Thursday, January 27, 2011

Manifestation Magic: The Simple Equation

It seems like there's this equation between manifestation and work. It starts with a desire for something, a negative that must have an equal positive on the other side of the equation. To fill it up, we have to come up with the equal amount on the other side.

To get to the desired outcome, you have to start with what you fundamentally have going for you right now, no matter where you are or what your circumstances are. You always have You, in whatever condition you're in. Obviously, what you are right now lacks the thing you want, the person, experience, or thing. We have to add something to what you have right now to come up with the stuff you want. You obviously can't just have it, or you already would, right? So there's going to be something that has to occur to get you the stuff you want. The thing we add to ourselves to get the stuff we want is always some form of Work. So the basic equation for getting what you want in life is:

You + Work = Stuff you want.

There's more to it though. You also have to have the opportunity to get what you want. Opportunity is that series of coincidences that lead to the ability to do the work to get what you want. The greater the opportunity, or chances to get what you want, the less work you need. Ever notice that gambling is referred to as a "game of chance"? And gamblers who win are said to be lucky? Opportunity is, in many ways, another word for chance, or luck. Fortune, as it's called. Also known as Fate.

Say you want a roast beast. For some, it's no problem because there are places selling all kinds of roast beast right down the street, or they have roast beast just sitting in their fridge. But for others, their circumstances aren't that good, they may live somewhere that has cultural taboos against eating roast beast. They may have had the misfortune of being indoctrinated as a child that roast beast is a sin, yet they find themselves jonesing for some steak. Or maybe they're just too poor to afford roast beast. It's their circumstances, their fate, if you will, that determines how much work it's going to take to get that roast beast.

So the equation is sort of:

You + Work + Fate = Stuff you want.

And then there's time. Time is a part of the equation too. The bigger the thing is you want, generally, the longer it takes to get it. You have to work hard longer when you get the opportunity if what you want is really expensive, for instance. So it's:

You + Work + Fate + Time = Stuff you want.

That's the basic equation for manifesting things in this world. You want something, you work for it for as long as it takes with the opportunities you have at hand until you can have what you want. Any time you increase the value of anything left of the equal sign, you decrease the other factors. If you want something and it will take 60 days to earn enough with your current circumstances, you can decrease the time by increasing the work, or by increasing the opportunity. You can engineer a meeting with someone who can get you what you want with less work and time.

In the Corpus Hermeticum, it talks about the Seven Planetary Governors, and their more-material reflections in the microcosm. Another name for these entities were the Fates. They were the spirits who control the manifestation of things in the material world through their powers and affinities. They spin the threads that get woven into the tapestry of the space-time fabric of the universe. If String Theory were right, they would be the  string manufacturers, in a way.

We Work with the Governors of Fate. Magicians create opportunities for ourselves to get ahead through our relationships with the spirits of the world around us and the worlds above (or below) us. We increase the Fate factor to decrease the Time and Work required to manifest the Stuff we want in our lives. Whether we're conjuring spirits to understand the occult virtues of stones, or to sink the ships of our competitors to increase our profit on rice investments, we are working with Fate to obtain our desired outcome, decreasing the work and time requirements to get the stuff we want.

Yet doing magic is also work. To get really good at Working with the Fates, you have to go through a lot of training, initiations, and transformations. The nice thing is that the more you do, the more these changes occur naturally, as your sphere harmonizes through the properties of resonance to the vibrations of the spirits themselves. This too causes manifestations in our lives, and we change.

We become different people with different perspectives. We become wiser, and thus quieter people. We become more comfortable in the knowledge of ourselves, and thus cease to lie to ourselves and others about who we are, and what we did. We see that what we do is exactly what we are, and as we see that, what we do changes.

And most of these changes suck major dick to go through. In a bad way. Most of the processes of the Great Work begin with some form of dissolution, calcination, or something that if it were done to you personally would probably kill you. Can you imagine burning yourself slowly until your skin turned black, then white as it became ash, eventually becoming nothing but a red powder? I mean, literally. Not a FUN experience, yo.

And that's what happens metaphorically, most times. I don't think people like to think about it, but I'll bet that cocoon coming off the butterfly hurts like a motherfucker. Maybe that's just me because I'm a stubborn old bull, though, maybe it comes easier to other people.

But I doubt it.

Because the basic equation remains. You + Work + Fate + Time = Stuff You Want.

