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. With certain exceptions, any question received by midnight Monday Eastern time will get an answer. Please note:  Any question received after then will not get an answer, and in fact will just be deleted. (I've been getting an increasing number of people trying to post after these are closed, so will have to draw a harder line than before.) 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. Also: I will not be putting through or answering any more questions about practicing magic around children. I've answered those in simple declarative sentences in the FAQ. If you read the FAQ and don't think your question has been answered, read it again. If that doesn't help, consider remedial reading classes; yes, it really is as simple and straightforward as the FAQ says. 

The picture?  I'm working my way through photos of my lineage, focusing on the teachers whose work has influenced me. I'm going to jump back here a bit because I managed to trace down another significant figure from a lineage I've already discussed. Bishop Richard, Duc de Palatine was an Australian spiritual teacher and Gnostic bishop who played a crucial role in bringing the alternative sacramental movement to the United States, and strongly influenced both of the bishops who consecrated John Gilbert. Born Ronald Powell in 1916, he became a member of the Theosophical Society and then a bishop in the Liberal Catholic Church. After the Second World War he moved to Britain and founded the Pre-Nicene Christian Church, one of the major fountainheads of Gnostic Christian spirituality in the English-speaking world, and later traveled widely in the USA and elsewhere, teaching students, ordaining priests, and consecrating bishops, until his death in 1977. I've recently had the chance to study more of his writings and have discovered that he was much more influential a source for the Gnostic material I received than I'd realized -- so he's this week's honoree.

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I've also had quite a few people over the years ask me where they should buy my books, and here's the answer. Bookshop.org is an alternative online bookstore that supports local bookstores and authors, which a certain gargantuan corporation doesn't, and I have a shop there, which you can check out here. Please consider patronizing it if you'd like to purchase any of my books online.

And don't forget to look up your Pangalactic New Age Soul Signature at CosmicOom.com.

With that said, have at it!

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

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

John--

Looking a the Tree of Life and its traditional assignments, I find myself perplexed--at least in the context of modern perspectives. Boaz, the Pillar of Severity, is the pillar of form...I understand that. And with form comes limitation, which I also understand. But as I consider the sephirot--Thought, Will, and Understanding (Hod, Geburah, Binah, respectively)--these seem to me to be active elements, imposing one's will on the external. Likewise, Jachin, the Pillar of Mercy, is composed of Emotion, Compassion, Wisdom (Netzach, Chesed, Chokmah, respectively)--all of which I would see as passive elements, accepting and embracing. Yet Boaz is labelled the negative/passive/feminine side and Jachin the positive/active/masculine side. To some extent, this seems reversed. What am I missing here?

Crystalizing the Aura

[lterrell]

Do you know anything about 'Crystalizing the Aura'?
It is something Damien Echols has mentioned. Seems to be related to what you've talked about (with building a Mental Body) but I suspect quite different.
He's mentioned that what he is trying to accomplish is 'Crystalizing the Aura', which he says is a way to get out of the cycle of reincarnation. It somehow reminds me of your talks about how vampires are made though more so then 'building a Mental Body'. I suspect they are two completely different things but very possible I'm misinterpreting what he is talking about and they are related.

[(Anonymous)]

Is there a word for the occult study of colour, like for numbers it's numerology?

[(Anonymous)]

Reincarnation leads to three broad categories of people - those with low, medium, and high previous numbers of human lives. This may be an oversimplification, but in general, what does each group need from the other two, and what can each offer the others?

5 rites

[d_mekel]

Thanks for sending me links for the full version of the 5 rites last week. As I've been reading it, it's brought up some questions. There is a paragraph that discusses additional benefits to the 5 rites. One is suggesting a tepid or cool bath after the 5 rites and never a cold one because it will cool the insides. Does this mean after doing the 5 rites or never take a cold bath ever? Everyday I finish with a 2 minute cold shower and have seen great benefits, so I would hate to drop it.

There are also dietary suggestions. for example, eating raw egg yolks. Did you follow this to a "t" or are these additonal suggestions?

These questions/answers may seem straight forward, but I do have comprehension issues when reading directions.(so you can imagine how fun that is working through COP!)

