later my prayer was answered.

Afterwards I offered gratitude every night for several weeks, but I couldn’t help but feel that the ‘line was dead’. I asked for clarification on something peculiar that happened because of the prayer being answered too, but never really heard felt or heard anything coming back to me.

Any guesses as to what happened here? Just a god passing through that decided to do me a quick favour maybe?

Anonymous Commentarian

[ecosophia]

Yes, more or less. You needed help that time, but for whatever reason it's not time for you to develop a relationship with that deity.

the importance of visualising

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG!

I often read how important it is to visualise objects/energy etc in meditation or in general rituals, but what if you can't? I have almost total aphantasia so my mind's eye is generally blank - I hold abstract concepts in my mind rather than visuals. (The only exception seems to be when I'm exhausted, when I can sometimes "see" objects.) Is it important? Are there any workarounds?

Blessings and thanks to you.

Re: the importance of visualising

[ecosophia]

Don't worry about it. If you can hold an abstract concept firmly in your mind, that's just as effective -- people with good visual imaginations simply find imagery easier to use as a focus for intention.

One question: are all of your inner senses aphantastic? For example, can you imagine pressure or movement, not seen but felt? I was mostly aphantastic in visual terms in my youth, though years of practices have change that, but I could (and can) feel movements, pressures, and flows very clearly in my mind's space.

Natural magic correspondences

[(Anonymous)]

Hey jmg

Apart from your book, what other books on the correspondences of gems and herbs do you recommend?

Also, do you think scot Cunningham’s books on this subject are reputable?

Re: Natural magic correspondences

[ecosophia]

I wrote my book because other books available to me were inadequate, and since then I haven't looked at new books, since I had the one I needed!

As for Cunningham's books, they're not reliable at all. He was legendary in the Pagan scene for just copying down stuff from other books, not all of them accurate.

[(Anonymous)]

Has anyone figured out what the wave of 538 synchronicities we saw for a while there back around the 2020 election were about?

[ecosophia]

I'm still baffled by that.

Spiritual health and hygiene

[team10tim]

Hey hey JMG,

I just wanted to post a few links about spiritual health and hygiene for folks new to this world. Please add anything that I miss or mangle. These are things one can do to protect themselves from the negative environments, damaged egregores, and assorted bad juju running around these days.

A daily banishing like the sphere of protection.

On the

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Hey hey JMG,

I just wanted to post a few links about spiritual health and hygiene for folks new to this world. Please add anything that I miss or mangle. These are things one can do to protect themselves from the negative environments, damaged egregores, and assorted bad juju running around these days.

A daily banishing like the <a href="https://ecosophia.dreamwidth.org/tag/sphere+of+protection">sphere of protection</a>.

On the <a href"https://www.ecosophia.net/blogs-and-essays/the-magic-monday-faq/">FAQ</a> there are instructions for hoodoo baths, red bag amulets, and floor washes.

Also, I understand that prayer is helpful.

order of the octagon manifestation

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

I’m curious whether you think that the Order of the Octagon work can cause material world changes and if so, how that is.

The first is relatively explicable to me. I’m the one who realized they’d always been incompetent in everything, finding neither success nor money, despite an amazing talent for attracting prestigious organizations. Despite increasing life stress, I’ve become noticeable less incompetent in my job as a restaurant hostess. I sort of get this one, I’m realizing that the excuses I make for seeing my life as not worth trying in only make me look dumb and “how about no” to that.

The other change I don’t get and don’t know if it’s this work or something else to look to. My financial situation has been dicey for some time and suddenly everything hit the fan… I was an Uber driver who’d started a new more stable job as my car was getting unreliable, but procrastinated and botched the move, and now have a dead car and a job not meeting expenses, facing bills piling up. It looks like in my desperate actions I may end up “accidentally” creating a certain approximation of the “Asheville hipster dream life”, working as a prep cook thanks to connections, living in a ramshackle share house with another weirdo, trading in my car for a scooter, paying off my debt by moonlighting in weird side hustles

So I’m not sure if this is connected to the OoO work but it all seems to be happening as I get into it. (I also had a chaotic ayahuasca vision in July, so there’s lots going on). But how could releasing my blame shame and guilt break my radiator bracket, or align that with running out of cash & credit?

