Magic Monday

[ecosophia]

I'm pleased to say that the work that occupied much of the last week is done, at least for the moment; I'm dealing with the impact of six initiation rituals -- it was a busy weekend! -- but things are well enough in hand that I can return to the usual round of things. With that in mind...

It's right on midnight now, 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. Last week's honoree was Aleister Crowley, Israel Regardie's second significant teacher. Crowley got much of his instruction from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and thus from figures we've already discussed in these Magic Mondays -- William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Mathers, and Moina Mathers. This week's honoree, however, was another potent influence on the Not-so-great Beast. Born in 1872, Allan Bennett left Christianity as a boy when he found out how children were produced -- yes, this happened tolerably often in Victorian times. He became an agnostic and a skilled electrical engineer, but his spiritual yearnings led him first to the Theosophical Society, then to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; it was in this latter period that he became a teacher of Crowley.  Finding Hermetic magic unsatisfying, however, Bennett studied Buddhism under teachers in Sri Lanka and became a monk there,  taking the name Ananda Metteya. He was a major figure in the transmission of Buddhism to the Western world and helped launch the first Buddhist missionary activity in Britain. His health was never good, and he died in 1922 after a protracted illness.

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

Comments

Demonic ideas?

[(Anonymous)]

In my darker moments I become convinced that after death I will be destroyed. At the time I think this isn’t just a thought but a genuine reflection of reality (like Richard Dawkins and some modern neuroscientists). And further that biological organisms are inherently finite, it is their nature to be destroyed upon death and no amount of effort can save them (or me) from oblivion. Is the concept of eternal oblivion demonic? Or is it just that I don’t like the idea much and I am demonising it? If it is demonic does this mean Epicurus’ philosophy is demonic in some way?

Q on talismans

[(Anonymous)]

Dear JMG,

Last week you mentioned talismans and protective amulets being an 8th house question, which surprised me since I think 1-2 years ago you'd mentioned talismans were 9th house questions.

I'm in a bit of fix since I bought a couple of talismans (sun and venus) from C warnock, and I wasn't sure if they were doing anything at all after multiple consecrations. A clairvoyant examined them and told me they were dead/empty (whereas a jupiter vedic stone I have was active according to her). (C Warnock told me its a 2nd house question and that has added to the confusion even more).

I'm just trying to confirm if these 2 talismans can be used at all. Are you saying its an L8 question and not an L9 question because its a magic working?


P.S. If anyone here can help me with a quick divination on this question, I'd be super grateful.

LIRP and Aurobindo

[(Anonymous)]

Greetings JMG

I have been lurking here for some time and truly enjoy the helpful and civil atmosphere you have created. I have 15 years of spiritual practice under my belt, mostly meditation with both Buddhist and Hindu teachers and teachings. A few years ago a friend of mine presented me with Damion Echols books and I have been practicing the LBRP before bedtime protecting my sleeping space ever since. This timing of the ritual came about when I did a solitary meditation retreat alone in the woods and woke up the first night from a nightmare being stabbed in the throat, when I woke up the whole bedroom was filled with uncanny vibrating energy, and it spooked me quite a bit and with 10 more days to go I thought I better do something about it. I still wake up from energy sometimes. Mostly in the body, but that evil presence haven’t returned so I have great fate in the ritual and feel the angels strongly. Even though some are stronger than others.
Curiously I have the hardest to connect with Uriel and Sandalphon below which makes sense as I have always found true grounding challenging.
Recently I started to do the LIRP in the mornings as well and do a one-card tarot draw beforehand letting God decide which element to invoke for the day, if a major arcana comes up I invoke all of them. By far the most occurring suit so far has been pentacles which makes sense as I struggle with grounding.

Any comments about letting the cards decide in this way what element/angel to invoke?

And then a second question about Aurobindo and his little scripture The Mother Book as I read that you are studying him now.

I am curious about what your experience has been with the transmission if any from this little booklet?

