Interesting Cortex research and visualizations

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Psychopomps

I tend to view these as our guides into the deeper recesses of the mind. Since there's no proof of an afterlife, what else would they be?

There is an Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso within us, more profound than anything Virgil encountered. And whichever dominates becomes the theme of our life. We may traverse these inner landscapes with the aid of Psychopomps, whether we create them, call them, or attract them.

Augoeides and Choronzon: A Love Story

In the ever-perpetuated myth of "the one true will", no two names or figures are so shamelessly dropped as Augoeides (pronounced ah-GAY-dees) and Choronzon (kor-un-ZON).

Augoeides is loosely translated from Greek into English and means "shining one", a reference to a heavenly and luminous god-form which is thought to individually link each man and woman to Heaven, thus providing an assistant to the Magician in identifying and attaining his or her true will. Crowley identified this term with The Holy Gaurdian Angel, and this definition has for some time been an accepted bit of dogma within much of the western tradition. The term is synonymous with Daemon and the Hindu term "Atman".

This concept of Augoeides which Crowley helped popularize, but which dates back to the dawn of Greek philosophy, could be likened to the angel on our right shoulder which calls to us through our notions of "higher self" and other abstract concepts which I personally disregard.

Choronzon, on the other hand, or should I say left shoulder represents either a trap of self deciet which the Magician may wander into, or a tool of ego-testing which the Magician makes use of to refine himself at some point.

Choronzon is classically identified as a malignant and shape-shifting demon, and Crowley identified it as "the dweller in the Abyss" and assigned it to Daath on the Tree of Life (Daath will be written on later), that unseen sephiroth which lies above Tiphereth and below Kether. Accounts on the exact nature of Choronzon vary, as well as descriptions of appearance and function, all lending to a great deal of excitement among occultists. Occultists, being a generally dry lot, are not easily roused, so this is no small feat. Consequently Choronzon earns respect in my hierarchy of symbols, and I personally assign him a unique definition of Augoeides' counterpart.

The two figures could be seen as basically different views of the same concept, when placed in a loosely psychological context. Both are useful in identifying or determining where one stands in the chosen paradigm.

Augoeides could be seen as the "Right-Hand path escort" to Choronzon's "Left-Hand path escort" function. I believe the two are essentially the same, lovers inextricably entwined, to make use of a romantic cliche.

Note: Peter J. Carroll's Liber Null and Psychonaut has a very interesting take on both the HGA and Choronzon in pages 164-167, similar to my own, and certainly it influenced my view. However, he does not seem to view Choronzon as a useful phenomenon, where I do. I cannot over-recommend Carroll's book, both for content and style.

Invocation Dangers to Selves

"I believe there are many selves within us; that we are all cases of multiple personality-though generally unafflicted with the amnesia which is the hallmark of clinical manifestations of this condition. Sanity is a state in which our component selves love and trust each other and are prepared to let each other assume control as circumstances demand." Peter J. Carroll

This is probably an oversimplification, but generally correct. It is more accurate than the oft-heard mystical rhetoric which generally goes: "the self is an illusion", often an opener for some lecture on uniting with the "Divine", as it is assumed by said mystic that all IS the "Divine", and thus any distinction is but an illusion. If someone gives you that line, reach down and remove your shoe, swing it upside their head, and ask them if that felt like an illusion. A digression, I know...

The context of the sub-chapter from which the above quote is taken deals with the subject of invocation from the perspective of a Chaoist, or, perhaps simply from the perspective of Mr.Carroll. In particular, the dangers of invoking for the purpose of strengthening a particular self, as there is the danger of that self or adopted form overwhelming the others and causing a (sometimes drastic) narrowing of the personality and perspective at best, or eventual schizophrenia at worst.

Seem far-fetched? Watch someone who makes a drastic recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, only to devote their life to the service of God, or Jesus Christ, or Allah. They will generally become more stable people in the outset, since they have strengthened a personality through a particular godform which helps them achieve the goal of sobriety. But once they realize they've kicked the addiction, they typically carry that ladder with them everywhere they go (if they're generally successful in maintaining sobriety) in fear they will fall off the wagon if they abandon God or whoever, and along with that particular god comes the associated baggage and conflicted and sometimes unnecessary moral modifiers. Not to say there's anything terrible about this, as they're no longer destroying their health and bankrupting their families. But it illustrates a point: one can become dependent on an adopted symbol, whether knowingly or unknowingly, and at the expense of previously useful selves.

The Basic 4

Sometimes referred to as "The Four Laws of the Magus" or "The Witch's Pyramid", these four statements typically constitute the basis for performing magic. If you have a background in magic, you're probably already familiar with them.

