207 replies to this topic

[Disabled Not Broken]

If you are/were a *Practicing Magickian:

-whatever your flavor-

This Thread will be a good podium to help instruct those with Questions.

This is *Real Magick:

Not Role Playing, Not Hollywood Magick

Maybe we can outline a basic

non-dogmatic paradigm, for those interested seekers.

Those who want to be like Harry Potter:

...or just Qi-Curious?

Witch Wizard Sorcerer Mage and all the Spectrum in between :

NOTE: The origins of the words Witch and Wicca is that they are derived from "Wic," which means to shape or bend.

So, in essence, Magick is all about Bending

Thread Idea Inspired by:

Ritualistic Magic? Whats the point?

_______

Maybe...

this Thread will eventually become

a Sticky/Pinned Topic...?

_______

Tree of Life:

is a good map

It can be non-religious and non_dogmatic

I will post info. about it- shortly

Edited by Disabled Not Broken, 01 September 2012 - 09:04 AM.

[Disabled Not Broken]

If you are/were a *Practicing Magickian:

-whatever your flavor-

This Thread will be a good podium to help instruct those with Questions.

This is *Real Magick:

Not Role Playing, Not Hollywood Magick

Maybe we can outline a basic

non-dogmatic paradigm, for those interested seekers.

Those who want to be like Harry Potter:

...or just Qi-Curious?

Witch Wizard Sorcerer Mage and all the Spectrum in between :

NOTE: The origins of the words Witch and Wicca is that they are derived from "Wic," which means to shape or bend.

So, in essence, Magick is all about Bending

Tree of Life:

is a good map

It can be non-religious and non_dogmatic

I will post info. about it- shortly

Background on:

TREE OF LIFE

http://en.wikipedia....ki/Tree_of_life

Contents

• 1 Religion and mythology
  
  • 1.1 Ancient Egypt
  • 1.2 Armenia
  • 1.3 Assyria
  • 1.4 Baha'i Faith
  • 1.5 China
  • 1.6 Christianity
    
    • 1.6.1 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    • 1.6.2 Swedenborgianism
  • 1.7 Europe
  • 1.8 Georgia
  • 1.9 Germanic paganism and Norse mythology
  • 1.10 Jewish sources
    
    • 1.10.1 Kabbalah
  • 1.11 Mesoamerica
  • 1.12 Middle East
  • 1.13 North America
  • 1.14 Rastafari
  • 1.15 Serer religion
  • 1.16 Turkic world
• 2 Science
• 3 Popular culture
  
  • 3.1 Art
  • 3.2 Music
  • 3.3 Fiction
    
    • 3.3.1 Literature
    • 3.3.2 Video games
    • 3.3.3 Film
    • 3.3.4 Anime
    • 3.3.5 Other
  • 3.4 Decorative arts
• 4 Physical "trees of life"
• 5 See also
• 6 References
• 7 External links

http://en.wikipedia....life_(Kabbalah)

Contents

• 1 Design
• 2 Similarities
• 3 See also
• 4 References
• 5 External links

Edited by Disabled Not Broken, 28 August 2012 - 09:41 AM.

[Disabled Not Broken]

Bibliographies, welcomed

Edited by Disabled Not Broken, 28 August 2012 - 09:57 AM.

[Disabled Not Broken]

The Tree of Life, is a paradigm,

commonly used in Western magick.

It can be religious Kaballah.

This is not our purpose.

QABALA/QBL is the magickal 'map'

It's Components, contain:

Sephiroth

Paths

4 Worlds

Can Include:

Tarot Principles/Cards

Can also, include:

Sound, Color, Planets, Numerology

Sometimes Gematria

Can be used for Astral Travel/Pathworking

Can have practical, mundane uses, such as catergorizing scientific principles

Entropy, for example:

Geburah/Chesed

TOL, can also be incorporated into other magickal paradigms...

Edited by Disabled Not Broken, 28 August 2012 - 10:00 AM.

[Disabled Not Broken]

Very Good Introductory Links:

• http://www.digital-b...e.com/index.php

• http://www.kheper.ne...ism/Qabalah.htm

[Disabled Not Broken]

Hermetic Kabbalah / Qabalah Links
Colin's Hermetic Kabbalah Page - the definitive on-line Hermetic resource. includes a number of fascinating on-line documents by Bill Heidrick and others. These are worth printing out for study. Also an incredible links page. Best on the Web

Symbala - Beautiful models, visual impressions and teaching aids relating to the Tree of Life. The artist approaches the subject from a visual appreciation and explores 3 dimensional modeling, geometry and visionary arts. Includes a shockwave flash interactive Tree and movies. The Kabbalah Poster and Alchemical Star Print are among the published works on view and available for purchase

Qabalah Study - discussion forum dedicated to the Hermetic Qabalah

"The Qabalah Study site is dedicated to fostering a greater understanding and personal life application of the principles of the Qabalah. Members are encouraged to share their perceptions, questions, experiences, and intuitions on the Qabalah as well as on kindred subjects such as Tarot, Alchemy, Astrology, and Magick, and the many other pathways of the Esoteric Tradition through the Message Board, Links, and Photos areas of the site. All participation that is respectful, sincere, and on topic is welcome."

