Magic Monday

[ecosophia]

It's a little past midnight, so here we go with a new Magic Monday. The picture is Gladys Miller aka Mother Serena, for many years head of the Societas Rosicruciana in America (SRIA), one of the many magical orders active in the US in the 20th century.

Ask me anything about occultism and I'll do my best to answer it. Any question received by midnight Monday Eastern time will get an answer, though it may be Tuesday sometime before I get to them all.

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 the button below to access my online tip jar.

With that said, have at it!

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

Comments

Sphere of Protection in the Grove

[(Anonymous)]

When doing the SoP in an open Grove, should one stand in the north facing south when starting the SoP with the Elemental Cross (though I usually do this facing east) and then proceed to the east to start the invoking / banishing of the elements? Is it best to face outward away from the altar when invoking / banishing or inward toward the altar? I walked around the altar to the direction and station of the element I was invoking instead of pivoting in place like I do when performing the SoP as a daily practice outside of an open Grove and then faced the altar for the three Spirits while standing in the north facing south. Thank you for any clarity on the mechanics of how best to do this. I did my first Grove opening and closing to celebrate Alban Elued on Saturday and wondered how to fit the SoP properly into the Grove setting.
Thank you for your guidance in these matters. I appreciate it tremendously,
Yanocoches
P.S. I'm sorry for your crankiness and hope it passes quickly.

Water and Occult Practice

[(Anonymous)]

Dear Mr Greer,

Thank you for this forum. I've been a long time reader and for the past year, I have followed the ritual and meditation you outline in Paths of Wisdom.

My question: In the near future I am planning to live on a boat, and the possible negative influence of this on my magical practice concerns me. Would there be any negative effect? Would practising on water be a problem?

Thanks for your time.

[(Anonymous)]

Hello JMG
I’ve been doing the LBRP frequently but I’ve recently decided to do the LIRP. However when ever I’ve done LIRP I notice that I find it abit harder to visualise everything properly, I seem to speed things up and I get mild aches around my arms.
What do you think of this?

Re: Sphere of Protection in the Grove

[ecosophia]

There's a lot of flexibility in the Sphere of Protection. When I was doing it regularly in solitary Grove workings, I started by going to the north side of the altar, facing south, and doing the Elemental Cross there; then I went to the east, and faced outward there and in the south, west, and north to invoke and banish the elements. Then I returned to the north of the altar, facing south, to invoke Spirit and do the three circulations of the light.

As for crankiness, good heavens, an occasional grumpy mood is nothing to worry about.

Re: Water and Occult Practice

[ecosophia]

I know a couple who routinely do magical rituals on a boat, with good effect. You should have no trouble.

[ecosophia]

What I think is that you should keep practicing, slow down, and make an extra effort to get the visualizations right!

;-)

Druids at Pantheacon

[roberta]

My partner and I have read the Druidry Handbook and Mystery Teachings. We live on a homestead in a very down-at-the-heels part of the boonies. We have not joined any pagan community here because Wicca or drumming are not to our taste. We are wondering if it will be possible to take part in Druidic ritual at Pantheacon. Wondering if Pantheacon will be an overload of woowoo, furries, cannabis, or . . . any advice?
Do you know the Druids who will be there (Kristoffer Hughes, John Beckett) and can you recommend them? I'm also interested in Tarot, so any time slots with no Druids, I'll be going to divination presentations, and hope to hear Lon Milo DuQuette talk about Qabala.

[dreamstrike13]

Hi JMG, All.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying training!

Need some guidance with regards to choosing a pantheon to interact with. I've always loved Fudomyo and Kannon sama, and Basu sennin. The Sanjusangendo specifically, and Kyoto generally, although not interested in becoming a Buddhist. I'm interested in a pantheon to interact with, rather than ask favors of. More those who will help guide interactions with the natural word as I feel we've should be asking less of it, and doing more for it. A hard, but fair group, hopefully with a decent sense of humour; love the idea of Durma too, as he's essentially a overweight homelessman who seems to be constantly enjoying himself.

