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ecosophia
This week's installment rounds out the training for the Server grade. Next week I'll post the initiation for the 4° grade of Student, and we'll proceed from there. Ritual for Working with the Element of Air
To prepare for the following ritual, place a chair in the east or stand to the west of a chair in your room. Make a list of questions you want to ask about the Elemental World of Air. Face the east and trace the yellow circle and line symbol for Air in front of you as you would in creating a Sphere of Protection.
Invoke the Air Element according to your usual method. Expand that yellow Air symbol to be as large as a door. Stand there and ask for permission to enter the World of Air for instruction about the Element of Air and the Elemental World of Air. Wait for permission. It may take a minute, just relax, breathe deeply and listen. Soon you’ll hear or feel the message to enter.
Stepping through the yellow doorway is like stepping through an invisible barrier into another world. It is. Accept the invitation and step through the yellow doorway, turn around and sit down in your chair. Your physical body will be sitting down in this physical world, but your astral body will remain standing and alert in the Elemental World of Air.
Attend to your physical body by breathing deeply, relaxing and setting your intention to travel in the Elemental World of Air in your astral body. Place your attention in your astral body in the Elemental World of Air and ask your questions one at a time.
In the beginning we suggest asking only one or two questions. The problem is not in receiving the answers, but in our ability to remember our questions and the answers as we move through this portal. It’s not at all unusual for those entering the Elemental Worlds to forget their questions and not ask anything. In time, asking questions gets easier and easier.
Sometimes the answer you receive is: “I don’t know,” and that’s a valid answer. If you have the presence of mind, you might then ask: “Who does know the answer to my question?”
Once you have answers to your questions, thank the beings who have been working with you and ask for permission to depart. That permission is always given but sometimes a short message is communicated first. Keep in mind that you’ve entered a world where your desire is their command to perform acting under their own laws and regulations. Your request for permission to leave will always be granted and the request is always appreciated. So is a simple: “Thank you.”
As you return your attention to this physical reality you realize the yellow doorway is in front of you and your astral body is on the other side of that doorway. Just will your astral body to come through the doorway and return to your body. It will. Now by an act of will, diminish the size of the yellow Air symbol to a dot and bring it into your aura so it becomes a part of you. It is no longer a doorway to the Elemental World of Air. It is a part of you as is the knowledge you learned while visiting there.
It’s a good idea to perform this ritual several times before taking your Student initiation. The knowledge you learn will serve you well. Here are some typical questions for which you can receive answers (but these are only a few suggestions and are not intended to limit your questioning in any way):
1. What can Air Elementals teach me about myself?
2. What can Air Nature Spirits (Sylphs) teach me about myself?
3. Is there a Sylph willing to be one of my Spirit Guides?
4. If so, what is that Sylph’s name?
5. What will you teach me (name of Nymph)?
6. What’s the name of the Air Angel in charge of my body?
7. What will you teach me (name of Angel)?
Elementals and Nature Spirits do not have egos. Elementals have spirits. Nature Spirits have spirits and souls. Both are very genuine and unencumbered by egos and ego wars. But they do appreciate common courtesy and they appreciate our gratitude and our prayers.
Angels do not have puffed-up egos like humans, but they do appreciate our gratitude. They not only appreciate our prayers for them, they appreciate our acknowledgement of their existence and value. So does the Archangel Raphael who is the Grand Commander of the Elemental World of Air.
* * * * *
At this stage the third chapter of The Kybalion may be studied with advantage.
CHAPTER III: Mental Transmutation
Symbolism:
Grade: 4°, Student
Emerald Table: “And as all things were from One, by the meditation of One, so all things are born from this One Thing, by adaptation.”
Cabala: Yesod to Hod, the Path of Imagination
Tarot: Arcanum III, the Empress
Geomancy: Conjunctio—Mercury in Virgo
Text:
“Mind (as well as metals and elements) may be transmuted, from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition; pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art.”–The Kybalion.
As we have stated, the Hermetists were the original alchemists, astrologers, and psychologists, Hermes having been the founder of these schools of thought. From astrology has grown modern astronomy; from alchemy has grown modern chemistry; from the mystic psychology has grown the modern psychology of the schools. But it must not be supposed that the ancients were ignorant of that which the modern schools suppose to be their exclusive and special property. The records engraved on the stones of Ancient Egypt show conclusively that the ancients had a full comprehensive knowledge of astronomy, the very building of the Pyramids showing the connection between their design and the study of astronomical science. Nor were they ignorant of Chemistry, for the fragments of the ancient writings show that they were acquainted with the chemical properties of things; in fact, the ancient theories regarding physics are being slowly verified by the latest discoveries of modern science, notably those relating to the constitution of matter. Nor must it be supposed that they were ignorant of the so-called modern discoveries in psychology–on the contrary, the Egyptians were especially skilled in the science of Psychology, particularly in the branches that the modern schools ignore, but which, nevertheless, are being uncovered under the name of “psychic science” which is perplexing the psychologists of today, and making them reluctantly admit that “there may be something in it after all.”
