Magic Monday

[ecosophia]

It's just a few minutes to midnight, so we can launch 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 1.1 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 image? I field a lot of questions about my books these days, so I've decided to do little capsule summaries of them here, one per week. The book above on the left was my eighteenth published book, and it happened via a chain of accidents that still has me fielding baffled questions. Here's what happened. 

My first book on geomancy, the fourth book I published, was released by a certain rather clueless publisher. I warned the marketing people there that they needed to make sure that their sales staff didn't get confused and think that it was a book on Wiccan feng-shui. Sure enough, their sales staff got confused and marketed it to all the little witch bookstores that thrived in those days as a book on Wiccan feng-shui. Once they got their copies and found out that it was a book on a somewhat fussy Renaissance method of divination, of course, they shipped their copies back to the publisher with irate letters; as a result, Earth Divination, Earth Magic became the first book of mine to go out of print.

Fast forward to 2008. Hot on the heels of the success of The Druidry Handbook and The Druid Magic Handbook, I tried to place Earth Divination, Earth Magic with Weiser. They weren't interested in a reprint but said they'd be happy with a new book on the same subject. So I wrote them a new book that covered exactly the same ground as Earth Divination, Earth Magic, and they snapped it up. Much later, Aeon Books picked up Earth Divination, Earth Magic and brought out a new edition. And that, my children, is why I have two books on geomancy from two different publishers covering exactly the same material, in head to head competition with each other. Most prolific authors end up with some such bizarrerie in their backlist sooner or later...

Buy Me A Coffee

Ko-Fi

I've had several people ask about tipping me for answers here, and though I certainly don't require that I won't turn it down. You can use either of the links above to access my online tip jar; Buymeacoffee is good for small tips, Ko-Fi is better for larger ones. (I used to use PayPal but they developed an allergy to free speech, so I've developed an allergy to them.) If you're interested in political and economic astrology, or simply prefer to use a subscription service to support your favorite authors, you can find my Patreon page here and my SubscribeStar page here. 

 

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

Pluto and the collective

[(Anonymous)]

Hello JMG,

Last week I read with great interest your comment about how Pluto was misnamed and should have been Hypnos instead. The concept about Minerva as the counter balance to Pluto's influence was also very interesting. I read your book about Pluto and must say that it was very convincing and it definitely seems to hold true when looking at current trends. What you have suggested about overblown hype, addictive fantasies, and dreams that will never be realized to be the essence of Pluto makes a lot of sense. I have been thinking about the Plutonian time period since 1900 until now and it really seems like there has been a wide spread plunge into unconscious addictive behavior. It is almost as if it was the force that for a century and a half plunged humanity deep into what Buddhists would call Samsara and also could be described as mindless hedonism. I also read what you wrote about the number of human souls increasing sharply while souls of large land animals decreased, so maybe this was needed? Maybe the first round you have as a human incarnation just has to be a lot about physical and material desires? What worries me a bit is that a lot of small children are given screens at sometimes the age of two, to keep them occupied. It really feels as if they are thrown into a pit of unconsciousness from the get go that later on will be hard to climb out of? A few related questions but what is your take?

I was also thinking about the Pluto/Minerva dynamics and how that resembles a lot of archetypal myths of vices versus virtues. In my culture we have myths about two women, one virtuous, content and hardworking, the other nasty, greedy and lazy. There are many stories about the two where the two compete or try to accomplish the same thing, naturally the virtuous one always wins out as is often the case in such stories. I started to think about how this would be a useful theme for meditation and/or ritual, especially now in 2024 heading into 2025. Can you name other useful symbols for this Pluto/Minerva dynamic? How would you use this in ritual or meditation?

Also a short question about one of your books. With regards to your recent trying period plans are naturally shifted but are there any news on you forthcoming book on Mundane astrology?

Regards
Fredrik

Re: Pluto and the collective

[ecosophia]

1) I see the Plutonian era as an essential part of our collective journey through time. A very large number of souls -- the largest number ever to have been incarnate in human form at the same time -- showed up to grapple with that challenge. Those who overcame it, those who fell under it, and those who fall somewhere in between will each have their own karmic journeys to make hereafter.