Re: order of the octagon manifestation

[ecosophia]

I doubt it was the Octagon Society work that did that -- that wasn't something that happened to students of the OS material, at least as far as I know (or as far as John Gilbert ever mentioned to me). It may be that you were just ready for a change.

[(Anonymous)]

1) On a certain other thread, you speculated that the Nazi leadership made pacts with demons that eventually resulted in their downfall. In your assessment, when did the Nazi leadership make those pacts?
2) In terms of magical ethics, which is the bigger frack-up: the person who ignored consent before performing a magical working, or the person who technically got consent but very carefully did not get informed consent? (Both are obviously stupid moves, rest assured I have no intention of doing either - but the question occurred to me while thinking about that Gamestation April Fools' stunt someone mentioned a couple of Magic Mondays back and I've realized I don't know enough to have a firm answer either way.)

(Also, on the not-a-question front, there's one thing that makes me think that if something demonic is going on at a large scale these days a 2015 date for its start should be considered more closely: July 2015 is when the New Horizons probe flew by Pluto.)

- pretentious_username

[ecosophia]

1) The entire question of the role of malefic occultism in National Socialism is very complex. It's well documented that Hitler, Himmler, and Hess were all up to their eyeballs in occultism at various points in their lives, and some of the other leading figures seem to have been also involved (though not all -- Bormann, for example, was just a thug). But each of them had their own involvements, and the circle of occultists responsible for founding the Nazi Party, the Thule-Gesellschaft, had its own rituals and connections. I don't think anything as simplistic as a demonic pact was involved -- I referenced them purely as an indicator of what happens to people who get over their head in demonic magic.

2) You'll have to ask the Lords of Karma. They've never passed on their book of rules to me.

[tamanous2020]

Hi JMG,

In a recent post/theory, you mentioned the possibility that this current world class mess around Covid was potentially being driven by either demonic activity (the more likely) or a wrathful deity. Demons primarily effect things here in the material world via the manipulation of the minds and emotions of human beings (or other material creatures). How does that compare to the actions or methods of a wrathful god? If I look at my mythology books, gods tend to employ natural disasters as a common tool ranging from plagues to floods and volcanic eruptions. But they're not averse at all to manipulating mortals or cursing them either! When trying to determine if activity is sourced from the divine vs the bad end of things, what's the best way for us to deduce the likely answer? Prayer and divination?

Thanks,

Tamanous

[ecosophia]

Prayer and divination.

Reading material

[(Anonymous)]

Morning John,
I’ve now read my way through all your novels and what a treat it’s been. I’m now, of course, rather enthusiastic for more. I recall you were working on a series of novels with a more realistic approach to magic. Do you have an expected date of arrival?
Many thanks Averagejoe.

Re: Reading material

[ecosophia]

Not yet, no. The new trilogy is taking a lot of hard work; I've written 85,000 words of the first volume and about 25,000 of each of the other two, but they'll each be 120,000 words or so before they're finished. It's a big sprawling tale set in a (nonexistent) small city in the Midwest, where an old-fashioned magical order had its headquarters back in the day. The main plot has to do with the revival of the order, by way of a woman who comes looking for it after receiving a legacy related to it, but there are backstories in the 1970s, the 1870s, the 1620s and 1630s, and the eleventh century, connecting to an (equally imaginary) small city in Wales and its environs; and reincarnation plays a large role -- the main characters appear rather more than once, with different names, bodies, and relationships.

So it's taking some time! I'll post something when it's ready for publication, of course.

[cutekitten]

Hi JMG,

I had never read about this before. What do you think?


https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2021/09/the-incredibly-bizarre-story-of-sandown-sam/

Since the hut was not there when the adult investigated, I’m inclined to think the kids were pulling Dad’s leg, like with the Cottingly Fairies—but you never know!