Quabbalah - The Tree of Life - by by Karen Chapdelaine. From a 1994 alt.magick newsgroup posting, this article gives a good very basic intro. Unfortunately the spacing in the ascii diagram of the Tree did not come out very well in unformatted html

Qabalah Linkz - good page to mostly Hermetic (with a few Traditional) Kabbalah links, arranged according to whether they are Elementary, Intermediate, or Advanced

My Qabalah - interactive image map, follows basically the Golden Dawn /Hermetic/Dion Fortune/ tradition(s) - gives a list of correspondences for and description of each Sefirah

The Qabalistic and Thelemic Works of Frater Achad - the complete works of Frater Achad, in both html and pdf format, includes interesting Qabalistic writings, as well as other material - part of

High Magick: The Hermetic Kabalah - original writings on Magick, Hermetic Kabbalah, the Tarot, and more. By Suba

Qabalah Web - introductory site on Qabalah and related subjects. Includes annoutated recommended reading list

The Keys to Kabbalah - by Alan Bain - electronic version of Dr. Alan Bain's book The Keys to Kabbalah. Covers each sephirah, each of the Tarot paths, and includes diagrams, appendix and supplements.


Some Books

The Kabbalah Unveiled by MacGregor S.L. Mathers - essentially extracts from the Zohar, with Mathers' commentary. A number of Lurianic themes are incorporated here. This was the basic Kabbalah textbook for the Golden Dawn

The Mystical Qabalah - Dion Fortune - a popular and very readable introduction to the Qabalah and its symbolism -

basically a popularisation of Mather's book and his teachings

[Disabled Not Broken]

The Witches Qabala: The Pagan Path and the Tree of Life

Ellen Cannon Reed

http://www.amazon.co...h/dp/0877288801

Because the classic writings on the Qabala have been expressed primarily in the terminology of the Western Mystery Tradition or in terms of the ceremonial magician, its usefulness as a tool for the Craft has been overlooked. With this book, Ellen Cannon Reed, a High Priestess of the Isian tradition, brings the symbolism of the Qabala into a new light so pagans can see its value and use it to enhance the Great Work. Reed explains the Tree of Life, the primary symbol used to represent the universal energies as "revealed" by the Qabala, and how its spheres and paths correspond to elements in the pagan tradition. Teachers can use the Qabala to understand the growth of students and their problems, using the Vices and Virtues to recognize stages of growth. Reed also provides exercises, meditations, and encouragement to students who are studying without a teacher. She discusses the Qabala as it appears in everyday life, which spheres of the Tree of Life to use for specific workings, and details two rituals using the Tree: a Dedication to the Journey, and the Rite of mending Love. Reed's command of the material allows teachers and students alike to gain powerful insight into their own search for spirituality.

[Disabled Not Broken]

Next in line, for study and research:

Planetary Magick:

http://www.llewellyn...n=9780738727349

Planetary Magick: The Heart of Western Magick (Llewellyn's High Magick Series)

http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/0875421938

I am not a big fan of Llewellyn Books, but this book is a classic

[Disabled Not Broken]

Next in line, would be a thorough study on:

Elements:

Basic outline:

http://www.esoterica...on/heptamer.htm

Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Spirit - Five Elements of Magic and Ritual





Elemental Correspondences


The five elements of fire, water, air, earth, and spirit are used by neopagans and occultists in magic and ritual to represent the forces of nature. They are not the same as the table of elements in science.
Below are the symbols and some attributes of each one taken from western magical tradition, which has influenced much of our current magical thought.
Nature elementals and other correspondences such as neoshamanic totems are outside the scope of this article.




Credit: P.J. Deneen


Air


Warm and moist, active. Corresponding direction - East. Represents clear perception and intelligence. Associated with the first breath of life and speech.




Credit: P.J. Deneen


Fire


Warm and dry, active, incredibly energetic. Corresponding direction - South. It has the power to destroy and purify. It is seen as the beginning and end as it is considered the source of life and the destroyer of life.




Credit: P.J. Deneen


Water


Cool and moist, passive, creative, transformative. Embodied esoterically as the primal waters of all creation. Corresponding direction - West. Represents the subconscious, receptivity, and regeneration.