2) I wouldn't deprive you of the fun of finding other symbols for yourself! By all means meditate on that.

3) I expect to finish the manuscript in the next few months and place it with a publisher as soon as possible thereafter.

Cerridwen

[(Anonymous)]

Not sure of the most appropriate description, but I’ve felt some measure of contact by who I believe to be Cerridwen.
The presence felt aloof and stoic, but also filled with deep wisdom and empathy.
During meditation, I felt words form something like “pray if you wish, but that is not the devotion that matters.”

I have been trying to pay close attention to this, without overthinking, in how I approach mundane daily events.
I moved to a new state about two years ago, and I haven’t had much luck in finding friends. As I have carefully attempted to attune myself to what I felt from this presence, my connection with neighbors has opened up.

In addition to nurturing this awareness, I have added a prayer to Cerridwen after morning meditations:

“Beautiful Cerridwen, mistress of Awen,
holder of the vessel from which such insight flows,
friend of the poet, the rhymer, the bard,
I pray to you, I seek your blessing. Cerridwen,
keeper of the cauldron of wit and inspiration,
so deep, so sweet, so clear, so cold its waters!
Yours is a fount of change, a wellspring of becoming,
a draught of wisdom to quench the thirst of seeker
and sibyl, of scholar and stranger. Cerridwen,
strong-hearted goddess, cloaked in wonder, wrapt in delight,
you know the worth of words, you know the might of vision.
Cerridwen, goddess great and good, I honor you.“

Does this strike you as a good approach on my part?

Any lore/experience/suggestions you would be willing to share regarding Cerridwen?

Thank you as always…

Re: Cerridwen

[ecosophia]

That sounds like her! I'm not the one to ask, though -- ask her. She's the one who knows.

[(Anonymous)]

I just wanted to add this:

'Governor of Ohio, DeWine Signs EO Ahead of Total Solar Eclipse'

https://twitter.com/JackStr42679640/status/1769500911972536559

I have never heard of warnings or EO's for an eclipse before..

[ecosophia]

It's fairly common these days. Hundreds of thousands of eclipse tourists will be descending on the path of totality, and the EO mostly deals with making sure there are state patrol officers ready to handle the traffic and the crowds. Here's the announcement on the state website, which I found easily via a search engine:

https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/governor-dewine-signs-executive-order-ahead-of-total-solar-eclipse

[(Anonymous)]

Dear JMG,


Can you please help me with the following questions?


1. What sequence (if any) should I read your Druidry books in? Also, can different pantheons or impersonal forces be used with any of these books?


2. Which book should I read first if I want to follow the GSF, the OPW or the GSF? Or both together, perhaps?


3. I've read that the LBRP can cause problems in life when people begin to use it; at least during the early periods of the spiritual Path. It seems that if more balance in your life is needed certain things need to be removed, which can then cause problems. Does the SoP cause any issues when you start to use it?


*THE QUESTION BELOW IS FOR ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF THEIR OWN WISDOM*


Has anybody had good results with Mr Greer's Druidry material?


I am interested in Druidry, but some Catholic guilt is keeping me from exploring other spiritual Paths. I would like to explore my own Celtic culture in a spiritual way, and Druidry would be a good fit. Any success stories might help me along a bit.


I hope I haven't asked too many questions. Thanks to JMG and anybody else who helps.


Kindest regards.

[ecosophia]

1 and 2) Issues of which books to study in which order are covered in the Magic Monday FAQ, linked in the post above.

3) The SoP is a much gentler ritual -- that's one of the reasons John Gilbert, who was expert with the Pentagram ritual, crafted the SoP for his students. That said, any serious spiritual practice will make you face any problems you've been trying to avoid; that's called "karmic culmination" and it happens in every spiritual path, including Catholicism.

4) Well, I have. ;-)

Completely off-topic, please don't publish

[degringolade]

https://darkfutura.substack.com/p/what-happened-to-the-mythic-author

Thought that you might enjoy this treatise on publishing. I am of mixed thought on Simplicious on the whole, but he does think and write well and is clear in thoughts.