Heh, when you think about it, as You goes through the Work, Time, and Fate to arrive at Stuff, it's also changing and increasing in value. So at the end of getting Stuff you Want, "You" is actually "You + The Experience of What You Went Through" so next time you Want Stuff, the value of You has increased, so the required values of everything else to get to Stuff you Want are decreased. Bonus!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Strategic Sorcery: New Home

A message from Jason Miller (Inominandum), author of the Strategic Sorcery blog:


Dear Readers of Strategic Sorcery,


As most of you know, Strategic Sorcery mysteriously disappeared on the evening of Wednesday, January 19th. The blog was not locked or cancelled by blogger intentionally, nor does it appear to be a deliberate hack. It is a glitch that is effecting about 50 other blogs.


Strategic Sorcery will now be hosted at my own website. The new address is:
http://www.inominandum.com/blog/

Please take a moment and update your links and follow me at the new site.


A big thanks go out to the owner of this blog for helping me get the message out.  Thank you readers who have written in concerned about the situation. I am awed and gladdened by your support.


Thank you,
Jason Miller (Inominandum)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Beast from the Sea

Revelations 13: 1-10
    1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore.
    Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed.
Ok? You see that, right? Verse 3. It's not just me.

Ok now I'll just say it: Gabrielle Giffords is walking around her hospital room two weeks after being shot, in the fucking brain. Ok?
      4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;
So, the next big news will be that she can speak coherently and she's not severely brain damaged. She'll go on tours and the world will fall in love with her. Then she'll be President, and will be given power for 42 months.

Cause she's a head of the ANTICHRIST.

You just wait and see.

Monday, January 17, 2011

On the Magic Circle

In a recent Rune Soup post, Gordon says (edited for point-making purposes, see his original post for the full context, because what I'm doing isn't technically fair, picking and choosing bits like this, and the rest of his post is important and good about mini-self exorcisms and stuff):

These days it is quite rare for me to actually use a magic circle ... Jason points out it’s a minority, Western-European practice that ... took off in the late Renaissance among the ceremonial bourgeoisie. It’s practical application is comparatively rare on a global level.  [In Peter J Carroll's] experience [magic circles] afford little protection.
The only point I would actually argue with is that the practical application of a Magic Circle is comparatively rare on a global level. I'd wager that every magical practice makes use of circles in their art. Every magical working space I've seen, no matter what the tradition, includes circles somewhere on the altar, in the sacred space, or wherever the actual conjuration of spirits takes place.

I suspect he means that globally, you won't find a neo-pagan form of the Golden Dawn's LBRP being performed before every magical act, and he's totally right in that regard. However, every circle, whether it is intended for magic, marketing, or doodling has an occult meaning and purpose. Agrippa explains it thus:
"a Circle doth answer to Unity, and the number ten; for Unity is the Center, and circumference of all things; and the number ten being heaped together returns into a Unity from whence it had its beginning, being the end, and complements of all numbers. A circle is called an infinite line in which there is no Terminus a quo, nor Terminus ad quem, whose beginning and end is in every point, whence also a circular motion is called infinite, not according to time, but according to place; hence a circular being the largest and perfectest of all is judged to be the most fit for bindings and conjurations; Whence they who adjure evil spirits, are wont to environ themselves about with a circle." (Quoted from Esoteric Archives for instructional purposes.)
See, when you conjure spirits, they can't get into the circle unless they're invited. They hit the circle, and begin going around and around it, looking for a point of entry. When it is empowered through evocation and invocation, evil spirits can't get through it at all. There is no point of failure they can breach.

As you can see, it makes sense that late Renaissance ceremonialists would begin incorporating the use of the Magic Circle in their rites. They were conjuring a lot of spirits to get ahead in life, and the kind of getting ahead they had in mind was based on exactly the kind of desires for material things that attract the Evil Daimons referenced in the Corpus Hermeticum. The Circle became more necessary to them as they turned from the kind of hands on crafty magic to conjure magic.

But when you look at the grimoires of the times of the Renaissance, the Magic circle pops up primarily in conjure magic. Practical, hands-on magic doesn't require a magic circle because if you are conjuring spirits in the rite, it's through the virtues of the herbs, minerals, or symbols you use to make the talisman, mojo bag, or whatever physical fetish you use. You mix the ingredients, let the spirits that are naturally in tune with the ingredients manifest, and then you speak to them directly. There's less chance of getting an "Evil Daimon" when you're working with the direct manifestations of the spirits themselves.

But when you're doing the kind of formal conjurations of the Great Work that I do, a magic circle is a major part of your Work. You're going through the heavens seeking initiations. You need an added level of protection from deluding spirits. It's difficult at first to discern between a spirit telling you what is true and real and a spirit telling you what you want to hear. You don't want to conjure up a spirit of Venus for initiation into the sphere that rules the engendering of existence and wind up getting a spirit of debauchery and decay. Hedonistic self-destruction can be fun for a while, but it sort of sucks when the liver and kidneys fail, or when it burns when you piss.