Credit: P.J. Deneen


Earth


Dry and cool, passive, fertile. Corresponding direction - North. Earth is born of the above three elements. Represents stability, groundedness, and the ability to manifest.




Credit: P.J. Deneen




Spirit


Spirit is above but is the connecting point of the other four elements (shown opening picture of this page). It is the embodiment of the alchemical phrase "As Above, So Below." As we come to understand the four elements, we come closer to understanding divinity as their source.

Using Elements in Circle Casting


In witchcraft, circles are commonly cast calling the elements at each direction in order to have balanced energy and as part of enclosing the circle. Students of magick and esoteric orders such as the Golden Dawn work with the elements to balance those energies within themselves.




Credit: P.J. Deneen


Elemental Exercise


A simple exercise to begin to align with the energies of each element is to draw the images above separately on paper and meditate on them. You can also visualize these symbols to bring more of one element into your life. For example, if you are feeling spacey or light-headed, you can concentrate on the symbol for earth to become more grounded.
Symbols are'nt necessary to evoke the feelings of each element. You may also create your own visuals or use none at all. They are simply tools to aid in connecting with the energies.
Most likely you will receive information from your own guidance about what the elements mean for you and your life. It is also perfectly normal to feel an affinity with one or more of these during different life experiences. This is invaluable information to record in your journal as you develop your own magical personality. While this work may seem basic, it is a powerful way to develop equilibrium in all aspects of your life.
More About Magic and Ritual

• Paganism Basics: The Ritual Bath
  A ritual bath is a powerful component to add to clearing of daily stress before your magical rites. Learn different techniques to do this.
• Psychic Shielding - Techniques for Psychic Self Defense
  Psychic self defense is used to protect against intentional and unintentional psychic attack. Presented here are some psychic shielding techniques.
• The Four Directions: Correspondences for Ritual and Magic
  North, South, East and West. Its a common practice to call upon the energies of the four quarters in circle casting for ritual. Learn more about the correspondences for each direction.

Sources consulted:

• Cicero, Chic, and Sandra Tabatha Cicero. Self-Initiation int the Golden Dawn Tradition, 1st Ed. Llewellyn Publications, 1995.
• Kraig, Donald Michael. Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts, 2nd Ed. Llewellyn Publications, 1988 and 1998.

[Disabled Not Broken]

So... Understanding Tree of Life, Planetary Correspondances, and Elements is a very basic and thorough start

Now, we can put what we have learned, into practice

High and Low Magick

High is for enlightenment [pure and simple- stripping tech. terms from it]

Low is for achieving mundane goals [Love, Wealth, Health]

We are keeping Colored Magick out.
[Black, White, Citrine, Red, etc.,... because the *WILL* of the Magickian- either paints or taints the working]

Magickal tools are the external focus... directing of the-- internal focus

A Wand is the extension of my Will - like pointing my finger

__________

Definitions and general purpose of magick

Crowley defined Magick as "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will."^[4][5] He goes on to elaborate on this, in one postulate, and twenty eight theorems. His first clarification on the matter is that of a postulate, in which he states "ANY required change may be effected by the application of the proper kind and degree of Force in the proper manner, through the proper medium to the proper object."^[6][7] He goes on further to state:

Magick is the Science of understanding oneself and one's conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action.^[8]

Edited by Disabled Not Broken, 28 August 2012 - 11:04 AM.

[Disabled Not Broken]

Nothing here is far out outlandish...

No Hollywood, No Cartoons.

No 'Masters'

No 'Initiations'

No sitting at the feet of Gurus

No Hidden Secrets

No Pacts nor of 'Selling Your Soul to the Devil'

[templetao]

Theres nothing wrong with having a teacher.

Edited by templetao, 28 August 2012 - 12:31 PM.

[templetao]

Please continue your lesson on this i think you have the rest of us rivoted.

Edited by templetao, 28 August 2012 - 12:32 PM.

[templetao]

edit

Edited by templetao, 28 August 2012 - 12:33 PM.

[thelerner]

Its nice to find Abraham Abulafiah's name on the Qabalah chart. I've studied a bit of his work. I could see where many would not define it as Qabalah since there's no classic theory instead it's more on how sacred sounds influence the body and its connection to the soul and outer realms.

Unlike what I consider the dense, head heavy practices of 'straight' Qabalah, its experiential. My main source for it is Ecstatic Kabalah by Rabbi David Cooper.

Edited by thelerner, 29 August 2012 - 12:30 PM.

[templetao]

I was only replying to the thread that implied my position from another thread. Up to that point i had no interest in this subject for it is nothing that i practice.

It was post #11 on this thread that prompted me to respond.