1. Know

2. Dare

3. Will

4. Remain Silent

Traditionally, these laws are attributed to the four cardinal directions, which in turn correspond to the four classical elements of western philosophy. These also have a symbolic connection to the four psychological functions of Jungian psychology, and the four descriptions of matter in antiquity.

As above, so below, and all around.

For the sake of brevity, I'll keep the explanations here rather broad.
1. KNOW
To know is to identify, whether through study for relatively superficial means, or for the goal of gnosis, or close identification with something other than self. This would be akin to "Imitation of Christ", invocation as opposed to mere evocation.

Knowledge of magical paradigm(s), their history and development. Knowledge of a target in preparation.

Before these and above all, knowledge of oneself.

2. DARE
To dare, identified with fire in the south, means resolve. Apart from the basis of knowledge, determination is needed to work magic. We dare to break free from any dogma which would prevent us from believing in what we wish to accomplish, which is quite a step further from simply understanding what must be done.

3. WILL
The term "will" is usually coupled with "power" to describe a kind of mental toughness and resolve, or to describe, in some modern occult literature, a predestined path which the magician must discover. Neither of these definitions suitably describe the command "to will".

Mental toughness is certainly required for magical success, but that applies more to the previous law, and a belief in any sort of predestined course is certainly not necessary for a magician. Rather, we refer to the exertion, or carrying out of one's wishes, or "doing the legwork". Unless you're going to do the work of acquiring the tools and materials, finding the best location or workspace you can, setting aside time (sometimes at very inconvenient hours), and directing the exhausting emotional energy into the work, you will never progress beyond contemplation.

Mysticism is fine for philosophers, but you cannot become a magician without DOING.

4. REMAIN SILENT
Attributed to Earth in the North.
Once it is done, let it be. All descriptions of this law are useless until you learn to do whatever it takes to withdraw and redirect your attention to something else, lest you step in the way of your work.

There ARE ways of managing your work with a minimum of effort, and ways of seemingly circumventing these laws, and they are worth researching.

But essential rules must be understood before they can be stretched or manipulated.

Tarot Class July 20th, 2010 6:30pm

God's Notebook:

An Introduction to the Tarot

Introduction, History, Development, Theory, and Practice

The history of the Tarot is a reflection of our common histories, our evolving values, our place in the world. The rich abundance of symbols which are featured in the traditional Western decks evolved from the mythologies of Ancient Egypt and earlier influencing cultures. The Tarot, whether used for divination, meditation, or as a study of our symbolic past, is a profound work of art which has expressed itself through various and diverse images, yet consistently conveyed the ideas which are most important to any society.


Introduction and History In this class, we will consider the earliest history of the Tarot, its connections to art and philosophy, and the lineage of our modern decks. This is an introductory class and does not require any prior experience or knowledge of divination or the Tarot.

Call 407-371-9665 for details

Abracadabra,
JM

Simple Magic: Coin Divination

Simple tricks employed for oneself are the best and most efficient, though nothing impresses others more than complex and symbol-laden rituals.

May those who understand profit.

Here's a nifty trick for children, or adults with younger minds. More precisely, this as a simple divination method. As with any form of the art, this can be modified to suit one's taste, or adjusted for better results. I notice better results from (my taste)ful approaches.

Summary:

Three tosses of one coin to determine a yes or no, either/or question. Three consecutive heads or tails indicate a definite answer, while mixed results may indicate a less definite answer, a state of flux, or the need to wait.

Hard Conditions:

Person flipping coin cannot know question, thus necessitating two parties.

Coin should be of highest value available; gold and silver are not typically found in people's pockets in a typical situation requiring an answer, so a quarter would be ideal if no silver dollars are present.

The "determinant", or person interpreting the answer according to the flip, should have an understanding beforehand of which side of the coin will represent the two options, though heads is generally "yes", "male", "yang", "solar", etc., and tails is the seeming opposite. If no clear distinction into these polarities can be made, then another method should be sought, as this ability to sharply contrast and distinguish the options into opposites is critical to the game.

Soft Conditions:

Anything which disturbs the continuity of the three flips may or may not be seen as inauspicious, e.g., dropping the coin, interruption from outside source, forgetting the result of the last flip.

I once taught this trick to a few young people without going into elaborate theories or explanations. In fact, they think it's just a remarkable parlor trick. Of course, they're astounded at how consistently accurate their answers are, which makes perfect sense to someone who understands how incredibly powerful (yet unfocused) the magical abilities of most kids are.

I really admire those kids' success with what I taught them, and as a tribute to them and the real magic they perform, I won't even bother to expound on this method any further.

Abracadabra,
J.M.

Notes on the Earth

The earth element which represents the Jungian mode "sensation" is in turn represented by the pantacle.
Sensation typically refers to how we process information through our sense-organs, as opposed to how we analyze information with our minds, thus we are given the idea of body connected to earth. Or perhaps the connection between what we perceive as "us" and everything else. All of this is easier to understand symbolically than logically.