I had a teacher who channeled and thought from this book and I have had quite powerful experiences, especially with the parts about Mahalaxmi and Mahakali in chapter 6. At one time so much power came flowing from the reading about Mahakali that it made me scared of its raw sense of invincibility. I felt that I if you walk around with this much power you must be very careful what you do in the world to not cause unnecessary upheaval, both for yourself and others. So I stay away from the dark mother for now.

https://auro-ebooks-in.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/book-uploads/Sri-Aurobindo-The-Mother.pdf

Thank you so much for your service.
/frihet

Prayers of Thanks Appreciated

[cs2]

After much searching, I was offered a full-time (unioned!) job this morning. I am very excited and grateful! If anyone is willing to offer up prayers of thanks I would appreciate it! I pray specifically to the Welsh gods but thankful prayers sent to other benevolent deities or just to the universe are also appreciated. Thanks everyone and blessings to you this week if you want or need it!

Oldest Daughter feels vibes

[(Anonymous)]

Hello JMG,

thank you for providing us with the opportunity to ask you questions, that's very kind. Recently, our family moved to the place where I grew up, we escaped from a big city. Something I noticed before is becoming more and more obvious. Our oldest daughter (14 yo) has the ability to sense the "vibes" of a place when something happened there (positive or negative). Last week I took the family to a forest nearby. The oldest daughter stopped near a tree that was significat to me (I buried my first dog there - she couldn't have known). She said the place was ambivalent, that it felt both joyous (I loved my dog) and sad at the same time.

I have read the FAQ re: children and magic, I think my question is not answered there. It is: What do? Is there such a thing as magical talent and if so, how should I proceed? Should I give my daughter some intro texts or should I let her discover magic all by herself? I know next to nothing about the occult, hence the question.

Thanks in advance,

Have a wonderful day.

[(Anonymous)]

Greetings JMG,

Can you elaborate on the following oath made as part of the Neophyte ritual?

"I pledge that I will not suffer myself to be placed in such a state of passivity, that any person, power, or being may cause me to lose control of my words, thoughts, or actions."

More specifically,

1) What is the intent behind this passage, both literal and in spirit?

2) What are the precise limits of this exclusion? Does it include never getting drunk, smoking weed, taking LSD or mushrooms?

3) What kind of punitive current should one expect for some occasional violations of the above?

[(Anonymous)]

JMG,

I've been meditating on various Qabalistic attributions and correspondences, but there are a couple of issues that seem arbitrary and on which I need further explanation.

1. Why is the vice of gluttony traditionally attributed to the Sephirah of Chesed? Shouldn’t it belong more properly with Malkuth?

2. What is the difference between the traditional virtue attributed to Chokmah, Devotion, and the similar virtue attributed to Tiphareth, Devotion to the Great Work?

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks again for holding this space. It's one of a kind on the internet.

Today, I'd like to ask whether there are any mature systems of spiritual development based primarily on Platonism. I know that many of the ancient sources have survived (the writings of Plato himself, as well as Plotinus, Proclus, etc.), but these don’t seem to include a systematic training program similar to the Golden Dawn system, for example, and I’m not aware of any extant traditions. I also know that the Golden Dawn was influenced by Neoplatonism, but I'm looking for something more purely Platonic.

[(Anonymous)]

JMG,

I posted late last week - sorry about that. I lost the day and thought it was Monday. Anyway, I have two questions.
First, I am reading Pèlidan's How to Become a Mage. How would you compare/contrast it with Evola's Ride the Tiger? Do you think it would make a good follow up read?

Second, I was researching symbols and was looking for the alchemical symbol for blood and came across two symbols that are pretty similar, but the difference seems significant to me.

This one the lower bar extends beyond the triangle.


The second one has the lower bar contained within the triangle.



Which do you think is more correct?