When you're doing the practical Work I do on behalf of clients, it's also important to use the Magic Circle. Accidentally cursing your clients is bad form. When I do practical Work, I go Above to the Macrocosm, and Work with the Intelligences of the spheres and their minions here below in the material realm. I Work with my brothers and sisters and cousins in the Holy Family of Emanations of the One. Picking up a cousin who isn't suited for the task at hand can be disastrous. The circle keeps out the spirits I don't want, and allows only the spirits I do want.

My magic circle is about six inches wide. It's burned into the top of a cigar box that I use to house the electronics that light up the sphere when I lay a metal talisman across the electrodes sticking out of the Box. My magic circle is the Table of Practice I use to conjure the spirits in all my magical Work on behalf of the clients, my material needs, and my spiritual goals. I made it once, and it continues to function, properly empowered. I trace out a circle of defense around myself as well. It takes about half a minute to do so. I use a spherical crystal to communicate with the spirits. Using a magic circle doesn't take very long at all.

Throughout the day, as magical needs arise, I don't do a formal circle. I use techniques that are combinations of mental, physical, and verbal directives to the forces of existence. I use the forces of the spheres I've been initiated into. But for the formal stuff, I stick with the circles.

I guess what I really want to say here is that a Circle is important. It might not be used all the time by all the people, but that doesn't make it optional, or unnecessary. It's not a thing that can just be dropped without consequence. Other forms of protection are useful and more effective than trying to form a full magic circle on the fly as you go about your daily activities, but for the Ceremonial Bourgeoisie like myself, your magical Work should probably include a circle.

Friday, January 14, 2011

That Wrong Zodiac Meme Thing

Due to the instant popularity of things that have been around for years afforded by Facebook, the "Wrong Zodiac" meme is getting a lot of press. For those just hearing about it, it's not new. I read about it a couple of years ago, thought it was total bullshit, and promptly forgot about it. Then my spouse brought it up the other day, telling me on first exposure she knew it was horse shit because she wouldn't "really" be a Capricorn under the new model. We laughed because she's the quintessential Capricorn, and I moved along with my life.

Then Chris Warnock wrote this blog post about it, and then a student asked me about it, and damn if it isn't all over the place.

Read Chris Warnock's blog post and the web page he wrote to address this issue when it came to his attention a while ago. I'm in total agreement with his conclusions.

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Santa Muerte

Well, apparently they're persecuting the Cult of Santa Muerte. Can't be sure, the Archbishop may have been part of a kidnapping ring. What I find fascinating is that it's tied to a gang that calls itself El Aztlan, referring to the mythical home of the Aztecs. That would be like a gang called the Atlanteans, esse! The culture is hooked into its mythos a lot stronger than mine is.

So the article mentions they also had these shrines built all along the road in Nuevo Laredo, and the government and the army went out and tore down the shrines. There's an ongoing war against the cult that's ratcheting up in intensity. Some will say it's another front of drug wars between the government and the cartels, but I tell you the truth, the war between the cartels and the government is really just another front of the spiritual war between the Powers and Principalities in high places, aww yeah.

But look, folks, there's a reason Mictecaciahuatl rules the underworld, and there's a reason she is Señora de las Sombras. I think they got too public with her, and her image became profaned. I think she's cutting off the impious, those who would use her image instead of honoring it. You don't fuck around with Aztec Gods. You just don't.

Monday, January 03, 2011

Tips and Tricks: New Moon, New Mercury

Hey folks, with Mercury going direct, but slow, and the Moon being Brand new, and you know, consequently a little stiff, I thought I'd offer some tips and tricks for this kind of weather.

New Mercurial projects should be planned to begin when he's fully back up to speed, and to be winding down right before he starts slowing down for the next retrograde. Plan it out now, begin to turn your thoughts on the project into an outline, a structured plan, and start filling in the details as he picks up speed. Launch the project when he reaches full speed (January 18th, 2011) and Work it into being between now and early March. Try to schedule the plan to wrap up by 3/15/2011, the last day he's at full speed, or sooner. Things usually take longer than we plan, so leave some wiggle room. After he starts slowing down on March 16th, you should be cleaning up any left over loose ends and getting ready to go "within" to get new ideas for the next cycle.