Just so you know, this writing thing is harder than I thought.

John
(Degringolade)

Re: Completely off-topic, please don't publish

[ecosophia]

Simplicius is fascinating because he so often almost gets it. This is a good example. He's going on at great and accurate length about the problems with the huge corporate publishing combines and their authors, but it never occurs to him to see if there are small and midsized publishers that are bucking those trends and allowing authors to make a decent living -- and there are.

[(Anonymous)]

Do you have any suggestions or tips for effective ways to disengage from an organizational egregore?

Thanks!

[ecosophia]

Depends on the type of organization and the nature of the egregor.

How to start in Druidry from India??

[arnavjindal]

Hello JMG
Sir first of all thank you for writing it has truly changed my worldview. Mainly I started to follow your work on collapse and things related to it and just things you say and write reading it just feels right not something more or less.

On the Personal Front, I lost my Grandmother about 2 weeks ago and her death was so unexpected that I am shocked not that it was out of the blue like she was hospitalized for 2 months and it was extended because of surgery which was supposed to be safe had after it was done extreme complications because of other co-morbidities due to her age. But she was completely on the path of recovery and where for about 2 weeks we were able to take her home in fact on the day of her death 1 hour before her passing her blood vitals were taken and they were all fine and her blood pressure was normal but in half-hour, she suffered a massive cardiac arrest. Well, the aftermath of it was very painful and my energies were spent on consoling others but the only thing that I can remember in all these days is that for the past 10-15 years whenever I used to ask her what she wanted to do and every she would say that she would pray to God that all her pain gets alleviated and she leaves us all to go to him and I mocking it but now it is all haunting me do you think is it a lesson that she is giving me as her spirit I don't know.

Sorry for the long post but the point is before I was a bit hesitant to delve deep into druidry/magic/occult because my surface-level reading of it made me feel out of my depth as a human being but after her death, I am even more determined to delve deeper into it So sir can you recommend where to start and something specific to India/Hindu traditions as I am from Mumbai.
Thank You

Re: How to start in Druidry from India??

[ecosophia]

I'm very sorry to hear about your grandmother's sudden passing! I also recently suffered the loss of someone dear to me, but it was a relatively slow process, with plenty of time for everyone to prepare for the transition; I wince at the thought of what you're going through.

As yet, as far as I know, Druidry hasn't really begun to establish itself in the Indian subcontinent and I don't know of anyone who's written anything about Druidry specific to Hindu traditions. You might consider starting with my recent book The Druid Way, which is an introduction for beginners, and see whether you can adapt it to your personal spirtiual needs.

Symbols in natural magic

[(Anonymous)]

Hey JMG,

I was curious whether the use of the symbols in natural magic increases the effectiveness of whatever is being done? For example, if I am making an amulet using silver, is there benefit to stamping or embossing the amulet with the symbol of the moon, or even shaping the entire amulet in the form of the lunar symbol?

I know that many of the substances used in natural magic have alchemical symbols, and while not all of the materials are conducive to being formed in the shape of a symbol, I'm curious whether it is worth trying to do this for substances which are. Thank you for hosting this space.

Re: Symbols in natural magic

[ecosophia]

The symbol by itself doesn't accomplish much. The symbol used as a focus for your will and imagination can accomplish a great deal. Thus much depends on how you use the symbol, and also on how strongly you can focus your will and imagination on it.

The Hermaphrodite

[temporaryreality]

I’m curious to know if you have read Julia Ward Howe’s “The Hermaphrodite” from sometime in the late 1800s. It’s been popular recently (and only recently published) because of perceived relevance to gender identity topics.

While I haven’t yet read it, My youngest was assigned it in her American Lit class and I was so pleased when she ended up reading it completely differently than her peers.

Sorry, slight humble brag that she noticed that everyone including the teacher insisted on reading it as a direct reflection of the author’s personal life and that they did this with all the female but not the male authors’ works (insert eye roll).