The only analogy I can think of what I don't want to become is the 'Ki Master' vs MMA fighter that did the rounds on youtube. Not knocking the idea of Ki in any way, as I've trained with Shihan in Japan who were a totally different level BUT you need to train with all sorts (MMA, Karate, Tai Chi etc) to make sure your not full of it as they're is always a degree of compliance in martial arts training (to avoid injury, allow those teaching to teach a point for example) that can get you into trouble. A pantheon that can keep training focused and away from nonsense (or better yet help me discern real from nonsense!) Like Fudomyo with his burning eyes and sword, converting anger into salvation..... If I was going to use Japanese deities, how does one go about integrating them with Druid practice? Asking permission seems like a good place to start.

Or on a totally different angle, perhaps none are needed? Air, soil, fire, water seem to be a very solid place for me as a beginner. Perhaps waiting is also fine?

cheers all!

LRBP

[(Anonymous)]

I'm learning the celtic golden dawn system (still not initiated in the ovate grade), and I would like to hear your comment on my praying practice below:

I often do the LRBP and the Natural Breath meditation, and then some study regarding divination (but not yet practicing). While I'm still in the circle, after LRBP and meditation, I often visualize a person I would like to pray for, and then visualize that the person is in balance in terms of the three rays of light: I.e. that the person is in a harmonic/peaceful balance between light/power and knowledge/virtue. For me the center of the LRBP-circle feels like a very good place for these prayers.

My concern is not about if the prayers works or not, but rather that the forces in action seem very powerful, and might potentially can cause damage. My conclusion is that praying for balance (as described above) seem to be the best option for me at moment, when my divination skills are limited.

What's your thoughts: Is my conclusion correct? Should I change or revise my praying practice?

Asking questions of deities

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,

Recently, I’ve been getting the sense that certain entities are trying rather hard to get my attention - or rather, that I have come to **their** attention, and they are now attempting to talk to me. I think they’re benevolent, and that it would be a good step for me to establish a relationship, but I’m cautious. I’d like to establish as clearly as possible what they want, and on what terms. I know that your usual advice is “ask them!” which I will do. I just want to check, what you suggest would be the best way - SOP first, followed by meditation? Just request a sign and see what happens?

Thanks for your advice!

Bogatyr

Jesus vs Hu

[sea_spray]

How well does praying to Jesus generally mix with praying to the welsh druid pantheon. I seem to have the opitunity to have a relationship with Jesus but I don't want to loose the possibility of a strong relationship with the druid gods.
Yes I am asking the gods in question but I would like to hear how other people tend to find it.
Thank you.

[booklover1973]

What does ultimately happen with the honey jar mentioned at the last two Magic Mondays in conjunction with love magic? Is it a problem if the candle is perfumed?

[(Anonymous)]

Howdy JMG ,
You mentioned a little while back that the Jungian Archetypes are distinct from the Classical Gods. I was just wondering are the Archetypes planetary spirits or the falllen Nephilim ? . Seems relevant to me since i am a big fan of Jungs psychological theories , and tend to incorporate them in my practice.

Thanks
Boardman Hubbard

Ogham vs Coelbren

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG, another question, I’m afraid!

For someone on the early stages of the path of Druidry,one gets fairly quickly to the point where books etc start talking about Ogham, and using the fews for divination. Ogham is from the Irish tradition.

However, you recently published your book on Coelbren - sufficiently recently that, afaik, no other authors have yet started including it in their systems. Coelbren is from the Welsh tradition of Iolo Morganwg.

As a Welshman, and furthermore one with personal connection of sorts to Iolo, I’m inclined to substitute Coelbren for Ogham, using it alongside the I Ching.

Different systems of divination will work differently, of course, but is there any particular reason you’re aware of why studying Ogham first would be advisable?

Many thanks again,

Bogatyr

Order of things

[(Anonymous)]

Undoubtedly this question has been asked before but I'm sure you're aware of how voluminous the archive of Magic Mondays has become. Perhaps there is a way of searching them but I couldn't find one.