AV

Candle colours: brown

[(Anonymous)]

I light candles for the planetary deities of the days of the week, and for the seasonal rituals of the wheel of the year. I have a small box of brown candles, bought before I had firmly established this routine. I have been tidying my candle and incense drawer and I wondered what to do with them. During the seasonal rituals I use green for earth. The only time when brown might feel right is Samhain, when it is dark and the light is not yet increasing, but at each festival during the darker half of the year I ask which colour to use and always intuit green.

What are other classical, beneficial ritual uses for brown candles?

[(Anonymous)]

As spiritual practices continue, I've hit a point where my interest in everything is waning. All hobbies and creative outlets are boring. It's been waning, but I am now at a point I realized no amount of money or freedom would really make me happy.(I have worked through OSA and have restarted it recently). I'm feeling a lack of identity and a general emptiness. I'm really just bored with material things. I do find dream and ritual work as the only points of true excitement.

I'm curious if this is a common part of the process? Should I be cautious of outside influences with the feeling of being empty?

[(Anonymous)]

Sometimes my job brings in a crew of guys from a halfway house to help out, but we don't make a big deal since they are ex cons and drug addicts trying to get back on their feet. One of the guys has brain damage and says things that don't make any sense, but they give him simple tasks where he stays out of the way. By the scars, tattoos, and flaps of loose skin where he used to be obese it's obvious he used to be very different. I'm not sure what caused his transformation but he's now a mostly gentle person and most of his co-workers either ignore him or push him aside when it's time to get something done.

Studying the DRHM has has more a profound effect on me, because I started to listen to what he was saying and responding trying to be polite and then began to notice patterns. He talks in a metaphor language, and while some of it I cannot interpret other parts were astonishingly synchronous or even occult in nature. We had the most wonderful crazy conversations and he really enjoyed it, even though everyone else who overheard must have been totally confused about what was going on. I was very careful to respond in a way that didn't betray my occult hobby to the eavesdroppers, but he seemed to be able to process the answers and respond in a legitimate exchange of ideas.

My guess is that an astral filter that we all normally have is broken. He was very fond of bible versus and struggling with binary thinking because it wasn't lining up with his lived experience, and he seemed grateful that I brought in different perspectives from other religions and traditions that introduced the tertiary concept. He also revealed some things to me, and it seemed like something was speaking through him trying to deliver messages, or he was mentioning reflections that came up in the light.

I'm not sure how all this works, but it was fascinating. I'm curious if you've run into this sort of thing before and have and idea about the mechanics behind it.

[(Anonymous)]

Hello everyone,

I wrote a couple of weeks back requesting prayers as I was in labour.
I wanted to let you all know that, after a long and testing birth, we have a healthy baby boy.

I offer my blessings to anyone who would like them - may you have peace and abundance.

[(Anonymous)]

Good morning JMG,

I was preparing for the Ovate CGD initiation when I had a slight attack of nerves about the vervain tincture, so figured I could cast a divination to see if it was safe to proceed. I got:

Judge: Elw (yes)
Right witness: Llawenydd (also yes)
But Left Witness was Mab, which confused me. Would a fair or possible reading of that be that I could go ahead safely but I'm rushing things?

My gratitude as ever for your time.

[ataulfo]

You are right that I wasn’t taking magic seriously. I want to, really badly.

I threw out the drugs last Thursday and the next morning I put in my two weeks at that job, which is utterly toxic and hemorrhaging staff. I have had to reflect on just how strange it is that I invoked the spiritual midpoint of the cosmos via a violently murdered and resurrected deity to have fun at a work party. I have been a mess for the past week and one of my relationships has been strained.

It’s become really clear I need far more structure. I am going to go all the way back to the beginning and pick up LRM. Thank you.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

Is the Great Work one thing, or can it be different tings for different people? I've heard it described as union with your higher self, Eliphas Levi describes it as a sort of self perfection and I've also heard it described as unification with God. These all seem to be different things to me but maybe I'm misunderstanding.

[(Anonymous)]

What’s the occult explanation, if any, for “glitch in the matrix “ experiences?