Anyway, the reason this is relevant to MM is that on her own, kiddo went on a deep dive into the myth of Hermaphrodite, and from there to Hermes Trismegistus, first because of the name, but then because the Corpus Hermeticum was -surprisingly to her as she’s never heard more than me mentioning western occultism in passing - completely relevant. She suggested in a paper that the book reveals Howe’s familiarity with occult themes, though she had difficulty finding any original sources for the claim. Of course the instructor remarked that it was a “good study of gender issues in ‘The Hermaphrodite’” (insert another eye roll).

There was also a connection between Howe and the transcendentalist Margaret Fuller. (There’s a recently published academic book on occult influences on Transcendentalism, but it wasn’t obtainable before my daughter’s paper was due), who published a book with some references to Hermetic symbols.

Anyway, just wondering if you’ve read it, know much about Howe or Fuller or others of that time and their occult leanings. I was pretty intrigued when kiddo started connecting those dots.

Re: The Hermaphrodite

[ecosophia]

I haven't read it and haven't researched the circle around Howe, but there was plenty of occultism in circulation at that time and it wouldn't surprise me for a moment if Howe was involved in it.

Q

[(Anonymous)]

So I've made it to spirit below as a part of the SoP.

1) I'm not very good at the visualisations, particularly the white light at the start and sphere at the end, so I'm wondering if you have any advice here.

2) When I do these visualisations, including the elemental ones, I have to breathe normally right (not hold my breath)?

3) I get a bit of tingling when I do these elementals and sometimes on the sphere too. Is there any other sign I am doing it right?

Re: Q

[ecosophia]

1) Just keep doing it. Most people aren't very good at the visualizations to start with; that comes with practice.

2) That's correct.

3) Don't worry about whether you're doing it right, and don't fret about signs, either -- you can get yourself tied into all sorts of knots that way. Just relax, keep doing the practice daily, and let it unfold at its own pace.

Way of Gnostic Section

[hearthculture]

I remember you writing that, like the various flavors of the Golden Dawn that were spun off by initiates, the priests and bishops of the Universal Gnostic Church sometimes created their own iterations. As I am working through the Gnostic Lessons alongside the Way of the Golden Section, I've noticed how aligned they are. The Golden Section Fellowship Lodge ritual is a lovely container withing which to perform the gnostic lesson work - for example, there is charged salt and water available on the altar for creating holy water, and the closing feels almost like a communion working similar to the Gnostic Celtic Church's but internal. The WotGS work in general feels more quasi-religious in nature than, say, the Druid Magic Handbook work, perhaps because of the emphasis on the One Life (in affirmation) and the Eternal Spiritual Sun (in ritual.) Those words/concepts/beings direct my attention to divine power beyond (or within) any personal pantheon; and though they don't supersede personal religious practice, they are powerfully affecting in and of themselves. I also note that the practices of the WotGS are a particularly effective framework to prime myself for personal gnosis, setting just enough limits to form a portal without defining a path.

I'm curious, was there intentionality to this connection - is the WotGS somewhat your version of the UGC?

Also, my wife performs a daily SOP and is now interested in my Golden Section Fellowship lodge work. I'm working on my own modifications to incorporate multiple people, yet I'm wondering, do you have recommendations for making it a group ritual? My first take is that it works well as a led ritual in which one person is significantly more active in guiding the process, but I'm open to other possibilities for multiple more active participants.

Finally, on a different note, I've been singing daily Orphic Hymns (based on Kimberly Steele's versions) for a couple years. I'm now reading the Orphic Hymns and curious about the multiple possibilities for each day, for example there is a hymn to the Sun and one to Apollo, one to Selene and another to Artemis and still another to Hecate. I'm wondering if there is a recommendation, or source to read, on which to use for the planetary hours and planetary charity work.

Thank you as always for this space and your conversation. :)

Re: Way of Gnostic Section

[ecosophia]

1) Well, not quite, but close. Back in the day, it was standard for initiates of the UGC tradition to create their own Fellowships, if there was some aspect of spirituality or occultism that they wanted to pursue that wasn't included in the existing system. The GSF is my contribution to the tradition. The Gnostic Lessons are included in the third volume of the GSF training sequence, The Way of the Secret Temple.