Anyway... I'm nearing the end of the Ovate Grade in your CGD book and looked ahead to the Bardic material. I noted the first step in the Middle Pillar is the LRP in banishing mode. As it stands I do the LRP in summoning before purifying and consecrating the temple followed by meditation then close the temple. The Middle Pillar should come right before meditation so where does the banishing LRP fit?

Thanks in advance for the generous offer of your time to answer our questions.

-Daniel

Occult perspectives on human sleep?

[(Anonymous)]

Something I've yet to hear a good explanation of is why individual sleep needs vary so much. How is it that some people get by well on 5-6 hours, whereas others need 8-9 hours to feel reasonably rested? Of course, variation should be expected here as well as for any other human trait, but does occult philosophy provide any clues as to the *causes* of this variation? (Mainstream science, as far as I can tell, doesn't seem to.) In particular, do you think there's any reason to believe that some people need to dream more than others?

Middle Pillar Exercise (MPE)

[(Anonymous)]

Hello

Last week you mentioned that a tinkling sensation is quite usual when carrying out the MPE.

Are there other phenomena or sensations that tend to occur whislt doing the MPE?

Thank You!

Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram

[(Anonymous)]

Hello --

I have recently begun working through the Celtic Golden Dawn book and have a question regarding the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram. It begins by instructing the practitioner to do the invoking ritual then later teaching the banishing and says to go back and forth between the two, alternating which ritual is done before the meditation of the day.

I've read elsewhere to perform the ritual up to three times a day. If one were to do so, would you suggest alternating between invoking and banishing or stick to one or the other? At this point, I still don't really understand what is being performed by this act and would love some clarification.

Thank you!

Questions

[(Anonymous)]

Good day to you Sir,

Thank you for providing this opportunity to ask questions. I am sorry that you are cranky, but I have some questions for you at any rate.

1. Do you have ways to deal with seasonal allergies? The past couple weeks I have had trouble with the medatitive breathing due to extreme stuffiness.

2. I have an old friend who is expected to pass away within the next week. I will not be there when they pass, so is there anything that I should do or say to help move the spirit along once it happens?

3. Have you used magic to aid in your monetary success?

Thank you!

magic involved?

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG -

I was hoping I could ask your thoughts on what happened to me last week. I’ll preface this by saying I do not intend to, nor am I currently practicing, any magic. At least that I know of. I mention this because my horoscope (which, by the way, I got via a link to Astro Dienst you provided awhile back…thanks!!!) says that right now is not a good time to start taking up occult activities such as magic. Also, practically speaking, my life is too busy at the moment anyway to give my full and proper attention! So I have been following along with your posts on The Cosmic Doctrine but I am not reading it myself. However, your discussions about Dion Fortune got me intrigued, so just a few weeks ago I began reading Psychic Self-Defense.

Funny how synchronicity happens, because early Saturday morning I saw what I think was a raven. It startled me because as I walked past a low building it took off, and it was large and the way it moved made me think it was a hawk. As it flew I turned around and saw it was all black as it passed behind me. I later did a bit of internet searching and found this could be a sign of either imminent magic about to occur or perhaps bad luck. I guess I was about to find out. Later Saturday morning I got an email from a work colleague who was very angry with me for an email I had sent him expressing dismay that he had blown off our meeting. He made accusations that were untrue and threatened to tell our boss. It was quite out-of-the-blue and it upset me. I tried not to let it bother me, but it was, and I was testy through the day. On Sunday I got in a fight with my wife over a piece of furniture (ridiculous, I know) but everyone was upset.

Then on Tuesday night, the worst occurred. I was planning to pick up my kids from my ex-wife’s house to take them to a Yom Kippur service. I was quite excited about it. We had planned dinner beforehand and I was even going to do a brief reading at the service. When I arrived, my ex-wife and the kids were gone. I called all the phone numbers and nobody answered. I called her mother’s house. No answer. I suspected she was there and drove over and found her car parked in the driveway. The shades were drawn and no one answered the door. I rang the doorbell six or seven times and no one answered. To make a long story short I ended up having to file a police report. We missed dinner and we missed the whole service. It was a terribly upsetting night for me. In retrospect, I also noticed a lot of atmospheric confusion that night. For example, my phone was not working and I was unable to call my wife and I had trouble sending emails during this event. I had to restart my phone a few times. So I wonder what all this means.