[ecosophia]

Really weird things happen tolerably often in this world. Get used to it. ;-)

[(Anonymous)]

Good morning Sir Greer,

I've recently restarted daily Five Tibeten Rites. and just like previous times, I'm finding my sleep is apparently being effected. I easily fall asleep, but I seem to wake up at (many times exactly) 3:30 am. It's not unpleasant, as I do feel eager to start the day, but I worry about long term effects of reduced sleep.

In addition (well after this had started), I recently stumbled on a video by Sadhguru in which he states this is a sign one is on the right path, and to use this time for spiritual practice. Are you familiar with this idea, and do you agree? If so, what practice do you suggest?

Moreover, do you feel my early wake up should be embraced, or would you consider this to be a sign of imbalance? I understand you cannot dispense medical advice, but perhaps you could speak of this in terms of occult tradition, if there are traditions that you know of related to this (?)

Finally, are you aware of the 6th Tibetan Rite, and if so, is it legit? If legit, would you recommend it for help in creative energy needed for one's work?

As always, much thanks for what you do!

[ecosophia]

1) If you wake up at 3:30 am and don't feel any need for additional sleep, don't worry about it. Some people become hyposomniacs -- that is to say, they need less sleep than most of us -- when they do certain kinds of practices. If you're one of them, you've got more hours in the day than the rest of us.

2) Well, what spiritual practices appeal to you? The Five Rites, despite the Tibetan window dressing, come out of one branch of the Rosicrucian tradition -- you can find the same seven vortices "Peter Kelder" talks about in early 20th century Rosicrucian books...

...and they're compatible with just about any form of spiritual practice taught in that tradition, from meditation and prayer through magical ritual and divination. So take your pick!

3) I'm familiar with it -- I've got copies of the original versions of The Eye of Revelation by "Peter Kelder," in which the whole system is presented. It's a workable practice but I'd encourage you to wait until you've done the Five Rites daily for at least a year, so your vortices are cleared and energized enough to handle the enhanced energies.

Breaking up with a Demon

[(Anonymous)]

Previously you informed me that it was possible I had rekindled a demonic connection from a past life because as a young child I vividly remember "letting in" an entity who promised me protection from abuse. I wanted to update you on how that is going and ask a question.

My wife is usually very skeptical about this stuff, but she took it very seriously when I told her that what she has regularly described to me as a "black cloud" when I am being afflicted is actually an entity that matches the description from my childhood memory. Fortunately all the work I have done over the past few years to change myself made a big difference with that conversation. She knows how much effort I have put into being a better person and this is not just a cop out.

So on to the mechanics:
The demonic "armor" I had been given to protect me turned out to be a shell. It's a torture device made up of plates that are black (ceramic about 1.5" thick) on the outside but glowing red on the inside from reflecting heat. My "skin" is still melted and deformed, but for the first time when I meditate I can feel my light radiating from within. Yesterday I ran into a difficult situation and was tempted by the old pattern, but I made up a quick affirmation on the spot.

"I don't need demonic armor. I am strong enough with out it."

The affirmation is in the negative and needs improvement, but it worked by putting things in context and I was able to connect with people on a different level and accept the situation without getting disturbed. This seems like such a small thing but is actually a huge breakthrough. I am used to having to struggle with and suppress my problematic emotions to unpack later, but relaxing and accepting was comparatively effortless.


My question is about working with deities. So far with the 4 CGD deities I have only connected with Sirona more than superficially. Hu Gadarn escapes me and I have a difficult time getting a feeling for him. I was raised Christian and have deep reverence for the Gospel and all it's hidden meanings, but churches of all different denominations give me an almost allergic reaction. I also have occasional visions of someone who fits the description of Athena or Freya. Ideally I would like to work with some Gods and figured since I have less baggage with the Celitc ones and am already involved maybe there is another way to deepen that relationship? Or is it a fake-it-until-you-make-it kind of thing?

As always thanks for the profound positive impact you have had on my life.

Re: Breaking up with a Demon

[ecosophia]

1) The affirmation is very close! Just rephrase it positively -- something like...

"I cast off demonic armor. I am strong enough without it."

...will do the trick very nicely.

2) "Fake it until you make it" is good advice with gods. They're patient and will subtly help you change and grow so that you can interact with them more fully.