Michael Sternbach

One thing that might be worth noting is that in the Middle Pillar Exercise you visualize "energy balls" inside the body, not "lotus flowers" on its surface.

I did find some of the shows I witnessed that could be categorized as LoA somewhat on the silly side. Then again, there are always dumbed down simplified versions of spiritual teachings for the masses. It's inevitable. Opium for the people! All I wanted was to clarify that the basic tenet of the Law of Attraction - the assumption that thoughts tend to attract their likes - is not at odds with Occultist lores. Just consider the Law of Analogy, especially as applied in Hermetic/Sympathetic Magic.

You said a number of very good things in this post.

Right. The full formula is 0 = (+1) + (-1). That sounds interesting. Sources, links? Well said. That's exactly what I have been trying to do the last couple of decades. Yes, exactly. Spirit or mind created matter. It's not the other way around.

Well, I just demonstrated that even from a more orthodox occultist view, it is a reasonable assumption that thoughts and emotions are materialized or reflected in the body and external environment. By consciously choosing and projecting our thoughts, we can therefore alter our physical experiences. That is the whole of the Law of Attraction in a nutshell. I am not sure if what you are attacking in this thread is the basic tenets of the LoA, or only its dumbed down varieties.

UFA and the1gza, We are once again dealing with the classical conflict between the traditionalist and the innovator here. Every spiritual system was created by an innovator and preserved by traditionalists. The traditionalists are guarding the "original" system and oppose any changes to it. Yes, there are good reasons for preserving things the way they are. There are also good reasons for the widening and renewal of existing systems. Alchemy has not changed much in its practice since the 1200s? You are kidding me - right? First off, whose Alchemy are you referring to? The Alchemists didn't even agree about the meaning of the terminology and symbolism they were using, much less about the practice of pursuing the Philosopher's Stone! How I know that Nature is and acts as One? Simple... I myself am a unity, yet I am very aware that I am at any moment the net result of a highly complex combination of biological, chemical, physical, meteorological, geo-physical, cosmological, psychological, alchemical, astrological, numerological and other factors. I can single out any of these for special study. But I won't arrive at a thorough understanding of myself (and Nature) if I neglect how all these influences are interwoven. Alchemy was never a closed system. You can't even begin to understand, let alone safely reproduce, the recipes of the ancients if you have no knowledge of chemistry - how could this knowledge be a hindrance? The link to metaphysical philosophy is no modern abolition either. Have you read Zosimos, probably the most important of the Hellenistic Alchemists? He writes about a dream in which he meets the very Divine Pymander that initiated Hermes Trismegistos into the secrets of the world. This is just one example to illustrate how alchemy frequently refers to other systems; chemistry, mythology, metaphysics, astrology, physiology etc. To truly understand it, you are supposed to have knowledge of all these fields. This hasn't changed to this day. Why do you think that many of the greatest Alchemists were universalists? Jabir, Rhazes, Albertus Magnus, Arnald of Villanova, Lull, Paracelsus, Newton. (I omit the question here if ALL of these attributions are historically accurate.) These people were scientists and keen researchers. They were not afraid to think out of the box. They never intended Alchemy a religious system to be worshipped and rigidly conserved. Unlike some modern fraternities whose members typically pretend to know the truth about Alchemy but when asked to elaborate, tell you that it's too subtle for you to understand, or too dangerous, or that they are under oath not to give away the secret... I don't have the time and motivation to enter another tedious discussion of that kind here. My take on these matters should be sufficiently clear from the foregoing, and I don't like overly repeating myself, so I may not further comment on Traditionalist views of Alchemy. I am more interested in elaborating on the astrological parallels to the Chakras, as the OP asked me to do. Nungali, glad you like my Hermes wand.

Thank you Donald, That book is definitely on my reading list now.

Where I would be meeting you and Nungali.

In the occult view, a planet is not primarily seen as something physical. It does have a physical body as we know today, but what is influencing Earth and everything on it is its Soul. The Souls of the planets in unison form what is called the World Soul or Anima mundi in the occult view. The Anima mundi determines, to a degree, what is happening in humans and on Earth, yet Free Will has a say regarding how it wants to deal with and manifest her energies on the physical plane.