2) Group rituals are included in the second volume of the sequence, The Way of the Four Elements, which will be published later this year. The idea is that everyone practices the lodge ritual on their own but can meet with others and work a somewhat different Temple ritual. That said, the material is out there in public so that people can work with it, and if you want to develop a two-person lodge ritual, by all means.

3) The revival of the Orphic Hymns is still in a very early stage and no consensus has yet been established on what hymn to use for what purpose, so long as it's appropriate to the planetary day. Experiment and find out!

Another question about planetary charity

[(Anonymous)]

I asked some questions about planetary charity three weeks ago, and I have another.

There's another situation coming up where I think planetary charity could help, and I want to ask about timing. This situation will require several actions from me: calling an office, mailing in some forms, and so on. I assume that (so far as possible) I should initiate each of these actions on the day and in the hour of the planet in question. (Jupiter again, as it happens.) But does the first action have to coincide with the first payment of charity? Or is it possible to start the charity first and then take the needed steps during the period while the charity is ongoing?

If I'm making this too hard by overthinking it, please let me know. :-)

Re: Another question about planetary charity

[ecosophia]

You're overthinking. You can make the charitable donation at any day and hour of Jupiter, and then take action at a later day and hour. Jupiter's generous, so he doesn't fret about the little details.

[(Anonymous)]

Hello, JMG and everyone.


1. Are there methods in the GSF that can help one make external changes in life? I'm referring to all of the material you've written for the GSF, even the unreleased books.


2. Is there an equivalent of the HGA/Higher Self in the GSF work?


Thank you for Magic Monday.

[ecosophia]

1) Only to a very limited extent, in the second instructional volume. The GSF follows the way of the occultist, which focuses on wisdom, rather than the way of the mage, which focuses on power; the goal is to know what you want and be in the right place at the right time to receive it, rather than trying to force things to happen.

2) Yes, the guardian angel or guardian genius is invoked in the third volume, though in a typically calm and patient way.

Another new publishing story

[(Anonymous)]

With a pair of geomancy books, I suppose the reader could get both. Put them on a pair of upper and lower bookstands to read them together. "As above, so below."

The recent discussions here of publishing came to mind when I saw this interview with a nonfiction author. It's about his experience publishing his first two specialty books on spiritual topics.

I have not read this author’s books. I have no idea if his ideas about reincarnation, spirituality, and healing are worth anything. In the first half of the interview, he rambled about them in a vague way. The only thing I got from that part, is I easily believe his agent and editor told him to rewrite for clarity.
I’m skipping past that, to the part where he is very focused and clear, as he tells about learning about the publishing business.

RJ's long process for his first book, and then speedy placement of his next book, reminded me a lot experiences JMG’s described. Publishing discussion is from 1 hour 10 minutes (the link should start it right then) and concludes at 1:25 when he talks about night owl writing schedule. After that, the conversation turns to other subjects.

Although this is a video, the dancing color blobs are only webcam shots of host and guest in their interview by video chat. All the information is available just by listening. I'm sharing it for interest and encouragement to up and coming writers. Again, I have no opinion about the contents of RJ's books or message.

https://youtu.be/jEmlB4Cp0lk?t=4237

Christopher from California
Mocha Amphibious Moose

Re: Another new publishing story

[ecosophia]

If there's a transcript I'll consider reading it. It really does get tiring to have to keep on saying "No, I don't do videos."

How to get off on a good foot with new home?

[(Anonymous)]

Hello Mr. Greer,

My family and I are about to move to a new city - after a recent history of a lot of moves, I'm really hoping that we will be able to live a more stable life and form a solid community there. I'd like to do some rituals in the new home itself too, to start a positive relationship between us. I know from time to time people ask you this question in the forum, but I did not find it in the FAQ. What would you recommend, magically, to get us and the new home (/city?) off on the right foot?