[(Anonymous)]

The Sphere of Protection can be used for different things by changing the words, but since words are so important in magic, are there any particular tripwires to avoid or phrases that work especially well for specific purposes?

Just a little spark

[(Anonymous)]

I woke up this morning from a dream in which I understood the tarot to have a fifth suit, named “Time”. That’s proving to be an interesting jumping off point for me. I started cogitating on what the Ace of Time would represent. My first thought was the Big Bang, but that didn’t seem like a good fit with the broader tarot character. I remembered last week’s conversation about time not really existing per se, just being an effect of our limited perceptions and linear awareness. I decided that the Ace could embody the first instant of “perception”, since in order to experience time one needs to perceive something.

Anyway, it occurred to me that this could be a very fruitful way to approach deepening my understanding of the tarot. In order to create a new suit, I would need a deep understanding of the way the cards embody their qualities (what are twos about? threes?). How would that play out in my new suit? Also, it’s fun to mess around with! I thought I’d throw that out here to see if it sparked for anyone else the way it did me.

Thank you as always, JMG, for your hosting and guidance.

Squirrelly Jen

[(Anonymous)]

Dear JMG,

I'm currently reading the four mighty volumes you've edited for the FHR -- thanks a million for that! -- and I have one question or two:

1. In Volume 1, p10, in reference to the SoP you write that you don't vibrate during the Opening. Can you please explain why Divine Names should be uttered, rather than vibrated, during the Opening?

2. The initial step of the SoP involves drawing down the light to a point in the center of your head (p11). A bit further down the text, the initial step of the LBRP is described as drawing down the light to a point above your head (p20). I think I remember you explaining a few weeks/months ago that these are different energy centers in the subtle body and that energizing one or the other will not produce the same results. In consequence, I'm not sure how to make sense of that difference, inasmuch as both rites (SoP and LBRP) are presented as different, but equivalent options within the FHR system. Or is there any amount of flexibility there, e.g. would it be acceptable to start the SoP by drawing the light to a point above one's head and the LBRP by drawing the light to a point in the center of one's head?

Finally:

3. Last week you wrote that a new and considerably expanded edition of your book on the Coelbren was currently being reprinted. Needless to say I'm thrilled. Could you please share a bit more on these expansions? Do they bear on the Coelbren as an oracle (e.g. new insights with regard to the divinatory meanings of the letters), or on other (e.g. magical) uses of the Coelbren?

Thank you, as ever, for your answer, you have no idea what these Magic Mondays mean to me!

R.

question about prayer/relationship with gods

[(Anonymous)]

Sometimes when I pray to gods (say, Hermes) I feel guilty because of my self-interest. Because at some level I'm hoping for their help and blessing.

But I don't want to be in bad relationship with them and treat them as just something to give me something. I know it's a big topic, but wondering if you could offer suggestions about how to be in good, reciprocal relationship the gods and how/when to know if asking for something is ok and when it's better to focus on praise/devotion and listening.

Maybe a related questions (phrased awkwardly) is why possible would gods help or be interested in measly us?

Thanks.

[(Anonymous)]

Just listening to Vikki Bramshaw’s talk on the OBOD podcast. She says something to the effect of „candles and words are all very nice, but it’s the ecstatic parts that really make our magic work and bring in the energy“. So, is my solitary practice with the Druid Magic Handbook bound to fail, as opposed to a group of partying ritualists throwing out energy in a spontaneous act?

[(Anonymous)]

Estimated Archdruid Emeritus,

After a long time of hesitation to learn the Grove ritual (finding the sword symbol too weird), then finally learning and testing it, I’m excited to finally prepare my first ritual in the grove. It will be a SOP of the transforming myself variety, in order to get better at my job. I’ve done such rituals before, with good effects, bur not in a grove. Curious to feel the difference!

Is it enough to do the first of seven rituals in a series inside the grove and the rest without, or should it be several repetitions?

I’m also hoping that the grove will add a dimension to my seasonal rituals - haven’t dare to do the „calling a deity“ part without it yet. Maybe I’ll finally make contact?