The truth is, that beneath the material chemistry, astronomy and psychology (that is, the psychology in its phase of “brain-action”), the ancients possessed a knowledge of transcendental astronomy, called astrology; of transcendental chemistry, called alchemy; of transcendental psychology, called mystic psychology. They possessed the Inner Knowledge as well as the Outer Knowledge, the latter alone being possessed by modern scientists. Among the many secret branches of knowledge possessed by the Hermetists, was that known as Mental Transmutation, which forms the subject matter of this lesson.
“Transmutation” is a term usually employed to designate the ancient art of the transmutation of metals–particularly of the base metals into gold. The word “Transmute” means “to change from one nature, form, or substance, into another; to transform” (Webster). And accordingly, “Mental Transmutation” means the art of changing and transforming mental states, forms, and conditions, into others. So you may see that Mental Transmutation is the “Art of Mental Chemistry,” if you like the term–a form of practical Mystic Psychology.
But this means far more than appears on the surface. Transmutation, Alchemy, or Chemistry, on the Mental Plane is important enough in its effects, to be sure, and if the art stopped there it would still be one of the most important branches of study known to man. But this is only the beginning. Let us see why!
The first of the Seven Hermetic Principles is the Principle of Mentalism, the axiom of which is “THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental,” which means that the Underlying Reality of the Universe is Mind; and the Universe itself is Mental–that is, “existing in the Mind of THE ALL.” We shall consider this Principle in succeeding lessons, but let us see the effect of the principle if it be assumed to be true.
If the Universal is Mental in its nature, then Mental Transmutation must be the art of CHANGING THE CONDITIONS OF THE UNIVERSE, along the lines of Matter, Force and Mind. So you see, therefore, that Mental Transmutation is really the “Magic” of which the ancient writers had so much to say in their mystical works, and about which they gave so few practical instructions. If All be Mental, then the art which enables one to transmute mental conditions must render the Master the controller of material conditions as well as those ordinarily called “mental.”
As a matter of fact, none but advanced Mental Alchemists have been able to attain the degree of power necessary to control the grosser physical conditions, such as the control of the elements of Nature; the production or cessation of tempests; the production and cessation of earthquakes and other great physical phenomena. But that such men have existed, and do exist to-day, is a matter of earnest belief to all advanced occultists of all schools. That the Masters exist, and have these powers, the best teachers assure their students, having had experiences which justify them in such belief and statements. These Masters do not make public exhibitions of their powers, but seek seclusion from the crowds of men, in order to better work their way along the Path of Attainment. We mention their existence, at this point, merely to call your attention to the fact that their power is entirely Mental, and operates along the lines of the higher Mental Transmutation, under the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism. “The Universe is Mental”–The Kybalion.
But students and Hermetists of lesser degree than Masters–the Initiates and Teachers–are able to freely work along the Mental Plane, in Mental Transmutation. In fact all that we call “psychic phenomena”; “mental influence”; “mental science”; “new-thought phenomena,” etc., operates along the same general lines, for there is but one principle involved, no matter by what name the phenomena be called.
The student and practitioner of Mental Transmutation works among the Mental Plane, transmuting mental conditions, states, etc., into others, according to various formulas, more or less efficacious. The various “treatments,” “affirmations,” “denials,” etc., of the schools of mental science are but formulas, often quite imperfect and unscientific, of The Hermetic Art. The majority of modern practitioners are quite ignorant compared to the ancient masters, for they lack the fundamental knowledge upon which the work is based.
Not only may the mental states, etc., of one's self be changed or transmuted by Hermetic Methods; but also the states of others may be, and are, constantly transmuted in the same way, usually unconsciously, but often consciously by some understanding the laws and principles, in cases where the people affected are not informed of the principles of selfprotection.
And more than this, as many students and practitioners of modern mental science know, every material condition depending upon the minds of other people may be changed or transmuted in accordance with the earnest desire, will, and “treatments” of person desiring changed conditions of life. The public are so generally informed regarding these things at present, that we do not deem it necessary to mention the same at length, our purpose at this point being merely to show the Hermetic Principle and Art underlying all of these various forms of practice, good and evil, for the force can be used in opposite directions according to the Hermetic Principles of Polarity.
In this little book we shall state the basic principles of Mental Transmutation, that all who read may grasp the Underlying Principles, and thus possess the Master-Key that will unlock the many doors of the Principle of Polarity.