—Princess Cutekitten

Moving

[(Anonymous)]

Hey JMG,

I’m planning a move soon. I’m looking for an area that’s good for me for career and for forming a healthy community. I’m kind of in the middle of nowhere right now and that’s difficult where I am. What would be a good focus for a spell for this? I have some experience with the golden dawn rituals, but it’s been a whole like since I’ve done them. I have some of the lucky mojo books as well. I know I want to move somewhere, and I have a few cities in mind, but I’m not sure if I should focus on a specific one, or more of the intent behind moving to a place that’s healthy and has good opportunities.

[(Anonymous)]

What are some good natural or simple ritual magical ways to help heal and move on after a break up?

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,
Does the Celtic cross have pre-Christian roots? If so, what is its symbolic meaning from an occult perspective?

Etheric Body?

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

Long story short, my husband spent 10 days in the hospital in mid-January as a result of asymptomatic covid, viral pneumonia, and a seizure connected with that which in turn broke several bones. Your positive energy, and the generous people at Tunesmyth's site, I am convinced made an enormous positive difference, and we both thank you and all who prayed for him.

My question is:

Several days ago, I glanced up as he stood several yards away from me, and it struck me that Trevor was fully back! It was as if what had been the literally shrunken and "emaciated" version of him that came home with me after 10 days in the hospital was replaced with a shocking (to me) new Trevor who was taller, stronger, and just more "lit up".

Did the trauma of his illness/surgery/hospital stay literally dissolve his etheric body, and what I "saw" was the repaired etheric body?

Thanks as always!
OtterGirl

First LBRP

[(Anonymous)]

Hello again JMG,

Per your advice I made my first highly awkward attempt at the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram earlier tonight (Learning Ritual Magic was in my hand the entire time, and I messed up saying one of the divine names too early.) Nevertheless I noticed incredibly healthy vibes from the ritual, and Michael and Gabriel popped up in my imagination to offer words of encouragement (while laughing heartily at my clumsiness at the same time.) I'm definitely interested in keeping up the practice daily! I'd also like to extend a heartfelt special thanks to Tunesmyth for adding my prayer request to the Ecosophia community list.

Best wishes to you both,
David Klein

Good, honest dirt

[francis_tucker]

Apropos to your general maxim of not monkeying with established systems and traditions, I'll risk a grumpy admonition to consider remedial reading classes and ask the following...

What do you predict the result would be if one practiced the classic Golden Dawn system, but making the single change of banishing Spirit in the LBRP rather than Earth? I have a friend who is considering magic, and would be most comfortable with using the Judeo-Christian divine names and symbolism (indeed would be uncomfortable with anything else), but like me and many others, just cannot bring herself to blame the earth (and the element thereof) for all the evil and imbalance in existence. (Think of, for instance, the gospel of John; the Logos created the world, therefore it is extremely nifty.)

Do you foresee that spoiling the egregore altogether and causing lousy or no results, or worse, causing trouble or harm to the practitioner? If so, what would be your advice for someone in my friend's situation? I thought about her using one of the SOP-based systems with the J-X elements plugged in ("By the Great archangel Raphael, and in the Great Name YHWH, I call upon the element of Air, its Spirits and its Powers.." etc.) I was just curious if, since you've made this change in all the alternative versions of the LBRP you've developed, you thought in the case of the classic GD system this might be an acceptable exception to the rule.

[(Anonymous)]

OP here - thank you!

[(Anonymous)]

A gay couple I know broke up upon discovering they are in fact half brothers, with one of them conceived as a result of their shared dad having an affair with a woman other than his wife; the two met without any idea they were related, and when introducing their families things got messy very quickly.

The usual arguments against incest don't apply here: they have zero chance of producing a child, so concerns for inbreeding don't matter, however everyone involved treats the incest as a very disturbing, disgusting occurrence. Given the profound link between sex and the subtle planes, it's occurred to me that this visceral reaction might have a justification with something happening there. This thus raises a question: what are the occult implications of incest?