In Reality, there is no Alchemy. None. Period. There is only Nature. Nature is One but because of the limitations of the human mind we need to divide it into many different levels and strands, which are in truth all intermingled with each other. Thus we have Alchemy, Astrology, Chemistry, Psychology, and all the other Sciences. They each pertain only to a certain aspect of Nature, moreover only as seen from a certain time and place, in a specific cultural context. Equivalent systems in different cultures naturally overlap. Also, there are no rigid dividing lines between them and other systems (such as between Alchemy and Astrology). All the valid traditions are indeed describing the same things from different perspectives. Often, it is valuable to compare and, to a degree, merge different systems with each other because concepts and ideas found in several systems can confirm, reinforce, and supplement each other. It should be well noted that all the occult sciences evolved over long periods of time, assimilating knowledge and insights from many sources - and they naturally continue to do so. The earliest references to a system of human energy centers may be seen in the Aurora, written in 1612 by the alchemical mystic Jacob Boehme. Later, Johann Georg Gichtel illustrated Boehme's conception: Personally, I prefer the following model which is actually based on Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos and also used in Vedic Astrology: I will explain it in detail on request. Suffice it here to say that it ties in nicely with the thesis of a Lunar and a Solar Snake (Pinangala and Ida) winding themselves around the spine as the central channel (Sushumna) in the Hindu system, with the Chakras as their intersections. A concept that is reflected, btw, in an ancient symbol of utmost importance to Alchemy, the Wand of Hermes.

Avec plaisir, Monsieur. Regardless how we model the relationship between internal and external reality: If the planets manifest themselves as both psychological functioning (thoughts and emotions) and external events, it is reasonable to assume that the latter reflect the former, because - as you know - Creation ever proceeds from the higher levels (spiritual, mental and emotional) to the lower level (physical). Now, if you agree that we do have whatever degree of freedom in choosing how we think, it becomes clear that the thoughts we choose would influence our emotions as well as (seemingly) external events.

What I am getting at is this: Since your internal emotional and mental conditions as well as your external circumstances can both be seen in your chart (with its transits, directions, etc), to a degree - doesn't this suggest that there is a connection between your inner world and your outer world?

So Nungali, Can we agree that the astrological imprints a person carries around with them have something to do with the experiences they are making? Otherwise there would be no astrological predictions possible...

I try not to talk about things that I don't have personal experience with. With the exception of the Big Bang and Black Holes, perhaps.

In conclusion (?) of my previous post, I observe that the actualization of higher potential leading to an extraordinary degree of power over one's external circumstances is indeed possible, however, it necessitates a process of Internal Alchemy underestimated or (purposefully?) neglected by typical LoA representatives.

Continuing from my previous post, It was not very clear to me initially what the Sun exactly stands for in the Astrology of the personality. Different authors seemingly diverge in their understanding. In particular, some see the Sun as a symbol of the conscious personality or Ego; for others it represents the native's Soul/Inner Self/Higher Self. Eventually, I reached the surprising conclusion that the conscious personality in essence coincided with the their higher self which nothing other than the expression of their full potential. In Zen, they say that this mind is the Buddha mind. However, the full actualization of the conscious mind presupposes a spontaneous or cultivated path of Internal Alchemical development which can be understood astro-psychologically as overcoming the psychological obstacles presented by Saturn, thus breaching his sphere and accessing the trans-Saturnian/Transcendental regions that are reaching out to the stars... Interestingly, as the Sun is a star himself, and in direct communication with the Outers as his antennas reaching out into the Galaxy, their activity will kindle the Fire in his very core. Thus the conscious personality transmuted by its contact with the Outers will be filled with the Light of its innermost Self - which is symbolized by the central dot in the astrological symbol of the Sun. Thus the conscious personality is becoming enlightened. This also illuminates a certain degree of truth in the LoA teachings with their emphasis on the conscious mind as an independent, quasi divine creator. While concealing the whole, often challenging process that would - hopefully - one day lead it there. But of course, the story doesn't end with the Solar personality, since there is an even "higher" - yet far more remote astro-psychological center waiting to be actualised: The Center of the Galaxy that our star, the Sun, revolves around. I may have omitted to mention that the activation of astrological influences in the subtle anatomy leads to an activation of the chakras that directly correspond with them. But that would be another post...