My final Ogham reading on this planned ritual says: Beith reversed - Quert upright - Gort upright.
I’m interpreting this as: You have been discouraged by past events in your job - The ritual will do you good - even if you still have a long path before you. Does this sound correct to you?

Many thanks for providing this wonderful course!

Dissertation and translation of a mediaeval Spanish geomancy work

[(Anonymous)]

Just something to share: https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/125462

Discovered this PhD dissertation based on a study of a geomancy text from 13th Century Spain.

Haven’t read through it yet but the abstract looks promising

secret signs

[(Anonymous)]

Just a question to satisfy my curiosity....

I believe you mentioned somewhere that among the oaths you took relative to one of John Gilbert's legacy systems, you promised not to reveal the system's secret signs (I think signs of recognition, or maybe visual images - it's not important which).

I'm curious to know what you did to still pass along the system - skip signs altogether, come up with new ones, look for historical alternatives? Is this a common occurrence in occult teachings, a way for the person redeveloping a system to flex well-learned muscles perhaps, and pass muster?

[(Anonymous)]

I'm getting into the DA material about the Individuality and the Personality. Maybe it's due to the difficult times we live in, but the discussion of the Individuality being beyond identity or feelings or anything of a personal nature reminds me uncomfortably of the globalist agenda (eating bugs, owning nothing, living in pods, and so on).

However, the OSA material describes fear, sorrow and anger as emotions belonging to the personality, while bliss, peace and strength are fundamental properties of our higher selves. I know it's a different system, but John Gilbert had a hand in both, I believe.

Is there anything you'd be willing to say on the experience of getting in touch with one's higher self?

-Cliff

[ivn66]

Hi JMG. Could use a second pair of eyes on two house charts I just cast, if you'd be so kind. I recently relocated and have started looking for a job, with the idea of both picking up some skills and keeping my money situation stable while I establish myself in this city's music scene. I asked about two jobs, and whether they'd be good fits - an apprenticeship with a carpenter and the same with a jeweler.

1. The carpentry chart: https://georatio.com/?c=a398&t=1&d=10&s=2&q=

I read this one as saying that while I'm not thrilled with the idea of working full time (Tristitia), the job would indeed provide the stability (Carcer) I seek (conjunction by quesited in 2nd house) and while I may not enjoy much of it (unfavorable figures as querent and quesited), in the long run I'll be very glad to have developed woodworking skills (Laetitia as Reconciler). Further the appearance of Carcer suggests it will be a difficult job to leave once taken (trainer will likely and reasonably expect a long return on his investment) and have something of an inflexible schedule, making it a difficult job to line up with my desires to still maintain an association with the occasionally-touring music groups I'm presently part of.


2. The jewelers' chart: https://georatio.com/?c=85c6&t=1&d=10&s=2&q=

There's a conjunction from the quesited to the querent again, this time in the 12th. Not entirely sure what to make of that - except that perhaps there will be an element of peacefulness brought about by this job impossible for me to foresee right now. Generally the querent and quesited both look quite a bit more favorable here - Fortuna Major in the 2nd also suggest this might meet my financial goals also. Puella as the quesited, to me, also suggests this job, in Puella's "fickle" character, will leave me with plenty of time to keep working on music. Carcer appears here, too, as the Reconciler, which I don't know whether to read as "in the long run you'll be limited by the less universally-practicable skills this job brings" or "you'll have stability with this one too".

What do you think? Anything I'm missing? Anything to add?

Thanks as always for your time.

Company of the Grail Initiation

[kylec]

First, I thoroughly enjoyed The Ceremony of the Grail. The way you built tension and mystery and then paid it off chapter by chapter allowed me to fly through what I thought might be a slow, academic read like it was a good fiction novel.

Now the question: the ceremony at the end requires ten people in addition to the candidate. I don't know even one person in my non-internet life who would care to be a part of such a thing. Is it possible to go through the initiation astrally, imagining the scenes, words, and actions? If so, are there any other considerations I'd need to take care of, such as performing it in an open CGD temple, or after a banishing, etc?