Thanks so much for offering this service, as always.

Re: How to get off on a good foot with new home?

[ecosophia]

Well, what kind of magic do you know how to do?

MOE Healing Hands

[kylec]

Just wanted to let everyone who replied or messaged me last week know that I put them on the healing hands list, and about half of the healing cycles have been completed, while the rest are underway. If anyone experiences anything noteworthy last week or this one, feel free to give me feedback via private message, whether it's positive or negative. This helps me to refine my process.

Re: MOE Healing Hands

[open_space]

Thank you for adding me to your list!

I had forgotten but this week my digestive problems are better actually, and it is very likely the energy you helped circulate has to do with it!

One of the things that I have noticed is that when HH's are done at a distance, it tends to create situations that bring health with a less noticeable flow of energy, whereas in-person, energy flows stronger and situations come, but less so. And this week someone gave me a nice homeopathic preparation, on top of feeling generally better.

Q on the Ariel books

[slclaire]

Hi JMG,

I finished reading The Book of Haatan last week. Thanks for this series! It's shaping up very nicely, and I look forward to reading the entire series.

I noticed you reference some occult names in the first two books, but with twists, which your New Encyclopedia of the Occult is helping me to identify. For instance, Adocentyn and Agharta are places in occult legend but not in the physical world. The twist with Elias Ashmole is that he didn't ask for a charter from King Charles II and come to what is now the US to found Adocentyn. Instead, he remained in England and became one of the founders of the Royal Society.

I didn't see anything about John Heydon, the founder of the Heydonian Institute, in the encyclopedia, so I wondered what the twist might be for him. But then I noticed that you refer to John Heydon in your article The Forgotten Oracle in your book The City of Hermes as a master plagiarist of English Renaissance occultism (I just finished reading that article). That would make a nice twist. Was this Heydon the inspiration for the Heydonian Institute?

Re: Q on the Ariel books

[ecosophia]

Glad you like it! Yes, the novels are set in a slightly alternate history in which Ashmole had a vision of an angel at Lichfield, telling him to cross the Atlantic and found a haven for occultists there; thus the charter, the three ships (the Mercury, the Rose, and the Golden Cross -- yeah, kind of blatant, but I was having fun) and the city named after the one in the Picatrix. There are occult authors who insist that Agharta was a physical place.

As for Heydon, I was being kind of flippant when I dismissed him as a plagiarist. He was a very influential astrologer, geomancer, alchemical physician, and Rosicrucian -- though, ahem, he did pass off other people's work as his own. Wikipedia has an unexpectedly good article on him:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Heydon_(astrologer)

Yes, in my alternate history he's the guy whose bequest of land, money, and books founded the Heydonian Institution in Adocentyn.

[denebalgedi777]

Wow, talk about synchronicity. I came here today to ask a question about geomancy. I am learning geomancy as part of the FHR candidate work and the book I am using, sitting there with the other unfinished books on my desk, is the Art and Practice of Geomancy.

On the one hand, oftentimes you get pretty straightforward answers, and in many cases you can tell just from the witnesses and judge, but other times they're a bit tricky. I was asking a 5th house question and here is the result:

-Significators: querent: Fortuna Minor, quesited: Amissio. Amissio is often favorable for 5th house matters, but it doesn't appear anywhere else in the chart. But, Fortuna Minor also appears in the 9th house and is therefore trine both significators. So at first glance, this would appear to be "perfection by favorable aspect". However, here is the rest...

-R, L Witness, Judge: All Populus
-Reconciler: Fortuna Minor

This reading therefore seems to say "maybe" or "could go either way". Am I right?

[ecosophia]

If there wasn't a mode of perfection between the querent and quesited, the answer is "no." My current take, based on much more experience, is that a trine isn't enough to perfect a chart by itself; it means "that would be nice, but..." So the answer is "no," but the reasons for it are collective, not individual to you -- that's shown by all those Populuses.

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks,


Are you referring to the OPW (Vol.3)?