No worries. It happens to me too that I can't reply as quickly as I wish due to some circumstances. Tarot can be very specific in its advice, to be sure. I prefer to use it with this emphasis over making predictions (which are only possible to a limited degree anyway). Right, Tarot can provide a mirror to see yourself much like dreams can do. I was primarily applying it to that end in my practice. I am not sure what you mean by the spreads being "exclusive." You can always start out with a spread that then happens to make you aware of a certain theme or aspect that you want to further explore, so you do a follow up reading with another spread. That's actually a pretty good way to use Tarot, imo. What spread to start with really depends on the query. There is no "one suits all." But a thread that pretty well represents a situation in general terms is the famous Celtic Cross. It will be best you get a good book on basic Tarot spreads, such as http://www.amazon.com/Tarot-Handbook-Hajo-Banzhaf/dp/0880795115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427127221&sr=8-1&keywords=banzhaf+spreads Of course, for any particular case, you can always request one from me here; I will be happy to share some of my favourites. It's sort of a hard question. Occasional Tarot sessions were typically part of a prolonged therapeutic process that would often involve Bach Flower Therapy, an explanation of horoscope charts, imaginative exercises, counselling etc. I used the cards as part of that process, specifically for inducing insights into the client's psychological functioning in relation to their external experience. The insights would make a lasting impression in their unconscious mind and over time lead to a series of conclusions that help changing the client's life. The focus was generally not on telling the client what to do, directly. Sure! Talk to you later, Michael

Extending further out into the Solar System, we next meet Jupiter who - at least in the spiritually more closed kind of people - manifests himself in form of the organized religion and basic ethics that tie together the socio-cultural collective. Saturn represents the outer limits of the conscious personality. Like Jupiter, he stands for the individual's relation to the social belief systems, however more in terms of restrictions. It is in tune with the Hermetic/analogous perspective that this planet is not only the outermost of the visible and traditionally known planets, but also contained within his characteristic ring. In certain terms, Saturn represents an Archetypal Father figure which is reflected in the physical father especially in the latter's role as the conveyor of the rules of a society. And the Mother is represented by the Moon, of course. Saturn and the Moon are opposite planetary forces just like Mars and Venus. But being opposites, they directly connect to each other; maybe that's paralleling the way the Superego becomes partially unconscious? Beyond Saturn (the keeper of the doors of time) there are further planets unbeknownst to the ancients who created Astrology. They were looked for and found because of mysterious aberrations in Saturn's orbital behaviour caused by the their gravity. This reflects how the Unconscious was discovered due to the effects it has on the conscious personality. The discoveries of new outer planets roughly coincided with milestones in the understanding the unconscious psyche such as provided by Freud and Jung. It is well known that the Outers (as far as Astrology is concerned, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) in a natal chart represent an individual's access to psychic and transcendental dimensions of experience. But their influence can also compromise the structure of the conscious personality, leading to delusion and mental illness. Especially if they destabilize the psychological comfort zone that is provided by the Moon (and/or the mental processes of Mercury) as astro-medical experience shows. The Moon or personal subconscious can be seen as a gateway to the trans-Saturnians who are connected to collective and universal levels in "psychic" space. Opening up to the Outers therefore affects the conscious personality in ways that range from psychotic experiences to highly inspired and/or enlightened states - or, for that matter, any combination thereof as the biographies of many geniuses tell us. Anyway, traversing Saturn's sphere and opening up to the transcendental world of the Outers often involves existential crises, some of them summarized as the Dark Night of the Soul. Yet beyond the outer planets of the Solar System begins the realm of the fixed stars, which the mystics wants to expand his consciousness to, and whose forces the magician wants to pull right down to Earth. But I haven't said anything much about Sun yet - oh boy, what an omission! Coming up later on this channel.