The pantacle is traditionally a disk with symbols engraved upon one or both sides. These symbols represent a magical perspective of the earth, the universe, a particular space which the magician has set aside, or even the magician himself, or may be a combination of any or all of these.

The pantacle is distinguishable from the pentacle which is a symbol- that of the five pointed star contained within a circle. The pantacle is an actual physical object.

In the Tarot, the pantacle is often seen, or at least represented, in the minor Arcana suit which is also represented by discs, coins, rocks, and in the common U.S. playing card decks as the diamond.

Within various magical systems, it is either derided as gross material substance which must be tolerated and transmuted, or, as in the case of Satanism, venerated as representing our sole known existence.

Crowley straddles somewhere between, and has a very interesting take on the symbolism of the pantacle in his BOOK 4:

"All Pantacles will contain the ultimate conceptions of the circle and the cross, though some will prefer to replace the cross by a point, or by a Tau, or by a triangle. The Vesica Pisces is sometimes used instead of the circle, or the circle may be glyphed as a serpent. Time and space and the idea of causality are sometimes represented; so also are the three stages in the history of philosophy, in which the three objects of study were successively Nature, God, and Man.
The duality of consciousness is also sometimes represented; and the Tree of Life itself may be figured therein, or the categories. An emblem of the Great Work should be added. But the Pantacle will be imperfect unless each idea is contrasted in a balanced manner with its opposite, and unless there is a necessary connection between each pair of ideas and every other pair."

It is interesting to note the mention of a glyphed serpent representing the circle. Many and far-flung cultures utilize the circle which is comprised of a serpent devouring its tail- to the point where it is an archetypal symbol in its own right. The Gnostic Ouroboros and the Scandinavian world-serpent number among interpretations which are found throughout Europe, Africa and North and South America. The Church of Satan's iconic Baphomet, which derives partly from the legend of the Knights Templar features a unique set of five Hebrew letters encircling the five-pointed star which translate to "Leviathan", the serpent of the watery abyss. It should be noted that the letters run counter clock-wise, the same direction which these serpent motifs typically seem to run, from tail to head.

Abbreviated Elemental Schema

Air Sword(Spade) Thinking Space
Water Cup(Heart) Intuition Time
Earth Disk(Coin)(Pantacle) Sensation Mass
Fire Wand(Staff)(Club) Feeling Energy

Media Noise Solutions

A few years ago I became aware of the term "media noise", a term which immediately intrigued me, yet seemed to be the perfect, self-explanatory expression of extraneous information. I don't remember where I first heard it, but a quick Google search turned up very few relevant entries, mostly bandwidth solutions for sale. I continued to ponder the subject and its implications in the interim.

Just yesterday I was reading an old blog entry by Jason Miller, on his Take Back Your Mind blog, which focused on meditation being the single most important routine for most people, not to mention the single most powerful tool for magicians. It suddenly occurred to me that "media noise" is actually an age-old problem, or, rather, phenomenon.

Though the term is relatively modern, the idea of the individual feeling swamped by information is something that has plagued us since the dawn of time.

Everyone has to make decisions. What do we believe? Do we follow our parents' choice of cosomology? Do we fall into a vocation which seems to present itself, or do we pursue what we really desire, regardless of the degree of difficulty in attaining it? Can we find a middle ground? Do we continue our education? Do we listen to other people's advice when we are attracted to someone, or do we follow our instincts? Who can we trust?

These problems are as old as the poet Homer and far, far older. The only difference is now we are inundated with advertisements and (often unsolicited) opinions via the various media outlets we expose ourselves to. We have a deluge of information pouring at us. The majority of this information is irrelevant and distracting, so it is referred to as "noise", and we try to tune it out, while retaining the useful stuff. But the key to dealing with it, and being able to properly process the right information, lies within the understanding that we can shut it off. All of it, when it gets to be too much to sort out.

I recently lost internet and television connection in my home, in anticipation of a move. For a few weeks I took a further step and avoided looking at newspapers. It felt wonderful.

I'm still stressing over recent serious vehicle problems, where I'll be living, whether the commute will destroy my next vehicle, how I can increase my income in one area to compensate for a loss in another, etc., etc.

That's where meditation comes into play, as the solution in coping with what you can't unplug from until you die. Being able to quiet the mind helps our focus. Much the same as a cup of coffee in the morning, a meal, or a few extra hours of sleep for the sleep-deprived suddenly improve one's attitude and perspective. Problems are still there, life is still present, but we don't feel so overwhelmed.

Schema: God and Devil

God- causation anthropomorphized.
Devil- Human will anthropomorphized

Thus the two would not be discrete entities, but aspects of the human experience.

