All your magic are belong to us!
Over the years we've known each other, there's one thing I do that really gets on Jason's nerves. When I talk about magic, I tend to use language that makes it look like I'm talking about all of magic, every bit of it practiced here, there, or anywhere on the Earth for all time.
I assure you, I'm way too enlightened for that. I know different systems get results, and different approaches work better under different circumstances. The problem is when I think about magic in general, I tend to think only within the boundaries of what I do when I do magic, and that's your basic Hermetic Conjure, and the effects of that. When I get excited and the passion flows, I can make bold statements about magic in general, and really only be referring to Hermetic Conjure magic as I've experienced it specifically.
It happens.
The way I see it, we magicians of various traditions are all called to the occult practices. We're called in languages and symbols that we can understand and work with to unlock the secrets of existence and to find and fulfill our reason for being here. It's all very personal. The language and symbol set I work with is Hermetics, because it's what I believe best explains the universe. To me. There's no system I've found that works better. Again, for me. I'm content within this system because it is complete - that is, it provides everything I need to be spiritually and physically fulfilled.
The reason I get into the "my kung fu is better than yours" is because for too long people have tried to add things to Hermetics instead of finding the things that are already there, things that open specific gateways and advance the Work. You get rid of some of the more modern accumulations in Hermetics, and you find that there's a path to becoming a Power, and that there are specific initiatory rites that transform you into this entity. In the process of transformation, I've found that a lot of the things that are sought in the Eastern traditions by modern magicians can be found in Hermetics. In fact, everything I wanted when I got into magic is right here in Hermetics, and a lot of stuff I pursued along the way was just a waste of time, and I'm bitter about that. I gots issues, man.
So if I talk about it, and get excited, and speak, on occasion, as if what I'm saying is true for everyone everywhere no matter what, remember that I know that's not necessarily true. It's just my experience, my preference, my thing. Your thing is your thing, and I hope you read my blog and take from my experiences whatever brings you further along in your pursuit of the Work, however you were called to it.
Head for the Red: The ongoing adventures and insights of a magician's attempts to accomplish the Great Work.
Fr RO,
ReplyDeleteAs I said to you this morning, the wealth of information you handle it what makes you complete.
I second every word you say, since everyone is called to understand symbols and systems according their choice, or calling? well, whatever the reason is.
In my case, I'm a Rosicrucian and a Hermetic Magician and this is the way I understand the chain of creation too. I don't see myself spiting liquids over my "prenda" or my clients as Santeros do. That's not my stuff.
VL
I agree. You can't be everyone nor a master at everything. Its the same whether in everyday life or with magic. Its the downside of incarnation, limitation.
ReplyDeleteI really didnt mean for that part of my post to reference you man. It was more a comment on what goes on all over the place.
ReplyDeleteI realize that since the first part of my post DID refer to you, that I should have clarified that.
See you this weekend mang.
Bravo, RO.
ReplyDeleteI've honestly never thought of you as competitive, just proud. You've reached a great depth in Hermetic practice without the aid of an established order to train you. That is a huge thing, dude! You have a right to be proud!
ReplyDeleteI also thought of some other people on Jason's post. You are more like a master of Praying Mantis style pointing out all the cool shit it can do. I don't think you've ever once said that your practice is better qualitatively for anyone but you.
Ever consider setting up your own school?
ReplyDeletelol
You know, both you and Jason represent two approaches to magick that work out really well.
ReplyDeleteYour work represnts a complete emersion in a system without pulling from other traditions, or informing your practices from anything other than your own tradition. This purist way of working with the tradition not only is immensely effective, but results in a coherent and consistent system of magical thought that is clean and straight-forward.
Jason represents how a syncretic approach that uses a single overarching paradim as a means by which "external" practices are adopted and melded into a system that is both fluid, adaptive, and fluid, can be extremely effective. He doesn't hesitate to let his personal practice be informed by other traditions and as a result his way of working is always growing and adapting, allow for pretty strong results.
What we get from both of you is a smart way of working in magical traditions. Either emerse yourself fully in a tradition by taking on all of it, or have a syncretic approach that is rational and well-thought out.
Two approaches, but greatly effective.
You are using wrong term. Hermeticism is ancient greek-egyptian school of magic that is separate from western European schools. For example evocation to the outside of the circle is exclusive technique that wasn't known before middle ages.
ReplyDelete@Anon, have you ever heard of the Renaissance?
ReplyDelete"In 1453, Constantinople fell to the Turks, ending the Byzantine empire. This date also marks the beginning of the Renaissance, since the waves of Greek refugees spread knowledge of Greek throughout Europe. Included with the newly available Greek manuscripts were the Corpus Hermetica, Plotinus, and the works of the Neoplatonists.
Shortly thereafter in 1492, Isabella and Ferdinand expelled the Jews from Spain. This sent waves of Jewish refugees throughout Europe, spreading knowledge of Hebrew and of the Kabbalah.
Renaissance philosophers sought to integrate these traditions with the view of unifying the rapidly disintegrating religious factions and also ending the constant political strife. Thus they are the forerunners or prophets of the Rosicrucian and Illuminati movements."
-Joseph Peters, Esoteric Archives.com
RO:
ReplyDeleteAs best I can tell from piecing together this internetz tornado of blog posts well and truly after the fact you have absolutely been on top form.
Bravo.