So Mercury is directing the thoughts from the subconscious (lunar) parts of the Ego to the conscious parts and vice versa? That's interesting, because in Mythology, Mercury was indeed the one deity who could easily access all the different levels of the world, Your definition of Venus and Mars as psychological drives is interesting. In Freudian terms, they would be related to the Id as the source of both the survival related reactions (Mars) and the sexual urgings (Venus). It also brings to mind that in the Heliocentric view of the Solar System, the Moon is on the side of the orbit of Venus at one time, on the side of Mars at another, thus collecting the subtle influences of both and transmitting them to Earth eventually. This is a two way process, of course. The Moon thus also seems to connect the Anima and the Animus which should be thought of as psychologically present in every individual regardless of gender in an enlarged Jungian model such as Astrology provides. This ties in with the Moon being dark (Yin, "feminine") when at the farthest extension on her orbit around the Earth on Venus' side, whereas she is fully illuminated (Yang, "masculine") when closest to the orbit of Mars. In line with the two major phases of the Moon, there are ancient references to her as being two-faced, or Luna and Lunus. Too bad - I'd love to see it! Maybe you can try to describe it, at least? Yes, it does. Naturally, it suffers from Freud's omission of the Superconscious (not to be confused with the Superego) - unless we take the Sun on the upper right as a hint at the latter. More about the Superego and the Superconscious to follow on this channel.

Rigorously, what is conscious is only what is in the spotlight that the mind is constantly aiming at its contents. But according to the common definition, the conscious is the are where things can easily be accessed. Example: You may try not to think of the imminent visit of your mother-in-law, although, alas, you remain consciously all too aware of it. What Freud probably meant when he said that the ego is partially unconscious (as Nungali's descriptive diagram shows) is that it rests on a psychological ground that it is well familiar with and takes for granted. A comfort zone (as long as the ground isn't shaking too hard) composed of instinctive and emotional reactions and beliefs, thus a zone of overlap with both the subconscious per say and the super-ego. What is appallingly missing from the Freudian model is the inclusion of the super-conscious or spiritual part of the self. Researchers like Jung and Assagioli remedied this with their models to a certain degree. It goes without saying that in traditional metaphysical systems all these levels of the self are well known (that's where Jung got a lot of his ideas from). So I set out to treat them in an astrological context in my next post which will at once be my reply to Nungali.

Hi Nikolai1, Surely, both the languages of psychology and of spirituality are full with ambiguities. While psychological models sometimes provide insight, for most intents and purposes, I prefer the terminology offered by the Bach Flower Remedies system. Dr. Edward Bach categorized the various mental and emotional states that we can suffer from into 38 conditions which not coincidentally correspond with the 38 subtle remedies that are practically applied. In the language of Bach Flower Therapy, what you are describing really sounds like a Mustard state to me: http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/38/mustard.htm In psychotherapeutic terms, Mustard states have the character of an endogenous depression which (unlike reactive depression) has no obvious cause. It sometimes has a quality of poetic "world weariness" to it, that may be seen as a spiritual component that in fact many artists are drawing from. Some say it has karmic aspects, and it definitely ties in with the Dark Night of the Soul. This kind of depression is particularly wide spread in Northern European countries and is understood by neuroscientists as linked to the comparatively small amount of sunlight received in the higher latitudes. (The depression that many are suffering from after Winter is a lighter version of this.) As it is the sunlight that stimulates the pineal gland into production of the mood enhancing hormone Melatonin.

Some of them, anyway... However, the ego is only partially conscious, if Freud is to be believed.

They will have the status of ancient mythology in a couple of thousand years... Bet with me? You are one with "the Force", just like everything else, thus you are one with everything else. What you watch is directly a reflection of yourself as you contribute to its creation (every perceiving entity "creating" every other - Indra's Net again... No, not the Internet!) Quantum Mechanics agrees, at least in principle. Exactly right... From where you would have proceeded by doing what Spock's bro did in my last post. He seems to be an accomplished LoA master! Thanks for admitting. Despite my pithy comments - I agree that the LoA concept raises philosophical questions that I rarely see addressed in its literature (Seth being an exception, but I wouldn't categorize him as LoA; a watered down predecessor, perhaps). No, I'm triangulating it.

The fully enlightened one, perhaps. Also, unwanted thoughts can flood the mind from all inner directions... Where do those come from?

No, it's the lobster which wrote the best-seller Breakthrough to a Higher Level - One Lobster's Journey to a Life in the Sunshine. Never heard of it, eh?