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 or comment 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? A wooden disk. In the traditions of the Fellowship of the Hermetic Rose and the orders and systems related to it, the disk or pentacle is the emblem and working tool of elemental earth.  The disk is traditionally painted or decorated with a symbol the individual initiate considers sacred, whatever that happens to be -- I saw pentacles made by Christian initiates that had an image of Christ on the cross on them, for example, surrounded by Christian holy names and words of power. The disk can be used as a means of magical protection, imposing the unyielding solidity of the element of earth between the initiate and any hostile magical force

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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.

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With that said, have at it!

***This Magic Monday is now closed -- in other words, no more comments will be put through. See you next week!***

Comments

Pantheons, Wine Offerings, & Aikido

[realmscryer]

Good Evening JMG,

I’ve got a couple questions I wanted to run by you.

1. I am interested in doing a second SOP in the afternoon or evening in addition to my morning practice. Would there be any cautions regarding having different pantheon for this additional SOP? My motivation is an interest in the Greek or Norse pantheons.

2. Turns out I have developed, or at least am developing, a pretty solid relationship with a goddess in the Irish pantheon. As a result, I have procured a special cup I am dedicating for use in offerings to her and others. Is there anything I should do with the cup before beginning to use it? Also, would storing the bottle of wine being used for the offering near the alter be a problem?

3. Aikido is turning out to be an amazing experience. Sensei is going full on esoteric with the techniques and principles we are practicing in class. I have to say it is working out very well. I am curious to see how high up the planes I can go. Physical and etheric are very clear. Astral and mental? Maybe!

To supplement the classes I am now spending some time most days in a deep relaxation meditation practicing Aikido in what I call my Inner Dojo. I am also experimenting with ways to mix in symbolism in the inner practice.

Do you know of any resources, not necessarily Aikido, which might be useful in this direction I’ve taken with my practice?

Thanks as always for your time and attention.

—Eric

Re: Pantheons, Wine Offerings, & Aikido

[ecosophia]

1) That should be no trouble at all.

2) I'd recommend washing the cup in cold water with a little salt in it, and then rinsing it with plain water. That should remove any unwanted energies. As for the wine, no, that's actually quite common.

3) I don't, but it sounds fascinating. I know there are books on the esoteric side of aikido, but since it's been many decades since I practiced that art, I haven't kept up on what's available -- and the wider field of interfaces between martial arts and esotericism is probably too large for any one person to know well!

Re: Pantheons, Wine Offerings, & Aikido

[hearthculture]

I play aikido as well, and have found the energetic and even the physical aspects of it complementary to occult study in a way that enriches both. I also practice Thai Yoga (traditional thai massage,) and have found that the principles of motion and energy transfer align and resonate with those of Aikido in a way that deepens each practice.

On the podcast, Heretics by Woven Energy, the sixth episode is Aikido Heresies. I found it to be illuminating in a way that balanced my understanding of its founding, its founder, and its philosophies. It tempered the mythology with humanity and history.

Many of the books by the founder and early students contain insights into the energetic and spiritual aspects of the art. I've particularly benefited from:
"The Art of Peace" by Morihei Ueshiba
"Aikido: My Spiritual Journey" by Gozo Shioda and Yasuhisa Shioda (I found much to unpack within the stories.)
"Budo: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido" by Morihei Ueshiba and Kisshomaru Ueshiba
"Aikido in Everyday Life: Giving in to Get Your Way" by Terry Dobson and Victor Miller (this is an interesting dive into using aikido principles in conversation and argument.)

Wishing you well in your practice.

Re: Pantheons, Wine Offerings, & Aikido

[realmscryer]

I will check out the podcast and books. Thank you!