What caused causation? Causation. Who cares?

As with monism (a future post), further elaboration from the basic explanation is merely obfuscation. It is so simple and beautiful.

Next: I eventually finish the "3" installment at the tarot blog, and perhaps reflect upon my recently renewed interest in Liber Null.

I.N.R.I.

"Let us examine now one of the most conspicuous symbols of the Rosicrucian degree, the four letters I.N.R.I.

First, a remarkable parallel links this acronym with the ineffable name of the Deity in the Bible, the Tetragammaton. Both are composed of four letters, one of which is repeated. In Hebrew, the letters are Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh.

Of course, the first reaction of a reader with an elementary acquaintance with the Bible is to give a Christian interpretation to the acronym: Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum, the inscription on the cross.

However, an examination of various rituals of the 18th degree in different places and times, reveals a wide range of Masonic interpretations, such as:

Igne Natura Renovatur Integra
(Nature is completely renewed by fire)

Ignis Natura Renovat Integram
(Fire completely renews nature)

Ignem Natura Regenerando Integrat
(By regeneration, nature maintains the integrity of fire)

In Nobilis Regnat Iehovah (or Iesus)
(Jehovah (or Jesus) reigns among noble men)

Iesus Nascente Ram Innovatur
(Ascending Jesus renews the branch)

Igne Nitrum Roris Invenitor
(By fire salt is extracted from dew)

Insignia Naturae Ratio Illustrat
(Reason illuminates the nature’s symbols)

Inter Nos Regnat Indulgentia
(Among us reigns goodness)

Intra Nobis Regnum Iehova
(The Kingdom of God is within us)

Iustum Necare Reges Impios
(It is just to kill impious kings)

Iustitia Nunc Reget Imperia
(Justice now reigns empires)

In Neci Renascor Integer
(In death one is reborn intact and pure)

Another explanation mentioned by Naudon claims that the four letters are the initials of Judea, Nazareth, Raphael and Judah. In Hebrew, Judea and Judah are written with an initial “I”.

Still another explanation is given by Albert Pike in his Magnum Opus: the four letters are initials of the words Infinity, Nature, Reason and Immortality.

As if all this were not sufficient, the acronym has also been attributed to four Hebrew words: Iam, Nur, Ruakh and Ieveshah, which represent the four elements: water, fire, air and earth. This requires some latitude in the interpretations, because Iam actually means sea, and only by synecdoche can it be taken to represent water.

The existence of so many and diverse explanations, formulated by different Masonic writers in the course of time, demonstrates that the literal or Biblical explanation is certainly insufficient and probably erroneous within the Masonic context."

From "An esoteric view of the Rose-Croix degree" by Leon Zeldis

All of the above interpretations would seem well in keeping with Freemasonry's potpourri of Hermetic ideas. At this time I should reiterate that I am not involved with any form of Freemasonry. I know a few Freemasons, I had a passing interest in the Craft, and I still think it's interesting. I just don't have the time or energy for any fraternities. And there's also something sort of...silly about some of what I see around here.

Anyhow, I've had a fascination with the top two interpretations for some time now, due in part to the obvious connection with the basic alchemical process, but also due to the very powerful and absolute nature of purification by fire.

"Nature is renewed by fire." This is indeed seen in the case of the controlled burning of woodlands, where areas are selectively and carefully burned by professionals to prevent dead and highly-flammable trees from igniting during storms and threatening perfectly healthy trees in proximity.

Certain crops require a complete burning after harvest, and new seeds must be sown in order for the next harvest to occur.

"Nature", or, the course of events, sees organisms which are unfit for their particular environment weeded out. The fossil record shows us countless examples of subspecies which become extinct, replaced by more fit variations. In man's case, the unfit are sometimes seen to be supported by society, even allowed and encouraged to flourish, which allows for a rapid decline in the overall health of our species. Man once selectively destroyed the unfit (or dangerous) among him in order to preserve the better, but this is not practiced as often, neither is the species as prone to being culled by disease. War exists, as it will always. Thank whatever you believe in for that.

Theories abound on where this is heading.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the principle of purification and renewal by destruction is intriguing and undeniably polarizing. That nature benefits from destruction is easily seen. But where does the human species fit into "nature"?

Atheism isn't a religion, nor should it be

I won't go into my reasons for saying this, as they should be pretty apparent for anyone with a decent head on their shoulders. Atheism has never been a religion, but rather a stance, and a very practical one. And I agree with someone whose name escapes me when they said that ALL forms of deviation from monotheism eventually lead back to atheism (especially agnosticism). Thus all the paranoia of fundamentalists concerning a deviation from established doctrine leading the faithful astray is absolutely correct.
Thank god for that.