In business terms, now's a good time to be planning out a short term project that you can launch after the 18th, get done by March 15th, and reap the rewards going forward. In book writing terms, outline now, write up the bulk of the work between now and 3/15/2011, and then do the proofreading and editing while he's retrograde. Then publish when he goes direct, and expect the income to start flying in when he gets going full speed. In healing terms, diagnose now, treat when he's at full speed, and reassess when things are slowing down.

Conjuring Raphael now can be tricky, but I've never had any major difficulties with it. The talisman I use as a "lamen" was created when he was well-aspected, and we've got a good relationship built up. That helps a lot. I'm in the beginning stages of some Work that will be benefited by the help of a minor Mercurial spirit...

Hell, it's easier to just say it. I'm conjuring Raphael and requesting a minor spirit to assist with a "love spell"* for some clients this Wednesday,  and I'll work with this spirit in tying together the strands from the other spheres. As Mercury picks up speed, the minor spirit will be all over the place making sure the strands are woven together as planned and the clients get what they need. I've already begun the prep work, the divinations, and I've started roughing out the plan for each individual's specific needs.**

And that dovetails nicely into New Moon Magic. the recent eclipse revealed some interesting things. Chris Warnock pointed out the light is blocked physically, and that's a physical metaphor for what's going on magically. The absence of light. It sparked some thoughts that led to some interesting conversations with the Lunar Intelligences.

Where the Light reflected off the Moon goes is a good indication of what can be done well magically with things under the influence of the Moon. As the light she reflects wanes, it doesn't decrease at all. The same amount of light is being sent elsewhere, upward through the higher spheres when the Moon is waning and new. When she turns her face to the higher heavens, I turn my face there as well, and most of my magic is spent on exploring the upper spheres. As she turns her gaze downwards to the Earth, I work my manifestation magic.***

The Moon, being the last sphere before things manifest on the way down, rules the outermost shape and form of things in the material realm. By the time an Idea that you're bringing into fruition reaches the Lunar Sphere, all that's left to apply is the outer layer. Based on the Work you've done in other spheres, it will have some natural tendencies towards taking shape here below. A primarily Martial Working will take on a Martial form in the Moon, for example.

When the Moon is New, her light is completely focused Above. This is the time that you too should be focused completely above. Tonight is the night to open an astral portal to the Sphere of the Moon, ascend to the highest heavens, and lay out your plan Above. As she turns towards the Earth, the things you've seeded Above will begin to take shape.

Tonight I'll be working through the spheres on the projects I have for my clients. I'll be traveling and conversing with the Intelligences, and getting my ducks in a row. I'll get details on each client's needs and the influences that have led to their current circumstances. I've got several projects on my plate, including a business-luck talisman for a client in the Philippines that I'm Working on as well. As the Moon is fully powered towards the Above, I'll be using its forces to get me to the highest heights for each project.

As you can imagine, my handy dandy note book is a key magical tool when I'm doing this much. Organization skills are necessary when you're planning and plotting out your life and the lives of others.

As she waxes, the things I've got planned will begin to manifest here below. The Mercurial spirit assistant will have access to the forces hitting the material realm through the sphere of the Moon, and will be able to oversee the manifestation process nicely for me (and my clients). We all work together as a team, in harmony with the forces above to accomplish our goals below.

So, in summary: Plan out your Mercurial rites now, and take advantage of the New Moon to explore the highest heavens. As they progress through their individual cycles, take advantage of it, but make sure you also don't get sucked out into the undertow when they progress through the rest of their cycles. Don't tie your manifestation process so tightly to the Moon or Mercury that when they wane or go retrograde everything falls apart. Plan smart, and enjoy the results.

*Note: RO love spells are not your typical love spells, and you probably won't like what I have to say to you when you ask for help. Just sayin'.

**Note 2: If you want in on this, let me know, I can sqeeze in a couple more. Not too many more, but, you know, a couple. It's not a one-spell-fits-all kind of thing, but there's still a little bandwidth available. Select the Relationship Engineering Consult option from the drop down list and I'll run a divination to see if you're one of the people I can help with this.

*** Note 3: I'm talking in "general guideline" language here. There's a puerile myth that being in tune with astrological weather equates to being bound to the fates, limited in what you can do. That's just not how it works. I have lots of mitigating talismans that allow me to do whatever I like, whenever I feel like it, and I do so as appropriate. The results are always influenced by the astrological weather, but proper preparation offsets negatives, most of the time. It's like going to the grocery store when you need food, you go whether it's raining or not. If it's raining, your bags will be wet when you unload them, that's all. The advice I'm giving is just, you know, tips and tricks to tap into forces that are at play. The universe is universing, it might as well universe for you.