We shall now proceed to a consideration of the first of the Hermetic Seven Principles–the Principle of Mentalism, in which is explained the truth that “THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental,” in the words of The Kybalion. We ask the close attention, and careful study of this great Principle, on the part of our students, for it is really the Basic Principle of the whole Hermetic Philosophy, and of the Hermetic Art of Mental Transmutation.
* * * * *
Here follows the third introductory lesson on Spiritual Alchemy.
Preliminary Lesson Three—The Law of Guilt
If you judge yourself to be guilty over anything and you carry that guilt around with you, please know that's a more serious mistake than whatever you did that makes you feel guilty. It's a lot more of a burden to carry a load of guilt around with you than to make a mistake. The work you’ve already done with blame and shame is important in laying the foundation for this third stage of the preparatory work of the Order of Spiritual Alchemy.
Guilt is like blame and shame. It starts with something important and real—a recognition that something wrong has happened—but it loses touch with that reality and becomes a destructive burden. If you have done something wrong, the right thing to do in response to it is to accept that you did something wrong, make amends for it, learn from it, and go on to make better choices in your life. That approach makes every mistake a learning experience that leads to better things. Wallowing in guilt, like wallowing in shame or blame, means losing the opportunity to learn. This is the Law of Guilt: Carrying the weight of guilt causes more harm than the things for which we feel guilty ever did.
Review the work that you have done already on blame and shame, and then, one at a time, think about the things that make you feel guilty. In your notebook, write down what you did that makes you feel guilty. Write as much as you feel appropriate about each of these things, and include why you feel guilty about each of them. Take as much time as you need to in order to get it all down. Then, taking one of these things at a time, think about them and write about them in your notebook. Your goal is to reach the point at which you can honestly say the following things to yourself:
· I made a mistake (name it).
· I made, am making, or will make restitution to the best of my ability either to the wronged parties or other people (name them).
· I accept the fact I was guilty of making that mistake (name it).
· I forgive myself for making this mistake (name it).
· I forgive other people (name them) for the comparable mistakes they made that harmed me (name them).
· I love myself in spite of making this mistake (name it).
· I know the Divine (use any name you choose) accepts me in spite of making this mistake (name it)
· I know the Divine (use any name you choose) forgives me for making this mistake (name it).
· I know the Divine (use any name you choose) loves me in spite of making this mistake (name it).
You may not be able to reach the stage at which you can honestly say these things to yourself about everything in your life that makes you feel guilty. If that happens, accept that fact and move on. As with the previous lessons, spend between one and two weeks on this lesson, devoting some time to it every day.
This concludes the preliminary work of the Order of Spiritual Alchemy. You are not required to go any further in this work as part of your studies in the FHR. If you choose to go on, however, you will find the lessons for the 8 ranks of the Octagon Society, the first of the three levels in the Order of Spiritual Alchemy, at www.octagonsociety.org.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-07-16 12:45 am (UTC)Can I ask what are the benefits of initiation and about how much of the benefit of the course of study I miss if I go through the grades without it?
(no subject)
Date: 2022-07-16 01:05 am (UTC)"I further promise that I will never use any magical knowledge or ability I may now have or may gain hereafter for selfish or destructive purposes, and should I do so, may my powers depart from me until by proper restitution I have earned their return."
-- doesn't mean you can't defend yourself or get things you need. It means you're promising not to be a jerk. One of the papers in the Seeker grade puts it this way:
"The path of only helping yourself leads to sorrow. The path of helping yourself and others leads to ultimate victory for everybody. You choose your path."
The point of initiation, to answer your question, is that it attunes you to the magical and spiritual forces of the cosmos. It's a magical working directed toward your own spiritual development, and it accelerates the process of opening your awareness to the Unseen and giving you the tools and skills you need to work with magical forces.
Do you have to do the initiation rituals? Of course not. You can study and practice everything else in these posts, and skip the initiations. You'll just get better results if you do the initiations.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-07-16 08:11 am (UTC)It seems I have an issue with my "self"-image now that I type about these words.
Doing the initiation rituals sounds like something that I don't want to miss! Would I loose the benefit of the egregor if I tune to myself the words and the ceremony a little bit? Just a little bit but with the same intent, of course.
§Honore-Leclerc Freneville-Forgeron
(no subject)
Date: 2022-07-16 05:15 pm (UTC)2) Any change you make weakens the connection to the egregor. I recommend doing the rituals exactly as given -- the mild shock of doing a rite that doesn't follow the patterns of your habitual thinking is a helpful part of the work.
Thank you
Date: 2022-07-17 12:32 pm (UTC)MILLICENTLY LURKING
just f.y.i.//off-topic: you're cited in an article that made it to HackerNews front page
Date: 2022-07-17 06:19 pm (UTC)https://unherd.com/2021/11/this-is-how-civilisations-collapse/