Thanks.

[(Anonymous)]

If it's okay, I'd like to know if anyone who made an affirmation last month, where JMG had us create an affirmation for the remainder of 2022, had anything interesting happen. Perhaps this is a better question to ask in June or July.

Jon
tangerine tangential cactus

Doing Yoga and Tai Chi at the same time.

[(Anonymous)]

Is it safe to practice Yoga and Tai Chi at the same time? I have been doing Yoga a long time and want to continue for its therapeutic stretching mostly. I am not doing Kundalini or intensive breathwork. My husband just started taking a Tai Chi class and it looks fun and helpful for my balance after pending knee surgery. Long ago, my yoga teacher said that you shouldn't mix the two types of energy systems. I was never sure whether she was afraid of losing a student or she really knew what she was talking about. But, I am reminded of your advice to stick with one magical practice at a time.

Properties of water

[(Anonymous)]

Hello!

Have you read of the works of the Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto and the very curious properties of water when exposed to human emotions?
As usual he is being depicted as a fraud by the rationalist brigade, but assuming his work has some validity, could it be the work of the ether for instance?

Thank you!

Working with the Qlipoth

[hwistle]

Hi John,

I came across a book by Ian Rees called "The Tree of Life and Death", (https://www.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/the-tree-of-life-and-death-transforming-the-qliphoth/95080/#tab2) which subject seems to be working with the Qlipothic demons in order to, so to speak, redeem them... My first thought was Oh Dear! What are they doing! But then I saw you actually endorsed the book... Would you be able to clarify in which context working around Demons might be a good thing? Is this because the purpose of the book is to help the Demons come up to our level, rather than we coming down to theirs? How does this relate to the Goetia? (Actually, are the Goetia and the Qlippoth the same?) As an aside, this reminded me of a book by Giovanni Papini called The Devil where he affirms that one of the purposes of humanity is to actually redeem the Fallen Angel...

Many thanks!

Manuel

[(Anonymous)]

Hey Mr. Greer!

I know you cannot offer medical advice, but would you be willing/able to impart a condensed version of any relevant learning you've acquired about the herb known as Holy Basil? I'm particularly interested in any occult teachings regarding the herb, but also mundane useful info would be great as well. Precautions? Interesting facts, methodologies etc?

Thanks in advance!

Writing . . .

[(Anonymous)]

This is a hypothetical for a potential plot point. If a person with a certain intent picked up an image off the internet, or from a book, labled wrongly as being for that intent, would the image serve its original purpose, the will of the person using it, or something else entirely?

I'm not sure what at all it is, I just have this image of a young man looking at something that is not what he thinks it is with intent to use it, and I'm trying to figure out what happened before and after.

I did not need another idea, I need to finish some things first. It goes in the file for later.

BoysMom

Duc De Palatine?

[(Anonymous)]

Why was an Australian spiritual teacher titled "Duc De Palatine"? My Pennsylvania dutch ancestors came from the Palatine in the 1700s, which is why I ask.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

I'm reading the book you recommended, 'Meditation', by Mouni Sadhu. In Chapter 7: Assistance on the Path to Meditation, he briefly cautions against reading fictional stories as it "..confines us to the writer's mind.." and "...only weakens an aspirant's concentration and attention".

My impression was that fictional writing *could* be mind expanding for the same reason and any 'confinement' is by ongoing consent and for limited duration (surey anyone would put down a book they could not stand being confined to). It seems overblown advice to me.

As a writer of fiction, what is your take on this viewpoint?

Many thanks

[(Anonymous)]

Dear JMG,

thanks for last week's answer - I mentioned I had just taken up praying to Thoth, and you advised against mixing it with CGD LRP and picking Egyptian names instead, which I've chosen. I'm days off graduating ovate CGD, and I'd like to see it through - I cast a reading which came up Carchar on mixing the two, so I surmise as long as I don't overlap them, this would be ok? Is there any general advice you can give about how far someone can use elements from different traditions? Eg could I still cast CGD wands after I restart praying to Thoth? I feel this general advice might even be worth adding to the MM FAQ.

My thanks for your time.