[ecosophia]

No. There are a total of seven books in the Golden Section series, but they're in two sequences with one single volume before them, as follows:

Basic volume:

- The Sacred Geometry Oracle

Sequence 1: instructional books

- The Way of the Golden Section
- The Way of the Four Elements
- The Way of the Secret Temple

Sequence 2: workbooks

- The Occult Philosophy Workbook
- The Earth Mysteries Workbook
- The Life Force Workbook

The three instructional books are meant to be worked through in order, but the three workbooks can be done in any order.

SOP

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG : I performed the heart SOP as part of my Essene practice for over a year. I recently began practicing the ritual SOP.

Sometimes I make an error in the SOP (forget to say one if the phrases, or mix them up). Should I do anything beyond endeavoring to improve next time, like starting over and redoing the ritual?

Also, I feel heat on the crown of my head sometimes when I do the ritual SOP. I can feel this sensation less intensely throughout the day. What does this mean? Is it worrisome?

With thanks, Heloise

Re: SOP

[ecosophia]

1) Nope. Just do your best to improve next time.

2) It means you're starting to activate some of the body's energy centers. That's normal, and it often happens to people in the early stages of practice; don't worry about it.

the 5 rites

[(Anonymous)]

I am staying consistent with it, kind of plateaued at 15 repetitions, which is great of course and leads to this comment:

I find it a work out and am kind of amused imagining older men of that era taking it on, in my mind I think of the Sherlock Holmes stories I read and men who go to clubs doing this routine. Anyway, unlike what he says int he 5 rites, "so simple" and that it is not a form of physical excercise, well in addition to the benefits of the cat-brain glandular areas stimulating, it is a work out, abdominal and arm muscles for me in addition to ham string, neck and other stretching/limbering.

I have been doing his secondary recommend between each rite to stand up with hands on hips and take a few deep breathes, focusing on breaths. This immediately takes out the slight dizzyness I still have from rite #1, and does seem to have centering effects between the other ones too, maybe not centering, dont know how to describe, but some energy movement. It seems like it is a bit of same effect as your recommend of focusing on breath/energy in a dedicated 5 minutes at another time. Not as much as that separate session, but I think brings in some of that effect. And this fits in with what you said here that this, especialy as it was named eye of revelation and then never mentions the eye of revelation, booklet would be to give general health promoting effects and then some would go join the group to go further. I do not go very fast of course with rite 1.

Acupuncturist made a point of reminding me to keep with the nightly wash cloth scrub, which he equates with dry brushing effect stimulating lymphatic system in addition to the obvious skin improvements we see, so he thinks this is helpful for healing and heath practice to do.

Atmospheric River

Re: the 5 rites

[ecosophia]

Glad to hear it. I also give it the deep breaths between each Rite -- and I also find the whole sequence to be a very solid core exercise, over and above the effects on the subtle bodies.

[not_gandalf]

Dreary Felicitous Crow. Hmmmm. If I ever do anything more where I need a new esoteric Nomen, I think I'll go with that. Sounds a taste shamanic, so maybe it goes with Dolmen Arch or something like that...

Vernal Equinox Happiness

[(Anonymous)]

I also just wanted to wish everyone a happy vernal equinox!

All the best to all of you, however you may celebrate.

Justin Patrick Moore

Q

[(Anonymous)]

I divined which creation stories or theories (including scientific theories) were most accurate, and the answer surprised me.

It suggested the most close to true were Dion Fortune's and Plato's original account. (It rejected neoplatonism, the vedas/upanishad accounts, big bang, aristotlean prime mover, gnostic, Roger Penrose, multiverse cosmologies etc).

This is open to everyone but what would you say about this reading, and how are the 2 connected?

Re: Q

[ecosophia]

What a fine theme for meditation!

5 Tibetans

[(Anonymous)]

From your experience, do you think the 5 Tibetans are ok to practice for teenagers? Thanks.

Re: 5 Tibetans

[ecosophia]

Yes. I'm not sure how they'd work for children before puberty, but once the sexual forces have started to flow -- say, after pubic hair shows up, or after a girl's first period -- it should be fine.