Thank you for providing a forum where I can share this story with you. What do you think? Am I making too much of a string of coincidences that upset me? Or what?

Thanks!!

- blue sun

[(Anonymous)]

Do you know of stones or herbs or the like with correspondences to Chokmah and Kether? I'm working on a physical layout to aid my path-workings. My plan is to utilize correspondences according to the astrological planets for each sphere (except Malkuth, where I would use an Earth elemental correspondence), but the first two do not have "standard" astrological planetary assignments. (Admittedly, my focus is on the lower portion of the Tree at the moment, but I thought I'd take the opportunity of a Magic Monday to ask!)

Much obliged, good sir.

David, by the lake

Invoking vs Banishing

[(Anonymous)]

Hi ... Aron Blue here ... I've been using the banishing ritual and the discursive meditation practice for some time now ... I had your book Paths of Wisdom which I was working through slowly but the book did not survive my travels unfortunately. In any event, your support in constructing a banishing ritual with Aeon, Iris, Eros, and Gaia as my four element guardians (is that okay terminology?) was, as I've mentioned, supremely helpful. As I've practiced, their images in my mind have become clear and distinct and my discursive meditations on water have been particularly strong.

I would like to add an invoking ritual now, as I have been reading your comments about the importance of doing both. I don't think I got out of balance necessarily; I think I had a lot of banishing to do! But now I'm ready to invoke and I was wondering how to integrate that into my particular practice as you've helped me develop it.

[(Anonymous)]

On Friday I went ahead with the sweetening spell during one of the Hours of Venus. I used the pink and white striped candle for a seven minute burn and asked the universe and any spirits involved to add and take away whatever was necessary to make me more lovable. I didn't have a holder for the candle so in a moment of inspiration made one out of wood from my old bedroom ceiling that is currently being replaced. I don't know if that will have made a difference. It all seems to have worked well but since I'll be burning a candle every week, is there anything I can do to improve it?

Beyond that, all your systems of ritual magic start with overall development rather than specific outcomes. Are there more natural magic practises with those kind of goals you'd recommend? Currently I've got the needle on the modem, I'm having my weekly hoodoo bath on Mondays (I don't worry about planetary hours with that, I just do it with my shave and hair wash) and now I'll be reinforcing the sweetening spell on Fridays. Where can I go from here? One thing I was wondering is if the bath is equivalent to a banishing ritual, is there a natural magic version of the Middle Pillar or Central Ray?

Spirits breaking wards

[(Anonymous)]

Mr. Greer,

My oldest son has returned home and two spirits attached to him. One is a woman dressed in Victorian-era clothing, and the other is a shadow like being that is very aggressive. These beings have been connected to him for almost twenty years now, and they seem to have the ability to break the warding of our home (Iron, Rune bindings, and garlic hanging over the doorways). The only thing I have not tried yet is burying a witches' bottle in the yard. Any help that you could give in this situation would be welcome.

Thank you and Bright Blessings,

Ron

Green Wizards’ Benevolent and Protective Association

[(Anonymous)]

Hiya, John!

Because the Green Wizards of the Green Wizards’ Benevolent and Protective Association start as poor Ruinmen, and the GWB&PA is an operative, rather than speculative, fraternity, we members need a variety of tools, especially the lowly crowbar so that we may give our Ruinman’s Bond upon our Ruinman’s bars for both ceremonial and practical promises.

In keeping with the principles of L.E.S.S., we don’t want new members to run to the nearest big box store and buy new tools. While second hand tools are plentiful in some places, they are scarce in others; either way, finding a Ruinman’s bar can be difficult. Is there a good (i.e. easy to learn) method to find or attract the right crowbar?

Rusty, Tower 440, GWB&PA